the lodger-第33章

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〃I've　had　a　wonderful　piece　of　luck；〃　he　explained。　　〃But　you　was　so　cross　last　night　that　I　simply　didn't　dare　tell　you　about　it。〃

〃Well；　tell　me　now；〃　she　said　in　a　low　voice。

〃I　had　a　sovereign　given　me　by　the　young　lady。　　You　see；　it　was　her　birthday　party；　Ellen；　and　she'd　come　into　a　nice　bit　of　money；　and　she　gave　each　of　us　waiters　a　sovereign。〃

Mrs。　Bunting　made　no　comment。　　Instead；　she　lay　back　and　closed　her　eyes。

〃What　time　d'you　expect　Daisy？〃　she　asked　languidly。　　〃You　didn't　say　what　time　Joe　was　going　to　fetch　her；　when　we　was　talking　about　it　yesterday。〃

〃Didn't　I？　　Well；　I　expect　they'll　be　in　to　dinner。〃

〃I　wonder；　how　long　that　old　aunt　of　hers　expects　us　to　keep　her？〃　said　Mrs。　Bunting　thoughtfully。　　All　the　cheer　died　out　of　Bunting's　round　face。　　He　became　sullen　and　angry。　　It　would　be　a　pretty　thing　if　he　couldn't　have　his　own　daughter　for　a　bit　…　especially　now　that　they　were　doing　so　well！

〃Daisy'll　stay　here　just　as　long　as　she　can；〃　he　said　shortly。　〃It's　too　bad　of　you；　Ellen；　to　talk　like　that！　　She　helps　you　all　she　can；　and　she　brisks　us　both　up　ever　so　much。　　Besides；　'twould　be　cruel　…　cruel　to　take　the　girl　away　just　now；　just　as　she　and　that　young　chap　are　making　friends…like。　　One　would　suppose　that　even　you　would　see　the　justice　o'　that！〃

But　Mrs。　Bunting　made　no　answer。

Bunting　went　off；　back　into　the　sitting…room。　　The　water　was　boiling　now；　so　he　made　the　tea；　and　then；　as　he　brought　the　little　tray　in；　his　heart　softened。　　Ellen　did　look　really　ill　…　ill　and　wizened。　He　wondered　if　she　had　a　pain　about　which　she　wasn't　saying　anything。　She　had　never　been　one　to　grouse　about　herself。

〃The　lodger　and　me　came　in　together　last　night；〃　he　observed　genially。　　〃He's　certainly　a　funny　kind　of　gentleman。　　It　wasn't　the　sort　of　night　one　would　have　chosen　to　go　out　for　a　walk；　now　was　it？　　And　yet　he　must'a　been　out　a　long　time　if　what　he　said　was　true。〃

〃I　don't　wonder　a　quiet　gentleman　like　Mr。　Sleuth　hates　the　crowded　streets；〃　she　said　slowly。　　〃They　gets　worse　every　day　…　　that　they　do！　　But　go　along　now；　I　want　to　get　up。〃

He　went　back　into　their　sitting…room；　and；　having　laid　the　fire　and　put　a　match　to　it；　he　sat　down　comfortably　with　his　newspaper。

Deep　down　in　his　heart　Bunting　looked　back　to　this　last　night　with　a　feeling　of　shame　and　self…rebuke。　　Whatever　had　made　such　horrible　thoughts　and　suspicions　as　had　possessed　him　suddenly　come　into　his　head？　　And　just　because　of　a　trifling　thing　like　that　blood。　　No　doubt　Mr。　Sleuth's　nose　had　bled　…　that　was　what　had　happened；　though；　come　to　think　of　it；　he　had　mentioned　brushing　up　against　a　dead　animal。

Perhaps　Ellen　was　right　after　all。　　It　didn't　do　for　one　to　be　always　thinking　of　dreadful　subjects；　of　murders　and　such…like。　　It　made　one　go　dotty　…　that's　what　it　did。

