diff options
Diffstat (limited to '1888-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 1888-h/1888-h.htm | 9727 |
1 files changed, 9727 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/1888-h/1888-h.htm b/1888-h/1888-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..61e2b75 --- /dev/null +++ b/1888-h/1888-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,9727 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Bittermeads Mystery, by E. R. Punshon + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Bittermeads Mystery, by E. R. Punshon + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Bittermeads Mystery + +Author: E. R. Punshon + +Release Date: September 21, 2008 [EBook #1888] +Last Updated: March 16, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BITTERMEADS MYSTERY *** + + + + +Produced by An Anonymous Project Gutenberg Volunteer, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + THE BITTERMEADS MYSTERY + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + By E. R. Punshon + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> THE LONE + PASSENGER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II. </a> THE + FIGHT IN THE WOOD <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> A + COINCIDENCE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> A + WOMAN WEEPS <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> A + WOMAN AND A MAN <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> A + DISCOVERY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> QUESTION + AND ANSWER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> CAPTIVITY + CAPTIVE <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> THE + ATTIC OF MYSTERY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> THE + NEW GARDENER <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> THE + PROBLEM <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> AN + AVOWAL <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> INVISIBLE + WRITING <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> LOVE-MAKING + AT NIGHT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> THE + SOUND OF A SHOT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> IN + THE WOOD <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a> A + DECLARATION <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a> ROBERT + DUNN'S ENEMY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> THE + VISIT TO WRESTE ABBEY <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. + </a> ELLA'S WARNING <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0021"> + CHAPTER XXI. </a> DOUBTS AND FEARS <br /><br /> <a + href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a> PLOTS AND PLAYS + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0023"> CHAPTER XXIII. </a> COUNTER-PLANS + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0024"> CHAPTER XXIV. </a> AN + APHORISM <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0025"> CHAPTER XXV. </a> THE + UNEXPECTED <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0026"> CHAPTER XXVI. </a> A + RACE AGAINST TIME <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0027"> CHAPTER XXVII. + </a> FLIGHT AND PURSUIT <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0028"> + CHAPTER XXVIII. </a> BACK AT BITTERMEADS <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0029"> CHAPTER XXIX. </a> THE ATTIC <br /><br /> + <a href="#link2HCH0030"> CHAPTER XXX. </a> SOME EXPLANATIONS + <br /><br /> <a href="#link2HCH0031"> CHAPTER XXXI. </a> CONCLUSION + <br /><br /> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. THE LONE PASSENGER + </h2> + <p> + That evening the down train from London deposited at the little country + station of Ramsdon but a single passenger, a man of middle height, + shabbily dressed, with broad shoulders and long arms and a most unusual + breadth and depth of chest. + </p> + <p> + Of his face one could see little, for it was covered by a thick growth of + dark curly hair, beard, moustache and whiskers, all overgrown and + ill-tended, and as he came with a somewhat slow and ungainly walk along + the platform, the lad stationed at the gate to collect tickets grinned + amusedly and called to one of the porters near: + </p> + <p> + “Look at this, Bill; here's the monkey-man escaped and come back along of + us.” + </p> + <p> + It was a reference to a travelling circus that had lately visited the + place and exhibited a young chimpanzee advertised as “the monkey-man,” and + Bill guffawed appreciatively. + </p> + <p> + The stranger was quite close and heard plainly, for indeed the youth at + the gate had made no special attempt to speak softly. + </p> + <p> + The boy was still laughing as he held out his hand for the ticket, and the + stranger gave it to him with one hand and at the same time shot out a long + arm, caught the boy—a well-grown lad of sixteen—by the middle + and, with as little apparent effort as though lifting a baby, swung him + into the air to the top of the gate-post, where he left him clinging with + arms and legs six feet from the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Hi, what are you a-doing of?” shouted the porter, running up, as the + amazed and frightened youth, clinging to his gate-post, emitted a dismal + howl. + </p> + <p> + “Teaching a cheeky boy manners,” retorted the stranger with an angry look + and in a very gruff and harsh voice. “Do you want to go on top of the + other post to make a pair?” + </p> + <p> + The porter drew back hurriedly. + </p> + <p> + “You be off,” he ordered as he retreated. “We don't want none of your sort + about here.” + </p> + <p> + “I certainly have no intention of staying,” retorted the other as gruffly + as before. “But I think you'll remember Bobbie Dunn next time I come this + way.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me down; please let me down,” wailed the boy, clinging desperately to + the gate-post on whose top he had been so unceremoniously deposited, and + Dunn laughed and walked away, leaving the porter to rescue his youthful + colleague and to cuff his ears soundly as soon as he had done so, by way + of a relief to his feelings. + </p> + <p> + “That will learn you to be a bit civil to folk, I hope,” said the porter + severely. “But that there chap must have an amazing strong arm,” he added + thoughtfully. “Lifting you up there all the same as you was a bunch of + radishes.” + </p> + <p> + For some distance after leaving the station, Dunn walked on slowly. + </p> + <p> + He seemed to know the way well or else to be careless of the direction he + took, for he walked along deep in thought with his eyes fixed on the + ground and not looking in the least where he was going. + </p> + <p> + Abruptly, a small child appeared out of the darkness and spoke to him, and + he started violently and in a very nervous manner. + </p> + <p> + “What was that? What did you say, kiddy?” he asked, recovering himself + instantly and speaking this time not in the gruff and harsh tones he had + used before but in a singularly winning and pleasant voice, cultivated and + gentle, that was in odd contrast with his rough and battered appearance. + “The time, was that what you wanted to know?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir; please, sir,” answered the child, who had shrunk back in alarm + at the violent start Dunn had given, but now seemed reassured by his + gentle and pleasant voice. “The right time,” the little one added almost + instantly and with much emphasis on the “right.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn gravely gave the required information with the assurance that to the + best of his belief it was “right,” and the child thanked him and scampered + off. + </p> + <p> + Resuming his way, Dunn shook his head with an air of grave + dissatisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “Nerves all to pieces,” he muttered. “That won't do. Hang it all, the + job's no worse than following a wounded tiger into the jungle, and I've + done that before now. Only then, of course, one knew what to expect, + whereas now—And I was a silly ass to lose my temper with that boy at + the station. You aren't making a very brilliant start, Bobby, my boy.” + </p> + <p> + By this time he had left the little town behind him and he was walking + along a very lonely and dark road. + </p> + <p> + On one side was a plantation of young trees, on the other there was the + open ground, covered with furze bush, of the village common. + </p> + <p> + Where the plantation ended stood a low, two-storied house of medium size, + with a veranda stretching its full length in front. It stood back from the + road some distance and appeared to be surrounded by a large garden. + </p> + <p> + At the gate Dunn halted and struck a match as if to light a pipe, and by + the flickering flame of this match the name “Bittermeads,” painted on the + gate became visible. + </p> + <p> + “Here it is, then,” he muttered. “I wonder—” + </p> + <p> + Without completing the sentence he slipped through the gate, which was not + quite closed, and entered the garden, where he crouched down in the shadow + of some bushes that grew by the side of the gravel path leading to the + house, and seemed to compose himself for a long vigil. + </p> + <p> + An hour passed, and another. Nothing had happened—he had seen + nothing, heard nothing, save for the passing of an occasional vehicle or + pedestrian on the road, and he himself had never stirred or moved, so that + he seemed one with the night and one with the shadows where he crouched, + and a pair of field-mice that had come from the common opposite went to + and fro about their busy occupations at his feet without paying him the + least attention. + </p> + <p> + Another hour passed, and at last there began to be signs of life about the + house. + </p> + <p> + A light shone in one window and in another, and vanished, and soon the + door opened and there appeared two people on the threshold, clearly + visible in the light of a strong incandescent gas-burner just within the + hall. + </p> + <p> + The watcher in the garden moved a little to get a clearer view. + </p> + <p> + In the paroxysm of terror at this sudden coming to life of what they had + believed to be a part of the bushes, the two little field-mice scampered + away, and Dunn bit his lip with annoyance, for he knew well that some of + those he had had traffic with in the past would have been very sure, on + hearing that scurrying-off of the frightened mice, that some one was + lurking near at hand. + </p> + <p> + But the two in the lighted doorway opening on the veranda heard and + suspected nothing. + </p> + <p> + One was a man, one a woman, both were young, both were extraordinarily + good-looking, and as they stood in the blaze of the gas they made a + strikingly handsome and attractive picture on which, however, Dunn seemed + to look from his hiding-place with hostility and watchful suspicion. + </p> + <p> + “How dark it is, there's not a star showing,” the girl was saying. “Shall + you be able to find your way, even with the lantern? You'll keep to the + road, won't you?” + </p> + <p> + Her voice was low and pleasant and so clear Dunn heard every word + distinctly. She seemed quite young, not more than twenty or twenty-one, + and she was slim and graceful in build and tall for a woman. Her face, on + which the light shone directly, was oval in shape with a broad, low + forehead on which clustered the small, unruly curls of her dark brown + hair, and she had clear and very bright brown eyes. The mouth and chin + were perhaps a little large to be in absolute harmony with the rest of her + features, and she was of a dark complexion, with a soft and delicate bloom + that would by itself have given her a right to claim her possession of a + full share of good looks. She was dressed quite simply in a white frock + with a touch of colour at the waist and she had a very flimsy lace shawl + thrown over her shoulders, presumably intended as a protection against the + night air. + </p> + <p> + Her companion was a very tall and big man, well over six feet in height, + with handsome, strongly-marked features that often bore an expression a + little too haughty, but that showed now a very tender and gentle look, so + that it was not difficult to guess the state of his feelings towards the + girl at his side. His shoulders were broad, his chest deep, and his whole + build powerful in the extreme, and Dunn, looking him up and down with the + quick glance of one accustomed to judge men, thought that he had seldom + seen one more capable of holding his own. + </p> + <p> + Answering his companion's remark, he said lightly: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, I shall cut across the wood, it's ever so much shorter, you + know.” + </p> + <p> + “But it's so dark and lonely,” the girl protested. “And then, after last + week—” + </p> + <p> + He interrupted her with a laugh, and he lifted his head with a certain not + unpleasing swagger. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think they'll trouble me for all their threats,” he said. “For + that matter, I rather hope they will try something of the sort on. They + need a lesson.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I do hope you'll be careful,” the girl exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + He laughed again and made another lightly-confident, almost-boastful + remark, to the effect that he did not think any one was likely to + interfere with him. + </p> + <p> + For a minute or two longer they lingered, chatting together as they stood + in the gas-light on the veranda and from his hiding-place Dunn watched + them intently. It seemed that it was the girl in whom he was chiefly + interested, for his eyes hardly moved from her and in them there showed a + very grim and hard expression. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty enough,” he mused. “More than pretty. No wonder poor Charles raved + about her, if it's the same girl—if it is, she ought to know what's + become of him. But then, where does this big chap come in?” + </p> + <p> + The “big chap” seemed really going now, though reluctantly, and it was not + difficult to see that he would have been very willing to stay longer had + she given him the least encouragement. + </p> + <p> + But that he did not get, and indeed it seemed as if she were a little + bored and a little anxious for him to say good night and go. + </p> + <p> + At last he did so, and she retired within the house, while he came + swinging down the garden path, passing close to where Dunn lay hidden, but + without any suspicion of his presence, and out into the high road. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II. THE FIGHT IN THE WOOD + </h2> + <p> + From his hiding-place in the bushes Dunn slipped out, as the big man + vanished into the darkness down the road, and for the fraction of a second + he seemed to hesitate. + </p> + <p> + The lights in the house were coming and going after a fashion that + suggested that the inmates were preparing for bed, and almost at once Dunn + turned his back to the building and hurried very quickly and softly down + the road in the direction the big man had just taken. + </p> + <p> + “After all,” he thought, “the house can't run away, that will be still + there when I come back, and I ought to find out who this big chap is and + where he comes from.” + </p> + <p> + In spite of the apparent clumsiness of his build and the ungainliness of + his movements it was extraordinary how swiftly and how quietly he moved, a + shadow could scarcely have made less sound than this man did as he melted + through the darkness and a swift runner would have difficulty in keeping + pace with him. + </p> + <p> + An old labourer going home late bade the big man a friendly good night and + passed on without seeing or hearing Dunn following close behind, and a + solitary woman, watching at her cottage door, saw plainly the big man's + tall form and heard his firm and heavy steps and would have been ready to + swear no other passed that way at that time, though Dunn was not five + yards behind, slipping silently and swiftly by in the shelter of the trees + lining the road. + </p> + <p> + A little further beyond this cottage a path, reached by climbing a stile, + led from the high road first across an open field and then through the + heart of a wood that seemed to be of considerable extent. + </p> + <p> + The man Dunn was following crossed this stile and when he had gone a yard + or two along the path he halted abruptly, as though all at once grown + uneasy, and looked behind. + </p> + <p> + From where he stood any one following him across the stile must have shown + plainly visible against the sky line, but though he lingered for a moment + or two, and even, when he walked on, still looked back very frequently, he + saw nothing. + </p> + <p> + Yet Dunn, when his quarry paused and looked back like this, was only a + little distance behind, and when the other moved on Dunn was still very + near. + </p> + <p> + But he had not crossed the stile, for when he came to it he realised that + in climbing it his form would be plainly visible in outline for some + distance, and so instead, he had found and crawled through a gap in the + hedge not far away. + </p> + <p> + They came, Dunn so close and so noiseless behind his quarry he might well + have seemed the other's shadow, to the outskirts of the wood, and as they + entered it Dunn made his first fault, his first failure in an exhibition + of woodcraft that a North American Indian or an Australian “black-fellow” + might have equalled, but could not have surpassed. + </p> + <p> + For he trod heavily on a dry twig that snapped with a very loud, sharp + retort, clearly audible for some distance in the quiet night, and, as dry + twigs only snap like that under the pressure of considerable weight, the + presence of some living creature in the wood other than the small things + that run to and fro beneath the trees, stood revealed to all ears that + could hear. + </p> + <p> + Dunn stood instantly perfectly still, rigid as a statue, listening + intently, and he noted with satisfaction and keen relief that the regular + heavy tread of the man in front did not alter or change. + </p> + <p> + “Good,” he thought to himself. “What luck, he hasn't heard it.” + </p> + <p> + He moved on again, as silently as before, perhaps a little inclined to be + contemptuous of any one who could fail to notice so plain a warning, and + he supposed that the man he was following must be some townsman who knew + nothing at all of the life of the country and was, like so many of the + dwellers in cities, blind and deaf outside the range of the noises of the + streets and the clamour of passing traffic. + </p> + <p> + This thought was still in his mind when all at once the steady sound of + footsteps he had been following ceased suddenly and abruptly, cut off on + the instant as you turn off water from a tap. + </p> + <p> + Dunn paused, too, supposing that for some reason the other had stopped for + a moment and would soon walk on again. + </p> + <p> + But a minute passed and then another and there was still no sound of the + footsteps beginning again. A little puzzled, Dunn moved cautiously + forward. + </p> + <p> + He saw nothing, he found nothing, there was no sign at all of the man he + had been following. + </p> + <p> + It was as though he had vanished bodily from the face of the earth, and + yet how this had happened, or why, or what had become of him, Dunn could + not imagine, for this spot was, it seemed, in the very heart of the wood, + there was no shelter of any sort or kind anywhere near, and though there + were trees all round just the ground was fairly open. + </p> + <p> + “Well, that's jolly queer,” he muttered, for indeed it had a strange and + daunting effect, this sudden disappearance in the midst of the wood of the + man he had followed so far, and the silence around seemed all the more + intense now that those regular and heavy footsteps had ceased. + </p> + <p> + “Jolly queer, as queer a thing as ever I came across,” he muttered again. + </p> + <p> + He listened and heard a faint sound from his right. He listened again and + thought he heard a rustling on his left, but was not sure and all at once + a great figure loomed up gigantic before him and the light of lantern + gleamed in his face. + </p> + <p> + “Now, my man,” a voice said, “you've been following me ever since I left + Bittermeads, and I'm going to give you a lesson you won't forget in a + hurry.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn stood quite still. At the moment his chief feeling was one of intense + discomfiture at the way in which he had been outwitted, and he + experienced, too, a very keen and genuine admiration for the woodcraft the + other had shown. + </p> + <p> + Evidently, all the time he had known, or at any rate, suspected, that he + was being followed, and choosing this as a favourable spot he had quietly + doubled on his tracks, come up behind his pursuer, and taken him unawares. + </p> + <p> + Dunn had not supposed there was a man in England who could have played + such a trick on him, but his admiration was roughly disturbed before he + could express it, for the grasp upon his collar tightened and upon his + shoulders there alighted a tremendous, stinging blow, as with all his very + considerable strength, the big man brought down his walking-stick with a + resounding thwack. + </p> + <p> + The sheer surprise of it, the sudden sharp pain, jerked a quick cry from + Dunn, who had not been in the least prepared for such an attack, and in + the darkness had not seen the stick rise, and the other laughed grimly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you scoundrel,” he said. “I know very well who you are and what you + want, and I'm going to thrash you within an inch of your life.” + </p> + <p> + Again the stick rose in the air, but did not fall, for round about his + body Dunn laid such a grip as he had never felt before and as would for + certain have crushed in the ribs of a weaker man. The lantern crashed to + the ground, they were in darkness. + </p> + <p> + “Ha! Would you?” the man exclaimed, taken by surprise in his turn, and, + giant as he was, he felt himself plucked up from the ground as you pluck a + weed from a lawn and held for a moment in mid-air and then dashed down + again. + </p> + <p> + Perhaps not another man alive could have kept his footing under such + treatment, but, somehow, he managed to, though it needed all his great + strength to resist the shock. + </p> + <p> + He flung away his walking-stick, for he realized very clearly now that + this was not going to be, as he had anticipated, a mere case of the + administration of a deserved punishment, but rather the starkest, fiercest + fight that ever he had known. + </p> + <p> + He grappled with his enemy, trying to make the most of his superior height + and weight, but the long arms twined about him, seemed to press the very + breath from his body and for all the huge efforts he put forth with every + ounce of his tremendous strength behind them, he could not break loose + from the no less tremendous grip wherein he was taken. + </p> + <p> + Breast to breast they fought, straining, swaying a little this way or + that, but neither yielding an inch. Their muscles stood out like bars of + steel, their breath came heavily, neither man was conscious any more of + anything save his need to conquer and win and overthrow his enemy. + </p> + <p> + The quick passion of hot rage that had come upon Dunn when he felt the + other's unexpected blow still burned and flamed intensely, so that he no + longer remembered even the strange and high purpose which had brought him + here. + </p> + <p> + His adversary, too, had lost all consciousness of all other things in the + lust of this fierce physical battle, and when he gave presently a loud, + half-strangled shout, it was not fear that he uttered or a cry for aid, + but solely for joy in such wild struggle and efforts as he had never known + before. + </p> + <p> + And Dunn spake no word and uttered no sound, but strove all the more with + all the strength of every nerve and muscle he possessed once again to + pluck the other up that he might dash him down a second time. + </p> + <p> + In quick and heavy gasps came their breaths as they still swayed and + struggled together, and though each exerted to the utmost a strength few + could have withstood, each found that in the other he seemed to have met + his match. + </p> + <p> + In vain Dunn tried again to lift his adversary up so that he might hurl + him to the ground. It was an effort, a grip that seemed as though it might + have torn up an oak by the roots, but the other neither budged nor + flinched beneath it. + </p> + <p> + And in vain, in his turn, did he try to bend Dunn backwards to crush him + to the earth, it was an effort before which one might have thought that + iron and stone must have given away, but Dunn still sustained it. + </p> + <p> + Thus dreadfully they fought, there in the darkness, there in the silence + of the night. + </p> + <p> + Dreadfully they wrestled, implacable, fierce, determined, every primeval + passion awake and strong again, and slowly, very slowly, that awful grip + laid upon the big man's body began to tell. + </p> + <p> + His breathing grew more difficult, his efforts seemed aimed more to + release himself than to overcome his adversary, he gave way an inch or + two, no more, but still an inch or two of ground. + </p> + <p> + There was a sharp sound, like a thin, dry twig snapping beneath a careless + foot. + </p> + <p> + It was one of his ribs breaking beneath the dreadful and intolerable + pressure of Dunn's enormous grip. But neither of the combatants heard or + knew, and with one last effort the big man put forth all his vast strength + in a final attempt to bear his enemy down. + </p> + <p> + Dunn resisted still, resisted, though the veins stood out like cords on + his brow, though a little trickle of blood crept from the corner of his + mouth and though his heart swelled almost to bursting. + </p> + <p> + There was a sound of many waters in his ears, the darkness all around grew + shot with little flames, he could hear some one breathing very noisily and + he was not sure whether this were himself or his adversary till he + realized that it was both of them. With one sudden, almost superhuman + effort, he heaved his great adversary up, but had not strength enough left + to do more than let him slip from his grasp to fall on the ground, and + with the effort he himself dropped forward on his hands and knees, just as + a lantern shone at a distance and a voice cried: + </p> + <p> + “This way, Tom. Master John, Master John, where are you?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. A COINCIDENCE + </h2> + <p> + Another voice answered from near by and Dunn scrambled hurriedly to his + feet. + </p> + <p> + He had but a moment in which to decide what to do, for these new arrivals + were coming at a run and would be upon him almost instantly if he stayed + where he was. + </p> + <p> + That they were friends of the man he had just overthrown and whose huge + bulk lay motionless in the darkness at his feet, seemed plain, and it also + seemed plain to him that the moment was not an opportune one for offering + explanations. + </p> + <p> + Swiftly he decided to slip away into the darkness. What had happened might + be cleared up later when he knew more and was more sure of his ground; at + present he must think first, he told himself, of the success of his + mission. + </p> + <p> + Physically, he was greatly exhausted and his gait was not so steady nor + his progress so silent and skillful as it had been before, as now he + hurried away from the scene of the combat. + </p> + <p> + But the two new-comers made no attempt to pursue him and indeed did not + seem to give his possible presence in the vicinity even a thought, as with + many muttered exclamations of dismay and anger, they stooped over the body + of his prostrate enemy. + </p> + <p> + It was evident they recognized him at once, and that he was the “Mr. John” + whose name they had called, for so they spoke of him to each other as they + busied themselves about him. + </p> + <p> + “I expect I've been a fool again,” Dunn thought to himself ruefully, as + from a little distance, well-sheltered in the darkness, he crouched upon + the ground and listened and watched. “I may have ruined everything. Any + one but a fool would have asked him what he meant when he hit out like + that instead of flying into a rage and hitting back the way I did. Most + likely it was some mistake when he said he knew who I was and what I + wanted—at least if it wasn't—I hope I haven't killed him, + anyhow.” + </p> + <p> + Secure in the protection the dark night afforded him, he remained + sufficiently near at hand to be able to assure himself soon that his + overthrown adversary was certainly not killed, for now he began to express + himself somewhat emphatically concerning the manner in which the two + new-comers were ministering to him. + </p> + <p> + Presently he got to his feet and, with one of them supporting him on each + side, began to limp away, and Dunn followed them, though cautiously and at + a distance, for he was still greatly exhausted and in neither the mood nor + the condition for running unnecessary risks. + </p> + <p> + The big man, Mr. John, as the others called him, seemed little inclined + for speech, but the others talked a good deal, subsiding sometimes when he + told them gruffly to be quiet but invariably soon beginning again their + expressions of sympathy and vows of vengeance against his unknown + assailant. + </p> + <p> + “How many of them do you think there were, Mr. John, sir?” one asked + presently. “I'll lay you marked a fair sight of the villains.” + </p> + <p> + “There was only one man,” Mr. John answered briefly. + </p> + <p> + “Only one?” the other repeated in great surprise. “For the Lord's sake, + Mr. John—only one? Why, there ain't any one man between here and + Lunnon town could stand up to you, sir, in a fair tussle.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he did,” Mr. John answered. “He had the advantage, he took me by + surprise, but I never felt such a grip in my life.” + </p> + <p> + “Lor', now, think of that,” said the other in tones in which surprise + seemed mingled with a certain incredulity. “It don't seem possible, but + for sure, then, he don't come from these here parts, that I'll stand to.” + </p> + <p> + “I knew that much before,” retorted Mr. John. “I said all the time they + were outsiders, a London gang very likely. You'll have to get Dr. Rawson, + Bates. I don't know what's up, but I've a beast of a pain in my side. I + can hardly breathe.” + </p> + <p> + Bates murmured respectful sympathy as they came out of the shelter of the + trees, and crossing some open ground, reached a road along the further + side of which ran a high brick wall. + </p> + <p> + In this, nearly opposite the spot where they emerged on the road, was a + small door which one of the men opened and through which they passed and + locked it behind them, leaving Dunn without. + </p> + <p> + He hesitated for a moment, half-minded to scale the wall and continue on + the other side of it to follow them. + </p> + <p> + Calculating the direction in which the village of Ramsdon must lie, he + turned that way and had gone only a short distance when he was overtaken + by a pedestrian with whom he began conversation by asking for a light for + his pipe. + </p> + <p> + The man seemed inclined to be conversational, and after a few casual + remarks, Dunn made an observation on the length of the wall they were + passing and to the end of which they had just come. + </p> + <p> + “Must be a goodish-sized place in there,” he said. “Whose is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that there's Ramsdon Place,” the other answered. “Mr. John Clive + lives there now his father's dead.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn stood still in the middle of the road. + </p> + <p> + “Who? What?” he stammered. “Who—who did you say?” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. John Clive,” the other repeated. “Why—what's wrong about that?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, nothing,” Dunn answered, but his voice shook a little with what + seemed almost fear, and behind the darkness of the friendly night his face + had become very pale. “Clive—John Clive, you say? Oh, that's + impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “Needn't believe it if you don't want to,” grumbled the other. “Only what + do you want asking questions for if you thinks folks tells lies when they + answers them?” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't mean that, of course not,” exclaimed Dunn hurriedly, by no means + anxious to offend the other. “I'm very sorry, I only meant it was + impossible it should be the same Mr. John Clive I knew once, though I + think he came from about here somewhere. A little, middle-aged man, I + mean, quite bald and wears glasses?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that ain't this 'un,” answered the other, his good humour quite + restored. “This is a young man and tremendous big. I ain't so small + myself, but he tops me by a head and shoulders and so he does most + hereabouts. Strong, too, with it, there ain't so many would care to stand + up against him, I can tell you. Why, they do say he caught two poachers in + the wood there last month and brought 'em out one under each arm like a + pair of squealing babes.” + </p> + <p> + “Did he, though?” said Dunn. “Take some doing, that, and I daresay the + rest of the gang will try to get even with him for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, they do say as there's been threats,” the other agreed. “But what I + says is as Mr. John can look after hisself all right. There was a tale as + a man had been dodging after him at night, but all he said when they told + him, was as if he caught any one after him he would thrash them within an + inch of their lives.” + </p> + <p> + “Serve them right, too,” exclaimed Dunn warmly. + </p> + <p> + Evidently this explained, in part at least, what had recently happened. + Mr. Clive, finding himself being followed, had supposed it was one of his + poaching enemies and had at once attempted to carry out his threat he had + made. + </p> + <p> + Dunn told himself, at any rate, the error would have the result of turning + all suspicion away from him, and yet he still seemed very disturbed and + ill at ease. + </p> + <p> + “Has Mr. Clive been here long?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “It must be four or five years since his father bought the place,” + answered his new acquaintance. “Then, when the old man was killed a year + ago, Mr. John inherited everything.” + </p> + <p> + “Old Mr. Clive was killed, was he?” asked Dunn, and his voice sounded very + strange in the darkness. “How was that?” + </p> + <p> + “Accident to his motor-car,” the other replied. “I don't hold with them + things myself—give me a good horse, I say. People didn't like the + old man much, and some say Mr. John's too fond of taking the high hand. + But don't cross him and he won't cross you, that's his motto and there's + worse.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn agreed and asked one or two more questions about the details of the + accident to old Mr. Clive, in which he seemed very interested. + </p> + <p> + But he did not get much more information about that concerning which his + new friend evidently knew very little. However, he gave Dunn a few more + facts concerning Mr. John Clive, as that he was unmarried, was said to be + very wealthy, and had the reputation of being something of a ladies' man. + </p> + <p> + A little further on they parted, and Dunn took a side road which he + calculated should lead him back to Bittermeads. + </p> + <p> + “It may be pure coincidence,” he mused as he walked slowly in a very + troubled and doubtful mood. “But if so, it's a very queer one, and if it + isn't, it seems to me Mr. John Clive might as well put his head in a + lion's jaws as pay visits at Bittermeads. But of course he can't have the + least suspicion of the truth—if it is the truth. If I hadn't lost my + temper like a fool when he whacked out at me like that I might have been + able to warn him, or find out something useful perhaps. And his father + killed recently in an accident—is that a coincidence, too, I + wonder?” + </p> + <p> + He passed his hand across his forehead on which a light sweat stood, + though he was not a man easily affected, for he had seen and endured many + things. + </p> + <p> + His mind was very full of strange and troubled thoughts as at last he came + back to Bittermeads, where, leaning with his elbows on the garden gate, he + stood for a long time, watching the dark and silent house and thinking of + that scene of which he had been a spectator when John Clive and the girl + had stood together on the veranda in the light of the gas from the hall + and had bidden each other good night. + </p> + <p> + “It seems,” he mused, “as though the last that was seen of poor Charley + must have been just like that. It was just such a dark night as this when + Simpson saw him. He was standing on that veranda when Simpson recognized + him by the light of the gas behind, and a girl was bidding him good night—a + very pretty girl, too, Simpson said.” + </p> + <p> + Silent and immobile he stood there a long time, not so much now as one who + watched, but rather as if deep in thought, for his head was bent and + supported on his hands and his eyes were fixed on the ground. + </p> + <p> + “As for this John Clive,” he muttered presently, rousing himself. “I + suppose that must be a coincidence, but it's queer, and queer the father + should have died—like that.” + </p> + <p> + He broke off, shuddering slightly, as though at thoughts too awful to be + endured, and pushing open the gate, he walked slowly up the gravel path + towards the house, round which he began to walk, going very slowly and + cautiously and often pausing as if he wished to make as close examination + of the place as the darkness would permit. + </p> + <p> + More by habit than because he thought there was any need of it, he moved + always with that extreme and wonderful dexterity of quietness he could + assume at will, and as he turned the corner of the building and came + behind it, his quick ear, trained by many an emergency to pick out the + least unusual sound, caught a faint, continued scratching noise, so faint + and low it might well have passed unnoticed. + </p> + <p> + All at once he understood and realized that some one quite close at hand + was stealthily cutting out the glass from one of the panes of a + ground-floor window. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. A WOMAN WEEPS + </h2> + <p> + Cautiously he glided nearer, moving as noiselessly as any shadow, seeming + indeed but one shadow the more in the heavy surrounding darkness. + </p> + <p> + The persistent scratching noise continued, and Dunn was now so close he + could have put out his hand and touched the shoulder of the man who was + causing it and who still, intent and busy, had not the least idea of the + other's proximity. + </p> + <p> + A faint smile touched Dunn's lips. The situation seemed not to be without + a grim humour, for if one-half of what he suspected were true, one might + as sensibly and safely attempt to break into the condemned cell at + Pentonville Gaol as into this quiet house. + </p> + <p> + But then, was it perhaps possible that this fellow, working away so + unconcernedly, within arm's-length of him, was in reality one of them, + seeking to obtain admittance in this way for some reason of his own, some + private treachery, it might be, or some dispute? To Dunn that did not seem + likely. More probably the fellow was merely an ordinary burglar—some + local practitioner of the housebreaking art, perhaps—whose + ill-fortune it was to have hit upon this house to rob without his having + the least idea of the nature of the place he was trying to enter. + </p> + <p> + “He might prove a useful recruit for them, though,” Dunn thought, and a + sudden idea flashed into his mind, vivid and startling. + </p> + <p> + For one moment he thought intently, weighing in his mind this idea that + had come to him so suddenly. He was not blind to the risks it involved, + but his eager temperament always inclined him to the most direct and often + to the most dangerous course. His mind was made up, his plan of action + decided. + </p> + <p> + The scratching of the burglar's tool upon the glass ceased. Already he had + smeared treacle over the square of glass he intended to remove and had + covered it with paper so as to be able to take it out easily and in one + piece without the risk of falling fragments betraying him. + </p> + <p> + Through the gap thus made he thrust his arm and made sure there were no + alarms fitted and no obstacles in the way of his easy entrance. + </p> + <p> + Cautiously he unfastened the window and cautiously and silently lifted the + sash, and when he had done so he paused and listened for a space to make + sure no one was stirring and that no alarm had been caused within the + house. + </p> + <p> + Still very cautiously and with the utmost precaution to avoid making even + the least noise, he put one knee upon the window-sill, preparatory to + climbing in, and as he did so Dunn touched him lightly on the shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my man, what are you up to?” he said softly. And without a word, + without giving the least warning, the burglar, a man evidently of + determination and resource, swung round and aimed at Dunn's head a + tremendous blow with the heavy iron jemmy he held in his right hand. + </p> + <p> + But Dunn was not unprepared for an attack and those bright, keen eyes of + his seemed able to see as well in the dark as in the light. He threw up + his left hand and caught the other's wrist before that deadly blow he + aimed could descend and at the same instant he dashed his own clenched + fist full into the burglar's face. + </p> + <p> + As it happened, more by good luck than intended aim, the blow took him on + the point of the chin. He dropped instantly, collapsing in on himself as + falls a pole-axed bullock, and lay, unconscious, in a crumpled heap on the + ground. + </p> + <p> + For a little Dunn waited, crouching above him and listening for the least + sound to show that their brief scuffle had been heard. + </p> + <p> + But it had all passed nearly as silently as quickly. Within the house + everything remained silent, there was no sound audible, no gleam of light + to show that any of the inmates had been disturbed. + </p> + <p> + Taking from his pocket a small electric flash-lamp Dunn turned its light + on his victim. + </p> + <p> + He seemed a man of middle age with a brutal, heavy-jawed face and a low, + receding forehead. His lips, a little apart, showed yellow, irregular + teeth, of which two at the front of the lower jaw had been broken, and the + scar of an old wound, running from the corner of his left eye down to the + centre of his cheek, added to the sinister and forbidding aspect he bore. + </p> + <p> + His build was heavy and powerful and near by, where he had dropped it when + he fell, lay the jemmy with which he had struck at Dunn. It was a heavy, + ugly-looking thing, about two feet in length and with one end nearly as + sharp as that of a chisel. + </p> + <p> + Dunn picked it up and felt it thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Just as well I got my blow in first,” he mused. “If he had landed that + fairly on my skull I don't think anything else in this world would ever + have interested me any more.” + </p> + <p> + Stooping over the unconscious man, he felt in his pockets and found an + ugly-looking revolver, fully loaded, a handful of cartridges, a coil of + thin rope, an electric torch, a tiny dark lantern no bigger than a + match-box, and so arranged that the single drop of light it permitted to + escape fell on one spot only, a bunch of curiously-shaped wires Dunn + rightly guessed to be skeleton keys used for opening locks quietly, + together with some tobacco, a pipe, a little money, and a few other + personal belongings of no special interest or significance. + </p> + <p> + These Dunn replaced where he had found them, but the revolver, the rope, + the torch, the dark lantern, and the bunch of wires he took possession of. + </p> + <p> + He noticed also that the man was wearing rubber-soled boots and rubber + gloves, and these last he also kept. Stooping, he lifted the unconscious + man on to his shoulder and carried him with perfect ease and at a quick + pace out of the garden and across the road to the common opposite, where, + in a convenient spot, behind some furze bushes, he laid him down. + </p> + <p> + “When he comes round,” Dunn muttered. “He won't know where he is or what's + happened, and probably his one idea will be to clear off as quickly as + possible. I don't suppose he'll interfere with me at all.” + </p> + <p> + Then a new idea seemed to strike him, and he hurriedly removed his own + coat and trousers and boots and exchanged them for those the burglar was + wearing. + </p> + <p> + They were not a good fit, but he could get them on and the idea in his + mind was that if the police of the district began searching, as very + likely they would, for Mr. John Clive's assailant, and if they had + discovered any clues in the shape of footprints or torn bits of clothing + or buttons—and Dunn knew his attire had suffered considerably during + the struggle—then it would be as well that such clues should lead + not to him, but to this other man, who, if he were innocent on that score, + had at any rate been guilty of attempting to carry out a much worse + offence. + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid your luck's out, old chap,” Dunn muttered, apostrophizing the + unconscious man. “But you did your best to brain me, and that gives me a + sort of right to make you useful. Besides, if the police do run you in, it + won't mean anything worse than a few questions it'll be your own fault if + you can't answer. Anyhow, I can't afford to run the risk of some + blundering fool of a policeman trying to arrest me for assaulting the + local magnate.” + </p> + <p> + Much relieved in mind, for he had been greatly worried by a fear that this + encounter with John Clive might lead to highly inconvenient legal + proceedings, he left the unlucky burglar lying in the shelter of the furze + bushes and returned to the house. + </p> + <p> + All was as he had left it, the open window gaped widely, almost inviting + entrance, and he climbed silently within. The apartment in which he found + himself was apparently the drawing-room and he felt his way cautiously and + slowly across it, moving with infinite care so as to avoid making even the + least noise. + </p> + <p> + Reaching the door, he opened it and went out into the hall. All was dark + and silent. He permitted himself here to flash on his electric torch for a + moment, and he saw that the hall was spacious and used as a lounge, for + there were several chairs clustered in its centre, opposite the fireplace. + There were two or three doors opening from it, and almost opposite where + he stood were the stairs, a broad flight leading to a wide landing above. + </p> + <p> + Still with the same extreme silence and care, he began to ascend these + stairs and when he was about half-way up he became aware of a faint and + strange sound that came trembling through the silence and stillness of the + night. + </p> + <p> + What it was he could not imagine. He listened for a time and then resumed + his silent progress with even more care than previously, and only when he + reached the landing did he understand that this faint and low sound he + heard was caused by a woman weeping very softly in one of the rooms near + by. + </p> + <p> + Silently he crossed the landing in the direction whence the sound seemed + to come. Now, too, he saw a thread of light showing beneath a door at a + little distance, and when he crept up to it and listened he could hear for + certain that it was from within this room that there came the sound of + muffled, passionate weeping. + </p> + <p> + The door was closed, but he turned the handle so carefully that he made + not the least sound and very cautiously he began to push the door back, + the tiniest fraction of an inch at a time, so that even one watching + closely could never have said that it moved. + </p> + <p> + When, after a long time, during which the muffled weeping never ceased, he + had it open an inch or two, he leaned forward and peeped within. + </p> + <p> + It was a bed-chamber, and, crouching on the floor near the fireplace, in + front of a low arm-chair, her head hidden on her arms and resting on the + seat of the chair, was the figure of a girl. She had made no preparations + for retiring, and by the frock she wore Dunn recognized her as the girl he + had seen on the veranda bidding good-bye to John Clive. + </p> + <p> + The sound of her weeping was very pitiful, her attitude was full of an + utter and poignant despair, there was something touching in the extreme in + the utter abandonment to grief shown by this young and lovely creature who + seemed framed only for joy and laughter. + </p> + <p> + The stern features and hard eyes of the unseen watcher softened, then all + at once they grew like tempered steel again. + </p> + <p> + For on the mantlepiece, just above where the weeping girl crouched, stood + a photograph—the photograph of a young and good-looking, + gaily-smiling man. Across it, in a boyish and somewhat unformed hand, was + written, + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Devotedly yours, + Charley Wright.” + </pre> + <p> + It was this photograph that had caught Dunn's eyes. Both it and the + writing and the signature he recognized, and his look was very stern, his + eyes as cold as death itself, as slowly, slowly he pushed back the door of + the room another inch or so. