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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e29131c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #55960 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/55960) diff --git a/old/55960-8.txt b/old/55960-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index d4f718d..0000000 --- a/old/55960-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7720 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lady from Nowhere, by Fergus Hume - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Lady from Nowhere - -Author: Fergus Hume - -Release Date: November 13, 2017 [EBook #55960] -Last Updated: January 12, 2018 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LADY FROM NOWHERE *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by the -Internet Archive (Princeton University) - - - - - - - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - 1. Page scan source: Internet Archive - https://archive.org/details/ladyfromnowhere00humegoog - (Princeton University) - - 2. The diphthong oe is represented by [oe]. - - - - - -THE -LADY FROM NOWHERE - -A DETECTIVE STORY - - - -BY -FERGUS HUME - -AUTHOR OF "The MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB," ETC. - - - - -BRENTANO'S -31 UNION SQUARE, NEW YORK -1900 - - - - - - -CONTENTS - - -I. The Tragedy of the Strange Room -II. The Death-card -III. A Woman without a Past -IV. The Five Landladies -V. A Friend in Need -VI. The Crime of Kirkstone Hall -VII. Comments on the Crime -VIII. Mr. Prain, Solicitor -IX. Kirkstone Hall -X. Strange Behaviour -XI. The Mad Gardener -XII. The Diamond Necklace -XIII. Arthur Ferris -XIV. A Surprising Discovery ... -XV. The Revelation of Mr. Prain -XVI. Miss Wedderburn -XVII. An Explanation -XVIII. What Mrs. Presk found -XIX. The Unexpected occurs -XX. A Needle in a Haystack -XXI. Found at Last -XXII. A Secret Hoard -XXIII. The Convict's Defence -XXIV. Proof Positive -XXV. How the Deed was done -XXVI. The End of it All - - - - - - -THE LADY FROM NOWHERE - - - - -CHAPTER I -THE TRAGEDY OF THE STRANGE ROOM - - -On the night of July 24th, in the year 1896, between the hours of -eleven and twelve, Grangebury, a little-known suburb of London, was -wrapped in slumber, as became a respectable neighbourhood whose -inhabitants retired regularly shortly after sunset. Not that they had -done so on this particular night, for the unusual excitement of a -lecture on Dickens, delivered in the tiny Town Hall, had kept them -from their beds later than was customary. At a quarter to eleven, a -stream of instructed pleasure-seekers, discussing lecture and -lecturer, filled the narrow streets; but gradually the crowd -diminished until highways and byways were left deserted, save by -watchful policemen and vagrant cats. The lamps were then extinguished -by order of an economical municipality, the few lights still twinkling -from the upper windows of various houses disappeared, and the little -town lay under moon and stars as silent and almost as lonely as the -spell-bound cities in eastern fables. - -Every now and then the footsteps of policemen making their rounds, -could be heard echoing along the streets, and sometimes an official -lantern would be flashed into dark corners to search out possible -burglars or homeless beggars. But no thieves or vagabonds could be -discovered; for, on the whole, Grangebury, being a comparatively new -suburb, was free from such criminal pests, and the police force there, -under the command of Mr. Inspector Lackland had a very easy time. -There was nothing on this night to indicate any ending to this -Arcadian Age of security and innocence; yet, shortly after eleven -o'clock a yawning policeman, leaning against a convenient wall, heard -a word cried aloud which told him of crime and danger. The word was -"Murder!" - -"Murder!" repeated the constable, looking up and down the street. - -"Murder!" shrieked the voice again; and then there came the sound of -running feet, cries for help, and the quick panting of an exhausted -creature. Before the policeman could decide in which direction to -move, a dishevelled woman, screaming and gesticulating, came at full -speed round the corner, and almost fell into his arms. Her face was -pearly white in the moonlight, her eyes were filled with terror, and -an almost continuous cry issued from her open mouth without any motion -of the lips. - -"'Ere! 'ere, wot's this?" said the policeman, seizing the flying -creature by the arm. "Wot d'ye mean, screeching out murder like a -loonatic? Come now!" - -Trembling violently, the woman grappled with the policeman, shrieking -the while, and evidently beside herself with terror. Not being gifted -with brains, the officer of the law shook her vigorously to brighten -her intellect; and she wavered limply in his grasp like a dummy -figure. - -"Murder!" she whimpered, clawing and clutching at the man. "Lord! it's -awful! Ugh! Ugh! I've seen her dead!" - -"Seen 'oo dead?" demanded the policeman, stolidly. - -"My lodger! Dead! Strangled! Ugh! Ugh!" cried the woman, breathlessly, -raising her voice higher at each word. "A corpse in the Yellow Room! -Paradise Row! Come and see--come and---- Oh, poor soul!" and she fell -to wringing her hands again, quivering and panting. - -"Wait a bit!" said the jack-in-office, bound by red-tapeism, "the -police station is just roun' th' corner. Kim up an' see th' -Inspector!" - -"I--I--I am innocent!" gasped the woman, hanging back. "Neither 'Tilda -nor I laid a finger on her." - -"'Oo said y' did?" retorted the man, suspiciously; and, for his own -protection he recited an official formula, "Wot y' say now 'ull be -used in hevidence agin y'. Kim up, I tell y'." And, grasping her arm, -he hurried her fighting and crying round the near corner, and into a -red-brick building, over the door of which was a lamp inscribed -"Police Station." - -In a stuffy room, rendered almost unbearable by the heat of the -flaring gas, two men were talking earnestly together, notwithstanding -the lateness of the hour. The one in uniform was a burly, red-faced -martinet known in Grangebury as Inspector Lackland. He was too -completely hemmed in by red tapeism to count for much; but the other -in plain clothes was Absolom Gebb, well known in Scotland Yard as a -capable detective, but not so infallible as the miracle-monger of -fiction. It was Gebb who brought home the theft of Lady Daleshire's -diamonds to herself; who proved Dr. Marner to be guilty of poisoning -his wife, in spite of strong evidence to the contrary; who solved nine -out of every ten criminal problems submitted to him, and who was the -terror of all evil-doers. This tall, lean man with his clean-shaven -face and black, observant eyes was an enthusiast in his profession, -and loved to ponder over and follow out the intricacies of criminal -mysteries. At the present moment he was conversing with Lackland about -a recent Anarchist conspiracy, and therefore happened to be in the -Grangebury Police Office when the zealous policeman appeared with his -terrified prisoner. She cried out when she was thrust into the room, -and, confronted by inspector and detective, covered her face with her -hands. - -"Hey! What!" said Lackland, in his rasping voice. "What's all this -about?" - -"Case of murder, sir," jerked out the policeman, pushing forward the -prisoner. "Paradise Row! Woman strangled!" - -"Murder?" cried Gebb, pricking up his ears at the ominous word. - -"Murder!" screeched the woman, and fell into a chair. Evidently she -had received a shock and was on the verge of hysterics, for she began -to babble and weep copiously. Accustomed to deal with this sort of -emotion, Lackland seized a jug of water standing near his desk, and -dashed the contents into her face. The remedy was efficacious, for -with a gasp and a shiver the woman recovered her self-control and -tongue, also her inherent feminine vanity. "You brute!" she screamed, -jumping up wrathfully. "My best bonnet's spoilt." - -"Attention!" roared the inspector in his sternest military manner; -"none of this nonsense here. What about this murder in----" - -"I didn't kill her!" interrupted the woman, wiping her face. "'Tilda -and me knew nothing about it till we found her strangled when we came -back from the lecture." - -"Did you attend the lecture on Dickens in the Town Hall?" asked Gebb. - -"Yes, I did, sir; both me and 'Tilda, who is my servant, went." - -"What is your name?" asked the detective, with professional sharpness. - -"Maria Presk." - -"Married or single?" - -"Married once, single now," sighed the woman. "I am what you call a -widow, sir; and I let lodgings in Paradise Row." - -"Was this dead woman a lodger of yours?" - -"Miss Ligram, you mean? Yes. Miss Ligram was in the first floor -front." - -"And who killed Miss Ligram?" asked Gebb, looking keenly at Mrs. -Presk. - -The good lady turned ever paler than before. - -"I--I don't know, sir," she stammered, with a scared look. "I can take -my stand in any court of----" - -"Face this way, ma'am!" interrupted Lackland, who was indignant at the -way in which Gebb was usurping his authority. "I'm in charge of this -office. I'm the officer to take your evidence. Mr. Gebb! Discipline!" - -"Alright! Go ahead!" replied the detective, inwardly cursing the too -methodical procedure of his superior, "I don't want to interfere. -But," he added with emphasis, "I think we should go at once and look -at the corpse." - -"All in good time, Mr. Gebb. More haste, less speed!" said Lackland, -crisply. - -"And the more delay, the less chance of getting at the truth," -retorted Gebb. - -The fact was that Gebb's sporting instincts were roused, and he wanted -to be off on the trail while it was yet fresh. Every moment was of -importance. Yet, as he was not in charge of the case, he was forced to -stand idly by and hear the blundering inspector putting a lot of -irrelevant questions--good for nothing, but wasting time. However, -Gebb managed to extract some grains of wheat out of a vast quantity of -chaff, and in a roundabout way--thanks to the inspector's method of -questioning--learned the following facts, which were sufficient to -inform him how matters stood at present. - -Miss Ligram was--or rather, had been, since she no longer existed--a -lodger in the house of Mrs. Presk, No. 13, Paradise Row. She was a -quiet, inoffensive old lady, who gave little trouble, and who remained -by preference in her own room. On the night of the 24th July, Mrs. -Presk and her servant, Matilda Crane, had attended a lecture delivered -in the Town Hall. The lecture--an amusing one on Charles Dickens and -his works--had afforded them much pleasure, and they returned at -eleven o'clock to Paradise Row in a state of high spirits. On passing -round to the back entrance they saw that a light was still burning in -Miss Ligram's sitting-room, and, wondering at the sight--for the -lodger usually retired early--Mrs. Presk, on entering the house, had -gone upstairs to see if anything was wrong. To her horror she found -Miss Ligram dead, with a cord round her neck. Terrified by the sight, -she had called up Matilda Crane, who, more impressionable and less -hardened, had promptly fainted away. Mrs. Presk, a woman of energy and -resource, had immediately sought the aid of the police, and now -insisted that Lackland and his subordinates should remove the corpse -and capture the murderer. - -"That last is easier said than done," was Gebb's comment on this -demand. "By this time the assassin is far enough away. However, -there's no time to be lost in looking at the scene of the crime, as I -suggested." - -"Quite so," said Lackland, gruffly. "No time to waste, ma'am"--to Mrs. -Presk. "March! Gebb, come with me and catch the murderer!" - -This proposition recommending itself to Mrs. Presk, she left the -police-office with inspector and detective, and led the pair to her -house, which was situated down a side street no great distance away. -As the front door was closed, she conducted the men round the back -way, through the kitchen, and up the stairs into Miss Ligram's -sitting-room. On the mat in the passage, 'Tilda, the servant, lay -still insensible, so Mrs. Presk lifted her in her strong arms and -carried her to the kitchen to be revived as speedily as possible, in -case, as was almost certain, her evidence might be wanted. In the mean -time Lackland and Gebb had entered the room wherein the crime had been -committed, and were amazed at the splendour of the apartment. For -colouring and evidence of wealth it was like a scene out of the -Arabian Nights. - -The room was of no great size, with a window looking out on to the -street, and two doors, one leading in from a narrow passage, the other -giving admittance into an inner apartment, evidently a bedroom. The -walls were draped with rich hangings of satin, yellow as a buttercup -in hue, and a tent-like roof of the same tint and material was drawn -in many folds to a dome-like centre, whence depended by a brass chain -an Arabian lantern studded with knobs of yellow glass, which, -illuminated from within, shone like pale topaz stones. Tables, chairs, -and couches were framed of gilded cane, with coverlets and quilts of -yellow silk, and the ground of the carpet was of the same colour, -embroidered with bunches of primrose flowers. Also there were tall -narrow mirrors framed in yellow satin, clusters of daffodils in -grotesque Chinese vases of a deep yellow shade, and numerous -candles--all lighted--in candelabra silver gilt. Near the window, from -a brass chafing-dish standing on a tripod of the same metal, curled up -a thin white vapour diffusing a heavy rich perfume, and everywhere lay -nicknacks of gold and silver more or less costly; fur mats and rugs -dyed yellow, and many books covered in a homely fashion with yellow -paper. The prevailing colour of the room was a violent yellow; and -this, with the glare of the candles, the glitter of the mirrors, the -scent of the flowers, and the strong perfume of the incense, made the -heads of the onlookers reel. Even the matter-of-fact inspector was -impressed by the uncanny magnificence of the place. - -"By George, sir!" said he to Gebb, with the instincts of an old -soldier, "it's like a Mandalay Pagoda. If t'was in Burmah, now, -shouldn't mind looting it." - -Gebb was rubbing his hands, with sparkling eyes. - -"By the sight of it," he said joyfully, "this is going to be a -romantic case. I only hope I'll be lucky enough to get charge of it. -Did you furnish this room, ma'am?" he asked, turning sharply to Mrs. -Presk, whose pale grey face appeared over the shoulder of the burly, -staring inspector. - -"No, I didn't," retorted the landlady. "Miss Ligram furnished it -herself, and called it her Yellow Boudoir." - - - - -CHAPTER II -THE DEATH-CARD - - -If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was -not less so. The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling -legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll. The head lay limply on the -shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was -bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding -tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the -poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner. -Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of -which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of -the dead woman lay another card with the face upward. It was the ace -of spades. Mrs. Presk noting it for the first time gave a screech of -mingled horror and surprise. - -"The death-card!" she gasped, stepping back. "Lord! how awful!" - -"What do you mean by the death-card?" asked Gebb, sharply. - -"Why!" said Mrs. Presk, astonished at the question, which to her -seemed unnecessary, "it's the card in the pack as stands for death. -When you turn up the ace of spades you know it's time to order your -coffin." - -"Rubbish!" said Gebb. "Humbug!" roared the inspector; and they both -shrugged their shoulders to show their contempt for such superstition. - -Mrs. Presk shook her head gloomily. "Talk won't alter the matter!" she -said, pointing to the card. "There's the death-token, and there's the -corpse; what do you make of that?" - -"I make this," said Gebb, dryly; "that the murderer must be a person -of imagination." - -"He ought to be shot, the blackguard," growled Lackland, "play-acting -with a corpse. I wonder what they were fooling with cards for? Looks -like a madman's work to me. What do you say, Gebb?" - -Gebb said nothing at the moment. He was examining the dead woman, who -was arrayed with unusual splendour quite in keeping with the room, yet -too richly for the front parlour of a fifth-rate lodging-house. - -Miss Ligram's body was that of an old woman close upon sixty years of -age, with a wrinkled face, and a profusion of silvery white hair -turned back in the style of Marie Antoinette. It was dressed in an -old-fashioned dinner-dress of white silk, trimmed with valuable lace, -and this was designed so as to show the lean neck and bony arms of the -wearer. Anything more incongruous than that poor clay clothed in such -costly garments can scarcely be imagined. It seemed to accentuate the -grimness of the crime, almost to elevate a sordid murder to the level -of tragedy. - -"Did Miss Ligram usually dress like this?" asked Gebb, turning to Mrs. -Presk. - -"Every evening!" replied the landlady, promptly. - -"She must have been eccentric!" was Gebb's comment on this reply. - -"Very eccentric, sir. I don't think she was quite right here." And the -landlady tapped her head significantly. - -"A Crazy Jane?" questioned Lackland. - -"She was and she wasn't," answered Mrs. Presk, enigmatically. "She -wasn't mad enough to be shut up, but she acted in a queerer way than -most people. Look at this room, and all its lights; every night it was -the same. She usually dined off a chop and potatoes, yet she dressed -in silk and lace to eat them. And----" Thus far Mrs. Presk with her -eyes on the corpse had proceeded volubly, when suddenly--still staring -at the dead woman--she stopped, and her jaw dropped. Motionless as a -stone image she stood looking; and then with an ejaculation she ran -out of the room. The detective and the inspector looked at her -vanishing form, looked at the corpse, looked at one another, and -failed to understand her action. - -"What the devil does that mean?" said Gebb, with surly amazement. - -"Only the devil knows," retorted Lackland, grimly; "but if that jade -is hiding anything of importance the sooner we get it out of her the -better. You're a bit of a lawyer, Gebb, so I'll bring back Mrs. Presk, -and you'll examine her!" - -"No!" said Gebb, detaining his friend; "let her go now. I'll get the -truth out of her to-morrow." - -"By George you will, will you!" grumbled Lackland, annoyed that his -advice was not taken; "and what if you don't get charge of the case?" - -"I'll grin and bear it, I suppose!" retorted the other; "but I'll work -my hardest to be given the handling of this affair, for it strikes me -that it will prove a sight more difficult than either of us guesses. -This room's a rum one, ain't it? And that pack of cards aren't there -for nothing. Then there is the dead woman's dress, and the landlady's -queer conduct. Oh, you can bet, inspector, there's a jolly lot more in -these things than meets the eye, and I'm the man to find out what they -all mean." - -"You can blow your own trumpet, I see!" said Lackland, dryly. - -Gebb laughed, in nowise embarrassed. "My trumpeter's dead from -over-work," he replied coolly. "If I don't praise myself no one else -will. However, I'll see to-morrow if the big wigs will let me run this -show in my own way. Now you go and look round the house, Lackland, and -leave me here to examine the room." - -"What about the body?" asked the inspector, dominated by Gebb's strong -will. - -"We'll let it lie here as it is, until the doctor comes. I told that -policeman who brought Mrs. Presk to the station to knock up an M.D." - -"By George, sir, one would think you were inspector here!" spluttered -the indignant Lackland. "Am I nobody?" - -"You're a good fellow--too good to get your monkey up for nothing. You -let me look after this murder myself. I'll do you a good turn some -other time." - -"Well, I'll let you have your own way for once. You're no fool, I will -say," muttered Lackland, and withdrew to look through the house. He -knew that Gebb was very clever, and in his heart was not unwilling to -avail himself of the detective's assistance. Therefore, he left him to -his own devices, and set out to seek Mrs. Presk in the kitchen. Having -found her, he made her show him the house, but judiciously refrained -from commenting on her late conduct. He left the elucidation of that -to Gebb. - -Left to himself, the detective examined the dead woman and the room -with minute attention to detail, keeping up a running commentary the -while on his discoveries. He had a habit of talking aloud when alone, -as if to emphasize his opinions, and, while examining the boudoir, -soliloquized with appropriate actions like a stage-player. - -"The furniture is quite in order," he murmured, his keen eyes roving -hither and thither. "Therefore there can have been no struggle. The -murderer was no intruder, but was expected. A visitor! perhaps a -friend! He--let me presume the criminal to be a man--he no doubt -entered, and was kindly received by the deceased. Here is a bottle, -and two glasses with wine in each; so the two were friendly enough to -drink in company. There is a chair on either side of this table -whereon the cards are laid out The dead body remains in the one -nearest the wall; so I expect the visitor sat in the other with his -back to the door. Were they playing cards? I think not, as in that -case the whole pack would not be laid out in this fashion. I have it!" -cried Gebb, smiting his open palm with his fist, "the visitor was -telling Miss Ligram's fortune. He placed the cards in that position -and told her to draw one. She drew the ace of spades, which yet lies -in her lap, and when face to face with the omen of death he killed -her." - -Here the detective paused to consider if he was correct in assuming -the assassin to be a man. Fortune-telling--especially by cards--is -usually indulged in by the other sex. But would a woman, however -cruel, have so brutally strangled her unsuspecting hostess, and--as it -may be assumed--friend? Gebb examined the chair on which the visitor -had sat, and found traces of tobacco ash. - -"Cigarette ash?" he pronounced it after an examination, "the quality -is fine and quantity small. The visitor was a man and he was smoking. -H'm! That is not like a professional fortune-teller. Such a one would -be too desirous of impressing his dupe to spoil the gravity of the -situation by smoking. The man must have been a friend, and he probably -told the woman's fortune in this way to throw her off her guard. Let -us look further." - -The chair in which the dead body was lying, stood some little distance -from the hangings of the wall. These, as Gebb discovered on further -examination, had been draped back with a cord to reveal a small oil -painting; but the cord--which had a loop at either end to slip over a -brass nail, concealed beneath the hangings of satin--had been deftly -removed (not torn) from its peg, and flung round the victim's neck. On -the floor behind the chair Gebb picked up a half-burnt cigarette, -which had smouldered out. With this in his hand he returned to the -centre of the room and looked once more at the cards. These attracted -him strangely. - -"Without doubt the fortune-telling was a trick," he said aloud. "The -man set out the cards, and while his victim was selecting one he -lighted a cigarette, and rose to stroll round the room. Not suspecting -any danger--which shows, by the way, that she must have trusted -him--his victim let him pass behind her chair. While there, he slipped -the loops of the cord off the nail. Then when she turned up the -death-card--a pure coincidence, no doubt--he threw the cord over her -head and choked her before the poor wretch had time to call out for -assistance. He then robbed the body at his leisure, and left the -house. It's as clear as day." - -Presuming that the murderer had gone out by the front door, Gebb left -the room and went into the passage. To his surprise he found that the -front door was locked, but, as the detective noted, not bolted. - -"He must have locked it after he left the house," thought Gebb, "and -no doubt did so to prevent intrusion and a too sudden discovery of his -crime. I expect he threw away the key when outside. In the front -garden most probably; I'll look." - -Before he could put his design into execution, which he intended doing -by passing out the back way, Mrs. Presk arrived downstairs with the -intelligence that Inspector Lackland was still searching the upper -portion of the house for traces of the assassin, but could find -nothing and no one. "So," said she, "I expect the wretch ran away -after killing poor Miss Ligram." - -"By the front door," Gebb informed her, "and he locked it after him." - -"Did he?" said Mrs. Presk, with a stare; "now that's queer." - -"Why?" asked the detective, sharply. - -"Because Miss Ligram always kept the front door locked, and the key in -her pocket. That was one of her queer ways which I never could abide." - -Without a word Gebb returned to the Yellow Boudoir, and searched in -the pocket of the dead woman. Sure enough he found therein a large key -which Mrs. Presk immediately declared to be that of the front door. -Gebb was puzzled, as this discovery upset much of his previous -reasoning. - -"In that case the man could not have cleared out by the front," he -said, "as not having the key he could not lock the door after him. Let -us see the back door; he may have escaped in that direction." - -"The back door was locked," said Mrs. Presk, promptly. "I had the key -in my pocket when I went to the lecture." - -"Was the door locked when you returned?" asked Gebb, more puzzled than -ever. - -"Yes, sir, it was. I had no thought that anything was wrong until I -came upstairs and saw the corpse; though, to be sure," added Mrs. -Presk, suddenly, "I fancied it strange that the lights should be -burning so late in Miss Ligram's boudoir. I saw them from the road, -you know, Mr. Gebb; and the sight gave me a turn, I can tell you." - -"He must have got out through a back window," murmured Gebb. - -"Indeed, he didn't, sir. When I brought 'Tilda out of her faint in the -kitchen I looked at all the windows in the basement; they are all -bolted and barred proper. 'Tilda and me's both careful on account of -burglars." - -Gebb pinched his chin and shook his head in a perplexed manner; after -which he walked to the window of the yellow room and examined it -carefully. It was fastened by a snick, the position of which showed -that the window was closed, and could not have been used as an exit. - -"Let alone the danger of the cove being seen by a chance policeman, -and taken up as a burglar," mused Gebb, "what about the upstairs -windows, Mrs. Presk?" - -"They're all locked, sir. Mr. Inspector examined every one." - -"Then the man must be in the house still," was Gebb's final -conclusion. - -"He isn't," insisted Mrs. Presk, with a startled glance over her -shoulder; "we've looked under all the beds, and into all the rooms and -cupboards. Unless he is like a sparrow on the house-top, I don't know -where he can be." - -"Well, there doesn't seem any way by which he could get out," said -Gebb, in a vexed tone. "Did you hear any sound in the house when you -arrived home?" - -"No, I didn't, sir. I went up to see if Miss Ligram was ill, as I -noticed that her room was lighted up, then I saw the corpse, and -called 'Tilda, who ran up and fainted. She ain't got my nerves, Mr. -Gebb." - -"Did you lock the back door when you came in?" - -"Lawks, no, sir! 'Tilda and me was in such a flurry to see if Miss -Ligram was ill that we just left the door anyhow. - -"When you went upstairs was the door closed to?" - -"I think so," replied Mrs. Presk, after a pause, "for 'Tilda banged -it to; but it wasn't locked, I'll take my dying word on that." - -"When you came for the police did you leave by that door?" - -"Yes, I did; by the back door, as Miss Ligram kept the front one -locked." - -"Was it closed when you went out?" - -Mrs. Presk looked up suddenly, rather alarmed. "No sir, it wasn't," -said she in startled tones, "It was--as you might say--ajar." - -"Aha!" said Gebb, triumphantly, "then you may depend upon it, Mrs. -Presk, that when you came home the assassin was in the house." - -"In the house!" gasped Mrs. Presk. "Lor, sir! it ain't possible." - -"Yes! he did not know where to find the front-door key; and -discovering that the back door was locked, he just hid himself in the -kitchen until you and the servant went upstairs to look on his -handiwork. Then he slipped out to escape the consequences." - -Mrs. Presk's knees gave way, and she was fain to sit down--as far away -from the dead body as possible however. "It's past believing," she -moaned, rocking herself to and fro. "Lord! what an escape 'Tilda and -me's had from being strangulated. Ugh!" she shuddered, "look at that -poor soul, sir, ain't it enough to freeze your blood." - -"Did it freeze yours, that you ran out of the room?" asked Gebb, -hoping to take her unawares. - -"No! a'wasn't that!" whispered Mrs. Presk, turning pale, "but I was -afeard!" - -"Of what?" asked the detective, rather puzzled. - -"Of you, sir," was the unexpected reply. - -"Indeed! then you know something about the matter?" - -"Yes!" issued from the landlady's pale lips, "I--I noticed something." - -"What did you notice?" - -"I daren't tell you." - -"You must!" - -Mrs. Presk rose and hastily made for the door. Before she could reach -it Gebb had placed his back against it. "You don't leave this room -until I know what you are hiding." - -"I'm hiding nothing!" burst out Mrs. Presk, "haven't you got eyes?" -She pointed towards the dead woman. "Look!" she cried "Look!" - - - - -CHAPTER III -A WOMAN WITHOUT A PAST - - -As desired, Gebb looked at the gaily decked figure in the chair, and -tried to find out what Mrs. Presk meant. - -"Well, I'm looking," he said at length, "but I'm blest if I can see -anything." - -"Of course you can't!" cried the landlady, hysterically triumphant, -"'cause they ain't there!" - -"What aren't there?" - -"The diamonds!" - -"Diamonds!" repeated Gebb, with a start, as he noted that the dead -woman wore no jewellery. "Had she diamonds?" - -"I should think she had!" said Mrs. Presk, sitting down again. "Stars -for her hair, rings, bracelets, and the loveliest necklace you ever -saw--just like dewdrops with the sun on them. She wore her jewellery -every night, and all to eat her chop. I saw them diamonds on her afore -I went to the lecture." - -"And when you came back they were gone." - -"Every one of them," replied Mrs. Presk, defiantly, "and when I -noticed it--for, to own up, Mr. Gebb, I didn't notice they were gone -till I was here with you talking about her dress--but when I did -notice, I ran out of the room 'cause I was a-feared you might say -'Tilda and I stole 'em." - -"Nonsense! Why should I say that?" - -"Oh, there ain't no tellings," said Mrs. Presk, with a toss of her -head. - -"Was that why you made all that howling?" - -"Yes, it was, sir; and I ran out to the kitchen to ask 'Tilda if she -had noticed if the diamonds were gone when we came in first; for I was -that flurried I didn't look for 'em." - -"And does 'Tilda say the diamonds were gone?" - -"Yes! I dessay the murdering villain who killed the poor dear stole -'em. I wish I had the hanging of him." - -"Oh, you may assist me to put the rope round his neck," said Gebb. -"Well, Mrs. Presk, I'll come and see you to-morrow, and you must tell -me all you know about this woman. In the mean time, I think I hear the -doctor coming." - -The detective's ears had not deceived him, for the approaching -footsteps were those of the doctor. Escorted by the policeman who had -met Mrs. Presk, he entered in no very good humour at being knocked up -at so late an hour. However, the looks of the corpse, and the -appearance of the room both astonished and interested him; and he made -his examination. It took only a few minutes for him to decide that the -death had taken place shortly before or after ten o'clock, and must -have been almost instantaneous. When the examination was concluded, -Gebb and the inspector left the house in charge of the policeman, and -returned to the station to make their report. While the prosaic -Lackland set down the bare details of the case for the information of -the authorities, Gebb mused over the events of the night, and pondered -what was best to be done under the circumstances. - -As yet he had gained no information from Mrs. Presk about her lodger, -but intended to examine her on the morrow when she was somewhat -recovered from the strain of the late events. In the mean time, Gebb -fancied that the strange room, designed and furnished by the dead -woman, might turn out a more important factor in the matter than at -present appeared. Even if Mrs. Presk did prove to be ignorant of Miss -Ligram's past--which was extremely unlikely--the strongly marked and -eccentric taste of the lodger, as exemplified in illumination, -colouring, and furnishing, might provide a sufficiently stable basis -for operations. In a word, Gebb considered that the most promising -clue to the mystery was the predominance of the colour yellow in the -sitting-room. Criminal problems, as he knew, had been solved by -slighter means. - -As Lackland surmised, Gebb, being high in favour with the authorities -as a detective of no ordinary capabilities, had little difficulty in -gaining their consent to taking charge of the case. The inspector made -his report, Gebb his application, and after the due formalities had -been complied with, the detective found that the responsibility of -tracing Miss Ligram's assassin lay solely on his own shoulders, -which--as he comfortably assured himself--were quite capable of -bearing the burden. He was the more pleased with his employment, -as the Grangebury murder case promised to be one of those mysteries -which he loved. A dead woman: a strangely furnished room: a pack of -cards: these were the elements of the case, and, so far as Gebb could -see at present, there was no clue--save the lavish use of the colour -yellow--to the past of the victim, or the identity of the assassin. In -Mrs. Presk lay his sole hope of gaining intelligence likely to lead to -some practical result; so at eleven o'clock next morning Gebb, in an -anxious frame of mind, was once more on the scene of the murder, and -in the presence of his principal witness. - -In the searching light of day Mrs. Presk was more uncomely than ever. -Tall, gaunt, angular, and dressed in the worst possible taste, she -presented few of the alluring graces of her sex. To have woo'd, and -won, and lived with this strident Amazon, the late Mr. Presk must have -been a suitor of no ordinary courage. However, she made an excellent -witness, as her brain was clear, her courage high, and she had not a -morsel of imagination. Moreover, her hysteria of the previous night -had disappeared. - -She answered Gebb's leading questions in a cut-and-dried fashion, -without discursive rambling after her own private opinions: but with -all this, the examination, and the details obtainable therefrom, -proved to be anything but satisfactory. Considering the business-like -instincts of detective and widow, a more meagre result can scarcely be -conceived. - -"For how long has Miss Ligram been lodging with you?" was Gebb's first -question, put in a form which appeared to assume that the victim was -still in existence. - -"For three months," replied Mrs. Presk, referring to a dingy little -book with which she had furnished herself, in anticipation of the -ordeal. "She came to me on the first of May last; she left here--for -heaven, I hope--on the twenty-fourth day of July; so, as you can -see for yourself, Mr. Gebb, she has been with me two months and -twenty-four days, neither more nor less; and there ain't no Court of -Law as I'd swear different in." - -"She came in answer to an advertisement, I suppose?" - -"No, she didn't," contradicted the widow. "I don't advertise: it's -low. I put a card in the window, and it was that card which made Miss -Ligram apply here for board and lodging. She applied," continued Mrs. -Presk, consulting her book, "on the twenty-ninth of April, and I -agreed to take her on the thirtieth; so that she entered my house on -the first of May." - -"Why two days' delay?" - -"Because I couldn't make up my mind about taking her in." - -"She offered you too little?" - -"On the contrary, Mr. Gebb, she offered me too much." - -"No wonder you thought her eccentric," said the detective, with irony; -"but kindly explain the position more fully." - -"I asked her three pound a week for parlour, bedroom, fire, and -light, which is little enough, I'm sure, as everything in my house is -of the best To my surprise. Miss Ligram offered to pay me six--just -double--on condition that I allowed her to dismantle the front room, -and refurnish it herself." - -"Did she give any reason for this singular request?" - -"She said she liked her own goods and chattels about her," replied -Mrs. Presk; "and though at first I did not fancy the idea of clearing -out the parlour--which was most handsomely furnished--yet, on thinking -over the matter, I decided that double the money I asked was not to be -despised. I therefore agreed to Miss Ligram's terms, and on the last -day of April I dismantled the parlour. On the first of May Miss Ligram -came in a van and----" - -"Came in a van?" interrupted Gebb, profoundly astonished. - -"Yes! she rode beside the driver, and he assisted her to set out the -parlour in the style you saw. It was all done in a day by the pair, -for Miss Ligram would not let me help." - -"Perhaps she was afraid of your asking the driver questions as to -where she came from?" suggested Gebb, shrewdly. - -"She might have saved herself the trouble," said Mrs. Presk, grimly. -"I did speak to the driver, and asked that very question, only to find -that he was deaf and dumb." - -"Queer!" murmured the detective, rubbing his nose. "She took good care -to hide her past I wonder why?" - -"I don't," snapped the landlady with feminine malevolence; "it's my -opinion that Miss Ligram's past was not respectable." - -"H'm! I must say it looks like it. What was the name on the van?" - -"There was no name, Mr. Gebb. The van--painted yellow, with one grey -horse and a red-headed driver, deaf and dumb--was the private property -of Miss Ligram. It was not the first time she had moved that yellow -room about," and the widow nodded significantly. - -"Why are you doubtful of Miss Ligram's past?" - -"Well!" said Mrs. Presk, taking time to answer this question, "you can -only judge a person's past by a person's present, and Miss Ligram knew -too many shady people for my taste." - -"Shady people!" echoed Gebb, pricking up his ears at this hint of a -clue; "what sort of people?" - -"Fortune-tellers, conjurors, spiritualists, and such-like, sir." - -"Ah!" Gebb recalled the spread-out pack of cards, "so she was rather -superstitious." - -"Superstitious!" cried Mrs. Presk, casting up her eyes. "She was a -very pagan for omens, and talismans, and consultation of cards. There -wasn't a fortune-teller in London she hadn't down here at one time or -another to read her hand, or question the stars, or look into the -crystal ball, or spread out the cards. She was a perfect gold mine to -those swindlers, believing all their lies, like the poor benighted -heathen she was." - -"What did she particularly seek to know?" - -"The future!" was the landlady's curt reply. - -"No doubt," returned Gebb, dryly; "and her own future at that. But was -there any particular aim in her questioning?" - -"Yes!" said Mrs. Presk, with a burst of confidence, "there was. I -found it out from one of her fortune-telling visitors. She wanted to -know if she would die by violence." - -"So!" said Gebb, drawling out the word reflectively in the German -fashion. "And was a violent death predicted?" - -"It was--by the fortune-teller I asked, Mr. Gebb; and sure enough the -prediction came true, though, as a rule, I don't believe in such -rubbish; still it was queer she should die with the ace of spades in -her lap." - -"A fortune-teller was with her on the night she was killed," said -Gebb, after a pause. - -"How do you know, sir?" questioned Mrs. Presk, eagerly. - -"Because the cards were laid out, and the death-card was in the lap of -the corpse. Now I believe that this man---- By the way," said Gebb, -breaking away from his original speech, "did Miss Ligram smoke?" - -"Not to my knowledge," rejoined Mrs. Presk, promptly. "She was a lady -in her habits. Some of 'em was queer, but they were all genteel; -indeed they were." - -"It's not out of keeping with well-bred habits for a lady to smoke," -corrected the detective, mildly. "Many ladies do nowadays. But -as--according to you--Miss Ligram did not smoke herself, it is -probable that her visitor was a man. I found the stump of a cigarette -near the chair. When he got behind it to strangle her----" - -"To strangle her!" repeated Mrs. Presk, horrified "Do you think this -fortune-teller killed her?" - -"Yes, I do. I believe firmly that, attracted by her diamonds, he -verified his own prediction, and murdered her in the most cold-blooded -fashion." - -"Impossible, Mr. Gebb. He was a friend of hers!" - -"Ah! you know the man!" cried Gebb, pouncing down on this admission. - -"No, I don't!" cried the landlady, in rather a nervous manner for one -of her iron composure, "but I know she had a visitor on that night. -She told me she had a friend coming, but she didn't say if it was a -lady or a gentleman. It was because Miss Ligram expected this person -that she sent 'Tilda and me to the lecture." - -"Sent you to the lecture!" said Gebb, emphasizing the first word. - -"Well, she didn't exactly send us," explained Mrs. Presk, reluctantly, -"but she gave me two tickets and suggested that we should go. Knowing -her habits, and always willing to oblige, I went, and took 'Tilda." - -"What do you mean?" asked Gebb, staring at the landlady. - -Mrs. Presk explained herself more clearly. - -"On occasions Miss Ligram was ashamed of her superstitions, I think, -sir, for three or four times she got me and 'Tilda out of the house -while she consulted her swindlers. Once," said Mrs. Presk, consulting -her book, "it was the Crystal Palace; again, two seats at the Adelphi; -Earl's Court Exhibition three weeks ago, and the local lecture last -night. But we came back always to find her in bed, until this last -time," concluded Mr. Presk, with a shudder. - -"A strange woman," commented Gebb, thoughtfully. "So you never found -out where she came from?" - -"No, sir, she was as close as wax. I called her the Lady from -Nowhere." - -"You know nothing of her past?" - -"Nothing! She might have come from the moon for all I know of her." - -"You saw no letters, photographs----" - -"Nothing!" interrupted the landlady, emphatically. "I saw nothing." - -"Then," said Gebb, rising briskly, "I must stick to the clue of the -Yellow Room." - - - - -CHAPTER IV -THE FIVE LANDLADIES - - -The journalist is the true Asmodeus of the day, and is quite as fond -as that meddlesome demon of interfering with what does not concern -him. He invades the privacy of our lives, unroofs our houses, reveals -our secrets, and trumpets forth things best left untold to the four -quarters of the globe. - -Gebb had an especial abhorrence of this magpie habit of the Press; as -he averred, with much reason, that the excessively minute details of -criminal cases set forth in the newspapers put the ill-doers on their -guard, and warned them of coming dangers, with the result that they -were easily able to evade the futile clutches of the hands of Justice. -Yet in the instance of the Grangebury murder, the publication of -details had a singular result: no less than the assisting of right -against wrong. - -As soon as the circumstances of the crime became known, the reporters -of every newspaper in the metropolis flocked to Paradise Row with -expansive notebooks, eager eyes, and inquiring minds. They surveyed -the house, questioned the police, interviewed Mrs. Presk, and gave -outline portraits of the landlady and her servant. The Yellow Boudoir -especially attracted their attention, and stirred their imagination to -descriptions of Eastern splendour. It was hinted that its magnificence -was on more than a kingly scale; it was compared to the celebrated -room in one of Balzac's romances, and its furnishing and appointments -were minutely detailed in glowing descriptions, exhausting the most -superlative adjectives in the English tongue. Also the unknown history -and strange death of its occupant were commented upon; guesses were -made as to her identity; and reasons were given for her secretive -life, for her strange belief in, and consultation of, charlatans and -fortune-tellers and all those cunning gipsies who live by the -gullibility of the public. Appeals were made in these articles to the -deaf and dumb driver to appear and declare the mystery of the yellow -van, the yellow room, and their queer owner. In short, as the journals -were in want of a sensation, they made the most of this material -supplied by chance, and England from one end to the other rang with -the tidings of Miss Ligram's death, Miss Ligram's boudoir, and Miss -Ligram's mysterious life. And all this trumpeting and noise, Gebb, the -enemy of the Press, heard with singular complacency, indeed, with -pleasure and satisfaction. - -"As a rule, I hate these revelations," said he to one who knew his -views and wondered at his equanimity, "as in nine cases out of ten -they do more harm than good by placing the criminal on his guard; but -this is the tenth case, where it is advisable to make the details of -the crime as public as possible. I rely on these descriptions of the -Yellow Boudoir to trace Miss Ligram's past life." - -"In what way?" demanded the inquirer. - -"In the way of the yellow van," replied Gebb, promptly. "As Mrs. Presk -truly observed, the hard fact of that van shows that Miss Ligram was -in the habit of moving from place to place with her tent, and setting -it up after the fashion of an Arab, in whatever spot took her fancy. -Now, when those other people who have had the Yellow Boudoir set out -in its tawdry splendour under their roofs read of Miss Ligram's death, -and recognize the description of her strange room, they will come -forward, and detail their experiences of the lady. So, in one way and -another, we may be enabled to trace Miss Ligram's past life back to a -starting-point It is the only chance I can see of gaining any -knowledge." - -Within the week events of a strange nature justified the judicious -belief entertained by the astute detective. Letters in female -caligraphy were received at Scotland Yard, stating that the writers -could give certain information to the police concerning the murdered -woman. Also, a few days later, decayed females of the landlady genus -presented themselves in person to detail their experiences of Miss -Ligram and her eccentricities. From all these personal and written -statements it appeared that for four years, more or less, Miss Ligram -had been moving from one part of London to another. In no one place -she had remained longer than six months, and in each her conduct and -mode of life had been the same. She arrived regularly in the yellow -van, and, having obtained permission from the various landladies at -the cost of paying double the rent demanded, as regularly set up and -furnished her Yellow Boudoir. As in the latest instance of the -Grangebury episode, she consulted fortune-tellers, spiritualists, and -shady people of a like nature, departing at the end of each tenancy -without a word as to her destination. It would seem from this evidence -that the woman was consistent in her eccentricities, and conducted her -strangely secretive life on the most methodical principles. - -One thing which seemed of a piece with the dead woman's desire for -concealment, was that in every place she--so to speak--camped in, she -gave a different name; each appellation being stranger than the last, -and all apparently of her own manufacture. She figured at Hampstead -under the name of Margil; in Richmond she was known as Miss Ramlig; -when housed in St. John's Wood she called herself Milgar; and at -Shepherd's Bush--but for the sake of clearness it will be advisable to -let the several landladies speak for themselves--five persons, five -pieces of information more or less similar, and five obviously made-up -names. So much for the past of Miss Ligram. - -Mrs. Brown, of West Kensington, stated that she knew the deceased -under the name of Miss Limrag. She arrived at Mrs. Brown's in the -month of May, '95, and after a six months' tenancy departed in the -month of October in the same year. Mrs. Brown was ignorant as to where -she come from, and equally at a loss to declare whither she went. Both -in coming and going Miss Limrag used as a means of transport the -yellow van, and during her residence she inhabited the Yellow Room of -her own furnishing for the consulting therein of the fortune-telling -fraternity. - -Mrs. Kane testified that a lady who called herself Miss Milgar arrived -in Shelley Road, St. John's Wood, on the first day of November, '95, -and left the district in the last days of April, '96. Her conduct -during her six months' stay was similar to that described by Mrs. -Presk and Mrs. Brown. On the evidence of such conduct, and the facts -of the van and boudoir (both yellow in colour), Mrs. Kane had no -hesitation in declaring that the murdered Miss Ligram, of Grangebury, -was her eccentric lodger, Miss Milgar. - -The information given by Miss Bain, of Crescent Villa, Hampstead, -showed that the name assumed there by the wandering lady was Margil, -and that she took possession of her lodgings there in the month of -November, '93--having arrived, according to her custom, in the yellow -van. While the lodger of Miss Bain, she gave herself up to the study -of dream-books, and the interpretation of visions. During her -occupancy of Crescent Villa, the landlady, in spite of all efforts, -could find out nothing about her past or discover where she came from; -and the so-called Miss Margil departed with her furniture towards the -end of April, 1894. She left no address. - -Miss Lamb, resident at Richmond, entertained the unknown from -November, 1894, to April, 1895. She knew her by the strange name of -Ramlig, and always thought her weak in her mind, owing to her queer -mode of life, and belief in omens. When Miss Ramlig made any boastful -speech reflecting on her worldly prosperity, she would touch wood to -avert the omen. "Absit omen"; "Umberufen"; "In a good hour be it -spoken "; "N'importe." These words and phrases were continually on her -tongue; and she was a slave to all forms of superstition. She would -not walk under a ladder; if she spilt salt she threw a pinch over -her shoulder; an unexpected meeting with a magpie, a hunchback, a -cross-eyed person, or with a piebald horse, either made her rejoice in -the most extravagant fashion, or threw her into a fever of -apprehension. She was not communicative, and resisted all Miss Lamb's -attempts at social intercourse. During the whole period of her stay, -no words were spoken, and no event occurred, likely to throw light on -her past; nor, when she departed, did Miss Lamb discover whither she -intended to go. In coming, in staying, in going, Miss Ramlig was a -mystery. - -The owner of Myrtle Bank, Shepherd's Bush, a bird-like spinster called -Cass, informed Gebb that a certain Miss Migral lodged with her from -the first of May to the end of October, 1894. She arrived in the van -spoken of by the other witnesses; she paid double rent for the -privilege of dismantling a room, and therein set up her tent-like -habitation of yellow satin, furnished with cane chairs and tables, -illuminated with candles, and perfumed with incense. She was, said -Miss Cass, superstitious beyond all belief, actually divining by -teacups, and believing in the future as foretold by the position of -the tea-leaves, after the fashion of illiterate servant-girls. Miss -Migral never went to church, she had--so far as Miss Cass knew, no -Bible in her possession; but read books dealing with fortune-telling -and necromancy. One of her favourite volumes was "The Book of Fate," -another "The Book of Dreams," and she appeared to have an insatiable -desire to know the future; but for what reason, Miss Cass--in spite of -all efforts--was unable to discover. This strange creature departed -with all her worldly goods for some unknown destination during the -last days of October, 1894. - -Mrs. Presk was the last landlady who received this mysterious woman, -and knew her as Miss Ligram. She arrived at Paradise Row at the -beginning of May, 1896, and met with a violent death three months -later. Mrs. Presk was as ignorant of the woman's past as the other -landladies had been. She arrived from nowhere, and, no doubt, would -have departed six months later in an equally mysterious fashion. But -in the middle of her Grangebury tenancy, a violent death put an end to -her further wanderings. - -Gebb heard all this evidence, which was monotonous from its sameness, -with much satisfaction and great attention. By means of the details -afforded by the five landladies and Mrs. Presk, he traced back the -wanderings of the dead woman to the month of November, 1893, but -further back he was unable to go, for lack of information. In spite of -all publicity given to the case, notwithstanding advertisements, and -his own private efforts, no other witnesses came forward to give -evidence as to the past of Miss Ligram; so, finding he was at a -dead stop, the detective resolved to stand--at all events for the -present--on the information he had already acquired. For his own -private information and guidance he tabulated an account of Miss -Ligram's names, addresses, and former landladies, together with the -dates of her various rests, as follows:-- - - -Miss Bain, Hampstead Margil, Nov., 1893, to April, 1894 - -Miss Cass, Shepherd's Bush Migral, May to Oct.,1894 - -Miss Lamb, Richmond Ramlig, Nov., 1894, to April, 1895 - -Mrs. Brown, West Kensington Limrag, May to Oct. 1895 - -Mrs. Kane, St. John's Wool Milgar, Nov., 1895, to April, 1896 - -Mrs. Presk, Grangebury Ligram, April to July, 1896 - - -And at the foot of this table he noted the fact that on the night of -the 24th July, 1896--according to medical evidence at ten o'clock--the -so-called Miss Ligram met with a violent death at the hands of some -unknown person. - -So far so good; but here Gebb's information came to an end, and beyond -a few years' knowledge of Miss Ligram's past, he had no evidence to -show him why she had taken to this mode of life, or why her eccentric -manner of living should have been cut short by violence. Ready as he -was in resource, the detective did not know how to act, or in which -direction to turn for information. While thus perplexed he received a -hasty note scribbled on a half-sheet of dirty paper. It ran as -follows:-- - - - "48, Guy Street, Pimlico. - -"Come and see me at once, about the Grangebury case. I have solved the -mystery, and can hang the criminal.