Three men and a maid

ThreeMenandaMaid
ByRobertFraser
(LouisTracy&M.P.Shiel)
Toronto
McLeod&Allen
Publishers
1907
COPYRIGHT,1907BYEDWARDJ.CLODE
EnteredatStationers’Hall
ThePlimptonPressNorwoodMass.U.S.A.
CONTENTS
ITHETROUBLINGOFTHEWATERS
IITHEPERILOFIT
IIIANIGHTOFEVIL
IVTHEUPSHOT
VDAGGERSDRAWN
VITHEDEWARRENNESIGNET-RING
VIIOVERTHEBODY
VIIITHELADYOFTHEMANOR
IXINSPECTORWEBSTER


X“IFONLYHEWEREHERE”
XISOMEPICTURE-TAKING
XIIHOWALLROADSLEDTOTHETOWER
XIIITHEUNFORESEEN
XIVWHEREINMARJORIEACTSONIMPULSE
XVADAYOFSURPRISES
XVIWHEREINMARJORIERETURNSTOHUDSTON
XVIIMR.WEBSTERCONSTRUCTSAPLAY

XVIIIHANNAHSEEKSADVICE
XIXINCOURT
XXSHOWINGHOWROBERTCOURTHOPEDIED
ThreeMenandaMaid


CHAPTERI
THETROUBLINGOFTHEWATERS
“AFTERyourexperienceofthepompandglitteroflifeintheouterworld,I
wonderthatyoushouldbecontenttocomebacktoHudston,”saidPhilip
Warren.
“AfteryourexperienceofthehumdrumlifeofHudston,Iamequallysurprised
thatyoushouldbecontenttoremaininit,”retortedMarjorieNeyland.
“Butyouareawoman,towhom,beingawoman,fashionandsocietyarebreath
andheart’sblood.Youare,tosaytheleast,outofplacehere,andinaninn.”
“Andyou,ifyouwerehalfthemanyoulook,wouldrefusetopassthegreatdays
ofyouthporingovermustyvolumes,atavicarage.”
“Idonothingofthesort.Onehasunoccupiedhours,ofcourse,whichcertainof
myacquaintancesemploymorerobustly,butthereisnomaninHudstonwho
pursuessportwithgreaterzestthanmyself.DoyoubelieveIshouldbemasterof
theUreValleyOtterHoundsifIwerethemerebook-wormyouthinkme?”
“Isee,”saidMarjorie,pretendingtobemuchimpressed.“Howstupidofme!”
“Butwhy‘stupid’?Thatwordsurelydoesnotapply,sinceyouhavenotlived
longenoughinHudston.”
“Sorry,”shecried,droppinghereyes.“Imadethemistakeofimaginingthat
advicesuitableforthegoosemightbereasonablygoodforthegander.”
PhilipWarrenlaughed.Hecaughthisprettycompanionbythehandtohelpher
overastilewhichhehadvaultedlightly.
“Afairhit,Marjorie,”headmitted.“Butdon’tletusquarrel.Thatisarusticform
offlirtation,anunpardonablething.”

Hedidnotnoticethequicksmilewhichlitthegirl’sface.Itwasonthetipofher
tonguetooffersomecomment,butsheforbore,andpressedupthepathwhich


rosesteeplyinfrontinsilenceforafewmoments.Thoughshehadnotknown
PhilipWarrenmanydays,andhischaracterwassomewhatofasealedbookto
her,abookrarelyilluminatedandcouchedinascriptatoncescholarlyand
elegant,shehadanintuitivelyaccurateglimpseofitsnature.Hewasnotasother
men.Hisveryappearanceheldinitacomplexsuggestionofthestudyandthe
veldt.Intenyears’time,ifunmarried,thisstalwartyouthmightbeeithera
recluse,engagedincollectingfirsteditions,oraleaderofsomedesperate
enterpriseofcommerceorempireinalandasyetunknown.
Marjoriesighed,andnotbecauseofthestressofthehill.Infact,thethought
occurredtoherthatPhilipWarrenoughttochooseacareerbeforehechosea
wife.Whenshespokeagain,shebroachedalesspersonaltopic.
“YouhavenotyettoldmewhywearegoingtoFennell’sTower,”shesaid,
glancingatasquat,graystonetowerwhichcrownedthelowhillahundredyards
away.
“No;howcouldonethinkofantiquitywhenonesawsuchadaintymaid
approaching?IdeemedyoutheSpiritoftheHeather.Itseemedtomethatthe
graciousmoorlandhadsuddenlytransmuteditsradiantcharmintotheformofa
girlinatweeddressandaTarno’Shanter.Isupposeyourartistictrainingis
responsibleforthattouchofvividcolor?ItremindsmeofTurner’sbasketof
orangesonaThamesbarge.”
“Well,Ilikethat!”criedshe,purposelymisunderstandinghim,thoughthelight
whichleapedtohereyeswhenshebentherheadshowedthatherownwords
werenotwithoutadoublesignificance.
“Ispokefirstoftheindividual,thenofthetrick,”hesaidseverely.“Youare
frivolousto-day,mylady.”
“Iprayyourpardon,mylord.Butyouaretoblame.Iaskedyou,inallgravity,

whowasFennell,andwhydidhehaveatower?”
“Fennellwasamereaccident,amisanthropicbumpkinwholivedthereforyears,
andthusachievedtheimmortalityoftheOrdnanceMap.Thetower,more
correctlyknownasabroch,wasbuiltbytheRomans,or,atanyrate,thepresent
structuremarksthesiteofafortifiedcampontheoldRomanroadfromDunsley
toYork.Itsmorerecentpurposewastohousethewatchmenwhogavewarning
ofaborderforaytothedale-dwellers.Itspresentusewillbetoserveasacenter


whenceIcanlectureyouontheantiquitiesoftheValeofUre.”
ThoughMarjorie,strangetosay,wasinterested,lecturesofthatsortareapttobe
dulltootherpeople.Somoremaybelearntofthelivesandfortunesofthose
whoweredestinedtoplayleadingpartsinthestrangedramawhichtheremote
YorkshirevillageofHudstonwasthenpreparingforthestageofreality,ifheed
bepaidtoanotherconversationheldonthatsamemoorafewdayslater.
Amanandawomanwerestandingnearaclumpofsomberfirsontheotherside
ofthevalleytothatcommandedbyFennelTsTower.Themanhadtheairand
semblanceofanaristocrat;thewomanwasacuriouslycountrifiedandcoarsened
copyofMarjorieNeyland.Shewas,infact,hereldersister,and,insharp
contrastwithMarjorie’shabitualgood-humor,HannahNeylandwasinabad
temper,whichshedidnotscrupletoexpresseitherinwordormanner.Andthe
talkwasofhersister,too.
“Shehasonlycomeheretoupsetthewholeplace,”saidshe,viciouslystabbinga
holeintheturfwithherumbrella-tip.“Shemighthavestayedwhereshewasin
London,studyingher‘Art,’andnotbeenmissed,I’msure!Butfromthedayshe
putherfootbackinHudston,everybodyseemstohavetakenleaveoftheir
senses….”
“DidyoueverhappentohearofacertainHelenofTroy?”askedJames
Courthope,fingeringtheendofhisblondebeard.
“I’veheardthename,Ithink,”answeredthefrowningHannah.“Whowasshe?”

