the club of queer trades-第2章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！



We　shook　our　heads　gently。　Bit　by　bit；　and　mainly　by　the　seemingly　sleepy　assistance　of　Basil　Grant；　we　pieced　together　the　Major's　fragmentary；　but　excited　narration。　It　would　be　infamous　to　submit　the　reader　to　what　we　endured；　therefore　I　will　tell　the　story　of　Major　Brown　in　my　own　words。　But　the　reader　must　imagine　the　scene。　The　eyes　of　Basil　closed　as　in　a　trance；　after　his　habit；　and　the　eyes　of　Rupert　and　myself　getting　rounder　and　rounder　as　we　listened　to　one　of　the　most　astounding　stories　in　the　world；　from　the　lips　of　the　little　man　in　black；　sitting　bolt　upright　in　his　chair　and　talking　like　a　telegram。

Major　Brown　was；　I　have　said；　a　successful　soldier；　but　by　no　means　an　enthusiastic　one。　So　far　from　regretting　his　retirement　on　half…pay；　it　was　with　delight　that　he　took　a　small　neat　villa；　very　like　a　doll's　house；　and　devoted　the　rest　of　his　life　to　pansies　and　weak　tea。　The　thought　that　battles　were　over　when　he　had　once　hung　up　his　sword　in　the　little　front　hall　（along　with　two　patent　stew…pots　and　a　bad　water…colour）；　and　betaken　himself　instead　to　wielding　the　rake　in　his　little　sunlit　garden；　was　to　him　like　having　come　into　a　harbour　in　heaven。　He　was　Dutch…like　and　precise　in　his　taste　in　gardening；　and　had；　perhaps；　some　tendency　to　drill　his　flowers　like　soldiers。　He　was　one　of　those　men　who　are　capable　of　putting　four　umbrellas　in　the　stand　rather　than　three；　so　that　two　may　lean　one　way　and　two　another；　he　saw　life　like　a　pattern　in　a　freehand　drawing…book。　And　assuredly　he　would　not　have　believed；　or　even　understood；　any　one　who　had　told　him　that　within　a　few　yards　of　his　brick　paradise　he　was　destined　to　be　caught　in　a　whirlpool　of　incredible　adventure；　such　as　he　had　never　seen　or　dreamed　of　in　the　horrible　jungle；　or　the　heat　of　battle。

One　certain　bright　and　windy　afternoon；　the　Major；　attired　in　his　usual　faultless　manner；　had　set　out　for　his　usual　constitutional。　In　crossing　from　one　great　residential　thoroughfare　to　another；　he　happened　to　pass　along　one　of　those　aimless…looking　lanes　which　lie　along　the　back…garden　walls　of　a　row　of　mansions；　and　which　in　their　empty　and　discoloured　appearance　give　one　an　odd　sensation　as　of　being　behind　the　scenes　of　a　theatre。　But　mean　and　sulky　as　the　scene　might　be　in　the　eyes　of　most　of　us；　it　was　not　altogether　so　in　the　Major's；　for　along　the　coarse　gravel　footway　was　coming　a　thing　which　was　to　him　what　the　passing　of　a　religious　procession　is　to　a　devout　person。　A　large；　heavy　man；　with　fish…blue　eyes　and　a　ring　of　irradiating　red　beard；　was　pushing　before　him　a　barrow；　which　was　ablaze　with　incomparable　flowers。　There　were　splendid　specimens　of　almost　every　order；　but　the　Major's　own　favourite　pansies　predominated。　The　Major　stopped　and　fell　into　conversation；　and　then　into　bargaining。　He　treated　the　man　after　the　manner　of　collectors　and　other　mad　men；　that　is　to　say；　he　carefully　and　with　a　sort　of　anguish　selected　the　best　roots　from　the　less　excellent；　praised　some；　disparaged　others；　made　a　subtle　scale　ranging　from　a　thrilling　worth　and　rarity　to　a　degraded　insignificance；　and　then　bought　them　all。　The　man　was　just　pushing　off　his　barrow　when　he　stopped　and　came　close　to　the　Major。

〃I'll　tell　you　what；　sir；〃　he　said。　〃If　you're　interested　in　them　things；　you　just　get　on　to　that　wall。〃

〃On　the　wall！〃　cried　the　scandalised　Major；　whose　conventional　soul　quailed　within　him　at　the　thought　of　such　fantastic　trespass。

〃Finest　show　of　yellow　pansies　in　England　in　that　there　garden；　sir；〃　hissed　the　tempter。　〃I'll　help　you　up；　sir。〃

