Part 56 (1/2)
”You have, as his nearest friend and neighbour.”
”No, no, no,” said Stratton uneasily.
”I tell you it's right,” said Guest. ”We'll go to the station quietly, give notice, and a couple of men will come, and bring a locksmith or carpenter to open the door.”
”Impossible! The publicity: it would be horrible.”
”If we found the old fellow lying dead there, yes. But he may not be.”
”No, he may not be, so it cannot be done,” said Stratton with an unwonted animation which made Guest the more eager.
”But it can.”
”I say no,” said Stratton angrily.
”But I say yes.”
”You have no right, no business whatever, to interfere in the matter. I will not have Mr Brettison's place broken open and his things disturbed. It shall not be done.”
”Bravo,” thought Guest; ”a little more argument of this sort would bring him round.” And full of determination, right or wrong, to persevere he said distinctly:
”Look here, Stratton, have you any special reason for refusing to listen to my words?”
”I--I--a reason?” cried Stratton looking startled. ”None whatever.”
”Oh! You seemed so stubborn.”
”The natural feeling of a scientific man against intruders meddling with his study.”
”Mr Brettison made no objection to your breaking in upon him when he was dangerously ill and would have died without your help.”
Stratton was silenced for the moment, but he broke out directly with:
”But I am sure he has not been back.”
”How can you be, away as you have been so long?”
”I should have heard him or seen him. He would have come in to me.”
”Look here, Stratton,” said Guest at last, ”if you oppose my wishes so strongly, I shall think that you have some special reason for it.”
Stratton's eyes contracted a little as he looked fixedly at his friend.
”I shall not oppose you, then,” he said, after moistening his lips, as if speaking was an effort. ”Have the place examined.”
”I will,” cried Guest eagerly. ”Come on with me to the police-station, and let's give information.”
Stratton shrank back in his seat.
”No, no. Speak to the people at the lodge; the man can open the door.”