CHAPTER I. But
the Doctor was perplexed, and wanted some one to help him out of his
difficulty. "Sir." "Walk the horse up and down to keep
the cold off, but don't go far." "Well, that's your fault, I suppose," said the lively woman,
vivaciously, as she deftly handled the shining copper kettle. "I thought Doctor Brudenell's time was too valuable," observed Kate,
quietly, as she resumed her toasting. she
would declare, impatiently. He was not unhappy. "Hardly, Mrs. Leslie; in fact, I want yours." "It is yours, of course--but
upon what subject?" "This. But her children are coming to England--they are on their
way, in fact, and coming to me." Well, what is your difficulty?" "Merely, what am I to do with them?" "Why, take care of them, of course!" The Doctor stirred his tea with an air of helpless bewilderment. He felt a distinct sense of injury, too. His sister had got married, which was all very well. The Doctor shuddered at the
thought; the prospect appalled him. he repeated, interrogatively. The Doctor felt that this counsel was good. It was plain, practical,
feasible. "Advertise," suggested his adviser, tersely. It's too bad, I declare! cried Mrs. Leslie,
pausing, sugar-tongs in hand. "Do me the favor to be
intelligible, at least, Kate. "Nonsense, child! retorted Mrs. Leslie, tartly. "But now he will do it,
and quickly, if he is sensible." The Doctor did not advertise for a governess,
although when he left he was firmly resolved upon doing so. The Doctor did all that he could for the patient--a disheveled woman,
who had fallen, while drunk, and cut her head. CHAPTER II. The Doctor, abandoning any idea of chasing and
securing him, lost not a moment in doing what he could. Young, and a spanker to look at, I should say! Is she dead, sir?" "No." The Doctor laid her gently down, his practiced hand over the
heart. Call me a cab, somebody. "I am, sir. The Doctor looked at his companion, repeating:
"Can you come with me? I may want assistance." "With pleasure, sir! You'll take her to the hospital, I suppose?" "No. There is no objection, I suppose?" The Doctor put aside that consideration
contemptuously. replied the sergeant, intelligently. The Doctor had motioned to him to help himself to the wine, and he did
so now with contemplative deliberation. "H'm, I thought as much! Now, as to motive, sir; have you got any
theory?" "Robbery, I suppose. "No, I don't, sir. Maybe, of course, but I doubt it. The Doctor sat silently pondering. "No. "Just so, sir. About the weapon--an ordinary knife, should you say?" queried the sergeant. "I should say so." "Supports my idea, you see, sir. "I hope you are mistaken," said the Doctor, rising and looking
thoughtfully at the fire. "I hope you are, but we shall see. Fill your
glass, sergeant!" "Well, we shall see, as you say. "Impossible to say. No, decidedly she was not English; but he did
not think she was French. Will you step down to the station with me, sir?" Why, that depended. he inquired,
cheerfully. What I fear is fever,
consequent on the shock. "Yes, sir." "No doubt, sir." "She is a foreigner, I fancy. "No, sir." --"No, sir." "Not one, sir." persisted the Doctor musingly, as he held out his
hands to the fire. "There was this, sir," said Mrs. Jessop, abruptly. --"No, sir. The Doctor untied and unrolled the little packet, then looked at it by
the gaslight. It looked
strange, uncanny, witch-like. The Doctor studied it
wonderingly for a few moments, and then laughed at the thought of such
an absurd fancy assailing him! "Well, that won't help us much," he said. "As I thought, we must wait
for light from her, poor girl. he muttered, under his breath, and turning away. CHAPTER III. The Doctor sat down again, and took up his knife and fork with an
energy which sent the gravy flying over the snowy cloth. he said. he said,
good-humoredly. The Doctor felt that this was correct; his opinion being that any
children in the least degree resembling Laura's luckily did not exist
anywhere. "No, sir--they're with Miss Boucheafen." "Better, I think, sir--she seems so. cried Tom. The Doctor waited for her to speak; but, either from perversity or
indifference, she stood like a statue, and would not even raise her
eyes. "Yes, sir, if you please." The Doctor felt this, but hardly its incongruity, as she
slowly resumed her seat and signed to him to be seated also. "I am well," she answered, gravely. "Miss Boucheafen, if you are strong enough to allow of it--"
"As I said, sir, I am well." "I must, with your permission, ask you a few questions." "I do prefer it, sir." "Nothing, sir--I know nothing." "Ah, sir--you forget! "True, true!" the Doctor returned, a slight flush tinting his cheeks,
for he fancied that he detected a mocking gleam in her eyes, a
suspicion of a smile curving her lips. "Ah, sir, they are clever, your police, but they sometimes make
mistakes! Is it not so?" It
looked like it. "Listen, then, sir. "Miss Boucheafen, could you recognize this man?" "I think not--I am sure not." "It was dark. No--I could not recognize him." "Nor could I, unfortunately." "Less than nothing," she assented. "Yes." "Sir, I have said that I am almost
