The House Of The Bears Read Free

was a trifle prominent and, with his full lips, created the impression of a weak chin. His large eyes looked dull.
    Palfrey glanced at Drusilla.
    Obviously she was puzzled by this household, probably by something which happened while he had been away with Loretta Morne. Palfrey could tell that from her manner, from the slight lift of her eyebrows. She looked warm and comfortable, however, and smiled assent when Markham suggested talking with Morne and Palfrey in the dining-room.
    Little was said. Morne toyed with his food, occasionally roused himself to look after his guest, but for the most part sat brooding.
    Palfrey studied him closely. The man had a magnificent forehead; his good looks were remarkable, although he was a little too fat and had a heavy jowl. His red hair waved, unruly, full of vitality. His amber eyes were shot with red. Everything about him suggested strength and perhaps an ungovernable temper.
    In a different way, Markham, too, was impressive; he looked fit, and his hair was raven black; his heavy chin was shaded blue by incipient stubble. A broad nose and full lips, fine grey eyes and a broad forehead, all contrasted with Morne. He was nearly as silent as his brother-in-law. Now and again Palfrey caught Markham looking at him intently; almost, he thought, suspiciously.
    ‘Shall we go into the other room?’ asked Morne at last.
    ‘Yes,’ said Markham, getting up at once. ‘You and your wife will stay the night, Dr. Palfrey, wont you? You know what it’s like out. You probably won’t reach Corbin in the fog.’
    ‘Yes, it is bad,’ said Palfrey. ‘Thank you.’
    Morne said: ‘I can’t think clearly. Thanks, Claude.’ He looked at Palfrey with a faint smile. ‘You will accept my apologies for my absent-mindedness, I’m sure.’
    ‘Of course,’ said Palfrey.
    Was there something else the matter besides the girl’s fall? Was the brooding silence of the red-haired man wholly caused by that? Were those quick, penetrating glances from Markham just an expression of curiosity, or was the subject of Dr. Halsted, who had sent for him and, apparently, had forgotten to cancel the appointment, deliberately neglected? Or could they think only of the girl as she had lain moaning, with her head turning from side to side?
    Lady Markham was talking to Drusilla in a soft voice.
    ‘Yes, since she was a child she has always gone up there and looked down; she preferred to hear the piano in the gallery. She always stood in the same spot, resting-’
    ‘Dinah!’ exclaimed Morne.
    ‘Oh, Rufus, I’m so sorry.’ She looked at him rather blankly. ‘I was just telling Mrs. Palfrey.’
    ‘Choose a time when I’m not here, please.’
    ‘Of course, Rufus!’ The woman looked a little frightened, and drew her skirts closer about her legs. Morne offered cigars, pierced one, lit it and then, without speaking, turned on his heel and went out.
    ‘I’m so sorry,’ murmured Lady Markham, in distress.
    ‘We quite understand,’ Drusilla said.
    ‘Such a terrible shock.’ Lady Markham looked at Palfrey. ‘My sister has collapsed, Dr. Palfrey. She has gone to her room. And poor Gerry, he is distracted, quite distracted. Ever since he was a child he had played to her and she has laughed down at him. How often I have gone into the music gallery and heard her laughing; so lovely, so happy. I’m sure she would have been perfectly happy with Gerry. I feel so sorry for him. For it to happen in such a way.’
    ‘It’s been a greater shock than you realize, Dinah,’ said Markham. Palfrey saw the look he gave his wife; eyebrows drawn together, a cold glint in his eyes – an angry, exasperated glance. ‘I think you’ll be wise to follow Rachel’s example and go to bed. Don’t you think so, Dr. Palfrey?’
    ‘It might be wise,’ said Palfrey.
    ‘But, Claude, our guests-’
    ‘Please don’t worry about us,’ said Drusilla, quickly.
    ‘I will come upstairs with you,’ said Markham.
    He took her arm. She said