Part 26 (1/2)

”Come now, be reasonable,” he began. ”If these are the only terms on which you can double your allowance--and you admit that you are in need of money--don't you think you would be a wise man to close with them, now and here, and end this interview?” added Mr. Fyson, rising from his chair with an air of decision. His conciliatory tone was however misinterpreted by the younger man, who sprang from his chair with clenched hands.

”You think to wheedle me, I see, but it won't do! I'll expose you, I'll put the matter into legal hands here where you are known, and I hope it will ruin you. I'll have my rights I tell you--whatever it costs me,” he added, coming a step nearer and looking with threatening eyes at the tall, impa.s.sive figure.

”To what matter do you refer? To what rights, pray?” asked Mr. Fyson calmly, putting his hands in his pockets.

”As my father's heir I have a right to his estate. Don't you mistake, I'll be even with Messrs. Truelove Brothers yet”; and Mr. Rayner took a step towards the door.

”One moment,” said Mr. Fyson, taking his right hand from his pocket. ”I want to repeat again that we are not your trustees, Mr.----” Here Mr.

Fyson paused as if the surname had escaped his memory.

”Rayner,” supplied the other.

”Ah, no--a better name!” murmured Mr. Fyson as he looked at the young man, and a curious smile played about his lips.

”Do you mean to give me the lie when I tell you my own name? This is insupportable! Perhaps you think I'm an impostor? Yet do you not address--or cause to be addressed--all the remittances that come from this house to Alfred Rayner?” he asked, with a strong effort at calmness.

”I do--though with reluctance,” replied Mr. Fyson slowly. ”You have driven me into a corner, young man! I feel that I owe it in loyalty to the good man who is your father to tell you that he lives still, and to tell you that the name he was induced--wrongly in my opinion--to consent to your bearing is not his”; and with a troubled air Mr. Fyson sat down again at his writing table and glanced at his papers.

”You lie, you lie!” screamed Alfred Rayner with almost feminine shrillness. His pa.s.sion choked him for a moment, then, with an effort at calmness, though he was still trembling all over, he called out: ”Proof--I ask for proof, definite--immediate--of this astounding statement!”

”Fain would I give you the proof you seek if it lay with me, but loyalty to one of the best of men keeps me silent! But it appears to me that the hour has struck for a different course of action from that which has. .h.i.therto been maintained,” said Mr. Fyson, with a stern light coming into his eyes. ”You have need to be disabused of some of your--hallucinations, shall I call them? I hope permission may be given me to let you know the truth. I am sorry for your sake it has been so long withheld. I shall communicate with you in due course. Meanwhile, I should like to call your attention again to the offer your good father has made. Will you agree to his terms? I have his commands to double your allowance if you will only cease from vices which he holds--and rightly--to be soul-ruining. Now, sir, I desire to bring this interview to a close,” said Mr. Fyson, again rising, though his visitor still stood as if riveted to the spot.

The older man straightening himself put his hands in his pockets and bowed stiffly, then with a softened air he added:

”I would fain believe all good of you as your father's son. I hope it will be given to you to know him one day--and to know him will be to respect him as I have done for years.”

Somehow, as these words fell on his ear, Rayner seemed to move mechanically to the door, and stood outside it as if in a dream. He made a gesture as if he would re-enter, but appeared to decide against the step. Clinging to the old banisters he walked slowly downstairs, and crossed the marble-floored hall, the soft-footed _durwan_ opening the door for him noiselessly, he pa.s.sed out to the busy street.

He walked a few paces with unsteady tread, forgetting that he meant to hire a carriage. The noonday sun was beating fiercely on his head, but in the tumult of his thoughts he did not heed it. His first sense of being completely foiled in his mission with Truelove Brothers was presently succeeded by a suggestion of a different kind.

”Why, this unknown pater of mine is evidently an important personage! He may turn out to be some big official--Lieutenant-Governor of a province or the like! The old merchant spoke of him with bated breath. What an idiot I am to be weighted down by a sense of failure! I've actually scored this morning after all. The old fool very nearly let the cat out of the bag though! If I had only hung about a moment longer I might have heard all. But I'll worm out the secret yet. A double allowance if I turn Methody! Ha, ha! Why, lacs of rupees are more likely my rightful portion!”

Remembering his promise to return to Ballygunge Road to tiffin, he decided to call a tikka-gharry, and was stepping into it when he was accosted by a young man with a cringing air whom he at once recognised as Mr. Fyson's Eurasian clerk.

”Beg pardon, sir, but a word with you for your own advantage!” he said, making salaams.

”Well, out with it! I'm in a hurry,” said Mr. Rayner in an impatient tone.

”You see, sir, it's like this,” began the man, putting his head to one side. ”I couldn't help hearing your talk through the door. You and the master both havin' a kind of carryin' voice--not as I heard all your talk--but you want to know who your father is? Well, I can let you into thatt secret,” he added, with a nod and a wink.

”And pray what do you know about it?” asked Rayner coldly. ”How can I believe a word that you say when you stand a convicted eavesdropper?”

”Oh, sir, don't say thatt,” said the young man, glancing furtively round, his hands clinging to the window of the gharry. ”But, look here, sir, if you'll trust me I'll give you his name and proof positive into the bargain. Can't do it now, I see a fellow from Truelove's comin'

along, and suspicion might be raised if you and me is caught hobn.o.bbin'.

They're terrible strict at our place.”

”Well, where can we meet?” asked Rayner, seeing the difficulty of prolonging the present interview. ”I'm a stranger to the town. I could come to your house this evening if you give me your address--that is to say if you've got anything worth telling me.”

”Oh, sir, my house is too humble for a grand gent like you to come to,”