strong--you know that I am so. He was silent, and waited for
her to continue speaking. I am alone, I am
friendless, penniless. "Yes. Suffer me, then, to remain." The Doctor hesitated, feeling uneasy, astonished, puzzled. "Ah, sir, yes! "Yourself," she replied. "Not one." But he was glad that she was going to stay; he had that
curious sense of relief from tension which is the result of anxiety
removed, as though to protect her, to befriend and keep her safe, were
an object which had long lain near his heart. "Take it, miss!" CHAPTER IV. "Children," said Miss Boucheafen, abruptly, "you have been good to-day,
and it is fine. We will go out." cried Tom, the eldest and the
readiest-tongued. muttered Floss, sulkily. "Will you get ready, Ellen? demanded Tom, tugging at Alexia's hand. "No, no--not to-day," demurred the governess, quickly. "Listen,
children. "Into the park," said Alexia. "Oh, all right! I don't mind. "Keep them in sight, then," said Alexia. "Follow them, Ellen. My head aches, and I cannot walk fast." "No, no; I will follow you slowly. Alexia did not follow. "Children, are you ready to go?" "You 'tory, I never! "Come
now, children. Come now." "My little one--see, the lady has dropped this paper. Give it to her;
and as for this bauble, take it. He released her. "Ma'm'selle, Ma'm'selle!" She tugged at the governess's dress, at her
hand. "Nice, nice man,
vewy nice! Oh, an' yes!" "Him did. Him," said the child, turning round to
point. cried Maggie. "I see. He glanced at her reflected face in the mirror, and
winced and frowned and bit his lip, seeing his own beside it. "The day was so fine--it tempted me," replied Alexia. "I shall do so, sir, with your permission--now." "Well, that is wise. "I am not so, indeed. Not at all too tired to play, if you desire it." "Yes." "I remember, sir." The Doctor hesitated; that "sir," with its stiffness, its cool, formal,
respect, jarred upon him more and more day by day; and she hardly ever
failed to use it. Alexia raised her head
and looked at him, but she did not speak. "Sir, do you then wish me to leave here?" he echoed. "Quite sure. "I shall not do that," murmured Alexia softly; and then, having no
further excuse for remaining, he went away. The Doctor fell into a reverie before his study fire presently, and
forgot the book upon his knee. "S'all go to the park, I s'all! demanded Tom. asked Alexia. "Why, to the park, as we did last week? Come in." "Good-morning, Mademoiselle." echoed Alexia. "Well, I am glad of it. Not here, I hope?" "No, not here exactly; but it is a most horrible thing." A murder, Mademoiselle!" "No, no; I am not frightened. Go on, pray! How was it? Who was it?" "As to who it was--a man. "And he was found dead, and brought here?" But he was dead, and had been dead for at least half an hour. murmured Alexia. "Did you say, sir,
that he was an old man?" "Ah, yes; I was forgetting, sir! Not yet. It must be removed to the mortuary to await the
inquest, of course." "No, I am not afraid. "Yes--if I may." "I should like to
see him--this poor murdered boy, if I may. This is no sight for you." "Yes," she answered steadily. Let me see." He was wanted, had been sent for
in haste, some one was dying. It was cruel. I did my best to save you, but I could not." You are in trouble." "Yes," she said faintly. I do not know what to do, and"--she faltered,
glancing at him--"it seemed natural to come to you." "If you will." The Doctor repeated it aloud. "I thought so too. He was there three months ago, when I last heard
from him. "And he writes to you for help, poor child!" "Yes. But, ah, sir, he is so young--a boy! "And whom should he
ask, poor Gustave? inquired the Doctor. She pointed to the
letter, which he still held. The Doctor returned it, and asked
doubtfully:
"Mademoiselle, what do you wish me to do? "Ah, sir--yes!" The Doctor walked to the end of the room, came back, and stood beside
her. "My poor child, I understand you; but it must not be. "Ah, sir, it is easy--so easy to speak!" Being a foreigner increases
the difficulty, no doubt. "Write to your brother, and tell him to come here," returned the
Doctor. "Tut, tut!" "At once, sir." I am sure of that, although he does not tell me." You
are at liberty to come here. If, once here, you will succeed in doing
what you desire, I cannot tell. It is your affair, not mine. Come then, and remember yours--my brother." "Yes." "Well, come, show me! "You are in a hurry," said the governess, not stirring. "I saw it." "I did." "You! I could not help it. she retorted scoffingly. I am valuable, am I not?" "You were." she cried. "You mistake me. "Goad me, rather!" she retorted with unabated passion. "Come," she said. "I will show you." CHAPTER VI. "Your pardon, sir," said a voice in his ear. "You are a doctor, I
believe?" The Doctor tried in the gloom of the arch to make out the face
of the inquirer, but in vain. "Doctor Brudenell, I think?" "Yourself, sir, if you please. A person--my--brother--is ill--almost
dying, it is feared. There is no time to
