the lodger-第39章

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〃Yes；　yes；〃　said　Mr。　Sleuth　hurriedly。　　〃I　quite　understand！　　If　I　feel　better　I'll　come　in　by　the　front　way；　and　pay　another　shilling　　…　that's　only　fair。〃

〃You　needn't　do　that　if　you'll　just　explain　what　happened　here。〃

The　man　went　and　pulled　the　curtain　aside；　and　put　his　shoulder　against　the　door。　　It　burst　open；　and　the　light；　for　a　moment；　blinded　Mr。　Sleuth。

He　passed　his　hand　over　his　eyes。　　〃Thank　you；〃　he　muttered；　〃thank　you。　　I　shall　get　all　right　out　there。〃

An　iron　stairway　led　down　into　a　small　stable　yard；　of　which　the　door　opened　into　a　side　street。

Mr。　Sleuth　looked　round　once　more；　he　really　did　feel　very　ill　…　　ill　and　dazed。　　How　pleasant　it　would　be　to　take　a　flying　leap　over　the　balcony　railing　and　find　rest；　eternal　rest；　below。

But　no　…　he　thrust　the　thought　the　temptation；　from　him。　　Again　a　convulsive　look　of　rage　came　over　his　face。　　He　had　remembered　his　landlady。　　How　could　the　woman　whom　he　had　treated　so　generously　have　betrayed　him　to　his　arch…enemy？　　…　to　the　official；　that　is；　who　had　entered　into　a　conspiracy　years　ago　to　have　him　confined　…　him；　an　absolutely　sane　man　with　a　great　avenging　work　to　do　in　the　world　…　　in　a　lunatic　asylum。

He　stepped　out　into　the　open　air；　and　the　curtain；　falling…to　behind　him；　blotted　out　the　tall；　thin　figure　from　the　little　group　of　people　who　had　watched　him　disappear。

Even　Daisy　felt　a　little　scared。　　〃He　did　look　bad；　didn't　he；　now？〃　she　turned　appealingly　to　Mr。　Hopkins。

〃Yes；　that　he　did；　poor　gentleman　…　your　lodger；　too？〃　he　looked　sympathetically　at　Mrs。　Bunting。

She　moistened　her　lips　with　her　tongue。　　〃Yes；〃　she　repeated　dully；　〃my　lodger。〃


CHAPTER　XXVII

In　vain　Mr。　Hopkins　invited　Mrs。　Bunting　and　her　pretty　stepdaughter　to　step　through　into　the　Chamber　of　Horrors。　　〃I　think　we　ought　to　go　straight　home；〃　said　Mr。　Sleuth's　landlady　decidedly。　　And　Daisy　meekly　assented。　　Somehow　the　girl　felt　confused；　a　little　scared　by　the　lodger's　sudden　disappearance。　　Perhaps　this　unwonted　feeling　of　hers　was　induced　by　the　look　of　stunned　surprise　and；　yes；　pain；　on　her　step…mother's　face。

Slowly　they　made　their　way　out　of　the　building；　and　when　they　got　home　it　was　Daisy　who　described　the　strange　way　Mr。　Sleuth　had　been　taken。

〃I　don't　suppose　he'll　be　long　before　he　comes　〃home；〃　said　Bunting　heavily；　and　he　cast　an　anxious；　furtive　look　at　his　wife。　　She　looked　as　if　stricken　in　a　vital　part；　he　saw　from　her　face　that　there　was　something　wrong　…　　very　wrong　indeed。

The　hours　dragged　on。　　All　three　felt　moody　and　ill　at　ease。　　Daisy　knew　there　was　no　chance　that　young　Chandler　would　come　in　to…day。

About　six　o'clock　Mrs。　Bunting　went　upstairs。　　She　lit　the　gas　in　Mr。　Sleuth's　sitting…room　and　looked　about　her　with　a　fearful　glance。　Somehow　everything　seemed　to　speak　to　her　of　the　lodger；　there　lay　her　Bible　and　his　Concordance；　side　by　side　on　the　table；　exactly　as　he　had　left　chew；　when　he　had　come　downstairs　and　suggested　that　ill…starred　expedition　to　his　landlord's　daughter。　　She　took　few　steps　forward；　listening　the　while　anxiously　for　the　familiar　sound　of　the　click　in　the　door　which　would　tell　her　that　the　lodger　had　come　back；　and　then　she　went　over　to　the　window　and　looked　out。

What　a　cold　night　for　a　man　to　be　wandering　about；　homeless；　friendless；　and；　as　she　suspected　with　a　pang；　with　but　very　little　money　on　him！

Turning　abruptly；　she　went　into　the　lodger's　bedroom　and　opened　the　drawer　of　the　looking…glass。

Yes；　there　lay　the　much…diminished　heap　of　sovereigns。　　If　only　he　had　taken　his　money　out　with　him！　　She　wondered　painfully　whether　he　had　enough　on　his　person　to　secure　a　good　night's　lodging；　and　then　suddenly　she　remembered　that　which　brought　relief　to　her　mind。　　The　lodger　had　given　something　to　that　Hopkins　fellow　…　either　a　sovereign　or　half　a　sovereign；　she　wasn't　sure　which。

