"I wanted to know how she looked."
"No, you didn't. I believe you sent Butsey to steal that wooden hand."
"It's a lie. I don't know who took it."
"I believe Butsey did, though why you wanted it I don't know. And
what is there between you and Mr. Hill, father, seeing you sent him
that cross?"
"That's my business," growled Antonio, finding his son knew too much
for him; "you hold your tongue."
"I will, as long as you keep away from my mother."
"Lord, I'll keep away," said Antonio good-humouredly. "I don't want to
live with her nagging and whimpering. You're her son, sure enough--a
young prig going against your lawful father."
"Only for my mother's sake. And you want me to do wrong. I'm seeing
light, father, and I'm changing."
"What do you mean by seeing light? You're always saying that."
"I've been to the Salvation Army meetings," said Cain solemnly, "and I
see what a sinner I am."
"Oh, you're going to turn parson, are you? Well, you can do what you
like, but hold your tongue about my business."
"I'll do so. But tell me, father?" Cain looked anxiously into the
brutal face, "had you anything to do with that murder?"
Antonio glared and looked like a devil. He made another dash at the
boy, but at that moment three or four men came round the corner,
and amongst them a policeman. At once Antonio burst out into a loud
laugh and took to his broken English. "Ver' goot, my leetle boy,
gif me the letter. I go to Mees Lorry. Ah, Dio!"
Cain saw that he would not receive a reply to his terrible question
just then, so, glad to get away on the chance of having another talk
with Jane, he escaped. Hardly had he turned the corner when his
father was after him, and a deep voice breathed in his ear:
"I had nothing to do with that," said Antonio anxiously; "I'm bad,
but not so bad as that. I don't know who killed the man. Go"--a push
sent the boy reeling--"and hold your tongue. I'll keep my part of the
bargain and leave your mother alone. Keep yours," and before Cain
could recover his breath Antonio was ringing the bell of Miss Lorry's
lodgings.
That lady was just up and at breakfast. Antonio was shown into her
sitting-room, and found her drinking coffee. She saluted him with a
smile. "Well, Giles, what's brought you here at this hour?"
"This letter from Stag," said Antonio, giving the note he had received
from Cain; "and don't call me Giles, Bell."
"You seem very much afraid of people knowing you," she jeered, opening
the envelope, and running her eyes over the letter. "Stag wants me to
make another contract for the North." She threw down the note. "Well
then, I won't."
"What are you going to do, then?"
"Go to London and marry Lord Saltars."
"He means business, then?"