“Ayoungladywithaclassicnose,Hannah,andnodoubtanaughtylittlefirein
thecornerofhereye;andbecauseofthese,acitywassacked,andmanysoulsof
heroesweresentdowntoyouknowwhere.Itisn’tanunusualthing.Butwe
don’twantitgoingonatHudstonontheYorkshiremoors,dowe?Whythe
deucecouldn’tyourauntleaveMissMarjorietopursueherbrightcareerinthe
wildsofBayswater,withoutbringingherhereuponusallinthisway?”
“Well,Marjorieismysister,”poutedHannah,readytoquarrelonanypretext.“I
don’twanttosayanythingagainsther,seeingthatI’mfiveyearsolderthanshe
—”
“Howmanyyears?”askedJamesCourthope,bendingtowardsherwithasmile.


“Fiveorsix,”saidHannah.“Somethinglikethat;sheisjusttwenty-one.”
“Ah,Ithoughtitcouldn’tbeeight,”purredtheman.“Yetyourmothertoldme
eight.”
“Motherdid…?Motherhasfartoomuchtosay,ifyouaskme!Butthat’s
neitherherenorthere.IonlymeantthatIamMarjorie’ssister,anddon’twantto
goagainsther,thoughshe’dputmischiefintoasaintwithherairsandgraces.
I’mnotabadsort.IcallanybodytowitnessthatIwasgladtoseeherwhenshe
arrived,thoughIhadn’tseenherforsolongthatIcouldhardlybeexpectedto
havequiteasister’sfeelings;butIwaspreparedtomakethebestofmyfine
lady,tillIfoundoutthattheGreyhoundHotelisn’tgoodenoughforher.Andher
sisterisn’tgoodenough,herfatherandmother,andevenAuntMargaret,who’s
doneallforher,arenoequalsofhers.Lookhere!butIwon’tsayanymore.”
“Youwillpresently,”saidCourthope,withhissoftvoiceandirritatingsmile.
“ThatisoneofthereasonswhyIadmireyou,Hannah,becauseyoudosay
things.”
“Admireme,isit?”wastheretort.“Thatiswhatyoutellme,butpeopleare
sayingnowthatitisn’tonlytheothertwowhoarecrazyinlovewithMarjorie,
butyouaswell.ItisallthetalkinthevillagethatonWednesday,whenshewent

outforherearlymorningwalk,youfollowedherhalfamiledownHewersfield
Laneandoverthemoor,forMikeMalcolmsawyou,andkeptaneyeonyou,
andnoweverybodyissaying—”
“Youarenottobelieveanysuchnonsense,Hannah,”hercompanionbrokein
withasuddensharpness.“Youknowthatitisacaseofyoufirstwithme.Why,
youarequiteasniceasMarjorie,inyourway!Iamsurethelittleparcelmust
envythatfinefigureofyours,andthoughyoumaybetwoorthreeyearsthe
elder,takeyoufeaturebyfeature,andyouareherimageyoudark,ofcourse,and
shefairbutthesamefineprofile,thesamesweetmouth,showingallthepretty
teethwhenyoulaugh,thesamedimpledchin—”
“Harkatthis!”laughedHannah,thoughpleasedenoughfortheinstant,“he
wantstomakeoutnowthatIamabeautylikeMarjorie.Isthatit?”
“Featureforfeature,”saidCourthope;“ofcourse,yoursisterisexceedingly
elegant—”


“Isshe?Can’tseeitmyself,”murmuredHannah.
“Well,abitstylishcertainlyfromthemalepointofview,aseitherPhilipWarren
ormygoodcousinRobertwouldtellyou;but,formytaste,givemethedark
type!Hannahisthegirlformymoney.”
“Oh,asforyou,”saidHannah,“oneneverknowswhetheryouaremocking,or
inearnest.”
“WaituntilIamSquireCourthope,andseewhetherHannah,theinnkeeper’s
daughter,doesnotbecomeagreatlady.”
“Soyousaynow,andwhenwillthatbe?TheSquiremustbefourorfiveyears
youngerthanyoutheysayhe’sonlyjustthirtyandthere’snoreasonwhyhe
shoulddiebeforeyou.Besides,he’ssuretogetmarried,aspeopledoIdon’tsay
toMarjorie,forthatwouldbefar-fetched;andthentherewouldbeanheir—”
“Ifhedoesn’tmarryMarjorieNeyland,henevermarries,”saidtheman,turning
tolookattheturretsofamansiononadistantslope.

“Butwhynot?”
“Lackoftime,Hannah;theregistrarofdeaths,youknow.Menlikemyown
Robertaregrowthsmarkedtobecutdownnextyear.Oftheirallottedspanthey
liveayearinamonth,andthere’snothingslowabouttheirlifeexcepttheknells
atitsend.Themusclesoftheheart,youknowsoft,softasthatchiffonround
yourneck.Robertlookslikeastud-bull,eh?Butthemanishollowatthecore
notworththat.There’sadestiny,Hannah,thatcastsanevileyeuponsomemen,
andbringsthingsabout.”
“Well,nodoubthedoesgetthroughsomedrinkinthecourseoftheday.”
“Notforgettingthecourseofthenight;andifyouaddthefactthatnootherman
inYorkshireeverdreamsofrunningsuchscatter-brainrisks,youwillhave
discoveredsomefairlygoodreasonswhymyRobertwillneverhaveanyheir
butme,unlesshehappenstomarryMarjorienow.”
“Oh,asforthat,”criedHannah,vehemently,“don’ttalkofsuchathing.Why,all
Yorkshirewouldn’tholdher!Shewouldbewantingtomakemeher
scullerymaid!Itwouldbegood,that!—”


