Chapter 8

The Man She Hated

Dr. Roversmire entered the room in a hesitating manner, as if not quite sure of his reception, but his mind was soon set at rest by the cordial manner in which he was met by Sir John Maunders, who advanced towards him with outstretched hand.

"My dear doctor," he said in a hearty voice, "this is indeed an unexpected pleasure and, moreover, a curious coincidence, as we were just speaking of you."

"I hope the conversation was favourable to me," said the doctor, advancing towards Olive and clasping one of her cool slim hands, "how do you do, Miss Maunders?"

"I am quite well, thank you," she answered, quickly withdrawing her hand from his warm grasp. "Have you been away from London?"

"Yes, I've been to Monte Carlo," began Adrian mechanically, then suddenly recollecting that his personality was lost in the body of Dr. Roversmire, he went on hurriedly, "that is—no—I have not been out of town further than Hampstead."

"And why have you not been to see us for such a long time," said Sir John. "We have not had a visit for months."

"I've been living very quietly," replied Adrian, with an effort, "making experiments."

The fact was he did not know exactly what to say as he was quite ignorant of the relations existing between Dr. Roversmire and Sir John Maunders, and, moreover, was woefully ignorant in all matters of theosophy in which Sir John was quite an adept. Besides, the sight of Olive Maunders' calm, sweet face had woke the deepest passions of his soul as he reflected how near and yet how far away she was to him. He saw her face, he heard her voice, he touched her hand and yet for all the satisfaction he obtained he might have been miles away, separated as he was from her by this mask of ancient seeming, in which his ardent young soul had become incarnate.

Olive Maunders, on her part, was struck by the change in the manner of her former admirer. The look of calm, conscious superiority which she had been accustomed to admire, much as she disliked the man, was gone, and in its place was an expression of anguish and a look of haunting dread in the dark eyes. His voice also, formerly so rich, smooth and flowing, was broken and rough, as if the owner had lost all power of controlling his speech.

"I'm very glad to see you, Dr. Roversmire," said Olive, looking at him keenly, "as I wish you to help me."

"I will be delighted. What is it you wish me to do."

"Find Adrian Lancaster."

Adrian recoiled as if he had received a blow. She asked him to find himself, quite ignorant of the strange transformation which had taken place, and he—what could he do in the matter? He was unable to produce his own body, void as it was of any vital principle, and yet, if he told the truth, he would be looked upon as a madman.

As these thoughts flashed rapidly through his brain, he saw at a glance the precipice upon which he stood and resolved to gain time by dexterously temporising so as to form some plan of action. Sir John had strolled outside on to the lawn so he was quite alone with Olive, and could speak freely.

"Adrian Lancaster," he said smoothly. "I don't think I have had the pleasure of meeting him."

"No! At the time you were visiting us in town, he was away on the continent, but although you do not know him personally, I dare say you have seen his name in the papers of late."

Adrian pretended to think for a moment.

"Yes, I fancy I have," he replied, anxious to learn from Olive's lips the true condition of Philip Trevanna, "did he not attempt to commit a murder?"

Olive arose to her feet rapidly, with a look of anger on her expressive face.

"No he did not," she answered in a clear, vibrating voice. "Mr. Trevanna is now getting better, and has made a statement which completely exonerates Mr. Lancaster from any such intention."

"Thank God," thought Adrian thankfully, "at all events my character will be cleared even although I am unable to defend myself."

Mistaking his silence for disbelief, Olive went on to explain the circumstances of the case.

"Mr. Lancaster and Mr. Trevanna were playing cards and Mr. Trevanna insulted his friend by flinging the cards in his face. Hardly knowing what he was doing, Mr. Lancaster threw a decanter at Mr. Trevanna. It struck him on the head and stunned him. Thinking he was dead, Mr. Lancaster left, very likely to get assistance. Mr. Trevanna is now recovering and blames himself severely for provoking Mr. Lancaster's anger as he said Mr. Lancaster kept his temper admirably for some time under the grossest provocation."

"And Mr. Lancaster has disappeared?" said Adrian.

"Yes, he has vanished completely and in spite of all enquiries cannot be found."

"Are you sure he went to seek assistance, or—fled?" asked Adrian in a measured tone.

"You wrong him by such a thought," said Olive loyally. "Adrian Lancaster is not the man to fly from the consequence of his own misdeeds—no! I believe he went to seek assistance, and—and—"

"Never came back," said the pseudo Roversmire cynically.

Olive lifted her arms with a gesture of despair.

