Part 35 (1/2)

”Of course she is,” I said cordially. ”She's a precious sight too good for you, you old rotter. You bear that fact steadily in mind, and we'll make something of you yet.”

At this point Mrs. Ukridge joined us. She had been exploring the house, and noting the damage done. Her eyes were open to their fullest extent.

”Oh, Mr. Garnet, _couldn't_ you have stopped them?”

I felt a worm. Had I done as much as I might have done to stem the tide?

”I'm awfully sorry, Mrs. Ukridge,” I said humbly. ”I really don't think I could have done much more. We tried every method. Beale had seven fights, and I made a speech on the lawn, but it was all no good.

Directly they had finished the whisky--”

Ukridge's cry was like that of a lost spirit.

”They didn't get hold of the whisky!”

”They did! It seemed to me that it would smooth things down a little if I served it out. The mob had begun to get a trifle out of hand.”

”I thought those horrid men were making a lot of noise,” said Mrs.

Ukridge.

Ukridge preserved a gloomy silence. Of all the disasters of that stricken field, I think the one that came home most poignantly to him was the loss of the whisky. It seemed to strike him like a blow.

”Isn't it about time to collect these men and explain things?” I suggested. ”I don't believe any of them know you've come back.”

”They will!” said Ukridge grimly, coming out of his trance. ”They soon will! Where's Beale! Beale!”

The Hired Retainer came running out at the sound of the well-remembered voice.

”Lumme, Mr. Ukridge, sir!” he gasped.

It was the first time Beale had ever betrayed any real emotion in my presence. To him, I suppose, the return of Ukridge was as sensational and astonis.h.i.+ng an event as a re-appearance from the tomb. He was not accustomed to find those who had shot the moon revisiting their ancient haunts.

”Beale, go round the place and tell those scoundrels that I've come back, and would like a word with them on the lawn. And, if you find any of them stealing the fowls, knock them down!”

”I 'ave knocked down one or two,” said Beale, with approval. ”That Charlie--”

”Beale,” said Ukridge, much moved, ”you're an excellent fellow! One of the very best. I will pay you your back wages before I go to bed.”

”These fellars, sir,” said Beale, having expressed his gratification, ”they've bin and scattered most of them birds already, sir. They've bin chasin' of them this half-hour back.”

Ukridge groaned.