hard cash-第49章

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〃Dead？　Heaven　forbid！〃

〃Apoplexy！〃　whispered　Skinner。

〃Run　for　a　doctor　then：　lose　no　time：　don't　let　us　have　his　blood　on　our　hands！　Dead？〃

And　he　repeated　the　word　this　time　in　a　very　different　tone；　a。　tone　too　strange　and　significant　to　escape　Skinner's　quick　ear。　However；　he　laid　David's　head　gently　down　and　rose　from　his　knees　to　obey。

What　did　he　see　now；　but　Mr。　Hardie；　with　his　back　turned；　putting　the　notes　and　bills　softly　into　the　safe　again　out　of　sight。　He　saw；　comprehended；　and　took　his　own　course　with　equal　rapidity。

〃Come；　run！〃　cried　Mr。　Hardie；　〃I'll　take　care　of　him；　every　moment　is　precious。〃

（〃Wants　to　get　rid　of　me！〃　thought　Skinner。）　〃No；　sir；〃　said　he；　〃be　ruled　by　me：　let　us　take　him　to　his　friends：　he　won't　live；　and　we　shall　get　all　the　blame　if　we　doctor　him。〃

Already　egotism　had　whispered　Hardie；　〃How　lucky　if　he　should　die！〃　and　now　a　still　guiltier　thought　flashed　through　him：　he　did　not　try　to　conquer　it；　he　only　trembled　at　himself　for　entertaining　it。

〃At　least：　give　him　air！〃　said　he　in　a　quavering　voice；　consenting　to　a　crime；　yet　compromising　with　his　conscience；　feebly。

He　threw　the　window；　open　with　great　zealwith　prodigious　zeal；　for；　he　wanted　to　deceive　himself　as　well　as　Skinner。　With　equal　parade　he　helped　carry　Dodd　to　the　window；　it　opened；　on　the　ground：　this　done；　the　self…deceivers　put　their　heads　together；　and　soon　managed　matters　so　that　two　porters；　known　to　Skinner；　were　introduced　into　the　garden；　and　informed　that　a　gentleman　had　fallen　down　in　a　fit；　and　they　were　to　take　him　home　to　his　friends；　and　not　talk　about　it：　there　might　be　an　inquest；　and　that　was　so　disagreeable　to　a　gentleman　like　Mr。　Hardie。　The　men　agreed　at　once　for　a　sovereign　apiece。　It　was　all　done　in　a　great　hurry　and　agitation；　and　while　Skinner　accompanied　the　men　to　see　that　they　did　not　blab；　Mr。　Hardie　went　into　the　garden　to　breathe　and　think。　But　he　could　do　neither。

He　must　have　a　look　at　It。

He　stole　back；　opened　the　safe；　and　examined　the　notes　and　bills。

He　fingered　them。

They　seemed　to　grow　to　his　finger。

He　lusted　after　them。

He　said　to　himself；　〃The　matter　has　gone　too　far　to　stop；　I　_must_　go　on　borrowing　this　money　of　the　Dodds；　and　make　it　the　basis　of　a　large　fortune：　it　will　be　best　for　all　parties　in　the　end。〃

He　put　It　into　his　pocket…book；　that　pocket…book　into　his　breast…pocket；　and　passed　by　his　private　door　into　the　house；　and　to　his　dressing…room。

Ten　minutes　later　he　left　the　house　with　a　little　black　bag　in　his　band。


CHAPTER　XX

〃WHAT　will　ye　give　me；　and　I'll　tell　ye？〃　said　Maxley　to　Alfred　Hardie。

〃Five　pounds。〃

〃That　is　too　much。〃

〃Five　shillings；　then。〃

〃That　is　too　little。　Lookee　here；　your　garden　owes　me　thirty　shillings　for　work：　suppose　you　pays　me；　and　that　will　save　me　from　going　to　your　Dad　for　it。〃

Alfred　consented　readily；　and　paid　the　money。　Then　Maxley　told　him　it　was　Captain　Dodd　he　had　been　talking　with。

〃I　thought　so！　I　thought　so！〃　cried　Alfred　joyfully；　〃but　I　was　afraid　to　believe　it：　it　was　too　delightful。　Maxley；　you're　a　trump　you　don't　know　what　anxiety　you　have　relieved　me　of。　Some　fool　has　gone　and　reported　the　_Agia_　wrecked；　look　here！〃　and　he　showed　him　his　Lloyd's。　〃Luckily　it　has　only　just　come；　so　I　haven't　been　miserable　long。〃

