Part 42 (1/2)

”In a sense that's true, but you can fix things as I want it if you like. Your word goes a long way in these matters.”

”I see no reason why I should use my influence in your favor.”

”It's impossible!” Brand interposed bluntly. ”We are very careful whom we let in at Allenwood.”

”In short, you mean to keep me out,” Davies suggested with an ugly smile.

”Take it for granted that we cannot sell you the land you want.”

”Very well,” said Davies. ”I must try to convince you that you had better indulge me.” He fingered the note. ”I have not parted with this doc.u.ment yet. It seems to me that there's something unusual about Mr.

Harding's signature.”

As a rule, both Brand and Mowbray were capable of self-control, but the attack was so unexpected that they showed their alarm. It had not occurred to them that the moneylender might suspect the forgery. Indeed, there was terror in the Colonel's face before he recovered himself, and Brand's grew angrily red.

”You scoundrel! What do you mean?” he cried.

”Only that I'm not sure Mr. Harding would know his own writing if I showed it to him.”

Mowbray motioned Brand to be silent, and for a few moments both sat still, feeling overwhelmed. Brand saw that it was now out of his power to protect his companion; and the Colonel realized that the sacrifice of his daughter might prove useless. He was in the moneylender's hands, and to comply with his exactions would not end them. The honor of the Mowbrays was at the rascal's mercy.

There was a knock at the door.

”Mr. Harding!” a servant announced.

”I can't see him at present,” said Mowbray with a start as he heard a quick, resolute step in the pa.s.sage.

Before he finished speaking, Harding entered.

”This must look like an intrusion, and you'll have to excuse my not waiting your leave,” he said. ”The fact is, I was determined to get in.”

”So it seems,” Mowbray answered. ”Since you have succeeded, may I ask if you came here by this gentleman's request?”

”Why, no!” Harding looked at Davies with a twinkle. ”I guess my turning up is a surprise to him.”

Davies' crestfallen air bore this out, but he waited silently, and for a moment or two neither Brand nor Mowbray spoke. The Colonel, to his astonishment, was conscious of some relief. After all, he would rather fall into Harding's hands than the moneylender's.

”Perhaps you will explain the object of your visit,” Mowbray said, when the silence threatened to become awkward.

”Certainly; though it ought to be plain. Mr. Davies holds a note with my name on it, which I understand Mr. Gerald Mowbray cannot meet.” He leaned forward and took the note. ”It's due to-day.”

Baffled rage shone in Davies' eyes.

”You admit your liability?” he cried indignantly.

”Of course! My name's here; I don't go back on my obligations.”

Mowbray looked at him with dull astonishment; and Brand, whose wits were clearer, with reluctant admiration. He thought the farmer was playing his part well; but Davies would not give in yet.

”Am I to understand that you acknowledge this as your signature?” he asked in a calmer tone.