the vanished messenger-第33章

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himself　dreaming。　　The　sunshine　was　delicious；　and　a　gentle　optimism
seemed　to　steal　over　him。

〃I　am　a　fool！〃　he　murmured　to　himself。　　〃I　am　catching　some　part　of
these　people's　folly。　　Mr。　Fentolin　is　only　an　ordinary；　crotchety
invalid　with　queer　tastes。　　On　the　big　things　he　is　probably　like
other　men。　　I　shall　go　to　him　this　morning。

A　sea…gull　screamed　over　his　head。　　Little；　brown　sailed
fishing…boats　came　gliding　down　the　harbourway。　　A　pleasant；
sensuous　joyfulness　seemed　part　of　the　spirit　of　the　day。　　Hamel
stretched　himself　out　upon　the　dry　sand。

〃Work　be　hanged！〃　he　exclaimed。

A　soft　voice　answered　him　almost　in　his　ear；　a　voice　which　was
becoming　very　familiar。

〃A　most　admirable　sentiment；　my　young　friend；　which　you　seem　to　be
doing　your　best　to　live　up　to。　　Not　a　line　written；　I　see。〃

He　sat　up　upon　his　rug。　　Mr。　Fentolin；　in　his　little　carriage；　was
there　by　his　side。　　Behind　was　the　faithful　Meekins；　with　an　easel
under　his　arm。

〃I　trust　that　your　first　night　in　your　new　abode　has　been　a　pleasant
one？〃　Mr。　Fentolin　asked。

〃I　slept　quite　well；　thanks；〃　Hamel　replied。　〃Glad　to　see　you're
going　to　paint。〃

Mr。　Fentolin　shook　his　head　gloomily。

〃It　is；　alas！〃　he　declared；　〃one　of　my　weaknesses。　　I　can　work　only
in　solitude。　　I　came　down　on　the　chance　that　the　fine　weather　might
have　tempted　you　over　to　the　Golf　Club。　　As　it　is；　I　shall　return。〃

〃I　am　awfully　sorry；〃　Hamel　said。　　〃Can't　I　go　out　of　sight
somewhere？〃

Mr。　Fentolin　sighed。

〃I　will　not　ask　your　pardon　for　my　absurd　humours；〃　he　continued；
a　little　sadly。　　〃Their　existence；　however；　I　cannot　deny。　　I
will　wait。〃

〃It　seems　a　pity　for　you　to　do　that；〃　Hamel　remarked。　　〃You　see；
I　might　stay　here　for　some　time。〃

Mr。　Fentolin's　face　darkened。　　He　looked　at　the　young　man　with　a
sort　of　pensive　wrath。

〃If；〃　the　latter　went　on；　〃you　say　'yes'　to　something　I　am　going
to　ask　you；　I　might　even　stay　…　in　the　neighbourhood　…　for　longer
still。〃

Mr。　Fentolin　sat　quite　motionless　in　his　chair；　his　eyes　were
fixed　upon　Hamel。

〃What　is　it　that　you　are　going　to　ask　me？〃　be　demanded。

〃I　want　to　marry　your　niece。

Mr。　Fentolin　looked　at　the　young　man　in　mild　surprise。

〃A　sudden　decision　on　your　part；　Mr。　Hamel？〃　he　murmured。

〃Not　at　all；〃　Hamel　assured　him。　　〃I　have　been　ten　years　looking
for　her。〃

〃And　the　young　lady？〃　Mr。　Fentolin　enquired。　　〃What　does　she　say？〃

〃I　believe；　sir；〃　Hamel　replied；　〃that　she　would　be　willing。〃

Mr。　Fentolin　sighed。

〃One　is　forced　sometimes；〃　he　remarked　regretfully；　〃to　realise
the　selfishness　of　our　young　people。　　For　many　years　one　devotes
oneself　to　providing　them　with　all　the　comforts　and　luxuries　of
life。　　Then；　in　a　single　day；　they　turn　around　and　give　everything
they　have　to　give　to　a　stranger。　　So　you　want　to　marry　Esther？〃

〃If　you　please。〃

〃She　has　a　very　moderate　fortune。〃

〃She　need　have　none　at　all；〃　Hamel　replied；　〃I　have　enough。〃

Mr。　Fentolin　glanced　towards　the　house。

〃Then；〃　he　said；　〃I　think　you　had　better　go　and　tell　her　so；　in
which　case；　I　shall　be　able　to　paint。〃

〃I　have　your　permission；　then？〃　Hamel　asked；　rising　to　his　feet
eagerly。

〃Negatively；〃　Mr。　Fentolin　agreed；　〃you　have。　　I　cannot　refuse。
Esther　is　of　age；　the　thing　is　reasonable。　　I　do　not　know　whether
she　will　be　happy　with　you　or　not。　　A　young　man　of　your
disposition　who　declines　to　study　the　whims　of　an　unfortunate
creature　like　myself　is　scarcely　likely　to　be　possessed　of　much
sensibility。　　However；　perhaps　your　views　as　to　a　solitary
residence　here　will　change　with　your　engagement　to　my　niece。〃

