第60章

Before they went away they paid a visit to Strangeways in his remote, undisturbed, and beautiful rooms.They were in a wing of the house untouched by any ordinary passing to and fro, and the deep windows looked out upon gardens which spring and summer would crowd with loveliness from which clouds of perfume would float up to him on days when the sun warmed and the soft airs stirred the flowers, shaking the fragrance from their full incense-cups.But the white fog shut out to-day even their winter bareness.There were light and warmth inside, and every added charm of rich harmony of deep color and comfort made beautiful.There were books and papers waiting to be looked over, but they lay untouched on the writing-table, and Strangeways was sitting close to the biggest window, staring into the fog.His eyes looked hungry and hollow and dark.Ann knew he was "trying to remember"something.

When the sound of footsteps reached his ear, he turned to look at them, and rose mechanically at sight of Ann.But his expression was that of a man aroused from a dream of far-off places.

"I remember you," he said, but hesitated as though making an effort to recall something.

"Of course you do," said Little Ann."You know me quite well.Ibrought you here.Think a bit.Little--Little--""Yes," he broke forth."Of course, Little Ann! Thank God I've not forgotten." He took her hand in both his and held it tenderly."You have a sweet little face.It's such a wise little face!" His voice sounded dreamy.

Ann drew him to his chair with a coaxing laugh and sat down by him.

"You're flattering me.You make me feel quite shy," she said."You know HIM, too," nodding toward Tembarom.

"Oh, yes," he replied, and be looked up with a smile."He is the one who remembers.You said you did." He had turned to Tembarom.

"You bet your life I do," Tembarom answered."And you will, too, before long.""If I did not try so hard," said Strangeways, thoughtfully."It seems as if I were shut up in a room, and so many things were knocking at the doors--hundreds of them--knocking because they want to be let in.

I am damnably unhappy-- damnably." He hung his head and stared at the floor.Tembarom put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a friendly shake.

"Don't you worry a bit," he said."You take my word for it.It'll all come back.I'm working at it myself." Strangeways lifted his head.

"You are the one I know best.I trust you." But there was the beginning of a slight drag in his voice."I don't always --quite recollect--your name.Not quite.Good heavens! I mustn't forget that."Little Ann was quite ready.

"You won't," she said, "because it's different from other names.It begins with a letter--just a letter, and then there is the name.

Think."

"Yes, yes," he said anxiously.

Little Ann bent forward and fixed her eyes on his with concentrated suggestion.They had never risked confusing him by any mention of the new name.She began to repeat letters of the alphabet slowly and distinctly until she reached the letter T.

"T," she ended with much emphasis--"R.S._T_."His expression cleared itself.

"T," he repeated."T--Tembarom.R, S, T.How clever you are!"Little Ann's gaze concentrated itself still more intently.

"Now you'll never forget it again," she said, "because of the T.

You'll say the other letters until you come to it.R, S, T.""T.Tembarom," he ended relievedly."How you help me!" He took her hand and kissed it very gently.

"We are all going to help you," Ann soothed him, "T.Tembarom most of all.""Say," Tembarom broke out in an aside to her, "I'm going to come here and try things on him every day.When it seems like he gets on to something, however little a thing it is, I'm going to follow it up and see if it won't get somewhere."Ann nodded.

"There'll be something some day," she said."Are you quite comfortable here?" she asked aloud to Strangeways.

"Very comfortable, thank you," he answered courteously."They are beautiful rooms.They are furnished with such fine old things.This is entirely Jacobean.It's quite perfect." He glanced about him."And so quiet.No one comes in here but my man, and he is a very nice chap.Inever had a man who knew his duties better."

Little Ann and Tembarom looked at each other.

"I shouldn't be a bit surprised," she said after they had left the room, "if it wouldn't be a good thing to get Pearson to try to talk to him now and then.He's been used to a man-servant.""Yes," answered Tembarom."Pearson didn't rattle HIM, you bet your life."