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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/27684-8.txt b/27684-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ecfd186 --- /dev/null +++ b/27684-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11910 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Anthony Lyveden, by Dornford Yates + +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 included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Anthony Lyveden + +Author: Dornford Yates + +Release Date: January 5, 2009 [EBook #27684] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANTHONY LYVEDEN *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + + +ANTHONY LYVEDEN + + +BY + +DORNFORD YATES + + + + +WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED + +LONDON AND MELBOURNE + + + + +Library Editions of "Anthony Lyveden" + + + First Published . . 1921 + Reprinted . . . . 1922 + Reprinted . . . . 1923 + Reprinted . . . . 1925 + Reprinted . . . . 1928 + Reprinted . . . . 1929 + Reprinted . . . . 1932 + Reprinted . . . . 1935 + Reprinted . . . . 1939 + Reprinted . . . . 1942 + Reprinted . . . . 1943 + Reprinted . . . . 1944 + Reprinted . . . . 1945 + + +MADE IN ENGLAND + +Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London + + + + +TO + +ELM TREE ROAD + + whose high walls, if they could talk, + would tell so many pretty tales. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAP. + + I THE WAY OF A MAN + II THE WAY OF A MAID + III THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE + IV THE GOLDEN BOWL + V AN HIGH LOOK AND A PROUD HEART + VI THE COMFORT OF APPLES + VII NEHUSHTAN + VIII THE POWER OF THE DOG + IX VANITY OF VANITIES + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE WAY OF A MAN + +Major Anthony Lyveden, D.S.O., was waiting. + +For the second time in three minutes he glanced anxiously at his wrist +and then thrust his hand impatiently into a pocket. When you have worn +a wristwatch constantly for nearly six years, Time alone can accustom +you to its absence. And at the present moment Major Lyveden's watch +was being fitted with a new strap. The pawnbroker to whom he had sold +it that morning for twenty-two shillings was no fool. + +The ex-officer walked slowly on, glancing into the windows of shops. +He wanted to know the time badly. Amid the shifting press of +foot-passengers a little white dog stuck to his heels resolutely. The +sudden sight of a clock-maker's on the opposite side of the +thoroughfare proved magnetic. Pausing on the kerb to pick up the +Sealyham, Lyveden crossed the street without more ado.... + +Twenty-one minutes past three. + +Slowly he put down the terrier and turned eastward. It was clear that +he was expecting something or somebody. + +It was a hot June day, and out of the welter of din and rumble the cool +plash of falling water came to his straining ears refreshingly. At +once he considered the dog and, thankful for the distraction, stepped +beneath the portico of a provision store and indicated the marble basin +with a gesture of invitation. + +"Have a drink, old chap," he said kindly. "Look. Nice cool water for +Patch." And, with that, he stooped and dabbled his fingers in the pool. + +Thus encouraged the little white dog advanced and lapped gratefully.... + +"Derby Result! Derby Result!" + +The hoarse cry rang out above the metallic roar of the traffic. + +Lyveden caught his breath sharply and then stepped out of the shelter +of the portico on to the crowded pavement. He was able to buy a paper +almost immediately. + +Eagerly he turned it about, to read the blurred words.... + +For a moment he stood staring, oblivious of all the world. Then he +folded the sheet carefully, whistled to Patch, and strode off westward +with the step of a man who has a certain objective. At any rate, the +suspense was over. + +A later edition of an evening paper showed Major Anthony Lyveden that +the horse which was carrying all that he had in the world had lost his +race by a head. + + * * * * * + +By rights Anthony should have been born about the seventh of March. A +hunting accident to his father, however, ushered him into the middle of +the coldest January ever remembered, and that with such scant ceremony +that his lady mother only survived her husband by six and a half hours. +When debts, funeral and testamentary expenses had been deducted from +his father's bank balance, the sum of twenty-three pounds nine +shillings was all that was left, and this, with the threat of royalties +from one or two books, represented the baby's fortune. Jonathan Roach, +bachelor, had risen to the occasion and taken his sister's child. + +Beyond remembering that he did handsomely by his nephew, bred him as +became his family, sent him to Harrow and Oxford, and procured him a +commission in the Royal Regiment of Artillery before most of the boy's +compeers had posted their applications to the War Office, with the +living Jonathan Roach we are no further concerned. + +The old gentleman's will shall speak for itself and the man who made it. + + +_THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me, Jonathan Roach, of 75 +Princes Gardens, in the County of London, Esquire. I give, devise, and +bequeath all my real and personal estate of every description unto my +nephew Anthony Lyveden absolutely, provided that and so soon as my said +nephew shall receive the honour of Knighthood or some higher +dignity...._ + + +Anthony received the news while the guns, which he was temporarily +commanding, were hammering at the gates of Gaza. He read the letter +carefully twice. Then he stuffed it into a cross-pocket and +straightway burst into song. That the air he selected was a music-hall +ditty was typical of the man. + +Curiously enough, it was the same number that he was whistling under +his breath as he strode into Hyde Park this June afternoon. + +Patch, who had never been out of London, thought the world of the +Parks. After the barren pavements, for him the great greenswards made +up a Land of Promise more than fulfilled. The magic carpet of the +grass, stuffed with a million scents, was his Elysium. A bookworm made +free of the Bodleian could not have been more exultant. The many +trees, too, were more accessible, and there were other dogs to frolic +with, and traffic, apparently, was not allowed. + +When he had walked well into the Park, Lyveden made for a solitary +chair and sat himself down in the sun. For a while he remained wrapped +in meditation, abstractedly watching the terrier stray to and fro, +nosing the adjacent turf with the assiduity of a fond connoisseur. + +For nine long months the ex-officer had sought employment, indoor or +outdoor, congenial or uncongenial. The quest was vain. Once he had +broached the matter haltingly to an influential acquaintance. The +latter's reception of his distress had been so startlingly obnoxious +that he would have died rather than repeat the venture. Then Smith of +Dale's, Old Bond Street--Smith, who had cut his hair since he was a +boy, and was his fast friend--had told him of Blue Moon. + +There is more racing chatter to be heard at the great hairdressers' +than almost anywhere else outside a race-course. Some of it is worth +hearing, most of it is valueless. The difficulty, as elsewhere, is to +sift the wheat from the chaff. + +According to Smith, Blue Moon was being kept extremely quiet. +Certainly the horse was little mentioned. Lyveden had never heard his +name. And thirty-three to one was a long price.... + +Lyveden pricked up his ears, and Smith became frightened. He was +genuinely attached to his young customer, and knew that he was in low +water. He begged him not to be rash.... + +After some careful calculations, which he made upon a sheet of club +note-paper, Lyveden came to the conclusion that thirty-three birds in +the bush were better than one in the hand. Reckoning a bird at one +hundred pounds and Lyveden's available assets at the same number of +guineas, who is to say he was wrong? + +At twenty minutes to five on the eve of the Derby, Lyveden handed a +protesting Smith one hundred and one pounds, to be invested on Blue +Moon--"to win only." The odd note was to bring Smith his reward. + +A big bookmaker whom Smith was shaving as usual, at a quarter-past six, +accepted the commission, pocketed the notes with a sigh, and gave the +master-barber forty to one. + +Four thousand pounds--in the bush. + +That his thirty-three nebulous birds had become forty before they took +flight, Anthony never knew. A man whose sole assets are a Sealyham, a +very few clothes, and twenty-two shillings and sixpence, does not, as a +rule, go to Dale's. + +"Young fellow, come here." + +Patch came gaily, and Lyveden set him upon his knee. + +"Listen," he said. "Once upon a time there was a fool, who came back +from the War. It was extremely foolish, but then, you see, Patch, he +was a fool. Well, after a while he began to feel very lonely. He'd no +relations, and what friends he'd had in the old days had disappeared. +So he got him a dog--this fool, a little white scrap of a dog with a +black patch." The terrier recognized his name and made a dab at the +firm chin. "Steady! Well, yes--you're right. It was a great move. +For the little white dog was really a fairy prince in disguise--such a +pretty disguise--and straightway led the fool into Paradise. Indeed, +they were so happy together, the fool and the dog, that, though no work +came along, nothing mattered. You see, it was a fool's paradise. That +was natural. The result was that one day the fool lifted up his eyes, +and there was a great big finger-post, pointing the way they were +going. And it said WAY OUT. The dog couldn't read, so it didn't worry +him; but the fool could, and fear smote upon his heart. In fact, he +got desperate, poor fool. Of course, if he'd had any sense, he'd 've +walked slower than ever or even tried to turn round. Instead of that, +he ran. Think of it, Patch. _Ran_." The emotion of his speech was +infectious, and the terrier began to pant. "Was there ever quite such +a fool? And before they knew where they were, the two were without the +gates. And there"--the voice became strained, and Lyveden +hesitated--"there were ... two paths ... going different ways. And by +each path was a notice-board. And one said NO DOGS ALLOWED. And the +other said NO FOOLS ALLOWED. And there were only the two paths. Patch +... going different ways...." + +The approach of a peripatetic tax-collector brought the allegory to an +end. + +Anthony paid for his occupation of the chair in silence, and the +collector plodded off at a tangent in the direction of his next quarry. +This appearing to be an old lady, he presently altered his course. +With a caution bred of experience, he would approach her from behind. + +A convenient clock struck four, and Lyveden rose to his feet.... + +Two hours later he descended the area steps of a mansion in Lancaster +Gate. + +The change in his appearance was quite remarkable. The grey suit, soft +hat, golf collar and brown shoes, which he had worn in the afternoon, +had been put off. In their stead Lyveden was wearing a bowler hat, +black boots, a single collar, which stood up uncomfortably all the way +round his neck, and a dark blue suit. The latter was clean and had +been carefully brushed, but it was manifestly old. Besides, it was +obvious that the man who made them had meant the trousers to be worn +turned up. Their owner's present disregard of such intention argued +his humble respectability. + +Arrived at the foot of the steps, Anthony thrust a relieving finger +between his throat and the collar for the last time, raised his eyes to +heaven, and rang the bell. + +After a moment or two the door was opened by a fair-haired girl in a +print dress. Her sleeves were rolled up, and her hands and arms +dripping. + +"Afternoon, miss," said Lyveden. He was determined to do the thing +properly. "Your lady still wanting a footman?" + +The girl stared at him. Then-- + +"I dunno," she said. "Better come in, an' I'll see." + +Anthony thanked her and entered. She shut the door and flung down the +passage and out of sight. A second later a momentary burst of chatter +suggested that she had opened the door of the servants' hall. + +For a minute or two nothing happened, and Lyveden stood in the passage +with his hat in his hand, wondering whether his engagement was to rest +with the butler. Then a door opened and closed, and a girl dressed as +a parlour-maid appeared upon the scene. She was walking slowly, and +seemed to be endeavouring to extricate something from the depths of her +mouth. + +"Come in answer to the ad.?" she queried. + +"That's right," said Lyveden. + +"Oh." She leaned against the wall and regarded a wet forefinger. "Got +a bone in me gum," she added abstractedly. + +Anthony wondered whether he was expected to offer assistance, but, +deciding to risk a breach of etiquette, assumed a look of anxiety +instead. + +"How rotten!" he murmured. + +The girl looked at him curiously. Then-- + +"'Addock, too," she said. "An' that's easy, reelly, as fish goes. But +there, I ain't got much use for any fish, 'cept salmon. Shall I say +you're 'ere?" + +"Yes, please, miss. I've no appointment." + +"You're the firs', any way," was the comforting reply. + +She left him standing. + +The inspection to which during her absence Lyveden was subjected was +only less trying than the open secrecy with which it was conducted. +Heads were thrust into the passage to be withdrawn amid a paroxysm of +giggling. Somebody was pushed into full view to retire precipitately +amid an explosion of mirth. Preceded by stifled expressions of +encouragement, a pert-looking lady's maid strolled leisurely past the +newcomer, opened the back door, closed it, and returned as haughtily as +she had gone. She was applauded ridiculously.... + +Anthony swore under his breath. + +At last the parlour-maid reappeared, finger in mouth. + +"Somethin' crool, this bone is," she vouchsafed. "Come on." + +Anthony followed her gratefully upstairs and presently into a small +withdrawing room upon the first floor. + +From an expensively hideous couch Mrs. Slumper regarded the fruit of +her advertisement. + +She was a large vulgar-looking woman of about fifty summers. +Whosesoever the hair of her head, it was most elaborately dressed and +contained five combs. Anthony counted them. She was enclosed in a +dress which was at once highly fashionable and painfully unbecoming, +and the pearls which rose and fell upon her tremendous bosom were +almost too good to be true. From beneath the short skirt a pair of +ponderous legs terminated in all the anguish of patent-leather shoes. +Anthony bowed. + +"'Oo 'ave you bin with?" said Mrs. Slumper. + +"If you take me, madam, this will be my first place." + +Mrs. Slumper choked with emotion. + +"Firs' place!" she cried. "Want ter try yer 'and on me?" She looked +round savagely. "Where's me lorenets?" she added furiously. + +Much as a victim-to-be might hand his dispatcher the knife, Anthony +plucked the eye-glasses from beneath a cushion and put them into her +hand. + +His action took the wind out of her sails. Anthony saw this, and +hastened to press his advantage. + +"I know it's unusual, madam, but I'm quite willing to leave at the end +of a week without wages, if you're not satisfied." + +Mrs. Slumper grunted with astonishment. + +"Wot wages joo ask?" + +"Seventy-two pounds a year, madam, and--er--all found. And one +afternoon a week," he added boldly. + +Mrs. Slumper blinked at him curiously. + +"You don' look ser bad," she said grudgingly. "An' I'm sick an' tired +of tryin' for a footman, or I'd see yer further. 'Owever...." She +looked up sharply. "Will yer put that in writin' abaout the week?" + +"Certainly, madam." And, with that, Lyveden stepped to a bureau and +wrote his undertaking upon a sheet of note-paper. He was about to +affix his signature, when it occurred to him that footmen do not write +at their mistresses' bureaus except privily or by invitation. He +flushed furiously. There was, however, no help for it now. The thing +was done. Desperately he signed his name. He handed the paper to the +lady humbly enough. + +Mrs. Slumper sighed. + +"In course," she said, "we 'ave things very well done. The butler's +aout naow, or I'd 'ave 'im up. But you'll 'ave ter wait, an' open the +door, an' clean the boots, an' come aout on the car. I've got some noo +livery--never bin worn yet--did ought ter fit you a treat. An'--'ow +soon kin yer come?" she demanded suddenly. + +"To-morrow evening, madam." + +"Or-right." + +Anthony bowed himself out. + +If the parlour-maid had not been on the landing, he would have leaned +against the wall and covered his face. + +The girl glanced at the door he had just closed. + +"Ain't she a little dream?" + +Anthony grinned. + +"Might be worse," he ventured, endeavouring to steer between the +respective sandbanks of disloyalty and odium. "I've got the place," he +added ingenuously. + +The girl stared at him. + +That Anthony did not appreciate why she had remained upon the landing +was to her incredible. + +"I 'eard," she said loftily. + +Anthony felt crushed. + +At his suggestion she let him out of the front door. + +"See yer to-morrow," she cried. + +"That's right, miss." + +Anthony passed down the steps and walked quickly away. Before he had +covered a hundred paces, he stopped and turned up his trousers. The +sartorial forfeit to respectability had served its turn. + +When Mr. Hopkins, the butler, returned a little unsteadily at a quarter +to ten to learn that his mistress had engaged a "proper toff" as his +footman, he was profoundly moved. + + * * * * * + +A visit to the West End offices of _Dogs' Country Homes, Ltd._, which +he made the next morning, satisfied Anthony that, by putting Patch in +their charge, he was doing the best he could. There was a vacancy at +the Hertfordshire branch, less than forty minutes from town, and he +arranged to lodge the terrier there the same afternoon. For the sum of +a guinea a week the little dog would be fed and housed and exercised. +A veterinary surgeon was attached to the staff, which was carefully +supervised. Patch would be groomed every day and bathed weekly. +Visitors were welcomed, and owners often called to see their dogs and +take them out for a walk. It was quite customary. + +Lyveden emerged from the office a little comforted. + +He spent a busy morning. + +Deliberately he went to his club. There he wrote to the secretary, +resigning his membership. When he had sealed the letter, he looked +about him. The comfort--the luxury of it all was very tasty, very +appealing. He regretted that he had not used it more often. There was +a time when he had thought the place dull. Blasphemy! In his hungry +eyes the house became a temple--its members, votaries, sworn to go +sleepily about their offices--its rooms, upholstered shrines, chapels +of ease.... + +The door opened and a footman came in. + +The silver dream shivered into a million flinders. + +After the generous atmosphere of Pall Mall, the reek of the "old +clothes" shop was more offensive than usual. The six pounds ten, +however, was worth fighting for. Then some cheap hosiery had to be +purchased--more collars of the bearing-rein type, some stiff shirts, +made-up white ties, pinchbeck studs and cufflinks. As he emerged from +the shop, Anthony found himself wondering whether he need have been so +harsh with himself about the collars. After all, it was an age of +Socialism. Why should a footman be choked? He was as good as Mrs. +Slumper--easily. And she wasn't choked. She was squeezed, though, and +pinched.... + +He lodged his baggage--suit-case and hold-all--at the cloakroom, and +took Patch to lunch. + +It was by no means the first time that the Sealyham's lunch had been +the more expensive of the two. Often and often he had fed well to the +embarrassment of his master's stomach. To-day he was to have +liver--his favourite dish. Upon this Lyveden was resolved. + +The pair visited five restaurants and two public-houses in quest of +liver. At the eighth venture they were successful. At the sign of +_The Crooked Billet_ liver and bacon was the dish of the day. So much +a blurred menu was proclaiming from its enormous brass frame. Before +the two were half-way upstairs, the terrier's excitement confirmed its +tale. + +Of the two portions, Patch consumed the liver and Anthony the bacon. +This was rather salt, but the zest with which the Sealyham ate +furnished a relish which no money could buy. + +Then came a ghastly train journey. Mercifully Patch could not +understand.... + +A mile and a half from the station, the Dogs' Home stood in a pleasant +place under the lee of a wood. Fair meadows ringed it about, and in +the bright sunshine the red-brick house and out-buildings looked +cheerful and promising. + +Slowly the two passed up the well-kept drive. + +With his little white dog in his arms, Anthony Lyveden was shown +everything. A jolly fair-haired girl--the superintendent--conducted +him everywhere. The dogs--all sizes and shapes--welcomed her coming. +Of Patch she made a great deal. + +"You must be very proud of him," she said to Anthony. + +"I am. And--we're great friends. I hope he won't fret much." + +"A little at first, probably. You'll be coming to see him?" + +"Once a week, always," said Lyveden. "Oftener if I can." + +Presently they returned to the office, where Anthony paid four guineas +and received a receipt. Patch was entered in a big book, together with +his age and description. Another column received his owner's name and +address. The girl hesitated. + +"We like," she said, "to have the telephone number, in case of +accidents." + +"I'll send it to you to-night." + +The entry was blotted, and the girl rose. The formalities were at an +end. + +Lyveden picked up his hat. + +Patch greeted the familiar signal joyously. Clearly the call was over. +It had been a good visit--the best they had ever paid. No other place +they had been to was full of dogs. Yet to be out and about with his +master was better still. He leapt up and down, rejoicing. + +Anthony caught him from one of his bounds, held the white scrap very +close and let him lick his nose. Then he bade him be a good dog and +handed him to the girl. She received him tenderly. + +"I'm very much obliged to you," he said. "Good day. I'll let myself +out. It--it'll be better." + +One more caress, and he passed out into the hall--blindly. There had +been a look in the bright brown eyes that tore his heart. + +For a moment Patch fought desperately. Then he heard a door opened and +listened intently. A draught swept, and the door closed heavily. With +a sudden wrench he was out of the girl's arms and across the shadowy +hall. For a moment he stood sniffing, his nose clapped to the sill of +the front door. Then he lifted up his voice and wept bitterly. + + * * * * * + +In the long mirror, half-way up the front staircase, Major Anthony +Lyveden, D.S.O., surveyed himself stealthily. + +"Not much the matter with the kit," he said grudgingly. + +That was largely because there was nothing the matter with the man. + +Six feet one in his socks, deep-chested and admirably proportioned, +Lyveden cut a fine figure. His thick dark hair was short and carefully +brushed, and his lean face was brown with the play of wind and rain and +sun. Such features as his broad forehead, aquiline nose, and strong +well-shaped mouth, would have distinguished any countenance. Yet the +whole of it was shapely and clean-cut, and there was a quiet +fearlessness about the keen grey eyes that set you thinking. As a +footman he looked magnificent. But he would have killed any master +stone dead. Royalty itself could not have borne such a comparison. + +As we have seen, the strain of the last fortnight, culminating in Blue +Moon's failure and his parting with Patch, had played the deuce with +his temperament. The man had gone all to pieces. That, now that a +week had gone by, he was himself again, the following letter will show. +It will serve also as a record, and so, gentlemen, spare both of us. + + +_DEAR TOBY,_ + +_Before you sailed you were urgent upon me that I should constantly +report progress. Nine months have gone by, and I have not written +once. Still, my conscience is clear. Hitherto I have had no progress +to report._ + +_Now, however, I have news for you._ + +_You are friends with a footman, Toby. You need not deny it, because I +know better. You see, I have been in service for one week to-day._ + +_My mistress is indescribable--a very mammoth among women. Except +during prohibited hours, her replica may be seen behind the saloon-bar +of any public-house in, say, Bethnal Green. Below stairs she is known +as "the dream-child." My master appears to have married, not so much +beneath him as beyond him. He is "something in the City." This is as +well, for he is nothing in Lancaster Gate. I like him rather._ + +_You would get on with the butler, who is addicted to drink. The +ladies of the servants' hall are rather trying, but mean well. The +chauffeur is a most superior man. In fact, except that he has been +twice convicted of felony and continually boasts of his successful +desertion from the Army in 1917, there is nothing against him. My work +would be comparatively light if the unfortunate resemblance, to which I +have alluded above, were less pronounced. In a word, the butler's +working day finishes at 2 p.m., and on two occasions I have had to +repair to "The Blue Goat" as late as seven-thirty to hale him out of +the tap-room in time for dinner. His carriage in the dining-room, when +he can hardly see, is one of the wonders of the world._ + +_Of course I go out with the car--usually to a wedding. The +solemnization of matrimony, especially if one of the parties is of +noble birth, draws the dream-child as a magnet the steel. Need I say +that she is an uninvited guest? Yesterday, at the wedding of a young +Marquess, she was stopped at the doors. "Lef me card at 'ome," was her +majestic reply. Before they had recovered she was in the aisle. +Having regard to her appearance, I am of opinion that such conduct is +libellous._ + +_On Monday she gave what she calls a "Serciety Crush." This was well +attended, chiefly by aliens, many of whom wore miniature decorations, +to which, I fear, they were not entitled. These were, I fancy, hired +with the dress-coats to which they were fastened. That they enjoyed +the viands is emphasized by the fact that, prior to their departure, +several of the guests concealed about their persons such delicacies as +the flight of time alone had prevented them from consuming. But for +the indisposition of the butler, I should have spent a most amusing +evening._ + +_Little altercations between my master and mistress are of frequent +occurrence. Occasionally they appeal to me to settle the dispute. +Once I actually took the liberty of separating them. Indeed, as +recently as yesterday evening the dream-child, who had been keeping up +her reading, observed that "the rilewise was thinkin' of givin' up the +narrer gorge."_ + +_"Gage, me dear--gage," says Mr. Slumper._ + +_"That's right," says his wife with hideous irony. "Put yer betters to +rights, Schooly. Ugh, I wonder yer dare! An' wot do you know about +it, you hugly worm?"_ + +_Stung to the quick by the painful accuracy of this appellative, her +husband was understood to mutter that he had rather be an ill-favoured +worm than an overdressed parrot with a swollen head._ + +_Only waiting to throw a glass of water in his direction, the +dream-child demanded my ruling in a voice shaking with indignation._ + +_I immediately declared in favour of "gouge"--a decision for which Mr. +Slumper, to whom victory is even more terrible than defeat, will thank +me yet._ + +_Of such is my life. Either Saturday or Sunday afternoon I go off +duty. Then I dive into the country and visit my dog, who is well cared +for. We spend a hilarious few hours, and Lancaster Gate is never +mentioned. In the servants' hall, by the way, I am credited with a +delicate wife--an impression which I have taken care not to correct, +for where there are gathered together eight single ladies,_ les +avantages de manage _cannot be over-estimated._ + +_And now I must take up the tea._ + +_If ever you receive this letter, find time to reply. I know I have +spoken ill of your hand-writing, but I take it all back._ + +Bien ŕ toi, vieux sot, + _ANTHONY LYVEDEN._ + + +Anthony, then, was surveying himself, if you remember, in a long +mirror. He had just taken up the tea. He was taking a second look at +what he could see of his back, when the front-door bell rang. Even at +this elevation there was no mistaking its deep peremptory note. +Lyveden descended the stairs. + +He opened the door faultlessly to find himself face to face with a man +who had been his first servant when his battery had been in France. + +For a moment the two footmen stared at one another. Then-- + +"Glad to see you, Walters," said Lyveden heartily. + +"Same to you, sir," said Walters, touching his hat. "An', beggin' your +pardon, sir, is Lady 'Elen at 'ome?" + +"There's no Lady Helen here," said Lyveden. "This is Mrs. Slumper's +house." + +"Oh, very good, sir," said Walters jerkily. "Sorry to 'ave troubled +you, sir." He touched his hat and turned away nervously.... + +Anthony continued to hold the door open till the car should have passed +on. + +Walters was making his report. It appeared that this was +unsatisfactory, for a moment later he was again at the door. + +"Excuse me, sir, but would you speak to my lady?" + +Lyveden descended the steps. + +From the luxury of a smart landaulette a dame of some consequence +regarded him shrewdly. She had, of course, witnessed the comedy upon +the steps. + +"Who lives here?" she demanded haughtily. + +Lyveden drew himself up. + +"Mrs. Slumper, madam." + +His statement was received with an irrational suspicion. + +"Indeed! I didn't know that Lady Helen Amiens had let her house." + +"Neither, madam, did I." + +The great lady stared at Anthony, who looked straight ahead. Then-- + +"I--I beg your pardon," she murmured. + +Anthony bowed and turned on his heel. As he passed Walters, who was +standing wide-eyed, the latter touched his hat faithfully. + +When the car had passed on, Anthony closed the door thoughtfully. It +had not occurred to him that the house had been hired as it stood. +Certainly the Slumpers had given no hint of such a state of affairs. +Probably they felt it to be beneath their dignity. It being no affair +of his, Lyveden decided to keep his own counsel. + + * * * * * + +Two days later Anthony visited Patch for the second time. + +The same relentless train that had rushed the two down to Hertfordshire +that dreadful Thursday had become an easy-going friend. By pocketing +his lunch, Lyveden could catch it with anything under five minutes to +spare. This gave the two another three-quarters of an hour. + +Their second meeting was a replica of the first. + +Anthony was admitted, announced his desire, and sat down in the dim +hall. Presently a brisk familiar step made itself heard--firm little +paws meeting the tough linoleum squarely--and Anthony rose to his feet. +Out of a passage came Patch readily, the fair-haired girl behind him +bidding him go ahead. For a moment he looked about him. Then he saw +Lyveden, stiffened and stood stock still. The next second, with his +body clapped to the floor, he had darted sharply across and, laying his +head sideways, crouched at his idol's feet--an adoring suppliant, +craving to be raised. + +"Why, Patch----" + +The white scrap quivered and flung up a panting visage. Lyveden +stooped and gathered him in his arms. The terrier licked his face +frantically. Then he squirmed like a mad thing till he was down, tore +to a basket of logs, and of his strength brought a billet gripped in +his big mouth and laid it at Anthony's feet. + +The girl laughed merrily. + +"What did I tell you?" said Lyveden. "It's just the way of his heart. +I must always have a present when I have been away." + +Lord and squire went for a wonderful walk. The woodland and meadows of +Hertfordshire fairly beggared the Parks.... + +Tea at a tiny inn sunk in a dell through which a sleepy lane trickled +between high banks--tea in the pocket garden under sweet-smelling +limes, where stocks stood orderly and honeysuckle sprawled over the +brick-nogging, brought back old days of happy fellowship, just to +outshine their memory. + +From the cool of the house came on a sudden the click of metal and the +swift whirr of wheels. Somewhere a clock was in labour--an old, old +timepiece, to whom the telling of the hours was a grave matter. A +moment later a thin old voice piped out the birth of a new period. + +Five o'clock. + +Peacefully Lyveden expelled a cloud of smoke. He need not be moving +for another quarter of an hour. Upon the warm red bricks at his feet +Patch lay dozing after his dish of weak tea. + +"Could you give it me in the garden?" + +The fresh clear voice floated out of the doorway just in front of my +lady herself. Arrived there, she stood for a moment looking pleasedly +round. It is doubtful whether the old woodwork had ever before framed +such a picture. + +There was nothing remarkable about the dress, except her wearing of it. +There is a grace of carriage that will make purple of sackcloth. +Still, the gown was well cut of fawn-coloured stuff, which her +stockings and shoes matched. Her face was generous--proud, too, yet +tender and very beautiful. The soft rose of her cheeks, the misty blue +of her eyes stood there for gentleness, the curve of the red lips for +pride. Wisdom sat in her temples under the thick dark hair. Strength +herself had moulded the exquisite chin. And a rogue of a dimple was +there to mock the lot of them--the print of the delicate finger of +Laughter herself, set in a baby's cheek twenty-five years before. A +tiny watch upon a silk strap served to enhance the slenderness of a +white wrist. Against the dark cloud of hair, which they were setting +straight, the pointed fingers stood out like living statuary. Lifted +elbows gave you the graceful line of her figure: the short skirt, +ankles to match the wrists.... + +Looking upon her, Lyveden forgot the world. He may be forgiven, for +she was a sight for sore eyes. + +Having set her hair to her liking she put on her hat, pulling it down +with a fine careless confidence such as no manner of mirror could give. + +She had not seen Lyveden when Patch, counting her Irish terrier an +intruder, took him suddenly by the throat.... + +In an instant the place was Bedlam. + +My lady hovered about the combatants, one hand to her breast, the other +snatching frantically at her favourite's tail: Lyveden leapt to his +feet and, cramming his pipe into a pocket, flung himself forward: the +mistress of the inn and her maid crowded each other in the doorway, +emitting cries of distress: and the now ravening flurry of brown and +white raged snarling and whirling upon the brick pavement with all the +finished frightfulness of the _haute école_. + +Arrived at close quarters, Anthony cast a look round. Then he picked +up the pair anyhow and swung them into the water-butt two paces away. + +For a moment the contents boiled, seething as if possessed. Then, with +a fearful convulsion, the waves parted and the water gave up its prey. +Two choking, gasping, spluttering heads appeared simultaneously: with +one accord four striving paws clawed desperately at the rim of the +butt. The fight was off. + +Intelligently the girl stepped up on to a convenient bench, and Anthony +lifted the Irish terrier out of his watery peril. As was to be +expected, he shook himself inconsiderately, and Anthony, who was not on +the bench, was generously bedewed. Then Patch was hauled out by the +scruff of his neck.... So far as could be seen, neither of the dogs +was one penny the worse. There had been much cry, but little wool. + +Lyveden turned to my lady and raised his hat. + +"I'm awfully sorry," he said. "My dog was entirely to blame." + +"D'you mind controlling him now?" she said coldly. + +Lyveden called Patch, and the Sealyham trotted up, shaking the water +out of his ears as he came. Wet as he was, the man picked him up and +put him under his arm. + +"I hope your dog isn't hurt," he said quietly. "I'm very sorry." + +The girl did not deign to answer, but, stepping down from her perch, +summoned her terrier and strolled down the little greensward with her +chin in the air. + +Anthony bit his lip. Then he turned on his heel and, clapping his hat +on his head, tramped into the inn. A moment later he had paid his +reckoning and was out on the road. After all, he reflected, Patch +wasn't to blame. He had acted according to his lights. + +When he was out of sight of the inn, Anthony sat down by the wayside +and dried his terrier's ears with his pocket-handkerchief and the +utmost care. + + * * * * * + +The rain was coming down in sheets, and, in spite of the mackintosh +which he was wearing above his livery, drops were beginning to make +their unpleasant way down Anthony's neck. His feet had been wet for +hours. The violence of the language employed by the press of grooms +and footmen huddled about him at the doors of the Opera House suggested +that their plight was no less evil. + +It was a big night, and of "the distinguished audience" Mr. and Mrs. +Slumper were making two. They were inexpressibly bored, but that was +beside the point. By occupying two stalls, Mrs. Slumper was sure they +were doing the right thing. A box would have been better, of course, +but there had been some difficulty, and Slumper, being a weak-kneed +fool, had been bluffed into taking the stalls. Mrs. Slumper would like +to see the clerk who could bluff her. By dint of concentrating upon +her grievance, she had worked herself into a passion by the end of the +second act.... + +It continued to rain copiously. + +At last flunkeys appeared and set the inner swing-doors wide open. A +blasphemous murmur of relief went up from the company of servants. + +"Bet yer my gint's fust," squeaked a little bow-legged Cockney. "'E's +a fair winner, 'e is." A pompous prelate appeared in the lobby, +walking with an air of having just consecrated the building free of +charge, and followed by a nervous-lipped lady and a deacon who looked +like a startled owl. "There y'are! Wot 'd I s'y?" he added, turning +to scuttle off to his car. + +"Ser long, 'Arry!" cried somebody. "See yer at Giro's." + +There was an explosion of mirth. + +The rain, the discomfort, the waiting--three familiar malefactors--all +in a moment discomfited by a sudden guffaw, reminded Lyveden vividly of +his service in France. His thoughts ramped back to the old days, when +there was work and to spare--work of a kind. Of course, the +competition was not so keen.... + +People were coming fast now, and the entrances to the lobby were +getting choked. Attendants were bellowing big names, innumerable +engines were running, the police were shouting orders, gears were being +changed. + +"Number a nundred and one!" thundered a voice. + +"Right!" cried Anthony, elbowing his way out of the crush. + +He made his way quickly to where he had left the car. + +The information that his employers were awaiting his services was +received by the chauffeur with a volley of invective, which dealt more +particularly with Mrs. Slumper's pedigree, but touched lightly upon a +whole variety of subjects, including the ultimate destination of all +composers and the uses of rain. + +It was full five minutes before the limousine was able to be brought +close enough to the entrance for Anthony to leave the running-board and +advise his master. When it was next in order but two, he stepped on to +the pavement and struggled towards the entrance. As he was about to +tell an attendant to summon "101," a car slid into position, and the +fellow set his hand on the door. + +"Forty-six waiting!" he bawled. + +A glance at the steps showed the approach of quality--all cloaks and +soft hair and slim silk stockings--the attendant threw open the door +and Lyveden stood still. + +The taller of the two women was the second to enter the car. As she +stood waiting, she glanced round quickly. Her eyes met Anthony's, +rested a moment of time, and then swept on without a flicker.... A +second later the door had slammed upon her high heels. + +Lyveden was left to feel the blood come flaming into his face, to +wonder whether my lady had known him again, and to stuff the breath of +an exquisite perfume into the same reliquary as held the picture of a +tall dark figure setting her hair to rights in the mouth of an inn. + + * * * * * + +Upon the next Saturday a particularly smart wedding was to take place. +Anthony, who had seen the announcements, was prepared for the worst. +Sure enough, on Friday afternoon as he was clearing the table of tea-- + +"I shall want yer to-morrow," said Mrs. Slumper. "I 'ave to go to the +weddin' o' that there Finnigan boy. I'm sure I'm sick o' crushes, but +'er ladyship would never fergive me if I diddun show up." + +Anthony hesitated with the tray in his hands. + +"Mr. Hopkins is taking Sunday, madam, so I can't go out then." + +"I can't 'elp that," was the testy reply. + +"I don't wish to inconvenience you, madam, but, as it was arranged that +I should always have----" + +"Subjec' to _my_ convenience," snapped Mrs. Slumper. "That's wot I +said." She had said nothing of the sort. "An' am I to go pushin' orf +to a dandy crush without a servant? Hopenin' me own dores, an' +fetchin' me own car, an' wot not, jus' like a common beggar in a 'ired +fly? Look 'ere, young man, I didn't ought to 'ave took you at all, +reelly. Wot with no refs an' no experience, yer might 'ave walked the +soles orf of yer perishin' boots before yer got into a 'ouse like this. +But I gave you a chance, I did. An' if you think ter try an' turn me +own words agains' me an' talk 'igh about contrax, yer kin jus' shove +orf." She regarded him furiously. "Ugh! I'm fed up with the bunch +of yer. Nasty, ungrateful swabs! I serpose yer kin 'ave Monday, can't +yer?" + +"I will take Monday, madam." + +The malevolent pig's eyes followed him in silence till he was out of +the room.... + +It was on Monday, then, that Lyveden called for his dog. + +His decision to revisit the scene of his encounter with my lady was not +fully formed until it was time to act upon it. He had deliberately +walked in the direction of the inn, so that, when the hour came, he +could, if he chose, indulge the inclination of which he was wholly +ashamed. Honestly, he reflected, he had not a good word to say for the +girl. (Observe, please, that the fact that the pleasaunce was to his +liking did not weigh with him. The little inn and its curtilage had +become but environs.) She had been unreasonable and worse than +churlish. There was no getting away from it--she had been aggressively +rude, administering a rebuff though he had made no advance. To pile +Ossa upon Pelion, she now knew him for what he was--a flunkey, acting +the gentleman and sporting a dog. And was not that a dainty dish for +him to digest, sitting under the lime-trees in full view of that garden +doorway which nine days ago had been so honoured? That, of course, was +the trouble. Anthony had seen a picture which he could not forget. +The girl had done her best to efface it, but had only succeeded in +clouding a sunny memory. + +With something of the _mauvaise honte_ with which a player of +"Patience" corrects a mistake he has made by restoring some cards, +Anthony took Ossa off Pelion, said to himself, "I don't believe she +recognized me," and, walking into the inn, desired the mistress to +bring him some tea. + +By the time he had finished his meal he had sunk so low in his own +eyes--lost so much self-respect, that the rest did not seem worth +keeping, and he inquired whether anything had been seen of the lady +whose dog his had fought, in much the same spirit of recklessness as +moves a bravo to toss his last piece to a beggar. + +"She had tea here the day before yesterday, sir," replied his hostess. +"All alone, with her little dog. I don't think he's none the worse, +sir. Thank you. Good day, sir." + +Anthony left the house like a man in a dream.... + +Why had she come? + +To this question the answer which his heart vouchsafed was vain and a +vanity. His head, however, gave innumerable replies--all of them +obvious and none of them flattering. A hundred times Reason drove Hope +headlong, but always the baggage returned.... + +By way of relieving his feelings, Anthony cursed Mrs. Slumper with +earnest bitterness. He began to feel that there was much in what the +chauffeur had said about her forbears. At the time he had secretly +deplored his epithets, but now.... Certainly he had misjudged the +fellow. He was quite right. + +As for Patch, he had never been paid so little attention. Not that he +cared. The country was full of scents.... + +By a quarter past seven Lyveden was back at Lancaster Gate. + +The first thing he saw below stairs was the library silver, which he +had cleaned that morning and the parlour-maid should have restored to +its place. Without waiting to change, he picked up the tray and +carried it upstairs, intending, if the room was unoccupied, to replace +it at once. + +As he gained the hall, the twitch of an inserted latchkey came to his +ears. Then pressure was put upon the front door. This, however, +remained fast shut. The key was withdrawn violently, reinserted, and +wrenched. The pressure upon the door being maintained, the lock was +jammed. Whosoever was there had lost his temper and was kicking +against the pricks. This was unlike Mr. Slumper, but it could be +nobody else. Lyveden set down his tray and stepped to the door.... + +His master came in with a rush, stumbling. Anthony caught him, and he +recovered his balance. There was running sweat upon his face, which +was all grey, and he was shaking fearfully. Holding on to the +furniture as he went, he tottered as far as the library, clawed at the +switch by the door, missed it, and swayed out of sight into the black +of the room. + +Anthony stood spellbound. The spectacle of a bunch of keys dangling +idly from the keyhole of the door, which he was still holding open, +brought him to his senses, and, drawing the key from the lock, he +closed the door swiftly and ran for brandy.... + +Mr. Slumper was sitting in the dark, with his head plunged between his +knees. At Anthony's coming he started up and would have gone back, but +the seat of his chair catching him under the hocks, he subsided again +almost immediately. Anthony went to his side and held the glass to his +lips. As he drank, his teeth chattered upon the rim of the tumbler, +and some of the spirit ran over his chin. Twice he made a gesture for +more. After the third dose he had swallowed more than a tumblerful.... +Presently he began to look less grey, and the trembling abated. In +three or four minutes he was quite calm. Anthony was about to ask if +he should help him upstairs, when he spoke suddenly. + +"Shut t' door." + +Anthony did his bidding. When he came back, his master had a +letter-case in his hand. + +"What are your wages?" he said. + +"Seventy-two pounds a year, sir." + +Mr. Slumper put a hand to his brow and knitted this wearily, as if the +effort of calculation was more than he could bear. Then he took out +two five-pound notes and two one-pound notes. + +"There's twelve pound," he said slowly. "One month's wages, and +another's in lieu of notice." + +Anthony stared at the money. + +"I haven't been here a month yet, sir." + +His master waved aside the objection. + +"Only honest servant I've ever had," he said shortly. "Gentleman, +aren't you? Never mind. Couldn't let you down. Others can go to +hell, but not you. And now--better clear out. Right away. Get your +box and go. Don't let the others see you. Give 'em the slip." + +"But--but won't you be dining, sir?" said Anthony desperately. He was +trying instinctively to grapple with a situation which had put him upon +his back. + +At the mention of dinner Mr. Slumper laughed hideously. The brandy was +getting into its stride now, and colour was beginning to climb into his +cheeks. + +"Dining?" he croaked. "Dining?" + +In a deliberate, imperturbable tone a clock upon the mantelpiece chimed +the half-hour, and the laugh snapped off short. The next moment the +man had Lyveden's arm in a grip of iron. + +"Listen," he breathed. "I'm broke ... ruined ... got to run for it. +Couldn't stand gaol at my age. It ain't pretty, I know, but I'm +fifty-nine, Lyveden, fifty-nine." The tense utterance broke into a +whimper. "An'--an' that's too old for prison, Lyveden, an' they +wouldn't give me a chance. The lawyers 'd make it out bad. You can +gamble with others' money as long as you win, Lyveden, but you mustn't +lose ... mustn't ever lose. There's a law against that." + +All the soldier in Anthony came to his aid. + +"Are you going now, sir?" The other nodded, "Shall I get you a taxi?" + +"Yes." Mr. Slumper jerked a contemptuous head at the ceiling. "She'll +have to go with me," he added thickly. "Can't leave the old fool." + +"I'll keep your keys, sir," said Anthony, "to let myself in." + +With that he was gone. + +Mrs. Slumper was in the midst of a very delicate operation, to wit, the +obliteration of her natural complexion--obsequies which not even her +maid was permitted to attend. Consequently she was anything but +pleased when her husband entered the room. Such procedure was out of +all order and convenience. That he came in suddenly and without first +knocking upon the door was insufferable. She turned herself round on +her seat, bristling.... + +There was no time for a scene, and, when Mrs. Slumper hurled herself +against Necessity, she fell back bruised and broken. + +When she would have screamed, a hand was clapped over her mouth, +breaking her false teeth, and all her stifled shrieks, queries and +expostulations were literally cuffed into a whimper. Five minutes +later, toothless, half-dressed and trembling, she thrust a few things +into a dressing-case, struggled into a fur coat, and passed with +sagging knees downstairs, clinging to the arm of a bully whom she had +known as a worm. + +Lyveden was waiting in the hall, beside him his case and hold-all--what +belongings he had thrust into them anyhow. He was intending to see the +couple into the cab and then go quietly away, for he was determined to +avoid the loathsome saturnalia with which his colleagues were certain +to signalize the _débâcle_. When the two appeared, he started +involuntarily. He had been prepared for violence, he had expected +tears.... The vision of a blubbering idiot, that mowed and mumbled, +its wig awry, its dreadful face blotched, like a clown's, with paint, +swaddled from head to toe in gorgeous furs, leaning desperately upon +the very reed it had broken--this was unearthly, hellish. He found +himself praying that it might not visit him in his dreams.... + +It is to his credit that Anthony, having helped Mr. Slumper into his +hat and overcoat and Mr. and Mrs. Slumper into the taxi, flung his own +kit upon the canopy and accompanied the fugitives to Charing Cross. + +The horror of that drive revisited him for months. The awful pregnant +silence, broken only by the sound of rapid irregular respiration, gave +to the cab the air of a death-chamber. + +Arrived at the station, by his advice the two remained in the taxi +whilst he procured tickets which would take them to the coast by the +first available train. At the booking-office he learned, to his +inexpressible relief, that they had but ten minutes to spare. He +bought the tickets feverishly.... + +As his master emerged from the cab, Lyveden perceived with a shock that +his nervousness had begun to return. Terror was riding behind, coming +up, overhauling him fast. The blood which had flooded his face had +begun to recede. The hand that received the tickets and change was +trembling. In a fever of anxiety the ex-officer hustled his charges +towards the platform.... + +People turned and stared as they passed. One woman screamed.... + +At the sudden cry Mr. Slumper started violently. His face was very +pale now, and there were tiny beads of sweat upon the side of his nose. +His mouth was working painfully. It was a question whether they could +board the train before he collapsed. The idiot upon his arm could have +shambled another mile. + +They came to the barrier. + +Anthony had no ticket and could not pass, but he put them into the +queue and steered them up to the gate. + +The passenger behind Mr. Slumper turned suddenly and brushed against +him. At the touch on his shoulder the poor devil started frightfully +and drew in his breath with a hoarse whoop. The face that he turned to +the offender was a wet grey.... + +In front of them there were only two, now--one. They were in the jaws +of the barrier.... Mr. Slumper had not the power to present his +tickets, and the inspector took the pasteboard out of his shaking hand. +He clipped it and handed it back, staring. Mr. Slumper fumbled, and +the tickets fell to the ground. He stooped drunkenly, and the +inspector put a hand under his arm. + +"Gent ill 'ere, Joe," he threw over his shoulder, apparently addressing +a colleague, whom Anthony could not see. "Give 'im a 'and up the +platform." + +Anthony heaved a sigh of relief. + +The next moment he saw a burly station-constable--presumably +"Joe"--step into view and put a broad arm tenderly about his master's +back... + +Mr. Slumper stiffened and stood quivering with the peculiar vibration +of a wire that is taut. The ridiculous figure attached to him stood +still also, rolling its head foolishly. + +"Come along, sir," urged the official in a kindly tone. + +Mr. Slumper stopped shaking, took out his handkerchief, and wiped his +face. Then he turned to the speaker. + +"It's all right," he said. "_I'll go quietly._" + +Anthony turned on his heel and walked out of the station. + +There was no more to be done. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE WAY OF A MAID + +A footman looked out of an attic in Eaton Square with his pen in his +mouth. After a moment's reflection he returned to his letter, added a +sentence or two, and signed his name. Then he restored its cork to his +bottle of ink, blotted the lines he had written, and, gathering the +flimsy pages into his hand, leaned back in his loose-limbed chair with +the consideration which that exacting skeleton required of its patrons, +and proceeded to read. + +This, then, is our chance; and, since Lyveden will be none the wiser, +let us forget our manners and look over his shoulder. + + +_DEAR TOBY,--_ + +_By extracting a promise that I would write to you you did me a good +turn, for, while my first report was rendered, from a sense of duty, I +am making this one with a sense of relief--a somewhat scandalous +admission. Of course a really good footman would keep his mouth shut. +But then I am but an indifferent lackey._ + +_To say that I left my first place would be untrue. In fact, the place +left me--rather tragically, as it happened: which reminds me that I +must withdraw anything which I have written to you in disparagement of +my late master. The poor man had worries I did not know of, and +behaved to me very handsomely at the last, remembering that I might +have troubles, when he could not think straight, so sore were his own._ + +_For a week, then, I became a country gentleman, living with my dog at +a little inn where no ways met. By the end of that time I had got me +another place._ + +_Yes, sir, I am in the service of the Marquess of Banff, sir. There +are times when I go powdered. I have even hobnobbed with the scarlet +livery of Royalty. I am, I assure you, a very deuce of a fellow._ + +_With the Marquess, who resembles an irritable baboon, I have little to +do. The marchioness--a strong woman is also, mercifully, too much +engaged upon works of supererogation, which, in a rich bass, she styles +"her manifold duties," to observe my existence. Lord Pomfret Fresne, +however, a gilded youth with three thousand a year, finds me extremely +useful. I bet for him, I make appointments for him to have his hair +trimmed, I retain stalls for him, and occasionally I admit him to the +house at an unlawful hour. In fact, he is a confounded nuisance. He +is impertinent, grossly ignorant, and a niggard. Moreover, Toby, he +hath an eye whose like I have seen before--once. Then it was set in +the head of a remount which, after it had broken a shoeing-smith's leg, +was cast for vice at Kantara in 1917._ + +_"Lyveden," says he one day, "you're a gentleman, aren't you?"_ + +_It seemed easiest to say "Yes."_ + +_"Why?" says his lordship._ + +_"It's a family failing," said I._ + +_"How beastly! You mean, like drink?"_ + +_"Exactly, my lord. We never mention it."_ + +_"No, don't," says he. "My mother's very hot on that sort of thing. +Hullo!" He peers into a gold cigarette-case. "I had four pounds in +here. I'll swear I had."_ + +_Considering that I had found the case in the library, and had restored +it to him five minutes before, his ejaculation was not in the best of +taste. His lordship, however, must whet his point upon the grindstone +of insult._ + +_"You're not hard up, are you?" says he._ + +_"I can pay my way, my lord."_ + +_"Well, I know there was four pounds there, because---- No. Wait a +minute. It's all right. I remember I put it in my coat. Which +reminds me--I want a couple of stalls at Daly's. You might ring up and +get them. How much is the pit?"_ + +_"I'm not quite sure, my lord. It used to be half-a-crown."_ + +_"Half-a-crown!" cries he. "I thought it was a shilling."_ + +_"That's the gallery, my lord."_ + +_"Oh, yes. Well, I can't afford the pit, Lyveden, but you can go to +the gallery if you like," and he produces a shilling._ + +_I shake my head._ + +_"I'm much obliged to your lordship, but I seldom go out."_ + +_"Right-o," he says, with ill-concealed relief. "Don't forget those +stalls."_ + +_It is pathetic, Toby, but it is true. And when I was at Harrow, his +eldest brother, who is one of the best, was my fag._ + +_When I say that, compared with the butler, Respectability itself seems +raffish, you will understand. He is a monument, massive, meaningless, +and about as useful as a fan in a cyclone. Yet the household revolves +about him. He came in, I fancy, with the spittoon...._ + +_And now I will show you that the cassock of the confessor has indeed +fallen upon you._ + +_Listen. I have been disdained--given the cold shoulder. Such a +beautiful shoulder, Toby. Such a shoulder as Artemis presented to +Actaeon. But there was good reason for that. It fell on this wise. I +sat in a garden and mufti and looked at an aged doorway, thinking how +fair a frame it would make. And when next I looked, lo! there was the +picture, all warm and smiling, her little white hands about her dark, +dark hair. I was overwhelmed. I would have slain dragons, levelled +castles, broken the backs of knights for her sake. But before I was +given the chance, I was given the shoulder. Now mark how a malicious +Fate maketh a mock of me. But three days later I run full tilt into my +lady, I, the same Anthony Lyveden--but with my livery on. In case that +should not be enough, I presently return to the inn, to learn that I +have missed her by forty-eight hours._ Veux-tu m'en croire? + +_Beneath the unfair strain my poor vocabulary broke down. Indeed, I +soon had no alternative but to repeat myself, thus violating what I +know to be one of your most sacred rules._ + +Assez, j'en finis. + +_You are so distant and it will be so long before this letter reaches +you, that it requires an effort steadily to regard you as a confidant. +Already that impression of you is fainter than it was when I picked up +my pen. A reply from you, Toby, would do much to revive it--would, in +fact, turn into substance the shadow with which I am, rather +desperately, cheating my common-sense._ + + A toi, mon beau, + _ANTHONY LYVEDEN._ + + +Having addressed this letter to Australia, Lyveden made the best of an +enamelled basin and a mirror, which was not quite so good as one which, +once upon a time, his servant had purchased in Port Said for five +piastres. Then he put on his very expensive plum-coloured coat and +descended twelve flights of stairs. + +Five minutes later he opened the front door, confessed to an irreverent +gentleman in blue and yellow that "Ole Flat-Feet" was at home, and, +after conducting them to the first floor, ushered "The Honourable Mrs. +George Wrangle, Miss Wrangle, Miss Sarah Wrangle" into the presence +itself. With a contempt for tradition, the Marchioness not only +extended to each of the ladies her large right hand, but withheld no +one of its fingers. + +The identity of the guests was then communicated to the butler, whose +supervision of the service of tea depended upon the visitor's position +in the table of precedence. That of Mrs. Wrangle, apparently, fell +dismally short of the standard which the great man imposed, for, upon +hearing her name, he stared indignantly upon a cat which was cleaning +itself upon the hearth of his parlour, and then resumed the perusal of +the _Morning Advertiser_ in contemptuous silence. + +Without more ado, Anthony repaired to the pantry. Five minutes later +he and the second footman took up the tea. + +"Is Lord Pomfret in?" said the Marchioness. + +"I will see, my lady," said Lyveden. + +"Desire him to come in to tea." + +"Very good, my lady." + +Lord Pomfret had just returned from a luncheon-party, and was preparing +to attend a _thé dansant_. His mother's command was abusively +received. At length-- + +"Tell her I'm out, Lyveden." + +Anthony hesitated. + +"Her ladyship was very definite, my lord." + +"D'you hear what I say?" + +"Very good, my lord." + +The scepticism with which his mistress received Anthony's report was +distressingly obvious. Also the faces of Mrs. and Miss Wrangle fell +noticeably. Indeed, the bell which summoned Lyveden to speed their +departure rang but a few minutes later. + +As they descended the stairs, Lord Pomfret emerged from the library, +cramming cigarettes into his case with the dishevelling manipulation of +the belated swain. + +The encounter was not a success. + +Reason suggested to Mrs. Wrangle that the episode could be far more +effectively dealt with if and when the offender became her son-in-law. +Impulse, however, clamoured for immediate and appropriate action. +Between the two stools her display of emotion fell flat. As for +Pomfret, the knowledge that he had just induced the lady's footman to +go for a taxi did not contribute to his peace of mind, and his manners +became conspicuously devoid of that easy grace which should have gone +with his title. + +After the mechanical issue and acknowledgment of a few ghastly +pleasantries, Lord Pomfret muttered something about "hearing his mother +calling" and fled with precipitate irrelevance in the direction of the +back stairs, leaving Mrs. Wrangle speechless with indignation and +bitterly repenting her recent indecision. She swept past Anthony as if +she were leaving a charnel-house. Her daughters, who took after their +father, walked as though they were being expelled.... + +When their mother found herself confronted with the choice of leaving +without her footman or awaiting that gentleman's successful return from +the mission upon which he had been dispatched, it required their united +diplomacy to deter her from there and then returning to lay the +outrageous facts before Lady Banff. + +Mrs. Wrangle's complaint, however, was posted that evening. + +By the time it arrived, Lord Pomfret had prepared his defence. This he +conducted so skilfully that the Marchioness, who believed in red +justice, sent for Lyveden and told him two things. The first was that +in future, when she sent him for anyone, he would be good enough to +look for them before returning to say they were out. The second was +that when he was told to fetch a cab, he would be good enough to do so, +instead of persuading other people's servants to do his work. Lord +Pomfret, who was present at the arraignment, supported his mother +dutifully. Anthony said nothing at all. Four and a half years in the +Army had left their mark. + + * * * * * + +If Lyveden was a Conservative, so was his dog. For the two there was +only one walk in all Hertfordshire, and that, after six fair miles, +brought them thirsty or wet, as the weather might order, to the shade +or shelter of _The Leather Bottel_. This was, in fact, Anthony's +country house. Here for one glorious week the two had shared the same +bed. Heaven only knew when such a prolonged visit would be repeated. +It had cost two whole pounds, and, do what he would, Anthony could save +very little out of his wages. Of his six pounds a month the Dogs' Home +took four precious guineas. Then there were railway fares at three +shillings a time--twelve shillings a month. Teas, clothes, and a +little--a very little--tobacco had to be paid for. It was a tight fit. + +With his back to a beech tree, Lyveden thought upon these things. The +weather, perhaps, invited Melancholy. + +Without the wood a sudden shower was falling down from heaven, +drenching anew wet pastures, thinning the mud upon brown lanes, +poppling upon the washed highway. Dainty scale-armour of a million +leaves protected Anthony. Ere this was penetrated, the fusillade would +have stopped. + +It was more than a month now since he had seen the lady. At the moment +he supposed gloomily that she had gone out of his life. Considering +what his life was, it was just as well. (Melancholy smiled to herself, +sighed sympathetically, and laid her dark head upon Anthony's +shoulder.) His thoughts flew over the blowing country to Eaton Square. +The squalor of his bedroom rose up before him. The walls were peeling, +and upon one there was a vast brown stain. The floor was bare. The +cracked American cloth upon the chest of drawers made this a washstand. +The fact that the ensemble had lost a foot made it unsteady. True, +some one had placed a Bradshaw under the bereaved corner, but the piece +listed heavily. The Bradshaw, by the way, was out of date. In fact, +its value as a guide to intending passengers had expired on the +thirty-first of October, 1902. That looked as if the chest were an +antique. Three of the china knobs, however, which served as handles +were unhappily missing. Then there was a flap beneath the window +which, when raised, arrested the progress of such smuts as failed to +clear it in their descent to the boards. (Melancholy smothered a laugh +and laid a wet cheek against her victim's.) The smuts were +devilish--the terror by night, the arrow that flieth by day. Anthony +believed in fresh air. Also he believed in cleanliness. His twofold +faith cost his convenience dear. He had begged a dust-sheet from the +housekeeper with which to cover his bed during the day, and regularly, +before retiring, shook an ounce of soot out of his window. The bed, by +the way, was overhung by the wall, which, for some reason best known to +those who built it, deserted the perpendicular for an angle of +forty-five, three inches from Anthony's nose. The candlestick had seen +merrier days: that there might be no doubt about the matter, it said as +much, announcing in so many words that it was "A Present from Margate." +... + +Scaramouche Melancholy fairly squirmed with delight. Then she turned +upon Anthony eyes swimming with tenderness, put up consoling lips.... +The entrance of Polichinelle, however, cudgel and all, in the shape of +a little white dog, dragging a bough with him, spoiled her game. +Harlequin Sun, too, flashed out of hiding--before his cue, really, for +the shower was not spent. + +Scaramouche fled with a snarl. + +At Polichinelle's obvious request, Anthony seized the spare end of the +bough, and the two tugged with a will--an agreeable tourney, which was +always eventually settled in the lists of Frolic itself. And, whiles +they strove, Harlequin danced in and out the trees, with magic touch of +bat making the mizzle shimmer and the meadows gleam, and finally, with +rare exuberance, breaking his precious colours overhead, to say the +masque was over and bid the racing winds hustle away the fretful +scenery and clear the stage of sky for his possession. + +Master and dog made their way to the inn jubilantly enough. + +As he devoured his tea, Lyveden thought again of the girl--more +cheerfully. Indeed, he made bold to decide that she was interested in +him. That such interest sprang from the loins of Curiosity he admitted +readily. Its origin did not matter; the trouble was to keep it alive. + +It is obvious that he himself was more than interested. He was, I +suppose, in love. At the moment when he had looked upon her for the +first time his heart had leaped. Instantly the man knew that he had +seen his maid. He had no doubt of it at all, but was quite positive. +If a million Archangels had appeared and with one voice told him that +he was wrong, he would have shaken his head with a smile. His heart +had leaped, and there was an end of it. He just knew. In view of the +prospective failure of so many Archangels, it is not surprising that my +lady herself, whatever she did, would not be able to erase this +impression. Consequently though she had behaved to his face with a +manner which it was a Quixotic courtesy to style "disdain," Anthony +never wavered. For a second of time he had seen beyond the veil--at +least, his heart had--and, now that he knew what it hid, all +reinforcement of that veil was out of date. My lady might line it with +oak, with brass, with masonry miles thick--and all her labour would be +in vain. All the same, Anthony hoped devoutly that she would do +nothing of the kind.... + +With a sigh he drank to their next meeting. + +Then he called the terrier and set him upon his knee. + +"My fellow," said he, "listen. In these very precincts you committed +an aggravated assault upon an Irish terrier. I don't blame you. He +probably deserved it. But--he belongs to the lady--my lady, Patch, the +only lady in the world. And she didn't like it, my boy. She didn't +like it at all. So remember, if ever we meet her again, you mustn't +fight. I don't want to be hard on you, but you mustn't. Of course, if +you could show him a little courtesy--indicate a scent which will repay +investigation, or something--I should be exalted. But I don't press +that. A strictly non-committal attitude will serve. But +aggression--no. Patch, I trust you. I know it's difficult for you to +understand, but you'll be a good dog and try, won't you? For my sake, +Patch?" + +Whether the Sealyham in fact appreciated the nature and gravity of the +request is a matter which cannot be decided upon this side of the +grave. The fact remains that when, upon entering the grounds of the +Dogs' Home some thirty-five minutes later, he encountered that very +Irish terrier, looking rather sorry for himself and attached to the end +of a long lead, he walked straight up to him and bestowed upon him as +generous a greeting as his nostrils and tail could convey. + +Anthony could hardly believe his eyes.... + +At the other end of the lead was a kennelman, who spoke quickly and to +the point. + +"Beggin' your pardon, sir, but I wouldn't let 'im talk to 'im. 'E's +not very grand--this little dog ain't. I think it's only a chill, but +we've hisolated 'im, in case..." + +Patch was summoned peremptorily, to come running wide-eyed. Happily in +his sight his master could do no wrong; otherwise it is possible that +he might have thought himself hardly used and love's labour lost indeed. + +Anthony passed into the hall, thinking furiously. With Patch under his +arm, he spoke to the fair-haired girl in charge of the office. + +"I've seen a dog out there that I recognize--an Irish terrier. He's +not very well, your man said. May I know whose he is?" + +"Oh, yes. He belongs to Miss French--Miss Valerie French. He's a nice +little dog, isn't he?" + +If Anthony Lyveden had reflected, it would have occurred to him that +his informant had been, as they say, "very quick in the uptake." The +truth was that less than a week ago Miss Valerie French had recognized +Patch and had asked the same girl for the name of his owner. + +"He's a beauty," said Anthony. "Does she keep him here all the time?" + +"When she's in London," said the girl. "I expect you've seen her. +She's very often down." + +Anthony nodded. + +"I think I must have," he said. + +Then he made much of Patch and handed him over. + +"See you next week, little Patch. Next Saturday. Only a week from +to-day. Good-bye, little fellow." + +He ruffled the tousled head with a last caress, smiled at the puzzled +brown eyes, and turned away.... + +There was no sweet sorrow about these partings. They were purely +abominable. + +At the very hour that Lyveden walked heavily down the wet lanes on his +way to the station, Valerie French, who was to dine early and go to the +play, was sitting before her dressing-table in an apricot kimono. + +The evening sun stared into her bedroom mercilessly and found no fault +in it. It was a broad low room, full of soft colours and the warm glow +of highly polished wood. Walls, curtains, and carpet were all of +powder-blue; an old rose fabric covered what seats there were; an +apple-green coverlet filled up the symphony. That taper elegance which +modern craftsmanship can give mahogany was most apparent, lending the +usual suite unusual comeliness. A great pier-glass flashed in a +corner, upon a little table beside a deep chair a bowl of roses +sweetened the London air, above the well-found bed dangled an ivory +switch. + +If the chamber was fair, so was my lady. + +Looking upon her beauty, as she sat at the glass, Valerie French might +have felt very proud. But, if we pry into her mind, it will be seen +that her thoughts were otherwise occupied. Indeed, the fixing of her +hair--usually so simple a matter--was making her knit her brow. The +fact that the soft dark tresses had been washed that morning made them +unruly. In vain the pointed fingers strove to secure and order them to +their mistress's liking.... + +At length, with a sigh, she brought her hands to her lap. + +Then she made a mouth at the reflection of her labours. + +"I look like his Sealyham," she said. + + * * * * * + +It was on Monday morning that Lord Pomfret suggested to Lyveden the +propriety of putting a pound each way on Slip Along. + +"I don't suppose the swine's any good," said his lordship moodily. +"But he'll probably start at twenty, so I may as well have a dart. I +forget who told me about him." + +"Very good, my lord," said Anthony. + +To receive this commission, he had been summoned from the drawing-room, +whose floor he was engaged in leathering to the requisite degree of +lustre. He had had to remove an apron, turn down his sleeves, and put +on his plum-coloured coat. So soon as his lordship, who was yet at +breakfast, released him, he would reverse the procedure and return to +his floor. + +Lord Pomfret peered muttering into his cigarette case. Then he plucked +out a ten-shilling note and flicked it across the tablecloth. + +"That's all I appear to have," he said sulkily. "I'll have to owe you +the thirty shillings." + +Anthony braced himself. + +"I'm afraid I haven't any money at all, my lord." + +The other looked up sharply. + +"What? ... Oh, nonsense, Lyveden." + +Anthony said nothing. He was not anxious to repeat the lie, but he was +determined not to lend to Lord Pomfret. That the loan would lose +itself was much too probable, and the construction of his slender +resources would not stand such a strain. + +"Of course you've got thirty shillings. But you don't like parting." +Lord Pomfret laughed rather nastily. "I'll pay you back, man, if +that's your trouble." + +"I haven't the money, my lord." + +The youth stared at Anthony furiously. Then-- + +"Oh, go to hell!" he said thickly. + +Anthony picked up the note and placed it beside his lordship. Then he +left the room and returned to his work. + +Lord Pomfret was exceedingly wrath. In fact, he brooded over the +incident. This augured ill for Anthony. The cold fact that in due +season--to be precise, at eleven minutes to four that same +afternoon--Slip Along won his race easily did not improve matters. +That he started at thirty-three to one was still less digestible.... + +When his lordship read the news at half-past five, he broke into a cold +sweat. Then he bit savagely at the nail of his favourite thumb. +Considering that, so recently as that morning, he had reluctantly +decided that that toothsome _entremet_ must be allowed to go unmolested +for at least a week, his action was indicative of an emotion which knew +no rules. That he made no mention of the matter to Anthony, was the +ugliest omen of all. + +Two days later the second footman called Anthony, who was crossing the +hall. + +It was a fine July morning, and the famous square was full of sunlight +and clear-cut shadows and the soft swish of leaves. All this could be +marked from the hall, for the front door stood wide open, and a fresh +cool breeze came floating into the mansion, to flirt with the high and +mighty curtains upon the landing, jostle the stately palms, and ruffle +up the pompous atmosphere with gay irreverence. The air itself would +have told you the hour. The intermittent knocks of a retreating +postman declared the time even more accurately. + +"'Ere's a letter fer you, mate," said the second footman. "'A. +Lyveden, Esquire,' it says, all bald-like. No C.M.G., no B.F., no +nothin'. I should 'ave a raow abaout this." + +Anthony came grinning. + +"P'r'aps their _Who's Who's_ out of date," he said. + +The other shook his head. + +"It's the deecay of menners, mate," he said sorrowfully, turning to +resume the sorting operation upon which he was engaged. + +The letter bore the postmark of a village in Hertfordshire, and proved +to be a communication from the Dogs' Home at which Patch was lodged. + + +_DEAR SIR,_ + +_I am sorry to inform you that your Sealyham has contracted distemper. +There is at present no reason to think that he will be seriously ill, +and, the veterinary surgeon is quite satisfied with his condition._ + + _Yours faithfully,_ + _N. DAWES,_ + _Supt._ + + +Anthony stared at the sheet as it had been a death-warrant. It must be +remembered that Patch was all that he had in the world. + +The second footman, who had been perusing a postcard addressed to the +Marchioness, placed the missive upon the top of his mistress's letters +and fell to whistling softly between his teeth. When he glanced round +to see Anthony so still, he stopped his fluting in the midst of a bar. + +"Wot's up, mate?" he said eagerly. "'Ad some bad noos?" + +Anthony folded the sheet and put a hand to his head. + +"My little dog's ill," he said. "He's down in the country, and--it's +rather worrying." + +The other looked at him curiously. Then-- + +"That's the worst o' dawgs," he said sagely. "Yer goes an' gets fon' +of 'em, an' then they gets run over, or dies, or somethin'. Cats is +the same. My sister's little gurl 'ad a kitten with one eye. Thort +the world o' that cat, she did. 'Adn't got no use fer dolls nor +nothin'. 'Moses,' she called it. One day a bull-terrier does it in." +He paused dramatically, raising his eyes to heaven with an air of +reminiscent resignation which spoke volumes. "Me sister thort the +kid'd go aout of 'er mine. In the en' they 'ad to send 'er away." + +Anthony listened to the anecdote with what politeness he could, hoping +desperately that time would prove its irrelevance. + +"Poor little girl," he said quietly. + +"But she got over it orright, mate. Same as wot you will. You see. +'Sides," he added, with the gesture of one who adduces a still stronger +argument, "'e ain't dead yet. Don't you meet trouble 'alf-way, mate. +It ain't good enough." + +For this philosophy there was much to be said, and Anthony did his best +to practise it. When he had sent a telegram, asking to be informed +daily of his dog's progress, and advised by wire or telephone if there +was any danger, he felt more comfortable. The day, however, dragged +heavily.... + +Happily Lord Pomfret made few demands upon his patience. For all that, +his lordship had formed a new habit, which Anthony--partly because he +was preoccupied, partly because he had but two eyes--failed to observe. +This was a pity, for while it was not a pretty habit, it happened to +concern Anthony pretty closely. The trick was this. So often as he +and Lyveden were in the same room, his lordship's watery eyes would +follow the footman wheresoever he moved. + +It may be urged that a cat may look at a king. True. + +But if a cat were detected in the act of looking at a king as Lord +Pomfret Fresne had come to look at Anthony Lyveden, it is safe to +predict not only that the animal would be afforded no further +opportunity of inspecting his majesty, but that in about two minutes he +would, like poor Moses, be put to sleep with his fathers. + + * * * * * + +By the same post which so discomfited Anthony, came to Miss Valerie +French two letters, one at least of which must be set out. + + +_c/o Joseph Bumble, Esq., + The Shrubbery, + Hawthorne._ + +_DEAR VAL,_ + +_Send your pal along. The Bumbles will jump at him. As for us, if our +present colleague wasn't under notice to leave, we should be. Of +course he can have his dog here. Haven't I got José? And if a +parlour-maid can keep one, d'autant plus a footman. Pending the +dismissal of the colleague referred to, Anne and I have to do more than +we should, and are a little bored with Life. George has the best time +with the car, but we make him help in the house. When are you coming +to Bell Hammer? George and I were there on Sunday, and it looks +topping._ + + _Love from us all, + BETTY._ + + +The other dispatch was from Printing House Square. Its envelope, being +opened, was found to contain three other envelopes, each bearing the +same superscription, viz., "Box Y779, c/o _The Times_." + +Valerie opened them eagerly. + +They were, all three, applications for the post of a gentleman-footman. + +After satisfying herself that no one of these was signed by Lyveden, +Valerie tossed them aside unread. Then she propped herself on her +elbow and poured out a cup of tea. + +That Fate buffets her favourites is sometimes true. Here we catch the +baggage red-handed. With one cold relentless palm she threatens to +take from Anthony, who hath not, even that which he hath: with the +other she is strewing blossoms upon what is to be his path. With her +right hand she robs the beggar, with the left she prepares for him a +bed of roses. + +The lady of Anthony's heart loved him. It is no good beating about the +bush. Pity may be akin to Love, but Interest is the boy's first +cousin. Whether her heart had leaped, when she saw him, is not for me +to say. She looked upon him, saw that he was good, made up her +mind--and that was settled. The fact that she immediately turned her +back upon him has nothing to do with the question, but may, if you +please, be construed as confirming her plight. + +Had the round world been ten thousand years younger, when she and +Anthony looked the one upon the other in the garden of _The Leather +Bottel_, he would have put his arms about her, and she would have +suffered him, and there in the shadow of the little inn this tale would +have come to an end. That it did not so end then and there is the +fault partly of a crop of conventions, which have in so many years +increased out of all belief and now stand bristling between Impulse and +Action, and partly of the contrariness of women, which is, we know, +very ancient, but not so old as all that. It is these two marplots, +which you must bless or curse, gentlemen, as the fancy takes you. + +Valerie French, then, was trying to bring Lyveden into smooth water. +She had already earmarked a congenial billet at The Shrubbery, +Hawthorne. The difficulty was to make Anthony apply for the post. +Since Mrs. Bumble could hardly be advised to ask a footman to quit the +service of the Marquess of Banff, Valerie, who was determined to remain +incognito, had recourse to the Press. Her advertisement for a +gentleman-footman appeared daily. + +When my lady had drunk her tea, she turned to the telephone. After a +little delay, she was connected to the Dogs' Home in Hertfordshire. +Presently the superintendent spoke.... + +'Miss French's Irish terrier was not too grand. He was coughing a +little. There was no real cause for anxiety, but he was not out of the +wood.' + +"I'll be down this afternoon," said Valerie. + +She was as good as her word. + +And since, to her grief, the little brown dog was nothing bettered, but +rather grew worse, she visited him the next day also and the day after +that. + +And so it happened that she was at the Home on Friday, when Patch's +condition gave rise to such uneasiness as presently decided the +superintendent to telephone to his master. Indeed, the fair-haired +girl had discussed with Valerie the advisability of so doing. + +"Mr. Lyveden's a busy man, I fancy, and we hate worrying people. But +he's simply devoted to the dog, and he's pretty bad." + +"I think," said Valerie slowly, "I think he ought to be told." + +"Perhaps you're right, Miss French," said the girl. "I'll go and ring +up." + +She slipped out of the hospital, through the garden, and presently into +her office. + +It was perhaps ten minutes before she could speak with London. Then-- + +"Is that Lord Banff's house?" she inquired. + +"Yes. Who are you?" said an unpleasant voice. + +"Oh, can I speak to Mr. Lyveden?" + +"_Who?_" + +"Mr. Lyveden." + +An exclamation of surprise came to her ears.... Then an oath.... Then +a smothered laugh.... + +The girl frowned with impatience. At length-- + +"Hullo," said the voice. + +"Can I speak to Mr. Lyveden?" she repeated. + +"No, you can't. He's--he's out." + +"Oh! Well, it's rather important. Could you give him a message?" + +"Try me," said the voice. + +"Will you tell him that his dog is not so well?" + +"What dog?" + +"_His_ dog. His Sealyham. Mr. Lyveden will understand." + +"Oh, will he?" said the voice. "And where do I come in, Mabel?" + +For a moment the fair-haired girl stared at the instrument. Then she +flushed angrily and rang off.... + +At the other end of the line Lord Pomfret replaced his receiver with a +hideous leer. + +The superintendent returned to the hospital. + +"Did you speak to him?" said Valerie. + +"No, Miss French. He was out. I had to leave a message." + +Valerie rose to her feet. + +Observing her movement, the Irish terrier rose also and got shakily +upon his legs. The effort set him coughing again, poor fellow, and he +had to submit to the paroxysm before he could wag his tail. How +stiffly this moved, his mistress, whose eyes were full of tears, did +not remark. Nor did she notice the suggestion of impotence about his +hindquarters. With her practised eye, the fair-haired girl noticed +both symptoms and bit her lip. + +Valerie caressed her favourite and turned to a grey-headed kennel-man +who had just entered the room. + +"Are you going to wash his face?" + +"Yes, ma'am." + +The Irish terrier was plainly pleased to see his old nurse. + +"How is the little Sealyham?" + +"'Tis a sick dog, ma'am." + +Valerie turned away. + +The superintendent escorted her back to the house. + +"I'll be down to-morrow morning," she said. + +"Very well, Miss French." + +As she walked down the drive, Valerie wondered miserably whether she +was treading it for almost the last time. + + * * * * * + +When upon Saturday morning Anthony received no bulletin from +Hertfordshire, he did not know what to think. In the ordinary way he +would have telegraphed, but telegrams cost money, which he really could +not afford, and he was, in any event, to visit the Dogs' Home that +afternoon.... He decided to do nothing. All the same, he was far from +easy, for Friday morning's report had said that his terrier was not so +well. + +He went about his work abstractedly, glancing at the faces of the +clocks times without number. + +At five-and-twenty minutes past two, just as he was going to change, +Lord Pomfret sent for him. Anthony ground his teeth. The man was his +evil genius. + +Mercifully the interview was a short one. + +His lordship produced two pounds and curtly instructed the footman to +expend the money upon the purchase of roses. + +"They've got to be good ones, and you ought to be able to get stacks +for two quid. I shan't want them till to-morrow morning, so they've +got to be fresh. You'd better get them as late as you can, and put +them in water directly you get in. That's all." + +"Very good, my lord." + +Lord Pomfret returned to the perusal of _La Vie_, and Anthony stepped +to the door. As he was passing out-- + +"Lyveden," said his lordship sharply. + +"Yes, my lord." + +"I shall want to see the bill." + +Anthony hesitated, inwardly raging. Then-- + +"Very good, my lord," he said huskily. + +Ten minutes later he was out of the house. + +Along the road of Life goes bowling the coach of Destiny, and we poor +passengers inside know neither whither we are being borne nor how long +shall be our journey. Now and again the horses are pulled up, the door +is opened, that grim guard Fate calls out a name, and one of us climbs +pitifully forth, to pass with faltering steps into a sable hostelry. +We that are left behind peer after him curiously.... Then the door is +slammed, with a lurch the coach is off again on its eternal wayfaring, +and we poor passengers inside sit betwixt hope and fear, wondering +vainly what the next mile of road will bring to each of us. + +Climb up upon the box-seat, gentlemen, if you will see what is to +become of Anthony: so I am with you, you will not be sent packing. + +Look how he is being borne unwitting over the Bridge of Care, into the +Valley of Love, by Thicket Perilous, clean through the Waters of Anger +to where the white road curls over that grey upland, and we can see it +no more. As well for Anthony that he has not our knowledge. The next +league or so will play the deuce with his emotions.... + +One last look, gentlemen. Can you see that cypress there, tall by the +wayside, down in the Valley of Love? We will descend there, by your +leave, for the driver will pull up his horses and the coach will stop. +A dog has to be set down--a little dog, gentlemen, with rough hair and +as soft brown eyes as ever you saw.... + +Anthony covered the distance between the station and the Dogs' Home at +a good round pace. In fact, he was somewhat out of breath when a maid +admitted him to the house and, leaving him in the hall, went in search +of the superintendent. + +As the fair-haired girl made her appearance, his heart began to beat +furiously. + +"How's my little dog?" he said jerkily. + +The girl looked grave. + +"I'm afraid he's pretty bad, Mr. Lyveden. He's naturally very strong, +and we hope that'll pull him through. We ought to know one way or the +other within twelve hours." + +"I see," said Anthony dully. "When I didn't hear, I hoped----" + +"Didn't you get my telephone message?" + +Anthony shook his head. + +"When did you ring up?" + +"Yesterday. I spoke to somebody--a man, and asked him to tell you. I +don't know who it was." + +Anthony went very white. + +"I fancy I do," he said grimly, and drew in a quick breath. "And now +may I see my dog?" + +The fair-haired girl led the way to the hospital. + +The building, which stood by itself, was as fresh and cool as a dairy, +and a faint clean smell of sanitary fluid rose from its tiled floor. +In the hall were a table and a watchman's chair. Half a dozen rooms +led out of the hall. The girl went straight to the door of one of +these, turned the handle gently, and the next moment they were in the +little chamber. This was full of light and air, for the French +windows, which gave on to a broad veranda, were wide open. Upon the +garden beyond the sun was shining gloriously. + +By the side of the great square basket set in a corner Anthony fell on +his knees. + +"Why, Patch ..." + +The little scrap tried gamely to leap for his master, but his strength +failed him, and he fell sideways on to the pine shavings. Lyveden +gathered him gently into his arms and let him lick his face. + +"Did you think I was never coming, Patch? Did you think I'd forgotten +my little dog? My poor little fellow ... my little boy...." + +The laboured breathing slipped into a cough, and Lyveden laid the +terrier back on the shavings. There he got to his feet and coughed +desperately. The exertion seemed to exhaust him, for, when the fit was +over, he lay down where he stood, keeping his eyes upon Anthony and now +and again moving his little tail. + +The fair-haired girl, who had gone, reappeared, followed by the +grey-headed kennel-man bearing a deck-chair. + +"I expect you'll like to stay with him for a bit," she said pleasantly. + +Anthony thanked her, and she left him alone. + +For Patch's sake, Anthony sat very still. + +Considering that he had been afoot since half-past five, it is not +surprising that after a little space he fell asleep. + +Queer idiotic fancies bestrode his dreams: what was impossible came +naturally to pass: earth became wonderland, and no one wondered. Patch +and Miss French lay in sick beds upon respective mantelpieces: Lord +Pomfret had come to mend the telephone, and his tool-bag was full of +roses--the scent of them filled the room. Anthony himself was forging +a two-pound note upon a page of Bradshaw, and was terribly afraid that +it would not pass muster: something weighty depended on this, and all +the time the scent of the roses was hindering his efforts: it came +between him and the paper, so that he could not see: he brushed it away +angrily, but it came back.... + +He awoke suddenly, for no reason. + +Patch was lying very still, breathing more easily. His eye met +Anthony's, and the tip of a red tongue came into view. + +The faintest suggestion of perfume was in the air. This was so slight +and fleeting that Anthony, after a little, charged it to his +imagination and thought no more of it. + +Presently he rose and, setting his hat on the chair, where Patch could +see it and so expect his return, strolled out on to the veranda. + +From the depths of an easy-chair Valerie French lifted her eyes from +_The Times_ and smiled very charmingly. + +"I'm glad you've come out," she said. "I think it's a mistake to sit +there too long at a time." + +That Lyveden felt perfectly at ease with her, and neither started nor +spoke constrainedly, is worthy of note. It is, in fact, the best +possible evidence that his belief in their affinity was well founded. + +"You're quite right," he said. "After all, the great thing is to be on +the spot. I'm afraid this means that your dog is ill." + +Valerie looked away. + +"He's worse than Patch," she said slowly. + +"I'm awfully sorry." + +As he spoke, Anthony remembered how the dogs had met in the drive a +week ago. That, then, was how Patch had come by the sickness. Her dog +had infected him. + +Valerie looked up suddenly. + +"I'm afraid I was awfully rude at the inn that day," she said quietly. +"It was rotten of me." + +"No, it wasn't," said Lyveden quickly. "You were startled and upset +and----" + +"I've said all that to myself--several times. But it won't wash. It +was just rotten, and I'm very sorry." + +Had she been other than my lady, Anthony would have felt like a beggar +whose feet a queen was washing. As it was, he felt like a king. + +"I knew you never meant it," he said. + +"Why?" + +"Because it wasn't like you." + +"How could you know that?" said Valerie. + +"I don't know. I suppose I guessed. I suppose..." Anthony hesitated, +and the colour came into his cheeks. "I think I know you too well." + +Valerie French nodded, as if she had received a reply which she knew to +be correct. + +"You're very fond of your dog," she said. + +"He's all I've got." + +"All? Haven't you a single friend?" + +"Not one," said Anthony. + +A little cough came to her vigilant ears, and Valerie rose to her feet. +As she came to the window, she stopped and looked at Anthony with a +quiet smile. + +"I don't think you ought to say that," she said gently. "Not since you +know me so well." + +Long after she had passed in, Lyveden stood gazing at the threshold +from which she had spoken.... + +The veterinary surgeon was with Patch. + +After a tender examination, he rose to his feet, and Anthony introduced +himself. + +"He's a fine little dog," said the other. "And he makes a good +patient, but I'm afraid he's in for a bad time." He turned to the +kennel-man. "Have you warned Williams and Minter?" + +"I have, sir." + +"That's right. From now on, he mustn't be left." + +"Will he have some brandy, sir?" + +"Not yet." + +In answer to Anthony's questions, the surgeon spoke plainly. + +"He's getting steadily worse. That will go on for anything from six to +twelve hours. Then one of two things will become apparent--either that +he will recover, or that he can't." + +"What about my being with him?" + +"If you like to be near, sir, yes. As to being in the room--he's a +highly-strung little fellow, and in the circumstances I don't advise +it. Of course, if there was any sudden change ..." + +"I'm in your hands," said Anthony. "I'll leave my hat here. Then +he'll know that I'm at hand." + +"You couldn't do better, sir." + +The surgeon was patently glad of an owner who would do as he said. + +Anthony stooped to touch the damp muzzle.... + +Then he stole gently away. + +Out on the verandah he made his plans. Not for fifty Marquesses would +he leave ere the change had come. He decided to telegraph to the +butler. Perhaps they would understand. Any way, it could not be +helped. If he were to be dismissed, he would try again. Only the fear +of unemployment had kept him in Eaton Square. The very thought of Lord +Pomfret made his blood boil. Perhaps, even if they said nothing, it +would be better to leave. + +He picked up my lady's _Times_.... + +The trouble was that the demand for men-servants seemed rather small. +Married couples, apparently, were all the rage. Of course he was +getting good wages. The substance might not be toothsome, but it was +better than shadow. At least, you could get your teeth into it. + + +_WANTED.--A gentleman-footman: country: good wages: would be allowed to +keep dog. BOX Y779, c/o The Times, E.C.4._ + + +Anthony stared at the lines as if they were unreal.... + +Then came the flutter of a frock and herself stepped on to the veranda. +Mechanically Anthony set down the paper as if it had been contagious. + +Valerie did not speak of her terrier, nor did she ask after Patch. +Instead-- + +"If we went up to the house," she said gravely, "I think they would +give us some tea." Together they left the veranda and passed through +the pleasant grounds. "I've got a room in the village," she added, +"and I've sent for some things for the night. Will--will you have to +go?" + +"No. I shall stay. I can make shift." He smiled. "The Army's a good +school." + +"Do you wish you were back?" said Valerie. + +"I don't think so. A school has its drawbacks. If I were back in the +Army, I couldn't be staying tonight." + +Without thinking-- + +"You like to be your own master?" said the girl, and could have bitten +her tongue in sunder. + +Anthony winced. Then-- + +"Yes," he said slowly, "I do." + +Valerie thought frantically. Then-- + +"That's the best of being a man," she said. "Take our two cases. You +have your own establishment--at least, I suppose you have---your own +chambers, your own servant. I live with an aunt. If I broke away and +set up a separate menage, I should be talked about. To be her own +mistress and excite no remark, a girl must be in penury." + +Anthony's heart seemed to have stopped beating. The murder was out. +From my lady's words it was plain that she did not know his calling. +She had not recognized him, then, that night with his livery on. Fool! +He might have known that she would not--could not hobnob with a lackey. + +Instead of combating her statement, he made some knock-kneed reply.... + +For setting wheels within wheels, you cannot match Fortune. After all, +she has made trochilics her hobby through all the ages. Look at her +handiwork here. Jill knows Jack for a flunkey and seeks to dissemble +her knowledge, for fear of bruising his heart. As for Jack, when Jill +stumbles upon his secret, he curses his luck: now that he believes it +inviolate, he is in despair. + +Tea was served to them in a quiet parlour. It being their first meal +together, their friendship should have grown fat. Instead, it lost +weight steadily. They were ill at ease--both of them. To make things +worse, Anthony began to feel that he was an impostor. + +He walked with her to the village and sent his telegram. Later they +dined together. They dared not go far away, and the landlord of a +neighbouring inn was persuaded to serve eggs and bacon. This he did +with an ill grace, and, that there might be no mistake about his +annoyance, charged for it in the bill. Anthony paid the amount as if +it were nothing, and Valerie French writhed.... + +Afterwards they strolled in the garden and sat upon the veranda. The +hours which should have been so wonderful went by lack-lustre. Between +the two a phantom barrier had been set up. + +As ten o'clock was striking, Valerie was fetched. + +When the summons came, they were in the garden, and she left Anthony +without a word. Desperately sorry for her, miserably fearful for +himself, he followed as far as the steps of the veranda.... + +Twenty-five minutes passed, perhaps half an hour. Then there was +movement in the chamber. A door was opened. The lights, which had +been low, were turned up. + +A moment later Valerie appeared at the window, putting on her gloves. + +As she came to the steps, Anthony rose out of the shadows. + +"May I see you back to the village?" he said. + +She just inclined her head. + +They passed in silence out of the starlit garden on to a pale grey +road. The hedgerows on either side loomed up out of the darkness, +blacker than night. A lane led down to the village, leaving the road +on the left. It was the shortest path. As Lyveden started to turn, +Valerie laid a hand on his arm. + +"Not that way," she said unsteadily. "It was our last walk +together--Joe's and mine." + +Then she burst into tears. + +In a flash the barrier that had stood between them was done away. + +Anthony put his arm about her instinctively. She caught at his shabby +lapel and clung to it, sobbing piteously. They must have stood so for +five minutes or more. + +When she was better, they walked on slowly, Anthony talking as +naturally as if she had been his sister. All his constraint was gone. + +"Don't I know how you feel? Oh, my dear, I'm so grieved for you. I +know, I know.... Everything you do, every way you turn, calls up some +piteous memory. But it'll pass, dear, very soon.... Time's very +merciful...." + +They came to the sleeping village and the door of the house where she +was to pass the night. + +"Sleep well," said Anthony, and put her hand to his lips. + +Valerie dared not speak. For a second she hesitated, inarticulate. +Then she leaned over and set her cheek against his. + +The next instant she was gone. + + * * * * * + +Patch turned the corner of danger just before cock crow. + +With his heart singing, Lyveden went for a walk. He chose the old +way--the way he had trod so often with Patch by his side and Valerie in +his heart. My lady had filled his cup. The knowledge that Patch would +live had set it brimming. He saw the dawn up and felt jubilant. He +found new beauties of Nature at every step. His sympathy with my lady +was a thing detached. It could not cloud his happiness. Eaton Square +was forgotten. There were only she and he and Patch in all the +world.... + +He came to _The Leather Bottel_, borrowed a razor of an old groom, and +presently took a bath under a pump. Later he sat long over a joyous +breakfast. + +When he came back to the Home, there was Valerie. She just ran to meet +him. + +"I'm so glad, I'm so glad," she said. Then her lip quivered, and she +turned away. + +Anthony's heart smote him for his late selfishness. For as good cause +to congratulate her, he would have given anything. + +They went up to Town together by the same train. + +The feverish haste with which she climbed into "a third" was almost +comical. + +Arrived at the terminus, Lyveden handed her out. Since it was Sunday +morning, the station was quiet. Indeed, except for a crowd of +"theatricals"---- + +Anthony remembered the roses which Lord Pomfret had told him to +purchase with an unpleasant shock. + +As if a switch had been turned, all the uncertainty of his future rose +up in a cold black wave. The hopelessness of their friendship stood +out brutally. The thought that he was an impostor came pelting back, +to set his ears burning and--the barrier that had stood between them +crashed again into place. + +Mechanically he saw her into a cab and told the driver to go to a house +in Mayfair. Then he took off his hat. + +"I hope," he said lamely, "I hope you'll get home all right." + +Valerie looked at him curiously. Then she put out her hand. + +"I shall never forget your kindness," she said gently. + +When Anthony, some fifty minutes later, opened the front door to admit +Lord Pomfret into his father's house, he saw that his hour was come. + +For a moment the youth glared at him with the eyes of a snake. Then-- + +"Oh, you're back, are you?" he snarled. + +He entered the house, and Anthony closed the door. + +"I'm very sorry, my lord, about the roses." He held out the two pound +notes. "I entirely forgot them." + +Lord Pomfret snatched the notes out of his hand. + +Anthony turned to go. + +"Here!" Anthony stopped in his stride, hesitated, and then turned back. +"What d'you mean, 'you forgot'? It's a lie. This is the second time +you've let me down, you wash-out. And if you think----" + +"My lord, I tell you----" + +"Don't dare to answer me," raved the other. "I won't have it. Listen +to me. My mother doesn't approve of servants who stay out all +night--even if they are gentlemen. I'll bet you're ready to pitch a +hell of a tale, but it's no good, Lyveden. D'you hear? It's no good. +You see, I answered the telephone on Friday, when your lady-friend rang +up about the dog.... I know that dog, Lyveden, I've had one myself. +And, what's more, I happened to be at Marylebone this morning.... Yes. +That was a bit of bad luck, wasn't it? So next time you want a +week-end----" + +Anthony hit him full on the mouth. + +The other reeled backward, tripped over a rug, and fell heavily. He +was up in an instant, and came at Anthony, bellowing like a madman. + +Anthony, who was now quite cool, hit him between the eyes. + +For the second time Lord Pomfret went down. + +Again he got up, to hurl himself at his assailant, mouthing obscenity. + +Anthony side-stepped and hit him under the jaw as hard as he could. + +Lord Pomfret fell flat on his back and lay perfectly still.... + +The silence was broken by the sound of a dry laugh. + +Anthony swung on his heel, to see the Marquess of Banff in the library +doorway. + +"He's got a lot to learn yet," observed that nobleman, glancing at his +recumbent offspring. "A deuce of a lot." He put up his eyeglasses and +stared at Anthony. "If I'd known you could box, you should have given +him a hour a day. Too late now. You'll have to go, of course. What +are your wages?" + +"Six pounds a month, my lord," stammered Anthony. + +The Marquess took out a note-case and extracted six notes. + +"Does he owe you anything?" he said, peering. + +"No, my lord." + +In silence the money passed. + +"Better get out at once," said the Marquess shortly. + +"I'm--I'm very sorry, my lord, that this should have happened." + +"Tck! I heard what he said. I don't blame you. If you want a +reference, you can give my name. That'll do." + +Anthony bowed and left him. The sprawling figure was showing signs of +life. He passed through the hall quickly. + +Half an hour later, his baggage in hand, he descended the kitchen +stairs. + +At the foot of these he encountered the second footman. + +"'Elp!" said the latter. "Don' say you've got the bird, mate?" + +"Got it in one," said Anthony. + +"But 'oo----" + +"The Marquess." + +The fellow exploded. + +"It's a perishin' shame!" he cried. "It's a----" + +Anthony stopped him. + +"No. He treated me handsomely. I--I bought it." + +"You didn't never sauce 'im, mate?"--incredulously. + +"Not exactly. You'll see." He put out his hand. "So long." + +The other stared at the fingers before accepting them. Then-- + +"So long, mate," he said dazedly. + +Anthony let himself out. + +The second footman's inability to comprehend the matter continued until +a quarter-past one. It was at that hour that he did as he had been +told, and carried Lord Pomfret's luncheon up to his room.... + +The condition of his lordship's countenance was most illuminating. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE + +Sitting in the garden of the little Hertfordshire inn, Anthony drafted +his application with the utmost care. All the time he tried to keep a +tight hand upon his hopes--unruly and mettlesome fellows, which more +than once had carried him into the meadow of Expectation before he knew +where he was. There the going was splendid--till you came to the sunk +fence.... + +His letter, when finally settled, was comprehensive enough. + + + _c/o "The Leather Bottel." + Nr. Malory, + Herts._ + +_SIR (OR MADAM),_ + +_I beg to offer myself for the situation advertised in yesterday's +issue of "The Times."_ + +_I am twenty-nine, unmarried, a little over six feet in height, healthy +and very strong. I have no physical defects._ + +_I have just quitted the service of the Marquess of Banff. My +departure was directly due to my inability to give such satisfaction as +one member of his lordship's household required of me, but the +Marquess, who is familiar with the facts, was so good as to say that, +if and when I needed a "character," he would himself speak for me._ + +_I left the service of my previous employer because that gentleman was +going abroad, and so had no further need of a footman. That was my +first situation._ + +_I am accustomed to wait at table, answer the door, go out with the +car, take care of silver, clean boots and knives, and carry coals: and +I am ready to do anything that may be required of a man-servant. I +have no objection to wearing powder._ + +_I have been receiving seventy-two pounds per annum, but since, if I +come to you, I may bring my dog with me, I shall be content with a much +lower wage._ + +_The dog in question--a Sealyham--is now recovering from distemper, and +will not be fit to travel for another week, by which time I shall be +ready to enter your service._ + +_Should you desire to see me, I will come for an interview at your +convenience._ + +_I enclose a stamped addressed envelope, and shall be very grateful if +you will inform me without delay if you are already suited._ + + _I am, Sir (or Madam), + Yours obediently, + A. LYVEDEN._ + + _Sunday, July 25th._ + + +That he was an ex-officer, Lyveden deliberately omitted to mention; +that he was a gentleman, he trusted that his style and handwriting +would suggest. Had it been possible, he would have applied in person, +not of self-confidence, but because he could have made plain one point, +at any rate, upon which in a letter he feared to insist. This was that +to have his dog with him he was willing to do his work for a shilling a +day. + +It was not until after his tea that Anthony fair-copied his letter. +When it was signed and sealed, he slid it into a pocket and, telling +the mistress of the inn that he would like his supper at eight, took up +his hat from the settle and strolled out into the sweet-scented lanes. + +Half a mile distant a pillar of lichened bricks stood by itself at a +corner where two ways met. Here was enshrined a miniature once-red +door--a toy of a door, to gladden a child's heart and set his fancies +whirling, and be remembered, with another half-dozen of trifles, so +long as he lived. A slot in the door received His Majesty's mails. +Anthony, who had used the box before, strolled leisurely in its +direction, and, as he went, contemplated, first, the sweetness of +emancipation, and, secondly, the drawbacks of having but four pounds +seven shillings and a penny between himself and thraldom. + +A painstaking adder of figures, I have audited the gentleman's accounts +and found them correct to the farthing. He must pay for his terrier's +sickness and have four guineas in hand against the dog's board and +lodging, in case, after all, he was to stay at the Dogs' Home. For a +shilling he gave to a beggar, because he was poorer than himself, I can +find no receipt, but hope it is filed in heaven. An eight-shilling +meal stands out, among eightpenny teas, as a rare extravagance.... + +Lyveden was about to commit his dispatch to the posting-box--in fact, +his hand was outstretched--when, to the amazement of a cock-robin who +frequented the pillar for company's sake, and had seen more letters +posted than there were feathers upon his back, he hesitated, exclaimed, +stared at the letter with knitted brow, and then thrust it back into +his pocket. + +The truth was that Lyveden had thought of the lady. + +He strolled no farther, but walked--and that furiously. There were +times when he strode. By the time he had covered eight miles and was +on his way back, he was tramping wearily. He visited the Home and +learned that his dog was mending. For fear of exciting the patient, he +would not go in, but promised to come the next day. Then he passed on, +hardly noticing whither he went, but turning mechanically, when he had +covered five miles, wrestling with arguments, grappling with +circumstances, and finally setting himself by the ears for a lovesick +fool and a varlet in coat-armour. + +Her dog, housed at the Dogs' Home, had brought her to Hertfordshire. +Now that the poor little fellow was dead, Anthony flattered himself +that he (Lyveden) might possibly bring her so far. And if he were to +take this situation in the country--Heaven only knew where--she would +come to seek him in vain, and would go empty away. That even if he +stayed and she found him, and came to care for him, she would +eventually go still more empty away, was a still uglier reflection.... +Anthony was honourable, and there was the rub of rubs. That the shoe +which Fate had tossed him was a misfit was nothing: that his sense of +honour was chafed was intolerable. + +"Now, Naaman ... was a great man with his master and honourable ... but +he was a leper." + +After some consideration, Anthony decided grudgingly that, on the +whole, leprosy was worse than footmanhood, though less degrading. +After further consideration, he decided that, until he could be rid of +his uncleanness, he was in honour bound to see my lady no more. + +That it took him seven miles to work out this simple problem may seem +ridiculous. Possibly it is. In any case it is highly illuminating, +for it shows that the love which he bore Miss Valerie French was worth +having. + +When he posted his letter at a quarter to eight, the cock-robin, who +had been brooding over his late transilience, was greatly relieved. + + * * * * * + +Upon the second day of August the one-fifteen from Waterloo, or what +was left of it, rumbled in the wake of three other coaches--country +cousins, these, that had never seen London--up the long blue-brown +valley at the end of which lay the station of Mockery Dale. It was +tremendously hot, for the afternoon sun was raking the valley from stem +to stern, and since what little breeze there was blew from the +south-east, the fitful puffs passed over the dip in the moorland and +left it windless. This suited the butterflies admirably. Indeed, from +all the insects an unmistakable hum of approval of the atmosphere rose +steadily. Anthony could not hear it, any more than he could hear the +lark which was singing merrily at a vast height above the shining +rails, for the rumble of the composite train, but he saw and marked the +sleepy smile of the valley, noted with satisfaction its comfortable air +of contentment to be no part or parcel of a frantic world, and held his +terrier Patch to the dusty window, that he might witness the antics of +a couple of forest ponies, which were galloping away from the train and +kicking up contemptuous heels at the interloper in an ecstasy of idle +menaces, clown-like in their absurdity. + +Patch saw the impudent frolic and, panting with excitement, evinced an +immediate desire to leave the carriage and deal summarily with the +irreverence, but a second later the sudden demands of a French +bull-dog, sitting pert in a dog-cart which at a level-crossing was +awaiting the passage of the train, superseded the ponies' claim upon +his displeasure. The alien was scolded explosively. + +A moment later the train had pulled into the station, and Lyveden and +Patch got out. They were, it appeared, the only passengers to descend. + +The only vehicle outside the station was a Ford car, rather the worse +for wear. Sitting as drowsily at the wheel as the exigencies of the +driver's seat would permit was a man of some thirty summers. From his +appearance he might have been a member of the club to which, till +recently, Anthony had belonged. His soft felt hat was cocked +extravagantly over one eye to keep the sun at bay, and his country suit +was, fortunately, of a cloth which age cannot wither nor custom stale, +but whose like has not been woven since the ill-favoured and +lean-fleshed kine came up out of the river of War. + +As Lyveden appeared, carrying his luggage and preceded by Patch-- + +"No need to ask if you're for The Shrubbery," said the driver of the +Ford lazily. "Shove your things in the back, will you?" + +Anthony set down his suit-case and touched his hat. "Very good, sir," +he said. + +"Here," came the airy reply, "you mustn't 'sir' me. I'm the comic +chauffeur--your fellow-bondsman, to wit. Name of Alison." He extended +a firm brown hand. "Not to put too fine a point upon it, I'm +overwhelmed to meet you. With the slightest encouragement, I shall +fall upon your neck. The last footman was poor company, and took two +baths in three months. My wife didn't try to like him. She's the +parlour-maid." + +Anthony took the other's hand like a man in a dream. + +"I can't believe it," he said simply. "Is this a leg-pull?" + +"No blinkin' fear," said Alison. "We're all in the same boat. What a +topping dog!" + +Anthony felt inclined to fling his hat upon the ground and yell with +delight. Instead, he thrust his baggage into the car and, stepping in +front of the bonnet, took hold of the starting-handle. + +"Is it safe?" he said, straddling. "Or will she go round with my hand?" + +"Well, we do usually get some one to stand on the step," said Alison, +"but, if you like to risk it ..." + +A moment later they were hurtling along a white-brown ribbon of road +that sloped sideways out of the valley and on to the top of the moor. + +Alison chattered away light-heartedly. + +"You see in me," he said, "the complete chauffeur. With my livery on +and two thousand five hundred pounds' worth of Rolls-Royce all round +me, I'm simply it. My only fear is that, when you turn out beside me, +the whole perishin' concern will be caught up to heaven. However, I +really think you'll be happy." + +"I believe you," said Lyveden. + +"Of course, I don't do much indoors, but Betty says the housework's +nothing. Anne agrees. She combines the duties of housemaid and my +sister. Oh, we're all in it, I warn you. Of course, we do old Bumble +and Mrs. Bumble proud. They deserve it. They're very kindly and +easy-going, and we always try and give them just a shade more than they +have a right to expect. He's a retired grocer and proud of it. Plenty +of money, no children. Very little entertaining. We have more +visitors in the servants' hall than they do in the drawing-room...." + +The lazy voice purled on contentedly till the car leapt into a village +gathered about the road. + +"Hawthorne, I take it," said Lyveden. + +"Brother," said Alison, "I will not deceive you. This is indeed that +bourn from which no commercial traveller returns, for the most potent +reason that none ever comes here. Thank Heaven, it's off their beat. +The Shrubbery's half a mile on." + +Two minutes later they swept up a shady drive, past the creepered front +of a well-built house, and into a small courtyard. + +As the emotions of the car subsided, a Cocker spaniel made her +appearance, squirming with affection and good-will, and offering up +short barks of thanksgiving by way of welcome. + +"Hush, José, hush!" cried a pleasant voice, and the next moment Mrs. +Alison appeared in a doorway, wearing the traditional habiliments of a +smart maid-servant with a perfectly natural air. + +When her sister-in-law, similarly attired, followed her into the yard, +Anthony felt as if he had been pushed on to a stage in the middle of a +musical comedy.... + +Not until his introduction was over, Mrs. Alison had shown him his +room--a simple sweet-smelling apartment, all pale green and white and +as fresh as a daisy--and they were all four seated in a cool parlour +about a hearty tea, did the feeling of unreality begin to wear off. + +"There'll be just us four," said the housemaid. "The cook's a +villager, and doesn't sleep in. She and her daughter, the kitchenmaid, +feed together in the kitchen. They're a very nice pair, and seem to +think more of us than they do of the Bumbles. It's really as good as a +play. We pay the girl a shilling a week on the top of her wages, and +for that she lays our table and serves our meals. I expect George has +told you about the Bumbles. They're really two of the best." + +"By the way," said Anthony, "oughtn't I to be reporting for duty?" + +"Plenty of time," said Mrs. Alison. "I'll ask when I clear away tea. +They'll want to see you, just to say they hope you'll be happy more +than anything else. And now do ask some questions. I'm sure there +must be hundreds of things you're simply pining to know." + +Anthony laughed. + +"To be absolutely frank," he replied, "I'm still a little bit dizzy. +I've been on my beam ends so long that to suddenly fall on my feet, +like this, is disconcerting. I've sort of lost my balance." + +"Of course you have," said Alison, lighting a pipe. "Bound to. I feel +rather overwrought myself. Let's go and cry in the garage." + +"Don't take any notice of the fool," said his wife. "By the way, +there's one thing I ought to tell you, and that is that Christian names +are the order of the day. Off duty it's natural; on parade, since we +three glory in the same surname, it's unavoidable. I'm known as Betty, +my sister-in-law's Anne, and that with the pipe is George." + +"And I," said Lyveden, "am Anthony--at your service. This with the +hungry look"--he picked up the Sealyham--"is Patch. As the latter is +convalescent, all his days lately have been red-letter, and celebrated +by the addition to his rations of a small dish of tea. Whether such a +scandalous practice is to be followed this afternoon must rest with his +hostess." + +"I think," said Betty, "as he's a _bonafide_ traveller..." + +José, the soft-eyed spaniel, profited by the Sealyham's privilege. It +was impossible that she should not receive equal consideration. + +"You must forgive my staring," said George Alison, gazing upon Anthony, +"but you just fascinate me. To think that you're not going to suck +wind when drinking, or clean your nails with a fork, is too wonderful. +Your predecessor's habits at table were purely Johnsonian." + +Betty shuddered at the allusion. + +"If he'd been decent," said Anne, "I could have borne it. But he was +just odious. The idea that we'd come down in the world fairly +intoxicated him." + +"It's true," said George. "And when Val wrote and----" + +A vicious kick upon his ankle silenced him abruptly. + +"I beg your pardon," said Anthony, who had been busy with Patch. + +"I was saying that--er--if you value your dog, and he's only just over +distemper, I shouldn't let him run loose just yet. José's a terrible +huntress, and she's sure to lead him astray. Stays out all night +sometimes." + +"Right oh!" said Anthony cheerfully. + +It was manifest that Patch was going to have the time of his life. + +When Betty returned from ushering their new footman into the presence +of Mr. and Mrs. Bumble, she reviled her husband as he deserved. + +"I forgot," he pleaded. + +"Forgot!"