The Quiet Gentleman

"Well, I did, of course, though not quite at once," admitted Martin. "It seemed so impossible that Theo could have done such a thing to you! Only, I knew I had not, so there was no one else! And when I had had leisure to think about my having been kidnapped in such a way, naturally I began to see how it must have been! I knew it had been done so that I should be blamed for your death, but I never guessed the whole! Nor that he would not harm you if I could not be blamed! It is the most infamous thing! It was bad enough when I only thought he had kidnapped me to save himself from being suspected! All I thought was that he would kill you, if he could, and very likely me too, but not like that! Later—when all the scandal had been forgotten! That's why I hired Leek—at least, it is in part! I thought he might be able to discover some proof that it was Theo, and not me! For what was the use of telling you what I suspected, when you were hand-in-glove with Theo, and seemed not to believe a word I said? I'm not such a gudgeon, either, as not to have known that Chard was spying on me! In fact, I made sure you had ordered him to!"

"I had," said the Earl. "Not, however, for any other reason than to safeguard you in case of accident. From the moment of your return to Stanyon until today, when you seem, very unwisely, to have given Chard the slip, I provided you with a witness who must have testified on your behalf had anything happened to me."

"I never thought of that!" Martin said, much struck. "I must say, St. Erth, it was devilish handsome of you! When that fool, Leek, told me you had come here, and alone, I did wonder if I should not tell Chard the whole, and bring him with me. But then I thought he would very likely not believe a word of it, and prevent my coming after you into the bargain, so I gave him the bag. I suppose, if I had had time to consider, I need not have come at all, for Theo would never dare to harm you here! The thing was, it gave me the devil of a shock, when Leek told me! I thought you had been hoaxed, like everyone else, and anything might happen to you! Coming here quite alone like this! St. Erth, why did you?"

The Earl regarded his signet-ring for a moment. When he raised his eyes, it was at his cousin that he looked, not at Martin. He replied in a low voice: "To tell him that I knew. To put an end to it all, if I could, without divulging the truth to anyone. Here I could say what had to be said without fearing that your Runner's ear might be glued to the keyhole. If I had sent for Theo to come to Stanyon, what a damnable situation must have been created! He could not have remained there, nor I have wished him to. You were already suspicious; so, I fancy, was one other. Lucy, the servants—they would all have thought it an odd circumstance if I were to have sent for Theo only to dismiss him within the hour! Well! You have frustrated a part of my design, but we can still prevent this affair from becoming generally known."

"I don't see that!" Martin objected scowling.

"I was afraid you would not," said the Earl, dryly.

"It's very well for you!" Martin said. "No one thinks you have been trying to murder anyone! Pray what about me?"

"Since the only certain information anyone outside Stanyon has is that I was shot by a man in homespuns, I fancy the accident will soon be forgotten. If it is seen that you and I stand upon very good terms, it will be concluded that whatever rumours were rife had no foundation in fact. I collect, from Dr. Malpas, that some of the rumours are so wild that already people are beginning to shrug up their shoulders, and to disbelieve the whole. Certain persons must be told, of course: Lucy, Chard, Miss Morville (though I think she knows already), but as for the world at large—let it think what it chooses! it will not long think you had anything to do with my accident."

"But do you mean to do nothing?" Martin said indignantly. "He ought to be brought to justice!"

Theo, who had walked away to the fireplace, said over his shoulder: "You have imagined an ingenious story. Does it occur to you that not one word of it can you prove?"

"We'll try that!" Martin flung at him.

"Not if I have my way," interposed the Earl. "What, brandish this abominable affair in a criminal court? Set ourselves up to provide the vulgar with a nine-days wonder to gape at and exclaim over? I thank you, Martin, no!"

Martin was silenced. Theo said, in his usual, level tone: "You feel, then, that it would be possible to have me arrested, do you, Gervase? Does your fancy even lead you to suppose that I could be convicted on this evidence?"

"I could have you arrested. I think you would be acquitted. But it would ruin you, Theo."

"I must suppose that it is your intention to ruin me."

"No, it isn't my intention, or my desire. I would prefer to send you to Jamaica."

"Eh?" said Martin, startled.