or two, and signed his name. Then he restored its cork to his bottle of ink, blotted the lines he had written, and, gathering the flimsy pages int
eden will be none the wiser, let us forge
R T
rendered, from a sense of duty, I am making this one with a sense of relief-a somewhat scandalous admis
must withdraw anything which I have written to you in disparagement of my late master. The poor man had worries I did not know of, and
ing with my dog at a little inn where no ways met.
are times when I go powdered. I have even hobnobbed with the scar
et Fresne, however, a gilded youth with three thousand a year, finds me extremely useful. I bet for him, I make appointments for him to have his hair trimmed, I retain stalls for him, and occasionally I admit him to the house at an unlawful hour. In fact, he is a co
ne day, "you're a ge
easiest to
ays his
mily faili
! You mean,
lord. We neve
sort of thing. Hullo!" He peers into a gold cigarett
to him five minutes before, his ejaculation was not in the best of taste
ard up, are y
y my way,
s all right. I remember I put it in my coat. Which reminds me-I want a coup
, my lord. It used
ies he. "I thought
e gallery,
Lyveden, but you can go to the gallery i
ke my
o your lordship, bu
ill-concealed relief. "Do
nd when I was at Harrow, his eldest bro
understand. He is a monument, massive, meaningless, and about as useful as a fan in a c
the cassock of the confesso
. And when next I looked, lo! there was the picture, all warm and smiling, her little white hands about her dark, dark hair. I was overwhelmed. I would have slain dragons, levelled castles, broken the backs of knights for her sake. But before I was given the chance, I was given the shoulder.
ndeed, I soon had no alternative but to repeat myself, thu
j'en
a confidant. Already that impression of you is fainter than it was when I picked up my pen. A reply from you, Toby, would do
beau, ANTHO
ich was not quite so good as one which, once upon a time, his servant had purchased in Port Said for fi
er conducting them to the first floor, ushered "The Honourable Mrs. George Wrangle, Miss Wrangle, Miss Sarah Wrangle" into the presence itself.
f precedence. That of Mrs. Wrangle, apparently, fell dismally short of the standard which the great man imposed, for, upon hearing her name, he stared indi
the pantry. Five minutes later he an
et in?" said t
my lady," s
m to come
ood, my
ty, and was preparing to attend a thé dansant. His
I'm out,
y hesi
was very defin
ear what
ood, my
y obvious. Also the faces of Mrs. and Miss Wrangle fell noticeably. Indeed, the b
om the library, cramming cigarettes into his case wit
ter was no
d for immediate and appropriate action. Between the two stools her display of emotion fell flat. As for Pomfret, the knowledge that he had just induced the lady's fo
th precipitate irrelevance in the direction of the back stairs, leaving Mrs. Wrangle speechless with indignation and bitterly repenting her recent indecisi
at gentleman's successful return from the mission upon which he had been dispatched, it required their u
laint, however, was
re, when she sent him for anyone, he would be good enough to look for them before returning to say they were out. The second was that when he was told to fetch a cab, he would be good enough to do so, instead of p
*
in fact, Anthony's country house. Here for one glorious week the two had shared the same bed. Heaven only knew when such a prolonged visit would be repeated. It had cost two whole pounds, and, do what he would, Anthony could save very little out of
den thought upon these things. The
thinning the mud upon brown lanes, poppling upon the washed highway. Dainty scale-armour of
Bradshaw under the bereaved corner, but the piece listed heavily. The Bradshaw, by the way, was out of date. In fact, its value as a guide to intending passengers had expired on the thirty-first of October, 1902. That looked as if the chest were an antique. Three of the china knobs, however, which served as handles were unhappily missing. Then there was a flap beneath the window which, when raised, arrested the progress of such smuts as failed to clear it in their descent to the boards. (Melancholy smothered a laugh and laid a wet cheek against her victim's.) The smuts were devilish-the terror by night, the arrow that flieth by day.
