pgw.piccadillyjim-第43部分

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


he　was　out　of　sorts；　a　touch　of　gout　came　to　add　to　his　troubles。　Being　a　patient　man　by　nature；　he　might　have　borne　up　against　these　trials；　had　he　been　granted　an　adequate　night's　rest。　But；　just　as　he　had　dropped　off　after　tossing　restlessly　for　two　hours；　things　had　begun　to　happen　noisily　in　the　library。　He　awoke　to　a　vague　realisation　of　tumult　below。
　Such　was　the　morose　condition　of　his　mind　as　the　result　of　his　misfortune　that　at　first　not　even　the　cries　for　help　could　interest　him　sufficiently　to　induce　him　to　leave　his　bed。　He　knew　that　walking　in　his　present　state　would　be　painful；　and　he　declined　to　submit　to　any　more　pain　just　because　some　party　unknown　was　apparently　being　murdered　in　his　library。　It　was　not　until　the　shrill　barking　of　the　dog　Aida　penetrated　right　in　among　his　nerve…centres　and　began　to　tie　them　into　knots　that　he　found　himself　pelled　to　descend。　Even　when　he　did　so；　it　was　in　no　spirit　of　kindness。　He　did　not　e　to　rescue　anybody　or　to　interfere　between　any　murderer　and　his　victim。　He　came　in　a　fever　of　militant　wrath　to　suppress　Aida。　On　the　threshold　of　the　library；　however；　the　genius；　by　treading　on　his　gouty　foot；　had　diverted　his　anger　and　caused　it　to　bee　more　general。　He　had　not　ceased　to　concentrate　his　venom　on　Aida。　He　wanted　to　assail　everybody。
　〃What's　the　matter　here？〃　he　demanded；　red…eyed。　〃Isn't　somebody　going　to　tell　me？　Have　I　got　to　stop　here　all　night？　Who　on　earth　is　this？〃　He　glared　at　Miss　Trimble。　〃What's　she　doing　with　that　pistol？〃　He　stamped　incautiously　with　his　bad　foot；　and　emitted　a　dry　howl　of　anguish。
　〃She　is　a　detective；　Peter；〃　said　Mrs。　Pett　timidly。
　〃A　detective？　Why？　Where　did　she　e　from？〃
　Miss　Trimble　took　it　upon　herself　to　explain。
　〃Mister　Pett；　siz　Pett　sent　f'r　me　t'　watch　out　so's　nobody　kidnapped　her　son。〃
　〃Oggie；〃　explained　Mrs。　Pett。　〃Miss　Trimble　was　guarding　darling　Oggie。〃
　〃Why？〃
　〃Toto　prevent　him　being　kidnapped；　Peter。〃
　Mr。　Pett　glowered　at　the　stout　boy。　Then　his　eye　was　attracted　by　the　forlorn　figure　of　Jerry　Mitchell。　He　started。
　〃Was　this　fellow　kidnapping　the　boy？〃　he　asked。
　〃Sure；〃　said　Miss　Trimble。　〃Caught　h'm　with　th'　goods。　He　w's　waiting　outside　there　with　a　car。　I　held　h'm　and　this　other　guy　up　w'th　a　gun　and　brought　'em　back！〃
　〃Jerry；〃　said　Mr。　Pett；　〃it　wasn't　your　fault　that　you　didn't　bring　it　off；　and　I'm　going　to　treat　you　right。　You'd　have　done　it　if　nobody　had　butted　in　to　stop　you。　You'll　get　the　money　to　start　that　health…farm　of　yours　all　right。　I'll　see　to　that。　Now　you　run　off　to　bed。　There's　nothing　to　keep　you　here。〃
　〃Say！〃　cried　Miss　Trimble；　outraged。　〃D'ya　mean　t'　say　y'　aren't　going　t'　pros'cute？　Why；　aren't　I　tell'ng　y'　I　caught　h'm　kidnapping　th'　boy？〃
　〃I　told　him　to　kidnap　the　boy！〃　snarled　Mr。　Pett。
　〃Peter！〃
　Mr。　Pett　looked　like　an　under…sized　lion　as　he　faced　his　wife。　He　bristled。　The　recollection　of　all　that　he　had　suffered　from　Ogden　came　to　strengthen　his　determination。
　〃I've　tried　for　two　years　to　get　you　to　send　that　boy　to　a　good　boarding…school；　and　you　wouldn't　do　it。　I　couldn't　stand　having　him　loafing　around　the　house　any　longer；　so　I　told　Jerry　Mitchell　to　take　him　away　to　a　friend　of　his　who　keeps　a　dogs'　hospital　on　Long　Island　and　to　tell　his　friend　to　hold　him　there　till　he　got　some　sense　into　him。　Well；　you've　spoiled　that　for　the　moment　with　your　detectives；　but　it　still　looks　good　to　me。　I'll　give　you　a　choice。　You　can　either　send　that　boy　to　a　boarding…school　next　week；　or　he　goes　to　Jerry　Mitchell's　friend。　I'm　not　going　to　have　him　in　the　house　any　longer；　loafing　in　my　chair　and　smoking　my　cigarettes。　Which　is　it　to　be？〃
