The Amateur Gentleman

Barnabas drew a step nearer, and, on the instant, the grovelling

figure started up to an elbow; thus, stooping down, Barnabas looked

into the haggard face of Ronald Barrymaine.

"Beverley!" he gasped, "w-what d'you want? Go away,--l-leave me!"

"No!" said Barnabas, "it is you who must go away--at once. You must

leave London to-night!"

"W-what d' you mean?"

"You must be clear of England by to-morrow night at latest."

Barrymaine stared up at Barnabas wide-eyed and passed his tongue to

and fro across his lips before he spoke again: "Beverley, w-what d' you--mean?"

"I know why you keep your right hand hidden!" said Barnabas.

Barrymaine shivered suddenly, but his fixed stare never wavered, only,

as he crouched there, striving to speak yet finding no voice, upon

his furrowed brow and pallid cheek ran glittering lines of sweat. At

last he contrived to speak again, but in a whisper now: "W-what do you mean?"

"I mean that tonight I found this scrap of cloth, and I recognized

it as part of the cuff of your sleeve, and I found it clenched in

Jasper Gaunt's dead hand."

With a hoarse, gasping cry Barrymaine cast himself face down upon

the floor again and writhed there like one in agony.

"I d-didn't mean to--oh, God! I never m-meant it!" he groaned and,

starting to his knees, he caught at Barnabas with wild, imploring

hands: "Oh, Beverley, I s-swear to you I n-never meant to do it.

I went there tonight to l-learn the truth, and he th-threatened

me--threatened me, I tell you, s-so we fought and he was s-strong

and swung me against the w-wall. And then, Beverley--as we

s-struggled--somehow I g-got hold of--of the dagger and struck at

him--b-blindly. And--oh, my God, Beverley--I shall never forget how

he--ch-choked! I can hear it now! But I didn't mean to--do it. Oh, I

s-swear I never meant it, Beverley--s-so help me, God!"

"But he is dead," said Barnabas, "and now--"

"Y-you won't give me up, Beverley?" cried Barrymaine, clinging to

his knees. "I wronged you, I know--n-now, but don't g-give me up.

I'm not afraid to d-die like a g-gentleman should, but--the

gallows--oh, my God!"

"No, you must be saved--from that!"

"Ah--w-will you help me?"

"That is why I came."

"W-what must I do?"

"Start for Dover--to-night."

"Yes--yes, Dover. B-but I have no money."

"Here are twenty guineas, they will help you well on your way. When

they are gone you shall have more."

"Beverley, I--wronged you, but I know now who my c-creditor really

is--I know who has been m-my enemy all along--oh, blind f-fool that

I've been,--but I know--now. And I think it's t-turned my brain.

Beverley,--my head's all confused--wish D-Dig were here. But I shall

be better s-soon. It was D-Dover you said, I think?"