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Title: The Millionaire Mystery
Author: Fergus Hume
Release Date: November 13, 2017 [EBook #55961]
Language: English
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE MILLIONAIRE MYSTERY ***
Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by Google Books
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THE MILLIONAIRE MYSTERY
BY
FERGUS HUME
AUTHOR OF
"THE MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB," "THE LADY FROM NOWHERE," ETC.
LONDON
CHATTO & WINDUS
1901
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
I. A MIDNIGHT SURPRISE
II. THE HUT ON THE HEATH
III. AN ELEGANT EPISTLE
IV. ANOTHER SURPRISE
V. A NINE DAYS' WONDER
VI. THE MISSING KEY
VII. IN DIXON'S RENTS
VIII. AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW
IX. INVESTIGATION
X. ANOTHER DISAPPEARANCE
XI. THE STRANGER
XII. A STRANGE STORY
XIII. A STRANGE STORY--_continued_
XIV. THE ENMITY OF CAPTAIN LESTRANGE
XV. TROUBLE
XVI. ALAN'S DEFENCE
XVII. JOE'S EVIDENCE
XVIII. A PORTION OF THE TRUTH
XIX. A REAPPEARANCE
XX. THE AMAZEMENT OF ALAN THOROLD
XXI. THE STORY OF THE PAST
XXII. THE BEGINNING OF THE END
XXIII. ONE PART OF THE TRUTH
XXIV. THE OTHER PART OF THE TRUTH
THE MILLIONAIRE MYSTERY
CHAPTER I.
A MIDNIGHT SURPRISE
Steering his course by a tapering spire notched in the eye of the
sunset, a tramp slouched along the Heathton Road. From the western sky
a flood of crimson light poured over the dusty white highway, which
led straightly across the moor. To right and left, acres of sear
coarse herbage rolled towards the distant hills, now black against the
flaming horizon. In the quivering air gnats danced and flickered; the
earth panted with the thirst of a lengthy drought, and the sky arched
itself over the heat of a fiery furnace.
For many hours the tramp had held on steadily in the pitiless glare of
the mid-June sun, and now that he saw ahead of him the spire and
house-roofs and encircling trees of the village whither he was bound,
a sigh of relief burst from him.
To ease his aching feet he sat down beside a moldering millstone and
wiped his beaded brow with a red bandana. He did not swear, which was
singular in a tramp.
Apparently he had but recently joined the cadging profession, for
about him there lingered an air of respectability and the marks of a
prosperity not wholly decayed. He was stout, rubicund of countenance,
and he wheezed like a sick grampus. Watery gray eyes and a strawberry
nose revealed the seasoned toper; thick lips and a slack mouth the
sensualist. As a begging friar of medæval times he would have been
altogether admirable; as a modern tramp he was out of the picture.
Clothed in a broadcloth frock-coat considerably the worse for wear, he
wore--oddly enough for a tramp--gaiters over his gouty-looking boots.
His black gloves were darned at the finger-tips, and his battered silk
hat had been ironed and brushed with sedulous care. This rook-like
plumage was now plentifully sprinkled with the white dust of travel.
His gait, in spite of his blistered feet, was dignified, and his
manners were imposing.
The road was lonely, likewise the heath. There was no one in sight,
not even a returning plowman; but the recumbent wayfarer could hear,
mellowed by distance, the bells of homing cows. Beasts as they were,
he envied them. They at least had a place to sleep in for the night;
he was without a home, without even the necessary money to procure
shelter. Luckily it was summer-time, dry and warm. Also the tramp
affected the philosopher.
"This," he remarked, eying a sixpence extracted from the knotted
corner of his handkerchief, "is a drink--two drinks if I take beer,
which is gouty. But it is not a meal nor a bed. No! one drink, and a
morsel of bread-and-cheese. But the bed! Ah!" He stared at the coin
with a sigh, as though he hoped it would swell into a shilling. It did
not, and he sighed again. "Shall I have good luck in this place?"
cried he. "Heads I shall, tails I shan't." The coin spun and fell
heads. "Ha!" said the tramp, getting on to his feet, "this must be
seen to. I fly to good fortune on willing feet," and he resumed his
trudging.
A quarter of an hour brought him to the encircling wood. He passed
beyond pine and larch and elm into a cozy little village with one
street. This was broken in the center by an expanse of green turf
surrounded by red-roofed houses, amongst them--as he saw from the
swinging sign--a public-house, called, quaintly enough, the Good
Samaritan.
"Scriptural," said the stranger--"possibly charitable. Let us see." He
strode forward into the taproom.
In the oiliest of tones he inquired for the landlord. But in this
case, it appeared, there was no landlord, for a vixenish little woman,
lean as a cricket and as shrill, bounced out with the information that
she, Mrs. Timber, was the landlady. Her husband, she snapped out, was
dead. To the tramp this hostess appeared less promising than the
seductive sign, and he quailed somewhat at the sight of her. However,
with a brazen assurance born of habit, he put a bold face on it,
peremptorily demanding bread, cheese, and ale. The request for a bed
he left in abeyance, for besides the vixenish Mrs. Timber there
hovered around a stalwart pot-boy, whose rolled-up sleeves revealed a
biceps both admirable and formidable.
"Bread, cheese, and ale," repeated the landlady, with a sharp glance
at her guest's clerical dress, "for this. And who may you be, sir?"
she asked, with a world of sarcasm expended on the "sir."
"My name is Cicero Gramp. I am a professor of elocution and
eloquence."
"Ho! a play-actor?" Mrs. Timber became more disdainful than ever.
"Not at all; I am not on the boards. I recite to the best families.
The Bishop of Idlechester has complimented me on my----"
"Here's the bread-and-cheese," interrupted the landlady, "likewise the
beer. Sixpence!"
Very reluctantly Mr. Gramp produced his last remaining coin. She
dropped it into a capacious pocket, and retired without vouchsafing
him another word. Cicero, somewhat discouraged by this reception,
congratulated himself that the night was fine for out-of-door slumber.
He ensconced himself in a corner with his frugal supper, and listened
to the chatter going on around him. It appeared to be concerned with
the funeral of a local magnate. Despite the prophecy of the coin, now
in Mrs. Timber's pocket, Cicero failed to see how he could extract
good fortune out of his present position. However, he listened; some
chance word might mean money.
"Ah! 'tis a fine dry airy vault," said a lean man who proved to be a
stonemason. "Never built a finer, I didn't, nor my mates neither. An'
Muster Marlow'll have it all to 'isself."
"Such a situation!" croaked another. "Bang opposite the Lady Chapel!
An' the view from that there vault! I don't know as any corp 'ud
require a finer."
"Mr. Marlow'll be lonely by himself," sighed a buxom woman; "there's
room for twenty coffins, an' only one in the vault. 'Tain't
natural-like."
"Well," chimed in the village schoolmaster, "'twill soon fill. There's
Miss Marlow."
"Dratted nonsense!" cried Mrs. Timber, making a dash into the company
with a tankard of beer in each hand. "Miss Sophy'll marry Mr.
Thorold, won't she? An' he, as the Squire of Heathton, 'as a family
vault, ain't he? She'll sleep beside him as his wife, lawfully
begotten."
"The Thorolds' vault is crowded," objected the stonemason. "Why,
there's three-hundred-year dead folk there! A very old gentry lot, the
Thorolds."
"Older than your Marlows!" snapped Mrs. Timber. "Who was he afore he
came to take the Moat House five year ago? Came from nowhere--a tree
without a root."
The schoolmaster contradicted.
"Nay, he came from Africa, I know--from Mashonaland, which is said to
be the Ophir of King Solomon. And Mr. Marlow was a millionaire!"
"Much good his money'll do him now," groaned the buxom woman, who was
a Dissenter. "Ah! Dives in torment."
"You've no call to say that, Mrs. Berry. Mr. Marlow wasn't a bad man."
"He was charitable, I don't deny, an' went to church regular,"
assented Mrs. Berry; "but he died awful sudden. Seems like a judgment
for something he'd done."
"He died quietly," said the schoolmaster. "Dr. Warrender told me all
about it--a kind of fit at ten o'clock last Thursday, and on Friday
night he passed away as a sleeping child. He was not even sufficiently
conscious to say good-by to Miss Sophy."
"Ah, poor girl! she's gone to the seaside with Miss Parsh to nurse her
sorrow."
"It will soon pass--soon pass," observed the schoolmaster, waving
his pipe. "The young don't think much of death. Miss Sophy's rich,
too--rich as the Queen of Sheba, and she will marry Mr. Thorold in a
few months. Funeral knells will give way to wedding-bells, Mrs.
Berry."
"Ah!" sighed Mrs. Berry, feeling she was called upon for an
appropriate sentiment; "you may say so, Mr. Stack. Such is life!"
Cicero, munching his bread-and-cheese, felt that his imposing
personality was being neglected, and seized upon what he deemed his
opportunity.
"If this company will permit," he said, "I propose now to give a
recitation apropos of the present melancholy event. Need I say I refer
to the lamented death of Mr. Marlow?"
"I'll have no godless mumming here," said Mrs. Timber firmly.
"Besides, what do you know about Mr. Marlow?"
Whereupon Cicero lied lustily to impress the bumpkins, basing his
fiction upon such facts as his ears had enabled him to come by.
"Marlow!" he wailed, drawing forth his red bandana for effect. "Did I
not know him as I know myself? Were we not boys together till he went
to Africa?"
"Perhaps you can tell us about Mr. Marlow," said the schoolmaster
eagerly. "None of us knows exactly who he was. He appeared here with
his daughter some five years ago, and took the Moat House. He was
rich, and people said he had made his riches in South Africa."
"He did! he did!" said Cicero, deeply affected. "Millions he was
worth--millions! I came hither to see him, and I arrive to find the
fond friend of my youth dead. Oh, Jonathan, my brother Jonathan!"
"His name was Richard," said Mrs. Timber suspiciously.
"I know it, I know it. I use the appellation Jonathan merely in
illustration of the close friendship which was between us. I am
David."
"H'm!" snorted Mrs. Timber, eying him closely, "and who was Mr.
Marlow?"
This leading question perplexed Mr. Gramp not a little, for he knew
nothing about the man.
"What!" he cried, with simulated horror. "Reveal the secrets of the
dead? Never! never!"
"Secrets?" repeated the lean stonemason eagerly. "Ah! I always thought
Mr. Marlow had 'em. He looked over his shoulder too often for my
liking. An' there was a look on his face frequent which pointed, I may
say, to a violent death."
"Ah! say not that my friend Dick Marlow came to an untimely end."
This outcry came from Cicero; it was answered by Mrs. Timber.
"He died of a fit," she said tartly, "and that quietly enough,
considering as Dr. Warrender can testify. But now we've talked enough,
an' I'm going to lock up; so get out, all of you!"
In a few minutes the taproom was cleared and the lights out. Cicero,
greatly depressed, lingered in the porch, wondering how to circumvent
the dragon.
"Well," snapped that amiable beast, "what are you waitin' for?"
"You couldn't give me a bed for the night?"
"Course I could, for a shillin'."
"I haven't a shilling, I regret to say."
"Then you'd best get one, or go without your bed," replied the lady,
and banged the door in his face.
Under this last indignity even Cicero's philosophy gave way, and he
launched an ecclesiastic curse at the inhospitable inn.
Fortunately the weather was warm and tranquil. Not a breath of wind
stirred the trees. The darkling earth was silent--silent as the
watching stars. Even the sordid soul of the vagabond was stirred by
the solemn majesty of the sky. He removed his battered hat and looked
up.
"The heavens are telling the glory of God," he said; but, not
recollecting the rest of the text, he resumed his search for a
resting-place.
It was now only between nine and ten o'clock, yet, as he wandered down
the silent street, he could see no glimmer of a light in any window.
His feet took him, half unconsciously as it were, by the path leading
towards the tapering spire. He went on through a belt of pines which
surrounded the church, and came suddenly upon the graveyard, populous
with the forgotten dead--at least, he judged they were forgotten by
the state of the tombstones.
On the hither side he came upon a circular chapel, with lance-shaped
windows and marvelous decoration wrought in gray-stone on the outer
walls. Some distance off rose a low wall, encircling the graveyard,
and beyond the belt of pines through which he had just passed
stretched the league-long herbage of the moor. He guessed this must be
the Lady Chapel.
Between the building and the low wall he noticed a large tomb of white
marble, surmounted by a winged angel with a trumpet. "Dick Marlow's
tomb," he surmised. Then he proceeded to walk round it as that of his
own familiar friend, for he had already half persuaded himself into
some such belief.
But he realized very soon that he had not come hither for
sight-seeing, for his limbs ached, and his feet burned, and his eyes
were heavy with sleep. He rolled along towards a secluded corner,
where the round of the Lady Chapel curved into the main wall of the
church. There he found a grassy nook, warm and dry. He removed his
gloves with great care, placed them in his silk hat, and then took off
his boots and loosened his clothes. Finally he settled himself down
amid the grass, put a hand up either coat-sleeve for warmth, and was
soon wrapped in a sound slumber.
He slept on undisturbed until one o'clock, when--as say out-of-door
observers--the earth turns in her slumber. This vagrant, feeling as it
were the stir of Nature, turned too. A lowing of cows came from the
moor beyond the pines. A breath of cool air swept through the
branches, and the somber boughs swayed like the plumes of a hearse.
Across the face of the sky ran a shiver. He heard distinctly what he
had not noticed before, the gush of running water. He roused himself
and sat up alert, and strained his hearing. What was it he heard now?
He listened and strained again. Voices surely! Men's voices!
There could be no mistake. Voices he heard, though he could not catch
the words they said. A tremor shook his whole body. Then, curiosity
getting the better of his fear, he wriggled forward flat on his
stomach until he was in such a position that he could peer round the
corner of the Lady Chapel. Here he saw a sight which scared him.
Against the white wall of the mausoleum bulked two figures, one tall,
the other short. The shorter carried a lantern. They stood on the
threshold of the iron door, and the tall man was listening. They were
nearer now, so that he could hear their talk very plainly.
"All is quiet," said the taller man. "No one will suspect. We'll get
him away easily."
Then Cicero heard the key grate in the lock, saw the door open and the
men disappear into the tomb. He was sick with terror, and was minded
to make a clean bolt of it; but with the greatest effort he controlled
his fears and remained. There might be money in this adventure.
In ten minutes the men came out carrying a dark form between them, as
Cicero guessed, the dead body of Richard Marlow. They set down their
burden, made fast the door, and took up again the sinister load. He
saw them carry it towards the low stone wall. Over this they lifted
it, climbed over themselves, and disappeared into the pine-woods.
Cicero waited until he could no longer hear the rustle of their
progress; then he crept cautiously forward and tried the door of the
tomb. It was fast locked.
"Resurrection-men! body-snatchers!" he moaned.
He felt shaken to his very soul by the ghastliness of the whole
proceeding. Then suddenly the awkwardness of his own position, if by
chance any one should find him there, rushed in upon his mind, and,
without so much as another glance, he made off as quickly as he could
in the opposite direction.
CHAPTER II.
THE HUT ON THE HEATH
"I'm glad it's all over," said the footman, waving a cigar stolen from
the box of his master. "Funerals don't suit me."
"Yet we must all 'ave one of our own some day," said the cook, who was
plainly under the influence of gin; "an' that pore Miss Sophy--me 'art
bleeds for 'er!"
"An' she with 'er millions," growled a red-faced coachman. "Wot rot!"
"Come now, John, you know Miss Sophy was fond of her father"--this
from a sprightly housemaid, who was trimming a hat.
"I dunno why," said John. "Master was as cold as ice, an' as silent as
'arf a dozen graves."
The scullery-maid shuddered, and spread out her grimy hands.
"Oh, Mr. John, don't talk of graves, please! I've 'ad the nightmare
over 'em."
"Don't put on airs an' make out as 'ow you've got nerves, Cammelliar,"
put in the cook tearfully. "It's me as 'as 'em--I've a bundle of
'em--real shivers. Ah, well! we're cut down like green bay-trees, to
be sure. Pass that bottle, Mr. Thomas."
This discussion took place in the kitchen of the Moat House. The
heiress and Miss Parsh, the housekeeper, had departed for the seaside
immediately after the funeral, and in the absence of control, the
domestics were making merry. To be sure, Mr. Marlow's old and trusted
servant, Joe Brill, had been told off to keep them in order, but just
at present his grief was greater than his sense of duty. He was busy
now sorting papers in the library--hence the domestic chaos.
It was, in truth, a cheerful kitchen, more especially at the present
moment, with the noonday sun streaming in through the open casements.
A vast apartment with a vast fireplace of the baronial hall kind;
brown oaken walls and raftered roof; snow-white dresser and huge deal
table, and a floor of shining white tiles.
There was a moment's silence after the last unanswerable observation
of the cook. It was broken by a voice at the open door--a voice which
boomed like the drone of a bumble-bee.
"Peace be unto this house," said the voice richly, "and plenty be its
portion."
The women screeched, the men swore--since the funeral their nerves had
not been quite in order--and all eyes turned towards the door. There,
in the hot sunshine, stood an enormously fat old man, clothed in
black, and perspiring profusely. It was, in fact, none other than
Cicero Gramp, come in the guise of Autolycus to pick up news and
unconsidered trifles. He smiled benignly, and raised his fat hand.
"Peace, maid-servants and men-servants," said he, after the manner of
Chadband. "There is no need for alarm. I am a stranger, and you must
take me in."
"Who the devil are you?" queried the coachman.
"We want no tramps here," growled the footman.
"I am no tramp," said Cicero mildly, stepping into the kitchen. "I am
a professor of elocution and eloquence, and a friend of your late
master's. He went up in the world, I dropped down. Now I come to him
for assistance, and I find him occupying the narrow house; yes, my
friends, Dick Marlow is as low as the worms whose prey he soon will
be. Pax vobiscum!"
"Calls master 'Dick,'" said the footman.
"Sez 'e's an old friend," murmured the cook.
They looked at each other, and the thought in every mind was the same.
The servants were one and all anxious to hear the genesis of their
late master, who had dropped into the Moat House, as from the skies,
some five years before. Mrs. Crammer, the cook, rose to the occasion
with a curtsy.
"I'm sure, sir, I'm sorry the master ain't here to see you," she said,
polishing a chair with her apron. "But as you says--or as I take it
you means--'e's gone where we must all go. Take a seat, sir, and I'll
tell Joe, who's in the library."
"Joe--my old friend Joe!" said Cicero, sitting down like a mountain.
"Ah! the faithful fellow!"
This random remark brought forth information, which was Cicero's
intention in making it.
"Faithful!" growled the coachman, "an' why not? Joe Brill was paid
higher nor any of us, he was; just as of living all his life with an
iceberg deserved it!"
"Poor Dick _was_ an iceberg!" sighed Cicero pensively. "A cold,
secretive man."
"Ah!" said Mrs. Crammer, wiping her eye, "you may well say that. He
'ad secrets, I'm sure, and guilty ones, too!"
"We all have our skeletons, ma'am. But would you mind giving me
something to eat and to drink? for I have walked a long way. I am too
poor," said Cicero, with a sweet smile, "to ride, as in the days of my
infancy, but _spero meliora_."
"Talking about skeletons, sir," said the footman when Mr. Gramp's jaws
were fully occupied, "what about the master's?"
"Ah!" said Gramp profoundly. "What indeed!"
"But whatever it is, it has to do with the West Indies," said the man.
"Lor'!" exclaimed the housemaid, "and how do you know that, Mr.
Thomas?"
"From observation, Jane, my dear," Thomas smiled loftily. "A week or
two afore master had the fit as took him, I brought in a letter with
the West Indy stamp. He turned white as chalk when he saw it, and tore
it open afore I could get out of the room. I 'ad to fetch a glass of
whisky. He was struck all of a 'eap--gaspin', faintin', and cussin'
orful."
"Did he show it to Miss Sophy?" asked Mrs. Crammer.
"Not as I knows of. He kept his business to hisself," replied Thomas.
Gramp was taking in all this with greedy ear's.
"Ha!" he said, "when you took in the letter, might you have looked at
the postmark, my friend?"
With an access of color, the footman admitted that he had been curious
enough to do so.
"And the postmark was Kingston, Jamaica," said he.
"It recalls my youth," said Cicero. "Ah! they were happy, happy days!"
"What was Mr. Marlow, sir?"
"A planter of--of--rice," hazarded Gramp. He knew that there were
planters in the West Indies, but he was not quite sure what it was
they planted. "Rice--acres of it!"
"Well, he didn't make his money out of that, sir," growled the
coachman.
"No, he did not," admitted the professor of elocution. "He acquired
his millions in Mashonaland--the Ophir of the Jews."
This last piece of knowledge had been acquired from Slack, the
schoolmaster.
"He was precious careful not to part with none of it," said the
footman.
"Except to Dr. Warrender," said the cook. "The doctor was always
screwing money out of him. Not that it was so much 'im as 'is wife. I
can't abear that doctor's wife--a stuck-up peacock, I call her. She
fairly ruined her husband in clothes. Miss Sophy didn't like her,
neither."
"Dick's child!" cried Gramp, who had by this time procured a cigar
from the footman. "Ah! is little Sophy still alive?"
He lighted the cigar and puffed luxuriously.
"Still alive!" echoed Mrs. Crammer, "and as pretty as a picture. Dark
'air, dark eyes--not a bit like 'er father."
"No," said Cicero, grasping the idea. "Dick was fair when we were
boys. I heard rumors that little Sophy was engaged--let me see--to a
Mr. Thorold."
"Alan Thorold, Esquire," corrected the coachman gruffly; "one of the
oldest families hereabouts, as lives at the Abbey farm. He's gone with
her to the seaside."
"To the seaside? Not to Brighton?"
"Nothin' of the sort--to Bournemouth, if you know where that is."
"I know some things, my friend," said Cicero mildly. "It was
Bournemouth I meant--not unlike Brighton, I think, since both names
begin with a B. I know that Miss Marlow--dear little Sophy!--is
staying at the Imperial Hotel, Bournemouth."
"You're just wrong!" cried Thomas, falling into the trap; "she is at
the Soudan Hotel. I've got the address to send on letters."
"Can I take them?" asked Gramp, rising. "I am going to Bournemouth to
see little Sophy and Mr. Thorold. I shall tell them of your
hospitality."
Before the footman could reply to this generous offer, the page-boy of
the establishment darted in much excited.
"Oh, here's a go!" he exclaimed. "Dr. Warrender's run away, an' the
Quiet Gentleman's followed!"
"Wot d'ye mean, Billy?"
"Wot I say. The doctor ain't bin 'ome all night, nor all mornin', an'
Mrs. Warrender's in hysterics over him. Their 'ousemaid I met shoppin'
tole me."
The servants looked at one another. Here was more trouble, more
excitement.
"And the Quiet Gentleman?" asked the cook with ghoulish interest.
"He's gone, too. Went out larst night, an' never come back. Mrs. Marry
thinks he's bin murdered."
There was a babel of voices and cries, but after a moment quiet was
restored. Then Cicero placed his hand on the boy's head.
"My boy," he said pompously, "who is the Quiet Gentleman? Let us be
clear upon the point of the Quiet Gentleman."
"Don't you know, sir?" put in the eager cook. "He's a mystery, 'aving
bin staying at Mrs. Marry's cottage, she a lone widder taking in
boarders."
"I'll give a week's notice!" sobbed the scullery-maid. "These crimes
is too much for me."
"I didn't say the Quiet Gentleman 'ad been murdered," said Billy, the
page; "but Mrs. Marry only thinks so, cos 'e ain't come 'ome.'
"As like as not he's cold and stiff in some lonely grave!" groaned
Mrs. Crammer hopefully.
"The Quiet Gentleman," said Cicero, bent upon acquiring further
information--"tall, yellow-bearded, with a high forehead and a bald
head?"
"Well, I never, sir!" cried Jane, the housemaid. "If you ain't
describing Dr. Warrender! Did you know him, sir?"
Cicero was quite equal to the occasion.
"I knew him professionally. He attended me for a relaxed throat. I was
_vox et præterea nihil_ until he cured me. But what was this
mysterious gentleman like? Short, eh?"
"No; tall and thin, with a stoop. Long white hair, longer beard and
black eyes like gimblets," gabbled the cook. "I met 'im arter dark one
evenin', and I declare as 'is eyes were glow-worms. Ugh! They looked
me through and through. I've never bin the same woman since."
At this moment a raucous voice came from the inner doorway.
"What the devil's all this?" was the polite question.
Cicero turned, and saw a heavily-built man surveying the company in
general, and himself in particular, anything but favorably. His face
was a mahogany hue, and he had a veritable tangle of whiskers and
hair. The whole cut of the man was distinctly nautical, his trousers
being of the dungaree, and his pea-jacket plentifully sprinkled with
brass buttons. In his ears he wore rings of gold, and his clenched
fists hung by his side as though eager for any emergency, and "the
sooner the better." That was how he impressed Cicero, who, in nowise
fancying the expression on his face, edged towards the door.
"Oh, Joe!" shrieked the cook, "wot a turn you give me! an' sich news
as we've 'ad!"
"News!" said Joe uneasily, his eyes still on Cicero.
"Mrs. Warrender's lost her husband, and the Quiet Gentleman's
disappeared mysterious!"
"Rubbish! Get to your work, all of you!"
So saying, Joe drove the frightened crowd hither and thither to their
respective duties, and Cicero, somewhat to his dismay, found himself
alone with the buccaneer, as he had inwardly dubbed the newcomer.
"Who the devil are you?" asked Joe, advancing.
"Fellow," replied Cicero, getting into the doorway, "I am a friend of
your late master. Cicero Gramp is my name. I came here to see Dick
Marlow, but I find he's gone aloft."
Joe turned pale, even through his tan.
"A friend of Mr. Marlow," he repeated hoarsely. "That's a lie! I've
been with him these thirty years, and I never saw you!"
"Not in Jamaica?" inquired Cicero sweetly.
"Jamaica? What do you mean?"
"What I wrote in that letter your master received before he died."
"Oh, you liar! I know the man who wrote it." Joe clenched his fists
more tightly and swung forward. "You're a rank impostor, and I'll hand
you over to the police, lest I smash you completely!"
Cicero saw he had made a mistake, but he did not flinch. Hardihood
alone could carry him through now.
"Do," he said. "I'm particularly anxious to see the police, Mr. Joe
Brill."
"Who are you, in Heaven's name?" shouted Joe, much agitated. "Do you
come from him?"
"Perhaps I do," answered Cicero, wondering to whom the "him" might now
refer.
"Then go back and tell him he's too late--too late, curse him! and you
too, you lubber!"
"Very good." Cicero stepped out into the hot sunshine. "I'll deliver
your message--for a sovereign."
Joe Brill tugged at his whiskers, and cast an uneasy glance around.
Evidently, he was by no means astute, and the present situation was
rather too much for him. His sole idea, for some reason best known to
himself, was to get rid of Cicero. With a groan, he plunged his huge
fist into his pocket and pulled out a gold coin.
"Here, take it and go to hell!" he said, throwing it to Cicero.
"Mariner, _fata obstant_," rolled Gramp in his deep voice.
Then he strode haughtily away. He looked round as he turned the corner
of the house, and saw Joe clutching his iron-gray locks, still at the
kitchen door.
So with a guinea in his pocket and a certain amount of knowledge which
he hoped would bring him many more, Cicero departed, considerable
uplifted. At the village grocery he bought bread, meat and a bottle of
whisky, then he proceeded to shake the dust of Heathton off his feet.
As he stepped out on to the moor he recalled the Latin words he had
used, and he shuddered.
"Why did I say that?" he murmured. "The words came into my head
somehow. Just when Joe was talking of my employer, too! Who is my
employer? What has he to do with all this? I'm all in the dark! So Dr.
Warrender's gone, and the Quiet Gentleman too. It must have been Dr.
Warrender who helped to steal Marlow's body. The description tallies
exactly--tall, fair beard and bald. I wonder if t'other chap was the
Quiet Gentleman? And what on earth could they want with the body? Any
way, the body's gone, and, as it's a millionaire corpse, I'll have
some of its money or I'm a Dutchman!"
He stopped and placed his hand to his head.
"Bournemouth, Bournemouth!" he muttered. "Ah, that's it--the Soudan
Hotel, Bournemouth!"
It was now the middle of the afternoon, and, as he plodded on, the
moor glowed like a furnace. No vestige of shade was there beneath
which to rest, not even a tree or a bush. Then, a short distance up
the road, he espied a hut. It seemed to be in ruins. It was a
shepherd's hut, no doubt. The grass roof was torn, the door was
broken, though closed, and the mud walls were crumbling. Impatient of
any obstacle, he shoved his back against it and burst it open. It had
been fastened with a piece of rope. He fell in, headlong almost. But
the gloom was grateful to him, though for the moment he could see but
little.
When his eyes had become more accustomed to the half-light, the first
object upon which they fell was a stiff human form stretched on the
mud floor--a body with a handkerchief over the face. Yelling with
terror, Cicero hurled himself out again.
"Marlow's body!" he gasped. "They've put it here!"
With feverish haste he produced a corkscrew knife, and opened his
whisky bottle. A fiery draught gave him courage. He ventured back into
the hut and knelt down beside the body. Over the heart gaped an ugly
wound, and the clothes were caked with blood. He gasped again.
"No fit this, but murder! Stabbed to the heart! And Joe--what does Joe
know about this--and my employer? Lord!"
He snatched the handkerchief from the face, and fell back on his knees
with another cry, this time of wonderment rather than of terror. He
beheld the dead man's fair beard and bald head.
"Dr. Warrender! And he was alive last night! This is murder indeed!"
Then his nerves gave way utterly, and he began to cry like a
frightened child.
"Murder! Wilful and horrible murder!" wept the professor of elocution
and eloquence.
CHAPTER III.
AN ELEGANT EPISTLE
On Bournemouth cliffs, where pine-trees cluster to the edge, sat an
elderly spinster, knitting a homely stocking. She wore, in spite of
the heat, a handsome cashmere shawl, pinned across her spare shoulders
with a portrait brooch, and that hideous variety of Early Victorian
head-gear known as the mushroom hat. From under this streamed a frizzy
crop of gray curls, which framed a rosy, wrinkled face, brightened by
twinkling eyes. These, sparkling as those of sweet seventeen, proved
that their owner was still young in heart. This quaint survival of the
last century knitted as assiduously as was possible under the
circumstances, for at a discreet distance were two young people,
towards whom she acted the part of chaperon. Doubtless such an office
is somewhat out-of-date nowadays; but Miss Victoria Parsh would rather
have died than have left a young girl alone in the company of a young
man.
Yet she knew well enough that this young man was altogether above
reproach, and, moreover, engaged by parental consent to the pretty
girl to whom he was talking so earnestly. And no one could deny that
Sophy Marlow was indeed charming. There was somewhat of the Andalusian
about her. Not very tall, shaped delicately as a nymph, she well
deserved Alan Thorold's name. He called her the "Midnight Fairy," and,
indeed, she looked like a brunette Titania. Her complexion was dark,
and faintly flushed with red; her mouth and nose were exquisitely
shaped, while her eyes were wells of liquid light--glorious Spanish
orbs. About her, too, was that peculiar charm of personality which
defies description.
Alan her lover, was not tall, but uncommonly well-built and muscular,
as fair as Sophy was dark--of that golden Saxon race which came before
the Dane. Not that he could be called handsome. He was simply a clean,
clear-skinned, well-groomed young Englishman, such as can be seen
everywhere. Of a strong character, he exercised great control over his
somewhat frivolous betrothed.
Miss Vicky, as the little spinster was usually called, cast romantic
glances at the dark head and the fair one so close to one another. As
a rule she would have been shocked at such a sight, but she knew how
keenly Sophy grieved for the death of her father, and was only too
willing that the girl should be comforted. And Miss Vicky occasionally
touched the brooch, which contained the portrait of a red-coated
officer. She also had lived in Arcady, but her Lieutenant had been
shot in the Indian Mutiny, and Miss Vicky had left Arcady after a
short sojourn, for a longer one in the work-a-day world. At once, she
had lost her lover and her small income, and, like many another lonely
woman, had had to turn to and work. But the memory of that short
romance kept her heart young, hence her sympathy with this young
couple.
"Poor dear father!" sighed Sophy, looking at the sea below, dotted
with white sails. "I can hardly believe he is gone. Only two weeks ago
and he was so well, and now--oh! I was so fond of him! We were so
happy together! He was cold to everyone else, but kindly to me! How
could he have died so suddenly, Alan?"
"Well, of course, dear, a fit is always sudden. But try and bear up,
Sophy dear. Don't give way like this. Be comforted."
She looked up wistfully to the blue sky.
"At all events, he is at peace now," she said, her lip quivering. "I
know he was often very unhappy, poor father! He used to sit for hours
frowning and perplexed, as if there was something terrible on his
mind."
Alan's face was turned away now, and his brow was wrinkled. He seemed
absorbed in thought, as though striving to elucidate some problem
suggested by her words.
Wrapped up in her own sorrow, the girl did not notice his momentary
preoccupation, but continued:
"He never said good-bye to me. Dr. Warrender said he was insensible
for so long before death that it was useless my seeing him. He kept me
out of the room, so I only saw him--afterwards. I'll never forgive the
doctor for it. It was cruel!"
She sobbed hysterically.
"Sophy," said Alan suddenly, "had your father any enemies?"
She looked round at him in astonishment.
"I don't know. I don't think so. Why should he? He was the kindest man
in the world."
"I am sure he was," replied the young man warmly; "but even the
kindest may have enemies."
"He might have made enemies in Africa," she said gravely. "It was
there he made his money, and I suppose there are people mean enough to
hate a man who is successful, especially if his success results in a
fortune of some two millions. Father used to say he despised most
people. That was why he lived so quietly at the Moat House."
"It was particularly quiet till you came, Sophy."
"I'm sure it was," she replied, with the glimmer of a smile. "Still,
although _he_ had not me, you had your profession."
"Ah! my poor profession! I always regret having given it up."
"Why did you?"
"You know, Sophy. I have told you a dozen times. I wanted to be a
surgeon, but my father always objected to a Thorold being of service
to his fellow-creatures. I could never understand why. The estate was
not entailed, and by my father's will I was to lose it, or give up all
hope of becoming a doctor. For my mother's sake I surrendered. But I
would choose to be a struggling surgeon in London any day, if it were
not for you, Sophy dear."
"Horrid!" ejaculated Miss Marlow, elevating her nose. "How can you
enjoy cutting up people? But don't let us talk of these things; they
remind me of poor dear father."
"My dear, you really should not be so morbid. Death is only natural.
It is not as though you had been with him all your life, instead of
merely three years."
"I know; but I loved him none the less for that. I often wonder why he
was away so long."
"He was making his fortune. He could not have taken you into the rough
life he was leading in Africa. You were quite happy in your convent."
"Quite," she agreed, with conviction. "I was sorry to leave it. The
dear sisters were like mothers to me. I never knew my own mother. She
died in Jamaica, father said, when I was only ten years old. He could
not bear to remain in the West Indies after she died, so he brought me
to England. While I was in the convent I saw him only now and again
until I had finished my education. Then he took the Moat House--that
was five years ago, and two years after that I came to live with him.
That is all our history, Alan. But Joe Brill might know if he had any
enemies."
"Yes, he might. He lived thirty years with your father, didn't he? But
he can keep his own counsel--no one better."
