The Swindler and Other Stories | Page 5

but it's done. You won't get another opportunity
for your experiments on board this boat. So--if Bathurst is satisfied--I
should say the sooner you apologise and clear out the better."
"We will confiscate this, anyway," declared Rudd, plucking the mirror
from West's coat.
He flung it down, and ground his heel upon it with venomous intention.
West merely shrugged his shoulders.
"I apologise," he said briefly, "singly and collectively, to all concerned
in my experiment, especially"--he made a slight pause--"to Mr.
Bathurst, whose run of luck I deeply regret to have curtailed. If Mr.
Bathurst is satisfied, I will now withdraw."
He paused again, as if to give Bathurst an opportunity to express an
opinion. But Archie said nothing whatever. He was staring down upon
the table, and did not so much as raise his eyes.
West shrugged his shoulders again, ever so slightly, and swung slowly
upon his heel. In a dead silence he walked away down the saloon. No
one spoke till he had gone.
* * * * *

A black, moaning night had succeeded the grey, gusty day. The
darkness came down upon the sea like a pall, covering the long,
heaving swell from sight--a darkness that wrapped close, such a
darkness as could be felt--through which the spray drove blindly.
There was small attraction for passengers on deck, and West grimaced
to himself as he emerged from the heated cabins. Yet it was not
altogether distasteful to him. He was a man to whom a calm
atmosphere meant intolerable stagnation. He was essentially born to
fight his way in the world.
For a while he paced alone, to and fro, along the deserted deck, his
hands behind him, the inevitable cigarette between his lips. But
presently he paused and stood still close to the companion by which he
had ascended. It was sheltered here, and he leaned against the
woodwork by which Cynthia Mortimer had supported herself that
morning, and smoked serenely and meditatively.
Minutes passed. There came the sound of hurrying feet upon the stairs
behind him, and he moved a little to one side, glancing downwards.
The light at the head of the companion revealed a man ascending,
bareheaded, and in evening dress. His face, upturned, gleamed deathly
white. It was the face of Archie Bathurst.
West suddenly squared his shoulders and blocked the opening.
"Go and get an overcoat, you young fool!" he said.
Archie gave a great start, stood a second, then, without a word, turned
back and disappeared.
West left his sheltered corner and paced forward across the deck. He
came to a stand by the rail, gazing outwards into the restless darkness.
There seemed to be the hint of a smile in his intent eyes.
A few more minutes drifted away. Then there fell a step behind him; a
hand touched his arm.

"Can I speak to you?" Archie asked.
Slowly West turned.
"If you have anything of importance to say," he said.
Archie faced him with a desperate resolution.
"I want to ask you--I want to know--what in thunder you did it for!"
"Eh?" said West. "Did what?"
He almost drawled the words, as if to give the boy time to control his
agitation.
Archie stared at him incredulously.
"You must know what I mean."
"Haven't an idea."
There was just a tinge of contempt this time in the words. What an
unconscionable bungler the fellow was!
"But you must!" persisted Archie, blundering wildly. "I suppose you
knew what you were doing just now when--when----"
"I generally know what I am doing," observed West.
"Then why----"
Archie stumbled again, and fell silent, as if he had hurt himself.
"I don't always care to discuss my motives," said West very decidedly.
"But surely--" Archie suddenly pulled up, realising that by this
spasmodic method he was making no headway. "Look here, sir," he
said, more quietly, "you've done a big thing for me to-night--a dashed
fine thing! Heaven only knows what you did it for, but----"

"I have done nothing whatever for you," said West shortly. "You make
a mistake."
"But you'll admit----"
"I admit nothing."
He made as if he would turn on his heel, but Archie caught him by the
arm.
"I know I'm a cur," he said. And his voice shook a little. "I don't
wonder you won't speak to me. But there are some things that can't be
left unsaid. I'm going down now, at once, to tell those fellows what
actually happened."
"Then you are going to make a big fool of yourself to no purpose," said
West.
He stood still, scanning the boy's face with pitiless eyes. Archie writhed
impotently.
"I can't stand it!" he said, with vehemence. "I thought I was blackguard
enough to let you do it. But--no doubt I'm a fool, as you say--I