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Page 86
Mary spoke, seeing the pain on her father's face. She felt certain
that the old man knew perfectly what he was talking about. She had
spoken aside to Henry, and he agreed with her. Mannetti had solved
the mystery; he had even enabled them to solve it; but now, perhaps
to punish them for their stupidity, he was deliberately withholding
the key, half from love of effect, half in a spirit of mischief.
He was planning something theatrical. He saw himself at the centre
of the stage in this tragic drama, and it was not unnatural that
he should desire to figure there effectively after taking so much
trouble. Thus, while Sir Walter still opposed, he was surprised to
hear Mary plead on the visitor's behalf, and his nephew support her.
"Signor Mannetti is quite right, father; I am positive of it," she
said. "He is right; and because he is right, he is safe."
"Admirably put!" cried the Italian. "There you have the situation
in a nutshell, my friends. Trust a clever woman's intuition. I
am indeed right. Never was consciousness of right so impressed
upon my mind--prone as I am always to doubt my own conclusions.
I am, in fact, right because I cannot be wrong. Trust me. My own
safety is absolutely assured, for we are concerned with the
operations of men like ourselves--at least, I hope very different
from ourselves, but men, nevertheless. It was your fate to revive
this horror; it shall be my privilege to banish it out of the earth.
At a breath the cunning of the ungodly shall be brought to nought.
And not before it is time. But the mills of God grind slowly. Our
achievement will certainly resound to the corners of the civilized
world."
"I'm as positive as the signor himself that he is safe, uncle,"
said Henry Lennox.
"Let us go to tea," replied Sir Walter. "These things are far too
deep for a plain man. I only ask you to consider all this must
mean to me who am the master of Chadlands and responsible to the
authorities. Reflect if ill overtook you."
"It is impossible that it can."
"So others believed. And where are they? Further trouble would
unhinge my mind, signor."
"You have endured enough to make you speak so strongly, and your
brave girl also. But fear nothing whatever. I am far too deeply
concerned and committed on your behalf to add a drop to the
bitter drink of the past, my dear Sir Walter. I am as safe in that
room as I should be at the altar steps of St. Peter's. Trust old
Prince, if you cannot trust me. I rely largely on your blind pet
to aid me. He has good work to do yet, faithful fellow."
"The detectives took animals into the room, but they were not
hurt," said Lennox.
"Neither shall the dog be hurt."
He patted the sleeping spaniel, and they rose and went into the
house together.
Mannetti evidently assumed that his wishes were to be granted.
"I will go and sleep awhile," he said. "Until an early dinner,
excuse me, and let Mrs. May and Mr. Lennox convince you, as they
are themselves convinced. These events have immensely excited
my vitality. I little guessed that, at the end of my days, a
sensation so remarkable lay in store for me. I must conserve my
strength for to-night. I am well--very well--and supported by
the consciousness of coming triumph. Such an achievement would
have rewarded my long journey and these exertions, even had not
your acquaintance been ample reward already. I will, then, sleep
until dinner-time, and so be replenished to play my part in a
wonderful though melancholy romance. Let us dine at seven, if
you please."
His excitement and natural levity strove with the gloomy facts.
He resembled a mourner at a funeral who experiences pleasant rather
than painful emotions but continually reminds himself to behave in
a manner appropriate to the occasion.
They sent for his man, and, on Stephano's arm, the old gentleman
withdrew.
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