the vanished messenger-第30章

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〃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　well　off。
I　could　afford　to　be　married　at　once；　and　I　should　like　…

She　turned　suddenly　upon　him　and　gripped　his　wrist。

〃Listen；〃　she　interrupted；　〃you　are　a　traveller；　are　you　not？　　You
have　been　to　distant　countries；　where　white　people　go　seldom；
inaccessible　countries；　where　even　the　arm　of　the　law　seldom　reaches。
Couldn't　you　take　her　away　there；　take　her　right　away；　travel　so　fast
that　nothing　could　catch　you；　and　hide　…　hide　for　a　little　time？〃

Hamel　stared　at　his　companion；　for　a　moment；　blankly。　　Her　attitude
was　so　unexpected；　her　questioning　so　fierce。

〃My　dear　Mrs。　　Fentolin；〃　he　began　…

She　suddenly　relaxed　her　grip　of　his　arm。　　Something　of　the　old
hopelessness　was　settling　down　upon　her　face。　　Her　hands　fell　into
her　lap。

〃No；〃　she　interrupted；　〃I　forgot！　　I　mustn't　talk　like　that。　　She；
too；　is　part　of　the　sacrifice。〃

〃Part　of　the　sacrifice；〃　Hamel　repeated；　frowning。　　〃Is　she；　indeed！
I　don't　know　what　sacrifice　you　mean；　but　Esther　is　the　girl　whom
sooner　or　later；　somehow　or　other；　I　am　going　to　make　my　wife；　and
when　she　is　my　wife；　I　shall　see　to　it　that　she　isn't　afraid　of
Miles　Fentolin　or　of　any　other　man　breathing。〃

A　gleam　of　hopefulness　shone　through　the　stony　misery　of　the　woman's
face。

〃Does　Esther　care？〃　she　asked　softly。

〃How　can　I　tell？　　I　can　only　hope　so。　　If　she　doesn't　yet；　she　shall
some　day。　　I　suppose；〃　he　added；　with　a　sigh；　〃it　is　rather　too　soon
yet　to　expect　that　she　should。　　If　it　is　necessary；　I　can　Wait。〃

Mrs。　　Fentolin's　eyes　were　once　more　fixed　upon　the　Tower。　　The　sun
had　caught　the　top　of　the　telephone　wire　and　played　around　it　till
it　seemed　like　a　long；　thin　shaft　of　silver。

〃If　you　go　down　there；〃　she　said；　〃Esther　will　not　be　allowed　to
see　you　at　all。　　Mr。　Fentolin　has　decided　to　take　it　as　a　personal
affront。　　You　will　be　ostracised　from　here。〃

〃Shall　I？〃　he　answered。　　〃Well；　it　won't　be　for　long；　at　any　rate。
And　as　to　not　seeing　Esther；　you　must　remember　that　I　come　from
outside　this　little　domain；　and　I　see　nothing　more　in　Mr。　Fentolin
than　a　bad…tempered；　mischievous；　tyrannical　old　invalid；　who　is
fortunately　prevented　by　his　infirmities　from　doing　as　much　mischief
as　he　might。　　I　am　not　afraid　of　your　brother…in…law；　or　of　the
bully　he　takes　about　with　him；　and　I　am　going　to　see　your　daughter
somehow　or　other；　and　I　am　going　to　marry　her　before　very　long。〃

She　thrust　out　her　hand　suddenly　and　grasped　his。　　The　fingers　were
very　thin；　almost　bony；　and　covered　with　rings。　　Their　grip　was
feverish　and　he　felt　them　tremble。

〃You　are　a　brave　man；　Mr。　Hamel；〃　she　declared　speaking　in　a　low；
quick　undertone。　　〃Perhaps　you　are　right。　　The　shadow　isn't　over
your　head。　　You　haven't　lived　in　the　terror　of　it。　　You　may　find　a
way。　　God　grant　it！〃

She　wrung　his　fingers　and　rose　to　her　feet。　　Her　voice　suddenly
changed　into　another　key。　　Hamel　knew　instinctively　that　she　wished
him　to　understand　that　their　conversation　was　over。

〃Chow…Chow；〃　she　cried；　〃come　along；　dear；　we　must　have　our　walk。
Come　along；　Koto；　come　along；　little　dogs。〃

Hamel　strolled　down　the　terrace　steps　and　wandered　for　a　time　in
the　gardens　behind　the　house。　　Here；　in　the　shelter　of　the　great
building；　he　found　himself　suddenly　in　an　atmosphere　of　springtime。
There　were　beds　of　crocuses　and　hyacinths；　fragrant　clumps　of
violets；　borders　of　snowdrops；　masses　of　primroses　and　early
anemones。　　He　slowly　climbed　one　or　two　steep　paths　until　he　reached
a　sort　of　plateau；　level　with　the　top　of　the　house。　　The　flowers
here　grew　more　sparsely；　the　track　of　the　salt　wind　lay　like　a
withering　band　across　the　flower…beds。　　The　garden　below　was　like　a
little　oasis　of　colour　and　perfume。　　Arrived　at　the　bordering　red
brick　wall；　he　turned　around　and　looked　along　the　narrow　road　which
led　to　the　sea。　　There　was　no　sign　of　Mr。　Fentolin's　return。　　Then
to　his　left　he　saw　a　gate　open　and　heard　the　clamour　of　dogs。
Esther　appeared；　walking　swiftly　towards　the　little　stretch　of　road
which　led　to　the　village。　　He　hurried　after　her。

