Part 20 (2/2)
Just then the cab drew up outside the Langham Hotel. The every-day world had returned with its flaring electric lights, its hall porters, its noise and bustle, and chased away the illusions of the past few moments. Luke jumped out, ready to help Lou down--a happy second that, for her hand must needs rest in his.
The glare of the electric lamp above fell full on his face, which was serene, placid, the usual mask of supreme indifference: only Louisa read beyond the mask, and as her hand rested in his for just a thought longer than conventionality allowed, she realized that he knew everything: the murder, the horror, and the suspicion which had touched him already with the tip of its sable wing.
Her eyes, and the pressure of her hand bade him ”good-night” and she pa.s.sed on into the lighted hall of the hotel. He followed Colonel Harris into the lobby.
”You have heard?” he asked quickly and in a whisper, lest Lou should hear.
”Yes,” replied the other.
”And Louisa? Does she know?”
”Gossip was all over the confounded place,” was Colonel Harris's muttered comment.
”But you've heard no details?”
”No. Have you?”
”Very little. Only what the police officer chose to tell me.”
”Then,” queried the older man, ”it's an absolute fact?”
”Absolute, unfortunately.”
”Hm! As to that--have you seen your uncle?”
”No. I went round as soon as I knew, but the police had forestalled me and broken the news to him.”
”But why didn't you see him?”
”He sent word that he would rather I come back in the morning.
Philip's influence still prevalent, you see.”
”Well, it's a confounded business,” e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Colonel Harris with hearty conviction, ”but I'm not going to lament over it. After all's said and done it's a very simple way out of an impossible situation.”
”A very horrible way.”
”Bah!”
And the good-natured old man shrugged his shoulders with a gesture of supreme indifference.
”Well,” said Luke quietly, ”it's late now, sir. You'll want to get to bed.”
”Well,” retorted the other with quite a touch of joviality ”it's an ill wind--you know.”
”Good night, sir.”
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