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Title:CharlesRex
Author:EthelM.Dell
ReleaseDate:November5,2004[EBook#13960]
Language:English
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CHARLESREX
BYETHELM.DELL

AUTHOROFTHETOPOFTHEWORLD,THELAMPINTHEDESERT,
THEHUNDREDTH
CHANCE,Etc.
1922
IDedicateThisBookToG.T.S.InRemembranceofAWinterDay

"Whenhalf-godsgo,thegodsarrive."
R.W.Emerson
Notwiththeclashoftrumpets
Andclangourofgatesthrownwide,
Aswhentheeagercrowdspressround
Toseethehalf-godsride;

Butlikeabirdateven
Silentlywinginghome,
Amessagecamefromthedarkness
Tosaythatthegodshadcome.
Andthehalf-godsscoffedinthetemple
Whichcustomhadbidthemhold—
SinandSuccessandPleasure
AndthehideousImageofGold.
Whoandwhatarethesestrangers?
Bidthemworshipbeforetheshrine
Wherewe,thegodsofthenewworld,
Sito'erthecardsandwine!
Sotheyderidedthestrangers—
Thosegodswhomtheoldfolkcall
CourageandHonourandFaithfulness
AndLovewhichisgreaterthanall.
Butwhenthenightwasover
Andthenewdaypiercedwithin,
Thehalf-godsweregonefromthetemple,
Andthegodshadenteredin.


CONTENTS
PARTI
I.Ennui
II.Adieu
III.TheGift
IV.Toby
V.Discipline

VI.TheAbyss
VII.Larpent'sDaughter
PARTII
I.JakeBolton
II.MaudBolton
III.Bunny
IV.Saltash
V.TheVisitor
VI.HowtoManageMen
VII.ThePromise
VIII.TheAlly
IX.TheIdol
X.Resolutions
XI.TheButterfly
XII.TheOgre'sCastle
XIII.TheEndoftheGame
PARTIII


I.TheVirtuousHero
II.TheCompact
III.L'oiseaubleu
IV.TheTrap
V.TheConfidence
VI.TheSacredFire
VII.Surrender
VIII.TheMagician'sWand
IX.TheWarning
X.TheMystery
XI.Suspicion

XII.TheAlly
XIII.TheTruth
XIV.TheLastCard
PARTIV
I.TheWinningPost
II.TheVillainScores
III.AWifeIsDifferent
IV.TheIdolofParis
V.TheDanceofDeath
VI.TheNewLover
VII.TheRefugee
VIII.TheTurning-point
IX.Larpent
X.IntheNameofLove
XI.TheGiftoftheGods


CHARLESREX


PARTI


CHAPTERI
ENNUI

"Ishallgotoseato-morrow,"saidSaltash,withsuddendecision."I'mtiredof
thisplace,Larpent,—feduponrepletion."
"Thenbyallmeansletusgo,mylord!"saidLarpent,withthefaintglimmerofa
smilebehindhisbeard,whichwastheonlyexpressionofhumourheever

permittedhimself.
"Believeyou'refeduptoo,"saidSaltash,flashingacriticallookuponhim.
CaptainLarpentsaidnothing,deemingspeechunnecessary.Alltimespent
ashorewaswastedinhisopinion.
Saltashturnedandsurveyedthesky-lineovertheyacht'srailwithobvious
discontentonhisuglyface.Hiseyeswereodd,oneblack,onegrey,givinga
curiouslyunstableappearancetoacountenancewhichotherwisemighthave
claimedtopossesssomestrength.Hisbrowswereblackanddeeplymarked.He
hadatrickofmovingtheminconjunctionwithhisthoughtssothathisfacewas
seldominabsoluterepose.Itwassaidthattherewasastrainofroyalbloodin
Saltash,andinthedaysbeforehehadsucceededtothetitlewhenhehadbeen
merelyCharlesBurchester,hehadbornethenicknameof"themerrymonarch."
Certainwilddeedsinayouththathadnotbeenbeyondreproachhadseemedto
warrantthis,butoflateryearsafriendhadbestowedamoregracioustitleupon
him,andtoallwhocouldclaimintimacywithhimhehadbecome"Charles
Rex."Thenamefittedhimlikeagarment.Acertainarrogance,acertainroyalty
ofbearing,bothutterlyunconsciousandwhollyunfeigned,characterizedhim.
Whateverhedid,andhisactionswereoftenfarfrompraiseworthy,thiscareless
distinctionofmienalwaysmarkedhim.Hereceivedanalmostinvoluntary
respectwherehewent.