soling lips.... The entrance of Polichinelle, however, cudgel and all, in the shape of a little white dog, dragging a bough
e fled wit
of Frolic itself. And, whiles they strove, Harlequin danced in and out the trees, with magic touch of bat making the mizzle shimmer and the meadows gleam, and finally, with rare ex
their way to the i
bold to decide that she was interested in him. That such interest sprang from the loins of
shaken his head with a smile. His heart had leaped, and there was an end of it. He just knew. In view of the prospective failure of so many Archangels, it is not surprising that my lady herself, whatever she did, would not be able to erase this impression. Consequently though she had behaved to his face with a manner which it was a Quixotic courtesy to style "disda
drank to thei
e terrier and set
it, my boy. She didn't like it at all. So remember, if ever we meet her again, you mustn't fight. I don't want to be hard on you, but you mustn't. Of course, if you could show him a little courtesy-indicate a scent which will repay investigation, or
ins that when, upon entering the grounds of the Dogs' Home some thirty-five minutes later, he encountered that very Irish terrier, looking rather sorry for h
hardly belie
d was a kennelman, who spok
o 'im. 'E's not very grand-this little dog ain't. I thin
his sight his master could do no wrong; otherwise it is possible that h
usly. With Patch under his arm, he spoke to
ize-an Irish terrier. He's not very well
rench-Miss Valerie French. He'
en, as they say, "very quick in the uptake." The truth was that less than a week ago Miss
nthony. "Does she keep
," said the girl. "I
ery oft
ny no
must have
ch of Patch and
Next Saturday. Only a week from
a last caress, smiled at the puzz
about these partings. Th
s way to the station, Valerie French, who was to dine early and go to
f powder-blue; an old rose fabric covered what seats there were; an apple-green coverlet filled up the symphony. That taper elegance which modern craftsmanship can give mahogany was most apparent, lending
r was fair, s
thoughts were otherwise occupied. Indeed, the fixing of her hair-usually so simple a matter-was making her knit her brow. The fact that the soft d
igh, she brought he
uth at the reflect
his Sealyha
*
et suggested to Lyveden the propriety of
ip moodily. "But he'll probably start at twenty, so I m
my lord,"
requisite degree of lustre. He had had to remove an apron, turn down his sleeves, and put on his plum-coloured coat. S
ette case. Then he plucked out a ten-shillin
he said sulkily. "I'll have t
braced
ven't any money
looked u
Oh, nonsens
d not to lend to Lord Pomfret. That the loan would lose itself was much too prob
't like parting." Lord Pomfret laughed rather nasti
the money
ed at Anthony
hell!" he s
d it beside his lordship. Then he le
e cold fact that in due season-to be precise, at eleven minutes to four that same afternoon-Slip Along won
ing that, so recently as that morning, he had reluctantly decided that that toothsome entremet must be allowed to go unmolested for at least a w
footman called Anthony,
door stood wide open, and a fresh cool breeze came floating into the mansion, to flirt with the high and mighty curtains upon the landing, jostle the stately palms, and ruffle u
"'A. Lyveden, Esquire,' it says, all bald-like. No C.M.G
came g
ho's Who's out o
r shook
id sorrowfully, turning to resume the sor
ertfordshire, and proved to be a communication
R S
. There is at present no reason to think that he will be seriously i
fait
DAW
u
a death-warrant. It must be remembered th
missive upon the top of his mistress's letters and fell to whistling softly between his teet
he said eagerly. "
e sheet and put a
id. "He's down in the countr
ked at him cu
itten with one eye. Thort the world o' that cat, she did. 'Adn't got no use fer dolls nor nothin'. 'Moses,' she called it. One day a bull-terrier does it in." He paused dramatica
at politeness he could, hoping desperate
girl," he s
rright, mate. Same as
the gesture of one who
ad yet. Don't you meet
t good
had sent a telegram, asking to be informed daily of his dog's progress, and advised by wire or t
pied, partly because he had but two eyes-failed to observe. This was a pity, for while it was not a pretty habit, it happened to concern Anthony pretty
hat a cat may loo
y Lyveden, it is safe to predict not only that the animal would be afforded no further opportunity of inspec
*
so discomfited Anthon
one at least of wh
ph Bumbl
Shru
tho
R V
José? And if a parlour-maid can keep one, d'autant plus a footman. Pending the dismissal of the colleague referred to, Anne and I have to do more than we should, and are a little bo
m us all
being opened, was found to contain three other envelopes, each
pened the
pplications for the pos
by Lyveden, Valerie tossed them aside unread. Then she
m she threatens to take from Anthony, who hath not, even that which he hath: with the other she is strewing blossoms u
r her heart had leaped, when she saw him, is not for me to say. She looked upon him, saw that he was good, made up her mind-and that was settled. The
the shadow of the little inn this tale would have come to an end. That it did not so end then and there is the fault partly of a crop of conventions, which have in so many years increased out of all belief and now stand brist
e difficulty was to make Anthony apply for the post. Since Mrs. Bumble could hardly be advised to ask a footman to quit the service of the Marque
e. After a little delay, she was connected to the Dogs' Ho
He was coughing a little. There was no real ca
this afternoon
s good as
nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, she vis
e to such uneasiness as presently decided the superintendent to telephone to his maste
we hate worrying people. But he's simply
rie slowly, "I think
iss French," said the gi
ital, through the garden, a
utes before she could
Banff's house?