　〃But；　Peter！〃
　〃Well？〃
　〃If　I　send　him　to　a　school；　he　may　be　kidnapped。〃
　〃Kidnapping　can't　hurt　him。　It's　what　he　needs。　And；　anyway；　if　he　is　I'll　pay　the　bill　and　be　glad　to　do　it。　Take　him　off　to　bed　now。　To…morrow　you　can　start　looking　up　schools。　Great　Godfrey！〃　He　hopped　to　the　writing…desk　and　glared　disgustedly　at　the　debris　on　it。　〃Who's　been　making　this　mess　on　my　desk？　It's　hard！　It's　darned　hard！　The　only　room　in　the　house　that　I　ask　to　have　for　my　own；　where　I　can　get　a　little　peace；　and　I　find　it　turned　into　a　beer…garden；　and　coffee　or　some　damned　thing　spilled　all　over　my　writing…desk！〃
　〃That　isn't　coffee；　Peter；〃　said　Mrs。　Pett　mildly。　This　cave…man　whom　she　had　married　under　the　impression　that　he　was　a　gentle　domestic　pet　had　taken　all　the　spirit　out　of　her。　〃It's　Willie's　explosive。〃
　〃Willie's　explosive？〃
　〃Lord　WisbeachI　mean　the　man　who　pretended　to　be　Lord　Wisbeachdropped　it　there。〃
　〃Dropped　it　there？　Well；　why　didn't　it　explode　and　blow　the　place　to　Hoboken；　then？〃
　Mrs。　Pett　looked　helplessly　at　Willie；　who　thrust　his　fingers　into　his　mop　of　hair　and　rolled　his　eyes。
　〃There　was　fortunately　some　slight　miscalculation　in　my　formula；　uncle　Peter；〃　he　said。　〃I　shall　have　to　look　into　it　to…morrow。　Whether　the　trinitrotoluol〃
　Mr。　Pett　uttered　a　sharp　howl。　He　beat　the　air　with　his　clenched　fists。　He　seemed　to　be　having　a　brain…storm。
　〃Has　thisthis　fish　been　living　on　me　all　this　timehave　I　been　supporting　thisthis　buzzard　in　luxury　all　these　years　while　he　fooled　about　with　an　explosive　that　won't　explode！　He　pointed　an　accusing　finger　at　the　inventor。　Look　into　it　tomorrow；　will　you？　Yes；　you　can　look　into　it　to…morrow　after　six　o'clock！　Until　then　you'll　be　workingfor　the　first　time　in　your　lifeworking　in　my　office；　where　you　ought　to　have　been　all　along。〃　He　surveyed　the　crowded　room　belligerently。　〃Now　perhaps　you　will　all　go　back　to　bed　and　let　people　get　a　little　sleep。　Go　home！〃　he　said　to　the　detective。
　Miss　Trimble　stood　her　ground。　She　watched　Mrs。　Pett　pass　away　with　Ogden　and　Willie　Partridge　head　a　stampede　of　geniuses　but　she　declined　to　move。
　〃Y'　gotta　cut　th'　rough　stuff；　'ster　Pett；〃　she　said　calmly。　〃I　need　my　sleep；　j'st　's　much　's　everyb'dy　else；　but　I　gotta　stay　here。　There's　a　lady　c'ming　right　up　in　a　taxi　fr'm　th'　Astorbilt　to　identify　this　gook。　She's　after'm　f'r　something。〃
　〃What！　Skinner？〃
　〃's　what　he　calls　h'mself。〃
　〃What's　he　done？〃
　〃I　d'no。　Th'　lady'll　tell　us　that。〃
　There　was　a　violent　ringing　at　the　front　door　bell。
　〃I　guess　that's　her；〃　said　Miss　Trimble。　〃Who's　going　to　let　'r　in？　I　can't　go。〃
　〃I　will；〃　said　Ann。
　Mr。　Pett　regarded　Mr。　Crocker　with　affectionate　encouragement。
　〃I　don't　know　what　you've　done；　Skinner；〃　he　said；　〃but　I'll　stand　by　you。　You're　the　best　fan　I　ever　met；　and　if　I　can　keep　you　out　of　the　penitentiary；　I　will。〃
　〃It　isn't　the　penitentiary！〃　said　Mr。　Crocker　unhappily。
　A　tall；　handsome；　and　determined…looking　woman　came　into　the　room。　She　stood　in　the　doorway；　looking　about　her。　Then　her　eyes　rested　on　Mr。　Crocker。　For　a　moment　she　gazed　incredulously　at　his　discoloured　face。　She　drew　a　little　nearer；　peering。
