Mr. Tuke sat in his dining-hall, swollen1 and glowering2 as a ruffled3 tom-cat. He had not struck in haste to repent4 at leisure; but it is true that he was woefully exercised in his mind as to what to do next. The logical sequence of his action, he felt, should be incarceration5 for his prisoner in Winton Gaol6 on the strength of an information—his own—laid against him. Certainly. And how should the information be worded? It was at this point he always fell to gnawing7 his lips, and drumming on the table with his fingers, and glaring at a robin8 on the window-sill, as if he knew it could furnish the solution if it would only leave off hopping9 and twittering.
Now, he had done rightly and as he had engaged himself to act. He had bided10 his time, and struck on the first evidence of guilt11. Still, now he came to think it over—with what impartiality12 he could command—he could not but acknowledge that the proofs might show extremely negative to an unbiased intelligence. For what did they amount to? Crime? No. But the invitation to it.
What would be the value of his solitary14 pièce de conviction in the eye of the law? A moral inference was too short a rope to hang a man with. He could say only his servant was tempted15; but what was to show that it was to his undoing16? Moreover, he had not even taken the precaution to retain possession of the condemning17 stone.
On this last thought, he sprang up and went hastily out into the hall. To and fro he searched; but without result. The flint, with its scrawled18 hieroglyphics19, was gone. He unbolted and threw open the front door, half-expecting to find Darda huddled20, accusatory, under the porch, whither he had pushed her near an hour ago. She was not there, nor anywhere about was the stone; and he returned to his lonely hall and his complex self-communings.
He was deep in them, when he heard the sound of hoofs21 on the gravel22 outside, and, a moment later, the voice of his friend of “Chatters” pronouncing his name.
“Here!” he cried; and grasped Sir David warmly by the hand as the latter pushed open the room door and entered.
He was unfeignedly glad to see him; the more so, perhaps, from a certain uneasy memory of his somewhat churlish attitude towards the little man when last they had met.
“What brings you over?” he cried gladly. “But you are welcome for any reason.”
“The devil she did!”
He was scanning the other’s face attentively24 and inquiringly.
“Well,” he said, “that saves me an explanation. She has told you? I am cursed in the fellow, Blythewood. I find him in league with those ruffians, and what to do with him the Lord knows.”
“Where is he?”
“I have him under bolt and board for the present.”
“In the ‘Priest’s Hole’?”
“Ah! she hath informed you? It serves as a lockhouse pro13 tempore, and until I can hale the rogue25 before the leet of Winton and procure26 his committal.”
“Smitten, as you say. He was half-dead with it. He went in like a log.”
“Harkee, Tuke. You must have him out again.”
The other stared.
“I mean it,” said the baronet firmly. “Saints forbid ’tis any concern of mine to interfere28, do you elect to hold him fast. But dup the poor wretch29 in decent quarters, Tuke, and not in a hole ’twere a shame to fling a dog into.”
“I have my own methods and places,” said the lord of “Delsrop,” mighty30 haughtily31. “Is that what you came to say?”
“Yes,” said he; “and some more to a harder purpose.”
“There!” he cried frankly35. “I come set on discretion36, and this is the result. ’Tis no business of mine, I allow. But I have an old tenderness for the man, Tuke, and it wrings37 me to think of him maddening down there.”
“I regret the necessity.”
“Else would my treatment of him lack a warrant, Sir David Blythewood.”
“Ah! You are offended with me. I can’t help it. I—rabbit it, Tuke! ’twill out, ’twill out. I resent your treatment of the man. You come amongst us, a stranger, and God knows I would be friendly with ye. But ye start on a cross scent39 here, where an older member of the pack would hunt true, and you would have us all follow your lead. D’ye think I don’t know more about Dennis in twenty year than you have found out in a month, or two or three? I stake my faith you’re misled somewhere, and that the man’s innocent of evil intent, whatever the appearances.”
Mr. Tuke smiled very politely and acidly.
“’Tis always a pleasure to hear a gentleman’s opinions,” said he; “but a fact will knock the most stubborn of them on the head.”
“Just so. It happens to be a piece of incriminating evidence.”
“May I see it?”
“Really, Sir David, you must take my word. I know of only one course if you must insist upon questioning it.”
“I understand. I shall not be lacking if need comes, believe me. I tell you to your face you are arrogatin’ the rights of the executive, and more, in casting one into that foul41 pit on a whisper of suspicion. There are constables42, sir; and a Justice of the Peace within a couple of miles of your door, and your proper course was to lay an information with him.”
“And see my bird fly meanwhile?”
“You could detain him; but not there.”
“I see my mistake, then. ’Twas the best bedroom should have been put at his service, and the window closed from draughts43.”
Sir David turned to go with considerable dignity.
“Mr. Tuke,” he said over his shoulder, “I stake my reputation on the man’s honesty, and I say you are treating him vilely44 and inhumanly45. I shall have the honour of sendin’ a friend to you.”
The other bowed grimly, and was advancing to show his visitor out, when both gentlemen were aware of an apparition46 in the doorway47, standing48 white and rebukeful, with clasped hands.
“Fie, Angel!” cried the baronet. “You’ve been listening.”
Whether to cover her confusion at the charge, or to top the situation appropriately, Miss Angela at this flung herself down into the room and on to her brother’s breast.
“Davy, Davy!” she cried in an anguished49 voice, “you’re not going to fight?” And he answered fretfully: “Get up! You’re squashin’ my shirt-frill.”
Mr. Tuke came forward gallantly50. The girl had stepped back with an air of frightened indecision. With one hand she adjusted a tumbled curl; the other she held out as if for an examination by Love the doctor.
“You have been day-dreaming,” he said. “Your brother and I are great friends.”