〃Well；　to　be　sure；　news　flies　fast　now…a…days。　He　have　been　wrecked　for　that　matter。〃　He　then　surprised　Alfred　by　telling　him　all　he　had　just　learned　from　Dodd；　and　was　going　to　let　out　about　the　燣。　4；000；　when　he　recollected　this　was　the　banker's　son；　and　while　he　was　talking　to　him；　it　suddenly　struck　Maxley　that　this　young　gentleman　would　come　down　in　the　world　should　the　bank　break；　and　then　the　Dodds；　he　concluded；　judging　others　by　himself；　would　be　apt　to　turn　their　backs　on　him。　Now　he　liked　Alfred；　and　was　disposed　to　do　him　a　good　turn；　when　he　could　without　hurting　James　Maxley。　〃Mr。　Alfred；〃　said　he；　〃I　know　the　world　better　than　you　do：　you　be　ruled　by　me；　or　you'll　rue　it。　You　put　on　your　Sunday　coat　this　minute；　and　off　like　a　shot　to　Albyn　Villee；　you'll　get　there　before　the　Captain；　he　have　got　a　little　business　to　do　first；　that　is　neither　here　nor　there：　besides；　you　are　young　and　lissom。　You　be　the　first　to　tell　Missus　Dodd　the　good　news；　and；　when　the　Captain　comes；　there　sits　you　aside　Miss　Julee：　and　don't　you　be　shy　and　shamefaced；　take　him　when　his　heart　is　warm；　and　tell　him　why　you　are　there：　'I　love　her　dear；'　says　you。　He　be　only　a　sailor　and　they　never　has　no　sense　nor　prudence；　he　is　a'most　sure　to　take　you　by　the　hand；　at　such　a　time：　and　once　you　get　his　word；　he'll　stand　good；　to　his　own　hurt。　He's　one　of　that　sort；　bless　his　silly　old　heart。〃

A　good　deal　of　this　was　unintelligible　to　Alfred；　but　the　advice　seemed　goodadvice　generally　does　when　it　squares　with　our　own　wishes。　He　thanked　Maxley；　left　him；　made　a　hasty　toilet；　and　ran　to　Albion　Villa。

Sarah　opened　the　door　to　him　in　tears。

The　news　of　the　wreck　had　come　to　Albion　Villa　just　half　an　hour　ago；　and　in　that　half　hour　they　had　tasted　more　misery　than　hitherto　their　peaceful　lot　had　brought　them　in　years。　Mrs。　Dodd　was　praying　and　crying　in　her　room；　Julia　had　put　on　her　bonnet；　and　was　descending　in　deep　distress　and　agitation；　to　go　down　to　the　quay　and　learn　more　if　possible。

Alfred　saw　her　on　the　stairs；　and　at　sight　of　her　pale；　agitated　face　flew　to　her。

She　held　out　both　hands　piteously　to　him：　〃O　Alfred！〃

〃Good　news！〃　he　panted。　〃He　is　aliveMaxley　has　seen　himI　have　seen　himhe　will　be　here　directlymy　own　love；　dry　your　eyescalm　your　fearshe　is　safehe　is　well：　hurrah！　hurrah！〃

The　girl's　pale　face　flushed　red　with　hope；　then　pale　again　with　emotion；　then　rosy　red　with　transcendent　joy。　〃Oh；　bless　you！　bless　you！〃　she　murmured；　in　her　sweet　gurgle　so　full　of　heart：　then　took　his　head　passionately　with　both　her　hands；　as　if　she　was　going　to　kiss　him：　uttered　a　little　inarticulate　cry　of　love　and　gratitude　over　him；　then　turned　and　flew　up　the　stairs；　crying　〃Mamma！　mamma！〃　and　burst　into　her　mother's　room。　When　two　such　Impetuosities　meet　as　Alfred　and　Julia；　expect　quick　work。

What　happened　in　Mrs。　Dodd's　room　may　be　imagined：　and　soon　both　ladies　came　hastily　out　to　Alfred；　and　he　found　himself　in　the　drawing…room　seated　between　them；　and　holding　a　hand　of　each；　and　playing　the　man　delightfully；　soothing　and　assuring　them。　Julia　believed　him　at　a　word；　and　beamed　with　unmixed　delight　and　anticipation　of　the　joyful　meeting。　Mrs。　Dodd　cost　him　more　trouble：　her　soft　hand　trembled　still　in　his；　and　she　put　question　upon　question。　But　when　he　told　her　he　with　his　own　eyes　had　seen　Captain　Dodd　talking　to　Maxley；　and　gathered　from　Maxley　he　had　been　shipwrecked　on　the　coast　of　France；　and　lost　his　chronometer　and　his　sextant；　these　details　commanded　credit。　Bells　were　rung：　the　Captain's　dressing…room　ordered　to　be　got　ready；　the　cook　put　on　her　mettle；　and　Alfred　invited　to　stay　and　dine　with　the　long…expected　one：　and　the　house　of　mourning　became　the　house　of　joy。

〃And　then　it　was　he　who　brought　the　good　news；〃　whispered　Julia　to　her　mother；　〃and　that　is　so　sweet。〃

〃Yes；　dear；〃　said　Mrs。　Dodd；　〃he　will　make　even　me　love　him。　The　L。　14；000！　I　hope　that　was　not　lost　in　the　wreck。〃