Hamel　did　not　reply　for　a　moment。　　He　was　trying　to　ask　himself
why；　even　in　the　midst　of　this　rush　of　anticipatory　happiness；　he
should　be　conscious　of　a　certain　reluctance　to　leave　the　Tower　…　and
Mr。　Fentolin。　　He　was　looking　longingly　towards　the　Hall。　　Mr。
Fentolin　waved　him　away。

〃Go　and　make　love；〃　he　ordered；　〃and　leave　me　alone。　　We　are　both
in　pursuit　of　beauty　…　only　our　methods　differ。〃

Hamel　hesitated　no　longer　but　walked　up　the　narnow　path　with
swift；　buoyant　footsteps。　　Everywhere　he　seemed　to　be　surrounded
by　the　glorious　spring　sunshine。　　It　glittered　in　the　little　pools
and　creeks　by　his　side。　　It　drew　a　new　colour　from　the　dun…coloured
marshes；　the　masses　of　emerald　seaweed；　the　shimmering　sands。　　It
flashed　in　the　long　row　of　windows　of　the　Hall。　　As　he　drew　nearer；
he　could　see　the　banks　of　yellow　crocuses　in　the　sloping　gardens
behind。　　There　were　odours　of　spring　in　the　air。　　He　ran　lightly
up　the　terrace　steps。　　There　was　an　easy…chair　drawn　into　her
favourite　corner；　and　a　book　upon　the　table；　but　no　sign　of　Esther。
He　hesitated　for　a　moment；　and　then；　retracing　his　steps　along　the
terrace；　entered　the　house　by　the　front　door；　which　stood　wide
open。　　There　was　no　one　in　the　hall；　scarcely　a　sound　about　the
place。　　A　great　clock　ticked　solemnly　from　the　foot　of　the　stairs。
There　was　not　even　a　servant　in　sight。　　Hamel　wandered　around；　a
　a　loss　what　to　do。　　He　opened　the　door　of　the　drawing…room　and
looked　in。　　It　was　empty。　　He　turned　away；　meaning　to　ring　a　bell。
On　his　way　across　the　hall　he　paused。　　A　curiously　suggestive
sound　reached　him　faintly　from　the　end　of　one　of　the　passages。
It　was　the　click　of　a　typewriter。

Hamel　stood　for　a　moment　perfectly　still。　　He　had　hurred　up　to
the　Hall；　filled　with　the　one　selfish　joy　common　to　all　mankind。
He　had　had　no　thought　save　the　thought　of　seeing　Esther。　　The
click　of　that　machine　brought　him　hack　to　the　stern　realities　of
life。　　He　remembered　his　talk　to　Kinsley；　his　promise。　　On　the
hall　table　he　could　see　from　where　he　was　standing　the　great
headlines　which　announced　the　nation's　anxiety。　　He　was　in　the　house
of　a　suspected　spy。　　The　click　of　the　typewriter　was　an　accompaniment
to　his　thought。　　He　looked　around　once　more　and　listened。　　Then　he
made　his　way　quietly　across　the　hail　and　down　the　long　passage；　at
the　end　of　which　the　room　which　Mr。　Fentolin　called　his　workroom
was　situated。　　He　turned　the　handle　of　the　door　and　entered；　closing
it　immediately　behind　him。　　The　woman　who　was　typing　paused　with　her
fingers　upon　the　keys。　　Her　eyes　met　his　coldly；　without　curiosity。
She　had　paused　in　her　work；　but　she　took　no　other　notice　of　his
coming。

〃Has　Mr。　Fentolin　sent　you　here？〃　she　asked　at　last。

He　came　over　to　the　typewriter。

〃Mr。　Fentolin　has　not　sent　me；〃　he　said　slowly。　　〃I　am　here　on　my
own　account。　　I　dare　say　you　will　think　that　I　am　a　lunatic　to
come　to　you　like　this。　　Nevertheless；　please　listen　to　me。〃

Her　fingers　left　the　keys。　　She　laid　her　hands　upon　the　table　in
front　of　her。　　He　drew　a　little　nearer。　　She　covered　over　the　sheets
of　paper　with　which　she　was　surrounded　with　a　pad　of　blotting…paper。
He　pointed　suddenly　to　them。

〃Why　do　you　do　that？　　〃　he　demanded。　　〃What　is　there　in　your　work
that　you　are　afraid　I　might　see？〃

She　answered　him　without　hesitation。

〃These　are　private　papers　of　Mr。　Fentolin's。　　No　one　has　any
business　to　see　them。　　No　one　has　any　business　to　enter　this　room。
Why　are　you　here？〃

〃I　came　to　the　Hall　to　find　Miss　Fentolin；〃　he　replied。　　〃I　heard
the　click　of　your　typewriter。　　I　came　to　you；　I　suppose　I　should
say；　on　impulse。〃

