CHAPTER XVIII. A SCENE AT DELMONICO'S.

 The two friends entered Delmonico's on the Broadway side, and took seats at one of the windows. Rupert, after giving the order, looked about him. He was curious to see that famous restaurant. He was destined¹ to a surprise. At the second table, sitting with his back to Mr. Packard and himself, was a person whom he had the best reason to remember.

 

It was Clarence Clayton.

 

He touched Mr. Packard's arm, and silently pointed² to Clayton.

 

"Well, I'll be jiggered!" exclaimed the cattleman, in surprise. "That fellow has got nerve."

 

Mr. Clayton was evidently enjoying himself. Beside his plate stood a pint³ bottle of champagne⁴ of Delmonico's special brand.[Pg 175] His dinner would probably involve an expense of five dollars.

 

"He must have sold or pawned⁵ the watch," suggested Rupert in a low voice.

 

At this moment Clayton looked around. He at once recognized the two whom he had last seen at the Battery.

 

"So we meet again?" he said, coolly.

 

"Yes," answered the cattleman. "You appear to be having a pleasant time."

 

"I generally do," returned Clayton.

 

"You seem to have negotiated a loan."

 

"I met a party who seemed to know more about gold watches than you do."

 

"I congratulate you," said Packard, dryly.

 

Clayton returned to the discussion of his dinner, and soon the two friends were served.

 

"Shall I order some champagne, Rupert?" asked the man from Colorado.

 

"Not for me. I have promised my mother to avoid drink."

 

"You are wise. Far be it from me to tempt⁷ you. I have seen too much of the evil done by intemperance⁸."

 

Clarence Clayton evidently had no such[Pg 176] objection to drink. He drained the bottle, and calling for a cigar, leaned back in his chair, with a self-satisfied smile.

 

"That fellow is a curiosity," Packard said. "He probably has good abilities, and would meet with success in an honest career. He has made poor use of his talents. I wonder if he ever reflects upon the inevitable⁹ end of his dishonesty?"

 

"It doesn't seem to trouble him much," returned Rupert.

 

Neither he nor Clayton observed the quiet entrance of a small, unobtrusive man, with sharp eyes, who, taking rapid glances at the guests, moved towards the table occupied by the adventurer.

 

Sitting in pleasant enjoyment¹⁰ of his cigar, Clayton's attention was drawn¹¹ by a slight tap on his shoulder. Looking up in momentary¹² impatience¹³ he saw the newcomer at his side.

 

Stifling¹⁴ an ejaculation he stared at him in dismay.

 

"Mr. Clayton," said Detective Darke, in a low voice, "I see you know me."

 

[Pg 177]

 

"No, I can't say I have the pleasure," stammered¹⁵ Clayton.

 

"You are polite to call it a pleasure. I am Richard Darke."

 

"Can I offer you a glass of champagne, Mr. Darke?"

 

"There doesn't seem to be any left in the bottle."

 

"I will order another."

 

"I won't put you to that trouble. I have business with you, and must request you to go with me."

 

"But——"

 

"I can take no denial," said the detective, sharply. "Go up to the desk, settle your bill, and then we will go out together. There will be no scene, and no one will know my errand, if you obey my directions."

 

Clayton went up to the desk, paid his check, and then, turning to the detective, said,

 

"I am at your service."

 

By this time Rupert noticed what was going on, and silently called the attention of Mr. Packard to it.

 

[Pg 178]

 

"Poor chap!" said the cattleman, as Clayton and his unwelcome companion left the restaurant, "his punishment has come sooner than I anticipated. He will be punished, but I am afraid the owner of the watch stands a poor chance of recovering his property."

 

"Probably he will get possession of the pawn⁶ ticket and so secure the watch, though it may cost him twenty-five dollars."

 

"It will be some time before the thief gets another such dinner as he has eaten to-night."

 

After supper Packard said,

 

"Are you feeling tired, Rupert?"

 

"Oh, no, sir."

 

"Then suppose we go to some theatre."

 

"All right, sir. What theatre do you prefer?"

 

"I leave the choice to you."

 

"Palmer's Theatre is very near."

 

"Then let us go there."