How　it　happened　no　one　will　ever　know　but　that　positive　enthusiasm　of　the　Major's　life　triumphed　over　all　its　negative　traditions；　and　with　an　easy　leap　and　swing　that　showed　that　he　was　in　no　need　of　physical　assistance；　he　stood　on　the　wall　at　the　end　of　the　strange　garden。　The　second　after；　the　flapping　of　the　frock…coat　at　his　knees　made　him　feel　inexpressibly　a　fool。　But　the　next　instant　all　such　trifling　sentiments　were　swallowed　up　by　the　most　appalling　shock　of　surprise　the　old　soldier　had　ever　felt　in　all　his　bold　and　wandering　existence。　His　eyes　fell　upon　the　garden；　and　there　across　a　large　bed　in　the　centre　of　the　lawn　was　a　vast　pattern　of　pansies；　they　were　splendid　flowers；　but　for　once　it　was　not　their　horticultural　aspects　that　Major　Brown　beheld；　for　the　pansies　were　arranged　in　gigantic　capital　letters　so　as　to　form　the　sentence：

DEATH　TO　MAJOR　BROWN

A　kindly　looking　old　man；　with　white　whiskers；　was　watering　them。　Brown　looked　sharply　back　at　the　road　behind　him；　the　man　with　the　barrow　had　suddenly　vanished。　Then　he　looked　again　at　the　lawn　with　its　incredible　inscription。　Another　man　might　have　thought　he　had　gone　mad；　but　Brown　did　not。　When　romantic　ladies　gushed　over　his　V。C。　and　his　military　exploits；　he　sometimes　felt　himself　to　be　a　painfully　prosaic　person；　but　by　the　same　token　he　knew　he　was　incurably　sane。　Another　man；　again；　might　have　thought　himself　a　victim　of　a　passing　practical　joke；　but　Brown　could　not　easily　believe　this。　He　knew　from　his　own　quaint　learning　that　the　garden　arrangement　was　an　elaborate　and　expensive　one；　he　thought　it　extravagantly　improbable　that　any　one　would　pour　out　money　like　water　for　a　joke　against　him。　Having　no　explanation　whatever　to　offer；　he　admitted　the　fact　to　himself；　like　a　clear…headed　man；　and　waited　as　he　would　have　done　in　the　presence　of　a　man　with　six　legs。

At　this　moment　the　stout　old　man　with　white　whiskers　looked　up；　and　the　watering　can　fell　from　his　hand；　shooting　a　swirl　of　water　down　the　gravel　path。

〃Who　on　earth　are　you？〃　he　gasped；　trembling　violently。

〃I　am　Major　Brown；〃　said　that　individual；　who　was　always　cool　in　the　hour　of　action。

The　old　man　gaped　helplessly　like　some　monstrous　fish。　At　last　he　stammered　wildly；　〃Come　downcome　down　here！〃

〃At　your　service；〃　said　the　Major；　and　alighted　at　a　bound　on　the　grass　beside　him；　without　disarranging　his　silk　hat。

The　old　man　turned　his　broad　back　and　set　off　at　a　sort　of　waddling　run　towards　the　house；　followed　with　swift　steps　by　the　Major。　His　guide　led　him　through　the　back　passages　of　a　gloomy；　but　gorgeously　appointed　house；　until　they　reached　the　door　of　the　front　room。　Then　the　old　man　turned　with　a　face　of　apoplectic　terror　dimly　showing　in　the　twilight。

〃For　heaven's　sake；〃　he　said；　〃don't　mention　jackals。〃

Then　he　threw　open　the　door；　releasing　a　burst　of　red　lamplight；　and　ran　downstairs　with　a　clatter。

The　Major　stepped　into　a　rich；　glowing　room；　full　of　red　copper；　and　peacock　and　purple　hangings；　hat　in　hand。　He　had　the　finest　manners　in　the　world；　and；　though　mystified；　was　not　in　the　least　embarrassed　to　see　that　the　only　occupant　was　a　lady；　sitting　by　the　window；　looking　out。

〃Madam；〃　he　said；　bowing　simply；　〃I　am　Major　Brown。〃

〃Sit　down；〃　said　the　lady；　but　she　did　not　turn　her　head。

She　was　a　graceful；　green…clad　figure；　with　fiery　red　hair　and　a　flavour　of　Bedford　Park。　〃You　have　come；　I　suppose；〃　she　said　mournfully；　〃to　tax　me　about　the　hateful　title…deeds。〃

〃I　have　come；　madam；〃　he　said；　〃to　know　what　is　the　matter。　To　know　why　my　name　is　written　across　your　garden。　Not　amicably　either。〃

He　spoke　grimly；　for　the　thing　had　hit　him。　It　is　impossible　to　describe　the　effect　produced　on　the　mind　by　that　quiet　and　sunny　garden　scene；　the　frame　for　a　stunning　and　brutal　personality。　The　evening　air　was　still；　and　the　grass　was　golden　in　the　place　where　the　little　flowers　he　studied　cried　to　heaven　for　his　blood。

