Part 28 (1/2)
THE Thorny PATH
”Dinner _as_ usual, sir?” said the landlord of The Happy Heart, looking into the parlor where Tony and Robert were playing piquet
”Please, Mr Glew,” said Tony ”Seven o'clock as usual Oh, by the way, have you got such a thing as a lantern?”
”A lantern!” interjected Robert in surprise ”Why, what----” He was checked by a kick under the table
”I dare say I can find you one, sir,” said the landlord ”We don't need 'e about somewhere”
”Thanks My friend and I are enthusiastic collectors of butterflies and ht; so, if we are not in till late, you won't be surprised or ilars”
”Bless you, no, sir!” said Glew, and went out to look for the lantern
As soon as the door closed Robert began to speak
”Don't think me censorious, Mr Wild, if you please; but, really noas there any need for that?”
”The lantern? Rather! We may have to----”
”No--not the lantern The--the perversion----”
”Oh! you s, old chap! you haven't offended me in the least I like people to say what they think--Well, the lie Yes, I think it was necessary Conspirators can't stick at trifles Besides, it's on _my_ conscience, so there's no need for you to worry”
”But wouldn't an excuse----”
”Have done equally well? Possibly, though I never save the ha'porth of tar And an excuse would have been only a lie in another form--just as culpable But don't let's worry over this: I want to tell you of the plan of can”
Robert subsided, content to have recorded a protest, howevera man trained in meticulous accuracy, he did not take kindly to deception--verbal deception, at any rate The path of an adventurer he had found a trifle thorny, trodden by a man of conscience, but still he had enjoyed it and hoped to tread it still further But he was careful to leave s,” pursued Tony, leaning against the abed, I have been working hard Ever since I got a hint that Broas in touch with The Quiet House I have been following him like the proverbial sleuth hound I have discovered--at the expense of torn trousers and soaking feet--that he keeps tryst nightly with that char bit of womanhood I spoke to once--and only once, alas! He has a private entry over the wall, having driven soe nails into the outer side, well off the beaten track
Up there the gay Lothario cliarden--meets his divinity, and _voila tout_!”
”What happens?” asked Robert eagerly
”The usual thing, Bangs Exchange of kisses and confidences--which I, alas! can hear but imperfectly”
”But you don't listen!” exclaihed
”I have to steel h politics, you knowbut, of course, I shall never tell”
”Oh!”