AT SUNWICH PORT

BY

W. W. JACOBS

Part 5. 

ILLUSTRATIONS

From Drawings by Will Owen

CHAPTER XXI

Gossip from one or two quarters, which reached Captain Nugent's earsthrough the medium of his sister, concerning the preparations for hisson's marriage, prevented him from altering his mind with regard to thevisits of Jem Hardy and showing that painstaking young man the door. Indeed, the nearness of the approaching nuptials bade fair to eclipse, for the time being, all other grievances, and when Hardy paid his thirdvisit he made a determined but ineffectual attempt to obtain from himsome information as to the methods by which he hoped to attain his ends. His failure made him suspicious, and he hinted pretty plainly that he hadno guarantee that his visitor was not obtaining admittance under falsepretences. 

"Well, I'm not getting much out of it, " returned Hardy, frankly. 

"I wonder you come, " said his hospitable host. 

"I want you to get used to me, " said the other. 

The captain started and eyed him uneasily; the remark seemed fraught withhidden meaning. "And then?" he inquired, raising his bushy eyebrows. 

"Then perhaps I can come oftener. "

The captain gave him up. He sank back in his chair and crossing his legssmoked, with his eyes fixed on the ceiling. It was difficult to knowwhat to do with a young man who was apparently destitute of any feelingsof shame or embarrassment. He bestowed a puzzled glance in his directionand saw that he was lolling in the chair with an appearance of thegreatest ease and enjoyment. Following the direction of his eyes, he sawthat he was gazing with much satisfaction at a photograph of Miss Nugentwhich graced the mantelpiece. With an odd sensation the captain suddenlyidentified it as one which usually stood on the chest of drawers in hisbedroom, and he wondered darkly whether charity or mischief wasresponsible for its appearance there. 

In any case, it disappeared before the occasion of Hardy's next visit, and the visitor sat with his eyes unoccupied, endeavouring to makeconversation with a host who was if anything more discourteous thanusual. It was uphill work, but he persevered, and in fifteen minutes hadranged unchecked from North Pole explorations to poultry farming. It wasa relief to both of them when the door opened and Bella ushered in Dr. Murchison. 

The captain received the new arrival with marked cordiality, and givinghim a chair near his own observed with some interest the curt greeting ofthe young men. The doctor's manner indicated polite surprise at seeingthe other there, then he turned to the captain and began to talk to him. 

For some time they chatted without interruption, and the captain'sreplies, when Hardy at last made an attempt to make the conversationgeneral, enabled the doctor to see, without much difficulty, that thelatter was an unwelcome guest. Charmed with the discovery he followedhis host's lead, and, with a languid air, replied to his rival inmonosyllables. The captain watched with quiet satisfaction, and at eachrebuff his opinion of Murchison improved. It was gratifying to find thatthe interloper had met his match. 

Hardy sat patient. "I am glad to have met you to-night, " he said, aftera long pause, during which the other two were discussing a formersurgical experience of the captain's on one of his crew. 

"Yes?" said Murchison. 

"You are just the man I wanted to see. "

"Yes?" said the doctor, again. 

"Yes, " said the other, nodding. "I've been very busy of late owing to mypartner's illness, and you are attending several people I want to hearabout. "

"Indeed, " said Murchison, with a half-turn towards him. 

"How is Mrs. Paul?" inquired Hardy. 

"Dead!" replied the other, briefly. 

"Dead!" repeated Mr. Hardy. "Good Heavens! I didn't know that there wasmuch the matter with her. "

"There was no hope for her from the first, " said Murchison, somewhatsharply. It was merely a question of prolonging her life a little while. She lived longer than I deemed possible. She surprised everybody by hervitality. "

"Poor thing, " said Hardy. "How is Joe Banks?"

"Dead, " said Murchison again, biting his lip and eyeing him furiously. 

"Dear me, " said Hardy, shaking his head; "I met him not a month ago. Hewas on his way to see you then. "

"The poor fellow had been an invalid nearly all his life, " saidMurchison, to the captain, casually. "Aye, I remember him, " was thereply. 

"I am almost afraid to ask you, " continued Hardy, "but shut up all day Ihear so little. How is old Miss Ritherdon?"

Murchison reddened with helpless rage; Captain Nugent, gazing at thequestioner with something almost approaching respect, waited breathlesslyfor the invariable answer. 

"She died three weeks ago; I'm surprised that you have not heard of it, "said the doctor, pointedly. 

"Of course she was old, " said Hardy, with the air of one advancingextenuating circumstances. 

"Very old, " replied the doctor, who knew that the other was now at theend of his obituary list. 

"Are there any other of my patients you are anxious to hear about?"

[Illustration: "Are there any other of my patients you are anxious tohear about?"]

"No, thank you, " returned Hardy, with some haste. 

The doctor turned to his host again, but the charm was broken. His talkwas disconnected, owing probably to the fact that he was racking hisbrain for facts relative to the seamy side of shipbroking. And Hardy, without any encouragement whatever, was interrupting with puerileanecdotes concerning the late lamented Joe Banks. The captain came tothe rescue. 

"The ladies are in the garden, " he said to the doctor; "perhaps you'dlike to join them. "

He looked coldly over at Hardy as he spoke to see the effect of hiswords. Their eyes met, and the young man was on his feet as soon as hisrival. 

"Thanks, " he said, coolly; "it is a trifle close indoors. "

Before the dismayed captain could think of any dignified pretext to stayhim he was out of the room. The doctor followed and the perturbedcaptain, left alone, stared blankly at the door and thought of hisdaughter's words concerning the thin end of the wedge. 

He was a proud man and loth to show discomfiture, so that it was notuntil a quarter of an hour later that he followed his guests to thegarden. The four people were in couples, the paths favouring thatformation, although the doctor, to the detriment of the border, had madetwo or three determined attempts to march in fours. With a feeling akinto scorn the captain saw that he was walking with Mrs. Kingdom, whilesome distance in the rear Jem Hardy followed with Kate. 

He stood at the back door for a little while watching; Hardy, upright andelate, was listening with profound attention to Miss Nugent; the doctor, sauntering along beside Mrs. Kingdom, was listening with a languid air toan account of her celebrated escape from measles some forty-three yearsbefore. As a professional man he would have died rather than have owedhis life to the specific she advocated. 

Kate Nugent, catching sight of her father, turned, and as he came slowlytowards them, linked her arm, in his. Her face was slightly flushed andher eyes sparkled. 

"I was just coming in to fetch you, " she observed; "it is so pleasant outhere now. "

"Delightful, " said Hardy. 

"We had to drop behind a little, " said Miss Nugent, raising her voice. "Aunt and Dr. Murchison _will_ talk about their complaints to each other!They have been exchanging prescriptions. "

The captain grunted and eyed her keenly. 

"I want you to come in and give us a little music, " he said, shortly. 

Kate nodded. "What is your favourite music, Mr. Hardy?" she inquired, with a smile. 

"Unfortunately, Mr. Hardy can't stay, " said the captain, in a voice whichthere was no mistaking. 

Hardy pulled out his watch. "No; I must be off, " he said, with awell-affected start. "Thank you for reminding me, Captain Nugent. "

"I am glad to have been of service, " said the other, looking hisgrimmest. 

He acknowledged the young man's farewell with a short nod and, forgettinghis sudden desire for music, continued to pace up and down with hisdaughter. 

"What have you been saying to that--that fellow?" he demanded, turning toher, suddenly. 

Miss Nugent reflected. "I said it was a fine evening, " she replied, atlast. 

"No doubt, " said her father. "What else?"

"I think I asked him whether he was fond of gardening, " said Miss Nugent, slowly. "Yes, I'm sure I did. "

"You had no business to speak to him at all, " said the fuming captain. 

"I don't quite see how I could help doing so, " said his daughter. "Yousurely don't expect me to be rude to your visitors? Besides, I feelrather sorry for him. "

"Sorry?" repeated the captain, sharply. "What for?"

