Part 42 (1/2)

”Tell me just what has happened.” The demand spoken so quietly had the effect desired.

Ruxton pulled himself together. His father watched the return of control with satisfaction.

He told the story of his journey to Wednesford calmly and quietly, without missing a detail. Sir Andrew listened closely, the seriousness of his att.i.tude deepening with every fresh detail which pointed the certainty of foul play. At the conclusion of the story he was as gravely apprehensive as the other, and his sympathy for his boy's heart-broken condition was from the depths of his devoted heart.

”I've got the best Scotland Yard can supply working for us, and each man has been offered fabulous rewards if he can ascertain her whereabouts. So far I have no news; no hope. Dad, I love Vita so that this thing has nearly set me crazy. I tell you I must find her. I must save her from these devils, or----”

”Have you seen Von Hertzwohl?”

Ruxton started. His drawn face and straining eyes underwent a complete change at the simple enquiry from his father.

”No. I----”

”It seems to me if their object is to get at him it should not be impossible that a clue---- Besides, I sent a letter on to him, which came under cover addressed to me. That was the first thing this morning, just before you arrived. It was written in a woman's hand, and----”

”G.o.d! Why didn't you speak of it before?” The demand was almost rough.

Such was the rush of blind hope that suddenly surged through the younger man's heart.

The father's eyes twinkled.

”You had told me nothing. I knew nothing of the trouble.”

”Of course. I'm sorry, Dad.” Ruxton's whole att.i.tude had undergone a swift change.

Now he was all eager hope, and strung to a pitch of desire for action.

”I will go to him at once.”

”Now?” The old man shook his head. ”You're too reckless, boy. Think it over carefully. Remember, Dorby is full of German agents. I should suggest to-night. I should suggest you adopt the garb of a worker.

Ruxton Farlow visiting a working man's abode. It would be too inviting to our--enemies.”

”Dad, you're right--always right. Yes; to-night. You think it was a letter from her?”

Sir Andrew shook his head.

”I haven't an idea, boy,” he said in his deliberate fas.h.i.+on. ”How could I be expected to? The letter came, and I sent it on by hand. A perfectly trustworthy hand, under cover of a fresh address to Mr.

Charles Smith. Now it's different. It seems it might be a--clue.”

”Might? Of course it is. There is only one woman who would write to him. But--why not have written to me?”

The same thought had simultaneously occurred to the father, and, as it came, something of the lighter manner which had been steadily gathering died out of his shrewd eyes.

It was a little yellow brick cottage, part of a terrace of a dozen or so, in a cul-de-sac, guarded at its entrance by a beer-house on one hand, and, on the other, a general shop. The brickwork was black with years of fog and soot, and the English climate. The front of it possessed three windows and a doorway, with a step that at rare intervals was tinted with a sort of yellow ochre. The windows were curtainless, and suggested years of uncleanliness in the inhabitants.

The interior was little better. The owners of the place lived down-stairs. The two small rooms above were let to lodgers of the working cla.s.s. One of the latter was employed in one of the s.h.i.+pyards.

The other the poor housewife was doubtful about. He remained unemployed, and was a foreigner; but he paid his rent, and didn't seem to require her to do any cooking for him. Then he seemed fond of her dirty-faced children, of whom there seemed to be an endless string, who frequently invaded his quarters, and submitted him to an interminable catechism of childish enquiry.

Otherwise the tall, lean workman with the hollow cheeks and luminous eyes was left to prosecute his apparently fruitless search for work unquestioned. Mrs. Clark was far too busy with her brood of offspring to concern herself with his affairs, a small mercy vouchsafed him, and for which he was duly thankful. Mr. Charles Smith by no means courted the intimacy of his neighbors, or his fellow-lodger; at the same time, he avoided exciting any suspicion.