The Finishing Stroke Read Free Page B

to cleanse them of mortality.
    â€˜Well?’ Sebastian asked in a higher key.
    â€˜Mr. Sebastian.’ The little doctor paused. ‘The second child, an identical twin boy, was born at two-seventeen …’
    â€˜Never mind that! How is my wife?’
    Dr. Hall said stiffly, ‘I’m sorry, sir. She has died.’
    There was the emptiest silence.
    â€˜If you wish to see her –’
    Sebastian shook his head twice, violently.
    â€˜Well, then, the babies –’ the doctor said.
    â€˜ No .’ The big man jumped to his feet. His face had settled into stone. ‘What time is it, please?’
    Dr. Hall pulled a nickeled watch from his vest. ‘Two minutes of four.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Mr. Sebastian,’ he began again.
    â€˜If it’s your fee you’re concerned about, name it and I’ll write out a cheque.’
    â€˜No, no, sir, it’s not that –’
    â€˜Have you made out the death certificate?’
    â€˜Not yet. Sir –’
    â€˜Please do so. I’ll see that an undertaker gets here as soon as possible. As for the child, I must ask you and Mrs. Hall to care for him until I can arrange to have him called for. Mrs. Sebastian’s doctor will undoubtedly wish to send a trained nurse for the child’s removal to Rye.’
    â€˜The child?’ Dr. Hall blinked. ‘You mean the children, of course.’
    â€˜I said the child,’ John Sebastian said. ‘The first-born.’
    â€˜But, sir – !’
    â€˜My wife has given me only one son, Doctor. The second murdered her; he can never be a son of mine. I want nothing to do with him. In fact, it will be extremely difficult for me … even the first …’ He turned away.
    Dr. Hall’s glance met his wife’s across the parlour. ‘You cannot be serious, Mr. Sebastian.’
    Sebastian laughed. ‘Where can I rent or buy a sleigh and a horse?’
    â€˜You can turn your back on your own flesh and blood this way, sir? Without a qualm?’
    â€˜You don’t understand,’ the publisher said with contempt. ‘The little monster killed my wife.’
    The doctor was silent. At the door, Mrs. Hall stirred cautiously.
    â€˜Surely you have some plan about the … second child,’ the doctor said at last. ‘What do you intend to do with him?’
    â€˜I’ll pay you to keep him here until my attorneys can arrange to place him somewhere or other. If you can’t be bothered, of course –’
    Mrs. Hall said quickly, ‘Oh, it wouldn’t be a bother.’
    â€˜No.’ Her husband’s voice was eager. ‘Perhaps the hand of Providence has been in this after all, Mr. Sebastian. Mrs. Hall and I have never had a child. It’s been a source of great unhappiness to us. If Mrs. Sebastian’s unfortunate death has really determined you to accept only the son who was born first –’
    â€˜Are you trying to say, Doctor, that you and Mrs. Hall would like to have the other one for yourselves?’
    â€˜If you will give him to us.’
    Sebastian waved bitterly. ‘He’s yours. And may he bring you better luck than he did me.’
    Mrs. Hall uttered a very small cry. Then, like a mouse, she disappeared.
    â€˜It would have to be made legal,’ Dr. Hall said. ‘So that you can’t change your mind. That would be too damnably cruel. You understand me, sir? Papers – you’ll have to give us papers.’
    â€˜You’ll get your papers. I’ll even set up a trust fund for him. Anything, Doctor, within reason. I’ll talk to my attorneys about it at the first opportunity.’
    â€˜Thank you, Mr. Sebastian. I thank you for Mrs. Hall as well as myself.’
    â€˜You’re entirely welcome.’ Sebastian’s tone was dry. Suddenly he lurched and groped for the back of the Morris chair.
    â€˜Mr. Sebastian!’ Dr. Hall sprang