CaptainLarpentwhocommandedhisyachtTheNightMoth—mostmoroseand
unresponsiveofmen—paidhimthehomageofabsoluteacquiescence.Whatever
hisprivateopinionsmightbe,heneverexpressedthemunlessinvitedtodosoby
hisemployer.Henevercriticizedbywordorlook.Saltashwaswonttosaythat
ifhedecidedtoturnpiratehebelievedthatLarpentwouldcontinueathispost
withoutthesmallestchangeoffront.Toraiseaprotestofanysortwouldhave
beenabsolutelyforeigntohisnature.Hewasmadetogostraightahead,todo
hisdutywithoutquestionandwithperfectself-reliance.

Onthepresentoccasion,havingcruisedfromporttoportintheMediterranean
fornearlysixweeks,itwascertainlynoillnewstohimtohearthatSaltashhad
atlasthadenough.Theweatherwasperfect,tooperfectforamanofhisbulldoginstincts.Hewasthoroughlytiredoftheendlessspringsunshineandofthe
chattering,fashionablecrowdsthatSaltashwaswonttoassembleontheyacht.
Hewaswaitingwithanironpatienceforthewordthatshouldsendthemforth
overthegreatAtlanticrollers,withtheoceansprayburstingovertheirbowsand
thestingoftheoceanwindintheirfaces.Thatwasthesortoflifethatappealed
tohim.Hehadnouseforcivilization;thefrothofsocietyhadnoattractionfor
him.Hepreferredadeeperdraught.
Saltashwasthoroughlycosmopolitaninhistastes;helikedamusement,buthe
abhorredboredom.Hedeclaredthatforhimitwastherootofallevil.Hewas
neverreallywickedunlesshewasbored.Andthen—quevoulez-vous?Hedid
notguidethestarofdestiny.
"Yes,"hesaid,afterathoughtfulsilence,"wewillcertainlyputtoseato-morrow
—unless—"heturnedhisheadandthrewamerrygrinathiscompanion
—"unlessFortunehasanytricksuphersleeveforme,forIamgoingashorefor
onemoreflingto-night."
Larpentsmokedonimmovably,hisblue-greyeyesstaringouttothevividskyline,hissunburntfacequiteimperturbable.
"Weshallbereadytostartassoonasyoucomeaboard,mylord,"hesaid.
"Good!"saidSaltashlightly."Imaybelate,or—moreprobably—veryearly.
Leavethegangwayforme!I'llletyouknowwhenI'maboard."
Hegotupasifhemovedonspringsandleanedagainsttherail,lookingdown
quizzicallyatthemanwhosatstolidlysmokinginthedeck-chair.Notwopeople


couldhaveformedastrongercontrast—theyacht'scaptain,fair-bearded,with
thefeaturesofaViking—theyacht'sowner,dark,alert,withacertainFrench
finesseabouthimthatgaveastrangecharmtoapersonalitythatotherwisemight
havebeenmerelyfantastic.
Suddenlyhelaughed."Doyouknow,Larpent,Ioftenthinktomyselfwhatodd

tricksFateplays?Youforinstance—you,thecaptainofaprivateyachtwhen
yououghttoberovingthehighseasinaFlyingDutchman!Youprobablywerea
fewgenerationsago."
"Ah!"Larpentsaid,throughacloudofsmoke."Lifeisn'twhatitwas."
"It'saninfernalfraud,mostofit,"saidSaltash."Alwayspromisingandseldom
fulfilling!"
"Nogoodexpectingtoomuch,"saidLarpent.
"True!"saidSaltash."Ontheotherhanditisn'talwayswisetobetooeasily
satisfied."Hislookbecamesuddenlyspeculative."Haveyoueverbeeninlove,
Larpent?"
Thebigmaninthedeck-chairmadeasharpmovementandspiltsomecigar-ash
onhiscoat.Hesatupdeliberatelyandbrusheditoff.Saltashwatchedhimwith
mischievouseyes.
"Well?"hesaid.
Larpentleanedbackagain,puffingforthathickcloudofsmoke."Once,"hesaid
briefly.
"Onlyonce?"gibedSaltash."Manalive!Why,I'vehadthediseasescoresof
times,andyouarehalfagenerationolderthanIam!"
"Iknow,"Larpent'seyesdweltunblinkinguponthesparklingblueofthewater
beyondtherail."You'vehaditsooftenthatyoutakeitlightly."
Saltashlaughed."Youapparentlytookitliketheplague."
"Ididn'tdieofit,"saidLarpentgrimly.


