Other
Read books online Ā» Other Ā» Short Fiction M. R. James (good book recommendations TXT) šŸ“–

Book online Ā«Short Fiction M. R. James (good book recommendations TXT) šŸ“–Ā». Author M. R. James



1 ... 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 ... 159
Go to page:
Mr. Gregory thought it, there is evidently little, if anything, of first-rate interest to be seenā ā€”except, perhaps, one thing, which I should not care to see.

The inn where the English gentleman and his servant were lodged is, or was, the only ā€œpossibleā€ one in the village. Mr. Gregory was taken to it at once by his driver, and found Mr. Brown waiting at the door. Mr. Brown, a model when in his Berkshire home of the impassive whiskered race who are known as confidential valets, was now egregiously out of his element, in a light tweed suit, anxious, almost irritable, and plainly anything but master of the situation. His relief at the sight of the ā€œhonest British faceā€ of his Rector was unmeasured, but words to describe it were denied him. He could only say:

ā€œWell, I ham pleased, Iā€™m sure, sir, to see you. And so Iā€™m sure, sir, will master.ā€

ā€œHow is your master, Brown?ā€ Mr. Gregory eagerly put in.

ā€œI think heā€™s better, sir, thank you; but heā€™s had a dreadful time of it. I ā€™ope heā€™s gettinā€™ some sleep now, butā ā€”ā€

ā€œWhat has been the matterā ā€”I couldnā€™t make out from your letter? Was it an accident of any kind?ā€

ā€œWell, sir, I ā€™ardly know whether Iā€™d better speak about it. Master was very partickler he should be the one to tell you. But thereā€™s no bones brokeā ā€”thatā€™s one thing Iā€™m sure we ought to be thankfulā ā€”ā€

ā€œWhat does the doctor say?ā€ asked Mr. Gregory.

They were by this time outside Mr. Somertonā€™s bedroom door, and speaking in low tones. Mr. Gregory, who happened to be in front, was feeling for the handle, and chanced to run his fingers over the panels. Before Brown could answer, there was a terrible cry from within the room.

ā€œIn Godā€™s name, who is that?ā€ were the first words they heard. ā€œBrown, is it?ā€

ā€œYes, sirā ā€”me, sir, and Mr. Gregory,ā€ Brown hastened to answer, and there was an audible groan of relief in reply.

They entered the room, which was darkened against the afternoon sun, and Mr. Gregory saw, with a shock of pity, how drawn, how damp with drops of fear, was the usually calm face of his friend, who, sitting up in the curtained bed, stretched out a shaking hand to welcome him.

ā€œBetter for seeing you, my dear Gregory,ā€ was the reply to the Rectorā€™s first question, and it was palpably true.

After five minutes of conversation Mr. Somerton was more his own man, Brown afterwards reported, than he had been for days. He was able to eat a more than respectable dinner, and talked confidently of being fit to stand a journey to Coblentz within twenty-four hours.

ā€œBut thereā€™s one thing,ā€ he said, with a return of agitation which Mr. Gregory did not like to see, ā€œwhich I must beg you to do for me, my dear Gregory. Donā€™t,ā€ he went on, laying his hand on Gregoryā€™s to forestall any interruptionā ā€”ā€œdonā€™t ask me what it is, or why I want it done. Iā€™m not up to explaining it yet; it would throw me backā ā€”undo all the good you have done me by coming. The only word I will say about it is that you run no risk whatever by doing it, and that Brown can and will show you tomorrow what it is. Itā€™s merely to put backā ā€”to keepā ā€”somethingā ā€”No; I canā€™t speak of it yet. Do you mind calling Brown?ā€

ā€œWell, Somerton,ā€ said Mr. Gregory, as he crossed the room to the door, ā€œI wonā€™t ask for any explanations till you see fit to give them. And if this bit of business is as easy as you represent it to be, I will very gladly undertake it for you the first thing in the morning.ā€

ā€œAh, I was sure you would, my dear Gregory; I was certain I could rely on you. I shall owe you more thanks than I can tell. Now, here is Brown. Brown, one word with you.ā€

ā€œShall I go?ā€ interjected Mr. Gregory.

ā€œNot at all. Dear me, no. Brown, the first thing tomorrow morningā ā€”(you donā€™t mind early hours, I know, Gregory)ā ā€”you must take the Rector toā ā€”there, you knowā€ (a nod from Brown, who looked grave and anxious), ā€œand he and you will put that back. You neednā€™t be in the least alarmed; itā€™s perfectly safe in the daytime. You know what I mean. It lies on the step, you know, whereā ā€”where we put it.ā€ (Brown swallowed dryly once or twice, and, failing to speak, bowed.) ā€œAndā ā€”yes, thatā€™s all. Only this one other word, my dear Gregory. If you can manage to keep from questioning Brown about this matter, I shall be still more bound to you. Tomorrow evening, at latest, if all goes well, I shall be able, I believe, to tell you the whole story from start to finish. And now Iā€™ll wish you good night. Brown will be with meā ā€”he sleeps hereā ā€”and if I were you, I should lock my door. Yes, be particular to do that. Theyā ā€”they like it, the people here, and itā€™s better. Good night, good night.ā€

They parted upon this, and if Mr. Gregory woke once or twice in the small hours and fancied he heard a fumbling about the lower part of his locked door, it was, perhaps, no more than what a quiet man, suddenly plunged into a strange bed and the heart of a mystery, might reasonably expect. Certainly he thought, to the end of his days, that he had heard such a sound twice or three times between midnight and dawn.

He was up with the sun, and out in company with Brown soon after. Perplexing as was the service he had been asked to perform for Mr. Somerton, it was not a difficult or an alarming one, and within half an hour from his leaving the inn it was over. What it was I shall not as yet divulge.

Later in the morning Mr. Somerton, now almost himself again, was able to make a start from Steinfeld; and that same evening, whether at Coblentz or at some intermediate stage on the journey I am not certain, he settled down to the promised explanation. Brown was present, but how

1 ... 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 ... 159
Go to page:

Free ebook Ā«Short Fiction M. R. James (good book recommendations TXT) šŸ“–Ā» - read online now

Comments (0)

There are no comments yet. You can be the first!
Add a comment