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Storer Clouston</p></div><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost + and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, + give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project + Gutenberg License <a href="#pglicense" class="tei tei-ref">included with this + eBook</a> or online at <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/license" class="tei tei-xref">http://www.gutenberg.org/license</a></p></div><pre class="pre tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em">Title: The Lunatic at Large + +Author: J. Storer Clouston + +Release Date: January 30, 2007 [Ebook #20485] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LUNATIC AT LARGE*** +</pre></div> + </div> + + <div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + + </div> + + <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-titlePage" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page3">[pg 3]</span><a name="Pg3" id="Pg3" class="tei tei-anchor" style="text-align: center"></a> + <span class="tei tei-docTitle" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-titlePart" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 175%">THE</span></span><br /> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 200%">LUNATIC AT LARGE</span></span><br /> + <br /> + </span> + <span class="tei tei-titlePart" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 150%; font-style: italic">A NOVEL</span></span><br /> + <br /> + </span> + </span> + <div class="tei tei-byline" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 75%">BY</span></span><br /> + <span class="tei tei-docAuthor" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">J. STORER CLOUSTON</span></span><br /> + <br /> + </span> + </div> + <span class="tei tei-docEdition" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 75%">AUTHORIZED EDITION</span></span><br /> + <br /> + </span> + <span class="tei tei-docImprint" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 125%">BRENTANO’S</span></span><br /> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">NEW YORK</span></span><br /> + </span> + <span class="tei tei-docDate" style="text-align: center"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">1915</span></span><br /> + </span> + </div> + + <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="pdf1" id="pdf1"></a> + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">CONTENTS</span></h1> + <ul class="tei tei-index tei-index-toc"><li><a href="#toc2"> + <span style="font-size: 125%">INTRODUCTORY.</span> +</a></li><li><a href="#toc4"> + <span style="font-size: 125%">PART I.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc6"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER I.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc8"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER II.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc10"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER III.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc12"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER IV.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc14"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER V.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc16"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VI.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc18"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VII.</span> +</a></li><li><a href="#toc20"> + <span style="font-size: 125%">PART II.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc22"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER I.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc24"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER II.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc26"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER III.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc28"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER IV.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc30"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER V.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc32"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VI.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc34"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VII.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc36"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VIII.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc38"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER IX.</span> +</a></li><li><a href="#toc40"> + <span style="font-size: 125%">PART III.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc42"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER I.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc44"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER II.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc46"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER III.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc48"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER IV.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc50"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER V.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc52"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VI.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc54"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VII.</span> +</a></li><li><a href="#toc56"> + <span style="font-size: 125%">PART IV.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc58"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER I.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc60"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER II.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc62"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER III.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc64"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER IV.</span> +</a></li><li style="margin-left: 2em"><a href="#toc66"> + <span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER V.</span> +</a></li><li><a href="#toc68"> + <span style="font-size: 125%">ERRATA.</span> + </a></li></ul> + </div> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-body" style="margin-bottom: 6.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + + + + + + + + +<hr class="doublepage" /><div id="LLi" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page5">[pg 5]</span><a name="Pg5" id="Pg5" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc2" id="toc2"></a> +<a name="pdf3" id="pdf3"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 150%">THE LUNATIC AT LARGE.</span></span> +</h1> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 125%">INTRODUCTORY.</span></span> +</h1> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Into the history of Mr Francis Beveridge, as supplied +by the obliging candour of the Baron von +Blitzenberg and the notes of Dr Escott, Dr Twiddel +and his friend Robert Welsh make a kind of +explanatory entry. They most effectually set the ball +a-rolling, and so the story starts in a small room looking +out on a very uninteresting London street.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was about three o’clock on a November afternoon, +that season of fogs and rains and mud, when towns-people +long for fresh air and hillsides, and country-folk +think wistfully of the warmth and lights of a city, when +nobody is satisfied, and everybody has a cold. Outside +the window of the room there were a few feet of earth +adorned with a low bush or two, a line of railings, a stone-paved +street, and on the other side a long row of uniform +yellow brick houses. The apartment itself was a modest +chamber, containing a minimum of rented furniture and +a flickering gas-stove. By a small caseful of medical +treatises and a conspicuous stethoscope, the least experienced +could see that it was labelled consulting-room.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page6">[pg 6]</span><a name="Pg6" id="Pg6" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr Twiddel was enjoying one of those moments of +repose that occur even in the youngest practitioner’s +existence. For the purposes of this narrative he may briefly +be described as an amiable-looking young man, with a +little bit of fair moustache and still less chin, no practice +to speak of, and a considerable quantity of unpaid bills. +A man of such features and in such circumstances invites +temptation. At the present moment, though his waistcoat +was unbuttoned and his feet rested on the mantelpiece, +his mind seemed not quite at ease. He looked +back upon a number of fortunate events that had not +occurred, and forward to various unpleasant things that +might occur, and then he took a letter from his pocket +and read it abstractedly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I can’t afford to refuse,”</span> he reflected, lugubriously; +<span class="tei tei-q">“and yet, hang it! I must say I don’t fancy the job.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When metal is molten it can be poured into any vessel; +and at that moment a certain deep receptacle stood on the +very doorstep.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The doctor heard the bell, sat up briskly, stuffed the +letter back into his pocket, and buttoned his waistcoat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A patient at last!”</span> and instantly there arose a +vision of a simple operation, a fabulous fee, and twelve +sickly millionaires an hour ever after. The door opened, +and a loud voice hailed him familiarly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Only Welsh,”</span> he sighed, and the vision went the way +of all the others.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The gentleman who swaggered in and clapped the +doctor on the back, who next threw himself into the +easiest chair and his hat and coat over the table, was in +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page7">[pg 7]</span><a name="Pg7" id="Pg7" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +fact Mr Robert Welsh. From the moment he entered +he pervaded the room; the stethoscope seemed to grow +less conspicuous, Dr Twiddel’s chin more diminutive, +the apartment itself a mere background to this guest. +Why? It would be hard to say precisely. He was a +black-moustached, full-faced man, with an air of the +most consummate assurance, and a person by some +deemed handsome. Yet somehow or other he inevitably +recalled the uncles of history. Perhaps this assurance +alone gave him his atmosphere. You could have felt +his egotism in the dark.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He talked in a loud voice and with a great air of mastery +over all the contingencies of a life about town. You +felt that here sat one who had seen the world and gave +things their proper proportions, who had learned how +meretricious was orthodoxy, and which bars could really +be recommended. He chaffed, patronised, and cheered +the doctor. Patients had been scarce, had they? Well, +after all, there were many consolations. Did Twiddle +say he was hard up? Welsh himself in an even more +evil case. He narrated various unfortunate transactions +connected with the turf and other pursuits, with regret, +no doubt, and yet with a fine rakish defiance of destiny. +Twiddel’s face cleared, and he began to show something +of the same gallant spirit. He brought out a tall bottle +with a Celtic superscription; Welsh half filled his glass, +poured in some water from a dusty decanter, and proposed +the toast of <span class="tei tei-q">“Luck to the two most deserving sinners in +London!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The doctor was fired, he drew the same letter from his +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page8">[pg 8]</span><a name="Pg8" id="Pg8" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +pocket, and cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“By Jove, Welsh, I’d almost forgotten +to tell you of a lucky offer that came this morning.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was not strictly true, for as a matter of fact the +doctor had only hesitated to tell of this offer lest he should +be shamed to a decision. But Welsh was infectious.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Congratulations, old man!”</span> said his friend. <span class="tei tei-q">“What’s +it all about?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Here’s a letter from an old friend of my +people’s—Dr Watson, by name. He has a very good +country practice, and he offers me this job.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He handed the letter to Welsh, and then added, with a +flutter of caution, <span class="tei tei-q">“I haven’t made up my mind yet. +There are drawbacks, as you’ll see.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh opened the letter and read:—</p> + +<div class="block tei tei-q"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Dear Twiddel</span></span>,—I + am happy to tell you that I am + at last able to put something in your way. A gentleman + in this neighbourhood, one of my most esteemed patients, + has lately suffered from a severe mental and physical + shock, followed by brain fever, and is still, I regret to + say, in an extremely unstable mental condition. I have + strongly recommended quiet and change of scene, and at + my suggestion he is to be sent abroad under the care of a + medical attendant. I have now much pleasure in offering + you the post, if you would care to accept it. You will + find your patient, Mr Mandell-Essington, an extremely + agreeable young man when in possession of his proper + faculties. He has large means and no near relatives; + he comes of one of the best families in the county; and + though he has, I surmise, sown his wild oats pretty freely, + he was considered of unusual promise previous to this + unfortunate illness. He is of an amiable and pleasant + disposition, though at present, we fear, inclined to suicidal + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page9">[pg 9]</span><a name="Pg9" id="Pg9" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + tendencies. I have no particular reason to think he is + at all homicidal; still, you will see that he naturally requires + most careful watching. It is possible that you may + hesitate to leave your practice (which I trust prospers); + but as the responsibility is considerable, the fee will be + proportionately generous—£500, and all expenses paid.”</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 100%">(</span><span class="tei tei-q"><span style="font-size: 100%">“</span><span style="font-size: 100%">Five hundred quid!</span><span style="font-size: 100%">”</span></span><span style="font-size: 100%"> exclaimed + Welsh.)</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I would suggest a trip on the Continent. The + duration and the places to be visited will be entirely at your + discretion. It is of course hardly necessary to say that + you will seek quiet localities. Trusting to hear from you + at your very earliest convenience, believe me, yours sincerely,</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: right"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Timothy Watson</span></span>.”</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh looked at his friend with the respect that prosperity +naturally excites. He smiled on him as an equal, +and cried, heartily, <span class="tei tei-q">“Congratulations again! When do +you start?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Twiddel fidgeted uncomfortably, <span class="tei tei-q">“I—er—well, you +see—ah—I haven’t +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">quite</span></span> made up my mind yet.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What’s the matter?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hang it, Welsh—er—the fact is I don’t altogether +like the job.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Scruples of any kind always surprised Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can’t afford to leave the practice?”</span> he asked with +a laugh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That’s—ah—partly the reason,”</span> replied Twiddel, +uncomfortably.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Rot, old man! There’s a girl in the case. Out +with it!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, it isn’t that. You see it’s the very devil of a +responsibility.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page10">[pg 10]</span><a name="Pg10" id="Pg10" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this confession of weakness he looked guiltily at his +heroic friend. From the bottom of his heart he wished +he had screwed up his courage in private. Welsh had so +little imagination.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“By Gad,”</span> exclaimed Welsh, <span class="tei tei-q">“I’d manage a nunnery +for £500!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I daresay you would, but a suicidal, and possibly +homicidal, lunatic isn’t a nunnery.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh looked at his friend with diminished respect.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then you are going to chuck up £500 and a free trip +on the Continent?”</span> he said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dr Watson himself admits the responsibility.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“With a—what is it?—agreeable young man?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Only when in possession of his proper faculties,”</span> +said the doctor, dismally.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And an amiable disposition?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“With suicidal tendencies, hang it!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I should have thought,”</span> said Welsh, with a laugh, +<span class="tei tei-q">“that they would only matter to himself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But he is homicidal too—or at least it’s doubtful. +I want to know a little more about that, thank you!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What is the man’s name?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mandell-Essington.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sounds aristocratic. He might come in useful afterwards, +when he’s cured.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh spoke with an air of reflection, which might have +been entirely disinterested.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He’d probably commit suicide first,”</span> said Twiddel, +<span class="tei tei-q">“and of course I’d get all the blame.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Or homicide,”</span> replied Welsh, <span class="tei tei-q">“When +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">he</span></span> would.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page11">[pg 11]</span><a name="Pg11" id="Pg11" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, he wouldn’t—that’s the worst of it; +I’d be blamed for having my own throat cut.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Twiddel,”</span> said his friend, deliberately, <span class="tei tei-q">“it seems to +me you’re a fool.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I’m at least alive,”</span> cried Twiddel, warming with +sympathy for himself, <span class="tei tei-q">“which I probably wouldn’t be for +long in Mr Essington’s company.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t blame your nerves, dear boy,”</span> said Welsh, +with a smile that showed all his teeth, <span class="tei tei-q">“only your head. +Here are £500 going a-begging. There must be some +way——”</span> He paused, deep in reflection. <span class="tei tei-q">“How would +it do,”</span> he remarked in a minute, <span class="tei tei-q">“if +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">I</span></span> were to go in your place?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Twiddel laughed and shook his head.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Couldn’t be managed?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Couldn’t possibly, I’m afraid.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No,”</span> said Welsh. <span class="tei tei-q">“I foresee difficulties.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He fished a pipe out of his pocket, filled and lit it, and +leaned back in his chair gazing at the ceiling.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Twiddel, my boy,”</span> he said at length, <span class="tei tei-q">“will you give +me a percentage of the fee if I think of a safe dodge for +getting the money and preserving your throat?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Twiddel laughed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Rather!”</span> he said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am perfectly serious,”</span> replied Welsh, keenly. <span class="tei tei-q">“I’m +certain the thing is quite possible.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He half closed his eyes and ruminated in silence. The +doctor watched him—fascinated, afraid. Somehow or +other he felt that he was already a kind of Guy Fawkes. +There was something so unlawful in Welsh’s expression.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page12">[pg 12]</span><a name="Pg12" id="Pg12" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They sat there without speaking for about ten minutes, +and then all of a sudden Welsh sprang up with a shout of +laughter, slapping first his own leg and then the doctor’s +back.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“By Gad, I’ve got it!”</span> he cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have it!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And he had; hence this tale.</p> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="LL0100" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page13">[pg 13]</span><a name="Pg13" id="Pg13" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc4" id="toc4"></a> +<a name="pdf5" id="pdf5"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 125%">PART I.</span></span> +</h1> + +<div id="LL0101" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc6" id="toc6"></a> +<a name="pdf7" id="pdf7"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER I.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a certain fertile and well-wooded county of England +there stands a high stone wall. On a sunny +day the eye of the traveller passing through this +province is gratified by the sparkle of myriads of +broken bottles arranged closely and continuously along its +coping-stone. Above these shining facets the boughs of +tall trees swing in the wind and throw their shadows +across the highway. The wall at last leaves the road and +follows the park round its entire extent. Its height never +varies; the broken bottles glitter perpetually; and only +through two entrances, and that when the gates are open, +can one gain a single glimpse inside: for the gates are +solid, with no chinks for the curious.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The country all round is undulating, and here and +there from the crest of an eminence you can see a great +space of well-timbered park land within this wall; and +in winter, when the leaves are off the trees, you may +spy an imposing red-brick mansion in the midst.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Any native will inform you, with a mixture of infectious +awe and becoming pride, that this is no less than the +far-famed private asylum of Clankwood.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This ideal institution bore the enviable reputation of +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page14">[pg 14]</span><a name="Pg14" id="Pg14" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +containing the best-bred lunatics in England. It was +credibly reported that however well marked their symptoms +and however well developed their delusions, none but +ladies and gentlemen of the most unblemished descent +were permitted to enjoy its seclusion. The dances there +were universally considered the most agreeable functions +in the county. The conversation of many of the inmates +was of the widest range and the most refreshing +originality, and the demeanour of all, even when most +free from the conventional trammels of outside society, +bore evidence of an expensive, and in some cases of a +Christian, upbringing. This is scarcely to be wondered +at, when beneath one roof were assembled the heirs-presumptive +to three dukedoms, two suicidal marquises, +an odd archbishop or so, and the flower of the baronetage +and clergy. As this list only includes a few of the celebrities +able or willing to be introduced to distinguished +visitors, and makes no mention of the uncorroborated +dignities (such as the classical divinities and Old Testament +duplicates), the anxiety shown by some people to +certify their relations can easily be understood.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr Congleton, the proprietor and physician of Clankwood, +was a gentleman singularly well fitted to act as +host on the occasion of asylum reunions. No one could +exceed him in the respect he showed to a coroneted head, +even when cracked; and a bishop under his charge was +always secured, as far as possible, from the least whisper +of heretical conversation. He possessed besides a pleasant +rubicund countenance and an immaculate wardrobe. +He was further fortunate in having in his assistants, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page15">[pg 15]</span><a name="Pg15" id="Pg15" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Dr Escott and Dr Sherlaw, two young gentlemen whose +medical knowledge was almost equal to the affability +of their manners and the excellence of their family connections.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">One November night these two were sitting over a +comfortable fire in Sherlaw’s room. Twelve o’clock +struck, Escott finished the remains of something in a +tumbler, rose, and yawned sleepily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Time to turn in, young man,”</span> said he.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I suppose it is,”</span> replied Sherlaw, a very pleasant +and boyish young gentleman. <span class="tei tei-q">“Hullo! What’s that? +A cab?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They both listened, and some way off they could just +pick out a sound like wheels upon gravel.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It’s very late for any one to be coming in,”</span> said +Escott.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The sound grew clearer and more unmistakably like a +cab rattling quickly up the drive.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is a cab,”</span> said Sherlaw.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They heard it draw up before the front door, and then +there came a pause.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who the deuce can it be?”</span> muttered Escott.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few minutes there came a knock at the door, and +a servant entered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A new case, sir. Want’s to +see Dr Congleton particular.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A man or a woman?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Man, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All right,”</span> growled Sherlaw. <span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll come, confound +him.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page16">[pg 16]</span><a name="Pg16" id="Pg16" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bad luck, old man,”</span> laughed Escott. <span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll wait +here in case by any chance you want me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He fell into his chair again, lit a cigarette, and sleepily +turned over the pages of a book. Dr Sherlaw was away +for a little time, and when he returned his cheerful face +wore a somewhat mystified expression.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well?”</span> asked Escott.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Rather a rum case,”</span> said his colleague, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What’s the matter?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t know.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who was it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t know that either.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Escott opened his eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What happened, then?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well,”</span> said Sherlaw, drawing his chair up to the fire +again, <span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll tell you just what did happen, +and you can make what you can out of it. Of course, I suppose +it’s all right, really, but—well, the proceedings were +a little unusual, don’t you know.</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I went down to the door, and there I found +a four-wheeler with a man standing beside it. The door of +the cab was shut, and there seemed to be two more men +inside. This chap who’d got out—a youngish man—hailed +me at once as though he’d bought the whole +place.</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘You Dr Congleton?’</span></span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Damn your impertinence!’</span> +I said to myself, <span class="tei tei-q">‘ringing people up at this hour, and +talking like a bally drill-sergeant.’</span></span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page17">[pg 17]</span><a name="Pg17" id="Pg17" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I told him politely I wasn’t +old Congers, but that I’d make a good enough substitute +for the likes of him.</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘I tell you what it is,’</span> said the +Johnnie, <span class="tei tei-q">‘I’ve brought a patient for Dr Congleton, a +cousin of mine, and I’ve got a doctor here, too. I want +to see Dr Congleton.’</span></span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘He’s probably in bed,’</span> I said, +<span class="tei tei-q">‘but I’ll do just as well. I suppose he’s certified, +and all that.’</span></span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Oh, it’s all right,’</span> said the +man, rather as though he expected me to say that it wasn’t. +He looked a little doubtful what to do, and then I heard some one +inside the cab call him. He stuck his head in the window and +they confabbed for a minute, and then he turned to me +and said, with the most magnificent air you ever saw, +like a chap buying a set of diamond studs, <span class="tei tei-q">‘My friend here +is a great personal friend of Dr Congleton, and it’s a +damned—— I mean it’s an uncommonly delicate matter. +We must see him.’</span></span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Well, if you insist, I’ll see +if I can get him,’</span> I said; +<span class="tei tei-q">‘but you’d better come in and wait.’</span></span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“So the Johnnie opened the door of the +cab, and there was a great hauling and pushing, my friend pulling +an arm from the outside, and the doctor shoving from within, +and at last they fetched out their patient. He was a +tall man, in a very smart-looking, long, light top-coat, +and a cap with a large peak shoved over his eyes, and he +seemed very unsteady on his pins.</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Drunk, by George!’</span> I said to myself +at first.</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The doctor—another young-looking +man—hopped out after him, and they each took an arm, lugged +their patient into the waiting-room, and popped him into an armchair. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page18">[pg 18]</span><a name="Pg18" id="Pg18" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +There he collapsed, and sat with his head hanging +down as limp as a sucked orange.</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I asked them if anything was the matter +with him.</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Only tired,—just a little +sleepy,’</span> said the cousin.</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And do you know, Escott, what I’d stake my best +boots was the matter with him?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The man was drugged!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Escott looked at the fire thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“it’s quite possible; he might have +been too violent to manage.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why couldn’t they have said so, then?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“H’m. Not knowing, can’t say. What happened +next?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Next thing was, I asked the doctor what +name I should give. He answered in a kind of nervous way, <span class="tei tei-q">‘No +name; you needn’t give any name. I know Dr Congleton +personally. Ask him to come, please.’</span> So off I tooled, and +found old Congers just thinking of turning in.</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘My clients are sometimes unnecessarily +discreet’</span>, he remarked in his pompous way when I told him about +the arrival, and of course he added his usual platitude +about our reputation for discretion.</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I went back with him to the waiting-room, and just +stood at the door long enough to see him hail the doctor +chap very cordially and be introduced to the patient’s +cousin, and then I came away. Rather rum, isn’t +it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You’ve certainly made the best of the yarn,”</span> said +Escott with a laugh.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page19">[pg 19]</span><a name="Pg19" id="Pg19" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“By George, if you’d been there you’d have thought +it funny too.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, good-night, I’m off. We’ll probably hear +to-morrow what it’s all about.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But in the morning there was little more to be learned +about the new-comer’s history and antecedents. Dr +Congleton spoke of the matter to the two young men, +with the pompous cough that signified extreme discretion.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Brought by an old friend of mine,”</span> he said. <span class="tei tei-q">“A +curious story, Escott, but quite intelligible. There seem +to be the best reasons for answering no questions about +him; you understand?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly, sir,”</span> said the two assistants, with the more +assurance as they had no information to give.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am perfectly satisfied, mind you—perfectly satisfied,”</span> +added their chief.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“By the way, sir,”</span> Sherlaw ventured to remark, <span class="tei tei-q">“hadn’t +they given him something in the way of a sleeping-draught?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Eh? Indeed? I hardly think so, Sherlaw, I hardly +think so. Case of reaction entirely. Good morning.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Congleton seems satisfied,”</span> remarked Escott.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll tell you what,”</span> said the junior, profoundly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Old Congers is a very good chap, and all that, but he’s +not what I should call extra sharp. +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">I</span></span> should feel uncommon +suspicious.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“H’m,”</span> replied Escott. <span class="tei tei-q">“As you say, our worthy +chief is not extra sharp. But that’s not our business, +after all.”</span></p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0102" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page20">[pg 20]</span><a name="Pg20" id="Pg20" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc8" id="toc8"></a> +<a name="pdf9" id="pdf9"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER II.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“By the way,”</span> said Escott, a couple of days later, +<span class="tei tei-q">“how is your mysterious man getting on? I haven’t +seen him myself yet.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Sherlaw laughed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He’s turning out a regular sportsman, by George! +For the first day he was more or less in the same state in +which he arrived. Then he began to wake up and ask +questions. <span class="tei tei-q">‘What the devil is this place?’</span> he said to me +in the evening. It may sound profane, but he was very +polite, I assure you. I told him, and he sort of raised +his eyebrows, smiled, and thanked me like a Prime +Minister acknowledging an obligation. Since then he +has steadily developed sporting, not to say frisky, tastes. +He went out this morning, and in five minutes had his +arm round one of the prettiest nurses’ waist. And she +didn’t seem to mind much either, by George!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He’ll want a bit of looking after, I take it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Seems to me he is uncommonly capable of taking +care of himself. The rest of the establishment will want +looking after, though.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From this time forth the mysterious gentleman began +to regularly take the air and to be remarked, and having +once remarked him, people looked again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Francis Beveridge, for such it appeared was his +name, was distinguished even for Clankwood. Though +his antecedents were involved in mystery, so much confidence +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page21">[pg 21]</span><a name="Pg21" id="Pg21" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +was placed in Dr Congleton’s discrimination +that the unknown stranger was at once received on the +most friendly terms by every one; and, to tell the truth, +it would have been hard to repulse him for long. His +manner was perfect, his conversation witty to the extremest +verge of propriety, and his clothes, fashionable +in cut and of unquestionable fit, bore on such of the +buttons as were made of metal the hall mark of a leading +London firm. He wore the longest and most silky +moustaches ever seen, and beneath them a short well-tended +beard completed his resemblance—so the ladies +declared—to King Charles of unhappy memory. The +melancholic Mr Jones (quondam author of ‘Sunflowers—A +Lyrical Medley’) declared, indeed, that for Mr +Beveridge shaving was prohibited, and darkly whispered +<span class="tei tei-q">“suicidal,”</span> but his opinion was held of little account.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was upon a morning about a week after his arrival +that Dr Escott, alone in the billiard-room, saw him enter. +Escott had by this time made his acquaintance, and, +like almost everybody else, had already succumbed to +the fascination of his address.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good morning, doctor,”</span> he said; <span class="tei tei-q">“I wish you to do +me a trifling favour, a mere bending of your eyes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Escott laughed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall be delighted. What is it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Beveridge unbuttoned his waistcoat and displayed +his shirt-front.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I only want you to be good enough to read the inscription +written here.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The doctor bent down.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page22">[pg 22]</span><a name="Pg22" id="Pg22" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Francis Beveridge,’</span> ”</span> he said. <span class="tei tei-q">“That’s +all I see.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And that’s all I see,”</span> said Mr Beveridge. <span class="tei tei-q">“Now +what can you read here? I am not troubling you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He held out his handkerchief as he spoke.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not a bit,”</span> laughed the doctor, <span class="tei tei-q">“but I only see <span class="tei tei-q">‘Francis +Beveridge’</span> here too, I’m afraid.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Everything has got it,”</span> said Mr Beveridge, shaking +his head, it would be hard to say whether humorously +or sadly. <span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Francis Beveridge’</span> on everything. It follows, +I suppose, that I am Francis Beveridge?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What else?”</span> asked Escott, who was much amused.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That’s just it. What else?”</span> said the other. He +smiled a peculiarly charming smile, thanked the doctor +with exaggerated gratitude, and strolled out again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He is a rum chap,”</span> reflected Escott.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And indeed in the outside world he might safely have +been termed rather rum, but here in this backwater, +so full of the oddest flotsam, his waywardness was rather +less than the average. He had, for instance, a diverting +habit of modifying the time, and even the tune, of the +hymns on Sunday, and he confessed to having kissed +all the nurses and housemaids except three. But both +Escott and Sherlaw declared they had never met a more +congenial spirit. Mr Beveridge’s game of billiards was +quite remarkable even for Clankwood, where the enforced +leisure of many of the noblemen and gentlemen had +made them highly proficient on the spot; he showed every +promise, on his rare opportunities, of being an unusually +entertaining small hour, whisky-and-soda +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">raconteur</span></span>; in +fact, he was evidently a man whose previous career, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page23">[pg 23]</span><a name="Pg23" id="Pg23" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +whatever it might have been (and his own statements +merely served to increase the mystery round this point), +had led him through many humorous by-paths, and left +him with few restrictive prejudices.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">November became December, and to all appearances +he had settled down in his new residence with complete +resignation, when that unknowable factor that upsets so +many calculations came upon the scene,—the factor, I +mean, that wears a petticoat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Beveridge strolled into Escott’s room one morning +to find the doctor inspecting a mixed assortment of white +kid gloves.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do these mean past or future conquests?”</span> he asked +with his smile.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Both,”</span> laughed the doctor. <span class="tei tei-q">“I’m trying to pick out +a clean pair for the dance to-night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You go a-dancing, then?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t you know it’s our own monthly ball here?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course,”</span> said Mr Beveridge, passing his hand +quickly across his brow. <span class="tei tei-q">“I must have heard, but things +pass so quickly through my head nowadays.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He laughed a little conventional laugh, and gazed at +the gloves.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are coming, of course?”</span> said Escott.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you can lend me a pair of these. Can you spare +one?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Help yourself,”</span> replied the doctor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Beveridge selected a pair with the care of a man +who is particular in such matters, put them in his pocket, +thanked the doctor, and went out.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page24">[pg 24]</span><a name="Pg24" id="Pg24" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hope he doesn’t play the fool,”</span> thought Escott.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Invitations to the balls at Clankwood were naturally +in great demand throughout the county, for nowhere +were noblemen so numerous and divinities so tangible. +Carriages and pairs rolled up one after another, the +mansion glittered with lights, the strains of the band +could be heard loud and stirring or low and faintly all +through the house.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who is that man dancing opposite my daughter?”</span> +asked the Countess of Grillyer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A Mr Beveridge,”</span> replied Dr Congleton.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Beveridge, in fact, the mark of all eyes, was dancing +in a set of lancers. The couple opposite to him consisted +of a stout elderly gentleman who, doubtless for the best +reasons, styled himself the Emperor of the two Americas, +and a charming little pink and flaxen partner—the Lady +Alicia à Fyre, as everybody who was anybody could have +told you. The handsome stranger moved, as might be +expected, with his accustomed grace and air of distinction, +and, probably to convince his admirers that there +was nothing meretricious in his performance, he carried +his hands in his pockets the whole time. This certainly +caused a little inconvenience to his partner, but to be +characteristic in Clankwood one had to step very far out +of the beaten track.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For two figures the Emperor snorted disapproval, +but at the end of the third, when Mr Beveridge had been +skipping round the outskirts of the set, his hands still +thrust out of sight, somewhat to the derangement of the +customary procedure, he could contain himself no longer.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page25">[pg 25]</span><a name="Pg25" id="Pg25" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hey, young man!”</span> he asked in his most stentorian +voice, as the music ceased, <span class="tei tei-q">“are you afraid of having your +pockets picked?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Alas!”</span> replied Mr Beveridge, <span class="tei tei-q">“it would take two men +to do that.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Huh!”</span> snorted the Emperor, <span class="tei tei-q">“you are so d—d strong, +are you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I mean,”</span> answered his +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">vis-à-vis</span></span> with his polite smile, +<span class="tei tei-q">“that it would take one man to put something in and +another to take it out.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This remark not only turned the laugh entirely on Mr +Beveridge’s side, but it introduced the upsetting factor.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0103" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc10" id="toc10"></a> +<a name="pdf11" id="pdf11"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER III.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Lady Alicia à Fyre, though of the outer everyday +world herself, had, in common with most families of any +pretensions to ancient dignity, a creditable sprinkling +of uncles and cousins domiciled in Clankwood, and so +she frequently attended these dances.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To-night her eye had been caught by a tall, graceful +figure executing a <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">pas seul</span></span> +in the middle of the room with +its hands in its pockets. The face of this gentleman was +so composed and handsome, and he seemed so oblivious +to the presence of everybody else, that her interest was +immediately excited. During the set of lancers in which +he was her <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">vis-à-vis</span></span> she +watched him furtively with a +growing feeling of admiration. She had never heard him +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page26">[pg 26]</span><a name="Pg26" id="Pg26" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +say a word, and it was with a sensation of the liveliest +interest that she listened to his brief passage with her +partner. At his final retort her tender heart was overcome +with pity. He was poor, then, or at least he was +allowed the use of no money. And all of him that was +outside his pockets seemed so sane and so gentlemanly; +it seemed a pity to let him lack a little sympathy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Lady Alicia might be described as a becoming +frock stuffed with sentiment. Through a pair of large +blue eyes she drank in romance, and with the reddest +and most undecided of lips she felt a vague desire to kiss +something. At the end of the dance she managed by +a series of little manœuvres to find herself standing close +to his elbow. She sighed twice, but he still seemed absorbed +in his thoughts. Then with a heroic effort she +summed up her courage, and said in a low and rather +shaky voice, <span class="tei tei-q">“You—you—you are unha—appy.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Beveridge turned and looked down on her with +great interest. Her eyes met his for a moment and +straightway sought the floor. Thus she saw nothing of +a smile that came and went like the shadow of a puff of +smoke. He took his hands out of his pockets, folded his +arms, and, with an air of the deepest dejection, sighed +heavily. She took courage and looked up again, and then, +as he only gazed into space in the most romantically melancholy +fashion and made no answer, she asked again +very timidly, <span class="tei tei-q">“Wh—what is the matter?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Without saying a word Mr Beveridge bent courteously +and offered her his right arm. She took it with the +most delicious trepidation, glancing round hurriedly to see +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page27">[pg 27]</span><a name="Pg27" id="Pg27" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +whether the Countess noticed her. Another dance was +just beginning, and in the general movement her mysterious +acquaintance led her without observation to a +seat in the window of a corridor. There he pressed her +hand gently, stroked his long moustaches for a minute, +and then said, with an air of reflection: <span class="tei tei-q">“There are three +ways of making a woman like one. I am slightly out of +practice. Would you be kind enough to suggest a +method of procedure?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such a beginning was so wholly unexpected that Lady +Alicia could only give a little gasp of consternation. +Her companion, after pausing an instant for a reply, +went on in the same tone, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am aware that I have begun +well. I attracted your attention, I elicited your sympathy, +and I pressed your hand; but for the life of me I can’t +remember what I generally do next.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Poor Lady Alicia, who had come with a bucketful of +sympathy ready to be gulped down by this unfortunate +gentleman, was only able to stammer, <span class="tei tei-q">“I—I really +don’t know, Mr——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hamilton,”</span> said Mr Beveridge, unblushingly. <span class="tei tei-q">“At +least that name belongs to me as much as anything can +be said to in a world where my creditors claim my money +and Dr Congleton my person.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are confined and poor, you mean?”</span> asked Lady +Alicia, beginning to see her way again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Poor and confined, to put them in their proper order, +for if I had the wherewithal to purchase a balloon I should +certainly cease to be confined.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His admirer found it hard to reply adequately to this, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page28">[pg 28]</span><a name="Pg28" id="Pg28" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and Mr Beveridge continued, <span class="tei tei-q">“To return to the delicate +subject from which we strayed, what would you like me to +do,—put my arm round your waist, relate my troubles, +or turn my back on you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Are—are those the three ways you spoke of—to +make women like you, I mean?”</span> Lady Alicia ventured to +ask, though she was beginning to wish the sofa was +larger.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“They are examples of the three classical methods: +cuddling, humbugging, and piquing. Which do you +prefer?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Tell me about your—your troubles,”</span> she answered, +gaining courage a little.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You belong to the sex which makes no mention of +figs and spades,”</span> he rejoined; <span class="tei tei-q">“but I understand you to +mean that you prefer humbugging.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He drew a long face, sighed twice, and looking tenderly +into Lady Alicia’s blue eyes, began in a gentle, reminiscent +voice, <span class="tei tei-q">“My boyhood was troubled and unhappy: no kind +words, no caresses. I was beaten by a cruel stepfather, +ignored and insulted for my physical deformities by a +heartless stepmother.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He stopped to sigh again, and Lady Alicia, with a boldness +that surprised herself, and a perspicacity that would +have surprised her friends, asked, <span class="tei tei-q">“How could they—I +mean, were they <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">both</span></span> step?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Several steps,”</span> he replied; <span class="tei tei-q">“in fact, quite a long +journey.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With this explanation Lady Alicia was forced to remain +satisfied; but as he had paused a second time, and seemed +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page29">[pg 29]</span><a name="Pg29" id="Pg29" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to be immersed in the study of his shoes, she inquired +again, <span class="tei tei-q">“You spoke of physical infirmities; do you +mean——?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Deformities,”</span> he corrected; <span class="tei tei-q">“up to the age of fourteen +years I could only walk sideways, and my hair parted in +the middle.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He spoke so seriously that these unusual maladies +seemed to her the most touching misfortunes she had +ever heard of. She murmured gently, <span class="tei tei-q">“Yes?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As the years advanced,”</span> Mr Beveridge continued, +<span class="tei tei-q">“and I became more nearly the same weight as my stepfather, +my life grew happier. It was decided to send me +to college, so I was provided with an insufficient cheque, +a complete set of plated forks, and three bath-towels, +and despatched to the University of Oxford. At least +I think that was the name of the corporation which took +my money and endeavoured to restrict my habits, though, +to confess the truth, my memory is not what it used to be. +There I learned wisdom by the practice of folly—the +most amusing and effective method. My tutor used to +tell me I had some originality. I apologised for its presence +in such a respectable institution, and undertook +to pass an examination instead. I believe I succeeded: +I certainly remember giving a dinner to celebrate something. +Thereupon at my own expense the University +inflicted a degree upon me, but I was shortly afterwards +compensated by the death of my uncle and my accession +to his estates. Having enjoyed a university education, +and accordingly possessing a corrected and regulated +sentiment, I was naturally inconsolable at the decease of +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page30">[pg 30]</span><a name="Pg30" id="Pg30" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +this venerable relative, who for so long had shown a +kindly interest in the poor orphan lad.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He stopped to sigh again, and Lady Alicia asked with +great interest, <span class="tei tei-q">“But your step-parents, you always had +them, hadn’t you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Never!”</span> he replied, sadly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Never?”</span> she exclaimed in some bewilderment.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly not often,”</span> he answered, <span class="tei tei-q">“and oftener than +not, never. If you had told me beforehand you wished +to hear my history, I should have pruned my family +tree into a more presentable shape. But if you will +kindly tell me as I go along which of my relatives you +disapprove of, and who you would like to be introduced, +I shall arrange the plot to suit you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I only wish to hear the true story, Mr Hamilton.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Fortescue,”</span> he corrected. <span class="tei tei-q">“I certainly prefer to be +called by one name at a time, but never by the same +twice running.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He smiled so agreeably as he said this that Lady Alicia, +though puzzled and a little hurt, could not refrain from +smiling back.