　〃D'yo　'dentify　'm；　ma'am？〃　said　Miss　Trimble。
　〃Bingley！〃
　〃Is　't　th'　guy　y'　wanted？〃
　〃It's　my　husband！〃　said　Mrs。　Crocker。
　〃Y'　can't　arrest　'm　f'r　that！〃　said　Miss　Trimble　disgustedly。
　She　thrust　her　revolver　back　into　the　hinterland　of　her　costume。
　〃Guess　I'll　be　beatin'　it；〃　she　said　with　a　sombre　frown。　She　was　plainly　in　no　sunny　mood。　〃'f　all　th'　hunk　jobs　I　was　ever　on；　this　is　th'　hunkest。　I'm　told　off　't　watch　a　gang　of　crooks；　and　after　I've　lost　a　night's　sleep　doing　it；　it　turns　out　't's　a　nice；　jolly　fam'ly　party！〃　She　jerked　her　thumb　towards　Jimmy。　〃Say；　this　guy　says　he's　that　guy's　son。　I　s'pose　it's　all　right？〃
　〃That　is　my　step…son；　James　Crocker。〃
　Ann　uttered　a　little　cry；　but　it　was　lost　in　Miss　Trimble's　stupendous　snort。　The　detective　turned　to　the　window。
　〃I　guess　I'll　beat　't；〃　she　observed　caustically；　〃before　it　turns　out　that　I'm　y'r　l'il　daughter　Genevieve。〃
　
　CHAPTER　XXV
　NEARLY　EVERYBODY　HAPPY
　
　MRS。　CROCKER　turned　to　her　husband。
　〃Well；　Bingley？〃　she　said；　a　steely　tinkle　in　her　voice。
　〃Well；　Eugenia？〃　said　Mr。　Crocker。
　A　strange　light　was　shining　in　Mr。　Crocker's　mild　eyes。　He　had　seen　a　miracle　happen　that　night。　He　had　seen　an　even　more　formidable　woman　than　his　wife　dominated　by　an　even　meeker　man　than　himself；　and　he　had　been　amazed　and　impressed　by　the　spectacle。　It　had　never　even　started　to　occur　to　him　before；　but　apparently　it　could　be　done。　A　little　resolution；　a　little　determination　。　。　。　nothing　more　was　needed。　He　looked　at　Mr。　Pett。　And　yet　Mr。　Pett　had　crumpled　up　Eugenia's　sister　with　about　three　firm　speeches。　It　could　be　done。　。　。　。
　〃What　have　you　to　say；　Bingley？〃
　Mr。　Crocker　drew　himself　up。
　〃Just　this！〃　he　said。　〃I'm　an　American　citizen；　and　the　way　I've　figured　it　out　is　that　my　place　is　in　America。　It's　no　good　talking　about　it；　Eugenia。　I'm　sorry　if　it　upsets　your　plans；　but　IamnotgoingbacktoLondon！〃　He　eyed　his　speechless　wife　unflatteringly。　〃I'm　going　to　stick　on　here　and　see　the　pennant　race　out。　And　after　that　I'm　going　to　take　in　the　World's　Series。〃
　Mrs。　Crocker　opened　her　mouth　to　speak；　closed　it；　re…opened　it。　Then　she　found　that　she　had　nothing　to　say。
　〃I　hope　you'll　be　sensible；　Eugenia；　and　stay　on　this　side；　and　we　can　all　be　happy。　I'm　sorry　to　have　to　take　this　stand；　but　you　tried　me　too　high。　You're　a　woman；　and　you　don't　know　what　it　is　to　go　five　years　without　seeing　a　ball　game；　but　take　it　from　me　it's　more　than　any　real　fan　can　stand。　It　nearly　killed　me；　and　I'm　not　going　to　risk　it　again。　If　Mr。　Pett　will　keep　me　on　as　his　butler；　I'll　stay　here　in　this　house。　If　he　won't；　I'll　get　another　job　somewhere。　But；　whatever　happens；　I　stick　to　this　side！〃
　Mr。　Pett　uttered　a　whoop　of　approval。
　〃There's　always　been　a　place　for　you　in　my　house；　old　man！〃　he　cried。　〃When　I　get　a　butler　who〃
　〃But；　Bingley！　How　can　you　be　a　butler？〃
　〃You　ought　to　watch　him！〃　said　Mr。　Pett　enthusiastically。　〃He's　a　wonder！　He　can　pull　all　the　starchy　stuff　as　if　he'd　lived　with　the　Duke　of　Whoosis　for　the　last　forty　years；　and　then　go　right　off　and　fling　a　pop…bottle　at　an　umpire！　He's　all　right！〃
　The　eulogy　was　wasted　on　Mrs。　Crocker。　She　burst　into　tears。　It　was　a　new　experience　for　her　husband；　and　he　watched　her　awkwardly；　his　resolute　demeanour　crumbling　under　this　unexpected　assault。
　〃Eugenia！〃
　Mrs。　Crocker　wiped　her　eyes。
　〃I　can't　stand