the vanished messenger-第29章

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of　the　great　Daimler；　raised　his　hat　and　waved　it　to　them。

〃Come　along；　children；〃　he　cried。　　〃You　see；　I　am　here　to　fetch　you
myself。　　The　sunshine　has　tempted　me。　　What　a　heavenly　morning！
Come　and　sit　by　my　side；　Esther；　and　fight　your　battle　all　over
again。　　That　is　one　of　the　joys　of　golf；　isn't　it？〃　he　asked；
turning　to　Hamel。　　〃You　need　not　be　afraid　of　boring　me。　　To…day
is　one　of　my　bright　days。　　I　suppose　that　it　is　the　sunshine　and
the　warm　wind。　　On　the　way　here　we　passed　some　fields。　　I　could
swear　that　I　smelt　violets。　　Where　are　you　going；　Esther？

〃To　take　my　clubs　to　my　locker　and　pay　my　caddy；〃　she　replied。

〃Mr。　Hamel　will　do　that　for　you；〃　Mr。　Fentolin　declared。　　〃Come　and
take　your　seat　by　my　side；　and　let　us　wait　for　him。　　I　am　tired　of
being　alone。〃

She　gave　up　her　clubs　reluctantly。　　All　the　life　seemed　to　have　gone
from　her　face。

〃Why　didn't　mother　come　with　you？〃　she　asked　simply。

〃To　tell　you　the　truth；　dear　Esther；〃　he　answered；　〃when　I　started；
I　had　a　fancy　to　be　alone。　　I　think　…　in　fact　I　am　sure　…　that　your
mother　wanted　to　come。　　The　sunshine；　too；　was　tempting　her。　　Perhaps
it　was　selfish　of　me　not　to　bring　her；　but　then；　there　is　a　great
deal　to　be　forgiven　me；　isn't　there；　Esther？〃

〃A　great　deal；〃　she　echoed；　looking　steadily　ahead　of　her。

〃I　came；〃　he　went　on；　〃because　it　occurred　to　me　that；　after　all；
I　had　my　duties　as　your　guardian；　dear　Esther。　　I　am　not　sure　that
we　can　permit　flirtations；　you　know。　　Let　me　see；　how　old　are　you？〃

〃Twenty…one；〃　she　replied。

〃In　a　magazine　I　was　reading　the　other　day；〃　he　continued；　〃I　was
interested　to　observe　that　the　modern　idea　as　regards　marriage　is
a　changed　one。　　A　woman；　they　say；　should　not　marry　until　she
is　twenty…seven　or　twenty…eight　…　a　very　excellent　idea。　　I　think
we　agree；　do　we　not；　on　that；　Esther？〃

〃I　don't　know；〃　she　replied。　　〃I　have　never　thought　about　the
matter。〃

〃Then；〃　he　went　on；　〃we　will　make　up　our　minds　to　agree。
Twenty…seven　or　twenty…eight；　let　us　say。　　A　very　excellent　age！
A　girl　should　know　her　own　mind　by　then。　　And　meanwhile；　dear　Esther；
would　it　be　wise；　I　wonder；　to　see　a　little　less　of　our　friend　Mr。
Hamel？　　He　leaves　us　to…day；　I　think。　　He　is　very　obstinate　about
that。　　If　he　were　staying　still　in　the　house；　well；　it　might　be
different。　　But　if　he　persists　in　leaving　us；　you　will　not　forget；
dear；　that　association　with　a　guest　is　one　thing；　association　with
a　young　man　living　out　of　the　house　is　another。　　A　great　deal　less
of　Mr。　Hamel　I　think　that　we　must　see。〃

She　made　no　reply　whatever。　　Hamel　was　coming　now　towards　them。

〃Really　a　very　personable　young　man；〃　Mr。　　Fentolin　remarked；
studying　him　through　his　eyeglass。　　〃Is　it　my　fancy；　I　wonder；　as
an　observant　person；　or　is　he　just　a　little　…　just　a　little　taken
with　you；　Esther？　　A　pity　if　it　is　so　…　a　great　pity。〃

She　said　nothing；　but　her　hand　which　rested　upon　the　rug　was
trembling　a　little。

〃If　you　have　an　opportunity；〃　Mr。　Fentolin　suggested；　dropping　his
voice；　〃you　might　very　delicately；　you　know　…　girls　are　so　clever
at　that　sort　of　thing…convey　my　views　to　Mr。　Hamel　as　regards　his
leaving　us　and　its　effect　upon　your　companionship。　　You　understand
me；　I　am　sure？〃

For　the　first　time　she　turned　her　head　towards　him。

〃I　understand；〃　she　said；　〃that　you　have　some　particular　reason　for
not　wishing　Mr。　Hamel　to　leave　St。　David's　Hall。〃