"You are good at it too, Alan. Where were you last night? You did not
come to see me."
He moved uneasily. He had his own reasons for not wishing to give a
direct answer.
"I went for a long walk--to--to--to think out one or two things. When
I got back it was too late to see you."
"What troubled you, Alan? You have looked very worried lately. I am
sure you are in some trouble. Tell me, dear; I must share all you
troubles."
"My dearest, I am in no trouble"--he kissed her hand--"but I am your
trustee, you know and it is no sinecure to have the management of two
millions."
"It's too much money," she said. "Let us dispose of some of it, then
you need not be worried. Can I do what I like with it?"
"Most of it--there are certain legacies, will tell you about them
later."
"I am afraid the estate will be troublesome to us, Alan. It's strange
we should have so much money when we don't care about it. Now, there
is Dr. Warrender, working his life out for that silly extravagant wife
of his!"
"He is very much in love with her, nevertheless."
"I suppose that's why he works so hard. But she's a horrid woman, and
cares not a snap of her fingers for him--not to speak of love! Love!
why, she doesn't know the meaning of the word. We do!" And, bending
over, Sophy kissed him.
Then promptly there came from Miss Parsh the reminder that it was time
for tea.
"Very well, Vicky, I dare say Alan would like you to give him a cup,"
replied Sophy.
"Frivolous as ever, Sophia! I give up a hope of forming your
character--now!"
"Alan is doing that," replied the girl.
In spite of her sorrow, Sophy became fairly cheerful on the way back
to the hotel. Not so Alan. He was silent and thoughtful, and evidently
meditating about the responsibilities of the Marlow estate. As they
walked along the parade with their chaperon close behind, they came
upon a crowd surrounding a fat man dressed in dingy black. He was
reciting a poem, and his voice boomed out like a great organ. As
they passed, Alan noticed that he darted a swift glance at them,
and eyed Miss Marlow in a particularly curious manner. The recitation
was just finished, and the hat was being sent round. Sophy, always
kind-hearted, dropped in a shilling. The man chuckled.
"Thank you, lady," said he; "the first of many I hope."
Alan frowned, and drew his _fiancée_ away. He took little heed of the
remark at the time; but it occurred to him later, when circumstances
had arisen which laid more stress on its meaning.
Miss Vicky presided over the tea--a gentle feminine employment in
which she excelled. She did most of the talking; for Sophy was silent,
and Alan inclined to monosyllables. The good lady announced that she
was anxious to return to Heathton.
"The house weighs on my mind," said she, lifting her cup with the
little finger curved. "The servants are not to be trusted. I fear Mrs.
Crammer is addicted to ardent spirits. Thomas and Jane pay too much
attention to one another. I feel a conviction that, during my absence,
the bonds of authority will have loosened."
"Joe," said Alan, setting down his cup; "Joe is a great
disciplinarian."
"On board a ship, no doubt," assented Miss Vicky; "but a rough sailor
cannot possibly know how to control a household. Joseph is a fine,
manly fellow, but boisterous--very boisterous. It needs my eye to make
domestic matters go smoothly. When will you be ready to return, Sophy,
my dear?"
"In a week--but Alan has suggested that we should go abroad."
"What! and leave the servants to wilful waste and extravagance? My
love!"--Miss Vicky raised her two mittened hands--"think of the
bills!"
"There is plenty of money, Vicky."
"No need there should be plenty of waste. No; if we go abroad, we must
either shut up the house or let it."
"To the Quiet Gentleman?" said Sophy, with a laugh.
Alan looked up suddenly.
"No, not to him. He is a mysterious person," said Miss Vicky. "I do
not like such people, though I dare say it is only village gossip
which credits him with a strange story."
"Just so," put in Alan. "Don't trouble about him."
Miss Vicky was still discussing the possibility of a trip abroad, when
the waiter entered with a note for Sophy.
"It was delivered three hours ago," said the man apologetically, "and
I quite forgot to bring it up. So many visitors, miss," he added, with
a sickly smile.
Sophy took the letter. The envelope was a thick creamy one, and the
writing of the address elegant in the extreme.
"Who delivered it?" she asked.
"A fat man, miss, with a red face, and dressed in black."
Alan's expression grew somewhat anxious.
"Surely that describes the man we saw reciting?"
"So it does." Sophy eyed the letter dubiously. "Had he a loud voice,
Simmonds?"
"As big as a bell, miss, and he spoke beautiful: but he wasn't gentry,
for all that," finished Simmonds with conviction.
"You can go," said Alan. Then he turned to Sophy, who was opening the
envelope. "Let me read that letter first," he said.
"Why, Alan? There is no need. It is only a begging letter. Come and
read it with me."
He gave way, and looked over her shoulder the elaborate writing.
"Miss" (it began),
"The undersigned, if handsomely remunerated, can give valuable
information regarding the removal of the body of the late Richard
Marlow from its dwelling in Heathton Churchyard. _Verbum dat
sapienti!_ Forward £100 to the undersigned at Dixon's Rents, Lambeth,
and the information will be forthcoming. If the minions of the law are
invoked the undersigned with vanish, and his information lost.
"Faithfully yours, Miss Sophia Marlow,
"Cicero Gramp."
As she comprehended the meaning of this extraordinary letter, Sophy
became paler and paler. The intelligence that her father's body had
been stolen was too much for her, and she fainted.
Thorold called loudly to Miss Vicky.
"Look after her," he said, stuffing the letter into his pocket. "I
shall be back soon."
"But what--what----" began Miss Vicky.
She spoke to thin air. Alan was running at top speed along the parade
in search of the fat man.
But all search was vain. Cicero, the astute, had vanished.
CHAPTER IV.
ANOTHER SURPRISE
Heathton was only an hour's run by rail from Bournemouth, so that it
was easy enough to get back on the same evening. On his return from
his futile search for Cicero, Alan determined to go at once to the
Moat House. He found Sophy recovered from her faint, and on hearing of
his decision, she insisted upon accompanying him. She had told Miss
Vicky the contents of the mysterious letter, and that lady agreed that
they should leave as soon as their boxes could be packed.
"Don't talk to me, Alan!" cried Sophy, when her lover objected to this
sudden move. "It would drive me mad to stay here doing nothing, with
that on my mind."
"But, my dear girl, it may not be true."
"If it is not, why should that man have written? Did you see him?"
"No. He has left the parade, and no one seems to know anything about
him. It is quite likely that when he saw us returning to the hotel he
cleared out. By this time I dare say he is on his way to London."
"Did you see the police?" she asked anxiously.
"No," said Alan, taking out the letter which had caused all this
trouble; "it would not be wise. Remember what he says here: If the
police are called in he will vanish, and we shall lose the information
he seems willing to supply."
"I don't think that, Mr. Thorold," said Miss Vicky. "This man
evidently wants money, and is willing to tell the truth for the matter
of a hundred pounds."
"On account," remarked Thorold grimly; "as plain a case of blackmail
as I ever heard of. Well, I suppose it is best to wait until we can
communicate with this--what does he call himself?--Cicero Gramp, at
Dixon's Rents, Lambeth. He can be arrested there, if necessary. What I
want to do now is to find out if his story is true. To do this I must
go at once to Heathton, see the Rector, and get the coffin opened."
"I will come," insisted Sophy. "Oh, it is terrible to think that poor
father was not allowed to rest quietly even in his grave."
"Of course, it may not be true," urged Alan again. "I don't see how
this tramp could have got to know of it."
"Perhaps he helped to violate the secrets of the tomb?" suggested Miss
Vicky.
"In that case he would hardly put himself within reach of the law,"
Alan said, after a pause. "Besides, if the vault had been broken into
we should have heard of it from Joe."
"Why should it be broken into, Alan? The key----"
"I have one key, and the Rector has the other. My key is in my desk at
the Abbey Farm, and no doubt Phelps has his safe enough."
"Your key may have been stolen."
"It might have been," admitted Alan. "That is one reason why I am so
anxious to get back to-night. We must find out also if the coffin is
empty."
"Yes, yes; let us go at once!" Sophy cried feverishly. "I shall never
rest until I learn the truth. Come, Vicky, let us pack. When can we
leave, Alan?"
Thorold glanced at his watch.
"In half an hour," he said. "We can catch the half-past six train. Can
you be ready?"
"Yes, yes!" cried she, and rushed out of the room.
Miss Vicky was about to follow, but Alan detained her.
"Give her a sedative or something," he said, "or she will be ill."
"I will at once. Have a carriage at the door in a quarter of an hour,
Mr. Thorold. We can be ready by then. I suppose it is best she should
go?"
"Much better than to leave her here. We must set her mind at rest. At
this rate she will work herself into a fever."
"But if this story should really be true?"
"I don't believe it for a moment," replied Alan. But he was evidently
uneasy, and could not disguise the feeling. "Wait till we get to
Heathton--wait," and he hastily left the room.
Miss Vicky was surprised at his agitation, for hitherto she had
credited Alan with a will strong enough to conceal his emotions. The
old lady hurried away to the packing, and shook her head as she went.
Shortly they were settled in a first-class carriage on the way to
Heathton. Sophy was suffering acutely, but did all in her power to
hide her feelings, and, contrary to Alan's expectations, hardly a word
was spoken about the strange letter, and the greater part of the
journey was passed in silence. At Heathton he put Sophy and Miss Vicky
into a fly.
"Drive at once to the Moat House," he said. "To-morrow we shall
consider what is to be done."
"And you, Alan?"
"I am going to see Mr. Phelps. He, if any one, will know what value to
put upon that letter. Try and sleep, Sophy. I shall see you in the
morning."
"Sleep?" echoed the poor girl, in a tone of anguish. "I feel as though
I should never sleep again!"
When they had driven away, Alan took the nearest way to the
Rectory. It was some way from the station, but Alan was a vigorous
walker, and soon covered the distance. He arrived at the door with a
beating heart and dry lips, feeling, he knew not why, that he was
about to hear bad news. The gray-haired butler ushered him into his
master's presence, and immediately the young man felt that his fears
were confirmed. Phelps looked worried.
He was a plump little man, neat in his dress and cheerful in manner.
He was a bachelor, and somewhat of a cynic. Alan had known him all his
life, and could have found no better adviser in the dilemma in which
he now found himself. Phelps came forward with outstretched hands.
"My dear boy, I am indeed glad! What good fairy sent you here? A glass
of port? You look pale. I am delighted to see you. If you had not come
I should have had to send for you."
"What do you wish to see me about, sir? asked Alan.
"About the disappearance of these two people."
"What two people?" asked the young man, suddenly alert. "You forget
that I have been away from Heathton for the last three days."
"Of course, of course. Well, one is Brown, the stranger who stayed
with Mrs. Marry."
"The Quiet Gentleman?"
"Yes. I heard them call him so in the village. A very doubtful
character. He never came to church," said the Rector sadly. "However,
it seems he has disappeared. Two nights ago--in fact, upon the evening
of the day upon which poor Marlow's funeral took place, he left his
lodgings for a walk. Since then," added the Rector impressively, "he
has not returned."
"In plain words, he has taken French leave," said Thorold, filling his
glass.
"Oh, I should not say that, Alan. He paid his weekly account the day
before he vanished. He left his baggage behind him. No, I don't think
he intended to run away. Mrs. Marry says he was a good lodger,
although she knew very little about him. However, he has gone, and his
box remains. No one saw him after he left the village about eight
o'clock. He was last seen by Giles Hale passing the church in the
direction of the moor. To-day we searched the moor, but could find no
trace of him. Most mysterious," finished the Rector, and took some
port.
"Who is the other man?" asked Alan abruptly.
"Ah! Now you must be prepared for a shock, Alan. Dr. Warrender!"
Thorold bounded out of his seat.
"Is he lost too?"
"Strangely enough, he is," answered Phelps gravely. "On the night of
the funeral he went out at nine o'clock in the evening to see a
patient. He never came back."
"Who was the patient?"
"That is the strangest part of it. Brown, the Quiet Gentleman, was the
patient. Mrs. Warrender, who, as you may guess, is quite distracted,
says that her husband told her so. Mrs. Marry declares that the doctor
called after nine, and found Brown was absent."
"What happened then?" demanded Alan, who had been listening eagerly to
this tale.
"Dr. Warrender, according to Mrs. Marry, asked in what direction her
lodger had gone. She could not tell him, so, saying he would call
again in an hour or so, he went. And, of course, he never returned."
"Did Brown send for him?"
"Mrs. Marry could not say. Certainly no message was sent through her."
"Was Brown ill?"
"Not at all, according to his landlady. We have been searching for
both Brown and Warrender, but have found no traces of either."
"Humph!" said Thorold, after a pause. "I wonder if they met and went
away together?"
"My dear lad, where would they go to?" objected the Rector.
"I don't know; I can't say. The whole business is most mysterious."
Alan stopped, and looked sharply at Mr. Phelps. "Have you the key of
the Marlow vault in your possession?"
"Yes, of course, locked in my safe. Your question is most
extraordinary."
The other smiled grimly.
"My explanation is more extraordinary still." He took out Mr. Gramp's
letter and handed it to the Rector. "What do you think of that, sir?"
"Most elegant caligraphy," said the good man. "Why, bless me!" He read
on hurriedly, and finally dropped the letter with a bewildered air.
"Bless me, Alan!" he stammered. "What--what--what----"
Thorold picked it up and smoothed it out on the table.
"You see, this man says the body has been stolen. Do you know if the
door of the vault has been broken open?"
"No, no, certainly not!" cried the Rector, rising fussily. "Come to my
study, Alan; we must see if it is all right. It must be," he added
emphatically. "The key of the safe is on my watch-chain. No one can
open it. Oh dear! Bless me!"
He bustled out of the room, followed by Alan.
A search into the interior of the safe resulted in the production of
the key.
"You see," cried Phelps, waving it triumphantly, "it is safe. The door
could not have been opened with this. Now your key."
"My key is in my desk at the Abbey Farm--locked up also," said the
young man hastily. "I'll see about it to-night. In the meantime, sir,
bring that key with you, and we will go into the vault."
"What for?" demanded the Rector sharply. "Why should we go there?"
"Can't you understand?" said Alan impatiently. "I want to find out if
this letter is true or false--if the body of Mr. Marlow has been
removed."
"But I--I--can't!" gasped the Rector. "I must apply to the bishop
for----"
"Nonsense, sir! We are not going to exhume the body. It's not like
digging up a grave. All that is necessary is to look at the coffin
resting in its niche. We can tell from the screws and general
appearance if it has been tampered with."
The clergyman sat down and wiped his bald head.
"I don't like it," he said. "I don't like it at all. Still, I don't
suppose a look at the coffin can harm any one. We'll go, Alan, we'll
go; but I must take Jarks."
"The sexton?"
"Yes. I want a witness--two witnesses; you are one, Jarks the other.
It is a gruesome task that we have before us." He shuddered again. "I
don't like it. Profanation!"
"If this letter is to be believed, the profanation has already been
committed."
"Cicero Gramp," repeated Mr. Phelps as they went out. "Who is he?"
"A fat man--a tramp--a reciter. I saw him at Bournemouth. He delivered
that letter at the hotel himself; the waiter described him, and as the
creature is a perfect Falstaff, I recalled his face--I had seen him on
the parade. I went at once to see if I could find him, but he was
gone."
"A fat man," said the Rector. "Humph! He was at the Good Samaritan the
other night. I'll tell you about him later."
The two trudged along in silence and knocked up Jarks, the sexton, on
the way. They had no difficulty in rousing him. He came down at once
with a lantern, and was much surprised to learn the errand of Rector
and squire.
"Want to have a look at Muster Marlow's vault," said he in creaking
tones. "Well, it ain't a bad night for a visit, I do say. But quiet
comp'ny, Muster Phelps and Muster Thorold, very quiet. What do ye want
to see Muster Marlow for?"
"We want to see if his body is in the vault," said Alan.
"Why, for sure it's there, sir. Muster Marlow don't go visiting."
"I had a letter at Bournemouth, Jarks, to say the body had been
stolen."
Jarks stared.
"It ain't true!" he cried in a voice cracked with passion. "It's
casting mud on my 'arning my bread. I've bin sexton here fifty year,
man and boy--I never had no corp as was stolen. They all lies
comfortable arter my tucking them in. Only Gabriel's trump will wake
'em."
By this time they were round the Lady Chapel, and within sight of the
tomb. Phelps, too much agitated to speak, beckoned to Jarks to hold up
the lantern, which he did, gram bling and muttering the while.
"I've buried hundreds of corps," he growled, "and not one of 'em's
goed away. What 'ud they go for? I make 'em comfortable, I do."
"Hold the light steady, Jarks," said the Rector, whose own hand was
just as unsteady. He could hardly get the key into the lock.
At last the door was open, and headed by Jarks with the lantern, they
entered. The cold, earthy smell, the charnel-house feeling shook the
nerves of both men. Jarks, accustomed as he was to the presence of the
dead, hobbled along without showing any emotion other than wrath, and
triumphantly swung the lantern towards a niche wherein reposed a
coffin.
"Ain't he there quite comfortable?" wheezed he. "Don't I tell you they
never goes from here! It's a lovely vault; no corp 'ud need a finer."
"Wait a bit!" said Alan, stepping forward. "Turn the light along the
top of the coffin, Jarks. Hullo! the lid's loose!"
"An' unscrewed!" gasped the sexton. "He's bin getting out."
"Unscrewed--loose!" gasped the Rector in his turn. The poor man felt
deadly sick. "There must be some mistake."
"No mistake," said Alan, slipping back the lid. "The body has been
stolen."
"No 't'ain't!" cried Jarks, showering the light on the interior of the
coffin. "There he is, quiet an'--why," the old man broke off with a
cry, "the corp ain't in his winding-sheet!"
Phelps looked, Alan looked. The light shone on the face of the dead.
Phelps groaned.
"Merciful God!" he groaned, "it is Dr. Warrender's body!"
CHAPTER V.
A NINE DAYS' WONDER
There was sensation enough and to spare in Heathton next morning.
Jarks lost no time in spreading the news. He spent the greater part of
the day in the taproom of the Good Samaritan, accepting tankards of
beer and relating details of the discovery. Mrs. Timber kept him as
long as she could; for Jarks, possessed of intelligence regarding the
loss of Mr. Marlow's body, attracted customers. These, thirsty for
news or drink, or both, flocked like sheep into the inn.
"To think that a corp of mine should be gone!" creaked he in his aged
voice. "Man and boy, I niver heard tell of such things--niver! Why
Muster Marlow should go beats me--ay, that it does!"
"It doesn't beat me," cried Mrs. Timber in her most acidulated voice.
"I know who took the body."
"That you don't!" contradicted Jarks incoherently; "fur passon, he
don't know, so I don't know as how you'd know, Mrs. Timber."
"It was that fat play-actor out of this very house," snapped the
landlady.
"And how can you prove that, Mrs. Timber?" asked the sexton
contemptuously.
"Why, he had no money for a bed, and he had to sleep in the open. I
dare say he slept in the churchyard, and stole the body to sell it
back again, it being well known as Miss Sophy's a Queen of Sheba for
riches."
"All very well," said Slack the schoolmaster; "but if he took away Mr.
Marlow's body, how did he put Dr. Warrender's in its place? And how
could he without the key of the vault?"
"No," said the stonemason, "he couldn't get into that there vault
without a key. I built him myself, me and my mates. If that fat man
put the doctor there, he must have killed him. There's a hole in his
heart as you could put your fist in. It's murder!" cried the man,
dashing his hand on the table, "sacrilege and murder!"
It took a good many tankards of Mrs. Timber's strong ale to wash down
the sinister word "murder." Every point of the matter was discussed,
but no one could arrive at any decision. Slack voiced the general
sentiment when he rose to go.
"We must wait for the police," said Slack.
But Alan Thorold was of the contrary opinion. He did not wish to wait
for the police, or to have anything to do with the police. The
difficulty was that he could not get the Rector to take this view, and
the next morning Mr. Phelps sent the village constable for the
inspector at Burchester, the big market town twenty miles away across
the heath. Meantime, at an early hour, Alan presented himself at the
Moat House. He broke the news as gently as he could. Both Sophy and
Miss Vicky were horrified.
"To think of such things taking place in a Christian graveyard!" cried
the little woman, wringing her hands. "Sacrilege and murder! It makes
one believe in the existence of atheists and anarchists, and such-like
dreadful people--it does, indeed!"
Contrary to Thorold's expectation, Sophy proved to be the more
composed of the two. She neither wept nor fainted, but, very pale and
very still, listened to all that he had to say. When he had finished,
she had only one question to ask.
"Who did it?" she demanded in the calmest voice.
"I can't say--I don't know," stammered Alan, taken aback by her
attitude generally. "We must find out. If your father had enemies--but
even an enemy would have had no object in doing this."
"What about the man in Bournemouth?"
"Cicero Gramp? I intend to go up to London to-morrow and see him. If
he can tell the truth, it will be well worth the money he demands."
"So I think, Alan. Can't you go to-day?"
He shook his head.
"There is so much to do here, Sophy. The Rector has gone to break the
news of her husband's death to Mrs. Warrender. And he has sent over to
Burchester for the police. The inspector--Blair is his name--will be
here at noon. I did not want the police brought into the matter, but
Mr. Phelps insisted."
"Why did you not want to consult the police?"
"I am afraid if this vagabond gets wind that the law has intervened he
may give us the slip. However, I shall go up to Dixon's Rents first
thing in the morning, before the case gets into the papers."
"Do you think this man Gramp has anything to do with the murder, and
with the removing of poor father's body?"
"No, I don't," replied Alan promptly. "He would not dare to give
evidence if he were. I hear that he was turned out of the Good
Samaritan on the night of the funeral. It is likely enough that he saw
the removal of the body, and possibly the murder. Naturally, such a
creature as that wants to sell his information. He is a blackmailer,
this man, but I don't credit him with murder or bodysnatching."
"Body-snatching!" cried Miss Vicky, who was dabbing her red eyes with
eau-de-Cologne. "Oh, the terrible word!"
"Alan," said Sophy, after a pause, "do you believe the man who took my
father's body killed Dr. Warrender?"
"I do. Warrender was out on that night, and might have come across the
man carrying away the body, and the murder might have arisen out of
that."
"How do you know Dr. Warrender was out?" cross-examined Sophy.
"Mrs. Warrender told the Rector so. Warrender went to see the Quiet
Gentleman, but not finding him in, said that he would return. He never
did, and now we know the reason."
"Why don't you make certain whether he saw the Quiet Gentleman?"
"Brown? That's impossible; he also has disappeared."
"Who was he?"
"I don't know," said Alan gloomily.
"Does any one know?"
"Not to my knowledge. Perhaps the police may find out. Sophy, what is
the matter?"
For the girl was clapping her hands and laughing hysterically.
"It was Brown who took my father's body and killed the doctor!" she
cried. "I am certain of it!"
"Why are you certain?"
"I feel it. I can't say why."
"But your father did not know this man. I never heard him allude to
the Quiet Gentleman."
"I dare say not," returned Sophy doggedly; "but if the man had nothing
to do with it, why should he disappear? And Dr. Warrender went to see
him. Oh! I am sure he is the guilty person. He might be an enemy of
father's."
"Sophia, your father did not know him," put in Miss Vicky, who was
listening open-mouthed to all this.
"Oh, I am not so sure of that!" cried the girl impatiently. "If he
did, Joe will know. Ring the bell for him."
"Did Joe know the Quiet Gentleman?" Alan asked when he had rung.
"I do not think that Joseph did," said Miss Vicky. "He told me that he
tried several times to speak to him, but got no reply."
"I don't wonder at that," replied the young man dryly; "the man was
dumb."
"Dumb!" echoed the ladies.
"Didn't you know? Ah, well, perhaps not. I didn't know myself until
the Rector told me last night. Yes, he was dumb--that was why the
village called him the Quiet Gentleman. Oh, here is Joe!"
"Joe," said Sophy, going directly to the point, "have you heard
about----"
"Yes, miss," said Joe, interrupting to save her mentioning so painful
a subject, "I know, and if I find the swab as did it, I'll kill him."
Joe said this in a quietly savage way, which made Miss Vicky shudder.
"Have you any idea who carried off the body, Joe?"
"No, sir, I have not--but," added the man grimly, "I'm going to look
for him."
The old maid shuddered again at the expression in his bloodshot eyes.
"'Vengeance is mine. I will repay, saith the Lord,'" she put in
severely.
"All werry good," said Mr. Brill, "but I guess the Lord needs an
instrument to carry out that text." He spat on his hands and added
slowly, "I'm that instrument!"
"Had my father any enemies that you know of, Joe?"
"No, miss, not that I knowed of. He had rows, as a man should, had the
Cap'n, but I don't know any swab as 'ud have stolen his corpse."
"And murdered Dr. Warrender," said Alan, who was watching the man.
"As you say, sir," replied the sailor calmly, "and murdered Dr.
Warrender. No, I can't rightly call any one to mind."
"Did you know the Quiet Gentleman, Joe?"
"I did not, miss. Brown he called hisself--leastways, Mrs. Marry told
me so, for Brown had no tongue. I tried to pass the time o' day,
meeting him friendly like on the road, but he only put his hand to his
mouth and shook his white head. I don't know nothing about him."
"Do you know a tramp named Cicero Gramp?" asked Alan, after a pause.
"Well, I did in a way." Joe drew his huge hand across his mouth, and
seemed to be considering his reply. "In this way, sir. He comed here
to the kitchen and put 'em all wrong with his lies. I kicked him
out--leastways, I giv 'im something to take 'imself orf."
"What did he come here for?"
Joe clenched his teeth and frowned dreadfully.
"I wish I knowed, I'd ha' broken his cocoanut!" said he. "He was a
liar, miss, savin' your presence. Said 'e knowed your father, the
Cap'n, which," said Joe slowly, "was a d----d lie--beggin' your
pardon, miss."
"Said he knew my father?" echoed Sophy anxiously. "What did he know
about him?"
"Nothin'," replied Joe firmly. "Make your mind easy, miss--nothin'."
It seemed to Alan as though the old sailor wished to intimate that
there really was something in Marlow's past which might be known, but
that the tramp was ignorant of it. He evidently wanted to reassure the
girl, yet Alan was well aware that Sophy knew practically nothing of
her father's life. He resolved to try the effect of a surprise.
"Joe," said he slowly, "it was this tramp who told me the body had
been stolen."
Joe's hard, shiny hat, which he had been twisting nervously in his
hands, fell to the ground. His face was a dark crimson when he stooped
to pick it up, and he stammered:
"Hi, sir! that--that lubber. How did he know?"
"That I have to find out. He offers to sell the information for a
hundred pounds."
Joe rubbed his hands and looked ferocious.
"What I want to know, sir, is, where is the swab?"
"In London. I'm going up to see him to-morrow."
"This afternoon," put in Sophy sharply. "You are going this afternoon,
Alan."
"Certainly, my dear," Alan said promptly; "I'll go this afternoon--if
the police don't want me."
"The police!" gasped Joe, shifting nervously from one leg to the
other.
"Yes." Alan darted a keen glance at him. "Mr. Phelps has sent for the
police to investigate this murder of Dr. Warrender."
"Well, I hope they'll find him, sir," said Joe, recovering his
stolidity, "for I make no doubt that the swab as killed the doctor
carried off the Cap'n's body."
"So I think, Joe, and I am going to London to find out from Cicero
Gramp."
"You'll find he'll tell you that the Quiet Gentleman killed Dr.
Warrender," put in Sophy.
The old sailor choked, and looked at her with absolute terror.
"How do you know that, miss?" he asked.
"I only think so. The Quiet Gentleman has disappeared. Probably he
killed the doctor, and then took my father's body."
"It might be so, miss. If I find him----"
Joe repeated his former savage declaration, and Miss Vicky duly
shuddered.
"Then you can't help us in any way, Joe?" said Alan, eying him
thoughtfully.
"No, sir, I can't. I don't know who carried off the Cap'n, and I don't
know who stabbed the doctor. If I did, I'd kill him. When you find
him, sir, let me know."
After which speech the old sailor again pulled his forelock, scraped
his foot, and rolled out of the room. He appeared somewhat relieved to
get away.
Alan did not quite know what to make of Joe. The man was so nervous
that it seemed as though he knew something and was afraid of
committing himself. On the other hand, this sailor was devoted to
Sophy, and had been in Marlow's service for thirty years. It was only
reasonable to conclude, therefore, that he would wish her to benefit
by any knowledge he might possess. On the whole, Alan was perplexed,
but he kept it to himself, determining, nevertheless, to keep an eye
on Joe. When the door was closed, Sophy turned to Alan.
"Alan," she said slowly, "I love you dearly, as you know, and I wish
to become your wife. But I swear by the memory of my father that until
you find out who has done this wicked thing and bring the man to
justice, I will not marry you!"
"Sophy!" cried Thorold entreatingly.
"I mean what I say," repeated the girl, in a low, fierce voice. "We
must avenge my father. When the wretch is caught and hanged, then I'll
marry you, Alan."
"Sophia, a marriage under such circumstances----"
"Miss Parsh," cried Sophy, turning on the meek old maid, "do you think
I can sit down tamely under this insult to the dead? My father's body
has been carried off. It must be found again before I marry--before I
can think of marriage, Alan."
"Sophy is right," cried Thorold, drawing the girl to him and kissing
her. "She is right, Miss Parsh. I swear also that I will devote my
life to solving this mystery. Your father's body shall be brought
back, Sophy, and the murderer of Dr. Warrender shall hang. Good-bye,
dear. To-day I go to London. The first step towards the discovery of
this crime will be to see Cicero Gramp. He may supply the clue."
"Yes, yes. Bribe him; pay him anything, so long as you get at the
truth."
Alan kissed the girl again, and then left the room. Before he started,
he intended to see the Rector and the local inspector of police. As he
stepped out on to the road, he noticed Phelps coming along in the hot
sunshine. The little parson was puffing and blowing and wiping his
forehead.
"Alan! Alan!" he called out in short gasps as he came within speaking
distance. "She's gone! She's gone to----"
"She! Gone! Who's gone? Where?"
"Why, Mrs. Warrender! She's disappeared. Oh, dear me; how terrible all
this is! Whew!"
CHAPTER VI.
THE MISSING KEY.
So excited was the little parson that Alan feared lest he should take
a fit. The Good Samaritan was no great distance away, so thither he
led him, into Mrs. Timber's private parlor.
"Now, sir," said Alan, when his old tutor seemed somewhat more
composed, "tell me all about Mrs. Warrender."
But before Mr. Phelps could reply, the vixenish landlady made her
appearance. She was highly honored at seeing the Rector within her
doors, and curtsied a hint for orders. And, in truth, the little
clergyman, undone with excitement, was quite ready to stimulate his
jaded nerves.
"Eh, Mrs. Timber?" he said. "Yes; you might get us a little Cognac, I
think. Old; the best you have, Mrs. Timber, and a jug of fresh-drawn
water from the well, please. Alan?"
"I'll join you," said young Thorold promptly.
He, too, felt that he was in nowise beyond reach of a little
stimulant.
Silent for once in her life, Mrs. Timber brought of her best, which,
be it said, was passing good. Mr. Phelps lost no time in brewing his
measure and drank it down with gusto.
"That's good, Alan, my boy; very good," said he, setting down the
tumbler with a sigh of relief. "God forgive me, I fear to think
what my good brethren would say did they see their Rector in a
public-house! though to be sure the Good Samaritan is a most
respectable hostelry. But, Alan, why did you bring me here?"
"Indeed, sir, I feared you would be ill out there in the blazing sun.
I did only what I thought wise. But about Mrs. Warrender--you say she
has disappeared?"
"Eh, yes." Mr. Phelps wiped his bald head vigorously. "I went to break
the news to her after you had gone to see Sophy, and I found she had
left for London."
"London? Why London?"
"That is just what I wanted to know, my dear Alan. It seems she
received last night a letter which threw her into a state of great
excitement. She was bad enough that way, as it was, the servant said;
but this letter, it appears, drove her into a perfect frenzy."
"Do you know what was in the letter?"
"I asked that--oh, trust me, Alan, to be precise about details--but
the servant said she did not know. Mrs. Warrender put it in her
pocket. That spoke volumes from the servant's point of view. All night
long, it appears, she was walking about the room using the most
fearful language--God forgive her!--and this morning at eight o'clock
she started off to catch the 9.30 express at the Junction."
"And is she coming back?"
"That I don't know, my boy."
Mr. Phelps looked round cautiously and lowered his voice to a whisper.
"She took her jewels with her."
"Her jewels?"
"Yes; she had a quantity of jewelry. She put all the money she could
get from her husband into clothes and diamonds--a most extravagant
woman, Alan. Well, she's gone, that's certain, jewels and all. She
left no address, and said no word about returning. What do you think
of it?"
"Upon my word, sir, I don't know what to think. The whole place has
gone mad, it seems to me; the entire village is topsy-turvy. Marlow's
body stolen, Warrender murdered, and his body placed in poor Marlow's
coffin; and now here is Mrs. Warrender cleared out significantly with
her jewels; and the Quiet Gentleman----"
"Brown, the dumb man? What about him? I know he, too, has vanished;
but what else?"
"I'm going to tell you, sir. The key of the vault----"
"Not your key, Alan?"
"Yes, my key, Mr. Phelps; the Quiet Gentleman has it!"
"God bless me--that is, God forgive me, Alan, are you mad too?"
"No, sir, not yet; though I admit I'm fairly on the way, with all
this. Tell me, do you know who this so-called Quiet Gentleman really
is?"
"No, Alan, I don't. I spoke to him, but found he was dumb. Now he too
is gone."
"Yes, with Marlow's body on his hands, and Warrender's death on his
soul!"
"You don't mean that! Are you sure?"
Mr. Phelps was greatly agitated.
"I go only by circumstantial evidence, it is true. You know, of
course, the funeral of Mr. Marlow took place in the morning?"
"Yes, yes; and at two o'clock you took Sophy and Miss Parsh to
Bournemouth."
"I did. Well, about five o'clock, Brown--we'll call him that instead
of the Quiet Gentleman, though I don't believe it really is his
name--well, about that time Brown walked over to Abbey Farm. He
brought a letter purporting to come from me to my housekeeper, Mrs.
Hester."
"From you, Alan?"
"Yes, the letter was forged," said Alan with emphasis. "It directed
Mrs. Hester to allow Brown to remain at the farm until I returned. It
was in my handwriting, and signed with my name. She knew nothing about
Brown, save that he was staying at Mrs. Marry's, and she thought it
somewhat strange he should come to stop at the farm during my absence.
But as the instructions in the letter were quite plain, and she knew
my handwriting well--that shows how expert the forgery was--she gave
Brown the run of the place. In the meantime she wrote to me at
Bournemouth asking me if all was right, and inclosed the forged
letter. Here it is!"
As he saw the handwriting, Mr. Phelps started.
"Upon my word, Alan, I don't wonder Mrs. Hester was deceived,
especially when you consider her sight is not good! Why, I myself
with my eyes should certainly take it for yours." (Mr. Phelps wore
pince-nez, but nevertheless resented any aspersion on his optical
powers.) "But why on earth didn't she telegraph to you?"
"Well, you know how old-fashioned and conservative she is, sir. She
makes out through the Scriptures--how, I cannot tell you--that the
telegraph is a sinful institution. Therefore it is not to be wondered
at that she trusted to the post. I got her letter only this morn as,
of course, it followed me on from Bournemouth. Nevertheless, I knew
about the loss of the key last night."
