Part 26 (1/2)
”I dare say it is,” said the doctor, ”but what have I done?”
”We--the family--had decided to refrain from communication with the police, so as not to draw attention to the peculiar circ.u.mstances that have taken place in this house, and I agreed somewhat unwillingly, knowing Mr Capel's feelings as to what has gone before.”
”Well,” said the doctor, coolly, for the old man seemed to have lost his self-control.
”No, sir, it is not well. Someone has communicated with the police.”
He held out the card in his hand, and Katrine winced, while Artis gave her an uneasy look.
”No work of mine, my dear sir; my hands are too full of my patient.
Surely he does not say--”
”No, no,” said Mr Girtle, hurriedly. ”I have not seen him yet. I was so angry that I returned at once. I really beg your pardon, but all this trouble has rather taken me off my balance.”
He nodded, and left the room, and Katrine glanced at the doctor.
”Over-work and anxiety, my dear madam,” he said. ”I shall have to give him a little advice. Now, if you will excuse me, I'll go up-stairs.”
”But doctor,” cried Katrine; ”is Mr Capel really better?”
”It is hardly just to call him better while this delirium continues; but you know what Sir Ronald said.”
He went out of the dining-room, and ascended the stairs, leaving Katrine with Artis.
”Where are you going?” said the latter.
”Up to Capel's room.”
”What, again?”
”Yes,” she said, ”again.”
”But what have you found out?”
”Wait and see.”
”Wait and see? I'm sick of it all,” he cried, angrily. ”I feel as if I were buried alive, and to make matters worse, you're always away. Look here, I don't like your going and nursing that fellow.”
”You stupid boy!” she said softly; and she turned upon him a look that made him catch her in his arms and press his lips to hers.
For a few moments she made no resistance, but seemed to be returning his caress. Then, with an angry wrench, she extricated herself from his grasp.
”How dare you!” she cried.
”How dare? Oh, come, that's good.”
”You are acting like a fool!”
She sailed out of the room just as Preenham opened the door, and as he drew back for her to pa.s.s, Artis threw himself into a chair, while Katrine slowly ascended the stairs, listening intently to the low murmur of voices in the library.