human
Thanks, boy! It was only a twinge. Sit down again, and give me Marsh's cipher and the morning papers. The letters you shall read to me presently.
gpt
What a marvellous grip you've got on things, Luke! he exclaimed at the end of it.
human
No wonder you are always on the top! You're great, man, you're great!
gpt
I guess it's just my speciality, the millionaire said, with his weary smile.
human
I must be getting another secretary soon, boy. It's a shame to eat up your time like this. What is it you want to talk to me about? Going to get married?
gpt
The padre won't hear of it yet, and Dot herself--well, you know, I said I'd wait.
human
Don't wait too long, said Lucas quietly.
gpt
You shall have the old Dower House to live in. Tell the padre that. It's only a stone's throw from the Rectory. We'll build a garage too, eh, Bertie? The wife must have her motor. And presently, when you are called to the Bar, you will want a flat in town.
human
You're a brick, Luke! the boy declared, with shining eyes.
gpt
Between ourselves, I don't expect to do much at the Bar, but I'm sticking to it just to show 'em I can work like the rest of creation. I'd sooner be your secretary for all time, and you know it.
human
That so? Lucas stretched a hand towards him.
gpt
But I guess you're right. I don't want you to depend on me for employment. If I were to go out one of these days you'd feel rather left. It's better you should have other resources.
human
Luke, I say! Luke!
gpt
I know! I know! But we've all got to die sooner or later, and one doesn't want to tear a larger hole than one need. That's all right, Bertie boy. We'll shunt the subject. Only, if you want to please me, get that nice little girl to marry you soon. Now what was it you wanted to say? Something about Nap?
human
Yes. How did you know? It's an infernal shame to worry you when you're not fit for it. But the mother and I both think you ought to know.
gpt
Go ahead, dear fellow! I'm tougher than you think. What has become of Nap?
human
That's just the question. You know he went off in the car with Lady Carfax yesterday morning?
gpt
I didn't know, murmured Lucas.
human
That's a detail. Go on.
gpt
Late last night the car had not returned, and the mother began to wonder. Of course if Lady Carfax hadn't been there it wouldn't have mattered much, but as it was we got anxious, and in the end I posted off to the Manor to know if she had arrived. She had not. But while I was there a wire came for the butler from a place called Bramhurst, which is about fifty miles away, to say that the car had broken down and they couldn't return before to-day. Well, that looked to me deuced queer. I'm convinced that Nap is up to some devilry. What on earth induced her to go there with him anyway? The mother was real bothered about it, and so was I. We couldn't rest, either of us. And in the end she ordered the big Daimler and went off to Bramhurst herself. I wanted to go with her, but she wouldn't have me at any price. You know the mother. So I stopped to look after things here. Everyone cleared off this morning, thank the gods. I don't think anyone smelt a rat. I told them the mother had gone to nurse a sick friend, and it seemed to go down all right.
human
And the mother is not back yet?
gpt
No. But I'm not afraid for her. She knows how to hold her own.
human
That's so,
gpt
There may be nothing in it,
human
I knew he was in a wild beast mood before they started. He nearly rode the black mare to death in the early morning.
gpt
Why wasn't I told of that?
human
My dear fellow, you were too sick to be bothered. Besides, you were taking morphia. He saw to that.
gpt
Bertie, he said,
human
He won't return,
gpt
I think he will. It is even possible that he has returned already. In any case, go and tell them. Ah, Tawny, what is it?