i 024767349a4cae9a (31 page)

she disd,

he as1't

her, , John!"!

Joh iag rapidly and her wordsI

eyl li said" omeone is maligning us.

B hesitan me and * * * and I can't bear x."...I

wer6 still was th"...1

you tms t ...I P *

to

t ltter", on... on the desk."'bar

, in te il to see standing onlyf

asfl" the door and. his voice like H6 feet at him "'t you dare go inI a h D me? ont you dare go in

thu man! with y0" in a minute.'I m! I'l1 sw the letter lying open on thej that e stildy" iiediately he saw that it was bar

In , des arlu li s the one to Doctor Corn-be

bytie

wn where he had left him. His

as s , the mouth set in a ght linebbI s dedly face bar

ris time John passed by him without a word, jpgain banged the door behind him. w he was sitting with his arm around Helen's ""iders while he held the letter in his hand and

It should be brought to your notice that you re ruining the career of a certain doctor in this *bar bar "wn.

His constant visits to you are causing a (candal and his partner is greatly troubled by l bar B"...ence effect on the practice of this man's behavour. It would be well for all concerned, madam, yfyou broke off the association with this person, ybr your name is being bandied about like that of a light woman. I speak only through concern fSm your welfare.

bar bar Signed, A well-wisher.

H'My God!"

jj 'Who would do this, John? We have done nothing disong, yet I feel so guilty. All the time I feel guilty.

5 talk to Leonard, and he tells me everything's all

. as it should be. But I can't believe it. Oh, John, o lost, and I seem to have gone all to pieces I came back. But your career and..."

"Damn! my career. And this letter means nothing; Hoctor Comwallis received a similar one this mom-bar bar +, obviously from the same man."

j1 "You... you know who?"'

I "Yes, I know who; and it's going to end,"

a state-

bar less-than ent which obviously affected Helen further, and

He almost bounced round on the man, saying, "I know whom her ladyship is expecting and whom she isn't."

He was about to open the drawing-room door when Helen came out of the study at the end of the orridor.

He stood aside and waited until she had entered the drawing-room. She gave him no greeting but he could see that she was upset. After closing the door none too gently, he hurried towards where she was sitting on the couch and, taking a seat beside her, he asked, "What is it, Helen? What is it, my dear?"'

"Oh, John! Oh, John!"

Her eyelids were blinking rapidly and her words were hesitant as she said, "Someone is maligning us.

At least, you through me, and... and I can't bear it."

"How d'you know this?"'

"The ltter."

"What letter?"'

"It's in the study, on... on the desk."

He wasn't surprised to see Johnson standing only a few feet away from the door and, his voice like thunder, he barked at him, "Don't you dare go in there, man! D'you hear me? Don't you dare go in that room! I'll deal with you in a minute.

In the study, he saw the letter lying open on this writing desk and immediately he saw that it was written by the same hand as the one to Doctor Cornwallis.

Johnson was standing where he had left him. His face was deadly white, the mouth set in a tight line;

d this time John passed by him without a word, lit again banged the door behind him. Now he was sitting with his arm around Helen's loulders while he held the letter in his hand and

Madam,

It should be brought to your notice that you are ruining the career of a certain doctor in this town. His constant visits to you are causing a scandal and his partner is greatly troubled by the effect on the practice of this man's behaviour. It would be well for all concerned, madam, if you broke off the association with this person, for your name is being bandied about like that of a light woman. I speak only through concern for your welfare.

Signed, A well-wisher.

J'My God!" "Who would do this, John?

We have done nothing

'wrong, yet I feel so guilty. All the time I feel guilty. talk to Leonard, and he tells me everything's all right, as it should be. But I can't believe it. Oh, John, bar bar disrm so lost, and I seem to have gone all to pieces l.since I came back. But your career and..."

Damn! my career. And this letter means nothing; I Doctor Comwallis received a similar one this mom-II ing, obviously from the same man." t

'allyou...y know who?"'

"Yes, I know who; and it's going to end," a states ment which obviously affected Helen further, and t

i .

her hands went to her throat as she pleaded, "It won't stop you coming, John, will it?"'

"Why ask such a thing! Nothing or no-one will ever stop me being near you."