Her　eyes　rested　upon　his；　filled　with　a　cold　and　questioning　light。

〃There's　an　impression　up　in　London；〃　Hamel　went　on；　〃that　Mr。
Fentolin　has　been　intefering　by　means　of　his　wireless　in　affairs
which　don't　concern　him；　and　giving　away　valuable　information。
This　man　Dunster's　disappearance　is　as　yet　unexplained。　　I　feel
myself　justified　in　making　certain　investigations；　and　among　the
first　of　them　I　should　like　you　to　tell　me　exactly　the　nature　of
the　work　for　which　Mr。　Fentolin　finds　a　secretary　necessary？〃

She　glanced　towards　the　bell。　　He　moved　to　the　edge　of　the　table
as　though　to　intercept　her。

〃In　any　ordinary　case；〃　he　continued；　〃I　would　not　ask　you　to
betray　your　employer's　confidence。　　As　things　are；　I　think　I　am
justified。　　You　are　English；　are　you　not？　　You　realise；　I　suppose；
that　the　country　is　on　the　brink　of　war？〃

She　looked　at　him　from　the　depths　of　her　still；　lusterless　eyes。

〃You　must　be　a　very　foolish　person；〃　she　remarked；　〃if　you　expect
to　obtain　information　in　this　manner。〃

〃Perhaps　I　am；〃　he　confessed；　〃but　my　folly　has　brought　me　to　you；
and　you　can　give　me　the　information　if　you　will。〃

〃Where　is　Mr。　Fentolin？〃　she　asked。

〃Down　at　the　Tower；〃　he　replied。　　〃I　left　him　there。　　He　sent　me
up　to　see　Miss　Fentolin。　　I　was　looking　for　her　when　the　click　of
your　typewriter　reminded　me　of　other　things。〃

She　turned　composedly　back　to　her　work。

〃I　think；〃　she　said；　〃that　you　had　better　go　and　find　Miss　Fentolin。〃

〃Don't　talk　nonsense！　　You　can't　think　I　have　risked　giving　myself
away　to　you　for　nothing？　　I　mean　to　search　this　room；　to　read　the
papers　which　you　are　typing。〃

She　glanced　around　her　a　little　contemptuously。

〃You　are　welcome；〃　she　assured　him。　　〃Pray　proceed。〃

They　exchanged　the　glances　of　duelists。　　Her　plain　black　frock　was
buttoned　up　to　her　throat。　　Her　colourless　face　seemed　set　in　exact
and　expressionless　lines。　　Her　eyes　were　like　windows　of　glass。　　He
felt　only　their　scrutiny；　nothing　of　the　reason　for　it；　or　of　the
thoughts　which　stirred　behind　in　her　brain。　　There　was　nothing　about
her　attitude　which　seemed　in　any　way　threatening；　yet　he　had　the
feeling　that　in　this　interview　it　was　she　who　possessed　the　upper
hand。

〃You　are　a　foolish　person；〃　she　said　calmly。　　〃You　are　so　foolish
that　you　are　not；　in　all　probability；　in　the　slightest　degree
dangerous。　　Believe　me；　ours　is　an　unequal　duel。　　There　is　a　bell
upon　this　table　which　has　apparently　escaped　your　notice。　　I　sit
with　my　finger　upon　the　button　…　so。　　I　have　only　to　press　it；　and
the　servants　will　be　here。　　I　do　not　wish　to　press　it。　　I　do　not
desire　that　you　should　be；　as　you　certainly　would　be；　banished　from
this　house。〃

He　was　immensely　puzzled。　　She　had　not　resented　his　strange
intrusion。　　She　had　accepted　it；　indeed；　with　curious　equanimity。
Her　forefinger　lingered　still　over　the　little　ivory　knob　of　the　bell
attached　to　her　desk。　　He　shrugged　his　shoulders。

〃You　have　the　advantage　of　me；〃　he　admitted；　a　little　curtly。　　〃All
the　same；　I　think　I　could　possess　myself　of　those　sheets　of　paper；
you　know；　before　the　bell　was　answered。〃

〃Would　it　be　wise；　I　wonder；　then；　to　ensure　their　safety？〃　she
asked　coolly。

Her　finger　pressed　the　bell。　　He　took　a　quick　step　forward。　　She
held　out　her　hand。

〃Stop！〃　she　ordered。　　〃These　sheets　will　tell　you　nothing　which　you
do　not　know　already　unless　you　are　a　fool。　　Never　mind　the　bell。
That　is　my　affair。　　I　am　sending　you　away。〃

He　leaned　a　little　towards　her。

〃It　wouldn't　be　possible　to　bribe　you；　I　suppose？〃

She　shook　her　head。

〃I　wonder　you　haven't　tried　that　before。　　No；　it　would　not　…　not
with　money；　that　is　to　say。〃

〃You'll　tell　Mr。　Fentolin；　I　presume？〃　he　asked　quickly。

〃I　have　nothing　to　tell　him；〃　she　replied。　　〃Nothing　has　happened。
Richards；〃　she　went　on；　as　a　servant　entered　the　room；　〃Mr。　Hamel
is　looking　for　Miss　Fentolin。　　Will　you　see　if　you　can　find　her？〃

The　man'