The Silent House | Page 9

be a Yankee, but I would remind you that
my nationality is my own secret."
"I have no wish to pry into your secrets," said Denzil, rising from the
chair in which he had seated himself, "and in my turn I would remind
you that I am here at your invitation."
"Don't take offense at a hasty word," said Berwin nervously. "I am glad
of your company, although I seem rather brusque. You must go over
the house with me."
"I see no necessity to do so."
"It will set your mind at rest regarding the shadows on the blind."
"I can trust my eyes," said Lucian, drily, "and I am certain that before I
met you a man and a woman were in this room."
"Well," said Berwin, lighting a small lamp, "come with me and I'll
prove that you are mistaken."

CHAPTER IV
MRS. KEBBY'S DISCOVERY
The pertinacity which Berwin displayed in insisting that Lucian should
explore the Silent House was truly remarkable. He appeared to be bent
upon banishing the idea which Denzil entertained that strangers were

hiding in the mansion.
From attic to basement, from front to back premises, he led the way,
and made Lucian examine every corner of the empty rooms. He
showed him even the unused kitchen, and bade him remark that the
door leading into the yard was locked and bolted, and, from the rusty
condition of the ironwork, could not have been opened for years. Also,
he made him look out of the window into the yard itself, with its tall
black fence dividing it from the other properties.
This exploration finished, and Lucian being convinced that himself and
his host were the only two living beings in the house, Berwin
conducted his half-frozen guest back to the warm sitting-room and
poured out a glass of wine.
"Here, Mr. Denzil," said he in good-natured tones, "drink this and draw
near the fire; you must be chilled to the bone after our Arctic
expedition."
Lucian willingly accepted both these attentions, and sipped his wine--it
was particularly fine claret--before the fire, while Berwin coughed and
shivered, and muttered to himself about the cold of the season. When
Lucian stood up to take his departure, he addressed him directly:
"Well, sir," said he, with a sardonic smile, "are you convinced that the
struggling shadows on yonder blind were children of your heated
fancy?"
"No," said Denzil stoutly, "I am not!"
"Yet you have seen that there is no one in the house!"
"Mr. Berwin," said Lucian, after a moment's thought, "you propose a
riddle which I cannot answer, and which I do not wish to answer. I
cannot explain what I saw to-night, but as surely as you were out of this
house, some people were in it. How this affects you, or what reason
you have for denying it, I do not ask. Keep your own secrets, and go
your own way. I wish you good-night, sir," and Lucian moved towards

the door.
Berwin, who was holding a full tumbler of rich, strong port, drank the
whole of it in one gulp. The strong liquor reddened his pallid face and
brightened his sunken eyes; it even strengthened his already sonorous
voice.
"At least you can inform my good neighbours that I am a peaceful man,
desirous of being left to lead my own life," he said urgently.
"No, sir! I will have nothing to do with your business. You are a
stranger to me, and our acquaintance is too slight to warrant my
discussing your affairs. Besides," added Lucian, with a shrug, "they do
not interest me."
"Yet they may interest the three kingdoms one day," said Berwin softly.
"Oh, if they deal with danger to society," said Denzil, thinking his
strange neighbour spoke of anarchistic schemes, "I would----"
"They deal with danger to myself," interrupted Berwin. "I am a hunted
man, and I hide here from those who wish me ill. I am dying, as you
see," he cried, striking his hollow chest, "but I may not die quickly
enough for those who desire my death."
"Who are they?" cried Lucian, rather startled by this outburst.
"People with whom you have no concern," replied the man sullenly.
"That is true enough, Mr. Berwin, so I'll say good-night!"
"Berwin! Berwin! Ha! ha! A very good name, Berwin, but not for me.
Oh, was there ever so unhappy a creature as I? False name, false friend,
in disgrace, in hiding! Curse everybody! Go! go! Mr. Denzil, and leave
me to die here like a rat in its hole!"
"You are ill!" said Lucian, amazed by the man's fury. "Shall I send a
doctor to see you?"

"Send no one," cried Berwin, commanding himself by a visible effort.
"Only go away and leave me to myself. 'Thou