the vanished messenger-第16章

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its　emptiness。

〃A　trespasser；〃　Mr。　Fentolin　continued；　as　he　took　up　the　menu　and
criticised　it　through　his　horn…rimmed　eyeglass；　〃that　is　what　I
have　been；　without　a　doubt。〃

〃But　for　your　interest　and　consequent　trespass；〃　Hamel　remarked；　〃I
should　probably　have　found　the　roof　off　and　the　whole　place　in　ruins。〃

〃Instead　of　which　you　found　the　door　locked　against　you；〃　Mr。
Fentolin　pointed　out。　　〃Well；　we　shall　see。　　I　might；　at　any　rate；
have　lost　the　opportunity　of　entertaining　you　here　this　evening。
I　am　particularly　glad　to　have　an　opportunity　of　making　you　known
to　my　niece　and　nephew。　　I　think　you　will　agree　with　me　that　here
are　two　young　people　who　are　highly　to　be　commended。　　I　cannot　offer
them　a　cheerful　life　here。　　There　is　little　society；　no　gaiety；　no
sort　of　excitement。　　Yet　they　never　leave　me。　　They　seem　to　have　no
other　interest　in　life　but　to　be　always　at　my　beck　and　call。　　A　case；
Mr。　Hamel；　of　really　touching　devotion。　　If　anything　could　reconcile
me　to　my　miserable　condition；　it　would　he　the　kindness　and
consideration　of　those　by　whom　I　am　surrounded。〃

Hamel　murmured　a　few　words　of　cordial　agreement。　　Yet　he　found
himself；　in　a　sense；　embarrassed。　　Gerald　was　looking　down　upon　his
plate　and　his　face　was　hidden。　　Esther's　features　had　suddenly
become　stony　and　expressionless。　　Hamel　felt　instinctively　that
something　was　wrong。

〃There　are　compensations；〃　Mr。　Fentolin　continued；　with　the　air　of
one　enjoying　speech；　〃which　find　their　way　into　even　the　gloomiest
of　lives。　　As　I　lie　on　my　back；　hour　after　hour；　I　feel　all　the　more
conscious　of　this。　　The　world　is　a　school　of　compensations；　Mr。　Hamel。
The　interests　…　the　mental　interests；　I　mean　…　of　unfortunate　people
like　myself；　come　to　possess　in　time　a　peculiar　significance　and　to
yield　a　peculiar　pleasure。　　I　have　hobbies；　Mr。　Hamel。　I　frankly
admit　it。　　Without　my　hobbies；　I　shudder　to　think　what　might　become
of　me。　　I　might　become　a　selfish；　cruel；　misanthropical　person。
Hobbies　are　indeed　a　great　thing。〃

The　brother　and　sister　sat　still　in　stony　silence。　　Hamel；　looking
across　the　little　table　with　its　glittering　load　of　cut　glass　and
silver　and　scarlet　flowers；　caught　something　in　Esther's　eyes；　so
rarely　expressive　of　any　emotion　whatever；　which　puzzled　him。　　He
looked　swiftly　back　at　his　host。　　Mr。　Fentolin's　face；　at　that
moment；　was　like　a　beautiful　cameo。　　His　expression　was　one　of
gentle　benevolence。

〃Let　me　be　quite　frank　with　you；〃　Mr。　Fentolin　murmured。　　〃My
occupation　of　the　Tower　is　one　of　these　hobbies。　　I　love　to　sit
there　within　a　few　yards　of　the　sea　and　watch　the　tide　come　in。
I　catch　something　of　the　spirit；　I　think；　which　caught　your　father；
Mr。　Hamel；　and　kept　him　a　prisoner　here。　　In　my　small　way　I；　too；
paint　while　I　am　down　there；　paint　and　dream。　　These　things　may　not
appeal　to　you；　but　you　must　remember　that　there　are　few　things　left
to　me　in　life；　and　that　those；　therefore；　which　I　can　make　use　of；
are　dear　to　me。　　Gerald；　you　are　silent　to…night。　　How　is　it　that
you　say　nothing？〃

〃I　am　tired；　sir；〃　the　boy　answered　quietly。

Mr。　Fentolin　nodded　gravely。

〃It　is　inexcusable　of　me；〃　he　declared　smoothly；　〃to　have　forgotten
even　for　a　moment。　　My　nephew；　Mr。　Hamel；〃　he　went　on；　〃had　quite
an　exciting　experience　last　night　…　or　rather　a　series　of
experiences。　　He　was　first　of　all　in　a　railway　accident；　and　then；
for　the　sake　of　a　poor　fellow　who　was　with　him　and　who　was　badly
hurt；　he　motored　back　here　in　the　grey　hours　of　the　morning　and
ran；　they　tell　me；　considerable　risk　of　being　drowned　on　the　marshes。
A　very　wonderful　and　praiseworthy　adventure；　I　consider　it。　　I　trust
that　our　friend　up…stairs；　when　he　recovers；　will　be　properly
grateful。〃

