Part 51 (1/2)
”He counts, no doubt, on not being known. So far as I can find out, Richard, n.o.body here did know him, save you and Afy. I shall put you in Mr. Dill's room--you may remember the little window in it--and from thence you can take a full view of Thorn, whom I shall keep in the front office. You are sure you would recognize him at this distance of time?”
”I should know him if it were fifty years to come; I should know him were he disguised as I am disguised. We cannot,” Richard sank his voice, ”forget a man who has been the object of our frenzied jealousy.”
”What has brought you to East Lynne again, Richard? Any particular object?”
”Chiefly a hankering within me that I could not get rid of,” replied Richard. ”It was not so much to see my mother and Barbara--though I did want that, especially since my illness--as that a feeling was within me that I could not rest away from it. So I said I'd risk it again, just for a day.”
”I thought you might possibly want some a.s.sistance, as before.”
”I do want that, also,” said Richard. ”Not much. My illness has run me into debt, and if my mother can let me have a little, I shall be thankful.”
”I am sure she will,” answered Mr. Carlyle. ”You shall have it from me to-night. What has been the matter with you?”
”The beginning of it was a kick from a horse, sir. That was last winter, and it laid me up for six weeks. Then, in the spring, after I got well and was at work again, I caught some sort of fever, and down again I was for six weeks. I have not been to say well since.”
”How is it you have never written or sent me your address?”
”Because I dared not,” answered Richard, timorously, ”I should always be in fear; not of you, Mr. Carlyle, but of its becoming known some way or other. The time is getting on, sir; is that Thorn sure to come?”
”He sent me word that he would, in reply to my note. And--there he is!”
uttered Mr. Carlyle, as a ring was heard at the bell. ”Now, Richard, come this way. Bring your hat.”
Richard complied by putting his hat on his head, pulling it so low that it touched his nose. He felt himself safer in it. Mr. Carlyle showed him into Mr. Dill's room, and then turned the key upon him, and put it in his pocket. Whether this precautionary measure was intended to prevent any possibility of Captain Thorn's finding his way in, or of Richard's finding his way out, was best known to himself.
Mr. Carlyle came to the front door, opened it, and admitted Captain Thorn. He brought him into the clerk's office, which was bright with gas, keeping him in conversation for a few minutes standing, and then asking him to be seated--all in full view of the little window.
”I must beg your pardon, for being late,” Captain Thorn observed. ”I am half an hour beyond the time you mentioned, but the Herberts had two or three friends at dinner, and I could not get away. I hope, Mr. Carlyle, you have not come to your office to-night purposely for me.”
”Business must be attended to,” somewhat evasively answered Mr. Carlyle; ”I have been out myself nearly all day. We received a communication from London this morning, relative to your affair, and I am sorry to say anything but satisfactory. They will not wait.”
”But I am not liable, Mr. Carlyle, not liable in justice.”
”No--if what you tell me be correct. But justice and law are sometimes in opposition, Captain Thorn.”
Captain Thorn sat in perplexity. ”They will not get me arrested here, will they?”
”They would have done it, beyond doubt; but I have caused a letter to be written and dispatched to them, which must bring forth an answer before any violent proceedings are taken. That answer will be here the morning after to-morrow.”
”And what am I do to then?”
”I think it is probable there may be a way of checkmating them. But I am not sure, Captain Thorn, that I can give my attention further to this affair.”
”I hope and trust you will,” was the reply.
”You have not forgotten that I told you at first I could not promise to do so,” rejoined Mr. Carlyle. ”You shall hear from me to-morrow. If I carry it on for you, I will then appoint an hour for you to be here on the following day; if not--why, I dare say you will find a solicitor as capable of a.s.sisting you as I am.”
”But why will you not? What is the reason?”
”I cannot always give reasons for what I do,” was the response. ”You will hear from me to-morrow.”
He rose as he spoke; Captain Thorn also rose. Mr. Carlyle detained him yet a few moments, and then saw him out at the front door and fastened it.