Checkmate Part 7

"That's a comfortable litany to part with--a form of blessing elevated so neatly, at the close, into a malediction. However, I don't object.

Amen, by all means," laughed Arden.

Longcluse smiled.

"A malediction? I really believe it was. Something very like it, and one that includes myself, doesn't it? But we are not likely to earn it. An arrow shot into the sea, it can hurt no one. But oh, dear Arden, what does such language mean but suffering? What is all bitterness but pain?

Is any mind that deserves the name ever cruel, except from misery? We are good friends, Arden: and if ever I seem to you for a moment other than friendly, just say, 'It is his heart-ache and not he that speaks.'

Good-bye! G.o.d bless you!"

At the door there was another parting.

"There's a long dull day before me--say, rather, _night_; weary eyes, sleepless brain," murmured Longcluse, in a rather dismal soliloquy, standing in his slippers and dressing-gown again at the window.

"Suspense! What a h.e.l.l is in that word! Chain a man across a rail, in a tunnel--pleasant situation! let him listen for the faint fifing and drumming of the engine, miles away, not knowing whether deliverance or death may come first. Bad enough, that suspense. What is it to mine! I shall see her to-night. I shall see her, and how will it all be? Richard Arden wishes it--yes, he does. 'Away, slight man!' It is Brutus who says that, I think. Good Heaven! Think of my life--the giddy steps I go by.

That dizzy walk by moonlight, when I lost my way in Switzerland--beautiful nightmare!--the two mile ledge of rock before me, narrow as a plank; up from my left, the sheer wall of rock; at my right so close that my glove might have dropped over it, the precipice; and curling vapour on the cliffs above, that seem about to break, and envelope all below in blinding mist. There is my life translated into landscape. It has been one long adventure--danger--fatigue. Nature is full of beauty--many a quiet nook in life, where peace resides; many a man whose path is broad and smooth. Woe to the man who loses his way on Alpine tracks, and is benighted!"

Now Mr. Longcluse recollected himself. He had letters to read and note.

He did this rapidly. He had business in town. He had fifty things on his hands; and, the day over, he would see Alice Arden again.

CHAPTER VIII.

CONCERNING A BOOT.

Several pairs of boots were placed in Mr. Longcluse's dressing-room.

"Where are the boots that I wore yesterday?" asked he.

"If you please, Sir," said Mr. Franklin, "the man called this morning for the right boot of that pair."

"What man?" asked Mr. Longcluse, rather grimly.

"Mr. Armagnac's man, Sir."

"Did you desire him to call for it?" asked Mr. Longcluse.

"No, Sir. I thought you must have told some one else to order him to send for it," said Franklin.

"_I?_ You ought to know I leave those things to _you_," said Mr.

Longcluse, staring at him more aghast and fierce than the possible mislaying of a boot would seem to warrant. "Did you see Armagnac's man?"

"No, Sir. It was Charles who came up, at eight o'clock, when you were still asleep, and said the shoemaker had called for the right boot of the pair you wore yesterday. I had placed them outside the door, and I gave it him, Sir, supposing it all right."

"Perhaps it _was_ all right; but you know Charles has not been a week here. Call him up. I'll come to the bottom of this."

Franklin disappeared, and Mr. Longcluse, with a stern frown, was staring vaguely at the varnished boot, as if it could tell something about its missing companion. His brain was already at work. What the plague was the meaning of this manuvre about his boot? And why on earth, think I, should he make such a fuss and a tragedy about it? Charles followed Mr.

Franklin up the stairs.

"What's all this about my boot?" demanded Mr. Longcluse, peremptorily.

"_Who_ has got it?"

"A man called for it this morning, Sir."

"What man?"

"I think he said he came from Mr. Armagnac's, Sir."

"You _think_. Say what you _know_, Sir. What _did_ he say?" said Mr.

Longcluse, looking dangerous.

"Well, Sir," said the man, mending his case, "he did say, Sir, he came from Mr. Armagnac's, and wanted the right boot."

"What right boot?--_any_ right boot?"

"No, Sir, please; the right boot of the pair you wore last night,"

answered the servant.

"And _you_ gave it to him?"

"Yes, Sir, 'twas me," answered Charles.

"Well, you mayn't be quite such a fool as you look. I'll sift all this to the bottom. You go, if you please, this moment, to Monsieur Armagnac, and say I should be obliged to him for a line to say whether he this morning sent for my boot, and got it--and I must have it back, mind; _you_ shall bring it back, you understand? And you had better make haste."

"I made bold, Sir," said Mr. Franklin, "to send for it myself, when you sent me down for Charles; and the boy will be back, Sir, in two or three minutes."

"Well, come you and Charles here again when the boy comes back, and bring him here also. I'll make out who has been playing tricks."

Mr. Longcluse shut his dressing-room door sharply; he walked to the window, and looked out with a vicious scowl; he turned about, and lifted up his clenched hand, and stamped on the floor. A sudden thought now struck him.

"The right foot? By Jove! it may not be the one."

The boot that was left was already in his hand. He was examining it curiously.

"Ay, by heaven! The right _was_ the boot! What's the meaning of this?

Conspiracy? I should not wonder."

He examined it carefully again, and flung it into its corner with violence.

"If it's an accident, it is a very odd one. It is a suspicious accident.

It may be, of course, all right. I daresay it _is_ all right. The odds are ten, twenty, a thousand to one that Armagnac has got it. I should have had a warm bath last night, and taken a ten miles' ride into the country this morning. It must be all right, and I am plaguing myself without a cause."

Yet he took up the boot, and examined it once more; then, dropping it, went to the window and looked into the street--came back, opened his door, and listened for the messenger's return.

It was not long deferred. As he heard them approach, Mr. Longcluse flung open his door and confronted them, in white waistcoat and s.h.i.+rt-sleeves, and with a very white and stern face--face and figure all white.

"Well, what about it? Where's the boot?" he demanded, sharply.

"The boy inquired, Sir," said Mr. Franklin, indicating the messenger with his open hand, and undertaking the office of spokesman; "and Mr.