Part 10 (1/2)
But Miller was in sore trouble, and he could not stand alone
”Hatton!” he muttered, impulsively, ”is the nurse there? Can you coivesI must ask you about I can't talk of it here Sick men's ears are sometimes far more acute than those of their sound and healthy brothers Can you come now?”
”I am alone with Mac just now, sir I sent the attendant down to the post-office and the store He had been cooped up all day, and was grateful for a little fresh air When he returns----” and Hatton stopped vaguely He knew it ive him time to think
”Well That will have to do Come to my quarters then, and, if a lot of wo,--anything,--and I'll co” And here the lanced up-stairs; then looked inquiringly at Hatton
”Who's up there?” he asked
”No one, sir, toWeeks was there not ten minutes since, and stopped to see ht I heard soht footfall
I even thought I saw a shadow at the head of the stairs”
Hatton's heart gave a great thuaze, but he answered steadily
”It is possible, sir Mrs Post and Miss Forrest both have been cos to both Blunt and McLean Mrs Post comes over to inquire every hour or so, and they tiptoe in and out as light as a kitten Shall I run up and see?”
”Oh, no,--no! If that's the explanation, it is sih No, I' Come to me as soon as you can, Hatton By the way, have you heard from Mr Holmes?”
”No, sir He was called suddenly to the ranch, and I presume he is there”
”I know, I know But did he see McLean before he left?”
”See him! Yes, sir; but that's about all he could do McLean was in no condition to receive visitors, and Weeks hustled him out somewhat unceremoniously”
”Well That's all, just now I'll expect you soon after tattoo”
”Very good, sir”
And then thethe hall-door after hih rooted to the spot, his browfrom every pore Despite his secrecy, then, despite McLean's destruction of the evidence of her visit the night of the disappearance of their property, despite their determination to shi+eld the sister of an absent corace, in sootten around Possibly there were other thefts of which he knew nothing, in which suspicion had pointed to her Possibly the vague confessions, i no one, which he had made to Mrs Miller, taken in connection with events of which he had no knowledge, had proved sufficient to weave a chain of circu officer was aroused, and was co down on him, and poor Mac yonder, for full details of their losses and their knowledge of the affair He would give anything to secure the postponement of that dreaded interview until he could talk over matters with his comrade, but ould that be a possibility? Just as soon as the attendant returned, he o to his commander, and either make a clean breast of it or refuse to utter a word What course would he ask or expect of a comrade if it were his, Hatton's, sister, as here alone and defenceless? By heaven, McLean was right! They must shi+eld her, so far as shi+eld of theirs could serve, until Forrest himself could come to be her adviser and protector
Then he, too, stopped, listened, and looked up the stairs Then he, too, started, but with a start to which the esture Hardly could he believe his eyes; hardly could he trust his reeling senses, but it was she,--fanny Forrest,--not standing at the head of the stairs, but coer at her lips, her other hand gathering her skirts so that they should make as little rustle as possible as she swooped quickly down the stairs Another instant, and she was at his side, her eyes glea, her lips firm, set, and determined
He was too much startled to speak It was she who broke the silence, in words clear-cut and distinct yet soft and low
”Mr Hatton, I saw yourhere I have heard within two days ht, and--yes, I listened There is more at stake than you dream of Now, I hasten to you; there is no time to explain,--no ti or ruin, don't go near Major Miller to-night I adjure you, find some excuse I'll find one for you, if it is only to delay that attendant; but ht, or tell him what you know until Mr Holmes returns I--I've sent for him Will you promise?”
”Promise!” he utters, slowly, a dazed look in his eyes ”Good God, Miss Forrest! I would do anything in my power for Captain Forrest's sister, and for hi is knohat can my silence avail?”
”Never mind Captain Forrest or Captain Forrest's sister! This is vital!
Do you promise? It is only for a day Mr Holmes will be here in twenty-four hours”
”What can his co--pardon me! but I'm at a loss to see how he is in any way concerned”
A lance of terror at the hall-door and flew to spring the latch, but the step went on toward the south hall