I never saw any gentleman stare
so."
Val played with his wine-glass, and pondered. "I don't believe I owe a
shilling in the world," quoth he--betraying the bent of his thoughts, and
speaking to no one in particular. "I have squared-up every debt, as far
as I know."
"He does not look like a creditor," observed Hedges, with a fatherly air.
"Quite superior to that: more like a parson. It's his manner that makes
one doubt. There was a mystery about it at Hartledon that I didn't like;
and he refused to give his name. His insisting on seeing your lordship
now, at dinner or not at dinner, is odd too; his voice is quiet, just as
if he possessed the right to do this. I didn't know what to do, and
as I say, he's in the hall."
"Show him in somewhere, Hedges. Lady Hartledon is in the drawing-room, I
suppose: let him go into the dining-room."
"Her ladyship's dinner is being laid there, my lord," dissented the
cautious retainer. "She said it was to be served as soon as it was ready,
having come home earlier than she expected."
"Deuce take it!" testily responded Val, "one can't swing a cat in these
cramped hired houses. Show him into my smoking-den upstairs."
"Let me go there," said Mr. Carr, "and you can see him in this room."
"No; keep to your wine, Carr. Take him up there, Hedges."
The butler retired, and Lord Hartledon turned to his guest. "Carr, can
you give a guess at the fellow's business?"
"It's nothing to trouble you.
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