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Let me hear the rest,”</span> she said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is no truer than the first part, but quite as entertaining. +So, if you like, I shall endeavour to recall the +series of painful episodes that brought me to Clankwood,”</span> +he answered, very seriously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia settled herself comfortably into one corner of +the sofa and prepared to feel affected. But at that moment +the portly form of Dr Congleton appeared from the direction +of the ballroom with a still more portly dowager on his arm.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page31">[pg 31]</span><a name="Pg31" id="Pg31" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My mother!”</span> exclaimed Lady Alicia, rising quickly +to her feet.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Indeed?”</span> said Mr Beveridge, who still kept his seat. +<span class="tei tei-q">“She certainly looks handsome enough.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This speech made Lady Alicia blush very becomingly, +and the Countess looked at her sharply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where have you been, Alicia?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The room was rather warm, mamma, and——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In short, madam,”</span> interrupted Mr Beveridge, rising +and bowing, <span class="tei tei-q">“your charming daughter wished to study +a lunatic at close quarters. I am mad, and I obligingly +raved. Thus——”</span> He ran one hand through his hair +so as to make it fall over his eyes, blew out his cheeks, +and uttering a yell, sprang high into the air, and descended +in a sitting posture on the floor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That, madam, is a very common symptom,”</span> he explained, +with a smile, smoothing down his hair again, <span class="tei tei-q">“as +our friend Dr Congleton will tell you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Both the doctor and the Countess were too astonished +to make any reply, so he turned again to Lady Alicia, +and offering his arm, said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Let me lead you back to our +fellow-fools.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is he safe?”</span> whispered the Countess.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I—I believe so,”</span> replied Dr Congleton in some +confusion; <span class="tei tei-q">“but I shall have him watched more carefully.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they entered the room Mr Beveridge whispered, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Will you meet a poor lunatic again?”</span> And the Lady +Alicia pressed his arm.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0104" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page32">[pg 32]</span><a name="Pg32" id="Pg32" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc12" id="toc12"></a> +<a name="pdf13" id="pdf13"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER IV.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the morning after the dance Dr Congleton summoned +Dr Escott to his room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Escott,”</span> he began, <span class="tei tei-q">“we must keep a little sharper +eye on Mr Beveridge.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Indeed, sir?”</span> said Escott; <span class="tei tei-q">“he seems to me harmless +enough.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Nevertheless, he must be watched. Lady Grillyer +was considerably alarmed by his conduct last night, +and a client who has confided so many of her relatives +to my care must be treated with the greatest regard. I +receive pheasants at Christmas from no fewer than fourteen +families of title, and my reputation for discretion +is too valuable to be risked. When Mr Beveridge is +not under your own eyes you must see that Moggridge +always keeps him in sight.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Accordingly Moggridge, a burly and seasoned attendant +on refractory patients, was told off to keep an unobtrusive +eye on that accomplished gentleman. His duties appeared +light enough, for, as I have said, Mr Beveridge’s eccentricities +had hitherto been merely of the most playful +nature.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After luncheon on this same day he gave Escott twelve +breaks and a beating at billiards, and then having borrowed +and approved of one of his cigars, he strolled into +the park. If he intended to escape observation, he certainly +showed the most skilful strategy, for he dodged +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page33">[pg 33]</span><a name="Pg33" id="Pg33" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +deviously through the largest trees, and at last, after a +roundabout ramble, struck a sheltered walk that ran +underneath the high, glass-decked outer wall. It was +a sunny winter afternoon. The boughs were stripped, +and the leaves lay littered on the walk or flickered and +stirred through the grass. In this spot the high trees +stood so close and the bare branches were so thick that +there was still an air of quiet and seclusion where he +paced and smoked. Every now and then he stopped and +listened and looked at his watch, and as he walked backwards +and forwards an amused smile would come and go.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">All at once he heard something move on the far side +of the wall: he paused to make sure, and then he whistled, +<span class="tei tei-corr"><a name="E1" id="E1" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a href="#e1" class="tei tei-ref">the</a></span> +sounds outside ceased, and in a moment something +fell softly behind him. He turned quickly and snatched +up a little buttonhole of flowers with a still smaller note +tied to the stems.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“An uncommonly happy idea,”</span> he said to himself, +looking at the missive with the air of one versed in these +matters. Then he leisurely proceeded to unfold and read +the note.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“To my friend,”</span> he read, <span class="tei tei-q">“if I may call you a friend, +since I have known you only <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">such a +short time</span></span>—may I? +This is just to express my sympathy, and although I +cannot express it well, still perhaps you will forgive my +feeble effort!!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this point, just as he was regarding the double +mark of exclamation with reminiscent entertainment, a +plaintive voice from the other side of the wall cried in a +stage whisper, <span class="tei tei-q">“Have you got it?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page34">[pg 34]</span><a name="Pg34" id="Pg34" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Beveridge composed his face, and heaving his +shoulders to his ears in the effort, gave vent to a prodigious +sigh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A million thanks, my fairest and kindest of friends,”</span> +he answered in the same tone. <span class="tei tei-q">“I read it now: I drink +it in, I——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He kissed the back of his hand loudly two or three +times, sighed again, and continued his reading.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wish I could help you,”</span> it ran, <span class="tei tei-q">“but I am afraid I +cannot, as the world is <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">so +censorious</span></span>, is it not? So you +must accept a friend’s sympathy if it does not seem to +you too bold and forward of her!!! Perhaps we may +meet again, as I sometimes go to Clankwood. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Au revoir.</span></span>—Your sympathetic +well-wisher. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">A. à. F.</span></span>”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He folded it up and put it in his waistcoat-pocket, +then he exclaimed in an audible aside, his voice shaking +with the most affecting thrill, <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Perhaps</span></span> we may meet +again! Only <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">perhaps!</span></span> O +Alicia!”</span> And then dropping +again into a stage whisper, he asked, <span class="tei tei-q">“Are you still +there, Lady Alicia?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A timorous voice replied, <span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, Mr Fortescue. But I +really <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">must</span></span> go now!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now? So soon?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have stayed too long already.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“’Tis better to have stayed too long than never to wear +stays at all,”</span> replied Mr Beveridge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no response for a moment. Then a low +voice, a little hurt and a good deal puzzled, asked with +evident hesitation, <span class="tei tei-q">“What—what did you say, Mr +Fortescue?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page35">[pg 35]</span><a name="Pg35" id="Pg35" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I said that Lady Alicia’s stay cannot be too long,”</span> +he answered, softly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But—but what good can I be?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The good you cannot help being.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was another moment’s pause, then the voice +whispered, <span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t quite understand you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My Alicia understands me not!”</span> Mr Beveridge +soliloquised in another audible aside. Aloud, or rather +in a little lower tone, he answered, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am friendless, +poor, and imprisoned. What is the good in your staying? +Ah, Lady Alicia! But why should I detain you? Go, +fair friend! Go and forget poor Francis Beveridge!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There came a soft, surprised answer, <span class="tei tei-q">“Francis Beveridge?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Alas! you have guessed my secret. Yes, that is the +name of the unhappiest of mortals.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he spoke these melancholy words he threw away +the stump of his cigar, took another from his case, and +bit off the end.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The voice replied, <span class="tei tei-q">“I shall remember it—among my +friends.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Beveridge struck a match.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“H’sh! Whatever is that?”</span> cried the voice in alarm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A heart breaking,”</span> he replied, lighting his cigar.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t talk like that,”</span> said the voice. <span class="tei tei-q">“It—it +distresses me.”</span> There was a break in the voice.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And, alas! between distress and consolation there +are fifteen perpendicular feet of stone and mortar and +the relics of twelve hundred bottles of Bass,”</span> he replied.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page36">[pg 36]</span><a name="Pg36" id="Pg36" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps,”</span>—the voice hesitated—<span class="tei tei-q">“perhaps we may +see each other some day.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Say to-morrow at four o’clock,”</span> he suggested, pertinently. +<span class="tei tei-q">“If you could manage to be passing up the +drive at that hour.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was another pause.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps——”</span> the voice began.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At that moment he heard the sharp crack of a branch +behind him, and turning instantly he spied the uncompromising +countenance of Moggridge peering round a +tree about twenty paces distant. Lack of presence of +mind and quick decision were not amongst Mr Beveridge’s +failings. He struck a theatrical attitude at once, +and began in a loud voice, gazing up at the tops of the +trees, <span class="tei tei-q">“He comes! A stranger comes! Yes, my fair +friend, we may meet again. <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">Au +revoir</span></span>, but only for a +while! Ah, that a breaking heart should be lit for a +moment and then the lamp be put out!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile Moggridge was walking towards him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, Moggridge!”</span> he cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“Good day.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Time you was goin’ in, sir,”</span> said Moggridge, stolidly; +and to himself he muttered, <span class="tei tei-q">“He’s crackeder than I +thought, a-shoutin’ and a-ravin’ to hisself. Just as well +I kept a heye on ’im.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Like most clever people, Mr Beveridge generally followed +the line of least resistance. He slipped his arm +through his attendant’s, shouted a farewell apparently +to some imaginary divinity overhead, and turned towards +the house.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This is an unexpected pleasure,”</span> he remarked.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page37">[pg 37]</span><a name="Pg37" id="Pg37" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir,”</span> replied Moggridge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Funny thing your turning up. Out for a walk, I +suppose?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“For a stroll, sir—that’s to say——”</span> he stopped.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That on these chilly afternoons the dear good doctor +is afraid of my health?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That’s kind o’ it, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But of course I’m not supposed to notice anything, +eh?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Moggridge looked a trifle uncomfortable and was discreetly +silent. Mr Beveridge smiled at his own perspicacity, +and then began in the most friendly tone, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I feel flattered that so stout a man has been told +off to take care of me. What an arm you’ve got, man.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Pretty fair, sir,”</span> said Moggridge, complacently.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And I am thankful, too,”</span> continued Mr Beveridge, +<span class="tei tei-q">“that you’re a man of some sense. There are a lot of +fools in the world, Moggridge, and I’m somewhat of an +epicure in the matter of heads.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mine ’as been considered pretty sharp,”</span> Moggridge +admitted, with a gratified relaxation of his wooden countenance.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have a cigar?”</span> his patient asked, taking out his +case.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you, sir, I don’t mind if I do.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You will find it a capital smoke. I don’t throw them +away on every one.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Moggridge, completely thawed, lit his cigar and slackened +his pace, for such frank appreciation of his merits +was rare in a critical world.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page38">[pg 38]</span><a name="Pg38" id="Pg38" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You can perhaps believe, Moggridge,”</span> said Mr +Beveridge, reflectively, <span class="tei tei-q">“that one doesn’t often have the +chance of talking confidentially to a man of sense in +Clankwood.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sir, I should himagine not.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And so one has sometimes to talk to oneself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was said so sadly that Moggridge began to feel +uncomfortably affected.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah, Moggridge, one cannot always keep silence, +even when one least wants to be overheard. Have you +ever been in love, Moggridge?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The burly keeper changed countenance a little at this +embarrassingly direct question, and answered diffidently, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, sir, to be sure men is men and woming will be +woming.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The deuce, they will!”</span> replied Mr Beveridge, cordially; +<span class="tei tei-q">“and it’s rather hard to forget ’em, eh?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hindeed it is, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I remembered this afternoon, but I should like you +as a good chap to forget. You won’t mention my moment +of weakness, Moggridge?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sir,”</span> said Moggridge, stoutly. <span class="tei tei-q">“I suppose I +hought to report what I sees, but I won’t this time.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you,”</span> said Mr Beveridge, pressing his arm. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I had, you know, a touch of the sun in India, and I +sometimes talk when I shouldn’t. Though, after all, +that isn’t a very uncommon complaint.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And so it happened that no rumour prejudicial either +to his sanity or to the progress of his friendship with the +Lady Alicia reached the ears of the authorities.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0105" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page39">[pg 39]</span><a name="Pg39" id="Pg39" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc14" id="toc14"></a> +<a name="pdf15" id="pdf15"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER V.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Towards four o’clock on the following afternoon Mr +Beveridge and Moggridge were walking leisurely down +the long drive leading from the mansion of Clankwood +to the gate that opened on the humdrum outer world. +Finding that an inelastic matter of yards was all the +tether he could hope for, Mr Beveridge thought it best +to take the bull by the horns, and make a companion of +this necessity. So he kept his attendant by his side, +and regaled him for some time with a series of improbable +reminiscences and tolerable cigars, till at last, round a +bend of the avenue, a lady on horseback came into view. +As she drew a little nearer he stopped with an air of great +surprise and pleasure.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I believe, Moggridge, that must be Lady Alicia à +Fyre!”</span> he exclaimed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It looks huncommon like her, sir,”</span> replied Moggridge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I must really speak to her. She was”</span>—and Mr +Beveridge assumed his inimitable air of manly sentiment—<span class="tei tei-q">“she +was one of my poor mother’s dearest friends. +Do you mind, Moggridge, falling behind a little? In +fact, if you could step behind a tree and wait here for +me, it would be pleasanter for us both. We used to +meet under happier circumstances, and, don’t you know, +it might distress her to be reminded of my misfortunes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Such a reasonable request, beseechingly put by so fine +a gentleman, could scarcely be refused. Moggridge retired +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page40">[pg 40]</span><a name="Pg40" id="Pg40" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +behind the trees that lined the avenue, and Mr +Beveridge advanced alone to meet the Lady Alicia. +She blushed very becomingly as he raised his hat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I hardly expected to see you to-day, Mr Beveridge,”</span> +she began.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I, on the other hand, have been thinking of nothing +else,”</span> he replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She blushed still deeper, but responded a little reprovingly, +<span class="tei tei-q">“It’s very polite of you to say so, but——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not a bit,”</span> said he. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have a dozen equally well-turned +sentences at my disposal, and, they tell me, a +most deluding way of saying them.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Suddenly out of her depth again, poor Lady Alicia +could only strike out at random.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who tell you?”</span> she managed to say.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“First, so far as my poor memory goes, my mother’s +lady’s-maid informed me of the fact; then I think my sister’s +governess,”</span> he replied, ticking off his informants on his +fingers with a half-abstracted air. <span class="tei tei-q">“After that came a +number of more or less reliable individuals, and lastly +the Lady Alicia à Fyre.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Me? I’m sure I never said——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“None of them +ever <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">said</span></span>,”</span> he interrupted.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But what have I done, then?”</span> she asked, tightening +her reins, and making her horse fidget a foot or two farther +away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You have begun to be a most adorable friend to a +most unfortunate man.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Still Lady Alicia looked at him a little dubiously, and +only said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I—I hope I’m not too friendly.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page41">[pg 41]</span><a name="Pg41" id="Pg41" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There are no degrees in friendly,”</span> he replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“There +are only aloofly, friendly, and more than friendly.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I—I think I ought to be going on, Mr Beveridge.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That experienced diplomatist perceived that it was +necessary to further embellish himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Are you fond of soldiers?”</span> he asked, abruptly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I beg your pardon?”</span> she said in considerable bewilderment.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Does a red coat, a medal, and a brass band appeal to +you? Are you apt to be interested in her Majesty’s army?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I generally like soldiers,”</span> she admitted, still much +surprised at the turn the conversation had taken.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then I was a soldier.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But—really?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I held a commission in one of the crackest cavalry +regiments,”</span> he began dramatically, and yet with a great +air of sincerity. <span class="tei tei-q">“I was considered one of the most +promising officers in the mess. It nearly broke my heart +to leave the service.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He turned away his head. Lady Alicia was visibly +affected.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am so sorry!”</span> she murmured.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Still keeping his face turned away, he held out his +hand and she pressed it gently.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sorrow cannot give me my freedom,”</span> he said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If there is anything I can do——”</span> she began.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dismount,”</span> he said, looking up at her tenderly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia never quite knew how it happened, +but certainly she found herself standing on the ground, +and the next moment Mr Beveridge was in her place.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page42">[pg 42]</span><a name="Pg42" id="Pg42" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“An old soldier,”</span> he exclaimed, gaily; <span class="tei tei-q">“I can’t resist +the temptation of having a canter.”</span> And with that he +started at a gallop towards the gate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With a blasphemous ejaculation Moggridge sprang +from behind his tree, and set off down the drive in hot +pursuit.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia screamed, <span class="tei tei-q">“Stop! stop! Francis—I mean, +Mr Beveridge; stop, please!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the favorite of the crack regiment, despite the +lady’s saddle, sat his steed well, and rapidly left cries +and footsteps far behind. The lodge was nearly half a +mile away, and as the avenue wound between palisades +of old trees, the shouts became muffled, and when he +looked over his shoulder he saw in the stretch behind him +no sign of benefactress or pursuer. By continued exhortations +and the point of his penknife he kept his horse +at full stretch; round the next bend he knew he should +see the gates.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Five to one on the blank things being shut,”</span> he +muttered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He swept round the curve, and there ahead of him he +saw the gates grimly closed, and at the lodge door a dismounted +groom, standing beside his horse.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Only remarking <span class="tei tei-q">“Damn!”</span> he reined up, turned, +and trotted quietly back again. Presently he met Moggridge, +red in the face, muddy as to his trousers, and +panting hard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Nice little nag this, Moggridge,”</span> he remarked, airily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Nice sweat you’ve give me,”</span> rejoined his attendant, +wrathfully.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page43">[pg 43]</span><a name="Pg43" id="Pg43" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You don’t mean to say you ran after me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I does mean to say,”</span> Moggridge replied grimly, +seizing the reins.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Want to lead him? Very well—it makes us look +quite like the Derby winner coming in.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Derby loser you means, thanks to them gates bein’ +shut.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Gates shut? Were they? I didn’t happen to +notice.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, o’ course not,”</span> said Moggridge, sarcastically; +<span class="tei tei-q">“that there sunstroke you got in India prevented you, I +suppose?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have a cigar?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To this overture Moggridge made no reply. Mr +Beveridge laughed and continued lightly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I had no +idea you were so fond of exercise. I’d have given you +a lead all round the park if I’d known.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You’d ’ave given me a lead all round the county if +them gates ’ad been open.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It might have been difficult to stop this fiery animal,”</span> +Mr Beveridge admitted. <span class="tei tei-q">“But now, Moggridge, the run +is over. I think I can take Lady Alicia’s horse back to +her myself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Moggridge smiled grimly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You won’t let go?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No fears.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Beveridge put his hand behind his back and silently +drove the penknife a quarter of an inch into his mount’s +hind quarters. In an instant his keeper felt himself +being lifted nearly off his feet, and in another actually +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page44">[pg 44]</span><a name="Pg44" id="Pg44" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +deposited on his face. Off went the accomplished horseman +again at top speed, but this time back to Lady Alicia. +He saw her standing by the side of the drive, her handkerchief +to her eyes, a penitent and disconsolate little +figure. When she heard him coming, she dried her eyes +and looked up, but her face was still tearful.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I am back from my ride,”</span> he remarked in a +perfectly usual voice, dismounting as he spoke.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The man!”</span> she cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“where is that dreadful man?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What man?”</span> he asked in some surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The man who chased you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Beveridge laughed aloud, at which Lady Alicia +took fresh refuge in her handkerchief.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He follows on foot,”</span> he replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Did he catch you? Oh, why didn’t you escape +altogether?”</span> she sobbed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Beveridge looked at her with growing interest.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I had begun to forget my petticoat psychology,”</span> he +reflected (aloud, after his unconventional fashion).</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, here he comes,”</span> she shuddered. <span class="tei tei-q">“All blood! +Oh, what have you done to him?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“On my honour, nothing,—I merely haven’t washed +his face.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time Moggridge was coming close upon them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You won’t forget a poor soldier?”</span> said Mr Beveridge +in a lower voice.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was no reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">poor</span></span> soldier,”</span> he +added, with a sigh, glancing at +her from the corner of his eye. <span class="tei tei-q">“So poor that even if +I had got out, I could only have ridden till I dropped.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page45">[pg 45]</span><a name="Pg45" id="Pg45" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Would you accept——?”</span> she began, timidly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What day?”</span> he interrupted, hurriedly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Tuesday,”</span> she hesitated.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Four o’clock, again. Same place as before. When +I whistle throw it over at once.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before they had time to say more, Moggridge, blood- and +gravel-stained, came up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It’s all right, miss,”</span> he said, coming between them; +<span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll see that he plays no more of ’is tricks. +There’s nothin’ to be afrightened of.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Stand back!”</span> she cried; <span class="tei tei-q">“don’t come near me!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Moggridge was too staggered at this outburst to say +a word.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Stand away!”</span> she said, and the bewildered attendant +stood away. She turned to Mr Beveridge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now, will you help me up?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She mounted lightly, said a brief farewell, and, forgetting +all about the call at Clankwood she had ostensibly +come to pay, turned her horse’s head towards the lodge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I’m blowed!”</span> said Moggridge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“They do blow one,”</span> his patient assented.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Naturally enough the story of this equestrian adventure +soon ran through Clankwood. The exact particulars, +however, were a little hard to collect, for while Moggridge +supplied many minute and picturesque details, +illustrating his own activity and presence of mind and +the imminent peril of the Lady Alicia, Mr Beveridge recounted +an equally vivid story of a runaway horse recovered +by himself to its fair owner’s unbounded gratitude. +Official opinion naturally accepted the official +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page46">[pg 46]</span><a name="Pg46" id="Pg46" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +account, and for the next few days Mr Beveridge became +an object of considerable anxiety and mistrust.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I can’t make the man out,”</span> said Sherlaw to Escott. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I had begun to think there was nothing much the matter +with him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No more there is,”</span> replied Escott. <span class="tei tei-q">“His memory +seems to me to have suffered from something, and he +simply supplies its place in conversation from his imagination, +and in action from the inspiration of the moment. +The methods of society are too orthodox for such an +aberration, and as his friends doubtless pay a handsome +fee to keep him here, old Congers labels him mad and +locks the door on him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A day or two afterwards official opinion was a little +disturbed. Lady Alicia, in reply to anxious inquiries, +gave a third version of the adventure, from which nothing +in particular could be gathered except that nothing in +particular had happened.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you make of this, Escott?”</span> asked Dr Congleton, +laying her note before his assistant.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Merely that a woman wrote it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hum! I suppose that <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">is</span></span> the +explanation.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Upon which the doctor looked profound and went to +lunch.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0106" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc16" id="toc16"></a> +<a name="pdf17" id="pdf17"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VI.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Two five-pound notes, half-a-sovereign, and seven +and sixpence in silver,”</span> said Mr Beveridge to himself. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah, and a card.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page47">[pg 47]</span><a name="Pg47" id="Pg47" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On the card was written, <span class="tei tei-q">“From a friend, if you will +accept it. A.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He was standing under the wall, in the secluded walk, +holding a little lady’s purse in his hand, and listening +to two different footsteps. One little pair of feet were +hurrying away on the farther side of the high wall, another +and larger were approaching him at a run.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Wot’s he bin up to now, I wonder,”</span> Moggridge +panted to himself—for the second pair of feet belonged +to him. <span class="tei tei-q">“Shamming nose-bleed and sending me in +for an ’andkerchief, and then sneaking off here by +’isself!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What a time you’ve been,”</span> said Mr Beveridge, slipping +the purse with its contents into his pocket. <span class="tei tei-q">“I was +so infernally cold I had to take a little walk. Got the +handkerchief?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In silence and with a suspicious solemnity Moggridge +handed him the handkerchief, and they turned back for +the house.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now for a balloon,”</span> Mr Beveridge reflected.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Certainly it was cold. The frost nipped sharp that +night, and next morning there were ice gardens on the +windows, and the park lay white all through the winter +sunshine.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By evening the private lake was reported to be bearing, +and the next day it hummed under the first skaters. +Hardly necessary to say Mr Beveridge was among the +earliest of them, or that he was at once the object of +general admiration and envy. He traced <span class="tei tei-q">“vines”</span> and +<span class="tei tei-q">“Q’s,”</span> and performed wonderful feats on one leg all +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page48">[pg 48]</span><a name="Pg48" id="Pg48" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +morning. At lunch he was in the best of spirits, and was +off again at once to the ice.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When he reached the lake in the afternoon the first +person he spied was Lady Alicia, and five minutes afterwards +they were sailing off together hand in hand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I knew you would come to-day,”</span> he remarked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">could</span></span> you have +known? It was by the merest chance I happened to come.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It has always been by the merest chance that any +of them have ever come.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who have ever come?”</span> she inquired, with a vague +feeling that he had said something he ought not to have, +and that she was doing the same.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Many things,”</span> he smiled, <span class="tei tei-q">“including purses. Which +reminds me that I am eternally your debtor.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She blushed and said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I hope you didn’t mind.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not much,”</span> he answered, candidly. <span class="tei tei-q">“In my present +circumstances a five-pound note is more acceptable than +a caress.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Lady Alicia again remembered the maidenly +proprieties, and tried to change the subject.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What beautiful ice!”</span> she said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The question now is,”</span> he continued, paying no heed +to this diversion, <span class="tei tei-q">“what am I to do next?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you mean?”</span> she asked a little faintly, +realising dimly that she was being regarded as a fellow-conspirator +in some unlawful project.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The wall is high, there is bottle-glass on the top, and +I shall find it hard to bring away a fresh pair of trousers, +and probably draughty if I don’t. The gates are always +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page49">[pg 49]</span><a name="Pg49" id="Pg49" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +kept closed, and it isn’t worth any one’s while to open +them for £10, 17s. 6d., less the price of a first-class ticket +up to town. What are we to do?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We?”</span> she gasped.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You and I,”</span> he explained.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But—but I can’t <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">possibly</span></span> do anything.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“ <span class="tei tei-q">‘Can’t possibly’</span> is a phrase I have learned +to misunderstand.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Really, Mr Beveridge, I mustn’t do anything.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mustn’t is an invariable preface to a sin. Never +use it; it’s a temptation in itself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It wouldn’t be right,”</span> she said, with quite a show of +firmness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He looked at her a little curiously. For a moment he +almost seemed puzzled. Then he pressed her hand and +asked tenderly, <span class="tei tei-q">“Why not?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And in a half-audible aside he added, <span class="tei tei-q">“That’s the +correct move, I think.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What did you say?”</span> she asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Why not?’</span> ”</span> he answered, with increasing +tenderness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But you said something else.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I added a brief prayer for pity.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia sighed and repeated a little less firmly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“It wouldn’t be right of me, Mr Beveridge.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But what would be wrong?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This was said with even more fervour.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My conscience—we are very particular, you know.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who are <span class="tei tei-q">‘we’</span>?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Papa is <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">very</span></span> strict +High Church.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page50">[pg 50]</span><a name="Pg50" id="Pg50" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">An idea seemed to strike Mr Beveridge, for he ruminated +in silence.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I asked Mr Candles—our curate, you know,”</span> Lady +Alicia continued, with a heroic effort to make her position +clear.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You told him!”</span> he exclaimed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, I didn’t say who it was—I mean what it was I +thought of doing—I mean the temptation—that is, the +possibility. And he said it was very kind of me to think +of it; but I mustn’t do anything, and he advised me to +read a book he gave me, and—and I mustn’t think of +it, really, Mr Beveridge.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To himself Mr Beveridge repeated under his breath, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Archbishops, bishops, deacons, curates, fast in Lent, +and an anthem after the Creed. I think I remember +enough to pass.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then he assumed a very serious face, and said aloud, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Your scruples do your heart credit. They have given +me an insight into your deep and sweet character, which +emboldens me to make a confession.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He stopped skating, folded his arms, and continued +unblushingly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I was educated for the Church, but +the prejudices of my parents, the immature scepticism +of youth, and some uncertainty about obtaining my +archbishopric, induced me in an unfortunate moment, +which I never ceased to bitterly regret, to quit my +orders.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are in orders?”</span> she exclaimed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I was in several. I cancelled them, and entered the +Navy instead.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page51">[pg 51]</span><a name="Pg51" id="Pg51" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The Navy?”</span> she asked, excusably bewildered by +these rapid changes of occupation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“For five years I was never ashore.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But,”</span> she hesitated—<span class="tei tei-q">“but you said you were in the +Army.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Beveridge gave her a look full of benignant compassion +that made her, she did not quite know why, feel terribly +abashed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My regiment was quartered at sea,”</span> he condescended +to explain. <span class="tei tei-q">“But in time my conscience awoke. I +announced my intention of resuming my charge. My +uncle was furious. My enemies were many. I was +seized, thrown into this prison-house, and now my only +friend fails me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They were both silent. She ventured once to glance +up at his face, and it seemed to her that his eyes were +moist—though perhaps it was that her own were a little +dim.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Let us skate on,”</span> he said abruptly, with a fine air of +resignation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“By the way,”</span> he suddenly added, <span class="tei tei-q">“I was extremely +High Church, in fact almost freezingly high.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For five minutes they skated in silence, then Lady +Alicia began softly, <span class="tei tei-q">“Supposing you—you went away——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What is the use of talking of it?”</span> he exclaimed, melodramatically. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Let me forget my short-lived hopes!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">have</span></span> a +friend,”</span> she said, slowly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A friend who tantalises me by <span class="tei tei-q">‘supposings’</span>!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But supposing you did, Mr Beveridge, would you +go back to your—did you say you had a parish?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page52">[pg 52]</span><a name="Pg52" id="Pg52" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I had: a large, populous, and happy parish. It is +my one dream to sit once more on its council and direct +my curate.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course that makes a difference. Mr Candles +didn’t know all this.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They had come by this time to the corner of a little +island that lay not far from the shore; in the channel +ahead a board labelled <span class="tei tei-q">“Danger”</span> marked a hidden +spring; behind them the shining ice was almost bare of +skaters, for all but Dr Escott seemed to be leaving; on +the bank they could see Moggridge prowling about in +the gathering dusk, a vigilant reminder of captivity. +Mr Beveridge took the whole scene in with, it is to be +feared, a militant rather than an episcopal eye. Then +he suddenly asked, <span class="tei tei-q">“Are you alone?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You drive back?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ye<span class="tei tei-corr"><a name="E2" id="E2" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a href="#e2" class="tei tei-ref">—</a></span>es.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He took out his watch and made a brief calculation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Go now, call at Clankwood or do anything else you +like, and pass down the drive again at a quarter to five.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This sudden pinning of her irresolution almost took +Lady Alicia’s breath away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But I never said——”</span> she began.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear friend,”</span> he interrupted, <span class="tei tei-q">“in the hour of +action only a fool ever says. Come on.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And while she still hesitated they were off again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But——”</span> she tried to expostulate.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dearest friend,”</span> he whispered, <span class="tei tei-q">“and my dear +old vicarage!”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page53">[pg 53]</span><a name="Pg53" id="Pg53" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He gave her no time to protest. Her skates were off, +she was on her way to her carriage, and he was striking +out again for the middle of the lake before she had time +to collect her wits.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He took out his watch and looked at the time. It +was nearly a quarter-past four. Then he came up to +Escott, who by this time was the only other soul on the ice.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“About time we were going in,”</span> said Escott.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Give me half-an-hour more. I’ll show you how to +do that vine you admired.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All right,”</span> assented the doctor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A minute or two later Mr Beveridge, as if struck by +a sudden reflection, exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“By Jove, there’s that +poor devil Moggridge freezing to death on shore. Can’t +you manage to look after so dangerous a lunatic yourself? +It is his tea-time, too.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hallo, so he is,”</span> replied Escott; <span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll +send him up.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And so there were only left the two men on the ice.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a little the lesson went on, and presently, leaving +the doctor to practise, Mr Beveridge skated away by +himself. He first paused opposite a seat on the bank +over which hung Dr Escott’s great fur coat. This +spectacle appeared to afford him peculiar pleasure. +Then he looked at his watch. It was half-past four. +He shut the watch with a click, threw a glance at his +pupil, and struck out for the island. If the doctor had +been looking, he might have seen him round it in the +gloaming.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr Escott, leaning far on his outside edge, met him +as he returned.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page54">[pg 54]</span><a name="Pg54" id="Pg54" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What’s that under your coat?”</span> he asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A picture I intend to ask your opinion on presently,”</span> +replied Mr Beveridge; and he added, with his most +charming air, <span class="tei tei-q">“But now, before we go in, let me give +you a ride on one of these chairs, doctor.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They started off, the pace growing faster and faster, +and presently Dr Escott saw that they were going behind +the island.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Look out for the spring!”</span> he cried.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It must be bearing now,”</span> replied Mr Beveridge, +striking out harder than ever; <span class="tei tei-q">“they have taken away +the board.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All right,”</span> said the doctor, <span class="tei tei-q">“on you go.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he spoke he felt a violent push, and the chair, slewing +round as it went, flew on its course unguided. Mr +Beveridge’s skates rasped on the ice with a spray of +white powder as he stopped himself suddenly. Ahead +of him there was a rending crack, and Dr Escott and his +chair disappeared. Mr Beveridge laughed cheerfully, +and taking from under his coat a board with the legend +<span class="tei tei-q">“Danger”</span> printed in large characters across its face, +he placed it beside the jagged hole.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Here is the picture, doctor,”</span> he said, as a dripping, +gasping head came up for the second time. <span class="tei tei-q">“I must +ask a thousand pardons for this—shall I say, liberty? +But, as you know, I’m off my head. Good night. Let +me recommend a hot drink when you come out. There +are only five feet of water, so you won’t drown.”</span> And +with that he skated rapidly away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Escott had a glimpse of him vanishing round the corner +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page55">[pg 55]</span><a name="Pg55" id="Pg55" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of the island, and then the ice broke again, and down he +went. Four, five, six times he made a desperate effort +to get out, and every time the thin ice tore under his +hands, and he slipped back again. By the seventh +attempt he had broken his way to the thicker sheet; he +got one leg up, slipped, got it up again, and at last, half +numbed and wholly breathless, he was crawling circumspectly +away. When at last he ventured to rise to +his feet, he skated with all the speed he could make to +the seat where he had left his coat. A pair of skates +lay there instead, but the coat had vanished. Dr Escott’s +philosophical estimate of Mr Beveridge became considerably +modified.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank the Lord, he can’t get out of the grounds,”</span> +he said to himself; <span class="tei tei-q">“what a dangerous devil he is! But +he’ll be sorry for this performance, or I’m mistaken.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When he arrived at the house his first inquiries were +for his tutor in the art of vine-cutting, and he was rather +surprised to hear that he had not yet returned, for he +only imagined himself the victim of a peculiarly ill-timed +practical joke.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Men with lanterns were sent out to search the park; +and still there was no sign of Mr Beveridge. Inquiries +were made at the lodge, but the gatekeeper could swear +that only a single carriage had passed through. Dr +Congleton refused at first to believe that he could possibly +have got out.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Our arrangements are perfect,—the thing’s absurd,”</span> +he said, peremptorily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That there man, sir,”</span> replied Moggridge, who had +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page56">[pg 56]</span><a name="Pg56" id="Pg56" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +been summoned, <span class="tei tei-q">“is the slipperiest customer as ever I +seed. ’E’s hout, sir, I believe.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We might at least try the stations,”</span> suggested Escott, +who had by this time changed, and indulged in the hot +drink recommended.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The doctor began to be a little shaken.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, well,”</span> said he, <span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll send a man to each of the +three stations within walking distance; and whether he’s +out or in, we’ll have him by to-morrow morning. I’ve +always taken care that he had no money in his pockets.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But what is a doctor’s care against a woman’s heart? +For many to-morrows Clankwood had to lament the loss +of the gifted Francis Beveridge.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0107" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc18" id="toc18"></a> +<a name="pdf19" id="pdf19"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VII.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At sixteen minutes to five Mr Beveridge stood by the +side of the Clankwood Avenue, comfortably wrapped +in Dr Escort’s fur coat, and smoking with the greatest +relish one of Dr Escott’s undeniable cigars.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was almost dark, the air bit keen, the dim park +with its population of black trees was filled with a frosty, +eager stillness. All round the invisible wall hemmed +him in, the ten pounds, seventeen shillings, and sixpence +lay useless in his pocket till that was past, and his one +hope depended on a woman. But Mr Beveridge was an +amateur in the sex, and he smiled complacently as he +smoked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He had waited barely three minutes when the quick +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page57">[pg 57]</span><a name="Pg57" id="Pg57" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +clatter of a pair of horses fell on his ears, and presently +the lights of a carriage and pair, driving swiftly away +from Clankwood, raked the drive on either side. As +they rattled up to him he gave a shout to the coachman +to stop, and stepped right in front of the horses. With +something that sounded unlike a blessing, the pair were +thrown almost on their haunches to check them in time. +Never stopping to explain, he threw open the door and +sprang in; the coachman, hearing no sound of protest, +whipped up again, and Mr Beveridge found himself +rolling through the park of Clankwood in the Countess +of Grillyer’s carriage with a very timid little figure by +his side. Even in that moment of triumphant excitement +the excellence of his manners was remarkable: +the first thing he said was, <span class="tei tei-q">“Do you mind smoking?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In her confusion of mind Lady Alicia could only reply +<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh no,”</span> and not till some time afterwards did she remember +that the odour of a cigar was clinging and the +Countess’s nose unusually sensitive.