Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-05
CHAPTER II.
Outside the Pale.

OuCa1Qo the Ea1e.
Three men were together in a large
and handsomely furnished sitting room
Of the Clarence Hotel in Piccadilly One,
pale, quiet and unobtrusive dressed in
sober black. the typical lawyers clerk,
was busy gathering up collection Of
papers and documents from the table,
over which they had been strewR. His
employer, who had more the appearance
of a country gentleman than the junior
partner in the well-known firm of Rookie
Son. solicitors. had risen to- his feet.
and was drawing on his gloves At the
head Of the table was the client.
II trust, Sir Wingraye. that you are
satisfied with this account of our stew
ardship," the solicitor said as his clerk
left the room. I'VE have felt 1t a great
responsibility at times, but everything
seems to have turned out very well. The
investments. Of course, are all above sus-
picion."
Perfectly satisfied I thank you" was
the quiet reply. You seem to have
studied my interests in very satisfac-
tory manner
Mr.. Rookie had other things to say,
but his clients manner seemed designed
to create a barrier of formality between
them. He hesitated unwilling to leave.
yet finding 1t exceedingly difficult to
say the things which were in his mind.
He temportzed by referring back to mat
tiers already discussed, solely for the pur-
pose of prolonging the interview.
You have quite made up your mind,
then. to put the Tredowen property on
the market" he remarked. You will
excuse my reminding you Of the fact
in hand. and nearly a hundred Thousand
pounds worth of easily realizable Sc
curities. Tredowen has been in your
mothers family for a good many years.
easily disposed Of
The man at the head of the table
raised his head. He looked steadily at
the lawyer. who began to wish that he
cidedly, Sir Wingrave Seton was not an
easy man to get on with.
My mind is quite made up. thank
you, on this and all other matters con-
corning which have given you instruc-
TONS" was the calm reply. Il have had
plenty, of time for consideration" he
added dryly.
The lawyer had his opening at last;
and he plunged.
"Sir Wingrave.'' he said. I'VE were at
college together. and our Connection is
an old one You must forgive me if
say how glad l am to see you here and
to know that your bad time is over
can assure you that you have had my
deepest sympathy. Nothing ever upset
me so much as that unfortunate affair.
| sincerely trust that you will do your
best now to make up for lost time You
are still young. and you are rich. Let
US leave business alone now, for the mo-
ment. What can / do for you as
friend. If you will allow me to call you
sou
Wingrave turned slightly in his chair.
In his altered position a ray Of sunshine
but striking face Lined and hardened,
as though by exposure and want Of per-
sonal care, there was also lack of
sensibility, an almost animal callousness,
mouth, which readily suggested some
terrible and recent OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
thing potent enough to have dried up
the human nature out of the man and
Impress of the ready-made. although he
wore them with a distinction which was
obviously inherent; and, Notwithstanding
the fact that he seemed to have been
writing. he wore gloves.
I am much obliged to you, Rookie"
he said. Let me repeat your question
What Is there that you can do for me?"
Mr.. Rookie was apparently a little non
plussed. The absolute imperturbab t
of the man who had once been his friend
was disconcerting.
Well" he said. the governor sent
me instead Of coming himself, because
he thought that might be more useful
to you. London changes so quickly
you would hardly know your way about
now. I should like you to come and
dine with me tonight, and I'll take you
round anywhere you care to go: and
then If you don't want to go back to
your old tradespeop1e 1 could take you
TO my tailor and bootmaker"
rs this all?" Wingrave asked calmly.
Rookie was again taken aback. ;
Certainly not" he answered. There
must be many ways in which could be
all at once: I am here to serve you
professionally or as a friend, to the best
of my ability. Can you suggest anything
yourself? What do you Want?'
(which I have been asking myself I'm
fortunately. up to now. / have not been
able to answer it. Regarding myself.
however, from the point of view of a
was most in need of was the society
of my fellow creatures"
Exactly" Rookie declared THAT is
what thought you would say! 1t won't
take US long to arrange something Of
the sort for you"
Can you put me up" wingrave asked.
ss at your club and introduce me to your
Rookie finched before the steady saxe
OF those cold inquiring eyes. in which
ne fancled, too, that a CLEAN Of malice
shone. The color mounted to his cheeks.
1t was most embarrassing situation.
Il can introduce you to some decent
fellows. Of course, and to some very
charming ladies'. he said hesitatingly.
Uut dS TO tuS Clup-1-W6u, don't you
think yourself that 1t would scarcely
Exactly" Wingrave interrupted. And
these ladies that you spoke Of"
"Oh! there's no difficulty about that"
Rookie declared with an air Of relief.
Il can make up little dinner party for
tonight II you like. There's an awfully
smart American woman over here, with
the Fanciful Fan Company-Tm sure
you'd like her, and shed come like a shot.
Then I'd get Daisy Vane-she's all right.
They don't know anything, and wouldn't
care IL they did. Besides, you could call
yourself what you liked
Thank YOU, Wingrave said. 81 am
afraid / did not make myself quite
clear I was not thinking of playfel-
lows. ; / was thinking of men and
women of nay own order. Shall put the
matter quite clearly? Can 1 take my
place in society under my own name,
renew my old Friendships and build up
new ones? Can do this even at the
risk of a few difficulties at first? L am
not a sensitive man. I am prepared for
the usual number of disagreeable Incl
DENTS But can win my way through.
With his back against the wall. Rookie
displayed more courage Besides, what
was the use Of mincing matters with a
man who had all the appearance of a
human automaton, who never fiinched