--indignantly. "Well, if you forget and mention her name +again, I'll--I'll prick your tires." + +"Any way," said George, "my withdrawal was little short of brilliant. +You'll admit that? Incidentally, her _protégé's_ an improvement on +little Halbert, isn't he? I think we ought to have an appropriate +supper to-night in his honour. What about killing the padded calf?" + +Betty kissed him behind the left ear. + + * * * * * + +Long before Anthony had received his livery from the tailor at Brooch, +he had settled down to his nice new life with heartfelt gratitude. The +old zest of living had returned to him to stay. It was no longer +necessary to make the best of things. From labouring in the trough of +oppression he had been swept into waters more smooth than any he had +dreamed of riding--a veritable lagoon of security and content. + +At first, so long had he been mishandled by Fortune, that, like a cur +that has been accustomed to ill-treatment, he viewed her present bounty +with suspicion. Had she poured for him the wine of comfort to dash the +cup from his lips ere it was empty? That would be just like the jade. +He scanned the sky anxiously for a sign of the coming storm, and, +finding it cloudless, saw in this calm some new miracle of treachery, +and feared the worst. He was afraid, selfishly, for Mr. Bumble's +health. The man was pink and well nourished. Anthony thought of +apoplexy, and, had a medical book been available, would have sought a +description of that malady's favourite prey. Mrs. Bumble was also well +covered. Anthony hoped that her heart was sound. On these two lives +hung all his happiness. He reflected that motoring was not unattended +by peril, and the idea stayed with him for half a day. Had he not been +ashamed, he would have laid the facts before George and besought him to +drive carefully.... + +As the days, however, went placidly by and brought no evil, the smoking +flax of his faith began to kindle, and his suspicions to wilt. His +mind shook off its sickness and began to mend rapidly. Very soon it +was as sound as a bell. + +His temporary lapse from grace, above related, was so innocuous that it +need not be counted to his discredit. His was the case of the pugilist +who slipped on a piece of peel and felt unable to rise: had the place +been a ring, instead of a pavement, he would have been up and dancing +within ten seconds. So with Anthony--had Fortune frowned, he would +have laughed in her face. It was her smile that made him cower. And, +so long as she smiled, what mattered it if he cowered? Had Homer never +nodded, gentlemen, till it was past his bed-time, neither you nor I +would ever have heard of it. + +If Betty had indeed affirmed that the housework to be done at The +Shrubbery was nothing, she was guilty of hyperbole. All the same, the +house was an easy one, and such labour as its upkeep entailed melted, +beneath the perfectly organized attention of herself, Anne, and +Lyveden, as snow beneath the midday sun. The three had more legitimate +leisure than any three servants in England, and no residence in Europe +was better kept. Mr. and Mrs. Bumble, of course, were in clover. It +followed that Anthony Lyveden had much time to himself. Naturally +companionable, he spent most of this with his colleagues; nevertheless, +there were days when he liked to change his clothes, call Patch, and +walk off into the forest with only the little dog for company. It was +then that he could think of my lady.... + +He always associated her with the open air. Never once did he picture +her cribbed in a room. For him she was a creature of the country-side, +sun-kissed, folded in the arms of the wind, with the pure red wine of +Nature singing through her delicate veins.... Thinking of veins, he +recalled the faint exquisite blue of those which lay pencilled upon the +back of her cold little hand. He remembered the line of them perfectly. + +The vein, then, gave him the hand; the hand, the arm; the arm, the +shoulder. He reconstructed her piecemeal with a rare faithfulness, +till by the time he was on the moorland overlooking the smiling valley, +where the railroad went shining away into the old world, there stood +his lady beside him, complete, glorious, the freshening breeze behind +her moulding her soft raiment to the shape of her beautiful limbs, her +eyes shining, her lips parted, one little hand touching her dark +hair--just Valerie. + +So for a brief second she stood by his side. Once she swayed towards +him before the mirror of Imagination shivered, but only once. Mostly +it flew to flinders almost before she was come. + +Anthony hungered for a sight of the girl desperately. Had this been +offered him upon the understanding that he appeared to her in livery, +he would still have jumped at the chance. From this may be gauged the +degree of his hunger. He was, in fact, starving. + +Consequently, when one ripe September morning--all dew and mellow +sunshine and the lowing of cows--Betty tapped a letter with a +significant forefinger and announced that it contained an invitation to +a quiet little dance, Anthony, amid the general enthusiasm, displayed +no more interest than politeness demanded and no curiosity at all. + +Betty addressed herself to him. + +"It's from Lady Touchstone. I was at school with her niece. They live +at Bell Hammer, a beautiful place about five miles from here. You're +included, of course. I saw her last week, so she knows all about you. +It's because of her niece's birthday. Only about eight couples, she +says, and no strangers." + +"Except me," said Anthony. + +"You won't feel strange long," said George. "Berry and Co. are sure to +be there, for one thing, and they'll wrap their arms about you in about +two minutes. They live at White Ladies. Some of them came to tea here +the day you went over to Brooch." + +"I don't think I'd better go," said Anthony. "It's very kind of Lady +Touchstone, but I'm not much of a dancer, and----" + +His protest was overruled uproariously. + +"And he can't say he hasn't any clothes," said George, "because I've +seen them." + +This was true. Out of the spoliation of his wardrobe Lyveden had clung +to a dress-suit, much as the orphan who lugs her carpet to the pawnshop +clings pitifully to an old miniature, remembering happier days. + +Anthony coloured at the allusion, and Betty came flying to his +assistance. + +"What a shame!" she cried. "Why should he go if he doesn't want to? +And, for all we know, none of us may be able to accept. We've got to +get leave first, and then we've got to ask if we can have the Ford." +She paused to glance at the time. "Ten to eight, and you haven't +washed the yard yet. Don't sit there, George. Get a move on. You +chauffeurs!" She fairly drove him about his business. + +All the same, before the day was over she had wheedled a promise from +Anthony that, master and mistress permitting, he would go to the dance. + +The Bumbles were duly approached, and consented readily to the +projected exodus, asking solicitously if a quarter to ten would be +early enough for the four to leave The Shrubbery, and offering the use +of the Ford before this was sought. Considering that they were not +upon the visiting list of Lady Touchstone, or, for that matter, upon +that of any other of their domestics' friends, their readiness to +facilitate the excursion must be accounted to them for righteousness of +a calibre rare indeed. + +The night of the dance came, and the stars with it. All the company of +heaven twinkled and flashed out of a windless sky. No solitary breath +of air rustled the silence of the woods. Summer was dying hard. Yet +in the bottoms there lay--sure sign of Autumn--little hoary pools of +mist, just deep enough to swathe the Ford and its complement of +would-be revellers in a wet rush of frozen smoke, and make the girls +thrust their pink fingers beneath the rug, and Anthony his hands into +his coat-pockets. + +For all that, for Lyveden the five miles to Bell Hammer were covered +too soon. He liked to feel the rush of the wings of Night upon his +temples, to mark the untroubled slumber of the country-side, gaze at +the velvet dome fretted with silver. Moreover, he was almost dreading +the dance. Had he not given his word a week ago, he would--speaking +vulgarly--have stuck his toes in and seen his companions to the edge of +the pit before he followed them into the mansion. + +For a mansion it was. + +Though the night was moonless, Anthony could see that. That it was a +beautiful specimen of a "Queen Anne" residence he could not perceive. +Indeed, almost before the car had been berthed close to the shadowy +elegance of a tremendous cedar, the front door was opened, and a great +shaft of light streamed out into the darkness. + +The guests passed in. + +The monstrous deference of the footman who received Anthony's coat and +hat gave a disconcerting fillip to the latter's uneasiness. As a +respectful butler preceded the party upstairs, he felt as if he were +being conducted to a scaffold. + +"Captain and Mrs. Alison, Miss Alison, Major Lyveden." + +Anthony braced himself. + +The next moment-- + +"How d'ye do?" said Valerie, with a quiet smile. "I'm so glad you +could come. How's Patch?" + +With a whirling brain, Anthony tried to say that Patch was very well. + +"Let me introduce you to my aunt," said Valerie, turning to a lady whom +Anthony seemed to have seen before. "Aunt Harriet, this is Major +Lyveden--Lady Touchstone." + +Anthony bowed dazedly. + +"You were very good to Valerie," said the lady, "a little while ago. +I've heard about it. And how do you like service? I always said that, +if my father had put his money into railways instead of ships, I should +have become a cook-housekeeper." + +"It all depends," said Anthony, "on whose service you're in. I like +yours very much." + +Lady Touchstone laughed. + +"You'd make a good equerry," she said. Then she turned to glance down +the gallery. "You must meet Mrs. Pleydell," she added. "Ah, there she +is. Come." They stepped to the side of a tall dark girl with a most +attractive smile. "Daphne, my dear, this is Major Lyveden--from The +Shrubbery. Amuse him, and he'll flatter you. You see." The tall fair +man who had been sitting with Mrs. Pleydell offered Lady Touchstone his +arm. She put it aside with a frown. "I'm not so old as all that, +Jonah," she said. "You may take me to the hearth, if you please, but +not like a grandmother." + +With a crash an alcove belched music, and in a moment all the winking +length of the gallery was throbbing with ragtime. + +Mrs. Pleydell and Anthony trod the measure with a will. + +When it was over, she led him to a tall window with a deep-cushioned +seat. + +"You were out," she said, "when I came the other day. To make up for +it, you must come to White Ladies. It's a pretty walk, and we'll take +you back in the car." + +"You're very kind," said Anthony. + +"If you talk like that," said Daphne, "I shall invite you for the +week-end. And now would you like to talk shop, or shall I tell you +about my new dress?" + +Anthony hesitated, and the girl laughed merrily. + +"I'm a past-mistress of blackmail," she said. "My husband taught me." + +Anthony joined in her merriment before clearing his throat. + +"My first place," he said, "was in Lancaster Gate." + +"I know," said Daphne eagerly. "North of the Park. Go on." + +Before they parted, they had danced two more dances together. + +Then he spent a quarter of an hour with Betty and another like period +with Anne. After that, before he could get to Valerie, he was handed +to a little fair damsel, all big grey eyes and masses of golden hair. + +"Major Lyveden--Miss Mansel." + +"Isn't Daphne nice?" said that lady. "I saw you dancing with her. +She's my cousin." + +"I envy you both," said Anthony. + +Jill Mansel stared at him gravely. + +"That's very nice of you. Yes, I'd love to dance this. Look. There's +Adele. Isn't she lovely? I think she's like a flower. She's going to +marry my cousin. She's an American without an accent. You are tall, +aren't you? You're all tall here to-night, except me. It makes me +feel a dwarf." + +"And us, ogres," said Anthony. + +Jill laughed delightedly. + +"You are nice," she said. "Valerie said you were. Look at Berry +dancing with Daphne, and pretending he's bored stiff. When are you +coming to White Ladies?" + +She prattled on contentedly, asking questions innumerable, but +requiring no answers. + +Lyveden enjoyed himself. + +After they had sat out a little, Valerie came towards them with the man +called Jonah. + +"Since you won't ask me," she said to Anthony, "I must throw myself at +your head." She turned, smiling, to Jill. "Jonah is bored with me, +dear, so I'm going to heap coals of fire on his head and restore him to +his little sister." She returned to Anthony. "Now, then." Thus +addressed, he offered her his arm soberly enough. "There's some +supper, I know, downstairs, because I ordered it myself." + +They made for the great doors, Anthony tongue-tied, and she hailing +others to follow them. + +As they passed down the broad staircase, he remembered the reason of +the party, and begged to congratulate her. My lady thanked him with a +quiet smile. + +"We've got a lot to talk about," she said. "You and I. And there'll +be too much noise at supper, so it must wait. Afterwards I'll send for +a coat, and we'll walk in the garden. That's the best of a birthday. +I can do as I please." + +Her promise of his peaceful possession after supper made the meal, so +far as Lyveden was concerned, an Olympian banquet. The assemblage, +indeed, was remarkable, and the hostess--a very Demeter--must have been +the oldest present by some twenty years. The sprightliness of Hermes +alone, in the guise of the man called Berry, kept a lively table in +roars of laughter. + +Yet, full as his cup was, for Anthony the old Falernian was to come.... + +As good as her word, when the others were straying back to the gallery +in response to the lure of a lullaby valse, Valerie led Lyveden to a +lobby and let him help her into a chamois-leather coat. A cloak of +Irish frieze was hanging there, and she bade him put it about his +shoulders against the night air. Anthony protested, but she just +stamped her foot. + +"It's my birthday," she flashed. + +Anthony donned the garment, and she opened a garden-door. A moment +later they were walking upon a wide terrace at the back of the house. + +"Well?" said Valerie. + +"It is my bounden duty," said Anthony, "to remind you that I am a +footman. Now that you know, it's very easy to tell you." + +"And what if you are?" + +"Well, if we happened to visit the same house, I should go in by the +tradesmen's entrance." + +Valerie tossed her head. + +"You might go in by the back, but if you weren't shown out of the front +door, _I_ shouldn't visit that house again." + +Anthony sighed. + +"Then your visiting-list would shrink," he said, "out of all knowledge. +How did you know my calling?" + +"Did you think I didn't recognize you that night?" + +"At first I was uncertain. That I thought you must have. Then you +misled me, and made me think you hadn't. Why did you do that?" + +"I don't know," said Valerie. She could not tell him the truth. "It +seemed easier. How did you come to The Shrubbery?" + +"I wasn't happy where I was, and I saw the Bumbles' advertisement. It +seemed meant for me." + +That it was meant for him, and that she and not the Bumbles had paid +for its insertion, Valerie thought it unnecessary to state. + +"We're fated to be brought together," she said. + +"How did you know I was at The Shrubbery?" + +Valerie raised her eyebrows. + +"Betty's my oldest friend," she replied. + +Lyveden swallowed the _suggestio falsi_ without a thought. Indeed, so +soon as she had spoken, his mind sped back, bee-like, to suck the honey +of her previous words: "We're fated to be brought together." Fated.... + +The moon was up now, and he lifted his eyes and gazed at its clear-cut +beauty. A power, then, greater than he had ruled against his resolve. +Why? To what end? It was very kind of the power--at least, he +supposed it was--but what was to come of it? + +He had wandered straight into her arms. Very good. But--he and she +could not stroll upon this terrace for ever. The relentless rubric of +Life insisted that he must move--whither he chose, of course, but +somewhither. The truth was, he did not know which way to turn. His +heart pointed a path, certainly--a very precious path, paved all with +silk, hung with the scent of flowers, shadowed by whispering +plumage.... His head, however, beyond denouncing his heart as a guide, +pointed no way at all. + +Anthony wanted desperately to do the right thing. Fortune, it seemed, +was at her old tricks. Here she was handing a palace to a beggar who +had not enough money to maintain a hovel. It would not have been so +hopeless if he had possessed "prospects." With these in his pack, he +might have essayed the way his heart showed him. They were, however, +no part of a footman's equipment.... + +Anthony began to wonder what became of old footmen. One or two, +perhaps, became butlers. As for the rest... + +Valerie, too, was in some perplexity. She was wondering, now that she +had her man here, how best to deal with him. Pride and honour make up +a ground which must be trodden delicately. One false step on her part +might cost them both extremely dear. Her instinct was to take the bull +by the horns, Anthony by the arm, and Time by the forelock. The last +of these was slipping away--slipping away. She was actually +twenty-six. In a short fourteen years she would be actually forty. +Forty! For a moment she was upon the very edge of exercising the +privilege of a sovereign lady who has fallen in love. All things +considered, she would, I think, have been justified. Something, +however, restrained her. It was not modesty, for modesty had nothing +to do with the matter. It was not the fear of rejection, for she was +sure of her ground. It was probably a threefold influence--a rope, as +it were, of three stout strands. The first was consideration for +Anthony's pride; the second, an anxiety lest she should beggar him of +that which he prized above rubies, namely, his self-respect; the third, +an innate conviction that while the path of Love may look easy, it is +really slippery and steep out of all conscience. + +Thus absorbed in the delicacy of their relationship, they stepped the +length of the terrace in silence. Then-- + +"I don't know what you're thinking about," said Valerie, "but I should +like to." + +Anthony shook his head. + +"I'll tell you a story instead," he said. "If you like, that is." + +"Please." + +She turned and leaned her arms upon the stone balustrade, overlooking +dim lawns and, beyond, the pale ghost of a great park that seemed to +stretch and roll unlimited into the depths of a distance which Night +had bewitched. + +"There was once," said Anthony, "a frog. He wasn't much of a frog, as +frogs go. In fact, with the exception that he had no home and no +friends, he was a very ordinary frog indeed. One day when he was sick +and tired of being alone, he went out and bought a tame minnow. +Considering how poor he was, it was very reckless, because it meant +that there were now two mouths to feed instead of one, but the minnow +and the frog became such great friends that that didn't seem to matter. +At last, sure enough, the day of reckoning arrived. The larder was +empty, the minnow's appetite was as healthy as ever, and the frog was +down to his last penny. So, after a lot of thought, he left the minnow +playing in a quiet pool, and went out to earn some flies. By dint of +toiling very hard all day, he managed to earn enough to keep the minnow +and himself, but it meant that the two had very little time together, +and that was a shame. + +"Well, one day the frog got back to the pool a little earlier than +usual, and, chancing to lift up his eyes, there seated upon the bank he +saw a real live Princess. What the frog thought, when he saw her, may +be imagined. What he felt doesn't matter. Enough that he was +profoundly moved. So moved that he almost forgot to give the minnow +his flies. And long after the Princess had risen and gone away, the +frog kept thinking of her, and thinking, and thinking.... And then, +all of a sudden, he began to wish, as he had never wished before, that +he wasn't a frog. + +"Now, vain desires are the most persistent of all. + +"The frog wished and wished, and cursed himself for a fool, and wished +again.... At last he could bear it no longer, so he went to a +water-rat who was so old that he was said to be wise, and sought his +advice. + +"The water-rat was painfully outspoken. 'Once a frog, always a frog,' +he said. + +"'Always?' + +"'Always. Unless you can find a Princess and persuade her to kiss +you.' And, being an old rat, he chuckled at his own joke. + +"But the frog didn't see anything to laugh at. He just became so +excited that he could hardly float, and then he turned round and +started to swim back to the pool as hard as ever he could.... + +"By the next morning his excitement had somewhat abated. Of course he +was tremendously lucky to have found a Princess. (Being an optimist, +you see, he assumed that she would reappear.) But it was quite another +matter to persuade her to kiss him. Still, he didn't give up hope, and +every day he raced and tore after the flies, so as to get back early to +the pool. + +"Then one day the impossible thing happened. + +"There was the Princess again on the bank of the pool, and when the +frog put up his nose and fixed her with a bulging and glassy eye, she +smiled at him. Very haltingly the frog swam to land and crouched at +her feet, and, before he knew where he was, she had stooped and kissed +him. + +"The frog just shut his eyes in ecstasy and gloated upon the fulfilment +of his desire. It had happened. His wish had been gratified. The +change had come. He was no longer a frog. For the first time he began +to wonder what he was. Probably a Prince. Oh, undoubtedly a Prince. +All clad in gold and silver, with a little fair moustache. He hoped +very much that he had a fair moustache. But he wouldn't put up his +hand and feel, for fear of spoiling it. He wanted to look at himself +gradually, beginning with his feet and working upwards. He began to +wonder what sort of boots he had on. He decided that he was wearing +soft gold boots, with silver laces.... + +"Cautiously he opened one eye and glanced at his right foot. He was +quite wrong. It wasn't a gold boot at all. It was a queer-looking +boot, all smooth and shiny and shaped--well, rather like--like a frog's +foot. In fact, if he hadn't known that he was no longer a frog, he +would have said---- A frightful thought came to him, and he opened +both eyes, staring frantically.... Then he sprang to the edge of the +pool and looked himself in the face.... He stood gazing so long that +the minnow, who had been watching him, thought he was ill, and leaped +out of the water to attract his attention. At last the frog pulled +himself together and flopped back into the pool anyhow.... + +"And, after many days, during all of which the minnow was a great +comfort, he came to realize that frogs should know better than to lift +up their eyes, and should busy themselves with fly-earning, and be +thankful for the air and the sun and the mud at the bottom of pools, +and, last of all, look forward to that sun-bathed marsh where the flies +are fat and plenteous, and there is no winter, and whither, at the end +of their lives, all good frogs go." + +There was a long silence. Then-- + +"Poor frog," said Valerie, standing upright and turning. + +"It's very nice of you to say so," said Anthony, falling into step. +"But he richly deserved it." + +"And what happened to the Princess?" + +"Oh, she went the way Princesses go, and enriched the memories of all +who saw her, and in due season she married a Prince." + +"Didn't she ever think any more of the frog?" + +"No," said Anthony. + +"Then why did she kiss him?" + +They had come to the garden door by now, and, as she spoke, Valerie set +a hand on the latch. + +"Out of pity," said Anthony. "She had a sweet, kind heart, and she was +sorry for him because he was a frog." + +"I don't believe it was out of pity at all," said Valerie. "I'm--I'm +sure it wasn't." + +"It must have been," said Anthony. "Why on earth else should a +Princess----" + +"Because it pleased her to kiss him," said Valerie, with the air of a +queen. + +Anthony looked at her with undisguised admiration. + +"You're a real Princess," he said, "any way." + +Valerie let go the door-handle and laid her hand on his shoulder. + +"Why did she kiss him?" she demanded. + +"Out of--because it pleased her." + +The hand touched his cheek, and Anthony caught it and put it to his +lips. As he let it go, the slight fingers caught his and, before he +could stop her, Valerie had stooped and kissed them. + +The next instant the door was open, and she was inside. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Albert Morgan was working feverishly. + +Time was getting on, and the plate-chest had proved unexpectedly +stubborn. To know where it was had been a great help, of course, but +during his service at The Shrubbery it had been kept unlocked. +Somewhat unfairly, he cursed the parlourmaid, who, he assumed, was +doing his work, for "a suspicious ----." + +Curiously enough he had no idea that his late colleagues were not in +the house. He believed them to be sleeping peacefully in the servants' +quarters. For considerately placing the pantry distant from these, it +might have been thought that the architect of the house would receive +Mr. Morgan's commendation. On the contrary, of his zeal appropriately +to execrate the former's memory, the ex-footman employed most +regrettable language, and this for the simple reason that the stone +sill of the pantry window projected rather farther from the wall than +Mr. Morgan, when in the act of lifting his knee, had believed to be the +case. + +With the exception of this painful incident, his ingress had been +effected with the acme of ease. This was due to the foresight, +patience, and unremitting care with which he had severed the bars and +removed the spring of the window-catch during his last fortnight in Mr. +Bumble's employ. + +After the refractory plate-chest had been made to disgorge, Mr. Morgan +had visited the drawing-room. By the time he had garnered what +precious metal was there, his two capacious bags had become extremely +heavy. So much so, that he almost regretted that he had not brought a +friend. The reflection, however, that to present a coadjutor with half +the proceeds of a robbery which his brain alone had conceived and made +possible, would undoubtedly have shortened his life, made him feel +better. Cautiously he made for the stairs and, guiding himself with +his torch, began to ascend. + +There were some snuff-boxes in a cabinet which stood on the landing. +It was unthinkable that he should go without these. The piece was kept +locked, but he had often gazed at them through the glass. One of them +was of silver-gilt--possibly of gold. Mr. Morgan licked his thick lips. + +It was upon the door of this cabinet, then, that, torch in mouth, he +was working feverishly. Time was getting on.... + +As if in answer to the subdued crack with which the door at length +yielded came the noise of the insertion of a key into the lock of the +front door. Mr. Morgan started violently, thrust his torch into a +pocket, and stood extremely still. + +The door opened and the admitted moonlight showed him the entrance of +one--two feminine apparitions, followed by that of a man. For a moment +they stood in the hall, speaking with one another in an undertone. +What they said Mr. Morgan could not hear--their voices, too, were too +low to be recognized--but he had no doubt at all regarding their +identity. Seven weeks of their fellowship had blessed (or cursed) him +with a familiarity with their style and proportions such as no manner +of wraps and tricksy half-lights could subvert. With a full heart and +twitching lips, Mr. Morgan dwelt blasphemously upon the several +destinies for which, to his mind, their untimely appearance had +qualified them. + +"What are you going to do about the door?" whispered Betty. "We can't +leave it open." + +"Well, we can't shut it," said George, "can we?" + +"Put it to," Anne suggested. "He won't be more than a minute or two, +and when he comes he can just push it open." + +The truth of the matter was that José and Patch, who had gone +a-hunting, had not returned when the party had left for Bell Hammer. +It was possible that, during their absence, the dogs had come back, and +Anthony did not like to think that truant Patch might be wandering +around the house, seeking admission in vain. Consequently, after the +car had been noiselessly bestowed--out of consideration for their +employers' rest, the four had alighted before they left the road and +had man-handled a silent Ford up the drive and into the garage--Lyveden +had bidden the others go on, and had started off upon a visiting +patrol, the objectives of which were the several entrances to the +residence. If Patch was anywhere, he would be crouched upon one of the +doorsteps.... + +Anne's suggestion seeming reasonable, her brother secured the Yale lock +so that its tongue was engaged, and, quietly closing the door, followed +his wife and sister a-tiptoe through the hall and past the baize door +which led to the servants' quarters. + +As they passed the foot of the stairs, Betty remarked the shaft of +moonlight shining upon the landing, and Mr. Morgan's black heart stood +still. When her husband reminded her that in less than four hours it +would be her privilege to prepare Mrs. Bumble's tea, and added that, if +she felt lyrical, he felt tired and footsore, Mr. Morgan, had his +emotions included gratitude, would have thanked his stars. + +Such devotion, however, would have been premature. + +Though he did not know it, his stars in their courses were fighting +against him. + +The moment the baize door had closed behind his late colleagues, he +made silently for the stairs. Of the snuff-boxes he thought no more. +The man was rattled. His one idea was to pick up his traps and be +gone. He was even afraid any more to employ his torch. Besides, the +moonlight, to which Betty had drawn his attention, was asserting itself +fantastically. + +Step by step he descended the staircase, trying frantically to remember +which of the treads would creak under his weight. Faithfully to +ascertain which of them possessed this important peculiarity had been +one of the last things he did before quitting Mr. Bumble's service. +Was it the fifth or sixth? He hesitated, then avoided the fifth +gingerly, and hoped for the best.... Beneath the increased pressure +the sixth stair fairly shrieked. Mr. Morgan skipped on to the seventh +and broke into a cold sweat. Again he was confronted with the choice +of the eighth or ninth. After a moment of agonized indecision, he +decided to miss them both.... Man but proposes. In his anxiety he +missed the tenth also and slithered incontinently into the hall.... + +More than a minute passed before the knave dared to pick himself up. +The last five stairs had been rough with his hinder parts, but his +physical pain was nothing to the paroxysm of mental torment which the +noise of his fall had induced. + +Trembling with apprehension, he groped his way to his bags. Of these, +one had to be strapped, for the catch of its lock was broken. He knelt +down with his back to the door, fumbling.... + +A sudden step upon the gravel immediately outside the front door almost +congealed his blood. That peril could blow from that quarter he had +never imagined. Once again he remained where he was, as still as +death. Unless the new-comer was there because his suspicions were +aroused, there was a chance that Mr. Morgan might yet escape notice. +Who the new-comer might be, he had no time to speculate, for, without +being unlocked, the door was pushed open. Mr. Morgan marked the +phenomenon, and his hair rose. Then a man stepped inside and stood +still.... + +Mr. Morgan held his breath until his lungs were bursting and his head +swam, but the man never moved. + +The fact was that Anthony was staring at the same shaft of light which +had attracted Betty's attention. This, however, was no longer +appearing upon the landing, but in the hall, which, with the exception +of that corner which contained the crouching ex-footman, it was doing +much to illuminate. From this it would appear that the arresting beam, +so far from emanating from the moon, was none other than Mr. Morgan's +evil genius, following him about wherever he went. It was, in fact, +his torch, which in his confusion he had thrust glowing into his pocket +_the wrong way up_. That one end must protrude, he knew, for the brand +was longer than the pocket was deep. He had, of course, no idea at all +that it was advertising his presence and slightest movement so very +faithfully.... + +It became impossible for Mr. Morgan any longer to restrain his breath. +He therefore expelled it as gently as he possibly could, inhaling a +fresh supply with the same caution, and wondering dully whether it was +to be his last. The suspense was unbearable. + +Anthony, of course, was perfectly satisfied that the light was thrown +by a torch. The source of the latter, however, was shrouded, not only +in mystery, but in a darkness which the very light of the beam served +to intensify. He continued to stand still. + +There never was such a case. + +Anthony, who knew the value of waiting, was prepared to stay still +indefinitely. Mr. Morgan was afraid to do anything else. Clearly, if +they were not to remain where they were until dawn, there was need of a +_deus ex machina_. + +He arrived then and there in the shape of a little white dog with a +black patch. He was extremely wet, and there were burrs in his coat +and mud upon his beard. His tail was up, however, and his gait as +sprightly as ever. + +As if it was upon his account that the door had been set open at this +unlawful hour, he entered boldly, passed by Anthony in the gloom, and +then stood still like his master, staring at the mysterious beam. But +not for long. For Patch, curiosity was made to be satisfied. Stepping +warily, he moved forward to investigate.... + +When first Mr. Morgan realized that something was smelling him from +behind, he made ready to die. Then, so tenacious is the hold we +mortals have upon life, he gave an unearthly shriek and sprang from his +bended knees for the drawing-room doorway.... + +When Mr. Bumble and his chauffeur, the one in his night attire and the +other in a vest and a pair of dress trousers, appeared upon the scene, +Anthony was kneeling upon Mr. Morgan, who was lying face downwards upon +the drawing-hearth and dealing as fluently as a sheep-skin rug would +permit with Anthony's birth, life, death and future existence. As for +Patch, his services no longer required, he was rolling upon the sofa in +an absurd endeavour to remove the burrs from his coat. + +All of which, gentlemen, must undeniably go to show that the master who +suffers his servants to go a-junketing will have his reward; that a +woman knows better than a man what course he should shape; and that +there is much virtue in hunting, even though it keep the hunter afoot +till four of the morning. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE GOLDEN BOWL + +With Monseigneur Forest, other than in his capacity of uncle and +counsellor to Miss Valerie French, we are not concerned. It is +necessary, however, to record that the dignitary was no fool. He was, +in fact, a very wise man, able to understand most men and women better +than they understood themselves. With such understanding, naturally +enough, went a rare kindness of heart; the addition to these things of +a fine sense of humour argued a certain favouritism on the part of a +Providence which bestows upon ninety-and-nine mortals but one virtue +apiece, and to the hundredth but two. Monseigneur Forest was, I +suppose, a man in a million. + +A letter of some importance, which his niece had sent him, reached him +in Rome ere October was old. + + +_DEAR UNCLE JOHN,_ + +_I want to see and talk to you very badly, but I can't leave England +just now. I suppose you guess what is coming. I can see you smile. +You're quite right. I've fallen in love._ + +_Listen. I was out with poor little Joe in the country, and went to an +inn for tea. And there was a man in the garden. I didn't know he was +there till his dog and Joe started scrapping, and then he ran up to +separate them. The moment I saw him--I don't know how to tell you. I +just felt floored.... Then--instinctively, I suppose, for I hardly +knew what I was doing--I tried to cover up this feeling. I was furious +with him for knocking me out. Can you ever understand? And I was +pretty rude. He took it wonderfully and just apologized--Heaven knows +what for--and cleared out. The moment he was gone, I could have torn +my hair. I actually went again to the inn, to try and find him, though +what I should have done if I had I don't know...._ + +_Then I saw him again--not to speak to--as I was coming away from the +Opera. Now hold on to something--tight! He was in livery--a footman's +livery._ + +_Yes. It made me jump, mentally, for the moment. Of course, I'd never +dreamed of that. And then I realized that he must be down on his luck, +and I felt so sorry for him I could have cried. As a matter of fact, I +did cry. And then, all of a sudden, I knew that I loved him._ + +_We met properly a week or two later by accident--on his part. You +must forgive me. If you knew him, you would. And now we know one +another properly, and he's in service quite close to Bell Hammer, with +George and Betty Alison--didn't you meet them at Christmas? Lost all +their money, and went out as chauffeur and parlourmaid. Anne, George's +sister, is there, too. And he came to dinner the other night, and Aunt +Harriet likes him, and we're--well, great friends._ + +_And I don't know what to do. You see, he's terribly proud and +honourable, and, to him, being a footman matters very much indeed. Of +course it doesn't really matter in the least, but he would never look +at it that way. And all my money, instead of making everything +possible, as it might, only makes things worse._ + +_What is to be done?_ + +_I can't blame him. Indeed, I'd hate him to feel any other way, and +yet.... If only the positions were reversed. Then it would be too +easy. As things are, it's a deadlock. And I love him so, Uncle John. +I suppose you couldn't possibly come. I have a feeling that you would +straighten things out._ + + _Your loving niece, + VALERIE._ + +_P.S.--I'm so terribly afraid he'll disappear or something. He's like +that._ + + +Monseigneur Forest read the letter with a grave smile. Then he read it +again very carefully, looking to see if there was anything unwritten +between the lines. Only once did he raise his eyes from the +note-paper. This he did meditatively. Before returning to the letter, +he went farther and raised his eyebrows.... + +The cause of this elevation is worthy of note. It was, in fact, none +other than the reference to Anne--and yet not so much the reference +itself as the manner in which this was made. The prelate, you will +remember, was no fool. + +For that matter, he was not a god, either. Consequently, the counsel +which he presently offered his niece had to be communicated by the +material channel of the "common or garden" post, and was, in fact, +nearing Modane when Valerie rounded the edge of a belt of Scotch firs +in Hampshire to come upon Anthony Lyveden regarding an old finger-post +in some perplexity. + +As my lady came up, Lyveden uncovered and pointed to a weather-beaten +arm, upon which the words FRANCE 4 MILES were still discernible. + +"Can you help me?" he said. + +Valerie smiled. + +"I think so. This is a very old post--over a hundred years old. You +know Hawthorne?" + +"I ought to." + +"Well, once upon a time the village was called France. But during the +Napoleonic wars the name was changed. For obvious reasons." + +"And they forgot to alter this?" said Anthony, nodding at the cracked +grey wood. + +Valerie shook her head. + +"No one would do the work. You know they used to bury suicides at the +cross-roads? Well, one was buried here. That was when--when the post +was set up...." + +A little shiver accompanied her words. + +"I see," said Anthony. "The body was staked, wasn't it? What a +barbarous old world it was! I don't wonder they were afraid of the +place." + +"It's supposed to have been an old usurer who came from these parts and +had ruined all sorts of people in his time." + +"And why did he kill himself?" said Anthony. + +"I forget. There was some mystery about it. I remember an old, old +shepherd telling me some of the tale, when I was a little girl, and my +nurse came up in the middle and scolded him and snatched me away." + +"Quite right, too," said Anthony. "And if she was here now, History +would probably repeat itself." With a sweep of his arm he indicated +the country-side. "Was this your nursery?" + +Valerie nodded. + +"In the summer." She hesitated. "I'll show you my window, if you +like. It's the best part of a mile, though." + +Anthony laughed and turned to summon his terrier. + +"Patch and I," he said, "have at least one afternoon a week. As long +as I'm back in time to lay the table...." + +A moment later he was stepping along by her side. + +It had not occurred to him to ask what "her window" might be. If she +had offered to show him the mouth of hell, he would have assented as +blindly. Whither he went and what he saw did not matter at all, so he +was to be in her company. All the same, his instinct pulled him by the +sleeve. Hazily he reflected that to retrace such steps as you have +taken along the path of Love is a bad business, and that the farther +you have elected to venture, so much the more distressing must be your +return. And he would have to return. In the absence of a miracle, +that journey could not be avoided. For an instant the spectre of +Reckoning leaned out of the future.... Then Patch flushed a stray pig, +and Valerie laughed joyously, and--the shadow was gone. Cost what it +might, Anthony determined to pluck the promise of the afternoon with an +unsparing hand. + +He had walked in the direction of Bell Hammer for the same reason that +had caused Valerie French to bend her young steps towards Hawthorne. +Each drew the other magnetically. It was not at all strange, +therefore, that they should have met. Neither, since the attraction +was mutual, is it surprising that the effect of each other's company +was exhilarating to a degree. Together, they were at the very top of +their bent. If the man trod upon air, the maid was glowing. His +lady's breath sweetened the smell of autumn; the brush of her lord's +jacket made the blood pelt through her veins. Grey eyes shone with the +light that blue eyes kindled. Each found the other's voice full of +rare melody--music to which their pulses danced in a fierce harmony. +The world was all glorious.... + +Here was no making of love, but something finer--nothing less, indeed, +than the jewel natural, uncut, unworked, unpolished, blazing out of a +twofold crown that sat, yoke-like, upon their heads for all to see. +Since, however, they met no one, the diadem was unobserved.... + +So Jack and Jill passed with full hearts by yellow lanes into the +red-gold woods, and presently along a bridle-path that curled +mysteriously into a great sunlit shoulder of forest, where the driven +leaves fussed over their footsteps, and the miniature roar of a toy +waterfall strove to make itself heard above the swish and crackle of +the carpet the trees had laid. + +"I'll tell you one thing I've learned," said Lyveden. + +"What?" said Valerie. + +"That what you do doesn't matter half as much as who you do it with. I +found that out in the Army. The work didn't matter. The discomfort, +the food, didn't count--comparatively. It was the company you had to +keep that made the difference." + +"'Better is a dinner of herbs,'" quoted Valerie. + +"Exactly. And it's the same now. I don't say I'd pick out a footman's +job, but there's nothing the matter with the work. Everything depends +on the other servants. My first two places nearly broke my heart: with +the Alison crowd----" + +He hesitated, and Valerie completed the sentence. + +"Everything in the garden is lovely," she said slowly. + +"Comparatively--yes. Of course, it's--it's only a back garden." + +"Is it?" + +Anthony nodded. + +"Entered by the back door and approached by the back stairs. You can't +get away from it." + +"I can," said Valerie. "Speak for yourself. It's you who can't--won't +get away from it. They say that in Russia there are noblemen sweeping +the streets. If one of them was a friend of yours, would you turn him +down because he carried a broom? Of course you wouldn't." + +"No, but----" + +"But what?" + +"The first duty of a servant," said Anthony, "is to know his place." + +Valerie stood still and looked at him. + +"I wonder you don't call me 'miss,'" she said, shaking her head gravely. + +"Very good, miss," said Lyveden. + +"That's better," said Miss French contentedly, slipping an arm through +his. "And now, if we leave the path and bear to the right, in about +two minutes we shall come to my window." + +The two had been climbing steadily, but another fifty paces in the +direction Miss French had indicated brought them to the foot of a +steeper ascent than ever. This was, in fact, a broad natural bank, +some thirty feet high. The careful negotiation of a tiny path, +followed by a plunge into a thicket, where the stubborn protests of +boughs had to be overruled, landed them in a dwarf clearing, which the +density of the surrounding bocage rendered a fastness. + +Valerie stepped to the far side and parted the branches. + +"Look," she said. + +They were upon the lip of a heather-edged bluff which fell sheer for +perhaps two hundred feet into a pinewood. Beyond, by mammoth terraces, +the glory of the forest sank step by colossal step into the purple +distance, from which distant in turn a thread of silver argued the +ocean. There never was such a staircase. The grandeur of its +proportions diminished the rolling world. The splendour of its +covering made colour pale. + +Anthony gazed spellbound. At length-- + +"I didn't know there was such a view in all England," he said. + +Miss French smiled. Then she moved cautiously forward, till she was +clear of the bushes, there to sit down upon a billowing cushion of +heather which grew conveniently about as close to the edge of the bluff +as it was prudent to venture. Abstractedly Anthony followed her and, +after a glance about him, took his seat by her side upon a patch of +gravel. + +"I'm in your debt," he said simply. "Deeper than I was before." + +Valerie nodded at the wonder of landscape. + +"I'll make you a present of this," she said. "What else do you owe me +for?" + +Anthony spread out his hands. + +"Your society," he said. + +"You've paid for that--with your own." + +"Your pity, then." + +"I've never pitied you," said Valerie. + +"You've stooped," said Anthony. + +"I've not stooped," was the fierce reply. + +"We won't argue it," said Anthony. "I owe you for your--your interest, +at any rate. You've been good enough to interest yourself in my----" + +"Aren't--you--interested?" said Valerie, staring into the distance and +seeing nothing. + +For a long minute the man sat motionless, not seeming to breathe. +Then-- + +"Yes," he said slowly, "I am. And that's the devil of it." With a +sudden jerk he was on one knee beside her and had caught her hand. +"Oh, lady, don't you see? That's what kills everything. Am I +interested? Good God, I'm--I'm crazy! I can think of nothing else. +You blot out everything in the world. Whatever I do, or say, or think, +you're always there. There's nothing but you, you, you! And you ask +if I'm interested!" + +A wandering puff of salt air swooped out of the windless sky, ruffled +his thick dark hair, and was gone, panting. A gull sailed close to +them, circled, dipped and sped seaward with a smooth rush. The +league-long shadow of a cloud swept stately over the gleaming woods, +driving the sunlight before it, itself driven before the twin of its +prey.... The silver wire of silence became more and more tense. Each +second gave another turn to the screw. Valerie began to tremble.... + +"And that," said Lyveden at last, "that's why we can't be friends. I +can't be your friend because I love you; and I mustn't love you +because----" + +"Why?" + +"Because it's out of the question," he flashed. "Don't tempt me, +Valerie. You know it is. I'm crying for something that's utterly, +hopelessly, laughably out of my reach. I haven't the right to the +moonlight, and I want--the moon." + +He stopped suddenly and dropped his head, ashamed that he had let his +passion ride him so recklessly, limp after his outburst, sick at heart +for the truth of his words. + +Valerie sat very still, exultation and anxiety fighting for a grip on +her heart. Anthony had told his love, raved of her, called her by +name. (Anxiety's claw-like fingers began to yield.) The very +intensity of his utterance declared his conviction that he must give +her up. The exceeding bitterness of his tone rang too true to be +ill-founded. (Exultation's clutch weakened, and Anxiety took a fresh +hold.) Of a sudden Valerie felt persuaded that Time could win her +battle, could she but gain his aid. As if to establish this +persuasion, the reflection that the old fellow had straightened more +crookedness than any other minister of love came to her hotfoot, and +then and there she made up her mind to court him. She yearned to put +her arms about her man's neck, but felt that somehow that way lay ruin. +Anthony being what he was, it was all-important that she should not +show him her hand. He had seen--should see a card or two, certainly. +That the rest were the same, card for card, as those he had just flung +down, in his present mood he must on no account realize. Such +knowledge were fatal. He would, presumably, kiss her, and then call +Patch and walk out of her life for ever. So long, however, as he did +not believe her lovesick, he would--well, he would not disappear, at +any rate. There are who lay hold on hopelessness rather faster than +they lay hold on life.... + +"Anthony, dear," said Valerie, "let's--please don't let go of my +hand--let's look for a way out. You know, I think----" + +What she would have said should not matter to us. We have peered into +her brain-pan. The sentence, however, was never completed, and that +for a reason which shall pass muster. + +On perceiving that Valerie and he were moving, Anthony for a moment of +time suspected an earthquake. Almost instantaneously he appreciated +that, while it affected him pretty closely, it was a much smaller +matter--nothing more, in fact, than the giving way of that portion of +the cliff upon which the two were disposed. It was typical of the man +that he neither swore nor cried out, and of the soldier that he thought +and acted simultaneously.... By the mercy of Heaven, he was, as you +know, upon one knee. Had he been sitting, like his companion, they +must have gone with the avalanche. As it was, they were able, after a +painful silence, to hear this crash evilly with a dull roar into the +pinewood. + +The echoes rumbled curiously into the distance, and a startled medley +of cries rose from all manner of birds, which soared out of their +shelter, dismayed and whirling. One bird was fairly gibbering. Miss +French and Lyveden both noticed it. Valerie found herself wondering +whether it had lost its wits. + +For the perfection to which their senses focussed these and other very +ordinary things, their plight was responsible. It has been said that +the faculty of observation is never so pronounced as when the observer +is face to face with Death. Anthony and the lady were looking him in +the eyes. The pair of them was, in fact, hanging in space, dangling +two hundred feet up, with an inch and a half of ash-plant between them +and Eternity. + +With his right hand Lyveden was grasping the slender trunk of a sapling +which grew three feet to an inch from the new edge of the bluff. As he +was, arm and all, at full length, it follows that from the breast-bone +downwards the whole of him was over the cliff. Valerie was altogether +in mid-air. She was directly suspended, with her back flat against +Anthony, by the latter's left arm, which if he had released she would +have fallen plumb into the pinewood.... + +In a quiet voice Lyveden was speaking. + +"Try and free your right arm." + +Providentially, the girl's elbow was on a level with the edge, and at +the expense of a torn sleeve she was able to work the arm free and on +to the heather. This, when pulled, came away in her hand. Her fingers +scratched upon the gravel frantically. No handfast was there. After a +moment they abandoned the search. + +"Now the other arm." + +This was pinioned by her supporter's. By dint, however, of almost +dislocating her shoulder, she managed to disengage it. + +Again she waited for instructions. + +None came, however, for Anthony could not think what to do. She could +not turn, and he could not turn her. Neither could he haul them both +up. He had not the strength. As it was, the strain upon his two arms +was frightful--too frightful to last.... If she could have held +herself for five seconds, he could have dragged himself up and the girl +after him; but she could get no shadow of hold upon the ground. And +all the time his arms were tiring--both of them--tiring rapidly.... + +The muscles under his arm-pits were aching unbearably, and there was a +queer tingling in his right wrist. + +As he looked at this, he saw how it was quivering. His left arm was +quivering, too. He could feel it. He realized with a shock that this +was a movement over which he had no control. Nature, apparently, was +rebelling against his will.... And his fingers, crooked about the +trunk of the sapling, were getting hot--making the bark greasy.... + +Convulsively he sought foothold for the thirtieth time, but, except for +tweaking the agony in his chest, the effort was vain. Desperately he +blinked the sweat out of his eyes.... + +Patch appeared upon the scene, snuffing the ground casually enough. +His surprise to see his master in so strange an attitude was +unmistakable. After a moment's reflection he decided that the position +was that required by the rules of a new game in which he was intended +to participate. He therefore made ready to play, and, lowering his +head to his paws, put up his nose and barked joyously. + +"Come here, Patch," said Anthony. + +The tone was not that of the playground, and the terrier obeyed +mechanically--circumspectly, too, though, for he disliked heights. + +Anthony addressed his companion. + +"When he's near enough, take hold of his collar. Hang on like grim +death. Listen! My arm's giving out. I'm going to let you go while I +pull myself up. It's the only chance. You're light, and he'll stick +his toes in. Put a strain on him now, so that he's ready." + +"I shall pull him over," said Valerie. + +"No, you won't, dear. Do as I say. Quick!" + +He almost screamed the last word. + +The moment he felt the strain, the terrier resisted wildly. Planting +his forefeet against the heather-roots, he refused with all the +instinctive terror of the dumb animal, straining every muscle of his +little thick-set frame to avoid a closer acquaintance with that +horrible brink.... + +Very gently Anthony lowered his companion till her arm was resting upon +the turf and the edge of the cliff was in her arm-pit. Then-- + +"Only a second, sweet," he said quietly, and let her go.... + +With a frightful heave he was on his stomach ... on his thighs ... his +knees ... feet. He turned, staggering. + +His back hunched like a cat's, Patch was sliding forward. + +In a flash Lyveden had stooped, caught Valerie's arm with both hands, +dug in his heels and flung himself backward.... + +The three landed in a heap anyhow. + +The moment he was at length detached from Valerie, Patch retired a good +score of paces from the edge of the bluff. He had had enough of cliffs +for the rest of his life. His master's interpretation of games was +usually brilliant. This last was an exception. He could see nothing +in it. + + * * * * * + +Betty Alison laid her hand orderly upon the green baize, with the +complacent air of the player who is presenting his or her partner with +all the essential factors of Grand Slam. + +After staring fixedly at the display, her husband put his cards face +downwards upon the table and covered his eyes. + +"I suppose," he said brokenly, "I suppose you had a reason for +overbidding me. I confess I can't see it, but I expect that's because +it's too subtle." + +"What d'you mean?" was the indignant reply. "Look at those"--and Betty +pointed proudly to a queen-high flush of six diamonds. + +"But you called hearts!" + +Betty started. Then-- + +"So I did," she said guiltily. "I meant diamonds." + +"I see," said her husband grimly. "After all, they're both red, aren't +they?" + +Here the laughter which Anne and Anthony had been endeavouring to +restrain broke out tempestuously. Betty's procedure and bearing at the +Bridge table would have unhinged an enthusiast, but since the four +domestics played for amusement and a penny a hundred her short-comings +hurt nobody and were highly diverting. + +With a sorrowful look at his opponents, George proceeded laboriously to +amass three tricks. + +With the game went the rubber, and by mutual consent the party broke +up. It was half-past nine, and all had duties to do. Anne went +singing to fill Mrs. Bumble's hot-water bottle, and Betty to heat the +milk which it was her mistress's practice to consume at bed-time. Mr. +Bumble, as became his sex, favoured something more substantial, and +light refreshment in the shape of a ham sandwich and a bottle of beer +before retiring suited him admirably. In Anthony he had a +conscientious victualler. The sandwich was invariably fresh, the +bottle of beer untasted, the glass clean. Mr. Bumble had marked these +qualities and hugged himself. + +This night, when Anthony entered the dressing-room, his master was +sitting coatless upon a chair. + +"I beg your pardon, sir," said Lyveden, "I hope you've not been +waiting." + +"No, no," was the cheery reply. "Not your fault, me boy. I'm early. +There now! Maria!" Mrs. Bumble appeared in her doorway in a red +dressing-gown. "Look at that there tray, me dear. Ain't it a treat?" + +"Deluscious!" said Mrs. Bumble. + +"The very look," continued Mr. Bumble, "o' that sanwidge makes me that +'ungry you wouldden believe." + +"May I cut you another one, sir?" said Anthony. + +"'Ark at the boy," said his employer. "Wants ter kill me with +kindness. Why, I could eat sixty, I could. But one's too many, +reelly, at my time o' life." + +"Joo drink beer, Tony?" inquired Mrs. Bumble. + +"Yes, madam." + +"Then go an' 'ave a nice bottle," she said, beaming. + +"Thank you very much, madam." + +"Yes, an' give George one," said Mr. Bumble, not to be outdone in +generosity. + +"Thank you, sir." + +"Don't mention it," was the agreeable reply. + +Anthony bade them "Good night" and left them breathing good-will. + +As he descended the stairs, the particular verity of the adage which +Valerie had quoted upon a memorable afternoon nearly three weeks ago +appealed to him forcibly. "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is." +Certainly he was leading the humble life. Born and educated to +administer, if not to rule, here was he fetching and carrying, a hewer +of ham and a drawer of corks. He wondered if there were any other +footmen who were also Companions of the Distinguished Service Order. +That there were no other footmen who were so comfortably housed, he was +sure. And Patch was in clover. Anthony reflected that he had much to +be thankful for. A dinner of herbs was infinitely better than none at +all. He was, you observe, unconsciously converting the proverb to his +own use. Stalled oxen, with or without hatred, were not nowadays in +his line. He had quite forgotten what they were like, and cared as +little. Indeed, but for Valerie, his Ambition would have been dead. +Even now it lay very sick. High stomachs are easily upset. But a +nodding acquaintance with Hunger will make Ambition turn her face to +the wall. + +The duty of George Alison at nine-thirty was to take the dogs for a +run. When he returned this evening to find Anthony in the act of +setting two bottles of beer upon the table, he lifted up his voice and +thanked Heaven that he had at least one friend. + +"Thirteen perishing months," he concluded, "have I been in this house, +and this is the first time I've ever had an extra rum ration. And that +with my own flesh and blood, to say nothing of a lawful wife, running +round the Bumbles from morning till night. I admit that on two several +occasions your predecessor produced to me my master's liquor, but his +ribald reception of my inquiry whether such production was authorized +left me no alternative but to refuse to consume it." + +"What's that?" said Betty, bustling into the room. "I recognized the +tone of abuse, but I couldn't hear the words." + +"My love," said George, "I was but remarking that beer is thicker than +water. And now will you take my boots off before you clean them? Or +clean them first and take them off afterwards?" + +Betty Alison seated herself upon the table and raised her husband's +glass to her lips. + +"I looks," she said, "towards you." + +When she set it down, the glass was half empty. + +After a moment's silence-- + +"You've--you've left some," said her husband in a shaking voice. + +"I know," she said. "That's because I can't drink any more. I hate +beer." She slipped off the table with a yawn. "And now I'm going to +bed. Don't let him sit up, Anthony. The car's ordered for nine, and +he's got to get a new tire on." + +"Where are we going?" said Lyveden. + +"First meet of the season," said George. "I forgot to tell you. +Buck's Folly, the Bumbles think, but they're not certain. Deuce of a +job for me, I tell you. Everybody drives anywhere and anyhow. You're +backed into, you're always being called on to stop your engine, you're +expected to be able to turn in a six-foot lane and to manoeuvre on a +marsh as if it was wood pavement. To do any good, you want something +between a gyroscope and a Tank. A car's useless." + +"Stacks of people, obviously," said Anthony. + +"Unfortunately, yes. Hardened as I am, I'm not looking forward to that +side. I suppose you hunted--in the old days." + +Anthony nodded. + +"At Oxford, and sometimes with the Blackmore Vale. My uncle had a +house in Dorset." + +"Ah! We used to do a bit with the Pytchley before--before the War." + +For a moment nobody spoke. + +One and all they had stumbled into the closet of Memory. Pictures of +dead days stared at them--days when they had come and gone as they +pleased, before there had been a new earth and, seemingly, a new +heaven. Old sounds rang in their wistful ears, forgotten scents came +floating out of the darkness.... The closet grew into a gallery.... + +"Good night," said Betty quietly. "Don't sit up late." + +She slipped out of the room. + +It was a tired face that George Alison raised to Anthony. + +"Thank your stars," he said jerkily, "that you aren't married. I don't +matter. I don't mean I like service, but I'm well enough off. But +Bet--poor Bet. Think what her life should be, and then look at what it +is. And her father's worth half a million. He cut her off when she +married me. I had enough for two then, so it didn't much matter. But +now.... She's wonderful--perfectly marvellous, but--it's hard to see +her hands getting rough, man. Very hard. Her hands...." + +Anthony crossed the room and touched him upon the shoulder. + +"If I were married," he said, "I should feel just the same. And then +there'd be two fools instead of one. My dear fellow, if Betty +regretted her bargain, then she'd need your sympathy. As it is, so +long as she's got you, d'you think she cares whether she wears sables +or an apron?" + +"But you saw how she dried up just now." + +"Shall I tell you why?" said Anthony. + +"Why?" + +"Because to-morrow morning you're going to a meet in blue, and she's +sorry it can't be pink." + +The two finished their beer, and George retired somewhat comforted. + +As he had predicted, their attendance of the meet the next morning was +only effected at the expense of more patience than Alison possessed. +He was forced, in fact, to borrow from Anthony. Indeed, he afterwards +confessed that, but for the latter's presence, he should undoubtedly +have committed an aggravated assault. + +The vicinity of Buck's Folly proved to be suspiciously vacant, and upon +arrival at the standpoint itself if was instantly and painfully clear +that the Bumbles had been mistaken. A passing butcher, when +interrogated, grinningly vouchsafed the information that the meet was +at Saddle Tree Cross, a spot of which all the occupants of the car had +heard, but the way to which no one of them could tell. + +Swelling with importance, Mr. Bumble produced a map, and George's face +fell. He had seen that map before--from a distance. So had others. +No one but Mr. Bumble had ever seen it at close quarters. Unhappily +for all concerned, the latter's accomplishments did not include +map-reading, an omission distressingly obvious to every one but +himself. To follow his directions was fatal. Failure to appreciate +his directions was at once easier and more disastrous. What was still +more unfavourable was that, in possessing himself of the map, Mr. +Bumble became possessed of a devil. There was no doubt about it. From +being the most kindly of masters he became a snarling absurdity, whose +endeavours simultaneously to study the canvas, observe the +configuration of the country-side, and rave into the speaking-tube were +consistently vain. George raised his eyes to heaven and prepared for +the worst.... + +This came almost immediately. + +After having obediently turned the car round, George was peremptorily +advised that, after all, he had been facing the right way. Mr. Bumble +rather unfairly added that in his opinion the fool who had made the map +ought to be prosecuted. The warmth with which he committed this belief +to the speaking-tube rendered it not so much inaudible as incoherent, +and George, who believed it to be a further direction, had to ask him +to repeat the remark. By the time Mr. Bumble had realized that he was +being addressed and had placed his ear to the tube, George had +concluded his inquiry and was patiently listening at the opposite +end.... + +With such a beginning, the rest was easy. The wheels of wrath were +greased. Thereafter it was no longer a question of revolution, but of +speed. At times the velocity attained was appalling. + +Seven hideous miles slunk staggering by. + +Mrs. Bumble, of course, had been in tears from the outset. Anthony, as +we know, was busily engaged in administering comfort, temporal and +spiritual. The difficulty was to get George to take the nourishment. + +"The fool's like a drowning man," he protested, "with his arms round +your neck. Your only chance is to hit him under the jaw. Get out and +do it." + +Mr. Bumble had just formed and blasphemously announced the horrifying +resolve to return to Buck's Folly and start all over again, when +Anthony heard a horse whinny. In a flash he was on the running-board +and touching his hat. + +"I think we're just there, sir," he ventured. + +Mr. Bumble hesitated, George set his foot upon the accelerator, and a +moment later they swept round a bend to see the familiar medley of cars +and dog-carts, bicycles and phaetons, saddle-horses and governess-cars, +writhing below them upon a high-road into which the lane they were +using almost immediately debouched. + +With a sigh of relief, Mr. Bumble dropped the map and proceeded to mop +his face.... + +Comparatively, the chauffeur's troubles were over. After such a +drubbing, the nuisance of the congestion to which they were soon +contributing was like a flick on the collar, and ten minutes later the +car was berthed safely with two or three others upon an apron of turf. + +Mr. and Mrs. Bumble alighted, and George and Anthony were left to +themselves. + +Then another car squirmed out of the ruck of vehicles and came rolling +on to the sward. The gentleman ensconced upon its back seat was for +the saddle, and plainly glad of it. His careless, handsome face was +radiant, his manner full of an easy, inoffensive confidence, his +gaiety--to judge from his companions' laughter--infectious. His +turn-out was simple, but faultless. Despite the fact that he was +sitting between Lady Touchstone and Valerie, Anthony liked the look of +him. + +Since their experience upon the edge of the cliff, Lyveden had not till +now set eyes upon the lady. Unwilling to visit her home, he had +inquired by letter how she was doing. After receiving two little +notes, each of which assured him that she was not one penny the worse, +he wrote no more. Letters and notes were sober and to the point. Any +one might have read them. The truth is, the two were love-shy. + +Give to a dog a finer and meatier bone than he has ever dreamed of, and +mark his reception of your favour. Ten to one he will be afraid of it. +He will walk about the fragment delicately; possibly he will touch it +with the tip of an envious tongue; presently he will lie down at a +respectful distance, watching it with big eyes. The thing is too vast +for him. He must have time to become familiar with his stupendous luck. + +So with Miss French and Lyveden. The gods had tossed the two +title-deeds of a dream so wonderful that they were frightened. The +gift was too precious to be handled at once. Like the poor dog they +must have time.... + +You will understand, gentlemen, that this was no ordinary affair of +love. Convenience had had no hand in it. My tale had been shorter if +she had thrust but the tip of a finger into the pie. Pity, +Selfishness, Gratitude--none of the stock emotions went to the making +of the foundations of this fabric. It was not founded at all. Neither +had it grown out of friendship. It had no infancy. Had the two never +met, it is probable that--circumstances permitting--each would some day +have fallen in love with somebody else. And that would have been a +regular business. Convenience, Friendship, and other hard-working +matchmakers would all have put shoulders to the wheel and clapped one +another on the back when the banns were published. The fact that the +two had met saved, in a way, infinite trouble. + +Valerie had many swains, and more than a few women had looked twice at +Anthony. Such hearts, however, as had bleated for their sympathy had +either bleated altogether in vain, or, finding the sympathy vouchsafed +not at all what they wanted, bleated more fiercely than before. All +the same, the two were not seraphim. They were mortal enough, and, if +more than ordinarily attractive, revealed upon close examination a very +ordinary collection of failings. The wonder was not in themselves. +The fact that their natures were in just accord, was, at the most, +curious. It was true, nevertheless. Each wanted precisely what the +other was ready to give. Their personalities agreed like two +indentures--proved themselves mutual elixirs. The wonder began and +ended when they encountered one another. It was then that the seed of +love flashed into bloom. Miracles alone beget miracles. Parallel +lines had met. + +The sight of Valerie gladdened Anthony's eyes. He sat very still in +his seat, staring under the wind screen and wondering whether she would +recognize his back. He hoped that it was not because of her mishap +that she was not in a habit. He could hardly be expected to divine the +true reason. This was, shortly, that the lady, who had expected to see +him, could not enjoy a pastime from participation in which footmen are +for a variety of reasons so rigorously debarred. Incidentally, she had +seen Anthony before he had seen her, and the smile with which he had +credited her companion's bonhomie was due to his presence alone. Had +this been explained to the young sportsman, as one of Valerie's swains +it would have spoiled his day. As it was, he emerged from the car with +the genial air of one who is in high favour, and, after a word with a +groom who had come up bustling, mounted a good-looking grey and, waving +his hat to the ladies, proceeded to join his fellows with his eyes +sparkling and his chin on his shoulder. + +"Mason," said Lady Touchstone. + +The chauffeur, who had descended, sprang to the door. + +"Open the door." The man did so, and her ladyship alighted. "I'm +going to look at the hounds. You'd better come with me." + +"Very good, my lady." + +The pair moved off in single file. + +Though the office was new to him, the dignity of Mason's demeanour was +irreproachable. It was clear that the blood of flunkeys was in his +veins. As a matter of fact, one hundred years before, his grandfather +had done much escort duty, with a band on his hat and a cane in his +hand. Though Mason did not know it, the manner had been bred in his +bone. + +"'Ere's a lady wants yer." + +This was quite true. Miss French had not put it so bluntly, but it was +not her fault that the messenger she had selected knew a footman when +he saw one. + +Major Anthony Lyveden thanked his informant with a smile. Had it been +Caliban himself that had growled the message, the smile would have been +as ready. Such a summons lost nothing in the telling. + +George received the intimation that his colleague would be back in a +minute apathetically. He was yet in some dudgeon. Beyond heaving a +sigh charged with the resignation of a martyr who remembers that he has +left his gloves in the torture-chamber, he evinced no interest at all. + +Anthony crossed the turf to where Miss French sat smiling in a brown +laudaulette, and touched his hat. Appearances had to be kept up. +Valerie inclined her head gravely enough, but the look with which she +honoured his action was not of this world. Anthony felt astoundingly +rich. + +"How are you?" he asked anxiously. + +"Perfectly all right." + +"Sure?" + +Valerie nodded, smiling. + +"I wasn't even tired the next day," she said. "Were your arms very +stiff?" + +"Only for a day or two." + +"And Patch?" + +"As right as rain." + +"Will you be free on Sunday?" said Valerie. + +"From two o'clock on." + +"Will you come to Bell Hammer?" + +"I will," said Anthony. + +"I'll come to meet you with the two-seater. To-morrow I'm going away. +Aunt Harriet has to go to London. Have--have you been back ... since?" + +"To your window?" + +"To our window," said Valerie. + +Anthony nodded. + +"Yes," he said quietly. "I--I can't keep away." + +It was true. The place fascinated him. Tremendous happenings had made +it a shrine. Already worshipful as Valerie's bower, the ledge was +freshly consecrate to two most excellent saints--Love Confessed and +Life Triumphant. + +"I thought you had," said Valerie. "I saw your footsteps. And--oh, +please don't go so close to the edge, Anthony. Promise me you won't. +It--it frightens me so." + +Love lent the words an earnestness which there was no mistaking. My +lady leaned forward, with her hand gripping the woodwork. There was a +strained, pleading look upon the beautiful face, the proud lips +humbling themselves, the glorious eyes beggars--Royalty upon its knees. + +Quite naturally, Anthony's heart answered her. + +"I promise, sweet," he said. + +The vocative transfigured the lady. Anthony found himself mirrored in +two dew-burning stars. To deck her favourite, Nature had robbed the +firmament. To see such larceny, it is not surprising that the round +world stood still.... + +With a supreme effort Anthony pulled himself together. + +"Patch is too funny," he said. "He'll come as far as the bank--you +know, below the thicket--and not a step farther. He just stands there +and wags his tail apologetically. And there at the foot of the bank he +waits until I return." + +Valerie laughed merrily. + +"Poor little dog," she said. "It was enough to----" + +"I say, Val, did I leave my flask in the car?" + +The two had been too much absorbed to observe the return of the +fresh-faced youngster, and the latter's words cut their communion +short, much as the sudden rasp of curtain-rings scatters the rear of +slumber. It was providential that the world was moving again. The +suspension of perpetual motion would have been bound to excite remark. +As it was, the new-comer was upon the very edge of staring, when-- + +"Let me introduce Mr. Every--Major Lyveden," said Valerie. The two men +nodded mechanically and murmured politeness. "Yes, you did, Peter. +Here you are." She plucked the lost property from the bowels of the +seat and rose to restore it. "By the way," she added adroitly, "now's +your chance. Major Lyveden'll tell you whether you ought to wash a +horse's legs." + +Thus appealed to-- + +"Unless," said Anthony, "you've got a groom in a million, I shouldn't +advise it. It means mud-fever." + +"There you are," said Valerie, doubly triumphant. + +The youth's face was a study. Respect was fairly bundling Astonishment +out of the way. Anthony had spoken as one having authority, and Every +was visibly impressed. + +"You really think so, sir?" + +With one accord Valerie and Anthony smiled. The employment of the +title was at once so irregular and so appropriate. Instinct had shown +herself to be above raiment. Surely no manner of man ever was paid so +exquisite a compliment. + +A motor-horn coughed, and Anthony glanced over his shoulder. Then-- + +"I must go," he said quietly. "Good-bye." + +He touched his cap with a smile and left them. Every gazed after him +with his hat in his hand. Then he looked at Valerie with wide eyes. + +"But--but he's a footman," he said stupidly. + + * * * * * + +When upon the following day Anthony admitted that he had never seen the +view from The Beacon, the Alisons, all three, cried out upon the +omission with no uncertain voice. + +The four were breakfasting. + +"But," declared Anne, "you simply must see it. It's the most wonderful +view in the world." + +Anthony doubted this. He did not say so, of course, but he would have +staked a month's wages that he could have shown them a finer. As it +was, he expressed politely enthusiastic astonishment. + +"It is, really," said Betty. "And the tints at this time of year--why, +even George raves about it!" + +"That's right," said her husband. "Never lose an opportunity of +insult. Why 'even George'? Can't a chauffeur have a soul?" + +"Who went to sleep at the Russian Ballet?" said Betty. + +"Go on," said George. "Rake over the muck-heap. And what if I did? +The music suggested slumber. I merely adopted the suggestion." + +"Did it also suggest that you should snore?" said his wife. "Or was +that your own idea?" + +George touched Anthony on the arm and nodded towards the speaker. + +"Look at the scorn in that eye," he said. "See? The one that's +looking our way." + +With an air of unutterable contempt, Betty lighted a cigarette and then +hurled the matchbox at her unsuspecting spouse. The missile ricocheted +off his chin and fell noisily into the cup of tea which was halfway to +his lips.... + +When order had been restored-- + +"He must see it at once," said Betty. "Before the leaves fall." + +"The view, or the ballet?" said George. + +"Idiot!" She turned to Anne. "Why don't you take him this afternoon? +It's his day out, and you know you can always go." + +"Yes, please do," said Anthony. + +He could not very well have said anything else. Besides, Anne was all +right. He liked her. There was, of course, but one woman in the +world. Still Anne was a good sort, and he would not have hurt her +feelings for anything. + +The matter was arranged then and there. + +Seven hours later the two, with Patch, were tramping over a rising moor +towards a dense promise of woodland which rose in a steep slope, jagged +and tossing. This day the ragamuffin winds were out--a plaguy, +blustering crew, driving hither and thither in a frolic that knew no +law, buffeting either cheek, hustling bewildered vanes, cuffing the +patient trees into a dull roar of protest that rose and fell, a sullen +harmony, joyless and menacing. The skies were comfortless, and there +was a sinister look about the cold grey pall that spoke of winter and +the pitiless rain and the scream of the wind in tree-tops, and even +remembered the existence of snow. + +"I wish it was a better day," said Anne. "It's always worth seeing; +but you won't see so far to-day, and there's no sun." + +Anthony glanced at the sky. + +"Unless," he said, "it's worth seeing when the trees are bare, it's +just as well we're going there to-day. That sky means mischief. Are +you sure you're warm enough?" + +Anne laughed. + +"Supposing I said I wasn't," she said, "what would you do about it? +Give me your coat?" + +Anthony stood still. + +"I should take you home--quick," he said gravely. + +Honestly he hoped that she would waver. He had never wanted to come. +Left to himself, he and Patch would have walked--elsewhither. Had he +not known that Valerie was away, he would have excused himself at +breakfast. Not for anything in the world would he have forfeited a +chance of meeting her. Poor Anne's feelings would have had to rough it. + +"I'm as warm as toast," said Miss Alison cheerfully. "And I know you +don't want to come," she added, bubbling, "but you've just got to. +You'll thank me afterwards." + +Fiercely as he protested his innocence, Anthony felt extremely guilty. +He had, it seemed, committed a breach of good taste, which must be +repaired forthwith. He determined to be very nice to Anne. This +should not have been difficult, for she was full of good points. + +Fate had not been kind, but Anne found no fault with her heritage. +Indeed, her temper was infectiously healthy. For years now Fortune had +never piped to her, but that did not keep her from dancing. In the +circumstances, that she should have been so good to look upon seemed +almost hard.... + +The two passed on. + +It was a way Anthony had never gone, and, once in the thick of the +woods, he could not have told where he was. Anne, apparently, knew her +line backwards, for she climbed steadily, chattering all the time and +taking odd paths and random grass-grown tracks with an unconscious +confidence which was almost uncanny. More than once she turned to +strike across some ground no foot had charted, each time unerringly to +find the track upon the far side waiting to point them +upward--sometimes gently, and sometimes with a sharp rise, but always +upward. + +For all that, the pace his companion set was almost punishing, and +Anthony was on the point of pleading a respite, when-- + +"Almost there now," panted Miss Alison. "Round to the right here, +and----" + +The rest of the sentence was lost upon Anthony, and is of no +consequence to us. + +As he was rounding the corner, he had turned to whistle for Patch. For +two very excellent reasons the whistle was never delivered. The first +was that the Sealyham was only five paces in rear. The second was that +he was standing quite still in the middle of the path, wagging his tail +apologetically. + +For a moment Anthony stared at him. Then he swung round, to find +himself face to face with a broad natural bank, some thirty feet high. + + * * * * * + +When Valerie French, who had come by way of the finger-post, saw Patch +dormant at the foot of the broad bank, she could have jumped for joy. + +At the last minute rheumatism had laid its irreverent hand upon the +patrician muscles of Lady Touchstone's back, and the visit to Town had +been summarily postponed. Valerie, who should have been sorry, was +undeniably glad. She could not communicate with Anthony, but there was +a bare chance that she might do better than that. What afternoons he +had free she did not know. How he employed such as he had, he had told +her in plain terms. She was, of course, to see him on Sunday, but that +was four days away. Besides, she wanted to meet him upon that gravel +cliff--that window-sill whose freehold they shared. High matters were +on the edge of settlement. It was appropriate that they should there +be settled where, in a mad moment, Fate had staked upon one cast all +the kingdoms of the earth and their glory--staked them and lost them. +That it was now but a question of taking possession of their +inheritance, Valerie never doubted. In this she was right. The +crooked way of Love had been made straight: only the treading of it +remained--a simple business. That he had saved her life did not weigh +with Anthony at all. That Death had summoned them, looked in their +eyes, and let them go--together, made all the difference. It was as +though a hand had written upon the wall.... + +The sight, then, of the terrier verified hopes which she had been +afraid to harbour. She had wanted so much, and it had all come to +pass. She had wanted to meet her man, to see him ere he knew she was +there, to find him there at the window, to come delicately behind him, +to have him turn and see her, to mark the sudden gladdening of his dear +grey eyes.... + +Tremulously she ascended the tiny path and passed a-tiptoe into the +thicket.... + +You would have sworn it an elf that stole across the clearing beyond.... + +As she glided into cover-- + +"Rain," said Anthony. "Now we're for it. No coats, no umbrella, no +nothing. Anne, you're in for a wetting." + +"Won't be the first time," said Anne cheerfully. + +"Well, come on, any way," said Anthony. "The woods'll shelter us for a +while, and then----" + +"I shall have a bath," said Anne. "A nice hot bath directly I get in. +You know, all steaming and----" + +"Will you come on?" said Anthony, laughing. + +The two thrust through the screen and across the clearing. A moment +later the thicket had swallowed them up. + +As in a dream, Valerie heard their voices getting fainter and +fainter.... + +Presently they died altogether, and she was left alone with the rain. +This fairly pelted upon her, but she never moved. The truth is, she +never noticed it. + +A sudden rush of wind whipped a strand of her dark hair loose and flung +it across her lips, but she never moved. + +After a little while the wind died too, and for the second time she was +left alone with the rain. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +AN HIGH LOOK AND A PROUD HEART + +Here is a note, gentlemen, on its way to a lady, I have set it out now, +that you may be wiser than she--by some twenty-four hours. Such as it +is, I like my lookers-on to see the best of the game. + + + _Rome, + 14th November._ + +_MY DEAR VALERIE,_ + +_I observe from your letter that you have lost faith in the man you +love. Now, although I know him not, I trust him implicitly. I do not +care what has happened. Shall I tell you why? Because I know that you +would never have put your trust in him had he been unworthy._ + +_Love plays such queer tricks with its victims, making the fearless +timorous, the proud lowly, the trusting doubtful. Who was it coined +that mischievous phrase, "Too good to be true"? He has much to answer +for. Nothing is too good to be true. Not even the love of a man for a +maid, Valerie. You found it so good that you were thoroughly prepared +to find it false. And the moment you saw the clouds, you believed the +sun to be dead. That is heathenish and the way of the people who +imagine a vain thing._ + +_His explanation will shame you, of course; but take the lesson to +heart._ + + _Your affectionate uncle, + JOHN FOREST._ + + * * * * * + +The Assize Court was crowded. Even upon the Bench there was little +room to spare; and when the High Sheriff disappeared to return a moment +later with two ladies, the Judge's clerk eyed the new-comers with +something of that impotent indignation with which a first-class +passenger regards the violation of his state by belated individuals +whose possession of first-class tickets is highly dubious. + +The calendar contained no case of unusual interest, but the Red Judge +comes to Brooch but three times a year, and the old market-town makes +the most of its gaol deliveries. + +At the moment of the ladies' entering, Mr. Albert Morgan was in charge +of the jury, and the twelve gentlemen were in course of hearkening to +evidence which suggested with painful clarity that the prisoner's sins +of commission included that of felony. That Mr. Morgan had been caught +red-handed had not prevented the rogue from pleading "Not guilty." He +had stood in docks before now. Besides, enough money had been found to +instruct a member of the Bar--if not a solicitor--to argue his impudent +case.... + +"Anthony Lyveden," said counsel for the Crown. + +"Anthony Lyveden!" cried the constable-usher. + +"Anthony Lyveden!" bawled his colleague, opening the door of the Court. + +Anthony, who was pacing the hall, came quickly. A moment later he had +entered the box. + +His footman's overcoat accentuated at once his height and his breeding. +It suited the figure admirably, but not the man. The handsome, +clean-cut face, the excellence of his speech--above all, the +personality of the witness--gave the lie to his garb. Moreover, he +displayed a quiet dignity of manner which was as different from that of +the most exquisite lackey as is sable from civet. From resting upon +him the eyes of the Court began to stare... + +Lest their owners be thought unmannerly, it is fair to record that the +last witness, whilst swearing that he was a chauffeur, had resembled +one of the landed gentry of the Edwardian Age, and that the last but +one--to wit, the chauffeur's employer--had sworn that he was a retired +grocer, and looked exactly like one. + +Anthony took the oath and glanced about him. + +From the dock Mr. Morgan was regarding him with a malevolent glare. +Farther back sat George Alison, upon his face an expression of profound +resignation, which was plainly intended to indicate to his colleague +the unpleasant nature of his late ordeal. And there, between the High +Sheriff and Lady Touchstone, sat Miss Valerie French.... + +With narrowed eyes and a face impassive as a mask she met the footman's +look. By her side her aunt was smiling recognition, but Anthony never +saw that. Gazing upon the beauty of that face which he had once +transfigured, he found it frozen. That proud red bow of a mouth, that +had been his for the taking, might have been graven of precious stone. +Here was no vestige of Love. Tenderness was clean gone. Even as he +looked, the blue eyes shifted casually to wander around the Court.... +The cold wind of Indifference made Anthony's heart shiver within him. + +Small wonder that he replied to counsel's questions mechanically, like +a man in a dream. + +He had, of course, known that he was out of favour. + +One perfect Wednesday she had worshipped him to his face: upon the +following Sabbath he had been turned away from her doors. For this +mysterious fall from grace no reason had been vouchsafed. Moreover, so +high was the favour, so eminent the grace, that Anthony had been +desperately bruised. For a little he had been stunned. More than +once, as he had walked dazedly home, he had tripped and stumbled. And, +on reaching the house, he had done what he had never thought to +do--surreptitiously poured and swallowed a glass of his master's +brandy. As the days marched by, he had in some sort recovered--slowly, +if for no other reason because Grief should have air and not be clapped +under hatches. And now--here was the lady, pointing in person the +unpleasant truth that she had no further use for him.... + +Had they but told their love before his downfall, his course would have +been simple. In that case, to ask an explanation of his dismissal +would have been lawful enough. But things had not gone so far. It was +while they were yet upon the threshold of harmony that the end had +come. Of his honesty Anthony felt that he had no right to question +her. The lady had not engaged herself: she was still free to do as she +pleased. His cursed footmanhood was an additional embarrassment. To +speak vulgarly, it put the lid on. And now--why was she here? + +Thus throughout his examination-in-chief the imps of Recollection and +Speculation spun and whirled in his brain-pan. + +Why on earth was she there? + +It is doubtful whether Miss French herself could have answered that +question. + +You will please believe, gentlemen, that her heart had brought her. It +is the plain truth. Though Anthony did not know it, he had taken her +faith in his hands and torn it across and across. For all that, she +loved him still. She had a strange, pathetic longing to see him once +more, and the case of "The King against Morgan" had offered her the +chance. She had heard of the matter, and knew he must come to court to +give his evidence. In such a place she would be able to study him +undisturbed, and, most important of all, any speech between them would +be safely impossible. A note to the High Sheriff had arranged her +admission.... Incidentally, a burst tire on the way from Bell Hammer +had almost spoiled everything. As we have seen, however, the ladies +were just in time.... + +"Yes," purred counsel for the Crown. "And then?" + +"Then the prisoner gave a cry and rushed into the drawing-room." + +"What did you do?" + +"I followed him and seized him. When assistance arrived, he was +secured, and in the morning he was handed over to the police." + +With a nod, counsel resumed his seat. + +Mr. Morgan's representative got upon his feet with a truculent air. As +he did so, somebody touched him upon the shoulder, and he turned to see +his client leaning out of the dock. With an apologetic smirk at his +lordship, the lawyer left his seat.... + +"What is it? What is it?" he whispered testily. + +Mr. Morgan breathed into his ear. + +"This is the swine," he said evilly. "Put it acrost 'im. Arsk 'im----" + +"You shut yer face," said his adviser. "An' don' try an' teach me my +job, or I'll 'ave you in the box." + +Before this threat Mr. Morgan subsided, muttering. + +Impatiently counsel for the defence returned to his place. Once there, +he adjusted his gown, consulted a blank sheet of paper with some +acerbity, and then addressed himself to the witness. + +"Why did you leave your last place?" + +Anthony hesitated. Then-- + +"I was unable to get on with one member of the household," he said. + +"Were you dismissed?" + +"I was." + +"Why?" + +"As the result of a difference I had." + +"Come, come, sir. That's no answer." + +"The son of the house insulted me, and I knocked him down." + +Such a sensational reply fairly took the wind out of counsel's sails. +Amid a stifled murmur of excitement he strove to collect himself. + +"You--er--assaulted him?" + +"I did." + +"Rather hasty, aren't you?" + +"I don't think so." + +"We shall see. Now, upon the night in question--the night of the +burglary with which my client is charged--where had you been?" + +"To a private house." + +"From which you, a footman, return at four in the morning?" + +"Yes," said Anthony. + +"Did you have any drinks at the--er, private house?" + +"I drank some wine." + +"How many hours were you there?" + +"About five." + +"You can drink a good deal in five hours?" + +"You can," said Anthony. + +"How many drinks did you have?" + +"I drank two or three glasses of wine." + +"What sort of wine?" + +"Champagne." + +"In fact, you had a good evening?" + +"I enjoyed myself very much." + +"Exactly. And you returned--shall we say, 'happy'?" + +"If you are suggesting that I was under the influence of drink----" + +"Answer my question, sir." + +The Judge interfered. + +"Either, Mr. Blink, you are suggesting that the witness was under the +influence of drink, or I fail to see the point of your questions." + +Hurriedly counsel agreed, announced magnanimously that he would not +pursue the matter, and plunged into a series of causeless and empty +inquiries in the hope of stumbling upon an answer with which he might +first of all hammer the witness and then erect a defence. His efforts +went unrewarded, and behind him in the dock Mr. Morgan ground his teeth +with vexation. That he was not getting his friends' money's worth was +obvious. He did not expect to get off, but if he could have seen +Lyveden discredited he would have taken his gruel with a grin. +Venomously he gnawed his fingers.... + +For the twentieth time counsel drew a bow at a venture. + +"You're not under notice to leave your present place?" + +"Yes," said Anthony, "I am." + +Despite herself, Valerie French started, and the chauffeur at the back +of the court stared at the witness wide-eyed. The court, which had +almost lost interest, pricked up its ears. Hardly disguising his +relief, counsel proceeded to develop the impression in his own +time-honoured way. Turning his back upon the witness, he elevated his +eyebrows and then smiled very pleasantly upon a ventilator immediately +above the jury-box. + +"Really?" he said. "This is most interesting. Under notice, are you? +Dear me.... Why?" + +"I have given notice myself." + +"Oh, indeed. Why?" + +"For private reasons." + +Counsel appeared to find this answer so highly diverting that after a +moment's hesitation the jury joined in his merriment. As the titter +subsided-- + +"I'm afraid," said Mr. Blink apologetically, "I'm afraid I can't take +that." + +Anthony paled. + +"I wish," he said, "to leave the neighbourhood." + +"Why?" + +Anthony hesitated, and the Judge laid down his pen. + +"Mr. Blink, I don't wish in any way to embarrass you, but can this +affect your case?" + +An expert in impudence, Mr. Blink was well aware of the amazing +possibilities of consummate audacity. + +"My lord," he said solemnly, "my suggestion is that the witness knows +considerably more about this burglary than he is willing to admit." + +The improvised shaft went home. + +For a moment there was dead silence. Then some one gasped audibly, a +breeze of emotion rustled over the court, and the jury leaned +forward.... Only the Judge, before him a list of the prisoner's +previous convictions, sat like an image. + +With a spiteful gleam in his eyes, Mr. Morgan moistened his lips. This +was more like it. + +Counsel, now in his element, addressed the witness. + +"Whence," he demanded dramatically, "whence this sudden desire to make +yourself scarce?" + +Breathlessly the reply was awaited.... + +None came, however, and counsel took up the running with a dry laugh. + +"Very good," he said. "I take your answer." + +Anthony stepped down and joined the chauffeur without a word. + +Ten minutes later Mr. Blink was fanning the flame of mistrust into a +conflagration. What, he asked, did the jury think? They were men of +the world. Candidly, had they ever seen such a chauffeur and footman +before? Did they look like servants? Of course they had Mr. +Bumble's--their master's--confidence. _But had they the jury's?_ He +did not wish to usurp the functions of the cinema or the stage, but it +was his duty to remind them that sometimes Truth was stranger than +Fiction.... Here were two servants, who were obviously not servants at +all, giving such overwhelming satisfaction that they were allowed +unheard-of liberty--liberty which afforded unrivalled opportunities.... +"Out till four in the morning, gentlemen. A latch-key to let them in. +A motor-car at their disposal. And now--leaving this comfortable--this +perfect situation. Why? No answer. _Is it because the game is up, +gentlemen?_ ..." + +His lordship, who in his time had seen many juries befooled, summed up +rather wearily, and at twenty-five minutes to one Mr. Morgan was found +"Not guilty." + +That the latter should greet the verdict with a gesture of derision +verged, all things considered, upon indecency. It is good to think +that the warder who hustled him from the dock, and played full-back for +the prison, made this as clear as daylight. + + * * * * * + +Valerie left the court in some annoyance. She was annoyed that Anthony +had been lessened, and she was annoyed to find that she cared whether +he had been lessened or not. She would also have liked to know the +reason for his proposed departure. Undoubtedly it had to do with Anne +Alison. His very reticence proved it. Perhaps she was going, too.... +Anne Alison.... At the very thought of the girl, Valerie's resentment +welled up anew. Jealousy knows no law. The reflection that it was at +her instance that Anthony had gone as footman to the house where Anne +was housemaid rode her with a harsh and merciless hand. Often enough, +sunk in most bitter contemplation of this fact, she got no further. + +That she got no further to-day was due to a timely +interruption--nothing less, in fact, than a snort of an intensity too +clamorous to be ignored. + +Valerie looked up. + +"At last," said Lady Touchstone with some asperity. "That's the +fourth." + +"The fourth what?" said Valerie. + +"The fourth snort," said her aunt. "I don't know what's the matter +with you nowadays. To snort at all, I must be profoundly moved. You +know that as well as I do." + +"What's the matter?" said Valerie. + +Lady Touchstone stared at her. + +"My dear," she said, "what you want is a change. You have just +witnessed what I hope is the most flagrant miscarriage of justice of +recent years, you have seen twelve fools bamboozled by a knave, you +have heard a friend of yours grossly insulted, and you ask me what's +the matter." The car swung round a corner, and Lady Touchstone, who +was unready, heeled over with a cry. "I wish Mason wouldn't do that," +she added testily, dabbing at her _toque_. "So subversive of dignity. +What was I saying? Oh yes. A change. We'd better go to Nice." + +Before Miss French could reply, a deafening report from beneath them +announced the dissolution of another tire. + +Mason brought the car to the side of the road. Then he applied the +hand-brake and alighted heavily to inspect the damage. + +With a resigned air, Lady Touchstone sat awaiting his report. + +Valerie began to laugh. + +"Shall I tell you what he's doing?" she said. + +Her aunt regarded her. + +"I presume he's staring at the wheel," she said shortly. "Though of +what interest a deflated tire can be to anybody passes my +comprehension." + +"Not at all," said her niece. "Mason is trying to make up his mind to +tell you that we shall have to walk home. He only brought one spare +cover, and we've used that." + +Lady Touchstone glanced at her watch. + +"And the Billows," she said grimly, "are coming to lunch in twenty +minutes." She raised her voice. "All right, Mason. Miss Valerie's +broken it to me. Stop the first vehicle that approaches and ask them +to give us a lift." + +"Very good, my lady." + +"Supposing," said Valerie, "it's a milk-float." + +"So much the better," replied her aunt. "I've always wanted to ride in +a milk-float. It's the survival of the Roman chariot." Placidly she +settled herself in her corner and closed her eyes. "Dear me. What a +relief it is not to be moving! If only the Billows weren't coming...." + +Neither she nor Valerie heard the approach of the Rolls. Indeed, it +was not until George Alison, in response to Mason's signals, was +bringing the great blue car actually alongside that the ladies realized +that help was at hand. + +The sight of Anthony Lyveden alighting to take his master's orders +chilled Valerie as the breath of a crypt. Her aunt, on the contrary, +was plainly as pleased as Punch at the encounter.... + +So soon as Mr. Bumble appreciated that it was the quality of Bell +Hammer who sought his assistance, he took appropriate action. Hat in +hand, he descended into the road and, speaking with grave civility, put +his car at the ladies' disposal. This being accepted, he handed them +out of their own and ushered them into the Rolls. Then he bowed very +pleasantly and closed the door. + +Valerie started to her feet. + +"But, Mr. Bumble," she cried, "of course you're coming. Aunt Harriet, +we can't...." + +"Of course we can't," said Lady Touchstone. "Mr. Bumble, get in at +once." + +Humbly their host shook his head. + +"Bell 'Ammer is no distance, me lady, an' the car can come back. I +shouldden dream o' takin' advantage of an acciden', me lady." + +Regretting very much that she had never noticed the ex-grocer before, +Lady Touchstone sought desperately to pull the position round. + +"Mr. Bumble," she said, "we cannot use your car without you. That we +do not know one another is my fault. Please get in. I want to tell +you how very sorry we are about your case." + +Again Mr. Bumble bowed. + +"Your ladyship is most kind. If Mrs. Bumble was 'ere, it'd be +different.... But we're both of us proud, me lady, fer you to 'ave the +car. An'--an' please don' put yerself out, m'm. I'm in no 'urry." + +The quiet determination of his tone was unmistakable. The little man +was clearly stoutly resolved not to improve an acquaintance which his +wife did not share. Wealth had not clouded his memory nor corrupted +his simple heart. + +Lady Touchstone hauled down her flag. + +"You're one of the old school, Mr. Bumble," she said, "so we won't +argue. Will you tell Mrs. Bumble that, if Thursday's quite convenient, +we shall call at The Shrubbery and ask her to give us some tea?" + +And Valerie put out her hand. + +"Good-bye for the present," she said. "Thank you so very much." + +The next moment they were gone. + +Hat still in hand, the ex-grocer looked after the car. + +"Lady by name an' lady by nature," he said softly. Then he put on his +hat and turned to Mason. "'Ave a cigar, boy. I 'ate smokin' alone." + +As they swept out of sight, Lady Touchstone picked up the speaking tube. + +"George Alison!" she cried. Up went the chauffeur's head. "Stop the +car, please. Valerie and Major Lyveden will change places. We want to +discuss the trial." + +George slowed up with a grin. + +Jack opened the door for Jill, who descended with an airy nod of +greeting which hurt him more than the stoniest disregard. With her +head high, she stepped to the seat he had left. As he was closing the +high side door upon her, her fur coat intervened, and Jack set it +gently aside. Jill felt the touch, turned, glanced down and twitched +the garment away.... + +Anthony's eyes blazed. A short six inches away, Valerie's blazed +back.... + +On the opposite side of the car George and Lady Touchstone were hanging +out of their seats, raving concurrent invective against the Laws of +England. + +For a moment eyes searched eyes steadily. Then, with a faint smile, +Anthony leaned forward and kissed the proud red lips. Then he shut the +door with infinite care.... + +Had Miss French's fur coat been less voluminous, the gulf which Error +had set between the lovers might have been bridged within the week. +But it was a fine wrap, and ample. In an instant the gulf had become a +sea of troubles, with the house that Jack had built upon one side, and +the castle which Jill had raised upon the other. And, as for a bridge, +their labour now was lost that sought to build one. It had become a +case for a causeway. + +As the car slid forward-- + +"And why," said Lady Touchstone, "are you going away?" + +Anthony laughed jerkily. + +"Have a heart, Lady Touchstone," he cried. "I've already risked +imprisonment to save my secret." + +Her ladyship looked about her. + +"This," she said, "appears to be the interior of an expensive limousine +landaulette. Very different from a court-house. The seats are softer, +for one thing. Besides, from his adviser the client should conceal +nothing." + +"Are you my adviser?" + +"That," said Lady Touchstone, "is my role." + +"But am I your client?" + +"I advise you to be." + +For a long moment Lyveden stared straight ahead. Upon the front seat +Miss French was chattering to George Alison with an unwonted +liveliness, punctuated with little bursts of merriment. All the while +she kept her head so turned that Anthony might miss not a jot of her +gaiety.... + +"I'm sorry," said Lyveden quietly. "You're very kind, Lady Touchstone, +and I'm properly grateful. But I can't tell you." + +He was, of course, perfectly right. Intervention was not to be thought +of, much less encouraged. For one thing, to mutter that Valerie and he +were estranged would be to proclaim a previous intimacy. For another, +it was an affair, not of hearts only, but of deeps calling. Each +lifting up the other's heart, the twain had distilled a music that is +not of this world: it was unthinkable that an outsider should be shown +a single note of the score. Finally, Anthony wanted no peace-making. +What had he to do with peace? + +The silver cord was loosed, but he had not loosed it. The golden bowl +was broken, but not at his hand. It was she--Valerie French--that had +wrought the havoc. That cord and bowl were the property as much of +Anthony as of her had not weighed with the lady. As if this were not +enough, he was to be used like a leper.... What had he to do with +peace? + +The thought that he had been able to pick up the glove she had thrown +down with such a flourish elated him strangely. To kiss My Lady +Disdain upon the mouth--that was an answer. That would teach her to +draw upon an unarmed man. For she had thought him weaponless. What +footman carries a sword? And then, in the nick of time, Fate had +thrust a rapier into the flunkey's hand.... + +Lady Touchstone was speaking.... + +"Well, well," she said gently, "perhaps you're right. I'm sorry, you +know. I saw two lives smashed once by a clerical error on the part of +a florist's assistant. I knew them both, too, but neither would speak. +When it was just too late, Eleanor opened her mouth.... Unknown to +her, I went to the florist's shop and looked at their order-book. Sure +enough, there was the trouble. I never told her, of course. But it's +haunted me ever since. Two lives ... smashed.... And they say that +silence is golden.... When you do go, will you let me have your +address?" + +"I can imagine nothing more worthless," said Anthony. "But I think +I've been rude enough. I promise to send it you." + +For no apparent reason he laughed bitterly. His companion shuddered. + +"Don't laugh like that, Major Lyveden. It's bad for my heart. Oh, +dear. How fast George is driving! We shall be at Bell Hammer before +we know where we are." Suddenly she leaned forward and caught at the +footman's sleeve. "Anthony Lyveden, I've shown you my hand. As you +love my niece, what is the trouble?" + +Anthony set his teeth. + +"Can't be done," he said, "Lady Touchstone. We've got to work it out +for ourselves." + +"Curse your pride," said that lady. "There. Now I've sworn at you. +But it's your own fault. And how are you two goats going to work it +out for yourselves? With one of you bleating at Nice, and the +other--Heaven knows where--in England? D'you go to church, Anthony +Lyveden?" + +"I used to." + +"Then go again. Get to your knees and pray. Pray to be delivered from +blindness of heart, Anthony Lyveden. D'you hear? Blindness of heart. +From pride, vainglory and hypocrisy. Not that you're hypocritical, but +they go together, and it'll do no harm. And I shall make Valerie go, +and--and I shall pray for you both." + +Anthony slid off his hat and put her hand to his lips.... + +As he did so, the car sped past a red lodge and into a curling drive. + +Lady Touchstone sought for a pocket-handkerchief. + +"There's a tear on my nose," she explained. "I can feel it. It's a +real compliment, Anthony Lyveden. You're the very first man that's +ever made Harriet Touchstone cry." + +The car swept to the steps. + +Anthony was down in a flash. Tenderly he handed her out.... + +By the time her aunt had alighted, Valerie was at the top of the steps. +Anthony walked up to her steadily. Then he took off his hat. + +"I humbly apologize," he said. "It was unpardonable." + +"You're right," said Valerie quietly. "That's just what it was." + +As she spoke, a servant opened the door. + +Valerie turned on her heel and walked into the house. + +That same evening, when the others had gone to bed, Anthony called his +terrier and set him upon his knee. + +"Patch," he said, "I've come back to the fold." As was his habit when +mystified, the terrier swallowed apologetically. "Is that too hard for +you, my fellow? Let me put it like this. Once there were just you and +I, weren't there? A fool and his dog. Caring for nobody, nobody +caring for them, but to each other--just everything." The Sealyham +licked his face. "Then one day she came ... She. A wonderful, +peerless creature, to dazzle the poor fool's eyes. And the fool just +fell down and worshipped her. He didn't forget his little dog, Patch. +He never did that. But--well, it wasn't the same. Of course not. You +must have felt it sometimes.... But you're a good little chap. And I +couldn't help it, Patch. She--seemed--so--very--sweet.... I risked +your life for her once. I did, really." He paused to stare into the +fire. Then he took a deep breath. "By Jove, if you'd gone... I +should have been left now, shouldn't I? Properly carted. Well, well, +old fellow, it's over now. Never again, Patch. The fool's learned his +lesson. You'd never let me down, would you? No. But she has. They +say it's a way women have. And I'm going to wash her right out of my +life, Patch. Right out. Now." + +He set the dog down, stretched out his arms wearily, and got upon his +feet. The terrier leaped up and down as if he had been promised a walk. + +Anthony laughed. + +"So? You're pleased, are you? Ah, well..." + +He turned out the gas, and the two passed upstairs. + +Anthony was as good as his word. + +You cannot kill Memory, but you can send the jade packing. That he did +faithfully. By sheer force of will he thrust all thoughts of Valerie +out of his head. They returned ceaselessly, to be as ceaselessly +rejected. Their rejection took the form of displacement. They were, +so to speak, crowded out. All day long he was for ever forcing his +attention upon some matter or other to the exclusion of the lady. A +thousand times she came tripping--always he fobbed her off. +Considering how much of late he had been content to drift with the +stream, the way in which his mind bent to the oars was amazing. His +output of mental energy was extraordinary. Will rode Brain with a +bloody spur. When night came, the man was worn out.... + +In the circumstances it was hard, though not surprising, that he should +have dreamed so persistently of the tall, dark girl. It suggests that +Nature is an unscrupulous opponent. Be that as it may, night after +night, while the man slept, the tares were sown. Sleep, whom he had +counted his ally, proved herself neutral. She was content to knit up +the sleeve of care. That her handmaidens as fast unravelled it was +none of her business. After a week of this devilry, Anthony groaned. +Then he set his teeth, and, pleading insomnia, obtained permission to +walk abroad after supper. With Patch at his heels, he covered mile +after mile. So, though the mental strain was prolonged, he became +physically played out. His determination had its reward. He came to +sleep like the dead. + +With a sigh for his simplicity, Nature plucked another iron out of the +fire.... + +Anthony began to lose weight. + + * * * * * + +Thursday afternoon came and went, and with it Lady Touchstone and +Valerie. The Bumbles were duly overwhelmed, treating their visitors +with an embarrassing deference which nothing could induce them to +discard: out of pure courtesy Lady Touchstone ate enough for a +schoolboy; thereby doing much to atone for Valerie, who ate nothing at +all: the Alisons respectfully observed the saturnalia and solemnly +reduced Mason to a state of nervous disorder by entertaining him in the +servants' hall: Anthony kept out of the way. + +Not so Patch, however, who must, of course, put his small foot into it +with a splash. + +The visitors were in the act of emerging from the front door, Mrs. +Bumble was dropping the second of three tremulous curtsies, and Mr. +Bumble was offering the stirrup-cup of humble duty, when the terrier +emerged from some laurels and, recognizing Valerie, rushed delightedly +to her side. Before she was aware of his presence, he was leaping to +lick her face.... + +To disregard such unaffected benevolence would have been worse than +churlish, and Valerie stooped to the Sealyham and gave him her cheek. +Patch lay down on his back and put his legs in the air. His tail was +going, and there was a shy invitation in the bright brown eyes which +was irresistible. Valerie hesitated. Then, on a sudden impulse, she +picked up the little white dog and held him close. + +"Good-bye, Patch," she whispered. "Good-bye." + +She kissed the rough white head and put him down tenderly. Then she +stepped into the car with a quivering lip. + +It was as the car was turning out of the drive that she burst into +tears.... + +Such consolation as Lady Touchstone sought to administer was gently but +firmly declined: and, since her niece would have none of it, neither, +gentlemen, shall you. + +It was a few hours later--to be exact, at a quarter before ten +o'clock--that a gentleman of some distinction laid down _The Times_. + +For a moment or two he sat still, looking into the fire. Then he +picked up a pile of depositions and drew a pencil-case from his pocket. +For a while the occasional flick of a page argued his awful attention +to the recital of crime: then the keen grey eyes slid back to the +glowing coals, and the longhand went by the board. It was evident that +there was some extraneous matter soliciting his lordship's regard, and +in some sort gaining the same because of its importunity. + +Mr. Justice Molehill was all alone. He had sent his marshal to the +cinema, "lest the boy should grow dull," and, except for the servants, +somewhere below stairs, the great gaunt mansion used as the Judge's +Lodging, lodged for the nonce no other inmate. + +The room in which the Judge sat was enormous. Indeed, the shaded lamp, +set upon a table close to his shoulder, did little more than insist +upon the depths of the chamber, which to illumine effectively you would +have needed a score of lamps slung from the ceiling. For all its size, +however, the room was sparsely furnished. At the far end a huge carved +writing-table loomed out of the shadows; six high-backed chairs reared +themselves here and there against the walls; between prodigious windows +a gigantic press lifted its massive head. Reckoning the little table +bearing the lamp, and a pair of easy-chairs, that is a ready inventory. +A heavy carpet and curtains of the same dull red certainly excluded the +draughts. For all that, it was not a chamber in which to sit apart +from the fire. The marshal hated the place openly, and, on being +rallied by the Judge, had confessed that it "got on his nerves." He +had even suggested that it was haunted. Mr. Justice Molehill had +laughed him to scorn. + +His lordship, then, was gazing upon the fire. After, perhaps, about +two minutes of time, he crossed his knees suddenly and flung up his +hand in a little gesture of impatience. + +"Anthony Lyveden," he muttered. "Where on earth have I heard that +name?" + +The expression upon his face was that of a man absorbed in searching +his memory. He was, indeed, so much engrossed in this occupation that +the keen grey eyes went straying whither they listed. + +Let us follow those eyes. + +From the light of the fire in its cage to the toe of his lordship's +pump, up to the chiselled mantel and the cigarette-box--the +marshal's--perched on the narrow ledge, down to the heavy bell-pull by +the side of the hearth, on to a high-backed chair against the wall, +down again to the floor--all black here, for the light is too distant +to show the carpet's hue--on into the shadows, where something--the +table, of course--shows like a grim bas-relief hewn out of the +darkness, on to its ponderous top, where the candles... + +It was upon the top of the table that the keen grey eyes came to +rest--idly. The next moment his lordship's frame stiffened with a +shock. + +The radiance of two wax candles was illuminating the bitterness of +death upon a man's face. It was an old face, long, gaunt, +clean-shaven, and the ill-fitting wig that gaped about the shrunken +temples gave it the queer pinched look which tells of a starved belly. +Eyes red-rimmed and staring, a long thin nose, and an unearthly pallor +made it displeasing: the dropped jaw, showing the toothless gums, made +it repulsive. + +The hair upon Mr. Justice Molehill's head began to rise. + +For a moment the face stayed motionless. Then the grey lids flickered, +and a trembling hand stole up out of the darkness to twitch at the +lower lip. A paper upon the table appeared to claim the attention of +those horrible eyes.... But not for long. Indeed, they had subjected +the document to the very barest perusal, when, with a convulsive +movement, the creature clawed at the paper, tore it with ravening hands +and, clapping the fragments to its distorted mouth, bit and savaged it +like a demoniac.... + +Hardened as he was to the spectacle of Rage dominant his lordship paled +before this paroxysm of unearthly passion. All the agony of +disappointed avarice, all the torment of mortification in defeat, all +the frenzy of impotent fury, blazed in one hideous blend out of that +frightful countenance. Could he have moved, the Judge would have +crossed himself. + +Then suddenly came a change. The passion ebbed out of the face, the +paper fluttered out of the loosened fingers, the red-rimmed eyes took +on another look. Snail-slow the trembling hand was travelling across +the table.... + +Immediately between the silver candle-sticks lay a horse-pistol. As +the fingers approached it, their trembling increased. Twice they +hesitated, craven flesh rebelling against a recreant will. They shook +so frightfully upon encountering the butt that it seemed as if to grasp +it were beyond their power. Once they had seized it, however, the +trembling left them and passed into the hand.... + +With the approach of the weapon, the horror upon the face became +unspeakable. The eyes were starting, the mouth working painfully. +Resolved to be rid of life, yet terrified to die, the wretch was +writhing. There never was seen so loathsome a paradox. Cowardice was +gone crusading. + +The Judge's tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. + +With the assistance of the other hand, the pistol had been turned +about, but head and hands were all shaking so violently that the +introduction of the muzzle into the gaping mouth was hardly +accomplished. Twice cup missed lip, and the steel went jabbing against +the ashen cheek. The next moment gums drummed on the metal with a +hideous vibration. + +With a shock his lordship recognized the sound as one which he and the +marshal had heard more than once at this hour, and, after discussion, +had attributed to an idiosyncrasy of water under the influence of heat. + +That the supreme moment had arrived would have been patent from the +eyes alone. Riveted upon the trigger-finger, squinting until the +pupils were almost lost to view, they were the orbs of a fiend. Even +as the Judge gazed, the light of Insanity took flaming possession. +Hell, grown impatient, had sent a sheriff for the usurer's soul.... + +With a dull crash the fire fell in, and the Judge started to his feet +with an oath. + +The candles were gone. + +The first thing which Mr. Justice Molehill did was to wipe the sweat +from his face, and the second, to mix himself and consume the strongest +whisky and soda he had swallowed for years. Then, being a man of stout +heart, he picked up the lamp and walked to the writing-table at the end +of the room. Here all was in order, and the closest scrutiny failed to +reveal any trace of the vision. The chair was there, certainly, but +its seat was dusty, and upon the table itself there was nothing at all. +The curtain behind the chair, when disarranged, disclosed a window, +heavily shuttered as usual, but nothing more. + +Now, his lordship disliked defeat as much as anybody, but if there was +one thing which he detested more than another, it was an inability to +prove an excellent case. Looking at it from his point of view, he had +here a personal experience at once as interesting and incredible as a +man could fairly be expected to relate. The reflection was most +provoking. So much so, indeed, that, after a moment's hesitation, the +Judge picked up the chair and placed it upon the table. Then he bent +down and, thrusting his hands beneath the edge of the carpet, lifted +this up from the floor. The fabric was heavy, but he hauled with a +will, and a moment later he was standing upon the boards he had +uncovered. Thereafter, at the cost of a good deal of exertion, he +managed to roll it back from the window as far as the table itself. +Holding it in place with his knee, his lordship reached for the lamp.... + +It was his intention to discover whether the boards did not afford some +real evidence of the crime, and it is a matter for regret that, upon +perceiving that the floor had been diligently stained all over with +some coffee-coloured preparation, for the second time in the evening +his lordship swore. He was, in fact, in some dudgeon about to replace +the lamp, when the torn edge of paper, showing between two boards, +caught his observant eye.... + +The fine handwriting was faded, but still quite legible. + + + _10th Jan., 1789._ + +_SIR,_ + +_Your letter leaves me no hope but that you have been most grossly +betrayed. Should you so desire, I will render you indisputable proofs +that the Marquess of Bedlington hath no need of funds, much less hath +delivered in any's favour a bond for the vast sum declared in your +letter. In a word, though the name subscribed to the bond be that of +Bedlington, it was not the Marquess' hand that set it there. Who hath +done you this injury, I know not, but Time hath shown that his +lordship's twin brother, Lord Stephen Rome, lately decd., with whom the +Marquess was justly at variance, more than once scrupled not to assume +his brother's person and title to compass his own ends...._ + + +At the mention of the twin brother, Mr. Justice Molehill raised his +keen grey eyes to stare at the lamp. + +"Rome," he said softly. "Rome. That's right. It was at the _Grand +Hotel_. And Anthony Lyveden was the name of the sole legatee. I knew +I'd heard it before." + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Bumble's parlourmaid was counting upon her pink fingers. + +"Sunday twenty-eight, Monday twenty-nine, to-day thirty.... Yes. +To-morrow's the first of December." + +George Alison regarded his wife. + +"Let us hope," he said gloomily, "that it's a better month. In the +course of the last four weeks I've had seventeen punctures, I've +endured a miscarriage of justice which has undoubtedly shortened my +life, and I've lost as good a pal as ever I struck." + +"To hear you speak," said Betty, "any one would think that Anne and I +had enjoyed ourselves. It's been just as bad for us." + +The chauffeur shook his head. + +"You rave," he said shortly. "In the first place, what have you to do +with tires?" + +"If we haven't had the punctures," was the reply, "we've heard enough +about them." + +"Yes," said Anne. "It's been almost as bad as golf. 