the yellow crayon-第3章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


asked。

〃Bunkum！〃　　Mr。　Skinner　replied　confidently。

Mr。　Sabin　nodded　his　head。

〃You　have　no　secret　societies　over　here；　I　suppose？〃　he　said。

Mr。　Skinner　laughed　loudly　and　derisively。

〃I　guess　not；〃　he　answered。　　〃They　keep　that　sort　of　rubbish　on　the
other　side　of　the　pond。〃

〃Ah；！〃

Mr。　Sabin　was　thoughtful　for　a　moment。　　〃You　expect　to　find；　then；〃
he　remarked；　〃some　other　cause　for　my　wife's　disappearance？〃

〃There　don't　seem　much　room　for　doubt　concerning　that；　sir；〃　Mr。
Skinner　said；　〃but　I　never　speculate。　　I　will　bring　you　the　facts
to…night　between　eight　and　eleven。　　Now　as　to　the　business　side　of
it。〃

Mr。　Sabin　was　for　a　moment　puzzled。

〃What's　the　job　worth　to　you？〃　Mr。　Skinner　asked。　　〃I　am　willing　to
pay；〃　Mr。　Sabin　answered；　〃according　to　your　demands。〃

〃It's　a　simple　case；〃　Mr。　Skinner　admitted；　〃but　our　man　at　the
Waldorf　is　expensive。　　If　you　get　all　your　facts；　I　guess　five
hundred　dollars　will　about　see　you　through。〃

〃I　will　pay　that；〃　Mr。　Sabin　answered。

〃I　will　bring　you　the　letters　back　to…night；〃　Mr。　Skinner　said。
〃I　guess　I'll　borrow　that　locket　of　yours；　too。〃

Mr。　Sabin　shook　his　head。

〃That；〃　he　said　firmly；　〃I　do　not　part　with。〃　　Mr。　Skinner　scratched
his　ear　with　his　penholder。　　〃It's　the　only　scrap　of　identifying
matter　we've　got；〃　he　remarked。　　〃Of　course　it's　a　dead　simple　case；
and　we　can　probably　manage　without　it。　　But　I　guess　it's　as　well　to
fix　the　thing　right　down。〃

〃If　you　will　give　me　a　piece　of　paper；〃　Mr。　Sabin　said；　〃I　will　make
you　a　sketch　of　the　Duchess。　　The　larger　the　better。　　I　can　give　you
an　idea　of　the　sort　of　clothes　she　would　probably　be　wearing。〃

Mr。　Skinner　furnished　him　with　a　double　sheet　of　paper；　and　Mr。
Sabin；　with　set　face　and　unflinching　figures；　reproduced　in　a　few
simple　strokes　a　wonderful　likeness　of　the　woman　he　loved。　　He
pushed　it　away　from　him　when　he　had　finished　without　remark。　　Mr。
Skinner　was　loud　in　its　praises。

〃I　guess　you're　an　artist；　sir；　for　sure；〃　he　remarked。　　〃This'll
fix　the　thing。　　Shall　I　come　to　your　hotel？〃

〃If　you　please；〃　Mr。　Sabin　answered。　　〃I　shall　be　there　for　the　rest
of　the　day。〃

Mr。　Skinner　took　up　his　hat。

〃Guess　I'll　take　my　dinner　and　get　right　to　work；〃　he　remarked。
〃Say；　you　come　along；　Mr。　Sabin。　　I'll　take　you　where　they'll　fix
you　such　a　beefsteak　as　you　never　tasted　in　your　life。〃

〃I　thank　you　very　much；〃　Mr。　Sabin　said；　〃but　I　must　beg　to　be
excused。　　I　am　expecting　some　despatches　at　my　hotel。　　If　you　are
successful　this　afternoon　you　will　perhaps　do　me　the　honour　of
dining　with　me　to…night。　　I　will　wait　until　eight…thirty。〃

