Chapter 10 - Page 2

had been
drinking heavily. "I'll put my foot down now, once and for ever."
He tugged at his sleeve to free himself from his son's grasp.

"At least you shall not go without Laura knowing. I will call her down,
and we shall have her opinion."

"Oh, I don't want to have any scenes," said McIntyre sulkily, relaxing
his efforts. He lived in dread of his daughter, and at his worst
moments the mention of her name would serve to restrain him.

"Besides," said Robert, "I have not the slightest doubt that Raffles Haw
will see the necessity for giving us some sort of explanation before
matters go further. He must understand that we have some claim now to
be taken into his confidence."

He had hardly spoken when there was a tap at the door, and the man of
whom they were speaking walked in.

"Good-morning, Mr. McIntyre," said he. "Robert, would you mind stepping
up to the Hall with me? I want to have a little business chat."
He looked serious, like a man who is carrying out something which he has
well weighed.

They walked up together with hardly a word on either side. Raffles Haw
was absorbed in his own thoughts. Robert felt expectant and nervous,
for he knew that something of importance lay before him. The winter had
almost passed now, and the first young shoots were beginning to peep out
timidly in the face of the wind and the rain of an English March.
The snows were gone, but the countryside looked bleaker and drearier,
all shrouded in the haze from the damp, sodden meadows.

"By the way, Robert," said Raffles Haw suddenly, as they walked up the
Avenue. "Has your great Roman picture gone to London?"

"I have not finished it yet."

"But I know that you are a quick worker. You must be nearly at the end
of it."

"No, I am afraid that it has not advanced much since you saw it. For
one thing, the light has not been very good."

Raffles Haw said nothing, but a pained expression flashed over his face.
When they reached the house he led the way through the museum. Two
great metal cases were lying on the floor.

"I have a small addition there to the gem collection," he remarked as he
passed. "They only arrived last night, and I have not opened them yet,
but I am given to understand from the letters and invoices that there
are some fine specimens. We might arrange them this afternoon, if you
care to assist me. Let us go into the smoking-room now."

He threw himself down into a settee, and motioned Robert into the
armchair in front of him.

"Light a cigar," he said. "Press the spring if there is any refreshment