Mysterious Mr. SabinOppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)
General
Mysterious Mr. Sabin
Oppenheim, E. Phillips (Edward Phillips)
Detective and mystery stories; Fiction
"I am not quite so sure of that," Mr. Sabin said. "But by the bye, can
you tell me what became of the fellow? Did any one go after him?"
"There was some sort of pursuit, I believe," Wolfenden said slowly, "but
he was not caught."
"I am glad to hear it," Mr. Sabin said.
Wolfenden looked at him in some surprise. He could not make up his mind
whether it was his duty to disclose the name of the man who had made
this strange attempt.
"Your assailant was, I suppose, a stranger to you?" he said slowly.
Mr. Sabin shook his head.
"By no means. I recognised him directly. So, I believe, did you."
Wolfenden was honestly amazed.
"He was your guest, I believe," Mr. Sabin continued, "until I entered
the room. I saw him leave, and I was half-prepared for something of the
sort."
"He was my guest, it is true, but none the less, he was a stranger to
me," Wolfenden explained. "He brought a letter from my cousin, who seems
to have considered him a decent sort of fellow."
"There is," Mr. Sabin said dryly, "nothing whatever the matter with him,
except that he is mad."
"On the whole, I cannot say that I am surprised to hear it," Wolfenden
remarked; "but I certainly think that, considering the form his madness
takes, you ought to protect yourself in some way."
Mr. Sabin shrugged his shoulders contemptuously.
"He can never hurt me. I carry a talisman which is proof against any
attempt that he can make; but none the less, I must confess that your
aid last night was very welcome."
"I was very pleased to be of any service," Wolfenden said, "especially,"
he added, glancing toward Mr. Sabin's niece, "since it has given me the
pleasure of your acquaintance."
A little thrill passed through him. Her delicately-curved lips were
quivering as though with amusement, and her eyes had fallen; she had
blushed slightly at that unwitting, ardent look of his. Mr. Sabin's
cold voice recalled him to himself.
"I believe," he said, "that I overheard your name correctly. It is
Wolfenden, is it not?"
Wolfenden assented.
"I am sorry that I haven't a card," he said. "That is my name."
Mr. Sabin looked at him curiously.
"Wolfenden is, I believe, the family name of the Deringhams? May I
ask, are you any relation to Admiral Lord Deringham?"
Wolfenden was suddenly grave.
"Yes," he answered; "he is my father. Did you ever meet him?"
Mr. Sabin shook his head.
"No, I have heard of him abroad; also, I believe, of the Countess of
Deringham, your mother. It is many years ago. I trust that I have not
inadvertently----"
"Not at all," Wolfenden declared. "My father is still alive, although he
is in very delicate health. I wonder, would you and your niece do me the
honour of having some tea with me? It is Ladies' Day at the 'Geranium
Club,' and I should be delighted to take you there if you would allow
me."
Mr. Sabin shook his head.
Wolfenden had the satisfaction of seeing the girl look disappointed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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