"Ah! the loss of the key. Yes, go Alan."
"Very well. Brown, being allowed to remain in my house, proceeded to
make him quite at home in the library. Mrs. Hester writing her
letter--no easy task for her--took no further heed of him. He was in
the room for quite an hour, and amused himself, appears, in breaking
open my desk. Having forced several of the drawers, he found at last
the one he wanted--the one containing the key of the vault. Then he
made all things beautifully smooth, so that Mrs. Hester should not see
they had been tampered with, and leaving a message that he would
return to dinner, went out ostensibly for a walk. He returned,
appears, to his lodging, and left there again about nine o'clock in
the evening. Since then nothing has been seen or heard of him."
"God bless me, Alan! are you sure he has the key?"
"Positive. I looked in my desk last night and it was not there. But
everything was done so nicely that I am strongly of the opinion that
Mr. Brown has served his apprenticeship as a cracksman, and that under
a pretty good master too. No one but he could have stolen that key.
Besides, the forged letter shows plainly that he came to the farm with
no honest intentions. But what I can't understand," continued Alan,
biting his mustache, "is how the man came to know where the key was."
"Extraordinary--yes, that is extraordinary. Undoubtedly he it was who
stole the body and gained access to the vault with your key. But the
murder of Dr. Warrender----"
"He committed that too; I am convinced of it. Warrender called to see
him, found he was out, and I have no doubt followed him. He probably
saw Brown remove the body, and of course interfered, upon which the
villain made short work of him. That is my theory, sir."
"And a very sound one, too, in many respects," said the Rector. "But
Brown could not have removed the body alone. He must have had an
accomplice."
"True; and it is for that very reason I am going to town this
afternoon. Cicero Gramp may be able to supply some information on that
point. It is quite possible he slept in the churchyard and saw the
whole business--murder and all."
"Alan! Alan!" cried Mr. Phelps, horrified. "Do you believe this murder
was committed on the sacred soil of the churchyard, in God's own acre,
Alan? No one, surely, could be so vile!"
"I do, sir; and at the door of the vault. Brown, as you say yourself,
cleverly concealed the body in Marlow's coffin. He had no time to
screw it down again, apparently. He must have had a pretty tough job
to cut through that lead. He had to trust to chance, of course, that
the vault would not be visited until he had got a safe distance away
with his booty. And, indeed, but for Gramp's letter, no one would ever
have thought of going there. In fact, this Brown is a most ingenious
and dangerous criminal."
"He is; indeed he is. But what could he possibly want the body for?"
"Ha! that's just it! I fancy this is a case of blackmail. If you
remember, a millionaire's body was stolen in America some few years
ago, and only restored to the family on payment by them of a very
large sum of money."
"Oh, that is what you think he is after?"
"Yes, I do. It is highly probable, I think, that in a few weeks, or
perhaps even in less time, we shall receive a letter demanding some
thousands for the return of the body."
"But surely the police----"
"Oh, Mr. Brown will look after all that. You may depend upon it he'll
make himself quite safe before he goes that far. So talented a
gentleman as he would not be likely to omit all necessary precautions
of that kind."
"Humph!" muttered Mr. Phelps, considering, "and of Mrs. Warrender's
suspicious flight, what think you?"
"I confess I don't know quite what to make of that. I have no great
opinion of her as a woman; still, I should hardly credit her with
being in league with this ruffian."
"No, indeed; for that, she must needs be the worst of women," said Mr.
Phelps with warmth. "Why, Alan, poor Warrender was simply crazy about
her. He worked day and night to provide her with the finery she craved
for. Besides, she seemed really fond of him."
"Who was she?" asked Alan bluntly.
"Well, I shouldn't like to say it to every one, Alan, but Mrs.
Warrender had been an actress."
"An actress! Under what name?"
"That I cannot tell you. I called there one day and I heard her
reciting Shakespeare. Her elocution seemed to me so fine that I
complimented her upon it. Then she told me that she had been on the
stage, and had retired when she married Warrender."
"That's very strange! I always thought she had somewhat of a
professional manner about her."
"And her hair, Alan! _Flava coma_--yellow hair; not that I mean, for
one moment, she was what the Romans referred to by these words. Well,
my boy, what is to be done now?"
"I am going up to London in an hour's time."
Alan glanced at his watch while speaking.
"But you'll miss seeing Blair, the inspector," remonstrated Mr.
Phelps.
"I'll see him when I return: you can explain the case as well as I,
sir. I shall bring Gramp back with me if I can manage it."
"And Mrs. Warrender--shall I tell Blair about her?"
"I fear you must. But let him be circumspect. It is not necessary to
take any steps against her until we are tolerably sure of the reason
for her sudden flight. When do they hold the inquest on Warrender?"
"To-morrow."
"Well, I'll be back to-night and tell you what I've done." And Alan
rose to go.
"One moment, my dear boy. What about Sophy?"
"I've seen her, and, of course, I was judicious in what I told her.
She knows nothing about the loss of the key and my suspicions of
Brown, although, funnily enough, she herself suspects him."
"Bless me! on what grounds can she do that?"
"Oh, on the purely feminine grounds that she suspects him. She
declares she will not marry me until her father's body is discovered."
"Very right; very proper. I quite agree with her. You should start
your married life with an absolutely clean sheet, Alan."
The young man nodded, and as he left the inn he delivered himself of
one warning.
"Whatever you do, keep your eye on Joe Brill," he said significantly.
"Why--why? What for?"
"Because I fancy he knows a good deal more than he is inclined to
tell," replied Alan.
Then, without further comment, he drove off, leaving the Rector
considerably bewildered at this abrupt interpolation of a fresh name
into the persons of the drama.
Meanwhile, Alan caught his train, and in due time, or a very fair
approach to it, arrived in London. He took a hasty lunch at Waterloo,
and drove to Westminster Bridge. Here he dismissed his cab, and set
about inquiring for Dixon's Rents. The slum--its name was highly
suggestive of its being such--appeared to be well known. The first
constable he asked was both familiar with and communicative about it.
"It's within easy distance of Lambeth Palace, sir," he said. "A bit
rough by night, but you'll be all right there in the daytime. Ask any
constable near by the Palace, sir, and he'll put you right. Thank you,
sir."
Alan left the officer of the law well pleased with his unlooked-for
half-crown, and walked on towards the Palace. The second constable
could not leave his beat, but the bestowal of another half-crown
elicited from him the practical suggestion that a certain young
shoeblack of repute should act as guide. The shoeblack was quite near
at hand, and very shortly was enrolled as guide for the occasion.
Together he and Alan started off, leaving the constable well content,
though withal a trifle mystified, not to say curious.
The shoeblack led the way, and Alan followed closely. They turned away
from the river into a mass of houses, where the streets became more
and more squalid, and the population more and more ragged and unkempt.
At length, after many twistings and turnings, they arrived at the
entrance to a narrow cul-de-sac, and he was informed that this was his
destination. He rewarded and dismissed the shoeblack, and proceeded
down the dirty lane. Almost the first person he saw was a tall woman
standing at the entrance of the court, closely veiled. She seemed to
be hesitating whether she would come on or not. Then, suddenly, she
threw up her veil. As she did so Alan uttered an exclamation of
surprise.
It was Mrs. Warrender!
CHAPTER VII.
IN DIXON'S RENTS.
At the sound of Alan's voice Mrs. Warrender started like a guilty
thing. He was astonished beyond measure at finding her in the same
unsavory neighborhood as himself, bound, for all he knew, on the same
errand. At all events, it was surely more than a coincidence that she
should be on the threshold of Gramp's dwelling, so to speak.
"Mrs. Warrender," he said, gravely lifting his hat, "this is indeed a
surprise. Of course, you know what has happened at Heathton?"
"I know all," answered the woman, in a rich, low voice. "Jarks, the
sexton, told my servant this morning what has happened to poor Julian,
and that his body has been found in the Marlow vault."
"Are you sure you did not know of it last night?" asked Alan quietly.
"Mr. Thorold!"
The color rushed to her face.
"I mean that the letter which disturbed you so much might have hinted
at the murder."
"A letter? How do you know I got a letter last night?"
"The Rector called to break the news to you this morning, and your
servant told him that you already knew it; also that you had left for
London--with your jewels, Mrs. Warrender," added Alan significantly.
"And you followed me!" cried the woman savagely. "Do you intend to
accuse me of my husband's murder?"
"I certainly do not; and I did not follow you. I am here on the same
errand as yourself."
She looked terrified.
"How do you know what my errand is?"
"Because I can put two and two together, Mrs. Warrender. I also
received a letter--at least, Miss Marlow did, and from the same
man--the man who lives here."
"Cicero Gramp?"
"That is the name. You see, I was right. Does he intend to blackmail
you also, and did you bring your jewels to satisfy his demands?"
She looked down the court. They were comparatively alone. A few ragged
children were playing about, and some slatternly women were watching
them from doorways. A man or two, brutalized by drink, hovered in the
distance. But a smart constable, who passed and repassed the entrance
of the cul-de-sac, casting inquisitive glances at Alan and his
companion, kept these birds of prey from any nearer approach. Finding
that they were out of earshot, Mrs. Warrender produced a letter and
handed it to Alan. It was written on the same thick, creamy paper, and
in the same elegant handwriting as had been the communication to
Sophy. He read it in silence. As he had expected, it informed Mrs.
Warrender that her husband was dead, and that Cicero Gramp, on payment
of two hundred pounds, could inform her where the body could be found.
His price had evidently gone up. But what struck Alan most was the
nature of the information now offered. Cicero declared that he could
tell the widow where her husband's body was to be found. The body had
already been discovered in the Marlow vault. Ergo, Cicero Gramp knew
it was there. If so, had he seen the murder committed and the body
taken into the vault? It seemed probable. Indeed, it seemed likely
that he could solve the whole mystery; but, strangely enough, the
prospect did not seem to afford Mr. Thorold much satisfaction. He
handed back the letter with a dissatisfied smile.
"I think you have wasted your time coming up," he said. "Jarks, no
doubt, told your servant that the doctor's body had already been
discovered. Why, then, come up to pay blackmail?"
"I want to find out who killed Julian," she said.
"Then you are on your way to see this man?"
"Yes." She shuddered. "But this terrible place. I am afraid."
"Then why come here? I am going to see Mr. Gramp on Miss Marlow's
behalf. If you like, I will represent you also."
"No, thank you; I must see him myself."
"Very well. I suppose you are not staying in town?"
"Yes, at the Norfolk Hotel. I shall remain until to-morrow, so as to
sell my jewels and bribe this man."
"There will be no need to sell your jewels," said Alan soothingly. "I
will be responsible for the blackmail. Have you the jewels with you?"
"No, I dared not bring them. He might have robbed me. They are in my
bedroom at the hotel."
"Then go back at once and look after them. I will bring this man there
in, let us say, an hour."
"Thank you, Mr. Thorold," she said. "I accept your offer. I am really
afraid to go down that slum."
He gazed after her fine figure as she walked hurriedly away. Somehow
that haughty air and resolute gait did not fit in well with her
expression of fear. It was curious. He felt there was something
strange about Mrs. Warrender. However, she had been open enough with
him, so he did not choose to think badly of her.
The man he sought was not easy to find. Mr. Cramp had his own reasons
for keeping clear of the police. The whole alley was known by the name
of Dixon's Rents, and Thorold had no idea in which of the houses to
ask for him. He questioned a stunted street Arab with wolfish eyes,
emphasizing his request with a sixpence.
"Oh, Cicero!" yelped the lad, biting the coin. "Yuss, he's round
about. Dunno! Y'ain't a 'tec?"
"What's that?"
"A de-tec-tive," drawled the boy. "Cicero ain't wanted, is he?"
"Not by me. Is Cicero generally--er--wanted?" inquired Alan
delicately.
The urchin closed one eye rapidly, and grinned with many teeth. But,
instead of replying he took to shouting hoarsely for "Mother Ginger."
The surrounding population popped out of their burrows like so many
rabbits, and for the next few minutes "Mother Ginger" was asked for
vigorously. Alan looked round at the ragged, blear-eyed slum-dwellers,
but could see nothing of the lady in question. Suddenly his arm was
twitched, and he turned to find a dwarf no higher than his waist
trying to attract his attention. Mother Ginger, for it was she, had a
huge head of red hair, fantastically decked with ribbons of many
colors. Her dress, too, was rainbow-hued, like Joseph's coat. She had
carpet slippers on her huge feet, and white woolen gloves on her large
hands. Her face was as large as a frying-pan and of a pallid hue, with
expressionless blue eyes and a big mouth. Alan saw in her a female
Quasimodo.
"Wot is it?" she inquired. Evidently Mother Ginger was vain of her
finery and of the attention she attracted. "Is it Mr. Gramp you want,
m'dimber-cove?"
"Yes. Can you take me to him?" asked Thorold, wincing at the
penny-whistle quality of her voice. "Is he at home?"
"P'r'aps he is, p'r'aps he ain't," retorted Mother Ginger, with a
fascinating leer. "Wot d'ye want with him?"
"This will explain." And Alan put Cicero's letter into her hand. "Give
him that."
She nodded, croaked like a bull-frog, and vanished amongst the crowd.
Mr. Thorold found himself the center of attraction and the object of
remark.
This somewhat unpleasant position was put an end to by the appearance
of Mother Ginger, who clawed Alan, and drew him into a house at the
end of the court. The tatterdemalions gave a yell of disappointment at
the escape of their prey, and their prey congratulated himself that he
had not made his visit at night. He felt that he might have fared
badly in this modern Court of Miracles. However, it appeared that he
was safe under the protection of Mother Ginger. With the activity of a
monkey, she conducted him up a dirty staircase and into a bare room
furnished with a bed, a chair, and a table. Here Alan was greeted by a
bulky creature in a gorgeous red dressing-gown, old and greasy, but
still pretentious. He had no difficulty in recognizing the man whom he
had seen reciting on the parade at Bournemouth.
"I welcome you, Mr. Thorold," said Cicero in his best Turveydrop
style. "Mother Ginger, depart."
To get rid of the woman, Mr. Thorold placed a shilling in her concave
claw, upon which she executed a kind of war-dance, and vanished with a
yelp of delight. Left alone with the pompous vagabond, the young man
took the only chair, and faced his host, who was sitting majestically
on the bed, his red dressing-gown wrapped round him in regal style.
"So you are Cicero Gramp?" began Alan. "I have seen you----"
"At Bournemouth," interrupted the professor of elocution and
eloquence. "True, I was there for the benefit of my health."
"And to blackmail Miss Marlow."
"Blackmail--a painful word, Mr. Thorold."
"How do you know my name?"
"It is part of my business to know all names," was the answer--"_ex
nihilo nihil fit_, if you understand the tongue of my namesake. If I
did not know what I desire to know, my income would be small indeed. I
visited the salubrious village of Heathton, and learned there that
Miss Marlow and Mr. Thorold, to whom she was engaged, were recreating
themselves at the seaside with an inferior companion. Bournemouth was
the seaside, and I went there. On seeing a young lady with a spinster
and a gentleman in attendance, I noted Miss Marlow, Mr. Thorold, and
Miss Parsh."
"And made yourself scarce?"
"I did," admitted Cicero frankly. "I departed as soon as you were out
of sight, knowing that my letter would be delivered, and that you
might call in the police."
"Ah, a guilty conscience!"
"Far from it." Cicero flung open his dressing-gown and struck his
chest. "Here purity and innocence and peace are enthroned. I did not
wish to be taken by the minions of the law, lest they should wrest
from me for nothing what I should prefer to sell for a few pounds.
Besides, I wished to see you in my own house. A poor establishment,"
said Mr. Gramp, looking round the meager room, "but mine own."
He bowed gracefully, as if for applause.
"Come, Mr. Gramp," said Alan diplomatically, "let us get to business.
What do you know about this matter?"
"About the hundred pounds?" asked the man with an appearance of great
simplicity.
"I'll pay you that, more or less, when I know what your information is
worth."
"More or less won't do, Mr. Thorold. I want, from Miss Marlow or from
you, one hundred pounds."
"I know, and two hundred from Mrs. Warrender."
"Ah!"--Cicero did not move a muscle--"she has told you that I can give
you information about the body of her husband?"
"Yes, and she has come to town to see you. However, I have intercepted
her, and she is waiting to see you in a place I know of. You must come
with me, Mr. Gramp."
But Cicero shook his head uneasily.
"An Englishman's house is his castle," he said. "This is my house, my
keep, my donjon. _Quod erat demonstrandum!_"
"Oh, confound your dictionary Latin!" cried Alan impatiently. "You are
afraid of the police?"
"Far from it, Mr. Thorold. I have nothing to fear from them. For one
hundred pounds I lay bare my heart."
"I'll give you fifty pounds on condition you tell me all you know.
From Mrs. Warrender you won't receive a penny."
"Then she shall never know where lies the body of her late lamented
partner."
"She knows that already," said Alan coolly.
"Ha!"--Cicero gave a dramatic start--"you seek to deceive me!"
"Indeed, I do nothing of the sort; I found the body myself."
"Where, may I ask?" said Gramp, his thoughts going back to the hut on
the heath.
"In the Marlow vault, in the coffin of the dead man who was carried
away."
Cicero's jaw fell. He was truly surprised.
"How the devil did it get there from the hut?" he said.
"The hut--what hut?"
"I want my money before I tell you that, Mr. Thorold."
Alan took five ten-pound notes out of his pocket.
"Here is fifty pounds," he said; "it will be yours if you tell me all
you know, and come with me to see Mrs. Warrender."
"Aha!" Cicero's eyes glittered, and his fingers longed to clutch the
money. Such wealth had not been his for many a long day. "And the
police?"
"I thought you did not fear them?" was the reply.
"I don't, for I have done nothing to put myself in the power of the
law. But I am afraid, as this body has been found, that you will have
me arrested, and so I shall lose the money."
"If you are innocent of the murder and the sacrilege, you won't be
arrested, Gramp. And the money I will give you after we have seen Mrs.
Warrender."
"On your word of honor as a gentleman?"
"Yes, on my word of honor. If you can throw light on this mystery, and
bring home these crimes to the person who has committed them, I am
quite willing to pay you."
"I don't know about bringing home the crimes, Mr. Thorold," said
Cicero, rising, "but I will tell you all I know in the presence of
Mrs. Warrender. Permit me to assume my visiting garb. Where is the
lady?"
"At the Norfolk Hotel."
"I know it. Many a glass which cheers have I drained there. _Dulce
desipere in loco_. You don't know Horace, perhaps?"
"I suspect you don't," said Alan, annoyed by this hedge-Latin. "Hurry
up!"
"Fifty pounds, Mr. Thorold."
"After our interview with Mrs. Warrender," amended the other
significantly.
"Command my services," said Cicero, and rapidly put on his frock-coat,
battered hat and gloves.
After he had brushed his greasy broadcloth, and dusted his large boots
with the red bandana, he announced that he was ready.
The oddly-assorted pair proceeded to the Norfolk Hotel through the
Lambeth slums. Cicero seemed to be very well known and very popular.
He exchanged greetings with shady acquaintances, patted ragged
children on the head, and arrived at the hotel swelling with pride. He
felt that he had shown Alan he was a man of consequence. Arrived at
their destination, they were shown by a slipshod waiter into a shabby
sitting-room on the first floor where they found Mrs. Warrender. She
rose, and on seeing Cicero, gave a shriek of surprise.
"Bill!" she cried with a gasp.
"Clara Maria!" exclaimed the so-called Cicero, "my beloved sister!
What a surprise!"
CHAPTER VIII.
AN IMPORTANT INTERVIEW
"Well, I never!" gasped the widow, who, womanlike, was the first to
find her tongue. "Is it really you, Billy?--but I might have guessed
it, from your writing. Yet it never entered my head!" She stopped and
grew suddenly furious. "My husband, you wretch!--have you killed him?"
"No, Clara Maria, no! I came here to give information about his poor
body. I did not expect to find my sister--the celebrated Miss de
Crespigny--in the person of Mrs. Warrender!"
"What is all this about?" demanded Alan quietly. "Is this your
brother, Mrs. Warrender?"
"To my shame, sir, I confess this--this creature"--Mrs. Warrender
brought out the word with a hiss--"this degraded beast, is my
brother."
"Oh, Clara Maria, how can you----"
"Hold your tongue!" interrupted the lady angrily. "You were always a
drunkard and a scoundrel! Now you've come to blackmailing! Two hundred
pounds from me, you wretch! Not one sixpence!"
"I have already," said her brother majestically, "arranged pecuniary
matters with my friend Mr. Thorold. But I wonder at you, Clara Maria,
I really do, considering how we parted. Is this the greeting of flesh
and blood?" cried Mr. Gramp in a soaring voice, and standing on
tiptoe. "Is this what human nature is made of? The late Sir Isaac
Newton was a prophet indeed when he made that remark."
"Mountebank!" hissed Mrs. Warrender, curling her handsome lip.
"We were both mountebanks at one time, Mr. Thorold," he said, turning
to Alan, who, in spite of his anxiety, was watching the scene with
unconcealed amusement. "My sister was the celebrated Miss de
Crespigny; I, the once noted actor, Vavasour Belgrave----"
"And his real name is Billy Spinks!" put in Mrs. Warrender scornfully.
"William Spinks," corrected Mr. Gramp, as it may be convenient to call
him. "Billy is merely an endearing term to which, alas! your lips have
long been strangers. But you needn't talk," said Cicero, becoming
angry, and therewith a trifle vulgar; "your name is Clara Maria
Spinks!"
"And a very good name, too," retorted the lady. "Cut the scene short,
Billy."
"That is my advice also," put in Alan, who was growing weary. "I do
not want to know any more about your relationship. That you are
brother and sister is nothing to me."
"I hope, Mr. Thorold, that you won't reveal my degraded connection in
Heathton," cried Mrs. Warrender, much agitated. "It would ruin me.
With great difficulty I attained a position by marrying my poor dear
Julian, and I don't want to fall back into the mud where this worm
writhes." She darted a vicious glance at Cicero.
"Be content, Mrs. Warrender; your secret is safe with me."
"Denying her own flesh and blood!" moaned Gramp, and sat down.
Speech and attitude were most effective, and Mrs. Warrender, with a
spark of her old theatrical humor, played back.
"Yes, I deny you," she cried, rising quickly and stretching out a
denunciatory hand. "You were always a brute and a disgrace to me. Look
at that creature, Mr. Thorold! He is my brother. Our parents were on
the stage--barnstormers they were--and played in the provinces for
bite and sup. They put us on the stage, and when thy died, left a
little money to Billy there. He was to bring me up. How did he fulfil
his trust? By making me work for him. As an actor, even in the meanest
parts, he was a failure. I am not much of an actress myself, although
I was well known as Miss de Crespigny, and billed all over London. It
was my figure and my looks that did it. I appeared in burlesque ten or
twelve years ago, and I had wealth at my feet."
"I have heard of you," said Alan, recalling his college days and
certain photographs of the most beautiful burlesque actress in London.
He wondered he had not recognized her long before. Mrs. Warrender,
shaking with passion, went on as though she had not heard him.
"Wealth was at my feet," went on the widow--"wealth and dishonor.
He," she cried, and pointed the finger of scorn at the unabashed
Cicero, "he lived on me! He would have me stoop to dishonor for his
sake! Then I lost my voice. The creature treated me basely. I left
him; I ran away to the States of America, and appeared in ballets for
my looks alone. In New Orleans I met Julian Warrender--he was old, but
he was madly in love with me--and I married him for a home. We came to
England five years ago, and settled at Heathton. I always did my best
to be a good wife, although I dare say I was extravagant. Diamonds!
yes, I have diamonds, and I made Julian buy me all he could. And
why?--to provide against the days of poverty which I knew would come.
They have come--my husband is dead. God help me!" Her voice rose to a
scream. "Murdered!" she cried.
"This," interpolated Gramp, addressing no one in particular, "is very
painful."
"You beast! Why do you come into my life again? I wanted to know about
my poor husband's death, and I brought up my jewels to bribe the man
who called himself Cicero Gramp into confessing who had murdered him.
I find that my own brother is the blackmailer. You would extort money
from me, you wretch! Never! never! never! I disown you--I cast you
out! William Spinks, blackguard you were! Cicero Gramp, scoundrel,
thief, blackmailer, and, for all I know, murderer, you are! Away with
you--away!" and Mrs. Warrender, very white in face and very exhausted
in body, sat down.
"Very good," said her brother, rising; "I go."
"Without your fifty pounds?" asked Alan, sneering.
"I forgot that," he said, smiling blandly.
"Don't give him a penny, Mr. Thorold!" cried the woman with vehemence.
"I promised him the money, and he shall have it," replied Alan coldly.
"I have heard your story, Mrs. Warrender, and it is safe with me. No
one in Heathton shall know. Your brother will not speak of it either."
"How do you know that?" asked Cicero, with an evil look.
"Because you shall not have the fifty pounds until I have your promise
to hold your tongue about your relationship to Mrs. Warrender while
you are in Heathton."
"I am not going to Heathton," growled Gramp like a sulky bear.
"Yes, you are. You are coming to tell your story to Inspector Blair.
If you don't, not only will you lose your fifty pounds, but I will
have you arrested as a suspicious character."
"You promised that the police should not touch me."
"I promised nothing of the sort. Now, tell me what you saw of these
crimes--for there are two: sacrilege and murder--and then come to
Heathton. Behave well, keep Mrs. Warrender's secret, and you shall
have fifty pounds and your freedom. Otherwise----" Alan held up his
finger.
"Oh, Mr. Thorold!" cried the widow, wringing her hands, "if this
horrible man comes to Heathton, I am lost!"
"Indeed no! He will hold his tongue. Won't you?"
"You seem very sure of it," said the professor of eloquence.
"Of course I am. You see, Mr. Gramp, I have the handling of the late
Mr. Marlow's money, and I can buy your silence."
"Not for fifty pounds."
"We shall see about that. It's either fifty pounds or the police.
Choose!"
Cicero folded his arms, and bowed his head.
"I will take the money," he said, "and I will hold my tongue--while I
am at Heathton giving my evidence. Afterwards----" he looked at his
sister.
"Afterwards," said Alan smoothly, "we will make other arrangements.
Now tell your story."
"And tell the truth!" put in Mrs. Warrender sharply.
"Clara Maria!" Cicero was about to break forth in furious speech, but
he restrained himself. "_Hodie mihi eras tibi!_" said Mr. Gramp, with
a strange look at Alan--"if you understand Latin."
"I think I am able to follow you, my friend. You mean 'To-day to me,
to-morrow to thee,' which would be all right if it was I who quoted
the saying. But this time it is not your day, and as to your
to-morrow, it may never come."
"We shall see about that," said Cicero savagely and pointedly.
Alan felt an unpleasant thrill run through him, for the man's look was
evil beyond telling. But he betrayed nothing of this, and signed to
Gramp to continue.
Quite understanding the position, Cicero reverted to his grand
theatrical manner. He rose from his chair, rested one hand on the back
of it, and thrust the other into his breast. As from a rostrum he
delivered his speech, and dwelt upon his own words with the gusto of a
modern Micawber.
"Mr. Thorold and Clara Maria," he began in deep tones, "a few days ago
circumstances connected with money turned me weary and hungry from the
seaport of Southampton. I went--let us be plain--I went on the tramp,
and in the course of my peregrinations I drew near Heathton, a
salubrious village, notorious at the present moment for the crimes
which have been committed there. I spun a coin, my only sixpence, to
decide if an intrusion into that village would bring me good or evil
fortune. The coin said good, so to Heathton I went. As I shall shortly
pocket fifty quid--a vulgar term, but eloquent, Clara Maria, so don't
frown--I dare not say that my only sixpence told me a lie. That
sixpence bought me a meal in the Heathton public-house. Where is that
meal or sixpence now? _Eheu! Fuit Ilium._"
"Go on," said Alan curtly, for the orator paused.
"At the Good Samaritan I heard much about Mr. Marlow and the funeral,
and learned a few facts which were of use to me afterwards."
"When you thrust yourself into the kitchen at the Moat House, I
presume?"
"You are correct, Mr. Thorold. I did good business there; and I
learned, from the irresponsible chatter of the domestics, a few other
facts which may also prove valuable."
He looked directly at Alan as he said this.
"Go on! go on!" said Thorold again. But he felt uneasy.
"I was turned out of the Good Samaritan by a hard-hearted landlady
called--appropriately, I confess--Mrs. Timber. As the night was fine,
I slept in the churchyard, opposite the tomb of Mr. Marlow. Soon after
midnight I was awakened by voices. I looked out, and saw two men, one
tall, the other short."
"Who were they?" Alan asked anxiously.
"One I knew later; the other one I am still in doubt about, as I did
not see his face."
"But the names?"
"You shall hear the names, Clara Maria, when I am ready, not before.
These men went into the tomb, remained there for some time, and came
out with the body. They lifted it over the low wall of the churchyard,
and went, I think, across the moor."
"You followed?" cried Alan breathlessly.
"No. I was afraid I might get into trouble, so I ran in the opposite
direction. I slept the rest of the night in a hayrick far from the
churchyard. Next day I sought the Moat House kitchen, and listened to
the talk of the servants. Then I went away with the idea of seeing
Miss Marlow at Bournemouth, as the servants said she was there with
Mr. Thorold. On the moor I saw a hut. I went into it to eat a frugal
meal. In it I found"--Cicero paused to give his words due effect--"a
corpse."
"Whose corpse?"
"That of the man who had assisted to steal the body, Clara Maria. Your
husband, Dr. Warrender!"
"You liar!" shrieked the widow, making a bound at him. "Oh, you liar!"
Alan flung himself between these affectionate relatives, or it might
have fared badly with Cicero.
"Hold hard, Mrs. Warrender!" he said, holding her back; "let us
listen."
"Listen to his lies! Do you hear that he says my husband stole Mr.
Marlow's body?"
"So he did," said Cicero doggedly. "I'm telling you what I shall tell
to the police. The tall man was Dr. Warrender. I saw his face in the
lantern-light. Who the short man was I do not know."
"How did you recognize Dr. Warrender?" demanded Alan, when Mrs.
Warrender had sat down again.
"I didn't know him at the time; but I had his description from the
servants."
"Tall, yellow beard, bald head?" said Thorold rapidly.
"Yes, that was the man who assisted to remove the body, and that is
the description of the corpse I found in the hut."
"My husband's body was found in the vault, you liar!" cried the widow.
"Was it, Clara Maria? Well, all I can say is I don't know how it got
there. I left it in the hut myself."
"Why did you not give information to the police?"
"What! And get locked up on suspicion of murder? No, thank you, Mr.
Thorold. I ran away from that corpse as I would have done from the
devil."
"Whose child you are," said his sister bitterly.
"Don't miscall your own father, Clara Maria. Well, sir, I went on to
Bournemouth, and wrote two letters, one to Miss Marlow, and one to my
sister, although I did not know she was my sister then. Had I known I
had a relative in Heathton," said Cicero with pathos, "I should have
asked for a bed."
"And your sister, Billy Spinks, would have set the dogs on you."
"I am sure you would, Clara Maria. You were always one for sentimental
scenes."
"Tell me, Gramp, is this all you know of these crimes?" put in Alan.
"All, Mr. Thorold. I think, sir, it is worth fifty pounds."
"Humph! We'll see what the police say. You have no objection, I
suppose, to come with me to Heathton and repeat this story?"
"Having a clear conscience," said Cicero, with a superior smile, "I
can safely say that I have not. But the fifty, Mr. Thorold?"
"Will be paid after you have told Blair this story."
"If you are so poor," put in Mrs. Warrender, "where did you get money
to buy that writing-paper? It was costly paper."
"It was," admitted Mr. Gramp with pride--"it was, Clara Maria. I
always do things in style. If you remember, I got a prize at school
for letter-writing."
"Where did you get the money?"
"From a nautical man called Joe Brill--a sovereign."
"A sovereign from Joe Brill?" cried Alan, starting. "Why?"
"Ah! you may ask," said Cicero. "In my opinion it was hush-money."
"Hush-money! What do you mean, man?"
"Mean! I mean that I believe Joe Brill was the short man I saw that
night. Yes, Mr. Thorold, Joe stole the corpse, and Joe killed foully,
with a knife, my respected brother-in-law. _Hinc illæ lachrymæ!_"
CHAPTER IX.
INVESTIGATION
Whilst Alan Thorold was dealing with Cicero and his sister in London,
Inspector Blair was co-operating with the Rector in obtaining evidence
relating to the murder. The inspector was a dry, dour, silent man,
born in England, but of Scotch descent. He was cautious to a fault,
and never expressed an opinion without having well considered what he
was going to say. It was now a common sight in Heathton for his long,
lean figure and the Rector's short, plump one to be seen constantly
together.
He was now in the Rectory dining-room with a good glass of port beside
him, and Mr. Phelps, standing on the hearthrug, was supplying him with
all the details he had collected in connection with the mystery. The
case was getting so much more interesting than Blair, the sad and
silent, had expected that he was becoming, for him, quite vivacious.
He asked the Rector one question after another.
"Mr. Thorold has gone to Dixon's Rents, sir?"
"Yes, Mr. Inspector; I expect he'll have some news for us when he
returns to-night."
"He seems a clever young gentleman," Blair said musingly. "I dare say
he will bring this man Gramp with him."
"Do you think that Gramp can point out the guilty person?"
"That, sir, I am not prepared to say offhand. If convenient, I should
like to take a look round."
"Certainly. Where shall we go, Mr. Inspector?" and Mr. Phelps rose
briskly.
"To the vault, if you please, sir. Afterwards we will call on Mrs.
Marry."
The Rector paused at the door.
"I told you all Mrs. Marry had to say about Brown."
"Quite so, sir. But I wish to have a look at the rooms occupied by the
man. Also, I think it would be as well to examine his luggage."
"Can you do that without a warrant?"
"I'll take the risk," said Blair coolly. "An examination may not be
quite legal under the circumstances, but as Brown undoubtedly procured
the key of the vault by that forged letter, I am entitled to look upon
him as a suspicious character. Should he come back, sir--of which I
have my doubts--I can account for my action."
"Humph! I think you are right. Come, then, and look at the vault."
To the vault they went, and found Jarks showing the outside of it to a
crowd of morbid sightseers. Indeed, the tragedy had drawn people from
far and near to Heathton, and the usually quiet place buzzed like a
hive. Mrs. Timber was making her fortune, and blessed the day she had
turned Cicero the tramp out of her house. To him alone did Mrs. Timber
ascribe the theft of the body. As to his connection with the murder of
Dr. Warrender, she was not so certain.
"Come, come!" cried Mr. Phelps, in his fussy manner, on finding Jarks
haranguing the crowd. "This is most ridiculous--most out of place.
Jarks, I am astonished at your desecrating the graveyard in this way."
"No desecration, reverend sir," said Jarks, in his rusty voice, "I wos
only showing 'em where I laid Muster Marlow by, comfortable. Go----"
"Go away--go away, all of you!"
"Come on to the right!" shouted Jarks. "I'll show 'ee where a soocide
as they brought in crazy is tucked away. A lovely grave with a good
view, an' as nice a stone as I iver seed. In my young days he'd have
been buried in cross-roads with a stake, but they do trate 'em kindly
nowadays. Ah yis. This way to the soocide, neighbors!" And Jarks
headed the crowd to the other side of the graveyard. The keen, cold
eye of Inspector Blair cleared them out more quickly than Jarks'
invitation.
