No Time For Love (Bantam Series No. 40) Read Online Free PDF

they had been only too willing to give up their railway contracting and gold-mining so as to have time to spend their money.
    Mrs. Vanderfeld’s father had never worked. All his life he enjoyed the life of a country gentleman, administrating his Estate, which was centred round a large roomy house, its pillars, porch, marble Hall and curling staircase an adaptation of English Georgian.
    When his daughter said she wished to marry Chigwell Vanderfeld he had not been overpleased. He had hoped that she would find a husband among what had been left by the Civil War of the gentlemen of Virginia.
    He had however little say in the matter. Sally Hamilton was far too self-willed and head-strong to listen to any opposition where her heart was concerned, and she had in fact been extremely happy with her multi-millionaire husband who never stopped working.
    Money however was not what she required for her sons: she wanted power, and she made up her mind with a cast - iron determination that Harvey would be the next President of the United States.
    It was a determination with which he readily concurred.
    “As I have just said,” he remarked to his brother, “this funeral could not have come at a better time. Elvin was of course practically unknown to the public or the Press, but I think now he will be fixed in their memory as someone very exceptional, a brother of whom any man could be proud.”
    Gary did not reply. He had already heard Harvey say almost the identical words in the carriage when they had left the cemetery.
    He walked across the room to pour himself another drink, and as he did so the door opened and the Butler came in carrying a silver salver.
    “A cable has just come addressed to Mr. Elvin,” he said. “I thought, Mr. Harvey, I should bring it to you. It might upset Mrs. Vanderfeld if she saw it.”
    “Of course,” Harvey replied. “Do not take her anything that might be distressing. I have already told one of the secretaries to collect the names of everyone who sent wreaths. I will deal with the letters to express our appreciation. It would be too much for Mrs. Vanderfeld.”
    “Much too much, Mr. Harvey!” the Butler agreed.
    He held out the salver as he spoke and Harvey picked up the cable which lay on it.
    He looked at it for a moment, then remarked:
    “Mr. Elvin Farren?”
    “That was the name Elvin used when he was abroad,” Gary explained from the side of the room. “You know we decided that he should not use the family name, since you did not wish the Press to know that he was in a Sanatorium.”
    “Yes, yes, of course I remember now,” Harvey said. “And they never did discover where he was.”
    “He was of no particular interest to them until he died,” Gary said.
    There was no sarcasm in his voice. Gary was far too easygoing and good-humoured to be sarcastic.
    Harvey opened the cable as the Butler went from the room.
    “I see this comes from England,” he remarked. “I thought Elvin had been in Switzerland.”
    “He was,” Gary replied.
    There was silence then suddenly Harvey ejaculated:
    “My God! This cannot be true! There must be some mistake!”
    “What is the matter?” Gary asked.
    “Listen to this,” Harvey said in a sharp voice and read aloud:
    “It has happened to me—Stop—I am frightened—Stop—Please keep your promise and come to me—Stop—Your letters my only comfort.
    Larina”
    Harvey’s voice ceased and he stood staring at the paper as if he doubted the sight of his own eyes.
    Gary reached his side and looked down at the cable.
    “What does it mean?” he asked.
    “What does it mean?” Harvey shouted. “Are you crazy? Can’t you understand what I have just read out to you? It is perfectly clear to me!”
    “What is?” Gary asked.
    Harvey walked across the room in an agitated manner as if he could not keep still.
    “That this should happen at this moment! Just now! It would have been bad enough at any time, but on the eve of the election—!”
    “I do