He　smiled　benignly。

〃You　do　my　hospitable　impulses　full　justice；　dear　Esther；〃　he
declared。　　〃Sometimes　I　think　that　you　understand　me　almost　as　well
as　your　dear　mother。　　If；　by　any　chance；　Mr。　Hamel　should　change
his　mind　as　to　taking　up　his　residence　at　the　Tower；　I　think　you
would　not　find　me　in　any　sense　of　the　word　an　obdurate　or　exacting
guardian。　　Come　along；　Mr。　Hamel。　　That　seat　opposite　to　us　is　quite
comfortable。　　You　see；　I　resign　myself　to　the　inevitable。　　I　have
come　to　fetch　golfers　home　to　luncheon；　and　I　compose　myself　to
listen。　　Which　of　you　will　begin　the　epic　of　missed　putts　and
brassey　shots　which　failed　by　a　foot　to　carry？〃




CHAPTER　XXIV

Hamel　sat　alone　upon　the　terrace；　his　afternoon　coffee　on　a　small
table　in　front　of　him。　　His　eyes　were　fixed　upon　a　black　speck　at
the　end　of　the　level　roadway　which　led　to　the　Tower。　　Only　a　few
minutes　before；　Mr。　Fentolin；　in　his　little　carriage；　bad　shot　out
from　the　passage　beneath　the　terrace；　on　his　way　to　the　Tower。
Behind　him　came　Meekins；　bending　over　his　bicycle。　　Hamel　watched
them　both　with　thoughtful　eyes。　　There　were　several　little　incidents
in　connection　with　their　expedition　which　he　scarcely　understood。

Then　there　came　at　last　the　sound　for　which　he　had　been　listening；
the　rustle　of　a　skirt　along　the　terraced　way。　　Hamel　turned　quickly
around；　half　rising　to　his　feet；　and　concealing　his　disappointment
with　difficulty。　　It　was　Mrs。　Seymour　Fentolin　who　stood　there；　a
little　dog　under　each　arm；　a　large　hat；　gay　with　flowers；　upon　her
head。　　She　wore　patent　shoes　with　high　heels；　and　white　silk
stockings。　　She　had；　indeed；　the　air　of　being　dressed　for　luncheon
at　a　fashionable　restaurant。　　As　she　stooped　to　set　the　dogs　down；
a　strong　waft　of　perfume　was　shaken　from　her　clothes。

〃Are　you　entirely　deserted；　Mr。　Hamel？〃　she　asked。

〃I　am；〃　he　replied。　　〃Miss　Esther　went；　I　think；　to　look　for　you。
My　host；〃　he　added；　pointing　to　the　black　speck　in　the　distance；
〃begged　me　to　defer　my　occupation　of　the　Tower　for　an　hour　or　so；
and　has　gone　down　there　to　collect　some　of　his　trifles。〃

Her　eyes　followed　his　outstretched　hand。　　She　seemed　to　him　to
shiver　for　a　moment。

〃You　really　mean；　then；　that　you　are　going　to　leave　us？〃　she　asked；
accepting　the　chair　which　he　had　drawn　up　close　to　his。

He　smiled。

〃Well；　I　scarcely　came　on　a　visit　to　St。　David's　Hall；　did　I？〃　he
reminded　her。　　〃It　has　been　delightfully　hospitable　of　Mr。　Fentolin
to　have　insisted　upon　my　staying　on　here　for　these　few　days；　but　I
could　not　possibly　inflict　myself　upon　you　all　for　an　unlimited
period。〃

Mrs。　　Fentolin　sat　quite　still　for　a　time。　　In　absolute　repose；　if
one　could　forget　her　mass　of　unnaturally　golden　hair；　the　forced
and　constant　smile；　the　too　liberal　use　of　rouge　and　powder；　the
nervous　motions　of　her　head；　it　was　easily　to　be　realised　that
there　were　still　neglected　attractions　about　her　face　and　figure。
Only；　in　these　moments　of　repose；　an　intense　and　ageing　weariness
seemed　to　have　crept　into　her　eyes　and　face。　　It　was　as　though　she
had　dropped　the　mask　of　incessant　gaiety　and　permitted　a　glimpse　of
her　real　self　to　steal　to　the　surface。

〃Mr。　Hamel；〃　she　said　quietly；　〃I　dare　say　that　even　during　these
few　days　you　have　realised　that　Mr。　Fentolin　is　a　very　peculiar　man。〃

〃I　have　certainly　observed　…　eccentricities；〃　Hamel　assented。

〃My　life；　and　the　lives　of　my　two　children；〃　she　went　on；　〃is　devoted
to　the　task　of　ministering　to　his　happiness。〃

〃Isn't　that　rather　a　heavy　sacrifice？〃　he　asked。　　Mrs。　Seymour
Fentolin　looked　down　the　long；　narrow　way　along　which　Mr。　Fentolin
had　passed。　　He　was　out　of　sight　now；　inside　the　Tower。　　Somehow
or　other；　the　thought　seemed　to　give　her　courage　and　dignity。　　She
spoke　differently；　without　nervousness　or　hurry。

〃To　you；　Mr。　Hamel；〃　she　said；　〃it　may　seem　so。　　We　who　make　it　know
of　its　necessity。〃

