Part 9 (1/2)
”And,” proceeded Benson, ”he only took one portmanteau.”
”Oh!” again e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed the lawyer. And, stroking his bearded chin, he thought awhile.
”Are you going to stay at Carlton House Terrace till he comes back?”
”I have a month's holiday, sir. Then I return to my place. The same order applies to all the servants, sir.”
”I see! Well!”
And then there came a pause.
”I suppose,” said Sir Francis, after some minutes' reflection, ”I suppose you know that during Mr. Helmsley's absence you are to apply to me for wages and household expenses--that, in fact, your master has placed me in charge of all his affairs?”
”So I have understood, sir,” replied Benson, deferentially. ”Mr.
Helmsley called us all into his room last night and told us so.”
”Oh, he did, did he? But, of course, as a man of business, he would leave nothing incomplete. Now, supposing Mr. Helmsley is away more than a month, I will call or send to the house at stated intervals to see how things are getting on, and arrange any matters that may need arranging”--here he glanced at the letter in his hand--”as your master requests. And--if you want anything--or wish to know any news,--you can always call here and inquire.”
”Thank you, Sir Francis.”
”I'm sorry,”--and the lawyer's shrewd yet kindly eyes looked somewhat troubled--”I'm very sorry that my old friend hasn't taken you with him, Benson.”
Benson caught the ring of sympathetic interest in his voice and at once responded to it.
”Well, sir, so am I!” he said heartily. ”For Mr. Helmsley's over seventy, and he isn't as strong as he thinks himself to be by a long way. He ought to have some one with him. But he wouldn't hear of my going. He can be right down obstinate if he likes, you know, sir, though he is one of the best gentlemen to work for that ever lived. But he will have his own way, and, bad or good, he takes it.”
”Quite true!” murmured Sir Francis meditatively. ”Very true!”
A silence fell between them.
”You say he isn't as strong as he thinks himself to be,” began Vesey again, presently. ”Surely he's wonderfully alert and active for his time of life?”
”Why, yes, sir, he's active enough, but it's all effort and nerve with him now. He makes up his mind like, and determines to be strong, in spite of being weak. Only six months ago the doctor told him to be careful, as his heart wasn't quite up to the mark.”
”Ah!” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Sir Francis ruefully. ”And did the doctor recommend any special treatment?”
”Yes, sir. Change of air and complete rest.”
The lawyer's countenance cleared.
”Then you may depend upon it that's why he has gone away by himself, Benson,” he said. ”He wants change of air, rest, and different surroundings. And as he won't have letters forwarded, and doesn't give any future address, I shouldn't wonder if he starts off yachting somewhere----”
”Oh, no, sir, I don't think so,” interposed Benson, ”The yacht's in the dry dock, and I know he hasn't given any orders to have her got ready.”
”Well, well, if he wants change and rest, he's wise to put a distance between himself and his business affairs”--and Sir Francis here looked round for his hat and walking-stick. ”Take me, for example! Why, I'm a different man when I leave this office and go home to lunch! I'm going now. I don't think--I really don't think there is any cause for uneasiness, Benson. Your master will let us know if there's anything wrong with him.”
”Oh, yes, sir, he'll be sure to do that. He said he would telegraph for me if he wanted me.”
”Good! Now, if you get any news of him before I do, or if you are anxious that I should attend to any special matter, you'll always find me here till one o'clock. You know my private address?”
”Yes, sir.”