Part 13 (1/2)

The boy smiled a happy smile. ”I'll go,” he said resolutely.

”Thanks, awfully,” said Miss Brodie. ”I shall feel so much safer with you in the waiting room.”

It was a difficult matter to surprise Mr. Rae, and even more difficult to extract from him any sign of surprise, but when Dunn, leaving Miss Brodie and his brother in the anteroom, entered Mr. Rae's private office and laid the letter for Mr. Sheratt before him, remarking, ”This letter is from Sir Archibald, and withdraws the prosecution,” Mr. Rae stood speechless, gazing now at the letter in his hand, and now at Mr. Dunn's face.

”G.o.d bless my soul! This is unheard of. How came you by this, Sir?”

”Miss Brodie--” began Dunn.

”Miss Brodie?”

”She is in the waiting room, Sir.”

”Then, for heaven's sake, bring her in! Davie, Davie! Where is that man now? Here, Davie, a message to Mr. Thomlinson.”

Davie entered with deliberate composure.

”My compliments to Mr. Thomlinson, and ask if he would step over at once. It is a matter of extreme urgency. Be quick!”

But Davie had his own mind as to the fitness of things. ”Wad a note no'

be better, Sir? Wull not--?”

”Go, will you!” almost shouted Mr. Rae.

Davie was so startled at Mr. Rae's unusual vehemence that he seized his cap and made for the door. ”He'll no' come for the like o' me,” he said, pausing with the door-k.n.o.b in his hand. ”It's no' respectable like tae--”

”Man, will ye no' be gone?” cried Mr. Rae, rising from his chair.

”I will that!” exclaimed Davie, banging the door after him. ”But,” he cried furiously, thrusting his head once more into the room, ”if he'll no' come it's no' faut o' mine.” His voice rose higher and higher, and ended in a wrathful scream as Mr. Rae, driven to desperation, hurled a law book of some weight at his vanis.h.i.+ng head.

”The de'il take ye! Ye'll be my deith yet.”

The book went cras.h.i.+ng against the door-frame just as Miss Brodie was about to enter. ”I say,” she cried, darting back. ”Heaven protect me!

Rob, save me!”

Rob sprang to her side. She stood for a moment gazing aghast at Mr.

Dunn, who gazed back at her in equal surprise. ”Is this his 'usual'?”

she inquired.

At that the door opened. ”Ah, Mr. Dunn, this is Miss Brodie, I suppose.

Come in, come in!” Mr. Rae's manner was most bland.

Miss Brodie gave him her hand with some hesitation. ”I'm very glad to meet you, Mr. Rae, but is this quite the usual method? I mean to say, I've heard of having advice hurled at one's head, but I can't say that I ever was present at a demonstration of the method.”

”Oh,” said Mr. Rae, with bland and gallant courtesy, ”the method, my dear young lady, varies with the subject in hand.”

”Ah, the subject!”