Johnny Ludlow Third Series Part 94

"The 30th Bengal Cavalry!" repeated Dr. Knox, as Major Leckie happened to mention that regiment--which was his, and the doctor remembered that it was Captain Collinson's. "One of the officers of that regiment is staying here now."

"Is he!" cried the major, briskly. "Which of them?"

"Captain Collinson."

"Collinson!" echoed the major, his whole face alight with pleasure.

"Where is he? How long has he been here? I did not know he had left India."

"He came home last autumn, I fancy; was not well, and got twelve months'

leave. He has been staying at Lefford for some time."

"I should like to see him! Good old Collinson! He and I were close friends. He is a nice fellow."

"Old, you style him!" cried Dr. Knox. "I should rather call him young--of the two."

Major Leckie laughed. "It is a word we are all given to using, doctor.

Of course Collinson's not old in years. Why is he staying at Lefford?"

"I'm sure I don't know. Unless it is that he has fallen in love. I heard him remark one day that the air of the place suited him."

"Ah ah, Master Collinson!" laughed the major. "In love, are you, sir!

Caught at last, are you! Who is the lady?"

"Nay, I spoke only in jest," returned Dr. Knox. "He seems to be a general admirer; but I don't know that it is any one in particular.

Report has mentioned one or two ladies, but report is often a false town-crier."

"Well, she will be in luck--whoever gets him. He is one of the nicest, truest fellows I know; and will make a rare good husband."

"It is said he has private means. Do you know whether that's true?"

"He has very good private means. His father left him a fortune.

Sometimes we fancy he will not stay with us long. I should not be surprised if he sells out while he is at home, and settles down."

"Johnny Ludlow heard him say something the other night to that effect,"

observed the doctor, looking at me.

"Yes," I said, confirming the words. "He is about buying an estate now, I believe. But he talked of going back to India for a few years."

"I hope he will. There's not a man amongst us, that I would not rather spare than Collinson. I _should_ like to see him. I might walk into Lefford now--if you will give me his address, doctor. Will you spare me for an hour or two, Sir Henry?"

"Well, I must, I suppose," grumbled Sir Henry. "It's rather bad of you, though, Leckie; and after putting me off with so miserably short a stay.

You get here at ten o'clock last night, and you go off at ten o'clock to-night! Fine behaviour that!"

"I am obliged to go to-night, Westmorland; you know I am, and I could not get to you earlier, although I tried. I won't be away a minute longer than I can help. I can walk into Lefford in half-an-hour--my pace is a quick one. No; and I won't stay an unconscionable time with Collinson," he added, in answer to a growl of the baronet's. "Trust me.

I'll be back under two hours."

"Bring him back with you for the rest of the day," said Sir Henry.

"Oh, thank you. And I am sure you will say he is the best fellow going.

I wonder you and he have not found out one another before."

"If you don't mind taking a seat in yonder nondescript vehicle--that Mr.

Johnny Ludlow here has the audacity to say must have been built in the year One," laughed Dr. Knox, pointing outside, "I can drive you to Captain Collinson's lodgings."

"A friend in need is a friend indeed," cried the major, laughing also.

"What style of vehicle do you call it?"

"_We_ call it the conveyance. As to its style--well I never had the opportunity of asking that of the builder. I believe my father bought it second-hand when he first went into practice many a year ago."

The doctor drove this time; Major Leckie sitting beside him, I in the perch behind. Leaving the major at the hairdresser's, upon reaching Lefford, Dr. Knox and I went home. And this is what occurred--as we heard later.

Ringing at the private door, which was Captain Collinson's proper entrance, a young servant-girl appeared, and--after the manner of many young country servants--sent Major Leckie alone up to Captain Collinson's rooms, saying she supposed the captain was at home. It turned out that he was not at home. Seated before the fire was a gentleman in a crimson dressing-gown and slippers, smoking a huge pipe.

"Come in," cried out he, in answer to the major's knock.

"I beg your pardon," said the major, entering. "I understood that Captain Collinson lodged here."

"He does lodge here," replied he of the dressing-gown, putting his pipe into the fender, as he rose. "What is it that you want with him?"

"I only called to see him. I am one of his brother-officers--home on sick leave; as I understand he is."

"Collinson is out," said the gentleman. "I am sorry it should happen so.

Can you leave any message?"

"Will he be long? I should much like to see him."

"He will be back to dinner to-night; not much before that, I think. He is gone by train to--to--some place a few miles off. Boom--or Room--or Doom--or some such name. I am a stranger here."

"Toome, I suppose," remarked the major. "It's the last station before you get to Lefford--I noticed the name last night. I am very sorry. I should liked to have seen Collinson. Tell him so, will you. I am Major Leckie."

"You will be calling again, perhaps?"

"I can't do that. I must spend the rest of this day with my friend, Sir Henry Westmorland, and I leave to-night. Tell Collinson that I embark in a few days. Stay: this is my address in London, if he will write to me.

I wonder he did not attempt to find me out--I came home before he did: and he knew that he could always get my address at my bankers'."

"I will tell Collinson all you say, Major Leckie," said the stranger, glancing at the card. "It is a pity he is out."

"Should he come back in time--though I fear, by what you say, there's little chance of it--be so good as to say that Sir Henry Westmorland will be happy to see him to dinner this evening at Foxgrove, at six o'clock--and to come over as much earlier as he can."

With the last words, Major Leckie left, Collinson's friend politely attending him down to the front-door. I was standing at Mr. Tamlyn's gate as he pa.s.sed it on his way back to Foxgrove. Dr. Knox, then going off on foot to see a patient, came across the yard from the surgery at the same moment.

"Such a mischance!" the major stopped in his rapid walk to say to us.

"Collinson has gone to Toome to-day. I saw a friend of his, who is staying with him, and he thinks he won't be back before night."

"I did not know Collinson had any one staying with him," remarked the doctor. "Some one called in upon him, probably."

"This man is evidently staying with him; making himself at home too,"

said the major. "He was in a dressing-gown and slippers, and had his feet on the fender, smoking a pipe. A tall, dark fellow, face all hair."