Read The Doll for Free Online Page B

certain I can manage the whole wretched business for you. There is no need for your family to know, we have your future position to think of; as for the girl, she will understand the whole situation when I have explained it tactfully to her. I will look after her. Don’t worry any more about it; all I want you to do is to give me her address.’
    ‘Mary Williams, sir. She’s staying in a boarding-house in St John’s Wood, it’s on the telephone under the name of Datchett – that’s her sister, she keeps the place. Oh! good Lord, you are the greatest brick; I don’t know how I’m ever going to thank you enough.’
    The Vicar smiled and held out his hand. ‘It’s only because I understand so well what you have gone through,’ he said gently.
    The man must have been a bit of a dog in his day, thought the boy; odd for a clergyman. ‘I think I’ll try and get away for a bit, until it’s all blown over; but don’t forget you’ve got to come down to Cranleigh directly I come back – we’ll have a shot at the birds.’
    When he had gone the Vicar went back into his study, and lifted the telephone receiver. He believed in doing things on the spot.
    He looked up the number in the book.
    ‘Is that Mrs Datchett’s? Could I possibly speak to Miss Williams? Yes. Thank you . . . Hullo? Is that Miss Williams speaking? My name is Hollaway, James Hollaway. I’m the Vicar of St Swithin’s, Chesham Street. I’m a great friend of Lord Cranleigh’s. He has just left me . . . Yes. Would you be so good as to come and see me this evening at six o’clock? I should very much like a little talk with you, I wish to help you. Yes, he has told me everything. No, you have nothing to be frightened of. Then that is settled? Twenty-two Upper Chesham Street. Thank you. Good-bye.’
    He hung up the receiver, and wandering to his desk he glanced at The Times .
    Hallo, George Winnersly was dead at last. He must write to Lola. She was getting a bit passée now, of course, but she was still lovely. Funny the way she went religious all of a sudden. Must have come as a sort of anti-climax. She was always at St Swithin’s at one time; he could remember once – However, that was all over.
    He began to run over in his mind conventional phrases of consolation: ‘immeasurably grieved,’ ‘unspeakable loss,’ and ‘the consolation of God.’
    He yawned a little as he took up his pen.
    ‘My dear daughter-in-Christ,’ he began.
    ‘Hollaway, you’re a regular mascot, and I don’t mind telling you I feel a lot more sure of myself now I’ve had this talk with you. Have a cigar?’
    The Vicar declined. ‘Sorry, but I haven’t the time. I’m a busy man, you know, and I’m shortly due at a hospital in the slums. I’m very glad to have been of use to you, my dear Colonel, I understand so well what you are going through.’
    His voice was full of the deepest sympathy.
    The lunch at the Carlton had been a great success. His host was Colonel Edward Tracey, the Conservative candidate in the West Storeford by-election, and as polling day was on the following Monday the Colonel was nervous and agitated.
    West Storeford was an important seat and the Colonel a powerful man; if he was returned he would owe many of his votes to Hollaway, who had been one of his most ardent canvassers.
    And he would be returned, of this the Vicar was certain. He was feeling very pleased with himself. ‘There’s not the slightest doubt about it,’ he said warmly, ‘the majority of voters in West Storeford are intelligent men and women. They know when they see a leader, and that’s what they’re after. Never mind if he’s a Conservative, a Liberal, or a Socialist. Luckily for them you’re a Conservative. My dear Colonel, I’ve heard you speak, and I know what I’m talking about. When you’re in the House you’re going to make those lazy fellows sit up. Lively times, eh! Wait till you are a Cabinet Minister!’ He lowered his tone, and winked