The　two　men　parted　upon　the　pavement。　　Mr。　Skinner；　with　his　small
bowler　hat　on　the　back　of　his　head；　a　fresh　cigar　in　the　corner　of
his　mouth；　and　his　thumbs　in　the　armholes　of　his　waistcoat；　strolled
along　Broadway　with　something　akin　to　a　smile　parting　his　lips；　and
showing　his　yellow　teeth。

〃Darned　old　fool；〃　he　muttered。　　〃To　marry　a　slap…up　handsome　woman
like　that；　and　then　pretend　not　to　know　what　it　means　when　she　bolts。
Guess　I'll　spoil　his　supper　to…night。〃

Mr。　Sabin；　however；　was　recovering　his　spirits。　　He；　too；　was
leaning　back　in　the　corner　of　his　carriage　with　a　faint　smile
brightening　his　hard；　stern　face。　　But；　unlike　Mr。　Skinner；　he　did
not　talk　to　himself。



CHAPTER　IV

R。　Sabin；　who　was　never；　for　its　own　sake；　fond　of　solitude；　had
ordered　dinner　for　two　at　eight…thirty　in　the　general　dining…room。
At　a　few　minutes　previous　to　that　hour　Mr。　Skinner　presented　himself。

Mr。　Skinner　was　not　in　the　garb　usually　affected　by　men　of　the　world
who　are　invited　to　dine　out。　　The　long　day's　exertion；　too；　had　had
its　effect　upon　his　linen。　　His　front；　indeed；　through　a　broad　gap；
confessed　to　a　foundation　of　blue；　and　one　of　his　cuffs　showed　a
marked　inclination　to　escape　from　his　wrist　over　his　knuckles。　　His
face　was　flushed；　and　he　exhaled　a　strong　odour　of　cigars　and
cocktails。　　Nevertheless；　Mr。　Sabin　was　very　glad　to　see　him；　and
to　receive　the　folded　sheet　of　paper　which　he　at　once　produced。

〃I　have　taken　the　liberty；〃　Mr。　Sabin　remarked；　on　his　part；　〃of
adding　a　trifle　to　the　amount　we　first　spoke　of；　which　I　beg　you
will　accept　from　me　as　a　mark　of　my　gratitude　for　your　promptness。〃

〃Sure！〃　Mr。　Skinner　answered　tersely；　receiving　the　little　roll　of
bills　without　hesitation；　and　retreating　into　a　quiet　corner；　where
he　carefully　counted　and　examined　every　one。　　〃That's　all　right！〃
he　announced　at　the　conclusion　of　his　task。　　〃Come　and　have　one
with　me　now　before　you　read　your　little　billet…doux；　eh？〃

〃I　shall　not　read　your　report　until　after　dinner；〃　Mr。　Sabin　said；
〃and　I　think　if　you　are　ready　that　we　might　as　well　go　in。　　At　the
head…waiter's　suggestion　I　have　ordered　a　cocktail　with　the　oysters；
and　if　we　are　much　later　he　seemed　to　fear　that　it　might　affect　the
condition　of　the　…　I　think　it　was　terrapin；　he　said。〃

Mr。　Skinner　stopped　short。　　His　tone　betrayed　emotion。

〃Did　you　say　terrapin；　sir？〃

Mr。　Sabin　nodded。　　Mr。　Skinner　at　once　took　his　arm。

〃Guess　we'll　go　right　in；〃　he　declared。　　〃I　hate　to　have　a　good
meal　spoiled。〃

They　were　an　old…looking　couple。　　Mr。　Sabin　quietly　but　faultlessly
attired　in　the　usual　evening　dinner　garb；　Mr。　Skinner　ill…dressed；
untidy；　unwashed　and　frowsy。　　But　here　at　least　Mr。　Sabin's
incognito　had　been　unavailing；　for　he　had　stayed　at　the　hotel　several
times　…　as　he　remembered　with　an　odd　little　pang　…　with　Lucille；　and
the　head…waiter；　with　a　low　bow；　ushered　them　to　their　table。　　Mr。
Skinner　saw　the　preparations　for　their　repast；　the　oysters；　the
cocktails　in　tall　glasses；　the　magnum　of　champagne　in　ice；　and
chuckled。　　To　take　supper　with　a　duke　was　a　novelty　to　him；　but　he
was　not　shy。　　He　sat　down　and　tucked　his　serviette　into　his
waistcoat；　raised　his　glass；　and　suddenly　set　it　down　again。

