Yet he had no idea of the extent of Bergan's forbearance toward him on this head. It must be remembered that he never received the slightest intimation of Doctor Trubie's suspicions, or of Bergan's visit to Oakstead, on the night of the wedding. Godfrey Bergan had omitted any mention of either; first, because he had been prevented from doing so by the overwhelming distress10 and anxiety that had come upon him so suddenly; and afterward11, because it had seemed wiser, on the whole, to say nothing. Doctor Remy, therefore, had no suspicion of the mine over which he had been standing12, on that night, nor how its explosion had been averted13. From his point of view, Bergan's sudden removal to Savalla, in consideration of the prospect14 there opened to him, was the most natural thing in the world. Nor did he know any reason why himself and his former friend should not meet on the old terms, upon occasion, except that the gain of the one had been the loss of the other, in respect to Carice. Even here, however, he held himself to be ostensibly blameless, inasmuch as womankind was proverbially fickle15, and Bergan had no reason to suppose that he was aware of any relation between him and Carice other than the outward one. He deeply regretted, therefore, that in a moment of surprise and confusion, he should have put himself in a false position. It would have been far better to have met Bergan with the careless ease of a conscience void of offence. But, since he had not done so, it was well that Carice was his sufficient safeguard against retaliation16.
Yet one word had fallen from Bergan's lips, which had startled him at the moment, and haunted him on his way homeward. The young man had seriously bidden him be thankful that he was saved from "another crime." Was the phrase accidental, or did it imply some knowledge of the affair of the will? In the latter case, was it likely that Bergan would submit to the loss of what he had been encouraged, at one time, to consider his lawful17 inheritance, without a most rigid18 scrutiny19 and investigation20 of the document by which, while the property was apparently21 given to Carice, it was done in such a way as to place it absolutely in her husband's control. Would Bergan's forbearance toward her and hers be likely to extend as far as this? Judging by himself, and his experience of men in general, and especially of heirs, he did not hesitate to affirm that it would not. For, though Bergan had seemed to be possessed22 of some unusually Quixotic notions of honor, independence, and disinterestedness23, during the period of their intimate association, he had doubtless seen enough of life since then, to grow more sensible. What, then, had he not to dread24 from his natural acuteness and legal skill, when both of these, sharpened by interest, should be brought to bear on the false will?
Absorbed in these reflections, he had allowed his horse to choose his own pace, which had gradually slackened, from a gallop25 to a trot26, and then into a walk, until, at last, he was easily overtaken by Dick Causton, in whose eyes there still shone a humorous twinkle.
"Those Arlings seem to be pretty much of a piece," said he; "they both give better than they take, when it comes to blows. However, the Italians say, Tutto s'accommoda, eccetto l'osso del collo,—that means, Everything can be mended except the neck-bone. Yours has come safe out of this fray27, but there's no telling how long 'twill stay so, if you're so ready with your pistol."
"Pshaw!" exclaimed Doctor Remy, angrily. "I am in no mood for jesting. Do you suppose that Arling got any clue to our business in that den2?"
"How should he?—'A man doesn't look behind the door unless he has been there himself.' Besides, Mr. Arling minds his own business,—which I wish I did!—then I shouldn't have run from him like a dog caught stealing. By the way, Doctor, if the Major makes another will, which cuts the throat of this one of ours, I suppose the forgery28 goes for nothing?"
Doctor Remy looked at him darkly. "What do you mean?" he asked. "Is he thinking of making another?"
"Not that I know of," replied Dick. "But, 'At the game's end, see who wins.' There is time for him to make a dozen before he dies."
"We will see about that!" muttered the doctor.
"And if he does," persisted Dick, "our will goes for naught29, of course,—won't even be looked at, I suppose. They'll 'trust to the label of the bag,' seeing there's no necessity for opening it!"
Doctor Remy stopped short, and eyed his companion suspiciously, "See here, Dick," said he, in a low, determined30 tone, "you had better not venture to try any double dealing31 with me. I will have you to know that I can put you in prison, any day; and I will do it, too, even though I have to go along with you, if you falter32 one step in the course I have marked out for you. Having begun with me in this business, you will find it for your interest, in more senses than one, to help me through with it."
"That is to say," muttered Dick, ruefully, "Die met den duivel ingescheept is, moet met hem34 overvaren,—Having embarked35 with the Devil, you have got to sail with him."
