the lodger-第30章

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Pacing　along　very　slowly；　as　if　she　were　an　old；　old　woman；　she　began　listlessly　turning　her　steps　towards　home。　　Somehow　she　felt　that　it　would　do　her　more　good　to　stay　out　in　the　air　than　take　the　train。　　Also　she　would　thus　put　off　the　moment　…　the　moment　to　which　she　looked　forward　with　dread　and　dislike　…　when　she　would　have　to　invent　a　circumstantial　story　as　to　what　she　had　said　to　the　doctor；　and　what　the　doctor　had　said　to　her。

Like　most　men　and　women　of　his　class；　Bunting　took　a　great　interest　in　other　people's　ailments；　the　more　interest　that　he　was　himself　so　remarkably　healthy。　　He　would　feel　quite　injured　if　Ellen　didn't　tell　him　everything　that　had　happened；　everything；　that　is；　that　the　doctor　had　told　her。

As　she　walked　swiftly　along；　at　every　corner；　or　so　it　seemed　to　her；　and　outside　every　public…house；　stood　eager　boys　selling　the　latest　edition　of　the　afternoon　papers　to　equally　eager　buyers。　　〃Avenger　Inquest？〃　they　shouted　exultantly。　　〃All　the　latest　evidence！〃　　At　one　place；　where　there　were　a　row　of　contents…bills　pinned　to　the　pavement　by　stones；　she　stopped　and　looked　down。　　〃Opening　of　the　Avenger　Inquest。　What　is　he　really　like？　　Full　description。〃　　On　yet　another　ran　the　ironic　query：　〃Avenger　Inquest。　Do　you　know　him？〃

And　as　that　facetious　question　stared　up　at　her　in　huge　print；　Mrs。　Bunting　turned　sick　…　so　sick　and　faint　that　she　did　what　she　had　never　done　before　in　her　life　…　she　pushed　her　way　into　a　public…house；　and；　putting　two　pennies　down　on　the　counter；　asked　for；　and　received；　a　glass　of　cold　water。

As　she　walked　along　the　now　gas…lit　streets；　she　found　her　mind　dwelling　persistently　…　not　on　the　inquest　at　which　she　had　been　present；　not　even　on　The　Avenger；　but　on　his　victims。

Shudderingly；　she　visualised　the　two　cold　bodies　lying　in　the　mortuary。　　She　seemed　also　to　see　that　third　body；　which；　though　cold；　must　yet　be　warmer　than　the　other　two；　for　at　this　time　yesterday　The　Avenger's　last　victim　had　been　alive；　poor　soul　…　　alive　and；　according　to　a　companion　of　hers　whom　the　papers　had　already　interviewed；　particularly　merry　and　bright。

Hitherto　Mrs。　Bunting　had　been　spared　in　any　real　sense　a　vision　of　The　Avenger's　victims。　　Now　they　haunted　her；　and　she　wondered　wearily　if　this　fresh　horror　was　to　be　added　to　the　terrible　fear　which　encompassed　her　night　and　day。

As　she　came　within　sight　of　home；　her　spirit　suddenly　lightened。　The　narrow；　drab…coloured　little　house；　flanked　each　side　by　others　exactly　like　it　in　every　single　particular；　save　that　their　front　yards　were　not　so　well　kept；　looked　as　if　it　could；　　aye；　and　would；　keep　any　secret　closely　hidden。

For　a　moment；　at　any　rate；　The　Avenger's　victims　receded　from　her　mind。　　She　thought　of　them　no　more。　　All　her　thoughts　were　concentrated　on　Bunting　…　Bunting　and　Mr。　Sleuth。　　She　wondered　what　had　happened　during　her　absence　…　whether　the　lodger　had　rung　his　bell；　and；　if　so；　how　he　had　got　on　with　Bunting；　and　Bunting　with　him？

She　walked　up　the　little　flagged　path　wearily；　and　yet　with　a　pleasant　feeling　of　home…coming。　　And　then　she　saw　that　Bunting　must　have　been　watching　for　her　behind　the　now　closely　drawn　curtains；　for　before　she　could　either　knock　or　ring　he　had　opened　the　door。

〃I　was　getting　quite　anxious　about　you；〃　he　exclaimed。　　〃Come　in；　Ellen；　quick！　　You　must　be　fair　perished　a　day　like　now　…　and　you　out　so　little　as　you　are。　　Well？　　I　hope　you　found　the　doctor　all　right？〃　　He　looked　at　her　with　affectionate　anxiety。

And　then　there　came　a　sudden；　happy　thought　to　Mrs。　Bunting。　　〃No；〃　she　said　slowly；　〃Doctor　Evans　wasn't　in。　　I　waited；　and　waited；　and　waited；　but　he　never　came　in　at　all。　　〃Twas　my　own　fault〃　she　added　quickly。　　Even　at　such　a　moment　as　this　she　told　herself　that　though　she　had；　in　a　sort　of　way；　a　kind　of　right　to　lie　to　her　husband；　she　had　no　sight　to　slander　the　doctor　who　had　been　so　kind　to　her　years　ago。　　〃I　ought　to　have　sent　him　a　card　yesterday　night；〃　she　said。　　〃Of　course；　I　was　a　fool　to　go　all　that　way；　just　on　chance　of　finding　a　doctor　in。　　It　stands　to　reason　they've　got　to　go　out　to　people　at　all　times　of　day。〃