--Yours, - - "Simon Parge." - - - - -CHAPTER V -A FRIEND IN NEED - - -But that Gebb knew the writer of this curt note, which was hardly -civil in its brevity, he would have been much surprised at the -untoward chance of its coming at so critical a moment to help him out -of his difficulties. As it was, he felt more relieved than astonished, -and hastened to obey the summons without delay. It was not the first -time he had used Mr. Parge as a finger-post to point out the right -path, and in the present instance he was rather vexed with himself -that he had not applied before in this quarter for advice and -guidance. But better late than never, thought he, while repairing his -error, and making up for his neglect by replying in person to the -summons. - -Towards Parge, the detective stood in the relation of pupil to master; -for it was Parge who, observing his abilities, had induced him to join -the profession, and had never ceased to praise, and blame, and help -him on to the best of his ability. For some considerable time Parge -had been a noted detective himself, and he had retired within the last -few years into private life, owing to a tendency to obesity and an -increase of years which forbade his further exercising his talents in -the way of thief-catching and assassin-hunting. The criminal -fraternity had rejoiced rather too soon, when they heard that their -great enemy had retired on a pension; for Parge left behind him a -worthy successor in the person of Gebb, and he still instructed the -latter in particularly difficult cases where two heads were better -than one. Mr. Parge, by reason of his eighteen stone, was chained to -an armchair for the rest of his life; but his brain was still active, -and he took a sufficient interest in Scotland Yard affairs to read all -criminal cases, and help his more active deputy to bring them to -satisfactory conclusions. The old detective sat in his house like Odin -on the Air-throne, and--through the medium of the Press--knew much -that was going on in the shady section of society, which he had -watched for so many years. Frequently he instructed Gebb how to act, -and what conclusions to form on slender evidence; and the pupil, when -at a loss, invariably turned to his master for a word of encouragement -and explanation. But that Parge had forestalled him by sending the -note, Gebb, later on, would have laid the case of the Yellow Boudoir -before his--so to speak--sleeping partner. - -"I guess the old man will be in a rage," said Gebb to himself as he -hurried with all speed to Pimlico. "I should have seen him before on -the matter, only it has bothered me so. He says he has solved the -mystery--that means he has discovered who killed Miss Ligram. I don't -believe it--with the greatest possible respect for Simon--I don't -believe it." - -The ex-detective dwelt in a little house in a little square, and -passed his time usually in a huge armchair, placed conveniently near -the window, so that he could survey the busy world from which he had -withdrawn. He was a Daniel Lambert for size and rotundity, with a -large red face like a full moon, and an impressive girth which would -have made the fortune of an alderman; but his eyes were keen and -bright, and the brain pertaining to this man-mountain of flesh was as -active as one cased in the leanest of bodies. He was clothed in a -gaudy-figured dressing-gown of blue and red, wore carpet slippers on -his large feet, a smoking-cap with a large tassel on his sparse locks, -and sat amid a litter of newspapers. Parge took in nearly every -morning and evening journal in London, and from dawn till dark read -the police news, cutting out all such cases as he deemed worthy of his -attention. In the evening he usually played whist with his wife and -two cronies, or kept the company enthralled by his stories of the -scoundrels he had exposed, and the under-world he had moved in. Mrs. -Parge--an anæmic woman, as slender as Simon was stout--waited on her -husband, and thought him--intellectually and morally, as he was -physically--the greatest of men. She did all the house-work with the -assistance of a small servant, and, being an excellent cook, had -contributed not a little to the weight and size of her spouse by -preparing those appetizing dishes which her Simon loved. The couple -had a comfortable income, a comfortable house, and both enjoyed the -best of health, so that the Parge household was as happy a one as -could be found in London. - -"My word, Absalom," said lean Mrs. Parge when she opened the door, -"you're going to have a bad time; you've going to catch it. Simon saw -you from the window, and is getting up steam to receive you." - -A series of growls proceeding from the near parlour proclaimed the -truth of this warning, and when Gebb entered the presence of his -master, steam was got up so far that Parge's smoking-cap came skimming -past the head of the visitor. Gebb picked it up and brought it to -Parge, who received him and it with a growl of wrath. At Parge's feet -lay a pile of newspapers, some open, some folded, some with evidence -of scissors' work and some quite whole. On a near table there lay a -large volume bound in red cloth, which Gebb recognized as one of the -series of books in which Parge noted down the more important cases, -and stored his newspaper cuttings. He wondered if the old man had it -at his elbow to throw at him, for Parge's fingers evidently itched to -send the book after the smoking-cap; but, as he refrained from further -violence, Gebb concluded that the volume had been placed within reach -of its owner for some purpose connected with his visit. He was right, -as subsequent events proved. - -"Oh!" growled Parge, glaring at the young man, "so you've thought fit -to come at last?" - -"I couldn't come sooner, Simon," protested Gebb, taking a chair, "I've -been worried out of my life by this Grangebury case." - -"And what good has all your worry done, you fool? You've found out -nothing." - -"Indeed I have. I've traced back Miss Ligram's life to the year '93. -She is--but I forget--you don't know the case." - -"Don't I!" retorted Parge, sharply. "I know a deal more than you can -tell me. I suppose you are in difficulties over the matter?" - -Gebb admitted that he was. "And I candidly confess that I do not see -my way out of them," he added, with an anxious look at Parge. - -The fat man grunted. "If you had come to me in the first instance I -could have saved you a lot of trouble." - -"Can you explain the mystery, Simon?" - -"I can. If I couldn't, I wouldn't have sent for you." - -"Do you know the motive for the committal of the crime?" - -"I do I've employed my wits to some purpose, I can tell you." - -"And the name of the assassin?" - -"Yes! Didn't I say in my letter that I had solved the mystery, you -fool?" - -"And where he is to be found?" continued Gebb, exhaustively. - -For the first time Parge replied in the negative. "There you have me," -he grumbled, scratching his chin. "I know where he should be, but I -don't know where he is. It will be your business to find him." - -"If you'll give me a clue to his whereabouts, I'll do my best," was -the meek reply of the pupil. - -"I can't," said the ex-detective, frankly. "I did my best to hunt him -down four years ago, before I retired, and I failed." - -"Ho! Ho! So this cove has been in trouble before?" - -"Not only in trouble, but in prison." - -"On what charge?" asked Gebb, with openly expressed surprise. - -"On a charge of murder!" - -"What! Is this assassination of Miss Ligram his second crime?" - -"It is," replied Parge, enjoying the astonishment of his visitor; "but -this man--I'll tell you his name later on--did not intend to kill Miss -Ligram." - -"But he did kill her--strangled her!" - -"Not Miss Ligram!" said the fat man, obstinately. "Ligram was an -assumed name." - -"I know that, Simon. She has passed under half a dozen names." - -"So the papers say. Just run over the names." - -Gebb did so promptly, giving the names in order. "Margil, Migral, -Ramlig, Limrag, Milgar, and Ligram." - -"Good! Now, Absalom, what strikes you as strange about these names?" - -"They are all invented," said Gebb, after a pause. - -"Quite so," assented Parge, "and their invention does credit to the -imagination of the lady. Do you notice that the same letters, -differently placed, are used in every instance?" - -"Anagrammatic!" said Gebb, with a nod. - -"Precisely! She manufactured all these false names out of her real -one." - -"A very ingenious idea, Simon. And what is her real name?" - -"Gilmar!" replied Parge, slowly. "Miss Ellen Gilmar, of Kirkstone -Hall, near Norminster, Hants." - -For quite two minutes Gebb sat in silence, looking at his chief in -blended wonder and amazement Try as he might he could not guess how -the fat man had come by this knowledge. What he, with the use of -his limbs, and the power of the law, had failed to discover, this -invalid--as he might be called--had found out without moving from his -armchair. In a darker age Gebb might have judged Parge to be gifted -with necromantic power, or divination by second sight. - -"Are you certain of this?" he asked in a hesitating voice. - -"Quite certain!" cried Parge, furiously. "Quite certain. I'm not a -fool." - -"But how did you find out?" - -"By exercising my memory and joining the past with the present." - -"In what way?" asked Gebb, still perplexed "What clue had you?" - -"The clue of the Yellow Boudoir." - -"The Yellow Boudoir!" repeated Gebb, recalling his own fancy. - -"Yes!" said Parge, gravely "Twenty years ago, in a room furnished in -the same fashion, in a room under the roof of Kirkstone Hall, there -was a murder committed. In this book," Parge here laid his hand on the -large volume, "there is a full account of the trial of one, Marmaduke -Dean, for the murder of John Kirkstone; and the crime was committed in -the Yellow Boudoir." - -"But what has a crime committed twenty years ago to do with the -assassination of Miss Lig--I mean, of Miss Gilmar?" - -"Everything. Miss Gilmar only reaped as she sowed. You must hear the -story in full before you can see the connection. But to put the matter -briefly, you must understand that Dean was convicted of killing -Kirkstone and was sentenced to death. Afterwards, as there was some -doubt about the absolute justice of the verdict, the death sentence -was commuted to penal servitude for life. Dean swore that he was -innocent, and that the accomplishment of the crime had been brought -about by the machinations of Ellen Gilmar. He swore, if his life were -spared, to escape from prison and kill the woman who had placed him by -her craft and cruelty in the dock. About four years ago the man did -escape from Dartmoor Prison; and it was dread lest he should keep his -word which drove Miss Gilmar from lodging to lodging, under different -names. For some reason--best known to herself--she chose to dwell in a -room, furnished and draped similar to that in which the first crime -had been committed. It was reading the description of that room which -put me on the right track. - -"And you believe that Miss Ligram and Miss Gilmar are one and the same -person?" asked Gebb, breathlessly. - -"I am certain of it, on the authority of the Yellow Boudoir." - -"And you think that Dean murdered her?" - -"Yes; I believe that Dean kept his word." - -"But what was his reason?" - -"Vengeance!" said Parge, opening the red book. "Listen! I will tell -you the case after my own fashion, and you shall learn the reason why -Miss Ligram was strangled at Grangebury." - - - - -CHAPTER VI -THE CRIME OF KIRKSTONE HALL - - -It sometimes happens that a youthful spendthrift becomes an aged -miser, and hoards money in the same extreme fashion as formerly he -wasted it. John Kirkstone was a fair example of this species of human -chameleon. As his father's heir, he drained the estate of all ready -money, and squandered the same in London without regard to economy or -even reason. In this riotous life he was encouraged by a former -college companion--one Marmaduke Dean--who even went to the extent of -borrowing money of Kirkstone, and so became his debtor for a large -sum. Dean subsequently married a lady of fortune, and repaid a portion -of the money; but either could not, or--as was more probable--would -not discharge the whole. On this point Kirkstone, who needed money for -his pleasures, quarrelled with his friend, and the pair parted to meet -no more for some years. It would have been better for both had they -never renewed their youthful friendship. - -As might be expected, old Squire Kirkstone was by no means pleased -with his son, and did not relish leaving his large fortune to one who -probably would waste it in a few years. The Hall and its surrounding -acres were entailed, and were bound to pass into John Kirkstone's -hands; but the old man possessed a large income acquired by -speculation, which was at his own disposal. Wrathful at his -spendthrift son, he resolved to leave this personal property to his -only daughter; and accordingly, when John became Squire on the death -of his father, he found that his sister Laura was in possession of a -good income, while he had to be content with a dwelling far too large -for his means, and several farms whose tenants did not always pay -their rents. The shock of this discovery was unpleasant, but salutary. - -In the first place Kirkstone renounced his London profligacy and -associates, and came to live at the Hall; in the second, he insisted -that his sister should dwell with him, and pay a handsome yearly sum -for the privilege; and in the third, he invited his first cousin, -Ellen Gilmar, to be his housekeeper. Laura Kirkstone, who was a -weak-bodied and weak-natured girl, readily consented to remain at the -Hall, and pay what her brother demanded, and as readily welcomed her -cousin Ellen as mistress of the household, a post for which she herself -had no great love. Having thus arranged matters, Kirkstone--though not -yet forty--became as penurious as formerly he had been wasteful; and -in this system of economy was ably assisted by his new housekeeper, a -shrewd, cold-hearted skinflint. - -Laura, in derision, called Ellen Mrs. Harpagon, after Molière's miser; -and well did Miss Gilmar deserve the name. She was a little, black, -active woman, with a neat figure and a somewhat pinched white face. -Her eyes were hard-looking, her lips were thin, and she was a perfect -skinflint in the management of the household. Even Kirkstone, inclined -as he was to economy, grumbled at times about her excessive economy; -but as the months went by, he fell gradually into her saving way of -living, and the Hall soon gained a name in the county for all that was -mean and niggardly. The larder was always kept locked, the servants -were ill fed, and the occasional beggars who came to that forbidden -door were not fed at all. Scraping, and screwing, and hoarding of -money became the order of the day; and Kirkstone soon found that he -was redeeming his former waste, at the cost of a hard and somewhat -hungry life. However, the habit of living thus penuriously became -confirmed, and both he and Mrs. Harpagon vied with one another in -discovering new methods of saving money. The only person in the Hall -who did not relish this extreme economy was Laura Kirkstone. - -The attitude adopted by Kirkstone towards his wealthy sister was a -fairly amiable one. Having a strong will, he compelled her weaker one -to bow to it; and kept a sharp watch on her, lest she should marry -some one of whom he did not approve, and so take the money--which he -looked upon as rightfully his own--out of the family. Many a young man -would have been glad to marry Miss Kirkstone, both for her money and -good looks; for in a pink-and-white sort of way the girl was pretty; -but Kirkstone invited none of these would-be suitors to the house, and -turned a cold shoulder to them in public. Laura was forbidden even to -speak to them; and being kept closely to her own home, lived in the -gaunt, grim Hall, like an enchanted princess guarded by two ogres. And -none of the young knights who wished to marry her had sufficient -courage to brave the black looks of Kirkstone, or the acidulated -sneers of his amiable housekeeper and cousin. Such was the position of -affairs at Kirkstone Hall when Marmaduke Dean again entered into the -life of his former friend. - -It was the death of his wife which led to Dean's visit to Kirkstone -Hall. He had squandered the fortune of the unhappy lady, and had -treated her with so much coldness and neglect that she had died of a -broken heart, leaving him a little son. Dean promptly placed the -child with some distant relatives, and being poor again, looked -about him for some means whereby he could procure money. Recalling the -easy-going and generous disposition of Kirkstone, he resolved to apply -to him for aid, quite oblivious to the fact that he was already in his -debt. To this end he one day presented himself at the Hall, and was -astonished to find that its owner, from a generous friend, had changed -into a miserly curmudgeon. Kirkstone not only refused to help Dean, -but demanded immediate repayment of the monies already due. Dean, -seeing that only trouble would come of his application, was on the -point of withdrawing, so as to save himself the danger of being sued -for the lent money, when a new idea entered into Kirkstone's knavish -brain which made him detain Dean at the Hall as a necessary element to -bring it to fruition. The scheme was none other than the marriage of -Laura to the disconsolate widower, and comprehended a division of her -fortune between the brother and the proposed husband, an amiable -arrangement which really amounted to robbery. - -Laura herself forced Kirkstone to adopt this plan by reason of her -refusal to let him handle the fortune which had been left to her by -their father. Like most weak-minded people she was singularly -obstinate on some points, and, being cunning enough to see that her -sole hold over her brother lay in retaining command of her money, she -always evaded his proposals to manage her investments. Beyond the -income he derived from the sum she paid for board and lodging, -Kirkstone had nothing to do with these monies, of which, as he -frequently stated, he had been robbed. Naturally he was angered to -think of his loss, and tried several times to bully Laura into -surrendering her fortune. The result of this ill-judged conduct was -that Laura met force by cunning, and, taking a dislike to her brother, -executed a secret will, whereby she left the whole of the money to -Ellen Gilmar. - -In this case there was no honour among thieves, for the housekeeper -tricked her master and cousin by keeping secret the fact of the will, -and when Kirkstone tried to marry his sister to Dean, he was quite -unaware that Ellen, for her own selfish ends, intended to thwart the -match if she could. Furthermore a new and unforeseen obstacle arose to -complicate matters, for it chanced that both Laura and Ellen fell in -love with Dean. The scamp was a handsome man, with a plausible manner, -and Laura was quite willing to marry him, and to settle half her -fortune on him, receiving in return a presentable husband with a -damaged reputation. It was agreed between Kirkstone and Dean that when -the marriage took place the latter should discharge his debt to the -former, and also pay over a certain sum of money by way of commission -on the marriage settlement. So far all went well, and Kirkstone -invited Dean to stay at the Hall until the marriage took place, and -all pecuniary arrangements between them were settled. It was then that -Ellen threw prudence to the wind, and lost her heart to Dean. - -The result of this feminine weakness was that Ellen did violence to -her instincts by relaxing her stingy rule. She kept the table supplied -with better food while Dean stayed at the Hall, she paid more -attention to her dress, humoured the man she loved in every way, and -altogether behaved in a manner so alien to her natural self that Laura -became suspicious. The end of this folly was that Laura discovered -Ellen's secret, and lost her temper over it. She accused Dean of -making love to Ellen, and Ellen of encouraging his advances. Kirkstone -was told this by his sister, and he, seeing a chance of his losing -money by the marriage not taking place, had a stormy scene with Ellen. -He threatened to turn her out of the Hall as a pauper; whereat the -woman turned at bay on her cousin, and revealed the truth about the -secret will. - -"If this marriage takes place," she declared, "I lose money as well as -you, and if I can influence Laura to refuse Dean I shall certainly do -so. If it comes to the point, we shall see who is the stronger, you or -I." - -The upshot of this conversation was that Kirkstone lost his temper -altogether, and went to bully his sister into revoking her will. Had -he only remembered that the same result would be attained by the -marriage taking place, he would have urged on the match and defied -Ellen. Instead of acting thus sensibly, he vented his rage on Dean, -and accused him of encouraging the folly of the housekeeper. Then Dean -lost his temper in his turn, and quarrelled with Kirkstone and Laura; -so in the month of July, '76, it chanced that the four people -inhabiting Kirkstone Hall quite misunderstood one another, and, for -the time being, were hardly on speaking terms. Dean stormed at -Kirkstone as trying to thwart the proposed marriage; Kirkstone blamed -Dean as having encouraged the love of Ellen; and Laura, in her weak -way, fretted herself ill over the whole disturbance. Only Ellen, the -cause of all the trouble, retained her placidity. She did not move an -inch from her position. She had an end to gain, and in one way or -another she was determined to gain it. It was while things were in -this unhappy state that the country was startled by the news that -Kirkstone had been murdered by Dean. - -The tragedy took place in a certain room strangely furnished by the -mother of the present squire, which was known as the Yellow Boudoir. -It was a favourite apartment with Kirkstone, who had turned it into a -smoking-room. On the night of the 16th of July, Kirkstone and Dean -were drinking and smoking in this room, when apparently they renewed -their quarrel with a fatal result Kirkstone was found dead in the room -at midnight with a knife in his heart. This knife had been brought -from America--it was a bowie-knife--by Dean, and his name was marked -on the handle. Ellen deposed at the inquest that, guessing the pair -might quarrel, she had gone downstairs shortly before midnight to -implore them to part. Then she had seen Dean leave the Yellow Boudoir -in a state of alarm and alcoholic excitement. Afterwards Kirkstone -asked her to tell Dean to come down again. She did so, and Dean -rejoined Kirkstone. When they parted for the second time Ellen went to -the smoking-room, and found Kirkstone lying dead with Dean's knife in -his heart The result of this statement was that Dean was arrested for -the murder of his friend, and, mainly on the evidence of Miss Gilmar, -he was found guilty. The man protested his innocence in vain, and -would have suffered the extreme penalty of the law, but that a -sympathizing section of the public, not satisfied with the judgment, -prepared a memorial to the Home Secretary. The sentence was then -commuted to penal servitude for life. - -The immediate result of the crime was that Laura, on seeing the dead -body of her brother, and learning that the man she loved had murdered -him, received such a shock that within three months she was dead. As -her will in favour of Ellen had never been revoked, the former -housekeeper came in for all her money. Also, as no male heirs of -the Kirkstone family were left, Miss Gilmar, by the will of her -great-great-grandfather, and as the daughter of John Kirkstone's -paternal aunt; inherited the estates. Therefore Ellen Gilmar lost the -man she loved, but found herself a wealthy and lonely woman. Only one -thing she feared, and that was a violent death; for Dean had declared -that his unjust sentence was due to her lying evidence, and that, if -his life were spared, he would some day kill her. Apparently he had -done so. - -Such was the statement of the Kirkstone Hall Crime, which was -undoubtedly in some secret way connected with the more recent murder -of Ellen Gilmar at Grangebury. The question was--did Dean strangle her -out of revenge, since he had escaped from prison about the time Miss -Gilmar left the Hall on her lonely wanderings, and was at large to -carry out his threat? - -If Dean murdered Kirkstone he would have no compunction in committing -a second crime to revenge himself on the woman who had delivered him -into the hands of Justice. - -If Dean did not murder Kirkstone it might be that, enraged at his -unjust sentence, he had killed Miss Gilmar to punish her for the lying -evidence which had smirched his name and ruined his life. - -In either case there was the threat to murder Miss Gilmar, which, on -the face of it, implicated the convict in the Grangebury murder. -Deeming the man guilty of the first crime, Parge declared that he had -committed the second. - -Putting aside the first crime, Gebb maintained that Dean was innocent -It now remains to discover which of the two is in the right. - - - - -CHAPTER VII -COMMENTS ON THE CRIME - - -It must not be supposed that in informing Gebb of these details in -connection with a long-forgotten crime, Parge gave the exact context -of the newspaper reports. He used them rather as notes to refresh his -memory, and detailed the somewhat barren information in a -conversational manner, adding, suppressing, and amplifying evidence in -the way most necessary to convey a clear idea of the case to his -hearer. Yet at the conclusion of his reading, or rather narrative, -Gebb was not satisfied. To him the case seemed incomplete. - -"I know a good deal of what happened before the murder," he said -bluntly, "but very little about the crime itself." - -"You know all that was reported in the newspapers," replied the fat -man, casting the heavy book on the table with some irritation. - -"Probably; but now I wish to know such details as were not given to -the public You can supply them." - -"Certainly! Ask what you like, and I'll answer. You'll arrive at an -understanding of the case soonest that way." - -Gebb remained silent for a few minutes, and watched Parge lighting his -pipe. Then he asked suddenly, "Do you believe that Dean is innocent of -this Kirkstone Hall crime?" - -"No!" replied Parge, deliberately, "I don't." - -"On what grounds?" - -"On the grounds of his defence." - -"H'm!" said Gebb, with an astonished look; "those are queer grounds on -which to doubt a man." - -"Well, Absalom, you can judge for yourself. Dean declared that he was -innocent." - -"They all do; and no doubt, having regard to this new crime, he said -that Miss Gilmar was guilty." - -"No, he did not accuse her. He ascribed the crime to Laura." - -"What! to the sister?" - -"Yes! the mean hound, to the woman he was about to marry. Is not such -a foul accusation enough to make you believe the wretch to be guilty?" - -"Not quite," rejoined Gebb, dryly; "a man may be a blackguard without -being a murderer. Besides, this Laura seems to have been weak--in -fact, half-witted; so Dean might have had some grounds for his belief. -However, if you can recall his defence, I shall be in a better -position to judge." - -"Briefly," replied Parge, "his defence was as follows. He declared -that he was left alone with Kirkstone in the Yellow Boudoir, or rather -smoking-room, about half-past ten o'clock." - -"Who left him and Kirkstone alone?" - -"The ladies. They accompanied the two from the drawing-room, and -chatted with them for a few moments before saying good night." - -"What!" cried Gebb, suspiciously, "in spite of the disturbed -atmosphere of the house, and the quarrelling?" - -"Yes! there existed, it seemed, a kind of armed neutrality, and, -notwithstanding the situation, the quartet were civil enough to one -another." - -"I have my doubts about so improbable a situation," said Gebb, shaking -his head. "Well, and what took place after the ladies retired?" - -"Kirkstone and Dean quarrelled over the marriage. Kirkstone, it -seemed, began to taunt Dean about his attentions to Miss Gilmar. Dean -turned round, and declared that he was not attached to Miss Gilmar; -nor, for the matter of that, to Laura. Both women, he said, were in -love with him, and he could marry either without consulting Kirkstone. -He furthermore swore that if Kirkstone insulted him any more, he would -marry Laura without her brother's consent, and refuse to pay the -money." - -"And no doubt at this point Kirkstone lost his temper," suggested -Gebb. - -"So Dean declared; and the quarrel reached such a pitch that Dean----" - -"Killed Kirkstone," finished Gebb, quickly. - -"No," replied Parge; "he denied that. He left the room, according to -his own story, about eleven o'clock, and retired to his bedroom. -Shortly before midnight, when he was considering how to act, Ellen -Gilmar knocked at his door and said that Kirkstone wanted to see him -in the smoking-room. Dean descended and found Kirkstone dead. At first -he was tempted to give the alarm; but reflecting on the quarrel, which -must have been overheard by some of the servants--a fact afterwards -proved--and finding that the knife with which the crime had been -committed was his own, he fled back to his room. Then Miss Gilmar came -to see what had occurred--found the dead body, and gave the alarm. She -accused Dean of being the murderer, because she had left Kirkstone -alive when she brought the message, and afterwards found him dead when -Dean fled from the room." - -"But how did Dean implicate Laura?" - -"He declared that he had given her the bowie-knife at her own request -to prune some plants with in the conservatory." - -"Now, that is ridiculous!" cried Gebb. - -"Of course it is; and a further proof of his own guilt Ladies don't -use bowie-knives to prune plants. Dean, however, stated that he left -Kirkstone alive when he first retired to his room. Miss Gilmar stated -that her cousin was not dead when she conveyed the message to Dean: so -for the defence it was maintained that between the time Miss Gilmar -left Kirkstone and the time Dean returned to the Yellow Room for the -second visit, Laura must have killed her brother with the bowie-knife, -which she had obtained two days previously from Dean." - -"But why should Laura kill her brother?" - -"Because, as prisoner's counsel argued, it was probable that after the -last conversation, Kirkstone fancied that Dean might not pay the money -if the marriage came off, so he resolved to stop it by exercising his -influence over Laura while there was yet time. Laura, so Dean -declared, must have revolted and killed Kirkstone in a moment of -uncontrollable anger." - -"Still, why should she bring the knife into the smoking-room if she -committed the crime on the impulse of the moment?" - -"Dean did not--could not--explain that point," replied Parge, with -contempt; "all his defence was that he gave Laura the bowie-knife, -that he left Kirkstone alive in the Yellow Boudoir about eleven, and -that when summoned by Miss Gilmar he found the man dead. Also, that he -held his tongue because he was afraid of being accused, as there had -been a quarrel between himself and Kirkstone." - -"I don't wonder he was afraid," said Gebb, thoughtfully; "and in any -case his defence was extremely weak. What evidence did the prosecution -bring forward?" - -"Miss Gilmar was their principal witness, as she was the last person -to see Kirkstone alive. She denied any knowledge of the bowie-knife; -but stated that she had come downstairs to prevent further -quarrelling. Kirkstone was alone, but asked her to request Dean to -come back to the Yellow Boudoir. She went up to Dean's room and asked -him. At first he refused, but later on consented. It was twenty -minutes between the time Miss Gilmar left Kirkstone alive and Dean -found his dead body. One point of the evidence against Dean was that -blood was found on his shirt-cuff. He explained this away by stating -that he had felt Kirkstone's heart to see if any life remained, and so -got his cuffs soiled with the blood from the wound." - -"What did Laura say to Dean's accusation?" - -"She denied it altogether. But it was the horror of thinking that the -man she loved deemed her capable of such a foul crime which was one of -the causes to bring about her death." - -"She was half-witted, you say?" said Gebb, after a pause. - -"No!" replied Parge, sharply. "I don't say so. She was weak-witted and -soft-natured, but, as I truly believe, perfectly sane. I see that you -think she might have killed her brother in a fit of insane rage. Well, -that was Dean's defence; or at least part of it. But Laura, when in -the witness-box, declared that after leaving Dean and her brother in -the Yellow Boudoir she had not left her room all night; and in this -statement she was supported by Miss Gilmar. Now you can see for -yourself, Gebb, that Dean was rightfully convicted." - -"Well," said the detective, reflectively, "it looks like justice; but -it may not be so. For my part, knowing what I do of women, I should -not be at all surprised to learn that Miss Gilmar was the guilty -person." - -"Some people suggested as much at the time," said Parge, in no wise -disturbed by this suggestion. "But I did not believe it then, and I -don't now. What possible motive could she have?" - -"Quite as feasible a motive as the one ascribed to Laura," replied -Gebb. "Did not Kirkstone threaten to turn her out-of-doors? Was it not -his intention to deprive Miss Gilmar of Dean by marrying him to Laura? -And did he not try to induce Laura to revoke her will in favour of the -housekeeper? Oh, there are plenty of motives." - -"But when do you suggest she committed the crime?" - -"Why, between the time Dean left the Yellow Room and returned to it -again. I dare say she had a row with Kirkstone on her own account, and -killed him, then went up to Dean with a lying message to implicate him -in the matter." - -"But," objected Parge, again, "why should she accuse Dean? He was the -man she loved." - -"Yes; but he did not love her, and no doubt since she was old and -ill-favoured, he showed his dislike to her advances too plainly. I -fancy that it was a case of a woman scorned, and that Miss Gilmar -revenged herself by accusing Dean. However, this is all theory," added -Gebb, with a shrug, "and, as such, is worth little. Dean was condemned -on Miss Gilmar's testimony, and, no doubt, intended to kill her if he -could escape. Although," added the detective, inconsequently, "I don't -believe he did." - -"Why not?" said Parge, emphatically. "He did escape, and I believe he -did kill her. As sure as I sit here, it was Dean who strangled that -wretched woman." - -"Humph! Humph!" said Gebb, perplexed. "I'm not certain." - -"I am, Absalom. Why, she expected to meet with a violent death at his -hands. That was why she left Kirkstone Hall, and concealed herself in -these various lodgings under several false names. Besides, as I read -in the papers, she constantly consulted fortune-tellers as to whether -she would die by violence: a behaviour which showed how lively were -her fears." - -"That is all very well," admitted Gebb, "but there was no struggle: -there was wine drunk; a cigarette smoked by the murderer: and Miss -Gilmar let him wander about the room. What does all this prove? That -she knew her visitor and trusted him. She could not, and would not, -have trusted the man who had sworn to kill her." - -"He might have gone to her disguised as a fortune-teller," suggested -Parge. - -"That is rather an imaginative suggestion," said Gebb, smiling. "By -the way, when did Dean escape?" - -"Towards the end of '93; and you say yourself that Miss Gilmar began -her wanderings in that year." - -"Quite so; and I admit that she fled to escape Dean's vengeance, but I -am not so certain that he killed her. Remember, the diamonds were -stolen; so it may be a vulgar murder for robbery, after all." - -"No," said Parge, sticking obstinately to his point. "Dean killed her -out of revenge, and stole the diamonds to provide himself with the -means of escape. Have you been round the pawnshops?" - -"Not yet; but every pawnbroker has been warned. Also, I have sent -detectives over to Amsterdam and to Paris to watch if the diamonds -turn up." - -"Very good," said Simon, with a nod; "if Dean tries to pawn the jewels -you'll catch him." - -"I don't believe the thief is Dean." - -"I do; and also that he killed Miss Gilmar. Well, and what do you -intend to do now?" - -"Go down to Kirkstone Hall and see the original of the Yellow -Boudoir." - -"Good! And afterwards?" - -"Interview the solicitor who conducted the defence for Dean." - -"You mean the barrister." - -"No, I don't; I mean the solicitor. Who was Dean's solicitor?" - -"Mr. Prain, of 40, Bacon Lane. You won't get anything out of him, -Absalom," said Parge, warningly. "He's as close as wax." - -"Who was Dean's counsel?" asked Gebb, ignoring the hint. - -"Clement Basson," replied Parge; "you'll induce him to talk -freely--for a drink." - -"Oh! he is dissipated?" - -"In a sort of way. A Bohemian barrister: ruined his career through -love of pleasure. Has had a few briefs, but not enough to pay, and -lives on a small income." - -Gebb noted this nutshell biography in his pocket-book, and prepared to -take his departure. He had a parting glass with the fat man, and after -promising to advise him of all that took place in connection with the -case, he left the house. - -"And tell me!" cried Parge after him, obstinate to the last; "tell me -when you find Dean." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII -MR. PRAIN, SOLICITOR - - -When Gebb left Parge he intended to go down to Norminster with as -little delay as possible and look over Kirkstone Hall. There he hoped -to learn further details of Miss Gilmar's life, and to ascertain, if -possible, whether she had other enemies besides the man she had -condemned to lifelong imprisonment. Owing to her grasping disposition -and penurious mode of life, it was probable that she had been -extremely unpopular, and it might be that amongst those who disliked -her might be found one who had carried the feeling so far as to kill -her. - -On considering the circumstances of the case Gebb could not bring -himself to believe that Dean was the assassin. All the same he was -anxious to ascertain the hiding-place of the convict, and make certain -of his innocence of this second crime; with the first, which was -before his time, he had nothing to do. - -On second thoughts, however, the detective judged it would be wiser to -call on Mr. Prain beforehand, and learn his opinion on the matter. -Also, Gebb wished to discover why the solicitor had not come forward -to identify the body of Miss Gilmar. From the description of the -Yellow Boudoir, so often referred to in the papers, he must have been -aware that the so-called Miss Ligram was none other than Ellen Gilmar. -If so, why had he not assisted the police to trace the woman's past -history? It was mainly to elucidate this point--which might be an -important one in solving the mystery--that Gebb called at the office -in Bacon Lane. - -Mr. Prain proved to be a small, lean-faced man, with a sharp pair of -eyes and a hard-looking mouth. He was neatly and spotlessly dressed in -the plainest fashion, and his office, a somewhat dingy place, was as -clear and trim as himself. When Gebb sent in his card Mr. Prain had -only to glance at the name to know that his visitor was the Scotland -Yard detective, and told the clerk to show him in at once. It was with -his hard little face set like a mask that Prain received the officer -of the law, for he had quite expected sooner or later to receive such -a visit, and was not unprepared. - -"You wish to see me, Mr. Gebb?" said the solicitor, in a low crisp -voice. - -"Yes, sir; about a case you dealt with twenty years ago." - -"Oh! Then you have no questions to ask about the case of to-day?" said -Prain, composedly, and he darted a sharp look at his visitor to see -how the shot told. - -"Do you know my errand?" asked Gebb, somewhat uncomfortably, for he -was by no means pleased to find that the little solicitor was prepared -for his reception, and could not conceive why it should be so. - -"Yes, Mr. Gebb, I do. If you had not called on me, it is probable that -I should have paid you a visit." - -"It is two weeks since the crime was committed, Mr. Prain; so you have -had ample time to call." - -"No doubt," returned Prain, dryly, "but it so chanced that I was -abroad in Italy. However, when I saw the description of the Yellow -Boudoir I hastened back at once." - -"You guessed by the description of the yellow room that the murdered -woman was Miss Gilmar." - -"I did! But may I ask how you found it out?" - -"An ex-detective told me. He traced her identity by the same means as -you did. But for his recollection of the room I should have known -nothing." - -"Oh! So the Yellow Boudoir gave Parge the clue," said Prain, -thoughtfully. - -"Yes! But how did you guess that I referred to Parge?" - -"He was the detective employed by the prosecution to hang my client; -but he did not succeed, for Dean still lives." - -"Ah, does he? Do you know where he is to be found?" asked Gebb, -sharply. - -"No!" replied Prain, shaking his head. "I know that he escaped about -four years ago, and that Miss Gilmar, out of fear of him, left -Kirkstone Hall lest he should kill her; I know no more." - -"You know one thing at least," retorted Gebb, astonished at the -coolness of the man, "that Dean killed Miss Gilmar." - -"I deny that," said Prain, sharply; then after a pause, he added, "Do -you know why I came back to England on reading about her death?" - -"No, I do not! How should I?" - -"And why I intended to call on you?" - -"No! You'll have to answer your own questions, Mr. Prain." - -"Then I'll tell you," said the solicitor, slowly. "I wish to find out -if Miss Gilmar left a confession behind her stating why, and how, she -killed John Kirkstone; it was for that reason I returned so quickly." - -"Miss Gilmar kill Kirkstone?" cried Gebb, thinking of his own -suspicions. "Why, even your unhappy client did not accuse her." - -"My unhappy client, as you call him, was a fool," retorted Prain, -coolly; "he thought that Laura Kirkstone was guilty, whereas I am sure -that the housekeeper killed her master. But I could not bring the -crime home to her, and Dean was condemned to penal servitude on -account of a murder which I am certain he did not commit. When I heard -of his escape I thought he might find out Miss Gilmar and make her -confess. He always intended to escape, if possible, for that purpose." - -Gebb thought for a moment. "Perhaps he killed her, after all, because -she would not confess," said he, with some hesitation. - -"No," replied Prain. "Dean was wild and wasteful, and, between you and -me, Mr. Gebb, not altogether as well-behaved as he might have been, -but I am sure he was not the man to commit a murder. Believe me, he is -as innocent of this second crime as he was of the first." - -"Well," said Gebb, thoughtfully, "I have my doubts regarding his guilt -in both cases. I agree with you, going by the story told to me by -Parge, that Miss Gilmar killed Kirkstone, but who killed Miss Gilmar?" - -"Some unknown person, for the sake of the diamonds," returned Prain, -promptly. - -"The diamonds?" - -"Yes. Miss Gilmar took possession of Laura Kirkstone's jewels, and -amongst them were some valuable diamonds. I read in the papers that -Miss Gilmar wore those diamonds nightly, and that when her dead body -was discovered the diamonds were gone." - -"True enough," replied Gebb, "It might be a case of robbery, as you -say. But if the murderer tries to dispose of those diamonds by sale or -pawning, I'll be able to catch him." - -"I may tell you," said Prain, after some reflection, "that the most -valuable of Laura's jewels was a diamond necklace, which I see by the -reports in the papers was stolen by the murderer. Now, that necklace -was given to Laura by Dean, and Miss Gilmar had no right to it." - -"But how could Dean, who was almost bankrupt, afford to give Laura a -diamond necklace?" - -"The necklace was a family jewel," said the solicitor, quickly; "and I -have a description of it. This I shall have copied and give it to you; -it may assist you to trace the necklace." - -"And thereby snare the murderer," answered Gebb. "Thank you, Mr. -Prain; the description you speak of will be very serviceable. And now -I wish to ask you a few questions about Miss Gilmar, if you don't mind -replying to them?" - -"Why should I mind?" retorted Prain, raising his eyebrows. - -"Parge gave me to understand you were as close as wax," said Gebb, -pointedly. "I use his own words." - -Prain shrugged his shoulders. "I don't deny it," he said quietly. "Why -should I? Twenty years ago I was trying to save Dean from being -hanged, while Parge was doing his best to place the rope round the -man's neck. Naturally, I was on my guard, and refused to tell Parge -all I knew. Your position is a different one, Mr. Gebb; as, with me, -you desire to learn the name of Miss Gilmar's murderer. I am quite at -your service, and you can ask me what you please." - -"Thank you. Then tell me who inherits Miss Gilmar's property?" - -"Do you mean her real or personal estate?" asked Prain. - -"Both," replied Gebb, promptly. - -"Well, then, you must know that the Kirkstone estates were entailed; -but the entail ended with that first murder." - -"So I heard from Parge, Mr. Prain. In the male line." - -"Yes, in the male line. Afterwards, by the will of the Kirkstone who -bought them, and who lived some hundred and fifty years ago, they pass -on through the female line. Now, the male line died out with John -Kirkstone, so that the estates passed by the will to the female line, -represented by Laura. When she died Ellen Gilmar inherited through her -mother, who was Kirkstone's aunt on the paternal side. Now that Miss -Gilmar is dead the estates pass to John Alder, a barrister, who -inherits through his mother, a distant cousin of the Kirkstones. If he -died Edith Wedderburn would inherit." - -"Who is she? Another cousin?" - -"Yes. Even more distant than Alder. She is now at Kirkstone Hall, -looking after it for Miss Gilmar, who placed her there. So far as the -personal estate is concerned Miss Gilmar can leave it by will to -whomsoever she pleases." - -"Have you the will?" - -"Yes. But I can't open it save in the presence of those likely to -inherit: Miss Wedderburn and Alder--in short, the relatives." - -"Whom do you think the money is left to?" - -"It's not my place to say," said Prain, with sudden stiffness. - -Gebb saw that the little solicitor knew the contents of the will, but -he was bound by professional etiquette, and could not disclose them. - -"Well," he said, covering his disappointment with a cough, "we may -leave that out of the question. Tell me about Miss Wedderburn." - -"I have told you," replied Prain, sharply. "She is the caretaker of -Kirkstone Hall, and is very poor." - -"Is she very pretty?" - -"Extremely pretty." - -"Ho! ho!" said Gebb, in a jocular tone; "in that case she must have -lovers." - -"She has two," answered Prain, dryly. "One is John Alder." - -"What! the heir?" - -"Yes! If she marries him she will still be mistress of Kirkstone Hall. -But she won't," said Prain, rubbing his chin with a vexed air, "for -the simple reason that she likes her other lover better." - -"Who is the other lover?" - -"An artist called Arthur Ferris. He is poor, but handsome." - -"Good looks won't make the pot boil," said Gebb, sententiously. "Well, -I'm not particularly anxious for further information about her love -affairs. What I wish to know is, if Miss Wedderburn corresponded with -Miss Gilmar." - -"I can't tell you that: I don't know." - -"Do you think Miss Wedderburn is aware of her cousin's death?" said -Gebb, putting the question in another form. - -"It's improbable, as she would have written to me on the subject had -she known. By the way, is the body buried?" - -"Of course; it is two weeks since the murder." - -"True, I forgot," said Prain, thoughtfully. "I wonder if Alder knows -about her death." - -"He can't know, unless he traced her by the Yellow Boudoir." - -"Oh, Alder doesn't know much about that room and its crime, as he -belongs to the younger generation, and the story is almost forgotten. -However, I'll write to him on the subject. It is necessary that he -should learn his position as speedily as possible, if only on account -of the will." - -"That is your own concern," said Gebb, rising. "Still you might -arrange for me to have an interview with him, as he might throw some -light on the subject." - -"I fail to see how he can," said Prain, raising his eyebrows. "Miss -Gilmar never corresponded with him during her travels. If any one will -know about her, it will be Miss Wedderburn." - -"Ah! I'm going down to see her," said Gebb, putting on his hat. "I'll -have a look at the original of the Yellow Boudoir at the same time." - -"I say," said Prain, as the detective moved towards the door. - -"Well!" replied Gebb, turning. - -"If you see Edith, ask about her lover." - -"Which of them, Alder or Ferris?" said Gebb, stolidly. - -"Don't mention the name of either," repeated Prain slowly, "but ask -about her lover. Then--well, you'll see what will come of your -question." - -The detective gazed steadily at the solicitor. - -"What do you mean?" he demanded, struck by the significance of the -man's words and look. - -"You'll find that out when she answers." - -"How will she answer?" demanded Gebb, quite mystified. - -"Ah!" said Prain, with a long breath, "you ask and see." - - - - -CHAPTER IX -KIRKSTONE HALL - - -The day following his conversation with the little solicitor, Gebb -left Waterloo Station for Norminster in Hampshire, and arrived at that -quaint little town about midday. On making inquiries he learned that -Kirkstone Hall was a mile distant, situate amid some woods near the -banks of the Avon. - -As it was a fine morning, and Gebb was fond of walking, he used his -own legs to reach his destination; and after a pleasant stroll through -rural lanes, and across flowering meadows, he reached a pair of finely -wrought iron gates which stood wide open. The gates themselves were -covered with red rust, the lodge beside them was shut up, and the -stately avenue, which curved upward between noble oak trees, was -overgrown with grass. Even on the threshold, as it were, of the -estate, Gebb espied the ruinous economy of the late Miss Gilmar. - -On coming in sight of the Hall, he found the hand of Time still more -heavily laid upon the works of man. It was a quaint Jacobean building -of red brick, set upon a slight rise, and surrounded by stone -terraces. From the main body two wings spread to right and left, but -the windows of these were all closely shuttered. The hall door was -also closed, and--so far as Gebb could see--no smoke curled from the -stacks of chimneys. The terraces were grass-grown, the gardens -untended and in disorder, and the whole place had a silent, melancholy -aspect as though the soul of the house had departed. It was the palace -of the Sleeping Beauty, enchanted and spell-bound, and it seemed as -though there were a curse on the place. - -"And no wonder!" said Gebb, looking at the gaunt mansion, grim even in -the sunshine, "seeing the kind of people who lived in it, and the -crimes they committed." - -He ascended the steps and rang the bell, but before the sound had died -away he was aware of a brisk step approaching, and turned to see a -young lady walking along the terrace on the right. - -She was tall and dark, with fine eyes and a handsome face. Her figure -was shown to perfection by the trim, tailor-made costume which she -wore. In her hand she carried a silver-headed cane, and walked smartly -towards the detective, with the air of a woman fully alive to the -importance of time. When