 

They reached the theatre just as the curtain was rising. Mr. Packard bought two choice seats, and they were soon seated in the orchestra. As soon as he had a chance to[Pg 179] look about him, Rupert discovered to his surprise that Mr. Lorimer and Julian were sitting directly in front of him. At the sound of his voice Julian turned, and was greatly surprised to see the bell-boy occupying as high-priced a seat as himself. When the first act was ended, he took measures to gratify his curiosity.

 

"I am surprised to see you here," he said.

 

"It is a mutual¹⁶ surprise," responded Rupert.

 

"You know what I mean. It is not usual to meet bell-boys in orchestra seats."

 

"I was not asked at the ticket office what was my employment."

 

"Are you here alone?"

 

"No; let me introduce my friend, Mr. Packard, of Colorado."

 

Julian glanced at the cattleman, and was not impressed. Mr. Packard's clothing was by no means stylish¹⁷. Julian naturally supposed him to be a person of small means and no particular consequence. He gave him a slight nod, and turned his face towards the stage.

 

[Pg 180]

 

"What is the name of that boy?" asked the cattleman.

 

"Julian Lorimer."

 

"Is he related to Stephen Lorimer?"

 

"Stephen Lorimer is his father. Do you know him?" asked Rupert, in surprise.

 

"Stephen Lorimer is a cousin of mine."

 

"There he is, next to Julian."

 

Mr. Lorimer's ears caught the sound of his own name, and, turning, he recognized Rupert, but not his cousin.

 

"You here, Rupert Rollins?" he said, in surprise.

 

"Yes, sir. Do you know this gentleman with me?"

 

Stephen Lorimer regarded the cattleman blankly.

 

"No," he answered slowly. "I don't know him."

 

"Perhaps you will remember the name of Giles Packard," said the cattleman, but his tone was cold and not cordial.

 

"Are you Giles Packard?"

 

"Yes."

 

Stephen Lorimer looked embarrassed.

 

[Pg 181]

 

"I hope you are prosperous," he said.

 

"Thank you—I am doing well now."

 

"Where do you live?"

 

"In Colorado."

 

"Ah! Mines?"

 

"No, cattle."

 

"Call and see me. Rupert will tell you where I may be found."

 

"I may do so."

 

"Is he a cowboy?" asked Julian, in an audible whisper.

 

Giles Packard heard the words and he looked at Rupert with a smile.

 

"He is like his father," he said.

 

They did not again speak. After the play Stephen Lorimer went out of the theatre without even a look at his new-found relative. Rupert and the man from Colorado, following slowly, made the best of their way down Broadway to the Somerset House.

 

"How came you to know Stephen Lorimer?" asked Packard.

 

"He and my father were in business together in Buffalo¹⁸ some years since. They failed, and I have always believed that my[Pg 182] father was defrauded¹⁹. At any rate he lost everything, while his old partner had money enough to start in the dry-goods business in New York."

 

"History repeats itself," said Packard. "Many years ago, when I was twenty-two, I was the partner of Stephen Lorimer."

 

"You!"

 

"Yes. In fact I furnished three-fourths of the capital. At the end of eighteen months we failed. I never could understand why, for our business had been good. Stephen kept the books, and I examined without being able to understand them. The upshot of it was that I was thrown upon the world penniless, while he soon went into business for himself in another place. I have not seen Lorimer for twenty years, till accident brought us together to-night."

 

"I am glad you are prosperous again."

 

"Yes. I have far more money than when I belonged to the firm of Lorimer & Packard."

 

"Perhaps Mr. Lorimer would take you in as partner again."

 

 

"I have no desire to be associated with him in any way. I believe him to be a thoroughly²⁰ dishonest man. I am sorry that your father has suffered also at his hands."

 

Rupert accompanied Mr. Packard to the hotel, having agreed to relieve another bell-boy from midnight till six o'clock the next morning.

 

When he reached the hotel he found it a scene of excitement. The bell of No. 61 had been ringing violently for some time.

 

The other bell-boy had come downstairs in a panic.

 

"I can't get into No. 61," he reported. "There is somebody dead or murdered there."