The　memory　of　Mr。　Sleuth's　cruel　words　to　her；　of　his　threat；　did　not　disturb　her　overmuch。　　It　had　been　a　mistake　…　all　a　mistake。　Far　from　betraying　Mr。　Sleuth；　she　had　sheltered　him　…　kept　his　awful　secret　as　she　could　not　have　kept　it　had　she　known；　or　even　dimly　suspected；　the　horrible　fact　with　which　Sir　John　Burney's　words　had　made　her　acquainted；　namely；　that　Mr。　Sleuth　was　victim　of　no　temporary　aberration；　but　that　he　was；　and　had　been　for　years；　a　madman；　a　homicidal　maniac。

In　her　ears　there　still　rang　the　Frenchman's　half　careless　yet　confident　question；　〃De　Leipsic　and　Liverpool　man？〃

Following　a　sudden　impulse；　she　went　back　into　the　sitting…room；　and　taking　a　black…headed　pin　out　of　her　bodice　stuck　it　amid　the　leaves　of　the　Bible。　　Then　she　opened　the　Book；　and　looked　at　the　page　the　pin　had　marked：　…　

〃My　tabernacle　is　spoiled　and　all　my　cords　are　broken　。　。　。　　　　There　is　none　to　stretch　forth　my　tent　any　more　and　to　set　up　my　curtains。〃

At　last　leaving　the　Bible　open；　Mrs。　Bunting　went　downstairs；　and　as　she　opened　the　door　of　her　sitting…room　Daisy　came　towards　her　stepmother。

〃I'll　go　down　and　start　getting　the　lodger's　supper　ready　for　you；〃　said　the　girl　good…naturedly。　　〃He's　certain　to　come　in　when　he　gets　hungry。　　But　he　did　look　upset；　didn't　he；　Ellen？　　Right　down　bad　…　　that　he　did！〃

Mrs。　Bunting　made　no　answer；　she　simply　stepped　aside　to　allow　Daisy　to　go　down。

〃Mr。　Sleuth　won't　never　come　back　no　more；〃　she　said　sombrely；　and　then　she　felt　both　glad　and　angry　at　the　extraordinary　change　which　came　over　her　husband's　face。　　Yet；　perversely；　that　look　of　relief；　of　right…down　joy；　chiefly　angered　her；　and　tempted　her　to　add；　〃That's　to　say；　I　don't　suppose　he　will。〃

And　Bunting's　face　altered　again；　the　old；　anxious；　depressed　look；　the　look　it　had　worn　the　last　few　days；　returned。

〃What　makes　you　think　he　mayn't　come　back？〃　he　muttered。

〃Too　long　to　tell　you　now；〃　she　said。　　〃Wait　till　the　child's　gone　to　bed。〃

And　Bunting　had　to　restrain　his　curiosity。

And　then；　when　at　last　Daisy　had　gone　off　to　the　back　room　where　she　now　slept　with　her　stepmother；　Mrs。　Bunting　beckoned　to　her　husband　to　follow　her　upstairs。

Before　doing　so　he　went　down　the　passage　and　put　the　chain　on　the　door。　　And　about　this　they　had　a　few　sharp　whispered　words。

〃You're　never　going　to　shut　him　out？〃　she　expostulated　angrily；　beneath　her　breath。

〃I'm　not　going　to　leave　Daisy　down　here　with　that　man　perhaps　walking　in　any　minute。〃

〃Mr。　Sleuth　won't　hurt　Daisy；　bless　you！　　Much　more　likely　to　hurt　me；〃　and　she　gave　a　half　sob。

Bunting　stared　at　her。　　〃What　do　you　mean？〃　he　said　roughly。　〃Come　upstairs　and　tell　me　what　you　mean。〃

And　then；　in　what　had　been　the　lodger's　sitting…room；　Mrs。　Bunting　told　her　husband　exactly　what　it　was　that　had　happened。

He　listened　in　heavy　silence。

〃So　you　see；〃　she　said　at　last；　〃you　see；　Bunting；　that　'twas　me　that　was　right　after　all。　　The　lodger　was　never　responsible　for　his　actions。　　I　never　thought　he　was；　for　my　part。〃

And　Bunting　stared　at　her　ruminatingly。　　〃Depends　on　what　you　call　responsible　…　〃　he　began　argumentatively。

But　she　would　have　none　of　that。　　〃I　heard　the　gentleman　say　myself　that　he　was　a　lunatic；〃　she　said　fiercely。　　And　then；　dropping；　her　voice；　〃A　religious　maniac　…　that's　what　he　called　him。〃

〃Well；　he　never　seemed　so　to　me；〃　said　Bunting　stoutly。　　〃He　simply　seemed　to　me　'centric　…　that's　all　he　did。　　Not　a　bit　madder　than　many　I　could　tell　you　of。〃　　He　was　walking　round　the　room　restlessly；　but　he　stopped　short　at　last。　〃And　what　d'you　think　we　ought　to　do　now？〃

Mrs。　Bunting　shook　her　head　impatiently。　　〃I　don't　think　we　ought　to　do　nothing；〃　she　said。　　〃Why　should　we？〃

