the vanished messenger-第20章

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the　game。　　On　the　last　green　he　suffered　defeat　and　acknowledged
it　with　a　little　grimace。

〃If　I　might　say　so；　Miss　Fentolin；〃　he　protested；　〃you　are　a　little
too　good　for　your　handicap。　　I　used　to　play　a　very　reasonable
scratch　myself；　but　I　can't　give　you　the　strokes。〃

She　smiled。

〃Doubtless　your　long　absence　abroad；〃　she　began　slowly；　〃has
affected　your　game。〃

〃I　was　round　in　eighty…one；〃　he　grumbled。

〃You　must　have　travelled　in　many　countries；〃　she　continued；　〃where
golf　was　an　impossibility。〃

〃Naturally；〃　he　admitted。　　〃Let　us　stay　and　have　lunch　and　try
again。〃

She　shook　her　head　with　a　little　sigh　of　regret。

〃You　see；　the　car　is　waiting；〃　she　pointed　out。　　〃We　are　expected
home。　　I　shan't　be　a　minute　putting　my　clubs　away。〃

They　sped　swiftly　along　the　level　road　towards　St。　David's　Hall。
Far　in　the　distance　they　saw　it；　built　upon　that　strange　hill；
with　the　sunlight　flashing　in　its　windows。　　He　looked　at　it　long
and　curiously。

〃I　think；〃　he　said；　〃that　yours　is　the　most　extraordinarily
situated　house　I　have　ever　seen。　　Fancy　a　gigantic　mound　like　that
in　the　midst　of　an　absolutely　flat　marsh。〃

She　nodded。

〃There　is　no　other　house　quite　like　it　in　England；〃　she　said。　　〃I
suppose　it　is　really　a　wonderful　place。　　Have　you　looked　at　the
pictures？〃

〃Not　carefully；〃　he　told　her。

〃You　must　before　you　leave；〃　she　insisted。　　〃Mr。　Fentolin　is　a　great
judge；　and　so　was　his　father。〃

Their　road　curved　a　little　to　the　sea；　and　at　its　last　bend　they
were　close　to　the　pebbly　ridge　on　which　the　Tower　was　built。　　He
touched　the　electric　bell　and　stopped　the　car。

〃Do　let　us　walk　along　and　have　a　look　at　my　queer　possession　once
more；〃　he　begged。　　〃Luncheon；　you　told　me；　is　not　till　half…past
one；　and　it　is　a　quarter　to　now。〃

She　hesitated　for　a　moment　and　then　assented。　　They　left　the　car
and　walked　along　the　little　track；　bordered　with　white　posts；　which
led　on　to　the　ridge。　　To　their　right　was　the　village；　separated
from　them　only　by　one　level　stretch　of　meadowland；　in　the　background；
the　hall。　　They　turned　along　the　raised　dike　just　inside　the　pebbly
beach；　and　she　showed　her　companion　the　narrow　waterway　up　to　the
village。　　At　its　entrance　was　a　tall　iron　upright；　with　a　ladder
attached　and　a　great　lamp　at　the　top。

〃That　is　to　show　them　the　way　in　at　night；　isn't　it？〃　he　asked。

She　nodded。

〃Yes；〃　she　told　him。　　〃Mr。　Fentolin　had　it　placed　there。　　And　yet；〃
she　went　on；　〃curiously　enough；　since　it　was　erected；　there　have
been　more　wrecks　than　ever。〃

〃It　doesn't　seem　a　dangerous　beach；〃　he　remarked。

She　pointed　to　a　spot　about　fifty　yards　from　the　Tower。　　It　was　the
spot　to　which　the　woman　whom　he　had　met　on　the　day　of　his　arrival
had　pointed。

〃You　can't　see　them；〃　she　said；　〃they　are　always　out　of　sight；　even
when　the　tide　is　at　the　lowest　…　but　there　are　some　hideous　sunken
rocks　there。　　'The　Daggers；'　they　call　them。　　One　or　two　fishing
boats　have　been　lost　on　them；　trying　to　make　the　village。　　When　Mr。
Fentolin　put　up　the　lamp；　every　one　thought　that　it　would　be　quite
safe　to　try　and　get　in　at　night。　　This　winter；　though；　there　have
been　three　wrecks　which　no　one　could　understand。　　It　must　be
something　in　the　currents；　or　a　sort　of　optical　illusion；　because
in　the　last　shipwreck　one　man　was　saved；　and　he　swore　that　at　the
time　they　struck　the　rock；　they　were　headed　straight　for　the　light。〃

They　had　reached　the　Tower　now。　　Hamel　became　a　little　absorbed。
They　walked　around　it；　and　he　tried　the　front　door。　　He　found；　as
he　had　expected；　that　it　opened　readily。　　He　looked　around　him　for
several　moments。

〃Your　uncle　has　been　here　this　morning；〃　he　remarked　quietly。

〃Very　likely。〃

〃That　outhouse；〃　he　continued；　〃must　be　quite　a　large　place。　　Have
you　any　idea　what　it　is　he　works　upon　there？〃