"Perhapstheladydid!"suggestedSaltash.
"No.Shedidn'tdieeither."Larpent'seyescameslowlyupwardstothemocking
eyesabovethem."ForallIknowshemaybelivingnow,"hesaid.
Saltash'sgrinbecameagrimace."Oh,heavens,Larpent!Andyou'vehad
indigestioneversince?Howlongagoisit?Twentyyears?"
"Aboutthat,"saidLarpent.

"Heavens!"saidSaltashagain."Ishouldliketoseethewomanwhocouldhold
meaftertwentyyears!"
"SoshouldI,"saidLarpentdryly.
Saltashsnappedhisfingers."Shedoesn'texist,mygoodfellow!Butifshedid—
byJove,whataworlditwouldbe!"
Larpentgruntedsardonically."Itwouldn'tbelargeenoughtoholdyou,mylord."
Saltashstretchedhisarmswide."Well,I'mgoingashoreto-night.Whoknows
whatthegodsmaysend?Wishmeluck!"
Larpentsurveyedtherestlessfigurewithasortofstonyhumour."Iwishyoua
safereturn,"hesaid.
Saltashlaughedandwentawayalongthedeckwithamonkey-likespringthat
wascuriouslycharacteristicofhim.Therewasnothingofthesailor'ssteady
poiseabouthim.
ThelittleItaliantownthatclungtotheslopesthatrosesosteeplyfromthesea
shoneamongitsterracedgardenslikeamany-colouredjewelintheburning
sunset.ThedomeofitsCasinogleamedopalescentinitscentre—aplacefor
wonder—aplacefordreams.YetSaltash'sexpressionashelandedonthequay
wasoneofwhimsicaldiscontent.Hehadcomenearlyafortnightagotobe
amused,butsomehowtheoldpleasureshadlosttheirrelishandhewasonly
bored.
"I'mgettingold,"hesaidtohimselfwithagrimaceofdisgust.


Buthewasnotold.Hewasbarelysix-and-thirty.Hehadhadtheworldathis
feettoolong,thatwasall.
Therewastobeawater-sidefêtethatnightatValrosa,andthepromenadeand
bandstandwerewreathedwithflowersandfairy-lights.Itwasgettinglateinthe
season,anditwouldprobablybethelast.Saltashsurveyedthepreparationswith
veryperfunctoryinterestashesauntereduptothehotelnexttotheCasinowhere
heproposedtodine.

Afewpeopleheknewwerestayingthere,andhelookedforwardtoamoreor
lesssocialevening.Atleasthecouldcountonawelcomeandarubberofbridge
ifhefeltsoinclined.OrtherewastheCasinoitselfifthegamblingmoodshould
takehim.Buthedidnotfeelmuchlikegambling.Hewantedsomethingnew.
Noneoftheoldstaleamusementsappealedtohimtonight.Hewasfeelingvery
ancientandratherdilapidated.
Hewentupthestepsunderthecypress-treesthatledfromterracetoterrace,
pausingateachlanding-placetolookoutoverthewonderfulseathatwas
changingeverymomentwiththechangingglowofthesunset.Yes,itwas
certainlyaplacefordreams.EvenoldLarpentfeltthecharm—Larpentwhohad
falleninlovetwentyyearsagoforthefirstandlasttime!
Anirrepressiblechuckleescapedhim.FunnyoldLarpent!Thewineofthegods
hadevidentlybeentoostrongabrewforhim.Itwasobviousthathehadno
desiretorepeatthedose.
Athislasthalting-placehestoodlongertodrinkinthebeautyoftheevening
beforeenteringthehotel.Theseahadthepearlytintshotwithroseoftheinside
ofanoyster-shell.Thesky-linewasreceding,fadingintoanimmensecalm.The
shadowswerebeginningtogather.Thesunhaddippedoutofsight.
Thetinkleofaluterosefromoneofthehiddengardensbelowhim.Hestood
andlistenedwithsentimentaleyesandquizzicallytwitchingmouth.Everything
inthiswonder-worldwasultra-sweetto-night.Andyet—andyet—
Suddenlyanothersoundbrokethroughthestillness,andinamomenthehad
sprungtoalertness.Itwasacry—asharp,wrungcryfromthegardencloseto
him,thegardenofthehotel,andinstantlyfollowingitafloodofangryspeechin
aman'svoiceandthesoundofblows.


