Basil and Annette: A Novel

by B. L. Farjeon

"This way!" cried Mr. Philpott. "The door is open. Strike a light."

But a light came from another quarter. A vivid flash of lightning illuminated the apartment, and in that flash Newman Chaytor beheld the form of Basil Whittingham, whose death he believed he had compassed on the gold field across the seas. His face grew livid, a heavy groan escaped his lips, and his head fell forward on the table.

"See if you can relight one of the lamps," said Mr. Philpott.

Both the lamps were soon lighted, the glass of only one having been broken. Then Gilbert Bidaud, who had uttered no word during this succession of startling incidents, saw two men whose faces were strange to him, and one whose face he recognised. Manacled as he was to his insensible partner in crime, and unable to release himself, he instantly regained his self-possession.

"If I mistake not," he said, in a tone of exceeding urbanity, "Mr. Basil Whittingham, whose acquaintance I had the pleasure of making on my brother's plantation in Australia. I suspected from the first that this log lying here was an impostor. It is but a sorry welcome I am able to give you, in consequence of the unlawful proceedings of a ruffian"--he glanced at Mr. Philpott--"who shall answer for the assault in a court of law."

"Do not say one word to him, sir," interposed Mr. Philpott, seeing that Basil was about to speak; "leave him to me; I know how to deal with such cattle. I promise to tame him before I have done with him."

"It will be well for you to bear in mind," said Gilbert, still addressing Basil, "that this is my house, and that you are trespassing illegally upon my property. However, for the sake of old times, and for the sake of my niece, I am agreeable to waive that, and come to an amicable settlement with you."

"He speaks very good English for a foreigner," said Mr. Philpott, "and, I'll wager, understands the law as well as we do. I am an officer of the law"--(Mr. Philpott was satisfied that he was quite safe in indulging in this fiction)--"and I tell him plainly that he as laid himself open to a criminal action for conspiracy."

"Shall I not have the pleasure," said Gilbert to Basil, ignoring Mr. Philpott, "of hearing what you have to say in response to the flag of peace I hold out?"

"He is a shrewd customer, sir," said Mr. Philpott, "and if this flag of peace means absolute and unconditional surrender I am ready to consider it. It may interest him to learn that we are in possession of all the particulars of the interview which took place between him and the insensible party he is fastened to, and of the bargain they made to share your money. That tickles him, I see, but it is only one out of a handful of trumps we happen to hold. I will take care of these notes"--he gathered them up--"and we will go into accounts later on."