the lodger-第37章

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Chandler　looked　at　him；　surprised。　　〃No；〃　he　said　deliberately。　〃I've　made　up　my　mind　that's　quite　a　wrong　tack；　though　I　knows　that　some　of　our　fellows　…　big　pots；　too　…　are　quite　sure　that　the　fellow　what　gave　the　girl　the　sovereign　is　the　man　we're　looking　for。　　You　see；　Mr。　Bunting；　if　that's　the　fact　…　well；　it　stands　to　reason　the　fellow's　an　escaped　lunatic；　and　if　he's　an　escaped　lunatic　he's　got　a　keeper；　and　they'd　be　raising　a　hue　and　cry　after　him；　now；　wouldn't　they？〃

〃You　don't　think；〃　went　on　Bunting；　lowering　his　voice；　〃that　he　could　be　just　staying　somewhere；　lodging　like？〃

〃　D'you　mean　that　The　Avenger　may　be　a　toff；　staying　in　some　West…end　hotel；　Mr。　Bunting？　　Well；　things　almost　as　funny　as　that　'ud　be　have　come　to　pass。〃　　He　smiled　as　if　the　notion　was　a　funny　one。

〃Yes；　something　o'　that　sort；〃　muttered　Bunting。

〃Well；　if　your　idea's　correct；　Mr。…　Bunting　…　〃

〃I　never　said　'twas　my　idea；〃　said　Bunting；　all　in　a　hurry。

〃Well；　if　that　idea's　correct　then；　'twill　make　our　task　more　difficult　than　ever。　　Why；　'twould　be　looking　for　a　needle　in　a　field　of　hay；　Mr。　Bunting！　　But　there！　　I　don't　think　it's　anything　quite　so　unlikely　as　that　…　not　myself　I　don't。〃　　He　hesitated。　　〃There's　some　of　us〃　…　he　lowered　his　voice…〃　that　hopes　he'll　betake　himself　off　…　The　Avenger；　I　mean　…　to　another　big　city；　to　Manchester　or　to　Edinburgh。　　There'd　be　plenty　of　work　for　him　to　do　there；〃　and　Chandler　chuckled　at　his　own　grim　joke。

And　then；　to　both　men's　secret　relief；　for　Bunting　was　now　mortally　afraid　of　this　discussion　concerning　The　Avenger　and　his　doings；　they　heard　Mrs。　Bunting's　key　in　the　lock。

Daisy　blushed　rosy…red　with　pleasure　when　she　saw　that　young　Chandler　was　still　there。　　She　had　feared　that　when　they　got　home　he　would　be　gone；　the　more　so　that　Ellen；　just　as　if　she　was　doing　it　on　purpose；　had　lingered　aggravatingly　long　over　each　small　purchase。

〃Here's　Joe　come　to　ask　if　he　can　take　Daisy　out　for　a　walk；〃　blurted　out　Bunting。

〃My　mother　says　as　how　she'd　like　you　to　come　to　tea；　over　at　Richmond；〃　said　Chandler　awkwardly；　〃I　just　come　in　to　see　whether　we　could　fix　it　up；　Miss　Daisy。〃　　And　Daisy　looked　imploringly　at　her　stepmother。

〃D'you　mean　now　…　this　minute？〃　asked　Mrs。　Bunting　tartly。

〃No；　o'　course　not〃　…　Bunting　broke　in　hastily。　　〃How　you　do　go　on；　Ellen！〃

〃What　day　did　your　mother　mention　would　be　convenient　to　her？〃　asked　Mrs。　Bunting；　looking　at　the　young　man　satirically。

Chandler　hesitated。　　His　mother　had　not　mentioned　any　special　day　　…　in　fact；　his　mother　had　shown　a　surprising　lack　of　anxiety　to　see　Daisy　at　all。　　But　he　had　talked　her　round。

〃How　about　Saturday？〃　suggested　Bunting。　　〃That's　Daisy's'　birthday。　'Twould　be　a　birthday　treat　for　her　to　go　to　Richmond；　and　she's　going　back　to　Old　Aunt　on　Monday。〃

〃I　can't　go　Saturday；〃　said　Chandler　disconsolately。　　〃I'm　on　duty　Saturday。〃

〃Well；　then；　let　it　be　Sunday；〃　said　Bunting　firmly。　　And　his　wife　looked　at　him　surprised；　he　seldom　asserted　himself　so　much　in　her　presence。

〃What　do　you　say；　Miss　Daisy？〃　said　Chandler。

〃Sunday　would　be　very　nice；〃　said　Daisy　demurely。　　And　then；　as　the　young　man　took　up　his　hat；　and　as　her　stepmother　did　not　stir；　Daisy　ventured　to　go　out　into　the　hall　with　him　for　a　minute。

Chandler　shut　the　door　behind　them；　and　so　was　spared　the　hearing　of　Mrs。　Bunting's　whispered　remark：　〃When　I　was　a　young　woman　folk　didn't　gallivant　about　on　Sunday；　those　who　was　courting　used　to　go　to　church　together；　decent…like　…　〃