“Yetyoumustunderstand,Hannah,”saidJamesCourthopewithachilling
emphasis,“thatthisthingisgoingtobeunless,perhaps,Marjorierejectshim.”
“She!RejectSquireCourthope!—”
“Thatismyonlychance.Shemayrejecthim,forsheseemstometobeinlove
withPhilipWarren.”
“Thecheekofher,tothinkofagentlemanlikeMr.Warren!”mutteredHannah.
“Ifit’snotoneit’stheother.Anyway,she’dneverdreamofrefusingtheSquire.
Itwouldbemorethanherplaceisworth,fortheGreyhoundwouldbecometoo
hotforherwhenfatherandmotherandAuntMargaretheardsuchathing.But
then,that’salltalk.TheSquireisonlyhavingagamewithher,Isuppose?”
“Thatisexactlywhyyouareheretomeetmethisafternoon,Hannah,”camethe
measuredwords,“inordertolearnthatverytilingRobertisnot‘havingagame

‘withMarjorie.Robertmeansbusiness;and,ifyouarerightinsayingthat
Marjoriedaresnotrefusehim,thenthismarriageisgoingtotakeplace,unless
wetwocansomehowpreventit.”
Thewoman’shandsomeifvixenishfacetookonquitealookofscareatthis
prospectofseeinghersisterqueeningitatEdenhurstCourt.
“Mygoodness!”shecried,“tothinkthatafewLondonairsandgracesshould
makesuchadifferencetoagirl’slife!ButIcan’tbelieveit!Howdoyouknow
thattheSquirereallywantsher?”
“Ihavebeencertainofitfortwodays,”answeredCourthope.“Hisfirst
intention,ofcourse,wasmerelyapastime.RobertmeanttochuckMarjorie
underthechin,andkissher,robustiously,but,inattemptingit,heexperiencedan
electricshock.SisterMarjorieknowshowtodothesethings,apparently.She
waxedtallinhertinyshoes,and,foronceinhislife,Mr.Robertwasawed.The
greatbabyhasgivenmethewholehistoryofit.Ittookplaceonthelittlepath
betweenthevicarageshrubberyandtheGreyhoundorchardthreeweeksagolast
Thursday,andhesaysthatshelookedlikeorderinghimtohavehishead
removed.Butitwashisheart,ofcourse,thatthefoollost,thenandthereor
ratherthenextdaywhenhemethergoinghomefromorgan-practiceatthe
church,andshesmiled,andgavehim‘thelittleglovedhand/andgraciously
promisedtobefriendsduringhisgoodbehavior.Oh,she’sadangerousspecies
offairy,beyondadoubt.Shebewitchedhimthenandthere;andnowheswears


thathe’llwedher.BrandyandMarjoriethosetwonowmakehisheaven,and
youmightaswellreasonwiththatpalemoon.Theyhavemetonlythreetimes
since,butthosemeetingshavesettledhim.Besides,hehasheardherplayingthe
organwithWarren,andseenherattennisatDr.Marston’s.Theman’smadofit.
Hecametomeinthebilliard-roomnearoneo’clockthismorning,redasthose
honeysuckleberries,leeringlikeasatyr,andhepoureditallouttome;‘Jimmy,’
hesays,‘I’llmarryher!I’vegotitallplannedouthereinmynoddle,andwho

liveswillsee.Shemaykickupherheels,andshemaystickitonasmuchasshe
likes,butwedherIwill;she’stheonethingunderthesunthatcankeepmefrom
thedrinknow,andifIdon’tgether,thedrinkwillgetme,Jimmy,thedrink’ll
getme.’‘Mygoodfellow,’Isaidtohim,‘youaretoooldtobuildcastlesinthe
air.Thedrinkhascollaredyoualready,andyoudoverywellwithit.’‘No,
Jimmy,’hesaid,withhishandonmyshoulder,‘thedrinkisbad,thedrinkisthe
devilletuslookatfactsintheirtruelight.Amanshouldbeagentleman;aman
shouldgointhegoodoldway,andbeabletostandfoursquaretohislife.And
Marjorieisstrongerthanwine,Jimmy.Thedaysheputsherlittlehandinto
mine,andsayssheisminefortherestofthetrip,you’llseeR.C.achanged
man;andthatwillbewithinthreedaysfromnow,assureasI’malivingman.’
SoyoumayexpectavisitattheGreyhoundtomorrow,Hannah,ifnotto-night,
andthingsaredrivingfasttoahead.Canyoubeartoseeit?”
“Ican’t,”whisperedHannah,almostintears,“foritisn’tfair.Onemightsaythat
I’dbeproudtoseemysisterlady-of-themanor,butwhyhasshecomebackto
Hudston?”
“You’dbeproudertobetheladyofthemanoryourself,Hannah.Andthatis
yourprizeifwetwosucceedinquashingthismadnessofRobert’s.Itmustn’tbe!
Ifmywitscrack,ifIhavetotakesevendevilsintocouncil,I’llhituponaplanto
stopit.Areyouinwithme?Arewetogetherthroughthickandthin?”
Hannahglancedroundthroughthegatheringgloaming,forthesunhadnowset,
andshepaledalittle,butmurmuredtheword“yes,”withherheadbent.
Courthope,then,makingastepnearer,slippedhisarmaroundherwaist,upon
whichshesuddenlythrewupherface,andreturnedhiskisswithpassion.
“Soit’sthetwoofus,girl?”hesaid.
Againshewhispereda“yes”fulloffear.


“Youarenotabadlittlelot,”hesaid,bywayofrallyingherbacktomore
confidentmood.