〃Unsociable　person！〃　he　exclaimed；　as　he　caught　her　up。　　〃Didn't
you　know　that　I　was　longing　for　a　walk？〃

〃How　should　I　read　your　thoughts？〃　she　answered。　　〃Besides；　a　few
minutes　ago　I　saw　you　on　the　terrace；　talking　to　mother。　　I　am　only
going　as　far　as　the　village。〃

〃May　I　come？〃　he　asked。　　〃I　have　business　there　myself。〃

She　laughed。

〃There　are　nine　cottages；　three　farmhouses；　and　a　general　shop　in
St。　David's；〃　she　remarked。　　〃Also　about　fifteen　fishermen's
cottages　dotted　about　the　marsh。　　Your　business；　I　presume；　is　with
the　general　shop？〃

He　shook　his　head；　falling　into　step　with　her。

〃What　I　want；〃　he　explained；　〃is　to　find　a　woman　to　come　in　and
look　after　me　at　the　Tower。　　Your　servant　who　valets　me　has　given
me　two　names。

Something　of　the　lightness　faded　from　her　face。

〃So　you　have　quite　made　up　your　mind　to　leave　us？〃　she　asked　slowly。
〃Mother　wasn't　able　to　persuade　you　to　stay？〃

He　shook　his　head。

〃She　was　very　kind；〃　he　said；　〃but　there　are　really　grave　reasons
why　I　feel　that　I　must　not　accept　Mr。　Fentolin's　hospitality　any
longer。　　I　had；〃　he　went　on；　〃a　very　interesting　talk　with　your
mother。〃

She　turned　quickly　towards　him。　　The　slightest　possible　tinge　of
additional　colour　was　in　her　cheeks。　　She　was　walking　on　the　top
of　a　green　bank；　with　the　wind　blowing　her　skirts　around　her。　　The
turn　of　her　head　was　a　little　diffident；　almost　shy。　　Her　eyes　were
asking　him　questions。　　At　that　moment　she　seemed　to　him；　with　her
slim　body；　her　gently　parted　lips　and　soft；　tremulous　eyes；　almost
like　a　child。　　He　drew　a　little　nearer　to　her。

〃I　told　your　mother；〃　he　continued；　〃all　that　I　have　told　you；　and
more。　　I　told　her；　dear；　that　I　cared　for　you；　that　I　wanted　you　to
be　my　wife。〃

She　was　caught　in　a　little　gust　of　wind。　　Both　her　hands　went　up　to
her　hat；　her　face　was　hidden。　　She　stepped　down　from　the　bank。

〃You　shouldn't　have　done　that；〃　she　said　quietly。

〃Why　not？〃　he　demanded。　　〃It　was　the　truth。〃

He　stooped　forward；　intent　upon　looking　into　her　face。　　The　mystic
softness　was　still　in　her　eyes；　but　her　general　expression　was
inscrutable。　　It　seemed　to　him　that　there　was　fear　there。

〃What　did　mother　say？〃　she　whispered。

〃Nothing　discouraging；〃　he　replied。　　〃I　don't　think　she　minded　at
all。　　I　have　decided；　if　you　give　me　permission；　to　go　and　talk　to
Mr。　Fentolin　this　evening。〃

She　shook　her　head　very　emphatically。

〃Don't！　　〃　she　implored。　　〃　Don't！　　Don't　give　him　another　whip　to
lash　us　with。　　Keep　silent。　　Let　me　just　have　the　memory　for　a　few
days　all　to　myself。〃

Her　words　came　to　him　like　numb　things。　　There　was　little　expression
in　them；　and　yet　he　felt　that　somehow　they　meant　so　much。

〃Esther　dear；〃　he　said；　〃I　shall　do　just　as　you　ask　me。　　At　the
same　time；　please　listen。　　I　think　that　you　are　all　absurdly
frightened　of　Mr。　Fentolin。　　Living　here　alone　with　him；　you　have
all　grown　under　his　dominance　to　an　unreasonable　extent。　　Because
of　his　horrible　infirmity；　you　have　let　yourselves　become　his
slaves。　　There　are　limits　to　this　sort　of　thing；　Esther。　　I　come
here　as　a　stranger；　and　I　see　nothing　more　in　Mr。　Fentolin　than
a　very　selfish；　irritable；　domineering；　and　capricious　old　man。
Humour　him；　by　all　means。　　I　am　willing　to　do　the　same　myself。
But　when　it　comes　to　the　great　things　in　life；　neither　he　nor　any
living　person　is　going　to　keep　from　me　the　woman　I　love。〃