'What I did at +the fourteenth hole.'" + +"In the second place," said George, "women adore irregularity. I can +conceive nothing more delectable to the feminine appetite than the +spectacle of Justice derailed. The apotheosis of our esteemed friend +and late colleague, Mr. Albert Morgan, has afforded you two more +indirect gratification than anything I can remember." + +"Gratification?" almost screamed the two girls. + +"Gratification," said George. "If I'd come home and said he'd pleaded +guilty and been sent down for five years, you'd have been all +depressed. In the third place----" + +"Monstrous," said Betty. "Don't laugh, Anne. As if the very thought +of that man walking about free didn't make my blood boil." + +"It made it run cold last time," observed her husband. "Same principle +as a geyser, I suppose.... Well, as I was saying, in the third place, +what was Anthony to you?" + +"One of the best," said Betty stoutly. "That's what he was." + +Her husband wrinkled his nose. + +"My point is that he was a man's pal. He was nice to you because he'd +been properly brought up, but..." + +Mournfully he passed his cup to be refilled. + +"Go on," said Betty silkily. "I wouldn't miss this for anything." + +Suspiciously George regarded her. + +"Well," he said defiantly, "he hadn't much use for women." + +Mrs. Alison turned to her sister-in-law and nodded scornfully at her +husband. + +"Our wiseacre," she said. + +"All right," said the chauffeur. "Don't you believe me. He as good as +told me so the day before he left, but I suppose that doesn't count." + +Gurgling with merriment, his sister rose from the table and, coming +behind the speaker, set her hands on his shoulders. + +"And I suppose that's why he 'wished to leave the neighbourhood,'" she +said, laying her cheek against his. "Betty and I were too much for +him. Which reminds me, Bet, you and I ought to go to Bell Hammer and +take those books back." + +Her brother screwed his head round and looked at her. + +"You're not suggesting that Valerie----" + +"Sent him away?" said Anne. "Heaven knows. But he's just crazy about +her, isn't he, Bet?" + +The parlourmaid nodded. + +"And she?" queried Alison. + +"Loves him to distraction," said Anne. + +"Which is why she lets him push off?" said George. "I see. And I +suppose, if they'd hated one another like poison, they'd have been +married by now. You know, this is too easy." + +"Ah," said Betty, with a dazzling smile, "but then, you see, women +adore irregularity." + +Her husband, who was in the act of drinking, choked with emotion. + +That the household was once more without a footman was a hard fact. +Major Anthony Lyveden, D.S.O., was gone. His period of service at The +Shrubbery had come to an abrupt end upon the previous day. His notice +had not expired, but when he received an offer which was conditional +upon his immediate departure from Hawthorne, he had laid the facts +before Mr. Bumble and left two days later. All efforts to persuade him +to leave an address were unavailing. This was a pity, for, ten minutes +after he and Patch had left for the station, there had arrived for him +a letter from a firm of solicitors that numbered many distinguished +clients, and The Honourable Mr. Justice Molehill among them. + +Since Anthony will never read that letter, neither will we. We will +leave it where it is now, where it will lie, I dare say, until the +crack of doom--behind the overmantel in the servants' parlour, +gentlemen, with its back to the wall. + +Anthony, then, was gone, and Patch with him. The Judge had been gone +some time. Mr. Morgan also had left the neighbourhood, and was earning +good money in the West End by the simple expedient of wearing the Mons +medal, to which, never having seen "service," he was not entitled, and +perambulating the gutters of South Kensington with a child in his arms. +The child was heavy and cost him sixpence a day, but, as an incentive +to charity, it left the rendering of "Abide with Me," upon which Mr. +Morgan had previously relied, simply nowhere. + +Lady Touchstone and Valerie were still at Bell Hammer. More than once +the latter had revived her suggestion of a visit to the South of +France. Each time Valerie had applauded the idea and then promptly +switched the conversation on to another topic.... Women understand +women, and with a sigh her aunt resigned herself to the prospect of a +winter in Hampshire. Return to Town she would not. London was not +what it had been, and the vanities of the metropolis fell dismally +short of the old pre-War standard. You were robbed, too, openly, +wherever you went. With tears in their eyes, shopkeepers offered you +stones instead of bread, and charged you for fishes. Besides, +unemployment was booming, routs were frequent, rioting was in the +air.... Lady Touchstone decided that, if she was not to snuff the +zephyrs of Nice, the smell of the woods of Bell Hammer was good enough +for her nostrils. + +If Lyveden had lost weight, Miss French had gained none. The blow that +had fallen all but a month ago had hit her as hard as him. Yet, of the +two, her plight was less evil. Each of them had dropped in their +tracks, which is to say that, while Lyveden had fallen upon the rough +ground of bare existence. Miss French had fallen into the lap of +luxury. + +I am prepared to be told that this should have made no difference--that +creature comforts cannot minister to a broken heart. But, sirs, the +flesh and the spirit are thicker than that. The iron must have entered +uncommon deep into the soul for the body no longer to care whether the +bath-water run hot or cold. + +For all that, the girl was desperately unhappy. That she should have +been bracketed with Anne was bad enough; that they should have been +wooed in the same nest, to say the least, smacked more of business than +of love: that it was her nest, of which, of her love, she had made the +man free, was infamous. It was such treatment as she would not have +expected at the hands of a counter-jumper--a deserter--a satyr. +Possibly a satyr in a weak moment might have fallen so low. But +Anthony was not a satyr. And deserters are not, as a rule, recommended +for the D.S.O. To suggest that he was a counter-jumper was equally +ridiculous. He was a most attractive gallant gentleman. This made his +behaviour infinitely more discreditable. It was a sordid, demoralizing +business.... + +And that, gentlemen, is what a hot bath will do. + +Now look on this picture. + +Valerie lay as she had flung herself, face downward upon the bed. Save +that one satin slipper had fallen off, she was fully dressed. One bare +white arm pillowed her brow, covering her eyes--mercifully. Let us +touch that gleaming shoulder. See? It is cold as ice. That little +slipperless foot.... Cold as any stone. But then it is the month of +December, and she has lain so for two hours. Two hours of agony. She +can remember every look those steady grey eyes of Lyveden's have ever +given her, and in the last two hours she has remembered them all. Inch +by inch she has gone over the playground of their hearts: word by word +she has recited their conversations: she has gathered great posies of +dead blossoms, because they once smelled so sweet: she has trodden the +lanes of Memory to her most grievous wounding, because they are still +so dear.... + +Then there were other times, when Pride had her in a strait-jacket, and +the very thought of Anthony made her eyes blaze. + +She had been walking herself out of one of these moods, and was +tramping rather wearily through the twilight and up the long drive, +when the cough of a motor-horn behind her made her start to one side. +The next moment a car flashed past.... + +It was the local doctor's Renault. + +Valerie's heart stood still. + +The next moment she was running like a deer.... + +The car beat her all ends up, and by the time she had reached the +steps, the front door was shut. She pealed the bell frantically.... + +To the footman who answered it-- + +"What's the matter?" she panted. "Who's ill?" + +"Miss Alison, miss. I think it's a broken leg. She an' Mrs. Alison +'ad been to tea with 'er ladyship, an', as she was leavin', she----" + +"Don't keep saying 'she,'" snapped Valerie. "Say 'Miss Alison.' +And--and bring me some fresh tea. In the library." + +She swept past the bewildered servant and disappeared. + +The mills of God were off. + + * * * * * + +Twenty-four hours had gone by. + +All this time the mills had been grinding steadily, and the grain, +which had been awaiting their pleasure for exactly one calendar month, +was beginning to disappear. After a while Valerie had come to realize +that her pride was to be reduced to powder, and that there was nothing +for it but to submit to the process with the best grace she could. Not +every woman would have reasoned so wisely: few would have given to +their decision such faithful effect. You will please remember that any +reduction of her pride seemed to Valerie extraordinarily unjust. That +there was stuff other than pride in the grist never occurred to her. + +It was the evening, then, of the day after the accident, and the two +girls were alone in the pleasant bedroom whither Anne had been carried +the day before, and where she was like to spend the next six weeks of +her existence. The patient was wearing one of Valerie's night-gowns +and looking very nice in it. She was also smoking one of Valerie's +cigarettes, and, so resilient is youth, chattering merrily between the +puffs. + +"Lady Touchstone was wonderful. She knew my leg was broken before I +did. Almost before I knew where I was, she had my head in her lap and +was telling me to lie quite still and hang on to her hand for all I was +worth. 'You'll find it a great help,' she said. 'I know I did. And +if you know any bad words, say them.' For all the pain, I couldn't +help laughing. And then she told me how she'd broken her leg in the +hunting field, and the vicar was the first to get to her, and how she +hung on to him and made him feed her with bad language till help +arrived. And, when I tried to say I was sorry, she said the butler +deserved six months for not having the steps sanded, and asked me, if +you and she tried to make me comfortable while I was your guest, if I'd +try to forgive you...." + +"That's the only possible way to look at it," said Valerie. "It's all +our servants' fault, and we're only too thankful to be able----" + +"You're very sweet," said Anne wistfully. "But to be saddled with me +for six weeks----" + +"Hush!" said Valerie, with a grave smile. "You promised not to talk +like that." + +Anne Alison sighed. + +"It is unfortunate, though," she said. "I can't think what they'll do +at The Shrubbery. If only Anthony hadn't just left.... You knew he'd +gone, didn't you?" + +Valerie shook her head. + +"I knew he was going," she said. + +"He left on Monday," said Anne. "We're all heart-broken. He was +wonderful to work with, and nobody could help liking him. George is +desperate about it. Being a man, you see.... Besides, they were a lot +together. On the car, I mean. Off duty we never saw much of him. He +liked being alone. I think I'm the only one he went for a walk with +all the time he was there. And then Betty sent him. He'd never seen +the view from The Beacon, so I took him. He was bored stiff, and we +got soaked coming home, but he was very nice and polite about it. He +always was. And now, I suppose----" + +"The Beacon?" said Valerie faintly. "Where--where's The Beacon?" + +"I don't know what its real name is," said Anne. "We always call it +'The Beacon.' You must know it. That very high place in Red King Walk, +where the cliff goes sheer down...." + +Valerie tried to speak, but no words would come. Something seemed to +be gripping her by the throat. The walls of the room, too, were +closing in, and there was a strange, roaring noise--like that of mills +working.... + +With a terrific effort she fought unconsciousness away.... + +_Her--their nest then, was, after all, inviolate. He had never taken +Anne there. Betty had sent him. And--he had--been bored--stiff...._ + +It was as if a mine had been sprung beneath the spot upon which had +been dumped her emotions of the last two months, blowing some to atoms, +bringing to light others that had lain buried. Out of the wrack, joy, +shame, fear fell at her feet--and a sentence out of a letter was +staring her in the face. + +"_His explanation will shame you, of course, but take the lesson to +heart._" + +"I wonder," she said shakily, "if you could give me Major Lyveden's +address." + +"I would, like a shot," said Anne heartily, "but he wouldn't leave one." + +Again the rumble of those labouring mills came swelling out of the +silence into a roar that was thunderous, brain-shaking.... For a +moment of time they pounded the understanding mercilessly.... Then, +all of a sudden, the machinery stopped. + +The corn was ground. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE COMFORT OF APPLES + +Anthony was healthily tired. So much so, in fact, that he was sorely +tempted to retire to bed without more ado. On reflecting, however, +that at least twenty minutes must elapse before his faithful digestion +could also rest from its labours, he lighted a pipe slowly and +then--afraid to sit down, lest he should fall asleep--leaned his tired +back against a side of the enormous fireplace and folded his arms. + +It is probable that the chamber which his eyes surveyed was more than +four hundred years old. That it was at once his hall, kitchen, and +parlour, is undeniable. One small stout wall contained the front door +and the window, a third part of which could be induced to open, but was +to-night fast shut. Another hoisted the breakneck staircase which led +to the room above. A third stood blank, while the fourth was just wide +enough to frame the tremendous fireplace, which, with its two +chimney-corners, made up a bay nearly one half the size of the little +room it served. The ceiling, itself none too high, was heavy with +punishing beams, so that a tall man must pick and choose his station if +he would stand upright; and the floor was of soft red brick, a little +sunken in places, but, on the whole, well and truly laid. + +A cupboard under the stairs served as a larder and store-room; a flap +beneath the window made a firm table; in spite of their age, a Windsor +and a basket chair, when called upon, satisfactorily discharged the +duties for which they were contrived. A battered foot-bath did more. +In a word, it received platters and knives and forks which needed +cleansing, and in due season delivered them cleansed; of a Sunday +morning it became a terrier's tub; and upon one afternoon in the week a +vessel in which clothes were washed. + +Since this was all the furniture, the place looked bare. As a +living-room it left much to be desired; but, since Major Anthony +Lyveden did not live in it, that did not trouble him. He used the +room, certainly--he was using it now; nightly he slept above it--but he +lived in the open air. + +This was patent from the look of him. + +Wind, rain, and sun set upon their favourites a mark which there is no +mistaking. Under the treatment of these three bluff specialists the +handsome face had in a short month become a picture. In all his life +the ex-officer had never looked so well. + +It was when he had given his late master notice and had twenty-one +pounds in the world that Lyveden had seen the advertisement-- + +_A solitary existence, hard work, long hours, Ł3 a week, fuel, a +bachelor's unfurnished lodging, and an open-air life is offered to an +ex-officer: the job has been considered and abusively rejected by five +ex-other ranks on the score that it is "not good enough"; as an +ex-officer myself, I disagree with them; incidentally, I can pay no +more; sorry to have to add that applicants must be physically fit. +Write, Box 1078, c/o "The Times," E.C.4._ + +Immediately he had applied by telegram, paying for a reply.... + +Three days later he and Patch had emerged from the London train into +the keen night air of Chipping Norton. + +There on the platform to meet him had stood his new employer--a +tremendous figure of a man, with the eyes of an explorer and the +physique of an Atlas, and, after a little delay, Lyveden had found +himself seated in a high dog-cart, which, in the wake of an impatient +roan, was bowling along over the cold white roads, listening to the +steady deep voice foretelling his fate. + +"We're going to Girdle. I've taken a room at the inn there for you +to-night. Your cottage is two miles from there. I'll show you the way +and meet you there in the morning--at half-past eight, please. It's +water-tight--I had the thatch tended this year--and it's got its own +well--good water. It's in the park, by the side of the London road, so +you won't be too lonely. Now, your work. Woodman, road-maker, joiner, +keeper, forester, gardener--that's what I want." Anthony's brain +reeled. "That's what I am myself. Listen. I've inherited this +estate, which has been let go for over a hundred years. There isn't a +foot of fencing that isn't rotten, a road that you can walk on, a +bridge that is safe. The woods--it's all woodland--have gone to +blazes. I want to pull it round.... Fifty R.E.'s and a Labour +Battalion is what it wants, but that's a dream. I've tried the obvious +way. I asked for tenders for mending a twelve-foot bridge. The lowest +was seventy pounds. I did it myself, single-handed, in seven days.... +I've saved my stamps since then. Well, I've got a small staff." +Anthony heaved a sigh of relief. "Two old carters, two carpenters, +three magnificent sailors--all deaf, poor chaps--and a little lame +engineer. But I haven't an understudy.... I hope you'll like it, and +stay. It's a man's life." + +"I like the sound of it," said Lyveden. "What are you on now?" + +"Road-making at the moment. The fence is the most important, but the +roads are so bad we can't get the timber through. It's all sawn +ready--we've got a toy saw-mill--but we can't carry it. You see..." + +The speaker's enthusiasm had been infectious. Lyveden had found +himself violently interested in his new life before he had entered upon +it. + +The next day he had accepted the tiny cabin as his future home, and had +had a fire roaring upon the hearth before nine o'clock. Colonel +Winchester, who had expected to lodge him at Girdle for the best part +of a week, had abetted his determination to take immediate possession +with a grateful heart, presenting his new tenant with some blankets and +an excellent camp-bed, and putting a waggon at his disposal for the +rest of the day. Seven o'clock that evening had found Anthony and his +dog fairly installed in their new quarters. + +And now a month had gone by--to be exact, some thirty-four days, the +biggest ones, perhaps, in all Lyveden's life. In that short space of +time the man whose faith had frozen had become a zealot. + +Five thousand acres of woodland and the fine frenzy of an Homeric +Quixote had wrought the miracle. Of course the soil was good, and had +been ruthlessly harrowed and ploughed into the very pink of condition +to receive such seed. For months Lyveden's enterprise had been +stifled: for months Necessity had kept his intellect chained to a +pantry-sink: such ambition as he had had was famished. To crown it +all, Love had lugged him into the very porch of Paradise, to slam the +gates in his face.... Mind and body alike were craving for some +immense distraction. In return for board and lodging for his terrier +and himself, the man would have picked oakum--furiously: but not in +Hampshire. That was the county of Paradise--Paradise Lost. + +As we have seen, the bare idea of the employment had found favour in +Lyveden's eyes, and, before they had been together for half an hour, +the personality of Winchester had taken him by the arm. When, two days +later, master and man strode through the splendid havoc of the woods, +where the dead lay where they had fallen, and the quick were wrestling +for life, where the bastard was bullying the true-born, and kings were +mobbed by an unruly rabble--dogs with their paws upon the table, eating +the children's bread--where avenues and glades were choked with +thickets, where clearings had become brakes, and vistas and prospects +were screened by aged upstarts that knew no law; when they followed the +broken roads, where fallen banks sprawled on the fairway, and the +laborious rain had worn ruts into straggling ditches, where culverts +had given way and the dammed streams had spread the track with wasting +pools, where sometimes time-honoured weeds blotted the very memory of +the trail into oblivion; when they stood before an old grey mansion, +with what had once been lawns about it and the ruin of a great cedar +hard by its side, its many windows surveying with a grave stare the +wreck and riot of the court it kept--then for the first time Anthony +Lyveden heard the sound of the trumpets. + +The physical attraction, no doubt, of the work to be done was crooking +a beckoning finger. To pass his time among these glorious woods, to +have a healthy occupation which would never be gone, to enjoy and +provide for his dog a peaceful possession of the necessities of life, +was an alluring prospect. + +Yet this was not the call the trumpets had wound. That distant silvery +flourish was not of the flesh. It was the same fanfare that has sent +men to lessen the mysteries of the unknown world, travel the trackless +earth, sail on uncharted seas, trudge on eternal snows, to sweat and +shiver under strange heavens, grapple with Nature upon the Dame's own +ground and try a fall with the Amazon--with none to see fair play--for +the tale of her secrets. + +Anthony's imagination pricked up its flattened ears.... + +Gazing upon the crookedness about him, he saw it straightened: looking +upon the rough places, he saw them made plain. He saw the desolation +banished, the wilderness made glad. He saw the woods ordered, the +broken roads mended, the bridges rebuilt, streams back in their beds, +vistas unshuttered, avenues cleared.... He saw himself striving, one +of a little company sworn to redeem the stolen property. Man had won +it by the sweat of his brow--his seal was on it yet--that great +receiver Nature must give it up. It was not the repair of an estate +that they would compass; it was the restoration of the kingdom of man. + +Marking the light in his employee's eyes, Colonel Winchester could have +flung up his cap. Opening his heart, he spoke with a rough eloquence +of the great days the place had seen, of lords and ladies who had slept +at the house, of coaches that had rumbled over that broken bridge, of a +troop ambushed at the bend of the avenue, of a duel fought upon that +sometime sward.... + +"The world 'd think me mad. In the clubs I used to belong to they'd +remember that I was always a bit of a crank. To the Press I should be +a curio worth three lines and a photograph of the 'Brigadier Breaks +Stones' order. But there's a zest to the job you won't find in Pall +Mall. There's an encouragement to go ahead that you seldom strike in +this world. There's a gratitude the old place'll hand you that no +reporter could ever understand...." + +It was true. + +As the short days went tearing by, the spirit of the place entered into +Anthony's soul. He laboured thirstily, yet not so much laboured as +laid his labour as a thank-offering at his goddess's feet. He counted +himself happy, plumed himself on his selection for the office, thanked +God nightly. But that he needed the pay, he would not have touched it. +As it was, a third of it went into his tool-bag. The appalling +magnitude of the task never worried him--nor, for the matter of that, +his fellow-workers. Master and men went toiling from dawn to dusk +under a spell, busy, tireless as gnomes, faithful as knights to their +trust. Their zeal was quick with the devotion to a cause that went out +with coat-armour. Rough weather might chill one iron, but another was +plucked from the fire ere the first was cold. There never was seen +such energy. Place and purpose together held them in thrall. Had +encouragement been needed, the death of every day showed some material +gain. Foot by foot the kingdom was being restored. + +Whether the goddess of the estate had charmed Patch also, it is not for +me to say. He was certainly a happy fellow. Life had apparently +developed into one long, glorious ramble, which nothing but nightfall +could curtail. To his delight, too, Anthony and the other men showed +an unexpected and eventful interest in stones and boughs and ditches +and drains, and sometimes they even dragged trees along the ground for +him to bark at. It is to be hoped that he also expressed his gratitude +of nights...... + +If he has not done so this night, it is too late now, for he is +stretched upon the warm bricks in a slumber which will allow of no +orisons this side of to-morrow. + +Let us take his tip, gentlemen. The night is young, I know, but +Anthony has been abroad since cock-crow. Besides, I have led you a +pretty dance. You have, in fact, tramped for miles--'tis two and an +odd furlong to the old grey house alone--and the going is ill, as you +know, and the night, if young, is evil. A whole gale is coming, and +the woods are beside themselves. The thrash of a million branches, the +hoarse booming of the wind, lend to the tiny chamber an air of comfort +such as no carpets nor arras could induce. The rain, too, is hastening +to add its insolence to the stew. That stutter upon the pane is its +advance-guard.... + +Did you hear that dull crash, gentlemen? Or are your ears not +practised enough to pluck it out of the welter of rugged harmony? It +was an elm, sirs, an old fellow, full of years, gone to his long home. +For the last time the squirrels have swung from his boughs: for the +last time the rooks have sailed and cawed about his proud old head. +To-morrow there will be another empty stall in that majestic quire +which it has taken Time six hundred years to fill.... + +The distant crash brought Lyveden out of a sleep-ridden reverie. For a +second he listened intently, as if he hoped that he had been mistaken, +and that the sound he had heard had been but a trick of the wind. Then +he gave a short sigh and knocked out his pipe. + + * * * * * + +"And you've had no answer?" said the Judge, snapping a wafer betwixt +his fingers and thumb. + +His guest shook his head. Then he hastened to enlighten the +wine-waiter, who had been about to refill his glass with port and had +construed the gesture as a declension of the nectar. + +"Never a line," he said shortly. "Of course the letter may never have +reached him. But, if it did, he may not have thought it worth while +... I mean, I wrote very guardedly." + +"Naturally," said the Judge, "naturally. Still, I should have +thought..." + +The two men sat facing each other across a small mahogany table from +which the cloth had been drawn. The surface thus exposed gave back +such light as fell upon it enriched and mellowed. In this it was +typical of the room, which turned the common air into an odour of +luxury. + +Servants, perfectly trained, faultlessly groomed, stepped noiselessly +to and fro, handing dishes, replenishing glasses, anticipating desires. +A tremendous fire glowed in its massive cage; a crimson carpet and +curtains of almost barbaric gravity contributed to the admirable +temperature and deadened unruly noise. A brace of shaded candles to +each small table made up nine several nebulae, whose common radiance +provoked an atmosphere of sober mystery, dim and convenient. Light so +subdued subdued in turn the tones of the company of hosts and visitors. +Conversation became an exchange of confidences; laughter was soft and +low; the murmurous blend of talk flowed unremarked, yet comforted the +ear. The flash of silver, the sparkle of glass, the snow of napery, +gladdened the eye. No single circumstance of expediency was +unobserved, no detail of propriety was overlooked. Pomp lay in a +litter which he had borrowed of Ease. + +"Shall I write again?" said the solicitor. + +Mr. Justice Molehill stared at his port. After a moment-- + +"No," he said slowly. "Not at present, at any rate. I don't want to +push the matter, because I've got so very little to go on. In moving +at all, I'm laying myself open to the very deuce of a snub." + +"I shall get the snub," said his guest. "But that's what I'm paid for. +Besides, I'm fairly hardened." + +That he evinced not the slightest curiosity regarding his mysterious +instructions argued a distinction between the individual and the +adviser, firmly drawn and religiously observed. For a Justice of the +King's Bench suddenly to be consumed by a desire to know the names of +the uncles of somebody else's footman smacked of collaboration by +Gilbert and Chardenal. Once, however, the solicitor knew his client, +he asked no questions. Reticence and confidence were in his eyes +equally venerable. Usually he had his reward. He had it now. + +"In the spring," said his companion, "of 1914 I went to Sicily. On my +way back I stopped for one night at Rome. The day I left, while I was +resting after luncheon, the manager of the hotel brought a priest to my +room--a Catholic priest of some position, I fancy--an Englishman. I +can't remember his name. He spoke very civilly, and begged my instant +attention. + +"An old Englishman, it seemed, lay dying upon the first floor. He was +all alone--no relations--no servant. He could speak no Italian. +Realizing that he was dying, he was frantic to make a will. His +frenzied attempts to convey this desire to the attendant doctor had +resulted in the latter dashing into the street and stopping and +returning with the first priest he encountered. This happened to be my +friend. Upon beholding him, the patient, who had hoped for a lawyer, +had turned his face to the wall. Then, to his relief, he found that, +though a priest, yet he was English, and begged him to fetch an +attorney. The priest hurried to the manager, and the manager brought +him to me.... + +"You know how much I know about wills. All the same, argument was not +to be thought of. To the laity, solicitor, lawyer, barrister, and +attorney are synonymous terms. Moreover, they are all will-wrights. A +judge is a sort of shop-steward.... + +"Well, I drew one. To tell you the truth, I don't think it was so bad. +I attended the poor man. I took his instructions. And there and then +in the sickroom I drew the will upon a sheet of notepaper. He signed +it in my presence and that of the priest. The latter then took charge +of it, with a view to getting it stamped next morning at the British +Consulate. We both had some hazy idea that that was desirable. + +"I left Rome the same night. + +"Gradually--we've all had a lot to think about in the last seven +years--I forgot the whole incident. Then, some two months ago, when I +was at Brooch, a fellow gives evidence before me in a burglary case. A +footman called Anthony Lyveden. For a long time I couldn't imagine +where I'd heard the names before. Then something--I'll tell you what +in the smoking-room--brought it all back. Anthony Lyveden was the +nephew of the man whose will I made, and he was named as the sole +legatee. + +"In a way it's no affair of mine, and yet I feel concerned. I'll tell +you why. That footman was a gentleman born. Moreover, he was down on +his luck. He didn't look like a fellow who'd run through money, and I +think the old testator was pretty rich. He gave that impression. And +for a will made in such circumstances to go astray it would be easy +enough--obviously. The devil of it is, except for the name of Lyveden, +I can remember nothing else." + +The solicitor sipped his port. Then-- + +"A search at Somerset House," he said slowly, "should give us the +maiden surname of Anthony Lyveden's mother. If she had a brother...." + +Sir Giles Molehill raised his eyes and sighed. + +"And it never occurred to me," he said. "It's high time I went to the +Court of Appeal." + +Two days later his lordship received a letter informing him that a +search at Somerset House had revealed the fact that a son named Anthony +had been born upon the fourteenth of January, 1891, to a Mrs. Katharine +Lyveden, formerly _Roach_. + +As he read it, the Judge exclaimed audibly. + +The note which he wrote there and then shall speak for itself. + + +_DEAR BLITHE,_ + +_Roach was the surname of the testator. Please go on. When you can +submit a Christian name to my memory, please do so. I am not sure that +it will respond, but we can try._ + + _Yours sincerely, + GILES MOLEHILL._ + + * * * * * + +When Anthony Lyveden had been for a week at Gramarye, he had +reluctantly posted a letter containing his new address. This he had +done because he had promised to do it. As the letter had fallen into +the box, he had prayed fervently, but without the faintest hope, that +it might never be delivered. A galley-slave who has broken ship and +won sanctuary does not advertise his whereabouts with a light heart. +He may be beyond pursuit, yet--he and the galley are both of this +world; things temporal only keep them apart, and if the master came +pricking, with a whip in his belt.... You must remember that Anthony +had been used very ill. At first, bound to the oar of Love, he had +pulled vigorously and found the sea silken, his chains baubles. Then a +storm had arisen. In his hands the docile oar had become a raging +termagant, and, when he would have been rid of it, the baubles had +opposed his will. He had been dragged and battered unspeakably. Over +all, the lash had been laid upon his bare shoulders; and that with a +nicety of judgment which should have been foreign to so white a wrist +and to eyes that could look so tender. Now that he had escaped out of +hell, it was not surprising that he was loth to discover his refuge. +Still, a promise must be respected.... + +For that matter, supplications do not always go empty away. The answer +to Anthony's came in the shape of a fire which attacked the last coach +but one upon a London train and partially destroyed two mailbags before +its flames were subdued. It follows that, though he did not know it, +such friends as the ex-officer had knew no more where he was than did +the man in the moon. + +It is here convenient, believe me, to go imagining. + +We have looked into Anthony's mind at the hour when he posted his +letter. Had he posted it this nineteenth day of January, instead of +six weeks ago, and we, as before, peered into his brain-pan, we should +have found his supplication that the missive might go astray even more +urgent. We should have noted that, while he was just as fearful to be +reminded of the galley and the tall dark ganger with the red, red mouth +and the merciless thong, he also viewed with alarm the possibility of +any distraction from his work. The galley-slave was become a votary. + +Let us be quite clear about it. + +Anthony had come to Gramarye to try to forget. In this he was steadily +unsuccessful. At the end of a month he had not advanced one inch. His +love for Valerie was as breathless, haunting, wistful as it had ever +been. The whole of the kingdom of his heart was hers alone, and, so +far as he could see, like to remain hers only for the rest of his life. +Since, therefore, he could not dispatch Memory, he sought to immure +her. Since Valerie's sovereignty was so fast stablished that it could +not be moved, he sought to rule his heart out of his system. Had it +been possible, he would, like Aesop's Beaver, have ripped the member +from him and gone heartless ever after. The Fabulous Age being dead, +Anthony made the best shift he could, and strove to bury kingdom and +queen together so deep within him that their existence should not +trouble his life. If he could not put out the light, he would hide it +under a bushel. It occurred to him that his mind, appropriately +occupied, should make an excellent bushel--appropriately occupied.... +He resolved that Gramarye should have his mind. Of this he would make +a kingdom, mightier and more material than that of his heart. The +trouble was, his mind, though more tractable, liked Valerie's +occupation, found it desirable, and clung to its present tenant for all +it was worth. By no means dismayed, Anthony, as before, had recourse +to ejection by crowding out.... Two things, however, made this attempt +more formidable. First, he did not have to be for ever scouring the +highways and hedges for a new tenantry; Gramarye was always at hand. +Secondly, though Anthony did not know it, _there was no need for +Gramarye to be compelled to come in_. He was pressing an invitation +upon one who had invited herself. The hooded personality of the place +had stolen up to the door: already its pale fingers were lifting the +latch.... Before he had been in the Cotswolds for seven weeks, she had +thrust and been thrust into the doorway. + +It was the thin end of the wedge. + +Each passing day fell upon the wedge like the stroke of a hammer. +Sometimes they drove it: oftener the wedge stayed still where it was. +But it never slipped back. When it was stubbornest, and the days +seemed to lose their weight, when Valerie's hold seemed indefeasible, +when the woods were quick with memory, when Anthony heard an old faint +sigh in the wind, and the laughter of a brook fluted the note of a soft +familiar voice, then more than once that strange, cool, silvery call +had stolen out of the distance, to melt upon the air as soon as uttered +and leave its echoes at play upon the edge of earshot.... Before the +echoes had died, the wedge would have moved. + +For a master at once so tireless and so devotedly served, Colonel +Winchester handled his team with a prudence which must have chafed his +infatuation to the bone. Of every week, five and a half days did they +labour and not an hour more. No matter how loudly a chore called for +completion, no matter how blackly wind and weather were threatening the +half-done work, upon Wednesday afternoon and Sunday not an axe was +lifted, not a cord hitched, not a nail driven. It was a wise rule and +fruitful. The Sabbath rest leavened the labour of the week. As for +the midweek breathing space, the men were not monks; however zealous +their studies of the lilies of the field, the provision of meat and +raiment must have some crumbs of consideration... + +It was, indeed, these two commodities which had taken Lyveden to Girdle +this January day. The milkman, the baker, the grocer, had all to be +interviewed and paid. A kindly farmer's wife, who baked fresh meat for +him and sent it thrice a week to his cottage in the shape of a cold +pasty, had to be visited and made to accept payment for a slab of sweet +fresh butter he had not asked for. A little linen had to be picked +up.... + +By half-past three Anthony's errands were run. He had dealt with them +quickly, for there was work waiting at the cottage; a load of fuel had +to be stacked, and Patch had been bogged that morning and was, +consequently, fit neither to be seen nor smelt. Besides, there was a +book about forestry which Winchester had lent him.... Anthony bent his +steps homeward eagerly enough. + +As he left the village, a horsewoman overtook him, shot him a sharp +glance, and passed ahead. Her habit was mired, and it was evident that +she had had a fall hunting. That Anthony did not remark this was +because he was regarding her horse. There was nothing unusual about +the animal, but of the two beings it alone touched his attention. If +Valerie was like to be buried, at least she had killed all other women +stone dead. + +It was consequently in some annoyance that, upon rounding the second +bend of the infamous Gallowstree Hill, he saw the lady before him with +her mount across the road, placidly regarding a hunting-crop which lay +upon the highway. As he came up-- + +"Would you be so good?" said the girl. + +"With pleasure." + +Anthony picked up the crop and offered it. As he did so, the horse +became restive, and there was quite a substantial bickering before his +mistress could accept the whip. Anthony, if he thought about it at +all, attributed the scene to caprice. In this he was right, yet wrong. +Caprice was the indirect reason. The direct cause was the heel of a +little hunting-boot adroitly applied to a somewhat sensitive flank. +There is no doubt at all that Anthony had a lot to learn. + +Out of the broil stepped Conversation lightly enough. + +"You must forgive us both," said the lady, turning her mount towards +Gramarye. "We've had a bad day. Quite early on we took the deuce of a +toss, and I lost him. A labourer caught him, and then let him go +again. By the time I'd got him, the hounds were miles away. I'd never +'ve believed it was possible to go so fast or so far as I did and never +hear of them. After two solid hours I gave it up." + +Anthony was walking by her side, listening gravely. + +"What a shame!" he said. Then: "I hope you weren't hurt." + +"Shoulder's a bit stiff. I fell on the point. But a hot bath'll put +that right. D'you live here?" + +"About a mile on. At Gramarye." + +The girl stared at him. + +"Gramarye?" + +"Not at the house," said Anthony. "I live in the cottage at the +south-west end of the park." + +"Oh, I know. D'you work there, then?" + +Anthony nodded. + +"That's my job." + +"So you're Major Lyveden?" said the girl. + +Anthony looked up. + +"How did you know?" he said. + +A pair of large brown eyes regarded him steadily. Then the red lips +parted, and André Strongi'th'arm flung back her handsome head and +laughed merrily. + +"Did you think," she said, panting, "did you really think that you +could come to dwell in the parish of Girdle, and the fact escape the +notice of the other parishioners?" She hesitated, and a suggestion of +mockery crept into her voice. "Or are you too wrapped up in the estate +to think about anything else?" + +"I believe I am," said Anthony. + +"I beg your pardon," said Miss Strongi'th'arm with an elaborate +courtesy. "Thank you very much for enduring me for three minutes. If +I'd----" + +Her hunter broke into a trot. + +"No, no," cried Anthony, running beside her. "Please walk again." She +pulled the horse up. "I didn't mean to be rude. I meant----" + +"I should leave it alone," said André. "You'll only make it worse. +You're much too honest. Besides, I love the country, and I--I think," +she added dreamily, "I can understand." + +"Can you?" + +The eagerness in Anthony's voice was arrestingly pathetic, and André +started at the effect of her idle words. + +"I--I think so. I've given water to a thirsty plant.... I suppose the +gratitude of a landscape..." + +"That's it," said Lyveden excitedly. "You've got it in one. The place +is so pathetically grateful for every stock and stone you set straight, +that you just can't hold your hand. And all the time the work's so +fascinating that you don't deserve any thanks. You seem to get deeper +in debt every day. You're credited with every cheque you draw. If I +stopped, it'd haunt me." + +"It is plain," said André, "that, when you die, 'Gramarye' will be +graven upon your heart. All the same, are you sure you were meant for +this? Aren't there things in life besides the straightening of stocks +and stones?" + +"The War's over," said Lyveden. + +"I know. But there was a world before 1914. I think your occupation's +wonderful, but isn't it a little unnatural--unfair to yourself and +others--to give it the whole of your life? As estates go, I fancy the +possibilities of Eden were even more amazing than those of Gramarye--I +daresay you won't admit that, but then you're biassed--and yet the +introduction of Eve was considered advisable." + +"With the result that ..." + +Miss Strongi'th'arm laughed. + +"With the result that you and I are alive this glorious day, with our +destinies in our pockets and the great round world at our feet. I +wonder whether I ought to go into a nunnery." + +"I've tried kicking the world," said Anthony, "and I'm still lame from +it. And Fate picked my pocket months and months ago." + +"So Faint Heart turned into the first monastery he came to," said +André, leaning forward and caressing her hunter's neck. "What d'you +think of that, Joshua?" + +As if by way of comment, the horse snorted, and Anthony found himself +joining in Miss Strongi'th'arm's mirth. + +"There's hope for you yet," gurgled that lady. "Your sense of humour +is still kicking. And that under the mud appears to be a scrap of a +dog. When you take your final vows, will you give him to me?" + +"In my monastery," said Lyveden, "monks are allowed to keep dogs. +There is also no rule against laughter." + +"Isn't there, now?" flashed André. "I wonder why? There's no rule +against idleness either, is there?" She laughed bitterly. "Rules are +made to cope with inclinations. Where there's no inclination----" She +broke off suddenly and checked her horse. Setting her hand upon +Lyveden's shoulder, she looked into his eyes. "You laughed just now, +didn't you? When did you last laugh before that?" + +Anthony stared back. The girl's intuition was uncanny. Now that he +came to think of it, Winchester and his little band never laughed over +their work--never. There was--she was perfectly right--there was no +inclination. Eagerness, presumably, left no room for Merriment. Or +else the matter was too high, too thoughtful. Not that they laboured +sadly--far from it. Indeed, their daily round was one long festival. +But Laughter was not at the board. Neither forbidden, nor bidden to +the feast, she just stayed away. Yet Mirth was no hang-back.... +Anthony found himself marvelling. + +"Who are you?" he said suddenly, + +For a second the brown eyes danced; then their lids hid them. With +flushed cheeks the girl sat up on her horse. + +"Who am I? I'm a daughter of Eve, Major Lyveden. Eve, who cost Adam +his Gramarye. So you be careful. Bar your door of nights. Frame +rules against laughter and idleness--just to be on the safe side. And +next time a girl drops her crop----" + +"I hope," said Anthony gravely, "I hope I shall be behind her to pick +it up and have the honour of her company to turn a mile into a furlong." + +"O-o-oh, blasphemy!" cried André, pretending to stop her ears. +"Whatever would Gramarye say? Come on, Joshua." + +The next moment she was cantering up the broad white way.... + +As she rounded a bend, she flung up an arm and waved her crop cheerily. + +Anthony waved back. + + * * * * * + +Miss Valerie French sat in her library at Bell Hammer, with her elbows +propped on the writing-table and her head in her hands. She had been +free of the great room ever since she could remember. Long before her +father's death she had been accustomed to sit curled in its great +chairs, to lie upon the huge tiger-skin before the hearth, or gravely +to face her father across that very table and draw houses and flights +of steps and stiff-legged men and women with flat feet upon his +notepaper, while Mr. French dealt with his correspondence. Always, +when the picture was completed, it would be passed to him for his +approval and acceptance; and he would smile and thank her and audibly +identify the objects portrayed; and, if he were not too busy, they +would remind him of a tale, the better to follow which she must leave +her chair and climb on to his knee.... + +Then he had died--ten years after her birth, nine years after her +mother's death. There were who said he had died of a broken heart--a +heart broken nine years before. It may have been true. Valerie loved +the room more than ever.... + +When she was come of age, she made it her boudoir. Flowers and silks +and silver lit up its stateliness. Beneath the influence of a grand +piano and the soft-toned cretonnes upon the leather chairs, the +solemnity of the chamber melted into peace. The walls of literature, +once so severe, became a kindly background, wearing a wise, grave smile. + +Such comfort, however, as the room extended was to-day lost upon +Valerie. Beyond the fact that it was neither noisome nor full of +uproar, Miss French derived no consolation from an atmosphere to which +she had confidently carried her troubles for at least twenty years. +The truth is, she was sick at heart. There was no health in her. She +had been given a talent and had cast it into the sea. She had stumbled +upon a jewel, more lustrous than any she had dreamed this earth could +render, and of her folly she had flung it into the draught. She had +suspected him who was above suspicion, treated her king like a cur, +unwarrantably whipped from her doors the very finest gentleman in all +the world. What was a thousand times worse, he had completely +vanished. Had she known where he was, she would have gone straight to +him and, kneeling upon her knees, begged his forgiveness. Her pride +was already in tatters, her vanity in rags: could she have found him, +she would have stripped the two mother-naked. In a word, she would +have done anything which it is in the power of a mortal to do to win +back that wonder of happiness which they had together built up. It +must be remembered that Valerie was no fool. She realized wholly that +without Anthony Lyveden Life meant nothing at all. She had very grave +doubts whether it would, without him, ever mean anything again. And +so, to recover her loss, she was quite prepared to pay to the uttermost +farthing. The trouble, was, the wares were no longer for sale; at any +rate, they were not exposed to her eyes. The reflection that, after a +little, they might be offered elsewhere and somebody else secure them, +sent Valerie almost out of her mind. And it might happen any +day--easily. The wares were so very attractive.... Moreover, if their +recovery was to beggar her, by a hideous paradox, failure to repurchase +the wares meant ruin absolute.... + +When Valerie French had discovered that her jealousy of her lover was +utterly baseless, she had had the sense to make no bones about it, but +to strike her colours at once. That Anthony was not there to witness +her capitulation did not affect her decision. If she was to have their +intelligent assistance, the sooner others saw it and appreciated her +plight, so much the better for her. Only her aunt and the Alisons +could possibly help at all; to those four she spoke plainly, telling +the cold facts and feeling the warmth of well-doing in tearing her +pride to tatters. Then she rent her vanity and begged their services +to find and, if necessary, plead for her with the ex-officer. The +Alisons had promised readily, but there was no confidence in their +eyes. Lady Touchstone, however, had sent her niece's hopes soaring. +She had reason, it seemed, to expect a letter. Major Lyveden had +promised to let her have his address. And, he being a man of his word, +it was bound to come--bound to come.... + +For more than a month Valerie hung upon every incoming post. Then she +knew that the letter had gone astray. + +For the hundredth time Miss French read through the three letters which +lay before her upon the table, written in the firm, clear hand of +Anthony Lyveden. Except she drew upon the store of Memory, she had +nothing else at all that spoke of him. Hence the common envelopes +became three reliquaries, the cheap thin notepaper relics above all +price, piteously hallowed by the translation of the scribe. + +The letters affording no comfort, Valerie rose and moved to a great +window which looked on to the terrace and thence into the park. +Instantly the memory of one sweet September night rose up before her--a +night when he and she had paced those flags together, while music had +floated out of the gallery, and the stars had leaped in the heavens, +and the darkness had quivered at the breath of the cool night air; when +he had wrapped his love in a fairy tale and she had listened with a +hammering heart ... when he at last had put her hand to his lips, and +she had given back the homage before he could draw away.... + +The terrace was worse than the letters, and Valerie turned to the +books. Idly she moved along the wall, reading the names upon the calf +bindings and not knowing whether she read them or no. A sudden desire +to look at the topmost shelves made her cross to the great step-ladder +and climb to its balustered pulpit. Before she was half-way there the +desire had faded, but she went listlessly on. Come to the top, she +turned to let her eye wander over the nearest shelf. Old, little-read +volumes only met her gaze--Hoole's works, Jessey, John Sadler, +Manley.... Of the ten small volumes containing Miss Manley's +outpourings, the seventh was out of place, and Valerie stretched out a +hand to straighten it. As she did so, she saw the title--_The Lost +Lover_. For a moment she stared at it. Then she turned and, +descending one step of the ladder, sat down on the edge of the pulpit +and buried her face in her hands. + +We will leave her there with her beauty, her shapely head bowed, her +exquisite figure hunched with despair, her cold, white, pointed fingers +pressed tight upon those glorious temples, her little palms hiding the +misery of that striking face, her knees convulsively closed, that +shining foot tucked beneath the other in the contortion of grief. We +will leave her there on the ladder, learning that sorry lesson which +Great Love only will set its favourites when they have gone a-whoring +after false gods in whom is no faith. + + * * * * * + +At half-past six upon the following Monday evening Lyveden returned to +his cottage with Patch at his heels. In spite of the hard frost, the +work had gone well. A bridge had been finished which should laugh to +scorn the elements for a long century; a sore-needed staff had been set +beneath the arm-pit of a patriarch oak; a truant stream had been tucked +into its rightful bed. It had been a good day. + +Arrived at his door, Anthony turned and looked upward. The cold white +brilliance of the stars stared winking back; the frozen silence of the +firmament hung like a magic cloak upon the shoulders of darkness; the +pool of Night lay in a breathless trance, ice-cold and fathomless. +Anthony opened the door and passed in. + +Within three minutes the lamp and lantern were lighted and a fire was +crackling upon the hearth; within ten, fuel had been fetched and water +drawn from the well; within twenty, the few odd jobs on whose +performance the comfort of regularity depended, had been disposed of; +and by seven o'clock the Sealyham had had his dinner, and his master, +washed and groomed, was free to sit down to a substantial meal. + +At the first glance, the latter's dress was highly reminiscent of the +warfare so lately dead. The shade and stuff of the stout breeches, the +heavy ankle boots, the grey shirt-cuff emerging from the sleeve of the +coarse cardigan, were old familiar friends. The fact that Lyveden had +laid aside his collar heightened the comparison. Only his gaiters +struck a discordant note. These were of good box-cloth and buttoned +from knee to ankle. Tight-fitting about the calf, but not shaped to +the leg, they fell well over the tops of the heavy boots, resting, +indeed, upon the insteps. They suited Anthony, for whom they might +have been made, admirably. They were, moreover, a wholly redeeming +feature, and turned his garb from that of a thousand corporals into the +homely attire of a gentleman farmer. So soon as you saw them, you +forgot the War. The style of them was most effective. It beat the +spear into a pruning hook. With this to leaven them, the rough +habiliments were most becoming. In a word, they supplied the very +setting which manhood should have; and since Anthony, sitting there at +his meat, was the personification of virility, they served, as all true +settings should, by self-effacement to magnify their treasure. The +ex-officer might have stepped out of Virgil's _Eclogues_. + +He had finished his meal, cleared away the remains, set the table for +breakfast, and was in the act of filling his pipe, when the Sealyham +growled. Anthony, whose ears were becoming sharper every day, listened +intently. The next moment came a sharp tapping upon the door. In an +instant Patch was across the room, barking furiously.... + +Laying down his pipe and tobacco, Anthony followed the terrier and, +picking him up in his arms, threw open the door. + +"So you didn't bar it, after all," said a mocking voice. "Well, my +conscience is clear. I warned you. And since you are at home and the +door is open, will you extend your hospitality to a benighted Eve?" + +Anthony stepped to one side. + +"I'm all alone," he said hesitatingly. + +"So am I," said André, entering. "Oh, what a lovely fire! I'm just +perished," she added, crossing to spread her hands to the blaze. "It's +not a night to be motoring." + +Anthony shut the door and put the terrier down. The latter ran to the +lady and sniffed the hem of her garments. After a careful scrutiny he +turned away.... + +"It's not a night," said Anthony, "to be walking the countryside in +evening dress. Have you had a breakdown?" + +"Not that I know of," replied Miss Strongi'th'arm. "Don't be so +modest. I happened to be passing and I happened to see your light, so +I thought I'd come and see how Adam was getting on. Is it against the +rules?" + +"I'm all alone," said Lyveden steadily. + +"Is that an order to quit?" + +"I'm only thinking of you," said Anthony. "I know I've dropped out of +things lately, and the world goes pretty fast, but I'd hate people to +talk about you." He felt himself flushing, and went on jerkily: "I +mean, I don't honestly know what's done nowadays and what isn't. If +you're quite easy ... you see, I'm older than you," he added +desperately. + +There was a little silence. Then-- + +"Don't stop," said André, with a mischievous smile. "I've never been +lectured by a monk before. Besides, I collect points of view." + +"Is mine extraordinary?" + +"An exceptionally rare specimen. I shall always treasure it." She +produced a cigarette case. "May I smoke a cigarette? Or is that also +against the rules?" + +Without a word Anthony struck a match.... + +"Thanks," said the lady. She unbuttoned her coat. "It's nice and warm +in here," she added comfortably. "Oh, please don't look so +reproachful! I just can't bear it. I'm not doing anything wrong, and +it makes me feel awful. Of course, if you don't want me..." + +"You know it isn't that," he protested. "I only thought possibly--I +mean..." He broke off helplessly and touched the back of a chair. +"Wouldn't you like to sit down?" + +"Shall you sit down if I do?" Anthony shook his head. "Then I shan't +either. I'd much rather stand." And, with that, my lady set her back +against the side of the fireplace and crossed her shapely ankles. + +It must be confessed that she made an arresting picture. Mean as the +light was, it woke the luminous beauty of her auburn hair; a sprinkling +of freckles gave to her exquisite complexion a jolly look; the bright +brown eyes and the merry mouth were those of a Bacchante. Above her +plain black frock her throat and chest showed dazzling white; below, +the black silk stockings shone with a lustre which was not that of silk +alone; over all, the voluminous mink coat framed her from head to toe +with a rich luxury. + +"And how," said André, "is Gramarye? Have you finished the bridge?" + +Anthony stared at her. + +"How did you know?" he said. + +Miss Strongi'th'arm shrugged her fair shoulders. + +"What does it matter?" she said. "Let's talk about something else--if +you can. Have you thought over what I said? No. I can see you +haven't. Well, well.... Have you laughed since we met?" + +"I--I don't think I have." + +"Ah.... Why not?" + +"There's been nothing to laugh at. The work's big--serious." + +"Wasn't the War serious?" + +Anthony crossed to the hearth and kicked a log into flame. + +"I suppose so," he said reluctantly. + +"Yet you laughed every day." + +"Yes, but----" + +"But what?" + +"The War was different. You can't compare the two. Then you laughed +because it was better than crying. Now there's no reason for it. +There's no time on your hands. The work's too urgent--too solemn. +It's like restoring a cathedral. You don't feel you want to laugh." +He swung round and faced her. "There's a religion in the atmosphere; +Gramarye's a sort of temple; when you're in the woods, instinctively +you lower your voice; there's something sacred about the place; +there's----" + +Miss Strongi'th'arm dropped her cigarette and caught her _vis-ŕ-vis_ by +the shoulders. + +"Don't!" she cried. "Don't! It's all wrong! The place isn't sacred. +It's absurd. You're infatuated. Gramarye's getting into your blood. +Soon you won't be able to think of anything else. And gradually it'll +eat up your life--your splendid, glorious life. I know what I'm +talking about. D'you hear? I say I _know_! I've seen one man go +under, and now you're going--_you!_" The flame died out of her voice +leaving it tender and passionate. "And you're too wonderful a thing, +lad; you're too perfect a specimen; you're too strong and gentle ... +too honest.... Ah"--her hands slipped from his shoulders and her eyes +dropped--"you needn't look so reproachful. I know I'm a rotter. I +dropped my crop on purpose the other day, because I wanted to talk to +you; and I lied to my mother and said I was dining out to-night, and +then came here, because..." Anthony put out an appealing hand. The +girl laughed bitterly. "All right. I won't say it." She started +feverishly to fasten her coat. "It's about time I was going, isn't it? +About time...." + +In silence Anthony passed with her to the door. + +There was simply nothing to say. + +Together they walked to her car, a well-found coupé standing dark and +silent upon the wasted track, facing the London road. André opened its +door, thrust in a groping hand.... For a moment her fingers hunted. +Then two shafts of light leaped from the head-lamps. A second later +the near side-lamp showed Anthony how pale was her face.... + +The lights in the car went up, and André picked up her gloves. +Standing with her back to Lyveden, she pulled them on fiercely, but her +hands were shaking, and the fastening of the straps was a difficult +business. + +Patch, who had come with them and was facing the opposite way, put his +head on one side and stared up the line of the track. Then he trotted +off into the darkness.... + +The straps fastened, André turned about. + +Anthony put out his hand. + +"Good-bye," he said gently. + +For a moment the girl looked at him. Then she gave a little sob, and, +putting her arms about his neck, drew down his head and kissed him +frantically. A moment later she was leaning wearily against the car, +with the sleeve of her right arm across her eyes. As she let it fall, +Winchester stepped out of the darkness with Patch at his heels. + +"André?" he said. And then again, "André?" Anthony swung on his heel +and faced the speaker. The latter stared at him with smouldering eyes. + +"Lyveden?" he said hoarsely. + +There was an electric silence. + +Then Anthony turned to Miss Strongi'th'arm. + +"I most humbly apologize," he said. "My feelings got the better of me. +I pray that you will try to forgive me." He turned to Winchester. +"This lady needed some water for her radiator, and came to my door----" + +"You blackguard!" said Winchester. "You----" + +"It's a lie!" flamed André. + +The cold steel of her tone fairly whistled. Instinctively both men +started. + +"It's a lie, Richard. He's the cleanest, straightest man that ever +breathed. He'd no idea who I was. He hasn't now. He never knew my +name till you said it. I forced myself upon him the other day. I +forced myself upon him to-night. And he's--he's just turned me +down.... He said what he did just now to try and shield me. But he's +blameless. It was I who--made the running. And I'm glad you saw it. +_Glad!_" She tore off her left glove. "Because it's your own fault. +It's eighteen months since I promised to be your wife. Eighteen solid +months. And I'm tired--sick of waiting--fed up. First it was Russia: +then the North of France: then--Gramarye. _Gramarye!_" She flung back +her head and laughed wildly. Then she snatched a ring from her finger +and hurled it on to the ground. "There's the ring you gave me. God +knows why I didn't give it you back yesterday--months ago. I'd reason +enough. I suppose I still hoped.... But now you've killed it. I +don't even care what happens to you. You've messed up my life, you've +messed up your own, and, what's a million times worse, you're doing +your level best to mess up his." + +Upon the last words her voice broke piteously, and André covered her +eyes. So she stood for a moment, white-faced, her lips trembling.... +Then she whipped into the car and slammed the door. A moment later the +engine was running. She let in the clutch, and the car moved +forward.... + +As she turned on to the London road, she changed into second speed ... +into third ... top.... + +The two men stood as she had left them, motionless, the little white +dog eyeing them curiously. + +The steady purr of the engine grew fainter and fainter. + +When it had quite died, Anthony turned and touched the other upon the +shoulder. + +"There's always Gramarye," he said. + +For a moment the giant peered at him. Then he straightened his bowed +shoulders and threw up his head. + +"Yes," he shouted, "yes. There's always Gramarye!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +NEHUSHTAN + +"It is only right, Lyveden," said Colonel Winchester, "that you should +know that I am losing my mind." + +The steady, measured tone of the speaker invested this bald statement +with a significance which paralyzed. Anthony stood as if rooted to the +floor. + +"Yes," said the other, "it was bound to shake you up. But I want you +to realize it. Sit down for a minute and think what it means." + +Anthony did as he was bid--dazedly. His employer turned his back and +stared into the fire. + +The silence which ensued was painful. So much so, that Mr. Samuel +Plowman, Solicitor and Commissioner for Oaths, whose nerves were less +subordinate than those of the two ex-officers, was hard put to it not +to scream. + +It must be confessed that in the last twenty-five minutes the poor +gentleman had encountered a whole pack of things, none of which had +been dreamt of in his philosophy. Little had he imagined, when he was +desired to attend professionally at Gramarye "precisely at half-past +ten on Sunday morning," what that attendance would bring forth. +Colonel Winchester had certainly a reputation for eccentricity. His +letter was undoubtedly--well, peculiar. Mr. Plowman had smiled upon +his finger-nails--a sapient, indulgent smile. He had dealt with +eccentricity before. Witness Miss Sinister of Mallwood, who had +summoned him in just such a way, but more peremptorily. Then he had +been desired to superintend the cremation of a favourite cat. That was +nine years ago. For the last eight years he had superintended +Mallwood. Mr. Plowman had smiled more than ever.... + +At twenty-six minutes past ten that February morning he had ascended +the broken steps of the old grey mansion, a little curious, perhaps, +but, as he would have told you, "ready for anything." There being no +bell, he had raised and let fall the great knocker, and then stood +still in the sunshine looking placidly about him. The desolation of +the park left him unmoved. Money, judiciously expended, could rectify +that. And the house seemed sound enough. They knew how to build in +the old days. Colonel Winchester was probably using only one wing for +the present. In time to come, possibly ... Mr. Plowman had +straightened his tie. + +Then the door had opened. + +Clad like a husbandman, his shirt open at the neck, his sleeves rolled +to his elbows, the biggest man Mr. Plowman had ever seen had stood +regarding him. The cold majesty of a lion had looked out of those +terrible eyes; neck, chest, and arms proclaimed the strength of a +Hercules; the pose was that of a demi-god at bay. The carelessly +brushed fair hair, the broad forehead, the unusual distance between +those steel-grey eyes, the fine colour of the cheeks, the fair, +close-cut beard, contributed to make the fellow unearthly handsome. +But there was something behind it all--a dominating irresistible force, +which rose up in a great wave, monstrous and menacing. + +Mr. Plowman, who knew little of personality, felt as if he had been +suddenly disembowelled.... + +Thereafter he had been led stumbling through the semi-darkness of a +stark hall, by gaunt mouldering passages to the servants' quarters. A +fair-sized parlour, looking upon a courtyard, carpetless, curtainless, +and something suggestive of an "Orderly Room," had presently received +him. + +There a deep bass voice had bade him be seated, and he had been told +quite dispassionately that he was present to assist the speaker to +prepare for insanity. + +All things considered, it is to Mr. Plowman's credit that he was able +to appreciate and answer coherently quite a number of questions which +his client had put to him upon matters of law. The strain, however, +was severe, and he was unutterably relieved when he was directed to +move to a table, where paper and ink were waiting, and take down the +explicit instructions which the voice would dictate. He had obeyed +parrot-wise. + +The dictation was hardly over when Lyveden had appeared at the window +and, at a nod from Winchester, walked to a side-door and entered the +room a moment later.... + +What immediately followed his entrance, gentlemen, we have already +seen. Your time being precious, I have but made use of the silence +which poor Mr. Plowman found so distressful. + +The great figure before the fire turned slowly about and, folding its +mighty arms, leaned against the mantelpiece. + +"When it will happen," said the deep voice, "I have no idea. Sometimes +it seems very near; at others, as if it may never come. Yet I know it +will. So I must be prepared.... Mr. Plowman is here to assist me in +this preparation. + +"I've tried to tell him, Lyveden, about the estate. I've tried to +explain what it means to me. I feel that I've failed." Mr. Plowman +was physically unable to utter the deprecative ejaculation which he +knew should have been here inserted. His lips framed it, but it was +never expressed. "I have, however, explained that I am engaged upon +its restoration, and that you are my second-in-command. I have told +him that when I--when my call comes, I wish the work to go on. This is +where you come in. I have given him certain instructions, all of which +depend upon you." The speaker unfolded his arms and stood upright. +"_When I'm gone, are you willing to carry on?_" + +Before Anthony could answer, the other had lifted his hand. + +"Wait. Don't answer till you know where you are. + +"You'll have a Power of Attorney and absolute control. The moment I'm +certified, you'll stand in my shoes. Some of my income must be set +aside--I shall have to be looked after, you know--the rest you will +administer as if you were me. You'll be the master of the other men. +Your word will be law. The future of Gramarye will be in your hands. +You can follow the line I've taken, or you can strike off on your own. +You'll have absolute power. I'm ready to give it you, if you're ready +to take it. But you must wash sentiment out. The question of my +helplessness mustn't weigh with you. You mustn't consider anything +except yourself. If Gramarye means enough to you----" + +"It does," said Lyveden. + +"Are you sure?" + +"There's nothing else in my life." + +"Ah!" + +His keen grey eyes glowing with the light of a visionary, Winchester +stepped forward, and Lyveden got upon his feet. For a moment the two +men looked one another in the face. Then Winchester shivered suddenly, +put a hand to his head, and turned away.... + +The pathos of the gesture loosened Anthony's tongue. + +"You know best, sir, and it isn't my place to try to dissuade you. Let +the business go through. Once for all, whatever happens to you, I'll +carry on. I'll do everything exactly as if you were there. You can +rest easy. But---- Oh, how can you think such a thing? I never in +all my life saw any one less likely to go under. You're not the type, +sir. It's--it's laughable." The words came tumbling out of an honest +heart. "I saw men go mad in France, but they were hardly your sort. +Perhaps you're too much alone. Will you let me live with you? Or, if +it's insomnia----" + +"It isn't insomnia," said the giant. "It's insanity." + +Mr. Plowman, who was picking up the pen which for the second time had +escaped the play of his trembling fingers, started violently and struck +his head against the table. The absurd action attracting annoyed +attention, he broke into a cold sweat. + +"But you can't know that!" cried Anthony. "Only a doctor can----" + +"What doctor would tell me the truth?" + +"You needn't ask him. You can ask to be told the symptoms, and then +compare them with yours. If they tally----" + +"You speak as a child," said Winchester. "Insanity's not like +chicken-pox. There's no book of the rules." + +"I don't care. You can't possibly know. On a matter like this your +own opinion's worthless. It's the one thing no man can say of himself: +You can't judge your own judgment." Staring into the fire, Winchester +began to tap the floor with his toe. "I've said I'll carry on, and you +can put my name in, but I'm sorry I was so quick." + +"Why?" + +"Because I oughtn't to subscribe to this belief. It's all wrong. I'm +admitting a possibility which doesn't exist. I'm humouring a dangerous +whim. For over two months I've spent ten hours a day in your +company--I've sat at your feet--I've marvelled at your wisdom--I've +envied your instinct--I've been dazed by your amazing efficiency--and +now I'm to put on record----" + +With a stifled roar, Winchester threw back his head and beat with his +fists upon his temples. + +"You fool!" he raved. "Out of your own mouth.... The very wisdom you +marvel at has shown me what you can't see. That instinct you say you +envy has opened my eyes. I tell you I'm going mad. Time and again +I've seen the writing upon the wall. I walk with Insanity of nights. +Three months ago I chucked my revolver into the lake, or I shouldn't be +here to-day. You babble of madness; I tell you I know the jade. Why, +there are nights when the stars slip and the world lies on her side, +and only the woods of Gramarye keep me from falling off. I climb from +tree to tree, man. They're like the rungs of a ladder, with their tops +swaying in the wind over eternity and their roots stuck fast in a +gigantic wall--that's the earth ... on her side ... They're sticking +straight out like pegs. And sometimes I hear a roar coming, and the +trees are bent like reeds, and the wind screams to glory, and the whole +world turns turtle--swings right over and round. Think of it, man. +Twelve thousand miles in a second of time. And there are the stars on +my right, and I'm climbing the wrong way up.... But Gramarye holds me +fast. As long as I'm in the woods---- But the roads are the devil. +They make such a gap. You have to climb them to get to the other side. +The trees are child's play--they help you. But the roads ... I shall +meet it on one of those roads ... one day ... one day...." + +The deep sonorous voice faded, and with a whimper Mr. Plowman slid on +to the floor. + +It was Anthony who picked him up and carried the unconscious lawyer +into the open air. As he was helping him to his feet, Winchester +appeared with brandy. + +"I was so engrossed," he said quietly, "that I never saw you go down. +Was the room too hot?" + +Mr. Plowman gulped down some spirit before replying. Then-- + +"Yes," he said jerkily. "I--I think perhaps it was. I must apologize, +sir." + +Winchester inclined his head. + +"You have your instructions," he said. "And you have seen Major +Lyveden, and heard him consent to act. Prepare the necessary papers +immediately and send them to me for signature. If any question arises, +lay it before me by letter. If you must see me"--the unfortunate +attorney blenched--"write and say so. I need hardly add that, with +regard to what has passed between us, I expect your observation of the +strictest confidence." + +"M-most certainly, sir." + +"One thing more." An envelope passed. "There is a cheque on account. +If on reflection you wish to take counsel's opinion, and that is not +enough, write and say so." He put out his hand. "Good-bye. I'm much +obliged to you for coming. I hope you'll be none the worse." + +With starting eyes Mr. Plowman touched the great palm. Then his client +turned, and, clapping a hat on his head, strode off into the wilderness. + +As the sound of his footsteps died-- + +"There's a paper--in there--on the table," said Mr. Plowman. "And my +hat and coat--and bag..." + +"I'll get them," said Anthony. + +"It's--it's very good of you." + +When he returned, the lawyer had fastened his collar and was nervously +bullying his tie into place. + +"Have you a conveyance?" said Anthony. + +"N-no, sir. I sent the fly away. I had thought I would walk back," he +added miserably. + +Clearly the chance of encountering Winchester was not at all to his +taste. + +"You'd better come with me," said Lyveden. "It's the quickest way to +Girdle. I live in the cottage close to the London road." + +Mr. Plowman felt inclined to put his arms round Anthony's neck.... + +Three-quarters of an hour later the little attorney stepped, with a +sigh of relief, on to the King's highway. Going and pace had tried him +pretty hard, and he was simply streaming with sweat. He pushed back +his hat and blew out his cheeks comically. Then he set down his bag +and started to mop his face. + +"By Jove!" he said, panting. "By Jove, I'm glad to be----" His eyes +resting upon Anthony, he broke off and fell a-staring. "Why," he +cried, "you haven't turned a hair!" + +Anthony smiled. + +"I take a lot of hard exercise," he explained. + +"By Jove!" said Mr. Plowman, wide-eyed. "Well, I'm awfully obliged to +you." + +"You've nothing to thank me for." Lyveden pointed to the cottage. +"That's where I live." He put out his hand. "Are you all right now?" + +"Splendid, thanks. Can't think how I came to faint like that. Of +course..." + +He took the outstretched hand meditatively. + +"The room was unusually hot," said Anthony. + +The other stared at him. + +"Yes," he said slowly. "By Jove, yes...." With a sudden movement he +picked up his bag. "Good-bye." + +The next moment he was plodding down the broad white road. + +Anthony watched him till he could see him no more. Then he turned on +his heel and whistled to his dog. + +As he did so, the purr of an engine rose out of the distance, and he +turned to see a large touring-car sailing towards him from the +direction of Town. + +"Come on, Patch!" he cried quickly. + +The approach of the car made him anxious. The terrier, he knew, had +crossed the road, and there was something about this particular reach +of metalling that tempted motorists to pass at the deuce of a pace. + +The car sailed on. + +It was fifty paces away, when Anthony heard Patch flouncing through the +undergrowth in response to his call. In another second the terrier +would take his customary flying leap from the bank on to the road--on +the same side as the car.... + +In a flash, Anthony was full in its path, spreading out signalling arms. + +The tires were tearing at the macadam as Patch leaped into the road +and, missing his footing, stumbled on to his nose twenty-five paces +ahead. + +Anthony ran up to the car, hat in hand. + +"I'm awfully sorry," he said. "My dog was coming, and I couldn't stop +him. I'd called him before I saw you. I was afraid he'd be run over." + +The fresh-faced youth at the wheel stared at him. + +"That's all right, sir," he grinned. "How are you? You don't remember +me, Every. Met you at Saddle Tree Cross--huntin'. Valerie French +introduced us." + +"Of course," said Anthony. "I remember you perfectly. Are you all +right?" + +"Goin' strong, thanks." He turned to a girl at his side. "Joan, let +me introduce Major Lyveden--my sister." Anthony bowed. "We're goin' +down to Evesham to see some spaniel pups. Are you livin' down here, +sir?" + +Anthony indicated his cabin with a smile. + +"That's my house," he said. "I've turned forester, and I'm working on +this estate." + +"But how priceless," said Joan. "If I were a man, that's just what +I'd----" + +"Yes," said her brother. "I can see you gettin' up at dawn an' hewin' +down trees an' things with a bead-bag on your wrist an'----" + +"I said 'if I was a man,'" protested Joan. "I said..." + +The argument waxed, and Anthony began to laugh. So soon as he could +get a word in-- + +"I mustn't keep you," he said. + +Peter Every glanced at his watch. + +"Twenty-past twelve!" he cried. "George, no! I'll have to put her +along. I suppose you won't come on and lunch with us, sir? We'd love +it, and we can drop you here on the way back." + +"Yes, do," urged Joan. + +Anthony shook his head. + +"You're very kind," he said, smiling, "but I've any amount to do. When +you live alone, and you've only one day a week..." + +"I'm sorry," said Every. "Still, if you won't..." + +He let in the clutch. + +"Good-bye," said Anthony. + +"Good-bye," cried the others. + +The car slid forward. + +A moment later, arrived at the top of the hill, it dropped over the +crest and sank out of sight. + + * * * * * + +It was twelve days later that Mr. Peter Every found his cake to be +dough. + +Taking advantage of a general invitation, issued when he was six years +old, he had asked himself to Bell Hammer ostensibly to enjoy a day's +hunting, but in reality with the express intention of inviting Miss +Valerie French to become his lady-wife. + +All things considered, it was rather hard that before he had been in +the house for an hour and a half he should himself have pulled his airy +castle incontinently about his ears. + +This was the way of it. + +It was that soft insidious hour which begins when it is time to dress +for dinner and ends in horrified exclamation and a rush for the bath. +Valerie, seated at the piano, was playing Massenet's _Elégie_, and +Every was lolling in a deep chair before the fire, studying a map of +the county and thinking upon the morrow's hunt. In such circumstances +it is not surprising that the printed appearance of Saddle Tree Cross +should have remembered Lyveden. + +"By the way, Val," he said, raising his voice to override the music, "I +met a pal of yours the other day." + +Valerie raised her eyebrows and continued to play. + +"Did you?" she said, without turning. "Who was that?" + +"Major Lyveden." + +The _Elégie_ died a sudden discordant death, and Valerie started to her +feet. + +"_Where?_" + +The flame of the inquiry scorched Peter Every's ears. + +Dropping the map and getting uncertainly upon his feet, he demanded +aggrievedly to be told what on earth was the matter.... + +On trying subsequently coherently to recall what had happened in the +next five minutes, he found his memory pardonably confused. + +Valerie had taken him by the shoulders and shaken him like a rat: she +had hurled at his head an unending stream of questions--all about +Lyveden, and, when he had hesitated, had shaken him again; when he had +tried to protest, she had put her hand over his mouth; when she had +clearly exhausted his memory, she had announced that they would go up +to Town the next day, and that on Sunday morning, sun, rain, or snow, +he would motor her down to where Lyveden dwelt; then she had said she +was sorry she'd shaken him, smiled him a maddening smile, told him, +with a rare blush, that Anthony Lyveden was "the most wonderful man in +the world," kissed him between the eyes, and then darted out of the +room, calling for Lady Touchstone.... + +Sitting that night upon the edge of his bed, with his hands in his +pockets and a pipe in his mouth, staring moodily upon the carpet, Peter +had thought ruefully upon his shattered fortune. + +"Blinkin' fine week-end," he muttered, "I don't think. I roll up for a +hunt an' a dart at the most priceless girl that ever was foaled, an' I +lose the one an' am roped in to help the other to another cove." He +laughed bitterly. "'Minds me of a drama-play. S'pose I'm cast for the +perishin' strong man wot 'ides 'is bleedin' 'eart." He flung out a +dramatic arm. "'Reenunciation, 'Erbert, 'ath its reeward.' (Loud and +prolonged cheers.) Well, well...." He rose to his feet and stretched +luxuriously. "It's all the same in a hundred years, and so long as +she's happy..." And with that little candle of truly handsome +philosophy Mr. Peter Every lighted himself to bed. + +Upon the following Sunday, at a quarter before midday, he set Miss +French down upon the London road at the spot at which he and Joan had +met Lyveden a fortnight before. + +"I'll wait till you've seen if he's in," he said, nodding towards the +cottage. "If he is, I'll come back in an hour. That do?" + +Valerie smiled and nodded. She was just twittering. Then she flung +her veil back over her shoulder and stepped off the road on to the +wasted track.... + +It was a beautiful day--a handful of sweet-smelling hours filched by +Winter out of the wallet of Spring. The wet earth seemed drenched with +perfume; the winds kept holy-day; the sun, like a giant surprisedly +refreshed, beamed with benevolence. + +Her knocking upon the door of the cottage evoking no answer, Miss +French decided to try the back. + +The venture was fruitful. + +There upon the red-brick pavement stood a small snow-white dog, whom +Major Anthony Lyveden, seated upon a soap-box, was towelling vigorously. + +Between the fuss of the operation and the amicable wrangle which it +induced, neither of the parties heard the lady's approach. For a +moment she stood spellbound. Then she turned and waved her arm to +Every, sitting still in the car fifty odd paces away. Intelligently +the latter waved back.... + +As Valerie turned, there was a scrabble of paws. Followed a sharp +exclamation, and the next moment Patch was leaping frantically to lick +her face, while Anthony Lyveden, who had risen to his feet, was staring +at her and recoiling, towel in hand, as if he had perceived an +apparition. + +For the two, who had shared big moments, it was the most tremendous of +all. Upon a sudden impulse that black king Fate had flung his warder +up. Instantly the barriers of Time and Distance had been swept away, +and Love, Shame, Fear, and a whole host of Emotions had come swarming +pell-mell back into the lists--a surging, leaderless mob, thirsty to +flesh their swords, quarrelling amongst themselves.... + +Sit you there by the king, sirs, if you will watch the tourney. Climb +up into his pavilion; make his grim equerries give place. I will +answer for their black looks. And the king will laugh at their +discomfiture. His jester for the length of my tale, I can twist the +tyrant about my little finger. + +See, then, the wrangling press take order of battle. Observe the +clamorous throng split into two rival companies, each of them captained +by Love, with Hope and Shame on one side, and Fear and Mistrust upon +the other. These six are the most notable; the rest you shall discover +for yourselves, when issue is joined. One other knight only I beg you +will remark--him in the cold grey harness, knee to knee with Mistrust, +whose device is a broken bough, sirs, whom there is none to counter +upon the opposite side.... That is no one of the Emotions, but +something less honest--a free-lance, gentlemen, that has ridden unasked +to the jousting and cares for neither cause, but, because he will grind +his own axe, ranged against Valerie. There is a fell influence behind +that vizor that will play a big part this February day. + +When Valerie French looked upon her lost lover, she could have wept for +joy. The sight of him, indeed, rendered her inarticulate, and, before +she had found her voice, came Shyness to tie up her tongue. This is +important, because her sudden inability to speak upset everything. + +For a month after she had known the man faithful and herself for a +fool. Miss French had constantly rehearsed this meeting. Then, when +she had almost lost hope that it would ever take place, the rehearsals +had lost their savour.... Forty hours ago they had been revived and +conducted feverishly by day and night. She had a score of entrances, +and humble opening lines to suit them all. Before Anthony could speak, +she would have disarmed him by kneeling in the dust. The most +submissive sentences her love could utter were to be laid at his +feet--calls which, if his love were yet alive, must wake some echoes. +Too honest, however, to make a play-actress, Valerie had reckoned +without stage-fright.... + +Lyveden was the first to recover. + +"Why, Miss--Valerie," he said, "where have you sprung from?" He came +to her smiling and put out his hand. "I can see by your face that I'm +forgiven. I'm so glad. I hate to be at variance." Mechanically +Valerie laid her hand in his. "I've got such a wonderful job here," he +went on easily. "Are you just passing? Or have I time to tell you +about it?" + +"I'd--I'd love to hear," stammered the girl. + +Things were going all wrong. There had been nothing like this in any +of her scenes. + +"I'm restoring an estate," said Anthony. "When you knew me, I was a +footman. Now I'm something between a forester, a landscape-gardener, +and a roadman. This"--he lifted an indicating arm--"this belongs to a +Colonel Winchester. It's been let go for over a hundred years, and he +and I and a few others are working to pull it round. It's just +fascinating." + +Valerie nodded. + +"I'm glad you're happy," she said, and wondered whether that was the +moment to speak her unspoken lines. Surely a better opening would +present itself. Now that they could not come first, it seemed so +awkward to thrust them in without any introduction. While she +hesitated, the chance passed. + +"I'm sure you are. Would you care to see something of the park? I'd +like you to. It'll make it easier for you to understand what we're up +against and what an amazing attraction there is in the work." Together +they left the cottage and made for the track. "If we go down here for +a bit, you'll get an idea of the condition of things, and then I'll +show you some of the work we've done. Of course it goes slow. Five +thousand acres aren't reclaimed in a day. You see...." + +The steady, even tone flowed with a surprising ease. Anthony could +hardly believe his ears. How on earth he was able to talk so naturally +he could not divine. He was, of course, putting up a tremendous fight. +The sudden appearance of Valerie had fairly staggered him. Then +instinctively he had pulled himself together, and, with his head still +singing from the blow, striven dazedly to ward her off. The great +thing, he felt, was to keep talking.... + +Ever since his dismissal he had fought unceasingly to thrust the lady +out of his mind: latterly his efforts had met with a halting success. +Now, not only was all this labour utterly lost, but he was faced with a +peril more terrifying than death. The prospect of being haled once +more unto Pisgah, the hell of viewing once again that exquisite land of +promise unfulfilled, loomed big with torment. He simply could not +suffer it all again. The path, no doubt, would be made more specious +than ever. Oh, indubitably. And the whips which were waiting at the +end of it would have become scorpions.... Anthony had braced himself +for an immense resistance. + +The devil of it was, he loved the girl so desperately that resistance +pure and simple would be of no avail. He knew he could never hope to +parry the thrusts those beautiful eyes, that gentle voice, were there +to offer him. Once before he had tried, and failed signally. It was +plain that his only chance of safety lay in attack. He must press her +tirelessly. The great thing was to keep talking.... + +Thank God, there was a subject to hand. Gramarye made a wonderful +topic, inviting, inexhaustible. Her blessed woods and streams, her +poor blurred avenues, her crumbling roads, the piteous havoc of the +proud estate stood him in splendid stead. Anthony found himself not +only talking, but waxing enthusiastic. The queer conceit that Gramarye +had responded to his cry for help filled him with exultation. Out of +his grateful mouth her praise came bubbling.... + +Settling himself in his saddle with a slow smile, the Knight of the +Broken Bough laid on more lustily than before. + +It was Patch who unwittingly put a spoke in the latter's wheel. + +Miss French's reappearance had affected the dog powerfully. One +October day he had known her for Anthony's darling, and as such had +become her vassal. He had since seen no reason to withdraw his fealty. +As we have seen, at her coming he had leaped for joy. Occasion and +personage, however, deserved more honour than that. Ever since the +three had begun their ramble, he had been scouring the undergrowth for +an offering meet to be laid at the lady's shining feet. It was the way +of his heart. + +Not until Miss French and Lyveden were standing beside a tottering +bridge, and the latter was pointing the traces of a vista which once +had gladdened all eyes with its sweetness, but was now itself blind, +did the little squire happen upon a treasure worthy in his sight to be +bestowed. At this juncture, however, a particularly unsavoury smell +attracted his straining nostrils.... A moment later what was, despite +the ravages of decomposition, still recognizable as the corpse of a +large black bird was deposited with every circumstance of cheerful +devotion immediately at Valerie's feet. + +To ignore such a gift was impossible. Its nature and condition saw to +that. To accept it was equally out of the question. But tacitly to +reject such a love-token needed a harder heart than Valerie's or, for +the matter of that, than Anthony's, either. + +Miss French gave a queer little cry of mingled distaste and +appreciation, and Anthony hesitated, lost the thread of his discourse, +and stopped. + +"How very sweet of you, Patch! No, I mustn't touch it because I'm not +allowed dead birds. But I do thank you." She patted the panting head. +"Look. Here's a stone I'll throw for you--down into the brook. I'm +sure it'll be good for you to wash your mouth." She flung the pebble, +and the dog went flying. Valerie turned to Lyveden with a glowing +face. "Don't think I'm fishing for another dead bird, but I wish I +could feel you'd forgiven me as truly as Patch. Oh, Anthony, I just +can't tell you how deadly ashamed I feel, how----" + +"My dear girl, you mustn't talk like this. I knew there was some +misunderstanding--I didn't know what--and I----" + +"I thought you cared for Anne Alison." + +"Oh, Valerie...." The wistful reproach of his tone, the sad-faced +ghost of a protesting smile hovering about his lips, brought tears to +Valerie's eyes. "Well, well.... I'm so glad I'm cleared in your eyes. +I'd 've hated you to go through life thinking that I--was like +that...." Suddenly he caught at her arm and pointed to the ramshackle +bridge. "There's another instance of the rot we're out to stop. +Another winter, and that bridge 'd be in the stream, damming it at the +deepest and narrowest point. Result, the water's diverted and spreads +all over the road, trying to find another way into its channel. No +road can stand that, of course. Gradually----" + +"Tell me more of yourself," said Valerie. + +Anthony let go her arm and put a hand to his head. + +"Myself?" he said slowly. "Well, this is my life. I live in the +cottage, you know--very simply. It was a wonderful stroke of +luck--getting the job. I saw it in the Agony Column." + +"Before or after you'd given notice?" + +"After. I tell you, I was thankful. And now--I little dreamed what a +wonderful billet it was. Living in these beautiful woods, with nothing +to----" + +"Why did you give notice?" said Valerie. + +"Oh, I don't know. I think I was unsettled. After all, a footman's +job----" + +"Was it because of me?" + +There was a long silence. Then-- + +"Yes," said Anthony. "But that's ancient history," he added quickly. +"It wasn't your fault if I chose to take that line. Besides"--he flung +out demonstrative arms--"see what you've brought me, Valerie. When I +think that less than three months ago I was carrying coals and washing +up glasses and waiting at table----" + +"And in love with me," said Valerie. + +Lyveden's outstretched arms fell to his side. + +The worst had happened. Valerie was under his guard.... + +A pitiful hunted look came into the steady grey eyes. Slowly the brown +right hand stole up to his forehead. + +"I never ought to have been," he said dully. "I ought to have had more +sense. It was always--out of the question ... utterly. I think +perhaps if I'd had a job to put my back into, I'd 've----" + +He hesitated, at a loss for an expression which would not be ungallant. + +Instantly Valerie lunged. + +"You'd 've what?" + +"Behaved better," he said desperately, turning back the way they had +come. + +Head back, eyes closed, lips parted, Valerie stood like a statue. + +"Behaved ... better?" she whispered. "Behaved ... better?" She +shivered, and, when the blue eyes opened, there was the flash of tears +springing. "When you talk like that," she said quietly, "you make me +feel like death. I deserve it, I know. I deserve anything. But, if +you knew how it hurt, I think you'd spare me." Staring into the +distance, Anthony dug his nails into his palms. "I came here to-day to +pray your forgiveness. Since I--found I was wrong, I've been more +utterly wretched than I thought a woman could be. I didn't know there +was such agony in this world. Aunt Harriet'll bear me out, and so will +the Alisons. I told them the truth. And when, after all these weeks, +I found where you were, I just thanked God.... You and I know what we +were to each other. Try and put yourself in my place. Supposing you'd +turned me down--because you were rotten...." Anthony winced. "Yes, +rotten. There's no other word. And then you'd found out your mistake. +How would you feel?" + +"I'm sure you had cause," blurted Lyveden. "It was a mistake, of +course. But you couldn't know that. And I--I've nothing to forgive, +dear. I've never thought ill of you--never once. I can't pretend I +wasn't shaken, but I always knew there was some mix-up." + +"You were--shaken?" said Valerie. + +Anthony nodded. + +"You see," he explained, "I was terribly----" + +"Have you got over it?" said Valerie. + +With the point at his throat, Anthony did the only possible thing, and +threw down his arms. + +"No," he said steadily, "I haven't, and I don't think I ever shall." + +There was a long, long silence, which the suck and gurgle of water +fretting a crazy sluice-gate had to themselves. Then-- + +"What d'you mean?" breathed Valerie. + +"I think," said Lyveden, "that I shall love you as long as I live." + +Valerie just sighed very happily. + +"I think," she said, standing a-tiptoe, "I'm the luckiest woman of all +the ages." + +Then she slid an arm through Anthony's, and they started back.... + +Anthony's brain was whirling. He did not know what to think. What was +worse, he did not know what to do. Did she think he had called back +Time? That he had asked her to marry him? Had he? Were his words +tantamount to that? Was he prepared to marry her--this wonderful, +glorious creature stepping so joyously beside him--this peerless queen, +who had wronged him, yet in his eyes could do no wrong? As once +before, that touch upon his arm sent the blood singing through his +veins. His pulses leaped and danced. An old strange joy came +welling.... It was as if a fountain within him had begun to play--an +old forgotten fountain, long dry--and the sun was turning its delicate +spray to a flourish of sprinkled silver. Against his better judgment +he turned and looked at her. My lady felt his gaze, and turned to meet +it with a swift smile. All the beauty of youth, all the tenderness of +love, all the shyness of maidenhood hung in that glowing countenance. +As once before, twin stars had come to light the gentle gravity of +those dark blue eyes. The mouth he had kissed in anger was a red +flower.... + +The memory of that kiss came back to him with a rush. He had forgotten +it, somehow. He was forgiven, of course. Still, it was only right to +speak of it--she had confessed her trespasses so very handsomely. + +Standing still, he took hold of her hand. + +"Valerie, I quite forgot. The kiss I gave you that day was the kiss of +a bully. I've never----" + +A small cool hand covered his lips. + +"Hush, lad. You mustn't say it. I know you were angry, or you'd never +have done it. But that was my fault. You know it was. And"--she +hesitated, and a blush came stealing to paint the wild rose red--"it's +the only kiss you've ever given me, and--since then--I've been very +glad of it." + +For a moment Anthony stood trembling. Then he put his arm about +Valerie and held her close. There was the whisper of a tremulous sigh +in his ears, the warm fragrance of quick-coming breath beat upon his +nostrils, the radiance of love-lit beauty flooded his eyes. Slowly he +bent his head.... + +A wandering breeze swept out of the distance, brushed past the leafless +woods, set the curtain of silence swaying, and--was gone. + +Anthony started violently and threw up his head, listening.... + +Imagination lent him her ears. + +The faintest silvery ripple, the liquid echo of a cool clear call went +floating out of audience.... + +In an instant the man was transfigured. + +"The trumpets!" he cried hoarsely. "The trumpets! Didn't you hear +them?" The light in his eyes was fanatic. Instinctively Valerie +shrank away. Regardless, he let her go. "I forgot. Gramarye--I'm +pledged to her. It's too late, Valerie. Oh, why did you come?" He +buried his face in his hands. "You'll never understand," he muttered. +"I know you never will. It's no good--no good...." Suddenly he stood +upright and took off his hat. Then he smiled very tenderly and shook +his head. "It's too late, Valerie--my sweet--my darling.... Too +late...." + +He turned and strode down the track towards the tottering bridge. + +For a moment Patch stood looking from him to the girl, uncertain and +puzzled. Then he went scampering in Anthony's wake. + + * * * * * + +"As soon as you've finished, Lyveden, we'll have that fir down. It's +the only way. With that list on her, she may go any day. And, when +she does, as like as not she'll push half the bank into the road." + +Anthony, who was munching bread and meat, nodded agreement. His +employer got up and strolled in the direction from which the crunch of +wheels upon a rough road argued the approach of a supply of posts and +rails. + +The fence about the estate was going up. + +It was indeed high time. What was left of the old paling was in evil +case. Worm and rot had corrupted with a free hand. There was hardly a +chain, all told, that merited repair. So Gramarye was to have a new +girdle. For the last week Winchester and his little band had been +working at nothing else. A spell of fine weather favouring them, the +work flew. Master and men worked feverishly, but for once in a way, +without relish. The industry of the gnome was still there, but it had +become nervous. + +The reason for this must be made clear. + +Always, till now, the little company had laboured in secret. The +thick, dark, lonely woods of Gramarye had sheltered all they did. No +strange, unsympathetic eyes had ever peered at their zeal, curious and +hostile. This was as well. They had--all ten of them--a freemasonry +which the World would not understand. They were observing rites which +it was not seemly that the World should watch. Hitherto they had +toiled in a harbour at which the World did not touch. Knowing naught +else, they had come to take their privacy for granted. Now suddenly +this precious postulate had been withdrawn. Since wellnigh the whole +of the estate was edged by road, the erection of the fence at once cost +them seclusion and showed them how dear they valued it. + +All day long the World and his Wife passed by, kindly, mocking, or +silent--but always curious. The little fellowship became resentfully +self-conscious.... Old wounds reopened; forgotten infirmities lifted +up their heads. The three great sailors remembered that they were +deaf. The little engineer noticed his trailing leg. The lean, +grey-headed joiner thought of the wife who had left him: his fellow +recalled the cries of a dying child. Anthony minded Miss French. Only +the two old carters were spared the ordeal, their labour keeping them +busy under the cover of the woods. Winchester himself felt the unusual +exposure most of all. But that the fence was to give them the +fee-simple of privacy, he would have abandoned the enterprise. It was +not that he was ashamed, but, as an atelier, he had no use for a +house-top. "Working in a shop-window," he styled it. If he detested +publicity, his resentment of idle curiosity was painfully apparent. +Once or twice, indeed, he had broken out and, in a voice of thunder, +bade loiterers begone. Happily they had always obeyed.... + +Anthony finished his lunch, gave a few pieces to Patch, quenched his +thirst with a draught of well-water out of an old beer-bottle, and got +upon his feet. Winchester had not reappeared, so he strolled across to +the fir-tree which had been marked for destruction. As usual, his +employer was perfectly right. It would be idle to carry the paling +along this piece of bank and leave the tree standing to menace fence +and foundation. The sooner it was out of the way, the better. + +He crossed to where the sailors were crowded about the engineer, who +was drawing a rough diagram upon the sawn face of timber to illustrate +some argument. Hard by, upon a log, the joiners were smoking and +conversing in a low tone. + +"Where are the axes, Blake? The Colonel and I are going to fell that +fir." + +The grey-headed joiner rose and stepped to a rough litter covered by a +tarpaulin. The latter, being turned back, displayed a travelling +armoury of tools. As he lifted two axes out of their slots, Winchester +came thrusting out of the undergrowth. + +"Ready, Lyveden?" he queried. "Right." + +Anthony flung off his coat, made Patch fast to a convenient bush--you +could not be too careful when trees were falling--and took an axe out +of the carpenter's hand. The sailors had disappeared in the direction +of the waggon. A moment later the two ex-officers were felling the +tree. + +It was Winchester's whim to use an axe where he could. He delighted in +the pastime, and his tremendous physique enabled him to make such play +with the tool as could few men who were not experts. Under his +guidance, Anthony had proved an apt pupil, and the two, working +together, could send a soft-wood tree toppling in no time. So engaged; +they made a wonderful picture. Had any passed by at this moment, they +might have been pardoned for staring. + +At his fourth stroke Anthony misjudged the angle, and his axe stuck. +As he leaned forward to lever it out of the wood, there was the whirr +of steel falling, and he flung himself back with a cry. The other had +struck without waiting for him to get clear. + +As an error of judgment, the thing was inexplicable. A child of six +would have known better. And an axe was no pop-gun. + +For a moment he stared at Winchester like a man in a dream. + +His employer blinked back.... + +Then his eyes narrowed. + +"_You're_ getting curious, are you?" he said thickly. + +In spite of himself, Anthony started. + +Loosely nursing his implement, the other took a step to one side. +There was not much in the movement, but it placed him between Lyveden +and the road. + +Anthony kept his eyes riveted upon the powerful hands playing with the +haft of the axe.... + +Twenty paces away a saw was going. Raised above the din could be heard +the engineer's voice calling for the return of his pencil. A distant +clatter of timber told that the waggon was being unloaded. + +Anthony moistened his lips. + +For another pair of eyes he would have given anything. Any moment now +he would have to jump--one way or the other. It did not matter which. +The going was equally bad. But if he met an obstruction--caught his +foot in a root--fell among briers at the outset, he knew he was doomed. +The impulse to glance to one side was terrible. Yet he dared not take +his eyes from those terrible itching fingers. If only one of the +men---- + +The noise of the saw stopped, and a piece of wood fell with a thud. +Blake's voice was heard asking the whereabouts of his rule. The answer +was inaudible, but the next moment somebody started to move in the +direction of the fir. As they passed Patch, they chirruped. + +In an instant the axe leapt to Winchester's shoulder, and Anthony +jumped.... + +A moment later Blake parted the bushes, to see his employer wrench free +an axe which had bitten into the ground, and hurl himself after +Lyveden, who was on his feet again and running steadily about six paces +ahead. + +For a second the fellow stared stupidly. Then he let out a yell and +started in pursuit. + +The two ex-officers were evenly matched. If Anthony was the lighter +and younger, Winchester had run for Oxford. Moreover, the latter knew +the woods like the back of his hand. Anthony, who did not, ran +blindly. This was not a moment to pick and choose. All the time he +was desperately afraid of mire.... + +Briers tore at his legs, saplings whipped him across the face, a bough +stabbed at his eyes and, as he turned, scored his brow savagely; a +rabbit-hole trapped his foot and sent him flying, but he caught at a +friendly trunk and swung round to find his balance and a new line +before him. So quick was the turn, that the giant behind him lost the +yard he had gained. Down through a grey beechwood, over a teeming +brook, into a sodden drift of leaves, up through a welter of bracken, +on to the silence of pine-needles, over the top of the ridge into the +cursed undergrowth again, panting, straining, sobbing for breath, his +temples bursting, his hands and arms bleeding, unutterable agony in his +side, Lyveden tore like a madman. The pace was too awful to last. +Always the terror behind clung to his heels. + +They were flying downhill now, and the giant's weight was telling. On +the opposite side of the valley was another pinewood. If he could only +reach that, between the good going and the up-gradient Anthony felt +that there was a bare chance. The thing behind, however, was coming up. + +The slope grew steeper ... precipitous ... With a shock, Lyveden +realized that the giant must be almost above him, that he had only to +drop.... With a frightful effort he swerved. A tangle of matted thorn +bushes opposed him. Frantically he smashed his way through, kicking +desperately at the suckers, plunging to find a footing--a +holding--anything. For a moment he trod the air. Then he fell +heavily, head first, into a ditch.... + +Only the sight of the road before him and the firm brown carpet beyond +could have got him upon his feet. Dazed and winded, he staggered +across into the pinewood and started to struggle up the slope.... + +A sudden thought came to him, and he glanced over his shoulder. The +next moment he was leaning against a tree-trunk, gazing down into the +road. + +Winchester was flat upon his face, spread-eagled, scrabbling with his +nails upon the roadway and cursing horribly. He seemed to be +endeavouring to haul himself across. Had the road been a wall, you +would have said he was trying to scale it.... + +He had made no progress by the time the others arrived, and was easily +secured. Then ropes were sent for, and two of his magnificent sailors +lashed his arms to his sides. + + * * * * * + +The end of a conversation held this same evening in the hall of Bell +Hammer may be recorded. + +"He's not himself, Aunt Harriet. There's something wrong. Nobody +could have been more gentle--or handsome. He was just wonderful. And +then..." Valerie broke off and shrugged her shoulders helplessly. +"His work and the place itself--Gramarye, he calls it--seem to have got +into his blood. You never saw such enthusiasm. It was unnatural." + +"Anthony Lyveden," said Lady Touchstone, "is not the man to go mad." + +"I know. But he ought to see somebody--a doctor. There was the +queerest light in his eyes.... And he spoke strangely, as if he heard +things. Who's the great man for--for brain trouble?" + +"Sperm," said Lady Touchstone placidly. "But you're racking my brains +for nothing. Anthony Lyveden's not----" + +"I know he isn't!" cried Valerie. "That's what makes me certain +there's something wrong. He's doing something, or taking something, or +being given something, that's affecting his mind. It's not internal; +it's some outside influence. If he didn't care, it'd be different. +But he does. He said so. But he didn't seem to have room for me and +the estate at the same time. It had to be one or the other. It was +like a bad dream--past dispute, but illogical." + +"I should write to John Forest," said her aunt. "Ask him to come and +stay. He's a wise man. I don't feel equal to telling you what to do. +I don't know what to tell you. If you'd come back and said that he +wouldn't see you, I was going to Chorley Wood----" + +"Chipping Norton," corrected Valerie. + +"Well, Chipping Norton--myself. I was going to kneel down in the mud +and refuse to get up. I was going to wear that blue face-cloth that we +both hate. I'd got it all worked out. But, from what you tell me, +there's apparently nothing for me to kneel for." + +"Nothing whatever," said her niece. "He's given me everything, +and--I've come empty away," she added miserably. + +Lady Touchstone rose and stooped to kiss the girl tenderly. + +"Take my advice," she said, "and write to John Forest to-night. And +now don't fret. You're a thousand times better off than you were four +days ago. For one thing, you know where he is. What's more, he's +content to let bygones be bygones. My darling, you've much to be +thankful for. And now go and take a hot bath, and try and get a nap +before dinner. Poor child, you must be dead tired." + +With a sudden movement Valerie threw her arms about her aunt's neck. + +"I don't know why you're so good to me," she said. + +Then she kissed her swiftly and, getting upon her feet, passed up the +broad stairs. + +For a moment Lady Touchstone stood looking after her niece. Then she +put a hand to her head and sank into a chair. She was profoundly +worried. If any girl other than Valerie had come to her with such an +account, she would have been less troubled. But Valerie was so very +clear-headed. True, her love had got away with her, and she had had +the very deuce of a fall. But she was up again now, and nothing like +that would ever happen again. Her judgment was back in its seat as +firm as ever. And when she said that something was wrong with Anthony, +that he seemed to hear things, that there was "the queerest light in +his eyes," Lady Touchstone knew that it was perfectly true. What was +worse, she was entirely satisfied that these things meant brain +trouble. For three months after his wife had died, Valerie's own +father had been under surveillance for precisely similar symptoms. She +remembered them fearfully. And this Major Lyveden was so reminiscent +of poor Oliver. His voice, his manner, the very way his hair grew +about his temples, reminded her strangely of her dead brother. It was +not surprising that she attributed Anthony's condition to a somewhat +similar cause. What troubled her most was her conscience. She had set +her heart upon the match, and she was now uncertain whether it was not +her clear duty to try to call it off. + +After a little she rose and crossed to a table. Taking a sheet of +notepaper, she began to write. + + +_DEAR WILLOUGHBY,_ + +_I think it probable that within a few days your secretary will make an +appointment for you to see a Miss Valerie French. This is my niece. +She does not know we are friends. When she tells you her tale, you +need make no allowance for hysteria. Believe every word she says. She +will not exaggerate. And please remember this. It is most desirable +that she should marry the man about whom she will consult you. But it +is still more desirable that she should not marry a madman._ + + _Yours always sincerely, + HARRIET TOUCHSTONE._ + + +Then she selected an envelope and addressed it to + + _Sir Willoughby Sperm, Bart., + 55 Upper Brook Street, + Mayfair._ + + * * * * * + +After a nightmare three days, work at Gramarye was again in full swing. +Anthony's succession to Winchester had been accepted without a murmur. +If the men displayed any feeling, it was that of relief. When he had +told them that nothing whatever would be changed, shown them his Power +of Attorney, explained that he was a steward sworn to continue the work +till--till his employer should have recovered, they had stared upon the +ground like schoolboys and stammeringly requested an assurance that +things would go just the same. Reassured, they had nodded approval and +exchanged gratulatory glances. Then they had gone about their business. + +Anthony's task was less simple. Apart from his compliance with the +Law--a painful and embarrassing ordeal, which Mr. Plowman fussily +stage-managed, dressing every detail with such importance that the +layman's wonder melted gradually to a profound contempt--there was much +to be learned. That all was in beautiful order saved the situation. +And a letter, addressed to him in Winchester's bold handwriting, proved +a master-key to the mysteries of income and outgoings. + +_... There's three hundred on deposit at the Bank. That's to cover the +immediate expense of putting me away. Now look at Sheet 7. That's +last year's balance-sheet. That'll show you I was well within my +income. All the same, expenses will have to be cut--to provide for me. +The wages must stand, and so must the "Horses and Stalling" (Book 2). +Don't part with the roan. There'll be times when you'll have to go to +Town, as I did, for odd accessories. "Tools and Materials" (Book 3) +will have to suffer, but we're well set up now, so you ought to pull +through...._ + +There was an invitation, too, to live at the mansion, which Anthony did +not accept. Twice a week he would visit the office and work there +faithfully, but he could not bring himself to live in the house. + +Apart from the manner in which the blow had been dealt him, he felt the +loss of his employer most bitterly. He found the tragedy even more +piteous than terrible. That so rude an axe should have been laid so +untimely to the root of so glorious a tree filled him with sorrow. +That the tree should have heard the step of the woodman on his way to +the felling, haunted his memory. + +So far, however, as Lyveden's health of mind was concerned, itself +grievously inopportune, the catastrophe could not have happened at a +more opportune moment. Trading upon the heels of his encounter with +Valerie, it made a terrific counter-irritant to the violent +inflammation which that meeting had set up. Yet if the back of the +sickness was broken, disorder and corrective, alike so drastic, were +bound seriously to lower the patient's tone. His splendid physical +condition supported its brother Mind and saw him well of his faintness, +but the two red days left their mark. Looking back upon them later, +Anthony found them made of the stuff of which dreams are woven--bitter, +monstrous dreams, wherein the impossible must be performed lest a worse +thing befall and a malignant eye peers beneath stones which even Misery +herself would leave unturned. How he had parted with Valerie he was +uncertain. He could not remember her going. Of her coming he knew +nothing at all. She had appeared and, he supposed, disappeared. Of +Winchester's attack upon him, and the subsequent chase, his memory was +clearer. How he had escaped, however, at the foot of the brier-clad +slope, he could not conceive. He could have sworn that for the last +thirty paces the man was not three feet behind.... + +He was thankful to get back to work, and plainly immensely relieved to +find that, during his absence, the others had made such progress with +the paling that the scene of his employer's seizure had been left well +behind. + +A week had elapsed since that cloud-burst, and, as before, Lyveden was +finishing his lunch, when he noticed that Stokes, the second carpenter, +had not returned. The fellow had gone to his quarters, to fetch some +implement, nearly an hour before. When another half-hour had gone by, +Anthony, in some impatience, dispatched Blake for the tool. Twenty +minutes later the latter returned, chisel in hand, but with no news of +his mate. When it was five o'clock and there was still no sign of +Stokes, Anthony struck work and ordered an organized search. It seemed +rather hopeless, but, on the whole, the best thing to do. The man was +missing. If possible, more zealous than any, it was unthinkable that +he was playing truant. He could not have been spirited away. Anthony +supposed gloomily that he had met with a mishap. There was, indeed, no +other solution. + +It was getting quite dark when they found him down in a little dell +upon a patch of greensward. Considering that he was a joiner, and not +a sexton, he had made remarkable progress with a very creditable grave, +which, he explained, was to receive the dead with which the woods were +distributed. He added that it was a disgrace to leave so many corpses +lying about, and pointed out that he had removed his boots for fear of +treading upon them. + +When they sought to humour him, he became suspicious and violent, and +there was quite a struggle before he was overpowered. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE POWER OF THE DOG + +The accident was inevitable. + +Everybody present, except the driver of the green taxi, saw that. And +he was so fearful lest the driver of the red omnibus should lose one +withering participle of the apostrophe he had provoked, that he could +not be bothered with the exigencies of traffic and the Rule of the Road. + +Everybody, including Mr. Justice Molehill, shouted impotently; a small +page, on his way to the postoffice, stood agonizedly upon one leg; and +a moment later there was a splintering crash, the blue taxi shed a +cabin-trunk and a suit-case on to the pavement, and then, after a +paralyzing moment of indecision, came heavily to rest against the +panels of its aggressor. + +Now, his lordship had no desire to become embroiled in a dispute which +might easily beget a subpoena. Still, because of his elevation to the +Bench, he had not resigned the fellowship of Man, and, since he was the +nearest individual to the blue taxi, he stepped to it quickly and +opened the door. + +A man of about sixty years emerged gratefully. His cassock and the +purple about his hat argued him a prelate of the Catholic Church. + +"Thank you so much ... No, I'm not hurt at all. I sat still +because----" + +"Good heavens!" cried the Judge. "I know you." The other peered at him +in the half-light. "My name's Molehill. We met at Rome--over a +deathbed will." + +The prelate started. Then recollection came twinkling into his gentle +eyes. + +"Of course," he said, putting out his hand. "I remember perfectly. +Before the War. How very strange that----" + +"It's Fate," said the Judge excitedly. "Or Providence. For the last +three months I've been racking my brain for your name, so that I could +get into----". + +"Forest," said the other. + +Sir Giles Molehill slapped himself upon the thigh. + +"That's right!" he cried. "Forest! John Forest!" + +The presence of a rapidly increasing crowd and four constables at once +discountenanced any further ebullition of glee, and emphasized the +discretion of withdrawal. + +The Judge thought rapidly. + +"Look here," he continued, "my club's just over there." He nodded +across the street. "If you'll wait a moment, I'll fetch the +commissionaire. He can take charge of your luggage, and then, if +you'll come in and have some tea with me, I shall be delighted." + +"You're very good," said the other. + +Mr. Justice Molehill hastened away.... + +Ten minutes later the two men were seated before a comfortable fire, +absorbed in each other's conversation. + +"That will," said the Judge, "which you and I witnessed in 1914 has +never been proved." + +"That," said his guest, "is, I fear, my fault. At the present moment +it's lying in a drawer of my writing-table at Rome." + +"No?" cried his lordship, twittering. + +Monseigneur Forest nodded. + +"If you remember," he said, "after you and I had witnessed the old +gentleman's signature, I took charge of it." + +"That's right. You were going to take it to the British Consulate, to +see if----" + +"They'd stamp it. Exactly. Well, I was too late that day. I attended +the next morning, and, after a little difficulty, they consented, for +what it was worth, to put a seal on it. Then I went back to the hotel. +When I asked whether the testator was still alive, they told me he'd +gone." + +"Gone?" cried the Judge incredulously. "But the man was dying." + +"Dying or not, he'd left for Paris that morning. To the amazement of +the manager he had quietly walked into the office, asked for his bill, +and ordered a cab to be sent for and his luggage to be brought down. +Apparently the doctor attending him had tried to protest, and had been +sent away with a flea in his ear. I can only assume that the old +fellow was subject to some violent malady, which comes and goes +suddenly, one of whose attacks he has been warned will prove fatal." + +"What an amazing thing!" said his lordship. "It never occurred to me +that he would survive the night. However, as it happens, it doesn't +affect the validity of that will. He's dead now. He died in 1917. +But the will that was proved and is lying at Somerset House was made in +1910." + +"You mean to say that the will we witnessed supersedes it?" + +"Undoubtedly." + +The prelate covered his eyes. + +"Dear me," he said. "Dear me. I blame myself very much. I should +have sent the document after him, of course. His address was there. I +quite intended to. But I had to leave for Vienna very suddenly upon +the next day. Instead of the days I had expected, I was away for +months. I only returned upon the eve of the explosion----" + +"And, naturally, you forgot all about it. So did I. The merest +accident brought the whole thing to my mind." + +"Accidents all the way," said the priest. + +The Judge smiled. + +"It looks like it," he agreed. "To be short, I came across the man in +whose favour our will was made. Such a nice-looking fellow--obviously +without a penny. Earning his living as a servant. Lyveden, his name +was--Anthony Lyveden. Don't let me raise your hopes. I've lost him +again--utterly. But everything's happening in the right order. It was +no good finding him just to make his mouth water." + +"But the other will," said his guest. "What about that? Haven't its +provisions been given effect to?" + +"That," said Sir Giles, tapping him on the shoulder, "is the beauty of +it. We're upsetting nobody. The other will leaves Lyveden every +penny, _provided he becomes a Knight_." + +"What an infamous condition!" + +"There you have the story. Upon what he believes to be his deathbed, +the old fellow repents his harshness. Recovered, our Pharaoh hardens +his heart and lets the old will stand. 'The Devil was sick, the Devil +a monk would be.'" + +"_De mortuis_," said the prelate. "Besides, now we're going to +canonize him, willy nilly." + +"With any luck," smiled the Judge. "Can you send for the document?" + +Ruefully Monseigneur Forest shook his head. + +"I must go for it," he said. "I must return at once. It's the least I +can do. 'Without a penny,' you said? Poor fellow. I was going into +the country to-morrow, to stay with my niece. But that must wait." + +"We haven't found him yet," said his lordship. + +"That may be the deuce of a business. Of course, now our hands are +free. With the will located, we can advertise. I think, perhaps, +though, we'd better wait till we've produced it to the solicitors." + +The priest agreed heartily. Then he counted upon his fingers. After a +moment's calculation-- + +"I'm not as young as I was," he said, "but, if all goes well, I'll meet +you here a week from to-day with the will in my pocket." + +Tea and the comparison of notes upon matters of moment, other than the +fortunes of Anthony, occupied another half-hour, when, after exchanging +addresses, the two men parted, pledged to meet again in seven days' +time. + +The Judge walked home thoughtfully. + +The queer little play was almost over. The strange human document +which it had pleased him to piece together was almost whole. He found +himself wondering why he had shown such solicitude. After all, who was +this Anthony Lyveden? Why had he been at such pains to set this beggar +upon horseback? Perhaps Fate had meant him to walk.... If she had, +she was playing a curious game. Thanks to her efforts, the fellow's +toe was practically in the stirrup. And he himself--Lyveden--had no +idea of it.... + +Mr. Justice Molehill smiled. + +It was really an entertaining little play. Until it was time for his +entrance, the leading character would not even know that he was taking +part. There he was---- + +The smile died suddenly, as the reflection lost its savour. + +Where? Where was the leading character? Supposing, when the time +came, he could not be found.... Into what a dismal fiasco the play +would turn. All his interest would have been thrown away. His +solicitors would have been investigating a lost cause. Forest would +have been sent packing back to Rome upon a fool's errand.... + +Mr. Justice Molehill gnawed at his lower lip. + +There was no doubt about it. For some reason which, for all his +prudence, he could not perceive, this Hecuba was a great deal to him. + +His bewilderment may be excused. The reason was out of his ken. The +truth is, there was a ghost to be laid, and Fate had chosen him for the +job. Judge or corner-boy, the man himself did not matter. The lot +falling upon him, he had become in this adventure the particular agent +of Fate. + +King or herdsman, jester or sage, croupier or harridan--lend her what +personality you please--Fate hath the reins and so the laugh of the +universe. Ever at its rump, her pricks are insensible alike to kicks +or kisses. Folly, sceptre or rake in hand, she stands or sprawls upon +Eternity, bending the ages to her whim. And we, poor things, at once +her instruments and butts, stumble about her business, thinking it +ours, setting each other up, bringing each other low, spoking each +other's wheels and all the time, wise in our own conceit, basking in +the sunshine of our fine free-will, like lack-brains toasting their +shanks before an empty cage. + +A Napoleon is still-born; a Medici never survives his +swaddling-clothes. Into the tiny graves are huddled a million +destinies. The sexton's shovel smothers up a Renaissance; soon the +daisies will blow above History. Those eyebrows are lifted, that lip +curls, and two fair homes go down in sorrow. This man misses a train, +to travel with Fortune in the one that follows. A horse is beaten on +the post, and the frantic clerk who has backed it goes for five years +to gaol. Five years.... What are five years to Fate? A +cable-operator nods over the Wheatstone, and a king loses his crown. A +witness hesitates, and an estate passes to the bastard and to his heirs +for ever.... + +And so the game goes on. + +The living grains of sand go slipping and sliding into place in that +gigantic hour-glass, striving and fretting in their vanity, but always +impotently falling towards that thin neck, where days are numbered and +the punctilious turnstile ushers to those mysterious marches where +there is no more Time. + +Look at them here. + +Judge and maiden jostling a prelate--one upon either side--each of them +in a toss about the same Anthony Lyveden, yet neither aware of the +other's existence, and all four falling, while they fret, first into +place and presently, one by one, towards that thin neck where days are +numbered.... + +What? Have I whipped up a puppet without advising you? Bear with me, +sirs. 'Tis but the rustle of a gown--a silk knee against satin--upon +the staircase. In another moment I shall have opened the door. + +The more Monseigneur Forest thought upon the matter, so suddenly thrust +smoking before him, the more uneasy he became. The kindest of men, he +found the picture of the poor legatee fighting for existence when, but +for another's remissness, he would have had a goodly heritage, +inexpressibly distressing. Indeed, could he have started for Rome that +night he would have done so. But for the knowledge that he was about +to do all in his power to rectify the wrong, he could not have slept. +As it was, the reflection that Anthony Lyveden had yet to be found +worried him greatly. It was, of course, most unfortunate that the +business had not cropped up before. Here he was on his way to +Hampshire, in response to a cry so instant that he had set everything +on one side, and now, however sore her need of him, his niece, Miss +Valerie French, would have to wait. Blood might be thicker than water, +but the poor pinched ghost that had been knocking so long upon his door +took vaulting precedence of any flesh and blood. In the good man's +eyes this stranger, Anthony Lyveden, had earned and must be accorded +the privileges of the dead. + +Directly he reached his hotel he sat down at his bed-room table and +indited a letter. + + +_1st March, 1921._ + +_My DEAR VALERIE,_ + +_I am, as you see, in London._ + +_Till an hour ago I was on my way to you. Now I must leave again for +Rome to-morrow morning._ + +_By accident there has come to me the knowledge of a grievous wrong, +for which I am largely responsible. This, mercifully, it may be in my +power to repair. To attempt to do so, however, necessitates my +immediate return in quest of a paper which none but I can procure._ + +_You can guess, my dear, how very much distressed I am that I must keep +you waiting, but, if I told you the case, you would be the first to +hale me to the station._ + +_I shall return straightway to England--that is, so soon as my years +permit--and, all being well, I shall be here again one week from +to-day, and with you at Bell Hammer one week from to-morrow._ + +_You did not tell me the nature of your trouble, so that I can offer no +counsel; if, as I suspect, it concerns the man of whom you have already +written to me, remember, for what it is worth, that my faith in him has +never wavered from the moment you told me that he had won your love._ + + _Your affectionate uncle, + JOHN FOREST._ + + +To the prelate, who framed it, that letter was the best he could do: to +Miss Valerie French, who received it, it was a great disappointment: +and to an eminent brain-specialist, who had never heard of it, it was +worth exactly three guineas. + + * * * * * + +"I should have come to you before," said Valerie, "but I was expecting +my uncle, and wanted to ask his advice before I took such a step. But +now he's delayed, and I can't wait any longer." + +Sir Willoughby Sperm leaned forward and picked up a pen. + +"One moment," he said, taking a sheet from a drawer. "Now then. What +is the patient's name?" + +"Major Anthony Lyveden, D.S.O.," said Valerie. "L-Y-V-E-D-E-N." + +The name was entered. + +"Yes. Address?" + +Valerie hesitated. Then-- + +"Gramarye, Chipping Norton," she said. + +The address went down. + +"Age?" + +"I think about thirty." + +"Wounded?" + +"Not that I know of." + +"When did you see him last?" + +"Eleven days ago." + +"And before that?" + +"Not for three months." + +"And his demeanour had changed in the interval?" + +"Exactly." + +"Are you engaged to him?" + +"No." + +"Were you engaged to him?" + +"Practically." + +"And it was broken off?" + +"I broke it off." + +"Why?" + +"I suspected him of inconstancy." + +"Did you tell him so?" + +"No." + +"And he?" + +"He left the neighbourhood." + +"That was three months ago?" + +"Yes." + +"Was your meeting eleven days ago accidental or by arrangement?" + +"I visited him unexpectedly." + +"In the hope of reconciliation?" + +"Yes." + +"How did he take it?" + +"Most handsomely." + +"The reconciliation was effected?" + +"Yes." + +"But his demeanour has changed?" + +"Yes." + +"In what way?" + +"He seems infatuated with his work." + +"To the exclusion of you?" + +"Exactly. It's as if in the interval he'd become a priest, and, +although he still loved me, he was no longer free." + +"What is his work?" + +"Restoring an estate--the place he lives at--Gramarye. It's a very +large estate--nearly all woods--and it's been entirely neglected for a +number of years. He and some others, including the owner, are working +to get it straight--re-making roads, building bridges, cutting down +trees. It sounds Quixotic, but I can see the fascination. Besides, he +took the work of necessity. He's very poor." + +"He seemed to consider himself devoted to the service of the estate?" + +"Exactly." + +"Did he exhibit any one particular mental symptom?" + +"He heard things which I could not hear." + +"Did he say what they were?" + +"Trumpets." + +"Anything else?" + +"When he heard them, his eyes..." + +Valerie hesitated. + +"Yes?" + +"--were the eyes of a fanatic." + +There was a long silence, while the pen was busy upon the broad sheet. +Then-- + +"He should be seen," said Sir Willoughby, "by a specialist without his +knowing it. I can't go down. Later, I may be of use. I hope you +won't need me. The obvious thing to do is to get him away. But, if +you can't do that, no one can--peaceably. D'you think you could try +again?" + +"I feel it would be waste of time," said Valerie. "You say some one +should see him. Can you tell me who to go to?" + +"D'you know Dr. Heron?" Valerie shook her head. "He assists me a lot. +If he can go, I know of no one better. Would you like me to speak to +him?" + +"I should be very grateful." + +Sir Willoughby pressed a bell. To his secretary, who answered the +summons-- + +"I want to speak to Dr. Heron," he said. + +In silence the girl withdrew. + +Whilst the two were waiting, the physician spoke very kindly. + +"I'm not going to express any opinion, because it would be valueless. +It's clear that there's something wrong, but I've seen so many +recoveries." + +"Which you have brought about," smiled Valerie. + +"I can never do more than contribute. I can only advise. It is the +executive that works the cure. That's why I'm so hopeful about Major +Lyveden." + +"The executive?" + +"Such as the devotion of relatives." + +"He has no relatives." + +"Or, better still," said the doctor, "the love of a great-hearted +lady." The muffled bell of a telephone interrupted. "Excuse me." He +picked up the receiver. "Is that you, Heron? ... Can you see a friend +of mine this afternoon? ... At four-thirty?" Sir Willoughby looked at +Valerie with raised eyebrows. She nodded quickly. "Yes. That'll do +... Miss French. Miss Valerie French ... A case in the country ... +Urgent ... She wants your report. I won't say any more. She'll tell +you better than I. Ring me up, if you like, before you go. Good-bye." +He pushed the instrument away and turned to Valerie. "I'll have +another word with him when you've told him your tale." + +"Thank you so very much." + +Having laid three guineas upon the table under the decent cover of a +photograph frame, Valerie rose to her feet. Sir Willoughby rose also +and passed to the door. As he held it open, he put out his hand. + +Valerie took it and held it. + +"Nobody could have been kinder," she said. + +The physician smiled. + +"Try not to worry," he said. "I haven't seen Gramarye, but I don't +think she'll stay the course. Not if you set the pace...." + + * * * * * + +It was the following Sunday morning that, after considerable +hesitation, Lyveden issued an order which he could well have spared. +The instruction was addressed to the younger of his two carters, and +was touching the man and the dog-cart and a seven-mile drive. In a +word, it had become expedient that Major Anthony Lyveden should go up +to Town. + +His employer had warned him that periodical visits to London would be +found indispensable. For all his dislike of the world, Winchester had +had to pay them from time to time. Now that the latter was gone from +Gramarye, and Anthony reigned in his stead, the duty, when it arose, +fell to his lot. Never relishing the idea, he would not have believed +that it could become so odious. Ere it had taken shape, it loomed +vexatious. Looking it in the face, he found it repulsive. No recluse +could have been more reluctant to leave his hermitage. Major Anthony +Lyveden felt positively nervous. + +Since he had been in charge the man had altered. + +He, who in the old days had shouldered with a smile responsibilities +which would have set his elders sweating with apprehension, found the +light weight of Gramarye a fardel to make him stagger. This was out of +all order. Had he lain sick for a month, the work would have gone as +steadily. The truth is, he was investing the conduct of a waggoner's +team with the nicety requisite to the control of a tandem of +thoroughbreds. That Lyveden of all men in the world should make such a +costly mistake showed that his nerves were hagridden. + +For all his dread of it, however, the visit to London could not +conveniently be postponed. The need of some of the items upon his +little list of accessories had become urgent, imperilling the work upon +the estate. A few hours in the Metropolis would be enough. He knew +where to go. Two addresses in the City and another in Drury Lane would +see the whole of his pilgrimage.... + +With a sigh, the ex-officer had locked up the safe and, leaving the +cold grey parlour, whence he administered, passed out of the echoing +mansion into the careless frolic of a fine March morning. + +As he had expected, the younger of the two carters was in the stables, +and Anthony gave his order without more ado. Then he whistled to his +Sealyham and started for home. + +After a wild night the unrepentant winds were full of mischief. A +monstrous dignity of fleecy clouds scudded undignified across the blue. +The precious park became a tossing waste of woodland, teased into +flurried liveliness, full of false starts and misdirection, instantly +buffeted for every blunder and bellowing good-natured protests at every +cuff. Respectable brown leaves chased one another down the tracks; +dark sober pools slapped their confining banks; the steady flow of +brooks faltered irresolute. + +Nature herself being so roughly used, be sure that man and beast were +plagued unconscionably. Anthony's hat was sent whirling, and his +terrier's ears were flicked inside out at the first corner. Not that +they cared--either of them--for the sunlight leapt with a joy that took +the sting out of the horseplay and turned the edge of the devilment. +The day was as good as a tonic. By the time they had sighted their +cabin the two were revelling. + +Not until he was on the point of entering the cottage did Anthony +notice the artist. Seated upon the traditional camp-stool, the latter +was sketching busily some twenty-five paces away. Apparently absorbed +in his work, he never so much as threw the newcomers a glance, and +Lyveden was more than half minded to let him be. Patch, however, +thought differently. Even as his master turned to the door, there was +a low growl, and a moment later the Sealyham was baying the intruder as +if he had been a convict. + +Calling the dog sharply, Lyveden advanced to apologize. + +The lazy brown eyes hardly looked at him, and the slender fingers never +left their work for an instant; but a pleasant smile leapt into the +stranger's face, and, ere the apology was voiced, he spoke with the +utmost good humour. + +"Please don't scold him. He's perfectly right. I'm a trespasser and a +vagabond. I have no visible means of subsistence, and, if these things +are crimes, I'm an habitual criminal. If you really don't want me to +draw your cottage, I'll stop. But you must say so right out. And it +isn't the cottage so much as the background I'm after. To be frank, +this looks a promising place. I'm out for woodland--something that's +not too tidy." + +Anthony smiled grimly. + +"Orderliness," he said, "is hardly our forte at present. The park's +been Nature's playground for over a century, and she's made the most of +her time." + +"You sound," said the other, "as if you had authority. Am I free of +the place, or not?" + +For a second Anthony hesitated. Strangers were not to his taste. +There was, however, a quiet careless indifference about the fellow's +manner which was reassuring. Moreover, he liked the look of him, there +was nothing monstrous about his attire--he might have stepped off a +golf-course--and there was a kindly expression upon the intellectual +face. Somehow the droop of a fair moustache subscribed to the +suggestion of laziness which the eyes had put forward. Indeed, his +whole demeanour argued the simple creed "Live, and let live." + +Lyveden had just decided to give the required encouragement when the +other knocked out his pipe. + +"That's all right," he said lightly. "I never take offence. And I'm a +rare believer in privacy. If I had a place in the country I should +have a ten-foot wall about it and a guard-room at every lodge. It's +not that I'm a misanthrope, but to my mind there's not much point in +ownership if you don't----" + +"I expect you'd issue some passports," said Anthony. "Any way, please +don't go. And, if Gramarye's what you want, you're free to come and +work whenever you like. Nobody'll say anything to you; but if they +did--I'm going to Town to-morrow--my name's Lyveden, and I'm the--the +agent here." + +"You're very good," said the artist; and with that he filled his pipe +and set to work again. + +Anthony went about his business. + +By the time he had washed Patch, the stranger was gone. + +Dusk was falling ere Lyveden saw him again--a tall, thin figure +striding up the track from the depths of Gramarye. As he passed the +cottage, the ex-officer hailed him, offering to house his paraphernalia +for the night. After a moment's hesitation, the other accepted.... +With the interior of the cabin he was plainly delighted, pointing his +host a score of engaging features which only an antiquary would have +recognized. Anthony gave him some tea, and the two sat smoking for the +inside of an hour. + +At length the artist rose. + +"I must get back to Girdle," he said. "About two miles, isn't it?" + +"About that. I won't say 'Good-bye.' If Gramarye suits you, perhaps I +shall see you again." + +"Thanks to your _laisser passer_, you may. I want to get on to +Woodstock, really; but your woods are worth a day or two. Good night." + +He swung off into the darkness, and a minute later Anthony heard his +steps upon the metalling of the London road. + +It was upon the following afternoon that Lyveden swore under his +breath. At the time in question he was standing in a large +efficient-looking shop which smelt strongly of cordage and was situate +in Drury Lane. + +The manager was nervously apologetic. + +"They've bin on order a week now, sir, but I can't honestly say as I +expects them under three. You know what labour is now. In the ole +days it was a matter o' 'phonin', an' hanythin' you liked 'd be 'ere by +special messenger in 'alf an hour. But now...." + +He threw up his hands helplessly. + +"Where else can I try?" said Lyveden. + +The man mentioned two or three stores--each of them in the City. + +"But I don' think you'll get 'em, sir. You might get an hodd one, but +'alf a dozen o' 'Lightnin'' mattocks at the moment is worth their +weight." + +With a sigh Anthony bowed to the inevitable. + +"There's my address," he said, handing the man a slip of paper. "Send +me a card the moment they come in." + +"I'll set six aside for you, sir." + +"All right." + +He paid for the goods he had purchased, had them placed in a taxi, and +drove to Paddington. + +He was so ridiculously glad to see the station again that the +ordinarily provoking discovery that he had lost the return half of his +ticket but twitched the hem of his temper. With a rueful smile he +determined to deduct the price of his carelessness from his next week's +wages. + +The fact that he had broken no bread since breakfast never occurred to +him. His one idea was to get back to Gramarye. Not that the dreaded +visit had proved exacting. Indeed, as was to be expected, London had +roared as gently as any sucking dove. It was with no true sense of +relief that he watched the bustling platforms recede. Them and their +fellows, the streets, he bore no grudge. Hideously crowded as they +were, he felt almost kindly disposed towards them. He could afford to +be magnanimous. He was on his way back. An hour or so, and he would +stand once more under the grateful shadow of his sanctuary.... + +He had no newspaper, nor any need of one. The flitting landscape, the +regular pounding of the wheels were declaring tidings precious beyond +price. A hundred times he wished the compartment empty save for +himself, that he might have exulted openly. As it was, he was reduced +to hugging himself surreptitiously, to staring upon the window and +winking at his elusive reflection, which he could dimly focus in the +stout pane. After a while he became pitiful of his fellow-travellers. +As like as not, poor devils, they thought they were well off. And here +beside them sat one who was bound for Gramarye. Anthony hugged himself +anew. Then another station flashed by, before his feverish eyes could +read the name, to set him twittering with speculation.... + +By the time the train steamed into Chipping Norton, the ex-officer was +trembling all over. + +To Patch, who had spent the day in the wood-shed, his master's return +to the cottage was the signal for an undisguised explosion of ecstasy. +Herein, as the noise of the roan's hoofs died away, he was unexpectedly +joined by Anthony, and for a long two minutes the two wallowed in a +pure paroxysm of glee. + +It is to be noted, however, that while the terrier presently dispatched +a generous supper with every indication of relish, his master left his +untasted. Of the cold well-water the latter was undeniably glad, +drinking great draughts and presently drawing more and washing +luxuriously. Then he drew more and drank again, but he could touch no +food. Neither, tired as he was, could he sit still before the fire.... + +Two hours later he stumbled across his threshold like a drunken man. +Another draught of water revived him somewhat, and, after resting a +little in the Windsor chair, he mounted the tiny staircase and went +shakily to bed. + + * * * * * + +Eight days later the artist with the lazy eyes rose from his +leather-topped table to greet Miss Valerie French. + +Handing her to a chair, he resumed his seat, and, after a word or two +upon the weather, turned straight to the point. + +"I saw Major Lyveden for the first time last Sunday week. We met in +the morning, and he gave me tea the same afternoon. The next day he +went up to London--on business of some sort--but I saw him on Tuesday +and again on Friday and Saturday. + +"I don't propose to trouble you with technical terms. All the same, +it's not always possible for a medical man to render his language +literally into the King's English. Now and again I shall give you +rather a free translation, so you mustn't hold me too tight to anything +I may say. I tell you this, because I'm going to state facts and not +hand you mere expressions of opinion." + +Valerie nodded intelligently, and the speaker cleared his throat. + +"Now, Miss French, one thing is manifest. If Major Lyveden remains at +Gramarye, he will lose his reason." The doctor paused, and for the +first time Valerie noticed the sober, methodical tick of a +grandfather's clock. This, so far from spoiling, served to enrich the +silence investing the latter with an air of _couchant_ dignity which +was most compelling. "He is at present the prey of certain malignant +forces--the more immediate of them natural; some, I believe, +unnatural--and nothing short of his removal from where he is now can +set him free. I'm not certain that even removal will be entirely +effective. But it's obviously the first step. If a man is down with +malaria, the first thing to do is to get him out of the swamp." + +Valerie was very pale, but her voice did not tremble. + +"And supposing he won't leave...?" + +"He must be taken away--forcibly. Listen. At the village inn I picked +up a lot of news. All sorts of rumours are current--all touching +Gramarye. Most of them are nonsense, and I won't repeat them. Others +are founded on hard fact. Have you heard of a Colonel Winchester?" + +Valerie nodded. + +"Major Lyveden spoke of him as his employer." + +"That's right. He owns the estate, and was the working manager of this +restoration business." + +"_Was?_" breathed the girl. + +"Was. Three weeks ago he went mad." Valerie started violently. "It's +said that he tried to kill Lyveden. That I can't answer for, but he's +in a private asylum for dangerous lunatics." + +There was a painful silence. Then-- + +"Is--is it the place?" said Valerie faintly. + +The specialist rose to his feet and started to pace the room. + +"As a doctor, I ought to say 'No'; as a man who has spent the inside of +a week there, I'm moved to say 'Yes.' Surroundings can depress or +elevate, of course. That's common knowledge. But there's something +more than that here. In the village they told me the place was +accursed. Nonsense, of course. Yet---- Honestly, Miss French, I +don't know how to tell you... There's--there's a dreadful sinister +attraction about the park: there's an unearthly magnetism about the +woods--a queer, wistful fascination about the wilderness. At Girdle +they swore it was birdless. It may be. There are such places. I +certainly saw neither bird nor beast while I was there. And that's not +natural. But it's not what you see and hear: it's what you feel. It's +terribly hard to explain, but the place appeals most powerfully to the +emotions. You feel an irresistible impulse to go to _Something's_ +assistance. Of course my eyes were skinned, so I saw the treachery. +But I felt the appeal." He halted and threw out a hand. "Imagine a +serpent disguised as a beautiful woman in distress--_that's_ Gramarye. +And if I'd been there a month, instead of a week----" He stopped +suddenly, like a man whose tongue has run away and made a fool of its +governor. "And now please forget what I've said. It doesn't affect +the case. I went down to see whether there was reason to fear for +Major Lyveden's sanity. I've found that there is. And I advise that +he be taken away forthwith." + +"To a home?" + +"A private house would be better. If it became necessary, he could be +moved. But he shouldn't be allowed to have an inkling that his mind is +in danger." + +"I'd be thankful to have him at Bell Hammer." + +"Your home?" + +"Yes," said Valerie. "In Hampshire." + +The doctor resumed his seat and crossed his legs. + +"You're prepared to undertake it?" he said. "I mean, it may be a very +trying responsibility." + +"Dr. Heron, I hope to become Major Lyveden's wife." + +The specialist nodded. + +"Good. Do you wish me to arrange his removal?" + +"Oh, please." + +"Very well. Have you a closed car?" + +"Yes." + +"Any brothers?" + +Valerie shook her head. + +"Why, doctor?" + +"Because," said Heron, "he will resist. It doesn't matter." + +"I've two friends who will help me." + +"Young strong men?" + +Valerie shivered. + +"Yes." + +"Can you trust your chauffeur?" + +"Implicitly." + +"Good. Now let's see." He turned the page of a diary and then +returned it. "To-morrow's Tuesday. I don't want to waste any time, +but we can't rush things. Please have a room at Bell Hammer ready on +Friday. I'll arrange for two nurses to go to you that afternoon. I +shall go back to Girdle to-morrow evening. I hope I shall want your +two friends and the chauffeur with the car during the week-end, but I +may have to wait. In any event, I shall wire to you at Bell Hammer, +giving them twenty-four hours' notice and telling them where to come. +Please tell the chauffeur to have enough petrol and spares to go from +Girdle to Hampshire without a break." + +"Is that everything?" said Valerie. + +"Almost. There's just this. We ought to arrive by night; but I want +you to leave all instructions and go to bed." + +"I can't do that, doctor. I'll promise not to appear, until you send +for me, but----" + +"That'll do. That's what I want. Don't think I'm being professional. +Remember, I've taken Sperm at his word, and spoken more frankly to you +than ever I've done in my life." + +"I'm more than content," said Valerie. "You and Sir Willoughby have +been just wonderful." + +"That's the epithet he and I keep for you, Miss French." They rose and +shook hands. "And since of your amazing self-control you've asked no +questions, I'll make you a present of an answer. In my opinion, he +will recover completely." + +Valerie caught her breath sharply, began to tremble violently, and then +burst into tears. + + * * * * * + +Order means much to me, gentlemen. Indeed, I believe in the dame. To +fall foul of her ruling does not like me at all. Unless, however, I am +to play the diarist, there are times when I have no choice but to +retrace my steps. This is one of them. Four windy days must be +clapped back on to the hasty calendar--four days, sirs, of which three +do not matter, while the fourth, or first--whichever way you look at +it--concerns us mightily. In a word, it was upon the eleventh day of +March that poor Mr. Slumper was also among the prophets. + + + _66 Bedford Row, + London, W.C. + 11th March, 1921._ + +_Dear Sir,_ + +Anthony Lyveden, Esq. + +_We understand that this gentleman was recently in your service._ + +_We have to make to him a communication of the utmost importance, and +one which it will be to his great advantage to receive._ + +_Since, however, we have already addressed to him one letter c/o +yourself, to which we have had no reply, and since we have reason to +believe that he has quitted your service, we shall be much obliged if +you will be so good as to inform us where he may now be found, or, +failing that, the address to which he proceeded on leaving your house. +If you should be unable to give us this information, we shall be +grateful for any suggestion you may be in a position to make as to the +probability of his present whereabouts._ + + _We are, dear sir, + Yours faithfully, + BULRUSH & Co._ + + _Joseph Bumble, Esq., + The Shrubbery, + Hawthorne, + Hants._ + + +Mr. Slumper was in the act of preparing to fold the letter before +inserting it in the envelope which he had carefully addressed, when he +saw the words "Anthony Lyveden." + +For a moment he stared at them. Then, glancing furtively round, for it +was no business of his to read the letters for whose dispatch he was +responsible, he subjected the sheet to a hurried perusal. + +What he read excited him. There was no doubt about that. In a moment +his nerves were at leapfrog. Fingers and lips and eyelids all +flickered and fidgeted in a manner painful to see. Twice he half rose +from his chair, only to sink back upon the edge, twittering.... Here +was an intention with no drive behind it. The truth is, the back of +Mr. Slumper's will was broken in twain. + +The exact moment at which the fracture had occurred cannot be stated +with any certainty. A sentence of three months' imprisonment in the +second division was not responsible. The smash was before that. +Probably it came with the realization that he stood beneath the shadow +of the Criminal Law. Be that as it may, the ex-financier emerged from +prison a broken man. But for the interest of Mr. Blithe, the senior +partner of Bulrush & Co., who had had him met at the gates and +straightway sent him for a month to the seaside, poor Mr. Slumper must +have sunk like a stone. When he was fit to follow an occupation, he +was encouraged to accept a living wage, the work of an office-boy, and +a tiny room to himself.... + +Here, then, it was that Mr. Slumper was doing battle. How much it cost +the poor sinner to pick up the letter, emerge from his closet, and make +his way upstairs to Mr. Blithe's ante-chamber will never be known. +That it reduced his overdraft in Heaven goes without saying. Curiously +enough, the penetration of the barrier erected upon the obnoxious +personality of a managing clerk proved a less formidable business than +Mr. Slumper had expected. The very truculence of the fellow stung the +derelict to a sudden defiance. This was but a flash in the pan--yet +enough for a bully.... After a moment's delay, Mr. Slumper was +admitted into the senior partner's room. + +Blithe looked up with a kindly smile. + +"Yes, Mr. Slumper? You want to see me?" + +All his nervousness returned with such a rush as to make the +ex-financier break into a sweat. But he found his voice somehow, and +fell a-wondering who it was that was speaking his thoughts. + +"If you please, sir. It's--it's about this letter." + +He laid the sheet upon his employer's table. "I was--thanks to your +goodness--addressing the envelope. I take a great interest in the +work, sir: and I don't, of course, read the letters, except to obtain +the addresses. But the heading of this one, sir, happened to catch my +eye. The name being familiar, I took the liberty of reading the text. +And--and--I'm very loth to step out of my place, sir, but, if you are +seeking the whereabouts of a footman called Lyveden, sir, Anthony +Lyveden, I hardly think there can be two of that name. I mean ..." + +The solicitor smiled encouragingly. + +"Go on, Mr. Slumper," he said. + +Mr. Slumper moistened his lips. + +"It will seem strange to you, sir, but he--if it is he--was in my +service last summer." He passed a trembling hand across his mouth. +"He left me right at the last. He was very good to--to us.... And I +used to wonder sometimes what had become of him--he was a gentleman, +you know. And then I saw him again...." + +Blithe leaned forward. + +"Yes?" + +"Last Monday, sir. At Paddington Station. I had the pleasure of +fetching a bag for you, sir, from the cloakroom that afternoon." (It +may be mentioned that this particular commission should have been +executed by the commissionaire attached to the office. As, however, it +was raining at the time, that gentleman and the managing clerk +aforesaid had seen no good reason why "old Slumper" should not +satisfactorily perform the duty and save his betters a wetting. Both +paid for their blindness in due season. The principal was dismissed, +with the result that, after a heated argument, the accessory before the +fact was hit first upon the nose and then upon the left eye with all +the principal's might.) "He was having some luggage labelled to go +with him by train. There seemed to be some question of over-weight. I +was quite close to him. Indeed, it was hearing a voice I knew that +made me look at him. I heard him say, 'I'm going to Chipping Norton +and on to Girdle.' I very nearly spoke to him, but----" + +"You're quite sure it was he, Mr. Slumper?" + +"Oh, yes, sir. I've no doubt at all." + +"Splendid," said Blithe. "I'm extremely obliged to you. I shall write +to Girdle at once. If, as I verily believe, you've found us our man, +we shan't forget it. Of course I'll let you know as soon as I hear." +The speaker rose to his feet. "So you're getting on all right, are +you? I'm so glad. And keeping fairly well? That's right. Come out +this way." He opened a private door. "Good morning, and thank you so +much." + +With a full heart Mr. Slumper passed humbly down the stairs.... + +Within the hour another letter came to his desk for direction. This he +read without any hesitation. Indeed, the pleasurable glow of +achievement which it induced ushered a gleam into the dull brown eyes +such as they had not known for many a day. + + + _CONFIDENTIAL._ + + _66 Bedford Row, + London, W.C., + 11th March, 1921._ + +_Dear Sir,_ + +_We have reason to believe that a gentleman of the name of "Anthony +Lyveden" is residing in your neighbourhood. We are anxious to obtain +his address in order that we may make to him a communication of the +highest importance, and one which it will be to his great financial +advantage to receive._ + +_If you can furnish us with his address by return of post we shall be +greatly obliged; but, if you are unable to do so, kindly cause +immediate inquiries to be instituted with a view to locating him, and +advise us accordingly._ + +_Our information is that Mr. Lyveden left London for Chipping Norton en +route for Girdle on Monday last, the 7th inst._ + + _Yours faithfully, + BULRUSH & Co._ + + _S. Plowman, Esq., + Solicitor, + Girdle, + Oxon._ + + +If to be told that the Probate Divorce and Admiralty Division of the +High Court of Justice will be prepared to award you a mansion in Town, +an estate in Dorsetshire--each of them, as they say, ready to walk +into--and nearly three-quarters of a million of money, is to receive a +communication to your great financial advantage, then Bulrush & Co. had +not overstated their case. + +There was no doubt about it, Anthony's ship was signalled. The pilot +was going aboard. Very soon the galleon would be in the stream. + +If the double journey had proved too much for John Forest, so that the +prelate was compelled to rest before returning to England, at least he +had sent the will by registered post. This in due season had been +produced to the testator's solicitor, a benevolent gentleman of the Old +School, who, after an interview with Sir Giles Molehill and Blithe at +the Royal Courts of Justice, was entirely satisfied regarding its +validity. Indeed, his anxiety to wash his hands of the usurper was +almost voluble. + +"And I may say, my lord, that I more than once spoke very warmly to my +client about that iniquitous proviso which he made me insert. But, as +your lordship knows, a testator has always been permitted to indulge +his utmost eccentricity, and my words fell upon deaf ears. He was a +difficult man, sir, was Jonathan Roach. But when the time came, and I +had to break the news to young Lyveden, it was a sorry business. I'm +heartily thankful it's going to be put right." + +"I hope it is, Mr. Orphan," had replied the Judge. "But we've still +got to find our protégé. That I must leave to you and Blithe to pull +off. I've done my part. But you must keep me informed, for I'm +determined to be in at the death." + +The two attorneys had promised faithfully, and left the Judge smiling. +Benevolence and shrewdness seldom go hand-in-hand, and his lordship's +words had contained a subtle instruction to Blithe to shepherd his +elderly brother and not to retire from the case. The flick of an +eyelid had disclosed Blithe's reception of the hint. + +With what result, we know. + +And that is the sum of my arrears, gentlemen. Henceforth, if you +please, you shall find the street of narrative straight as a French +highway, with hill and dale certainly, but none of your hairpin corners +to send you doubling upon your tracks. + + * * * * * + +It was eleven o'clock of a Sunday morning. + +Never was an hour more melodiously announced. The diverse tongues of +Oxford insisted upon its arrival for fully five minutes. Indeed, the +harmonious argument, which had begun as his lordship's car was nearing +Magdalen Bridge, was still in progress when the great grey limousine +swung out of St. Giles's and on to the Woodstock road. + +All three of its occupants were in a holiday humour. The Judge was +radiant; Orphan proved splendid company; while Blithe, a brilliant +talker, kept the two bubbling with merriment upon a fire of delicate +wit. The miles fairly melted beneath their gaiety. Indeed, it was not +until the Judge's eye caught the message of an odd finger-post that any +one of the three realized that they had passed Blenheim. + +"CHIPPING NORTON 8!" cried his lordship. "Gad, gentlemen, we're nearly +there. Blithe, you're a stage-manager in a million. The thing's going +to pan out like a well-written play. What time did you tell Plowman to +expect us?" + +"At twelve o'clock," said Blithe. "With any luck we shall just do it +nicely." + +"Good!" said the Judge. Then: "I think we'd better pick up Plowman and +take him with us, don't you, Orphan?" + +"I think so. For one thing, he knows Lyveden and can introduce us." + +"Quite so." His lordship consulted his watch. "We ought to have +landed our fish by a quarter to one. We'd better mark down an hotel +and carry him off to lunch. You'd better speak to him first and just +make sure he's our man." + +"Certainly," said Orphan. "I think if I ask him his mother's maiden +name, where he was born, his age, and the name of his uncle's butler, +that ought to do." + +"Why the name of the butler?" said Blithe. "Is that a catch?" + +"Quite right," said Orphan. "Just to make doubly sure. Old Jonathan +Roach never would have a man-servant in the house. It was a whim of +his. If I get the right answer, I shall be easy for ever. But I don't +want to take any risks with the best part of a million at stake." + +"I agree," said Sir Giles. "Have you got some cash for him?" + +The other nodded and touched his coat. + +"One hundred in notes and a cheque-book. I'll take his specimen +signature, and put a thousand to his credit to-morrow." + +"Good!" said the Judge. "That's the style. I wish poor Forest was +here. He'd 've enjoyed it thoroughly. Such a pathetic letter he wrote +me when he sent the will. Blames himself out of all reason for keeping +the document so long. I sent him a line on Friday to say that we'd +found our man. I admit it was rather precipitate, but, all things +considered, I think I was justified. By the time the letter reaches +him it will be a _fait accompli_--and I wanted to ease his mind." + +"If you ask me," said Blithe, "it's all over but the shouting. The +talk I had with Plowman over the telephone settled it. In fact, that +was when the shouting began. Which reminds me that the trunk line from +London to Girdle requires attention. It was not a conversation at all. +It was a joint rhapsody." + +"Personally," said the Judge, "I detest the telephone. It's a pomp and +a vanity of a wicked world. You can never be sure who you're talking +to, nor how many people are listening; there's no record of what you've +said and no evidence that you've even said it. The invention is a +convenient nuisance, conducive to blasphemy, and should be abated." + +The car rolled on. + +Presently, though none of them knew it, they slipped past Anthony's +cottage and so down Gallowstree Hill to the village they sought. + +To say that Mr. Samuel Plowman was ready and waiting in no way +describes his condition. The little lawyer was wellnigh beside himself +with expectation. The prospect of meeting a Justice of the King's +Bench intoxicated. The possibility of entertaining such a one in the +flesh and the dining-room of The Nook, Girdle, made tales of Paradise +seem tame. A burning discussion with Mrs. Plowman had resulted in a +decision not to offer his lordship lunch. That would be attempting too +much. Cakes and ale, however, flanked by a dish of sandwiches and a +tantalus, made a collation at once independent of service and adaptable +to every appetite. Furniture was moved, rugs were transferred, the +first floor was spoiled to turn the spare bedroom into Mr. Plowman's +conception of a Judge's lavatory. It had been mutually agreed that +Mrs. Plowman's presence would be intrusive, but, in the circumstances, +to go soberly to church was more than the good lady could stomach. An +O. P. was therefore established in the bathroom beside the geyser, to +which point of vantage Mrs. Plowman undertook to repair the moment the +car was heard.... + +The Nook standing close to a corner of the London road, seven times was +the O. P. occupied and evacuated between half-past eleven and twelve, +and three times did Mr. Plowman actually throw open his door and +advance, nervous but beaming, into the drive, only to hear the +deceitful engine once more gathering speed. The fourth time, however, +the purr of the engine fell to a steady mutter, which was maintained. +The car was not at the gate, but it was not moving. Possibly its +occupants were inquiring for The Nook.... Mr. Plowman tried not to run +down the drive. With her heart in her mouth, Mrs. Plowman peered past +the geyser to where the branches of a monkey-puzzler maddeningly +obstructed her view of the front gate.... + +Two minutes later the little solicitor reappeared, walking most +delicately and attending a tall, distinguished-looking man with every +circumstance of veneration. Behind them came two other strangers, who +might have been equerries. That, for all his ecstasy, Mr. Plowman +remembered to throw a smile up to the bathroom window, literally +reduced Mrs. Plowman to tears of joy. + +It was no desire for refreshment, but pure kindness of heart that moved +Sir Giles Molehill to accept the attorney's invitation. And, as was +his way in life, he did the thing handsomely. Did he see beer? +Splendid. He would have a bottle of beer. Yes, and a sandwich. +Excellent. Just the thing after an eighty-mile run. What excellent +roads they kept in Oxfordshire! He never remembered better. And the +Cotswold air was magnificent. Really, one had to spend one's days in a +stuffy Court in Town to appreciate the country as it deserved. + +"Yet we thrive on the atmosphere, bad as it is. Look at the time we +live, Mr. Plowman. Who ever heard of a Judge dying? Yes. I really +must have another sandwich. They're so excellent. And now we want you +to come with us in the car and take us to Mr. Lyveden ... _Major_ +Lyveden, is he? Right ... D.S.O.? Good fellow. Wonder what he got +that for. And then you'll come on to lunch...." + +By the time they were back in the car, Mr. Plowman was upon the edge of +praying for an occasion of saving his lordship's life at the expense of +his own.... + +At the south-west corner of Gramarye the guide gave the signal, and the +car was stopped. Then Plowman and Orphan alighted and passed up the +wasted track. Except for a wreath of smoke curling from the chimney, +the cottage might have been deserted.... + +"I rather expect," said Plowman, "he'll be having his dinner...." + +A second later he was tapping upon the door. + +For a moment there was a dead silence. Then a stealthy movement made +itself heard.... + +The two men listened intently. + +From the London road the Judge and Blithe were watching them closely. + +The door remaining fast shut, Mr. Plowman knocked again. + +Instantly the movement ceased. After perhaps twenty seconds it was +renewed, but with a difference. The stealth had become hasty. + +The two men stared at one another. Then-- + +"Better go in," said Orphan, with his hand on the latch. + +This yielded to pressure, and the next moment the door was open. + +The atmosphere prevailing in the little chamber was uninviting. There +was a fire glowing upon the hearth, and the room was unpleasantly hot. +From the reek of a pungent tobacco emerged an unsavoury smell of +something which was not fuel, burning. Scattered about the red-brick +floor were black feathers without number, and here and there amid the +plumage appeared the muddy print of feet. Perched upon the logs was a +pot bubbling, and by the side of the hearth an old pair of boots +emitted wisps of steam. Lyveden himself was nowhere to be seen. + +Plowman looked round wide-eyed, and Orphan blew disgustedly through his +nose. + +The former raised his voice. + +"Major Lyveden," he called, smiling, "may I come in?" + +There was no answer. + +The two conferred in a whisper. Then Plowman cleared his throat. + +"Major Lyveden!" he called. "It's Plowman speaking--Plowman, of +Girdle. Can you spare me a moment?" + +Still no reply was vouchsafed. + +Followed by the other, Orphan advanced into the room and looked behind +the door. There was no one there. + +He stepped to the foot of the flight of stairs and spoke upward. + +"Is Major Lyveden there?" + +For a moment it seemed as if he, too, was to go unanswered. Then-- + +"Nao," said a voice thickly, "'e ain't. 'E's gorn aout, 'e 'as. An' +won' be beck till ter-morrer." + +Orphan looked sharply at Plowman. The latter shook his head, frowning, +as if in denial, and lifted his voice. + +"Who's that?" he snapped. + +Somebody was heard to swallow. Then-- + +"I tell yer 'e ain't 'ere," said the voice. "'E's--'e's gorn aout." + +"Who has?" said Orphan. + +"Majer"--the speaker hesitated--"Major Dibdin." + +The hesitancy alone would have proclaimed the impostor, and, while +Plowman ran for the others, Orphan told the occupant of the bedroom, +first that he was an infernal liar, secondly that he was being +addressed by a magistrate, and thirdly that, unless he desired to be +given into custody for stealing poultry and housebreaking, he had +better descend forthwith and tell the whole truth. + +As the Judge and Blithe came up, with Plowman behind them, Orphan +stepped backwards out of the doorway. + +"Come on," he said roughly. "Out in the air." + +Barefoot, of his trepidation still grasping the carcass of what had +been a black Orpington, there emerged from the cottage a filthy and +evil-smelling tramp. A week's sandy stubble bristled upon his chin, +the pendulous lips were twitching, the crafty eyes shifted uneasily +from side to side. + +The four lawyers stared upon the beastly apparition in disgusted dismay. + +The sickly smile of guilty embarrassment upon their _vis-ŕ-vis'_ face +had begun to swell into the cringing leer familiarly precedent to an +appeal for leniency, when the fellow leaned forward, stared fearfully +at the Judge, and, dropping the pullet with a screech, recoiled against +the wall. + +"I ain't done no 'arm," he cried, whimpering. "I ain't done no 'arm. +I never stole that there 'en. She were dead in the way, me lord. +Runned over by a cyar, she were. I only come aout last Toosday, me +lord, an' tryin' ter run strite an' git a good job o' work, like wot +you said, sir. It's gauze trewth I never stole that there bird. She +was layin'..." + +Out of a bad business the queer recognition stood solitarily opportune. +Rhadamanthus' own promise of clemency in return for the truth could not +have been more effective. The plain facts, however, were wofully +bitter to hear. + +The tramp had taken undisputed possession at eight o'clock that +morning. The cottage was then empty. The fire was out and the bed in +order. Upon the floor of the living-room lay the fragments of a +pitcher, with the water, which this had held, settled in a pool upon +the bricks. A Windsor chair was fallen, Dagon-like, upon its face, +with its legs in the air. What no one could understand was the fact +that the lamp, which hung from the ceiling, was still burning. + + * * * * * + +More or less recovered, but profoundly depressed, Monseigneur Forest +reached Hampshire upon the following Thursday. He had visited the +Judge in London, and learned from his mouth first the news and then the +details of the unpleasant truth. His lordship's contention that Fate +was opposed to their endeavours, he found it difficult to dispute. +Believing that he was on his way to a triumph, he had come breathless +to participate in a rout. For three days he had dandled a new-born +joy, to find it stark upon the fourth.... + +Valerie was not at the station, but Mason was there with the car, and +the poor man was glad to be alone. He was mourning a stolen +opportunity to repair a great wrong, and would not be comforted. The +lost legatee haunted him more tragically than ever. + +As the car swept to the house he noticed two girls upon the steps. + +They were interrogating the butler. + +Observing his arrival they cut their inquiries short. The prelate +emerged, however, in time to hear the servant's concluding words. + +"No, madam. Only that the improvement was maintained. Thank you, +madam." + +"Who's ill?" cried Forest sharply. + +The butler inclined his head. + +"Major Lyveden, sir--a friend of Miss Valerie's. He----" + +"_Who?_" + +For all his training the servant jumped. + +"Major Lyveden, sir. Major Anthony Lyveden." + +Monseigneur Forest looked round helplessly. Then he put a hand to his +head and sat down on the steps. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +VANITY OF VANITIES + +In a quiet, even tone Lyveden was talking. + +The pleasant voice went steadily on, now reciting, now commenting, now +lending argument, a cool dispassionate gravity that forced the ear. +Facts were so clearly stated, conclusions so reasonably drawn, points +so firmly made--all without a trace of emotion, yet seriously offered +in the most conspicuous good faith--that it was almost impossible to +realize that the speaker was insensible. But that is the way of +brain-fever.... + +The voice faltered and stopped. + +Fervently Miss French prayed that it and the frantic brain might rest +from their labours. She wanted desperately to think--to be mistress of +her thoughts--but, so long as the voice prevailed, the impression that +she was being addressed prevented her, first because it was so vivid, +and then because of its importunity. + +It was half an hour since Sir Willoughby Sperm's car had rolled down +the curling avenue and slipped past the tall lodge-gates. If all went +well, another fortnight would elapse before the great specialist saw +the patient again. + +The silence continuing, Valerie fell to wondering what the two weeks +would bring forth. That the fever would presently abate, and the +ex-officer be spared his life, seemed highly probable. In fact, +Valerie steadily refused to consider that he might weaken and die. +What she was eternally asking was what would happen when the engine of +the brain, at present running free, was once more engaged with the +system it was used to control. Would the coupling break suddenly, and +her man go an idiot for life? That she could not believe. Or would +the old balance be restored, perfect as ever? There was doubt in the +doctor's eyes. Was he, then, to wake stumbling upon that No Man's Land +which lies between sense and idiocy? And, if so, how were his +trembling steps to be guided aright? Carefully she started to weigh +Sir Willoughby's words.... + +"What concerns me most is how to deal with his condition of mind when +the fever has run its course. From what I've seen, and from what Heron +has told me, I'm satisfied that it is vital that Gramarye should never +again enter into his life. That park, or estate, or whatever it is, +had taken such an unhealthy hold upon his imagination, that he was +half-way to insanity. If Gramarye is permitted again to take the +helm.... Well, the ship is half-way across--half-way across those +narrow straits which divide reason from lunacy. We've got to take the +helm and put it over just as hard as ever we can. You understand? In +a word, if, for instance, Major Lyveden were to revisit Gramarye, I +think the game would be up. That, of course, can't happen. But it is, +in my opinion, of the highest importance, not only that no reference to +the place should be made before him, but that we should do our utmost +to direct his attention to other matters. We can't expunge the last +four months from his memory--I wish we could. Half the asylums in +England would be empty if we could do that. But we can avert our eyes +from the record, and we can try to avert his." + +'Try to avert his.' How? Anthony was not an infant, to be beguiled +with a rattle when he cried for a blade. And if Gramarye was proposing +'again to take the helm,' who was to stop her? Had Miss French put +that question to Sir Willoughby, he would have replied, "Yourself." +For that reason she had not asked him. Again and again he had insisted +that, if the mischief was to be mended at all, it would be at her +hand.... + +There were times when the thought terrified her, when the panic fear of +the condemned sat in her eyes. For Valerie knew it was just. It was +she who had brought a gallant gentleman to this pass--she who had +smashed the exquisite wonder of melody their hearts had danced to--she +who had hacked asunder the silken bridge of love and sent her lover +into the arms of Gramarye. + +Gramarye! + +Her solitary visit to the park stood out of the girl's memory like a +snow-covered peak, vivid and frozen. There was no mercy there. What +was far worse, there was an unearthly appeal. Flesh and blood were one +thing, but a wild mystery of woodland, the desolate grandeur of a +ruined park, the majestic havoc of a proud estate--these were another +matter. Looking upon her rival's face, she found it notable.... +Valerie set her white teeth. That its beauty was a mask hiding some +dreadful influence, made her heart faint within her.... + +Yet, if this fainted, it always revived. Valerie French was +well-plucked. If it was ordained that she should fight with Black +Magic, with Black Magic she would fight. It was her own fault.... It +was typical of the girl that the fact that she had already paid very +heavily never once occurred to her. She had called the tune without +asking how much it would cost. That the piper's bill was so long was +due to her recklessness. She did not dispute the account. + +For the hundredth time she wondered what line Gramarye would take.... + +It seemed, mercifully, that the fell influence of the estate was not to +have things all its own way. While the sick man in his delirium talked +much of Gramarye, he spoke of Valerie too--frequently. For hours +together, sometimes, he dwelt upon their love. As a rule, he debated +with himself whether it was fair to her to let her see him again. +(Listening to these heart-searchings, Valerie's heart burned within +her.) Then he would call his Sealyham and speak to him of the lady, +asking if she were not wonderful and a sight for sore eyes. "When she +calls you, Patch, aren't you proud of your name? And she took your +head in her hands to-day. I saw her. Such sweet, pretty hands.... +And you looked in her eyes, Patch, and then you licked her nose--very +gently, like a good little dog...." Then, again, Anthony's life as a +footman was often remembered. Mr. and Mrs. Bumble were gratefully +discussed. The Alisons--George especially--figured constantly. Even +his life in the Army was sometimes mentioned, and other older days, +hard to identify.... Gramarye held a good hand--undoubtedly: but there +were other cards in the pack. + +The door opened noiselessly, and a fresh-faced nurse stole into the +darkened room. Valerie and she exchanged whispers, and, after another +glance at the silent figure upon the bed, the lady of Bell Hammer gave +place to the professional and made her way slowly downstairs. + + * * * * * + +It was past three o'clock of a sullen March afternoon when Mr. Peter +Every dismissed his parade. + +The men turned away listlessly, hollow-eyed. + +Only the little lame engineer said anything at all, and that was an +inaudible communication to the three great sailors, whose hearing was +gone. Gloomily the latter watched his fingers stumble over their rude +translation of Every's last words.... + +"So there you are. Colonel Winchester's gone. Major Lyveden's too ill +to ever come back. Without the authority of one of these two, not +another penny can be spent on this estate. Obviously the work's got to +stop. I know you don't want wages, but you've got to live.... And +I've come, as Major Lyveden's friend, to tell you this before the Law +steps in--as it will--and does it more bluntly. + +"I know it's rough on you, and I'm devilish sorry, but it's got to be +faced.... And, as I say, I'm commissioned to offer you all your +passage to Canada and fifty pounds apiece to tide you over there till +you can get going. + +"You chaps think it over. + +"I'm staying at _The Rose_ at Girdle, and those who want to accept, +report to me there to-morrow morning at ten o'clock. Then I'll tell +you the details and fix everything up. Right." + +Leaning against the trunk of a fallen beech, Every watched his little +audience wade through the weathered fringe of bracken and turn on to +the rough brown road that dipped and curled into the heart of Gramarye. + +The droop of their shoulders, the heaviness of their steps, the silence +in which they went, trumpeted misery. Anything, however, was better +than the dull sightless stares with which the news that their work was +over had been received. Every, who was no coward, had been prepared +for suspicion, defiance, violence. Instead, his service of the warrant +had been accepted without a word. He had no shred of authority, but +not the slightest attempt had been made to call his bluff. It had +been, in fact, a painful walk-over. The seven labourers seemed to +expect a death-blow. When it fell, they met it with the apathy of +despair. Every felt as though he were sentencing a bunch of forest +ponies to the pits, and the dumb hopelessness of their demeanour +plucked at his young heart-strings.... + +For two or three minutes after the little group had passed out of sight +the young man stood motionless. Presently his eyes wandered from the +trail up a rude bank, all starred with primroses, through the dim +breathless magic of a pinewood on to a peering screen of new-born +leaves, pale-faced and trembling. After a moment's rest, they turned +southward to where the lean brown road went paving a deep corridor, +straight, silent, its black walls towering. Distance and gloom lent +these a grim symmetry, suggestive of duress; above, a grey ribbon of +sky issued a stony comfort, such as prisoners use.... With a shiver, +Every turned away his head. To the north the ground fell sharply, and +the cut of the road vouchsafed a glimpse of what it led to--woods, +woods, woods, swelling, rising, tumbling, bolstering one another up, +shouldering one another aside, some with their limbs still bare, others +laced with the pale pinafore of spring, all of them dense and +orderless, composite regiments of timber, where squire and skip-jack +stood back to back, and the whelps of both thrust and quarrelled for a +place in the bulging ranks. + +Every became suddenly conscious of a silence more tense and death-like +than he had ever dreamed of.... + +Then a wind breathed--miles away ... to the north. He could hear the +breath coming, a mere whimper among the tree-tops. The whimper became +a whine.... Reaching the pinewood, the note slid into a moan, that +rose slowly to a thin wail as the breath fled up the corridor with the +towering walls. The wail fell to a sigh.... + +With straining ears, the man waited for this to fade.... + +"Mopping up?" said a quiet voice. + +Every started violently and turned right about. + +Ten paces distant, within the shadow of the beechwood, was a big +upstanding grey, with ears pricked, vigilant. Square in the saddle sat +a girl, in a habit of dark blue cloth. So dim was the light that Every +could not distinguish her features, but he marked how the eyes burned +out of a pale face and noted the glint of copper beneath the hard felt +hat. + +"Mopping up?" she repeated quietly, but this time there was a silkiness +in the tone that put the man on his guard. + +"That's one way of puttin' it," he said lightly. "I'm sort of windin' +up the Company." + +"The Garden of Eden Limited," flashed the girl. "History repeats +itself." For a moment she hesitated. Then--"Where's Adam?" she said +carelessly. + +"Done a bunk," said Every, with no idea of what she meant. "Are you a +creditor?" + +Miss Strongi'th'arm regarded him. + +"Either," she said coldly, "you are a liar or else a fool." + +Every stared at her speechless.... After a moment the girl shrugged +her shoulders. Then a riding-boot flashed, and the grey sprang forward. + +As she pulled up beside him-- + +"By what authority do you dismiss these men?" + +Every looked up steadily into the angry eyes. Then he took off his hat. + +"Forgive me," he said quietly, "but by what authority do you ask?" + +For a second he thought she would strike him. The cold fury of the +pale peaked face, the haughty set of the lips, the blaze of the great +brown eyes, heralded violence.... + +Every never moved. + +With a sudden movement André turned her head to stare into the +distance. At length-- + +"I've lost all I had in this estate--this venture ... and a lot +that--that wasn't mine," she said slowly. "Is that good enough?" + +Before the weariness of her tone, Every's resentment went down with a +rush. + +"I'm most awfully sorry," he said gently. "I'd no idea of this. I +don't think any one has. Of course, if I'd known for a moment that you +were--er--interested, I shouldn't have dreamed of moving in the matter +without your consent." He hesitated. Then-- "But surely you can +recover something. I mean, the place can be sold, and I'm sure the +solicitors would see to it that you----" + +André gave a dry laugh. + +"I hardly think they'd allow my claim," she said shortly. + +Every swallowed before replying. + +"You could try," he said desperately. + +"Fool," said the girl contemptuously. "It's not a question of money. +It's a question of men." And with that she fell to whistling under her +breath. + +Every decided that she was mad. + +"I'm afraid I don't understand," he said stiffly. "What I'm doing, I'm +doing with the approval of Mr. Plowman, solicitor to Colonel +Winchester--he's the owner of this park: and, if you apply----" + +"Yes, I know that," said André quietly. "But for this park, I should +be Mrs. Winchester." + +The scales fell from Every's eyes. The picture of the giant, of whom +Plowman had told him, pacing a madman's cage, rose up before him, and a +great wave of pity for his companion swept into his heart. It occurred +to him suddenly that, but for the grace of God, Valerie French would +stand by this strange girl's side.... + +"Think you understand, don't you?" sneered André. She laughed shortly. +"You've got a lot to learn yet. First of all, my friend, this isn't a +park. It's a temple. The very place you're standing on is holy +ground. And those clowns you're sacking are priests--sworn to moil and +toil for Gramarye until she's sucked the brains out of their heads. +And you're spoiling her game ... I should go carefully, if I were you, +my friend. And if you get safe out of her to-day, I shouldn't come +back--_if you can help it_... I don't want to be rude, but she's +brought down bigger game than you--far bigger.... And they were her +_favourites_." + +"I'm not afraid," said Every. + +"Of course you aren't. If you were, you'd be safe. If Samson had +feared Delilah, he wouldn't have lost his eyes." She broke off and +shrugged her shoulders. Then--"And now, if you're satisfied with my +authority to question you, what's yours for dismissing these men?" + +"I have none," said Every. "But the chap who was here--Lyveden----" + +"Yes?" breathed André. + +"Well, he's too ill to----" + +With a moan, the girl dropped the reins, flung back her head, and +clapped her hands to her temples. + +"I knew it," she wailed, "I knew it! First Richard Winchester, and +then Anthony ... my darling ... Anthony Lyveden ..." + +Every stood spellbound. The tragedy had taken a new--a frightful turn. +Valerie--trustful, unsuspecting Valerie--was hideously involved. He +wondered if Lyveden delirious would babble of this strange girl. If he +did.... And when he recovered--what then? + +Hurriedly he reviewed the position. + +Under Dr. Heron's direction, Lyveden had been drugged here, at +Gramarye, and brought to Bell Hammer. The whole object of his removal +was to smash his infatuation for Gramarye, so that he might feel free +to worship Valerie. On their joint love the whole thing was founded. +Everything had been arranged on that basis. And now ... if Lyveden had +been consulted, perhaps he would not have come--not because of +Gramarye, but because of a girl--a girl with auburn hair.... + +"Where is he?" + +The words cut his reflections with a clean slash. + +"Who?" + +André Strongi'th'arm's eyes narrowed. + +"The high priest," she said. + +"D'you mean Major Lyveden?" + +"I do." + +Every paled. Whatever might be the other's standing, with him Valerie +came first. It might be rough on the girl, but that could not be +helped, and would eventually, he supposed, be mended. One thing was +plain. Not at any price must she go to Bell Hammer. + +"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to tell you." + +"Why?" + +"If you're thinking of visiting him, I assure you----" + +"I wish to know where Major Lyveden is." + +Every drew himself up. + +"I'm very sorry," he said, "but until I've seen those in charge of him, +and have their permission to tell you----" + +"I have a right to know." + +Every winced. Then he looked up boldly. + +"As Colonel Winchester's _fiancée_?" he said. + +André caught her breath. Then she bowed her head. + +"As a most miserable woman," she said brokenly. "Somewhere it says, +'From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.' +... Well, it's as one of those outcasts ... one of those hopeless +double bankrupts----" + +"Stop!" cried Every, aghast. "Stop! I don't want to hear.... Listen. +I'll be at Girdle till Friday. That day I'll leave a note for you at +the inn, with Lyveden's address inside." + +He had, I suppose, some vague idea of getting to Hampshire before her. + +For a second the girl stared at him with knitted brows. Then-- + +"You appear," she said coldly, "to be not only a fool, but a poisonous +fool. After all, if you won't tell me, I suppose there are other +ways...." She picked up the reins. "And so you're a friend of Major +Lyveden's? To tell you the truth, I shouldn't have thought he'd have +had much use for you." + +With her words, the hunter moved forward.... Dazedly Every watched the +two pass at a walk into the gloomy corridor and dwindle slowly to a +mere blur of blue and grey under the shadow of the towering walls. At +last distance and dusk swallowed them, and he could see them no more. + +By the evening of the following Thursday the young man's work was gone, +and by ten o'clock on Friday morning his car had left Girdle and was +flying up Gallowstree Hill. + +Provision had been made for the men; the horses in the stables at +Gramarye had been disposed of. He had only come, with Valerie's +approval, out of sheer pity for helpless men and beasts. His +unexpected interview with André Strongi'th'arm worried him sorely. He +was convinced that between her and Anthony there had been a serious +affair. Himself devoted to Valerie, this made him furious; remembering +her devotion to Lyveden, it scared him. If, after all that had +happened, Valerie was to find, not only that her cake was dough, but +that it was not even her cake, but another's, Every verily believed the +shock would send her out of her mind. The mortification alone would be +enough to unhinge any woman.... + +The sight of Anthony's cottage at the edge of the park reminded him of +his proposal to recover his tobacco-pouch. He had laid it down on the +tree-trunk whilst he was addressing the men that memorable Monday +afternoon. + +Not daring, for fear of thieves, to leave the car upon the highway, he +drove her gently on to the wasted track. Even then he was not +comfortable, for she could be seen from the road. After a moment's +hesitation, he decided to risk it. He could not drive to the spot, for +from here, for a furlong or so, the road was in ribbons. They seemed +to have been hauling timber. The only thing to do was to be as quick +as he could and hope for the best. Going fast, he should be back again +in twenty minutes.... + +There had blown a gale in the night, and Every was not surprised to +find one of the tall dark pillars of the gigantic corridor fallen +across the lean brown road. It was his haste in surmounting this +obstacle that was responsible for the simple but painful fracture of +his left leg. The trunk was slippery, and he had jumped untimely to +save a fall. Two stout boughs had been waiting, and the rest was +easy.... + +Now, Peter Every was, as we know, no coward; but when, lying there, he +reflected that, thanks to his efforts, the estate was now deserted, he +became extremely uneasy. And presently, when he remembered Miss +Strongi'th'arm's words, he broke into a cold sweat. + +'If you get safe out of her to-day, I shouldn't come back--_if you can +help it_.' + + * * * * * + +"I'm told," said Anthony weakly, "that I'm at Bell Hammer." + +Lady Touchstone smiled and nodded. + +"That's right," she said gently. "And Valerie should be here to +welcome you, but she's asleep. So you must make shift with me." + +The truth was, Valerie French had broken down. The strain of waiting +and watching for the hour for which she longed, yet dreaded, had proved +too much. Only the day before she had fainted suddenly, and, honestly +glad of an excuse, the local doctor had ordered her to bed forthwith. +Valerie had obeyed dumbly. She knew that she had come to the end of +her tether, and so to that of her wit; and since, to deal at all +hopefully with Anthony's return to consciousness, her understanding +must be on tiptoe, she knew that she was better away. If the change +was to come before she was fit for duty, it could not be helped. In +her present condition she was, she felt, worse than useless. + +Two hours later Anthony had tried to sit up, failed, looked dazedly +about him, and when the fresh-faced nurse stole to his side, asked +first for some water and then, shakily, to be told where he was. He +had promised, in return for the answer, to ask no more questions, but +to go quietly to sleep. This promise he had immediately broken by +asking anxiously for news of his dog. Learning that Patch was below, +and well and happy, he had spoken no more. After eighteen hours he had +awaked, greatly refreshed, to find himself the cynosure of three pairs +of eyes. These were all kindly and full of cheer. Two pairs were +contributed respectively by the nurse and Lady Touchstone, while the +third was set in the face of an overgrown cherub, who smelt agreeably +of Harris tweed and was gently furbishing his _pince-nez_ with an +enormous handkerchief. + +"This," continued Lady Touchstone, "is Dr. Gilpin." The cherub grinned +reassuringly. "He's extremely pleased with you, and, when you're +better, I think you'll return the compliment." + +"I've been ill," said the patient stupidly. + +The cherub nodded. + +"Gave us quite a turn once or twice," he said, smiling. "But you're +all right now. And if you'll promise to obey orders, I'll have you out +of bed in a fortnight." + +Anthony's face fell. Then-- + +"I'm in your hands, sir," he said. "And I'm very, very grateful for +all you've done." His eyes turned to Lady Touchstone. "And you. I +don't understand anything yet," he added plaintively. + +"Good," said the doctor. "Now we know where we are." He took out his +watch. "If you would like it, you and your hostess can have a little +chat--for ten minutes only--just to clear matters up. Then Nurse Ford +will take over." + +"Please," said Anthony. + +A moment later the two were alone. + +"I don't know how I come to be here," said the patient slowly, "but I'm +afraid it must have been a terrible inconvenience and--and expense. +You know I've no money." + +Subduing an inclination to burst into tears-- + +"On the contrary," said Lady Touchstone, "you're quite respectably off. +Since you've been ill, you've come into money--more than enough to pay +for everything. So don't let that worry you." + +She felt that it was not the moment to tell him that he was virtually a +millionaire. + +For a moment the man did not speak. Then-- + +"How did I get here?" he said. + +"You may well ask," was the reply. "If I hadn't seen it with my own +eyes, I wouldn't have believed it possible for George Alison to lift a +man of your inches and carry him single-handed right from the front +door. I know he rowed for Cambridge, but, all the same, it was the act +of a fool. And I told him so. Of course, he only grinned. You know +that inane, irresistible grin of his when he's done something he knows +is----" + +"George Alison?" said Anthony. "George Alison? How on earth----" He +stopped short and started up on an elbow. "What month is it?" + +"April," said Lady Touchstone. "And now lie down again, there's a dear +boy.... And why shouldn't Alison have----" + +"But if it's April---- _Good God!_" he cried hoarsely, raising a +trembling hand. "_D'you mean to say I've lain here in this house for +six months?_" + +The woman's heart leaped into her mouth. + +"And why not?" she said quietly. "I know a case of a man who lay +unconscious for over two years--the result of a fall hunting. And when +he came to----" + +She stopped to peer at the patient. + +Then she rang for the nurse---instantly. + +Anthony had fainted. + + * * * * * + +Thus fell that formidable position upon whose delicate reduction all +the science of physic, the love of women, the wisdom of friends, had +been feverishly concentrated by day and night for nearly three weeks. + +Chance and a woman's instinct had done the trick. As by a miracle the +hopeless had come to pass. The helm had been put hard over, and the +craft had answered as sweetly as any swish-tailed circus nag. Gramarye +and all her works, if not forgotten, had in the twinkling of an eye +become the fabric of a dream--mere relics of a fantastic age for a sane +mind to marvel at. + +For two or three days after the momentous interview Anthony said very +little. When he had again seen Lady Touchstone, and the two--blind +leading the blind--had satisfactorily fixed the very date of his +collapse, George Alison was sent for. Carefully schooled, the latter +spent a fruitful five minutes by the sick man's side. Upon the third +day came Valerie.... + +The girl was exalted. Gratitude had set the crown upon the glory of +her array. No one had ever seen her look so beautiful. Out of the +furnace the fine gold had come refined, dazzling. + +My gross pen cannot picture her. + +The dark lustre of her hair, the exquisite curve of her lips, her pride +of carriage, were things for sonnets. Her small firm hands, the white +column of her neck, the colour springing in her cheeks, made three +sweet wonders. The style of her was superb. Tall, straight, +clean-limbed, her figure remembered graces of a younger age. The +simple flowered-silk dress looked as though all who put it on must go +in elegance. Silk and satin covered her precious feet. A nosegay of +violets, brooched to her gown, echoed the hue, but not the magic of her +eyes. Had the poor flowers been blowing still upon their mother bank, +all wet with dew, and had a star stooped to prove how sweet they +smelled, then, sirs, they should have rendered more faithfully my +lady's eyes. + +Anthony had wondered when she would come.... + +A breath of perfume, a swift whisper, the rustle of silk--and there was +Valerie by his side. + +"Oh, Valerie!" + +Miss French fell upon her knees. + +Very gently Lyveden put her hand to his lips. Then he turned away his +head and began to cry. + +With a bursting heart, Valerie almost gathered him in her arms. + +"D'you love me, Anthony?" + +By way of answer he just clung to her. At length-- + +"I'm--I'm sorry, my sweet.... It's--I think it's just because ... I +love you so much." With an effort he mastered his lips. "And I'm so +very sorry, dear, I kissed you like that--the day I went down. I +dreamed about it. I dreamed you came to me, and I apologized." With +her heart in her mouth, Valerie smoothed his brow. "And you were--so +very sweet. You said"--he hesitated--"you spoke so very handsomely." + +"I'm so glad, darling." + +"And, oh, Valerie,"--he was himself again now--"I've had such a +wonderful dream. I've been waiting for you, my darling, before I spoke +of it." + +"What did you dream, lad?" + +"I dreamed that I'd left the Bumbles--I had given notice, you know--and +gone, in answer to an advertisement, to a place in the Cotswolds. It's +all so real, so vivid, that it's almost impossible to appreciate that +it's all a dream. I can remember every detail of the journey--I had +Patch with me--down to the faces of my fellow-passengers. A woman with +a baby got out at Oxford and left a parcel behind. And I ran after her +with it. I can see her scared face now, poor soul, when I touched her +on the shoulder...." + +The story of the last four months came pelting. Anthony fairly opened +his heart. At first, listening to the bare truth told with the +confident naďveté of disbelief, Valerie felt as though she were +cheating the blind. After a little, this sense of shabbiness was +suddenly supplanted by a perfect torment of apprehension lest Anthony +should detect her hypocrisy. Presently, before her breathless interest +in the narrative, the girl's uneasiness slipped unremarked away, and, +when the door opened and the gentle nurse appeared to part them, she +was following the ingenuous recital with unaffected eagerness. + +Valerie nodded her acquiescence in the unspoken order, and the nurse +withdrew. As the former rose to her feet-- + +"Ah, must you go, my lady?" + +"Till this evening, dear lad." + +Anthony sighed fretfully. + +"And I've wasted all our precious time with my old dream. I've hardly +spoken of you, and there's so much I want to know." + +"We've plenty of time, darling. Think of it. Once we never knew +when--if, even, we should ever see one another again. Now ... Oh, +Anthony, we're very rich." + +"I am," said Anthony, smiling. "And when you say you are--why, then I +feel like a king." + +Valerie flung up her head. An instant, and she was singing.... + + "_If I were a queen, + What would I do? + I'd make you a king + And I'd wait upon you-- + If I were a queen._" + + +Never melody knew such tenderness. Poor Anthony could not trust +himself to speak.... + +Valerie stooped and laid a soft cheek against his. Then she pressed +his hand to her lips. + +The next moment she was gone. + + * * * * * + +When Sir Willoughby Sperm learned of his patient's progress, he struck +the words "Major Lyveden" out of his diary. The action cost him +exactly one hundred guineas, and the secretary by his side bit her lip. +To keep that Saturday free for his visit to Hampshire, she had refused +nine appointments. But, if he was a bad business man, Sperm was a good +doctor. Anthony was out of the wood. Very well. Considering the +nature of the peril with which the wood had been quick, the less the +fugitive saw of strange doctors, the better for him. To insist upon +the gravity of his late disorder was most undesirable. Besides, if at +this juncture a specialist's visit to Bell Hammer could serve any +useful purpose, Heron was the man to pay it. It was he who had walked +and talked with Lyveden when the latter's brain had been sick. So he +alone of the doctors could compare Philip drunk with Philip sober. +Happily no such comparison was necessary. Had it been vital, it could +not have been made. For the patient to renew the acquaintance of the +artist he had met at Gramarye--and that in the person of a +distinguished brain specialist--would hardly have conduced to his +health of mind. Indeed, from the moment that Anthony had reached Bell +Hammer in safety, so far as the inmates of that house were concerned, +the very name of Dr. Heron was, by his own advice, religiously +forgotten as though the man had never been. It was natural, however, +that one who had done so much to arrest the disorder should care to +hear how Anthony was faring. By a mutual arrangement the cherubic Dr. +Gilpin wrote to the former faithfully three times a week. + +Similar, though less frequent, reports were regularly rendered to Mr. +Justice Molehill. + +One of these latter I will set out, for it was a wise man that wrote +it, and the matter is to the point. I would, sirs, that I could show +you the handwriting, so fine and easy to read. + + + _Bell Hammer, + nr. Brooch, + Hants. + April 11th, 1921._ + +_DEAR SIR GILES,_ + +_Major Lyveden continues mercifully to make good progress._ + +_I saw him myself yesterday for the first time, and must make haste to +confess that I am overjoyed. When I say this, you will understand that +he is not only the stranger whom we are helping to the acquisition of a +great fortune, but the man whom my niece is delighting to honour. +Lyveden is a man of great personal charm and fine character, and I am +sure that he will administer his heritage wisely and faithfully, and +that he will make Valerie a proud and happy woman. I am glad to say, +too, that your memory of his appearance is as true as your judgment. +In short, he is a splendid specimen of manhood._ + +_There is, of course, no doubt at all that he is our man, i.e. the only +nephew of the late Jonathan Roach. Boldly advancing out of my +province, I begged leave to ask him a question or two, to which the +most exacting of opponents could not in decency have objected. His +replies made me ashamed of the doubts which I never--even +officially--harboured._ + +_Of the nature of his brain trouble and of his escape I have already +told you. Enough that that wondrous bridge which an Omnipotent +Providence threw across the river, while we stood gaping upon the other +bank, stands fixed as any rock. As often as he will revisit Gramarye, +the patient treads it with a firm, confident step. I do not +matter--besides, I must soon return to Rome--but, by my advice, Valerie +and those who are and are to be about him are schooling themselves to +use this same strange bridge. Future safety, I contend, lies in making +it a thoroughfare. So only approached, Gramarye will indeed become +'such stuff as dreams are made on,' and the four months he spent there +be 'rounded with a sleep,' for ever._ + +_I have told Major Lyveden the story of the lost will, and of your +close interest, to which alone he owes his fortune. His great desire +is to thank you personally. My own remissness he forgave in +undeservedly generous terms._ + +_I expect to leave for Italy early next week, and while I shall write +again before that, I shall hope, if you are then in London, to visit +you on my way._ + + _Believe me, + Yours very truly, + JOHN FOREST._ + + +The prelate was not the man to exaggerate. Anthony's recovery went on +amain. His state of independence had, as we know, been broached by +Lady Touchstone: it was becoming that the true extent of his fortune +should be disclosed by Monseigneur Forest himself. + +The sick man received the news with some emotion. + +He felt as though suddenly a wand had been set in his hand--a wand +beneath whose careless touch the shifting flux of wishes must set and +crystallize. For more than eighteen months he had "thought in +pennies." Henceforth it would be unnecessary to think at all. The +spectre of Ways and Means was laid for ever. Often, when his purse had +been lightest--when he had been forced to eat sparingly of the cheapest +food--he had been used to remember an old fragment of Virgil that he +had learned as a boy. _Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit_. Times +without number he had been glad of the tag. And now it had served its +turn.... Looking back upon his penury, he could not wish that he had +been spared those lean, ill-favoured days. And when, because of these, +Monseigneur Forest reviled himself, Lyveden refused to listen, +declaring that the experience had been invaluable, and must surely +stand the camel in good stead when the time came for him to negotiate +the needle's eye. For a prelate to withstand such a contention was +more than difficult.... Yet if the patient spoke to the point, it was +by accident. His thoughts were elsewhere. Childishly excited, he was +wanting to use his wand. Ridiculously enough, his romping brain could +not furnish a wish to be converted.... Suddenly an idea came to him. +His dog, his little faithful dog, had gone in need of a collar for over +nine months.... + +Patch! + +Mercifully the terrier was dumb. Otherwise the prelate's "Bridge of +Providence" must have returned unto the air whence it came. As it was, +the dog was brought to the sick-room twice every day. The tenderness +with which he treated Anthony was wonderful to see. Naturally +boisterous, the efforts with which he mastered the frenzy these +interviews provoked, were manifest. He knew that Lyveden had been +dangerously ill. He knew that he was mending. The twofold +consideration set the flame of his devotion flaring. Yet, when he +visited his master, the jet must be reduced to a pilot.... The marvel +is the dog did not burst. Instead, placed within reach, he would set a +quivering foot upon the bed and lick the caressing hand with a touch +that would not have broken a bubble. Presently, whimpering with +excitement, he would post about the chamber, seeking an object to +present to his lord. Of such, the choice which the room afforded was +straitly limited, and when for the second time he had selected one of +the knobs of a chest of drawers, endeavouring to detach this by dint of +biting it off, the fresh-faced nurse was advised of his intention, and +a log of wood was procured to be kept in a corner. Thereafter twice a +day the billet was brought reverently to the-bedside. + +Poor Patch! It was the best his dull wit could devise. + +Oh, Patch, could you but see how idle and clumsy is your act, you would +hang your small head. Could you perceive the vanity of repetition, +your bright brown eyes would fill with tears. Could you be told whence +comes the gift which you give Anthony, your little tail would be +clapped between your legs.... Yet have I heard tell of a ram caught in +a thicket by his horns; of altar steps worn thin by the observance of +the same offices; of spikenard that might have been sold and given to +the poor.... + +Sirs, this poor scrap of a dog errs in good company. + +The April days slipped by, smiling, or shrill, or tearful, as the mood +took them. + +A letter which Valerie had received from Peter Every, written and +posted at Girdle upon the last day of March, had set her mind at rest +about Anthony's stewardship of Gramarye. Apart from the action of the +Law, that book had been closed as gently and firmly as mortal man could +close it. By the removal of the steward, neither men nor beasts +engaged there had been left one penny the worse. The former, indeed, +were well out of a bad business. Incidentally, they would very soon be +well out of Anthony's way. Never had money been so advantageously +spent. Valerie had written to Every a letter of heartfelt thanks. + +By the courtesy of the Bumbles, their chauffeur came to Bell Hammer two +or three times a week. He did not always see his late colleague, but +Alison was no fool, and points were constantly arising upon which +Valerie was glad of his advice. It was he who went through Anthony's +wardrobe with the utmost care, saying which of the garments he had seen +before and which had been acquired since their owner's departure from +Hawthorne. The latter were carefully destroyed. Lyveden's few +personal effects were subjected to a similar scrutiny and partial +destruction. Nothing was left to chance. If George was uncertain, +Betty and Anne were sent for. If no one could be sure, whatever it +was, the article in question went to the furnace. Never was the +high-road of convalescence more faithfully reconnoitred. + +Less actively, Lady Touchstone and Forest contributed according to +their means. These were substantial. The electric personality of the +one, the gentle charm of the other, were better than physic. The one +stimulated; the other composed. A twinkling hour of Lady Touchstone's +company was like a glass of champagne. A talk with the Monseigneur +rivalled the quality of old Madeira. Wisely administered, the wine +built up the wasted tissues of the mind. The latter's digestion being +sound, Lyveden throve upon the diet. His brain put on weight daily. + +So far as his body was concerned, no one had any anxiety at all. +Anthony's fine constitution and the open-air life which he had led at +Gramarye stood him in splendid stead. So much so, that when, upon St. +George's Day, Patch came trotting with a red rose in his mouth, he +found the bed empty and his master sitting cheerfully upon a sofa +before the fuss and worry of a bright wood fire. It was clear that a +new era had begun. Patch dropped the rose and fairly hurled himself at +a small log lying conveniently in a corner beside an old _prie-Dieu_. + + * * * * * + +A mischievous look came into Valerie's eyes. + +"You haven't heard a word," she said, bubbling, "of what I've been +saying. You know you haven't." + +Anthony laughed guiltily. + +"Yes, I have," he protested. "You were saying you'd half a mind to +give up having hydrangeas and--and--er--not have them at all," he +concluded lamely. + +Valerie uttered a little crow of triumph. + +"Scandalous," she said. "Simply scandalous. It's no good pretending. +I know perfectly well what you were thinking about. You were thinking +of Gramarye. That old dream of yours ..." + +Mark, sirs, how the mighty may fall and how familiarity may breed +contempt. Gramarye had lost her sting. Spoiled of her puissance, she +had sunk to the level of "Boney"--fare for the ears of children, food +for a jest. + +"No, I wasn't," said Anthony, smiling. "At least, not directly. I was +thinking of an argument the Monseigneur put up about my dream." + +"What did he say?" + +"Well, his contention was this. You know, if, for instance, a bell +rings when you're asleep and dreaming, as likely as not the noise is +introduced--not necessarily in the same form--into your dream, isn't +it? Very well. That shows the senses are working. The message +arrives distorted, but it arrives. Well, he said that in his opinion +practically everything that came to pass in my dream was originally +suggested by some outside influence. Water being poured into a basin +suggests a brook. A sewing-machine becomes a train. The hiss of a +burning log escaping steam. So much for the ears. Now for the eyes. +A maid helps the nurse to move a sofa--I see timber being hauled. The +doctor shakes his thermometer, and there's Winchester wielding an +axe.... It's a pretty theory, and the more you study it, the sounder +it seems." He crossed his legs and started to fill a pipe. "All the +same, I must have a fertile imagination. I think I always had. As a +child I was left alone a great deal, and I fancy that helped." + +It was a lazy Sunday morning--the fourth in the month of May. John +Forest had been gone a month, and Lady Touchstone was properly at +church. Greenwich would have told you that it was ten o'clock, and the +gorgeous tapestry of Summer was still wrought with the brilliant +embroidery of a heavy dew. Lawns, flower-borders, and stiff box +charactery sparkled and shone in the hot sunshine. The sky was +cloudless: a haze kept to itself the distant promise of the park: there +was no wind. The sleepy hum of insects, a rare contented melody, +tilted the hat of Silence over that watchman's eyes. The wandering +scent of hawthorns offered the faultless day a precious button-hole. + +Sitting easily among the cushions of a teak-wood chair, Anthony let his +eyes ramble luxuriously over the prospect. In a _chaise longue_ by his +side Valerie was engaged in the desultory composition of a letter to +her uncle in Rome. Stretched blinking upon the warm flags, Patch +watched the two vigilantly for any sign of movement. + +"Did I ever have a red-haired nurse?" said Anthony suddenly. + +Valerie shook her head. + +"No," she said. "You had the same two all the time. Why?" + +"I dreamed of a red-haired girl." Valerie sat very still. "André, her +name was. I met her first in the road... I remember she knew me. +She'd been hunting and looked like a Bacchanal. She turned up again +later on--one night. I was just going to bed." He frowned at the +recollection. "I wonder I didn't chatter about that. I was worried to +blazes...." + +"That--that's the worst of dreams," said Valerie slowly. "You're +impotent." + +With a shock she realized that she had written ANDRÉ in capitals in the +middle of her letter, and, below it again, BACCHANAL. Casually she +scratched out the words till her pen ploughed up the sodden paper. + +"It's a wretched feeling," said Anthony. "I dreamt she--cared for me. +And I--I never got there. She had to tell me right out.... Oh, +Valerie, it was awful." + +Miss French felt as though her heart had stopped beating. She could +have screamed to Anthony to go on. Instead-- + +"Poor old chap," she said gently. + +She had her reward. + +"When she saw there was nothing doing, she went.... And then +Winchester appeared with Patch, as I was putting her into her car. I +remember he called her 'André'--that's how I knew her name.... And +then he cursed me, because she was his _fiancée_, and she fairly tore +him up. Then she chucked down his ring and drove off. There must have +been a car leaving Bell Hammer just then. I can hear her changing the +gears now." He passed a hand over his eyes. "I can't remember any +more, except that Winchester was shouting...." + +For a long moment the two sat very still. Then Valerie scrambled to +her feet and put her head on one side. Her eyes were just dancing. + +"You and your red-haired sirens," she said reproachfully. "And now +come along, and I'll pick you a buttonhole." + +The cloud poor Peter Every had found so menacing had discharged rain of +pure gold. Love had emerged from the shower, refreshed, glistening. +The two could not know that, while they passed down the steps into the +sunlit flower-garden, a girl with auburn hair was pushing a frantic +three-year-old through the Scotch mist of Donegal, and wondering at +every bank whether she would have the good fortune to break her neck. + +Still, though their rain be golden, clouds beget shadows. If Lyveden +responded to Valerie's invitation, he did not rise to her mood. The +throwback to Gramarye had set him thinking.... + +"Valerie," he said slowly, knitting his brows. + +The girl had been upon the point of stopping to pick a rose. His +serious tone, however, made her look up. The bloom was spared. + +"Yes." + +"When I went down--in November--there was something wrong. I mean, we +were at variance." + +With difficulty the girl repressed a shiver. + +For a while she had hourly dreaded an allusion to the grim episode. +Then, when the weeks went by and none was made, she began, at first +feebly, to hope that it was buried. Gradually the hope had swelled +into belief. Lately she had made sure that upon the first day, when +Anthony had wept in her arms, he and she had been treading upon its +grave. And now here it was--like a river full in their path, a +swift-flowing treacherous stream which they must ford together. She +would have given anything for a moment to collect her thoughts, but +Anthony had started across. Already he was up to his knees.... + +To be frank, she was in a tight place. The issues she had to deal with +were clogged. Her treatment of them was to be governed by ruthless +premises. Finally, if she made a false step, her fortunes and those of +Anthony would be again in the melting-pot. + +For an instant her brain zig-zagged. The next moment she had it in +hand. + +"Yes," she said slowly, "we were. I hoped you'd forgotten. You see, +I'm very much ashamed. And, when my eyes were opened, I was just +terrified. I felt as if I'd committed murder." + +As she spoke, her brain fairly flashed through the rules which must +govern this talk. + +Everything hinged upon one mighty postulate--that _Anthony had +collapsed precisely at one-fifteen upon the 16th of November_. He had, +of course, done nothing of the sort. But that did not matter. + +_From that hour, for four months and a half, he had lain in a trance_. +This was the second article, which except Anthony believed, he could +not be saved. + +Anthony's memory, however, was a faithful servant--not to be tampered +with. To reconcile the servant's report with the articles of his +faith, a third tenet became essential. This was that _what Anthony +remembered was the burthen of a dream_. + +There go the governing principles. + +Now for the issues. + +Her sudden--perhaps excusable--jealousy of Anne Alison, her barbarous +dismissal of Anthony, her quite inexcusable failure to give any reason +for such treatment, her subsequent enlightenment by Anne herself--there +is the skeleton whose dry bones he and she are to pick over--a gruesome +business _which has already been dispatched_ ... upon the twentieth day +of February, gentlemen, up in the Cotswold Hills. They both remember +it perfectly. Yet Valerie must forget it, while Anthony must think it +was a dream ... _must_.... + +Neither by word nor look must Valerie suggest that the highly delicate +ground she knows so well has ever been broken before. + +Think, sirs, what a slip on her part will do. + +It will plainly knock the three precious articles aforementioned into a +cocked hat. Thence they will be retrieved to be turned against +her--used to her condemnation by Anthony frantic. As for their love, +the fragments of this that remain will not be worth taking up.... + +Anthony passed a hand across his forehead. + +"Shall I tell you what I dreamed?" + +"Yes," said Valerie. + +"I dreamed that you came to me to make it up. And I was afraid. I +tried to keep off the subject. I'd come such an awful cropper that I +didn't want any more falls. But you would have it out.... And you +said--don't laugh--that you'd turned me down because of Anne Alison." +He stopped still and looked at her. "What was the real reason?" + +Leaning her back against a green box wall, Valerie moistened her lips. +Then-- + +"It's perfectly true," she said quietly. + +Anthony stared. + +"What's true?" + +"Listen. You remember the meet at Saddle Tree Cross?" + +"Yes." + +"When we spoke of my 'window,' and you said the spot meant so much to +you that you couldn't keep away?" + +Anthony nodded. + +"D'you remember I said I was going away the next day?" + +"Perfectly." + +"It fell through, and I didn't go. There wasn't time to tell you, so I +went--to the 'window.'" Anthony started. "That's right. I found you +there with Anne Alison." + +"But, Valerie----" + +"I know, I know. Anne told me, after you'd gone--_down_." The slip +she had so nearly made set the girl sweating--literally. "I was mad, +Anthony, mad," she panted. "I couldn't think straight. I nearly +jumped over the cliff. I think the shock sent me blind. I'd always +grudged her being so much with you. I want you to know the truth. She +was always at the back of my mind. And when I saw you together--there, +at our window----" She buried her face in her hands. "I know it was +vile of me, dear. You see what I'm like. And if, now that you know, +you'd like to go to an hotel..." + +"But, Valerie, why didn't you give me a chance?" + +"I was mad," she wailed, "mad. I loved you so wildly, Anthony, that I +was stunned. And, in spite of it all, I loved you just as much. And +that made me so furious, I could have torn my hair. I wanted to hurt +you cruelly, and when I did, I bruised my own heart." + +"But why----" + +"I was too proud. You'd dared to touch my pride"--she laughed +hysterically--"my precious, sacred pride--my Ark of the Covenant. +D'you remember how Uzzah died because he touched the Ark? Well, you +had to die.... And now"--she spread out her arms pathetically--"it's +the pride that's dead, Anthony. Dead ... dried up ... shrivelled.... +And I know what I'm worth." + +She stopped. + +Out of the neighbouring silence floated the comfortable note of a +wood-pigeon. Clear of the shadow of the green box wall two butterflies +flitted and whirled in the hot sunshine, while a fat bumble-bee hummed +with excitement before the promise of a tall blue flag. + +With his face in his hands, Anthony never moved. + +"And that's all I've got to say. When I found I was wrong--well, I +didn't know there was such agony in this world.... I deserved it, I +know. Don't think I'm complaining. I deserve anything. But ... if +tears count, then I've paid--some of the score...." + +The man's hands were quivering. + +Looking upon him, Valerie could see that he was gazing between his +fingers. + +"I'm afraid to speak," he said uncertainly. His voice was trembling +with excitement. "I'm afraid to go on. Don't think I haven't forgiven +you. I have, Valerie. I did--oh, ages ago. But ... we're skating on +terribly thin ice--terribly thin. We must go frightfully carefully, +Valerie. You've no idea how carefully." The girl stared at him. This +was uncanny--as if he could read her thoughts. He went on +breathlessly. "My dream, dear. This is what happened in my dream.... +You reproached yourself in just the same handsome way. You used the +same phrases." Valerie started. "And then--after all--_something went +wrong_.... What it was, I don't know. I can't remember. And that's +the trouble. I can't remember what happened. But it's been the same +so far, and then--something went wrong...." + +Valerie stood paralyzed. If Anthony was afraid to continue, she was +terrified. + +With an ungracious buzz the fat bee emerged clumsily from the tall blue +flag and sailed noisily out of earshot. The sudden snap of jaws +suggested that Patch, who was waiting patiently for the walk to +proceed, forgave the flies no trespasses. + +"You can't understand, dear. But you must take my word for it. I've +trodden this way before. And presently--very soon now--there's a +snare--a hole in the road. And if we go in, Valerie, it's--it's all +up. I know it. It happened in my dream.... And I'm afraid to go on." + +The tremulous misery of his tone wrung the girl's heart. + +Instinctively she stretched out a hand. + +Anthony recoiled with a cry. + +"Don't! Don't touch me! I remember. You took my arm." Head back, he +clawed at his temples. "That's right. And we started to walk. We had +been standing. We started to walk back towards the cottage. And I +felt absurdly happy--all of a sudden.... That was just before the end. +And then---- Oh, if I could _only_ remember...." + +The agony of desire in his tone seared Valerie's brain into action. +With a shock she realized that there she was standing like a dolt, +_quietly watching Lyveden cudgelling his brains for the password back +to Insanity_. Any second he might stumble upon it. For once, +mercifully, his memory was sluggish--would not respond. And there he +was flogging it, to extract that hideous fatal delusion that he was +pledged to Gramarye.... + +Frantically she sought for a distraction. Her brain, however, was +away, with the bit in its teeth. She could do nothing with it. The +only thing she could think of was that dreadful pass, which Anthony was +straining every nerve to recall. This rose up vivid. His reference to +the kiss he had given her--her soft reply--the way he had taken her in +his arms--then that mischievous breeze that had come whispering out of +the silence, remindful, suggestive--the start he had given at its +touch--the hoarse cry--the terrible light in his eyes.... + +Anthony gave a great shout. + +"_I_ know," he panted jubilantly. "_I_ know.... It's coming back, +darling, it's coming back--bit by bit. Then I spoke of that kiss. I +said how sorry I was and asked your forgiveness. And you said----" He +stopped suddenly and clapped a hand over his mouth. After a moment, +"'Sh," he said shakily. "I mustn't repeat your words. That'd be +moving. And we mustn't move, Valerie. We're just at the edge of the +pit. We mustn't move an inch till I can see where it is. Don't be +frightened, dear. It's all right. All our happiness depends upon my +remembering, and--it's coming back...." + +His voice faded, and in an instant he was deep in thought. + +Eyes narrowed, his under-lip caught between his teeth, he stared +fixedly ahead, making a supreme effort--plainly. + +Valerie stood spellbound. + +A pompous hum argued that the fat bee had decided to revisit the +vicinity. + +Far in the distance there was a movement--leaves shaken with the wind. +A breeze was passing. The timber of the park murmured the news +faintly.... With a sigh the tall elms of the avenue confirmed the +park's report. A breeze was passing ... coming ... _a little +mischievous breeze_.... + +For one long moment Valerie's heart stood still. + +Then she threw back her head and began to sing. + + "_Where the bee sucks, there suck I; + In a cowslip's bell I lie...._" + + +Anthony stared at her open-mouthed. Her throat felt as though it had +steel bands about it. She just smiled and sang on. + + "_There I couch when owls do cry, + When owls do cry, + When owls do cry...._" + + +The leaves of the lime-trees beyond the green box wall were +trembling--she could see them--beginning to bob up and down. The +boughs themselves were beginning to sway elastically. Valerie sang +like a book. + + "_On a bat's back do I fly, + After sunset, merrily, merrily, + After sunset merrily...._" + + +The lime-trees had stopped trembling. The breeze had passed.... An +exultant note swept into the melody. + + "_Merrily, merrily, shall I live now, + Under the blossom that hangs on the bough-- + Merrily, merrily, shall I live now, + Under the blossom that hangs on the bough-- + Under the blossom that hangs on the bough._" + + +With a fine, happy smile, Lyveden heard the song out. + +Then he stepped to my lady and caught her two hands. + +"Exquisite," he said, glowing. "Exquisite, Valerie. I never knew you +had such a lovely voice." + +As he spoke, the girl's knees sagged, and he was just in time to catch +her before she fell.... + +Her collapse was momentary. She was not, I suppose, unconscious for +more than five seconds. It was, indeed, at her bidding that Anthony +set her down upon a low stone seat. + +It was natural that he should be greatly concerned. + +"Oh, my sweet, it was my fault. I frightened you. I know I did. Lean +your head back. That's right. I was all worked up about that rotten +dream. I'll never mention it again. I'm so very sorry, dear. I +wouldn't have upset you for anything. And you sang so beautifully.... +Why did you sing, Valerie?" + +"I--I don't know. I heard a bee humming, and that made me think of the +song. It was very silly." + +"It was very sweet, lass. And I just loved it. And, oh, my lady, +please never think of our misunderstanding again. I felt I wanted just +to know, but that was all. D'you feel better now?" Valerie nodded. +"Are you sure?" + +"Quite." + +"Shall I get you some water?" + +"No, thanks, lad. I'm all right now." + +Kneeling on one knee beside her, Anthony patted her hand. + +"I'm so thankful.... I can't get over your singing like that ... I +felt--carried away. I shall remember it always." He sighed happily. +"I've got so many happy memories to take away." + +Valerie sat up straight. + +"To take away?" she breathed. + +"My dear, I've been here nearly six months already. It's only with an +effort that I can remember that I'm your guest. I don't want to go. +Drifting along like this is simply perfect, but ... there's such a lot +to be done ... heaps." + +"There's plenty of time." + +"I know, but--well, look at my clothes, for one thing. I'm not fit to +be seen." + +The girl breathed again. Then-- + +"Oh, yes, you are, old chap. Fitter than you think. Besides, you +don't have to stay in London because you're going to a tailor." + +"I know," said Anthony slowly. "I know. But it isn't only that. You +see, my lady, when I came here to your house, it was as a footman.... +And I think I'd better leave it as--well, no more than a friend. +That's a big enough step, in all conscience. After a little--a very +little--I shall come, again, Valerie...." + +His fingers closed about hers. + +"You never came here as a footman," said the girl. "You came as my +beloved. You went out of the garden of _The Leather Bottel_ that very +first day--my lord. What does it matter what else you were--are--will +be? Oh, Anthony, you dear, honourable child...." + +With his disengaged hand Lyveden covered his eyes. + +"I meant to be so strong," he said humbly. "God forgive me, I'm very +weak. You see--I love you so." His head bowed, he took hold of her +other hand. "My lady, my beautiful lady, will you marry this lover of +yours--this irresolute child?" + +"Yes," said Valerie, "I will." + +Anthony fell upon both knees. + +"I worship you," he said simply. "Ever since that first day at the +inn, you've had my heart in your hands. Sleeping, waking, your voice +has rung in my ears; and my eyes have seen you in the background--a +tall dark girl, with the air of a queen ... always ... always.... +You've lighted pantries, you've honoured servants' halls, you've turned +a third-class carriage into a bower.... And, when I came to know you, +the face of the earth was changed. I didn't know there was such a +being in all the world. I don't think you ever were born: I think you +stepped out of a fairy tale some midsummer eve." He stopped to lay his +head reverently upon the blue silk knees. "And you--are--to be--my +wife.... In a few short weeks' time you're going to take my +name--stand all in white by my side--put off your glorious girlhood for +the last time, and go away--to live with me--for ever...." The cool +firm fingers laid hold of his. "Wherever I am, your footfalls will be +about me, your perfume will be in the air, your smile will gladden my +eyes.... Oh, Valerie, my love, my darling, my queen--you've made me a +king...." + +Slowly Valerie led the strong rough palms up to her throat. + +"If I've made you a king, lad," she breathed, "you mustn't kneel to me." + +Getting upon his feet, Anthony pressed his lips to the slight fingers. + +Valerie rose also. + +"If I've made you a king, lad, you mustn't kiss my hand." + +Anthony took her in his arms and looked into her eyes. + +"I was wrong," he said, smiling. "You didn't step out of your fairy +tale. You never left it. You've just invited me in." + +Valerie put up her mouth. + + * * * * * + +Nineteen days had slipped by--careless, halcyon days, the matchless +morning of a golden festival. + +Jack and Jill were beyond imagination happy. + +Lyveden had been prevailed upon to stay in Hampshire, and when he must +visit London, to return the same night. I am not certain that these +days were not the best of all. Valerie saw him off in the morning: the +two had all day to think upon their state; his home-coming at even +delivered a perfect reverie. + +The last of these flying visits must be recorded, for it was unlike its +fellows, and, though I cannot answer for Lyveden, Valerie will remember +it always. + +There is no doubt at all that Anthony was growing quite accustomed to +the liberal atmosphere of Lincoln's Inn Fields. As he bent his steps +westward, he found the huge square admirable. For comfortable dignity, +no other square he could remember compared with it. This, he decided, +was because its sides were not too high for its area. London, as a +whole, had grown up. Had she grown outward instead, perhaps... He +remembered suddenly that she had grown outward as well--out of all +conscience, since Pepys had taken pleasure in Lincoln's Inn Fields. +With a contented sigh Lyveden reflected that by nine-thirty that +evening he would be back at Bell Hammer. The sweet smell of the +country, the song of the wind in tree-tops--above all, the abundance of +cool soft air, seemed to have become essential to his life. For the +present, at any rate, he had no use for Town. It choked him. He was +glad, however, that his solicitor's office was in Lincoln's Inn +Fields.... + +Some clock announced the hour--a quarter to four. The ex-officer +quickened his pace. Savile Row had to be visited, and Pall Mall. Most +important of all, a coupe had to be proved.... Anthony's heart beat +faster. The car was for Valerie. + +As he left Kingsway behind, the gross belch of an 'Alarum' demanded +passage. Anthony fell to wondering whether his sweet would not prefer +some other usher. An 'Alarum' got there, of course; but it was +Rabelaisian. Perhaps ... + +The sound of a collision between two pedestrians disturbed his musing. + +It was nothing. Chin on shoulder, an errand-boy had collided with a +man in a silk hat. Anthony was so close to the latter he could have +touched him. + +The boy muttered an apology, and the man laughed. + +"My fault as much as yours," he said lazily, and passed on. + +It was Dr. Heron. + +Anthony reeled against the wall. + +Observing his movement, two typists squeaked with pretended alarm, and +then, giving him a wide berth, lurched on, convulsed with mirth and +clutching one another. + +To the poor woman who approached him and asked if he were ill, Anthony +at first said nothing at all. Then he replied dazedly that he was "all +right," and moved uncertainly away. + +Arrived at the corner of Drury Lane, he hesitated, looking round +helplessly, as if he were not sure of his way. Immediately opposite, a +large efficient-looking ironmonger's shop presented a plain, well-kept, +_familiar_ face.... + +Anthony stared at it with a dropped jaw. + +The errand-boy, who had found his demeanour promising, and had been +loitering in the hope of developments, took up a good position in the +gutter and fairly drank Lyveden in. Almost at once another of his +species joined him. + +After a prolonged stare-- + +"Wot's 'e doin' of?" said the new-comer. "Sayin' 'is prares?" + +The other sniggered. + +The noise aroused Anthony. With an effort he straightened himself.... +Then he walked unsteadily across the street and into the shop. + +The manager came forward. + +"Have those mattocks come in?" + +For a second the man peered at him. Then-- + +"Oh, Major Lyveden, isn't it? Yes, sir. Six 'Lightnin'' mattocks, it +was. I sent you a card, sir, three weeks ago. I've got the six on one +side for you, sir." + +"I'll take them now." + +"Certainly, sir." He turned to an assistant and gave directions. +Then: "Excuse me, sir. Jim!" + +A boy came at a run. + +"Fetch me that envelope off of the top o' my blottin'-pad. It's pinned +there." He turned to Lyveden. "When you was 'ere last time, sir, you +dropped your ticket. I kept it by, in case you come in again, thinkin' +you might be glad of it. It ain't six months yet, sir, since you was +'ere, so it's still good." + +A moment later Lyveden was looking fixedly at the return half of a +third-class ticket which had been issued at Chipping Norton. + +"Thanks," he said slowly, slipping it into his pocket. "I'm much +obliged." + +He paid for the goods and waited whilst a taxi was fetched. + +Then he followed the mattocks into the cab, and told the surly driver +to go to Paddington.... + +Five hours later he staggered, rather than walked, along the wasted +track and up to the cottage door. + +There had been no man to meet him, and the mattocks had made their +weight felt after the first two miles. He laid them down thankfully. + +For a moment he looked about him. + +Behind him--over towards Girdle--the sun had just gone down. And +Gramarye ... Gramarye had never looked one half so beautiful.... All +her hard lines were gone. Every sacred twig of her had put on a +wedding garment. The wild mystery of the place had been exquisitely +veiled. The majesty of desolation was in full dress. Far as the eye +could reach, the toss of the glorious woods had become unspeakably +enriched... maddening.... + +His eyes glittering, Lyveden hugged himself in a paroxysm of glee. The +man was just gloating.... + +Then he strode to the wood-shed. + +"Well, Patch," he said cheerily. "Has Patch been a good little----" + +The sentence snapped off short. + +For a moment Anthony stared at the empty staple. + +Then he turned on his heel. + +"Patch!" he cried sharply. "Patch!" + +After listening intently for a moment, he stepped hastily on to the +wasted track and began to whistle.... + +Presently, trembling with anxiety, he started to stumble along the +trail, whistling frantically.... + + * * * * * + +Seated in the hall at Bell Hammer, Valerie looked at the clock. As she +did so, the faint crunch of wheels upon gravel told that the car was +leaving to meet the down train. An instant later the clock struck +nine. Miss French threaded her needle thoughtfully.... + +Curled by her side upon the sofa, a little white dog with a black patch +breathed stertorously. + +A door opened, and a servant appeared with a letter. This had been +expressed. Valerie laid down her work, and, after a glance at the +envelope, opened it curiously. + + +_DEAREST VALERIE,_ + +_Do you know anything of Peter? We only got back from America two days +ago, and when we rang up his club--he was living there while we were +away--they said they hadn't seen him since March. Of course we're +frightfully worried. He had the car with him, and we're trying to +trace that. Oh, Valerie, father's just come in and said that the car's +been found at Carlisle. In a garage there, and that two men left it to +be seen to a month ago, but the police think he bought it from them and +is afraid. Please wire if you----_ + + +With a crash the small table by her side upset its complement of +violets on to the parquet, there was a wild scrabble of paws, and Patch +was at the front door, snuffing the sill and whining tremulously.... + +Valerie got upon her feet. + +"What is it, Patch?" she said. "He isn't here yet." + +For a second the terrier listened. + +The next moment he was almost beating himself against the woodwork. + +Letter in hand, Valerie crossed the hall and opened the door. + +The dog rushed out into the drive. + +For a moment he stood there, plainly straining his ears. + +An instant later he was flying down the avenue.... + + * * * * * + +The glow of the sunset faded. Evening gave way to dusk. Night stole +into her throne-room.... One by one, men, spent with their labour, +went to their rest. Pillowed upon the bosom of the country-side, +villages fell asleep. And through them, while they slept, a little +white dog went pelting breathlessly under the cold moonlight--now +running, now dropping to a fast walk, now hesitating, now plunging on +desperately, sometimes to the east, sometimes to the west, but in the +main northward ... due north, sirs ... in the direction of the +Cotswold Hills. + + + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Anthony Lyveden, by Dornford Yates + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANTHONY LYVEDEN *** + +***** This file should be named 27684-8.txt or 27684-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/6/8/27684/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Anthony Lyveden + +Author: Dornford Yates + +Release Date: January 5, 2009 [EBook #27684] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANTHONY LYVEDEN *** + + + + +Produced by Al Haines + + + + + + + + + + +ANTHONY LYVEDEN + + +BY + +DORNFORD YATES + + + + +WARD, LOCK & CO., LIMITED + +LONDON AND MELBOURNE + + + + +Library Editions of "Anthony Lyveden" + + + First Published . . 