the red seal-第17章

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recalled　the　fact　of　his　relationship　as　you　enumerated　his　virtues。〃

Colonel　McIntyre　transferred　his　regard　from　her　to　the　butler。　〃You　need　not　wait；　Grimes。〃　　He　remained　silent　until　the　servant　was　safely　in　the　pantry；　and　then　addressed　his　daughter。　　〃None　of　your　tricks；　Barbara；〃　he　cautioned。　　〃If　Helen　is　ill　enough　to　require　medical　attention；　Dr。　Stone　is　to　be　sent　for；　regardless　of　your　sudden　dislike　to　him；　for　which；　by　the　way；　you　have　given　no　cause。〃

〃Haven't　I？〃　　Barbara　folded　her　napkin　with　neat　exactness。　　〃It's　…　it's　intangible。〃

〃Pooh！〃　McIntyre　gave　a　short　laugh；　as　he　pushed　back　his　chair。　〃I'm　going　to　see　Helen。　　And　Barbara；〃　stopping　on　his　way　to　the　door；　〃don't　be　a　fool。〃

Barbara　rubbed　the　tiny　mole　under　the　lobe　of　her　ear；　a　trick　she　had　when　absent…minded　or　in　deep　thought。　　〃Helen；〃　she　announced；　unaware　that　she　spoke　loud；　〃shall　have　a　physician；　but　it　won't　be　…　why；　Grimes；〃　awakening　to　the　servant's　noiseless　return。　　〃You　can　take　the　breakfast　dishes。　　Did　Miss　Helen　eat　anything？〃

〃Not　very　much；　miss。〃　Grimes　shook　a　troubled　head。　　〃But　she　done　better　than　at　dinner　last　night；　so　she's　picking　up；　and　don't　you　be　worried　over　her；〃　with　emphasis；　as　he　sidled　nearer。　　〃Tell　me；　miss；　is　the　colonel　courtin'　Mrs。　Brewster？〃

〃Ask　him；〃　she　suggested　and　smiled　at　the　consternation　which　spread　over　the　butler's　face。

〃Me；　miss！〃　he　exclaimed　in　horror。　　〃It　would　be　as　much　as　my　place　is　worth；　the　colonel's　that　quick…tempered。　　Why；　miss；　just　because　I　tidied　up　his　desk　and　put　his　papers　to　rights　he　flew　into　a　terrible　passion。〃

〃When　was　that？〃

〃Early　this　morning；　miss；　and　he　so　upset　Thomas；　miss；　that　he　gave　notice。〃

〃Oh；　that's　too　bad。〃　Barbara　liked　the　second　man。　　〃Perhaps　father　will　reconsider　and　persuade　him　to　stay。〃

The　butler　looked　unconvinced。　　〃It　was　about　the　police　dogs；〃　he　confided　to　her。　　〃Thomas　told　him　that　Miss　Helen　wanted　them　brought　back；　and　the　colonel　swore　at　him　…　'twas　more　than　Thomas　could　stand　and　he　ups　and　goes。〃　　Barbara　halted　half　way　to　the　door。　　〃Did　Thomas　get　the　dogs？〃

〃You　wait　and　see；　miss。〃　　Grimes　was　guilty　of　a　most　undignified　wink。　　〃Thomas　ain't　forgiven　himself　for　not　being　here　Monday　night；　miss；　though　it　wouldn't　a　done　him　any　good；　he　wouldn't　a　heard　Mr。　Turnbull　climbing　in　or　his　arrest；　away　upstairs　in　the　servants'　quarters。〃

〃Grimes；〃　Barbara　retracted　her　footsteps　and　placed　her　lips　very　close　to　the　old　servant's　ear。

〃When　I　came　in　on　Tuesday　morning　I　found　the　door　to　the　attic　stairway　standing　partly　open。。。

〃Did　you　now；　miss？〃　　The　two　regarded　each　other　warily。　　〃And　what　hour　may　that　have　been？〃

The　butler　cocked　his　ear　for　her　answer　…　'he　was　sometimes　a　little　hard　of　hearing；　but　he　waited　in　vain；　Barbara　had　disappeared　inside　the　library。

Colonel　McIntyre　had　not　gone　at　once　to　see　his　daughter　Helen；　as　Barbara　had　supposed　from　his　remark；　instead　he　went　down　the　staircase　and　into　the　reception　room　on　the　ground　floor。　　It　was　generally　used　as　a　smoking　room　and　lounge；　but　when　entertaining　was　done；　cloaks　and　wraps　were　left　there。　　McIntyre　looked　over　the　prettily　upholstered　furniture；　then　strolled　to　the　window　and　carefully　inspected　the　lock；　it　appeared　in　perfect　order　as　he　tested　it。　　Pushing　the　catch　back　as　far　as　it　would　go；　he　raised　the　window　…　the　sash　moved　upward　without　a　sound；　and　he　leaned　out　and　looked　up　and　down　the　path　which　ran　the　depth　of　the　house　to　the　kitchen　door　and　servants'　entrance。　There　was　an　iron　gate　separating　the　path　from　the　sidewalk；　always　kept　locked　at　night；　and　McIntyre　had　thought　that　sufficient　protection　and　had　not　put　an　iron　grille　in　the　window。

