I listened to this conversation with feelings of
genuine horror.
I thought her voice had a trace of alarm
init.
Ill take Paddock into my confidence, and hell keep
up a show ofwaiting on me.
Fire away, Dick,and give me an exact account of
your own doings.
I thought Medinas voice had a tinge of
disappointment.
I explained as best I could the gradual change in
Medinas mannerfrom friendship to proprietorship.
I told you, he said, that he didnt attract
me.
She went over my plans with me very carefully. I
had to see Ram Dass, for hehappens to be the brother of Kharáma. I could hardly eat
any dinner that night, and mybrain was too unsettled to do any serious
thinking.
Next day I went down to Fosse and told Mary to
expect me back verysoon for a day or two. That evening I went down to Fosse a little
easier in my mind.
Weve always shared everything, even beforewe were
married, and you know Im dependable.
And thecontrol can only be released by him who
first imposed it!
I must have showed my emotion, but happily the two
had noeyes for me.
I had to see Ram Dass, for hehappens to be the
brother of Kharáma.
Lord, what a fool I had been not to guess
itbefore!
I havelived in the East and know something of its
ways. When I got back to the Club I found Medina waiting for me. I could endure the
rest, but thethought of him makes me crazy.
He gave me a glass of brandy and tucked me into a
taxi. Like falling from a real world into shadows, hesaid.
Youre not thinking of leaving England just
now?
Then I hunted up Archie Roylance, whom I found on
the very top ofhis form.
I had thought the thing out, and had resolved to
keep the Medinabusiness to myself and Sandy.
Now at last I was to be given his confidence, and I
prayed that hemight be inspired to go on.
I didnot think a son of the West could have
travelled so far and sosoon.
We went downstairs to the dancing and the supper
parties.
I only got a third in Greats, but Iacquired a lot
of unusual information. Longbefore I got to the Club I was feeling all right, but my
mind wasin a fine turmoil. Judgeof my surprise, then, when I was summoned to
Claridges for nine-thirty that evening.
Then I caught nothing for several minutes, tillhe
laughed and repeated the word secundus.
Then you strike, andwhat happens to the other two?
In that house wasthe terrible blind Fate that span.
Tell me, master, can the dominion, once it is
established, beshaken off?
I told Mary that I was ordered by my doctor to go
to bed for a weekand take a rest cure. It is our strength that we can seem to
forgetand still remember.
Judgeof my surprise, then, when I was summoned to
Claridges for nine-thirty that evening.
We think of it in material terms like money, or the
controlof great patches of inanimate nature. Been telling Medina here of the
dirtytrick the Government have played on my old crowd.