The League of the Leopard Read online

  CHAPTER II

  AN UNDERSTANDING

  It was a pleasant summer evening when Hilton Dane leaned against a beechtrunk outside Thomas Chatterton's villa which stands upon a hillsideabove the Solway shore. He was a tall, fair-haired man who looked olderthan his age, twenty-five, with steady blue eyes, and usually a somewhatmasterful air; but just then his eyes were wistful, and his face, whichbetokened an acquaintance with the tropical sun, expressed somewhattempered satisfaction. He had certainly cause for the latter feeling,because, after toiling hard at railroad building in a foreign land, itwas comforting to know that he had earned the right to rest a while inthat peaceful retreat.

  The sun still touched the velvet lawn, though the shadows lengthenedacross it, and the larch wood behind the red-tiled building diffusedresinous odors. The grass sloped to a river which came down amber-tintedfrom the stretch of heather growing black against the east, and, curvinground two meadows, flashed through the gloom of fir branches into a deeppool. All this was pleasant to the wanderer newly returned from theglare of the desolate pampa and the turmoil of dusty construction camps;but Dane found the keenest pleasure in watching his companion.

  Lilian Chatterton, niece of the childless owner of The Larches, wasworth inspection. She was a year or two younger than the man, and lay ina low chair opposite him, her fingers busy with a ball of coloredthread, while the last of the sunlight sparkled in her hair. Danenoticed how its bronze color flashed into lustrous gold, and decidedthat the changing lights in the hazel eyes matched it wonderfully well.Nevertheless, he had seen them burn with quick indignation, for the girlpossessed a spice of the Chatterton temper, which was never remarkablyequable. Presently he allowed several loops of thread to slip from theskein he held, and she looked up with a trace of indignation.

  "That is the second time! You cannot be tired already," she said.

  Dane smiled a trifle grimly. He had toiled for twelve hours daily underburning heat and then spent half the night poring over plans, not longago.

  "I am not quite worn out; but is it not an unfair question, consideringmy present employment? This skein is getting mixed, and I was wonderingif you would allow me to help you in straightening it."

  Miss Chatterton glanced at him keenly before she shook her head. It wasnot surprising that she had grown used to masculine homage, but none ofher other cavaliers had quite resembled this one. He was slower and moresolid, and, while he had a way of anticipating her wishes, he lackedtheir versatility. Sometimes she wished, with a sense of irritation,that she could dismiss him as summarily as she had done the rest, butthat could not be done without incurring Thomas Chatterton'sdispleasure, which was no small thing to risk.

  "No," she said decisively. "I believe you tangled it yourself. Don't youthink it would run more smoothly if you gave the thread more length?Well, why don't you act upon the suggestion?"

  "I was thinking," the man answered with a meditative air; and MissChatterton laughed.

  "It is a bad habit of yours. Of the famous mining pump, or the lawsuit,presumably?"

  There was something in the speaker's manner which qualified the smile inher hazel eyes, and warned the man that his companion was merely bent ondiscovering how far he was disposed to respect the wishes she had notdirectly expressed. He, on his part, was wondering how he could bestintimate that certain fears she entertained were groundless. He laughedsoftly, though a tinge of darker color crept into his tanned face as heremembered the uncompromising frigidity with which she had at firstreceived him.

  "I feel that I ought to say something civil," he said. "How could onethink of the things you mention in such surroundings?"

  The girl was in a variable mood, and she smiled mischievously.

  "That is not civil. It implies that I expected you to. Tell me insteadhow the pump is progressing."

  "The pump is not progressing," said the man. "In fact, it is standingstill; and, though the court upheld my patent, it will probably continueto stand still for lack of capital. Capital is hard to acquire, youknow."

  "But you were well paid, and promoted several times on your merits inSouth America, were you not?" asked Miss Chatterton.

  "I was lucky," Dane said quietly. "It was due to no merit of mine thatmy superiors died off with yellow fever; but when the inventor desiresa fair share of the profit himself, it requires a good deal of money tostart off pumps and similar inventions successfully."

  "You are growing avaricious," declared Miss Chatterton, and let her eyesfall a little under the man's gaze.

  "You are right," he said. "I would sell half my life to any one for thefew thousand pounds the invention would repay twenty-fold; and somehow Ishall get them."

  The listener fancied that this was possible, for there was a stamp offorce and endurance upon the man; but she did not inquire why he was soanxious for wealth. While she considered her answer, and he wondered howhe could best express what must be said, there was an interruption; forit happened a few moments earlier that the owner of The Larches flungdown the balance-sheet he was perusing in a room which did not look outupon the lawn.

  "Those new directors are a pack of fools," he observed. "They arethrowing away all I so painfully built up. I'm going to catch a trout inthe moss pool; and, as I saw Maxwell's rascals putting up the fenceagain, I'll demolish his iniquitous obstruction on my way. Helen, wherehave these stupid people hidden my flybook again?"