1921 + Reprinted . . . . 1922 + Reprinted . . . . 1923 + Reprinted . . . . 1925 + Reprinted . . . . 1928 + Reprinted . . . . 1929 + Reprinted . . . . 1932 + Reprinted . . . . 1935 + Reprinted . . . . 1939 + Reprinted . . . . 1942 + Reprinted . . . . 1943 + Reprinted . . . . 1944 + Reprinted . . . . 1945 + + +MADE IN ENGLAND + +Printed in Great Britain by Butler & Tanner Ltd., Frome and London + + + + +TO + +ELM TREE ROAD + + whose high walls, if they could talk, + would tell so many pretty tales. + + + + +CONTENTS + + +CHAP. + + I THE WAY OF A MAN + II THE WAY OF A MAID + III THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE + IV THE GOLDEN BOWL + V AN HIGH LOOK AND A PROUD HEART + VI THE COMFORT OF APPLES + VII NEHUSHTAN + VIII THE POWER OF THE DOG + IX VANITY OF VANITIES + + + + +CHAPTER I + +THE WAY OF A MAN + +Major Anthony Lyveden, D.S.O., was waiting. + +For the second time in three minutes he glanced anxiously at his wrist +and then thrust his hand impatiently into a pocket. When you have worn +a wristwatch constantly for nearly six years, Time alone can accustom +you to its absence. And at the present moment Major Lyveden's watch +was being fitted with a new strap. The pawnbroker to whom he had sold +it that morning for twenty-two shillings was no fool. + +The ex-officer walked slowly on, glancing into the windows of shops. +He wanted to know the time badly. Amid the shifting press of +foot-passengers a little white dog stuck to his heels resolutely. The +sudden sight of a clock-maker's on the opposite side of the +thoroughfare proved magnetic. Pausing on the kerb to pick up the +Sealyham, Lyveden crossed the street without more ado.... + +Twenty-one minutes past three. + +Slowly he put down the terrier and turned eastward. It was clear that +he was expecting something or somebody. + +It was a hot June day, and out of the welter of din and rumble the cool +plash of falling water came to his straining ears refreshingly. At +once he considered the dog and, thankful for the distraction, stepped +beneath the portico of a provision store and indicated the marble basin +with a gesture of invitation. + +"Have a drink, old chap," he said kindly. "Look. Nice cool water for +Patch." And, with that, he stooped and dabbled his fingers in the pool. + +Thus encouraged the little white dog advanced and lapped gratefully.... + +"Derby Result! Derby Result!" + +The hoarse cry rang out above the metallic roar of the traffic. + +Lyveden caught his breath sharply and then stepped out of the shelter +of the portico on to the crowded pavement. He was able to buy a paper +almost immediately. + +Eagerly he turned it about, to read the blurred words.... + +For a moment he stood staring, oblivious of all the world. Then he +folded the sheet carefully, whistled to Patch, and strode off westward +with the step of a man who has a certain objective. At any rate, the +suspense was over. + +A later edition of an evening paper showed Major Anthony Lyveden that +the horse which was carrying all that he had in the world had lost his +race by a head. + + * * * * * + +By rights Anthony should have been born about the seventh of March. A +hunting accident to his father, however, ushered him into the middle of +the coldest January ever remembered, and that with such scant ceremony +that his lady mother only survived her husband by six and a half hours. +When debts, funeral and testamentary expenses had been deducted from +his father's bank balance, the sum of twenty-three pounds nine +shillings was all that was left, and this, with the threat of royalties +from one or two books, represented the baby's fortune. Jonathan Roach, +bachelor, had risen to the occasion and taken his sister's child. + +Beyond remembering that he did handsomely by his nephew, bred him as +became his family, sent him to Harrow and Oxford, and procured him a +commission in the Royal Regiment of Artillery before most of the boy's +compeers had posted their applications to the War Office, with the +living Jonathan Roach we are no further concerned. + +The old gentleman's will shall speak for itself and the man who made it. + + +_THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me, Jonathan Roach, of 75 +Princes Gardens, in the County of London, Esquire. I give, devise, and +bequeath all my real and personal estate of every description unto my +nephew Anthony Lyveden absolutely, provided that and so soon as my said +nephew shall receive the honour of Knighthood or some higher +dignity...._ + + +Anthony received the news while the guns, which he was temporarily +commanding, were hammering at the gates of Gaza. He read the letter +carefully twice. Then he stuffed it into a cross-pocket and +straightway burst into song. That the air he selected was a music-hall +ditty was typical of the man. + +Curiously enough, it was the same number that he was whistling under +his breath as he strode into Hyde Park this June afternoon. + +Patch, who had never been out of London, thought the world of the +Parks. After the barren pavements, for him the great greenswards made +up a Land of Promise more than fulfilled. The magic carpet of the +grass, stuffed with a million scents, was his Elysium. A bookworm made +free of the Bodleian could not have been more exultant. The many +trees, too, were more accessible, and there were other dogs to frolic +with, and traffic, apparently, was not allowed. + +When he had walked well into the Park, Lyveden made for a solitary +chair and sat himself down in the sun. For a while he remained wrapped +in meditation, abstractedly watching the terrier stray to and fro, +nosing the adjacent turf with the assiduity of a fond connoisseur. + +For nine long months the ex-officer had sought employment, indoor or +outdoor, congenial or uncongenial. The quest was vain. Once he had +broached the matter haltingly to an influential acquaintance. The +latter's reception of his distress had been so startlingly obnoxious +that he would have died rather than repeat the venture. Then Smith of +Dale's, Old Bond Street--Smith, who had cut his hair since he was a +boy, and was his fast friend--had told him of Blue Moon. + +There is more racing chatter to be heard at the great hairdressers' +than almost anywhere else outside a race-course. Some of it is worth +hearing, most of it is valueless. The difficulty, as elsewhere, is to +sift the wheat from the chaff. + +According to Smith, Blue Moon was being kept extremely quiet. +Certainly the horse was little mentioned. Lyveden had never heard his +name. And thirty-three to one was a long price.... + +Lyveden pricked up his ears, and Smith became frightened. He was +genuinely attached to his young customer, and knew that he was in low +water. He begged him not to be rash.... + +After some careful calculations, which he made upon a sheet of club +note-paper, Lyveden came to the conclusion that thirty-three birds in +the bush were better than one in the hand. Reckoning a bird at one +hundred pounds and Lyveden's available assets at the same number of +guineas, who is to say he was wrong? + +At twenty minutes to five on the eve of the Derby, Lyveden handed a +protesting Smith one hundred and one pounds, to be invested on Blue +Moon--"to win only." The odd note was to bring Smith his reward. + +A big bookmaker whom Smith was shaving as usual, at a quarter-past six, +accepted the commission, pocketed the notes with a sigh, and gave the +master-barber forty to one. + +Four thousand pounds--in the bush. + +That his thirty-three nebulous birds had become forty before they took +flight, Anthony never knew. A man whose sole assets are a Sealyham, a +very few clothes, and twenty-two shillings and sixpence, does not, as a +rule, go to Dale's. + +"Young fellow, come here." + +Patch came gaily, and Lyveden set him upon his knee. + +"Listen," he said. "Once upon a time there was a fool, who came back +from the War. It was extremely foolish, but then, you see, Patch, he +was a fool. Well, after a while he began to feel very lonely. He'd no +relations, and what friends he'd had in the old days had disappeared. +So he got him a dog--this fool, a little white scrap of a dog with a +black patch." The terrier recognized his name and made a dab at the +firm chin. "Steady! Well, yes--you're right. It was a great move. +For the little white dog was really a fairy prince in disguise--such a +pretty disguise--and straightway led the fool into Paradise. Indeed, +they were so happy together, the fool and the dog, that, though no work +came along, nothing mattered. You see, it was a fool's paradise. That +was natural. The result was that one day the fool lifted up his eyes, +and there was a great big finger-post, pointing the way they were +going. And it said WAY OUT. The dog couldn't read, so it didn't worry +him; but the fool could, and fear smote upon his heart. In fact, he +got desperate, poor fool. Of course, if he'd had any sense, he'd 've +walked slower than ever or even tried to turn round. Instead of that, +he ran. Think of it, Patch. _Ran_." The emotion of his speech was +infectious, and the terrier began to pant. "Was there ever quite such +a fool? And before they knew where they were, the two were without the +gates. And there"--the voice became strained, and Lyveden +hesitated--"there were ... two paths ... going different ways. And by +each path was a notice-board. And one said NO DOGS ALLOWED. And the +other said NO FOOLS ALLOWED. And there were only the two paths. Patch +... going different ways...." + +The approach of a peripatetic tax-collector brought the allegory to an +end. + +Anthony paid for his occupation of the chair in silence, and the +collector plodded off at a tangent in the direction of his next quarry. +This appearing to be an old lady, he presently altered his course. +With a caution bred of experience, he would approach her from behind. + +A convenient clock struck four, and Lyveden rose to his feet.... + +Two hours later he descended the area steps of a mansion in Lancaster +Gate. + +The change in his appearance was quite remarkable. The grey suit, soft +hat, golf collar and brown shoes, which he had worn in the afternoon, +had been put off. In their stead Lyveden was wearing a bowler hat, +black boots, a single collar, which stood up uncomfortably all the way +round his neck, and a dark blue suit. The latter was clean and had +been carefully brushed, but it was manifestly old. Besides, it was +obvious that the man who made them had meant the trousers to be worn +turned up. Their owner's present disregard of such intention argued +his humble respectability. + +Arrived at the foot of the steps, Anthony thrust a relieving finger +between his throat and the collar for the last time, raised his eyes to +heaven, and rang the bell. + +After a moment or two the door was opened by a fair-haired girl in a +print dress. Her sleeves were rolled up, and her hands and arms +dripping. + +"Afternoon, miss," said Lyveden. He was determined to do the thing +properly. "Your lady still wanting a footman?" + +The girl stared at him. Then-- + +"I dunno," she said. "Better come in, an' I'll see." + +Anthony thanked her and entered. She shut the door and flung down the +passage and out of sight. A second later a momentary burst of chatter +suggested that she had opened the door of the servants' hall. + +For a minute or two nothing happened, and Lyveden stood in the passage +with his hat in his hand, wondering whether his engagement was to rest +with the butler. Then a door opened and closed, and a girl dressed as +a parlour-maid appeared upon the scene. She was walking slowly, and +seemed to be endeavouring to extricate something from the depths of her +mouth. + +"Come in answer to the ad.?" she queried. + +"That's right," said Lyveden. + +"Oh." She leaned against the wall and regarded a wet forefinger. "Got +a bone in me gum," she added abstractedly. + +Anthony wondered whether he was expected to offer assistance, but, +deciding to risk a breach of etiquette, assumed a look of anxiety +instead. + +"How rotten!" he murmured. + +The girl looked at him curiously. Then-- + +"'Addock, too," she said. "An' that's easy, reelly, as fish goes. But +there, I ain't got much use for any fish, 'cept salmon. Shall I say +you're 'ere?" + +"Yes, please, miss. I've no appointment." + +"You're the firs', any way," was the comforting reply. + +She left him standing. + +The inspection to which during her absence Lyveden was subjected was +only less trying than the open secrecy with which it was conducted. +Heads were thrust into the passage to be withdrawn amid a paroxysm of +giggling. Somebody was pushed into full view to retire precipitately +amid an explosion of mirth. Preceded by stifled expressions of +encouragement, a pert-looking lady's maid strolled leisurely past the +newcomer, opened the back door, closed it, and returned as haughtily as +she had gone. She was applauded ridiculously.... + +Anthony swore under his breath. + +At last the parlour-maid reappeared, finger in mouth. + +"Somethin' crool, this bone is," she vouchsafed. "Come on." + +Anthony followed her gratefully upstairs and presently into a small +withdrawing room upon the first floor. + +From an expensively hideous couch Mrs. Slumper regarded the fruit of +her advertisement. + +She was a large vulgar-looking woman of about fifty summers. +Whosesoever the hair of her head, it was most elaborately dressed and +contained five combs. Anthony counted them. She was enclosed in a +dress which was at once highly fashionable and painfully unbecoming, +and the pearls which rose and fell upon her tremendous bosom were +almost too good to be true. From beneath the short skirt a pair of +ponderous legs terminated in all the anguish of patent-leather shoes. +Anthony bowed. + +"'Oo 'ave you bin with?" said Mrs. Slumper. + +"If you take me, madam, this will be my first place." + +Mrs. Slumper choked with emotion. + +"Firs' place!" she cried. "Want ter try yer 'and on me?" She looked +round savagely. "Where's me lorenets?" she added furiously. + +Much as a victim-to-be might hand his dispatcher the knife, Anthony +plucked the eye-glasses from beneath a cushion and put them into her +hand. + +His action took the wind out of her sails. Anthony saw this, and +hastened to press his advantage. + +"I know it's unusual, madam, but I'm quite willing to leave at the end +of a week without wages, if you're not satisfied." + +Mrs. Slumper grunted with astonishment. + +"Wot wages joo ask?" + +"Seventy-two pounds a year, madam, and--er--all found. And one +afternoon a week," he added boldly. + +Mrs. Slumper blinked at him curiously. + +"You don' look ser bad," she said grudgingly. "An' I'm sick an' tired +of tryin' for a footman, or I'd see yer further. 'Owever...." She +looked up sharply. "Will yer put that in writin' abaout the week?" + +"Certainly, madam." And, with that, Lyveden stepped to a bureau and +wrote his undertaking upon a sheet of note-paper. He was about to +affix his signature, when it occurred to him that footmen do not write +at their mistresses' bureaus except privily or by invitation. He +flushed furiously. There was, however, no help for it now. The thing +was done. Desperately he signed his name. He handed the paper to the +lady humbly enough. + +Mrs. Slumper sighed. + +"In course," she said, "we 'ave things very well done. The butler's +aout naow, or I'd 'ave 'im up. But you'll 'ave ter wait, an' open the +door, an' clean the boots, an' come aout on the car. I've got some noo +livery--never bin worn yet--did ought ter fit you a treat. An'--'ow +soon kin yer come?" she demanded suddenly. + +"To-morrow evening, madam." + +"Or-right." + +Anthony bowed himself out. + +If the parlour-maid had not been on the landing, he would have leaned +against the wall and covered his face. + +The girl glanced at the door he had just closed. + +"Ain't she a little dream?" + +Anthony grinned. + +"Might be worse," he ventured, endeavouring to steer between the +respective sandbanks of disloyalty and odium. "I've got the place," he +added ingenuously. + +The girl stared at him. + +That Anthony did not appreciate why she had remained upon the landing +was to her incredible. + +"I 'eard," she said loftily. + +Anthony felt crushed. + +At his suggestion she let him out of the front door. + +"See yer to-morrow," she cried. + +"That's right, miss." + +Anthony passed down the steps and walked quickly away. Before he had +covered a hundred paces, he stopped and turned up his trousers. The +sartorial forfeit to respectability had served its turn. + +When Mr. Hopkins, the butler, returned a little unsteadily at a quarter +to ten to learn that his mistress had engaged a "proper toff" as his +footman, he was profoundly moved. + + * * * * * + +A visit to the West End offices of _Dogs' Country Homes, Ltd._, which +he made the next morning, satisfied Anthony that, by putting Patch in +their charge, he was doing the best he could. There was a vacancy at +the Hertfordshire branch, less than forty minutes from town, and he +arranged to lodge the terrier there the same afternoon. For the sum of +a guinea a week the little dog would be fed and housed and exercised. +A veterinary surgeon was attached to the staff, which was carefully +supervised. Patch would be groomed every day and bathed weekly. +Visitors were welcomed, and owners often called to see their dogs and +take them out for a walk. It was quite customary. + +Lyveden emerged from the office a little comforted. + +He spent a busy morning. + +Deliberately he went to his club. There he wrote to the secretary, +resigning his membership. When he had sealed the letter, he looked +about him. The comfort--the luxury of it all was very tasty, very +appealing. He regretted that he had not used it more often. There was +a time when he had thought the place dull. Blasphemy! In his hungry +eyes the house became a temple--its members, votaries, sworn to go +sleepily about their offices--its rooms, upholstered shrines, chapels +of ease.... + +The door opened and a footman came in. + +The silver dream shivered into a million flinders. + +After the generous atmosphere of Pall Mall, the reek of the "old +clothes" shop was more offensive than usual. The six pounds ten, +however, was worth fighting for. Then some cheap hosiery had to be +purchased--more collars of the bearing-rein type, some stiff shirts, +made-up white ties, pinchbeck studs and cufflinks. As he emerged from +the shop, Anthony found himself wondering whether he need have been so +harsh with himself about the collars. After all, it was an age of +Socialism. Why should a footman be choked? He was as good as Mrs. +Slumper--easily. And she wasn't choked. She was squeezed, though, and +pinched.... + +He lodged his baggage--suit-case and hold-all--at the cloakroom, and +took Patch to lunch. + +It was by no means the first time that the Sealyham's lunch had been +the more expensive of the two. Often and often he had fed well to the +embarrassment of his master's stomach. To-day he was to have +liver--his favourite dish. Upon this Lyveden was resolved. + +The pair visited five restaurants and two public-houses in quest of +liver. At the eighth venture they were successful. At the sign of +_The Crooked Billet_ liver and bacon was the dish of the day. So much +a blurred menu was proclaiming from its enormous brass frame. Before +the two were half-way upstairs, the terrier's excitement confirmed its +tale. + +Of the two portions, Patch consumed the liver and Anthony the bacon. +This was rather salt, but the zest with which the Sealyham ate +furnished a relish which no money could buy. + +Then came a ghastly train journey. Mercifully Patch could not +understand.... + +A mile and a half from the station, the Dogs' Home stood in a pleasant +place under the lee of a wood. Fair meadows ringed it about, and in +the bright sunshine the red-brick house and out-buildings looked +cheerful and promising. + +Slowly the two passed up the well-kept drive. + +With his little white dog in his arms, Anthony Lyveden was shown +everything. A jolly fair-haired girl--the superintendent--conducted +him everywhere. The dogs--all sizes and shapes--welcomed her coming. +Of Patch she made a great deal. + +"You must be very proud of him," she said to Anthony. + +"I am. And--we're great friends. I hope he won't fret much." + +"A little at first, probably. You'll be coming to see him?" + +"Once a week, always," said Lyveden. "Oftener if I can." + +Presently they returned to the office, where Anthony paid four guineas +and received a receipt. Patch was entered in a big book, together with +his age and description. Another column received his owner's name and +address. The girl hesitated. + +"We like," she said, "to have the telephone number, in case of +accidents." + +"I'll send it to you to-night." + +The entry was blotted, and the girl rose. The formalities were at an +end. + +Lyveden picked up his hat. + +Patch greeted the familiar signal joyously. Clearly the call was over. +It had been a good visit--the best they had ever paid. No other place +they had been to was full of dogs. Yet to be out and about with his +master was better still. He leapt up and down, rejoicing. + +Anthony caught him from one of his bounds, held the white scrap very +close and let him lick his nose. Then he bade him be a good dog and +handed him to the girl. She received him tenderly. + +"I'm very much obliged to you," he said. "Good day. I'll let myself +out. It--it'll be better." + +One more caress, and he passed out into the hall--blindly. There had +been a look in the bright brown eyes that tore his heart. + +For a moment Patch fought desperately. Then he heard a door opened and +listened intently. A draught swept, and the door closed heavily. With +a sudden wrench he was out of the girl's arms and across the shadowy +hall. For a moment he stood sniffing, his nose clapped to the sill of +the front door. Then he lifted up his voice and wept bitterly. + + * * * * * + +In the long mirror, half-way up the front staircase, Major Anthony +Lyveden, D.S.O., surveyed himself stealthily. + +"Not much the matter with the kit," he said grudgingly. + +That was largely because there was nothing the matter with the man. + +Six feet one in his socks, deep-chested and admirably proportioned, +Lyveden cut a fine figure. His thick dark hair was short and carefully +brushed, and his lean face was brown with the play of wind and rain and +sun. Such features as his broad forehead, aquiline nose, and strong +well-shaped mouth, would have distinguished any countenance. Yet the +whole of it was shapely and clean-cut, and there was a quiet +fearlessness about the keen grey eyes that set you thinking. As a +footman he looked magnificent. But he would have killed any master +stone dead. Royalty itself could not have borne such a comparison. + +As we have seen, the strain of the last fortnight, culminating in Blue +Moon's failure and his parting with Patch, had played the deuce with +his temperament. The man had gone all to pieces. That, now that a +week had gone by, he was himself again, the following letter will show. +It will serve also as a record, and so, gentlemen, spare both of us. + + +_DEAR TOBY,_ + +_Before you sailed you were urgent upon me that I should constantly +report progress. Nine months have gone by, and I have not written +once. Still, my conscience is clear. Hitherto I have had no progress +to report._ + +_Now, however, I have news for you._ + +_You are friends with a footman, Toby. You need not deny it, because I +know better. You see, I have been in service for one week to-day._ + +_My mistress is indescribable--a very mammoth among women. Except +during prohibited hours, her replica may be seen behind the saloon-bar +of any public-house in, say, Bethnal Green. Below stairs she is known +as "the dream-child." My master appears to have married, not so much +beneath him as beyond him. He is "something in the City." This is as +well, for he is nothing in Lancaster Gate. I like him rather._ + +_You would get on with the butler, who is addicted to drink. The +ladies of the servants' hall are rather trying, but mean well. The +chauffeur is a most superior man. In fact, except that he has been +twice convicted of felony and continually boasts of his successful +desertion from the Army in 1917, there is nothing against him. My work +would be comparatively light if the unfortunate resemblance, to which I +have alluded above, were less pronounced. In a word, the butler's +working day finishes at 2 p.m., and on two occasions I have had to +repair to "The Blue Goat" as late as seven-thirty to hale him out of +the tap-room in time for dinner. His carriage in the dining-room, when +he can hardly see, is one of the wonders of the world._ + +_Of course I go out with the car--usually to a wedding. The +solemnization of matrimony, especially if one of the parties is of +noble birth, draws the dream-child as a magnet the steel. Need I say +that she is an uninvited guest? Yesterday, at the wedding of a young +Marquess, she was stopped at the doors. "Lef me card at 'ome," was her +majestic reply. Before they had recovered she was in the aisle. +Having regard to her appearance, I am of opinion that such conduct is +libellous._ + +_On Monday she gave what she calls a "Serciety Crush." This was well +attended, chiefly by aliens, many of whom wore miniature decorations, +to which, I fear, they were not entitled. These were, I fancy, hired +with the dress-coats to which they were fastened. That they enjoyed +the viands is emphasized by the fact that, prior to their departure, +several of the guests concealed about their persons such delicacies as +the flight of time alone had prevented them from consuming. But for +the indisposition of the butler, I should have spent a most amusing +evening._ + +_Little altercations between my master and mistress are of frequent +occurrence. Occasionally they appeal to me to settle the dispute. +Once I actually took the liberty of separating them. Indeed, as +recently as yesterday evening the dream-child, who had been keeping up +her reading, observed that "the rilewise was thinkin' of givin' up the +narrer gorge."_ + +_"Gage, me dear--gage," says Mr. Slumper._ + +_"That's right," says his wife with hideous irony. "Put yer betters to +rights, Schooly. Ugh, I wonder yer dare! An' wot do you know about +it, you hugly worm?"_ + +_Stung to the quick by the painful accuracy of this appellative, her +husband was understood to mutter that he had rather be an ill-favoured +worm than an overdressed parrot with a swollen head._ + +_Only waiting to throw a glass of water in his direction, the +dream-child demanded my ruling in a voice shaking with indignation._ + +_I immediately declared in favour of "gouge"--a decision for which Mr. +Slumper, to whom victory is even more terrible than defeat, will thank +me yet._ + +_Of such is my life. Either Saturday or Sunday afternoon I go off +duty. Then I dive into the country and visit my dog, who is well cared +for. We spend a hilarious few hours, and Lancaster Gate is never +mentioned. In the servants' hall, by the way, I am credited with a +delicate wife--an impression which I have taken care not to correct, +for where there are gathered together eight single ladies,_ les +avantages de manage _cannot be over-estimated._ + +_And now I must take up the tea._ + +_If ever you receive this letter, find time to reply. I know I have +spoken ill of your hand-writing, but I take it all back._ + +Bien a toi, vieux sot, + _ANTHONY LYVEDEN._ + + +Anthony, then, was surveying himself, if you remember, in a long +mirror. He had just taken up the tea. He was taking a second look at +what he could see of his back, when the front-door bell rang. Even at +this elevation there was no mistaking its deep peremptory note. +Lyveden descended the stairs. + +He opened the door faultlessly to find himself face to face with a man +who had been his first servant when his battery had been in France. + +For a moment the two footmen stared at one another. Then-- + +"Glad to see you, Walters," said Lyveden heartily. + +"Same to you, sir," said Walters, touching his hat. "An', beggin' your +pardon, sir, is Lady 'Elen at 'ome?" + +"There's no Lady Helen here," said Lyveden. "This is Mrs. Slumper's +house." + +"Oh, very good, sir," said Walters jerkily. "Sorry to 'ave troubled +you, sir." He touched his hat and turned away nervously.... + +Anthony continued to hold the door open till the car should have passed +on. + +Walters was making his report. It appeared that this was +unsatisfactory, for a moment later he was again at the door. + +"Excuse me, sir, but would you speak to my lady?" + +Lyveden descended the steps. + +From the luxury of a smart landaulette a dame of some consequence +regarded him shrewdly. She had, of course, witnessed the comedy upon +the steps. + +"Who lives here?" she demanded haughtily. + +Lyveden drew himself up. + +"Mrs. Slumper, madam." + +His statement was received with an irrational suspicion. + +"Indeed! I didn't know that Lady Helen Amiens had let her house." + +"Neither, madam, did I." + +The great lady stared at Anthony, who looked straight ahead. Then-- + +"I--I beg your pardon," she murmured. + +Anthony bowed and turned on his heel. As he passed Walters, who was +standing wide-eyed, the latter touched his hat faithfully. + +When the car had passed on, Anthony closed the door thoughtfully. It +had not occurred to him that the house had been hired as it stood. +Certainly the Slumpers had given no hint of such a state of affairs. +Probably they felt it to be beneath their dignity. It being no affair +of his, Lyveden decided to keep his own counsel. + + * * * * * + +Two days later Anthony visited Patch for the second time. + +The same relentless train that had rushed the two down to Hertfordshire +that dreadful Thursday had become an easy-going friend. By pocketing +his lunch, Lyveden could catch it with anything under five minutes to +spare. This gave the two another three-quarters of an hour. + +Their second meeting was a replica of the first. + +Anthony was admitted, announced his desire, and sat down in the dim +hall. Presently a brisk familiar step made itself heard--firm little +paws meeting the tough linoleum squarely--and Anthony rose to his feet. +Out of a passage came Patch readily, the fair-haired girl behind him +bidding him go ahead. For a moment he looked about him. Then he saw +Lyveden, stiffened and stood stock still. The next second, with his +body clapped to the floor, he had darted sharply across and, laying his +head sideways, crouched at his idol's feet--an adoring suppliant, +craving to be raised. + +"Why, Patch----" + +The white scrap quivered and flung up a panting visage. Lyveden +stooped and gathered him in his arms. The terrier licked his face +frantically. Then he squirmed like a mad thing till he was down, tore +to a basket of logs, and of his strength brought a billet gripped in +his big mouth and laid it at Anthony's feet. + +The girl laughed merrily. + +"What did I tell you?" said Lyveden. "It's just the way of his heart. +I must always have a present when I have been away." + +Lord and squire went for a wonderful walk. The woodland and meadows of +Hertfordshire fairly beggared the Parks.... + +Tea at a tiny inn sunk in a dell through which a sleepy lane trickled +between high banks--tea in the pocket garden under sweet-smelling +limes, where stocks stood orderly and honeysuckle sprawled over the +brick-nogging, brought back old days of happy fellowship, just to +outshine their memory. + +From the cool of the house came on a sudden the click of metal and the +swift whirr of wheels. Somewhere a clock was in labour--an old, old +timepiece, to whom the telling of the hours was a grave matter. A +moment later a thin old voice piped out the birth of a new period. + +Five o'clock. + +Peacefully Lyveden expelled a cloud of smoke. He need not be moving +for another quarter of an hour. Upon the warm red bricks at his feet +Patch lay dozing after his dish of weak tea. + +"Could you give it me in the garden?" + +The fresh clear voice floated out of the doorway just in front of my +lady herself. Arrived there, she stood for a moment looking pleasedly +round. It is doubtful whether the old woodwork had ever before framed +such a picture. + +There was nothing remarkable about the dress, except her wearing of it. +There is a grace of carriage that will make purple of sackcloth. +Still, the gown was well cut of fawn-coloured stuff, which her +stockings and shoes matched. Her face was generous--proud, too, yet +tender and very beautiful. The soft rose of her cheeks, the misty blue +of her eyes stood there for gentleness, the curve of the red lips for +pride. Wisdom sat in her temples under the thick dark hair. Strength +herself had moulded the exquisite chin. And a rogue of a dimple was +there to mock the lot of them--the print of the delicate finger of +Laughter herself, set in a baby's cheek twenty-five years before. A +tiny watch upon a silk strap served to enhance the slenderness of a +white wrist. Against the dark cloud of hair, which they were setting +straight, the pointed fingers stood out like living statuary. Lifted +elbows gave you the graceful line of her figure: the short skirt, +ankles to match the wrists.... + +Looking upon her, Lyveden forgot the world. He may be forgiven, for +she was a sight for sore eyes. + +Having set her hair to her liking she put on her hat, pulling it down +with a fine careless confidence such as no manner of mirror could give. + +She had not seen Lyveden when Patch, counting her Irish terrier an +intruder, took him suddenly by the throat.... + +In an instant the place was Bedlam. + +My lady hovered about the combatants, one hand to her breast, the other +snatching frantically at her favourite's tail: Lyveden leapt to his +feet and, cramming his pipe into a pocket, flung himself forward: the +mistress of the inn and her maid crowded each other in the doorway, +emitting cries of distress: and the now ravening flurry of brown and +white raged snarling and whirling upon the brick pavement with all the +finished frightfulness of the _haute ecole_. + +Arrived at close quarters, Anthony cast a look round. Then he picked +up the pair anyhow and swung them into the water-butt two paces away. + +For a moment the contents boiled, seething as if possessed. Then, with +a fearful convulsion, the waves parted and the water gave up its prey. +Two choking, gasping, spluttering heads appeared simultaneously: with +one accord four striving paws clawed desperately at the rim of the +butt. The fight was off. + +Intelligently the girl stepped up on to a convenient bench, and Anthony +lifted the Irish terrier out of his watery peril. As was to be +expected, he shook himself inconsiderately, and Anthony, who was not on +the bench, was generously bedewed. Then Patch was hauled out by the +scruff of his neck.... So far as could be seen, neither of the dogs +was one penny the worse. There had been much cry, but little wool. + +Lyveden turned to my lady and raised his hat. + +"I'm awfully sorry," he said. "My dog was entirely to blame." + +"D'you mind controlling him now?" she said coldly. + +Lyveden called Patch, and the Sealyham trotted up, shaking the water +out of his ears as he came. Wet as he was, the man picked him up and +put him under his arm. + +"I hope your dog isn't hurt," he said quietly. "I'm very sorry." + +The girl did not deign to answer, but, stepping down from her perch, +summoned her terrier and strolled down the little greensward with her +chin in the air. + +Anthony bit his lip. Then he turned on his heel and, clapping his hat +on his head, tramped into the inn. A moment later he had paid his +reckoning and was out on the road. After all, he reflected, Patch +wasn't to blame. He had acted according to his lights. + +When he was out of sight of the inn, Anthony sat down by the wayside +and dried his terrier's ears with his pocket-handkerchief and the +utmost care. + + * * * * * + +The rain was coming down in sheets, and, in spite of the mackintosh +which he was wearing above his livery, drops were beginning to make +their unpleasant way down Anthony's neck. His feet had been wet for +hours. The violence of the language employed by the press of grooms +and footmen huddled about him at the doors of the Opera House suggested +that their plight was no less evil. + +It was a big night, and of "the distinguished audience" Mr. and Mrs. +Slumper were making two. They were inexpressibly bored, but that was +beside the point. By occupying two stalls, Mrs. Slumper was sure they +were doing the right thing. A box would have been better, of course, +but there had been some difficulty, and Slumper, being a weak-kneed +fool, had been bluffed into taking the stalls. Mrs. Slumper would like +to see the clerk who could bluff her. By dint of concentrating upon +her grievance, she had worked herself into a passion by the end of the +second act.... + +It continued to rain copiously. + +At last flunkeys appeared and set the inner swing-doors wide open. A +blasphemous murmur of relief went up from the company of servants. + +"Bet yer my gint's fust," squeaked a little bow-legged Cockney. "'E's +a fair winner, 'e is." A pompous prelate appeared in the lobby, +walking with an air of having just consecrated the building free of +charge, and followed by a nervous-lipped lady and a deacon who looked +like a startled owl. "There y'are! Wot 'd I s'y?" he added, turning +to scuttle off to his car. + +"Ser long, 'Arry!" cried somebody. "See yer at Giro's." + +There was an explosion of mirth. + +The rain, the discomfort, the waiting--three familiar malefactors--all +in a moment discomfited by a sudden guffaw, reminded Lyveden vividly of +his service in France. His thoughts ramped back to the old days, when +there was work and to spare--work of a kind. Of course, the +competition was not so keen.... + +People were coming fast now, and the entrances to the lobby were +getting choked. Attendants were bellowing big names, innumerable +engines were running, the police were shouting orders, gears were being +changed. + +"Number a nundred and one!" thundered a voice. + +"Right!" cried Anthony, elbowing his way out of the crush. + +He made his way quickly to where he had left the car. + +The information that his employers were awaiting his services was +received by the chauffeur with a volley of invective, which dealt more +particularly with Mrs. Slumper's pedigree, but touched lightly upon a +whole variety of subjects, including the ultimate destination of all +composers and the uses of rain. + +It was full five minutes before the limousine was able to be brought +close enough to the entrance for Anthony to leave the running-board and +advise his master. When it was next in order but two, he stepped on to +the pavement and struggled towards the entrance. As he was about to +tell an attendant to summon "101," a car slid into position, and the +fellow set his hand on the door. + +"Forty-six waiting!" he bawled. + +A glance at the steps showed the approach of quality--all cloaks and +soft hair and slim silk stockings--the attendant threw open the door +and Lyveden stood still. + +The taller of the two women was the second to enter the car. As she +stood waiting, she glanced round quickly. Her eyes met Anthony's, +rested a moment of time, and then swept on without a flicker.... A +second later the door had slammed upon her high heels. + +Lyveden was left to feel the blood come flaming into his face, to +wonder whether my lady had known him again, and to stuff the breath of +an exquisite perfume into the same reliquary as held the picture of a +tall dark figure setting her hair to rights in the mouth of an inn. + + * * * * * + +Upon the next Saturday a particularly smart wedding was to take place. +Anthony, who had seen the announcements, was prepared for the worst. +Sure enough, on Friday afternoon as he was clearing the table of tea-- + +"I shall want yer to-morrow," said Mrs. Slumper. "I 'ave to go to the +weddin' o' that there Finnigan boy. I'm sure I'm sick o' crushes, but +'er ladyship would never fergive me if I diddun show up." + +Anthony hesitated with the tray in his hands. + +"Mr. Hopkins is taking Sunday, madam, so I can't go out then." + +"I can't 'elp that," was the testy reply. + +"I don't wish to inconvenience you, madam, but, as it was arranged that +I should always have----" + +"Subjec' to _my_ convenience," snapped Mrs. Slumper. "That's wot I +said." She had said nothing of the sort. "An' am I to go pushin' orf +to a dandy crush without a servant? Hopenin' me own dores, an' +fetchin' me own car, an' wot not, jus' like a common beggar in a 'ired +fly? Look 'ere, young man, I didn't ought to 'ave took you at all, +reelly. Wot with no refs an' no experience, yer might 'ave walked the +soles orf of yer perishin' boots before yer got into a 'ouse like this. +But I gave you a chance, I did. An' if you think ter try an' turn me +own words agains' me an' talk 'igh about contrax, yer kin jus' shove +orf." She regarded him furiously. "Ugh! I'm fed up with the bunch +of yer. Nasty, ungrateful swabs! I serpose yer kin 'ave Monday, can't +yer?" + +"I will take Monday, madam." + +The malevolent pig's eyes followed him in silence till he was out of +the room.... + +It was on Monday, then, that Lyveden called for his dog. + +His decision to revisit the scene of his encounter with my lady was not +fully formed until it was time to act upon it. He had deliberately +walked in the direction of the inn, so that, when the hour came, he +could, if he chose, indulge the inclination of which he was wholly +ashamed. Honestly, he reflected, he had not a good word to say for the +girl. (Observe, please, that the fact that the pleasaunce was to his +liking did not weigh with him. The little inn and its curtilage had +become but environs.) She had been unreasonable and worse than +churlish. There was no getting away from it--she had been aggressively +rude, administering a rebuff though he had made no advance. To pile +Ossa upon Pelion, she now knew him for what he was--a flunkey, acting +the gentleman and sporting a dog. And was not that a dainty dish for +him to digest, sitting under the lime-trees in full view of that garden +doorway which nine days ago had been so honoured? That, of course, was +the trouble. Anthony had seen a picture which he could not forget. +The girl had done her best to efface it, but had only succeeded in +clouding a sunny memory. + +With something of the _mauvaise honte_ with which a player of +"Patience" corrects a mistake he has made by restoring some cards, +Anthony took Ossa off Pelion, said to himself, "I don't believe she +recognized me," and, walking into the inn, desired the mistress to +bring him some tea. + +By the time he had finished his meal he had sunk so low in his own +eyes--lost so much self-respect, that the rest did not seem worth +keeping, and he inquired whether anything had been seen of the lady +whose dog his had fought, in much the same spirit of recklessness as +moves a bravo to toss his last piece to a beggar. + +"She had tea here the day before yesterday, sir," replied his hostess. +"All alone, with her little dog. I don't think he's none the worse, +sir. Thank you. Good day, sir." + +Anthony left the house like a man in a dream.... + +Why had she come? + +To this question the answer which his heart vouchsafed was vain and a +vanity. His head, however, gave innumerable replies--all of them +obvious and none of them flattering. A hundred times Reason drove Hope +headlong, but always the baggage returned.... + +By way of relieving his feelings, Anthony cursed Mrs. Slumper with +earnest bitterness. He began to feel that there was much in what the +chauffeur had said about her forbears. At the time he had secretly +deplored his epithets, but now.... Certainly he had misjudged the +fellow. He was quite right. + +As for Patch, he had never been paid so little attention. Not that he +cared. The country was full of scents.... + +By a quarter past seven Lyveden was back at Lancaster Gate. + +The first thing he saw below stairs was the library silver, which he +had cleaned that morning and the parlour-maid should have restored to +its place. Without waiting to change, he picked up the tray and +carried it upstairs, intending, if the room was unoccupied, to replace +it at once. + +As he gained the hall, the twitch of an inserted latchkey came to his +ears. Then pressure was put upon the front door. This, however, +remained fast shut. The key was withdrawn violently, reinserted, and +wrenched. The pressure upon the door being maintained, the lock was +jammed. Whosoever was there had lost his temper and was kicking +against the pricks. This was unlike Mr. Slumper, but it could be +nobody else. Lyveden set down his tray and stepped to the door.... + +His master came in with a rush, stumbling. Anthony caught him, and he +recovered his balance. There was running sweat upon his face, which +was all grey, and he was shaking fearfully. Holding on to the +furniture as he went, he tottered as far as the library, clawed at the +switch by the door, missed it, and swayed out of sight into the black +of the room. + +Anthony stood spellbound. The spectacle of a bunch of keys dangling +idly from the keyhole of the door, which he was still holding open, +brought him to his senses, and, drawing the key from the lock, he +closed the door swiftly and ran for brandy.... + +Mr. Slumper was sitting in the dark, with his head plunged between his +knees. At Anthony's coming he started up and would have gone back, but +the seat of his chair catching him under the hocks, he subsided again +almost immediately. Anthony went to his side and held the glass to his +lips. As he drank, his teeth chattered upon the rim of the tumbler, +and some of the spirit ran over his chin. Twice he made a gesture for +more. After the third dose he had swallowed more than a tumblerful.... +Presently he began to look less grey, and the trembling abated. In +three or four minutes he was quite calm. Anthony was about to ask if +he should help him upstairs, when he spoke suddenly. + +"Shut t' door." + +Anthony did his bidding. When he came back, his master had a +letter-case in his hand. + +"What are your wages?" he said. + +"Seventy-two pounds a year, sir." + +Mr. Slumper put a hand to his brow and knitted this wearily, as if the +effort of calculation was more than he could bear. Then he took out +two five-pound notes and two one-pound notes. + +"There's twelve pound," he said slowly. "One month's wages, and +another's in lieu of notice." + +Anthony stared at the money. + +"I haven't been here a month yet, sir." + +His master waved aside the objection. + +"Only honest servant I've ever had," he said shortly. "Gentleman, +aren't you? Never mind. Couldn't let you down. Others can go to +hell, but not you. And now--better clear out. Right away. Get your +box and go. Don't let the others see you. Give 'em the slip." + +"But--but won't you be dining, sir?" said Anthony desperately. He was +trying instinctively to grapple with a situation which had put him upon +his back. + +At the mention of dinner Mr. Slumper laughed hideously. The brandy was +getting into its stride now, and colour was beginning to climb into his +cheeks. + +"Dining?" he croaked. "Dining?" + +In a deliberate, imperturbable tone a clock upon the mantelpiece chimed +the half-hour, and the laugh snapped off short. The next moment the +man had Lyveden's arm in a grip of iron. + +"Listen," he breathed. "I'm broke ... ruined ... got to run for it. +Couldn't stand gaol at my age. It ain't pretty, I know, but I'm +fifty-nine, Lyveden, fifty-nine." The tense utterance broke into a +whimper. "An'--an' that's too old for prison, Lyveden, an' they +wouldn't give me a chance. The lawyers 'd make it out bad. You can +gamble with others' money as long as you win, Lyveden, but you mustn't +lose ... mustn't ever lose. There's a law against that." + +All the soldier in Anthony came to his aid. + +"Are you going now, sir?" The other nodded, "Shall I get you a taxi?" + +"Yes." Mr. Slumper jerked a contemptuous head at the ceiling. "She'll +have to go with me," he added thickly. "Can't leave the old fool." + +"I'll keep your keys, sir," said Anthony, "to let myself in." + +With that he was gone. + +Mrs. Slumper was in the midst of a very delicate operation, to wit, the +obliteration of her natural complexion--obsequies which not even her +maid was permitted to attend. Consequently she was anything but +pleased when her husband entered the room. Such procedure was out of +all order and convenience. That he came in suddenly and without first +knocking upon the door was insufferable. She turned herself round on +her seat, bristling.... + +There was no time for a scene, and, when Mrs. Slumper hurled herself +against Necessity, she fell back bruised and broken. + +When she would have screamed, a hand was clapped over her mouth, +breaking her false teeth, and all her stifled shrieks, queries and +expostulations were literally cuffed into a whimper. Five minutes +later, toothless, half-dressed and trembling, she thrust a few things +into a dressing-case, struggled into a fur coat, and passed with +sagging knees downstairs, clinging to the arm of a bully whom she had +known as a worm. + +Lyveden was waiting in the hall, beside him his case and hold-all--what +belongings he had thrust into them anyhow. He was intending to see the +couple into the cab and then go quietly away, for he was determined to +avoid the loathsome saturnalia with which his colleagues were certain +to signalize the _debacle_. When the two appeared, he started +involuntarily. He had been prepared for violence, he had expected +tears.... The vision of a blubbering idiot, that mowed and mumbled, +its wig awry, its dreadful face blotched, like a clown's, with paint, +swaddled from head to toe in gorgeous furs, leaning desperately upon +the very reed it had broken--this was unearthly, hellish. He found +himself praying that it might not visit him in his dreams.... + +It is to his credit that Anthony, having helped Mr. Slumper into his +hat and overcoat and Mr. and Mrs. Slumper into the taxi, flung his own +kit upon the canopy and accompanied the fugitives to Charing Cross. + +The horror of that drive revisited him for months. The awful pregnant +silence, broken only by the sound of rapid irregular respiration, gave +to the cab the air of a death-chamber. + +Arrived at the station, by his advice the two remained in the taxi +whilst he procured tickets which would take them to the coast by the +first available train. At the booking-office he learned, to his +inexpressible relief, that they had but ten minutes to spare. He +bought the tickets feverishly.... + +As his master emerged from the cab, Lyveden perceived with a shock that +his nervousness had begun to return. Terror was riding behind, coming +up, overhauling him fast. The blood which had flooded his face had +begun to recede. The hand that received the tickets and change was +trembling. In a fever of anxiety the ex-officer hustled his charges +towards the platform.... + +People turned and stared as they passed. One woman screamed.... + +At the sudden cry Mr. Slumper started violently. His face was very +pale now, and there were tiny beads of sweat upon the side of his nose. +His mouth was working painfully. It was a question whether they could +board the train before he collapsed. The idiot upon his arm could have +shambled another mile. + +They came to the barrier. + +Anthony had no ticket and could not pass, but he put them into the +queue and steered them up to the gate. + +The passenger behind Mr. Slumper turned suddenly and brushed against +him. At the touch on his shoulder the poor devil started frightfully +and drew in his breath with a hoarse whoop. The face that he turned to +the offender was a wet grey.... + +In front of them there were only two, now--one. They were in the jaws +of the barrier.... Mr. Slumper had not the power to present his +tickets, and the inspector took the pasteboard out of his shaking hand. +He clipped it and handed it back, staring. Mr. Slumper fumbled, and +the tickets fell to the ground. He stooped drunkenly, and the +inspector put a hand under his arm. + +"Gent ill 'ere, Joe," he threw over his shoulder, apparently addressing +a colleague, whom Anthony could not see. "Give 'im a 'and up the +platform." + +Anthony heaved a sigh of relief. + +The next moment he saw a burly station-constable--presumably +"Joe"--step into view and put a broad arm tenderly about his master's +back... + +Mr. Slumper stiffened and stood quivering with the peculiar vibration +of a wire that is taut. The ridiculous figure attached to him stood +still also, rolling its head foolishly. + +"Come along, sir," urged the official in a kindly tone. + +Mr. Slumper stopped shaking, took out his handkerchief, and wiped his +face. Then he turned to the speaker. + +"It's all right," he said. "_I'll go quietly._" + +Anthony turned on his heel and walked out of the station. + +There was no more to be done. + + + + +CHAPTER II + +THE WAY OF A MAID + +A footman looked out of an attic in Eaton Square with his pen in his +mouth. After a moment's reflection he returned to his letter, added a +sentence or two, and signed his name. Then he restored its cork to his +bottle of ink, blotted the lines he had written, and, gathering the +flimsy pages into his hand, leaned back in his loose-limbed chair with +the consideration which that exacting skeleton required of its patrons, +and proceeded to read. + +This, then, is our chance; and, since Lyveden will be none the wiser, +let us forget our manners and look over his shoulder. + + +_DEAR TOBY,--_ + +_By extracting a promise that I would write to you you did me a good +turn, for, while my first report was rendered, from a sense of duty, I +am making this one with a sense of relief--a somewhat scandalous +admission. Of course a really good footman would keep his mouth shut. +But then I am but an indifferent lackey._ + +_To say that I left my first place would be untrue. In fact, the place +left me--rather tragically, as it happened: which reminds me that I +must withdraw anything which I have written to you in disparagement of +my late master. The poor man had worries I did not know of, and +behaved to me very handsomely at the last, remembering that I might +have troubles, when he could not think straight, so sore were his own._ + +_For a week, then, I became a country gentleman, living with my dog at +a little inn where no ways met. By the end of that time I had got me +another place._ + +_Yes, sir, I am in the service of the Marquess of Banff, sir. There +are times when I go powdered. I have even hobnobbed with the scarlet +livery of Royalty. I am, I assure you, a very deuce of a fellow._ + +_With the Marquess, who resembles an irritable baboon, I have little to +do. The marchioness--a strong woman is also, mercifully, too much +engaged upon works of supererogation, which, in a rich bass, she styles +"her manifold duties," to observe my existence. Lord Pomfret Fresne, +however, a gilded youth with three thousand a year, finds me extremely +useful. I bet for him, I make appointments for him to have his hair +trimmed, I retain stalls for him, and occasionally I admit him to the +house at an unlawful hour. In fact, he is a confounded nuisance. He +is impertinent, grossly ignorant, and a niggard. Moreover, Toby, he +hath an eye whose like I have seen before--once. Then it was set in +the head of a remount which, after it had broken a shoeing-smith's leg, +was cast for vice at Kantara in 1917._ + +_"Lyveden," says he one day, "you're a gentleman, aren't you?"_ + +_It seemed easiest to say "Yes."_ + +_"Why?" says his lordship._ + +_"It's a family failing," said I._ + +_"How beastly! You mean, like drink?"_ + +_"Exactly, my lord. We never mention it."_ + +_"No, don't," says he. "My mother's very hot on that sort of thing. +Hullo!" He peers into a gold cigarette-case. "I had four pounds in +here. I'll swear I had."_ + +_Considering that I had found the case in the library, and had restored +it to him five minutes before, his ejaculation was not in the best of +taste. His lordship, however, must whet his point upon the grindstone +of insult._ + +_"You're not hard up, are you?" says he._ + +_"I can pay my way, my lord."_ + +_"Well, I know there was four pounds there, because---- No. Wait a +minute. It's all right. I remember I put it in my coat. Which +reminds me--I want a couple of stalls at Daly's. You might ring up and +get them. How much is the pit?"_ + +_"I'm not quite sure, my lord. It used to be half-a-crown."_ + +_"Half-a-crown!" cries he. "I thought it was a shilling."_ + +_"That's the gallery, my lord."_ + +_"Oh, yes. Well, I can't afford the pit, Lyveden, but you can go to +the gallery if you like," and he produces a shilling._ + +_I shake my head._ + +_"I'm much obliged to your lordship, but I seldom go out."_ + +_"Right-o," he says, with ill-concealed relief. "Don't forget those +stalls."_ + +_It is pathetic, Toby, but it is true. And when I was at Harrow, his +eldest brother, who is one of the best, was my fag._ + +_When I say that, compared with the butler, Respectability itself seems +raffish, you will understand. He is a monument, massive, meaningless, +and about as useful as a fan in a cyclone. Yet the household revolves +about him. He came in, I fancy, with the spittoon...._ + +_And now I will show you that the cassock of the confessor has indeed +fallen upon you._ + +_Listen. I have been disdained--given the cold shoulder. Such a +beautiful shoulder, Toby. Such a shoulder as Artemis presented to +Actaeon. But there was good reason for that. It fell on this wise. I +sat in a garden and mufti and looked at an aged doorway, thinking how +fair a frame it would make. And when next I looked, lo! there was the +picture, all warm and smiling, her little white hands about her dark, +dark hair. I was overwhelmed. I would have slain dragons, levelled +castles, broken the backs of knights for her sake. But before I was +given the chance, I was given the shoulder. Now mark how a malicious +Fate maketh a mock of me. But three days later I run full tilt into my +lady, I, the same Anthony Lyveden--but with my livery on. In case that +should not be enough, I presently return to the inn, to learn that I +have missed her by forty-eight hours._ Veux-tu m'en croire? + +_Beneath the unfair strain my poor vocabulary broke down. Indeed, I +soon had no alternative but to repeat myself, thus violating what I +know to be one of your most sacred rules._ + +Assez, j'en finis. + +_You are so distant and it will be so long before this letter reaches +you, that it requires an effort steadily to regard you as a confidant. +Already that impression of you is fainter than it was when I picked up +my pen. A reply from you, Toby, would do much to revive it--would, in +fact, turn into substance the shadow with which I am, rather +desperately, cheating my common-sense._ + + A toi, mon beau, + _ANTHONY LYVEDEN._ + + +Having addressed this letter to Australia, Lyveden made the best of an +enamelled basin and a mirror, which was not quite so good as one which, +once upon a time, his servant had purchased in Port Said for five +piastres. Then he put on his very expensive plum-coloured coat and +descended twelve flights of stairs. + +Five minutes later he opened the front door, confessed to an irreverent +gentleman in blue and yellow that "Ole Flat-Feet" was at home, and, +after conducting them to the first floor, ushered "The Honourable Mrs. +George Wrangle, Miss Wrangle, Miss Sarah Wrangle" into the presence +itself. With a contempt for tradition, the Marchioness not only +extended to each of the ladies her large right hand, but withheld no +one of its fingers. + +The identity of the guests was then communicated to the butler, whose +supervision of the service of tea depended upon the visitor's position +in the table of precedence. That of Mrs. Wrangle, apparently, fell +dismally short of the standard which the great man imposed, for, upon +hearing her name, he stared indignantly upon a cat which was cleaning +itself upon the hearth of his parlour, and then resumed the perusal of +the _Morning Advertiser_ in contemptuous silence. + +Without more ado, Anthony repaired to the pantry. Five minutes later +he and the second footman took up the tea. + +"Is Lord Pomfret in?" said the Marchioness. + +"I will see, my lady," said Lyveden. + +"Desire him to come in to tea." + +"Very good, my lady." + +Lord Pomfret had just returned from a luncheon-party, and was preparing +to attend a _the dansant_. His mother's command was abusively +received. At length-- + +"Tell her I'm out, Lyveden." + +Anthony hesitated. + +"Her ladyship was very definite, my lord." + +"D'you hear what I say?" + +"Very good, my lord." + +The scepticism with which his mistress received Anthony's report was +distressingly obvious. Also the faces of Mrs. and Miss Wrangle fell +noticeably. Indeed, the bell which summoned Lyveden to speed their +departure rang but a few minutes later. + +As they descended the stairs, Lord Pomfret emerged from the library, +cramming cigarettes into his case with the dishevelling manipulation of +the belated swain. + +The encounter was not a success. + +Reason suggested to Mrs. Wrangle that the episode could be far more +effectively dealt with if and when the offender became her son-in-law. +Impulse, however, clamoured for immediate and appropriate action. +Between the two stools her display of emotion fell flat. As for +Pomfret, the knowledge that he had just induced the lady's footman to +go for a taxi did not contribute to his peace of mind, and his manners +became conspicuously devoid of that easy grace which should have gone +with his title. + +After the mechanical issue and acknowledgment of a few ghastly +pleasantries, Lord Pomfret muttered something about "hearing his mother +calling" and fled with precipitate irrelevance in the direction of the +back stairs, leaving Mrs. Wrangle speechless with indignation and +bitterly repenting her recent indecision. She swept past Anthony as if +she were leaving a charnel-house. Her daughters, who took after their +father, walked as though they were being expelled.... + +When their mother found herself confronted with the choice of leaving +without her footman or awaiting that gentleman's successful return from +the mission upon which he had been dispatched, it required their united +diplomacy to deter her from there and then returning to lay the +outrageous facts before Lady Banff. + +Mrs. Wrangle's complaint, however, was posted that evening. + +By the time it arrived, Lord Pomfret had prepared his defence. This he +conducted so skilfully that the Marchioness, who believed in red +justice, sent for Lyveden and told him two things. The first was that +in future, when she sent him for anyone, he would be good enough to +look for them before returning to say they were out. The second was +that when he was told to fetch a cab, he would be good enough to do so, +instead of persuading other people's servants to do his work. Lord +Pomfret, who was present at the arraignment, supported his mother +dutifully. Anthony said nothing at all. Four and a half years in the +Army had left their mark. + + * * * * * + +If Lyveden was a Conservative, so was his dog. For the two there was +only one walk in all Hertfordshire, and that, after six fair miles, +brought them thirsty or wet, as the weather might order, to the shade +or shelter of _The Leather Bottel_. This was, in fact, Anthony's +country house. Here for one glorious week the two had shared the same +bed. Heaven only knew when such a prolonged visit would be repeated. +It had cost two whole pounds, and, do what he would, Anthony could save +very little out of his wages. Of his six pounds a month the Dogs' Home +took four precious guineas. Then there were railway fares at three +shillings a time--twelve shillings a month. Teas, clothes, and a +little--a very little--tobacco had to be paid for. It was a tight fit. + +With his back to a beech tree, Lyveden thought upon these things. The +weather, perhaps, invited Melancholy. + +Without the wood a sudden shower was falling down from heaven, +drenching anew wet pastures, thinning the mud upon brown lanes, +poppling upon the washed highway. Dainty scale-armour of a million +leaves protected Anthony. Ere this was penetrated, the fusillade would +have stopped. + +It was more than a month now since he had seen the lady. At the moment +he supposed gloomily that she had gone out of his life. Considering +what his life was, it was just as well. (Melancholy smiled to herself, +sighed sympathetically, and laid her dark head upon Anthony's +shoulder.) His thoughts flew over the blowing country to Eaton Square. +The squalor of his bedroom rose up before him. The walls were peeling, +and upon one there was a vast brown stain. The floor was bare. The +cracked American cloth upon the chest of drawers made this a washstand. +The fact that the ensemble had lost a foot made it unsteady. True, +some one had placed a Bradshaw under the bereaved corner, but the piece +listed heavily. The Bradshaw, by the way, was out of date. In fact, +its value as a guide to intending passengers had expired on the +thirty-first of October, 1902. That looked as if the chest were an +antique. Three of the china knobs, however, which served as handles +were unhappily missing. Then there was a flap beneath the window +which, when raised, arrested the progress of such smuts as failed to +clear it in their descent to the boards. (Melancholy smothered a laugh +and laid a wet cheek against her victim's.) The smuts were +devilish--the terror by night, the arrow that flieth by day. Anthony +believed in fresh air. Also he believed in cleanliness. His twofold +faith cost his convenience dear. He had begged a dust-sheet from the +housekeeper with which to cover his bed during the day, and regularly, +before retiring, shook an ounce of soot out of his window. The bed, by +the way, was overhung by the wall, which, for some reason best known to +those who built it, deserted the perpendicular for an angle of +forty-five, three inches from Anthony's nose. The candlestick had seen +merrier days: that there might be no doubt about the matter, it said as +much, announcing in so many words that it was "A Present from Margate." +... + +Scaramouche Melancholy fairly squirmed with delight. Then she turned +upon Anthony eyes swimming with tenderness, put up consoling lips.... +The entrance of Polichinelle, however, cudgel and all, in the shape of +a little white dog, dragging a bough with him, spoiled her game. +Harlequin Sun, too, flashed out of hiding--before his cue, really, for +the shower was not spent. + +Scaramouche fled with a snarl. + +At Polichinelle's obvious request, Anthony seized the spare end of the +bough, and the two tugged with a will--an agreeable tourney, which was +always eventually settled in the lists of Frolic itself. And, whiles +they strove, Harlequin danced in and out the trees, with magic touch of +bat making the mizzle shimmer and the meadows gleam, and finally, with +rare exuberance, breaking his precious colours overhead, to say the +masque was over and bid the racing winds hustle away the fretful +scenery and clear the stage of sky for his possession. + +Master and dog made their way to the inn jubilantly enough. + +As he devoured his tea, Lyveden thought again of the girl--more +cheerfully. Indeed, he made bold to decide that she was interested in +him. That such interest sprang from the loins of Curiosity he admitted +readily. Its origin did not matter; the trouble was to keep it alive. + +It is obvious that he himself was more than interested. He was, I +suppose, in love. At the moment when he had looked upon her for the +first time his heart had leaped. Instantly the man knew that he had +seen his maid. He had no doubt of it at all, but was quite positive. +If a million Archangels had appeared and with one voice told him that +he was wrong, he would have shaken his head with a smile. His heart +had leaped, and there was an end of it. He just knew. In view of the +prospective failure of so many Archangels, it is not surprising that my +lady herself, whatever she did, would not be able to erase this +impression. Consequently though she had behaved to his face with a +manner which it was a Quixotic courtesy to style "disdain," Anthony +never wavered. For a second of time he had seen beyond the veil--at +least, his heart had--and, now that he knew what it hid, all +reinforcement of that veil was out of date. My lady might line it with +oak, with brass, with masonry miles thick--and all her labour would be +in vain. All the same, Anthony hoped devoutly that she would do +nothing of the kind.... + +With a sigh he drank to their next meeting. + +Then he called the terrier and set him upon his knee. + +"My fellow," said he, "listen. In these very precincts you committed +an aggravated assault upon an Irish terrier. I don't blame you. He +probably deserved it. But--he belongs to the lady--my lady, Patch, the +only lady in the world. And she didn't like it, my boy. She didn't +like it at all. So remember, if ever we meet her again, you mustn't +fight. I don't want to be hard on you, but you mustn't. Of course, if +you could show him a little courtesy--indicate a scent which will repay +investigation, or something--I should be exalted. But I don't press +that. A strictly non-committal attitude will serve. But +aggression--no. Patch, I trust you. I know it's difficult for you to +understand, but you'll be a good dog and try, won't you? For my sake, +Patch?" + +Whether the Sealyham in fact appreciated the nature and gravity of the +request is a matter which cannot be decided upon this side of the +grave. The fact remains that when, upon entering the grounds of the +Dogs' Home some thirty-five minutes later, he encountered that very +Irish terrier, looking rather sorry for himself and attached to the end +of a long lead, he walked straight up to him and bestowed upon him as +generous a greeting as his nostrils and tail could convey. + +Anthony could hardly believe his eyes.... + +At the other end of the lead was a kennelman, who spoke quickly and to +the point. + +"Beggin' your pardon, sir, but I wouldn't let 'im talk to 'im. 'E's +not very grand--this little dog ain't. I think it's only a chill, but +we've hisolated 'im, in case..." + +Patch was summoned peremptorily, to come running wide-eyed. Happily in +his sight his master could do no wrong; otherwise it is possible that +he might have thought himself hardly used and love's labour lost indeed. + +Anthony passed into the hall, thinking furiously. With Patch under his +arm, he spoke to the fair-haired girl in charge of the office. + +"I've seen a dog out there that I recognize--an Irish terrier. He's +not very well, your man said. May I know whose he is?" + +"Oh, yes. He belongs to Miss French--Miss Valerie French. He's a nice +little dog, isn't he?" + +If Anthony Lyveden had reflected, it would have occurred to him that +his informant had been, as they say, "very quick in the uptake." The +truth was that less than a week ago Miss Valerie French had recognized +Patch and had asked the same girl for the name of his owner. + +"He's a beauty," said Anthony. "Does she keep him here all the time?" + +"When she's in London," said the girl. "I expect you've seen her. +She's very often down." + +Anthony nodded. + +"I think I must have," he said. + +Then he made much of Patch and handed him over. + +"See you next week, little Patch. Next Saturday. Only a week from +to-day. Good-bye, little fellow." + +He ruffled the tousled head with a last caress, smiled at the puzzled +brown eyes, and turned away.... + +There was no sweet sorrow about these partings. They were purely +abominable. + +At the very hour that Lyveden walked heavily down the wet lanes on his +way to the station, Valerie French, who was to dine early and go to the +play, was sitting before her dressing-table in an apricot kimono. + +The evening sun stared into her bedroom mercilessly and found no fault +in it. It was a broad low room, full of soft colours and the warm glow +of highly polished wood. Walls, curtains, and carpet were all of +powder-blue; an old rose fabric covered what seats there were; an +apple-green coverlet filled up the symphony. That taper elegance which +modern craftsmanship can give mahogany was most apparent, lending the +usual suite unusual comeliness. A great pier-glass flashed in a +corner, upon a little table beside a deep chair a bowl of roses +sweetened the London air, above the well-found bed dangled an ivory +switch. + +If the chamber was fair, so was my lady. + +Looking upon her beauty, as she sat at the glass, Valerie French might +have felt very proud. But, if we pry into her mind, it will be seen +that her thoughts were otherwise occupied. Indeed, the fixing of her +hair--usually so simple a matter--was making her knit her brow. The +fact that the soft dark tresses had been washed that morning made them +unruly. In vain the pointed fingers strove to secure and order them to +their mistress's liking.... + +At length, with a sigh, she brought her hands to her lap. + +Then she made a mouth at the reflection of her labours. + +"I look like his Sealyham," she said. + + * * * * * + +It was on Monday morning that Lord Pomfret suggested to Lyveden the +propriety of putting a pound each way on Slip Along. + +"I don't suppose the swine's any good," said his lordship moodily. +"But he'll probably start at twenty, so I may as well have a dart. I +forget who told me about him." + +"Very good, my lord," said Anthony. + +To receive this commission, he had been summoned from the drawing-room, +whose floor he was engaged in leathering to the requisite degree of +lustre. He had had to remove an apron, turn down his sleeves, and put +on his plum-coloured coat. So soon as his lordship, who was yet at +breakfast, released him, he would reverse the procedure and return to +his floor. + +Lord Pomfret peered muttering into his cigarette case. Then he plucked +out a ten-shilling note and flicked it across the tablecloth. + +"That's all I appear to have," he said sulkily. "I'll have to owe you +the thirty shillings." + +Anthony braced himself. + +"I'm afraid I haven't any money at all, my lord." + +The other looked up sharply. + +"What? ... Oh, nonsense, Lyveden." + +Anthony said nothing. He was not anxious to repeat the lie, but he was +determined not to lend to Lord Pomfret. That the loan would lose +itself was much too probable, and the construction of his slender +resources would not stand such a strain. + +"Of course you've got thirty shillings. But you don't like parting." +Lord Pomfret laughed rather nastily. "I'll pay you back, man, if +that's your trouble." + +"I haven't the money, my lord." + +The youth stared at Anthony furiously. Then-- + +"Oh, go to hell!" he said thickly. + +Anthony picked up the note and placed it beside his lordship. Then he +left the room and returned to his work. + +Lord Pomfret was exceedingly wrath. In fact, he brooded over the +incident. This augured ill for Anthony. The cold fact that in due +season--to be precise, at eleven minutes to four that same +afternoon--Slip Along won his race easily did not improve matters. +That he started at thirty-three to one was still less digestible.... + +When his lordship read the news at half-past five, he broke into a cold +sweat. Then he bit savagely at the nail of his favourite thumb. +Considering that, so recently as that morning, he had reluctantly +decided that that toothsome _entremet_ must be allowed to go unmolested +for at least a week, his action was indicative of an emotion which knew +no rules. That he made no mention of the matter to Anthony, was the +ugliest omen of all. + +Two days later the second footman called Anthony, who was crossing the +hall. + +It was a fine July morning, and the famous square was full of sunlight +and clear-cut shadows and the soft swish of leaves. All this could be +marked from the hall, for the front door stood wide open, and a fresh +cool breeze came floating into the mansion, to flirt with the high and +mighty curtains upon the landing, jostle the stately palms, and ruffle +up the pompous atmosphere with gay irreverence. The air itself would +have told you the hour. The intermittent knocks of a retreating +postman declared the time even more accurately. + +"'Ere's a letter fer you, mate," said the second footman. "'A. +Lyveden, Esquire,' it says, all bald-like. No C.M.G., no B.F., no +nothin'. I should 'ave a raow abaout this." + +Anthony came grinning. + +"P'r'aps their _Who's Who's_ out of date," he said. + +The other shook his head. + +"It's the deecay of menners, mate," he said sorrowfully, turning to +resume the sorting operation upon which he was engaged. + +The letter bore the postmark of a village in Hertfordshire, and proved +to be a communication from the Dogs' Home at which Patch was lodged. + + +_DEAR SIR,_ + +_I am sorry to inform you that your Sealyham has contracted distemper. +There is at present no reason to think that he will be seriously ill, +and, the veterinary surgeon is quite satisfied with his condition._ + + _Yours faithfully,_ + _N. DAWES,_ + _Supt._ + + +Anthony stared at the sheet as it had been a death-warrant. It must be +remembered that Patch was all that he had in the world. + +The second footman, who had been perusing a postcard addressed to the +Marchioness, placed the missive upon the top of his mistress's letters +and fell to whistling softly between his teeth. When he glanced round +to see Anthony so still, he stopped his fluting in the midst of a bar. + +"Wot's up, mate?" he said eagerly. "'Ad some bad noos?" + +Anthony folded the sheet and put a hand to his head. + +"My little dog's ill," he said. "He's down in the country, and--it's +rather worrying." + +The other looked at him curiously. Then-- + +"That's the worst o' dawgs," he said sagely. "Yer goes an' gets fon' +of 'em, an' then they gets run over, or dies, or somethin'. Cats is +the same. My sister's little gurl 'ad a kitten with one eye. Thort +the world o' that cat, she did. 'Adn't got no use fer dolls nor +nothin'. 'Moses,' she called it. One day a bull-terrier does it in." +He paused dramatically, raising his eyes to heaven with an air of +reminiscent resignation which spoke volumes. "Me sister thort the +kid'd go aout of 'er mine. In the en' they 'ad to send 'er away." + +Anthony listened to the anecdote with what politeness he could, hoping +desperately that time would prove its irrelevance. + +"Poor little girl," he said quietly. + +"But she got over it orright, mate. Same as wot you will. You see. +'Sides," he added, with the gesture of one who adduces a still stronger +argument, "'e ain't dead yet. Don't you meet trouble 'alf-way, mate. +It ain't good enough." + +For this philosophy there was much to be said, and Anthony did his best +to practise it. When he had sent a telegram, asking to be informed +daily of his dog's progress, and advised by wire or telephone if there +was any danger, he felt more comfortable. The day, however, dragged +heavily.... + +Happily Lord Pomfret made few demands upon his patience. For all that, +his lordship had formed a new habit, which Anthony--partly because he +was preoccupied, partly because he had but two eyes--failed to observe. +This was a pity, for while it was not a pretty habit, it happened to +concern Anthony pretty closely. The trick was this. So often as he +and Lyveden were in the same room, his lordship's watery eyes would +follow the footman wheresoever he moved. + +It may be urged that a cat may look at a king. True. + +But if a cat were detected in the act of looking at a king as Lord +Pomfret Fresne had come to look at Anthony Lyveden, it is safe to +predict not only that the animal would be afforded no further +opportunity of inspecting his majesty, but that in about two minutes he +would, like poor Moses, be put to sleep with his fathers. + + * * * * * + +By the same post which so discomfited Anthony, came to Miss Valerie +French two letters, one at least of which must be set out. + + +_c/o Joseph Bumble, Esq., + The Shrubbery, + Hawthorne._ + +_DEAR VAL,_ + +_Send your pal along. The Bumbles will jump at him. As for us, if our +present colleague wasn't under notice to leave, we should be. Of +course he can have his dog here. Haven't I got Jose? And if a +parlour-maid can keep one, d'autant plus a footman. Pending the +dismissal of the colleague referred to, Anne and I have to do more than +we should, and are a little bored with Life. George has the best time +with the car, but we make him help in the house. When are you coming +to Bell Hammer? George and I were there on Sunday, and it looks +topping._ + + _Love from us all, + BETTY._ + + +The other dispatch was from Printing House Square. Its envelope, being +opened, was found to contain three other envelopes, each bearing the +same superscription, viz., "Box Y779, c/o _The Times_." + +Valerie opened them eagerly. + +They were, all three, applications for the post of a gentleman-footman. + +After satisfying herself that no one of these was signed by Lyveden, +Valerie tossed them aside unread. Then she propped herself on her +elbow and poured out a cup of tea. + +That Fate buffets her favourites is sometimes true. Here we catch the +baggage red-handed. With one cold relentless palm she threatens to +take from Anthony, who hath not, even that which he hath: with the +other she is strewing blossoms upon what is to be his path. With her +right hand she robs the beggar, with the left she prepares for him a +bed of roses. + +The lady of Anthony's heart loved him. It is no good beating about the +bush. Pity may be akin to Love, but Interest is the boy's first +cousin. Whether her heart had leaped, when she saw him, is not for me +to say. She looked upon him, saw that he was good, made up her +mind--and that was settled. The fact that she immediately turned her +back upon him has nothing to do with the question, but may, if you +please, be construed as confirming her plight. + +Had the round world been ten thousand years younger, when she and +Anthony looked the one upon the other in the garden of _The Leather +Bottel_, he would have put his arms about her, and she would have +suffered him, and there in the shadow of the little inn this tale would +have come to an end. That it did not so end then and there is the +fault partly of a crop of conventions, which have in so many years +increased out of all belief and now stand bristling between Impulse and +Action, and partly of the contrariness of women, which is, we know, +very ancient, but not so old as all that. It is these two marplots, +which you must bless or curse, gentlemen, as the fancy takes you. + +Valerie French, then, was trying to bring Lyveden into smooth water. +She had already earmarked a congenial billet at The Shrubbery, +Hawthorne. The difficulty was to make Anthony apply for the post. +Since Mrs. Bumble could hardly be advised to ask a footman to quit the +service of the Marquess of Banff, Valerie, who was determined to remain +incognito, had recourse to the Press. Her advertisement for a +gentleman-footman appeared daily. + +When my lady had drunk her tea, she turned to the telephone. After a +little delay, she was connected to the Dogs' Home in Hertfordshire. +Presently the superintendent spoke.... + +'Miss French's Irish terrier was not too grand. He was coughing a +little. There was no real cause for anxiety, but he was not out of the +wood.' + +"I'll be down this afternoon," said Valerie. + +She was as good as her word. + +And since, to her grief, the little brown dog was nothing bettered, but +rather grew worse, she visited him the next day also and the day after +that. + +And so it happened that she was at the Home on Friday, when Patch's +condition gave rise to such uneasiness as presently decided the +superintendent to telephone to his master. Indeed, the fair-haired +girl had discussed with Valerie the advisability of so doing. + +"Mr. Lyveden's a busy man, I fancy, and we hate worrying people. But +he's simply devoted to the dog, and he's pretty bad." + +"I think," said Valerie slowly, "I think he ought to be told." + +"Perhaps you're right, Miss French," said the girl. "I'll go and ring +up." + +She slipped out of the hospital, through the garden, and presently into +her office. + +It was perhaps ten minutes before she could speak with London. Then-- + +"Is that Lord Banff's house?" she inquired. + +"Yes. Who are you?" said an unpleasant voice. + +"Oh, can I speak to Mr. Lyveden?" + +"_Who?_" + +"Mr. Lyveden." + +An exclamation of surprise came to her ears.... Then an oath.... Then +a smothered laugh.... + +The girl frowned with impatience. At length-- + +"Hullo," said the voice. + +"Can I speak to Mr. Lyveden?" she repeated. + +"No, you can't. He's--he's out." + +"Oh! Well, it's rather important. Could you give him a message?" + +"Try me," said the voice. + +"Will you tell him that his dog is not so well?" + +"What dog?" + +"_His_ dog. His Sealyham. Mr. Lyveden will understand." + +"Oh, will he?" said the voice. "And where do I come in, Mabel?" + +For a moment the fair-haired girl stared at the instrument. Then she +flushed angrily and rang off.... + +At the other end of the line Lord Pomfret replaced his receiver with a +hideous leer. + +The superintendent returned to the hospital. + +"Did you speak to him?" said Valerie. + +"No, Miss French. He was out. I had to leave a message." + +Valerie rose to her feet. + +Observing her movement, the Irish terrier rose also and got shakily +upon his legs. The effort set him coughing again, poor fellow, and he +had to submit to the paroxysm before he could wag his tail. How +stiffly this moved, his mistress, whose eyes were full of tears, did +not remark. Nor did she notice the suggestion of impotence about his +hindquarters. With her practised eye, the fair-haired girl noticed +both symptoms and bit her lip. + +Valerie caressed her favourite and turned to a grey-headed kennel-man +who had just entered the room. + +"Are you going to wash his face?" + +"Yes, ma'am." + +The Irish terrier was plainly pleased to see his old nurse. + +"How is the little Sealyham?" + +"'Tis a sick dog, ma'am." + +Valerie turned away. + +The superintendent escorted her back to the house. + +"I'll be down to-morrow morning," she said. + +"Very well, Miss French." + +As she walked down the drive, Valerie wondered miserably whether she +was treading it for almost the last time. + + * * * * * + +When upon Saturday morning Anthony received no bulletin from +Hertfordshire, he did not know what to think. In the ordinary way he +would have telegraphed, but telegrams cost money, which he really could +not afford, and he was, in any event, to visit the Dogs' Home that +afternoon.... He decided to do nothing. All the same, he was far from +easy, for Friday morning's report had said that his terrier was not so +well. + +He went about his work abstractedly, glancing at the faces of the +clocks times without number. + +At five-and-twenty minutes past two, just as he was going to change, +Lord Pomfret sent for him. Anthony ground his teeth. The man was his +evil genius. + +Mercifully the interview was a short one. + +His lordship produced two pounds and curtly instructed the footman to +expend the money upon the purchase of roses. + +"They've got to be good ones, and you ought to be able to get stacks +for two quid. I shan't want them till to-morrow morning, so they've +got to be fresh. You'd better get them as late as you can, and put +them in water directly you get in. That's all." + +"Very good, my lord." + +Lord Pomfret returned to the perusal of _La Vie_, and Anthony stepped +to the door. As he was passing out-- + +"Lyveden," said his lordship sharply. + +"Yes, my lord." + +"I shall want to see the bill." + +Anthony hesitated, inwardly raging. Then-- + +"Very good, my lord," he said huskily. + +Ten minutes later he was out of the house. + +Along the road of Life goes bowling the coach of Destiny, and we poor +passengers inside know neither whither we are being borne nor how long +shall be our journey. Now and again the horses are pulled up, the door +is opened, that grim guard Fate calls out a name, and one of us climbs +pitifully forth, to pass with faltering steps into a sable hostelry. +We that are left behind peer after him curiously.... Then the door is +slammed, with a lurch the coach is off again on its eternal wayfaring, +and we poor passengers inside sit betwixt hope and fear, wondering +vainly what the next mile of road will bring to each of us. + +Climb up upon the box-seat, gentlemen, if you will see what is to +become of Anthony: so I am with you, you will not be sent packing. + +Look how he is being borne unwitting over the Bridge of Care, into the +Valley of Love, by Thicket Perilous, clean through the Waters of Anger +to where the white road curls over that grey upland, and we can see it +no more. As well for Anthony that he has not our knowledge. The next +league or so will play the deuce with his emotions.... + +One last look, gentlemen. Can you see that cypress there, tall by the +wayside, down in the Valley of Love? We will descend there, by your +leave, for the driver will pull up his horses and the coach will stop. +A dog has to be set down--a little dog, gentlemen, with rough hair and +as soft brown eyes as ever you saw.... + +Anthony covered the distance between the station and the Dogs' Home at +a good round pace. In fact, he was somewhat out of breath when a maid +admitted him to the house and, leaving him in the hall, went in search +of the superintendent. + +As the fair-haired girl made her appearance, his heart began to beat +furiously. + +"How's my little dog?" he said jerkily. + +The girl looked grave. + +"I'm afraid he's pretty bad, Mr. Lyveden. He's naturally very strong, +and we hope that'll pull him through. We ought to know one way or the +other within twelve hours." + +"I see," said Anthony dully. "When I didn't hear, I hoped----" + +"Didn't you get my telephone message?" + +Anthony shook his head. + +"When did you ring up?" + +"Yesterday. I spoke to somebody--a man, and asked him to tell you. I +don't know who it was." + +Anthony went very white. + +"I fancy I do," he said grimly, and drew in a quick breath. "And now +may I see my dog?" + +The fair-haired girl led the way to the hospital. + +The building, which stood by itself, was as fresh and cool as a dairy, +and a faint clean smell of sanitary fluid rose from its tiled floor. +In the hall were a table and a watchman's chair. Half a dozen rooms +led out of the hall. The girl went straight to the door of one of +these, turned the handle gently, and the next moment they were in the +little chamber. This was full of light and air, for the French +windows, which gave on to a broad veranda, were wide open. Upon the +garden beyond the sun was shining gloriously. + +By the side of the great square basket set in a corner Anthony fell on +his knees. + +"Why, Patch ..." + +The little scrap tried gamely to leap for his master, but his strength +failed him, and he fell sideways on to the pine shavings. Lyveden +gathered him gently into his arms and let him lick his face. + +"Did you think I was never coming, Patch? Did you think I'd forgotten +my little dog? My poor little fellow ... my little boy...." + +The laboured breathing slipped into a cough, and Lyveden laid the +terrier back on the shavings. There he got to his feet and coughed +desperately. The exertion seemed to exhaust him, for, when the fit was +over, he lay down where he stood, keeping his eyes upon Anthony and now +and again moving his little tail. + +The fair-haired girl, who had gone, reappeared, followed by the +grey-headed kennel-man bearing a deck-chair. + +"I expect you'll like to stay with him for a bit," she said pleasantly. + +Anthony thanked her, and she left him alone. + +For Patch's sake, Anthony sat very still. + +Considering that he had been afoot since half-past five, it is not +surprising that after a little space he fell asleep. + +Queer idiotic fancies bestrode his dreams: what was impossible came +naturally to pass: earth became wonderland, and no one wondered. Patch +and Miss French lay in sick beds upon respective mantelpieces: Lord +Pomfret had come to mend the telephone, and his tool-bag was full of +roses--the scent of them filled the room. Anthony himself was forging +a two-pound note upon a page of Bradshaw, and was terribly afraid that +it would not pass muster: something weighty depended on this, and all +the time the scent of the roses was hindering his efforts: it came +between him and the paper, so that he could not see: he brushed it away +angrily, but it came back.... + +He awoke suddenly, for no reason. + +Patch was lying very still, breathing more easily. His eye met +Anthony's, and the tip of a red tongue came into view. + +The faintest suggestion of perfume was in the air. This was so slight +and fleeting that Anthony, after a little, charged it to his +imagination and thought no more of it. + +Presently he rose and, setting his hat on the chair, where Patch could +see it and so expect his return, strolled out on to the veranda. + +From the depths of an easy-chair Valerie French lifted her eyes from +_The Times_ and smiled very charmingly. + +"I'm glad you've come out," she said. "I think it's a mistake to sit +there too long at a time." + +That Lyveden felt perfectly at ease with her, and neither started nor +spoke constrainedly, is worthy of note. It is, in fact, the best +possible evidence that his belief in their affinity was well founded. + +"You're quite right," he said. "After all, the great thing is to be on +the spot. I'm afraid this means that your dog is ill." + +Valerie looked away. + +"He's worse than Patch," she said slowly. + +"I'm awfully sorry." + +As he spoke, Anthony remembered how the dogs had met in the drive a +week ago. That, then, was how Patch had come by the sickness. Her dog +had infected him. + +Valerie looked up suddenly. + +"I'm afraid I was awfully rude at the inn that day," she said quietly. +"It was rotten of me." + +"No, it wasn't," said Lyveden quickly. "You were startled and upset +and----" + +"I've said all that to myself--several times. But it won't wash. It +was just rotten, and I'm very sorry." + +Had she been other than my lady, Anthony would have felt like a beggar +whose feet a queen was washing. As it was, he felt like a king. + +"I knew you never meant it," he said. + +"Why?" + +"Because it wasn't like you." + +"How could you know that?" said Valerie. + +"I don't know. I suppose I guessed. I suppose..." Anthony hesitated, +and the colour came into his cheeks. "I think I know you too well." + +Valerie French nodded, as if she had received a reply which she knew to +be correct. + +"You're very fond of your dog," she said. + +"He's all I've got." + +"All? Haven't you a single friend?" + +"Not one," said Anthony. + +A little cough came to her vigilant ears, and Valerie rose to her feet. +As she came to the window, she stopped and looked at Anthony with a +quiet smile. + +"I don't think you ought to say that," she said gently. "Not since you +know me so well." + +Long after she had passed in, Lyveden stood gazing at the threshold +from which she had spoken.... + +The veterinary surgeon was with Patch. + +After a tender examination, he rose to his feet, and Anthony introduced +himself. + +"He's a fine little dog," said the other. "And he makes a good +patient, but I'm afraid he's in for a bad time." He turned to the +kennel-man. "Have you warned Williams and Minter?" + +"I have, sir." + +"That's right. From now on, he mustn't be left." + +"Will he have some brandy, sir?" + +"Not yet." + +In answer to Anthony's questions, the surgeon spoke plainly. + +"He's getting steadily worse. That will go on for anything from six to +twelve hours. Then one of two things will become apparent--either that +he will recover, or that he can't." + +"What about my being with him?" + +"If you like to be near, sir, yes. As to being in the room--he's a +highly-strung little fellow, and in the circumstances I don't advise +it. Of course, if there was any sudden change ..." + +"I'm in your hands," said Anthony. "I'll leave my hat here. Then +he'll know that I'm at hand." + +"You couldn't do better, sir." + +The surgeon was patently glad of an owner who would do as he said. + +Anthony stooped to touch the damp muzzle.... + +Then he stole gently away. + +Out on the verandah he made his plans. Not for fifty Marquesses would +he leave ere the change had come. He decided to telegraph to the +butler. Perhaps they would understand. Any way, it could not be +helped. If he were to be dismissed, he would try again. Only the fear +of unemployment had kept him in Eaton Square. The very thought of Lord +Pomfret made his blood boil. Perhaps, even if they said nothing, it +would be better to leave. + +He picked up my lady's _Times_.... + +The trouble was that the demand for men-servants seemed rather small. +Married couples, apparently, were all the rage. Of course he was +getting good wages. The substance might not be toothsome, but it was +better than shadow. At least, you could get your teeth into it. + + +_WANTED.--A gentleman-footman: country: good wages: would be allowed to +keep dog. BOX Y779, c/o The Times, E.C.4._ + + +Anthony stared at the lines as if they were unreal.... + +Then came the flutter of a frock and herself stepped on to the veranda. +Mechanically Anthony set down the paper as if it had been contagious. + +Valerie did not speak of her terrier, nor did she ask after Patch. +Instead-- + +"If we went up to the house," she said gravely, "I think they would +give us some tea." Together they left the veranda and passed through +the pleasant grounds. "I've got a room in the village," she added, +"and I've sent for some things for the night. Will--will you have to +go?" + +"No. I shall stay. I can make shift." He smiled. "The Army's a good +school." + +"Do you wish you were back?" said Valerie. + +"I don't think so. A school has its drawbacks. If I were back in the +Army, I couldn't be staying tonight." + +Without thinking-- + +"You like to be your own master?" said the girl, and could have bitten +her tongue in sunder. + +Anthony winced. Then-- + +"Yes," he said slowly, "I do." + +Valerie thought frantically. Then-- + +"That's the best of being a man," she said. "Take our two cases. You +have your own establishment--at least, I suppose you have---your own +chambers, your own servant. I live with an aunt. If I broke away and +set up a separate menage, I should be talked about. To be her own +mistress and excite no remark, a girl must be in penury." + +Anthony's heart seemed to have stopped beating. The murder was out. +From my lady's words it was plain that she did not know his calling. +She had not recognized him, then, that night with his livery on. Fool! +He might have known that she would not--could not hobnob with a lackey. + +Instead of combating her statement, he made some knock-kneed reply.... + +For setting wheels within wheels, you cannot match Fortune. After all, +she has made trochilics her hobby through all the ages. Look at her +handiwork here. Jill knows Jack for a flunkey and seeks to dissemble +her knowledge, for fear of bruising his heart. As for Jack, when Jill +stumbles upon his secret, he curses his luck: now that he believes it +inviolate, he is in despair. + +Tea was served to them in a quiet parlour. It being their first meal +together, their friendship should have grown fat. Instead, it lost +weight steadily. They were ill at ease--both of them. To make things +worse, Anthony began to feel that he was an impostor. + +He walked with her to the village and sent his telegram. Later they +dined together. They dared not go far away, and the landlord of a +neighbouring inn was persuaded to serve eggs and bacon. This he did +with an ill grace, and, that there might be no mistake about his +annoyance, charged for it in the bill. Anthony paid the amount as if +it were nothing, and Valerie French writhed.... + +Afterwards they strolled in the garden and sat upon the veranda. The +hours which should have been so wonderful went by lack-lustre. Between +the two a phantom barrier had been set up. + +As ten o'clock was striking, Valerie was fetched. + +When the summons came, they were in the garden, and she left Anthony +without a word. Desperately sorry for her, miserably fearful for +himself, he followed as far as the steps of the veranda.... + +Twenty-five minutes passed, perhaps half an hour. Then there was +movement in the chamber. A door was opened. The lights, which had +been low, were turned up. + +A moment later Valerie appeared at the window, putting on her gloves. + +As she came to the steps, Anthony rose out of the shadows. + +"May I see you back to the village?" he said. + +She just inclined her head. + +They passed in silence out of the starlit garden on to a pale grey +road. The hedgerows on either side loomed up out of the darkness, +blacker than night. A lane led down to the village, leaving the road +on the left. It was the shortest path. As Lyveden started to turn, +Valerie laid a hand on his arm. + +"Not that way," she said unsteadily. "It was our last walk +together--Joe's and mine." + +Then she burst into tears. + +In a flash the barrier that had stood between them was done away. + +Anthony put his arm about her instinctively. She caught at his shabby +lapel and clung to it, sobbing piteously. They must have stood so for +five minutes or more. + +When she was better, they walked on slowly, Anthony talking as +naturally as if she had been his sister. All his constraint was gone. + +"Don't I know how you feel? Oh, my dear, I'm so grieved for you. I +know, I know.... Everything you do, every way you turn, calls up some +piteous memory. But it'll pass, dear, very soon.... Time's very +merciful...." + +They came to the sleeping village and the door of the house where she +was to pass the night. + +"Sleep well," said Anthony, and put her hand to his lips. + +Valerie dared not speak. For a second she hesitated, inarticulate. +Then she leaned over and set her cheek against his. + +The next instant she was gone. + + * * * * * + +Patch turned the corner of danger just before cock crow. + +With his heart singing, Lyveden went for a walk. He chose the old +way--the way he had trod so often with Patch by his side and Valerie in +his heart. My lady had filled his cup. The knowledge that Patch would +live had set it brimming. He saw the dawn up and felt jubilant. He +found new beauties of Nature at every step. His sympathy with my lady +was a thing detached. It could not cloud his happiness. Eaton Square +was forgotten. There were only she and he and Patch in all the +world.... + +He came to _The Leather Bottel_, borrowed a razor of an old groom, and +presently took a bath under a pump. Later he sat long over a joyous +breakfast. + +When he came back to the Home, there was Valerie. She just ran to meet +him. + +"I'm so glad, I'm so glad," she said. Then her lip quivered, and she +turned away. + +Anthony's heart smote him for his late selfishness. For as good cause +to congratulate her, he would have given anything. + +They went up to Town together by the same train. + +The feverish haste with which she climbed into "a third" was almost +comical. + +Arrived at the terminus, Lyveden handed her out. Since it was Sunday +morning, the station was quiet. Indeed, except for a crowd of +"theatricals"---- + +Anthony remembered the roses which Lord Pomfret had told him to +purchase with an unpleasant shock. + +As if a switch had been turned, all the uncertainty of his future rose +up in a cold black wave. The hopelessness of their friendship stood +out brutally. The thought that he was an impostor came pelting back, +to set his ears burning and--the barrier that had stood between them +crashed again into place. + +Mechanically he saw her into a cab and told the driver to go to a house +in Mayfair. Then he took off his hat. + +"I hope," he said lamely, "I hope you'll get home all right." + +Valerie looked at him curiously. Then she put out her hand. + +"I shall never forget your kindness," she said gently. + +When Anthony, some fifty minutes later, opened the front door to admit +Lord Pomfret into his father's house, he saw that his hour was come. + +For a moment the youth glared at him with the eyes of a snake. Then-- + +"Oh, you're back, are you?" he snarled. + +He entered the house, and Anthony closed the door. + +"I'm very sorry, my lord, about the roses." He held out the two pound +notes. "I entirely forgot them." + +Lord Pomfret snatched the notes out of his hand. + +Anthony turned to go. + +"Here!" Anthony stopped in his stride, hesitated, and then turned back. +"What d'you mean, 'you forgot'? It's a lie. This is the second time +you've let me down, you wash-out. And if you think----" + +"My lord, I tell you----" + +"Don't dare to answer me," raved the other. "I won't have it. Listen +to me. My mother doesn't approve of servants who stay out all +night--even if they are gentlemen. I'll bet you're ready to pitch a +hell of a tale, but it's no good, Lyveden. D'you hear? It's no good. +You see, I answered the telephone on Friday, when your lady-friend rang +up about the dog.... I know that dog, Lyveden, I've had one myself. +And, what's more, I happened to be at Marylebone this morning.... Yes. +That was a bit of bad luck, wasn't it? So next time you want a +week-end----" + +Anthony hit him full on the mouth. + +The other reeled backward, tripped over a rug, and fell heavily. He +was up in an instant, and came at Anthony, bellowing like a madman. + +Anthony, who was now quite cool, hit him between the eyes. + +For the second time Lord Pomfret went down. + +Again he got up, to hurl himself at his assailant, mouthing obscenity. + +Anthony side-stepped and hit him under the jaw as hard as he could. + +Lord Pomfret fell flat on his back and lay perfectly still.... + +The silence was broken by the sound of a dry laugh. + +Anthony swung on his heel, to see the Marquess of Banff in the library +doorway. + +"He's got a lot to learn yet," observed that nobleman, glancing at his +recumbent offspring. "A deuce of a lot." He put up his eyeglasses and +stared at Anthony. "If I'd known you could box, you should have given +him a hour a day. Too late now. You'll have to go, of course. What +are your wages?" + +"Six pounds a month, my lord," stammered Anthony. + +The Marquess took out a note-case and extracted six notes. + +"Does he owe you anything?" he said, peering. + +"No, my lord." + +In silence the money passed. + +"Better get out at once," said the Marquess shortly. + +"I'm--I'm very sorry, my lord, that this should have happened." + +"Tck! I heard what he said. I don't blame you. If you want a +reference, you can give my name. That'll do." + +Anthony bowed and left him. The sprawling figure was showing signs of +life. He passed through the hall quickly. + +Half an hour later, his baggage in hand, he descended the kitchen +stairs. + +At the foot of these he encountered the second footman. + +"'Elp!" said the latter. "Don' say you've got the bird, mate?" + +"Got it in one," said Anthony. + +"But 'oo----" + +"The Marquess." + +The fellow exploded. + +"It's a perishin' shame!" he cried. "It's a----" + +Anthony stopped him. + +"No. He treated me handsomely. I--I bought it." + +"You didn't never sauce 'im, mate?"--incredulously. + +"Not exactly. You'll see." He put out his hand. "So long." + +The other stared at the fingers before accepting them. Then-- + +"So long, mate," he said dazedly. + +Anthony let himself out. + +The second footman's inability to comprehend the matter continued until +a quarter-past one. It was at that hour that he did as he had been +told, and carried Lord Pomfret's luncheon up to his room.... + +The condition of his lordship's countenance was most illuminating. + + + + +CHAPTER III. + +THE VOICE OF THE TURTLE + +Sitting in the garden of the little Hertfordshire inn, Anthony drafted +his application with the utmost care. All the time he tried to keep a +tight hand upon his hopes--unruly and mettlesome fellows, which more +than once had carried him into the meadow of Expectation before he knew +where he was. There the going was splendid--till you came to the sunk +fence.... + +His letter, when finally settled, was comprehensive enough. + + + _c/o "The Leather Bottel." + Nr. Malory, + Herts._ + +_SIR (OR MADAM),_ + +_I beg to offer myself for the situation advertised in yesterday's +issue of "The Times."_ + +_I am twenty-nine, unmarried, a little over six feet in height, healthy +and very strong. I have no physical defects._ + +_I have just quitted the service of the Marquess of Banff. My +departure was directly due to my inability to give such satisfaction as +one member of his lordship's household required of me, but the +Marquess, who is familiar with the facts, was so good as to say that, +if and when I needed a "character," he would himself speak for me._ + +_I left the service of my previous employer because that gentleman was +going abroad, and so had no further need of a footman. That was my +first situation._ + +_I am accustomed to wait at table, answer the door, go out with the +car, take care of silver, clean boots and knives, and carry coals: and +I am ready to do anything that may be required of a man-servant. I +have no objection to wearing powder._ + +_I have been receiving seventy-two pounds per annum, but since, if I +come to you, I may bring my dog with me, I shall be content with a much +lower wage._ + +_The dog in question--a Sealyham--is now recovering from distemper, and +will not be fit to travel for another week, by which time I shall be +ready to enter your service._ + +_Should you desire to see me, I will come for an interview at your +convenience._ + +_I enclose a stamped addressed envelope, and shall be very grateful if +you will inform me without delay if you are already suited._ + + _I am, Sir (or Madam), + Yours obediently, + A. LYVEDEN._ + + _Sunday, July 25th._ + + +That he was an ex-officer, Lyveden deliberately omitted to mention; +that he was a gentleman, he trusted that his style and handwriting +would suggest. Had it been possible, he would have applied in person, +not of self-confidence, but because he could have made plain one point, +at any rate, upon which in a letter he feared to insist. This was that +to have his dog with him he was willing to do his work for a shilling a +day. + +It was not until after his tea that Anthony fair-copied his letter. +When it was signed and sealed, he slid it into a pocket and, telling +the mistress of the inn that he would like his supper at eight, took up +his hat from the settle and strolled out into the sweet-scented lanes. + +Half a mile distant a pillar of lichened bricks stood by itself at a +corner where two ways met. Here was enshrined a miniature once-red +door--a toy of a door, to gladden a child's heart and set his fancies +whirling, and be remembered, with another half-dozen of trifles, so +long as he lived. A slot in the door received His Majesty's mails. +Anthony, who had used the box before, strolled leisurely in its +direction, and, as he went, contemplated, first, the sweetness of +emancipation, and, secondly, the drawbacks of having but four pounds +seven shillings and a penny between himself and thraldom. + +A painstaking adder of figures, I have audited the gentleman's accounts +and found them correct to the farthing. He must pay for his terrier's +sickness and have four guineas in hand against the dog's board and +lodging, in case, after all, he was to stay at the Dogs' Home. For a +shilling he gave to a beggar, because he was poorer than himself, I can +find no receipt, but hope it is filed in heaven. An eight-shilling +meal stands out, among eightpenny teas, as a rare extravagance.... + +Lyveden was about to commit his dispatch to the posting-box--in fact, +his hand was outstretched--when, to the amazement of a cock-robin who +frequented the pillar for company's sake, and had seen more letters +posted than there were feathers upon his back, he hesitated, exclaimed, +stared at the letter with knitted brow, and then thrust it back into +his pocket. + +The truth was that Lyveden had thought of the lady. + +He strolled no farther, but walked--and that furiously. There were +times when he strode. By the time he had covered eight miles and was +on his way back, he was tramping wearily. He visited the Home and +learned that his dog was mending. For fear of exciting the patient, he +would not go in, but promised to come the next day. Then he passed on, +hardly noticing whither he went, but turning mechanically, when he had +covered five miles, wrestling with arguments, grappling with +circumstances, and finally setting himself by the ears for a lovesick +fool and a varlet in coat-armour. + +Her dog, housed at the Dogs' Home, had brought her to Hertfordshire. +Now that the poor little fellow was dead, Anthony flattered himself +that he (Lyveden) might possibly bring her so far. And if he were to +take this situation in the country--Heaven only knew where--she would +come to seek him in vain, and would go empty away. That even if he +stayed and she found him, and came to care for him, she would +eventually go still more empty away, was a still uglier reflection.... +Anthony was honourable, and there was the rub of rubs. That the shoe +which Fate had tossed him was a misfit was nothing: that his sense of +honour was chafed was intolerable. + +"Now, Naaman ... was a great man with his master and honourable ... but +he was a leper." + +After some consideration, Anthony decided grudgingly that, on the +whole, leprosy was worse than footmanhood, though less degrading. +After further consideration, he decided that, until he could be rid of +his uncleanness, he was in honour bound to see my lady no more. + +That it took him seven miles to work out this simple problem may seem +ridiculous. Possibly it is. In any case it is highly illuminating, +for it shows that the love which he bore Miss Valerie French was worth +having. + +When he posted his letter at a quarter to eight, the cock-robin, who +had been brooding over his late transilience, was greatly relieved. + + * * * * * + +Upon the second day of August the one-fifteen from Waterloo, or what +was left of it, rumbled in the wake of three other coaches--country +cousins, these, that had never seen London--up the long blue-brown +valley at the end of which lay the station of Mockery Dale. It was +tremendously hot, for the afternoon sun was raking the valley from stem +to stern, and since what little breeze there was blew from the +south-east, the fitful puffs passed over the dip in the moorland and +left it windless. This suited the butterflies admirably. Indeed, from +all the insects an unmistakable hum of approval of the atmosphere rose +steadily. Anthony could not hear it, any more than he could hear the +lark which was singing merrily at a vast height above the shining +rails, for the rumble of the composite train, but he saw and marked the +sleepy smile of the valley, noted with satisfaction its comfortable air +of contentment to be no part or parcel of a frantic world, and held his +terrier Patch to the dusty window, that he might witness the antics of +a couple of forest ponies, which were galloping away from the train and +kicking up contemptuous heels at the interloper in an ecstasy of idle +menaces, clown-like in their absurdity. + +Patch saw the impudent frolic and, panting with excitement, evinced an +immediate desire to leave the carriage and deal summarily with the +irreverence, but a second later the sudden demands of a French +bull-dog, sitting pert in a dog-cart which at a level-crossing was +awaiting the passage of the train, superseded the ponies' claim upon +his displeasure. The alien was scolded explosively. + +A moment later the train had pulled into the station, and Lyveden and +Patch got out. They were, it appeared, the only passengers to descend. + +The only vehicle outside the station was a Ford car, rather the worse +for wear. Sitting as drowsily at the wheel as the exigencies of the +driver's seat would permit was a man of some thirty summers. From his +appearance he might have been a member of the club to which, till +recently, Anthony had belonged. His soft felt hat was cocked +extravagantly over one eye to keep the sun at bay, and his country suit +was, fortunately, of a cloth which age cannot wither nor custom stale, +but whose like has not been woven since the ill-favoured and +lean-fleshed kine came up out of the river of War. + +As Lyveden appeared, carrying his luggage and preceded by Patch-- + +"No need to ask if you're for The Shrubbery," said the driver of the +Ford lazily. "Shove your things in the back, will you?" + +Anthony set down his suit-case and touched his hat. "Very good, sir," +he said. + +"Here," came the airy reply, "you mustn't 'sir' me. I'm the comic +chauffeur--your fellow-bondsman, to wit. Name of Alison." He extended +a firm brown hand. "Not to put too fine a point upon it, I'm +overwhelmed to meet you. With the slightest encouragement, I shall +fall upon your neck. The last footman was poor company, and took two +baths in three months. My wife didn't try to like him. She's the +parlour-maid." + +Anthony took the other's hand like a man in a dream. + +"I can't believe it," he said simply. "Is this a leg-pull?" + +"No blinkin' fear," said Alison. "We're all in the same boat. What a +topping dog!" + +Anthony felt inclined to fling his hat upon the ground and yell with +delight. Instead, he thrust his baggage into the car and, stepping in +front of the bonnet, took hold of the starting-handle. + +"Is it safe?" he said, straddling. "Or will she go round with my hand?" + +"Well, we do usually get some one to stand on the step," said Alison, +"but, if you like to risk it ..." + +A moment later they were hurtling along a white-brown ribbon of road +that sloped sideways out of the valley and on to the top of the moor. + +Alison chattered away light-heartedly. + +"You see in me," he said, "the complete chauffeur. With my livery on +and two thousand five hundred pounds' worth of Rolls-Royce all round +me, I'm simply it. My only fear is that, when you turn out beside me, +the whole perishin' concern will be caught up to heaven. However, I +really think you'll be happy." + +"I believe you," said Lyveden. + +"Of course, I don't do much indoors, but Betty says the housework's +nothing. Anne agrees. She combines the duties of housemaid and my +sister. Oh, we're all in it, I warn you. Of course, we do old Bumble +and Mrs. Bumble proud. They deserve it. They're very kindly and +easy-going, and we always try and give them just a shade more than they +have a right to expect. He's a retired grocer and proud of it. Plenty +of money, no children. Very little entertaining. We have more +visitors in the servants' hall than they do in the drawing-room...." + +The lazy voice purled on contentedly till the car leapt into a village +gathered about the road. + +"Hawthorne, I take it," said Lyveden. + +"Brother," said Alison, "I will not deceive you. This is indeed that +bourn from which no commercial traveller returns, for the most potent +reason that none ever comes here. Thank Heaven, it's off their beat. +The Shrubbery's half a mile on." + +Two minutes later they swept up a shady drive, past the creepered front +of a well-built house, and into a small courtyard. + +As the emotions of the car subsided, a Cocker spaniel made her +appearance, squirming with affection and good-will, and offering up +short barks of thanksgiving by way of welcome. + +"Hush, Jose, hush!" cried a pleasant voice, and the next moment Mrs. +Alison appeared in a doorway, wearing the traditional habiliments of a +smart maid-servant with a perfectly natural air. + +When her sister-in-law, similarly attired, followed her into the yard, +Anthony felt as if he had been pushed on to a stage in the middle of a +musical comedy.... + +Not until his introduction was over, Mrs. Alison had shown him his +room--a simple sweet-smelling apartment, all pale green and white and +as fresh as a daisy--and they were all four seated in a cool parlour +about a hearty tea, did the feeling of unreality begin to wear off. + +"There'll be just us four," said the housemaid. "The cook's a +villager, and doesn't sleep in. She and her daughter, the kitchenmaid, +feed together in the kitchen. They're a very nice pair, and seem to +think more of us than they do of the Bumbles. It's really as good as a +play. We pay the girl a shilling a week on the top of her wages, and +for that she lays our table and serves our meals. I expect George has +told you about the Bumbles. They're really two of the best." + +"By the way," said Anthony, "oughtn't I to be reporting for duty?" + +"Plenty of time," said Mrs. Alison. "I'll ask when I clear away tea. +They'll want to see you, just to say they hope you'll be happy more +than anything else. And now do ask some questions. I'm sure there +must be hundreds of things you're simply pining to know." + +Anthony laughed. + +"To be absolutely frank," he replied, "I'm still a little bit dizzy. +I've been on my beam ends so long that to suddenly fall on my feet, +like this, is disconcerting. I've sort of lost my balance." + +"Of course you have," said Alison, lighting a pipe. "Bound to. I feel +rather overwrought myself. Let's go and cry in the garage." + +"Don't take any notice of the fool," said his wife. "By the way, +there's one thing I ought to tell you, and that is that Christian names +are the order of the day. Off duty it's natural; on parade, since we +three glory in the same surname, it's unavoidable. I'm known as Betty, +my sister-in-law's Anne, and that with the pipe is George." + +"And I," said Lyveden, "am Anthony--at your service. This with the +hungry look"--he picked up the Sealyham--"is Patch. As the latter is +convalescent, all his days lately have been red-letter, and celebrated +by the addition to his rations of a small dish of tea. Whether such a +scandalous practice is to be followed this afternoon must rest with his +hostess." + +"I think," said Betty, "as he's a _bonafide_ traveller..." + +Jose, the soft-eyed spaniel, profited by the Sealyham's privilege. It +was impossible that she should not receive equal consideration. + +"You must forgive my staring," said George Alison, gazing upon Anthony, +"but you just fascinate me. To think that you're not going to suck +wind when drinking, or clean your nails with a fork, is too wonderful. +Your predecessor's habits at table were purely Johnsonian." + +Betty shuddered at the allusion. + +"If he'd been decent," said Anne, "I could have borne it. But he was +just odious. The idea that we'd come down in the world fairly +intoxicated him." + +"It's true," said George. "And when Val wrote and----" + +A vicious kick upon his ankle silenced him abruptly. + +"I beg your pardon," said Anthony, who had been busy with Patch. + +"I was saying that--er--if you value your dog, and he's only just over +distemper, I shouldn't let him run loose just yet. Jose's a terrible +huntress, and she's sure to lead him astray. Stays out all night +sometimes." + +"Right oh!" said Anthony cheerfully. + +It was manifest that Patch was going to have the time of his life. + +When Betty returned from ushering their new footman into the presence +of Mr. and Mrs. Bumble, she reviled her husband as he deserved. + +"I forgot," he pleaded. + +"Forgot!"