Black hesitated. Send this unknown and unnatural young man to Jane at this late hour? He looked both dissipated and irresponsible, and Black thought he caught the odour of alcohol upon his breath.
“It’s late. The shop will be closed,” Black suggested. “Hadn’t you better go to a hotel to-night, and look it up in the morning?”
The stranger frowned, and answered irritably--almost angrily:
“I should say not. Miss Ray’s my sister. Will you tell me where the shop is, or have I got to find somebody who will?”
Black made a quick decision. “I’ll show you the way. It’s not far out of my course.”
His eyes searched the stranger’s face, to find there confirmation of the statement which otherwise he would not have been inclined to believe. The resemblance, taking into account the difference between Jane’s look of vitality and radiant energy, and this young man’s whole aspect of broken health and overwrought nerves, was very apparent. And as the stranger looked down the platform, and his profile was presented to Black’s scrutiny, he saw that the same definite outlines of beauty and distinction were there, not to be mistaken. On this basis he could have no hesitation in guiding the markedly feeble footsteps to her door, though he was wondering, rather anxiously, just what his arrival, evidently unexpected by her, would mean to her. Black had never heard anybody mention her having a brother--he had understood she was quite alone in the world.
The two set out down the street. The young man walked so falteringly that after a minute Black took his well-worn leather bag away from him, saying pleasantly: “Let me carry it. You’re not quite fit, I’m sure.”
The other glowered. “Not fit! What do you mean by that? I’m fit enough--I’m just worn out, that’s all. Overwork--illness--nerves--I’m all in. But if you mean to imply----”
“I don’t mean to imply anything, Mr. Ray--if that is your name. I can see you have been ill. Let me put my hand under your arm, won’t you? I’d call a cab if there were any to be had--I’m afraid there aren’t.”
“Don’t want a cab--can walk. Walk faster, that’s all. I’m liable to go to pieces pretty soon--haven’t eaten a mouthful to-day--couldn’t look at it. These confounded nerves----”