When Bertram Ingledew looked at him, Philip once more relented. The mans eye was so captivating. To say the truth, there was something taking about the mysterious strangera curious air of unconscious superiorityso that, the moment he came near, Philip felt himself fascinated. He only answered, therefore, in as polite a tone as he could easily muster, Why, how did you get to know my name, or to trace me to my sisters?
Oh, Miss Blake told me who you were and where you lived, Bertram replied most innocently: his tone was pure candour; and when I went round to your lodgings just now, they explained that you were out, but that I should probably find you at Mrs. Monteiths; so of course I came on here.
Philip denied the applicability of that naive of course in his inmost soul: but it was no use being angry with Mr. Bertram Ingledew. So much he saw at once; the man was so simple-minded, so transparently natural, one could not be angry with him. One could only smile at him, a superior cynical London-bred smile, for an unsophisticated foreigner. So the Civil Servant asked with a condescending air, Well, whats your difficulty? Ill see if peradventure I can help you out of it. For he reflected to himself in a flash that as Ingledew had apparently a good round sum in gold and notes in his pocket yesterday, he was not likely to come borrowing money this morning.
Its like this, you see, the Alien answered with charming simplicity, I havent got any luggage.
Not got any luggage! Philip repeated, awestruck, letting his jaw fall short, and stroking his clean-shaven chin with one hand. He was more doubtful than ever now as to the mans sanity or respectability. If he was not a lunatic, then surely he must be this celebrated Perpignan murderer, whom everybody was talking about, and whom the French police were just then engaged in hunting down for extradition.
No; I brought none with me on purpose, Mr. Ingledew replied, as innocently as ever. I didnt feel quite sure about the ways, or the customs, or the taboos of England. So I had just this one suit of clothes made, after an English pattern of the present fashion, which I was lucky enough to secure from a collector at home; and I thought Id buy everything else I wanted when I got to London. I brought nothing at all in the way of luggage with me.
Not even brush and comb? Philip interposed, horrified.
Oh, yes, naturally, just the few things one always takes in a vade-mecum, Bertram Ingledew answered, with a gracefully deprecatory wave of the hand, which Philip thought pretty enough, but extremely foreign. Beyond that, nothing. I felt it would be best, you see, to set oneself up in things of the country in the country itself. Ones surer then of getting exactly whats worn in the society one mixes in.
For the first and only time, as he said those words, the stranger struck a chord that was familiar to Philip. Oh, of course, the Civil Servant answered, with brisk acquiescence, if you want to be really up to date in your dress, you must go to first-rate houses in London for everything. Nobody anywhere can cut like a good London tailor.
Bertram Ingledew bowed his head. It was the acquiescent bow of the utter outsider who gives no opinion at all on the subject under discussion, because he does not possess any. As he probably came, in spite of his disclaimer, from America or the colonies, which are belated places, toiling in vain far in the rear of Bond Street, Philip thought this an exceedingly proper display of bashfulness, especially in a man who had only landed in England yesterday. But Bertram went on half-musingly. And you had told me, he said, Im sure not meaning to mislead me, there were no formalities or taboos of any kind on entering into lodgings. However, I found, as soon as Id arranged to take the rooms and pay four guineas a week for them, which was a guinea more than she asked me, Miss Blake would hardly let me come in at all unless I could at once produce my luggage. He looked comically puzzled. I thought at first, he continued, gazing earnestly at Philip, the good lady was afraid I wouldnt pay her what Id agreed, and would go away and leave her in the lurch without a penny,which was naturally a very painful imputation. But when I offered to let her have three weeks rent in advance, I saw that wasnt all: there was a taboo as well; she couldnt let me in without luggage, she said, because it would imperil some luck or talisman to which she frequently alluded as the Respectability of her Lodgings. This Respectability seems a very great fetich. I was obliged at last, in order to ensure a nights lodging of any sort, to appease it by promising Id go up to London by the first train to-day, and fetch down my luggage.
Then youve things at Charing Cross, in the cloak-room perhaps? Philip suggested, somewhat relieved; for he felt sure Bertram Ingledew must have told Miss Blake it was HE who had recommended him to Heathercliff House for furnished apartments.
Oh, dear, no; nothing, Bertram responded cheerfully. Not a sack to my back. Ive only what I stand up in. And I called this morning just to ask as I passed if you could kindly direct me to an emporium in London where I could set myself up in all thats necessary.
A WHAT? Philip interposed, catching quick at the unfamiliar word with blank English astonishment, and more than ever convinced, in spite of denial, that the stranger was an American.
An emporium, Bertram answered, in the most matter-of-fact voice: a magazine, dont you know; a place where they supply things in return for money. I want to go up to London at once this morning and buy what I require there.
Oh, A SHOP, you mean, Philip replied, putting on at once his most respectable British sabbatarian air. I can tell you of the very best tailor in London, whose cut is perfect; a fine flower of tailors: but NOT to-day. You forget youre in England, and this is Sunday. On the Continent, its different: but youll find no decent shops here open to-day in town or country.
Bertram Ingledew drew one hand over his high white brow with a strangely puzzled air. No more I will, he said slowly, like one who by degrees half recalls with an effort some forgotten fact from dim depths of his memory. I ought to have remembered, of course. Why, I knew that, long ago. I read it in a book on the habits and manners of the English people. But somehow, one never recollects these taboo days, wherever one may be, till ones pulled up short by them in the course of ones travels. Now, what on earth am I to do? A box, it seems, is the Open, Sesame of the situation. Some mystic value is attached to it as a moral amulet. I dont believe that excellent Miss Blake would consent to take me in for a second night without the guarantee of a portmanteau to respectablise me.
We all have moments of weakness, even the most irreproachable Philistine among us; and as Bertram said those words in rather a piteous voice, it occurred to Philip Christy that the loan of a portmanteau would be a Christian act which might perhaps simplify matters for the handsome and engaging stranger. Besides, he was sure, after allmystery or no mysteryBertram Ingledew was Somebody. That nameless charm of dignity and distinction impressed him more and more the longer he talked with the Alien. Well, I think, perhaps, I could help you, he hazarded after a moment, in a dubious tone; though to be sure, if he lent the portmanteau, it would be like cementing the friendship for good or for evil; which Philip, being a prudent young man, felt to be in some ways a trifle dangerous; for who borrows a portmanteau must needs bring it back againwhich opens the door to endless contingencies. I MIGHT be able