active service-第7章

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t　get　a　vacation　now　I　take　one　later　in　a　lunatic　asylum。〃

〃　Why；　I'm　not　objecting　to　your　having　a　vacation。　I'm　simply　marvelling　at　the　kind　of　vacation　you　want　to　take。　And　'to…morrow；'　too；　eh　？　〃　〃　Well；　it　suits　me；〃　muttered　Coleman；　sulkily。

〃　Well；　if　it　suits　you；　that's　enough。　Here's　your　check。　Clear　out　now　and　don't　let　me　see　you　again　until　you　are　thoroughly　rested；　even　if　it　takes　a　year。〃　He　arose　and　stood　smiling。　He　was　mightily　pleased　with　himself。　He　liked　to　　perform　in　this　way。　He　was　almost　seraphic　as　he　thrust　the　　check　for　a　thousand　dollars　toward　Coleman。

Then　his　manner　changed　abruptly。　〃　Hold　on　a　minute。　I　must　think　a　little　about　this　thing　if　you　are　going　to　manage　the　correspondence。　Of　course　it　will　be　a　long　and　bloody　war。〃

〃You　bet。〃

〃The　big　chance　is　that　all　Europe　will　be　dragged　into　it。　Of　course　then　you　would　have　to　come　out　of　Greece　and　take　up　abetter　position…say　Vienna。〃

〃No；　I　wouldn't　care　to　do　that；〃　said　Coleman　positively。　〃I　just　want　to　take　care　of　the　Greek　end　of　it。〃

〃　It　will　be　an　idiotic　way　to　take　a　vacation；〃　observed　Sturgeon。

〃　Well；　it　suits　me；〃　muttered　Coleman　again。　〃　I　tell　you　what　it　is…〃　he　added　suddenly。　〃I've　got　some　private　reasons…　see　？　〃

Sturgeon　was　radiant　with　joy。　〃　Private　reasons。〃　He　was　charmed　by　the　sombre　pain　in　Coleman's　eyes　and　his　own　ability　to　eject　it。　〃Good。　Go　now　and　be　blowed。　I　will　cable　final　instruction　to　meet　you　in　London。　As　soon　as　you　get　to　Greece；　cable　me　an　account　of　the　situation　there　and　we　will　arrange　our　plans。〃　He　began　to　laugh。　〃　Private　reasons。　Come　out　to　dinner　with　me。〃

〃　I　can't　very　well；〃　said　Coleman。　〃　If　I　go　tomorrow；　I've　got　to　pack…〃

But　here　the　real　tyrant　appeared；　emerging　suddenly　from　behind　the　curtain　of　sentiment；　appearing　like　a　red　devil　in　a　pantomine。　〃　You　can't　？　〃　snapped　Sturgeon。　〃　Nonsense〃

CHAPTER　VII。

SWEEPING　out　from　between　two　remote；　half…submerged　dunes　on　which　stood　slender　sentry　light。　houses；　the　steamer　began　to　roll　with　a　gentle　insinuating　motion。　Passengers　in　their　staterooms　saw　at　rhythmical　intervals　the　spray　racing　fleetly　past　the　portholes。　The　waves　grappled　hurriedly　at　the　sides　of　the　great　flying　steamer　and　boiled　discomfited　astern　in　a　turmoil　of　green　and　white。　From　the　tops　of　the　enormous　funnels　streamed　level　masses　of　smoke　which　were　immediately　torn　to　nothing　by　the　headlong　wind。　Meanwhile　as　the　steamer　rushed　into　the　northeast；　men　in　caps　and　ulsters　comfortably　paraded　the　decks　and　stewards　arranged　deck　chairs　for　the　reception　of　various　women　who　were　coming　from　their　cabins　with　rugs。

