Part 20 (1/2)

CHAPTER XVI

NAMELESS FEAR

If Triffitt had stayed in Kensal Green Cemetery a little longer, he would have observed that Mr. Frank Burchill's presence at the funeral obsequies of the late Jacob Herapath was of an eminently modest, una.s.suming, and retiring character. He might, as an ex-secretary of the dead man, have claimed to walk abreast of Mr. Selwood, and ahead of the manager and cas.h.i.+er from the estate office; instead, he had taken a place in the rear ranks of the procession, and in it he remained until the close of the ceremony. Like the rest of those present, he defiled past the grave at which the chief mourners were standing, but he claimed no recognition from and gave no apparent heed to any of them; certainly none to Barthorpe Herapath. Also, like all the rest, he went away at once from the cemetery, and after him, quietly and un.o.btrusively, went a certain sharp-eyed person who had also been present, not as a mourner, but in the character of a casual stroller about the tombs and monuments, attracted for the moment by the imposing cortege which had followed the dead man to his grave.

Another sharp-eyed person made it his business to follow Barthorpe Herapath when he, too, went away. Barthorpe had come to the ceremony unattended. Selwood, Mr. Tertius, Professor c.o.x-Raythwaite, and Mr.

Halfpenny had come together. These four also went away together.

Barthorpe, still alone, re-entered his carriage when they had driven off. The observant person of the sharp eyes, hanging around the gates, heard him give his order:

”Portman Square!”

The four men who had preceded him were standing in the study when Barthorpe drove up to the house--standing around Peggie, who was obviously ill at ease and distressed. And when Barthorpe's voice was heard in the hall, Mr. Halfpenny spoke in decisive tones.

”We must understand matters at once,” he said. ”There is no use in beating about the bush. He has refused to meet or receive me so far--now I shall insist upon his saying plainly whatever he has to say. You, too, my dear, painful as it may be, must also insist.”

”On--what?” asked Peggie.

”On his saying what he intends--if he intends--I don't know what he intends!” answered Mr. Halfpenny, testily. ”It's most annoying, and we can't----”

Barthorpe came striding in, paused as he glanced around, and affected surprise.

”Oh!” he said. ”I came to see you, Peggie--I did not know that there was any meeting in progress.”

”Barthorpe!” said Peggie, looking earnestly at him. ”You know that all these gentlemen were Uncle Jacob's friends--dear friends--and they are mine. Don't go away--Mr. Halfpenny wants to speak to you.”

Barthorpe had already half turned to the door. He turned back--then turned again.

”Mr. Halfpenny can only want to speak to me on business,” he said, coldly. ”If Mr. Halfpenny wants to speak to me on business, he knows where to find me.”

He had already laid a hand on the door when Mr. Halfpenny spoke sharply and sternly.

”Mr. Barthorpe Herapath!” he said. ”I know very well where to find you, and I have tried to find you and to get speech with you for two days--in vain. I insist, sir, that you speak to us--or at any rate to your cousin--you are bound to speak, sir, out of common decency!”

”About what?” asked Barthorpe. ”I came to speak to my cousin--in private.”

”There is a certain something, sir,” retorted Mr. Halfpenny, with warmth, ”about which we must speak in public--such a public, at any rate, as is represented here and now. You know what it is--your uncle's will!”

”What about my uncle's will--or alleged will?” asked Barthorpe with a sneer.

Mr. Halfpenny appeared to be about to make a very angry retort, but he suddenly checked himself and looked at Peggie.

”You hear, my dear?” he said. ”He says--alleged will!”

Peggie turned to Barthorpe with an appealing glance.

”Barthorpe!” she exclaimed. ”Is that fair--is it generous? Is it just--to our uncle's memory? You know that is his will--what doubt can there be about it?”

Barthorpe made no answer. He still stood with one hand on the door, looking at Mr. Halfpenny. And suddenly he spoke.