the yellow crayon-第1章

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The　Yellow　Crayon

by　E。　Phillips　Oppenheim






CHAPTER　I

It　was　late　summer…time；　and　the　perfume　of　flowers　stole　into　the
darkened　room　through　the　half…opened　window。　　　The　sunlight　forced
its　way　through　a　chink　in　the　blind；　and　stretched　across　the　floor
in　strange　zigzag　fashion。　　From　without　came　the　pleasant　murmur
of　bees　and　many　lazier　insects　floating　over　the　gorgeous　flower
beds；　resting　for　a　while　on　the　clematis　which　had　made　the　piazza
a　blaze　of　purple　splendour。　　And　inside；　in　a　high…backed　chair；
there　sat　a　man；　his　arms　folded；　his　eyes　fixed　steadily　upon
vacancy。　　As　he　sat　then；　so　had　he　sat　for　a　whole　day　and　a　whole
night。　　The　faint　sweet　chorus　of　glad　living　things；　which　alone
broke　the　deep　silence　of　the　house；　seemed　neither　to　disturb　nor
interest　him。　　He　sat　there　like　a　man　turned　to　stone；　his
forehead　riven　by　one　deep　line；　his　straight　firm　mouth　set　close
and　hard。　　His　servant；　the　only　living　being　who　had　approached
him；　had　set　food　by　his　side；　which　now　and　then　he　had
mechanically　taken。　　Changeless　as　a　sphinx；　he　had　sat　there　in
darkness　and　in　light；　whilst　sunlight　had　changed　to　moonlight；
and　the　songs　of　the　birds　had　given　place　to　the　low　murmuring
of　frogs　from　a　lake　below　the　lawns。

At　last　it　seemed　that　his　unnatural　fit　had　passed　away。　　He
stretched　out　his　hand　and　struck　a　silver　gong　which　had　been　left
within　his　reach。　　Almost　immediately　a　man；　pale…faced；　with　full
dark　eyes　and　olive　complexion；　dressed　in　the　sombre　garb　of　an
indoor　servant；　stood　at　his　elbow。

〃Duson。〃

〃Your　Grace！〃

〃Bring　wine…Burgundy。〃

It　was　before　him；　served　with　almost　incredible　despatch　…　a　small
cobwebbed　bottle　and　a　glass　of　quaint　shape；　on　which　were
beautifully　emblazoned　a　coronet　and　fleur…de…lis。　　He　drank　slowly
and　deliberately。　　When　he　set　the　glass　down　it　was　empty。

〃Duson！〃

〃Your　Grace！〃

〃You　will　pack　my　things　and　your　own。　　We　shall　leave　for　New　York
this　evening。　　Telegraph　to　the　Holland　House　for　rooms。〃

〃For　how　many　days；　your　Grace？〃

〃We　shall　not　return　here。　　Pay　off　all　the　servants　save　two　of
the　most　trustworthy；　who　will　remain　as　caretakers。〃

The　man's　face　was　as　immovable　as　his　master's。

〃And　Madame？〃

〃Madame　will　not　be　returning。　　She　will　have　no　further　use　for
her　maid。　　See；　however；　that　her　clothes　and　all　her　personal
belongings　remain　absolutely　undisturbed。〃

〃Has　your　Grace　any　further　orders？〃

〃Take　pencil　and　paper。　　Send　this　cablegram。　Are　you　ready？〃

The　man's　head　moved　in　respectful　assent。

　　　　　〃To　Felix；
　　　　　　　〃No　27；　Rue　de　St。　　Pierre；
　　　　　　　　　〃Avenue　de　L'Opera；　Paris。
〃Meet　me　at　Sherry's　Restaurant；　New　York；　one　month　to…day；　eleven
p。m。　…　V。　　S。〃

〃It　shall　be　sent　immediately；　your　Grace。　　The　train　for　New　York
leaves　at　seven…ten。　　A　carriage　will　be　here　in　one　hour　and　five
minutes。〃

The　man　moved　towards　the　door。　　His　master　looked　up。

〃Duson！〃

〃Your　Grace！〃

〃The　Duc　de　Souspennier　remains　here　…　or　at　the　bottom　of　the
lake　…　what　matters！　　　It　is　Mr。　Sabin　who　travels　to　New　York；
and　for　whom　you　engage　rooms　at　the　Holland　House。　　Mr。　Sabin　is
a　cosmopolitan　of　English　proclivities。〃

〃Very　good；　sir！〃

〃Lock　this　door。　　Bring　my　coat　and　hat　five　minutes　before　the
carriage　starts。　　Let　the　servants　be　well　paid。　　Let　none　of　them
attempt　to　see　me。〃

The　man　bowed　and　disappeared。　　Left　to　himself；　Mr。　Sabin　rose　from
his　chair；　and　pushing　open　the　windows；　stood　upon　the　verandah。
He　leaned　heavily　upon　his　stick　with　both　hands；　holding　it　before
him。　　Slowly　his　eyes　traveled　over　the　landscape。