“Youdolovemeabit?”sheasked.
Hegaveherareassuringhug.
“You’dmuchratherhavemethanMarjorie?”
“Howcanyouputthatquestiontome?”
“IfeverIfindyouhankeringafterMarjorie,Ishallhateyou,hateyou,hateyou!
—”
“Come,come!Pullyourselftogether.ItisyouandIagainsttheworld,Itellyou.
Ourwaywon’tbeaverystraightone,perhaps,butsometimesonehastogo
crooked.Youwon’tmindthat?”
“Notwithyou,forIloveyou,James.”
“Agreed,then.Whatdoyouproposetodo?”
“Idon’tknow.Ileaveittoyou.Iknowtoowellthatifyoumakeupyourmind
youwillhaveyourway,foryouareoneofthose.ThefirsttimeIsawyouinthe
CommercialRoom,sittingatthetablewithanewspaper,fouryearsgone,Isaid
insidemyself,‘There’saman.’Fromthatminuteyoucouldhavetoldmetodo
anything,andIwouldhavegoneanddoneit.”
“Isthatso?”askedCourthope,smiling.“Whowouldhaveguessedsucha
turmoilwasgoingoninsidethefemalemechanism!Butnow,youunderstand,
Hannahactionistheword!Yousee,ofcourse,thesalientfactofthesituationin
ourfavor.MarjorieandPhilipWarrenareinlove;wemustgetthemmarriedina
hurry.”
“MarjorieandMr.Warren?”criedHannah,unabletoshakeoffherspite.“Who
isMarjorie,tobemarryingagentlemanlikeMr.PhilipWarren?”
“Bequiet,Hannah,”saidCourthope,moreroughlythanhehadyetspoken.“Let
metellyou,mygirl,thatyouareinastateofmorbidjealousyofyoursister,and
thatthisjealousymaychancetospoileverything.Womenarelikethat;theyare


blindtotheobvious.ButIdesiretoinstilintomyHannahtherationalityofa
man’smind.Sentimenthasnothingtodowiththismatter.IsaythatWarrenand

Marjorieshouldmarryinahurry—”
“Iheardyou,quiteplainly,”brokeinHannah,withdrawingherselfalittle.“How
cansuchathingbebroughtabout?Why,Mr.IsambardwouldturnMr.Warren
rightoutofthevicarage.Theysayalreadythatthevicarisn’ttoogoodfriends
withhisnephew,becauseMr.Warrenissuchadreamer,andallthat—”
“Don’ttroubleyourprettyheadwithpointsthatdon’tconcernyou,”said
Courthope.“DoyoucareapinwhetherMr.IsambardturnsWarrenoutofthe
vicarageornot?IwasabouttosaythatIthinkIseemywaytowardsbringing
aboutamarriagebetweenWarrenandMarjoriebeforeRobertcanhavetimeto
snapupMarjorie.YouknowWarren’shigh-flownnotionsof‘chivalry’and‘
honor,’andthatspeciesoffantasticality.Well,myideais,thatifWarrenand
Marjoriewereplacedinacompromisingsituation,andcaughtinit,Warren
wouldbeforcedtoofferMarjoriemarriageforthwith.”
“Mygoodness!Whatarowtherewouldbe!TheSquire,withhistemper,would
halfkillMr.Warren!”sheexclaimed.
“Thereagain,youinterruptmewithareflectionthatisquitebesidethemark,”
saidCourthope.“Wedon’treallycare,dowe,whetherRoberthalfkillsWarren
ornot,orkillsWarrenoutright.”Hepausedalittle…“Bytheway,Robert
mightn’tfindthatsoeasyajob.Haveyoueverseenthemfencetogetherwith
foils?”
“Yes,”shereplied,somewhatbreathlessly,“I’veseenthemjumpingaboutand
stabbingateachotheronthevicaragelawn!”
“Andwhichofthetwogotinthegreaternumberofhits?”
“Mr.Warrendid,Ibelieve.”
“Hegenerallydoes.IhavewatchedRobertcomeveryneartoapoplexyinsome
oftheircombats,andoneofthesetimestakemywordforitinthemidstofthe
give-and-takesmycousin’sfattyheartwillgiveonefast,lastpit-a-patandstop!
Hannah,mypet,Iamleadinguptothis:thatWarrenandRoberthavemadeita
ruletohavefencing-bouts,eitheratEdenhurstoratthevicarage,everyThursday
afternoonforsometimepasteversinceRobertthrewuphiscommissioninthe

militia,infact.LastThursdayafternoon,whenWarrenwasexpectedat
Edenhursttofence,hedidn’tcome,anddidn’tsendanyexcuse.Now,thatwas
oddforhim,he’ssuchapunctiliouschap,soIwondered,andthoughtI’dstroll
downtothechurchtosee.Butthatwasnotachoir-practiceafternoon,norwas
heattheorgan,noratthevicarage.SoInextwentroundtotheGreyhound,as
youmayremember,andtherelearnedthatyoursister,too,wasnotathome.
Evidently,bothWarrenandMarjorieweremissing.Verygood!‘Heavenbless
you,happypair,’Ithoughttomyself,tillitwassuggestedinwardlytomebythe
excellentfiendwholovesmebetter,Hannah,thanallthings,totakeastroll
downHewersfieldLaneoverthemoor.Ididso;andwhenIhadreachedthelittle
covertbeyondGhyllBeck,andhadFennell’sTowerinsight,whatdoyouthinkI
sawinthedistance?Onlytwolittlehumanheadsoverthetopofthebattlements,
andoneofthoseheadshadonaspreadoffelthatsuchasweresportedbythe
oldCavalierswhomMonsieurMeissonnierdelightedtopaint,andtheotherhead
hadonahatsuchasbloomslikeapoppy.AndIbreathedanotherprayer,and
blessedthemagain.”
“Oh,theymeetatthetower?”whisperedHannah,intheawedaccentofscandal.
“Theymeetthere,ortobeaccurate,theyhavemetatleastonce.Ofcourse,Iwas
alongwayoff,andcan’tbedeadcertain,butthosetwohatsweredoubtlessthe
hatsofPhilipWarrenandMarjorieNeyland,andofnooneelse.Now,ifthese
peoplehavemetoncethere,itcomesintomymindthattheymaymeetthere
again.Therealpointis,Hannah,thatthetowerhas,asisusualwithtowers,a
door.”
“Well?”
“Andthatdooralock,andinthatlockanoldkey—”
“Yes!”
“Andthatkeymightbeturned—”
“Oh,gracious!”whisperedHannah,“therecomessomebodyoutoftheshrubbery

it’llbealloverHudstonthatIwaswithyou.Imustrun—”
“Yes,go.I’llcomedowntotheGreyhoundlater.”
Hesprangbackundercoverofthefirs,andcommencedtowhistlealittle,and


hissallowfacewrinkledinasmileashesawHannahstoop,walkafewyards,
andstoopagain,pretendingtosearchforsomething.
“Yes,mygirl,”hesaidtohimself,“youarefindingmischief,pecksofit,far
morethanyouguess!Atanyrate,Ihaveonewillingassistant,andnowtosecure
another!IhavenotseenBennettformanydays.Thislatestvillainyshould
appealtohim,anditwillhavetheaddedadvantageofplacinghimfurtherunder
mythumb.Yes,Bennett,limbofthelawandofSatan,willcomeinusefulhere.”