Gerald　rose　to　his　feet　precipitately。　　The　service　of　dinner　was
almost　concluded；　and　he　muttered　something　which　sounded　like　an
excuse。　　Mr。　Fentolin；　however；　stretched　out　his　band　and　motioned
him　to　resume　his　seat。

〃My　dear　Gerald！〃　he　exclaimed　reprovingly。　　〃You　would　leave　us　so
abruptly？　　Before　your　sister；　too！　　What　will　Mr。　Hamel　think　of
our　country　ways？　　Pray　resume　your　seat。〃

For　a　moment　the　boy　stood　quite　still；　then　he　slowly　subsided　into
his　chair。　　Mr。　Fentolin　passed　around　a　decanter　of　wine　which　had
been　placed　upon　the　table　by　the　butler。　　The　servants　had　now　left
the　room。

〃You　must　excuse　my　nephew；　if　you　please；　Mr。　Hamel；〃　he　begged。
〃Gerald　has　a　boy's　curious　aversion　to　praise　in　any　form。　　I　am
looking　forward　to　hearing　your　verdict　upon　my　port。　　The
collection　of　wine　and　pictures　was　a　hobby　of　my　grandfather's；　for
which　we；　his　descendants；　can　never　be　sufficiently　grateful。〃

Hamel　praised　his　wine；　as　indeed　he　had　every　reason　to；　but　for
a　few　moments　the　smooth　conversation　of　his　host　fell　upon　deaf
ears。　　He　looked　from　the　boy's　face；　pale　and　wrinkled　as　though
with　some　sort　of　suppressed　pain；　to　the　girl's　still；　stony
expression。　　This　was　indeed　a　house　of　mysteries！　　There　was
something　here　incomprehensible；　some　thing　about　the　relations　of
these　three　and　their　knowledge　of　one　another；　utterly　baffling。
It　was　the　queerest　household；　surely；　into　which　any　stranger　had　
ver　been　precipitated。

〃The　planting　of　trees　and　the　laying　down　of　port　are　two　virtues
in　our　ancestors　which　have　never　been　properly　appreciated；〃　Mr。
Fentolin　continued。　　〃Let　us；　at　any　rate；　free　ourselves　from　the
reproach　of　ingratitude　so　far　as　regards　my　grandfather　…　Gerald
Fentolin　…　to　whom　I　believe　we　are　indebted　for　this　wine。　　We
will　drink　…〃

Mr。　Fentolin　broke　off　in　the　middle　of　his　sentence。　　The　august
calm　of　the　great　house　had　been　suddenly　broken。　　From　up…stairs
came　the　tumult　of　raised　voices；　the　slamming　of　a　door；　the
falling　of　something　heavy　upon　the　floor。　　Mr。　Fentolin　listened
with　a　grim　change　in　his　expression。　　His　smile　had　departed；　his
lower　lip　was　thrust　out；　his　eyebrows　met。　　He　raised　the　little
whistle　which　hung　from　his　chain。　　At　that　moment；　however；　the
door　was　opened。　　Doctor　Sarson　appeared。

〃I　am　sorry　to　disturb　you；　Mr。　Fentolin；〃　he　said；　〃but　our　patient
is　becoming　a　little　difficult。　　The　concussion　has　left　him；　as　I
feared　it　might；　in　a　state　of　nervous　excitability。　　He　insists
upon　an　interview　with　you。〃

Mr。　Fentolin　backed　his　little　chair　from　the　table。　　The　doctor
came　over　and　laid　his　hand　upon　the　handle。

〃You　will；　I　am　sure；　excuse　me　for　a　few　moments；　Mr。　　Hamel；〃
his　host　begged。　　〃My　niece　and　nephew　will　do　their　best　to
entertain　you。　　Now；　Sarson；　I　am　ready。〃

Mr。　Fentolin　glided　across　the　dim；　empty　spaces　of　the　splendid
apartment；　followed　by　the　doctor；　a　ghostly　little　procession　it
seemed。　　The　door　was　closed　behind　them。　　For　a　few　moments　a
curious　silence　ensued。　　Gerald　remained　tense　and　apparently
suffering　from　some　sort　of　suppressed　emotion。　　Esther　for　the
first　time　moved　in　her　place。　　She　leaned　towards　Hamel。　　Her　lips
were　slowly　parted；　her　eyes　sought　the　door　as　though　in　terror。
Her　voice；　although　save　for　themselves　there　was　no　one　else　in
the　whole　of　that　great　apartment；　had　sunk　to　the　lowest　of
whispers。

〃Are　you　a　brave　man；　Mr。　Hamel？〃　she　asked。

He　was　staggered　but　he　answered　her　promptly。

〃I　believe　so。〃

〃Don't　give　up　the　Tower　…　just　yet。　　That　is　what　…　he　has　brought
you　here　for。　　He　wants　you　to　give　it　up　and　go　back。　　Don't！〃

The　earnestness　of　her　words　was　unmistakable。　　Hamel　felt　the
thrill　of　coming　events。