It　was　a　very　beautiful　home　which　he　was　leaving。　　Before　him
stretched　the　gardens　…　Italian　in　design；　brilliant　with　flowers；
with　here　and　there　a　dark　cedar…tree　drooping　low　upon　the　lawn。
A　yew　hedge　bordered　the　rose…garden；　a　fountain　was　playing　in
the　middle　of　a　lake。　　A　wooden　fence　encircled　the　grounds；　and
beyond　was　a　smooth　rolling　park；　with　little　belts　of　pine
plantations　and　a　few　larger　trees　here　and　there。　　In　the　far
distance　the　red　flag　was　waving　on　one　of　the　putting　greens。
Archie　Green　was　strolling　up　the　hillside；　…　his　pipe　in　his　mouth；
and　his　driver　under　his　arm。　　Mr。　Sabin　watched；　and　the　lines　in
his　face　grew　deeper　and　deeper。
　　
〃I　am　an　old　man；〃　he　said　softly；　〃but　I　will　live　to　see　them
suffer　who　have　done　this　evil　thing。〃　

He　turned　slowly　back　into　the　room；　and　limping　rather　more　than
was　usual　with　him；　he　pushed　aside　a　portiere　and　passed　into　a
charmingly　furnished　country　drawing…room。　　Only　the　flowers　hung
dead　in　their　vases；　everything　else　was　fresh　and　sweet　and　dainty。
Slowly　he　threaded　his　way　amongst　the　elegant　Louis　Quinze
furniture；　examining　as　though　for　the　first　time　the　beautiful　old
tapestry；　the　Sevres　china；　the　Chippendale　table；　which　was
priceless；　the　exquisite　portraits　painted　by　Greuze；　and　the
mysterious　green　twilights　and　grey　dawns　of　Corot。　　Everywhere
treasures　of　art；　yet　everywhere　the　restraining　hand　of　the　artist。
The　faint　smell　of　dead　rose　leaves　hung　about　the　room。　　Already
one　seemed　conscious　of　a　certain　emptiness　as　though　the　genius　of
the　place　had　gone。　　Mr。　Sabin　leaned　heavily　upon　his　stick；　and
his　head　drooped　lower　and　lower。　　　　A　soft；　respectful　voice　came
to　him　from　the　other　room。

〃In　five　minutes；　sir；　the　carriage　will　be　at　the　door。　　I　have
your　coat　and　hat　here。〃

Mr。　Sabin　looked　up。

〃I　am　quite　ready；　Duson！〃　he　said。

　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　*

The　servants　in　the　hall　stood　respectfully　aside　to　let　him　pass。
On　the　way　to　the　depot　he　saw　nothing　of　those　who　saluted　him。
In　the　car　he　sat　with　folded　arms　in　the　most　retired　seat；　looking
steadfastly　out　of　the　window　at　the　dying　day。　　There　were
mountains　away　westwards；　touched　with　golden　light；　sometimes　for
long　minutes　together　the　train　was　rushing　through　forests　whose
darkness　was　like　that　of　a　tunnel。　　Mr。　Sabin　seemed　indifferent
to　these　changes。　　The　coming　of　night　did　not　disturb　him。　　His
brain　was　at　work；　and　the　things　which　he　saw　were　hidden　from
other　men。

Duson；　with　a　murmur　of　apology；　broke　in　upon　his　meditations。

〃You　will　pardon　me；　sir；　but　the　second　dinner　is　now　being　served。
The　restaurant　car　will　be　detached　at　the　next　stop。〃

〃What　of　it？〃　Mr。　Sabin　asked　calmly。

〃I　have　taken　the　liberty　of　ordering　dinner　for　you；　sir。　　It　is
thirty　hours　since　you　ate　anything　save　biscuits。〃

Mr。　Sabin　rose　to　his　feet。

〃You　are　quite　right；　Duson；〃　he　said。　　〃I　will　dine。〃

In　half…an…hour　he　was　back　again。　　Duson　placed　before　him　silently
a　box　of　cigarettes　and　matches。　　Mr。　Sabin　smoked。

Soon　the　lights　of　the　great　city　flared　in　the　sky；　the　train
stopped　more　frequently；　the　express　men　and　newspaper　boys　came
into　evidence。　　Mr。　Sabin　awoke　from　his　long　spell　of　thought。　　He
bought　a　newspaper；　and　glanced　through　the　list　of　steamers　which
had　sailed　during　the　week。　　When　the　train　glided　into　the　depot
he　was　on　his　feet　and　ready　to　leave　it。

〃You　will　reserve　our　rooms；　Duson；　for　one　month；〃　he　said　on　the
way　to　the　hotel。　　We　shall　probably　leave　for　Europe　a　month
to…morrow。〃

〃Very　good；　sir。〃

〃You　were　Mrs。　Peterson's　servant；　Duson；　before　you　were　mine！〃

〃Yes；　sir。〃

〃You　have　been　with　her；　I　believe；　for　many　years。　　You　are
doubtless　much　attached　to　her！〃

