"D'ye see, Hal?"
It was in the middle of the fourth conference between father and son,
and Sir Harry had triumphantly rounded off his plan when Hank was
announced.
The two men exchanged glances.
"Surrendered without firing a shot," murmured Sir Harry. "Show the
gentleman in, William."
Hank came into the library and found two grave gentlemen bent over a
gorgeously illuminated coat of arms.
Sir Harry looked up with a start when Hank was ushered in, and offered
him his hand with a smile of patient weariness.
"Won't you sit down!" he said politely. "I'm afraid our task is an
unfamiliar one to you, an American. There is some dispute as to whether
the Tanneurs of the fourteenth century are related through a cadet
branch of the Howards--but heraldry would bore you?"
Hank's face was impassive.
"No, _sir_," he replied calmly. "I knew a feller down in Montana, a fat
little fellow named Sank, that made a pile out of sheer carefulness--he
never came in under a pair an' never bet under a straight flush--who got
_that_ bug in his sombrero. Paid a man down in New York 5,000 dollars
to worry out a choice assortment of ancestors. Got way back to William
the Conqueror an' might easily have fetched up at Noah, only one night
he knocked up against little Si Morris sittin' pat with four aces. Si
drew one an' Sank put him with two pairs--that's where Sanky went into
liquidation."
Sir Harry bristled.
"You wish to see me about something?" he said coldly.
Hank nodded.
"This notice to quit," he said; "what's the idea?"
"That is a matter that I cannot discuss." Sir Harry had an admirable
manner for this sort of contest. It was an adaptation of his board-room
method, "Gentlemen, if you please we will proceed with the agenda;" an
icy interposition that had so often chilled the inquisitive shareholder.
"Of course," Hank went on, "I don't exactly know what the Duke will
say--but I can guess."
"What the Duke says," said Sir Harry loftily, "will not affect my
plans."
"I should imagine, though," said Hank thoughtfully, "that he won't take
much notice of your notice."
"What!" said Sir Harry, "take no notice--good heavens, sir, are you
aware that there's a law in this country?"
"There is a rumour to that effect," said the American cautiously, "but I
reckon that a little thing like that won't worry him--you see he's a
Duke."
The awe in his voice impressed even Sir Harry.
"Duke? Duke! Rubbish! Bosh! Nonsense! Duke?" snapped Sir Harry. "We
don't share your worship of titles, sir. What is a title? A mere
handle, a useless appendage, a----"
Then he recollected.
"Of course," he qualified, "there are titles--er--to which respect is
due; titles--er--bestowed by a grateful country upon its--um--public
men, philanthropists, et cetera; upon citizens who have identified
themselves with--er--national movements----"
"Such as Jubilee almshouses," said the approving Hank.
Sir Harry turned very red.
"Exactly," he agreed with some embarrassment, "I--er--myself have had
such a mark of the sovereign's favour. But as to the Duke--well the
Duke you know--in fact I'm no believer in hereditary titles. Our family
have never countenanced them, never desired them, claimed no
relation----"
"The cadet branch of the Howards," murmured Hank.
"That is a different matter," spluttered Sir Harry; "we have had no
ancestors of recent years--I mean we do not--in fact--" he blazed
wrathfully, "you've got to get out of No. 64, whether you like it or
not!" Hal had been an interested listener. Somewhat unwisely he now
took a hand.
"The fact of it is, my friend----" he began, Hank turned on him with
extravagant dignity.
"Say," he said in an injured tone, "there's no necessity for you to butt
in: I don't mind Sir Harry readin' the Riot Act, I do object to him
callin' out the militia."
Hal's reply was arrested by the arrival of a servant bearing a telegram.
Without any apology to his visitor Sir Harry opened and read it. He
read it twice like a man in a dream, and handed it to Hal who read it
aloud.
"To TANNEUR, Hydeholme.
"Just got your notice to quit: most interesting document: am framing
it.--DE MONTVILLIER."
"The Duke's home," commented Hank, and his brows knit in a troubled
frown. "I wonder whether I ordered enough sausages?"