The Haute Noblesse Part 75

"Yes, fancies, man. I would not on any consideration have Mr Vine know that such a suspicion had existed in my office, and--"

He paused for a few moments, and then held out his hand to the old clerk, who took it, and felt his own gripped warmly.

"Come, Crampton," continued Van Heldre, smiling; "after all these years together, I trust we are something more than master and man. You have always proved yourself a friend in the way in which you have looked after my interests."

"I've always tried to do my duty, Mr Van Heldre."

"And you always have done your duty--more than duty. Now just go quietly down, and ask Henry Vine to step up-stairs with you. I must have this put straight at once. Crampton, you and my old friend's son must make a fresh start."

Crampton's fresh countenance grew dingy-looking, and Van Heldre felt his hand twitch.

"Come, I tell you that your suspicions are absurd, and I must have you two work well together. The young man only wants a little humouring to make him all that we could wish. Go and fetch him up."

"He--he is not here this morning, sir," gasped Crampton, at last.

"Not here?"

"No, sir," said the old man hastily; and he pa.s.sed the hand at liberty across his face.

"I am sorry. I should have liked to settle this, now it is on my mind."

Crampton looked wildly towards the door, in the hope that the coming of wife or daughter would bring about a diversion.

"Of course," said Van Heldre suddenly, "you have not shown the young man that you have had this idea in your head?"

Crampton was silent, and as Van Heldre looked at him he saw the great beads of perspiration were standing upon his face.

"Why, good heavens, Crampton," he cried, "you have not breathed a word of all this to a soul?"

The old clerk looked at him wildly.

"Ah! you are keeping something back," said Van Heldre.

"Hush, sir, hus.h.!.+" cried the old clerk in alarm; "for goodness sake don't be excited. Think of how weak you are."

"Then answer," said Van Heldre, in a low whisper. "Tell me what you have done."

"I--I did everything for the best, sir."

"Henry Vine! You did not accuse him of this terrible affair?"

Crampton's face grew gradually hard and stern. His tremulous state pa.s.sed off, and he turned as if at bay.

"Crampton! Good heavens, man! What have you done."

"I had to think of you, sir, lying here. Of Mrs Van Heldre, sir, and of Miss Madelaine."

"Yes, yes; but speak, man. What have you done?"

"My duty, sir."

"And accused him of this--this crime?"

Crampton was silent.

"Are you mad? Oh, man, man, you must have been mad."

Crampton drew a long breath.

"Do my wife and daughter know?"

"Yes, sir," said Crampton slowly.

"And--and they have spoken as I speak? They told you it was prejudice."

Crampton drew a long breath once more.

"Don't, pray don't say any more, sir--not now," he said at last pleadingly.

"They--surely they don't--there, quick! Ring that bell."

"Mr Van Heldre, sir. Pray--pray don't take it like that; I on'y did my duty by you all."

"Duty! In a fit of madness to make such a charge as this and prejudice others!" cried Van Heldre angrily. "Ring that bell, man. I cannot rest till this is set right."

"Think, sir, how I was situated," pleaded the old clerk. "You were robbed; I saw you lying, as I thought, dying, and I saw the scoundrel who had done all this escape. What could I do but call in the police?"

"The police! Then it is known by every one in the place?"

Crampton looked pityingly down at the anguished countenance before him.

"And Henry Vine? He refuted your charge? Speak, man, or you will drive me mad."

"Henry Vine did not deny the charge, sir. He was manly enough for that."

"Crampton, is this all true?"

"It was my duty, sir."

"He does not deny it? Oh! it seems monstrous. But you said the police; you gave information. Crampton--his father--his sister--my poor child!"

"Is saved from a villain, Mr Van Heldre?" cried the old clerk fiercely.

"Better she should have died than have married such a man as he."

"And I--I lying here helpless as a child," said the sick man feebly.

"But this must all be stopped. Crampton, you should not have done all this. Now go at once, fetch George Vine here, and--Henry--the young man. Where is he?"

"Gone, sir, to answer for his crime," said the old man solemnly. "Henry Vine is dead."