In Kedars Tents | Page 6

these meditations with a laugh.
'I have it!' he cried. 'It's as simple as the alphabet. This paper says it was
a barrister--a man from London--a malcontent, a felon, a coward.
Dammy, Geoff--that's me!'
He leapt to his feet. 'Get out of the way, Tim!' he cried to the dog,
pushing the animal aside and standing on the hearthrug.
'Listen to this,' he went on. 'This thing, like the others, will blow over.
It will be forgotten in a week. Another meeting will be held--say in
South Wales, more windows will be broken, another young man's head
cracked, and Chester-le-Street (God-forsaken place, never heard of it!)
will be forgotten.'
Horner sat looking with hollow eyes at the young Irishman, his lips
twitching, his fingers interlocked--there is nothing makes so complete a
coward of a man as a woman's love. Conyngham laughed as the notion
unfolded itself in his mind. He might, as he himself had said, be of no
great brain power, but he was at all events a man and a brave one. He
stood a full six foot, and looked down at his companion, who sat
whitefaced and shrinking.
'It is quite easy,' he said, 'for me to disappear in such a manner as to
arouse suspicion. I have nothing to keep me here; my briefs-- well, the
Solicitor-General can have 'em! I have no ties--nothing to keep me in
any part of the world. When young Pleydell is on his feet again, and a
few more windows have been broken, and nine days have elapsed, the

wonder will give place to another, and I can return to my--practice.'
'I couldn't let you do it.'
'Oh yes, you could,' said Conyngham with the quickness of his race to
spy out his neighbour's vulnerable point. 'For the sake of Edith and the
little devil.'
Horner sat silent, and after a moment Conyngham went on.
'All we want to do is to divert suspicion from you now--to put them on
a false scent, for they must have one of some sort. When they find that
they cannot catch me they will forget all about it.'
Horner shuffled in his seat. This was nothing but detection of the
thoughts that had passed through his own mind.
'It is easily enough done,' went on the Irishman. 'A paragraph here and
there in some of the newspapers; a few incriminating papers left in
these rooms, which are certain to be searched. I have a bad name--an
Irish dog goes about the world with a rope round his neck. If I am
caught it will not be for some time, and then I can get out of it
somehow--an alibi or something. I'll get a brief at all events. By that
time the scent will be lost, and it will be all right. Come, Geoff, cheer
up! A man of your sort ought not to be thrown by a mischance like
this.'
He stood with his legs apart, his hands thrust deep into his pockets, a
gay laugh on his lips, and much discernment in his eyes.
'Oh, d---n Edith!' he added after a pause, seeing that his efforts met
with no response. 'D---n that child! You used to have some pluck,
Horner.' Horner shook his head and made no answer, but his very
silence was a point gained. He no longer protested nor raised any
objection to his companion's hare-brained scheme. The thing was
feasible, and he knew it.
Conyngham went on to set forth his plans, which with characteristic

rapidity of thought he evolved as he spoke.
'Above all,' he said, 'we must be prompt. I must disappear to- night, the
paragraphs must be in to-morrow's papers. I think I'll go to Spain. The
Carlists seem to be making things lively there. You know, Horner, I
was never meant for a wig and gown--there's no doubt about that. I
shall have a splendid time of it out there--'
He stopped, meeting a queer look in Horner's eyes, who sat leaning
forward and searching his face with jealous glance.
'I was wondering,' said the other, with a pale smile, 'if you were ever in
love with Edith.'
'No, my good soul, I was not,' answered Conyngham, with perfect
carelessness, 'though I knew her long before you did.'
He paused, and a quick thought flashed through his mind that some
men are seen at their worst in adversity. He was ready enough to find
excuses for Horner, for men are strange in the gift of their friendship,
often bestowing it where they know it is but ill deserved.
He rattled on with unbroken gaiety, unfolding plans which in their
perfection of detail suggested a previous experience in outrunning the
constable.
While they were still talking a mutual friend came in--a quick- spoken
man already beginning to