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After this first remark he leaned back in silence, gradually +filling the carriage with a blue-grey cloud, and looking +out of the windows first on one side and then on the +other. They passed quickly through the lines of trees +and the open spaces of frosty park-land, they drew up +at the lodge for a moment, he heard his prison gates +swing open, the harness jingled and the hoofs began to +clatter again, a swift vision of lighted windows and a +man looking on them incuriously swept by, and then they +were rolling over a country road between hedgerows and +under the free stars.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page58">[pg 58]</span><a name="Pg58" id="Pg58" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was the Lady Alicia who spoke first.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I never thought you would really come,”</span> she said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have been waiting for that remark,”</span> he replied, +with his most irresistible smile; <span class="tei tei-q">“now for some more +practical conversation.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he did not immediately begin this conversation himself, +her curiosity overcame her, and she asked, <span class="tei tei-q">“How +did you manage to get out?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As my friend Dr Escott offered no opposition, I +walked away.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Did he really let you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He never even expostulated.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then—then it’s all right?”</span> she said, with +an inexplicable sensation of disappointment.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perfectly—so far.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But—didn’t they object?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not yet,”</span> he replied; <span class="tei tei-q">“objections to my movements +are generally made after they have been performed.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Somehow she felt immensely relieved at this hint of +opposition.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I’m so glad you got away,”</span> she whispered, and then +repented in a flutter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not more so than I am,”</span> he answered, pressing her +hand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And now,”</span> he added, <span class="tei tei-q">“I should like to know how +near Ashditch Junction you propose to take me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where are you going to, Mr Beveridge?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class="tei tei-q">“Mr Beveridge”</span> was thrown in as a corrective +to the hand-pressure.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“To London; where else, my Alicia? With £10, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page59">[pg 59]</span><a name="Pg59" id="Pg59" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +17s. 6d. in my pocket, I shall be able to eat at least three +good dinners, and, by the third of them, if I haven’t +fallen on my feet it will be the first time I have descended +so unluckily.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But,”</span> she asked, considerably disconcerted, <span class="tei tei-q">“I +thought you were going back to your parish.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a moment he too seemed a trifle put about. Then +he replied readily, <span class="tei tei-q">“So I am, as soon as I have purchased +the necessary outfit, restocked my ecclesiastical library, +and called on my bishop.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She felt greatly relieved at this justification of her share +in the adventure.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Drop me at the nearest point to the station,”</span> he +said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am afraid,”</span> she began—<span class="tei tei-q">“I mean I think you had +better get out soon. The first road on the right will +take you straight there, and we had better not pass it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then I must bid you farewell,”</span> and he sighed most +effectively. <span class="tei tei-q">“Farewell, my benefactress, my dear Alicia! +Shall I ever see you, shall I ever hear of you again?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I might—I might just write once; if you will answer +it: I mean if you would care to hear from such a——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She found it difficult to finish, and prudently stopped.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thanks,”</span> he replied cheerfully; <span class="tei tei-q">“do,—I shall live in +hopes. I’d better stop the carriage now.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He let down the window, when she said hastily, <span class="tei tei-q">“But +I don’t know your address.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He reflected for an instant. <span class="tei tei-q">“Care of the Archbishop +of York will always find me,”</span> he replied; and as if unwilling +to let his emotion be observed, he immediately +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page60">[pg 60]</span><a name="Pg60" id="Pg60" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +put his head out of the window and called on the coachman +to stop.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good-bye,”</span> he whispered, tenderly, squeezing her +fingers with one hand and opening the door with the +other.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t quite forget me,”</span> she whispered back.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Never!”</span> he replied, and was in the act of getting +out when he suddenly turned, and exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“I must +be more out of practice than I thought; I had almost +forgotten the protested salute.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And without further preamble the Lady Alicia found +herself kissed at last.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He jumped out and shut the door, and the carriage +with its faint halo clattered into the darkness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“They are wonderfully alike,”</span> he reflected.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About twenty minutes later he walked leisurely into +Ashditch Junction, and having singled out the station-master, +he accosted him with an air of beneficient consideration +and inquired how soon he could catch a train +for London.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It appeared that the up express was not due for nearly +three-quarters of an hour.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A little too long to wait,”</span> he said to himself, as he +turned up the collar of his purloined fur coat to keep +out the cold, and picked another cigar from its rightful +owner’s case.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By way of further defying the temperature and cementing +his acquaintance with the station-master, he offered +to regale that gratified official with such refreshments as +the station bar provided. In the consumption of whiskies-and-sodas +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page61">[pg 61]</span><a name="Pg61" id="Pg61" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +(a beverage difficult to obtain in any +quantity at Clankwood) Mr Beveridge showed himself +as accomplished as in every other feat. In thirty-five +minutes he had despatched no fewer than six, besides +completely winning the station-master’s heart. As he +had little more than five minutes now to wait, he bade a +genial farewell to the lady behind the bar, and started +to purchase his ticket.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hardly had he left the door of the refreshment-room +when he perceived an uncomfortably familiar figure just +arrived, breathless with running, on the opposite platform. +The light of a lamp fell on his shining face: it +was Moggridge!</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A stout heart might be forgiven for sinking at the sight, +but Mr Beveridge merely turned to his now firm friends +and said with his easiest air, <span class="tei tei-q">“On the opposite platform I +perceive one of my runaway lunatics. Bring a couple +of stout porters as quickly as you can, for he is a person +of much strength and address. My name,”</span> he drew a +card-case from the pocket of his fur coat, <span class="tei tei-q">“is, as you see, +Dr Escott of Clankwood.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile Moggridge, after hurriedly investigating +the platform he was on, suddenly spied a tall fur-coated +figure on the opposite side. Without a moment’s hesitation +he sprang on to the rails, and had just mounted the +other side as the station-master and two porters appeared.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Seeing his allies by his side Mr Beveridge never said a +word, but, throwing off his hat, he lowered his head, +charged his keeper, and picking him up by the knees +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page62">[pg 62]</span><a name="Pg62" id="Pg62" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +threw him heavily on his back. Before he had a chance +of recovering himself the other three were seated on his +chest employed in winding a coil of rope round and round +his prostrate form.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Two minutes later Moggridge was sitting bound hand +and foot in the booking office, addressing an amused audience +in a strain of perhaps excusable exasperation, +which however merely served to impress the Ashditch +officials with a growing sense of their address in capturing +so dangerous a lunatic. In the middle of this entertaining +scene the London express steamed in, and Mr +Beveridge, courteously thanking the station-master for +his assistance, stepped into a first-class carriage.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I should be much obliged,”</span> he said, leaning on the +door of his compartment and blowing the smoke of Dr +Escott’s last Havannah lightly from his lips, <span class="tei tei-q">“if you +would be kind enough to keep that poor fellow in the +station till to-morrow. It is rather too late to send him +back now. Good night, and many thanks.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He pressed a coin into the station-master’s hand, +which that +<span class="tei tei-corr"><a name="E3" id="E3" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a href="#e3" class="tei tei-ref">disappointed</a></span> +official only discovered on emptying +his pockets at night to be an ordinary sixpence, the +guard whistled, and one by one, smoothly and slowly +and then in a bright stream, the station lamps slipped +by. The last of them flitted into the night, and the +train swung and rattled by a mile a minute nearer to +London town and farther from the high stone wall. +There was no other stop, and for a long hour the adventurer +sat with his legs luxuriously stretched along the +cushions looking out into a fainter duplicate of his carriage, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page63">[pg 63]</span><a name="Pg63" id="Pg63" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +pierced now and then by the glitter of brighter +points as they whisked by some wayside village, or crossed +by the black shadows of trees. The whole time he +smiled contentedly, doubtless at the prospect of his parish +work. All at once he seemed stirred, and, turning in +his seat, laid his face upon the window, and pulled down +the blind behind his head, so that he could see into the +night. He had spied the first bright filaments of London. +Quickly they spread into a twinkling network, and then +as quickly were shut out by the first line of suburb houses; +through the gaps they grew nearer and flared cheerfully; +the train hooted over an archway, and in the road below +he had a glimpse of shop windows and crowded pavements +and moving omnibuses: he was in the world again, +and at the foretaste of all this life he laughed like a delighted +child. Last of all came the spread of shining +rails and the red and yellow lights of many signals, and +then the high glass roof and long lamp-lit platforms of +St Euston’s Cross.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Unencumbered by luggage or plans, Mr Francis Beveridge +stuck his hands deep in his pockets and strolled +aimlessly enough out of the station into the tideway of +the Euston Road. For a little he stood stock-still on the +pavement watching the throng of people and the perpetual +buses and drays and the jingling hansoms picking +their way through it all.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“For a man of brains,”</span> he moralised, <span class="tei tei-q">“even though +he be certified as insane, for probably the best of reasons, +this London has surely fools enough to provide him with +all he needs and more than he deserves. I shall set out +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page64">[pg 64]</span><a name="Pg64" id="Pg64" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +with my lantern like a second Diogenes to look for a +foolish man.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And so he strolled along again to the first opening +southwards. That led him through a region of dingy +enough brick by day, but decked now with its string of +lamps and bright shop-windows here and there, and kept +alive by passing buses and cabs going and coming from +the station. Farther on the street grew gloomier, and a +dark square with a grove of trees in the middle opened +off one side; but, rattle or quiet, flaring shops or sad-looking +lodgings, he found it all too fresh and amusing +to hurry.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Back to my parish again,”</span> he said to himself, smiling +broadly at the drollery of the idea. <span class="tei tei-q">“If I’m caught +to-morrow, I’ll at least have one merry night in my +wicked, humorous old charge.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He reached Holborn and turned west in the happiest +and most enviable of moods; the very policemen seemed +to cast a friendly eye on him; the frosty air, he thought, +made the lights burn brighter and the crowd move more +briskly than ever he had seen them. Suddenly the sight +of a hairdresser’s saloon brought an inspiration. He +stroked his beard, twisted his moustaches half regretfully, +and then exclaiming, <span class="tei tei-q">“Exit Mr Beveridge,”</span> turned +into the shop.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="LL0200" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page65">[pg 65]</span><a name="Pg65" id="Pg65" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc20" id="toc20"></a> +<a name="pdf21" id="pdf21"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 125%">PART II.</span></span> +</h1> + +<div id="LL0201" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc22" id="toc22"></a> +<a name="pdf23" id="pdf23"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER I.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron Rudolf von Blitzenberg sat by himself +at a table in the dining-room of the Hôtel +Mayonaise, which, as everybody knows, is the +largest and most expensive in London. He +was a young man of a florid and burly Teutonic type +and the most ingenuous countenance. Being possessed +of a curious and enterprising disposition, as well as +the most ample means, he had left his ancestral castle in +Bavaria to study for a few months the customs and +politics of England. In the language he was already +proficient, and he had promised himself an amusing as +well as an instructive visit. But, although he had only +arrived in London that morning, he was already beginning +to feel an uncomfortable apprehension lest in both respects +he should be disappointed. Though his introductions +were the best with which the British Ambassador +could supply him, they were only three or four in +number,—for, not wishing to be hampered with too many +acquaintances, he had rather chosen quality than quantity: +and now, in the course of the afternoon, he had +found to his chagrin that in every case the families were +out of town. In fact, so far as he could learn, they were +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page66">[pg 66]</span><a name="Pg66" id="Pg66" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +not even at their own country seats. One was abroad, +another gone to the seaside to recover from the mumps, +or a third paying a round of visits.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The disappointment was sharp, he felt utterly at sea +as to what he should do, and he was already beginning to +experience the loneliness of a single mortal in a crowded +hotel.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the frosty evening was setting in and the shops were +being lit, he had strolled out into the streets in the vague +hope of meeting some strange foreign adventure, or perhaps +even happily lighting upon some half-forgotten +diplomatic acquaintance. But he found the pavements +crowded with a throng who took no notice of him at all, +but seemed every man and most women of them to be +pushing steadily, and generally silently, towards a million +mysterious goals. Not that he could tell they were silent +except by their set lips, for the noise of wheels and horses +on so many hundreds of miles of streets, and the cries of +busmen and vendors of evening papers, made such a +hubbub that he felt before long in a maze. He lost his +way four times, and was patronisingly set right by beneficent +policemen; and at last, feeling like a man who has +fallen off a precipice on to a soft place—none the worse +but quite bewildered—he struggled back to his hotel. +There he spun out his time by watching the people come +and go, and at last dressed with extra deliberation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About eight o’clock he sat down to his solitary dinner. +The great gilt and panelled room was full of diners and +bustling waiters, but there was not a face the Baron had +ever seen before. He was just finishing a plate of whitebait +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page67">[pg 67]</span><a name="Pg67" id="Pg67" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +when he observed a stranger enter the room and +stroll in a very self-possessed manner down the middle, +glancing at the tables round him as though he was looking +either for a friend or a desirable seat. This gentleman +was tall, fair, and clean-shaved; he was dressed in a suit +of well-fitting tweeds, and his air impressed the Baron +as being natural and yet distinguished. At last his eye +fell upon the Baron, who felt conscious of undergoing a +quick, critical scrutiny. The table at which that nobleman +sat was laid for two, and coming apparently to a +sudden resolution, the good-looking stranger seated himself +in the vacant chair. In an agreeable voice and with +an unmistakably well-bred air he asked a waiter for the +wine-list, and then, like a man with an excellent appetite, +fell to upon the various <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">hors +d’œuvres</span></span>, the entire collection +of which, in fact, he consumed in a wonderfully +short space of time. The Baron, being himself no trifler +with his victuals, regarded this feat with sympathetic +approval, and began to feel a little less alone in the world. +His naturally open disposition was warmed besides, +owing to a slight misconception he had fallen into, perfectly +excusable however in a foreigner. He thought he +had read somewhere that port was the usual accompaniment +to the first courses of an English dinner, and as +his waiter had been somewhat dilatory in bringing him +the more substantial items of the repast, he had already +drunk three claret-glasses of this cheering wine. The +chill recollections of his sixteen quarterings and the +exclusiveness he had determined to maintain as becoming +to his rank were already melting, and he met the stranger’s +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page68">[pg 68]</span><a name="Pg68" id="Pg68" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +eye with what for the life of him he could not help being a +cordial look.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">vis-à-vis</span></span> caught +the glance, smiled back, and immediately +asked, with the most charming politeness, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Do you care, sir, to split a bottle of champagne?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“To—er—<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">shplid?</span></span>”</span> said the Baron, +with a disappointed consciousness of having been put at a loss +in his English by the very first man who had spoken to him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I beg your pardon,—I am afraid I was unintelligibly +idiomatic. To divide, I should say, you consuming +one-half, I the other. Am I clear, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a moment the Baron was a little taken aback, and +then recollecting that the dining habits of the English +were still new to him, he concluded that the suggestion +was probably a customary act of courtesy. He had +already come to the conclusion that the gentleman must +be a person of rank, and he replied affably, <span class="tei tei-q">“Yah—zat +is, vid pleasure. Zanks, very.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The pleasure is mine,”</span> said the stranger—<span class="tei tei-q">“and half +the bottle,”</span> he added, smiling.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron, whose perception of humour had been +abnormally increased by this time, laughed hilariously +at the infection of his new acquaintance’s smile.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Goot, goot!”</span> he cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, yah, zo.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Am I right, sir, in supposing that, despite the perfection +of your English accent, I cannot be fortunate +enough to claim you as a countryman?”</span> asked the +stranger.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron’s resolutions of reticence had vanished +altogether before such unexpected and (he could not +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page69">[pg 69]</span><a name="Pg69" id="Pg69" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +but think) un-English friendliness. He unburdened his +heart with a rush.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You have ze right. I am Deutsch. I have gom to +England zis day for to lairn and to amuse myself. But +mein, vat you call?—introdogtions zey are not inside, +zat is zey are from off. Not von, all, every single gone +to ze gontry or to abroad. I am alone, I eat my dinner +in zolitude, I am pleased to meet you, sare.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A cork popped and the champagne frothed into the +stranger’s glass. Raising it to his lips, he +said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Prosit!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Prosit!”</span> responded the Baron, enthusiastically. <span class="tei tei-q">“You +know ze Deutsch, sare?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am safer in English, I confess.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, das ist goot, I vant for to practeese. Ve vill +talk English.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“With all my heart,”</span> said the stranger. <span class="tei tei-q">“I, too, am +alone, and I hold myself more than fortunate in making +your acquaintance. It’s a devilish dull world when one +can’t share a bottle—or a brace of them, for the matter +of that.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You know London?”</span> asked the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I used to, and I daresay my memory will revive.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I know it not, pairhaps you can inform. I haf gom, +as I say, to-day.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“With pleasure,”</span> said the stranger, readily. <span class="tei tei-q">“In fact, +if you are ever disengaged I may possibly be able to act as +showman.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Showman!”</span> roared the Baron, thinking he had discovered +a jest. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha, ha! Goot, zehr goot!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The other looked a trifle astonished for an instant, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page70">[pg 70]</span><a name="Pg70" id="Pg70" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and then as he sipped his champagne an expression of +intense satisfaction came over his face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I can put away my lantern,”</span> he said to himself,—<span class="tei tei-q">“I +have found him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“May I have the boldness to ask your name, sir?”</span> he +asked aloud.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze Baron Rudolph von Blitzenberg,”</span> that nobleman +replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yours, sare—may I dare?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Francis Bunker, at your service, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are noble?”</span> queried the Baron a little anxiously, +for his prejudices on this point were strong.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“According to your standard I believe I may say so. +That’s to say, my family have borne arms for two hundred +odd generations; twenty-five per cent of them have died +of good living; and the most malicious have never accused +us of brains. I myself may not be very typical, +but I assure you it isn’t my ancestors’ fault.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The latter part of this explanation entirely puzzled +the Baron. The first statement, though eminently satisfactory, +was also a little bewildering.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Two hondred generations?”</span> he asked, courteously. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Zat is a vary old family. All bore arms you say, Mistair +Bonker?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, gravely. <span class="tei tei-q">“The first few +bore tails as well.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha, ha!”</span> laughed the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“You are a fonny +man I pairceive, vat you call clown, yes?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What my friends call clown, and I call wit,”</span> Mr +Bunker corrected.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vit! Ha, ha, ha!”</span> roared the Baron, whose mind +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page71">[pg 71]</span><a name="Pg71" id="Pg71" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +was now in an El Dorado of humour when jokes grew +like daisies. His loneliness had disappeared as if by +magic; as course succeeded course his contentment showed +itself in a perpetually beaming smile: he ceased to worry +even about his friend’s pedigree, convinced in his mind +that manners so delightful and distinguished could only +result from repeated quarterings and unoccupied forefathers. +Yet by the time dessert arrived and he had +again returned to his port, he began to feel an extreme +curiosity to know more concerning Mr Bunker. He +himself had volunteered a large quantity of miscellaneous +information: about Bavaria, its customs and its people, +more especially the habits and history of the Blitzenberg +family; about himself, his parentage and education; all +about his family ghost, his official position as hereditary +carpet-beater to the Bavarian Court, and many other +things equally entertaining and instructive. Mr Bunker, +for his part, had so far confined his confidences to his +name.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Bonker,”</span> said the Baron at last—he had +become quite familiar by this time—<span class="tei tei-q">“vat make you in +London? I fear you are bird of passage. Do you stay +long?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker cracked a nut, looking very serious; then +he leant on one elbow, glanced up at the ceiling pensively, +and sighed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I hope I do not ask vat I should not,”</span> the Baron +interposed, courteously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron, ask what you like,”</span> replied Mr +Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“In a city full of strangers, or of friends who +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page72">[pg 72]</span><a name="Pg72" id="Pg72" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +have forgotten me, you alone have my confidence. My +story is a common one of youthful folly and present +repentance, but such as it is, you are welcome to it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron gulped down half a glass of port and leaned +forward sympathetically.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My father,”</span> Mr Bunker continued with an air of +half-sad reminiscence, <span class="tei tei-q">“is one of the largest landowners +and the head of one of the most ancient families in the +north of England. I was his eldest son and heir. I am +still, I have every reason to believe, his eldest son, but +my heirship, I regret to say, is more doubtful. I spent +a prodigal youth and a larger sum of money than my +poor father approved of. He was a strict though a kind +parent, and for the good of my health and the replenishment +of the family coffers, which had been sadly drained +by my extravagance, he sent me abroad. There I have +led a roving life for the last six years, and at last, my wild +oats sown, reaped, and gathered in (and a well-filled stackyard +they made, I can assure you), I decided to return to +England and become an ornament to respectable society. +Like you, I arrived in London to-day, but only to find +to my disgust that my family have gone to winter in +Egypt. So you see that at present I am like a shipwrecked +sailor clinging to a rock and waiting, with what +patience I can muster, for a boat to take me off.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You mean,”</span> inquired the Baron, anxiously, <span class="tei tei-q">“that +you vish to go to Egypt at vonce?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I had thought of it; though there is a difficulty in the +way, I admit.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You vill not stay zen here?”</span> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page73">[pg 73]</span><a name="Pg73" id="Pg73" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron, why should I? I have neither +friends nor——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He stopped abruptly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I do not like to zink I shall lose your company so +soon.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I admit,”</span> allowed Mr Bunker, <span class="tei tei-q">“that this fortunate +meeting tempts me to stay.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vy not?”</span> said the Baron, cordially. <span class="tei tei-q">“Can your +fader not vait to see you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I hardly think he will worry about me, I confess.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zen stay, my goot Bonker!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Unfortunately there is the same difficulty as stands +in the way of my going to Egypt.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And may I inquire vat zat is?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“To tell you the truth,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, with an +air of reluctant candour, <span class="tei tei-q">“my funds are rather low. I +had trusted to finding my father at home, but as he +isn’t, why——”</span> he shrugged his shoulders and threw +himself back in his chair.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron seemed struck with an idea which he hesitated +to express.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Shall we smoke?”</span> his friend suggested.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vaiter!”</span> cried the Baron, <span class="tei tei-q">“bring here two best cigars +and two coffee!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A liqueur, Baron?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, yah. Vat for you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A liqueur brandy suggests itself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vaiter! and two brandy.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And now,”</span> said the Baron, <span class="tei tei-q">“I haf an idea, Bonker.”</span></p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0202" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page74">[pg 74]</span><a name="Pg74" id="Pg74" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc24" id="toc24"></a> +<a name="pdf25" id="pdf25"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER II.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron Rudolph von Blitzenberg, as I have said, +had a warm heart. He was, besides, alone in one hundred +and twenty square miles of strangers and foreigners +when he had happened upon this congenial spirit. He +began in a tone of the most ingenuous friendliness—</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I haf no friends here. My introdogtions zey are +gone. Bot I haf moch money, and I vish a, vat you +say?—showman, ha, ha, ha! You haf too leetle money +and no friends and you can show. You show and I +will loan you vat you vish. May I dare to suggest?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My goot Bonker! I am in airnest, I assure. Vy not? +It is vun gentleman and anozzer.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are far too kind.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is to myself I am kind, zen. I vant a guide, a +frient. It is a loan. Do not scruple. Ven your fader +goms you can pay if you please. It is nozing to me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, my dear Baron,”</span> said Mr Bunker, like a man +persuaded against his will, <span class="tei tei-q">“what can I say? I confess +I might find a little difficulty in replenishing my purse +without resorting to disagreeable means, and if you really +wish my society, why——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zen it is a bairgain?”</span> cried the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you insist——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I insist. Vaiter! Alzo two ozzer liqueur. Ve most +drink to ze bairgain, Bonker.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They pledged each other cordially, and talked from +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page75">[pg 75]</span><a name="Pg75" id="Pg75" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +that moment like old friends. The Baron was thoroughly +pleased with himself, and Mr Bunker seemed +no less gratified at his own good fortune. Half an hour +went quickly by, and then the Baron exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“Let us +do zomzing to-night, Bonker. I burn for to begin zis +show of London.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What would you care to do, Baron? It is rather +late, I am afraid, to think of a theatre. What do you say +to a music-hall?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Music-hall? I haf seen zem at home. Damned +amusing, das ist ze expression, yes?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is a perfect description.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bot,”</span> continued the Baron, solemnly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I must not +begin vid ze vickedest.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And yet,”</span> replied his friend, persuasively, <span class="tei tei-q">“even +wickedness needs a beginning.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bot, if I begin I may not stop. Zomzing more qviet +ze first night. Haf you a club?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker pondered for a moment, and a curious +smile stole across his face. Then it vanished, and he +answered readily, <span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly, Baron, an excellent idea. +I haven’t been to my club for so long that it never struck +me. Let us come.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Goot!”</span> cried the Baron, rising with alacrity.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They put on their coats (Mr Bunker’s, it may be remarked, +being a handsome fur-lined garment), the porter +hailed a cab, and the driver was ordered to take them +to the Regent’s Club in Pall Mall. The Baron knew it +by reputation as the most exclusive in London, and his +opinion of his friend rose still higher.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page76">[pg 76]</span><a name="Pg76" id="Pg76" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They joined a jingling string of other hansoms and +sped swiftly through the exhilarating bustle of the streets. +To the Baron it seemed as if a great change had come +over the city since he wandered disconsolately before +dinner. Carried swiftly to the music of the little bells +through the sharp air and the London night that is brighter +than day, with a friend by his side and a good dinner +within, he marked the most astonishing difference. All +the people seemed to talk and laugh, and for his own +part he found it hard to keep his tongue still.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I know ze name of ze Regent’s,”</span> he said; <span class="tei tei-q">“vun club +of ze best, is it not?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The very best club, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zey are all noble?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In many cases the receipts for their escutcheons are +still in their pockets.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Though the precise significance of this explanation +was not quite clear to the Baron, it sounded eminently +satisfactory.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zo?”</span> he said. <span class="tei tei-q">“I shall be moch interested to see +zem.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they entered the club the porter stared at them +curiously, and even made a movement as though he +would step out and address them; but Mr Bunker, wishing +him a courteous good evening, walked briskly up to +the hat-and-cloak racks in the hall. A young man had +just hung up his hat, and as he was divesting himself of +his coat, Mr Bunker quickly took the hat down, glanced +at the name inside, and replaced it on its peg. Then he +held out his hand and addressed the young man cordially.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page77">[pg 77]</span><a name="Pg77" id="Pg77" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good evening, Transome, how are you?”</span> said he, +and, heedless of the look of surprise on the other’s face, +he turned towards the Baron and added, <span class="tei tei-q">“Let me introduce +the Baron Rudolph von Blitzenberg—Mr Transome. +The Baron has just come to England, and I +thought he couldn’t begin better than by a visit to the +Regent’s. Let us come into the smoking-room.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few minutes they were all on the best of terms. +A certain perplexity, and almost shyness, that the young +man showed at first, vanished rapidly before the Baron’s +cordiality and Mr Bunker’s well-bred charm of manner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They were deeply engrossed in a discussion on the +reigning sovereign of the Baron’s native land, a monarch +of whose enlightened policy that nobleman spoke with +pardonable pride, when two elderly gentlemen entered +the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who are these?”</span> Mr Bunker whispered to Transome. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I know them very well, but I am always bad at names.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Lord Fabrigas and General M’Dermott,”</span> replied +Transome.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Instantly Mr Bunker rose and greeted the new-comers.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good evening, Lord Fabrigas; good evening, General. +You have just come in time to be introduced to the Baron +Rudolph von Blitzenberg, whom you doubtless know +by reputation.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron rose and bowed, and it struck him that +elderly English gentlemen were singularly stiff and constrained +in their manner. Mr Bunker, however, continued +cheerfully, <span class="tei tei-q">“We are just going to have a smoking +concert. Will you begin, Baron?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page78">[pg 78]</span><a name="Pg78" id="Pg78" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I know not English songs,”</span> replied the Baron, <span class="tei tei-q">“bot +I should like moch to hear.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You must join in the chorus, then.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly, Bonker. I haf a voice zat is considered—vat +you call—deafening, yes?—in ze chorus.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker cleared his throat, and, just as the General +was on the point of interposing a remark, struck up +hastily; and for the first time in its long and honourable +history the smoking-room of the Regent’s Club reechoed +to a popular music-hall ditty.</p> + +<div class="block tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">They sometimes call ’em duckies, + they sometimes call ’em pets,</span></span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 1.80em"><span style="font-size: 90%">And sometimes they refer to + ’em as dears</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 90%">They live on little matters that a gentleman forgets,</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 1.80em"><span style="font-size: 90%">In a little world of giggles and + of tears;</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 90%">There are different varieties from which a man may choose,</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 1.80em"><span style="font-size: 90%">There are sorts and shapes and + sizes without end,</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 90%">But the kind I’d pick myself is the kind you introduce</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 1.80em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 90%">By the simple + title of </span><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 90%">‘</span><span style="font-size: 90%">my lady friend.</span><span style="font-size: 90%">’</span></span><span style="font-size: 90%"> ”</span></span></div> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Chorus, Baron!”</span> And then he trolled in waltz time +this edifying refrain—</p> + +<div class="block tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">My lady friend, my lady friend!</span></span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 5.40em"><span style="font-size: 90%">Can’t you twig, dear boys,</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 3.60em"><span style="font-size: 90%">From the sound of the kisses</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 1.80em"><span style="font-size: 90%">She isn’t my misses,</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 90%">She’s only my lady friend!</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></div> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a voice like a train going over a bridge the Baron +chimed in—</p> + +<div class="block tei tei-lg" style="margin-bottom: 1.80em; margin-left: 3.60em; margin-top: 1.80em; margin-right: 3.60em"> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 90%">“</span><span style="font-size: 90%">My laty vrient, my laty vrient!</span></span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 5.40em"><span style="font-size: 90%">Cannot you tvig, mine boy,</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 3.60em"><span style="font-size: 90%">Vrom ze sound of ze kiss,</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left; margin-left: 1.80em"><span style="font-size: 90%">He is not my miss,</span></div> + <div class="tei tei-l" style="text-align: left"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: left"><span style="font-size: 90%">He is only mine laty vrient!</span><span style="font-size: 90%">”</span></span></div> +</div> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page79">[pg 79]</span><a name="Pg79" id="Pg79" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am afraid,”</span> said Mr Bunker, as they finished the +chorus, <span class="tei tei-q">“that I can’t remember any more. Now, General, +it’s your turn.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sir,”</span> replied that gallant officer, who had listened +to this ditty in purple and petrified astonishment, <span class="tei tei-q">“I +don’t know who the devil you are, but I can tell you, you +won’t remain a member of this club much longer if you +come into it again in this state.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I had forgotten,”</span> said Mr Bunker, with even more +than his usual politeness, <span class="tei tei-q">“that such an admirable music-hall +critic was listening to me. I must apologise for my +poor effort.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Wishing him courteously good-night, he took the Baron +by the arm and walked out. While that somewhat perplexed +nobleman was struggling into his coat, his friend +rapidly and dexterously converted all the silk hats he +could see into the condition of collapsed opera hats, +and then picked a small hand-bag off the floor. The +Baron walked out through the door first, but Mr Bunker +stopped for an instant opposite the hall-porter’s box, +and crying, <span class="tei tei-q">“Good night to you, sir!”</span> hurled the bag +through the glass, rushed after his friend, and in less +time than it takes to tell they were tearing up Pall Mall +in a hansom.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a few minutes both were silent; then the Baron +said slowly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I do not qvite onderstand.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron,”</span> his friend explained gaily, <span class="tei tei-q">“these +practical jokes are very common in our clubs. They +are quite part of our national life, you know, and I +thought you ought to see everything.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page80">[pg 80]</span><a name="Pg80" id="Pg80" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron said nothing, but he began to realise that +he was indeed in a foreign country.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0203" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc26" id="toc26"></a> +<a name="pdf27" id="pdf27"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER III.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vell, Bonker, vat show to-day?”</span> said the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker sipped his coffee and smiled back at his +friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What would you like?”</span> said he.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They were sitting in the Baron’s private room finishing +one of the renowned Hôtel Mayonaise breakfasts. Out +of the windows they could see the bright curving river, +the bare tops of the Embankment trees, a file of barges +drifting with the tide, and cold-looking clouds hurrying +over the chaos of brick on the opposite shore. It was a +bright breezy morning, and the Baron felt in high good-humour +with his surroundings. On maturer consideration, +the entertaining experience of the night before had +greatly raised Mr Bunker in his estimation. He had +chuckled his way through a substantial breakfast, and in +such good company felt ready for any adventure that +might turn up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He lit a cigar, pushed back his chair, and replied +blandly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am in your hands. I am ready to enjoy +anyzing.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you wish instruction or entertainment?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mix zem, Bonker. Entertain by instrogtion; instrogt +by entertaining.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are epigrammatic, Baron, but devilish vague. I +presume, however, that you wish entertaining experience +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page81">[pg 81]</span><a name="Pg81" id="Pg81" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +from which a man of your philosophical temperament +can draw a moral—afterwards.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha!”</span> laughed the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“Excellent! You provide +ze experiences—I draw ze moral.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And we share the entertainment. The theory is +perfect, but I’m afraid we need a programme. Now, on +my own first visit to London I remember being taken—by +the hand—to Madame Tussaud’s Waxworks, the Tower, +St Paul’s Cathedral, the fishmarket at Billingsgate, the +British Museum, and a number of other damnably edifying +spectacles. You might naturally suppose that after +such a round it would be quite superfluous for me ever to +come up to town again. Yet, surprising as it may appear, +most of the knowledge of London I hope to put at +your disposal has been gained in the course of subsequent +visits.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bot zese places—Tousaud, Tower, +Paul’s—are zey not instrogtif?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you wish to learn that a great number of years +ago a vast quantity of inconsequent events occurred, or +that in an otherwise amusing enough world there are +here and there collected so many roomfuls of cheerless +articles, I can strongly recommend a visit to the Tower of +London or the British Museum.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In mine own gontry,”</span> said the Baron, thoughtfully, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I can lairn zo moch.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then, my dear Baron, while you are here forget it +all.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And yet,”</span> said the Baron, still thoughtfully, <span class="tei tei-q">“somzing +I should lairn here.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page82">[pg 82]</span><a name="Pg82" id="Pg82" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly; you will learn something of what goes on +underneath a waistcoat and a little of the contents of a +corset and petticoat. Also of the strange customs of this +city and the excellence of British institutions.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha, ha!”</span> laughed the Baron, who thought that if +his friend had not actually made a jest, it was at least +time for one to occur. <span class="tei tei-q">“I see, I see. I draw ze moral, +ha, ha!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This morning,”</span> Mr Bunker continued, reflectively, +<span class="tei tei-q">“we might—let me see—well, we might do a little +shopping. To tell you the truth, Baron, my South African +experiences have somewhat exhausted my wardrobe.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, zo. Cairtainly ve vill shop. Bot, Bonker, +Soud Africa? Vas it not Soud America?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Did I say Africa? America of course I meant. +Well, let us shop if you have no objections: then we might +have a little lunch, and afterwards visit the Park. For +the evening, what do you say to a theatre?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Goot!”</span> cried the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“Make it tzos.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker’s shopping turned out to be a pretty extensive +operation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Loan vat you please of money,”</span> said his friend. <span class="tei tei-q">“A +gentleman should be dressed in agreement.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With now and then an apology for his extravagance, +he took full advantage of the Baron’s generosity, and +ordered such an assortment of garments that his tailor +could hardly bow low enough to express his gratification.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After an excellent lunch in the most expensive restaurant +to be found, they walked arm-in-arm westwards along +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page83">[pg 83]</span><a name="Pg83" id="Pg83" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Piccadilly, Mr Bunker pointing out the various objects +of historical or ephemeral interest to be seen in that +thoroughfare, the Baron drinking in this information +with the serious air of the distinguished traveller.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And now we come to the Park,”</span> said Mr Bunker. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Guard your heart, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha, ha!”</span> replied the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“Zo instrogtion is +feenished, and now goms entertainment, ha?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“With the moral always running through it, remember.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall not forget.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The sunshine had brought out a great many carriages +and a sprinkling of walkers along the railings. The two +friends strolled among them, eyeing the women and +stopping now and then to look back at a carriage.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I suppose,”</span> said the Baron, <span class="tei tei-q">“zat vile you haf been +avay your frients have forgot you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he spoke a young man looked hard at Mr Bunker, +and even made a movement as though he would stop +and speak to him. Mr Bunker looked blandly through +him and walked on.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you not know zat gentleman?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Which gentleman?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze young man zat looked so at you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Some young men have a way of staring here, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few minutes later a lady in a passing carriage looked +round sharply at them with an air of great surprise, and +half bowed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Surely,”</span> exclaimed the Baron, <span class="tei tei-q">“zat vas a frient of +yours!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am not a friend of hers, then,”</span> Mr Bunker replied +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page84">[pg 84]</span><a name="Pg84" id="Pg84" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +with a laugh. <span class="tei tei-q">“Her bow I think must have been aimed +at you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron shook his head, and seemed to be drawing +a moral.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Baron,”</span> his friend exclaimed, suddenly, <span class="tei tei-q">“let us go +back; here comes one of our most popular phenomena, +a London fog. We need not stay in the Park to observe +it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The sun was already obscured; there stole a most +insidious chill through the air; like the changing of a +scene on the stage they found themselves in a few minutes +walking in a little ring of trees and road and iron railings +instead of a wide sunny park; the roar of the streets came +from behind a wall of mist that opened mysteriously to let +a phantom carriage in and out, and closed silently behind +it again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I like not zis,”</span> said the Baron, with a shiver.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By the time they had found Piccadilly again there was +nothing at all to be seen but the light of the nearest lamp, +as large and far away as a struggling sun, and the shadowy +people who flitted by.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Their talk ceased. The Baron turned up his collar +and sucked his cigar lugubriously, and Mr Bunker +seemed unusually thoughtful. They had walked nearly +as far as Piccadilly Circus when they were pulled up by a +cab turning down a side-street. There was a lamp-post +at the corner, and under it stood a burly man, his red +face quite visible as they came up to his shoulder.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In an instant Mr Bunker seized the Baron by the arm, +pulled him round, and began to walk hastily back again.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page85">[pg 85]</span><a name="Pg85" id="Pg85" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vat for zis?”</span> said the Baron, in great astonishment.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We have come too far, thanks to this infernal fog. +We must cross the street and take the first turning on the +other side. I must apologise, Baron, for my absence of +mind.”</span></p> + +<div class="tei tei-tb">* * * * * </div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cab passed by and the red-faced man strolled on.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Like lookin’ for a needle in a bloomin’ +haystack,”</span> he said to himself. <span class="tei tei-q">“I might as well go back +to Clankwood. ’E’s a good riddance, I say.”</span></p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0204" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc28" id="toc28"></a> +<a name="pdf29" id="pdf29"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER IV.