* * * * *
My doings during the next few weeks were not exactly what might be
called judicious, but what can be expected from a youth suddenly let
loose in London with heaps of money and nobody to restrain him? I
am quite willing to admit that I was a fool, but I dare say a great
many other people would not have proved much wiser if they had found
themselves in similar circumstances. Without suspecting it, I was a
sort of Faust in the clutches of a modern Mephistopheles. As Captain
Wyngate had given me the Open Sesame, he naturally stepped into the
position of familiar friend and adviser. Of course, Cambridge saw me no
more. I took up my abode in furnished rooms close to Piccadilly, and
was delighted when Captain Wyngate accepted an invitation to leave his
hotel and share my quarters. Under his guidance I began to enjoy myself
exceedingly. The gaps in my knowledge of the Metropolis filled up very
quickly, and I think I could pass a pretty stiff examination about the
places of amusement, recognised and unrecognised, in London. Wyngate
and I were constantly together, and he introduced me to a good many
men who seemed, like himself, to have no particular occupation except
killing time as agreeably as possible. He generally picked up these
acquaintances on race-courses, in hotel bars, music-halls, and other
public places. We did not go to any private houses. Captain Wyngate
voted dances slow, and I was enjoying myself so much under his guidance
that I was not inclined to differ from him.
In the enclosure at Kempton Park he introduced me to a strikingly
handsome and stylish young lady, Miss Violet Alexander, and took the
earliest opportunity of telling me in a confidential whisper that she
was an actress and immensely clever. Both these statements I afterwards
found to be true in a sense; I did not understand at the time. She
was extremely gracious, and I was much flattered when she invited me
to take a cup of tea with her at her flat in Bedford Park. She soon
fascinated me completely, and after my second visit I was madly in
love, or thought I was. Captain Wyngate, to whose experience I resorted
as a matter of course, suggested that a handsome present would advance
matters very materially. He kindly undertook to find out from the lady
what would be most acceptable to her, and the result was the transfer
of a lace dress and a diamond star to Miss Violet's abode, and a hole
of seven hundred pounds in my bank account. Both these presents were
purchased (very much above their real value, as I afterwards found
out) at shops recommended by Captain Wyngate, on the ground that they
were "the" place for such things, and that gifts were always more
appreciated when the lady knew they came from the very best places.
My gifts certainly did not disgrace even the wardrobe of Miss Violet
Alexander. They made her even more gracious than before, and but for
the rude awakening that came soon afterwards there is no knowing what
further follies she would have made me commit.
One night, when we were to have gone to a new play at the Gaiety, the
captain felt out of sorts and decided to stay indoors with a book and a
pipe. I returned home rather late, and, as I passed his room, I heard
choking, inarticulate sounds. Thinking he must be ill, I opened the
door quietly and looked in. He was lying in bed, tossing uneasily and
muttering in his sleep. While I waited--wondering if I ought to wake
him--his muttering went on, broken here and there by an intelligible
word.
[Illustration: "'HANDS OFF!' HE ALMOST SHOUTED, AND STARTED UP IN BED."]
"The Rigi--Came for your health--Hate looking over precipices, do
you?--Oh, don't be a baby!--Two thousand feet down--Ah, I've done it!"
Beads of perspiration started out on his forehead, and he groaned as if
suffering agonies.