〃The　boss！〃　he　exclaimed　in　amazement。

Mr。　Sabin　turned　his　head　in　the　direction　which　his　companion　had
indicated。　　Coming　hastily　across　the　room　towards　them；　already
out　of　breath　as　though　with　much　hurrying；　was　a　thick…set；　powerful
man；　with　the　brutal　face　and　coarse　lips　of　a　prizefighter；　a　beard
cropped　so　short　as　to　seem　the　growth　of　a　few　days　only　covered
his　chin；　and　his　moustache；　treated　in　the　same　way；　was　not　thick
enough　to　conceal　a　cruel　mouth。　　He　was　carefully　enough　dressed；
and　a　great　diamond　flashed　from　his　tie。　　There　was　a　red　mark
round　his　forehead　where　his　hat　had　been；　and　the　perspiration　was
streaming　from　his　forehead。　　He　strode　without　hesitation　to　the
table　where　Mr。　Sabin　and　his　guest　were　sitting；　and　without　even
a　glance　at　the　former　turned　upon　his　myrmidon。

〃Where's　that　report？〃　he　cried　roughly。　　〃'Where　is　it？〃

Mr。　Skinner　seemed　to　have　shrunk　into　a　smaller　man。　　He　pointed
across　the　table。

〃I've　given　it　to　him；〃　he　said。　　〃What's　wrong；　boss？〃

The　newcomer　raised　his　hand　as　though　to　strike　Skinner。　　He
gnashed　his　teeth　with　the　effort　to　control　himself。

〃You　damned　blithering　idiot；〃　he　said　hoarsely；　gripping　the　side
of　the　table。　　〃Why　wasn't　it　presented　to　me　first？〃

〃Guess　it　didn't　seem　worth　while；〃　Skinner　answered。　　〃There's
nothing　in　the　darned　thing。〃

〃You　ignorant　fool；　hold　your　tongue；〃　was　the　fierce　reply。

The　newcomer　sank　into　a　chair　and　wiped　the　perspiration　from
his　streaming　forehead。　　Mr。　Sabin　signaled　to　a　waiter。

〃You　seem　upset；　Mr。　Horser；〃　he　remarked　politely。　　〃Allow　me　to
offer　you　a　glass　of　wine。

Mr。　Horser　did　not　immediately　reply；　but　he　accepted　the　glass
which　the　waiter　brought　him；　and　after　a　moment's　hesitation
drained　its　contents。　　Then　he　turned　to　Mr。　Sabin。

〃You　said　nothing　about　those　letters　you　had　had　when　you　came
to　see　me　this　morning！〃

〃It　was　you　yourself；〃　Mr。　Sabin　reminded　him；　〃who　begged　me　not
to　enter　into　particulars。　　You　sent　me　on　to　Mr。　Skinner。　　I　told
him　everything。〃

Mr。　Horser　leaned　over　the　table。　　His　eyes　were　bloodshot；　his
tone　was　fierce　and　threatening。　　Mr。　Sabin　was　coldly　courteous。
The　difference　between　the　demeanour　of　the　two　men　was　remarkable。

〃You　knew　what　those　letters　meant！　　This　is　a　plot！　　Where　is
Skinner's　report？〃

Mr。　Sabin　raised　his　eyebrows。　　He　signaled　to　the　head…waiter。

〃Be　so　good　as　to　continue　the　service　of　my　dinner；〃　he　ordered。
〃The　champagne　is　a　trifle　too　chilled。　　You　can　take　it　out　of
the　cooler。〃

