Читать книгу The Mouthpiece - Edgar Wallace - Страница 6

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LOLLING in a deck-chair on the hotel terrace, Lutman was gazing through his right eye at the "magnificent view of the Danube Valley" mentioned in the hotel brochure. In his left eye, feeling that it would add the last convincing touch to his military appearance, and that it a matter of such moment no detail was too small for careful attention, he had lined a monocle, with the result that at present he could see nothing through his left eye with any degree of clearness.

"That," he remarked, "is a most striking thought."

Jim Asson, sprawling in the adjoining chair, glanced at him inquiringly.

"All this," said the Colonel, sweeping his cigar round the landscape. "It has struck me that all this—just the same as it is now—was here a thousand years ago, and that a thousand years hence it will still be here. And the point of that profound reflection, my dear James, is this: that though the River Danube will no doubt be here in a thousand years' time, we most certainly shall not."

Jim frowned.

"What are you getting at, Lutman?"

"Simply this: that in view of the regrettable shortness of human life, it's time you got a move on. We've already been here a week, and the expensive engagement ring which I bought in Paris is still in my waistcoat pocket."

Asson's frown deepened.

"I'm doing my best," he said sullenly. "But it's damn difficult. It's no use trying to rush things."

"I agree," said Lutman, with a nod. "But it's as well to remember that time is an important factor. I have satisfied myself that they know nothing at present, but there's always the risk that in some unforeseen way the girl or her mother may come to hear of Redfern's death, and in that case I'm afraid you might not seem quite so desirable as a husband."

"I know that as well as you do."

"That, my dear James, is very modest of you. It's also as well to remember that I am investing quite a lot of money in this little venture—our hotel bill for the week was quite a heavy one—and I'm naturally anxious to see you happily married as quickly as possible."

"I tell you I'm doing all I can. If you're not satisfied, try to marry the girl yourself."

"No, I don't say I'm dissatisfied," said Lutman. "Love is a tender plant, James, and won't stand too much forcing. I'm only anxious to know how matters are progressing. Have you, for instance, kissed her yet?"

"Mind your own confounded business, Lutman."

"But, my dear James—"

"And I wish you wouldn't keep calling me 'James'. You only do it because you know it annoys me."

"What I was about to say, Jimmy, was that this kissing question is very much my business. A kiss is an indication of progress, the first definite step towards the altar; and as I have a financial interest in your arrival there, I'm naturally anxious to know—"

"All right. If you must know—no, I haven't kissed her."

"Not kissed her? But we've already been here a week."

"I daresay we have. But Jacqueline isn't the sort of girl you can kiss in the first five minutes. It's difficult."

"Judging by appearances," smiled Lutman, "I should have imagined the difficulty would be to refrain from kissing her. Is it too optimistic to hope that you have held her hand?"

Asson made an impatient gesture.

"Not even a little hand-holding?" smiled Lutman. "We were more ardent in my young days. I think I'm entitled to feel a little aggrieved, James, that you haven't even held her hand. But perhaps you've gazed hungrily into her eyes? No? You should try that, James—a hungry, famished look—-go without dinner, if necessary, and—"

"Oh, shut up, Lutman!" exclaimed Asson irritably. "If you're not satisfied you can do the job yourself."

Lutman's smile vanished and his mouth grew grim.

"I'm not satisfied," he snapped. "Time's everything, and I'm telling you that you've got to force the pace. You've been here a whole week and you've done nothing but hang around the girl and look as if you were waiting for a chance to pick her pocket. For God's sake do something."

"It's all very well to talk, Lutman, but it's no use rushing things."

"That's just where you're wrong," interrupted the Colonel; "you've got to rush things. You've got to sweep the girl off her feet and get her to marry you before she has time to realize what she's doing. You don't think she'll marry you if she realizes what she's doing, do you?"

"There's no need to be damned offensive."

"I'm feeling offensive. I've spent a lot of money, and so far I've got nothing for it, and I can see that if I don't stand behind and kick you, I never shall get anything."

"If I asked her to marry me now, it's ten to one she'd refuse."

"But if you wait until she really knows you, it'll be a million to one. But she won't refuse, unless I'm very much mistaken. I've been talking to the mother and making a few inquiries. They want money—badly. They haven't paid their bill for a month, and the manager is getting restive. I've seen to it that if the bill isn't paid he'll get a great deal more restive, and I've let the mother know that you're an extremely wealthy young man who is suffering the discomforts of a vile hotel simply for the sake of being with her charming daughter."

"You've been busy, Lutman, haven't you?"

"I've also insinuated to the worthy Mrs. Smith," continued Lutman, "that in the event of her daughter marrying you, there would be a very handsome allowance for your mother-in-law. She said that all she cared about was Jacqueline's happiness, and tried to make me say how much the allowance would be." The Colonel's smile returned. "That's the position, my dear James," he said, "and nothing now remains to be done but to ask the girl to marry you. Mother will regard you as a godsend, even if the daughter doesn't, and I can't see Miss Jacqueline being allowed to turn you down. Make yourself look as much like a gentleman as possible and ask her tonight."

"Look here, Lutman, it's all very well, but I fancy it ought to be left to me."

"I'm not arguing, Jim. I'm telling you that you're to ask her tonight." He took a ring from his pocket and handed it to Asson. "I shall look for that on her finger in the morning." He rose, smiling. "You still don't fancy your chances, eh, Jim?"

"I'm not as cocksure about it as you are, Lutman. Jacqueline isn't one of those moonlight-and-kisses girls, you can take it from me. I've an idea it's going to be damned hard to wring a 'yes' out of her."

Lutman nodded.

"All right; leave it to me," he said. "I'll see if I can arrange for a little more pressure."