"If the Lord had sent a rain of fire upon their heads ... I was looking for it all the time. I can't understand that He didn't. Can you, now?"
Meilby answered, with a self-satisfied smile:
"Wasn't wanted, that's about it. He sent me instead."
"Yes; that's true. Thanks, Meilby--thanks for your help," said Egholm, pressing the other's arm. "But what was it all about, really? I was so excited at the time.... I mean, what was behind it all?"
"Ha ha, yes, what was behind it all! Metha Madsen was behind it all--Metha and her brat. Karlsen's it was, and they've been trying to make out it was mine."
"No; it's not. I'm going away, and I'll be out of it all. The old Angel in his little shop, he fixed it all up, for her to say it was me. Wouldn't have done for his dear little son, you know, and an Evangelist into the bargain. Kid was born at ten o'clock, and it wasn't stillborn either."
"Well, you know, that's a ticklish business. On oath.... No; I did the only thing there was to be done--came along every evening to the meetings, and glared at them, and threatened to kick up a scandal. But it's not so easy to make a speech in a crowd like that. Anyhow, I managed it all right this time, didn't I?"
"Splendidly. And now--you're going away?"
"To-morrow. First thing to-morrow morning," whispered Meilby hoarsely. "Come up with me now. I shan't go to bed to-night."
"Why, it's all empty!" said Egholm dismally, looking round the place. There was a travelling trunk in the middle of the studio floor, and that was all.
"Every rag and stick cleared out," said Meilby triumphantly.
"But you promised me--you promised me for certain...."
"Oh, I've fixed it up for you all right. Never meant to do you in, you know. That I swear. Not from the first evening. Here--here's the pawnticket for some neat little things--that's yours. I've sold the rest. Eh? Oh, don't mention it, not at all."
Egholm read the legend on the ticket--for a matter of a few _kroner_ he could buy the camera thing outright. He was delighted; he was touched.
"None of your sneaking Angel ways about me," said Meilby simply.
"And what are you going to do over there when you get there?"
"How should I know? Don't even know where America is. If I hadn't got my ticket, I'd never find the way. But I've got it all right, thank the Lord! Here, you can see. Looks like business, doesn't it, what? But it's a long way, that's true. Wonder if there's women there...."