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron and Mr Bunker discussed their dinner +with the relish of approving connoisseurs. Mr Bunker +commended the hock, and suggested a second bottle; +the Baron praised the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">entrées</span></span>, and insisted on another +helping. The frequent laughter arising from their table +excited general remark throughout the room, and already +the waiters were whispering to the other guests that this +was a German nobleman of royal blood engaged in a +diplomatic mission of importance, and his friend a ducal +member of the English Cabinet, at present, for reasons +of state, incognito.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bonker!”</span> exclaimed the Baron, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am in zat frame +of head I vant a romance, an adventure”</span> (lowering his +voice a little), <span class="tei tei-q">“mit a beautiful lady, Bonker.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It must be a romance, Baron?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page86">[pg 86]</span><a name="Pg86" id="Pg86" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A novel, a story to tell to mine frients. In a strange +city man expects strange zings.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I’ll do my best for you, but I confess the provision +of romantic adventures is a little outside the programme +we’ve arranged.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha! Ve shall see, ve shall see, Bonker!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They arrived at the Corinthian Theatre about the +middle of the first act, for, as Mr Bunker explained, it +is always well to produce a good first impression, and +few more effective means can be devised than working +one’s way to the middle of a line of stalls with the play +already in progress.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Hardly were they seated when the Baron drove his +elbow into his friend’s ribs (draped for the night, it may +be remarked, with one of the Baron’s spare dress-coats) +and exclaimed in an excited whisper, <span class="tei tei-q">“Next to you, +Bonker! Ach, zehr hüpsch!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Even before this hint Mr Bunker had observed that +the lady on the other side of him was possessed of exceptional +attractions. For a little time he studied her +out of the corners of his eyes. He noticed that the stall +on the farther side of her was empty, that she once or +twice looked round as though she expected somebody, +and that she seemed not altogether unconscious of her +new neighbours. He further observed that her face +was of a type that is more usually engaged in attack than +defence.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then he whispered, <span class="tei tei-q">“Would you like to know her?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, yah!”</span> replied the Baron, eagerly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Bot—can +you?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page87">[pg 87]</span><a name="Pg87" id="Pg87" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker smiled confidently. A few minutes later +he happened to let his programme fall into her lap.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I beg your pardon,”</span> he whispered, softly, and glanced +into her eyes with a smile ready.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His usual discernment had not failed him. She +smiled, and instantly he produced his.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A little later her opera-glasses happened to slip from +her hand, and though they only slipped slowly, it was no +doubt owing to his ready presence of mind that their fall +was averted.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This time their fingers happened to touch, and they +smiled without an apology.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He leant towards her, looking, however, at the play. +They shared a laugh over a joke that she might have +been excused for not understanding; presently a criticism +of some situation escaped him inadvertently, and she +smiled again; soon after she gave an exclamation and he +answered sympathetically, and at the end of the act the +curtain came down on an acquaintance already begun. +As the lights were turned up, and here and there men +began to go out, she again looked at the entrances in +some apparent concern, either lest some one should not +come in or lest some one should.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He is late,”</span> said Mr Bunker, smiling.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She gave a very enticing look of surprise, and consented +to smile back before she coyly looked away again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“An erring husband, I presume.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She admitted that it was in fact a husband who had +failed her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But,”</span> she added, <span class="tei tei-q">“I’m +afraid—I mean I expect he’ll +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page88">[pg 88]</span><a name="Pg88" id="Pg88" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +come in after the next act. It’s so tiresome of him to +disappoint me like this.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker expressed the deepest sympathy with her +unfortunate predicament.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He has his ticket, of course?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But it seemed that she had both the tickets with her, +an arrangement which he immediately denounced as +likely to lead to difficulties when her husband arrived. +He further, in the most obliging manner, suggested that +he should take the ticket for the other seat to the booking +office and leave instructions for its being given to the +gentleman on his arrival. The lady gave him a curious +little glance that seemed to imply a mixture of doubt as +to his motives with confidence in his abilities, and then +with many thanks agreed to his suggestion. Mr Bunker +took the ticket and rose at once.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That I may be sure you are in good company while I +am away,”</span> said he, <span class="tei tei-q">“permit me to introduce my friend +the Baron Rudolph von Blitzenberg.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And the Baron promptly took his vacant seat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On his return Mr Bunker found his friend wreathed +in smiles and engaged in the most animated conversation +with the lady, and before the last act was over, he gathered +from such scraps of conversation as reached his ears that +Rudolph von Blitzenberg had little to learn in one department +of a nobleman’s duties.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder where my husband can be,”</span> the lady +whispered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, heed him not, fair lady,”</span> replied the Baron. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Am I not instead of a hosband?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page89">[pg 89]</span><a name="Pg89" id="Pg89" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I’m afraid you’re a very naughty man, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ven I am viz you,”</span> the gallant Baron answered, <span class="tei tei-q">“I +forget myself all bot your charms.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These advances being made in the most dulcet tones +of which the nobleman was master, and accompanied +by the most enamoured expression, it is not surprising +that the lady permitted herself to listen to them with +perhaps too ready an ear. What Mr Bunker’s arrangement +with the booking clerk had been was never quite +clear, but certainly the erring husband failed to make +his appearance at all, and at the last fall of the curtain +she was easily persuaded to let the Baron escort her home.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I know I ought not, but if a husband deserts one so +faithlessly, what can I do?”</span> she said, with a very becoming +little shrug of her shoulders and a captivating lift +of her eyebrows.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah, vat indeed? He desairves not so fair a consort.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But won’t it be troubling you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Trouble? Pleasure and captivation!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Excuse me, Baron,”</span> said the voice of Mr Bunker at +his elbow; <span class="tei tei-q">“if you will wait here at the door I shall send +up a cab.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Goot!”</span> cried the Baron, <span class="tei tei-q">“a zouzand zanks!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I myself,”</span> added Mr Bunker, with a profound bow +to the lady, <span class="tei tei-q">“shall say good night now. The best of +luck, Baron!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In a few minutes a hansom drove up, and the Baron, +springing in beside his charge, told the man to drive to +602 Eaton Square.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not too qvickly!”</span> he added, in a stage aside.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page90">[pg 90]</span><a name="Pg90" id="Pg90" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They reached Trafalgar Square, matters inside going +harmoniously as a marriage bell,—almost, in fact, too +much suggesting that simile.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why are we going down Whitehall?”</span> the lady exclaimed, +suddenly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I know not,”</span> replied the Baron, placidly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ask him where he is going!”</span> she said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron, as in duty bound, asked, and the reassuring +reply, <span class="tei tei-q">“All right, sir,”</span> came back through the hole in the +roof.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I seem to know that man’s voice,”</span> the lady said. +<span class="tei tei-q">“He must have driven me before.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“To me all ze English speak ze same,”</span> replied the +Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“All bot you, my fairest, viz your sound like +a—vat you call?—fiddle, is it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Though his charmer had serious misgivings regarding +their cabman’s topographical knowledge, the Baron’s +company proved so absorbing that it was not till they +were being rapidly driven over Vauxhall Bridge that she +at last took alarm. At first the Baron strove to soothe +her by the most approved Teutonic blandishments, but +in time he too began to feel concerned, and in a voice +like thunder he repeatedly called upon the driver to stop. +No reply was vouchsafed, and the pace merely grew the +more reckless.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can’t you catch the reins?”</span> cried the lady, who had +got into a terrible fright.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron twice essayed the feat, but each time a +heavy blow over the knuckles from the butt-end of the +whip forced him to desist. The lady burst into tears. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page91">[pg 91]</span><a name="Pg91" id="Pg91" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +The Baron swore in five languages alternately, and still +the cab pursued its headlong career through deserted +midnight streets, past infrequent policemen and stray +belated revellers, on into an unknown wilderness of +brick.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, don’t let him murder me!”</span> sobbed the lady.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Haf cheer, fairest; he shall not vile I am viz you! Gott +in himmel, ze rascal! Parbleu und blood! Goddam! +Vait till I catch him, hell and blitzen! Haf courage, +dear!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh dear, oh dear!”</span> wailed the lady. <span class="tei tei-q">“I +shall <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">never</span></span> +do it again!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They must have covered miles, and still the speed +never abated, when suddenly, as they were rounding a +sharp corner, the horse slipped on the frost-bound road, +and in the twinkling of an eye the Baron and the lady +were sitting on opposite sides of their fallen steed, and +the cabman was rubbing his head some yards in front.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Teufel!”</span> exclaimed the Baron, rising carefully to +his feet. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, mine dearest vun, art thou hurt?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The lady was silent for a moment, as though trying +to decide, and then she burst into hysterical laughter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, zo,”</span> said the Baron, much relieved, <span class="tei tei-q">“zen vill I +see ze cabman.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That individual was still rubbing his head with a rueful +air, and the Baron was about to pour forth all his bottled-up +indignation, when at the sight of the driver’s face he +started back in blank astonishment.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bonker!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is I indeed, my dear Baron,”</span> replied that gentleman, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page92">[pg 92]</span><a name="Pg92" id="Pg92" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +politely. <span class="tei tei-q">“I must ask a thousand pardons for +causing you this trifling inconvenience. As to your +friend, I don’t know how I am to make my peace with +her.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bot—bot vat means zis?”</span> gasped the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I was merely endeavouring to provide the spice of +romance you required, besides giving you the opportunity +of making the lady’s better acquaintance. Can I do +anything more for you, Baron? And you, my dear +lady, can I assist you in any way?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Both, speaking at once and with some heat, gave a +decidedly affirmative answer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where are we?”</span> asked the lady, who hovered between +fright and indignation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker shrugged his shoulders.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It would be rash to hazard an opinion,”</span> he replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well!”</span> cried the lady, her indignation quite overcoming +her fright. <span class="tei tei-q">“Do you mean to say you’ve brought +us here against our wills and probably got me +into <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">dreadful</span></span> +trouble, and you don’t even know where we are?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker looked up at the heavens with a studious +air.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“One <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">ought</span></span> to be +able to tell something of our whereabouts +from one of those stars,”</span> he replied; <span class="tei tei-q">“but, to tell +the truth, I don’t quite know which. In short, madame, +it is not from want of goodwill, but merely through +ignorance, that I cannot direct you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The lady turned impatiently to the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">You’ve</span></span> helped +to get me into this mess,”</span> she said, +tartly. <span class="tei tei-q">“What do you propose to do?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page93">[pg 93]</span><a name="Pg93" id="Pg93" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My fairest——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t!”</span> she interrupted, stamping her foot on the +frosty road, and then inconsequently burst into tears. +The Baron and Mr Bunker looked at one another.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is a fine night for a walk, and the cab, I’m afraid, +is smashed beyond hope of redemption. Give the lady +your arm, Baron; we must eventually arrive somewhere.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was really nothing else for it, so leaving the horse +and cab to be recovered by the first policeman who chanced +to pass, they set out on foot. At last, after half an hour’s +ramble through the solitudes of South London, a belated +cab was hailed and all three got inside. Once on her +way home, the lady’s indignation again gave way to +fright.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">am</span></span> I to do? +What <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">am</span></span> I to do?”</span> she wailed. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, whatever will my husband say?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In his most confident and irresistible manner Mr +Bunker told her he would make matters all right for her +at whatever cost to himself; and so infectious was his +assurance, that, when at last they reached Eaton Square, +she allowed him to come up to the door of number 602. +The Baron prudently remained in the cab, for, as he explained, +<span class="tei tei-q">“My English, he is unsafe.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After a prolonged knocking and ringing the door at +length opened, and an irascible-looking, middle-aged +gentleman appeared, arrayed in a dressing-gown.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Louisa!”</span> he cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“What the dev—where on earth +have you been? The police are looking for you all over +London. And may I venture to ask who this is with +you?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page94">[pg 94]</span><a name="Pg94" id="Pg94" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker bowed slightly and raised his hat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear sir,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“we found this lady in a +lamentable state of intoxication in the Tottenham Court +Road, and as I understand you have a kind of reversionary +interest in her, we have brought her here. As for +you, sir, your appearance is so unprepossessing that I +am unable to remain any longer. Good night,”</span> and +raising his hat again he entered the cab and drove off, +assuring the Baron that matters were satisfactorily +arranged.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“So you have had your adventure, Baron,”</span> he added, +with a smile.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a minute or two the Baron was silent. Then he +broke into a cheerful guffaw, <span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha, ha! You are a +fonny devil, Bonker! Ach, bot it vas pleasant vile it +lasted!”</span></p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0205" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc30" id="toc30"></a> +<a name="pdf31" id="pdf31"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER V.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A few days passed in the most entertaining manner. +A menu of amusements was regularly prepared suitable +to a catholic taste, and at every turn the Baron was +struck by the enterprise and originality of his friend. +He had, however, a national bent for serious inquiry, +and now and then doubts crossed his mind whether, +with all his moral drawing, he was acquiring quite as +much solid information as he had set out to gain. This +idea grew upon him, till one morning, after gazing for +some time at the English newspaper he always made a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page95">[pg 95]</span><a name="Pg95" id="Pg95" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +point of reading, he suddenly exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“Bonker, I haf +a doubt!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have many,”</span> replied Mr Bunker; <span class="tei tei-q">“in fact, I have +few positive ideas left.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bot mine is a particulair doubt. Do I lairn enoff?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My own conception of enough learning, Baron, is a +thing like a threepenny-bit—the smallest coin one can do +one’s marketing with.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And yet,”</span> said the Baron, solemnly, <span class="tei tei-q">“for my own +share, I am not satisfied. I vould lairn more of ze British +institutions; so far I haf lairned of ze pleasures only.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron, they are the British institutions.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron shook his head and fell to his paper again, +while Mr Bunker stretched himself on the sofa and +gazed through his cigar-smoke at the ceiling. Suddenly +the Baron gave an exclamation of horror.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron, what is the matter?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yet anozer outrage!”</span> cried the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“Zese anarchists, +zey are too scandalous. At all ze stations zere +are detectives, and all ze ships are being vatched. Ach, +it is terrible!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker seemed struck with an idea, for he stared +at the ceiling without making any reply, and his eyes, +had the Baron seen them, twinkled curiously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last the Baron laid down his paper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vell, vat shall ve do?”</span> he asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Let us come first to Liverpool Street Station, if you +don’t mind, Baron,”</span> his friend suggested. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have something +in the cloak-room there I want to pick up.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Bonker, I shall go vere you vill; bot remember +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page96">[pg 96]</span><a name="Pg96" id="Pg96" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +I vant to-day more instrogtion and less entertainment.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You wish to see the practical side of English life?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yah—zat is, yes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker smiled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then I must entertain myself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they drove down he was in his wittiest humour, +and the Baron, in spite of his desire for instruction, was +more charmed with his friend than ever.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vat fonny zing vill you do next, eh?”</span> he asked, as +they walked arm-in-arm into the station.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am no more the humourist, my dear Baron,—I +shall endeavour to edify you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They had arrived at a busy hour, when the platforms +were crowded with passengers and luggage. A train +had just come in, and around it the bustle was at its +height, and the confusion most bewildering.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Wait for me here,”</span> said Mr Bunker; <span class="tei tei-q">“I shall be +back in a minute.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He started in the direction of the cloak-room, and +then, doubling back through the crowd, walked down +the platform and stopped opposite a luggage-van. An +old gentleman, beside himself with irritation, was struggling +with the aid of a porter to collect his luggage, and +presently he left the pile he had got together and made +a rush in the direction of a large portmanteau that was +just being tumbled out. Instantly Mr Bunker picked +up a handbag from the heap and walked quickly off +with it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Here you are, Baron,”</span> he said, as he came up to his +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page97">[pg 97]</span><a name="Pg97" id="Pg97" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +friend. <span class="tei tei-q">“I find there is something else I must do, so do +you mind holding this bag for a few minutes? If you +will walk up and down in front of the refreshment-rooms +here, I’ll find you more easily. Is it troubling you too +much?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not vun bit, Bonker. I am in your sairvice.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He put the bag into the Baron’s hand with his pleasantest +smile, and turned away. Rounding a corner, he +came cautiously back again through the crowd and +stepped up to a policeman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Keep your eye on that man, officer,”</span> he said, in a low +confidential voice, and an air of quiet authority, <span class="tei tei-q">“and +put your plain clothes’ men on his track. I know him +for one of the most dangerous anarchists.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The man started and stared hard at the Baron, and +presently that unconscious nobleman, pacing the platform +in growing wonder at Mr Bunker’s lengthy absence, +and looking anxiously round him on all sides, noticed +with surprise that a number of quietly dressed men, +with no apparent business in the station, were eyeing +him with, it seemed to him, an interest that approached +suspicion. In time he grew annoyed, he returned their +glances with his haughtiest and most indignant look, +and finally, stepping up to one of them, asked in no friendly +voice, <span class="tei tei-q">“Vat for do you vatch me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The man returned an evasive answer, and passing one +of his fellow-officers, whispered, <span class="tei tei-q">“Foreign; I was sure +of it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last the Baron could stand it no longer, and laying +the bag down by the door of the refreshment-room, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page98">[pg 98]</span><a name="Pg98" id="Pg98" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +turned hastily away. On the instant Mr Bunker, who +had watched these proceedings from a safe distance, +cried in a loud and agonised voice, <span class="tei tei-q">“Down with your +men, sergeant! Down, lie down! It will explode in +twenty seconds!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And as he spoke he threw himself flat on his face. +So infectious were his commanding voice and his note +of alarm that one after another, detectives, passengers, +and porters, cast themselves at full length on the platform. +The Baron, filled with terror of anarchist plots, +was one of the first to prostrate himself, and at that there +could be no further doubt of the imminence of the peril.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The cabs rattled and voices sounded from outside; +an engine whistled and shunted at a far platform, but +never before at that hour of the day had Liverpool Street +Station been so silent. All held their breath and heard +their hearts thump as they gazed in horrible fascination +at that fatal bag, or with closed eyes stumbled through +a hasty prayer. Fully a minute passed, and the suspense +was growing intolerable, when with a loud oath an old +gentleman rose to his feet and walked briskly up to the +bag.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have a care, sir! For Heaven’s sake have a care!”</span> +cried Mr Bunker; but the old gentleman merely bent +over the terrible object, and, picking it up, exclaimed +in bewildered wrath, <span class="tei tei-q">“It’s my bag! Who the devil +brought it here, and what’s the meaning of this d—d +nonsense?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!”</span> roared Mr Bunker; while like +sheepish mushrooms the people sprang up on all sides.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page99">[pg 99]</span><a name="Pg99" id="Pg99" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear sir,”</span> said Mr Bunker, coming up to the old +gentleman, and raising his hat with his most affable air, +<span class="tei tei-q">“permit me to congratulate you on recovering your lost +property, and allow me further to introduce my friend +the Baron Rudolph von Blitzenberg.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Baron von damned-humbug!”</span> cried the old gentleman. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Did you take my bag, sir? and if so, are you a +thief or a lunatic?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For an instant even Mr Bunker himself seemed a trifle +taken aback; then he replied politely, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am not a thief, +sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then what <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">’ave</span></span> you +been doing?”</span> demanded the sergeant.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Merely demonstrating to my friend the Baron the +extraordinary vigilance of the English police.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a time neither the old gentleman nor the sergeant +seemed quite capable of taking the same view of the +episode as Mr Bunker, and, curiously enough, the Baron +seemed not disinclined to let his friend extricate himself +as best he could. No one, however, could resist Mr +Bunker, and before very long he and the Baron were +driving up Bishopsgate Street together, with the old +gentleman’s four-wheeler lumbering in front of them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, Baron, are you satisfied with your morning’s +instruction?”</span> asked his friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A German nobleman is not used to be in soch a +position,”</span> replied the Baron, stiffly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You must admit, however, that the object-lesson in +the detection of anarchy was neatly presented.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I admit nozing of ze kind,”</span> said the Baron, stolidly.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page100">[pg 100]</span><a name="Pg100" id="Pg100" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For the rest of the drive he sat obdurately silent. He +went to his room with the mien of an offended man. +During lunch he only opened his lips to eat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On his side Mr Bunker maintained a cheerful composure, +and seemed not a whit put about by his friend’s +lack of appreciation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Anozzer bottle of claret,”</span> said the Baron, gruffly, to +a waiter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker let him consume it entirely by himself, +awaiting the results with patience. Gradually his face +relaxed a little, until all at once, when the bump in the +bottom of the bottle was beginning to appear above the +wine, the whole room was startled by a stentorian, <span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, +ha, ha!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Bonker!”</span> cried the Baron, when he had +finished laughing, <span class="tei tei-q">“forgif me! I begin for to see ze +moral, ha, ha, ha!”</span></p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0206" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc32" id="toc32"></a> +<a name="pdf33" id="pdf33"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VI.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron expressed no further wish for instruction, +but, instead, he began to show a desire for society.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Doesn’t one fool suffice?”</span> his friend asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, yes, my vise fool; ha, ha, ha! Bot sometimes +I haf ze craving for peoples, museec, dancing—in vun +vord, society, Bonker!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But this is not the season, Baron. You wouldn’t +mix with any but the best society, would you?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page101">[pg 101]</span><a name="Pg101" id="Pg101" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zere are some nobles in town. In my paper I see +Lord zis, Duke of zat, in London. Pairhaps my introdogtions +might be here now.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This suggestion seemed to strike Mr Bunker unfavourably.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My company is beginning to pall, is it, Baron?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, no, dear Bonker! I vould merely go out jost +vunce or tvice. Haf you no friends now in town?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">An idea seemed to seize Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Let me see the paper,”</span> he said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After perusing it carefully for a little, he at last exclaimed +in a tone of pleased discovery, <span class="tei tei-q">“Hullo! I see +that Lady Tulliwuddle is giving a reception and dance +to-night. Most of the smart people in town just now +are sure to be there. Would you care to go, Baron?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, surely,”</span> said the Baron, eagerly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Bot haf +you been invited, Bonker?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, I used to have a standing invitation to Lady +Tulliwuddle’s dances, and I’m certain she would be glad +to see me again.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can you take me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course, my dear Baron, she will be honoured.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Goot!”</span> cried the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ve shall go.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker explained that it was the proper thing to +arrive very late, and so it was not until after twelve o’clock +that they left the Hôtel Mayonaise for the regions of +Belgravia. The Baron, primed with a bottle of champagne, +and arrayed in a costume which Mr Bunker had +assured him was the very latest extreme of fashion, and +which included a scarlet watered silk waistcoat, a pair +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page102">[pg 102]</span><a name="Pg102" id="Pg102" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of white silk socks, and a lavender tie, was in a condition +of cheerfulness verging closely on hilarity. Mr +Bunker, that, as he said, he might better serve as a +foil to his friend’s splendour, went more inconspicuously +dressed, but was likewise well charged with champagne. +He too was in his happiest vein, and the vision of the +Baron’s finery appeared to afford him peculiar gratification.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Their hansom stopped in front of a large and gaily +lit-up mansion, with an awning leading to the door, +and a cluster of carriages and footmen by the kerbstone. +They entered, and having divested themselves of their +coats, Mr Bunker proposed that they should immediately +seek the supper-room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bot should I not be first introduced to mine hostess?”</span> +asked the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron! a formal reception of the guests is +entirely foreign to English etiquette.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zo? I did not know zat.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The supper-room was crowded, and having secured a +table with some difficulty, Mr Bunker entered immediately +into conversation with a solitary young gentleman +who was consuming a plate of oysters. Before they had +exchanged six sentences the young man had entirely +succumbed to Mr Bunker’s address, aided possibly by +the young man’s supper.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Permit me to introduce my friend the Baron Rudolph +von Blitzenberg, a nobleman strange as yet to England, +but renowned throughout his native land alike for his +talents and his lofty position,”</span> said Mr Bunker.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page103">[pg 103]</span><a name="Pg103" id="Pg103" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, my good friend,”</span> exclaimed the Baron, grasping +the young man’s hand, <span class="tei tei-q">“das ist Bonker’s vat you call +nonsense; bot I am delighted, zehr delighted, to meet +you, and if you gom to Bavaria you most shoot vid me! +Bravo! Ha!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From which it may be gathered that the Baron was in +a genial humour.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who is that girl?”</span> asked Mr Bunker, pointing to an +extremely pretty damsel just leaving the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, that’s my cousin, Lady Muriel Hilton. She’s +thought rather pretty, I believe,”</span> answered the young +man.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you mind introducing me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly,”</span> said their new friend. <span class="tei tei-q">“Come along.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they were passing through the room a little incident +occurred that, if the Baron’s perceptions had been keener, +might have given him cause for some speculation. Two +men standing by the door looked hard at Mr Bunker, +and then at each other, and as the Baron passed them +he heard one say, <span class="tei tei-q">“It looks devilish like him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He has shaved, then,”</span> said the other.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Evidently,”</span> replied the first speaker; <span class="tei tei-q">“but I thought +he was unlikely to appear in any society for some time.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They both laughed, and the Baron heard no more.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When they reached the ballroom the band was striking +up a polka, and presently Mr Bunker, with his accustomed +grace, was tearing round the room with Lady Muriel, +while the Baron—the delight of all eyes in his red +waistcoat—led out her sister. In a very short time the other +dancers found the Baron and his friend’s onslaught so +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page104">[pg 104]</span><a name="Pg104" id="Pg104" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +vigorous that prudence compelled them to take shelter +along the wall, and from a safe distance admire the +evolutions of these two mysterious guests.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker was enlivening the monotony of the polka +by the judicious introduction of hornpipe steps, while +the Baron, his coat-tails high above his head, shouted and +stamped in his wild career.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do stop for a minute, Baron,”</span> gasped his fair partner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Himmel, nein!”</span> roared the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“I haf gom here +for to dance! Ha, Bonker, ha!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At last Lady Muriel had to stop through sheer exhaustion, +but Mr Bunker, merely letting her go, pursued his +solitary way, double-shuffling and kicking unimpeded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron stopped, breathless, to admire him. Round +and round he went, the only figure in the middle of the +room, his arms akimbo, his feet rat-tatting and kicking +to the music, while high above the band resounded his +friend’s shouts of <span class="tei tei-q">“Bravo, Bonker! Wunderschön! +Gott in himmel, higher, higher!”</span> till at length, missing +the wall in an attempt to find support, the Baron dropped +with a thud into a sitting posture and continued his demonstrations +from the floor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile their alarmed hostess was holding a hasty +consultation with her husband, and when the music at +last stopped and Mr Bunker was advancing with his +most courteous air towards his late partner, Lord Tulliwuddle +stepped up to him and touched his arm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“May I speak to you, sir?”</span> he said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly,”</span> replied Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“I shall be honoured. +Excuse me for one moment, Lady Muriel.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page105">[pg 105]</span><a name="Pg105" id="Pg105" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“At whose invitation have you come here to-night?”</span> +demanded his host, sternly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have the pleasure of addressing Lord Tulliwuddle, +have I not?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You have, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker bent towards him and whispered something +in his ear.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“From Scotland Yard?”</span> exclaimed his lordship.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hush!”</span> said Mr Bunker, glancing cautiously round +the room, and then he added, with an air of impressive +gravity, <span class="tei tei-q">“You have a bathroom on the third floor, I +believe?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have,”</span> replied his host in great surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Has it a bell?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, I believe not.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah, I thought so. If you will favour me by coming +up-stairs for a minute, my Lord, you will avoid a serious +private scandal. Say nothing about it at present to any +one.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In blank astonishment and some alarm Lord Tulliwuddle +went up with him to the third floor, where the +house was still and the sounds of revelry reached faintly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What does this mean, sir?”</span> he asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If I am right in my conjectures you will need no +explanation from me, my Lord.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His lordship opened a door, and turning on an electric +light, revealed a small and ordinary-looking bathroom.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, no bell—excellent!”</span> said Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What are you doing with the key?”</span> exclaimed his +host.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page106">[pg 106]</span><a name="Pg106" id="Pg106" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good night, my Lord. I shall tell them to send up +breakfast at nine,”</span> said Mr Bunker, and stepping quickly +out, he shut and locked the door.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A minute later he was back in the ballroom looking +anxiously for the Baron, but that nobleman was nowhere +to be seen.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The devil!”</span> he said to himself. <span class="tei tei-q">“Can they have +tackled him too?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But as he ran downstairs a gust of cheerful laughter +set his mind at ease.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha, ha! Vere is old Bonker? He also vill shoot +vid me!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Here I am, my dear Baron,”</span> he exclaimed gaily, +as he tracked the voice into the supper-room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, mine dear Bonker!”</span> cried the Baron, folding +him in his muscular embrace, <span class="tei tei-q">“I haf here met friends, +ve are merry! Ve drink to Bavaria, to England, to +everyzing!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The <span class="tei tei-q">“friends”</span> consisted of two highly amused young +men and two half-scandalised, half-hysterical ladies, +into the midst of whose supper-table the Baron had projected +himself with infectious hilarity. They all looked +up with great curiosity at Mr Bunker, but that gentleman +was not in the least put about. He bowed politely to +the table generally, and took his friend by the arm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is time we were going, Baron, +I’m afraid,”</span> he said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vat for? Ah, not yet, Bonker, not yet. I am enjoying +myself down to ze floor. I most dance again, Bonker, +jost vunce more,”</span> pleaded the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron, the noblemen of highest rank must +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page107">[pg 107]</span><a name="Pg107" id="Pg107" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +always leave first, and people are talking of going now. +Come along, old man.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, is zat so?”</span> said the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“Zen vill I go. +Good night!”</span> he cried, waving his hand to the room +generally. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ven you gom to Bavaria you most all +shoot vid me. Bravo, my goot Bonker! Ha! ha!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they turned away from the table, one of the young +men, who had been looking very hard at Mr Bunker, +rose and touched his sleeve.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I say, aren’t you——?”</span> he began.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Possibly I am,”</span> interrupted Mr Bunker, <span class="tei tei-q">“only I +haven’t the slightest recollection of the fact.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">An astonished lady was indicated by Mr Bunker as +the hostess, and to her the Baron bade an affectionate +adieu. He handed a sovereign to the footman, embraced +the butler, and as they sped eastwards in their hansom, +a rousing chorus from the two friends awoke the echoes +of Piccadilly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bravo, Bonker! Himmel, I haf enjoyed myself!”</span> +sighed the exhausted Baron.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0207" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc34" id="toc34"></a> +<a name="pdf35" id="pdf35"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VII.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron and Mr Bunker discussed a twelve o’clock +breakfast with the relish of men who had done a good +night’s work. The Baron was full of his exploits. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ze +lofly Lady Hilton”</span> and his new <span class="tei tei-q">“friends”</span> seemed to +have made a vivid impression.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page108">[pg 108]</span><a name="Pg108" id="Pg108" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zey vill be in ze Park to-day, of course?”</span> he suggested.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Possibly,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, without any great +enthusiasm.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But surely.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“After a dance it is rather unlikely.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze Lady Hilton did say she vent to ze Park.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“To-day, Baron?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I do not remember to-day. I did dance so hard I +was not perhaps distinct. But I shall go and see.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Mr Bunker’s attempts to throw cold water on this +scheme proved quite futile, he made a graceful virtue of +necessity, dressed himself with care, and set out in the +afternoon for the Park. They had only walked as far +as Piccadilly Circus when in the crowd at the corner his +eye fell upon a familiar figure. It was the burly, red-faced +man.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The devil! Moggridge again!”</span> he muttered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For a moment he thought they were going to pass +unobserved: then the man turned his head their way, +and Mr Bunker saw him start. He never looked over +his shoulder, but after walking a little farther he called +the Baron’s attention to a shop window, and they stopped +to look at it. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Moggridge +about twenty yards behind them stopping too. +He was glancing towards them very doubtfully. Evidently +his mind was not yet made up, and at once Mr +Bunker’s fertile brain began to revolve plans.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A little farther on they paused before another window, +and exactly the same thing happened. Then Mr Bunker +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page109">[pg 109]</span><a name="Pg109" id="Pg109" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +made up his mind. He looked carefully at the cabs, +and at last observed a smart-looking young man driving +a fresh likely horse at a walking pace beside the pavement.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He caught the driver’s eye and raised his stick, and +turning suddenly to the Baron with a gesture of annoyance, +exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“Forgive my rudeness, Baron, I’m +afraid I must leave you. I had clean forgotten an important +engagement in the city for this afternoon.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Appointment in ze city?”</span> said the Baron in considerable +surprise. <span class="tei tei-q">“I did not know you had friends +in ze city.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have just heard from my father’s man of business, +and I’m afraid it would be impolitic not to see him. Do +you mind if I leave you here?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Surely, my dear fellow, I vould not stop you. Already +I feel at home by myself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then we shall meet at the hotel before dinner. Good +luck with the ladies, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker jumped into the cab, saying only to the +driver, <span class="tei tei-q">“To the city, as quick as you can.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What part, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, say the Bank. Hurry up!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then as the man whipped up, Mr Bunker had a glimpse +of Moggridge hailing another cab, and peeping cautiously +through the little window at the back he saw him starting +in hot pursuit. He took five shillings out of his pocket +and opened the trap-door in the roof.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you see that other cab chasing us, with a red-faced +man inside?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page110">[pg 110]</span><a name="Pg110" id="Pg110" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker handed his driver the money.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Get rid of him, then. Take me anywhere through +the city you like, and when he’s off the scent let me +know.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Very good, sir,”</span> replied the driver, cracking his whip +till his steed began to move past the buses and the other +cabs like a train.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">On they flew, clatter and jingle, twisting like a snipe +through the traffic. Mr Bunker perceived that he had a +good horse and a good driver, and he smiled in pleasant +excitement. He lit a cigar, leaned his arms on the doors, +and settled himself to enjoy the race.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The black lions of Trafalgar Square flew by, then +the colossal hotels of Northumberland Avenue and the +railway bridge at Charing Cross, and they were going +at a gallop along the Embankment. He got swift glimpses +of other cabs and foot-passengers, the trees seemed to +flit past like telegraph-posts on a railway, the barges and +lighters on the river dropped one by one behind them: +it was a fair course for a race, with never a check before +Blackfriar’s Bridge.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As they turned into Queen Victoria Street he opened +the lid and asked, <span class="tei tei-q">“Are they still in sight?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir; I’m afraid we ain’t gaining much yet. But +I’ll do it, sir, no fears.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker lay back and laughed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This is better than the Park,”</span> he said to himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They had a fine drive up Queen Victoria Street before +they plunged into the whirlpool of traffic at the Bank. +They were slowly making their way across when the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page111">[pg 111]</span><a name="Pg111" id="Pg111" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +driver, spying an opening in another stream, abruptly +wheeled round for Cornhill, and presently they were off +again at top speed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thrown them off?”</span> asked Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Tried to, sir, but they were too sharp and got clear +away too.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker saw that it was going to be a stern chase, +and laughed again. In order that he might not show +ostensibly that he was running away, he resisted the +temptation of having another peep through the back, +and resigned himself to the chances of the chase.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Through and through the lanes and byways of the city +they drove, and after each double the answer from the +box was always the same. The cab behind could not be +shaken off.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Work your way round to Holborn and try a run west,”</span> +Mr Bunker suggested.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So after a little they struck Newgate Street, and presently +their steed stretched himself again in Holborn Viaduct.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Gaining now, cabby?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A little, sir, I think.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker sat placidly till they were well along Holborn +before he inquired again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can’t get rid of ’im no ’ow. +Afride it ain’t much good, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker passed up five shillings more.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Keep your tail up. You’ll do it yet,”</span> he exhorted. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Try a turn north; you may bother him among the +squares.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So they doubled north, and as the evening closed in +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page112">[pg 112]</span><a name="Pg112" id="Pg112" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +their wearied horse was lashed through a maze of monotonous +streets and tarnished Bloomsbury Squares. +And still the other cab stuck to their trail. But when +they emerged on the Euston Road, Mr Bunker was as +cheerful as ever.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“They can’t last much longer,”</span> he said to his driver. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Turn up Regent’s Park way.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A little later he put the usual question and got the +same unvarying answer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The horse was evidently beginning to fail, and he saw +that this chariot-race must soon come to an end. The +street-lamps and the shop windows were all lit up by this +time, and the dusk was pretty thick. It seemed to him +that he might venture to try his luck on foot, and he +began to look out for an opening where a cab could not +follow.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They were flogging along a noisy stone-paved road +where there was little other traffic; on one side stood an +unbroken row of houses, and on the other were small +semi-detached villas with little strips of garden about +them. All at once he saw a doctor’s red lamp over the +door of one of these half villas, and an inspiration came +upon him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“One can always visit a doctor,”</span> he said to himself, and +smiled in great amusement at something in the reflection.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He stopped the cab, handed the man half a sovereign, +and saying only, <span class="tei tei-q">“Drive away again, quickly,”</span> jumped +out, glanced at the name on the plate, and pulled the bell. +As he waited on the step he saw the other cab stop a little +way back, and his pursuer emerge.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page113">[pg 113]</span><a name="Pg113" id="Pg113" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A frowsy little servant opened the door.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is Dr Twiddel at home?”</span> he asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dr Twiddel’s abroad, sir,”</span> said the maid.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No one in at all, then?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dr Billson sees ’is patients, sir—w’en +there <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">his</span></span> any.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“When do you expect Dr Billson?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In about an hour, sir, ’e usually comes hin.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Excellent!”</span> thought Mr Bunker. Aloud he said, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I’m a patient. I’ll come in and wait.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He stepped in, and the door banged behind him.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0208" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc36" id="toc36"></a> +<a name="pdf37" id="pdf37"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VIII.