CHAPTER　XXV

Daisy's　eighteenth　birthday　dawned　uneventfully。　　Her　father　gave　her　what　he　had　always　promised　she　should　have　on　her　eighteenth　birthday　…　a　watch。　　It　was　a　pretty　little　silver　watch；　which　Bunting　had　bought　secondhand　on　the　last　day　he　had　been　happy　…　　it　seemed　a　long；　long　time　ago　now。

Mrs。　Bunting　thought　a　silver　watch　a　very　extravagant　present　but　she　was　far　too　wretched；　far　too　absorbed　in　her　own　thoughts；　to　trouble　much　about　it。　　Besides；　in　such　matters　she　had　generally　had　the　good　sense　not　to　interfere　between　her　husband　and　his　child。

In　the　middle　of　the　birthday　morning　Bunting　went　out　to　buy　himself　some　more　tobacco。　　He　had　never　smoked　so　much　as　in　the　last　four　days；　excepting；　perhaps；　the　week　that　had　followed　on　his　leaving　service。　　Smoking　a　pipe　had　then　held　all　the　exquisite　pleasure　which　we　are　told　attaches　itself　to　the　eating　of　forbidden　fruit。

His　tobacco　had　now　become　his　only　relaxation；　it　acted　on　his　nerves　as　an　opiate；　soothing　his　fears　and　helping　him　to　think。　But　he　had　been　overdoing　it；　and　it　was　that　which　now　made　him　feel　so　〃jumpy；〃　so　he　assured　himself；　when　he　found　himself　starting　at　any　casual　sound　outside；　or　even　when　his　wife　spoke　to　him　suddenly。

Just　now　Ellen　and　Daisy　were　down　in　the　kitchen；　and　Bunting　didn't　quite　like　the　sensation　of　knowing　that　there　was　only　one　pair　of　stairs　between　Mr。　Sleuth　and　himself。　　So　he　quietly　slipped　out　of　the　house　without　telling　Ellen　that　he　was　going　out。

In　the　last　four　days　Bunting　had　avoided　his　usual　haunts；　above　all；　he　had　avoided　even　passing　the　time　of　day　to　his　acquaintances　and　neighbours。　　He　feared；　with　a　great　fear；　that　they　would　talk　to　him　of　a　subject　which；　because　it　filled　his　mind　to　the　exclusion　of　all　else；　might　make　him　betray　the　knowledge　…　no；　not　knowledge；　rather　the　…　the　suspicion　…　that　dwelt　within　him。

But　to…day　the　unfortunate　man　had　a　curious；　instinctive　longing　for　human　companionship　…　companionship；　that　is；　other　than　that　of　his　wife　and　of　his　daughter。

This　longing　for　a　change　of　company　finally　led　him　into　a　small；　populous　thoroughfare　hard　by　the　Edgeware　Road。　　There　were　more　people　there　than　usual　just　now；　for　the　housewives　of　the　neighbourhood　were　doing　their　Saturday　marketing　for　Sunday。　　The　ex…butler　turned　into　a　small　old…fashioned　shop　where　he　generally　bought　his　tobacco。

Bunting　passed　the　time　of　day　with　the　tobacconist；　and　the　two　fell　into　desultory　talk；　but　to　his　customer's　relief　and　surprise　the　man　made　no　allusion　to　the　subject　of　which　all　the　neighbourhood　must　still　be　talking。

And　then；　quite　suddenly；　while　still　standing　by　the　counter；　and　before　he　had　paid　for　the　packet　of　tobacco　he　held　in　his　hand；　Bunting；　through　the　open　door；　saw　with　horrified　surprise　that　Ellen；　his　wife；　was　standing；　alone；　outside　a　greengrocer's　shop　just　opposite。

Muttering　a　word　of　apology；　he　rushed　out　of　the　shop　and　across　the　road。

〃Ellen！〃　he　gasped　hoarsely；　〃you've　never　gone　and　left　my　little　girl　alone　in　the　house　with　the　lodger？

Mrs。　Bunting's　face　went　yellow　with　fear。　　〃I　thought　you　was　indoors；〃　she　cried。　　〃You　was　indoors！　　Whatever　made　you　come　out　for；　without　first　making　sure　I'd　stay　in？〃

Bunting　made　no　answer；　but；　as　they　stared　at　each　other　in　exasperated　silence；　each　now　knew　that　the　other　knew。

They　turned　and　scurried　down　the　crowded　street。　　〃Don't　run；〃　he　said　suddenly；　〃we　shall　get　there　just　as　quickly　if　we　walk　fast。　People　are　noticing　you；　Ellen。　　Don't　run。〃

He　spoke　breathlessly；　but　it　was　breathlessness　induced　by　fear　and　by　excitement；　not　by　the　quick　pace　at　which　they　were　walking。

At　last　they　reached　their　own　gate；　and　Bunting　pushed　past　in　front　of　his　wife。

After　all；　Daisy　was　his　child；　Ellen　couldn't　know　how　he　was　feeling。

He　seemed　to　take　the　path　in　one　leap；　then　fumbled　for　a　moment　with　his　latchkey。

Opening　wide　the　door；　〃Daisy！〃　he　called　out；　in　a　wailing　voice；　〃Daisy；　my　dear！　　where　are　you？〃