"Dear me! most indiscreet of Jarks!" said the Rector, opening the door
of the vault. "Come in, Mr. Inspector. Here's a candle. Tut, tut! I've
burnt my fingers. Deuce take---- Hum--God forgive me for bad language!
This is the niche, Mr. Inspector; yonder the coffin--a very handsome
one. The lead is cut, you perceive. Ah, poor soul! And we meant it to
last till the Great Day."
While the Rector ran on in this fashion, Blair the silent examined the
empty coffin. He noted that the lead casing had been cut with a sharp
instrument, and very neatly done--so neatly that the inspector became
thoughtful.
"That wasn't done by a man in a hurry," he mused. But he said nothing,
and merely turned to Mr. Phelps with a question: "Who screwed down the
coffin?"
"Who?--bless me, let me think! Yes, yes. Dr. Warrender--poor
soul!--and Joe Brill. Faithful fellow, Joe! Would see the last of his
master."
"Wasn't the undertaker present?"
"Crank? Well, yes, he was. But I am sorry to say, Mr. Inspector"--here
the face of the Rector became severe--"that on that day Crank was
intoxicated."
"H'm! Who made him drunk?"
"Himself, I suppose," rejoined Mr. Phelps, a trifle tartly. "Crank
requires no one to tempt him."
"Few men do, sir," said Blair, and again examined the coffin. He
passed his long, delicate hand over every inch of it, particularly
fingering the lid; then he looked round the niche where it rested,
peered into the others, and considered well all that he saw, while Mr.
Phelps chattered. "Quite so," said the detective at length; "let us go
outside."
He examined the graveyard as carefully as he had done the vault. In
the angle formed by the Lady Chapel he found the long grass crushed
down, and part of it torn up to make a pillow.
"Humph! a squatting-place," said Blair, who had read a good deal about
prehistoric man. "A tramp has been sleeping here."
"A tramp!" repeated the Rector. "Of course that was Cicero Gramp, who
wrote the letter."
"No doubt. I dare say he saw the whole business." Blair continued his
researches, and came to a halt at the wall which divided church-yard
from pine-wood. He pointed to a loose stone which had been knocked
off. "Did you observe this before, sir?"
"No," replied Mr. Phelps, raising his pince-nez. "But that's nothing.
You see, the wall has been put together without mortar--simply stones
piled one on top of the other. A high wind, now----"
"I don't think a high wind knocked this stone off. You will notice,
sir, that it has fallen on the other side. Excuse me," and Blair,
active as a deer, leaped over the wall and disappeared into the
pine-belt. Phelps rubbed his nose, not understanding these Red Indian
methods. In ten minutes the inspector returned. "I can't find the
trail," said he, "but from the evidence of that wall, I suspect the
body was carried over it."
"Where to, Mr. Inspector?"
"Probably to a cart waiting on the highroad, which runs across the
moor. But, of course, I'm in the dark as to that. Let me see the
keyhole of the vault-door." He went back and had a good look at it.
There were no scratches to be seen. "Humph!" said the inspector; "this
was opened quietly enough, and by a man who knew what he was about.
There was no hurry or fumbling in putting in the key."
"Ah!" said the Rector, looking wise. "What key? Not this one?"
"No, Mr. Phelps, I don't suspect you. Probably the key was that stolen
from Mr. Thorold's desk by the Quiet Gentleman."
"You speak as though you were not quite sure."
"There might have been a third key," Blair said cautiously.
"If so, why should Brown have stolen Thorold's key?"
"That's one of the things I have to find out. Let us call on Mrs.
Marry."
Mrs. Marry was a voluble, buxom woman, with rosy cheeks, and a great
amount of curiosity as to matters which did not concern her. But,
clever as she was, it seemed that she had nothing to tell about Mr.
Brown. With many curtsies and much talk she conducted Rector and
inspector into a gimcrack parlor full of gaudy furniture, Berlin wool
mats, antimacassars, and wax flowers.
"When Jeremiah died," explained the widow with pride, "I spent the
nest-egg he left me on that elegant set of chairs and sofa, also on
the curtains, table, and glass lusters, which are considered very
fine. It was my intent, gentlemen, as a lone widder, to take in single
gentlemen, and they likes something to tickle the eye."
"A most inviting room, Mrs. Marry," said the Rector, perching himself
carefully on a fragile chair, all varnish and design, but entirely
wanting in solidity; "but Mr. Brown----"
"Ah, sir, he's gone where we must all go;" and Mrs. Marry wiped away
an imaginary tear.
But her remark called forth a question from Blair, who had been making
a close examination of the room:
"How do you know he is dead?"
"Bless the man! wouldn't he be back if he wasn't? I'm sure he was
comfortable enough, and my cooking is above blame, thank Heaven! If
any one----"
"Mr. Brown went out at nine o'clock?" said Blair, cutting her short.
"I won't deceive you, Mr. Policeman, he did. He stayed in most of the
day, and went out in the afternoon. At six he came back for his bit
and sup, and at nine he went out again to take the air. He said so, at
least, and I ain't set eyes on him since."
"He said so?" remarked Mr. Phelps.
"On his fingers, of course. He was dumb, sir, but not deaf, and he
conversed on his fingers wonderful. I can talk myself that way," said
Mrs. Marry gravely, "having a niece as is deaf and dumb in an asylum.
I expect it was my knowing the language as brought Mr. Brown here to
lodge."
"Where did he come from?"
"London town, he gave me to understand, sir. But he didn't talk
much--on his fingers--about himself. He was very quiet, ate and drank,
read books----"
"What kind of books?"
"Novels, sir--yellow novels, in a foreign tongue. Here, sir, is the
rosewood bookcase. He also wrote a great deal, but what I don't know.
I thought he had ideas of becoming a writing person himself."
Blair opened the bookcase, and one by one examined a dozen or so of
French novels ranged on the lower shelf. They were all by good
authors, the usual paper-covered cheap editions--nothing strange
about them. No name was written in any one of them. He shut up the
bookcase with a look of disappointment.
"Was your lodger a Frenchman?" he asked.
"Lor', sir, I dunno! He talked English with his fingers. I've seen him
reading the newspapers."
"He did not look like a foreigner," remarked the Rector.
"Ah! I quite forgot you knew the man, Mr. Phelps. Can you describe his
looks?"
"He was not very tall, had long white hair and a beard, ruddy cheeks,
and dark eyes. He was usually dressed in a gray suit, and walked with
a stout stick."
"Gout in his feet," put in Mrs. Marry, not at all pleased at being
left out in the cold. "He wore cloth boots for his gout--walked very
badly, did Mr. Brown."
"Strange!" murmured Blair, again looking round the room. "How could an
old man helpless through gout in the feet carry off a dead body?
Humph!"
"He carried off no dead body!" cried Mrs. Marry, crimson with wrath,
"if it's Mr. Marlow's corpse you're talking of. I believe Mr. Brown's
bin murdered like the doctor."
"Why do you believe so?"
"Because I've made up my mind to believe it," said Mrs. Marry
fiercely. "And I'd like to see the man as would change my mind."
"So should I," remarked Blair. "Well, Mrs. Marry, show me Mr. Brown's
room. I must examine his luggage."
"There's only one box, and that's locked."
"I'll take the liberty of opening it."
"But you can't. I'm an honest woman. What'll Mr. Brown say when he
comes back and finds his things gone? Besides, there's a trifle of
rent, and----"
"Hold your tongue!" said the inspector, with a glance which quelled
her. "I will take nothing away. You forget who I am, Mrs. Marry. Show
me the bedroom." And the landlady, thinking better of it, obeyed
without further argument.
The box was there--a common, brown-painted traveling-box. There was no
name on it, and it proved to be locked. The inspector asked for a
chisel, and forced it open. Within he found three suits of gray
clothes, some linen and socks, together with a pair of cloth
boots--nothing else. No name on the shirts, no tailor's tag on the
clothes. Evidently nothing of Mr. Brown's identity was to be learned
from his belongings.
"The man from nowhere," said Phelps, gazing blankly around him.
But Inspector Blair was not yet satisfied. He searched both
sitting-room and bedroom, questioned Mrs. Marry, looked at some torn
pieces of paper in the fireplace, and--found nothing. Rector and
inspector walked out of the cottage as wise as when they had entered
it. So far their search had been a failure.
All that afternoon Blair hunted the village for evidence. He heard how
Warrender had called at Mrs. Marry's house, how he had left there to
follow the Quiet Gentleman, who had been seen by the peasant going in
the direction of the moor. Blair recalled the loose stone dropped from
the churchyard wall, and his own theory that the corpse had been taken
to a cart on the road. He sent out the police, and had the heath
searched, even to the hut where the corpse had been, but all with no
result. And as yet he was ignorant of what Cicero knew.
Tired and baffled, he returned to Heathton to the inn. Here he found a
messenger from Mr. Phelps, asking him to call at the Rectory. He
hurried there, and was met by Alan Thorold, who presented Cicero and
Mrs. Warrender. Then the tramp told the story of all that he had seen.
Blair rubbed his chin.
"Can the doctor have helped Brown to do it?" he said half aloud.
"No, he did not!" cried Mrs. Warrender angrily. "My husband was as
good a man as ever lived. Why should he steal a corpse?"
"Humph! Why indeed!"
Blair recollected something he had seen in the vault of which he cared
not to speak until he could be more certain. So he held his peace.
"Even if the late lamented Dr. Warrender did violate the sanctity of
the tomb," said Cicero softly, "who killed the late lamented Dr.
Warrender?"
"Perhaps the shorter man who helped him," said the Rector.
"That was----"
"Hold your tongue just now," whispered Alan, for Cicero was about to
mention Joe Brill's name; "we'll come to that later. Who's that?"
It proved to be Mrs. Marry, who came in with part of a torn envelope
in her hand. On the envelope was an obliterated stamp, but the writing
had been torn off.
"I found this in Mr. Brown's room," she said, "on the floor by the
edge of the carpet. How it escaped my dusting I don't know."
Blair looked at this piece of evidence.
"Jamaica stamp," he said.
"Strange!" cried the Rector. "I know Marlow was at one time in
Jamaica."
"And my husband, Dr. Warrender, came from Jamaica," said the widow.
There was silence. They looked at one another. But no one had any
explanation to offer.
CHAPTER X.
ANOTHER DISAPPEARANCE
In the course of his investigations Mr. Blair had examined the
servants at the Moat House. From the footman he heard of the West
Indian letter, and of the effect it had produced upon Mr. Marlow.
Search had been made for that letter as likely to throw some light on
the mystery, but without success. Evidently Mr. Marlow had thought it
important enough to destroy. His secret, whatever it might have been,
had gone to the grave with him. It was a strange coincidence that the
man Brown should also have a correspondent in Jamaica. He it was who
had stolen the key of the vault from Alan's desk. Again, Dr.
Warrender--who, as his wife told Alan, had been in Jamaica--had
been murdered. Between these three men, then--Marlow, Brown and
Warrender--there was evidently some connecting-link. Had there not
been, Warrender would not have assisted to remove the body of the
millionaire, and Brown, by stealing the key, would not have helped
him.
"There is no doubt in my mind that Brown was the short man seen by
Gramp," Blair said to Alan. "And he was followed from Mrs. Marry's by
Dr. Warrender, who was bound on the same errand."
"You mean the theft of the body?"
"I think so. Brown had the key and Gramp saw them remove the corpse."
"He saw Warrender," corrected Alan, "not Brown."
"I judge the other was Brown, from the theft of the key and the fact
that Warrender called to see him, and then followed. Again, both men
have disappeared--at least, one has. The other is dead."
"And who murdered him?"
"Brown," said the inspector, with conviction. "I am sure of it."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because something unforeseen happened--the murder, probably. In the
ordinary course of things, I take it, Brown would have come back to
fetch his luggage, and would have gone away in a manner less likely to
arouse suspicion. Probably he and Warrender had a quarrel when they
put the corpse in the cart. Brown killed the doctor, and then drove
away."
"But, Blair," argued Alan, "you forget that the doctor's body was seen
in the hut. Even if Brown had dragged it there--which, I admit, he
might have done--I don't see how he could have brought it back again
to the vault."
"I do, Mr. Thorold. It was Brown who had the key. Most likely he put
the dead body in a place of safety, then came back the following
night, to hide it away in the safest place he knew of--to wit, the
vault. If you recollect, no alarm as to the loss of Marlow's body was
given, or was likely to be given. Warrender's dead body would not have
been searched for in the vault. It is, at least, highly improbable
that the vault would have been opened."
"That is true," assented Alan. "But that Cicero by chance saw the
affair, I dare say we should have remained in ignorance of the
business for many a long day. No one would have gone to the vault. A
very clever man, this Brown."
"Very clever. But for the accident of Cicero having slept in the
churchyard, he would have got off scot-free. As it is, I don't see how
we can hunt him down. His gout, his dumbness, his white hair and beard
may have been assumed. The fact of the linen left at Mrs. Marry's
being unmarked is proof enough that he was disguised."
"Perhaps," said Alan doubtfully. "What I can't make out is, how he
knew I had the key of the vault in my desk."
"Did you mention it to any one?"
"Only to Mr. Phelps."
"Where?"
"In the churchyard after the funeral. We were all round the vault and
the service was just over. Phelps locked the door with his key and
asked me where mine was. I said, 'In my desk in the library.'"
"Was Brown present at the funeral?"
"Yes, I think I caught a glimpse of him."
"Was there a crowd round the vault door when it was closed?"
"There was; but I didn't notice Brown on that occasion."
Blair nodded.
"Very probably. You were too much taken up with the business in hand.
Yet, I'll swear Brown was in the crowd, and heard you say where the
key was. The clever scoundrel made use of the information that same
afternoon."
"I believe you are right," said Alan, clenching his fist. "Oh, I do
wish we could find the villain! But what object could he have had in
stealing the body?"
"I can guess. Mr. Marlow was a millionaire."
"Well, in a small way, yes."
"In a way quite big enough to pay a handsome ransom, Mr. Thorold." The
inspector smiled. "Depend upon it, we shall hear from this so-called
Brown. He will ask a good few thousands for the return of the corpse.
Oh, it is not the first time this game has been played."
"Well, if Brown writes, we'll have him arrested for the murder."
"Humph!" said Blair, shaking his head, "that is easier said than done.
He has been too clever for us so far, he may prove too clever in the
matter of obtaining the reward of his wickedness. Well, Mr. Thorold,
the inquest takes place to-morrow, but I haven't got much evidence for
the jury."
He was right. All his talk had been built up upon theory, and on the
slenderest of circumstantial evidence. The fact that Brown, the
mysterious, had stolen the key--and even that was not absolutely
proved--did not show that he had stolen the body. Cicero could not
swear to his identity, and, even presuming that he had committed the
sacrilege, there was no evidence that it was he who had murdered
Warrender.
And so the inquest on the body of the ill-fated doctor was held, the
theft of the millionaire's corpse being merely a side-issue. Can it be
wondered that the jury were puzzled? All that could be scraped
together by Blair was put before them. Cicero related his midnight
experience; Mrs. Warrender told how her husband went out to see a
patient; Mrs. Marry how the doctor called at her house, and afterwards
followed Brown. Finally, Alan and his housekeeper gave evidence as to
the loss of the key, and the forged letter was produced. Out of this
sparse detail little could be made, and after some deliberation, the
jury brought in the only verdict possible under the circumstances:
"The deceased has been murdered by some person or persons unknown."
"Most unsatisfactory," said Blair grimly; "but there is no more to be
said."
"What can you do now?" asked Alan. "Shall you give up the case?"
"That depends upon you, sir, or, rather, upon Miss Marlow."
"In what way?"
"In the money way, Mr. Thorold. I'm a poor man, and must attend to my
duties. All the same, if Miss Marlow will offer a reward, I will do my
utmost to find out who stole her father's body and who murdered the
doctor."
"Why couple the two crimes?"
"Because, sir, in my opinion, Brown committed both. Give a reward, Mr.
Thorold, and I'll do my best; otherwise, as I have other urgent
matters on hand, I must drop the business. But I don't deny,"
continued the inspector, stroking his chin, "that if I were a moneyed
man I'd work at this business for the sheer love of it. It is a kind
of criminal mystery which does not happen every day."
"The reward shall be offered," said Alan. "Miss Marlow will be guided
by me."
Needless to say, Sophy was guided by him. Indeed, so eager was she
that the remains of her father should be recovered that, had not Alan
suggested it, she would have offered a reward herself. Also, she was
anxious to assist Mrs. Warrender, who in spite of her vulgarity and
somewhat covetous disposition, was really a well-meaning woman.
The result of this was that two rewards were offered--one thousand for
the detection of the person who had stolen the body, and a like sum
for any information likely to lead to the arrest of Warrender's
murderer. So here were two thousand pounds going a-begging, and
hundreds of people hoped to have a chance of gaining the money. The
case was so strange and mysterious that it had attracted not a little
attention, and the fact that the missing body was that of a
millionaire added to the interest excited by the fact of its
disappearance. The London papers were full of leaders and letters
suggesting solutions of the mystery. The provincial press took up the
cry, and throughout the three kingdoms every one was talking of the
case. It was even said that Miss Marlow, the present possessor of all
this wealth, would marry the person who secured the thief and the
murderer.
"I won't marry you, Alan dear, until my father's body is back in the
vault," said Sophy; "but at the same time, I won't marry any one
else."
"But suppose I fail to find the body, Sophy?"
"Then I must remain a spinster for the rest of my life."
"In that case you condemn me to be a crusty old bachelor."
"Never mind. We can still be friends and lovers."
"I'd rather we were man and wife," sighed Alan.
But he did not believe that she would cling to this idea of perpetual
spinsterhood for any length of time. As for Miss Vicky, she thought
Sophy mad to have thought of such a thing, and took her roundly to
task.
"A woman ought to marry," she said, breaking through the barriers of
her ordinary primness. "Do you think, if my darling had lived, I
should now be a wretched old maid? No, indeed! It would have been my
delight to have been an obedient and loving wife to Edward."
"I'm sure I wish he had lived!" cried Sophy, embracing her; "and I
won't have you call yourself crabbed. You are the sweetest, dearest
woman in the world!"
"So poor Edward thought," sighed Miss Vicky, fingering the precious
brooch which always decorated some portion of her small person. "Alas
the day! How often he told me so! But he died for his country on the
field of glory," she cried, with a thrill of pride; "and in spite of
my lonely old age, I don't grudge his precious blood. Noble--noble
Edward!" and she wept.
"Don't cry any more, Vicky."
"It's your obstinacy I'm crying at, Sophia. If your poor dear pa's
remains are not found within a certain time, marry Mr. Thorold and be
happy."
"I can't--I won't. How can I be happy knowing poor father isn't at
rest?"
"His soul is at rest--the earthly tabernacle is nothing. Come, Sophia,
don't break with your life's happiness!"
"Alan and I understand one another, Vicky. I dare say we shall marry
some day. But the body must be found."
"Lord grant it!" ejaculated Miss Vicky piously, and said no more. For
she found that the more she argued the more obstinate Sophy grew.
Amongst those who had hopes of gaining the reward was Cicero. He had
come out of the ordeal of a public examination unscathed, and was now
in the possession of his well-earned fifty pounds. Being anxious to
remain in Heathton for the purpose of prosecuting his inquiries, he
magnanimously forgave Mrs. Timber, and took up his quarters at the
Good Samaritan. Now that he had money and paid his bill regularly, the
good lady considered it politic to treat him with more civility,
although, after the manner of women, she felt constrained to remind
him, every now and again, of his former poverty. But these remarks did
not affect Mr. Gramp in the least. He regarded her no more than if she
had been a fly, and sailed about the village in a suit of new
broadcloth and the best of tall hats, airing his eloquence. He became
an attraction at the inn, and discoursed there every evening in fine
style.
Mrs. Warrender was much averse to his staying on at Heathton. She
lived in constant dread lest the relationship between them should be
discovered. But Cicero never mentioned it--nor did he ever mention
her. Still, she felt doubtful, and one evening, on the plea that she
wished to hear more of what he knew about her husband's murder, she
sent for him. He arrived to find her in a low evening dress,
glittering with diamonds, and looking very handsome--so handsome,
indeed, that even he could not refrain from giving vent to his
admiration.
"Upon my word, you are a Juno, Clara Maria!" he said, when they were
alone. "There is money in you yet!"
"I know what you mean, Billy," replied the doctor's widow coldly, "but
I'm not going on the stage again in burlesque or anything else."
"How are you going to live?" he asked with brutal candor.
"That's my business," retorted Mrs. Warrender. "I have enough to live
on, even without selling my jewels. Perhaps I shall marry again."
"I'm sure you will, Clara Maria. You always were a determined woman."
"Hold your tongue, and tell me how much longer do you intend to
disgrace me here?"
"How can I tell you, if I am to hold my tongue?" said Cicero coolly.
"As to staying here, I'm not disgracing you that I know of. No one
knows you are my ungrateful sister."
"Billy, if I wasn't a lady, I'd---- Ungrateful, indeed, you brute! Go
away at once!"
"No, Clara Maria, not till I find out who killed my brother-in-law. I
never knew him," said Cicero, wiping away a tear; "but as his nearest
relative, I must avenge him."
"That won't do, Billy," said his sister sourly; "you only want the
reward."
"Both rewards, Clara Maria. With two thousand pounds I could be a
gentleman for the rest of my life."
"That you will never be."
"I would do nothing----"
"You never have, you lazy vagabond!"
"Don't interrupt and insult me, Clara Maria, but work with me."
"Work with you?" gasped Mrs. Warrender. "At what?"
"At this case, Clara Maria. I believe that the secret of this mystery
is to be found in the island of Jamaica--in the past life of Mr.
Marlow. Now, your husband knew the late lamented millionaire in
Jamaica, and he might have left some papers relative to the
acquaintance. If so, let me see them, and I'll get on the track of the
assassin. We will share the reward."
"My husband did leave papers," Mrs. Warrender said thoughtfully, "but
I won't show them to you, Billy. You'd take all the money. No, I'll
read his papers myself, and if I can find anything likely to reveal
the name of the person who stole the body and murdered Julian, I shall
tell Mr. Thorold."
"You won't get the reward!" cried Cicero in an agony.
"Oh yes, I will; I'm as clever as you are, Billy. Thank you for the
idea!"
"You won't work with me?"
"No," said she firmly, "I won't; I know you of old, and I want you to
keep out of my way. Leave this village and I'll give you twenty
pounds."
"What! when there is a chance to make two thousand! No, Clara Maria."
"Then earn the reward yourself. There's Joe Brill, he might tell you
what you want to know," mocked Mrs. Warrender. "My husband said he was
with Marlow for thirty years."
"I wish I could ask Joe Brill," said Cicero gloomily. "Ever since he
tipped me the sovereign I have suspected Joe Brill; but he's gone!"
"Gone! Gone where?"
"I don't know. I only heard the news to-night. He's gone away without a
word, and vanished!" And Cicero groaned.
CHAPTER XI.
THE STRANGER
That Joe Brill had disappeared from Heathton was perfectly true. So
far Cicero was correct; but in stating that the man had vanished
without a sign he was wrong. News--to be precise, gossip--travels more
quickly in a village than in a town; it also gets more quickly
distorted. For the intimacy of villagers is such that they are readier
than less acquainted folk to take away from, or add to, any talk about
those whose everyday life they know so well.
Joe Brill had left a letter for Sophy, who, in much alarm, consulted
Miss Parsh. The consultation was overheard by the footman, who told
the servants, without mentioning the letter, about which he was not
very clear himself, having caught only scraps of the conversation. The
kitchen discussed the news, and retailed it to the baker, who, with
the assistance of his wife, a noted gossip, spread it broadcast over
the village. Thus, in the evening, it came to Cicero's greedy ears;
and so it was that he came to tell his sister that Joe Brill had
disappeared without a sign. Sophy knew better.
"Isn't it dreadful?" she said to Miss Vicky. "Joe is very cruel to
leave me like this in my trouble. He knows that I look upon him as one
of my best friends. To be thirty years with father, and then to leave
me! Oh, dear Vicky, what does it mean?"
For answer, Miss Vicky read the letter aloud. It was badly written,
and badly spelt; but it was short and to the point. Amended it ran as
follows:
"Honored Miss,
"I am called away on business which may turn out well for you. When
I'll come back, miss, I don't know; but wait in hope. Stand by and
nail your colors to the mast. Don't trust no one but Mr. Thorold. Your
prayers, honored miss, are requested for your humble servant,
"Joseph Brill."
"Most extraordinary!" said Miss Vicky, and laid down the letter to
gaze blankly at Sophy.
"I shall go mad with all this worry!" cried the poor girl, taking the
letter. "Oh, dear Vicky, everything has gone wrong since father died."
"Hush! Don't talk of it, Sophia. Your pa's remains have gone, but his
soul is above. Dr. Warrender has been buried, and the verdict of
twelve intelligent men has been given. We must think no more of these
matters. But Joseph's letter----"
"Is more of a mystery than all the rest put together," finished Sophy.
"Just listen to the nonsense Joe writes: 'I'm called away on
business.' What business, Vicky?--and how can it turn out well for me?
He doesn't know when he'll come back; that means he won't come back at
all. 'Wait in hope.' Hope of what, for goodness' sake, Vicky? And
Alan--of course, I'll trust no one but Alan. How absurd to put that
in! Then he finishes by asking my prayers, just as though he were
going to die. Vicky, is Joe mad?"
"No; Joseph is too clear-headed a man to lose his wits. It's my
opinion, Sophia, that he's gone to search for your poor papa's
remains."
This was Alan's opinion also when he read the letter, and heard of
Joe's disappearance. He questioned the servants, but they could give
no details. The page, who slept in the same room, declared that he
woke at six o'clock to find Joe's bed empty; but this did not alarm
him, as Joe was always the first in the house to be up. So Alan went
to the railway-station, and learnt there that the old sailor, carrying
some things tied up in a handkerchief, had taken the 6.30 train to the
junction. A wire to the junction station-master, who knew Joe,
elicited the reply that he had gone on to London by the express.
Beyond this it was hopeless to attempt to trace him; for at Waterloo
Station Joe had vanished into the crowd, and was lost. Alan told the
lamenting Sophy that nothing could now be done but wait for his
return.
"But will he return?" demanded the girl tearfully.
"I think so. I agree with Miss Vicky: Joe has gone to search for your
father's body."
"But he has no idea where it is. If he did, he would surely have told
me or you, Alan, knowing how anxious we are!"
"He may have a clue, and may want to follow it up himself. And I
believe, Sophy, that Joe knows more about the matter than we think. Do
you remember that he gave Cicero a sovereign to leave the Moat House?"
"What of that?"
"Only that a sovereign was a large sum for a servant like Joe to give.
He thought, no doubt, that Cicero knew too much, and he wanted to get
him away before he could be questioned. It was his guilty conscience
which made him so generous."
"Guilty conscience, Alan? What had Joe done?"
"Nothing, so far as I know," replied Thorold readily. "But I am
convinced there is something in your father's past life, Sophy, which
would account for the violation of the vault. Joe knows it, but for
some reason he won't tell. I questioned him about the ridiculous sum
he gave to Cicero, but I could get no satisfactory explanation out of
him--nor could Blair."
"You don't think he was the short man with Dr. Warrender on that
night, Alan?" asked the girl somewhat tremulously.
"No, I do not; I asked the boy who sleeps in the same room. He said
that Joe went to bed as usual, and that he never heard him go out.
Besides, Sophy, I am certain the accomplice of Warrender was Brown."
"The Quiet Gentleman?"
"Yes; he had the key of the vault. And also, by the evidence of the
stamp, he had something to do with Jamaica. Perhaps he knew your
father there."
"Perhaps he did. Joe would know."
"Joe will not speak, and, at all events, he has gone. We must wait
until he comes back."
"Are you not going to make any more search for the body, Alan?"
"My dearest, I have not the slightest idea where to begin. The case
has baffled the police, and it baffles me. I have made inquiries all
round the country, and I can find no one who saw Brown with your
father's dead body, or, indeed, anything else which might have aroused
suspicion. There is only one hope that we may get it back."
"The reward?"
"No; although Blair, and, I believe, Cicero, intend to work for that.
The hope lies in the chance that Brown, whoever he is, may have taken
away the body for blackmail. In that case we may get a letter
demanding money--probably a large sum. We must pay it, and have your
father's remains brought back."
"And the murder, Alan?"
"Ah! that is a difficult part. When Brown stole the body he did not
intend to commit murder; that came about in some unforeseen way. The
danger that he may be arrested for the murder may keep Brown from
applying for blackmail, always supposing, Sophy, that such is his
object."
"In that case we may never recover poor father."
"I am afraid not. However, we must live in hope."
This conversation ended in the usual unsatisfactory way. On the face
of it there was nothing to be done, for Alan could obtain no clue.
Brown, if Brown were indeed the guilty person, had managed so cleverly
that he had completely cut his trail. Even the offer of the reward
brought forth no fresh information. The mystery was more a mystery
than ever.
In his capacity of trustee, Alan had looked through the papers of the
dead man. He found no documents or letters whatever relating to his
life in Jamaica, yet there were plenty dealing with his doings in
South Africa. Twenty years before he had left Kingston with the child
Sophy. He brought her to England, and placed her in the Hampstead
convent. Then he sailed for the Cape, and had made his fortune there.
Fifteen years after he returned, to buy the Moat House, and settled.
Sophy came to live with him, and he had passed a quiet, peaceful time
until his sudden death. So far all was clear; but the Jamaica life
still remained a mystery. When he died he was over sixty. What had he
done with himself during the forty years he had lived in the West
Indies? Joe could have told; but Joe, as mysterious as his master, had
disappeared, and even if he had remained, Alan could have got nothing
out of him. The old sailor, as had been proved both by Thorold and the
inspector, was as dumb as an oyster.
"Did Marlow ever mention Jamaica?" Alan asked Mr. Phelps, when next
they met.
"Once or twice, in a casual sort of way. He said he had sailed a good
deal amongst the islands."
"And Joe was a sailor. I wonder if Marlow went in for trading there?"
"It's not impossible," said the Rector; "but that fact, even if we
knew it to be true, could throw no light on the disappearance of his
body."
"I don't know. I have a good mind to go to Jamaica--to Kingston--to
make inquiries. The West Indian Island area is not so very large. If
Marlow had been a trader there twenty years ago, he would still be
remembered amongst them. I might come across some one who knew of his
past life."
"You might," assented Phelps, with an amount of sarcasm surprising in
so mild a man, "if Marlow were his real name."
The two were sitting over their wine in the twilight amid the glimmer
of shaded candles. This last remark of the Rector's so surprised Alan,
that he turned suddenly, and knocked his glass off the table. After he
had apologized for the accident, and after the débris had been
collected by the scandalized butler, the Squire asked Mr. Phelps what
he meant.
"It is hard to say what I mean." The Rector sipped his port
meditatively. "Marlow was always a mystery to me. Undeniably a
millionaire and a gentleman, Alan, and while here a man of clean life.
And I have met people in London"--the worthy parson dabbled a little
in shares--"who knew him in South Africa. He was highly respected
there, and he made his millions honestly, so far as millions can be
made honestly in these gambling days. But I always felt that there was
some mystery about the man. It was Warrender who gave me the clue."
"Ah! Warrender came with Marlow to Heathton."
"Yes, but there was no mystery about that. Warrender told me that he
had met Marlow at Kingston, Jamaica. Afterwards the doctor settled in
New Orleans. There he met his wife, who was on the stage. He did not
do very well, so Mrs. Warrender urged him to return to England. He did
so, and met Marlow by chance in London, where they renewed their
acquaintance. Sorry to see that Warrender was so unfortunate, Marlow
brought him down here, where he did very well."
"I don't think he did well enough to have supplied Mrs. Warrender with
her diamonds, sir."
"Alan, don't speak evil of the dead. She did not get the diamonds from
Marlow, but legitimately, my dear boy, from her husband."
"And where did he get them? His practice must have brought him in
little enough."
"No, I won't say that. The fact, I think, is that there was some
understanding between the two men, and that Marlow gave Warrender
money."
"He must have given him a good deal, then. Those jewels represent a
lot. Seems like a kind of blackmail, sir."
"On that point, Alan, I would prefer not to give an opinion."
"And Warrender helped to steal the body of his patron," mused Alan.
"Strange. But about this idea of a false name."
"Well, it was at dinner one evening. The ladies had retired, and I was
alone with Marlow and Warrender, talking over our wine, just as you
and I might be now, Alan. The doctor had taken a little too much, and
on one occasion he addressed the other man as Beauchamp. Marlow
flashed one fierce glance at him, which sobered him at once. I made no
remark on the incident at the time, but it stuck in my memory."
"Then you think that Mr. Marlow was called Beauchamp in Jamaica?"
"Warrender's slip gave me that impression," said the Rector
cautiously.
"How very strange!" murmured Alan, toying with his glass. "Do you know
the will? Of course, I am trustee."
"Sophy's trustee--why, yes. All the money goes to her, doesn't it?"
"Most of it. There are legacies to myself, Joe Brill, and Miss Parsh.
Sophy gets the rest, on conditions."
"What conditions?"
"One is that she marries me, the other that she pays two thousand a
year to a man called Herbert Beauchamp."
It was the Rector's turn to be startled.
"Bless me, the same name!"
"It would appear so. Perhaps this Herbert Beauchamp is a relative of
the so-called Marlow. The money is to be paid into the Occidental Bank
of London for transmission to him."
"Where is he?"
"I don't know. But now that you have told me so much, I shall take the
first instalment myself to the Occidental Bank and make inquiries
about the man. The manager may be able in some measure to account for
all this."
"I hope so, I hope so," cried the bewildered Rector, "for the
mysteries seem to me to deepen."
"Meanwhile," went on Alan calmly, "I shall see Mrs. Warrender. She may
know something that will be useful to us."
"I don't think so," the Rector said doubtfully. "Bless me, why should
she? It was long afterwards that she met the doctor in New Orleans."
"Well, he might have told her about Marlow. At all events, I'll see
her. You know," added Alan, curling his lip, "Mrs. Warrender is fond
of money, and amenable to bribery."
Thorold was usually correct in his forecasts of what would happen, but
this time he was quite wrong. The widow received him kindly, and told
him absolutely nothing. Acting on the advice given her by Cicero, she
had been searching through the papers of her late husband. She had not
found what she sought, but she had found quite enough to show that
there was a mystery in Mr. Marlow's past life--a mystery which was
sufficiently important to be worth money. It was the intention of this
astute woman to play her own game, a game which had for stake a goodly
portion of Sophy's millions, and she had no desire for a partner. To
Cicero and to his wish to join her she soon gave the go-by. And when
Alan came upon the scene, she gave him to understand that she knew
nothing. Her intention was to prepare her bombshell alone, and when it
was ready, to explode it in Sophy's presence. That her knowledge would
be profitable to her from a financial point of view she felt pretty
secure, for the same blood ran in the veins of Clara Maria Warrender
and of Cicero Gramp.
"I wish I could help you, Mr. Thorold," she said; "but I knew nothing
of Mr. Marlow. My husband never spoke to me about his life in
Jamaica."
"Did he leave any papers?"