be lost." asked the Doctor. "Sir, you will know when you see him. "But is it a fit, a fever, an accident? "Sir, it cannot be a fever, since an hour ago he was well. Pray, sir,
will you come? "We have not, sir. As to why I come to you--I have heard of you, that
is all. Pray come, sir, I entreat you. The Doctor mechanically noticed that there were no lamps to the
carriage, as, in obedience to the eager pressure of his companion's
hand, he got in. The Doctor fancied that he must have seen
this man before, but he could not remember where. It must be, he thought. "It is not now, sir. We shall soon be there--in time, I hope." He looked round. "We are close there, sir." The Doctor sank back into his corner again resignedly. He was fatigued,
sleepy, put out. Alight, sir, if you please." Come, if you please." The
Doctor followed him for a few paces, then stopped abruptly. "Sir, he was too bad to be moved." "I see. Go before, if you please." He spoke with a slightly foreign accent, and, with a bow,
moved aside from the doorway in which he stood. "You are welcome, sir; I thank you. Enter, if you please." A sty, rather! "As you say, sir." Is it not so?" "It is, sir." "Again you are right, sir." I
require lint, oil, bandages." "He will not stay here." The Doctor said no more, for the young man came back with bandages,
lint, and oil. The Doctor applied them as well as he could, by
the dim light of the lamp. His task concluded, the Doctor turned to them abruptly. "Explain, sir, if you please. Both men laughed, but only the elder echoed the word. "Impossible, sir!" "Then where, if not up-stairs?" "Sir, at once!" "Exactly, sir." the Doctor cried excitedly. "Indeed. And who, sir, will prevent it?" "If necessary, I will." Monsieur the Doctor, you are a hero. Where was he? As for this man, you take the
responsibility if you move him. I have done what I
can, and all I can. Show me to the door." "A moment, sir, if you please!" "I want no fee, and will take none! Show me to the door, I say!" "Your pardon! A moment, sir, if you please. interposed the Doctor angrily. Permit me to finish. There are two things to do, sir, and you have done
but one." The Doctor's temper was roused; the thought that he had
been so tricked made him forget the danger he was in. He spoke without
any signs of fear now, and faced the pair. Come--consider,
sir,--reflect. Come, then--speak!" The Doctor, as the footsteps retreated and the savage,
repressed sounds died away into a distant murmur, leaned against the
damp wall of his prison, and fought with a fresh perplexity. "Be silent, and no harm will be done you. Until then, silence!" "I shall not use it; I will go alone, and on foot." "Your pardon, sir--you will go as you came, and with the same
companion. Depart then, if you please." CHAPTER VII. The Doctor was a shrewd man, and, understanding his fellow-men in their
mental as well as their physical natures, knew very well that such a
story, if it were not entirely discredited, would be at any rate
doubted and caviled at. Suddenly he caught sight of the perfect
face of Alexia Boucheafen at a window, with her brother beside her,
and, meeting her dark eyes, was a little abashed for the moment. I'll tell her this
evening, by the way." I wanted to say, that
with regard to your brother----"
"Yes, sir." "Ah, sir--you see you are so kind, so good! When she looked at him,
rising as she did so, her eyes dilated and gleamed. he returned sullenly,
releasing her arm. "You laughed. Looking at her, he laughed grimly. she retorted, with a bitter smile. "What, think you, does he
know? I could laugh at myself, for I am almost sorry!" He is a good man in his way, and he has been kind. "Ah, that is all?" He looked at her keenly. "True." He glanced at the clock. "I shall not." She did not hear him. CHAPTER VIII., AND LAST. The Doctor ate no breakfast; but came to the
conclusion that he must see her again, and that as soon as possible;
his earnestness and anxiety conquered his diffidence. He
wished to see her. Not on any account. The Doctor picked up the paper that he had
forgotten to read, and went to his consulting-room. It was empty, for it was not yet his usual hour for receiving patients. The Doctor, excited,
horrified, interested, read the account. Go and
see. He did so. Then, in obedience to a gesture from
the Doctor, she tried to open the door. The bed was untouched, had not been slept in. Suddenly he
started up, and listened. "Sir, will you save me?" "Yes, save me. Sir, will you give it--will you save me?" she cried. The Doctor drew back. It is done. "Sir, listen! I am in your power, since without your aid I cannot
escape. he exclaimed, wonderingly. "You! Then----"
"I was there--yes. Her audacity, her frankness were almost brutal. she cried, laughing. Where, you ask, did he get the chemicals? "Sir, listen again. You have been deceived, as I have shown, but you do
not know how much. "Yes." "Yes. Sir, once more. He was condemned, and to me was
allotted the task of striking him. I meant to do it, I swore to do it. cried George Brudenell, horrified. "That boy," she assented. "Sir, I have told you--save me. Where the
others are I do not know. Sir, help me! Answer, will you save me?"