She　walked　by　his　side　in　silence。　　Her　breath　was　coming　a　little
quicker；　her　fingers　lay　passive　in　his。　　Then　for　a　moment　he　felt
the　grip　of　them　almost　burn　into　his　flesh。　　Still　she　said　nothing。

〃I　want　your　permission；　dear；〃　he　went　on；　〃to　go　to　him。　　I
suppose　he　calls　himself　your　guardian。　　If　he　says　no；　you　are　of
age。　　I　just　want　you　to　believe　that　I　am　strong　enough　to　put　my
arms；　around　you　and　to　carry　you　away　to　my　own　world　and　keep　you
there；　although　an　army　of　Mr。　Fentolin's　creatures　followed　us。〃

She　turned；　and　he　saw　the　great　transformation。　　Her　face　was
brilliant；　her　eyes　shone　with　wonderful　things。

〃Please；〃　she　begged；　〃will　you　say　or　do　nothing　at　all　for　a
little　time；　until　I　tell　you　when？　　I　want　just　a　few　days　peace。
You　have　said　such　beautiful　things　to　me　that　I　want　them　to　lie
there　in　my　thoughts；　in　my　heart；　undisturbed；　for　just　a　littl
time。　　You　see；　we　are　at　the　village　now。　　I　am　going　to　call　at
this　third　cottage。　　While　I　am　inside；　you　can　go　and　make　what
enquiries　you　like。　　Come　and　knock　at　the　door　for　me　when　you　are
ready。〃

〃And　we　will　walk　back　together？〃

〃We　will　walk　back　together；〃　she　promised　him。

〃I　will　take　you　home　another　way。　　I　will　take　you　over　what　they
call　the　Common；　and　come　down　behind　the　Hall　into　the　gardens。

She　dismissed　him　with　a　little　smile。　　He　strolled　along　the
village　street　and　plunged　into　the　mysterious　recesses　of　the
one　tiny　shop。



CHAPTER　XXV

Hamel　met　Kinsley　shortly　before　one　o'clock　the　following　afternoon；
in　the　lounge　of　the　Royal　Hotel　at　Norwich。

〃You　got　my　wire；　then？〃　the　latter　asked；　as　he　held　out　his　hand。
〃I　had　it　sent　by　special　messenger　from　Wells。〃

〃It　arrived　directly　after　breakfast；〃　Hamel　replied。　　〃It　wasn't
the　easiest　matter　to　get　here；　even　then；　for　there　are　only　about
two　trains　a　day；　and　I　didn't　want　to　borrow　a　car　from　Mr。
Fentolin。〃

〃Quite　right；〃　Kinsley　agreed。　　〃I　wanted　you　to　come　absolutely　on
your　own。　　Let's　get　into　the　coffee…room　and　have　some　lunch　now。
I　want　to　catch　the　afternoon　train　hack　to　town。〃

〃Do　you　mean　to　say　that　you've　come　all　the　way　down　here　to　talk
to　me　for　half　an　hour　or　so？〃　Hamel　demanded；　as　they　took　their
places　at　a　table。

〃All　the　way　from　town；〃　Kinsley　assented；　〃and　up　to　the　eyes　in
work　we　are；　too。　　Dick；　what　do　you　think　of　Miles　Fentolin？〃

〃Hanged　if　I　know！〃　Hamel　answered；　with　a　sigh。

〃Nothing　definite　to　tell　us；　then？〃　Nothing！〃

〃What　about　Mr。　John　P。　Dunster？〃

〃He　left　yesterday　morning；〃　Hamel　said。　　〃I　saw　him　go。　　He　looked
very　shaky。　　I　understood　that　Mr。　Fentolin　sent　him　to　Yarmouth。〃

〃Did　Mr。　Fentolin　know　that　there　was　an　enquiry　on　foot　about　this
man's　disappearance？〃　Kinsley　asked。

〃Certainly。　　I　heard　Lord　Saxthorpe　tell　him　that　the　police　had
received　orders　to　scour　the　country　for　him；　and　that　they　were
coming　to　St。　David's　Hall。〃

Kinsley；　for　a　moment；　was　singularly　and　eloquently　profane。

〃That's　why　Mr。　Fentolin　let　him　go；　then。　　If　Saxthorpe　had　only
held　his　tongue；　or　if　those　infernal　police　hadn't　got　chattering
with　the　magistrates；　we　might　have　made　a　coup。　　As　it　is；　the
game's　up。　　Mr。　Dunster　left　for　Yarmouth；　you　say；　yesterday
morning？〃

〃I　saw　him　go　myself。　　He　looked　very　shaky　and　ill；　but　he　was
able　to　smoke　a　big　cigar　and　walk　down…stairs　leaning　on　the
doctor's　arm。〃

〃I　don't　doubt；〃　Kinsley　remarked；　〃but　that　you　saw　what　you　say
you　saw。　　At　the　same　time；　you　may　be　surprised　to　hear　that　Mr。