"Lots of rubbish, but nothing that could enlighten us as to Mr.
Marlow's past."
"Can I see them?"
"Oh, I am so sorry, but I burnt them."
He did not believe her, and went away with the conviction that she was
playing a deep game. Meanwhile a new personage had come upon the
scene--a man who told an astonishing story, and who made a no less
astonishing claim--a slight, dark, bright-eyed man, accurately
dressed, but foreign looking. He presented his card at the Moat House,
with a request to see Miss Marlow.
"Captain Lestrange!" exclaimed Sophy. "Who is he, Thomas?"
"Looks like a foreigner, miss. Shall I show him in?"
"Yes," she said; and the visitor was announced almost immediately.
He started theatrically when he saw the girl. Sophy, annoyed by his
manner, drew back.
"Captain Lestrange?" she queried coldly.
"Captain Lestrange," was the reply, "and your father."
CHAPTER XII.
A STRANGE STORY
Sophy neither screamed nor fainted at this extraordinary announcement;
indeed, it appeared to her so very ridiculous that she felt more
inclined to laugh. However, she controlled her feelings, and spoke
very quietly--so quietly that the visitor was somewhat disconcerted.
"Why do you make this strange assertion?" she asked, looking again at
his card.
"Because it is true."
"What proof can you give me of its truth?"
"Three proofs, Sophy, if I may call----"
"You may not!" interrupted the girl, flushing. "I am Miss Marlow."
"For the present," assented the man, with an ironical smile. "Soon you
will be Miss Lestrange. Three proofs, then, I have. Firstly, I can
tell you the story of how I lost you; secondly, there is the
resemblance between us; and, thirdly, I have the certificate of your
birth. Oh, it is easily proved, I can assure you."
She shivered. He spoke very positively. What if his claim could be
substantiated? She looked at him; she glanced into a near mirror, and
she saw with dismay that there _was_ a strong resemblance. Like
herself, Lestrange, as he called himself, was slight in build, small
in stature. He also had dark hair and brilliant eyes; the contour of
his face, the chiseling of his features, resembled her own. Finally,
he had that Spanish look which she knew she herself possessed. So far
as outward appearances went, she might well have been the daughter of
this rakish-looking stranger. He smiled. From her furtive glance into
the mirror he guessed her thoughts.
"You see the glass proclaims the truth," said he. "Think of your
supposed father, Richard Marlow--tall, fair, blue-eyed, Saxon in
looks! Like myself, you have the Spanish look and possess all the
grace and color of Andalusia. I always thought you would grow up
beautiful. Your dear mother was the loveliest woman in Jamaica."
She did not answer, but the color ebbed from her cheeks, the courage
from her heart. It was true enough that she in no way resembled Mr.
Marlow. This man might be her father, after all. Yet he repelled her;
the glance of his glittering eyes gave her a feeling of repulsion. He
was a bad man, of that she felt certain. But her father? She fought
against her doubts, and with a courage born of despair she prepared to
defend herself until help arrived. Her thoughts flew to Alan; he was
the champion she desired.
"I expect my guardian, Mr. Thorold, in a quarter of an hour," she said
in a hard voice. "You will be good enough to relate your story to him.
I prefer to hear it when he is present."
"You don't believe me?"
"No, I do not. Mr. Marlow treated me as his daughter, and I feel
myself to be his daughter. Do you expect me to believe you, to rush
into your arms without proof?"
"I have shown you one proof."
"A chance resemblance counts for nothing. What about the certificate?"
He produced a pocketbook, and took out a piece of paper.
"This is a copy of the entry in the register of the Church of St.
Thomas at Kingston, You will find it all correct, Marie."
"Marie! What do you mean?"
"That paper will inform you," said Lestrange coolly.
Sophy read the certificate. Truly, it seemed regular enough. It stated
that on the 24th of June, 18--, was born at Kingston, in the island of
Jamaica, Marie Annette Celestine Lestrange. The names of the parents
were Achille Lestrange and Zelia, his wife. Sophy could not suppress a
start. The 24th of June was her birthday; the date of the year was
also correct. She was twenty-one years of age now. She turned to him.
"You are Achille Lestrange?"
"Your father--yes."
"I don't admit that, monsieur."
"Why do you call me 'monsieur'?"
"You are French, are you not?"
"French by descent, if you will, but I am a British subject. Also, I
am a Roman Catholic. You are of the same faith?"
"Yes, I am of the true Faith."
"I am glad of that," said Lestrange indolently; he was as indolent as
graceful, and reminded Sophy of a full-fed tiger. "I am pleased to
hear that Marlow allowed you to retain your faith since he took from
you your father and your name."
"Do you know that my father is dead?"
"Pardon me, he is alive, and sitting before you."
Sophy ignored his remark.
"Do you know that Mr. Marlow is dead?" she asked again.
"Ah! now you speak as you should. Yes, I heard something about his
death. The fact is, I have only just landed from a Royal Mail steamer
at Southampton--two days ago, in fact--so I know very little. But I
have heard of the disappearance of his body. It is town talk in
London. One cannot open a newspaper without coming across theories of
how it happened."
"And the murder of Dr. Warrender? Do you know of that also?"
"Of course. The two things go together, as I understand. Marlow's body
is lost; Warrender was stabbed. How unfortunate that two people I knew
should be out of the way when I come to claim you!"
"Did you know Dr. Warrender?" asked Sophy quickly.
"As I know myself," was the answer. "Twenty years ago, when you were a
child, a mere infant, he practised in the town of Falmouth, Jamaica.
He left after certain events which happened there, and, I believe,
practised again in New Orleans. He married there, too, it was said."
"Yes; his wife lives at Heathton."
"Ah! I shall be glad to see her. Has the man who murdered her husband
been discovered?"
"No; he cannot be found."
"Nor ever will be, I suspect," said Captain Lestrange coolly. "From
what I read, the whole criminal business was conducted in the most
skilful manner. I wonder why they stole poor Dick's body."
"Poor Dick!" retorted the girl indignantly. "Are you speaking of my
father?"
"Of the man who passed as your father--yes, Marie, I am."
"Pray don't call me Marie! I am Sophia Marlow."
"As you please. Temper again! Oh, how you remind me of Zelia!"
She was confounded at the cool assurance of the man. Nothing seemed to
ruffle his temper or banish his eternal smile. He was more hateful to
her than ever. Never would she acknowledge herself his daughter, even
should he prove his claim! She was of age, and her own mistress. The
will of Richard Marlow left the money, not to "my daughter," but to
"Sophia Marlow," so there was no possibility of the money being taken
from her. Then she thought of Alan. He would stand between her and
this man. And even as this thought came into her mind, the door
opened, and Thorold came forward eagerly to meet her; but, on
perceiving the stranger, he stopped short. Lestrange rose and bowed in
a foreign fashion.
"Oh, Alan!" cried Sophy, "I am so glad you have come! I was waiting
for you."
"And I also," remarked Lestrange.
"Who is this gentleman, Sophy?" demanded Alan.
"He calls himself Captain Lestrange. Here is his card."
"Captain in the army of the Peruvian Republic," said the man, "and
this young lady's father!"
"Confound you!--what--what----!"
"Oh yes, Alan. He says he is my father--that my true father stole me
from him. Here is the certificate of my birth, he says."
"And here"--Lestrange pointed to Sophy--"here is my second self. Can
you deny the resemblance? By the way, who are you?"
The inquiry was made with graceful insolence, and was meant to provoke
the young man into losing his temper. But in this it failed.
"I am Alan Thorold," he said quietly, "the Squire of Heathton, and I
am engaged to marry Miss Marlow----"
"Pardon--Mademoiselle Lestrange," interpolated the Captain, and
resumed his seat. "I claim this young lady as my daughter."
"Good," said Thorold coldly. "Your proofs?"
"The resemblance between us, the certificate of her birth, and the
story of how I lost my dear Marie twenty years ago."
"The resemblance I admit, but that goes for nothing. As to the
certificate, it is that of Marie Lestrange, and not of Sophy Marlow."
"Is not the birthday of Miss Marlow, as you will call her, on the 24th
of June----"
"Yes," said Sophy, before Alan could stop her. "The day and the year
are both correct. I am twenty-one, and I was born on the 24th of June,
18--."
"Very good; and at Kingston?"
"At Kingston," admitted the girl; "but, for all that, I am not your
daughter."
"I agree with Miss Marlow," said Mr. Thorold. "Let us hear your story.
That it will convince me I do not promise."
"Ah!" cried the foreigner, with an ironical smile. "None so blind as
those who won't see. What a pity that Marlow and Warrender are both
dead!"
"Oh, you know that?"
"As I had the honor of telling Miss Marlow"--Lestrange put so sneering
an accent on the name that Alan felt inclined to kick him--"I know
that. I landed in England from Jamaica only two days ago. But, as you
know, every one is talking of the mystery, and by this time I know the
case as well as you do."
Alan winced, and Sophy glanced at him apprehensively. Would her
champion fail her? Would this man prove his claim? She was in deadly
terror lest he should. But Alan had no intention of yielding.
"Go on," he said again. "Miss Marlow and I will hear your story."
"Very good. I am glad to see that you have the British instinct of
fair play. I will be as brief as possible, and you can ask me any
questions you wish. My name is Achille Lestrange, the man who is
mentioned in that certificate. I am--or, rather, I was--a Captain in
the Peruvian Army. I retired after the war between that country and
Chili. However, I have ample means to live on, and I retain my
military rank, out of sheer vanity, if you will."
"All this," said Alan, "is beside the point."
"It is necessary to explain my position. More than twenty years ago I
was married at Kingston to Zelia Durand. We had one child--a little
girl--the same who now sits beside you."
"I won't hear of it!" cried Sophy angrily.
"We shall see," he went on cheerfully. "You may change your mind when
I have got to the end of my story. I regret to say that Mrs.
Lestrange--I do not call her Madame," explained the Captain, "because
I am truly English in speech and manner--well, Mrs. Lestrange had a
bad temper. We did not get on well together. And, besides, I was
jealous"--his eyes flashed fire--"yes, I was jealous of Herbert
Beauchamp."
"Herbert Beauchamp!" Alan thought of Marlow's will and of the legacy.
How did this man come to know the name?
CHAPTER XIII.
A STRANGE STORY--_continued_
Captain Lestrange recovered from his momentary emotion, and raised his
eyebrows at Alan's involuntary exclamation.
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Thorold."
"Nothing," said the other hastily. "I fancied the name was familiar."
"Ah! You may have heard Marlow mention it."
"No. He never spoke of his past life."
"He had good reason to be reticent, as you shall hear."
But here Sophy burst out: "Be good enough to continue your story
without vilifying my father."
"Your father!" sneered the Captain.
"The story--the story!" cried Alan.
"I continue," said Lestrange, with a nod. "As I say, I was jealous of
Beauchamp, for before our marriage he had been an admirer of my
Zelia's. And, as a matter of fact, she was a singularly attractive
woman. You might guess as much," added he blandly, "seeing that her
grace and beauty are reproduced in her daughter. But to continue:
Zelia had many admirers, three of whom she distinguished above the
others--myself, Herbert Beauchamp, and my cousin, Jean Lestrange. I
was the lucky man who won her. Jean ceased to pay any attention to her
after the marriage, but Beauchamp was persistent. I remonstrated with
him--we nearly had a duel--but to no purpose; and I am sorry to say
that Zelia encouraged him."
"Proceed with your story, and leave my mother alone," cried Sophy.
Alan started, for he remembered with a pang that Sophy had told him
her mother's name was Zelia; but he kept silent, and a terrible dread
came over him that this man would prove his statements after all.
Meanwhile the narrator went on pleasantly.
"Beauchamp," he said, fingering his mustache, "was a sugar-planter--at
least, he was supposed to be one. He had a plantation some miles from
the town of Falmouth, which is on the other side of Jamaica. It was
there that Dr. Warrender practised. He was a bachelor in those days,
and he was considered rather a wild fellow. Probably for that reason
he was a bosom friend of Beauchamp's."
"Do you mean to infer that Beauchamp was wild?"
"Well, not exactly. I must be honest. He was adventuresome rather than
wild. He was fond of yachting, and had a smart sailing boat in which
he used to cruise amongst the islands. Warrender frequently went with
him. Beauchamp was a very handsome man, and extremely popular with
women. I know that to my cost," he added bitterly, "when he set his
affections on Zelia. She was my wife--she was the mother of my
child--yet she eloped with him."
"I--I--don't believe it," said Sophy in a suffocating voice.
"If it were not true, my child, you would not be sitting there under
the false name of Sophia Marlow."
"One moment," put in Alan, clasping the girl's hand, "you have yet to
prove that Miss Marlow is Marie Lestrange."
"If you would not interrupt so often, I could do so," said the man
insolently. "As I say, Zelia ran away with Beauchamp. He brought his
yacht to Kingston when I was absent, and sailed off with her. She
carried with her my child--my adorable Marie." Here Lestrange fixed an
affectionate look on Sophy. "I returned to find my home dishonored,"
he went on, "my life wrecked. Jean came to console me. He also had
heard of Beauchamp's treachery, and that the boat had sailed for
Falmouth. We followed----"
Here Lestrange broke down. Whether his emotion was genuine or not,
Alan could not say. He looked at Sophy, and she at him. Having fought
down his emotion, the Captain resumed his seat and his story:
"Jean and I arrived at Falmouth. There we heard that Zelia was very
ill, and that Beauchamp had taken her to his plantation. Dr.
Warrender, our informant said, was in attendance. The whole town knew
that she was my wife, that she had dishonored me, and that I was on my
may to settle accounts with the man who had wrecked my happiness. My
cousin and I rode out to Beauchamp's plantation, for it was within a
few miles of Falmouth, as I said. The night was dark and stormy--we
arrived in pouring rain, and by the wailing of the negroes we knew
that death was in the house. Yes"--he grew dramatic--"Zelia was dead;
torture, remorse, sorrow, had brought about her punishment!"
"You are very ready to condemn her," said Alan.
"She had dishonored me!" cried the man, waxing melodramatic. "It was
well that she should die. I rushed away to her room, where she lay
calm in death, and Jean remained to arrange matters with Beauchamp. I
challenged him to a duel. Jean was my second. But Beauchamp refused to
fight, and--he murdered Jean."
"Murdered your cousin?" queried Alan skeptically.
"Yes. I was praying beside my wife's bed. I heard cries for help, and
when I came out I found Jean dead, stabbed to the heart by Beauchamp.
The scoundrel had fled--he had taken my child with him."
"Why should he have encumbered himself with the child?"
"To wring my heart!" replied Lestrange savagely. "He knew that I loved
my little Marie. He carried her away. I would have followed, but all
my troubles and the shock of Zelia's death brought on an attack of
fever. I rose from my bed weeks later to hear that Beauchamp had
vanished. On the night he committed the double crimes of murder and
kidnapping he went on board his yacht at Falmouth, and was never heard
of again. I searched for him everywhere, but without success."
"What about his estate?" asked Alan.
"There he has been cunning. It seemed that he had long since planned
to elope with Zelia, and that some weeks before he had sold his land.
He took the money with him, and the child. Had Zelia been alive she
would have gone too. As months and years went by, I gave up hope, and
I believed that the yacht had foundered."
Suddenly Sophy got up, much agitated.
"I can listen to this no longer," she said. "You are telling lies."
"Her mother's temper," muttered Lestrange. "Zelia's masterly way of
crushing argument."
"Don't call her my mother!" cried Sophy. "I won't have it. I am not
the child that was taken away by Beauchamp. I never knew any one of
that name."
"Probably not," replied Lestrange smoothly. "There were reasons for
its being kept from you. But Mr. Thorold----"
"Mr. Thorold is waiting to hear the end of the story," said that
gentleman coolly. "I have yet to hear who Beauchamp is and how you
traced him."
"This is mere evasion." The Captain was losing his temper somewhat.
"You know who the man is as well as I do."
"I am waiting to hear how you connect the two."
"What two?" asked Miss Marlow.
But in her own heart she knew the answer. Yet, like a loyal soul, she
kept true to the memory of the dead.
Lestrange took no notice of her.
"You are either very dull or very cunning," he said addressing Alan
pointedly. "The latter, I think. How did I find Beauchamp again? In a
curious way. I saw an illustrated paper in Jamaica, which gave a
portrait of the famous South African millionaire, Richard Marlow. The
face had on its right cheek a jagged scar. Jean gave that scar to
Beauchamp with his diamond ring. No doubt it was the drawing of blood
which led to the murder."
"Then you assert that Marlow was none other than Herbert Beauchamp?"
"I do. Also that Sophia Marlow is my child whom he carried away. I
have mourned her for twenty years. By the accident of the illustrated
paper I have traced her. At Southampton I heard of Marlow's death, so
I knew that he had escaped punishment on earth. But at least I have
found my dear child Marie."
"I am not your child!" she cried. "I will never acknowledge you as my
father."
"In that case"--Lestrange rose to his feet and looked very stern--"I
must appeal to the law."
Alan laughed.
"The law can't help you," he said. "Sophy is over age and her own
mistress. Even if you can prove your case, you cannot force her to go
with you."
"Natural affection----"
"Don't talk to me about natural affection!" cried the girl. "I know
nothing about you. Nothing in the world will make me go with you!"
"But if I tell my story to the world?" cried Lestrange, hinting a
threat.
"Tell it, by all means," said Thorold, putting his arm round Sophy.
"You can hurt only the memory of the dead. Even if Marlow, as you
assert, killed your cousin, he is dead, and beyond your reach."
"Are you so sure he is dead?" sneered the man.
"Of course we are sure," cried Sophy indignantly. "Didn't I see him
dead in his coffin?"
"Well," said Lestrange, preparing to go, "it is most extraordinary to
me that he should have died so suddenly and so conveniently. His body,
too, has been stolen. That also is convenient."
"Do you mean that he is alive?"
"Yes. He feigned death to escape me."
"How could he have known that you were coming?"
"I don't know," was the answer, "but I shall find out. It shall be my
business to search for the body of Richard Marlow."
"Do," said Thorold calmly. "And when you find it you will gain the
reward of a thousand pounds."
"I shall gain more than that, Mr. Thorold. My daughter----"
"Never! Never! Leave this house, sir, and don't come near me again!"
The man moved towards the door. He had picked up the certificate and
put it in his pocket.
"You turn your own father out into the street," he said. "Very good. I
shall take my own means of punishing you for your want of filial
respect. It is to the bad influence of Mr. Thorold that I owe this
reception. Be assured, Mr. Thorold, that I shall not forget it. To
revert to the tongue of my progenitors, I shall say _Au revoir_ but
not 'Adieu.' We shall meet again."
And clapping on his hat with a jaunty air, Captain Lestrange walked
out of the room.
When the door had closed after him, Sophy turned to Alan.
"Do you think this story is true?" she asked.
"I must admit that there appears to be some truth in it," was the
reply. "The certificate is correct as to your age, your birthday, and
your birthplace, and the name of your mother also is correct."
"Then, am I that man's daughter?"
"Not necessarily. He may have assumed the name. He may--oh, I don't
know what to think! But even if he proves his case, you won't go with
him?"
"Never! never! How can we find out the truth?"
"Joe might know. I wish he would come back. I wonder if, after all,
your father can be alive--Marlow, I mean."
"How can that be? We both saw him dead. Dr. Warrender gave a
certificate of the death. Why do you ask?"
"Well, it is strange. In his will a sum of two thousand a year is left
to be paid to a man called Herbert Beauchamp, through the Occidental
Bank."
"And he says that my father was Herbert Beauchamp."
"I know. Can your father have feigned death to avoid him?"
"Impossible. He did not know Captain Lestrange was coming."
"Well," said Alan slowly, "there was that West Indian letter which
agitated him so much. It might have been a warning. However, it is no
use theorizing. I'll go to the Occidental Bank, and find out Herbert
Beauchamp."
"You won't find that he is my own father, Alan; I am sure of that. He
may be a relative. No, no! He is not a murderer! He is dead--quite
dead! I don't believe a word of the story."
Alan sighed.
"Time alone can prove its truth or falsehood, Sophy," he said.
CHAPTER XIV.
THE ENMITY OF CAPTAIN LESTRANGE
That same evening the Rector was coming in to dine with Alan. The
young man was glad that he had asked him, for he was anxious to
consult his old friend about the strange tale he had heard, and about
the steps which should be taken to prove its truth or falsity. He
stayed with Sophy till it was nearly six o'clock. Miss Parsh had not
been called into counsel. She was too timid, they thought, and too
likely to lose her head. Moreover, Alan felt that she would give the
girl overmuch sympathy and make her nervous. So he did all the bracing
he could, advised her not to take the old lady into her confidence,
and rode home to the Abbey Farm in the cool twilight.
As he passed the Good Samaritan, Mrs. Timber came flying out in a
flutter of excitement.
"Sir! sir! Mr. Thorold!" she called. And then, as he checked his
horse: "Is the gentleman all right? He's a furriner, and I never did
hold as they could pay honest."
"What are you talking about, Mrs. Timber?" asked the young man,
utterly bewildered.
"Why, of the gentleman you sent to me, sir."
"I sent no gentleman. Stay! Do you mean Captain Lestrange?"
"Yes, sir, that's his name--a nasty French name. He said you
recommended my house. I'm sure I'm very much obliged, Mr. Thorold."
Here Mrs. Timber dropped her best curtsy and smiled a sour smile. "But
I arsk again, sir, is he good pay?"
Alan was amazed at the Captain's impudence in making him stand sponsor
for his respectability.
"I don't know anything about the gentleman, Mrs. Timber," he said,
giving his horse the spur. "He is a stranger to me."
"Oh, is he?" muttered the landlady to herself as Alan galloped off.
"Well, he don't get nothing out of me till I sees the color of his
money. The idea of giving Mr. Thorold's name when he had no right to!
Ah! I doubt he's a robber of the widder and the orphan. But I'll show
him!"
And Mrs. Timber, full of wrath, went into her hotel to have it out
with her new lodger.
Alan rode fast and hard in the waning light, between the flowering
hedgerows--rode to get away from his thoughts. The advent of Lestrange
with his cut-and-dried story, with his accusation of the dead, and his
claim to be Sophy's father, was ominous of evil. Alan had his own
uncomfortable feelings, but of these he decided to tell no one, not
even Phelps, although Phelps was his very good friend. In taking this
resolution, Alan made a very serious mistake--a mistake which he found
out when it was too late to remedy his injudicious silence.
He had just time to dress for dinner before his guest arrived. Knowing
that Mr. Phelps was dainty in his eating, Mrs. Hester had prepared a
meal such as the good Rector loved. Alan's wine was of the best, and
he did not stint it, so Mr. Phelps addressed himself to the solemn
business of dinner, with the conviction that he would enjoy himself;
and Alan kept his news to himself until they were in the smoking-room.
Then, when his guest was sipping aromatic black coffee and inhaling
the fragrance of an excellent cigar, the young Squire felt compelled
to speak, and exploded his bombshell without further notice.
"Mr. Phelps, I have unpleasant news," he said, filling his pipe.
The clergyman looked piteously at the excellent cigar, and took
another sip of the coffee.
"Oh, Alan, my boy, must you?"
"You can judge for yourself," replied Alan, unable to suppress a
smile. "Sophy had a visitor to-day."
"Indeed! Any one connected with these mysteries which so perplex us?"
"In one way, yes; in another, no. He is a Captain Lestrange."
"Lestrange! Lestrange!" repeated the Rector. "I don't know the name.
Who is he?"
"Sophy's father!" said Alan simply, and lighted up, while Mr. Phelps
remonstrated:
"My dear Alan, if this is a jest----"
"It is no jest, sir, but, I fear, a grim reality. This man comes from
Jamaica."
"Dear me! Marlow came from Jamaica. Does he know----"
"He knows all Marlow's past life."
"The dev--ahem! God forgive me for swearing. And who was Marlow?"
"According to Lestrange, a murderer."
Phelps dropped his cigar and stared at his old pupil.
"Alan, are you mad?"
"No. At the present moment I am particularly sane. This man says that
Marlow was a murderer, and he himself claims to be Sophy's father.
Take some green Chartreuse, Mr. Phelps, and I'll tell you all about
it."
The Rector's nerves had received such a shock at the abrupt way in
which Alan had told his news that he very willingly poured himself out
a liqueur. Then he relighted his cigar, and signed to the young man to
proceed.
"If I must hear it!" sighed he. "Such a pity, too, when I was so
comfortable. Ah! Man is born to trouble. Go on, my dear lad!"
"You will find it really interesting," said Thorold encouragingly, and
told his story in as concise a way as he could. The narrative was
interrupted frequently by the Rector. When it was ended he was too
much astonished to make any remark, and the other had to stir up his
intelligence. "What do you think of it, sir?"
"Really--bless me!--I hardly know. Do you believe it, Alan?"
"There are so many things in it which I know to be true, that I can't
help thinking the man is honest, in so far as his story goes," said
Alan gloomily. "Whether Sophy is really his child I can't say. She is
certainly very like him, and the certificate appears to be genuine.
Again, Mr. Phelps, you heard Warrender call Marlow 'Beauchamp,' and,
as I told you, a sum of two thousand a year is by Marlow's will to be
paid to a Herbert Beauchamp. What if he should be Marlow himself?"
"I can't--I won't believe it!" cried the Rector, rubbing his bald
head. "The man is as dead as a doornail--you saw the corpse yourself,
Alan. The body was put in a leaden casing, hermetically sealed, and
that in a tightly-screwed-down oaken coffin. Even if Marlow had been
in a trance--if that is what you mean--he could not have survived
that! He would have died of suffocation--he would have been
asphyxiated. Bless my soul! I don't believe it for one moment."
"But how do you account for the income left to Herbert Beauchamp?"
"He must be a relative," said the Rector.
"But the same Christian name, Mr. Phelps? Still, of course, that is
not impossible--he might be a relative. I will see the manager of the
bank, and insist upon knowing the address of this man."
"Supposing he won't give it?"
"Then I shall call in the police. I must get to the bottom of this
affair. Why should that body have been stolen?"
"Perhaps Lestrange can tell you, Alan." The little parson jumped
up in a state of wild excitement. "What if he should be the Quiet
Gentleman--Brown?"
"Impossible--he landed at Southampton only two days ago."
"Oh! so he says, but you must find out if it is true."
"I will examine the passenger-list of the last steamer."
"It is strange," said the Rector--"strange that Marlow--let us call
him Marlow--should have died so opportunely. If you remember, he was
much worried by a West Indian letter he received a week before his
death."
"Yes; I believe that was written to warn him against Lestrange. To
escape being arrested on a charge of murder, he--he--well, what did he
do."
"He didn't feign death, at all events," said Mr. Phelps. "Bless me,
Alan! I know the feel and the look of a corpse. I've seen dozens!
Besides, you studied for medicine--your knowledge must tell you----"
"Yes, I could have sworn he was, as you say, dead as a doornail. Of
course"--Alan cast about in his mind for some hypothesis--"that
is--the shock of impending danger hinted at in that letter might have
killed him. He died in a fit, sir, and died very suddenly."
"Humph! You didn't attend him?"
"I--a layman! My dear sir, Warrender attended him."
"And Warrender was his bosom friend in Jamaica. Alan, Warrender must
have recognized him as Beauchamp--must have known Sophy was not his
daughter--must have known that he had been accused of murder in
Jamaica."
"Quite so," said Alan composedly, "and so Mrs. Warrender's diamonds
are accounted for. He blackmailed Marlow. I can see it plainly."
"Then the murder of--of Warrender?" whispered the Rector, with a look
of terror.
"Ah! we are still in the dark about that. Marlow, being dead, could
not have killed him. Humph! I wonder if Lestrange is the Quiet
Gentleman after all!"
"Alan!" said Phelps suddenly. "Joe Brill!"
"What about him?"
"Do you think he is guilty? He was devoted to his master. Warrender
possessed his master's secret, and Joe might have killed him, and have
run away to escape arrest."
Alan shook his head.
"There was no suspicion against Joe," he said. "Why should he have run
away?"
"His guilty conscience, perhaps."
"A man who had nerve enough to commit such a murder and take the
corpse of his victim back to the vault wouldn't have any conscience to
speak of. Besides, the boy who slept in Joe's room says he was not out
on that night."
"No, no--of course not," said the Rector. "Then it can't be Joe. Well,
I give it up!"
"I don't," said Alan grimly. "I go to London to-morrow to solve the
mystery."
This he did. He left next morning and was away for three days, leaving
Mr. Phelps to console and protect Sophy from any annoyance on the part
of Lestrange, who remained in the village. The Captain propitiated
Mrs. Timber by the payment of a week's board and lodging in advance,
and this was enough to convince the landlady that he was a most
estimable person.
Naturally enough, he and Cicero Gramp came into contact, and, equally
naturally, Cicero did his best to find out what business the Captain
had in Heathton. But this was no easy task, for Lestrange was guarded
in speech, and did not at first encourage his advances, judging very
truly that Mr. Gramp was a scoundrel, and could be dangerous. But
finally he decided that the gentleman in broadcloth, if properly
handled, could be converted into a useful tool, and he determined to
make use of him in that capacity. The intimacy began one night when
Cicero, having taken more than was good for him, allowed his tongue to
wag more freely than usual. Lestrange thus became aware that it could
dispense useful knowledge.
"I tell you what it is, my noble Captain," said Cicero, with drunken
gravity, "you are a clever man--I am another. Why shouldn't we get
that reward by working together?"
"Really, my friend, I hardly see what I can do. I am a stranger here."
"That's why we ought to work together. You are not in these parts for
nothing. The gossip of servants--ah!" Gramp looked significantly at
Lestrange. "Oh, I heard how you were turned out of the Moat House."
"What do you mean, my dear friend?" asked the Captain, in silky tones.
"Oh! that you've got some game on--so have I. Let us work together."
"Pooh! pooh! You are talking nonsense."
"Nonsense which may mean money. See here, I know that you were kicked
out of the Moat House. Ah! the gossip of menials."
"Pardon me, but I was not kicked out."
"You were. Young Thorold did it. He wants all the money, and he'll get
it by marrying that girl--if I let him."
"If you let him? What do you mean?"
"Mean? Why, that I hate young Thorold, and that I want a few
thousands!"
"Oh! and how do you intend to get them?"
"Never you mind. If we work together--but, then, we don't. _Cedant
arma togæ_--which means, you're a soldier, I'm a lawyer--so that's all
right. Goo'night."
And he staggered off, leaving Lestrange with much food for meditation.
The outcome of this was that next morning the Captain met Cicero
halfway, and later in the day Sophy received a note from Lestrange
asking to see her. If she would not consent, he added, Mr. Thorold
would be placed in a position of great danger.
After some reflection Sophy sent for Mr. Phelps, and they decided to
see the scamp. So on a Saturday morning Captain Lestrange was received
in the library of the Rectory.
"Well, sir," said Phelps, "and what have you to say about Mr.
Thorold?"
"Only this," was the reply: "that he is a scoundrel!"
"Indeed!" the Rector stopped Sophy's exclamations. "On what grounds?"
"On the grounds that it was he who stole the body of Richard Marlow!"
CHAPTER XV.
TROUBLE.
The Rector and Sophy looked at one another, and then at Lestrange,
smiling and confident. They knew Alan too well to credit so monstrous
an accusation for one moment. Indeed, the idea appeared so ridiculous
to Sophy that she laughed outright.
Lestrange frowned.
"You laugh now," he said. "You will weep later. What I say is true.
Thorold stole the body of your father--your supposed father!" he
sneered, "for, say what you like, you are my child."
"I don't acknowledge the relationship," retorted the girl with spirit,
"and I never will. Mr. Marlow was my father. I shall always think of
him as such. As to your accusation of Mr. Thorold, it is merely
another trick to cause me trouble. I suppose you will say next that he
murdered Dr. Warrender?"
"I say nothing of the sort," replied the Captain, nettled by her open
contempt, "yet he may have done so, for all I know. But I state only
what I can prove."
"You cannot prove this ridiculous charge?" cried the Rector. "Mr.
Thorold is incapable of such a crime."
"Ah!" drawled the other coolly, "you see, Mr. Thorold is scientific,
and does not look upon his deed as a crime."
"What do you mean by that?" asked Mr. Phelps sharply.
"I mean that Mr. Thorold was once a medical student--at least, I have
been told as much."
"It is true, quite true," said Sophy, opening her eyes, for in her
innocence she did not see what the man meant. But the Rector did, and
winced. He anticipated the accuser.
"You mean that Mr. Thorold stole the body for scientific purposes?"
"For dissection--yes. Mr. Thorold is, I understand, an enthusiast in
surgery. Marlow--or, rather, I should say, Beauchamp--died of an
obscure disease, and Warrender and Thorold removed the body to hold a
post-mortem on it. They were the men seen by Cicero Gramp--you see, I
know all about it. They probably carried the body to the moor hut to
dissect it. Whether they quarreled or not, I do not know, nor do I
know if it was Thorold who killed the doctor. All I say is, that those
two stole the body."
"Oh, indeed!" remarked Mr. Phelps ironically, "and Thorold put the
remains of Dr. Warrender back in the vault, I suppose? And what did he
do with Marlow's body?"
"I don't know. Buried it on the moor, very likely."
"Mr. Thorold had not the key of the vault," cried Sophy indignantly.
"It had been stolen by the Quiet Gentleman."
"So I understand," retorted Lestrange sharply. "And who says so? Mr.
Thorold himself. Believe me, sir," he turned to the Rector, "that key
was never stolen. Thorold had it in his pocket. He lied about that for
his own safety."
"I don't believe it," said Mr. Phelps decisively. "Thorold was at
Bournemouth on the night the crime was committed."
"I know he was!" cried Sophy, with emphasis. "He was with me and Miss
Parsh."
"You are wrong, both of you. He came back to Heathton on that night,
and returned to Bournemouth before dawn. I understand it is only an
hour's journey from here."
"It is not true," insisted Sophy uneasily. "I saw Mr. Thorold at eight
o'clock that night at the Soudan Hotel."
"I dare say. But at ten o'clock he was at Heathton."
"How can you prove that?"
"If you will permit me," said Lestrange, and rising, he left the room.
Before Mr. Phelps and Sophy could exchange a remark, he was back again
with a man who had evidently been waiting.
"Jarks!" cried the Rector, much annoyed. "And what has Jarks to do
with this preposterous story?"
"If you ask him he will tell you," said Lestrange politely, and
resumed his seat.
The Rector looked indignantly at his sexton, who, as minor official in
the church, should have quailed before his superior. But there was no
quailing or cringing about Jarks. The old fellow was as malicious as a
magpie, and as garrulous. Looking more rusty than ever, he stood
twisting his greasy old hat, and shifting from one leg to the other.
"Oh, I seed Muster Alan; yes, I seed un. On the night o' the funeral I
were in the yard, a lookin' at 'em as I'd tucked away, an' I clapped
eyes on Muster Alan. He wor' lookin' at the vault where I'd put away
the last of 'em, he wor."
"About what time was that?" asked Mr. Phelps, with severity.
"Well, it might be about ten, Muster Phelps, sir."
"And what were you doing out of bed at that hour?"