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This w’y, sir,”</span> said the maid, and Mr Bunker found +himself in the little room where this story opened.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The moment he was alone he went to the window and +peeped cautiously between the slats of the venetian blind.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The street was quiet, both cabs had disappeared, and +for a minute or two he could see nothing even of Moggridge. +Then a figure moved carefully from the shelter +of a bush a little way down the railings, and, after a quick +look at the house, stepped back again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He means to play the waiting game,”</span> said Mr Bunker +to himself. <span class="tei tei-q">“Long may you wait, my wary Moggridge!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He took a rapid survey of the room. He saw the +medical library, the rented furniture, and the unlit gas-stove; +and at last his eye fell upon a box of cigarettes. +To one of these he helped himself and leaned his back +against the mantelpiece.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page114">[pg 114]</span><a name="Pg114" id="Pg114" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There must be at least one room at the back,”</span> he +reflected; <span class="tei tei-q">“that room must have a window, and beyond +that window there is all London to turn to. Friend +Moggridge, I trust you are prepared to spend the evening +behind your bush.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He had another look through the blind and shook his +head.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A little too light yet,—I’d better wait for a quarter +of an hour or so.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To while away the time he proceeded to make a tour of +the room, for, as he said to himself, when in an unknown +country any information may possibly come in useful. +There was nothing whatever from which he could draw +even the most superficial deduction till he came to the +writing-desk. Here a heap of bills were transfixed by a +long skewer, and at his first glance at the uppermost his +face assumed an expression of almost ludicrous bewilderment. +He actually rubbed his eyes before he looked a second time.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“One dozen shirts,”</span> he read, <span class="tei tei-q">“four under-flannels, +four pair socks, one dozen handkerchiefs, two sleeping-suits—marked +Francis Beveridge! the account rendered +to Dr G. Twiddel! What in the name of wonderment +is the meaning of this?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He sat down with the bill in his hand and gazed hard +at it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Precisely my outfit,”</span> he said to himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Am I—Does it——? What a rum thing!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He sat for about ten minutes looking hard at the floor. +Then he burst out laughing, resumed in a moment his +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page115">[pg 115]</span><a name="Pg115" id="Pg115" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +air of philosophical opportunism, and set about a further +search of the desk. He looked at the bills and seemed to +find nothing more to interest him. Then he glanced at +one or two letters in the drawers, threw the first few back +again, and at last paused over one.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Twiddel to Billson,”</span> he said to himself. <span class="tei tei-q">“This +may possibly be worth looking at.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was dated more than a month back from the town +of Fogelschloss.</p> + +<div class="block tei tei-q"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dear Tom,”</span> it ran, <span class="tei tei-q">“we are having + an A 1 time. Old Welsh is in splendid form, doing the part + to perfection. He has never given himself away yet, not even + when drunk, which, I am sorry to say, he has been too + often. But then old Welsh is so funny when he is drunk + that it makes him all the more like the original, or at + least what the original is supposed to be.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course we don’t dare to + venture into places where + we would see too many English. This is quite an amusing + place for a German town, some baths and a kind of + a gambling-table, and some pretty girls—for Germans. + There is a sporting aristocrat here, in an old castle, who + is very friendly, and is much impressed with Welsh’s + account of his family plate and deer-forest, and has asked + us once or twice to come out and see him. We are no + end of swells, I assure you.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ta, ta, old chap. Hope the practice + prospers in your hands. Don’t kill + <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">all</span></span> the + patients before I come back.—Ever thine,</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: right"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">GEORGE TWIDDEL</span></span>.”</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“From this I conclude that Dr Twiddel is on the +festive side of forty,”</span> he reflected; <span class="tei tei-q">“there are elements +of mystery and a general atmosphere of alcohol about +it, but that’s all, I’m afraid.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page116">[pg 116]</span><a name="Pg116" id="Pg116" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He put it back in the drawer, but the bill he slipped +into his pocket.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And now,”</span> thought he, <span class="tei tei-q">“it is time I made the first +move.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">After waiting for a minute or two to make sure that +everything was quiet, he gently stepped out into a little +linoleum-carpeted hall. On the right hand was the +front door, on the left two others that must, he thought, +open into rooms on the back. He chose the nearer at a +venture, and entered boldly. It was quite dark. He +closed the door again softly, struck a match, and looked +round the room. It seemed to be Dr Twiddel’s dining- +and sitting-room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Pipes, photographs, well-sat-in chairs,”</span> he observed, +<span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">and</span></span> a window.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He pulled aside the blind and looked out into the darkness +of a strip of back-garden. For a minute he listened +intently, but no sound came from the house. Then he +threw up the sash and scrambled out. It was quite dark +by this time: he was enclosed between two rows of vague, +black houses, with bright windows here and there, and +chimney-cans faintly cutting their uncouth designs among +a few pale London stars. The space between was filled +with the two lines of little gardens and the ranks of walls, +and in the middle the black chasm of a railway cutting.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A frightened cat bolted before him as he hurried down +to the foot of the strip, but that was all the life he saw. +He looked over the wall right into the deep crevasse. +A little way off, on the one hand, hung a cluster of +signal-lights, and the shining rails reflected them all along to +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page117">[pg 117]</span><a name="Pg117" id="Pg117" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the mouth of a tunnel on the other. Turning his head +this way and that, there was nothing to be seen anywhere +else but garden wall after garden wall.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It’s a choice between a hurdle-race through these +gardens, a cat-walk along this wall, and a descent into +the cutting,”</span> he reflected. <span class="tei tei-q">“The walls look devilish high +and the cutting devilish deep. Hang me if I know +which road to take.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">While he was still debating this somewhat perplexing +question, he felt the ground begin to quiver under him. +Through the hum of London there gradually arose a +louder roar, and in a minute the head-lights of an engine +flashed out of the tunnel. One after another a string of +bright carriages followed it, each more slowly than the +carriage in front, till the whole train was at a standstill +below him with the red signal-lamp against it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In an instant his decision was taken. At the peril of +life and garments he scrambled down the rocky bank, +picking as he went an empty first-class compartment, +and just as the train began to move again he swung himself +up and sprang into a carriage.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Unfortunately he had chosen the wrong one in his +haste, and as he opened the door he saw a comical vision +of a stout little old gentleman huddling into the farther +corner in the most dire consternation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who are you, sir? What do you want, sir?”</span> spluttered +the old gentleman. <span class="tei tei-q">“If you come any nearer me, +sir—one step, sir!—I shall instantly communicate with +the guard! I have no money about me. Go away, +sir!”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page118">[pg 118]</span><a name="Pg118" id="Pg118" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I regret to learn that you have no money,”</span> replied +Mr Bunker, imperturbably; <span class="tei tei-q">“but I am sorry that I am +not at present in a condition to offer a loan.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He sat down and smiled amicably, but the little gentleman +was not to be quieted so easily. Seeing that no +violence was apparently intended, his fright changed into +respectable indignation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You needn’t try to be funny with me, sir. You are +committing an illegal act. You have placed yourself in +an uncommonly serious position, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Indeed, sir?”</span> replied Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“I myself should +have imagined that by remaining on the rails I should +have been much more seriously situated.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old gentleman looked at him like an angry small +dog that longs to bite if it only dared.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What is the meaning of this illegal intrusion?”</span> he +demanded. <span class="tei tei-q">“Who are you? Where did you come +from?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I had the misfortune, sir,”</span> explained Mr Bunker, +politely, <span class="tei tei-q">“to drop my hat out of the window of a neighbouring +carriage. While I was picking it up the train started, +and I had to enter the first compartment I could find. I +am sorry that my entry frightened you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Frightened me!”</span> spluttered the old gentleman. <span class="tei tei-q">“I +am not afraid, sir. I am an honest man who need fear +no one, sir. I do not believe you dropped your hat. It +is perfectly uninjured.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It may be news to you, sir,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, +<span class="tei tei-q">“that by gently yet firmly passing the sleeve of your coat +round your hat in the direction of the nap, it is possible +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page119">[pg 119]</span><a name="Pg119" id="Pg119" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to restore the gloss. Thus,”</span> and suiting the action to +the word he took off his hat, drew his coat-sleeve across +it, and with a genial smile at the old gentleman, replaced +it on his head.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But his neighbour was evidently of that truculent disposition +which merely growls at blandishments. He +snorted and replied testily, <span class="tei tei-q">“That is all very well, sir, but +I don’t believe a word of it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you prefer it, then, I fell off the telegraph wires in +an attempt to recover my boots.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The old gentleman became purple in the face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have a care, sir! I am a director of this company, +and at the next station I shall see that you give a proper +account of yourself. And here we are, sir. I trust you +have a more credible story in readiness.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he spoke they drew up beside an underground +platform, and the irascible old gentleman, with a very +threatening face that was not yet quite cleared of alarm, +bustled out in a prodigious hurry. Mr Bunker lay back +in his seat and replied with a smile, <span class="tei tei-q">“I shall be delighted +to tell any story within the bounds of strict propriety.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the moment he saw the irate director disappear +in the crowd he whipped out too, and with the least +possible delay transferred himself into a third-class +carriage.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From his seat near the window he watched the old +gentleman hurry back with three officials at his heels, +and hastily search each first-class compartment in turn. +The last one was so near him that he could hear his friend +say, <span class="tei tei-q">“Damn it, the rascal has bolted in the crowd!”</span> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page120">[pg 120]</span><a name="Pg120" id="Pg120" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +And with that the four of them rushed off to the barrier +to intercept or pursue this suspicious character. Then +the whistle blew, and as the train moved off Mr Bunker +remarked complacently, if a little mysteriously, to himself, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Well, whoever I am, it would seem I’m rather +difficult to catch.”</span></p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0209" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc38" id="toc38"></a> +<a name="pdf39" id="pdf39"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER IX.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker arrived at the Hôtel Mayonaise in what, +from his appearance, was an unusually reflective state of +mind for him. The other visitors, many of whom had +begun to regard him and his noble friend with great +interest, saw him pass through the crowd in the hall +and about the lifts with a thoughtful air. He went +straight to the Baron’s room. Outside the door he +paused for an instant to set his face in a cheerful smile, +and then burst gaily in upon his friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, my dear Baron!”</span> he cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“what luck in the +Park?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron was pulling his moustache over an English +novel. He laid down his book and frowned at Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I do not onderstand your English vays,”</span> he replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker perceived that something was very much +amiss, nor was he without a suspicion of the cause. He +laughed, however, and asked, <span class="tei tei-q">“What’s the matter, old +man?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I vent to ze Park,”</span> said the Baron, with a solemn +deliberation that evidently came hardly to him. <span class="tei tei-q">“I +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page121">[pg 121]</span><a name="Pg121" id="Pg121" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +entered ze Park. I vas dressed, as you know, viz taste +and appropriety. I vas sober, as you know. I valked +under ze trees, and I looked agreeably at ze people. +Goddam!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron!”</span> expostulated Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron resumed his intense composure with a +great effort.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not long vas ven I see ze Lady Hilton drive past mit +ze ozzer Lady Hilton and vun old lady. I raise my +hat—no bow from zem. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Pairhaps,’</span> I zink, <span class="tei tei-q">‘zey see me +not.’</span> Zey stop by ze side to speak viz a gentleman. I +gomed up and again I raise my hat and I say, <span class="tei tei-q">‘How do +you do, Lady Hilton? I hope you are regovered from +ze dance.’</span> Zat was gorrect, vas it not?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perfectly,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, with great gravity.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zen vy did ze Lady Hilton schream and ze ozzer +Lady Hilton cry, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Ach, zat German man!’</span> And vy did +ze old lady schream to ze gentleman, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Send him avay! +How dare you? Insolence!’</span> and suchlike vords?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What remarkable conduct, my dear Baron!”</span> said +Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Remargable!”</span> roared the justly incensed Baron. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Is it not more zan <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">remargable?</span></span> Donner und blitzen! +Mon Dieu! Blood! I know not ze English vord so bad +enoff for soch conduct.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It must have been a joke,”</span> his friend suggested, +soothingly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vun dashed bad joke, zen! Ze gentleman said to +me, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Get out of zis, you rasgal!’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘Vat mean you, sare?’</span> +say I. <span class="tei tei-q">‘You know quite vell,’</span> said he. <span class="tei tei-q">‘Glear out!’</span> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page122">[pg 122]</span><a name="Pg122" id="Pg122" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +So I gave him my card and tell him I would be glad to +see his frient zat he should send, for zat I vas not used +to be called zo. Zen I raise my hat to ze Lady Hilton +and say, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Adieu, madame, I know now ze English lady,’</span> +and I valk on. Himmel!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What a very extraordinary affair, Baron!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron grunted with inarticulate indignation and +nearly pulled his moustache out by the roots. Abruptly +he broke out again, <span class="tei tei-q">“English ladies? I do not believe +zey are ladies! Never haf I been treated zo! Vat do +you mean, Bonker, by taking me among soch peoples?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">I</span></span>, my dear Baron? +It was not I who introduced +you to the Hiltons. I never saw them before.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The difficulty of attaching any blame to his friend +seemed to have anything but a soothing effect on the +Baron. You could almost fancy that you heard his tail +lash the floor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zat vas not all,”</span> he continued, after a short struggle +with his wrath. <span class="tei tei-q">“I valked on, and soon I see two of ze +frients I made last night at supper.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Which two?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze yong man zat spoke to you ven you rise from ze +table, and vun of ze ladies. Again I raise my hat and +say, <span class="tei tei-q">‘How do you do? I hope zat you are regovered +from ze dance.’</span> Zat is gorrect, you say?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Under most circumstances.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze man stared at me, and ze voman—I vill not say +lady—says to him zo zat I can hear, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Zat awful German!’</span> +Ze man says, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Zo it is,’</span> and laughed. <span class="tei tei-q">‘I haf ze pleasure +of meeting you last night at ze Lady Tollyvoddle,’</span> I said. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page123">[pg 123]</span><a name="Pg123" id="Pg123" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">‘I remember,’</span> he said; <span class="tei tei-q">‘but I haf no vish to meet you +again.’</span> I take out my card to gif him, but he only said, +<span class="tei tei-q">‘Go avay, or I vill call ze police!’</span> <span class="tei tei-q">‘Ze police! To me, +Baron von Blitzenberg! Teufel!’</span> I replied.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And that was all, Baron?”</span> asked Mr Bunker, in +what seemed rather like a tone of relief.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No; suddenly he did turn back and said, <span class="tei tei-q">‘By ze vay, +who vas zat viz you last night?’</span> To vich I replied, +<span class="tei tei-q">‘If you address me again, my man, I vill call ze police. +Go avay!’</span> ”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bravo, Baron! Ha, ha, ha! Excellent!”</span> laughed +Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This applause served to reinstate the Baron a little in +his own good opinion. He laughed too, though rather +noisily than heartily, and suddenly became grave again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vat means zis, Bonker? Vat haf I done? Vy +should zey treat me zo?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, you see, my dear Baron,”</span> his friend explained, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I ought to have warned you that it is not usual in England +to address ladies you have met at a dance without +some direct invitation on their part. At the same time, +it is evident that the Hiltons and the other man, who of +course must be connected with the Foreign Office, are +aware of some sudden strain in the diplomatic relations +between England and Germany, which as yet is unknown +to the public. Your ancient name and your high rank +have naturally led them to conclude that you are an agent +of the German Government, and an international significance +was of course attached to your presence in the +Park. I certainly think they took a most outrageous +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page124">[pg 124]</span><a name="Pg124" id="Pg124" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +advantage of a trifling detail of etiquette to repulse you; +but then you must remember, Baron, that their families +might have been seriously compromised with the Government +if they had been seen with so prominent a member +of the German aristocracy in the middle of Hyde Park.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zo?”</span> said the Baron, thoughtfully. <span class="tei tei-q">“I begin to +onderstand. My name, as you say, is cairtainly distinguished. +Bot zen should I remain in London?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Just what I was wondering, Baron. What do you +say to a trip down to St Egbert’s-on-Sea? It’s a very +select watering-place, and we might spend a week or two +there very pleasantly.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Egxellent!”</span> said the Baron; <span class="tei tei-q">“ven shall we start?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“To-morrow morning.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Goot! zo let it be. I am tired of London and of ze +English ladies’ manners. Police to ze Baron von Blitzenberg! +Ve shall go to St Egbert’s, Bonker!”</span></p> +</div> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="LL0300" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page125">[pg 125]</span><a name="Pg125" id="Pg125" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc40" id="toc40"></a> +<a name="pdf41" id="pdf41"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 125%">PART III.</span></span> +</h1> + +<div id="LL0301" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc42" id="toc42"></a> +<a name="pdf43" id="pdf43"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER I.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron and Mr Bunker walked arm-in-arm +along the esplanade at St Egbert’s-on-Sea.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Aha!”</span> said the Baron, <span class="tei tei-q">“zis is more fresh zan +London!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> replied his friend; <span class="tei tei-q">“we are now in the presence +of that stimulating element which provides patriotic Britons +with music-hall songs, and dyspeptic Britons with an +appetite.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A stirring breeze swept down the long white esplanade, +threatening hats and troubling skirts; the pale-green +south-coast sea rumbled up the shingle; the day was +bright and pleasant for the time of year, and drove the +Baron’s mischances from his head; altogether it seemed +to Mr Bunker that the omens were good. They were +both dressed in the smartest of tweed suits, and walked +jauntily, like men who knew their own value. Every +now and then, as they passed a pretty face, the Baron +would say, <span class="tei tei-q">“Aha, Bonker! zat is not so bad, eh?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And Mr Bunker, who seemed not unwilling that his +friend should find some entertaining distraction in St +Egbert’s, would look at the owners of these faces with a +prospector’s eye and his own unrivalled assurance.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page126">[pg 126]</span><a name="Pg126" id="Pg126" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They had walked up and down three or four times, +when a desire for a different species of diversion began +to overtake the Baron. It was the one kind of desire +that the Baron never even tried to wrestle with.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My vriend Bonker,”</span> said he, <span class="tei tei-q">“is it not somevere +about time for loncheon, eh?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I should say it was precisely the hour.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha! zen, let us gom and eat. Himmel, zis sea +is ze fellow to make von hungry!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron had taken a private suite of rooms on the +first floor of the best hotel in St Egbert’s, and after a +very substantial lunch Mr Bunker stretched himself on +the luxurious sitting-room sofa and announced his intention +of having a nap.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall go out,”</span> said the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“You vill not gom?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall leave you to make a single-handed conquest,”</span> +replied Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“Besides, I have a little matter I +want to look into.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So the Baron arranged his hat airily, at what he had +perceived to be the most fashionable and effective English +angle, and strutted off to the esplanade.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was about two hours later that he burst excitedly +into the room, crying, <span class="tei tei-q">“Aha, mine Bonker! I haf disgovered +zomzing!”</span> and then he stopped in some surprise. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Ello, vat make you, my vriend?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His friend, in fact, seemed to be somewhat singularly +employed. Through a dense cloud of tobacco-smoke you +could just pick him out of the depths of an armchair, +his feet resting on the mantelpiece, while his lap and all +the floor round about were covered with immense books. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page127">[pg 127]</span><a name="Pg127" id="Pg127" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +The Baron’s curiosity was still further excited by observing +that they consisted principally of a London and a +St Egbert’s directory, several volumes of a Dictionary +of National Biography, and one or two peerages and +county family compilations.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He looked up with a smile. <span class="tei tei-q">“You may well wonder, +my dear Baron. The fact is, I am looking for a name.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A name! vat name?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Alas! if I knew what it was I should stop looking, +and I confess I’m rather sick of the job.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vich vay do you look, zen?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Simply by wading my way through all the lists of +names I could steal or borrow. It’s devilish dry work.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze name of a vriend, is it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes; but I’m afraid I must wait till it comes. And +what is this discovery, Baron? A petticoat, I presume. +After all, they are the only things worth finding,”</span> and he +shut the books one after another.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A petticoat with ze fairest girl inside it!”</span> exclaimed +the Baron, rapturously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Your eyes seem to have been singularly penetrating, +Baron. Was she dark or fair, tall or short, fat or slender, +widow, wife, or maid?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Fair, viz blue eyes, short pairhaps but not too short, +slender as a—a—drom-stick, and I vould say a maid; at +least I see vun stout old lady mit her, mozzer and daughter +I soppose.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And did this piece of perfection seem to appreciate +you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vy should I know? Zey are ze real ladies and pairtend +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page128">[pg 128]</span><a name="Pg128" id="Pg128" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +not to see me, bot I zink zey notice me all ze same. +Not <span class="tei tei-q">‘lady vriends,’</span> Bonker, ha, ha, ha!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker laughed with reminiscent amusement, +and inquired, <span class="tei tei-q">“And how did the romance end—in a cab, +Baron?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha, ha!”</span> laughed the Baron; <span class="tei tei-q">“better zan zat, +Bonker—moch better!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker raised his eyebrows.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It’s hardly the time of year for a romance to end in +a bathing-machine. You followed the divinity to her +rented heaven, perhaps?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron bent forward and answered in a stage +whisper, <span class="tei tei-q">“Zey live in zis hotel, Bonker!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then I can only wish you joy, Baron, and if my +funds allow me, send her a wedding present.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, not quite so fast, my vriend! I am not caught +so easy.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear fellow, a week at close quarters is sufficient +to net any man.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ven I marry,”</span> replied the Baron, <span class="tei tei-q">“moch most be considered. +A von Blitzenberg does not mate viz every vun.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A good many families have made the same remark, +but one does not always meet the fathers-in-law.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha! ve shall see. Bot, Bonker, she is lofly!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron awaited dinner with even more than his +usual ardour. He dressed with the greatest care, and +at an absurdly early hour was already urging his friend +to come down and take their places. Indeed after a time +there was no withholding him, and they finally took their +seats in the dining-room before anybody else.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page129">[pg 129]</span><a name="Pg129" id="Pg129" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At what seemed to the impatient Baron unconscionably +long intervals a few people dropped in and began to +study their menus and glance with an air of uncomfortable +suspicion at their neighbours.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I vonder vill she gom,”</span> he said three or four times at +least.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Console yourself, my dear Baron,”</span> his friend would +reply; <span class="tei tei-q">“they always come. That’s seldom the difficulty.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And the Baron would dally with his victuals in the +most unwonted fashion, and growl at the rapidity with +which the courses followed one another.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do zey suppose ve vish to eat like——?”</span> he began, +and then laying his hand on his friend’s sleeve, he whispered, +<span class="tei tei-q">“She goms!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker turned his head just in time to see in the +doorway the Countess of Grillyer and the Lady Alicia à +Fyre.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is she not fair?”</span> asked the Baron, excitedly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I entirely approve of your taste, Baron. I have only +once seen any one quite like her before.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With a gratified smile the Baron filled his glass, while +his friend seemed amused by some humorous reflection +of his own.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Lady Alicia and her mother had taken their seats +at a table a little way off, and at first their eyes never +happened to turn in the direction of the two friends. +But at last, after looking at the ceiling, the carpet, the +walls, the other people, everything else in the room it +seemed, Lady Alicia’s glance fell for an instant on the +Baron. That nobleman looked as interesting as a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page130">[pg 130]</span><a name="Pg130" id="Pg130" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +mouthful of roast duck would permit him, but the glance +passed serenely on to Mr Bunker. For a moment it +remained serene; suddenly it became startled and puzzled, +and at that instant Mr Bunker turned his own eyes full +upon her, smiled slightly, and raised his glass to his +lips.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The glance fell, and the Lady Alicia blushed down to +the diamonds in her necklace.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron insisted on lingering over his dinner till +the charmer was finished, and so by a fortuitous coincidence +they left the room immediately behind the Countess. +The Baron passed them in the passage, and a few +yards farther he looked round for his friend, and the +Countess turned to look for her daughter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They saw Lady Alicia following with an intensely +unconscious expression, while Mr Bunker was in the act +of returning to the dining-room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wanted to secure a table for breakfast,”</span> he explained.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0302" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc44" id="toc44"></a> +<a name="pdf45" id="pdf45"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER II.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron was in high hopes of seeing the fair unknown +at breakfast, but it seemed she must be either +breakfasting in her own room or lying long abed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think I shall go out for a little constitutional,”</span> said +Mr Bunker, when he had finished. <span class="tei tei-q">“I suppose the hotel +has a stronger attraction for you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, yes, I shall remain,”</span> his friend replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“Pairhaps +I may see zem.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page131">[pg 131]</span><a name="Pg131" id="Pg131" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Take care then, Baron!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall not propose till you return, Bonker!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No,”</span> said Mr Bunker to himself, <span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t think +you will.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Just outside St Egbert’s there is a high breezy sweep +of downs, falling suddenly to a chalky seaward cliff. It +overlooks the town and the undulating inland country +and a great spread of shining sea; and even without a +spy-glass you can see sail after sail and smoke-wreath +after smoke-wreath go by all day long.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Mr Bunker had apparently walked there for other +reasons than to see the view. He did stop once or twice, +but it was only to scan the downs ahead, and at the sight +of a fluttering skirt he showed no interest in anything +else, but made a straight line for its owner. For her part, +the lady seemed to await his coming. She gathered her +countenance into an expression of as perfect unconcern +as a little heightening of her colour would allow her, and +returned his salute with rather a distant bow. But Mr +Bunker was not to be damped by this hint of barbed wire. +He held out his hand and exclaimed cordially, <span class="tei tei-q">“My dear +Lady Alicia! this is charming of you!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course you understand, Mr Beveridge, it’s only——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perfectly,”</span> he interrupted, gaily; <span class="tei tei-q">“I understand +everything I should and nothing I shouldn’t. In fact, I +have altered little, except in the trifling matter of a beard, +a moustache or two, and, by the way, a name.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A name?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am now Francis Bunker, but as much at your +service as ever.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page132">[pg 132]</span><a name="Pg132" id="Pg132" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But why—I mean, have you really changed your +name?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Circumstances have changed it, just as circumstances +shaved me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia made a great endeavour to look haughty. +<span class="tei tei-q">“I do not quite understand, Mr——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bunker—a temporary title, but suggestive, and simple +for the tradesmen.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I do not understand your conduct. Why have you +changed your name?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why not?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This retort was so evidently unanswerable that Lady +Alicia changed her inquiry.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where have you been?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Till yesterday, in London.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then you didn’t go to your own parish?”</span> she demanded, +reproachfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There were difficulties,”</span> he replied; <span class="tei tei-q">“in fact, a certified +lunatic is not in great demand as a parish priest. They +seem to prefer them uncertified.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But didn’t you try?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hard, but it was no use. The bishop was out of +town, and I had to wait till his return; besides, my position +was somewhat insecure. I have had at least two +remarkable escapes since I saw you last.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Are you safe here?”</span> she asked, hurriedly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“With your consent, yes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She looked a little troubled. <span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t know that I am +doing right, Mr Bev—Bunker, but——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank you, my friend,”</span> he interrupted, tenderly.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page133">[pg 133]</span><a name="Pg133" id="Pg133" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t,”</span> she began, hastily. <span class="tei tei-q">“You mustn’t talk +like——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Francis Beveridge?”</span> he interrupted. <span class="tei tei-q">“The trouble +is, this rascal Bunker bears an unconscionably awkward +resemblance to our old friend.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You must see that it is quite—ridiculous.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Absurd,”</span> he agreed,—<span class="tei tei-q">“perfectly preposterous. I +laugh whenever I think of it!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Poor Lady Alicia felt like a man at a telephone who +has been connected with the wrong person. Again she +made a desperate shift to fall back on a becoming pride.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you mean?”</span> she demanded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If I mean anything at all, which is always rather +doubtful,”</span> he replied, candidly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I mean that Beveridge +and his humbug were creatures of an occasion, just as +Bunker and his are of another. The one occasion is +passed, and with it the first entertaining gentleman has +vanished into space. The second gentleman will doubtless +follow when his time is up. In fact, I may be said +to be a series of dissolving views.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then isn’t what you said true?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I’m afraid you must be more specific; you see I’ve +talked so much.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What you said about yourself—and your work.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He shook his head humorously. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have no means of +checking my statements.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She looked at him in a troubled way, and then her +eyes fell.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“At least,”</span> she said, <span class="tei tei-q">“you won’t—you +mustn’t treat me as—as you did.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page134">[pg 134]</span><a name="Pg134" id="Pg134" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As Beveridge did? Certainly not; Bunker is the +soul of circumspection. Besides, he doesn’t require to +get out of an asylum.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then it was only to get away?”</span> she cried, turning +scarlet.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Let us call it so,”</span> he replied, looking pensively out to +sea.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It seemed wiser to Lady Alicia to change the subject.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who is the friend you are staying with?”</span> she asked, +suddenly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My old friend the Baron Rudolph von Blitzenberg, +and your own most recent admirer,”</span> he replied. <span class="tei tei-q">“I am +at present living with, in fact I may say upon, him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Does he know?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you meet him, you had perhaps better not inquire +into my past history.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I meant, does he know about—about your knowing +me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bless them!”</span> thought Mr Bunker; <span class="tei tei-q">“one forgets they’re +not <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">always</span></span> thinking about us!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My noble friend has no idea that I have been so +fortunate,”</span> he replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia looked relieved. <span class="tei tei-q">“Who is he?”</span> she +asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A German nobleman of great wealth, long descent, +and the most accommodating disposition. He is at +present exploring England under my guidance, and I +flatter myself that he has already seen and done a number +of things that are not on most programmes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia was silent for a minute. Then she said +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page135">[pg 135]</span><a name="Pg135" id="Pg135" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +with a little hesitation, <span class="tei tei-q">“Didn’t you get a letter from +me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A letter? No,”</span> he replied, in some surprise.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wrote twice—because you asked me to, and I +thought—I wondered if you were safe.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“To what address did you write?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The address you gave me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And what was that?”</span> he asked, still evidently puzzled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You said care of the Archbishop of York would find +you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker abruptly looked the other way.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“By Jove!”</span> he said, as if lost in speculation, <span class="tei tei-q">“I must +find out what the matter was. I can’t imagine why they +haven’t been forwarded.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia appeared a little dissatisfied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Was that +a <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">real</span></span> address?”</span> she +asked, suddenly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perfectly,”</span> he replied; <span class="tei tei-q">“as real as Pentonville Jail or +the House of Commons.”</span> (<span class="tei tei-q">“And as likely to find me,”</span> +he added to himself.)</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia seemed to hesitate whether to pursue the +subject further, but in the middle of her debate Mr Bunker +asked, <span class="tei tei-q">“By the way, has Lady Grillyer any recollection +of having seen me before?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, she doesn’t remember you at all.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then we shall meet as strangers?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, I think it would be better; don’t you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It will save our imaginations certainly.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia looked at him as though she expected +something more; but as nothing came, she said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I think +it’s time I went back.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page136">[pg 136]</span><a name="Pg136" id="Pg136" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“For the present then <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">au +revoir</span></span>, my dear Alicia. I +beg your pardon, Lady Alicia; it was that rascal Beveridge +who made the slip. It now remains to make your +formal acquaintance.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You—you mustn’t try!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The deuce is in these people beginning with B!”</span> +he laughed. <span class="tei tei-q">“They seem to do things without trying.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He pressed her hand, raised his hat, and started back +to the town. She, on her part, lingered to let him get a +clear start of her, and her blue eyes looked as though a +breeze had blown across and ruffled them.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker had reached the esplanade, and was +sauntering easily back towards the hotel, looking at the +people and smiling now and then to himself, when he +observed with considerable astonishment two familiar figures +strolling towards him. They were none other than +the Baron and the Countess, engaged in animated conversation, +and apparently on the very best terms with each +other. At the sight of him the Baron beamed joyfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Aha, Bonker, so you haf returned!”</span> he cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“In +ze meanvile I haf had vun great good fortune. Let me +present my friend Mr Bonker, ze Lady Grillyer.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Countess bowed most graciously, and raising a +pair of tortoise-shell-rimmed eye-glasses mounted on a +stem of the same material, looked at Mr Bunker through +these with a by no means disapproving glance.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At first sight it was evident that Lady Alicia must +<span class="tei tei-q">“take after”</span> her noble father. The Countess was +aquiline of nose, large of person, and emphatic in her +voice and manner.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page137">[pg 137]</span><a name="Pg137" id="Pg137" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are the <span class="tei tei-q">‘showman,’</span> Mr Bunker, are you not?”</span> +she said, with a smile for which many of her acquaintances +would have given a tolerable percentage of their +incomes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It seems,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, smiling back agreeably, +<span class="tei tei-q">“that the Baron is now the showman, and I must +congratulate him on his first venture.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For an instant the Countess seemed a trifle taken aback. +It was a considerable number of years since she had +been addressed in precisely this strain, and in fact at +no time had her admirers ventured quite so dashingly to +the attack. But there was something entirely irresistible +in Mr Bunker’s manner, partly perhaps because he never +made the mistake of heeding a first rebuff. The Countess +coughed, then smiled a little again, and said to the Baron, +<span class="tei tei-q">“You didn’t tell me that your showman supplied the +little speeches as well.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I could not know it; zere has not before been ze reason +for a pretty speech,”</span> responded the Baron, gallantly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">If Lady Grillyer had been anybody else, one would +have said that she actually giggled. Certainly a little +wave of scandalised satisfaction rippled all over her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, really!”</span> she cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t know which of you +is the worst offender.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">All this time, as may be imagined, Mr Bunker had +been in a state of high mystification at his friend’s unusual +adroitness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How the deuce did he get hold of her?”</span> he said to +himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the next pause the Baron solved the riddle.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page138">[pg 138]</span><a name="Pg138" id="Pg138" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You vil vunder, Bonker,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“how I did gom to +know ze Lady Grillyer.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I envied, certainly,”</span> replied his friend, with a side +glance at the now purring Countess.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“She vas of my introdogtions, bot till after you vent +out zis morning I did not lairn her name. Zen I said to +myself, <span class="tei tei-q">‘Ze sun shines, Himmel is kind! Here now is ze +fair Lady Grillyer—my introdogtion!’</span> and zo zat is how, +you see.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“To think of the Baron being here and our only finding +each other out by chance!”</span> said the Countess.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“By a fortunate providence for me!”</span> exclaimed the +Baron, fervently.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Baron,”</span> said the Countess, trying hard to look severe, +<span class="tei tei-q">“you must really keep some of these nice speeches for +my daughter. Which reminds me, I wonder where she +can be?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, here she goms!”</span> cried the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why, how did you know her?”</span> asked the Countess.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I—I did see her last night at dinnair,”</span> explained the +Baron, turning red.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah, of course, I remember,”</span> replied the Countess, +in a matter-of-fact tone; but her motherly eye was sharp, +and already it began to look on the highly eligible Rudolph +with more approval than ever.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My daughter Alicia, the Baron Rudolph von Blitzenberg, +Mr Bunker,”</span> she said the next moment.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron went nearly double as he bowed, and the +flourish of his hat stirred the dust on the esplanade. Mr +Bunker’s salutation was less profound, but his face expressed +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page139">[pg 139]</span><a name="Pg139" id="Pg139" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +an almost equal degree of interested respect. +Her mother thought that when one of the gentlemen was +a nobleman with an indefinite number of thousands +a-year and the other a person of so much discrimination, +Lady Alicia’s own bow might have been a trifle less +reserved. But then even the most astute mother cannot +know the reasons for everything.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0303" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc46" id="toc46"></a> +<a name="pdf47" id="pdf47"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER III.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Alicia,”</span> said the Countess, <span class="tei tei-q">“it was really a most +fortunate coincidence our meeting the Baron at St Egbert’s.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She paused for a reply and looked expectantly at her +daughter. It was not the first time in the course of the +morning that Lady Alicia had listened to similar observations, +and perhaps that was why she answered somewhat +listlessly, <span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, wasn’t it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Countess frowned, and continued with emphasis, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I consider him one of the most agreeable and best +informed young men I have ever met.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is he?”</span> said Lady Alicia, absently.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder, Alicia, you hadn’t noticed it,”</span> her mother +observed, severely; <span class="tei tei-q">“you talked with him most of the +afternoon. I should have thought that no observant, +well-bred girl would have failed to have been struck with +his air and conversation.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I—I thought him very pleasant, mamma.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page140">[pg 140]</span><a name="Pg140" id="Pg140" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am glad you had so much sense. He +is <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">extremely</span></span> +pleasant.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As Lady Alicia made no reply, the Countess felt obliged +to continue his list of virtues herself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He is of most excellent family, Alicia, one of the +oldest in Bavaria. I don’t remember what I heard his +income was in pfennigs, or whatever they measure money +by in Germany, but I know that it is more than £20,000 +a-year in English money. A very large sum nowadays,”</span> +she added, as if £20,000 had grown since she was a +girl.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, mamma.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He is considered, besides, an unusually promising +and intelligent young nobleman, and in Germany, where +noblemen are still constantly used, that says a great deal +for him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Does it, mamma?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Certainly it does. Education there is so severe that +young Englishmen are beginning to know less than they +ever did, and in most cases that isn’t saying much. Compare +the Baron with the young men you meet here!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She looked at her daughter triumphantly, and Alicia +could only reply, <span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, mamma?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Compare them and see the difference. Look at the +Baron’s friend, Mr Bunker, who is a very agreeable and +amusing man, I admit, but look at the difference!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What is it?”</span> Alicia could not help asking.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">What</span></span> is it, Alicia! +It is—ah—it’s—er—it is, in +short, the effect of a carefully cultivated mind and good +blood.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page141">[pg 141]</span><a name="Pg141" id="Pg141" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But don’t you think Mr Bunker cultivated, +mamma—and—and—well-bred?