〃I　hope　they　gave　you　a　cup　of　tea？〃　he　said。

And　again　she　hesitated；　debating　a　point　with　herself：　if　the　doctor　had　a　decent　sort　of　servant；　of　course；　she；　Ellen　Bunting；　would　have　been　offered　a　cup　of　tea；　especially　if　she　explained　she'd　known　him　a　long　time。

She　compromised。　　〃I　was　offered　some；〃　she　said；　in　a　weak；　tired　voice。　　〃But　there；　Bunting；　I　didn't　feel　as　if　I　wanted　it。　　I'd　be　very　grateful　for　a　cup　now　…　if　you'd　just　make　it　for　me　over　the　ring。〃

〃'Course　I　will；〃　he　said　eagerly。　　〃You　just　come　in　and　sit　down；　my　dear。　　Don't　trouble　to　take　your　things　off　now　…　wait　till　you've　had　tea。〃

And　she　obeyed　him。　　〃Where's　Daisy？〃　she　asked　suddenly。　　〃I　thought　the　girl　would　be　back　by　the　time　I　got　home。〃

〃She　ain't　coming　home　to…day〃　…　there　was　an　odd；　sly；　smiling　look　on　Bunting's　face。

〃Did　she　send　a　telegram？〃　asked　Mrs。　Bunting。

〃No。　　Young　Chandler's　just　come　in　and　told　me。　　He's　been　over　there　and；　…　would　you　believe　it；　Ellen？　　…　he's　managed　to　make　friends　with　Margaret。　　Wonderful　what　love　will　do；　ain't　it？　　He　went　over　there　just　to　help　Daisy　carry　her　bag　back；　you　know；　and　then　Margaret　told　him　that　her　lady　had　sent　her　some　money　to　go　to　the　play；　and　she　actually　asked　Joe　to　go　with　them　this　evening　…　she　and　Daisy　…　to　the　pantomime。　　Did　you　ever　hear　o'　such　a　thing？〃

〃Very　nice　for　them；　I'm　sure；〃　said　Mrs。　Bunting　absently。　　But　she　was　pleased　…　pleased　to　have　her　mind　taken　off　herself。　　〃Then　when　is　that　girl　coming　home？〃　she　asked　patiently。

〃Well；　it　appears　that　Chandler's　got　to…morrow　morning　off　too　…　　this　evening　and　to…morrow　morning。　　He'll　be　on　duty　all　night；　but　he　proposes　to　go　over　and　bring　Daisy　back　in　time　for　early　dinner。　　Will　that　suit　you；　Ellen？〃

〃Yes。　　That'll　be　all　right；〃　she　said。　　〃I　don't　grudge　the　girl　her　bit　of　pleasure。　　One's　only　young　once。　　By　the　way；　did　the　lodger　ring　while　I　was　out？〃

Bunting　turned　round　from　the　gas…ring；　which　he　was　watching　to　see　the　kettle　boil。　　〃No；〃　he　said。　　〃Come　to　think　of　it；　it's　rather　a　funny　thing；　but　the　truth　is；　Ellen；　I　never　gave　Mr。　Sleuth　a　thought。　　You　see；　Chandler　came　in　and　was　telling　me　all　about　Margaret；　laughing…like；　and　then　something　else　happened　while　you　was　out；　Ellen。〃

〃Something　else　happened？〃　she　said　in　a　startled　voice。　　Getting　up　from　her　chair　she　came　towards　her　husband：　〃What　happened？　Who　came？〃

〃Just　a　message　for　me；　asking　if　I　could　go　to…night　to　wait　at　a　young　lady's　birthday　party。　　In　Hanover　Terrace　it　is。　　A　waiter　　…　one　of　them　nasty　Swiss　fellows　as　works　for　nothing　…　fell　out　just　at　the　last　minute　and　so　they　had　to　send　for　me。〃

His　honest　face　shone　with　triumph。　　The　man　who　had　taken　over　his　old　friend's　business　in　Baker　Street　had　hitherto　behaved　very　badly　to　Bunting；　and　that　though　Bunting　had　been　on　the　books　for　ever　so　long；　and　had　always　given　every　satisfaction。　　But　this　new　man　had　never　employed　him　…　no；　not　once。

〃I　hope　you　didn't　make　yourself　too　cheap？〃　said　his　wife　jealously。

〃No；　that　I　didn't！　　I　hum'd　and　haw'd　a　lot；　and　I　could　see　the　fellow　was　quite　worried　…　in　fact；　at　the　end　he　offered　me　half…a…crown　more。　　So　I　graciously　consented！〃

