"You do not know what you are saying, Berkley"--Colonel Arran

choked; turned gray; then a spasm twitched his features and he

grasped the arms of his chair, staring at Berkley with burning eyes.

Neither spoke again until Larraway entered, carrying an inlaid box.

"Thank you, Larraway. You need not wait."

"Thank you, sir."

When they were again alone Colonel Arran unlocked and opened the

box, and, behind the raised lid, remained invisibly busy for some

little time, apparently sorting and re-sorting the hidden contents.

He was so very long about it that Berkley stirred at last in his

chair; and at the same moment the older man seemed to arrive at an

abrupt decision, for he closed the lid and laid two packages on the

cloth between them.

"Are these mine?" asked Berkley.

"They are mine," corrected the other quietly, "but I choose to

yield them to you."

"Thank you," said Berkley. There was a hint of ferocity in his

voice. He took the letters, turned around to look for his hat,

found it, and straightened up with a long, deep intake of breath.

"I think there is nothing more to be said between us, Colonel

Arran?"

"That lies with you."

Berkley passed a steady hand across his eyes. "Then, sir, there

remain the ceremonies of my leave taking--" he stepped closer,

level-eyed--"and my very bitter hatred."

There was a pause. Colonel Arran waited a moment, then struck the

bell:

"Larraway, Mr. Berkley has decided to go."

"Yes, sir."

"You will accompany Mr. Berkley to the door."

"Yes, sir."

"And hand to Mr. Berkley the outer key of this house."

"Yes, sir."

"And in case Mr. Berkley ever again desires to enter this house, he

is to be admitted, and his orders are to be obeyed by every servant

in it."

"Yes, sir."

Colonel Arran rose trembling. He and Berkley looked at each other;

then both bowed; and the butler ushered out the younger man.

"Pardon--the latch-key, sir."

Berkley took it, examined it, handed it back.

"Return it to Colonel Arran with Mr. Berkley's

undying--compliments," he said, and went blindly out into the April

night, but his senses were swimming as though he were drunk.

Behind him the door of the house of Arran clanged.

Larraway stood stealthily peering through the side-lights; then

tiptoed toward the hallway and entered the dining-room with velvet

tread.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024