And　then　again　he　began　walking　round　the　room　in　an　aimless　fashion　that　irritated　her。

〃If　only　I　could　put　out　a　bit　of　supper　for　him　somewhere　where　he　would　get　it！　　And　his　money；　too？　　I　hate　to　feel　it's　in　there。〃

〃Don't　you　make　any　mistake　…　he'll　come　back　for　that；〃　said　Bunting；　with　decision。

But　Mrs。　Bunting　shook　her　head。　　She　knew　better。　　〃Now；〃　she　said；　〃you　go　off　up　to　bed。　　It's　no　use　us　sitting　up　any　longer。〃

And　Bunting　acquiesced。

She　ran　down　and　got　him　a　bedroom　candle　…　there　was　no　gas　in　the　little　back　bedroom　upstairs。　　And　then　she　watched　him　go　slowly　up。

Suddenly　he　turned　and　came　down　again。　　〃Ellen；〃　he　said；　in　an　urgent　whisper；　〃if　I　was　you　I'd　take　the　chain　off　the　door；　and　I'd　lock　myself　in　…　that's　what　I'm　going　to　do。　　Then　he　can　sneak　in　and　take　his　dirty　money　away。

Mrs。　Bunting　neither　nodded　nor　shook　her　head。　　Slowly　she　went　downstairs；　and　there　she　carried　out　half　of　Bunting's　advice。　She　took；　that　is；　the　chain　off　the　front　door。　　But　she　did　not　go　to　bed；　neither　did　she　lock　herself　in。　　She　sat　up　all　night；　waiting。　　At　half…past　seven　she　made　herself　a　cup　of　tea；　and　then　she　went　into　her　bedroom。

Daisy　opened　her　eyes。

〃Why；　Ellen；〃　she　said；　〃I　suppose　I　was　that　tired；　and　slept　so　sound；　that　I　never　heard　you　come　to　bed　or　get　up　…　funny；　wasn't　it？〃

〃Young　people　don't　sleep　as　light　as　do　old　folk's　Mrs。　Bunting　said　sententiously。

〃Did　the　lodger　come　in　after　all？　　I　suppose　he's　upstairs　now？〃

Mrs。　Bunting　shook　her　head。　　〃It　looks　as　if　'twould　be　a　fine　day　for　you　down　at　Richmond；〃　she　observed　in　a　kindly　tone。

And　Daisy　smiled；　a　very　happy；　confident　little　smile。

******

That　evening　Mrs。　Bunting　forced　herself　to　tell　young　Chandler　that　their　lodger　had；　so　to　speak；　disappeared。　　She　and　Bunting　had　thought　carefully　over　what　they　would　say；　and　so　well　did　they　carry　out　their　programme；　or；　what　is　more　likely；　so　full　was　young　Chandler　of　the　long　happy　day　he　and　Daisy　had　spent　together；　that　he　took　their　news　very　calmly。

〃Gone　away；　has　he？〃　he　observed　casually。　　〃Well；　I　hope　he　paid　up　all　right？〃

〃Oh；　yes；　yes；〃　said　Mrs。　Bunting　hastily。　　〃No　trouble　of　that　sort。〃

And　Bunting　said　shamefacedly；　〃Aye；　aye；　the　lodger　was　quite　an　honest　gentleman；　Joe。　　But　I　feel　worried；　about　him。　　He　was　such　a　poor；　gentle　chap　…　not　the　sort　o'　man　one　likes　to　think　of　as　wandering　about　by　himself。〃

〃You　always　said　he　was　'centric；〃　said　Joe　thoughtfully。

〃Yes；　he　was　that；〃　said　Bunting　slowly。　　〃Regular　right…down　queer。　Leetle　touched；　you　know；　under　the　thatch；〃　and；　as　he　tapped　his　head　significantly；　both　young　people　burst　out　laughing。

〃Would　you　like　a　description　of　him　circulated？〃　asked　Joe　good…naturedly。

Mr。　and　Mrs。　Bunting　looked　at　one　another。

〃No；　I　don't　think　so。　　Not　yet　awhile　at　any　rate。　'Twould　upset　him　awfully；　you　see。〃

And　Joe　acquiesced。　　〃You'd　be　surprised　at　the　number　o'　people　who　disappears　and　are　never　heard　of　again〃　he　said　cheerfully。　And　then　he　got　up；　very　reluctantly。

Daisy；　making　no　bones　about　it　this　time；　followed　him　out　into　the　passage；　and　shut　the　sitting…room　door　behind　her。

When　she　came　back　she　walked　over　to　where　her　father　was　sitting　in　his　easy　chair；　and　standing　behind　him　she　put　her　arms　round　his　neck。

Then　she　bent　down　her　head。　　〃Father；〃　she　said；　〃I've　a　bit　of　news　for　you！〃

〃Yes；　my　dear？〃

〃Father；　I'm　engaged！　　Aren't　you　surprised？〃

〃Well；　what　do　you　think？〃　said　Bunting　fondly。　　Then　he　turned　round　and；　catching　hold　of　her　head；