"Damnation!"saidSaltash,andsprangforanarrowwoodendoorinthestone
wallafewyardshigherup.
Itopenedtohisimperioushand,andhefoundhimselfinadarklittleshrubbery

behindanarbourthatlookedouttothesea.Itwasinthisarbourthatthescuffle
wastakingplace,andinasecondhehadforcedhiswaythroughtheintervening
shrubsandwasattheentrance.
"Damnation!"heburstforthagainfuriously."Whatareyoudoing?Leavethat
boyalone!"
Amaninevening-dresswasgrippingafair-hairedlad,whoworethehotellivery,bythebackofhisneckandrainingmercilessblowsuponhisuncovered
head.Heturned,sharplystraighteninghimself,atSaltash'stempestuous
entrance,andrevealedtothenewcomerthedeeply-suffusedcountenanceofthe
hotel-manager.
Theirrecognitionwasmutual.Heflungtheboyintoacornerandfacedhis
patron,breathinghard,hisblackeyesstillfiercelygleaming.
"Ah!Itismilord!"hesaid,injerkyEnglish,andbowedpunctiliouslythoughhe
wasstillshakingwithrage."WhatcanIdoforyou,milord?"
"Whatthedevilisthematter?"saidSaltash,sweepingasideallceremony."What
areyouhammeringthatunfortunateboyfor?Can'tyoufindamanyourownsize
tohammer?"
TheItalianflungafierceglanceoverhisshoulderathiscrouchingvictim."Heis
worthless!"hedeclared."Igivehimatrial—bueno,butheisworthless.Milord
willpardonme,heis—English.AndtheEnglishare—nogoodforwork—no
goodatall."
"Oh,rottentothecore!"agreedSaltash,withahumorousliftofthebrows."But
youneedn'tmurderhimforthat,Antonio.It'shismisfortune—nothisfault."
"Milord,Ihavenotmurderedhim,"themanagerprotestedwithnervous
vehemence."Ihaveonlypunishedhim.Ihavenothurthim.Ihavedonehim
good."
"Oh!"saidSaltash,andlookeddownatthesmall,tremblingfigureinthecorner.


"It'smedicine,isit?Butabitstrongforachildofthatsize.Ishouldtryamilder
dosenexttime."

Antoniolaughedharshly."Thenexttime,milord,Ishalltakehim—so—and
wringhisneck!"Hislaughbecameasnarlasheturned."Getupnow,you—you
sonofapig,andgobacktoyourwork!"
"Easy!Easy!"saidSaltash,withasmile."Wedon'ttalktotheEnglishlikethat,
Antonio,—noteventhesmallestandweakestofthem.Let'shavealookatthis
specimen—withyourpermission!"Hebentoverthehuddledfigure."Holdup
yourhead,boy!Letmeseeyou!"
Therewasnomovementtoobey,andhelaidahanduponthequiveringshoulder
andfeltitshrinkawayconvulsively.
"Ibelieveyou'vedamagedhim,"hesaid,bendinglower."Here,Tommy!
Holdupyourhead!Don'tbeafraid!It'safriend."
Butthenarrowfigureonlysankdownalittlelowerunderhishand.
"HisnameisToby,"saidAntoniowithacidity."Adog'sname,milord,anditfits
himwell.Heiswhatyouwouldcallalazyhound."
Saltashpaidnottheslightestattentiontohim.Hewasbendinglow,hisdarkface
inshadow.
"Don'tbeafraid!"hesaidagain."Nooneisgoingtohurtyou.Comealong!Let's
lookatyou!"
Hisholdtightenedupontheshrinkingform.Hebegantoliftitup.
Andthensuddenlytherecameasharpstrugglebetweenhishandsaslackingin
scienceasthefightofawildanimalforfreedom,andaseffectual.Witha
gaspingefforttheboywrenchedhimselffreeandwasgone.Hewentlikea
streakoflightning,andthetwomenwereleftfacingoneanother.
"Whataslipperylittledevil!"commentedSaltash.
"Yes,"saidAntoniovindictively,"adevilindeed,milord!AndIwillhaveno
moreofhim.Iwillhavenomore.Ihopehewillstarve!"


"Howawfullyniceofyou,Antonio!"saidSaltashlightly."Beingtheendofthe
season,heprobablywill."

Antoniosmackedhisredlipswithrelish."Ah,probably!Probably!"hesaid.


