The Quiet Gentleman

Dr. Malpas, having applied a fresh dressing to the wound, and bound up the Earl’s shoulder, had only to issue his instructions before announcing that he was ready to go to her ladyship. He made his patient grimace by prescribing thin gruel and repose; warned him that if he should try to exert himself too soon he would end in a high fever; and followed Miss Morville to the Dowager’s apartments.

The Earl, who was more exhausted by the doctor’s visit than he would own, dismissed Turvey; and, when the valet had withdrawn from the room, turned his head on the pillow to look at his friend. “Now, if you please, Lucy!”

“Dear old boy, no need to tease yourself! All’s right!”

“It teases me more to be kept in ignorance. You are hiding something from me, you and Miss Morville!”

“Fudge!” said the Viscount unconvincingly.

“Lucy, whatever may be your suspicions, don’t let anyone say that it was Martin who shot me! This story which the doctor and his gouty patient have set up will do very well! It must not be whispered all over the county that Martin tried to kill me!”

The Viscount was silent, fiddling with the bed-curtains. After a moment, Gervase said more strongly: “Lucy, I’m in earnest! Good God, only think what you would feel yourself!”

“I know that. I wouldn’t think of it, if I were you, Ger. No use!”

“What has Martin said?” Gervase demanded, watching him under knit brows. “Where is Martin?”

“That’s more than I can tell!” said the Viscount, with a short laugh.

“What do you mean?”

The Viscount hesitated, and then said: “Listen, Ger! If I know anything of the matter, it’s already all over the county that Martin tried to murder you! Martin ain’t here!” He looked up, saw the startled look in the Earl’s eyes, and said: “Hasn’t been seen since he went off yesterday, saying he would try for a shot at those kestrels. That’s

why your stepmother wanted to see the doctor! True, she swooned when she saw you carried in, but it wasn’t that which upset her.”

“Oh, my God!” Gervase said sharply. “Go on! Tell me the whole!”

“Don’t think I should, dear boy!” said Ulverston regarding him in some alarm. “Ought to be quiet, y’know!”

“You’ll tell me the whole, or I’ll get up out of this bed!”

“No, no, don’t do that! It’s only this, Ger! — his gun has been found. Shot-belt, too.”

“Who? — Where?”

“Chard. Good fellow, Chard! Rode off to the place where you were hit as soon as he’d fetched the sawbones over last night. Thought he might discover some trace. Well, he did. Found Martin’s gun thrust down a rabbithole, and his shot-belt in a gorse-bush. Looks as though he had got rid of ‘em quickly, because the end of the stock wasn’t hidden well. That’s all, but everyone here knows you’ve been shot at, and your brother ain’t to be found — and if you think that news won’t spread, you’re a sapskull, Ger!”

“Martin would not take ball out for kestrels!”

“Daresay he wouldn’t. Nothing to stop him loading his piece with ball, if he went for bigger game!” said the Viscount brutally. “No wish to distress you, but he had a couple of rounds in his belt. Seen ‘em — not gammoning you!”

The Earl pressed a hand to his brow. “A couple of rounds in his belt .... Yes, and what more?”

“Nothing. No trace of him to be found. Thought he had done for you, of course! Took fright! Just the sort of hothead who would do so!”

“Very well. And then?”

“Got my own notion about that,” said Ulverston darkly.

“What is it?”

“Nearest port. If he took fright, dared not stay — only thing to do, get out of the country!”

The Earl’s hand dropped. “Yes. I think I see.”

Ulverston perceived that he was looking very pale, and said in a conscience-stricken tone: “Shouldn’t have told you! Don’t put yourself into a fret, dear boy! Only want you to tell me what you wish done!”

“Chard. Send him up to me!”

“Can’t. At least, not immediately, Ger! Told him to ride over to fetch your cousin! Seemed to me he’s the man we need.” He paused, and then, as Gervase said nothing, but only stared frowningly before him, he added: “I know you didn’t like it when Frant kept Martin under surveillance. Told him you didn’t need a watch-dog, didn’t you? Well, it’s precisely what you did need, Ger! While Frant was here, and Martin knew he was alive to his little game, he dared not pursue his damned purpose. No sooner was Frant out of the way, and Martin knew he was no longer being watched, than he seized the first chance that offered! Daresay this engagement of mine inflamed him.”

The Earl’s eyes travelled to his face. “If Martin tried to kill me, it was so that he should inherit my dignities. He could not more surely brand himself as my murderer than by running away!”