she spoke, her voice was deep and full, but -the matter of her speech was remarkably business-like. On the whole -Gebb judged Miss Edith Wedderburn--for he guessed that this was the -young lady referred to by Prain--to be a clever, plain-spoken woman, -with few of the weaknesses of her sex to hamper what she conceived to -be her duty. - -"Good day!" said the lady, with a comprehensive glance. "May I ask -what you want?" - -"I wish to see Miss Wedderburn." - -"Well, you see her now. I am Miss Wedderburn. Can I do anything for -you?" - -"Yes," replied Gebb, becoming as curt and as business-like as herself, -"you can give me a trifle of information." - -"Can I?" said Miss Wedderburn, dryly. "That entirely depends upon my -humour and what you want to know. Also, why you what to know it. Who -are you?" - -"My name is Absalom Gebb." - -"I am no wiser," interrupted the girl, with pointed insolence. - -"Of New Scotland Yard, Detective," finished Gebb, coolly. - -This time his reply made a decided impression on his hitherto cool -auditor. The rich colouring of her face vanished as by magic, and she -became pale even to the lips. Nevertheless, she forced herself to -smile with some composure, and controlled her emotion by a powerful -effort of will. Startled as she was, she even attempted to speak -lightly. - -"And what does Mr. Absalom Gebb, Detective, wish with me?" she said in -a low voice, her eyes fixed on the man's face. - -"He wishes to ask you a few questions," said Gebb in the same vein. - -"About what? About whom?" - -"About Miss Ligram." - -"Ligram! I don't know the name," said Edith, calmly. "Who is Miss -Ligram?" - -"The owner of this place." - -"You are wrong there, Mr. Gebb; the lady who owns this place is called -Miss Gilmar." - -"I am aware of the fact. But it suited her to take other names while -she lived." - -"While she lived!" repeated Miss Wedderburn, raising her voice in -surprise. "What do you mean?" - -"I mean that Miss Gilmar is dead!" - -"Dead!" - -"Murdered." - -"Murdered! Oh, God! When? Where?" - -"In a suburb of London called Grangebury on the twenty-fourth of last -month." - -Edith looked rigidly at the detective with horror in her dark eyes, -and for the moment seemed scarcely to comprehend his news. She -appeared to be genuinely astonished and shocked; yet her next question -conveyed to Gebb a hint that she was not altogether unprepared for the -information. - -"Did he kill her?" she stammered, laying her hand on Gebb's arm. - -"He! Who?" asked the cunning detective, trying to trap her into a -hasty speech. - -"Dean! Marmaduke Dean!" said the girl, breathlessly. - -"What do you know about Marmaduke Dean?" - -"Everything! No doubt I know more than you do. Have you never heard of -the murder which took place in this house?" - -"In the Yellow Boudoir. Yes." - -"Ah! you know the story!" cried Miss Wedderburn, suspiciously. - -"I do; and I have come down to see you about it. Please take me -inside, Miss Wedderburn, and show me the Yellow Boudoir in which Dean -murdered your cousin Kirkstone." - -"My cousin Kirkstone? You seem to know a great deal of our family -history, Mr. Gebb," said Edith, drawing herself up. - -"I know as much as a report of the Kirkstone murder could tell me: and -as much as Prain the solicitor knows." - -"You know Mr. Prain?" - -"Yes! I was with him yesterday. But I'll learn no good from this -desultory conversation, Miss Wedderburn. Please take me indoors and we -can discuss the matter quietly. I am the detective in charge of the -case, so you need have no hesitation in telling me all you know." - -"I know nothing!" cried Edith, vehemently, "nothing!" - -"It is for me to judge of that," retorted Gebb, dryly. - -The keen look he gave her, and the significance of his tone and words, -seemed to startle the girl. She glanced defiantly at his watchful -face, and strove to match his gaze with a steady look of her own; but -whether from fear or modesty, her eyes fell, and she turned away to -obey his request and lead him within doors. Gebb followed her in -silence along the terrace and round the corner of the house, until -they both paused before an open French window which led into a -pleasant, sunny apartment of no great size. Before entering, Edith, -who had evidently been considering his last speech, turned to excuse -herself. - -"Mr. Gebb," she said, with an air of great dignity, "your words seem -to imply that I know more than I dare tell. I assure you that such a -suspicion is unjust and unfounded. The intelligence of Miss Gilmar's -death is terrible and unexpected to me; and any aid I can give you to -bring the assassin to justice you shall have. Whatever questions you -ask me I will answer; whatever you desire to see in this house I will -show you; but in justice to myself, I must ask you not to credit me -with guilty knowledge." - -"My dear young lady, I am the last person in the world to do so," said -Gebb, quickly. "I do not for a moment suppose that you know anything -of your cousin's unhappy death. I disclaim the sentiments with which -you credit me; and I must admit that there is no necessity for you to -exculpate yourself as you are doing." - -"I am not exculpating myself in the least," rejoined Miss Wedderburn, -coldly, "but you detectives seem to be so suspicious that you see ill -where none exists." - -Gebb laughed. "You have been reading detective novels," said he, -indulgently; "believe me, we detectives are not so black as the -novelists paint us. But, as I said before, this desultory conversation -is not useful. I would rather see the Yellow Boudoir." - -Edith nodded, and led the way into the house. Gebb followed her -through the sitting-room, which faced the terrace, and down a wide -passage, on the wall of which hung many pictures, mostly ancestral -portraits. At the end of this passage his guide unlocked a door, with -a key selected from a bunch which dangled at her girdle, and threw it -open, so that Gebb could pass into the room before her. He did so -without hesitation. - -"This is the Yellow Boudoir," said Miss Wedderburn, following the -detective; "it was in this room that the unfortunate Mr. Kirkstone was -killed twenty years ago." - -"By Dean!" - -"Not by Dean," replied Miss Wedderburn, sharply. "From all I have -heard. Dean is as innocent of that crime as you are." - -"Then who is guilty?" asked Gebb, artfully. - -"I am not a detective," said Edith, moving towards the window, "so I -cannot give you an opinion. If you will permit me I will admit air and -light so that you can see the room to its fullest advantage." - -When they entered, the boudoir had been in a kind of semi-darkness, as -the shutters of the one window were closed; but now Miss Wedderburn -threw these open, and the sunlight poured in. The dust raised by their -feet danced in motes and specs in the sun's rays, and Gebb, dazzled by -the strong glare, felt his eyes somewhat painful. However, they soon -became habituated to the flood of glorious light, and he looked with -deep interest at the original of the room which he had seen in -Paradise Row. - -The apartment was larger than that which had been occupied by Miss -Gilmar in Grangebury, but in every respect the furnishing and -appointments were the same, as she had carried out her whim with the -utmost care. The furniture, in place of being cane, was Chippendale; -the window and door were differently placed; and the colouring of the -whole room was more subdued and mellowed by Time. But the -predominating hue was the same--the carpet was yellow, sprinkled with -bunches of pale primrose flowers, the walls were draped with costly -hangings of golden tint, and, from a domed ceiling of drawn silk -depended an exact copy of the Arabian lamp studded with knobs of -yellow glass. The furniture was cushioned and covered with yellow -silk; the vases and metal-work were of brass; there was even a brazen -tripod and chafing dish standing in the same position as its imitation -had occupied in Paradise Row. The main difference in the room lay in -the absence of books, knickknacks, flowers and magazines, which showed -that it was not in daily use; otherwise all was the same. Gebb almost -fancied that some genii of the lamp had transported the Grangebury -palace to Norminster. - -"It is just the same," he said aloud, having taken in these details. - -"What is the same?" asked Miss Wedderburn, who was standing near the -window. - -"This room. It is similar to that in which Miss Lig--I mean in which -Miss Gilmar was murdered." - -The girl looked puzzled. "You are making a mistake," she said. "It was -Kirkstone who was killed here, not Miss Gilmar." - -"Oh, but I am referring to the room at Grangebury," returned Gebb, -quickly. - -"Miss Gilmar's lodgings, you mean?" asked Edith, still perplexed. - -"Yes. Her room was furnished like this." - -"Impossible. From what I knew of my cousin she would not have spent -the money in furnishing a costly room." - -"Nevertheless she did," replied Gebb, coolly. "Of course the imitation -was somewhat gimcrack, and done on a cheap scale; but, for all that, I -assure you the resemblance between the original and the copy is -marvellous." - -"Strange!" muttered Edith, sitting down on a primrose-hued couch. "I -wonder why Ellen---- Tell me all about this terrible murder," she -broke off; "all---from the beginning." - - - - -CHAPTER X -STRANGE BEHAVIOUR - - -After some reflection Gebb concluded that Miss Wedderburn was quite -ignorant of the causes which had led to her cousin's death; also of -the details, and of the death itself. He therefore told her as -concisely as possible the story of the tragedy from the time Mrs. -Presk had been brought to the Grangebury police-station, down to the -visit he had paid to Prain the solicitor. Some points in the story he -suppressed, others he amplified; but, on the whole, he gave her a very -fair and unprejudiced account. - -With attentive ears, and her eyes fixed on the face of the narrator, -Edith sat listening, her hands clasped loosely on her lap. Several -times she asked him questions, but as a rule let the account flow on -uninterruptedly. When Gebb ended, she heaved a deep sigh, whether of -relief or pity the detective could not say, and rose to pace up and -down the room. Evidently she was more moved by the tragic fate of her -wretched cousin than she chose to admit. Gebb having told his story, -waited for her to recover, and comment on the matter. - -"Poor Ellen!" said Miss Wedderburn at length, but speaking to herself -rather than to her companion. "A miserable ending to a miserable life; -but I am not astonished." - -"How is that?" said Gebb, with a sharp look at her. "Surely the -tragedy is unexpected enough." - -Miss Wedderburn shook her head. "Ellen always said that sooner or -later she would be murdered." - -"By Mr. Dean?" - -"Yes," replied Edith, quietly, "by Mr. Dean." - -"Oh!" said the detective, taking a long breath. "I thought you -believed in the innocence of Dean." - -"So I do; I never said I didn't. I only remarked that Ellen declared -Mr. Dean would kill her." - -"Well, she has been murdered, and in the most barbarous manner. Do you -say Dean is the criminal?" - -"Do you?" said Edith, answering one by asking another. - -"I don't know what to think," replied Gebb, crossly. - -"Neither do I," responded Miss Wedderburn; and then for quite two -minutes there was a dead silence. It was broken by Gebb. - -"Was Miss Gilmar unpopular in these parts?" he asked. - -"Very unpopular; the people round here called her Mrs. Harpagon, from -her miserly habits." - -"Did you like her, Miss Wedderburn?" - -"No!" replied the girl, coolly, "I did not; neither did she like me. -There was no love lost between us. She wanted a caretaker, and I -wished for a home. My staying here is a simple matter of business." - -"But surely you are sorry to hear of her murder?" - -"I am not utterly without heart, Mr. Gebb, although you seem to think -so. Yes, I am sorry. I would be sorry for any one who met with so -cruel a death." - -"Had Miss Gilmar any enemies?" asked Gebb, impatient of this fencing -which kept him at a distance. - -"I told you she was unpopular," said Edith, slowly, "but I don't know -that she had any enemies bitter enough to murder her." - -"Except Dean!" - -"Of course," she replied unmoved, "always except Mr. Dean." - -"Then he must have killed her." - -"It's not impossible," retorted Miss Wedderburn, coolly. - -Gebb, a rare thing for him to do, lost his temper completely. -"Madame!" he cried in a rage, "will you or will you not answer me -plainly?" - -"There is no need to raise your voice, sir. I am answering you." - -"But not plainly!" - -"What do you call plainly?" asked Edith, with a provoking smile. - -"You know what I mean," said Gebb, testily. "I call black black and -white white; you call both a kind of grey." - -"I believe they are grey when mixed. However, I see what you mean, Mr. -Gebb, so do not lose your temper. You wish to know why Miss Gilmar -left this place, how she left it, and why I am in charge." - -"Yes, I shall be glad of the information." - -"Very good," said Edith, calmly; "then you shall hear my history." - -"It will be just as well for you to tell it," said Gebb, dryly; "at -least, so far as concerns Miss Gilmar. Every detail is of value in -connection with this case. Please go on"--and he took out pencil and -pocket-book. - -"I am an orphan," said Miss Wedderburn, taking no notice of this -action, "as I lost my parents some five years ago. I was then eighteen -years of age and at a school in Canterbury, but on the death of my -father and mother I was unable to continue my education. Therefore, as -I had no parents, no friends, and no money, I was in anything but a -pleasant position." - -"Did your father leave no money?" inquired Gebb, with sympathy. - -"If he had I should not be here, sir. My father died so poor that -there was hardly enough money to pay his funeral expenses. I tell you -all these details, Mr. Gebb, so that you may understand my position -here. When I found myself thrown on the world I did not know what to -do, as I was unable to obtain a situation either as companion or -governess. Then I remembered Ellen Gilmar--a relative of my father's, -who I knew was living a quiet life in this place on the money left to -her by Laura Kirkstone. I wrote to her and explained my position; and, -as she no doubt found life here extremely dull, she asked me to stay -with her as a companion, but without a salary. The offer did not -attract me greatly, nor did Ellen on our first interview; but I was in -that unenviable position when beggars can't be choosers, so I was -forced to accept her offer. I have been here for the last five years, -and on the whole I have no reason to complain of my lot in life." - -"Was Miss Gilmar kind to you?" - -Edith shrugged her shoulders. "As kind as she could be to any one. We -quarrelled once or twice." - -"About what?" - -"I don't see that you have any right to ask that question," said -Edith, quietly. "Still, to show you how candid I am, I will answer it -frankly. We quarrelled about a certain Mr. Alder." - -"What! John Alder the barrister?" - -"Yes," said Miss Wedderburn, rather surprised; "do you know him?" - -"Not personally; but I heard about him from Mr. Prain." - -"Mr. Prain seems to have been very confidential. However, this -gentleman wished to marry me, and Miss Gilmar thought that I ought to -accept him, as he was the heir to the Kirkstone estates and also -because she intended to leave him her money." - -"Without a provision for you?" - -"Oh," said Miss Wedderburn, indifferently, "Ellen was not bound to -leave me her money, seeing that she had provided me with free board -and lodging. But she advised me to marry Mr. Alder, and so make -certain of being comfortable for life. But I did not like him, -so I refused to become his wife. Now I suppose he will turn me -out-of-doors." - -"Would he be so cruel?" said Gebb, with a glance at her handsome, -haughty face. - -"He might, and he might not. He is much liked by his friends, and, I -suppose, has as much charity as most people; but whatever he decides, -I can't stay on here, now that he is the master. Does he know that his -cousin is dead?" - -"I can't say. I don't think so; unless, like myself and Prain, he -discovered her death through the newspaper descriptions of the Yellow -Boudoir." - -"He'll find out soon, I've no doubt," said Edith, "and come down to -offer me a choice of being his wife or leaving the Hall. I shall -certainly go. But to continue my story. I remained with Miss Gilmar, -and got on fairly well with her. She told me all about the murder, and -her fears of being killed by Dean. Often she congratulated herself -that he was in prison." - -"And what did she do when she heard of his escape?" - -"She was beside herself with terror; and, thinking he would come down -here to murder her, she determined to leave the Hall. She made all -arrangements as regards money with her solicitor, and asked me to take -charge of this place. I agreed, and she went away over three years -ago. I have never," said Miss Wedderburn, with emphasis, "set eyes on -her since." - -"Did you know the course of her wanderings?" - -"Sometimes, when she wrote to inquire if Dean had made his appearance -at the Hall, but as a rule I heard nothing, and knew not where she -was. The last time she wrote was about six months ago, but she did not -say then where her next resting-place would be, and as she was not -inclined to be confidential I did not ask questions." - -"Did you know that she carried about a duplicate of this room?" - -"No, not until you told me. I never see the newspapers down here." - -"Can you tell me why she did so?" - -"It is hard to explain," said Edith, with a puzzled look. "When Ellen -was here she sat constantly in this room, and seemed greatly attached -to it. I do not know why, seeing that it had been the scene of her -cousin's murder. But I suppose she wanted to keep the threats of Dean -to kill her constantly in mind, and so framed a duplicate of this -room, that she might not forget her danger and run the risk of being -lulled into a state of dangerous security." - -"That would hardly account for her strange fancy for the room," said -Gebb, shaking his head. - -"I can supply no other reason," answered Edith, reflectively. "Ellen -was very eccentric, and one could not always account for her whims." - -"She was superstitious?" - -"Very! Believed in omens and fortune-tellers and all kinds of rubbish. -Yet I fancy she had not always been so weak-minded. It was the dread -of a violent death that made her consult these people." - -"Did she ever drop any hint about the murder?" - -"She dropped no hint, as you call it," said Edith, stiffly, "but told -me the whole story very plainly. She quite believed that Dean was -guilty." - -"Yet she might have killed Kirkstone herself," said Gebb, after a -pause. - -"That is impossible. She had no reason to do so; and moreover if she -had been guilty, she would certainly have betrayed herself to me. It -is no use speaking ill of the dead, Mr. Gebb." - -"Yet you cannot say that your cousin was a good woman." - -"Perhaps not," retorted Miss Wedderburn. "On the other hand, I cannot -say that she was a murderess. Well, sir, I have told you all I know, -and you see I cannot help you in any way." - -"I am not so sure of that," replied Gebb, coolly. "I have not yet -closed my examination." - -Edith flushed and looked uneasy. "I don't like that word," she said in -irritable tones; "it sounds as though I were a criminal in the dock." - -"That is a strong way of putting it, Miss Wedderburn. Why not compare -yourself to a witness in the witness-box?" - -"Oh, call me what you like," cried the girl, rising impatiently, "but -let us finish our conversation as quickly as possible. I have told you -about Miss Gilmar, about this room, about Mr. Alder; I know nothing -more." - -"Nothing, Miss Wedderburn? Think again." - -"I tell you I know nothing," said Edith, now crimson with rage. "What -do you mean by your hints?" - -"I mean that you have another lover," remarked Gebb, acting on the -advice of Prain, but quite in the dark as to what it would bring -forth. - -Miss Wedderburn sat down promptly again on the couch as though her -limbs refused to support her, and the flush on her face gave place to -a deadly pallor. She shook in every limb, as though overcome with -terror. - -"Arthur!" she faltered. "You know about----" Her voice stopped, and -she fell back in a faint. - - - - -CHAPTER XI -THE MAD GARDENER - - -Gebb was not easily surprised, being used by reason of his profession -to traffic in mysteries; but the unexpected fainting of Edith at his -apparently innocent question perplexed him beyond measure. Of course, -the girl had not told him the whole of her history, so no doubt in the -portions thus kept back lay the explanation of her violent emotion. -Gebb, being ignorant of the cause, was amazed at the result. - -"Hullo!" said he, throwing open the window to admit fresh air, "there -is something queer about this. Prain hinted that if I asked about her -lover I might hear something strange, and her actions speak quite as -loud as words. This fainting has some meaning in it. Well, well! I -must revive her first and question her afterwards." - -This was easier said than done, as there was no restorative of any -sort at hand. Miss Wedderburn lay back on the couch motionless and -white, the image of death; even the breeze from the open window could -not restore her senses. Gebb was about to throw wide open the door, -and shout for assistance, when through the window he caught sight of a -man crossing the lawn, and immediately hailed him loudly. The man -jumped round suddenly as though startled by the call, and after some -hesitation moved forward slowly and unwillingly to crane his head into -the room. He was a queer old creature, with shaggy white hair and -untrimmed beard, and two glittering eyes set so closely together as to -give him an uncanny look. He was dressed in a suit of old clothes -discoloured and rusty; and, with his elbows on the window-sill, moped -and mowed in a smiling vacant way at the detective. At the first near -glance Gebb saw that the newcomer was not in his right mind. - -"Here, my man," he said, making the best of this doubtful assistant, -"bring some water; the lady has fainted." - -The man grinned, and turned his eyes towards the white face of Edith. -Over his own a shade passed, with the result of altering it from gay -to grave. He even looked terrified, and with a kind of hoarse cry, -pointed one lean finger at the unconscious girl. - -"Is she dead? Did you kill her?" he asked in a harsh whisper. - -"No! No!!" replied the detective, soothingly, as he would speak to a -child, "she has fainted. Bring some water." - -"Kill her!" whispered the man, nodding; "it's a good room to kill -people in; we use it for that here. I won't tell. I'd rather see her -dead than alive; it's better for her. The grave's the bed for a weary -head." - -"Hush! Bring the water," cried Gebb, shrinking back from the horrible -creature. "Be off with you!" - -The madman shrank back in his turn at the peremptory tone of the -detective, and vanished with a nod, just as a sigh sounded through the -room. The cool draught playing on the forehead of Edith had at length -produced its effect, and with a second sigh longer than the first, she -opened her eyes, and looked vacantly at Gebb. The detective caught her -hand, and slapped it vigorously, whereat the girl sat up with an -effort, and her faintness passed away. Still her brain was not quite -clear, and she looked languidly at Gebb, as though she were in a -dream. - -"What did you say?" she asked in a low voice. "Am I--have I--what is -it?" and she passed a slow hand across her forehead. - -"You fainted, Miss Wedderburn," replied Gebb, softly. - -"Yes! I remember! I fainted! You asked about---- Oh, God! I know;" and -she covered her eyes with one hand. - -Before she could speak again, a harsh, cracked voice was heard singing -in the distance:-- - - - "The raven is the fowl for me, - He sits upon the gallows tree, - And bravely, bravely doth he sing, - In a voice so low and rich: - While flaunting in a garb of pitch - The murderer's corpse does gaily swing. - Ho! Ho! Ha! Ha! He! He! He! - The raven and the gallows tree." - - -"Ah!" Miss Wedderburn shivered nervously as this gruesome ditty -sounded nearer, and put her fingers in her ears to shut out the -singing. "It is Martin with his fearful songs!" said she, softly. - -"Martin! And who is Martin?" asked Gebb, amazed at these -extraordinary proceedings. - -"Martin! Martin! Mad Martin!" croaked the harsh voice; and there at -the window stood the crazy man, leering in a fawning manner, and -holding a tin basin half full of water. Dipping his hand into this, he -sprinkled a few drops towards Edith, singing tunelessly the while:-- - - - "Weep till tears roll as a flood, - I baptise thee now with blood." - - -With an exclamation of annoyance Edith rose, and, snatching the basin -out of the man's hand, shut the window hurriedly. Martin gave a -frightened whimper and slunk away; while his mistress, soaking a -handkerchief in the water, bathed her pale face. Gebb, judiciously -waiting the development of events, stood quietly by, wondering, but -silent. - -"Is this a lunatic asylum, Miss Wedderburn?" he asked when she was -more composed, and he judged it judicious to recommence the -conversation. - -"No, of course not!" she replied irritably; "the man is mad, but quite -harmless. Martin!--Martin!--I do not know his other name. He is an -excellent gardener, and usually quiet enough, although he will sing -those gruesome songs all about gallows and murders. To-day--for some -reason--he is worse than usual." - -"He ought to be placed under restraint," said Gebb, carelessly, for he -was too bent on questioning his companion to be distracted by a -lunatic. "But this is not to the point. May I ask what caused you to -faint, Miss Wedderburn?" - -The girl raised her head and directed a steady stare at Gebb. "In my -turn, may I ask why you come here to question me?" she said defiantly. - -"I thought I explained my errand before," replied the detective, -mildly. "I am here to learn--if possible--who killed Miss Gilmar." - -"I cannot tell you: I know nothing about it. Until you gave me the -news I was not aware even that she was dead." - -"Yet you were not so surprised by the information as I expected." - -"That can be easily explained, Mr. Gebb," said Edith, wringing out her -wet handkerchief. "As I told you before, I knew of my cousin's fears. -She was perhaps pursued by Mr. Dean when he escaped from prison, with -the avowed intention--it was reported--of killing her. She left her -home--as I know--in order to hide from him; but it is possible--I -say," she added with emphasis, "it is possible that Dean tracked her -down and revenged himself for her conduct of twenty years ago. You -wish to learn who killed Miss Gilmar, sir? I tell you I do not know! -Mr. Dean, in my opinion, is innocent; but on the face of it, I admit -that appearances are against him. Perhaps if you find the man and -question him you may arrive at the truth." - -"It is not improbable," replied Gebb, coolly; "but we must catch him -first. Still, Miss Wedderburn, your opinion of Dean's guilt or -innocence does not explain your recent conduct. To put a plain -question, miss, 'What made you faint?'" - -"That is my business!" said Edith, haughtily, but with averted eyes. - -"And mine too. Why should you faint because I ask if you have another -lover besides Mr. Alder?" - -"I refuse to answer!" - -"In that case," observed Gebb, artfully, "there must be something -wrong with Arthur." - -"How dare you call him Arthur?" flashed out Miss Wedderburn. - -"Call who Arthur?" asked Gebb, laying a trap for her hasty tongue. - -"Mr. Fer----" She stopped and bit her lip, hesitating, as it would -appear, whether to tell the name or not. After a momentary pause she -evidently deemed bold speaking the safest policy, for she continued -calmly: "After all, there is no reason why I should not tell you his -name." - -"None in the world, so far as I can see," answered the detective, with -a shrug. "I know that his Christian name is Arthur, but what is the -surname of your lover, Miss Wedderburn?" - -"How do you know that I have a lover?" retorted Edith, answering one -question by asking another. - -"How do I know that you have two lovers?" corrected Gebb, coolly. -"Because you told me about one named Mr. John Alder, and Mr. Prain -spoke to me about the other. I came here with a certain amount of -knowledge, miss." - -"Mr. Prain? What has he to do with it?" - -"I don't know. I'm waiting for you to tell me." - -Edith clasped her hands together with a restless movement, and walked -up and down the room hastily. Suddenly, as though making up her mind -to the inevitable, she stopped before the detective. - -"Mr. Gebb," she said, clearly and distinctly, "I have no reason to -conceal anything in my life. I am engaged to a gentleman named Arthur -Ferris, whose occupation is that of an artist. He has nothing to do -with the murder of Miss Gilmar--that I swear." - -"There is no need to swear," said Gebb, wondering at her vehemence; -"but why did you faint when I asked you about him?" - -"I thought--I thought you might suspect him," faltered Miss -Wedderburn, in a low tone. "I know how suspicious you detectives are. -You seem to think that I know more than I tell you; but you are -wrong--I do not." - -"I suspect neither you nor Mr. Ferris," said Gebb, quietly; "but it -was so strange that you should faint at a simple question, that I -naturally wished to find out the reason." - -"Well, sir, you know it now." - -"I know the reason you choose to give," replied Gebb, significantly, -"but you will excuse my saying that it is rather a weak one." - -"I can give no other." - -"You could if you wished." - -"Then I refuse to give any other," rejoined Edith, with a frown. - -"Quite so," replied Gebb, rising. "Well, there is nothing for it but -for me to take my leave--for the present," he added significantly. - -"This sudden cessation of Gebb's questions alarmed Edith more than the -questions themselves had done, and she looked uneasy. Once or twice -she appeared about to speak, but closed her lips again without a word, -and conducted Gebb silently out of the house. The detective was rather -annoyed by this self-control, as the sole reason of his man[oe]uvre -was to make Miss Wedderburn talk. Nine women out of ten would have -done so, and have defended themselves with many words; but this girl -was evidently the tenth, and knew the value of silence. However, Gebb -was too experienced to show his annoyance, and, mentally resolving to -question this Sphinx on a future occasion, when she was not so much on -her guard, he took his leave with a last warning. - -"You ought to have that mad gardener locked up," he said, looking up -to Miss Wedderburn as she stood on the terrace, "else there will be -another murder in the Yellow Boudoir." - -"Oh, Martin is quite harmless," replied Edith, calmly. "I told you so -before." - -"So harmless, that had he lived in Grangebury I should have suspected -him of killing your cousin," responded Gebb, dryly, and forthwith took -his departure, considerably puzzled, as well he might be, by the -attitude of the young lady. So far she had baffled him completely. - -As he walked down the neglected avenue he heard the harsh, cracked -voice of Mad Martin piping a tuneless ditty, and shortly afterwards -met with the man himself face to face. With his lean, bent form, -picturesque rags, and venerable white beard, the man looked like Lear, -insane and wretched. When he saw Gebb, the creature stopped singing, -and broke into a cackling laugh, which had little mirth in it -Gebb--usually self-controlled and careless of impressions--shuddered -at that merriment of hell. - -"Are you in love with her too?" he asked the detective. - -"No," replied Gebb, humouring the man. "Why do you think so?" - -"John Alder came here and loved her," said Martin, reflectively. -"Arthur Ferris came and loved her. I thought you might be a third. But -you won't win her heart--oh no! Young Arthur has done that. Tall, -straight, dark, handsome Arthur, with the mark of Satan on his cheek." - -"The mark of Satan!" repeated Gebb, puzzled by this description of -Ferris. - -"Hist!" cried Martin, with uplifted finger. "He is a wizard and she a -witch, and they dance in the Yellow Room when the moon is up. Young -Arthur has a red mark on his cheek; Satan baptized him there with -blood. Oh, blood! oh, blood!" moaned the wretched creature, "nothing -but blood. - - - "'A knife for you, and a rope for me, - And death in the Yellow Room; - I am alive, and you are dead, - But each hath gotten a tomb.'" - - -And with a long, dolorous cry Martin ran up the avenue swinging his -arms, leaving Gebb to puzzle out his enigmatic verse as best he could. - - - - -CHAPTER XII -THE DIAMOND NECKLACE - - -Gebb, much to his disgust, returned to Norminster as wise as he had -left it. Beyond meeting a lunatic, and interviewing an obstinate young -woman, he had spent his time and money to little purpose; and it was -with a perplexed brain that he sat down to consider his future -movements. In the face of his failure he was at a loss how to act. -Miss Wedderburn, with what looked like deliberate intention, only -repeated the story he already knew. - -Miss Gilmar had confessed to a fear of Dean. She had fled from the -Hall on account of that fear; her travels and hidings and -extraordinary precautions had been undertaken solely to thwart the -revenge of Dean. Gebb was aware of these facts; but there was nothing -more in them likely to instruct him. He had, so far, exhausted their -capabilities. - -"What am I to do?" he asked himself for, say, the fiftieth time. "How -am I to act? In which direction am I to move? Miss Wedderburn, without -any given reason, says that Dean is innocent. Prain is of the same way -of thinking, and so am I. Parge alone seems to believe in Dean's -guilt, and I don't agree with him. The man himself may be able to -supply evidence to reveal the truth; but where is he to be found?" - -Gebb could answer this question no more than he could the others he -propounded, and vainly racked his usually inventive brain to settle on -some course likely to elucidate the mystery. Finally, after mature -reflection, he resolved to call upon Prain, and ask him to explain the -meaning of Miss Wedderburn's fainting. The lawyer had told him to ask -a certain question, and see what answer it would bring. Well, he had -done so; and the answer was that the girl, without any apparent cause, -had fainted. Perhaps Prain knew the reason; and since Edith refused to -reveal it, his sole course was to question the solicitor. So to Prain -the detective went, full of curiosity, two days after his return from -the country. The interval had been filled up in attending to business -unconnected with the Grangebury mystery; but now Gebb returned to it -again, and sought Mr. Prain in the hope of learning something -tangible. But his spirits were very low. - -"Well, Mr. Gebb," said brisk Mr. Prain, after greetings had passed, "I -have not been idle since I saw you last I have sent a description of -that necklace to the police. I have informed Mr. Alder of Miss -Gilmar's death, and I have received his instructions about the will." - -"There is a will, then?" - -"Without doubt. Miss Gilmar made her will before she left the Hall." - -"In favour of Mr. Alder?" said Gebb. - -"Yes. Of course, by the will of Kirkstone's ancestor Mr. Alder -becomes possessed of the Hall; but Miss Gilmar has left her personal -property--that is, the money which she inherited from Laura -Kirkstone--to him also. Miss Wedderburn, I am sorry to say, receives -nothing." - -"Poor girl. She will have to leave the Hall." - -Prain shrugged his shoulders. "That is at her own discretion," he -said, coolly. "Mr. Alder is in love with her; so if she marries -him----" - -"She won't marry him," interrupted Gebb; "she is in love with, and -engaged to, Mr. Ferris." - -"Ah! she told you about that scamp?" - -"She told me very little, Mr. Prain; but she fainted when I mentioned -the man under the very general description of a lover." - -"She fainted! Hum!" Prain looked so serious and perplexed that Gebb -was impelled to question him further touching the matter. - -"Why did she faint?" asked the detective, bluntly. - -"I don't know--that is, I can't exactly say," stammered the other. - -Gebb looked at the solicitor, who in his turn stared at the carpet, -the ceiling, at the papers on his desk; anywhere but at his -questioner. - -"Mr. Prain," he said seriously, "you are not treating me fairly." - -"I beg your pardon," said Prain, nervously--and as a rule he was not a -nervous man, "I don't see how you make that out." - -"I do!" replied Gebb, sharply. "You know the reason of that fainting." - -"Perhaps I do; but I am not at liberty to reveal my knowledge. The -secret is Miss Wedderburn's." - -"Has it anything to do with this murder?" - -"No," replied Prain, decisively. "That it has not." - -"Then why did you tell me to ask her about Ferris?" - -"Because I wanted to be sure of something; and that fainting has -enlightened me." - -"Can't you tell me more?" cried Gebb, with some indignation. - -"No, I cannot," answered Prain, bluntly. "Get Miss Wedderburn's -permission, and I will. But even if you did know, the knowledge would -be of no use to you." - -"Has Miss Wedderburn any theory about this murder?" - -"Not that I know of. You saw her last, Mr. Gebb." - -"Does she know who killed Miss Gilmar?" - -"Why not ask her?" said Prain, evading the question. - -"I did; and I can't make out what she means. She says that Dean is -innocent, but won't give her reason. Now, Parge declares that Dean is -guilty." - -"Well, Mr. Gebb, perhaps he is." - -"Indeed!" sneered Gebb, who was growing irritated. "Last time I saw -you, Mr. Prain, you denied his guilt." - -"And I do so now!" cried Prain, warmly. "I believe, as you do, Gebb, -that Dean is innocent of both crimes. He killed neither Kirkstone nor -Miss Gilmar. I don't know what Miss Wedderburn's reasons are, but she -is right to defend Dean. Still," added Prain with a shrug, "I don't -deny that many people look on the man as a murderer." - -"Does Mr. Alder believe in Dean's guilt--in his double guilt?" - -"Yes. He is sure of it. You can ask him for yourself," added Prain, -looking at his watch. "He'll be here soon." - -"I'll be glad to meet him. But what is your opinion about this crime?" - -"I told you the last time I saw you," replied the solicitor. "Miss -Gilmar was murdered by one of those fortune-tellers for the sake of -her diamonds. Recover that necklace, and you will soon trace the -assassin." - -"It's not much of an idea," said Gebb, scornfully. - -"It's the best I've got, at all events!" retorted Prain, with heat. "I -have done my best to prove its truth by sending a description of that -necklace to the police." - -"I dare say the description is in the hands of all pawnbrokers by this -time," said Gebb, thoughtfully. "Well, we shall see what will come of -it. What about Ferris?" - -"Ferris!" repeated Prain, in no wise astonished at this abrupt -question. "Well, he is an artist, and a bit of a scamp, with whom -Edith Wedderburn is in love. I don't know why; perhaps because he is a -scamp. Women seem to like scamps, for some reason best known to -themselves." - -"Is he handsome?" - -"Very. Tall and dark; rather military-looking." - -"Has he a mark on one cheek?" - -"Yes, a birth-mark; but not disfiguring. How did you know about it?" - -"That lunatic at Kirkstone Hall told me. He called it the mark of -Satan. By the way, who is that man?" - -"A gardener who used to live at the Hall in Kirkstone's time. I think -the tragedy of the Yellow Room must have sent him off his head. At all -events, he ran away after it occurred, and only turned up a year or -two ago, quite mad." - -"Why didn't they lock him up?" - -"Well, you see, Miss Wedderburn (who is rather a strong-minded young -woman) thinks kindness may cure him; so she gave him back his old post -of gardener. If Miss Gilmar had been there, I don't think he would -have been allowed to stay. I don't think, either, that Miss W.'s -experiment will be a success." - -"He sings the most gruesome songs--about murder, and blood, and the -Yellow Room." - -"I know," replied Prain, cheerfully. "I am afraid that last muddled -his brain and inspired his muse. He didn't sing or compose verse when -I knew him; but the man's a complete wreck. He used to be rather -handsome and stupid; but his own father wouldn't know him now. I'm -sorry for the poor devil, as now that Alder owns the Hall I dare say -he'll be kicked out, and have to end his days in an asylum." - -"The best place for him, in my opinion," said Gebb, emphatically. "He -is as mad as a March hare, and not half so harmless. Hullo! Who is -that knocking? Come in." - -It proved to be a note from Inspector Lackland, asking Gebb to come -down to Grangebury. In the first instance it had gone to Scotland -Yard, and, as it seemed important, had been sent on to the detective, -who had left word that he would be at Prain's, in case he was wanted. - -"Seems important," said Gebb, reading it. "I wonder what Lackland -wants to see me about--eh, Prain?" - -But Prain was not attending to him. He was busy shaking hands with a -tall, broad-shouldered man, fair-haired, blue-eyed, and altogether -comely to look upon. This gentleman was introduced to Gebb by the name -of Alder; whereby the detective was informed that he stood in the -presence of Miss Gilmar's heir and Miss Wedderburn's lover. Alder on -hearing Gebb's name looked at him keenly, and saluted him with marked -cordiality. - -"I am glad to meet you, Mr. Gebb," he said, in loud and hearty tones; -indeed, he was rather like a fox-hunting squire than a barrister. "How -are you getting on with the case of my poor cousin's murder? Have you -caught Dean?" - -"No," answered Gebb, plainly; "and, to tell you the truth, I am not -sure that Dean is the culprit." - -"But if you knew what Dean said about----" - -"I know all that Dean said," interrupted Gebb, "also that he escaped; -but, for all that, I do not think he killed Miss Gilmar--or Kirkstone -either, for the matter of that." - -"Hum!" said Alder, thoughtfully. "I see you are of Basson's opinion." - -"Mr. Clement Basson! Do you know him?" asked the detective. - -"I should think so!" replied Alder, smiling. "I have known him for -years. He was Dean's counsel in the Kirkstone case." - -"I instructed him," said Prain, complacently. "He believed in Dean's -innocence as I did; but unfortunately our united efforts could not get -the poor devil off." - -"I think I'll call on Mr. Basson," said the detective, thoughtfully. -"Where is he to be found?" - -"No. 40, Blackstone Lane, Fleet Street," replied Alder promptly; "but -what do you expect to learn from him?" - -"His reasons for believing Dean not guilty." - -"They are the same as mine," cried Prain, "and I don't know how his -stating them over again can help you. He does not know where Dean is." - -"Still Mr. Gebb had better see Basson," suggested Alder, with -conviction. "Something may come of the visit. Will you call on me -afterwards, Mr. Gebb, and tell me what you learn from Basson? I am to -be found in the Temple, and, as you may guess, I am most anxious that -Dean should be traced. I intend to offer a reward of two hundred -pounds for his capture. I hope you will earn it." - -"I hope so, too," answered Gebb, much pleased; "but you are certain -that Dean is guilty?" - -"If he is not, I don't know who is," replied Alder, emphatically; and -for the time being the conversation ended. - -Gebb left Alder to consult with Prain as to the necessity of exhuming -the body of Miss Gilmar for identification, and took his way down to -Grangebury to learn why the bluff Lackland had written so earnest and -urgent a note. He found the plethoric inspector in a state of -excitement bordering on apoplexy, and wondered what could have -occurred to stimulate the martinet to such unusual excitement. - -"That you, Gebb?" cried Lackland, the moment the detective put his -nose inside the door. "George! I am glad to see you. It's found, -sir--found! What do you think of that, hey?" - -"What is found? the name of the murderer?" - -"No, no; but something as useful. The diamond necklace," said -Lackland, slowly. - -"You don't say so!" cried Gebb, excitedly. "Was it sold--pawned----?" - -"Pawned!" interrupted the inspector. "Aaron and Nathan's, Harold -Street, City. It came into their possession the day after the murder." - -"The devil! Our assassinating friend lost no time. Who pawned it?" - -"A young man who called himself James Brown." - -"James Fiddlesticks," said Gebb, contemptuously--"a false name. What -was he like?" - -"Tall, dark, handsome," said Lackland, with military brevity. "Aaron -said that he put the necklace up the spout as cool as a cucumber. He -was----" - -"Hold on!" cried Gebb, eagerly. "Had he a mark on one cheek--a -birth-mark?" - -"By George, he had! A purple spot; but not large enough to spoil his -looks." - -"I thought so!" said the detective, joyously. "So it was Arthur Ferris -did it." - -"Arthur who?" asked Lackland, gruffly. - -"Arthur Ferris, of Chelsea, artist. He pawned the necklace; he stole -the diamonds; he murdered Miss Gilmar. Hurrah! we've got him." - - - - -CHAPTER XIII -ARTHUR FERRIS - - -The unexpected discovery that Ferris had pawned the necklace, spurred -Gebb to unusual activity. No longer doubtful how to act, he hastened -to procure a warrant of arrest against the young man; yet before doing -so, and to be certain that his belief was not a false one, he called -first at Aaron and Nathan's. These worthy Jews he questioned closely -concerning the necklace, and the man who had pawned it. The ornament -corresponded in every way with the description furnished by Prain; and -the individual, on the evidence of his appearance, and of the -birth-mark on his right cheek, could not be mistaken for any one but -Ferris. Furthermore, his connection with Edith, who in her turn was -connected with the murdered woman, gave colour to Gebb's assumption -that Ferris was the guilty person. - -"I understand now why Miss Wedderburn fainted," said Gebb to himself. -"She thought, when I mentioned him as her lover, that I had discovered -the truth, and feared for his safety. No doubt, having informed him -about that necklace, and Miss Gilmar's fear of death, he killed and -robbed the woman in the hope that Dean would be blamed." - -If things were as Gebb surmised, Ferris, in hoping that his crime -would be laid to the charge of Dean, displayed an amount of cunning -hardly compatible with his disposal of the plunder. He had -accomplished the crime so cleverly, and had escaped so mysteriously, -that Gebb could not understand why he had pawned the necklace so -openly, the very next day, under the obviously false name of James -Brown. The rashness nullified his former caution, for he might have -guessed that information concerning the jewels would be sent to all -pawnshops. As a criminal, Ferris evidently had to learn the A.B.C. of -his craft. - -"Why did he not wait until the storm blew over before pawning the -necklace," murmured Gebb, much perplexed, "or, at least, take the -stones out of their setting and sell them separately, either in -London, Paris, or Amsterdam? Discovery would have been more difficult -in that case. And why did he pawn them so hurriedly unless he intended -to leave England? But in that case Edith Wedderburn would have known -of his intended departure, and probably would have gone with him. Rum -sort of cove he must be." - -Gebb in this manner argued the case for and against Ferris, for the -young man's conduct displayed such a mixture of caution and rashness -as to perplex the detective. Still it was no use, as he well knew, to -waste his time in making bricks without straw, when the arrest of the -culprit might enable him to gain a frank explanation of these -obviously silly actions; so Gebb, on the evidence of the pawning, -procured a warrant and proceeded to take Ferris in charge. As a -further mark of the man's folly, he had given a wrong name but a right -address; and Gebb, proceeding to Chelsea, asked at an Eden Street -house for Mr. Brown, only to be told that Mr. Ferris was the sole -lodger in it. The naïve simplicity of this novice in crime almost made -the detective swear to his innocence on the spot. - -"Confound it!" said Gebb, disconcerted by this, "the man has gone -about the pawning so openly that I really believe he is guiltless of -the crime. Either that or he's a born fool, although even that is -doubtful Miss Wedderburn is not the sort of woman to love an idiot, -although she does protect one. Seems to me as I'm dealing with a lot -of crazy folk." - -Ferris chanced to be absent at the time of Gebb's visit, but was -expected back every moment; so, on intimating that he wished to see -the artist on a matter of importance, and would wait for his return, -the detective was shown into the studio. It was a bare apartment of -some size, with ample light, but few decorations. Ferris seemed to be -rather a hard worker than an artistic dandy, for there were scattered -around none of the knickknacks and "bibelots" which many painters love -to collect. There was a sprawling clay-figure near a carpeted daïs for -the model, specimens of work on the walls, plaster heads and -unfinished pictures lying about in disorder, and on the easel, beside -a rusty iron stove, a landscape picture in progress of painting. -Altogether the studio looked anything but that of a Sybarite, and in -no wise accorded with Prain's description of Ferris as a scamp, for -scamps as a rule owe their doubtful reputations to their assiduity in -gratifying all their tastes, the best and the worst. - -"Yet he must have been hard pushed for money to murder that old woman -in order to rob her," said Gebb. "So, if he is economical here, I -expect he is wasteful in other ways. Hullo! here's a letter on the -writing-table with the Norminster postmark. Empty!" he added in -disgust, finding no letter inside. "Yet it is from that girl, I am -certain. The handwriting is that of a woman. Hum! And yesterday's -date, I see by the postmark. She had been writing to warn him. She -knows all about the matter. I wish I could find the letter. She's a -deep one, that girl, and as sharp as a needle. She wouldn't have -bungled the murder as Ferris has done." - -With this doubtful tribute of admiration, Gebb calmly proceeded to -turn over the papers on the writing-table, and examine the drawers. -But he could find no letter from Edith amongst the loose papers, and -the drawers proved to be locked, which showed that Ferris was a more -cautious man than his conduct in pawning the necklace indicated. How -far Gebb would have proceeded with his search, or how successful he -would have been, it is hard to say; for just as he was casting his -eyes towards a bureau which, he thought, might contain papers likely -to illuminate Ferris and his dark ways, the door opened and the man -himself entered with a brisk step. He appeared agitated and rather -pale, but on the whole composed and business-like. - -For a moment or so he did not speak, but looked at Gebb with no very -friendly expression of countenance. On his side, the detective -scrutinized the face of the newcomer with close attention, to see in -what degree he corresponded to the descriptions of Prain and Martin. -He beheld a tall and slender man, with an intelligent expression and -brilliant black eyes. On his short upper lip there was a small pointed -moustache, which gave him a rather military appearance, and on his -right cheek a purple mark, the size of a sixpence, but which--his skin -being so dark--did not show very conspicuously. He was dressed quietly -and in good style, and to all appearance was a man who respected -himself too much to indulge in the profligacy with which he was -credited by Prain. Gebb was rather favourably impressed by him than -otherwise, and could not help regretting his errand. - -"I am told you are waiting to see me," said Ferris, civilly. "May I -inquire your business?" - -"Is your name Arthur Ferris?" - -"It is. May I ask what----" - -"I arrest you in the Queen's name!" interrupted Gebb, laying one hand -on the young man's shoulder, and with the other drawing forth his -warrant. - -Ferris turned white even to the lips, and leaped back with an -exclamation of alarm and surprise. The detective's action seemed to -amaze him. - -"Arrest me! Why? What for? Who are you?" - -"My name is Gebb; I am a detective. Here is my warrant for your -arrest, Mr. Ferris, on a charge of murder." - -"Murder!" repeated Ferris, much agitated, as was natural. "You accuse -me of murder? There is some mistake." - -"People in your position always say so," replied Gebb, dryly; "but -there is no mistake. You murdered a woman called Gilmar on the -twenty-fourth of July last." - -"It's a lie! I no more murdered Miss Gilmar than you did." - -"That has yet to be proved, sir. Here is my warrant, and I have a -couple of men outside in case of need. However, I have no desire to -make trouble, and if you come along with me quietly, I shall use you -civilly. We can drive to the prison in a hansom." - -Ferris, who was looking round wildly, as though for some means of -escape, started and recoiled at the sound of the ill-omened word. - -"To prison!" he echoed hoarsely. "Great God! you would not take me to -prison. I am innocent, I tell you. I know nothing of this murder." - -"We have evidence to the contrary," said Gebb, quietly; "and I advise -you, sir, to hold your tongue. Anything you say now will be used in -evidence against