Page:Guy Boothby--A Bid for Fortune.djvu/280

270 with the details of which I will not bore you, I hit upon a scheme which not only got him off, but which was destined to be my real stepping-stone to Fortune. I remember the man perfectly, and a queer fellow he was, half-witted I thought, and at the time of the trial within an ace of dying of consumption. His gratitude to me was the more pathetic because he had not the wherewithal to pay me. However, he made it up to me in another way, and that's where my real story commences.

"One wet night a couple of months or so after the trial I was sitting in my drawing-room, listening to my wife's music, when a servant entered to tell me that a woman wanted to see me. I went out into the passage to find waiting there a tall buxom lass of about five-and-twenty years of age. She was poorly dressed, but in a great state of excitement.

"'Are you Mr. Wetherell? ' said she. 'The gentleman as defended China Pete in the trial the other day?'

"'I am,' I answered; 'what can I do for you? I hope China Pete is not in trouble again.'

"'He's in a worse trouble this time, sir,' said the woman. 'He's dyin', and he sent me to fetch you to him at once before he goes.'

"'But what does he want me for?' I asked rather suspiciously.

"'I'm sure I dunno,' was the girl's reply. 'But he's been callin' for you all this blessed day—"Send for Mr. Wetherell—send for Mr. Wetherell." So off I came when I got back from work to fetch you. If you're coming, sir, you'd best be quick, as he won't last till morning.'

"'Very well, I'll come with you at once,' I said,