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He has an amusing way of saying things,—but then +you must remember that the Baron is doubtless equally +entertaining in his native language,—and possibly a +superficial knowledge of a few of the leading questions +of the day; but the Baron talked to me for half an hour +on the relations of something or other in Germany +to—er—something else—a very important point, +I assure you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I always thought him very clever,”</span> said Lady Alicia +with a touch of warmth, and then instantly changed +colour at the horrible slip.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You always,”</span> said the Countess in alarmed astonishment; +<span class="tei tei-q">“you hardly spoke to him yesterday, and—had +you met him before?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I—I meant the Baron, mamma.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But I have just been saying that he +was <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">unusually</span></span> +clever.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But I thought, I mean it seemed as though you considered +him only well informed.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia’s blushes and confusion deepened. Her +mother looked at her with a softening eye. Suddenly +she rose, kissed her affectionately, and said with the tenderness +of triumph, <span class="tei tei-q">“My <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">dear</span></span> girl! +Of course he is; clever, well informed, and a +most <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">desirable</span></span> young man. +My Alicia could not do——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She stopped, as if she thought this was perhaps a little +premature (though the Countess’s methods inclined to +the summary and decisive), and again kissing her daughter +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page142">[pg 142]</span><a name="Pg142" id="Pg142" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +affectionately, remarked gaily, <span class="tei tei-q">“Let me see, why, it’s +almost time we went for our little walk! We mustn’t +really disappoint those young men. I am in the middle +of such an amusing discussion with Mr Bunker, who is +really a very sensible man and quite worthy of the Baron’s +judgment.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Poor Lady Alicia hardly knew whether to feel more +relieved at her escape or dismayed at the construction put +upon her explanation. She went out to meet the Baron, +determined to give no further colour to her mother’s +unlucky misconception. The Countess was far too experienced +and determined a general to leave it at all +doubtful who should walk by whose side, and who should +have the opportunity of appreciating whose merits, but +Lady Alicia was quite resolved that the Baron’s blandishments +should fall on stony ground.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But a soft heart and an undecided mouth are treacherous +companions. The Baron was so amiable and so +gallant, that at the end of half an hour she was obliged +to abate the strictness of her resolution. She should +treat him with the friendliness of a brother. She learned +that he had no sisters: her decision was confirmed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The enamoured and delighted Baron was in the seventh +heaven of happy loquacity. He poured out particulars +of his travels, his more recordable adventures, his opinions +on various social and political matters, and at last even +of the family ghost, the hereditary carpet-beatership, +and the glories of Bavaria. And Lady Alicia listened +with what he could not doubt was an interest touched +with tenderness.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page143">[pg 143]</span><a name="Pg143" id="Pg143" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder,”</span> she said, artlessly, <span class="tei tei-q">“that you find anything +to admire in England—compared with Bavaria, +I mean.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Two zings I haf not zere,”</span> replied the Baron, waving +his hand round towards the horizon. <span class="tei tei-q">“Vun is ze vet +sheet of flowing sea—says not your poet so? Ze ozzer”</span> +(laying his hand on his heart) <span class="tei tei-q">“is ze Lady Alicia à Fyre.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There are some people who catch sentiment whenever +it happens to be in the air, just as others almost equally +unfortunate regularly take hay-fever.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia’s reply was much softer than she intended, +especially as she could have told anybody that the Baron’s +compliment was the merest figure of speech.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You needn’t have included me: I’m +sure <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">I’m</span></span> not a +great attraction.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze sea is less, so zat leaves none,”</span> the Baron smiled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Didn’t you see anybody—I mean, anything in London +that attracted you—that you liked?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zat I liked, yes, zat pairhaps for the moment attracted +me; but not zat shall still attract me ven I am +gone avay.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron sighed this time, and she felt impelled to +reply, with the most sisterly kindness, <span class="tei tei-q">“I—we should, +of course, like to think that you didn’t forget +us <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">altogether</span></span>.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You need not fear.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then Lady Alicia began to realise that this was more +like a second cousin than a brother, and with sudden +sprightliness she cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder where that steamer’s +going!”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page144">[pg 144]</span><a name="Pg144" id="Pg144" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron turned his eyes towards his first-named +attraction, but for a professed lover of the ocean his +interest appeared slight. He only replied absently, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, zo?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A little way behind them walked Mr Bunker and the +Countess. The attention of Lady Grillyer was divided +between the agreeable conversation of her companion +and the pleasant spectacle of a fabulous number of +pfennigs a-year bending its titled head over her daughter. +In the middle of one of Mr Bunker’s most amusing +stories she could not forbear interrupting with a complacent +<span class="tei tei-q">“they <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">do</span></span> make a very +handsome couple!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker politely stopped his narrative, and looked +critically from his friend’s gaily checked back to Lady +Alicia’s trim figure.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Pray go on with your story, Mr Bunker,”</span> said the +Countess, hastily, realising that she had thought a little +too loudly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“They are like,”</span> responded Mr Bunker, replying to +her first remark—<span class="tei tei-q">“they are like a pair of gloves.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Countess raised her brows and looked at him +sharply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I mean, of course, the best quality.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think,”</span> said the Countess, suspiciously, <span class="tei tei-q">“that you +spoke a little carelessly.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My simile was a little premature?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think so,”</span> said the Countess, decisively.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Let us call them then an odd pair,”</span> smiled Mr Bunker, +unruffled; <span class="tei tei-q">“and only hope that they’ll turn out to be the +same size and different hands.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page145">[pg 145]</span><a name="Pg145" id="Pg145" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Countess actually condescended to smile back.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“She is a <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">dear</span></span> +child,”</span> she murmured.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“His income, I think, is sufficient,”</span> he answered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Humour was not conspicuous in the Grillyer family. +The Countess replied seriously, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am one of those out-of-date +people, Mr Bunker, who consider some things +come before money, but the Baron’s birth and position +are fortunately unimpeachable.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“While his mental qualities,”</span> said Mr Bunker, <span class="tei tei-q">“are, +in my experience, almost unique.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Countess was confirmed in her opinion of Mr +Bunker’s discrimination.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Late that night, after they had parted with their friends, +the Baron smoked in the most unwonted silence while +Mr Bunker dozed on the sofa. Several times Rudolph +threw restive glances at his friend, as if he had something +on his mind that he needed a helping hand to unburden +himself of. At last the silence grew so intolerable that +he screwed up his courage and with desperate resolution +exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“Bonker!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker opened his eyes and sat up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bonker, I am in loff!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker smiled and stretched himself out again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have also been in love,”</span> he replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are not now?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Alas! no.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vy alas?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Because follies <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">without</span></span> +illusions get so infernally dull, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron smiled a little foolishly.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page146">[pg 146]</span><a name="Pg146" id="Pg146" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I haf ze illusions, I fear.”</span> Then he broke out +enthusiastically, <span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, bot is she not lofly, Bonker? +If she will bot lof me back I shall be ze happiest man +out of heaven!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You have wasted no time, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron shook his head in melancholy pleasure.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are quite sure it is really love this time?”</span> his +friend pursued.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Qvite!”</span> said the Baron, with the firmness of a martyr.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There are so many imitations.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not so close zat zey can deceive!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha, ha!”</span> laughed Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“These first +symptoms are common to them all, and yet the varieties +of the disease are almost beyond counting. I myself +have suffered from it in eight different forms. There +was the virulent, spotted-all-over variety, known as +calf-love; there was the kind that accompanied itself by +a course of the Restoration dramatists; another form I +may call the strayed-Platonic, and that may be subdivided +into at least two; then there was——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Schtop! schtop!”</span> cried the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha, ha! +Zat will do! Teufel! I most examine my heart strictly. +And yet, Bonker, I zink my loff is anozzer kind—ze +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">real!</span></span>”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“They are all that, Baron; but have it your own way. +Anything I can do to make you worse shall be done.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zanks, my best of friends,”</span> said the Baron, warmly, +seizing his hand; <span class="tei tei-q">“I knew you would stand by me!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker gave a little laugh, and returning the pressure, +replied, <span class="tei tei-q">“My dear fellow, I’d do anything to oblige +a friend in such an interesting condition.”</span></p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0304" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page147">[pg 147]</span><a name="Pg147" id="Pg147" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc48" id="toc48"></a> +<a name="pdf49" id="pdf49"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER IV.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron was a few minutes late in joining the party +at lunch, and when he appeared he held an open letter +in his hand. It was only the middle of the next day, +and yet he could have sworn that last night he was comparatively +whole-hearted, he felt so very much more in +love already.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yet anozzer introdogtion has found me out,”</span> he said +as he took his seat. <span class="tei tei-q">“I have here a letter of invitation +vich I do not zink I shall accept.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He threw an amorous glance at Lady Alicia, which +her watchful mother rightly interpreted as indicating +the cause of his intended refusal.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who is it this time?”</span> asked Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sir Richard Brierley of Brierley Park, Dampshire. +Is zat how you pronounce it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sir Richard Brierley!”</span> exclaimed the Countess; +<span class="tei tei-q">“why, Alicia and I are going to visit some relatives of +ours who live only six miles from Brierley Park! When +has he asked you, Baron?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze end of next week.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How odd! We are going down to Dampshire at the +end of next week too. You must accept, Baron!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall!”</span> exclaimed the overjoyed Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“Shall +ve go, Bonker?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I’m not asked, I’m afraid.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, bot zat is nozzing. I shall tell him.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page148">[pg 148]</span><a name="Pg148" id="Pg148" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As you please, Baron,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, with a +half glance at Lady Alicia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The infatuated Baron had already begun to dread the +inevitable hour of separation, and this piece of good +fortune put him into the highest spirits. He felt so amiable +towards the whole world that when the four went out +for a stroll in the afternoon he lingered for a minute by +Lady Grillyer’s side, and in that minute Mr Bunker and +Lady Alicia were out of hail ahead. The Baron’s face +fell.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Shall I come down to this place?”</span> said Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Would you like to?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I should be sorry,”</span> he replied, <span class="tei tei-q">“to part with—the +Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia had expected a slightly different ending +to this sentence, and so, to tell the truth, Mr Bunker had +intended.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, if you can’t stay away from the Baron, you had +better go.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is certainly very hard to tear myself away from so +charming a person as the Baron; perhaps you can feel +for me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think he is very—nice.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He thinks you very nice.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Does he?”</span> said Lady Alicia, with great indifference, +and a moment later changed the subject.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Meanwhile the Baron was growing very uneasy. Of +course it was quite natural that Mr Bunker should find +it pleasant to walk for a few minutes by the side of the +fairest creature on earth, and very possibly he was artfully +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page149">[pg 149]</span><a name="Pg149" id="Pg149" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +pleading his friend’s cause. Yet the Baron felt uneasy. +He remembered Mr Bunker’s invariable success with +the gentler sex, his wit, his happy smile, and his good +looks; and he began to wish most sincerely that these +fascinations were being exercised on the now somewhat +breathless Countess, for his efforts to overtake the pair +in front had both annoyed and exhausted Lady Grillyer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Need we walk quite so fast, Baron?”</span> she suggested; +and Lady Grillyer’s suggestions were of the kind that are +evidently meant to be acted upon.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, I did forged,”</span> said the Baron, absently, and +without further remark he slackened his pace for a few +yards and then was off again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You were telling me,”</span> gasped the Countess, <span class="tei tei-q">“of something +you thought of—doing when—you went—home.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zo? Oh yes, it vas—Teufel! I do not remember.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Really, Baron,”</span> said the Countess, decidedly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I +cannot go any farther at this rate. Let us turn. The +others will be turning too, in a minute.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In fact the unlucky Baron had clean run Lady Grillyer’s +maternal instincts off their feet, and he suffered +for it by seeing nothing of either his friend or his charmer +for an hour and a half.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That night he accepted Sir Richard’s invitation, but +said nothing whatever about bringing a friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">For the next week Rudolph was in as many states of +mind as there were hours in each day. He walked and +rode and drove with Lady Alicia through the most romantic +spots he could find. He purchased a large assortment +of golf-clubs, and under her tuition essayed to play +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page150">[pg 150]</span><a name="Pg150" id="Pg150" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +that most dangerous of games for mixed couples. In +turn he broke every club in his set; the cavities he hewed +in the links are still pointed out to the curious; but the +heart of the Lady Alicia alone he seemed unable to +damage. There was always a moment at which his +courage failed him, and in that fatal pause she invariably +changed the subject with the most innocent air in the +world.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Every now and then the greenest spasms of jealousy +would seize him. Why did she elect to disappear with +Mr Bunker on the very morning that he had resolved +should settle his fate? It is true he had made the same +resolution every morning, but on this particular one +he had no doubt he would have put his fate to the touch. +And why on a certain moonlight evening was he left to +the unsentimental company of the Countess?</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He made no further reference to the visit to Brierley +Park; in fact he shunned discussion of any kind with +his quondam bosom friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The time slipped past, till the visit to St Egbert’s was +almost at an end. On the day after to-morrow all four +were going to leave (where Mr Bunker was going, his +friend never troubled to inquire).</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They sat together latish in the evening in the Baron’s +room. That very afternoon Lady Alicia had spent more +time in Mr Bunker’s society than in his, and the Baron +felt that the hour had come for an explanation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bonker, I haf a suspection!”</span> he exclaimed, suddenly. +<span class="tei tei-q">“It is not I, bot you, who are ze friend to ze beautiful +Lady Alicia. You are not doing me fair!”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page151">[pg 151]</span><a name="Pg151" id="Pg151" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is so: you are not doing me fair,”</span> the Baron reiterated.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear fellow,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, <span class="tei tei-q">“it is you are +so much in love that you have lost your wonted courage. +You don’t use your chances.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I do not get zem.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Nonsense, Baron! I haven’t spent one hour in Lady +Alicia’s company to your twenty-four, and yet if I’d +been matrimonially inclined I could have proposed twice +over. You’ve had the chance of being accepted fifty +times.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I haf not been accepted vunce,”</span> said the Baron, +moodily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have you put the question?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I haf not dared.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, my dear Baron, whose fault is that?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron was silent.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ask her to-morrow.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, Bonker,”</span> said the Baron, sadly; <span class="tei tei-q">“she treats me +not like a lover. She talks of friendship. I do not vish +a frient!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker looked thoughtfully up at the ceiling. +<span class="tei tei-q">“You don’t think you have touched her heart?”</span> he +asked at length.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I fear not.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You must try an infallible recipe for winning a +woman’s heart. You must be in trouble.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In trouble!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have tried it once myself, with great success.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page152">[pg 152]</span><a name="Pg152" id="Pg152" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bot how?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You must fall ill.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bot I cannot; I am too healthful, alas!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker smiled artfully. <span class="tei tei-q">“They come to tea in +our rooms to-morrow, you know. By then, Baron, you +must be laid up, ill or not, just as you please. A grain +of Lady Alicia’s sympathy is worth more than a ton of +even your wit.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The standard chosen for the measurement of his wit +escaped the Baron, the scheme delighted him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, Bonker! schön! I tvig! Goot!”</span> he cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“How +shall ve do?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Leave it to me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron reflected, and his smile died away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sopposing,”</span> he said, slowly, <span class="tei tei-q">“zey find out? Is it +vise? Is it straight?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“They can’t find out. They go the next morning, +and what’s to prevent your making a quick recovery and +pluckily going down to Brierley Park as the interesting +convalescent? She will know that you’ve made a dangerous +journey on her account.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron’s face cleared again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Let us try!”</span> he said; <span class="tei tei-q">“anyzing is better zan my present +state. Bot, be careful, Bonker!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall take the most minute precautions,”</span> replied +Mr Bunker.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0305" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page153">[pg 153]</span><a name="Pg153" id="Pg153" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc50" id="toc50"></a> +<a name="pdf51" id="pdf51"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER V.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The next morning the two conspirators breakfasted +early. The Baron seemed a little nervous now that it +came so near the venture, but his friend was as cheerful +as a schoolboy, and his confident air soon put fresh courage +into Rudolph.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker’s bedroom opened out of their common +sitting-room, and so he declared that in the afternoon +the Baron must be laid up there.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Keep your room all morning,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“and look as +pale as you can. I shall make my room ready for you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the Baron had retired, he threw himself into a +chair and gazed for a few minutes round his bedroom. +Then he rang his bell, ordered the servant to make the +bed immediately, and presently went out to do some +shopping. On the way he sent word to the Countess, +telling her only that the Baron was indisposed, but that +in spite of this misfortune he hoped he should have the +pleasure of their company at tea. The rest of the morning +he spent in his bedroom, prudently keeping out of +the ladies’ way.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When, after a substantial lunch which he insisted +upon getting up to eat, the Baron was allowed to enter +the sick-room, he uttered an exclamation of astonishment,—and +indeed his surprise was natural. The room +was as full of flowers as a conservatory; chairs, wardrobe, +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page154">[pg 154]</span><a name="Pg154" id="Pg154" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +and fireplace were most artistically draped with art +hangings; a plate filled with grapes, a large bottle labelled +<span class="tei tei-q">“Two table-spoonfuls every half hour,”</span> and a medicine-glass +were placed conspicuously on a small table; and, +most remarkable feature of all, Mr Bunker’s bath filled +with water and alive with goldfish stood by the side of +the bed. A couple of canaries sang in a cage by the +window, the half-drawn curtains only permitted the most +delicate light to steal into the room, and in short the +whole arrangement reflected the utmost credit on his +ingenious friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron was delighted, but a little puzzled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vat for are zese fishes and ze canaries?”</span> he asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“To show your love of nature.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vy so?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There is nothing that pleases a woman more.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My friend, you zink of everyzing!”</span> exclaimed the +Baron, admiringly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When four o’clock approached he drew a night-shirt +over his other garments and got into bed. Mr Bunker +at first was in favour of a complete change of attire, but +on his friend’s expostulating against such a thorough +precaution, he admitted that it would be perhaps rather +like the historic blacking of Othello.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Leave it all to me, my dear Baron,”</span> he said, reassuringly, +as he tucked him in; and with that he went into +the other room and awaited the arrival of their guests.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They came punctually. The Countess was full of +concern for the <span class="tei tei-q">“dear Baron,”</span> while Lady Alicia, he +could not help thinking, appeared unusually reserved. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page155">[pg 155]</span><a name="Pg155" id="Pg155" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +In fact, his quick eye soon divined that something was +the matter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“She has either been getting a lecture from the dowager +or has found something +out<span class="tei tei-corr"><a name="E4" id="E4" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a href="#e4" class="tei tei-ref">,</a></span>”</span> +he said to himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">However, it seemed that if she had found anything +out it could have nothing to do with the Baron’s indisposition, +for she displayed the most ingenuous sympathy, +and, he thought, she even appeared to aim it pointedly at +himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“So sudden!”</span> exclaimed the Countess.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is rather sudden, but we’ll hope it may pass as +quickly as it came,”</span> said Mr Bunker, conveying a skilful +impression of deep concern veiled by a cheerful manner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Tell me honestly, Mr Bunker, is it dangerous?”</span> +demanded the countess.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker hesitated, gave a half-hearted laugh, and +replied, <span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, dear, no! that is—at present, Lady Grillyer, +we have really no reason to be alarmed.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">so</span></span> sorry,”</span> +murmured Lady Alicia.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Her mother looked at her approvingly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Poor Baron!”</span> she said, in a tone of the greatest commiseration.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“So far from home!”</span> sighed Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“And yet +so cheerful through it all,”</span> he added.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What did you say was the matter?”</span> asked the Countess.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker had thought it both wiser and more effective +to maintain a little mystery round his friend’s malady.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The doctor hasn’t yet given a decided opinion,”</span> he +replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can’t we do anything?”</span> said Lady Alicia, softly.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page156">[pg 156]</span><a name="Pg156" id="Pg156" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker thought the guests were nearly worked up +to the proper pitch of sympathy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Poor Rudolph!”</span> he exclaimed. <span class="tei tei-q">“It would cheer +him immensely, I know, and ease my own anxiety as +well, if you would venture in to see him for a few minutes. +In such a case there is no sympathy so welcome as a +woman’s.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Countess glanced at her daughter, and wavered +for an instant between those proprieties for which she +was a famous stickler and this admirable chance of completing +the Baron’s conquest.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“His relations are far away,”</span> said Mr Bunker, looking +pensively out of the window.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We might come in for a few minutes, Alicia?”</span> suggested +Lady Grillyer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, mamma,”</span> replied Lady Alicia, with an alacrity +that rather surprised their host.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With a pleasantly dejected air he ushered the ladies +into the darkened sick-room. The Baron, striving to +conceal his exultation under a rueful semblance, greeted +them with a languid yet happy smile.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah, Lady Grillyer, zis is kind indeed! And you, +Lady Alicia, how can I zank you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My daughter and I are much distressed, Baron, to +find our host <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">hors de +combat</span></span>,”</span> said the Countess, graciously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Just when you wanted to go away too!”</span> added Lady +Alicia, sympathetically.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron emitted a happy blend of sigh and groan.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Alas!”</span> he replied, <span class="tei tei-q">“it is hard indeed.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page157">[pg 157]</span><a name="Pg157" id="Pg157" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You must hurry up and get better,”</span> said the Countess, +in her most cheering sick-room manner. <span class="tei tei-q">“It won’t do +to disappoint the Brierleys, you know.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You must come down for <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">part</span></span> +of the time,”</span> smiled her daughter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">These expressions of sympathy so affected the Baron +that he placed his hand on his brow and turned slightly +away to conceal his emotion. At the same time Mr +Bunker, with well-timed dramatic effect, sank wearily +into a chair, and, laying his elbow on the back, hid his +own face in his hand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Their guests jumped to the most alarming conclusions, +and looked from one to the other with great concern.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dear me!”</span> said the Countess, <span class="tei tei-q">“surely it isn’t so very +serious, Mr Bunker; it isn’t +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">infectious</span></span>, is it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The unlucky Baron here made his first mistake: without +waiting for his more diplomatic friend to reply, he +answered hastily, <span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, no, it is bot a cold.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Grillyer’s expression changed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A cold!”</span> she said. <span class="tei tei-q">“Dear me, that can’t be so very +serious, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is a bad cold,”</span> said the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time the ladies’ eyes were growing more used +to the dim light, and Mr Bunker could see that they +were taking rapid stock of the garnishings.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This, I suppose, is your cough-mixture,”</span> said the +Countess, examining the bottle.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron incautiously admitted it was.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Two table-spoonfuls every half hour!”</span> she exclaimed; +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page158">[pg 158]</span><a name="Pg158" id="Pg158" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“why, I never heard of taking a cough-mixture in such +doses. Besides, your cough doesn’t seem so very bad, +Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze doctor told me to take it so,”</span> replied the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Countess turned towards Mr Bunker and said, +with a touch of suspicion in her voice, <span class="tei tei-q">“I thought, Mr +Bunker, the doctor had given no opinion.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron threw a glance of intense ferocity at his +friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In the Baron’s desire to spare your feelings,”</span> replied +Mr Bunker, gravely, <span class="tei tei-q">“he has been a little inaccurate; +that is not precisely an ordinary cough-mixture.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh,”</span> said the Countess.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Lady Alicia’s attention had been strongly attracted +by the bath, and suddenly she exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“Why, there +are goldfish in it!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron’s nerve was fast deserting him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze doctor ordered zem,”</span> he began—<span class="tei tei-q">“I mean, I am +fond of fishes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Countess looked hard at the unhappy young man, +and then turned severely to his friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">What</span></span> is the matter +with the Baron?”</span> she demanded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker saw there was nothing for it but heroic +measures.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The dog was destroyed at once,”</span> he replied, with +intense gravity. <span class="tei tei-q">“It is therefore impossible to say exactly +what is the matter.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">The dog!</span></span>”</span> cried +the two ladies together.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“By this evening,”</span> he continued, <span class="tei tei-q">“we shall know the +worst—or the best.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page159">[pg 159]</span><a name="Pg159" id="Pg159" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you mean?”</span> exclaimed the Countess, withdrawing +a step from the bed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I mean,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, with a happy inspiration, +<span class="tei tei-q">“that this bath is a delicate test. No victim of the +dread disease of hydrophobia can bear to look——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the Countess gave him no time to finish. Even +as he was speaking the Baron’s face had passed through +a series of the most extraordinary expressions, which she +not unnaturally put down to premonitory symptoms.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It’s beginning already!”</span> she shrieked. <span class="tei tei-q">“Alicia, my +love, come quickly. How dare you expose us, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Calm yourselves. I assure you——”</span> pleaded Mr +Bunker, coming hastily after them, but they were at the +door before him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The hapless Baron could stand it no longer. Crying, +<span class="tei tei-q">“No, no, it is false!”</span> he sprang out of bed, arrayed in a +tweed suit only half concealed by his night-shirt, and, +forgetting all about the bath, descended with a great +splash among the startled goldfish.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Countess paused in the half-opened door and +looked at him with horror that rapidly passed into intense +indignation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am not ill!”</span> he cried. <span class="tei tei-q">“It vos zat rascal Bonker’s +plot. He made me! I haf not hydrophobia!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Most unkindest cut of all, Lady Alicia went off into +hysterical giggles. For a moment her mother glared +at the two young men in silence, and then only remarking, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I have never been so insulted before,”</span> she went +out, and her daughter followed her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the door closed Mr Bunker went off into roar after +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page160">[pg 160]</span><a name="Pg160" id="Pg160" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +roar of laughter, but the humorous side of the situation +seemed to appeal very slightly to his injured friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You rascal! you villain!”</span> he shouted, <span class="tei tei-q">“zis is ze end +of our friendship, Bonker! Do you use ze pistols? Tell +me, sare!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron,”</span> gasped Mr Bunker, <span class="tei tei-q">“I could not +put such an inartistic end to so fine a joke for the +world.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You vill not fight? Coward! poltroon! I know not +ze English name bad enoff for you!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With difficulty Mr Bunker composed himself and +replied, still smiling: <span class="tei tei-q">“After all, Baron, what harm has +been done? I get all the blame, and the sympathy you +wanted is sure to turn to you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“False friend!”</span> thundered the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron!”</span> said Mr Bunker, mildly, <span class="tei tei-q">“whose +fault was it that the plot miscarried? If you’d only left +it all to me——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Left it to you! Yes, I left too moch to you! Traitor, +it vas a trick to vin ze Lady Alicia for yourself! Speak +to me nevermore!”</span> And with that the infuriated nobleman +rushed off to his own room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As there was no further sign of him for the next half +hour, Mr Bunker, still smiling to himself at the recollection, +went out to take the air; but just as he was about to +descend the stairs he spied Lady Alicia lingering in a +passage. He turned back and went up to her.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She began at once in a low, hurried voice that seemed +to have a strain of anger running beneath it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I got the two letters I wrote you returned to me to-day +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page161">[pg 161]</span><a name="Pg161" id="Pg161" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +through the dead-letter office. Nothing was known +about you at the address you gave.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am not surprised,”</span> he replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then it was false?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As an address it was perfectly genuine, only it didn’t +happen to be mine.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Were you <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">ever</span></span> in the Church?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not to my personal knowledge.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yet you said you were?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I was in an asylum.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She looked up at him with fine contempt, while he +smiled back at her with great amusement.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You have deceived <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">me</span></span>,”</span> +she said, <span class="tei tei-q">“and you have treated your other friend—who +is far too good for you—disgracefully. +Have you anything to say for yourself?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not a word,”</span> he replied, cheerfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You must <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">never</span></span> treat +me again as—as I let you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As a smile played for an instant about his face, she +added quickly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">suppose</span></span> I shall ever see you +again. In future we are not +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">likely</span></span> to meet.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The lady and the lunatic?”</span> said he. <span class="tei tei-q">“Well, perhaps +not. Good-bye, and better luck.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good-bye,”</span> she answered coldly, and added as they +parted, <span class="tei tei-q">“my mother, of course, is extremely angry with +you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There,”</span> he said with a smile, <span class="tei tei-q">“you see I still come in +useful.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She hurried away, and Mr Bunker walked slowly +downstairs and out of the hotel.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page162">[pg 162]</span><a name="Pg162" id="Pg162" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It seems to me,”</span> he reflected, <span class="tei tei-q">“that I shall have to +set out on my adventures again alone.”</span></p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0306" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc52" id="toc52"></a> +<a name="pdf53" id="pdf53"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VI.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron’s natural good temper might have forgiven +his friend, but all night he was a prey to something against +which no temper is proof. The Baron was bitterly jealous. +All through breakfast he never spoke a word, and when +Mr Bunker asked him what train he intended to take, +he replied curtly, as he went to the door, <span class="tei tei-q">“Ze 5.30.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And where do you go now?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vat is zat to you? I go for a valk. I vould be +alone.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good-bye, then, Baron,”</span> said Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“I think +I shall go up to town.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Go, zen,”</span> replied the Baron, opening the door; <span class="tei tei-q">“I haf +no furzer vish to see a treacherous +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">sponge</span></span> zat vill neizer +be true nor fight, bot jost takes money.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He slammed the door and went out. If he had waited +for a moment, he would have seen a look in Mr Bunker’s +face that he had never seen before. He half started +from his chair to follow, and then sat down again and +thought with his lips very tight set.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">All at once they broke into a smile that was grimmer +than anything the Baron had known.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I accept your challenge, Baron Rudolph von Blitzenberg,”</span> +he said to himself; <span class="tei tei-q">“but the weapons I shall choose +myself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He took a telegraph form, wrote and despatched a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page163">[pg 163]</span><a name="Pg163" id="Pg163" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +wire, and then with considerable haste proceeded to +pack. Within an hour he had left the hotel.</p> + +<div class="tei tei-tb">* * * * * </div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When a servant, later in the day, was performing, +under the Baron’s directions, the same office for him, +a series of discoveries that still further disturbed his +peace of mind were jointly made. Not only the more +sporting portions of his wardrobe but his gun and cartridges +as well, had vanished, and, search and storm as +he liked, there was not a trace of them to be found.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze rascal!”</span> he muttered; <span class="tei tei-q">“I did not zink he was zief +as well.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is hardly wonderful that he arrived at Brierley +station in anything but an amiable frame of mind. There, +to his great annoyance and surprise, he found no signs +of Sir Richard’s carriage; there were no stables near, +and, after fuming for some time on the platform, he +was forced to leave his luggage with the station-master +and proceed on foot to Brierley Park.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He arrived shortly before seven o’clock, after a dark +and muddy tramp, and, still swearing under his breath, +pulled the bell with indignant energy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am ze Baron von Blitzenberg, bot zere vas no carriage +at ze station,”</span> he informed the butler in his haughtiest +tones.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The man looked at him suspiciously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The Baron arrived this morning,”</span> he said.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze Baron? Vat Baron? I am ze Baron!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall fetch Sir Richard,”</span> said the butler, turning +away.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page164">[pg 164]</span><a name="Pg164" id="Pg164" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Presently a stout florid gentleman, accompanied by +three friends, all evidently very curious and amused +about something, came to the door, and, to the poor +Baron’s amazement and horror, he recognised in one of +these none other than Mr Bunker, arrayed with much +splendour in his own ornate shooting suit.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you want?”</span> asked the florid gentleman, +sternly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have I ze pleasure of addressing Sir Richard Brierley?”</span> +inquired the Baron, raising his hat and bowing +profoundly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You have.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zen I must tell you zat I am ze Baron Rudolph von +Blitzenberg.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Gom, gom, my man!”</span> interposed Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“I +know you. Zis man, Sir Richard, has before annoyed +me. He is vat you call impostor, cracked; he has vollowed +me from Germany. Go avay, man!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are impostor! You scoundrel, Bonker!”</span> shouted +the wrathful Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“He is no Baron, Sir Richard! +Ha! Vould you again deceive me, Bonker?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You must lock him up, I fear,”</span> said Mr Bunker. +<span class="tei tei-q">“To-morrow, my man, you vill see ze police.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">So completely did the Baron lose his head that he +became almost inarticulate with rage: his protestations, +however, were not of the slightest avail. That morning +Sir Richard had received a wire informing him that the +Baron was coming by an earlier train than he had originally +intended, and, since his arrival, the spurious nobleman +had so ingratiated himself with his host that Sir +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page165">[pg 165]</span><a name="Pg165" id="Pg165" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Richard was filled with nothing but sympathy for him +in his persecution. After a desperate struggle the unfortunate +Rudolph was overpowered and conveyed in +the undignified fashion known as the frog’s march to a +room in a remote wing, there to pass the night under +lock and key.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The scoundrelly German impostor!”</span> exclaimed a +young man, a fellow visitor of the Baron Bunker’s, to a +tall, military-looking gentleman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Colonel Savage seemed lost in thought.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is a curious thing, Trelawney,”</span> he replied, at +length, <span class="tei tei-q">“that the footman who attends the Baron should +have told my man—who, of course, told me—that a number +of his things are marked <span class="tei tei-q">‘Francis Beveridge.’</span> It is +also rather strange that this impostor should have known +so little of the Baron’s movements as to arrive several +hours after him, assuming he had hatched a plot to impersonate +him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But the man’s obviously mad.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Must be,”</span> said the colonel.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The house party were assembled in the drawing-room +waiting for dinner to be announced. The bogus Baron +was engaged in an animated discussion with Colonel +Savage on the subject of Bavarian shootings, and the +colonel having omitted to inform him that he had some +personal experience of these, Mr Bunker was serving +up such of his friend’s anecdotes as he could remember +with sauce more peculiarly his own.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Five hondred vild boars,”</span> he was saying, <span class="tei tei-q">“eight +hondred brace of partridges, many bears, and rabbits so +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page166">[pg 166]</span><a name="Pg166" id="Pg166" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +moch zat it took five veeks to bury zem. All zese ve did +shoot before breakfast, colonel. Aftair breakfast again +ve did go out——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But at that moment his attention was sharply arrested +by a question of Lady Brierley’s.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Has Dr Escott arrived?”</span> she asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron Bunker paused, and in spite of his habitual +coolness, the observant colonel noticed that he started +ever so slightly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He came half an hour ago,”</span> replied Sir Richard. +<span class="tei tei-q">“Ah, here he is.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As he spoke, a well-remembered figure came into the +room, and after a welcome from his hostess, the dinner +procession started.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Whoever is that tall fair man in front?”</span> Dr Escott +asked his partner as they crossed the hall.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, that’s the Baron von Blitzenberg: such an amusing +man! We are all in love with him already.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">All through dinner the spurious Baron saw that Dr +Escott’s eyes turned continually and curiously on him; +yet never for an instant did his spirits droop or his conversation +flag. Witty and charming as ever, he discoursed +in his comical foreign accent to the amusement +of all within hearing, and by the time the gentlemen +adjourned to the billiard-room, he had established the +reputation of being the most delightful German ever +seen. Yet Dr Escott grew more suspicious and bewildered, +and Mr Bunker felt that he was being narrowly +watched. The skill at billiards of a certain Francis +Beveridge used to be the object of the doctor’s unbounded +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page167">[pg 167]</span><a name="Pg167" id="Pg167" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +admiration, and it was with the liveliest interest that he +watched a game between Colonel Savage and the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That nobleman knew well the danger of displaying +his old dexterity, and to the onlookers it soon became +apparent that this branch of his education had been +neglected. He not only missed the simplest shots, but +seemed very ignorant of the rules of the English game, +and in consequence he came in for a little good-natured +chaff from Sir Richard and Trelawney. When the +colonel’s score stood at 90 and the Baron had scarcely +reached 25 Trelawney cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll bet you ten to one you +don’t win, Baron!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What in?”</span> asked the Baron, and the colonel noticed +that for the first time be pronounced a +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">w</span></span> correctly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sovereigns,”</span> said Trelawney, gaily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The temptation was irresistible.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Done!”</span> said the Baron. With a professional disregard +for conventions he bolted the white into the middle +pocket, leaving his own ball nicely beside the red. Down +in its turn went the red, and Mr Bunker was on the spot. +Three followed three in monotonous succession, Trelawney’s +face growing longer and Dr Escott getting more +and more excited, till with a smile Mr Bunker laid down +his cue, a sensational winner.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His victory was received in silence: Trelawney handed +over two five-pound notes without a word, and the colonel +returned to his whisky-and-soda. Dr Escott could contain +himself no longer, and whispering something to Sir +Richard, the two left the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Imperturbable as ever, Mr Bunker talked gaily for a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page168">[pg 168]</span><a name="Pg168" id="Pg168" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +few minutes to an unresponsive audience, and then, +remarking that he would join the ladies, left the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A minute or two later Sir Richard, with an anxious +face, returned with Dr Escott.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where is the Baron?”</span> he asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Gone to join the ladies,”</span> replied Trelawney, adding +under his breath, <span class="tei tei-q">“d—— n him!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But the Baron was not with the ladies, nor, search the +house as they might, was there a trace to be seen of that +accomplished nobleman.