"Lookin' at 'em," retorted Jarks, wiping his mouth. "Lor' bless you,
Muster Phelps, all in the yard's m'own handiwork save some of the old
uns. I like to see 'em all quiet an' humble in their narrow homes. Ay,
an' I seed Muster Alan, an' he sez, 'I've come to look round, Jarks,
an' you needn't say as I've bin about. Here's money for ye.' Ay, he
did say that, an' guv me money. Course I said nothin' as there isn't
no law agin folk walkin' round to see how them as has passed away is
gettin' along."
"How long was Mr. Thorold with you?"
"It might be about five minutes, sir. He went to ketch a train at the
half-hour to go back to Miss Sophy--hopin' I sees you well, miss!"
with a pull of his forelock to the girl, who was standing pale and
trembling at this disastrous confirmation.
"Why didn't you tell me this, Jarks?"
"Lor' bless you, Miss Sophy, 'twas little use vexin' you. 'Sides, when
I found Muster Marlow was gone, arter bein' put away comfortable-like
in the vault, I did say to Muster Alan arterwards as it wasn't
friendly-like of him to upset my handiwork. But Muster Alan he says as
he had nowt to do with the takin' of him, an' how he got out of the
vault, being screwed and soldered down, was more than he knew. So he
being the squire, Miss Sophy, it wasn't my place to say nothin'. I
knows the station of life I've bin called to."
"It was your duty to come to me," said the Rector severely.
"Naw, naw!" Jarks shook his head. "'Tain't no good makin' bad blood,
Muster Phelps. Muster Alan wor in the yard, but he didn't take the
last of 'em away."
"I say he did!" put in Lestrange, with emphasis.
"Ay, ay! You thinks you knows a lot. But I tell you, you don't. If it
wasn't that I let slip to that fat un while mazed wi' drink, as I seed
Muster Alan, you'd niver have know'd naught. Naw! But when the wine's
in Jarks he talks foolish-like. Ay, he babbles as a babe does Jarks!"
"Who is this fat man he speaks of?" asked Sophy.
"My other witness," replied Lestrange promptly. "You can go, Jarks.
Send in Cicero."
The sexton nodded, wiped his mouth, and backed to the door with a
final excuse.
"As I wor sayin', Muster Phelps, 'twouldn't be right to blame Jarks
for holdin' the tongue o' he, Muster Alan wantin' it so. But the red
wine--which is to say, beer an' such like--maketh the heart of Jarks
glad, as sez Holy Scripture. An' I'll go now, wishin' you an' Miss
Sophy happiness an' long life."
After which apologetic speech the old sinner creaked out of the room
pulling his forelock.
"You see," said Lestrange, with a triumphant look at the other two,
"Thorold was in Heathton, and in the churchyard on that night."
"It would seem so; but that does not prove he took away the body," put
in Sophy.
"My second witness can prove that. Come in, Cicero."
The fat man, resplendent in new clothes, rolled into the room.
"Pax vobiscum," said he.
The Rector turned an angry glance on him.
"This is not the time for playing the fool," he said cuttingly. "You
are a cunning rogue, but some day you will overreach yourself. Now,
then, out with your lie."
"Lie! I scorn to pervert the truth, reverend sir. I shall tell the
truth _in puris naturalibus_."
"I hope not," threw in the Rector, laughing, in spite of himself, at
this abuse of quotation.
"Which means, reverend sir," went on the old scoundrel coolly, "that
in the hut on the heath I found the corpse of Dr. Warrender."
"But not the body of my father," said Sophy.
"No, but I saw that taken away from the vault. Undoubtedly, Miss
Marlow, the body was carried to the hut for the purpose of dissection
by Mr. Thorold. He was foolish enough to leave behind him evidence of
his iniquitous purposes. Behold!" and Cicero produced a lancet in his
most dramatic manner. "Nota bene," said he grandly.
Phelps bent forward and took the instrument in his hand. It had an
ivory handle, on which were carved two letters, "A. T."
"You found this in the hut?" he asked.
"I did, reverend sir. It must have been dropped by Mr. Thorold. If
not, how did it come there? I pause for a reply."
"Why did you not tell Mr. Thorold about this?" demanded Sophy.
"I bided my time----"
"To blackmail him!" she cried, with scorn.
"A harsh word, Miss Sophia. Certainly I would have demanded a small
payment from Mr. Thorold, had I shown him that. But Mr. Thorold
insulted me, it matters not how. _Nemo me impune lacessit_, Miss
Sophia, and I determined to punish the young man. My military friend
was good enough to enter into partnership with me for the purpose of
clearing up this matter, hence I told him of my discovery. There is no
more to be said."
"Save this," put in Lestrange, who appeared to be getting somewhat
weary of Cicero's cumbersome diction, "that here is the proof that it
was Thorold who carried off the body. Do you believe now in his
guilt?"
"I reserve my opinion," said the Rector, who could not but acknowledge
to himself that things looked black for Alan.
"I don't!" cried Sophy, rising. "If fifty men, with fifty lancets,
came to tell me this story, I would not believe a word against Mr.
Thorold. He can explain. I believe in him firmly, and, to prove my
belief, I shall marry him as soon as I can."
"You'll do nothing of the sort!" cried Lestrange, losing his temper.
"I am your father, and I command you to come with me."
"And I am my own mistress, and I refuse," she said quietly. "You can't
frighten me. I don't believe your stories."
"Nor do I," said the Rector. "When Mr. Thorold comes back, he will, no
doubt, be able to explain his presence in Heathton on that night, and
also the loss of his lancet."
"He shall explain it to the police!" cried Lestrange, in a threatening
manner.
"No, no," said Cicero, apprehensive at this mention of his natural
enemies; "let us take counsel together. Cannot this matter be
adjusted, so that Mr. Thorold may escape the reward of his iniquitous
proceedings?"
Sophy looked at him with a satirical smile. Then she turned to address
Lestrange as the senior partner in this firm of scoundrels.
"How much do you want?" she asked.
The Captain winced. He did not like the question to be put quite so
crudely.
"I do not understand," he said.
"I think you do. How much do you require to hold your tongue?"
"Say five thousand," whispered Mr. Gramp.
But Lestrange shook him off, and marched to the door very upright and
indignant.
"I will let you know my price----"
"Ah!" said Sophy scornfully.
"When I have seen the police," finished he, and marched out.
Cicero had to follow, but he turned at the door and winked.
"He will not go to the police," said he, in a hurried voice. "Might I
suggest five----"
"Be off, you scoundrel!" cried the Rector indignantly, and thrust him
out.
Then he resumed his seat, and looked at Sophy.
"Well?" said he.
"Alan can explain," said she decisively.
"But if Lestrange goes to the police?"
"He won't," she said. "Cicero will stop that. Meanwhile I wait for
Alan."
They talked on for a long time, but could come to no conclusion.
Undoubtedly Alan had been near the vault on that night, had been in
the hut, and had said nothing of these things to any one. It certainly
looked suspicious, but Sophy insisted that her lover could and would
explain. In spite of appearances, she had faith in Alan's honesty and
in Alan's honor.
That same evening she dined with the Rector, without even Miss Vicky
in attendance.
Towards the end of the meal, Alan walked in unexpectedly. He looked
somewhat downcast, but there was no sign of fear in his bearing. After
greetings had been exchanged he sat down with them. Neither the Rector
nor Sophy was anxious to inform him of the accusation which had been
brought against him.
"How went the business?" asked Mr. Phelps.
"Badly--for us," was the reply. "Lestrange certainly arrived by the
boat he said he came by. I saw his name, Achille Lestrange, on the
passenger-list of the _Negress_."
"Ah! the devil speaks true sometimes!" said the Rector. "And what
about Beauchamp?"
"Yes, yes!" cried Sophy. "Did you find him? Did you see him?"
"No," replied Alan quietly, "but I heard of him. Beauchamp is dead!"
CHAPTER XVI.
ALAN'S DEFENSE
"Dead!" repeated Sophy, after a pause. "Then was this Mr. Beauchamp
really my father or a relative?"
"I think he was Mr. Marlow, dear," said her lover gravely. "No doubt
your father intended to feign death to escape Lestrange, but it would
seem that he overdid it, and really died. I saw the manager of the
Occidental Bank. He informed me that he had received a letter telling
him that Beauchamp was dead."
"How long ago was this?"
"A little over a week."
"Who wrote the letter?"
"That he refused to tell me."
"Had he seen this Mr. Beauchamp, to whom the money was to be paid?"
"Never. Your father had informed him that he had left an income to
Beauchamp, and that drafts for the money were to be sent to a certain
place--where, I don't know. The manager sent a draft, but it was
returned to him with a letter stating that the man was dead. For my
own part, I believe that Mr. Marlow was Beauchamp. His plan to hide
himself from Lestrange has succeeded only too well."
Mr. Phelps now joined in.
"Then I understand, Alan, that you think Marlow is really dead?"
"I do. If he had only feigned death, then Beauchamp would be receiving
his income. In my opinion, the two men are one and the same. I believe
Lestrange's story so far."
"Humph!" said the Rector, who was really of the same opinion. "But let
us leave this question for the moment and talk of the other. You say
that Lestrange arrived on the day and by the boat he asserted that he
did?"
"I saw the passenger-list myself. If he had not been on board,
his name would not have been there. Even he could not falsify a
passenger-list."
"Then our idea that Lestrange was the Quiet Gentleman is false?"
"It must be, sir. The man--Lestrange I mean--was not in England when
the Quiet Gentleman lived in this village. I believe Brown had to do
with the stealing of the body and the murder. But, then, Brown is not
Lestrange. Who he is I don't know!"
"Alan!" cried Sophy--for if what Lestrange stated was true, this
hypocrisy was detestable--"you are not straightforward with me!"
"Indeed I am," he said, with a stare of astonishment. "I have told you
of my discoveries. Why should I deceive you?"
"Why, indeed!" said the girl bitterly. "You know how much I
love you, yet you keep me in the dark about matters which concern
us both--matters which I, if any one, have a right to know."
He might have had some inkling of what she meant, for his face turned
a dark red. Nevertheless, he held himself well in hand, and looked
inquiringly at the Rector.
"What does she mean, sir?"
"I think you can guess," said Phelps, more coldly than he had ever
before spoken to Alan.
"No; upon my word, I----"
Sophy rose from her chair and closed his mouth with her hand.
"Don't! don't!" she cried despairingly.
"I can't bear it. Captain Lestrange----" She hesitated.
"Ah!" said Alan fiercely. "I might have guessed he had been making
mischief. Well, and what does he say?"
"That you stole my father's body, Alan!"
"I--I--stole the body?"
"Yes!" chimed in the Rector. "And he further says that you took it to
the hut on the heath, where Warrender's corpse was found."
"Oh, indeed!" cried the young man derisively. "And did I murder
Warrender, too?"
"Alan! Alan! Oh, don't jest! If you love me, Alan, tell me the truth."
"Sophy! What do you mean?" He pushed away his plate and rose. "Do you
believe this man's tale for one moment? Am I the man to violate a
grave--to drag the remains of a man I respected and honored to the
light of day? You must be mad to think of such a thing! How dare he
bring forward such a terrible--such a dastardly accusation? For what
reason does he say that I did it?"
"Out of revenge, I expect," said Phelps. "He dislikes you, Alan. He
says you took poor Marlow's body to dissect it."
"And bases his lie upon some gossip of my having been a medical
student, I suppose?" cried the young man, now thoroughly angry. "I'll
thrash the scoundrel within an inch of his life!"
"Oh, Alan, I am so glad--so thankful! I said so, didn't I, Mr. Phelps?
You didn't do it!"
"Do it--of course I didn't do it! Why should I? Phelps,"--Alan forgot
his respect for the Rector in his rage--"do you believe this lying
story?"
"Knowing you as I do, I don't believe it. But I must say that
Lestrange--he is a very dangerous man--makes out a strong case against
you."
"Oh! Let me hear on what grounds."
"Alan!" Sophy came forward and took him by the lapels of his coat,
"before we tell you anything, confess if you have kept anything from
us."
He looked at her in a puzzled manner. Then a light seemed to dawn upon
him. He glanced at the Rector.
"Now I understand, Mr. Phelps. Jarks has told you."
"Told me what?" asked the Rector, with well-feigned ignorance.
"I see! I see!" Alan sat down again. "It's all right, Sophy. I kept
that from you only that you should not be worried. So Lestrange found
out--from Jarks, I suppose--that I was at Heathton on the night of the
funeral?"
"Yes, yes. Oh, Alan, is it true?"
"True--of course it is. Why should it not be true? Does the fact of my
having been here corroborate this cock-and-bull story? You ought to
know me better, Sophy, and you too, Phelps."
"I couldn't believe it--I didn't," cried the girl.
"Nor I. We both told him that he lied. But I must admit that things
looked bad for you, as he put it. Why didn't you tell us you were at
Heathton on that night? Why did you come? Was there any serious reason
for such secrecy?"
"No reason whatsoever," replied the young man frankly, "save the
trifling one that I did not want to bother Sophy with my suspicions.
Yes, I came by the 8.30 train from Bournemouth, and I returned at
half-past eleven. I had to go to another station to keep my secret,
you know. Jarks saw me in the graveyard about ten, and as I wished to
keep my visit quiet, for the reason I have told you, I gave him
something to hold his tongue. It appears that he did not. I suppose
Lestrange bribed him?"
"Well, no," said the Rector, "not exactly. Jarks, in his cups, told
that scoundrel Gramp, and he told Lestrange."
"Oh! So there are two of them in league to make trouble. A proper pair
of scoundrels!"
"But," said Sophy, more composedly, "you have not told us why you
came."
"I came," said her lover, determined now to make a clean breast of it,
"to look at the vault--to see that all was safe."
The Rector uttered an exclamation of astonishment.
"Did you expect, then, that there would be some foul play?"
"Well, I hardly know, sir. It was this way: After Mr. Marlow received
that letter from the West Indies--which doubtless warned him that
Lestrange was on his track--he was much worried. He would not tell me
the reason, but kept speaking of some shock he had had which might
cause his death. 'And I don't know if the scoundrel will let my body
rest in its grave,' he said in a fit of passion. I asked to whom he
alluded, but he would say no more. When he died so unexpectedly, his
words came back to me. I wondered if he had enemies who might disturb
his remains, and all that day after the funeral I felt so bothered
about it that I could not rest without coming back to see if all was
well."
"And you found nothing wrong?"
"Nothing, sir. I was in the churchyard for about a quarter of an hour.
I examined the door of the vault, and saw everything was right. As I
came away I met Jarks; the rest you know."
"You saw no signs of that tramp in the churchyard?"
"None! I expect he was sleeping when I was there. According to his
story, it was after midnight when the vault was opened."
"Alan," said Sophy, much relieved, "how is it they did not know at
Heathton Station that you were here?"
"I did not go to Heathton Station. I stopped at Murbury, and walked
from there across the heath. I went back the same way. I did so simply
to keep the tongues of gossips quiet. I did not want you to be
worried, Sophy; and after all," he said, after a pause, "beyond the
chance words of your father I had no reason to think that anything was
wrong. Ah! if I had only stayed in the churchyard all night, I should
have prevented this trouble. The vault would never have been broken
into, and poor Warrender would still be alive."
The Rector nodded approval of this speech, and poured himself out a
glass of wine, which, poor man, he sadly needed. Lestrange's
accusation had been disproved; still, there remained the evidence of
Cicero. Sophy put the question which was in the Rector's mind.
"Captain Lestrange brought Cicero here, Alan," she said abruptly, "and
he--Cicero, I mean--declared that you were in the hut on the moor that
night."
"I was not!" cried young Thorold hotly. "I was never near the hut. Why
should I have been? Ask yourself, as I had to walk to and from
Murbury, and spend a quarter of an hour in the churchyard, had I time
to cross the moor all the distance to the hut?"
"Of course, you know I don't believe it. But Cicero----"
"Well, and how can he prove I was there?" he said impatiently.
"He found something there which belonged to you."
"What?"
"A lancet."
"A lancet! And why mine? Warrender was a doctor; he took away the
body--why should the lancet not belong to him? If he had intended to
dissect the body--which he might have, for all I know--he would want
one."
"No doubt," Mr. Phelps said dryly. "But this lancet had your initials
on the ivory handle. It is your lancet, Alan, and it is now in
Cicero's possession."
"H'm! that's queer. Initials?--yes, it might be mine. But how did it
get there?"
"Did you ever lend a lancet to Dr. Warrender?"
"No, not that I can remember."
"Then there was the other man, his accomplice, Brown the----"
"Ha!" cried Alan, starting up and pacing the room. "I see, I see!"
"See what?" cried Sophy eagerly.
"How the lancet came to be found in the hut. The Quiet Gentleman stole
it."
"Stole it?"
"Of course. Did he not steal the key of the vault from my desk? There
was a case of lancets in the same drawer; he took one. Ha! this proves
to me that Brown stole the body and murdered Warrender. A clever
scoundrel! He stole my lancet to throw suspicion on me." Alan clenched
his hands and looked upward. "In God's name, what does this roguery
mean?"
It was indeed a perplexing case. They were all in the dark, and such
gleams of light as came served only to confuse them the more.
Lestrange could not be the Quiet Gentleman, for, as had been proved by
Alan, he had landed in England only the week before. Brown was the
_deus ex machina_ who could put matters right, and Brown had vanished.
He could reappear only at the risk of being charged with murder.
Why had the body been removed? If it were a case of blackmailing, the
claim would have been made long since. The police were apparently as
much at a loss as Alan himself. And Blair----
"Does Blair know of this accusation?" asked Mr. Thorold suddenly.
"I am certain he does not," answered the Rector emphatically. "In the
first place, it was only made to-day. Lestrange, I am sure, wants
money, and would come to us before going to the police."
"If he does not want money, Cicero does," put in Sophy scornfully.
"In the second place," resumed Mr. Phelps, "Blair is away."
"Where has he gone?"
"I can't say, but he will be back in a fortnight."
"Well," said Alan moodily, "I don't know if he will be much good when
he does come. I shall see this firm of scoundrels at the Good
Samaritan, and threaten them with the police, unless they tell all
they know. Lestrange is as bad as Cicero, and I know _him_ to be a
scoundrel. What's that?"
This exclamation was drawn from him by the violent ringing of the
door-bell. Before the sounds had ceased, Miss Vicky, red, hot and
agitated, rushed in a most unladylike manner into the room.
"Oh, Sophy! Mr. Phelps! Mr. Alan! I really never! Joseph Brill--oh,
that Joseph Brill! He's back again!"
CHAPTER XVII.
JOE'S EVIDENCE
For a moment the three gazed in silence and amazement at the old maid.
She stood before them, all tousled and red with haste, a figure of fun
she would not have recognized for herself. Her buckram demeanor had
for once given way to the real woman. Alan was the first to speak, and
he jumped up from the table with a shout of joy. From an unexpected
quarter, in the most unexpected manner, help had come, and at the
moment when it was most needed.
"Joe Brill!" cried Mr. Thorold. "He is the very man I want. Where is
he, Miss Vicky?"
"At the Moat House. I went to the kitchen for a moment; he was
there--he had just come in. I thought he was a ghost," declared the
little lady solemnly; "indeed I did until he convinced me that he was
flesh and blood."
"What explanation did he make?" asked Sophy anxiously.
"None--to me. He said he was ready to explain his absence to Mr.
Thorold."
"Did he? Then he shall have the chance. Go back to the Moat House,
Miss Parsh, and send on Joe to the Good Samaritan."
"Why there of all places?" asked the Rector.
"Because I am going to see Lestrange, and force the truth out of him.
There shall be an end to all this devilment. He accuses me, does he!"
cried Thorold, with an ugly look. "Let him have a care lest I accuse
him, and prove my accusation, too, with the help of Joe Brill."
"Joseph!" cried Miss Parsh, quite at sea. "What can he do?"
"He can prove if Lestrange's story is true or false."
"Story, Mr. Alan! What story?"
"Never mind, Vicky," put in Sophy, catching Miss Parsh's arm. She saw
that Alan was growing impatient. "Come back home, and we will send Joe
on to the inn. Come, you look quite upset."
"And I am upset," wailed the poor woman. "I ran all the way to tell
you that Joseph had returned--like a thief in the night," she added.
"Oh, dear me! and I'm so hot and untidy. I don't like these dreadful
things!" Miss Vicky suddenly caught sight of herself in an adjacent
mirror, and made a hasty attempt to arrange her disordered dress. "Oh,
what a spectacle for a genteel gentlewoman to present! A glass of
wine, Mr. Phelps, I beg of you."
The Rector poured out the wine in silence, then turned to Alan.
"Shall I come with you!"
"No, sir. Joe and I are quite able to deal with this brace of
blackguards."
"Remember that Lestrange is a dangerous man, Alan."
"So am I," retorted the other grimly. "If I happen to find a whip
handy, I don't know what I might be tempted to do."
"But if Joe declares that Lestrange is Sophy's father?"
"He is not my father!" cried Sophy. "His story is a lie! I am the
daughter of Richard Marlow."
"Sophia! This man--your father!" wailed Miss Vicky. "Oh dear, what is
all this?"
"I'll tell you when we get home," said the girl. "Alan, I will send
Joe to the inn at once."
And she led the weeping Vicky from the room.
"Let me come, Alan. You will want a witness."
"Joe will be witness enough," said the young man decisively. "No, sir;
better let me see him alone; there may be rough work. Your cloth----"
"Deuce take my cloth!" cried the Rector. "Bless me, may I be forgiven!
My cloth might keep the peace."
"I don't want the peace kept," retorted Thorold. "Unless that Creole
Frenchman apologizes I'll thrash him!"
The Rector stared, and well he might. All the well-bred composure had
gone from Alan's face and manner, the veneer of civilization was
stripped off, and man, primeval man, showed naked and unashamed. He
stared back at the clergyman, and for quite a minute the two looked at
one another. Then the younger man turned and left the room, and Mr.
Phelps made no attempt to stay him. He knew that he might as well have
tried to chain a whirlwind. He bowed to circumstances and sat down
again to his wine.
"I hope to Heaven he'll keep himself in hand," he muttered, without
his usual self-apology for swearing. "Lestrange is dangerous; but
Alan, in his present mood, is more so. I should not care to be the man
to meet him with that look on his face. Dear! dear!" The little man
sighed. "I wish all these mysteries were over and done with, and we
could resume the quiet tenor of our way."
Meantime, Alan was making for the inn. It was just on nine o'clock,
and the night had turned out wet. As he had no overcoat, the rain was
soaking him. But he did not care for that. His blood was on fire to
meet this man and force the truth out of him. He was certain that
Lestrange could explain much if he chose; and whether he chose or not,
Alan intended that he should speak out. He was determined that an end
should be put to these troubles.
The rain whipped his face and drenched him, but he walked on steadily.
There was no gas in Heathton, which was so far uncivilized, and the
roads were dark and miry. Not until he got into the principal street
did he leave the mud and the darkness behind him. Then before him
glimmered the feeble lantern over the door, with which Mrs. Timber
illuminated the entrance to her premises. Alan could hear the drowsy
voices of the villagers sitting over their ale in the taproom;--heard
above the rest the pompous speech of Cicero, who was evidently playing
his favorite part of Sir Oracle.
In the hall Mr. Thorold was found by the landlady. The woman pervaded
the house like a fly, and was always to be discovered where she was
least expected. She recognized Alan, curtsied and awaited
instructions.
"Take me," he said abruptly, "to Captain Lestrange."
"Lor', sir!" Mrs. Timber, in her amazement, overstepped the bounds of
class. "You said he was no friend of yours, sir."
"Nor is he. Come, show me his room. He is in, I suppose?"
"Catch him wetting himself!" she said, leading the way, with a sour
smile. "He's a furrin' Jack-o-dandy, that he is. Not but what he don't
pay reg'lar. But I see the color of his money afore my meat goes down
his throat. This is the door, sir."
"Very good. And, Mrs. Timber, should Joe Brill come, show him in
here."
"Joe Brill!" yelped the landlady, throwing up her hands. "You don't
mean to say as he's back, Mr. Alan! Well, I never did! And I thought
he'd run away because of the murder."
"You think too much, Mrs. Timber. Some day you will get yourself into
trouble. Now go, and don't forget my orders."
Chilled by the severity of his tone, Mrs. Timber crept away, somewhat
ashamed. Alan knocked at the door, heard the thin voice of Lestrange
call out "Entrez," and went in. The man was lying on the sofa, reading
a French novel by the light of a petroleum lamp, and smoking a
cigarette. When Alan appeared, he rose quickly into a sitting
position, and stared at his visitor. Of all men, the last he had
expected to see was the one he had so basely accused. The thought
flashed into his mind that Thorold had come to have it out with him.
But Lestrange, whatever his faults, was not wanting in a certain
viperish courage. He rose to greet his enemy with a smile which
cloaked many things.
"Good-evening, Mr. Thorold," he said, with a wary glance; "to what am
I indebted for this visit?"
"You shall know that before long," replied Alan, closing the door. He
was now considerably cooler, and had made up his mind that more was to
be got out of this man by diplomacy than by blind rage. "Have I your
permission to sit down?" he asked, with studied politeness.
"Certainly, my dear sir. Will you smoke?"
"No, thank you."
"Have some refreshment, then?"
"No, thank you."
"Ah!" sneered Lestrange, throwing himself again on the couch, "your
visit is not so amiable as I fancied. You come as my enemy."
"Considering your behavior, it would be strange if I came as anything
else."
"My behavior?"
"I refer to your interview with Mr. Phelps and Miss Marlow."
"Mademoiselle Lestrange, if you please."
"Ah, that is for you to prove!"
"I shall prove it," said the other, quite unmoved, "in open court."
"That will be a harder task than you imagine," retorted Alan quickly.
"But I am not here to discuss Miss Marlow's parentage. My errand is to
ask you why you have accused me of taking away the body of her
father."
"Richard Marlow was not her father," replied the man with heat.
"So you say--we can pass that point, as I told you before. I speak of
the charge you have thought fit to bring against me."
"It is a true one. I am willing to take it into court."
"You may be brought into court sooner than you expect," remarked Alan
dryly; and from the sudden start the man gave he saw that the shot had
gone home. "On what grounds do you base this charge?"
"If Mr. Phelps reported the interview correctly, you must know," said
he sullenly.
"To save time," retorted Alan, "I may as well admit that I do know.
Jarks and Cicero speak the truth."
Lestrange looked surprised.
"Then you admit your guilt?"
"No; that is quite another thing. I admit that I was in Heathton on
that night when Jarks saw me. What I came for does not concern you,
Captain Lestrange; but I can prove also that I was back in Bournemouth
before twelve o'clock. You will observe that I can establish an
alibi."
"Upon my word, I really believed you guilty!" cried the Captain with
sincerity.
"No doubt," was the scornful reply. "The wish is father to the
thought. I will thank you not to accuse me falsely again."
"You have to explain away the finding of the lancet."
"That was stolen from my desk, with the key of the vault, by a man
called Brown, whom I believe to have been guilty of a crime. You need
not try to fasten the guilt upon me! I can defend myself--to use your
favorite phrase--in open court, if necessary."
"Your word is enough," protested Lestrange. "I was wrong to accuse
you!"
"Very wrong. You did it out of spite----"
"No, no! I really believed----"
"What you wished yourself to believe," interrupted Alan in his
turn. "It was my intention to have given you a thrashing, Captain
Lestrange----"
"Sir!" the man started up white with rage.
"But I have changed my mind," pursued Alan, without noticing the
interruption. "I now intend to take another course. If you do not at
once leave Heathton, I shall bring a charge against you of defamation
of character."
"Oh!" Lestrange shrugged his shoulders. "You are a true English
shop-keeper. A man should protect himself by more honorable means."
"I know very well what I am about, sir. I wish to bring you into
contact with the law. For that reason--unless you go--I shall bring
the action."
"And what can the law do to me?" he asked defiantly. "I have committed
no wrong."
"You intend to. Oh! I know that you are innocent of taking Marlow's
body, and of murdering Warrender. But you are here to blackmail Miss
Marlow on the threat of proclaiming her dead father a murderer."
"I am here to claim my daughter!" shouted Lestrange fiercely. "Sophia
Marlow I know nothing of; but Marie Lestrange is the daughter of
Achille Lestrange, and I"--the Captain struck his breast--"I am he!"
While he was still posing in a very effective attitude, the door
opened, and Mrs. Timber ushered in Joe Brill. Hardly had it closed,
when Brill took a step forward, staring at Lestrange as though he had
seen a vision. Lestrange turned white, this time not with rage but
with fear. In the silence which ensued Alan looked from one to the
other, wondering what revelation was about to be made. Joe was the
first to speak.
"You swab!" cried Joe. "D----d if it ain't Captain Jean!"
CHAPTER XVIII.
A PORTION OF THE TRUTH
Joe was not in the least changed. Wherever he had been, in whatever
nefarious transactions he had been engaged, he was still the
mahogany-colored, tough old sailor whom nothing could surprise or
alarm. After having greeted Lestrange he hitched up his trousers in
true nautical style and touched his forehead.
"You wished to see me, sir," he said to Alan, and took a sidelong
glance at the Captain. That polished scoundrel had, for once, lost his
coolness, and, colorless with rage, was glaring at the seaman like a
devil.
"Joe," said the squire, as soon as he could take in the situation,
"you are making a mistake."
"Not me, sir! I knows a shark when I sees one."
"But this is Captain Achille Lestrange."
"Curse me if he is!" cried Joe vigorously. "Achille weren't no
captain. This one's a captain right enough, and a blazing fine lobster
he is! Jean's his name, sir, but he ain't a Scotch girl, for all that.
No, it's the French lingo for John."
"I am Achille Lestrange," persisted the Captain, very shrill and very
short of breath. "This man is a liar!"
"Say that again, and I'll knock the teeth down your throat!" growled
Joe, like an angry mastiff. "Achille be blowed! I know'd you twenty
year ago in the islands, I did, and a bad lot you were then. Jean
Lestrange--why, there never was a wuss lot! I never did think much of
Achille, for all his money; but you----"
Joe spat to show his disgust.
"Then this man is not Sophy's father?" gasped Alan.
"Oh, he sez that, does he, the lubber? Missy's father! Why, he ain't
fit to be her shoeblack!"
"Achille was the girl's father," said Lestrange sullenly. He saw that
it was useless to lie in face of Joe's positive knowledge. "And if I'm
not her father, I'm her uncle."
"That's a d----d lie!" put in Joe. "You weren't no more nor Achille's
cousin. What you are to missy, I don't know. But she won't have
nothing to do with you, you landshark!"
"Joe, do you mean to say your late master is not Sophy's father?"
"I do, sir. It's got to come out somehow, if only to put a stop to
that devil's pranks. She's the daughter of Achille Lestrange."
"Who was murdered by Marlow!" finished the Captain savagely. "Ah, my
friends, I have still some cards left."
"You'll have no teeth left!" growled Joe, making a step forward.
"You're a liar, Captain Jean--you always was! Mr. Marlow----"
"Beauchamp," corrected Lestrange, with a glance at Alan.
"Beauchamp it is," continued Brill coolly. "Oh, you needn't be afeared
that I'm going to lie! But Mr. Beauchamp never stabbed Munseer
Achille, and you know it, you lubber! Let me get at him, Mr. Thorold!"
"No, no, Joe!" Alan kept the irate seaman back. "We'll deal with this
gentleman in a better fashion. Sit down, Joe, while we talk it over."
Joe nodded, and sat down on a chair, which he placed directly before
the door.
With a glare that showed he noticed and resented this action,
Lestrange resumed his seat. He was too clever a man not to recognize
that Joe's cunning would dislocate his plans. But he was evidently
determined to fight to the last. At present he held his tongue, for he
wanted to hear what Joe would say. He preferred, for the moment, to
remain strictly on the defensive.
It was with a thankful heart that Alan Thorold realized the value of
Joe as an ally. At one time he had really believed that Lestrange was
truly Sophy's father, and although she would never have admitted the
relationship, still it was satisfactory to know that the man had no
claim on her obedience. The knowledge of Lestrange's falsehood cleared
the air somewhat. For one thing, it proved conclusively that the
Captain had come to blackmail the girl. His claim to be her father was
doubtless made in the hope that she would accompany him back to
Jamaica, and would give him control of her money. Failing this--and
Lestrange had long since realized that there was no doing anything
with Sophy in a paternal way--there remained the chance that, to
preserve Marlow's memory from stain, she might buy his silence.
Thus Lestrange argued, and Alan, with his eyes on the man's expressive
face, guessed his thoughts and answered them.
"No, Lestrange," he said, with decision, "you won't get one penny."
"We shall see about that," was the rejoinder.
"Of course. We are going to see about it now. You will be brought to
your bearings, sir. Joe, you say that this man is Jean Lestrange?"
"Yes, sir. But may I ask, Mr. Thorold, how you know about the shark?"
"I have heard the story from his own lips, Joe. He claimed to be
Achille Lestrange and Miss Sophy's father."
"Did he, now, the swab! and you know, sir, how Mrs. Lestrange ran away
to Mr. Beauchamp from the way her husband treated her?"
"I know----"
"Achille treated Zelia well," interrupted the Captain; "only too
well."
"That's another lie!" retorted Joe. "He was fond-like of her the first
year they were married, but it was you, Captain Jean, who made a mess
of them. You made him jealous of Mr. Beauchamp, and he treated her
crool. No wonder she ran away, poor lass!"
"Did the way Achille treated Zelia give Beauchamp any right to murder
him?"
"He didn't murder him. You know he didn't."
"He did, I say. Achille was found stabbed to the heart on the veranda
of Beauchamp's house. Zelia was dead, and your master took the child
away to his yacht at Falmouth. You were on board."
"Yes," said Joe coolly, "I wos; and it wos well for you, Captain Jean,
that I wasn't near the house that same evening. I'd ha' wrung your
neck, I would! Anyhow, master didn't kill Munseer Achille."
"There was a warrant out for his arrest, however."
"I know that, Captain Jean, and it was you who got it out. And I know
as you came over here after master from seeing his picter in the
papers. We both knowed you were coming, Captain Jean."
Alan interposed:
"Was that the West Indian letter, Joe?"
"Yes, sir, it was. Master got a letter from a friend of his in Jamaica
telling him this swab was after him to say as he'd murdered Munseer
Achille, which," added Joe, deliberately eyeing Lestrange, "is a
d----d lie!"
"Then who killed Achille?" sneered the Captain, quivering with rage.
"I dunno rightly," replied Mr. Brill stolidly. "I wasn't in the house
that night, or I'd ha' found out. But master ran away, because he knew
you'd accuse him out of spite. But Mr. Barkham, of Falmouth, believed
master was innocent, and know'd where he was, and what was his new
name. 'Twas he wrote the letter saying as Captain Jean was on his way
to England to make trouble."
"Barkham!" muttered Lestrange. "Ah! he was always my enemy."
"A shark like you, Captain Jean, ain't got no friends," remarked Joe
sententiously.
"Do you think that Barkham's letter caused Mr. Marlow's death?" asked
Alan.
"Do I think it, sir? Why, I knows it! After twenty years of hearing
nothing, the shock, as you might say, killed my master."
"Then he was guilty, and my accusation was a righteous one to make,"
chimed in Lestrange. "A clean conscience fears nothing."
"Mr. Beauchamp's conscience was a darned sight cleaner nor yourn,
Captain Jean, but you had the whip-hand of him, as all those in
Jamaica thought he'd murdered Munseer Achille, from them quarreling
about him coming after his wife. But master didn't do it--I swear he
didn't! More like you did it yourself," added Joe, with a look of
contempt, "though I dare say you ain't man enough to stick a knife
into any one."