〃Here　I　am；　father。　　What　is　it？〃

〃She's　all　right　〃　Bunting　turned　a　grey　face　to　his　wife。　　〃She's　all　right　Ellen。〃

He　waited　a　moment；　leaning　against　the　wall　of　the　passage。　　〃It　did　give　me　a　turn；〃　he　said；　and　then；　warningly；　〃Don't　frighten　the　girl；　Ellen。〃

Daisy　was　standing　before　the　fire　in　their　sitting　room；　admiring　herself　in　the　glass。

〃Oh；　father；〃　she　exclaimed；　without　turning　round；　〃I've　seen　the　lodger！　　He's　quite　a　nice　gentleman；　though；　to　be　sure；　he　does　look　a　cure。　　He　rang　his　bell；　but　I　didn't　like　to　go　up；　and　so　he　came　down　to　ask　Ellen　for　something。　　We　had　quite　a　nice　little　chat　…　that　we　had。　　I　told　him　it　was　my　birthday；　and　he　asked　me　and　Ellen　to　go　to　Madame　Tussaud's　with　him　this　afternoon。〃　　She　laughed；　a　little　self…consciously。　　〃Of　course；　I　could　see　he　was　'centric；　and　then　at　first　he　spoke　so　funnily。　'And　who　be　you？'　he　says；　threatening…like。　　And　I　says　to　him；　'I'm　Mr。　Bunting's　daughter；　sir。'　　'Then　you're　a　very　fortunate　girl　'　…　that's　what　he　says；　Ellen　…　'to　'ave　such　a　nice　step…mother　as　you've　got。　　That's　why；'　he　says；　'you　look　such　a　good；　innocent　girl。'　　And　then　he　quoted　a　bit　of　the　Prayer　Book。　　'Keep　innocency；'　he　says；　wagging　his　head　at　me。　　Lor'！　It　made　me　feel　as　if　I　was　with　Old　Aunt　again。〃

〃I　won't　have　you　going　out　with　the　lodger　…　that's　flat。〃

Bunting　spoke　in　a　muffled；　angry　tone。　　He　was　wiping　his　forehead　with　one　hand；　while　with　the　other　he　mechanically　squeezed　the　little　packet　of　tobacco；　for　which；　as　he　now　remembered；　he　had　forgotten　to　pay。

Daisy　pouted。　　〃Oh；　father；　I　think　you　might　let　me　have　a　treat　on　my　birthday！　　I　told　him　that　Saturday　wasn't　a　very　good　day　…　　at　least；　so　I'd　heard　…　for　Madame　Tussaud's。　　Then　he　said　we　could　go　early；　while　the　fine　folk　are　still　having　their　dinners。〃　She　turned　to　her　stepmother；　then　giggled　happily。　　〃He　particularly　said　you　was　to　come；　too。　　The　lodger　has　a　wonderful　fancy　for　you；　Ellen；　if　I　was　father；　I'd　feel　quite　jealous！〃

Her　last　words　were　cut　across　by　a；　tap…tap　on　the　door。

Bunting　and　his　wife　looked　at　each　other　apprehensively。　　Was　it　possible　that；　in　their　agitation；　they　had　left　the　front　door　open；　and　that　someone；　some　merciless　myrmidon　of　the　law；　had　crept　in　behind　them？

Both　felt　a　curious　thrill　of　satisfaction　when　they　saw　that　it　was　only　Mr。　Sleuth　…　Mr。　Sleuth　dressed　for　going　out；　the　tall　hat　he　had　worn　when　he　had　first　come　to　them　was　in　his　hand；　but　he　was　wearing　a　coat　instead　of　his　Inverness　cape。

〃I　heard　you　come　in　〃　…　he　addressed　Mrs。　Bunting　in　his　high；　whistling；　hesitating　voice　…　〃and　so　I've　come　down　to　ask　you　if　you　and　Miss　Bunting　will　come　to　Madame　Tussaud's　now。　　I　have　never　seen　those　famous　waxworks；　though　I've　heard　of　the　place　all　my　life。〃

As　Bunting　forced　himself　to　look　fixedly　at　his　lodger；　a　sudden　doubt　bringing　with　it　a　sense　of　immeasurable　relief；　came　to　Mr。　Sleuth's　landlord。

Surely　it　was　inconceivable　that　this　gentle；　mild…mannered　gentleman　could　be　the　monster　of　cruelty　and　cunning　that　Bunting　had　now　for　the　terrible　space　of　four　days　believed　him　to　be！

He　tried　to　catch　his　wife's　eye；　but　Mrs。　Bunting　was　looking　away；　staring　into　vacancy。　　She　still；　of　course；　wore　the　bonnet　and　cloak　in　which　she　had　just　been　out　to　do　her　marketing。　　Daisy　was　already　putting　on　her　hat　and　coat。

〃Well？〃　said　Mr。　Sleuth。　　Then　Mrs。　Bunting　turned；　and　it　seemed　to　his　landlady　that　he　was　looking　at　her　threateningly。　　〃Well？〃

〃Yes；　sir。　　We'll　come　in　a　minute；〃　she　sai