Part 15 (1/2)
He jumped into a cab and told the man to follow the victoria, with the result that the latter came to a standstill in front of one of the fashi+onable West-End drapery establishhted, and he sprang out excitedly to go and speak to her
There was every opportunity, for the carriage drove on with her companion, and she crossed the pavereat plate-glass , gazing carelessly in at the various costumes displayed
”A woman after all,” he said to himself, bitterly annoyed at what he considered her frivolity in thinking of dress at a ti still
”But it is their nature, or the result of their education,” he said the next minute, as he went close up behind her, and saw her face reflected clearly in the long series of mirrors at the back
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MR ROACH LOWERS HIMSELF
”Bah!” ejaculated Chester in his rage and despair, as he swung round and hurried away ”Fool, idiot! No more like her than thatfroave me? Well, if I ao on like this and live!”
He hurried along, without heeding which way he went, and as if by instinct made for his own house, reached it, started as if in surprise, and then turned to enter, but altered his mind after a pause, and drew the door to, after which he walked swiftly away in the direction of Westhts which he felt that he would only obliterate by plunging oncein reaching the old street which had so taken up his attention before, and he looked long and attentively at thethat occupied by the collector The contrast was curious, the one with bright, well-curtained s, the door glistening in its fresh graining and varnish, the other di as if it were quite unoccupied, the very steps as if they had not been cleaned for years
Chester went and studied a Directory, and with the na through the street two or three ti a call
”Why should I , I have only made a mistake”
He walked on till he reached the house, perfectly unconscious that the foot a little back fro his attention drawn to the vacillating, rather haggard personage who had been taking so much interest in the house, was ready to look upon hi to sell,” said the foot, and after waiting a sufficient tiest that he had come from downstairs, the fellow opened the door, to receive Chester with a calh in?”
”Not at home, sir”
”Mr Robert is, of course?”
”Out of town, sir”
”Well, I must see somebody,” said Chester, who had been checked for the moment by the announceed by the fact that two shots went home ”Ask Mr Paddy if he will see me”
The nickname made the footman raise his eyebrows, but he replied coolly--
”Not at home, sir”
”Well, then, one of the ladies”
”On the Continent, sir”
”Tut, tut, how tiresome!” cried Chester, impatiently ”Look here, my man; how is Mr Robert?”