〃Why　not？〃

〃Don't　ask　me；〃　she　begged。　　〃Only　if　you　are　brave；　if　you　have
feeling　for　others；　keep　the　Tower；　if　it　be　for　only　a　week。
Hush！〃

The　door　had　been　noiselessly　opened。　　The　doctor　appeared　and
advanced　to　the　table　with　a　grave　little　bow。

〃Mr。　Fentolin；〃　he　said；　〃has　been　kind　enough　to　suggest　that　I
take　a　glass　of　wine　with　you。　　My　presence　is　not　needed　up…stairs。
Mr。　Hamel；〃　he　added；　〃I　am　glad；　sir；　to　make　your　acquaintance。
I　have　for　a　long　time　been　a　great　admirer　of　your　father's　work。〃

He　took　his　place　at　the　head　of　the　table　and；　filling　his　glass；
bowed　towards　Hamel。　　Once　more　Gerald　and　his　sister　relapsed
almost　automatically　into　an　indifferent　and　cultivated　silence。
Hamel　found　civility　towards　the　newcomer　difficult。　　Unconsciously
his　attitude　became　that　of　the　other　two。　　He　resented　the
intrusion。　　He　found　himself　regarding　the　advent　of　Doctor　Sarson
as　possessing　some　secondary　significance。　　It　was　almost　as　though
Mr。　Fentolin　preferred　not　to　leave　him　alone　with　his　niece　and
nephew。

Neverthe1ess；　his　voice；　when　he　spoke；　was　clear　and
firm。




CHAPTER　XIV

Mr。　Fentolin；　on　leaving　the　dining…room；　steered　his　chair　with
great　precision　through　the　open；　wrought…iron　doors　of　a　small
lift　at　the　further　end　of　the　hall；　which　Doctor　Sarson；　who
stepped　in　with　him；　promptly　directed　to　the　second　floor。　　Here
they　made　their　way　to　the　room　in　which　Mr。　Dunster　was　lying。
Doctor　Sarson　opened　the　door　and　looked　in。　　　Almost　immediately
he　stood　at　one　side；　out　of　sight　of　Mr。　Dunster；　and　nodded　to　Mr。
Fentolin。

〃If　there　is　any　trouble；〃　he　whispered；　〃send　for　me。　　I　am　better
away；　for　the　present。　　My　presence　only　excites　him。〃

Mr。　Fentolin　nodded。

〃You　are　right；〃　he　said。　　〃Go　down　into　the　dining…room。　　I　am　not
sure　about　that　fellow　Hamel；　and　Gerald　is　in　a　queer　temper。　　Stay
with　them。　　See　that　they　are　not　alone。〃

The　doctor　silently　withdrew；　and　Mr。　Fentolin　promptly　glided　past
him　into　the　room。　　Mr。　John　P。　Dunster；　in　his　night　clothes；　was
sitting　on　the　side　of　the　bed。　　Standing　within　a　few　feet　of　him；
watching　him　all　the　time　with　the　subtle　intentness　of　a　cat
watching　a　mouse；　stood　Meekins。　　Mr。　Dunster's　head　was　still　bound；
although　the　bandage　had　slipped　a　little；　apparently　in　some
struggle。　　His　face　was　chalklike；　and　he　was　breathing　quickly。

〃So　you've　come　at　last！〃　he　exclaimed；　a　little　truculently。　　〃Are
you　Mr。　Fentolin？〃

Mr。　Fentolin　gravely　admitted　his　identity。　　His　eyes　rested　upon
his　guest　with　an　air　of　tender　interest。　　His　face　was　almost
beautiful。

〃You　are　the　owner　of　this　house　…　I　am　underneath　your　roof　…　is
that　so？〃

〃This　is　certainly　St。　David's　Hall；〃　Mr。　Fentolin　replied。　　〃It
really　appears　as　though　your　conclusions　were　correct。〃

〃Then　will　you　tell　me　why　I　am　kept　a　prisoner　here？〃

Mr。　Fentolin's　expression　was　for　a　moment　clouded。　　He　seemed　hurt。

〃A　prisoner；〃　he　repeated　softly。　　〃My　dear　Mr。　Dunster；　you　have
surely　forgotten　the　circumstances　which　procured　for　me　the　pleasure
of　this　visit；　the　condition　in　which　you　arrived　here　…　only；　after
all；　a　very　few　hours　ago？〃

〃The　circumstances；〃　Mr。　Dunster　declared　drily；　〃are　to　me　still
inexplicable。　　At　Liverpool　Street　Station　I　was　accosted　by　a
young　man　who　informed　me　that　his　name　was　Gerald　Fentolin；　and
that　he　was　on　his　way　to　The　Hague　to　play　in　a　golf　tournament。
His　story　seemed　entirely　probable；　and　I　permitted　him　a　seat　in
the　special　train　I　had　chartered　for　Harwich。　　There　was　an　accident
and　I　received　this　blow　to　my　head　…　only　a　trifling　af