〃Indeed　I　am；　sir！〃

〃You　may　have　surmised；　Duson；　that　she　has　left　me。　　I　desire　to
ensure　your　absolute　fidelity；　so　I　take　you　into　my　confidence　to
this　extent。　　Your　mistress　is　in　the　hands　of　those　who　have　some
power　over　her。　　Her　absence　is　involuntary　so　far　as　she　is
concerned。　　It　has　been　a　great　blow　to　me。　　I　am　prepared　to
run　all　risks　to　discover　her　whereabouts。　　It　is　late　in　my　life
for　adventures；　but　it　is　very　certain　that　adventures　and　dangers
are　before　us。　　In　accompanying　me　you　will　associate　yourself　with
many　risks。　　Therefore　…　〃

Duson　held　up　his　hand。

〃I　beg；　sir；〃　he　exclaimed；　〃that　you　will　not　suggest　for　a　moment
my　leaving　your　service　on　that　account。　　I　beg　most　humbly；　sir；
that　you　will　not　do　me　that　injustice。〃

Mr。　Sabin　paused。　　His　eyes；　like　lightning；　read　the　other's　face。

〃It　is　settled　then；　Duson；〃　he　said。　　〃Kindly　pay　this　cabman；　and
follow　me　as　quickly　as　possible。〃

Mr。　Sabin　passed　across　the　marble　hall；　leaning　heavily　upon　his
stick。　　Yet　for　all　his　slow　movements　there　was　a　new　alertness
in　his　eyes　and　bearing。　　He　was　once　more　taking　keen　note　of
everybody　and　everything　about　him。　　Only　a　few　days　ago　she　had
been　here。

He　claimed　his　rooms　at　the　office；　and　handed　the　keys　to　Duson；
who　by　this　time　had　rejoined　him。　　At　the　moment　of　turning　away
he　addressed　an　inquiry　to　the　clerk　behind　the　counter。

〃Can　you　tell　me　if　the　Duchess　of　Souspennier　is　staying　here？〃
he　inquired。

The　young　man　glanced　up。

〃Been　here；　I　guess。　　Left　on　Tuesday。〃

Mr。　Sabin　turned　away。　　He　did　not　speak　again　until　Duson　and　he
were　alone　in　the　sitting…room。　　Then　he　drew　out　a　five　dollar　bill。

〃Duson；〃　he　said；　〃take　this　to　the　head　luggage　porter。　　Tell　him
to　bring　his　departure　book　up　here　at　once；　and　there　is　another
waiting　for　him。　　You　understand？〃

〃Certainly；　sir！〃

Mr。　Sabin　turned　to　enter　his　bed…chamber。　　His　attention　was
attracted；　however；　by　a　letter　lying　flat　upon　the　table。　　He　took
it　up。　　It　was　addressed　to　Mr。　Sabin。

〃This　is　very　clever；〃　he　mused；　hesitating　for　a　moment　before
opening　it。　　〃I　wired　for　rooms　only　a　few　hours　ago　…　and　I　find
a　letter。　　It　is　the　commencement。〃

He　tore　open　the　envelope；　and　drew　out　a　single　half…sheet　of
note…paper。　　Across　it　was　scrawled　a　single　sentence　only。

〃Go　back　to　Lenox。〃

There　was　no　signature；　nor　any　date。　　The　only　noticeable　thing
about　this　brief　communication　was　that　it　was　written　in　yellow
pencil　of　a　peculiar　shade。　　Mr。　Sabin's　eyes　glittered　as　he　read。

〃The　yellow　crayon！〃　he　muttered。

Duson　knocked　softly　at　the　door。　　Mr。　Sabin　thrust　the　letter　and
envelope　into　his　breast　coat　pocket。



CHAPTER　II
This　is　the　luggage　porter；　sir；〃　Duson　announced。　　〃He　is　prepared
to　answer　any　questions。〃

The　man　took　out　his　book。　　Mr。　Sabin；　who　was　sitting　in　an
easy…chair；　turned　sideways　towards　him。

〃The　Duchess　of　Souspennier　was　staying　here　last　week；〃　he　said。
〃She　left；　I　believe；　on　Thursday　or　Friday。　　Can　you　tell　me
whether　her　baggage　went　through　your　hands？〃

The　man　set　down　his　hat　upon　a　vacant　chair；　and　turned　over　the
leaves　of　his　book。

〃Guess　I　can　fix　that　for　you；〃　he　remarked；　running　his　forefinger
down　one　of　the　pages。　　〃Here　we　are。　　The　Duchess　left　on　Friday；
and　we　checked　her　baggage　through　to　Lenox　by　the　New　York；　New
Haven　&　Hartford。〃

Mr。　Sabin　nodded。

〃Thank　you；〃　he　said。　　〃She　would　probably　take　a　carriage　to　the
station。　　It　will　be　worth　another　ten　dollars　to　you　if　you　can
find　me　the　man　who　drove　her。〃

〃Well；　we　ought　to　manage　that　for　you；〃　the　man　remarked