And　just　as　he　was　telling　himself　that；　there　came　to　the　door　a　loud　knock；　the　peculiar　rat…tat…tat　of　a　telegraph　boy。　　But　before　he　had　time　to　get　across　the　room；　let　alone　to　the　front　door；　Ellen　had　rushed　through　the　room；　clad　only　in　a　petticoat　and　shawl。

〃I'll　go；〃　she　cried　breathlessly。　　〃I'll　go；　Bunting；　don't　you　trouble。〃

He　stared　at　her；　surprised；　and　followed　her　into　the　hall。

She　put　out　a　hand；　and　hiding　herself　behind　the　door；　took　the　telegram　from　the　invisible　boy。　　〃You　needn't　wait；〃　she　said。　〃If　there's　an　answer　we'll　send　it　out　ourselves。〃　　Then　she　tore　the　envelope　open　…　〃Oh！〃　she　said　with　a　gasp　of　relief。　　〃It's　only　from　Joe　Chandler；　to　say　he　can't　go　over　to　fetch　Daisy　this　morning。　　Then　you'll　have　to　go。〃

She　walked　back　into　their　sitting…room。　　〃There！〃　she　said。　〃There　it　is；　Bunting。　　You　just　read　it。〃

〃Am　on　duty　this　morning。　　Cannot　fetch　Miss　Daisy　as　arranged。　…　Chandler。〃

〃I　wonder　why　he's　on　duty？〃　said　Bunting　slowly；　uncomfortably。　〃I　thought　Joe's　hours　was　as　regular　as　clockwork　…　that　nothing　could　make　any　difference　to　them。　　However；　there　it　is。　　I　suppose　it'll　do　all　right　if　I　start　about　eleven　o'clock？　　It　may　have　left　off　snowing　by　then。　　I　don't　feel　like　going　out　again　just　now。　　I'm　pretty　tired　this　morning。〃

〃You　start　about　twelve；〃　said　his　wife　quickly。

〃That'll　give　plenty　of　time。〃

The　morning　went　on　quietly；　uneventfully。　　Bunting　received　a　letter　from　Old　Aunt　saying　Daisy　must　come　back　next　Monday；　a　little　under　a　week　from　now。　　Mr。　Sleuth　slept　soundly；　or；　at　any　rate；　he　made　no　sign　of　being　awake；　and　though　Mrs。　Bunting　often；　stopped　to　listen；　while　she　was　doing　her　room；　there　came　no　sounds　at　all　from　overhead。

Scarcely　aware　that　it　was　so；　both　Bunting　and　his　wife　felt　more　cheerful　than　they　had　done　for　a　long　time。　　They　had　quite　a　pleasant　little　chat　when　Mrs。　Bunting　came　and　sat　down　for　a　bit；　before　going　down　to　prepare　Mr。　Sleuth's　breakfast。

〃Daisy　will　be　surprised　to　see　you　…　not　to　say　disappointed！〃　she　observed；　and　she　could　not　help　laughing　a　little　to　herself　at　the　thought。　　And　when；　at　eleven；　Bunting　got　up　to　go；　she　made　him　stay　on　a　little　longer。　　〃There's　no　such　great　hurry　as　that；〃　she　said　good…temperedly。　　〃It'll　do　quite　well　if　you're　there　by　half…past　twelve。　　I'll　get　dinner　ready　myself。　　Daisy　needn't　help　with　that。　　I　expect　Margaret　has　worked　her　pretty　hard。〃

But　at　last　there　came　the　moment　when　Bunting　had　to　start；　and　his　wife　went　with　him　to　the　front　door。　　It　was　still　snowing；　less　heavily；　but　still　snowing。　　There　were　very　few　people　coming　and　going；　and　only　just　a　few　cabs　and　carts　dragging　cautiously　along　through　the　slush。