CHAPTERII
ADIEU

ItwasgrowinglateandthefêtewasinfullswingwhenSaltashsauntereddown
againunderthecypress-treestothewater'sedge.Theseawasbreakingwitha
murmuroussplashing;itwasanightfordreams.
Intheflower-deckedbandstandanorchestraofstringedinstrumentswasplaying
verysoftly—fairy-musicthatseemedtofilltheworldwithmagictothebrim.It
waslikeadrugtothesenses,alluring,intoxicating,maddeninglysweet.
Saltashwanderedalongwithhisfacetothewateronwhichamyriadcoloured
lightsrockedandswam.Andstillhisfeaturesworethatmonkeyishlookof
unrest,ofdiscontentandquizzicalironyoddlymingled.Hefeltthelure,butit
wasnotstrongenough.Itsinfluencehadlostitspotency.
Heneednothavebeenalone.Hehadleftthehotelwithfriends,buthehad
driftedawayfromtheminthecrowd.Oneofthem—agirl—hadsought
somewhatpalpablytokeephimnearher,andhehadrespondedwithsomeshow
ofardourforatime,andthensomethingaboutherhadstruckanoteofdiscord
withinhimandtheglamourhadfaded.
"Littlefool!"hemurmuredtohimself."She'dgivemeherhearttobreakifI'd
haveit."
Andthenhelaughedinsheerridiculeofhisownjadedsenses.Herecognizedthe
indifferenceofsatiety.Aneasyconquestnolongerattractedhim.
Hebegantostrolltowardsthequay,loiteringhereandthereasiftogivetoFates
achancetokeephimiftheywould.Yes,SheilaMelrosewasalittleidiot.Why
couldn'tsherealizethatshewasbutoneofthehundredswithwhomheflirted



daybyday?Shewasnothingtohimbutapastime—atoytoamusehiswayward
mood.Hehadoutgrownhisearlierpropensitytobreakhistoyswhenhehad
donewiththem.Thesightofabrokentoyrevoltedhimnow.
Hewasimpatientlyawarethatthegirlwaswatchinghimfromthemidstofthe
shiftingcrowd.Whatdidsheexpect,heaskedhimselfirritably?Sheknewhim.
Sheknewhisreputation.Didsheimagineherselfthesortofwomantoholda
manofhisstampformorethanthepassingmoment?Saveforhistitleand
estates,washeworththeholding?
AgroupoflaughingItaliangirlswithkerchiefsontheirheadssurroundedhim
suddenlyandhebecamethecentreofashower—astorm—ofconfetti.Hismood
changedinasecond.Hewouldshowherwhattoexpect!Withoutaninstant's
pauseheturneduponhisassailants,caughttheonenearesttohim,snatchingher
offherfeet;and,grippingherwithoutmercy,hekissedherfierilyand
shamelesslytillshegaspedwithdeliciousfright;thendroppedherandseized
another.
ThegirlsofValrosaspokeoftheuglyEnglishmanwithbatedbreathandshining
eyeslongafterSaltashhadgonehisunheedingway,forthebloodwashotinhis
veinsbeforethegamewasover.Ifthemagichadbeenslowtowork,itsspell
wasallthemorecompellingwhenitgrippedhim.Characteristically,hetossed
asideallconsiderationsbeyondthegratificationofthemoment'sdesire.The
sinkingfireofyouthblazedupafresh.Hewouldgettheutmostoutofthislast
nightofrevelry.Whereverhewent,aspiritofwilddaring,offeveredgaiety,
surroundedhim.Hewasnolongeralone,whicheverwayheturned.Onceinhis
madprogresshemetSheilaMelrosefacetoface,andshedrewbackfromhimin
opendisgust.Helaughedathermaliciously,mockingly,ashisroyalforefather
mighthavelaughedlongago,andpassedonwiththethrong.
Hourslater,whenthefêtewasoverandtheshorequitesilentunderthestars,he
camealonealongthequay,movingwithhisownpeculiararroganceofbearing,a
cigarettebetweenhislips,adeepgleaminhiseyes.Ithadbeenanamusingnight
afterall.

Crossingthegangwaytohisyacht—TheNightMoth—thatrockedsoftlyonthe
glimmeringripples,hepausedforamomentandturnedhisfaceasifinfarewell
towardsthelittletownthatlaysleepingamongitscypress-trees.Sostanding,he
heardagainthetinkleofalutefromsomehiddengardenofdelight.Itwasasif


