Part 39 (1/2)
”Can you tell me why, if this man has left the door here is locked?”
”Mr. Parkins locked it before he went out, sir. He accompanied--Mr.
Miller, I think his name was--to the station.”
Seaman had the air of a man not wholly satisfied.
”Is it usual to lock up a sitting-room in this fas.h.i.+on?” he asked.
”Mr. Parkins always does it, sir. The cabinets of cigars are kept there, also the wine-cellar key and the key of the plate chest. None of the other servants use the room except at Mr. Parkins' invitation.”
”I understand,” Seaman said, as he turned away. ”Much obliged for your information, Reynolds. I will speak to Mr. Parkins later.”
”I will let him know that you desire to see him, sir.”
”Good night, Reynolds!”
”Good night, sir!”
Seaman pa.s.sed back again to the crowded hall and billiard-room, exchanged a few remarks here and there, and made his way up the southern flight of stairs toward the west wing. Stephanie consented without hesitation to receive him. She was seated in front of the fire, reading a novel, in a boudoir opening out of her bedroom.
”Princess,” Seaman declared, with a low bow, ”we are in despair at your desertion.”
She put down her book.
”I have been insulted in this house,” she said. ”To-morrow I leave it.”
Seaman shook his head reproachfully.
”Your Highness,” he continued, ”believe me, I do not wish to presume upon my position. I am only a German tradesman, admitted to the circles like these for reasons connected solely with the welfare of my country.
Yet I know much, as it happens, of the truth of this matter, the matter which is causing you distress. I beg you to reconsider your decision.
Our friend here is, I think, needlessly hard upon himself. So much the greater will be his reward when the end comes. So much the greater will be the rapture with which he will throw himself on his knees before you.”
”Has he sent you to reason with me?”
”Not directly. I am to a certain extent, however, his major-domo in this enterprise. I brought him from Africa. I have watched over him from the start. Two brains are better than one. I try to show him where to avoid mistakes, I try to point out the paths of danger and of safety.”
”I should imagine Sir Everard finds you useful,” she remarked calmly.
”I hope he does.”
”It has doubtless occurred to you,” she continued, ”that our friend has accommodated himself wonderfully to English life and customs?”
”You must remember that he was educated here. Nevertheless, his apt.i.tude has been marvellous.”
”One might almost call it supernatural,” she agreed. ”Tell me, Mr.
Seaman, you seem to have been completely successful in the installation of our friend here as Sir Everard. What is going to be his real value to you? What work will he do?”
”We are keeping him for the big things. You have seen our gracious master lately?” he added hesitatingly.