you." - -"I shall not hold my tongue," said Ferris, with more composure. "There -is nothing I can say likely to inculpate me in the matter. I protest -against your action. I protest against being treated as a criminal." - -"You can protest as much as you like, Mr. Ferris, but you must come -with me. You may thank your stars that I have not put the darbies on -you. Give me your word not to attempt escape, and we'll walk out -arm-in-arm; no one will guess where you are going. You see, I wish to -make matters easy for you." - -"I shall not try to escape," said the unfortunate young man, proudly, -"as I have done nothing wrong. If I must go to prison on this charge, -I must; and I thank you, Mr. Gebb, for your civility, but I swear -before God that I am innocent of this crime." - -With this speech he resumed his hat and walked slowly out of the -studio. Gebb followed forthwith, and slipped his arm within that of -Ferris, so that the pair seemed to be leaving the house in a friendly -way. Two men were waiting at a distance, but on Gebb's nodding to them -to intimate that his charge was amenable to reason, they walked off; -and shortly afterwards the detective and Ferris got into a hansom. -Gebb directed the driver whither to go, and then turned to comfort his -companion, for whose despair he felt extremely sorry. Certainly, the -young man's conduct did not suggest guilt. - -"Cheer up, Mr. Ferris," he said kindly; "if you are innocent you will -soon be out of this trouble." - -"I don't know how ever I came into it," replied Ferris, -disconsolately. "You mean kindly, Mr. Gebb; therefore, in spite of -what you say regarding my remarks being used against me, I shall speak -freely. I did not know Miss Gilmar at all. I never set eyes on her in -my life; and until yesterday I was not aware of her death." - -"I see. Miss Wedderburn wrote and informed you of that," said Gebb, -coolly. - -"What do you know of Miss Wedderburn?" asked Ferris, in surprise. - -"I have seen her and spoken with her; and I know from her own lips -that she is engaged to you. On your writing-table I saw an envelope -with the Norminster postmark and yesterday's date, so I guessed that -she wrote to you about Miss Gilmar's death." - -"She did! I have no reason to conceal it. But she did not mention that -she had conversed with you." - -"Perhaps not, Mr. Ferris. She is a young lady who can keep her own -counsel." - -"She has no secrets that I know of," said Ferris, haughtily. - -Gebb shrugged his shoulders. "She has one about you," he said calmly. - -"Indeed!" replied the other with sarcasm. "And do you know what it is, -Mr. Gebb?" - -"I did not know when I saw her, but I know now. Miss Wedderburn is -aware that you killed Miss Gilmar." - -"Did she say so?" asked Ferris, anxiously. - -"No; but I guess that is her secret. You are guilty, you know." - -"I swear I am not!" rejoined Ferris, vehemently. "I never saw Miss -Gilmar. I did not murder her. I know nothing about the woman." - -"Do you know anything about the diamond necklace?" - -"The diamond necklace!" stammered Ferris, changing colour, and with a -visible start, for this leading question evidently took him by -surprise. - -"Yes! the necklace you pawned on the twenty-fifth of July to Aaron and -Nathan." - -"It--it--was--was mine," replied the young man, as clearly as his -consternation would let him. - -"It was not yours," said Gebb, sharply; "it was Miss Gilmar's. She -wore it on the night of the murder, and it was taken from the corpse." - -"I did not take it. I did not take it." - -"Yet you pawned it." - -"Yes, I pawned it, but I swear I did not take it." - -"Then how did it come in your possession?" - -"I refuse to answer that question," said Ferris, sullenly. - -Gebb shrugged his shoulders. "Just as you please," he said; "but the -fact of your pawning that necklace is the cause of your arrest. If you -can explain----" - -"I explain nothing. I intend to keep my business to myself." - -"Then you will be in danger of the gallows." - -Ferris bit his lip and shuddered. "I am innocent," he said, -wonderfully calm considering his position, "but I refuse to state how -I became possessed of the necklace." - - - - -CHAPTER XIV -A SURPRISING DISCOVERY - - -The next day Ferris was brought up before the magistrate on the charge -of murdering Miss Gilmar. He looked pale and ill, and heard the -evidence of his pawning of the necklace in absolute silence. When he -was asked to defend himself he refused to utter a word; he declined -even to engage a solicitor; so in the face of this conduct there was -nothing for it but to commit him for trial. Ferris asked for bail, but -his request being refused, he was taken back to prison, still silent. -He might have been a stone image for all the information the law got -out of him; and every one marvelled at his obstinacy, so dangerous to -himself, so inexplicable to others. - -Gebb could not understand why he acted in this way, and risked his -neck in so obstinate a manner. Certainly Ferris declared himself to be -innocent; but he refused to prove the truth of his words, and -preserved an impenetrable silence which at once perplexed and provoked -the detective. The only reason he could conjecture for the mulish -behaviour of the artist was that the evidence against him was too -strong for disproval, and that he knew this to be the case. - -"Still he might make an effort to save himself," thought Gebb, as he -sat meditating in his office, "if only to tell a lie; although I don't -quite see what he could say. Mrs. Presk declared that Miss Gilmar wore -her jewels on that evening, and when we found the body those jewels -were gone. The principal jewel--which is a necklace--was pawned the -day after the murder by Arthur Ferris, who knows Miss Wedderburn, who -knew Miss Gilmar; and he refuses to state how the necklace came into -his possession. If he murdered the woman his possession of the -diamonds is easily accounted for: if he is innocent he must have -obtained the necklace from the assassin. Therefore, if not guilty -himself, he must know who is: that is plain logic." - -Logic or not, the result of the argument was very unsatisfactory, and -Gebb, in his own mind, was unable to decide either for or against -Ferris. He had that morning informed Prain by letter about the -artist's committal for trial, and asked him to call at the prison to -discover if possible the reason for the strange conduct of Ferris. -Also, he requested Prain to call at his office, and tell him the -result of the interview. So when his meditations were interrupted by a -sharp knock at the door, he quite expected to see the little solicitor -enter. In place of Prain, however, he beheld the burly form of John -Alder, who appeared to be different from his usual genial self. - -"You are no doubt surprised to see me here, Mr. Gebb," he said, when -the first greetings had passed, "but I am greatly disturbed about -Ferris. He is a friend of mine, you know." - -Gebb did not know about the friendship, but he was well aware that -Ferris was Alder's favoured rival with Edith Wedderburn, so wondered -at the tender-heartedness of the man who was distressed over the -removal of an obstacle to his wooing. - -"Why are you disturbed?" asked Gebb, rather sceptically. "What makes -you worry over Ferris?" - -"Because I am sure he is innocent of this murder," replied Alder. "Oh, -I heard all about his arrest and committal for trial from Prain, who -has gone round to see him. So I thought I would come and tell you that -I am convinced of his innocence." - -"But he pawned the necklace, Mr. Alder; he admits that he did." - -"Then he must have obtained the necklace from some one else." - -"That may be, sir," said Gebb, quietly; "but if he did he refuses to -say as much. And whosoever gave him the necklace killed Miss Gilmar." - -"What defence does he make?" asked Alder, looking puzzled. - -"None. He asserts his innocence, but refuses to explain how he became -possessed of the necklace. If he can't explain, or won't explain, -those diamonds will hang him." - -"In what way? I don't quite see how you arrive at that point." - -"Miss Gilmar wore the necklace on the night she was killed," explained -the detective; "it was gone when we found the body; so by the -strongest of circumstantial evidence the assassin must have taken it." - -"All this may be true, Mr. Gebb, but it does not prove that poor -Ferris is guilty." - -"I think it does," replied Gebb, coolly, "seeing that he pawned the -necklace in question. If he isn't the principal, he is an accessory -before the fact." - -"Won't he confess how he became possessed of the diamonds?" - -"No, not to me. He refuses to say a word in his own defence." - -"Then I tell you what," said Alder, gravely, "this quixotic young man -is defending another person; he is shielding the assassin." - -"If he is, that shows him to be an accessory either before or after -the fact," repeated Gebb. "But who is the person you think he is -shielding?" - -"Dean! I believe the man killed my cousin." - -"Does Mr. Ferris know Dean?" asked Gebb, looking up sharply. - -"No. Nor did he know Miss Gilmar, so far as my knowledge goes," said -Alder, with a nod. "Ferris has been a friend of mine for many years, -and although for certain reasons we are not very intimate, I am sure -he is not guilty of this crime." - -"If Ferris did not know Dean, or does not know him, I don't very well -see how he can be shielding him!" cried Gebb, irritably. "If you will -excuse me saying so, Mr. Alder, I think you are talking sheer -nonsense." - -"I am sorry you think so," said Alder, stiffly. "Of course I only -state that Ferris is not acquainted with Dean, so far as I am aware; -but he may know him for all that." - -"Why?" asked Gebb, pertinently. - -"Because I am certain that Dean is guilty." - -"Admitting that he is--which I don't on the strength of the romantic -vow--how did Ferris become possessed of the necklace?" - -"I don't know. Only Ferris can explain that." - -"Well, then, Mr. Alder, he won't explain. So on the face of it he is -guilty, and Dean isn't." - -"I tell you he is innocent!" said Alder, angrily, "and my friend Mr. -Basson can prove it." - -"Basson--Clement Basson, the barrister?" said Gebb, with a stare. -"Why, what on earth has he got to do with it?" - -"He saw Ferris on the night of the murder!" - -"Saw him! Where?" - -"At Grangebury! In the evening." - -"And Miss Gilmar was murdered at Grangebury," said the detective. -"Why, that looks as though Ferris was guilty. Your evidence rather -condemns than exonerates him." - -"Not at all," rejoined Alder, tartly. "I read the evidence of the -murder in the daily papers, although I did not know at the time that -Miss Ligram was my cousin, Ellen Gilmar." - -"Well. What of that?" inquired Gebb, rather puzzled by the irrelevancy -of this remark. - -"This much. Mrs. Presk and her servant were at a lecture on Dickens in -the Grangebury Town Hall." - -"I know that." - -"Well, Mr. Gebb, that lecture was given by Basson!" - -"By Clement Basson, the barrister, who defended Dean twenty years -ago?" - -"The same! You must know that Basson is a friend of mine," continued -Alder, conversationally, "and a barrister, like myself. He is by no -means well off, as he is fonder of play than of work. I suggested to -him that he should write and deliver a few lectures in order to make -money, for he has a fine voice and is an excellent orator. He adopted -my suggestion and wrote a lecture on Dickens; but being nervous, he -wished to make an experiment in the suburbs, before attempting to -interest a London audience. I suggested that he should deliver it in -the Grangebury Town Hall, as I know many people in that suburb. He -consented, and delivered the lecture on the twenty-fourth of July, -that is, on the very night my cousin was murdered." - -"And Mrs. Presk attended the lecture with her servant," reflected -Gebb. "Did you know that Miss Gilmar was in Grangebury?" - -"I! No! She took lodgings in Paradise Row under the name of Ligram, -you know," said Alder. "I had not set eyes on her for years--in fact, -not since she left Kirkstone Hall. Out of terror lest she should be -killed by Dean, she kept her address secret from all, although I -believe she occasionally wrote to Miss Wedderburn on business." - -"I know," replied Gebb, with a nod. "But Miss Wedderburn had not heard -from your cousin since six months before the murder; so she was not -aware of Miss Ligram's--or rather Miss Gilmar's--presence in -Grangebury. But what has the lecture to do with Ferris and his -innocence?" - -"I'm coming to that," said Alder, quietly. "As I had suggested the -lecture to Basson, I wished him to have a large audience, so I asked -my friends in Grangebury to attend; also I invited some London -acquaintances, amongst them Ferris." - -"Did Ferris go to the lecture?" - -"Yes. I saw him myself at the door, when I spoke a few words to him. -He sat in a front row, and Basson--who knows him--told me that he -stayed almost to the end of the lecture." - -"Oh," said Gebb, meaningly. "Almost to the end!" - -"Well, at all events, he stayed until ten o'clock," replied Alder, -rather nettled "And as my cousin was killed about that time, Ferris -could not have murdered her." - -"No! Certainly not So far as I can see, Ferris can prove an alibi. If -so, why does he not defend himself in that way?" - -Alder shrugged his shoulders. "I can't say; unless he is shielding -some one. I suggest Dean, as I really believe that Dean is guilty; but -then--so far as I know--Ferris is not acquainted with Dean. Nor is -anybody, for the man has not been heard of since he escaped from -prison. But you see, Mr. Gebb, that if my cousin was murdered at ten -o'clock--and the medical evidence says she was--Ferris, who was in the -Grangebury Town Hall at that hour, cannot be guilty." - -"I admit that! I shall look into the matter," said Gebb, "and let me -tell you, Mr. Alder, that I think very well of you for coming forward -with this evidence, as I know that Mr. Ferris is your rival." - -"With Miss Wedderburn," said Alder, colouring. "True enough; but for -all that I don't want him to be hanged when I know that he is -innocent. If Miss Wedderburn marries Ferris I'll just have to put up -with it, that's all." - -Gebb was about to express further admiration of Alder's conduct when -the door opened unexpectedly, and Prain came hurriedly into the room. -The little man looked worried, and with a nod to his brother lawyer, -he threw himself into a chair near the detective's desk. - -"Well, Gebb," he said, in a vexed tone, "I have been to see that young -ass, and I can't induce him to speak." - -"There will be no need for it," said Gebb, quietly; "I know now that -he is innocent, Mr. Prain." - -"How is that?" asked the solicitor, in amazement. Whereat Gebb, with -the assistance of Alder, told him of the presence of Ferris in the -Town Hall at the hour the murder was committed. Prain was more amazed -than ever. "Great Heavens!" he said; "if the man is innocent, and can -prove it, as you say, why doesn't he speak out?" - -"Because he is screening some one, I think," said Gebb. - -"I know he is," said Alder; "and I believe that the some one is Dean." - -"Why?" asked Prain, with a sharp look. - -"I believe that Dean committed the crime, Mr. Prain." - -"Yes, but you also believe that Ferris does not know Dean," cried -Gebb, crossly; "so why should he shield him?" - -"That is a paradox," said Alder, smiling. - -Prain looked up with a grave expression on his face. "It is a paradox -which I can explain," he said shortly. "Ferris does know Dean." - -"He does know Dean!" cried both his hearers in amazement. - -"Yes! I may as well tell you both, that Arthur Ferris is the son of -Marmaduke Dean." - - - - -CHAPTER XV -THE REVELATION OF MR. PRAIN - - -"Arthur Ferris the son of Dean!" repeated Gebb, looking alternately at -solicitor and barrister. "Well, I never heard of such a thing. Did you -know of it, Mr. Alder?" - -Alder shook his head with unqualified amazement. "Not I!" he said. "I -suggested that Ferris was shielding Dean, only because I am certain -Dean is the assassin; and only the assassin could have given that -necklace taken from the dead woman to Ferris, but I had no idea that -there was any relationship or even acquaintance between them." - -"Nevertheless it is true," replied Prain, with a nod. "I was Dean's -lawyer, as you know, and he told me much of his family history. When -his wife died, he placed his son Arthur with some of her relatives, -and went himself as a bachelor down to the Hall, to court Laura -Kirkstone for his second wife and meet with his fate. When he was -imprisoned for the murder of Kirkstone, the relatives of Arthur gave -him his mother's name of Ferris. I have kept my eye on that young man -all my life--or, rather, all his life of twenty-five years, and have -even assisted him on occasions with money. He is the son of Dean right -enough, although he still keeps to the name of Ferris." - -"Oh! he knows who he is, then?" said Gebb, sharply. - -"Certainly! He has known it for many years." - -"Has he any idea of the whereabouts of his father?" questioned Alder. - -"No; he would have told me if he had, as he is well aware that I -consider his father innocent, and would not give him up to the law -even if I knew of his hiding-place." - -"Do you believe that Dean is innocent in this instance, Mr. Prain?" - -The little man moved restlessly and evaded a direct reply to the -inquiry of Alder. "That is a question I cannot answer," he said -dubiously. "I asked Ferris if he obtained the necklace from his -father, but he denied that he did, and added that he was ignorant of -his father's whereabouts. He declared that he had not seen his father -since he was five years of age." - -"Oh, of course he would say all that!" cried Alder, with scorn, "in -order to shield his father, as I suggested; although until you spoke I -did not know who Dean really was. The evidence against Dean seems -clear enough to me." - -"In what way?" asked Gebb, anxious to hear Alder's ground of -accusation, since he appeared so certain of Dean's guilt. - -"In every way," retorted the barrister. "Dean hunted Miss Gilmar down -and killed her in Paradise Row. Being hard up, as he must be, seeing -that he is an outlaw and in hiding, he stole the jewels she wore. He, -no doubt, gave the necklace to Ferris, as I know the young man is as -poor as a church mouse, and kept the other jewels to himself. I don't -say that Ferris knew at the time his father had killed Miss Gilmar, -but when Mr. Gebb here stated that the necklace was taken from her -dead body, Ferris is quick enough to put two and two together, and -guess what his father had done. He therefore holds his tongue and -refuses to say from whom he got the necklace. A man with his life in -jeopardy would not keep silent without a strong motive, and what -stronger motive can Ferris have than one which concerns the safety of -his father? To me the affair is as clear as day." - -"Your case is very ingeniously constructed, I admit," said Prain, -dryly, "and you argue the rope round Dean's neck in fine style. -Nevertheless your theory is--theory, and nothing more." - -"Well," said Alder, with a shrug, "what does Mr. Gebb say?" - -"Mr. Gebb says nothing at present," rejoined that gentleman, after a -moment's thought. "Least said, soonest mended. When I gather more -evidence I shall speak more freely." - -"Where do you intend to look for evidence?" - -"At Kirkstone Hall. I shall ask Miss Wedderburn why she fainted on the -occasion of my mentioning about Ferris; although I did ask her once, -and she lied." - -"I can explain that," observed Prain, quickly. "I said I would not do -so without the young lady's permission, but as I have been forced to -tell you about Dean's relationship to Ferris, I may as well reveal the -rest. Miss Wedderburn knows that Arthur is the son of Dean, so when -you asked her about him, I dare say the thought struck her that you -knew of it through me, and intended to accuse him of killing Miss -Gilmar to avenge his father. With a revulsion of feeling she fainted. -There--you have the explanation from my point of view." - -"That's all very well, Mr. Prain; but I wish to have the explanation -from Miss Wedderburn's point of view. Where is she now?" - -"Still at the Hall," said Alder, gloomily; "but she intends to leave -it, now that I am master there." - -"Oh!" said Prain, with a smile. "She refuses to be its mistress?" - -"Yes! I don't mind confessing it. She is infatuated with Ferris, and -when I went down the other day to ask her for the last time to be my -wife, she refused me, and declared that she intended to marry Ferris. -But I don't bear him any ill-will," said Alder, generously. "We both -love Miss Wedderburn, and she prefers him in his poverty to me with my -money. Still, I don't know how she can bear the idea of marrying the -son of a murderer." - -"Perhaps, like myself, she believes in Dean's innocence," said Prain, -dryly. - -"If he is guilty of the first crime, he is guilty of the second." - -"Well," said Gebb, thoughtfully, "there is something in that. Unless -Dean had been guilty of Kirkstone's murder, he would not have been so -bent upon punishing the woman who accused him of it, and it is just -possible he murdered her out of revenge. However, I believe myself -that Dean is innocent of both crimes. As to the second, I shall see -Ferris again, and try to learn if he got the necklace from his father; -as to the first," added Gebb, emphatically, "I shall search Kirkstone -Hall for Miss Gilmar's confession." - -"Her confession!" repeated Alder, surprised. "What confession?" - -"Ah!" said Prain, taking no notice of the barrister's question, and -addressing Gebb, "so you are coming round to my opinion--that Miss -Gilmar killed Kirkstone." - -"It has been my opinion for some time," rejoined Gebb, coolly, "and I -believe that Miss Gilmar left a confession behind her telling the -truth. I don't think she would risk its discovery by carrying it about -with her, so it is probable she wrote it out and concealed it in some -hiding-place at Kirkstone Hall." - -"In that case search the Hall," said Alder, disbelievingly. "You have -my full permission to do so." - -"I shall certainly avail myself of it, Mr. Alder. So Miss Wedderburn -leaves the Hall. What about her _protégé_, Martin?" - -"That lunatic! I don't know. He had better stay where he is for the -present, although I think myself he should be locked up." - -"What does Miss Wedderburn think?" - -"She says he is mad, but not dangerous, and asked me to let him stay -on at the Hall until she is settled--with Ferris, I suppose--when she -will take him with her. A nice companion he will be to a young married -couple." - -"I'm afraid that marriage won't take place for some time," said Prain, -gloomily; "even if Arthur does escape, he's too poor to keep a wife." - -"In that case," said Alder, rising to take his leave, "there may be a -chance for me. While there is life there's hope, you know." - -Prain shook his head with a doubtful smile. "While Arthur Ferris lives -Miss Wedderburn won't marry you," he said positively. - -Alder stopped at the door and looked back. "See here, Mr. Prain," he -remarked earnestly, "I'm all fair, square, and above-board. Gebb here -will tell you that before you came I defended Ferris, because I -consider him innocent. But I believe that his father killed Kirkstone -and my cousin, and I am certain that both crimes will be brought home -to him. In that case I have my doubts as to whether a proud girl like -Edith will marry the son of a murderer. If she does not, she will -accept me, of that I am certain; and I shall do everything to bring -such a marriage about." - -"Well," said Prain, "I've known Edith all her life, and I don't think -she will marry you." - -"We'll see about that," rejoined Alder, confidently, and swung out of -the door with a look of determination in his blue eyes. - -Prain shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, for he thought that -the barrister was over-confident for a lover. Then he took up his hat -to go, and addressed a last question to Gebb. - -"Well, sir," said he, grimly, "and what do you intend to do now?" - -"Three things, Mr. Prain, and I don't mind telling you what they are. -I intend to question both Ferris and Miss Wedderburn, I intend to -search Kirkstone Hall for that confession of Miss Gilmar's, which I -really believe exists, and I intend to call upon Mr. Clement Basson." - -"What about Basson--can he prove anything?" - -"He can prove an alibi in favour of Ferris," said Gebb; and forthwith -related to Prain all that he had been told by Alder regarding the -lecture in the Grangebury Town Hall. - -Prain listened attentively, and nodded his head approvingly, for he -was pleased to find a loophole for Arthur's escape. - -"Very creditable to Alder," he said, when the detective finished. "His -conduct in speaking up for Ferris deserves our praise. Few men would -be so generous to their rival. But if this is so, why did not Ferris -clear himself before the magistrate? He would be free now, had he done -so." - -"Well," said Gebb, thoughtfully, "so far as that goes, we come back to -Mr. Alder's belief. Ferris is shielding his father." - -"If he is," said Prain, "Dean must be guilty." - -"It looks like it. But I tell you what, Mr. Prain," cried Gebb, -emphatically, "as sure as I sit here Dean is innocent! Whosoever -killed Miss Gilmar was expected by her; was a friend with whom she was -at her ease; that is proved by the smoking and the wine. She would not -have been at ease with Dean." - -"He might have been disguised as a fortune-teller," suggested Prain. - -"No, I don't believe it. No disguise could have hidden him from the -eyes of a woman who feared him so. Whosoever killed that woman, it -wasn't Dean." - -"Then why is Ferris shielding Dean?" - -"We don't know if he is; you, yourself, said that he denied it." - -"I know I did; I know he does!" cried Prain, in despair. "God bless my -soul, what a case this is! The more we talk about it the more confused -does it become. I tell you what, Gebb, your only chance of arriving at -the truth lies in either forcing Ferris to confess where he got the -necklace, or in hunting down Dean." - -"I'll try the first of your suggestions at once," said Gebb, putting -on his hat. "And if Ferris won't confess to me, I'll write and ask -Miss Wedderburn to come to town." - -"What good can she do?" - -"She can make him confess the truth. What the man won't do for justice -he may do for love. However, I'll see him at once. Justice will make -the first attempt--Love the second." - -"And both will fail!" cried Prain. "You'd better catch Dean, my good -man." - -"That's easier said than done," retorted Gebb; and the two parted, -each more or less exasperated. And very naturally, for the -perplexities of the Grangebury murder case were enough to anger the -mildest natures, and those of Prain and Gebb were rather the reverse. - -Irritated and puzzled by the complexion of affairs, Gebb did not let -the grass grow under his feet, but at once visited the prison in which -Arthur Ferris was confined. He easily obtained permission to see him -and entered to find the young man looking ill and worn, but as firm as -ever in his policy of silence, Gebb came to the reason of his visit -forthwith. - -"Well, Mr. Ferris, you are a nice gentleman to stay here, when a word -from you in the Court would clear you of all this." - -"What word?" asked Ferris, suspecting a snare, and speaking -cautiously. - -"Why! word where you were at the time of the murder. I know you did -not kill Miss Gilmar." - -"How do you know that?" asked the young man, with a start. - -"Because you were in the Grangebury Town Hall listening to the lecture -on Dickens," replied Gebb. "Mr. Alder told me." - -"It is very kind of Alder to defend me," replied Ferris, frankly, -"Yes, Mr. Gebb, it is quite true. I was not near Miss Gilmar on that -night. I am innocent." - -"Then why didn't you say so?" - -"I did, several times." - -"But why don't you produce your alibi?" - -"Because I don't choose to," retorted Ferris, slowly, and turned sulky -again. - -"So you are shielding your father, after all?" - -"Who told you about my father?" he asked tremulously. - -"Mr. Prain," said Gebb. "Your father is Dean, who swore to kill that -woman for accusing him of Kirkstone's murder. He escaped and killed -her and gave you the necklace, and you won't speak because you want to -save your father's neck." - -"My father has nothing to do with it, Mr. Gebb. I did not get the -necklace from him. I don't know where he is. This is my last word," -said Ferris, firmly. And it was. - -Gebb begged and implored and threatened, but to no purpose. Whatever -Ferris knew he kept to himself. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI -MISS WEDDERBURN - - -Having failed with Ferris, owing to the artist's obstinate refusal to -speak, Gebb thought that he would hear what Basson had to say. He knew -from Prain that the barrister had defended Marmaduke Dean, and -although he had not succeeded in obtaining an acquittal, believed that -his client was innocent. Dean, of course, must have known that his -counsel held this opinion; so, on escaping from prison, with a desire -to prove his innocence, it was not unlikely that he might have called -secretly on Basson, and implored his assistance. If so, Basson might -know a good deal about the man, if he could only be induced to speak -out, and it was to gain his confidence in this matter that Gebb paid -him a visit. - -"Of course he may know nothing," thought Gebb, as he walked the next -day towards Blackstone Lane, in which Mr. Basson--according to -Alder--had his abode. "On the other hand, if Dean called on him, which -is not unlikely, he may know a good deal. I wish to learn where Dean -is hiding; how he manages to live; and what his movements were towards -the end of July last. Basson may be able to inform me of these matters -If he can, so much the better; if he can't, I'll go down to Kirkstone -Hall to search for that confession, and see Miss Wedderburn before she -leaves the place. If she can't force Ferris to speak, no one else can; -the man is as obstinate as a pig." - -With this elegant simile Gebb turned out of Fleet Street into -Blackstone Lane, and shortly found himself climbing the narrow -staircase of No. 40. Mr. Basson being poor and briefless, and -evidently careless of his ease, lived at the very top of the high -building. After ascending four flights of steep stairs, the detective -came upon a door with the name "Clement Basson" painted on it in black -letters. Also there was a dingy scrap of paper, on which was written, -"Back in five minutes"; so it seemed, much to Gebb's disappointment, -as though Basson were not in his office. However, two or three sharp -knocks brought forth a grinning boy in a suit several sizes too small -for him, and this lad, having put Gebb through a short examination, -with the intention of discovering if he had a bill or a writ, or a -judgment summons in his pocket, at length relented, and announced that -Mr. Basson was within. Evidently the "Back in five minutes" label was -used to beguile creditors into thinking that Mr. Basson was absent. -That announcement, and the conversation with the juvenile Cerberus, -gave Gebb an immediate insight into the state of Mr. Basson's -finances, and his Bohemian mode of hand-to-mouth living. - -Shortly he was ushered into a dingy chamber, very barely furnished, -and very dirty. There was a yellow blind pulled up askew on an -unclean window; below this a deal table covered with green baize, -ink-stained and worn-out, which was piled up with dirty papers. An -ancient bookcase, with a brass screen, was filled with an array of -untidy-looking volumes in calf-skin, with red labels; there were two -chairs--one for the lawyer and one for any possible client, a rusty -grate, filled with torn-up papers, and an empty Japan coal-scuttle. In -the midst of these ruins of prosperity, like Marius amid the remains -of Carthage, sat Clement Basson, a tall, jovial-looking man, with a -fine head of grey hair, a quick eye, and a neatly trimmed beard and -moustache. He was carelessly dressed in a kind of sporting fashion, -and wore an old cricketing-cap on the back of his head. The man was -clever, kindly, and quick-witted; he was also thriftless, weak-willed, -and untidy. His worser qualities weighed down his better; and with -many qualifications for climbing to the top of the tree, Mr. Basson -preferred, out of sheer idleness and lack of concentration, to dance -gaily round the trunk in ragged attire. He looked like a survival of -Grub Street; one of the feather-headed crew who wrote pamphlets and -starved in garrets, and naturally belong to the reigns of the early -Georges. He was quite out of place in the late Victorian epoch--an -ironical survival of the unfittest. - -"Good day!" he said, in a rich baritone voice, advancing to meet his -visitor. "What can I do for you, Mr. Gabb?" - -"Gebb, sir; not Gabb," answered the detective, seating himself in the -one other chair. - -"The boy said Gabb," retorted Basson, returning to his chair. "He was -thinking of his own gift, maybe;" and he laughed heartily at his -rather feeble joke. "Well, Mr. Gebb, have you brought me a brief?" - -"No," said Gebb, smiling, for the man's good humour was infectious. -"I'm in a different branch of the law to a solicitor. I don't deal in -briefs so much as in handcuffs." - -"Ah! You are a detective. A Bow Street Runner." - -"Yes. In charge of the Grangebury murder case." - -"Just so!" said Basson, with a nod, and looking grave. "I read about -it in the papers; and now I remember, your name was mentioned. Well, -and have you caught the blackguard who murdered the poor woman?" - -"Not yet I've come to see if you can help me." - -"I?" said Basson, much amused. "You've come to the wrong shop, then. -How should I know the assassin?" - -"If I can believe Mr. Alder, you knew him once," was Gebb's reply. - -"Ah! So Alder has been speaking to you about me. He thinks that Dean -is guilty, and I was Dean's counsel in that Kirkstone case. Is it that -you are driving at, Mr. Gebb?" - -"It just is. Do you believe that Dean is guilty?" - -Basson did not reply immediately. He lighted a German pipe of -porcelain, and, blowing out the match, placed it in a little pile -which lay near the inkstand. Then he puffed out a cloud of smoke, and -through it looked at his visitor. - -"Why do you ask me?" he demanded abruptly. - -"I want your opinion. I know from Mr. Alder that you did not believe -Dean guilty of Kirkstone's murder." - -"No. That I did not," rejoined Basson, hastily. "No more than I -believe Mr. Ferris--poor boy--guilty of this one. I was coming to tell -you that he was at my lecture on the night of the murder, but Alder -said he would speak to you about it. Did he?" - -Gebb nodded. "I know that Ferris is innocent, but he had the necklace -in his possession, and that is a suspicious circumstance." - -"I saw about that in the papers," said Basson, nodding. "Well, and how -does he say the necklace came into his hands?" - -"He declines to tell me." - -"Does he? With his neck in the noose, so to speak." - -"Precisely, Mr. Basson; he did not even confess his presence at your -lecture. He said he was innocent, and for the rest held his tongue." - -Basson stared, and pressed the tobacco in the pipe bowl with his -little finger. "Now, that's queer," he said. "Why does he act in this -way?" - -"I think he wishes to shield his father." - -"I didn't know he had a father. Thought his father was dead." - -"As good as dead, I am afraid. Dean is his father." - -"What!" Basson's pipe fell out of his hands, and he looked at Gebb in -amazement. "Dean, the man I defended, Ferris's father?" - -"Yes, Ferris lived with some relations, who changed his name when his -father was condemned. Now, Mr. Basson, I don't believe Dean is guilty -of this second murder; but on no other ground than that he did kill -the woman, and gave Ferris the necklace to pawn, can I account for the -young man's silence." - -"Does he say that Dean is guilty?" asked Basson, picking up his pipe. - -"No; he denies it, but refuses to confess how he became possessed of -the necklace. Mr. Basson, tell me on what grounds you believed that -Dean did not kill Kirkstone." - -"No motive," rejoined Basson. "People don't commit murders without -motives. But a year or two ago I got an anonymous letter, which -strengthened my belief in his innocence. Wait a bit, and I'll get it -for you." - -He opened a small safe standing at the end of the room near the -bookcase, and after five minutes' groping in its depths, at length -fished out a dingy bit of paper, which he brought back to Gebb. This -he spread out on the table, and raised his finger to enforce the -attention of the detective. - -"Dean declared his innocence to me," said the barrister, with forensic -force, "and I believed him. But he thought that Laura Kirkstone was -guilty--that in a mad fit she killed her brother. I did not agree with -this, for I held then, and I hold still, that Ellen Gilmar stole that -knife from Laura, and murdered Kirkstone before she went upstairs to -call Dean and inculpate him in the murder. Now, when Dean escaped from -prison I received this letter; read it." - -Gebb glanced his eye rapidly over the scrap of paper, which contained -two lines of writing running thus: "If you see Dean, tell him not to -hunt down a wretched woman. When she dies justice shall be done." To -this there was no name and no date and no envelope. Gebb inquired -after this latter. - -"I'm sorry to say I destroyed it by mistake," said Basson, with -regret; "but I remember that it had the Norminster postmark on it, -therefore I am sure the note came from Miss Gilmar." - -"But why should she write to you?" inquired the detective. - -"She fancied Dean on escaping might visit me to get my aid to prove -his innocence." - -"I thought such might be the case myself," said Gebb, thoughtfully, -"Did he come near you at any time after his escape?" - -"No," said Basson, emphatically, "I never saw him from the time he -went into prison. I don't know where he is; I wish I did, as this note -shows that Miss Gilmar knows herself to be guilty, and has left some -sort of confession behind, to be read after her death and clear Dean." - -"Where do you think this confession is to be found?" - -"I don't know. She may have hidden it in Kirkstone Hall, or may have -had it with her. When I got this note I went at once to the Hall to -tax Miss Gilmar with writing it. However, she had fled out of fear of -Dean, and I could not learn her whereabouts. The next I heard was her -murder at Grangebury under the name of Ligram." - -"Do you think Dean' killed her?" asked Gebb, anxiously. - -"I don't know. He might have found her and tried to force her into -confession, and failing getting her to do so have killed her; but I -don't know." - -"Well," said Gebb, getting on his legs, "I had an idea myself that -there might be a confession concealed in Kirkstone Hall. Now, on the -evidence of this note, I am sure of it. I'll go down and search. But -tell me frankly, Mr. Basson, do you know where Dean is to be found?" - -"No," said Basson, solemnly, "I swear I don't." - -"I must rely on myself, then," said Gebb, with a sigh. "I'll see you -again, Mr. Basson." - -"I shall be glad to help you, sir," replied the barrister, and bowed -the detective out of his dingy room. - -Gebb retired in an exultant frame of mind, as he had discovered beyond -all doubt that a confession by Miss Gilmar was in existence which -would probably exonerate Dean from all complicity in Kirkstone's -murder. The question was, where to search for it. On his way back to -the office Gebb tried vainly to find an answer to this query, but it -was banished from his mind when he discovered that no less a person -than Miss Wedderburn was waiting to see him. She approached him at -once when he entered, and there was a sparkle of rage in her eyes, -which intimated that the object of her visit was not a peaceful one. - -"Here you are at last, Mr. Gebb!" she said, in a wrathful voice. "And -pray, sir, what do you mean by arresting Mr. Ferris?" - -"Oh, that's your trouble, is it, miss?" answered Gebb, coolly. "Well, -my dear young lady, I arrested Mr. Ferris because he pawned a diamond -necklace!" - -"And what had that to do with you, may I ask?" - -"This much, miss. The necklace was the property of Miss Gilmar, and -was removed from her dead body." - -"Nothing of the sort!" cried Edith, vehemently. "Ellen was alive when -she gave away that necklace." - -"Gave away that necklace!" repeated Gebb, starting up. "What do you -mean?" - -"What I say!" rejoined Miss Wedderburn, tartly, "I gave the necklace -to Arthur, and it was Miss Gilmar who presented it to me in Paradise -Row, on the night she was murdered." - - - - -CHAPTER XVII -AN EXPLANATION - - -It took Gebb some time to grasp the meaning of Miss Wedderburn's -remarks, for the information it conveyed seemed impossible of belief. -He looked so doubtful, that she repeated her speech with some -impatience. - -"I tell you Miss Gilmar gave me that necklace on the night she was -murdered." - -"At what hour?" gasped Gebb, not quite master of himself. - -"Shortly after nine o'clock." - -"Did you see her on that night?" - -"Of course I did!" said Edith, sharply. "How else could I have got the -necklace?" - -"But you told me at Kirkstone Hall that you did not know Miss Gilmar -was in Grangebury." - -"That is perfectly true," rejoined Edith, colouring; "but I told you -many things that were false. I was forced to do so, to protect Arthur -and myself." - -"So you knew of the murder when I paid my first visit?" - -"Yes; and when you inquired after Arthur, I fancied you had discovered -his pawning of the necklace, and that you intended to accuse him of -the crime. Naturally, I was anxious to save him." - -"That was why you fainted," said Gebb, suddenly enlightened. - -"It was. In a moment I saw Arthur's danger, as I knew well he would -not say that I gave him the necklace; so the thought made me faint. -When I learned later that you knew nothing, I held my tongue." - -"You did, and to some purpose. I congratulate you on your power of -acting, Miss Wedderburn. You deceived me completely." - -"What else was I to do?" said Edith, resentfully. "You would not have -had me betray myself or Arthur? How did you find out that the necklace -was pawned?" - -"That I shall explain later," replied Gebb, annoyed by her attitude. -"And, in my turn, may I ask why you killed Miss Gilmar?" - -Edith stared at him in surprise, and laughed. "You are making a -mistake!" she said with haughty coolness. "I did not kill Ellen -Gilmar." - -"But you were with her on that night?" - -"So I was; but I left her at nine o'clock, and then she was alive and -well. Why should I kill her?" - -"To obtain the necklace." - -"What nonsense you talk, Mr. Gebb. She gave me the necklace for -Arthur, of her own free will. Even if she had refused to give it to me -I should certainly not have murdered her. I love Arthur very much, it -is true, but hardly enough to commit so wicked a deed for his sake." - -"Do you swear that you are innocent?" asked Gebb, looking at her -keenly. - -"Yes, I swear I am," she answered, meeting his look with much -frankness. "If necessary I can prove my innocence, and that of -Arthur." - -"Oh, Mr. Alder has proved his innocence already." - -"Very kind of him," said Edith, with sarcasm, "for I dare say he was -glad enough to hear of Arthur's arrest." - -"You do him wrong, Miss Wedderburn. On seeing the case in the paper -Mr. Alder came round at once to see me. He stated that Mr. Ferris was -present in the Town Hall at Mr. Basson's lecture, and therefore could -not have been with Miss Gilmar at ten o'clock, the hour when she was -killed. He proved your lover's innocence." - -Edith raised her eyebrows and looked surprised. "Why did Mr. Alder do -that?" she said, half to herself. "He hates Arthur because----" - -"Because he is engaged to you," finished Gebb. "That is a mistake, -miss; for Mr. Alder is quite friendly with Mr. Ferris, and bears him -no grudge for winning your hand. You may not credit it, but Mr. Alder -is a real gentleman." - -"The leopard can change his spots, then," said Edith, still puzzled. -"I should never have thought that Mr. Alder was so generous. It is -very strange," she finished musingly--"very strange indeed." - -The detective quite agreed with her. He thought that the whole affair -was wonderfully strange, particularly as he was ignorant of how Edith -had obtained a valuable necklace from an old miser like Miss Gilmar; -and, also, he could not understand her reason for taking it. He quite -saw that she had deceived him in order to save herself and Ferris from -being accused of the murder, but he was doubtful if she was so -innocent of all knowledge concerning the death as she feigned to be. -With this idea in his mind he addressed her with some sharpness, and -asked her a leading question. - -"If you did not kill the woman yourself," said he, "who did?" - -"I don't know," answered Edith, candidly. "She was alive when I left -her at nine o'clock, and when I saw her death in the paper I was as -much surprised as any one." - -"You knew, then, that she called herself Miss Ligram at Grangebury?" - -"Oh yes, else I would not have known she was the victim. Though, to be -sure," added Edith, with a nod, "the description of the Yellow Boudoir -would have made me suspect. I spoke falsely for my own ends when I -told you that I saw no newspapers at Norminster." - -"Well, Miss Wedderburn," said Gebb, after a pause, "I see no reason to -doubt your innocence, but I should like to hear your reasons for -getting the necklace." - -"I'll tell you the whole story, Mr. Gebb. Indeed, I am sorry now that -I did not do so when you called to see me; but I was afraid of getting -Arthur into trouble, and so held my tongue." - -"It was your silence which caused his arrest," said Gebb. "Had you -spoken out, he would not have been arrested." - -"He could have exculpated himself," protested Edith, earnestly. - -"I dare say; but in order to shield you--as I now see--he refused to -speak. However, we can talk of these things later, Miss Wedderburn. -Tell me your story." - -"Certainly; I shall explain fully," said the girl, quickly, "and -anything you do not quite understand you can ask me about afterwards. -Well, Mr. Gebb, you must know, first of all, that Arthur is the son of -Marmaduke Dean, who----" - -"I am aware of that fact," interrupted Gebb. "Prain told me." - -"Very good," said Edith, composedly. "It makes my task the easier. -Yes, he is the son of Dean; and when his father escaped from prison, -some years ago, he came down to Kirkstone Hall to see if the poor man -had returned there. You know that Dean desired to revenge himself on -Miss Gilmar for her share in his condemnation. Well, Arthur thought -that his father might have gone to the Hall to punish her; so he came -down to warn Miss Gilmar and prevent a second crime, if possible." - -"And what did Miss Gilmar do?" - -"She was greatly alarmed by the news; and, terrified lest Dean should -really come, she went away, as I told you before, and hid herself in -London under those several names. It was in this way that I became -acquainted with Arthur, and we were very friendly. He used to visit me -frequently, and in the end we fell in love with one another." - -"As was natural," said Gebb, smiling. "But before you proceed, tell me -if Dean ever came to the Hall, as he was expected." - -"No," replied Edith, vehemently, "he never did. I don't know where he -is." - -"Does Ferris know?" asked the detective, eagerly. - -"Not he! Neither of us have set eyes on his father. The poor man may -be dead for all we know." - -"I'm not so sure of that," said Gebb, thinking of the murder. "Go on, -please." - -"I would not tell you about my engagement," said Edith, who did not -relish the smiles of the detective, and therefore spoke with some -resentment, "but that it is necessary for the safety of Arthur and -myself that I should speak freely. Mr. Ferris"--she adopted this more -formal style of mention to keep Gebb in order--"Mr. Ferris came to see -me frequently, and confided to me all his troubles. He was greatly in -want of money, as his pictures did not sell, and he had no one to help -him. I could not, as I had no money, and I was simply earning my -living as my cousin's housekeeper at Kirkstone Hall. In July Ar----, -that is, Mr. Ferris, was in such distress that I resolved to aid him -by obtaining from Miss Gilmar the diamond necklace which had belonged -to his father." - -"I know," said Gebb, who was listening attentively, "the necklace -which Dean gave Laura Kirkstone." - -"Yes; it was a family jewel, and Dean gave it to Laura only because -she was to be his wife. When she died, it should have been returned to -Dean--or, as he was a convict--to his son. Miss Gilmar, however, -seized it, and all the rest of Laura's jewels. With the other jewels I -had nothing to do, but I was resolved to obtain the necklace for -Arthur. Was it not right to do so?" - -"Yes," rejoined Gebb, promptly, "the necklace certainly belonged to -Mr. Ferris, as his father could not benefit by it. But my wonder is -how you got it. From what I have heard of Miss Gilmar, I should have -thought the task an impossible one." - -"It was difficult to obtain it, but I did so in the end. I told you," -said Edith, with some colour, "that I did not know Miss Gilmar was at -Grangebury. Well, that was not true; for she wrote to me stating that -she was living in Paradise Row under the name of Ligram, and in her -letter she asked me about some business. I resolved to visit -Grangebury, but as I did not know where it was, I asked Arthur to -escort me." - -"Did he know of your intention?" - -"No; but curiously enough the week I wrote to him he was going down to -Grangebury to hear a friend lecture. That was on the twenty-fourth of -July; so I came up to town, and went with him on that night." - -"To the lecture?" - -"Well, not at first. The lecture did not begin until close on nine -o'clock, and I wished to see Miss Gilmar; so I sent Arthur in to the -Town Hall, and intended to join him when I got the necklace. I then -visited Miss Gilmar. She was alone in the house, and admitted me -herself. She was much alarmed at seeing me, and still more so when I -demanded the necklace." - -"I don't wonder at it. Did she refuse to give it up?" - -"Yes; although she was wearing it at the time. I told her then that if -she did not give it up to me for Arthur, I should search for Dean and -tell him where she was. Indeed," added Edith, reflectively, "I am not -sure but what I did not say that I knew where Dean was." - -"But you did not?" said Gebb, looking at her keenly. - -"No, certainly not," she rejoined hastily; "but I said so to frighten -Miss Gilmar. She was terrified, and implored me not to take the -necklace or tell Dean; but I knew that I was acting rightly, so in the -end she gave me the necklace, which I put into my pocket, and left at -once." - -"About what time?" - -"About half-past nine, I think. Miss Gilmar seemed anxious to get me -away from the house, and almost pushed me out of the front door, which -she locked after me. I then went to the Town Hall; but as Arthur was -in one of the front seats, and the lecturer was speaking, I did not -wish to create a disturbance by joining him, so I sat down near the -door. I had some conversation with the doorkeeper as to where Mr. -Ferris was seated; so if you ask him, he'll tell you that I sat near -him until the lecture concluded, at half-past ten o'clock. Then Arthur -joined me in much alarm, as he thought I had got into trouble. We -returned to London, where I gave him the necklace, and told him to -pawn it and pay his debts. I slept at the Grosvenor Hotel, near the -Victoria Station, and Arthur went back to his rooms in Chelsea. So you -see, Mr. Gebb, both he and I are quite innocent." - -"It seems so," said the cautious Gebb, not committing himself. - -"It is so," insisted Edith, haughtily. "The doorkeeper can tell you -that both Mr. Ferris and myself were in the Town Hall before and after -ten, and it was about that time Miss Gilmar was murdered." - -"Was any one with her when you called?" - -"No. I told you she was alone; but there was wine on a small table, -and with that, and the way she pushed me out, I was sure she expected -some one." - -"Did you meet any one in the street going there?" - -"Not a soul. I saw no one. Everybody in Grangebury seemed to be at the -lecture." - -"Did you write and tell Mr. Ferris about my visit to you?" - -"Yes, I did; and warned him not to pawn the necklace, as he might be -suspected. But it was too late, for he pawned it the day after I gave -it to him. But he is innocent, as you see, Mr. Gebb. Surely he will be -released." - -"When his trial takes place he will," said Gebb. "He would have been -let off before if he had told this story to the magistrate." - -"Ah!" said Edith, in a low voice, "he held his peace for my sake. -Good, brave Arthur! No wonder I love him." - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII -WHAT MRS. PRESK FOUND - - -Gebb continued to question and cross-question Edith until he became -thoroughly acquainted with the details of her visit to Miss Gilmar at -Grangebury. When in full possession of the facts he permitted her to -depart, but took the precaution to ask for her London address in case -he should require her further evidence. Edith informed him that since -leaving Kirkstone Hall she had been staying with an old schoolfellow -in Bloomsbury Square, and was likely to remain there for some time, or -at all events until she could find a situation. - -"I must work, you know, Mr. Gebb," she