Strange Visitors Part 14

CHAPTER XV.

At length, after two days of unrest and self-condemnation, I quieted myself with the a.s.surance that I would go to the Hall and see Mr.

Bristed; then also I could see dear Herbert, to whom my heart went often out with longing. His name was never mentioned between Richard and myself. I avoided the subject; a dread which I could not overcome forbade me to speak of it. But now a strange, irrepressible desire to see the child filled my mind.

Yielding to this intense feeling, I arranged my affairs, and taking a coach, set off early in the morning for the train which would convey me to Bristed Hall. To my astonishment I met Richard at the depot.

Overwhelmed with surprise at the encounter, and ashamed to confess my intended journey, I made some petty excuse for being there, and returned home again. Richard handed me into the cab, but excused himself from accompanying me as he had a friend awaiting him.

That day, after luncheon, taking me aside he informed me that a n.o.ble lord had placed in his charge a lad who was partially idiotic and sole heir to an immense estate; that it was necessary he should have at his disposal a room in the upper part of the building in which he could keep him from observation, as it had been discovered the sight of strangers increased the boy's malady, and perfect seclusion would be the only means of restoring him to reason.

I immediately directed a servant to put in order one of the rooms in a remote portion of the dwelling; this was done, and towards dusk Richard, who had left the house, returned in a handsome coach with the poor, helpless, deranged boy. From the window I saw them alight. A slight, tall figure, wrapped in a cloak, descended from the coach. This undoubtedly was the afflicted youth. He walked so feebly I should have hastened to his a.s.sistance, but Richard's command that I should not permit him to see strange faces withheld me.

However, I stood in the partly opened door, hoping I should be called. As the m.u.f.fled figure pa.s.sed me on the way up the staircase I vainly sought to catch a glimpse of the youth's face, but he turned neither to the right nor left.

Richard, however, saw me and shook his head, indicating with an angry, peremptory gesture, that I should withdraw.

For days I felt a strange curiosity about this youth, but as Richard gave my inquisitiveness no food, and conducted his attentions to his charge in an orderly, business-like manner, I dismissed the subject from my mind.

CHAPTER XVI.

Nothing new transpired the remainder of those autumn days. November was now close upon us. About this time I remarked a sudden falling off of my hitherto prosperous school. Determined to know the cause, I inquired of one of my a.s.sistants, in whom I confided, if she was aware of the cause of this decline. She hesitated to reply to my question, but when pressed for her opinion she informed me that my pupils were dissatisfied with my relations with Mr. Richard, and also with his conduct respecting the youth who had been imprisoned on the upper floor. They a.s.serted they had heard groans proceeding from the room he occupied, and feared to remain in a house where mystery and secrecy were rife.

I was astonished and alarmed at this information. You, reader, will be surprised to learn that I was at that time more ignorant of events that transpired around me than my own pupils. But I was not of a suspicious nature, and happy in my new life of love, the few weeks that had elapsed since my marriage pa.s.sed as in a delicious dream.

But now I was thoroughly aroused and ready to return to duty. I thanked the teacher for her information and then dismissed her, as I wished to be alone.

When left to the quiet of my own thoughts I reflected how best to proceed in the matter. Richard was not at home, I could not question him, and he had the key of his ward's room with him.

I finally concluded I would go to the door of this private room and listen if I could detect any unusual noise from within.

With trepidation I ascended the back staircase leading to the secluded apartment.

Near the door I paused against the alcove of the great window that lighted the hall, and looked out. The sky was dull and leaden; a scanty snow was falling, and the wind, blowing furiously, drove it hither and yon. I stood for some moments looking out upon the gloomy prospect so in accordance with my state of mind. Suddenly I caught a glimpse of Richard crossing the street. I started when I saw him and was about to retreat, when a thought arrested me. Why should I hurry away? Was I afraid of Richard? Was he not the proper person to consult in my dilemma? I would let him know that I desired to enter the room!

So thinking, I approached the door and tried it. It was locked, but at the sound of the turning k.n.o.b a sad, dreary moan arose from within--a cry of mingled fear and weakness. The sound of that moaning voice seemed familiar to my ear. What could it mean?

As I stood thus in suspense, listening for further development of the mystery, I heard a step close beside me. I turned, and discovered Richard. His fair, handsome face scowled at me fiendishly; his countenance seemed transformed; his eyes gleamed like those of a panther.

"What are you doing here?" said he, laying a heavy hand upon me and speaking through his set teeth. "Go down stairs!" and he pushed me from him violently.

I suppose his physical power and angry mood awed me, for I forgot my determination to solve the mystery--forgot my own rights, and hurried precipitately down the stairs.

CHAPTER XVII.

With my mind filled with dreadful forebodings, I reached my own private chamber, entered it, and bolted the door, that I might consider, undisturbed, the best course of action to pursue under these fearful suspicions that haunted me. Hour after hour pa.s.sed as I sat thus absorbed in thought which seemed to turn my very hair gray from its intensity.

I heard Richard descend the stairs and go out into the street. Not long; after this the door-bell rang violently and the servant knocked at my door to say that a gentleman in the drawing-room wished to see me.

Smoothing my hair and arranging my toilet, I obeyed the summons, but started back on discovering the stranger to be no other than Mr. Bristed.

He pressed my hands and said:

"Agnes, can I converse with you in private here a few moments?"

My first surprise over, I answered, "Come with me; we will not be disturbed here." Withdrawing to a small room adjoining, he drew forward an ottoman and seating himself beside me, said:

"Agnes, Herbert is missing; can you tell me where I can find him?"

"Herbert missing!" said I with a shudder.

"Yes," said he, "I have heard, Agnes, that a gentleman visits you whom I surmise to be my brother, and, if so, I thought perhaps you would know through him of Herbert's place of hiding."

"Has Herbert left you?" said I. "Tell me--what do you mean, Mr. Bristed?"

"Yes," said he; "some few weeks since, I left the Hall to visit an old friend. I expected to be absent a fortnight. While I was gone Herbert disappeared, the servants knew not how nor where. At first, hoping to discover that he had strayed off of his own accord and would soon be found, they searched the country in every direction, but in vain. They were at last obliged to send me word of his disappearance. You can imagine my sensations on arriving at the Hall and finding the dear child's room vacant. I made inquiries in every quarter, sent couriers out in all parts of the neighboring country, but no trace of him could be found.

"I at length thought of you, that you might have seen or heard of my brother. He is the one person likely to be concerned in the singular disappearance of Herbert."

I trembled from head to foot. What could I say? Evidently he was not aware of my marriage with his brother. How should I act? Richard might come in at any moment and discover himself. I recollected him to have incidentally mentioned that the following day he had an engagement at the race-course with a friend; I therefore said hurriedly:

"Mr. Bristed, I have seen Richard recently, but tonight can tell you nothing further. If you will call to-morrow morning at eleven, I will tell you all I know."

He seized my hand, exclaiming, "Tell me to-night, Agnes, and set my mind at ease."

My head seemed on fire--I groaned audibly.

"I can tell you nothing of a certainty. It is all surmise, and my brain is distracted to-night. Give me till to-morrow."

"I will, Agnes; I feel that I can confide in you."

"Now go," I replied. "My position is such that your presence here will only destroy the purpose of your visit."

He clasped my hand in his and left me.

The next morning before leaving for the racecourse, while adjusting his neck-tie, Richard said:

"I fear we shall lose our imbecile pupil up-stairs, Ag. I brought a doctor in to see him last night, and he says he cannot live long."

I could not see his face, for he looked persistently away.