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. A WOMAN AND A MAN + </h2> + <p> + The girl stirred. It was as though some knowledge of the slow opening of + the door had penetrated to her consciousness before as yet she actually + saw or heard anything. + </p> + <p> + She rose to her feet, drying her eyes with her handkerchief, and as she + was moving to a drawer near to get a clean one her glance fell on the + partially-open door. + </p> + <p> + “I thought I shut it,” she said aloud in a puzzled manner. + </p> + <p> + She crossed the floor to the door and closed it with a push from her hand + and in the passage outside Dunn stood still, not certain what to do next. + </p> + <p> + But for that photograph he might have gone quietly away, giving up the + reckless plan that had formed itself so suddenly in his mind while he + watched the burglar at work. + </p> + <p> + That photograph, however, with its suggestion that he stood indeed on the + brink of the solution of the mystery, seemed a summons to him to go on. It + was as though a voice from the dead called him to continue on his task to + punish and to save, and slowly, very slowly, with an infinite caution, he + turned again the handle of the door and still very slowly, still with the + same infinite caution, he pushed back the door the merest fraction of an + inch at a time so that not even one watching could have said that it + moved. + </p> + <p> + When he had it once more so far open that he could see within, he bent + forward to look. The girl was beginning her preparations for the night + now. She had assumed a long, comfortable-looking dressing-gown and, + standing in front of the mirror, she had just finished brushing her hair + and was beginning to fasten it up in a long plait. He could see her face + in the mirror; her deep, sad eyes, swollen with crying, her cheeks still + tear-stained, her mouth yet quivering with barely-repressed emotion. + </p> + <p> + He was still watching her when, as if growing uneasy, she turned her head + and glanced over her shoulder, and though he moved back so quickly that + she did not catch sight of him, she saw that the door was open once more. + </p> + <p> + “What can be the matter with the door?” she exclaimed aloud, and she + crossed the room towards it with a quick and somewhat impatient movement. + </p> + <p> + But this time, instead of closing it, she pulled it open and found herself + face to face with Dunn. + </p> + <p> + He did not speak or move, and she stood staring at him blankly. Slowly her + mouth opened as though to utter a cry that, however, could not rise above + her fluttering throat. Her face had taken on the pallor of death, her + great eyes showed the awful fear she felt. + </p> + <p> + Still without speaking, Dunn stepped forward into the room and, closing + the door, stood with his back to it. + </p> + <p> + She shrank away and put her hand upon a chair, but for the support of + which she must certainly have fallen, for her limbs were trembling so + violently they gave her little support. + </p> + <p> + “Don't hurt me,” she panted. + </p> + <p> + In truth he presented a strange and terrifying appearance. The unkempt + hair that covered his face and through which his keen eyes glowed like + fire, gave him an unusual and formidable aspect. In one hand he held the + ugly-looking jemmy he had taken from the burglar, and the new clothes he + had donned, ill-fitting and soiled, served to accentuate the ungainliness + of his form. + </p> + <p> + The frightened girl was not even sure that he was human, and she shrank + yet further away from him till she sank down upon the bed, dizzy with fear + and almost swooning. + </p> + <p> + As yet he had not spoken, for his eyes had gone to the mantlepiece on + which he saw that the photograph signed with the name “Charley Wright,” + did not now stand upright, but had fallen forward on its face so that one + could no longer see what it represented. + </p> + <p> + It must have fallen just as he entered the room and this seemed to him an + omen, though whether of good or ill, he did not know. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you?” the girl stammered. “What do you want?” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her moodily and still without answering, though in his bright + and keen eyes a strange light burned. + </p> + <p> + She was lovely, he thought, of that there could be no question. But her + beauty made to him small appeal, for he was wondering what kind of soul + lay behind those perfect features, that smooth and delicate skin, those + luminous eyes. Yet his eyes were still hard and it was in his roughest, + gruffest tones that he said: + </p> + <p> + “You needn't be afraid, I won't hurt you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll give you everything I have,” she panted, “if only you'll go away.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so fast as all that,” he answered, coolly, for indeed he had not + taken so mad a risk in order to go away again if he could help it. “Who is + there in the house besides you?” + </p> + <p> + “Only mother,” she answered, looking up at him very pleadingly as if in + hopes that he must relent when he saw her in distress. “Please, won't you + take what you want and go away? Please don't disturb mother, it would + nearly kill her.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not going to hurt either you or your mother if you'll be sensible,” + he said irritably, for, unreasonably enough, the extreme fear she showed + and her pleading tones annoyed him. He had a feeling that he would like to + shake her, it was so absurd of her to look at him as though she expected + him to gobble her up in a mouthful. + </p> + <p> + She seemed a little reassured. + </p> + <p> + “Mother will be so dreadfully frightened,” she repeated, “I'll give you + everything there is in the house if only you'll go at once.” + </p> + <p> + “I can take everything I want without your giving it me,” he retorted. + “How do I know you're telling the truth when you say there's no one else + in the house? How many servants have you?” + </p> + <p> + “None,” she answered. “There's a woman comes every day, but she doesn't + sleep here.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you live all alone here with your mother?” he asked, watching her + keenly. + </p> + <p> + “There's my stepfather,” she answered. “But he's not here tonight.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, is he away?” Dunn asked, his expression almost one of disappointment. + </p> + <p> + The girl, whose first extreme fear had passed and who was watching him as + keenly as he watched her, noticed this manner of disappointment, and could + not help wondering what sort of burglar it was who was not pleased to hear + that the man of the house was away, and that he had only two women to deal + with. + </p> + <p> + And it appeared to her that he seemed not only disappointed, but rather at + a loss what to do next. + </p> + <p> + As in truth he was, for that the stepfather should be away, and this girl + and her mother all alone, was, perhaps, the one possibility that he had + never considered. + </p> + <p> + She noticed, too, that he did not pay any attention to her jewellery, + which was lying close to his hand on the toilet-table, and though in point + of actual fact this jewellery was not of any great value, it was + exceedingly precious in her eyes, and she did not understand a burglar who + showed no eagerness to seize on it. + </p> + <p> + “Did you want to see Mr. Dawson?” she asked, her voice more confident now + and even with a questioning note in it. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Dawson! Who's he?” Dunn asked, disconcerted by the question, but not + wishing to seem so. + </p> + <p> + “My stepfather, Mr. Deede Dawson,” she answered. “I think you knew that. + If you want him, he went to London early today, but I think it's quite + likely he may come back tonight.” + </p> + <p> + “What should I want him for?” growled Dunn, more and more disconcerted, + as he saw that he was not playing his part too well. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” she answered. “I suppose you do.” + </p> + <p> + “You suppose a lot,” he retorted roughly. “Now you listen to me. I don't + want to hurt you, but I don't mean to be interfered with. I'm going over + the house to see what I can find that's worth taking. Understand?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, perfectly,” she said. + </p> + <p> + She was watching him closely, and she noticed that he still made no + attempt to take possession of her jewellery, though it lay at his hand, + and that puzzled her very much, indeed, for she supposed the very first + thing a burglar did was always to seize such treasures as these of hers. + But this man paid them no attention whatever, and did not even notice + them. + </p> + <p> + He was feeling in his pockets now and he took out the revolver and the + coil of thin rope he had secured from the burglar. + </p> + <p> + “Now, do you know what I'm going to do?” he asked, with an air of + roughness and brutality that was a little overdone. He put the revolver + and the rope down on the bed, the revolver quite close to her. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going,” he continued, “to tie you up to one of those chairs. I can't + risk your playing any tricks or giving an alarm, perhaps, while I'm + searching the house. I shall take what's worth having, and then I shall + clear off, and if your stepfather's coming home tonight you won't have to + wait long till he releases you, and if he don't come I can't help it.” + </p> + <p> + He turned his back to her as he spoke and took hold of one of the chairs + in the room, and then of another and looked at them as though carefully + considering which would be the best to use for the carrying out of his + threat. + </p> + <p> + He appeared to find it difficult to decide, for he kept his back turned to + her for two or three minutes, during all of which time the revolver lay on + the bed quite close to her hand. + </p> + <p> + He listened intently for he fully expected her to snatch it up, and he + wished to be ready to turn before she could actually fire. But, indeed, + nothing was further from her thoughts, for she did not know in the least + how to use the weapon or even how to fire it off, and the very thought of + employing it to kill any one would have terrified her far more even than + had done her experiences of this night. + </p> + <p> + So the pistol lay untouched by her side, while, very pale and trembling a + little, she waited what he would do, and on his side he felt as much + puzzled by her failure to use the opportunity he had put in her way as she + was puzzled by his neglect to seize her jewellery lying ready to his hand. + </p> + <p> + He was still hesitating, still appearing unable to decide which chair to + employ in carrying out his proclaimed purpose of fastening her up when she + asked a question that made him swing round upon her very quickly and with + a very startled look. + </p> + <p> + “Are you a real burglar?” she said. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. A DISCOVERY + </h2> + <p> + “What do you mean?” Dunn asked quickly. The matted growth of hair on his + face served well to hide any change of expression, but his eyes betrayed + him with their look of surprise and discomfiture, and in her own clear and + steady glance appeared now a kind of puzzled mockery as if she understood + well that all he did was done for some purpose, though what that purpose + was still perplexed her. + </p> + <p> + “I mean,” she said slowly, “well—what do I mean? I am only asking a + question. Are you a burglar—or have you come here for some other + reason?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what you're getting at,” he grumbled. “Think I'm here for + fun? Not me. Come and sit on this chair and put your hands behind you and + don't make a noise, or scream, or anything, not if you value your life.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that I do very much,” she answered with a manner of extreme + bitterness, but more as if speaking to herself than to him. + </p> + <p> + She did as he ordered, and he proceeded to tie her wrists together and to + fasten them to the back of the chair on which she had seated herself. He + was careful not to draw the cords too tight, but at the same time he made + the fastening secure. + </p> + <p> + “You won't disturb mother, will you?” she asked quietly when he had + finished. “Her room's the one at the end of the passage.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want to disturb any one,” he answered. “I only want to get off + quietly. I won't gag you, but don't you try to make any noise, if you do + I'll come back. Understand?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, perfectly,” she answered. “May I ask one question? Do you feel very + proud of yourself just now?” + </p> + <p> + He did not answer, but went out of the room quickly, and he had an + impression that she smiled as she watched him go, and that her smile was + bitter and a little contemptuous. + </p> + <p> + “What a girl,” he muttered. “She scored every time. I didn't find out a + thing, she didn't do anything I expected or wanted her to. She seemed as + if she spotted me right off—I wonder if she did? I wonder if she + could be trusted?” + </p> + <p> + But then he thought of that photograph on the mantelpiece and his look + grew stern and hard again. He was careful to avoid the room the girl had + indicated as occupied by her mother, but of all the others on that floor + he made a hasty search without discovering anything to interest him or + anything of the least importance or at all unusual. + </p> + <p> + From the wide landing in the centre of the house a narrow stairway, hidden + away behind an angle of the wall so that one did not notice it at first, + led above to three large attics with steeply-sloping roofs and evidently + designed more for storage purposes than for habitation. + </p> + <p> + The doors of two of these were open and within was merely a collection of + such lumber as soon accumulates in any house. + </p> + <p> + The door of the third attic was locked, but by aid of the jemmy he still + carried, he forced it open without difficulty. + </p> + <p> + Within was nothing but a square packing-case, standing in the middle of + the floor. Otherwise the light of the electric torch he flashed around + showed only the bare boarding of the floor and the bare plastered walls. + </p> + <p> + Near the packing-case a hammer and some nails lay on the floor and the lid + was in position but was not fastened, as though some interruption had + occurred before the task of nailing it down could be completed. + </p> + <p> + Dunn noted that one nail had been driven home, and he was on the point of + leaving the attic, for he knew he had not much time and hoped that + downstairs he would be able to make some discoveries of importance, when + it occurred to him that it might be wise to see what was in this case, the + nailing down the lid of which had not been completed. + </p> + <p> + He crossed the room to it, and without drawing the one nail, pushed back + the lid which pivoted on it quite easily. + </p> + <p> + Within appeared a covering of coarse sacking. He pulled this away with a + careless hand, and beneath the beam of his electric torch showed the pale + and dreadful features of a dead man—of a man, the center of whose + forehead showed the small round hole where a bullet had entered in; of a + man whose still-recognizable features were those of the photograph on the + mantel-piece of the room downstairs, the photograph that was signed: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Devotedly yours, + Charley Wright.” + </pre> + <p> + For a long time Robert Dunn stood, looking down in silence at that dead + face which was hardly more still, more rigid than his own. + </p> + <p> + He shivered, for he felt very cold. It was as though the coldness of the + death in whose presence he stood had laid its chilly hand on him also. + </p> + <p> + At last he stirred and looked about him with a bewildered air, then + carefully and with a reverent hand, he put back the sackcloth covering. + </p> + <p> + “So I've found you, Charley,” he whispered. “Found you at last.” + </p> + <p> + He replaced the lid, leaving everything as it had been when he entered the + attic, and stood for a time, trying to collect his thoughts which the + shock of this dreadful discovery had so disordered, and to decide what to + do next. + </p> + <p> + “But, then, that's simple,” he thought. “I must go straight to the police + and bring them here. They said they wanted proof; they said I had nothing + to go on but bare suspicion. But that's evidence enough to hang Deede + Dawson—the girl, too, perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + Then he wondered whether it could be that she knew nothing and was + innocent of all part or share in this dreadful deed. But how could that be + possible? How could it be that such a crime committed in the house in + which she lived could remain unknown to her? + </p> + <p> + On the other hand, when he thought of her clear, candid eyes; when he + remembered her gentle beauty, it did not seem conceivable that behind them + could lie hidden the tigerish soul of a murderess. + </p> + <p> + “That's only sentiment, though,” he muttered. “Nothing more. Beautiful + women have been rotten bad through and through before today. There's + nothing for me to do but to go and inform the police, and get them here as + soon as possible. If she's innocent, I suppose she'll be able to prove + it.” + </p> + <p> + He hesitated a moment, as he thought of how he had left her, bound and a + prisoner. + </p> + <p> + It seemed brutal to leave her like that while he was away, for he would + probably be some time absent. But with a hard look, he told himself that + whatever pain she suffered she must endure it. + </p> + <p> + His first and sole thought must be to bring to justice the murderers of + his unfortunate friend; and to secure, too, thereby, the success almost + certainly of his own mission. + </p> + <p> + To release her and leave her at liberty might endanger the attainment of + both those ends, and so she must remain a prisoner. + </p> + <p> + “Only,” he muttered, “if she knew the attic almost over her head held such + a secret, why, didn't she take the chance I gave her of getting hold of my + revolver? That she didn't, looks as if she knew nothing.” + </p> + <p> + But then he thought again of the photograph in her room and remembered + that agony of grief to which she had been surrendering herself when he + first saw her. Now those passionate tears of hers seemed to him like + remorse. + </p> + <p> + “I'll leave her where she is,” he decided again. “I can't help it; I + mustn't run any risks. My first duty is to get the police here and have + Deede Dawson arrested.” + </p> + <p> + He went down the stairs still deep in thought, and when he reached the + landing below he would not even go to make sure that his captive was still + secure. + </p> + <p> + An obscure feeling that he did not wish to see her, and still more that he + did not wish her to see him, prevented him. + </p> + <p> + He descended the second flight of steps to the hall, taking fewer + precautions to avoid making a noise and still very deep in thought. + </p> + <p> + For some time he had had but little hope that young Charley Wright still + lived. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the dreadful discovery he had made in the attic above had + affected him profoundly, and left his mind in a chaos of emotions so that + he was for the time much less acutely watchful than usual. + </p> + <p> + They had spent their boyhood together, and he remembered a thousand + incidents of their childhood. They had been at school and college + together. And how brilliantly Charley had always done at work and play, + surmounting every difficulty with a laugh, as if it were merely some new + and specially amusing jest! + </p> + <p> + Every one had thought well of him, every one had believed that his future + career would be brilliant. Now it had ended in this obscure and dreadful + fashion, as ends the life of a trapped rat. + </p> + <p> + Dunn found himself hardly able to realize that it was really so, and + through all the confused medley of his thoughts there danced and flickered + his memory of a young and lovely face, now tear-stained, now smiling, now + pale with terror, now calmly disdainful. + </p> + <p> + “Can she have known?” he muttered. “She must have known—she can't + have known—it's not possible either way.” + </p> + <p> + He shuddered and as he put his foot on the lowest stair he raised his + hands to cover his face as though to shut out the visions that passed + before him. + </p> + <p> + Another step forward he took in the darkness, and all at once there + flashed upon him the light of a strong electric torch, suddenly switched + on. + </p> + <p> + “Put up your hands,” said a voice sharply. “Or you're a dead man.” + </p> + <p> + He looked bewilderedly, taken altogether by surprise, and saw he was faced + by a fat little man with a smooth, chubby, smiling face and eyes that were + cold and grey and deadly, and who held in one hand a revolver levelled at + his heart. + </p> + <p> + “Put up your hands,” this newcomer said again, his voice level and calm, + his eyes intent and deadly. “Put up your hands or I fire.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. QUESTION AND ANSWER + </h2> + <p> + Dunn obeyed promptly. + </p> + <p> + There was that about this little fat, smiling man and his unsmiling eyes + which proclaimed very plainly that he was quite ready to put his threat + into execution. + </p> + <p> + For a moment or two they stood thus, each regarding the other very + intently. Dunn, his hands in the air, the steady barrel of the other's + pistol levelled at his heart, knew that never in all his adventurous life + had he been in such deadly peril as now, and the grotesque thought came + into his mind to wonder if there were room for two in that packing-case in + the attic. + </p> + <p> + Or perhaps no attempt would be made to hide his death since, after all, it + is always permissible to shoot an armed burglar. + </p> + <p> + The clock on the stairs began to strike the hour, and he wondered if he + would still be alive when the last stroke sounded. + </p> + <p> + He did not much think so for he thought he could read a very deadly + purpose in the other's cold grey eyes, nor did he suppose that a man with + such a secret as that of the attic upstairs to hide was likely to stand on + any scruple. + </p> + <p> + And he thought that if he still lived when the clock finished striking he + would take it for an omen of good hope. + </p> + <p> + The last stroke sounded and died away into the silence of the night. + </p> + <p> + The revolver was still levelled at his heart, the grim purpose in the + other's eyes had not changed, and yet Dunn drew a breath of deep relief as + though the worst of the danger was past. + </p> + <p> + Through his mind, that had been a little dulled by the sudden + consciousness of so extreme a peril, thought began again to race with more + than normal rapidity and clearness. + </p> + <p> + It occurred to him, with a sense of the irony of the position, that when + he entered this house it had been with the deliberate intention of getting + himself discovered by the inmates, believing that to show himself to them + in the character of a burglar might gain him their confidence. + </p> + <p> + It had seemed to him that so he might come to be accepted as one of them + and perhaps learn in time the secret of their plans. + </p> + <p> + The danger that they might adopt the other course of handing him over to + the police had not seemed to him very great, for he had his reasons for + believing that there would be no great desire to draw the attention of the + authorities to Bittermeads for any reason whatever. + </p> + <p> + But the discovery he had made in the attic changed all that. It changed + his plans, for now he could go to the police immediately. And it changed + also his conception of how these people were likely to act. + </p> + <p> + Before, it had not entered his mind to suppose that he ran any special + risk of being shot at sight, but now he understood that the only thing + standing between him and instant death was the faint doubt in his captor's + mind as to how much he knew. + </p> + <p> + It seemed to him his only hope was to carry out his original plan and try + to pass himself off as the sort of person who might be likely to be useful + to the master of Bittermeads. + </p> + <p> + “Don't shoot, sir,” he said, in a kind of high whine. “I ain't done no + harm, and it's a fair cop—and me not a month out of Dartmoor Gaol. I + shall get a hot 'un for this, I know.” + </p> + <p> + The little fat man did not answer; his eyes were as deadly, the muzzle of + his pistol as steady as before. + </p> + <p> + Dunn wondered if it were from that pistol had issued the bullet that had + drilled so neat and round a hole in his friend's forehead. He supposed so. + </p> + <p> + He said again + </p> + <p> + “Don't shoot, Mr. Deede Dawson, sir; I ain't done no harm.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you know my name, do you, you scoundrel?” Deede Dawson said, a little + surprised. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” Dunn answered. “We always find out as much as we can about a + crib before we get to work.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Mr. Dawson. “Very praiseworthy. Attention to business and + all that. Pray, what did you find out about me?” + </p> + <p> + “Only as you was to be away tonight, sir,” answered Dunn. “And that there + didn't seem to be any other man in the house, and, of course, how the + house lay and the garden, and so. But I didn't know as you was coming home + so soon.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't suppose you did,” said Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + “I ain't done no harm,” Dunn urged, making his voice as whining and + pleading as he could. “I've only just been looking round the two top + floors—I ain't touched a thing. Give a cove a chance, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “You've been looking round, have you?” said Deede Dawson slowly. “Did you + find anything to interest you?” + </p> + <p> + “I've only been in the bedrooms and the attics,” answered Dunn, changing + not a muscle of his countenance and thinking boldness his safest course, + for he knew well the slightest sign or hint of knowledge that he gave + would mean his death. “I'd only just come downstairs when you copped me, + sir; I ain't touched a thing in one of these rooms down here.” + </p> + <p> + “Haven't you?” said Deede Dawson slowly, and his face was paler, his eyes + more deadly, the muzzle of his pistol yet more inflexibly steady than + before. + </p> + <p> + More clearly still did Dunn realize that the faintest breath of suspicion + stirring in the other's mind that he knew of what was hidden in the attic + would mean certain death and just such another neat little hole bored + through heart or brain as that he had seen showing in the forehead of his + dead friend. + </p> + <p> + “Haven't you, though?” Deede Dawson repeated. “The bedrooms—the + attics—that's all?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, that's all, take my oath that's all,” Dunn repeated earnestly, + as if he wished very much to impress on his captor that he had searched + bedrooms and attics thoroughly, but not these downstairs rooms. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson was plainly puzzled, and for the first time a little doubt + seemed to show in his hard grey eyes. + </p> + <p> + Dunn perceived that a need was on him to know for certain whether his + dreadful secret had been discovered or not. + </p> + <p> + Until he had assured himself on that point Dunn felt comparatively safe, + but he still knew also that to allow the faintest suspicion to dawn in + Deede Dawson's mind would mean for him instant death. + </p> + <p> + He saw, too, watching very warily and ready to take advantage of any + momentary slip or forgetfulness, how steady was Deede Dawson's hand, how + firm and watchful his eyes. + </p> + <p> + With many men, with most men indeed, Dunn would have seized or made some + opportunity to dash in and attack, taking the chance of being shot down + first, since there are few indeed really skilled in the use of a revolver, + the most tricky if the most deadly of weapons. + </p> + <p> + But he realized he had small hope of taking unawares this fat little + smiling man with the unsmiling eyes and steady hand, and he was well + convinced that the first doubtful movement he made would bring a bullet + crashing through his brain. + </p> + <p> + His only hope was in delay and in diverting suspicion, and Deede Dawson's + voice was very soft and deadly as he said: + </p> + <p> + “So you've been looking in the bedrooms, have you? What did you find + there?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, sir, not a thing,” protested Dunn. “I didn't touch a thing, I + only wanted to look round before coming down here to see about the + silver.” + </p> + <p> + “And the attics?” asked Deede Dawson. “What did you find there?” + </p> + <p> + “There wasn't no one in them,” Dunn answered. “I only wanted to make sure + the young lady was telling the truth about there being no servants in the + house to sleep.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you look in all the attics, then?” asked Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Dunn. “'There was one as was locked, but I tooked the + liberty of forcing it just to make sure. I ain't done no harm to speak + of.” + </p> + <p> + “You found one locked, eh?” said Deede Dawson, and his smile grew still + more pleasant and more friendly. “That must have surprised you a good + deal, didn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought as perhaps there was some one waiting already to give the + alarm,” answered Dunn. “I didn't mind the old lady, but I couldn't risk + there being some one hiding there, so I had to look, but I ain't done no + damage to speak of, I could put it right for you myself in half-an-hour, + sir, if you'll let me.” + </p> + <p> + “Could you, indeed?” said Deede Dawson. “Well, and did you find any one + sleeping there?” + </p> + <p> + But for that hairy disguise upon his cheeks and chin, Dunn would almost + certainly have betrayed himself, so dreadful did the question seem to him, + so poignant the double meaning that it bore, so clear his memory of his + friend he had found there, sleeping indeed. + </p> + <p> + But there was nothing to show his inner agitation, as he said, shaking his + head. + </p> + <p> + “There wasn't no one there, any more than in the other attics, nothing but + an old packing-case.” + </p> + <p> + “And what?” said Deede Dawson, his voice so soft it was like a caress, his + smile so sweet it was a veritable benediction. “What was in that + packing-case?” + </p> + <p> + “Didn't look,” answered Dunn, and then, with a sudden change of manner, as + though all at once understanding what previously had puzzled him. + “Lum-me,” he cried, “is that where you keep the silver? Lor', and to think + I never even troubled to look.” + </p> + <p> + “You never looked?” repeated Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + Dunn shook his head with an air of baffled regret. “Never thought of it,” + he said. “I thought it was just lumber like in the other attics, and I + might have got clear away with it if I had known, as easy as not.” + </p> + <p> + His chagrin was so apparent, his whole manner so innocent, that Deede + Dawson began to believe he really did know nothing. + </p> + <p> + “Didn't you wonder why the door was locked?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Lor',” answered Dunn, “if you stopped to wonder about everything you find + rummy in a crib you're cracking, when would you ever get your business + done?” + </p> + <p> + “So you didn't look—in that packing-case?” Deede Dawson repeated. + </p> + <p> + “If I had,” answered Dunn ruefully, “I shouldn't be here, copped like + this. I should have shoved with the stuff and not waited for nothing more. + But I never had no luck.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not so sure of that,” said Deede Dawson grimly, and as he spoke a + soft voice called down from upstairs. + </p> + <p> + “Is there any one there?” it said. “Oh, please, is any one there?” + </p> + <p> + “Is that you, Ella?” Deede Dawson called back. “Come down here.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't,” she answered. “I'm fastened to a chair.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't hurt the young lady,” Dunn interposed quickly. “I only tied her + up as gentle as I could to a chair so as to stop her from interfering.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's it, is it?” said Deede Dawson, and seemed a little amused, as + though the thought of his stepdaughter's plight pleased him rather than + not. “Well, if she can't come down here, we'll go up there. Turn round, my + man, and go up the stairs and keep your hands over your head all the time. + I shan't hesitate to shoot if you don't, and I never miss.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn was not inclined to value his life at a very high price as he turned + and went awkwardly up the stairs, still holding his hands above his head. + </p> + <p> + But he meant to save it if he could, for many things depended on it, among + them due punishment to be exacted for the crime he had discovered this + night; and also, perhaps, for the humiliation he was now enduring. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE + </h2> + <p> + Up the stairs, across the landing, and down the passage opposite Dunn went + in silence, shepherded by the little man behind whose pistol was still + levelled and still steady. + </p> + <p> + His hands held high in the air, he pushed open with his knee the door of + the girl's room and entered, and she looked up as he did so with an + expression of pure astonishment at his attitude of upheld hands that + changed to one of comprehension and of faint amusement as Deede Dawson + followed, revolver in hand. + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” she murmured. “Captivity captive, it seems.” + </p> + <p> + At the fireplace Dunn turned and found her looking at him very intently, + while from the doorway Deede Dawson surveyed them both, for once his eyes + appearing to share in the smile that played about his lips as though he + found much satisfaction in what he saw. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Ella,” he said. “You've been having adventures, it seems, but you + don't look too comfortable like that.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor do I feel it,” she retorted. “So please set me free.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, so I will,” he answered, but he still hesitated, and Dunn had the + idea that he was pleased to see the girl like this, and would leave her so + if he could, and that he was wondering now if he could turn her + predicament to his own advantage in any way. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will,” he said again. “Your mother—?” + </p> + <p> + “She hasn't wakened,” Ella answered. “I don't think she has heard + anything. I don't suppose she will, for she took two of those pills last + night that Dr. Rawson gave her for when she couldn't sleep.” + </p> + <p> + “It's just as well she did,” said Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but please undo my hands,” she asked him. “The cords are cutting my + wrists dreadfully.” + </p> + <p> + As she spoke she glanced at Dunn, standing by the fireplace and listening + gravely to what they said, and Deede Dawson exclaimed with an air of great + indignation:— + </p> + <p> + “The fellow deserves to be well thrashed for treating you like that. I've + a good mind to do it, too, before handing him over to the police.” + </p> + <p> + “But you haven't released me yet,” she remarked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, yes,” he said, starting as if this were quite a new idea. “I'll + release you at once—but I must watch this scoundrel. He must have + frightened you dreadfully.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed he did not,” she answered quickly, again looking at Dunn. “No, he + didn't,” she said again with a touch of defiance in her manner and a + certain slightly lifting her small, round chin. “At least not much after + just at first,” she added. + </p> + <p> + “I'll loose you,” Deede Dawson said once more, and coming up to her, he + began to fumble in a feeble, ineffectual way at the cords that secured her + wrists. + </p> + <p> + “Jove, he's tied you up pretty tight, Ella!” he said. + </p> + <p> + “He believes in doing his work thoroughly, I suppose,” she remarked, + lifting her eyes to Dunn's with a look in them that was partly questioning + and partly puzzled and wholly elusive. “I daresay he always likes to do + everything thoroughly.” + </p> + <p> + “Seems so,” said Deede Dawson, giving up his fumbling and ineffectual + efforts to release her. + </p> + <p> + He stepped back and stood behind her chair, looking from her to Dunn and + back again, and once more Dunn was conscious of an impression that he + wished to make use for his own purposes of the girl's position, but that + he did not know how to do so. + </p> + <p> + “You are a nice scoundrel,” said Deede Dawson suddenly, with an + indignation that seemed to Dunn largely assumed. “Treating a girl like + this. Ella, what would you like done to him? He deserves shooting. Shall I + put a bullet through him for you?” + </p> + <p> + “He might have treated me worse, I suppose,” said Ella quietly. “And if + you would be less indignant with him, you might be more help to me. There + are scissors on the table somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + “I'll get them,” Deede Dawson said. “I'll get them,” he repeated, as + though now at last finally making up his mind. + </p> + <p> + He took the scissors from the toilet-table where they lay before the + looking-glass and cut the cords by which Ella was secured. + </p> + <p> + With a sigh of relief she straightened herself from the confined position + in which she had been held and began to rub her wrists, which were + slightly inflamed where the cords had bruised her soft skin. + </p> + <p> + “Like to tie him up that way now?” asked Deede Dawson. “You shall if you + like.” + </p> + <p> + She turned and looked full at Dunn and he looked back at her with eyes as + steady and as calm as her own. + </p> + <p> + Again she showed that faint doubt and wonder which had flickered through + her level gaze before as though she felt that there was more in all this + than was apparent, and did not wish to condemn him utterly without a + hearing. + </p> + <p> + But it was plain also that she did not wish to say too much before her + stepfather and she answered carelessly: + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I could tie him tight enough, besides, he looks ridiculous + enough like that with his hands up in the air.” + </p> + <p> + It was her revenge for what he had made her suffer. He felt himself flush + and he knew that she knew that her little barbed shaft had struck home. + </p> + <p> + “Well, go and look through his pockets,” Deede Dawson said. “And see if + he's got a revolver. Don't be frightened; if he lowers his hands he'll be + a dead man before he knows it.” + </p> + <p> + “He has a pistol,” she said. “He showed it me, it's in his coat pocket.” + </p> + <p> + “Better get it then,” Deede Dawson told her. She obeyed and brought him + the weapon, and he nodded with satisfaction as he put it in his own + pocket. + </p> + <p> + “I think we might let you put your hands down now,” he remarked, and Dunn + gladly availed himself of the permission, for every muscle in his arms was + aching badly. + </p> + <p> + He remained standing by the wall while Deede Dawson, seating himself on + the chair to which Ella had been bound, rested his chin on his left hand + and, with the pistol still ready in his right, regarded Dunn with a steady + questioning gaze. + </p> + <p> + Ella was standing near the bed. She had poured a few drops of + eau-de-Cologne on her wrists and was rubbing them softly, and for ever + after the poignant pleasant odour of the scent has remained associated in + Robert Dunn's mind with the strange events of that night so that always + even the merest whiff of it conjures up before his mind a picture of that + room with himself silent by the fireplace and Ella silent by the bed and + Deede Dawson, pistol in hand, seated between them, as silent also as they, + and very watchful. + </p> + <p> + Ella appeared fully taken up with her occupation and might almost have + forgotten the presence of the two men. She did not look at either of them, + but continued to rub and chafe her wrists softly. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson had forgotten for once to smile, his brow was slightly + wrinkled, his cold grey eyes intent and watchful, and Dunn felt very sure + that he was thinking out some plan or scheme. + </p> + <p> + The hope came to him that Deede Dawson was thinking he might prove of use, + and that was the thought which, above all others, he wished the other to + have. It was, indeed, that thought which all his recent actions had been + aimed to implant in Deede Dawson's mind till his dreadful discovery in the + attic had seemed to make at last direct action possible. How, in his + present plight that thought, if Deede Dawson should come to entertain it, + might yet prove his salvation. Now and again Deede Dawson gave him quick, + searching glances, but when at last he spoke it was Ella he addressed. + </p> + <p> + “Wrists hurt you much?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Not so much now,” she answered. “They were beginning to hurt a great + deal, though.” + </p> + <p> + “Were they, though?” said Deede Dawson. “And to think you might have been + like that for hours if I hadn't chanced to come home. Too bad, what a + brute this fellow is.” + </p> + <p> + “Men mostly are, I think,” she observed indifferently. + </p> + <p> + “And women mostly like to get their own back again,” he remarked with a + chuckle, and then turned sharply to Dunn. “Well, my man,” he asked, “what + have you got to say for yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” Dunn answered. “It was a fair cop.” + </p> + <p> + “You've had a taste of penal servitude before, I suppose?” Deede Dawson + asked. + </p> + <p> + “Maybe,” Dunn answered, as if not wishing to betray himself. “Maybe not.