CHAPTERII
THEPERILOFIT
THEGreyhoundHotelwasaquitevenerablepile,whichhadre-echoedtomany
anageofsongandchucklings,ballsandassemblies,andthebayingofmanya
hound.Itshallswerelarge,anditssquarebulkwasnotwithoutatouchof
quaintnessandgracefularchitecture,becauseofthearcadewitharcheswhich
ranalongitssouthside.Allthelocalgrouse-shooters,andscenery-hunters,and
seekersaftermoorlandair,putupthere,asamatterofcourse,fortimeandlongstandinghadmadeitapartofthecounty,likethemoors,thetrout,thegame,and
thegentry.Thereweredrowsytimesoftheyear,indeed,whentheGreyhound
onlywokeupafternightfall,intheonebarwherelocalcroniessattotipple
snugly.Butin“theseason“oldJonasNeylandjingledwithgold,sweatedwith
prosperity,and“thebusiness”went.
Thatmostactiveperiodoftheyearwaswellover,andthebrackenswereturned
brownthatdaywhenMarjorieNeylandfirstcamebackfromLondontofalllike
astonehewnwithouthandsintotheflowofthingsatHudston,troublingthe
waters.Andnow,amonthlater,ontheeveningwhentheSquiretookhisfate

intohishandsandcamedowntotheGreyhoundinhismostchosencravat,
windsofwinterwerealreadywawlingdownthemoorgorges.TheSquirewasa
manofsturdybuild,somewhatpuffedandover-red,fatinthelips,andbristlyof
mustache.Hewalkedwiththatstraddleofthelegswhichmengetwhoare
mostlya-horse-back.
HecametotheGreyhoundthatevening,abettermanthanhehadlongbeen,a
manvexedwiththeoldways,andmeeklymeaningtodobetternexttime.When
oldJonasNeylandcameoutbustlingfromhispresence,tofindandbring
Marjorietoreceivethebunchoforchids,RobertCourthope,leftalone,pacedthe
drawing-roomgrimly,collectinghisratherscatteredforcesfortheassault,
grippinghisfiststogether,tryingtothinkouthislineofargument.
But,asithappened,Marjoriewasnotinthehouse;andneitherJonasNeyland,
norhiswifeMartha,norhissisterin-law,AuntMargaret,couldfindMarjorie
anywhere.
Infact,Marjoriehadfled,havingknownfromHannahthattheSquirewouldbe


coming.OnthepreviousnightHannahhadgonelateintoMarjorie’sroom,when
theyoungerwomanwasbeforehermirroratherhair,makingreadyforbed,and
MarjoriehadsaidtoHannah,withoutglancinground:“Mygracious!This
indeedisaprodigal’sreturn!Butitisquiteexcellent,Hannah.Youhavecometo
sleepwithmeoncemore?”
“No,”saidHannah,gruffly,“I’vecometogetsomeofmyhair-curlersoutofa
drawer.”
“Tellme,sister,inwhatwayhaveIoffendedthatyousuddenlyceasetosleep
withme?”askedMarjorie,viewingherselffromdifferentanglesintheglass.
“Offence!”snappedHannah.“Whytalkofthat?ItisjustthatIdon’tlikeabedfellowasarule.”
“ButIamnotafellow,norarule,Iamamaidandanexceptionyourownlonglostsister.Justthink!—”
Hannah’slipswentalittlewhiteratthis,pressingtogetherwithsomevenom,
sinceshewasnotaptatcounteringsarcasm,andfeltanyshowofwitasan

affront.Marjorie’swords,infact,oftenhadinherearsacertaindrynessand
suggestionofdisdain.Theysounded,asitwere,outofabook,oroutofthe
mouthsofpeopleindrawing-rooms,foreignandsourtoHannah’staste.
“There’snothingofthat,”sheprotested,seekingindrawersforthepretended
hair-curlers:“Iamaccustomedtosleepacrossthepassage,andIpreferit,ifyou
don’tmind.”
“Thenwhydidyousleepwithmeatfirst?”askedMarjorie.
“Oh,atfirstIthoughtyouwouldbelonelyinaplacewhichhadgrownstrange
toyou,andasayoungeroneyouweretobeindulged,soI—”
“Decidedtokeepmegoingwithkicksthroughoutthenight,isitso?”
“IfIkickedyou,Iwon’tkickyouanymore,”wasthepromptretort.“Soyou
havethatmuchtobegladofatanyrate.”
“YetIamnotglad,Hannah,”saidMarjorie,withaglanceoverhershoulder,on
whosesnowherhairrolledingold;“Iwantustobeeversuchchums,yousee,


andakissinthemorningwillrepaymeforanightofkicks,dear,ifyouwill.
Willyou?Youmustsay‘yes.’”
“There’sno‘must’aboutit,”wasHannah’sungraciousanswer.“Iamnotoneof
thosetobegotoverbysoftwordswhenIdon’twanttodoathing;yououghtto
knowthatbythistime,Marjorie.”
“Ibegintoknow,”saidhersister,bendingasidetomanagethemassofhair,and
brushithereandthereinlongtresses,“but,”sheadded,“nicepeoplearemoreor
lesspersuadable,aren’tthey,andresponsivetotheimpulsesofaffection?”
“Oh,I’mnotnice,”answeredHannah,withastillstifferlipandbendingof
brows.“Ihatetheword.Ileavethattothelikesofyou,yousee.”
“Youarequitenicehiyourway,too,”musedMarjoriealoud,“whenyoudon’t
choosetobenasty.Andwhyshouldyoueverchoosethewayofunkindness
especiallytome,whoamfondofyou?ForyearsIhavebeenthinkingofyou,
longingthatauntwouldletmecomehome,justtoshowmyselfoffbefore

people,andseeyouproudofthethingsIhadlearnt;notagreatdeal,goodness
knows,butthingsnotwithinthekenofHudston.Iforgotthatyouwerea
woman;Ithoughtonlyofthesister.ButIwas,andam,sokeentobefriendly;no
womanwaseververyfondofme,exceptaunt—”
“Well,themenmakeupforit,yousee,”putinHannah,seizingtheopening.
“Oh,themen?Yes,theyareover-plentifulandgushing;butonecan’tliveon
honey.Breadisgood,too,don’tyouknow?Icouldaffordtobartertenmale
heartsforonesister’s,andamrefused.”
“Still,itiswelltobeyou,”saidHannah;“itmustbeaglorytoberunafterand
flattered,evenifit’sabitdangerousattimes.PeopleevensaythattheSquireis
prettygoneonyou.”
“Mr.Courthope?”
“Sotheysay.”
“Iamgladhelikesme.Ilikehim,too.”
“Ihearheswearstomarryyou.”


