Part 50 (2/2)

”Stand at the door; keep everybody out!”

The big lobby was cleared, and the officer gravely watched the way the actors of the scene arranged themselves. Prescott stood well apart from the others with Muriel at his side. She was flushed and overstrung, but her pose and expression suggested that she was defying the rest, and she cast a hard, unsympathetic glance at Gertrude, who sat limply, with clenched hands. Colston, looking embarra.s.sed and unhappy, sat near his wife, who had preserved some composure. Jernyngham leaned against the counter, dejected and apparently half dazed.

”Before you go any farther, I'd better tell you that I fired the shot,”

he said brokenly.

”When I came out, the pistol was in Mr. Colston's hand,” the officer pointed out in a meaning tone.

”That's true,” Colston broke in. ”I took it from him, for fear of an accident. Mr. Jernyngham was in a very nervous and excited state. He has, of course, been bearing a heavy strain, and I imagine you must have said something that rather upset his balance.”

”I was perfectly sensible!” Jernyngham harshly interrupted him. ”I found I could get no a.s.sistance from the police; it looked as if my son's death must go unavenged!”

Colston raised his hand to check him. Jernyngham could not be allowed to explain his action, as he seemed bent on doing.

”No! no!” he said soothingly, ”you mustn't think of it! Please let me speak.” He addressed the officer. ”You can see the nervous state Mr.

Jernyngham is in--very natural, of course, but I think it should appeal to your consideration.”

The officer reflected. He had been brought up in the old country, and could sympathize with the people before him; they deserved pity, and he had no wish to humiliate them. Moreover, Miss Hurst, whom he admired, seemed to be involved. These reasons could not be allowed to carry much weight, but there were others. It was obvious that Jernyngham was hardly responsible for his actions; the man's worn and haggard face showed that he had been severely tried. Justice would not be served by probing the matter too deeply, and Colston's att.i.tude indicated that this would be difficult.

”As you seem to be the one who had the narrowest escape, Mr. Prescott, have you any complaint to make?” he said.

”None whatever. I'm sorry the thing has made so much stir.”

”It was my duty to investigate it. But I think that a charge of unlawfully carrying dangerous weapons, which is punishable by a fine, will meet the case.” He turned to the trooper. ”You will attend to the matter in due course, Constable Slade.”

Then he bowed to the company and went out, leaving Colston to deal with the situation with the a.s.sistance of his wife, who thought it desirable to break up the party as soon as possible.

”The teams must be ready, and it's too cold to keep them standing,” she remarked.

”They're outside,” said Colston. ”We'll be mobbed by an inquisitive crowd, if we don't get off at once. Gertrude, bring your father.”

Gertrude led Jernyngham to the door, and Colston turned back to Prescott.

”It was very regretable,” he said. ”We are grateful for your forbearance.”

Then his wife joined him, calling to Muriel.

”Be quick! The people haven't gone away; the street's full!”

Muriel, disregarding her, looked at Prescott, who had spoken to n.o.body except the officer. His face was troubled, but he made no attempt to detain her.

”I believe you saved my life,” he said. ”I can't thank you now. May I call to-morrow?”

”We should be glad to see you,” Mrs. Colston broke in hurriedly; ”but, with Mr. Jernyngham at the homestead, wouldn't it be embarra.s.sing?

Muriel, we really can't wait.”

The girl smiled at Prescott.

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