King of the Castle Part 85

"And, I'm sure, you feel all this very deeply. Terrible shock for the poor girl."

"Yes, terrible," whispered Glyddyr.

"I don't wonder that you are so completely prostrated this morning."

"No; it is no wonder, is it?"

"Not the slightest."

"And I feel it, too, about young Lisle. I--I shouldn't like him to be hung."

"Make yourself easy, man; he will not be. There will be nine days' talk about it, and that is all. The old man was examined; our evidence was taken, and he is at rest in his grave. The law can't take any notice of these scandals."

"Do--do you feel that--it will not take him and imprison him for life, say."

"No, man, it will not; but as far as he is concerned with Claude Gartram, it will be just as if he had been put out of the way. Last night's reports will be the making of you."

"What do you mean?"

"You know. Claude had a lingering liking for that fellow, but she can never speak to him again; and if you play your cards right, her pretty little hand will some day be laid in yours. You'll give her a new name, and take possession yonder."

Glyddyr looked at him rather wildly.

"Why, you don't seem glad, man. Hallo!"

There was a sharp knock just then, and the two occupants of the surgery listened intently to the opening, and the low murmuring of voices.

The servant tapped on the surgery door directly after.

"Mr Trevithick, sir, would be glad to speak to you."

"Show him in," said the Doctor. "No, don't go, Glyddyr. He has come over about that rumour."

The lawyer entered, and shook hands with both.

"Did not want to interrupt you, Doctor; but I should like a few minutes'

conversation."

"About that rumour concerning Gartram? By all means. Mr Glyddyr and I were discussing the matter."

"Well, what is your opinion?"

"That it is all nonsense."

"You have heard everything; the report of the money, the finding of a bottle, and Mr Lisle being seen that night in the grounds?"

"Yes--oh, yes; but what does all that prove?" said the Doctor decisively. "We were quite satisfied how Gartram met with his end. Let the rumour blow over, as it will do, and let the old man rest."

The lawyer sat looking very thoughtful for a few moments, as he ran over in his mind all that had pa.s.sed.

"By the way, how did you hear of it?"

"I am not at liberty to say."

"Then I'll tell you," said Asher quickly. "That crazy barber came over to you yesterday. He found a bottle, and showed it to me. Bah! all rubbish. The man's half mad."

"I am beginning to think you are right," said Trevithick.

"I'm sure I am."

"But it is a bad thing for Mr Christopher Lisle to have such a charge made against him, especially after being on such friendly terms with the family."

"Well, gentlemen, you must excuse me; I am going up to the house," cried the Doctor.

"I will walk with you," said Trevithick quietly.

"And I am to be left out in the cold," muttered Glyddyr, as he followed them slowly out, only to stop hesitating, as he caught sight of the princ.i.p.al object of his thoughts.

"That don't look like guilt, Mr Trevithick," said Asher, who had seen Chris before Glyddyr had caught sight of him.

"Might be clever cunning," said the lawyer quietly.

"Might be, but it is not. Oh, hang it all, sir, don't let us harbour the thought for a moment. The young man's as innocent as you are.

Good-morning, Mr Lisle."

"Ah, glad to see you, Doctor," cried Chris, whose face looked drawn and old. "Morning, Mr Trevithick. You have heard the rumour?"

The Doctor bowed his head.

"I will not stoop to deny it, of course. The insensate fools! As if it were possible," he cried excitedly.

"Of course no one believes such an absurd rumour--I mean no one with brains--eh, Mr Trevithick?" said Asher.

The lawyer coughed, and the pair moved on.

Chris was left standing by himself as the Doctor and lawyer went on up to the house. He stood gazing after them for a time, and then turned to go all alone towards the beach. At that moment he became aware of the fact that Glyddyr was watching him, and the feeling of love and sympathy for Claude, and the desire to clear himself in her eyes, turned to bitterness and jealousy.

"Of course," he said savagely; "ready to believe ill of me! Ah, how I could enjoy half-an-hour with you, Parry Glyddyr, alone!"

He walked on, to become conscious directly of that which, in his excitement, he had not before observed.

There were not many people visible, but those who were hanging about in knots were evidently talking about and watching him; and as he pa.s.sed on toward his home, he found that men who had known from boyhood suddenly turned away to enter their houses, or begin talking earnestly to their companions. Not one gave him look or word of recognition.

"Has it come to this?" he said, savagely. "A pariah--a leper to be avoided. Well, let them. Oh! you!" he muttered, as a great stout fisherman, whose boat he had used scores of times, pa.s.sed him with his hands deep down in his pockets, staring straight out over his left shoulder to sea.

Chris's fists involuntarily clenched, and he strode away, not once looking back or he would have seen heads thrust out of doors, and knots gathering together to discuss his case, and the burden of all the converse was: "How soon will he be took and put in gaol?"

"Hah! my dear," e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed Mrs Sarson, as he reached his lodgings.