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I think I remember you said something about not being long out of + Dartmoor,” remarked Deede Dawson. “How do you relish the prospect of going + back there?” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder,” interposed Ella thoughtfully. “I wonder what it is in you that + makes you so love to be cruel, father?” + </p> + <p> + “Eh what?” he exclaimed, quite surprised. “Who's being cruel?” + </p> + <p> + “You,” she answered. “You enjoy keeping him wondering what you are going + to do with him, just as you enjoyed seeing me tied to that chair and would + have liked to leave me there.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Ella!” he protested. “My dear child!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know,” she said wearily. “Why don't you hand the man over to the + police if you're going to, or let him go at once if you mean to do that?” + </p> + <p> + “Let him go, indeed!” exclaimed Deede Dawson. “What an idea! What should I + do that for?” + </p> + <p> + “If you'll give me another chance,” said Dunn quickly, “I'll do anything—I + should get it pretty stiff for this lot, and that wouldn't be any use to + you, sir, would it? I can do almost anything—garden, drive a motor, + do what I'm told, It's only because I've never had a chance I've had to + take to this line.” + </p> + <p> + “If you could do what you're told you certainly might be useful,” said + Deede Dawson slowly. “And I don't know that it would do me any good to + send you off to prison—you deserve it, of course. Still—you + talk sometimes like an educated man?” + </p> + <p> + “I had a bit of education,” Dunn answered. + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Deede Dawson. “Well, I won't ask you any more questions, + you'd probably only lie. What's your name?” + </p> + <p> + With that sudden recklessness which was a part of his impulsive and + passionate nature, Dunn answered: + </p> + <p> + “Charley Wright.” + </p> + <p> + The effect was instantaneous and apparent on both his auditors. + </p> + <p> + Ella gave a little cry and started so violently that she dropped the + bottle of eau-de-Cologne she had in her hands. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson jumped to his feet with a fearful oath. His face went livid, + his fat cheeks seemed suddenly to sag, of his perpetual smile every trace + vanished. + </p> + <p> + He swung his revolver up, and Dunn saw the crooked forefinger quiver as + though in the very act of pressing the trigger. + </p> + <p> + The pressure of a hair decided, indeed, whether the weapon was to fire or + not, as in a high-pitched, stammering voice, Deede Dawson gasped: + </p> + <p> + “What—what do you mean? What do you mean by that?” + </p> + <p> + “I only told you my name,” Dunn answered. “What's wrong with it?” + </p> + <p> + Doubtful and afraid, Deede Dawson stood hesitant. His forehead had become + very damp, and he wiped it with a nervous gesture. + </p> + <p> + “Is that your name—your real name?” he muttered. + </p> + <p> + “Never had another that I know of,” Dunn answered. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson sat down again on the chair. He was still plainly very + disturbed and shaken, and Ella seemed scarcely less agitated, though Dunn, + watching them both very keenly, noticed that she was now looking at Deede + Dawson with a somewhat strange expression and with an air as though his + extreme excitement puzzled her and made her—afraid. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing wrong with the name, is there?” Dunn muttered again. + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” Deede Dawson answered. “No. It's merely a coincidence, that's + all. A coincidence, I suppose, Ella?” + </p> + <p> + Ella did not answer. Her expression was very troubled and full of doubt as + she stood looking from her stepfather to Dunn and back again. + </p> + <p> + “It's only that your name happens to be the same as that of a friend of + ours—a great friend of my daughter's,” Deede Dawson said as though + he felt obliged to offer some explanation. “That's all—a + coincidence. It startled me for the moment.” He laughed. “That's all. + Well, my man, it happens there is something I can make you useful in. If + you do prove useful and do what I tell you, perhaps you may get let off. I + might even keep you on in a job. I won't say I will, but I might. You look + a likely sort of fellow for work, and I daresay you aren't any more + dishonest than most people. Funny how things happen—quite a + coincidence, your name. Well, come on; it's that packing-case you saw in + the attic upstairs. I want you to help me downstairs with that—Charley + Wright.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. THE ATTIC OF MYSTERY + </h2> + <p> + Robert Dunn was by no means sure that he was not going to his death as he + went out of Ella's room on his way to the attics above, for he had + perceived a certain doubt and suspicion in Deede Dawson's manner, and he + thought it very likely that a fatal intention lay behind. + </p> + <p> + But he obeyed with a brisk promptitude of manner, like one who saw a + prospect of escape opening before him, and as he went he saw that Ella had + relapsed into her former indifference and was once more giving all her + attention to bathing her wrists with eau-de-Cologne; and he saw, too, that + Deede Dawson, following close behind, kept always his revolver ready. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps he only wants to get me out of her way before he shoots,” he + reflected. “Perhaps there is room in that packing-case for two. It will be + strange to die. Shall I try to rush him? But he would shoot at once, and I + shouldn't have a chance. One thing, if anything happens to me, no one will + ever know what's become of poor Charley.” + </p> + <p> + And this seemed to him a great pity, so that he began to form confused and + foolish plans for securing that his friend's fate should become known. + </p> + <p> + With a sudden start, for he had not known he was there, he found himself + standing on the threshold of that attic of death. It was quite dark up + here, and from behind Deede Dawson's voice told him impatiently to enter. + </p> + <p> + He obeyed, wondering if ever again he would cross that threshold alive, + and Deede Dawson followed him into the dark attic so that Dunn was + appalled by the man's rashness, for how could he tell that his victim + would not take this opportunity to rise up from the place where he had + been thrust and take his revenge? + </p> + <p> + “What an idea,” he thought to himself. “I must be going dotty, it's the + strain of expecting a bullet in my back all the time, I suppose. I was + never like this before.” + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson struck a match and put it to a gas-jet that lighted up the + whole room. Between him and Dunn lay the packing-case, and Dunn was + surprised to see that it was still there and that nothing had changed or + moved; and then again he said to himself that this was a foolish thought + only worthy of some excitable, hysterical girl. + </p> + <p> + “It's being too much for me,” he thought resignedly. “I've heard of people + being driven mad by horror. I suppose that's what's happening to me.” + </p> + <p> + “You look—queer,” Deede Dawson's voice interrupted the confused + medley of his thoughts. “Why do you look like that—Charley Wright?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn looked moodily across the case in which the body of the murdered man + was hidden to where the murderer stood. + </p> + <p> + After a pause, and speaking with an effort, he said: + </p> + <p> + “You'd look queer if some one with a pistol was watching you all the time + the way you watch me.” + </p> + <p> + “You do what I tell you and you'll be all right,” Deede Dawson answered. + “You see that packing-case?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn nodded. + </p> + <p> + “It's big enough,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Would you like to know?” asked Deede Dawson slowly with his slow, + perpetual smile. “Would you like to know what's in it—Charley + Wright?” + </p> + <p> + And again Dunn was certain that a faint suspicion hung about those last + two words, and that his life and death hung very evenly in the balance. + </p> + <p> + “Silver, you said,” he muttered. “Didn't you?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, yes—yes—to be sure,” answered Deede Dawson. “Yes, so I + did. Silver. I want the lid nailed down. There's a hammer and nails there. + Get to work and look sharp.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn stepped forward and began to set about a task that was so terrible + and strange, and that yet he had, at peril of his life—at peril of + more than that, indeed—to treat as of small importance. + </p> + <p> + Standing a little distance from the lighted gas-jet, Deede Dawson watched + him narrowly, and as Dunn worked he was very sure that to betray the least + sign of his knowledge would be to bring instantly a bullet crashing + through his brain. + </p> + <p> + It seemed curious to him that he had so carefully replaced everything + after making his discovery, and that without any forethought or special + intention he had put back everything so exactly as he had found it when + the slightest neglect or failure in that respect would most certainly have + cost him his life. + </p> + <p> + And he felt that as yet he could not afford to die. + </p> + <p> + One by one he drove in the nails, and as he worked at his gruesome task he + heard the faintest rustle on the landing without—the faintest sound + of a soft breath cautiously drawn in, of a light foot very carefully set + down. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson plainly heard nothing; indeed, no ear less acute and less + well-trained than Dunn's could have caught sounds that were so slight and + low, but he, listening between each stroke of his hammer, was sure that it + was Ella who had followed them, and that she crouched upon the landing + without, watching and listening. + </p> + <p> + Did that mean, he wondered, that she, too, knew? Or was it merely natural + curiosity; hostile in part, perhaps, since evidently the relations between + her and her stepfather were not too friendly—a desire to know what + task there could be in the attics so late at night for which Deede Dawson + had such need of his captive's help? + </p> + <p> + Or was it by any chance because she wished to know how things went with + him, and what was to be his fate? + </p> + <p> + In any case, Dunn was sure that Ella had followed then, and was on the + landing without. + </p> + <p> + He drove home the last nail and stood up. “That's done,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “And well done,” said Deede Dawson. “Well done—Charley Wright.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke the name softly and lingeringly, and then all at once he began to + laugh, a low and somewhat dreadful laughter that had in it no mirth at + all, and that sounded horrible and strange in the chill emptiness of the + attic. + </p> + <p> + Leaning one hand on the packing-case that served as the coffin of his dead + friend, Dunn swore a silent oath to exact full retribution, and henceforth + to put that purpose on a level with the mission on which originally he had + come. + </p> + <p> + Aloud, and in a grumbling tone he said: + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter with my name? It's a name like any other. What's wrong + with it?” + </p> + <p> + “What should there be?” flashed Deede Dawson in reply. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” Dunn answered. “You keep repeating it so, that's all.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a very good name,” Deede Dawson said. “An excellent name. But it's + not suitable. Not here.” He began to laugh again and then stopped + abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know, I think you had better choose another?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “It's all one to me,” declared Dunn. “If Charley Wright don't suit, how + will Robert Dunn do? I knew a man of that name once.” + </p> + <p> + “It's a better name than Charley Wright,” said Deede Dawson. “We'll call + you Robert Dunn—Charley Wright. Do you know why I can't have you + call yourself Charley Wight?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “Because I don't like it,” said Deede Dawson. “Why, that's a name that + would drive me mad,” he muttered, half to himself. + </p> + <p> + Dunn did not speak, but he thought this was a strange thing for the other + to say and showed that even he, cold and remorseless and without any + natural feeling, as he had seemed to be, yet had about him still some + touch of humanity. + </p> + <p> + And as he mused on this, which seemed to him so strange, though really it + was not strange at all, his attentive ears caught the sound of a soft step + without, beginning to descend the stairs. + </p> + <p> + Had that name, then, been more than she also could bear? + </p> + <p> + If so, she must know. + </p> + <p> + “I don't see why, I don't see what's wrong with it,” he said aloud. “But + Robert Dunn will suit me just as well.” + </p> + <p> + “All a matter of taste,” said Deede Dawson, his manner more composed and + natural again. + </p> + <p> + “It's a funny thing now—suppose my name was Charley Wright, then + there would be two Charley Wrights in this attic, eh? A coincidence, that + would be?” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose so,” answered Dunn. “I knew another man named Charley Wright + once.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you? Where's he?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he's dead,” answered Dunn. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson could not repress the start he gave and for a moment Dunn + thought that his suspicions were really roused. He came a little nearer, + his pistol still ready in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Dead, is he?” he said. “That's a pity. He's not here, then; but it would + be funny wouldn't it, if there were two Charley Wrights in one room?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what you mean,” Dunn answered. “I think there are lots of + funnier things than that would be.” + </p> + <p> + “That's where you're wrong,” retorted Deede Dawson, and he laughed again, + shrilly and dreadfully, a laughter that had in it anything but mirth. + </p> + <p> + “Can you carry that packing-case downstairs if I help you get it on your + shoulder?” he asked abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “It's heavy, but I might,” Dunn answered. + </p> + <p> + He supposed that now it was about to be hidden somewhere and he felt that + he must know where, since that knowledge would mean everything and enable + him to set the authorities to work at once immediately he could + communicate with them. + </p> + <p> + The weight of the thing taxed even his great strength to the utmost, but + he managed it somehow, and bending beneath his burden, he descended the + stairs to the hall and then, following the orders Deede Dawson gave him + from behind, out into the open air. + </p> + <p> + He was nearly exhausted when at last his task-master told him he could put + it down as he stood still for a minute or two to recover his breath and + strength. + </p> + <p> + The night was not very dark, for a young moon was shining in a clear sky, + and it appeared to Dunn, as he felt his strength returning, that now at + last he might find an opportunity of making an attack upon his captor with + some chance of success. + </p> + <p> + Hitherto, in the house, in the bright glare of the gas lights, he had + known that the first suspicious movement he made would have ensured his + being instantly and remorselessly shot down, his mission unfulfilled. + </p> + <p> + But here in the open air, in the night that the moon illumined but + faintly, it was different, and as he watched for his opportunity he felt + that sooner or later it was sure to come. + </p> + <p> + But Deede Dawson was alert and wary, his pistol never left his hand, he + kept so well on his guard he gave Dunn no opening to take him unawares, + and Dunn did not wish to run too desperate a chance, since he was sure + that sooner or later one giving fair chance of success would present + itself. + </p> + <p> + “Do you want it carried any further?” he asked. “It's very heavy.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you mean you're wondering what's in it?” said Deede Dawson + sharply. + </p> + <p> + “It's nothing to me what's in it—silver or anything else,” retorted + Dunn. “Do you want me to carry it further, that's all I asked?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Deede Dawson. “No, I don't. Do you know, if you knew what + was really in it, you'd be surprised?” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely,” answered Dunn. “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you would be surprised,” Deede Dawson repeated, and suddenly shouted + into the darkness: “Are you ready? Are you ready there?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn was very startled, for somehow, he had supposed all along that Deede + Dawson was quite alone. + </p> + <p> + There was no answer to his call, but after a minute or two there was the + sound of a motor-car engine starting and then a big car came gliding + forward and stopped in front of them, driven by a form so muffled in coats + and coverings as to be indistinguishable in that faint light. + </p> + <p> + “Put the case inside,” Deede Dawson said. “I'll help you.” + </p> + <p> + With some trouble they succeeded in getting the case in and Deede Dawson + covered it carefully with a big rug. + </p> + <p> + When he had done so he stepped back. + </p> + <p> + “Ready, Ella?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered the girl's soft and low voice that already Dunn could have + sworn to amidst a thousand others. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. THE NEW GARDENER + </h2> + <p> + “Go ahead, then,” said Deede Dawson, and the great car with its terrible + burden shot away into the night. + </p> + <p> + For a moment or two Deede Dawson stood looking after it, and then he + turned and walked slowly towards the house, and mechanically Dunn + followed, the sole thought in his mind, the one idea of which he was + conscious, that of Ella driving away into the darkness with the dead body + of his murdered friend in the car behind her. + </p> + <p> + Did she—know? he asked himself. Or was she ignorant of what it was + she had with her? + </p> + <p> + It seemed to him that that question, hammering itself so awfully upon his + mind and clamouring for an answer, must soon send him mad. + </p> + <p> + And still before him floated perpetually a picture of long, dark, lonely + roads, of a rushing motor-car driven by a lovely girl, of the awful thing + hidden in the car behind her. + </p> + <p> + Dully he recognized that the opportunity for which he had watched and + waited so patiently had come and gone a dozen times, for Deede Dawson had + now quite relaxed his former wary care. + </p> + <p> + It was as though he supposed all danger over, as though in the reaction + after an enormous strain he could think of nothing but the immediate + relief. He hardly gave a single glance at Dunn, whose faintest movement + before had never escaped him. He had even put his pistol back in his + pocket, and at almost any moment Dunn, with his unusual strength and + agility, could have seized and mastered him. + </p> + <p> + But for such an enterprise Dunn had no longer any spirit, for all his mind + was taken up by that one picture so clear in his thoughts of Ella in her + great car driving the dead man through the night. “She must know,” he said + to himself. “She must, or she would never have gone off like that at that + time—she can't know, it's impossible, or she would never have + dared.” + </p> + <p> + And again it seemed to him that this doubt was driving him mad. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson entered the house and got a bottle of whisky and a syphon of + soda-water and mixed himself a drink. For the first time since Ella's + departure he seemed to remember Dunn's presence. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there you are,” he said. + </p> + <p> + Dunn did not answer. He stood moodily on the threshold, wondering why he + did not rush upon the other, and with his knee upon his chest, his hands + about his throat, force him to answer the question that was still + whispering, shouting, screaming itself into his ears: + </p> + <p> + “Does she know what it is she drives with her on that big car through the + black and lonely night?” + </p> + <p> + “Like a drink?” asked Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + Dunn shook his head, and it came to him that he did not attack Deede + Dawson and force the truth from him because he dared not, because he was + afraid, because he feared what the answer might be. + </p> + <p> + “There's a tool-shed at the bottom of the garden,” Deede Dawson said to + him. “You can sleep there, tonight. You'll find some sacks you can make a + bed of.” + </p> + <p> + Without a word in reply Dunn turned and stumbled away. He felt very tired—physically + exhausted—and the idea of a bed, even of sacks in an outhouse, + became all at once extraordinarily attractive. + </p> + <p> + He found the place without difficulty, and, making a pile of the sacks, + flung himself down on them and was asleep almost at once. But almost as + promptly he awoke again, for he had dreamed of Ella driving her car + through the night towards some strange peril from which in his dream he + was trying frantically and ineffectively to save her when he awoke. + </p> + <p> + So it was all through the night. + </p> + <p> + His utter and complete exhaustion compelled him to sleep, and every time + some fresh, fantastic dream in which Ella and the huge motor-car and the + dreadful burden she had with her always figured, awoke him with a fresh + start. + </p> + <p> + But towards morning he fell into a heavy sleep from which presently he + awoke to find it broad daylight and Deede Dawson standing on the threshold + of the shed with his perpetually smiling lips and his cold, unsmiling + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Well, my man; had a good sleep?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “I was tired,” Dunn answered. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we had a busy night,” agreed Deede Dawson. “I slept well, too. I've + been wondering what to do with you. Of course, I ought to hand you over to + the police, and it's rather a risk taking on a man of your character, but + I've decided to give you a chance. Probably you'll misuse it. But I'll + give you an opportunity as gardener and chauffeur here. You can drive a + car, you say?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn nodded. + </p> + <p> + “That's all right,” said Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + “You shall have your board and lodging, and I'll get you some decent + clothes instead of those rags; and if you prove satisfactory and make + yourself useful you'll find I can pay well. There will be plenty of + chances for you to make a little money—if you know how to take + them.” + </p> + <p> + “When it's money,” growled Dunn, “you give me the chance, and see.” + </p> + <p> + “I think,” added Deede Dawson, “I think it might improve your looks if you + shaved.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn passed his hand over the tangle of hair that hid his features so + effectually. + </p> + <p> + “What for?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well: please yourself,” answered Deede Dawson; “I don't know that it + matters, and perhaps you have reasons of your own for preferring a beard. + Come on up to the house now and I'll tell Mrs. Dawson to give you some + breakfast. And you might as well have a wash, too, perhaps—unless + you object to that as well as to shaving.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn rose without answering, made his toilet by shaking off some of the + dust that clung to him, and followed his new employer out of the + tool-house into the open air. + </p> + <p> + It was a fresh and lovely morning, and coming towards them down one of the + garden paths was Ella, looking as fresh and lovely as the morning in a + dainty cotton frock with lace at her throat and wrists. + </p> + <p> + That she could possibly have spent the night tearing across country in a + powerful car conveying a dead man to an unknown destination, appeared to + Dunn a clean impossibility, and for a moment he almost supposed he had + been mistaken in thinking he recognized her voice. + </p> + <p> + But he knew he had not, that he had made no mistake, that it had indeed + been Ella he had seen dash away into the darkness on her strange and + terrible errand. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, my daughter,” said Deede Dawson carelessly, noticing Dunn's surprise. + “Oh, yes, she's back—you didn't expect to see her this morning. + Well, Ella, Dunn's surprised to see you back so soon, aren't you, Dunn?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn did not answer, for a kind of vertigo of horror had come upon him, + and for a moment all things revolved about him in a whirling circle + wherein the one fixed point was Ella's gentle lovely face that sometimes, + he thought, had a small round hole with blue edges in the very centre of + the forehead, above the nose. + </p> + <p> + It was her voice, clear and a little loud, that called him back to + himself. + </p> + <p> + “He's not well,” she was saying. “He's going to faint.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm all right,” he muttered. “It was nothing, nothing, it's only that + I've had nothing to eat for so long.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, poor man!” exclaimed Ella. + </p> + <p> + “Come up to the house,” Deede Dawson said. + </p> + <p> + “Breakfast's ready,” Ella said. “Mother told me to find you.” + </p> + <p> + “Has the woman come yet?” Deede Dawson asked. “If she has, you might tell + her to give Dunn some breakfast. I've just been telling him I'm willing to + give him another chance and to take him on as gardener and chauffeur, so + you can keep an eye on him and see if he works well.” + </p> + <p> + Ella was silent for a moment, but her expression was grave and a little + puzzled as though she did not quite understand this and wondered what it + meant, and when she looked up at her stepfather, Dunn was certain there + was both distrust and suspicion in her manner. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose,” she said then, “last night seemed to you a good + recommendation?” As she spoke she glanced at her wrists where the bruises + still showed, and Deede Dawson's smile broadened. + </p> + <p> + “One should always be ready to give another chance to a poor fellow who's + down,” he said. “He may run straight now he's got an opportunity. I told + him he had better shave, but he seems to think a beard suits him best. + What do you say?” + </p> + <p> + “Breakfast's waiting,” Ella answered, turning away without taking any + notice of the question. + </p> + <p> + “I'll go in then,” said Deede Dawson. “You might show Dunn the way to the + kitchen—his name's Robert Dunn, by the way—and tell Mrs. + Barker to give him something to eat.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think he could find his way there himself,” Ella remarked. + </p> + <p> + But though she made this protest, she obeyed at once, for though she used + a considerable liberty of speech to her stepfather, it was none the less + evident that she was very much afraid of him and would not be very likely + to disobey him or oppose him directly. + </p> + <p> + “This way,” she said to Dunn, and walked on along a path that led to the + back of the house. Once she stopped and looked back. She smiled slightly + and disdainfully as she did so, and Dunn saw that she was looking at a + clump of small bushes near where they had been standing. + </p> + <p> + He guessed at once that she believed Deede Dawson to be behind those + bushes watching them, and when she glanced at him he understood that she + wished him to know it also. + </p> + <p> + He said nothing, though a faint movement visible in the bushes convinced + him that her suspicions, if, indeed, she had them, were well-founded, and + they walked on in silence, Ella a little ahead, and Dunn a step or two + behind. + </p> + <p> + The garden was a large one, and had at one time been well cultivated, but + now it was neglected and overgrown. It struck Dunn that if he was to be + the gardener here he would certainly not find himself short of work, and + Ella, without looking round, said to him over her shoulder: + </p> + <p> + “Do you know anything about gardening?” + </p> + <p> + “A little, miss,” he answered. + </p> + <p> + “You needn't call me 'miss,'” she observed. “When a man has tied a girl to + a chair I think he may regard himself as on terms of some familiarity with + her.” + </p> + <p> + “What must I call you?” he asked, and his words bore to himself a double + meaning, for, indeed, what name was it by which he ought to call her? + </p> + <p> + But she seemed to notice nothing as she answered “My name is Cayley + —Ella Cayley. You can call me Miss Cayley. Do you know anything of + motoring?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he answered. “Though I never cared much for motoring at night.” + </p> + <p> + She gave him a quick glance, but said no more, and they came almost + immediately to the back door. + </p> + <p> + Ella opened it and entered, nodding to him to follow, and crossing a + narrow, stone-floored passage, she entered the kitchen where a tall gaunt + elderly woman in a black bonnet and a course apron was at work. + </p> + <p> + “This is Dunn, Mrs. Barker,” she called, raising her voice. “He is the new + gardener. Will you give him some breakfast, please?” She added to Dunn: + </p> + <p> + “When you've finished, you can go to the garage and wash the car, and when + you speak to Mrs. Barker you must shout. She is quite deaf, that is why my + stepfather engaged her, because he was sorry for her and wanted to give + her a chance, you know...” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. THE PROBLEM + </h2> + <p> + When he had finished his breakfast, and after he had had the wash of which + he certainly stood in considerable need, Dunn made his way to the garage + and there occupied himself cleaning the car. He noticed that the mud with + which it was liberally covered was of a light sandy sort, and he + discovered on one of the tyres a small shell. + </p> + <p> + Apparently, therefore, last night's wild journey had been to the coast, + and it was a natural inference that the sea had provided a secure + hiding-place for the packing-case and its dreadful contents. + </p> + <p> + But then that meant that there was no evidence left on which he could take + action. + </p> + <p> + As he busied himself with his task, he tried to think out as clearly as he + could the position in which he found himself and to decide what he ought + to do next. + </p> + <p> + To his quick and hasty nature the swiftest action was always the most + congenial, and had he followed his instinct, he would have lost no time in + denouncing Deede Dawson. But his cooler thoughts told him that he dared + not do that, since it would be to involve risks, not for himself, but for + others, that he simply dared not contemplate. + </p> + <p> + He felt that the police, even if they credited his story, which he also + felt that very likely they would not do, could not act on his sole + evidence. + </p> + <p> + And even if they did act and did arrest Deede Dawson, it was certain no + jury would convict on so strange a story, so entirely uncorroborated. + </p> + <p> + The only result would be to strengthen Deede Dawson's position by the + warning, to show him his danger, and to give him the opportunity, if he + chose to use it, of disappearing and beginning again his plots and plans + after some fresh and perhaps more deadly fashion. + </p> + <p> + “Whereas at present,” he mused, “at any rate, I'm here and he doesn't seem + to suspect me, and I can watch and wait for a time, till I see my way more + clearly.” + </p> + <p> + And this decision he came to was a great relief to him, for he desired + very greatly to know more before he acted and in especial to find out for + certain what was Ella's position in all this. + </p> + <p> + It was Deede Dawson's voice that broke in upon his meditations. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you're busy,” he said. “That's right, I like to see a man working + hard. I've got some new things for you I think may fit fairly well, and + Mrs. Dawson is going to get one of the attics ready for you to sleep in.” + </p> + <p> + “Very good, sir,” said Dunn. + </p> + <p> + He wondered which attic was to be assigned to him and if it would be that + one in which he had found his friend's body. He suspected, too, that he + was to be lodged in the house so that Deede Dawson might watch him, and + this pleased him, since it meant that he, in his turn, would be able to + watch Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + Not that there appeared much to watch, for the days passed on and it + seemed a very harmless and quiet life that Deede Dawson lived with his + wife and stepdaughter. + </p> + <p> + But for the memory, burned into Dunn's mind, of what he had seen that + night of his arrival, he would have been inclined to say that no more + harmless, gentle soul existed than Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + But as it was, the man's very gentleness and smiling urbanity filled him + with a loathing that it was at times all he could do to control. + </p> + <p> + The attic assigned to him to sleep in was that where he had made his + dreadful discovery, and he believed this had been done as a further test + of his ignorance, for he was sure Deede Dawson watched him closely to see + if the idea of being there was in any way repugnant to him. + </p> + <p> + Indeed at another time he might have shrunk from the idea of sleeping each + night in the very room where his friend had been foully done to death, but + now he derived a certain grim satisfaction and a strengthening of his + nerves for the task that lay before him. + </p> + <p> + Only a very few visitors came to Bittermeads, especially now that Mr. John + Clive, who had come often, was laid up. But one or two of the people from + the village came occasionally, and the vicar appeared two or three times + every week, ostensibly to play chess with Deede Dawson, but in reality, + Dunn thought, drawn there by Ella, who, however, seemed quite unaware of + the attraction she exercised over the good man. + </p> + <p> + Dunn did not find that he was expected to do very much work, and in fact, + he was left a good deal to himself. + </p> + <p> + Once or twice the car was taken out, and occasionally Deede Dawson would + come into the garden and chat with him idly for a few minutes on + indifferent subjects. When it was fine he would often bring out a little + travelling set of chessmen and board and proceed to amuse himself, working + out or composing problems. + </p> + <p> + One day he called Dunn up to admire a problem he had just composed. + </p> + <p> + “Pretty clever, eh?” he said, admiring his own work with much complacence. + “Quite an original idea of mine and I think the key move will take some + finding. What do you say? I suppose you do play chess?” + </p> + <p> + “Only a very little,” answered Dunn. + </p> + <p> + “Try a game with me,” said Deede Dawson, and won it easily, for in fact, + Dunn was by no means a strong player. + </p> + <p> + His swift victory appeared to delight Deede Dawson immensely. + </p> + <p> + “A very pretty mate I brought off there against you,” he declared. “I've + not often seen a prettier. Now you try to solve that problem of mine, it's + easy enough once you hit on the key move.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn thought to himself that there were other and more important problems + which would soon be solved if only the key move could be discovered. + </p> + <p> + He said aloud that he would try what he could do, and Deede Dawson + promised him half a sovereign if he solved it within a week. + </p> + <p> + “I mayn't manage it within a week,” said Dunn. “I don't say I will. But + sooner or later I shall find it out.” + </p> + <p> + During all this time he had seen little of Ella, who appeared to come very + little into the garden and who, when she did so, avoided him in a somewhat + marked manner. + </p> + <p> + Her mother, Mrs. Dawson, was a little faded woman, with timid eyes and a + frightened manner. Her health did not seem to be good, and Ella looked + after her very assiduously. That she went in deadly fear of her husband + was fairly evident, though he seemed to treat her always with great + consideration and kindness and even with a show of affection, to which at + times she responded and from which at other times she appeared to shrink + with inexplicable terror. + </p> + <p> + “She doesn't know,” Dunn said to himself. “But she suspects —something.” + </p> + <p> + Ella, he still watched with the same care and secrecy, and sometimes he + seemed to see her walking amidst the flowers as an angel of sweetness and + laughing innocence; and sometimes he saw her, as it were, with the shadow + of death around her beauty, and behind her gentle eyes and winning ways a + great and horrible abyss. + </p> + <p> + Of one thing he was certain—her mind was troubled and she was not at + ease; and it was plain, also, that she feared her smiling soft-spoken + stepfather. + </p> + <p> + As the days passed, too, Dunn grew convinced that she was watching him all + the time, even when she seemed most indifferent, as closely and as + intently as he watched her. + </p> + <p> + “All watching together,” Dunn thought grimly. “It would be simple enough, + I suppose, if one could hit on the key move, but that I suppose no one + knows but Deede Dawson himself. One thing, he can't very well be up to any + fresh mischief while he's lounging about here like this. I suppose he is + simply waiting his time.” + </p> + <p> + As for the chess problem, that baffled him entirely. He said as much to + Deede Dawson, who was very pleased, but would not tell him what the + solution was. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, find it out for yourself,” he said, chuckling with a merriment in + which, for once his cold eyes seemed to take full share. + </p> + <p> + “I'll go on trying,” said Dunn, and it grew to be quite a custom between + them for Deede Dawson to ask him how he was getting on with the problem; + and for Dunn to reply that he was still searching for the key move. + </p> + <p> + Several times little errands took Dunn into the village, where, discreetly + listening to the current gossip, he learned that Mr. John Clive of Ramsdon + Place had been injured in an attack made upon him by a gang of ferocious + poachers—at least a dozen in number—but was making good + progress towards recovery. + </p> + <p> + Also, he found that Mr. John Clive's visits to Bittermeads had not gone + unremarked, or wholly uncriticized, since there was a vague feeling that a + Mr. Clive of Ramsdon Place ought to make a better match. + </p> + <p> + “But a pretty face is all a young man thinks of,” said the more + experienced; and on the whole, it seemed to be felt that the open + attention Clive paid to Ella was at least easily to be understood. + </p> + <p> + Almost the first visit Clive paid, when he was allowed to venture out, was + to Bittermeads; and Dunn, returning one afternoon from an errand, found + him established on the lawn in the company of Ella, and looking little the + worse for his adventure. + </p> + <p> + He and Ella seemed to be talking very animatedly, and Dunn took the + opportunity to busy himself with some gardening work not far away, so that + he could watch their behaviour. + </p> + <p> + He told himself it was necessary he should know in what relation they + stood to each other, and as he heard them chatting and laughing together + with great apparent friendliness and enjoyment, he remembered with + considerable satisfaction how he had already broken one rib of Clive's, + and he wished very much for an opportunity to break another. + </p> + <p> + For, without knowing why, he was beginning to conceive an intense dislike + for Clive; and, also, it did not seem to him quite good taste for Ella to + sit and chat and laugh with him so readily. + </p> + <p> + “But we were told,” he caught a stray remark of Ella's, “that it was a + gang of at least a dozen that attacked you.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Clive reluctantly. “No, I think there was only one. But he + had a grip like a bear.” + </p> + <p> + “He must have been very strong,” remarked Ella thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + “I would give fifty pounds to meet him again, and have it out in the + light, when one could see what one was doing,” declared Clive with great + vigour. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you would, would you?” muttered Dunn to himself. “Well, one of these + days I may claim that fifty.” + </p> + <p> + He looked round at Clive as he thought this, and Clive noticed him, and + said: + </p> + <p> + “Is that a new man you've got there Miss Cayley? Doesn't he rather want a + shave? Where on earth did Mr. Dawson pick him up?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, he came here with the very best testimonials, and father engaged him + on the spot,” answered Ella, touching her wrists thoughtfully. “He + certainly is not very handsome, but then that doesn't matter, does it?” + </p> + <p> + She spoke more loudly than usual, and Dunn was certain she did so in order + that he might hear what she said. So he had no scruple in lingering on + pretence of being busy with a rose bush, and heard Clive say: + </p> + <p> + “Well, if he were one of my chaps, I should tell him to put the lawn-mower + over his own face.” + </p> + <p> + Ella laughed amusedly. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what an idea, Mr. Clive,” she cried, and Dunn thought to himself: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, one day I shall very certainly claim that fifty pounds.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. AN AVOWAL + </h2> + <p> + When Clive had gone that afternoon, Ella, who had accompanied him as far + as the gate, and had from thence waved him a farewell, came back to the + spot where Dunn was working. + </p> + <p> + She stood still, watching him, and he looked up at her and then went on + with his work without speaking, for now, as always, the appalling thought + was perpetually in his mind: “Must she not have known what it was she had + with her in the car when she went driving that night?” + </p> + <p> + After a little, she turned away, as if disappointed that he took no notice + of her presence. + </p> + <p> + At once he raised himself from the task he had been bending over, and + stood moodily watching the slim, graceful figure, about which hung such + clouds of doubt and dread, and she, turning around suddenly, as if she + actually felt the impact of his gaze, saw him, and saw the strange + expression in his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you look at me like that?” she asked quickly, her soft and gentle + tones a little shrill, as though swift fear had come upon her. + </p> + <p> + “Like what?” he mumbled. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you know,” she cried passionately. “Am I to be the next?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + He started, and looked at her wonderingly, asking himself if these words + of hers bore the grim meaning that his mind instantly gave them. + </p> + <p> + Was it possible that if she did know something of what was going on in + this quiet country house, during these peaceful autumn days, she knew it + not as willing accomplice, but as a helpless, destined victim who saw no + way of escape. + </p> + <p> + As if she feared she had said too much, she turned and began to walk away. + </p> + <p> + At once he followed. + </p> + <p> + “Stop one moment,” he exclaimed. “Miss Cayley.” + </p> + <p> + She obeyed, turning quickly to face him. They were both very pale, and + both were under the influence of strong excitement. But between them there + hung a thick cloud of doubt and dread that neither could penetrate. + </p> + <p> + All at once Dunn, unable to control himself longer, burst out with that + question which for so long had hovered on his lips. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know,” he said, “do you know what you took away with you in the + car that night I came here?” + </p> + <p> + “The packing-case, you meant,” she asked. “Of course I do; I helped to get + it ready—what's the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” he muttered, though indeed he had staggered as beneath some + sudden and violent blow. “Oh—did you?” he said, with an effort. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly,” she answered. “Now I've answered your question, will you + answer me one? Why did you tell us your name was Charley Wright?” + </p> + <p> + “I knew a man of that name once,” he answered. “He's dead now.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought perhaps,” she said slowly and quite calmly, “that it was + because you had seen the name written on a photograph in my room.” + </p> + <p> + “No, it wasn't that,” he answered gravely, and his doubts that for a + moment had seemed so terribly confirmed, now came back again, for though + she had said that she knew of the contents of the packing-case, yet, if + that were really so, how was it conceivable that she should speak of such + a thing so calmly? + </p> + <p> + And yet again, if she could do it, perhaps also she could talk of it + without emotion. Once more there was fear in his eyes as he watched her, + and her own were troubled and doubtful. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you have all that hair on your face?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Well, why shouldn't I?” he retorted. “It saves trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “Does it?” she said. “Do you know what it looks like—like a + disguise?” + </p> + <p> + “A disguise?” he repeated. “Why should I want a disguise?