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Page 27
"Perhaps you are wrong, and your uncle will take measures now this has
happened for the second time," said James.
"No, he won't," replied the girl hopelessly. "I am almost sure that he
will not."
Clemency was right. After she had made her entry and told her little lie
successfully, and explained that she had taken some brandy because she
was chilled, and Mrs. Ewing had gently scolded her for staying so late,
and kissed and embraced her, and gotten back her own composure, Doctor
Gordon arrived, and James, who had waited for him in the study, told him
the story in whispers. "Now I think you had better let me get a posse of
men and scour the country to-morrow," he concluded. "It seems to me
that this thing has gone far enough."
Doctor Gordon sat huddled up before him in an arm-chair. He had not even
taken off his overcoat, which was white with snow. The storm had begun.
"It will be easy to track him on account of the snow," added James.
"Tracking is not necessary," replied Gordon, with his haggard face fixed
upon James. "I know exactly where the man is, and have known from the
first."
"Then--" began James.
"You don't know what you are talking about," Gordon said gloomily. "I
would have that fiend arrested to-morrow. I would have him hung from the
nearest tree if I had my way, but I can do absolutely nothing."
"Nothing?"
"No, I can do nothing, except what I have been doing, so far in vain, it
seems, to try to tire him out. I traded too much on his impatience, it
seemed. I did not think he would have held out so long."
"You mean you will have to keep that poor little thing shut up the way
you have been doing?"
"I see no other way. God knows I have tried to think of another, day and
night."
"I don't see why you or I could not take her out sometimes when we
visit patients anyway," said James in a bewildered fashion.
"You don't understand," replied Doctor Gordon irritably. "The main point
is: the girl must not be even seen by that man. That is the trouble.
Driving, she might be perfectly safe; in fact, in one way she is safe
anyhow. She is not in any danger of bodily harm, as you may think, but I
don't want her seen."
"Why not let me take her out sometimes of an evening then?" said James,
more and more mystified. "If she wore a veil, and went out driving in
the evening, I can't see how anybody could get a glimpse of her."
"You don't understand that we have to deal with a very devil incarnate,"
said Doctor Gordon wearily. "He will be on the watch for just that very
manoeuvre. However, perhaps we may be able to manage that; I will see."
"She will be ill if she remains in the house so closely," said James,
"especially a girl like her, who has been accustomed to lead such an
outdoor life. In fact, I don't think she does look very well now. It is
telling on her."
"Yes, I think it is," agreed Doctor Gordon gloomily, "but again, I say,
I see no other way out of it. However, perhaps you or I can take her out
sometimes of an evening. I suppose it had better be you, on some
accounts. I will see. Well, I will take off my coat and get something to
eat. I suppose Clara and Clemency have gone to bed."
"They went hours ago," replied James. It was, in fact, two in the
morning. James followed the doctor, haggard and weary, into the kitchen,
where, according to custom at such times, some dinner had been left to
keep warm on the range. "I'll sit down here," said Doctor Gordon. "It is
warmer than in the dining-room, and I am chilled through. If you don't
mind, Elliot, I wish you would get me a bottle of apple-jack from the
dining-room. I must have something to hearten me up, or I shall go by
the board, and I don't know what will become of her--of them."
James sat and waited while the doctor ate and drank. When he had
finished he looked a little less haggard. He stretched himself before
the warm glow from the range and laughed. "Now I feel my fighting blood
is up again," he said. "After all, if there is anything in the Good
Book, the wicked shall not always triumph, and I may win out. I shall
do my best anyhow. But I confess you took the wind out of me with what
you told me when I came in. I am glad Clara does not know. Poor little
Clemency having to pave her way with lies, but it would kill Clara. Oh,
God, it does seem as if I had enough before. Take my advice, young man,
and try to think more of yourself than anybody else in the world. Don't
let your heart go out to anybody. Just as sure as you do, the door of
the worst torture-chamber in creation swings open. The minute you become
vulnerable through love, you haven't a strong place in your whole
armor."
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