confessed frankly. "I am very -poor." - -"Yet had you accepted Mr. Alder you would----" - -"Accept Mr. Alder!" interrupted Edith, colouring. "I would sooner -sweep the streets than marry any one but Arthur. Mr. Gebb," she added -imploringly, "now that you are convinced of his innocence, do get him -out of prison." - -"I'll do my best," promised the detective. "He will come up for trial -in a week or two, but in the mean time if I place the actual facts of -the case before the magistrate who committed him, I have no doubt he -will be admitted on bail." - -"Anything--anything, dear Mr. Gebb, so long as he is set free!" - -The detective proved to be as good as his word, and worked zealously -in the interest of Ferris. As the forthcoming trial would probably be -a mere matter of form, seeing that the later evidence acquitted him, -the magistrate readily accepted bail for a small amount, and, to -Edith's astonishment, the person who guaranteed it was Mr. Alder. He -came forward in the most friendly way to stand security for his rival, -and would not even hear of Edith thanking him when Arthur was released -through his generosity. - -"I knew he was not guilty," said this benefactor to Edith, "and I told -Gebb it was a shame keeping an innocent man in prison." - -"How can we ever thank you?" said Edith, tearfully. - -"There is no need to thank me, Miss Wedderburn. Of course I should -like you to marry me; but as Ferris proves to be the lucky man, I can -only make the best of my misfortune." - -In her own heart Edith could not understand the kindness of Mr. Alder, -for up to the present she had always thought him hard-hearted and -selfish. Perhaps the succession to the Kirkstone estates had wrought -this change, for previous to the death of his cousin the barrister had -been in deep water, as Basson frankly told Gebb. - -"It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good," said the Bohemian -lawyer, "and the wretch who killed that old woman put a power of money -into Alder's pocket. He isn't the man to live on nothing; and has -rather expensive tastes; so, if he hadn't come in for that property, -he'd have been in Queer Street. It's truth I'm telling you." To which -latter remark Gebb quite assented, as Alder had rather the worn look -of a man who lived hard, and made the most of his life. - -"It's a pity Miss Wedderburn doesn't marry him," he observed. "She -might keep him in order. He's a ship that needs an anchor, in my -opinion." - -"Well, well, Mr. Gebb, Ferris is the better man of the two." - -"But not the richer. Mr. Alder has offered two hundred pounds reward -for the capture of Miss Gilmar's assassin." - -"And you intend to earn it, I suppose?" said Basson, smiling. - -"If I can; but at present I see no chance of finding the criminal. -Upon my word," cried Gebb, in disgust, "against my better judgment I'm -beginning to believe that Dean is guilty after all." - -"I don't think so; but if that is your idea, why don't you find Dean -and tax him with the crime? An interview with him would put the matter -beyond all doubt." - -"I don't know where to look for him," said Gebb, grumbling. "I think I -shall look up Parge about the matter. If any one knows where Dean is -to be found, Parge is the man. Yes, I'll see Parge." - -"You may see Parge," said Basson, in a tone of contempt, "but it's -doubtful if you'll ever see Dean. He has vanished so completely, that -I should not be at all surprised to learn that he is dead. If he was -alive and in hiding, surely the police would have found him out before -now." - -"The police only perform miracles in novels," replied Gebb, dryly, and -went off to see Parge. - -The fat ex-detective received him almost as wrathfully as he had done -on the occasion of the previous visit. Gebb had been so busily -employed in searching for Miss Gilmar's assassin, that he had -foolishly omitted to pay Mr. Parge the attention which that gentleman -considered his due; therefore he was greeted by his chief in anything -but a friendly way. - -"And I don't want to hear any more excuses," said Parge, scowling; -"too much time is lost in telling unnecessary lies. Let me know how -much further you have got on with the case." - -Glad to escape further blame, the detective related all he had -discovered in relation to Ferris and Miss Wedderburn. Parge listened -attentively, and was gracious enough to signify his approval of Gebb's -conduct. - -"You have not done badly," he said, with a nod. "Although your -discoveries have been due more to good luck than to your own -intelligence. If the girl had not confessed about her visit, and her -giving of the necklace to Ferris, you would still be in doubt about -his innocence." - -"No, I wouldn't," protested Gebb. "Before Miss Wedderburn spoke I was -quite sure that Ferris was guiltless. Alder's evidence proved that he -was at the lecture, at the time the crime was committed." - -"It didn't prove how Ferris became possessed of the necklace, -however," snapped Parge. "But I don't see that you are much further on -than before. Have you examined that doorkeeper as to Miss Wedderburn's -presence in the lecture hall on the night and at the hour of the -murder?" - -"I have not had time, Simon. To-morrow morning I am going down to see -him." - -"At Grangebury, I suppose?" said Parge. "Will you find the man there?" - -"Yes; the doorkeeper is also the caretaker of the hall." - -"Then at the same time you had better call on Mrs. Presk. I suppose -the goods of Miss Gilmar have been moved by Alder as her heir?" - -"Yes! The body was exhumed and has been identified, and now Alder has -taken possession of the estates. Prain is attending to all legal -matters concerning the will, and, by Alder's direction, he dismantled -the Yellow Boudoir. I don't see what I shall gain by seeing Mrs. -Presk." - -"You can find out if she has discovered anything touching on the first -or second murder!" - -"I don't quite understand." - -"Bah!" cried Parge, angrily. "Can't you understand that a woman would -not be left in possession of a dead woman's goods without satisfying -her curiosity in some way? I'll bet you, Absalom, that Mrs. Presk has -searched in all Miss Gilmar's boxes, and clothes, and papers, to find -out what she can about her. Now, it is just possible that Mrs. Presk -may have come across that confession you talk about." - -"Do you think it exists?" asked Gebb, with some scepticism. - -"Yes, I do; that hint in the anonymous letter written to Basson shows -that Miss Gilmar had it in her mind to do justice to the man she -wronged." - -"But you declared that Dean was guilty," said Gebb, recalling his -first conversation. - -"So I did; it seemed so at the time," rejoined Parge, promptly. "But I -have altered my mind; especially since you told me about that letter -written by Miss Gilmar to Basson. Either she or Laura Kirkstone killed -the man. I don't know which, neither do you; so, for the gratification -of our mutual curiosity and the clearance of Dean, you had better find -that confession." - -"Well, Simon, if that confession is anywhere, it is hidden at -Kirkstone Hall." - -"It might be," replied Parge, cautiously. "On the other hand, Miss -Gilmar might have written it after she fled from the Hall, and have -carried it about with her from place to place. If Mrs. Presk has found -it, she is just the kind of woman, from your description, to make -money over it, by refusing to give it up until she gets her own terms. -Call on Mrs. Presk, Absalom, and find out the truth." - -"I'll do so," said Gebb, making a mental note of this. "But what about -Dean?" - -"Well, I believe that Dean is guilty of murdering Miss Gilmar," said -Parge, "even if he is innocent of the first crime. He committed the -second in order to punish the woman who unjustly condemned him. I am -sure he had every cause to wish her ill. She treated him most -vindictively." - -"It is no use our discussing that matter," said Gebb, tartly. "I -believe--on arguments I furnished you with before--that Dean is -innocent. You think he is guilty; time and discovery may prove which -of us is right. The question now is, where is he to be found?" - -"I can't say, Absalom. He escaped from prison in 1893, and we hunted -for him high and low, but without success. He vanished as completely -as though the earth had swallowed him up. I thought myself he might -have gone to Kirkstone Hall to kill Miss Gilmar; and I searched the -neighbourhood, but he was nowhere to be found. From that day to this -not a word has been heard of him." - -"I suppose there is no use hunting for him?" - -"It is waste of time, to my mind," retorted Parge, crossly. "You -see what Mrs. Presk is doing. Question her; question the servant -who---- By the way, what is the servant's name?" - -"Matilda Crane; but she knows nothing." - -"It's as well to ask her, however," warned Parge. "The people who seem -to know least usually know most. Now go away, Absalom, and don't be so -long in looking me up again. I'm anxious to get to the bottom of this -case." - -"You can't be more anxious than I am," replied Gebb, disconsolately. - -"At all events, I am more hopeful," rejoined Parge, and dismissed his -pupil, who went away with the conviction that the old man was worn -out--that he was past work--and that no aid or useful advice could be -expected from him. But Gebb still had sufficient reverence for his -elder not to hint at these things. Besides, Parge might have turned -the tables on him had he been too frank. - -The next day he went down to Grangebury, and called at the Town Hall -to interview the caretaker. He proved to be a smart ex-soldier, with -an observant eye and a good memory, which gifts he made use of on the -present occasion for the benefit of Gebb, and also of his own pocket. - -"I remember the lady quite well," he said, after some thought. "The -young gentleman called himself Mr. Ferris, and told me he was going -in, but that a lady, by name Miss Wedderburn, would come afterwards; -and he asked me to bring her up to where he was sitting in the front -seats. She came in about half-past nine o'clock, but refused to let me -take her up to the front, as she did not wish to disturb the lecturer. -She sat down near the door, and when the lecture ended the young -gentleman joined her, and they went out together." - -"Were they in the hall before ten o'clock?" asked Gebb. - -"Yes, sir. Before ten and after ten. I saw them both." - -This unprejudiced testimony put the matter beyond all doubt So Gebb -gave the man a florin, and went away quite convinced that Ferris and -Edith were innocent. He next called upon Mrs. Presk, and had an -interview with that lady, and with her servant. What the landlady told -him may be gathered from a conversation later in the day which Gebb -had with Edith. - -It was in the afternoon when Miss Wedderburn saw him. She was sitting -with Arthur in the drawing-room of Mrs. Barrington at Bloomsbury, and -they were anxiously discussing the case of Miss Gilmar's death when -Gebb was announced. Neither Edith nor her lover was particularly glad -to see the detective, as their associations with him had been anything -but pleasant. However, Gebb took black looks and short answers as a -portion of the ills incidental to his profession, and conversed with -the pair in his most amiable and persuasive fashion. - -"I have been down to Grangebury to-day," he said, addressing Edith, -"and I saw Mrs. Presk, the landlady of your late cousin. From her I -obtained a railway ticket, and it is a piece of evidence of such -importance that I have come to you and Mr. Ferris about it." - -"A railway ticket!" repeated Edith, looking puzzled. "From what -station?" - -"The ticket," said Gebb, producing it from his pocket-book, "Is dated -the twenty-fourth of July, and is a return portion from London to -Norminster!" - -"It is not mine, then!" cried Miss Wedderburn. "I did not take a -return ticket." - -"But you came up on the twenty-fourth of July from Norminster, did you -not?" - -"Certainly; to see Ellen. But I bought a single ticket, second class." - -"Second class," said the detective, looking at the ticket; "this is a -third class return. Are you sure it isn't yours?" - -"Quite sure" said Edith, decisively. "Why should I deceive you about -it?" - -"Why, indeed!" said Gebb, ironically, with a hint at her former -deception. "Is it yours, Mr. Ferris?" - -Arthur shook his head. "No. If I travelled at all it would be third -class, I admit. But I did not go to Norminster in the month of July." - -"I thought so," said Gebb, with an air of relief. "Then as this ticket -belongs to neither of you, some third person must have travelled from -Norminster to Grangebury on the twenty-fourth of July. And I believe -that person," added Gebb, emphatically, "to be the murderer of Miss -Gilmar." - -"On what grounds?" cried Edith and Arthur together. - -"Because Mrs. Presk found this ticket in the Yellow Boudoir. It must -have been dropped there by the assassin." - - - - -CHAPTER XIX -THE UNEXPECTED OCCURS - - -Gebb found it impossible to discover the owner of that third-class -railway ticket. He went himself to Norminster to find out, if -possible, to whom it had been issued, but all in vain. The -station-master had taken another situation in Scotland, the ticket -clerk was absent on his annual holidays, and none of the porters could -remember any particular person who had gone up to London on that -particular day. On the whole, circumstances seemed to be against Gebb -in following this clue, and after several vain attempts he gave it up, -at all events for the present This he confessed to Parge, who at once -reproved him for faint-heartedness, and preached a lengthy sermon on -the folly of being discouraged. - -"You don't expect roast ducks to fly into your mouth, do you?" said -Parge, indignantly. "Of course, it is no easy task to hunt down a -criminal. We'd have all the bad 'uns in gaol if such was the case. -You've only been a week looking after this ticket business, yet you -shy off just because you can't find out about it straight away. You -never were a detective, Absalom, and you never will be!" - -"But just look here," cried the badgered Absalom. "What can I do? I've -been----" - -"I know where you've been--to Norminster," growled Parge, "and I know -what you've done--nothing. You think I'm past work. I saw that the -other day. Well, from nat'ral infirmity, or too much fat, so I am; but -in nowise else, Absalom, so don't you believe it. If I was in your -shoes, which I ain't, I'd write up to that station-master in Scotland, -and ask him if he knows of any partic'ler person as left Norminster on -that day. It ain't a big place, and if he's a sharp one he might -remember." - -"I've written to the station-master," cried Gebb, crossly. - -"Oh, have you?" returned Parge, rather disappointed. "Then I'll be -bound you don't know what you're going to do about that ticket clerk." - -"Yes, I do. I'm going to wait till he comes back, and then question -him at once. In about a week I'll know all those two know, though I -dare say it won't be much. And look you here, Simon," cried Gebb, -warming up, "it's all very well your pitching into me over this case; -but is it an easy one? 'Cause if you say it is, it ain't. I never in -my born days came across such a corker of a case as this one. Who -would have thought that Ferris and the girl would be mixed up in -it?--yet they were. And who would have thought them guilty? Everybody! -And were they guilty? You know they weren't. Can you find Dean? No, -you can't, though you tried yourself when his trail was still fresh. -Then how the devil do you expect me to find him after all these years? -It's very easy to sit in your chair and pick holes, Simon, but when -you come to work the case for yourself, you'll be as up a tree as I am -at this blessed moment." - -"I don't deny that the case is hard, Absalom." - -"Hard!" echoed Gebb, with scorn; "it's the most unnat'ral case as ever -was. I've only got one blessed clue after all my hard work, and that's -the railway ticket; which, so far as I can see, is about as much good -as a clock would be to a baby." - -"Why don't you question Mrs. Presk?" - -"I have questioned her, and the servant too; and beyond the ticket, -she don't know a blessed thing." - -"Can't Basson help you, or Mr. Alder, or Mr. Ferris?" - -"No, none of the three; they don't know who killed Miss Gilmar, and if -it comes to a point, Simon, I don't see why they should know." - -"It is queer that the lot of them, including the girl, should have -been in Grangebury on the very night of the murder," said Parge, with -a musing air. - -"It's a coincidence, that's all," retorted Gebb, "and you know very -well in our profession there's no end of coincidences, though if you -write them in a book people tell you they're impossible. You can't -accuse any one of the three of killing the old woman, as they were all -in the lecture hall the whole evening. You know all about Ferris, and -Miss Wedderburn; well, it couldn't have been them. Mr. Basson was -lecturing; it couldn't have been him. Mr. Alder was looking after the -money and the house, so as to get plenty of cash in for his friend; so -it couldn't have been him. If not them, who is guilty?" - -"Well, Dean must be the criminal." - -"I don't believe it," replied Gebb, obstinately. "And if he is, he'll -not be hanged; for old Nick himself couldn't hunt him out. By the way, -Simon, what kind of a man was he to look at--to the naked eye, so to -speak?" - -"I don't know what he'll be like now," replied Parge, briskly; "but he -was uncommonly good-looking in the dock, I can tell you. Just the man -to take a woman's fancy: tall, and dark and smiling." - -"Any particular mark?" asked Gebb, professionally. - -"Well, he wasn't scarred or scratched in any way that I know of," -replied Parge, reflectively, "but he had a frown." - -"Get along! Every one's got a frown," said Gebb, in a disgusted tone. - -"Not of his sort," was Parge's answer. "Since sitting here, Absalom, -I've been reading a heap of books I never read before. Amongst others -one called 'Redgauntlet,' by a baronet, Sir Walter Scott. Know it?" - -"No, I don't. What has it got to do with Dean?" - -"There was a fellow in it," said Parge, following his own reflections, -"as had a horseshoe mark over his nose when he frowned. Quite queer it -was." - -"Must have been," said Gebb, derisively. "And has Dean a horseshoe?" - -"No. But when he scowls, or frowns, like this"--here Parge made a -hideous face--"he's got a queer mark, deep as a well and quite -straight, between his eyebrows. I'd know him from among a thousand by -it. Seems to cut his forehead in two like. If you see a man with a -mark like that when he's in a rage, Absalom, just you nab him, for -that's Dean." - -"Stuff!" said Gebb, impatiently. "Lots of men wrinkle up into lines -when they get out of temper. I've seen foreheads like Clapham Junction -for lines." - -"Not so deep," answered Parge, shaking his head, "and not straight -down between the eyes. Most men frown in lines which run across the -forehead when they raise their eyebrows like; but Dean draws -everything up to a deep mark as dips just between the eyebrows and on -to the nose. It's the queerest mark I ever saw; and whatever disguise -he puts on he can't smooth that furrow out. A baby could tell him by -it." - -"Hum!" said Gebb, who had been thinking. "Now you come to talk of it, -Simon, that young Ferris has a mark like that, but not very deep." - -"He's young yet, Absalom; but I dare say he takes after his father. -Well, all I say is that there's no other way in which you'll spot -Dean. He may grow old, and white, and shaky, or he may disguise -himself in all kinds of ways, but he can't rub out that brand of Cain -as Nature has set on him. I said it before, and I say it again." - -"I'll look round for a man of that sort," said Gebb, rising to take -his leave, "but I can't say I've much hope of finding him. Dean's been -lost for so long that I dare say he's lost for ever. Well, good-bye, -Simon. I won't see you for a day or two. There's heaps for me to do." - -"Where are you going?" grunted the fat man. - -"I'm off to ask Mr. Alder to let me search in Kirkstone Hall for that -confession of Miss Gilmar's. Then I'm going down there to look it up." - -"That won't do any good towards finding out who killed her," said -Parge, shaking his head. - -"I don't know so much about that, Simon," replied Gebb, coolly. "I -wouldn't be a bit surprised to find as the person who killed Kirkstone -was some one quite different from those we suspect." - -"It must be either Miss G. or Miss K.," said Parge, "and knowing the -truth about them won't help you to spot the assassin. You look for -Dean first, Absalom, and leave the confession alone for a while." - -"No!" replied Gebb, obstinately. "I'll look for the confession, and -fly round afterwards for Dean. You let me negotiate the job in my own -way, Simon." - -With this determination, of which Parge by no means approved, but was -unable to hinder, Gebb went off to make his last venture in solving -the mystery. By this time he was in a furious rage at his many -failures, and swore under his breath that come what might he would -hunt down and punish the unknown assassin of the wretched old woman -who had been strangled in Paradise Row. He had three designs in his -head, one of which he hoped might serve to attain the much-desired -end. Firstly, he intended to search for the confession of Miss Gilmar, -in the belief that it might throw some light on the later case. -Secondly, he resolved to follow the clue of the railway ticket, and -learn who had come up from Norminster on that fatal night to visit -Miss Gilmar, since such person--on the evidence of the ticket found in -the Yellow Boudoir--was undoubtedly her murderer. Thirdly, he was bent -upon making another search round the pawnshops to see if any of the -other jewels taken from the body had been turned into money. The -appearance of the necklace was accounted for by Edith, as she had -received it from the old woman before the assassin had arrived; but -the rings, bracelets, and hair ornaments were still missing. Sooner or -later, in order to benefit by his crime, the murderer would seek to -turn them into cash when he thought the storm had blown over. Then was -the time to trace and capture him. - -The French have a proverb which runs in English, "that nothing is -certain but the unforeseen," and certainly Gebb proved the truth of -this when he arrived at Alder's lodgings. As yet the barrister, -pending the administration of the estate, had not moved from his rooms -in the Temple; but he intended to do so shortly, and already had -engaged handsome chambers in Half-moon Street. These, however, he was -never destined to occupy, for on the very day Gebb called to see him -he met with an accident which seemed likely to result in his death. As -one pleasure to be gained from his riches, Alder had purchased a -horse, shortly after coming into his fortune, and every morning went -riding in the Row. He was a good rider, but not having indulged in the -exercise for some years, by reason of his impecuniosity, he had lost a -portion of his skill, with the result that the horse, a fiery animal -with tricks of which Alder was ignorant, bolted unexpectedly, and -threw his rider against the rails. Alder fell across them with such -force that he had injured his spine, and now was lying in his rooms in -a crippled condition. - -"Do you think he'll get over it?" asked Gebb, when Alder's servant was -relating the occurrence. - -"No, sir," answered the man, shaking his head. "The doctor says he's -bound to die sooner or later. The spine is injured, and my poor master -can't feel anything below his waist. It's death in life already, and -the end is sure to come." - -"Can I see him?" asked the detective, after some thought. - -"No, sir; the doctor left word that he was to see no one." - -With this Gebb was forced to be content; and as already he had -obtained Alder's permission to search the Hall, he went away rather -low-spirited. It seemed hard that the man should come to an untimely -end, just when he inherited his kingdom. Moreover, he had behaved very -well in defending Ferris in the face of all evidence, and releasing -him from prison; therefore Gebb thought it just as well to send a line -to the artist and Edith, so that they might come forward in their turn -to do what they could for the man who had acted so generously towards -them both. - -"It's hard lines," said Gebb to himself, when he had posted his -letter. "I do call it hard. Alder gained a fortune, it is true; but he -lost the woman he wished to marry, and now he loses his life. It's a -queer world, that gives a man a pleasure only to take it away from him -again. I don't understand the workings of Providence nohow." - -With this philosophical reflection, Gebb went home to make his plans -before going down to Norminster the next day. He had little hope of -success, however, and now that Alder was dying, he wondered, if he did -capture the murderer, if the reward would be paid to him. - -"Of course it will," he said to himself on reflection, "for if Alder -dies. Miss Wedderburn becomes mistress of the Hall." - - - - -CHAPTER XX -A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK - - -It was a bright and sunny day when Gebb found himself once more -at Kirkstone Hall. In the sunshine the building looked grim and -desolate. The smokeless chimneys, the closed doors, dusty windows, and -grass-grown terraces, gave the place a forlorn and wretched aspect; -and the absence of life, the silence broken only by the twittering of -the birds, the neglected gardens, created, even to the detective's -prosaic mind, an atmosphere of menace and dread. It looked like a -place with a history; and Gebb wondered if Miss Wedderburn, on -becoming its mistress, would care to inhabit it again. - -"When she marries Ferris and begins a new life, I dare say she will -seek some more cheerful abode," he thought, as he stood on the -terrace, and looked on the silent house. "It would be foolish for a -young couple to dwell with the ghosts of the past. I am not -imaginative myself, but I should not care to live here; no, not if the -house was given to me rent free. If I were Miss Wedderburn I'd pull it -down and build a new place without a past or a ghost." - -While Gebb soliloquized thus, he heard a hoarse voice in the distance, -and saw Martin, spade on shoulder, passing across the lawn singing one -of his gruesome songs. Evidently he had caught sight of the detective -on the terrace, for not until he came towards him did he begin to -sing. Then he danced grotesquely over the green turf, croaking his -wild ditty, and looking a strange figure in the strong sunshine; yet -not unsuited to the lonely place, with its grim associations:-- - - - "When moon shines clear my shadow and I - Dance in the silver light; - When moon lies hid in a cloudy sky - My shadow with her takes flight. - And I remain, in the falling rain, - Calling upon my shadow in vain: - 'Oh, shadow dear, I wait you here, - Alone in the lonely night.'" - - -When he came close to Gebb he stopped his song and dance suddenly, and -looked inquiringly at the detective with his head on one side. "What -do you want?" he croaked. "There is nothing here but death and -misery." - -"I've come to look at the house, Martin. Can you show me over it?" - -"No, no," said the gardener, shaking his head. "I don't walk through -the valley of dry bones. If you sit in the Yellow Room you hear the -dead tell secrets." - -"What kind of secrets?" asked Gebb, humouring him. - -"How the sister killed the brother, and how she who killed them both -laughed and laughed. - - - 'But she died at last in deep despair - When Satan caught her in his snare.'" - - -Gebb looked fixedly at the man. He had been in the house at the time -of the Kirkstone murder, so it might be that his poor wits retained a -memory of the tragedy. Was it possible that light could be thrown on -its darkness by this madman? The detective asked himself that question -once or twice as he listened to the poor creature rambling on, how -Laura had killed her brother at the instigation of Miss Gilmar. - -"And is Mr. Dean innocent?" he asked suddenly. - -"God and His saints know that he had no hand in it!" cried Martin, -with a remarkably sane look on his face. "A woman ruined one, a woman -slew the other; and the poor soul lies in chains--in chains." And he -fell to weeping, as though his heart would break with sorrow and pain. - -"I wonder if this is the truth," thought Gebb. "Perhaps, after all, -Laura did murder her brother, and Miss Gilmar to save her denounced -Dean. But there is no sense to be got out of this lunatic; his -evidence would not stand in a court of law. The only thing is -to search for that confession, so the sooner I set to work the -better.--Martin," he said, aloud, "can you show me over the house?" - -"Not I! Not I! Ask old Jane. Come, and I'll take you to old Jane;" and -shouldering his spade again, Martin walked off round the comer of the -terrace, singing:-- - - - "God it far away, alas! - The Devil is beside us; - And as we wander thro' the world, - He is the one to guide us. - - "He gives with grin, the wage of sin; - And when the fiend hath paid us, - We stand outside the gate of Hell, - With Christ alone to aid us." - - -Old Jane proved to be a grim and elderly female in a rusty black dress -and a still rustier bonnet She came out of a side door, and wiping her -hands on a coarse apron, curtsied to Gebb, while Martin, introducing -the pair with a regal wave of the hand, danced off round the corner. - -"What may you be pleased to want?" asked old Jane, when the scarecrow -gardener had disappeared. - -"I have received permission from Mr. Alder to look over the house," -replied the detective, "and I wish you to show it to me." - -"There ain't much to see, sir," croaked the ancient dame, "it's all -dust and darkness. I doubt if my old legs would carry me over it." - -"Oh, well, I can go by myself, Jane," said Gebb, cheerfully. - -"Mrs. Grix, if you please!" snapped Jane, indignantly. "I only allows -Miss Edith to call me by my first name. Poor pretty dear, and she's -gone away for ever." - -"I wouldn't be too sure of that," rejoined Gebb, dryly. "Mr. Alder has -met with an accident and may die; in which case Miss Wedderburn will -return here as mistress." - -"Mr. Alder's ill, is he?" said Jane, in no very regretful tone, "and -may die. Ah, well," with a lachrymose whine, "all flesh is grass, that -it is; and if Miss Edith does come back I hope she'll shut up the -Yeller Room." - -"For what reason, Mrs. Grix?" - -"'Cause it's haunted by spirits," replied Mrs. Grix, with a mysterious -look. "I've heard the two of 'em quarrelling there." - -"Which two? What two?" asked Gebb, who began to think that the old -lady had been at the bottle. - -"Miss Gilmar and the master; they 'aunts the Yeller Room and fights. I -knows it; 'cause I sleeps here all alone, save for Martin as lives in -the back part; an' I hears voices, that I do." - -"I wonder you are not more afraid of that madman than of ghosts." - -Mrs. Grix smiled in a cunning and significant manner. "Oh, I ain't -afraid of Martin, sir; no one as knows him fears him." - -"And why?" asked Gebb, sharply. - -This question Mrs. Grix did not choose to hear; but mumbling and -shaking her old head, hobbled along the passages in the direction of -the Yellow Room. She ushered Gebb into this with a chuckle, and threw -open the shutters to let the sunlight shine on the faded and time-worn -decorations of the room. - -"I s'pose you'll want to see this first," said Mrs. Grix; "most folks -likes to see a room as a murder's been done in. There's a stain of -blood over in that corner--master's blood, which Miss Gilmar would -never let be wiped out I dessay master comes and looks at it, and -wishes he had his body again. He was an awful bad one--and mean!" Mrs. -Grix lifted up a pair of dirty and trembling hands. "They was both of -'em skinflints," said she, with a nod. - -"Whom are you speaking of, Mrs. Grix?" - -"Of Miss Gilmar and Mr. Kirkstone, sir." - -"Did you know them?" - -"Did I know them?" echoed the hag, with scorn. "Of course I knowed -them; and a bad lot the pair of 'em was. They give Miss Laurer a fine -time, I can tell you. I wonder she didn't go off with Mr. Dean, I do." - -"Were you here when the murder took place?" asked Gebb. - -"Lor' bless yer 'eart, I sawr the 'ole of it," croaked Mrs. Grix. -"Master was a-lying over there with a knife in his 'eart, and Miss -Gilmar, she was 'ollering for the police." - -"Did Dean kill Kirkstone?" - -"Ah, that's telling!" said Mrs. Grix, cunningly. "Don't you ask no -questions, young man, and you won't be told no lies." - -"You must tell me!" cried Gebb, seizing her by the wrist "I am from -Scotland Yard--a detective." And he shook the beldame furiously. - -Mrs. Grix raised a feeble wail of horror. - -"Lor', you're perlice, are you?" she whimpered. "Jist let me go; I -know nothin'." - -"Did Laura Kirkstone kill her brother?" - -"I dunno; I swear I dunno." - -"Was Miss Gilmar the criminal?" - -Mrs. Grix leered. "She never told me she was, sir, but she didn't -carry the Yeller Room about with her for nothing." - -"What do you mean?" said Gebb, releasing her. - -Mrs. Grix rubbed her wrist, which had been somewhat bruised by his -clasp, and leered again. "Miss Gilmar wrote it all down," she said. - -"A confession?" cried the detective. - -"I dunno what you call it, sir; but I know she wrote it down, 'cause -she said to me, 'It'll be all right when I'm dead.' Well, she are -dead," said Mrs. Grix, "and it ain't all right, unless she left the -writin' behind her." - -"Where is that confession?" - -"I dunno. I wish I did. There's money in it. I've hunted all over the -'ouse, and I can't come across it nohow." - -"Well, Mrs. Grix, what is your opinion? Was it Dean, or Miss Gilmar, -or Miss Laura who killed the man?" - -"You look about for the paper, lovey," said Mrs. Grix, coaxingly, "and -it'll tell ye all." - -"You tell me." - -"But I don't know for certain." - -"Never mind. What is your opinion?" - -"Will ye give me money for it?" - -"That depends upon your information." - -"Then I shan't tell ye," cried Mrs. Grix, backing towards the door. -"You can look for what she wrote. I shan't 'elp you. Keep me fro' the -work-'ouse, and maybe I'll tell ye summat to make you wink; but not -now, not now. Old Jane Grix ain't no fool, lovey. No, no!" - -Gebb made a step forward to detain her, but Mrs. Grix hobbled through -the door and vanished in the darkness as mysteriously as any of the -ghosts she had been talking about. At all events, when the detective -slipped out of the Yellow Room and into the twilight of the passage, -his eyes were somewhat dazzled by the sunlight and glare of colour -within, and he saw nothing for the moment, Mrs. Grix was quicker on -her old feet than he supposed, and in some way hobbled out of sight -into one of the numerous passages, so that when Gebb's eyes became -accustomed to the gloom he did not know into which one she had gone. -Also he heard rapidly retreating footsteps--not the heavy hobble of -the old woman, but rather the light, dancing step of Martin. And as to -confirm this impression he heard the hoarse voice of the gardener -singing one of his wild songs:-- - - - "Light shall come, but not from above, - Joy shall come, but not from love, - The glow of hell, the lust of hate, - Impatiently for these I wait." - - -"Ha!" said Gebb to himself, as he hurried down the passage. "Martin -has been listening. I wonder why? I don't believe he is mad, after -all, for neither that old woman nor Miss Wedderburn is afraid of him. -He must be feigning madness for some reason. Ha!" cried the detective -with a sudden start, "can Martin be the murderer of----" - -Before he could finish the sentence he heard a series of piercing -shrieks from Mrs. Grix, and a hoarse growling from Martin. These -noises sounded far in the distance, and Gebb ran down the passage, -through the sitting-room into which he had been shown by Miss -Wedderburn on the occasion of his first visit, and on to the terrace. -Here he saw Mrs. Grix running from Martin, who was rushing after her -with a furious face. Gebb stared, not at the terrified old woman, who -was hurrying towards him with wonderful activity for one of her years, -but at Martin's face. It wore a savage scowl, and there between the -eyes was the deep mark spoken of by Parge. - -"Dean!" cried Gebb, thunderstruck. "You are Dean!" - -"Yes! yes!" screeched Mrs. Grix, getting behind Gebb, "he's Dean sure -enough. He was going to kill me 'cause I wanted to tell ye." - -Martin--or rather Dean--stopped when he heard his name, then turned, -and leaping over the terrace ran like a hare down the avenue. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI -FOUND AT LAST - - -On seeing the pseudonymous gardener speeding down the avenue, Gebb -lost no time, but, leaving Mrs. Grix to her rage and lamentation, -vaulted over the terrace in his turn, and raced at top speed after the -fugitive. The detective was lean and young, and an excellent runner, -whereas Dean, _alias_ Martin, was old and scant of breath; so the only -thing which equalized the contest was the despair which winged the -feet of the wretched quarry. If Dean were caught by the bloodhound of -the law, he would be shortly relegated to the prison whence he had -escaped; so he flew wildly over the ground, running he knew not -whither to escape the fate which awaited him. And Gebb, who -personified Nemesis, followed hot-footed in his track. - -The road to Norminster ran straight through the fields like a white -ribbon laid upon green velvet, and the town itself was distant a mile -from Kirkstone Hall. Down this, amid a cloud of white dust, Gebb saw -Dean running some way ahead, and setting his elbows to his sides he -followed steadily and surely, reserving his wind for the termination -of the race, the result of which could only be the capture of the -ragged figure now flying for dear life. Carters, and pedestrians, and -labourers in the fields stared in amazement at the chase, and some, -with that love of sport inherent in every breast, joined Gebb in his -man-hunt. After Dean had covered a quarter of a mile he began to fail, -and to zigzag in his course, bounding wildly from one side to the -other, and wasting his strength in useless ways. Gebb with his -shouting train drew steadily nearer, and the miserable, hunted wretch -could hear their cries, and the beating of their feet on the hard -white road. Still he endeavoured to shake off his pursuers and escape, -for by a powerful effort he managed to run another quarter of a mile. -Then age and fear and exhaustion told on his failing limbs, and with a -wild cry Dean flung up his hands despairingly and fell amid puffs of -dust. When Gebb arrived he was lying senseless in the middle of the -highroad. - -"So!" said the detective to himself, as he knelt beside the ragged -creature. "I've found you at last, Mr. Dean. You know the truth of all -these matters, at any rate; and in some way or another I'll force you -into confessing it." - -But at the present moment it seemed as though Dean would never speak -again in this world, for he lay as still as any corpse, his white head -and whiter face resting on Gebb's knee. The frowning mark between the -eyes, by which the detective had known him, was smoothed away, and -there was no expression on the blank countenance, no movement in the -slack limbs. Gebb, however, knew that this apparent death was only a -temporary faintness, and whipping out his brandy-flask, forced some -drops of the fiery liquid between the white lips of his prisoner. -While engaged in this kindly office, the labourers who had joined in -the pursuit came up with much amazement expressed on their honest, -sunburnt faces. - -"What's the matter with Mad Martin, mister?" asked one, looking at the -unconscious Dean. - -"He's madder than usual, that's all," said Gebb, "and has nearly -killed Mrs. Grix at the Hall yonder. I must take him to Norminster and -get a doctor to look after him: he'll die here." - -The detective made this artful speech with the intention of enlisting -the sympathy of the bystanders, both for himself and Martin, _alias_ -Dean, as popular feeling generally inclines towards defiance of law -and order. Moreover, a detective is not an admired character with the -common people, and Gebb had no desire to render his task of capturing -Dean more difficult than was necessary by stating his vocation; so for -diplomatic reasons he spoke as above. The result justified his -precaution, for the labourers were most anxious that the mad -gardener--as they knew him to be--should be taken at once to -Norminster and placed in charge of a medical man. A cart was coming -along the road, and into this Dean was hoisted by friendly hands. Gebb -having taken his seat beside him, the vehicle rolled slowly towards -Norminster, while the labourers returned to their work, quite -vivacious after the exciting episode which had broken the monotony of -the day. Gebb, knowing what was at stake, felt thankful to get rid of -them so easily. - -As it was but half a mile to Norminster from the spot where Dean had -fallen, the cart soon arrived there. The man himself had revived, -thanks to Gebb's brandy, and sat staring straight before him in a kind -of sullen stupor. He made one effort to escape when he was set down at -the door of the gaol; but Gebb, with the assistance of a near -policeman, soon overpowered him, and carried him within, while the -carter drove off, wondering, in his slow-thinking mind, that a man -brought to see a doctor should be taken to the county gaol for -care. However, he had received five shillings from Gebb, so did not -trouble his head about the matter, and spent most of it at the next -public-house, where he narrated the episode with such additions as his -drunken humour suggested. - -To the governor of the gaol Gebb explained that Dean was an escaped -prisoner, for whom the police had long been looking, and mentioned his -own name and occupation. The result of this was that Dean was confined -in a cell with a warder to watch him lest he should in his despair -attempt suicide. Then Gebb repaired to an hotel and wrote to the -governor of the gaol whence Dean had escaped, asking him to come down -himself or send some responsible person in order to identify the -prisoner. The detective also sent an urgent wire to Ferris, requesting -him to visit Norminster at once on business connected with Martin; for -he shrewdly suspected that the artist knew of the man's identity with -Dean, and that the mention of the name would bring both Arthur and -Edith immediately to Kirkstone Hall. It was shortly after midday when -Gebb sent this telegram, so he quite expected that if matters stood as -he imagined Ferris would come down, and not alone; for if Ferris knew -that Martin was his father, Edith also must be in the secret, and, no -doubt, she would accompany him. Then Gebb, who was really angry with -the young couple for their many concealments, determined to have a -thorough explanation of their strange behaviour. These important -matters having been attended to, Gebb returned to the gaol and saw -Dean; but the interview proved to be anything but a success. Whether -the man was mad or not Gebb could not decide without evidence; but -certainly his present sullen silence formed a strange contrast to his -former excitement. He neither talked recklessly nor sang his wild -songs. His limbs were at rest, and his eyes looked dull, although -formerly they had been bright and glittering. With vacant gaze and a -sullen expression, he sat huddled up in a corner of his cell and -absolutely refused to speak or even notice his questioner. The man was -thoroughly exhausted and worn out; but Gebb left the cell with the -firm conviction that Dean was perfectly sane, and that his madness had -been feigned to more effectually baffle dangerous inquiries. But, like -the fox in the fable, for all his tricks the man had been caught at -last, and Gebb wondered if, after all, he had murdered Miss Gilmar. - -"Did that return third-class ticket dropped in the room at Paradise -Row belong to Dean?" the detective asked himself. "I should not be -surprised if it did. As Miss Wedderburn denies that it is hers, Dean, -under the name of Martin, is the only person who could have used it. -In that case he must have remained in London all night; for, as the -crime was committed at ten o'clock, he could not have caught a return -train so late to Norminster. Now, Mrs. Grix lives in the Hall, so she -is the most likely person to let me know if Dean was absent on the -twenty-fourth of July. I'll see her at once and get to know all I can, -pending the arrival of Ferris and Miss Wedderburn. They may deny -Dean's complicity in the crime, so I must be prepared to baffle them." - -Having made up his mind to question Mrs. Grix, the detective, making a -hurried meal, walked out to Kirkstone Hall, and arrived to find the -old woman solacing herself with gin-and-water after the fatigues of -the morning. She was excessively nervous when Gebb reappeared, as she -was conscious she had said too much in her rage with Martin, and now -guessed that she was about to be thoroughly examined touching all she -knew concerning him. Mrs. Grix, to save her own skin, was quite -prepared to equivocate, and Gebb guessed as much, for he went to work -with her in a severe official way which frightened her considerably. - -"Now, Mrs. Grix," said he, when they were comfortably established in -the kitchen, "I've come to ask you a few questions." - -"I don't know nothin', I don't," protested Mrs. Grix, beginning her -tactics. - -"You know a great deal," replied Gebb, sharply. "And if you don't -answer me truthfully, I'll arrest you on suspicion and put you in gaol -'longside of Dean; so now you know." - -"Lawk-a-mussy!" squealed Mrs. Grix, "have you put him in prison?" - -"Yes, I have; so you tell me the truth, or I'll put you in also!" - -"I'll speak out, sir," cried the old wretch, much terrified. "I don't -want to go to prison. I've done nothing." - -"You have spied and listened and searched," retorted Gebb, "all for -the sake of gaining possession of other people's secrets and -extracting blackmail when possible. Now you answer my questions, or it -will be the worse for you." - -"I'm willing, sir," said Mrs. Grix, meekly; "but I don't know as much -as you think. I only suspects like." - -"Can you tell me who killed Kirkstone?" asked the detective. - -"That's one thing I don't know for certain," replied the dame; "but -if you arsk me, sir, I bel've as Miss Gilmar did." - -"On what grounds do you suspect her?" - -"Becose she wrote out summat telling the truth and hid it; and she -wouldn't have done that, unless she were guilty. Then she were in love -with Mr. Dean, and Mr. Kirkstone wanted him to marry Miss Laura; so I -thinks as Miss Ellen got 'em both out of the way. She was a clever -one, was Miss Ellen." - -"Do you know where the confession is?" - -"No, I don't. Martin was always hunting for it to clear himself, but -if he found it he didn't tell me." - -"And Martin is Dean?" - -"Yes, he is. It ain't no good tellin' lies, lovey! He is Dean!" - -"I thought there was a gardener here at the time of the murder called -Martin?" - -"There was," replied Mrs. Grix, coolly. "And he was queer, too, I tell -you; but not as queer as this Martin. I knowed he was Dean as soon as -I clapped eyes on him, though he was sorely altered from the 'andsome -man he was." - -"Then he impersonated Martin to save himself from the police?" - -"He did; he's no more mad than I am; but he thought it was safer to -pretend being crazy. His songs was awful," said Mrs. Grix, shuddering. - -"Did Miss Wedderburn know the truth?" - -"Of course, sir! And when she knowed as I knowed, she tole me to 'old -my tongue, and paid me for doing it; but she didn't give much, lovey!" - -"Did Mr. Ferris know?" - -"Seeing as Mr. Dean's his own born father--which I knowed fro' -listening to 'm talking--he did." - -"Did Dean kill Miss Gilmar?" - -Mrs. Grix did not reply to this question with her former glibness. "I -don't rightly know of that," she said slowly. "If he did, it wasn't -here, for Miss Ellen was in London this long time." - -"Was Dean ever in London while he stayed here under the name of -Martin?" - -"Yes, he was. And just about the time of the murder. It was in July -Miss Ellen died, wasn't it?" - -"It was," replied Gebb, eagerly, "on the twenty-fourth of July." - -"Ah, well, I shouldn't be surprised if Dean did kill her. He was -always talking of punishing her," continued Mrs. Grix, with relish; -"but I didn't think he'd go so far as murder." - -"What makes you think that he did?" asked Gebb. - -"Why," said Mrs. Grix, nodding, "he was up in London in July, and he -stayed there all night." - -"On the twenty-fourth?" - -"I can't be sure, sir, but it was at the end of the month. And when he -came back he was queerer than ever. Oh, I dessay he went up to kill -Miss Ellen," said Mrs. Grix, with conviction. "I can't swear to it, -but I'm sure he did; and serve her right, too." - - - - -CHAPTER XXII -A SECRET HOARD - - -On concluding the examination of Mrs. Grix--which lasted some time, -owing to the inherent objection of that lady to speak the truth--Gebb -spent the afternoon in searching the house for Miss Gilmar's -confession. By this time he had quite adopted the opinion of Mrs. Grix -regarding the guilt of the former housekeeper, and, on the same -authority, he was certain that she had written out and hidden away an -account of her crime. The question was, where was it concealed? For -the house was so large and rambling, and dusty and dusky, that Gebb -almost despaired of finding the paper. At first he thought it might be -hidden in the Yellow Room. In that fatal apartment the crime had been -committed, and, to keep her perpetually in mind of Dean's threat -against her life, the wretched woman had lived during her concealment -in a precisely similar apartment, decorated and furnished in the same -manner; so, seeing that she had attached such importance to it, the -probability was that she had hidden the paper within its precincts. -But a strict examination of floor, walls, carpet, hangings, and -furniture proved that the confession was not there. Gebb was disgusted -at this result and turned his attention to the rest of the house. - -In the few hours he had to himself he examined nearly every room in -the place, not forgetting the sleeping apartments of Dean and Mrs. -Grix, which were situated in the back part of the house. He made -several discoveries of more or less importance, but the object of his -search he failed to find. Towards five o'clock he gave up hunting for -this needle in a haystack--for the search was quite as difficult and -impossible--and repaired hot and dusty to Mrs. Grix. From the old -woman he obtained water to wash in, and a brush for his clothes, and -afterwards she supplied him with a cold supper and beer. Just as Gebb -finished this, feeling very refreshed, he heard the sound of voices, -and stepped on to the terrace to find that Ferris and Edith had -arrived. They both looked pale and nervous, and the grim way in which -the detective eyed them inspired neither with confidence. - -"We are here, you see," said Ferris, as Edith seemed unwilling to -speak, "but neither Miss Wedderburn nor myself can guess the reason of -your very peremptory telegram." - -"I think you know the reason very well," said Gebb, grimly, "else you -would not be here. However, there is no need to talk secrets in the -open, so if you will come with me to the Yellow Boudoir, we can speak -more at our ease--and perhaps more openly," finished the detective, -with a dry cough. - -Edith looked at her lover in a quick, terrified manner, but judged it -wiser to make no remark, and the two meekly followed Gebb into the -Yellow Room. Here they sat down side by side on the primrose-hued -couch, while Gebb, after glancing outside to see that Mrs. Grix was -not listening, closed and locked the door. Then he drew a chair in -front of the couch, and surveyed the pair in no very friendly manner. - -"Well, Miss Wedderburn and Mr. Ferris," he said, with much -displeasure, "It seems I have to find out things for myself." - -"What things?" asked Edith, flushing; for, not knowing the extent of -Gebb's knowledge, neither she nor Ferris was prepared to speak freely. - -"Things which you know. Miss Wedderburn, and about which you could -have informed me. If I had known then what I know now," added Gebb, -with emphasis, "I might have had less trouble and more result in this -murder case." - -"I don't understand you," faltered Ferris, doubtfully. - -"You may understand me better when I tell you that your father is in -prison again." - -"My father? Dean?" - -"Yes, Dean or Martin--whichever you like to call him." - -"Do you mean to say that Mad Martin, the gardener, is really Mr. -Dean?" said Edith, making a final attempt to baffle Gebb. - -"Yes, Miss Wedderburn, I do; and why should you or Mr. Ferris there -pretend ignorance of what you know to be true? I recognized Dean -myself from a description given by Parge. No one can mistake that mark -between the eyes when he frowns--which mark, I see, Mr. Ferris has at -this moment. And to make sure that Martin is Dean, I have the evidence -of Mrs. Grix." - -"Mrs. Grix! Has she told you----" - -"She has told me everything," interrupted Gebb; "and Dean tried to -punish her for talking. Then he ran away, and I chased him into -Norminster, where he now lies in gaol." - -"But he is mad!" said Ferris, eagerly. - -"Who is mad?" demanded Gebb, turning on him. "Your father, or Martin -the gardener?" - -Ferris made a despairing gesture. "Since you know so much," he said in -low tones, "I admit that the two are one and the same. Martin is -really my father, Marmaduke Dean, who has been concealed here; but he -is insane." - -"He is nothing of the sort, Mr. Ferris. His insanity was feigned for -the better baffling of the police. Neither you nor Miss Wedderburn can -deceive me any longer. You have kept silence, you have told untruths, -and altogether have given me endless trouble, but now I must insist -upon your speaking out, both of you. This time I know so much that you -cannot deceive me; and I'll force you to speak." - -"Suppose we refuse?" cried Edith, indignant at this rough speech. - -"If you do I'll arrest you both as accessories after the fact to the -murder of Miss Gilmar. Ah, you look afraid! But I know--I know. Dean -murdered that woman, and you are both aware of it." - -"My father is innocent!" cried Arthur, with a groan. - -"If he is, what was he doing at Grangebury on the evening of the -murder? Why did he stay in London all night? What was his return -ticket to Norminster doing in Miss Gilmar's room at Paradise Row? -The man is guilty, I tell you. Defend him if you can. Tell the -truth if you dare, and for once both of you act honourably and -straightforwardly." - -The detective spoke with much vehemence, and rising from his seat -walked rapidly up and down the room. Much as Edith resented his -language, yet she was conscious that in a great measure it was -deserved. For this reason she restrained her passion and spoke frankly -and to the purpose. - -"Mr. Gebb," she said, and the detective paused to listen, "I do not -deny that much you say is true. Neither myself nor Mr. Ferris have -spoken so openly as we might have done. But you must not forget that -we had much that was dangerous to ourselves to conceal. If we had told -you about the necklace, you might have suspected us of the crime, and -it was dread of such danger which kept us silent." - -"I know that you are both innocent," said Gebb, coldly. "But about -Dean?" - -"We did not speak of Dean--of my father--for the same reason," struck -in Arthur, earnestly. "He was imprisoned for a crime which he did not -commit, and you would not have had me--his own son--betray him." - -"Perhaps not; it is a hard thing to ask," responded the detective. -"But now that I know so much, perhaps you will tell me more, and -inform me how it was that your father came here, and when it was that -you first recognized him." - -"Certainly," replied Arthur, with a glance at Edith for permission to -speak. "I heard almost immediately about my father's escape from -prison, and, knowing his hatred for Miss Gilmar, I came to Kirkstone -Hall, thinking he might go there to revenge himself. However, although -he had not come, Miss Gilmar, with a guilty conscience, no doubt, took -fright, and went to hide herself in London. On my first visit I met -Miss Wedderburn, and afterwards I frequently came to see her. One day -while I was here, an old man arrived and asked to see Miss Gilmar. I -saw him, and so did Miss Wedderburn; and when he heard my name, and -had examined me carefully, he saluted me as his son. At first I could -scarcely believe that he was my father, as I had not seen him for -close on twenty years, and was too young to retain much recollection -of him. But he soon proved to me that he was Marmaduke Dean, and told -us how he had escaped." - -"Did he come to the Hall to kill Miss Gilmar?" asked Gebb, anxiously. - -"No!" said Ferris, with emphasis. "That threat was uttered only in his -mad passion. All he wanted from her was proof of his innocence." - -"And I wrote to her about it," said Edith, taking up the tale; "but -she was afraid of Mr. Dean, and swore that he killed Mr. Kirkstone." - -"Though I am certain," interposed Arthur, "that she killed him -herself, and accused my father because she was jealous of his love for -Laura." - -"That may be," said Gebb, nodding; "but proceed with your story." - -"Let me tell the rest," cried Miss Wedderburn. "Mr. Dean was so broken -down and ill with the life he had led in prison, that I suggested he -should stay here and let me look after him. The police had been to the -Hall, and not having found him there, had left. I did not think they -would come again, so I believed that Mr. Dean would be quite safe. So -he stayed for a day or so, until Mrs. Grix recognized him, but I -bribed her with money to silence. She suggested that for safety Mr. -Dean should pretend to be Martin--a gardener not quite right in his -head, who had left the Hall after the tragedy. It was twenty years -since he had gone, and Mr. Dean was much altered from his former self; -so in the end he adopted the name of Martin, and pretended to be mad. -So now you know, Mr. Gebb, when you saw me first, the reason why I was -not afraid of his madness. You thought it real; I knew it to be -feigned." - -"Did every one round here think he was really Martin come back?" - -"Yes. But he kept within the Hall grounds, and saw few people. These -left him alone because of his madness. So there is the truth, Mr. -Gebb." - -"Not all the truth," said Gebb, significantly. "You have not told me -how he killed Miss Gilmar." - -"He did not kill her!" cried Ferris, furiously. - -"He did!" insisted Gebb. "He was in Grangebury on the twenty-fourth of -July." - -"Impossible!" said Edith, much alarmed. "I did not know that. But even -if he was," she went on, "it does not prove that he killed the woman." - -"It's pretty good as circumstantial evidence," said Gebb, coolly; "but -I have another and stronger proof. Look here," and out of his pocket -the detective took a canvas bag, which, when opened, displayed -bracelets rings, and diamond stars. - -"Miss Gilmar's jewels!" cried Edith, recognizing them at once. - -"Yes," said Gebb, "Miss Gilmar's jewels, which I found concealed in -Dean's bedroom." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIII -THE CONVICT'S DEFENCE - - -Shaking in the body and white in the face, Ferris looked upon the -jewellery, which seemed positive evidence of his father's guilt, then -flung himself back on the couch with a groan, his hand over his eyes -to shut out the terrible sight--for terrible it was to him, the son of -Marmaduke Dean. Edith also gazed fearfully upon the heap of gold and -glittering stones, not doubting the truth of Gebb's story. - -"Yes!" said the detective, raking the jewels together and replacing -them in the bag. "In looking for Miss Gilmar's confession I found -these in the room of Dean. They were hidden on the top of a tall press -in a dark corner, and I felt, rather than saw them. The case against -your father is clear enough, Mr. Ferris, although I was doubtful -of it at first. Mrs. Grix can prove that he spent the night of the -twenty-fourth of July away from the Hall. The ticket I found in Miss -Gilmar's room shows that he must have been there, since no one but he -could have possessed, in this especial instance, a ticket from -Norminster to London. I'll have the evidence of the station-master and -the ticket-clerk to prove his purchase of it shortly, and finally the -possession of this jewellery places the matter beyond all doubt." - -"There must be some mistake," said Edith, when she found her tongue, -"for, although the evidence is against Mr. Dean, I can't believe him -guilty. He is an old, broken-down man, timid and cowed. To plan and -carry out so ingenious and remorseless a crime would need more spirit -and determination than he is possessed of. Besides," she added, very -reasonably, "If, as we all think, Mr. Dean is guiltless of Kirkstone's -death, why should he kill Miss Gilmar?" - -"That is rather an argument against than in favour of him," said Gebb, -quietly. "If she condemned him unjustly, and bore false witness -against him, as I truly believe she did, that very fact would make him -all the more anxious to punish her for such perjury. What do you -think, Mr. Ferris?" - -"What can I think?" groaned the young man. "The evidence seems to -prove my father's guilt. Still, on the face of it, I agree with Miss -Wedderburn; he cannot be guilty. Innocent men have been hanged on -evidence as conclusive; yet afterwards the truth has come to light. A -judge and jury found him guilty of Kirkstone's murder, which we are -now certain he did not commit, so it is possible that, despite the -evidence to the contrary, he may be innocent of this second crime. Mr. -Gebb!" added Ferris, entreatingly, "you know the whole of this matter, -and are more experienced in such cases than Miss Wedderburn and -myself. Tell us truly--Do you believe in my father's guilt?" - -The detective hesitated, and, looking from one to the other, rubbed -his chin in a perplexed manner. "I shall answer you honestly, Mr. -Ferris," said he, after a pause. "I am not certain of your father's -guilt. I said that the possession of this jewellery placed the matter -beyond doubt; but against that I must place the fact--established by -strong circumstantial evidence--that Miss Gilmar received her assassin -as a friend. She was afraid of Dean, and even after the lapse of -twenty years she must have recognized him. In place of giving him wine -and cigarettes, her impulse would have been to cry out for help. -Moreover, without knowing all about her visitor--presuming he was -disguised--she would not have let him into her house. On the whole I -am doubtful. The fact of the jewellery being found in his room proves -his guilt; the fact that Miss Gilmar conversed with him as a friend -shows his innocence. Who can decide the matter?" - -"I know!" said Edith, suddenly--"Mr. Dean himself. You say that he is -in Norminster gaol, Mr. Gebb. Well, that is only a mile from here, so -let us all three go there and question Mr. Dean. With this evidence -for and against him, he must either declare his innocence or admit his -guilt." - -"It is the most straightforward course," said Gebb, with a nod. "What -do you say, Mr. Ferris?" - -"I am content to abide by my father's word," replied Arthur, rising. -"Anything is better than this uncertainty. Let us go to Norminster -gaol." - -"It's rather late," said Gebb, glancing at his watch. "However, I dare -say we shall have no difficulty in seeing the prisoner. Come along!" - -In the then tumble-down, deserted condition of Kirkstone Hall there -was no vehicle obtainable, but the evening was pleasant and Norminster -no great distance away, so the three walked briskly along the road in -the cool, grey twilight. Conversing about the case made the way seem -short, and they soon arrived in the little town and halted before the -gates of the gaol. A word from Gebb procured them instant admittance, -and they were shown into the presence of the Governor, a retired -major, with a bluff manner and a twinkling eye, which was not -unobservant of Edith's good looks. - -"Well, sir," said Gebb, almost immediately, "and how is your -prisoner?" - -"Clothed and in his right mind!" replied the Governor. "He has given -over his sulking and feigned madness, and evidently seems resolved to -make the best of things. Indeed, I shouldn't be surprised, Mr. Gebb, -if he intended to make you his father-confessor, for he has asked -several times after you." - -"Good!" said Gebb, rubbing his hands. "This looks like business; he -has thrown up the sponge." - -"Will you see him now?" asked the Governor, with a side glance at -Edith. - -"At once, if you please; and I wish this lady and gentleman to be -admitted with me." - -"Well, it is hardly regular to admit strangers at this hour, Mr. -Gebb," said the Major. "Still, as you captured the man, and it is as -well for you to hear his confession, if he wishes to make it, I am -content to accede to your request. Have you any interest in the -matter?" he asked, looking at Edith inquisitively. - -"Yes, The man was hidden in my place under the name of Martin," she -replied with a blush, not deeming it wise to further enlighten the -Governor. - -"Indeed. You are Miss Wedderburn, of the Hall? I thought so. Well, go -along, all of you, but don't remain more than half an hour with the -prisoner. I have to lock up for the night shortly; and I may be -tempted to keep so fair a lady in my castle, you know." - -Laughing at his own mild joke, the Governor gave his visitors over to -the guidance of a warder; and they were soon ushered into a cell, -where they found Dean sitting on his bed, chatting cheerfully with the -man who watched him. He sprang up to receive them, and after the -warder had exchanged a few words with the watcher, they both withdrew, -leaving the lamp in the cell. Gebb was much gratified by this mark of -the Governor's trust, and spoke to Dean with great complacency. - -"I see you have come to your senses, Mr. Dean," he said civilly -enough, but with point. "It is about time, I think." - -"As you say, about time," replied Dean, who had been greeting Edith -and his son. "I have given over fighting against the injustice of the -world. I was condemned, an innocent man, some twenty years ago, and I -escaped from my prison in the vain hope of getting Ellen Gilmar to -prove my innocence; but she is dead, and I am again in the hands of--I -won't say justice, but injustice." - -"But why did you kill Miss Gilmar?" asked Gebb; for Ferris and Edith -sat by quietly, letting him conduct the conversation, as the most -capable person. - -"I did not kill Miss Gilmar," replied Dean, firmly and sadly. "God -knows who sent that wicked woman to her last account, but it was not -I." - -"Yet you uttered a threat against her." - -"I did, in my first wrath at the injustice of my sentence; but nearly -twenty years of imprisonment removed revenge from my heart I came down -to Kirkstone Hall not to kill her, but to implore her to tell the -truth, and free me from undeserved shame. But she had fled, thinking -in her guilty mind that I intended to harm her. I told Miss Wedderburn -that I did not, also Ar--I mean Mr. Ferris." - -"You can call him Arthur," said Gebb, coolly. "I know that he is your -son." - -"Is this so?" asked Dean, looking with some surprise at Ferris. - -"Yes, father. I told Mr. Gebb the truth, or, rather, I admitted it, as -he had already learned my relationship to you from Prain. He knows -everything, and we have come to ask you to right yourself in his -eyes--to confess." - -"Confess, Arthur! Do you believe that I killed Kirkstone?" - -"No," said Arthur, with conviction, "I do not." - -"And you, Edith," said Dean, looking at the girl, "is it your opinion -that I am guilty of Miss Gilmar's death?" - -"No," replied Edith, in her turn. "Appearances are against you, but I -truly believe you to be guiltless." - -"And so I am, for----" - -"Before you go on," interrupted Gebb, looking up, "I think it will be -best for you to approach this matter with more particularity. Were you -not at Grangebury on the night of the twenty-fourth of July?" - -"Yes," admitted Dean, promptly, "I was. I went to see Mr. Basson, who -had been my counsel." - -"About what?" - -"About the confession of Miss Gilmar." - -"What!" cried Gebb, in surprise. "You found it?" - -"I found it on the twentieth of July, concealed in the Yellow Boudoir, -where Ellen Gilmar had hidden it. I know now who killed Kirkstone." - -"Miss Laura!" cried the detective, knowing Dean's belief. - -"No. Miss Gilmar herself was the murderess." - -"Well, I never!" said Gebb; and looked at Edith and her lover, who -were not much astonished. "And where is the confession now?" - -"Mr. Alder has it," was the unexpected reply. - -"Alder! Why, he believes you to be guilty. He said so several times." - -"I asked him to," replied Dean, quickly; "Mr. Alder has been a good -friend to me all through." - -"He has been a good friend to us all," said Edith, touching Arthur's -hand. "Does Mr. Alder know who you are?" - -"Yes. He had been present at my trial, you know, and, in spite of my -altered appearance, he recognized me on one of his visits to the Hall. -I begged him to keep my secret, and he did. I asked him to talk of me -as guilty, so that I might be the more effectually concealed." - -"I don't see how that would help you," interrupted Gebb, sharply. - -"Why not? If Alder had gone about insisting that I was innocent, you -might have suspected that he had seen me lately; while by stating what -everybody believed, no questions would be asked." - -"True enough," said Gebb, his brow clearing. "But I confess this -disjointed information of yours puzzles me not a little. Suppose you -tell us the whole story from the time you first masqueraded as Mad -Martin." - -"Certainly," assented Dean, readily. "I intended to do so, as I wish -you to help me to establish my innocence. Also, I owe it to my son and -Miss Wedderburn to relate things I formerly kept from them." - -"We are all attention," said Edith, and leaned forward eagerly. - -"When I was feigning madness at the Hall," said Dean, glancing at his -three auditors, "I was wondering all the time how I could prove my -innocence of Kirkstone's murder. One night, Mrs. Grix--who had found -out my true name--told me that Miss Gilmar had written a confession of -the crime; and--as she believed--had hidden it in the house. She -gathered this from some words let fall by Miss Gilmar. Thenceforth it -became the aim of my life to find that confession; but although I -looked everywhere, I could not discover it. Then Mr. Alder came -visiting at the Hall, as you know, Edith, and he guessed who I was. -Feeling that I could not deceive him, I confessed that I was really -Marmaduke Dean, and consulted him as to the possibility of proving my -innocence. Alder scoffed at the idea of a confession being in -existence, as he said if Miss Gilmar were guilty, she would not put -the fact down in black and white. He advised me to consult Basson, who -had been my counsel, and to see if I could not be cleared; but this I -was afraid to do, lest Basson should hand me over to the police." - -"Oh, he would never have done that," said Gebb, remembering the -personality of Basson, "he is good nature itself." - -"So Alder said," continued Dean. "Still I was too afraid to venture, -and remained in hiding at the Hall, thankful that Alder kept my secret -I must say that in every way he acted like a true friend, for he could -easily have given warning about me to the authorities." - -"I wonder he did not do so for Miss Gilmar's sake," said Gebb. - -"Had he deemed me guilty he would have done so," cried Dean, quickly; -"but I told him the whole facts of the case, and declared that Laura, -being possessed of the knife, had killed her brother. Alder in the end -said he believed in my innocence, but he declined to look upon Laura -as the assassin. He fancied that Miss Gilmar had committed the crime, -and to shield herself, and punish me for not being in love with her, -she accused me. Still, he declined to believe that she had confessed -her guilt in writing. I was certain, however, from what Mrs. Grix -said, that she had, and----" - -"This is all very well," interrupted Gebb, quickly, "but it does not -explain your visit to Grangebury." - - - - -CHAPTER XXIV -PROOF POSITIVE - - -Impatient of the interruption, Dean looked at Gebb in a quick, -irritable way, like a man whose nerves are not under control; but, in -his own interests, he answered quietly enough-- - -"I am coming to the Grangebury visit shortly," he said, "but it is -necessary for me to explain what led to it, so that you may not -misunderstand my reason for going there." - -"I beg your pardon, Mr. Dean," replied the detective. "Pray go on." - -"As I said before," continued the prisoner, "I was certain that Miss -Gilmar had left a confession behind her, and after months of search I -found it." - -"Where?" asked Edith, much interested. - -"In the Yellow Room. It was sewn into the hangings, between the satin -and the lining, and, but for the particular minute search I made, -would never have been discovered. I dare say Ellen Gilmar hid it thus -safely so that she might not be accused of the crime in her lifetime; -but no doubt when dying she intended to indicate its hiding-place, so -that I might be set free and my character cleared, after she was safe -from the punishment of man." - -"As she is," observed Ferris, bitterly. - -"Leave her to God," said Dean, slowly. "As she has sown, so shall she -reap, and I wish her no worse fate. Well," continued he, "you will -understand that as soon as I discovered this proof of my innocence I -was bent upon clearing myself. But this was not so easy to do. I had -escaped from gaol, and were I discovered would be at once taken back, -when, as I fancied, the confession might go astray or prove useless. -It was towards the end of July last that I found it, and I consulted -Mr. Alder, who came down about the same time to visit Edith." - -"Yes," said Edith, colouring. "He came to ask me again to marry him." - -"Alder advised me to place the confession in the hands of Basson, and -offered to take it up to him. But at the moment I was unwilling to let -this proof of my innocence leave my hands, and I determined to go up -to London myself and see Basson. But, thinking I might be discovered, -I feared to do so--or at all events to go to Basson's office. I wrote -and told Alder this, so he suggested that I should go to Grangebury, -where Mr. Basson was giving a lecture, on the twenty-fourth of July, -and he said I could come up late and see Mr. Basson before the -lecture, place the confession in his hands with instructions what to -do, and then return by a late train to Norminster. Thus, he said in -his letter, I should be exposed to less risk of discovery. The advice -seemed good to me, and I adopted it." - -"But where did you get the money to visit London?" asked Edith. "For I -never gave you any." - -"I borrowed it from Mrs. Grix, and told her I was visiting a friend," -explained Dean. "Also I asked her to tell you that I had gone into -Norminster, in case you missed me." - -"I didn't miss you at all, and there was no need for Mrs. Grix to say -anything," said Miss Wedderburn. "All the same," she added -reproachfully, "you might have trusted me." - -"And me also," interposed Ferris. "I should have had the confession, -not Basson." - -"You are right," replied his father, with a sigh. "I behaved -foolishly, I admit; but I acted, as I thought, for the best. On the -twenty-fourth of July, by the five o'clock train, I went up to -Grangebury." - -"Did you know that Miss Gilmar was there?" asked Gebb, with a glance -at Edith. - -"No, I did not," answered Dean. "Why do you ask?" - -"Because Miss Wedderburn knew of Miss Gilmar's whereabouts." - -"That is true enough," responded Edith, calmly; "but I did not think -it necessary at the time to tell Mr. Dean. No one but myself--and -later on Arthur--knew that Miss Gilmar was lodging in Paradise Row. -Continue, Mr. Dean!" - -"I arrived late in Grangebury, about six o'clock, and went to a -public-house, where I had some tea, and made myself as respectable as -possible to go to the lecture. I intended to see Mr. Basson before it -began, and then take the nine o'clock train to Norminster." - -"Had you a return ticket?" asked Gebb, remembering the one found in -the Yellow Room. - -"Yes; a third-class return. However, in the public-house I fell -asleep, being worn out with trouble and fatigue. I did not waken until -it was nearly nine o'clock, and then went to the Town Hall. Mr. Basson -was already on the platform, so I could not speak to him. Yet I was -anxious to get back to Norminster on that night, as I did not want -Edith to know I had been in London." - -"But why?" said Edith. "You must have been aware that you could trust -me." - -"I wished you to know nothing, my dear, until Basson proved my -innocence," replied Dean, sadly. "But I should have trusted you. I see -it now. However, I did not go back that night, for I lost my ticket." - -"Where did you lose it?" asked Gebb, eagerly, for this was a most -important point. - -Dean shook his head. "I can't say," he replied. "I saw Mr. Alder at -the door of the Town Hall, and told him that I was going back, but -gave him the confession, and asked him to show it to Basson. He tried -to get me to remain, but I was bent on returning, and knew that the -confession was safe in his hands. I ran to the station, but there -found I had lost my ticket, where I know not. I had no money to buy -another, so I went back to the Town Hall and saw Mr. Alder again about -half-past nine o'clock. Then, to my surprise, I saw Edith enter the -Hall." - -"I had just returned from getting the necklace from Miss Gilmar," -explained Edith. "I came up to Grangebury after you did." - -"I did not know you were out of Kirkstone Hall," said Dean. "Well, I -did not trouble to wonder why you were there; but lest you should see -me I kept myself out of sight. I then explained my position to Mr. -Alder. He gave me some money, and advised me to stay all night at -Grangebury. I was unwilling to do so, but as the last train had left I -was forced to stay. I slept in the public-house where I had been -before, and left by the early train next morning." - -"Did you hear of the murder before you left?" - -"No, as I departed early. So you see, Mr. Gebb, I can prove an alibi; -for at the time of the murder--ten o'clock it was, the paper said--I -was asleep in the public-house. The keeper of it can prove that I -was." - -"What is the name of the public-house?" - -"The Golden Hind, near the railway station." - -Gebb noted this name in his pocket-book, and rose to his feet "So this -is all you have to tell me?" said he, briskly. - -"All!--and enough, too. I don't know who killed Ellen Gilmar. It was -not I." - -"If the hotel keeper can prove your alibi that will be all right, Mr. -Dean. But this confession; you say Mr. Alder has it?" - -"Yes. But I asked him to make no use of it," replied Dean, "for, as I -was in Grangebury on the very night--about the very hour--that Ellen -was murdered, I was afraid, if Alder acted on the confession, I might -be accused of the second crime. Certainly I had a defence; but the -evidence was so strong against me that I did not wish to risk -appearing." - -"Do you know who killed Miss Gilmar?" - -"No!" cried Dean, vehemently, "I do not." - -"Then what about these?" said Gebb, and suddenly produced the jewels -of Miss Gilmar. "These ornaments belonged to the dead woman; they were -taken off her body by the wretch who killed her. I found them hidden -in your room at Kirkstone Hall; yet you swear that you do not know the -name of the assassin. What am I to understand by this contradiction?" - -"It's a plot to ruin me," said Dean, becoming very pale. "I did not -know that these jewels were in my room. I never saw them before. -Edith! Arthur! What do you know of this?" - -"We know nothing," they said simultaneously. - -"Come, Mr. Dean," said Gebb, imperiously, "these ornaments would not -have been hidden in your room without your knowledge. If your alibi is -to be believed you are innocent, but on this evidence you must know -who is guilty." - -Dean gave a long sigh, and lapsed into his old sullen manner. - -"I know nothing about them," he said in a piteous tone; "some one must -have put them there. I don't know who. I have told you the truth, but -even that will not help one, and I shall be condemned for the second -time--an innocent man. Oh, God is cruel--cruel!" and the tears ran -down his cheeks. - -After that there was little more to be said. The old man was ill and -feeble. For the moment he had braced himself to tell his story, and -the hope of being righted had given him unnatural strength; but now -that all was told, Nature claimed her own, and Dean fell back on his -bed thoroughly exhausted. Ferris desired to stay beside his father, -but when the warder came back they would not permit this, and in the -end the three left the prison. In the street Gebb turned to speak a -few words to Edith before leaving for town, as he had decided to do. - -"What are your intentions?" he asked. - -"I shall stay here until to-morrow," she replied. "I am too exhausted -to return to London to-night But I must go up in the morning, as I -promised to see Mr. Alder." - -"Alder?" repeated Gebb, who had half forgotten the man; "how is he?" - -"Very ill--dying, they say; and he sent for me to see him. I could not -go to-day, as I came here with Arthur to see what had been done about -his father. Do you think he is innocent?" - -"Yes, I do," replied Gebb; "but I am puzzled about the jewels. I -cannot help thinking that Dean knows something about them; but he -won't speak." - -"He may to-morrow morning," said Ferris, quickly. "I think he is too -exhausted to-night to remember much more. His memory has been severely -taxed to-day, you know. I shall speak to him to-morrow, and whatever -he tells me I shall tell you, Mr. Gebb." - -"Very well," replied Gebb, dubiously, and walked briskly to the -railway station, as he was anxious to reach London, to see Parge and -tell him what he had discovered. - -Also, he desired the advice of Parge regarding the jewels, for despite -Arthur's promise, he did not trust him altogether. The young man had -deceived him before, and should occasion arise might do so again. So -Gebb determined to act independently of anything which might be said -by Dean in the morning. He was surrounded on all sides by people who, -with their own ends to gain, were more or less unscrupulous, so it -behoved him to be wary. Otherwise, he would never pluck out the heart -of this mystery. - -On arriving in town Gebb went to his office, and there found three -letters for him. Two, from the station-master and the ticket-clerk of -Norminster Station, were corroborative of Dean's visit to town on the -evening of the twenty-fourth of July; for both stated that Mad Martin, -the gardener of Kirkstone Hall, had purchased a return ticket, and had -left for London by the five o'clock train. But knowing what he did, -this evidence came too late to enlighten Gebb in any degree, so he -tossed the letters aside and opened the third one. It proved to be -from Parge, requesting him to call and see him at once on important -business concerning the Grangebury murder case, these latter words -being underlined. - -"He has found out something," thought Gebb. "I wonder what it is? -another mare's-nest, I expect. However, we'll see. I'll call -to-morrow." - -At ten o'clock next morning he was in Pimlico, and in the presence of -Mr. Parge, who received him with a look of subdued triumph. - -"Well, Absalom," said he, "have you discovered who killed Miss -Gilmar?" - -"No, I haven't, Simon; have you?" - -"Yes. I found out the truth from--who do you think?" - -"I don't know," said Gebb, impatiently. "Mrs. Presk, perhaps." - -"No, not from the mistress, but from the maid--Matilda Crane." - -Gebb looked at the ex-detective in amazement. "Why, what did she know -about it?" - -"She knew who visited Miss Gilmar on the night of the murder. I said -you had not examined that girl properly, Absalom, so I sent for her to -put a few questions myself. Then I discovered that she had found, cast -into the grate among other papers, a letter written by the assassin to -Miss Gilmar. Here it is." - -Gebb took the bit of paper handed to him, and read as follows:-- - - -"Dear Miss Gilmar, - -"I wish to see you on the evening of the 24th July, between nine and -ten o'clock, about some information touching Dean. Get rid of every -one in the house at that time, and expect me for certain. It will be -better for us to be alone. Burn this. - - "Yours truly, - "John Alder." - - -"Alder!" repeated Gebb, in amazement; "Alder!" - -"Yes! it was Alder who murdered that wretched woman." - - - - -CHAPTER XXV -HOW THE DEED WAS DONE - - -Gebb quite agreed with Parge, regarding the guilt of Alder; and on -looking back over the collective evidence, he wondered that he had not -suspected him before. No wonder he had come forward to defend Ferris: -for bad as he was, the man had some conscience, and did not wish to -see a guiltless person hanged for his crime, even though that person -was his rival in love. What Gebb could not understand was, why Alder -had been so kind to Dean; and it was to ascertain this, amongst other -things, that he left Parge as soon as he was able, and went off to -Alder's rooms. The man was dying; and for the clearance of all persons -concerned in the matter, it was absolutely necessary that he should -make a confession of his guilt, even at the eleventh hour. - -"I could tell you much that I have discovered," said Gebb, slipping -the incriminating letter into his pocket, "but as Alder is dying there -is no time to be lost in getting him to confess." - -"I agree with you," replied Parge, promptly. "I knew that he was -dying, as I saw an account of his accident in the papers. Get him to -confess, and for that purpose take Mr. Basson with you as a witness; -then come back to me, and tell me everything. I wish to write out all -details concerning this very extraordinary case, and put the report in -my collection." - -"It certainly merits it," replied Gebb, putting on his hat, "and I -dare say this confession will be the most wonderful of all. By the -way, why did not the servant give up this letter before?" - -"Because she is a cunning, artful little minx!" burst out Parge, in -great wrath, "and wished to make money over it. She found it, as I -told you, while cleaning out the grate, when the room was stripped by -Alder. The letter was torn across, as Miss Gilmar evidently did not -think it worth while to adopt Alder's advice and burn it. It was lucky -she did not, or her death would have gone unavenged; as it is----" - -"As it is, the man will escape the law," interrupted Gebb, "but I dare -say he'll be punished somehow. I'm sure he deserves to be. Did Mrs. -Presk know of 'Tilda's discovery?" - -"No! 'Tilda kept the discovery to herself, and intended to sell her -information to the highest bidder. It took me two hours to wring the -truth and the letter out of her; but I did in the end, and for the -evidence I paid her five pounds." - -"I've no doubt Miss Wedderburn will pay you when she comes into the -estate." - -"What, the five pounds!" exclaimed Parge, wrathfully. "Why, I expect -the reward." - -"But the reward was to be paid by Alder himself," argued Gebb; "and -although it was a blind, you can hardly expect the man to pay for his -own detection." - -"His next heir must pay it!" said the ex-detective, doggedly. - -"Miss Wedderburn is the next heir." - -"Then I'll apply to her," cried Parge, "I'm going to be paid for my -trouble." - -"Seems to me, Simon, I've had all the trouble," said Gebb, dryly. -"You've sat in your armchair and done nothing." - -"I've found out the truth, if you call that nothing!" retorted Parge, -growing red. "I've used my brains, which is more than you have done. -There is life in the old dog yet, Absalom!" - -"And temper also," rejoined Gebb, who was rather sore about the reward -"Eh, Simon? Well! well! We'll argue the matter hereafter. I must go to -Alder." - -"Don't forget to take Basson!" - -"No, I won't. But if you are right about Alder, you are wrong about -Dean; he did not kill Kirkstone." - -"Then who did?" grunted Parge, rather displeased. - -"Miss Gilmar herself!" retorted Gebb, and departed swiftly, leaving to -his friend this--to him--indigestible morsel. - -Parge raged a trifle after Gebb had gone, as he did not like to be put -in the wrong; but when he recollected his triumph in the new murder -case, he was quite content to set it against his failure in the old -one. So he sat placidly in his armchair, and enjoyed his success, and -the prospect of getting two hundred pounds with so little trouble. All -of which was satisfactory to his wife also; as it kept Parge in a good -temper for one entire day, a state of things which was little less -than miraculous in that frequently disturbed household. - -In the mean time Gebb, with a desperate fear in his heart that he -might be too late, went as quick as a hansom could travel to Basson's -rooms. Keeping the cab at the door, he ran up the long staircase so -quickly that he arrived at the top with failing breath and beating -heart. The perennial legend, "Back in five minutes," was still on the -barrister's door, and Gebb on knocking was again greeted by the boy in -the small suit. This latter admitted that his master was at home, but -stated that he could not be seen. - -"'Cos he ain't well," explained Cerberus; "he's had a shock!" - -"What kind of a shock? An accident?" asked Gebb. - -"No," replied the boy, after some consideration, "not that sort of -shock. Quite another kind." - -"Well, I'm sorry to disturb Mr. Basson," said Gebb, "but you must take -him my card and tell him that I must see him. It's a matter of life -and death." - -The boy still seemed unwilling, but Gebb thrust the card into his -hand, and insisted; so in the end it was taken to Basson. In less than -a minute Cerberus returned with the information that his master would -see Mr. Gebb at once. With a nod the detective stepped into the dingy -inner office, and found Mr. Basson with his arms on the mantelpiece, -and his head bent down on them in an attitude of dejection. When he -heard the footstep of his visitor--and firm, quick, business-like -footsteps they were--he turned slowly, and displayed a very pale face -and eyes so red that they looked as though he had been crying. - -"What is the matter?" asked Gebb, rather taken aback by this evidence -of grief. - -"I've had a shock," replied Basson, using the very same words as his -small clerk had done. - -"Nothing serious, I hope?" - -"Serious in one way, not in another. Still, I am glad to see you. If -you had not come to me I should have paid you a visit in the course of -the day. You have a right to know." - -"Know what?" demanded Gebb, beginning to feel uncomfortable; he knew -not why. - -"That Alder is dead." - -"Dead!" Gebb, with a burst of anger unusual in one of his -self-control, dashed his hat on the floor. "By----!" he used a strong -word, "so he has escaped me after all!" - -"What!" cried Basson, leaning forward in the chair he had flung -himself into. "You know?" - -"I know that Alder killed Miss Gilmar; I heard it this morning. I have -the evidence of his own handwriting to prove his guilt. When did you -hear of it? How did you hear of it?" - -"I heard all about it at eight o'clock this morning, shortly before -Alder died." - -"Then he confessed his crime?" - -"He did. I was sent for at seven o'clock at his particular request, -and he told me the whole story. In order to clear any innocent person -who might be suspected, I wrote down what he said, and got him to sign -it. The doctor and myself were the witnesses, and the confession is -locked in my desk yonder. I was coming round to your office later on -in order to place it in your hands. How did you find out the truth?" - -"It's a long story, Mr. Basson. I'll tell it to you some other time. -But I learned that he killed his cousin, and I came here to get you to -go with me, and force him to confess." - -"He did so voluntarily," said Basson, sadly, "and made what reparation -he could for his wickedness. Do you wonder that I received a shock, -Mr. Gebb? It was terrible to hear a man I had known so long, whom I -had liked so much, confess himself a murderer." - -"It is terrible, I grant you," replied Gebb, somewhat moved by the -grief of the old Bohemian. "I should never have thought it of him -myself, as is proved by the fact that I never suspected him. He seemed -a kindly, honest, pleasant gentleman. Perhaps, however, there is the -excuse that he did the deed in a fit of rage. From what I have heard -of Miss Gilmar she was a woman to irritate an archangel." - -Basson shook his head. "There is not even that excuse," he said. "The -crime was committed in cold blood. He planned and carried it out in -the most ruthless manner." - -"But why in Heaven's name did he desire the death of his wretched -cousin?" - -"Money, Mr. Gebb--money. Alder was desperately hard up--on the verge -of bankruptcy; and as his cousin refused to help him, he killed her. -To gain her wealth was the motive of the act. Well," added Basson, -with a sigh, "he did not enjoy his ill-gotten gains long, for in the -midst of his prosperity the hand of God struck him down." - -"You have the confession, you say?" - -"Here it is!" Basson unlocked the drawer of his desk, and took out a -sheet, or, to be precise, several sheets of paper, and handed them to -Gebb. The detective turned to the end, saw the three signatures, then -slipped the papers into his pocket. - -"It will take too long reading this just now," he said apologetically, -"and I have much to do. Will you be so kind, Mr. Basson, as to tell me -the facts in your own way? I am curious to know how so many people -concerned in the case came to be collected in Grangebury on the night -of the murder." - -"Alder collected them," said Basson, nodding; "he planned the whole -affair in a most wonderful manner, so as to throw suspicion of the -crime on every one but himself. Had he lived he would have escaped all -suspicion." - -"I think not," replied Gebb, feeling for the letter he had received -from Parge; "his own handwriting would have committed him. This is one -of those little accidents which mar the plans of the most accomplished -criminals. However, that is neither here nor there. Let me hear the -confession." - -Basson thought for a moment, then began. "It seems that Miss -Wedderburn was not the only person Miss Gilmar wrote to; she -corresponded also with Alder about business matters, for, as she had -left her property to him by will, she did not think that he would -betray her to Dean. As a matter of fact, she was simply putting -temptation in the man's way, for Alder was desperately hard up, and -was looking forward to the time when he would come into possession of -Miss Gilmar's money. However, she did not know that, and kept him -advised of her changes of address." - -"Did he know that she was in Grangebury?" - -"Oh yes; but he did not visit her there, for already he was thinking -of getting rid of her by violent means. The difficulty was how to do -it without incriminating himself. Then two accidents helped him. The -first was that while on a visit to Kirkstone, Edith told him that she -was bent on getting the necklace for Arthur Ferris, and was going up -to Grangebury on the evening of the twenty-fourth of July to get it. -Ferris, she said, was to escort her. Later on, while Alder was still -in the hall, Dean told how he had discovered Miss Gilmar's confession, -and wished to give it to me. He was afraid, however, to come to my -office lest he should be recognized. Afterwards Alder induced me to -lecture at Grangebury, and wrote to Dean telling him to come up and -see me there. Then he gave Ferris tickets for my lecture, and told him -he could wait for Miss Wedderburn in the Town Hall, while she went to -see Miss Gilmar. So now you see, Mr. Gebb, that on the twenty-fourth -of July Alder had these three people likely to be suspected on the -spot." - -"A very ingenious idea," said Gebb. "I suppose he didn't care on whom -suspicion fell?" - -"I don't think he did," admitted Basson, candidly; "but he preferred -to be guided by circumstances, and he really wanted the suspicion to -fall upon Dean, as he had threatened to kill Miss Gilmar. Well, you -know about Arthur and Edith." - -"Yes, I know that he waited in the Town Hall, and that she got the -necklace and joined him later, and that they both returned to London. -Also, I know that Dean came up, and as he was too late to see you, -gave the confession to Alder. But I don't know how Alder managed to -get away from the hall without suspicion." - -"Oh, that was easy," replied Basson. "He was busy seeing after the -tickets on my behalf, and looking at the house; so none of the -attendants knew where he was at the moment, but believed him to be in -another part of the Town Hall. When Edith came back with the necklace -he sent her into the hall, and got rid of Dean, who had missed his -train, by giving him money and telling him to stay all night in -Grangebury--a fact which favoured his plans; then the coast being -clear, he went alone to Paradise Row shortly before ten o'clock, and -saw Miss Gilmar. In accordance with his instructions she was alone in -the house, as she had sent Mrs. Presk and 'Tilda to my lecture." - -"She admitted him?" - -"Yes, and locked the door after he was inside; but he did not see -where she hid the key. He then told her that Dean had found the -confession, and Miss Gilmar, as you may guess, was in a great state. -She immediately, with her usual superstition, got out the cards, to -see what would happen." - -"And she turned up the death-card?" - -"Yes. How do you know?" - -"Because I found it in her lap." - -"Yes," said Basson again, "she picked up the death-card, and while -gazing at it in horror Alder, who was striding about the room smoking, -slipped behind her, and with a cord torn from the nearest curtain, -strangled her. He then robbed her of all her jewels and slipped them -into his pocket. Then he tried to get out, but found the doors locked, -and did not know where the keys were." - -"Mrs. Presk had the key of the back door, and Miss Gilmar that of the -front," said Gebb. - -"Quite so; but Alder did not know that. He did not dare to get out by -the window, lest he should be taken for a burglar, and arrested; so he -stepped down to the kitchen and waited till Mrs. Presk came home. He -heard her go upstairs and then call 'Tilda, so that he knew the crime -had been discovered. When the servant went up to the Yellow Boudoir, -Alder ran out of the back door, and returned to the Town Hall. The -people in charge of the money and tickets thought that he had been -with me, I fancied he had been with them, and as no inquiries were -made, you see nobody could guess that he had been away and had -committed a crime." - -"And why did he leave the jewels in Dean's room at Kirkstone Hall?" - -"Ah, you know that?" said Basson, much surprised. "Why, he hid them so -as to throw the blame on Dean. Everything was suspicious against the -man. He was presumably guilty of the first crime, he had threatened to -kill Miss Gilmar, he was in Grangebury on the night of the murder, and -the jewels--as Alder arranged--were to be found in his room." - -"They were found," said Gebb. "I found them, and for the moment -believed Dean guilty. But about that ticket found in the Yellow -Boudoir?" - -"That was purposely dropped there by Alder to further incriminate -Dean." - -"How did he get the ticket?" - -"In giving the confession it fell out of Dean's pocket, and Alder -picked it up. So you see, Mr. Gebb, that in every way chance played -into Alder's hands." - -"'The wicked flourish like a green bay tree'; but not for long," said -Gebb, grimly. "But tell me. Why was Alder so kind to Ferris?" - -"Oh, that was his deceit," said Basson, with a sigh. "He fancied that -when Dean was accused of this second murder Edith would never marry -Ferris, as being the son of such a man. He was kind to him because he -wanted to ingratiate himself with Edith: so that she might marry him -after parting, as he thought she would, with Ferris." - -"Infernal scamp!" cried Gebb, swearing, "when he knew that the poor -devil was innocent. Have you Miss Gilmar's confession?" - -"Here it is; Alder gave it to me. It clears Dean entirely, so I -suppose he'll receive a free pardon." - -"I suppose so," said Gebb, putting the confession of Miss Gilmar into -his pocket along with that of Alder. "But his life is ruined. I'm only -sorry for one thing: that Alder did not live to be hanged." - -"Well, I cannot agree with you; after all, he was my friend," said -Basson, sadly. - -"He was a blackguard," retorted Gebb, and took his departure. - - - - -CHAPTER XXVI -THE END OF IT ALL - - -One month after the death of John Alder, the two detectives, Parge and -Gebb, sat in the room of the former, discussing the now solved mystery -of the Grangebury Murder Case. On the table there lay a cheque for two -hundred pounds made payable to Absalom Gebb, and signed by Edith -Wedderburn. The conversation was mostly about this cheque and how it -should be divided between them so as to compensate each with due -fairness. The matter was a delicate one, and could not be settled -without some sharp words on either side. - -"After all, Simon," remonstrated Gebb, in vexed tones, "I did most of -the work and deserve the reward for my pains." - -"You don't deserve all of it," retorted Parge, captiously. - -"I don't claim all of it. I say divide it into two parts of one -hundred pounds each. That will pay me, and much more than compensate -you." - -"I don't know so much about that," grunted the fat man. "I've done a -deal of thinking over the case, I can tell you. And it was me who -found out the murderer. So in justice I ought to have the whole two -hundred pounds." - -Gebb snatched up the cheque, and slipped it into his pocket. "If you -talk like that you won't have a single penny!" he cried wrathfully, -for he was disgusted with the avarice of his coadjutor. "In the -goodness of her heart Miss Wedderburn considered that she should pay -the reward out of the estate, and did so--to me; there was no word of -you, Mr. Parge, when she signed this cheque." - -"I dare say not," growled Simon, savagely, "that's gratitude, that is; -yet if it hadn't been for me her father-in-law to be would have swung -for a murder as he didn't commit." - -"Don't you make any mistake about that, Simon," replied Gebb, dryly, -"Mr. Dean could have proved his innocence without you in both cases. -The confession of Miss Gilmar shows that she killed Kirkstone, and the -evidence of the hotel-keeper of the Golden Hind proves that Dean slept -there at the very hour of the murder. He would have been declared -innocent even if you hadn't discovered the truth." - -"Well, I did, anyhow," declared the other, sulkily. - -"So did Mr. Basson, if you come to that." - -"Rubbish!" cried Parge. "He only heard the confession of Alder." - -"Well, and didn't that reveal the truth? As a matter of fact, in the -face of that confession, Miss Wedderburn need not have paid the reward -to any one. However, she thought that I deserved payment for all my -work, so she gave me this money. It is only because you are a pal, and -because I know you've helped in the matter, that I give you fifty -pounds for yourself." - -"Fifty pounds!" roared the fat man, growing purple with rage. "You -said one hundred just now." - -"So I did; but I've taken off fifty for your greediness, Simon. I -don't need to give you a single stiver if it comes to that." - -"I'll never help you again!" - -"Much I care!" retorted Gebb. "I can get on without you. And I can't -say as I care to work with a man as doesn't know when his friend is -doing him a good turn. You say another word, Simon Parge, and I'll -reduce your reward to twenty-five pounds." - -If Parge had been able to move he would no doubt have fallen on Gebb; -but chained as he was to his chair, he could do nothing but glare at -his junior with a fierce eye and a very red face. He knew very well -that Gebb was acting in the most generous manner in offering to share -the reward, so, fearful of losing all by opening his mouth too wide, -he sulkily signified that half a loaf was better than none. - -"I dare say it is," said Gebb, tartly; "but you only get a quarter of -a loaf. I brought two fifty-pound notes with me, but as you have been -so avaricious, you shall only have one. There it is;" and Gebb clapped -a Bank of England note into the hand of Parge, which closed on it -readily enough. - -"And you keep one hundred and fifty," he said, with a frown. - -"I do; and I've earned it, Simon, by the sweat of my brow. But now -that I've behaved towards you a deal better than you deserve, I'll go -and bank my money. You'll not see me here again in a hurry." - -"No, no!" cried Parge, seeing that his greed had carried him too far, -and softened by the money, which, after all, had been earned very -easily. "Don't go, Absalom. I can't do without you." - -"Haven't I been generous, Simon?" - -"Yes, you have. Don't take a man up so short. Sit down and have a pipe -and a glass of grog, and a talk over the case." - -With some dignity Gebb accepted the olive branch thus held out, and -resumed his seat. Afterward Parge seemed so repentant of his late -behaviour that the dignity of Absalom disappeared altogether; and, -moreover, the whisky and tobacco proved strong aids to patching up the -quarrel. In ten minutes the pair were chatting together in the most -amicable fashion. - -"Well, Absalom," said Parge, with a plethoric grunt, "and how does the -matter of that Grangebury case stand now? You know I'm shut up here, -and never hear a word of what's going on. Tell me the latest news." - -"Miss Wedderburn has inherited the Kirkstone property." - -"She owns the Hall, then?" - -"Yes, she inherits the Hall, and also Miss Gilmar's personal property. -It was left to Alder first, and failing him to Miss Wedderburn, so she -is now a rich woman, and I dare say will make a better use of her -money than the old skinflint who left it to her." - -"She'll buy a husband with it, I suppose," said Parge, ill-naturedly. - -"Don't you make any mistake," contradicted Gebb, friendly to both -Edith and Arthur. "She was engaged to Ferris in the days of her -poverty, and she'll not throw him over now that she is rich; but there -is no purchase about the matter. I dare say Ferris will yet succeed -with his pictures. In the mean time, he is to marry Miss Wedderburn, -and good luck to both of them, say I. They are as decent a young -couple as I know." - -"When docs the marriage take place?" - -"Next month. Old Dean can't live long, and he wants to see the pair -man and wife before he leaves this very unjust world." - -"Unjust world!" echoed Simon, incredulously. "Dean has been pardoned, -has he not, Absalom?" - -"Of course; pardoned by the State for a crime he never committed, -after passing nearly twenty years in gaol for Miss Gilmar's sake. I -don't wonder the old fellow is dying. He is worn out with trouble and -a sense of harsh injustice. He has one foot in the grave now, and I -expect he'll drop into it as soon as his son marries Edith -Wedderburn." - -"And he didn't kill Kirkstone after all?" - -"No," replied Gebb, with something of a dismal air. "It appears from -the confession left by Miss Gilmar that she struck the blow. Do you -remember the bowie-knife mentioned in the evidence as belonging to -Dean?" - -"Yes, the knife with which the man was killed," said Parge. "The -sister borrowed it from Dean, didn't she?" - -"Yes; and it appears that in her rage against Ellen Gilmar for -presuming to love Dean, she threatened her upstairs with the knife, -while Kirkstone and Dean were quarrelling in the smoking-room. Ellen -wrenched the knife away, and said she would take it at once to Dean in -the Yellow Room. She went down with it, and found that having -quarrelled, Dean and Kirkstone had parted, the former having gone up -to bed Ellen entered with the knife in her hand, and laid it on the -table. Then Kirkstone, who was in a bad temper, began to insult her. -She retorted, and in a short space of time they were at it hard. Then -when Miss Gilmar said something unusually cutting to Kirkstone, he -rushed at her to strike her. She snatched up the knife to defend -herself, and held it point out. In his blind rage he dashed against -it, and the point pierced his heart. He fell dead on the spot." - -"Oh," said Parge, reflectively, "then it was really an accident!" - -"Yes; but Miss Gilmar was so terrified that she hardly knew what to -do. Then, remembering that the knife belonged to Dean, and that he had -been fighting with Kirkstone, also that he despised her love, she -determined to inculpate him, so as to avenge herself and save her own -life. She ran upstairs and told him that Kirkstone wished to see him -again in the Yellow Room. Dean fell into the snare, and came down only -to find Kirkstone dead with the knife in his heart Then he was seized -with a panic, and fled back to his room, whence he was dragged when -that wicked old woman accused him of the murder!" - -"Didn't Dean suspect her?" - -"No; he fancied that Laura, to whom he had lent his knife, had struck -the blow; but afterwards, when reviewing the circumstances in prison, -it occurred to him that Miss Gilmar might be guilty." - -"But how did Miss Gilmar quieten Laura?" - -"Easily enough! She told her that Dean had taken the knife and had -killed Kirkstone. But it seems to me," said Gebb, meditatively, "that -if Laura had only given her evidence clearly, the truth about the -knife would have been found out." - -"I dare say!" rejoined Parge, tartly. "But if you had been in charge -of the case, as I was, you would have found out when too late that -Laura, being weak-witted and under the thumb of Ellen Gilmar, was -afraid to tell the absolute truth." - -"Nevertheless, the case was muddled," insisted Gebb. - -"Absalom!" cried Parge, fiercely. "You can take the best part of the -reward if you choose, but you shan't throw discredit on my past work. -I conducted the Kirkstone murder case to the best of my ability." - -"And punished the wrong man." - -"That was the force of circumstances." - -"It was the want of getting the necessary evidence," retorted Gebb, -with some heat. "However, we have improved since then in detective -matters, as in others." - -"Oh, have you?" growled Parge. "Then why did you arrest the wrong man -in the person of Ferris?" - -"You have me there, Simon, you have me there," laughed Gebb; which -admission put Parge into great good-humour. - -"And criminals nowadays are just as stupid as they were in my youth," -he said, waving his pipe. "For instance, why did Alder kill Miss -Gilmar?" - -"Because he wanted her money." - -"Well, by threatening her with Dean he could have got her to allow him -a good income. There was no need for him to strangle her." - -"Perhaps not; and especially in poor Mrs. Presk's front parlour. She -hasn't been able to let it since. And, to make matters worse, Matilda -Crane has gone away with the five pounds you gave her." - -"Mrs. Presk had better give up the house at once," said Parge, -nodding. "No one will occupy a room in which a murder has taken place. -'Taint nat'ral to live with ghosts. What about that Yellow Boudoir at -Kirkstone Hall?" - -"Oh! Mr. and Mrs. Ferris are going to pull it down when they come back -from their honeymoon, I expect they will build another wing." - -"By the way, is Ferris going to stick to that name?" - -"Well, no; but all the same he isn't going to call himself Dean." - -"Then he is going to take his wife's name, I suppose?" suggested -Parge. - -Gebb shook his head "By the will of that ancestor who left the Hall to -his descendants, all who live in it not being Kirkstones have to take -that name. If Alder had lived he would have called himself John -Kirkstone." - -"Like the one that was murdered. A bad omen!" - -"Well, he never had a chance of changing his name. But I expect Ferris -and Miss Wedderburn will call themselves Mr. and Mrs. Arthur -Kirkstone." - -"Well," said Parge, raising his glass, "I hope they will be lucky." - -"So do I," responded Gebb, "If only because they paid this two hundred -pounds." - -"Of which I got only fifty," grumbled Parge, and so got the last word -after all. - - - - -THE END - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lady from Nowhere, by Fergus Hume - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LADY FROM NOWHERE *** - -***** This file should be named 55960-8.txt or 55960-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/9/6/55960/ - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by the -Internet Archive (Princeton University) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. 