第82章

There is nothing doing in town, and therefore, as the night was fine, we, very foolishly, agreed to walk round St James's Park late after dinner.It is a kind of thing that nobody does;--but we did it.When we had nearly got round I was in a hurry, whereas Everett was for strolling slowly, and so I went before him.But I was hardly two hundred yards in front of him before he was attacked by three persons, a man and two women.The man I presume came upon him from behind, but he has not sufficiently collected his thoughts to remember exactly what occurred.I heard the scuffle, and of course turned back,--and was luckily in time to get up before he was seriously hurt.I think the man would otherwise have strangled him.I am sorry to say he lost both his watch and his purse.

He undoubtedly been very much shaken, and altogether 'knocked out of time,' as people say.Excuse the phrase, because I think it will best explain what I want you to understand.The man's hand at his throat must have stopped his breathing for some seconds.He certainly has received no permanent injury, but I should not wonder if he should be unwell for some days.I tell you all exactly as it occurred, as it strikes me that you may like to run up to town for a day just to look at him.But you need not do so on the score of any danger.Of course he will see a doctor to-morrow.There did not seem to be any necessity for calling up one to-night.We did give notice to the police as we were coming home, but I fear the ruffians had ample time for an escape.He was too weak and I was too fully employed with him, to think of pursuing them at the time.

Of course he is at Manchester Square Most faithfully yours FERDINAND LOPEZHe did not say a word about Emily, but he knew that Emily would see the letter and would perceive that he had been the means of preserving her brother; and, in regard to the old barrister himself.Lopez thought that the old man could not but feel grateful for his conduct.He had in truth behaved very well to Everett.He had received a heavy blow on the head in young Wharton's defence,--of which he was determined to make good use, though he had thought it expedient to say nothing about the blow in the letter.Surely it was all help.Surely the paternal mind would be softened towards him when the father should be made to understand how great had been the service to the son.That Everett would make little of what had been done for him de did not in the least fear.Everett Wharton was sometimes silly but was never ungenerous.

In spite of his night's work Lopez was in Manchester Square before nine the following morning, and on the side of his brow he bore a great patch of black plaster.'My head is very thick,' he said laughing, when Everett asked after his wound.'But it would have gone badly with me if the ruffian had struck an inch lower.

I suppose my hat saved me, though I remember very little.Yes, old fellow, I have written to your father, and I think he will come up.It was better that it should be so.'

'There is nothing the matter with me,' said Everett.

'One didn't quite know last night whether there was or no.At any rate his coming won't hurt you.It's always well to have your banker near you, when your funds are low.'

Then after a pause Everett made his apology,--'I know I made a great ass of myself last night.'

'Don't think about it.'

'I used a word I shouldn't have used, and I beg your pardon.'

'Not another word, Everett.Between you and me things can't go wrong.We love each other too well.'