themagicwerestillcallingtohim,luringhim,reachingoutwhitearmstohold
him.Hemadeabriefbowtowardsthesound.
"Adieu,mostexquisiteandmostwicked!"hesaid."Ireturn—nomore!"
Thecigarettefellfromhislipsintothedarkwaterandtherecameafaintsound
likethehissofaserpentinthestillness.Helaughedasheheardit,andpursued
hiswayaboardtheyacht.
Hefoundayoungsailor,evidentlypostedtoawaithiscoming,snoringina
corner,andshookhimawake.
Themanblunderedupwithaconfusedapology,andSaltashlaughedathim
derisively.
"Wastingthemagichoursinsleep,Parker?Well,Isupposedreamsarebetter
thannothing.Werethey—gooddreams?"
"Idon'tknow,mylord,"saidParker,grinningfoolishly.
Saltashclappedhimontheshoulderandturnedaway."Well,I'mreadyforthe
openseanow,"hesaid."We'llleaveourdreamsbehind."
Hewasalwaysoneasytermswithhissailorswhoworshippedhimtoaman.
Hewhistledacarelessairashewentbelow.ThemagicofValrosahadloosedits
hold,andhewasthinkingofthewideoceanandbuffetingwavesthatawaited
him.Heturnedonthelightsofthesaloonandstoppedthereforanothercigarette
andadrink,firstwalkingtoandfro,finallyflinginghimselfonacrimsonvelvet
setteeandsurrenderinghimselfluxuriouslytoareposeforwhichhehadnotfelt
theneeduntilthatmoment.
Solying,heheardthestirandtrampoffeetabovehim,thevoicesofmen,the
liftingofthegangway;andpresentlytheyachtbegantothrobasthough

suddenlyendowedwithlife.Hefelttheheaveoftheseaasshelefther
moorings,andtherushofwaterpouringpastherkeelasshedrewawayfromthe
quay.
Hestretchedhimselfwithlazyenjoyment.Itwasgoodtocomeandgoashe
listed,goodtohavenotiestobindhim.Hesupposedhewouldalwaysbea


wandereronthefaceoftheearth,andafterallwanderingsuitedhimbest.True,
therewereoccasionsonwhichthethoughtofhomealluredhim.Theideaof
marriagewithsomewomanwholovedhimwouldspringlikeabeaconoutofthe
nightinmomentsofdepression.Othermenfoundapermanentabiding-placeand
werecontenttherewith;whynothe?Butheonlyplayedwiththenotion.Itdid
notseriouslyattracthim.Hewasnotamarryingman,and,ashehadsaidto
Larpent,thewomandidnotexistwhocouldholdhim.Thebarethoughtof
SheilaMelrosesentamockingsmiletohislips.Didshethink—didshereally
think—thatshepossessedthenecessaryqualificationstocaptureamanofhis
experience?Hedismissedherwithasnapofthefingers.Sheilahadpractically
everythinginlifetolearn,andhedidnotproposetobeherteacher.
Hiscigarettewasfinishedandhegotup.Theyachtwasspeedinglikeawinged
thingonherway.TherewasneveranyfussofdeparturewhenLarpentwasin
command.Hestoodforafewsecondsinindecision,contemplatinggoingupon
tothebridgeforawordwithhiscaptainandaglanceround.Butsomefantastic
scrupledeterredhim.Hehadmadehisfarewell.HedidnotwishtoseeValrosa
again.Heturnedinsteadandwenttohiscabin.
Alltheappointmentsoftheyachtwereofthemostluxuriousorder.She
possessedeveryimaginablecontrivanceforthecomfortofthosewhovoyagedin
her.Herstate-cabinswereamiracleofeleganceandease.
Saltashnevertookavaletwhenhewentforavoyage.Thestewardattendedto
hisclothes,andhewaitedonhimself.Helikedasmuchspaceashecouldget
bothondeckandbelow.

Hepushedopenthedoorofhiscabinandfeltfortheswitchoftheelectriclight.
Buthedidnotpressitwhenhefoundit.Somethingmadehimchangehismind.
Thefaintlightofstarsuponripplingwatercametohimthroughtheopen
porthole,andheshuthimselfinandsteppedforwardtothecouchbeneathitto
lookforth.
Butashemoved,anotherinfluencecaughthim,andhestoppedshort.
"Isanyonehere?"hesaid.
Throughthewashofthewaterhethoughtheheardalightmovement,andhefelt
apresenceasofsomesmallanimalinthespacebeforehim.


Swiftlyhesteppedbackandinamomenthishandwasontheswitch.Thelight
flashedon,andinamomenthestoodstaring—atafair-haired,white-facedladin
abrownliverywithbrassbuttonswhostoodstaringbackathimwithwide,
scaredeyes.


CHAPTERIII
THEGIFT

Saltashwasthefirsttorecoverhimself;hewasseldomdisconcerted,neverfor
long.
"Hullo!"hesaid,withaquizzicaltwistoftheeyebrows."You,isit?
Andwhathaveyoucomefor?"
Theintruderloweredhisgazeabruptly,flushingtotherootsofhisfairhair."I
came,"hesaid,inaverylowvoice,"to—toaskyousomething."
"Thenyou'vecomesomedistancetodoit,"saidSaltashlightly,"forIneverturn
back.Perhapsthatwasyouridea,wasit?"
"No—no!"Withavehementshakeoftheheadhemadeanswer."Ididn'tthink
youwouldstartsosoon.Ithought—Iwouldbeabletoaskyoufirst."

