PAGE 9
The Phantom ‘Rickshaw
by
We retraced our way over the Church Ridge, and I arrived at Dr. Heatherleghs house shortly after midnight.
His attempts toward my cure commenced almost immediately, and for a week I never left his sight. Many a time in the course of that week did I bless the good-fortune which had thrown me in contact with Simlas best and kindest doctor. Day by day my spirits grew lighter and more equable. Day by day, too, I became more and more inclined to fall in with Heatherleghs spectral illusion theory, implicating eyes, brain, and stomach. I wrote to Kitty, telling her that a slight sprain caused by a fall from my horse kept me indoors for a few days; and that I should be recovered before she had time to regret my absence.
Heatherleghs treatment was simple to a degree. It consisted of liver pills, cold-water baths, and strong exercise, taken in the dusk or at early dawnfor, as he sagely observed: A man with a sprained ankle doesnt walk a dozen miles a day, and your young woman might be wondering if she saw you.
At the end of the week, after much examination of pupil and pulse, and strict injunction as to diet and pedestrianism, Heatherlegh dismissed me as brusquely as he had taken charge of me. Here is his parting benediction:Man, I can certify to your mental cure, and thats as much as to say Ive cured most of your bodily ailments. Now, get your traps out of this as soon as you can; and be off to make love to Miss Kitty.
I was endeavoring to express my thanks for his kindness. He cut me short.
Dont think I did this because I like you. I gather that youve behaved like a blackguard all through. But, all the same, you re a phenomenon, and as queer a phenomenon as you are a blackguard. No!checking me a second timenot a rupee please. Go out and see if you can find the eyes-brain-and-stomach business again. Ill give you a lakh for each time you see it.
Half an hour later I was in the Manneringsdrawing-roomwith Kittydrunk with the intoxication of present happiness and the fore-knowledge that I should never more be troubled with Its hideous presence. Strong in the sense of my new-found security, I proposed a ride at once; and, by preference, a canter round Jakko.
Never had I felt so well, so overladen with vitality and mere animal spirits, as I did on the afternoon of the 30th of April. Kitty was delighted at the change in my appearance, and complimented me on it in her delightfully frank and outspoken manner. We left the Mannerings house together, laughing and talking, and cantered along the Chota Simla road as of old.
I was in haste to reach the Sanjowlie Reservoir and there make my assurance doubly sure. The horses did their best, but seemed all too slow to my impatient mind. Kitty was astonished at my boisterousness. Why, Jack! she cried at last, you are behaving like a child. What are you doing?
We were just below the Convent, and from sheer wantonness I was making my Waler plunge and curvet across the road as I tickled it with the loop of my riding-whip.
Doing?Ianswered;nothing, dear. Thats just it. If youd been doing nothing for a week except lie up, youd be as riotous as I.
Singing and murmuring in your feastful mirth, Joying to feel yourself alive; Lord over Nature, Lord of the visible Earth, Lord of the senses five. |
My quotation was hardly out of my lips before we had rounded the corner above the Convent; and a few yards further on could see across to Sanjowlie. In the centre of the level road stood the black and white liveries, the yellow-paneledrickshaw,andMrs. Keith-Wessington. I pulled up, looked, rubbed my eyes, and, I believe must have said something. The next thing I knew was that I was lying face downward on the road with Kitty kneeling above me in tears.