Gurth kept his temper and refused to quarrel. It didn’t suit him to part company with Ralph. One day he came suddenly upon Gertie at Ralph’s house in St. John’s Wood. The girl was coming out white-faced and red-eyed as Gurth want in. He questioned the servant.
The young woman had come there in great trouble, and said she must see Mr. Egerton at once. Mr. Egerton had seen her, and there had been high words. She had gone away crying. That was all the servant could say.
That afternoon Gurth ‘tapped’ Ralph on the subject, and Ralph resented it. He was still under the influence of a long drinking bout, and his tongue was unguarded. In his rage he taunted Gurth with hanging about and waiting for him to die, that he might have his money.
‘You’re murdering me, you devil!’ he shouted, his face distorted with passion. ‘You’re murdering me in your slimy serpent way, you know you are! You want me to drink myself to death, don’t you? But I’ll do you yet, my fine scheming gentleman.’
‘You’re drunk,’ answered Gurth, biting his lip, ‘or you wouldn’t speak to me like that.’
‘I’m sober enough to tear the mask from your ugly face!’ shouted Ralph; ‘and you can retire from business. Your game’s up. You’ll never have a penny of my money, you sneak—not a penny!’
‘What do you mean?’ said Gurth, hoarsely.
‘I mean that I have played a trump card, and that you can spare yourself any further trouble on my behalf, Mr. Gurth Egerton. I’m married!’
‘You lie, you drunken fool!’ cried Gurth, springing up and seizing him by the arm.
Ralph shook him off.