Over this complex situation the mind of Keggs, the butler, playedlike a searchlight. Keggs was a man of discernment and sagacity. Hehad instinct and reasoning power. Instinct told him that Maud, allunsuspecting the change that had taken place in Albert's attitudetoward her romance, would have continued to use the boy as a linkbetween herself and George: and reason, added to an intimateknowledge of Albert, enabled him to see that the latter mustinevitably have betrayed her trust. He was prepared to bet ahundred pounds that Albert had been given letters to deliver andhad destroyed them. So much was clear to Keggs. It only remained tosettle on some plan of action which would re-establish the brokenconnection. Keggs did not conceal a tender heart beneath a ruggedexterior: he did not mourn over the picture of two loving fellowhuman beings separated by a misunderstanding; but he did want towin that sweepstake.
His position, of course, was delicate. He could not got to Maud andbeg her to confide in him. Maud would not understand his motives,and might leap to the not unjustifiable conclusion that he had beenat the sherry. No! Men were easier to handle than women. As soon ashis duties would permit--and in the present crowded condition ofthe house they were arduous--he set out for George's cottage.
"I trust I do not disturb or interrupt you, sir," he said, beamingin the doorway like a benevolent high priest. He had doffed hisprofessional manner of austere disapproval, as was his custom inmoments of leisure.
"Not at all," replied George, puzzled. "Was there anything . . .?""There was, sir.""Come along in and sit down.""I would not take the liberty, if it is all the same to you, sir. Iwould prefer to remain standing."There was a moment of uncomfortable silence. Uncomfortable, that isto say, on the part of George, who was wondering if the butlerremembered having engaged him as a waiter only a few nights back.
Keggs himself was at his ease. Few things ruffled this man.
"Fine day," said George.
"Extremely, sir, but for the rain.""Oh, is it raining?""Sharp downpour, sir.""Good for the crops," said George.
"So one would be disposed to imagine, sir."Silence fell again. The rain dripped from the eaves.
"If I might speak freely, sir . . .?" said Keggs.
"Sure. Shoot!""I beg your pardon, sir?""I mean, yes. Go ahead!"The butler cleared his throat.
"Might I begin by remarking that your little affair of the 'eart,if I may use the expression, is no secret in the Servants' 'All? I'ave no wish to seem to be taking a liberty or presuming, but Ishould like to intimate that the Servants' 'All is aware of thefacts.""You don't have to tell me that," said George coldly. "I know allabout the sweepstake."A flicker of embarrassment passed over the butler's large, smoothface--passed, and was gone.
"I did not know that you 'ad been apprised of that little matter,sir. But you will doubtless understand and appreciate our point ofview. A little sporting flutter--nothing more--designed tohalleviate the monotony of life in the country.""Oh, don't apologize," said George, and was reminded of a pointwhich had exercised him a little from time to time since his vigilon the balcony. "By the way, if it isn't giving away secrets, whodrew Plummer?""Sir?""Which of you drew a man named Plummer in the sweep?""I rather fancy, sir," Keggs' brow wrinkled in thought, "I ratherfancy it was one of the visiting gentlemen's gentlemen. I gave thepoint but slight attention at the time. I did not fancy Mr.
Plummer's chances. It seemed to me that Mr. Plummer was anegligible quantity.""Your knowledge of form was sound. Plummer's out!""Indeed, sir! An amiable young gentleman, but lacking in many ofthe essential qualities. Perhaps he struck you that way, sir?""I never met him. Nearly, but not quite!""It entered my mind that you might possibly have encountered Mr.
Plummer on the night of the ball, sir.""Ah, I was wondering if you remembered me!""I remember you perfectly, sir, and it was the fact that we hadalready met in what one might almost term a social way thatemboldened me to come 'ere today and offer you my services as ahintermediary, should you feel disposed to avail yourself of them."George was puzzled.
"Your services?""Precisely, sir. I fancy I am in a position to lend you what mightbe termed an 'elping 'and.""But that's remarkably altruistic of you, isn't it?""Sir?""I say that is very generous of you. Aren't you forgetting that youdrew Mr. Byng?"The butler smiled indulgently.
"You are not quite abreast of the progress of events, sir. Sincethe original drawing of names, there 'as been a triflinghadjustment. The boy Albert now 'as Mr. Byng and I 'ave you, sir. Alittle amicable arrangement informally conducted in the scullery onthe night of the ball.""Amicable?""On my part, entirely so."George began to understand certain things that had been perplexingto him.
"Then all this while. . .?""Precisely, sir. All this while 'er ladyship, under the impressionthat the boy Albert was devoted to 'er cause, has no doubt beenplacing a misguided confidence in 'im . . . The little blighter!"said Keggs, abandoning for a moment his company manners andpermitting vehemence to take the place of polish. "I beg yourpardon for the expression, sir," he added gracefully. "It escapedme inadvertently.""You think that Lady Maud gave Albert a letter to give to me, andthat he destroyed it?""Such, I should imagine, must undoubtedly have been the case. Theboy 'as no s............