CHAPTER XXVII
It seemed to Jacob, when he was awakened from a sound sleep about fouro'clock the next morning, that his young companion's farewell wordshad been vainglorious. He was first of all conscious of the sound ofheavy footsteps on the stairs, then the opening of Lord Felixstowe'sdoor, and the muffled tramp of two men evidently carrying some sort ofa burden. A few seconds later there was an apologetic knock at his owndoor, and Morse presented himself. His evening attire was slightlyruffled, he was not remarkably steady upon his feet, and his speechwas a little less precise than usual. Otherwise, he showed no signs ofa night of dissipation.
"Forgive my disturbing you, Mr. Pratt," he said, "but I thought I hadbetter just let you know that we've had a little trouble with hisyoung lordship this evening."
"You mean, I suppose," Jacob observed, "that he's had too much todrink?"
Morse coughed--then hiccoughed and drew himself up with preternaturalgravity.
"Lord Felixstowe was certainly a little indiscreet," he admitted. "Hehas a very good head for a young man, but he would insist uponcocktails after champagne."
"Where is he now?"
"Lying down in his room. The chauffeur and I carried him up, and hewill be quite all right in the morning. I'll take the liberty ofsending a little draught round about breakfast time."
"Silly young ass!" Jacob yawned. "Thank you, Mr. Morse, and goodnight."
"Good night, Mr. Pratt."
Jacob, after a few minutes' reflection, swung out of bed, put on hisdressing gown, and made his way into the adjoining apartment. LordFelixstowe, fully dressed, was lying upon the bed, breathing heavily.Jacob approached and stood over him. His tie had gone altogether,there were wine stains upon his shirt front, his hair, generally sobeautifully smooth, was in wild disorder.
"You bragging young donkey!" Jacob scoffed. "He's put it across youall right."
The young man suddenly turned his head. There was a contraction of hisleft eyelid. He solemnly winked.
"I don't think!" he said. "Turn on the taps in the bathroom, old dear.I'm going to have a soak."
"Do you mean to say that you're shamming?" Jacob exclaimed.
"How did you guess it! A hot bath and a small whisky and soda, and Ishall drop off to sleep in a twinkling. But, Jacob, my lord andmaster," Felixstowe enjoined earnestly, as he commenced to throw offhis clothes, "don't you try it on with them. I thought some of thelads from our own village could shift the stuff a bit when they wereup against it, but, believe me, we do no more than gargle our throatsover in London. When it comes to the real thing, they've got us beatento a frazzle. Tuck yourself into bed, old thing, and don't you worryabout me. What a house to stay in!" the young man concluded, with alittle burst of enthusiasm, as he pointed to the decanter of whisky,the soda water, and the silver ice tray set out upon a small table."Jacob, when your brother rises from his bed of sickness, I shallgrasp his hand and salute him as the lord of hosts. Absolutelyclinking! Tophole!"
The young man disappeared into the bathroom, and Jacob, reassured buta little bewildered, went back to bed. To all appearance, Felixstowewas perfectly sober. Nevertheless, when breakfast was served the nextmorning, Jacob found himself alone.
"Have you told Lord Felixstowe?" he enquired of the butler.
"His lordship went out some time ago, sir," the man replied, with afaint smile. "He left word that he had gone to the chemist's."
Jacob, somewhat puzzled, finished his breakfast without comment. Hewas halfway through a cigar afterwards when the butler reappeared.
"Mr. Morse's compliments, sir, and will you step down to the libraryand see Doctor Bardolf?"
Jacob made his way to the very sumptuous room on the ground floor,which his brother when at home had christened his business room. Thephysician, who was waiting there, shook hands with him warmly. Hismanner this morning seemed a little more friendly and a little lessprofessional. He had the air of a man for whom a period of some mentalstrain has ended.
"Your brother will pull through, sir," he announced. "There is amarked improvement this morning."
"I am delighted," Jacob said heartily.
"I think that by to-morrow or the next day you will be able to seehim, and I feel confident that Mr. Morse will be able to get hissignature to any cheque or document required."
"I have been trying to persuade the doctor," Morse intervened, "to letme make out a cheque for this amount,"--drawing a statement from hispocket,--"and guide Mr. Samuel's hand while he signed it. Then we neednot trouble you in the matter at all."
The physician seemed to consider the point.
"On the whole," he decided, "my patient is a man of such wealth that Idon't think it is advisable to run the slightest risk where afinancial question is concerned. Mr. Samuel Pratt is a very old friendof mine, and if a few hundred thousand dollars or so are anyconvenience, Mr. Morse--"
"Certainly not," Jacob interrupted. "I am sure my brother will be gladto hear of your offer, Doctor, but I am on the spot and I can easilymanage anything that is required. Let me have that statement, Mr.Morse."
The secretary passed over a stockbroker's statement from Messrs.Worstead and Jones, showing a balance of six hundred and eighty-twothousand four hundred and twenty dollars. Jacob drew out his chequebook. Morse watched him indifferently as he wrote.