"Because he hasn't got a nice, kind, soft-spoken father, " said MissNugent, squeezing his arm affectionately. 

The appearance of the other couple at the head of the path saved thecaptain the necessity of a retort. They stood in a little knot talking, but Miss Nugent, contrary to her usual habit, said but little. She washolding her father's arm and gazing absently at the dim fields stretchingaway beyond the garden. 

At the same time Mr. James Hardy, feeling, despite his bold front, somewhat badly snubbed, was sitting on the beach thinking over thesituation. After a quarter of an hour in the company of Kate Nugent allelse seemed sordid and prosaic; his own conduct in his attempt to saveher brother from the consequences of his folly most sordid of all. Hewondered, gloomily, what she would think when she heard of it. 

[Illustration: "He wondered, gloomily, what she would think when sheheard of it. "]

He rose at last and in the pale light of the new moon walked slowly alongtowards the town. In his present state of mind he wanted to talk aboutKate Nugent, and the only person who could be depended upon for doingthat was Samson Wilks. It was a never-tiring subject of the steward's, and since his discovery of the state of Hardy's feelings in that quarterthe slightest allusion was sufficient to let loose a flood ofreminiscences. 

It was dark by the time Hardy reached the alley, and in most of thehouses the lamps were lit behind drawn blinds. The steward's house, however, was in darkness and there was no response when he tapped. Heturned the handle of the door and looked in. A dim figure rose with astart from a chair. 

"I hope you were not asleep?" said Hardy. 

"No, sir, " said the steward, in a relieved voice. "I thought it wassomebody else. "

He placed a chair for his visitor and, having lit the lamp, slowlylowered the blind and took a seat opposite. 

"I've been sitting in the dark to make a certain party think I was out, "he said, slowly. "She keeps making a excuse about Teddy to come over andsee me. Last night 'e talked about making a 'ole in the water tocelebrate 'Melia Kybird's wedding, and she came over and sat in thatchair and cried as if 'er 'art would break. After she'd gone Teddy comesover, fierce as a eagle, and wants to know wot I've been saying to 'ismother to make 'er cry. Between the two of 'em I 'ave a nice life ofit. "

"He is still faithful to Miss Kybird, then?" said Hardy, with a suddensense of relief. 

"Faithful?" said Mr. Wilks. "Faithful ain't no word for it. He's asticker, that's wot 'e is, and it's my misfortune that 'is mother takesafter 'im. I 'ave to go out afore breakfast and stay out till late atnight, and even then like as not she catches me on the doorstep. "

"Well, perhaps she will make a hole in the water, " suggested Hardy. 

Mr. Wilks smiled, but almost instantly became grave again. "She's notthat sort, " he said, bitterly, and went into the kitchen to draw somebeer. 

He drank his in a manner which betokened that the occupation afforded himno enjoyment, and, full of his own troubles, was in no mood to discussanything else. He gave a short biography of Mrs. Silk which would havefurnished abundant material for half-a-dozen libel actions, and alludingto the demise of the late Mr. Silk, spoke of it as though it were thesupreme act of artfulness in a somewhat adventurous career. 

Hardy walked home with a mind more at ease than it had been at any timesince his overtures to Mr. Swann. The only scruple that had troubled himwas now removed, and in place of it he felt that he was acting the partof a guardian angel to Mr. Edward Silk. 

CHAPTER XXII

Mr. Nathan Smith, usually one of the most matter-of-fact men in theworld, came out of Mr. Swann's house in a semi-dazed condition, and forsome time after the front door had closed behind him stood gaping on thenarrow pavement. 

He looked up and down the quiet little street and shook his head sadly. It was a street of staid and substantial old houses; houses which hadmellowed and blackened with age, but whose quaint windows andchance-opened doors afforded glimpses of comfort attesting to theprosperity of those within. In the usual way Mr. Nathan Smith was of toophilosophical a temperament to experience the pangs of envy, but to-daythese things affected him, and he experienced a strange feeling ofdiscontent with his lot in life. 

"Some people 'ave all the luck, " he muttered, and walked slowly down theroad. 

[Illustration: "'Some people 'ave all the luck, ' he muttered. "]

He continued his reflections as he walked through the somewhat squalidstreets of his own quarter. The afternoon was wet and the houses lookeddingier than usual; dirty, inconvenient little places most of them, witha few cheap gimcracks making a brave show as near the window as possible. Mr. Smith observed them with newly opened eyes, and, for perhaps thefirst time in his life, thought of the draw-backs and struggles of thepoor. 

In his own untidy little den at the back of the house he sat for sometime deep in thought over the events of the afternoon. He had beenpermitted a peep at wealth; at wealth, too, which was changing hands, butwas not coming his way. He lit his pipe and, producing a bottle of rumfrom a cupboard, helped himself liberally. The potent fluid softened himsomewhat, and a half-formed intention to keep the news from Mr. Kybirdmelted away beneath its benign influence. 

"After all, we've been pals for pretty near thirty years, " said Mr. Smithto himself. 

He took another draught. "Thirty years is a long time, " he mused. 

He finished the glass. "And if 'e don't give me something out of it I'lldo 'im as much 'arm as I can, " he continued; and, buttoning up his coat, he rose and set out in the direction of the High Street. 

The rain had ceased and the sun was making faint efforts to break throughwatery clouds. Things seemed brighter, and Mr. Smith's heart beat inresponse. He was going to play the part of a benefactor to Mr. Kybird;to offer him access, at any rate, to such wealth as he had never dreamedof. He paused at the shop window, and, observing through a gap in themerchandise that Mr. Kybird was be-hind the counter, walked in andsaluted him. 

"I've got news for you, " he said, slowly; "big news. "

"Oh, " said Mr. Kybird, with indifference. 

"Big news, " repeated Mr. Smith, sinking thoughtlessly into the brokencane-chair and slowly extricating himself. "Something that'll make youreyes start out of your 'ed. "

The small black eyes in question were turned shrewdly in his direction. "I've 'ad news of you afore, Nat, " remarked Mr. Kybird, with simpleseverity. 

The philanthropist was chilled; he fixed his eyes in a stony stare on theopposite wall. Mr. Kybird, who had ever a wholesome dread of falling avictim to his friend's cuteness, regarded him with some uncertainty, andreminded him of one or two pieces of information which had seriouslydepleted his till. 

"Banns up yet for the wedding?" inquired Mr. Smith, still gazing in frontof him with fathomless eyes. 

"They'll be put up next week, " said Mr. Kybird. 

"Ah!" said his friend, with great emphasis. "Well, well!"

"Wot d'ye mean by 'well, well'?" demanded the other, with some heat. 

"I was on'y thinking, " replied Mr. Smith, mildly. "P'r'aps it's all forthe best, and I'd better 'old my tongue. True love is better than money. After all it ain't my bisness, and I shouldn't get much out of it. "

"Out of wot, Nat?" inquired Mr. Kybird, uneasily. 

Mr. Smith, still gazing musingly before him, appeared not to hear thequestion. "Nice after the rain, ain't it?" he said, slowly. 

"It's all right, " said the other, shortly. 

"Everything smells so fresh and sweet, " continued his nature-lovingfriend; "all the little dickey-birds was a-singing as if their little'arts would break as I come along. "

"I don't wonder at it, " said the offended Mr. Kybird. 

"And the banns go up next week, " murmured the boarding-master to himself. "Well, well. "

"'Ave you got anything to say agin it?" demanded Mr. Kybird. 

"Cert'nly not, " replied the other. "On'y don't blame me when it's toolate; that's all. "

Mr. Kybird, staring at him wrathfully, turned this dark saying over inhis mind. "Too late for wot?" he inquired. 

"Ah!" said Nathan Smith, slowly. "Nice and fresh after the rain, ain'tit? As I come along all the little dickey-birds--"

"Drat the little dickey-birds, " interrupted Mr. Kybird, with suddenviolence. "If you've got anything to say, why don't you say it like aman?"

[Illustration: "If you've got anything to say, why don't you say it likea man?"]

