Part 58 (1/2)
Two figures sat at the table, a picture book open before them. Claire's arm was about her little nephew's shoulder. His face was turned up to hers, but his finger still pointed to the page which they had been studying.
”And was he brave, enormously brave?” he was asking. ”As brave as--as Muhammed?”
”Braver than Muhammed,” she said quietly. ”Because he was--good.”
He debated a moment.
”As brave as the pig man, then?” he suggested. ”He's been good, always?”
Aylmer stepped forward.
”Not always,” he said smiling. ”Not even often. But just as much as he knew how to be.”
The glances which met his were startled but full of welcome. With a cackle of delight little John ran from his seat.
”It's him, himself--the pig man!” he cried.
Aylmer smiled and held out his hand.
Then he turned.
In Claire's eyes the surprise had vanished. They were full of inquiry, of an agony of question. Her lips were pale and faltered over the words which would not come.
He nodded, gravely, significantly.
She gave a little gasp. The color rushed to her cheeks, flooded to her brow. As if some strong chord of tension had broken in her breast, she leaned against the table, quivering.
”Yes,” said Aylmer, quietly. ”That shadow is lifted from our lives. He is gone--G.o.d's hand fell upon him--as you told him it would. The future of this life,” he laid his fingers tenderly upon the child's head, ”is in your hands now.” He paused. ”And my life, Claire--that is yours, too, to deal with, as you will.”
She lifted her head.
The wave of emotion had pa.s.sed and left her calm again. The haggardness, the anxious lines, were smoothed. Only in her eyes remained the mist of unshed tears. And as the mist sinks from the face of the risen sun, so the shadow of pa.s.sed sorrow fled before her dawning smile. Slowly she came towards him.
With a sigh of infinite content her hands reached out to--and placed their surrender in--his.
By E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
THE ILl.u.s.tRIOUS PRINCE
Mr. Oppenheim's new story is a narrative of mystery and international intrigue that carries the reader breathless from page to page. It is the tale of the secret and world-startling methods employed by the Emperor of j.a.pan through Prince Maiyo, his close kinsman, to ascertain the real reasons for the around-the-world cruise of the American fleet. The American Amba.s.sador in London and the Duke of Denvenham, an influential Englishman, work hand in hand to circ.u.mvent the Oriental plot, which proceeds mysteriously to the last page. From the time when Mr. Hamilton Fynes steps from the _Lusitania_ into a special tug, in his mad rush towards London, to the very end, the reader is carried from deep mystery to tense situations, until finally the explanation is reached in a most unexpected and unusual climax.