Part 10 (1/2)
”Tell me all about it. How it began and when!” Miss Trelawny looked at me appeallingly; and forthwith I told him all that I knew. He seemed to make no motion during the whole time; but insensibly the bronze face became steel. When, at the end, I told him of Mr. Marvin's visit and of the Power of Attorney, his look began to brighten. And when, seeing his interest in the matter, I went more into detail as to its terms, he spoke:
”Good! Now I know where my duty lies!”
With a sinking heart I heard him. Such a phrase, coming at such a time, seemed to close the door to my hopes of enlightenment.
”What do you mean?” I asked, feeling that my question was a feeble one.
His answer emphasized my fears:
”Trelawny knows what he is doing. He had some definite purpose in all that he did; and we must not thwart him. He evidently expected something to happen, and guarded himself at all points.”
”Not at all points!” I said impulsively. ”There must have been a weak spot somewhere, or he wouldn't be lying here like that!” Somehow his impa.s.siveness surprised me. I had expected that he would find a valid argument in my phrase; but it did not move him, at least not in the way I thought. Something like a smile flickered over his swarthy face as he answered me:
”This is not the end! Trelawny did not guard himself to no purpose.
Doubtless, he expected this too; or at any rate the possibility of it.”
”Do you know what he expected, or from what source?” The questioner was Miss Trelawny.
The answer came at once: ”No! I know nothing of either. I can guess...” He stopped suddenly.
”Guess what?” The suppressed excitement in the girl's voice was akin to anguish. The steely look came over the swarthy face again; but there was tenderness and courtesy in both voice and manner as he replied:
”Believe me, I would do anything I honestly could to relieve you anxiety. But in this I have a higher duty.”
”What duty?”
”Silence!” As he spoke the word, the strong mouth closed like a steel trap.
We all remained silent for a few minutes. In the intensity of our thinking, the silence became a positive thing; the small sounds of life within and without the house seemed intrusive. The first to break it was Miss Trelawny. I had seen an idea--a hope--flash in her eyes; but she steadied herself before speaking:
”What was the urgent subject on which you wanted to see me, knowing that my Father was--not available?” The pause showed her mastery of her thoughts.
The instantaneous change in Mr. Corbeck was almost ludicrous. His start of surprise, coming close upon his iron-clad impa.s.siveness, was like a pantomimic change. But all idea of comedy was swept away by the tragic earnestness with which he remembered his original purpose.
”My G.o.d!” he said, as he raised his hand from the chair back on which it rested, and beat it down with a violence which would in itself have arrested attention. His brows corrugated as he went on: ”I quite forgot! What a loss! Now of all times! Just at the moment of success! He lying there helpless, and my tongue tied! Not able to raise hand or foot in my ignorance of his wishes!”
”What is it? Oh, do tell us! I am so anxious about my dear Father!
Is it any new trouble? I hope not! oh, I hope not! I have had such anxiety and trouble already! It alarms me afresh to hear you speak so!
Won't you tell me something to allay this terrible anxiety and uncertainty?”
He drew his st.u.r.dy form up to his full height as he said:
”Alas! I cannot, may not, tell you anything. It is his secret.” He pointed to the bed. ”And yet--and yet I came here for his advice, his counsel, his a.s.sistance. And he lies there helpless.... And time is flying by us! It may soon be too late!”
”What is it? what is it?” broke in Miss Trelawny in a sort of pa.s.sion of anxiety, her face drawn with pain. ”Oh, speak! Say something!
This anxiety, and horror, and mystery are killing me!” Mr. Corbeck calmed himself by a great effort.
”I may not tell you details; but I have had a great loss. My mission, in which I have spent three years, was successful. I discovered all that I sought--and more; and brought them home with me safely.