The parlour door opened suddenly before the other could reply, andrevealed the face of Mrs. Kybird. "Wot are you two a-quarrelling about?"she demanded. "Why don't you come inside and sit down for a bit?"

Mr. Smith accepted the invitation, and following her into the room foundMiss Kybird busy stitching in the midst of a bewildering assortment ofbrown paper patterns and pieces of cloth. Mrs. Kybird gave him a chair, and, having overheard a portion of his conversation with her husband, made one or two casual inquiries. 

"I've been spending a hour or two at Mr. Swann's, " said Mr. Smith. 

"And 'ow is 'e?" inquired his hostess, with an appearance of amiableinterest. 

The boarding-master shook his head. "'E's slipping 'is cable, " he said, slowly. "'E's been making 'is will, and I was one o' the witnesses. "

Something in Mr. Smith's manner as he uttered this simple statement madehis listeners anxious to hear more. Mr. Kybird, who had just entered theroom and was standing with his back to the door holding the handle, regarded him expectantly. 

"It's been worrying 'im some time, " pursued Mr. Smith. "'E 'asn't gotnobody belonging to 'im, and for a long time 'e couldn't think 'ow toleave it. Wot with 'ouse property and other things it's a matter of overten thousand pounds. "

"Good 'eavens!" said Mr. Kybird, who felt that he was expected to saysomething. 

"Dr. Blaikie was the other witness, " continued Mr. Smith, disregardingthe interruption; "and Mr. Swann made us both promise to keep it a deadsecret till 'e's gone, but out o' friendship to you I thought I'd stepround and let you know. "

The emphasis on the words was unmistakable; Mrs. Kybird dropped her workand sat staring at him, while her husband wriggled with excitement. 

"'E ain't left it to me, I s'pose?" he said, with a feeble attempt atjocularity. 

"Not a brass farden, " replied his friend, cheerfully. "Not to none ofyou. Why should 'e?

"He ain't left it to Jack, I s'pose?" said Miss Kybird, who had suspendedher work to listen. 

"No, my dear, " replied the boarding-master. "E's made 'is will allship-shape and proper, and 'e's left everything--all that 'ouse propertyand other things, amounting to over ten thousand pounds--to a young manbecos 'e was jilt--crossed in love a few months ago, and becos 'e's beena good and faithful servant to 'im for years. "

"Don't tell me, " said Mr. Kybird, desperately; "don't tell me that 'e'sbeen and left all that money to young Teddy Silk. "

"Well, I won't if you don't want me to, " said the accommodating Mr. Smith, "but, mind, it's a dead secret. "

Mr. Kybird wiped his brow, and red patches, due to excitement, lent alittle variety to an otherwise commonplace face; Mrs. Kybird's dazedinquiry. "Wot are we a-coming to?" fell on deaf ears; while Miss Kybird, leaning forward with lips parted, fixed her eyes intently on Mr. Smith'sface. 

"It's a pity 'e didn't leave it to young Nugent, " said that gentleman, noting with much pleasure the effect of his announcement, "but 'e can'tstand 'in: at no price; 'e told me so 'imself. I s'pose young Teddy'llbe quite the gentleman now, and 'e'll be able to marry who 'e likes. "

Mr. Kybird thrust his handkerchief into his tail-pocket, and all thefather awoke within him. "Ho, will 'e?" he said, with fierce sarcasm. "Ho, indeed! And wot about my daughter? I 'ave 'eard of such things asbreach o' promise. Before Mr. Teddy gets married 'e's got to 'ave a fewwords with me. "

"'E's behaved very bad, " said Mrs. Kybird, nodding. 

"'E come 'ere night after night, " said Mr. Kybird, working himself upinto a fury; "'e walked out with my gal for months and months, and then'e takes 'imself off as if we wasn't good enough for'im. "

"The suppers 'e's 'ad 'ere you wouldn't believe, " said Mrs. Kybird, addressing the visitor. 

"Takes 'imself off, " repeated her husband; "takes 'imself off as if wewas dirt beneath 'is feet, and never been back to give a explanation fromthat day to this. "

"I'm not easy surprised, " said Mrs. Kybird, "I never was from a gal, butI must say Teddy's been a surprise to me. If anybody 'ad told me 'e'dha' behaved like that I wouldn't ha' believed it; I couldn't. I've neversaid much about it, becos my pride wouldn't let me. We all 'ave ourfaults, and mine is pride. "

"I shall bring a breach o' promise action agin 'im for five thousandpounds, " said Mr. Kybird, with decision. 

"Talk sense, " said Nathan Smith, shortly. 

"Sense!" cried Mr. Kybird. "Is my gal to be played fast and loose withlike that? Is my gal to be pitched over when 'e likes? Is my gal--"

"Wot's the good o' talking like that to me?" said the indignant Mr. Smith. "The best thing you can do is to get 'er married to Teddy atonce, afore 'e knows of 'is luck. "

"And when'll that be?" inquired his friend, in a calmer voice. 

"Any time, " said the boarding-master, shrugging his shoulders. "The oldgentleman might go out to-night, or again 'e might live on for a week ormore. 'E was so weak 'e couldn't 'ardly sign 'is name. "

"I 'ope 'e 'as signed it all right, " said Mr. Kybird, starting. 

"Safe as 'ouses, " said his friend. 

"Well, why not wait till Teddy 'as got the money?" suggested Mrs. Kybird, with a knowing shake of her head. 

"Becos, " said Mr. Smith, in a grating voice, "be-cos for one thing 'e'dbe a rich man then and could 'ave 'is pick. Teddy Silk on a pound orthereabouts a week and Teddy Silk with ten thousand pounds 'ud be twodifferent people. Besides that 'e'd think she was marrying 'im for 'ismoney. "

"If 'e thought that, " said Mrs. Kybird, firmly, "I'd never forgive 'im. "

"My advice to you, " said Nathan Smith, shaking his forefingerimpressively, "is to get 'em married on the quiet and as soon aspossible. Once they're tied up Teddy can't 'elp 'imself. "

"Why on the quiet?" demanded Mr. Kybird, sharply. 

The boarding-master uttered an impatient exclamation. "Becos if Mr. Swann got to 'ear of it he'd guess I'd been blabbing, for one thing, " hesaid, sharply, "and for another, 'e left it to 'im partly to make up for'is disappointment--he'd been disappointed 'imself in 'is younger days, so 'e told me. "

"Suppose 'e managed to get enough strength to alter 'is will?"

Mr. Kybird shivered. "It takes time to get married, though, " heobjected. 

"Yes, " said Mr. Smith, ironically, "it does. Get round young Teddy, andthen put the banns up. Take your time about it, and be sure and let Mr. Swann know. D'ye think 'e wouldn't understand wot it meant, and spoilit, to say nothing of Teddy seeing through it?

"Well, wot's to be done, then?" inquired the staring Mr. Kybird. 

"Send 'em up to London and 'ave 'em married by special license, " said Mr. Smith, speaking rapidly--"to-morrow, if possible; if not, the day after. Go and pitch a tale to Teddy to-night, and make 'im understand it's to bedone on the strict q. T. "

"Special licenses cost money, " said Mr. Kybird. "I 'ave 'eard it's amatter o' thirty pounds or thereabouts. "

Mr. Nathan Smith rose, and his eyes were almost expressive. He noddedgood-night to the ladies and crossed to the door. Mrs. Kybird suddenlyseized him by the coat and held him. 

[Illustration: "Mrs. Kybird suddenly seized him by the coat. "]

"Don't be in a 'urry, Nat, " she pleaded. "We ain't all as clever as youare. "

"Talk about looking a gift-'orse in the mouth--" began the indignant Mr. Smith. 

"Sit down, " urged Mr. Kybird. "You can't expect us to be as quick inseeing things as wot you are. "

He pushed his partly mollified friend into his chair again, and taking aseat next him began to view the affair with enthusiasm. "'Melia shallturn young Nugent off to-night, " he said, firmly. 

