"I am not likely ever to forget him."
"Then, in that case, you will be able to describe him to us."
"To do so adequately would be beyond my powers. But I will do my best."
If the original was more remarkable than the description which he gave of him, then he must have been remarkable indeed. The impression conveyed to my mind was rather of a monster than a human being. I watched Sydney attentively as he followed Mr Holt"s somewhat lurid language, and there was something in his demeanour which made me more and more persuaded that he was more behind the scenes in this strange business than he pretended, or than the speaker suspected. He put a question which seemed uncalled for by anything which Mr Holt had said.
"You are sure this thing of beauty was a man?"
"No, sir, that is exactly what I am not sure."
There was a note in Sydney"s voice which suggested that he had received precisely the answer which he had expected.
"Did you think it was a woman?"
"I did think so, more than once. Though I can hardly explain what made me think so. There was certainly nothing womanly about the face." He paused, as if to reflect. Then added, "I suppose it was a question of instinct."
"I see.-Just so.-It occurs to me, Mr Holt, that you are rather strong on questions of instinct." Sydney got off the bed. He stretched himself, as if fatigued,-which is a way he has. "I will not do you the injustice to hint that I do not believe a word of your charming, and simple, narrative. On the contrary, I will demonstrate my perfect credence by remarking that I have not the slightest doubt that you will be able to point out to me, for my particular satisfaction, the delightful residence on which the whole is founded."
Mr Holt coloured,-Sydney"s tone could scarcely have been more significant.
"You must remember, sir, that it was a dark night, that I had never been in that neighbourhood before, and that I was not in a condition to pay much attention to locality."
"All of which is granted, but-how far was it from Hammersmith Workhouse?"
"Possibly under half a mile."
"Then, in that case, surely you can remember which turning you took on leaving Hammersmith Workhouse,-I suppose there are not many turnings you could have taken."
"I think I could remember."
"Then you shall have an opportunity to try. It isn"t a very far cry to Hammersmith,-don"t you think you are well enough to drive there now, just you and I together in a cab?"
"I should say so. I wished to get up this morning. It is by the doctor"s orders I have stayed in bed."
"Then, for once in a while, the doctor"s orders shall be ignored, -I prescribe fresh air." Sydney turned to me. "Since Mr Holt"s wardrobe seems rather to seek, don"t you think a suit of one of the men might fit him,-if Mr Holt wouldn"t mind making shift for the moment?-Then, by the time you"ve finished dressing, Mr Holt, I shall be ready."
While they were ascertaining which suit of clothes would be best adapted to his figure, I went with Sydney to my room. So soon as we were in, I let him know that this was not a matter in which I intended to be trifled with.
"Of course you understand, Sydney, that I am coming with you."
He pretended not to know what I meant.
"Coming with me?-I am delighted to hear it,-but where?"
"To the house of which Mr Holt has been speaking."
"Nothing could give me greater pleasure, but-might I point out?- Mr Holt has to find it yet?"
"I will come to help you to help him find it."
Sydney laughed,-but I could see he did not altogether relish the suggestion.
"Three in a hansom?"
"There is such a thing as a four-wheeled cab,-or I could order a carriage if you"d like one."
Sydney looked at me out of the corners of his eyes; then began to walk up and down the room, with his hands in his trouser pockets. Presently he began to talk nonsense.
"I need not say with what a sensation of joy I should antic.i.p.ate the delights of a drive with you,-even in a four-wheeled cab; but, were I in your place, I fancy that I should allow Holt and your humble servant to go hunting out this house of his alone. It may prove a more tedious business than you imagine. I promise that, after the hunt is over, I will describe the proceedings to you with the most literal accuracy."
"I daresay.-Do you think I don"t know you"ve been deceiving me all the time?"
"Deceiving you?-I!"
"Yes,-you! Do you think I"m quite an idiot?"
"My dear Marjorie!"
"Do you think I can"t see that you know all about what Mr Holt has been telling us,-perhaps more about it than he knows himself?"
"On my word!-With what an amount of knowledge you do credit me."
"Yes, I do,-or discredit you, rather. If I were to trust you, you would tell me just as much as you chose,-which would be nothing. I"m coming with you,-so there"s an end."
"Very well.-Do you happen to know if there are any revolvers in the house?"
"Revolvers?-whatever for?"
"Because I should like to borrow one. I will not conceal from you -since you press me-that this is a case in which a revolver is quite likely to be required."
"You are trying to frighten me."
"I am doing nothing of the kind, only, under the circ.u.mstances, I am bound to point out to you what it is you may expect."
"Oh, you think that you"re bound to point that out, do you,-then now your bounden duty"s done. As for there being any revolvers in the house, papa has a perfect a.r.s.enal,-would you like to take them all?"
"Thanks, but I daresay I shall be able to manage with one,-unless you would like one too. You may find yourself in need of it."
"I am obliged to you, but, on this occasion, I don"t think I"ll trouble. I"ll run the risk.-Oh, Sydney, what a hypocrite you are!"
"It"s for your sake, if I seem to be. I tell you most seriously, that I earnestly advise you to allow Mr Holt and I to manage this affair alone. I don"t mind going so far as to say that this is a matter with which, in days to come, you will wish that you had not allowed yourself to be a.s.sociated."
"What do you mean by that? Do you dare to insinuate anything against-Paul?"
"I insinuate nothing. What I mean, I say right out; and, my dear Marjorie, what I actually do mean is this,-that if, in spite of my urgent solicitations, you will persist in accompanying us, the expedition, so far as I am concerned, will be postponed."
"That is what you do mean, is it? Then that"s settled." I rang the bell. The servant came. "Order a four-wheeled cab at once. And let me know the moment Mr Holt is ready." The servant went. I turned to Sydney. "If you will excuse me, I will go and put my hat on. You are, of course, at liberty to please yourself as to whether you will or will not go, but, if you don"t, then I shall go with Mr Holt alone."
I moved to the door. He stopped me.