"It ill becomes you to speak in this way," she said severely. "What do you know about the impulses of youth? you are an old man, cautious, cold-blooded and calculating; he was warm, impulsive and hot-tempered. If, in a moment of anger, he thought he had committed a crime, was it therefore a very wonderful thing that he should go away secretly for a period so as to gain time to explain the matter, instead of waiting to be arrested? I blame him for his folly as much as you do, but I pity and love him all the same."

Adrian's heart smote him as he saw how nobly she defended his pusillanimous conduct, though to be sure it is easier to be brave even at the cannon's mouth than to await in cold blood for a certain arrest and a possible ignominious death.

"But I thought you said he went to seek assistance," he observed deliberately.

"And I say so again," she retorted angrily, "why do you measure and clip my words in this pedantic fashion?—he might have changed his mind—if he has erred in acting upon the impulse of the moment, no doubt he is now being severely punished for it."

Poor soul, she little knew how severe the punishment was.

"He is hiding in some distant place, I suppose, that in itself is punishment for a noble-hearted gentleman like my Adrian to have to conceal his face from his fellow men—punishment indeed—I tell you, Dr. Roversmire, he has, I am certain, already undergone worse punishment than any the law can devise."

In her castings round for apologies for Adrian's conduct, she had accidentally hit upon the truth, and the soul of the man she loved hidden in the body of the man she hated, writhed under the lash of her words. He had, however, to act the part of a cold philosopher, such as was in keeping with Dr. Roversmire's general conduct, and crushed down his rising emotions with a powerful effort.

"I understand and appreciate all you have said," he observed calmly, "but what do you want me to do?"

"Tell me where he is."

"How can I do that?"

"By the aid of your science—chicanery—readings in the stars—or whatever else you practise under the title of theosophy. What is the good of you pretending to supernatural powers if you cannot exercise them in an emergency like this?"

Here was a dilemma—Adrian had not the slightest idea of the sciences which Dr. Roversmire was supposed to know, and he was quite unable to answer this girl, who stood looking at him with piercing gaze.

"Perhaps you already know where he is?" she said with sudden suspicion.

"I!" he echoed in apparent surprise, "how should I know?"

"It may be that, although you have never seen him, you do not like him," she went on feverishly, not paying any attention to his answer. "You did me the honour to ask me to be your wife—I declined as I loved Adrian Lancaster—perhaps you hate him on that account—I don't believe in your spells and juggling tricks, still—still—tell me," she demanded, with a sudden outburst of anger, "do you know anything about the disappearance of Adrian Lancaster?"

He made a gesture of dissent, for although he was burning to reveal himself, yet the dread of future consequences kept him silent.

"Is it true that you can disintegrate your bodies? I have heard that you profess to do so, if so have you disintegrated Adrian?—oh, what am I talking about? it is madness, insanity, this playing with the supernatural—I do not believe in the powers you say you possess—Adrian is in hiding, afraid of the consequences of his folly—when he sees my advertisement, he will return—I'm sure he will."

"I'm afraid not," said Adrian sadly, knowing how impossible it was such a thing could happen.

"What do you know about it?" she cried fiercely, wheeling round on him with a look of suspicion in her eyes, "he could not have come to you for concealment—he did not know you—such things cannot occur in real life."

Adrian took a sudden resolution, and rising to his feet, advanced towards her and seized her by the wrist.

"Listen to me, Miss Maunders," he said gravely, "there is more in this occult science than you dream of, the age of miracles is not past, they are happening every day—your lover thought he had committed a crime and disappeared—he vanished into the night and the darkness hides him—you want to know where he is—I cannot tell you—he has no doubt been punished as you suggest—how, it is impossible to explain—but I will go to work and perchance may restore Adrian Lancaster to your arms."

"And your reward for this?" she asked disbelievingly.

"Your love," he said softly, forgetting for the moment who he was.

Olive Maunders tore herself from his arms with a cry.

"No! no! anything but that," she said with an expression of anger. "What would be the good of your returning Adrian to me if I lose him again, by becoming your wife?—be generous, Dr. Roversmire, you are a learned man far above me in knowledge and wisdom, if you can do what you say, I will ever look upon you as my friend."

"I ask for bread and you give me a stone," said Adrian sadly; "well, so be it, I will try and find your lover and in return I ask your—friendship."

He held out his hand and she clasped it in both of hers.

"I must go back to town," he said after a short silence. "Say good-bye to your father for me."

"What are you going to do?" she asked quickly.

He turned towards her in some surprise.

"I am going to try and find Adrian Lancaster," he replied quietly, and with a bow left the room at once, while she stood staring idly at the brilliant group on the lawn, and wondered how they could laugh and jest so carelessly while her life's happiness was at stake.