Трек 02_01

Chapter Two

The Signature

The crowd fell quiet at once and parted before the man to let him through. Here, quite clearly, was someone for whom they had much respect. Then Richard saw the black bag the man was carrying and knew at once who he was.

«Doctor Grant,» cried the child’s father eagerly. «Sir-it’s our Edie. She’s hurt. Will you have a look at her?»

His anger was forgotten, for the moment. All his thoughts were for his child. He led the doctor to her, and waited while a quick examination was made. The doctor rose and questioned the man in a low voice, the other answering and pointing from time to time at the man who stood so still and silent at Richard’s side. While he waited, Richard passed his eye round the ring of staring faces and saw the expression of hate in everyone of them. It showed so clearly that it shocked him, and yet he knew that the same feeling was there in his own heart. He looked at his prisoner, who was very conscious of that circle of hate, and yet who stood there, filled with a kind of black scorn-frightened, too, Richard could see-but carrying it all off like the Devil himself.

The doctor and the child’s father were approaching them. The doctor was a tall, strong fellow with a brown beard.

«This is a bad business,» he said, looking straight at the prisoner. «The child is not seriously hurt-but she’s had a shock-a very bad shock-and it’s hard to say what the consequences may be.» He suddenly exploded into anger. «Devil take you, sir!» he cried. «If what I’m told is true, then you deserve to be whipped!»

Richard was struck immediately by the doctor’s manner. As he looked at the prisoner, he turned sick and white with the desire to strike him down. Richard knew what was in his mind just as the doctor, after a glance at Richard, knew what was in his.

The prisoner had turned angry now.

«I’ve told you-the whole thing was an accident!» he said with extraordinary violence.

«I think it a matter for the police,» answered the doctor, in a grim voice.

The crowd muttered their agreement. Now, Richard saw, there was a very worried look in the prisoner’s eyes. A thought occurred to him; and it was one that pleased him.

«One moment,» he said, «I am sure that Mr.-er-» he waved a hand towards the prisoner.

«Hyde,» said the man, after a little hesitation. «Edward Hyde.»

«-that Mr. Hyde wishes to avoid a scandal that would make him an object of contempt to the whole of London. Perhaps he would be willing to settle the matter without reference to the police, by expressing his sorrow for what has happened in the form of a gift of money to this poor girl’s family.»

Two or three who stood behind him applauded. Mr. Hyde was very much aware of that change of feeling.

«If you choose to make capital of this accident,» he said, «I am naturally helpless. I wish to avoid a scene. Name your figure.»

Richard thought for a second. The man was a gentleman in dress and speech, if not in deed. He should be taught a lesson.

«Shall we say a hundred pounds?» asked Richard, gently.

Again the crowd muttered their approval. Mr. Hyde bit his lip, but nodded.