Part 12 (2/2)
”We shall be there in ten minutes,” she said.
”So soon!” he answered. ”Do you know on which side we arrive, sir?” he asked me.
”On your side,” I answered.
He rose to his feet, and commenced to wrap a scarf around his neck.
”You will be smothered,” the girl remarked.
”I am cold,” he answered, in a low tone. ”I am always cold after I have crossed the Channel. Besides, it is the damp air. You, too, will find it so in London, Felicia. You must be careful.”
Already he was peering out of the window into the darkness. I could not help wondering whether it was sea-sickness alone which was responsible for his haggard features, for that grim look of covert fear which seemed to have settled around his mouth and eyes. To me he seemed like a man who is about to face the unknown, and who fears!
The train began to slacken pace. We drew into the station. I noticed that a man was standing by himself at this remote end of the platform, and that as we pa.s.sed he seemed to look intently into our carriage.
”Can I be of any service to you?” I asked the girl, as I collected my small belongings. ”I suppose, though, that your uncle is used to the journey.”
She glanced towards the man opposite. He turned to me, and I found his appearance almost terrifying. He seemed to be suffering from more than physical sickness.
”I thank you, sir,” he said rapidly. ”You could, if you would, be of immense service.”
”I should be delighted,” I answered. ”Tell me in what way?”
”I am exceedingly ill,” the man said, with a groan. ”I suffer from heart attacks, and the crossing has altogether upset me. If you could remain with my niece while our luggage is examined, and send her afterwards to the Milan Hotel, you would do a real favor to a sick man. I could myself take a hansom there without waiting for a moment, and get to bed. Nothing else will do me any good.”
I glanced across at the girl. She was watching her uncle with distressed face.
”If you will allow me,” I said, ”it will give me very great pleasure to look after you. I am going to the Milan myself, and I, too, have luggage to be examined.”
”It is very kind of you,” she said hesitatingly. ”Don't you think, though,” she added, turning to her uncle, ”that I had better go with you? We could send a servant for the luggage afterwards.”
”No, no!” he objected impatiently. ”I shall call at the chemist's. I shall get something that will put me right quickly.”
”It is settled, then,” I declared.
Apparently Delora thought so. The train had scarcely come to a standstill, but already he had descended. Avoiding the platform, he crossed straight on to the roadway, and was lost amidst the tangle of cabs. I turned to the girl, affecting not to notice his extraordinary haste.
”We will have our small things put into an omnibus,” I said. ”There will be plenty of time afterwards to come back and look for our registered luggage.”
”You are very kind,” she murmured absently.
Her eyes were still watching the spot where her companion had disappeared.
CHAPTER X
DELORA DISAPPEARS
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