The Professor's Mystery by Wells Hastings

Author:Wells Hastings
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jovian Press

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CHAPTER XV

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MENTAL RESERVATIONS

I SAT DOWN RATHER UNCOMFORTABLY. We had all of us been made to look foolish, and I was here to bear the brunt of it alone. What had become of Reid, I did not know; but I was much mistaken in him if he had not gone off upon some highly efficient search of his own, after alarming Lady and her father. So the whole family had been upset because a rather thoughtless little woman had gone out without thinking to give notice of her intended absence, and because an officious young son-in-law had jumped at the chance to exploit his executive ability. If Sheila and I had been disturbed, we had at least only acted under his direction; and the whole foolish flurry, with its risk of attracting public attention, had emanated from the jerky mind of Reid.

“I must plead guilty,” I said, “of giving the first alarm. Sheila seemed worried, and I called up Doctor Reid on the telephone.”

Mrs. Tabor’s face clouded, and it seemed to me that something like anger gathered in her eyes. “It was very like him,” she said, “he is the most selfish man in the world.” She paused. “If you don’t mind, Mr. Crosby, we will not talk about him. I am tired.”

I got to my feet, feeling as if I had heard something to which I had no right.

“Mrs. Tabor,” said I, “you must forgive me for having troubled you with the matter at all. I am stupid sometimes, and forgot that we had been officious and that you might be tired.”

She flashed forth an appealing little hand. “No, you are not to go; I didn’t mean that. I’m not so truly tired that I want to be alone. In fact, I shall rest much better if you stay and keep me company.”

“I shall be very glad to,” I answered. “I’ve regretted all along that I haven’t been able to see you more often. Besides, I’m the only man in the house for the moment, and I suppose I oughtn’t to leave my post until the others come home.”

She raised her brows. “Why, what do you mean? That sounds as if we were in a state of siege. You’re a guest, Mr. Crosby, not a sentry on duty.”

I had said too much, evidently, and I felt angrily that if Mrs. Tabor knew nothing of affairs I should have been warned of the fact. “I didn’t mean that,” I said, as easily as I could manage. “Only that the others are still looking for you, and I ought to let them know as soon as may be that I’ve been more fortunate. I’d telephone if I knew where they were.”

“But it’s all so ridiculous. I’m not a child, you know.” Her petulance was rising again. “Because a tramp came into the house the other day is no reason for hedging me about as if we were all back in the dark ages. It’s never likely to happen again; and besides, there was no danger at the time of anything worse than losing some of the silver.

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