〃Oh；　mamma！　who　cares　when　his　own　dear；　sweet；　precious　life　has　been　in　danger；　and　is　mercifully　preserved？　Why　does　he　not　come？　I　shall　scold　him　for　keeping　us　waiting。　You　know　I　am　not　a　bit　afraid　of　him；　though　he　is　papa。　Indeed；　I　am　ashamed　to　say　I　govern　him　with　a　rod　ofno　matter　what。　Do；　do；　do　let　us　all　three　put　on　our　bonnets；　and　run　and　meet　him。　I　want　him　so　to　love　somebody　the　very　first　day。〃

Mrs。　Dodd　said；　〃Well；　wait　a　few　minutes；　and　then；　if　he　is　not　here；　you　two　shall　go。　I　dare　hardly　trust　myself　to　meet　my　darling　husband　in　the　open　street。〃

Julia　ran　to　Alfred：　〃If　he　does　not　come　in　ten　minutes；　you　and　I　may　go　and　meet　him。〃

〃You　are　an　angel；〃　murmured　Alfred。

〃You　are　another；〃　said　Julia　haughtily。　〃Oh；　dear；　I　can't　sit　down；　and　I　don't　want　flattery：　I　want　papa。　A　waltz！　a　waltz！　then　one　can　go　mad　with　joy　without　startling　propriety。　I　can't　answer　for　the　consequences　if　I　don't　let　off　a　little；　little　happiness。〃

〃That　I　will；〃　said　Mrs。　Dodd；　〃for　I　am　as　happy　as　you；　and　happier。〃　She　played　a　waltz。

Julia's　eyes　were　a　challenge：　Alfred　started　up　and　took　her　ready　hand；　and　soon　the　gay　young　things　were　whirling　round；　the　happiest　pair　in　England。

But　in　the　middle　of　the　joyous　whirl；　Julia's　quick　ear；　on　the　watch　all　the　time；　heard　the　gate　swing　to：　she　glided　like　an　eel　from　Alfred's　arm　and　ran　to　the　window。　Arrived　there；　she　made　three　swift　vertical　bounds　like　a　girl　with　a　skipping　rope；　only　her　hands　were　clapping　in　the　air　at　the　same　time；　then　down　the　stairs；　screaming；　〃His　chest　his　chest！　he　is　coming；　coming；　come！〃

Alfred　ran　after　her。

Mrs。　Dodd；　unable　to　race　with　such　antelopes；　slipped　quietly　out　into　the　little　balcony。

Julia　had　seen　two　men　carrying　a　trestle　with　a　tarpauling　over　it；　and　a　third　walking　beside。　Dodd's　heavy　sea…chest　had　been　more　than　once　carried　home　this　way。　She　met　the　men　at　the　door；　and　overpowered　them　with　questions：

〃Is　it　his　clothes？　Then　he　wasn't　so　much　wrecked　after　all。　Is　he　with　you？　Is　he　coming　directly？。　Why　don't　you　tell　me？〃

The　porters　at　first　wore　the　stolid　impassive　faces　of　their　tribe；　but　when　this　bright　young　creature　questioned　them；　brimming　over　with　ardour　and　joy；　their　countenances　fell　and　they　hung　their　heads。

The　little　sharp…faced　man；　who　was　walking　beside　the　others　stepped　forward　to　reply　to　Julia。

He　was　interrupted　by　a　terrible　scream　from　the　balcony。

Mrs。　Dodd　was　leaning　wildly　over　it；　with　dilating　eyes　and　quivering　hand；　that　pointed　down　to　the　other　side　of　the　trestle：　〃Julia！！　Julia！！〃

Julia　ran　round；　and　stood　petrified；　her　pale　lips　apart；　and　all　her　innocent　joy　frozen　in　a　moment

The　tarpauling　was　scanty　there；　and　a　man's　hand　and　part　of　his　arm　dangled　helpless　out。

The　hand　was　blanched；　and　wore　a　well…known　ring。


CHAPTER　XXI


IN　the　terror　and　confusion　no　questions　were　then　asked：　Alfred　got　to　David's　head；　and　told　Skinner　to　take　his　feet；　Mrs。　Dodd　helped；　and　they　carried　him　up　and　laid　him　on　her　bed。　The　servant　girls　cried　and　wailed；　and　were　of　little　use：　Mrs。　Dodd　hurried　them　off　for　medical　aid；　and　she　and　Julia；　though　pale　as　ghosts；　and　trembling　in　every　limb；　were　tearless　and　almost　silent；　and　did　all　for　the　best。　They　undid　a　shirt　button　that　confined　his　throat：　they　set　his　head　high；　and　tried　their　poor　little　eau…de…Cologne　and　feminine　remedies；　and　each　of　them　held　an　insensible　hand　in　both　hers；　clasping　it　piteously　and　trying　to　hold　him　tight；　so　that　Death　should　not　take　him　away　from　them。

〃My　son；　where　is　my　son？〃　sighed　Mrs。　Dodd。

Alfred　threw　his　arm　round　her　neck：　〃You　have　one　son　here：　what　shall　I　do？〃

The　next　minute　he　was　running　to　the　telegraph　office　for　her。

At　the　gate　he　found　Skinner　hanging　about；　and　asked　him　hurriedly　how　the　calamity　had　happened。　Skinner　said　Captain　Dodd　had　fallen　down　senseless　in　the　street；