Alan thought for a few minutes, then turned to Lestrange.
"I think you must see that you have failed all round," he said
quietly. "Your plot to pass as Miss Marlow's father is of no use now.
The accusation against me is not worth considering, as I have shown.
If necessary, I can defend myself. On the whole, Captain Lestrange,
you had better go back to Jamaica."
"Not without my price," said the adventurer.
"Ah, blackmail! Well, I always thought that was at the bottom of it
all. A man with clean hands and honorable intentions would not have
joined hands with a confessed rogue like Cicero Gramp. But may I ask
on what grounds you demand money?"
"I can prove that Beauchamp killed my cousin."
"What good will that do? Beauchamp is dead, and beyond your malice."
"Ay, that he is," said Joe approvingly. "He's gone where you won't get
him. I reckon you'll go the other way when your time comes, you
blasted swab!"
Lestrange, writhing under these insults, jumped up and poured out a
volley of abuse, which the seaman bore quite unmoved.
"I'll not go without my money," he raged, "and a good sum, too,
otherwise I shall see the girl----"
"If you annoy Miss Marlow again, I'll have you arrested," said Alan
sharply. "We don't permit this sort of thing in England."
"I shall put the story of Beauchamp's wickedness in all the papers."
"As you please. It cannot harm the dead."
"And will that girl stand by and see her father's memory disgraced?"
"You seem to forget," said Thorold, with quiet irony, "that he was not
Miss Marlow's father. Well, there is no more to be said. If you make
yourself a nuisance, the law shall deal with you."
"And I'll deal with him myself," said Joe. "I'll make them eyes of
yours blacker than they are by nature."
"Leave him alone, Joe. He'll go now."
"I won't go!" cried the man. "I'll have my price."
Alan shrugged his shoulders.
"I shall have to give you that thrashing, after all."
"Let me do it, sir," put in Mr. Brill, who was simply spoiling for a
row, and he stepped towards Lestrange.
The man's courage, genuine enough of its kind, suddenly gave way
before the ferocity of the sailor. He sprang up, ran into an inner
room and bolted the door.
Joe uttered the roar of a baffled tiger.
"Never mind, Joe; we're quit of him now. He will leave Heathton."
"I'll wait for him at the station," muttered Joe, following the young
Squire out of doors. "'Tain't right that the swab should get off
scot-free."
Outside the rain had ceased. Alan looked at his watch, and finding
that it was late, turned his face towards home. Suddenly he
recollected that Joe had not explained his absence.
"Well, Joe, where have you been?" he asked sharply.
"After him." Joe pointed his thumb over his shoulder. "When master's
body was carried away, I thought that shark might have done it. I
know'd he was coming from Jamaica, so I went to Southampton to see
when he arrived."
"You did not see him?"
"No," was the gloomy reply. "But I seed the list of passengers in one
of them boats, and his name wos on it. He couldn't have done it!"
"I found that out myself. No; Lestrange is innocent."
"If I'd know'd he wos on his way here to make trouble with missy, I'd
have waited," said the sailor; "but I thought if I dropped across him
I'd keep him off."
"He stole a march on you, Joe. And you have been at Southampton all
this time?"
"I have, sir--there and in London. But it's all right now, Mr. Alan.
He won't worry Miss Sophy any more. But now you know, sir, why I gave
a sov. to that tramp. He talked about one as sent him, and I thought
he wos talking of Captain Jean, so I hurried him away as soon as I
could, lest Miss Sophy should hear."
"I understand, Joe. But Cicero knew nothing at that time."
"Ah!" Joe clenched his fist. "He's another as needs a beating. Beg
pardon, sir, but I suppose you ain't found out who killed the doctor?"
"No; I believe myself it was that man Brown, who was called the Quiet
Gentleman. Do you know who he was, Joe?"
"No, sir, I do not," replied Joe doggedly. "Good-night, Mr. Alan," and
he walked off in great haste.
The young Squire pursued his way to the Abbey Farm, and all the way
wondered if Joe's sudden departure hinted at an unwillingness to talk
of Brown.
"I'll ask him about the man to-morrow," muttered Alan.
But on the morrow he had other matters to attend to. While he was at
breakfast a card was brought to him and he jumped up with a joyful
cry.
"Inspector Blair!" he said, throwing down the card. "Show him up, Mrs.
Hester. Ah! I wonder what he has found out."
CHAPTER XIX.
A REAPPEARANCE
"I Am glad to see you, Blair. Sit down and have some breakfast."
"Aha!" The inspector rubbed his hands as he looked at the well-spread
table. "I never say no to a good offer. Thank you, Mr. Thorold, I will
peck a bit."
"You are looking well, Blair."
"Never felt better in my life, Mr. Thorold. I have good cause to look
jolly."
"Enjoyed your holiday, no doubt," said Alan, as he assisted the
officer liberally to ham and eggs. "Where did you spend it?"
"In Brighton--pleasant place, Brighton."
Blair looked so jocular, and chuckled in so pleasant a manner that the
Squire guessed he had good news. However, he resolved to let Blair
tell his story in his own way.
"What took you to Brighton of all places?" he asked tentatively.
"Well, you might guess. Joe Brill took me."
"Joe Brill?"
The inspector nodded.
"I followed him there."
"But I have seen Joe. He tells me he was at Southampton and in
London."
"No doubt--a clever fellow Joe. He knows how to hold his tongue. Well,
Mr. Thorold, I hope your troubles about this matter of the lost body
will soon be at an end."
"Blair!" Alan bent forward in a state of great excitement. "You have
found out something about it?"
"Yes, enough to gain me a thousand pounds."
"Not enough to gain you two thousand pounds?"
"No." Blair's face fell. "But I intend to get that also. However, I
have learned all about the theft of Mr. Marlow's body--how it was
removed, and why it was removed."
"By Jove! How did you find out?"
"Through Joe Brill. Somehow I suspected Joe from the first. That
sovereign he gave Cicero Gramp, you know--I always fancied there was
something behind his anxiety to get that man away. So I had him
watched, and applied for leave of absence. When he left Heathton I
followed as a tourist," chuckled Blair. "Oh, I assure you, Mr.
Thorold, I make a very good tourist."
"And he went to Brighton?"
"Yes, direct to Brighton. I went there and found out all about it."
"You don't mean to say that he stole the body!"
"Ay, but I do and with the best intentions, too."
"Was he the short man Cicero Gramp saw with Warrender?"
"He was the short man," replied Blair, finishing his coffee.
"Then, why did he not tell me?" Alan burst out angrily. "I saw him
last night, yet he said nothing. He knew how anxious Miss Marlow is
about the loss of her father's body."
"Not her father," corrected the inspector. "Achille Lestrange was her
father."
"What!" Alan started from his seat. "You know that?"
"I know all--the elopement in Jamaica; the kidnapping of Marie
Lestrange, whom we know as Sophy Marlow; the coming of Jean Lestrange
to blackmail the girl, and--and--all the rest of it. You see, Mr.
Thorold, I interviewed Joe Brill this morning, and he told me all
about your conversation with that rascal. I am posted up to date,
sir."
"Joe Brill had no business to keep me in the dark," said the squire
angrily. "He should have relieved my mind and Miss Marlow's.
"Miss Lestrange," hinted Blair.
"No, sir--Sophia Marlow she is, and Sophia Marlow she will remain
until she changes her name for mine. Her father is dead, and Jean
Lestrange has no claim on her. Sophia Marlow, Mr. Inspector, if you
please."
"Well, well--as you please. We shan't quarrel about a name. Have you
anything to smoke, Mr. Thorold?"
Alan got him an excellent cigar, and returned to the point.
"Why did Joe keep me and Miss Marlow in the dark?" he asked.
"Acted under orders, Mr. Thorold."
"Whose orders?"
"Mr. Marlow's, or rather, I should say Mr. Beauchamp's."
"Blair!"
Alan gasped out the name. His face was white and he was appalled at
the news. For the moment he believed the inspector must have taken
leave of his senses.
"Oh, I dare say your astonishment is natural," said the inspector,
lighting his cigar. "I was astonished myself to find the dead man
alive and kicking. Yet I should not have been, for I suspected the
truth."
Alan had not yet recovered from his amazement.
"You suspected that Mr. Marlow was alive!" he said faintly. "On what
evidence?"
"On circumstantial evidence," said Blair smartly. "When I examined the
coffin with Mr. Phelps I noticed what he did not. At the sides small
holes were bored in inconspicuous places, and the shell of the leaden
case was pierced. Only one inference could be drawn from this--that
the man had designedly been buried alive. The design must have been
carried out by Warrender and the short man. I suspected Joe, from the
fact of his having given that sovereign to Cicero, and I watched him.
Presuming my belief to be correct, I made certain that sooner or later
he would rejoin his master. As I say, he went to Brighton. I followed
close on his heels to a boarding-house in Lansdowne Place. There I saw
Mr. Marlow."
"Did he recognize you?"
"Of course. While he was living at Heathton I had seen Mr. Marlow
several times on business. He made no attempt when I saw him at
Brighton to disguise himself--not thinking, I suppose, that his clever
scheme to frustrate Lestrange would come to light in this way."
"But, Blair, you did not know about Lestrange then!"
"True enough; but I soon heard the whole story. Mr. Marlow told it to
me himself. As you may guess, he was in a great way about my having
discovered him, and seeing no means of evading the truth, he told it.
I insisted upon it, in fact; and now I know all."
"And how did it come about?"
Blair held up his hand.
"No, Mr. Thorold," said he, "I shall leave Mr. Marlow--I think we had
better continue to call him so--to tell his own history. He can do it
better than I. Besides," added the inspector, rising briskly, "I have
business to do."
"What sort of business?"
"You can judge for yourself. I want you to come with me."
"Where--what to do?"
"To see Mrs. Warrender. You see, it was her husband who carried out
this scheme of feigned death to deceive Lestrange. Marlow, accused of
having murdered Achille in Jamaica, was afraid that this Captain Jean
would have him arrested. Now, Warrender was in Beauchamp's house at
Falmouth, Jamaica, when Mrs. Lestrange died, and he knew all about it.
It is my belief," added the inspector slowly, "that Beauchamp is
innocent, as he asserts himself to be, and that Warrender knew as
much."
"But, my dear Blair," protested Alan, "in that case Warrender could
have told Marlow the truth, and could have stopped Jean Lestrange from
making mischief."
"I dare say he could, but he did not. Warrender, my dear Mr. Thorold,
was a blackmailing scoundrel, who assumed the mask of friendship to
bamboozle Marlow. I had considerable difficulty in impressing this
view on Marlow, for, strange to say, he believed in the doctor. Joe
did not, however, and Joe told me a few facts about Warrender's
practice in Jamaica, which showed me that the doctor was not the
disinterested person he pretended to be. No, I am sure Warrender knew
Beauchamp to be innocent, and kept the fact quiet so as to retain a
hold on the man, and get money out of him. Now, do you understand why
I want to see his widow?"
"No," replied Alan, not following the inspector's hypothesis, "I do
not. If Warrender kept the truth from Marlow, he would most certainly
have kept it from his wife. The woman would have babbled, even against
her own interests, as women always do. Mrs. Warrender can tell you
nothing--I feel sure of that."
"You forget that the doctor may have left a confession of his
knowledge."
"Would he have done that?" said Alan doubtfully. "It would have been a
foolish thing."
"And when do criminals do other than foolish things?" was Blair's
response. "The murderer usually returns to the scene of his crime--as
often as not sets out its details in writing. It is impossible to
account for the actions of human beings, Mr. Thorold. It would not
surprise me in the least to hear that Warrender had written out the
whole story in a diary. If so, his wife must have found it amongst his
papers, and she will be disposed to sell it--at a long price."
"If she had found such a document, she would have shown it to me or to
Sophy before now."
"By no means. If she knew that Marlow were alive, then, of course, she
would realize that the document was valuable. But she believes him to
be dead."
"Humph!" said Alan. "You seem very certain that such a document
exists."
"Perhaps I am too sanguine," admitted Blair; "but Mr. Marlow gave me a
full account of what happened on the night Achille was murdered.
Moreover, he swore that he was innocent, and I believe him. As to
Warrender, he was a scoundrel, and I am sure that, like all
scoundrels, he has left a record of his villainies in black and white.
If this is so, I can prove Marlow's innocence, and he can defy
Lestrange."
By this time Alan and the inspector were walking along the road which
led to Heathton. It was a bright, sunny morning, and Alan was in high
spirits. How happy Blair's news would make Sophy!
"And Warrender, what about his death?" he asked. "Does Marlow know who
killed him?"
"Strange as it may seem, he does not, Mr. Thorold. He is as ignorant
as you or I. That death is a mystery still."
"But if Warrender was killed on the heath----"
"I can't explain, Mr. Thorold. Hear Marlow's story, and you will be as
much in the dark as I am. But I suspect Lestrange."
"So did I," replied Alan, speaking in the past tense. "But I learned
for certain that Lestrange was not in England on the night of the
murder."
"I proved that, too," said Blair thoughtfully; "yet I can't help
thinking there is some trickery. Lestrange is at the Good Samaritan?"
"Yes, dancing on Miss Marlow's doorstep in the hope of getting money."
"Does he receive any letters?"
"I don't know. Why?"
"Merely an idea of mine. I'll tell you later on what I think."
"You are keeping me very much in the dark, Blair," said Alan, somewhat
piqued.
"I don't care to show incomplete work," replied the inspector bluntly.
"I believe I can unravel the whole of this mystery, but I don't want
to show you the raw material. Let me work it out my own way, Mr.
Thorold, and judge me by the result."
"As you please. So long as you do it, I don't care how you go about
it."
"I am working for two thousand pounds," said Blair, "and I don't
intend to let any one else have it. That blackguard tramp would like
to be the man."
Alan laughed.
"He has already made a clutch at it by accusing me of the theft of Mr.
Marlow's body."
The inspector nodded and smiled grimly.
"The two are working in unison," said he, rubbing his hands; "but I'll
catch them."
"By the way," said Thorold, "is Mr. Marlow coming back here?"
"To be caught by Lestrange? No, I think not. He is not such a fool. If
you want to see him, you must go to Brighton."
"I shall go to-morrow, Blair. I am most anxious to hear the story of
that night."
"A strange story--more like fiction than truth."
"Truth is always stranger than fiction."
Blair assented. They walked on through a steep lane, which led into
the High Street of the village. As they breasted this, Mrs. Marry,
with a basket on her arm, met them. She was evidently excited.
"Well, Mrs. Marry," said Alan kindly, "what is it?"
"The poor dear isn't dead, after all," cried the panting woman. "I
declare, Mr. Thorold, you could ha' knocked me down wi' a feather when
I saw him."
"Saw who?"
"Why, Mr. Brown, sir--the Quiet Gentleman. He has come back!"
CHAPTER XX.
THE AMAZEMENT OP ALAN THOROLD
Mrs. Marry delivered her startling piece of news with an air of
triumph. She did not guess for one moment how very important it was,
or in what peril it placed the Quiet Gentleman.
"He came back last night," she continued, "and he told me with his
fingers how he had been lying ill in London town. Poor dear! he took
it into his head to go for a jaunt, he says, and went by the night
train. He meant to have come back to me next morning, but a nasty
influenza took him and kept him away. I'm that glad he's come back I
can't tell!" cried Mrs. Marry joyfully, "for he do pay most reg'lar,
and gives not a bit of trouble, innocent babe that he is!" and having
imparted her news, she hurried on down the lane.
The two men stood looking at one another.
"Brown back again!" said Alan. "Now we shall know the truth."
"If he knows it," said Blair dryly--he was less excited than his
companion--"but I doubt if we shall learn much from him, Mr. Thorold.
If he had anything to do with the murder, he would not have come
back."
"But he must have something to do with it, man! Have you forgotten
that it was he who stole the key of the vault from my desk?"
"No," said Blair pointedly, "nor have I forgotten that he did not use
the key. It was Joe Brill who opened the vault."
"Indeed! And where did Joe get the key? Not from Mr. Phelps, for he
still has his key. Ha!" cried Alan suddenly, "did Joe get it from
Brown?"
"No, he did not. The key was not used at all. There was a third key in
existence, of which neither you nor Mr. Phelps were aware. Marlow had
had it made to provide against the contingency which arose. He had
always resolved to feign death, should Lestrange track him. So he kept
the third key, and Joe used it on that night."
"Well, even granting that such is the case, why should Brown have
stolen my key? And how could he have known that it was in my desk?"
"I think we discussed that point before," replied the inspector
composedly, "and that we came to the conclusion that Brown overheard
your conversation with Mr. Phelps on the day of the funeral. Where are
you going?"
"To see Brown. I am determined to get the truth out of him."
Blair looked at him.
"Well, Mr. Thorold," he said, "I don't suppose it will do any harm for
you to see the man. Meanwhile I will go on to Mrs. Warrender's."
"But you ought to come with me and arrest him."
"I do not think I have sufficient evidence to procure a warrant, Mr.
Thorold. A charge of murder is serious, you see."
"Pooh! pooh! I don't want him arrested for murder, but on the charge
of breaking open my desk."
"I could do that certainly. Well, you go and see him, Mr. Thorold,
while I interview Mrs. Warrender. I'll call along at the cottage
later. You needn't let Brown out of your sight until I come."
"You'll arrest him?"
"If you wish it; I'll take the risk."
"Very good, I'm off!" and with an abrupt nod Alan ran down the lane.
Blair looked after him with a queer smile on his dry face. He had his
own ideas regarding the termination of Alan's attempt to make Brown
the mysterious speak out.
Mrs. Warrender was at home when the inspector called. At first she
felt she could not see him, for the idea of coming into contact with
the police was abhorrent to her. She wondered if Blair could have
discovered the relationship which existed between herself and Cicero,
and it was her anxiety to ascertain this which made her grant the
inspector an interview. If her brother were playing her false, the
more she knew about his plans the better would she be able to
frustrate them. Mrs. Warrender was a capable woman, and had a genius
for intrigue. She was quite decided that she could hold her own even
against the trained intelligence of a police officer.
And so it came about that the gentleman in question was shown into the
drawing-room, a meretricious, gaudy apartment, which betrayed in
furniture and decoration the tawdry taste of the doctor's widow.
She came forward to receive him in an elaborate tea-gown of pink silk
trimmed with lace, and, in spite of the early hour, she wore a
quantity of jewels. Blair had an eye for beauty, and could not deny
that this lady was a fine woman, though, perhaps, too much of the
ponderous type. He wondered why she did not wear mourning. She could
have cared but little for her husband, he thought, to appear in gay
colors so soon after his untimely end. But, in truth, Mrs. Warrender
had never professed to be an affectionate wife. She had married for a
home, and made no secret of it.
"Good-morning," she said, with a sharp glance at Blair's impassive
face. "I understand that you belong to the police, and that you wish
to see me--why, I cannot conceive."
"If you will permit me to explain myself, I will soon give you my
reasons," said the inspector, in his best manner. "May I sit down?
Thank you. Now we can talk at our ease."
"I suppose it is about the sad end of my poor husband," she said, in
tones of grief, which her gay attire somewhat belied. "Have you found
out the truth?"
"No; but I hope to do so--with your assistance."
She looked up suddenly.
"If you think I killed the poor lamb, you are mistaken," she said. "I
can account for all my actions on that night, policeman."
This last was hurled at Blair with the object of keeping him well in
mind of her condescension in receiving him.
"I never had the slightest suspicion of you," he protested. "My errand
has to do with quite a different matter. And might I suggest," he
added, a trifle testily, "that I am usually addressed as Inspector
Blair?"
"Oh, of course, if you insist upon it!" she cried, with a shrug.
"Inspector Blair--will that do?"
"That will do very well, thank you." He paused, and stared hard at the
expensive tea-gown and the aggressive jewelry until the widow became
restive. "Are you rich?" he asked abruptly.
"What has that got to do with you?" cried Mrs. Warrender furiously.
"Remember you are talking to a lady!"
"To a rich lady or to a poor one?"
"Upon my soul, this is too much? Mind your business, Inspector Blair!"
"This is my business," he retorted, keeping himself well in hand. "I
merely asked you the question, because, if you are not rich, then I
come to make you so."
"What do you mean?"
"Answer my question first: Are you rich?" And he took another good
look at the dress and the jewels.
"No," she said sullenly, "I am not. My husband left me fairly well
off, but not with so much money as I expected."
"Then you would not object to making some more?"
Her eyes lighted up with the fire of greed.
"I should! I should! I am dying to leave this dull village and take up
a position in London; but I cannot do it without money." She paused,
then clapped her hands. "I see," she cried; "Sophy Marlow is going to
compensate me for the death of my husband. It would be easy enough
with all the millions she has!"
"I am sure it would," assented Blair coolly; "but I don't mean to
supply you with money for nothing."
"You! What have you to do with the matter?"
"A good deal. Mr. Thorold and Miss Marlow will rely on my advice."
"Oh, Miss Marlow!" jeered Mrs. Warrender, sitting up. "That is her
name, is it, Inspector Blair? Are you sure it isn't Marie Lestrange?"
He leaned forward and caught her wrist in a grip of steel.
"So you know the truth, then?" he said. "Give me the confession."
"What confession? What do you mean?" she cried, trying to release her
hand.
"The confession left by your husband, in which he tells the story of
Achille Lestrange's murder."
"I--I--I don't know----"
"Yes, you do; yes, you do--no lies!" He shook her wrist. "You know
that Marlow never murdered Captain Lestrange."
"Let go my wrist!" cried Mrs. Warrender, and succeeded in wrenching
herself free. "What do you mean by behaving like this? I know nothing
about the matter--there!"
Blair jumped up and made for the door.
"Very good. Then you lose the money. I have got for you."
"Come back! come back!" She followed him to the door and laid her hand
on his shoulder. "Don't be in a hurry. Is there--is there money in
it?"
"If you have the confession, yes."
"How much?"
"We will talk of that when I know the truth. Have you a confession?"
"Yes, I have." She thought she might with safety admit as much. "I
found the whole story of Mr. and Mrs. Lestrange and Mr. Beauchamp
amongst my business papers--my husband's papers, I should say. It was
signed and witnessed in New Orleans. It seems Warrender was dying
there, and wanted to tell Mr. Beauchamp--Marlow, I mean--the truth, so
he had the confession drawn up by a lawyer. Afterwards, when he got
well, he did not destroy it."
"Beauchamp was innocent of the murder, then?"
"Yes. He knocked Achille Lestrange down, but he did not kill him."
"Aha! I thought so!" chuckled Blair, rubbing his hands. "Who did?"
Mrs. Warrender drew back with a look of cunning on her face.
"That's tellings," said she, relapsing into the speech of her people.
"I don't part with my secret unless I get my price."
"Name your price."
"Two thousand pounds."
"What!" cried the inspector. "Two thousand pounds for clearing the
memory of a dead man! My dear lady, five hundred is nearer the mark."
"Two thousand," she repeated. "If Sophy Marlow has the millions left
by her supposed father, she can well afford that."
"Humph! We'll see. I must speak to Mr. Thorold first. You have the
confession?"
"I have--safely put away. It was my intention to have seen Sophy
Marlow about it, but I thought I'd wait."
"To see what price you could get?" put in Blair.
"Quite so. I'm a woman of business. If I don't get my price, I burn
that confession."
"You dare not! I can have you arrested, remember."
She snapped her fingers.
"Pooh!" she said. "I don't care for your threats. This is my one
chance of making money, and I'm going to take it. Two thousand pounds
or nothing."
"I'll think it over," said Blair. "I am to have the refusal of that
confession, mind."
"What! Do you want to make money too?"
"Certainly," said Blair, with irony; "I am a man of business."
She laughed, and took leave of him in a very amiable frame of mind.
When he had gone, she smirked in front of a mirror and took a long
look at herself.
"Two thousand pounds," she cried, "and my own savings! I'm not so old,
after all. I'll run away from Cicero and marry again. Ha! ha! I've
made a deal this time!" And she went in to luncheon with a most
excellent appetite.
While this interview was taking place, Alan had been at Mrs. Harry's
cottage. Having received no orders to the contrary, she ushered him
into the sitting-room. There sat the Quiet Gentleman in his gray suit.
At sight of Alan he started violently.
"Good-day, Mr. Brown," said his visitor, looking closely at him. "I
have come to see you about that key you stole. You are dumb, I
believe, but not deaf, so no doubt you follow my meaning."
The Quiet Gentleman made a step forward, and, to the amazement of his
visitor, he spoke.
"Alan," he said--"Alan Thorold!"
The young man dropped into a chair, white and shaking. He knew that
voice--he knew what was coming.
With a laugh the Quiet Gentleman pulled off his wig and beard.
"Don't you know me, Alan?" he asked.
"Richard Marlow!" gasped Alan.
"Herbert Beauchamp," was the quiet reply.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE STORY OF THE PAST
"Come, Alan," said Beauchamp after a pause, "you need not be
tongue-tied with astonishment. I sent Blair on to tell you all that
had happened, so you must have known that I was alive."
"Yes, yes--but your disguise," stammered the young man. "I expected to
see Brown. You are not Brown, never could have been; for when he was
here, I have seen you and him at the same time."
"That's all right, my boy. I was not Brown, as you say, and who Brown
was I know no more than you do. But I am Brown now," with emphasis,
"and Brown I shall remain until I can show myself with safety as
Richard Marlow. Not that I intended to stick to that name. No; if
Blair is right, and that scoundrel Warrender has left papers to prove
my innocence, I shall take my own name. But this disguise! It is a
plot between me and Blair. It was necessary that I should be on the
spot, so we thought this was as good a mask as any. Oh, depend upon
it, Alan, I am perfectly safe here from Jean Lestrange!"
As he spoke, Beauchamp was putting on his wig and beard. And when this
was done to his satisfaction, he seated himself on a chair opposite to
Alan, looking the very image of the Quiet Gentleman. Thorold did not
wonder that Mrs. Marry had been deceived--the completeness of the
disguise would have deceived a cleverer woman.
"Still," said he doubtfully, "if the real Brown should reappear----"
"We will have him arrested for the murder of Warrender," said
Beauchamp quietly. "Yes, I am convinced he is guilty, else why did he
steal the key of the vault? Blair told me about that. He must surely
be some tool of Jean Lestrange's. No, not the man himself--I am aware
of that. Blair saw the passenger-list."
"Are you certain that the Quiet Gentleman killed Warrender?"
"No, because I did not see the blow struck. I was insensible at the
time--but it is a long story, and to make things perfectly clear, I
must begin at the beginning. One moment, Alan." Beauchamp crossed to
the door and turned the key. "I don't want Mrs. Marry to come in."
"She will hear your voice, and believing you to be dumb----"
"I'll speak low. Come nearer to this chair. First tell me how Sophy
is."
"Very well, but much cast down. She thinks you are dead, and that your
body has been stolen. Oh, Beauchamp!" cried Alan passionately, "why
did you not trust Sophy and me? You would have spared us both many an
unhappy hour."
"I wish now that I had told you, but I acted for the best. I had
little time for thought. I expected daily that Lestrange would appear.
If I had only considered the matter rather more--but there, it's done
and we must make the best of it. Sophy's tears will be turned to
smiles shortly--if, indeed, she still loves me, knowing that I am not
her father," and the old man sighed.
"You need have no fear on that score," said Alan, with a faint smile.
He was getting over the first shock of surprise. "Sophy would have
nothing to do with Jean Lestrange, although she half believed his
story. She always insists that you are her true father. She will
welcome you back with the greatest joy."
"She must welcome me secretly."
"Secretly--why? Should your innocence be established, you would surely
reappear as Richard Marlow?"
"What! And have the whole story in the papers? No, Alan, I shall spend
the rest of my life under my true name of Beauchamp, and live on the
two thousand a year I left myself in my will. You and Sophy can marry
and take the rest of the money. I shall travel, and take Joe with me."
"Well, perhaps it is the best thing to do," said Thorold. "But tell
me, how was it that the manager of the Occidental Bank reported you
dead?"
"Joe wrote to him by my order to say so. When Joe came to me at
Brighton and told me how the death of Warrender had complicated
matters, I was afraid lest I should be traced, and perhaps accused of
a second murder. So I thought it best to put it about that I was dead,
and end all pursuit."
"If you had only trusted me, sir, all this trouble would have been
avoided. I merited your confidence, I think."
"I know--I know. Indeed, on that day when I spoke to you of the
probability that my body would not be allowed to rest in its grave, I
had half a mind to tell you. But somehow the moment passed. Even then
I had designed my plot of feigning death. It was the only way I saw of
escaping Lestrange."
"Tell me the story from the beginning," said Alan. "I know only
scraps."
"The beginning was in Jamaica, Alan," said Beauchamp sadly. "All this
trouble arose out of the love I had for Sophy's mother. Poor Zelia! if
only she had married me, I would have made her a good husband. As it
was, she chose Achille Lestrange, a roué and a gambler, a spendthrift
and a scoundrel. I could never tell Sophy what a bad man her father
was. He treated poor Zelia abominably."
"But was that altogether his fault, Beauchamp? Joe hinted that Jean
Lestrange caused much of the trouble."
"So he did, the scoundrel! Jean was, if anything, worse than his
cousin, though there was not much to choose between them. But Jean was
madly in love with Zelia--worshiped her with all the fierce passion of
a Creole. When he lost her he vowed he would be revenged--he sowed
dissension between them on my account."
"He hinted that you were in love with her, I suppose?"
"Yes, and he was right!" cried Beauchamp with emphasis. "I was in love
with Zelia, and pitied her from the bottom of my heart. Well, a year
after Sophy was born things came to a crisis. I was at Kingston, and
my yacht in the harbor there. I saw a good deal of Zelia, and one
night she came on board with her child, and asked me to take her away.
Lestrange had struck her, the beast! and she had refused to live with
him any longer. At first I hesitated, but she was in such a state of
agony that I consented to take her away from her wretched life. I had
to go first to Falmouth to fetch some things which I did not wish to
leave--I had sold my plantation some time before, having made up my
mind to leave Jamaica. So we sailed, reached Falmouth in safety, and I
went to my estate, leaving Joe Brill on board."
"Ah! that was why Joe could not say who killed Achille?"
"Precisely. Joe knew little of the events of that night; but he
believed in me, and stood by me like the noble, faithful fellow he is.
But to continue: Zelia arrived at my house only to die; worry and
melancholy had brought her to a low state of health, and she caught a
fever. On the very night Jean and her husband came in pursuit she
died. I had made all arrangements to sail; I had sold my estate, and
had sent the proceeds to England. It had been my intention to have
married Zelia when Achille had divorced her, to adopt little Marie,
and to start life afresh in a new land. Her death put an end to these
plans."
"But the murder, Beauchamp?"
"I am coming to that. Warrender was attending Zelia when she died, and
he was in the house when Achille and Jean arrived. I was quite
determined he should not get the child; for Zelia had left some money,
and I knew well that Achille would soon squander it. Well, Lestrange
demanded his wife. I told him she was dead; he declined to believe me,
and we quarreled. I am naturally of a fiery temper," continued
Beauchamp with some agitation, "and I knocked him down on the veranda.
The blow stunned him, and he lay there like a dog."
"Was Jean present?"
"Yes. He saw me knock Achille down; then he went away to see the body
of Zelia. I had to look for the child, intending to take her to my
yacht until such time as I could obtain the guardianship. When I came
out again I found Warrender kneeling down beside the body of Achille.
He was dead!"
"Not from the effects of your blow?" cried Alan incredulously.
"No. He had been stabbed to the heart while senseless."
"By whom--Warrender?"
"I don't know. Warrender always swore that his hands were clean of
blood, and certainly he had no reason to murder Achille. I suspected
Jean, but Warrender told me that Jean had been in Zelia's room praying
beside the body. He advised me to fly."
"Yes, yes; but who killed Achille?"
"Well, I supposed it must have been a negro whom Achille had brought
with him--a Zambo, called Scipio, who was devoted to his mistress and
who hated his master. On hearing that Zelia was dead--knowing, as he
did, that her husband's brutality had probably had a good deal to do
with it--he might have stabbed Achille as he lay senseless on the
veranda. At any rate, Warrender said that he found him dead when he
came out. To this day I don't know who killed him. It must have been
either Warrender, Scipio, or Jean. I am inclined to suspect Scipio.
However, at the time there was nothing for it but flight if I wanted
to escape an accusation of murder. You see bow strong the evidence was
against me, Alan. I had taken away Achille's wife and child; he had
come in pursuit; I had quarreled with him and knocked him down; he had
been found dead. Therefore I fled with the child. Can you blame me?"
"No," said Alan decisively. "Under the circumstances, I don't see what
else you could do. So you escaped?"
"I did. I went on board my yacht and told Joe all. Of course, he
believed in my innocence, and strongly advised me to leave at once. We
sailed down the coast of South America, round the Horn, and home to
England. I called myself Richard Marlow, and I sold the yacht under
another name at a French seaport. I had plenty of money, and there was
no one who suspected my past."
"I suppose the news of the murder had not reached England?"
"No. I believe there was a casual reference in one of the papers, but
that was all. The yacht was supposed to have foundered. I felt secure
from pursuit, and determined to start a new life. I gave out that
Marie was my daughter, and I called her Sophy. Then I placed her in
the convent at Hampstead, with a sum of money for her education, and
besides that, I secured a certain sum on her for life in case of my
death. When this was settled I went to Africa. There Fortune, tired of
persecuting me, gave me smiles instead of frowns. I made a fortune in
the gold-mines, and became celebrated as Richard Marlow the
millionaire. The rest of my story you know."
"Up to a point," said Alan significantly. "I know how you bought this
place and settled here with Sophy. But the letter from Barkham----"
"Ah! Joe told you about that, did he?" said Beauchamp composedly.
"Yes, the letter was from an old friend of mine called Barkham. He
told me that Jean Lestrange had recognized my portrait in an
illustrated paper, and that he intended to come to England to hunt me
down. The letter was sent to the office of the paper, and by them
forwarded here. You may guess my feelings. I thought myself lost. I
showed the letter to Warrender, and he suggested that I should feign
death. I jumped at the idea, made a will, allowing myself an income
under my true name of Herbert Beauchamp, got another key of the vault
fashioned from the one which afterwards was taken to Phelps, and took
Joe into my confidence. Then Warrender drugged me."
"What did he give you?" asked Alan. "You looked really dead."
"I can't tell you the name of the drug. He said it was some vegetable
preparation used by the negroes. Then I died--apparently--and I was
buried. They had bored holes in the coffin, and that night, when you
were all absent, Joe and Warrender took me out of the vault and
carried me to the hut on the heath, where Warrender revived me. It was
while he was doing this that he heard a noise, and ran out. He never
came back, and when I was myself again we went out to find his body.
He was quite dead, stabbed to the heart, and lying some distance from
the hut. Who killed him I do not know."
"But how did his body get into the vault?"
"Joe did it. After he had got me away, he dragged the body into the
hut, and next night came back and took it to the vault. He put it into
the coffin, never dreaming that any one would look for it there. Nor
would they, and all would have been well had it not been for that man
Cicero Gramp. He saw too much, and----"
He was interrupted by a sharp knock at the door.
CHAPTER XXII.
