Mr. Marx's Secret Part 42

"None at all," he answered quickly. "But, my dear boy," he went on, coming over to my side and resting his hand upon my shoulder, "it is always as well to be prepared for the worst. I will tell you how it has seemed to me sometimes. Mr. Ravenor had very peculiar views with regard to marriage, something similar to those Sh.e.l.ley held in his youth, and we never heard of any ceremony, which seems strange. Then, too, their separation and your mother's marriage to a farmer, her stern, lonely life afterwards, and the fact that your birth has been kept concealed from you----"

He hesitated and seemed to gather encouragement from my face. I could not, I would not, for a moment share his fear when I thought steadfastly about it. I thought of my mother dying, with a saint-like peace upon her face, in Mr. Ravenor's arms. I thought of the calm, sorrowful dignity of her life, and the idea refused for a moment to linger in my mind. Some other great cause for estrangement there must have been between them, but not that--not that!

"I will go down and see Ravenor to-day," Lord Langerdale declared, with sudden energy. "I will wrest the truth from him."

I shook my head.

"This matter lies between him and me only," I said, in a low tone. "I will go to him."

The handle of the door was softly turned and Lady Langerdale stood upon the threshold. Her husband went over to her at once.

"Elsie," he said, "you were right. There are many things which yet remain in darkness; but this is Alice's boy--your sister's son."

She came up to me with outstretched hands and a wistful look in her sweet, womanly face.

My heart stood still for a moment, and then gave a great throb as I felt the warm clasp of her hands and the tremulous touch of her lips upon my forehead.

I knew that I had reached a crisis in my life, and though it had brought with it a great fear, it had also brought a great joy, for it seemed as though the days of my loneliness were over.

Could I doubt it when I looked into Lady Langerdale's face and felt my uncle's warm hand-clasp? There was a sweetness about such a thought hard for another to realise, and for a moment I gave myself up to it. Whilst Lord Langerdale briefly told his wife the few particulars which I had been able to give him of my mother and myself, I stood between the two, keenly conscious of and enjoying the change which seemed hovering over my life.

But afterwards I remembered the ordeal which I had yet to face and the mission which had brought me to London, and they saw the gladness die slowly out of my face.

Lord Langerdale questioned me concerning it, and then I told them everything--told them of our suspicions in connection with Mr. Marx and of my determination to find him out, and discover whether he had been guilty of foul play towards the man Hart.

When I came to my last night's adventure with Count de Cartienne, Lord Langerdale looked very grave.

"It seems to me," he declared, "that this is more a matter for the police than for you to mix yourself up in."

I shook my head. Of one thing I did feel confident, although, as regards the whole of the rest of the affair, I was in a complete maze.

However anxious Mr. Ravenor might be for the truth concerning the missing man to be discovered, he had strong reasons for not wis.h.i.+ng the police to take part in the search. I felt sure of that, and was determined to act accordingly.

Lord Langerdale was not easily rea.s.sured.

"I don't like the idea of your having anything whatever to do with de Cartienne in all the circ.u.mstances," he said, with a shudder. "He can have but one feeling for you, and a more dangerous man does not breathe.

It is an evil chance that has brought you together."

CHAPTER XLIX.

I WILL GO ALONE.

We all sat down to breakfast together. Lord Langerdale divided his attention between his breakfast and _The Times_.

"Are you going shopping to-day, Elsie?" he asked, looking up from his paper.

She glanced at him inquiringly.

"I think so. Why?"

"Be very careful about your change, then. There has never been so much bad money about as just now. The papers are full of the most startling rumours. Coining must be going on in London somewhere upon an enormous scale, and the police are---- Why, Philip, what's the matter with you?"

I recovered myself promptly and set down the cup which I had been within an ace of spilling.

"The coffee was a little hot," I said slowly. "It was very stupid of me."

He went on reading and Lady Langerdale began to talk to me. But my attention was wandering. It was a strange idea which had occurred to me, perhaps a ridiculous one. Yet it was possessed of a certain fascination.

In the middle of breakfast a waiter brought me a note. Lady Langerdale's permission was given unasked and I tore it open. It was from de Cartienne, and the contents, though brief, were to the point:

"My dear Morton,--I have seen the man whom you are seeking and I know for certain where he will be to-morrow night. My carriage shall call for you at ten o'clock in the evening--to-morrow, mind; not this evening--and if you care to come I will bring you to him. By the by, you might as well bring with you the box which you were good enough to take care of--Yours,

"E. de C."

I handed it to Lord Langerdale, who adjusted his gla.s.ses and read it through carefully.

"I don't like it," he remarked, when he had finished; "don't like it at all. Take my advice, Philip; send him his box, or whatever it is, and don't go."

I shook my head.

"I must find out about Mr. Marx," I answered, "and I know of no other means. That will be to-morrow night, you know. To-day----"

"Yes, what are we going to do to-day?" Lord Langerdale interrupted.

I answered him without hesitation:

"I am going down to Ravenor Castle."

He looked surprised, a little agitated.

"I shall go with you," Lord Langerdale suddenly declared. "Alice was my sister-in-law, and if Ravenor deserted or ill-used her, I have the right to call him to account for it."

"And I a better one," I reminded him quietly. "Grant me this favour please. I must go alone and see him--alone."

He looked at his wife and she inclined her head towards me.

"The boy is right," she said softly. "It is his affair, not ours. It will be better for him to go alone."

CHAPTER L.

I MEET MY FATHER.

After a wearying journey I stood at last before the great gates of the castle, the bell at my feet giving shrill notice of my presence. The lodge-keeper hurried out and welcomed me.