"We've done nothing wrong. Nothing. Leonard told me what I must do, before he died. But I wouldn't listen, I couldn't listen... John!

John!" His name was erupting from her mouth like an actual wail: it was high, penetrating, as if wrenched through agony. And her face was awash, the tears spurting from her eyes and down her nose, the saliva running from her mouth. He put his arms tightly about her and held her closely, saying, "Cry! That's it, cry, my dear. Cry, my love."

He had been unaware of the door opening, but he was aware of the voice saying, "How dare you! sir.

You've upset madam."

He was almost choking himself as he turned and screamed at the man, "Get out! before I" comhe almost said,

"kill you". And the man backed away, pushing past the two maids now standing at the open door; and John yelled at them: "Hannah! Bring your mistress's smelling salts; and Betty, fetch me my bag from the trap."

A few minutes later, after he had wafted the smelling salts under Helen's nose and had made her swal low a pill, he again turned to Betty, saying quietly, Make some coffee, Betty, please. And tell Henry to go for Doctor Peters and ask him if he would be kind enough to call on her ladyship as soon as possible."

With the room to themselves, he again put his fs about Helen as she muttered, 'Who... who tod do such a thing... write those letters?"' HYOU

haven't far to look, my dear, and I think you

"list know it was Johnson."

he drew in a sharp breath before she repeated the ae, "Johnson? No, I hadn't suspected him. But gv .1 come to think of it, he's been acting strangely ly. I didn't tell you..."

jallyou have no need to, my dear; and don't talk." l bar She took a handkerchief from her cuff and wiped Jr eyes, muttering, 'His... his wages are due." lHow do you pay him, halfyearly?"' fationo, by the month." llHow much?"' lA pound a week."

A pound a week, indeed! and all found. He's ea in clover. But the fact that he's paid monthly j bar ses matters. Pay him his month's salary and an beJggded month in lieu of notice."

Jjl 'I...I can't bear to see him now."

1 "Well, you have no need; I'll see to him.

Have aa any loose money lying around?"'

- here's some in the bureau drawer in the study. he key-" she gulped and had to bring herself forgard on the couch before she could finish, 'It's in yay handbag."

II "Now lie back and don't distress yourself. Where f your handbag?"' bar bar "In the bedroom."

I "I'll get Betty to fetch it after she's brought in the bar bar ofree." It was when, later, he had taken the key from

Helen's handbag that John noticed Johnson still standing in the hall. He passed by the man without a glance and made for the study.

But he had no sooner disappeared than Johnson rushed into the drawing-room and to Helen who on sight of him, pressed herself tightly back into the comer of the couch. Bending over her, he said "Madam, you must listen to me. The master... the master left you in my keeping. Yes, yes, he did: he told me what I had to do, and to look after yo and..."

As if being imbued with sudden strength, Helen thrust out her hands and pushed him back from her. And now she cried at him, "He... he did nothing of the kind. You... you forget yourself. You were the servant to him and... and you have been to me, nothing more. Please!

Please get out! Get out!"

"Madam, you must listen to me. That man will bring you nothing but trouble. I am here to protect you and look after you and..."

He was able only to turn half around before he felt himself gripped by the back of the collar and thrust with such force against the sofa table that it toppled over and the coffee tray with it. The sound smothered Helen's scream but not those of the two maids and the cook, who were crowding the doorway. And when John's fist went out and caught the man on the side of the head, and Johnson made to retaliate Cook rushed forward and thrust her sturdy body at Johnson, crying, "Don't you dare, mister!"

"It's all right Cook! It's all right. Get ot of his way."