1 destined   

adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的

参考例句：

• It was destined that they would marry.他们结婚是缘分。
• The shipment is destined for America.这批货物将运往美国。

2 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

3 pint   

n.品脱

参考例句：

• I'll have a pint of beer and a packet of crisps, please.我要一品脱啤酒和一袋炸马铃薯片。
• In the old days you could get a pint of beer for a shilling.从前，花一先令就可以买到一品脱啤酒。

4 champagne   

n.香槟酒；微黄色

参考例句：

• There were two glasses of champagne on the tray.托盘里有两杯香槟酒。
• They sat there swilling champagne.他们坐在那里大喝香槟酒。

5 pawned   

v.典当，抵押( pawn的过去式和过去分词 )；以（某事物）担保

参考例句：

• He pawned his gold watch to pay the rent. 他抵当了金表用以交租。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She has redeemed her pawned jewellery. 她赎回了当掉的珠宝。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 pawn   

n.典当，抵押，小人物，走卒；v.典当，抵押

参考例句：

• He is contemplating pawning his watch.他正在考虑抵押他的手表。
• It looks as though he is being used as a political pawn by the President.看起来他似乎被总统当作了政治卒子。

7 tempt   

vt.引诱，勾引，吸引，引起…的兴趣

参考例句：

• Nothing could tempt him to such a course of action.什么都不能诱使他去那样做。
• The fact that she had become wealthy did not tempt her to alter her frugal way of life.她有钱了，可这丝毫没能让她改变节俭的生活习惯。

8 intemperance   

n.放纵

参考例句：

• Health does not consist with intemperance. 健康与纵欲［无节制］不能相容。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• She accepted his frequent intemperance as part of the climate. 对于他酗酒的恶习，她安之若素。 来自辞典例句

9 inevitable   

adj.不可避免的，必然发生的

参考例句：

• Mary was wearing her inevitable large hat.玛丽戴着她总是戴的那顶大帽子。
• The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响。

10 enjoyment   

n.乐趣；享有；享用

参考例句：

• Your company adds to the enjoyment of our visit. 有您的陪同，我们这次访问更加愉快了。
• After each joke the old man cackled his enjoyment.每逢讲完一个笑话，这老人就呵呵笑着表示他的高兴。

11 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

12 momentary   

adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的

参考例句：

• We are in momentary expectation of the arrival of you.我们无时无刻不在盼望你的到来。
• I caught a momentary glimpse of them.我瞥了他们一眼。

13 impatience   

n.不耐烦，急躁

参考例句：

• He expressed impatience at the slow rate of progress.进展缓慢，他显得不耐烦。
• He gave a stamp of impatience.他不耐烦地跺脚。

14 stifling   

a.令人窒息的

参考例句：

• The weather is stifling. It looks like rain. 今天太闷热，光景是要下雨。
• We were stifling in that hot room with all the windows closed. 我们在那间关着窗户的热屋子里，简直透不过气来。

15 stammered   

v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He stammered most when he was nervous. 他一紧张往往口吃。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Barsad leaned back in his chair, and stammered, \"What do you mean?\" 巴萨往椅背上一靠，结结巴巴地说，“你是什么意思？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

16 mutual   

adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的

参考例句：

• We must pull together for mutual interest.我们必须为相互的利益而通力合作。
• Mutual interests tied us together.相互的利害关系把我们联系在一起。

17 stylish   

adj.流行的，时髦的；漂亮的，气派的

参考例句：

• He's a stylish dresser.他是个穿着很有格调的人。
• What stylish women are wearing in Paris will be worn by women all over the world.巴黎女性时装往往会引导世界时装潮流。

18 buffalo   

n.(北美)野牛；(亚洲)水牛

参考例句：

• Asian buffalo isn't as wild as that of America's. 亚洲水牛比美洲水牛温顺些。
• The boots are made of buffalo hide. 这双靴子是由水牛皮制成的。

19 defrauded   

v.诈取，骗取( defraud的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He defrauded his employers of thousands of dollars. 他诈取了他的雇主一大笔钱。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He defrauded them of their money. 他骗走了他们的钱。 来自辞典例句

20 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。