But Daniel would not listen. "I don"t want to hear it," he said. "Tell Serena, if you want to, when she comes home. I"ve got too much else on my mind to bother with swabs like him. If he should try to come back again you can call me, otherwise not. I ain"t interested."
And yet, if he could have seen and heard his ex-butler just at that moment, he might have been interested. Hapgood, on the next corner, out of sight from the Dott home, had met and waylaid Mr. Percy Hungerford.
To the latter gentleman he was telling the story of his discharge.
Cousin Percy seemed disturbed and angry.
"It"s your own fault," he declared. "You ought to have been more careful."
"Careful! "Ow should I know the fools was going to write a letter?
I told "em not to. And "ow did I know the old woman--blast "er--was watchin" me all the time? And now I"ve lost my job, and a good soft job, too. You"ve got to get it back for me, Mr. "Ungerford; you"ve got to "elp me, sir."
"I"ll help you all I can, of course, but I doubt if it will do any good.
I can"t stand talking with you here. Drop me a line at the club, telling me where you are, and I"ll let you know what turns up. Oh, say, have any more letters come for--you know who?"
"No, that was the only one, sir. But a telegram came this morning."
Mr. Hungerford started. "A telegram?" he repeated. "For her?"
"Yes, sir. And from "im, it was, too."
"Did she get it?"
Mr. Hapgood winked. "It was "phoned up from the telegraph office, sir,"
he said, "and I answered the "phone. "Ere"s the copy I made, sir."
He extracted a slip of paper from his pocket. Cousin Percy s.n.a.t.c.hed the slip and read the penciled words. Hapgood smiled.
"Looks good, don"t it, sir," he observed. ""Frisco"s a long way off."
Hungerford did not answer. He tore the paper into small pieces and tossed them away.
"Well," he said, after a moment, "good by and good luck. Let me know where you are and meanwhile I"ll see what can be done for you. Good by."
He was moving off, but his companion stepped after him.
"Just a minute, sir," he said. "Could you "elp me out a bit, in the money way? I"m flat broke; the old "ayseed chucked me without a penny; "e did, so "elp me."
Cousin Percy looked distinctly annoyed.
"I"m pretty nearly broke myself," he declared, impatiently.
"Is that so, sir, I"m sorry, but I think you"ll "ave to "elp me a bit. I think--I think you"d better, Mr. "Ungerford, sir."
Hungerford looked at him. The look was returned. Then the young gentleman extracted a somewhat attenuated roll of bills from his pocket, peeled off two and handed them to his companion.
"There you are," he replied. "That"s all and more than I can spare, just now. Good by."
"Good by, sir--for now. And thank you kindly."
Captain Dan, for all his prompt handling of the thieving butler and his professed ability to deal with men--Mr. Hapgood"s kind of man--awaited the return of his wife and daughter with considerable uneasiness.
Hapgood, in his capacity as trained, capable, aristocratic servant, had been a favorite of Serena"s. The captain dreaded telling his wife what, in the heat of his anger, he had done. But his dread was needless.
Serena"s mind was too much occupied with politics and political ambition to dwell upon less important matters.
"I suppose it is all right," she said. "If he was a thief he should be discharged, of course. No doubt you did right, Daniel, but we shall miss him dreadfully. I don"t know where we can get another butler like him."
Daniel gasped. "Good land of love!" he cried; "we don"t WANT another like him, do we! I should hope we didn"t."
"I don"t mean another thief. Oh, dear me! Why do you pick me up in that way? One would think you took a delight in worrying me all you could.
Get me a cup of tea. I want it right away. My nerves are all unstrung.
Gertie--"
But Gertie had gone to her room; she spent the greater part of her time there now. Her mother sighed.
"She"s gone," she declared. "Just when I need her most, of course.
I can"t see what has got into her for the last few days. She was so interested in the Chapter. Even more than I, I began to think. And yet, at the committee meeting this afternoon--the most important meeting we"ve had; when we were counting the votes which we can be sure of and those that are doubtful, she scarcely said a word. Just sat there and moped. I don"t know what is the matter with her."
Daniel nodded. "I think I do," he said. "It"s John. Somethin"s the matter between her and John. If he had only stayed here! If he would only come back!"
"Then for mercy sakes get him back! Telegraph him. You said you were going to."
Captain Dan rose. "I will," he declared. "I"ll do it right now, this minute. Not till I see you to your tea, Serena," he added, hastily.
"I"ll tell Zuba about that first, of course."
He sent the telegram within the hour. It was an inquiry concerning Mr.
Doane"s whereabouts, his employer"s health, how he was getting on, and when he--John--was to return to Scarford. The answer arrived, via telephone, about eight that evening. It was a surprising answer.
"Doane gone to San Francisco on business of the firm," it said. "Left at midnight yesterday."
It was signed by the senior partner. Serena had gone out, of course; she was scarcely ever in now, but Gertrude, having finished dinner, was in her room as usual. Her father hurried up the stairs.
"Gertie," he cried, entering without knocking, "Gertie, what do you suppose I"ve just found out? It"s the most astonishing news. John is--he has--Why, you"d never guess!"
Gertrude, who was sitting in the rocking chair by the window, showed her first sign of interest. At the mention of the name she turned quickly.
"What?" she cried, in a startled voice. "What? Is it--is it bad news? He isn"t--isn"t--"
"No, no! No, no! He"s all right. Don"t look like that, you scare me.
John"s all right; that is, I suppose he is. But he--Here! read it yourself."
Gertrude took the paper upon which he had written the message. She read the latter through; read it and reread it. Then she turned to her father.
"But I can"t understand," she faltered. "I can"t--I can"t understand. He didn"t send this himself. He has gone to San Francisco; but--but this is signed by someone else. What does it mean?"
Daniel was frightened. It was time to explain, and yet, considering his daughter"s look and manner, he was afraid to explain.
"You see," he stammered, "well, you see, Gertie, that"s an answer, that is. John didn"t send it, he"d gone. But, I presume likely they thought my telegram ought to be answered, so--"
Gertrude interrupted. "Your telegram?" she repeated. "YOUR telegram?
What telegram?"