〃None；〃　she　answered。

He　looked　around　him　once　more。

〃Mr。　Fentolin　has　been　preparing　for　my　coming；　he　observed。　　〃I
see　that　he　has　moved　a　few　of　his　personal　things。〃

She　made　no　reply；　only　she　shivered　a　little　as　she　stepped　back
into　the　sunshine。

〃I　don't　believe　you　like　my　little　domicile；〃　he　remarked；　as　they
started　off　homeward。

〃I　don't；〃　she　admitted　curtly。

〃In　the　train；〃　he　reminded　her；　〃you　seemed　rather　to　discourage
my　coming　here。　　Yet　last　night；　after　dinner　…〃　

〃I　was　wrong；〃　she　interrupted。　　〃I　should　have　said　nothing；　and
yet　I　couldn't　help　it。　　I　don't　suppose　it　will　make　any　difference。〃

〃Make　any　difference　to　what？〃


〃I　cannot　tell　you；〃　she　confessed。　　〃Only　I　have　a　strange　antipathy
to　the　place。　　I　don't　like　it。　　My　uncle　sometimes　shuts　himself　up
here　for　quite　a　long　time。　　We　have　an　idea；　Gerald　and　I；　that
things　happen　here　sometimes　which　no　one　knows　of。　　When　he　comes
back；　he　is　moody　and　ill…tempered；　or　else　half　mad　with　excitement。
He　isn't　always　the　amiable　creature　whom　you　have　met。　　He　has　the
face　of　an　angel；　but　there　are　times　…〃

〃Well；　don't　let's　talk　about　him；〃　Hamel　begged；　as　her　voice
faltered。　　〃Now　that　I　am　going　to　stay　in　the　neighbourhood　for　a
few　days；　you　must　please　remember　that　it　is　partly　your
responsibility。　　You　are　not　going　to　shut　yourself　up；　are　you？
You'll　come　and　play　golf　again？〃

〃If　he　will　let　me；〃　she　promised。

〃I　think　he　will　let　you；　right　enough；〃　Hamel　observed。　　〃Between
you　and　me；　I　rather　think　he　hates　having　me　down　at　the　Tower　at
all。　　He　will　encourage　anything　that　takes　me　away；　even　as　far　as
the　Golf　Club。〃

They　were　approaching　the　Hall　now。　　She　was　looking　once　more　as
she　had　looked　last　night。　　She　had　lost　her　colour；　her　walk　was
no　longer　buoyant。　　She　had　the　air　of　a　prisoner　who；　after　a　brief
spell　of　liberty；　enters　once　more　the　place　of　his　confinement。
Gerald　came　out　to　meet　them　as　they　climbed　the　stone　steps　which
led　on　to　the　terrace。　　He　glanced　behind　as　he　greeted　them；　and
then　almost　stealthily　took　a　telegram　from　his　pocket。

〃This　came　for　you；〃　he　remarked；　handing　it　to　Hamel。　　〃I　met　the
boy　bringing　it　out　of　the　office。〃

Hamel　tore　it　open；　with　a　word　of　thanks。　　Gerald　stood　in　front
of　him　as　he　read。

〃If　you　wouldn't　mind　putting　it　away　at　once；〃　he　asked；　a　little
uncomfortably。　　〃You　see；　the　telegraph　office　is　in　the　place；　and
my　uncle　has　a　queer　rule　that　every　telegram　is　brought　to　him
before　it　is　delivered。〃

Hamel　did　not　speak　for　a　moment。　　He　was　looking　at　the　few　words
scrawled　across　the　pink　sheet　with　a　heavy　black　pencil：

　　　〃Make　every　enquiry　in　your　neighbourhood
　　　　for　an　American；　John　P。　Dunster；　entrusted
　　　　with　message　of　great　importance；　addressed　to
　　　　Von　Dusenberg；　The　Hague。　　Is　believed　to
　　　　have　been　in　railway　accident　near　Wymondham
　　　　and　to　have　been　taken　from　inn　by　young　man
　　　　in　motor…car。　　Suggest　that　he　is　being　im…
　　　　properly　detained。〃

Hamel　crumpled　up　the　telegram　and　thrust　it　into　his　pocket。

〃By…the…by；〃　he　asked；　as　they　ascended　the　steps；　〃what　did　you
say　the　name　of　this　poor　fellow　was　who　is　lying　ill　up…stairs？〃

Gerald　hesitated　for　a　moment。　　Then　he　answered　as　though　a　species
of　recklessness　had　seized　him。

〃He　called　himself　Mr。　John　P。　Dunster。〃




CHAPTER　XVII

Mr。　Fentolin；　having　succeeded　in　getting　rid　of　his　niece　and　his
somewhat　embarrassing　guest　for　at　least　two　hours；　was　seated　in
his　study；　planning　out　a　somewhat　strenuous　morning；　when　his
privacy　was　invaded　by　Doctor　Sarson。

