"No," said Barnabas, and shook his head.
Then, in that moment the Viscount sprang up and, pinning him with
his left hand, swung Barnabas savagely to the wall.
"She's mine!" he panted, "mine, I tell you--no one shall take her
from me, neither you nor the devil himself. She's mine--mine. Tell
me where she is,--speak before I choke you--speak!"
But Barnabas stood rigid and utterly still. Thus, in a while, the
griping fingers fell away, the Viscount stepped back, and groaning,
bowed his head.
"Oh, Bev," said he, "forgive me, I--I'm mad I think. I want her so
and I can't find her. And I had a spill last night--dark road you see,
and only one hand,--and I'm not quite myself in consequence. I'll
go--"
But, as he turned toward the door, Barnabas interposed.
"Dick, I can't let you go like this--what do you intend to do?"
"Will you tell me where she is?"
"No, but--"
"Then, sir, my further movements need not concern you."
"Dick, be reasonable,--listen--"
"Have the goodness to let me pass, sir."
"You are faint, worn out--stay here, Dick, and I--"
"Thanks, Beverley, but I accept favors from my friends only--pray
stand aside."
"Dick, if you'll only wait, I'll go to her now--this moment--I'll
beg her to see you--"
"Very kind, sir!" sneered the Viscount, "you are--privileged it seems.
But, by God, I don't need you, or any one else, to act as go-between
or plead my cause. And mark me, sir! I'll find her yet. I swear to
you I'll never rest until I find her again. And now, sir, once and
for all, I have the honor to wish you a very good day!" saying which
the Viscount bowed, and, having re-settled his arm in its sling,
walked away down the corridor, very upright as to back, yet a little
uncertain in his stride nevertheless, and so was gone.
Then Barnabas, becoming aware of the polite letters, and cards,
embossed, gilt-edged and otherwise, swept them incontinent to the
floor and, sinking into a chair, set his elbows upon the table, and
leaning his head upon his hands fell into a gloomy meditation. It
was thus that the Gentleman-in-Powder presently found him, and,
advancing into the room with insinuating legs, coughed gently to
attract his attention, the which proving ineffectual, he spoke: "Ex-cuse me, sir, but there is a--person downstairs, sir--at the door,
sir!"
"What kind of person?" inquired Barnabas without looking up.
"A most ex-tremely low person, sir--very common indeed, sir. Won't
give no name, sir, won't go away, sir. A very 'orrid person--in
gaiters, sir."
"What does he want?" said Barnabas, with head still bent.
"Says as 'ow 'e 'as a letter for you, sir, but--"
Barnabas was on his feet so quickly that the Gentleman-in-Powder
recoiled in alarm.