"That's right, " said the other; "go and do a few more silly things likethat and we shall be 'appy. If you'd got a 'ead instead of wot you 'avegot, you wouldn't talk of giving the show away like that. Nobody mustknow or guess about anything until young Teddy is married to 'Melia andgot the money. "

"It seems something like deceitfulness, " said Miss Kybird, who had beenlistening to the plans for her future with admirable composure. 

"It's for Teddy's own sake, " said Nathan Smith. "Everybody knows 'e'shalf crazy after you. "

"I don't know that I don't like 'im best, even without the money, " saidMiss Kybird, calmly. "Nobody could 'ave been more attentive than 'im. I believe that 'e'd marry me if 'e 'ad a hundred thousand, but it looksbetter your way. "

"Better all round, " said Nathan Smith, with at approving nod. "Now, Dan'l, 'op round to Teddy and whistle 'im back, and mind 'e's to keep ita dead secret on account o' trouble with young Nugent. D'ye twig?"

The admiring Mr. Kybird said that he was a wonder, and, in the discussionon ways and means which followed, sat listening with growing respect tothe managing abilities both of his friend and his wife. Difficultieswere only mentioned for the purpose of being satisfactorily solved, andhe noticed with keen appreciation that the prospect of a ten thousandpound son-in-law was already adding to that lady's dignity. She sniffedhaughtily as she spoke of "that Nugent lot"; and the manner in which shepromised Mr. Smith that he should not lose by his services would havegraced a duchess. 

"I didn't expect to lose by it, " said the boarding-master, pointedly. "Come over and 'ave a glass at the Chequers, Dan, and then you can goalong and see Teddy. "

CHAPTER XXIII

The summer evening was well advanced when Mr. Kybird and his old friendparted. The former gentleman was in almost a sentimental mood, and theboarding-master, satisfied that his pupil was in a particularlyappropriate frame of mind for the object of his visit, renewed hisinstructions about binding Mr. Silk to secrecy, and departed on businessof his own. 

[Illustration: "Mr. Kybird and his old friend parted. "]

Mr. Kybird walked slowly towards Fullalove Alley with his head sunk inmeditation. He was anxious to find Mr. Silk alone, as otherwise thedifficulty of his errand would be considerably increased, Mrs. Silk'sintelligence being by no means obscured by any ungovernable affection forthe Kybird family. If she was at home she would have to invent somepretext for luring Teddy into the privacy of the open air. 

The lamp was lit in the front room by the time he reached the house, andthe shadows of geraniums which had won through several winters formed astraggling pattern on the holland blind. Mr. Kybird, first making anunsuccessful attempt to peep round the edges of this decoration, tappedgently on the door, and in response to a command to "Come in, " turned thehandle and looked into the room. To his relief, he saw that Mr. Silk wasalone. 

"Good evening, Teddy, " he said, with a genial smile, as he entered slowlyand closed the door behind him. "I 'ope I see you well?"

"I'm quite well, " returned Mr. Silk, gazing at him with unconcealedsurprise. 

"I'm glad to 'ear it, " said Mr. Kybird, in a somewhat reproachful voice, "for your sake; for every-body's sake, though, p'r'aps, I did expect tofind you looking a little bit down. Ah! it's the wimmen that 'ave the'arts after all. "

Mr. Silk coughed. "What d'ye mean?" he inquired, somewhat puzzled. 

"I came to see you, Teddy, on a very delikit business, " said Mr. Kybird, taking a seat and gazing diffidently at his hat as he swung it betweenhis hands; "though, as man to man, I'm on'y doing of my dooty. But ifyou don't want to 'ear wot I've got to say, say so, and Dan'l Kybird'lldarken your door no more. "

"How can I know whether I want to 'ear it or not when I don't know wot itis?" said Mr. Silk, judiciously. 

Mr. Kybird sat biting his thumb-nail, then he looked up suddenly. "'Melia, " he said, with an outburst of desperate frankness, "'Melia iscrying 'er eyes out. "

Mr. Silk, with a smothered exclamation, started up from his chair andregarded him eagerly. 

"If she knew I'd been 'ere, " pursued Mr. Kybird, "she'd I don't know wotshe wouldn't do. That's 'er pride; but I've got my pride too; the prideof a father's 'art. "

"What--what's she crying about?" inquired Mr. Silk, in an unsteady voice. 

"She's been looking poorly for some time, " continued the veracious Mr. Kybird, "and crying. When I tell you that part o' the wedding-dress wotshe was making 'ad to be taken away from 'er because o' the tears shedropped on it, you may 'ave some idea of wot things are like. She'snever forgot you, Teddy, and it was on'y your quick temper that day thatmade 'er take on with young Nugent. She's got a temper, too, but shegive 'er love once, and, being my daughter, she couldn't give it agin. "

He stole a glance at his listener. Mr. Silk, very pale and upright, wasstanding on the hearthrug, shaking all over with nervous excitement. Twice he tried to speak and failed. 

"That's 'ow it is, Teddy, " sighed Mr. Kybird, rising as though to depart. "I've done my dooty. It was a 'ard thing to do, but I've done it. "

"Do you mean, " said Mr. Silk, recovering his voice at last, "do you meanthat Amelia would marry me after all?"

"Do I mean?" repeated Mr. Kybird, naturally indignant that his veryplain speaking should be deemed capable of any misconstruction. "Am Ispeaking to a stock or a stone, Teddy?"

Mr. Silk took a deep breath, and buttoned up his coat, as thoughpreparing to meet Mr. Nugent there and then in deadly encounter for theperson of Miss Kybird. The colour was back in his cheeks by this time, and his eyes were unusually bright. He took a step towards Mr. Kybirdand, pressing his hand warmly, pushed him back into his seat again. 

"There's 'er pride to consider, Teddy, " said the latter gentleman, withthe whisper of a conspirator. 

"She can't stand being talked about all over the town and pointed at. "

"Let me see anybody a-pointing at 'er, " said the truculent Mr. Silk; "letme see 'em, that's all. "

"That's the way to talk, Teddy, " said Mr. Kybird, gazing at him withadmiration. 

"Talk!" said the heroic Mr. Silk. "I'll do more than talk. " He clenchedhis fists and paced boldly up and down the hearthrug. 

"You leave things to me, " said Mr. Kybird, with a confidential wink. "I'll see that it's all right. All I ask of you is to keep it a deadsecret; even your mother mustn't know. "

"I'll be as secret as the grave, " said the overjoyed Mr. Silk. 

"There's lots o' things to be taken into consideration, " said Mr. Kybird, truthfully; "it might be as well for you to be married immediate. "

"Immediate?" said the astonished Mr. Silk. 

"She 'asn't got the nerve to send young Nugent about 'is business, "explained Mr. Kybird; "she feels sorry for 'im, pore fellow; but 'e's gota loving and affectionate 'art, and she can't bear 'im making love to'er. You can understand what it is, can't you?"

"I can imagine it, " said Mr. Silk, gloomily, and he flushed crimson as thepossibilities suggested by the remark occurred to him. 

"I've been thinking it over for some time, " resumed Mr. Kybird; "twistingit and turning it all ways, and the only thing I can see for it is foryou to be married on the strict q. T. Of course, if you don't like--"

"Like!" repeated the transported Mr. Silk. 

"I'll go and be married now, if you like. "

Mr. Kybird shook his head at such haste, and then softening a littleobserved that it did him credit. He proceeded to improve the occasion byanecdotes of his own courting some thirty years before, and was in themiddle of a thrilling account of the manner in which he had bearded thewhose of his future wife's family, when a quick step outside, whichpaused at the door, brought him to a sudden halt. 

"Mother, " announced Mr. Silk, in a whisper. 

Mr. Kybird nodded, and the heroic appearance of visage which hadaccompanied his tale gave way to an expression of some uneasiness. Hecoughed behind his hand, and sat gazing before him as Mrs. Silk enteredthe room and gave vent to an exclamation of astonishment as she saw thevisitor. She gazed sharply from him to her son. Mr. Kybird's expressionwas now normal, but despite his utmost efforts Mr. Silk could notentirely banish the smile which trembled on his lips. 