In　the　smoking　room；　old　voyagers　were　settling　down　comfortably　while　new　voyagers　were　regarding　them　with　a　diffident　respect。　Among　the　passengers　Coleman　found　a　number　of　people　whom　he　knew；　including　a　wholesale　wine　merchant；　a　Chicago　railway　magnate　and　a　New　York　millionaire。　They　lived　practically　in　the　smoking　room。　Necessity　drove　them　from　time　to　time　to　the　salon；　or　to　their　berths。　Once　indeed　the　millionaire　was　absent；　from　the　group　while　penning　a　short　note　to　his　wife。

When　the　Irish　coast　was　sighted　Coleman　came　on　deck　to　look　at　it。　A　tall　young　woman　immediately　halted　in　her　walk　until　he　had　stepped　up　to　her。　〃　Well；　of　all　ungallant　men；　Rufus　Coleman；　you　are　the　star；〃　she　cried　laughing　and　held　out　her　hand。

〃　Awfully　sorry；　I'm　sure；〃　he　murmured。　〃　Been　playing　poker　in　the　smoking　room　all　voyage。　Didn't　have　a　look　at　the　passenger　list　until　just　now。　Why　didn't　you　send　me　word？〃　These　lies　were　told　so　modestly　and　sincerely　that　when　the　girl　flashed　her；　brilliant　eyes　full　upon　their　author　there　was　a　mixt　of　admiration　in　the　indignation。

〃　Send　you　a　card　〃　I　don't　believe　you　can　read；　　else　you　would　have　known　I　was　to　sail　on　this　steamer。　If　I　hadn't　been　ill　until　to…day　you　would　have　seen　me　in　the　salon。　I　open　at　the　Folly　Theatre　next　week。　Dear　ol'　Lunnon；　y'　know。〃

〃　Of　course；　I　knew　you　were　going；〃　said　Coleman。　〃But　I　thought　you　were　to　go　later。　What　do　you　open　in？　〃

〃　Fly　by　Night。　Come　walk　along　with　me。　See　those　two　old　ladies　〃　They've　been　watching　for　me　like　hawks　ever　since　we　left　New　York。　They　expected　me　to　flirt　with　every　man　on　board。　But　I've　fooled　them。　I've　been　just　as　g…o…o…d。　I　had　to　be。〃

As　the　pair　moved　toward　the　stern；　enormous　and　radiant　green　waves　were　crashing　futilely　after　the　steamer。　Ireland　showed　a　dreary　coast　line　to　the　north。　A　wretched　man　who　had　crossed　the　Atlantic　eighty…four　times　was　declaiming　to　a　group　of　novices。　A　venerable　banker；　bundled　in　rugs；　was　asleep　in　his　deck　chair。

〃　Well；　Nora；〃　said　Coleman；　〃　I　hope　you　make　a　hit　in　London。　You　deserve　it　if　anybody　does。　You've　worked　hard。〃

〃Worked　hard；〃　cried　the　girl。　〃I　should　think　so。　Eight　years　ago　I　was　in　the　rear　row。　Now　I　have　the　centre　of　the　stage　whenever　I　want　it。　I　made　Chalmers　cut　out　that　great　scene　in　the　second　act　between　the　queen　and　Rodolfo。　The　idea！　Did　he　think　I　would　stand　that　？　And　just　because　he　was　in　love　with　Clara　Trotwood；　too。〃

Coleman　was　dreamy。　〃　Remember　when　I　was　dramatic　man　for　the　Gazette　and　wrote　the　first　notice　？　〃

〃　Indeed；　I　do；〃　answered　the　girl　affectionately。　〃　Indeed；　I　do；　Rufus。　Ah；　that　was　a　great　lift。　I　believe　that　was　the　first　thing　that　had　an　effect　on　old　Oliver。　Before　that；　he　never　would　believe　that　I　was　any　good。　Give　me　your　arm；　Rufus。　Let's　parade　before　the　two　old　women。〃　Coleman　glanced　at　her　keenly。　Her　voice　had　trembled　slightly。　Her　eyes　were　lustrous　as　if　she　were　about　to　weep。

