“To tell you that I was on my way here from London. I went in your
interest, old fellow. I thought you would like full particulars--the
newspapers are so vague.”
“What papers? My interest? Tell me all. I am ignorant of all that has
passed for the last six weeks.” A vague, shadowy fear began to creep
over his spirits. Castleton’s voice was full of sympathy as he answered:
“Then you have not heard of--but stay. It is a long story. Come back
to the yacht. I was just going to join you there. We shall be all
alone, and I can tell you all. I have the newspapers here for you.” He
motioned to a roll under his arm.
The two went down to the harbor, and finding the sailor waiting with
the boat at the steps, were rowed to the yacht and got on board. Here
the two men were all alone. Then, with a preliminary clearing of his
voice, Castleton began his story:
“Frank Onslow--better get the worst over at once--just after you went
away from Harrogate your wife was tried for murder and acquitted.”
“My God! Fenella tried for murder? Whose murder?”
“That scoundrel De Mürger. It seems he went into her room in the night
and attempted violence, so she stabbed him----”
Castleton stopped in amazement, for a look of radiance came over Frank
Onslow’s face, as he murmured “Thank God!” Recalled to himself by
Castleton’s silence, for he was too amazed to go on, Frank said: “I
have a reason, old fellow; I shall tell it to you later, but go on.
Tell me all the facts, or let me read the papers. Remember I am as yet
quite ignorant of it all and I am full of anxiety!”
Without a word Castleton handed him the papers, and, lighting a fresh
cigar, sat down with his back to him, and presently yielded to the sun
and fresh air and fell into a doze.
Frank Onslow took the papers, and read carefully from end to end the
account of the trial of his wife for the murder of De Mürger. When he
had finished he sat with the folded paper in his hand, and his eyes had
the same far-away look in them which they had had on that fatal night.
The hypnotic trance was on him again.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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