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Updated: June 18, 2025
Every day I expected some revelation from Rayel, but he said nothing about the man in whom he had taken such extraordinary interest. We had been over a week at sea, and I was sitting alone one afternoon, when Mr. Murmurtot came along and asked if he might introduce an acquaintance of his whom I ought to know. Then he went to find the gentleman, saying that he would return in a few moments.
"You resemble your father, sir, when he was of your age," said Mr. Earl, addressing my cousin, as we were eating. "But you are larger, much larger, than he was." "You were my father's friend when he was a young man, I believe?" said Rayel. "Yes, he and his brother were my best friends in those days. I tried to induce him to study law, but he was more inclined to medicine."
My first step was to visit a lawyer for the purpose of ascertaining the legal formalities which I must observe as executor of the will. Rayel wished to go with me, and I gladly assented, for it seemed wise as an initiatory step in the new life that was awaiting him.
That night, as we were sitting by the grate fire in our own rooms, Rayel, encouraged by our seclusion, began to emerge from the silence to which he had seemingly gone back for refuge in time of trouble. "We shall soon be ready to start for England," I said. "I do not wish to go to England, Kendric," said he. "For a long time I have thought over it.
Many beautiful faces were conjured by his masterful touch, but they were other faces, and none of them satisfied us. The failure made Rayel unhappy, and tears came to his eyes when the "Woman" was referred to, as if he were mourning the loss of a dear friend. Our patron had conceived a great liking for us, and we were soon invited to visit his house "and meet a few of his friends at dinner."
"What, then, do you mean?" I asked. "That there is danger," he answered huskily, sinking into a chair. "I am a fool not to have thought of it long ago!" His words seemed to sting me, and for a moment I could not speak. "You know what is in her heart, Rayel," I said presently. "Tell me, is it false, or is she, as I have thought, a pure and noble woman?"
"You need not be afraid to tell me now. I know that Rayel is dead." They made no answer. "I know he is dead, but tell me how it happened," I said. "There is no danger; I am quite strong now." Mr. Earl took my hand and told me in a low, calm voice, all he knew of the tragedy. He only knew, however, that the lamp had exploded and that Rayel had been horribly burned by the oil.
Presently Rayel asked: "What is a jackass?" He stopped and took my hand as if expecting an answer of great moment. "A man who always tells the truth in this world he is a jackass," I replied. I was a little irritated by the trying experiences we had been through. Perhaps that is why my answer savored so strongly of cynicism.
"The Count de Montalle and another man." My cousin's answer amazed me. "Have you made known your suspicions?" I asked. "No. I have been waiting to talk with you first." "Do not speak of it yet to any one," I said. "Let us await developments." I foresaw that Rayel would only get a reputation for insanity if pressed to the point of explaining his suspicions.
That music was like a strange story that drops its plummet deep into life's mysteries. "A new song!" said my uncle, turning to me with surprise on his face. "He got the subject from you. We shall see." Presently Rayel entered the room, bringing something in his hand a picture which he held up to the lamplight. A girl's face! and wonderfully like that of Hester Chaffin. I sat amazed, staring at it.
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