The sound of that word "prison" was by no means agreeable in his ears. He had all a vagabond's love for open air and sunshine, and liberty to go and come at his own fitful will. He sickened at the bare idea of prison walls between him and the sky, prison bars between him and the fresh, roving air, prison restraints upon his freedom of action.
Doctor Remy saw the impression that he had made, and proceeded:—"Wherefore, if you hear, or have heard, the Major express any intention of making a new will, I need not suggest the propriety36 of your giving me immediate37 warning." The form of the sentence was that of an assertion, but the tone was interrogative.
"Dictum sapienti sat est," answered Dick, sulkily, denying himself the pleasure of translating, and immediately closing his lips tight, as if he dared not trust himself to say another word.
In this mood, Doctor Remy thought it better not to press him further. He had been made to see that he was in his power, and had even yielded a reluctant assent38 to his will; this was gain enough for the present. So, having reached the point where the roads diverged39, he bade Dick a smiling "Good-day," turned off toward the Hall; which, it occurred to him, it might be worth while to visit, for the chance of securing useful shreds40 of information, or of substituting the false will for the true one.
Dick Causton looked after him with a moody41, discontented brow. "I am like a leek42, a gray head, and all the rest green," he groaned43 to himself. "I thought I had made a mighty44 sharp bargain, but it turns out that I've only sold myself to the Devil, to fetch and carry at his bidding. I really gave myself credit for more sense; but, Do entra beber, sale saber, When the drink's in, the wit's out."
With the last words, Dick heaved a deep sigh. It was nothing new to find that his darling sin was an inclined plane, down which he continually slid into the grasp of divers45 other sins, less to his taste; but never before had it done him so unkind a trick as to fling him into the hands of a man quick to see, and unscrupulous to use, the chance of turning him to account. Yet so completely had all courage and energy of will died out of him, and so thoroughly46 was he scared at the idea of a prison as a possible termination of his career, that he dared propose to himself only a feeble and covert47 resistance to Doctor Remy's stern domination. There was present safety in outward submission48; and as for the future!—he smiled in spite of his discomfiture49.
At the Hall, Doctor Remy was a little startled to find Major Bergan in the clutch of so severe an attack of delirium50 tremens that death was likely to be the speedy result. It did not suit his plans that the Major's decease should follow so quickly upon the completion of the forged will; he wanted a little more time to mark out and make smooth his future course, and obliterate51 his more recent track. He therefore set to work, with right good will, and science considerably52 in advance of the times, to strengthen and quiet his patient, and so prolong his life; certain that, whenever the strong hand of medical authority was withdrawn53, he would immediately drink himself into a relapse, which could be allowed to prove fatal. His efforts were not without a measure of success; in three hours, he had so far reduced the fever and excitement that he ventured to leave Rue33 in charge, while he paid a brief visit to another patient, who had sent for him four or five times during the evening. This desertion of his post was fatal to him. In spite of Rue's best endeavors, Major Bergan succeeded in getting possession of the brandy bottle, and draining it to the last drop. When Doctor Remy returned, it was to find him once more a raving54 maniac55, and to learn to his consternation56, that Bergan had been sent for. The Major would die, there was no help for that; but something must be done to prevent the arrival of his nephew until after the true will—and all other wills—had been found and destroyed, and the false one put in its place;—even, if possible, until after the funeral was over, the will read, and the property put into his own hands. Once in possession, he had reason to believe that he could not, or would not, be disturbed.
His stay at the Major's bedside was short, and principally spent in profound meditation57; which was set down by the lookers-on to the account of his deep solicitude58 for the patient. His course was soon decided59 upon. In less than two hours he was back at the Rat-Hole, in deep conversation with the convalescent, who was known as "Big Ben." Its purport60 may be gathered from the closing remarks.
"You hit pretty hard, I suppose," said the doctor.
"Looks like it, don't it?" returned Big Ben, holding up his great fist for inspection61, with a satisfied smile. "Make yourself easy; yonder lawyer won't trouble you with any cross-questions for a month to come, I'll promise you that. He won't know his head from a bread-and-milk poultice to-morrow morning, if he ever does."
"Take care!" replied the doctor, warningly; "you know I don't want him killed,—only laid up for two or three weeks, and indisposed to meddle62 with other people's affairs."
Big Ben smiled grimly. "I'll take care not to do more than stun63 him, on your account, doctor," he answered; "but I don't say what I shall do, on my brother's. A fellow don't always weight his blows exactly to suit the skull64 they hit; and if I should happen to put an end to him, without meaning it, you wouldn't take it much to heart, would ye?"