Mrs。　Bunting　was　still　in　the　kitchen　when　there　came　a　ring　and　a　knock　at　the　door　…　a　now　very　familiar　ring　and　knock。　　〃Joe　thinks　Daisy's　home　again　by　now！〃　she　said；　smiling　to　herself。

Before　the　door　was　well　open；　she　heard　Chandler's　voice。　　〃Don't　be　scared　this　time；　Mrs。　Bunting！〃　　But　though　not　exactly　scared；　she　did　give　a　gasp　of　surprise。　　For　there　stood　Joe；　made　up　to　represent　a　public…house　loafer；　and　he　looked　the　part　to　perfection；　with　his　hair　combed　down　raggedly　over　his　forehead；　his　seedy…looking；　ill…fitting；　dirty　clothes；　and　greenish…black　pot　hat。

〃I　haven't　a　minute；〃　he　said　a　little　breathlessly。　　〃But　I　thought　I'd　just　run　in　to　know　if　Miss　Daisy　was　safe　home　again。　　You　got　my　telegram　all　right？　　I　couldn't　send　no　other　kind　of　message。〃

〃She's　not　back　yet。　　Her　father　hasn't　been　gone　long　after　her。〃　Then；　struck　by　a　look　in　his　eyes；　〃Joe；　what's　the　matter？〃　she　asked　quickly。

There　came　a　thrill　of　suspense　in　her　voice；　her　face　grew　drawn；　while　what　little　colour　there　was　in　it　receded；　leaving　it　very　pale。

〃Well；〃　he　said。　　〃Well；　Mrs。　Bunting；　I've　no　business　to　say　anything　about　it　…　but　I　will　tell　you　！〃

He　walked　in　and　shut　the　door　of　the　sitting…room　carefully　behind　him。　　〃There's　been　another　of　'em！〃　he　whispered。　　〃But　this　time　no　one　is　to　know　anything　about　it　…　not　for　the　present；　I　mean；〃　he　corrected　himself　hastily。　　〃The　Yard　thinks　we've　got　a　clue　…　　and　a　good　clue；　too；　this　time。〃

〃But　where　…　and　how？〃　faltered　Mrs。　Bunting。

〃Well；　'twas　just　a　bit　of　luck　being　able　to　keep　it　dark　for　the　present〃　…　he　still　spoke　in　that　stifled；　hoarse　whisper。　　〃The　poor　soul'　was　found　dead　on　a　bench　on　Primrose　Hill。　　And　just　by　chance　'twas　one　of　our　fellows　saw　the　body　first。　He　was　on　his　way　home；　over　Hampstead　way。　　He　knew　where　he'd　be　able　to　get　an　ambulance　quick；　and　he　made　a　very　clever；　secret　job　of　it。　　I　'spect　he'll　get　promotion　for　that！〃

〃What　about　the　clue？〃　asked　Mrs。　Bunting；　with　dry　lips。　　〃You　said　there　was　a　clue？〃

〃Well；　I　don't　rightly　understand　about　the　clue　myself。　　All　I　knows　is　it's　got　something　to　do　with　a　public…house；　'The　Hammer　and　Tongs；'　which　isn't　far　off　there。　　They　feels　sure　The　Avenger　was　in　the　bar　just　on　closing　…　time。〃

And　then　Mrs。　Bunting　sat　down。　　She　felt　better　now。　　It　was　natural　the　police　should　suspect　a　public…house　loafer。　　〃Then　that's　why　you　wasn't　able　to　go　and　fetch　Daisy；　I　suppose？〃

He　nodded。　　〃Mum's　the　word；　Mrs。　Bunting！　　It'll　all　be　in　the　last　editions　of　the　evening　newspapers　…　it　can't　be　kep'　out。　　There'd　be　too　much　of　a　row　if　'twas！〃

〃Are　you　going　off　to　that　public…house　now？〃　she　asked。

〃Yes；　I　am。　　I've　got　a　awk'ard　job　…　to　try　and　worm　something　out　of　the　barmaid。〃

