Roger Ingleton, Minor Part 51

"Is your father at home?" he demanded.

"Rather. You'd better go back the way you came. We know all about you up there," said Tom.

"That's all right. And how are your pretty sisters, Tommy?"

If any insult more than another could disturb the temper of Master Oliphant, it was to be called "Tommy," as many of the rustic youths of the neighbourhood knew to their cost. He therefore replied shortly, "Find out," and proceeded to address himself to the task of remounting his machine.

"That's what I'm going to do. Here, let me hold it for you, or you'll break your neck."

"Look here," said the outraged Tom, thoroughly roused by this crowning indignity, "I don't want to be seen out here talking to cads. I don't mind fighting you. If you don't care for that, keep your cheek to yourself, and go and talk to somebody who's fond of rot. I'm not." And the young bruiser, who had an uncommonly broad pair of shoulders, looked so threatening that Mr Ratman began to feel a little concerned.

"Ha, ha!" said he, "how well you do it! I always liked you, Tommy, my boy. I'll let your tutor know what a credit you are to him."

"I wish to goodness Armstrong was at home," growled Tom; "he'd make you sit up."

This was just the information Mr Ratman had been anxious to get. The prospect of encountering Mr Armstrong had interfered considerably with his pleasure in arranging this visit. But if he was out of the way-- well, so much more the luck of Mr Ratman. Therefore, without wasting time in further parley with this possible brother-in-law, he proceeded jauntily on his way.

"You won't fight, then?" said Tom by way of farewell.

"Some day."

"All right. Coward! Good-bye, Mr Roger Ingleton, major!"

Having relieved himself of which appropriate sentiment, Tom felt decidedly better, and walked his bicycle down the hill, determined to keep clear of Maxfield till the evening.

Mr Ratman, somewhat ruffled, but on the whole cheerful, swaggered on to his destination.

The captain was luxuriously smoking a cigar and solacing himself with a sporting paper, when Raffles sent his heart to his mouth by announcing--

"Mr Ingleton, sir, to see you."

"Ah, Ratman!" said he with a forced air of welcome as his creditor entered. "I didn't recognise you by your new name. You're keeping it up, then?"

"What do you mean?" demanded Mr Ratman, taking an easy-chair and helping himself to a cigar from the captain's box. "It's you who are keeping it up, I fancy. I'll trouble you to drop the Ratman."

The captain laughed unpleasantly.

"As you like," said he.

"Now to business. Of course, you're ready to make good these little bills," and he pulled four or five blue slips from his pocket.

"No, I'm not. You may as well know it at once."

"Hum! What do you propose, then? Do you know there's a writ out?"

"I propose nothing. I want to know what you propose."

The two men regarded one another in silence; one insolent and sneering, the other desperate and scowling.

"What do I propose?" said Ratman, puffing away cheerfully. "Scarcely anything--only to make a little communication to the War Office, give a few instructions to the Sheriff, write a paragraph or two to the county papers, and tell a few interesting anecdotes to your charming daughters."

Captain Oliphant started to his feet with a smothered exclamation.

"Not the last, Ratman! I'm in your clutches; but for Heaven's sake don't bring them into it!"

Ratman laughed.

"You _will_ insist on forgetting my name, my dear fellow. Yes, that's my little programme. I fancy I may as well begin at the end."

"Look here," pleaded the victim; "I know it's no use appealing to your pity, for you have none; or your honesty, for you've less of that than I have. But doesn't it occur to you that it would be decidedly against your interest to ruin me just now?"

"What do you mean?" said Ratman with a yawn.

"Why, you claim a certain name, and you have to prove your claim. Roger has got the romantic notion into his head that if his elder brother can be found, that brother shall have the property. He is more than half inclined to credit your story already. You have to satisfy two other persons, of whom I am one. Do you understand?"

"Perfectly," said Mr Ratman, who began to be interested. "I antic.i.p.ate no difficulty there."

"You forget that at present only a sickly boy stands between myself and the property. It would surely mean something on my part for me to admit a second life between."

"What is the use of talking nonsense?" said Ratman. "Even if you did, for the sake of a little longer credit I might give you, own my right to my own name, what's the use of that, when this man Armstrong has to be satisfied too? If you could crack that nut there might be something in it."

The captain groaned. He knew that every project would be pulled up short at this sticking-point.

"Come," said Ratman encouragingly, "if you could work things in that direction, it might be worth my while to give you time."

"I can do nothing. The fellow is immovable. In six months--"

"In six months everything will be too late. And now, what about the other matter? Is that all right?"

Once more the captain groaned. "I can say nothing about it yet. She knows my wishes, but as Robert Ratman she will not hear a word of it.

As Roger Ingleton, the elder, you may depend on it the matter will take another view. All depends on your success there. When that's achieved, the rest will come if you give her time."

Mr Ratman sneered.

"You are a glib talker, Oliphant. I admire you. Now listen. You want credit, and you know how to buy it. One way or another, this business must come to an end. I'll take new bills with interest at three months.

By that time everything must be square and smooth; otherwise you'll be sorry you and your children were born, my boy. Order dinner. I'm going back by the six train. Pa.s.s me that paper, and don't disturb me any more by your talking."

As Mr Ratman, very well satisfied with his day's business, strolled serenely back through the park that afternoon, he was surprised to hear light footsteps behind him, and, on turning, to discover that his pursuer, of all people, was Miss Rosalind Oliphant.

"Hullo!" said he, "this is flattering, with a vengeance."

"Mr Ratman, I want to speak to you, please," said Rosalind, very pale and nervous.

"Excuse me," said he, "that's not my name; my name is Roger Ingleton.

What's the matter?"

"It's about my father. Have you seen him?"

"Just left the dear man."