Part 116 (2/2)
”Yes, Miss Louy, me it is, and you don't look best pleased to see me.”
As she fell back he entered and closed the door.
”My brother is out, Mr Pradelle.”
He nodded, and stood smiling at her.
”You can leave any message you wish for him.”
”And go? Exactly. Hah! I should like to make you think differently of me, Miss Louy. You know I always loved--”
”Mr Pradelle, I am alone here, and this visit is an intrusion.”
”Intrusion? Ah, how hard you do keep on me; but I'm patient as a man can be. What a welcome to one who has come to serve you! I am only your brother's messenger, Miss Louy. He has been and done that business.”
”You know?”
”Of course I know. Harry is not so hard upon me as you are. I have seen him, and he sent me on here with a cab. He wants you to join him.”
”To join him?”
”Yes, at the station. He says it is not safe to come back here, and you are to join him at the waiting-room.”
”He sent that message by you?”
”Yes. It's all nonsense, of course, for I think he has not so much cause to be alarmed. There is a risk, but he magnifies it. You are ready, so let's go on at once.”
”Why did not my brother return? There is the landlady to pay.”
”He has commissioned me to do that. I am going to see you both off, and if you'll only say a kind word to me, Miss Louy, I don't know but what I'll come with you.”
”Did my brother send that message to me, Mr Pradelle?” said Louise, looking at him fixedly.
”Yes, and the cab's waiting at the door.”
”It is not true,” said Louise firmly.
”What?”
”I say, sir, it is not true. After what has pa.s.sed between us this morning, my brother would not send such a message by you.”
”Well, if ever man had cause to be hurt I have,” cried Pradelle. ”Why, you'll tell me next that he didn't go out to p.a.w.n some of your jewels.”
Louise hesitated.
”There, you see, I am right. He has taken quite a scare, and daren't come back. Perhaps you won't believe that. There, come along; we're wasting time.”
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