  Mrs. Chatterton smiled a little, and, reminding her husband that thebook was in his pocket, followed him to the door.

  Thomas Chatterton and the father of Hilton Dane had set up a little wiremill when both were struggling men, and, though Dane's rolling machineryhad started them on the way to prosperity, its inventor died too soon.Chatterton was always considered an upright man; but, because Dane'swidow did not long survive her husband, nobody knew exactly whether hissuccess was due to his own energy or the dead man's invention.Chatterton, however, recognized a moral debt, and would have dischargedit, but that Hilton Dane had inherited his mother's pride as well as hisfather's skill. When the famous business was sold to a company, theiron-master, purchasing a small estate in Scotland, aspired to play thepart of a country gentleman, in which he was not wholly successful. Hewas at once too autocratic and too democratic; and the local magnates ofancient descent resented his habit of doing exactly what pleased himselfin defiance of their most cherished traditions. He had accordinglyembroiled himself with Maxwell of Culmeny over what he contended was anancient right of way.

  When he reached the door he turned and smiled significantly at his wife.

  "They seem well contented, do they not?" he said.

  Mrs. Chatterton understood him, though she did not smile as she glancedat the two on the lawn. Lilian's white-robed figure was forced upsharply in a manner that emphasized its comeliness by the somberbackground of larches; and the last of the ruddy light deepened thefaint, warm tinge in her cheeks. Dane's face was in the shadow, as helooked down upon the girl, but his form showing darkly against the lightwas that of a vigorous, well-made man; and Mrs. Chatterton, knowing hisdisposition, reflected that her niece might make a less desirablechoice. It was, however, she thought, unfortunate that her husband wasseldom addicted to leaving those he desired to benefit any choice atall; and she considered that he had made his intentions respecting Daneand his niece too plain, for Lilian had a tolerably strong will of herown.

  Chatterton moved forward, and the two turned sharply at the sight of thestout, thick-necked, elderly gentleman, in vivid red leggings and slouchhat adorned with gaudy flies.

  "We had neither time nor taste for needle-work when I was young, Hilton,but these are degenerate days," he said, with a twinkle in his eyes. "Doyou feel inclined to help me to catch a trout during the evening rise?"

  Dane glanced appealingly toward his companion. He would have felt nogreat inclination for being sent into the river to free theiron-master's line, which usually formed part of the program on suchexcursions, even if he had not a better reason for re
fusing.

  "I am afraid the water is too clear, sir, for an indifferent angler; andit might spoil this skein if I left it partly wound," he answeredlamely.

  Lilian, however, possibly for Chatterton's benefit, ignored the appeal.

  "So far you have only succeeded in entangling it," she said.

  Dane had no choice left but to express the pleasure it would afford himat least to carry his host's landing net; and he did it as well aspossible, though uneasily conscious that Chatterton was amused at him.Then they waded together through long damp grass which soaked Dane'sthin shoes through, while Chatterton discoursed learnedly upon lines andflies. He was as choleric and obstinate as he could be generous when theimpulse seized him, and he had ruled stubborn operatives so long thatthe use of the strong hand had become habitual to him. Presently hehalted, fuming with indignation, before a hedge.

  "That confounded Maxwell has built it up stronger than ever!" heexploded. "Look at that, and see how he respects a public right of way!Don't you consider it perfectly scandalous, Hilton?"

  Dane saw an irate elderly gentleman, and a neatly mended gap in thehedge; but being uncertain as to what answer would best soothe theformer, he wisely held his peace until he should furnish furtherparticulars. Chatterton, however, espying a stout stake in the grass,commenced a spirited attack upon the hedge. So vigorous was it that hisface grew flushed and his hat fell off, while Dane looked on withsuspicious gravity, smothering a desire to laugh.

  "If you really want that gap opened, I dare say I could assist you,sir," he said.

  Chatterton panted wrathfully.

  "Do you suppose I am doing this for exercise? It's a public duty! I havebattered it down twice already, and defied Culmeny to sue me."

  He plied the stake again until, glancing from a root, it smote him onthe ankle. Desisting then, he commented upon his neighbor's conductviciously while Dane proceeded to attack the obstruction with markedsuccess. Chatterton, when he noticed this, watched him admiringly; andwhen Dane tore his hand on a strand of barbed wire, he positively beamedon him.

  "I'm sorry, Hilton; but, in one way, it's almost a pity you did not tearit worse," he said. "Still, I dare say it will rankle sufficiently togive us something to claim damages from Culmeny upon. Meantime, go homeand ask Lily to tie it up. Nobody could do it more neatly."

  "I certainly hope it will not, sir," said Dane, with a trace ofirritation; though, being thankful for the excuse, he lost no time inreturning.

