CHAPTER II
THE WORKER OF MIRACLES
"I want to know!" said Capper.
He had said it several times during a muddy two-mile tramp from BaronfordStation, and he said it again as he turned up the hill that was crownedby the old grey church, whose two cracked bells had just burst into ascheerful a marriage peal as they could compass.
"Sounds frisky!" he commented to himself, as he trudged up the steeplane. "My! What an all-fired fuss! Guess these muddy boots aren't exactlywedding-guesty. But that's their lookout for monopolising every vehiclein the place. I wonder if I'll have the audacity to show after all. Orshall I carry this almighty thirst of mine back to the Carfax Arms andquench it in British ale?"
But this latter idea did not apparently greatly lure him, for hecontinued to plod upwards, even while considering it, to the tune of theclamouring bells.
Arriving finally at the top of the hill and finding there a crowd ofvehicles of all descriptions, he paused to breathe and to search for theBaronmead motors.
He found them eventually, but there was no one in attendance. Theservants were all herded in the churchyard for a view of the bridalprocession, for which a passage across the road to the Rectory groundswas being kept.
Capper stationed himself, with another rueful glance as his boots, asnear as he could get to the open lych-gate, and there stood grimlyconspicuous, watching the scene with his alert green eyes, that held theglint of a tolerant smile, and cracking his thin, yellow fingers one byone. No one gave him a second glance, or dreamed for an instant that oneof the greatest men in the Western Hemisphere was standing on the edge ofthe crowd.
They came at last--bride and bridegroom--flushed and hastening through ashower of rose petals.
Bertie was laughing all over his brown face. He was holding Dot's handvery fast, and as they descended the red-carpeted steps into the road heleaned to her, whispering. She laughed back at him with shining eyes, herround face radiant beneath the orange blossom. Neither of them glanced toright or left. Swiftly through the fallen rose leaves they crossed to theRectory gateway and were lost to view.
A bevy of bridesmaids ran laughing after them, and then came a pause.
Capper edged a little nearer to the churchyard steps and waited. Theclamour of bells was incessant, wholly drowning the clamour of voices.Everyone was craning forward to see the crowd of guests. The longprocession had already begun to issue from the church porch. It movedvery slowly, for at the head of it, his hand on his mother's arm, cameLucas Errol.
He walked with extreme difficulty, leaning on a crutch. His head wasuncovered, and the glare of the September sunlight smote full upon it.The hair was turning very grey.
He was smiling as he came, but his brows were slightly drawn, his eyessunk in deep hollows.
Swiftly and comprehensively the man at the foot of the steps scannedevery detail, marked the halting, painful progress, the lined forehead.And the next moment, as Lucas paused, preparatory to descending, hepushed forward with characteristic decision of movement and moved upwardsto his side.
"I guess you'll find me useful at this juncture," he said.
Lucas's start of surprise was instantly followed by a smile of welcome.He gripped Capper's hand warmly.
"The very man I want! But how in wonder did you get here? You neverwalked all the way from the station?"
"I did," said Capper.
"You don't say! Why didn't you let me know? I guess we must move on. Weare blocking the gangway."
"Easy does it," said Capper. "It won't hurt 'em any to wait. Getyour arm over my shoulder. That's the way. These steps are the verydevil for you."
He bent his wiry frame to Lucas Errol's need, and helped him to descend.At the foot he paused a moment and looked at him keenly.
"All serene," smiled Lucas. "I'll take your arm now, if it's all thesame to the mother. You didn't expect to find us plunged in weddinggaieties, I guess."
"Wish it had been your own," said Capper.
At which Lucas turned up his face to the sky and laughed.
They crossed the flag-decked garden and entered by the conservatory door.People were beginning to crowd about them.
"We must find you a seat somehow," said Capper.
"I must have a word with the bride and bridegroom first," Lucas declared.
But the bride and bridegroom were for the moment inaccessible, beingcompletely surrounded by well-wishers.
Capper seized upon the first chair he came upon and put Lucas into it.
"I seem to have come in the nick of time," he observed drily. "Why is noone detailed to look after you? Where is that tiger's whelp Nap?"
"Nap's in America, been gone two months or more."
"That so?" There was keen satisfaction in Capper's tone. "That clears theground for action. And Lady Carfax? Is she here?"
"No." There was a hint of reserve in the quiet reply. "Lady Carfax is indeep mourning for her husband."
"That so?" said Capper again. He seemed to take but casual note of theinformation. He was pulling absently at his pointed yellow beard.
Lucas lay back in his chair and suffered himself to relax with a sigh.Capper's eyes darted lizard-like over him, taking in every line of him,keenly alive to each detail.
"If I were you I should shunt as soon as possible," he said. "Since itisn't your own show unfortunately, I should imagine you are notindispensable."
But at this point the throng parted, and Dot, looking very young in herbridal white, and supremely happy, burst eagerly through,
"Oh, here you are!" she cried. "Your mother said you were close by, but Icouldn't see you anywhere. It's been too much for you. You're tired."
She bent over him in quick solicitude, then, as he smiled and drew herdown to him, stooped and kissed him, whispering a few words for hisear alone.
Bertie was close behind her, but he had caught sight of Capper and hadstopped short with a queer expression on his boyish face, a look that wasa curious blend of consternation and relief.
A moment and he stepped up to the great doctor and took him by the elbow."You here already!" he said. "I didn't expect you so soon."
"I have only run down to have a look at things," said Capper. "I seem tohave pitched on a busy day. I hope you are enjoying yourself."
"Thanks!" said Bertie, with a brief laugh. "Say, Doctor, you'll let meknow your plans?"
"Certainly--when they are ripe." The green eyes gleamed humorously."Aren't you thinking of introducing me to Mrs. Bertie?" he suggested.
"Yes, yes, of course. But you won't do anything without me?" urgedBertie. "I should greatly like a talk with you, but I'm afraid it can'tbe managed."
"I mightily doubt if you could tell me anything that I don't knowalready," said Capper, "on any subject."
"It's about Luke," said Bertie anxiously.
"Just so. Well, I guess I know more about Luke than any other person onthis merry little planet."
"Do you think he looks worse?" whispered Bertie.
Capper's long, yellow hand fastened very unobtrusively and very forciblyupon his shoulder. "One thing at a time, good Bertie!" he said. "Weren'tyou going to present me to--your wife?"
The Knave of Diamonds Page 40