She held
up her finger. Her whole expression had changed. She was alarmed.
"Wait!" she begged. "I can hear Dick's voice. Wait till he has
crossed the hail."
They both stood, for a moment, quite silent. Then they heard a
little protesting cry from Helen, and a good-humoured laugh from
Richard. The door was thrown open.
"You don't mind our coming through to the gun room, Phil?" her
brother asked. "We're not--My God!"
There was a queer silence, broken by Helen, who stood on the
threshold, the picture of distress.
"I tried to get him to go the other way, Philippa."
Richard took a quick step forward. His hands were outstretched.
"Bertram!" he exclaimed. "Is this a miracle? You here with my
sister?"
Lessingham held out his hand. Suddenly Richard dropped his. His
expression had become sterner.
"I don't understand," he said simply. "Somebody please explain."
CHAPTER XXIX
For a few brief seconds no one seemed inclined to take upon
themselves the onus of speech. Richard's amazement seemed to
increase upon reflection.
"Maderstrom!" he exclaimed. "Bertram! What in the name of all
that's diabolical are you doing here?"
"I am just a derelict," Lessingham explained, with a faint smile.
"Glad to see you, Richard. You are a day earlier than I expected."
"You knew that I was coming, then?" Richard demanded.
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