Husband　and　wife　laughed　more　merrily　than　they　had　done　for　a　long　time。

〃You　won't　mind　being　alone；　here？　　I　don't　count　the　lodger　…　he's　no　good　…　〃　　Bunting　looked　at　her　anxiously。　　He　was　only　prompted　to　ask　the　question　because　lately　Ellen　had　been　so　queer；　so　unlike　herself。　　Otherwise　it　never　would　have　occurred　to　him　that　she　could　be　afraid　of　being　alone　in　the　house。　　She　had　often　been　so　in　the　days　when　he　got　more　jobs。

She　stared　at　him；　a　little　suspiciously。　　〃I　be　afraid？〃　she　echoed。　〃Certainly　not。　　Why　should　I　be？　　I've　never　been　afraid　before。　What　d'you　exactly　mean　by　that；　Bunting？〃

〃Oh；　nothing。　　I　only　thought　you　might　feel　funny…like；　all　alone　on　this　ground　floor。　　You　was　so　upset　yesterday　when　that　young　fool　Chandler　came；　dressed　up；　to　the　door。〃

〃I　shouldn't　have　been　frightened　if　he'd　just　been　an　ordinary　stranger；〃　she　said　shortly。　　〃He　said　something　silly　to　me　…　just　in　keeping　with　his　character…like；　and　it　upset　me。　　Besides；　I　feel　better　now。〃

As　she　was　sipping　gratefully　her　cup　of　tea；　there　came　a　noise　outside；　the　shouts　of　newspaper…sellers。

〃I'll　just　run　out；〃　said　Bunting　apologetically；　〃and　see　what　happened　at　that　inquest　to…day。　　Besides；　they　may　have　a　clue　about　the　horrible　affair　last　night。　　Chandler　was　full　of　it　…　　when　he　wasn't　talking　about　Daisy　and　Margaret；　that　is。　　He's　on　to…night；　luckily　not　till　twelve　o'clock；　plenty　of　time　to　escort　the　two　of　'em　back　after　the　play。　　Besides；　he　said　he'll　put　them　into　a　cab　and　blow　the　expense；　if　the　panto'　goes　on　too　long　for　him　to　take　'em　home。〃

〃On　to…night？〃。　　repeated　Mrs。　Bunting。　　〃Whatever　for？〃

〃Well；　you　see；　The　Avenger's　always　done　'em　in　couples；　so　to　speak。　　They've　got　an　idea　that　he'll　have　a　try　again　to…night。　However；　even　so；　Joe's　only　on　from　midnight　till　five　o'clock。　Then　he'll　go　and　turn　in　a　bit　before　going　off　to　fetch　Daisy；　Fine　thing　to　be　young；　ain't　it；　Ellen？〃

〃I　can't　believe　that　he'd　go　out　on　such　a　night　as　this！〃

〃What　do　you　mean？〃　said　Bunting；　staring　at　her。　　Ellen　had　spoken　so　oddly；　as　if　to　herself；　and　in　so　fierce　and　passionate　a　tone。

〃What　do　I　mean？〃　she　repeated　…　and　a　great　fear　clutched　at　her　heart。　　What　had　she　said？　　She　had　been　thinking　aloud。

〃Why；　by　saying　he　won't　go　out。　　Of　course；　he　has　to　go　out。　Besides；　he'll　have　been　to　the　play　as　it　is。　　'Twould　be　a　pretty　thing　if　the　police　didn't　go　out；　just　because　it　was　cold！〃

〃I　…　I　was　thinking　of　The　Avenger；〃　said　Mrs。　Bunting。　　She　looked　at　her　husband　fixedly。　　Somehow　she　had　felt　impelled　to　utter　those　true　words。

〃He　don't　take　no　heed　of　heat　nor　cold；〃　said　Bunting　sombrely。　〃I　take　it　the　man's　dead　to　all　human　feeling　…　…saving；　of　course；　revenge。

〃So　that's　your　idea　about　him；　is　it？〃　　She　looked　across　at　her　husband。　　Somehow　this　dangerous；　this　perilous　conversation　between　them　attracted　her　strangely。　　She　felt　as　if　she　must　go　on　with　it。　〃D'you　think　he　was　the　man　that　woman　said　she　saw？　　That　young　man　what　passed　her　with　a　newspaper　parcel？〃

〃Let　me　see；〃　he　said　slowly。　　〃I　thought　that　'twas　from　the　bedroom　window　a　woman　saw　him？〃

〃No；　no。　　I　mean　the　other　woman；　what　was　taking　her　husband's　breakfast　to　him　in　the　warehouse。　　She　was　far　the　most　respectable…looking　woman　of　the　two；〃　said　Mrs。　Bunting　impatiently。

And　then；　seeing　her　husband's　look　of　utter；　blank　astonishment；　she　felt　a　thrill　of　unreasoning　terror。　　She　must　have　gone　suddenly　mad　to　have　said　what　she　did！　　Hurriedly　she　got　up　from　her　chair。　〃There；　now；〃　she　said；　〃here　I　am　gossiping　all　about　nothing　when　I　ought　to　be　seeing　about　the　lodger's　supper。　　It　was　someone　in　the　train　talked　to　me　about　that　person　as　thinks　she　saw　The　Avenger。〃

Without　waiting　for　an