Part 58 (1/2)

I knew our little group would be sadly reduced in number that evening, but I did not expect to find the saloon deserted except for Kevin. He was scribbling in his beastly notebook, of course. When he saw me he made a feeble attempt to rise.

”Sit down,” I said, doing so myself. ”And don't pretend to be overcome with exhaustion or grief.”

”I am grieved about poor old Vandergelt,” Kevin said ”But if a man has to go- and all men do- that was how he would have wished it to be. 'Greater love hath no man- '”

”You will no doubt quote that in your story,” I said severely. ”We must discuss that, Kevin. But where is everyone?”

”Rene and Charlie have left for Derut, with- ”

”Yes, I know. What about Bertha?”

”In her room, I suppose I asked for the pleasure of a conversation with her, but she put me off. As for your- er- the professor- ”

”He is here,” I said, as Emerson entered

To my fond eyes he had never appeared handsomer. His damp hair lay in s.h.i.+ning waves, only the ugly half-healed scar marred the perfection of his chiseled features. With a smile at me and a scowl at Kevin he went to the sideboard. ”The usual, Peabody?” he inquired.

”If you please, my dear. We might drink a toast, to absent friends and love pa.s.sing the love of-”

”Watch your tongue, Peabody. That cursed journalist is writing down every word.”

He handed me my gla.s.s and then confronted Kevin, whose jaw had dropped and whose eyes were popping. ”I want to see your story before you send it off, O'Connell. If it contains anything libelous I will break both your arms.”

Kevin swallowed. ”You- you have just destroyed my lead, Professor. You have regained your memory!”

”Is that the absurd tale that is making the rounds? How interesting. I wonder how much the courts will award me in damages when I sue the lot of you.”

”But I never- believe me, sir- ” Kevin stammered, trying to cover the paper with his elbows.

”Good,” said Emerson, baring his teeth. ”Now, Mr. O'Connell, I am going to give you your next dispatch. You may take notes,” he added graciously.

It was, I confess, as neat a lie as I might have composed. Emerson omitted all references to the Forth affair, describing Vincey as ”another of those old enemies who keep cropping up.” His vivid descriptions of our various thrilling encounters with Vincey kept Kevin scribbling furiously. ”So,” Emerson concluded, ”having tired of his attentions, I lay in wait for him this evening, with the a.s.sistance of Abdullah and two of Mr. Vandergelt's guards, whom he kindly lent me. Vandergelt was supposed to keep Mrs. Emerson out of the way. That did not succeed, thanks to her inveterate habit of- ”

” 'Love gave her insight into her adored spouse's intention. ” Kevin muttered, his pen driving across the page. ” 'And devotion lent wings to her steed as she rushed headlong. . . .'”

”If you dare print that, Kevin,” I said. ”I will break both your arms.”

”Hrmph,” said Emerson loudly. ”Let me finish. Owing to an unavoidable- er- misapprehension on the part of my a.s.sistants, Vincey was able to get past them and enter the cave where we had taken refuge.

A slight altercation ensued, in the course of which Vincey shot Vandergelt. I was- er- unable to reach my own weapon in time to prevent it, but my bullet reached its target a moment later.”

”A bit terse and flat,” Kevin muttered. ”Never mind, I can fill in the details. So what was the fellow's motive, Professor?”

”Revenge,” said Emerson, folding his arms. ”For an old, fancied injury.”

” 'Years of brooding over an old, fancied injury had driven him mad . . .' You wouldn't care to be more explicit? No,” Kevin muttered. ”I see you would not. And the attacks on Mrs. E.?”

”Revenge,” Emerson repeated firmly.

”Yes, of course. 'Knowing that no dart could strike deeper into that devoted heart than danger to his . . .' Yes, that's the stuff. I can reel that off by the page.”