〃Our　guest；〃　the　latter　announced；　in　his　usual　cold　and　measured
tones；　〃has　sent　me　to　request　that　you　will　favour　him　with　an
interview。〃

Mr。　Fentolin　laid　his　pen　deliberately　down。

〃So　soon；〃　he　murmured。　　〃Very　well；　Sarson；　I　am　at　his　service。
　Say　that　I　will　come　at　once。〃

Mr。　Fentolin　lost　no　time　in　paying　this　suggested　visit。　　Mr。　John
P。　Dunster；　shaved　and　clothed；　was　seated　in　an　easy…chair　drawn
up　to　the　window　of　his　room；　smoking　what　he　was　forced　to　confess
was　a　very　excellent　cigar。　　He　turned　his　head　as　the　door　opened；
and　Mr。　Fentolin　waved　his　hand　pleasantly。

〃Really；〃　he　declared；　〃this　is　most　agreeable。　　I　had　an　idea；　Mr。
Dunster；　that　I　should　find　you　a　reasonable　person。　　Men　of　your
eminence　in　their　profession　usually　are。〃

Mr。　Dunster　looked　at　the　speaker　curiously。

〃And　what　might　my　profession　be；　Mr。　Fentolin？〃　he　asked。　　〃You
seem　to　know　a　great　deal　about　me。〃

〃It　is　true；〃　Mr。　Fentolin　admitted。　　〃I　do　know　a　great　deal。〃

Mr。　Dunster　knocked　the　ash　from　his　cigar。

〃Well；〃　he　said；　〃I　have　been　the　hearer　of　several　important
communications　from　my　side　of　the　Atlantic　to　England　and　to　the
Continent；　and　I　have　always　known　that　there　was　a　certain　amount
of　risk　in　the　business。　　Once　I　had　an　exceedingly　narrow　shave；〃
he　continued　reminiscently；　〃but　this　is　the　first　time　I　have　ever
been　dead　up　against　it；　and　I　don't　mind　confessing　that　you've
fairly　got　me　puzzled。　　Who　the　mischief　are　you；　Mr。　Fentolin；
and　what　are　you　interfering　about？〃

Mr。　Fentolinn　smiled　queerly。

〃I　am　what　you　see；〃　he　replied。　　〃I　am　one　of　those　unfortunate
human　beings　who；　by　reason　of　their　physical　misfortunes；　are　cut
off　from　the　world　of　actual　life。　　I　have　been　compelled　to　seek
distraction　in　strange　quarters。　　I　have　wealth　…　great　wealth　I
suppose　I　should　say；　an　inordinate　curiosity；　a　talent　for　intrigue。
As　to　the　direction　in　which　I　carry　on　my　intrigues；　or　even　as　to
the　direct　interests　which　I　study；　that　is　a　matter；　Mr。　Dunster；
upon　which　I　shall　not　gratify　your　curiosity　nor　anybody　else's。
But；　you　see；　I　am　admitting　freely　that　it　does　interest　me　to
interfere　in　great　affairs。〃

〃But　how　on　earth　did　you　get　to　know　about　me；〃　Mr。　Dunster　asked；
〃and　my　errand？　　You　couldn't　possibly　have　got　me　here　in　an
ordinary　way。　　It　was　an　entire　fluke。〃

〃There；　you　speak　with　some　show　of　reason。　　I　have　a　nephew　whom
you　have　met；　who　is　devoted　to　me。〃

〃Mr。　　Gerald　Fentolin；〃　Mr。　Dunster　remarked　drily。

〃Precisely；〃　Mr。　Fentolin　declared。　　〃Well；　I　admit　frankly　the
truth　of　what　you　say。　　Your　…　shall　we　say　capture；　was　by　way　of
being　a　gigantic　fluke。　　My　nephew's　instructions　simply　were　to
travel　down　by　the　train　to　Harwich　with　you；　to　endeavour　to　make
your　acquaintance；　to　follow　you　on　to　your　destination；　and；　if
any　chance　to　do　so　occurred；　to　relieve　you　of　your　pocket…book。
That；　however；　I　never　ventured　to　expect。　　What　really　happened
was；　as　you　have　yourself　suggested；　almost　in　the　nature　of　a
miracle。　　My　nephew　showed　himself　to　be　possessed　of　gifts　which
were　a　revelation　to　me。　　He　not　only　succeeded　in　travelling　with
you　by　the　special　train；　but　after　its　wreck　he　was　clever　enough
to　bring　you　here；　instead　of　delivering　you　over　to　the　mercies
of　a　village　doctor。　　I　really　cannot　find　words　to　express　my
appreciation　of　my　nephew's　conduct。〃

〃I　could；〃　Mr。　Dunster　muttered；　〃very　easily！〃

Mr。　Fentolin　sighed　gently。

〃Perhaps　our　points　of　view　might　differ。〃

〃We　have　spent　a　very　agreeable　few　minutes　in　explanations；〃　Mr。
Dunster　continued。　　〃Would　it　be　asking　too　much　if　I　now　suggest
that　we　remove　the　button