  Meanwhile, Lilian Chatterton sat where he had left her, in acontemplative frame of mind. She and Dane had been playmates in theiryounger days, and the latter had afterward shown his admiration for herin youthful fashion. That was before he went abroad; but her cheekstingled as she remembered how she had been made to feel, a few weeksearlier, that it was Chatterton's desire that their youthful friendshipshould speedily ripen into something further. Lilian was grateful to theiron-master, who had denied her nothing, and brought her up as hisdaughter; but she was also sensitive, and accordingly shrank from Dane,wondering, with a sense of shame, what had been said to him, and whetherhe, too, considered her own opinion as of no importance. The man'sconduct had, however, partly reassured her, for he made no advances; shedid not know that he had, during several years spent in strenuouseffort, carried her memory and a stolen photograph about with him.

  Had she been a free agent she might have been inclined to approve ofHilton Dane. She knew he was honest, resolute, and capable, while asregards physique, nature had treated him well; but as it was, andbecause there were no friends she could find an excuse for visiting, itappeared essential that he should be made to recognize that there couldbe no more than a mutual toleration between them. Miss Chatterton hadjust arrived at this conclusion when the man came toward her across thelawn. Again it struck her that the bronzed face beneath the straw hatwas that of an honest man, and that the blue eyes had a kindly gleam inthem; but she brushed such thoughts aside impatiently.

  "What has brought you back so soon?" she asked.

  "The need of assistance," Dane answered with a laugh, and the girl'smood changed swiftly as she glanced at his injured hand. Her eyes grewsympathetic.

  "Will you wait a few moments until I find some arnica?" she said.

  Dane would have waited a long time in return for such a glance, and,when the girl rejoined him, he felt that the pain was a very small priceto pay for the pleasure of letting his torn hand rest in her little coolpalm. When it had been bound up with a dainty handkerchief, Liliansmiled prettily.

  "I think," she said playfully, "with due care you should now recover."

  "Do you know that I feel tempted to go back and tear the other?"returned the man.

  Lilian regarded him with some uneasiness.

  "Such speeches do not become you," she said. "No doubt there are idlemen who consider that they prove irresistible to most of us; butyou--you are different."

  "Yes," Dane assented somewhat grimly. "I suppose my lot is to drag themeasuring chain and do the hard work more famous men get paid for; but alittle variety is refreshing--and there were times when you did not seemto find any levity on my part wholly irksome."

  The girl's color rose a little, and there was a sparkle in her eyes. Sheunderstood that this was a challenge, but she did not guess that it hadbeen thrown down for her sake out of kindliness. Unfortunately, sherecalled several incidents connected with the days to which hercompanion referred, and she recollected that he had an unpleasantly goodmemory.

  "We were only boy and girl then," she said. "One forgets such nonsenseas one grows older. Still, I am almost glad you mentioned it,because--can't you see the uselessness of remembering?"

  Dane, though he did not say so, saw most clearly the impossibility ofever being able to forget; but he was considerate, and had sense enoughto see what he would lose by taking advantage of the position. He hadnoticed how, until his conduct reassured her, she held aloof from him.

  "What could an unfortunate man answer?" he asked with a mirthless smile."Do you expect me to admit that I am pleased to consider it is so?"

  Lilian looked down at the grass to hide the anger in her face.

  "Please don't--I am not wholly foolish," she said; and added abruptly,"I have almost decided on going to London for a course of art studyshortly."

  Dane leaned forward a little, and forced her to look up at him.

  "That is, you are going away to avoid me," he said. "Have you consideredthat this might not only render circumstances unpleasant for you, but beunnecessary?"

  Lilian looked at him steadily, for she was not lacking in courage.

  "I am my own mistress; and they are distinctly unpleasant already."

  Every word of the answer cost Dane an effort, but he determined tofinish his task.

  "I can realize that they must be so," he said. "I am not clever atexpressing myself, and what I have to say is difficult to me, but Icannot allow you to be driven away. We are both master of our owninclinations, are we not?--and you have my word that, if you can trustme, it really isn't necessary."

  There was no doubt about the relief in Lilian's face; and though it hurtthe man to see it, he held out his hand.

  "We shall be good friends once more; and that implies a good deal, doesit not?" he said. "Promise so much, and I will engage that you have nofurther perplexity."

  Lilian felt very grateful.

  "I think I can promise that, now that we understand," she replied.

  "Then it is a compact," said Dane, hiding his own regret manfully. "As achange, you might tell me why your uncle finds such satisfaction indestroying his neighbor's fences. He even said it was a pity I did nottear my hand more seriously."

  Lilian was glad to change the subject.