"Me and Teddy, " said Mr. Kybird, turning to her with a little bob, whichserved him for a bow, "'ave just been having a little talk about oldtimes. "

"He was just passing, " said Mr. Silk. 

"Just passing, and thought I'd look in, " said Mr. Kybird, with a carelesslittle laugh; "the door was open a bit. "

"Wide open, " corroborated Mr. Silk. 

"So I just came in to say ''Ow d'ye do?'" said Mr. Kybird. 

Mrs. Silk's sharp, white face turned from one to the other. "Ave yousaid it?" she inquired, blandly. 

"I 'ave, " said Mr. Kybird, restraining Mr. Silk's evident intention ofhot speech by a warning glance; "and now I'll just toddle off 'ome. "

"I'll go a bit o' the way with you, " said Edward Silk. "I feel as if abit of a walk would do me good. "

Left alone, the astonished Mrs. Silk took the visitor's vacated chairand, with wrinkled brow, sat putting two and two together until the sumgot beyond her powers of calculation. Mr. Kybird's affability andTeddy's cheerfulness were alike incomprehensible. She mended a hole inher pocket and darned a pair of socks, and at last, anxious for advice, or at least a confidant, resolved to see Mr. Wilks. 

She opened the door and looked across the alley, and saw with somesatisfaction that his blind was illuminated. She closed the door behindher sharply, and then stood gasping on the doorstep. So simultaneouswere the two happenings that it actually appeared as though the closingof the door had blown Mr. Wilks's lamp out. It was a night of surprises, but after a moment's hesitation she stepped over and tried his door. Itwas fast, and there was no answer to her knuckling. She knocked louderand listened. A door slammed violently at the back of the house, adistant clatter of what sounded like saucepans came from beyond, andabove it all a tremulous but harsh voice bellowed industriously throughan interminable chant. By the time the third verse was reached Mr. Wilks's neighbours on both sides were beating madly upon their walls andblood-curdling threats strained through the plaster. 

She stayed no longer, but regaining her own door sat down again to awaitthe return of her son. Mr. Silk was long in coming, and she tried invain to occupy herself with various small jobs as she speculated in vainon the meaning of the events of the night. She got up and stood by theopen door, and as she waited the clock in the church-tower, which roseover the roofs hard by, slowly boomed out the hour of eleven. As theechoes of the last stroke died away the figure of Mr. Silk turned intothe alley. 

"You must 'ave 'ad quite a nice walk, " said his mother, as she drew backinto the room and noted the brightness of his eye. 

"Yes, " was the reply. 

"I s'pose 'e's been and asked you to the wedding?" said the sarcasticMrs. Silk. 

Her son started and, turning his back on her, wound up the clock. "Yes, 'e has, " he said, with a, sly grin. 

Mrs. Silk's eyes snapped. "Well, of all the impudence, " she said, breathlessly. 

"Well, 'e has, " said her son, hugging himself over the joke. "And, what's more, I'm going. "

He composed his face sufficiently to bid her "good-night, " and, turninga deaf ear to her remonstrances and inquiries, took up a candle and wereoff whistling. 

[Illustration: "He took up his candle and went off whistling. "]

CHAPTER XXIV

The idea in the mind of Mr. James Hardy when he concocted his infamousplot was that Jack Nugent would be summarily dismissed on some pretext byMiss Kybird, and that steps would at once be taken by her family topublish her banns together with those of Mr. Silk. In thinking thus hehad made no allowance for the workings and fears of such a capable mindas Nathan Smith's, and as days passed and nothing happened he became aprey to despair. 

He watched Mr. Silk keenly, but that gentleman went about his work in hisusual quiet and gloomy fashion, and, after a day's leave for the purposeof arranging the affairs of a sick aunt in Camberwell, came back only alittle less gloomy than before. It was also clear that Mr. Swann'scomplaisance was nearly at an end, and a letter, couched in vigorous, notto say regrettable, terms for a moribund man, expressed such a desire forfresh air and exercise that Hardy was prepared to see him at any moment. 

It was the more unfortunate as he thought that he had of late detecteda slight softening in Captain Nugent's manner towards him. On twooccasions the captain, who was out when he called, had made no commentto find upon his return that the visitor was being entertained by hisdaughter, going so far, indeed, as to permit the conversation to gainvastly in interest by that young person remaining in the room. In faceof this improvement he thought with dismay of having to confess failurein a scheme which apart from success was inexcusable. 

The captain had also unbent in another direction, and Mr. Wilks, to hisgreat satisfaction, was allowed to renew his visits to Equator Lodge andassist his old master in the garden. Here at least the steward was safefrom the designs of Mrs. Silk and the innuendoes of Fullalove Alley. 

It was at this time, too, that the widow stood in most need of hisadvice, the behaviour of Edward Silk being of a nature to causemisgivings in any mother's heart. A strange restlessness possessed him, varied with occasional outbursts of hilarity and good nature. Dark hintsemanated from him at these times concerning a surprise in store for herat no distant date, hints which were at once explained away in a mostunsatisfactory manner when she became too pressing in her inquiries. Hehaunted the High Street, and when the suspicious Mrs. Silk spoke ofAmelia he only laughed and waxed humorous over such unlikely subjects asbroken hearts and broken vows. 

It was a week after Mr. Kybird's visit to the alley that he went, asusual, for a stroll up and down the High Street. The evening wasdeepening, and some of the shops had already lit up, as Mr. Silk, withhis face against the window-pane, tried in vain to penetrate theobscurity of Mr. Kybird's shop. He could just make out a dim figurebehind the counter, which he believed to be Amelia, when a match wasstruck and a gas jet threw a sudden light in the shop and revealed Mr. Jack Nugent standing behind the counter with his hand on the lady'sshoulder. 

[Illustration: "He could just make out a dim figure behind the counter. "]

One glance was sufficient. The next moment there was a sharp cry fromMiss Kybird and a bewildered stare from Nugent as something, onlycomparable to a human cracker, bounced into the shop and commenced toexplode before them. 

"Take your 'and off, " raved Mr. Silk. "Leave 'er alone. 'Ow dare you?D'ye hear me? 'Melia, I won't 'ave it! I won't 'ave it!"

"Don't be silly, Teddy, " remonstrated Mr. Nugent, following up MissKybird, as she edged away from him. 

"Leave 'er alone, d'ye 'ear?" yelled Mr. Silk, thumping the counter withhis small fist. "She's my _wife!_"

"Teddy's mad, " said Mr. Nugent, calmly, "stark, staring, raving mad. Poor Teddy. "

He shook his head sadly, and had just begun to recommend a few remedieswhen the parlour door opened and the figure of Mr. Kybird, with his wifestanding close behind him, appeared in the doorway. 

"Who's making all this noise?" demanded the former, looking from one tothe other. 

"I am, " said Mr. Silk, fiercely. "It's no use your winking at me; I'mnot going to 'ave any more of this nonsense. 'Melia, you go and get your'at on and come straight off 'ome with me. "

Mr. Kybird gave a warning cough. "Go easy, Teddy, " he murmured. 

"And don't you cough at me, " said the irritated Mr. Silk, "because itwon't do no good. "

Mr. Kybird subsided. He was not going to quarrel with a son-in-law whomight at any moment be worth ten thousand pounds. 

"Isn't he mad?" inquired the amazed Mr. Nugent. 

"Cert'nly not, " replied Mr. Kybird, moving aside to let his daughterpass; "no madder than you are. Wot d'ye mean, mad?"

Mr. Nugent looked round in perplexity. "Do you mean to tell me thatTeddy and Amelia are married?" he said, in a voice trembling witheagerness. 

"I do, " said Mr. Kybird. "It seems they've been fond of one another allalong, and they went up all unbeknown last Friday and got a license andgot married. "

"And if I see you putting your 'and on 'er shoulder ag'in" said Mr. Silk, with alarming vagueness. 

