Part 66 (1/2)

”It's a d.a.m.ned lie! Monck is a white man! He never did--a thing like that!”

And then he too stopped in sheer horror at the devilish hatred that gleamed in the rolling, bloodshot eyes.

A few dreadful seconds pa.s.sed. Then Ralph Dacre gathered his ebbing life in one last great effort of speech. ”She is my wife. I hold the proof.

If it hadn't been for this--I'd have taken her from him--to-night. He ruined me--and he robbed me. But I--I'll ruin him now. It's my turn. He is not--her husband, and she--she'll scorn him after this--if I know her. Consoled herself precious soon. Yes, women are like that. But they don't forgive so easily. And she--is not--the forgiving sort--anyway.

She'll never forgive him for tricking her--the hound! She'll never forget that the child--her child--is a b.a.s.t.a.r.d. And--the Regiment--won't forget either. He's down--and out.”

He ceased to speak. Tommy's hands were clenched. If the man had been on his feet, he would have struck him on the mouth. As it was, he could only kneel in impotence and listen to the amazing utterance that fell from the gasping lips.

He felt stunned into pa.s.sivity. His anger had strangely sunk away, though he regarded the man he supported with such an intensity of loathing that he marvelled at himself for continuing to endure the contact. The astounding revelation had struck him like a blow between the eyes. He felt numb, almost incapable of thought.

He heard Ralston returning and wondered what he could have been doing in that interminable interval. Then, reluctant but horribly fascinated, his look went back to the upturned, dreadful face. The malignancy had gone out of it. The eyes rolled no longer, but gazed with a great fixity at something that seemed to be infinitely far away. As Tommy looked, a terrible rattling breath went through the heavy, inert form. It seemed to rend body and soul asunder. There followed a brief palpitating shudder, and the head on his arm sank sideways. A great stillness fell....

Ralston knelt and freed him from his burden. ”Get up!” he said.

Tommy obeyed though he felt more like collapsing. He leaned upon the table and stared while Ralston laid the big frame flat and straight upon the floor.

”Is he dead?” he asked in a whisper, as Ralston stood up.

”Yes,” said Ralston.

”It wasn't my fault, was it?” said Tommy uneasily. ”I couldn't stop him talking.”

”He'd have died anyhow,” said Ralston. ”It's a wonder he ever got here if he was shot in the jungle as he must have been. That means--probably--that the brutes have started their games to-night. Odd if he should be the first victim!”

Tommy shuddered uncontrollably.

Ralston gripped his arm. ”Don't be a fool now! Death is nothing extraordinary, after all. It's an experience we've all got to go through some time or other. It doesn't scare me. It won't you when you're a bit older. As for this fellow, it's about the best thing that could happen for everyone concerned. Just rememer that! Providence works pretty near the surface at times, and this is one of 'em. You won't believe me, I daresay, but I never really felt that Ralph Dacre was dead--until this moment.”

He led Tommy from the room with the words. It was not his custom to express himself so freely, but he wanted to get that horror-stricken look out of the boy's eyes. He talked to give him time.

”And now look here!” he said. ”You've got to keep your head--for you'll want it. I'll give you something to steady you, and after that you'll be on your own. You must cut back to The Green Bungalow and find Bernard Monck and tell him just what has happened--no one else mind, until you've seen him. He's discreet enough. I'm going round to the Colonel.

For if what I think has happened, those devils are ahead of us by twenty-four hours, and we're not ready for 'em. They've probably cut the wires too. When you've done that, you report down at the barracks! Your sister will probably have to be taken there for safety. And there may be some tough work before morning.”

These last words of his had a magical effect upon Tommy. His eyes suddenly shone. Ralston had accomplished his purpose. Nevertheless, he took him back to the surgery and made him swallow some _sal volatile_ in spite of protest.

”And now you won't be a fool, will you?” he said at parting. ”I should be sorry if you got shot to no purpose. Monck would be sorry too.”

”Do you know where he is?” questioned Tommy point-blank.

”Yes.” Blunt and uncompromising came Ralston's reply. ”But I'm not going to tell you, so don't you worry yourself! You stick to business, Tommy, and for heaven's sake don't go round and make a mush of it!”

”Stick to business yourself!” said Tommy rudely, suddenly awaking to the fact that he was being dictated to; then pulled up, faintly grinning.

”Sorry: I didn't mean that. You're a brick. Consider it unsaid!

Good-bye!”