McIntyre　closed　and　locked　the　window；　then　pulling　out　the　gilt　chair　which　stood　in　front　of　the　desk；　he　sat　down；　selected　some　monogrammed　paper　and　penned　a　few　lines　in　his　characteristic　though　legible　writing。　　Picking　up　some　red　sealing　wax；　he　lighted　the　small　candle　in　its　brass　holder　which　matched　the　rest　of　the　desk　ornaments；　but　before　heating　the　wax　he　looked　for　his　signet　ring；　and　frowned　when　he　recalled　leaving　it　on　his　dresser。　He　hesitated　a　moment；　then　catching　sight　of　a　silver　seal　lying　at　the　back　of　the　desk　he　picked　it　up　and　moistened　the　initial。　A　few　minutes　later　he　blew　out　the　candle；　returned　the　wax　and　seal　to　a　pigeon　hole；　and　carefully　placed　the　envelope　with　its　well　stamped　letter　〃B〃　in　his　coat　pocket；　and　tramped　upstairs。

Helen　heard　his　heavy　tread　coming　down　the　hall　toward　her　room；　and　scrambled　back　to　bed。　　She　had　but　time　to　arrange　her　dressing　sacque　when　her　father　walked　in。

〃Good　morning；　my　dear；〃　he　said　and；　stooping　over；　kissed　her。　As　he　straightened　up；　the　side　of　his　single…breasted　coat　turned　back　and　exposed　to　Helen's　bright　eyes　the　end　of　a　white　envelope。　　〃Barbara　told　me　you　are　not　well；〃　he　wheeled　forward　a　chair　and　sat　down　by　the　bed。　　〃Hadn't　I　better　send　for　Dr。　Stone？〃　　〃Oh；　no；〃　her　reply；　though　somewhat　faint；　was　emphatic；　and　he　frowned。

〃Why　not？〃　aggressively。　　〃I　trust　you　do　not　share　Barbara's　suddenly　developed　prejudice　against　the　good　doctor。〃

〃I　do　not　require　a　physician；〃　she　said　evasively。　　〃I　am　well。〃

McIntyre　regarded　her　vexedly。　　He　could　not　decide　whether　her　flushed　cheeks　were　from　fever　or　the　result　of　exertion　or　excitement。　　Excitement　over　what？　　He　looked　about　the　room；　it　reflected　the　taste　of　its　dainty　owner　in　its　furnishings；　but　nowhere　did　he　find　an　answer　to　his　unspoken　question；　until　his　eye　lighted　on　a　box　of　rouge　under　the　electric　lamp　on　her　bed　stand。

〃Don't　use　that；〃　he　said；　touching　the　box。

〃You　know　I　detest　make…up。〃

〃Oh；　that！〃　　She　turned　to　see　what　he　was　talking　about。　　〃That　rouge　belongs　to　Margaret　Brewster。〃

McIntyre　promptly　changed　the　conversation。　　〃Have　you　had　your　breakfast？〃　he　asked。

〃Yes；　Grimes　took　the　tray　down　some　time　ago。〃　　Helen　watched　her　father　fidget　with　his　watch　fob　for　several　minutes；　then　asked　with　characteristic　directness。　　〃What　do　you　wish？〃

〃To　see　that　you　have　proper　medical　attention　if　you　are　ill；〃　he　returned　promptly。　　〃How　would　a　week　or　ten　days　at　Atlantic　City　suit　you　and　Barbara？〃

〃Not　at　all。〃　　Helen　sat　up　from　her　reclining　position　on　the　pillows。　　〃You　forget；　father；　that　we　have　a　house…guest；　Margaret　Brewster　is　not　leaving　until　May。〃

〃I　had　not　forgotten；〃　curtly。　　〃I　propose　that　she　go　with　us。〃

A　faint　〃Oh！〃　escaped　Helen；　otherwise　she　made　no　comment；　and　McIntyre；　after　contemplating　her　for　a　minute；　looked　away。

〃Either　go　to　Atlantic　City　with　us；　Helen；　or　resume　your　normal；　everyday　life；〃　he　said　shortly。　　〃I　am　tired　of　heroics；　Jimmie　Turnbull　was　hardly　the　man　to　inspire　them。〃

〃Stop！〃　Helen's　voice　rang　out　imperiously。　　〃I　will　not　permit　one　word　said　in　disparagement　of　Jimmie；　least　of　all　from　you；　father。　Wait；〃　as　he　attempted　to　speak。　　〃I　do　not　know　what　traits　of　character　I　may　have　inherited　from　you；　but　I　have　all　mother's　loyalty；　and　…　that　loyalty　belongs　to　Jimmie。〃

McIntyre's　eyes　shifted　under　her　gaze。

〃I　regret　very　much　this　obsession；〃　he　said　rising。　　〃I　will　not　attempt　to　reason　with　you　again；　Helen；　but　〃…　he　made　no　effort　to　lower　his　voice；　〃the　world　…　our　world　will　soon　know　what　manner　of　man　James　Turnbull　was；　of　that　I　am　determined。〃