"But suppose she asks me to?" said the delighted Mr. Nugent, with muchgravity. 

[Illustration: "'But suppose she asks me to?' said the delightedMr. Nugent, with much gravity. "]

"Look 'ere, we don't want none o' your non-sense, " broke in the irateMrs. Kybird, pushing her way past her husband and confronting thespeaker. 

"I've been deceived, " said Mr. Nugent in a thrilling voice; "you've allbeen deceiving me. Kybird, I blush for you (that will save you a lot oftrouble). Teddy, I wouldn't have believed it of you. I can't stay here;my heart is broken. "

"Well we don't want you to, " retorted the aggressive Mrs. Kybird. "Youcan take yourself off as soon as ever you like. You can't be too quickto please me. "

Mr. Nugent bowed and walked past the counter. "And not even a bit ofwedding-cake for me, " he said, shaking a reproachful head at the heatedMr. Silk. "Why, I'd put you down first on my list. "

He paused at the door, and after a brief intimation that he would sendfor his effects on the following day, provided that his broken heart hadnot proved fatal in the meantime, waved his hand to the company anddeparted. Mr. Kybird followed him to the door as though to see him offthe premises, and gazing after the receding figure swelled withindignation as he noticed that he favoured a mode of progression whichwas something between a walk and a hornpipe. 

Mr. Nugent had not been in such spirits since his return to Sunwich, and, hardly able to believe in his good fortune, he walked on in a state ofgrowing excitement until he was clear of the town. Then he stopped toconsider his next move, and after a little deliberation resolved to pay avisit to Jem Hardy and acquaint him with the joyful tidings. 

That gentleman, however, was out, and Mr. Nugent, somewhat irritated atsuch thoughtlessness, stood in the road wondering where to go next. Itwas absolutely impossible for him to sleep that night without telling thegood news to somebody, and after some thought he selected Mr. Wilks. Itwas true that relations had been somewhat strained between them since thelatter's attempt at crimping him, but he was never one to bear malice, and to-night he was full of the kindliest thoughts to all mankind. 

He burst into Mr. Wilks's front room suddenly and then pulled up short. The steward, with a pitiable look of anxiety on his pallid features, wasleaning awkwardly against the mantelpiece, and opposite him Mrs. Silk satin an easy-chair, dissolved in tears. 

"Busy, Sam?" inquired Mr. Nugent, who had heard of the steward'sdifficulties from Hardy. 

"No, sir, " said Mr. Wilks, hastily; "sit down, sir. "

He pushed forward a chair and, almost pulling his visitor into it, stoodover him attentively and took his hat. 

"Are you quite sure I'm not interrupting you?" inquired the thoughtfulMr. Nugent. 

"Certain sure, sir, " said Mr. Wilks, eagerly. "I was just 'aving a bitof a chat with my neighbour, Mrs. Silk, 'ere, that's all. "

The lady in question removed her handkerchief from her eyes and gazed athim with reproachful tenderness. Mr. Wilks plunged hastily intoconversation. 

"She came over 'ere to tell me a bit o' news, " he said, eyeing the youngman doubtfully. "It seems that Teddy----"

Mr. Nugent fetched a mighty sigh and shook his head; Mrs. Silk gazed athim earnestly. 

"Life is full of surprises, sir, " she remarked. 

"And sadness, " added Mr. Nugent. "I hope that they will be happy. "

"It struck me all of a 'eap, " said Mrs. Silk, rolling her handkerchiefinto a ball and placing it in her lap. "I was doing a bit of ironingwhen in walks Teddy with Amelia Kybird, and says they was married lastFriday. I was that shaken I didn't know what I did or what I said. ThenI came over as soon as I could, because I thought Mr. Wilks ought to knowabout it. "

Mr. Wilks cleared his throat and turned an agonized eye on Mr. Nugent. He would have liked to have asked why Mrs. Silk should think it necessaryto inform him, but the fear of precipitating a crisis stayed his tongue. 

"What I'm to do, I don't know, " continued Mrs. Silk, feebly. You can't'ave two queens in one 'ouse, so to speak. "

"But she was walking out with Teddy long ago, " urged Mr. Wilks. "It's noworse now than then. "

"But I wouldn't be married by license, " said Mrs. Silk, deftly ignoringthe remark. "If I can't be asked in church in the proper way I won't bemarried at all. "

"Quite right, " said Mr. Nugent; "there's something so sudden about alicense, " he added, with feeling. 

"Me and Mr. Wilks was talking about marriage only the other day, " pursuedMrs. Silk, with a bashfulness which set every nerve in the steward's bodyquivering, "and we both agreed that banns was the proper way. 

"You was talking about it, " corrected Mr. Wilks, in a hoarse voice. "Youbrought up the subject and I agreed with you--not that it matters to me'ow people get married. That's their affair. Banns or license, it's allone to me. "

"I won't be married by license, " said Mrs. Silk, with sudden petulance;"leastways, I'd rather not be, " she added, softening. 

Mr. Wilks took his handkerchief from his pocket and blew his noseviolently. Mrs. Silk's methods of attack left him little opportunity forthe plain speaking which was necessary to dispel illusions. He turned awatery, appealing eye on to Mr. Nugent, and saw to his surprise that thatgentleman was winking at him with great significance and persistence. Itwould have needed a heart of stone to have been unaffected by suchmisery, and to-night Mr. Nugent, thankful for his own escape, was in asingularly merciful mood. 

"All this sounds as though you are going to be married, " he said, turningto Mrs. Silk with a polite smile. 

The widow simpered and looked down, thereby affording Mr. Nugent anopportunity of another signal to the perturbed steward, who sat with sucha look of anxiety on his face lest he should miss his cue that the youngman's composure was tried to the utmost. 

"It's been a understood thing for a long time, " she said, slowly, "but Icouldn't leave my son while 'e was single and nobody to look after 'im. A good mother makes a good wife, so they say. A woman can't always 'ave'er own way in everything, and if it's not to be by banns, then bylicense it must be, I suppose. "

"Well, he'll be a fortunate man, whoever he is, " said Mr. Nugent, withanother warning glance at Mr. Wilks; "and I only hope that he'll make abetter husband than you do, Sam, " he added, in a low but severe voice. 

Mrs. Silk gave a violent start. "Better husband than 'e does?" shecried, sharply. "Mr. Wilks ain't married. "

Mr. Nugent's baseless charge took the steward all aback. He stiffened inhis chair, a picture of consternation, and guilt appeared stamped onevery feature; but he had the presence of mind to look to Mr. Nugent'seye for guidance and sufficient strength of character to accept this lastbid for liberty. 

"That's my business, sir, " he quavered, in offended tones. 

"But you ain't _married?_" screamed Mrs. Silk. 

"Never mind, " said Nugent, pacifically. "Perhaps I ought not to havementioned it; it's a sore subject with Sam. And I daresay there werefaults on both sides. Weren't there, Sam?"

"Yes, sir, " said Mr. Wilks, in a voice which he strove hard to makedistinct; "especially 'ers. "

"You--you never told me you were married, " said Mrs. Silk, breathlessly. 

"I never said I wasn't, " retorted the culprit, defiantly. "If peopleliked to think I was a single man, I don't care; it's got nothing to dowith them. Besides, she lives at Stepney, and I don't 'ear from 'er oncein six months; she don't interfere with me and I don't interfere withher. "

Mrs. Silk got up from her chair and stood confronting him with her handgrasping the back of it. Her cold eyes gleamed and her face worked withspite as she tried in vain to catch his eye. Of Mr. Nugent and hisingenuous surprise at her behaviour she took no notice at all. 

"You're a deceiver, " she gasped; "you've been behaving like a single manand everybody thought you was a single man. "

[Illustration: "'You're a deceiver, ' she gasped. "]

"I hope you haven't been paying attentions to anybody, Sam, " said Mr. Nugent in a shocked voice. 