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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: 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. - diff --git a/old/55960-8.zip b/old/55960-8.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 13fd1d2..0000000 --- a/old/55960-8.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/55960-h.zip b/old/55960-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index e281890..0000000 --- a/old/55960-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/55960-h/55960-h.htm b/old/55960-h/55960-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index f628fe5..0000000 --- a/old/55960-h/55960-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,7864 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN"> -<html> -<head> -<title>The Lady from Nowhere</title> -<meta name="Subtitle" content="A Detective Story"> -<meta name="Author" content="Fergus Hume"> - -<meta name="Publisher" content="Brentano's"> -<meta name="Date" content="1900"> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1"> -<style type="text/css"> -body {margin-left:10%; - margin-right:10%; background-color:#FFFFFF; - text-align: justify} - - -p.normal {text-indent:.25in; text-align: justify;} - -p.right {text-align:right; margin-right:20%;} -p.center {text-align: center;} -p.continue {text-indent: 0in; margin-top:9pt;} - -h1,h2,h3,h4,h5 {text-align: center;} - - -.t0 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em;} -.t1 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:1em; margin-right:0em;} -.t2 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:2em; margin-right:0em;} -.t3 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:3em; margin-right:0em;} -.t4 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:4em; margin-right:0em;} -.t5 {margin-top:0px; margin-bottom:0px; margin-left:5em; margin-right:0em;} - - -span.sc {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:110%;} -span.sc2 {font-variant: small-caps; font-size:90%;} - -hr.W10 {width:10%; color:black; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt} - -hr.W20 {width:20%; color:black; margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:12pt} - -hr.W50 {width:50%; color:black;} -hr.W90 {width:90%; color:black;} - -p.hang1 {margin-left:3em; text-indent:-3em;} -p.hang2 {margin-left:3em; text-indent:0em;} - -</style> - -</head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lady from Nowhere, by Fergus Hume - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Lady from Nowhere - -Author: Fergus Hume - -Release Date: November 13, 2017 [EBook #55960] -Last Updated: January 12, 2018 - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LADY FROM NOWHERE *** - - - - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by the -Internet Archive (Princeton University) - - - - - - -</pre> - - - -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<p class="hang1">Transcriber's Notes:<br> -1. Page scan source: Internet Archive<br> -https://archive.org/details/ladyfromnowhere00humegoog<br> -(Princeton University)</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>THE</h4> -<h3>LADY FROM NOWHERE</h3> -<br> -<h4>A DETECTIVE STORY</h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h5>BY</h5> -<h4>FERGUS HUME</h4> - -<h5>AUTHOR OF "The MYSTERY OF A HANSOM CAB," ETC.</h5> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>BRENTANO'S<br> -31 UNION SQUARE, NEW YORK<br> -<span style="font-size:smaller">1900</span></h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<table cellpadding="10" style="width:90%; margin-left:5%; font-weight:bold"> -<colgroup><col style="width:20%; vertical-align:top; text-align:right"><col style="width:80%; vertical-align:top; text-align:left"></colgroup> -<tr> -<td colspan="2"><h3>CONTENTS</h3></td> -</tr><tr> -<td>CHAPTER.</td> -<td> </td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_01" href="#div1_01">I.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The Tragedy of the Strange Room</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_02" href="#div1_02">II.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The Death-card</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_03" href="#div1_03">III.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A Woman without a Past</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_04" href="#div1_04">IV.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The Five Landladies</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_05" href="#div1_05">V.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A Friend in Need</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_06" href="#div1_06">VI.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The Crime of Kirkstone Hall</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td height="70"><a name="div1Ref_07" href="#div1_07">VII.</a></td> -<td height="70"><span class="sc">Comments on the Crime</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_08" href="#div1_08">VIII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Mr. Prain, Solicitor</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_09" href="#div1_09">IX.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Kirkstone Hall</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_10" href="#div1_10">X.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Strange Behaviour</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_11" href="#div1_11">XI.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The Mad Gardener</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_12" href="#div1_12">XII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The Diamond Necklace</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_13" href="#div1_13">XIII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Arthur Ferris</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_14" href="#div1_14">XIV.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A Surprising Discovery</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_15" href="#div1_15">XV.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The Revelation of Mr. Prain</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_16" href="#div1_16">XVI.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Miss Wedderburn</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_17" href="#div1_17">XVII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">An Explanation</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_18" href="#div1_18">XVIII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">What Mrs. Presk found</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_19" href="#div1_19">XIX.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The Unexpected occurs</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_20" href="#div1_20">XX.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A Needle in a Haystack</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_21" href="#div1_21">XXI.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Found at Last</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_22" href="#div1_22">XXII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">A Secret Hoard</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_23" href="#div1_23">XXIII.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The Convict's Defence</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_24" href="#div1_24">XXIV.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">Proof Positive</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_25" href="#div1_25">XXV.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">How the Deed was done</span></td> -</tr><tr> -<td><a name="div1Ref_26" href="#div1_26">XXVI.</a></td> -<td><span class="sc">The End of it All</span></td> -</tr></table> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h3>THE LADY FROM NOWHERE</h3> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_01" href="#div1Ref_01">CHAPTER I</a></h4> -<h5>THE TRAGEDY OF THE STRANGE ROOM</h5> -<br> - -<p>On the night of July 24th, in the year 1896, between the hours of -eleven and twelve, Grangebury, a little-known suburb of London, was -wrapped in slumber, as became a respectable neighbourhood whose -inhabitants retired regularly shortly after sunset. Not that they had -done so on this particular night, for the unusual excitement of a -lecture on Dickens, delivered in the tiny Town Hall, had kept them -from their beds later than was customary. At a quarter to eleven, a -stream of instructed pleasure-seekers, discussing lecture and -lecturer, filled the narrow streets; but gradually the crowd -diminished until highways and byways were left deserted, save by -watchful policemen and vagrant cats. The lamps were then extinguished -by order of an economical municipality, the few lights still twinkling -from the upper windows of various houses disappeared, and the little -town lay under moon and stars as silent and almost as lonely as the -spell-bound cities in eastern fables.</p> - -<p>Every now and then the footsteps of policemen making their rounds, -could be heard echoing along the streets, and sometimes an official -lantern would be flashed into dark corners to search out possible -burglars or homeless beggars. But no thieves or vagabonds could be -discovered; for, on the whole, Grangebury, being a comparatively new -suburb, was free from such criminal pests, and the police force there, -under the command of Mr. Inspector Lackland had a very easy time. -There was nothing on this night to indicate any ending to this -Arcadian Age of security and innocence; yet, shortly after eleven -o'clock a yawning policeman, leaning against a convenient wall, heard -a word cried aloud which told him of crime and danger. The word was -"Murder!"</p> - -<p>"Murder!" repeated the constable, looking up and down the street.</p> - -<p>"Murder!" shrieked the voice again; and then there came the sound of -running feet, cries for help, and the quick panting of an exhausted -creature. Before the policeman could decide in which direction to -move, a dishevelled woman, screaming and gesticulating, came at full -speed round the corner, and almost fell into his arms. Her face was -pearly white in the moonlight, her eyes were filled with terror, and -an almost continuous cry issued from her open mouth without any motion -of the lips.</p> - -<p>"'Ere! 'ere, wot's this?" said the policeman, seizing the flying -creature by the arm. "Wot d'ye mean, screeching out murder like a -loonatic? Come now!"</p> - -<p>Trembling violently, the woman grappled with the policeman, shrieking -the while, and evidently beside herself with terror. Not being gifted -with brains, the officer of the law shook her vigorously to brighten -her intellect; and she wavered limply in his grasp like a dummy -figure.</p> - -<p>"Murder!" she whimpered, clawing and clutching at the man. "Lord! it's -awful! Ugh! Ugh! I've seen her dead!"</p> - -<p>"Seen 'oo dead?" demanded the policeman, stolidly.</p> - -<p>"My lodger! Dead! Strangled! Ugh! Ugh!" cried the woman, breathlessly, -raising her voice higher at each word. "A corpse in the Yellow Room! -Paradise Row! Come and see--come and---- Oh, poor soul!" and she fell -to wringing her hands again, quivering and panting.</p> - -<p>"Wait a bit!" said the jack-in-office, bound by red-tapeism, "the -police station is just roun' th' corner. Kim up an' see th' -Inspector!"</p> - -<p>"I--I--I am innocent!" gasped the woman, hanging back. "Neither 'Tilda -nor I laid a finger on her."</p> - -<p>"'Oo said y' did?" retorted the man, suspiciously; and, for his own -protection he recited an official formula, "Wot y' say now 'ull be -used in hevidence agin y'. Kim up, I tell y'." And, grasping her arm, -he hurried her fighting and crying round the near corner, and into a -red-brick building, over the door of which was a lamp inscribed -"Police Station."</p> - -<p>In a stuffy room, rendered almost unbearable by the heat of the -flaring gas, two men were talking earnestly together, notwithstanding -the lateness of the hour. The one in uniform was a burly, red-faced -martinet known in Grangebury as Inspector Lackland. He was too -completely hemmed in by red tapeism to count for much; but the other -in plain clothes was Absolom Gebb, well known in Scotland Yard as a -capable detective, but not so infallible as the miracle-monger of -fiction. It was Gebb who brought home the theft of Lady Daleshire's -diamonds to herself; who proved Dr. Marner to be guilty of poisoning -his wife, in spite of strong evidence to the contrary; who solved nine -out of every ten criminal problems submitted to him, and who was the -terror of all evil-doers. This tall, lean man with his clean-shaven -face and black, observant eyes was an enthusiast in his profession, -and loved to ponder over and follow out the intricacies of criminal -mysteries. At the present moment he was conversing with Lackland about -a recent Anarchist conspiracy, and therefore happened to be in the -Grangebury Police Office when the zealous policeman appeared with his -terrified prisoner. She cried out when she was thrust into the room, -and, confronted by inspector and detective, covered her face with her -hands.</p> - -<p>"Hey! What!" said Lackland, in his rasping voice. "What's all this -about?"</p> - -<p>"Case of murder, sir," jerked out the policeman, pushing forward the -prisoner. "Paradise Row! Woman strangled!"</p> - -<p>"Murder?" cried Gebb, pricking up his ears at the ominous word.</p> - -<p>"Murder!" screeched the woman, and fell into a chair. Evidently she -had received a shock and was on the verge of hysterics, for she began -to babble and weep copiously. Accustomed to deal with this sort of -emotion, Lackland seized a jug of water standing near his desk, and -dashed the contents into her face. The remedy was efficacious, for -with a gasp and a shiver the woman recovered her self-control and -tongue, also her inherent feminine vanity. "You brute!" she screamed, -jumping up wrathfully. "My best bonnet's spoilt."</p> - -<p>"Attention!" roared the inspector in his sternest military manner; -"none of this nonsense here. What about this murder in----"</p> - -<p>"I didn't kill her!" interrupted the woman, wiping her face. "'Tilda -and me knew nothing about it till we found her strangled when we came -back from the lecture."</p> - -<p>"Did you attend the lecture on Dickens in the Town Hall?" asked Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I did, sir; both me and 'Tilda, who is my servant, went."</p> - -<p>"What is your name?" asked the detective, with professional sharpness.</p> - -<p>"Maria Presk."</p> - -<p>"Married or single?"</p> - -<p>"Married once, single now," sighed the woman. "I am what you call a -widow, sir; and I let lodgings in Paradise Row."</p> - -<p>"Was this dead woman a lodger of yours?"</p> - -<p>"Miss Ligram, you mean? Yes. Miss Ligram was in the first floor -front."</p> - -<p>"And who killed Miss Ligram?" asked Gebb, looking keenly at Mrs. -Presk.</p> - -<p>The good lady turned ever paler than before.</p> - -<p>"I--I don't know, sir," she stammered, with a scared look. "I can take -my stand in any court of----"</p> - -<p>"Face this way, ma'am!" interrupted Lackland, who was indignant at the -way in which Gebb was usurping his authority. "I'm in charge of this -office. I'm the officer to take your evidence. Mr. Gebb! Discipline!"</p> - -<p>"Alright! Go ahead!" replied the detective, inwardly cursing the too -methodical procedure of his superior, "I don't want to interfere. -But," he added with emphasis, "I think we should go at once and look -at the corpse."</p> - -<p>"All in good time, Mr. Gebb. More haste, less speed!" said Lackland, -crisply.</p> - -<p>"And the more delay, the less chance of getting at the truth," -retorted Gebb.</p> - -<p>The fact was that Gebb's sporting instincts were roused, and he wanted -to be off on the trail while it was yet fresh. Every moment was of -importance. Yet, as he was not in charge of the case, he was forced to -stand idly by and hear the blundering inspector putting a lot of -irrelevant questions--good for nothing, but wasting time. However, -Gebb managed to extract some grains of wheat out of a vast quantity of -chaff, and in a roundabout way--thanks to the inspector's method of -questioning--learned the following facts, which were sufficient to -inform him how matters stood at present.</p> - -<p>Miss Ligram was--or rather, had been, since she no longer existed--a -lodger in the house of Mrs. Presk, No. 13, Paradise Row. She was a -quiet, inoffensive old lady, who gave little trouble, and who remained -by preference in her own room. On the night of the 24th July, Mrs. -Presk and her servant, Matilda Crane, had attended a lecture delivered -in the Town Hall. The lecture--an amusing one on Charles Dickens and -his works--had afforded them much pleasure, and they returned at -eleven o'clock to Paradise Row in a state of high spirits. On passing -round to the back entrance they saw that a light was still burning in -Miss Ligram's sitting-room, and, wondering at the sight--for the -lodger usually retired early--Mrs. Presk, on entering the house, had -gone upstairs to see if anything was wrong. To her horror she found -Miss Ligram dead, with a cord round her neck. Terrified by the sight, -she had called up Matilda Crane, who, more impressionable and less -hardened, had promptly fainted away. Mrs. Presk, a woman of energy and -resource, had immediately sought the aid of the police, and now -insisted that Lackland and his subordinates should remove the corpse -and capture the murderer.</p> - -<p>"That last is easier said than done," was Gebb's comment on this -demand. "By this time the assassin is far enough away. However, -there's no time to be lost in looking at the scene of the crime, as I -suggested."</p> - -<p>"Quite so," said Lackland, gruffly. "No time to waste, ma'am"--to Mrs. -Presk. "March! Gebb, come with me and catch the murderer!"</p> - -<p>This proposition recommending itself to Mrs. Presk, she left the -police-office with inspector and detective, and led the pair to her -house, which was situated down a side street no great distance away. -As the front door was closed, she conducted the men round the back -way, through the kitchen, and up the stairs into Miss Ligram's -sitting-room. On the mat in the passage, 'Tilda, the servant, lay -still insensible, so Mrs. Presk lifted her in her strong arms and -carried her to the kitchen to be revived as speedily as possible, in -case, as was almost certain, her evidence might be wanted. In the mean -time Lackland and Gebb had entered the room wherein the crime had been -committed, and were amazed at the splendour of the apartment. For -colouring and evidence of wealth it was like a scene out of the -Arabian Nights.</p> - -<p>The room was of no great size, with a window looking out on to the -street, and two doors, one leading in from a narrow passage, the other -giving admittance into an inner apartment, evidently a bedroom. The -walls were draped with rich hangings of satin, yellow as a buttercup -in hue, and a tent-like roof of the same tint and material was drawn -in many folds to a dome-like centre, whence depended by a brass chain -an Arabian lantern studded with knobs of yellow glass, which, -illuminated from within, shone like pale topaz stones. Tables, chairs, -and couches were framed of gilded cane, with coverlets and quilts of -yellow silk, and the ground of the carpet was of the same colour, -embroidered with bunches of primrose flowers. Also there were tall -narrow mirrors framed in yellow satin, clusters of daffodils in -grotesque Chinese vases of a deep yellow shade, and numerous -candles--all lighted--in candelabra silver gilt. Near the window, from -a brass chafing-dish standing on a tripod of the same metal, curled up -a thin white vapour diffusing a heavy rich perfume, and everywhere lay -nicknacks of gold and silver more or less costly; fur mats and rugs -dyed yellow, and many books covered in a homely fashion with yellow -paper. The prevailing colour of the room was a violent yellow; and -this, with the glare of the candles, the glitter of the mirrors, the -scent of the flowers, and the strong perfume of the incense, made the -heads of the onlookers reel. Even the matter-of-fact inspector was -impressed by the uncanny magnificence of the place.</p> - -<p>"By George, sir!" said he to Gebb, with the instincts of an old -soldier, "it's like a Mandalay Pagoda. If t'was in Burmah, now, -shouldn't mind looting it."</p> - -<p>Gebb was rubbing his hands, with sparkling eyes.</p> - -<p>"By the sight of it," he said joyfully, "this is going to be a -romantic case. I only hope I'll be lucky enough to get charge of it. -Did you furnish this room, ma'am?" he asked, turning sharply to Mrs. -Presk, whose pale grey face appeared over the shoulder of the burly, -staring inspector.</p> - -<p>"No, I didn't," retorted the landlady. "Miss Ligram furnished it -herself, and called it her Yellow Boudoir."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_02" href="#div1Ref_02">CHAPTER II</a></h4> -<h5>THE DEATH-CARD</h5> -<br> - -<p>If the appearance of the room was amazing, that of the dead woman was -not less so. The body was lying loosely in an armchair, with sprawling -legs and arms, like a saw-dust doll. The head lay limply on the -shoulder, and a yellow cord--evidently torn from a near curtain--was -bound tightly round the lean throat The distorted face, the protruding -tongue, the bulging eyes, and discoloured skin, all showed that the -poor creature had been strangled in the most remorseless manner. -Before her was placed a low cane table, on the yellow coverlet of -which a pack of cards was spread out face downward, but in the lap of -the dead woman lay another card with the face upward. It was the ace -of spades. Mrs. Presk noting it for the first time gave a screech of -mingled horror and surprise.</p> - -<p>"The death-card!" she gasped, stepping back. "Lord! how awful!"</p> - -<p>"What do you mean by the death-card?" asked Gebb, sharply.</p> - -<p>"Why!" said Mrs. Presk, astonished at the question, which to her -seemed unnecessary, "it's the card in the pack as stands for death. -When you turn up the ace of spades you know it's time to order your -coffin."</p> - -<p>"Rubbish!" said Gebb. "Humbug!" roared the inspector; and they both -shrugged their shoulders to show their contempt for such superstition.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Presk shook her head gloomily. "Talk won't alter the matter!" she -said, pointing to the card. "There's the death-token, and there's the -corpse; what do you make of that?"</p> - -<p>"I make this," said Gebb, dryly; "that the murderer must be a person -of imagination."</p> - -<p>"He ought to be shot, the blackguard," growled Lackland, "play-acting -with a corpse. I wonder what they were fooling with cards for? Looks -like a madman's work to me. What do you say, Gebb?"</p> - -<p>Gebb said nothing at the moment. He was examining the dead woman, who -was arrayed with unusual splendour quite in keeping with the room, yet -too richly for the front parlour of a fifth-rate lodging-house.</p> - -<p>Miss Ligram's body was that of an old woman close upon sixty years of -age, with a wrinkled face, and a profusion of silvery white hair -turned back in the style of Marie Antoinette. It was dressed in an -old-fashioned dinner-dress of white silk, trimmed with valuable lace, -and this was designed so as to show the lean neck and bony arms of the -wearer. Anything more incongruous than that poor clay clothed in such -costly garments can scarcely be imagined. It seemed to accentuate the -grimness of the crime, almost to elevate a sordid murder to the level -of tragedy.</p> - -<p>"Did Miss Ligram usually dress like this?" asked Gebb, turning to Mrs. -Presk.</p> - -<p>"Every evening!" replied the landlady, promptly.</p> - -<p>"She must have been eccentric!" was Gebb's comment on this reply.</p> - -<p>"Very eccentric, sir. I don't think she was quite right here." And the -landlady tapped her head significantly.</p> - -<p>"A Crazy Jane?" questioned Lackland.</p> - -<p>"She was and she wasn't," answered Mrs. Presk, enigmatically. "She -wasn't mad enough to be shut up, but she acted in a queerer way than -most people. Look at this room, and all its lights; every night it was -the same. She usually dined off a chop and potatoes, yet she dressed -in silk and lace to eat them. And----" Thus far Mrs. Presk with her -eyes on the corpse had proceeded volubly, when suddenly--still staring -at the dead woman--she stopped, and her jaw dropped. Motionless as a -stone image she stood looking; and then with an ejaculation she ran -out of the room. The detective and the inspector looked at her -vanishing form, looked at the corpse, looked at one another, and -failed to understand her action.</p> - -<p>"What the devil does that mean?" said Gebb, with surly amazement.</p> - -<p>"Only the devil knows," retorted Lackland, grimly; "but if that jade -is hiding anything of importance the sooner we get it out of her the -better. You're a bit of a lawyer, Gebb, so I'll bring back Mrs. Presk, -and you'll examine her!"</p> - -<p>"No!" said Gebb, detaining his friend; "let her go now. I'll get the -truth out of her to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"By George you will, will you!" grumbled Lackland, annoyed that his -advice was not taken; "and what if you don't get charge of the case?"</p> - -<p>"I'll grin and bear it, I suppose!" retorted the other; "but I'll work -my hardest to be given the handling of this affair, for it strikes me -that it will prove a sight more difficult than either of us guesses. -This room's a rum one, ain't it? And that pack of cards aren't there -for nothing. Then there is the dead woman's dress, and the landlady's -queer conduct. Oh, you can bet, inspector, there's a jolly lot more in -these things than meets the eye, and I'm the man to find out what they -all mean."</p> - -<p>"You can blow your own trumpet, I see!" said Lackland, dryly.</p> - -<p>Gebb laughed, in nowise embarrassed. "My trumpeter's dead from -over-work," he replied coolly. "If I don't praise myself no one else -will. However, I'll see to-morrow if the big wigs will let me run this -show in my own way. Now you go and look round the house, Lackland, and -leave me here to examine the room."</p> - -<p>"What about the body?" asked the inspector, dominated by Gebb's strong -will.</p> - -<p>"We'll let it lie here as it is, until the doctor comes. I told that -policeman who brought Mrs. Presk to the station to knock up an M.D."</p> - -<p>"By George, sir, one would think you were inspector here!" spluttered -the indignant Lackland. "Am I nobody?"</p> - -<p>"You're a good fellow--too good to get your monkey up for nothing. You -let me look after this murder myself. I'll do you a good turn some -other time."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'll let you have your own way for once. You're no fool, I will -say," muttered Lackland, and withdrew to look through the house. He -knew that Gebb was very clever, and in his heart was not unwilling to -avail himself of the detective's assistance. Therefore, he left him to -his own devices, and set out to seek Mrs. Presk in the kitchen. Having -found her, he made her show him the house, but judiciously refrained -from commenting on her late conduct. He left the elucidation of that -to Gebb.</p> - -<p>Left to himself, the detective examined the dead woman and the room -with minute attention to detail, keeping up a running commentary the -while on his discoveries. He had a habit of talking aloud when alone, -as if to emphasize his opinions, and, while examining the boudoir, -soliloquized with appropriate actions like a stage-player.</p> - -<p>"The furniture is quite in order," he murmured, his keen eyes roving -hither and thither. "Therefore there can have been no struggle. The -murderer was no intruder, but was expected. A visitor! perhaps a -friend! He--let me presume the criminal to be a man--he no doubt -entered, and was kindly received by the deceased. Here is a bottle, -and two glasses with wine in each; so the two were friendly enough to -drink in company. There is a chair on either side of this table -whereon the cards are laid out The dead body remains in the one -nearest the wall; so I expect the visitor sat in the other with his -back to the door. Were they playing cards? I think not, as in that -case the whole pack would not be laid out in this fashion. I have it!" -cried Gebb, smiting his open palm with his fist, "the visitor was -telling Miss Ligram's fortune. He placed the cards in that position -and told her to draw one. She drew the ace of spades, which yet lies -in her lap, and when face to face with the omen of death he killed -her."</p> - -<p>Here the detective paused to consider if he was correct in assuming -the assassin to be a man. Fortune-telling--especially by cards--is -usually indulged in by the other sex. But would a woman, however -cruel, have so brutally strangled her unsuspecting hostess, and--as it -may be assumed--friend? Gebb examined the chair on which the visitor -had sat, and found traces of tobacco ash.</p> - -<p>"Cigarette ash?" he pronounced it after an examination, "the quality -is fine and quantity small. The visitor was a man and he was smoking. -H'm! That is not like a professional fortune-teller. Such a one would -be too desirous of impressing his dupe to spoil the gravity of the -situation by smoking. The man must have been a friend, and he probably -told the woman's fortune in this way to throw her off her guard. Let -us look further."</p> - -<p>The chair in which the dead body was lying, stood some little distance -from the hangings of the wall. These, as Gebb discovered on further -examination, had been draped back with a cord to reveal a small oil -painting; but the cord--which had a loop at either end to slip over a -brass nail, concealed beneath the hangings of satin--had been deftly -removed (not torn) from its peg, and flung round the victim's neck. On -the floor behind the chair Gebb picked up a half-burnt cigarette, -which had smouldered out. With this in his hand he returned to the -centre of the room and looked once more at the cards. These attracted -him strangely.</p> - -<p>"Without doubt the fortune-telling was a trick," he said aloud. "The -man set out the cards, and while his victim was selecting one he -lighted a cigarette, and rose to stroll round the room. Not suspecting -any danger--which shows, by the way, that she must have trusted -him--his victim let him pass behind her chair. While there, he slipped -the loops of the cord off the nail. Then when she turned up the -death-card--a pure coincidence, no doubt--he threw the cord over her -head and choked her before the poor wretch had time to call out for -assistance. He then robbed the body at his leisure, and left the -house. It's as clear as day."</p> - -<p>Presuming that the murderer had gone out by the front door, Gebb left -the room and went into the passage. To his surprise he found that the -front door was locked, but, as the detective noted, not bolted.</p> - -<p>"He must have locked it after he left the house," thought Gebb, "and -no doubt did so to prevent intrusion and a too sudden discovery of his -crime. I expect he threw away the key when outside. In the front -garden most probably; I'll look."</p> - -<p>Before he could put his design into execution, which he intended doing -by passing out the back way, Mrs. Presk arrived downstairs with the -intelligence that Inspector Lackland was still searching the upper -portion of the house for traces of the assassin, but could find -nothing and no one. "So," said she, "I expect the wretch ran away -after killing poor Miss Ligram."</p> - -<p>"By the front door," Gebb informed her, "and he locked it after him."</p> - -<p>"Did he?" said Mrs. Presk, with a stare; "now that's queer."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked the detective, sharply.</p> - -<p>"Because Miss Ligram always kept the front door locked, and the key in -her pocket. That was one of her queer ways which I never could abide."</p> - -<p>Without a word Gebb returned to the Yellow Boudoir, and searched in -the pocket of the dead woman. Sure enough he found therein a large key -which Mrs. Presk immediately declared to be that of the front door. -Gebb was puzzled, as this discovery upset much of his previous -reasoning.</p> - -<p>"In that case the man could not have cleared out by the front," he -said, "as not having the key he could not lock the door after him. Let -us see the back door; he may have escaped in that direction."</p> - -<p>"The back door was locked," said Mrs. Presk, promptly. "I had the key -in my pocket when I went to the lecture."</p> - -<p>"Was the door locked when you returned?" asked Gebb, more puzzled than -ever.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir, it was. I had no thought that anything was wrong until I -came upstairs and saw the corpse; though, to be sure," added Mrs. -Presk, suddenly, "I fancied it strange that the lights should be -burning so late in Miss Ligram's boudoir. I saw them from the road, -you know, Mr. Gebb; and the sight gave me a turn, I can tell you."</p> - -<p>"He must have got out through a back window," murmured Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Indeed, he didn't, sir. When I brought 'Tilda out of her faint in the -kitchen I looked at all the windows in the basement; they are all -bolted and barred proper. 'Tilda and me's both careful on account of -burglars."</p> - -<p>Gebb pinched his chin and shook his head in a perplexed manner; after -which he walked to the window of the yellow room and examined it -carefully. It was fastened by a snick, the position of which showed -that the window was closed, and could not have been used as an exit.</p> - -<p>"Let alone the danger of the cove being seen by a chance policeman, -and taken up as a burglar," mused Gebb, "what about the upstairs -windows, Mrs. Presk?"</p> - -<p>"They're all locked, sir. Mr. Inspector examined every one."</p> - -<p>"Then the man must be in the house still," was Gebb's final -conclusion.</p> - -<p>"He isn't," insisted Mrs. Presk, with a startled glance over her -shoulder; "we've looked under all the beds, and into all the rooms and -cupboards. Unless he is like a sparrow on the house-top, I don't know -where he can be."</p> - -<p>"Well, there doesn't seem any way by which he could get out," said -Gebb, in a vexed tone. "Did you hear any sound in the house when you -arrived home?"</p> - -<p>"No, I didn't, sir. I went up to see if Miss Ligram was ill, as I -noticed that her room was lighted up, then I saw the corpse, and -called 'Tilda, who ran up and fainted. She ain't got my nerves, Mr. -Gebb."</p> - -<p>"Did you lock the back door when you came in?"</p> - -<p>"Lawks, no, sir! 'Tilda and me was in such a flurry to see if Miss -Ligram was ill that we just left the door anyhow.</p> - -<p>"When you went upstairs was the door closed to?"</p> - -<p>"I think so," replied Mrs. Presk, after a pause, "for 'Tilda banged -it to; but it wasn't locked, I'll take my dying word on that."</p> - -<p>"When you came for the police did you leave by that door?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I did; by the back door, as Miss Ligram kept the front one -locked."</p> - -<p>"Was it closed when you went out?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Presk looked up suddenly, rather alarmed. "No sir, it wasn't," -said she in startled tones, "It was--as you might say--ajar."</p> - -<p>"Aha!" said Gebb, triumphantly, "then you may depend upon it, Mrs. -Presk, that when you came home the assassin was in the house."</p> - -<p>"In the house!" gasped Mrs. Presk. "Lor, sir! it ain't possible."</p> - -<p>"Yes! he did not know where to find the front-door key; and -discovering that the back door was locked, he just hid himself in the -kitchen until you and the servant went upstairs to look on his -handiwork. Then he slipped out to escape the consequences."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Presk's knees gave way, and she was fain to sit down--as far away -from the dead body as possible however. "It's past believing," she -moaned, rocking herself to and fro. "Lord! what an escape 'Tilda and -me's had from being strangulated. Ugh!" she shuddered, "look at that -poor soul, sir, ain't it enough to freeze your blood."</p> - -<p>"Did it freeze yours, that you ran out of the room?" asked Gebb, -hoping to take her unawares.</p> - -<p>"No! a'wasn't that!" whispered Mrs. Presk, turning pale, "but I was -afeard!"</p> - -<p>"Of what?" asked the detective, rather puzzled.</p> - -<p>"Of you, sir," was the unexpected reply.</p> - -<p>"Indeed! then you know something about the matter?"</p> - -<p>"Yes!" issued from the landlady's pale lips, "I--I noticed something."</p> - -<p>"What did you notice?"</p> - -<p>"I daren't tell you."</p> - -<p>"You must!"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Presk rose and hastily made for the door. Before she could reach -it Gebb had placed his back against it. "You don't leave this room -until I know what you are hiding."</p> - -<p>"I'm hiding nothing!" burst out Mrs. Presk, "haven't you got eyes?" -She pointed towards the dead woman. "Look!" she cried "Look!"</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_03" href="#div1Ref_03">CHAPTER III</a></h4> -<h5>A WOMAN WITHOUT A PAST</h5> -<br> - -<p>As desired, Gebb looked at the gaily decked figure in the chair, and -tried to find out what Mrs. Presk meant.</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm looking," he said at length, "but I'm blest if I can see -anything."</p> - -<p>"Of course you can't!" cried the landlady, hysterically triumphant, -"'cause they ain't there!"</p> - -<p>"What aren't there?"</p> - -<p>"The diamonds!"</p> - -<p>"Diamonds!" repeated Gebb, with a start, as he noted that the dead -woman wore no jewellery. "Had she diamonds?"</p> - -<p>"I should think she had!" said Mrs. Presk, sitting down again. "Stars -for her hair, rings, bracelets, and the loveliest necklace you ever -saw--just like dewdrops with the sun on them. She wore her jewellery -every night, and all to eat her chop. I saw them diamonds on her afore -I went to the lecture."</p> - -<p>"And when you came back they were gone."</p> - -<p>"Every one of them," replied Mrs. Presk, defiantly, "and when I -noticed it--for, to own up, Mr. Gebb, I didn't notice they were gone -till I was here with you talking about her dress--but when I did -notice, I ran out of the room 'cause I was a-feared you might say -'Tilda and I stole 'em."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense! Why should I say that?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, there ain't no tellings," said Mrs. Presk, with a toss of her -head.</p> - -<p>"Was that why you made all that howling?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, it was, sir; and I ran out to the kitchen to ask 'Tilda if she -had noticed if the diamonds were gone when we came in first; for I was -that flurried I didn't look for 'em."</p> - -<p>"And does 'Tilda say the diamonds were gone?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! I dessay the murdering villain who killed the poor dear stole -'em. I wish I had the hanging of him."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you may assist me to put the rope round his neck," said Gebb. -"Well, Mrs. Presk, I'll come and see you to-morrow, and you must tell -me all you know about this woman. In the mean time, I think I hear the -doctor coming."</p> - -<p>The detective's ears had not deceived him, for the approaching -footsteps were those of the doctor. Escorted by the policeman who had -met Mrs. Presk, he entered in no very good humour at being knocked up -at so late an hour. However, the looks of the corpse, and the -appearance of the room both astonished and interested him; and he made -his examination. It took only a few minutes for him to decide that the -death had taken place shortly before or after ten o'clock, and must -have been almost instantaneous. When the examination was concluded, -Gebb and the inspector left the house in charge of the policeman, and -returned to the station to make their report. While the prosaic -Lackland set down the bare details of the case for the information of -the authorities, Gebb mused over the events of the night, and pondered -what was best to be done under the circumstances.</p> - -<p>As yet he had gained no information from Mrs. Presk about her lodger, -but intended to examine her on the morrow when she was somewhat -recovered from the strain of the late events. In the mean time, Gebb -fancied that the strange room, designed and furnished by the dead -woman, might turn out a more important factor in the matter than at -present appeared. Even if Mrs. Presk did prove to be ignorant of Miss -Ligram's past--which was extremely unlikely--the strongly marked and -eccentric taste of the lodger, as exemplified in illumination, -colouring, and furnishing, might provide a sufficiently stable basis -for operations. In a word, Gebb considered that the most promising -clue to the mystery was the predominance of the colour yellow in the -sitting-room. Criminal problems, as he knew, had been solved by -slighter means.</p> - -<p>As Lackland surmised, Gebb, being high in favour with the authorities -as a detective of no ordinary capabilities, had little difficulty in -gaining their consent to taking charge of the case. The inspector made -his report, Gebb his application, and after the due formalities had -been complied with, the detective found that the responsibility of -tracing Miss Ligram's assassin lay solely on his own shoulders, -which--as he comfortably assured himself--were quite capable of -bearing the burden. He was the more pleased with his employment, -as the Grangebury murder case promised to be one of those mysteries -which he loved. A dead woman: a strangely furnished room: a pack of -cards: these were the elements of the case, and, so far as Gebb could -see at present, there was no clue--save the lavish use of the colour -yellow--to the past of the victim, or the identity of the assassin. In -Mrs. Presk lay his sole hope of gaining intelligence likely to lead to -some practical result; so at eleven o'clock next morning Gebb, in an -anxious frame of mind, was once more on the scene of the murder, and -in the presence of his principal witness.</p> - -<p>In the searching light of day Mrs. Presk was more uncomely than ever. -Tall, gaunt, angular, and dressed in the worst possible taste, she -presented few of the alluring graces of her sex. To have woo'd, and -won, and lived with this strident Amazon, the late Mr. Presk must have -been a suitor of no ordinary courage. However, she made an excellent -witness, as her brain was clear, her courage high, and she had not a -morsel of imagination. Moreover, her hysteria of the previous night -had disappeared.</p> - -<p>She answered Gebb's leading questions in a cut-and-dried fashion, -without discursive rambling after her own private opinions: but with -all this, the examination, and the details obtainable therefrom, -proved to be anything but satisfactory. Considering the business-like -instincts of detective and widow, a more meagre result can scarcely be -conceived.</p> - -<p>"For how long has Miss Ligram been lodging with you?" was Gebb's first -question, put in a form which appeared to assume that the victim was -still in existence.</p> - -<p>"For three months," replied Mrs. Presk, referring to a dingy little -book with which she had furnished herself, in anticipation of the -ordeal. "She came to me on the first of May last; she left here--for -heaven, I hope--on the twenty-fourth day of July; so, as you can -see for yourself, Mr. Gebb, she has been with me two months and -twenty-four days, neither more nor less; and there ain't no Court of -Law as I'd swear different in."</p> - -<p>"She came in answer to an advertisement, I suppose?"</p> - -<p>"No, she didn't," contradicted the widow. "I don't advertise: it's -low. I put a card in the window, and it was that card which made Miss -Ligram apply here for board and lodging. She applied," continued Mrs. -Presk, consulting her book, "on the twenty-ninth of April, and I -agreed to take her on the thirtieth; so that she entered my house on -the first of May."</p> - -<p>"Why two days' delay?"</p> - -<p>"Because I couldn't make up my mind about taking her in."</p> - -<p>"She offered you too little?"</p> - -<p>"On the contrary, Mr. Gebb, she offered me too much."</p> - -<p>"No wonder you thought her eccentric," said the detective, with irony; -"but kindly explain the position more fully."</p> - -<p>"I asked her three pound a week for parlour, bedroom, fire, and -light, which is little enough, I'm sure, as everything in my house is -of the best To my surprise. Miss Ligram offered to pay me six--just -double--on condition that I allowed her to dismantle the front room, -and refurnish it herself."</p> - -<p>"Did she give any reason for this singular request?"</p> - -<p>"She said she liked her own goods and chattels about her," replied -Mrs. Presk; "and though at first I did not fancy the idea of clearing -out the parlour--which was most handsomely furnished--yet, on thinking -over the matter, I decided that double the money I asked was not to be -despised. I therefore agreed to Miss Ligram's terms, and on the last -day of April I dismantled the parlour. On the first of May Miss Ligram -came in a van and----"</p> - -<p>"Came in a van?" interrupted Gebb, profoundly astonished.</p> - -<p>"Yes! she rode beside the driver, and he assisted her to set out the -parlour in the style you saw. It was all done in a day by the pair, -for Miss Ligram would not let me help."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps she was afraid of your asking the driver questions as to -where she came from?" suggested Gebb, shrewdly.</p> - -<p>"She might have saved herself the trouble," said Mrs. Presk, grimly. -"I did speak to the driver, and asked that very question, only to find -that he was deaf and dumb."</p> - -<p>"Queer!" murmured the detective, rubbing his nose. "She took good care -to hide her past I wonder why?"</p> - -<p>"I don't," snapped the landlady with feminine malevolence; "it's my -opinion that Miss Ligram's past was not respectable."</p> - -<p>"H'm! I must say it looks like it. What was the name on the van?"</p> - -<p>"There was no name, Mr. Gebb. The van--painted yellow, with one grey -horse and a red-headed driver, deaf and dumb--was the private property -of Miss Ligram. It was not the first time she had moved that yellow -room about," and the widow nodded significantly.</p> - -<p>"Why are you doubtful of Miss Ligram's past?"</p> - -<p>"Well!" said Mrs. Presk, taking time to answer this question, "you can -only judge a person's past by a person's present, and Miss Ligram knew -too many shady people for my taste."</p> - -<p>"Shady people!" echoed Gebb, pricking up his ears at this hint of a -clue; "what sort of people?"</p> - -<p>"Fortune-tellers, conjurors, spiritualists, and such-like, sir."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" Gebb recalled the spread-out pack of cards, "so she was rather -superstitious."</p> - -<p>"Superstitious!" cried Mrs. Presk, casting up her eyes. "She was a -very pagan for omens, and talismans, and consultation of cards. There -wasn't a fortune-teller in London she hadn't down here at one time or -another to read her hand, or question the stars, or look into the -crystal ball, or spread out the cards. She was a perfect gold mine to -those swindlers, believing all their lies, like the poor benighted -heathen she was."</p> - -<p>"What did she particularly seek to know?"</p> - -<p>"The future!" was the landlady's curt reply.</p> - -<p>"No doubt," returned Gebb, dryly; "and her own future at that. But was -there any particular aim in her questioning?"