Grit LawlessYoung, F. E. Mills (Florence Ethel Mills)
Philosophy
Grit Lawless
Young, F. E. Mills (Florence Ethel Mills)
Africa -- Fiction
On turning away from the pillar-box he came face to face with Denzil.
It was the first time they had met since the memorable occasion on the
veld, and it was evident from the expression on their faces that that
last occasion was in the minds of both. The present encounter sprang
upon them unawares. Denzil had known that Lawless was in Cape Town, he
had written to Van Bleit to inform him of the fact; but he had not
happened across him before. He would have felt infinitely happier had
he not happened across him then. Doubtless he remembered Lawless'
words, when, having him at a disadvantage, he had struck him with the
packet of letters across the face. He fervently wished he had refrained
from allowing his feelings to get the better of discretion in the hour
of triumph. Plainly, that hour no longer endured. It was not
inspiriting to meet fully the man whom, when his hands were bound, he
had struck in the face, and recall his words that one day when his hands
were free he would repay the insult.
He eyed the tall figure nervously, and quickened his steps. Lawless
glanced him over with a speculative eye. One blow from his fist would
have knocked him down. And he was sorely tempted to strike out, to
punish this miserable little cur who had dared to insult a better man
than himself. But it was against his policy to endanger his liberty at
that juncture; and to punish Denzil in the open street, with people
passing continually, and a policeman standing at the corner, was
courting arrest. And so he allowed his man to slip past him; but there
was in the keen grey eyes as they rested upon the foe such a look of
quiet prospective vengeance that, though he passed unmolested, Denzil
was not greatly reassured. It was a temporary let-off, he felt.
He hurried on, and Lawless pursued his way in an opposite direction.
The evening was all before him. He decided that with the uncertain
promise of rest the following night held, he would turn in early and
take all the sleep he could procure. He might be glad during the next
few days of a reserve to fall back upon. He returned to his hotel to
dine. Against the kerb before the entrance a motor-car was stationed.
It occurred to Lawless that he had seen the car before; but it was not
until he entered the hotel that he realised its being there concerned
him in any way. A messenger was waiting for him in the vestibule with a
note. He had been waiting some time, and seemed immeasurably relieved
when Lawless came in.
"It requires an answer, sir," he said, as he presented the note.
Lawless ripped open the envelope, and withdrawing the contents, glanced
his eye down the page.
"Very good," he said. "Tell Mrs Lawless I will be with her in about an
hour's time."
The messenger looked at him calculatingly.
"There's the car outside, sir. If you'd like it to wait--"
"I shouldn't," Lawless interrupted curtly.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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