"A-ah, " said Mrs. Silk, shivering with anger. "Ask 'im; the deceivingvillain. Ask anybody, and see what they'll tell you. Oh, you wickedman, I wonder you can look me in the face!"

Truth to tell, Mr. Wilks was looking in any direction but hers. His eyesmet Nugent's, but there was a look of such stern disdain on thatgentleman's face that he was fain to look away again. 

"Was it a friend of yours?" inquired the artless Mr. Nugent. 

"Never mind, " said Mrs. Silk, recovering herself. "Never mind who itwas. You wait till I go and tell Teddy, " she continued, turning to thetrembling Mr. Wilks. "If 'e's got the 'art of a man in 'im you'll see. "

With this dire threat, and turning occasionally to bestow another fierceglance upon the steward, she walked to the door and, opening it to itsfull extent, closed it behind her with a crash and darted across thealley to her own house. The two men gazed at each other withoutspeaking, and then Mr. Wilks, stepping over to the door, turned the keyin the lock. 

"You're not afraid of Teddy?" said the staring Nugent. 

"Teddy!" said Mr. Wilks, snapping his huge fingers. "I'm not afraid o'fifty Teddies; but she might come back with 'im. If it 'adn't ha' beenfor you, sir, I don't know wot wouldn't 'ave happened. "

"Go and draw some beer and get me a clean pipe, " said Nugent, droppinginto a chair. "We've both been mercifully preserved, Sam, and the bestthing we can do is to drink to our noble selves and be more careful forthe future. "

Mr. Wilks obeyed, and again thanking him warmly for his invaluableservices sat down to compile a few facts about his newly acquired wife, warranted to stand the severest cross-examination which might be broughtto bear upon them, a task interspersed with malicious reminiscences ofMrs. Silk's attacks on his liberty. He also insisted on giving up hisbed to Nugent for the night. 

"I suppose, " he said later on, as Mr. Nugent, after a faint objection ortwo, took his candle--"I suppose this yarn about my being married willget about?"

"I suppose so, " said Nugent, yawning, as he paused with his foot on thestair. "What about it?"

"Nothing, " said Mr. Wilks, in a somewhat dissatisfied voice. "Nothing. "

"What about it?" repeated Mr. Nugent, sternly. 

"Nothing, sir, " said Mr. Wilks, with an insufferable simper. "Nothing, only it'll make things a little hit slow for me, that's all. "

Mr. Nugent eyed him for a space in speechless amazement, and then, with afew strong remarks on ingratitude and senile vanity, mounted the windinglittle stairs and went to bed. 

CHAPTER XXV

The day after Mr. Silk's sudden and unexpected assertion of his maritalrights Mr. Kybird stood in the doorway of his shop, basking in the sun. The High Street was in a state of post-prandial repose, and there was nolikelihood of a customer to interfere with his confidential chat with Mr. Nathan Smith, who was listening with an aspect of great severity to hisexplanations. 

"It ought not to 'ave happened, " he said, sharply. "It was Teddy doneit, " said Mr. Kybird, humbly. 

[Illustration: "'It was Teddy done it, ' said Mr. Kybird, humbly. "]

Mr. Smith shrugged his shoulders. "It wouldn't 'ave happened if I'd beenthere, " he observed, arrogantly. 

"I don't see 'ow" began Mr. Kybird. 

"No, o' course you don't, " said his friend. "Still, it's no use making afuss now. The thing is done. One thing is, I don't suppose it'll makeany diff----"

"Difference, " suggested Mr. Kybird, after waiting for him to finish. 

"Difference, " said Mr. Smith, with an obvious effort. His face had lostits scornful expression and given way to one almost sheepish in itsmildness. Mr. Kybird, staring at him in some surprise, even thought thathe detected a faint shade of pink. 

"We ain't all as clever as wot you are, Nat, " he said, somewhat takenaback at this phenomenon. "It wouldn't do. "

Mr. Smith made a strange noise in his throat and turned on him sharply. Mr. Kybird, still staring in surprise at his unwonted behaviour, drewback a little, and then his lips parted and his eyes grew round as he sawthe cause of his friend's concern. An elderly gentleman with a neatlytrimmed white beard and a yellow rose in his button-hole was just passingon the other side of the road. His tread was elastic, his figure asupright as a boy's, and he swung a light cane in his hand as he walked. As Mr. Kybird gazed he bestowed a brisk nod upon the bewildered Mr. Smith, and crossed the road with the evident intention of speaking tohim. 

"How do, Smith?" he said, in a kindly voice. 

The boarding-master leaned against the shop-window and regarded himdumbly. There was a twinkle in the shipbroker's eyes which irritated himalmost beyond endurance, and in the doorway Mr. Kybird--his face mottledwith the intensity of his emotions--stood an unwelcome and franticwitness of his shame. 

"You're not well, Smith?" said Mr. Swann, shaking his head at him gently. "You look like a man who has been doing too much brain-work lately. You've been getting the better of some-body, I know. "

Mr. Smith gasped and, eyeing him wickedly, strove hard to recover hisself-possession. 

"I'm all right, sir, " he said, in a thin voice. "I'm glad to see you'relooking a trifle better, sir. "

"Oh, I'm quite right, now, " said the other, with a genial smile at thefermenting Mr. Kybird. "I'm as well as ever I was. Illness is a seriousthing, Smith, but it is not without its little amusements. "

Mr. Smith, scratching his smooth-shaven chin and staring blankly in frontof him, said that he was glad to hear it. 

"I've had a long bout of it, " continued the ship-broker, "longer than Iintended at first. By the way, Smith, you've never spoken to anybody ofthat business, of course?"

"Of course not, sir, " said the boarding-master, grinding his teeth. 

"One has fancies when one is ill, " said Mr. Swann, in low tones, as hiseye dwelt with pleasure on the strained features of Mr. Kybird. "I burntthe document five minutes after you had gone. "

"Did you, reely?" said Mr. Smith, mechanically. 

"I'm glad it was only you and the doctor that saw my foolishness, "continued the other, still in a low voice. "Other people might havetalked, but I knew that you were a reliable man, Smith. And you won'ttalk about it in the future, I'm quite certain of that. Good afternoon. "

Mr. Smith managed to say, "Good afternoon, " and stood watching thereceding figure as though it belonged to a species hitherto unknown tohim. Then he turned, in obedience to a passionate tug at his coat sleevefrom Mr. Kybird. 

"Wot 'ave you got to say for yourself?" demanded that injured person, intones of suppressed passion. "Wot do you mean by it? You've made apretty mess of it with your cleverness. "

"Wonderful old gentleman, ain't he?" said the discomfited Mr. Smith. "Fancy 'im getting the better o' me. Fancy me being 'ad. I took it allin as innercent as you please. "

"Ah, you're a clever fellow, you are, " said Mr. Kybird, bitterly. "'Ere's Amelia lost young Nugent and 'is five 'undred all through you. It's a got-up thing between old Swann and the Nugent lot, that's wot itis. "

"Looks like it, " admitted Mr. Smith; "but fancy 'is picking me out for'is games. That's wot gets over me. "

"Wot about all that money I paid for the license?" demanded Mr. Kybird, in a threatening manner. "Wot are you going to do about it?"

"You shall 'ave it, " said the boarding-master, with sudden blandness, "and 'Melia shall 'ave 'er five 'undred. "

"'Ow?" inquired the other, staring. 

"It's as easy as easy, " said Mr. Smith, who had been greatly galled byhis friend's manner. "I'll leave it in my will. That's the cheapest wayo' giving money I know of. And while I'm about it I'll leave you adecent pair o' trousers and a shirt with your own name on it. "

While an ancient friendship was thus being dissolved, Mr. Adolphus Swannwas on the way to his office. He could never remember such a pleasantair from the water and such a vivid enjoyment in the sight of theworkaday world. He gazed with delight at the crowd of miscellaneousshipping in the harbour and the bustling figures on the quay, onlypausing occasionally to answer anxious inquiries concerning his healthfrom seafaring men in tarry trousers, who had waylaid him with greatpains from a distance. 