〃　Good　heavens；〃　he　said。　〃　You　are　the　same　old　Nora　Black。　I　thought　you　would　be　proud　and　'aughty　by　this　time。〃

〃　Not　to　my　friends；〃　she　murmured。；　〃　Not　to　my　friends。　I'm　always　the　same　and　I　never　forget。　Rufus。〃

〃　Never　forget　what？　〃　asked　Coleman。

〃　If　anybody　does　me　a　favour　I　never　forget　it　as　long　as　I　live；〃　she　answered　fervently。

〃　Oh；　you　mustn't　be　so　sentimental；　Nora。　You　remember　that　play　you　bought　from　little　Ben　Whipple；　just　because　he　had　once　sent　you　some　flowers　in　the　old　days　when　you　were　poor　and　happened　to　bed　sick。　A　sense　of　gratitude　cost　you　over　eight　thousand　dollars　that　time；　didn't　it？　〃　Coleman　laughed　heartily。

〃　Oh；　it　wasn't　the　flowers　at　all；〃　she　interrupted　seriously。　〃　Of　course　Ben　was　always　a　nice　boy；　but　then　his　play　was　worth　a　thousand　dollars。　That's　all　I　gave　him。　I　lost　some　more　in　trying　to　make　it　go。　But　it　was　too　good。　That　was　what　was　the　matter。　It　was　altogether　too　good　for　the　public。　I　felt　awfully　sorry　for　poor　little　Ben。〃

〃Too　good？〃　sneered　Coleman。　〃Too　good？　Too　indifferently　bad；　you　mean。　My　dear　girl；　you　mustn't　imagine　that　you　know　a　good　play。　You　don't；　at　all。〃

She　paused　abruptly　and　faced　him。　This　regal；　creature　was　looking　at　him　so　sternly　that　Coleman　felt　awed　for　a　moment　as　if　he；　were　in　the　presence　of　a　great　mind。　〃　Do　you　mean　to　say　that　I'm　not　an　artist　？　〃　she　asked。

Coleman　remained　cool。　〃　I've　never　been　decorated　for　informing　people　of　their　own　affairs；〃　he　observed；　〃　but　I　should　say　that　you　were　about　as　much　of　an　artist　as　I　am。〃

Frowning　slightly；　she　reflected　upon　this　reply。　Then；　of　a　sudden；　she　laughed。　〃　There　is　no　use　in　being　angry　with　you；　Rufus。　You　always　were　a　hopeless　scamp。　But；〃　she　added；　childishly　wistful；　〃have　you　ever　seen　Fly　by　Night？　　Don't　you　think　my　dance　in　the　second　act　is　artistic？　〃

〃　No；〃　said　Coleman；　〃　I　haven't　seen　Fly　by　Night　yet；　but　of　course　I　know　that　you　are　the　most　beautiful　dancer　on　the　stage。　Everybody　knows　that。〃

It　seemed　that　her　hand　tightened　on　his　arm。　Her　face　was　radiant。　〃　There；〃　she　exclaimed。　〃　Now　you　are　forgiven。　You　are　a　nice　boy；　Rufus…some…　times。〃

When　Miss　Black　went　to　her　cabin；　Coleman　strolled　into　the　smoking　room。　Every　man　there　covertly　or　openly　surveyed　him。　He　dropped　lazily　into　a　chair　at　a　table　where　the　wine　merchant；　the　Chicago　railway　king　and　the　New　York　millionaire　were　playing　cards。　They　made　a　noble　pretense　of　not　being　aware　of　him。　On　the　oil　cloth　top　of　the　table　the　cards　were　snapped　down；　turn　by　turn。

Finally　the　wine　merchant；　without　lifting　his　head　to…　address　a　particular　person；　said：　〃　New　conquest。〃