The two glanced each at each comically; but neither moved.
“There!” she cried. “Is it for you to deceive a woman? You were going to fight; and what about?”
“Not you, my dear,” said Sir David.
“Fie!” she said, blushing. “’Tis never gentlewomen that set gallants by the ears. I would take it no honour, brother, to call yours in question.”
The two had nothing to say.
“I demand to know!” she cried imperiously, stamping her foot.
“Madam,” stuttered Mr. Tuke—“it—it merely turns on a difference of opinion.”
“The lion and the bear,” she said, “were e’en glad to lie down and take breath; when by comes a fox and seizes the prey55 they were too exhausted56 to dispute him the possession of. Doth the difference of opinion turn on one imprisoned57 hard by? Here enters the fox, good gentlemen, and offers herself an arbitrator.”
She stepped up to the master of the house and held out her palm.
“It is like a little cradle for a cupid,” he said.
He laughed.
“There is none,” he said; “but a bolt in the floor.”
“May I shoot it back?”
“But I have a heel, sir—that can kick against the pricks60, I must add; or my gentle brother will say it for me.”
“Well,” said he, “I leave the issue in your hands. I am loth to release the fellow. He hath conspired62 against me, I think and believe, and hath no more than his deserts. But, after all, it is a little thing if it please you; and I will not even hold you responsible for his safe custody63.”
“Hold me!” cried Sir David eagerly; and he bent64 and whispered in his sister’s ear: “Thanks, Angel; you were right—you have the better wit.”
The girl was turning radiantly to her cavalier, when there came the sound of quick breathing at the door; and there stood Darda, her hand to her panting side, her face set in an expression of bitter resentment.
“Her!” she gasped65, pointing at Miss Royston—“her, to plead for him and take the credit, to feed her beastly vanity withal? She shan’t—I’ll tear her wi’ my nails first.”
Tuke stood at watch.
“Release the man, if you will, Miss Royston,” he said. “Your brother will conduct and assist you. I must stay and look after this pretty member of my household.”
As he spoke, the mad creature sprung forwards; but he was quick and caught her in his arms, where she writhed66, screaming.
“Make haste,” he said—“and is it not an enviable rôle to be a keeper of wild beasts?”
Sir David hurried his sister from the room. She threw her knight a very grateful rose of gratitude67 over her shoulder as she went.
As they passed out, Tuke tightened68 his grip, almost cruelly, on the struggling girl. Suddenly she fell passive in his hands. He looked down, and she up at him, her face running with tears.
“Will you give me your word not to stir from here till I bid you?”
“Yes,” she answered, faint and pathetic.
“And not to touch the lady when she returns?”
“Yes.”
All in a moment she sank down at his feet, crying as if her heart were broken.
“He will see an angel in her,” she moaned; “and will love her for releasing him.”
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1
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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2
glowering
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| v.怒视( glower的现在分词 ) | |
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3
ruffled
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| adj. 有褶饰边的, 起皱的 动词ruffle的过去式和过去分词 | |
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4
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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incarceration
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| n.监禁，禁闭；钳闭 | |
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gaol
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| n.(jail)监狱；(不加冠词)监禁；vt.使…坐牢 | |
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7
gnawing
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| a.痛苦的，折磨人的 | |
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8
robin
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| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
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9
hopping
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| n. 跳跃 动词hop的现在分词形式 | |
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10
bided
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| v.等待，停留( bide的过去式 )；居住；等待；面临 | |
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11
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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12
impartiality
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| n. 公平, 无私, 不偏 | |
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13
pro
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| n.赞成，赞成的意见，赞成者 | |
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14
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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15
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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16
undoing
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| n.毁灭的原因，祸根；破坏，毁灭 | |
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17
condemning
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| v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的现在分词 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地 | |
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18
scrawled
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| 乱涂，潦草地写( scrawl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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19
hieroglyphics
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| n.pl.象形文字 | |
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20
huddled
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| 挤在一起（huddle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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21
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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22
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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23
tremor
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| n.震动，颤动，战栗，兴奋，地震 | |
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24
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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25
rogue
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| n.流氓；v.游手好闲 | |
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26
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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27
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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28
interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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29
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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30
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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31
haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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32
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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33
crimsoned
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| 变为深红色（crimson的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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34
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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35
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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36
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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37
wrings
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| 绞( wring的第三人称单数 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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38
waiving
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| v.宣布放弃( waive的现在分词 )；搁置；推迟；放弃（权利、要求等） | |
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39
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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40
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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41
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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42
constables
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| n.警察( constable的名词复数 ) | |
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43
draughts
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| n. <英>国际跳棋 | |
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44
vilely
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| adv.讨厌地，卑劣地 | |
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45
inhumanly
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| adv.无人情味地，残忍地 | |
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46
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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47
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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48
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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49
anguished
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| adj.极其痛苦的v.使极度痛苦(anguish的过去式) | |
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50
gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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51
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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52
chidingly
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| Chidingly | |
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53
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
prettily
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| adv.优美地；可爱地 | |
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55
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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56
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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57
imprisoned
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| 下狱，监禁( imprison的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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58
dungeon
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| n.地牢，土牢 | |
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59
bruise
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| n.青肿，挫伤；伤痕；vt.打青；挫伤 | |
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60
pricks
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| 刺痛( prick的名词复数 )； 刺孔； 刺痕； 植物的刺 | |
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61
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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62
conspired
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| 密谋( conspire的过去式和过去分词 )； 搞阴谋； （事件等）巧合； 共同导致 | |
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63
custody
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| n.监护，照看，羁押，拘留 | |
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64
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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65
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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66
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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67
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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68
tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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69
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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70
sob
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| n.空间轨道的轰炸机；呜咽，哭泣 | |
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