The Obsession

Jlohn could see that the man was s no fear Ilim, in fact, that his pose was defi' e ad to W in two long deep breaths before ti could Are's your money," he said as he t a amleather bag towards him, and whnit Pped at feet, Johnson did not immediately P to P go), and John went on, There's a i01" g S a month in ieu of notice. Now g your t111 ether and get out of this house an6 0' dare w your face here again. Bu ths 11 tel1 y0' i'll likely have to show yourself in court, because lat's where the poison-pen writers find themselves." bar He now called to Hannah, Go andfeteh the men j please." Then addressing Johnson' he said' U give you exactly ten minutes to your thm ether. Ten minutes," and he poio towards the

It was some seconds before Johnso nd eked up the bag of money, the 1 at hn; then, without any change in I defiant de bar lsanour, he strode from the room- was John nself feeling dazed.

iCok and Betty were clearing upt debris as he id to Helen, Come aong. Comeogglt of this and o the study, and silently she obey1 him; but he d hardly got her settled when, a a ta on the or, Hannah entered, saying, 'TheInen are here bar octor," and he said to Helen, "Lie less-than Plus-or-more. and relax"

. wil be all over in a few minut

@. In the hall stood two of the outdo1 men

Facing

eni, he said, I'll... I'll tell you i10111 why

*

I've sent for you," and of Hannah he asked,

'Where's his room? He's had his ten minutes."

But almost as he finished speaking, Johnson emerged through a far door carrying a large case and a smal valise. He was wearing a grey suit and an overcoat, and his hat was already on his head. He was once again the butler and, using his imperious tone, he addressed Arthur Bell and said, "I'll need transport to get me into town, Bell."

"Shut up and get out!" John said grimly, here's a horse-bus passing the gates at two o'clock. It'll give you time to cool your heels."

And now he turned to the men, saying, 'This man is not to be allowed anywhere near this house or grounds again on any pretext whatever. And should he, in any way, attempt to see the mitress, I instruct you to call the police straightaway. In any case, I myself will shortly be in touch with them on my own account, because this individual is the author of poison-pen letters defaming my character."

Johnson had picked up his cases and when he reached the door he swung round, saying, I can have you up for tat. You've got to prove it."

'Oh, I can prove it all right, and I won't even have to go to a handwriting expert"

At the bottom of the shallow steps Johnson turned one last furious look on John and his words sounded ominous as he growled slowly, "In any case, you'll never win... never."

John stood taut, watching Johnson walking down the drive, and he repeated the man's ominous words, "You 'II never win... never," and alhough he admitted

liimself they could be true, he had to wonder what @t man hoped to get out of the situation he had ted.

Yet why did he ask? A lone widow had come to y on him to the extent of leaving her home in his pe; and he fancied he had made himself indispense to her and so she, naturally and with subtle manBvring on his part, would tu to him. It had hapned before: people had been put beyond the pale their class by marrying servants.

he nerve of the fellow. No wonder he had seen nself as the main object standing in his way.

Henry's voice came to him, saying, "Dont worry, ctor; we'll see to him. And it will be a pleasure." As John was about to make his way to the study, ok came out of the drawing-room, and he said to *, "A pot of strong tea would be very acceptable is moment Cook," and when she replied,

"You'll e it in a minute Doctor," he added, "And tell the Is to get the mistress's bed ready. That's where "dis should be."

'allyes; yes, I agree with you Doctor, after all this comd'you-do, she's bound to be in a state."

contion the study, Helen was stll lying, almost crouchin the leather chair. There was no colour in her e and, taking a seat beside her, he took her hand, ing, "It's all over now. He's gone. You won't be ibied any more. I've had a word with the staff." She now looked at him and said,

"I...I realise I've n a little afraid of him for some time. When he de a statement that we should stop ordering this hat I.. .1 felt, well, what does it matter? he's looking after things, even though I knew there was something not right and that the staff was unhappy. But I was so wrapped up in my own misery and guilt and..."

He now pressed his hand against her cheek, saying,

"Listen to me, Helen. Forget about that word...misery yes, but no guilt. You've nothing to feel guilty about. Although at the same time, I understand how you feel, because I'm in the same boat, as you know. You understand that, don't you, dear?"'

She looked at him intently for a moment before she said, "Yes, John. But... but that hasn't helped; it has only added to the feeling."

"Now listen to me, Helen. Leonard knew this would happen; at least, he knew how I felt about you. I'm sure of that. As for your feelings for him, he was sure of your love. Oh yes, absolutely sure of your love for him. But he also knew the effect his loss would have on you, not only the loneliness.. disb the aloneness, the feeling that you could never love again, that you mustn't love again. He knew all that. We talked very intimately at times, and he did actually put it into words that I should be near you, take care of you, even if it was just as a friend.