Hailing　a　steward　Coleman　asked　for　a　brandy　and　soda。

The　millionaire　said：　〃　He's　a　sly　cuss；　anyhow。〃　The　railway　man　grinned。　After　an　elaborate　silence　the　wine　merchant　asked：　〃　Know　Miss　Black　long；　Rufus？〃　Coleman　looked　scornfully　at　his　friends。　〃　What's　wrong　with　you　there；　fellows；　anyhow？〃　The　Chicago　man　answered　airily。　〃　Oh；　nothin'。　Nothin'；　whatever。〃

At　dinner　in　the　crowded　salon；　Coleman　was　aware　that　more　than　one　passenger　glanced　first　at　Nora　Black　and　then　at　him；　as　if　connecting　them　in　some　train　of　thought；　moved　to　it　by　the　narrow　horizon　of　shipboard　and　by　a　sense　of　the　mystery　that　surrounds　the　lives　of　the　beauties　of　the　stage。　Near　the　captain's　right　hand　sat　the　glowing　and　splendid　Nora；　exhibiting　under　the　gaze　of　the　persistent　eyes　of　many　meanings；　a　practiced　and　profound　composure　that　to　the　populace　was　terrfying　dignity。

Strolling　toward　the　smoking　room　after　dinner；　Coleman　met　the　New　York　millionaire；　who　seemed　agitated。　He　took　Coleman　fraternally　by　the　arm。　〃　Say；　old　man；　introduce　me；　won't　you　？　I'm　crazy　to　know　her。〃

〃Do　you　mean　Miss　Black？〃　asked　Coleman。

〃　Why；　I　don't　know　that　I　have　a　right。　Of　course；　you　know；　she　hasn't　been　meeting　anybody　aboard。　I'll　ask　her；　though…　certainly。〃

〃　Thanks；　old　man；　thanks。　I'd　be　tickled　to　death。　Come　along　and　have　a　drink。　When　will　you　ask　her？　〃　〃　Why；　I　don't　know　when　I'll　see　her。　To…morrow；　I　suppose…〃

They　had　not　been　long　in　the　smoking　room；　however；　when　the　deck　steward　came　with　a　card　to　Coleman。　Upon　it　was　written：　〃Come　for'　a　stroll？〃　Everybody；　saw　Coleman　read　this　card　and　then　look　up　and　whisper　to　the　deck　steward。　The　deck　steward　bent　his　head　and　whispered　discreetly　in　reply。　There　was　an　abrupt　pause　in　the　hum　of　conversation。　The　interest　was　acute。

Coleman　leaned　carelessly　back　in　his　chair；　puffing　at　his　cigar。　He　mingled　calmly　in　a　discussion　of　the　comparative　merits　of　certain　trans…Atlantic　lines。　After　a　time　he　threw　away　his　cigar　and　arose。　Men　nodded。　〃Didn't　I　tell　you？〃　His　studiously　languid　exit　was　made　dramatic　by　the　eagle…eyed　attention　of　the　smoking　room。　

On　deck　he　found　Nora　pacing　to　and　fro。　〃You　didn't　hurry　yourself；〃　she　said；　as　he　joined　her。　The　lights　of　Queenstown　were　twinkling。　A　warm　wind；　wet　with　the　moisture　of　rain…　stricken　sod；　was　coming　from　the　land。

〃Why；〃　said　Coleman；　〃we've　got　all　these　duffers　very　much　excited。〃

〃Well　what　do　you　care？　〃　asked　hte　girl。　〃You　don't；　care　do　you？〃

〃No；　I　don't　care。　　Only　it's　rather　absurd　to　be　watched　all　the　time。〃　　He　said　this　precisely　as　if　he　abhorred　being　watched　in　this　case。　　〃Oh　by　the　way；〃　he　added。　　Then　he　paused　for　a　　moment。　　〃Awa　friend　of　minenot　a　bad　fellow　he　asked　me　for　an　introduction。　　Of　course；　I　told　him　I'd　ask　you。〃

Sh