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The Survivor

Chapter 7 A NIGHT IN HELL-AND NEXT DAY

Word Count: 1753    |    Released on: 30/11/2017

er once touched his eyelids-his most blessed respite had been a few moments of deadly stupor, when the red fires had ceased to play before his eyes, and the old man's upturned f

nfamiliar clothes, and a doubled-up newspaper was in his pockets. It was all true then, the flight across the moor, the strange ride to town, the wild exhilaration of spirits, and the dull, crushing blow. The girl with the roses-ah, she had been with him-had brought him here. He remembered the look in her eyes when she had refused his m

ll, perhaps the boldest course was the safest. He would go and say, "Here am I, Douglas Guest-what do you want with me? It is true that I took mone

of whom he felt more than half inclined to ask the way to the nearest police-station, then walked up into the square, where before him hung a red lamp from a tall, red brick house with barred windows. He peered in at the window. A fat sergeant was sitting at the table yawning, the walls were hung with police bills, the room itself was the quintess

the shutter from in front of his shop. He looked round as Douglas appeare

us a hand, guvn

ame from a distance, and whose laziness was most phenomenal. After this morning, however, his services would be dispensed with. For once he had gone a l

laughe

said, "but if I could beg a piece o

nd hastened into the sh

rked, taking a tin from the door handle, "

e milk very much i

erical, but stronger at every mouthfu

ash?" he

red. After all, it was

he night far behind him. The cold water had been like a sweet, keen tonic to him. The cobwebs had gone from his brain. Memory ha

ndsome building, and being early had his choice of the great dailies, neatly cut and arranged upon rollers for him. One by one he read them through with feverish interest, and when he set them down he laughed softly to himself. There was not one of them whi

gh his veins. His condition of absolute poverty had not yet lost the flavour of novelty. He even laughed as he realised that again he was hungry and must rely upon chance for a meal. This time there was no fat confectioner to play the good Samaritan. But by chance he passed a pawnbroker's shop, and with a little cry of triumph he dra

's Palace, up St. James's Street and into Piccadilly. For a while he forgot his hunger. There was so much that was marvellous, so much to admire. Burlington House was pointed out by a friendly

nly spend about two shillings, and I want the best I can

iceman

r two bob, including a quarter flask of wine. I've a brother-in-law as keeps the books there, and I have it from him, sir, that there ain't such value for money in the whole country. And there's this about it, sir," he added confidentially

eating-house, good of its sort, and with an excellent connection of lighthearted but impecunious foreigners, who made up with the lightness of their spirits for the emptiness of their purses. To Douglas, whose whole upbringing and subsequent life had been amongst the dreariest of surroundings, there was something about it all peculiarly fascinating. The air of pleasant abandonment, the subtle aroma of gaiety allied with irresponsibility, the strange food and wine, well cooked and stimulating, delighted him. His sole desire

morn

A newcomer had taken the

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1 Chapter 1 THE SERMON THAT WAS NEVER PREACHED2 Chapter 2 A STRANGE BETROTHAL3 Chapter 3 THE MAN WHO WAS IN A HURRY4 Chapter 4 EXIT MR. DOUGLAS GUEST5 Chapter 5 HOW THE ADDRESS WAS LOST6 Chapter 6 THE YOUNG MAN FROM THE COUNTRY HEARS SOME NEWS7 Chapter 7 A NIGHT IN HELL-AND NEXT DAY8 Chapter 8 THE AUTHOR OF NO MAN'S LAND 9 Chapter 9 THE EDITOR OF THE IBEX RECEIVES A STRANGE LETTER10 Chapter 10 A WOMAN OF WHIMS11 Chapter 11 DOUGLAS GUEST GETS HIS CHANCE 12 Chapter 12 THE MAN WHO NEARLY WENT UNDER13 Chapter 13 THE FIRST TASTE OF FAME14 Chapter 14 A VISITOR FROM SCOTLAND YARD15 Chapter 15 EMILY DE REUSS TELLS A LIE16 Chapter 16 JOAN STRONG, AVENGER17 Chapter 17 A PLAIN QUESTION AND A WARNING18 Chapter 18 THE TASTE OF THE LOTUS19 Chapter 19 A MAN WITHOUT A PAST20 Chapter 20 CICELY ASKS A QUESTION21 Chapter 21 THE REBELLION OF DREXLEY22 Chapter 22 DREXLEY SPEAKS OUT23 Chapter 23 CICELY'S SECRET24 Chapter 24 THE COUNTESS, THE COUSIN, AND THE CRITIC25 Chapter 25 A TRAGIC INTERRUPTION26 Chapter 26 A VISITOR FOR DOUGLAS JESSON27 Chapter 27 FELLOW-CRIMINALS28 Chapter 28 THE LITTLE FIGURE IN BLACK29 Chapter 29 JOAN STRONG FINDS HER BROTHER30 Chapter 30 DAVID AND JOAN31 Chapter 31 DREXLEY FORESEES DANGER32 Chapter 32 A SUPPER AT THE MILAN, AND A MEETING33 Chapter 33 A MISUNDERSTANDING34 Chapter 34 THE WOOING OF CICELY35 Chapter 35 THE NET OF JOAN'S VENGEANCE36 Chapter 36 A SCENE AT THE CLUB37 Chapter 37 CICELY MAKES HER CHOICE38 Chapter 38 SHE WAS A WOMAN I WAS A COWARD! 39 Chapter 39 A JOURNEY-AND A WEDDING40 Chapter 40 A CALL BEFORE THE CURTAIN