The Queen's Scarlet Part 8

"Oh, I shall go mad!" he muttered.

At that moment Jerry threw open the study door, and, trying to nerve himself for the encounter, Richard entered, to find the great tutor standing, with his hands behind him, before the fireless grate.

"How is he, Mr Draycott? Pray, pray speak!" cried Richard.

"I sent for you to tell you, Frayne," said the tutor, in a low, deep voice. "Sinking fast!"

"Dying?" cried Richard, wildly. "No, no, sir; don't say that!"

"The doctors have done all they can, Frayne. He is perfectly insensible, and they say he will pa.s.s away before many hours are gone."

Richard groaned, and clapped his hands to his head, pressing them there as if to clear his brain.

"More help!" he said suddenly.

"I have telegraphed for our greatest specialist."

"Ah!"

"And to the poor fellow's father at Cannes. A terrible business, Frayne--a terrible business!"

"Yes; but he must not die--he must not die!"

Mr Draycott was silent for a few minutes. There was much he wanted to say, but the words seemed loth to come.

"We must be prepared for the worst, Frayne," he said at last. "This is a dreadful shock."

"Yes--yes!" groaned Richard.

"And I have something very hard to say to you."

"You cannot say anything, sir, that will make me feel worse than I do."

Mr Draycott shook his head.

"It must come, Frayne," he said at last; "so we may as well get the matter over. Things look very black against you."

"Black, sir?"

"Yes. Sinjohn and Andrews both saw how strange you looked when you pa.s.sed them, and they followed, being agreed that something was wrong.

It was observed too, by others."

"I was angry, sir--in a rage."

"Yes," said the tutor sternly. "They saw you encounter your cousin, and they heard nearly every word he said."

"And what I said, sir?"

"No. They tell me you spoke to him in a low voice, as if you were begging him not to do something, and they gathered that it was about keeping a trouble quiet."

"No, no, sir!" cried Richard wildly.

"That is how it impressed them, and they say that, when your cousin refused what you wanted, you attacked him."

"No, sir! We fought; but I acted in self-defence."

"Indeed!" said his tutor, coldly. "They heard words, too, about debt--a heavy sum--and forging--matters that should not be even known amongst the gentlemen studying here. I find, too, Frayne, that you have been mixed up with money matters."

"It is not true, sir."

"Your cousin declared you were. He was heard to say so, and if the worst comes to the worst, Frayne, his words will be believed."

"Do you mean if he dies, sir?" gasped Richard.

"I do, Frayne. I have had a letter from that Mr Simpson, and I find that he came to you this morning to be paid, and that sharp words pa.s.sed between you in your room. This is all very bad, Frayne, and, confused though it is, it goes against you. The police--"

"What?" cried Richard.

"Were for arresting you at once."

"Arresting me? What for?" cried the young man, indignantly.

"For a murderous a.s.sault upon your cousin; but I would not hear of it now. I said that you would be here if it was found necessary to proceed against you."

"Oh, but this is madness, sir!" cried Richard, excitedly. "They could not do that!"

The tutor shook his head.

"We must look troubles in the face, Frayne," he said. "If matters come to the worst, there must be an inquest, and, whatever you may say, your fellow-pupils' words will have weight."

Richard literally staggered, and gazed wildly at the heavy face of his tutor, who went on slowly--

"It is a terrible business, Frayne, and a fearful blow for me. I cannot blame myself. I always treat those who study with me as gentlemen, and if the poor fellow upstairs does sink, the consequences must be crus.h.i.+ng for you."

"Never mind me, sir; let's think of my cousin. He must get better!

There, I can think more clearly now. It is as if my head does not feel so shut up and strange. I won't try to defend myself, sir; but Andrews and Sinjohn are wrong. I am innocent."

"But you struck your cousin down."

"Yes, sir; I was nearly mad with pa.s.sion."

"Ah!" sighed the tutor.

"But it was in fair fighting, sir!"

"I am afraid, Frayne, it is manslaughter; and now let us bring this painful interview to a close. You will have the goodness to go up to your room, and to stay there until I ask you to come down. Stop! I think it would be better for you to have legal advice. This is all so new to me!"

"I'm going to my room--to stay there, sir--but don't do anything about me till we hear what the great doctor says; it may not be so bad. Can I see my cousin now?"