The landlord seemed relieved at their decision, and eagerly let them
out into the pouring rain. When they were in the dismal strip of garden
Julian turned and looked up at the lit windows of the bedroom on the
first story. Marr was lying there in the bright illumination at ease,
relieved of his soul. But, as Julian looked, the two windows suddenly
grew dark. Evidently the economical landlord had hastened up, observed
the waste of the material he had to pay for, and abruptly stopped it.
At the gate they called a cab.
"No; let us have the glass up," Julian said; "a drop of rain more or less
doesn't matter. And I want some air."
"So do I," said Valentine. "The atmosphere of that house was abominable."
"Of course there can be no two opinions as to its character," Julian
said.
"Of course not."
"What a dreary place to die in!"
"Yes. But does it matter where one dies? I think not. I attach immense
importance to where one lives."
"It seems horrible to come to an end in such a place, to have had that
wretched Frenchman as the only witness of one's death. Still, I suppose
it is only foolish sentiment. Valentine, did you notice how happy Marr
looked?"
"No."
"Didn't you? I thought you watched him almost as if you wondered as I
did."
"How could I? I had never seen him before."
"It was curious the landlord seeing a likeness between you and him."
"Do you think so? The man naturally supposed one of us might be a
relation, as we came to see Marr. I should not suppose there could
be much resemblance."
"There is none. It's impossible. There can be none!"
They rattled on towards Piccadilly, back through the dismal
thoroughfares, towards the asphalt ways of Bloomsbury. Presently
Julian said:
"I wish I had seen Marr die."
"But why, Julian? Why this extraordinary interest in a man you knew so
slightly and for so short a time?"
"It's because I can't get it out of my head that he had something to do
with our sittings, more than we know."
"Impossible."
"I am almost certain the doctor thought so. I must tell him about Marr's
death. Valentine, let us drive to Harley Street now."
Valentine did not reply at once, and Julian said:
"I will tell the cabman."
"Very well."
Julian gave the order.
"I wonder if he will be in," Julian said presently. "What is the time?"
He took out his watch and held it up sideways until the light of a
gas-lamp flashed on it for a moment.
"Just eleven. So late? I am surprised."
"We were a good while at the 'European.'"
"Longer than I thought. Probably the doctor will have come in, even if
he has been out dining. Ah, here we are!"
The cab drew up. Julian got out and rang the bell in the rain.
"Is Doctor Levillier at home?"
"No, sir. He is out dining. But I expect him every moment. Will you come
in and wait?" said the man-servant, who knew Julian well.
"Thanks; I think I will. I rather want to see him. I will just ask Mr.
Cresswell. He's with me to-night."
Julian returned to the cab, in which Valentine was sitting.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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