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"I am not aware " Mr. Faulks began, in indignant protest, but his chief cut him short. "Did you read what happened in the House last night?" "I have only just glanced at the Times," replied Mr. Faulks, in a melancholy voice, thinking how rudely his regular perusal of the great journal had been interrupted that morning. "It's not pleasant reading.
Faulks, in a way that implied much resentment. "Well, but without them we should hear of nothing that is going on. This new expedition, for instance, which I have a shrewd suspicion covers some deep design." "You think so, do you? On what ground, pray?" said Mr. Faulks, with the slight sneer of superior knowledge. "The Times man hints as much.
Faulks, in a voice full of profound pity for the lamentable ignorance of his chief. "It is at No. 14." "Just round the corner in fact, half-a-dozen yards off?" "Yes, about that." "Well, look here, Mr. Faulks: you just put on your hat and go round the corner and see the head of the ordnance branch, and settle all this with him in the next five minutes, d'ye hear?" "What, I? personally?
Faulks, sympathetically; "you have known great sorrows. But you must not brood, dear lady: we should struggle with grief." He took her hand, and looked at her in a kindly, pitying way. The moment was ill-timed for interruption, but the blame was Sir Humphrey's, who now sent the messenger with a fresh and more imperious summons for the attendance of Mr. Faulks.
A large cigar and the perusal of the long-neglected Times did not pacify him much, and he was still fretting and fuming when his messenger brought in a three-cornered note and asked if there was any reply. "The lady, sir a real lady, I should think 'ave brought it in her own bruffam, and was most particular, sir, as you should 'ave it at once." Mr. Faulks took the letter and examined it carefully.
"Sir 'Umphry, sir; he have just come to the office quite unforseen." Sir Humphrey Fothergill was the Parliamentary head of the office at this time. "Sir Humphrey here! What an extraordinary thing!" The proper time for the appearance of this great functionary was at 4 p.m., on his way to the House and Mr. Faulks felt quite annoyed at the departure from the ordinary rule.
Faulks went slowly downstairs, and still more slowly resumed his out-of-door frock-coat; he took up his hat and stick in the same deliberate fashion, and started at a snail's pace for round the corner. He drawled and dawdled through the business, which five minutes' sharp talk could have ended, and it was nearly lunch-time before he returned to his chief.
"He will be ready enough to talk about his dear nephew before long. You may look out for some startling news about McKay." "Really?" said Mrs. Wilders, growing suddenly excited. "Your plan has succeeded, then?" "Any day you may hear that he has been removed effectually, and for ever, from your path. But for the moment that will keep. What presses is that you should squeeze old Faulks.
It was Mariquita, placed there by the kindness of the military authorities, anxious to make all the return possible by helping in the good work. The relationship of the captain to Stanislas was remembered by Colonel Blythe, and the Burlington Castle seemed the fittest place to receive the poor girl. Good Captain Faulks had been taken into the secret. "Poor child!" he had said.
"No one will be more pleased to welcome him back than myself," said Mr. Faulks. "I should be glad indeed of his countenance and support just now. They do not treat me too well here." "Can it be possible!" she exclaimed, in a voice of tenderest interest. "You whom I have always thought one of the most useful, estimable men in the public service."
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