Part 10 (1/2)
”Ah. You'd rather wait till you can do it a little more privately.
Perhaps you're right.”
The butler smiled indulgently. He did not understand what Reggie was talking about, but that did not worry him. He had long since come to the conclusion that Reggie was slightly mad, a theory supported by the latter's valet, who was of the same opinion. Keggs did not dislike Reggie, but intellectually he considered him negligible.
”Send something to drink into the library, Keggs,” said Lord Belpher.
”Very good, your lords.h.i.+p.”
”A topping idea,” said Reggie. ”I'll just take the old car round to the garage, and then I'll be with you.”
He climbed to the steering wheel, and started the engine. Lord Belpher proceeded to the library, while Keggs melted away through the green baize door at the end of the hail which divided the servants' quarters from the rest of the house.
Reggie had hardly driven a dozen yards when he perceived his stepmother and Lord Marshmoreton coming towards him from the direction of the rose-garden. He drew up to greet them.
”Hullo, mater. What ho, uncle! Back again at the old homestead, what?”
Beneath Lady Caroline's aristocratic front agitation seemed to lurk.
”Reggie, where is Percy?”
”Old Boots? I think he's gone to the library. I just decanted him out of the car.”
Lady Caroline turned to her brother.
”Let us go to the library, John.”
”All right. All right. All right,” said Lord Marshmoreton irritably. Something appeared to have ruffled his calm.
Reggie drove on. As he was strolling back after putting the car away he met Maud.
”Hullo, Maud, dear old thing.”
”Why, hullo, Reggie. I was expecting you back last night.”
”Couldn't get back last night. Had to stick in town and rally round old Boots. Couldn't desert the old boy in his hour of trial.”
Reggie chuckled amusedly. ”'Hour of trial,' is rather good, what?
What I mean to say is, that's just what it was, don't you know.”
”Why, what happened to Percy?”
”Do you mean to say you haven't heard? Of course not. It wouldn't have been in the morning papers. Why, Percy punched a policeman.”
”Percy did what?”
”Slugged a slop. Most dramatic thing. Sloshed him in the midriff.
Absolutely. The cross marks the spot where the tragedy occurred.”
Maud caught her breath. Somehow, though she could not trace the connection, she felt that this extraordinary happening must be linked up with her escapade. Then her sense of humour got the better of apprehension. Her eyes twinkled delightedly.
”You don't mean to say Percy did that?”