"He had not time enough," she said."He could only write a few lines.
Mr.Strangeways?"
"We had a long talk about him last night.He told me a remarkable story," Captain Palliser went on."I suppose you are quite familiar with all the details of it?""I know how he found him in New York, and I know how generous he has been to him.""Have you been told nothing more?"
"There was nothing more to tell.If there was anything, I am sure he had some good reason for not telling me," said Miss Alicia, loyally.
"His reasons are always good."
Palliser's air of losing a shade or so of discretion as a result of astonishment was really well done.
"Do you mean to say that he has not even hinted that ever since he arrived at Temple Barholm he has strongly suspected Strangeways'
identity--that he has even known who he is?" he exclaimed.
Miss Alicia's small hands clung to the table-cloth.
"He has not known at all.He has been most anxious to discover.He has used every endeavor," she brought out with some difficulty.
"You say he has been trying to find out?" Palliser interposed.
"He has been more than anxious," she protested."He has been to London again and again; he has gone to great expense; he has even seen people from Scotland Yard.I have sometimes almost thought he was assuming more responsibility than was just to himself.In the case of a relative or an old friend, but for an entire stranger--Oh, really, Iought not to seem to criticize.I do not presume to criticize his wonderful generosity and determination and goodness.No one should presume to question him.""If he knows that you feel like this--" Palliser began.
"He knows all that I feel," Miss Alicia took him up with a pretty, rising spirit."He knows that I am full of unspeakable gratitude to him for his beautiful kindness to me; he knows that I admire and respect and love him in a way I could never express, and that I would do anything in the world he could wish me to do.""Naturally," said Captain Palliser."I was only about to express my surprise that since he is aware of all this he has not told you who he has proved Strangeways to be.It is a little odd, you know.""I think "--Miss Alicia was even gently firm in her reply --"that you are a little mistaken in believing Mr.Temple Barholm has proved Mr.
Strangeways to be anybody.When he has proof, he will no doubt think proper to tell me about it.Until then I should prefer--"Palliser laughed as he finished her sentence.
"Not to know.I was not going to betray him, Miss Alicia.He evidently has one of his excellent reasons for keeping things to himself.I may mention, however, that it is not so much he who has proof as Imyself."
"You!" How could she help quite starting in her seat when his gray eyes fixed themselves on her with such a touch of finely amused malice?
"I offered him the proof last night, and it rather upset him," he said."He thought no one knew but himself, and he was not inclined to tell the world.He was upset because I said I had seen the man and could swear to his identity.That was why he went away so hurriedly.
He no doubt went to see Strangeways and talk it over.""See Mr.Strangeways? But Mr.Strangeways--" Miss Alicia rose and rang the bell.
"Tell Pearson I wish to see him at once," she said to the footman.
Palliser took in her mood without comment.He had no objection to being present when she made inquiries of Pearson.
"I hear the wheels of the dog-cart," he remarked."You see, I must catch my train."Pearson stood at the door.
"Is not Mr.Strangeways in his room, Pearson?" Miss Alicia asked.
"Mr.Temple Barholm took him to London when he last went, ma'am,"answered Pearson."You remember he went at night.The doctor thought it best.""He did not tell you that, either?" said Palliser, casually.
"The dog-cart is at the door, sir," announced Pearson.
Miss Alicia's hand was unsteady when the departing guest took it.
"Don't be disturbed," he said considerately, "but a most singular thing has happened.When I asked so many questions about Temple Barholm's Man with the Iron Mask I asked them for curious reasons.
That must be my apology.You will hear all about it later, probably from Palford & Grimby."When he had left the room Miss Alicia stood upon the hearth- rug as the dog-cart drove away, and she was pale.Her simple and easily disturbed brain was in a whirl.She could scarcely remember what she had heard, and could not in the least comprehend what it had seemed intended to imply, except that there had been concealed in the suggestions some disparagement of her best beloved.
Singular as it was that Pearson should return without being summoned, when she turned and found that he mysteriously stood inside the threshold again, as if she had called him, she felt a great sense of relief.
"Pearson," she faltered, "I am rather upset by certain things which Captain Palliser has said.I am afraid I do not understand."She looked at him helplessly, not knowing what more to say.She wished extremely that she could think of something definite.
The masterly finish of Pearson's reply lay in its neatly restrained hint of unobtrusively perceptive sympathy.
"Yes, Miss.I was afraid so.Which is why I took the liberty of stepping into the room again.I myself do not understand, but of course I do not expect to.If I may be so bold as to say it, Miss, whatever we don't understand, we both understand Mr.Temple Barholm.
My instructions were to remind you, Miss, that everything would be all right."Miss Alicia took up her letter from the table where she had laid it down.
"Thank you, Pearson," she said, her forehead beginning to clear itself a little."Of course, of course.I ought not to-- He told me not to--get rattled," she added with plaintive ingenuousness, "and I ought not to, above all things.""Yes, Miss.It is most important that you should not."