the red cross girl(红十字姑娘)-第39章
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luncheon； another was rejoicing over a telegram he had but that moment
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received。 To himself he kept repeating the words of the telegram〃No
need to come； out of danger。〃 To Philip the message came as clearly as
though he were reading it from the folded slip of paper that the stranger
clutched in his hand。
Confused and somewhat frightened； and in order that undisturbed he
might consider what had befallen him； Philip sought refuge from the
crowded street in the hallway of a building。 His first thought was that for
some unaccountable cause his brain for the moment was playing tricks
with him； and he was inventing the phrases he seemed to hear； that he was
attributing thoughts to others of which they were entirely innocent。 But；
whatever it was that had befallen him； he knew it was imperative that he
should at once get at the meaning of it。
The hallway in which he stood opened from Bond Street up a flight of
stairs to the studio of a fashionable photographer； and directly in front of
the hallway a young woman of charming appearance had halted。 Her
glance was troubled； her manner ill at ease。 To herself she kept repeating：
〃Did I tell Hudson to be here at a quarter to eleven； or a quarter past？ Will
she get the telephone message to bring the ruff？ Without the ruff it would
be absurd to be photographed。 Without her ruff Mary Queen of Scots
would look ridiculous！〃
Although the young woman had spoken not a single word； although
indeed she was biting impatiently at her lower lip； Philip had distinguished
the words clearly。 Or； if he had not distinguished them； he surely was
going mad。 It was a matter to be at once determined； and the young
woman should determine it。 He advanced boldly to her； and raised his hat。
〃Pardon me；〃 he said； 〃but I believe you are waiting for your maid
Hudson？〃
As though fearing an impertinence； the girl regarded him in silence。
〃I only wish to make sure；〃 continued Philip； 〃that you are she for
whom I have a message。 You have an appointment； I believe； to be
photographed in fancy dress as Mary Queen of Scots？〃
〃Well？〃 assented the girl。
〃And you telephoned Hudson；〃 he continued； 〃to bring you your
muff。〃
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The girl exclaimed with vexation。
〃Oh！〃 she protested； 〃I knew they'd get it wrong！ Not muff； ruff！ I
want my ruff。〃
Philip felt a cold shiver creep down his spine。
〃For the love of Heaven！〃 he exclaimed in horror； 〃it's true！〃
〃What's true？〃 demanded the young woman in some alarm。
〃That I'm a mind reader；〃 declared Philip。 〃I've read your mind！ I can
read everybody's mind。 I know just what you're thinking now。 You're
thinking I'm mad！〃
The actions of the young lady showed that again he was correct。 With
a gasp of terror she fled past him and raced up the stairs to the studio。
Philip made no effort to follow and to explain。 What was there to explain？
How could he explain that which； to himself； was unbelievable？ Besides；
the girl had served her purpose。 If he could read the mind of one； he could
read the minds of all。 By some unexplainable miracle； to his ordinary
equipment of senses a sixth had been added。 As easily as； before that
morning； he could look into the face of a fellow…mortal； he now could look
into the workings of that fellow…mortal's mind。 The thought was appalling。
It was like living with one's ear to a key…hole。 In his dismay his first idea
was to seek medical advicethe best in London。 He turned instantly in the
direction of Harley Street。 There； he determined； to the most skilled
alienist in town he would explain his strange plight。 For only as a
misfortune did the miracle appear to him。 But as he made his way through
the streets his pace slackened。
Was he wise； he asked himself； in allowing others to know he
possessed this strange power？ Would they not at once treat him as a
madman？ Might they not place him under observation； or even deprive
him of his liberty？ At the thought he came to an abrupt halt His own
definition of the miracle as a 〃power〃 had opened a new line of
speculation。 If this strange gift （already he was beginning to consider it
more leniently） were concealed from others； could he not honorably put it
to some useful purpose？ For； among the blind； the man with one eye is a
god。 Was not heamong all other men the only one able to read the minds
of all other mena god？ Turning into Bruton Street； he paced its quiet
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length considering the possibilities that lay within him。
It was apparent that the gift would lead to countless embarrassments。
If it were once known that he possessed it； would not even his friends
avoid him？ For how could any one； knowing his most secret thought was
at the mercy of another； be happy in that other's presence？ His power
would lead to his social ostracism。 Indeed； he could see that his gift might
easily become a curse。 He decided not to act hastily； that for the present he
had best give no hint to others of his unique power。
As the idea of possessing this power became more familiar； he
regarded it with less aversion。 He began to consider to what advantage he
could place it。 He could see that； given the right time and the right man； he
might learn secrets leading to far…reaching results。 To a statesman； to a
financier； such a gift as he possessed would make him a ruler of men。
Philip had no desire to be a ruler of men； but he asked himself how could
he bend this gift to serve his own？ What he most wished was to marry
Helen Carey； and； to that end； to possess money。 So he must meet men
who possessed money； who were making money。 He would put questions
to them。 And with words they would give evasive answers； but their minds
would tell him the truth。
The ethics of this procedure greatly disturbed him。 Certainly it was no
better than reading other people's letters。 But； he argued； the dishonor in
knowledge so obtained would lie only in the use he made of it。 If he used
it without harm to him from whom it was obtained and with benefit to
others； was he not justified in trading on his superior equipment？ He
decided that each case must be considered separately in accordance with
the principle involved。 But； principle or no principle； he was determined to
become rich。 Did not the end justify the means？ Certainly an all…wise
Providence had not brought Helen Carey into his life only to take her
away from him。 It could not be so cruel。 But； in selecting them for one
another； the all…wise Providence had overlooked the fact that she was rich