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He has gone!”</span> said Sir Richard.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What the deuce is the meaning of it?”</span> exclaimed +Trelawney.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Colonel Savage smiled grimly and suggested, <span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps +he wants to give the impostor an innings.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dr Escott, I think, can tell you,”</span> replied the baronet.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Gentlemen,”</span> said the doctor, <span class="tei tei-q">“the man whom you +have met as the Baron von Blitzenberg is none other +than a most cunning and determined lunatic. He escaped +from the asylum where I am at present assistant doctor, +after all but murdering me; he has been seen in London +since, but how he came to impersonate the unfortunate +gentleman whom you locked up this afternoon I cannot +say.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Before they broke up for the night the genuine Baron, +released from confinement and soothed by the humblest +apologies and a heavy supper, recounted the main events +in Mr Beveridge <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">alias</span></span> +Bunker’s brief career in town. +On his exploits in St Egbert’s he felt some delicacy in +touching, but at the end of what was after all only a +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page169">[pg 169]</span><a name="Pg169" id="Pg169" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +fragmentary and one-sided narrative, even the defrauded +Trelawney could not but admit that, whatever the departed +gentleman’s failings, his talents at least were +worthy of a better cause.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0307" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc54" id="toc54"></a> +<a name="pdf55" id="pdf55"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER VII.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The party at Brierley Park had gone at last to bed. +The Baron was installed in his late usurper’s room, and +from the clock-tower the hour of three had just been +tolled. Sympathy and Sir Richard’s cellar had greatly +mollified the Baron’s wrath; he had almost begun to see +the humorous side of his late experience; as a rival Mr +Bunker was extinct, and with an easy mind and a placid +smile he had fallen asleep some two hours past.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The fire burned low, and for long nothing but the +occasional sigh of the wind in the trees disturbed the +silence. At length, had the Baron been awake, he might +have heard the stealthiest of footsteps in the corridor +outside. Then they stopped; his door was gently opened, +and first a head and then a whole man slipped in.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Still the Baron slept, dreaming peacefully of his late +companion. They were driving somewhere in a hansom, +Mr Bunker was telling one of his most amusing stories, +when there came a shock, the hansom seemed to turn a +somersault, and the Baron awoke. At first he thought +he must be dreaming still; the electric light had been +turned on and the room was bright as day, but, more +bewildering yet, Mr Bunker was seated on his bed, gazing +at him with an expression of thoughtful amusement.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page170">[pg 170]</span><a name="Pg170" id="Pg170" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, Baron,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“I trust you are comfortable +in these excellent quarters.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron, half awake and wholly astonished, was +unable to collect his ideas in time to make any reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But remember,”</span> continued Mr Bunker, <span class="tei tei-q">“you have +a reputation to live up to. I have set the standard high +for Bavarian barons.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The indignant Baron at last recovered his wits.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“If you do not go away <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">at +vonce</span></span>,”</span> he said, raising himself +on his elbows, <span class="tei tei-q">“I shall raise ze house upon you!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have you forgotten that you are talking to a dangerous +lunatic, who probably never stirs without his razor?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron looked at him and turned a little pale. He +made no further movement, but answered stoutly enough, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Vat do you vant?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In the first place, I want my brush and comb, a few +clothes, and my hand-bag. Events happened rather more +quickly this evening than I had anticipated.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Take zem.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I should also like,”</span> continued Mr Bunker, unmoved, +<span class="tei tei-q">“to have a little talk with you. I think I owe you some +explanation—perhaps an apology or two—and I’m afraid +it’s my last chance.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zay it zen.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Of course I understand that you make no hostile +demonstration till I am finished? A hunted man must +take precautions, you know.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I vill let you go.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thanks, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker folded his arms, leaned his back against +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page171">[pg 171]</span><a name="Pg171" id="Pg171" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +the foot of the bed, and began in his half-bantering way, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I have amused you, Baron, now and then, you must +admit?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron made no reply.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That I place to my credit, and I think few debts are +better worth repaying. On the other hand, I confess I +have subsisted for some time entirely on your kindness. +I’m afraid that alone counterbalances the debt, and +when it comes to my being the means of your taking a +bath in mixed company and spending an evening in a +locked room, there’s no doubt the balance is greatly on +your side.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I zink so,”</span> observed the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“So I’ll tell you a true story, a favour with which I +haven’t indulged any one for some considerable time.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron coughed, but said nothing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My biography for all practical purposes,”</span> Mr Bunker +continued, <span class="tei tei-q">“begins in that sequestered retreat, Clankwood +Asylum. How and with whom I came there I +haven’t the very faintest recollection. I simply woke up +from an extraordinary drowsiness to find myself recovering +from a sharp attack of what I may most euphoniously +call mental excitement. The original cause of it is very +dim in my mind, and has, so far as I remember, nothing +to do with the rest of the story. The attack was very +short, I believe. I soon came to something more or less +like myself; only, Baron, the singular thing is, that it was +to all intents and purposes a new self—whether better +or worse, my faulty memory does not permit me to say. +I’d clean forgotten who I was and all about me. I found +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page172">[pg 172]</span><a name="Pg172" id="Pg172" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +myself called Francis Beveridge, but that wasn’t my old +name, I know.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha!”</span> exclaimed the Baron, growing interested despite +himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And the most remarkable thing of all is that up till +this day I haven’t the very vaguest notion what my real +name is.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zo?”</span> said the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“Bot vy should they change it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There you’ve laid your finger on the mystery, Baron. +Why? Heaven knows: I wish I did!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron looked at him with undisguised interest.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Strange!”</span> he said, thoughtfully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Damnably strange. I found myself compelled to +live in an asylum and answer to a new name, and really, +don’t you know, under the circumstances I could give no +very valid reason for getting out. I seemed to have +blossomed there like one of the asylum plants. I couldn’t +possibly have been more identified with the place. Besides, +I’m free to confess that for some time my reason, +taking it all in all, wasn’t particularly valid on any point. +By George, I had a funny time! Ha, ha, ha!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His mirth was so infectious that the Baron raised his +voice in a hearty <span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha!”</span> and then stopped abruptly, +and said cautiously, <span class="tei tei-q">“Haf a care, Bonker, zey may hear!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“However, Baron,”</span> Mr Bunker continued, <span class="tei tei-q">“out I +was determined to get, and out I came in the manner +of which perhaps my friend Escott has already informed +you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron grinned and nodded.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I came up to town, and on my very first evening I +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page173">[pg 173]</span><a name="Pg173" id="Pg173" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +had the good fortune to meet the Baron Rudolph von +Blitzenberg—as perhaps you may remember. In my +own defence, Baron, I may fairly plead that since I could +remember nothing about my past career, I was entitled +to supply the details from my imagination. After all, +I have no proof that some of my stories may not have +been correct. I used this privilege freely in Clankwood, +and, in a word, since I couldn’t tell the truth if I wanted +to, I quenched the desire.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You hombog!”</span> said the Baron, not without a note of +admiration.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I was, and I gloried in it. Baron, if you ever want to +know how ample a thing life can be, become a certified +lunatic! You are quite irresponsible for your debts, +your crimes, and, not least, your words. It certainly +enlarges one’s horizon. All this time, I may say, I was +racking my brains—which, by the way, have been steadily +growing saner in other matters—for some recollections +of my previous whereabouts, my career, if I had any, +and, above all, of my name.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Can you remember nozing?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I can remember a large country house which I think +belonged to me, but in what part of the country it stands +I haven’t the slightest recollection. I can’t remember +any family, and as no one has inquired for me, I don’t +suppose I had any. Many incidents—sporting, festive, +amusing, and discreditable—I remember distinctly, and +many faces, but there’s nothing to piece them together +with. Can you recall one or two incidents in town, +when people spoke to me or bowed to me?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page174">[pg 174]</span><a name="Pg174" id="Pg174" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, vell; I vondered zen.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I suppose they knew me. In a general sort of way I +knew them. But when a man doesn’t know his own +name, and will probably be replaced in an asylum if he’s +identified, there isn’t much encouragement for greeting +old friends. And do you remember my search for a +name in the hotel at St Egbert’s?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yah—zat is, yes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It was for my own I was looking.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You found it not?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No. The worst of it is, I can’t even remember what +letter it began with. Sometimes I think it was M, or +perhaps N, and sometimes I’m almost sure it was E. It +will come to me some day, no doubt, Baron, but till it +does I shall have to wander about a nameless man, looking +for it. And after all, I am not without the consolations +of a certain useful, workaday kind of philosophy.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He rose from the bed and smiled humorously at his +friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And now, Baron,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“it only remains to offer +you such thanks and apologies as a lunatic may, and +then clear out before the cock crows. These are my +brushes, I think.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">There was still something on the Baron’s mind: he lay +for a moment watching Mr Bunker collect a few odds +and ends and put them rapidly into a small bag, and +then blurted out suddenly, <span class="tei tei-q">“Ze Lady Alicia—do you +loff her?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“By Jove!”</span> exclaimed Mr Bunker, <span class="tei tei-q">“I’d forgotten all +about her. I ought to have told you that I once met her +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page175">[pg 175]</span><a name="Pg175" id="Pg175" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +before, when she showed sympathy—practical sympathy, +I may add—for an unfortunate gentleman in Clankwood. +That’s all.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You do not loff her?”</span> persisted the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I, my dear chap? No. You are most welcome to +her—<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">and</span></span> the countess.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Does she not loff you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“On my honour, no. I told her a few early reminiscences; +she happened to discover they were not what is +generally known as true, and took so absurd a view of +the case that I doubt whether she would speak to me +again if she met me. In fact, Baron, if I read the omens +aright—and I’ve had some experience—you only need +courage and a voice.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The bed creaked, there was a volcanic upheaval of +the clothes as the Baron sprang out on to the floor, and +the next instant Mr Bunker was clasped in his embrace.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, my own Bonker, forgif me! I haf suspected, +I haf not been ze true friend; you have sairved me right +to gom here as ze Baron. I vas too bad a Baron to gom! +You have amused me, you have instrogted, you have +varmed my heart. My dear frient!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To tell the truth, Mr Bunker looked, for the first time +in their acquaintance, a little ill at ease. He laughed, +but it sounded affected.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear fellow—hang it! You’d make me out a +martyr. As a matter of fact, I’ve been such a thorn as +very few people would stand in their flesh. There’s +nothing to forgive, my dear Baron, and a lot to thank +you for.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page176">[pg 176]</span><a name="Pg176" id="Pg176" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I haf been rude, Bonker; I haf insulted you! You +forgif me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“With all my heart, if you think it’s needed, but——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And you vill not go now? You vill stay here?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What, two Barons at once? My dear chap, we’d +merely confuse the butler.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, you vill joke, you hombog! But you most +stay!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And what about my friend, Dr Escott? No, Baron, +it would only mean breakfast and the next train to Clankwood.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zey vill not take you ven you tell zem! I shall insist +viz Sir Richard!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The law is the law, Baron, and I’m a certified lunatic. +Here we must part till the weather clears; and mind, you +mustn’t say a word about my coming to see you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron looked at him disconsolately.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You most really go, Bonker?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Really, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And vere to?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“To London town again by the milk train.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And vat vill you do zere?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Look for my name.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Bot how?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker hesitated.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have a little clue,”</span> he said at last, <span class="tei tei-q">“only a thread, +but I’ll try it for what it’s worth.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Haf you money enoff?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thanks to your generosity and my skill at billiards, +yes, which reminds me that I must return poor Trelawney’s +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page177">[pg 177]</span><a name="Pg177" id="Pg177" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +ten pounds some day. At present, I can’t +afford to be scrupulous. So, you see, I’m provided +for.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Cigars at least, Bonker! You most smoke, my frient +vizout a name!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron, night-shirted and barefooted as he was, +dived into his portmanteau and produced a large box of +cigars.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You like zese, Bonker. Zey are your own choice. +Smoke zem and zink of me!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A few, Baron, would be a pleasant reminiscence,”</span> +said his friend, with a smile, <span class="tei tei-q">“if you really insist.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All, Bonker,—I vill not keep vun! I can get more. +No, you most take zem all!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker opened his bag and put in the box without +a word.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You most write,”</span> said the Baron, <span class="tei tei-q">“tell me vere you +are. I shall not tell any soul, bot ven I can, I shall gom +up, and ve shall sup togezzer vunce more. Pairhaps ve +may haf anozzer adventure, ha, ha!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron’s laugh was almost too hearty to be true.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall let you know, as soon as I find a room. It +won’t be in the Mayonaise this time! Good-bye: good +sport and luck in love!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Good-bye, my frient, good-bye,”</span> said the Baron, +squeezing his hand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His friend was half out of the door when he turned, +and said with an intonation quite foreign either to Beveridge +or Bunker, and yet which came very pleasantly, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I forgot to warn you of one thing when I advised you +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page178">[pg 178]</span><a name="Pg178" id="Pg178" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to try the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">rôle</span></span> of +certified lunatic—you are not likely to +make so good a friend as I have.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He shut the door noiselessly and was gone.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron stood in the middle of the floor for fully +five minutes, looking blankly at the closed door; then +with a sigh he turned out the light and tumbled into bed +again.</p> +</div> +</div> + +<hr class="page" /><div id="LL0400" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page179">[pg 179]</span><a name="Pg179" id="Pg179" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc56" id="toc56"></a> +<a name="pdf57" id="pdf57"></a> +<h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 125%">PART IV.</span></span> +</h1> + +<div id="LL0401" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc58" id="toc58"></a> +<a name="pdf59" id="pdf59"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER I.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Dover express was nearing town: evening had +begun to draw in, and from the wayside houses +people saw the train roar by like a huge glowworm; +but they could hardly guess that it was +hurrying two real actors to the climax of a real comedy.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">From the opposite sides of a first-class carriage these +two looked cheerfully at one another. The Channel +was safely behind them, London was close ahead, and +the piston of the engine seemed to thump a triumphal air.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We’ve done it, Twiddel, my boy!”</span> said the one.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank Heaven!”</span> replied the other.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">And</span></span> myself,”</span> added his friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> said Twiddel; <span class="tei tei-q">“you played your part uncommonly +well, Welsh.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It was the deuce of a fine spree!”</span> sighed Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The deuce,”</span> assented Twiddel.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I’m only sorry it’s all over,”</span> Welsh went on, gazing +regretfully up at the lamp of the carriage. <span class="tei tei-q">“I’d give the +remains of my character and my chance of a public funeral +to be starting again from Paris by the morning train!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Twiddel laughed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“With the same head you had that morning?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page180">[pg 180]</span><a name="Pg180" id="Pg180" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, by George! Even with the same mile of dusty +gullet!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It’s all over now,”</span> said Twiddel, philosophically, +and yet rather nervously—<span class="tei tei-q">“at least the amusing part +of it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“All the fun, my boy, all the fun. All the dinners +and the drinks, and the touching of hats to the aristocratic +travellers, and the girls that sighed, and the bowing and +scraping. Do you remember the sporting baronet who +knew my uncle? Now, I’m plain Robert Welsh, whose +uncles, as far as I am aware, don’t know a baronet among +’em.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He smiled a little sardonically.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And the baron at Fogelschloss,”</span> said Twiddel.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who insisted on learning my pedigree back to Alfred +the Great! Gad, I gave it him, though, and I doubt +whether the real Essington could have done as much. +I’d rather surprise some of these noblemen if I turned up +again in my true character!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank the Lord, we’re not likely to meet them again!”</span> +exclaimed the doctor, devoutly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No,”</span> said Welsh; <span class="tei tei-q">“here endeth the second lesson.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His friend, who had been well brought up, looked a +trifle uncomfortable at this quotation.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I say,”</span> he remarked a few minutes later, <span class="tei tei-q">“we haven’t +finished yet. We’ve got to get the man out again, and +hand him back to his friends.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Cured,”</span> said Welsh, with a laugh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder how he is?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We’ll soon see.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page181">[pg 181]</span><a name="Pg181" id="Pg181" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They fell silent again, while the train hurried nearer +and nearer London town. Welsh seemed to be musing +on some nice point, it might be of conscience, it might +also conceivably be of a more practical texture. At last +he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“There’s just one thing, old man. What about +the fee?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll get a cheque for it, I suppose,”</span> his friend replied, +with an almost excessive air of mastery over the problem.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha!”</span> laughed Welsh; <span class="tei tei-q">“you know what I mean. +It’s a delicate question and all that, but, hang it, it’s got +to be answered.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What has?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The division of the spoil.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Twiddel looked dignified.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll see you get your share, old man,”</span> he answered, +easily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But what share?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You suggested £100, I think.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Out of £500—when I’ve done all the deceiving and +told all the lies! Come, old man!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, what do you want?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you remember a certain crisis when we’d made +a slip——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You’d made a slip!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">We</span></span> had made a slip, +and you wanted to chuck the +game and bolt? Do you remember also the terms I +proposed when I offered to beard the local god almighty +in his lair and explain it all away, and how he became +our bosom pal and we were saved?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page182">[pg 182]</span><a name="Pg182" id="Pg182" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“£300 to me, +<span class="tei tei-corr"><a name="E5" id="E5" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a href="#e5" class="tei tei-ref">£</a></span>200 +to you,”</span> said Welsh, decisively.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Rot, old man. I’ll share fairly, if you insist. £250 +apiece, will that do?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh said nothing, but his face was no longer the +countenance of the jovial adventurer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It will have to, I suppose,”</span> he replied, at length.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was with this little cloud on the horizon that they +saw the lights of London twinkle through the windows, +and were carried into the clamour of the platforms.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">They both drove first to Twiddel’s rooms; and as they +looked out once more on the life and lights and traffic of +the streets, their faces cleared again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We’ll have a merry evening!”</span> cried Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A little supper,”</span> suggested Twiddel; <span class="tei tei-q">“a music-hall——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Et cetera,”</span> added Welsh, with a laugh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The doctor had written of their coming, and they +found a fire in the back room, and the table laid.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah,”</span> cried Welsh, <span class="tei tei-q">“this looks devilish comfortable.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A letter for me,”</span> said Twiddel; <span class="tei tei-q">“from Billson, I +think.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He read it and threw it to his friend, remarking, <span class="tei tei-q">“I call +this rather cool of him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh read—</p> + +<div class="block tei tei-q"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Dear + George</span></span>,—I am just off for three weeks’ holiday. + Sorry for leaving your practice, but I think it can + look after itself till you return.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You have only had two patients, and one + fee between them. The second man vanished mysteriously. I shall + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page183">[pg 183]</span><a name="Pg183" id="Pg183" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + tell you about it when I come back. He boned a bill, too, + I fancy, but the story will keep.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am looking forward to hearing the true + tale of your adventures. Good luck to you.—Yours ever,</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: right"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Thomas Billson</span></span>.”</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Boned a bill?”</span> exclaimed Welsh. <span class="tei tei-q">“What bill, I +wonder?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Something that came when I was away, I suppose. +Hang it, I think Billson might have looked after things +better!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It sounds queer,”</span> said Welsh, reflectively; <span class="tei tei-q">“I wonder +what it was?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Confound Billson, he might have told me,”</span> observed +the doctor. <span class="tei tei-q">“But, I say, you know we have something +more practical to see to.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Getting the man out again?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, let’s have a little grub first.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Twiddel rang the bell, and the frowsy little maid entered, +carrying a letter on a tray.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dinner,”</span> said he.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Please, sir,”</span> began the maid, holding out the tray, +<span class="tei tei-q">“this come for you near a month agow, but Missis she bin +and forgot to send it hafter you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Confound her!”</span> said Twiddel, taking the letter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He looked at the envelope, and remarked with a little +start of nervous excitement, <span class="tei tei-q">“From Dr Congleton.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“News of Mr Beveridge,”</span> laughed Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The doctor read the first few lines, and then, as if he had +got an electric shock, the letter fell from his hand, and an +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page184">[pg 184]</span><a name="Pg184" id="Pg184" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +expression of the most utter and lively consternation came +over his face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Heavens!”</span> he ejaculated, <span class="tei tei-q">“it’s all up.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What’s up?”</span> cried Welsh, snatching at the letter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He’s run away!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh looked at him for a moment in some astonishment, +and then burst out laughing.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What a joke!”</span> he cried; <span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t see anything to make +a fuss about. We’re jolly well rid of him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The fee! I won’t get a penny till I bring him back. +And the whole thing will be found out!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the full meaning of this predicament burst upon +Welsh, his face underwent a change by no means pleasant +to watch. For a full minute he swore, and then an ominous +silence fell upon the room.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Twiddel was the first to recover himself.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Let me see the letter,”</span> he said; <span class="tei tei-q">“I haven’t +finished it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh read it aloud—</p> + +<div class="block tei tei-q"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Dear + Twiddel</span></span>,—I regret to inform you that the + patient, Francis Beveridge, whom you placed under my + care, has escaped from Clankwood. We have made every + inquiry consistent with strict privacy, but unfortunately + have not yet been able to lay our hands upon him. We + only know that he left Ashditch Junction in the London + express, and was seen walking out of St Euston’s Cross. + How he has been able to maintain himself in concealment + without money or clothes, I am unable to imagine.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As no inquiries have been made for him + by his cousin Mr Welsh, or any other of his friends or relatives, + I am writing to you that you may inform them, and I hope that + this letter may follow you abroad without delay. I may + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page185">[pg 185]</span><a name="Pg185" id="Pg185" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + add that the circumstances of his escape showed most unusual + cunning, and could not possibly have been guarded against.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Trusting that you are having a pleasant + holiday, I am, yours very truly,</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: right"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Adolphus S. Congleton</span></span>.”</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The two looked at one another in silence for a minute, +and then Welsh said, fiercely, <span class="tei tei-q">“You must catch him again, +Twiddel. Do you think I am going to have all my risk +and trouble for nothing?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">I</span></span> +must catch him! Do you suppose <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">I</span></span> +let him loose?<span class="tei tei-corr"><a name="E6" id="E6" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a href="#e6" class="tei tei-ref">”</a></span></span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You must catch him, all the same.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shan’t bother my head about him,”</span> answered Twiddel, +with the recklessness of despair.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You won’t? You want to have the story known, I +suppose?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t care if it is.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh looked at him for a minute: then he jumped up +and exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“You need a drink, old man. Let’s hurry +up that slavey.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With the first course their countenances cleared a little, +with the second they were almost composed, by the end of +dinner they had started plot-hatching hopefully again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It’s any odds on the man’s still being in town,”</span> said +Welsh. <span class="tei tei-q">“He had no money or clothes, and evidently he +hasn’t gone to any of his friends, or the whole story would +have been out. Now, there is nowhere where a man can +lie low so well, especially if he is hard up, as London. I +can answer from experience. He is hardly likely to be in +the West End, or the best class of suburbs, so we’ve something +to go upon at once. We must go to a private inquiry +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page186">[pg 186]</span><a name="Pg186" id="Pg186" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +office and put men on his track, and then we must +take the town in beats ourselves. So much is clear; do +you see?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And hadn’t we better find out whether anything more +is known at Clankwood?”</span> suggested Twiddel. <span class="tei tei-q">“Dr +Congleton wrote a month ago; perhaps they have caught +him by this time.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hardly likely, I’m afraid; he’d have written to you if +they had. Still, we can but ask.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But, I say!”</span> the doctor suddenly exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“people +may find out that I’m back without him.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh was equal to the emergency.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You must leave again at once,”</span> he said decisively, +rising from the table; <span class="tei tei-q">“and there’s no good wasting time, +either.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you mean?”</span> asked the bewildered doctor, +who had not yet assimilated the criminal point of view.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We’ll put our luggage straight on to a cab, drive off to +other rooms—I know a cheap place that will do—and if +by any chance inquiries are made, people must be told +that you are still abroad. Nobody must hear of your coming +home to-night.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is it——”</span> began Twiddel, dubiously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is it what?”</span> snapped his friend.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is it worth it?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is £500, not to speak of two reputations, worth it! +Come on!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The unfortunate doctor sighed, and rose too. He was +beginning to think that the nefarious acquisition of fees +might have drawbacks after all.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0402" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page187">[pg 187]</span><a name="Pg187" id="Pg187" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc60" id="toc60"></a> +<a name="pdf61" id="pdf61"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER II.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The chronicle must now go back a few days and follow +another up-express.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I must either be a clergyman or a policeman,”</span> Mr +Bunker reflected, in the corner of his carriage; <span class="tei tei-q">“they seem +to me to be on the whole the two least molested professions. +Each certainly has a livery which, if its occupier is +ordinarily judicious, ought to serve as a certificate of +sanity. To me all policemen are precisely alike, but I +daresay they know them apart in the force, and as all the +beats and crossings are presumably taken already, I +might excite suspicion by my mere superfluity. Besides, +a theatrical costumier’s uniform would possibly lack some +ridiculous but essential detail.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He lit another cigar and looked humorously out of the +window.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall take orders. An amateur theatrical clergyman’s +costume will be more comfortable, and probably +less erroneous. They allow them some latitude, I believe; +and I don’t suppose there are any visible ordination +scars whose absence would give me away. I shall certainly +study the first reverend brother I meet to see.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Thus wisely ruminating, he arrived in London at a very +early hour on a chilly morning, and drove straight to a +small hotel near King’s Cross, where the landlord was +much gratified at receiving so respectable a guest as the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page188">[pg 188]</span><a name="Pg188" id="Pg188" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +Rev. Alexander Butler. (<span class="tei tei-q">“I must begin with a B.”</span> said +Mr Bunker to himself; <span class="tei tei-q">“I think it’s lucky.”</span>)</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It is true the reverend gentleman was in evening clothes, +while his hat and coat had a singularly secular, not to say +fashionable, appearance; but, as he mentioned casually +in the course of some extremely affable remarks, he had +been dining in a country house, and had not thought it +worth while changing before he left. After breakfasting +he dressed himself in an equally secular suit of tweeds +and went out, he mentioned incidentally, to call at his +tailor’s for his professional habit, which he seemed surprised +to learn had not yet been forwarded to the hotel.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A visit to a certain well-known firm of theatrical costumiers +was followed by his reappearance in a cab accompanied +by a bulky brown paper parcel; and presently he +emerged from his room attired more consistently with his +office, much to his own satisfaction, for, as he observed, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I cannot say I approve of clergymen masquerading as +laymen.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">His opinion on the converse circumstance was not expressed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Much to his landlord’s disappointment, he informed +him that he should probably leave again that afternoon, +and then he went out for a walk.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">About half an hour later he was once more in the street +where, not so very long ago, a very exciting cab-race had +finished. He strolled slowly past Dr Twiddel’s house. +The blinds of the front room were down; at that hour +there was no sign of life about it, and he saw nothing at +all to arrest his attention. Then he looked down the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page189">[pg 189]</span><a name="Pg189" id="Pg189" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +other side of the street, and to his great satisfaction spied +a card, with the legend <span class="tei tei-q">“Apartments to let,”</span> in one of the +first-floor windows of a house immediately opposite.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He rang the bell, and in a moment a rotund and loquacious +landlady appeared. Yes, the drawing-room was to +let; would the reverend gentleman come up and see it? +Mr Bunker went up, and approved. They readily +agreed upon terms, and the landlady, charmed with her +new lodger’s appearance and manners, no less than with +the respectability of his profession, proceeded to descant +at some length on the quiet, comfort, and numerous other +advantages of the apartments.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Just the very plice you wants, sir. We ’ave ’ad +clerical gentlemen ’ere before, sir; in fact, there’s +one a-staying ’ere now, second floor,—you may know of +’im, sir,—the Reverend Mr John Duggs; a very pleasant +gentleman you’ll find him, sir. I’ll tell ’im +you’re ’ere, sir; ’e’d be +sure to like to meet another gentleman of the syme cloth, +has they say.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Somehow or other the Rev. Mr Butler failed to display +the hearty pleasure at this announcement that the worthy +Mrs Gabbon had naturally expected.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Aloud he merely said, <span class="tei tei-q">“Indeed,”</span> politely, but with no +unusual interest.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Within himself he reflected, <span class="tei tei-q">“The deuce take Mr John +Duggs! However, I want the rooms, and a man must risk +something.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As a precautionary measure he visited a second-hand +bookseller on his way back, and purchased a small assortment +of the severest-looking works on theology they kept +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page190">[pg 190]</span><a name="Pg190" id="Pg190" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +in stock; and these, with his slender luggage, he brought +round to Mrs Gabbon’s in the course of the afternoon.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He looked carefully out of his sitting-room window, +but the doctor’s blinds were still down, and he saw no one +coming or going about the house; so he began his inquiries +by calling up his landlady.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I have been troubled with lumbago, Mrs Gabbon,”</span> he +began.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dearie me, sir,”</span> said Mrs Gabbon, <span class="tei tei-q">“I’m sorry to ’ear +that; you that looks so ’ealthy too! Well, one never +knows what’s be’ind a ’appy hexterior, does one, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, Mrs Gabbon,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, solemnly; +<span class="tei tei-q">“one never knows what even a clergyman’s coat conceals.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That’s very true, sir. In the midst of life we are +in——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Lumbago,”</span> interposed Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs Gabbon looked a trifle startled.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well,”</span> he continued with the same gravity, <span class="tei tei-q">“I may +unfortunately have occasion to consult a doctor——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“There’s Dr Smith,”</span> interrupted Mrs Gabbon, her +equanimity quite restored by his ecclesiastical tone and +the mention of ailments; <span class="tei tei-q">“’e attended my poor dear +’usband hall through his last illness; an huncommon clever +doctor, sir, as I ought to know, sir, bein’——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No doubt an excellent man, Mrs Gabbon; but I should +like to know of one as near at hand as possible. Now I +see the name of a Dr Twiddel——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I wouldn’t recommend ’im, sir,”</span> said Mrs Gabbon, +pursing her mouth.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page191">[pg 191]</span><a name="Pg191" id="Pg191" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q"><span class="tei tei-add"><a name="E7" id="E7" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a href="#e7" class="tei tei-ref">“</a></span>Indeed? Why not?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“’E attended Mrs Brown’s servant-girl, +sir,—she bein’ +the lady as has the ’ouse next door,—and what he +give <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">’er</span></span> +didn’t do no good. Mrs Brown tell me ’erself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Still, in an emergency——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Besides which, he ain’t at ’ome, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where has he gone?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Abroad, they do say, sir; though I don’t rightly know +much about ’im.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Has he been away long?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mrs Gabbon considered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It must ’ave bin before the middle of November he +went, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha!”</span> exclaimed Mr Bunker, keenly, though apparently +more to himself than his landlady.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I beg your pardon, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The middle of November, you say? That’s a long +holiday for a doctor to take.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“’E ’avn’t no practice to speak +of,—not as I knows of, leastways.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What sort of a man is he—young or old?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“By my opinion, sir, ’e’s too young. I +don’t ’old by +them young doctors. Now Dr Smith, sir——”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dr Twiddel is quite a young man, then?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What I’d call little better than a boy, sir. They tell +me they lets ’em loose very young nowadays.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“About twenty-five, say?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“’E might be that, sir; but I don’t know much about +’im, sir. Now Dr Smith, sir, ’e’s different.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In fact at this point Mrs Gabbon showed such a tendency +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page192">[pg 192]</span><a name="Pg192" id="Pg192" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +to turn the conversation back to the merits of Dr +Smith and the precise nature of Mr Bunker’s ailment, +that her lodger, in despair, requested her to bring up a cup +of tea as speedily as possible.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Before the middle of November,”</span> he said to himself. +<span class="tei tei-q">“It is certainly a curious coincidence.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To a gentleman of Mr Bunker’s sociable habits and +active mind, the prospect of sitting day by day in the company +of his theological treatises and talkative landlady, +and watching an apparently uninhabited house, seemed +at first sight even less entertaining than a return to +Clankwood. But, as he said of himself, he possessed +a kind of easy workaday philosophy, and, besides that, an +apparently irresistible attraction for the incidents of +life.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He had barely finished his cup of tea, and was sitting +over the fire smoking one of the Baron’s cigars and looking +through one of the few books he had brought that bore no +relation to divinity, his feet high upon the side of the +mantelpiece, his ready-made costume perhaps a little +more unbuttoned than the strictest propriety might approve, +and a stiff glass of whisky-and-water at his elbow, +when there came a rap at his door.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In response to his <span class="tei tei-q">“Come in,”</span> a middle-aged gentleman, +dressed in clerical attire, entered. He had a broad, +bearded face, a dull eye, and an indescribably average +aspect.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The devil! Mr John Duggs himself,”</span> thought Mr +Bunker, hastily adopting a more conventional attitude +and feeling for his button-holes.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page193">[pg 193]</span><a name="Pg193" id="Pg193" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah—er—Mr Butler, I believe?”</span> said the stranger, +with an apologetic air.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The same,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, smiling affably.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I,”</span> continued his visitor, advancing with more confidence, +<span class="tei tei-q">“am Mr Duggs. I am dwelling at present in the +apartment immediately above you, and hearing of the +arrival of a fellow-clergyman, through my worthy friend +Mrs Gabbon, I have taken the liberty of calling. She +gave me to understand that you were not undesirous of +making my acquaintance, Mr Butler.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The deuce, she did!”</span> thought Mr Butler. Aloud he +answered most politely, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am honoured, Mr Duggs. +Won’t you sit down?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">First casting a wary eye upon a chair, Mr Duggs seated +himself carefully on the edge of it.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It is quite evident,”</span> thought Mr Bunker, <span class="tei tei-q">“that he has +spotted something wrong. I believe a bobby would have +been safer after all.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He assumed the longest face he could draw, and remarked +sententiously, <span class="tei tei-q">“The weather has been unpleasantly +cold of late, Mr Duggs.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He flattered himself that his guest seemed instantly +more at his ease. Certainly he replied with as much +cordiality as a man with such a dull eye could be supposed +to display.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It has, Mr Butler; in fact I have suffered from a chill +for some weeks. Ahem!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have something to drink,”</span> suggested Mr Bunker, +sympathetically. <span class="tei tei-q">“I’m trying a little whisky myself, as a +cure for cold.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page194">[pg 194]</span><a name="Pg194" id="Pg194" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I—ah—I am sorry. I do not touch spirits.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I, on the contrary, am glad to hear it. Too few of our +clergymen nowadays support the cause of temperance by +example.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker felt a little natural pride in this happily +expressed sentiment, but his visitor merely turned his cold +eye on the whisky bottle, and breathed heavily.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Confound him!”</span> he thought; <span class="tei tei-q">“I’ll give him something +to snort at if he is going to conduct himself like this.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have a cigar?”</span> he asked aloud.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Duggs seemed to regard the cigar-box a little less +unkindly than the whisky bottle; but after a careful look +at it he replied, <span class="tei tei-q">“I am afraid they seem a little too strong +for me. I am a light smoker, Mr Butler.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Really,”</span> smiled Mr Bunker; <span class="tei tei-q">“so many virtues in one +room reminds me of the virgins of Gomorrah.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I beg your pardon? The what?”</span> asked Mr Duggs, +with a startled stare.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker suspected that he had made a slip in his +biblical reminiscences, but he continued to smile imperturbably, +and inquired with a perfect air of surprise, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Haven’t you read the novel I referred to?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Duggs appeared a little relieved, but he answered +blankly enough, <span class="tei tei-q">“I—ah—have not. What is the book +you refer to?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, don’t you know? To tell the truth, I forget the +title. It’s by a somewhat well-known lady writer of +religious fiction. A Miss—her name escapes me at this +moment.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In fact, as Mr Bunker had no idea how long his friend +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page195">[pg 195]</span><a name="Pg195" id="Pg195" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +might be dwelling in the apartment immediately above +him, he thought it more prudent to make no statement +that could possibly be checked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am no great admirer of religious fiction of any kind,”</span> +replied Mr Duggs, <span class="tei tei-q">“particularly that written by emotional +females.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No,”</span> said Mr Bunker, pleasantly; <span class="tei tei-q">“I should imagine +your own doctrines were not apt to err on the sentimental +side.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am not aware that I have said anything to you about +my—doctrines, as you call them, Mr Butler.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Still, don’t you think one can generally tell a man’s +creed from his coat, and his sympathies from the way he +cocks his hat?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I think,”</span> replied Mr Duggs, <span class="tei tei-q">“that our ideas of our +vocation are somewhat different.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mine is, I admit,”</span> said Mr Bunker, who had come to +the conclusion that the strain of playing his part was really +too great, and was now being happily carried along by his +tongue.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Duggs for a moment was evidently disposed to give +battle, but thinking better of it, he contented himself with +frowning at his younger opponent, and abruptly changed +the subject.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“May I ask what position you hold in the church, Mr +Butler?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why,”</span> began Mr Bunker, lightly: it was on the tip of +his tongue to say <span class="tei tei-q">“a clergyman, of course,”</span> when he suddenly +recollected that he might be anything from the rank +of curate up to the people who wear gaiters (and who these +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page196">[pg 196]</span><a name="Pg196" id="Pg196" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +were precisely he didn’t know). An ingenious solution +suggested itself. He replied with a preliminary inquiry, +<span class="tei tei-q">“Have you ever been in the East, Mr Duggs?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I regret to say I have not hitherto had the opportunity.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thank the Lord for that,”</span> thought Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“I +have been a missionary,”</span> he said quietly, and looked +dreamily into the fire.