Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Therefore he knocked, softly at first, but louder and louder until at length the door was plucked suddenly open and a woman appeared, a slatternly creature who bore a candle none too steadily. "Now then, owdacious," she began, somewhat slurring of speech. "What d'ye want this time o' night knocking at 'spectable door of a person?" "Is Mr. Barrymaine in?"
Barrymaine, speaking with elaborate care, as if to make quite sure of his utterance. "Pray be seated, Mr. Bev'ley. We we are a little crowded I f-fear. Move those boots off the chair, Dig. Indeed my apartment might be a little more commodious, but it's all I have at p-present, and by God!" he cried, suddenly fierce, "I shouldn't have even this but for Dig here!
Chichester drew out a silver flask, unscrewed it, and thereafter made a certain quick, stealthy gesture behind his companion's back, which done, he screwed up the flask again, shook it, and, as Barrymaine rose, held it out to him: "Yes, I'm afraid there's very little left, Ronald," said he.
"I mean that tonight I found this scrap of cloth, and I recognized it as part of the cuff of your sleeve, and I found it clenched in Jasper Gaunt's dead hand." With a hoarse, gasping cry Barrymaine cast himself face down upon the floor again and writhed there like one in agony. "I d-didn't mean to oh, God!
Barnabas drew a step nearer, and, on the instant, the grovelling figure started up to an elbow; thus, stooping down, Barnabas looked into the haggard face of Ronald Barrymaine. "Beverley!" he gasped, "w-what d'you want? Go away, l-leave me!" "No!" said Barnabas, "it is you who must go away at once. You must leave London to-night!" "W-what d' you mean?"
And I trusted him which was w-worse. A rogue always, Dig, and a l-liar!" Then Barrymaine groaned, and groaning, spurned that quiet form weakly with his foot and so, pitched down headlong across it. Now as they lay thus, they together made a great cross upon the floor.
"But oh, Ronald, I don't understand, you always told me he was your friend, I thought " "Friend!" cried Barrymaine passionately. "He's a devil, I tell you he's a d-devil, oh " Barrymaine choked and fell back gasping; but, even as Cleone leaned above him all tender solicitude, he pushed her aside and, springing to his feet, reached out and caught Barnabas by the arm.
But, on the instant, Barnabas sprang in and closed with him, and, grappled in a fierce embrace, they swayed a moment and staggered out through the gaping doorway. Barrymaine fought desperately. Barnabas felt his coat rip and tear, but he maintained his grip upon his opponent's pistol hand, yet twice the muzzle of the weapon covered him, and twice he eluded it before Barrymaine could fire.
And, talking of him, I met another rascal as I came I mean that fellow Smivvle; had he been here?" "Yes." "Begging, I suppose?" "He borrowed some money for his friend Barrymaine." The Viscount flushed hotly, and looked at Barnabas with a sudden frown. "Perhaps you are unaware, that is a name I never allow spoken in my presence, Mr. Beverley." "Indeed, Viscount, and pray, why not?"
"Sirs," said he, "I shall most certainly kill him, and I call upon you to witness that it was forced upon me." Now as his voice died away, through the open window came a faint sound that might have been wind in the trees, or the drumming of horse-hoofs, soft and faint with distance. "Oh, g-give us the word, D-Dig!" said Barrymaine. "Gentlemen," said Mr.
Word Of The Day