Doctor Remy did not move a muscle of his face, but his eyes sparkled, in spite of himself. Ben laughed, and nodded his head.
"Don't trouble yerself to answer," said he; "I understand you well enough without."
"But, Ben—" began the doctor, in a tone of remonstrance65.
"Enough said," interrupted the ruffian, impatiently. "If it's me you're afeard for, I'll jest let you know that I've got everything fixed66 to leave these parts, to-morrow morning—I've heard of a better opening for my talents—so I shall be off before this affair leaks out. As for you, who knows that you've got anything to do with it? It's jest our own private squarin' of accounts; that's all. You saved my life; I squelch67 this lawyer for you. At the same time I settle up with him, for my brother. If I swing for't, I'm not such a scoundrel as to bring you in. Now, I'm off; there's scant68 time to fix things, and get to the Hall by day-break. It's too late, you think, to stop him on the way?"
"Most certainly; he must have started before this."
"And his room is on the south-east corner, you say?"
"Yes, with windows opening on the second piazza69."
However,—thanks to Carice,—the room was empty when Big Ben and his companion looked into it. Determined not to be baffled thus, he prowled around the house, until he was detected by Rue's quick ears in the hall, and asked what was his business; when he truthfully replied that he was seeking for Mr. Arling. Hearing this, Doctor Gerrish came forward, stated where Bergan could probably be found, and entrusted70 Ben with the message, which, as we have seen, was scrupulously71 delivered. Bergan was then knocked down; and the inanimate body was dragged by the two ruffians to what seemed to be a remote point of the Oakstead grounds, where it would not be likely to be discovered for some hours, perhaps days. There, Ben debated within himself, for a minute, whether he would leave it its small remaining chance of life; but he remembered that Bergan had seen both himself and his comrade face to face, and would be able to identify them, on occasion. He drew his knife, muttered, "Dead men tell no tales," and sheathed72 it in the young man's breast.
As he stood upright, his ear caught the faint jar of a closing door, followed by the sound of slow footsteps, and a cracked voice humming a song. Apparently, the spot which he had chosen, lonely as it seemed, was not far from some human dwelling73. He and his companion exchanged startled glances, plunged74 into the underbrush, and fled silently and swiftly.
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1
temperament
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| n.气质，性格，性情 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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thwart
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| v.阻挠，妨碍，反对；adj.横(断的) | |
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habitually
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| ad.习惯地，通常地 | |
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chagrin
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| n.懊恼；气愤；委屈 | |
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motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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fickle
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| adj.(爱情或友谊上)易变的，不坚定的 | |
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retaliation
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| n.报复，反击 | |
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lawful
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| adj.法律许可的，守法的，合法的 | |
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rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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investigation
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| n.调查，调查研究 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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23
disinterestedness
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24
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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28
forgery
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| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
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naught
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| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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falter
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| vi.(嗓音)颤抖，结巴地说；犹豫；蹒跚 | |
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rue
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| n.懊悔，芸香，后悔；v.后悔，悲伤，懊悔 | |
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34
hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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35
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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diverged
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| 分开( diverge的过去式和过去分词 )； 偏离； 分歧； 分道扬镳 | |
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shreds
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| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
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41
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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leek
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| n.韭葱 | |
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43
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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46
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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47
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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48
submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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49
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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50
delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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51
obliterate
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| v.擦去，涂抹，去掉...痕迹，消失，除去 | |
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52
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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53
withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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54
raving
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| adj.说胡话的；疯狂的，怒吼的；非常漂亮的；令人醉心[痴心]的v.胡言乱语(rave的现在分词)n.胡话；疯话adv.胡言乱语地；疯狂地 | |
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55
maniac
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| n.精神癫狂的人；疯子 | |
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56
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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57
meditation
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| n.熟虑，（尤指宗教的）默想，沉思，（pl.）冥想录 | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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59
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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purport
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| n.意义，要旨，大要；v.意味著，做为...要旨，要领是... | |
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inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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meddle
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| v.干预，干涉，插手 | |
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63
stun
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| vt.打昏，使昏迷，使震惊，使惊叹 | |
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skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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squelch
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| v.压制，镇压；发吧唧声 | |
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scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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piazza
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| n.广场；走廊 | |
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entrusted
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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scrupulously
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| adv.一丝不苟地；小心翼翼地，多顾虑地 | |
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72
sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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73
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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