ou?" said an un
speak to Mr
ho
Lyv
e to her ears.... Then an oath
ed with impati
said th
o Mr. Lyveden?
an't. He's
r important. Could yo
" said t
im that his dog
at
lyham. Mr. Lyvede
he voice. "And where
stared at the instrument. Then s
Lord Pomfret replaced his r
dent returned
ak to him?"
He was out. I had
rose to
submit to the paroxysm before he could wag his tail. How stiffly this moved, his mistress, whose eyes were full of tears, did not remark. Nor did
d turned to a grey-headed kennel-
ing to wash
, ma
as plainly pleased
he little
sick dog
e turn
nt escorted her
to-morrow morn
ll, Miss
e wondered miserably whether she was
*
ve telegraphed, but telegrams cost money, which he really could not afford, and he was, in any event, to visit the Dogs' Home that afterno
edly, glancing at the faces of
s going to change, Lord Pomfret sent for him. Anth
e interview w
urtly instructed the footman to expend
I shan't want them till to-morrow morning, so they've got to be fresh. You'd better
ood, my
al of La Vie, and Anthony stepped
aid his lord
my l
ant to see
ated, inwardl
my lord," he
ter he was out
door is opened, that grim guard Fate calls out a name, and one of us climbs pitifully forth, to pass with faltering steps into a sable hostelry. We that are left behind peer after him curiously.... Then th
u will see what is to become of Anthony: so
n through the Waters of Anger to where the white road curls over that grey upland, and we can see it no more. As
? We will descend there, by your leave, for the driver will pull up his horses and the coach will stop. A
round pace. In fact, he was somewhat out of breath when a maid admitted him to
de her appearance, his hea
tle dog?" he
l looke
y very strong, and we hope that'll pull him through. We
y dully. "When I did
get my telep
shook
id you
y-a man, and asked him to tell
went ver
y, and drew in a quick breath
girl led the way
tchman's chair. Half a dozen rooms led out of the hall. The girl went straight to the door of one of these, turned the handle gently, and the next moment they were in the li
uare basket set in a corner
Patc
ength failed him, and he fell sideways on to the pine shavings. L
id you think I'd forgotten my little dog? M
e got to his feet and coughed desperately. The exertion seemed to exhaust him, for, when the fit was ov
reappeared, followed by the grey-hea
o stay with him for a b
d her, and she
ake, Anthony
e half-past five, it is not surprising
come to mend the telephone, and his tool-bag was full of roses-the scent of them filled the room. Anthony himself was forging a two-pound note upon a page of Bradshaw, and was terribly afraid that it would not pass mu
ddenly, for
still, breathing mo
tip of a red tong
was so slight and fleeting that Anthony, after a little,
chair, where Patch could see it and so expec
lerie French lifted her eyes from T
said. "I think it's a mistake
r spoke constrainedly, is worthy of note. It is, in fact, the best p
, the great thing is to be on the spot. I
e look
han Patch," s
wfully
t in the drive a week ago. That, then, was how Patc
ooked up
ly rude at the inn that
rotten
veden quickly. "You were
ral times. But it won't wash. It w
ld have felt like a beggar whose feet a quee
never meant
hy
it wasn't
u know that?"