〃Something　out　of　the　barmaid？〃　repeated　Mrs。　Bunting　nervously。　　〃Why；　whatever　for？〃

He　came　and　stood　close　to　her。　　〃They　think　'twas　a　gentleman；〃　he　whispered。

〃A　gentleman？〃

Mrs。　Bunting　stared　at　Chandler　with　a　scared　expression。　　〃Whatever　makes　them　think　such　a　silly　thing　as　that？〃

〃Well；　just　before　closing…time　a　very　peculiar…looking　gent；　with　a　leather　bag　in　his　hand；　went　into　the　bar　and　asked　for　a　glass　of　milk。　　And　what　d'you　think　he　did？　　Paid　for　it　with　a　sovereign！　He　wouldn't　take　no　change　…　just　made　the　girl　a　present　of　it！　That's　why　the　young　woman　what　served　him　seems　quite　unwilling　to　give　him　away。　　She　won't　tell　now　what　he　was　like。　　She　doesn't　know　what　he's　wanted　for；　and　we　don't　want　her　to　know　just　yet。　That's　one　reason　why　nothing's　being　said　public　about　it。　　But　there！　　I　really　must　be　going　now。　　My　time'll　be　up　at　three　o'clock。　　I　thought　of　coming　in　on　the　way　back；　and　asking　you　for　a　cup　o'　tea；　Mrs。　Bunting。〃

〃Do；〃　she　said。　　〃Do；　Joe。　　You'll　be　welcome；〃　but　there　was　no　welcome　in　her　tired　voice。

She　let　him　go　alone　to　the　door；　and　then　she　went　down　to　her　kitchen；　and　began　cooking　Mr。　Sleuth's　breakfast。

The　lodger　would　be　sure　to　ring　soon；　and　then　any　minute　Bunting　and　Daisy　might　be　home；　and　they'd　want　something；　too。　　Margaret　always　had　breakfast　even　when　〃the　family〃　were　away；　unnaturally　early。

As　she　bustled　about　Mrs。　Bunting　tried　to　empty　her　mind　of　all　thought。　　But　it　is　very　difficult　to　do　that　when　one　is　in　a　state　of　torturing　uncertainty。　　She　had　not　dared　to　ask　Chandler　what　they　supposed　that　man　who　had　gone　into　the　public…house　was　really　like。　　It　was　fortunate；　indeed；　that　the　lodger　and　that　inquisitive　young　chap　had　never　met　face　to　face。

At　last　Mr。　Sleuth's　bell　rang　…　a　quiet　little　tinkle。　　But　when　she　went　up　with　his　breakfast　the　lodger　was　not　in　his　sitting…room。

Supposing　him　to　be　still　in　his　bedroom；　Mrs。　Bunting　put　the　cloth　on　the　table；　and　then　she　heard　the　sound　of　his　footsteps　coming　down　the　stairs；　and　her　quick　ears　detected　the　slight　whirring　sound　which　showed　that　the　gas…stove　was　alight。　　Mr。　Sleuth　had　already　lit　the　stove；　that　meant　that　he　would　carry　out　some　elaborate　experiment　this　afternoon。

〃Still　snowing？〃　he　said　doubtfully。　　〃How　very；　very　quiet　and　still　London　is　when　under　snow；　Mrs。　Bunting。　　I　have　never　known　it　quite　as　quiet　as　this　morning。　　Not　a　sound；　outside　or　in。　　A　very　pleasant　change　from　the　shouting　which　sometimes　goes　on　in　the　Marylebone　Road。〃

〃Yes；〃　she　said　dully。　　〃It's　awful　quiet　to…day　…　too　quiet　to　my　thinking。　　'Tain't　natural…like。〃

The　outside　gate　swung　to；　making　a　noisy　clatter　in　the　still　air。

〃Is　that　someone　coming　in　here？〃　asked　Mr。　Sleuth；　drawing　a　quic