CHAPTER XIII
AN APPEAL AND ITS ANSWER
A puff of rain-washed air wandered in through the wide-flung window, andLucas Errol turned his head languidly upon the pillow to feel it on hisface. He sighed as he moved, as if even that slight exertion cost himsome resolution. His eyes had a heavy, drugged look. They seemed moredeeply sunken than usual, but there was no sleep in them, only the utterweariness that follows the sleep of morphia.
At the soft opening of the door a faint frown drew his forehead, but itturned to a smile as Bertie came forward with cautious tread.
"That you, dear fellow? I am awake."
Bertie came to his side, his brown face full of concern. "Are you better,old chap?"
"Yes, better, thanks. Only so dog-tired. Sit down. Have you broughtthe budget?"
"There's nothing much to-day. Only that chap Cradock writing again forinstructions about the Arizona ranch, and a few Wall Street tips fromMarsh by cable. Say, Luke, I don't think Cradock is overweighted withspunk, never have thought so. Guess that ranch wants a bigger man."
"I'll see his letter," said Lucas. "Presently will do. What about Marsh?"
"Oh, he's behind the scenes as usual. You'd better read him now. The restwill keep. When you've done that I want to talk to you."
"So I gathered. Stuff in another pillow behind me, will you? I can thinkbetter sitting up."
"I shouldn't, old chap, really. You're always easier lying down."
"Oh, shucks, Bertie! Do as you're told. And don't look at me like that,you old duffer. It's a mean advantage to take of a sick man. Steadynow, steady! Go slow! You mustn't slam a creaking gate. It's bad forthe hinges."
But notwithstanding Bertie's utmost care there were heavy drops on hisbrother's forehead as he sank again upon his pillows. Bertie wiped themaway with a hand that trembled a little, and Lucas smiled up at him withtwitching lips.
"Thanks, boy! It was only a twinge. Sit down again, and give me Marsh'scipher and the morning papers. The letters you shall read to mepresently."
He straightway immersed himself in business matters with the shrewdnessand concentration that ever aroused his young brother's deepestadmiration.
"What a marvellous grip you've got on things, Luke!" he exclaimed at theend of it. "No wonder you are always on the top! You're great, man,you're great!"
"I guess it's just my speciality," the millionaire said, with his wearysmile. "I must be getting another secretary soon, boy. It's a shame toeat up your time like this. What is it you want to talk to me about?Going to get married?"
Bertie shook his head. "The padre won't hear of it yet, and Dotherself--well, you know, I said I'd wait."
"Don't wait too long," said Lucas quietly. "You shall have the old DowerHouse to live in. Tell the padre that. It's only a stone's throw from theRectory. We'll build a garage too, eh, Bertie? The wife must have hermotor. And presently, when you are called to the Bar, you will want aflat in town."
"You're a brick, Luke!" the boy declared, with shining eyes. "Betweenourselves, I don't expect to do much at the Bar, but I'm sticking to itjust to show 'em I can work like the rest of creation. I'd sooner be yoursecretary for all time, and you know it."
"That so?" Lucas stretched a hand towards him. "But I guess you're right.I don't want you to depend on me for employment. If I were to go out oneof these days you'd feel rather left. It's better you should have otherresources."
"Luke, I say! Luke!"
But the quick distress of the words was checked by the gentle restraintof Lucas's hand. "I know! I know! But we've all got to die sooner orlater, and one doesn't want to tear a larger hole than one need. That'sall right, Bertie boy. We'll shunt the subject. Only, if you want toplease me, get that nice little girl to marry you soon. Now what was ityou wanted to say? Something about Nap?"
"Yes. How did you know? It's an infernal shame to worry you when you'renot fit for it. But the mother and I both think you ought to know."
"Go ahead, dear fellow! I'm tougher than you think. What hasbecome of Nap?"
"That's just the question. You know he went off in the car with LadyCarfax yesterday morning?"
"I didn't know," murmured Lucas. "That's a detail. Go on."
"Late last night the car had not returned, and the mother began towonder. Of course if Lady Carfax hadn't been there it wouldn't havemattered much, but as it was we got anxious, and in the end I posted offto the Manor to know if she had arrived. She had not. But while I wasthere a wire came for the butler from a place called Bramhurst, which isabout fifty miles away, to say that the car had broken down and theycouldn't return before to-day. Well, that looked to me deuced queer. I'mconvinced that Nap is up to some devilry. What on earth induced her togo there with him anyway? The mother was real bothered about it, and sowas I. We couldn't rest, either of us. And in the end she ordered the bigDaimler and went off to Bramhurst herself. I wanted to go with her, butshe wouldn't have me at any price. You know the mother. So I stopped tolook after things here. Everyone cleared off this morning, thank thegods. I don't think anyone smelt a rat. I told them the mother had goneto nurse a sick friend, and it seemed to go down all right."
Lucas had listened to the recital with closed eyes and a perfectlyexpressionless face. He did not speak for a few moments when Bertieended. At length, "And the mother is not back yet?" he asked.
"No. But I'm not afraid for her. She knows how to hold her own."
"That's so," Lucas conceded; and fell silent again.
He was frowning a little as if in contemplation of some difficulty, buthis composure was absolute.
"There may be nothing in it," he said at last.
Bertie grunted. "I knew he was in a wild beast mood before they started.He nearly rode the black mare to death in the early morning."
"Why wasn't I told of that?" Lucas opened his eyes with the question andlooked directly at his brother's worried countenance.
"My dear fellow, you were too sick to be bothered. Besides, you weretaking morphia. He saw to that."
Lucas closed his eyes again without comment, A long pause ensued beforehe spoke again.
Then: "Bertie," he said, "go down to the garage and leave word that assoon as Nap returns I want to speak to him."
"He won't return," said Bertie, with conviction.
"I think he will. It is even possible that he has returned already. Inany case, go and tell them. Ah, Tawny, what is it?"
The valet came to his master's side. His hideous features wore anexpression that made them almost benign. The dumb devotion of an animallooked out of his eyes.
"A note, sir, from the Manor."
"Who brought it?" asked Lucas.
"A groom, sir."
"Waiting for an answer?"
"Yes, sir."
Lucas opened the note. It was from Anne.
He read a few lines, then glanced at Bertie. "It's all right, Bertie. Goand give that message, will you? Say it's important--an urgent matter ofbusiness."
Bertie departed, and Lucas's eyes returned to the sheet he held.
Tawny Hudson stood motionless beside him, and several silent secondsticked away. His master spoke at length.
"Pen and paper, Tawny. Yes, that's right. Now put your arm behind thepillows and give me a hoist. Slowly now, slowly!"
And then, as the man supported him, very slowly and unsteadily he traceda few words.
"Don't worry. All's well.--Lucas."
Abruptly the pen fell from his fingers; his head dropped back. His facewas drawn and ghastly as he uttered a few gasping whispers. "Tawny, giveme something--quick! This pain is--killing me!"
The man lowered him again, and took a bottle from a side-table. As hemeasured some drops into a glass the only sound in the room was hismaster's agonised breathing.
Yet he knew without turning that someone had entered, and he betrayed nosurprise when Nap's hand suddenly whisked the glass from his hold andheld it to the panting lips.
The Knave of Diamonds Page 35