“Oh,heshouldn’tswearthat’snaughty.”
“YoumeantosaythatsupposingIonlysaysupposingtheSquirewastoaskyou,
you’dsay‘no,’Marjorie?”
“Ishouldtellyoulotsandlotsofmysecrets,”answeredMarjorie,withawistful
smile,“ifyouandIwererealchums,asweoughttobe.Butasyouchoosethe
otherway,Ishallsubjectyoutoinfernosofunsatisfiedcuriosity.Betterbring
yournight-dressandsleep,whileIextendtheolivebranch.”
“Oh,Iamnotachildoraservant,”criedHannah,waxingwrothatMarjorie’s
self-possession.“Youthinkafairamountofyourself,don’tyou?”
“ItistheawfulredSquirewhomakesmevain.Youwouldbevain,too,ifthe
awfulSquiresworetomarryyou.”
“Oh,don’timaginethatIamleftquiteoutinthecold!”cametheangryprotest.
“TheSquireisn’ttheonlymanintheworld.Therearethosewhopreferatall,

darkgirltowaxdolls,letmetellyou.”
“Iagreewiththem,”saidMarjorie,“I,too,preferatall,darkgirltoawaxdoll,
likepoorme;butthetall,darkgirlmustbealady.”
“Aninnkeeper’sdaughtercan’tbeareallady,soitisuselesshertrying.Sheonly
makespeoplelaughatherwhenshesticksiton,yousee.”
“Idon’tbelievethatintheleast,”answeredMarjorie.“Ibelievethatnoone
laughsiftheyseeherendeavoringtobegentle,andgracious,andrefined.Andif
theydidlaugh,itwouldnotmatter.Youjusthaveatry,Hannah,andwhoknows
whethertheredSquiremaynotyetleavemedesolateinordertoflytoyourtall,
darkarms.Atpresent,youknow,hewouldn’tdreamofsuchathing.”
“Oh,youdofancyyourself,don’tyou?”hissedHannah,grinningrancidly,“my
goodness,youdo,youdo!NotthatIamoutoftherunning,either!Notabitof
it!ThereareothersasgoodastheSquire,everybit,and,asfarasprospectsgo,
farbetterthanthatidlePhilipWarren—”
“IshouldleavepoorMr.Warren’snamealone,ifIwereyou.Heisagentleman
ofratherhighdistinction,”saidMarjorie,quietly.Thensheadded:“Letmesee,
whoaboutHudstonis‘asgoodastheSquire,everybit‘?ThereisMr.James


Courthope—”
“Well,andwhatofMr.James?”camethetartresponse.
“Ah,Ithoughttherewassomethinginthatquarter.Agirlshouldknowhowto
controlherblushes,Hannah,andnotbeamererose.Icanquitewellseeyouin
theglass,youknow.AssumingIamnotmistaken,isJamesCourthopequitethe
rightsort?”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Hannahwasbitterlyaggressivenow,readytocreateascene.
“Nothingspecially;don’tflyintoarage.Idon’tthinkIliketheman,thatisall.
Onthewhole,Imuchprefermyraging,tearingSquire.”
“Nodoubtasthefoxsaidthatthegrapesweresour!Mr.Jamesisahundred

timeshandsomerthantheSquire,asforthat;anyway,heisn’tdrinkinghimself
todeath—”
“No,butheislesssincere,lesshonestandloyal.TheSquireisagentleman.”
“Whatareyoutalkingabout?WhatcanyoupossiblyknowagainstMr.James
Courthope?”
“Nothingmuch,butIdon’twantyoutohaveanyfoolishfanciesabouttheman,
forthatcanonlyleadtotroubleforyou.Heisn’tfondofyouatleast,heisn’t
quitehonest;heisn’ttruetoyou,ifhehastoldyouanything.”
“Youhadbettermindwhatyouaresaying!”criedHannah,quitewhitewith
anger.Howdareyou!Howdoyouknowwhetherheisfondofmeornot,and
whetherheistrueornot?Whoishefondof,then?You?Theyareallfondof
you,isthatit?Lookhere,mygirl,youhadbetterhaveacarehowyougo!Ican
standalot,butIcan’tstandthat.”
“Gotobed,Hannah,”saidMarjorie,“andletmerecommendyounottoomit
yourprayers.”
“Notthatafewprayerswouldhurtyou,either!”retortedHannah,“foryouneed
them,settingyour,capatallthemenintheplace.Soit’syouthatMr.Jamesis


fondof,notme?Oh,no!Hemusthavehadsomeencouragement,Ishouldthink!
Butagirlshouldbeabitmodest,andshouldknowhowtokeepherselfto
herself,Idothink,andnotmakeherselfthetalkofthecountryside,tryingto
draweverymanthatsheseesafterher.AndasforMr.James,Ishouldn’ttrouble
mylittlehead,ifIwereyou,foryoudon’tknowwhathethinksofyou.Theyall
lookuponyouasadressed-updoll,tryingtobealady,Mr.Warrenjustlikethe
rest,butwecan’tseeourselvesasothersseeus.SoIshouldn’ttroublemyhead
aboutMr.JamesCourthope,ifIwereyou,andIshouldn’ttroubleitaboutMr.
Warreneither,forMr.IsambardwouldjustturnMr.Warrenneckandcropoutof
thevicarageifheheardawhisperofsuchathing,andthepooryoungman
hasn’tasmanypenceinhispocketasfatherhaspounds,withallhispride.

