Stephen Archer, and Other Tales Part 42

_Sus_. Only the whiteness o' the linin' as took my breath away, miss.

It ain't no use turnin' of _it_ up: you'll look like a lady whatever you do to hide it. But never mind: that ain't no disgrace so long as you don't look down on the rest of us. There, miss! There you are--fit for a play! Come along; I'll take care of you. Lawks! I'm as good as a man--_I_ am!

_Con_. Good-bye then, Mattie.

_Mat_. Good-bye, miss. G.o.d bless you.

_Exeunt_.

END OF ACT III.

ACT IV.

SCENE.--_The Studio_.

_Enter_ COL. G. _Walks about restless and eager_.

_Col. G._ Thank heaven! If Bill has found Mr. Warren now,--_Exit_.

_Enter_ WARREN.

_War_. What can the fellow be up to? There's something odd about him--something I don't like--but it can't mean mischief when he sends for me. Where could Gervaise have picked him up?--n.o.body here?

_Re-enter_ COL. G. _and hurries to him with outstretched hand_.

_Col. G._ My dear sir! I am greatly obliged to you. This is very kind.

_War_. (_stepping back_) Excuse me.--I do not understand.

_Col. G._ I beg your pardon. I ought to have explained.

_War_. I believe something of the sort _is_ necessary.

_Col. G._ You are my master's friend.

_War_. I should be proud of the honour. Can I be of any service to him?

_Col. G._ I believe I can trust you. I _will_ trust you--I am his father.

_War_. Whose father? Belzebub's?

_Col. G._ Arthur's--your friend Gervaise's. I am Sir Walter Gervaise.

You must help me to help him.

WARREN _regards him for a moment_.

_War_. (_stiffly_) Sir Walter, I owe your son much--you nothing yet. I am _his_ friend.

_Col. G._ There is not a moment to lose. Listen. An old man came about the place a few weeks ago, looking for his daughter. He has been got out of the way, but I have learned where he is: I want you to bring him.

_War_. I would serve your son blindfold: _you_ must excuse me if I wish to understand first.

_Col. G._ Arthur is in trouble. He has a secret.--G.o.d forgive me!--I feared it was a bad one.

_War_. You don't know him as I do!

_Col. G._ I know him now--and can help him. Only I can't _prove_ anything yet. I must have the old man. I've found his daughter, and suspect the villain: if I can bring the three together, all will come out, sure enough. The boy I sent for you will take you to the father.

He will trust you, and come. (_Bell rings_.) I must go to Arthur now.

_Exit_.

_War_. What a strange old fellow! An officer--and disguise himself!

_Enter_ BILL.

_Bill_. Here you are, sir!

_War_. No vast amount of information in that statement, my boy!

_Bill_. Well, sir--here _I_ are, sir.

_War_. That _is_ a trifle more to the point, though scarcely requiring mention.

_Bill_. Then, here _we_ are, sir.

_War_. That'll do--if you know what comes next?

_Bill_. I do, sir.

_War_. Go on, then.

_Bill_. Here goes! Come along, sir. You'll have to take a bobby, though.

_War_. We'll see about that. You go on.

_Exeunt_.

_Enter_ GERVAISE, followed by COL. G.

_Ger._ What a time you have been, William!

_Col. G._ I'm sorry, sir. Did you want anything?

_Ger._ No. But I don't like to be left. You are the only friend I have.

_Col. G._ Thank you, sir. A man _must_ do his duty, but it's a comfort when his colonel takes notice of it.