The　man　bowed；　with　a　curious　side　glance　at　Horser。

〃Certainly；　your　Grace！〃

Horser　was　almost　speechless　with　anger。

〃Are　you　going　to　answer　my　questions？〃　he　demanded　thickly。

〃I　have　no　particular　objection　to　doing　so；〃　Mr。　Sabin　answered；
〃but　until　you　can　sit　up　and　compose　yourself　like　an　ordinary
individual；　I　decline　to　enter　into　any　conversation　with　you　at
all。〃

Again　Mr。　Horser　raised　his　voice；　and　the　glare　in　his　eyes　was
like　the　glare　of　a　wild　beast。

〃Do　you　know　who　I　am？〃　he　asked。　　〃Do　you　know　who　you're　talking
to？〃

Mr。　Sabin　looked　at　him　coolly；　and　fingered　his　wineglass。

〃Well；〃　he　said；　〃I've　a　shocking　memory　for　names；　but　yours　is
…　Mr。　Horser；　isn't　it？　　I　heard　it　for　the　first　time　this　morning；
and　my　memory　will　generally　carry　me　through　four…and…twenty　hours。〃

There　was　a　moment's　silence。　　Horser　was　no　fool。　　He　accepted　his
defeat　and　dropped　the　bully。

〃You're　a　stranger　in　this　city；　Mr。　Sabin；　and　I　guess　you　aren't
altogether　acquainted　with　our　ways　yet；〃　he　said。　　〃But　I　want　you
to　understand　this。　　The　report　which　is　in　your　pocket　has　got　to
be　returned　to　me。　　If　I'd　known　what　I　was　meddling　with　I　wouldn't
have　touched　your　business　for　a　hundred　thousand　dollars。　　It's　got
to　be　returned　to　me；　I　say！〃　he　repeated　in　a　more　threatening　tone。

Mr。　Sabin　helped　himself　to　fish；　and　made　a　careful　examination　of
the　sauce。

〃After　all；〃　he　said　meditatively；　〃I　am　not　sure　that　I　was　wise
in　insisting　upon　a　sauce　piquante。　　I　beg　your　pardon；　Mr。　Horser。
Please　do　not　think　me　inattentive；　but　I　am　very　hungry。　　So；　I
believe；　is　my　friend；　Mr。　Skinner。　　Will　you　not　join　us　…　or
perhaps　you　have　already　dined？〃

There　was　an　ugly　flush　in　Mr。　Horser's　cheeks；　but　he　struggled　to
keep　his　composure。

〃Will　you　give　me　back　that　report？〃

〃When　I　have　read　it；　with　pleasure；〃　Mr。　Sabin　answered。　　〃Before；
no。〃

Mr。　Horser　swallowed　an　exceedingly　vicious　oath。　　He　struck　the
table　lightly　with　his　forefinger。

〃Look　here；〃　he　said。　　〃If　you'd　lived　in　New　York　a　couple　of
years；　even　a　couple　of　months；　you　wouldn't　talk　like　that。　　I　tell
you　that　I　hold　the　government　of　this　city　in　my　right　hand。　　I
don't　want　to　be　unpleasant；　but　if　that　paper　is　not　in　my　hands
by　the　time　you　leave　this　table　I　shall　have　you　arrested　as　you
leave　this　room；　and　the　papers　taken　from　you。〃

〃Dear　me；〃　Mr。　Sabin　said；　〃this　is　serious。　　On　what　charge　may　I
ask　should　I　be　exposed　to　this　inconvenience？〃

〃Charge　be　damned！〃　Mr。　Horser　answered。　　〃The　police　don't　want
particulars　from　me。　　When　I　say　do　a　thing　they　do　it。　　They　know
that　if　they　declined　it　would　be　their　last　day　on　the　force。〃

Mr。　Sabin　filled　h