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think I'm quite a fool because I'm a woman?” she asked + impatiently. “Do you suppose I couldn't see very well when you came that + night that you were not an ordinary burglar? You had some reason of your + own for breaking into this house. What was it?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you,” he answered, “if you'll tell me truly what was in that + packing-case?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, now I understand,” she cried excitedly. “It was to find that out you + came—and then Mr. Dawson made you help us get it away. That was + splendid.” + </p> + <p> + He did not speak, for once more a kind of horror held him dumb, as it + seemed to him that she really—knew. + </p> + <p> + She saw the mingled horror and bewilderment in his eyes, and she laughed + lightly as though that amused her. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know,” she said, “I believe I guessed as much from the first, but + I'm afraid Mr. Dawson was too clever for you—as he is for most + people. Only then,” she added, wrinkling her brows as though a new point + puzzled her, “why are you staying here like this?” + </p> + <p> + “Can't you guess that too?” he asked hoarsely. + </p> + <p> + “No,” she said, shaking her head with a frankly puzzled air. “No, I can't. + That's puzzled me all the time. Do you know—I think you ought to + shave?” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “A beard makes a good disguise,” she answered, “so good it's hardly fair + for you to have it when I can't.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you need it less,” he answered bitterly, “or perhaps no disguise + could be so effective as the one you have already.” + </p> + <p> + “What's that?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “Bright eyes, a pretty face, a clear complexion,” he answered. + </p> + <p> + He spoke with an extreme energy and bitterness that she did not in the + least understand, and that quite took away from the words any suspicion of + intentional rudeness. + </p> + <p> + “If I have all that, I suppose it's natural and not a disguise,” she + remarked. + </p> + <p> + “My beard is natural too,” he retorted. + </p> + <p> + “All the same, I wish you would cut it off,” she answered. “I should like + to see what you look like.” + </p> + <p> + She turned and walked away, and the more Dunn thought over this + conversation, the less he felt he understood it. + </p> + <p> + What had she meant by that strange start and look she had given him when + she had asked if she were to be the next? And when she asserted so + confidently that she knew what was in the packing-case, was that true, or + was she speaking under some mistaken impression, or had she wished to + deceive him? + </p> + <p> + The more he thought, the more disturbed he felt, and every hour that + passed he seemed to feel more and more strongly the influence of her + gracious beauty, the horror of his suspicions of her. + </p> + <p> + The next day Clive came again, and again Ella seemed very pleased to see + him, and again Dunn, hanging about in their vicinity, watched gloomily + their friendly intercourse. + </p> + <p> + That Clive was in love with Ella seemed fairly certain; at any rate, he + showed himself strongly attracted by her, and very eager for her company. + </p> + <p> + How she felt was more doubtful, though she made no concealment of the fact + that she liked to see him, and found pleasure in having him there. Dunn, + moving about near at hand, was aware of an odd impression that she knew he + was watching them, and that she wished him to do so for several times he + saw her glance in his direction. + </p> + <p> + He could always move with a most extraordinary lightness of foot, so that, + big and clumsy as he seemed in build, he could easily go unheard and even + unseen, and John Clive seemed to have little idea that he remained so + persistently near at hand. + </p> + <p> + This gift or power of Dunn's he had acquired in far-off lands, where life + may easily depend on the snapping of a twig or the right interpretation of + a trampled grass-blade, and he was using it now, almost unconsciously, so + as to make his presence near Ella and Clive as unobtrusive as possible, + when his keen eye caught sight of a bush, of which leaves and branches + were moving against the wind. + </p> + <p> + For that he knew there could be but one explanation, and when he walked + round, so as to get behind this bush, he was not surprised to see Deede + Dawson crouching there, his eyes very intent and eager, his unsmiling lips + drawn back to show his white teeth in a threatening grin or snarl. + </p> + <p> + Near by him was his little chess-board and men, and as Dunn came up behind + he looked round quickly and saw him. + </p> + <p> + For a moment his eyes were deadly and his hand dropped to his hip-pocket, + where Dunn had reason to believe he carried a formidable little automatic + pistol. + </p> + <p> + But almost at once his expression changed, and with a gesture he invited + Dunn to crouch down at his side. For a little they remained like this, and + then Deede Dawson moved cautiously away, signing to Dunn to follow him. + </p> + <p> + When they were at a safe distance he turned to Dunn and said + </p> + <p> + “Is he serious, do you think, or is he playing with her? I'll make him pay + for it if he is.” + </p> + <p> + “How should I know?” answered Dunn, quite certain it was no such anxiety + as this that had set Deede Dawson watching them so carefully. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson seemed to feel that the explanation he had offered was a + little crude, and he made no attempt to enlarge on it. + </p> + <p> + With a complete change of manner, with his old smile on his lips and his + eyes as dark and unsmiling as ever, he said, + </p> + <p> + “Pretty girl, Ella—isn't she?” + </p> + <p> + “She is more than pretty, she is beautiful,” Dunn answered with an + emphasis that made Deede Dawson look at him sharply. + </p> + <p> + “Think so?” he said, and gave his peculiar laugh that had so little mirth + in it. “Well, you're right, she is. He'll be a lucky man that gets her—and + she's to be had, you know. But I'll tell you one thing, it won't be John + Clive.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought it rather looked,” observed Dunn, “as if Miss Cayley might mean—” + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson interrupted with a quick jerk of his head. + </p> + <p> + “Never mind what she means, it'll be what I mean,” he declared. “I am + boss; and what's more, she knows it. I believe in a man being master in + his own family. Don't you?” + </p> + <p> + “If he can be,” retorted Dunn. “But still, a girl naturally—” + </p> + <p> + “Naturally nothing,” Deede Dawson interrupted again. “I tell you what I + want for her, a man I can trust—trust—that's the great thing. + Some one I can trust.” + </p> + <p> + He nodded at Dunn as he said this and then walked off, and Dunn felt very + puzzled as he, too, turned away. + </p> + <p> + “Was he offering her to me?” he asked himself. “It almost sounded like it. + If so, it must mean there's something he wants from me pretty bad. She's + beautiful enough to turn any man's head—but did she know about poor + Charlie's murder?—help in it, perhaps?—as she said she did + with the packing-case.” + </p> + <p> + He paused, and all his body was shaken by strong and fierce emotion. + </p> + <p> + “God help me,” he groaned. “I believe I would marry her tomorrow if I + could, innocent or guilty.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. INVISIBLE WRITING + </h2> + <p> + It was the next day that there arrived by the morning post a letter for + Dunn. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson raised his eyebrows slightly when he saw it; and he did not + hand it on until he had made himself master of its contents, though that + did not prove to be very enlightening or interesting. The note, in fact, + merely expressed gratification at the news that Dunn had secured steady + work, a somewhat weak hope that he would keep it, and a still fainter hope + that now perhaps he would be able to return the ten shillings borrowed, + apparently from the writer, at some time in the past. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Deede Dawson, in spite of the jejune nature of the communication, read + it very carefully and indeed even went so far as to examine the letter + through a powerful magnifying-glass. + </p> + <p> + But he made no discovery by the aid of that instrument, and he neglected, + for no man thinks of everything, to expose the letter to a gentle heat, + which was what Dunn did when, presently, he received it, apparently + unopened and with not the least sign to show that it had been tampered + with in any way whatever. + </p> + <p> + Gradually, however, as Dunn held it to the fire, there appeared between + the lines fresh writing, which he read very eagerly, and which ran: + </p> + <p> + “Jane Dunsmore, born 1830, married, against family wishes, John Clive and + had one son, John, killed early this year in a motor-car accident, leaving + one son, John, now of Ramsdon Place and third in line of succession to the + Wreste Abbey property.” + </p> + <p> + When he had read the message thus strangely and with such precaution + conveyed to him, Dunn burnt the letter and went that day about his work in + a very grave and thoughtful mood. + </p> + <p> + “I knew it couldn't be a mere coincidence,” he mused. “It wasn't possible. + I must manage to warn him, somehow; but, ten to one, he won't believe a + word, and I don't know that I blame him—I shouldn't in his place. + And he might go straight to Deede Dawson and ruin everything. I don't know + that it wouldn't be wiser and safer to say nothing for the present, till + I'm more sure of my ground—and then it may be too late.” + </p> + <p> + “Just possibly,” he thought, “the job Deede Dawson clearly thinks he can + make me useful in may have something to do with Clive. If so, I may be + able to see my way more clearly.” + </p> + <p> + As it happened, Clive was away for a few days on some business he had to + attend to, so that for the present Dunn thought he could afford to wait. + </p> + <p> + But during the week-end Clive returned, and on the Monday he came again to + Bittermeads. + </p> + <p> + It was never very agreeable to Dunn to have to stand aloof while Clive was + laughing and chatting and drinking his tea with Ella and her mother, and + of those feelings of annoyance and vexation he made this time a somewhat + ostentatious show. + </p> + <p> + That his manner of sulky anger and resentment did not go unnoticed by + Deede Dawson he was very sure, but nothing was said at the time. + </p> + <p> + Next morning Deede Dawson called him while he was busy in the garage and + insisted on his trying to solve another chess problem. + </p> + <p> + “I haven't managed the other yet,” Dunn protested. “It's not too easy to + hit on these key-moves.” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind try this one,” Deede Dawson said; and Ella, going out for a + morning stroll with her mother, saw them thus, poring together over the + travelling chess-board. + </p> + <p> + “They seem busy, don't they?” she remarked. “Father is making quite a + friend of that man.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like him,” declared Mrs. Dawson, quite vigorously for her. “I'm + sure a man with such a lot of hair on his face can't be really nice, and I + thought he was inclined to be rude yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” agreed Ella. “Yes, he was. I think Mr. Clive was a little vexed, + though he took no notice, I suppose he couldn't very well.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like the man at all,” Mrs. Dawson repeated. “All that hair, too. + Do you like him?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” Ella answered, and after she and her mother had returned + from their walk she took occasion to find Dunn in the garden and ask him + some trifling question or another. + </p> + <p> + “You are interested in chess?” she remarked, when he had answered her. + </p> + <p> + “All problems are interesting till one finds the answer to them,” he + replied. + </p> + <p> + “There's one I know of,” she retorted. “I wish you would solve for me.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me what it is,” he said quickly. “Will you?” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head slightly, but she was watching him very intently from + her clear, candid eyes, and now, as always, her nearness to him, the + infinite appeal he found in her every look and movement, the very + fragrance of her hair, bore him away beyond all purpose and intention. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me what it is,” he said again. “Won't you? Miss Cayley, if you and I + were to trust each other—it's not difficult to see there's something + troubling you.” + </p> + <p> + “Most people have some trouble or another,” she answered evasively. + </p> + <p> + He came a little nearer to her, and instead of the gruff, harsh tones he + habitually used, his voice was singularly pleasant and low as he said: + </p> + <p> + “People who are in trouble need help, Miss Cayley. Will you let me help + you?” + </p> + <p> + “You can't,” she answered, shaking her head. “No one could.” + </p> + <p> + “How can you tell that?” he asked eagerly. “Perhaps I know more already + than you think.” + </p> + <p> + “I daresay you do,” she said slowly. “I have thought that a long time. + Will you tell me one thing?—Are you his friend or not?” + </p> + <p> + There was no need for Dunn to ask to whom the pronoun she used referred. + </p> + <p> + “I am so much not his friend,” he answered as quietly and deliberately as + she had spoken. “That it's either his life or mine.” + </p> + <p> + At that she drew back in a startled way as though his words had gone + beyond her expectations. + </p> + <p> + “How do I know I can trust you?” she said presently, half to herself, half + to him. + </p> + <p> + “You can,” he said, and it was as though he flung the whole of his + enigmatic and vivid personality into those two words. + </p> + <p> + “You can,” he said again. “Absolutely.” + </p> + <p> + “I must think,” she muttered, pressing her hands to her head. “So much + depends—how can I trust you? Why should I—why?” + </p> + <p> + “Because I'll trust you first,” he answered with a touch of exultation in + his manner. “Listen to me and I'll tell you everything. And that means I + put my life in your hands. Well, that's nothing; I would do that any time; + but other people's lives will be in your power, too—yes, and + everything I'm here for, everything. Now listen.” + </p> + <p> + “Not now,” she interrupted sharply. “He may be watching, listening—he + generally is.” Again there was no need between them to specify to whom the + pronoun referred. “Will you meet me tonight near the sweet-pea border—about + nine?” + </p> + <p> + She glided away as she spoke without waiting for him to answer, and as + soon as he was free from the magic of her presence, reaction came and he + was torn by a thousand doubts and fears and worse. + </p> + <p> + “Why, I'm mad, mad,” he groaned. “I've no right to tell what I said I + would, no right at all.” + </p> + <p> + And again there returned to him his vivid, dreadful memory of how she had + started on that midnight drive with her car so awfully laden. + </p> + <p> + And again there returned to him his old appalling doubt: + </p> + <p> + “Did she not know?” + </p> + <p> + And though he would willingly have left his life in her hands, he knew he + had no right to put that of others there, and yet it seemed to him he must + keep the appointment and the promise he had made. + </p> + <p> + About nine that evening, then, he made his way to the sweet-pea border, + though, as he went, he resolved that he would not tell her what he had + said he would. + </p> + <p> + Because he trusted his own strength so little when he was with her, he + confirmed this resolution by an oath he swore to himself: and even that he + was not certain would be a sure protection against the witchery she + wielded. + </p> + <p> + So it was with a mind doubtful and troubled more than it had ever been + since the beginning of these things that he came to the border where the + sweet-peas grew, and saw a dark shadow already close by them. + </p> + <p> + But when he came a little nearer he saw that it was not Ella who was there + but Deede Dawson and his first thought was that she had betrayed him. + </p> + <p> + “That you, Dunn?” Deede Dawson hailed him in his usual pleasant, friendly + manner. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Dunn answered warily, keeping himself ready for any eventuality. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson took a cigar from his pocket and lighted it and offered one + to Dunn, who refused it abruptly. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson laughed at that in his peculiar, mirthless way. + </p> + <p> + “Am I being the third that's proverbially no company?” he asked. “Were you + expecting to find some one else here? I thought I saw a white frock vanish + just as I came up.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn made no answer, and Deede Dawson continued after a pause + </p> + <p> + “That's why I waited. You are being just a little bit rapid in this + affair, aren't you?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know why. You said something, didn't you?” muttered Dunn, + beginning to think that, after all, Deede Dawson's presence here was due + to accident—or rather to his unceasing and unfailing watchfulness, + and not to any treachery of Ella's. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I did, didn't I?” he agreed pleasantly. “But you are a working + gardener taken on out of charity to give you a chance and keep you out of + gaol, and you are looking a little high when you think of your master's + ward and daughter, aren't you?” + </p> + <p> + “There was a time when I shouldn't have thought so,” answered Dunn. + </p> + <p> + “We're talking of the present, my good man,” Deede Dawson said + impatiently. “If you want the girl you must win her. It can be done, but + it won't be easy.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me how,” said Dunn. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's going too fast and too far,” answered the other with his + mirthless laugh. “Now, there's Mr. John Clive—what about him?” + </p> + <p> + “I'll answer for him,” replied Dunn slowly and thickly. “I've put better + men than John Clive out of my way before today.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the way to talk,” cried Deede Dawson. “Dunn, dare you play a big + game for big stakes?” + </p> + <p> + “Try me,” said Dunn. + </p> + <p> + “If I showed you,” Deede Dawson's voice sank to a whisper, “if I showed + you a pretty girl for a wife—a fortune to win—what would you + say?” + </p> + <p> + “Try me,” said Dunn again, and then, making his voice as low and hoarse as + was Dunn's, he asked: + </p> + <p> + “Is it Clive?” + </p> + <p> + “Later—perhaps,” answered Deede Dawson. “There's some one else—first. + Are you ready?” + </p> + <p> + “Try me,” said Dunn for the third time, and as he spoke his quick ear + caught the faint sound of a retreating footstep, and he told himself that + Ella must have lingered near and had perhaps heard all they said. + </p> + <p> + “Try me,” he said once more, speaking more loudly and clearly this time. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. LOVE-MAKING AT NIGHT + </h2> + <p> + Dunn went to his room that night with the feeling that a crisis was + approaching. And he wished very greatly that he knew how much Ella had + overheard of his talk with her stepfather, and what interpretation she had + put upon it. + </p> + <p> + He determined that in the morning he would take the very first opportunity + he could find of speaking to her. + </p> + <p> + But in the morning it appeared that Mrs. Dawson had had a bad night, and + was very unwell, and Ella hardly stirred from her side all day. + </p> + <p> + Even when Clive called in the afternoon she would not come down, but sent + instead a message begging to be excused because of her mother's + indisposition, and Dunn, from a secure spot in the garden, watched the + young man retire, looking very disconsolate. + </p> + <p> + This day, too, Dunn saw nothing of Deede Dawson, for that gentleman + immediately after breakfast disappeared without saying anything to + anybody, and by night had still not returned. + </p> + <p> + Dunn therefore was left entirely to himself, and to him the day seemed one + of the longest he had ever spent. + </p> + <p> + That Ella remained so persistently with her mother troubled him a good + deal, for he did not think such close seclusion on her part could be + really necessary. + </p> + <p> + He was inclined to fear that Ella had overheard enough of what had passed + between him and Deede Dawson to rouse her mistrust, and that she was + therefore deliberately keeping out of his way. + </p> + <p> + Then too, he was troubled in another fashion by Deede Dawson's absence, + for he was afraid it might mean that plans were being prepared, or + possibly action being taken, that might mature disastrously before he + himself was ready to act. + </p> + <p> + All day this feeling of unrest and apprehension continued, and at night + when he went upstairs to bed it was stronger than ever. He felt convinced + now that Ella was deliberately avoiding him. But then, if she distrusted + him, that must be because she feared he was on her stepfather's side, and + if it seemed to her that who was on his side was of necessity an object of + suspicion to herself, then there could be no such bond of dread and guilt + between them as any guilty knowledge on her part of Wright's death would + involve. + </p> + <p> + The substantial proof this exercise in logic appeared to afford of Ella's + innocence brought him much comfort, but did not lighten his sense of + apprehension and unrest, for he thought that in this situation in which he + found himself his doubts of Ella had merely been turned into doubts on + Ella's part of himself, and that the one was just as likely as the other + to end disastrously. + </p> + <p> + “Though I don't know what I can do,” he muttered as he stood in his attic, + “if I gain Deede Dawson's confidence I lose Ella's, and if I win Ella's, + Deede Dawson will at once suspect me.” + </p> + <p> + He went over to the window and looked out, supporting himself on his + elbows, and gazing moodily into the darkness. + </p> + <p> + As he stood there a faint sound came softly to his ear through the + stillness of the quiet night in which nothing stirred. + </p> + <p> + He listened, and heard it again. Beyond doubt some one was stirring in the + garden below, moving about there very cautiously and carefully, and at + once Dunn glided from the room and down the stairs with all that + extraordinary lightness of tread and agility of movement of which his + heavy body and clumsy-looking build gave so small promise. + </p> + <p> + He had not been living so many days in the house without having taken + certain precautions, of which one had been to secure for himself a swift + and silent egress whenever necessity might arise. + </p> + <p> + Keys to both the front and back doors were in his possession, and the + passage window on the ground floor he could at need lift bodily from its + frame, leaving ample room for passage either in or out. This was the + method of departure he chose now since he did not know but that the doors + might be watched. + </p> + <p> + Lifting the window down, he swung himself outside, replacing behind him + the window so that it appeared to be as firmly in position as ever, but + could be removed again almost instantly should need arise. + </p> + <p> + Once outside he listened again, and though at first everything was quiet, + presently he heard again a cautious step going to and fro at a little + distance. + </p> + <p> + Crouching in the shadow of the house, he listened intently, and soon was + able to assure himself that there was but one footstep and that he would + have only one individual to deal with. + </p> + <p> + “It won't be Deede Dawson's,” he thought to himself, “but it may very + likely be some one waiting for him to return. I must find out who—and + why.” + </p> + <p> + Slipping through the darkness of the night, with whose shadows he seemed + to melt and mingle, as though he were but another one of them, he moved + quickly in the direction of these cautious footsteps he had listened to. + </p> + <p> + They had ceased now, and the silence was profound, for those faint + multitudinous noises of the night that murmur without ceasing in the woods + and fields are less noticeable near the habitations of men. + </p> + <p> + A little puzzled, Dunn paused to listen again and once more crept forward + a careful yard or two, and then lay still, feeling it would not be safe to + venture further till he was more sure of his direction, and till some + fresh sound to guide him reached his ears. + </p> + <p> + He had not long to wait, for very soon, from quite close by, he heard + something that surprised and perplexed him equally—a deep, + long-drawn sigh. + </p> + <p> + Again he heard it, and in utter wonder asked himself who this could be who + came into another person's garden late at night to stand and sigh, and + what such a proceeding could mean. + </p> + <p> + Once more he heard the sigh, deeper even than before, and then after it a + low murmur in which at first he could distinguish nothing, but then caught + the name of Ella being whispered over and over again. + </p> + <p> + He bent forward, more and more puzzled, trying in vain to make out + something in the darkness, and then from under a tree, whose shadow had + hitherto been a complete concealment, there moved forward a form so tall + and bulky there could be little doubt whom it belonged to. + </p> + <p> + “John Clive—what on earth—!” Dunn muttered, his bewilderment + increasing, and the next moment he understood and had some difficulty in + preventing himself from bursting out laughing as there reached him the + unmistakable sound of a kiss lightly blown through the air. + </p> + <p> + Clive was sending a kiss through the night towards Ella's room and his + nocturnal visit was nothing more than the whim of a love-sick youth. + </p> + <p> + With Dunn, his first amusement gave way almost at once to an extreme + annoyance. + </p> + <p> + For, in the first place, these proceedings seemed to him exceedingly + impertinent, for what possible right did Clive imagine he had to come + playing the fool like this, sighing in the dark and blowing kisses like a + baby to its mammy? + </p> + <p> + And secondly, unless he were greatly mistaken, John Clive might just as + sensibly and safely have dropped overboard from a ship in mid-Atlantic for + a swim as come to indulge his sentimentalities in the Bittermeads garden + at night. + </p> + <p> + “You silly ass!” he said in a voice that was very low, but very distinct + and very full of an extreme disgust and anger. + </p> + <p> + Clive fairly leaped in the air with his surprise, and turned and made a + sudden dash at the spot whence Dunn's voice had come, but where Dunn no + longer was. + </p> + <p> + “What the blazes—?” he began, spluttering in ineffectual rage. “You—you—!” + </p> + <p> + “You silly ass!” Dunn repeated, no less emphatically than before. + </p> + <p> + Clive made another rush that a somewhat prickly bush very effectually + stopped. + </p> + <p> + “You—who are you—where—what—how dare you?” he + gasped as he picked himself up and tried to disentangle himself from the + prickles. + </p> + <p> + “Don't make such a row,” said Dunn from a new direction. “Do you want to + raise the whole neighbourhood? Haven't you played the fool enough? If you + want to commit suicide, why can't you cut your throat quietly and decently + at home, instead of coming alone to the garden at Bittermeads at night?” + </p> + <p> + There was a note of sombre and intense conviction in his voice that + penetrated even the excited mind of the raging Clive. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” he asked, and then: + </p> +<p> + “Who are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind who I am,” answered Dunn. “And I mean just what I say. You + might as well commit suicide out of hand as come fooling about here alone + at night.” + </p> + <p> + “You're crazy, you're talking rubbish!” Clive exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “I'm neither crazy nor talking rubbish,” answered Dunn. “But if you + persist in making such a row I shall take myself off and leave you to see + the thing through by yourself and get yourself knocked on the head any way + you like best.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I'm beginning to understand,” said Clive. “I suppose you're one of my + poaching friends—are you? Look here, if you know who it was who + attacked me the other night you can earn fifty pounds any time you like.” + </p> + <p> + “Your poaching friends, as you call them,” answered Dunn, “are most likely + only anxious to keep out of your way. This has nothing to do with them.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, come nearer and let me see you,” Clive said. “You needn't be + afraid. You can't expect me to take any notice of some one I can't see, + talking rubbish in the dark.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't much care whether you take any notice or not,” answered Dunn. + “You can go your own silly way if you like, it's nothing to me. I've + warned you, and if you care to listen I'll make my warning a little + clearer. And one thing I will tell you—one man already has left this + house hidden in a packing-case with a bullet through his brain, and I will + ask you a question: 'How did your father die?'” + </p> + <p> + “He was killed in a motor-car accident,” answered Clive hesitatingly, as + though not certain whether to continue this strange and puzzling + conversation or break it off. + </p> + <p> + “There are many accidents,” said Dunn. “And that may have been one, for + all I know, or it may not. Well, I've warned you. I had to do that. You'll + probably go on acting like a fool and believing that nowadays murders + don't happen, but if you're wise, you'll go home to bed and run no more + silly risks.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I'm not going to pay the least attention,” began Clive, when + Dunn interrupted him sharply. + </p> + <p> + “Hush! hush!” he said sharply. “Crouch down: don't make a sound, don't + stir or move. Hush!” + </p> + <p> + For Dunn's sharp ear had caught the sound of approaching footsteps that + were drawing quickly nearer, and almost instantly he guessed who it would + be, for there were few pedestrians who came along that lonely road so late + at night. + </p> + <p> + There were two of them apparently, and at the gate of Bittermeads they + halted. + </p> + <p> + “Well, good night,” said then a voice both Dunn and Clive knew at once for + Deede Dawson's. “That was a pretty check by the knight I showed you, + wasn't it?” + </p> + <p> + A thin, high, somewhat peculiar voice cursed Deede Dawson, chess, and the + pretty mate by the knight very comprehensively. + </p> + <p> + “It's young Clive that worries me,” said the voice when it had finished + these expressions of disapproval. + </p> + <p> + “No need,” answered Deede Dawson's voice with that strange mirthless laugh + of his. “No need at all; before the week's out he'll trouble no one any + more.” + </p> + <p> + When he heard this, Clive would have betrayed himself by some startled + movement or angry exclamation had not Dunn's heavy hand upon his shoulder + held him down with a grave and steady pressure there was no disregarding. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson and his unknown companion went on towards the house, and + admitted themselves, and as the door closed behind them Clive swung round + sharply in the darkness towards Dunn. + </p> + <p> + “What's it mean?” he muttered in the bewildered and slightly-pathetic + voice of a child at once frightened and puzzled. “What for? Why should any + one—?” + </p> + <p> + “It's a long story,” began Dunn, and paused. + </p> + <p> + He saw that the unexpected confirmation of his warning Clive had thus + received from Deede Dawson's own lips had rendered his task of convincing + Clive immensely more easy. + </p> + <p> + What he had wished to say had now at least a certainty of being listened + to, a probability of being believed, and there was at any rate, he + supposed, no longer the danger he had before dreaded of Clive's going + straight with the whole story to Deede Dawson in arrogant disbelief of a + word of it. + </p> + <p> + But he still distrusted Clive's discretion, and feared some rash and hasty + action that might ruin all his plans, and allow Deede Dawson time to + escape. + </p> + <p> + Besides he felt that the immediate task before him was to find out who + Deede Dawson's new companion was, and, if possible, overhear anything they + might have to say to each other. + </p> + <p> + That, and the discovery of the new-comer's identity, might prove to be of + the utmost importance. + </p> + <p> + “I can't explain now,” he said hurriedly. “I'll see you tomorrow sometime. + Don't do anything till you hear from me. Your life may depend on it—and + other people's lives that matter more.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me who you are first,” Clive said quickly, incautiously raising his + voice. “I can manage to take care of myself all right, I think, but I want + to know who you are.” + </p> + <p> + “H-ssh!” muttered Dunn. “Not so loud.” + </p> + <p> + “There was a fellow made an attack on me one night a little while ago,” + Clive went on unheedingly. “You remind me of him somehow. I don't think I + trust you, my man. I think you had better come along to the police with + me.” + </p> + <p> + But Dunn's sharp ears had caught the sound of the house door opening + cautiously, and he guessed that Deede Dawson had taken the alarm and was + creeping out to see who invaded so late at night the privacy of his + garden. + </p> + <p> + “Clear out quick! Quiet! If you want to go on living. I'll stop them from + following if I can. If you make the least noise you're done for.” + </p> + <p> + Most likely the man they had seen in his company would be with him, and + both of them would be armed. Neither Clive nor Dunn had a weapon, and Dunn + saw the danger of the position and took the only course available. + </p> + <p> + “Go,” he whispered fiercely into Clive's ear. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. THE SOUND OF A SHOT + </h2> + <p> + He melted away into the darkness as he spoke, and through the night he + slipped, one shadow more amongst many, from tree to bush, from bush to + tree. Across a patch of open grass he crawled on his hands and knees; and + once lay flat on his face when against the skyline he saw a figure he was + sure was Deede Dawson's creep by a yard or two on his right hand. + </p> + <p> + On his left another shadow showed, distinguishable in the night only + because it moved. + </p> + <p> + In a moment both shadows were gone, secret and deadly in the dark, and + Dunn was very sure that Clive's life and his own both hung upon a slender + chance, for if either of them was discovered the leaping bullet would do + the rest. + </p> + <p> + It would be safe and easy—suspected burglars in a garden at midnight—nothing + could be said. He lay very still with his face to the dewy sod, and all + the night seemed full to him of searching footsteps and of a swift and + murderous going to and fro. + </p> + <p> + He heard distinctly from the road a sudden, muffled sound as Clive in the + darkness blunderingly missed his footing and fell upon one knee. + </p> + <p> + “That's finished him,” Dunn thought grimly, his ears straining for the + sharp pistol report that would tell Clive's tale was done, and then he was + aware of a cat, a favourite of Ella's and often petted by himself, that + was crouching near by under a tree, most likely much puzzled and alarmed + by this sudden irruption of hurrying men into its domain. Instantly Dunn + saw his chance, and seizing the animal, lifted it and threw it in the + direction where he guessed Deede Dawson to be. + </p> + <p> + His guess was good and fortune served him well, for the tabby flying + caterwauling through the air alighted almost exactly in front of Deede + Dawson on top of a small bush. For a moment it hung there, quite unhurt, + but very frightened, and emitted a yell, then fled. + </p> + <p> + In the quietness the tumult of its scrambling flight sounded astonishingly + loud, so that it sounded as through a miniature avalanche had been let + loose in the garden. + </p> + <p> + “Only cats,” Deede Dawson exclaimed disgustedly, and from behind, nearer + the house, Dunn called: + </p> + <p> + “Who's there? What is it? What's the matter? Is it Mr. Dawson? Is anything + wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “I think there is,” said Deede Dawson softly. “I think, perhaps, there is. + What are you doing out here at this time of night, Charley Wright?” + </p> + <p> + “I heard a noise and came down to see what it was,” answered Dunn. “There + was a light in the breakfast-room, but I didn't see any one, and the front + door was open so I came out here. Is anything wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “That's what I want to know,” said Deede Dawson. “Come back to the house + with me. If any one is about, he can just take himself off.” + </p> + <p> + He spoke the last sentence loudly, and Dunn took it as a veiled + instruction to his companion to depart. + </p> + <p> + He realized that if he had saved Clive he had done so at the cost of + missing the best opportunity that had yet come his way of obtaining very + important, and, perhaps, decisive information. + </p> + <p> + To have discovered the identity of this stranger who had come visiting + Deede Dawson might have meant much, and he told himself angrily that + Clive's safety had certainly not been worth purchasing at the cost of such + a lost chance, though he supposed that was a point on which Clive himself + might possibly entertain a different opinion. + </p> + <p> + But now there was nothing for it but to go quietly back to the house, for + clearly Deede Dawson's suspicions were aroused and he had his revolver + ready in his hand. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose it was only cats all the time,” he observed, with apparent + unconcern. “But at first I made sure there were no burglars in the house.” + </p> + <p> + “And I suppose,” suggested Deede Dawson. “You think one burglar's enough + in a household.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't mean to have any one else mucking around,” growled Dunn in + answer. + </p> + <p> + “Very admirable sentiments,” said Deede Dawson and asked several more + questions that showed he still entertained some suspicion of Dunn, and was + not altogether satisfied that his appearance in the garden was quite + innocent, or that the noise heard there was due solely to cats. + </p> + <p> + Dunn answered as best he could, and Deede Dawson listened and smiled, and + smiled again, and watched him from eyes that did not smile at all. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well,” Deede Dawson said at last, with a yawn. “Anyhow, it's all + right now. You had better get along back to bed, and I'll lock up.” He + accompanied Dunn into the hall and watched him ascend the stairs, and as + Dunn went slowly up them he felt by no means sure that soon a bullet would + not come questing after him, searching for heart or brain. + </p> + <p> + For he was sure that Deede Dawson still suspected him, and he knew Deede + Dawson to be very sudden and swift in action. But nothing happened, he + reached the broad, first landing in safety, and he was about to go on up + to his attic when he beard a door at the end of the passage open and saw + Ella appear in her dressing-gown. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” she asked, in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “It's all right,” he answered. “There was a noise in the garden, and I + came down to see what it was, but it's only cats.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, is that all?” she said distrustfully. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he answered, in a lower voice still, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Will you tell me something? Do you know any one who talks in a very + peculiar shrill high voice?” + </p> + <p> + She did not answer, and, after a moment's hesitation, went back into her + room and closed the door behind her. + </p> + <p> + He went on up to his attic with the feeling that she could have answered + if she had wished to, and lay down in a troubled and dispirited mood. + </p> + <p> + For he was sure now that Ella mistrusted him and would give him no + assistance, and that weighed upon him greatly, as did also his conviction + that what it behoved him above all else to know—the identity of the + man who, in this affair, stood behind Deede Dawson and made use of his + fierce and fatal energies—he had had it in his power to discover and + had failed to make use of the opportunity. + </p> + <p> + “I would rather know that,” he said to himself, “than save a dozen Clives + ten times over.” Though again it occurred to him that on this point Clive + might hold another opinion. “If he hadn't made such a blundering row I + might have got to know who Deede Dawson's visitor was. I must try to get a + word with Clive tomorrow by hook or crook, though I daresay Deede Dawson + will be very much on the lookout.” + </p> + <p> + However, next morning Deede Dawson not only made no reference to the + events of the night, but had out the car and went off immediately after + breakfast without saying when he would be back. + </p> + <p> + As soon after his departure as possible, Dunn also set out and took his + way through the woods towards Ramsdon Place on the look-out for an + opportunity to speak to Clive unobserved. + </p> + <p> + He thought it most likely that Clive would be drawn towards the vicinity + of Bittermeads by the double fascination of curiosity and fear, and he + supposed that if he waited and watched in the woods he would be sure + presently to see him. + </p> + <p> + But though he remained for long hidden at a spot whence he could command + the road to Bittermeads from Ramsdon Place, he saw nothing at all of + Clive, and the sunny lazy morning was well advanced when he was startled + by the sound of a gun shot some distance away. + </p> + <p> + “A keeper shooting rabbits, I suppose,” he thought, looking round just in + time to see Ella running through the wood from the direction whence the + sound of the shot had seemed to come, and then vanish again with a quick + look behind her into the heart of a close-growing spinney. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. IN THE WOOD + </h2> + <p> + There had been an air of haste, almost of furtiveness, about this swift + appearance and more swift vanishing of Ella, that made Dunn ask himself + uneasily what errand she could have been on. + </p> + <p> + He hesitated for a moment, half expecting to see her return again, or that + there would be some other development, but he heard and saw nothing. + </p> + <p> + He caught no further glimpse of Ella, whom the green depths of the spinney + hid well; and he heard no more shots. + </p> + <p> + After a little, he left the spot where he had been waiting and went across + to where he had seen her. + </p> + <p> + The exact spot where she had entered the spinney was marked, for she had + broken the branch of a young tree in brushing quickly by it, and a bramble + she had trodden on had not yet lifted itself from the earth to which she + had pressed it. + </p> + <p> + By other signs like these, plain enough and easy to read—for she had + hurried on in great haste and without care, almost, indeed, as one who + fled from some great danger or from some dreadful sight, and who had no + thought to spare save for flight alone—he followed the way she had + gone till it took him to a beaten public path that almost at once led over + a stile to the high road which passed in front of Bittermeads. Along this + beaten path, trodden by many, Ella's light foot had left no perceptible + mark, and Dunn made no attempt to track her further, since it seemed + certain that she had been simply hurrying back home. + </p> + <p> + “She was badly frightened over something or another,” he said to himself. + “She never stopped once, she went as straight and quick as she could. I + wonder what upset her like that?” + </p> + <p> + He went back the way he had come, and at the spot where he had seen her + enter the spinney he set to work to pick up her trail in the direction + whence she had appeared, for he thought that if he followed it he might + find out what had been the cause of her evident alarm. + </p> + <p> + The ground was much more open here, and the trail correspondingly more + difficult to follow, for often there was little but a trodden blade of + grass to show where she had passed; and sometimes, where the ground was + bare and hard, there was no visible sign left at all. + </p> + <p> + Once or twice at such places he was totally at fault, but by casting round + in a wide circle like a dog scenting his prey he was able to pick up her + tracks again. + </p> + <p> + They seemed to lead right into the depths of the wood, through lonely + spots that only the keepers knew, and where others seldom came. + </p> + <p> + But that he was on the right trail he presently had proof, for on the bank + of a lovely and hidden dell he picked up a tiny embroidered handkerchief + with the initials “E. C.” worked in one corner. + </p> + <p> + It had evidently been lying there only a very short time, for it was + perfectly clean and fresh, and he picked it up and held it for a moment in + his hands, smiling to himself with pleasure at its daintiness and + smallness, and yet still uneasily wondering why she had come here, and why + she had fled away again so quickly. + </p> + <p> + The morning was very fine and calm, though in the west heavy clouds were + gathering and seemed to promise rain soon. But overhead the sun shone + brightly, the air was calm and warm, and the little dell on whose verge he + stood a very pretty and pleasant place. + </p> + <p> + A small stream wandered through it, the grass that carpeted it was green + and soft, near by a great oak stood alone and spread its majestic branches + far out on every side to give cool shelter from the summer heat. + </p> + <p> + The thought occurred to Dunn that this was just such a pretty and secluded + spot as two lovers might choose to exchange their vows in, and the thought + stung him intolerably as he wondered whether it was for such a reason that + Ella had come here. + </p> + <p> + But if so, why had she fled away again in such strange haste? + </p> + <p> + He walked on slowly for a yard or two, not now attempting to follow Ella's + trail, for he had the impression that this was her destination, and that + she had gone no further than here. + </p> + <p> + All at once he caught sight of the form of a man lying hidden in the long + grass that nearly covered him from view just where the far-spreading + branches of the great oak ceased to give their shade. + </p> + <p> + At first Dunn thought he was sleeping, and he was just about to call out + to him when something in the rigidity of the man's position and his utter + stillness struck him unpleasantly. + </p> + <p> + He went quickly to the man's side, and the face of dead John Clive, supine + and still, stared up at him from unseeing eyes. + </p> + <p> + He had been killed by a charge of small shot fired at such close quarters + that his breast was shot nearly in two and his clothing and flesh charred + by the burning powder. + </p> + <p> + But Dunn, standing staring down at the dead man, saw not him, but Ella. + Ella fleeing away silently and furtively through the trees as from some + sight or scene of guilt and terror. + </p> + <p> + He stooped closer over the dead man. Death had been instantaneous. Of + course there could be no doubt. From one hand a piece of folded paper had + fallen. + </p> + <p> + Dunn picked it up, and saw that there was writing on it, and he read it + over slowly. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Dear Mr. Clive,—Can you meet me as before by the oak + tomorrow at eleven? There is something I very much want to + say to you.—Yours sincerely, + “ELLA CAYLEY.” + </pre> + <p> + Was that, then, the lure which had brought John Clive to meet his death? + Was this the bait that had made him disregard the warnings he had + received, and come alone to so quiet and solitary a spot? + </p> + <p> + Dunn had a moment of quick envy of him; he lay so quiet and still in the + warm sunshine, with nothing to trouble or distress him any more for ever. + </p> + <p> + Then, stumblingly and heavily, Dunn turned an went away, and his eyes were + very hard, his bearded face set like iron. + </p> + <p> + Like a man in a dream, or one obsessed by some purpose before which all + other things faded into nothingness, he went his way, the way Ella had + taken in her flight—through the wood, through the spinney to the + public foot-path, and then out on the road that led to Bittermeads. + </p> + <p> + When he entered the garden there, he saw Ella sitting quietly on a + deck-chair close to her mother, quietly busy with some fancy work. + </p> + <p> + He could not believe it; he stood watching in bewilderment, appalled and + wondering, watching her white hands flashing busily to and fro, hearing + the soft murmur of her voice as now and then she addressed some remark to + her mother, who nodded drowsily in the sunshine over a book open on her + knees. + </p> + <p> + Ella was dressed all in white; she had flung aside her hat, and the quiet + breeze played in her fair hair, and stirred gently a stray curl that had + escaped across her broad low brow. + </p> + <p> + The picture was one of gentleness and peace and an innocence that thought + no wrong, and yet with his own eyes he had seen her not an hour ago + fleeing with hurried steps and fearful looks from the spot where lay a + murdered man. + </p> + <p> + Somewhat unsteadily, for he felt so little master of himself, it was as + though he had no longer even control of his own limbs, Dunn stumbled + forward, and Ella looked up and saw him, and saw also that he was looking + at her very strangely. + </p> + <p> + She rose and came towards him, her needlework still in her hands. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” she said in a voice of some concern. “Are you ill?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” he answered. “No. I've been looking for Mr. Clive.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you?” she said, a little surprised apparently, but in no way + flustered or disturbed. “Did you find him?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn did not answer, for indeed he could not, and she said again: + </p> + <p> + “Did you find him?” + </p> + <p> + Still he made no answer, for it seemed to him those four words were the + most awful that any one had ever uttered since the beginning of the world. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” she said again. “Is anything the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, no, no,” he said, and he gave himself a little shake like a man + wakening from deep sleep and trying to remember where he was. + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “I found Mr. Clive,” he said hardly and abruptly. And he repeated again: + “Yes, I found him.” + </p> + <p> + They remained standing close together and facing each other, and he saw + her as through a veil of red, and it was as though a red mist enveloped + her, and where her shadow lay the earth was red, he thought, and where she + put her foot it seemed to him red tracks remained, and never before had he + understood how utterly he loved her and must love her, now and for + evermore. + </p> + <p> + But he uttered no sound and made no movement, only stood very still, + thinking to himself how dreadful it was that he loved her so greatly. + </p> + <p> + She was not paying him, any attention now. A rose bush was near by, and + she picked one of the flowers, and arranged it carefully at her waist. + </p> + <p> + She said, still looking at him: + </p> + <p> + “Do you know—I wish you would shave yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” he mumbled. + </p> + <p> + “I should like to see you,” she answered. “I think I have a curiosity to + see you.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think you could do that well enough,” he said in the same low, + mumbled tones. + </p> + <p> + “No,” she answered. “I can only see some very untidy hair and a pair of + eyes—not very nice eyes, rather frightening eyes. I should like to + see the rest of your face some day so as to know what it's like.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you shall—some day,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Is that a threat?” she asked. “It sounded like one.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” he answered. + </p> + <p> + She laughed lightly and turned away. + </p> + <p> + “You make me very curious,” she said. “But then, you've always done that.” + </p> + <p> + She went back to her seat by her mother, and he walked on moodily to the + house. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Dawson said to Ella: + </p> + <p> + “How can you talk to that man, my dear? I think he looks perfectly + dreadful—hardly like a human being.” + </p> + <p> + “I was just telling him he ought to shave himself,” said Ella. “I told him + I should like to know what he was really like.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall ask father,” said Mrs. Dawson sternly, “to make it a condition of + his employment here.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. A DECLARATION + </h2> + <p> + Dunn knew very well that he ought to give immediate information to the + authorities of what had happened. + </p> + <p> + But he did not. He told himself that nothing could help poor John Clive, + and that any precipitate action on his part might still fatally compromise + his plans, which were now so near completion. + </p> + <p> + But his real reason was that he knew that if he came forward he would be + very closely questioned, and sooner or later forced to tell the things he + knew so terribly involving Ella. + </p> + <p> + And he knew that to surrender her to the police and proclaim her to the + world as guilty of such things were tasks beyond his strength; though, to + himself, with a touch of wildness in his thoughts, he said that no proved + and certain guilt should go unpunished even though his own hand—It + was a train of ideas he did not pursue. + </p> + <p> + “Charley Wright first and now John Clive,” he said to himself. “But the + end is not yet.” + </p> + <p> + Again he would not let his thoughts go on but checked them abruptly. + </p> + <p> + In this dark and troubled mood he went out to busy himself with the + garden, and all the time he worked he watched with a sort of vertigo of + horror where Ella sat in the sunshine by her mother's side, her white + hands moving nimbly to and fro upon her needlework. + </p> + <p> + It was not long, however, before the tragedy of the wood was discovered, + for Clive had been seen to go in that direction, and when he did not + return a search was made that was soon successful. + </p> + <p> + The news was brought to Bittermeads towards evening by a tradesman's boy, + who came up from the village to bring something that had been ordered from + there. + </p> + <p> + “Have you heard?” he said to Dunn excitedly. “Mr. Clive's been shot dead + by poachers.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh—by poachers?” repeated Dunn. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, poachers,” the boy answered, and went on excitedly to tell his tale + with many, and generally very inaccurate, details. + </p> + <p> + But that the crime had been discovered and instantly set down to poachers + was at least certain, and Dunn realized at once that the adoption of this + simple and apparently plausible theory would put an end to all really + careful investigation of the circumstances and make the discovery of the + truth highly improbable. + </p> + <p> + For the idea that the murder was the work of poachers would, when once + adopted, fill the minds of the police and of every one else, and no + suspicion would be directed elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + By the tremendous relief he felt, Dunn understood how heavy had been the + burden of fear and apprehension that till now had oppressed him. + </p> + <p> + If he had not found that handkerchief—if he had not secured that + letter—why, by now the police would be at Bittermeads. + </p> + <p> + “All the same,” he thought. “No one who is guilty shall escape through + me.” + </p> + <p> + But what this phrase meant, and what he intended to do, he would not + permit himself to think out clearly or try to understand. + </p> + <p> + The boy, having told his story, hurried off to spread the news elsewhere + to more appreciative ears, for, he thought disgustedly, it might have been + just nothing at all for all the interest the gardener at Bittermeads had + shown. + </p> + <p> + As soon as he was gone, Dunn went across to the house, and going up to the + window of the drawing-room where Ella and her mother were having tea, he + tapped on the pane. + </p> + <p> + Ella looked up and saw him, and came at once to open the window, while + from behind Mrs. Dawson frowned in severe disapproval of what she + considered a great liberty. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Clive has been shot,” Dunn said abruptly. “They say poachers did it. + He was killed instantly.” + </p> + <p> + Ella did not seem at first to understand. She looked puzzled and + bewildered, and did not seem to grasp the full import of his words. + </p> + <p> + “What—what do you say?” she asked. “Mr. Clive—Who's killed?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn thought to himself that her acting was the most wonderful thing he + had ever seen. + </p> + <p> + It was extraordinary that she should be able to make that grey pallor come + over her cheeks as though the meaning of what he said were only now + entering her mind; wonderful that she should be able so well to give the + idea of a great horror and a great doubt coming slowly into her startled + eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Clive?” she said again. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he's been killed,” Dunn said. “By poachers, apparently.” + </p> + <p> + “What is that? What is that man saying?” shrilled Mrs. Dawson from behind. + “Mr. Clive—John—why, he was here yesterday.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn turned his back and walked away. He heard Ella call after him, but he + would not look back because he feared what he might do if he obeyed her + call. + </p> + <p> + With an odd buzzing in his ears, with the blood throbbing through his + brain as though something must soon break there, he walked blindly on, and + as he came to the gate of Bittermeads he saw a motor-car coming up the + road. + </p> + <p> + It was Deede Dawson's car, and he was driving it, and by his side sat a + sulkily-smiling stranger, his air that of one not sure of his welcome, but + determined to enforce it, in whom, with a quick start, Dunn recognized his + burglar, the man whose attempt to break into Bittermeads he had + frustrated, and whose place he had taken. + </p> + <p> + He put up his hand instinctively for them to stop, and Deede Dawson at + once obeyed the gesture. + </p> + <p> + Dunn noticed that the smile upon his lips was more gentle and winning than + ever, the look in his eyes more dark and menacing. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Dunn, what is it?” he said as pleasantly as he always spoke. “Mr. + Allen,” he added to his companion, “this is my man, Dunn, I told you + about, my gardener and chauffeur, and a very industrious steady fellow—and + quite trustworthy.” + </p> + <p> + He seemed to lay a certain emphasis on the last two words, and Allen put + his head on one side and looked at Dunn with an odd, mixture of + familiarity, suspicion, hesitation, and an uncertain assumption of + superiority, but with no hint of recognition showing. + </p> + <p> + “Glad to hear it,” he said. “You always want to know whom you can trust.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Clive has been murdered,” Dunn said abruptly. “Poachers, it is said. + Did you know?” + </p> + <p> + “We heard about it as we came through the village,” answered Deede Dawson. + “Very sad, very dreadful. It will be a great shock to poor Ella, I fear. + Take the car on to the garage, will you?” he added. + </p> + <p> + He drove on up the drive, and at the front door they alighted and entered + the house together. Dunn followed, and getting into the car, drove it to + the garage, where he busied himself cleaning it. As he worked he wondered + very much what was the meaning of this sudden appearance on terms of + friendship with Deede Dawson of this man Allen, whom he had last seen + trying to break into the house at night. + </p> + <p> + Was Allen an accomplice of Deede Dawson, or a dupe, or, more probably, a + new recruit? + </p> + <p> + At any rate, to Dunn it seemed that the crisis he had expected and + prepared for was now fast approaching, and he told himself that if he had + failed in Clive's case, those others he was working for he must not fail + to save. + </p> + <p> + “Looks as if Dawson's plans were nearly ready,” he said to himself. “Well, + so are mine.” + </p> + <p> + He finished his work and shutting the garage door, he was turning away + when he saw Ella coming towards him. + </p> + <p> + She was extremely pale, and her eyes seemed larger than ever, and very + bright against the deathly whiteness of her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + She was wearing a blouse that was cut a little low, and he notice with a + kind of terror how soft and round was her throat, like a column of pale + and perfect ivory. + </p> + <p> + He hoped she would not speak to him, for he thought perhaps he could not + bear it if she did, but she halted near by, and said: + </p> + <p> + “This is very dreadful about poor Mr. Clive.” + </p> + <p> + “Very,” he answered moodily. + </p> + <p> + “Why should poachers kill him?” she asked. “Why should they want to?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” he answered, watching not her but her soft throat, where + he could see a pulse fluttering. “Perhaps it wasn't poachers,” he added. + </p> + <p> + She started violently, and gave a quick look that seemed to make yet more + certain the certainty he already entertained. + </p> + <p> + “Who else could it be?” she asked in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + He did not answer. + </p> + <p> + After what seemed a long time she said: + </p> + <p> + “You asked me a question once—do you remember?” + </p> + <p> + He shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “Why don't you speak? Why can't you speak?” she cried angrily. “Why can't + you say something instead of just shaking your head?” + </p> + <p> + “You see, I've asked you so many questions,” he said slowly. “Perhaps I + shall ask you some more some day—which question do you mean?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean when you asked me if I had ever met any one who spoke in a very + shrill, high whistling sort of voice? Do you remember?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” he said. “You wouldn't tell me.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will now,” she said. “I did meet a man once with a voice like + that. Do you remember the night you, came here that I drove away in the + car with a packing-case you carried downstairs?” + </p> + <p> + “Do I—remember?” he gasped, for that memory, and the thought of how + she had driven away into the night with, that grisly thing behind her on + the car had never since left his mind by night or by day. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she exclaimed impatiently. “Why do you keep staring so? Are you as + stupid as you choose to look? Do you remember?” + </p> + <p> + “I remember,” he answered heavily. “I remember very well.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, the man I took that packing-case to had a voice just like + that—high and shrill, whistling almost.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought as much,” said Dunn. “May I ask you another question?” + </p> + <p> + She nodded. + </p> + <p> + “May I smoke?” + </p> + <p> + She nodded again with a touch of impatience. + </p> + <p> + He took a cigarette from his pocket and put it in his mouth and lighted a + match, but the match, when he had lighted it, he used to put light to a + scrap of folded paper with writing on it, like a note. + </p> + <p> + This piece of paper he used to light his cigarette with and when he had + done so he watched the paper burn to an ash, not dropping it to the ground + till the little flame stung his fingers. + </p> + <p> + The ash that had fallen he ground into the path where they stood with the + heel of his boot. + </p> + <p> + “What have you burned there?” she asked, as if she suspected it was + something of importance he had destroyed. + </p> + <p> + In fact it was the note that had fallen from dead John Clive's hand + wherein Ella had asked him to meet her at the oak where he had met his + death. + </p> + <p> + That bit of paper would have been enough, Dunn thought, to place a harsh + hempen noose about the soft white throat he watched where the little pulse + still fluttered up and down. But now it was burnt and utterly destroyed, + and no one would ever see it. + </p> + <p> + At the thought he laughed and she drew back, very startled. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what is the matter?” she exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” he answered. “Nothing in all the world except that I love you.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. ROBERT DUNN'S ENEMY + </h2> + <p> + When he had said this he went a step or two aside and sat down on the + stump of a tree. He was very agitated and disturbed for he had not in the + very least meant to say such a thing, he had not even known that he really + felt like that. + </p> + <p> + It was, indeed, a rush and power of quite unexpected passion that had + swept him away and made him for the moment lose all control of himself. + Ella showed much more composure. She had become extraordinarily pale, but + otherwise she did not appear in any way agitated. + </p> + <p> + She remained silent, her eyes bent on the ground, her only movement a + gesture by which she rubbed softly and in turn each of her wrists as + though they hurt her. + </p> + <p> + “Well, can't you say something?” he asked roughly, annoyed by her + persistent silence. + </p> + <p> + “I don't see that there's anything for me to say,” she answered. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, well now then,” he muttered; quite disconcerted. + </p> + <p> + She raised her eyes from the ground, and for the first time looked full at + him, in her expression both curiosity and resentment. + </p> + <p> + “It is perfectly intolerable,” she said with a heaving breast. “Will you + tell me who you are?” + </p> + <p> + “I've told you one thing,” he answered sullenly, his eyes on fire. “I + should have thought that was enough. I'll tell you nothing more.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you are the most horrid man I ever met,” she cried. “And the + very, very ugliest—all that hair on your face so that no one can see + anything else. What are you like when you cut it off?” + </p> + <p> + “Does that matter?” he asked, in the same gruff and surly manner. + </p> + <p> + “I should think it matters a good deal when I ask you,” she exclaimed. “Do + you expect any one to care for a man she has never seen—nothing but + hair. You hurt my wrists awfully that night,” she added resentfully. “And + you've never even hinted you're sorry.” + </p> + <p> + His reply was unexpected and it disconcerted her greatly and for the first + time, for he caught both her wrists in his hands and kissed them + passionately where the cords had been. + </p> + <p> + “You mustn't do that, please don't do that,” she said quickly, trying to + release herself. + </p> + <p> + Her strength was nothing to his and he stood up and put his arm around her + and strained her to him in an embrace so passionate and powerful she could + not have resisted it though she had wished to. + </p> + <p> + But no thought of resistance came to her, since for the moment she had + lost all consciousness of everything save the strange thrill of his + bright, clear eyes looking so closely into hers, of his strong arms + holding her so firmly. + </p> + <p> + He released her, or rather she at last freed herself by an effort he did + not oppose, and she fled away down the path. + </p> + <p> + She had an impression that her hair would come down and that that would + make her look a fright, and she put up her hands hurriedly to secure it. + She never looked back to where he stood, breathing heavily and looking + after her and thinking not of her, but of two dead men whom he had seen of + late. + </p> + <p> + “Shall I make the third?” he wondered. “I do not care if I do, not I.” + </p> + <p> + The path Ella had fled by led into another along which when she reached it + she saw Deede Dawson coming. + </p> + <p> + She stopped at once and began to busy herself with a flower-bed overrun + with weeds, but she could not entirely conceal her agitation from her + stepfather's cold grey eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there you are, Ella,” he said, with all that false geniality of his + that filled the girl with such loathing and distrust. “Have you seen Dunn? + Oh, there he is, isn't he? I wanted to ask you, Ella, what do you think of + Dunn?” + </p> + <p> + She glanced over her shoulder towards where Dunn stood, and she managed to + answer with a passable air of indifference. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I suppose,” she said, “that he is quite the ugliest man I ever saw. + Of course, if he cut all of that hair off—” + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson laughed though his eyes remained as hard and cold as ever. + </p> + <p> + “I shall have to give him orders to shave,” he said. “Your mother was + telling me I ought to the other day, she said it didn't look respectable + to have a man about with all that hair on his face. Though I don't see + myself why hair isn't respectable, do you?” + </p> + <p> + “It looks odd,” answered Ella carelessly. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson laughed again, and walked on to where Dunn was standing + waiting for him. With his perpetual smile that his cold and evil eyes so + strangely contradicted, he said to him: + </p> + <p> + “Well, what have you and Ella been talking about?” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you ask?” growled Dunn. + </p> + <p> + “Because she looks upset,” answered Deede Dawson. “Oh, don't be shy about + it. Shall I give you a little good advice?” + </p> + <p> + “What?” + </p> + <p> + “Never shave.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not?” + </p> + <p> + “Because that thick growth of hair hiding your face gives you an air of + mystery and romance no woman could possibly resist. You're a perpetual + puzzle, and to pique a woman's curiosity is the surest way to interest + her. Why, there are plenty of women who would marry you simply to find out + what is under all that hair. So never you shave.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't mean to.” + </p> + <p> + “Unless, of course, you have to—for purposes of disguise, for + example.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought you were hinting that the beard itself was a disguise,” + retorted Dunn. + </p> + <p> + “Removing it might become a better one,” answered Deede Dawson. “You told + me once you knew this part fairly well. Do you know Wreste Abbey?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn gave his questioner a scowling look that seemed full of anger and + suspicion. + </p> + <p> + “What about it if I do?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I am asking if you do know it,” said Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do. Well?” + </p> + <p> + “It belongs to Lord Chobham, doesn't it?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn nodded. + </p> + <p> + “Old man, isn't he?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not a book of reference about Lord Chobham,” answered Dunn. “If you + want to know his age, you can easily find out, I suppose. What's the sense + of asking me a lot of questions like that?” + </p> + <p> + “He has no family, and his heir is his younger brother, General Dunsmore, + who has one son, Rupert, I believe. Do you know if that's so?” + </p> + <p> + “Look here,” said Dunn, speaking with a great appearance of anger. “Don't + you go too far, or maybe something you won't like will happen. If you've + anything to say, say it straight out. Or there'll be trouble.” + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson seemed a little surprised at the vehemence of the other's + tone. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter?” he asked. “Don't you like the family, or what's + upsetting you?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn seemed almost choking with fury. He half-lifted one hand and let it + fall again. + </p> + <p> + “If ever I get hold of that young Rupert Dunsmore,” he said with a little + gasp for breath. “If ever I come face to face with him—man to man—” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me!” smiled Deede Dawson, lifting his eyebrows. “I'm treading on + sore toes, it seems. What's the trouble between you?” + </p> + <p> + “Never you mind,” replied Dunn roughly. “That's my business. But no man + ever had a worse enemy than he's been to me.” + </p> + <p> + “Has he, though?” said Deede Dawson, who seemed very interested and even a + little excited. “What did he do?” + </p> + <p> + “Never you mind,” Dunn repeated. “That's my affair, but I swore I'd get + even with him some day and I will, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose,” said Deede Dawson. “Suppose I showed you a way?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn did not answer at first, and for some moments the two men stood + watching each other and staring into each other's eyes as though each was + trying to read the depths of the other's soul. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose,” said Deede Dawson very softly. “Suppose you were to meet Rupert + Dunsmore—alone—quite alone?” + </p> + <p> + Still Dunn did not answer, but somehow it appeared that his silence was + full of a very deadly significance. + </p> + <p> + “Suppose you did—what would you do?” murmured Deede Dawson again, + and his voice sank lower with each word he uttered till the last was a + scarce-audible whisper. + </p> + <p> + Dunn stopped and picked up a hoe that was lying near by. He placed the + tough ash handle across his knee, and with a movement of his powerful + hands, he broke the hoe across. + </p> + <p> + The two smashed pieces he dropped on the ground, and looking at Deede + Dawson, he said: + </p> + <p> + “Like that—if ever Rupert Dunsmore and I meet alone, only one of us + will go away alive.” And he confirmed it with an oath. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson clapped him on the shoulder, and laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Good!” he cried. “Why, you're the man I've been looking for for a long + time. The fact is, Rupert Dunsmore played me a nasty trick once, and I + want to clear accounts with him. Now, suppose I show him to you—?” + </p> + <p> + “You do that,” said Dunn, and he repeated the oath he had sworn before. + “You show him to me, and I'll take care he never troubles any one again.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the way I like to hear a man talk,” cried Deede Dawson. “Dunsmore + has been away for a time on business I can make a guess at, but he is + coming back soon. Should you know him if you saw him?” + </p> + <p> + “Should I know him?” repeated Dunn contemptuously. “Should I know myself?” + </p> + <p> + “That's good,” said Deede Dawson again. “By the way, perhaps you can tell + me, hasn't Lord Chobham a rather distant cousin, Walter Dunsmore, living + with him as secretary or something of the sort—quite a distant + relative, I believe, though in the direct line of succession?” + </p> + <p> + “Very likely,” said Dunn indifferently. “I think so, but I don't care + anything about the rest of them. It's only Rupert Dunsmore I have anything + against.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. THE VISIT TO WRESTE ABBEY + </h2> + <p> + It was a little later when Deede Dawson returned to the subject of Wreste + Abbey. + </p> + <p> + “Lord Chobham has a very valuable collection of plate and jewellery and so + on, hasn't he?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there's plenty of the stuff there,” Dunn answered. “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I was thinking a visit might be made fairly profitable,” Deede Dawson + said carelessly, for the first time definitely throwing off his mask of + law-abiding citizen under which he lived at Bittermeads. + </p> + <p> + “It would be a risky job,” answered Dunn, showing no surprise at the + suggestion. “The stuff's well guarded, and then, that's not what I'm + thinking about—it's meeting Rupert Dunsmore, man to man, and no one + to come between us. If that ever happens—” + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson nodded reassuringly. + </p> + <p> + “That'll be all right,” he said. “So you shall, I promise you that. But we + might as well kill two birds with one stone and clear a bit of profit, + too. I've got to live, like any one else, and I haven't five thousand a + year of my own, so I get my living out of those who have, and I don't see + who has any right to blame me. Mind, if there was any money in chess, I + should be a millionaire, but there isn't, and if a man can make a fortune + on the Stock Exchange, which takes no more thought or skill than + auction-bridge, why shouldn't I make a bit when I can? There's the 'D. D.' + gambit I've invented, people will be studying and playing for centuries, + but it'll never bring me a penny for all the brain-work I put into it, and + so I've got to protect myself, haven't I?” + </p> + <p> + “It's what I do with less talk about it,” answered Dunn contemptuously. + “Why, I've guessed all that from the first when you weren't so all-fired + keen on seeing me in gaol, as most of your honest, hard-working lot, who + only do their swindling in business-hours, would have been. And I've kept + my eyes open, of course. It wasn't hard to twig you did a bit on the cross + yourself. Well, that's your affair, but one thing I do want to know—how + much does Miss Cayley know?” + </p> + <p> + For all his efforts he could not keep his anxiety entirely out of his + voice as he said this, and recognizing that thereby he had perhaps risked + rousing some suspicion in the other's mind, he added: + </p> + <p> + “And her mother—the young lady and her mother, how much do they + know?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh,” answered Deede Dawson, with his false laugh and cold-watchful eyes. + “My wife knows nothing at all, but Ella's the best helper I've ever had. + She looks so innocent, she can take in any one, and she never gives the + show away, she acts all the time. A wonderful girl and useful—you'd + hardly believe how useful.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn did not answer. It was only by a supreme effort that he kept his + hands from Deede Dawson's throat. He did not believe a word of what the + other said, for he knew well the utter falseness of the man. None the + less, the accusation troubled him and chilled him to the heart, as though + with the touch of the finger of death. + </p> + <p> + “You remember that packing-case,” Deede Dawson added. “The one you helped + me to get away from here the night you came. Well, she knew what was in + it, though you would never have thought so, to look at her, would you?” + </p> + <p> + His cold eyes were very intent and keen as he said this, and Dunn thought + to himself that it had been said more to test any possible knowledge or + suspicion of his own than for any other reason. With a manner of only + slight interest, he answered carelessly: + </p> + <p> + “Did she? Why? Wasn't it your stuff? Had it been pinched? But she was safe + enough, the police would never stop a smart young lady in a motor-car, + except on very strong evidence.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps not,” agreed Deede Dawson. “That's one reason why Ella's so + useful. But I've been thinking things out, and trying to make them work in + together, and I think the first thing to do is for you to drive Allen and + Ella over to Wreste Abbey this afternoon, so that they may have a good + look around.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Miss Cayley and Allen,” Dunn muttered. + </p> + <p> + The new-comer, Allen, had been making himself very much at home at + Bittermeads since his arrival, though he had not so far troubled to any + great extent either Ella in the house or Dunn outside. His idea of comfort + seemed to be to stay in bed very late, and spend his time when he did get + up in the breakfast-room in the company of a box of cigars and a bottle of + whisky. + </p> + <p> + The suggestion that he and Ella should pay a visit together to Wreste + Abbey was one that greatly surprised Dunn. + </p> + <p> + “All right,” he said. “This afternoon? I'll get the car ready.” + </p> + <p> + “This is the afternoon the Abbey is thrown open to visitors, isn't it?” + asked Deede Dawson. “Allen and Ella can get in as tourists, and have a + good look round, and you can look round outside and get to know the lie of + the land. There won't be long to wait, for Rupert Dunsmore will be back + from his little excursion before long, I expect.” + </p> + <p> + He laughed in his mirthless way, and walked off, and Dunn, as he got the + car ready, seemed a good deal preoccupied and a little worried. + </p> + <p> + “How can he know that Rupert Dunsmore is coming back?” he said to himself. + “Can he have any way of finding out things I don't know about? And if he + did, how could he know—that? Most likely it's only a guess to soothe + me down, and he doesn't really know anything at all about it.” + </p> + <p> + After lunch, Allen and Ella appeared together, ready for their expedition. + Ella looked her best in a big motoring coat and a close-fitting hat, with + a long blue veil. Allen was, for almost the first time since his arrival, + shaved, washed and tidy. + </p> + <p> + He looked indeed as respectable as his sinister and forbidding countenance + would permit, and though Deede Dawson had made him as smart as possible, + he had permitted him to gratify his own florid taste in adornment, so that + his air of prosperity and wealth had the appearance of being that of some + recently-enriched vulgarian whose association with a motor-car and a + well-dressed girl of Ella's type was probably due to the fact that he had + recently purchased them both out of newly-acquired wealth. + </p> + <p> + Dunn wore a neat chauffeur's costume, with which, however, his bearded + face did not go too well. He felt indeed that their whole turn-out was far + too conspicuous considering the real nature of their errand, and far too + likely to attract attention, and he wondered if Deede Dawson's subtle and + calculating mind had not for some private reason desired that to be so. + </p> + <p> + “He is keeping well in the background himself,” Dunn mused. “He may reckon + that if things go wrong—in case of any pursuit—it's a good + move perhaps in a way, but he may find an unexpected check to his king + opened on him.” + </p> + <p> + The drive was a long one, and Ella noticed that though Dunn consulted his + map frequently, he never appeared in any doubt concerning the way. + </p> + <p> + A little before three they drove into the village that lay round the park + gates of Wreste Abbey. + </p> + <p> + Motors were not allowed in the park, so Dunn put theirs in the garage of + the little hotel, that was already almost full, for visiting day at Wreste + Abbey generally drew a goodly number of tourists, while Ella and Allen, in + odd companionship, walked up to the Abbey by the famous approach through + the chestnut avenue. + </p> + <p> + Allen was quiet and surly, and much on his guard, and very uncomfortable + in Ella's company, and Ella herself, though for different reasons was + equally silent. + </p> + <p> + But the beauty of the walk through the chestnut avenue, and of the vista + with the great house at the end, drew from her a quick exclamation of + delight. + </p> + <p> + “How beautiful a place this is,” she said aloud. “And how peaceful and how + quiet.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't like these quiet places myself,” grumbled Allen. “Don't like 'em, + don't trust 'em. Give me lots of traffic; when everything's so awful quiet + you've only got to kick your foot against a stone or drop a tool, and + likely as not you'll wake the whole blessed place.” + </p> + <p> + “Wake,” repeated Ella, noticing the word, and she repeated it with + emphasis. “Why do you say 'wake'?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. ELLA'S WARNING + </h2> + <p> + Ella did not say anything more, and in their character of tourists + visiting the place, they were admitted to the Abbey and passed on through + its magnificent rooms, where was stored a collection rich and rare even + for one of the stateliest homes of England. + </p> + <p> + “What a wonderful place!” Ella sighed wistfully. Yet she could not enjoy + the spectacle of all these treasures as she would have done at another + time, for she was always watching Allen, who hung about a good deal, and + seemed to look more at the locks of the cases that held some of the more + valuable of the objects shown than at the things themselves, and generally + spent fully half the time in each room at the window, admiring the view, + he said; but for quite another reason, Ella suspected. + </p> + <p> + “I shall speak when I get back,” she said to herself, pale and resolute. + “I don't care what happens; I don't care if I have to tell mother—perhaps + she knows already. Anyhow, I shall speak.” + </p> + <p> + Having come to this determination, she grew cheerful and more interested + apparently in what they were seeing, as well as less watchful of her + companion. When, presently, they left the house to go into the gardens, it + happened that they noticed an old gentleman walking at a little distance + behind a gate marked “Private,” and leaning on the arm of a tall, thin, + clean-shaven man of middle-age. + </p> + <p> + “Lord Chobham, the old gentleman,” whispered a tourist, who was standing + near. “I saw him once in the House of Lords. That's his secretary with + him, Mr. Dunsmore, one of the family; he manages everything now the old + gentleman is getting so feeble.” + </p> + <p> + Ella walked on frowning and a little worried, for she thought she had seen + the secretary before and yet could not remember where. Soon she noticed + Dunn, who had apparently been obeying Deede Dawson's orders to look round + outside and get to know the lie of the land. + </p> + <p> + He seemed at present to be a good deal interested in Lord Chobham and his + companion, for he went and leaned on the gate and stared at them so rudely + that one or two of the other tourists noticed it and frowned at him. But + he took no notice, and presently, as if not seeing that the gate was + marked “Private,” he pushed it open and walked through. + </p> + <p> + Noticing the impertinent intrusion almost at once, Mr. Dunsmore turned + round and called “This is private.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn did not seem to hear, and Mr. Dunsmore walked across to him with a + very impatient air, while the little group of tourists watched, with much + interest and indignation and a very comforting sense of superiority. + </p> + <p> + “He ought to be sent right out of the grounds,” they told each other. + “That's the sort of rude behaviour other people have to suffer for.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, my man,” said Mr. Dunsmore sharply, “this is private, you've no + business here.” + </p> + <p> + “Sorry, sir; beg pardon, I'm sure,” said Dunn, touching his hat, and as he + did so he said in a sharp, penetrating whisper: “Look out—trouble's + brewing—don't know what, but look out, all the time.” + </p> + <p> + He had spoken so quickly and quietly, in the very act of turning away, + that none of the onlookers could have told that a word had passed, but for + the very violent start that Walter Dunsmore made and his quick movement + forward as if to follow the other. Immediately Dunn turned back towards + him with a swift warning gesture of his hand. + </p> + <p> + “Careful, you fool, they're looking,” he said in a quick whisper, and in a + loud voice: “Very sorry, sir; beg pardon—I'm sure I didn't mean + anything.” + </p> + <p> + Walter Dunsmore swung round upon his heel and went quickly back to where + Lord Chobham waited; and his face was like that of one who has gazed into + the very eyes of death. + </p> + <p> + “Lord in Heaven,” he muttered, “it's all over, I'm done.” And his hand + felt for a little metal box he carried in his waistcoat pocket and that + held half a dozen small round tablets, each of them a strong man's death. + </p> + <p> + But he took his hand away again as he rejoined his cousin, patron, and + employer, old Lord Chobham. + </p> + <p> + “What's the matter, Walter?” Lord Chobham asked. “You look pale.” + </p> + <p> + “The fellow was a bit impudent; he made me angry,” said Walter carelessly. + He fingered the little box in his waistcoat pocket and thought how one + tablet on his tongue would always end it all. “By the way, oughtn't Rupert + to be back soon?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he ought,” said Lord Chobham severely. “It's time he married and + settled down—I shall speak to his father about it. The boy is always + rushing off somewhere or another when he ought to be getting to know the + estate and the tenants.” + </p> + <p> + Walter Dunsmore laughed. + </p> + <p> + “I think he knows them both fairly well already,” he said. “Not a tenant + on the place but swears by Rupert. He's a fine fellow, uncle.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you always stick up for him; you and he were always friends,” + answered Lord Chobham in a grumbling tone, but really very pleased. “I + know I'm never allowed to say a word about Rupert.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he's a fine fellow and a good friend,” said Walter, and the two + disappeared into the house by a small side-door as Dunn pushed his way + through the group of tourists who looked at him with marked and severe + disapproval. + </p> + <p> + “Disgraceful,” one of them said quite loudly, and another added: “I + believe he said something impudent to that gentleman. I saw him go quite + white, and look as if he were in two minds about ordering the fellow right + out of the grounds.” And a third expressed the general opinion that the + culprit looked a real ruffian with all that hair on his face. “Might be a + gorilla,” said the third tourist. “And look what a clumsy sort of walk he + has; perhaps he's been drinking.” + </p> + <p> + But Dunn was quite indifferent to, and indeed unaware of this popular + condemnation as he made his way back to the hotel garage where he had left + their car. He seemed rather well pleased than otherwise as he walked on. + </p> + <p> + “Quite a stroke of luck for once,” he mused, and he smiled to himself, and + stroked the thick growth of his untidy beard. “It's been worth while, for + he didn't recognize me in the least, and had quite a shock, but, all the + same, I shan't be sorry to shave and see my own face again.” + </p> + <p> + He had the car out and ready when Ella and Allen came back. Allen at once + made an excuse to leave them, and went into the hotel bar to get a drink + of whisky, and when they were alone, Ella, who was looking very troubled + and thoughtful, said to Dunn, + </p> + <p> + “We saw Lord Chobham in the garden with a gentleman some one told us was a + relative of his, a Mr. Walter Dunsmore. Did you see them?