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
Alan started to his feet at that imperative summons. Had Beauchamp
been overheard by Mrs. Marry? Had his disguise been penetrated? Had
she brought some one to witness the discovery? These thoughts rushed
through his mind with lightning speed, and for the moment he lost his
presence of mind. Not so the man who was truly in danger. Adopting the
peculiar shuffle of the Quiet Gentleman, he crossed the room and
opened the door. As the key turned in the lock Alan fully expected to
see Lestrange, menacing and sinister, on the threshold. But the
newcomer proved to be Blair.
"How are you getting on, Mr. Thorold?" he said, stepping through the
door, which Beauchamp locked behind him. "You know now who the Quiet
Gentleman is. Don't look so scared, sir."
"Can't help it," muttered the young man.
"This business has been rather too much for me. I thought when you
knocked, that Lestrange had run his prey to earth."
"He won't get much out of his prey if he does," said Blair, with a nod
to Beauchamp. "I have seen Mrs. Warrender."
The old man turned as white as the beard he wore.
"And--and--what does she say?" he stammered.
"Say!" Blair seated himself and chuckled. "She says two thousand
pounds will pay her for that confession."
"Then it does exist! Warrender knew the truth!"
"Of course. Didn't I tell you the man was a blackmailing scoundrel?
Faith! and his wife is not much better. Two thousand pounds for a bit
of paper!"
"And for my freedom!" said Beauchamp excitedly. "Oh to think of being
free from the horror which has hung over me all these years! And
Warrender knew the truth! What a scoundrel! He always swore that he
knew nothing, and I paid him money to hold his tongue about my
supposed guilt. Ungrateful wretch! He and his wife arrived in England
almost penniless. I met him in London, and, as he knew my story, I
brought him down here. I helped him in every way. How was it he left a
confession behind him?"
"It is an old confession," replied Blair. "It seems that Warrender
fell ill of fever in New Orleans. His conscience smote him for his
villainy, and he made a full confession, signed it, and had it
witnessed. When he recovered he did not destroy it, but kept it safely
with the rest of his papers. There Mrs. Warrender found it, and she is
now prepared to sell it for two thousand pounds. A nice sum, upon my
word!" grumbled Blair.
"She shall have it," said Beauchamp eagerly. "I would pay five
thousand for that confession--I would indeed!"
"I dare say. But Mrs. Warrender will give it to you for the lesser
sum, sir."
"Does she know that I am here? Did you tell her?"
"Not such a fool, Mr. Beauchamp. She'd have asked five thousand if she
had known that. The woman has the blackmailing instinct."
"Like her brother," put in Alan. Then, observing the looks of surprise
directed at him by the other two, he added: "Didn't you know? Cicero
Gramp is Mrs. Warrender's brother. I found that out in London."
"A nice pair of jail-birds!" cried Blair. "I'd best get that
confession at once, or she'll be giving it to Cicero, and they'll
demand more money. Mr. Beauchamp, can you give me a check?"
"No," he said, shaking his head. "You forget, Blair, I am dead and
buried, and, what's more, I do not intend ever to come to life again
as Marlow. But Mr. Thorold, as Sophy's trustee, can give you the
money."
"If Blair will come to the Abbey Farm, I will do so," said Alan,
rising. "I agree that the sooner the confession is obtained the
better, or Cicero may give trouble. By the way, who was it killed
Achille, Blair? Was it the doctor himself?"
"No, no!" cried Beauchamp. "It was Scipio, the negro."
"I can't tell you that;" and the inspector shook his head. "Mrs.
Warrender declares that you are innocent, Mr. Beauchamp; but she
declines to give any further information until she has received her
pound of flesh."
"She shall have it this very day," said Alan, putting on his cap.
"Come, Blair. Mr. Beauchamp, will you remain here?"
"Yes. I am safer as the Quiet Gentleman than as anything else."
"You don't want me to bring Sophy here?"
"Not until we get that confession, Alan. Sophy might make a scene when
she met me. Mrs. Marry would learn the truth, and the news would
spread. If Lestrange knew, all would be lost. Get the confession,
Alan."
"Yes, I think that is the best plan. Good-day, Mr. Brown," said the
inspector, speaking for the benefit of Mrs. Marry, and with Alan he
left the house.
Alone again, Beauchamp fell on his knees and thanked God that his
innocence was about to be vindicated. For years he had lived in dread
of discovery; now he was about to be relieved of the nightmare.
Talking as they went of the strange and unexpected turn the Case, as
Blair called it, had taken, the two men walked through Heathton and
out on to the country road. On turning down a quiet lane which led to
the Abbey Farm, they saw a ponderous man behaving in a most
extraordinary manner. He danced in the white dust, he shook his fist
at the sky, and he spun round like a distracted elephant. Blair's keen
eye recognized him at once.
"Very pretty, Mr. Cicero Gramp," he observed dryly. "Are you in
training for a ballet-dancer?"
The man stopped short, and turned a disturbed face on them.
"I'll be even with him!" he gasped, wiping his streaming forehead.
"Oh, the wretch! oh, the Judas! Gentlemen, proceed, and leave an
unhappy man to fight down a whirl of conflicting emotions. _E pluribus
unum!_" quoted Cicero, in a pathetic voice; "that is me--Ai! Ai! I
utter the wail of Orestes."
"And, like Orestes, you seem to be mad," observed Alan, as the fat man
returned to his dancing.
"And no wonder, Mr. Thorold. I have lost thousands. Lestrange----"
Cicero could say no more. He was choked with emotion, and gave vent to
his feelings by shaking his fist at the sky.
"Ah," said Blair, who had been taking in the situation, "Lestrange!
You have found a cleverer villain than yourself."
"He has gone away!" roared Cicero, with the voice of an angry bull.
"Yes, you may look. He went this morning, bag and baggage. I don't
know where he is, save that he roams the wilderness of London. And my
money--he paid his bill to mine hostess of the hostel with my money!"
"The deuce he did!" said Alan. "And how did you come to lend him
money?"
"I do not mind explaining," said Mr. Gramp, with a defiant glance at
the gentleman who represented the police. "I went into partnership
with Lestrange. He had no money; I lent him a goodly part of your
fifty pounds, Mr. Thorold, on an undertaking that I should get half of
what he received from Miss Marlow."
"A very creditable bargain," remarked Alan grimly; "but you invested
your cash in a bad cause, Mr. Gramp. I saw Lestrange last night, and
assured him that he would not get one penny of the blackmail he
proposed to extort. I dare say, after my visit, he found the game was
up, and thought it advisable to clear out. I should recommend you to
do the same."
"So should I," put in Blair significantly, "or I'll have you arrested
as a vagabond without proper means of support."
"I am a professor of eloquence and elocution!" cried Cicero, his fat
cheeks turning pale at this stern hint. "You dare not arrest me; and
you, Mr. Thorold, will be sorry if you do not employ me."
"Employ you? In which way?"
"To hunt Lestrange down."
Alan shrugged his shoulders.
"I do not wish to see the man again."
"But I know something about him. Promise to pay me some money, and
I'll show you a letter written to Captain Lestrange, which came to the
inn after he left. I took it and opened it to find out his plans."
"Well, you are a scoundrel!" said Alan, looking Mr. Gramp's portly
figure up and down. "By opening another person's letter you have
placed yourself within reach of the law."
"I don't care!" cried Cicero recklessly. "I am desperate. Will you pay
me for a sight of that letter?"
"Yes," said the inspector before Alan could reply, "if it is worth
paying for. On the other hand, you could be arrested for opening it.
Come, the letter!"
Cicero produced the document in question, and kept firm hold of it
while he made his bargain.
"How much, Mr. Thorold?"
"If it proves to be of use," replied the young Squire leisurely, "I'll
pay you well. Leave the amount to me."
The tramp still hesitated, but Inspector Blair, becoming impatient,
snatched it out of his hand and proceeded to read it aloud. It was a
short note to the effect that if the writer did not receive a certain
sum of money "at once" (underlined), he would come down to Heathton
and "tell all" (also underlined) to Miss Marlow. These few lines were
signed, "O. Barkham."
"Barkham!" exclaimed Alan. "That must be the man who warned Beauchamp
that Lestrange was coming. I wonder what he knows."
"Humph!" grunted Blair, putting the letter into his pocket, "very
likely he will be able to tell us sufficient to enable us to dispense
with Mrs. Warrender's confession. I am not particularly anxious to pay
her two thousand pounds for nothing."
"Two thousand pounds!" wailed Cicero, with his eyes staring out of his
head. "Oh, Clara Maria! Has she got that out of you! My own sister--my
very own!" wept the old scamp, "and she won't go shares! Yet I offered
to work with her!" he finished.
"I don't think you'll get a sixpence out of her," said Alan; "a desire
to grab money evidently runs in your family. However, if this letter
turns out to be of any assistance in clearing up these mysteries, I'll
see what I can do."
Mr. Gramp, seeing no other alternative, accepted this offer.
"When am I to get it?" he asked sulkily.
"When I choose," Alan replied tartly. "Go back to the Good Samaritan,
and don't let me catch you annoying your sister, or I'll make it hot
for you!" and he moved away, followed by Blair.
Cicero shook his fist at them, and spent the rest of the day making
futile guesses as to how much they would give him.
"What's to do now, Blair?" asked Thorold abruptly.
"I shall pay Mrs. Warrender and get the confession. You can take it to
Mr. Beauchamp and set his mind at rest."
"And you--what will you do?"
"Catch the 6.30 train to London. I shall go straight to the address
given in this letter"--Blair tapped his breast-pocket--"and see
Barkham, and," he added, "I shall see Lestrange."
"Will he be with Barkham?"
"I think so. He--Lestrange, I mean--went away before he got this
letter. It is likely enough that he has gone to London to see his
accomplice."
"If Barkham were an accomplice, he would not have written, warning
Beauchamp of Lestrange's departure from Jamaica."
"It is on that point I wish to be clear," retorted Blair. "It seems to
me that Barkham is running with the hare and hunting with the hounds."
"Well, I hope you'll find out sufficient to solve the mystery," said
Alan, bringing the conversation to a close; "but I confess I am
doubtful."
The check duly written and safely deposited in the inspector's pocket,
the two men set out on their visit to Mrs. Warrender, who was
graciously pleased to accept the money, in exchange for which she
handed over the confession. Alan and Blair read it on the spot,
and were greatly astonished at the contents. Then the inspector
hurried away to catch the London train, and Alan set out for Mrs.
Marry's cottage, taking with him the precious document. Mrs.
Warrender--fearful lest the check should be stopped--left for London
by a later train. She had decided that she would cash it herself the
moment the bank opened the following morning. Her business capacities
were indeed undeniable.
Alan returned home, tired out with the day's work, and was glad enough
to sit down to the excellent meal provided by Mrs. Hester. But his
troubles and excitements were not yet over. Hardly had he finished his
dinner when a note from Sophy was brought in.
"Come at once," she wrote; "Lestrange is here."
CHAPTER XXIII..
ONE PART OF THE TRUTH
After his interview with Alan, Captain Lestrange had come to the
conclusion that it would be the best and wisest course to retreat
before the enemy. Alan knew much, Brill knew more, and the two
together might prove too much for him. Moreover, since his design of
passing as Sophy's father had been rendered useless, it was not
necessary that he should remain in Heathton. Therefore, he paid his
account at the inn with money borrowed from Cicero, and departed in
hot haste before that gentleman was afoot. It was not until he got to
the Junction that he began to wonder if he was acting judiciously. It
struck him that he should have made at least one attempt to get money
out of Sophy.
For some time he pondered over this question, and finally decided to
leave his baggage in the Junction cloak-room and steal back to
Heathton under cover of darkness. True, his accomplice Barkham was
waiting for him in London, but he would not get much of a welcome from
that gentleman unless he brought money with him. Moreover, after Joe's
intimation that it was Barkham who had warned Beauchamp of the plot to
hunt him down, Lestrange had had no confidence in him. But that
Barkham knew enough to be very dangerous, he would have left him out
of his calculations altogether. He decided at last that he must get
money out of Sophy, bribe Barkham to return to Jamaica, and then deal
alone and unaided with the lucrative business of extracting further
blackmail. Having made up his mind to this course of action, he
loitered about at the Junction until he could with safety return to
Heathton.
It was during this tune that he had a surprise. While lurking in the
waiting-room, he saw Blair arrive by a local train and catch the
London express. What could he be doing? Was he hunting him down? The
very idea terrified him, and he began to congratulate himself on
having remained at the Junction. Had he known that Blair was now on
his way to see Barkham, he would have had still greater cause for
alarm. Matters were indeed coming to a crisis, but Lestrange did not
guess that the crisis was so near at hand.
When he had seen the lights of the London express disappear, he took
his seat in a local train, which was timed to leave shortly after
eight o'clock. On arriving at Heathton, he left the station hurriedly,
and stole through deserted by-ways to the Moat House. Here he asked
for Miss Marlow, and sent in his card, on which he had scribbled,
"News of your father." The lie, which was not all a lie, gained him
the interview he sought; but before seeing him, Sophy sent off the
note to Alan. Then she induced Miss Vicky to retire, and received her
visitor alone in the drawing-room.
The Captain entered the room with a somewhat cringing air. His nerve
was gone, and with it a goodly portion of his courage. Miss Marlow, on
the contrary, was quite mistress of herself and of the situation. She
had heard from Joe Brill, amongst other things, that this man was not
her father, and she now felt no fear of him. He was anxious and ill at
ease, like a culprit before a judge.
"Good evening, Captain Lestrange," said Sophy, sitting very erect in
her chair. "You wish to see me, I believe. Why have you come?"
"To make reparation, Miss Marlow."
"Oh," she said ironically, "then I am not your daughter?"
"I expect you have heard as much from Joe Brill," replied Lestrange,
looking at her gloomily. "No, you are not my daughter, but you are my
cousin, Marie Lestrange, although you choose to keep your name of
Sophia Marlow."
"I keep the name of the man who has been a father to me."
"In that case, you should call yourself Beauchamp," he retorted. "May
I sit down? Thank you. Well, I suppose you are wondering why I have
come to see you?"
She glanced at the card.
"To give me news of my father, I presume," she said. "Do you mean my
real father?"
"No, I mean the false one. Your real father died long ago. He was
murdered by Beauchamp."
"He was not!" cried Sophy vehemently, and started from her seat. "I
have heard the story from Joe, and I know now why you came here. But
nothing will induce me to believe that he killed my father. My mother
fled to him from the cruelty of her husband, and you were at the
bottom of all the trouble."
"Yes," he cried fiercely, "I was! I loved your mother dearly. She gave
me up for Achille, and I swore I would be revenged. I sowed dissension
between them. It was through me that Zelia fled with Beauchamp. Do you
think I am sorry for what happened? I am not. I hated Achille; but he
is dead. I hate Beauchamp, for your mother loved him----"
"And he also is dead," interrupted Sophy; "you cannot harm him."
"Are you so sure he is dead?" sneered Lestrange.
"I saw his dead body!" cried the girl, with emotion.
"You saw him in a state of insensibility, brought about by Warrender's
devilish drugs!" said the Captain sharply. "I don't believe Beauchamp
is dead. If he had been, why should his body have been carried off?"
"You declared that Mr. Thorold did that, and----"
"I do not say so now. Thorold had nothing to do with it; but I am
quite sure that Warrender had. In order to escape me, Beauchamp
allowed himself to be drugged by Warrender, and that was why Warrender
assisted at the removal of the supposed dead body. I feel certain that
Beauchamp is alive."
"Alive! Oh! I hope so, I hope so! My dear father!" cried Sophy. "Only
prove that he is alive, Captain Lestrange, and I will forgive you
all!"
"You forget that I am his enemy," was the fierce reply. "Were I able
to prove that he is alive, I should at once have him arrested for the
murder of your father--my cousin."
"It is not true! it is not true!"
"It is, and you know it. Beauchamp must have had some very good and
strong reason for allowing himself to be buried alive so as to escape
me. But for your sake and for my own I will leave Beauchamp, should he
be indeed alive, to the punishment of his conscience."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I want money. You are rich, and you can pay me. Give me a
thousand pounds, and I will go away and never trouble you again."
"I refuse!" She walked up and down the room in a state of great
agitation. "If you were certain that Mr. Beauchamp was alive--if you
were certain he had committed that crime, you would not let him escape
so easily."
"I would! I would! I am tired of the whole business."
"No, no," insisted the girl; "I don't believe you. If I gave you
money, I should only be supplying you with the means to cause further
trouble. If my dear father--for I shall still call him so--is alive, I
will leave the matter in his hands."
"And hang him."
"And save him," retorted the girl firmly. "You can go, Captain
Lestrange. I shall not give you one penny!"
Lestrange made a bound and caught her wrist.
"Take care!" he cried, shaking with rage; "I am desperate--I will
stick at nothing. If you do not give the money I want, I shall go to
the police!"
"Go! go! I defy you!"
"Little devil!" muttered Lestrange, and he gave her arm a sharp twist.
She screamed for help, and as though in answer to her summons, Alan
appeared at the door. With an exclamation of rage he sprang forward,
seized Lestrange, and flung him on the floor.
"You hound!" he cried, panting. "You dog!"
"Alan! Alan! Thank Heaven you are here! Let me sit down, Alan; I--I
feel faint."
While Alan was assisting the girl to a chair, Lestrange rose slowly
from the ground. The sudden and opportune arrival of the young Squire
disconcerted him greatly, and he began to think it was time to retire.
If Sophy refused him money when alone, she would most certainly not
yield to his demand now that her lover was beside her. So with deadly
hatred in his heart, he stole towards the door, which was still open.
On the threshold he recoiled with a shrill cry of fear. Before him
stood Herbert Beauchamp, alias Richard Marlow.
"You--you here, after all?"
Beauchamp, shutting and locking the door after him, strode into the
room.
"Yes, I live to punish you, Jean Lestrange. Hold him, Alan, while I
speak to Sophy."
The girl, with a pale face and staring eyes, was looking at the man
who had come back from the grave. He approached and took her hands.
"My poor child!" he said in caressing tones, "do not look so alarmed!
I am flesh and blood."
"You are alive, father?" gasped Sophy, amazed and somewhat terrified.
"Yes." He kissed her. "I feigned death to escape from this man. Come,
Sophy, have you no welcome for me? It is true that I am not your
father; but--after all----"
"You are as dear to me as ever!" she cried, putting her arms round his
neck. "You are my true father--my real father! I shall never think of
you as anything else. Oh, thank God--thank God!" And she wept and
kissed him by turns.
"Amen!" said Beauchamp in a solemn tone. "But we have much to do
before things are put straight. There is the cause of all my trouble,
and I must deal with him." He rose and crossed to where Lestrange,
white and shaking, was in the grip of Thorold. "What have you to say
for yourself, Lestrange?"
The man made a violent effort to recover his self-control, and
partially succeeded.
"I have to say to you what I shall shortly say to the world: You are a
murderer!"
"That is a lie!"
"It is no lie. You murdered that girl's father?"
"That is a lie!" repeated Beauchamp sternly. "Do you think I am a
Judas, to kiss that innocent girl if I knew myself to be her father's
murderer? I knocked your cousin Achille senseless, and well he
deserved it; but it was not I who stabbed him to the heart. It was
you, Jean Lestrange!"
"I--I----" gasped the wretch, his lips white, his limbs shaking under
him. "You dare--to--to--accuse--me--of----"
"I do not accuse you," said Beauchamp solemnly. "Out of the mouth of
the dead you are condemned. Here is the confession of Warrender, and
in it he tells the truth. You are the murderer of Achille!"
Sophy uttered a cry of horror, and throwing herself back on the couch,
hid her face from the guilty wretch. He strove to speak, but no words
came, and he continued to look silently on the ground. But for the
support of Thorold he would have fallen.
"Warrender," continued Mr. Beauchamp, "himself almost as great a
villain as you, knew the truth these twenty years. But he kept silence
in order to terrorize me, to extort money from me. It was he who
proposed that I should escape you by feigning death, knowing, as he
did, that I was innocent. Well, he has been punished!"
"I did not kill him, at all events!" cried Lestrange savagely.
"I know you did not; you were not in England at the time. But you
killed Achille. Yes, you left the room where Zelia lay dead, you found
Achille senseless on the veranda, and you stabbed him to the heart.
Warrender saw you commit the crime. It is all set out here, and signed
by Warrender, in the presence of two witnesses. Can you deny it?"
Lestrange moistened his dry lips, looked at Sophy, at Beauchamp, then
suddenly shook off Alan's hold.
"No, I don't deny it," he said in a loud, harsh voice. "You have
been one too many for me. I am so poor as to be almost starving, so I
don't care what becomes of me. Hang me if you like. I hate you,
Beauchamp--I have always hated you, the more so when I found how much
Zelia cared for you. And I loved her, though that was not the reason I
killed her husband; for she was dead then, and could never be mine.
But I killed him so that blame might rest on you. And I wanted the
custody of the child, because I should have been able to handle the
money. I found Achille senseless where you had knocked him down. I did
not intend to do it; but I had a knife--and the devil put it into my
head to stab him. Then you fled, and the murder was laid at your
door."
"And had you not done me harm enough, wretched man, without hunting me
down?" said Beauchamp sternly.
"I wanted money," he cried recklessly. "I saw your portrait in the
paper, and I arranged with Barkham, who was as hard-up as I, that we
should come to England and get some of your money. He played the
traitor, and wrote you that letter--why, I don't know, as he stood to
make as much as I did. But for that letter I should have found you
alive, and I should have forced you to pay me. As it turned out, you
escaped me."
"And will you escape me, do you think?" asked Beauchamp with emphasis.
"I don't know--I don't care. Call in the police and have me arrested
if you like. I have played a bold game, and lost--do your worst!"
He folded his arms, and stared defiantly at the man whose life he had
ruined.
Beauchamp looked irresolutely at him, then he turned to Sophy, who,
pale and quiet, was clinging to her lover's arm.
"The daughter of the man whose life you took shall be your judge,"
said the millionaire. "Sophy, is he to go free, or shall the law take
its course?"
"Let him go--let him go," murmured the girl. "His death shall not be
upon my soul. Let him go and repent."
"I agree with Sophy," said Alan Thorold. "Let him go."
"And repent," finished Mr. Beauchamp. "Go, Jean Lestrange, and seek
from an offended God the mercy you denied to me."
Lestrange pulled himself together, and put on his hat with a would-be
jaunty air. He tried to speak, but the words would not come, and he
slunk out of the room like a beaten hound.
And that was the last they ever saw of Jean Lestrange.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE OTHER PART OF THE TRUTH
Shortly afterwards Mr. Beauchamp returned to his lodgings as the Quiet
Gentleman. Having been informed by Alan, on his way to the Moat House,
that Lestrange was there with Sophy, he had taken off his false wig
and beard to confound him; but now, in spite of the girl's
protestations, he put them on again.
"No, child, no," he said; "I am as dead as Richard Marlow, and I shall
not come to life again. What purpose would it serve? It would only
cause a scandal, and the papers would be full of the story. I have no
wish to be a nine days' wonder."
"But, father, what will you do?--where will you live?"
"Oh," said he, with a smile, "I dare say you will carry out the terms
of the will and let me have that two thousand a year. I shall take my
departure from Mrs. Marry's as the Quiet Gentleman, and appear in
London as Herbert Beauchamp. You can join me there, and we can go on
our travels."
"But what about me?" cried poor Sophy, who had found her adopted
father only to lose him again.
"You shall marry Alan."
"But I want you to be at the wedding, father."
"I shall be at the wedding, child, and I shall give you away."
Alan looked at him in surprise.
"Then you will be recognized, and the whole story will come out."
"So it would if you were married here," answered Beauchamp composedly.
"But the wedding must take place in London. Can't you see, Alan, that
Sophy must be married to you under her true name--Marie Lestrange?"
"Oh, must I?" cried the girl in dismay.
"I think so; otherwise I doubt if the marriage would hold good."
"You are right," said Alan, after a pause. "We must do as you say. But
I am sorry. I wanted to be married here, and I wanted Phelps to marry
us."
"There is no reason against that. Bring him to London and tell him the
whole story."
"But I will never be called Marie!"
"No, no; you will always be Sophy to us," said her lover, kissing her.
"And we will go abroad with Mr. Beauchamp for our honeymoon."
"With my father!" cried Sophy, embracing the old man; "my dear and
only father!"
He sighed as he kissed her good-by. He was devoted to his adopted
daughter, and felt deeply parting with her even to so good a fellow as
Alan Thorold. But he comforted himself with the thought that they
could be much together abroad. And so, taking this cheerful view of
the situation which had been created by the villainy of Lestrange, the
ex-millionaire, as he may now be called, withdrew to his lodgings. It
was there that Alan took leave of him, promising to call the next
morning. A thankful heart was Herbert Beauchamp's that night. The
sorrow of his life was over, the dark clouds had lifted, and now,
under his own name, and with a good income, he could spend the rest of
his days in peace. Lestrange had slunk back into the night whence he
had emerged, leaving one part of the mystery cleared up by his
confession. It still remained to discover who had been the murderer of
the unlucky Warrender. And that came to light the very next day.
Alan did not wait until Beauchamp had departed for London to acquaint
his revered tutor with all that had taken place. On the afternoon of
the next day he proceeded to the Rectory, and told the whole story to
the amazed and delighted Phelps, Nothing would serve but that he must
go at once to Mrs. Marry's and see with his own eyes the man who had
been buried alive. But Alan restrained the Rector's impetuosity by
pointing out that Mrs. Marry supposed Brown, the Quiet Gentleman, to
be dumb. If by any chance she should hear him speak all secrecy would
be at an end.
"Ay, ay," assented Mr. Phelps, "true enough, Alan, true enough. Mrs.
Marry is a terrible gossip, and we must keep the matter quiet. I don't
want my churchyard to be made the subject of another scandal. But I
must see Marlow--I mean Beauchamp. God bless me! I shall never
get his name right--may I be forgiven for swearing! Bring him here,
Alan--bring him at once. I must see my old friend after all he has
suffered."
This Alan agreed to do, and an hour later appeared with Beauchamp and
Sophy. Phelps received his old friend as one returned from the dead,
and insisted upon having several points cleared up which he felt to be
obscure.
"How about getting away, Marlow?" he asked. "You had no clothes. How
did you manage?"
"But I had clothes," replied Beauchamp. "We prepared all our plans
very carefully. Joe took a suit of clothes to the hut, and brought
money with him. Then I walked to the nearest town and caught the train
for London. There, at a quiet hotel, a box in the name of Beauchamp
was waiting for me. I slept there, and went on to Brighton, and took
rooms in Lansdowne Place. I was comfortable, you may be sure. Joe came
down to see me, and told me all the trouble which had ensued upon the
death of Warrender."
"Ah!" said Alan reflectively; "we don't know who murdered him, and we
never shall know. It could not have been Lestrange, and if it were the
Quiet Gentleman, he has escaped us."
"I wonder who that Quiet Gentleman was," said Sophy.
"We all wonder that, my dear," put in the Rector; "but I fear we shall
never know."
"Well, what does it matter?" said Beauchamp, with more asperity than
he usually showed. "Whoever murdered Warrender gave him no more than
he deserved. The man was a blackmailer, although the money he got out
of me was obtained under the guise of friendship. He could have saved
me years of agony had he only spoken the truth--ay, and honesty would
have paid him better than dishonesty."
"No doubt. But the man is dead; let us not speak evil of the
dead," said Phelps. "But there is one question I wish to ask you,
Marlow--Beauchamp, I mean. How was it that the page-boy swore Joe
Brill was never out of the room on that night?"
"Joe drugged the lad's supper-ale, and slipped out when he was fast
asleep. He did the same the next night when he had to take Warrender's
body to the vault. That was my idea, for I was terrified lest I should
be traced by the murder, and I wanted to get rid of the evidence of
the crime. That tramp, confound him! spoilt all."
They were interrupted by the entrance of a servant, with the card of
Inspector Blair. He was admitted at once, leaving a companion whom he
had brought with him in the hall.
"You must excuse my intrusion, sir," he said, addressing Mr. Phelps;
"but I have already been to the Moat House and to the Abbey Farm in
search of Mr. Thorold."
"Here I am," said Alan. "What is the matter, Blair? You have some
news."
"I have, sir. I have been to London, and I have brought back with me a
gentleman whom Mr. Beauchamp may know;" and he summoned the gentleman
in the hall.
"Barkham!" exclaimed Mr. Beauchamp; "you here!"
Mr. Barkham was a dapper dark man, not unlike Lestrange, with an
expression which a schoolboy would have called "sneaky." He did not
recognize Mr. Beauchamp until that gentleman stripped off beard and
wig. Then he hastened to acknowledge him.
"Mr. Beauchamp," he said, in a servile voice, "I hope, as I warned you
of Lestrange's plot, you will hold me blameless."
"Why? What have you been doing?"
"I will tell you," interposed Blair. "This gentleman, as you see,
bears a slight resemblance to Captain Jean Lestrange. He and the
Captain were hard up in Jamaica, and seeing your portrait, Mr.
Beauchamp, in the papers, they thought they might have a chance of
extorting money from you. In case Lestrange got into trouble here, he
wished to have an alibi, so he left for England under another name,
and Mr. Barkham here came to Southampton in the _Negress_ as Captain
Lestrange."
"Yes, yes," said Barkham nervously; "but I warned Mr. Beauchamp that
Lestrange was coming."
"Quite so; but you did not tell him that Lestrange was masquerading as
a dumb man in Heathton."
"What!" cried Alan and Sophy in one breath. "Was Lestrange the Quiet
Gentleman?"
"Yes," replied Blair, with triumph. "He confessed as much to Barkham
here. That was why he wore the gray wig and beard and assumed
dumbness--oh, a most effective disguise; quite a different person he
made of himself! He came down to keep a watch on you, Mr. Beauchamp,
in order to plunder you when he thought fit. Your unexpected death
took him by surprise and upset his plans. Then Barkham, as Jean
Lestrange, arrived at Southampton, and our Quiet Gentleman disappeared
from his rooms here, to reappear from London in his own proper person,
as Captain Jean Lestrange. No wonder that, with so carefully-prepared
an alibi, we did not guess it was he who had been masquerading here."
"Ha!" exclaimed Alan, "and he stole the key of the vault?"
"Mr. Barkham can explain that, and other things," said Blair
significantly.
"Wait!" cried Sophy, rising excitedly, "I know--I know! It was
Lestrange who murdered Dr. Warrender!"
"Yes," admitted Barkham, "he did."
There was a deep silence, which was broken at length by Beauchamp.
"The scoundrel!" he said hoarsely, "and I let him escape!"
"What!" cried Blair, jumping up. "You let him escape, Mr.
Beauchamp--and when you knew that he killed Achille Lestrange?"
"It was my wish," struck in Sophy; "I thought he might repent."
"Such scoundrels never repent, Miss Marlow," said Blair; "he has
committed two murders, he may commit two more. But I'll hunt him down.
He can't have gone far yet."
"No, I don't suppose he has," said Alan. "He was here last night. By
the way, how did he kill Dr. Warrender, and why?"
"Barkham!"
The little man obeyed the voice of the inspector, and meekly repeated
his story.
"Lestrange," he said, "did not believe that Mr. Beauchamp was dead. He
heard Mr. Thorold say something to the Rector about the key of the
vault----"
"God bless me!" cried Phelps, "so you did, Alan."
"Yes," said the little man, nodding, "then he stole the key. He sent
for the doctor to ask him about the burial. The doctor came, but
Lestrange was out."
"Did Warrender recognize him?" asked Beauchamp abruptly.
"No, sir, he did not--at least, not then. Well, Lestrange waited and
waited to enter the vault. When he went at last he found Warrender and
another man taking the body out. He followed them to the hut on the
heath; he tried to look in, and he made a slight noise. Warrender came
out, and in the moonlight he recognized Lestrange, who turned to run
away, but the doctor caught him and they struggled. Then Lestrange,
knowing that he would be arrested for the murder of Achille in
Jamaica, stabbed the doctor to the heart. Terrified at what he had
done, he lost his head, and hurried up to me in London. At first he
refused to tell me anything, but I made him drink," said Barkham, with
a leer, "and so I got the whole truth out of him."
"You scoundrel!" cried Thorold.
"Call me what you like," was the sullen rejoinder. "I wanted to get
money out of Beauchamp myself, and wrote to warn him that I might have
a claim on his gratitude. I was afraid to come here. I sent a letter
to Lestrange asking him for money, and it got into this policeman's
hands. He traced me, and brought me down here. That is all I know; but
as Mr. Beauchamp is alive, I ought to have something. After all, it
was I who warned him."
"You shall have fifty pounds," said Beauchamp sternly. "But you must
leave England."
"I don't know that I will let him," said Blair. "He should have
communicated with the police."
"I'll turn Queen's evidence if you like," said Barkham. "I don't care
if I am arrested or not. I have had nothing but this fifty pounds--and
you call that gratitude, Mr. Beauchamp!"
"Let him go, Blair, if you can consistently with your duty," said
Beauchamp.
"I'll see," was the reply. "Hullo! what's that! Gramp, what do you
mean by rushing into the room?"
It was indeed Cicero who stood, hot and puffing, at the door. He took
no notice of Blair, but addressed himself to Alan.
"Mr. Thorold," he said, "I have information if you will pay me well."
"You shall be paid if what you have to say is worth it."
"Then I must tell you that Lestrange was the Quiet Gentleman. You see
this lancet? He stole it out of your desk, and gave it to me to say
that I found it in the hut. This proves that he was the Quiet
Gentleman, and I believe he murdered Dr. Warrender."
"You do, you scoundrel!" cried Mr. Beauchamp. "But you are too
late--we know all!"
"Too late!" cried Gramp. "Good heavens! to think of my getting
nothing, and Clara Maria two thousand pounds!"
* * * * *
Little remains to be told. Lestrange was traced to Southampton, but
there the trail was lost, much to the disappointment of Inspector
Blair, who, although he duly received the two thousand pounds, never
ceased to regret the man's escape. Alan paid him the reward gladly,
for without him the mystery would never have been solved, and Mr.
Beauchamp's innocence would never have been established.
Sophy and Alan were married in the presence of the ex-millionaire and
of Miss Vicky. After the ceremony, the former left England with Joe.
He bought a small yacht, in which he and his faithful servant sail the
waters of the Mediterranean. No one has ever guessed the truth.
Mrs. Marry continues to lament the loss of the Quiet Gentleman, but
she has always believed him to have been one and the same person. That
Mr. Beauchamp was the second representative of the part, she never
dreamed. Mr. Marlow is dead to the Heathton villagers, and to this day
they talk of the mystery which surrounded the disappearance of his
corpse--indeed, the vault has the reputation of being haunted.
Barkham left England with his fifty pounds, and Mrs. Warrender
returned to America with her two thousand and her many jewels. There
she married a Canadian doctor, and vanished altogether. Cicero
received a small sum, and now spends his time frantically hunting for
Clara Maria, in the hope of extorting a share of her money; but Clara
Maria is a clever woman, and he is not likely to come across her.
Sophy and Alan are supremely happy in their life at the Abbey Farm.
They make frequent trips to the Continent, where they meet Mr.
Beauchamp.
Miss Vicky, too, is happy. She has Sophy's son and heir to care for,
and what more can she want?
"The heir to millions," says the old lady, "and what a mystery there
was about it all! To this day, I don't understand everything."
"Few people do," is Alan's reply. "The millionaire's mystery will
always remain a mystery in Heathton."
--------------------------------------------
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