..." Anthony hesitated, and the colour came i
f she had received a reply
fond of your
all I'
't you a si
," said
rie rose to her feet. As she came to the window, s
ay that," she said gently. "N
veden stood gazing at the thresh
ry surgeon w
, he rose to his feet, and
ood patient, but I'm afraid he's in for a bad time." He tur
ave,
rom now on, he m
ave some b
t y
's questions, the su
from six to twelve hours. Then one of two things will bec
t my being
's a highly-strung little fellow, and in the circumstances I
ny. "I'll leave my hat here. Th
n't do bet
ly glad of an owner wh
d to touch the
stole ge
erhaps they would understand. Any way, it could not be helped. If he were to be dismissed, he would try again. Only the fear of unemployment had
up my lady
parently, were all the rage. Of course he was getting good wages. The substance might not
good wages: would be allowed to keep
the lines as if th
f a frock and herself s
t down the paper as if
of her terrier, nor di
st
her they left the veranda and passed through the pleasant grounds. "I've got a room in the v
make shift." He smiled. "
ou were back?"
chool has its drawback
dn't be stay
ut th
r?" said the girl, and could h
winced
said slowl
ught franti
suppose you have--your own chambers, your own servant. I live with an aunt. If I broke away and set up a sepa
to have stopped beati
t was plain that she d
him, then, that night w
t she would not-could n
r statement, he made so
. Look at her handiwork here. Jill knows Jack for a flunkey and seeks to dissemble her knowledge, for fear of bruising his he
friendship should have grown fat. Instead, it lost weight steadily. They were ill at
d of a neighbouring inn was persuaded to serve eggs and bacon. This he did with an ill grace, and, that there might be no mista
nda. The hours which should have been so wonderful went by l
as striking, Val
hony without a word. Desperately sorry for her, miserably fearfu
en there was movement in the chamber. A door was ope
appeared at the window,
steps, Anthony rose
back to the vil
inclined
e loomed up out of the darkness, blacker than night. A lane led down to the village, leaving the roa
teadily. "It was our last wa
burst i
r that had stood betw
ht at his shabby lapel and clung to it, sobbing piteo
Anthony talking as naturally as if she had b
, I know.... Everything you do, every way you turn, calls up some piteo
age and the door of the house
Anthony, and put he
k. For a second she he
ver and set her c
nstant she
*
orner of danger ju
illed his cup. The knowledge that Patch would live had set it brimming. He saw the dawn up and felt jubilant. He found new beauties of Nature at every step. His
f an old groom, and presently took a bath under a
Home, there was Valerie.
she said. Then her lip qui
elfishness. For as good cause to congrat
Town together by
hich she climbed into "a
Since it was Sunday morning, the station was qu
ch Lord Pomfret had told him to
hopelessness of their friendship stood out brutally. The thought that he was an impostor came peltin
nd told the driver to go to a house
mely, "I hope you'll
im curiously. Then
get your kindness,
y minutes later, opened
father's house, he saw
glared at him with th
ack, are you?
ouse, and Anthon
e roses." He held out the two poun
tched the notes
turned
d back. "What d'you mean, 'you forgot'? It's a lie. This is the
d, I te
dy to pitch a hell of a tale, but it's no good, Lyveden. D'you hear? It's no good. You see, I answered the telephone on Friday, when your lady-friend rang up about the dog.... I know t
him full o
, and fell heavily. He was up in an instant,
w quite cool, hit h
time Lord Pom
l himself at his assail
nd hit him under the j
at on his back and l
roken by the soun
to see the Marquess of Ba
ce of a lot." He put up his eyeglasses and stared at Anthony. "If I'd known you could box, you sho
nth, my lord," s
ut a note-case and
u anything?" he
my
e the mon
t once," said the
my lord, that this
blame you. If you want a reference
ling figure was showing signs of life
baggage in hand, he desc
se he encountered
ter. "Don' say you'v
one," sai
t '
Marqu
llow e
n' shame!" he c
y stop
me handsomely.
r sauce 'im, mat
l see." He put out
the fingers before a
ate," he sa
let hims
until a quarter-past one. It was at that hour that he did as he ha
ordship's countenance