--indignantly. "Well, if you forget and mention her name +again, I'll--I'll prick your tires." + +"Any way," said George, "my withdrawal was little short of brilliant. +You'll admit that? Incidentally, her _protege's_ an improvement on +little Halbert, isn't he? I think we ought to have an appropriate +supper to-night in his honour. What about killing the padded calf?" + +Betty kissed him behind the left ear. + + * * * * * + +Long before Anthony had received his livery from the tailor at Brooch, +he had settled down to his nice new life with heartfelt gratitude. The +old zest of living had returned to him to stay. It was no longer +necessary to make the best of things. From labouring in the trough of +oppression he had been swept into waters more smooth than any he had +dreamed of riding--a veritable lagoon of security and content. + +At first, so long had he been mishandled by Fortune, that, like a cur +that has been accustomed to ill-treatment, he viewed her present bounty +with suspicion. Had she poured for him the wine of comfort to dash the +cup from his lips ere it was empty? That would be just like the jade. +He scanned the sky anxiously for a sign of the coming storm, and, +finding it cloudless, saw in this calm some new miracle of treachery, +and feared the worst. He was afraid, selfishly, for Mr. Bumble's +health. The man was pink and well nourished. Anthony thought of +apoplexy, and, had a medical book been available, would have sought a +description of that malady's favourite prey. Mrs. Bumble was also well +covered. Anthony hoped that her heart was sound. On these two lives +hung all his happiness. He reflected that motoring was not unattended +by peril, and the idea stayed with him for half a day. Had he not been +ashamed, he would have laid the facts before George and besought him to +drive carefully.... + +As the days, however, went placidly by and brought no evil, the smoking +flax of his faith began to kindle, and his suspicions to wilt. His +mind shook off its sickness and began to mend rapidly. Very soon it +was as sound as a bell. + +His temporary lapse from grace, above related, was so innocuous that it +need not be counted to his discredit. His was the case of the pugilist +who slipped on a piece of peel and felt unable to rise: had the place +been a ring, instead of a pavement, he would have been up and dancing +within ten seconds. So with Anthony--had Fortune frowned, he would +have laughed in her face. It was her smile that made him cower. And, +so long as she smiled, what mattered it if he cowered? Had Homer never +nodded, gentlemen, till it was past his bed-time, neither you nor I +would ever have heard of it. + +If Betty had indeed affirmed that the housework to be done at The +Shrubbery was nothing, she was guilty of hyperbole. All the same, the +house was an easy one, and such labour as its upkeep entailed melted, +beneath the perfectly organized attention of herself, Anne, and +Lyveden, as snow beneath the midday sun. The three had more legitimate +leisure than any three servants in England, and no residence in Europe +was better kept. Mr. and Mrs. Bumble, of course, were in clover. It +followed that Anthony Lyveden had much time to himself. Naturally +companionable, he spent most of this with his colleagues; nevertheless, +there were days when he liked to change his clothes, call Patch, and +walk off into the forest with only the little dog for company. It was +then that he could think of my lady.... + +He always associated her with the open air. Never once did he picture +her cribbed in a room. For him she was a creature of the country-side, +sun-kissed, folded in the arms of the wind, with the pure red wine of +Nature singing through her delicate veins.... Thinking of veins, he +recalled the faint exquisite blue of those which lay pencilled upon the +back of her cold little hand. He remembered the line of them perfectly. + +The vein, then, gave him the hand; the hand, the arm; the arm, the +shoulder. He reconstructed her piecemeal with a rare faithfulness, +till by the time he was on the moorland overlooking the smiling valley, +where the railroad went shining away into the old world, there stood +his lady beside him, complete, glorious, the freshening breeze behind +her moulding her soft raiment to the shape of her beautiful limbs, her +eyes shining, her lips parted, one little hand touching her dark +hair--just Valerie. + +So for a brief second she stood by his side. Once she swayed towards +him before the mirror of Imagination shivered, but only once. Mostly +it flew to flinders almost before she was come. + +Anthony hungered for a sight of the girl desperately. Had this been +offered him upon the understanding that he appeared to her in livery, +he would still have jumped at the chance. From this may be gauged the +degree of his hunger. He was, in fact, starving. + +Consequently, when one ripe September morning--all dew and mellow +sunshine and the lowing of cows--Betty tapped a letter with a +significant forefinger and announced that it contained an invitation to +a quiet little dance, Anthony, amid the general enthusiasm, displayed +no more interest than politeness demanded and no curiosity at all. + +Betty addressed herself to him. + +"It's from Lady Touchstone. I was at school with her niece. They live +at Bell Hammer, a beautiful place about five miles from here. You're +included, of course. I saw her last week, so she knows all about you. +It's because of her niece's birthday. Only about eight couples, she +says, and no strangers." + +"Except me," said Anthony. + +"You won't feel strange long," said George. "Berry and Co. are sure to +be there, for one thing, and they'll wrap their arms about you in about +two minutes. They live at White Ladies. Some of them came to tea here +the day you went over to Brooch." + +"I don't think I'd better go," said Anthony. "It's very kind of Lady +Touchstone, but I'm not much of a dancer, and----" + +His protest was overruled uproariously. + +"And he can't say he hasn't any clothes," said George, "because I've +seen them." + +This was true. Out of the spoliation of his wardrobe Lyveden had clung +to a dress-suit, much as the orphan who lugs her carpet to the pawnshop +clings pitifully to an old miniature, remembering happier days. + +Anthony coloured at the allusion, and Betty came flying to his +assistance. + +"What a shame!" she cried. "Why should he go if he doesn't want to? +And, for all we know, none of us may be able to accept. We've got to +get leave first, and then we've got to ask if we can have the Ford." +She paused to glance at the time. "Ten to eight, and you haven't +washed the yard yet. Don't sit there, George. Get a move on. You +chauffeurs!" She fairly drove him about his business. + +All the same, before the day was over she had wheedled a promise from +Anthony that, master and mistress permitting, he would go to the dance. + +The Bumbles were duly approached, and consented readily to the +projected exodus, asking solicitously if a quarter to ten would be +early enough for the four to leave The Shrubbery, and offering the use +of the Ford before this was sought. Considering that they were not +upon the visiting list of Lady Touchstone, or, for that matter, upon +that of any other of their domestics' friends, their readiness to +facilitate the excursion must be accounted to them for righteousness of +a calibre rare indeed. + +The night of the dance came, and the stars with it. All the company of +heaven twinkled and flashed out of a windless sky. No solitary breath +of air rustled the silence of the woods. Summer was dying hard. Yet +in the bottoms there lay--sure sign of Autumn--little hoary pools of +mist, just deep enough to swathe the Ford and its complement of +would-be revellers in a wet rush of frozen smoke, and make the girls +thrust their pink fingers beneath the rug, and Anthony his hands into +his coat-pockets. + +For all that, for Lyveden the five miles to Bell Hammer were covered +too soon. He liked to feel the rush of the wings of Night upon his +temples, to mark the untroubled slumber of the country-side, gaze at +the velvet dome fretted with silver. Moreover, he was almost dreading +the dance. Had he not given his word a week ago, he would--speaking +vulgarly--have stuck his toes in and seen his companions to the edge of +the pit before he followed them into the mansion. + +For a mansion it was. + +Though the night was moonless, Anthony could see that. That it was a +beautiful specimen of a "Queen Anne" residence he could not perceive. +Indeed, almost before the car had been berthed close to the shadowy +elegance of a tremendous cedar, the front door was opened, and a great +shaft of light streamed out into the darkness. + +The guests passed in. + +The monstrous deference of the footman who received Anthony's coat and +hat gave a disconcerting fillip to the latter's uneasiness. As a +respectful butler preceded the party upstairs, he felt as if he were +being conducted to a scaffold. + +"Captain and Mrs. Alison, Miss Alison, Major Lyveden." + +Anthony braced himself. + +The next moment-- + +"How d'ye do?" said Valerie, with a quiet smile. "I'm so glad you +could come. How's Patch?" + +With a whirling brain, Anthony tried to say that Patch was very well. + +"Let me introduce you to my aunt," said Valerie, turning to a lady whom +Anthony seemed to have seen before. "Aunt Harriet, this is Major +Lyveden--Lady Touchstone." + +Anthony bowed dazedly. + +"You were very good to Valerie," said the lady, "a little while ago. +I've heard about it. And how do you like service? I always said that, +if my father had put his money into railways instead of ships, I should +have become a cook-housekeeper." + +"It all depends," said Anthony, "on whose service you're in. I like +yours very much." + +Lady Touchstone laughed. + +"You'd make a good equerry," she said. Then she turned to glance down +the gallery. "You must meet Mrs. Pleydell," she added. "Ah, there she +is. Come." They stepped to the side of a tall dark girl with a most +attractive smile. "Daphne, my dear, this is Major Lyveden--from The +Shrubbery. Amuse him, and he'll flatter you. You see." The tall fair +man who had been sitting with Mrs. Pleydell offered Lady Touchstone his +arm. She put it aside with a frown. "I'm not so old as all that, +Jonah," she said. "You may take me to the hearth, if you please, but +not like a grandmother." + +With a crash an alcove belched music, and in a moment all the winking +length of the gallery was throbbing with ragtime. + +Mrs. Pleydell and Anthony trod the measure with a will. + +When it was over, she led him to a tall window with a deep-cushioned +seat. + +"You were out," she said, "when I came the other day. To make up for +it, you must come to White Ladies. It's a pretty walk, and we'll take +you back in the car." + +"You're very kind," said Anthony. + +"If you talk like that," said Daphne, "I shall invite you for the +week-end. And now would you like to talk shop, or shall I tell you +about my new dress?" + +Anthony hesitated, and the girl laughed merrily. + +"I'm a past-mistress of blackmail," she said. "My husband taught me." + +Anthony joined in her merriment before clearing his throat. + +"My first place," he said, "was in Lancaster Gate." + +"I know," said Daphne eagerly. "North of the Park. Go on." + +Before they parted, they had danced two more dances together. + +Then he spent a quarter of an hour with Betty and another like period +with Anne. After that, before he could get to Valerie, he was handed +to a little fair damsel, all big grey eyes and masses of golden hair. + +"Major Lyveden--Miss Mansel." + +"Isn't Daphne nice?" said that lady. "I saw you dancing with her. +She's my cousin." + +"I envy you both," said Anthony. + +Jill Mansel stared at him gravely. + +"That's very nice of you. Yes, I'd love to dance this. Look. There's +Adele. Isn't she lovely? I think she's like a flower. She's going to +marry my cousin. She's an American without an accent. You are tall, +aren't you? You're all tall here to-night, except me. It makes me +feel a dwarf." + +"And us, ogres," said Anthony. + +Jill laughed delightedly. + +"You are nice," she said. "Valerie said you were. Look at Berry +dancing with Daphne, and pretending he's bored stiff. When are you +coming to White Ladies?" + +She prattled on contentedly, asking questions innumerable, but +requiring no answers. + +Lyveden enjoyed himself. + +After they had sat out a little, Valerie came towards them with the man +called Jonah. + +"Since you won't ask me," she said to Anthony, "I must throw myself at +your head." She turned, smiling, to Jill. "Jonah is bored with me, +dear, so I'm going to heap coals of fire on his head and restore him to +his little sister." She returned to Anthony. "Now, then." Thus +addressed, he offered her his arm soberly enough. "There's some +supper, I know, downstairs, because I ordered it myself." + +They made for the great doors, Anthony tongue-tied, and she hailing +others to follow them. + +As they passed down the broad staircase, he remembered the reason of +the party, and begged to congratulate her. My lady thanked him with a +quiet smile. + +"We've got a lot to talk about," she said. "You and I. And there'll +be too much noise at supper, so it must wait. Afterwards I'll send for +a coat, and we'll walk in the garden. That's the best of a birthday. +I can do as I please." + +Her promise of his peaceful possession after supper made the meal, so +far as Lyveden was concerned, an Olympian banquet. The assemblage, +indeed, was remarkable, and the hostess--a very Demeter--must have been +the oldest present by some twenty years. The sprightliness of Hermes +alone, in the guise of the man called Berry, kept a lively table in +roars of laughter. + +Yet, full as his cup was, for Anthony the old Falernian was to come.... + +As good as her word, when the others were straying back to the gallery +in response to the lure of a lullaby valse, Valerie led Lyveden to a +lobby and let him help her into a chamois-leather coat. A cloak of +Irish frieze was hanging there, and she bade him put it about his +shoulders against the night air. Anthony protested, but she just +stamped her foot. + +"It's my birthday," she flashed. + +Anthony donned the garment, and she opened a garden-door. A moment +later they were walking upon a wide terrace at the back of the house. + +"Well?" said Valerie. + +"It is my bounden duty," said Anthony, "to remind you that I am a +footman. Now that you know, it's very easy to tell you." + +"And what if you are?" + +"Well, if we happened to visit the same house, I should go in by the +tradesmen's entrance." + +Valerie tossed her head. + +"You might go in by the back, but if you weren't shown out of the front +door, _I_ shouldn't visit that house again." + +Anthony sighed. + +"Then your visiting-list would shrink," he said, "out of all knowledge. +How did you know my calling?" + +"Did you think I didn't recognize you that night?" + +"At first I was uncertain. That I thought you must have. Then you +misled me, and made me think you hadn't. Why did you do that?" + +"I don't know," said Valerie. She could not tell him the truth. "It +seemed easier. How did you come to The Shrubbery?" + +"I wasn't happy where I was, and I saw the Bumbles' advertisement. It +seemed meant for me." + +That it was meant for him, and that she and not the Bumbles had paid +for its insertion, Valerie thought it unnecessary to state. + +"We're fated to be brought together," she said. + +"How did you know I was at The Shrubbery?" + +Valerie raised her eyebrows. + +"Betty's my oldest friend," she replied. + +Lyveden swallowed the _suggestio falsi_ without a thought. Indeed, so +soon as she had spoken, his mind sped back, bee-like, to suck the honey +of her previous words: "We're fated to be brought together." Fated.... + +The moon was up now, and he lifted his eyes and gazed at its clear-cut +beauty. A power, then, greater than he had ruled against his resolve. +Why? To what end? It was very kind of the power--at least, he +supposed it was--but what was to come of it? + +He had wandered straight into her arms. Very good. But--he and she +could not stroll upon this terrace for ever. The relentless rubric of +Life insisted that he must move--whither he chose, of course, but +somewhither. The truth was, he did not know which way to turn. His +heart pointed a path, certainly--a very precious path, paved all with +silk, hung with the scent of flowers, shadowed by whispering +plumage.... His head, however, beyond denouncing his heart as a guide, +pointed no way at all. + +Anthony wanted desperately to do the right thing. Fortune, it seemed, +was at her old tricks. Here she was handing a palace to a beggar who +had not enough money to maintain a hovel. It would not have been so +hopeless if he had possessed "prospects." With these in his pack, he +might have essayed the way his heart showed him. They were, however, +no part of a footman's equipment.... + +Anthony began to wonder what became of old footmen. One or two, +perhaps, became butlers. As for the rest... + +Valerie, too, was in some perplexity. She was wondering, now that she +had her man here, how best to deal with him. Pride and honour make up +a ground which must be trodden delicately. One false step on her part +might cost them both extremely dear. Her instinct was to take the bull +by the horns, Anthony by the arm, and Time by the forelock. The last +of these was slipping away--slipping away. She was actually +twenty-six. In a short fourteen years she would be actually forty. +Forty! For a moment she was upon the very edge of exercising the +privilege of a sovereign lady who has fallen in love. All things +considered, she would, I think, have been justified. Something, +however, restrained her. It was not modesty, for modesty had nothing +to do with the matter. It was not the fear of rejection, for she was +sure of her ground. It was probably a threefold influence--a rope, as +it were, of three stout strands. The first was consideration for +Anthony's pride; the second, an anxiety lest she should beggar him of +that which he prized above rubies, namely, his self-respect; the third, +an innate conviction that while the path of Love may look easy, it is +really slippery and steep out of all conscience. + +Thus absorbed in the delicacy of their relationship, they stepped the +length of the terrace in silence. Then-- + +"I don't know what you're thinking about," said Valerie, "but I should +like to." + +Anthony shook his head. + +"I'll tell you a story instead," he said. "If you like, that is." + +"Please." + +She turned and leaned her arms upon the stone balustrade, overlooking +dim lawns and, beyond, the pale ghost of a great park that seemed to +stretch and roll unlimited into the depths of a distance which Night +had bewitched. + +"There was once," said Anthony, "a frog. He wasn't much of a frog, as +frogs go. In fact, with the exception that he had no home and no +friends, he was a very ordinary frog indeed. One day when he was sick +and tired of being alone, he went out and bought a tame minnow. +Considering how poor he was, it was very reckless, because it meant +that there were now two mouths to feed instead of one, but the minnow +and the frog became such great friends that that didn't seem to matter. +At last, sure enough, the day of reckoning arrived. The larder was +empty, the minnow's appetite was as healthy as ever, and the frog was +down to his last penny. So, after a lot of thought, he left the minnow +playing in a quiet pool, and went out to earn some flies. By dint of +toiling very hard all day, he managed to earn enough to keep the minnow +and himself, but it meant that the two had very little time together, +and that was a shame. + +"Well, one day the frog got back to the pool a little earlier than +usual, and, chancing to lift up his eyes, there seated upon the bank he +saw a real live Princess. What the frog thought, when he saw her, may +be imagined. What he felt doesn't matter. Enough that he was +profoundly moved. So moved that he almost forgot to give the minnow +his flies. And long after the Princess had risen and gone away, the +frog kept thinking of her, and thinking, and thinking.... And then, +all of a sudden, he began to wish, as he had never wished before, that +he wasn't a frog. + +"Now, vain desires are the most persistent of all. + +"The frog wished and wished, and cursed himself for a fool, and wished +again.... At last he could bear it no longer, so he went to a +water-rat who was so old that he was said to be wise, and sought his +advice. + +"The water-rat was painfully outspoken. 'Once a frog, always a frog,' +he said. + +"'Always?' + +"'Always. Unless you can find a Princess and persuade her to kiss +you.' And, being an old rat, he chuckled at his own joke. + +"But the frog didn't see anything to laugh at. He just became so +excited that he could hardly float, and then he turned round and +started to swim back to the pool as hard as ever he could.... + +"By the next morning his excitement had somewhat abated. Of course he +was tremendously lucky to have found a Princess. (Being an optimist, +you see, he assumed that she would reappear.) But it was quite another +matter to persuade her to kiss him. Still, he didn't give up hope, and +every day he raced and tore after the flies, so as to get back early to +the pool. + +"Then one day the impossible thing happened. + +"There was the Princess again on the bank of the pool, and when the +frog put up his nose and fixed her with a bulging and glassy eye, she +smiled at him. Very haltingly the frog swam to land and crouched at +her feet, and, before he knew where he was, she had stooped and kissed +him. + +"The frog just shut his eyes in ecstasy and gloated upon the fulfilment +of his desire. It had happened. His wish had been gratified. The +change had come. He was no longer a frog. For the first time he began +to wonder what he was. Probably a Prince. Oh, undoubtedly a Prince. +All clad in gold and silver, with a little fair moustache. He hoped +very much that he had a fair moustache. But he wouldn't put up his +hand and feel, for fear of spoiling it. He wanted to look at himself +gradually, beginning with his feet and working upwards. He began to +wonder what sort of boots he had on. He decided that he was wearing +soft gold boots, with silver laces.... + +"Cautiously he opened one eye and glanced at his right foot. He was +quite wrong. It wasn't a gold boot at all. It was a queer-looking +boot, all smooth and shiny and shaped--well, rather like--like a frog's +foot. In fact, if he hadn't known that he was no longer a frog, he +would have said---- A frightful thought came to him, and he opened +both eyes, staring frantically.... Then he sprang to the edge of the +pool and looked himself in the face.... He stood gazing so long that +the minnow, who had been watching him, thought he was ill, and leaped +out of the water to attract his attention. At last the frog pulled +himself together and flopped back into the pool anyhow.... + +"And, after many days, during all of which the minnow was a great +comfort, he came to realize that frogs should know better than to lift +up their eyes, and should busy themselves with fly-earning, and be +thankful for the air and the sun and the mud at the bottom of pools, +and, last of all, look forward to that sun-bathed marsh where the flies +are fat and plenteous, and there is no winter, and whither, at the end +of their lives, all good frogs go." + +There was a long silence. Then-- + +"Poor frog," said Valerie, standing upright and turning. + +"It's very nice of you to say so," said Anthony, falling into step. +"But he richly deserved it." + +"And what happened to the Princess?" + +"Oh, she went the way Princesses go, and enriched the memories of all +who saw her, and in due season she married a Prince." + +"Didn't she ever think any more of the frog?" + +"No," said Anthony. + +"Then why did she kiss him?" + +They had come to the garden door by now, and, as she spoke, Valerie set +a hand on the latch. + +"Out of pity," said Anthony. "She had a sweet, kind heart, and she was +sorry for him because he was a frog." + +"I don't believe it was out of pity at all," said Valerie. "I'm--I'm +sure it wasn't." + +"It must have been," said Anthony. "Why on earth else should a +Princess----" + +"Because it pleased her to kiss him," said Valerie, with the air of a +queen. + +Anthony looked at her with undisguised admiration. + +"You're a real Princess," he said, "any way." + +Valerie let go the door-handle and laid her hand on his shoulder. + +"Why did she kiss him?" she demanded. + +"Out of--because it pleased her." + +The hand touched his cheek, and Anthony caught it and put it to his +lips. As he let it go, the slight fingers caught his and, before he +could stop her, Valerie had stooped and kissed them. + +The next instant the door was open, and she was inside. + + * * * * * + +Mr. Albert Morgan was working feverishly. + +Time was getting on, and the plate-chest had proved unexpectedly +stubborn. To know where it was had been a great help, of course, but +during his service at The Shrubbery it had been kept unlocked. +Somewhat unfairly, he cursed the parlourmaid, who, he assumed, was +doing his work, for "a suspicious ----." + +Curiously enough he had no idea that his late colleagues were not in +the house. He believed them to be sleeping peacefully in the servants' +quarters. For considerately placing the pantry distant from these, it +might have been thought that the architect of the house would receive +Mr. Morgan's commendation. On the contrary, of his zeal appropriately +to execrate the former's memory, the ex-footman employed most +regrettable language, and this for the simple reason that the stone +sill of the pantry window projected rather farther from the wall than +Mr. Morgan, when in the act of lifting his knee, had believed to be the +case. + +With the exception of this painful incident, his ingress had been +effected with the acme of ease. This was due to the foresight, +patience, and unremitting care with which he had severed the bars and +removed the spring of the window-catch during his last fortnight in Mr. +Bumble's employ. + +After the refractory plate-chest had been made to disgorge, Mr. Morgan +had visited the drawing-room. By the time he had garnered what +precious metal was there, his two capacious bags had become extremely +heavy. So much so, that he almost regretted that he had not brought a +friend. The reflection, however, that to present a coadjutor with half +the proceeds of a robbery which his brain alone had conceived and made +possible, would undoubtedly have shortened his life, made him feel +better. Cautiously he made for the stairs and, guiding himself with +his torch, began to ascend. + +There were some snuff-boxes in a cabinet which stood on the landing. +It was unthinkable that he should go without these. The piece was kept +locked, but he had often gazed at them through the glass. One of them +was of silver-gilt--possibly of gold. Mr. Morgan licked his thick lips. + +It was upon the door of this cabinet, then, that, torch in mouth, he +was working feverishly. Time was getting on.... + +As if in answer to the subdued crack with which the door at length +yielded came the noise of the insertion of a key into the lock of the +front door. Mr. Morgan started violently, thrust his torch into a +pocket, and stood extremely still. + +The door opened and the admitted moonlight showed him the entrance of +one--two feminine apparitions, followed by that of a man. For a moment +they stood in the hall, speaking with one another in an undertone. +What they said Mr. Morgan could not hear--their voices, too, were too +low to be recognized--but he had no doubt at all regarding their +identity. Seven weeks of their fellowship had blessed (or cursed) him +with a familiarity with their style and proportions such as no manner +of wraps and tricksy half-lights could subvert. With a full heart and +twitching lips, Mr. Morgan dwelt blasphemously upon the several +destinies for which, to his mind, their untimely appearance had +qualified them. + +"What are you going to do about the door?" whispered Betty. "We can't +leave it open." + +"Well, we can't shut it," said George, "can we?" + +"Put it to," Anne suggested. "He won't be more than a minute or two, +and when he comes he can just push it open." + +The truth of the matter was that Jose and Patch, who had gone +a-hunting, had not returned when the party had left for Bell Hammer. +It was possible that, during their absence, the dogs had come back, and +Anthony did not like to think that truant Patch might be wandering +around the house, seeking admission in vain. Consequently, after the +car had been noiselessly bestowed--out of consideration for their +employers' rest, the four had alighted before they left the road and +had man-handled a silent Ford up the drive and into the garage--Lyveden +had bidden the others go on, and had started off upon a visiting +patrol, the objectives of which were the several entrances to the +residence. If Patch was anywhere, he would be crouched upon one of the +doorsteps.... + +Anne's suggestion seeming reasonable, her brother secured the Yale lock +so that its tongue was engaged, and, quietly closing the door, followed +his wife and sister a-tiptoe through the hall and past the baize door +which led to the servants' quarters. + +As they passed the foot of the stairs, Betty remarked the shaft of +moonlight shining upon the landing, and Mr. Morgan's black heart stood +still. When her husband reminded her that in less than four hours it +would be her privilege to prepare Mrs. Bumble's tea, and added that, if +she felt lyrical, he felt tired and footsore, Mr. Morgan, had his +emotions included gratitude, would have thanked his stars. + +Such devotion, however, would have been premature. + +Though he did not know it, his stars in their courses were fighting +against him. + +The moment the baize door had closed behind his late colleagues, he +made silently for the stairs. Of the snuff-boxes he thought no more. +The man was rattled. His one idea was to pick up his traps and be +gone. He was even afraid any more to employ his torch. Besides, the +moonlight, to which Betty had drawn his attention, was asserting itself +fantastically. + +Step by step he descended the staircase, trying frantically to remember +which of the treads would creak under his weight. Faithfully to +ascertain which of them possessed this important peculiarity had been +one of the last things he did before quitting Mr. Bumble's service. +Was it the fifth or sixth? He hesitated, then avoided the fifth +gingerly, and hoped for the best.... Beneath the increased pressure +the sixth stair fairly shrieked. Mr. Morgan skipped on to the seventh +and broke into a cold sweat. Again he was confronted with the choice +of the eighth or ninth. After a moment of agonized indecision, he +decided to miss them both.... Man but proposes. In his anxiety he +missed the tenth also and slithered incontinently into the hall.... + +More than a minute passed before the knave dared to pick himself up. +The last five stairs had been rough with his hinder parts, but his +physical pain was nothing to the paroxysm of mental torment which the +noise of his fall had induced. + +Trembling with apprehension, he groped his way to his bags. Of these, +one had to be strapped, for the catch of its lock was broken. He knelt +down with his back to the door, fumbling.... + +A sudden step upon the gravel immediately outside the front door almost +congealed his blood. That peril could blow from that quarter he had +never imagined. Once again he remained where he was, as still as +death. Unless the new-comer was there because his suspicions were +aroused, there was a chance that Mr. Morgan might yet escape notice. +Who the new-comer might be, he had no time to speculate, for, without +being unlocked, the door was pushed open. Mr. Morgan marked the +phenomenon, and his hair rose. Then a man stepped inside and stood +still.... + +Mr. Morgan held his breath until his lungs were bursting and his head +swam, but the man never moved. + +The fact was that Anthony was staring at the same shaft of light which +had attracted Betty's attention. This, however, was no longer +appearing upon the landing, but in the hall, which, with the exception +of that corner which contained the crouching ex-footman, it was doing +much to illuminate. From this it would appear that the arresting beam, +so far from emanating from the moon, was none other than Mr. Morgan's +evil genius, following him about wherever he went. It was, in fact, +his torch, which in his confusion he had thrust glowing into his pocket +_the wrong way up_. That one end must protrude, he knew, for the brand +was longer than the pocket was deep. He had, of course, no idea at all +that it was advertising his presence and slightest movement so very +faithfully.... + +It became impossible for Mr. Morgan any longer to restrain his breath. +He therefore expelled it as gently as he possibly could, inhaling a +fresh supply with the same caution, and wondering dully whether it was +to be his last. The suspense was unbearable. + +Anthony, of course, was perfectly satisfied that the light was thrown +by a torch. The source of the latter, however, was shrouded, not only +in mystery, but in a darkness which the very light of the beam served +to intensify. He continued to stand still. + +There never was such a case. + +Anthony, who knew the value of waiting, was prepared to stay still +indefinitely. Mr. Morgan was afraid to do anything else. Clearly, if +they were not to remain where they were until dawn, there was need of a +_deus ex machina_. + +He arrived then and there in the shape of a little white dog with a +black patch. He was extremely wet, and there were burrs in his coat +and mud upon his beard. His tail was up, however, and his gait as +sprightly as ever. + +As if it was upon his account that the door had been set open at this +unlawful hour, he entered boldly, passed by Anthony in the gloom, and +then stood still like his master, staring at the mysterious beam. But +not for long. For Patch, curiosity was made to be satisfied. Stepping +warily, he moved forward to investigate.... + +When first Mr. Morgan realized that something was smelling him from +behind, he made ready to die. Then, so tenacious is the hold we +mortals have upon life, he gave an unearthly shriek and sprang from his +bended knees for the drawing-room doorway.... + +When Mr. Bumble and his chauffeur, the one in his night attire and the +other in a vest and a pair of dress trousers, appeared upon the scene, +Anthony was kneeling upon Mr. Morgan, who was lying face downwards upon +the drawing-hearth and dealing as fluently as a sheep-skin rug would +permit with Anthony's birth, life, death and future existence. As for +Patch, his services no longer required, he was rolling upon the sofa in +an absurd endeavour to remove the burrs from his coat. + +All of which, gentlemen, must undeniably go to show that the master who +suffers his servants to go a-junketing will have his reward; that a +woman knows better than a man what course he should shape; and that +there is much virtue in hunting, even though it keep the hunter afoot +till four of the morning. + + + + +CHAPTER IV + +THE GOLDEN BOWL + +With Monseigneur Forest, other than in his capacity of uncle and +counsellor to Miss Valerie French, we are not concerned. It is +necessary, however, to record that the dignitary was no fool. He was, +in fact, a very wise man, able to understand most men and women better +than they understood themselves. With such understanding, naturally +enough, went a rare kindness of heart; the addition to these things of +a fine sense of humour argued a certain favouritism on the part of a +Providence which bestows upon ninety-and-nine mortals but one virtue +apiece, and to the hundredth but two. Monseigneur Forest was, I +suppose, a man in a million. + +A letter of some importance, which his niece had sent him, reached him +in Rome ere October was old. + + +_DEAR UNCLE JOHN,_ + +_I want to see and talk to you very badly, but I can't leave England +just now. I suppose you guess what is coming. I can see you smile. +You're quite right. I've fallen in love._ + +_Listen. I was out with poor little Joe in the country, and went to an +inn for tea. And there was a man in the garden. I didn't know he was +there till his dog and Joe started scrapping, and then he ran up to +separate them. The moment I saw him--I don't know how to tell you. I +just felt floored.... Then--instinctively, I suppose, for I hardly +knew what I was doing--I tried to cover up this feeling. I was furious +with him for knocking me out. Can you ever understand? And I was +pretty rude. He took it wonderfully and just apologized--Heaven knows +what for--and cleared out. The moment he was gone, I could have torn +my hair. I actually went again to the inn, to try and find him, though +what I should have done if I had I don't know...._ + +_Then I saw him again--not to speak to--as I was coming away from the +Opera. Now hold on to something--tight! He was in livery--a footman's +livery._ + +_Yes. It made me jump, mentally, for the moment. Of course, I'd never +dreamed of that. And then I realized that he must be down on his luck, +and I felt so sorry for him I could have cried. As a matter of fact, I +did cry. And then, all of a sudden, I knew that I loved him._ + +_We met properly a week or two later by accident--on his part. You +must forgive me. If you knew him, you would. And now we know one +another properly, and he's in service quite close to Bell Hammer, with +George and Betty Alison--didn't you meet them at Christmas? Lost all +their money, and went out as chauffeur and parlourmaid. Anne, George's +sister, is there, too. And he came to dinner the other night, and Aunt +Harriet likes him, and we're--well, great friends._ + +_And I don't know what to do. You see, he's terribly proud and +honourable, and, to him, being a footman matters very much indeed. Of +course it doesn't really matter in the least, but he would never look +at it that way. And all my money, instead of making everything +possible, as it might, only makes things worse._ + +_What is to be done?_ + +_I can't blame him. Indeed, I'd hate him to feel any other way, and +yet.... If only the positions were reversed. Then it would be too +easy. As things are, it's a deadlock. And I love him so, Uncle John. +I suppose you couldn't possibly come. I have a feeling that you would +straighten things out._ + + _Your loving niece, + VALERIE._ + +_P.S.--I'm so terribly afraid he'll disappear or something. He's like +that._ + + +Monseigneur Forest read the letter with a grave smile. Then he read it +again very carefully, looking to see if there was anything unwritten +between the lines. Only once did he raise his eyes from the +note-paper. This he did meditatively. Before returning to the letter, +he went farther and raised his eyebrows.... + +The cause of this elevation is worthy of note. It was, in fact, none +other than the reference to Anne--and yet not so much the reference +itself as the manner in which this was made. The prelate, you will +remember, was no fool. + +For that matter, he was not a god, either. Consequently, the counsel +which he presently offered his niece had to be communicated by the +material channel of the "common or garden" post, and was, in fact, +nearing Modane when Valerie rounded the edge of a belt of Scotch firs +in Hampshire to come upon Anthony Lyveden regarding an old finger-post +in some perplexity. + +As my lady came up, Lyveden uncovered and pointed to a weather-beaten +arm, upon which the words FRANCE 4 MILES were still discernible. + +"Can you help me?" he said. + +Valerie smiled. + +"I think so. This is a very old post--over a hundred years old. You +know Hawthorne?" + +"I ought to." + +"Well, once upon a time the village was called France. But during the +Napoleonic wars the name was changed. For obvious reasons." + +"And they forgot to alter this?" said Anthony, nodding at the cracked +grey wood. + +Valerie shook her head. + +"No one would do the work. You know they used to bury suicides at the +cross-roads? Well, one was buried here. That was when--when the post +was set up...." + +A little shiver accompanied her words. + +"I see," said Anthony. "The body was staked, wasn't it? What a +barbarous old world it was! I don't wonder they were afraid of the +place." + +"It's supposed to have been an old usurer who came from these parts and +had ruined all sorts of people in his time." + +"And why did he kill himself?" said Anthony. + +"I forget. There was some mystery about it. I remember an old, old +shepherd telling me some of the tale, when I was a little girl, and my +nurse came up in the middle and scolded him and snatched me away." + +"Quite right, too," said Anthony. "And if she was here now, History +would probably repeat itself." With a sweep of his arm he indicated +the country-side. "Was this your nursery?" + +Valerie nodded. + +"In the summer." She hesitated. "I'll show you my window, if you +like. It's the best part of a mile, though." + +Anthony laughed and turned to summon his terrier. + +"Patch and I," he said, "have at least one afternoon a week. As long +as I'm back in time to lay the table...." + +A moment later he was stepping along by her side. + +It had not occurred to him to ask what "her window" might be. If she +had offered to show him the mouth of hell, he would have assented as +blindly. Whither he went and what he saw did not matter at all, so he +was to be in her company. All the same, his instinct pulled him by the +sleeve. Hazily he reflected that to retrace such steps as you have +taken along the path of Love is a bad business, and that the farther +you have elected to venture, so much the more distressing must be your +return. And he would have to return. In the absence of a miracle, +that journey could not be avoided. For an instant the spectre of +Reckoning leaned out of the future.... Then Patch flushed a stray pig, +and Valerie laughed joyously, and--the shadow was gone. Cost what it +might, Anthony determined to pluck the promise of the afternoon with an +unsparing hand. + +He had walked in the direction of Bell Hammer for the same reason that +had caused Valerie French to bend her young steps towards Hawthorne. +Each drew the other magnetically. It was not at all strange, +therefore, that they should have met. Neither, since the attraction +was mutual, is it surprising that the effect of each other's company +was exhilarating to a degree. Together, they were at the very top of +their bent. If the man trod upon air, the maid was glowing. His +lady's breath sweetened the smell of autumn; the brush of her lord's +jacket made the blood pelt through her veins. Grey eyes shone with the +light that blue eyes kindled. Each found the other's voice full of +rare melody--music to which their pulses danced in a fierce harmony. +The world was all glorious.... + +Here was no making of love, but something finer--nothing less, indeed, +than the jewel natural, uncut, unworked, unpolished, blazing out of a +twofold crown that sat, yoke-like, upon their heads for all to see. +Since, however, they met no one, the diadem was unobserved.... + +So Jack and Jill passed with full hearts by yellow lanes into the +red-gold woods, and presently along a bridle-path that curled +mysteriously into a great sunlit shoulder of forest, where the driven +leaves fussed over their footsteps, and the miniature roar of a toy +waterfall strove to make itself heard above the swish and crackle of +the carpet the trees had laid. + +"I'll tell you one thing I've learned," said Lyveden. + +"What?" said Valerie. + +"That what you do doesn't matter half as much as who you do it with. I +found that out in the Army. The work didn't matter. The discomfort, +the food, didn't count--comparatively. It was the company you had to +keep that made the difference." + +"'Better is a dinner of herbs,'" quoted Valerie. + +"Exactly. And it's the same now. I don't say I'd pick out a footman's +job, but there's nothing the matter with the work. Everything depends +on the other servants. My first two places nearly broke my heart: with +the Alison crowd----" + +He hesitated, and Valerie completed the sentence. + +"Everything in the garden is lovely," she said slowly. + +"Comparatively--yes. Of course, it's--it's only a back garden." + +"Is it?" + +Anthony nodded. + +"Entered by the back door and approached by the back stairs. You can't +get away from it." + +"I can," said Valerie. "Speak for yourself. It's you who can't--won't +get away from it. They say that in Russia there are noblemen sweeping +the streets. If one of them was a friend of yours, would you turn him +down because he carried a broom? Of course you wouldn't." + +"No, but----" + +"But what?" + +"The first duty of a servant," said Anthony, "is to know his place." + +Valerie stood still and looked at him. + +"I wonder you don't call me 'miss,'" she said, shaking her head gravely. + +"Very good, miss," said Lyveden. + +"That's better," said Miss French contentedly, slipping an arm through +his. "And now, if we leave the path and bear to the right, in about +two minutes we shall come to my window." + +The two had been climbing steadily, but another fifty paces in the +direction Miss French had indicated brought them to the foot of a +steeper ascent than ever. This was, in fact, a broad natural bank, +some thirty feet high. The careful negotiation of a tiny path, +followed by a plunge into a thicket, where the stubborn protests of +boughs had to be overruled, landed them in a dwarf clearing, which the +density of the surrounding bocage rendered a fastness. + +Valerie stepped to the far side and parted the branches. + +"Look," she said. + +They were upon the lip of a heather-edged bluff which fell sheer for +perhaps two hundred feet into a pinewood. Beyond, by mammoth terraces, +the glory of the forest sank step by colossal step into the purple +distance, from which distant in turn a thread of silver argued the +ocean. There never was such a staircase. The grandeur of its +proportions diminished the rolling world. The splendour of its +covering made colour pale. + +Anthony gazed spellbound. At length-- + +"I didn't know there was such a view in all England," he said. + +Miss French smiled. Then she moved cautiously forward, till she was +clear of the bushes, there to sit down upon a billowing cushion of +heather which grew conveniently about as close to the edge of the bluff +as it was prudent to venture. Abstractedly Anthony followed her and, +after a glance about him, took his seat by her side upon a patch of +gravel. + +"I'm in your debt," he said simply. "Deeper than I was before." + +Valerie nodded at the wonder of landscape. + +"I'll make you a present of this," she said. "What else do you owe me +for?" + +Anthony spread out his hands. + +"Your society," he said. + +"You've paid for that--with your own." + +"Your pity, then." + +"I've never pitied you," said Valerie. + +"You've stooped," said Anthony. + +"I've not stooped," was the fierce reply. + +"We won't argue it," said Anthony. "I owe you for your--your interest, +at any rate. You've been good enough to interest yourself in my----" + +"Aren't--you--interested?" said Valerie, staring into the distance and +seeing nothing. + +For a long minute the man sat motionless, not seeming to breathe. +Then-- + +"Yes," he said slowly, "I am. And that's the devil of it." With a +sudden jerk he was on one knee beside her and had caught her hand. +"Oh, lady, don't you see? That's what kills everything. Am I +interested? Good God, I'm--I'm crazy! I can think of nothing else. +You blot out everything in the world. Whatever I do, or say, or think, +you're always there. There's nothing but you, you, you! And you ask +if I'm interested!" + +A wandering puff of salt air swooped out of the windless sky, ruffled +his thick dark hair, and was gone, panting. A gull sailed close to +them, circled, dipped and sped seaward with a smooth rush. The +league-long shadow of a cloud swept stately over the gleaming woods, +driving the sunlight before it, itself driven before the twin of its +prey.... The silver wire of silence became more and more tense. Each +second gave another turn to the screw. Valerie began to tremble.... + +"And that," said Lyveden at last, "that's why we can't be friends. I +can't be your friend because I love you; and I mustn't love you +because----" + +"Why?" + +"Because it's out of the question," he flashed. "Don't tempt me, +Valerie. You know it is. I'm crying for something that's utterly, +hopelessly, laughably out of my reach. I haven't the right to the +moonlight, and I want--the moon." + +He stopped suddenly and dropped his head, ashamed that he had let his +passion ride him so recklessly, limp after his outburst, sick at heart +for the truth of his words. + +Valerie sat very still, exultation and anxiety fighting for a grip on +her heart. Anthony had told his love, raved of her, called her by +name. (Anxiety's claw-like fingers began to yield.) The very +intensity of his utterance declared his conviction that he must give +her up. The exceeding bitterness of his tone rang too true to be +ill-founded. (Exultation's clutch weakened, and Anxiety took a fresh +hold.) Of a sudden Valerie felt persuaded that Time could win her +battle, could she but gain his aid. As if to establish this +persuasion, the reflection that the old fellow had straightened more +crookedness than any other minister of love came to her hotfoot, and +then and there she made up her mind to court him. She yearned to put +her arms about her man's neck, but felt that somehow that way lay ruin. +Anthony being what he was, it was all-important that she should not +show him her hand. He had seen--should see a card or two, certainly. +That the rest were the same, card for card, as those he had just flung +down, in his present mood he must on no account realize. Such +knowledge were fatal. He would, presumably, kiss her, and then call +Patch and walk out of her life for ever. So long, however, as he did +not believe her lovesick, he would--well, he would not disappear, at +any rate. There are who lay hold on hopelessness rather faster than +they lay hold on life.... + +"Anthony, dear," said Valerie, "let's--please don't let go of my +hand--let's look for a way out. You know, I think----" + +What she would have said should not matter to us. We have peered into +her brain-pan. The sentence, however, was never completed, and that +for a reason which shall pass muster. + +On perceiving that Valerie and he were moving, Anthony for a moment of +time suspected an earthquake. Almost instantaneously he appreciated +that, while it affected him pretty closely, it was a much smaller +matter--nothing more, in fact, than the giving way of that portion of +the cliff upon which the two were disposed. It was typical of the man +that he neither swore nor cried out, and of the soldier that he thought +and acted simultaneously.... By the mercy of Heaven, he was, as you +know, upon one knee. Had he been sitting, like his companion, they +must have gone with the avalanche. As it was, they were able, after a +painful silence, to hear this crash evilly with a dull roar into the +pinewood. + +The echoes rumbled curiously into the distance, and a startled medley +of cries rose from all manner of birds, which soared out of their +shelter, dismayed and whirling. One bird was fairly gibbering. Miss +French and Lyveden both noticed it. Valerie found herself wondering +whether it had lost its wits. + +For the perfection to which their senses focussed these and other very +ordinary things, their plight was responsible. It has been said that +the faculty of observation is never so pronounced as when the observer +is face to face with Death. Anthony and the lady were looking him in +the eyes. The pair of them was, in fact, hanging in space, dangling +two hundred feet up, with an inch and a half of ash-plant between them +and Eternity. + +With his right hand Lyveden was grasping the slender trunk of a sapling +which grew three feet to an inch from the new edge of the bluff. As he +was, arm and all, at full length, it follows that from the breast-bone +downwards the whole of him was over the cliff. Valerie was altogether +in mid-air. She was directly suspended, with her back flat against +Anthony, by the latter's left arm, which if he had released she would +have fallen plumb into the pinewood.... + +In a quiet voice Lyveden was speaking. + +"Try and free your right arm." + +Providentially, the girl's elbow was on a level with the edge, and at +the expense of a torn sleeve she was able to work the arm free and on +to the heather. This, when pulled, came away in her hand. Her fingers +scratched upon the gravel frantically. No handfast was there. After a +moment they abandoned the search. + +"Now the other arm." + +This was pinioned by her supporter's. By dint, however, of almost +dislocating her shoulder, she managed to disengage it. + +Again she waited for instructions. + +None came, however, for Anthony could not think what to do. She could +not turn, and he could not turn her. Neither could he haul them both +up. He had not the strength. As it was, the strain upon his two arms +was frightful--too frightful to last.... If she could have held +herself for five seconds, he could have dragged himself up and the girl +after him; but she could get no shadow of hold upon the ground. And +all the time his arms were tiring--both of them--tiring rapidly.... + +The muscles under his arm-pits were aching unbearably, and there was a +queer tingling in his right wrist. + +As he looked at this, he saw how it was quivering. His left arm was +quivering, too. He could feel it. He realized with a shock that this +was a movement over which he had no control. Nature, apparently, was +rebelling against his will.... And his fingers, crooked about the +trunk of the sapling, were getting hot--making the bark greasy.... + +Convulsively he sought foothold for the thirtieth time, but, except for +tweaking the agony in his chest, the effort was vain. Desperately he +blinked the sweat out of his eyes.... + +Patch appeared upon the scene, snuffing the ground casually enough. +His surprise to see his master in so strange an attitude was +unmistakable. After a moment's reflection he decided that the position +was that required by the rules of a new game in which he was intended +to participate. He therefore made ready to play, and, lowering his +head to his paws, put up his nose and barked joyously. + +"Come here, Patch," said Anthony. + +The tone was not that of the playground, and the terrier obeyed +mechanically--circumspectly, too, though, for he disliked heights. + +Anthony addressed his companion. + +"When he's near enough, take hold of his collar. Hang on like grim +death. Listen! My arm's giving out. I'm going to let you go while I +pull myself up. It's the only chance. You're light, and he'll stick +his toes in. Put a strain on him now, so that he's ready." + +"I shall pull him over," said Valerie. + +"No, you won't, dear. Do as I say. Quick!" + +He almost screamed the last word. + +The moment he felt the strain, the terrier resisted wildly. Planting +his forefeet against the heather-roots, he refused with all the +instinctive terror of the dumb animal, straining every muscle of his +little thick-set frame to avoid a closer acquaintance with that +horrible brink.... + +Very gently Anthony lowered his companion till her arm was resting upon +the turf and the edge of the cliff was in her arm-pit. Then-- + +"Only a second, sweet," he said quietly, and let her go.... + +With a frightful heave he was on his stomach ... on his thighs ... his +knees ... feet. He turned, staggering. + +His back hunched like a cat's, Patch was sliding forward. + +In a flash Lyveden had stooped, caught Valerie's arm with both hands, +dug in his heels and flung himself backward.... + +The three landed in a heap anyhow. + +The moment he was at length detached from Valerie, Patch retired a good +score of paces from the edge of the bluff. He had had enough of cliffs +for the rest of his life. His master's interpretation of games was +usually brilliant. This last was an exception. He could see nothing +in it. + + * * * * * + +Betty Alison laid her hand orderly upon the green baize, with the +complacent air of the player who is presenting his or her partner with +all the essential factors of Grand Slam. + +After staring fixedly at the display, her husband put his cards face +downwards upon the table and covered his eyes. + +"I suppose," he said brokenly, "I suppose you had a reason for +overbidding me. I confess I can't see it, but I expect that's because +it's too subtle." + +"What d'you mean?" was the indignant reply. "Look at those"--and Betty +pointed proudly to a queen-high flush of six diamonds. + +"But you called hearts!" + +Betty started. Then-- + +"So I did," she said guiltily. "I meant diamonds." + +"I see," said her husband grimly. "After all, they're both red, aren't +they?" + +Here the laughter which Anne and Anthony had been endeavouring to +restrain broke out tempestuously. Betty's procedure and bearing at the +Bridge table would have unhinged an enthusiast, but since the four +domestics played for amusement and a penny a hundred her short-comings +hurt nobody and were highly diverting. + +With a sorrowful look at his opponents, George proceeded laboriously to +amass three tricks. + +With the game went the rubber, and by mutual consent the party broke +up. It was half-past nine, and all had duties to do. Anne went +singing to fill Mrs. Bumble's hot-water bottle, and Betty to heat the +milk which it was her mistress's practice to consume at bed-time. Mr. +Bumble, as became his sex, favoured something more substantial, and +light refreshment in the shape of a ham sandwich and a bottle of beer +before retiring suited him admirably. In Anthony he had a +conscientious victualler. The sandwich was invariably fresh, the +bottle of beer untasted, the glass clean. Mr. Bumble had marked these +qualities and hugged himself. + +This night, when Anthony entered the dressing-room, his master was +sitting coatless upon a chair. + +"I beg your pardon, sir," said Lyveden, "I hope you've not been +waiting." + +"No, no," was the cheery reply. "Not your fault, me boy. I'm early. +There now! Maria!" Mrs. Bumble appeared in her doorway in a red +dressing-gown. "Look at that there tray, me dear. Ain't it a treat?" + +"Deluscious!" said Mrs. Bumble. + +"The very look," continued Mr. Bumble, "o' that sanwidge makes me that +'ungry you wouldden believe." + +"May I cut you another one, sir?" said Anthony. + +"'Ark at the boy," said his employer. "Wants ter kill me with +kindness. Why, I could eat sixty, I could. But one's too many, +reelly, at my time o' life." + +"Joo drink beer, Tony?" inquired Mrs. Bumble. + +"Yes, madam." + +"Then go an' 'ave a nice bottle," she said, beaming. + +"Thank you very much, madam." + +"Yes, an' give George one," said Mr. Bumble, not to be outdone in +generosity. + +"Thank you, sir." + +"Don't mention it," was the agreeable reply. + +Anthony bade them "Good night" and left them breathing good-will. + +As he descended the stairs, the particular verity of the adage which +Valerie had quoted upon a memorable afternoon nearly three weeks ago +appealed to him forcibly. "Better is a dinner of herbs where love is." +Certainly he was leading the humble life. Born and educated to +administer, if not to rule, here was he fetching and carrying, a hewer +of ham and a drawer of corks. He wondered if there were any other +footmen who were also Companions of the Distinguished Service Order. +That there were no other footmen who were so comfortably housed, he was +sure. And Patch was in clover. Anthony reflected that he had much to +be thankful for. A dinner of herbs was infinitely better than none at +all. He was, you observe, unconsciously converting the proverb to his +own use. Stalled oxen, with or without hatred, were not nowadays in +his line. He had quite forgotten what they were like, and cared as +little. Indeed, but for Valerie, his Ambition would have been dead. +Even now it lay very sick. High stomachs are easily upset. But a +nodding acquaintance with Hunger will make Ambition turn her face to +the wall. + +The duty of George Alison at nine-thirty was to take the dogs for a +run. When he returned this evening to find Anthony in the act of +setting two bottles of beer upon the table, he lifted up his voice and +thanked Heaven that he had at least one friend. + +"Thirteen perishing months," he concluded, "have I been in this house, +and this is the first time I've ever had an extra rum ration. And that +with my own flesh and blood, to say nothing of a lawful wife, running +round the Bumbles from morning till night. I admit that on two several +occasions your predecessor produced to me my master's liquor, but his +ribald reception of my inquiry whether such production was authorized +left me no alternative but to refuse to consume it." + +"What's that?" said Betty, bustling into the room. "I recognized the +tone of abuse, but I couldn't hear the words." + +"My love," said George, "I was but remarking that beer is thicker than +water. And now will you take my boots off before you clean them? Or +clean them first and take them off afterwards?" + +Betty Alison seated herself upon the table and raised her husband's +glass to her lips. + +"I looks," she said, "towards you." + +When she set it down, the glass was half empty. + +After a moment's silence-- + +"You've--you've left some," said her husband in a shaking voice. + +"I know," she said. "That's because I can't drink any more. I hate +beer." She slipped off the table with a yawn. "And now I'm going to +bed. Don't let him sit up, Anthony. The car's ordered for nine, and +he's got to get a new tire on." + +"Where are we going?" said Lyveden. + +"First meet of the season," said George. "I forgot to tell you. +Buck's Folly, the Bumbles think, but they're not certain. Deuce of a +job for me, I tell you. Everybody drives anywhere and anyhow. You're +backed into, you're always being called on to stop your engine, you're +expected to be able to turn in a six-foot lane and to manoeuvre on a +marsh as if it was wood pavement. To do any good, you want something +between a gyroscope and a Tank. A car's useless." + +"Stacks of people, obviously," said Anthony. + +"Unfortunately, yes. Hardened as I am, I'm not looking forward to that +side. I suppose you hunted--in the old days." + +Anthony nodded. + +"At Oxford, and sometimes with the Blackmore Vale. My uncle had a +house in Dorset." + +"Ah! We used to do a bit with the Pytchley before--before the War." + +For a moment nobody spoke. + +One and all they had stumbled into the closet of Memory. Pictures of +dead days stared at them--days when they had come and gone as they +pleased, before there had been a new earth and, seemingly, a new +heaven. Old sounds rang in their wistful ears, forgotten scents came +floating out of the darkness.... The closet grew into a gallery.... + +"Good night," said Betty quietly. "Don't sit up late." + +She slipped out of the room. + +It was a tired face that George Alison raised to Anthony. + +"Thank your stars," he said jerkily, "that you aren't married. I don't +matter. I don't mean I like service, but I'm well enough off. But +Bet--poor Bet. Think what her life should be, and then look at what it +is. And her father's worth half a million. He cut her off when she +married me. I had enough for two then, so it didn't much matter. But +now.... She's wonderful--perfectly marvellous, but--it's hard to see +her hands getting rough, man. Very hard. Her hands...." + +Anthony crossed the room and touched him upon the shoulder. + +"If I were married," he said, "I should feel just the same. And then +there'd be two fools instead of one. My dear fellow, if Betty +regretted her bargain, then she'd need your sympathy. As it is, so +long as she's got you, d'you think she cares whether she wears sables +or an apron?" + +"But you saw how she dried up just now." + +"Shall I tell you why?" said Anthony. + +"Why?" + +"Because to-morrow morning you're going to a meet in blue, and she's +sorry it can't be pink." + +The two finished their beer, and George retired somewhat comforted. + +As he had predicted, their attendance of the meet the next morning was +only effected at the expense of more patience than Alison possessed. +He was forced, in fact, to borrow from Anthony. Indeed, he afterwards +confessed that, but for the latter's presence, he should undoubtedly +have committed an aggravated assault. + +The vicinity of Buck's Folly proved to be suspiciously vacant, and upon +arrival at the standpoint itself if was instantly and painfully clear +that the Bumbles had been mistaken. A passing butcher, when +interrogated, grinningly vouchsafed the information that the meet was +at Saddle Tree Cross, a spot of which all the occupants of the car had +heard, but the way to which no one of them could tell. + +Swelling with importance, Mr. Bumble produced a map, and George's face +fell. He had seen that map before--from a distance. So had others. +No one but Mr. Bumble had ever seen it at close quarters. Unhappily +for all concerned, the latter's accomplishments did not include +map-reading, an omission distressingly obvious to every one but +himself. To follow his directions was fatal. Failure to appreciate +his directions was at once easier and more disastrous. What was still +more unfavourable was that, in possessing himself of the map, Mr. +Bumble became possessed of a devil. There was no doubt about it. From +being the most kindly of masters he became a snarling absurdity, whose +endeavours simultaneously to study the canvas, observe the +configuration of the country-side, and rave into the speaking-tube were +consistently vain. George raised his eyes to heaven and prepared for +the worst.... + +This came almost immediately. + +After having obediently turned the car round, George was peremptorily +advised that, after all, he had been facing the right way. Mr. Bumble +rather unfairly added that in his opinion the fool who had made the map +ought to be prosecuted. The warmth with which he committed this belief +to the speaking-tube rendered it not so much inaudible as incoherent, +and George, who believed it to be a further direction, had to ask him +to repeat the remark. By the time Mr. Bumble had realized that he was +being addressed and had placed his ear to the tube, George had +concluded his inquiry and was patiently listening at the opposite +end.... + +With such a beginning, the rest was easy. The wheels of wrath were +greased. Thereafter it was no longer a question of revolution, but of +speed. At times the velocity attained was appalling. + +Seven hideous miles slunk staggering by. + +Mrs. Bumble, of course, had been in tears from the outset. Anthony, as +we know, was busily engaged in administering comfort, temporal and +spiritual. The difficulty was to get George to take the nourishment. + +"The fool's like a drowning man," he protested, "with his arms round +your neck. Your only chance is to hit him under the jaw. Get out and +do it." + +Mr. Bumble had just formed and blasphemously announced the horrifying +resolve to return to Buck's Folly and start all over again, when +Anthony heard a horse whinny. In a flash he was on the running-board +and touching his hat. + +"I think we're just there, sir," he ventured. + +Mr. Bumble hesitated, George set his foot upon the accelerator, and a +moment later they swept round a bend to see the familiar medley of cars +and dog-carts, bicycles and phaetons, saddle-horses and governess-cars, +writhing below them upon a high-road into which the lane they were +using almost immediately debouched. + +With a sigh of relief, Mr. Bumble dropped the map and proceeded to mop +his face.... + +Comparatively, the chauffeur's troubles were over. After such a +drubbing, the nuisance of the congestion to which they were soon +contributing was like a flick on the collar, and ten minutes later the +car was berthed safely with two or three others upon an apron of turf. + +Mr. and Mrs. Bumble alighted, and George and Anthony were left to +themselves. + +Then another car squirmed out of the ruck of vehicles and came rolling +on to the sward. The gentleman ensconced upon its back seat was for +the saddle, and plainly glad of it. His careless, handsome face was +radiant, his manner full of an easy, inoffensive confidence, his +gaiety--to judge from his companions' laughter--infectious. His +turn-out was simple, but faultless. Despite the fact that he was +sitting between Lady Touchstone and Valerie, Anthony liked the look of +him. + +Since their experience upon the edge of the cliff, Lyveden had not till +now set eyes upon the lady. Unwilling to visit her home, he had +inquired by letter how she was doing. After receiving two little +notes, each of which assured him that she was not one penny the worse, +he wrote no more. Letters and notes were sober and to the point. Any +one might have read them. The truth is, the two were love-shy. + +Give to a dog a finer and meatier bone than he has ever dreamed of, and +mark his reception of your favour. Ten to one he will be afraid of it. +He will walk about the fragment delicately; possibly he will touch it +with the tip of an envious tongue; presently he will lie down at a +respectful distance, watching it with big eyes. The thing is too vast +for him. He must have time to become familiar with his stupendous luck. + +So with Miss French and Lyveden. The gods had tossed the two +title-deeds of a dream so wonderful that they were frightened. The +gift was too precious to be handled at once. Like the poor dog they +must have time.... + +You will understand, gentlemen, that this was no ordinary affair of +love. Convenience had had no hand in it. My tale had been shorter if +she had thrust but the tip of a finger into the pie. Pity, +Selfishness, Gratitude--none of the stock emotions went to the making +of the foundations of this fabric. It was not founded at all. Neither +had it grown out of friendship. It had no infancy. Had the two never +met, it is probable that--circumstances permitting--each would some day +have fallen in love with somebody else. And that would have been a +regular business. Convenience, Friendship, and other hard-working +matchmakers would all have put shoulders to the wheel and clapped one +another on the back when the banns were published. The fact that the +two had met saved, in a way, infinite trouble. + +Valerie had many swains, and more than a few women had looked twice at +Anthony. Such hearts, however, as had bleated for their sympathy had +either bleated altogether in vain, or, finding the sympathy vouchsafed +not at all what they wanted, bleated more fiercely than before. All +the same, the two were not seraphim. They were mortal enough, and, if +more than ordinarily attractive, revealed upon close examination a very +ordinary collection of failings. The wonder was not in themselves. +The fact that their natures were in just accord, was, at the most, +curious. It was true, nevertheless. Each wanted precisely what the +other was ready to give. Their personalities agreed like two +indentures--proved themselves mutual elixirs. The wonder began and +ended when they encountered one another. It was then that the seed of +love flashed into bloom. Miracles alone beget miracles. Parallel +lines had met. + +The sight of Valerie gladdened Anthony's eyes. He sat very still in +his seat, staring under the wind screen and wondering whether she would +recognize his back. He hoped that it was not because of her mishap +that she was not in a habit. He could hardly be expected to divine the +true reason. This was, shortly, that the lady, who had expected to see +him, could not enjoy a pastime from participation in which footmen are +for a variety of reasons so rigorously debarred. Incidentally, she had +seen Anthony before he had seen her, and the smile with which he had +credited her companion's bonhomie was due to his presence alone. Had +this been explained to the young sportsman, as one of Valerie's swains +it would have spoiled his day. As it was, he emerged from the car with +the genial air of one who is in high favour, and, after a word with a +groom who had come up bustling, mounted a good-looking grey and, waving +his hat to the ladies, proceeded to join his fellows with his eyes +sparkling and his chin on his shoulder. + +"Mason," said Lady Touchstone. + +The chauffeur, who had descended, sprang to the door. + +"Open the door." The man did so, and her ladyship alighted. "I'm +going to look at the hounds. You'd better come with me." + +"Very good, my lady." + +The pair moved off in single file. + +Though the office was new to him, the dignity of Mason's demeanour was +irreproachable. It was clear that the blood of flunkeys was in his +veins. As a matter of fact, one hundred years before, his grandfather +had done much escort duty, with a band on his hat and a cane in his +hand. Though Mason did not know it, the manner had been bred in his +bone. + +"'Ere's a lady wants yer." + +This was quite true. Miss French had not put it so bluntly, but it was +not her fault that the messenger she had selected knew a footman when +he saw one. + +Major Anthony Lyveden thanked his informant with a smile. Had it been +Caliban himself that had growled the message, the smile would have been +as ready. Such a summons lost nothing in the telling. + +George received the intimation that his colleague would be back in a +minute apathetically. He was yet in some dudgeon. Beyond heaving a +sigh charged with the resignation of a martyr who remembers that he has +left his gloves in the torture-chamber, he evinced no interest at all. + +Anthony crossed the turf to where Miss French sat smiling in a brown +laudaulette, and touched his hat. Appearances had to be kept up. +Valerie inclined her head gravely enough, but the look with which she +honoured his action was not of this world. Anthony felt astoundingly +rich. + +"How are you?" he asked anxiously. + +"Perfectly all right." + +"Sure?" + +Valerie nodded, smiling. + +"I wasn't even tired the next day," she said. "Were your arms very +stiff?" + +"Only for a day or two." + +"And Patch?" + +"As right as rain." + +"Will you be free on Sunday?" said Valerie. + +"From two o'clock on." + +"Will you come to Bell Hammer?" + +"I will," said Anthony. + +"I'll come to meet you with the two-seater. To-morrow I'm going away. +Aunt Harriet has to go to London. Have--have you been back ... since?" + +"To your window?" + +"To our window," said Valerie. + +Anthony nodded. + +"Yes," he said quietly. "I--I can't keep away." + +It was true. The place fascinated him. Tremendous happenings had made +it a shrine. Already worshipful as Valerie's bower, the ledge was +freshly consecrate to two most excellent saints--Love Confessed and +Life Triumphant. + +"I thought you had," said Valerie. "I saw your footsteps. And--oh, +please don't go so close to the edge, Anthony. Promise me you won't. +It--it frightens me so." + +Love lent the words an earnestness which there was no mistaking. My +lady leaned forward, with her hand gripping the woodwork. There was a +strained, pleading look upon the beautiful face, the proud lips +humbling themselves, the glorious eyes beggars--Royalty upon its knees. + +Quite naturally, Anthony's heart answered her. + +"I promise, sweet," he said. + +The vocative transfigured the lady. Anthony found himself mirrored in +two dew-burning stars. To deck her favourite, Nature had robbed the +firmament. To see such larceny, it is not surprising that the round +world stood still.... + +With a supreme effort Anthony pulled himself together. + +"Patch is too funny," he said. "He'll come as far as the bank--you +know, below the thicket--and not a step farther. He just stands there +and wags his tail apologetically. And there at the foot of the bank he +waits until I return." + +Valerie laughed merrily. + +"Poor little dog," she said. "It was enough to----" + +"I say, Val, did I leave my flask in the car?" + +The two had been too much absorbed to observe the return of the +fresh-faced youngster, and the latter's words cut their communion +short, much as the sudden rasp of curtain-rings scatters the rear of +slumber. It was providential that the world was moving again. The +suspension of perpetual motion would have been bound to excite remark. +As it was, the new-comer was upon the very edge of staring, when-- + +"Let me introduce Mr. Every--Major Lyveden," said Valerie. The two men +nodded mechanically and murmured politeness. "Yes, you did, Peter. +Here you are." She plucked the lost property from the bowels of the +seat and rose to restore it. "By the way," she added adroitly, "now's +your chance. Major Lyveden'll tell you whether you ought to wash a +horse's legs." + +Thus appealed to-- + +"Unless," said Anthony, "you've got a groom in a million, I shouldn't +advise it. It means mud-fever." + +"There you are," said Valerie, doubly triumphant. + +The youth's face was a study. Respect was fairly bundling Astonishment +out of the way. Anthony had spoken as one having authority, and Every +was visibly impressed. + +"You really think so, sir?" + +With one accord Valerie and Anthony smiled. The employment of the +title was at once so irregular and so appropriate. Instinct had shown +herself to be above raiment. Surely no manner of man ever was paid so +exquisite a compliment. + +A motor-horn coughed, and Anthony glanced over his shoulder. Then-- + +"I must go," he said quietly. "Good-bye." + +He touched his cap with a smile and left them. Every gazed after him +with his hat in his hand. Then he looked at Valerie with wide eyes. + +"But--but he's a footman," he said stupidly. + + * * * * * + +When upon the following day Anthony admitted that he had never seen the +view from The Beacon, the Alisons, all three, cried out upon the +omission with no uncertain voice. + +The four were breakfasting. + +"But," declared Anne, "you simply must see it. It's the most wonderful +view in the world." + +Anthony doubted this. He did not say so, of course, but he would have +staked a month's wages that he could have shown them a finer. As it +was, he expressed politely enthusiastic astonishment. + +"It is, really," said Betty. "And the tints at this time of year--why, +even George raves about it!" + +"That's right," said her husband. "Never lose an opportunity of +insult. Why 'even George'? Can't a chauffeur have a soul?" + +"Who went to sleep at the Russian Ballet?" said Betty. + +"Go on," said George. "Rake over the muck-heap. And what if I did? +The music suggested slumber. I merely adopted the suggestion." + +"Did it also suggest that you should snore?" said his wife. "Or was +that your own idea?" + +George touched Anthony on the arm and nodded towards the speaker. + +"Look at the scorn in that eye," he said. "See? The one that's +looking our way." + +With an air of unutterable contempt, Betty lighted a cigarette and then +hurled the matchbox at her unsuspecting spouse. The missile ricocheted +off his chin and fell noisily into the cup of tea which was halfway to +his lips.... + +When order had been restored-- + +"He must see it at once," said Betty. "Before the leaves fall." + +"The view, or the ballet?" said George. + +"Idiot!" She turned to Anne. "Why don't you take him this afternoon? +It's his day out, and you know you can always go." + +"Yes, please do," said Anthony. + +He could not very well have said anything else. Besides, Anne was all +right. He liked her. There was, of course, but one woman in the +world. Still Anne was a good sort, and he would not have hurt her +feelings for anything. + +The matter was arranged then and there. + +Seven hours later the two, with Patch, were tramping over a rising moor +towards a dense promise of woodland which rose in a steep slope, jagged +and tossing. This day the ragamuffin winds were out--a plaguy, +blustering crew, driving hither and thither in a frolic that knew no +law, buffeting either cheek, hustling bewildered vanes, cuffing the +patient trees into a dull roar of protest that rose and fell, a sullen +harmony, joyless and menacing. The skies were comfortless, and there +was a sinister look about the cold grey pall that spoke of winter and +the pitiless rain and the scream of the wind in tree-tops, and even +remembered the existence of snow. + +"I wish it was a better day," said Anne. "It's always worth seeing; +but you won't see so far to-day, and there's no sun." + +Anthony glanced at the sky. + +"Unless," he said, "it's worth seeing when the trees are bare, it's +just as well we're going there to-day. That sky means mischief. Are +you sure you're warm enough?" + +Anne laughed. + +"Supposing I said I wasn't," she said, "what would you do about it? +Give me your coat?" + +Anthony stood still. + +"I should take you home--quick," he said gravely. + +Honestly he hoped that she would waver. He had never wanted to come. +Left to himself, he and Patch would have walked--elsewhither. Had he +not known that Valerie was away, he would have excused himself at +breakfast. Not for anything in the world would he have forfeited a +chance of meeting her. Poor Anne's feelings would have had to rough it. + +"I'm as warm as toast," said Miss Alison cheerfully. "And I know you +don't want to come," she added, bubbling, "but you've just got to. +You'll thank me afterwards." + +Fiercely as he protested his innocence, Anthony felt extremely guilty. +He had, it seemed, committed a breach of good taste, which must be +repaired forthwith. He determined to be very nice to Anne. This +should not have been difficult, for she was full of good points. + +Fate had not been kind, but Anne found no fault with her heritage. +Indeed, her temper was infectiously healthy. For years now Fortune had +never piped to her, but that did not keep her from dancing. In the +circumstances, that she should have been so good to look upon seemed +almost hard.... + +The two passed on. + +It was a way Anthony had never gone, and, once in the thick of the +woods, he could not have told where he was. Anne, apparently, knew her +line backwards, for she climbed steadily, chattering all the time and +taking odd paths and random grass-grown tracks with an unconscious +confidence which was almost uncanny. More than once she turned to +strike across some ground no foot had charted, each time unerringly to +find the track upon the far side waiting to point them +upward--sometimes gently, and sometimes with a sharp rise, but always +upward. + +For all that, the pace his companion set was almost punishing, and +Anthony was on the point of pleading a respite, when-- + +"Almost there now," panted Miss Alison. "Round to the right here, +and----" + +The rest of the sentence was lost upon Anthony, and is of no +consequence to us. + +As he was rounding the corner, he had turned to whistle for Patch. For +two very excellent reasons the whistle was never delivered. The first +was that the Sealyham was only five paces in rear. The second was that +he was standing quite still in the middle of the path, wagging his tail +apologetically. + +For a moment Anthony stared at him. Then he swung round, to find +himself face to face with a broad natural bank, some thirty feet high. + + * * * * * + +When Valerie French, who had come by way of the finger-post, saw Patch +dormant at the foot of the broad bank, she could have jumped for joy. + +At the last minute rheumatism had laid its irreverent hand upon the +patrician muscles of Lady Touchstone's back, and the visit to Town had +been summarily postponed. Valerie, who should have been sorry, was +undeniably glad. She could not communicate with Anthony, but there was +a bare chance that she might do better than that. What afternoons he +had free she did not know. How he employed such as he had, he had told +her in plain terms. She was, of course, to see him on Sunday, but that +was four days away. Besides, she wanted to meet him upon that gravel +cliff--that window-sill whose freehold they shared. High matters were +on the edge of settlement. It was appropriate that they should there +be settled where, in a mad moment, Fate had staked upon one cast all +the kingdoms of the earth and their glory--staked them and lost them. +That it was now but a question of taking possession of their +inheritance, Valerie never doubted. In this she was right. The +crooked way of Love had been made straight: only the treading of it +remained--a simple business. That he had saved her life did not weigh +with Anthony at all. That Death had summoned them, looked in their +eyes, and let them go--together, made all the difference. It was as +though a hand had written upon the wall.... + +The sight, then, of the terrier verified hopes which she had been +afraid to harbour. She had wanted so much, and it had all come to +pass. She had wanted to meet her man, to see him ere he knew she was +there, to find him there at the window, to come delicately behind him, +to have him turn and see her, to mark the sudden gladdening of his dear +grey eyes.... + +Tremulously she ascended the tiny path and passed a-tiptoe into the +thicket.... + +You would have sworn it an elf that stole across the clearing beyond.... + +As she glided into cover-- + +"Rain," said Anthony. "Now we're for it. No coats, no umbrella, no +nothing. Anne, you're in for a wetting." + +"Won't be the first time," said Anne cheerfully. + +"Well, come on, any way," said Anthony. "The woods'll shelter us for a +while, and then----" + +"I shall have a bath," said Anne. "A nice hot bath directly I get in. +You know, all steaming and----" + +"Will you come on?" said Anthony, laughing. + +The two thrust through the screen and across the clearing. A moment +later the thicket had swallowed them up. + +As in a dream, Valerie heard their voices getting fainter and +fainter.... + +Presently they died altogether, and she was left alone with the rain. +This fairly pelted upon her, but she never moved. The truth is, she +never noticed it. + +A sudden rush of wind whipped a strand of her dark hair loose and flung +it across her lips, but she never moved. + +After a little while the wind died too, and for the second time she was +left alone with the rain. + + + + +CHAPTER V + +AN HIGH LOOK AND A PROUD HEART + +Here is a note, gentlemen, on its way to a lady, I have set it out now, +that you may be wiser than she--by some twenty-four hours. Such as it +is, I like my lookers-on to see the best of the game. + + + _Rome, + 14th November._ + +_MY DEAR VALERIE,_ + +_I observe from your letter that you have lost faith in the man you +love. Now, although I know him not, I trust him implicitly. I do not +care what has happened. Shall I tell you why? Because I know that you +would never have put your trust in him had he been unworthy._ + +_Love plays such queer tricks with its victims, making the fearless +timorous, the proud lowly, the trusting doubtful. Who was it coined +that mischievous phrase, "Too good to be true"? He has much to answer +for. Nothing is too good to be true. Not even the love of a man for a +maid, Valerie. You found it so good that you were thoroughly prepared +to find it false. And the moment you saw the clouds, you believed the +sun to be dead. That is heathenish and the way of the people who +imagine a vain thing._ + +_His explanation will shame you, of course; but take the lesson to +heart._ + + _Your affectionate uncle, + JOHN FOREST._ + + * * * * * + +The Assize Court was crowded. Even upon the Bench there was little +room to spare; and when the High Sheriff disappeared to return a moment +later with two ladies, the Judge's clerk eyed the new-comers with +something of that impotent indignation with which a first-class +passenger regards the violation of his state by belated individuals +whose possession of first-class tickets is highly dubious. + +The calendar contained no case of unusual interest, but the Red Judge +comes to Brooch but three times a year, and the old market-town makes +the most of its gaol deliveries. + +At the moment of the ladies' entering, Mr. Albert Morgan was in charge +of the jury, and the twelve gentlemen were in course of hearkening to +evidence which suggested with painful clarity that the prisoner's sins +of commission included that of felony. That Mr. Morgan had been caught +red-handed had not prevented the rogue from pleading "Not guilty." He +had stood in docks before now. Besides, enough money had been found to +instruct a member of the Bar--if not a solicitor--to argue his impudent +case.... + +"Anthony Lyveden," said counsel for the Crown. + +"Anthony Lyveden!" cried the constable-usher. + +"Anthony Lyveden!" bawled his colleague, opening the door of the Court. + +Anthony, who was pacing the hall, came quickly. A moment later he had +entered the box. + +His footman's overcoat accentuated at once his height and his breeding. +It suited the figure admirably, but not the man. The handsome, +clean-cut face, the excellence of his speech--above all, the +personality of the witness--gave the lie to his garb. Moreover, he +displayed a quiet dignity of manner which was as different from that of +the most exquisite lackey as is sable from civet. From resting upon +him the eyes of the Court began to stare... + +Lest their owners be thought unmannerly, it is fair to record that the +last witness, whilst swearing that he was a chauffeur, had resembled +one of the landed gentry of the Edwardian Age, and that the last but +one--to wit, the chauffeur's employer--had sworn that he was a retired +grocer, and looked exactly like one. + +Anthony took the oath and glanced about him. + +From the dock Mr. Morgan was regarding him with a malevolent glare. +Farther back sat George Alison, upon his face an expression of profound +resignation, which was plainly intended to indicate to his colleague +the unpleasant nature of his late ordeal. And there, between the High +Sheriff and Lady Touchstone, sat Miss Valerie French.... + +With narrowed eyes and a face impassive as a mask she met the footman's +look. By her side her aunt was smiling recognition, but Anthony never +saw that. Gazing upon the beauty of that face which he had once +transfigured, he found it frozen. That proud red bow of a mouth, that +had been his for the taking, might have been graven of precious stone. +Here was no vestige of Love. Tenderness was clean gone. Even as he +looked, the blue eyes shifted casually to wander around the Court.... +The cold wind of Indifference made Anthony's heart shiver within him. + +Small wonder that he replied to counsel's questions mechanically, like +a man in a dream. + +He had, of course, known that he was out of favour. + +One perfect Wednesday she had worshipped him to his face: upon the +following Sabbath he had been turned away from her doors. For this +mysterious fall from grace no reason had been vouchsafed. Moreover, so +high was the favour, so eminent the grace, that Anthony had been +desperately bruised. For a little he had been stunned. More than +once, as he had walked dazedly home, he had tripped and stumbled. And, +on reaching the house, he had done what he had never thought to +do--surreptitiously poured and swallowed a glass of his master's +brandy. As the days marched by, he had in some sort recovered--slowly, +if for no other reason because Grief should have air and not be clapped +under hatches. And now--here was the lady, pointing in person the +unpleasant truth that she had no further use for him.... + +Had they but told their love before his downfall, his course would have +been simple. In that case, to ask an explanation of his dismissal +would have been lawful enough. But things had not gone so far. It was +while they were yet upon the threshold of harmony that the end had +come. Of his honesty Anthony felt that he had no right to question +her. The lady had not engaged herself: she was still free to do as she +pleased. His cursed footmanhood was an additional embarrassment. To +speak vulgarly, it put the lid on. And now--why was she here? + +Thus throughout his examination-in-chief the imps of Recollection and +Speculation spun and whirled in his brain-pan. + +Why on earth was she there? + +It is doubtful whether Miss French herself could have answered that +question. + +You will please believe, gentlemen, that her heart had brought her. It +is the plain truth. Though Anthony did not know it, he had taken her +faith in his hands and torn it across and across. For all that, she +loved him still. She had a strange, pathetic longing to see him once +more, and the case of "The King against Morgan" had offered her the +chance. She had heard of the matter, and knew he must come to court to +give his evidence. In such a place she would be able to study him +undisturbed, and, most important of all, any speech between them would +be safely impossible. A note to the High Sheriff had arranged her +admission.... Incidentally, a burst tire on the way from Bell Hammer +had almost spoiled everything. As we have seen, however, the ladies +were just in time.... + +"Yes," purred counsel for the Crown. "And then?" + +"Then the prisoner gave a cry and rushed into the drawing-room." + +"What did you do?" + +"I followed him and seized him. When assistance arrived, he was +secured, and in the morning he was handed over to the police." + +With a nod, counsel resumed his seat. + +Mr. Morgan's representative got upon his feet with a truculent air. As +he did so, somebody touched him upon the shoulder, and he turned to see +his client leaning out of the dock. With an apologetic smirk at his +lordship, the lawyer left his seat.... + +"What is it? What is it?" he whispered testily. + +Mr. Morgan breathed into his ear. + +"This is the swine," he said evilly. "Put it acrost 'im. Arsk 'im----" + +"You shut yer face," said his adviser. "An' don' try an' teach me my +job, or I'll 'ave you in the box." + +Before this threat Mr. Morgan subsided, muttering. + +Impatiently counsel for the defence returned to his place. Once there, +he adjusted his gown, consulted a blank sheet of paper with some +acerbity, and then addressed himself to the witness. + +"Why did you leave your last place?" + +Anthony hesitated. Then-- + +"I was unable to get on with one member of the household," he said. + +"Were you dismissed?" + +"I was." + +"Why?" + +"As the result of a difference I had." + +"Come, come, sir. That's no answer." + +"The son of the house insulted me, and I knocked him down." + +Such a sensational reply fairly took the wind out of counsel's sails. +Amid a stifled murmur of excitement he strove to collect himself. + +"You--er--assaulted him?" + +"I did." + +"Rather hasty, aren't you?" + +"I don't think so." + +"We shall see. Now, upon the night in question--the night of the +burglary with which my client is charged--where had you been?" + +"To a private house." + +"From which you, a footman, return at four in the morning?" + +"Yes," said Anthony. + +"Did you have any drinks at the--er, private house?" + +"I drank some wine." + +"How many hours were you there?" + +"About five." + +"You can drink a good deal in five hours?" + +"You can," said Anthony. + +"How many drinks did you have?" + +"I drank two or three glasses of wine." + +"What sort of wine?" + +"Champagne." + +"In fact, you had a good evening?" + +"I enjoyed myself very much." + +"Exactly. And you returned--shall we say, 'happy'?" + +"If you are suggesting that I was under the influence of drink----" + +"Answer my question, sir." + +The Judge interfered. + +"Either, Mr. Blink, you are suggesting that the witness was under the +influence of drink, or I fail to see the point of your questions." + +Hurriedly counsel agreed, announced magnanimously that he would not +pursue the matter, and plunged into a series of causeless and empty +inquiries in the hope of stumbling upon an answer with which he might +first of all hammer the witness and then erect a defence. His efforts +went unrewarded, and behind him in the dock Mr. Morgan ground his teeth +with vexation. That he was not getting his friends' money's worth was +obvious. He did not expect to get off, but if he could have seen +Lyveden discredited he would have taken his gruel with a grin. +Venomously he gnawed his fingers.... + +For the twentieth time counsel drew a bow at a venture. + +"You're not under notice to leave your present place?" + +"Yes," said Anthony, "I am." + +Despite herself, Valerie French started, and the chauffeur at the back +of the court stared at the witness wide-eyed. The court, which had +almost lost interest, pricked up its ears. Hardly disguising his +relief, counsel proceeded to develop the impression in his own +time-honoured way. Turning his back upon the witness, he elevated his +eyebrows and then smiled very pleasantly upon a ventilator immediately +above the jury-box. + +"Really?" he said. "This is most interesting. Under notice, are you? +Dear me.... Why?" + +"I have given notice myself." + +"Oh, indeed. Why?" + +"For private reasons." + +Counsel appeared to find this answer so highly diverting that after a +moment's hesitation the jury joined in his merriment. As the titter +subsided-- + +"I'm afraid," said Mr. Blink apologetically, "I'm afraid I can't take +that." + +Anthony paled. + +"I wish," he said, "to leave the neighbourhood." + +"Why?" + +Anthony hesitated, and the Judge laid down his pen. + +"Mr. Blink, I don't wish in any way to embarrass you, but can this +affect your case?" + +An expert in impudence, Mr. Blink was well aware of the amazing +possibilities of consummate audacity. + +"My lord," he said solemnly, "my suggestion is that the witness knows +considerably more about this burglary than he is willing to admit." + +The improvised shaft went home. + +For a moment there was dead silence. Then some one gasped audibly, a +breeze of emotion rustled over the court, and the jury leaned +forward.... Only the Judge, before him a list of the prisoner's +previous convictions, sat like an image. + +With a spiteful gleam in his eyes, Mr. Morgan moistened his lips. This +was more like it. + +Counsel, now in his element, addressed the witness. + +"Whence," he demanded dramatically, "whence this sudden desire to make +yourself scarce?" + +Breathlessly the reply was awaited.... + +None came, however, and counsel took up the running with a dry laugh. + +"Very good," he said. "I take your answer." + +Anthony stepped down and joined the chauffeur without a word. + +Ten minutes later Mr. Blink was fanning the flame of mistrust into a +conflagration. What, he asked, did the jury think? They were men of +the world. Candidly, had they ever seen such a chauffeur and footman +before? Did they look like servants? Of course they had Mr. +Bumble's--their master's--confidence. _But had they the jury's?_ He +did not wish to usurp the functions of the cinema or the stage, but it +was his duty to remind them that sometimes Truth was stranger than +Fiction.... Here were two servants, who were obviously not servants at +all, giving such overwhelming satisfaction that they were allowed +unheard-of liberty--liberty which afforded unrivalled opportunities.... +"Out till four in the morning, gentlemen. A latch-key to let them in. +A motor-car at their disposal. And now--leaving this comfortable--this +perfect situation. Why? No answer. _Is it because the game is up, +gentlemen?_ ..." + +His lordship, who in his time had seen many juries befooled, summed up +rather wearily, and at twenty-five minutes to one Mr. Morgan was found +"Not guilty." + +That the latter should greet the verdict with a gesture of derision +verged, all things considered, upon indecency. It is good to think +that the warder who hustled him from the dock, and played full-back for +the prison, made this as clear as daylight. + + * * * * * + +Valerie left the court in some annoyance. She was annoyed that Anthony +had been lessened, and she was annoyed to find that she cared whether +he had been lessened or not. She would also have liked to know the +reason for his proposed departure. Undoubtedly it had to do with Anne +Alison. His very reticence proved it. Perhaps she was going, too.... +Anne Alison.... At the very thought of the girl, Valerie's resentment +welled up anew. Jealousy knows no law. The reflection that it was at +her instance that Anthony had gone as footman to the house where Anne +was housemaid rode her with a harsh and merciless hand. Often enough, +sunk in most bitter contemplation of this fact, she got no further. + +That she got no further to-day was due to a timely +interruption--nothing less, in fact, than a snort of an intensity too +clamorous to be ignored. + +Valerie looked up. + +"At last," said Lady Touchstone with some asperity. "That's the +fourth." + +"The fourth what?" said Valerie. + +"The fourth snort," said her aunt. "I don't know what's the matter +with you nowadays. To snort at all, I must be profoundly moved. You +know that as well as I do." + +"What's the matter?" said Valerie. + +Lady Touchstone stared at her. + +"My dear," she said, "what you want is a change. You have just +witnessed what I hope is the most flagrant miscarriage of justice of +recent years, you have seen twelve fools bamboozled by a knave, you +have heard a friend of yours grossly insulted, and you ask me what's +the matter." The car swung round a corner, and Lady Touchstone, who +was unready, heeled over with a cry. "I wish Mason wouldn't do that," +she added testily, dabbing at her _toque_. "So subversive of dignity. +What was I saying? Oh yes. A change. We'd better go to Nice." + +Before Miss French could reply, a deafening report from beneath them +announced the dissolution of another tire. + +Mason brought the car to the side of the road. Then he applied the +hand-brake and alighted heavily to inspect the damage. + +With a resigned air, Lady Touchstone sat awaiting his report. + +Valerie began to laugh. + +"Shall I tell you what he's doing?" she said. + +Her aunt regarded her. + +"I presume he's staring at the wheel," she said shortly. "Though of +what interest a deflated tire can be to anybody passes my +comprehension." + +"Not at all," said her niece. "Mason is trying to make up his mind to +tell you that we shall have to walk home. He only brought one spare +cover, and we've used that." + +Lady Touchstone glanced at her watch. + +"And the Billows," she said grimly, "are coming to lunch in twenty +minutes." She raised her voice. "All right, Mason. Miss Valerie's +broken it to me. Stop the first vehicle that approaches and ask them +to give us a lift." + +"Very good, my lady." + +"Supposing," said Valerie, "it's a milk-float." + +"So much the better," replied her aunt. "I've always wanted to ride in +a milk-float. It's the survival of the Roman chariot." Placidly she +settled herself in her corner and closed her eyes. "Dear me. What a +relief it is not to be moving! If only the Billows weren't coming...." + +Neither she nor Valerie heard the approach of the Rolls. Indeed, it +was not until George Alison, in response to Mason's signals, was +bringing the great blue car actually alongside that the ladies realized +that help was at hand. + +The sight of Anthony Lyveden alighting to take his master's orders +chilled Valerie as the breath of a crypt. Her aunt, on the contrary, +was plainly as pleased as Punch at the encounter.... + +So soon as Mr. Bumble appreciated that it was the quality of Bell +Hammer who sought his assistance, he took appropriate action. Hat in +hand, he descended into the road and, speaking with grave civility, put +his car at the ladies' disposal. This being accepted, he handed them +out of their own and ushered them into the Rolls. Then he bowed very +pleasantly and closed the door. + +Valerie started to her feet. + +"But, Mr. Bumble," she cried, "of course you're coming. Aunt Harriet, +we can't...." + +"Of course we can't," said Lady Touchstone. "Mr. Bumble, get in at +once." + +Humbly their host shook his head. + +"Bell 'Ammer is no distance, me lady, an' the car can come back. I +shouldden dream o' takin' advantage of an acciden', me lady." + +Regretting very much that she had never noticed the ex-grocer before, +Lady Touchstone sought desperately to pull the position round. + +"Mr. Bumble," she said, "we cannot use your car without you. That we +do not know one another is my fault. Please get in. I want to tell +you how very sorry we are about your case." + +Again Mr. Bumble bowed. + +"Your ladyship is most kind. If Mrs. Bumble was 'ere, it'd be +different.... But we're both of us proud, me lady, fer you to 'ave the +car. An'--an' please don' put yerself out, m'm. I'm in no 'urry." + +The quiet determination of his tone was unmistakable. The little man +was clearly stoutly resolved not to improve an acquaintance which his +wife did not share. Wealth had not clouded his memory nor corrupted +his simple heart. + +Lady Touchstone hauled down her flag. + +"You're one of the old school, Mr. Bumble," she said, "so we won't +argue. Will you tell Mrs. Bumble that, if Thursday's quite convenient, +we shall call at The Shrubbery and ask her to give us some tea?" + +And Valerie put out her hand. + +"Good-bye for the present," she said. "Thank you so very much." + +The next moment they were gone. + +Hat still in hand, the ex-grocer looked after the car. + +"Lady by name an' lady by nature," he said softly. Then he put on his +hat and turned to Mason. "'Ave a cigar, boy. I 'ate smokin' alone." + +As they swept out of sight, Lady Touchstone picked up the speaking tube. + +"George Alison!" she cried. Up went the chauffeur's head. "Stop the +car, please. Valerie and Major Lyveden will change places. We want to +discuss the trial." + +George slowed up with a grin. + +Jack opened the door for Jill, who descended with an airy nod of +greeting which hurt him more than the stoniest disregard. With her +head high, she stepped to the seat he had left. As he was closing the +high side door upon her, her fur coat intervened, and Jack set it +gently aside. Jill felt the touch, turned, glanced down and twitched +the garment away.... + +Anthony's eyes blazed. A short six inches away, Valerie's blazed +back.... + +On the opposite side of the car George and Lady Touchstone were hanging +out of their seats, raving concurrent invective against the Laws of +England. + +For a moment eyes searched eyes steadily. Then, with a faint smile, +Anthony leaned forward and kissed the proud red lips. Then he shut the +door with infinite care.... + +Had Miss French's fur coat been less voluminous, the gulf which Error +had set between the lovers might have been bridged within the week. +But it was a fine wrap, and ample. In an instant the gulf had become a +sea of troubles, with the house that Jack had built upon one side, and +the castle which Jill had raised upon the other. And, as for a bridge, +their labour now was lost that sought to build one. It had become a +case for a causeway. + +As the car slid forward-- + +"And why," said Lady Touchstone, "are you going away?" + +Anthony laughed jerkily. + +"Have a heart, Lady Touchstone," he cried. "I've already risked +imprisonment to save my secret." + +Her ladyship looked about her. + +"This," she said, "appears to be the interior of an expensive limousine +landaulette. Very different from a court-house. The seats are softer, +for one thing. Besides, from his adviser the client should conceal +nothing." + +"Are you my adviser?" + +"That," said Lady Touchstone, "is my role." + +"But am I your client?" + +"I advise you to be." + +For a long moment Lyveden stared straight ahead. Upon the front seat +Miss French was chattering to George Alison with an unwonted +liveliness, punctuated with little bursts of merriment. All the while +she kept her head so turned that Anthony might miss not a jot of her +gaiety.... + +"I'm sorry," said Lyveden quietly. "You're very kind, Lady Touchstone, +and I'm properly grateful. But I can't tell you." + +He was, of course, perfectly right. Intervention was not to be thought +of, much less encouraged. For one thing, to mutter that Valerie and he +were estranged would be to proclaim a previous intimacy. For another, +it was an affair, not of hearts only, but of deeps calling. Each +lifting up the other's heart, the twain had distilled a music that is +not of this world: it was unthinkable that an outsider should be shown +a single note of the score. Finally, Anthony wanted no peace-making. +What had he to do with peace? + +The silver cord was loosed, but he had not loosed it. The golden bowl +was broken, but not at his hand. It was she--Valerie French--that had +wrought the havoc. That cord and bowl were the property as much of +Anthony as of her had not weighed with the lady. As if this were not +enough, he was to be used like a leper.... What had he to do with +peace? + +The thought that he had been able to pick up the glove she had thrown +down with such a flourish elated him strangely. To kiss My Lady +Disdain upon the mouth--that was an answer. That would teach her to +draw upon an unarmed man. For she had thought him weaponless. What +footman carries a sword? And then, in the nick of time, Fate had +thrust a rapier into the flunkey's hand.... + +Lady Touchstone was speaking.... + +"Well, well," she said gently, "perhaps you're right. I'm sorry, you +know. I saw two lives smashed once by a clerical error on the part of +a florist's assistant. I knew them both, too, but neither would speak. +When it was just too late, Eleanor opened her mouth.... Unknown to +her, I went to the florist's shop and looked at their order-book. Sure +enough, there was the trouble. I never told her, of course. But it's +haunted me ever since. Two lives ... smashed.... And they say that +silence is golden.... When you do go, will you let me have your +address?" + +"I can imagine nothing more worthless," said Anthony. "But I think +I've been rude enough. I promise to send it you." + +For no apparent reason he laughed bitterly. His companion shuddered. + +"Don't laugh like that, Major Lyveden. It's bad for my heart. Oh, +dear. How fast George is driving! We shall be at Bell Hammer before +we know where we are." Suddenly she leaned forward and caught at the +footman's sleeve. "Anthony Lyveden, I've shown you my hand. As you +love my niece, what is the trouble?" + +Anthony set his teeth. + +"Can't be done," he said, "Lady Touchstone. We've got to work it out +for ourselves." + +"Curse your pride," said that lady. "There. Now I've sworn at you. +But it's your own fault. And how are you two goats going to work it +out for yourselves? With one of you bleating at Nice, and the +other--Heaven knows where--in England? D'you go to church, Anthony +Lyveden?" + +"I used to." + +"Then go again. Get to your knees and pray. Pray to be delivered from +blindness of heart, Anthony Lyveden. D'you hear? Blindness of heart. +From pride, vainglory and hypocrisy. Not that you're hypocritical, but +they go together, and it'll do no harm. And I shall make Valerie go, +and--and I shall pray for you both." + +Anthony slid off his hat and put her hand to his lips.... + +As he did so, the car sped past a red lodge and into a curling drive. + +Lady Touchstone sought for a pocket-handkerchief. + +"There's a tear on my nose," she explained. "I can feel it. It's a +real compliment, Anthony Lyveden. You're the very first man that's +ever made Harriet Touchstone cry." + +The car swept to the steps. + +Anthony was down in a flash. Tenderly he handed her out.... + +By the time her aunt had alighted, Valerie was at the top of the steps. +Anthony walked up to her steadily. Then he took off his hat. + +"I humbly apologize," he said. "It was unpardonable." + +"You're right," said Valerie quietly. "That's just what it was." + +As she spoke, a servant opened the door. + +Valerie turned on her heel and walked into the house. + +That same evening, when the others had gone to bed, Anthony called his +terrier and set him upon his knee. + +"Patch," he said, "I've come back to the fold." As was his habit when +mystified, the terrier swallowed apologetically. "Is that too hard for +you, my fellow? Let me put it like this. Once there were just you and +I, weren't there? A fool and his dog. Caring for nobody, nobody +caring for them, but to each other--just everything." The Sealyham +licked his face. "Then one day she came ... She. A wonderful, +peerless creature, to dazzle the poor fool's eyes. And the fool just +fell down and worshipped her. He didn't forget his little dog, Patch. +He never did that. But--well, it wasn't the same. Of course not. You +must have felt it sometimes.... But you're a good little chap. And I +couldn't help it, Patch. She--seemed--so--very--sweet.... I risked +your life for her once. I did, really." He paused to stare into the +fire. Then he took a deep breath. "By Jove, if you'd gone... I +should have been left now, shouldn't I? Properly carted. Well, well, +old fellow, it's over now. Never again, Patch. The fool's learned his +lesson. You'd never let me down, would you? No. But she has. They +say it's a way women have. And I'm going to wash her right out of my +life, Patch. Right out. Now." + +He set the dog down, stretched out his arms wearily, and got upon his +feet. The terrier leaped up and down as if he had been promised a walk. + +Anthony laughed. + +"So? You're pleased, are you? Ah, well..." + +He turned out the gas, and the two passed upstairs. + +Anthony was as good as his word. + +You cannot kill Memory, but you can send the jade packing. That he did +faithfully. By sheer force of will he thrust all thoughts of Valerie +out of his head. They returned ceaselessly, to be as ceaselessly +rejected. Their rejection took the form of displacement. They were, +so to speak, crowded out. All day long he was for ever forcing his +attention upon some matter or other to the exclusion of the lady. A +thousand times she came tripping--always he fobbed her off. +Considering how much of late he had been content to drift with the +stream, the way in which his mind bent to the oars was amazing. His +output of mental energy was extraordinary. Will rode Brain with a +bloody spur. When night came, the man was worn out.... + +In the circumstances it was hard, though not surprising, that he should +have dreamed so persistently of the tall, dark girl. It suggests that +Nature is an unscrupulous opponent. Be that as it may, night after +night, while the man slept, the tares were sown. Sleep, whom he had +counted his ally, proved herself neutral. She was content to knit up +the sleeve of care. That her handmaidens as fast unravelled it was +none of her business. After a week of this devilry, Anthony groaned. +Then he set his teeth, and, pleading insomnia, obtained permission to +walk abroad after supper. With Patch at his heels, he covered mile +after mile. So, though the mental strain was prolonged, he became +physically played out. His determination had its reward. He came to +sleep like the dead. + +With a sigh for his simplicity, Nature plucked another iron out of the +fire.... + +Anthony began to lose weight. + + * * * * * + +Thursday afternoon came and went, and with it Lady Touchstone and +Valerie. The Bumbles were duly overwhelmed, treating their visitors +with an embarrassing deference which nothing could induce them to +discard: out of pure courtesy Lady Touchstone ate enough for a +schoolboy; thereby doing much to atone for Valerie, who ate nothing at +all: the Alisons respectfully observed the saturnalia and solemnly +reduced Mason to a state of nervous disorder by entertaining him in the +servants' hall: Anthony kept out of the way. + +Not so Patch, however, who must, of course, put his small foot into it +with a splash. + +The visitors were in the act of emerging from the front door, Mrs. +Bumble was dropping the second of three tremulous curtsies, and Mr. +Bumble was offering the stirrup-cup of humble duty, when the terrier +emerged from some laurels and, recognizing Valerie, rushed delightedly +to her side. Before she was aware of his presence, he was leaping to +lick her face.... + +To disregard such unaffected benevolence would have been worse than +churlish, and Valerie stooped to the Sealyham and gave him her cheek. +Patch lay down on his back and put his legs in the air. His tail was +going, and there was a shy invitation in the bright brown eyes which +was irresistible. Valerie hesitated. Then, on a sudden impulse, she +picked up the little white dog and held him close. + +"Good-bye, Patch," she whispered. "Good-bye." + +She kissed the rough white head and put him down tenderly. Then she +stepped into the car with a quivering lip. + +It was as the car was turning out of the drive that she burst into +tears.... + +Such consolation as Lady Touchstone sought to administer was gently but +firmly declined: and, since her niece would have none of it, neither, +gentlemen, shall you. + +It was a few hours later--to be exact, at a quarter before ten +o'clock--that a gentleman of some distinction laid down _The Times_. + +For a moment or two he sat still, looking into the fire. Then he +picked up a pile of depositions and drew a pencil-case from his pocket. +For a while the occasional flick of a page argued his awful attention +to the recital of crime: then the keen grey eyes slid back to the +glowing coals, and the longhand went by the board. It was evident that +there was some extraneous matter soliciting his lordship's regard, and +in some sort gaining the same because of its importunity. + +Mr. Justice Molehill was all alone. He had sent his marshal to the +cinema, "lest the boy should grow dull," and, except for the servants, +somewhere below stairs, the great gaunt mansion used as the Judge's +Lodging, lodged for the nonce no other inmate. + +The room in which the Judge sat was enormous. Indeed, the shaded lamp, +set upon a table close to his shoulder, did little more than insist +upon the depths of the chamber, which to illumine effectively you would +have needed a score of lamps slung from the ceiling. For all its size, +however, the room was sparsely furnished. At the far end a huge carved +writing-table loomed out of the shadows; six high-backed chairs reared +themselves here and there against the walls; between prodigious windows +a gigantic press lifted its massive head. Reckoning the little table +bearing the lamp, and a pair of easy-chairs, that is a ready inventory. +A heavy carpet and curtains of the same dull red certainly excluded the +draughts. For all that, it was not a chamber in which to sit apart +from the fire. The marshal hated the place openly, and, on being +rallied by the Judge, had confessed that it "got on his nerves." He +had even suggested that it was haunted. Mr. Justice Molehill had +laughed him to scorn. + +His lordship, then, was gazing upon the fire. After, perhaps, about +two minutes of time, he crossed his knees suddenly and flung up his +hand in a little gesture of impatience. + +"Anthony Lyveden," he muttered. "Where on earth have I heard that +name?" + +The expression upon his face was that of a man absorbed in searching +his memory. He was, indeed, so much engrossed in this occupation that +the keen grey eyes went straying whither they listed. + +Let us follow those eyes. + +From the light of the fire in its cage to the toe of his lordship's +pump, up to the chiselled mantel and the cigarette-box--the +marshal's--perched on the narrow ledge, down to the heavy bell-pull by +the side of the hearth, on to a high-backed chair against the wall, +down again to the floor--all black here, for the light is too distant +to show the carpet's hue--on into the shadows, where something--the +table, of course--shows like a grim bas-relief hewn out of the +darkness, on to its ponderous top, where the candles... + +It was upon the top of the table that the keen grey eyes came to +rest--idly. The next moment his lordship's frame stiffened with a +shock. + +The radiance of two wax candles was illuminating the bitterness of +death upon a man's face. It was an old face, long, gaunt, +clean-shaven, and the ill-fitting wig that gaped about the shrunken +temples gave it the queer pinched look which tells of a starved belly. +Eyes red-rimmed and staring, a long thin nose, and an unearthly pallor +made it displeasing: the dropped jaw, showing the toothless gums, made +it repulsive. + +The hair upon Mr. Justice Molehill's head began to rise. + +For a moment the face stayed motionless. Then the grey lids flickered, +and a trembling hand stole up out of the darkness to twitch at the +lower lip. A paper upon the table appeared to claim the attention of +those horrible eyes.... But not for long. Indeed, they had subjected +the document to the very barest perusal, when, with a convulsive +movement, the creature clawed at the paper, tore it with ravening hands +and, clapping the fragments to its distorted mouth, bit and savaged it +like a demoniac.... + +Hardened as he was to the spectacle of Rage dominant his lordship paled +before this paroxysm of unearthly passion. All the agony of +disappointed avarice, all the torment of mortification in defeat, all +the frenzy of impotent fury, blazed in one hideous blend out of that +frightful countenance. Could he have moved, the Judge would have +crossed himself. + +Then suddenly came a change. The passion ebbed out of the face, the +paper fluttered out of the loosened fingers, the red-rimmed eyes took +on another look. Snail-slow the trembling hand was travelling across +the table.... + +Immediately between the silver candle-sticks lay a horse-pistol. As +the fingers approached it, their trembling increased. Twice they +hesitated, craven flesh rebelling against a recreant will. They shook +so frightfully upon encountering the butt that it seemed as if to grasp +it were beyond their power. Once they had seized it, however, the +trembling left them and passed into the hand.... + +With the approach of the weapon, the horror upon the face became +unspeakable. The eyes were starting, the mouth working painfully. +Resolved to be rid of life, yet terrified to die, the wretch was +writhing. There never was seen so loathsome a paradox. Cowardice was +gone crusading. + +The Judge's tongue clove to the roof of his mouth. + +With the assistance of the other hand, the pistol had been turned +about, but head and hands were all shaking so violently that the +introduction of the muzzle into the gaping mouth was hardly +accomplished. Twice cup missed lip, and the steel went jabbing against +the ashen cheek. The next moment gums drummed on the metal with a +hideous vibration. + +With a shock his lordship recognized the sound as one which he and the +marshal had heard more than once at this hour, and, after discussion, +had attributed to an idiosyncrasy of water under the influence of heat. + +That the supreme moment had arrived would have been patent from the +eyes alone. Riveted upon the trigger-finger, squinting until the +pupils were almost lost to view, they were the orbs of a fiend. Even +as the Judge gazed, the light of Insanity took flaming possession. +Hell, grown impatient, had sent a sheriff for the usurer's soul.... + +With a dull crash the fire fell in, and the Judge started to his feet +with an oath. + +The candles were gone. + +The first thing which Mr. Justice Molehill did was to wipe the sweat +from his face, and the second, to mix himself and consume the strongest +whisky and soda he had swallowed for years. Then, being a man of stout +heart, he picked up the lamp and walked to the writing-table at the end +of the room. Here all was in order, and the closest scrutiny failed to +reveal any trace of the vision. The chair was there, certainly, but +its seat was dusty, and upon the table itself there was nothing at all. +The curtain behind the chair, when disarranged, disclosed a window, +heavily shuttered as usual, but nothing more. + +Now, his lordship disliked defeat as much as anybody, but if there was +one thing which he detested more than another, it was an inability to +prove an excellent case. Looking at it from his point of view, he had +here a personal experience at once as interesting and incredible as a +man could fairly be expected to relate. The reflection was most +provoking. So much so, indeed, that, after a moment's hesitation, the +Judge picked up the chair and placed it upon the table. Then he bent +down and, thrusting his hands beneath the edge of the carpet, lifted +this up from the floor. The fabric was heavy, but he hauled with a +will, and a moment later he was standing upon the boards he had +uncovered. Thereafter, at the cost of a good deal of exertion, he +managed to roll it back from the window as far as the table itself. +Holding it in place with his knee, his lordship reached for the lamp.... + +It was his intention to discover whether the boards did not afford some +real evidence of the crime, and it is a matter for regret that, upon +perceiving that the floor had been diligently stained all over with +some coffee-coloured preparation, for the second time in the evening +his lordship swore. He was, in fact, in some dudgeon about to replace +the lamp, when the torn edge of paper, showing between two boards, +caught his observant eye.... + +The fine handwriting was faded, but still quite legible. + + + _10th Jan., 1789._ + +_SIR,_ + +_Your letter leaves me no hope but that you have been most grossly +betrayed. Should you so desire, I will render you indisputable proofs +that the Marquess of Bedlington hath no need of funds, much less hath +delivered in any's favour a bond for the vast sum declared in your +letter. In a word, though the name subscribed to the bond be that of +Bedlington, it was not the Marquess' hand that set it there. Who hath +done you this injury, I know not, but Time hath shown that his +lordship's twin brother, Lord Stephen Rome, lately decd., with whom the +Marquess was justly at variance, more than once scrupled not to assume +his brother's person and title to compass his own ends...._ + + +At the mention of the twin brother, Mr. Justice Molehill raised his +keen grey eyes to stare at the lamp. + +"Rome," he said softly. "Rome. That's right. It was at the _Grand +Hotel_. And Anthony Lyveden was the name of the sole legatee. I knew +I'd heard it before." + + * * * * * + +Mrs. Bumble's parlourmaid was counting upon her pink fingers. + +"Sunday twenty-eight, Monday twenty-nine, to-day thirty.... Yes. +To-morrow's the first of December." + +George Alison regarded his wife. + +"Let us hope," he said gloomily, "that it's a better month. In the +course of the last four weeks I've had seventeen punctures, I've +endured a miscarriage of justice which has undoubtedly shortened my +life, and I've lost as good a pal as ever I struck." + +"To hear you speak," said Betty, "any one would think that Anne and I +had enjoyed ourselves. It's been just as bad for us." + +The chauffeur shook his head. + +"You rave," he said shortly. "In the first place, what have you to do +with tires?" + +"If we haven't had the punctures," was the reply, "we've heard enough +about them." + +"Yes," said Anne. "It's been almost as bad as golf. 