"Oh,indeed!"saidSaltash.Andthenunexpectedlyhelaidahanduponone
narrowshoulderandturnedthedowncastfaceupwards."Ah!Ithoughthe'd
markedyou,theswine!Whatwashedrubbingyoufor?Tellmethat!"
Agreatpurplebruisejustaboveoneeyetestifiedtotheseverityofthedrubbing;
thesmall,boyishcountenancequiveredsensitivelyunderhislook.Withsudden
impulsetwotremblinghandsclosedtightlyuponhisarm.
"Well?"saidSaltash.
"Oh,please,sir—please,mylord,Imean—"withgreatearnestnessthewords
came—"letmestaywithyou!I'llearnmykeepsomehow,andIshan'ttakeup
muchroom!"


"Oh,that'stheidea,isit?"saidSaltash.
"Yes—yes!"Theboy'seyesimploredhim,—blueeyeswithshortblacklashes
thatimpartedanoddlychildishlooktoafacethatwasotherwisethinandsharp
withanxiety."Icandoanything.Idon'twanttoliveoncharity.Icanwork.I'd
lovetowork—foryou."
"You'rearumlittledevil,aren'tyou?"saidSaltash.
"I'mhonest,sir!ReallyI'mhonest!"Desperatelythebonyhandsclung.
"Youwon'tbesorryifyoutakeme.Iswearyou'llneverbesorry!"
"Whataboutyou?"saidSaltash.Hewaslookingdownintotheupraisedface
withasemi-quizzicalcompassioninhisown."Thinkyou'dneverbesorry
either?"
Asuddensmilegleamedacrossthedrawnface."OfcourseIshouldn't!
You'reEnglish."
"Ah!"saidSaltash,withafaintlywryexpression."Notnecessarilywhiteonthat
account,myfriend,sodon'trunawaywiththatidea,Ibeg!I'mquitecapableof
givingyouaworsedrubbingthanthegoodAntonio,forinstance,ifyou
qualifiedforit.Icanbeaterrificallywildbeastuponoccasion.Lookhere,you
imp!Areyoustarvedorwhat?Doyouwantsomethingtoeat?"

Thewiryfingerstightenedonhisarm."No,sir—no,mylord—notreally.
Ioftendon'teat.I'musedtoit."
"Butwhythedevilnot?"demandedSaltash."Didn'ttheyfeedyouoverthere?"
"Yes—oh,yes.ButIdidn'twantit.Iwas—toomiserable."Theblueeyesblinked
rapidlyunderhislookasifhalf-afraidofhim.
"Youlittleass!"saidSaltashinavoicethatsomehowreassured."Sitdownthere!
Curlupifyoulike,anddon'tmovetillIcomeback!"
Heindicatedthesofa,andquitegentlybutwithdecisionfreedhisarmfromthe
nervouslygrippinghands.
"Youwon'tsendmeback?"theboyurgedwithquiveringsupplication.


"No,Iwon'tdothat,"saidSaltashashewentaway.
Hesworeonceortwicewithconsiderableenergyerehereturned,cursingthe
absentAntonioinlanguagethatwouldhaveoutmatchedtheItalian'sown.Then,
havingrelievedhisfeelings,heabruptlylaughedtohimselfandpursuedhis
errandwithbusiness-likebriskness.
Returning,hefoundhisprotégéinasmallheaponthesofa,withhisheaddeep
inthecushionasthoughhesoughtescapefromthelight.Againthefeelingof
harbouringsomesmallanimalinpaincametohim,andhefrowned.Themute
miseryofthathuddledformheldamorepoignantappealthananywords.
"Lookhere,—Toby!"hesaid."I'vebroughtyousomethingtoeat,andwhen
you'vehadityou'dbettergetasleep.Youcantellmeallaboutit—ifyouwantto
—inthemorning."
Theboystarteduprightathiscoming.HelookedatSaltashinhisquick,startled
way.Itwasalmostasifheexpectedakickatanymoment.Thenhelookedatthe
trayhecarriedandsuddenlyhisfacecrumpled;hehiditinhishands.
"Oh,dashit!"saidSaltash."Let'shavealittlesense!"
Hesetdownthetrayandflickedthefairheadadmonishingly,withhisthumb,
stillfrowning."Come!Beasport!"hesaid.

