第17章

They had been feasting a poet from the bush, the latest discovery of the Editor.Such discoveries were the business, the vocation, the pride and delight of the only apostle of letters in the hemisphere, the solitary patron of culture, the Slave of the Lamp -as he subscribed himself at the bottom of the weekly literary page of his paper.He had had no difficulty in persuading the virtuous Willie (who had festive instincts) to help in the good work, and now they had left the poet lying asleep on the hearthrug of the editorial room and had rushed to the Dunster mansion wildly.The Editor had another discovery to announce.Swaying a little where he stood he opened his mouth very wide to shout the one word "Found!" Behind him Willie flung both his hands above his head and let them fall dramatically.Renouard saw the four white-headed people at the end of the terrace rise all together from their chairs with an effect of sudden panic.

"I tell you - he - is - found," the patron of letters shouted emphatically.

"What is this!" exclaimed Renouard in a choked voice.Miss Moorsom seized his wrist suddenly, and at that contact fire ran through all his veins, a hot stillness descended upon him in which he heard the blood - or the fire - beating in his ears.He made a movement as if to rise, but was restrained by the convulsive pressure on his wrist.

"No, no." Miss Moorsom's eyes stared black as night, searching the space before her.Far away the Editor strutted forward, Willie following with his ostentatious manner of carrying his bulky and oppressive carcass which, however, did not remain exactly perpendicular for two seconds together.

"The innocent Arthur...Yes.We've got him," the Editor became very business-like."Yes, this letter has done it."He plunged into an inside pocket for it, slapped the scrap of paper with his open palm."From that old woman.William had it in his pocket since this morning when Miss Moorsom gave it to him to show me.Forgot all about it till an hour ago.Thought it was of no importance.Well, no! Not till it was properly read."Renouard and Miss Moorsom emerged from the shadows side by side, a well-matched couple, animated yet statuesque in their calmness and in their pallor.She had let go his wrist.On catching sight of Renouard the Editor exclaimed:

"What - you here!" in a quite shrill voice.

There came a dead pause.All the faces had in them something dismayed and cruel.

"He's the very man we want," continued the Editor."Excuse my excitement.You are the very man, Renouard.Didn't you tell me that your assistant called himself Walter? Yes? Thought so.But here's that old woman - the butler's wife - listen to this.She writes: All I can tell you, Miss, is that my poor husband directed his letters to the name of H.Walter."Renouard's violent but repressed exclamation was lost in a general murmur and shuffle of feet.The Editor made a step forward, bowed with creditable steadiness.

"Miss Moorsom, allow me to congratulate you from the bottom of my heart on the happy - er - issue...""Wait," muttered Renouard irresolutely.

The Editor jumped on him in the manner of their old friendship.

"Ah, you! You are a fine fellow too.With your solitary ways of life you will end by having no more discrimination than a savage.

Fancy living with a gentleman for months and never guessing.Aman, I am certain, accomplished, remarkable, out of the common, since he had been distinguished" (he bowed again) "by Miss Moorsom, whom we all admire."She turned her back on him.

"I hope to goodness you haven't been leading him a dog's life, Geoffrey," the Editor addressed his friend in a whispered aside.

Renouard seized a chair violently, sat down, and propping his elbow on his knee leaned his head on his hand.Behind him the sister of the professor looked up to heaven and wrung her hands stealthily.

Mrs.Dunster's hands were clasped forcibly under her chin, but she, dear soul, was looking sorrowfully at Willie.The model nephew!

In this strange state! So very much flushed! The careful disposition of the thin hairs across Willie's bald spot was deplorably disarranged, and the spot itself was red and, as it were, steaming.

"What's the matter, Geoffrey?" The Editor seemed disconcerted by the silent attitudes round him, as though he had expected all these people to shout and dance."You have him on the island - haven't you?""Oh, yes: I have him there," said Renouard, without looking up.

"Well, then!" The Editor looked helplessly around as if begging for response of some sort.But the only response that came was very unexpected.Annoyed at being left in the background, and also because very little drink made him nasty, the emotional Willie turned malignant all at once, and in a bibulous tone surprising in a man able to keep his balance so well -"Aha! But you haven't got him here - not yet!" he sneered."No!

You haven't got him yet."

This outrageous exhibition was to the Editor like the lash to a jaded horse.He positively jumped.

"What of that? What do you mean? We - haven't - got - him - here.

Of course he isn't here! But Geoffrey's schooner is here.She can be sent at once to fetch him here.No! Stay! There's a better plan.Why shouldn't you all sail over to Malata, professor? Save time! I am sure Miss Moorsom would prefer..."With a gallant flourish of his arm he looked for Miss Moorsom.She had disappeared.He was taken aback somewhat.

"Ah! H'm.Yes....Why not.A pleasure cruise, delightful ship, delightful season, delightful errand, del...No! There are no objections.Geoffrey, I understand, has indulged in a bungalow three sizes too large for him.He can put you all up.It will be a pleasure for him.It will be the greatest privilege.