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was a happy move. Mr Duggs was visibly impressed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah?”</span> he said. <span class="tei tei-q">“Indeed? I am much interested to +learn this, Mr Butler. It—ah—gives me perhaps a somewhat +different view of your—ah—opinions. Where did +your work lie?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“China,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, thinking it best to keep as +far abroad as possible.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha!”</span> exclaimed Mr Duggs. <span class="tei tei-q">“This is really extremely +fortunate. I am at present, Mr Butler, studying the +religions and customs of China at the British Museum, +with a view to going out there myself very shortly. I +already feel I know almost as much about that most interesting +country as if I had lived there. I should like to +talk with you at some length on the subject.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker saw that it was time to put an end to this +conversation, at whatever minor risk of perturbing his +visitor. He had been a little alarmed, too, by noticing +that Mr Duggs’ dull eye had wandered frequently to his +theological library, which with his usual foresight he had +strewn conspicuously on the table, and that any expression +it had was rather of suspicious curiosity than gratification.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page197">[pg 197]</span><a name="Pg197" id="Pg197" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I should like to hear some of your experiences,”</span> Mr +Duggs continued. <span class="tei tei-q">“In what province did you work?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In Hung Hang Ho,”</span> replied Mr Bunker. His visitor +looked puzzled, but he continued boldly, <span class="tei tei-q">“My experiences +were somewhat unpleasant. I became engaged to a +mandarin’s daughter—a charming girl. I was suspected, +however, of abetting an illicit traffic in Chinese lanterns. +My companions were manicured alive, and I only made +my escape in a pagoda, or a junk—I was in too much of a +hurry to notice which—at the imminent peril of my life. +Don’t go to China, Mr Duggs.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Duggs rose.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Young man,”</span> he said, sternly, <span class="tei tei-q">“put away that fatal +bottle. I can only suppose that it is under the influence of +drink that you have ventured to tell me such an irreverent +and impossible story.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sir,”</span> began Mr Bunker, warmly,—for he thought that +an outburst of indignation would probably be the safest +way of concluding the interview,—when he stopped abruptly +and listened. All the time his ears had been alive +to anything going on outside, and now he heard a cab +rattle up and stop close by. It might be at Dr Twiddel’s, +he thought, and, turning from his visitor, he sprang to the +window.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Remarking distantly, <span class="tei tei-q">“I hear a cab; it is possibly a +friend I am expecting,”</span> Mr Duggs stepped to the other +window.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was only, however, a hansom at the door of the next +house, out of which a very golden-haired young lady was +stepping. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page198">[pg 198]</span><a name="Pg198" id="Pg198" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<span class="tei tei-q">“Aha,”</span> said Mr Bunker, quite forgetting the indignant +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">rôle</span></span> he had begun to play; +<span class="tei tei-q">“rather nice! Is this your friend, Mr Duggs?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Duggs gave him one look of his dull eyes, and +walked straight for the door. As he went out he merely +remarked, <span class="tei tei-q">“Our acquaintance has been brief, Mr Butler, +but it has been quite sufficient.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Quite,”</span> thought Mr Bunker.</p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0403" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc62" id="toc62"></a> +<a name="pdf63" id="pdf63"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER III.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That was Mr Bunker’s first and last meeting with the +Rev. John Duggs, and he took no small credit to himself +for having so effectually incensed his neighbour, without, +at the same time, bringing suspicion on anything more +pertinent than his sobriety.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">And yet sometimes in the course of the next three days +he would have been thankful to see him again, if only to +have another passage-of-arms. The time passed most +wearily; the consulting-room blinds were never raised; no +cabs stopped before the doctor’s door; nobody except the +little servant ever moved about the house.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He could think of no plan better than waiting; and so he +waited, showing himself seldom in the streets, and even +sitting behind the curtain while he watched at the window. +After writing at some length to the Baron he had no +further correspondence that he could distract himself +with; he was even forced once or twice to dip into the +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page199">[pg 199]</span><a name="Pg199" id="Pg199" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +theological works. Mrs Gabbon had evidently <span class="tei tei-q">“’eard +sommat”</span> from Mr Duggs, and treated him to little of her +society. The boredom became so excessive that he decided +he must make a move soon, however rash it was.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The only active step he took, and indeed the only step +he saw his way to take, was a call on Dr Twiddel’s +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">locum</span></span>. +But luck seemed to run dead against him. Dr Billson +had departed <span class="tei tei-q">“on his holiday,”</span> he was informed, and +would not return for three weeks. So Mr Bunker was +driven back to his window and the Baron’s cigars.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was the evening of his fourth day in Mrs Gabbon’s +rooms. He had finished a modest dinner and was dealing +himself hands at piquet with an old pack of cards, when +he heard the rattle of a cab coming up the street. The +usual faint flicker of hope rose: the cab stopped below +him, the flicker burned brighter, and in an instant he was +at the window. He opened the slats of the blind, and the +flicker was aflame. Before the doctor’s house a four-wheeled +cab was standing laden with luggage, and two +men were going up the steps. He watched the luggage +being taken in and the cab drive away, and then he turned +radiantly back to the fire.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The curtain is up,”</span> he said to himself. <span class="tei tei-q">“What’s the +first act to be?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Presently he put on his +<span class="tei tei-corr"><a name="E8" id="E8" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a href="#e8" class="tei tei-ref">wide-awake</a></span> +hat and went out for +a stroll. He walked slowly past the doctor’s house, but +there was nothing to be seen or heard. Remembering the +room at the back, he was not surprised to find no chink of +light about the front windows, and thinking it better not +to run the risk of being seen lingering there, he walked on. +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page200">[pg 200]</span><a name="Pg200" id="Pg200" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +He was in such good spirits, and had been cooped up so +continually for the last few days, that he went on and on, +and it was not till about a couple of hours had passed that +he approached his rooms again. As he came down the +street he was surprised to see by the light of a lamp that +another four-wheeler was standing before the doctor’s +house, also laden with luggage.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Two men jumped in, one after another, and when he +had come at his fastest walk within twenty yards or so, +the cabman whipped up and drove rapidly away, luggage +and men and all.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He looked up and down for a hansom, but there were +none to be seen. For a few yards he set off at a run in +pursuit, and then, finding that the horse was being driven +at a great rate, and remembering the paucity of stray cabs +in the quiet streets and roads round about, he stopped and +considered the question.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“After all,”</span> he reflected, <span class="tei tei-q">“it may not have been Dr +Twiddel who drove away; in fact, if it was he who arrived +in the first cab, it’s any odds against it. Pooh! It can’t +be. Still, it’s a curious thing if two cabs loaded with +luggage came to the house in the same evening, and one +drove away without unlading.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With his spirits a little damped in spite of his philosophy, +he went back to his rooms.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">In the morning the consulting-room blinds were still +down, and the house looked as deserted as ever.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He waited till lunch, and then he went out boldly and +pulled the doctor’s bell. The same little maid appeared, +but she evidently did not recognise the fashionable patient +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page201">[pg 201]</span><a name="Pg201" id="Pg201" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +who disappeared so mysteriously in the demure-looking +clergyman at the door.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Is Dr Twiddel at home?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sir, he ain’t back yet.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He hasn’t been back?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker looked at her keenly, and then said to himself, +<span class="tei tei-q">“She is lying.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He thought he would try a chance shot.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But he was expected home last night, I believe.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The maid looked a little staggered.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He ain’t been,”</span> she replied.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I happen to have heard that he called here,”</span> he hazarded +again.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This time she was evidently put about.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He ain’t been here—as I knows of.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He slipped half-a-crown into her hand.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Think again,”</span> he said, in his most winning accents.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The poor little maid was obviously in a dilemma.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Do you want him particular, sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Particularly.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">She fidgeted a little.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He told me,”</span> he pursued, <span class="tei tei-q">“that he might look in at +his rooms last night. He left no message for me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What +<span class="tei tei-corr"><a name="E9" id="E9" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><a href="#e9" class="tei tei-ref">name</a></span>, +sir?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr Butler.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Then, my dear,”</span> said Mr Bunker, with his most insinuating +smile, <span class="tei tei-q">“he was here for a little, you can’t +deny?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page202">[pg 202]</span><a name="Pg202" id="Pg202" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At the maid’s embarrassed glance down his long coat, +he suddenly realised that there was perhaps a distinction +between lay and clerical smiles.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“He might have just looked in, sir,”</span> she admitted.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But he didn’t want it known?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Quite right, I advised him not to, and you did very well +not to tell me at first.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He smiled approvingly and made a pretence of turning +away.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, by the way,”</span> he added, stopping as if struck by an +after-thought, <span class="tei tei-q">“Is he still in town? He promised to leave +word for me, but he has evidently forgotten.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I don’t know, sir; ’e didn’t say.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What? He left <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">no</span></span> word at all?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker held out another half-crown.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It’s truth, sir,”</span> said the maid, drawing back; <span class="tei tei-q">“we +don’t know where ’e is.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Take it, all the same; you have been very discreet. +You have no idea?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The maid hesitated.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">did</span></span> ’ear Mr +Welsh say something about lookin’ for +rooms,”</span> she allowed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In London?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I expect so, sir; but ’e didn’t say no more.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mr Welsh is the friend who came with him, of course?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Thanks,”</span> said Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“By the way, Dr Twiddel +might not like your telling this even to a friend, so you +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page203">[pg 203]</span><a name="Pg203" id="Pg203" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +needn’t say I called, I’ll tell him myself when I see him, +and I won’t give you away.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He smiled benignly, and the little maid thanked him +quite gratefully.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Evidently,”</span> he thought as he went away, <span class="tei tei-q">“I was +meant for something in the detective line.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He returned to his rooms to meditate, and the longer +he thought the more puzzled he became, and yet the +more convinced that he had taken up a thread that must +lead him somewhere.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“As for my plan of action,”</span> he considered, <span class="tei tei-q">“I see nothing +better for it than staying where I am—and watching. +This mysterious doctor must surely steal back some night. +Now and then I might go round the town and try a cast in +the likeliest bars—oh, hang me, though! I forgot I was a +clergyman.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">That night he had a welcome distraction in the shape of +a letter from the Baron. It was written from Brierley +Park, in the Baron’s best pointed German hand, and it ran +thus—</p> + +<div class="block tei tei-q"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">My + dear Bunker</span></span>,—I was greatly more delighted + than I am able to express to you from the amusing correspondence + you addressed me. How glad I am, I can + assure you, that you are still in safety and comfort. Remember, + my dear friend, to call for me when need arises, + although I do think you can guard yourself as well as + most alone.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“This leaves me happy and healthful, and + in utmost prosperity with the kind Sir Richard and his charming + Lady. You English certainly know well how to cause + time to pass with mirth. About instruction I say less!</span></p> + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page204">[pg 204]</span><a name="Pg204" id="Pg204" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“They have talked of you here. I laugh + and keep my tongue when they wonder who he is and whither gone + away. Now that anger is passed and they see I myself + enjoy the joke, they say, and especially do the ladies, + (You humbug, Bunker!) <span class="tei tei-q">‘How charming was the imitation, + Baron!’</span> You can indeed win the hearts, if wishful + so. The Lady Grillyer and her unexpressable daughter + I have often seen. To-day they come here for two nights. + I did suggest it to Lady Brierley, and I fear she did suspect + the condition of my heart; but she charmingly smiled, + she asked them, and they come!</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The Countess, I fear, does not now love + you much, my friend; but then she knows not the truth. The Lady + Alicia is strangely silent on the matter of Mr Bunker, but + in time she also doubtless will forgive.</span> <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-size: 100%">(At this Mr + Bunker smiled in some amusement.)</span></span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“When they leave Brierley I also shall + take my departure on the following day, that is in three days. + Therefore write hastily, Bunker, and name the place and hour + where we shall meet again and dine festively. I expect a + most reverent clergyman and much instructive discourse. + Ah, humbug!—Thine always,</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: right"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Rudolph von Blitzenberg</span></span>.”</span></p> +</div> + +<div class="block tei tei-q"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">P.S.</span></span>—She + is sometimes more kind and sometimes so + distant. Ah, I know not what to surmise! But to-morrow + or the next my fate will be decided. Give me of + your prayers, my reverent friend!</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: right"><span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">R. von B</span></span>.”</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dear old Baron!”</span> said Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I’ve at +least a dinner to look forward to.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page205">[pg 205]</span><a name="Pg205" id="Pg205" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +</div> + +<div id="LL0404" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<a name="toc64" id="toc64"></a> +<a name="pdf65" id="pdf65"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER IV.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Dr Twiddel, meanwhile, was no less anxious to make +the Rev. Alexander Butler’s acquaintance than the Rev. +Alexander Butler was to make his. Not that he was +aware of that gentleman’s recent change of identity and +occupation; but most industrious endeavors to find a certain +Mr Beveridge were made in the course of the next few +days. He and Welsh were living modestly and obscurely +in the neighbourhood of the Pentonville Road, scouring +the town by day, studying a map and laying the most +ingenious plans at night. Welsh’s first effort, as soon as +they were established in their new quarters, was to induce +his friend to go down to Clankwood and make further +inquiries, but this Twiddel absolutely declined to do.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear chap,”</span> he answered, <span class="tei tei-q">“supposing anything +were found out, or even suspected, what am I to say? +Old Congleton knows me well, and for his own sake doesn’t +want to make a fuss; but if he really spots that something +is wrong, he will be so afraid of his reputation that he’d +give me away like a shot.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“How are you going to give things away by going down +and seeing him?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">If</span></span> they have guessed +anything, I’ll give it away. I +haven’t your cheek, you know, and tact, and that sort of +thing; you’d much better go yourself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">I?</span></span> It isn’t my business.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page206">[pg 206]</span><a name="Pg206" id="Pg206" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You seem to be making it yours. Besides, Dr Congleton +thinks it is. You passed yourself off as the chap’s +cousin, and it is quite natural for you to go and inquire.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh pondered the point. <span class="tei tei-q">“Hang it,”</span> he said at last, +<span class="tei tei-q">“it would do just as well to write. Perhaps it’s safer +after all.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Well, you write.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Why should I, rather than you?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Because you’re his cousin.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh considered again. <span class="tei tei-q">“Well, I don’t suppose it +matters much. I’ll write, if you’re afraid.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was these amiable little touches in his friend’s conversation +that helped to make Twiddel’s lot at this time +so pleasant. In fact, the doctor was learning a good deal +about human nature in cloudy weather.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With great care Welsh composed a polite note of anxious +inquiry, and by return of post received the following +reply:—</p> + +<div class="block tei tei-q"> + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">My + dear Sir</span></span>,—I regret to inform you that we have + not so far recovered your cousin Mr Beveridge. In all + probability, however, this cannot be long delayed now, as + he was seen within the last week at a country house in + Dampshire, and is known to have fled to London immediately + on his recognition, but before he could be + secured. He was then clean shaved, and had been passing + under the name of Francis Bunker. We are making + strict inquiries for him in London.</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Nobody can regret the unfortunate + circumstance of his escape more than I, and, in justice to + myself and my institution, I can assure you that it was only + through the most unforeseen and remarkable ingenuity on your + cousin’s part that it occurred.</span></p> + <span class="tei tei-pb" id="page207">[pg 207]</span><a name="Pg207" id="Pg207" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Trusting that I may soon be able to + inform you of his recovery, I am, yours very truly,</span></p> + + <p class="tei tei-p" style="text-align: right; margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q" style="text-align: right">“<span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: right"><span style="font-variant: small-caps">Adolphus S. Congleton</span></span>.</span></p> +</div> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Their ardour was, if possible, increased by Dr Congleton’s +letter. Mr Beveridge was almost certainly in London, +and they knew now that they must look for a clean-shaved +man. Two private inquiry detectives were at +work; and on their own account they had mapped the +likeliest parts of London into beats, visiting every bar and +restaurant in turn, and occasionally hanging about stations +and the stopping-places for ’buses.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">It was dreadfully hard work, and after four days of it, +even Welsh began to get a little sickened.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Hang it,”</span> he said in the evening, <span class="tei tei-q">“I haven’t had a +decent dinner since we came back. Mr Bunker can go to +the devil for to-night, I’m going to dine decently. I’m +sick of going round pubs, and not even stopping to have a +drink.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“So am I,”</span> replied Twiddel, cordially; <span class="tei tei-q">“where shall +we go?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“The Café Maccarroni,”</span> suggested Welsh; <span class="tei tei-q">“we can’t +afford a West-end place, and they give one a very decent +dinner there.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Café Maccarroni in Holborn is nominally of +foreign extraction,—certainly the waiters and the stout +proprietor come from sunnier lands,—and many of the +diners you can hear talking in strange tongues, with quick +gesticulations. But for the most part they are respectable +citizens of London, who drink Chianti because it stimulates +cheaply and not unpleasantly. The white-painted +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page208">[pg 208]</span><a name="Pg208" id="Pg208" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +room is bright and clean and seldom very crowded, the +British palate can be tickled with tolerable joints and +cutlets, and the foreign with gravy-covered odds and ends. +Altogether, it may be recommended to such as desire to +dine comfortably and not too conspicuously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The hour at which the two friends entered was later +than most of the <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">habitués</span></span> +dine, and they had the room +almost to themselves. They faced each other across a +small table beside the wall, and very soon the discomforts +of their researches began to seem more tolerable.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We’ll catch him soon, old man,”</span> said Welsh, smiling +more affably than he had smiled since they came back. +<span class="tei tei-q">“A day or two more of this kind of work and even London +won’t be able to conceal him any longer.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Dash it, we must,”</span> replied Twiddel, bravely. <span class="tei tei-q">“We’ll +show old Congleton how to look for a lunatic.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha!”</span> laughed Welsh, <span class="tei tei-q">“I think he’ll be rather relieved +himself. Waiter! another bottle of the same.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The bottle arrived, and the waiter was just filling their +glasses when a young clergyman entered the room and +walked quietly towards the farther end. Welsh raised +his glass and exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“Here’s luck to ourselves, Twiddel, +old man!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At that moment the clergyman was passing their table, +and at the mention of this toast he started almost imperceptibly, +and then, throwing a quick glance at the two, +stopped and took a seat at the next table, with his back +turned towards them. Welsh, who was at the farther +side, looked at him with some annoyance, and made a +sign to Twiddel to talk a little more quietly.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page209">[pg 209]</span><a name="Pg209" id="Pg209" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">To the waiter, who came with the +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">menu</span></span>, the clergyman +explained in a quiet voice that he was waiting for a friend, +and asked for an evening paper instead, in which he soon +appeared to be deeply engrossed.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At first the conversation went on in a lower tone, but in +a few minutes they insensibly forgot their neighbour, and +the voices rose again by starts.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear fellow,”</span> Welsh was saying, <span class="tei tei-q">“we can discuss +that afterwards; we haven’t caught him yet.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I want to settle it now.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But I thought it was settled.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, it wasn’t,”</span> said Twiddel, with a foreign and +vinous doggedness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you suggest then?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Divide it equally—£250 each.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You think you can claim half the credit for the idea +and half the trouble?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I can claim <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">all</span></span> the +risk—practically.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Pooh!”</span> said Welsh. <span class="tei tei-q">“You think I risked nothing? +Come, come, let’s talk of something else.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Oh, rot!”</span> interrupted Twiddel, who by this time was +decidedly flushed. <span class="tei tei-q">“You needn’t ride the high horse like +that, you are not Mr Mandell-Essington any longer.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With a violent start, the clergyman brought his fist +crash on the table, and exclaimed aloud, <span class="tei tei-q">“By Heaven, +that’s it!”</span></p> +</div> + +<div id="LL0405" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page210">[pg 210]</span><a name="Pg210" id="Pg210" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +<a name="toc66" id="toc66"></a> +<a name="pdf67" id="pdf67"></a> +<h2 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 2.88em; margin-top: 2.88em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 100%">CHAPTER V.</span></span> +</h2> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As one may suppose, everybody in the room started in +great astonishment at this extraordinary outburst. With +a sharp <span class="tei tei-q">“Hollo!”</span> Twiddel turned in his seat, to see the +clergyman standing over him with a look of the keenest +inquiry in his well-favoured face.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“May I ask, Dr Twiddel, what you know of the gentleman +you just named?”</span> he said, with perfect politeness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The conscience-smitten doctor gazed at him blankly, +and the colour suddenly left his face. But Welsh’s +nerves were stronger; and, as he looked hard at the +stranger, a jubilant light leaped to his eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“It’s our man!”</span> he cried, before his friend could gather +his wits. <span class="tei tei-q">“It’s Beveridge, or Bunker, or whatever he +calls himself! Waiter!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Instantly three waiters, all agog, hurried at his summons.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker regarded him with considerable surprise. +He had quite expected that the pair would be thrown into +confusion, but not that it would take this form.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Excuse me, sir,”</span> he began, but Welsh interrupted him +by crying to the leading waiter—</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Fetch a four-wheeled cab and a policeman, quick!”</span> +As the man hesitated, he added, <span class="tei tei-q">“This man here is an +escaped lunatic.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The waiter was starting for the door, when Mr Bunker +stepped out quickly and interrupted him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Stop one minute, waiter,”</span> he said, with a quiet, unruffled +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page211">[pg 211]</span><a name="Pg211" id="Pg211" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +air that went far to establish his sanity. <span class="tei tei-q">“Do I +look like a lunatic? Kindly call the proprietor first.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The stout proprietor was already on his way to their +table, and the one or two other diners were beginning to +gather round. Mr Bunker’s manner had impressed +even Welsh, and after his nature he took refuge in bluster.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I say, my man,”</span> he cried, <span class="tei tei-q">“this won’t pass. Somebody +fetch a cab.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Vat is dees about?”</span> asked the proprietor, coming up.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Your wine, I’m afraid, has been rather too powerful +for this gentleman,”</span> Mr Bunker explained, with a smile.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Look here,”</span> blustered Welsh, <span class="tei tei-q">“do you know you’ve +got a lunatic in the room?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You can perhaps guess it,”</span> smiled Mr Bunker, indicating +Welsh with his eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The waiters began to twitter, and Welsh, with an effort, +pulled himself together.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My friend here,”</span> he said, <span class="tei tei-q">“is Dr Twiddel, a well-known +practitioner in London. He can tell you that he +certified this man as a lunatic, and that he afterwards +escaped from his asylum. That is so, Twiddel?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes,”</span> assented Twiddel, whose colour was beginning +to come back a little.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Who are you, sare?”</span> asked the proprietor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Show him your card, Twiddel,”</span> said Welsh, producing +his own and handing it over.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The proprietor looked at both cards, and then turned to +Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And who are you, sare?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My name is Mandell-Essington.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page212">[pg 212]</span><a name="Pg212" id="Pg212" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“His name——”</span> began Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Have you a card?”</span> interposed the proprietor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am sorry I have not,”</span> replied Mr Bunker (to still +call him by the name of his choice).</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“His name is Francis Beveridge,”</span> said Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I beg your pardon; it is Mandell-Essington.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Any other description?”</span> Welsh asked, with a sneer.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“A gentleman, I believe.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No other occupation?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Not unless you can call a justice of the peace such,”</span> +replied Mr Bunker, with a smile.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And yet he disguises himself as a clergyman!”</span> exclaimed +Welsh, triumphantly, turning to the proprietor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker saw that he was caught, but he merely +laughed, and observed, <span class="tei tei-q">“My friend here disguises himself +in liquor, a much less respectable cloak.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Unfortunately the humour of this remark was somewhat +thrown away on his present audience; indeed, coming +from a professed clergyman, it produced an unfavourable +impression.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are not a clergyman?”</span> said the proprietor, suspiciously.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am glad to say I am not,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, +frankly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Den vat do you do in dis dress?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I put it on as a compliment to the cloth; I retain it at +present for decency,”</span> said Mr Bunker, whose tongue had +now got a fair start of him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Mad,”</span> remarked Welsh, confidentially, shrugging his +shoulders with really excellent dramatic effect.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page213">[pg 213]</span><a name="Pg213" id="Pg213" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">By this time the audience were disposed to agree with +him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You can give no better account of yourself dan dis?”</span> +asked the proprietor.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am anxious to,”</span> replied Mr Bunker, <span class="tei tei-q">“but a public +restaurant is not the place in which I choose to give it.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Fetch the cab and the policeman,”</span> said Welsh to a +waiter.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this moment another gentleman entered the room, +and at the sight of him Mr Bunker’s face brightened, +and he stopped the waiter by a cry of, <span class="tei tei-q">“Wait one moment; +here comes a gentleman who knows me.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Everybody turned, and beheld a burly, very fashionably +dressed young man, with a fair moustache and a cheerful +countenance.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, Bonker!”</span> he cried.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">This confirmation of Mr Bunker’s +<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">aliases</span></span> ought, one +would expect, to have delighted the two conspirators, but, +instead, it produced the most remarkable effect. Twiddel +utterly collapsed, while even Welsh’s impudence at +last deserted him. Neither said a word as the Baron von +Blitzenberg greeted his friend with affectionate heartiness.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My friend, zis is good for ze heart! Bot, how? vat +makes it here?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron, the most unfortunate mistake has +occurred. Two men here——”</span> But at this moment he +stopped in great surprise, for the Baron was staring hard +first at Welsh and then at Twiddel.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah!”</span> he exclaimed, <span class="tei tei-q">“Mr Mandell-Essington, I zink?”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page214">[pg 214]</span><a name="Pg214" id="Pg214" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh hesitated for an instant, and his hesitation was +evident to all. Then he replied, <span class="tei tei-q">“No, you are mistaken.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Surely I cannot be; you did stay in Fogelschloss?”</span> +said the Baron. <span class="tei tei-q">“Is not zis Dr Twiddel?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No—er—ah—yes,”</span> stammered Twiddel, looking feebly +at Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron looked from the one to the other in great +perplexity, when Mr Bunker, who had been much puzzled +by this conversation, broke in, <span class="tei tei-q">“Did you call that person +Mandell-Essington?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I cairtainly zought it vas.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Where did you meet him?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In Bavaria, at my own castle.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are mistaken, sir,”</span> said Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“One moment, Mr Welsh,”</span> said Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“How +long ago was this, Baron?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Jost before I gom to London. He travelled viz zis +ozzer gentleman, Dr Twiddel.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You are wrong, sir,”</span> persisted Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“For his health,”</span> added the Baron.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">A light began to dawn on Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“His health?”</span> he cried, and then smiled politely at +Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“We will talk this over, Mr Welsh.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am sorry I happen to be going,”</span> said Welsh, taking +his hat and coat.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What, without your lunatic?”</span> asked Mr Bunker.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“That is Dr Twiddel’s affair, not mine. Kindly let me +pass, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, Mr Welsh; if you go now, it will be in the company +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page215">[pg 215]</span><a name="Pg215" id="Pg215" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +of that policeman you were so anxious to send for.”</span> +There was such an unmistakable threat in Mr Bunker’s +voice and eye that Welsh hesitated. <span class="tei tei-q">“We will talk it over, +Mr Welsh,”</span> Mr Bunker repeated distinctly. <span class="tei tei-q">“Kindly sit +down. I have several things to ask you and your friend +Dr Twiddel.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Muttering something under his breath, Welsh hung up +his coat and hat, sat down, and then assuming an air of +great impudence, remarked, <span class="tei tei-q">“Fire away, Mr +Mandell-Essington—Beveridge—Bunker, +or whatever you call yourself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Without paying the slightest attention to this piece of +humour, Mr Bunker turned to the bewildered proprietor, +and, to the intense disappointment of the audience, said, +<span class="tei tei-q">“You can leave us now, thank you; our talk is likely to be +of a somewhat private nature.”</span> As their gallery withdrew, +he drew up a chair for the Baron, and all four sat +round the small table.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Now,”</span> said Mr Bunker to Welsh, <span class="tei tei-q">“you will perhaps +be kind enough to give me a precise account of your +doings since the middle of November.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I’m d——d if I do,”</span> replied Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Sare,”</span> interposed the Baron in his stateliest manner, +<span class="tei tei-q">“I know not now who you may be, but I see you are no +gentleman. Ven you are viz gentlemen—and noblemen—you +vill please to speak respectfully.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The stare that Welsh attempted in reply was somewhat +ineffective.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps, Dr Twiddel, you can give the account I +want?”</span> said Mr Bunker.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page216">[pg 216]</span><a name="Pg216" id="Pg216" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The poor doctor looked at his friend, hesitated, and +finally stammered out, <span class="tei tei-q">“I—I don’t see why.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker pulled a paper out of his pocket and showed +it to him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Perhaps this may suggest a why.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">When the doctor saw the bill for Mr Beveridge’s linen, +the last of his courage ebbed away. He glanced helplessly +at Welsh, but his ally was now leaning back in his +chair with such an irritating assumption of indifference, +and the prospective fee had so obviously vanished, that +he was suddenly seized with the most virtuous resolutions.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“What do you want to know, sir?”</span> he asked.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“In the first place, how did you come to have anything +to do with me?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh, whose sharp wits instantly divined the weak +point in the attack, cut in quickly, <span class="tei tei-q">“Don’t tell him if he +doesn’t know already!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">But Twiddel’s relapse to virtue was complete. <span class="tei tei-q">“I was +asked to take charge of you while——”</span> He hesitated.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“While I was unwell,”</span> smiled Mr Bunker. <span class="tei tei-q">“Yes?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I was to travel with you.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ah!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But I—I didn’t like the idea, you see; and so—in +fact—Welsh suggested that I should take him instead.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“While you locked me up in Clankwood?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Yes.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha, ha!”</span> laughed Mr Bunker, <span class="tei tei-q">“I must say it was +a devilish humorous idea.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">At this Twiddel began to take heart again.</p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page217">[pg 217]</span><a name="Pg217" id="Pg217" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I am very sorry, sir, for——”</span> he began, when the +Baron interrupted excitedly.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Zen vat is your name, Bonker?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">I</span></span> am Mr +Mandell-Essington, Baron.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">The Baron looked at the other two in turn with wide-open +eyes.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Then he turned indignantly upon Welsh.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You were impostor zen, sare? You gom to my house +and call yourself a gentleman, and impose upon me, and +tell of your family and your estates. You, a low—er—er—vat +you say?—a low <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">cad!</span></span> +Bonker, I cannot sit at ze same table viz zese persons!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">He rose as he spoke.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“One moment, Baron! Before we send these gentlemen +back to their really promising career of fraud, I want +to ask one or two more questions.”</span> He turned to Twiddel. +<span class="tei tei-q">“What were you to be paid for this?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“£500.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Mr Bunker opened his eyes. <span class="tei tei-q">“That’s the way my +money goes? From your anxiety to recapture me, I +presume you have not yet been paid?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, I assure you, Mr Essington,”</span> said Twiddel, +eagerly; <span class="tei tei-q">“I give you my word.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I shall judge by the circumstances rather than your +word, sir. It is perhaps unnecessary to inform you that +you have had your trouble for nothing.”</span> He looked at +them both as though they were curious animals, and +then continued: <span class="tei tei-q">“You, Mr Welsh, are a really wonderfully +typical rascal. I am glad to have met you. You +can now put on your coat and go.”</span> As Welsh still sat +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page218">[pg 218]</span><a name="Pg218" id="Pg218" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> +defiantly, he added, <span class="tei tei-q">“<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">At +once</span></span>, sir! or you may possibly +find policemen and four-wheeled cabs outside. I have +something else to say to Dr Twiddel.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">With the best air he could muster, Welsh silently cocked +his hat on the side of his head, threw his coat over his arm, +and was walking out, when a watchful waiter intercepted +him.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Your bill, sare.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My friend is paying.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“No, Mr Welsh,”</span> cried the real Essington; <span class="tei tei-q">“I think +you had better pay for this dinner yourself.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">Welsh saw the vigilant proprietor already coming towards +him, and with a look that augured ill for Twiddel +when they were alone, he put his hand in his pocket.</p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ha, ha!”</span> laughed Essington, <span class="tei tei-q">“the inevitable bill!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“And now,”</span> he continued, turning to Twiddel, <span class="tei tei-q">“you, +doctor, seem to me a most unfortunately constructed +biped; your nose is just long enough to enable you to be +led into a singularly original adventure, and your brains +just too few to carry it through creditably. Hang me if I +wouldn’t have made a better job of the business! But +before you disappear from the company of gentlemen I +must ask you to do one favour for me. First thing to-morrow +morning you will go down to Clankwood, tell +what lie you please, and obtain my legal discharge, or +whatever it’s called. After that you may go to the devil—or, +what comes much to the same thing, to Mr Welsh—for +all I care. You will do this without fail?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ye—es,”</span> stammered Twiddel, <span class="tei tei-q">“certainly, sir.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“You may now retire—and the faster the better.”</span></p> +<span class="tei tei-pb" id="page219">[pg 219]</span><a name="Pg219" id="Pg219" class="tei tei-anchor"></a> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em">As the crestfallen doctor followed his ally out of the +restaurant, the Baron exclaimed in disgust, <span class="tei tei-q">“Ze cads! +You are too merciful. You should punish.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“My dear Baron, after all I am obliged to these rascals +for the most amusing time I have ever had in my life, and +one of the best friends I’ve ever made.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ach, Bonker! Bot vat do I say? You are not Bonker +no more, and yet may I call you so, jost for ze sake of +pleasant times? It vill be too hard to change.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“I’d rather you would, Baron. It will be a perpetual +in memoriam record of my departed virtues.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Departed, Bonker?”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Departed, Baron,”</span> his friend repeated with a sigh; +<span class="tei tei-q">“for how can I ever hope to have so spacious a field for +them again? Believe me, they will wither in an atmosphere +of orthodoxy. And now let us order dinner.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“But first,”</span> said the Baron, blushing, <span class="tei tei-q">“I haf a piece of +news.”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Baron, I guess it!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“Ze Lady Alicia is now mine! Congratulate!”</span></p> + +<p class="tei tei-p" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em"><span class="tei tei-q">“With all my heart, Baron! What could be a fitter +finish than the detection of villainy, the marriage of all +the sane people, and the apotheosis of the lunatic?”</span></p> + +<div class="tei tei-tb"> </div> + +<p class="tei tei-trailer" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 75%">THE END.</span></p> +</div> +</div> +</div> + +<div class="tei tei-back" style="margin-bottom: 2.00em; margin-top: 6.00em"> + <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <a name="toc68" id="toc68"></a> + <a name="pdf69" id="pdf69"></a> + <h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: center; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"> + <span class="tei tei-hi" style="text-align: center"><span style="font-size: 125%">ERRATA.</span></span> + </h1> + + <a name="e1" id="e1" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">PART I.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">CHAPTER IV.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Changed: he whistled, <a href="#E1" class="tei tei-ref"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">The</span></span></a> + sounds outside</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">To: he whistled, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">the</span></span> + sounds outside</td></tr></tbody></table> + + <a name="e2" id="e2" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">PART I.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">CHAPTER VI.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Changed: Ye<a href="#E2" class="tei tei-ref"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">-</span></span></a>es.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">To: Ye<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">—</span></span>es.</td></tr></tbody></table> + + <a name="e3" id="e3" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">PART I.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">CHAPTER VII.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Changed: which that <a href="#E3" class="tei tei-ref"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">disapponted</span></span></a> + official only</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">To: which that <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">disappointed</span></span> + official only</td></tr></tbody></table> + + <a name="e4" id="e4" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">PART III.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">CHAPTER V.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Changed: something out<a href="#E4" class="tei tei-ref"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">.</span></span></a>” he said</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">To: something out<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">,</span></span>” he said</td></tr></tbody></table> + + <a name="e5" id="e5" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">PART IV.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">CHAPTER I.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Changed: to me, <a href="#E5" class="tei tei-ref"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">$</span></span></a>200 to you</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">To: to me, <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">£</span></span>200 to you</td></tr></tbody></table> + + <a name="e6" id="e6" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">PART IV.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">CHAPTER I.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Changed: <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">I</span></span> let him loose?<a href="#E6" class="tei tei-ref"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">’</span></span></a></td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">To: <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-style: italic">I</span></span> let him loose?<span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">”</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table> + + <a name="e7" id="e7" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">PART IV.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">CHAPTER II.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Changed: <a href="#E7" class="tei tei-ref"><span class="tei tei-hi"> </span></a>Indeed? + Why not?”</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">To: <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">“</span></span>Indeed? + Why not?”</td></tr></tbody></table> + + <a name="e8" id="e8" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">PART IV.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">CHAPTER III.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Changed: on his <a href="#E8" class="tei tei-ref"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">wideawake</span></span></a> hat and</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">To: on his <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">wide-awake</span></span> hat and</td></tr></tbody></table> + + <a name="e9" id="e9" class="tei tei-anchor"></a><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">PART IV.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">CHAPTER III.</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Changed: “What <a href="#E9" class="tei tei-ref"><span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">nime</span></span></a>, sir?” + </td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">To: “What <span class="tei tei-hi"><span style="font-weight: 700">name</span></span>, sir?” + </td></tr></tbody></table> + </div> + + <hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 5.00em; margin-top: 5.00em"> + <div id="pgfooter" class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 4.00em; margin-top: 4.00em"><pre class="pre tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em">***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LUNATIC AT LARGE*** +</pre><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; margin-top: 3.00em"><a name="rightpageheader70" id="rightpageheader70"></a><a name="pgtoc71" id="pgtoc71"></a><a name="pdf72" id="pdf72"></a><h1 class="tei tei-head" style="text-align: left; margin-bottom: 3.46em; margin-top: 3.46em"><span style="font-size: 173%">Credits</span></h1><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr><th class="tei tei-label tei-label-gloss">January 30, 2007 </th></tr><tr><td class="tei tei-item"><table summary="This is a list." class="tei tei-list" style="margin-bottom: 1.00em; margin-top: 1.00em"><tbody><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item">Project Gutenberg Edition</td></tr><tr class="tei tei-labelitem"><th class="tei tei-label"></th><td class="tei tei-item"><span class="tei tei-respStmt"> + <span class="tei tei-name">Roland Schlenker and<br /></span> + <span class="tei tei-name">Online Distributed Proofreading Team</span> + </span></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table></div><hr class="doublepage" /><div class="tei tei-div" style="margin-bottom: 3.00em; 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