Afterabriefpausewithatremendousefforttheboypulledhimselftogetherand
satup,buthedidnotraisehiseyestoSaltashagain.Hekeptthemfixeduponhis
handswhichweretightlyclaspedinfrontofhim.
"I'lldo—whateveryoutellme,"hesaid,inalowvoice."Noonehaseverbeen
so—decenttomebefore."
"Haveoneofthoserolls!"saidSaltashpractically."You'lltalkbetterwith
somethinginsideyou."
Heseatedhimselfontheedgeofhisbunkandlitanothercigarette,hisattitude
oneofroyalindifference,buthisoddeyesflashingtoandfrowithamonkey-like
shrewdnessthatmissednothingofhisdesolatecompanion'sforlornstate.
"You'vebeendoingthisstarvationbusinessforsometime,haven'tyou?"he


askedpresently."Nowonderyoudidn'tfeellikework."
Theboy'spinchedfacesmiled,asmallwistfulsmile."Icanwork,"hesaid."I
candoanything—women'sworkaswellasmen's.Icancookandcleanboots
andknivesandsewonbuttonsandirontrousersandwashshirtsandwaiton
tablesandmakebedsandsweepand—"
"Forheaven'ssake,stop!"saidSaltash."Youmakemegiddy.Tellmethethings
youcan'tdoinstead!Itwouldtakelesstime."
Tobyconsideredforafewmoments."Ican'tdrivecars,"hesaidatlength."ButI
canclean'em,andI'dlovetolearn."
Saltashlaughed."That'sthesoleexception,isit?Youseemtohavepickedupa
gooddealinashorttime.Didtheyteachyouallthatoverthere?"
Tobyshookhishead."I'veknockedaboutagoodlot,"hesaid.
"Andknoweverythingevidently,"saidSaltash."Whatmadeyouthinkof
comingonboardthisyacht?"
Theboy'seyesgavehimashininglook."Becauseshebelongstoyou,"hesaid.
"Oh!"Saltashpuffedathiscigaretteforafewseconds."You'dmadeupyour
mindtothrowinyourfortuneswithmine,hadyou?"

Tobynodded."Iwantedto—ifyou'dhaveme."
"SeemsIhaven'tmuchchoice,"remarkedSaltash."Andwhatareyougoingto
dowhenyou'retiredofme?Flingyourselfatsomeoneelse'shead,Isuppose?"
Againhesawthehotcolourfloodthethinface,buttheboyisheyesdidnot
flinchfromhis."No,Ishan'tdothat,"saidToby,afterbriefreflection."I'lljust
gorightundernexttime."
"Oh,willyou?"saidSaltash."Andsoremain—ablotonmyescutcheonforall
time.Wellnow,lookhere!Yousayyou'rehonest?"
"Yes,sir,"saidTobywithbreathlessassurance,andsprangupandstoodbefore
himwiththewords,asthoughchallengingcriticism.


Saltashpokedathimwithhisfoot,ashesat."Makemeapromise?"heasked
casually.
"Anythingyouwish,mylord,"saidTobypromptly.
Saltashgrinnedathim."Becareful!Iseeyouareofarashandimpulsive
disposition,andIlikemyslavestohavealittlediscretion.ThepromiseIwantis
thatwhateverhappenstoyou,—howevermuchIkickyouorbashyouor
generallyill-useyou—you'llneverjumpoverboardordoanythingsillyofthat
kind.Isitdone?"
Tobywasstandingbeforehim,facinghimwithstraight,candideyes.Hedidnot
seemsurprisedatthesuggestionsocoollymade.Saltashnotedthatitcertainly
didnotshockhim.
"Allright,sir,"hesaid,afteramoment.
"It'sapromise,isit?"saidSaltash.
Tobynodded."Yes,sir."
"Good!"saidSaltash.Hestretchedoutahandandtookhimbyoneskinnyarm.
"Betternow?"heasked.
"Yes,sir.Yes,mylord.Thankyou,mylord."Toby'seyessmilingintohis.
"Verywell.I'llkeepyou,"Saltashsaid."Didanyoneseeyoucomeaboard?"

"No,mylord."
"Thenyoucamewithme,see?Ibroughtyou—ifanyonewantstoknow."
"Verygood,mylord.Thankyou,mylord."
Saltashmadeahumorousgrimace."Youcancallme'sir'ifyoulike,"hesaid."It
makesnodifference."
"Thankyou,sir,"saidTobywitharesponsivegrin.
"AndyournameisToby,isit?Tobywhat?"