'What I did at +the fourteenth hole.'" + +"In the second place," said George, "women adore irregularity. I can +conceive nothing more delectable to the feminine appetite than the +spectacle of Justice derailed. The apotheosis of our esteemed friend +and late colleague, Mr. Albert Morgan, has afforded you two more +indirect gratification than anything I can remember." + +"Gratification?" almost screamed the two girls. + +"Gratification," said George. "If I'd come home and said he'd pleaded +guilty and been sent down for five years, you'd have been all +depressed. In the third place----" + +"Monstrous," said Betty. "Don't laugh, Anne. As if the very thought +of that man walking about free didn't make my blood boil." + +"It made it run cold last time," observed her husband. "Same principle +as a geyser, I suppose.... Well, as I was saying, in the third place, +what was Anthony to you?" + +"One of the best," said Betty stoutly. "That's what he was." + +Her husband wrinkled his nose. + +"My point is that he was a man's pal. He was nice to you because he'd +been properly brought up, but..." + +Mournfully he passed his cup to be refilled. + +"Go on," said Betty silkily. "I wouldn't miss this for anything." + +Suspiciously George regarded her. + +"Well," he said defiantly, "he hadn't much use for women." + +Mrs. Alison turned to her sister-in-law and nodded scornfully at her +husband. + +"Our wiseacre," she said. + +"All right," said the chauffeur. "Don't you believe me. He as good as +told me so the day before he left, but I suppose that doesn't count." + +Gurgling with merriment, his sister rose from the table and, coming +behind the speaker, set her hands on his shoulders. + +"And I suppose that's why he 'wished to leave the neighbourhood,'" she +said, laying her cheek against his. "Betty and I were too much for +him. Which reminds me, Bet, you and I ought to go to Bell Hammer and +take those books back." + +Her brother screwed his head round and looked at her. + +"You're not suggesting that Valerie----" + +"Sent him away?" said Anne. "Heaven knows. But he's just crazy about +her, isn't he, Bet?" + +The parlourmaid nodded. + +"And she?" queried Alison. + +"Loves him to distraction," said Anne. + +"Which is why she lets him push off?" said George. "I see. And I +suppose, if they'd hated one another like poison, they'd have been +married by now. You know, this is too easy." + +"Ah," said Betty, with a dazzling smile, "but then, you see, women +adore irregularity." + +Her husband, who was in the act of drinking, choked with emotion. + +That the household was once more without a footman was a hard fact. +Major Anthony Lyveden, D.S.O., was gone. His period of service at The +Shrubbery had come to an abrupt end upon the previous day. His notice +had not expired, but when he received an offer which was conditional +upon his immediate departure from Hawthorne, he had laid the facts +before Mr. Bumble and left two days later. All efforts to persuade him +to leave an address were unavailing. This was a pity, for, ten minutes +after he and Patch had left for the station, there had arrived for him +a letter from a firm of solicitors that numbered many distinguished +clients, and The Honourable Mr. Justice Molehill among them. + +Since Anthony will never read that letter, neither will we. We will +leave it where it is now, where it will lie, I dare say, until the +crack of doom--behind the overmantel in the servants' parlour, +gentlemen, with its back to the wall. + +Anthony, then, was gone, and Patch with him. The Judge had been gone +some time. Mr. Morgan also had left the neighbourhood, and was earning +good money in the West End by the simple expedient of wearing the Mons +medal, to which, never having seen "service," he was not entitled, and +perambulating the gutters of South Kensington with a child in his arms. +The child was heavy and cost him sixpence a day, but, as an incentive +to charity, it left the rendering of "Abide with Me," upon which Mr. +Morgan had previously relied, simply nowhere. + +Lady Touchstone and Valerie were still at Bell Hammer. More than once +the latter had revived her suggestion of a visit to the South of +France. Each time Valerie had applauded the idea and then promptly +switched the conversation on to another topic.... Women understand +women, and with a sigh her aunt resigned herself to the prospect of a +winter in Hampshire. Return to Town she would not. London was not +what it had been, and the vanities of the metropolis fell dismally +short of the old pre-War standard. You were robbed, too, openly, +wherever you went. With tears in their eyes, shopkeepers offered you +stones instead of bread, and charged you for fishes. Besides, +unemployment was booming, routs were frequent, rioting was in the +air.... Lady Touchstone decided that, if she was not to snuff the +zephyrs of Nice, the smell of the woods of Bell Hammer was good enough +for her nostrils. + +If Lyveden had lost weight, Miss French had gained none. The blow that +had fallen all but a month ago had hit her as hard as him. Yet, of the +two, her plight was less evil. Each of them had dropped in their +tracks, which is to say that, while Lyveden had fallen upon the rough +ground of bare existence. Miss French had fallen into the lap of +luxury. + +I am prepared to be told that this should have made no difference--that +creature comforts cannot minister to a broken heart. But, sirs, the +flesh and the spirit are thicker than that. The iron must have entered +uncommon deep into the soul for the body no longer to care whether the +bath-water run hot or cold. + +For all that, the girl was desperately unhappy. That she should have +been bracketed with Anne was bad enough; that they should have been +wooed in the same nest, to say the least, smacked more of business than +of love: that it was her nest, of which, of her love, she had made the +man free, was infamous. It was such treatment as she would not have +expected at the hands of a counter-jumper--a deserter--a satyr. +Possibly a satyr in a weak moment might have fallen so low. But +Anthony was not a satyr. And deserters are not, as a rule, recommended +for the D.S.O. To suggest that he was a counter-jumper was equally +ridiculous. He was a most attractive gallant gentleman. This made his +behaviour infinitely more discreditable. It was a sordid, demoralizing +business.... + +And that, gentlemen, is what a hot bath will do. + +Now look on this picture. + +Valerie lay as she had flung herself, face downward upon the bed. Save +that one satin slipper had fallen off, she was fully dressed. One bare +white arm pillowed her brow, covering her eyes--mercifully. Let us +touch that gleaming shoulder. See? It is cold as ice. That little +slipperless foot.... Cold as any stone. But then it is the month of +December, and she has lain so for two hours. Two hours of agony. She +can remember every look those steady grey eyes of Lyveden's have ever +given her, and in the last two hours she has remembered them all. Inch +by inch she has gone over the playground of their hearts: word by word +she has recited their conversations: she has gathered great posies of +dead blossoms, because they once smelled so sweet: she has trodden the +lanes of Memory to her most grievous wounding, because they are still +so dear.... + +Then there were other times, when Pride had her in a strait-jacket, and +the very thought of Anthony made her eyes blaze. + +She had been walking herself out of one of these moods, and was +tramping rather wearily through the twilight and up the long drive, +when the cough of a motor-horn behind her made her start to one side. +The next moment a car flashed past.... + +It was the local doctor's Renault. + +Valerie's heart stood still. + +The next moment she was running like a deer.... + +The car beat her all ends up, and by the time she had reached the +steps, the front door was shut. She pealed the bell frantically.... + +To the footman who answered it-- + +"What's the matter?" she panted. "Who's ill?" + +"Miss Alison, miss. I think it's a broken leg. She an' Mrs. Alison +'ad been to tea with 'er ladyship, an', as she was leavin', she----" + +"Don't keep saying 'she,'" snapped Valerie. "Say 'Miss Alison.' +And--and bring me some fresh tea. In the library." + +She swept past the bewildered servant and disappeared. + +The mills of God were off. + + * * * * * + +Twenty-four hours had gone by. + +All this time the mills had been grinding steadily, and the grain, +which had been awaiting their pleasure for exactly one calendar month, +was beginning to disappear. After a while Valerie had come to realize +that her pride was to be reduced to powder, and that there was nothing +for it but to submit to the process with the best grace she could. Not +every woman would have reasoned so wisely: few would have given to +their decision such faithful effect. You will please remember that any +reduction of her pride seemed to Valerie extraordinarily unjust. That +there was stuff other than pride in the grist never occurred to her. + +It was the evening, then, of the day after the accident, and the two +girls were alone in the pleasant bedroom whither Anne had been carried +the day before, and where she was like to spend the next six weeks of +her existence. The patient was wearing one of Valerie's night-gowns +and looking very nice in it. She was also smoking one of Valerie's +cigarettes, and, so resilient is youth, chattering merrily between the +puffs. + +"Lady Touchstone was wonderful. She knew my leg was broken before I +did. Almost before I knew where I was, she had my head in her lap and +was telling me to lie quite still and hang on to her hand for all I was +worth. 'You'll find it a great help,' she said. 'I know I did. And +if you know any bad words, say them.' For all the pain, I couldn't +help laughing. And then she told me how she'd broken her leg in the +hunting field, and the vicar was the first to get to her, and how she +hung on to him and made him feed her with bad language till help +arrived. And, when I tried to say I was sorry, she said the butler +deserved six months for not having the steps sanded, and asked me, if +you and she tried to make me comfortable while I was your guest, if I'd +try to forgive you...." + +"That's the only possible way to look at it," said Valerie. "It's all +our servants' fault, and we're only too thankful to be able----" + +"You're very sweet," said Anne wistfully. "But to be saddled with me +for six weeks----" + +"Hush!" said Valerie, with a grave smile. "You promised not to talk +like that." + +Anne Alison sighed. + +"It is unfortunate, though," she said. "I can't think what they'll do +at The Shrubbery. If only Anthony hadn't just left.... You knew he'd +gone, didn't you?" + +Valerie shook her head. + +"I knew he was going," she said. + +"He left on Monday," said Anne. "We're all heart-broken. He was +wonderful to work with, and nobody could help liking him. George is +desperate about it. Being a man, you see.... Besides, they were a lot +together. On the car, I mean. Off duty we never saw much of him. He +liked being alone. I think I'm the only one he went for a walk with +all the time he was there. And then Betty sent him. He'd never seen +the view from The Beacon, so I took him. He was bored stiff, and we +got soaked coming home, but he was very nice and polite about it. He +always was. And now, I suppose----" + +"The Beacon?" said Valerie faintly. "Where--where's The Beacon?" + +"I don't know what its real name is," said Anne. "We always call it +'The Beacon.' You must know it. That very high place in Red King Walk, +where the cliff goes sheer down...." + +Valerie tried to speak, but no words would come. Something seemed to +be gripping her by the throat. The walls of the room, too, were +closing in, and there was a strange, roaring noise--like that of mills +working.... + +With a terrific effort she fought unconsciousness away.... + +_Her--their nest then, was, after all, inviolate. He had never taken +Anne there. Betty had sent him. And--he had--been bored--stiff...._ + +It was as if a mine had been sprung beneath the spot upon which had +been dumped her emotions of the last two months, blowing some to atoms, +bringing to light others that had lain buried. Out of the wrack, joy, +shame, fear fell at her feet--and a sentence out of a letter was +staring her in the face. + +"_His explanation will shame you, of course, but take the lesson to +heart._" + +"I wonder," she said shakily, "if you could give me Major Lyveden's +address." + +"I would, like a shot," said Anne heartily, "but he wouldn't leave one." + +Again the rumble of those labouring mills came swelling out of the +silence into a roar that was thunderous, brain-shaking.... For a +moment of time they pounded the understanding mercilessly.... Then, +all of a sudden, the machinery stopped. + +The corn was ground. + + + + +CHAPTER VI + +THE COMFORT OF APPLES + +Anthony was healthily tired. So much so, in fact, that he was sorely +tempted to retire to bed without more ado. On reflecting, however, +that at least twenty minutes must elapse before his faithful digestion +could also rest from its labours, he lighted a pipe slowly and +then--afraid to sit down, lest he should fall asleep--leaned his tired +back against a side of the enormous fireplace and folded his arms. + +It is probable that the chamber which his eyes surveyed was more than +four hundred years old. That it was at once his hall, kitchen, and +parlour, is undeniable. One small stout wall contained the front door +and the window, a third part of which could be induced to open, but was +to-night fast shut. Another hoisted the breakneck staircase which led +to the room above. A third stood blank, while the fourth was just wide +enough to frame the tremendous fireplace, which, with its two +chimney-corners, made up a bay nearly one half the size of the little +room it served. The ceiling, itself none too high, was heavy with +punishing beams, so that a tall man must pick and choose his station if +he would stand upright; and the floor was of soft red brick, a little +sunken in places, but, on the whole, well and truly laid. + +A cupboard under the stairs served as a larder and store-room; a flap +beneath the window made a firm table; in spite of their age, a Windsor +and a basket chair, when called upon, satisfactorily discharged the +duties for which they were contrived. A battered foot-bath did more. +In a word, it received platters and knives and forks which needed +cleansing, and in due season delivered them cleansed; of a Sunday +morning it became a terrier's tub; and upon one afternoon in the week a +vessel in which clothes were washed. + +Since this was all the furniture, the place looked bare. As a +living-room it left much to be desired; but, since Major Anthony +Lyveden did not live in it, that did not trouble him. He used the +room, certainly--he was using it now; nightly he slept above it--but he +lived in the open air. + +This was patent from the look of him. + +Wind, rain, and sun set upon their favourites a mark which there is no +mistaking. Under the treatment of these three bluff specialists the +handsome face had in a short month become a picture. In all his life +the ex-officer had never looked so well. + +It was when he had given his late master notice and had twenty-one +pounds in the world that Lyveden had seen the advertisement-- + +_A solitary existence, hard work, long hours, L3 a week, fuel, a +bachelor's unfurnished lodging, and an open-air life is offered to an +ex-officer: the job has been considered and abusively rejected by five +ex-other ranks on the score that it is "not good enough"; as an +ex-officer myself, I disagree with them; incidentally, I can pay no +more; sorry to have to add that applicants must be physically fit. +Write, Box 1078, c/o "The Times," E.C.4._ + +Immediately he had applied by telegram, paying for a reply.... + +Three days later he and Patch had emerged from the London train into +the keen night air of Chipping Norton. + +There on the platform to meet him had stood his new employer--a +tremendous figure of a man, with the eyes of an explorer and the +physique of an Atlas, and, after a little delay, Lyveden had found +himself seated in a high dog-cart, which, in the wake of an impatient +roan, was bowling along over the cold white roads, listening to the +steady deep voice foretelling his fate. + +"We're going to Girdle. I've taken a room at the inn there for you +to-night. Your cottage is two miles from there. I'll show you the way +and meet you there in the morning--at half-past eight, please. It's +water-tight--I had the thatch tended this year--and it's got its own +well--good water. It's in the park, by the side of the London road, so +you won't be too lonely. Now, your work. Woodman, road-maker, joiner, +keeper, forester, gardener--that's what I want." Anthony's brain +reeled. "That's what I am myself. Listen. I've inherited this +estate, which has been let go for over a hundred years. There isn't a +foot of fencing that isn't rotten, a road that you can walk on, a +bridge that is safe. The woods--it's all woodland--have gone to +blazes. I want to pull it round.... Fifty R.E.'s and a Labour +Battalion is what it wants, but that's a dream. I've tried the obvious +way. I asked for tenders for mending a twelve-foot bridge. The lowest +was seventy pounds. I did it myself, single-handed, in seven days.... +I've saved my stamps since then. Well, I've got a small staff." +Anthony heaved a sigh of relief. "Two old carters, two carpenters, +three magnificent sailors--all deaf, poor chaps--and a little lame +engineer. But I haven't an understudy.... I hope you'll like it, and +stay. It's a man's life." + +"I like the sound of it," said Lyveden. "What are you on now?" + +"Road-making at the moment. The fence is the most important, but the +roads are so bad we can't get the timber through. It's all sawn +ready--we've got a toy saw-mill--but we can't carry it. You see..." + +The speaker's enthusiasm had been infectious. Lyveden had found +himself violently interested in his new life before he had entered upon +it. + +The next day he had accepted the tiny cabin as his future home, and had +had a fire roaring upon the hearth before nine o'clock. Colonel +Winchester, who had expected to lodge him at Girdle for the best part +of a week, had abetted his determination to take immediate possession +with a grateful heart, presenting his new tenant with some blankets and +an excellent camp-bed, and putting a waggon at his disposal for the +rest of the day. Seven o'clock that evening had found Anthony and his +dog fairly installed in their new quarters. + +And now a month had gone by--to be exact, some thirty-four days, the +biggest ones, perhaps, in all Lyveden's life. In that short space of +time the man whose faith had frozen had become a zealot. + +Five thousand acres of woodland and the fine frenzy of an Homeric +Quixote had wrought the miracle. Of course the soil was good, and had +been ruthlessly harrowed and ploughed into the very pink of condition +to receive such seed. For months Lyveden's enterprise had been +stifled: for months Necessity had kept his intellect chained to a +pantry-sink: such ambition as he had had was famished. To crown it +all, Love had lugged him into the very porch of Paradise, to slam the +gates in his face.... Mind and body alike were craving for some +immense distraction. In return for board and lodging for his terrier +and himself, the man would have picked oakum--furiously: but not in +Hampshire. That was the county of Paradise--Paradise Lost. + +As we have seen, the bare idea of the employment had found favour in +Lyveden's eyes, and, before they had been together for half an hour, +the personality of Winchester had taken him by the arm. When, two days +later, master and man strode through the splendid havoc of the woods, +where the dead lay where they had fallen, and the quick were wrestling +for life, where the bastard was bullying the true-born, and kings were +mobbed by an unruly rabble--dogs with their paws upon the table, eating +the children's bread--where avenues and glades were choked with +thickets, where clearings had become brakes, and vistas and prospects +were screened by aged upstarts that knew no law; when they followed the +broken roads, where fallen banks sprawled on the fairway, and the +laborious rain had worn ruts into straggling ditches, where culverts +had given way and the dammed streams had spread the track with wasting +pools, where sometimes time-honoured weeds blotted the very memory of +the trail into oblivion; when they stood before an old grey mansion, +with what had once been lawns about it and the ruin of a great cedar +hard by its side, its many windows surveying with a grave stare the +wreck and riot of the court it kept--then for the first time Anthony +Lyveden heard the sound of the trumpets. + +The physical attraction, no doubt, of the work to be done was crooking +a beckoning finger. To pass his time among these glorious woods, to +have a healthy occupation which would never be gone, to enjoy and +provide for his dog a peaceful possession of the necessities of life, +was an alluring prospect. + +Yet this was not the call the trumpets had wound. That distant silvery +flourish was not of the flesh. It was the same fanfare that has sent +men to lessen the mysteries of the unknown world, travel the trackless +earth, sail on uncharted seas, trudge on eternal snows, to sweat and +shiver under strange heavens, grapple with Nature upon the Dame's own +ground and try a fall with the Amazon--with none to see fair play--for +the tale of her secrets. + +Anthony's imagination pricked up its flattened ears.... + +Gazing upon the crookedness about him, he saw it straightened: looking +upon the rough places, he saw them made plain. He saw the desolation +banished, the wilderness made glad. He saw the woods ordered, the +broken roads mended, the bridges rebuilt, streams back in their beds, +vistas unshuttered, avenues cleared.... He saw himself striving, one +of a little company sworn to redeem the stolen property. Man had won +it by the sweat of his brow--his seal was on it yet--that great +receiver Nature must give it up. It was not the repair of an estate +that they would compass; it was the restoration of the kingdom of man. + +Marking the light in his employee's eyes, Colonel Winchester could have +flung up his cap. Opening his heart, he spoke with a rough eloquence +of the great days the place had seen, of lords and ladies who had slept +at the house, of coaches that had rumbled over that broken bridge, of a +troop ambushed at the bend of the avenue, of a duel fought upon that +sometime sward.... + +"The world 'd think me mad. In the clubs I used to belong to they'd +remember that I was always a bit of a crank. To the Press I should be +a curio worth three lines and a photograph of the 'Brigadier Breaks +Stones' order. But there's a zest to the job you won't find in Pall +Mall. There's an encouragement to go ahead that you seldom strike in +this world. There's a gratitude the old place'll hand you that no +reporter could ever understand...." + +It was true. + +As the short days went tearing by, the spirit of the place entered into +Anthony's soul. He laboured thirstily, yet not so much laboured as +laid his labour as a thank-offering at his goddess's feet. He counted +himself happy, plumed himself on his selection for the office, thanked +God nightly. But that he needed the pay, he would not have touched it. +As it was, a third of it went into his tool-bag. The appalling +magnitude of the task never worried him--nor, for the matter of that, +his fellow-workers. Master and men went toiling from dawn to dusk +under a spell, busy, tireless as gnomes, faithful as knights to their +trust. Their zeal was quick with the devotion to a cause that went out +with coat-armour. Rough weather might chill one iron, but another was +plucked from the fire ere the first was cold. There never was seen +such energy. Place and purpose together held them in thrall. Had +encouragement been needed, the death of every day showed some material +gain. Foot by foot the kingdom was being restored. + +Whether the goddess of the estate had charmed Patch also, it is not for +me to say. He was certainly a happy fellow. Life had apparently +developed into one long, glorious ramble, which nothing but nightfall +could curtail. To his delight, too, Anthony and the other men showed +an unexpected and eventful interest in stones and boughs and ditches +and drains, and sometimes they even dragged trees along the ground for +him to bark at. It is to be hoped that he also expressed his gratitude +of nights...... + +If he has not done so this night, it is too late now, for he is +stretched upon the warm bricks in a slumber which will allow of no +orisons this side of to-morrow. + +Let us take his tip, gentlemen. The night is young, I know, but +Anthony has been abroad since cock-crow. Besides, I have led you a +pretty dance. You have, in fact, tramped for miles--'tis two and an +odd furlong to the old grey house alone--and the going is ill, as you +know, and the night, if young, is evil. A whole gale is coming, and +the woods are beside themselves. The thrash of a million branches, the +hoarse booming of the wind, lend to the tiny chamber an air of comfort +such as no carpets nor arras could induce. The rain, too, is hastening +to add its insolence to the stew. That stutter upon the pane is its +advance-guard.... + +Did you hear that dull crash, gentlemen? Or are your ears not +practised enough to pluck it out of the welter of rugged harmony? It +was an elm, sirs, an old fellow, full of years, gone to his long home. +For the last time the squirrels have swung from his boughs: for the +last time the rooks have sailed and cawed about his proud old head. +To-morrow there will be another empty stall in that majestic quire +which it has taken Time six hundred years to fill.... + +The distant crash brought Lyveden out of a sleep-ridden reverie. For a +second he listened intently, as if he hoped that he had been mistaken, +and that the sound he had heard had been but a trick of the wind. Then +he gave a short sigh and knocked out his pipe. + + * * * * * + +"And you've had no answer?" said the Judge, snapping a wafer betwixt +his fingers and thumb. + +His guest shook his head. Then he hastened to enlighten the +wine-waiter, who had been about to refill his glass with port and had +construed the gesture as a declension of the nectar. + +"Never a line," he said shortly. "Of course the letter may never have +reached him. But, if it did, he may not have thought it worth while +... I mean, I wrote very guardedly." + +"Naturally," said the Judge, "naturally. Still, I should have +thought..." + +The two men sat facing each other across a small mahogany table from +which the cloth had been drawn. The surface thus exposed gave back +such light as fell upon it enriched and mellowed. In this it was +typical of the room, which turned the common air into an odour of +luxury. + +Servants, perfectly trained, faultlessly groomed, stepped noiselessly +to and fro, handing dishes, replenishing glasses, anticipating desires. +A tremendous fire glowed in its massive cage; a crimson carpet and +curtains of almost barbaric gravity contributed to the admirable +temperature and deadened unruly noise. A brace of shaded candles to +each small table made up nine several nebulae, whose common radiance +provoked an atmosphere of sober mystery, dim and convenient. Light so +subdued subdued in turn the tones of the company of hosts and visitors. +Conversation became an exchange of confidences; laughter was soft and +low; the murmurous blend of talk flowed unremarked, yet comforted the +ear. The flash of silver, the sparkle of glass, the snow of napery, +gladdened the eye. No single circumstance of expediency was +unobserved, no detail of propriety was overlooked. Pomp lay in a +litter which he had borrowed of Ease. + +"Shall I write again?" said the solicitor. + +Mr. Justice Molehill stared at his port. After a moment-- + +"No," he said slowly. "Not at present, at any rate. I don't want to +push the matter, because I've got so very little to go on. In moving +at all, I'm laying myself open to the very deuce of a snub." + +"I shall get the snub," said his guest. "But that's what I'm paid for. +Besides, I'm fairly hardened." + +That he evinced not the slightest curiosity regarding his mysterious +instructions argued a distinction between the individual and the +adviser, firmly drawn and religiously observed. For a Justice of the +King's Bench suddenly to be consumed by a desire to know the names of +the uncles of somebody else's footman smacked of collaboration by +Gilbert and Chardenal. Once, however, the solicitor knew his client, +he asked no questions. Reticence and confidence were in his eyes +equally venerable. Usually he had his reward. He had it now. + +"In the spring," said his companion, "of 1914 I went to Sicily. On my +way back I stopped for one night at Rome. The day I left, while I was +resting after luncheon, the manager of the hotel brought a priest to my +room--a Catholic priest of some position, I fancy--an Englishman. I +can't remember his name. He spoke very civilly, and begged my instant +attention. + +"An old Englishman, it seemed, lay dying upon the first floor. He was +all alone--no relations--no servant. He could speak no Italian. +Realizing that he was dying, he was frantic to make a will. His +frenzied attempts to convey this desire to the attendant doctor had +resulted in the latter dashing into the street and stopping and +returning with the first priest he encountered. This happened to be my +friend. Upon beholding him, the patient, who had hoped for a lawyer, +had turned his face to the wall. Then, to his relief, he found that, +though a priest, yet he was English, and begged him to fetch an +attorney. The priest hurried to the manager, and the manager brought +him to me.... + +"You know how much I know about wills. All the same, argument was not +to be thought of. To the laity, solicitor, lawyer, barrister, and +attorney are synonymous terms. Moreover, they are all will-wrights. A +judge is a sort of shop-steward.... + +"Well, I drew one. To tell you the truth, I don't think it was so bad. +I attended the poor man. I took his instructions. And there and then +in the sickroom I drew the will upon a sheet of notepaper. He signed +it in my presence and that of the priest. The latter then took charge +of it, with a view to getting it stamped next morning at the British +Consulate. We both had some hazy idea that that was desirable. + +"I left Rome the same night. + +"Gradually--we've all had a lot to think about in the last seven +years--I forgot the whole incident. Then, some two months ago, when I +was at Brooch, a fellow gives evidence before me in a burglary case. A +footman called Anthony Lyveden. For a long time I couldn't imagine +where I'd heard the names before. Then something--I'll tell you what +in the smoking-room--brought it all back. Anthony Lyveden was the +nephew of the man whose will I made, and he was named as the sole +legatee. + +"In a way it's no affair of mine, and yet I feel concerned. I'll tell +you why. That footman was a gentleman born. Moreover, he was down on +his luck. He didn't look like a fellow who'd run through money, and I +think the old testator was pretty rich. He gave that impression. And +for a will made in such circumstances to go astray it would be easy +enough--obviously. The devil of it is, except for the name of Lyveden, +I can remember nothing else." + +The solicitor sipped his port. Then-- + +"A search at Somerset House," he said slowly, "should give us the +maiden surname of Anthony Lyveden's mother. If she had a brother...." + +Sir Giles Molehill raised his eyes and sighed. + +"And it never occurred to me," he said. "It's high time I went to the +Court of Appeal." + +Two days later his lordship received a letter informing him that a +search at Somerset House had revealed the fact that a son named Anthony +had been born upon the fourteenth of January, 1891, to a Mrs. Katharine +Lyveden, formerly _Roach_. + +As he read it, the Judge exclaimed audibly. + +The note which he wrote there and then shall speak for itself. + + +_DEAR BLITHE,_ + +_Roach was the surname of the testator. Please go on. When you can +submit a Christian name to my memory, please do so. I am not sure that +it will respond, but we can try._ + + _Yours sincerely, + GILES MOLEHILL._ + + * * * * * + +When Anthony Lyveden had been for a week at Gramarye, he had +reluctantly posted a letter containing his new address. This he had +done because he had promised to do it. As the letter had fallen into +the box, he had prayed fervently, but without the faintest hope, that +it might never be delivered. A galley-slave who has broken ship and +won sanctuary does not advertise his whereabouts with a light heart. +He may be beyond pursuit, yet--he and the galley are both of this +world; things temporal only keep them apart, and if the master came +pricking, with a whip in his belt.... You must remember that Anthony +had been used very ill. At first, bound to the oar of Love, he had +pulled vigorously and found the sea silken, his chains baubles. Then a +storm had arisen. In his hands the docile oar had become a raging +termagant, and, when he would have been rid of it, the baubles had +opposed his will. He had been dragged and battered unspeakably. Over +all, the lash had been laid upon his bare shoulders; and that with a +nicety of judgment which should have been foreign to so white a wrist +and to eyes that could look so tender. Now that he had escaped out of +hell, it was not surprising that he was loth to discover his refuge. +Still, a promise must be respected.... + +For that matter, supplications do not always go empty away. The answer +to Anthony's came in the shape of a fire which attacked the last coach +but one upon a London train and partially destroyed two mailbags before +its flames were subdued. It follows that, though he did not know it, +such friends as the ex-officer had knew no more where he was than did +the man in the moon. + +It is here convenient, believe me, to go imagining. + +We have looked into Anthony's mind at the hour when he posted his +letter. Had he posted it this nineteenth day of January, instead of +six weeks ago, and we, as before, peered into his brain-pan, we should +have found his supplication that the missive might go astray even more +urgent. We should have noted that, while he was just as fearful to be +reminded of the galley and the tall dark ganger with the red, red mouth +and the merciless thong, he also viewed with alarm the possibility of +any distraction from his work. The galley-slave was become a votary. + +Let us be quite clear about it. + +Anthony had come to Gramarye to try to forget. In this he was steadily +unsuccessful. At the end of a month he had not advanced one inch. His +love for Valerie was as breathless, haunting, wistful as it had ever +been. The whole of the kingdom of his heart was hers alone, and, so +far as he could see, like to remain hers only for the rest of his life. +Since, therefore, he could not dispatch Memory, he sought to immure +her. Since Valerie's sovereignty was so fast stablished that it could +not be moved, he sought to rule his heart out of his system. Had it +been possible, he would, like Aesop's Beaver, have ripped the member +from him and gone heartless ever after. The Fabulous Age being dead, +Anthony made the best shift he could, and strove to bury kingdom and +queen together so deep within him that their existence should not +trouble his life. If he could not put out the light, he would hide it +under a bushel. It occurred to him that his mind, appropriately +occupied, should make an excellent bushel--appropriately occupied.... +He resolved that Gramarye should have his mind. Of this he would make +a kingdom, mightier and more material than that of his heart. The +trouble was, his mind, though more tractable, liked Valerie's +occupation, found it desirable, and clung to its present tenant for all +it was worth. By no means dismayed, Anthony, as before, had recourse +to ejection by crowding out.... Two things, however, made this attempt +more formidable. First, he did not have to be for ever scouring the +highways and hedges for a new tenantry; Gramarye was always at hand. +Secondly, though Anthony did not know it, _there was no need for +Gramarye to be compelled to come in_. He was pressing an invitation +upon one who had invited herself. The hooded personality of the place +had stolen up to the door: already its pale fingers were lifting the +latch.... Before he had been in the Cotswolds for seven weeks, she had +thrust and been thrust into the doorway. + +It was the thin end of the wedge. + +Each passing day fell upon the wedge like the stroke of a hammer. +Sometimes they drove it: oftener the wedge stayed still where it was. +But it never slipped back. When it was stubbornest, and the days +seemed to lose their weight, when Valerie's hold seemed indefeasible, +when the woods were quick with memory, when Anthony heard an old faint +sigh in the wind, and the laughter of a brook fluted the note of a soft +familiar voice, then more than once that strange, cool, silvery call +had stolen out of the distance, to melt upon the air as soon as uttered +and leave its echoes at play upon the edge of earshot.... Before the +echoes had died, the wedge would have moved. + +For a master at once so tireless and so devotedly served, Colonel +Winchester handled his team with a prudence which must have chafed his +infatuation to the bone. Of every week, five and a half days did they +labour and not an hour more. No matter how loudly a chore called for +completion, no matter how blackly wind and weather were threatening the +half-done work, upon Wednesday afternoon and Sunday not an axe was +lifted, not a cord hitched, not a nail driven. It was a wise rule and +fruitful. The Sabbath rest leavened the labour of the week. As for +the midweek breathing space, the men were not monks; however zealous +their studies of the lilies of the field, the provision of meat and +raiment must have some crumbs of consideration... + +It was, indeed, these two commodities which had taken Lyveden to Girdle +this January day. The milkman, the baker, the grocer, had all to be +interviewed and paid. A kindly farmer's wife, who baked fresh meat for +him and sent it thrice a week to his cottage in the shape of a cold +pasty, had to be visited and made to accept payment for a slab of sweet +fresh butter he had not asked for. A little linen had to be picked +up.... + +By half-past three Anthony's errands were run. He had dealt with them +quickly, for there was work waiting at the cottage; a load of fuel had +to be stacked, and Patch had been bogged that morning and was, +consequently, fit neither to be seen nor smelt. Besides, there was a +book about forestry which Winchester had lent him.... Anthony bent his +steps homeward eagerly enough. + +As he left the village, a horsewoman overtook him, shot him a sharp +glance, and passed ahead. Her habit was mired, and it was evident that +she had had a fall hunting. That Anthony did not remark this was +because he was regarding her horse. There was nothing unusual about +the animal, but of the two beings it alone touched his attention. If +Valerie was like to be buried, at least she had killed all other women +stone dead. + +It was consequently in some annoyance that, upon rounding the second +bend of the infamous Gallowstree Hill, he saw the lady before him with +her mount across the road, placidly regarding a hunting-crop which lay +upon the highway. As he came up-- + +"Would you be so good?" said the girl. + +"With pleasure." + +Anthony picked up the crop and offered it. As he did so, the horse +became restive, and there was quite a substantial bickering before his +mistress could accept the whip. Anthony, if he thought about it at +all, attributed the scene to caprice. In this he was right, yet wrong. +Caprice was the indirect reason. The direct cause was the heel of a +little hunting-boot adroitly applied to a somewhat sensitive flank. +There is no doubt at all that Anthony had a lot to learn. + +Out of the broil stepped Conversation lightly enough. + +"You must forgive us both," said the lady, turning her mount towards +Gramarye. "We've had a bad day. Quite early on we took the deuce of a +toss, and I lost him. A labourer caught him, and then let him go +again. By the time I'd got him, the hounds were miles away. I'd never +'ve believed it was possible to go so fast or so far as I did and never +hear of them. After two solid hours I gave it up." + +Anthony was walking by her side, listening gravely. + +"What a shame!" he said. Then: "I hope you weren't hurt." + +"Shoulder's a bit stiff. I fell on the point. But a hot bath'll put +that right. D'you live here?" + +"About a mile on. At Gramarye." + +The girl stared at him. + +"Gramarye?" + +"Not at the house," said Anthony. "I live in the cottage at the +south-west end of the park." + +"Oh, I know. D'you work there, then?" + +Anthony nodded. + +"That's my job." + +"So you're Major Lyveden?" said the girl. + +Anthony looked up. + +"How did you know?" he said. + +A pair of large brown eyes regarded him steadily. Then the red lips +parted, and Andre Strongi'th'arm flung back her handsome head and +laughed merrily. + +"Did you think," she said, panting, "did you really think that you +could come to dwell in the parish of Girdle, and the fact escape the +notice of the other parishioners?" She hesitated, and a suggestion of +mockery crept into her voice. "Or are you too wrapped up in the estate +to think about anything else?" + +"I believe I am," said Anthony. + +"I beg your pardon," said Miss Strongi'th'arm with an elaborate +courtesy. "Thank you very much for enduring me for three minutes. If +I'd----" + +Her hunter broke into a trot. + +"No, no," cried Anthony, running beside her. "Please walk again." She +pulled the horse up. "I didn't mean to be rude. I meant----" + +"I should leave it alone," said Andre. "You'll only make it worse. +You're much too honest. Besides, I love the country, and I--I think," +she added dreamily, "I can understand." + +"Can you?" + +The eagerness in Anthony's voice was arrestingly pathetic, and Andre +started at the effect of her idle words. + +"I--I think so. I've given water to a thirsty plant.... I suppose the +gratitude of a landscape..." + +"That's it," said Lyveden excitedly. "You've got it in one. The place +is so pathetically grateful for every stock and stone you set straight, +that you just can't hold your hand. And all the time the work's so +fascinating that you don't deserve any thanks. You seem to get deeper +in debt every day. You're credited with every cheque you draw. If I +stopped, it'd haunt me." + +"It is plain," said Andre, "that, when you die, 'Gramarye' will be +graven upon your heart. All the same, are you sure you were meant for +this? Aren't there things in life besides the straightening of stocks +and stones?" + +"The War's over," said Lyveden. + +"I know. But there was a world before 1914. I think your occupation's +wonderful, but isn't it a little unnatural--unfair to yourself and +others--to give it the whole of your life? As estates go, I fancy the +possibilities of Eden were even more amazing than those of Gramarye--I +daresay you won't admit that, but then you're biassed--and yet the +introduction of Eve was considered advisable." + +"With the result that ..." + +Miss Strongi'th'arm laughed. + +"With the result that you and I are alive this glorious day, with our +destinies in our pockets and the great round world at our feet. I +wonder whether I ought to go into a nunnery." + +"I've tried kicking the world," said Anthony, "and I'm still lame from +it. And Fate picked my pocket months and months ago." + +"So Faint Heart turned into the first monastery he came to," said +Andre, leaning forward and caressing her hunter's neck. "What d'you +think of that, Joshua?" + +As if by way of comment, the horse snorted, and Anthony found himself +joining in Miss Strongi'th'arm's mirth. + +"There's hope for you yet," gurgled that lady. "Your sense of humour +is still kicking. And that under the mud appears to be a scrap of a +dog. When you take your final vows, will you give him to me?" + +"In my monastery," said Lyveden, "monks are allowed to keep dogs. +There is also no rule against laughter." + +"Isn't there, now?" flashed Andre. "I wonder why? There's no rule +against idleness either, is there?" She laughed bitterly. "Rules are +made to cope with inclinations. Where there's no inclination----" She +broke off suddenly and checked her horse. Setting her hand upon +Lyveden's shoulder, she looked into his eyes. "You laughed just now, +didn't you? When did you last laugh before that?" + +Anthony stared back. The girl's intuition was uncanny. Now that he +came to think of it, Winchester and his little band never laughed over +their work--never. There was--she was perfectly right--there was no +inclination. Eagerness, presumably, left no room for Merriment. Or +else the matter was too high, too thoughtful. Not that they laboured +sadly--far from it. Indeed, their daily round was one long festival. +But Laughter was not at the board. Neither forbidden, nor bidden to +the feast, she just stayed away. Yet Mirth was no hang-back.... +Anthony found himself marvelling. + +"Who are you?" he said suddenly, + +For a second the brown eyes danced; then their lids hid them. With +flushed cheeks the girl sat up on her horse. + +"Who am I? I'm a daughter of Eve, Major Lyveden. Eve, who cost Adam +his Gramarye. So you be careful. Bar your door of nights. Frame +rules against laughter and idleness--just to be on the safe side. And +next time a girl drops her crop----" + +"I hope," said Anthony gravely, "I hope I shall be behind her to pick +it up and have the honour of her company to turn a mile into a furlong." + +"O-o-oh, blasphemy!" cried Andre, pretending to stop her ears. +"Whatever would Gramarye say? Come on, Joshua." + +The next moment she was cantering up the broad white way.... + +As she rounded a bend, she flung up an arm and waved her crop cheerily. + +Anthony waved back. + + * * * * * + +Miss Valerie French sat in her library at Bell Hammer, with her elbows +propped on the writing-table and her head in her hands. She had been +free of the great room ever since she could remember. Long before her +father's death she had been accustomed to sit curled in its great +chairs, to lie upon the huge tiger-skin before the hearth, or gravely +to face her father across that very table and draw houses and flights +of steps and stiff-legged men and women with flat feet upon his +notepaper, while Mr. French dealt with his correspondence. Always, +when the picture was completed, it would be passed to him for his +approval and acceptance; and he would smile and thank her and audibly +identify the objects portrayed; and, if he were not too busy, they +would remind him of a tale, the better to follow which she must leave +her chair and climb on to his knee.... + +Then he had died--ten years after her birth, nine years after her +mother's death. There were who said he had died of a broken heart--a +heart broken nine years before. It may have been true. Valerie loved +the room more than ever.... + +When she was come of age, she made it her boudoir. Flowers and silks +and silver lit up its stateliness. Beneath the influence of a grand +piano and the soft-toned cretonnes upon the leather chairs, the +solemnity of the chamber melted into peace. The walls of literature, +once so severe, became a kindly background, wearing a wise, grave smile. + +Such comfort, however, as the room extended was to-day lost upon +Valerie. Beyond the fact that it was neither noisome nor full of +uproar, Miss French derived no consolation from an atmosphere to which +she had confidently carried her troubles for at least twenty years. +The truth is, she was sick at heart. There was no health in her. She +had been given a talent and had cast it into the sea. She had stumbled +upon a jewel, more lustrous than any she had dreamed this earth could +render, and of her folly she had flung it into the draught. She had +suspected him who was above suspicion, treated her king like a cur, +unwarrantably whipped from her doors the very finest gentleman in all +the world. What was a thousand times worse, he had completely +vanished. Had she known where he was, she would have gone straight to +him and, kneeling upon her knees, begged his forgiveness. Her pride +was already in tatters, her vanity in rags: could she have found him, +she would have stripped the two mother-naked. In a word, she would +have done anything which it is in the power of a mortal to do to win +back that wonder of happiness which they had together built up. It +must be remembered that Valerie was no fool. She realized wholly that +without Anthony Lyveden Life meant nothing at all. She had very grave +doubts whether it would, without him, ever mean anything again. And +so, to recover her loss, she was quite prepared to pay to the uttermost +farthing. The trouble, was, the wares were no longer for sale; at any +rate, they were not exposed to her eyes. The reflection that, after a +little, they might be offered elsewhere and somebody else secure them, +sent Valerie almost out of her mind. And it might happen any +day--easily. The wares were so very attractive.... Moreover, if their +recovery was to beggar her, by a hideous paradox, failure to repurchase +the wares meant ruin absolute.... + +When Valerie French had discovered that her jealousy of her lover was +utterly baseless, she had had the sense to make no bones about it, but +to strike her colours at once. That Anthony was not there to witness +her capitulation did not affect her decision. If she was to have their +intelligent assistance, the sooner others saw it and appreciated her +plight, so much the better for her. Only her aunt and the Alisons +could possibly help at all; to those four she spoke plainly, telling +the cold facts and feeling the warmth of well-doing in tearing her +pride to tatters. Then she rent her vanity and begged their services +to find and, if necessary, plead for her with the ex-officer. The +Alisons had promised readily, but there was no confidence in their +eyes. Lady Touchstone, however, had sent her niece's hopes soaring. +She had reason, it seemed, to expect a letter. Major Lyveden had +promised to let her have his address. And, he being a man of his word, +it was bound to come--bound to come.... + +For more than a month Valerie hung upon every incoming post. Then she +knew that the letter had gone astray. + +For the hundredth time Miss French read through the three letters which +lay before her upon the table, written in the firm, clear hand of +Anthony Lyveden. Except she drew upon the store of Memory, she had +nothing else at all that spoke of him. Hence the common envelopes +became three reliquaries, the cheap thin notepaper relics above all +price, piteously hallowed by the translation of the scribe. + +The letters affording no comfort, Valerie rose and moved to a great +window which looked on to the terrace and thence into the park. +Instantly the memory of one sweet September night rose up before her--a +night when he and she had paced those flags together, while music had +floated out of the gallery, and the stars had leaped in the heavens, +and the darkness had quivered at the breath of the cool night air; when +he had wrapped his love in a fairy tale and she had listened with a +hammering heart ... when he at last had put her hand to his lips, and +she had given back the homage before he could draw away.... + +The terrace was worse than the letters, and Valerie turned to the +books. Idly she moved along the wall, reading the names upon the calf +bindings and not knowing whether she read them or no. A sudden desire +to look at the topmost shelves made her cross to the great step-ladder +and climb to its balustered pulpit. Before she was half-way there the +desire had faded, but she went listlessly on. Come to the top, she +turned to let her eye wander over the nearest shelf. Old, little-read +volumes only met her gaze--Hoole's works, Jessey, John Sadler, +Manley.... Of the ten small volumes containing Miss Manley's +outpourings, the seventh was out of place, and Valerie stretched out a +hand to straighten it. As she did so, she saw the title--_The Lost +Lover_. For a moment she stared at it. Then she turned and, +descending one step of the ladder, sat down on the edge of the pulpit +and buried her face in her hands. + +We will leave her there with her beauty, her shapely head bowed, her +exquisite figure hunched with despair, her cold, white, pointed fingers +pressed tight upon those glorious temples, her little palms hiding the +misery of that striking face, her knees convulsively closed, that +shining foot tucked beneath the other in the contortion of grief. We +will leave her there on the ladder, learning that sorry lesson which +Great Love only will set its favourites when they have gone a-whoring +after false gods in whom is no faith. + + * * * * * + +At half-past six upon the following Monday evening Lyveden returned to +his cottage with Patch at his heels. In spite of the hard frost, the +work had gone well. A bridge had been finished which should laugh to +scorn the elements for a long century; a sore-needed staff had been set +beneath the arm-pit of a patriarch oak; a truant stream had been tucked +into its rightful bed. It had been a good day. + +Arrived at his door, Anthony turned and looked upward. The cold white +brilliance of the stars stared winking back; the frozen silence of the +firmament hung like a magic cloak upon the shoulders of darkness; the +pool of Night lay in a breathless trance, ice-cold and fathomless. +Anthony opened the door and passed in. + +Within three minutes the lamp and lantern were lighted and a fire was +crackling upon the hearth; within ten, fuel had been fetched and water +drawn from the well; within twenty, the few odd jobs on whose +performance the comfort of regularity depended, had been disposed of; +and by seven o'clock the Sealyham had had his dinner, and his master, +washed and groomed, was free to sit down to a substantial meal. + +At the first glance, the latter's dress was highly reminiscent of the +warfare so lately dead. The shade and stuff of the stout breeches, the +heavy ankle boots, the grey shirt-cuff emerging from the sleeve of the +coarse cardigan, were old familiar friends. The fact that Lyveden had +laid aside his collar heightened the comparison. Only his gaiters +struck a discordant note. These were of good box-cloth and buttoned +from knee to ankle. Tight-fitting about the calf, but not shaped to +the leg, they fell well over the tops of the heavy boots, resting, +indeed, upon the insteps. They suited Anthony, for whom they might +have been made, admirably. They were, moreover, a wholly redeeming +feature, and turned his garb from that of a thousand corporals into the +homely attire of a gentleman farmer. So soon as you saw them, you +forgot the War. The style of them was most effective. It beat the +spear into a pruning hook. With this to leaven them, the rough +habiliments were most becoming. In a word, they supplied the very +setting which manhood should have; and since Anthony, sitting there at +his meat, was the personification of virility, they served, as all true +settings should, by self-effacement to magnify their treasure. The +ex-officer might have stepped out of Virgil's _Eclogues_. + +He had finished his meal, cleared away the remains, set the table for +breakfast, and was in the act of filling his pipe, when the Sealyham +growled. Anthony, whose ears were becoming sharper every day, listened +intently. The next moment came a sharp tapping upon the door. In an +instant Patch was across the room, barking furiously.... + +Laying down his pipe and tobacco, Anthony followed the terrier and, +picking him up in his arms, threw open the door. + +"So you didn't bar it, after all," said a mocking voice. "Well, my +conscience is clear. I warned you. And since you are at home and the +door is open, will you extend your hospitality to a benighted Eve?" + +Anthony stepped to one side. + +"I'm all alone," he said hesitatingly. + +"So am I," said Andre, entering. "Oh, what a lovely fire! I'm just +perished," she added, crossing to spread her hands to the blaze. "It's +not a night to be motoring." + +Anthony shut the door and put the terrier down. The latter ran to the +lady and sniffed the hem of her garments. After a careful scrutiny he +turned away.... + +"It's not a night," said Anthony, "to be walking the countryside in +evening dress. Have you had a breakdown?" + +"Not that I know of," replied Miss Strongi'th'arm. "Don't be so +modest. I happened to be passing and I happened to see your light, so +I thought I'd come and see how Adam was getting on. Is it against the +rules?" + +"I'm all alone," said Lyveden steadily. + +"Is that an order to quit?" + +"I'm only thinking of you," said Anthony. "I know I've dropped out of +things lately, and the world goes pretty fast, but I'd hate people to +talk about you." He felt himself flushing, and went on jerkily: "I +mean, I don't honestly know what's done nowadays and what isn't. If +you're quite easy ... you see, I'm older than you," he added +desperately. + +There was a little silence. Then-- + +"Don't stop," said Andre, with a mischievous smile. "I've never been +lectured by a monk before. Besides, I collect points of view." + +"Is mine extraordinary?" + +"An exceptionally rare specimen. I shall always treasure it." She +produced a cigarette case. "May I smoke a cigarette? Or is that also +against the rules?" + +Without a word Anthony struck a match.... + +"Thanks," said the lady. She unbuttoned her coat. "It's nice and warm +in here," she added comfortably. "Oh, please don't look so +reproachful! I just can't bear it. I'm not doing anything wrong, and +it makes me feel awful. Of course, if you don't want me..." + +"You know it isn't that," he protested. "I only thought possibly--I +mean..." He broke off helplessly and touched the back of a chair. +"Wouldn't you like to sit down?" + +"Shall you sit down if I do?" Anthony shook his head. "Then I shan't +either. I'd much rather stand." And, with that, my lady set her back +against the side of the fireplace and crossed her shapely ankles. + +It must be confessed that she made an arresting picture. Mean as the +light was, it woke the luminous beauty of her auburn hair; a sprinkling +of freckles gave to her exquisite complexion a jolly look; the bright +brown eyes and the merry mouth were those of a Bacchante. Above her +plain black frock her throat and chest showed dazzling white; below, +the black silk stockings shone with a lustre which was not that of silk +alone; over all, the voluminous mink coat framed her from head to toe +with a rich luxury. + +"And how," said Andre, "is Gramarye? Have you finished the bridge?" + +Anthony stared at her. + +"How did you know?" he said. + +Miss Strongi'th'arm shrugged her fair shoulders. + +"What does it matter?" she said. "Let's talk about something else--if +you can. Have you thought over what I said? No. I can see you +haven't. Well, well.... Have you laughed since we met?" + +"I--I don't think I have." + +"Ah.... Why not?" + +"There's been nothing to laugh at. The work's big--serious." + +"Wasn't the War serious?" + +Anthony crossed to the hearth and kicked a log into flame. + +"I suppose so," he said reluctantly. + +"Yet you laughed every day." + +"Yes, but----" + +"But what?" + +"The War was different. You can't compare the two. Then you laughed +because it was better than crying. Now there's no reason for it. +There's no time on your hands. The work's too urgent--too solemn. +It's like restoring a cathedral. You don't feel you want to laugh." +He swung round and faced her. "There's a religion in the atmosphere; +Gramarye's a sort of temple; when you're in the woods, instinctively +you lower your voice; there's something sacred about the place; +there's----" + +Miss Strongi'th'arm dropped her cigarette and caught her _vis-a-vis_ by +the shoulders. + +"Don't!" she cried. "Don't! It's all wrong! The place isn't sacred. +It's absurd. You're infatuated. Gramarye's getting into your blood. +Soon you won't be able to think of anything else. And gradually it'll +eat up your life--your splendid, glorious life. I know what I'm +talking about. D'you hear? I say I _know_! I've seen one man go +under, and now you're going--_you!_" The flame died out of her voice +leaving it tender and passionate. "And you're too wonderful a thing, +lad; you're too perfect a specimen; you're too strong and gentle ... +too honest.... Ah"--her hands slipped from his shoulders and her eyes +dropped--"you needn't look so reproachful. I know I'm a rotter. I +dropped my crop on purpose the other day, because I wanted to talk to +you; and I lied to my mother and said I was dining out to-night, and +then came here, because..." Anthony put out an appealing hand. The +girl laughed bitterly. "All right. I won't say it." She started +feverishly to fasten her coat. "It's about time I was going, isn't it? +About time...." + +In silence Anthony passed with her to the door. + +There was simply nothing to say. + +Together they walked to her car, a well-found coupe standing dark and +silent upon the wasted track, facing the London road. Andre opened its +door, thrust in a groping hand.... For a moment her fingers hunted. +Then two shafts of light leaped from the head-lamps. A second later +the near side-lamp showed Anthony how pale was her face.... + +The lights in the car went up, and Andre picked up her gloves. +Standing with her back to Lyveden, she pulled them on fiercely, but her +hands were shaking, and the fastening of the straps was a difficult +business. + +Patch, who had come with them and was facing the opposite way, put his +head on one side and stared up the line of the track. Then he trotted +off into the darkness.... + +The straps fastened, Andre turned about. + +Anthony put out his hand. + +"Good-bye," he said gently. + +For a moment the girl looked at him. Then she gave a little sob, and, +putting her arms about his neck, drew down his head and kissed him +frantically. A moment later she was leaning wearily against the car, +with the sleeve of her right arm across her eyes. As she let it fall, +Winchester stepped out of the darkness with Patch at his heels. + +"Andre?" he said. And then again, "Andre?" Anthony swung on his heel +and faced the speaker. The latter stared at him with smouldering eyes. + +"Lyveden?" he said hoarsely. + +There was an electric silence. + +Then Anthony turned to Miss Strongi'th'arm. + +"I most humbly apologize," he said. "My feelings got the better of me. +I pray that you will try to forgive me." He turned to Winchester. +"This lady needed some water for her radiator, and came to my door----" + +"You blackguard!" said Winchester. "You----" + +"It's a lie!" flamed Andre. + +The cold steel of her tone fairly whistled. Instinctively both men +started. + +"It's a lie, Richard. He's the cleanest, straightest man that ever +breathed. He'd no idea who I was. He hasn't now. He never knew my +name till you said it. I forced myself upon him the other day. I +forced myself upon him to-night. And he's--he's just turned me +down.... He said what he did just now to try and shield me. But he's +blameless. It was I who--made the running. And I'm glad you saw it. +_Glad!_" She tore off her left glove. "Because it's your own fault. +It's eighteen months since I promised to be your wife. Eighteen solid +months. And I'm tired--sick of waiting--fed up. First it was Russia: +then the North of France: then--Gramarye. _Gramarye!_" She flung back +her head and laughed wildly. Then she snatched a ring from her finger +and hurled it on to the ground. "There's the ring you gave me. God +knows why I didn't give it you back yesterday--months ago. I'd reason +enough. I suppose I still hoped.... But now you've killed it. I +don't even care what happens to you. You've messed up my life, you've +messed up your own, and, what's a million times worse, you're doing +your level best to mess up his." + +Upon the last words her voice broke piteously, and Andre covered her +eyes. So she stood for a moment, white-faced, her lips trembling.... +Then she whipped into the car and slammed the door. A moment later the +engine was running. She let in the clutch, and the car moved +forward.... + +As she turned on to the London road, she changed into second speed ... +into third ... top.... + +The two men stood as she had left them, motionless, the little white +dog eyeing them curiously. + +The steady purr of the engine grew fainter and fainter. + +When it had quite died, Anthony turned and touched the other upon the +shoulder. + +"There's always Gramarye," he said. + +For a moment the giant peered at him. Then he straightened his bowed +shoulders and threw up his head. + +"Yes," he shouted, "yes. There's always Gramarye!" + + + + +CHAPTER VII + +NEHUSHTAN + +"It is only right, Lyveden," said Colonel Winchester, "that you should +know that I am losing my mind." + +The steady, measured tone of the speaker invested this bald statement +with a significance which paralyzed. Anthony stood as if rooted to the +floor. + +"Yes," said the other, "it was bound to shake you up. But I want you +to realize it. Sit down for a minute and think what it means." + +Anthony did as he was bid--dazedly. His employer turned his back and +stared into the fire. + +The silence which ensued was painful. So much so, that Mr. Samuel +Plowman, Solicitor and Commissioner for Oaths, whose nerves were less +subordinate than those of the two ex-officers, was hard put to it not +to scream. + +It must be confessed that in the last twenty-five minutes the poor +gentleman had encountered a whole pack of things, none of which had +been dreamt of in his philosophy. Little had he imagined, when he was +desired to attend professionally at Gramarye "precisely at half-past +ten on Sunday morning," what that attendance would bring forth. +Colonel Winchester had certainly a reputation for eccentricity. His +letter was undoubtedly--well, peculiar. Mr. Plowman had smiled upon +his finger-nails--a sapient, indulgent smile. He had dealt with +eccentricity before. Witness Miss Sinister of Mallwood, who had +summoned him in just such a way, but more peremptorily. Then he had +been desired to superintend the cremation of a favourite cat. That was +nine years ago. For the last eight years he had superintended +Mallwood. Mr. Plowman had smiled more than ever.... + +At twenty-six minutes past ten that February morning he had ascended +the broken steps of the old grey mansion, a little curious, perhaps, +but, as he would have told you, "ready for anything." There being no +bell, he had raised and let fall the great knocker, and then stood +still in the sunshine looking placidly about him. The desolation of +the park left him unmoved. Money, judiciously expended, could rectify +that. And the house seemed sound enough. They knew how to build in +the old days. Colonel Winchester was probably using only one wing for +the present. In time to come, possibly ... Mr. Plowman had +straightened his tie. + +Then the door had opened. + +Clad like a husbandman, his shirt open at the neck, his sleeves rolled +to his elbows, the biggest man Mr. Plowman had ever seen had stood +regarding him. The cold majesty of a lion had looked out of those +terrible eyes; neck, chest, and arms proclaimed the strength of a +Hercules; the pose was that of a demi-god at bay. The carelessly +brushed fair hair, the broad forehead, the unusual distance between +those steel-grey eyes, the fine colour of the cheeks, the fair, +close-cut beard, contributed to make the fellow unearthly handsome. +But there was something behind it all--a dominating irresistible force, +which rose up in a great wave, monstrous and menacing. + +Mr. Plowman, who knew little of personality, felt as if he had been +suddenly disembowelled.... + +Thereafter he had been led stumbling through the semi-darkness of a +stark hall, by gaunt mouldering passages to the servants' quarters. A +fair-sized parlour, looking upon a courtyard, carpetless, curtainless, +and something suggestive of an "Orderly Room," had presently received +him. + +There a deep bass voice had bade him be seated, and he had been told +quite dispassionately that he was present to assist the speaker to +prepare for insanity. + +All things considered, it is to Mr. Plowman's credit that he was able +to appreciate and answer coherently quite a number of questions which +his client had put to him upon matters of law. The strain, however, +was severe, and he was unutterably relieved when he was directed to +move to a table, where paper and ink were waiting, and take down the +explicit instructions which the voice would dictate. He had obeyed +parrot-wise. + +The dictation was hardly over when Lyveden had appeared at the window +and, at a nod from Winchester, walked to a side-door and entered the +room a moment later.... + +What immediately followed his entrance, gentlemen, we have already +seen. Your time being precious, I have but made use of the silence +which poor Mr. Plowman found so distressful. + +The great figure before the fire turned slowly about and, folding its +mighty arms, leaned against the mantelpiece. + +"When it will happen," said the deep voice, "I have no idea. Sometimes +it seems very near; at others, as if it may never come. Yet I know it +will. So I must be prepared.... Mr. Plowman is here to assist me in +this preparation. + +"I've tried to tell him, Lyveden, about the estate. I've tried to +explain what it means to me. I feel that I've failed." Mr. Plowman +was physically unable to utter the deprecative ejaculation which he +knew should have been here inserted. His lips framed it, but it was +never expressed. "I have, however, explained that I am engaged upon +its restoration, and that you are my second-in-command. I have told +him that when I--when my call comes, I wish the work to go on. This is +where you come in. I have given him certain instructions, all of which +depend upon you." The speaker unfolded his arms and stood upright. +"_When I'm gone, are you willing to carry on?_" + +Before Anthony could answer, the other had lifted his hand. + +"Wait. Don't answer till you know where you are. + +"You'll have a Power of Attorney and absolute control. The moment I'm +certified, you'll stand in my shoes. Some of my income must be set +aside--I shall have to be looked after, you know--the rest you will +administer as if you were me. You'll be the master of the other men. +Your word will be law. The future of Gramarye will be in your hands. +You can follow the line I've taken, or you can strike off on your own. +You'll have absolute power. I'm ready to give it you, if you're ready +to take it. But you must wash sentiment out. The question of my +helplessness mustn't weigh with you. You mustn't consider anything +except yourself. If Gramarye means enough to you----" + +"It does," said Lyveden. + +"Are you sure?" + +"There's nothing else in my life." + +"Ah!" + +His keen grey eyes glowing with the light of a visionary, Winchester +stepped forward, and Lyveden got upon his feet. For a moment the two +men looked one another in the face. Then Winchester shivered suddenly, +put a hand to his head, and turned away.... + +The pathos of the gesture loosened Anthony's tongue. + +"You know best, sir, and it isn't my place to try to dissuade you. Let +the business go through. Once for all, whatever happens to you, I'll +carry on. I'll do everything exactly as if you were there. You can +rest easy. But---- Oh, how can you think such a thing? I never in +all my life saw any one less likely to go under. You're not the type, +sir. It's--it's laughable." The words came tumbling out of an honest +heart. "I saw men go mad in France, but they were hardly your sort. +Perhaps you're too much alone. Will you let me live with you? Or, if +it's insomnia----" + +"It isn't insomnia," said the giant. "It's insanity." + +Mr. Plowman, who was picking up the pen which for the second time had +escaped the play of his trembling fingers, started violently and struck +his head against the table. The absurd action attracting annoyed +attention, he broke into a cold sweat. + +"But you can't know that!" cried Anthony. "Only a doctor can----" + +"What doctor would tell me the truth?" + +"You needn't ask him. You can ask to be told the symptoms, and then +compare them with yours. If they tally----" + +"You speak as a child," said Winchester. "Insanity's not like +chicken-pox. There's no book of the rules." + +"I don't care. You can't possibly know. On a matter like this your +own opinion's worthless. It's the one thing no man can say of himself: +You can't judge your own judgment." Staring into the fire, Winchester +began to tap the floor with his toe. "I've said I'll carry on, and you +can put my name in, but I'm sorry I was so quick." + +"Why?" + +"Because I oughtn't to subscribe to this belief. It's all wrong. I'm +admitting a possibility which doesn't exist. I'm humouring a dangerous +whim. For over two months I've spent ten hours a day in your +company--I've sat at your feet--I've marvelled at your wisdom--I've +envied your instinct--I've been dazed by your amazing efficiency--and +now I'm to put on record----" + +With a stifled roar, Winchester threw back his head and beat with his +fists upon his temples. + +"You fool!" he raved. "Out of your own mouth.... The very wisdom you +marvel at has shown me what you can't see. That instinct you say you +envy has opened my eyes. I tell you I'm going mad. Time and again +I've seen the writing upon the wall. I walk with Insanity of nights. +Three months ago I chucked my revolver into the lake, or I shouldn't be +here to-day. You babble of madness; I tell you I know the jade. Why, +there are nights when the stars slip and the world lies on her side, +and only the woods of Gramarye keep me from falling off. I climb from +tree to tree, man. They're like the rungs of a ladder, with their tops +swaying in the wind over eternity and their roots stuck fast in a +gigantic wall--that's the earth ... on her side ... They're sticking +straight out like pegs. And sometimes I hear a roar coming, and the +trees are bent like reeds, and the wind screams to glory, and the whole +world turns turtle--swings right over and round. Think of it, man. +Twelve thousand miles in a second of time. And there are the stars on +my right, and I'm climbing the wrong way up.... But Gramarye holds me +fast. As long as I'm in the woods---- But the roads are the devil. +They make such a gap. You have to climb them to get to the other side. +The trees are child's play--they help you. But the roads ... I shall +meet it on one of those roads ... one day ... one day...." + +The deep sonorous voice faded, and with a whimper Mr. Plowman slid on +to the floor. + +It was Anthony who picked him up and carried the unconscious lawyer +into the open air. As he was helping him to his feet, Winchester +appeared with brandy. + +"I was so engrossed," he said quietly, "that I never saw you go down. +Was the room too hot?" + +Mr. Plowman gulped down some spirit before replying. Then-- + +"Yes," he said jerkily. "I--I think perhaps it was. I must apologize, +sir." + +Winchester inclined his head. + +"You have your instructions," he said. "And you have seen Major +Lyveden, and heard him consent to act. Prepare the necessary papers +immediately and send them to me for signature. If any question arises, +lay it before me by letter. If you must see me"--the unfortunate +attorney blenched--"write and say so. I need hardly add that, with +regard to what has passed between us, I expect your observation of the +strictest confidence." + +"M-most certainly, sir." + +"One thing more." An envelope passed. "There is a cheque on account. +If on reflection you wish to take counsel's opinion, and that is not +enough, write and say so." He put out his hand. "Good-bye. I'm much +obliged to you for coming. I hope you'll be none the worse." + +With starting eyes Mr. Plowman touched the great palm. Then his client +turned, and, clapping a hat on his head, strode off into the wilderness. + +As the sound of his footsteps died-- + +"There's a paper--in there--on the table," said Mr. Plowman. "And my +hat and coat--and bag..." + +"I'll get them," said Anthony. + +"It's--it's very good of you." + +When he returned, the lawyer had fastened his collar and was nervously +bullying his tie into place. + +"Have you a conveyance?" said Anthony. + +"N-no, sir. I sent the fly away. I had thought I would walk back," he +added miserably. + +Clearly the chance of encountering Winchester was not at all to his +taste. + +"You'd better come with me," said Lyveden. "It's the quickest way to +Girdle. I live in the cottage close to the London road." + +Mr. Plowman felt inclined to put his arms round Anthony's neck.... + +Three-quarters of an hour later the little attorney stepped, with a +sigh of relief, on to the King's highway. Going and pace had tried him +pretty hard, and he was simply streaming with sweat. He pushed back +his hat and blew out his cheeks comically. Then he set down his bag +and started to mop his face. + +"By Jove!" he said, panting. "By Jove, I'm glad to be----" His eyes +resting upon Anthony, he broke off and fell a-staring. "Why," he +cried, "you haven't turned a hair!" + +Anthony smiled. + +"I take a lot of hard exercise," he explained. + +"By Jove!" said Mr. Plowman, wide-eyed. "Well, I'm awfully obliged to +you." + +"You've nothing to thank me for." Lyveden pointed to the cottage. +"That's where I live." He put out his hand. "Are you all right now?" + +"Splendid, thanks. Can't think how I came to faint like that. Of +course..." + +He took the outstretched hand meditatively. + +"The room was unusually hot," said Anthony. + +The other stared at him. + +"Yes," he said slowly. "By Jove, yes...." With a sudden movement he +picked up his bag. "Good-bye." + +The next moment he was plodding down the broad white road. + +Anthony watched him till he could see him no more. Then he turned on +his heel and whistled to his dog. + +As he did so, the purr of an engine rose out of the distance, and he +turned to see a large touring-car sailing towards him from the +direction of Town. + +"Come on, Patch!" he cried quickly. + +The approach of the car made him anxious. The terrier, he knew, had +crossed the road, and there was something about this particular reach +of metalling that tempted motorists to pass at the deuce of a pace. + +The car sailed on. + +It was fifty paces away, when Anthony heard Patch flouncing through the +undergrowth in response to his call. In another second the terrier +would take his customary flying leap from the bank on to the road--on +the same side as the car.... + +In a flash, Anthony was full in its path, spreading out signalling arms. + +The tires were tearing at the macadam as Patch leaped into the road +and, missing his footing, stumbled on to his nose twenty-five paces +ahead. + +Anthony ran up to the car, hat in hand. + +"I'm awfully sorry," he said. "My dog was coming, and I couldn't stop +him. I'd called him before I saw you. I was afraid he'd be run over." + +The fresh-faced youth at the wheel stared at him. + +"That's all right, sir," he grinned. "How are you? You don't remember +me, Every. Met you at Saddle Tree Cross--huntin'. Valerie French +introduced us." + +"Of course," said Anthony. "I remember you perfectly. Are you all +right?" + +"Goin' strong, thanks." He turned to a girl at his side. "Joan, let +me introduce Major Lyveden--my sister." Anthony bowed. "We're goin' +down to Evesham to see some spaniel pups. Are you livin' down here, +sir?" + +Anthony indicated his cabin with a smile. + +"That's my house," he said. "I've turned forester, and I'm working on +this estate." + +"But how priceless," said Joan. "If I were a man, that's just what +I'd----" + +"Yes," said her brother. "I can see you gettin' up at dawn an' hewin' +down trees an' things with a bead-bag on your wrist an'----" + +"I said 'if I was a man,'" protested Joan. "I said..." + +The argument waxed, and Anthony began to laugh. So soon as he could +get a word in-- + +"I mustn't keep you," he said. + +Peter Every glanced at his watch. + +"Twenty-past twelve!" he cried. "George, no! I'll have to put her +along. I suppose you won't come on and lunch with us, sir? We'd love +it, and we can drop you here on the way back." + +"Yes, do," urged Joan. + +Anthony shook his head. + +"You're very kind," he said, smiling, "but I've any amount to do. When +you live alone, and you've only one day a week..." + +"I'm sorry," said Every. "Still, if you won't..." + +He let in the clutch. + +"Good-bye," said Anthony. + +"Good-bye," cried the others. + +The car slid forward. + +A moment later, arrived at the top of the hill, it dropped over the +crest and sank out of sight. + + * * * * * + +It was twelve days later that Mr. Peter Every found his cake to be +dough. + +Taking advantage of a general invitation, issued when he was six years +old, he had asked himself to Bell Hammer ostensibly to enjoy a day's +hunting, but in reality with the express intention of inviting Miss +Valerie French to become his lady-wife. + +All things considered, it was rather hard that before he had been in +the house for an hour and a half he should himself have pulled his airy +castle incontinently about his ears. + +This was the way of it. + +It was that soft insidious hour which begins when it is time to dress +for dinner and ends in horrified exclamation and a rush for the bath. +Valerie, seated at the piano, was playing Massenet's _Elegie_, and +Every was lolling in a deep chair before the fire, studying a map of +the county and thinking upon the morrow's hunt. In such circumstances +it is not surprising that the printed appearance of Saddle Tree Cross +should have remembered Lyveden. + +"By the way, Val," he said, raising his voice to override the music, "I +met a pal of yours the other day." + +Valerie raised her eyebrows and continued to play. + +"Did you?" she said, without turning. "Who was that?" + +"Major Lyveden." + +The _Elegie_ died a sudden discordant death, and Valerie started to her +feet. + +"_Where?_" + +The flame of the inquiry scorched Peter Every's ears. + +Dropping the map and getting uncertainly upon his feet, he demanded +aggrievedly to be told what on earth was the matter.... + +On trying subsequently coherently to recall what had happened in the +next five minutes, he found his memory pardonably confused. + +Valerie had taken him by the shoulders and shaken him like a rat: she +had hurled at his head an unending stream of questions--all about +Lyveden, and, when he had hesitated, had shaken him again; when he had +tried to protest, she had put her hand over his mouth; when she had +clearly exhausted his memory, she had announced that they would go up +to Town the next day, and that on Sunday morning, sun, rain, or snow, +he would motor her down to where Lyveden dwelt; then she had said she +was sorry she'd shaken him, smiled him a maddening smile, told him, +with a rare blush, that Anthony Lyveden was "the most wonderful man in +the world," kissed him between the eyes, and then darted out of the +room, calling for Lady Touchstone.... + +Sitting that night upon the edge of his bed, with his hands in his +pockets and a pipe in his mouth, staring moodily upon the carpet, Peter +had thought ruefully upon his shattered fortune. + +"Blinkin' fine week-end," he muttered, "I don't think. I roll up for a +hunt an' a dart at the most priceless girl that ever was foaled, an' I +lose the one an' am roped in to help the other to another cove." He +laughed bitterly. "'Minds me of a drama-play. S'pose I'm cast for the +perishin' strong man wot 'ides 'is bleedin' 'eart." He flung out a +dramatic arm. "'Reenunciation, 'Erbert, 'ath its reeward.' (Loud and +prolonged cheers.) Well, well...." He rose to his feet and stretched +luxuriously. "It's all the same in a hundred years, and so long as +she's happy..." And with that little candle of truly handsome +philosophy Mr. Peter Every lighted himself to bed. + +Upon the following Sunday, at a quarter before midday, he set Miss +French down upon the London road at the spot at which he and Joan had +met Lyveden a fortnight before. + +"I'll wait till you've seen if he's in," he said, nodding towards the +cottage. "If he is, I'll come back in an hour. That do?" + +Valerie smiled and nodded. She was just twittering. Then she flung +her veil back over her shoulder and stepped off the road on to the +wasted track.... + +It was a beautiful day--a handful of sweet-smelling hours filched by +Winter out of the wallet of Spring. The wet earth seemed drenched with +perfume; the winds kept holy-day; the sun, like a giant surprisedly +refreshed, beamed with benevolence. + +Her knocking upon the door of the cottage evoking no answer, Miss +French decided to try the back. + +The venture was fruitful. + +There upon the red-brick pavement stood a small snow-white dog, whom +Major Anthony Lyveden, seated upon a soap-box, was towelling vigorously. + +Between the fuss of the operation and the amicable wrangle which it +induced, neither of the parties heard the lady's approach. For a +moment she stood spellbound. Then she turned and waved her arm to +Every, sitting still in the car fifty odd paces away. Intelligently +the latter waved back.... + +As Valerie turned, there was a scrabble of paws. Followed a sharp +exclamation, and the next moment Patch was leaping frantically to lick +her face, while Anthony Lyveden, who had risen to his feet, was staring +at her and recoiling, towel in hand, as if he had perceived an +apparition. + +For the two, who had shared big moments, it was the most tremendous of +all. Upon a sudden impulse that black king Fate had flung his warder +up. Instantly the barriers of Time and Distance had been swept away, +and Love, Shame, Fear, and a whole host of Emotions had come swarming +pell-mell back into the lists--a surging, leaderless mob, thirsty to +flesh their swords, quarrelling amongst themselves.... + +Sit you there by the king, sirs, if you will watch the tourney. Climb +up into his pavilion; make his grim equerries give place. I will +answer for their black looks. And the king will laugh at their +discomfiture. His jester for the length of my tale, I can twist the +tyrant about my little finger. + +See, then, the wrangling press take order of battle. Observe the +clamorous throng split into two rival companies, each of them captained +by Love, with Hope and Shame on one side, and Fear and Mistrust upon +the other. These six are the most notable; the rest you shall discover +for yourselves, when issue is joined. One other knight only I beg you +will remark--him in the cold grey harness, knee to knee with Mistrust, +whose device is a broken bough, sirs, whom there is none to counter +upon the opposite side.... That is no one of the Emotions, but +something less honest--a free-lance, gentlemen, that has ridden unasked +to the jousting and cares for neither cause, but, because he will grind +his own axe, ranged against Valerie. There is a fell influence behind +that vizor that will play a big part this February day. + +When Valerie French looked upon her lost lover, she could have wept for +joy. The sight of him, indeed, rendered her inarticulate, and, before +she had found her voice, came Shyness to tie up her tongue. This is +important, because her sudden inability to speak upset everything. + +For a month after she had known the man faithful and herself for a +fool. Miss French had constantly rehearsed this meeting. Then, when +she had almost lost hope that it would ever take place, the rehearsals +had lost their savour.... Forty hours ago they had been revived and +conducted feverishly by day and night. She had a score of entrances, +and humble opening lines to suit them all. Before Anthony could speak, +she would have disarmed him by kneeling in the dust. The most +submissive sentences her love could utter were to be laid at his +feet--calls which, if his love were yet alive, must wake some echoes. +Too honest, however, to make a play-actress, Valerie had reckoned +without stage-fright.... + +Lyveden was the first to recover. + +"Why, Miss--Valerie," he said, "where have you sprung from?" He came +to her smiling and put out his hand. "I can see by your face that I'm +forgiven. I'm so glad. I hate to be at variance." Mechanically +Valerie laid her hand in his. "I've got such a wonderful job here," he +went on easily. "Are you just passing? Or have I time to tell you +about it?" + +"I'd--I'd love to hear," stammered the girl. + +Things were going all wrong. There had been nothing like this in any +of her scenes. + +"I'm restoring an estate," said Anthony. "When you knew me, I was a +footman. Now I'm something between a forester, a landscape-gardener, +and a roadman. This"--he lifted an indicating arm--"this belongs to a +Colonel Winchester. It's been let go for over a hundred years, and he +and I and a few others are working to pull it round. It's just +fascinating." + +Valerie nodded. + +"I'm glad you're happy," she said, and wondered whether that was the +moment to speak her unspoken lines. Surely a better opening would +present itself. Now that they could not come first, it seemed so +awkward to thrust them in without any introduction. While she +hesitated, the chance passed. + +"I'm sure you are. Would you care to see something of the park? I'd +like you to. It'll make it easier for you to understand what we're up +against and what an amazing attraction there is in the work." Together +they left the cottage and made for the track. "If we go down here for +a bit, you'll get an idea of the condition of things, and then I'll +show you some of the work we've done. Of course it goes slow. Five +thousand acres aren't reclaimed in a day. You see...." + +The steady, even tone flowed with a surprising ease. Anthony could +hardly believe his ears. How on earth he was able to talk so naturally +he could not divine. He was, of course, putting up a tremendous fight. +The sudden appearance of Valerie had fairly staggered him. Then +instinctively he had pulled himself together, and, with his head still +singing from the blow, striven dazedly to ward her off. The great +thing, he felt, was to keep talking.... + +Ever since his dismissal he had fought unceasingly to thrust the lady +out of his mind: latterly his efforts had met with a halting success. +Now, not only was all this labour utterly lost, but he was faced with a +peril more terrifying than death. The prospect of being haled once +more unto Pisgah, the hell of viewing once again that exquisite land of +promise unfulfilled, loomed big with torment. He simply could not +suffer it all again. The path, no doubt, would be made more specious +than ever. Oh, indubitably. And the whips which were waiting at the +end of it would have become scorpions.... Anthony had braced himself +for an immense resistance. + +The devil of it was, he loved the girl so desperately that resistance +pure and simple would be of no avail. He knew he could never hope to +parry the thrusts those beautiful eyes, that gentle voice, were there +to offer him. Once before he had tried, and failed signally. It was +plain that his only chance of safety lay in attack. He must press her +tirelessly. The great thing was to keep talking.... + +Thank God, there was a subject to hand. Gramarye made a wonderful +topic, inviting, inexhaustible. Her blessed woods and streams, her +poor blurred avenues, her crumbling roads, the piteous havoc of the +proud estate stood him in splendid stead. Anthony found himself not +only talking, but waxing enthusiastic. The queer conceit that Gramarye +had responded to his cry for help filled him with exultation. Out of +his grateful mouth her praise came bubbling.... + +Settling himself in his saddle with a slow smile, the Knight of the +Broken Bough laid on more lustily than before. + +It was Patch who unwittingly put a spoke in the latter's wheel. + +Miss French's reappearance had affected the dog powerfully. One +October day he had known her for Anthony's darling, and as such had +become her vassal. He had since seen no reason to withdraw his fealty. +As we have seen, at her coming he had leaped for joy. Occasion and +personage, however, deserved more honour than that. Ever since the +three had begun their ramble, he had been scouring the undergrowth for +an offering meet to be laid at the lady's shining feet. It was the way +of his heart. + +Not until Miss French and Lyveden were standing beside a tottering +bridge, and the latter was pointing the traces of a vista which once +had gladdened all eyes with its sweetness, but was now itself blind, +did the little squire happen upon a treasure worthy in his sight to be +bestowed. At this juncture, however, a particularly unsavoury smell +attracted his straining nostrils.... A moment later what was, despite +the ravages of decomposition, still recognizable as the corpse of a +large black bird was deposited with every circumstance of cheerful +devotion immediately at Valerie's feet. + +To ignore such a gift was impossible. Its nature and condition saw to +that. To accept it was equally out of the question. But tacitly to +reject such a love-token needed a harder heart than Valerie's or, for +the matter of that, than Anthony's, either. + +Miss French gave a queer little cry of mingled distaste and +appreciation, and Anthony hesitated, lost the thread of his discourse, +and stopped. + +"How very sweet of you, Patch! No, I mustn't touch it because I'm not +allowed dead birds. But I do thank you." She patted the panting head. +"Look. Here's a stone I'll throw for you--down into the brook. I'm +sure it'll be good for you to wash your mouth." She flung the pebble, +and the dog went flying. Valerie turned to Lyveden with a glowing +face. "Don't think I'm fishing for another dead bird, but I wish I +could feel you'd forgiven me as truly as Patch. Oh, Anthony, I just +can't tell you how deadly ashamed I feel, how----" + +"My dear girl, you mustn't talk like this. I knew there was some +misunderstanding--I didn't know what--and I----" + +"I thought you cared for Anne Alison." + +"Oh, Valerie...." The wistful reproach of his tone, the sad-faced +ghost of a protesting smile hovering about his lips, brought tears to +Valerie's eyes. "Well, well.... I'm so glad I'm cleared in your eyes. +I'd 've hated you to go through life thinking that I--was like +that...." Suddenly he caught at her arm and pointed to the ramshackle +bridge. "There's another instance of the rot we're out to stop. +Another winter, and that bridge 'd be in the stream, damming it at the +deepest and narrowest point. Result, the water's diverted and spreads +all over the road, trying to find another way into its channel. No +road can stand that, of course. Gradually----" + +"Tell me more of yourself," said Valerie. + +Anthony let go her arm and put a hand to his head. + +"Myself?" he said slowly. "Well, this is my life. I live in the +cottage, you know--very simply. It was a wonderful stroke of +luck--getting the job. I saw it in the Agony Column." + +"Before or after you'd given notice?" + +"After. I tell you, I was thankful. And now--I little dreamed what a +wonderful billet it was. Living in these beautiful woods, with nothing +to----" + +"Why did you give notice?" said Valerie. + +"Oh, I don't know. I think I was unsettled. After all, a footman's +job----" + +"Was it because of me?" + +There was a long silence. Then-- + +"Yes," said Anthony. "But that's ancient history," he added quickly. +"It wasn't your fault if I chose to take that line. Besides"--he flung +out demonstrative arms--"see what you've brought me, Valerie. When I +think that less than three months ago I was carrying coals and washing +up glasses and waiting at table----" + +"And in love with me," said Valerie. + +Lyveden's outstretched arms fell to his side. + +The worst had happened. Valerie was under his guard.... + +A pitiful hunted look came into the steady grey eyes. Slowly the brown +right hand stole up to his forehead. + +"I never ought to have been," he said dully. "I ought to have had more +sense. It was always--out of the question ... utterly. I think +perhaps if I'd had a job to put my back into, I'd 've----" + +He hesitated, at a loss for an expression which would not be ungallant. + +Instantly Valerie lunged. + +"You'd 've what?" + +"Behaved better," he said desperately, turning back the way they had +come. + +Head back, eyes closed, lips parted, Valerie stood like a statue. + +"Behaved ... better?" she whispered. "Behaved ... better?" She +shivered, and, when the blue eyes opened, there was the flash of tears +springing. "When you talk like that," she said quietly, "you make me +feel like death. I deserve it, I know. I deserve anything. But, if +you knew how it hurt, I think you'd spare me." Staring into the +distance, Anthony dug his nails into his palms. "I came here to-day to +pray your forgiveness. Since I--found I was wrong, I've been more +utterly wretched than I thought a woman could be. I didn't know there +was such agony in this world. Aunt Harriet'll bear me out, and so will +the Alisons. I told them the truth. And when, after all these weeks, +I found where you were, I just thanked God.... You and I know what we +were to each other. Try and put yourself in my place. Supposing you'd +turned me down--because you were rotten...." Anthony winced. "Yes, +rotten. There's no other word. And then you'd found out your mistake. +How would you feel?" + +"I'm sure you had cause," blurted Lyveden. "It was a mistake, of +course. But you couldn't know that. And I--I've nothing to forgive, +dear. I've never thought ill of you--never once. I can't pretend I +wasn't shaken, but I always knew there was some mix-up." + +"You were--shaken?" said Valerie. + +Anthony nodded. + +"You see," he explained, "I was terribly----" + +"Have you got over it?" said Valerie. + +With the point at his throat, Anthony did the only possible thing, and +threw down his arms. + +"No," he said steadily, "I haven't, and I don't think I ever shall." + +There was a long, long silence, which the suck and gurgle of water +fretting a crazy sluice-gate had to themselves. Then-- + +"What d'you mean?" breathed Valerie. + +"I think," said Lyveden, "that I shall love you as long as I live." + +Valerie just sighed very happily. + +"I think," she said, standing a-tiptoe, "I'm the luckiest woman of all +the ages." + +Then she slid an arm through Anthony's, and they started back.... + +Anthony's brain was whirling. He did not know what to think. What was +worse, he did not know what to do. Did she think he had called back +Time? That he had asked her to marry him? Had he? Were his words +tantamount to that? Was he prepared to marry her--this wonderful, +glorious creature stepping so joyously beside him--this peerless queen, +who had wronged him, yet in his eyes could do no wrong? As once +before, that touch upon his arm sent the blood singing through his +veins. His pulses leaped and danced. An old strange joy came +welling.... It was as if a fountain within him had begun to play--an +old forgotten fountain, long dry--and the sun was turning its delicate +spray to a flourish of sprinkled silver. Against his better judgment +he turned and looked at her. My lady felt his gaze, and turned to meet +it with a swift smile. All the beauty of youth, all the tenderness of +love, all the shyness of maidenhood hung in that glowing countenance. +As once before, twin stars had come to light the gentle gravity of +those dark blue eyes. The mouth he had kissed in anger was a red +flower.... + +The memory of that kiss came back to him with a rush. He had forgotten +it, somehow. He was forgiven, of course. Still, it was only right to +speak of it--she had confessed her trespasses so very handsomely. + +Standing still, he took hold of her hand. + +"Valerie, I quite forgot. The kiss I gave you that day was the kiss of +a bully. I've never----" + +A small cool hand covered his lips. + +"Hush, lad. You mustn't say it. I know you were angry, or you'd never +have done it. But that was my fault. You know it was. And"--she +hesitated, and a blush came stealing to paint the wild rose red--"it's +the only kiss you've ever given me, and--since then--I've been very +glad of it." + +For a moment Anthony stood trembling. Then he put his arm about +Valerie and held her close. There was the whisper of a tremulous sigh +in his ears, the warm fragrance of quick-coming breath beat upon his +nostrils, the radiance of love-lit beauty flooded his eyes. Slowly he +bent his head.... + +A wandering breeze swept out of the distance, brushed past the leafless +woods, set the curtain of silence swaying, and--was gone. + +Anthony started violently and threw up his head, listening.... + +Imagination lent him her ears. + +The faintest silvery ripple, the liquid echo of a cool clear call went +floating out of audience.... + +In an instant the man was transfigured. + +"The trumpets!" he cried hoarsely. "The trumpets! Didn't you hear +them?" The light in his eyes was fanatic. Instinctively Valerie +shrank away. Regardless, he let her go. "I forgot. Gramarye--I'm +pledged to her. It's too late, Valerie. Oh, why did you come?" He +buried his face in his hands. "You'll never understand," he muttered. +"I know you never will. It's no good--no good...." Suddenly he stood +upright and took off his hat. Then he smiled very tenderly and shook +his head. "It's too late, Valerie--my sweet--my darling.... Too +late...." + +He turned and strode down the track towards the tottering bridge. + +For a moment Patch stood looking from him to the girl, uncertain and +puzzled. Then he went scampering in Anthony's wake. + + * * * * * + +"As soon as you've finished, Lyveden, we'll have that fir down. It's +the only way. With that list on her, she may go any day. And, when +she does, as like as not she'll push half the bank into the road." + +Anthony, who was munching bread and meat, nodded agreement. His +employer got up and strolled in the direction from which the crunch of +wheels upon a rough road argued the approach of a supply of posts and +rails. + +The fence about the estate was going up. + +It was indeed high time. What was left of the old paling was in evil +case. Worm and rot had corrupted with a free hand. There was hardly a +chain, all told, that merited repair. So Gramarye was to have a new +girdle. For the last week Winchester and his little band had been +working at nothing else. A spell of fine weather favouring them, the +work flew. Master and men worked feverishly, but for once in a way, +without relish. The industry of the gnome was still there, but it had +become nervous. + +The reason for this must be made clear. + +Always, till now, the little company had laboured in secret. The +thick, dark, lonely woods of Gramarye had sheltered all they did. No +strange, unsympathetic eyes had ever peered at their zeal, curious and +hostile. This was as well. They had--all ten of them--a freemasonry +which the World would not understand. They were observing rites which +it was not seemly that the World should watch. Hitherto they had +toiled in a harbour at which the World did not touch. Knowing naught +else, they had come to take their privacy for granted. Now suddenly +this precious postulate had been withdrawn. Since wellnigh the whole +of the estate was edged by road, the erection of the fence at once cost +them seclusion and showed them how dear they valued it. + +All day long the World and his Wife passed by, kindly, mocking, or +silent--but always curious. The little fellowship became resentfully +self-conscious.... Old wounds reopened; forgotten infirmities lifted +up their heads. The three great sailors remembered that they were +deaf. The little engineer noticed his trailing leg. The lean, +grey-headed joiner thought of the wife who had left him: his fellow +recalled the cries of a dying child. Anthony minded Miss French. Only +the two old carters were spared the ordeal, their labour keeping them +busy under the cover of the woods. Winchester himself felt the unusual +exposure most of all. But that the fence was to give them the +fee-simple of privacy, he would have abandoned the enterprise. It was +not that he was ashamed, but, as an atelier, he had no use for a +house-top. "Working in a shop-window," he styled it. If he detested +publicity, his resentment of idle curiosity was painfully apparent. +Once or twice, indeed, he had broken out and, in a voice of thunder, +bade loiterers begone. Happily they had always obeyed.... + +Anthony finished his lunch, gave a few pieces to Patch, quenched his +thirst with a draught of well-water out of an old beer-bottle, and got +upon his feet. Winchester had not reappeared, so he strolled across to +the fir-tree which had been marked for destruction. As usual, his +employer was perfectly right. It would be idle to carry the paling +along this piece of bank and leave the tree standing to menace fence +and foundation. The sooner it was out of the way, the better. + +He crossed to where the sailors were crowded about the engineer, who +was drawing a rough diagram upon the sawn face of timber to illustrate +some argument. Hard by, upon a log, the joiners were smoking and +conversing in a low tone. + +"Where are the axes, Blake? The Colonel and I are going to fell that +fir." + +The grey-headed joiner rose and stepped to a rough litter covered by a +tarpaulin. The latter, being turned back, displayed a travelling +armoury of tools. As he lifted two axes out of their slots, Winchester +came thrusting out of the undergrowth. + +"Ready, Lyveden?" he queried. "Right." + +Anthony flung off his coat, made Patch fast to a convenient bush--you +could not be too careful when trees were falling--and took an axe out +of the carpenter's hand. The sailors had disappeared in the direction +of the waggon. A moment later the two ex-officers were felling the +tree. + +It was Winchester's whim to use an axe where he could. He delighted in +the pastime, and his tremendous physique enabled him to make such play +with the tool as could few men who were not experts. Under his +guidance, Anthony had proved an apt pupil, and the two, working +together, could send a soft-wood tree toppling in no time. So engaged; +they made a wonderful picture. Had any passed by at this moment, they +might have been pardoned for staring. + +At his fourth stroke Anthony misjudged the angle, and his axe stuck. +As he leaned forward to lever it out of the wood, there was the whirr +of steel falling, and he flung himself back with a cry. The other had +struck without waiting for him to get clear. + +As an error of judgment, the thing was inexplicable. A child of six +would have known better. And an axe was no pop-gun. + +For a moment he stared at Winchester like a man in a dream. + +His employer blinked back.... + +Then his eyes narrowed. + +"_You're_ getting curious, are you?" he said thickly. + +In spite of himself, Anthony started. + +Loosely nursing his implement, the other took a step to one side. +There was not much in the movement, but it placed him between Lyveden +and the road. + +Anthony kept his eyes riveted upon the powerful hands playing with the +haft of the axe.... + +Twenty paces away a saw was going. Raised above the din could be heard +the engineer's voice calling for the return of his pencil. A distant +clatter of timber told that the waggon was being unloaded. + +Anthony moistened his lips. + +For another pair of eyes he would have given anything. Any moment now +he would have to jump--one way or the other. It did not matter which. +The going was equally bad. But if he met an obstruction--caught his +foot in a root--fell among briers at the outset, he knew he was doomed. +The impulse to glance to one side was terrible. Yet he dared not take +his eyes from those terrible itching fingers. If only one of the +men---- + +The noise of the saw stopped, and a piece of wood fell with a thud. +Blake's voice was heard asking the whereabouts of his rule. The answer +was inaudible, but the next moment somebody started to move in the +direction of the fir. As they passed Patch, they chirruped. + +In an instant the axe leapt to Winchester's shoulder, and Anthony +jumped.... + +A moment later Blake parted the bushes, to see his employer wrench free +an axe which had bitten into the ground, and hurl himself after +Lyveden, who was on his feet again and running steadily about six paces +ahead. + +For a second the fellow stared stupidly. Then he let out a yell and +started in pursuit. + +The two ex-officers were evenly matched. If Anthony was the lighter +and younger, Winchester had run for Oxford. Moreover, the latter knew +the woods like the back of his hand. Anthony, who did not, ran +blindly. This was not a moment to pick and choose. All the time he +was desperately afraid of mire.... + +Briers tore at his legs, saplings whipped him across the face, a bough +stabbed at his eyes and, as he turned, scored his brow savagely; a +rabbit-hole trapped his foot and sent him flying, but he caught at a +friendly trunk and swung round to find his balance and a new line +before him. So quick was the turn, that the giant behind him lost the +yard he had gained. Down through a grey beechwood, over a teeming +brook, into a sodden drift of leaves, up through a welter of bracken, +on to the silence of pine-needles, over the top of the ridge into the +cursed undergrowth again, panting, straining, sobbing for breath, his +temples bursting, his hands and arms bleeding, unutterable agony in his +side, Lyveden tore like a madman. The pace was too awful to last. +Always the terror behind clung to his heels. + +They were flying downhill now, and the giant's weight was telling. On +the opposite side of the valley was another pinewood. If he could only +reach that, between the good going and the up-gradient Anthony felt +that there was a bare chance. The thing behind, however, was coming up. + +The slope grew steeper ... precipitous ... With a shock, Lyveden +realized that the giant must be almost above him, that he had only to +drop.... With a frightful effort he swerved. A tangle of matted thorn +bushes opposed him. Frantically he smashed his way through, kicking +desperately at the suckers, plunging to find a footing--a +holding--anything. For a moment he trod the air. Then he fell +heavily, head first, into a ditch.... + +Only the sight of the road before him and the firm brown carpet beyond +could have got him upon his feet. Dazed and winded, he staggered +across into the pinewood and started to struggle up the slope.... + +A sudden thought came to him, and he glanced over his shoulder. The +next moment he was leaning against a tree-trunk, gazing down into the +road. + +Winchester was flat upon his face, spread-eagled, scrabbling with his +nails upon the roadway and cursing horribly. He seemed to be +endeavouring to haul himself across. Had the road been a wall, you +would have said he was trying to scale it.... + +He had made no progress by the time the others arrived, and was easily +secured. Then ropes were sent for, and two of his magnificent sailors +lashed his arms to his sides. + + * * * * * + +The end of a conversation held this same evening in the hall of Bell +Hammer may be recorded. + +"He's not himself, Aunt Harriet. There's something wrong. Nobody +could have been more gentle--or handsome. He was just wonderful. And +then..." Valerie broke off and shrugged her shoulders helplessly. +"His work and the place itself--Gramarye, he calls it--seem to have got +into his blood. You never saw such enthusiasm. It was unnatural." + +"Anthony Lyveden," said Lady Touchstone, "is not the man to go mad." + +"I know. But he ought to see somebody--a doctor. There was the +queerest light in his eyes.... And he spoke strangely, as if he heard +things. Who's the great man for--for brain trouble?" + +"Sperm," said Lady Touchstone placidly. "But you're racking my brains +for nothing. Anthony Lyveden's not----" + +"I know he isn't!" cried Valerie. "That's what makes me certain +there's something wrong. He's doing something, or taking something, or +being given something, that's affecting his mind. It's not internal; +it's some outside influence. If he didn't care, it'd be different. +But he does. He said so. But he didn't seem to have room for me and +the estate at the same time. It had to be one or the other. It was +like a bad dream--past dispute, but illogical." + +"I should write to John Forest," said her aunt. "Ask him to come and +stay. He's a wise man. I don't feel equal to telling you what to do. +I don't know what to tell you. If you'd come back and said that he +wouldn't see you, I was going to Chorley Wood----" + +"Chipping Norton," corrected Valerie. + +"Well, Chipping Norton--myself. I was going to kneel down in the mud +and refuse to get up. I was going to wear that blue face-cloth that we +both hate. I'd got it all worked out. But, from what you tell me, +there's apparently nothing for me to kneel for." + +"Nothing whatever," said her niece. "He's given me everything, +and--I've come empty away," she added miserably. + +Lady Touchstone rose and stooped to kiss the girl tenderly. + +"Take my advice," she said, "and write to John Forest to-night. And +now don't fret. You're a thousand times better off than you were four +days ago. For one thing, you know where he is. What's more, he's +content to let bygones be bygones. My darling, you've much to be +thankful for. And now go and take a hot bath, and try and get a nap +before dinner. Poor child, you must be dead tired." + +With a sudden movement Valerie threw her arms about her aunt's neck. + +"I don't know why you're so good to me," she said. + +Then she kissed her swiftly and, getting upon her feet, passed up the +broad stairs. + +For a moment Lady Touchstone stood looking after her niece. Then she +put a hand to her head and sank into a chair. She was profoundly +worried. If any girl other than Valerie had come to her with such an +account, she would have been less troubled. But Valerie was so very +clear-headed. True, her love had got away with her, and she had had +the very deuce of a fall. But she was up again now, and nothing like +that would ever happen again. Her judgment was back in its seat as +firm as ever. And when she said that something was wrong with Anthony, +that he seemed to hear things, that there was "the queerest light in +his eyes," Lady Touchstone knew that it was perfectly true. What was +worse, she was entirely satisfied that these things meant brain +trouble. For three months after his wife had died, Valerie's own +father had been under surveillance for precisely similar symptoms. She +remembered them fearfully. And this Major Lyveden was so reminiscent +of poor Oliver. His voice, his manner, the very way his hair grew +about his temples, reminded her strangely of her dead brother. It was +not surprising that she attributed Anthony's condition to a somewhat +similar cause. What troubled her most was her conscience. She had set +her heart upon the match, and she was now uncertain whether it was not +her clear duty to try to call it off. + +After a little she rose and crossed to a table. Taking a sheet of +notepaper, she began to write. + + +_DEAR WILLOUGHBY,_ + +_I think it probable that within a few days your secretary will make an +appointment for you to see a Miss Valerie French. This is my niece. +She does not know we are friends. When she tells you her tale, you +need make no allowance for hysteria. Believe every word she says. She +will not exaggerate. And please remember this. It is most desirable +that she should marry the man about whom she will consult you. But it +is still more desirable that she should not marry a madman._ + + _Yours always sincerely, + HARRIET TOUCHSTONE._ + + +Then she selected an envelope and addressed it to + + _Sir Willoughby Sperm, Bart., + 55 Upper Brook Street, + Mayfair._ + + * * * * * + +After a nightmare three days, work at Gramarye was again in full swing. +Anthony's succession to Winchester had been accepted without a murmur. +If the men displayed any feeling, it was that of relief. When he had +told them that nothing whatever would be changed, shown them his Power +of Attorney, explained that he was a steward sworn to continue the work +till--till his employer should have recovered, they had stared upon the +ground like schoolboys and stammeringly requested an assurance that +things would go just the same. Reassured, they had nodded approval and +exchanged gratulatory glances. Then they had gone about their business. + +Anthony's task was less simple. Apart from his compliance with the +Law--a painful and embarrassing ordeal, which Mr. Plowman fussily +stage-managed, dressing every detail with such importance that the +layman's wonder melted gradually to a profound contempt--there was much +to be learned. That all was in beautiful order saved the situation. +And a letter, addressed to him in Winchester's bold handwriting, proved +a master-key to the mysteries of income and outgoings. + +_... There's three hundred on deposit at the Bank. That's to cover the +immediate expense of putting me away. Now look at Sheet 7. That's +last year's balance-sheet. That'll show you I was well within my +income. All the same, expenses will have to be cut--to provide for me. +The wages must stand, and so must the "Horses and Stalling" (Book 2). +Don't part with the roan. There'll be times when you'll have to go to +Town, as I did, for odd accessories. "Tools and Materials" (Book 3) +will have to suffer, but we're well set up now, so you ought to pull +through...._ + +There was an invitation, too, to live at the mansion, which Anthony did +not accept. Twice a week he would visit the office and work there +faithfully, but he could not bring himself to live in the house. + +Apart from the manner in which the blow had been dealt him, he felt the +loss of his employer most bitterly. He found the tragedy even more +piteous than terrible. That so rude an axe should have been laid so +untimely to the root of so glorious a tree filled him with sorrow. +That the tree should have heard the step of the woodman on his way to +the felling, haunted his memory. + +So far, however, as Lyveden's health of mind was concerned, itself +grievously inopportune, the catastrophe could not have happened at a +more opportune moment. Trading upon the heels of his encounter with +Valerie, it made a terrific counter-irritant to the violent +inflammation which that meeting had set up. Yet if the back of the +sickness was broken, disorder and corrective, alike so drastic, were +bound seriously to lower the patient's tone. His splendid physical +condition supported its brother Mind and saw him well of his faintness, +but the two red days left their mark. Looking back upon them later, +Anthony found them made of the stuff of which dreams are woven--bitter, +monstrous dreams, wherein the impossible must be performed lest a worse +thing befall and a malignant eye peers beneath stones which even Misery +herself would leave unturned. How he had parted with Valerie he was +uncertain. He could not remember her going. Of her coming he knew +nothing at all. She had appeared and, he supposed, disappeared. Of +Winchester's attack upon him, and the subsequent chase, his memory was +clearer. How he had escaped, however, at the foot of the brier-clad +slope, he could not conceive. He could have sworn that for the last +thirty paces the man was not three feet behind.... + +He was thankful to get back to work, and plainly immensely relieved to +find that, during his absence, the others had made such progress with +the paling that the scene of his employer's seizure had been left well +behind. + +A week had elapsed since that cloud-burst, and, as before, Lyveden was +finishing his lunch, when he noticed that Stokes, the second carpenter, +had not returned. The fellow had gone to his quarters, to fetch some +implement, nearly an hour before. When another half-hour had gone by, +Anthony, in some impatience, dispatched Blake for the tool. Twenty +minutes later the latter returned, chisel in hand, but with no news of +his mate. When it was five o'clock and there was still no sign of +Stokes, Anthony struck work and ordered an organized search. It seemed +rather hopeless, but, on the whole, the best thing to do. The man was +missing. If possible, more zealous than any, it was unthinkable that +he was playing truant. He could not have been spirited away. Anthony +supposed gloomily that he had met with a mishap. There was, indeed, no +other solution. + +It was getting quite dark when they found him down in a little dell +upon a patch of greensward. Considering that he was a joiner, and not +a sexton, he had made remarkable progress with a very creditable grave, +which, he explained, was to receive the dead with which the woods were +distributed. He added that it was a disgrace to leave so many corpses +lying about, and pointed out that he had removed his boots for fear of +treading upon them. + +When they sought to humour him, he became suspicious and violent, and +there was quite a struggle before he was overpowered. + + + + +CHAPTER VIII + +THE POWER OF THE DOG + +The accident was inevitable. + +Everybody present, except the driver of the green taxi, saw that. And +he was so fearful lest the driver of the red omnibus should lose one +withering participle of the apostrophe he had provoked, that he could +not be bothered with the exigencies of traffic and the Rule of the Road. + +Everybody, including Mr. Justice Molehill, shouted impotently; a small +page, on his way to the postoffice, stood agonizedly upon one leg; and +a moment later there was a splintering crash, the blue taxi shed a +cabin-trunk and a suit-case on to the pavement, and then, after a +paralyzing moment of indecision, came heavily to rest against the +panels of its aggressor. + +Now, his lordship had no desire to become embroiled in a dispute which +might easily beget a subpoena. Still, because of his elevation to the +Bench, he had not resigned the fellowship of Man, and, since he was the +nearest individual to the blue taxi, he stepped to it quickly and +opened the door. + +A man of about sixty years emerged gratefully. His cassock and the +purple about his hat argued him a prelate of the Catholic Church. + +"Thank you so much ... No, I'm not hurt at all. I sat still +because----" + +"Good heavens!" cried the Judge. "I know you." The other peered at him +in the half-light. "My name's Molehill. We met at Rome--over a +deathbed will." + +The prelate started. Then recollection came twinkling into his gentle +eyes. + +"Of course," he said, putting out his hand. "I remember perfectly. +Before the War. How very strange that----" + +"It's Fate," said the Judge excitedly. "Or Providence. For the last +three months I've been racking my brain for your name, so that I could +get into----". + +"Forest," said the other. + +Sir Giles Molehill slapped himself upon the thigh. + +"That's right!" he cried. "Forest! John Forest!" + +The presence of a rapidly increasing crowd and four constables at once +discountenanced any further ebullition of glee, and emphasized the +discretion of withdrawal. + +The Judge thought rapidly. + +"Look here," he continued, "my club's just over there." He nodded +across the street. "If you'll wait a moment, I'll fetch the +commissionaire. He can take charge of your luggage, and then, if +you'll come in and have some tea with me, I shall be delighted." + +"You're very good," said the other. + +Mr. Justice Molehill hastened away.... + +Ten minutes later the two men were seated before a comfortable fire, +absorbed in each other's conversation. + +"That will," said the Judge, "which you and I witnessed in 1914 has +never been proved." + +"That," said his guest, "is, I fear, my fault. At the present moment +it's lying in a drawer of my writing-table at Rome." + +"No?" cried his lordship, twittering. + +Monseigneur Forest nodded. + +"If you remember," he said, "after you and I had witnessed the old +gentleman's signature, I took charge of it." + +"That's right. You were going to take it to the British Consulate, to +see if----" + +"They'd stamp it. Exactly. Well, I was too late that day. I attended +the next morning, and, after a little difficulty, they consented, for +what it was worth, to put a seal on it. Then I went back to the hotel. +When I asked whether the testator was still alive, they told me he'd +gone." + +"Gone?" cried the Judge incredulously. "But the man was dying." + +"Dying or not, he'd left for Paris that morning. To the amazement of +the manager he had quietly walked into the office, asked for his bill, +and ordered a cab to be sent for and his luggage to be brought down. +Apparently the doctor attending him had tried to protest, and had been +sent away with a flea in his ear. I can only assume that the old +fellow was subject to some violent malady, which comes and goes +suddenly, one of whose attacks he has been warned will prove fatal." + +"What an amazing thing!" said his lordship. "It never occurred to me +that he would survive the night. However, as it happens, it doesn't +affect the validity of that will. He's dead now. He died in 1917. +But the will that was proved and is lying at Somerset House was made in +1910." + +"You mean to say that the will we witnessed supersedes it?" + +"Undoubtedly." + +The prelate covered his eyes. + +"Dear me," he said. "Dear me. I blame myself very much. I should +have sent the document after him, of course. His address was there. I +quite intended to. But I had to leave for Vienna very suddenly upon +the next day. Instead of the days I had expected, I was away for +months. I only returned upon the eve of the explosion----" + +"And, naturally, you forgot all about it. So did I. The merest +accident brought the whole thing to my mind." + +"Accidents all the way," said the priest. + +The Judge smiled. + +"It looks like it," he agreed. "To be short, I came across the man in +whose favour our will was made. Such a nice-looking fellow--obviously +without a penny. Earning his living as a servant. Lyveden, his name +was--Anthony Lyveden. Don't let me raise your hopes. I've lost him +again--utterly. But everything's happening in the right order. It was +no good finding him just to make his mouth water." + +"But the other will," said his guest. "What about that? Haven't its +provisions been given effect to?" + +"That," said Sir Giles, tapping him on the shoulder, "is the beauty of +it. We're upsetting nobody. The other will leaves Lyveden every +penny, _provided he becomes a Knight_." + +"What an infamous condition!" + +"There you have the story. Upon what he believes to be his deathbed, +the old fellow repents his harshness. Recovered, our Pharaoh hardens +his heart and lets the old will stand. 