Part 3 (1/2)
”When I hear your mother say this----”
”This is a matter which my mother will not have to decide,” I a.s.sured him, and without looking at her although I had returned to my place by her side.
”And why should we obey your behest, young man?”
”If you don't leave I shall go out at once and swear out a warrant against Paul for a.s.sault with this knife. And I'll have the warrant served, too.”
”Oh, Clinton!” sobbed my mother. ”Don't think of such a thing.”
”As sure as I live it shall be done, unless they go.”
”Think of the publicity!” said my mother, clinging to my hand.
”Yes,” I rejoined, bitterly. ”And think what might have happened if he'd got me with that knife.”
”You--you----” gasped Mr. Downes. ”You are your father right over again!”
”Thank you; I consider that a compliment.”
”You wouldn't consider it such if you knew as much about him as I do,”
he muttered.
”Now that will do!” I exclaimed, losing my self-control on the instant.
”I've heard enough insinuations regarding father from Paul tonight. I won't stand any more of that talk, I warn you both!”
”Clinton!” murmured mother, with a very white face, while Downes turned upon his son in a sudden rage.
”What have you been saying--you fool?” he snarled. Paul was quite cowed before his sudden wrath.
”Paul may be diffident about saying,” I observed. ”But I'll tell you. He says my father committed suicide, and that if he hadn't done so my mother and I would be paupers today.”
I never saw a man's countenance express such changes of emotion within so short a time. From anger to fear--and back again--was such a swift transition that it startled me. I began from that moment to wonder very much what the mystery was which surrounded my father's death fourteen years before!
But the next instant my attention was recalled to my mother. For a moment she sat motionless. Now she started up from her chair with a little cry.
”What is it, mother?” I cried, in alarm. Had I not caught her she would have fallen to the floor.
”Now, see what you have done!” snarled Mr. Downes. ”You have over-excited her. Get out of the way, boy----”
I gave him a look that halted him. Had he touched my mother then I would have been at his throat! Exerting all my strength I picked her up bodily and carried her to the nearest couch. The bell push was at hand and I rang for her maid. The woman responded immediately and James was right behind her in the hall.
”Attend to your mistress, Marie,” I said. ”And James!”
”Yes, sir,” said the big butler, coming to the door.
”Order the carriage at once and see that Mr. Downes' bags are brought down. They are leaving immediately.”
The butler's face was perfectly impa.s.sive. Mr. Downes broke into a nasty laugh.