Part 23 (1/2)

”It was really difficult to interfere, but I did try a tactful hint,”

he said with an indulgent air. ”Perhaps the way you regard the thing is natural and deserves some sympathy, but I must say I feel a little hurt. It looks as if you thought I had some object in encouraging d.i.c.k to be extravagant and rash.”

”No; I can't see what you would gain,” Elsie replied thoughtfully.

”Well, that's some relief; but what do you want now? A promise that, at the risk of offending him, I'll be very firm in future?”

Elsie was silent for a moment and then looked at him calmly.

”I don't think I will ask you for this,” she said.

She rose, and Williamson turned away, feeling somewhat annoyed with himself. Elsie had not asked for his promise, because she thought it would not be kept. He had failed to convince her, and her opposition must be reckoned with. Then, what she had said about excitement being bad for d.i.c.k had roused his keen curiosity. The girl was inexperienced and had used no artifice, but he did not think she could have played her part better. Staffer apparently believed that she and Andrew Johnstone were not important; but Williamson thought him mistaken.

While he crossed the lawn Madge Whitney watched him with a smile.

”That man,” she remarked to Andrew, ”has just got a set down, but I imagine Elsie has been wasting her time.”

”It looks as if you knew what they had been talking about,” Andrew replied.

Madge's eyes twinkled.

”Why, of course I do! You must remember that I've been here a week, noticing things. Elsie doesn't like the man, and the only reason she could have for talking to him confidentially is that she wanted to warn him to keep his hands off d.i.c.k. But I don't think he will.”

”Ah!” Andrew said sharply. ”It's curious that you--”

”Shall I finish what you meant to say? It's curious that although I haven't had much opportunity for seeing what is going on, I should agree with the conclusion you have come to after mature deliberation.

Well, if you're afraid of complimenting me on my cleverness, you can account for it by remembering that I'm an American. Of course, this doesn't make me anything the less of an outsider.”

”I didn't mean that you were an outsider.”

”Perhaps you didn't. It was your Scottish reserve that made you hate to talk about your family affairs; but Jim, who counts you as his partner, has told me something. Then I don't mind telling you that I like you and admire what you are trying to do. However, we'll keep to the point. Williamson is leading your cousin into extravagance with some object.”

”I believe that's true,” Andrew agreed quietly. ”After all, you were right to some extent, about my reserve; but now if you can help me I'll be very glad. It isn't an easy job I have undertaken.”

”Very well. I'll begin by telling you something. The evening Williamson arrived, I was coming down to dinner before the rest--I afterward found my watch was fast. When I got to the gallery at the top of the stairs I stopped; it's rather dark where you come out of the pa.s.sage, you know. d.i.c.k was standing by the fire in the hall and his manner indicated that he was waiting for somebody. As I hesitated, Williamson came out of the opposite pa.s.sage and went downstairs, but his quick glance around showed he wanted to be sure there was n.o.body but d.i.c.k about. I saw d.i.c.k's face, and it was eager. Williamson gave him two or three bits of paper that looked like bank-notes.”

”If d.i.c.k had given them to Williamson, I could have understood it better,” Andrew interrupted.

”Yes; the explanation would then have been obvious; but what I saw suggests something graver. d.i.c.k went away, looking relieved; but Williamson moved toward the stairs and then turned back, and a few moments afterward Staffer came in. He said, 'So you have seen him!'”

Andrew made an abrupt movement, but said nothing.

”I suppose you see the significance of this?” Madge said.

It was plain to Andrew that Staffer had known, and no doubt approved, of the transaction between Williamson and d.i.c.k.

”Yes; and I feel disturbed about it.”

”Well,” continued Madge, ”I went back quietly and didn't come down for some time; but I watched the three men at dinner. Williamson spoke to d.i.c.k as if he had not seen him since he came, and d.i.c.k said he was sorry he wasn't able to meet him at the station. In fact, they rather overdid it; and Staffer seemed to think so, because he stopped them.

Then, perhaps, because he felt relieved, d.i.c.k--”