"I'm afraid his lordship is not feeling quite himself this morning,"he observed. "Sorry he troubled to go round to the druggist's. I couldhave fixed him up something myself. We had--"
The door opened softly. Felixstowe crossed the threshold, smilingamiably. He was dressed with his usual precision in a blue serge suit,a regimental tie, and wonderfully polished brown shoes. His Homburghat, which he removed as he entered, was just a shade on one side. Helooked the picture of health.
"Good morning, everybody," he said genially, closing the door behindhim. "Just in the nick of time, eh?"
"In the nick of time for what?" Jacob asked, turning around.
"To stop your signing that cheque."
Jacob stared at the newcomer in amazement. Neither the physician norMorse uttered a syllable. Their eyes were fixed upon the young man.
"Hearken now to the tale of the sleuthhound," the latter continued,setting down his hat, cane and gloves upon the sideboard and thrustinghis hands into his trousers pockets. "Fact is, I just toddled round toNumber 1001 West Fifty-seventh Street this morning, and I've beenhaving a chat with Doctor Bardolf."
"What are you talking about?" Jacob demanded. "Doctor Bardolf ishere."
"Oh, no, he isn't!" the young man retorted pleasantly. "Or, as Ishould say in the vernacular of this amazing country, I guess not!This gentleman gives a very creditable rendering of the part, but heis no more Doctor Bardolf than the Johnny upstairs is Mr. SamuelPratt. The fact is, Jacob, the whole thing is a layout, and you'vebeen very nearly pinched."
Doctor Bardolf picked up his hat with dignity.
"I do not understand your young countryman's phraseology," he said,turning towards the door.
"He isn't sober yet!" Morse gasped, with a frightened look in hiseyes.
Felixstowe's slim young form seemed to expand.
"You stay where you are," he ordered the pseudo-physician sternly."This is about the hang of the thing, Jacob. Your brother went to theAdirondacks, all right, leaving his house here in the charge of Morse,whom, like a fool, he seems to have trusted. Morse planned the rest ofit. Not so difficult, either. He couldn't get at any of your brotherSamuel's oof, so he cabled to you, dismissed the servants whom hecouldn't bring into the job, and got this chap Worstead, who is aruined stockbroker, to play the part of the physician. Damned goodscheme, too!--Hullo!"
The door had opened a little abruptly, and a small man, bearing anunmistakable resemblance to Jacob, had entered. His cheeks weresunburnt, and he had the unkempt appearance of one who has been livingin the backwoods.
"Jacob!" the newcomer exclaimed enthusiastically, holding out both hishands. "Welcome to New York!"
Jacob felt a
little dazed.
"You haven't been ill at all then, Samuel?"
"Ill?" the other repeated contemptuously. "I was never better in mylife. What's it all about?"
Morse threw up the sponge, and Worstead, alias Bardolf, followed suit.
"He led me into this mess," the former declared, shaking his fist atWorstead. "Got me gambling on differences, and when I couldn't pay hecooked up this joint. It's the first time I haven't run straight, Mr.Pratt, and I didn't touch any of your money, anyway."
"So there's been some crooked business, eh?" Samuel Pratt remarked."Will some one tell me exactly what's happened?"
Felixstowe gently intervened.
"You'll pick the whole thing up by degrees," he said, "but this is thelong and short of it. Your brother Jacob gets a cable over in England,sent by Morse here, to say that you are dangerously ill. Out we come,first steamer. Morse meets us, brings us here; you are supposed to beupstairs with a hospital nurse, too ill to be seen. A financial crisisarises and Jacob is asked to find a trifle of six hundred thousanddollars to pay some differences on your account. The dear boy was onthe point of signing his cheque when I popped in and put the kybosh onit."
"But what on earth made you suspicious?" Jacob demanded.
"First night we were out together," Felixstowe continued, "I began totumble to it that Morse here had a pretty considerable acquaintanceamongst the crooks. Then he dropped a note from you, Mr. Pratt, sayingthat you were staying three or four days at the Touraine Hotel inBoston, on your way home, so I slipped out and sent that dispatch toyou on the chance. Last night again he made one or two bloomers, sothis morning I just hopped round to Doctor Bardolf's address, andthat, of course, busted the whole show."
"Make me out a list of the people in my household associated with youin this," his employer ordered Morse sternly, "and bring it to my denimmediately.--Stay where you are, Worstead. I shall treat you bothalike.--Jacob," he added, indicating Felixstowe, "who is thisremarkably intelligent young man?"
"My secretary," Jacob replied.
"Name of Felixstowe," the young man observed, holding out his handwith a winning smile. "Glad to meet you, Mr. Samuel Pratt."
Samuel passed a hand through the arm of each.
"Come right along with me, boys, to my den, where the still watersflow," he invited. "We'll talk over the business quietly. Bring me thelist I asked for in five minutes, Morse, and you'd better induce Mr.Worstead to take a seat and wait quietly. I stopped at the station andbrought along a couple of plain-clothes men, in case there was anytrouble.--This way."