'The Devil was sick, the Devil +a monk would be.'" + +"_De mortuis_," said the prelate. "Besides, now we're going to +canonize him, willy nilly." + +"With any luck," smiled the Judge. "Can you send for the document?" + +Ruefully Monseigneur Forest shook his head. + +"I must go for it," he said. "I must return at once. It's the least I +can do. 'Without a penny,' you said? Poor fellow. I was going into +the country to-morrow, to stay with my niece. But that must wait." + +"We haven't found him yet," said his lordship. + +"That may be the deuce of a business. Of course, now our hands are +free. With the will located, we can advertise. I think, perhaps, +though, we'd better wait till we've produced it to the solicitors." + +The priest agreed heartily. Then he counted upon his fingers. After a +moment's calculation-- + +"I'm not as young as I was," he said, "but, if all goes well, I'll meet +you here a week from to-day with the will in my pocket." + +Tea and the comparison of notes upon matters of moment, other than the +fortunes of Anthony, occupied another half-hour, when, after exchanging +addresses, the two men parted, pledged to meet again in seven days' +time. + +The Judge walked home thoughtfully. + +The queer little play was almost over. The strange human document +which it had pleased him to piece together was almost whole. He found +himself wondering why he had shown such solicitude. After all, who was +this Anthony Lyveden? Why had he been at such pains to set this beggar +upon horseback? Perhaps Fate had meant him to walk.... If she had, +she was playing a curious game. Thanks to her efforts, the fellow's +toe was practically in the stirrup. And he himself--Lyveden--had no +idea of it.... + +Mr. Justice Molehill smiled. + +It was really an entertaining little play. Until it was time for his +entrance, the leading character would not even know that he was taking +part. There he was---- + +The smile died suddenly, as the reflection lost its savour. + +Where? Where was the leading character? Supposing, when the time +came, he could not be found.... Into what a dismal fiasco the play +would turn. All his interest would have been thrown away. His +solicitors would have been investigating a lost cause. Forest would +have been sent packing back to Rome upon a fool's errand.... + +Mr. Justice Molehill gnawed at his lower lip. + +There was no doubt about it. For some reason which, for all his +prudence, he could not perceive, this Hecuba was a great deal to him. + +His bewilderment may be excused. The reason was out of his ken. The +truth is, there was a ghost to be laid, and Fate had chosen him for the +job. Judge or corner-boy, the man himself did not matter. The lot +falling upon him, he had become in this adventure the particular agent +of Fate. + +King or herdsman, jester or sage, croupier or harridan--lend her what +personality you please--Fate hath the reins and so the laugh of the +universe. Ever at its rump, her pricks are insensible alike to kicks +or kisses. Folly, sceptre or rake in hand, she stands or sprawls upon +Eternity, bending the ages to her whim. And we, poor things, at once +her instruments and butts, stumble about her business, thinking it +ours, setting each other up, bringing each other low, spoking each +other's wheels and all the time, wise in our own conceit, basking in +the sunshine of our fine free-will, like lack-brains toasting their +shanks before an empty cage. + +A Napoleon is still-born; a Medici never survives his +swaddling-clothes. Into the tiny graves are huddled a million +destinies. The sexton's shovel smothers up a Renaissance; soon the +daisies will blow above History. Those eyebrows are lifted, that lip +curls, and two fair homes go down in sorrow. This man misses a train, +to travel with Fortune in the one that follows. A horse is beaten on +the post, and the frantic clerk who has backed it goes for five years +to gaol. Five years.... What are five years to Fate? A +cable-operator nods over the Wheatstone, and a king loses his crown. A +witness hesitates, and an estate passes to the bastard and to his heirs +for ever.... + +And so the game goes on. + +The living grains of sand go slipping and sliding into place in that +gigantic hour-glass, striving and fretting in their vanity, but always +impotently falling towards that thin neck, where days are numbered and +the punctilious turnstile ushers to those mysterious marches where +there is no more Time. + +Look at them here. + +Judge and maiden jostling a prelate--one upon either side--each of them +in a toss about the same Anthony Lyveden, yet neither aware of the +other's existence, and all four falling, while they fret, first into +place and presently, one by one, towards that thin neck where days are +numbered.... + +What? Have I whipped up a puppet without advising you? Bear with me, +sirs. 'Tis but the rustle of a gown--a silk knee against satin--upon +the staircase. In another moment I shall have opened the door. + +The more Monseigneur Forest thought upon the matter, so suddenly thrust +smoking before him, the more uneasy he became. The kindest of men, he +found the picture of the poor legatee fighting for existence when, but +for another's remissness, he would have had a goodly heritage, +inexpressibly distressing. Indeed, could he have started for Rome that +night he would have done so. But for the knowledge that he was about +to do all in his power to rectify the wrong, he could not have slept. +As it was, the reflection that Anthony Lyveden had yet to be found +worried him greatly. It was, of course, most unfortunate that the +business had not cropped up before. Here he was on his way to +Hampshire, in response to a cry so instant that he had set everything +on one side, and now, however sore her need of him, his niece, Miss +Valerie French, would have to wait. Blood might be thicker than water, +but the poor pinched ghost that had been knocking so long upon his door +took vaulting precedence of any flesh and blood. In the good man's +eyes this stranger, Anthony Lyveden, had earned and must be accorded +the privileges of the dead. + +Directly he reached his hotel he sat down at his bed-room table and +indited a letter. + + +_1st March, 1921._ + +_My DEAR VALERIE,_ + +_I am, as you see, in London._ + +_Till an hour ago I was on my way to you. Now I must leave again for +Rome to-morrow morning._ + +_By accident there has come to me the knowledge of a grievous wrong, +for which I am largely responsible. This, mercifully, it may be in my +power to repair. To attempt to do so, however, necessitates my +immediate return in quest of a paper which none but I can procure._ + +_You can guess, my dear, how very much distressed I am that I must keep +you waiting, but, if I told you the case, you would be the first to +hale me to the station._ + +_I shall return straightway to England--that is, so soon as my years +permit--and, all being well, I shall be here again one week from +to-day, and with you at Bell Hammer one week from to-morrow._ + +_You did not tell me the nature of your trouble, so that I can offer no +counsel; if, as I suspect, it concerns the man of whom you have already +written to me, remember, for what it is worth, that my faith in him has +never wavered from the moment you told me that he had won your love._ + + _Your affectionate uncle, + JOHN FOREST._ + + +To the prelate, who framed it, that letter was the best he could do: to +Miss Valerie French, who received it, it was a great disappointment: +and to an eminent brain-specialist, who had never heard of it, it was +worth exactly three guineas. + + * * * * * + +"I should have come to you before," said Valerie, "but I was expecting +my uncle, and wanted to ask his advice before I took such a step. But +now he's delayed, and I can't wait any longer." + +Sir Willoughby Sperm leaned forward and picked up a pen. + +"One moment," he said, taking a sheet from a drawer. "Now then. What +is the patient's name?" + +"Major Anthony Lyveden, D.S.O.," said Valerie. "L-Y-V-E-D-E-N." + +The name was entered. + +"Yes. Address?" + +Valerie hesitated. Then-- + +"Gramarye, Chipping Norton," she said. + +The address went down. + +"Age?" + +"I think about thirty." + +"Wounded?" + +"Not that I know of." + +"When did you see him last?" + +"Eleven days ago." + +"And before that?" + +"Not for three months." + +"And his demeanour had changed in the interval?" + +"Exactly." + +"Are you engaged to him?" + +"No." + +"Were you engaged to him?" + +"Practically." + +"And it was broken off?" + +"I broke it off." + +"Why?" + +"I suspected him of inconstancy." + +"Did you tell him so?" + +"No." + +"And he?" + +"He left the neighbourhood." + +"That was three months ago?" + +"Yes." + +"Was your meeting eleven days ago accidental or by arrangement?" + +"I visited him unexpectedly." + +"In the hope of reconciliation?" + +"Yes." + +"How did he take it?" + +"Most handsomely." + +"The reconciliation was effected?" + +"Yes." + +"But his demeanour has changed?" + +"Yes." + +"In what way?" + +"He seems infatuated with his work." + +"To the exclusion of you?" + +"Exactly. It's as if in the interval he'd become a priest, and, +although he still loved me, he was no longer free." + +"What is his work?" + +"Restoring an estate--the place he lives at--Gramarye. It's a very +large estate--nearly all woods--and it's been entirely neglected for a +number of years. He and some others, including the owner, are working +to get it straight--re-making roads, building bridges, cutting down +trees. It sounds Quixotic, but I can see the fascination. Besides, he +took the work of necessity. He's very poor." + +"He seemed to consider himself devoted to the service of the estate?" + +"Exactly." + +"Did he exhibit any one particular mental symptom?" + +"He heard things which I could not hear." + +"Did he say what they were?" + +"Trumpets." + +"Anything else?" + +"When he heard them, his eyes..." + +Valerie hesitated. + +"Yes?" + +"--were the eyes of a fanatic." + +There was a long silence, while the pen was busy upon the broad sheet. +Then-- + +"He should be seen," said Sir Willoughby, "by a specialist without his +knowing it. I can't go down. Later, I may be of use. I hope you +won't need me. The obvious thing to do is to get him away. But, if +you can't do that, no one can--peaceably. D'you think you could try +again?" + +"I feel it would be waste of time," said Valerie. "You say some one +should see him. Can you tell me who to go to?" + +"D'you know Dr. Heron?" Valerie shook her head. "He assists me a lot. +If he can go, I know of no one better. Would you like me to speak to +him?" + +"I should be very grateful." + +Sir Willoughby pressed a bell. To his secretary, who answered the +summons-- + +"I want to speak to Dr. Heron," he said. + +In silence the girl withdrew. + +Whilst the two were waiting, the physician spoke very kindly. + +"I'm not going to express any opinion, because it would be valueless. +It's clear that there's something wrong, but I've seen so many +recoveries." + +"Which you have brought about," smiled Valerie. + +"I can never do more than contribute. I can only advise. It is the +executive that works the cure. That's why I'm so hopeful about Major +Lyveden." + +"The executive?" + +"Such as the devotion of relatives." + +"He has no relatives." + +"Or, better still," said the doctor, "the love of a great-hearted +lady." The muffled bell of a telephone interrupted. "Excuse me." He +picked up the receiver. "Is that you, Heron? ... Can you see a friend +of mine this afternoon? ... At four-thirty?" Sir Willoughby looked at +Valerie with raised eyebrows. She nodded quickly. "Yes. That'll do +... Miss French. Miss Valerie French ... A case in the country ... +Urgent ... She wants your report. I won't say any more. She'll tell +you better than I. Ring me up, if you like, before you go. Good-bye." +He pushed the instrument away and turned to Valerie. "I'll have +another word with him when you've told him your tale." + +"Thank you so very much." + +Having laid three guineas upon the table under the decent cover of a +photograph frame, Valerie rose to her feet. Sir Willoughby rose also +and passed to the door. As he held it open, he put out his hand. + +Valerie took it and held it. + +"Nobody could have been kinder," she said. + +The physician smiled. + +"Try not to worry," he said. "I haven't seen Gramarye, but I don't +think she'll stay the course. Not if you set the pace...." + + * * * * * + +It was the following Sunday morning that, after considerable +hesitation, Lyveden issued an order which he could well have spared. +The instruction was addressed to the younger of his two carters, and +was touching the man and the dog-cart and a seven-mile drive. In a +word, it had become expedient that Major Anthony Lyveden should go up +to Town. + +His employer had warned him that periodical visits to London would be +found indispensable. For all his dislike of the world, Winchester had +had to pay them from time to time. Now that the latter was gone from +Gramarye, and Anthony reigned in his stead, the duty, when it arose, +fell to his lot. Never relishing the idea, he would not have believed +that it could become so odious. Ere it had taken shape, it loomed +vexatious. Looking it in the face, he found it repulsive. No recluse +could have been more reluctant to leave his hermitage. Major Anthony +Lyveden felt positively nervous. + +Since he had been in charge the man had altered. + +He, who in the old days had shouldered with a smile responsibilities +which would have set his elders sweating with apprehension, found the +light weight of Gramarye a fardel to make him stagger. This was out of +all order. Had he lain sick for a month, the work would have gone as +steadily. The truth is, he was investing the conduct of a waggoner's +team with the nicety requisite to the control of a tandem of +thoroughbreds. That Lyveden of all men in the world should make such a +costly mistake showed that his nerves were hagridden. + +For all his dread of it, however, the visit to London could not +conveniently be postponed. The need of some of the items upon his +little list of accessories had become urgent, imperilling the work upon +the estate. A few hours in the Metropolis would be enough. He knew +where to go. Two addresses in the City and another in Drury Lane would +see the whole of his pilgrimage.... + +With a sigh, the ex-officer had locked up the safe and, leaving the +cold grey parlour, whence he administered, passed out of the echoing +mansion into the careless frolic of a fine March morning. + +As he had expected, the younger of the two carters was in the stables, +and Anthony gave his order without more ado. Then he whistled to his +Sealyham and started for home. + +After a wild night the unrepentant winds were full of mischief. A +monstrous dignity of fleecy clouds scudded undignified across the blue. +The precious park became a tossing waste of woodland, teased into +flurried liveliness, full of false starts and misdirection, instantly +buffeted for every blunder and bellowing good-natured protests at every +cuff. Respectable brown leaves chased one another down the tracks; +dark sober pools slapped their confining banks; the steady flow of +brooks faltered irresolute. + +Nature herself being so roughly used, be sure that man and beast were +plagued unconscionably. Anthony's hat was sent whirling, and his +terrier's ears were flicked inside out at the first corner. Not that +they cared--either of them--for the sunlight leapt with a joy that took +the sting out of the horseplay and turned the edge of the devilment. +The day was as good as a tonic. By the time they had sighted their +cabin the two were revelling. + +Not until he was on the point of entering the cottage did Anthony +notice the artist. Seated upon the traditional camp-stool, the latter +was sketching busily some twenty-five paces away. Apparently absorbed +in his work, he never so much as threw the newcomers a glance, and +Lyveden was more than half minded to let him be. Patch, however, +thought differently. Even as his master turned to the door, there was +a low growl, and a moment later the Sealyham was baying the intruder as +if he had been a convict. + +Calling the dog sharply, Lyveden advanced to apologize. + +The lazy brown eyes hardly looked at him, and the slender fingers never +left their work for an instant; but a pleasant smile leapt into the +stranger's face, and, ere the apology was voiced, he spoke with the +utmost good humour. + +"Please don't scold him. He's perfectly right. I'm a trespasser and a +vagabond. I have no visible means of subsistence, and, if these things +are crimes, I'm an habitual criminal. If you really don't want me to +draw your cottage, I'll stop. But you must say so right out. And it +isn't the cottage so much as the background I'm after. To be frank, +this looks a promising place. I'm out for woodland--something that's +not too tidy." + +Anthony smiled grimly. + +"Orderliness," he said, "is hardly our forte at present. The park's +been Nature's playground for over a century, and she's made the most of +her time." + +"You sound," said the other, "as if you had authority. Am I free of +the place, or not?" + +For a second Anthony hesitated. Strangers were not to his taste. +There was, however, a quiet careless indifference about the fellow's +manner which was reassuring. Moreover, he liked the look of him, there +was nothing monstrous about his attire--he might have stepped off a +golf-course--and there was a kindly expression upon the intellectual +face. Somehow the droop of a fair moustache subscribed to the +suggestion of laziness which the eyes had put forward. Indeed, his +whole demeanour argued the simple creed "Live, and let live." + +Lyveden had just decided to give the required encouragement when the +other knocked out his pipe. + +"That's all right," he said lightly. "I never take offence. And I'm a +rare believer in privacy. If I had a place in the country I should +have a ten-foot wall about it and a guard-room at every lodge. It's +not that I'm a misanthrope, but to my mind there's not much point in +ownership if you don't----" + +"I expect you'd issue some passports," said Anthony. "Any way, please +don't go. And, if Gramarye's what you want, you're free to come and +work whenever you like. Nobody'll say anything to you; but if they +did--I'm going to Town to-morrow--my name's Lyveden, and I'm the--the +agent here." + +"You're very good," said the artist; and with that he filled his pipe +and set to work again. + +Anthony went about his business. + +By the time he had washed Patch, the stranger was gone. + +Dusk was falling ere Lyveden saw him again--a tall, thin figure +striding up the track from the depths of Gramarye. As he passed the +cottage, the ex-officer hailed him, offering to house his paraphernalia +for the night. After a moment's hesitation, the other accepted.... +With the interior of the cabin he was plainly delighted, pointing his +host a score of engaging features which only an antiquary would have +recognized. Anthony gave him some tea, and the two sat smoking for the +inside of an hour. + +At length the artist rose. + +"I must get back to Girdle," he said. "About two miles, isn't it?" + +"About that. I won't say 'Good-bye.' If Gramarye suits you, perhaps I +shall see you again." + +"Thanks to your _laisser passer_, you may. I want to get on to +Woodstock, really; but your woods are worth a day or two. Good night." + +He swung off into the darkness, and a minute later Anthony heard his +steps upon the metalling of the London road. + +It was upon the following afternoon that Lyveden swore under his +breath. At the time in question he was standing in a large +efficient-looking shop which smelt strongly of cordage and was situate +in Drury Lane. + +The manager was nervously apologetic. + +"They've bin on order a week now, sir, but I can't honestly say as I +expects them under three. You know what labour is now. In the ole +days it was a matter o' 'phonin', an' hanythin' you liked 'd be 'ere by +special messenger in 'alf an hour. But now...." + +He threw up his hands helplessly. + +"Where else can I try?" said Lyveden. + +The man mentioned two or three stores--each of them in the City. + +"But I don' think you'll get 'em, sir. You might get an hodd one, but +'alf a dozen o' 'Lightnin'' mattocks at the moment is worth their +weight." + +With a sigh Anthony bowed to the inevitable. + +"There's my address," he said, handing the man a slip of paper. "Send +me a card the moment they come in." + +"I'll set six aside for you, sir." + +"All right." + +He paid for the goods he had purchased, had them placed in a taxi, and +drove to Paddington. + +He was so ridiculously glad to see the station again that the +ordinarily provoking discovery that he had lost the return half of his +ticket but twitched the hem of his temper. With a rueful smile he +determined to deduct the price of his carelessness from his next week's +wages. + +The fact that he had broken no bread since breakfast never occurred to +him. His one idea was to get back to Gramarye. Not that the dreaded +visit had proved exacting. Indeed, as was to be expected, London had +roared as gently as any sucking dove. It was with no true sense of +relief that he watched the bustling platforms recede. Them and their +fellows, the streets, he bore no grudge. Hideously crowded as they +were, he felt almost kindly disposed towards them. He could afford to +be magnanimous. He was on his way back. An hour or so, and he would +stand once more under the grateful shadow of his sanctuary.... + +He had no newspaper, nor any need of one. The flitting landscape, the +regular pounding of the wheels were declaring tidings precious beyond +price. A hundred times he wished the compartment empty save for +himself, that he might have exulted openly. As it was, he was reduced +to hugging himself surreptitiously, to staring upon the window and +winking at his elusive reflection, which he could dimly focus in the +stout pane. After a while he became pitiful of his fellow-travellers. +As like as not, poor devils, they thought they were well off. And here +beside them sat one who was bound for Gramarye. Anthony hugged himself +anew. Then another station flashed by, before his feverish eyes could +read the name, to set him twittering with speculation.... + +By the time the train steamed into Chipping Norton, the ex-officer was +trembling all over. + +To Patch, who had spent the day in the wood-shed, his master's return +to the cottage was the signal for an undisguised explosion of ecstasy. +Herein, as the noise of the roan's hoofs died away, he was unexpectedly +joined by Anthony, and for a long two minutes the two wallowed in a +pure paroxysm of glee. + +It is to be noted, however, that while the terrier presently dispatched +a generous supper with every indication of relish, his master left his +untasted. Of the cold well-water the latter was undeniably glad, +drinking great draughts and presently drawing more and washing +luxuriously. Then he drew more and drank again, but he could touch no +food. Neither, tired as he was, could he sit still before the fire.... + +Two hours later he stumbled across his threshold like a drunken man. +Another draught of water revived him somewhat, and, after resting a +little in the Windsor chair, he mounted the tiny staircase and went +shakily to bed. + + * * * * * + +Eight days later the artist with the lazy eyes rose from his +leather-topped table to greet Miss Valerie French. + +Handing her to a chair, he resumed his seat, and, after a word or two +upon the weather, turned straight to the point. + +"I saw Major Lyveden for the first time last Sunday week. We met in +the morning, and he gave me tea the same afternoon. The next day he +went up to London--on business of some sort--but I saw him on Tuesday +and again on Friday and Saturday. + +"I don't propose to trouble you with technical terms. All the same, +it's not always possible for a medical man to render his language +literally into the King's English. Now and again I shall give you +rather a free translation, so you mustn't hold me too tight to anything +I may say. I tell you this, because I'm going to state facts and not +hand you mere expressions of opinion." + +Valerie nodded intelligently, and the speaker cleared his throat. + +"Now, Miss French, one thing is manifest. If Major Lyveden remains at +Gramarye, he will lose his reason." The doctor paused, and for the +first time Valerie noticed the sober, methodical tick of a +grandfather's clock. This, so far from spoiling, served to enrich the +silence investing the latter with an air of _couchant_ dignity which +was most compelling. "He is at present the prey of certain malignant +forces--the more immediate of them natural; some, I believe, +unnatural--and nothing short of his removal from where he is now can +set him free. I'm not certain that even removal will be entirely +effective. But it's obviously the first step. If a man is down with +malaria, the first thing to do is to get him out of the swamp." + +Valerie was very pale, but her voice did not tremble. + +"And supposing he won't leave...?" + +"He must be taken away--forcibly. Listen. At the village inn I picked +up a lot of news. All sorts of rumours are current--all touching +Gramarye. Most of them are nonsense, and I won't repeat them. Others +are founded on hard fact. Have you heard of a Colonel Winchester?" + +Valerie nodded. + +"Major Lyveden spoke of him as his employer." + +"That's right. He owns the estate, and was the working manager of this +restoration business." + +"_Was?_" breathed the girl. + +"Was. Three weeks ago he went mad." Valerie started violently. "It's +said that he tried to kill Lyveden. That I can't answer for, but he's +in a private asylum for dangerous lunatics." + +There was a painful silence. Then-- + +"Is--is it the place?" said Valerie faintly. + +The specialist rose to his feet and started to pace the room. + +"As a doctor, I ought to say 'No'; as a man who has spent the inside of +a week there, I'm moved to say 'Yes.' Surroundings can depress or +elevate, of course. That's common knowledge. But there's something +more than that here. In the village they told me the place was +accursed. Nonsense, of course. Yet---- Honestly, Miss French, I +don't know how to tell you... There's--there's a dreadful sinister +attraction about the park: there's an unearthly magnetism about the +woods--a queer, wistful fascination about the wilderness. At Girdle +they swore it was birdless. It may be. There are such places. I +certainly saw neither bird nor beast while I was there. And that's not +natural. But it's not what you see and hear: it's what you feel. It's +terribly hard to explain, but the place appeals most powerfully to the +emotions. You feel an irresistible impulse to go to _Something's_ +assistance. Of course my eyes were skinned, so I saw the treachery. +But I felt the appeal." He halted and threw out a hand. "Imagine a +serpent disguised as a beautiful woman in distress--_that's_ Gramarye. +And if I'd been there a month, instead of a week----" He stopped +suddenly, like a man whose tongue has run away and made a fool of its +governor. "And now please forget what I've said. It doesn't affect +the case. I went down to see whether there was reason to fear for +Major Lyveden's sanity. I've found that there is. And I advise that +he be taken away forthwith." + +"To a home?" + +"A private house would be better. If it became necessary, he could be +moved. But he shouldn't be allowed to have an inkling that his mind is +in danger." + +"I'd be thankful to have him at Bell Hammer." + +"Your home?" + +"Yes," said Valerie. "In Hampshire." + +The doctor resumed his seat and crossed his legs. + +"You're prepared to undertake it?" he said. "I mean, it may be a very +trying responsibility." + +"Dr. Heron, I hope to become Major Lyveden's wife." + +The specialist nodded. + +"Good. Do you wish me to arrange his removal?" + +"Oh, please." + +"Very well. Have you a closed car?" + +"Yes." + +"Any brothers?" + +Valerie shook her head. + +"Why, doctor?" + +"Because," said Heron, "he will resist. It doesn't matter." + +"I've two friends who will help me." + +"Young strong men?" + +Valerie shivered. + +"Yes." + +"Can you trust your chauffeur?" + +"Implicitly." + +"Good. Now let's see." He turned the page of a diary and then +returned it. "To-morrow's Tuesday. I don't want to waste any time, +but we can't rush things. Please have a room at Bell Hammer ready on +Friday. I'll arrange for two nurses to go to you that afternoon. I +shall go back to Girdle to-morrow evening. I hope I shall want your +two friends and the chauffeur with the car during the week-end, but I +may have to wait. In any event, I shall wire to you at Bell Hammer, +giving them twenty-four hours' notice and telling them where to come. +Please tell the chauffeur to have enough petrol and spares to go from +Girdle to Hampshire without a break." + +"Is that everything?" said Valerie. + +"Almost. There's just this. We ought to arrive by night; but I want +you to leave all instructions and go to bed." + +"I can't do that, doctor. I'll promise not to appear, until you send +for me, but----" + +"That'll do. That's what I want. Don't think I'm being professional. +Remember, I've taken Sperm at his word, and spoken more frankly to you +than ever I've done in my life." + +"I'm more than content," said Valerie. "You and Sir Willoughby have +been just wonderful." + +"That's the epithet he and I keep for you, Miss French." They rose and +shook hands. "And since of your amazing self-control you've asked no +questions, I'll make you a present of an answer. In my opinion, he +will recover completely." + +Valerie caught her breath sharply, began to tremble violently, and then +burst into tears. + + * * * * * + +Order means much to me, gentlemen. Indeed, I believe in the dame. To +fall foul of her ruling does not like me at all. Unless, however, I am +to play the diarist, there are times when I have no choice but to +retrace my steps. This is one of them. Four windy days must be +clapped back on to the hasty calendar--four days, sirs, of which three +do not matter, while the fourth, or first--whichever way you look at +it--concerns us mightily. In a word, it was upon the eleventh day of +March that poor Mr. Slumper was also among the prophets. + + + _66 Bedford Row, + London, W.C. + 11th March, 1921._ + +_Dear Sir,_ + +Anthony Lyveden, Esq. + +_We understand that this gentleman was recently in your service._ + +_We have to make to him a communication of the utmost importance, and +one which it will be to his great advantage to receive._ + +_Since, however, we have already addressed to him one letter c/o +yourself, to which we have had no reply, and since we have reason to +believe that he has quitted your service, we shall be much obliged if +you will be so good as to inform us where he may now be found, or, +failing that, the address to which he proceeded on leaving your house. +If you should be unable to give us this information, we shall be +grateful for any suggestion you may be in a position to make as to the +probability of his present whereabouts._ + + _We are, dear sir, + Yours faithfully, + BULRUSH & Co._ + + _Joseph Bumble, Esq., + The Shrubbery, + Hawthorne, + Hants._ + + +Mr. Slumper was in the act of preparing to fold the letter before +inserting it in the envelope which he had carefully addressed, when he +saw the words "Anthony Lyveden." + +For a moment he stared at them. Then, glancing furtively round, for it +was no business of his to read the letters for whose dispatch he was +responsible, he subjected the sheet to a hurried perusal. + +What he read excited him. There was no doubt about that. In a moment +his nerves were at leapfrog. Fingers and lips and eyelids all +flickered and fidgeted in a manner painful to see. Twice he half rose +from his chair, only to sink back upon the edge, twittering.... Here +was an intention with no drive behind it. The truth is, the back of +Mr. Slumper's will was broken in twain. + +The exact moment at which the fracture had occurred cannot be stated +with any certainty. A sentence of three months' imprisonment in the +second division was not responsible. The smash was before that. +Probably it came with the realization that he stood beneath the shadow +of the Criminal Law. Be that as it may, the ex-financier emerged from +prison a broken man. But for the interest of Mr. Blithe, the senior +partner of Bulrush & Co., who had had him met at the gates and +straightway sent him for a month to the seaside, poor Mr. Slumper must +have sunk like a stone. When he was fit to follow an occupation, he +was encouraged to accept a living wage, the work of an office-boy, and +a tiny room to himself.... + +Here, then, it was that Mr. Slumper was doing battle. How much it cost +the poor sinner to pick up the letter, emerge from his closet, and make +his way upstairs to Mr. Blithe's ante-chamber will never be known. +That it reduced his overdraft in Heaven goes without saying. Curiously +enough, the penetration of the barrier erected upon the obnoxious +personality of a managing clerk proved a less formidable business than +Mr. Slumper had expected. The very truculence of the fellow stung the +derelict to a sudden defiance. This was but a flash in the pan--yet +enough for a bully.... After a moment's delay, Mr. Slumper was +admitted into the senior partner's room. + +Blithe looked up with a kindly smile. + +"Yes, Mr. Slumper? You want to see me?" + +All his nervousness returned with such a rush as to make the +ex-financier break into a sweat. But he found his voice somehow, and +fell a-wondering who it was that was speaking his thoughts. + +"If you please, sir. It's--it's about this letter." + +He laid the sheet upon his employer's table. "I was--thanks to your +goodness--addressing the envelope. I take a great interest in the +work, sir: and I don't, of course, read the letters, except to obtain +the addresses. But the heading of this one, sir, happened to catch my +eye. The name being familiar, I took the liberty of reading the text. +And--and--I'm very loth to step out of my place, sir, but, if you are +seeking the whereabouts of a footman called Lyveden, sir, Anthony +Lyveden, I hardly think there can be two of that name. I mean ..." + +The solicitor smiled encouragingly. + +"Go on, Mr. Slumper," he said. + +Mr. Slumper moistened his lips. + +"It will seem strange to you, sir, but he--if it is he--was in my +service last summer." He passed a trembling hand across his mouth. +"He left me right at the last. He was very good to--to us.... And I +used to wonder sometimes what had become of him--he was a gentleman, +you know. And then I saw him again...." + +Blithe leaned forward. + +"Yes?" + +"Last Monday, sir. At Paddington Station. I had the pleasure of +fetching a bag for you, sir, from the cloakroom that afternoon." (It +may be mentioned that this particular commission should have been +executed by the commissionaire attached to the office. As, however, it +was raining at the time, that gentleman and the managing clerk +aforesaid had seen no good reason why "old Slumper" should not +satisfactorily perform the duty and save his betters a wetting. Both +paid for their blindness in due season. The principal was dismissed, +with the result that, after a heated argument, the accessory before the +fact was hit first upon the nose and then upon the left eye with all +the principal's might.) "He was having some luggage labelled to go +with him by train. There seemed to be some question of over-weight. I +was quite close to him. Indeed, it was hearing a voice I knew that +made me look at him. I heard him say, 'I'm going to Chipping Norton +and on to Girdle.' I very nearly spoke to him, but----" + +"You're quite sure it was he, Mr. Slumper?" + +"Oh, yes, sir. I've no doubt at all." + +"Splendid," said Blithe. "I'm extremely obliged to you. I shall write +to Girdle at once. If, as I verily believe, you've found us our man, +we shan't forget it. Of course I'll let you know as soon as I hear." +The speaker rose to his feet. "So you're getting on all right, are +you? I'm so glad. And keeping fairly well? That's right. Come out +this way." He opened a private door. "Good morning, and thank you so +much." + +With a full heart Mr. Slumper passed humbly down the stairs.... + +Within the hour another letter came to his desk for direction. This he +read without any hesitation. Indeed, the pleasurable glow of +achievement which it induced ushered a gleam into the dull brown eyes +such as they had not known for many a day. + + + _CONFIDENTIAL._ + + _66 Bedford Row, + London, W.C., + 11th March, 1921._ + +_Dear Sir,_ + +_We have reason to believe that a gentleman of the name of "Anthony +Lyveden" is residing in your neighbourhood. We are anxious to obtain +his address in order that we may make to him a communication of the +highest importance, and one which it will be to his great financial +advantage to receive._ + +_If you can furnish us with his address by return of post we shall be +greatly obliged; but, if you are unable to do so, kindly cause +immediate inquiries to be instituted with a view to locating him, and +advise us accordingly._ + +_Our information is that Mr. Lyveden left London for Chipping Norton en +route for Girdle on Monday last, the 7th inst._ + + _Yours faithfully, + BULRUSH & Co._ + + _S. Plowman, Esq., + Solicitor, + Girdle, + Oxon._ + + +If to be told that the Probate Divorce and Admiralty Division of the +High Court of Justice will be prepared to award you a mansion in Town, +an estate in Dorsetshire--each of them, as they say, ready to walk +into--and nearly three-quarters of a million of money, is to receive a +communication to your great financial advantage, then Bulrush & Co. had +not overstated their case. + +There was no doubt about it, Anthony's ship was signalled. The pilot +was going aboard. Very soon the galleon would be in the stream. + +If the double journey had proved too much for John Forest, so that the +prelate was compelled to rest before returning to England, at least he +had sent the will by registered post. This in due season had been +produced to the testator's solicitor, a benevolent gentleman of the Old +School, who, after an interview with Sir Giles Molehill and Blithe at +the Royal Courts of Justice, was entirely satisfied regarding its +validity. Indeed, his anxiety to wash his hands of the usurper was +almost voluble. + +"And I may say, my lord, that I more than once spoke very warmly to my +client about that iniquitous proviso which he made me insert. But, as +your lordship knows, a testator has always been permitted to indulge +his utmost eccentricity, and my words fell upon deaf ears. He was a +difficult man, sir, was Jonathan Roach. But when the time came, and I +had to break the news to young Lyveden, it was a sorry business. I'm +heartily thankful it's going to be put right." + +"I hope it is, Mr. Orphan," had replied the Judge. "But we've still +got to find our protege. That I must leave to you and Blithe to pull +off. I've done my part. But you must keep me informed, for I'm +determined to be in at the death." + +The two attorneys had promised faithfully, and left the Judge smiling. +Benevolence and shrewdness seldom go hand-in-hand, and his lordship's +words had contained a subtle instruction to Blithe to shepherd his +elderly brother and not to retire from the case. The flick of an +eyelid had disclosed Blithe's reception of the hint. + +With what result, we know. + +And that is the sum of my arrears, gentlemen. Henceforth, if you +please, you shall find the street of narrative straight as a French +highway, with hill and dale certainly, but none of your hairpin corners +to send you doubling upon your tracks. + + * * * * * + +It was eleven o'clock of a Sunday morning. + +Never was an hour more melodiously announced. The diverse tongues of +Oxford insisted upon its arrival for fully five minutes. Indeed, the +harmonious argument, which had begun as his lordship's car was nearing +Magdalen Bridge, was still in progress when the great grey limousine +swung out of St. Giles's and on to the Woodstock road. + +All three of its occupants were in a holiday humour. The Judge was +radiant; Orphan proved splendid company; while Blithe, a brilliant +talker, kept the two bubbling with merriment upon a fire of delicate +wit. The miles fairly melted beneath their gaiety. Indeed, it was not +until the Judge's eye caught the message of an odd finger-post that any +one of the three realized that they had passed Blenheim. + +"CHIPPING NORTON 8!" cried his lordship. "Gad, gentlemen, we're nearly +there. Blithe, you're a stage-manager in a million. The thing's going +to pan out like a well-written play. What time did you tell Plowman to +expect us?" + +"At twelve o'clock," said Blithe. "With any luck we shall just do it +nicely." + +"Good!" said the Judge. Then: "I think we'd better pick up Plowman and +take him with us, don't you, Orphan?" + +"I think so. For one thing, he knows Lyveden and can introduce us." + +"Quite so." His lordship consulted his watch. "We ought to have +landed our fish by a quarter to one. We'd better mark down an hotel +and carry him off to lunch. You'd better speak to him first and just +make sure he's our man." + +"Certainly," said Orphan. "I think if I ask him his mother's maiden +name, where he was born, his age, and the name of his uncle's butler, +that ought to do." + +"Why the name of the butler?" said Blithe. "Is that a catch?" + +"Quite right," said Orphan. "Just to make doubly sure. Old Jonathan +Roach never would have a man-servant in the house. It was a whim of +his. If I get the right answer, I shall be easy for ever. But I don't +want to take any risks with the best part of a million at stake." + +"I agree," said Sir Giles. "Have you got some cash for him?" + +The other nodded and touched his coat. + +"One hundred in notes and a cheque-book. I'll take his specimen +signature, and put a thousand to his credit to-morrow." + +"Good!" said the Judge. "That's the style. I wish poor Forest was +here. He'd 've enjoyed it thoroughly. Such a pathetic letter he wrote +me when he sent the will. Blames himself out of all reason for keeping +the document so long. I sent him a line on Friday to say that we'd +found our man. I admit it was rather precipitate, but, all things +considered, I think I was justified. By the time the letter reaches +him it will be a _fait accompli_--and I wanted to ease his mind." + +"If you ask me," said Blithe, "it's all over but the shouting. The +talk I had with Plowman over the telephone settled it. In fact, that +was when the shouting began. Which reminds me that the trunk line from +London to Girdle requires attention. It was not a conversation at all. +It was a joint rhapsody." + +"Personally," said the Judge, "I detest the telephone. It's a pomp and +a vanity of a wicked world. You can never be sure who you're talking +to, nor how many people are listening; there's no record of what you've +said and no evidence that you've even said it. The invention is a +convenient nuisance, conducive to blasphemy, and should be abated." + +The car rolled on. + +Presently, though none of them knew it, they slipped past Anthony's +cottage and so down Gallowstree Hill to the village they sought. + +To say that Mr. Samuel Plowman was ready and waiting in no way +describes his condition. The little lawyer was wellnigh beside himself +with expectation. The prospect of meeting a Justice of the King's +Bench intoxicated. The possibility of entertaining such a one in the +flesh and the dining-room of The Nook, Girdle, made tales of Paradise +seem tame. A burning discussion with Mrs. Plowman had resulted in a +decision not to offer his lordship lunch. That would be attempting too +much. Cakes and ale, however, flanked by a dish of sandwiches and a +tantalus, made a collation at once independent of service and adaptable +to every appetite. Furniture was moved, rugs were transferred, the +first floor was spoiled to turn the spare bedroom into Mr. Plowman's +conception of a Judge's lavatory. It had been mutually agreed that +Mrs. Plowman's presence would be intrusive, but, in the circumstances, +to go soberly to church was more than the good lady could stomach. An +O. P. was therefore established in the bathroom beside the geyser, to +which point of vantage Mrs. Plowman undertook to repair the moment the +car was heard.... + +The Nook standing close to a corner of the London road, seven times was +the O. P. occupied and evacuated between half-past eleven and twelve, +and three times did Mr. Plowman actually throw open his door and +advance, nervous but beaming, into the drive, only to hear the +deceitful engine once more gathering speed. The fourth time, however, +the purr of the engine fell to a steady mutter, which was maintained. +The car was not at the gate, but it was not moving. Possibly its +occupants were inquiring for The Nook.... Mr. Plowman tried not to run +down the drive. With her heart in her mouth, Mrs. Plowman peered past +the geyser to where the branches of a monkey-puzzler maddeningly +obstructed her view of the front gate.... + +Two minutes later the little solicitor reappeared, walking most +delicately and attending a tall, distinguished-looking man with every +circumstance of veneration. Behind them came two other strangers, who +might have been equerries. That, for all his ecstasy, Mr. Plowman +remembered to throw a smile up to the bathroom window, literally +reduced Mrs. Plowman to tears of joy. + +It was no desire for refreshment, but pure kindness of heart that moved +Sir Giles Molehill to accept the attorney's invitation. And, as was +his way in life, he did the thing handsomely. Did he see beer? +Splendid. He would have a bottle of beer. Yes, and a sandwich. +Excellent. Just the thing after an eighty-mile run. What excellent +roads they kept in Oxfordshire! He never remembered better. And the +Cotswold air was magnificent. Really, one had to spend one's days in a +stuffy Court in Town to appreciate the country as it deserved. + +"Yet we thrive on the atmosphere, bad as it is. Look at the time we +live, Mr. Plowman. Who ever heard of a Judge dying? Yes. I really +must have another sandwich. They're so excellent. And now we want you +to come with us in the car and take us to Mr. Lyveden ... _Major_ +Lyveden, is he? Right ... D.S.O.? Good fellow. Wonder what he got +that for. And then you'll come on to lunch...." + +By the time they were back in the car, Mr. Plowman was upon the edge of +praying for an occasion of saving his lordship's life at the expense of +his own.... + +At the south-west corner of Gramarye the guide gave the signal, and the +car was stopped. Then Plowman and Orphan alighted and passed up the +wasted track. Except for a wreath of smoke curling from the chimney, +the cottage might have been deserted.... + +"I rather expect," said Plowman, "he'll be having his dinner...." + +A second later he was tapping upon the door. + +For a moment there was a dead silence. Then a stealthy movement made +itself heard.... + +The two men listened intently. + +From the London road the Judge and Blithe were watching them closely. + +The door remaining fast shut, Mr. Plowman knocked again. + +Instantly the movement ceased. After perhaps twenty seconds it was +renewed, but with a difference. The stealth had become hasty. + +The two men stared at one another. Then-- + +"Better go in," said Orphan, with his hand on the latch. + +This yielded to pressure, and the next moment the door was open. + +The atmosphere prevailing in the little chamber was uninviting. There +was a fire glowing upon the hearth, and the room was unpleasantly hot. +From the reek of a pungent tobacco emerged an unsavoury smell of +something which was not fuel, burning. Scattered about the red-brick +floor were black feathers without number, and here and there amid the +plumage appeared the muddy print of feet. Perched upon the logs was a +pot bubbling, and by the side of the hearth an old pair of boots +emitted wisps of steam. Lyveden himself was nowhere to be seen. + +Plowman looked round wide-eyed, and Orphan blew disgustedly through his +nose. + +The former raised his voice. + +"Major Lyveden," he called, smiling, "may I come in?" + +There was no answer. + +The two conferred in a whisper. Then Plowman cleared his throat. + +"Major Lyveden!" he called. "It's Plowman speaking--Plowman, of +Girdle. Can you spare me a moment?" + +Still no reply was vouchsafed. + +Followed by the other, Orphan advanced into the room and looked behind +the door. There was no one there. + +He stepped to the foot of the flight of stairs and spoke upward. + +"Is Major Lyveden there?" + +For a moment it seemed as if he, too, was to go unanswered. Then-- + +"Nao," said a voice thickly, "'e ain't. 'E's gorn aout, 'e 'as. An' +won' be beck till ter-morrer." + +Orphan looked sharply at Plowman. The latter shook his head, frowning, +as if in denial, and lifted his voice. + +"Who's that?" he snapped. + +Somebody was heard to swallow. Then-- + +"I tell yer 'e ain't 'ere," said the voice. "'E's--'e's gorn aout." + +"Who has?" said Orphan. + +"Majer"--the speaker hesitated--"Major Dibdin." + +The hesitancy alone would have proclaimed the impostor, and, while +Plowman ran for the others, Orphan told the occupant of the bedroom, +first that he was an infernal liar, secondly that he was being +addressed by a magistrate, and thirdly that, unless he desired to be +given into custody for stealing poultry and housebreaking, he had +better descend forthwith and tell the whole truth. + +As the Judge and Blithe came up, with Plowman behind them, Orphan +stepped backwards out of the doorway. + +"Come on," he said roughly. "Out in the air." + +Barefoot, of his trepidation still grasping the carcass of what had +been a black Orpington, there emerged from the cottage a filthy and +evil-smelling tramp. A week's sandy stubble bristled upon his chin, +the pendulous lips were twitching, the crafty eyes shifted uneasily +from side to side. + +The four lawyers stared upon the beastly apparition in disgusted dismay. + +The sickly smile of guilty embarrassment upon their _vis-a-vis'_ face +had begun to swell into the cringing leer familiarly precedent to an +appeal for leniency, when the fellow leaned forward, stared fearfully +at the Judge, and, dropping the pullet with a screech, recoiled against +the wall. + +"I ain't done no 'arm," he cried, whimpering. "I ain't done no 'arm. +I never stole that there 'en. She were dead in the way, me lord. +Runned over by a cyar, she were. I only come aout last Toosday, me +lord, an' tryin' ter run strite an' git a good job o' work, like wot +you said, sir. It's gauze trewth I never stole that there bird. She +was layin'..." + +Out of a bad business the queer recognition stood solitarily opportune. +Rhadamanthus' own promise of clemency in return for the truth could not +have been more effective. The plain facts, however, were wofully +bitter to hear. + +The tramp had taken undisputed possession at eight o'clock that +morning. The cottage was then empty. The fire was out and the bed in +order. Upon the floor of the living-room lay the fragments of a +pitcher, with the water, which this had held, settled in a pool upon +the bricks. A Windsor chair was fallen, Dagon-like, upon its face, +with its legs in the air. What no one could understand was the fact +that the lamp, which hung from the ceiling, was still burning. + + * * * * * + +More or less recovered, but profoundly depressed, Monseigneur Forest +reached Hampshire upon the following Thursday. He had visited the +Judge in London, and learned from his mouth first the news and then the +details of the unpleasant truth. His lordship's contention that Fate +was opposed to their endeavours, he found it difficult to dispute. +Believing that he was on his way to a triumph, he had come breathless +to participate in a rout. For three days he had dandled a new-born +joy, to find it stark upon the fourth.... + +Valerie was not at the station, but Mason was there with the car, and +the poor man was glad to be alone. He was mourning a stolen +opportunity to repair a great wrong, and would not be comforted. The +lost legatee haunted him more tragically than ever. + +As the car swept to the house he noticed two girls upon the steps. + +They were interrogating the butler. + +Observing his arrival they cut their inquiries short. The prelate +emerged, however, in time to hear the servant's concluding words. + +"No, madam. Only that the improvement was maintained. Thank you, +madam." + +"Who's ill?" cried Forest sharply. + +The butler inclined his head. + +"Major Lyveden, sir--a friend of Miss Valerie's. He----" + +"_Who?_" + +For all his training the servant jumped. + +"Major Lyveden, sir. Major Anthony Lyveden." + +Monseigneur Forest looked round helplessly. Then he put a hand to his +head and sat down on the steps. + + + + +CHAPTER IX + +VANITY OF VANITIES + +In a quiet, even tone Lyveden was talking. + +The pleasant voice went steadily on, now reciting, now commenting, now +lending argument, a cool dispassionate gravity that forced the ear. +Facts were so clearly stated, conclusions so reasonably drawn, points +so firmly made--all without a trace of emotion, yet seriously offered +in the most conspicuous good faith--that it was almost impossible to +realize that the speaker was insensible. But that is the way of +brain-fever.... + +The voice faltered and stopped. + +Fervently Miss French prayed that it and the frantic brain might rest +from their labours. She wanted desperately to think--to be mistress of +her thoughts--but, so long as the voice prevailed, the impression that +she was being addressed prevented her, first because it was so vivid, +and then because of its importunity. + +It was half an hour since Sir Willoughby Sperm's car had rolled down +the curling avenue and slipped past the tall lodge-gates. If all went +well, another fortnight would elapse before the great specialist saw +the patient again. + +The silence continuing, Valerie fell to wondering what the two weeks +would bring forth. That the fever would presently abate, and the +ex-officer be spared his life, seemed highly probable. In fact, +Valerie steadily refused to consider that he might weaken and die. +What she was eternally asking was what would happen when the engine of +the brain, at present running free, was once more engaged with the +system it was used to control. Would the coupling break suddenly, and +her man go an idiot for life? That she could not believe. Or would +the old balance be restored, perfect as ever? There was doubt in the +doctor's eyes. Was he, then, to wake stumbling upon that No Man's Land +which lies between sense and idiocy? And, if so, how were his +trembling steps to be guided aright? Carefully she started to weigh +Sir Willoughby's words.... + +"What concerns me most is how to deal with his condition of mind when +the fever has run its course. From what I've seen, and from what Heron +has told me, I'm satisfied that it is vital that Gramarye should never +again enter into his life. That park, or estate, or whatever it is, +had taken such an unhealthy hold upon his imagination, that he was +half-way to insanity. If Gramarye is permitted again to take the +helm.... Well, the ship is half-way across--half-way across those +narrow straits which divide reason from lunacy. We've got to take the +helm and put it over just as hard as ever we can. You understand? In +a word, if, for instance, Major Lyveden were to revisit Gramarye, I +think the game would be up. That, of course, can't happen. But it is, +in my opinion, of the highest importance, not only that no reference to +the place should be made before him, but that we should do our utmost +to direct his attention to other matters. We can't expunge the last +four months from his memory--I wish we could. Half the asylums in +England would be empty if we could do that. But we can avert our eyes +from the record, and we can try to avert his." + +'Try to avert his.' How? Anthony was not an infant, to be beguiled +with a rattle when he cried for a blade. And if Gramarye was proposing +'again to take the helm,' who was to stop her? Had Miss French put +that question to Sir Willoughby, he would have replied, "Yourself." +For that reason she had not asked him. Again and again he had insisted +that, if the mischief was to be mended at all, it would be at her +hand.... + +There were times when the thought terrified her, when the panic fear of +the condemned sat in her eyes. For Valerie knew it was just. It was +she who had brought a gallant gentleman to this pass--she who had +smashed the exquisite wonder of melody their hearts had danced to--she +who had hacked asunder the silken bridge of love and sent her lover +into the arms of Gramarye. + +Gramarye! + +Her solitary visit to the park stood out of the girl's memory like a +snow-covered peak, vivid and frozen. There was no mercy there. What +was far worse, there was an unearthly appeal. Flesh and blood were one +thing, but a wild mystery of woodland, the desolate grandeur of a +ruined park, the majestic havoc of a proud estate--these were another +matter. Looking upon her rival's face, she found it notable.... +Valerie set her white teeth. That its beauty was a mask hiding some +dreadful influence, made her heart faint within her.... + +Yet, if this fainted, it always revived. Valerie French was +well-plucked. If it was ordained that she should fight with Black +Magic, with Black Magic she would fight. It was her own fault.... It +was typical of the girl that the fact that she had already paid very +heavily never once occurred to her. She had called the tune without +asking how much it would cost. That the piper's bill was so long was +due to her recklessness. She did not dispute the account. + +For the hundredth time she wondered what line Gramarye would take.... + +It seemed, mercifully, that the fell influence of the estate was not to +have things all its own way. While the sick man in his delirium talked +much of Gramarye, he spoke of Valerie too--frequently. For hours +together, sometimes, he dwelt upon their love. As a rule, he debated +with himself whether it was fair to her to let her see him again. +(Listening to these heart-searchings, Valerie's heart burned within +her.) Then he would call his Sealyham and speak to him of the lady, +asking if she were not wonderful and a sight for sore eyes. "When she +calls you, Patch, aren't you proud of your name? And she took your +head in her hands to-day. I saw her. Such sweet, pretty hands.... +And you looked in her eyes, Patch, and then you licked her nose--very +gently, like a good little dog...." Then, again, Anthony's life as a +footman was often remembered. Mr. and Mrs. Bumble were gratefully +discussed. The Alisons--George especially--figured constantly. Even +his life in the Army was sometimes mentioned, and other older days, +hard to identify.... Gramarye held a good hand--undoubtedly: but there +were other cards in the pack. + +The door opened noiselessly, and a fresh-faced nurse stole into the +darkened room. Valerie and she exchanged whispers, and, after another +glance at the silent figure upon the bed, the lady of Bell Hammer gave +place to the professional and made her way slowly downstairs. + + * * * * * + +It was past three o'clock of a sullen March afternoon when Mr. Peter +Every dismissed his parade. + +The men turned away listlessly, hollow-eyed. + +Only the little lame engineer said anything at all, and that was an +inaudible communication to the three great sailors, whose hearing was +gone. Gloomily the latter watched his fingers stumble over their rude +translation of Every's last words.... + +"So there you are. Colonel Winchester's gone. Major Lyveden's too ill +to ever come back. Without the authority of one of these two, not +another penny can be spent on this estate. Obviously the work's got to +stop. I know you don't want wages, but you've got to live.... And +I've come, as Major Lyveden's friend, to tell you this before the Law +steps in--as it will--and does it more bluntly. + +"I know it's rough on you, and I'm devilish sorry, but it's got to be +faced.... And, as I say, I'm commissioned to offer you all your +passage to Canada and fifty pounds apiece to tide you over there till +you can get going. + +"You chaps think it over. + +"I'm staying at _The Rose_ at Girdle, and those who want to accept, +report to me there to-morrow morning at ten o'clock. Then I'll tell +you the details and fix everything up. Right." + +Leaning against the trunk of a fallen beech, Every watched his little +audience wade through the weathered fringe of bracken and turn on to +the rough brown road that dipped and curled into the heart of Gramarye. + +The droop of their shoulders, the heaviness of their steps, the silence +in which they went, trumpeted misery. Anything, however, was better +than the dull sightless stares with which the news that their work was +over had been received. Every, who was no coward, had been prepared +for suspicion, defiance, violence. Instead, his service of the warrant +had been accepted without a word. He had no shred of authority, but +not the slightest attempt had been made to call his bluff. It had +been, in fact, a painful walk-over. The seven labourers seemed to +expect a death-blow. When it fell, they met it with the apathy of +despair. Every felt as though he were sentencing a bunch of forest +ponies to the pits, and the dumb hopelessness of their demeanour +plucked at his young heart-strings.... + +For two or three minutes after the little group had passed out of sight +the young man stood motionless. Presently his eyes wandered from the +trail up a rude bank, all starred with primroses, through the dim +breathless magic of a pinewood on to a peering screen of new-born +leaves, pale-faced and trembling. After a moment's rest, they turned +southward to where the lean brown road went paving a deep corridor, +straight, silent, its black walls towering. Distance and gloom lent +these a grim symmetry, suggestive of duress; above, a grey ribbon of +sky issued a stony comfort, such as prisoners use.... With a shiver, +Every turned away his head. To the north the ground fell sharply, and +the cut of the road vouchsafed a glimpse of what it led to--woods, +woods, woods, swelling, rising, tumbling, bolstering one another up, +shouldering one another aside, some with their limbs still bare, others +laced with the pale pinafore of spring, all of them dense and +orderless, composite regiments of timber, where squire and skip-jack +stood back to back, and the whelps of both thrust and quarrelled for a +place in the bulging ranks. + +Every became suddenly conscious of a silence more tense and death-like +than he had ever dreamed of.... + +Then a wind breathed--miles away ... to the north. He could hear the +breath coming, a mere whimper among the tree-tops. The whimper became +a whine.... Reaching the pinewood, the note slid into a moan, that +rose slowly to a thin wail as the breath fled up the corridor with the +towering walls. The wail fell to a sigh.... + +With straining ears, the man waited for this to fade.... + +"Mopping up?" said a quiet voice. + +Every started violently and turned right about. + +Ten paces distant, within the shadow of the beechwood, was a big +upstanding grey, with ears pricked, vigilant. Square in the saddle sat +a girl, in a habit of dark blue cloth. So dim was the light that Every +could not distinguish her features, but he marked how the eyes burned +out of a pale face and noted the glint of copper beneath the hard felt +hat. + +"Mopping up?" she repeated quietly, but this time there was a silkiness +in the tone that put the man on his guard. + +"That's one way of puttin' it," he said lightly. "I'm sort of windin' +up the Company." + +"The Garden of Eden Limited," flashed the girl. "History repeats +itself." For a moment she hesitated. Then--"Where's Adam?" she said +carelessly. + +"Done a bunk," said Every, with no idea of what she meant. "Are you a +creditor?" + +Miss Strongi'th'arm regarded him. + +"Either," she said coldly, "you are a liar or else a fool." + +Every stared at her speechless.... After a moment the girl shrugged +her shoulders. Then a riding-boot flashed, and the grey sprang forward. + +As she pulled up beside him-- + +"By what authority do you dismiss these men?" + +Every looked up steadily into the angry eyes. Then he took off his hat. + +"Forgive me," he said quietly, "but by what authority do you ask?" + +For a second he thought she would strike him. The cold fury of the +pale peaked face, the haughty set of the lips, the blaze of the great +brown eyes, heralded violence.... + +Every never moved. + +With a sudden movement Andre turned her head to stare into the +distance. At length-- + +"I've lost all I had in this estate--this venture ... and a lot +that--that wasn't mine," she said slowly. "Is that good enough?" + +Before the weariness of her tone, Every's resentment went down with a +rush. + +"I'm most awfully sorry," he said gently. "I'd no idea of this. I +don't think any one has. Of course, if I'd known for a moment that you +were--er--interested, I shouldn't have dreamed of moving in the matter +without your consent." He hesitated. Then-- "But surely you can +recover something. I mean, the place can be sold, and I'm sure the +solicitors would see to it that you----" + +Andre gave a dry laugh. + +"I hardly think they'd allow my claim," she said shortly. + +Every swallowed before replying. + +"You could try," he said desperately. + +"Fool," said the girl contemptuously. "It's not a question of money. +It's a question of men." And with that she fell to whistling under her +breath. + +Every decided that she was mad. + +"I'm afraid I don't understand," he said stiffly. "What I'm doing, I'm +doing with the approval of Mr. Plowman, solicitor to Colonel +Winchester--he's the owner of this park: and, if you apply----" + +"Yes, I know that," said Andre quietly. "But for this park, I should +be Mrs. Winchester." + +The scales fell from Every's eyes. The picture of the giant, of whom +Plowman had told him, pacing a madman's cage, rose up before him, and a +great wave of pity for his companion swept into his heart. It occurred +to him suddenly that, but for the grace of God, Valerie French would +stand by this strange girl's side.... + +"Think you understand, don't you?" sneered Andre. She laughed shortly. +"You've got a lot to learn yet. First of all, my friend, this isn't a +park. It's a temple. The very place you're standing on is holy +ground. And those clowns you're sacking are priests--sworn to moil and +toil for Gramarye until she's sucked the brains out of their heads. +And you're spoiling her game ... I should go carefully, if I were you, +my friend. And if you get safe out of her to-day, I shouldn't come +back--_if you can help it_... I don't want to be rude, but she's +brought down bigger game than you--far bigger.... And they were her +_favourites_." + +"I'm not afraid," said Every. + +"Of course you aren't. If you were, you'd be safe. If Samson had +feared Delilah, he wouldn't have lost his eyes." She broke off and +shrugged her shoulders. Then--"And now, if you're satisfied with my +authority to question you, what's yours for dismissing these men?" + +"I have none," said Every. "But the chap who was here--Lyveden----" + +"Yes?" breathed Andre. + +"Well, he's too ill to----" + +With a moan, the girl dropped the reins, flung back her head, and +clapped her hands to her temples. + +"I knew it," she wailed, "I knew it! First Richard Winchester, and +then Anthony ... my darling ... Anthony Lyveden ..." + +Every stood spellbound. The tragedy had taken a new--a frightful turn. +Valerie--trustful, unsuspecting Valerie--was hideously involved. He +wondered if Lyveden delirious would babble of this strange girl. If he +did.... And when he recovered--what then? + +Hurriedly he reviewed the position. + +Under Dr. Heron's direction, Lyveden had been drugged here, at +Gramarye, and brought to Bell Hammer. The whole object of his removal +was to smash his infatuation for Gramarye, so that he might feel free +to worship Valerie. On their joint love the whole thing was founded. +Everything had been arranged on that basis. And now ... if Lyveden had +been consulted, perhaps he would not have come--not because of +Gramarye, but because of a girl--a girl with auburn hair.... + +"Where is he?" + +The words cut his reflections with a clean slash. + +"Who?" + +Andre Strongi'th'arm's eyes narrowed. + +"The high priest," she said. + +"D'you mean Major Lyveden?" + +"I do." + +Every paled. Whatever might be the other's standing, with him Valerie +came first. It might be rough on the girl, but that could not be +helped, and would eventually, he supposed, be mended. One thing was +plain. Not at any price must she go to Bell Hammer. + +"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to tell you." + +"Why?" + +"If you're thinking of visiting him, I assure you----" + +"I wish to know where Major Lyveden is." + +Every drew himself up. + +"I'm very sorry," he said, "but until I've seen those in charge of him, +and have their permission to tell you----" + +"I have a right to know." + +Every winced. Then he looked up boldly. + +"As Colonel Winchester's _fiancee_?" he said. + +Andre caught her breath. Then she bowed her head. + +"As a most miserable woman," she said brokenly. "Somewhere it says, +'From him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.' +... Well, it's as one of those outcasts ... one of those hopeless +double bankrupts----" + +"Stop!" cried Every, aghast. "Stop! I don't want to hear.... Listen. +I'll be at Girdle till Friday. That day I'll leave a note for you at +the inn, with Lyveden's address inside." + +He had, I suppose, some vague idea of getting to Hampshire before her. + +For a second the girl stared at him with knitted brows. Then-- + +"You appear," she said coldly, "to be not only a fool, but a poisonous +fool. After all, if you won't tell me, I suppose there are other +ways...." She picked up the reins. "And so you're a friend of Major +Lyveden's? To tell you the truth, I shouldn't have thought he'd have +had much use for you." + +With her words, the hunter moved forward.... Dazedly Every watched the +two pass at a walk into the gloomy corridor and dwindle slowly to a +mere blur of blue and grey under the shadow of the towering walls. At +last distance and dusk swallowed them, and he could see them no more. + +By the evening of the following Thursday the young man's work was gone, +and by ten o'clock on Friday morning his car had left Girdle and was +flying up Gallowstree Hill. + +Provision had been made for the men; the horses in the stables at +Gramarye had been disposed of. He had only come, with Valerie's +approval, out of sheer pity for helpless men and beasts. His +unexpected interview with Andre Strongi'th'arm worried him sorely. He +was convinced that between her and Anthony there had been a serious +affair. Himself devoted to Valerie, this made him furious; remembering +her devotion to Lyveden, it scared him. If, after all that had +happened, Valerie was to find, not only that her cake was dough, but +that it was not even her cake, but another's, Every verily believed the +shock would send her out of her mind. The mortification alone would be +enough to unhinge any woman.... + +The sight of Anthony's cottage at the edge of the park reminded him of +his proposal to recover his tobacco-pouch. He had laid it down on the +tree-trunk whilst he was addressing the men that memorable Monday +afternoon. + +Not daring, for fear of thieves, to leave the car upon the highway, he +drove her gently on to the wasted track. Even then he was not +comfortable, for she could be seen from the road. After a moment's +hesitation, he decided to risk it. He could not drive to the spot, for +from here, for a furlong or so, the road was in ribbons. They seemed +to have been hauling timber. The only thing to do was to be as quick +as he could and hope for the best. Going fast, he should be back again +in twenty minutes.... + +There had blown a gale in the night, and Every was not surprised to +find one of the tall dark pillars of the gigantic corridor fallen +across the lean brown road. It was his haste in surmounting this +obstacle that was responsible for the simple but painful fracture of +his left leg. The trunk was slippery, and he had jumped untimely to +save a fall. Two stout boughs had been waiting, and the rest was +easy.... + +Now, Peter Every was, as we know, no coward; but when, lying there, he +reflected that, thanks to his efforts, the estate was now deserted, he +became extremely uneasy. And presently, when he remembered Miss +Strongi'th'arm's words, he broke into a cold sweat. + +'If you get safe out of her to-day, I shouldn't come back--_if you can +help it_.' + + * * * * * + +"I'm told," said Anthony weakly, "that I'm at Bell Hammer." + +Lady Touchstone smiled and nodded. + +"That's right," she said gently. "And Valerie should be here to +welcome you, but she's asleep. So you must make shift with me." + +The truth was, Valerie French had broken down. The strain of waiting +and watching for the hour for which she longed, yet dreaded, had proved +too much. Only the day before she had fainted suddenly, and, honestly +glad of an excuse, the local doctor had ordered her to bed forthwith. +Valerie had obeyed dumbly. She knew that she had come to the end of +her tether, and so to that of her wit; and since, to deal at all +hopefully with Anthony's return to consciousness, her understanding +must be on tiptoe, she knew that she was better away. If the change +was to come before she was fit for duty, it could not be helped. In +her present condition she was, she felt, worse than useless. + +Two hours later Anthony had tried to sit up, failed, looked dazedly +about him, and when the fresh-faced nurse stole to his side, asked +first for some water and then, shakily, to be told where he was. He +had promised, in return for the answer, to ask no more questions, but +to go quietly to sleep. This promise he had immediately broken by +asking anxiously for news of his dog. Learning that Patch was below, +and well and happy, he had spoken no more. After eighteen hours he had +awaked, greatly refreshed, to find himself the cynosure of three pairs +of eyes. These were all kindly and full of cheer. Two pairs were +contributed respectively by the nurse and Lady Touchstone, while the +third was set in the face of an overgrown cherub, who smelt agreeably +of Harris tweed and was gently furbishing his _pince-nez_ with an +enormous handkerchief. + +"This," continued Lady Touchstone, "is Dr. Gilpin." The cherub grinned +reassuringly. "He's extremely pleased with you, and, when you're +better, I think you'll return the compliment." + +"I've been ill," said the patient stupidly. + +The cherub nodded. + +"Gave us quite a turn once or twice," he said, smiling. "But you're +all right now. And if you'll promise to obey orders, I'll have you out +of bed in a fortnight." + +Anthony's face fell. Then-- + +"I'm in your hands, sir," he said. "And I'm very, very grateful for +all you've done." His eyes turned to Lady Touchstone. "And you. I +don't understand anything yet," he added plaintively. + +"Good," said the doctor. "Now we know where we are." He took out his +watch. "If you would like it, you and your hostess can have a little +chat--for ten minutes only--just to clear matters up. Then Nurse Ford +will take over." + +"Please," said Anthony. + +A moment later the two were alone. + +"I don't know how I come to be here," said the patient slowly, "but I'm +afraid it must have been a terrible inconvenience and--and expense. +You know I've no money." + +Subduing an inclination to burst into tears-- + +"On the contrary," said Lady Touchstone, "you're quite respectably off. +Since you've been ill, you've come into money--more than enough to pay +for everything. So don't let that worry you." + +She felt that it was not the moment to tell him that he was virtually a +millionaire. + +For a moment the man did not speak. Then-- + +"How did I get here?" he said. + +"You may well ask," was the reply. "If I hadn't seen it with my own +eyes, I wouldn't have believed it possible for George Alison to lift a +man of your inches and carry him single-handed right from the front +door. I know he rowed for Cambridge, but, all the same, it was the act +of a fool. And I told him so. Of course, he only grinned. You know +that inane, irresistible grin of his when he's done something he knows +is----" + +"George Alison?" said Anthony. "George Alison? How on earth----" He +stopped short and started up on an elbow. "What month is it?" + +"April," said Lady Touchstone. "And now lie down again, there's a dear +boy.... And why shouldn't Alison have----" + +"But if it's April---- _Good God!_" he cried hoarsely, raising a +trembling hand. "_D'you mean to say I've lain here in this house for +six months?_" + +The woman's heart leaped into her mouth. + +"And why not?" she said quietly. "I know a case of a man who lay +unconscious for over two years--the result of a fall hunting. And when +he came to----" + +She stopped to peer at the patient. + +Then she rang for the nurse---instantly. + +Anthony had fainted. + + * * * * * + +Thus fell that formidable position upon whose delicate reduction all +the science of physic, the love of women, the wisdom of friends, had +been feverishly concentrated by day and night for nearly three weeks. + +Chance and a woman's instinct had done the trick. As by a miracle the +hopeless had come to pass. The helm had been put hard over, and the +craft had answered as sweetly as any swish-tailed circus nag. Gramarye +and all her works, if not forgotten, had in the twinkling of an eye +become the fabric of a dream--mere relics of a fantastic age for a sane +mind to marvel at. + +For two or three days after the momentous interview Anthony said very +little. When he had again seen Lady Touchstone, and the two--blind +leading the blind--had satisfactorily fixed the very date of his +collapse, George Alison was sent for. Carefully schooled, the latter +spent a fruitful five minutes by the sick man's side. Upon the third +day came Valerie.... + +The girl was exalted. Gratitude had set the crown upon the glory of +her array. No one had ever seen her look so beautiful. Out of the +furnace the fine gold had come refined, dazzling. + +My gross pen cannot picture her. + +The dark lustre of her hair, the exquisite curve of her lips, her pride +of carriage, were things for sonnets. Her small firm hands, the white +column of her neck, the colour springing in her cheeks, made three +sweet wonders. The style of her was superb. Tall, straight, +clean-limbed, her figure remembered graces of a younger age. The +simple flowered-silk dress looked as though all who put it on must go +in elegance. Silk and satin covered her precious feet. A nosegay of +violets, brooched to her gown, echoed the hue, but not the magic of her +eyes. Had the poor flowers been blowing still upon their mother bank, +all wet with dew, and had a star stooped to prove how sweet they +smelled, then, sirs, they should have rendered more faithfully my +lady's eyes. + +Anthony had wondered when she would come.... + +A breath of perfume, a swift whisper, the rustle of silk--and there was +Valerie by his side. + +"Oh, Valerie!" + +Miss French fell upon her knees. + +Very gently Lyveden put her hand to his lips. Then he turned away his +head and began to cry. + +With a bursting heart, Valerie almost gathered him in her arms. + +"D'you love me, Anthony?" + +By way of answer he just clung to her. At length-- + +"I'm--I'm sorry, my sweet.... It's--I think it's just because ... I +love you so much." With an effort he mastered his lips. "And I'm so +very sorry, dear, I kissed you like that--the day I went down. I +dreamed about it. I dreamed you came to me, and I apologized." With +her heart in her mouth, Valerie smoothed his brow. "And you were--so +very sweet. You said"--he hesitated--"you spoke so very handsomely." + +"I'm so glad, darling." + +"And, oh, Valerie,"--he was himself again now--"I've had such a +wonderful dream. I've been waiting for you, my darling, before I spoke +of it." + +"What did you dream, lad?" + +"I dreamed that I'd left the Bumbles--I had given notice, you know--and +gone, in answer to an advertisement, to a place in the Cotswolds. It's +all so real, so vivid, that it's almost impossible to appreciate that +it's all a dream. I can remember every detail of the journey--I had +Patch with me--down to the faces of my fellow-passengers. A woman with +a baby got out at Oxford and left a parcel behind. And I ran after her +with it. I can see her scared face now, poor soul, when I touched her +on the shoulder...." + +The story of the last four months came pelting. Anthony fairly opened +his heart. At first, listening to the bare truth told with the +confident naivete of disbelief, Valerie felt as though she were +cheating the blind. After a little, this sense of shabbiness was +suddenly supplanted by a perfect torment of apprehension lest Anthony +should detect her hypocrisy. Presently, before her breathless interest +in the narrative, the girl's uneasiness slipped unremarked away, and, +when the door opened and the gentle nurse appeared to part them, she +was following the ingenuous recital with unaffected eagerness. + +Valerie nodded her acquiescence in the unspoken order, and the nurse +withdrew. As the former rose to her feet-- + +"Ah, must you go, my lady?" + +"Till this evening, dear lad." + +Anthony sighed fretfully. + +"And I've wasted all our precious time with my old dream. I've hardly +spoken of you, and there's so much I want to know." + +"We've plenty of time, darling. Think of it. Once we never knew +when--if, even, we should ever see one another again. Now ... Oh, +Anthony, we're very rich." + +"I am," said Anthony, smiling. "And when you say you are--why, then I +feel like a king." + +Valerie flung up her head. An instant, and she was singing.... + + "_If I were a queen, + What would I do? + I'd make you a king + And I'd wait upon you-- + If I were a queen._" + + +Never melody knew such tenderness. Poor Anthony could not trust +himself to speak.... + +Valerie stooped and laid a soft cheek against his. Then she pressed +his hand to her lips. + +The next moment she was gone. + + * * * * * + +When Sir Willoughby Sperm learned of his patient's progress, he struck +the words "Major Lyveden" out of his diary. The action cost him +exactly one hundred guineas, and the secretary by his side bit her lip. +To keep that Saturday free for his visit to Hampshire, she had refused +nine appointments. But, if he was a bad business man, Sperm was a good +doctor. Anthony was out of the wood. Very well. Considering the +nature of the peril with which the wood had been quick, the less the +fugitive saw of strange doctors, the better for him. To insist upon +the gravity of his late disorder was most undesirable. Besides, if at +this juncture a specialist's visit to Bell Hammer could serve any +useful purpose, Heron was the man to pay it. It was he who had walked +and talked with Lyveden when the latter's brain had been sick. So he +alone of the doctors could compare Philip drunk with Philip sober. +Happily no such comparison was necessary. Had it been vital, it could +not have been made. For the patient to renew the acquaintance of the +artist he had met at Gramarye--and that in the person of a +distinguished brain specialist--would hardly have conduced to his +health of mind. Indeed, from the moment that Anthony had reached Bell +Hammer in safety, so far as the inmates of that house were concerned, +the very name of Dr. Heron was, by his own advice, religiously +forgotten as though the man had never been. It was natural, however, +that one who had done so much to arrest the disorder should care to +hear how Anthony was faring. By a mutual arrangement the cherubic Dr. +Gilpin wrote to the former faithfully three times a week. + +Similar, though less frequent, reports were regularly rendered to Mr. +Justice Molehill. + +One of these latter I will set out, for it was a wise man that wrote +it, and the matter is to the point. I would, sirs, that I could show +you the handwriting, so fine and easy to read. + + + _Bell Hammer, + nr. Brooch, + Hants. + April 11th, 1921._ + +_DEAR SIR GILES,_ + +_Major Lyveden continues mercifully to make good progress._ + +_I saw him myself yesterday for the first time, and must make haste to +confess that I am overjoyed. When I say this, you will understand that +he is not only the stranger whom we are helping to the acquisition of a +great fortune, but the man whom my niece is delighting to honour. +Lyveden is a man of great personal charm and fine character, and I am +sure that he will administer his heritage wisely and faithfully, and +that he will make Valerie a proud and happy woman. I am glad to say, +too, that your memory of his appearance is as true as your judgment. +In short, he is a splendid specimen of manhood._ + +_There is, of course, no doubt at all that he is our man, i.e. the only +nephew of the late Jonathan Roach. Boldly advancing out of my +province, I begged leave to ask him a question or two, to which the +most exacting of opponents could not in decency have objected. His +replies made me ashamed of the doubts which I never--even +officially--harboured._ + +_Of the nature of his brain trouble and of his escape I have already +told you. Enough that that wondrous bridge which an Omnipotent +Providence threw across the river, while we stood gaping upon the other +bank, stands fixed as any rock. As often as he will revisit Gramarye, +the patient treads it with a firm, confident step. I do not +matter--besides, I must soon return to Rome--but, by my advice, Valerie +and those who are and are to be about him are schooling themselves to +use this same strange bridge. Future safety, I contend, lies in making +it a thoroughfare. So only approached, Gramarye will indeed become +'such stuff as dreams are made on,' and the four months he spent there +be 'rounded with a sleep,' for ever._ + +_I have told Major Lyveden the story of the lost will, and of your +close interest, to which alone he owes his fortune. His great desire +is to thank you personally. My own remissness he forgave in +undeservedly generous terms._ + +_I expect to leave for Italy early next week, and while I shall write +again before that, I shall hope, if you are then in London, to visit +you on my way._ + + _Believe me, + Yours very truly, + JOHN FOREST._ + + +The prelate was not the man to exaggerate. Anthony's recovery went on +amain. His state of independence had, as we know, been broached by +Lady Touchstone: it was becoming that the true extent of his fortune +should be disclosed by Monseigneur Forest himself. + +The sick man received the news with some emotion. + +He felt as though suddenly a wand had been set in his hand--a wand +beneath whose careless touch the shifting flux of wishes must set and +crystallize. For more than eighteen months he had "thought in +pennies." Henceforth it would be unnecessary to think at all. The +spectre of Ways and Means was laid for ever. Often, when his purse had +been lightest--when he had been forced to eat sparingly of the cheapest +food--he had been used to remember an old fragment of Virgil that he +had learned as a boy. _Forsan et haec olim meminisse iuvabit_. Times +without number he had been glad of the tag. And now it had served its +turn.... Looking back upon his penury, he could not wish that he had +been spared those lean, ill-favoured days. And when, because of these, +Monseigneur Forest reviled himself, Lyveden refused to listen, +declaring that the experience had been invaluable, and must surely +stand the camel in good stead when the time came for him to negotiate +the needle's eye. For a prelate to withstand such a contention was +more than difficult.... Yet if the patient spoke to the point, it was +by accident. His thoughts were elsewhere. Childishly excited, he was +wanting to use his wand. Ridiculously enough, his romping brain could +not furnish a wish to be converted.... Suddenly an idea came to him. +His dog, his little faithful dog, had gone in need of a collar for over +nine months.... + +Patch! + +Mercifully the terrier was dumb. Otherwise the prelate's "Bridge of +Providence" must have returned unto the air whence it came. As it was, +the dog was brought to the sick-room twice every day. The tenderness +with which he treated Anthony was wonderful to see. Naturally +boisterous, the efforts with which he mastered the frenzy these +interviews provoked, were manifest. He knew that Lyveden had been +dangerously ill. He knew that he was mending. The twofold +consideration set the flame of his devotion flaring. Yet, when he +visited his master, the jet must be reduced to a pilot.... The marvel +is the dog did not burst. Instead, placed within reach, he would set a +quivering foot upon the bed and lick the caressing hand with a touch +that would not have broken a bubble. Presently, whimpering with +excitement, he would post about the chamber, seeking an object to +present to his lord. Of such, the choice which the room afforded was +straitly limited, and when for the second time he had selected one of +the knobs of a chest of drawers, endeavouring to detach this by dint of +biting it off, the fresh-faced nurse was advised of his intention, and +a log of wood was procured to be kept in a corner. Thereafter twice a +day the billet was brought reverently to the-bedside. + +Poor Patch! It was the best his dull wit could devise. + +Oh, Patch, could you but see how idle and clumsy is your act, you would +hang your small head. Could you perceive the vanity of repetition, +your bright brown eyes would fill with tears. Could you be told whence +comes the gift which you give Anthony, your little tail would be +clapped between your legs.... Yet have I heard tell of a ram caught in +a thicket by his horns; of altar steps worn thin by the observance of +the same offices; of spikenard that might have been sold and given to +the poor.... + +Sirs, this poor scrap of a dog errs in good company. + +The April days slipped by, smiling, or shrill, or tearful, as the mood +took them. + +A letter which Valerie had received from Peter Every, written and +posted at Girdle upon the last day of March, had set her mind at rest +about Anthony's stewardship of Gramarye. Apart from the action of the +Law, that book had been closed as gently and firmly as mortal man could +close it. By the removal of the steward, neither men nor beasts +engaged there had been left one penny the worse. The former, indeed, +were well out of a bad business. Incidentally, they would very soon be +well out of Anthony's way. Never had money been so advantageously +spent. Valerie had written to Every a letter of heartfelt thanks. + +By the courtesy of the Bumbles, their chauffeur came to Bell Hammer two +or three times a week. He did not always see his late colleague, but +Alison was no fool, and points were constantly arising upon which +Valerie was glad of his advice. It was he who went through Anthony's +wardrobe with the utmost care, saying which of the garments he had seen +before and which had been acquired since their owner's departure from +Hawthorne. The latter were carefully destroyed. Lyveden's few +personal effects were subjected to a similar scrutiny and partial +destruction. Nothing was left to chance. If George was uncertain, +Betty and Anne were sent for. If no one could be sure, whatever it +was, the article in question went to the furnace. Never was the +high-road of convalescence more faithfully reconnoitred. + +Less actively, Lady Touchstone and Forest contributed according to +their means. These were substantial. The electric personality of the +one, the gentle charm of the other, were better than physic. The one +stimulated; the other composed. A twinkling hour of Lady Touchstone's +company was like a glass of champagne. A talk with the Monseigneur +rivalled the quality of old Madeira. Wisely administered, the wine +built up the wasted tissues of the mind. The latter's digestion being +sound, Lyveden throve upon the diet. His brain put on weight daily. + +So far as his body was concerned, no one had any anxiety at all. +Anthony's fine constitution and the open-air life which he had led at +Gramarye stood him in splendid stead. So much so, that when, upon St. +George's Day, Patch came trotting with a red rose in his mouth, he +found the bed empty and his master sitting cheerfully upon a sofa +before the fuss and worry of a bright wood fire. It was clear that a +new era had begun. Patch dropped the rose and fairly hurled himself at +a small log lying conveniently in a corner beside an old _prie-Dieu_. + + * * * * * + +A mischievous look came into Valerie's eyes. + +"You haven't heard a word," she said, bubbling, "of what I've been +saying. You know you haven't." + +Anthony laughed guiltily. + +"Yes, I have," he protested. "You were saying you'd half a mind to +give up having hydrangeas and--and--er--not have them at all," he +concluded lamely. + +Valerie uttered a little crow of triumph. + +"Scandalous," she said. "Simply scandalous. It's no good pretending. +I know perfectly well what you were thinking about. You were thinking +of Gramarye. That old dream of yours ..." + +Mark, sirs, how the mighty may fall and how familiarity may breed +contempt. Gramarye had lost her sting. Spoiled of her puissance, she +had sunk to the level of "Boney"--fare for the ears of children, food +for a jest. + +"No, I wasn't," said Anthony, smiling. "At least, not directly. I was +thinking of an argument the Monseigneur put up about my dream." + +"What did he say?" + +"Well, his contention was this. You know, if, for instance, a bell +rings when you're asleep and dreaming, as likely as not the noise is +introduced--not necessarily in the same form--into your dream, isn't +it? Very well. That shows the senses are working. The message +arrives distorted, but it arrives. Well, he said that in his opinion +practically everything that came to pass in my dream was originally +suggested by some outside influence. Water being poured into a basin +suggests a brook. A sewing-machine becomes a train. The hiss of a +burning log escaping steam. So much for the ears. Now for the eyes. +A maid helps the nurse to move a sofa--I see timber being hauled. The +doctor shakes his thermometer, and there's Winchester wielding an +axe.... It's a pretty theory, and the more you study it, the sounder +it seems." He crossed his legs and started to fill a pipe. "All the +same, I must have a fertile imagination. I think I always had. As a +child I was left alone a great deal, and I fancy that helped." + +It was a lazy Sunday morning--the fourth in the month of May. John +Forest had been gone a month, and Lady Touchstone was properly at +church. Greenwich would have told you that it was ten o'clock, and the +gorgeous tapestry of Summer was still wrought with the brilliant +embroidery of a heavy dew. Lawns, flower-borders, and stiff box +charactery sparkled and shone in the hot sunshine. The sky was +cloudless: a haze kept to itself the distant promise of the park: there +was no wind. The sleepy hum of insects, a rare contented melody, +tilted the hat of Silence over that watchman's eyes. The wandering +scent of hawthorns offered the faultless day a precious button-hole. + +Sitting easily among the cushions of a teak-wood chair, Anthony let his +eyes ramble luxuriously over the prospect. In a _chaise longue_ by his +side Valerie was engaged in the desultory composition of a letter to +her uncle in Rome. Stretched blinking upon the warm flags, Patch +watched the two vigilantly for any sign of movement. + +"Did I ever have a red-haired nurse?" said Anthony suddenly. + +Valerie shook her head. + +"No," she said. "You had the same two all the time. Why?" + +"I dreamed of a red-haired girl." Valerie sat very still. "Andre, her +name was. I met her first in the road... I remember she knew me. +She'd been hunting and looked like a Bacchanal. She turned up again +later on--one night. I was just going to bed." He frowned at the +recollection. "I wonder I didn't chatter about that. I was worried to +blazes...." + +"That--that's the worst of dreams," said Valerie slowly. "You're +impotent." + +With a shock she realized that she had written ANDRE in capitals in the +middle of her letter, and, below it again, BACCHANAL. Casually she +scratched out the words till her pen ploughed up the sodden paper. + +"It's a wretched feeling," said Anthony. "I dreamt she--cared for me. +And I--I never got there. She had to tell me right out.... Oh, +Valerie, it was awful." + +Miss French felt as though her heart had stopped beating. She could +have screamed to Anthony to go on. Instead-- + +"Poor old chap," she said gently. + +She had her reward. + +"When she saw there was nothing doing, she went.... And then +Winchester appeared with Patch, as I was putting her into her car. I +remember he called her 'Andre'--that's how I knew her name.... And +then he cursed me, because she was his _fiancee_, and she fairly tore +him up. Then she chucked down his ring and drove off. There must have +been a car leaving Bell Hammer just then. I can hear her changing the +gears now." He passed a hand over his eyes. "I can't remember any +more, except that Winchester was shouting...." + +For a long moment the two sat very still. Then Valerie scrambled to +her feet and put her head on one side. Her eyes were just dancing. + +"You and your red-haired sirens," she said reproachfully. "And now +come along, and I'll pick you a buttonhole." + +The cloud poor Peter Every had found so menacing had discharged rain of +pure gold. Love had emerged from the shower, refreshed, glistening. +The two could not know that, while they passed down the steps into the +sunlit flower-garden, a girl with auburn hair was pushing a frantic +three-year-old through the Scotch mist of Donegal, and wondering at +every bank whether she would have the good fortune to break her neck. + +Still, though their rain be golden, clouds beget shadows. If Lyveden +responded to Valerie's invitation, he did not rise to her mood. The +throwback to Gramarye had set him thinking.... + +"Valerie," he said slowly, knitting his brows. + +The girl had been upon the point of stopping to pick a rose. His +serious tone, however, made her look up. The bloom was spared. + +"Yes." + +"When I went down--in November--there was something wrong. I mean, we +were at variance." + +With difficulty the girl repressed a shiver. + +For a while she had hourly dreaded an allusion to the grim episode. +Then, when the weeks went by and none was made, she began, at first +feebly, to hope that it was buried. Gradually the hope had swelled +into belief. Lately she had made sure that upon the first day, when +Anthony had wept in her arms, he and she had been treading upon its +grave. And now here it was--like a river full in their path, a +swift-flowing treacherous stream which they must ford together. She +would have given anything for a moment to collect her thoughts, but +Anthony had started across. Already he was up to his knees.... + +To be frank, she was in a tight place. The issues she had to deal with +were clogged. Her treatment of them was to be governed by ruthless +premises. Finally, if she made a false step, her fortunes and those of +Anthony would be again in the melting-pot. + +For an instant her brain zig-zagged. The next moment she had it in +hand. + +"Yes," she said slowly, "we were. I hoped you'd forgotten. You see, +I'm very much ashamed. And, when my eyes were opened, I was just +terrified. I felt as if I'd committed murder." + +As she spoke, her brain fairly flashed through the rules which must +govern this talk. + +Everything hinged upon one mighty postulate--that _Anthony had +collapsed precisely at one-fifteen upon the 16th of November_. He had, +of course, done nothing of the sort. But that did not matter. + +_From that hour, for four months and a half, he had lain in a trance_. +This was the second article, which except Anthony believed, he could +not be saved. + +Anthony's memory, however, was a faithful servant--not to be tampered +with. To reconcile the servant's report with the articles of his +faith, a third tenet became essential. This was that _what Anthony +remembered was the burthen of a dream_. + +There go the governing principles. + +Now for the issues. + +Her sudden--perhaps excusable--jealousy of Anne Alison, her barbarous +dismissal of Anthony, her quite inexcusable failure to give any reason +for such treatment, her subsequent enlightenment by Anne herself--there +is the skeleton whose dry bones he and she are to pick over--a gruesome +business _which has already been dispatched_ ... upon the twentieth day +of February, gentlemen, up in the Cotswold Hills. They both remember +it perfectly. Yet Valerie must forget it, while Anthony must think it +was a dream ... _must_.... + +Neither by word nor look must Valerie suggest that the highly delicate +ground she knows so well has ever been broken before. + +Think, sirs, what a slip on her part will do. + +It will plainly knock the three precious articles aforementioned into a +cocked hat. Thence they will be retrieved to be turned against +her--used to her condemnation by Anthony frantic. As for their love, +the fragments of this that remain will not be worth taking up.... + +Anthony passed a hand across his forehead. + +"Shall I tell you what I dreamed?" + +"Yes," said Valerie. + +"I dreamed that you came to me to make it up. And I was afraid. I +tried to keep off the subject. I'd come such an awful cropper that I +didn't want any more falls. But you would have it out.... And you +said--don't laugh--that you'd turned me down because of Anne Alison." +He stopped still and looked at her. "What was the real reason?" + +Leaning her back against a green box wall, Valerie moistened her lips. +Then-- + +"It's perfectly true," she said quietly. + +Anthony stared. + +"What's true?" + +"Listen. You remember the meet at Saddle Tree Cross?" + +"Yes." + +"When we spoke of my 'window,' and you said the spot meant so much to +you that you couldn't keep away?" + +Anthony nodded. + +"D'you remember I said I was going away the next day?" + +"Perfectly." + +"It fell through, and I didn't go. There wasn't time to tell you, so I +went--to the 'window.'" Anthony started. "That's right. I found you +there with Anne Alison." + +"But, Valerie----" + +"I know, I know. Anne told me, after you'd gone--_down_." The slip +she had so nearly made set the girl sweating--literally. "I was mad, +Anthony, mad," she panted. "I couldn't think straight. I nearly +jumped over the cliff. I think the shock sent me blind. I'd always +grudged her being so much with you. I want you to know the truth. She +was always at the back of my mind. And when I saw you together--there, +at our window----" She buried her face in her hands. "I know it was +vile of me, dear. You see what I'm like. And if, now that you know, +you'd like to go to an hotel..." + +"But, Valerie, why didn't you give me a chance?" + +"I was mad," she wailed, "mad. I loved you so wildly, Anthony, that I +was stunned. And, in spite of it all, I loved you just as much. And +that made me so furious, I could have torn my hair. I wanted to hurt +you cruelly, and when I did, I bruised my own heart." + +"But why----" + +"I was too proud. You'd dared to touch my pride"--she laughed +hysterically--"my precious, sacred pride--my Ark of the Covenant. +D'you remember how Uzzah died because he touched the Ark? Well, you +had to die.... And now"--she spread out her arms pathetically--"it's +the pride that's dead, Anthony. Dead ... dried up ... shrivelled.... +And I know what I'm worth." + +She stopped. + +Out of the neighbouring silence floated the comfortable note of a +wood-pigeon. Clear of the shadow of the green box wall two butterflies +flitted and whirled in the hot sunshine, while a fat bumble-bee hummed +with excitement before the promise of a tall blue flag. + +With his face in his hands, Anthony never moved. + +"And that's all I've got to say. When I found I was wrong--well, I +didn't know there was such agony in this world.... I deserved it, I +know. Don't think I'm complaining. I deserve anything. But ... if +tears count, then I've paid--some of the score...." + +The man's hands were quivering. + +Looking upon him, Valerie could see that he was gazing between his +fingers. + +"I'm afraid to speak," he said uncertainly. His voice was trembling +with excitement. "I'm afraid to go on. Don't think I haven't forgiven +you. I have, Valerie. I did--oh, ages ago. But ... we're skating on +terribly thin ice--terribly thin. We must go frightfully carefully, +Valerie. You've no idea how carefully." The girl stared at him. This +was uncanny--as if he could read her thoughts. He went on +breathlessly. "My dream, dear. This is what happened in my dream.... +You reproached yourself in just the same handsome way. You used the +same phrases." Valerie started. "And then--after all--_something went +wrong_.... What it was, I don't know. I can't remember. And that's +the trouble. I can't remember what happened. But it's been the same +so far, and then--something went wrong...." + +Valerie stood paralyzed. If Anthony was afraid to continue, she was +terrified. + +With an ungracious buzz the fat bee emerged clumsily from the tall blue +flag and sailed noisily out of earshot. The sudden snap of jaws +suggested that Patch, who was waiting patiently for the walk to +proceed, forgave the flies no trespasses. + +"You can't understand, dear. But you must take my word for it. I've +trodden this way before. And presently--very soon now--there's a +snare--a hole in the road. And if we go in, Valerie, it's--it's all +up. I know it. It happened in my dream.... And I'm afraid to go on." + +The tremulous misery of his tone wrung the girl's heart. + +Instinctively she stretched out a hand. + +Anthony recoiled with a cry. + +"Don't! Don't touch me! I remember. You took my arm." Head back, he +clawed at his temples. "That's right. And we started to walk. We had +been standing. We started to walk back towards the cottage. And I +felt absurdly happy--all of a sudden.... That was just before the end. +And then---- Oh, if I could _only_ remember...." + +The agony of desire in his tone seared Valerie's brain into action. +With a shock she realized that there she was standing like a dolt, +_quietly watching Lyveden cudgelling his brains for the password back +to Insanity_. Any second he might stumble upon it. For once, +mercifully, his memory was sluggish--would not respond. And there he +was flogging it, to extract that hideous fatal delusion that he was +pledged to Gramarye.... + +Frantically she sought for a distraction. Her brain, however, was +away, with the bit in its teeth. She could do nothing with it. The +only thing she could think of was that dreadful pass, which Anthony was +straining every nerve to recall. This rose up vivid. His reference to +the kiss he had given her--her soft reply--the way he had taken her in +his arms--then that mischievous breeze that had come whispering out of +the silence, remindful, suggestive--the start he had given at its +touch--the hoarse cry--the terrible light in his eyes.... + +Anthony gave a great shout. + +"_I_ know," he panted jubilantly. "_I_ know.... It's coming back, +darling, it's coming back--bit by bit. Then I spoke of that kiss. I +said how sorry I was and asked your forgiveness. And you said----" He +stopped suddenly and clapped a hand over his mouth. After a moment, +"'Sh," he said shakily. "I mustn't repeat your words. That'd be +moving. And we mustn't move, Valerie. We're just at the edge of the +pit. We mustn't move an inch till I can see where it is. Don't be +frightened, dear. It's all right. All our happiness depends upon my +remembering, and--it's coming back...." + +His voice faded, and in an instant he was deep in thought. + +Eyes narrowed, his under-lip caught between his teeth, he stared +fixedly ahead, making a supreme effort--plainly. + +Valerie stood spellbound. + +A pompous hum argued that the fat bee had decided to revisit the +vicinity. + +Far in the distance there was a movement--leaves shaken with the wind. +A breeze was passing. The timber of the park murmured the news +faintly.... With a sigh the tall elms of the avenue confirmed the +park's report. A breeze was passing ... coming ... _a little +mischievous breeze_.... + +For one long moment Valerie's heart stood still. + +Then she threw back her head and began to sing. + + "_Where the bee sucks, there suck I; + In a cowslip's bell I lie...._" + + +Anthony stared at her open-mouthed. Her throat felt as though it had +steel bands about it. She just smiled and sang on. + + "_There I couch when owls do cry, + When owls do cry, + When owls do cry...._" + + +The leaves of the lime-trees beyond the green box wall were +trembling--she could see them--beginning to bob up and down. The +boughs themselves were beginning to sway elastically. Valerie sang +like a book. + + "_On a bat's back do I fly, + After sunset, merrily, merrily, + After sunset merrily...._" + + +The lime-trees had stopped trembling. The breeze had passed.... An +exultant note swept into the melody. + + "_Merrily, merrily, shall I live now, + Under the blossom that hangs on the bough-- + Merrily, merrily, shall I live now, + Under the blossom that hangs on the bough-- + Under the blossom that hangs on the bough._" + + +With a fine, happy smile, Lyveden heard the song out. + +Then he stepped to my lady and caught her two hands. + +"Exquisite," he said, glowing. "Exquisite, Valerie. I never knew you +had such a lovely voice." + +As he spoke, the girl's knees sagged, and he was just in time to catch +her before she fell.... + +Her collapse was momentary. She was not, I suppose, unconscious for +more than five seconds. It was, indeed, at her bidding that Anthony +set her down upon a low stone seat. + +It was natural that he should be greatly concerned. + +"Oh, my sweet, it was my fault. I frightened you. I know I did. Lean +your head back. That's right. I was all worked up about that rotten +dream. I'll never mention it again. I'm so very sorry, dear. I +wouldn't have upset you for anything. And you sang so beautifully.... +Why did you sing, Valerie?" + +"I--I don't know. I heard a bee humming, and that made me think of the +song. It was very silly." + +"It was very sweet, lass. And I just loved it. And, oh, my lady, +please never think of our misunderstanding again. I felt I wanted just +to know, but that was all. D'you feel better now?" Valerie nodded. +"Are you sure?" + +"Quite." + +"Shall I get you some water?" + +"No, thanks, lad. I'm all right now." + +Kneeling on one knee beside her, Anthony patted her hand. + +"I'm so thankful.... I can't get over your singing like that ... I +felt--carried away. I shall remember it always." He sighed happily. +"I've got so many happy memories to take away." + +Valerie sat up straight. + +"To take away?" she breathed. + +"My dear, I've been here nearly six months already. It's only with an +effort that I can remember that I'm your guest. I don't want to go. +Drifting along like this is simply perfect, but ... there's such a lot +to be done ... heaps." + +"There's plenty of time." + +"I know, but--well, look at my clothes, for one thing. I'm not fit to +be seen." + +The girl breathed again. Then-- + +"Oh, yes, you are, old chap. Fitter than you think. Besides, you +don't have to stay in London because you're going to a tailor." + +"I know," said Anthony slowly. "I know. But it isn't only that. You +see, my lady, when I came here to your house, it was as a footman.... +And I think I'd better leave it as--well, no more than a friend. +That's a big enough step, in all conscience. After a little--a very +little--I shall come, again, Valerie...." + +His fingers closed about hers. + +"You never came here as a footman," said the girl. "You came as my +beloved. You went out of the garden of _The Leather Bottel_ that very +first day--my lord. What does it matter what else you were--are--will +be? Oh, Anthony, you dear, honourable child...." + +With his disengaged hand Lyveden covered his eyes. + +"I meant to be so strong," he said humbly. "God forgive me, I'm very +weak. You see--I love you so." His head bowed, he took hold of her +other hand. "My lady, my beautiful lady, will you marry this lover of +yours--this irresolute child?" + +"Yes," said Valerie, "I will." + +Anthony fell upon both knees. + +"I worship you," he said simply. "Ever since that first day at the +inn, you've had my heart in your hands. Sleeping, waking, your voice +has rung in my ears; and my eyes have seen you in the background--a +tall dark girl, with the air of a queen ... always ... always.... +You've lighted pantries, you've honoured servants' halls, you've turned +a third-class carriage into a bower.... And, when I came to know you, +the face of the earth was changed. I didn't know there was such a +being in all the world. I don't think you ever were born: I think you +stepped out of a fairy tale some midsummer eve." He stopped to lay his +head reverently upon the blue silk knees. "And you--are--to be--my +wife.... In a few short weeks' time you're going to take my +name--stand all in white by my side--put off your glorious girlhood for +the last time, and go away--to live with me--for ever...." The cool +firm fingers laid hold of his. "Wherever I am, your footfalls will be +about me, your perfume will be in the air, your smile will gladden my +eyes.... Oh, Valerie, my love, my darling, my queen--you've made me a +king...." + +Slowly Valerie led the strong rough palms up to her throat. + +"If I've made you a king, lad," she breathed, "you mustn't kneel to me." + +Getting upon his feet, Anthony pressed his lips to the slight fingers. + +Valerie rose also. + +"If I've made you a king, lad, you mustn't kiss my hand." + +Anthony took her in his arms and looked into her eyes. + +"I was wrong," he said, smiling. "You didn't step out of your fairy +tale. You never left it. You've just invited me in." + +Valerie put up her mouth. + + * * * * * + +Nineteen days had slipped by--careless, halcyon days, the matchless +morning of a golden festival. + +Jack and Jill were beyond imagination happy. + +Lyveden had been prevailed upon to stay in Hampshire, and when he must +visit London, to return the same night. I am not certain that these +days were not the best of all. Valerie saw him off in the morning: the +two had all day to think upon their state; his home-coming at even +delivered a perfect reverie. + +The last of these flying visits must be recorded, for it was unlike its +fellows, and, though I cannot answer for Lyveden, Valerie will remember +it always. + +There is no doubt at all that Anthony was growing quite accustomed to +the liberal atmosphere of Lincoln's Inn Fields. As he bent his steps +westward, he found the huge square admirable. For comfortable dignity, +no other square he could remember compared with it. This, he decided, +was because its sides were not too high for its area. London, as a +whole, had grown up. Had she grown outward instead, perhaps... He +remembered suddenly that she had grown outward as well--out of all +conscience, since Pepys had taken pleasure in Lincoln's Inn Fields. +With a contented sigh Lyveden reflected that by nine-thirty that +evening he would be back at Bell Hammer. The sweet smell of the +country, the song of the wind in tree-tops--above all, the abundance of +cool soft air, seemed to have become essential to his life. For the +present, at any rate, he had no use for Town. It choked him. He was +glad, however, that his solicitor's office was in Lincoln's Inn +Fields.... + +Some clock announced the hour--a quarter to four. The ex-officer +quickened his pace. Savile Row had to be visited, and Pall Mall. Most +important of all, a coupe had to be proved.... Anthony's heart beat +faster. The car was for Valerie. + +As he left Kingsway behind, the gross belch of an 'Alarum' demanded +passage. Anthony fell to wondering whether his sweet would not prefer +some other usher. An 'Alarum' got there, of course; but it was +Rabelaisian. Perhaps ... + +The sound of a collision between two pedestrians disturbed his musing. + +It was nothing. Chin on shoulder, an errand-boy had collided with a +man in a silk hat. Anthony was so close to the latter he could have +touched him. + +The boy muttered an apology, and the man laughed. + +"My fault as much as yours," he said lazily, and passed on. + +It was Dr. Heron. + +Anthony reeled against the wall. + +Observing his movement, two typists squeaked with pretended alarm, and +then, giving him a wide berth, lurched on, convulsed with mirth and +clutching one another. + +To the poor woman who approached him and asked if he were ill, Anthony +at first said nothing at all. Then he replied dazedly that he was "all +right," and moved uncertainly away. + +Arrived at the corner of Drury Lane, he hesitated, looking round +helplessly, as if he were not sure of his way. Immediately opposite, a +large efficient-looking ironmonger's shop presented a plain, well-kept, +_familiar_ face.... + +Anthony stared at it with a dropped jaw. + +The errand-boy, who had found his demeanour promising, and had been +loitering in the hope of developments, took up a good position in the +gutter and fairly drank Lyveden in. Almost at once another of his +species joined him. + +After a prolonged stare-- + +"Wot's 'e doin' of?" said the new-comer. "Sayin' 'is prares?" + +The other sniggered. + +The noise aroused Anthony. With an effort he straightened himself.... +Then he walked unsteadily across the street and into the shop. + +The manager came forward. + +"Have those mattocks come in?" + +For a second the man peered at him. Then-- + +"Oh, Major Lyveden, isn't it? Yes, sir. Six 'Lightnin'' mattocks, it +was. I sent you a card, sir, three weeks ago. I've got the six on one +side for you, sir." + +"I'll take them now." + +"Certainly, sir." He turned to an assistant and gave directions. +Then: "Excuse me, sir. Jim!" + +A boy came at a run. + +"Fetch me that envelope off of the top o' my blottin'-pad. It's pinned +there." He turned to Lyveden. "When you was 'ere last time, sir, you +dropped your ticket. I kept it by, in case you come in again, thinkin' +you might be glad of it. It ain't six months yet, sir, since you was +'ere, so it's still good." + +A moment later Lyveden was looking fixedly at the return half of a +third-class ticket which had been issued at Chipping Norton. + +"Thanks," he said slowly, slipping it into his pocket. "I'm much +obliged." + +He paid for the goods and waited whilst a taxi was fetched. + +Then he followed the mattocks into the cab, and told the surly driver +to go to Paddington.... + +Five hours later he staggered, rather than walked, along the wasted +track and up to the cottage door. + +There had been no man to meet him, and the mattocks had made their +weight felt after the first two miles. He laid them down thankfully. + +For a moment he looked about him. + +Behind him--over towards Girdle--the sun had just gone down. And +Gramarye ... Gramarye had never looked one half so beautiful.... All +her hard lines were gone. Every sacred twig of her had put on a +wedding garment. The wild mystery of the place had been exquisitely +veiled. The majesty of desolation was in full dress. Far as the eye +could reach, the toss of the glorious woods had become unspeakably +enriched... maddening.... + +His eyes glittering, Lyveden hugged himself in a paroxysm of glee. The +man was just gloating.... + +Then he strode to the wood-shed. + +"Well, Patch," he said cheerily. "Has Patch been a good little----" + +The sentence snapped off short. + +For a moment Anthony stared at the empty staple. + +Then he turned on his heel. + +"Patch!" he cried sharply. "Patch!" + +After listening intently for a moment, he stepped hastily on to the +wasted track and began to whistle.... + +Presently, trembling with anxiety, he started to stumble along the +trail, whistling frantically.... + + * * * * * + +Seated in the hall at Bell Hammer, Valerie looked at the clock. As she +did so, the faint crunch of wheels upon gravel told that the car was +leaving to meet the down train. An instant later the clock struck +nine. Miss French threaded her needle thoughtfully.... + +Curled by her side upon the sofa, a little white dog with a black patch +breathed stertorously. + +A door opened, and a servant appeared with a letter. This had been +expressed. Valerie laid down her work, and, after a glance at the +envelope, opened it curiously. + + +_DEAREST VALERIE,_ + +_Do you know anything of Peter? We only got back from America two days +ago, and when we rang up his club--he was living there while we were +away--they said they hadn't seen him since March. Of course we're +frightfully worried. He had the car with him, and we're trying to +trace that. Oh, Valerie, father's just come in and said that the car's +been found at Carlisle. In a garage there, and that two men left it to +be seen to a month ago, but the police think he bought it from them and +is afraid. Please wire if you----_ + + +With a crash the small table by her side upset its complement of +violets on to the parquet, there was a wild scrabble of paws, and Patch +was at the front door, snuffing the sill and whining tremulously.... + +Valerie got upon her feet. + +"What is it, Patch?" she said. "He isn't here yet." + +For a second the terrier listened. + +The next moment he was almost beating himself against the woodwork. + +Letter in hand, Valerie crossed the hall and opened the door. + +The dog rushed out into the drive. + +For a moment he stood there, plainly straining his ears. + +An instant later he was flying down the avenue.... + + * * * * * + +The glow of the sunset faded. Evening gave way to dusk. Night stole +into her throne-room.... One by one, men, spent with their labour, +went to their rest. Pillowed upon the bosom of the country-side, +villages fell asleep. And through them, while they slept, a little +white dog went pelting breathlessly under the cold moonlight--now +running, now dropping to a fast walk, now hesitating, now plunging on +desperately, sometimes to the east, sometimes to the west, but in the +main northward ... due north, sirs ... in the direction of the +Cotswold Hills. + + + + +THE END + + + + + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Anthony Lyveden, by Dornford Yates + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ANTHONY LYVEDEN *** + +***** This file should be named 27684.txt or 27684.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/2/7/6/8/27684/ + +Produced by Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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