〃You　know　I　must　not　turn　round；〃　said　the　lady；　〃every　afternoon　till　the　stroke　of　six　I　must　keep　my　face　turned　to　the　street。〃

Some　queer　and　unusual　inspiration　made　the　prosaic　soldier　resolute　to　accept　these　outrageous　riddles　without　surprise。

〃It　is　almost　six；〃　he　said；　and　even　as　he　spoke　the　barbaric　copper　clock　upon　the　wall　clanged　the　first　stroke　of　the　hour。　At　the　sixth　the　lady　sprang　up　and　turned　on　the　Major　one　of　the　queerest　and　yet　most　attractive　faces　he　had　ever　seen　in　his　life；　open；　and　yet　tantalising；　the　face　of　an　elf。

〃That　makes　the　third　year　I　have　waited；〃　she　cried。　〃This　is　an　anniversary。　The　waiting　almost　makes　one　wish　the　frightful　thing　would　happen　once　and　for　all。〃

And　even　as　she　spoke；　a　sudden　rending　cry　broke　the　stillness。　From　low　down　on　the　pavement　of　the　dim　street　（it　was　already　twilight）　a　voice　cried　out　with　a　raucous　and　merciless　distinctness：

〃Major　Brown；　Major　Brown；　where　does　the　jackal　dwell？〃

Brown　was　decisive　and　silent　in　action。　He　strode　to　the　front　door　and　looked　out。　There　was　no　sign　of　life　in　the　blue　gloaming　of　the　street；　where　one　or　two　lamps　were　beginning　to　light　their　lemon　sparks。　On　returning；　he　found　the　lady　in　green　trembling。

〃It　is　the　end；〃　she　cried；　with　shaking　lips；　〃it　may　be　death　for　both　of　us。　Whenever〃

But　even　as　she　spoke　her　speech　was　cloven　by　another　hoarse　proclamation　from　the　dark　street；　again　horribly　articulate。

〃Major　Brown；　Major　Brown；　how　did　the　jackal　die？〃

Brown　dashed　out　of　the　door　and　down　the　steps；　but　again　he　was　frustrated；　there　was　no　figure　in　sight；　and　the　street　was　far　too　long　and　empty　for　the　shouter　to　have　run　away。　Even　the　rational　Major　was　a　little　shaken　as　he　returned　in　a　certain　time　to　the　drawing…room。　Scarcely　had　he　done　so　than　the　terrific　voice　came：

〃Major　Brown；　Major　Brown；　where　did〃

Brown　was　in　the　street　almost　at　a　bound；　and　he　was　in　timein　time　to　see　something　which　at　first　glance　froze　the　blood。　The　cries　appeared　to　come　from　a　decapitated　head　resting　on　the　pavement。

The　next　moment　the　pale　Major　understood。　It　was　the　head　of　a　man　thrust　through　the　coal…hole　in　the　street。　The　next　moment；　again；　it　had　vanished；　and　Major　Brown　turned　to　the　lady。　〃Where's　your　coal…cellar？〃　he　said；　and　stepped　out　into　the　passage。

She　looked　at　him　with　wild　grey　eyes。　〃You　will　not　go　down；〃　she　cried；　〃alone；　into　the　dark　hole；　with　that　beast？〃

〃Is　this　the　way？〃　replied　Brown；　and　descended　the　kitchen　stairs　three　at　a　time。　He　flung　open　the　door　of　a　black　cavity　and　stepped　in；　feeling　in　his　pocket　for　matches。　As　his　right　hand　was　thus　occupied；　a　pair　of　great　slimy　hands　came　out　of　the　darkness；　hands　clearly　belonging　to　a　man　of　gigantic　stature；　and　seized　him　by　the　back　of　the　head。　They　forced　him　down；　down　in　the　suffocating　darkness；　a　brutal　image　of　destiny。　But　the　Major's　head；　though　upside　down；　was　perfectly　clear　and　intellectual。　He　gave　quietly　under　the　pressure　until　he　had　slid　down　almost　to　his　hands　and　knees。　Then　finding　the　knees　of　the　invisible　monster　within　a　foot　of　him；　he　simply　put　out　one　of　his　long；　bony；　and　skilful　hands；　and　gripping　the　leg　by　a　muscle　pulled　it　off　the　ground　and　laid　the　huge　living　man；　with　a　crash；　along　the　floor。　He　strove　to　rise；　but　Brown　was　on　top　like　a　cat。　They　rolled　over　and　over。　Big　as　the　man　was；　he　had　evidently　now　no　desire　but　to　escape；　he　made　sprawls　hither　and　thither　to　get　past　the　Major　to　the　door；　but　that　tenacious　person　had　him　hard　by　the　coat　collar　and　hung　with　the　other　hand　to　a　beam。　At　length　there　came　a　strain　in　holding　back　this　human　bull；　a　strain　under　which　B