He　bowed　his　head。　　It　was　not　a　subject　for　him　to　discuss　with　her。

〃Mr。　Fentolin　has　whims；〃　she　went　on；　〃violent　whims。　　We　all　try
to　humour　him。　　He　has　his　own　ideas　about　Gerald's　bringing　up。
I　do　not　agree　with　them；　but　we　submit。　　Esther；　too；　suffers；
perhaps　to　a　less　extent。　　As　for　me；〃　…　her　voice　broke　a　little　…〃
Mr。　Fentolin　likes　people　around　him　who　are　always　cheerful。　　He
prefers　even　a　certain　style　…　of　dress。　　I；　too；　have　to　do　my
little　share。〃

Hamel's　face　grew　darker。

〃Has　it　ever　occurred　to　you；〃　he　demanded；　〃that　Mr。　Fentolin　is　a
tyrant？〃

She　closed　her　eyes　for　a　moment。

〃There　are　reasons；〃　she　declared；　〃why　I　cannot　discuss　that　with
you。　　He　has　these　strong　fancies；　and　it　is　our　task　in　life　to
humour　them。　　He　has　one　now　with　regard　to　the　Tower；　with　regard
to　you。　　You　are；　of　course；　your　own　master。　　You　can　do　as　you
choose；　and　you　will　do　as　you　choose。　　Neither　I　nor　my　children
have　any　claim　upon　your　consideration。　　But；　Mr。　Hamel；　you　have
been　so　kind　that　I　feel　moved　to　tell　you　this。　　It　would　make　it
very　much　easier　for　all　of　us　if　you　would　give　up　this　scheme　of
yours；　if　you　would　stay　on　here　instead　of　going　to　reside　at　the
Tower。〃

Hamel　threw　away　his　cigarette。　　He　was　deeply　interested。

〃Mrs。　　Fentolin；〃　he　said；　〃I　am　glad　to　have　you　speak　so　plainly。
Let　me　answer　you　in　the　same　spirit。　　I　am　leaving　this　house
mainly　because　I　have　conceived　certain　suspicions　with　regard　to
Mr。　Fentolin。　　I　do　not　like　him；　I　do　not　trust　him；　I　do　not
believe　in　him。　　Therefore；　I　mean　to　remove　myself　from　the　burden
of　his　hospitality。　　There　are　reasons；〃　he　went　on；　〃why　I　do　not
wish　to　leave　the　neighbourhood　altogether。　　There　are　certain
investigations　which　I　wish　to　make。　　That　is　why　I　have　decided　to
go　to　the　Tower。〃

〃Miles　was　right；　then！〃　she　cried　suddenly。　　〃You　are　here　to　spy
upon　him！〃

He　turned　towards　her　swiftly。

〃To　spy　upon　him；　Mrs。　Fentolin？　　For　what　reason？　　Why？　　Is　he　a
criminal；　then？〃

She　opened　her　lips　and　closed　them　again。　　There　was　a　slight　frown
upon　her　forehead。　　It　was　obvious　that　the　word　had　unintentionally
escaped　her。

〃I　only　know　what　it　is　that　he　called　you；　what　he　suspects　you　of
being；〃　she　explained。　　〃Mr。　Fentolin　is　very　clever；　and　he　is
generally　at　work　upon　something。　　We　do　not　enquire　into　the
purpose　of　his　labours。　　The　only　thing　I　know　is　that　he　suspects
you　of　wanting　to　steal　one　of　his　secrets。〃

〃Secrets？　　But　what　secrets　has　he？〃　Hamel　demanded。　　〃Is　he　an
inventor？〃

〃You　ask　me　idle　questions；〃　she　sighed。　　〃We　have　gone；　perhaps；
a　little　further　than　I　intended。　　I　came　to　plead　with　you　for　all
our　sakes；　if　I　could；　to　make　things　more　comfortable　by　remaining
here　instead　of　insisting　upon　your　claim　to　the　Tower。〃

〃Mrs。　　Fentolin；〃　Hamel　said　firmly。　　〃I　like　to　do　what　I　can　to
please　and　benefit　my　friends；　especially　those　who　have　been　kind
to　me。　　I　will　be　quite　frank　with　you。　　There　is　nothing　you　could
ask　me　which　I　would　not　do　for　your　daughter's　sake　…　if　I　were
convinced　that　it　was　for　her　good。〃

Mrs。　Seymour　Fentolin　seemed　to　be　trembling　a　little。　　Her　hands
were　crossed　upon　her　bosom。

〃You　have　known　her　for　so　short　a　time；〃　she　murmured。

Hamel　smiled　confidently。

〃I　will　not　weary　you；〃　he　said；　〃with　the　usual　trite　remarks。　　I
will　simply　tell　you　that　the　time　has　been　long　enough。　　I　love
your　daughter。〃

Mrs。　　Fentolin　sat　quite　still。　　Only　in　her　eyes；　fixed　steadily
seawards；　there　was　the　light　of　something　new；　as　though　some　new
thought　was　stirring　in　her　brain。　　Her　lips　moved；　although　the
sound　which　came　was　almost　inaudible。

〃Why　not？〃　she　murmured；　as　though　arguing　with　some　unseen　critic
of　her　thoughts。　　〃Why　not？〃

〃I　am　not　a　rich　man；〃　Hamel　went　on；　〃but　I　am　fairly