The Quiet Gentleman

"You may well say so! And when your cousin has left us, we shall have no one but that prosy parson to keep our conversation alive!" said the Viscount.

"Does Theo mean to leave Stanyon?" asked Miss Morville quickly.

"Why, yes!" answered the Earl. "My affairs, you know, cannot be for ever left at a stand! He returns to Evesleigh tomorrow. Now, if only I could prevail upon Lucy to go to London—not that I wish to appear inhospitable—"

"Spare your breath!" recommended Ulverston. "If he were not assured that I have no intention of leaving Stanyon at this present, your cousin would not stir from here, let me tell you!"

"You have both told me so, and I have nothing to do but to reply that you are very welcome—if mistaken!"

"That," said the Viscount, "we shall see, Ger!"

CHAPTER 19

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The Viscount was not the only person to look askance upon Martin's new valet. Turvey, when he undressed his master that evening, informed him that the Castle had a fresh inmate. His tone contrived to convey the additional information that Mr. Leek was scarcely the type of man with whom he was in the habit of associating. "If I may venture to say so, my lord, a strange Individual for Mr. Martin to take into his service. Very different from Studley, who, although scarcely conforming to Our standards, I have always found to be a most respectable person. Besides having quite a Way with Mr. Martin's boots," he added, as one giving honour where it was due. "Of course, my lord, the same results as We achieve are not to be obtained, as I had occasion to tell him, through the use of mere blacking; but when one takes into account the very meagre means at his disposal he did very well—very well indeed! It is to be hoped Mr. Martin will not be disappointed in his new man. More I will not say."

"Whatever else I may believe, that I do not!" said the Earl.

"I hope, my lord," said Turvey, skilfully rolling the bandage he had removed from about the Earl's chest and shoulder, "that I am not one to cast aspersions upon others; and if Studley's sudden removal from the Castle strikes me as being a peculiar circumstance, I am sure I should prefer to keep my reflections to myself, were I not deeply concerned with your lordship's welfare."

"Thank you. I collect that Studley has gone to visit his father."

"Yes, my lord—his ailing father," said Turvey, dusting basilicum-powder over the healing wound. "Very proper, I am sure—though how he became aware that his parent was in poor health I do not know. I fancy, my lord, that Dr. Malpas cannot but be pleased with the condition of your wound. If your lordship would be so obliging as to raise your left arm a trifle, I will replace the bandages!"

The Earl complied with this request, but he said: "Out with it! What are you trying to tell me, Turvey? Do you suspect that Studley has no father?"

"On that head, my lord, I have no information, and shall keep an open mind. I was merely curious to know how the news of his parent's indisposition reached Studley."

"Possibly through the medium of the post. Not too tight, if you please!"

Turvey slackened the bandage. "I beg your lordship's pardon! I should myself have supposed that Studley must have received a letter from his parent were it not for the fact that when Chard rode to Grantham for the paregoric draught recommended by the doctor, he called at the receiving-office, and brought back to the Castle such letters as were there. There were only two, my lord: one for her ladyship, and one for the housekeeper. I trust the bandage is not now too tight?"

"Thank you, no. It is possible, you know, that, having been turned off by Mr. Martin, Studley sought for an excuse to explain his sudden departure. He might not wish it to be known that he had been dismissed."

Turvey bowed slightly. "Very understandable, I am sure, my lord. Particularly if he thought that no one would have believed it. I am told that Studley has been with Mr. Martin ever since he was a boy. Yes, my lord: remarkably attached to him, I am informed." He then helped the Earl to put oh his night-shirt, and turned to pull back the bedclothes. "Your lordship might desire me, before I myself retire to rest in the dressing-room, to turn the key in the lock of this door. Mr. Martin's new man—doubtless bewildered by the many galleries and corridors in the Castle, and anxious to acquaint himself with his surroundings—has, if I may say so, a tendency to prowl. Would your lordship care to have a pillow under the left shoulder?"

"No, thank you," Gervase replied, stretching himself out in the huge bed. "Nor should I care to have my door locked. Where does he prowl?"

"That, my lord, I am not in a position to say," said Turvey, tucking in the blankets. "One of the two occasions when I encountered him, he appeared to be acquainting himself with the bedchambers opening on to this gallery. He explained to me that he was trying to find Mr. Martin's room. Is there anything further I can do for your lordship?"