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Updated: June 18, 2025
As we alighted at our own door I saw a man standing by the street lamp on the corner, some distance away, whom I recognized as Mr. Murmurtot. I found a letter from Mr. Earl awaiting me at home, in which he urged us to hasten back to England as soon as possible after my recovery. "You and Rayel," he said, "will, I trust, make your home at my house."
"My dear sir," said he, rising to go, "men in my line of business must not talk too much. Good night." After he had gone we asked Rayel to tell us more about this mysterious visitor, but he was unable to do so. When we started away Hester put on her wraps and walked with us to the cab.
I shook the hand that was extended to me mechanically, and made some incoherent response I do not remember what. I had been taken by surprise. My voice was unnatural and my strength seemed to have left me suddenly. "Are you not well, sir?" he asked. "No, sir, he is not well yet." It was the voice of Rayel that answered for me.
Oh! it was the heaven-blessed face of Rayel, now bleeding and scarred and ghastly. I raised his head. The hair fell away where my hand touched it, and a groan escaped his lips. I could not speak nor weep nor utter any sound. A strange calmness came over my spirit and I sat there motionless, bending over him I loved so well, while the crowd of men looked on in silence.
What was it to be? Again I felt myself drifting into sleep. I tried to keep my eyes open and resist the drowsiness that overcame me, but in vain. When I awoke Rayel had returned. "You have slept a long time," said he. "When I fell asleep a lady was here." "Yes, it was our 'Woman," he replied "the lady you love. She has come every day to see you." "Where is she now?"
The weeks following my uncle's death, during which I was busy with preparation for the new life that awaited us, Rayel spent in his studio working over some unfinished pictures.
He seemed to enjoy them, however, and was soon involved in a spree at which both Hester and I laughed heartily. "This herring ain't extra good, sir, but I 'ope it won't go ag'in' ye," said Mrs. Chaffin to Rayel, as we sat down to the table. He seemed in doubt for a moment as to what it would be proper to say in reply to this well-intended remark.
When this brief ceremony was over, and the great gates were closed again upon our seclusion, Rayel said to me: "I must talk more with you now, if you will let me. He said you would help me after he was gone." It seemed idle to assure him, who already knew my heart, of the happiness it would give me to fulfill the pledge of friendship made to my uncle. "Do you expect to see him again?" I asked.
In answer to his questions I assured him that the paintings would not be exhibited in the National Academy, and that my cousin's work had never appeared in any art exhibition whatever, at which he seemed greatly surprised. Rayel was still shy of strangers, and, as he was evidently a little annoyed at the presence of our visitor, I shielded him from the need of taking any part in our conversation.
There were exclamations of surprise and gratification from all present, save Rayel, who remained silent, while a faint smile stole over his face. "I knew they would find him out," said he. "I hear that you are a mind-reader, sir," said Mr. Murmurtot, again addressing my cousin. "And you are a detective, I believe, and not a reporter," said Rayel. "It is good that we understand each other." Mr.
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