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Dunn, a little surprised, and giving her a quick and + searching look from his bright, keen eyes. “I saw them. Why—” + </p> + <p> + “I think I've seen the one they said was Mr. Walter Dunsmore before, and I + can't think where,” she answered, puckering her brows. “I can't think—do + you know anything about him?” + </p> + <p> + “I know he is Mr. Walter Dunsmore,” answered Dunn slowly, “and I know he + is one of the family, and a great friend of Rupert Dunsmore's. Rupert + Dunsmore is Lord Chobham's nephew, you know, and heir, after his father, + to the title and estates. His father, General Dunsmore, brought him and + Walter up together like brothers, but recently Walter has lived at the + Abbey as Lord Chobham's secretary and companion. The general likes to live + abroad a good deal, and his son Rupert is always away on some sporting or + exploring expedition or another.” + </p> + <p> + “It's very strange,” Ella said again. “I'm sure I've seen Walter Dunsmore + before but I can't think where.” + </p> + <p> + Allen came from the bar, having quenched his thirst for the time being, + and they started off, arriving back at Bittermeads fairly early in the + evening, for Dunn had brought them along at a good rate, and apparently + remembered the road so well from the afternoon that he never once had + occasion to refer to the map. + </p> + <p> + He took the car round to the garage, and Allen and Ella went into the + house, where Allen made his way at once to the breakfast-room, searching + for more whisky and cigars, while Ella, after a quick word with her mother + to assure her of their safe return, went to find Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, dear child, you are back then,” he greeted her. “Well, how have you + enjoyed yourself? Had a pleasant time?” + </p> + <p> + “It was not for pleasure we went there, I think,” she said listlessly. + </p> + <p> + He looked up quickly, and though his perpetual smile still played as usual + about his lips, his eyes were hard and daunting as they fixed themselves + on hers. Before that sinister stare her own eyes sank, and sought the + little travelling set of chessmen and board that were before him. + </p> + <p> + “See,” he said, “I've just brought off a mate. Neat isn't it? Checkmate.” + </p> + <p> + She looked up at him, and her eyes were steadier now. + </p> + <p> + “I've only one thing to say to you,” she said. “I came here to say it. If + anything happens at Wreste Abbey I shall go straight to the police.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed,” he said, “indeed.” He fingered the chessmen as though all his + attention were engaged by them. “May I ask why?” he murmured. “For what + purpose?” + </p> + <p> + “To tell them,” she answered quietly, “what I—know.” + </p> + <p> + “And what do you know?” he asked indifferently. “What do you know that is + likely to interest the police?” + </p> + <p> + “I ought to have said, perhaps,” she answered after a pause, “what I + suspect.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that's so different, isn't it?” he murmured gently. “So very + different. You see we all of us suspect so many things.” + </p> + <p> + She did not answer, for she had said all she had to say and she was afraid + that her strength would not carry her further. She began to walk away, but + he called her back. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, how do you think your mother is today?” he asked. “Do you know, her + condition seems to me quite serious at times. I wonder if you are + overanxious?” + </p> + <p> + “She is better—much better!” Ella answered, and added with a sudden + burst of fiercest, white-hot passion: “But I think it would be better if + we had both died before we met you.” + </p> + <p> + She hurried away, for she was afraid of breaking down, and Deede Dawson + smiled the more as he again turned his attention to his chessmen, taking + them up and putting them down in turn. + </p> + <p> + “She's turning nasty,” he mused. “I don't think she'll dare—but she + might. She's only a pawn, but a pawn can cause a lot of trouble at times—a + pawn may become a queen and give the mate. When a pawn threatens trouble + it's best to—remove it.” + </p> + <p> + He went out and came back a little late and busied himself with a + four-move chess problem which absorbed all his attention, and which he did + not solve to his satisfaction till past midnight. Then he went upstairs to + bed, but at the door of his room he paused and went on very softly up the + narrow stairs that led to the attics above. + </p> + <p> + Outside the one in which Dunn slept, he waited a little till the unbroken + sound of regular breathing from within assured him that the occupant + slept. + </p> + <p> + Cautiously and carefully he crept on, and entered the one adjoining, where + he turned the light of the electric flashlight he carried on a large, + empty packing-case that stood in one corner. + </p> + <p> + With a two-foot rule he took from his pocket he measured it carefully and + nodded with great satisfaction. + </p> + <p> + “A little smaller than the other,” he said to himself. “But, then, it + hasn't got to hold so much.” He laughed in his silent, mirthless way, as + at something that amused him. “A good deal less,” he thought. “And Dunn + shall drive.” + </p> + <p> + He laughed again, and for a moment or two stood there in the darkness, + laughing silently to himself, and then, speaking aloud, he called out: + </p> + <p> + “You can come in, Dunn.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn, whom a creaking board had betrayed, came forward unconcernedly in + his sleeping attire. + </p> + <p> + “I saw it was you,” he remarked. “At first I thought something was wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing, nothing,” answered Deede Dawson. “I was only looking at this + packing-case. I may have to send one away again soon, and I wanted to be + sure this was big enough. If I do, I shall want you to drive.” + </p> + <p> + “Not Miss Cayley?” asked Dunn. + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” answered Deede Dawson. “She might be with you perhaps, but she + wouldn't drive. Night driving is always dangerous, I think, don't you?” + </p> + <p> + “There's things more dangerous,” Dunn remarked. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, quite true,” answered Deede Dawson. “Well, did you enjoy your visit + to Wreste Abbey?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Dunn roughly. “I didn't see Rupert Dunsmore, and it + wouldn't have been any good if I had with all those people about.” + </p> + <p> + “You're too impatient,” Deede Dawson smiled. “I'm getting everything + ready; you can't properly expect to win a game in a dozen moves. You must + develop your pieces properly and have all ready before you start your + attack. As soon as I'm ready—why, I'll act—and you'll have to + do the rest.” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” said Dunn thoughtfully. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. DOUBTS AND FEARS + </h2> + <p> + In point of fact Dunn had not been asleep when Deede Dawson came listening + at his door. Of late he had slept little and that little had been much + disturbed by evil, haunting dreams in which perpetually he saw his dead + friend, Charley Wright, and dead John Clive always together, while behind + them floated the pale and lovely face of Ella, at whom the two dead men + looked and whispered to each other. + </p> + <p> + In the day such thoughts troubled him less, for when he was under the + influence of Ella's gentle presence, and when he could watch her clear and + candid eyes, he found all doubt and suspicion melting away like snow + beneath warm sunshine. + </p> + <p> + But in the silence of the night they returned, returned very dreadfully, + so dreadfully that often as he lay awake in the darkness beads of sweat + stood upon his forehead and he would drive his great hands one against the + other in his passionate effort to still the thoughts that tormented him. + Then, in the morning again, the sound of Ella's voice, the merest glimpse + of her grave and gracious personality, would bring back once more his + instinctive belief in her. + </p> + <p> + The morning after Deede Dawson had paid his visit to the attic there was + news, however, that disturbed him greatly, for Mrs. Barker, the charwoman + who came each morning to Bittermeads, told them that two men in the + village—notorious poachers—had been arrested by the police on + a charge of being concerned in Mr. Clive's death. + </p> + <p> + The news was a great shock to Dunn, for, knowing as he thought he did, + that the police were working on an entirely wrong idea, he had not + supposed they would ever find themselves able to make any arrest. As a + matter of fact, these arrests they had made were the result of desperation + on the part of the police, who unable to discover anything and entirely + absorbed by their preconceived idea that the crime was the work of + poachers, had arrested men they knew were poachers in the vague hope of + somehow discovering something or of somehow getting hold of some useful + clue. + </p> + <p> + But that Dunn did not know, and feared unlucky chance or undesigned + coincidence must have appeared to suggest the guilt of the men and that + they were really in actual danger of trial and conviction. He had, too, + received that morning, through the secret means of communication he kept + open with an agent in London, conclusive proof that at the moment of + Clive's death Deede Dawson was in town on business that seemed obscure + enough, but none the less in town, and therefore undoubtedly innocent of + the actual perpetration of the murder. + </p> + <p> + Who, then, was left who could have fired the fatal shot? + </p> + <p> + It was a question Dunn dared not even ask himself but he saw very plainly + that if the proceedings against the two arrested men were to be pressed, + he would be forced to come forward before his preparations were ready and + tell all he knew, no matter at what cost. + </p> + <p> + All the morning he waited and watched for his opportunity to speak to + Ella, who was in a brighter and gayer mood than he had ever seen her in + before. + </p> + <p> + At breakfast Deede Dawson had assured her that he could not conceive what + were the suspicions she had referred to the night previously, and while he + would certainly have no objection to her mentioning them at any time, in + any quarter she thought fit if anything happened at Wreste Abbey—and + would indeed be the first to urge her to do so—he, for his part, + considered it most unlikely that anything of the sort she seemed to dread + would in fact occur. + </p> + <p> + “Not at all likely,” he said with his happy, beaming smile that never + reached those cold eyes of his. “I should say myself that nothing ever did + happen at Wreste Abbey, not since the Flood, anyhow. It strikes me as the + most peaceful, secluded spot in all England.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm very glad you think so,” said Ella, tremendously relieved and glad to + hear him say so, and supposing, though his smooth words and smiles and + protestations deceived her very little, that, at any rate, what she had + said had forced him to abandon whatever plans he had been forming in that + direction. + </p> + <p> + Her victory, as it seemed to her, won so easily and containing good + promise of further success in the future, cheered her immensely, and it + was in almost a happy mood that she went unto the garden after lunch and + met Dunn in a quiet, well-hidden corner, where he had been waiting and + watching for long. + </p> + <p> + His appearance startled her—his eyes were so wild, his whole manner + so strained and restless, and she gave a little dismayed exclamation as + she saw him. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, what's the matter?” she asked. “Aren't you well? You look—” + </p> + <p> + She paused for she did not know exactly how it was he did look; and he + said in his harshest, most abrupt manner, + </p> + <p> + “Do you remember Charley Wright?” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you ask?” she said, puzzled. “Is anything wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you remember John Clive?” he asked, disregarding this. “Have you heard + two men have been arrested for his murder?” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Barker told me so,” she answered gravely. He came a little nearer, + almost threateningly nearer. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think of that?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + She lifted one hand and put it gently on his arm. The touch of it thrilled + him through and through, and he felt a little dazed as he watched it + resting on his coat sleeve. She had become very pale also and her voice + was low and strained as she said, + </p> + <p> + “Have you had suspicions too?” + </p> + <p> + He looked at her as if fascinated for a moment, and then nodded twice and + very slowly. + </p> + <p> + “So have I,” she sighed in tones so low he could scarcely hear them. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you, you also,” he muttered, almost suffocating. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she said. “Yes—perhaps the same as yours. My stepfather,” she + breathed, “Mr. Deede Dawson.” + </p> + <p> + He watched her closely and moodily, but he did not speak. + </p> + <p> + “I was afraid—at first,” she whispered. “But I was wrong—quite + wrong. It is as certain as it can be that he was in London at the time.” + </p> + <p> + From his pocket Dunn took out the handkerchief of hers that he had found + near the body of the dead man. + </p> + <p> + “Is this yours?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she answered. “Yes, where did you get it?” + </p> + <p> + He did not answer, but he lifted his hands one after the other, and put + them on her shoulder, with the fingers outspread to encircle her throat. + It seemed to him that when she acknowledged the ownership of the + handkerchief she acknowledged also the perpetration of the deed, and he + became a little mad, and he had it in his mind that the slightest, the + very slightest, pressure of his fingers on that soft, round throat would + put it for ever out of her power to do such things again. Then for himself + death would be easy and welcome, and there would be an end to all these + doubts and fears that racked him with anguish beyond bearing. + </p> + <p> + “What are you going to do?” she asked, making no attempt to resist or + escape. + </p> + <p> + Ever so slightly the pressure of his hands upon her throat strengthened + and increased. A very little more and the lovely thing of life he watched + would be broken and cold for ever. Her eyes were steady, she showed no + sign of fear, she stood perfectly still, her hands loosely clasped + together before her. He groaned, and his arms fell to his side, helpless. + Without the slightest change of expression, she said: + </p> + <p> + “What were you going to do?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know,” he answered. “Do you ever go mad? I do, I think. Perhaps + you do too, and that explains it. Do you know where Charley Wright is?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she answered directly. “Why? Did you know him, then?” + </p> + <p> + “You know where he is now?” Dunn repeated. + </p> + <p> + She nodded quietly. + </p> + <p> + “I heard from him only last week,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “I am certainly mad or you are,” he muttered, staring at her with eyes in + which such wonder and horror showed that it seemed there really was a + touch of madness there. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” she asked. + </p> + <p> + “You heard from him last week,” he said again, and again she answered: + </p> + <p> + “Yes—last week. Why not?” + </p> + <p> + He leaned forward, and before she knew what he intended to do he kissed + her pale, cool cheek. + </p> + <p> + Once more she stood still and immobile, her hands loosely clasped before + her. It might have been that he had kissed a statue, and her perfect + stillness made him afraid. + </p> + <p> + “Ella,” he said. “Ella.” + </p> + <p> + “Why did you do that?” she said, a little wildly now in her turn. “It was + not that you were going to do to me before.” + </p> + <p> + “I love you,” he muttered excusingly. + </p> + <p> + She shook her head. + </p> + <p> + “You know too little of me; you have too many doubt and fears,” she said. + “You do not love me, you do not even trust me.” + </p> + <p> + “I love you all the same,” he asserted positively and roughly. “I loved + you—it was when I tied your hands to the chair that night and you + looked at me with such contempt, and asked me if I felt proud. That stung, + that stung. I loved you then.” + </p> + <p> + “You see,” she said sadly, “you do not even pretend to trust me. I don't + know why you should. Why are you here? Why are you disguised with all that + growth of hair? There is something you are preparing, planning. I know it. + I feel it. What is it?” + </p> + <p> + “I told you once before,” he answered, “that the end of this will be Deede + Dawson's death or mine. That's what I'm preparing.” + </p> + <p> + “He is very cunning, very clever,” she said. “Do you think he suspects + you?” + </p> + <p> + “He suspects every one always,” answered Dunn. “I've been trying to get + proof to act on. I haven't succeeded. Not yet. Nothing definite. If I + can't, I shall act without. That's all.” + </p> + <p> + “If I told him even half of what you just said,” she said, looking at him. + “What would happen?” + </p> + <p> + “You see, I trust you,” he answered bitterly. + </p> + <p> + She shook her head, but her eyes were soft and tender as she said: + </p> + <p> + “It wasn't trust in me made you say all that, it was because you didn't + care what happened after.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” he said. “But when I see you, I forget everything. Do you love me?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I've never even seen you yet,” she exclaimed with something like a + smile. “I only know you as two eyes over a tangle of hair that I don't + believe you ever either brush or comb. Do you know, sometimes I am + curious.” + </p> +<p> +He took her hand and drew her to sit beside him on the bench under a +tree near by. All his doubts and fears and suspicions he set far from +him, and remembered nothing save that she was the woman for whom yearned +all the depths of his soul as by pre-ordained decree. And she, too, for + man, to her strange, aloof, mysterious, but dominating all her life as +though by primal necessity. +</p> + <p> + When they parted, it was with an agreement to meet again that evening, and + in the twilight they spent a halcyon hour together, saying little, feeling + much. + </p> + <p> + It was only when at last she had left him that he remembered all that had + passed, that had happened, that he knew, suspected, dreaded, all that he + planned and intended and would be soon called upon to put into action. + </p> + <p> + “She's made me mad,” he said to himself, and for a long time he sat there + in the darkness, in the stillness of the evening, motionless as the tree + in whose shade he sat, plunged in the most profound and strange reverie, + from which presently his quick ear, alert and keen even when his mind was + deep in thought, caught the light and careful sound of an approaching + footstep. + </p> + <p> + In a moment he was up and gliding through the darkness to meet who was + coming, and almost at once a voice hailed him cautiously. + </p> + <p> + “There you are, Dunn,” Deede Dawson said. “I've been looking for you + everywhere. Tomorrow or next day we shall be able to strike; everything is + ready at last, and I'll tell you now exactly what we are going to do.” + </p> + <p> + “That's good news,” said Dunn softly. + </p> + <p> + “Come this way,” Deede Dawson said, and led Dunn through the darkness to + the gate that admitted to the Bittermeads grounds from the high road. + </p> + <p> + Here he paused, and stood for a long time in silence, leaning on the gate + and looking out across the road to the common beyond. Close beside him + stood Dunn, controlling his impatience as best he could, and wondering if + at last the secret springs of all these happenings was to be laid bare to + him. + </p> + <p> + But Deede Dawson seemed in no hurry to begin. For a long time he remained + in the same attitude, silent and sombre in the darkness, and when at last + he spoke it was to utter a remark that quite took Dunn by surprise. + </p> + <p> + “What a lovely night,” he said in low and pensive tones, very unlike those + he generally used. “I remember when I was a boy—that's a long time + ago.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn was too surprised by this sudden and very unexpected lapse into + sentiment to answer. Deede Dawson went on as if thinking to himself: + </p> + <p> + “A long time—I've done a lot—seen a lot since then—too + much, perhaps—I remember mother told me once—poor soul, I + believe she used to be rather proud of me—” + </p> + <p> + “Your mother?” Dunn said wondering greatly to think this man should still + have such memories. + </p> + <p> + But Deede Dawson seemed either to resent his tone or else to be angry with + himself for giving way to such weakness. In a voice more like his usual + one, he said harshly and sneeringly: + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, I had a mother once, just like everybody else. Why not? Most + people have their mothers, though it's not an arrangement I should care to + defend. Now then, Ella was with you tonight; you and she were alone + together a long time.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” growled Dunn, “what of it?” + </p> + <p> + “Fine girl, isn't she?” asked Deede Dawson, and laughed. + </p> + <p> + Dunn did not speak. It filled him with such loathing to hear this man so + much as utter Ella's name, it was all he could do to keep his hands + motionless by his side and not make use of them about the other's throat. + </p> + <p> + “She's been useful, very useful,” Deede Dawson went on meditatively. “Her + mother had some money when I married her. I don't mind telling you it's + all spent now, but Ella's a little fortune in herself.” + </p> + <p> + “I didn't know we came to talk about her,” said Dunn slowly. “I thought + you had something else to say to me.” + </p> + <p> + “So I have,” Deede Dawson answered. “That's why I brought you here. We are + safe from eavesdroppers here, in a house you can never tell who is behind + a curtain or a door. But then, Ella is a part of my plans, a very + important part. Do you remember I told you I might want you to take a + second packing-case away from here in the car one night?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I remember,” said Dunn slowly. “I remember. What would be in it? The + same sort of thing that was in—that other?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Deede Dawson. “Much the same.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall want to see for myself,” said Dunn. “I'm a trustful sort of + person, but I don't go driving about the country with packing-cases late + at night unless I've seen for myself what's inside.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. PLOTS AND PLAYS + </h2> + <p> + “Very wise of you,” yawned Deede Dawson. “That's just what Ella said—what's + that?” + </p> + <p> + For instinctively Dunn had raised his hand, but he lowered it again at + once. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, cut the cackle,” he said impatiently. “Tell me what you want me to + do, and make it plain, very plain, for I can tell you there's a good deal + about all this I don't understand, and I'm not inclined to trust you far. + For one thing, what are you after yourself? Where do you come in? What are + you going to get? And there's another thing I want to say. If you are + thinking of playing any tricks on me don't do it, unless you are ready to + take big risks. There's only one man alive who ever made a fool of me, and + his name is Rupert Dunsmore, and I don't think he's today what insurance + companies call a good risk. Not by any manner of means.” He paused to + laugh harshly. “Let's get to business,” he said. “Look here, how do I know + you mean all you say about Rupert Dunsmore? What's he to you?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” answered Deede Dawson promptly. “Nothing. But there's some one + I'm acting for to whom he is a good deal.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is that?” Dunn asked sharply. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think I'm going to tell you?” retorted the other, and laughed in + his cold, mirthless manner. “Perhaps you aren't the only one who owes him + a grudge.” + </p> + <p> + “That's likely enough, but I want to know where I'm standing,” said Dunn. + “Is this unknown person you say you are acting for anxious to bring about + Rupert Dunsmore's death?” + </p> + <p> + “I'm not answering any questions, so you needn't ask them,” replied Deede + Dawson. + </p> + <p> + “But I will tell you that there's something big going on. Or I shouldn't + be in it, I don't use my brains on small things, you know. If it comes off + all right, I—” He paused, and for once a thrill of genuine emotion + sounded in his voice. “Thousands,” he said abruptly. “Yes, and more—more. + But there's an obstacle—Rupert Dunsmore. It's your place to remove + him. That'll suit you, and it'll mean good pay, as much as you like to ask + for in reason. And Ella, if you want her. The girl won't be any use to me + when this is over, and you can have her if you like. I don't think she'll + object from what I can see—not that it would matter if she did. So + there you are. Put Rupert Dunsmore out of the way and it'll be the best + day's work you've ever done, and you shall have Ella into the bargain—if + you claim her. Makeweight.” + </p> + <p> + He began to laugh again and Dunn laughed, too, for while he was not sure + what it was that amused Deede Dawson, there were certain aspects of all + this that bore for him a very curious and ironic humour. + </p> + <p> + “All right,” he said. “You bring me face to face with Rupert Dunsmore and + you won't have to grumble about the result, for I swear only one of us + will go away alive. But how are you going to do it?” + </p> + <p> + “I've my plan, and it's simple enough,” answered Deede Dawson. “Though I + can tell you it took some working out. But the simplest problem is always + the best, whether in life or in chess.” Again he indulged in a low and + guarded outburst of his thin, mirthless laughter before he continued: “I + suppose you know Rupert Dunsmore is one of those restless people who are + never content except when wandering about in some out of the way place or + another, as often as not no one having the least idea of his whereabouts. + Then he turns up unexpectedly, only to disappear again when the whim takes + him. Lately he has been away on one of these trips, but I happen to know + he is coming back almost at once—what's the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “I was only wondering how you knew that,” answered Dunn, who had given a + sudden start. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know, never mind how,” Deede Dawson said. “I know that tomorrow + afternoon at four o'clock he will be waiting by the side of Brook Bourne + Spring in Ottom's Wood, near General Dunsmore's place. Which is as out of + the way and quiet and lonely a spot as you could wish for.” + </p> + <p> + “And you have information that he will be there?” Dunn said incredulously. + “How can you possibly be sure of that?” + </p> + <p> + “Never mind how,” answered Deede Dawson. “I am sure. That's enough. My + information is certain.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, it is, is it?” Dunn muttered. “You are a wonderful man, Mr. Dawson. + You know everything—or nearly everything. You are sure of everything—or + nearly everything—but suppose he changes his mind at the last moment + and doesn't come after all?” + </p> + <p> + “He won't,” answered Deede Dawson. “You be there and you'll find him there + all right.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, perhaps,” said Dunn slowly. “But what I want to know is why you are + so sure? There's a good deal hangs on your being right, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “I only wish I was as certain of everything else,” Deede Dawson said. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, all right,” exclaimed Dunn. “I suppose you know and you may be + right.” + </p> + <p> + “I am,” Deede Dawson assured him. “Listen carefully now, there mustn't be + any blunders. You are to make an early start tomorrow. I don't want you to + take the car for fear of its being seen and identified. You must take the + train to London and then another train back immediately to Delsby. From + Delsby you'll have an eighteen-mile walk through lonely country where you + aren't likely to meet any one, and must try not to. The less you are seen + the better. You know that for yourself, and for your own sake you'll be + careful. You'll have no time to spare, but you will be able to get to the + place I told you of by four all right—no earlier, no later. You must + arrange to be there at four exactly. You may spoil all if you are too + early. Almost as soon as you get there, Rupert Dunsmore will arrive. You + must do the rest for yourself, and then you must strike straight across + country for here. You can look up your routes on the map. There will be + less risk of attracting attention if you come and go by different ways. + You ought to be here again some time in the small hours. I'll let you in, + and you'll have cleared your own score with Rupert Dunsmore and earned + more money than you ever have had in all your life before. Now, can I + depend on you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes—yes,” answered Dunn, over whom there had come a new and strange + sense of unreality as he stood and listened to cold-blooded murder being + thus calmly, coolly planned, as though it were some afternoon's pleasure + trip that was being arranged, so that he hardly knew whether he did, in + fact, hear this smooth, low, unceasing voice that from the darkness at his + side laid down such a bloody road for his feet to travel. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, you can depend on me,” he said. “But can I depend on you, when + you say Rupert Dunsmore will be there at that time and that place?” + </p> + <p> + It was a moment or two before Deede Dawson answered, and then his voice + was very low and soft and confident as he said: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you can—absolutely. You see, I know his plans.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do you?” Dunn said as though satisfied. “Oh, well then, it's no + wonder you're so sure.” + </p> + <p> + “No wonder at all,” agreed Deede Dawson. “There's just one other thing I + can tell you. Some one else will be there, too, at Brook Bourne Spring in + Ottam's Wood.” + </p> + <p> + “Who's that?” asked Dunn sharply. + </p> + <p> + “The man,” said Deede Dawson, “who is behind all this—the man you + and I are working for—the man who's going to pay us, even better + than he thinks.” + </p> + <p> + “He—he will be there?” repeated Dunn, drawing a deep, breath. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but you won't see him, and it wouldn't help you if you did,” Deede + Dawson told him. “Most likely he'll be disguised—a mask, perhaps; I + don't know. Anyhow, he'll be there. Watching. I'm not suggesting you would + do such a thing as never go near the place, loaf around a bit, then come + back and report Rupert Dunsmore out of the way for good, draw your pay and + vanish, and leave us to find out he was as lively and troublesome as ever. + I don't think you would do that, because you sounded as if you meant what + you said when you told me he was your worst enemy. But it's just as well + to be sure, and so we mean to have a witness; and as it's what you might + call a delicate matter, that witness will most likely be our employer + himself. So you had better do the job thoroughly if you want your pay.” + </p> + <p> + “I see you take your precautions,” remarked Dunn. “Well, that's all right, + I don't mind.” + </p> + <p> + “You understand exactly what you've got to do?” Deede Dawson asked. + </p> + <p> + Dunn nodded. + </p> + <p> + “What about Allen?” he asked. “Does he take any part in this show?” + </p> + <p> + “He and I are planning a little visit to Wreste Abbey rather early the + same night, during the dinner-hour most likely,” answered Deede Dawson + carelessly. “We can get in at one of the long gallery windows quite + easily, Allen says. He kept his eyes open that day you all went there. It + may be helpful to give the police two problems to work on at once; and + besides, big as this thing is, there's a shortage of ready money at + present. But our little affair at Wreste Abbey will have nothing to do + with you. You mind what you've got to do, and don't trouble about anything + else. See?” + </p> + <p> + “I see,” answered Dunn slowly. “And if you can arrange for Rupert Dunsmore + to be there at that time all right, I'll answer for the rest.” + </p> + <p> + “You needn't be uneasy about that,” Deede Dawson said, and laughed. “You + see, I know his plans,” he repeated, and laughed again; and still laughing + that chill, mirthless way of his, he turned and walked back towards the + house. + </p> + <p> + Dunn watched him go through the darkness, and to himself he muttered: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but I wonder if you do.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0023" id="link2HCH0023"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIII. COUNTER-PLANS + </h2> + <p> + The hour was late by now, but Dunn felt no inclination for sleep, and + there was no need for him to return indoors as yet, since Deede Dawson, + who always locked up the house himself, never did so till past midnight. + Till the small hours, very often he was accustomed to sit up absorbed in + those chess problems, the composing and solving of which were his great + passion, so that, indeed, it is probable that under other circumstances he + might have passed a perfectly harmless and peaceful existence, known to + wide circles as an extraordinarily clever problemist and utterly unknown + elsewhere. + </p> + <p> + But the Fate that is, after all, but man's own character writ large, had + decreed otherwise. And the little, fat, smiling man bending over his + travelling chess board on which he moved delicately to and fro the tiny + red and white men of carved ivory, now and again removing a piece and + laying it aside, had done as much with as little concern to his fellow + creatures from the very beginning of his terrible career. + </p> + <p> + Outside, leaning on the gate where Deede Dawson had left him, Dunn was + deep in thought that was not always very comforting, for there was very + much in all this laid out for him to accomplish that he did not understand + and that disturbed him a good deal. + </p> + <p> + A careful, cautious “Hist!” broke in upon his thoughts, and in an instant + he stiffened to close attention, every nerve on the alert. + </p> + <p> + The sound was repeated, a faint and wary footstep sounded, and in the + darkness a form appeared and stole slowly nearer. + </p> + <p> + Dunn poised for a moment, ready for attack or retreat, and then all at + once his tense attitude relaxed. + </p> + <p> + “You, Walter,” he exclaimed. “That's good! But how did you get here? And + how did you know where I was?” + </p> + <p> + The new-comer drew a little nearer and showed the tall, thin form of + Walter Dunsmore to whom Dunn had spoken at Wreste Abbey. + </p> + <p> + “I had to come,” he murmured. “I couldn't rest without seeing you. You + upset me the other day, saying what you did. Isn't it very dangerous your + being here? Suppose Deede Dawson—” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if he suspected, there would soon be an end of me,” answered Dunn + grimly. “But I think I'm going to win—at least, I did till tonight.” + </p> + <p> + “What's happened?” the other asked sharply and anxiously. + </p> + <p> + “He has been telling me his plans,” answered Dunn. “He has told me + everything—he has put himself entirely in my power—he has done + what I have been waiting and hoping for ever since I came here. He has + given me his full confidence at last, and I never felt more uneasy or less + certain of success than I do at this moment.” + </p> + <p> + “He has told you—everything?” Walter Dunsmore asked. “Everything, + except who is behind it all,” answered Dunn. “I asked him who he was + acting for, and he refused to say. But we shall know that tomorrow, for he + told me something almost as good—he told me where this employer + would be at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon. So then we shall have him, + unless Deede Dawson was lying.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, it all depends on finding that out,” remarked Walter + thoughtfully. “Finding out his identity.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that's the key move to the problem,” Dunn said. “And tomorrow we + shall know it, if Deede Dawson was speaking the truth just now.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think he was,” said Walter slowly. “I should think it is certain + he was. You may depend on that, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “I think so, too,” agreed Dunn. “But how did you find out where I was?” + </p> + <p> + “You know that day you came to Wreste Abbey? There was some fellow you had + with you who told the landlord of the Chobham Arms, so I easily found out + from him,” answered Walter. + </p> + <p> + “Anyhow, I'm glad you're here,” Dunn said. “I was wondering how to get in + touch with you. Well, this is Deede Dawson's plan in brief. Tomorrow, at + four in the afternoon, Rupert Dunsmore is to be killed—and I've + undertaken to do the deed.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” exclaimed Walter, starting. + </p> + <p> + “I've promised that if Deede Dawson will bring me face to face with Rupert + Dunsmore, I'll murder him,” answered Dunn, laughing softly. + </p> + <p> + “A fairly safe offer on your part, isn't it?” observed Walter. “At least, + unless there's any saving clause about mirrors.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, none,” answered Dunn. “I told Deede Dawson Rupert Dunsmore was my + worst enemy, and that's true enough, for I think every man's worst enemy + is himself.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I had none worse,” muttered Walter. + </p> + <p> + “I think you haven't, old chap,” Dunn said smilingly. “But come across the + road. It'll be safer on the common. Deede Dawson is so cunning one is + never safe from him. One can never be sure he isn't creeping up behind.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I daresay it's wise to take every precaution,” observed Walter. + “But I can't imagine either him or any one else getting near you without + your knowledge.” + </p> + <p> + Robert Dunn,—or rather, Rupert Dunsmore, as was his name by right of + birth—laughed again to himself, very softly in the darkness. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps not,” he said. “But I take no chances I can avoid with Deede + Dawson. Come along.” + </p> + <p> + They crossed the road together and sat down on the common at an open spot, + where none could well approach them unheard or unseen. Dunn laid his hand + affectionately on Walter's shoulder as they settled themselves. + </p> + <p> + “Old chap,” he said. “It was good of you to come here. You've run some + risk. It's none too safe near Bittermeads. But I'm glad to see you, + Walter. It's a tremendous relief after all this strain of doubt and + watching and suspicion to be with some one I know—some one I can + trust—some one like you, Walter.” + </p> + <p> + In the darkness, Walter put out his hand and took Dunn's and held it for a + moment. + </p> + <p> + “I have been anxious about you,” he said. Dunn returned the pressure + warmly. + </p> + <p> + “I know,” he said. “Jove, old chap, it's good to see you again. You don't + know what it's like after all this long time, feeling that every step was + a step in the dark, to be at last with a real friend again.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I can guess,” Walter said softly. + </p> + <p> + Dunn shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “No one could,” he said. “I tell you I've doubted, distrusted, suspected + till I wasn't sure of my own shadow. Well, that's all over now. Tomorrow + we can act.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me what I'm to do,” Walter Dunsmore said. + </p> + <p> + “There's a whole lot I don't understand yet,” Dunn continued slowly. “I + suppose it was that that was making me feel so jolly down before you came. + I don't feel sure somehow—not sure. Deede Dawson is such a cunning + brute. He seems to have laid his whole hand bare, and yet there may be + cards up his sleeve still. Besides, his plan he told me about seems so + bald. And I don't understand why he should think he is so sure of what I—I + mean, of what Rupert—it's a bit confusing to have a double identity—is + going to do. He says he is sure Rupert Dunsmore is to be at the Brook + Bourne Spring tomorrow at four. He says his information is certain, and + that he has full knowledge of what Rupert Dunsmore is going to do, which + is more than I have. But what can it be that's making him so sure?” + </p> + <p> + “That's probably simple enough,” said Walter. “You said you suspected + there was a leakage from Burns & Swift's office, and you told Burns to + make misleading statements about your movements occasionally when he was + dictating his letters. Well, I expect this is one.” + </p> + <p> + “That may be; only Deede Dawson seems so very sure,” answered Dunn. “But + what's specially important is his saying that his employer, whoever it is, + who is behind all this, will be there too.” + </p> + <p> + “A meeting? Is that it?” exclaimed Walter. + </p> + <p> + “No, that's not the idea,” answered Dunn. “You see, the idea is that + Rupert Dunsmore will be there at four, and that I'm to be there in ambush + to murder myself. Whoever is behind all this will be there too—to + see I carry out my work properly. And that gives us our chance.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's good,” exclaimed Walter. “We shall have him for certain.” + </p> + <p> + “That's what I want you to see to,” said Dunn. “I want you to have men you + can trust well hidden all round, ready to collar him. And I want you to + have all the roads leading to Ottam's Wood well watched and every one + going along them noted. You understand?” + </p> + <p> + “That's quite easy,” declared Walter. “I can promise not a soul will get + into Ottam's Wood without being seen, and I'll make very sure indeed of + getting hold of any one hiding anywhere near Brook Bourne Spring. And once + we've done that—once we know who it is—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” agreed Dunn. “We shall be all right then. That is the one thing + necessary to know—the key move to the problem—the identity of + who it is pulling the strings. He must be a clever beggar; anyhow, I mean + to see him hang for it yet.” + </p> + <p> + “I daresay he's clever,” agreed Walter. “He is playing for big stakes. + Anyhow, we'll have him tomorrow all right; that seems certain—at + last.” + </p> + <p> + “At last,” agreed Dunn, with a long-drawn sigh. “Ugh! it's all been such a + nightmare. It's been pretty awful, knowing there was some one—not + able to guess who. Ever since you discovered that first attempt, ever + since we became certain there was a plot going on to clear out every one + in succession to the Chobham estates—and that was jolly plain, + though the fools of police did babble about no evidence, as if pistol + bullets come from nowhere and poisoned cups of tea—” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I was to blame there, that was my fault,” said Walter. “You see, we + had no proof about the shooting, and when I had spilt that tea, no proof + of poison either. I shall always regret that.” + </p> + <p> + “A bit of bad luck,” Dunn agreed. “But accidents will happen. Anyhow, it + was clear enough some one was trying to make a jolly clear sweep. It may + be a madman; it may be some one with a grudge against us; it may be, as + poor Charley thought, some one in the line of succession, who is just + clearing the way to inherit the title and estates himself. I wish I knew + what made Charley suspicious of Deede Dawson in the first place.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't know that?” Walter asked. + </p> + <p> + “No, he never told me,” answered Dunn. “Poor Charley, it cost him his + life. That's another thing we must find out—where they've hidden his + body.” + </p> + <p> + “He was sure from the first,” remarked Walter, “that it was a conspiracy + on the part of some one in the line of succession?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” agreed Dunn. “It's likely enough, too. You see, ever since that big + family row and dispersion eighty years ago, a whole branch of the family + has been entirely lost sight of. There may be half a dozen possible heirs + we know nothing about. Like poor John Clive. I daresay if we had known of + his existence we should have begun by suspecting him.” + </p> + <p> + “There's one thing pretty sure,” remarked Walter. “If these pleasant + little arrangements did succeed, it would be a fairly safe guess that the + inheritor of the title and estates was the guilty person. It might be + brought home to him, too.