  "He fancied that Maxwell of Culmeny closed the gap to annoy him," sheexplained. "Unfortunately, when tearing down the first barrier, he hurthis foot, which naturally made him more determined to maintain ancientprivileges. In one way, the feud is amusing; in another, vexatious;because we ar
e lonely here, and the Misses Maxwell cannot well call uponus. Their brother Carsluith has lately returned from Africa, and wouldhave made you a pleasant companion."

  "Carsluith Maxwell?" said Dane. "It is curious that I was of someservice to a friend of his, named Hyslop, in South America. The poorfellow struck our camp pulled down by sickness and apparently in want ofmoney, and we were able to find him employment."

  "Did you not mention that the contractors would not replace theassistants who died of fever?" asked Lilian. "Did they endorse youraction?"

  "I can't say they did," was the answer. "They were not required to."

  "Oh! Then who paid Hyslop's salary?"

  "It was arranged," Dane answered ambiguously. "You see, he was acountryman; and the poor fellow died soon afterward, anyway. I think Ishall walk over to Culmeny."

  Lilian asked no further questions. She felt that any one in troublecould trust the man beside her. She smiled as she said:

  "I am afraid that would not be judicious. Your host would consider it anact of treachery."

  They went back to the house together; and in the meantime, ThomasChatterton, who was not a skilful angler, whipped several poolsunsuccessfully, hooking nothing but weeds, and once, by accident, awater hen. Thus it happened that he had not returned when darkness fell,and Mrs. Chatterton despatched Dane in search of him. The moon wasrising when the latter came down a path through the fir wood and stoppedbeside a deep, black pool. A streak of silver light crept up to theroots of an alder beside a ruined wall, and he paused to watch thewrinkled current flash athwart it. The odors of the firs and thestillness of the night were soothing: the sacrifice he had lately madehad been a heavy one. Dane had not abandoned his hopes, but knew that hemight have to wait long for their consummation, if they were everrealized.

  Presently there was a sound of footsteps, and Dane guessed that theapproaching shape was Chatterton by the red glow of his cigar. Theiron-master stopped beside the alder, and it seemed that something whichcaused a ripple near its roots caught his eyes. Dane suspected that somepoacher had set a night line.

  Now, the wall marked the boundary between Chatterton's riparian rightsand those of Culmeny; and it was out of idle curiosity that Dane watchedhis host instead of hailing him as, first looking about him, hedescended the bank and hauled in the line. An exclamation of disgustfollowed as a writhing eel was flung out upon the grass; but there werenobler fish attached, and presently Chatterton stood up holding asplendid trout. Dane remembered that his father had sworn byChatterton's commercial integrity, but he was not wholly astonished whenthe man slipped the fish, and a second one which followed it, into hiscreel. Then, surmising that the angler would not have desired a witness,he turned back softly and met him in the wood, flattering himself thathe had arranged the meeting neatly.

  "Had you any luck, sir?" he asked.

  "The water was low, but here is something to convince the mockers,"Chatterton answered, holding up a handsome trout; and Dane expressedadmiration but no astonishment, which might not have been complimentary.

  They walked home together, and Lilian met them in the hall. Shesurveyed the trout suspiciously, then laughed as she said:

  "You look hot and muddy, and almost guilty. Are you quite sure you havenot been poaching?"

  Miss Chatterton was a shrewd young lady, and for a moment theiron-master, who had quelled several strikes unaided, looked positivelyuneasy.

  "Young women were taught that flippancy did not become them when I wasyoung," he rebuked.

  Late that night the two men sat talking together.

  "You have told me little about your affairs, Hilton," Chatterton said;"but I presume you will stay at home and put your pump on the marketinstead of accepting the foreign commission. There should be a gooddemand for it among the deep mine owners."

  "I'm afraid not, sir," was the answer. "The patent lawsuit provedexpensive, and to start an article of that kind successfully requires agood deal of money. I shall therefore go abroad to earn a little more assoon as the firm sends me."

  "And risk your life for a thousand pounds," said Chatterton severely."Don't you know that there are men with money who would be willing tofinance you?"

  "All I have met demanded three-fourths of the possible profits inreturn; and this is my invention."

  "It is a valuable one," declared Chatterton with unusual diffidence."But can't you think of anybody who would lend you the money out ofgood-will at a very moderate interest?"

  Dane looked at the speaker steadily before he answered.

  "I think I could; and I'm grateful; but unfortunately I can't bringmyself to borrow money from such people. It would be abusing theirkindness; and I might lose it for them."

  Chatterton frowned.

  "You are like your father--and as confoundedly hard to do a favor to,"he said.

  He retired shortly after this; and Dane went out into the moonlight, andleaned over the rails of a footbridge, watching the river slide past. Hefound a faint solace in the sounds and scents which filled the shadows,and knew that though he had taken the one course possible, if he was toretain his own self-respect and Lilian's esteem, there would be no sleepfor him that night.