What precisely the old fellow might have meant by those last words, Faversham had often rather sorely wondered, though not without guesses at the answer. But anyway he had loved his adopted father; he protested it; and he would not sell the gems. They might represent his "luck"—such as there was of it—who knew?
* * * * *
The question of removing his patient to a convalescent home at Keswick was raised by Undershaw at the end of the third week from the accident. He demanded to see Melrose one morning, and quietly communicated the fact that he had advised Faversham to transfer himself to Keswick as soon as possible. The one nurse now remaining would accompany him, and he, Undershaw, would personally superintend the removal.
Melrose looked at him with angry surprise.
"And pray what is the reason for such an extraordinary and unnecessary proceeding?"
"I understood," said Undershaw, smiling, "that you were anxious to have your house to yourself again as soon as possible."
"I defended my house against your attack. But that's done with. And why you should hurry this poor fellow now into new quarters, in his present state, when he might stay quietly here till he is strong enough for a railway journey, I cannot conceive!"
Undershaw, remembering the first encounter between them, could not prevent his smile becoming a grin.
"I am delighted Mr. Faversham has made such a good impression on you, sir. But I understand that he himself feels a delicacy in trespassing upon you any longer. I know the house at Keswick to which I propose to take him. It is excellently managed. We can get a hospital motor from Carlisle, and of course I shall go with him."
"Do you suggest that he has had any lack of attention here from me or my servants?" said Melrose, hotly.