Besides,theSquirehasfixedhiseyeonyou,ashemightonatwoyear-oldthat
hetookafancytoforatime.Andit’snogoodyourputtingonanyofyourairs
withhim.He’scomingheretomorrowcertain,andyou’llhavetogiveupyour
ownprivatelittlefancies,yousee,andbuckleundertowhatyouaretoldtodo,
for—”
“That’sdone!”saidMarjorie,brightly,givingafinalpattoherhair.“Now,
Hannahgo.”Shepointedtowardsthedoor.
“Verypleased,I’msure,”thoughHannahlookedrathercowedthanpleased.
Turningatthedoor,sheadded:
“Ifyoudon’twanttomeettheSquire,theonlywaywillbetoslipoutandhide
somewhere.Thevicarageshrubberyisthenearestplace.Ishouldn’tbetrayyou,
forallI’vesaid.”Andshewasgone.
Marjoriewonderedalittleatthispartingadvice,butmadeuphermindtoact
uponit,knowingthattherewastroubleaheadwiththeSquire,tosay“no“to
whommightprovenolightmatter.Whatsheinnowaysuspectedwasthat
HannahhadthusadvisedherbecauseofJamesCourthope’sprompting,forit
wasCourthope’spolicytokeepMarjorieandtheSquirewellapartatthatcrisis
inaffairs.
AndsoitcameaboutthatwhentheSquirepresentedhimselfattheGreyhound
thenextafternoon,Marjoriewasinthethickestpartofthevicarageshrubbery,
whichadjoinedtheboundaryfenceoftheGreyhoundpaddock,andofthegood
folkinthehotelonlyHannah,whowasquietasamouse,knewwhereMarjorie


was.
RobertCourthopemeanwhilepacedandwaited,asighttosee,theredofhisface
mottledwithwhitehismoodoneminuteallfretandimpatience,andthenext
halfgladofthedelay,thathemightthinkhowtoputhiscaseinthebestwords.
Forsoyoungandmasterfulaman,hisagitationwasstrangelypatent.Hecould
notbestillamoment.Whenheputuphisfingertopassitdownhisstripofside

whisker,itdancedlikethefingerofonewhomarblespaint.Hehadthenameof
“alady’sman,”thisredSquire;butintruth,hewasonlyawoman’sman,andhe
nowpaidMarjoriethecomplimentofbeingnervous.
Moreover,herehestoodatthepartingoftheways,atajunctureserioustohim
aslifeanddeath,meaningthedecisionofallhisfuture.Rightlyorwrongly,he
hadtakenitintohisheadthatMarjoriewouldproveamatchfor“thedrink,”and
hadsheknownthesecretofallthegoodthatwasthengropingandhoping
upwardinhissoul,compassionmighthavekeptherfromflyingfromhim.
Whenthethoughtstruckhimthattheinnkeeperwaslong,andheaskedhimself
whytheoldfooldidnotcomeback,hekickedachair,ordashedabooktothe
floor;butifhefanciedthatheheardafootstephenervouslyclearedhisthroat,
castingaglanceintothemirrorathisbuttonholeorchid,andwell-groomedgetup.Andtheduskdeepenedinthedrawing-room.
Marjorie’sfather,meantime,wasasreluctanttoshowhisnosetotheSquireasto
facealion.Inastateofutmost,ifcomical,dismay,hewaseveryminutecasting
uphisarmsandeyestogether,flingingoffintoascoreofstartstoruntotellthe
SquirethatMarjoriewasout,buthaltinginthehopethatshewouldyetbe
found,sinceseveralwaiters,stable-men,andmaidswereoutseekingher.
“Wherecanshebe?”heaskedmanytimes.“Herplaceisathome,notwandering
about.Thiscomesofbeingtoomuchofthefinelady.”
“Don’ttalknonsense,Jonas,”wasthereproofofAuntMargaret,sittingprimlyin
heroakenchair.“Youalwayshitthewrongnailonthehead.Ifthegirlwasn’ta
finelady,wouldtheSquirewishtoseeheratall?Didyeeverknowhimcome
hankeringafterHannahinthisfashion?Fineladiesaremadeso;it’stheirnature
tobefine,andtheycan’tavoidit;andsomelasseswillfollowthemother’sside,
andsomewillfollowthefather’sside.”
“Tut,tut,”saidNeyland,pricklywithhasteandanxiety,“I’veheardallthat


before,andIdon’tknowasitevermendedanybrokenbones
“Oh,Jonas,don’ttakeonsowi’Margaret,”putinMartha,hiswife.

“Why,whatisitnow?”criedhe.“WhatamIsaying?Youmustberemarkably
touchy!—”
“Well,Ibetouchyinsomethings,”murmuredMartha,halftoherself,for
Marjoriewastheprideofherheart.
“Ihamtouchy,notI‘be‘touchy,”saidAuntMargaretquietly,addressingher
correctiontotheparish-poormittswhichshewasknitting.
“Lookhere,where’sthegoodofwrangling?”askedtheinnkeeper,attheendof
hispatience.“There’stheSquireyonderwaitingp’rapssmashedsomeofthe
furniturebythistime,andwhocouldblamehim?IfIcouldsaytohimthegirl’s
here,orthegirl’sthere,buttosayshe’sgoneout,nooneknowswhereto—”
“Well,it’sagentleman’splacetowaitonalady,”saidtheessentiallydownright
voiceofAuntMargaret.“Heonlythinksthemoreofherforit,andlikesherall
thebetterwhenhedoesseeher.”
“Lookhere,Meg,Iamsorrytohearyoutalkingthatstyle,”criedJonas,angrily,
“seeingthatSquireCourthopeiswaitin’forourlass,whoisonlyatradesman’s
daughter,whenallissaidanddone.Ifyoudon’tbringthatsamelasstosome
mischiefyet,it’llbenofaultofyours.Sheoughtnevertohavebeensentawayto
London,ifyouaskme,andifshewas,sheoughttohavebeenkeptwhereshe
wastofinishwhatshebegan.Asitis—”
“Well,what’stheuseofquarreling?”demandedhiswife.“Thatwon’thelpto
findher.She’snomoreaprisonerthananybodyelse,andifyou’dgonetolook
forheryourself,you’dhavefoundherbynow,Jonas;butyougenerallytrustto
otherfolkwhatyoushouldseetowithyourowneye.”
“7do?”criedtheinjuredJonas,wrathfully.“Imustsayyouareremarkably
funny!”
“Well,perhapsIbefunny!”repeatedMartha,andagain,liketherepetitionofa
mechanism,camefromtheoakenchairthemurmur:“hamfunny,notbefunny.”


