Free Fool Errant by Patricia Wentworth Page A

said. “What’s he want to see you for? Tell me that!”
    â€œHe can’t see me,” said Hugo—“I’m g-going out—that is if you’ll l-let me get up.”
    Mrs. Miles retired.
    On his way downstairs Hugo passed a pale, red-haired man whom he supposed to be Mr. Miller. He didn’t like the look of him, and he felt distinctly annoyed when, instead of making way, the man addressed him.
    â€œMr. Ross, is it not?”
    â€œYes.”
    â€œI have a wish to speak to you.” The fellow had a very decided accent; but whether it was Russian or not, Hugo did not know.
    â€œWhat do you want?”
    Ella was coming upstairs. Mr. Miller spoke quite loud enough for her to hear.
    â€œIt is that little matter of business—the offer we make you. If it is not high enough—”
    â€œI don’t know what you mean.”
    Hugo pushed past him furiously and went on down the stairs. Miller’s voice followed him:
    â€œOh come, Mr. Ross! You know very well what I mean.”
    Hugo went out into the street and banged the door.

CHAPTER XII
    Hugo found Mr. Benbow Smith very busy teaching Ananias what, he explained, was a very ancient Slav greeting. From the gusto with which Ananias delivered it, it was quite obvious that he considered himself to have acquired a new and impressive malediction. He continued to recite it softly but fervently as Mr. Smith drifted down the room and took up a position on the hearth-rug.
    Hugo waited to be addressed. He noticed that Mr. Smith’s horn-rimmed glasses were now in his coat pocket.
    â€œOf course,” said Mr. Smith, as if continuing a conversation which had already lasted some time, “the question is, who am I going to advise? Because there are, naturally, two of you. You see that, I suppose?”
    Hugo didn’t see it in the least. He said,
    â€œN-no, sir.”
    Mr. Smith looked over the top of his head and went on speaking in a dreamy voice:
    â€œOr perhaps I should say three—yes, I think three—yes, decidedly.”
    Ananias repeated the greeting after the manner of one who says, “Cursed be he in his rising up and in his lying down.”
    â€œSsh, Ananias!” said Mr. Smith.
    Ananias said it all over again in a whisper, with one red eye fixed indignantly on Hugo.
    â€œHe’s really only saying how pleased he is to see you. Yes—I think three. You see, there’s Susan’s brother—and a young fellow whom I don’t know personally—and—there’s Minstrel’s secretary. And the question is, which of them do you want me to advise?”
    â€œN-not Susan’s brother,” said Hugo quickly.
    Mr. Smith nodded.
    â€œYou see what I mean—you come to—well, you come to me as Susan’s brother, and you tell me you’re Minstrel’s secretary, and you hand me over a parcel of odd happenings to sort out, and you ask for my advice. Well, if I’m advising Susan’s brother, it’s quite simple—I do it in two words—‘Clear out!’ There—you’ve got it. And the quicker the better.”
    â€œI don’t want you to advise Susan’s brother, sir.”
    I should give the same advice to Minstrel’s secretary. Without going into particulars, I should advise Minstrel’s secretary that the job is not likely to be a particularly healthy one.”
    Hugo looked at Mr. Smith.
    â€œI want to know just what you think I ought to do, sir.”
    â€œI shouldn’t use the word ought. And I don’t think I’m going to give any advice to the third person I spoke of. It might—no, I don’t think I’ll give him any advice. But perhaps I’ll just put a hypothetical case—quite without prejudice, you know, and without reference to anyone in this room or outside it. You understand—don’t you?”
    Hugo went on looking at him.
    â€œYes.”
    â€œVery well, we take a young