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps,” agreed Dunn dryly. “But just a trifle too late to interest me + for one. And I don't mean to let the dad or uncle be sacrificed if I can + help it. I failed with Clive, poor fellow, but I don't mean to again, and + I don't see how we can. Deede Dawson has exposed his hand. Now we can play + ours.” + </p> + <p> + “But what are you going to do?” Walter asked. “Are you going to follow out + his instructions?” + </p> + <p> + “To the letter,” Dunn answered. “We are dealing with very wary, suspicious + people, and the least thing might make them take alarm. The important + point, of course, is the promise that Deede Dawson's employer will be at + Brook Bourne Spring tomorrow afternoon. That's our trump card. Everything + hangs on that. And to make sure there's no hitch, I shall do exactly what + I've been told to do. I expect I shall be watched. I shall be there at + four o'clock, and ten minutes after I hope we shall have laid hands on—whoever + it is.” + </p> + <p> + Walter nodded. + </p> + <p> + “I don't see how we can fail,” he said. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0024" id="link2HCH0024"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIV. AN APHORISM + </h2> + <p> + “No,” Dunn agreed after a long pause. “No, I don't see myself how failure + is possible; I don't see what there is to go wrong. All the same, I shan't + be sorry when it's all over; I suppose I'm nervous, that's the truth of + it. But Deede Dawson's hardly the sort of man I should have expected to + lay all his cards on the table so openly.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I think that's natural enough,” answered Walter. “Quite natural—he + thinks you are in with him and he tells you what he wants you to do. But I + don't quite see the object of your visit to the Abbey the other day. You + gave me the shock of my life, I think. I hadn't the least idea who you + were—that beard makes a wonderful difference.” + </p> + <p> + Dunn laughed quietly. + </p> + <p> + “It's a good disguise,” he admitted. “I didn't quite know myself first + time I looked in a mirror. We went to the Abbey to prepare for a burglary + there.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, is that on the cards, too?” exclaimed Walter. “I didn't expect that.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Dunn. “My own idea is that Deede Dawson sees an + opportunity for making a bit on his own. After all of us are disposed of + and his friend has got the title and estates, he won't dare to prosecute + of course, and so Deede Dawson thinks it a good opportunity to visit the + Abbey and pick up any pictures or heirlooms or so-so he can that it would + be almost impossible to dispose of in the ordinary way, but that he + expects he will be able to sell back at a good price to the new owner of + the property. I think he calculates that that gentleman will be ready to + pay as much as he is asked. I don't know, but I think that's his idea from + something he said the other day about the uselessness of even good stuff + from a big house unless you knew of a sure market, or could sell it back + again to the owner.” + </p> + <p> + “Jolly clever idea if it works all right,” said Walter slowly. “I can see + Mr. Deede Dawson is a man who needs watching. And I suppose we had better + be on the look-out at the Abbey tomorrow night?” + </p> + <p> + “Evening,” corrected Dunn. “It's planned for the dinner-hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Right,” said Walter. “We shall see some crowded hours tomorrow, I expect. + Well, it's like this, as I understand it—we had better be sure + everything is quite clear. Their idea is that you will meet and murder + Rupert Dunsmore, who they have no notion is really your own self, at Brook + Bourne Spring at four tomorrow afternoon, and the unknown somebody who is + behind all this business will be in hiding there to make sure you do your + work properly. Our idea is to watch all the roads leading to Ottam's Wood + and to have men in ambush near the spring to seize any one hiding there at + that time. Then we shall know who is at the bottom of all these plots and + shall be able to smash the whole conspiracy. In addition, Deede Dawson and + this other man you speak of, Allen, are going to break into the Abbey + tomorrow evening and we are to be ready for them and catch them in the + act?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Dunn, “that's the idea; you can manage all right?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” answered Walter. “It's all simple enough—you've planned + it out so jolly well there's nothing much left for me to do. And I don't + see what you're nervous about; there's nothing that can go wrong very well—your + plans are perfect, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “It's easy enough to make plans when you know just what the other side are + going to do,” observed Dunn. “There's one point more. Miss Cayley—I + mentioned her in one of the notes I sent you through Burns.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I remember—Deede Dawson's step-daughter,” said Walter. “I + suppose she is in it?” + </p> + <p> + “She is not; she knows nothing,” declared Dunn vehemently. + </p> + <p> + “But it was she who took away poor Charley's body, wasn't it?” asked + Walter. “But for that you would have had evidence enough to act on at + once, wouldn't you?” + </p> + <p> + “She did not know what she was doing,” Dunn replied. “And now she is in + danger herself. I am convinced Deede Dawson is growing afraid of her, he + dropped hints; I'm sure he is planning something, perhaps he means to + murder her as well. So besides these other arrangements I want to see that + there's a trustworthy man watching here. I don't anticipate that there's + any immediate danger—it's almost certain that if he means anything + he will wait till he sees how this other business is turning out. But I + want some one trustworthy to be at hand in case of need. You will see to + that?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, I can spare Simmonds; I'll send him,” answered Walter. “Though, + I must say, my dear chap, I don't think I should trouble much about that + young lady. But it can be easily managed, in fact everything you want me + to do is easy enough; I only wish some of it was a bit difficult or + dangerous.” + </p> + <p> + “You're a good chap, Walter,” said Dunn, putting his hand on the other's + shoulder again. “Well, I think it's all settled now. I tell you I'm + looking forward a good deal to four o'clock tomorrow afternoon. I feel as + if I would give all I possess to know who it is.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't make that offer,” Walter said with a smile, “or the fates may + accept it.” + </p> + <p> + “I feel as though there's only one thing in the world I want one half so + much,” Dunn said. “As to know who this—devil is.” + </p> + <p> + “Devil?” repeated Walter. “Well, yes, devil's a word like any other.” + </p> + <p> + “I think it's justified in this case,” said Dunn sternly. “Poor Charley + Wright dead! One thing I can't understand about that is how they got him + back here when you saw him in London when you did. But they're a cunning + lot. They must have worked it somehow. Then Clive. I feel to blame for + Clive's death—as if I ought to have managed better and saved him. + Now there's this other devilry they are planning. I tell you, Walter, I + feel the whole world will be a sweeter place after four o'clock tomorrow + afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + “At any rate,” said Walter, “I think we may be sure of one thing—after + four o'clock tomorrow afternoon you will know all—all.” He paused + and repeated, slightly varying the phrase: “Yes, after four o'clock + tomorrow afternoon you will know everything—everything.” He added in + a brisker tone: “There's nothing else to arrange?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” said Dunn, “I don't think so, and I had better go now or Deede + Dawson will be suspecting something. He'll want to know what I've been + stopping out so late for. Good-bye, old chap, and good luck.” + </p> + <p> + They shook hands. + </p> + <p> + “Good-bye and good luck, Rupert, old man,” Walter said. “You may depend on + me—you know that.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I do know that,” Dunn answered. + </p> + <p> + They shook hands again, and Dunn said: “You've hurt your hand. It's tied + up. Is it anything much?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” answered Walter with a little laugh. “A mere scratch. I + scratched it on a bit of wood, a lid that didn't fit properly.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, good-bye and good luck,” Dunn said again, and they parted, Walter + disappearing into the darkness and Dunn returning to the house. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson heard him enter, and he came to the door of the room in which + he had been sitting. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, there you are,” he said. “Been enjoying the night air or what? You've + been a long time.” + </p> + <p> + “I've been thinking,” Dunn muttered in the heavy, sulky manner he always + assumed at Bittermeads. + </p> + <p> + “Not weakening, eh?” asked Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Dunn. “I'm not.” + </p> + <p> + “Good,” Deede Dawson exclaimed. “There's a lot to win, and no fear of + failure. I don't see that failure's possible. Do you?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Dunn. “I suppose not.” + </p> + <p> + “The mate's sure this time,” Deede Dawson declared. “It's our turn to + move, and whatever reply the other side makes, we're sure of our mate next + move. By the way, did you ever solve that problem I showed you the other + day?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think so,” answered Dunn. “It was a long time before I could hit + on the right move, but I managed it at last, I think.” + </p> + <p> + “Come and show me, then,” said Deede Dawson, bustling back into his room + and beginning to set up the pieces on his travelling chess-board. “This + was the position, wasn't it? Now, what's your move?” + </p> + <p> + Dunn showed him, and Deede Dawson burst into a laugh that had in it for + once a touch of honest enjoyment. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that would do it, but for one thing you haven't noticed,” he said. + “Black can push the pawn at KB7 and make it, not a queen, but a knight, + giving check to your king and no mate for you next move.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that's so,” agreed Dunn. “I hadn't thought of that.” + </p> + <p> + “Unexpected, eh? Making the pawn a knight?” smiled Deede Dawson. “But in + chess, and in life, it's the unexpected you have to look out for.” + </p> + <p> + “That's quite an aphorism,” said Dunn. “It's true, too.” + </p> + <p> + He went up to bed, but did not sleep well, and when at last he fell into a + troubled slumber, it seemed to him that Charley Wright and John Clive were + there, one on each side of him, and that they had come, not because they + sought for vengeance, but because they wished to warn him of a doom like + their own that they could see approaching but he could not. + </p> + <p> + Toward's morning he got an hour's sound rest, and he was down stairs in + good time. He did not see Ella, but he heard her moving about, so knew + that she was safe as yet; and Deede Dawson gave him some elaborate parting + instructions, a little money, and a loaded revolver. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that I want that,” said Dunn. “My hands will be all I need + once I'm face to face with Rupert Dunsmore.” + </p> + <p> + “That's the right spirit,” said Deede Dawson approvingly. “But the pistol + may be useful too. You needn't use it if you can manage without, but you + may as well have it. Good-bye, and the best of luck. Take care of + yourself, and don't lose your head or do anything foolish.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you can trust me,” said Dunn. + </p> + <p> + “I think I can,” smiled Deede Dawson. “I think I can. Good-bye. Be + careful, avoid noise and fuss, don't be seen any more than you can help, + and if you shoot, aim low.” + </p> + <p> + “There's a vade mecum for the intending assassin,” Dunn thought grimly to + himself, but he said nothing, gave the other a sullen nod, and started off + on his strange and weird mission of murdering himself. He found himself + wondering if any one else had ever been in such a situation. He did not + suppose so. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0025" id="link2HCH0025"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXV. THE UNEXPECTED + </h2> + <p> + To the very letter Dunn followed the careful and precise instructions + given him by Deede Dawson, for he did not wish to rouse in any way the + slightest suspicion or run the least risk of frightening off that unknown + instigator of these plots who was, it had been promised him, to be present + near Brook Bourne Spring at four that afternoon. + </p> + <p> + Even the thought of Ella was perhaps less clear and vivid to his mind just + now than was his intense and passionate desire to discover the identity of + the strange and sinister personality against whom he had matched himself. + </p> + <p> + “Very likely it's some madman,” he thought to himself. “How in the name of + common sense can he expect to inherit the title and estates quietly after + such a series of crimes as he seems to contemplate? Does he think no one + will have any suspicion of him when he comes forward? Even if he is + successful in getting rid of all of us in this way, how does he expect to + be able to reap his reward? Of course he may think that there will be no + direct evidence if he manages cleverly enough, and that mere suspicion he + will be able to disregard and live down in time, but surely it will be + plain enough that 'who benefits is guilty'? The whole thing is mad, + fantastic. Why, the mere fact of any one making a claim to the title and + estates would be almost enough to justify a jury in returning a verdict of + guilty.” + </p> + <p> + But though his thoughts ran in this wise all the time he was journeying to + London, and though he repeated them to himself over and over again, none + the less there remained an uneasy consciousness in his mind that perhaps + these people had plans more subtle than he knew, and that even this + difficulty of making their claim without bringing instant suspicion on + themselves they had provided for. + </p> + <p> + It was late in the year now, but the day was warm and very calm and fine. + At the London terminus where he alighted he had a strong feeling that he + was watched, and when he took the train back to Delsby he still had the + idea that he was being kept under observation. + </p> + <p> + He felt he had been wise in deciding to carry out Deede Dawson's + instructions so closely, for he was sure that if he had failed to do so in + any respect alarm would have been taken at once, and warning telegrams + gone flying on the instant to all concerned. Then that self-baited trap at + Brook Bourne Spring, wherein he hoped to see his enemy taken, would remain + unapproached, and all his work and risk would have gone for nothing. + </p> + <p> + When he alighted at his destination he was a little before time, and so he + got himself something to eat at a small public-house near the station + before starting on his fifteen-mile walk across country. Though he was not + sure, he did not think any one was observing him now. Most likely his + movements up to the present had appeared satisfactory, and it had not been + thought necessary to watch him longer. + </p> + <p> + But he was careful to do nothing to rouse suspicion if he were still being + spied upon, and after he had eaten and had a smoke he started off on his + long tramp. + </p> + <p> + Even yet he was careful, and so long as he was near the village he made a + show of avoiding observation as much as possible. Later on, when he had + made certain he was not being followed, he did not trouble so much, though + he still kept it in mind that any one he met or passed might well be in + fact one of Deede Dawson's agents. + </p> + <p> + He walked on sharply through the crisp autumn air, and in other + circumstances would have found the walk agreeable enough. It was a little + curious that as he proceeded on his way his chief preoccupation seemed to + shift from his immediate errand and intense eagerness to discover the + identity of his unknown foe, with whom he hoped to stand face to face so + soon, to a troubled and pressing anxiety about Ella. + </p> + <p> + Up till now he had not thought it likely that she was in the least real + danger. He knew Simmonds, the man Walter had promised to put on watch at + Bittermeads, and knew him to be capable and trustworthy. None the less, + his uneasiness grew and strengthened with every mile he traversed, till + presently her situation seemed to him the one weak link in his careful + plans. + </p> + <p> + That the trap the unknown had so carefully laid for himself to be taken + in, would assuredly and securely close upon him, Dunn felt certain enough. + Walter would see to that. Sure was it, too, that the enterprise Deede + Dawson had planned for himself and Allen at the Abbey must result in their + discomfiture and capture. Walter would see to that also. But concerning + Ella's position doubt would insist on intruding, till at last he decided + that the very moment the Brook Bourne Spring business was satisfactorily + finished with he would hurry at his best speed to Bittermeads and make + sure of her safety. + </p> + <p> + Absorbed in these uneasy thoughts, he had insensibly slackened speed, and + looking at his watch he saw that it was two o'clock, and that he was + still, by the milestone at the roadside, eight miles from his destination. + </p> + <p> + He wished to be there a little before the time arranged for him by Deede + Dawson, and he increased his pace till he came to a spot where the path he + had to take branched off from the road he had been following. At this spot + a heavy country lad was sitting on a gate by the wayside, and as Dunn + approached he clambered heavily down and slouched forward to meet him. + </p> + <p> + “Be you called Robert Dunn, mister?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + Dunn gave him a quick and suspicious look, much startled by this sudden + recognition in so lonely a spot. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am,” he said, after a moment's hesitation. “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “If you are, there's this as I'm to give you,” the lad answered, drawing a + note from his pocket. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, who gave you that?” Dunn asked, fully persuaded the note contained + some final instructions from Deede Dawson and wondering if this lad were + one of his agents in disguise, or merely some inhabitant of the district + hired for the one purpose of delivering the letter. + </p> + <p> + But the lad's drawled reply disconcerted him greatly. + </p> + <p> + “A lady,” he said. “A real lady in a big car, she told me to wait here and + give you this. All alone she was, and drove just like a man.” + </p> + <p> + He handed the letter over as he spoke, and Dunn saw that it was addressed + to him in his name of Robert Dunn in Ella's writing. He blinked at it in + very great surprise, for there was nothing he expected less, and he did + not understand how she knew so well where he would be or how she had + managed to get away from Bittermeads uninterfered with by Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + His first impulse was to suspect some new trap, some new and cunning trap + that, perhaps, the unconscious Ella was being used to bait. Taking the + letter from the boy, he said: + </p> + <p> + “How did you know it was for me?” + </p> + <p> + “Lady told me,” answered the boy grinning. “She said as I was to look out + for a chap answering to the name of Robert Dunn, with his face so covered + with hair you couldn't see nothing of it no more'n you can see a sheep's + back for wool. 'As soon as I set eye on 'ee,' says I, 'That's him,' I + says, and so 'twas.” + </p> + <p> + He grinned again and slouched away and Dunn stood still, holding the + letter in his hand and not opening it at first. It was almost as though he + feared to do so, and when at last he tore the envelope open it was with a + hand that trembled a little in spite of all that he could do. For there + was something about this strange communication and the means adopted to + deliver it to him that struck him as ominous in the extreme. Some sudden + crisis must have arisen, he thought, and it appeared to him that Ella's + knowledge of where to find him implied a knowledge of Deede Dawson's plans + that meant she was either his willing and active agent and accomplice, or + else she had somehow acquired a knowledge of her stepfather's proceedings + that must make her position a thousand times more critical and dangerous + than before. + </p> + <p> + He flung the envelope aside and began to read the contents. It opened + abruptly, without any form of address, and it was written in a hand that + showed plain signs of great distress and agitation: “You are in great + danger. I don't know what. I heard them talking. They spoke as though + something threatened you, something you could not escape. Be careful, very + careful. You asked me once if I had ever heard a man with a high, squeaky + voice, and I did not answer. It was to a man with a voice like that I gave + the packing-case I took away from here the night you came. Do you + remember? He was here all last night, I think. I saw him go very early. He + is Mr. Walter Dunsmore. I saw him that day at Wreste Abbey, and I knew I + had seen him before. This morning I recognized him. I am sure because he + hurt his hand on the packing-case lid, and I saw the mark there still. He + and my stepfather were talking all night, I think I couldn't hear + everything. There is a General Dunsmore. Something is to happen to him at + three o'clock and then to you later, and they both laughed a great deal + because they think you will be blamed for whatever happens to General + Dunsmore. He is to be enticed somewhere to meet you, but you are not to be + there till four, too late. I am afraid, more afraid than ever I have been. + What shall I do? I think they are making plans to do something awful. I + don't know what to do. I think my stepfather suspects I know something, he + keeps looking, looking, smiling all the time. Please come back and take + mother and me away, for I think he means to kill us both.” + </p> + <p> + There was no signature, but written like an afterthought across one corner + of the note were the scribbled words: + </p> + <p> + “You told me something once, I don't know if you meant it.” And then, + underneath, was the addition—“He never stops smiling.” + </p> + <p> + Twice over Dunn read this strange, disturbing message, and then a third + time, and he made a little gesture of annoyance for it did not seem to him + that the words he read made sense, or else it was that his brain no longer + worked normally, and could not interpret them. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, but that's absurd,” he said aloud. + </p> + <p> + He looked all around him, surprised to see that the face of the + country-side had not changed in any way, but was all just as it had been + before this letter had been put into his hands. + </p> + <p> + He began to read a third, but stopped half-way through the first sentence. + </p> + <p> + “Then it's Walter all the time,” he muttered. “Walter—Walter!” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0026" id="link2HCH0026"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVI. A RACE AGAINST TIME + </h2> + <p> + Even when he had said this aloud it was still as though he could not grasp + its full meaning. + </p> + <p> + “Walter,” he repeated vaguely. “Walter.” + </p> + <p> + His thoughts, that had seemed as frozen by the sudden shock of the + tremendous revelation so unconsciously made to him by Ella, began to stir + and move again, and almost at once, with an extraordinary and abnormal + rapidity. + </p> + <p> + As a drowning man is said to see flash before his eyes the whole history + and record of his life, so now Dunn saw the whole story of his life-long + friendship with Walter pictured before him. + </p> + <p> + For when he was very small, Walter had been to him like an elder brother, + and when he was older, it was Walter who had taught him to ride and to + shoot, to hunt and to fish, and when he was at school it was Walter to + whom he looked up as the dashing young man of the world, who knew all + life's secrets, and when he was at college it was Walter who had helped + him out of the inevitable foolish scrapes into which it is the custom of + the undergraduate to fall. + </p> + <p> + Then, when he had come to man's estate, Walter had still been his + confidential friend and adviser. In Walter's hand he had been accustomed + to leave everything during his absences on his hunting and exploring + trips; and at what time during this long and kindly association of + good-fellowship had such black hate and poison of envy bred in Walter's + heart? + </p> + <p> + “Walter!” he said aloud once more, and he uttered the name as though it + were a cry of anguish. + </p> + <p> + Yet, too, even in his utter bewilderment and surprise, it seemed strange + to him that he had never once suspected, never dreamed, never once had the + shadow of a suspicion. + </p> + <p> + Little things, trifling things, a word, an accent, a phrase that had + passed at the time for a jest, a thousand such memories came back to him + now with a new and terrible significance. + </p> + <p> + For, after all, Walter was in the direct line. Only just a few lives stood + between him and a great inheritance, a great position. Perhaps long + brooding on what might so easily be had made him mad. + </p> + <p> + Dunn remembered now, too, that it was Walter who had discovered that first + murderous attempt which had first put them on their guard, but perhaps he + had discovered it only because he knew of it, and when it failed, saw his + safest plan was to be foremost in tracking it out. + </p> + <p> + And it was Walter who had last seen poor Charley Wright alone, and far + from Bittermeads. But perhaps that was a lie to confuse the search for the + missing man, and a reason why that search had failed so utterly up to the + moment of Dunn's own grim discovery in the attic. + </p> + <p> + With yet a fresh shock so that he reeled as he stood with the impact of + the thought, Dunn realized that all this implied that every one of his + precautions had been rendered futile that of all his elaborate plans not + one would take effect since all had been entrusted to the care of the very + man against whom they were aimed. + </p> + <p> + It was Walter for whom the net had been laid in Ottam's Wood; and Walter + to whom had been entrusted the task of drawing that net tight at the right + moment. + </p> + <p> + It was Walter's friends and agents who were to break into Wreste Abbey, + and Walter to whom had been entrusted the task of defeating and capturing + them. It was Walter from whom Ella stood in most danger if her action that + morning had been observed, and it was Walter to whom he had given the task + of protecting her. + </p> + <p> + At this thought, he turned and began to run as fast as he could in the + direction of Bittermeads. + </p> + <p> + At all costs she must be saved, she who had exposed the whole awful plot. + For a hundred yards or so he fled, swift as the wind, till on a sudden he + stopped dead with the realization of the fact that every yard he took that + way took him further and further from Ottam's Wood. + </p> + <p> + For there was danger there, too—grim and imminent—and + sentences in Ella's hasty letter that bore now to his new knowledge a deep + significance she had not dreamed of. + </p> + <p> + As when a flash of lightning lights all the landscape up and shows the + traveller dreadful dangers that beset his path, so a wave of intuition + told Dunn clearly the whole conspiracy; so that he saw it all, and saw how + every detail was to be fitted in together. His father, General Dunsmore, + was to be murdered first at the Brook Bourne Spring, to which he was being + lured; and afterwards, when Dunn arrived, he was to be murdered, too. And + on him, dead and unable to defend himself, the blame of his father's death + would be laid. It would not be difficult to manage. Walter would arrange + it all as neatly as he had been accustomed to arrange the Dunsmore + business affairs placed in his hands for settlement. + </p> + <p> + A forged letter or two, Dunn's own revolver used to shoot the old man with + and then placed in Dunn's dead hand when his own turn had come, convincing + detail like that would be easy to arrange. Why, the very fact of his + disguise, the tangled beard that he had grown to hide his features with, + would appear conclusive. Any coroner's jury would return a verdict of + wilful murder against his memory on that one fact alone. + </p> + <p> + Walter would see to that all right. A little false evidence apparently + reluctantly given would be added, and all would be kneaded together into + the one substance till the whole guilt of all that happened would appear + to lie solely on his shoulders. + </p> + <p> + As for motive, it would simply be put forward that he had been in a hurry + to succeed his uncle. And very likely some tale of a quarrel with his + father or something of that sort would be invented, and would go + uncontradicted since there would be no one to contradict it. + </p> + <p> + And most probably what was contemplated at Wreste Abbey was no ordinary + burglary, but the assassination of old Lord Chobham, of which the guilt + would also be set down to him. + </p> + <p> + Very clearly now he realized that this tremendous plot was aimed, not only + at life, but at honour—that not only was his life required, but also + that he should be thought a murderer. + </p> + <p> + With the realization of the danger that threatened at Wreste Abbey he + turned and began to run back in the direction where it lay, that he might + take timely warning there, but he did not run a dozen strides when he + remembered Ella again, and paused. + </p> + <p> + Surely he must think of her first, alone and unprotected. For she was the + woman he loved; and besides, she had summoned him to her help, and then + she was a woman, and at least, the others were men. + </p> + <p> + All this flood of thoughts, this intuitive grasping of a situation + terrible beyond conception, almost unparalleled in bloody and dreadful + horror, passed through his mind with extreme rapidity. + </p> + <p> + Once more he turned and began to run—to run as he had never run + before, for now he saw that all depended on the speed with which he could + cover the eight miles that lay between him and Ottam's Wood, whether he + could still save his father or not. + </p> + <p> + The district was lonely in the extreme, there was no human habitation + near, no place where he could obtain any help or any swift means of + conveyance. His one hope must be in his speed, his feet must be swift to + save, not only his own life and his father's, but his honour, too, and + Ella and his old uncle as well; and all—all hung upon the speed with + which he could cover the eight long miles that lay between him and Brook + Bourne Spring in Ottam's Wood. Even as he ran, as he thought of Ella, he + came abruptly to a pause, wrung with sudden anguish. For each fleet stride + he was making towards Brook Bourne Spring was taking him further and + further away from Bittermeads just as before each step to Bittermeads had + been taking him further from Ottam's Wood. + </p> + <p> + He began to run again, even faster than before, and it was towards Ottam's + Wood that he ran, each step taking him further from Bittermeads and + further from the woman he loved in her bitter need and peril, who looked + to him for the help he could not give. With pain and anguish he ran on, + ran as men have seldom run—as seldom so much was hung upon their + running. + </p> + <p> + On and on he sped, fleet as the wind, fleet as the light breeze that blew + lightly by. A solitary villager trudging on some errand in this lonely + place, tells to this day the tale of the bearded, wild-eyed man who raced + so madly by him, raced on and down the long, straight road till his figure + dwindled and vanished in the distance. + </p> + <p> + A shepherd boy went home with a tale of a strange thing he had seen of a + man running so fast it seemed he was scarcely in sight before he was gone + again. + </p> + <p> + And except for those two and one other none saw him at all and he ran his + race alone beneath the skies, across the bare country side. + </p> + <p> + It was at a spot where the path ran between two high hedges that he came + upon a little herd of cows a lad was driving home. + </p> + <p> + It seemed impossible to pass through that tangle of horns and tails and + plunging hoofs, and so indeed it was, but Dunn took another way, and with + one leap, cleared the first beast clean and alighted on the back of the + second. + </p> + <p> + Before the startled beast could plunge away he leaped again from the + vantage of its back and landed on the open ground beyond and so on, + darting full speed past the staring driver, whose tale that he told when + he got home caused him to go branded for years as a liar. + </p> + <p> + On and on Dunn fled, without stay or pause, at the utmost of his speed + every second of time, every yard of distance. For he knew he had need of + every ounce of power he possessed or could call to his aid, since he knew + well that all, all, might hang upon a second less or more, and now four + miles lay behind him and four in front. + </p> + <p> + Still on he raced with labouring lungs and heart near to bursting —onward + still, swift, swift and sure, and now there were six miles behind and only + two in front, and he was beginning to come to a part of the country that + he knew. + </p> + <p> + Whether he was soon or late he had no idea or how long it was that he had + raced like this along the lonely country road at the full extremity and + limit of his strength. + </p> + <p> + He dared not take time to glance at his watch, for he knew the fraction of + a second he would thus lose might mean the difference between in time and + too late. On he ran still and presently he left the path and took the + fields. + </p> + <p> + But he had forgotten that though the distance might be shorter the going + would be harder, and on the rough grass he stumbled, and across the bare + ground damp earth clung to his boots and hindered him as though each foot + had become laden with lead. + </p> + <p> + His speed was slower, his effort greater if possible, and when he came to + a hedge he made no effort to leap, but crashed through it as best he could + and broke or clambered or tumbled a path for himself. + </p> + <p> + Now Ottam's Wood was very near, and reeling and staggering like a man + wounded to the death but driven by inexorable fate, he plunged on still, + and there was a little froth gathering at the corners of his mouth and + from one of his nostrils came a thin trickle of blood. + </p> + <p> + Yet still he held on, though in truth he hardly knew any longer why he ran + or what his need for haste, and as he came to the wood round a spur where + a cluster of young beeches grew, he saw a tall, upright, elderly man + walking there, well-dressed and of a neat, soldier-like appearance. + </p> + <p> + “Hallo—there you are—father—” he gasped and fell down, + prone unconscious. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0027" id="link2HCH0027"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVII. FLIGHT AND PURSUIT + </h2> + <p> + When he came to himself he was lying on his back, and bending over him was + his father's familiar face, wearing an expression of great surprise and + wonder, and still greater annoyance. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” General Dunsmore asked as soon as he saw that his + son's senses were returning to him. “Have you all gone mad together? You + send me a mysterious note to meet you here at three, you turn up racing + and running like an escaped lunatic, and with a disgusting growth of hair + all over your face, so that I didn't know you till you spoke, and then + there's Walter dodging about in the wood here like a poacher hiding from + the keepers. Are you both quite mad, Rupert?” + </p> + <p> + “Walter,” Rupert repeated, lifting himself on one hand, “Walter—have + you seen him?” + </p> + <p> + “Over there,” said the general, nodding towards the right. “He was dodging + and creeping about for all the world like some poaching rascal. I waved, + but he didn't see me, and when I tried to overtake him I lost sight of him + somehow in the trees, and found I had come right out of my way for Brook + Bourne Spring.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank God for that,” said Rupert fervently as a picture presented itself + to him of his unsuspecting father trying in that lonely wood to find and + overtake the man whose murderous purpose was aimed at his life. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean?” snapped the general. “And why have you made such a + spectacle of yourself with all that beard? Why, I didn't know you till you + spoke—there's Walter there. What makes him look like that?” + </p> + <p> + For Walter had just come out of the wood about fifty yards to their right, + and when he saw them talking together he understood at once that in some + way or another all his plans had failed. + </p> + <p> + He was looking at them through a gap in some undergrowth that hid most of + his body, but showed his head and shoulders plainly, and as he stood there + watching them his face was like a fiend's. + </p> + <p> + “Walter,” the general shouted, and to his son Rupert he said: “The boy's + ill.” + </p> + <p> + Walter moved forward from among the trees. He had a gun in his hand, and + he flung it forward as though preparing to fire, and at the same moment + Rupert Dunsmore drew from his pocket the pistol Deede Dawson had given him + and fired himself. + </p> + <p> + But at the very moment that he pulled the trigger the general struck up + his arm so that the bullet flew high and harmless through the tops of the + trees. + </p> + <p> + Walter stepped back again into the wood, and Rupert said: + </p> + <p> + “You don't know what you have done, father.” + </p> + <p> + “You are mad, mad,” the general gasped. + </p> + <p> + His face was very pale, and he trembled a little, for though he had heard + many bullets whistle by his ears, that had happened in action against an + enemy, and was altogether different from this. He put out his hand in an + attempt to take the pistol that Rupert easily evaded. + </p> + <p> + “Give it to me,” he said. “I saved his life; you might have killed him.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, you saved him, father,” Rupert muttered, thinking to himself that + the saving of Walter's life might well mean the loss of Ella's, since very + likely the failure of their plots would be at once attributed by the + conspirators to her. “Father, I never wrote that letter you say you had. + Walter forged it to get you here, where he meant to kill us both. That's + why he looked like that, that's why he had his gun.” + </p> + <p> + General Dunsmore only stared blankly at him for a moment. + </p> + <p> + “Kill me? Kill you? What for?” he gasped. + </p> + <p> + “So that he might become Lord Chobham of Wreste Abbey instead of Lord + Chobham's poor relation,” answered Rupert. “The poison attempt on uncle + which Walter discovered was first of all his own doing; it was through him + Charley Wright lost his life. He has committed at least one other murder. + Today he meant to kill both of us. Then he would have been heir to the + title and estates, and when uncle died he would have been Lord Chobham.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense, absurd, impossible. You're mad, quite mad,” the general + stammered. “Why, he would have been hanged at once.” + </p> + <p> + “Not if he could have fixed the blame elsewhere,” Rupert answered. “That + was to have been my part; it was carefully arranged to make it seem I was + responsible for it all. I haven't time to explain now. I don't think he is + coming back. I expect he is only loaded with small shot, and he doesn't + dare try a long range shot or come near now he knows I'm ready for him.” + </p> + <p> + “But it's—it's impossible—Walter,” stammered the general. + “Impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “The impossible so often happens,” answered Rupert, and handed his pistol + to him. “You must trust me, father, and do what I tell you. Take this + pistol in case you are attacked on the way home. You may be, but I don't + think it's likely. Get the motor out and go straight to Wreste Abbey. An + attempt on uncle's life will be made tonight, if they still carry out + their plans, about dinner-time tonight. See that every possible precaution + is taken. See to that first. Then send help as soon as you can to + Bittermeads, a house on the outskirts of Ramsdon; any one there will tell + you where it is.” + </p> + <p> + “But what are you going to do?” General Dunsmore asked. + </p> + <p> + “I'm going to find Walter, if he's still hiding in the wood here, as he + may be,” Rupert answered. “I should like a little chat with him.” For a + moment he nearly lost his self-control, and for a single moment there + showed those fiery and tempestuous passions he was keeping now in such + stern repression. “Yes a little talk with him, just us two,” he said. “And + if he's cleared out, or I can't find him I'm going straight on to + Bittermeads. There's some one there who may be in danger, so the sooner I + am there the better.” + </p> + <p> + “But wait a moment,” the general cried. “Are you armed?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, with my hands, I shall want no more when Walter and I meet again,” + Rupert answered, and, without another word, plunged into the wood at the + spot where Walter had vanished. + </p> + <p> + At first the track of Walter's flying footsteps was plain enough for he + had fled full speed, panic having overtaken him when he saw Rupert and his + father together and understood that in some way his deep conspiracy had + failed and his treachery become known. + </p> + <p> + For a little distance, therefore, he had crashed through bracken and + undergrowth, heedless of all but the one need that was upon him to flee + away and escape while there was yet time. But, after a while, his first + panic subsiding, he had gone more carefully, and, as the weather had been + very dry of late, when he came to open ground his footmarks were scarcely + visible. + </p> + <p> + In such spots Rupert could make but slow progress, and he was handicapped, + too, by the fact, that all the time he had to be on his guard lest from + some unsuspected quarter his enemy should come upon him unawares. + </p> + <p> + For, indeed, this enterprise he had undertaken in the flood tide of his + passion and fierce anger was dangerous enough since he, quite weaponless, + was following up a very desperate armed man who would know that for him + there could be henceforth no question of mercy. + </p> + <p> + But there was that burning in Rupert's heart that made him heedless of all + danger, and indeed, he who for mere love of sport and adventure, had + followed a wounded tiger into the jungle and tracked a buffalo through + thick reeds, was not likely to draw back now. + </p> + <p> + Once he thought he had succeeded, for he saw a bush move and he rushed at + once upon it. But when he reached it there was nothing there, and the + ground about was hard and bare, showing no marks to prove any one had + lately been near. And once he saw a movement in the midst of some bracken + and caught a glimpse of what seemed like Walter's coat, so that he was + sure he had him at last, and he shouted and ran forward. + </p> + <p> + But again no one was there, though the bracken was all trampled and beaten + down. The tracks Walter had made in going were plain, too, but Rupert lost + them almost at once and could not find them again, and when he came a + little later to the further edge of the wood, he decided to waste no more + time, but to make his way direct to Bittermeads so as at least to make + sure of Ella's safety. + </p> + <p> + He told himself that he had failed badly in woodcraft and, indeed, he had + been too fierce and hot in his pursuit to show his wonted skill. + </p> + <p> + The plan that had been in his mind from the moment when he left his father + was to take advantage of the fact that on this edge of the wood was + situated a farm belonging to Lord Chobham, where horses were bred and + where he was well known. + </p> + <p> + Some of these horses were sure to be out in the fields, and it would be + easy for him, wasting no time in explanation, to catch one of them, mount + bare-backed and ride through the New Plantation—the New Plantation + was a hundred years old, but still kept that name—over the brow of + the hill beyond, swim the canal in the valley, and so straight + across-country to Ramsdon. + </p> + <p> + Riding thus direct he would save time and distance, and arrive more + quickly than by going the necessary distance to secure a motor-car which + would have also to take a much more circuitous route. + </p> + <p> + He jumped the hedge, therefore, that lay at the wood's edge and slid down + the steep bank into the sunken road beyond where he found himself standing + in front of Walter, who held in his hands a gun levelled straight at + Rupert's heart. + </p> + <p> + “I could have shot you time after time in there you know,” he said + quietly. “From behind that bush and from out of the bracken, too. I don't + know why I didn't. I suppose it wasn't worth while, now I shall never be + Lord Chobham.” + </p> + <p> + He flung down his gun as he spoke and sprang on a bicycle that he had held + leaning against his legs. + </p> + <p> + Quickly he sped away, leaving Rupert standing staring after him, realizing + that his life had hung upon the bending of Walter's finger, and that + Walter, with at least two cold-blooded murders to his account, or little + more to hope for in this world or the next, had now inexplicably spared + him for whose destruction, of life and honour alike, he had a little + before been laying such elaborate, hellish plans. + </p> + <p> + With a gesture of his hands that proved he failed to understand, Rupert + ran on and crossed a field to where he saw some horses grazing. + </p> + <p> + One he knew immediately for one of his father's mares, and he knew her + also for an animal of speed and endurance. + </p> + <p> + The mare knew him, too, and suffered him to mount her without difficulty, + and without a soul on the farm being aware of what was happening and + without having to waste any precious time on explanations or declaring his + identity, Rupert rode away, sitting the mare bare-backed, through the New + Plantation towards Bittermeads, where he hoped, arriving unexpectedly, to + be able to save Ella before the danger he was sure threatened her came to + a head. + </p> + <p> + Of one thing he was certain. Deede Dawson would never do what his + companion in villainy had just done, he would spare no one; fierce, + malignant and evil to the last, his one thought if he knew they had and + vengeance approached would be to do what harm he could before the end. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0028" id="link2HCH0028"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXVIII. BACK AT BITTERMEADS + </h2> + <p> + When, riding fast, Rupert Dunsmore came in sight of Bittermeads he + experienced a feeling of extreme relief. Though what he had feared he did + not quite know, for he did not see that any alarm could have reached here + yet or any hint come to Deede Dawson of the failure of all his plotting. + </p> + <p> + Even if Walter had had the idea of returning to give his accomplice + warning, he could not have come by the road on his bicycle as quickly as + Rupert had ridden across country. And that Walter would spend either time + or thought on Deede Dawson did not appear in any way probable. + </p> + <p> + To Rupert, therefore, it seemed certain that Deede Dawson could know + nothing as yet. But all the same it was an immense relief to see the house + again and to know that in a few moments he would be there. + </p> + <p> + He tied up the mare to a convenient tree, and with eyes that were quick + and alert and every nerve and muscle ready for all emergencies, he drew + near the house. + </p> + <p> + All was still and quiet, no smoke came from the chimneys, there was no + sign of life or movement anywhere. For a moment he hesitated and then made + his way round to the back, hoping to find Mrs. Barker there and perhaps + obtain from her information as to the whereabouts of Deede Dawson and of + Ella and her mother. + </p> + <p> + For it seemed to him it would be his best plan to get the two women + quietly out of the way if he could possibly do so before making any + attempt to deal with Deede Dawson or letting him know of his return. + </p> + <p> + For the mere fact that he was back again so soon would show at once that + something had gone seriously wrong, and once Deede Dawson knew that, he + would be, Rupert well realized, in a very desperate and reckless mood and + ripe for committing any mischief that he could. + </p> + <p> + Cautiously Rupert opened the back door and found himself in the + stone-paved passage that ran between the kitchen and the scullery and + pantry. Everything seemed very quiet and still, and there was no sign of + Mrs. Barker nor any appearance that she had been that morning busy about + her usual tasks. The kitchen fire was not lighted, a pile of unwashed + crockery stood on the table, there had apparently been no attempt to + prepare any meals. + </p> + <p> + Frowning uneasily, for all this did not seem to him of good omen, Rupert + went quickly on to the living rooms. + </p> + <p> + They were unoccupied and did not seem to have been much used that day; and + in the small breakfast-room Deede Dawson had been accustomed to consider + his special apartment, his favourite little travelling chessboard stood on + the table with pieces in position on it. + </p> + <p> + There was a letter, too, he had begun but not finished, to the editor of a + chess-column in some paper, apparently to the effect that a certain + problem “cooked,” and that by such and such a move “the mate for the first + player that appeared certain was unexpectedly and instantly transferred in + this dramatic manner into a mate for his opponent.” + </p> + <p> + The words seemed somehow oddly appropriate to Rupert, and he smiled grimly + as he read them and then all at once his expression changed and his whole + attitude became one of intense watchfulness and readiness. + </p> + <p> + For his quick eye had noted that the ink on the nib of the pen that this + letter had been written with, was not yet dry. + </p> + <p> + Then Deede Dawson must have been here a moment or two ago and must have + gone in a hurry. That could only mean he was aware of Rupert's return and + was warned and suspicious. It is perhaps characteristic of Rupert's + passionate and eager temperament that only now did it occur to him that he + was quite unarmed and that without a weapon of any kind he was matching + himself against as reckless and as formidable a criminal as had ever + lived. + </p> + <p> + For want of anything better he picked up the heavy glass inkpot standing + on the table, emptied the contents in a puddle on the floor, and held the + inkpot itself ready in his hand. + </p> + <p> + He listened intently, but heard no sound—no sound at all in the + whole house, and this increased his apprehensions, for he knew well that + Deede Dawson was a man always the most dangerous when most silent. + </p> + <p> + It was possible of course that he had fled, but not likely. He would not + go, Rupert thought, till he had made his preparations and not without a + last effort to take revenge on those who had defeated him and in this + dramatic way turned the mate he had expected to secure into a win for his + opponent. + </p> + <p> + Still Rupert listened intently, straining his ears to catch the least + sound to hint to him where his enemy was, for he knew that if he failed to + discover him his first intimation of his proximity might well come in the + shape of the white-hot sting of a bullet, rending flesh and bone. + </p> + <p> + Then, too, where was Ella, and where was her mother? + </p> + <p> + There was something inexpressibly sinister in the utter quietness of the + house, a quietness not at all of peace and rest but of a brooding, angry + threat. + </p> + <p> + Still he could hear nothing, and he left the room, very quickly and + noiselessly, and he made sure there was no one anywhere in any of these + rooms on the ground floor. + </p> + <p> + He locked the front door and the back to make sure no one should enter or + leave too easily, and returned on tiptoe, moving to and fro like a shadow + cast by a changing light, so swift and noiseless were his movements. + </p> + <p> + For a little he remained crouching against the side of the stairway, + listening for any sound that might float down to him from above. + </p> + <p> + But none came—and on a sudden, in one movement, as it were, he ran + up the stairs and crouched down on the topmost one so that any bullet + aimed at him as he appeared might perhaps fly overhead. + </p> + <p> + But none was fired; there was still no sound at all, no sign that the + house held any living creature beside himself. He began to think that + Deede Dawson must have sent the two women away and now have gone himself. + </p> + <p> + But there was the pen downstairs with ink still wet upon the nib to prove + that he had been here recently, and again very suddenly Rupert leaped to + his feet and ran noiselessly down the corridor and entered quickly into + Ella's room. + </p> + <p> + He had not been in it since the night of his arrival at Bittermeads, but + it appeared to him extraordinarily familiar and every little object in it + of ornament or use seemed to speak to him softly of Ella's gracious + presence. + </p> + <p> + Of Ella herself there was no sign, but he noticed that the tassel at the + end of the window blind cord was moving as if recently disturbed. + </p> + <p> + The movement was very slight, almost imperceptible, indeed, but it + existed; and it proved that some one must very shortly before have been + standing at the window. He moved to it and looked out. + </p> + <p> + The view commanded the road by which he had approached Bittermeads, and he + wondered if Ella had been standing there and had seen his approach, and + then had concealed herself for some reason. + </p> + <p> + But, if so, why and where was she hiding? And where was Deede Dawson? And + why was everything so silent and so still? + </p> + <p> + He turned from the window, and as he did so he caught a faint sound in the + passage without. + </p> + <p> + Instantly he crouched behind the bed, the heavy glass inkpot that was his + one weapon poised in his hand. + </p> + <p> + The sound did not come again, but as he waited, he saw the door begin to + open very slowly, very quietly. + </p> + <p> + Lower still he crouched, the inkpot ready to throw, every nerve taut and + tense for the leap at his foe's throat with which he meant to follow it + up. The door opened a little more, very slowly, very carefully. It was + wide enough now to admit of entry, and through the opening there sidled, + pale and red-eyed, Ella's mother, looking so frail and feeble and so + ruffled and disturbed she reminded Rupert irresistibly of a frightened + hen. + </p> + <p> + She edged her way in as though she dared not open the door too widely, and + Rupert hesitated in great perplexity and vexation, for he saw that he must + show himself, and he feared that she would announce his presence by flight + or screams. + </p> + <p> + But he could not possibly get away without her knowledge; and besides, she + might be able to give him useful information. + </p> + <p> + He stood up quickly, with his finger to his lips. “Hush!” he said. “Not a + sound—not a sound.” The warning seemed unnecessary, for Mrs. Dawson + appeared too paralysed with fear to utter even the faintest cry as she + dropped tremblingly on the nearest chair. + </p> + <p> + “Hush! Hush!” he said. “Where is Ella?” + </p> + <p> + “I—I don't know,” quavered Mrs. Dawson. + </p> + <p> + “When did you see her last?” + </p> + <p> + “A little while ago,” Mrs. Dawson faltered. “She went upstairs. She didn't + come down, so I thought I would try to find her.” + </p> + <p> + “Where's Deede Dawson?” Rupert asked. + </p> + <p> + “I—I don't know,” she quavered again. + </p> + <p> + “When did you see him last?” + </p> + <p> + “I—I—a little while ago,” she faltered. “He went upstairs—he + didn't come down again. I thought I would try to find her—him—I + was so frightened when they didn't either of them come down again.” + </p> + <p> + It was evident she was far too confused and upset to give any useful + information of any nature, even if she knew anything. + </p> + <p> + “Deede's been so strange,” she said. “And Ella too. I think it's very hard + on me—dreams, too. He said he wanted her to help him get a + packing-case ready he had to send away somewhere. I don't know where. I + don't think Ella wanted to—” + </p> + <p> + “A packing-case?” Rupert muttered. “What for?” + </p> + <p> + “It's what they came upstairs to do,” Mrs. Dawson said. “And—and—” + She began to cry feebly. “It's my nerves,” she said. “He's looked so + strange at us all day—and neither of them has come down again.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0029" id="link2HCH0029"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXIX. THE ATTIC + </h2> + <p> + It was evident that more had occurred to make Mrs. Dawson afraid that she + would, or perhaps could, say. + </p> + <p> + “Wait here,” Rupert said to her. “Don't stir.” The command seemed + superfluous, for she had not at that moment the appearance of still + possessing the power to move. Without speaking again, Rupert left the room + and went quickly to the foot of the narrow stairs that led to the attics + above. + </p> + <p> + He listened, crouching there, and heard nothing, and a cold fear came to + him that perhaps Deede Dawson had done up above what he wished to do and + then effected his escape while he himself had been lingering in Ella's + room. + </p> + <p> + Adopting his plan of a rapid rush to disconcert the aim of any one who + might be about to fire at him, he made a swift dash up the stairs and on + the topmost one crouched down again and waited. + </p> + <p> + But still nothing happened, all was very quiet, and the door of one attic, + the one which had been assigned to him as a bed-chamber, was wide open so + that he could see into it and see that it was unoccupied. + </p> + <p> + But the doors of both the others were closed, and as he looked he made out + in the gloom, for this landing by the attic was very badly-lighted by a + small and awkwardly-placed skylight, a scattered dozen or so of hairpins, + and a tortoiseshell comb such as he had seen sometimes in Ella's hair, + lying on the floor near the door of the larger of the two attics, the one + in which he remembered well he had found Deede Dawson on a certain night + busy measuring and examining an empty packing-case. + </p> + <p> + With one quick rush he crossed the landing and flung himself at the door. + </p> + <p> + It opened at once, for it was not locked, and within he saw Deede Dawson, + screw-driver in his hand, standing behind a large packing-case, the lid of + which he had apparently that minute finished fastening down. + </p> + <p> + He looked up as Rupert entered thus precipitately, and he showed no sign + of surprise or alarm. + </p> + <p> + “You're back early,” he said. “Something gone wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing? What's in there?” Rupert asked, looking at the + packing-case, his mouth and lips so suddenly dry he found it difficult to + speak at all. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson began to laugh, a low and dreadful laughter that had in it no + trace of merriment at all, but only of mockery and malice. + </p> + <p> + It was such laughter as a devil from the nethermost pit might give vent to + when he saw at last a good man yield to long temptation. + </p> + <p> + “What's in there?” Rupert said again, pointing to the packing-case, and it + was as though his soul swooned within him for fear of what the answer + might be. + </p> + <p> + “What do the children say?” Deede Dawson returned with his terrible smile. + “I'll give you three guesses, isn't it? See if you can guess in three + tries.” + </p> + <p> + “What's in there?” Rupert asked the third time, and Deede Dawson laid down + the screw-driver with which he had just driven home the last screw. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, see for yourself, if you want to,” he said. “But you ought to know. + You know what was in the other case I sent away from here, the one I got + Ella to take in the car for me? I want you to take this one away now, the + sooner it's away the better.” + </p> + <p> + “That's it, is it?” Rupert muttered. + </p> + <p> + He no longer doubted, and for a moment all things swam together before him + and he felt dizzy and a little sick, and so weak he staggered and nearly + fell, but recovered himself in time. + </p> + <p> + The sensation passed and he saw Deede Dawson as it were a long way off, + and between them the packing-case, huge, monstrous, and evil, like a thing + of dread from some other world. Violent shudderings swept though him one + after the other, and he was aware that Deede Dawson was speaking again. + </p> + <p> + “What did you say?” he asked vacantly, when the other paused. + </p> + <p> + “You look ill,” Deede Dawson answered. “Anything wrong? Why have you come + back so soon? Have you failed?” + </p> + <p> + Rupert passed his hand before his eyes to clear away the mist that hung + there and that hampered his sight. + </p> + <p> + He perceived that Deede Dawson held his right hand in the pocket of his + coat, grasping something that bulged out curiously. + </p> + <p> + He divined that it was a pistol, and that Deede Dawson was ready to shoot + at any moment, but that he wished very greatly to know first of all what + had happened and why Rupert had returned so soon and whether there was + immediate necessity for flight or not. + </p> + <p> + That he was uneasy was certain, for his cold eyes showed a hesitation and + a doubt such as Rupert had never seen in them before. + </p> + <p> + “I'll tell you what's happened,” Rupert heard himself saying hoarsely. “If + you'll tell me what's in there.” + </p> + <p> + “A bargain, eh?” Deede Dawson said. “It's easy enough. You can look for + yourself if you unscrew the lid, but then, after all, why should we take + all that trouble?” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke his pistol showed in his hand, and at once the heavy glass + inkpot Rupert had held all this time flew straight and true, and with + tremendous force, at Deede Dawson's head. + </p> + <p> + He avoided it only by the extreme rapidity with which he dropped behind + the packing-case, and it flew over his head and crashed against the centre + panel of a big wardrobe that stood in one corner of the room, splitting + the panel it struck from top to bottom. + </p> + <p> + Following it, Rupert hurled himself forward with one great spring, but + agile as a cat that leaps away from the mastiff's teeth, Deede Dawson + slipped from his grasp to the other side of the room. In doing so he + knocked his arm against the corner of the packing-case, so that his + revolver fell to the ground. + </p> + <p> + With a shout Rupert stooped and seized it, and straightened himself to see + that Deede Dawson had already another revolver in his hand—a second + one that he had drawn from an inner pocket. + </p> + <p> + They remained very still, watching each other intently, neither eager to + fire, since both wished first to make the other speak. For Rupert desired + very greatly that Deede Dawson should tell him where Ella was, and Deede + Dawson needed that Rupert should explain what had gone wrong, and how + imminent and great was the danger that therefore most likely threatened + him. + </p> + <p> + Each knew, too, that the slightest movement he made would set the other + shooting, and each realized that in that close and narrow space any + exchange of shots must almost of necessity mean the death of both, since + both were cool and deadly marksmen, well accustomed to the use of the + revolver. + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson was the first to speak. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what next?” he said. “If that inkpot of yours had hit me it would + pretty well have knocked my brains out, and if I hadn't hit my elbow + against the corner of the packing-case I would have had you shot through + with holes like a sieve by now. So far the score's even. Let's chat a bit, + and see if we can't come to some arrangement. Look, I'll show I trust + you.” + </p> + <p> + As he spoke he laid down, much to Rupert's surprise, and to his equal + suspicion, his revolver on the top of a moth-eaten roll of old carpet that + leaned against the wall near where he was standing. + </p> + <p> + “You see, I trust you,” he said once more. + </p> + <p> + “Take your pistol up again,” answered Rupert grimly. “I do not trust you.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that's a pity.” Deede Dawson smiled, making no effort to do as the + other said. “You see, we are both good shots, and if we start blazing away + at each other up here we shall both be leaking pretty badly before long. + That's a prospect that has no attraction for me; I don't know if it has + for you. But there are things I can tell you that might be interesting, + and things you can tell me I want to know. Why not exchange a little + information, and then separate calmly, rather than indulge in pistol + practice that can only mean the death of us both? For if your first bullet + goes through my brain I swear my first will be in your heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Likely enough,” agreed Rupert, “but worth while perhaps.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that's fanaticism,” Deede Dawson answered. “Flattering perhaps to me, + but not quite reasonable, eh?” + </p> + <p> + “There's only one thing I want to know from you,” Rupert said slowly. + </p> + <p> + “Then why not ask it, why not agree to the little arrangement I suggest, + eh? Eh, Rupert Dunsmore?” + </p> + <p> + “You know me, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, long enough.” + </p> + <p> + “Where is Ella?” + </p> + <p> + Deede Dawson laughed again. + </p> + <p> + “That's a thing I know and you don't,” he said. “Well, she's safe away in + London by this time.” + </p> + <p> + “That's a lie, for her mother's here still,” answered Rupert, even though + his heart leapt merely to hear the words. + </p> + <p> + “Unbelieving Thomas,” smiled the other. “Well, then, she is where she is, + and that you can find out for yourself. But I'll make another suggestion. + We are both good shots, and if we start to fire we shall kill each other. + I am certain of killing you, but I shan't escape myself. Well, then, why + not toss for it? Equal chances for both, and certain safety for one. Will + you toss me, the one who loses to give up his pistol to the other?” + </p> + <p> + “It seems to me a good idea,” Deede Dawson argued. “Here we are watching + each other like cats, and knowing that the least movement of either will + start the other off, and both of us pulling trigger as hard as we can. My + idea would mean a chance for one. Well, let's try another way; the best + shot to win. You don't trust me, but I will you.” + </p> + <p> + Leaving his pistol lying where he had put it down, he crossed the attic, + and with a pencil he took from his pocket drew a circle on the panel of + the wardrobe door that Rupert had split with the inkpot he had thrown. + </p> + <p> + In the centre of the circle he marked a dot, and turned smilingly to the + frowning and suspicious Rupert. + </p> + <p> + “There you are,” he said, and made another circle near the first one. “Now + you put a bullet into the middle of this circle and I'll put one + afterwards through the second circle, and the one who is nearest to the + dots I've marked, wins. What have you to say to that? Seems to me better + than our killing each other. Isn't it?” + </p> + <p> + “I think you're playing the fool for some reason of your own,” answered + Rupert. “There's only one thing I want to know from you. Where is Ella?” + </p> + <p> + “Let me know how you can shoot,” answered Deede Dawson, “and I'll tell + you, by all that's holy, I will.” + </p> + <p> + Rupert hesitated. He did not understand all this, he could not imagine + what motive was in Deede Dawson's mind, though it was certainly true + enough that once they began shooting at each other neither man was at all + likely to survive, for Rupert knew he would not miss and he did not think + Deede Dawson would either. + </p> + <p> + Above all, there was the one thing he wished to know, the one + consideration that weighed with him above all others—what had become + of Ella? And this time there had been in Deede Dawson's voice an accent of + twisted and malign sincerity that seemed to say he really would be willing + to tell the truth about her if Rupert would gratify his whim about this + sort of shooting-match that he was suggesting. + </p> + <p> + The purpose of it Rupert could not understand, but it did not seem to him + there would be any risk of harm in agreeing, for Deede Dawson was standing + so far away from his own weapon he could not well be contemplating any + immediate mischief or treachery. + </p> + <p> + It did occur to him that the pistol he held might be loaded in one chamber + only and that Deede Dawson might be scheming to induce him to throw away + his solitary cartridge. + </p> + <p> + But a glance reassured him on that point. + </p> + <p> + “Let me see how you can shoot,” Deede Dawson repeated, leaning carelessly + with folded arms against the wall a little distance away. “And I promise + you I'll tell you where Ella is.” + </p> + <p> + Rupert lifted his pistol and was indeed on the very point of firing when + he caught a glimpse of such evil triumph and delight in Deede Dawson's + cold eyes that he hesitated and lowered the weapon, and at the same time, + looking more closely, searching more intently for some indication of Deede + Dawson's hidden purpose, he noticed, caught in the crack of the wardrobe + door, a tiny shred of some blue material only just visible. + </p> + <p> + He remembered that sometimes of an afternoon Ella had been accustomed to + wear a frock made of a material exactly like that of which so tiny a + fragment showed now in the crack of the wardrobe door. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0030" id="link2HCH0030"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXX. SOME EXPLANATIONS + </h2> + <p> + He turned quickly towards Deede Dawson. Their eyes met, and in that mutual + glance Rupert Dunsmore read that his suspicions were correct and Deede + Dawson that his dreadful trap was discovered. + </p> + <p> + Neither spoke. For a brief moment they remained impassive, immobile, their + eyes meeting like blows, and then Deede Dawson made one spring to seize + again the revolver he had laid down in the hope of enticing Rupert into + the awful snare prepared for him. + </p> + <p> + But quick as he was, Rupert was quicker still, and as Deede Dawson leaped + he lifted his pistol and fired, though his aim was not at the man, but at + the revolver lying on the top of the roll of carpet where Deede Dawson had + placed it. + </p> + <p> + The bullet, for Rupert was a man who seldom missed, struck the weapon fair + and whirled it, shattered and useless, to the floor. Deede Dawson, whose + hand had been already outstretched to seize it, drew back with a snarl + that was more like the cry of a trapped wolf than any sound produced from + human lips. + </p> + <p> + Still, Rupert did not speak. With the smoking pistol in his hand he + watched silently and steadily his helpless enemy who, for his part, was + silent, too, and very still, for he felt that doom was close upon him. + </p> + <p> + Yet he showed not the least sign of fear, but only a fierce and sullen + defiance. + </p> + <p> + “Shoot away, why don't you shoot?” he sneered. “Mind you don't miss. I + trusted you when I put my revolver down and I was a fool, but I thought + you would play fair.” + </p> + <p> + Without a word Rupert tossed his pistol through the attic window. + </p> + <p> + They heard the tinkling fall of the glass, they heard more faintly the + sound of the revolver striking the outhouse roof twenty feet below and + rebounding thence to the paved kitchen yard beneath, and then all was + quiet again. + </p> + <p> + “I only need my hands for you,” said Rupert softly, as softly as a mother + coos to her drowsy babe. “My hands for you.” + </p> + <p> + For the first time Deede Dawson seemed to fear, for, indeed, there was + that in Rupert Dunsmore's eyes to rouse fear in any man. With a sudden + swift spring, Rupert leaped forward and Deede Dawson, not daring to abide + that onslaught, turned and ran, screaming shrilly. + </p> + <p> + During the space of one brief moment, a dreadful and appalling moment, + there was a wild strange hunting up and down the narrow space of that + upper attic, cumbered with lumber and old, disused furniture. + </p> + <p> + Round and round Deede Dawson fled, screaming still in a high shrill way, + like some wild thing in pain, and hard upon him followed Rupert, nor had + they gone a second time about that room before Rupert had Deede Dawson in + a fast embrace, his arms about the other's middle. + </p> + <p> + One last great cry Deede Dawson gave when Rupert seized him, and then was + silent as Rupert lifted him and swung him high at arm's length. + </p> + <p> + As a child in play sports with its doll, so Rupert swung Deede Dawson + twice about his head, round and round and then loosed him so that he went + hurling through the air with awful force, like a stone shot from a + catapult, clean through the window through which Rupert had the moment + before tossed his pistol with but little more apparent effort. + </p> + <p> + Right through the window, bearing panes and sash with him, Deede Dawson + flew with the impetus of that great throw and out beyond and down, turning + over and over the while, down through the empty air to fall and be + shattered like a piece of worthless crockery on the stone threshold of the + outhouse door. + </p> + <p> + Surprised to find himself alone, Rupert put his hand to his forehead and + looked vacantly around. + </p> + <p> + “My God, what have I done?” he thought. + </p> + <p> + He was trembling violently, and the fury of the passion that had possessed + him and had given his mighty muscles a force more than human, was still + upon him. + </p> + <p> + Going to the window, he looked out, for he did not quite know what had + happened and from it he looked back at the wardrobe door. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes,” he said. “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + He ran to it and tore open the door and from within very tenderly and + gently he lifted down the half-swooning Ella who, securely gagged and + tightly bound, had been thrust into its interior to conceal her from him. + </p> + <p> + Hurriedly he freed her from her bonds and from the handkerchief that was + tied over her mouth and holding her in his arms like a child, pressing her + close to his heart, he carried her lightly out of that dreadful room. + </p> + <p> + Only once did she stir, only once did she speak, when lifting her pale, + strained face to him she murmured very faintly something in which he just + caught the words: + </p> + <p> + “Deede Dawson.” + </p> + <p> + “He'll trouble us no more nor any one else, I think,” answered Rupert, and + she said no more but snuggled down in his arms as though with a feeling of + perfect security and safety. + </p> + <p> + He took her to her own room and left her with her mother, and then went + down to the hall and took a chair and sat at the front door. + </p> + <p> + All at once he felt very tired and one of his shoulders hurt him, for he + had strained a muscle there rather badly. + </p> + <p> + His one desire was to rest, and he did not even trouble to go round to the + back of the house to see what had happened to Deede Dawson, though indeed + that was not a point on which he entertained much doubt. + </p> + <p> + For a long time he sat there quietly, till at last his father arrived in a + motor-car from Wreste Abbey, together with a police-inspector from the + county town whom he had picked up on the way. + </p> + <p> + Rupert took them into the room where Deede Dawson's chessmen and the board + were still standing and told them as briefly as he could what had happened + since the first day when he had left his home to try to trace out and + defeat the plot hatched by Walter Dunsmore and Deede Dawson. + </p> + <p> + “You people wouldn't act,” he said to the inspector. “You said there was + no evidence, no proof, and I daresay you were right enough from the legal + point of view. But it was plain enough to me that there was some sort of + conspiracy against my uncle's life, I thought against my father's as well, + but I was not sure of that at first. It was through poor Charley Wright I + became so certain. He found out things and told me about them; but for him + the first attempt to poison my uncle would have succeeded. Even then we + had still no evidence to prove the reality of our suspicions, for Walter + destroyed it, by accident, I thought at the time, purposely, as I know + now. It was something Walter said that gave Charley the idea of coming + here. Then he vanished. He must have roused their suspicions somehow, and + they killed him. But again Walter put us all off the scent by his story of + having seen Charley in London, so that it was there the search for him was + made, and no one ever thought of Bittermeads. I never suspected Walter, + such an idea never entered my head; but luckily I didn't tell him of my + idea of coming to Bittermeads myself to try to find out what was really + going on here. He knew nothing of where I was till I told him that day at + Wreste Abbey, then of course he came over here at once. I thought it was + anxiety for my safety, but I expect really it was to warn his friends. + When I saw him here that night I told him every single thing, I trusted + the carrying-out of everything I had arranged to him. If it hadn't been + for a note Miss Cayley wrote me to warn me, I should have walked right + into the trap and so would my father too.” + </p> + <p> + The police-inspector asked a few questions and then made a search of the + room which resulted in the discovery of quite sufficient proof of the + guilt of Deede Dawson and of Walter Dunsmore. + </p> + <p> + Among these proofs was also a hastily-scribbled note from Walter that + solved the mystery of John Clive's death. It was not signed, but both + General Dunsmore and Rupert knew his writing and were prepared to swear to + it. Beginning abruptly and scribbled on a torn scrap of paper, it ran: + </p> + <p> + “I found Clive where you said, lucky you got hold of the note and read it + before she sent it, for no doubt she meant to warn him. Take care she gets + no chance of the sort again. I did Clive's business all right. She saw me + and I think recognized me from that time she saw me over the packing-case + business, before I took it out to sink it at sea. At any rate, she ran off + in a great hurry. If you aren't careful, she'll make trouble yet.” + </p> + <p> + “Apparently,” remarked the inspector when he had read this aloud, “the + young lady was very luckily not watched closely enough and did make + trouble for them. Could I see her, do you think?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know, I'll go and ask,” Rupert said. + </p> + <p> + Ella was still very shaken, but she consented to see the inspector, and + they all went together to her room where she was lying on her bed with her + mother fussing nervously about her. + </p> + <p> + She told them in as few words as possible the story of how she had always + disliked and mistrusted the man whom so unfortunately her mother had + married, and how gradually her suspicions strengthened till she became + certain that he was involved in many unlawful deeds. + </p> + <p> + But always her inner certainty had fallen short of absolute proof, so + careful had he been in all he did. + </p> + <p> + “I knew I knew,” she said. “But there was nothing I really knew. And he + made me do all sorts of things for him. I wouldn't have cared for myself, + but if I tried to refuse he made mother suffer. She was very, very + frightened of him, but she would never leave him. She didn't dare. There + was one night he made me go very late with a packing-case full of silver + things he had, and he wouldn't tell me where he had got them. I believe he + stole them all, but I helped him pack them, and I took them away the night + Mr. Dunsmore came and gave them to a man wearing a mask. My stepfather + said it was just a secret family matter he was helping some friends in, + and later on I saw the same man in the woods near here one day—the + day Mr. Clive was killed by the poachers—and when he came another + time to the house I thought I must try to find out what he wanted. I + listened while they talked and they said such strange things I made up my + mind to try to warn Mr. Dunsmore, for I was sure there was something they + were plotting.” + </p> + <p> + “There was indeed,” said Rupert grimly. “And but for that warning you sent + me they would have succeeded.” + </p> + <p> + “Somehow they found out what I had done,” Ella continued. “As soon as I + got back he kept looking at me so strangely. I was afraid—I had been + afraid a long time, for that matter—but I tried not to show it. In + the afternoon he told me to go up to the attic. He said he wanted me to + help him pack some silver. It was the same silver I had packed before; for + some reason he had got it back again. This time I had to pack it in the + little boxes, and after I had finished I waited up there till suddenly he + ran in very quickly and looking very excited. He said I had betrayed them, + and should suffer for it, and he took some rope and he tied me as tightly + as he could, and tied a great handkerchief over my mouth, and pushed me + inside the wardrobe and locked it. I think he would have killed me then + only he was afraid of Mr. Dunsmore, and very anxious to know what had + happened, and why Mr. Dunsmore had come home, and if there was any danger. + And I was a long time there, and I heard a great noise, and then Mr. + Dunsmore opened the door and took me out.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0031" id="link2HCH0031"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXXI. CONCLUSION + </h2> + <p> + Three months had passed, and in a quiet little cottage on the outskirts of + a small country town, situated in one of the most beautiful and peaceful + vales of the south-west country, Ella was slowly recovering from the shock + of the dreadful experiences through which she had passed. + </p> + <p> + She had been ill for some weeks, but her mother, fussily incompetent at + most times, was always at her best when sickness came, and she had nursed + her daughter devotedly and successfully. + </p> + <p> + As soon as possible they had come to this quiet little place where people, + busy with their own affairs and the important progress of the town, had + scarcely heard of what the newspapers of the day called “The Great Chobham + Sensation.” + </p> + <p> + But, in fact, very much to Rupert's relief, comparatively little had been + made known publicly, and the whole affair had attracted wonderfully little + attention. + </p> + <p> + The one public proceeding had been the inquest of Deede Dawson, and that + the coroner, at the request of the police eagerly searching for Walter + Dunsmore, had made as brief and formal as possible. Under his direction + the jury had returned a verdict of “justifiable homicide,” and Ella's + illness had had at least one good result of making it impossible for her + to attend to give her evidence in person. + </p> + <p> + At a trial, of course, everything would have had to be told in full, but + both Allen, Deede Dawson's accomplice, and Walter Dunsmore, his instigator + and employer, had vanished utterly. + </p> + <p> + For Walter the search was very hot, but so far entirely without result. + Now could Allen be found. He was identified with a fair degree of + certainty as an old criminal well known to the authorities, and it was + thought almost certain that he had had previous dealings with Deede + Dawson, and knew enough about him to be able to force himself into + Bittermeads. + </p> + <p> + Of the actual plot in operation there he most likely knew little or + nothing, but probably Deede Dawson thought he might be useful, and the + store of silver found in the attic that Ella had been employed in packing + ready for removal was identified as part of the plunder from a recent + burglary in a northern town. + </p> + <p> + It was thought, therefore, that both Allen and Deede Dawson might have + been concerned in that affair, that Deede Dawson had managed to secure the + greater share of the booty, and that Allen, on the night when Rupert found + him breaking into Bittermeads, was endeavouring to get hold of the silver + for himself. + </p> + <p> + But the actual facts are not likely now ever to be known, for from that + day to this nothing has been heard of Allen. His old haunts know him no + more, and to his record, carefully preserved at Scotland Yard, there have + been no recent additions. + </p> + <p> + One theory is that Deede Dawson, finding him troublesome, took effectual + steps to dispose of him. Another is that Deede Dawson got him away by + either bribes or threats, and that, not knowing of Deede Dawson's death, + he does not venture to return. + </p> + <p> + In any case, he was a commonplace criminal, and his fate is of little + interest to any one but himself. + </p> + <p> + It was Walter for whom the police hunted with diligence and effort, but + with a total lack of success, so that they began to think at the end of + three months that he must somehow have succeeded in making his way out of + the country. + </p> + <p> + During the first portion of this time Rupert had been very busy with a + great many things that needed his attention. And then Lord Chobham, his + health affected by the crimes and treachery of a kinsman whom he had known + and trusted as he had known and trusted Walter, was attacked by acute + bronchitis which affected his heart and carried him off within the week. + The title and estates passed, therefore, to General Dunsmore, and Rupert + became the Honourable Rupert Dunsmore and the direct heir. All this meant + for him a great deal more to see to and arrange, for the health of the new + Lord Chobham had also been affected and he left practically everything in + his son's hands, so that, except for the letters which came regularly but + had been often written in great haste, Ella knew and heard little of + Rupert. + </p> + <p> + But today he was to come, for everything was finally in order, and, though + this she did not know till later, Walter Dunsmore had at last been + discovered, dead from poison self-administered, in a wretched lodging in + an East End slum. Rupert had been called to identify the body and he had + been able to arrange it so that very little was said at the inquest, where + the customary verdict of “Suicide during temporary insanity” was duly + returned by a quite uninterested jury. + </p> + <p> + That the last had been heard of the tragedy that had so nearly overwhelmed + his life, Rupert was able now to feel fairly well assured, and it was + therefore in a mood more cheerful than he had known of late that he + started on his journey to Ella's new residence. + </p> + <p> + He had sent a wire to confirm his letter, and it was in a mood that was + more than a little nervous that she busied herself with her preparations. + </p> + <p> + She chose her very simplest gown, and when there was absolutely nothing + more to do she went into their little sitting-room to wait alone by the + fire she had built up there, for it was winter now and today was cold and + inclined to be stormy. + </p> + <p> + Rupert had not said exactly when she was to expect him, and she sat for a + long time by the fire, starting at every sound and imagining at every + moment that she heard the front-door bell ring. + </p> + <p> + “I shall not let him feel himself bound,” she said to herself with great + decision. “I shall tell him I hope we shall always be friends but that's + all; and if he wants anything more, I shall say No. But most likely he + won't say a word about all that nonsense, it would be silly to take + seriously what he said—there.” + </p> + <p> + To Ella, now, Bittermeads was always “there,” and though she told herself + several times that probably Rupert had not the least idea of repeating + what he had said to her—there—and that most likely he was + coming today merely to make a friendly call, and that it would never do + for either of them to think again of what they had said when they were + both so excited and overwrought, yet in her heart she knew a great deal + better than all that. + </p> + <p> + But she said to herself very often: + </p> + <p> + “Anyhow, I shall certainly refuse him.” + </p> + <p> + And on this point her mind was irrevocably made up since, after all, + whether Rupert would accept refusal or not would still remain entirely for + him to decide. + </p> + <p> + At half-past three she heard the garden-gate creak, and when she ran to + the window to peep, she saw with a kind of chill surprise that there was a + stranger coming through. + </p> + <p> + “Some one he's sent,” she said to herself. “He doesn't want to come + himself and so he has sent some one else instead. I am glad.” + </p> + <p> + Having said this and repeated again the last three words, and having + gulped down a sob—presumably of joy—that unexpectedly + fluttered into her throat, she went quickly to open the door. + </p> + <p> + The newly-arrived stranger smiled at her as she showed herself but did not + speak. He was a man of middle height, quite young, and wrapped in a big, + loose overcoat that very completely hid his figure. His face, + clean-shaven, showed clear, strongly-marked well-shaped features with a + firm mouth round which at this moment played a very gentle and winning + smile, a square-cut chin, and extremely bright, clear kindly eyes that + were just now smiling too. + </p> + <p> + When he took off his hat she saw that his hair was cut rather closely, and + very neatly brushed and combed, and she found his smile so compelling and + so winning that in spite of her disappointment she found herself returning + it. + </p> + <p> + It occurred to her that she had some time or another seen some one like + this stranger, but when or where she could not imagine. + </p> + <p> + Still he did not speak, but his eyes were very tender and kind as they + rested on her so that she wondered a little. + </p> + <p> + “Yes?” she said inquiringly. “Yes?” + </p> + <p> + “Don't you know me, Ella?” he said then, very softly, and in a voice that + she recognized instantly. + </p> + <p> + “Is it you—you?” she breathed. + </p> + <p> + Instinctively she lifted her hands to greet him, and at once she found + herself caught up and held, pressed passionately to his strongly-beating + heart. + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + An hour later, by the fire in the sitting-room, Ella suddenly remembered + tea. + </p> + <p> + “Good gracious! You must be starving,” she cried, smitten with remorse. + “And there's poor mother waiting upstairs all this time. Oh, Rupert, are + you very hungry?” + </p> + <p> + “Starving,” he asserted, but held her to him as closely as ever. + </p> + <p> + “I must get the tea,” she protested. She put one cheek against his and + sighed contentedly. + </p> + <p> + “It's nice to see the real you,” she murmured. “But oh, Rupert, I do miss + your dear bristly beard.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Bittermeads Mystery, by E. R. Punshon + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BITTERMEADS MYSTERY *** + +***** This file should be named 1888-h.htm or 1888-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/1/8/8/1888/ + +Produced by An Anonymous Project Gutenberg Volunteer, and David Widger + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, is critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |