King of the Castle Part 41

Volume Two, Chapter III.

GLYDDYR SEES THE GOLDEN CAVE.

Faithful to his time of tryst with Gartram, Glyddyr made his way up to the Fort that morning, thinking deeply of his position, and wondering whether Gartram had good news to report.

He reached the frowning gateway, went along the granite-paved pa.s.sage, and was pa.s.sing the end of the terrace walk which ran along the front of the house, when he caught sight of a dress just as the wearer pa.s.sed round the corner of the house to the garden formed at the end.

"Claude or Mary," he said to himself. "Shall I? The old man likes me to make myself at home, and it may mean a _tete-a-tete_ there, overlooking the sea. I will."

With a sinister smile he turned off to the left, instead of going up to the door. He went by the bay window of the dining-room, and was in the act of pa.s.sing that of Gartram's study when the robin flew out of the feathery tamarisk, and as he was looking at the flight of the bird, he turned sharply, for a curious, gasping cry came from the room on the right.

He ran into the room, instinctively feeling what was wrong, and in nowise surprised to find that Gartram was struggling in a fit upon the carpet.

His first act was to drag away the chairs nearest to the suffering man, and then to try and place him in a position so that he would not be likely to suffer from strangulation.

"It's very horrid," he muttered, "and will frighten the poor girl almost to death; but I must ring--no: I'll go for help."

He stopped short, for his eyes lit upon the bags and loose coin upon the table, and then upon the open safe, towards which he seemed drawn, as if fascinated.

"By George!" he muttered, after glancing back at where Gartram lay, perfectly insensible to what went on around him. "Monte Christo, and--"

He paused, and looked stealthily about, feeling giddy the while, as a great temptation a.s.sailed him, making him turn pale.

But he mastered the feeling directly, and after a moments thought swept the money back into the receptacle, and carried it and the book to the safe.

"Poor old chap!" he thought. "I needn't stoop to steal when he is so ready to give it all."

He closed the door quickly, and locked it, then drew back and grasped the idea of how it was hidden directly, turning the great panel of the bookcase on its pivot, and closing in the iron door.

He had just finished this and relocked the place, which he was able to do after a little puzzling, when he saw that the fit was growing more severe, and at the same time noted the open drawer in the table.

"Keep the keys there," he said to himself, as he replaced them and closed the drawer. "There, that's what he would have wished his son-in-law elect to do for him, so now for help."

He bent over Gartram for a moment, and shrank slightly from the distorted face and rolling eyes. Then, going to the door, he turned the handle.

"Locked!" he exclaimed, "to keep out interruption and prying eyes.

Well, old fellow, I am in your secret, and know the open sesame of the golden cave, so we shall see."

He turned the key, threw open the door, and hurried into the hall, but ran back directly, and, glancing at Gartram as he did so, pulled the bell sharply.

Almost as he reached the door, Sarah Woodham and one of the servants entered the hall.

"Here, you," he said quickly to the dark, stern-looking woman, "send at once for the doctor; your master is in a fit."

Sarah turned to her fellow-servant, gave her the required instructions, and followed Glyddyr back into the study.

"Where are the young ladies?" he said. "Don't let them come."

"They must know, sir," said the woman, going down on one knee to place Gartram's head in a more natural position. "Miss Claude would not forgive me if she was not told."

Almost at the same moment, a step was heard on the terrace outside.

Mary came by, humming a tune to herself, glanced in, and, seeing what was wrong, darted away.

The next minute she and Claude were there, aiding in every possible way till the doctor's step was heard in the hall.

He came in directly, and gave two or three short, quick orders, almost the first being to dismiss every one but Sarah Woodham.

"Go into the drawing-room," he said. "I'll call if I want any help.

He'll soon come round now. What has been the matter; some fresh excitement?"

Claude's countenance was full of trouble, but she made no reply. Still, she could not help glancing at Glyddyr, and to her shame and annoyance found that he was looking at her in an eager, imploring way, as he held open the door for her to pa.s.s out, and then followed.

"He's coming into the drawing-room, Mary," Claude whispered. "I cannot speak. Pray say something to send him away."

There was no need for Mary to speak. Glyddyr came up to Claude at once, and took her hand.

"I cannot tell you how grieved I am, Miss Gartram," he whispered, in a voice full of sympathy. "Your father invited me to call upon him this morning, and when I came I found him lying in his room as you saw."

He did not explain which way he entered, and for the time no one thought it strange.

Then there was silence, and Claude, after a vain attempt to control her emotion and speech, tried to withdraw her hand, but it was held fast.

"I am on the horns of a dilemma," continued Glyddyr--"puzzled. I want to show my sympathy, and to be of help, but I cannot see in which way I can be of most service--by staying or by leaving at once."

"By going, Mr Glyddyr. Pray leave us now. You can indeed do nothing."

"I will obey your lightest wish," he said eagerly. "You have only to speak."

"Then, pray, go."

He raised the hand he held to his lips, and pressed it long and tenderly, till it was hastily withdrawn, and then, bowing only to Mary, he went quickly from the room.

"Bless the fit!" he said to himself. "Brought me a bit nearer to her haughty ladys.h.i.+p. Bah! it's only a question of time."

It was in Claude's heart to relate her interview with her father that morning, but she shrank from speaking; and her attention was taken up by the entrance of the doctor.

"Better," he said; "decidedly better."

"Can I go to him?"

"If you wish it. But your entrance might disturb him now, as he has just sunk into a peaceful sleep. Mrs Woodham is watching him, and will call you if there is any need. But, believe me, there will be none.

He'll sleep for some hours, and then wake quite himself; but, of course, very irritable and strange. You will then see that he has the medicine I have left for him, and after an hour that which I shall send on."

"Yes, doctor."

"Either administer it yourself, or let that woman give it to him. Don't trust Mr Gartram."

"Not trust him?"