He reached his office at last, and, having acknowledged the respectfulgreetings of Mr. Silk, passed into the private room, and celebrated hisreturn to work by at once arranging with his partner for a substantialrise in the wages of that useful individual. 

"My conscience is troubling me, " he declared, as he hung up his hat andgazed round the room with much relish. 

"Silk is happy enough, " said Hardy. "It is the best thing that couldhave happened to him. "

"I should like to raise everybody's wages, " said the benevolent Mr. Swann, as he seated himself at his desk. "Everything is like a holidayto me after being cooped up in that bedroom; but the rest has done me alot of good, so Blaikie says. And now what is going to happen to you?"

[Illustration: "Pausing occasionally to answer anxious inquiries. "]

Hardy shook his head. 

"Strike while the iron is hot, " said the ship-broker. "Go and seeCaptain Nugent before he has got used to the situation. And you can givehim to understand, if you like (only be careful how you do it), that Ihave got something in view which may suit his son. If you fail in thisaffair after all I've done for you, I'll enter the lists myself. "

The advice was good, but unnecessary, Mr. Hardy having already fixed onthat evening as a suitable opportunity to disclose to the captain thenature of the efforts he had been making on his behalf. The successwhich had attended them had put him into a highly optimistic mood, and heset off for Equator Lodge with the confident feeling that he had, to saythe least of it, improved his footing there. 

Captain Nugent, called away from his labours in the garden, greeted hisvisitor in his customary short manner as he entered the room. "If you'vecome to tell me about this marriage, I've heard of it, " he said, bluntly. "Murchison told me this afternoon. "

"He didn't tell you how it was brought about, I suppose?" said Hardy. 

The captain shook his head. "I didn't ask him, " he said, with affectedindifference, and sat gazing out at the window as Hardy began hisnarration. Two or three times he thought he saw signs of appreciation inhis listener's face, but the mouth under the heavy moustache was firm andthe eyes steady. Only when he related Swann's interview with NathanSmith and Kybird did the captain's features relax. He gave a chucklingcough and, feeling for his handkerchief, blew his nose violently. Then, with a strange gleam in his eye, he turned to the young man opposite. 

"Very smart, " he said, shortly. 

"It was successful, " said the other, modestly. 

"Very, " said the captain, as he rose and confronted him. "I am muchobliged, of course, for the trouble you have taken in the affairs of myfamily. And now I will remind you of our agreement. "

"Agreement?" repeated the other. 

The captain nodded. "Your visits to me were to cease when this marriagehappened, if I wished it, " he said, slowly. 

"That was the arrangement, " said the dumb-founded Hardy, "but I hadhoped----. Besides, it has all taken place much sooner than I hadanticipated. "

"That was the bargain, " said the captain, stiffly. "And now I'll bid yougood-day. "

"I am sorry that my presence should be so distasteful to you, " said themortified Hardy. 

"Distasteful, sir?" said the captain, sternly. "You have forced yourselfon me for twice a week for some time past. You have insisted upontalking on every subject under the sun, whether I liked it or not. Youhave taken every opportunity of evading my wishes that you should not seemy daughter, and you wonder that I object to you. For absolutebrazenness you beat anything I have ever encountered. "

"I am sorry, " said Hardy, again. 

"Good evening, " said the captain

"Good evening. "

Crestfallen and angry Hardy moved to the door, pausing with his hand onit as the captain spoke again. 

"One word more, " said the older man, gazing at him oddly as he strokedhis grey beard; "if ever you try to come bothering me with your talkagain I'll forbid you the house. "

"Forbid me the house?" repeated the astonished Hardy. 

"That's what I said, " replied the other; "that's plain English, isn'tit?"

Hardy looked at him in bewilderment; then, as the captain's meaningdawned upon him, he stepped forward impulsively and, seizing his hand, began to stammer out incoherent thanks. 

"You'd better clear before I alter my mind, " said Captain Nugent, roughly. "I've had more than enough of you. Try the garden, if youlike. "

He took up a paper from the table and resumed his seat, not withouta grim smile at the promptitude with which the other obeyed hisinstructions. 

Miss Nugent, reclining in a deck-chair at the bottom of the garden, looked up as she heard Hardy's footstep on the gravel. It was asurprising thing to see him walking down the garden; it was still moresurprising to observe the brightness of his eye and the easy confidenceof his bearing. It was evident that he was highly pleased with himself, and she was not satisfied until she had ascertained the reason. Then shesat silent, reflecting bitterly on the clumsy frankness of the male sexin general and fathers in particular. A recent conversation with thecaptain, in which she had put in a casual word or two in Hardy's favour, was suddenly invested with a new significance. 

"I shall never be able to repay your father for his kindness, " saidHardy, meaningly, as he took a chair near her. 

"I expect he was pleased at this marriage, " said Miss Nugent, coldly. "How did it happen?"

Mr. Hardy shifted uneasily in his chair. "There isn't much to tell, " hesaid, reluctantly; "and you--you might not approve of the means by whichthe end was gained. "

"Still, I want to hear about it, " said Miss Nugent. 

For the second time that evening Hardy told his story. It seemed morediscreditable each time he told it, and he scanned the girl's faceanxiously as he proceeded, but, like her father, she sat still and madeno comment until he had finished. Then she expressed a strong feeling ofgratitude that the Nugent family had not been mixed up in it. 

"Why?" inquired Hardy, bluntly. 

"I don't think it was a very nice thing to do, " said Miss Nugent, with asuperior air. 

"It wouldn't have been a very nice thing for you if your brother hadmarried Miss Kybird, " said the indignant Jem. "And you said, if youremember, that you didn't mind what I did. "

"I don't, " said Miss Nugent, noticing with pleasure that the confidentair of a few minutes ago had quite disappeared. 

"You think I have been behaving badly?" pursued Hardy. 

"I would rather not say what I think, " replied Miss Nugent, loftily. "I have no doubt you meant well, and I should be sorry to hurt yourfeelings. "

"Thank you, " said Hardy, and sat gloomily gazing about him. For sometime neither of them spoke. 

"Where is Jack now?" inquired the girl, at last. "He is staying with mefor a few days, " said Hardy. "I sincerely hope that the association willnot be injurious to him. "

"Are you trying to be rude to me?" inquired Miss Nugent, raising herclear eyes to his. 

"I am sorry, " said Hardy, hastily. "You are quite right, of course. Itwas not a nice thing to do, but I would do a thousand times worse toplease you. "

Miss Nugent thanked him warmly; he seemed to understand her so well, shesaid. 

"I mean, " said Hardy, leaning forward and speaking with a vehemence whichmade the girl instinctively avert her head--"I mean that to please youwould be the greatest happiness I could know. I love you. "

Miss Nugent sat silent, and a strong sense of the monstrous unfairness ofsuch a sudden attack possessed her. Such a declaration she felt ought tohave been led up to by numerous delicate gradations of speech, each alittle more daring than the last, but none so daring that they could nothave been checked at any time by the exercise of a little firmness. 

"If you would do anything to please me, " she said at length in a lowvoice, and without turning her head, "would you promise never to try andsee me or speak to me again if I asked you?"

"No, " said Hardy, promptly. 

Miss Nugent sat silent again. She knew that a good woman should be sorryfor a man in such extremity, and should endeavour to spare his feelingsby softening her refusal as much as possible, little as he might deservesuch consideration. But man is impatient and jumps at conclusions. Before she was half-way through the first sentence he leaned forward andtook her hand. 

"Oh, good-bye, " she said, turning to him, with a pleasant smile. 

"I am not going, " said Hardy, quietly; "I am never going, " he added, ashe took her other hand. 

Captain Nugent, anxious for his supper, found them there still debatingthe point some two hours later. Kate Nugent, relieved at the appearanceof her natural protector, clung to him with unusual warmth. Then, in akindly, hospitable fashion, she placed her other arm in that of Hardy, and they walked in grave silence to the house. 

[Illustration: "She placed her other arm in that of Hardy. "]

THE END