Jonascastuphisarms,andtrampedabout,amuchpesteredman.Butneither

gesturesofdespairnortalkinacirclewouldbringMarjorie.
Fromaroomtotheleftcameatinklingofapiano,whereHannahwasstrivingto
teachherselfsomesmatteringofmusic,andinaroomtotherighttheSquire
smackedhislegwithhishuntingcrop,orpausedtostareatthewoodcutsofold
prize-fightsandDerbywinnersonthewalls,andpresentlywhistledviciously
throughhisteeth.AndallthetimeMarjoriewasreading“Maud”intheleafy
solitudeofthevicarageshrubbery.
Shehadbeenthereperhapshalfanhour,andwasbeginningtothinkofreturning
tothehotel,whenshewasstartledbythepartingofthebushesnear,anda
softwittedyouthnamedFelixappearedbeforeher.Whatothernamethan“Felix
“washis,perhapsnottenpeopleknew,foreveryonecalledhimsimply“Felix.”
Hewasanidiot,alankcreature,allbenttooneside,hiskneesknockedtogether,
withtumble-downshoulders,andanopenmouth.Assoonashiseyesfoundout
Marjorieinthebushes,histhicktonguegreetedherwiththewords,“Bygum,I
waslookin’forthee.”
“Forme?”
“Aye,Iheardasyoumightbehere.”
“ButnooneknowsthatIamhere.Whotoldyou?—”sheaskedingreatsurprise.
“A’dunnotknowwhotoldme.Iknowhisfeace,buthedoan’tbelonghere.He
saidImightfindyousomewherehereabouts,andIwastosayasMr.Warren
wantedteknoaifyouwillbegoingteFennelPsTowerthiseveningabootsix.”
Marjorieflushed,turnedpale,andlaughedalmostatthesamemoment.Ofall
queerthings,herewasthequeerest,thatPhilipWarrenshouldsendhersucha
messagebyword-of-mouth,unlesstheknowledgeofsomeunknownpersonthat
shewastobefoundintheshrubberywasqueererstill.
“Ireallydon’tunderstand,”shesaid.“Tellmeagain.”
Felixrepeatedhisjumbledtale,thesubstanceofwhichundoubtedlywasthatMr.
Warrenverymuchwantedtoknowiftheladywouldbegoingtothetowerthat
evening.

“WhatwasthemanlikefromwhomyouheardMr.Warren’smessage?”asked
Marjorie.
“Alittle,shortgentleman—”
“Agentlemannotavillager?”
“Noa,alittle,shortgentleman,wiv’awatch-chainan’ablackhat,and”there
Felix’spowersofdescriptionfaltered.
Marjorieputadubiousfingeronherlips.Bythistimeshewasacquaintedwith
mostpeopleintheneighborhood,butnoneofthelocalsquire-archywas
specially“littleandshort“unlessitwerelittleMr.Bennett,ofCarruthers&
Bennett,solicitors,ofWentworth.Yetitwouldhardlybehe.PhilipWarren
wouldneverentrustsuchamanwithacommunicationofthatsort.Sheassumed,
however,thatthemystery,oddasitlooked,musthavesomesimpleexplanation,
and,curioustohearit,notsuspectinganyevil,shesaidtoFelixwithsomething
ofablush:“IthappensthatIwasthinkingoftakingawalktowardthetowerthis
evening,andIhavenoespecialobjectiontoMr.PhilipWarrenknowingofit,
Butwhoistotellhim?”
“A’lltell‘im,ifyoulike,”saidFelix.
“Well,ifyoulike,”sheanswered.“Herearesomecoppersforyou,butmindyou
don’t—”
“Doan’twhat?”
“Don’ttellanyoneelse,yousee?AndyouwouldonlytellMr.Warrenhimself,
ifyoufoundhimalone,wouldn’tyou?Youhavelotsandlotsofsense,Iknow,
andherearetwomorepenniesforyou.”Shehadstoodup,andspoke
breathlessly,herunconsciousheartperhapspresagingsomeofthewrongand
evilinstoreforher.“Now,Felix,tellmewhatyouaretodo?”
“A’mtetellMr.Warren,”saidFelix,“butnoabodyelse,seein’asit’snoabody
else’saffair.”
“Oh,youhavewitenough!Ialwaysthoughtso,”laughedMarjorie;“sonowgo,
andbelucky!”whereatFelixturnedslowly,andambledawaywithhis

forwardstumbling,rickety-racketygait.


Fromtheshrubberyasteeppathledupthroughgrasslandtowardthevicarage,a
groupofbeechesatitstop;andoutfromthebeeches,asFelixdrewnear,stepped
thatsame“little,shortgentleman,”whomFelixhadattemptedtodescribe,so
thatFelix,ifheeverfeltsurprise,musthavefeltitnowatthissecondapparition
ofonewhomhehadsupposedtohavewalkedawayintothevagueworld.The
unknownwasasmall,smartlydressedperson,withastraightneck,cleanshaven,loose-mouthed,whofiveyardsofflookedlikealad,andayardoff
lookedlikeanoldman.HereallywastheNutworthsolicitor,whoforamoment
hadbeensuggestedtoMarjorie’smindbyFelix’sdescriptionofhimandhewas
notthetoolandtheslaveofJamesCourthopewithoutreason.
“Seenher,boy?”hewhispered,steppingforward.
“Aye,”saidFelix.
“Andwillshebegoingtothetower?”askedBennett,eagerly.
“Shesays,”answeredtheidiot,“thathergoin’istobeallasecretatweenher,
me,andMr.Warren;soIdursn’ttellthee.”
“Good!Now,thenextthingforyoutodoistogotoMr.Warren.Justsaytohim,
‘I’mcometoyouwithamessagefromMissMarjorieNeyland,whoasksmeto
tellyouthatshewillbeatFennell’sTowerthiseveningatsixo’clock.’Repeat
thosewordstome.”
Felix,withaheadcompletelymuddledastowhatwaswhatandwhowaswhoin
thismatter,attemptedtherepetition,brokedowninthemidst,andwastwice
moreputthroughit.
“Butyoumustn’tsaythatyousawme,youknow,!’saidBennett;”justsay,ifMr.
Warrenasksyouanything,thatMissNeylandtoldyoutogotohimwiththat
message.Andnow,letmepointouttoyouexactlywhereyouwillfindMr.
Warreninthesummer-houseatthebottomofthevicarageOldGarden.You
crossthepark,gopasttheconservatorythroughanarch,turntoyourleft,and
youcometothegarden.”

HewentsomewaywithFelix,pointingandrepeating,thenturnedonhisheels,
andmadehastetodisappear.
Felixknewthevicaragegroundsquitewell,sowasnotlongincomingtothe