〃And　I　〃…　Helen　faced　her　father　proudly　…　〃I　will　leave　no　stone　unturned　to　defend　his　memory。〃

Her　father　wheeled　about。　　〃In　doing　so；　see　that　you　do　not　compromise　yourself；〃　he　remarked　coldly；　and　before　the　infuriated　girl　could　answer；　he　slammed　the　door　shut　and　stalked　downstairs。

Some　half　hour　later　he　opened　the　door　of　Rochester　and　Kent's　law　office　and　would　have　walked　unceremoniously　into　Kent's　private　office　had　not　John　Sylvester　stepped　forward　from　behind　his　desk　in　the　corner。

〃Good　morning；　Colonel；〃　he　said　civilly。　　〃Mr。　Kent　is　not　here。　Do　you　wish　to　leave　any　message？〃

〃Oh；　good　morning；　Sylvester；〃　McIntyre's　manner　was　brusque。　　〃When　do　you　expect　Mr。　Kent？〃

〃In　about　twenty　minutes；　Colonel。〃　　Sylvester　glanced　at　the　wall　clock。　　〃Won't　you　sit　down？〃

McIntyre　took　the　chair　and　planted　it　by　the　window。　　Never　a　very　patient　man；　he　waited　for　Kent　with　increasing　irritation；　and　at　the　end　of　half　an　hour　his　temper　was　uppermost。　　〃Give　me　something　to　write　with；〃　he　demanded　of　Sylvester。　　Accepting　the　clerk's　fountain　pen　without　thanks；　he　walked　over　to　the　center　table　and；　drawing　out　his　leather　wallet；　took　from　it　a　visiting　card　and；　stooping　over；　wrote

　　　　　　　　You　have　but　thirty…six　hours　remaining。　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　McIntyre。

〃See　that　Mr。　Kent　gets　this　card；〃　he　directed。　　〃No；　don't　put　it　there；〃　irascibly；　as　the　clerk　laid　the　card　on　top　of　a　pile　of　letters。　　〃Take　it　into　Mr。　Kent's　office　and　put　it　on　his　desk。〃

There　was　that　about　Colonel　McIntyre　which　inspired　complete　obedience　to　his　wishes；　and　Sylvester　followed　his　directions　without　further　question。

As　the　clerk　stepped　into　Kent's　office　McIntyre　saw　a　woman　sitting　by　the　empty　desk。　　She　turned　her　head　on　hearing　footsteps　and　their　glances　met。　　A　faint　exclamation　broke　from　her。

〃Margaret！〃　McIntyre　strode　past　Sylvester。　　〃What　are　you　doing　here？〃

Mrs。　Brewster's　ready　laugh　hid　all　sign　of　embarrassment。　　〃Must　you　know？〃　she　asked　archly。　　〃That　is　hardly　fair　to　Barbara。〃

〃So　Barbara　sent　you　here　with　a　message！〃　　Mrs。　Brewster　treated　his　remark　as　a　statement　and　not　a　question；　and　briskly　changed　the　subject。

〃I　can't　wait　any　longer；〃　she　pouted。　　〃Please　tell　Mr。　Kent　that　I　am　sorry　not　to　have　seen　him。〃

〃I　will；　madam。〃　Sylvester　placed　McIntyre's　card　in　the　center　of　Kent's　desk　and　flew　to　open　the　door　for　Mrs。　Brewster。

As　the　widow　stepped　into　the　corridor　she　brushed　by　an　over…dressed　woman；　whose　cheap　finery　gave　clear　indication　of　her　tastes。　　Hardly　noticing　another's　presence　she　turned　and　took　McIntyre's　arm　and　they　strolled　off　together；　her　soft　laugh　floating　back　to　where　Mrs。　Sylvester　stood　talking　to　her　husband。


CHAPTER　XIII

THE　FACE　AT　THE　WINDOW

Harry　Kent　rang　the　doorbell　at　the　McIntyre　residence　for　the　fifth　time；　and　wondered　what　had　become　of　the　faithful　Grimes；　the　butler　was　usually　the　soul　of　promptness；　and　to　keep　a　caller　waiting　on　the　doorstep　would；　in　his　category；　rank　as　the　height　of　impropriety。　　As　Kent　again　raised　his　hand　toward　the　bell；　the　door　swung　open　suddenly　and　Barbara　beckoned　to　him　to　come　inside。

〃The　bell　is　out　of　order；〃　she　explained。　　〃I　saw　you　from　the　window。　　Hurry；　and　Grimes　won't　know　that　you　are　here；〃　and　she　darted　ahead　of　him　into　the　reception　room。　　Kent　followed　more　slowly；　he　was　hurt　that　she　had　had　no　other　greeting　for　him。

〃Babs；　aren't　you　glad　to　see　me？〃　he　asked　wistfully。

For　an　instant　her　eyes　were　lighted　by　her　old　sunny　smile。

〃You　know　I　am；〃　she　whispered　softly。　　As　his　arms　closed　around　her　and　their　lips　met　in　a　tender　kiss　she　added　fervently；　〃Oh；　Harry；　why　didn't