</p> - -<p>"Yes!" said Mrs. Presk, with a burst of confidence, "there was. I -found it out from one of her fortune-telling visitors. She wanted to -know if she would die by violence."</p> - -<p>"So!" said Gebb, drawling out the word reflectively in the German -fashion. "And was a violent death predicted?"</p> - -<p>"It was--by the fortune-teller I asked, Mr. Gebb; and sure enough the -prediction came true, though, as a rule, I don't believe in such -rubbish; still it was queer she should die with the ace of spades in -her lap."</p> - -<p>"A fortune-teller was with her on the night she was killed," said -Gebb, after a pause.</p> - -<p>"How do you know, sir?" questioned Mrs. Presk, eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Because the cards were laid out, and the death-card was in the lap of -the corpse. Now I believe that this man---- By the way," said Gebb, -breaking away from his original speech, "did Miss Ligram smoke?"</p> - -<p>"Not to my knowledge," rejoined Mrs. Presk, promptly. "She was a lady -in her habits. Some of 'em was queer, but they were all genteel; -indeed they were."</p> - -<p>"It's not out of keeping with well-bred habits for a lady to smoke," -corrected the detective, mildly. "Many ladies do nowadays. But -as--according to you--Miss Ligram did not smoke herself, it is -probable that her visitor was a man. I found the stump of a cigarette -near the chair. When he got behind it to strangle her----"</p> - -<p>"To strangle her!" repeated Mrs. Presk, horrified "Do you think this -fortune-teller killed her?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do. I believe firmly that, attracted by her diamonds, he -verified his own prediction, and murdered her in the most cold-blooded -fashion."</p> - -<p>"Impossible, Mr. Gebb. He was a friend of hers!"</p> - -<p>"Ah! you know the man!" cried Gebb, pouncing down on this admission.</p> - -<p>"No, I don't!" cried the landlady, in rather a nervous manner for one -of her iron composure, "but I know she had a visitor on that night. -She told me she had a friend coming, but she didn't say if it was a -lady or a gentleman. It was because Miss Ligram expected this person -that she sent 'Tilda and me to the lecture."</p> - -<p>"Sent you to the lecture!" said Gebb, emphasizing the first word.</p> - -<p>"Well, she didn't exactly send us," explained Mrs. Presk, reluctantly, -"but she gave me two tickets and suggested that we should go. Knowing -her habits, and always willing to oblige, I went, and took 'Tilda."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" asked Gebb, staring at the landlady.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Presk explained herself more clearly.</p> - -<p>"On occasions Miss Ligram was ashamed of her superstitions, I think, -sir, for three or four times she got me and 'Tilda out of the house -while she consulted her swindlers. Once," said Mrs. Presk, consulting -her book, "it was the Crystal Palace; again, two seats at the Adelphi; -Earl's Court Exhibition three weeks ago, and the local lecture last -night. But we came back always to find her in bed, until this last -time," concluded Mr. Presk, with a shudder.</p> - -<p>"A strange woman," commented Gebb, thoughtfully. "So you never found -out where she came from?"</p> - -<p>"No, sir, she was as close as wax. I called her the Lady from -Nowhere."</p> - -<p>"You know nothing of her past?"</p> - -<p>"Nothing! She might have come from the moon for all I know of her."</p> - -<p>"You saw no letters, photographs----"</p> - -<p>"Nothing!" interrupted the landlady, emphatically. "I saw nothing."</p> - -<p>"Then," said Gebb, rising briskly, "I must stick to the clue of the -Yellow Room."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_04" href="#div1Ref_04">CHAPTER IV</a></h4> -<h5>THE FIVE LANDLADIES</h5> -<br> - -<p>The journalist is the true Asmodeus of the day, and is quite as fond -as that meddlesome demon of interfering with what does not concern -him. He invades the privacy of our lives, unroofs our houses, reveals -our secrets, and trumpets forth things best left untold to the four -quarters of the globe.</p> - -<p>Gebb had an especial abhorrence of this magpie habit of the Press; as -he averred, with much reason, that the excessively minute details of -criminal cases set forth in the newspapers put the ill-doers on their -guard, and warned them of coming dangers, with the result that they -were easily able to evade the futile clutches of the hands of Justice. -Yet in the instance of the Grangebury murder, the publication of -details had a singular result: no less than the assisting of right -against wrong.</p> - -<p>As soon as the circumstances of the crime became known, the reporters -of every newspaper in the metropolis flocked to Paradise Row with -expansive notebooks, eager eyes, and inquiring minds. They surveyed -the house, questioned the police, interviewed Mrs. Presk, and gave -outline portraits of the landlady and her servant. The Yellow Boudoir -especially attracted their attention, and stirred their imagination to -descriptions of Eastern splendour. It was hinted that its magnificence -was on more than a kingly scale; it was compared to the celebrated -room in one of Balzac's romances, and its furnishing and appointments -were minutely detailed in glowing descriptions, exhausting the most -superlative adjectives in the English tongue. Also the unknown history -and strange death of its occupant were commented upon; guesses were -made as to her identity; and reasons were given for her secretive -life, for her strange belief in, and consultation of, charlatans and -fortune-tellers and all those cunning gipsies who live by the -gullibility of the public. Appeals were made in these articles to the -deaf and dumb driver to appear and declare the mystery of the yellow -van, the yellow room, and their queer owner. In short, as the journals -were in want of a sensation, they made the most of this material -supplied by chance, and England from one end to the other rang with -the tidings of Miss Ligram's death, Miss Ligram's boudoir, and Miss -Ligram's mysterious life. And all this trumpeting and noise, Gebb, the -enemy of the Press, heard with singular complacency, indeed, with -pleasure and satisfaction.</p> - -<p>"As a rule, I hate these revelations," said he to one who knew his -views and wondered at his equanimity, "as in nine cases out of ten -they do more harm than good by placing the criminal on his guard; but -this is the tenth case, where it is advisable to make the details of -the crime as public as possible. I rely on these descriptions of the -Yellow Boudoir to trace Miss Ligram's past life."</p> - -<p>"In what way?" demanded the inquirer.</p> - -<p>"In the way of the yellow van," replied Gebb, promptly. "As Mrs. Presk -truly observed, the hard fact of that van shows that Miss Ligram was -in the habit of moving from place to place with her tent, and setting -it up after the fashion of an Arab, in whatever spot took her fancy. -Now, when those other people who have had the Yellow Boudoir set out -in its tawdry splendour under their roofs read of Miss Ligram's death, -and recognize the description of her strange room, they will come -forward, and detail their experiences of the lady. So, in one way and -another, we may be enabled to trace Miss Ligram's past life back to a -starting-point It is the only chance I can see of gaining any -knowledge."</p> - -<p>Within the week events of a strange nature justified the judicious -belief entertained by the astute detective. Letters in female -caligraphy were received at Scotland Yard, stating that the writers -could give certain information to the police concerning the murdered -woman. Also, a few days later, decayed females of the landlady genus -presented themselves in person to detail their experiences of Miss -Ligram and her eccentricities. From all these personal and written -statements it appeared that for four years, more or less, Miss Ligram -had been moving from one part of London to another. In no one place -she had remained longer than six months, and in each her conduct and -mode of life had been the same. She arrived regularly in the yellow -van, and, having obtained permission from the various landladies at -the cost of paying double the rent demanded, as regularly set up and -furnished her Yellow Boudoir. As in the latest instance of the -Grangebury episode, she consulted fortune-tellers, spiritualists, and -shady people of a like nature, departing at the end of each tenancy -without a word as to her destination. It would seem from this evidence -that the woman was consistent in her eccentricities, and conducted her -strangely secretive life on the most methodical principles.</p> - -<p>One thing which seemed of a piece with the dead woman's desire for -concealment, was that in every place she--so to speak--camped in, she -gave a different name; each appellation being stranger than the last, -and all apparently of her own manufacture. She figured at Hampstead -under the name of Margil; in Richmond she was known as Miss Ramlig; -when housed in St. John's Wood she called herself Milgar; and at -Shepherd's Bush--but for the sake of clearness it will be advisable to -let the several landladies speak for themselves--five persons, five -pieces of information more or less similar, and five obviously made-up -names. So much for the past of Miss Ligram.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Brown, of West Kensington, stated that she knew the deceased -under the name of Miss Limrag. She arrived at Mrs. Brown's in the -month of May, '95, and after a six months' tenancy departed in the -month of October in the same year. Mrs. Brown was ignorant as to where -she come from, and equally at a loss to declare whither she went. Both -in coming and going Miss Limrag used as a means of transport the -yellow van, and during her residence she inhabited the Yellow Room of -her own furnishing for the consulting therein of the fortune-telling -fraternity.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Kane testified that a lady who called herself Miss Milgar arrived -in Shelley Road, St. John's Wood, on the first day of November, '95, -and left the district in the last days of April, '96. Her conduct -during her six months' stay was similar to that described by Mrs. -Presk and Mrs. Brown. On the evidence of such conduct, and the facts -of the van and boudoir (both yellow in colour), Mrs. Kane had no -hesitation in declaring that the murdered Miss Ligram, of Grangebury, -was her eccentric lodger, Miss Milgar.</p> - -<p>The information given by Miss Bain, of Crescent Villa, Hampstead, -showed that the name assumed there by the wandering lady was Margil, -and that she took possession of her lodgings there in the month of -November, '93--having arrived, according to her custom, in the yellow -van. While the lodger of Miss Bain, she gave herself up to the study -of dream-books, and the interpretation of visions. During her -occupancy of Crescent Villa, the landlady, in spite of all efforts, -could find out nothing about her past or discover where she came from; -and the so-called Miss Margil departed with her furniture towards the -end of April, 1894. She left no address.</p> - -<p>Miss Lamb, resident at Richmond, entertained the unknown from -November, 1894, to April, 1895. She knew her by the strange name of -Ramlig, and always thought her weak in her mind, owing to her queer -mode of life, and belief in omens. When Miss Ramlig made any boastful -speech reflecting on her worldly prosperity, she would touch wood to -avert the omen. "Absit omen"; "Umberufen"; "In a good hour be it -spoken "; "N'importe." These words and phrases were continually on her -tongue; and she was a slave to all forms of superstition. She would -not walk under a ladder; if she spilt salt she threw a pinch over -her shoulder; an unexpected meeting with a magpie, a hunchback, a -cross-eyed person, or with a piebald horse, either made her rejoice in -the most extravagant fashion, or threw her into a fever of -apprehension. She was not communicative, and resisted all Miss Lamb's -attempts at social intercourse. During the whole period of her stay, -no words were spoken, and no event occurred, likely to throw light on -her past; nor, when she departed, did Miss Lamb discover whither she -intended to go. In coming, in staying, in going, Miss Ramlig was a -mystery.</p> - -<p>The owner of Myrtle Bank, Shepherd's Bush, a bird-like spinster called -Cass, informed Gebb that a certain Miss Migral lodged with her from -the first of May to the end of October, 1894. She arrived in the van -spoken of by the other witnesses; she paid double rent for the -privilege of dismantling a room, and therein set up her tent-like -habitation of yellow satin, furnished with cane chairs and tables, -illuminated with candles, and perfumed with incense. She was, said -Miss Cass, superstitious beyond all belief, actually divining by -teacups, and believing in the future as foretold by the position of -the tea-leaves, after the fashion of illiterate servant-girls. Miss -Migral never went to church, she had--so far as Miss Cass knew, no -Bible in her possession; but read books dealing with fortune-telling -and necromancy. One of her favourite volumes was "The Book of Fate," -another "The Book of Dreams," and she appeared to have an insatiable -desire to know the future; but for what reason, Miss Cass--in spite of -all efforts--was unable to discover. This strange creature departed -with all her worldly goods for some unknown destination during the -last days of October, 1894.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Presk was the last landlady who received this mysterious woman, -and knew her as Miss Ligram. She arrived at Paradise Row at the -beginning of May, 1896, and met with a violent death three months -later. Mrs. Presk was as ignorant of the woman's past as the other -landladies had been. She arrived from nowhere, and, no doubt, would -have departed six months later in an equally mysterious fashion. But -in the middle of her Grangebury tenancy, a violent death put an end to -her further wanderings.</p> - -<p>Gebb heard all this evidence, which was monotonous from its sameness, -with much satisfaction and great attention. By means of the details -afforded by the five landladies and Mrs. Presk, he traced back the -wanderings of the dead woman to the month of November, 1893, but -further back he was unable to go, for lack of information. In spite of -all publicity given to the case, notwithstanding advertisements, and -his own private efforts, no other witnesses came forward to give -evidence as to the past of Miss Ligram; so, finding he was at a -dead stop, the detective resolved to stand--at all events for the -present--on the information he had already acquired. For his own -private information and guidance he tabulated an account of Miss -Ligram's names, addresses, and former landladies, together with the -dates of her various rests, as follows:--</p> -<br> -<div style="font-size:smaller; margin-left:5%"> -<p class="t0">Miss Bain, Hampstead</p> -<p class="t5">Margil, Nov., 1893, to April, 1894</p> -<br> -<p class="t0">Miss Cass, Shepherd's Bush</p> -<p class="t5">Migral, May to Oct.,1894</p> -<br> -<p class="t0">Miss Lamb, Richmond</p> -<p class="t5">Ramlig, Nov., 1894, to April, 1895</p> -<br> -<p class="t0">Mrs. Brown, West Kensington</p> -<p class="t5">Limrag, May to Oct. 1895</p> -<br> -<p class="t0">Mrs. Kane, St. John's Wool</p> -<p class="t5">Milgar, Nov., 1895, to April, 1896</p> -<br> -<p class="t0">Mrs. Presk, Grangebury</p> -<p class="t5">Ligram, April to July, 1896</p> -</div> -<br> - -<p class="continue">And at the foot of this table he noted the fact that on the night of -the 24th July, 1896--according to medical evidence at ten o'clock--the -so-called Miss Ligram met with a violent death at the hands of some -unknown person.</p> - -<p>So far so good; but here Gebb's information came to an end, and beyond -a few years' knowledge of Miss Ligram's past, he had no evidence to -show him why she had taken to this mode of life, or why her eccentric -manner of living should have been cut short by violence. Ready as he -was in resource, the detective did not know how to act, or in which -direction to turn for information. While thus perplexed he received a -hasty note scribbled on a half-sheet of dirty paper. It ran as -follows:--</p> -<br> - -<p style="text-indent:50%; font-size:smaller">"48, Guy Street, Pimlico.</p> - -<p style="text-indent:5%">"Come and see me at once, about the Grangebury case. I have solved the -mystery, and can hang the criminal.--Yours,</p> - -<p style="text-indent:50%;""><span class="sc">Simon Parge.</span>"</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_05" href="#div1Ref_05">CHAPTER V</a></h4> -<h5>A FRIEND IN NEED</h5> -<br> - -<p>But that Gebb knew the writer of this curt note, which was hardly -civil in its brevity, he would have been much surprised at the -untoward chance of its coming at so critical a moment to help him out -of his difficulties. As it was, he felt more relieved than astonished, -and hastened to obey the summons without delay. It was not the first -time he had used Mr. Parge as a finger-post to point out the right -path, and in the present instance he was rather vexed with himself -that he had not applied before in this quarter for advice and -guidance. But better late than never, thought he, while repairing his -error, and making up for his neglect by replying in person to the -summons.</p> - -<p>Towards Parge, the detective stood in the relation of pupil to master; -for it was Parge who, observing his abilities, had induced him to join -the profession, and had never ceased to praise, and blame, and help -him on to the best of his ability. For some considerable time Parge -had been a noted detective himself, and he had retired within the last -few years into private life, owing to a tendency to obesity and an -increase of years which forbade his further exercising his talents in -the way of thief-catching and assassin-hunting. The criminal -fraternity had rejoiced rather too soon, when they heard that their -great enemy had retired on a pension; for Parge left behind him a -worthy successor in the person of Gebb, and he still instructed the -latter in particularly difficult cases where two heads were better -than one. Mr. Parge, by reason of his eighteen stone, was chained to -an armchair for the rest of his life; but his brain was still active, -and he took a sufficient interest in Scotland Yard affairs to read all -criminal cases, and help his more active deputy to bring them to -satisfactory conclusions. The old detective sat in his house like Odin -on the Air-throne, and--through the medium of the Press--knew much -that was going on in the shady section of society, which he had -watched for so many years. Frequently he instructed Gebb how to act, -and what conclusions to form on slender evidence; and the pupil, when -at a loss, invariably turned to his master for a word of encouragement -and explanation. But that Parge had forestalled him by sending the -note, Gebb, later on, would have laid the case of the Yellow Boudoir -before his--so to speak--sleeping partner.</p> - -<p>"I guess the old man will be in a rage," said Gebb to himself as he -hurried with all speed to Pimlico. "I should have seen him before on -the matter, only it has bothered me so. He says he has solved the -mystery--that means he has discovered who killed Miss Ligram. I don't -believe it--with the greatest possible respect for Simon--I don't -believe it."</p> - -<p>The ex-detective dwelt in a little house in a little square, and -passed his time usually in a huge armchair, placed conveniently near -the window, so that he could survey the busy world from which he had -withdrawn. He was a Daniel Lambert for size and rotundity, with a -large red face like a full moon, and an impressive girth which would -have made the fortune of an alderman; but his eyes were keen and -bright, and the brain pertaining to this man-mountain of flesh was as -active as one cased in the leanest of bodies. He was clothed in a -gaudy-figured dressing-gown of blue and red, wore carpet slippers on -his large feet, a smoking-cap with a large tassel on his sparse locks, -and sat amid a litter of newspapers. Parge took in nearly every -morning and evening journal in London, and from dawn till dark read -the police news, cutting out all such cases as he deemed worthy of his -attention. In the evening he usually played whist with his wife and -two cronies, or kept the company enthralled by his stories of the -scoundrels he had exposed, and the under-world he had moved in. Mrs. -Parge--an anæmic woman, as slender as Simon was stout--waited on her -husband, and thought him--intellectually and morally, as he was -physically--the greatest of men. She did all the house-work with the -assistance of a small servant, and, being an excellent cook, had -contributed not a little to the weight and size of her spouse by -preparing those appetizing dishes which her Simon loved. The couple -had a comfortable income, a comfortable house, and both enjoyed the -best of health, so that the Parge household was as happy a one as -could be found in London.</p> - -<p>"My word, Absalom," said lean Mrs. Parge when she opened the door, -"you're going to have a bad time; you've going to catch it. Simon saw -you from the window, and is getting up steam to receive you."</p> - -<p>A series of growls proceeding from the near parlour proclaimed the -truth of this warning, and when Gebb entered the presence of his -master, steam was got up so far that Parge's smoking-cap came skimming -past the head of the visitor. Gebb picked it up and brought it to -Parge, who received him and it with a growl of wrath. At Parge's feet -lay a pile of newspapers, some open, some folded, some with evidence -of scissors' work and some quite whole. On a near table there lay a -large volume bound in red cloth, which Gebb recognized as one of the -series of books in which Parge noted down the more important cases, -and stored his newspaper cuttings. He wondered if the old man had it -at his elbow to throw at him, for Parge's fingers evidently itched to -send the book after the smoking-cap; but, as he refrained from further -violence, Gebb concluded that the volume had been placed within reach -of its owner for some purpose connected with his visit. He was right, -as subsequent events proved.</p> - -<p>"Oh!" growled Parge, glaring at the young man, "so you've thought fit -to come at last?"</p> - -<p>"I couldn't come sooner, Simon," protested Gebb, taking a chair, "I've -been worried out of my life by this Grangebury case."</p> - -<p>"And what good has all your worry done, you fool? You've found out -nothing."</p> - -<p>"Indeed I have. I've traced back Miss Ligram's life to the year '93. -She is--but I forget--you don't know the case."</p> - -<p>"Don't I!" retorted Parge, sharply. "I know a deal more than you can -tell me. I suppose you are in difficulties over the matter?"</p> - -<p>Gebb admitted that he was. "And I candidly confess that I do not see -my way out of them," he added, with an anxious look at Parge.</p> - -<p>The fat man grunted. "If you had come to me in the first instance I -could have saved you a lot of trouble."</p> - -<p>"Can you explain the mystery, Simon?"</p> - -<p>"I can. If I couldn't, I wouldn't have sent for you."</p> - -<p>"Do you know the motive for the committal of the crime?"</p> - -<p>"I do I've employed my wits to some purpose, I can tell you."</p> - -<p>"And the name of the assassin?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! Didn't I say in my letter that I had solved the mystery, you -fool?"</p> - -<p>"And where he is to be found?" continued Gebb, exhaustively.</p> - -<p>For the first time Parge replied in the negative. "There you have me," -he grumbled, scratching his chin. "I know where he should be, but I -don't know where he is. It will be your business to find him."</p> - -<p>"If you'll give me a clue to his whereabouts, I'll do my best," was -the meek reply of the pupil.</p> - -<p>"I can't," said the ex-detective, frankly. "I did my best to hunt him -down four years ago, before I retired, and I failed."</p> - -<p>"Ho! Ho! So this cove has been in trouble before?"</p> - -<p>"Not only in trouble, but in prison."</p> - -<p>"On what charge?" asked Gebb, with openly expressed surprise.</p> - -<p>"On a charge of murder!"</p> - -<p>"What! Is this assassination of Miss Ligram his second crime?"</p> - -<p>"It is," replied Parge, enjoying the astonishment of his visitor; "but -this man--I'll tell you his name later on--did not intend to kill Miss -Ligram."</p> - -<p>"But he did kill her--strangled her!"</p> - -<p>"Not Miss Ligram!" said the fat man, obstinately. "Ligram was an -assumed name."</p> - -<p>"I know that, Simon. She has passed under half a dozen names."</p> - -<p>"So the papers say. Just run over the names."</p> - -<p>Gebb did so promptly, giving the names in order. "Margil, Migral, -Ramlig, Limrag, Milgar, and Ligram."</p> - -<p>"Good! Now, Absalom, what strikes you as strange about these names?"</p> - -<p>"They are all invented," said Gebb, after a pause.</p> - -<p>"Quite so," assented Parge, "and their invention does credit to the -imagination of the lady. Do you notice that the same letters, -differently placed, are used in every instance?"</p> - -<p>"Anagrammatic!" said Gebb, with a nod.</p> - -<p>"Precisely! She manufactured all these false names out of her real -one."</p> - -<p>"A very ingenious idea, Simon. And what is her real name?"</p> - -<p>"Gilmar!" replied Parge, slowly. "Miss Ellen Gilmar, of Kirkstone -Hall, near Norminster, Hants."</p> - -<p>For quite two minutes Gebb sat in silence, looking at his chief in -blended wonder and amazement Try as he might he could not guess how -the fat man had come by this knowledge. What he, with the use of -his limbs, and the power of the law, had failed to discover, this -invalid--as he might be called--had found out without moving from his -armchair. In a darker age Gebb might have judged Parge to be gifted -with necromantic power, or divination by second sight.</p> - -<p>"Are you certain of this?" he asked in a hesitating voice.</p> - -<p>"Quite certain!" cried Parge, furiously. "Quite certain. I'm not a -fool."</p> - -<p>"But how did you find out?"</p> - -<p>"By exercising my memory and joining the past with the present."</p> - -<p>"In what way?" asked Gebb, still perplexed "What clue had you?"</p> - -<p>"The clue of the Yellow Boudoir."</p> - -<p>"The Yellow Boudoir!" repeated Gebb, recalling his own fancy.</p> - -<p>"Yes!" said Parge, gravely "Twenty years ago, in a room furnished in -the same fashion, in a room under the roof of Kirkstone Hall, there -was a murder committed. In this book," Parge here laid his hand on the -large volume, "there is a full account of the trial of one, Marmaduke -Dean, for the murder of John Kirkstone; and the crime was committed in -the Yellow Boudoir."</p> - -<p>"But what has a crime committed twenty years ago to do with the -assassination of Miss Lig--I mean, of Miss Gilmar?"</p> - -<p>"Everything. Miss Gilmar only reaped as she sowed. You must hear the -story in full before you can see the connection. But to put the matter -briefly, you must understand that Dean was convicted of killing -Kirkstone and was sentenced to death. Afterwards, as there was some -doubt about the absolute justice of the verdict, the death sentence -was commuted to penal servitude for life. Dean swore that he was -innocent, and that the accomplishment of the crime had been brought -about by the machinations of Ellen Gilmar. He swore, if his life were -spared, to escape from prison and kill the woman who had placed him by -her craft and cruelty in the dock. About four years ago the man did -escape from Dartmoor Prison; and it was dread lest he should keep his -word which drove Miss Gilmar from lodging to lodging, under different -names. For some reason--best known to herself--she chose to dwell in a -room, furnished and draped similar to that in which the first crime -had been committed. It was reading the description of that room which -put me on the right track.</p> - -<p>"And you believe that Miss Ligram and Miss Gilmar are one and the same -person?" asked Gebb, breathlessly.</p> - -<p>"I am certain of it, on the authority of the Yellow Boudoir."</p> - -<p>"And you think that Dean murdered her?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; I believe that Dean kept his word."</p> - -<p>"But what was his reason?"</p> - -<p>"Vengeance!" said Parge, opening the red book. "Listen! I will tell -you the case after my own fashion, and you shall learn the reason why -Miss Ligram was strangled at Grangebury."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_06" href="#div1Ref_06">CHAPTER VI</a></h4> -<h5>THE CRIME OF KIRKSTONE HALL</h5> -<br> - -<p>It sometimes happens that a youthful spendthrift becomes an aged -miser, and hoards money in the same extreme fashion as formerly he -wasted it. John Kirkstone was a fair example of this species of human -chameleon. As his father's heir, he drained the estate of all ready -money, and squandered the same in London without regard to economy or -even reason. In this riotous life he was encouraged by a former -college companion--one Marmaduke Dean--who even went to the extent of -borrowing money of Kirkstone, and so became his debtor for a large -sum. Dean subsequently married a lady of fortune, and repaid a portion -of the money; but either could not, or--as was more probable--would -not discharge the whole. On this point Kirkstone, who needed money for -his pleasures, quarrelled with his friend, and the pair parted to meet -no more for some years. It would have been better for both had they -never renewed their youthful friendship.</p> - -<p>As might be expected, old Squire Kirkstone was by no means pleased -with his son, and did not relish leaving his large fortune to one who -probably would waste it in a few years. The Hall and its surrounding -acres were entailed, and were bound to pass into John Kirkstone's -hands; but the old man possessed a large income acquired by -speculation, which was at his own disposal. Wrathful at his -spendthrift son, he resolved to leave this personal property to his -only daughter; and accordingly, when John became Squire on the death -of his father, he found that his sister Laura was in possession of a -good income, while he had to be content with a dwelling far too large -for his means, and several farms whose tenants did not always pay -their rents. The shock of this discovery was unpleasant, but salutary.</p> - -<p>In the first place Kirkstone renounced his London profligacy and -associates, and came to live at the Hall; in the second, he insisted -that his sister should dwell with him, and pay a handsome yearly sum -for the privilege; and in the third, he invited his first cousin, -Ellen Gilmar, to be his housekeeper. Laura Kirkstone, who was a -weak-bodied and weak-natured girl, readily consented to remain at the -Hall, and pay what her brother demanded, and as readily welcomed her -cousin Ellen as mistress of the household, a post for which she herself -had no great love. Having thus arranged matters, Kirkstone--though not -yet forty--became as penurious as formerly he had been wasteful; and -in this system of economy was ably assisted by his new housekeeper, a -shrewd, cold-hearted skinflint.</p> - -<p>Laura, in derision, called Ellen Mrs. Harpagon, after Molière's miser; -and well did Miss Gilmar deserve the name. She was a little, black, -active woman, with a neat figure and a somewhat pinched white face. -Her eyes were hard-looking, her lips were thin, and she was a perfect -skinflint in the management of the household. Even Kirkstone, inclined -as he was to economy, grumbled at times about her excessive economy; -but as the months went by, he fell gradually into her saving way of -living, and the Hall soon gained a name in the county for all that was -mean and niggardly. The larder was always kept locked, the servants -were ill fed, and the occasional beggars who came to that forbidden -door were not fed at all. Scraping, and screwing, and hoarding of -money became the order of the day; and Kirkstone soon found that he -was redeeming his former waste, at the cost of a hard and somewhat -hungry life. However, the habit of living thus penuriously became -confirmed, and both he and Mrs. Harpagon vied with one another in -discovering new methods of saving money. The only person in the Hall -who did not relish this extreme economy was Laura Kirkstone.</p> - -<p>The attitude adopted by Kirkstone towards his wealthy sister was a -fairly amiable one. Having a strong will, he compelled her weaker one -to bow to it; and kept a sharp watch on her, lest she should marry -some one of whom he did not approve, and so take the money--which he -looked upon as rightfully his own--out of the family. Many a young man -would have been glad to marry Miss Kirkstone, both for her money and -good looks; for in a pink-and-white sort of way the girl was pretty; -but Kirkstone invited none of these would-be suitors to the house, and -turned a cold shoulder to them in public. Laura was forbidden even to -speak to them; and being kept closely to her own home, lived in the -gaunt, grim Hall, like an enchanted princess guarded by two ogres. And -none of the young knights who wished to marry her had sufficient -courage to brave the black looks of Kirkstone, or the acidulated -sneers of his amiable housekeeper and cousin. Such was the position of -affairs at Kirkstone Hall when Marmaduke Dean again entered into the -life of his former friend.</p> - -<p>It was the death of his wife which led to Dean's visit to Kirkstone -Hall. He had squandered the fortune of the unhappy lady, and had -treated her with so much coldness and neglect that she had died of a -broken heart, leaving him a little son. Dean promptly placed the -child with some distant relatives, and being poor again, looked -about him for some means whereby he could procure money. Recalling the -easy-going and generous disposition of Kirkstone, he resolved to apply -to him for aid, quite oblivious to the fact that he was already in his -debt. To this end he one day presented himself at the Hall, and was -astonished to find that its owner, from a generous friend, had changed -into a miserly curmudgeon. Kirkstone not only refused to help Dean, -but demanded immediate repayment of the monies already due. Dean, -seeing that only trouble would come of his application, was on the -point of withdrawing, so as to save himself the danger of being sued -for the lent money, when a new idea entered into Kirkstone's knavish -brain which made him detain Dean at the Hall as a necessary element to -bring it to fruition. The scheme was none other than the marriage of -Laura to the disconsolate widower, and comprehended a division of her -fortune between the brother and the proposed husband, an amiable -arrangement which really amounted to robbery.</p> - -<p>Laura herself forced Kirkstone to adopt this plan by reason of her -refusal to let him handle the fortune which had been left to her by -their father. Like most weak-minded people she was singularly -obstinate on some points, and, being cunning enough to see that her -sole hold over her brother lay in retaining command of her money, she -always evaded his proposals to manage her investments. Beyond the -income he derived from the sum she paid for board and lodging, -Kirkstone had nothing to do with these monies, of which, as he -frequently stated, he had been robbed. Naturally he was angered to -think of his loss, and tried several times to bully Laura into -surrendering her fortune. The result of this ill-judged conduct was -that Laura met force by cunning, and, taking a dislike to her brother, -executed a secret will, whereby she left the whole of the money to -Ellen Gilmar.</p> - -<p>In this case there was no honour among thieves, for the housekeeper -tricked her master and cousin by keeping secret the fact of the will, -and when Kirkstone tried to marry his sister to Dean, he was quite -unaware that Ellen, for her own selfish ends, intended to thwart the -match if she could. Furthermore a new and unforeseen obstacle arose to -complicate matters, for it chanced that both Laura and Ellen fell in -love with Dean. The scamp was a handsome man, with a plausible manner, -and Laura was quite willing to marry him, and to settle half her -fortune on him, receiving in return a presentable husband with a -damaged reputation. It was agreed between Kirkstone and Dean that when -the marriage took place the latter should discharge his debt to the -former, and also pay over a certain sum of money by way of commission -on the marriage settlement. So far all went well, and Kirkstone -invited Dean to stay at the Hall until the marriage took place, and -all pecuniary arrangements between them were settled. It was then that -Ellen threw prudence to the wind, and lost her heart to Dean.</p> - -<p>The result of this feminine weakness was that Ellen did violence to -her instincts by relaxing her stingy rule. She kept the table supplied -with better food while Dean stayed at the Hall, she paid more -attention to her dress, humoured the man she loved in every way, and -altogether behaved in a manner so alien to her natural self that Laura -became suspicious. The end of this folly was that Laura discovered -Ellen's secret, and lost her temper over it. She accused Dean of -making love to Ellen, and Ellen of encouraging his advances. Kirkstone -was told this by his sister, and he, seeing a chance of his losing -money by the marriage not taking place, had a stormy scene with Ellen. -He threatened to turn her out of the Hall as a pauper; whereat the -woman turned at bay on her cousin, and revealed the truth about the -secret will.</p> - -<p>"If this marriage takes place," she declared, "I lose money as well as -you, and if I can influence Laura to refuse Dean I shall certainly do -so. If it comes to the point, we shall see who is the stronger, you or -I."</p> - -<p>The upshot of this conversation was that Kirkstone lost his temper -altogether, and went to bully his sister into revoking her will. Had -he only remembered that the same result would be attained by the -marriage taking place, he would have urged on the match and defied -Ellen. Instead of acting thus sensibly, he vented his rage on Dean, -and accused him of encouraging the folly of the housekeeper. Then Dean -lost his temper in his turn, and quarrelled with Kirkstone and Laura; -so in the month of July, '76, it chanced that the four people -inhabiting Kirkstone Hall quite misunderstood one another, and, for -the time being, were hardly on speaking terms. Dean stormed at -Kirkstone as trying to thwart the proposed marriage; Kirkstone blamed -Dean as having encouraged the love of Ellen; and Laura, in her weak -way, fretted herself ill over the whole disturbance. Only Ellen, the -cause of all the trouble, retained her placidity. She did not move an -inch from her position. She had an end to gain, and in one way or -another she was determined to gain it. It was while things were in -this unhappy state that the country was startled by the news that -Kirkstone had been murdered by Dean.</p> - -<p>The tragedy took place in a certain room strangely furnished by the -mother of the present squire, which was known as the Yellow Boudoir. -It was a favourite apartment with Kirkstone, who had turned it into a -smoking-room. On the night of the 16th of July, Kirkstone and Dean -were drinking and smoking in this room, when apparently they renewed -their quarrel with a fatal result Kirkstone was found dead in the room -at midnight with a knife in his heart. This knife had been brought -from America--it was a bowie-knife--by Dean, and his name was marked -on the handle. Ellen deposed at the inquest that, guessing the pair -might quarrel, she had gone downstairs shortly before midnight to -implore them to part. Then she had seen Dean leave the Yellow Boudoir -in a state of alarm and alcoholic excitement. Afterwards Kirkstone -asked her to tell Dean to come down again. She did so, and Dean -rejoined Kirkstone. When they parted for the second time Ellen went to -the smoking-room, and found Kirkstone lying dead with Dean's knife in -his heart The result of this statement was that Dean was arrested for -the murder of his friend, and, mainly on the evidence of Miss Gilmar, -he was found guilty. The man protested his innocence in vain, and -would have suffered the extreme penalty of the law, but that a -sympathizing section of the public, not satisfied with the judgment, -prepared a memorial to the Home Secretary. The sentence was then -commuted to penal servitude for life.</p> - -<p>The immediate result of the crime was that Laura, on seeing the dead -body of her brother, and learning that the man she loved had murdered -him, received such a shock that within three months she was dead. As -her will in favour of Ellen had never been revoked, the former -housekeeper came in for all her money. Also, as no male heirs of -the Kirkstone family were left, Miss Gilmar, by the will of her -great-great-grandfather, and as the daughter of John Kirkstone's -paternal aunt; inherited the estates. Therefore Ellen Gilmar lost the -man she loved, but found herself a wealthy and lonely woman. Only one -thing she feared, and that was a violent death; for Dean had declared -that his unjust sentence was due to her lying evidence, and that, if -his life were spared, he would some day kill her. Apparently he had -done so.</p> - -<p>Such was the statement of the Kirkstone Hall Crime, which was -undoubtedly in some secret way connected with the more recent murder -of Ellen Gilmar at Grangebury. The question was--did Dean strangle her -out of revenge, since he had escaped from prison about the time Miss -Gilmar left the Hall on her lonely wanderings, and was at large to -carry out his threat?</p> - -<p>If Dean murdered Kirkstone he would have no compunction in committing -a second crime to revenge himself on the woman who had delivered him -into the hands of Justice.</p> - -<p>If Dean did not murder Kirkstone it might be that, enraged at his -unjust sentence, he had killed Miss Gilmar to punish her for the lying -evidence which had smirched his name and ruined his life.</p> - -<p>In either case there was the threat to murder Miss Gilmar, which, on -the face of it, implicated the convict in the Grangebury murder. -Deeming the man guilty of the first crime, Parge declared that he had -committed the second.</p> - -<p>Putting aside the first crime, Gebb maintained that Dean was innocent -It now remains to discover which of the two is in the right.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_07" href="#div1Ref_07">CHAPTER VII</a></h4> -<h5>COMMENTS ON THE CRIME</h5> -<br> - -<p>It must not be supposed that in informing Gebb of these details in -connection with a long-forgotten crime, Parge gave the exact context -of the newspaper reports. He used them rather as notes to refresh his -memory, and detailed the somewhat barren information in a -conversational manner, adding, suppressing, and amplifying evidence in -the way most necessary to convey a clear idea of the case to his -hearer. Yet at the conclusion of his reading, or rather narrative, -Gebb was not satisfied. To him the case seemed incomplete.</p> - -<p>"I know a good deal of what happened before the murder," he said -bluntly, "but very little about the crime itself."</p> - -<p>"You know all that was reported in the newspapers," replied the fat -man, casting the heavy book on the table with some irritation.</p> - -<p>"Probably; but now I wish to know such details as were not given to -the public You can supply them."</p> - -<p>"Certainly! Ask what you like, and I'll answer. You'll arrive at an -understanding of the case soonest that way."</p> - -<p>Gebb remained silent for a few minutes, and watched Parge lighting his -pipe. Then he asked suddenly, "Do you believe that Dean is innocent of -this Kirkstone Hall crime?"</p> - -<p>"No!" replied Parge, deliberately, "I don't."</p> - -<p>"On what grounds?"</p> - -<p>"On the grounds of his defence."</p> - -<p>"H'm!" said Gebb, with an astonished look; "those are queer grounds on -which to doubt a man."</p> - -<p>"Well, Absalom, you can judge for yourself. Dean declared that he was -innocent."</p> - -<p>"They all do; and no doubt, having regard to this new crime, he said -that Miss Gilmar was guilty."</p> - -<p>"No, he did not accuse her. He ascribed the crime to Laura."</p> - -<p>"What! to the sister?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! the mean hound, to the woman he was about to marry. Is not such -a foul accusation enough to make you believe the wretch to be guilty?"</p> - -<p>"Not quite," rejoined Gebb, dryly; "a man may be a blackguard without -being a murderer. Besides, this Laura seems to have been weak--in -fact, half-witted; so Dean might have had some grounds for his belief. -However, if you can recall his defence, I shall be in a better -position to judge."</p> - -<p>"Briefly," replied Parge, "his defence was as follows. He declared -that he was left alone with Kirkstone in the Yellow Boudoir, or rather -smoking-room, about half-past ten o'clock."</p> - -<p>"Who left him and Kirkstone alone?"</p> - -<p>"The ladies. They accompanied the two from the drawing-room, and -chatted with them for a few moments before saying good night."</p> - -<p>"What!" cried Gebb, suspiciously, "in spite of the disturbed -atmosphere of the house, and the quarrelling?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! there existed, it seemed, a kind of armed neutrality, and, -notwithstanding the situation, the quartet were civil enough to one -another."</p> - -<p>"I have my doubts about so improbable a situation," said Gebb, shaking -his head. "Well, and what took place after the ladies retired?"</p> - -<p>"Kirkstone and Dean quarrelled over the marriage. Kirkstone, it -seemed, began to taunt Dean about his attentions to Miss Gilmar. Dean -turned round, and declared that he was not attached to Miss Gilmar; -nor, for the matter of that, to Laura. Both women, he said, were in -love with him, and he could marry either without consulting Kirkstone. -He furthermore swore that if Kirkstone insulted him any more, he would -marry Laura without her brother's consent, and refuse to pay the -money."</p> - -<p>"And no doubt at this point Kirkstone lost his temper," suggested -Gebb.</p> - -<p>"So Dean declared; and the quarrel reached such a pitch that Dean----"</p> - -<p>"Killed Kirkstone," finished Gebb, quickly.</p> - -<p>"No," replied Parge; "he denied that. He left the room, according to -his own story, about eleven o'clock, and retired to his bedroom. -Shortly before midnight, when he was considering how to act, Ellen -Gilmar knocked at his door and said that Kirkstone wanted to see him -in the smoking-room. Dean descended and found Kirkstone dead. At first -he was tempted to give the alarm; but reflecting on the quarrel, which -must have been overheard by some of the servants--a fact afterwards -proved--and finding that the knife with which the crime had been -committed was his own, he fled back to his room. Then Miss Gilmar came -to see what had occurred--found the dead body, and gave the alarm. She -accused Dean of being the murderer, because she had left Kirkstone -alive when she brought the message, and afterwards found him dead when -Dean fled from the room."</p> - -<p>"But how did Dean implicate Laura?"</p> - -<p>"He declared that he had given her the bowie-knife at her own request -to prune some plants with in the conservatory."</p> - -<p>"Now, that is ridiculous!" cried Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Of course it is; and a further proof of his own guilt Ladies don't -use bowie-knives to prune plants. Dean, however, stated that he left -Kirkstone alive when he first retired to his room. Miss Gilmar stated -that her cousin was not dead when she conveyed the message to Dean: so -for the defence it was maintained that between the time Miss Gilmar -left Kirkstone and the time Dean returned to the Yellow Room for the -second visit, Laura must have killed her brother with the bowie-knife, -which she had obtained two days previously from Dean."</p> - -<p>"But why should Laura kill her brother?"</p> - -<p>"Because, as prisoner's counsel argued, it was probable that after the -last conversation, Kirkstone fancied that Dean might not pay the money -if the marriage came off, so he resolved to stop it by exercising his -influence over Laura while there was yet time. Laura, so Dean -declared, must have revolted and killed Kirkstone in a moment of -uncontrollable anger."</p> - -<p>"Still, why should she bring the knife into the smoking-room if she -committed the crime on the impulse of the moment?"</p> - -<p>"Dean did not--could not--explain that point," replied Parge, with -contempt; "all his defence was that he gave Laura the bowie-knife, -that he left Kirkstone alive in the Yellow Boudoir about eleven, and -that when summoned by Miss Gilmar he found the man dead. Also, that he -held his tongue because he was afraid of being accused, as there had -been a quarrel between himself and Kirkstone."</p> - -<p>"I don't wonder he was afraid," said Gebb, thoughtfully; "and in any -case his defence was extremely weak. What evidence did the prosecution -bring forward?"</p> - -<p>"Miss Gilmar was their principal witness, as she was the last person -to see Kirkstone alive. She denied any knowledge of the bowie-knife; -but stated that she had come downstairs to prevent further -quarrelling. Kirkstone was alone, but asked her to request Dean to -come back to the Yellow Boudoir. She went up to Dean's room and asked -him. At first he refused, but later on consented. It was twenty -minutes between the time Miss Gilmar left Kirkstone alive and Dean -found his dead body. One point of the evidence against Dean was that -blood was found on his shirt-cuff. He explained this away by stating -that he had felt Kirkstone's heart to see if any life remained, and so -got his cuffs soiled with the blood from the wound."</p> - -<p>"What did Laura say to Dean's accusation?"</p> - -<p>"She denied it altogether. But it was the horror of thinking that the -man she loved deemed her capable of such a foul crime which was one of -the causes to bring about her death."</p> - -<p>"She was half-witted, you say?" said Gebb, after a pause.</p> - -<p>"No!" replied Parge, sharply. "I don't say so. She was weak-witted and -soft-natured, but, as I truly believe, perfectly sane. I see that you -think she might have killed her brother in a fit of insane rage. Well, -that was Dean's defence; or at least part of it. But Laura, when in -the witness-box, declared that after leaving Dean and her brother in -the Yellow Boudoir she had not left her room all night; and in this -statement she was supported by Miss Gilmar. Now you can see for -yourself, Gebb, that Dean was rightfully convicted."</p> - -<p>"Well," said the detective, reflectively, "it looks like justice; but -it may not be so. For my part, knowing what I do of women, I should -not be at all surprised to learn that Miss Gilmar was the guilty -person."</p> - -<p>"Some people suggested as much at the time," said Parge, in no wise -disturbed by this suggestion. "But I did not believe it then, and I -don't now. What possible motive could she have?"</p> - -<p>"Quite as feasible a motive as the one ascribed to Laura," replied -Gebb. "Did not Kirkstone threaten to turn her out-of-doors? Was it not -his intention to deprive Miss Gilmar of Dean by marrying him to Laura? -And did he not try to induce Laura to revoke her will in favour of the -housekeeper? Oh, there are plenty of motives."</p> - -<p>"But when do you suggest she committed the crime?"</p> - -<p>"Why, between the time Dean left the Yellow Room and returned to it -again. I dare say she had a row with Kirkstone on her own account, and -killed him, then went up to Dean with a lying message to implicate him -in the matter."</p> - -<p>"But," objected Parge, again, "why should she accuse Dean? He was the -man she loved."</p> - -<p>"Yes; but he did not love her, and no doubt since she was old and -ill-favoured, he showed his dislike to her advances too plainly. I -fancy that it was a case of a woman scorned, and that Miss Gilmar -revenged herself by accusing Dean. However, this is all theory," added -Gebb, with a shrug, "and, as such, is worth little. Dean was condemned -on Miss Gilmar's testimony, and, no doubt, intended to kill her if he -could escape. Although," added the detective, inconsequently, "I don't -believe he did."</p> - -<p>"Why not?" said Parge, emphatically. "He did escape, and I believe he -did kill her. As sure as I sit here, it was Dean who strangled that -wretched woman."</p> - -<p>"Humph! Humph!" said Gebb, perplexed. "I'm not certain."</p> - -<p>"I am, Absalom. Why, she expected to meet with a violent death at his -hands. That was why she left Kirkstone Hall, and concealed herself in -these various lodgings under several false names. Besides, as I read -in the papers, she constantly consulted fortune-tellers as to whether -she would die by violence: a behaviour which showed how lively were -her fears."</p> - -<p>"That is all very well," admitted Gebb, "but there was no struggle: -there was wine drunk; a cigarette smoked by the murderer: and Miss -Gilmar let him wander about the room. What does all this prove? That -she knew her visitor and trusted him. She could not, and would not, -have trusted the man who had sworn to kill her."</p> - -<p>"He might have gone to her disguised as a fortune-teller," suggested -Parge.</p> - -<p>"That is rather an imaginative suggestion," said Gebb, smiling. "By -the way, when did Dean escape?"</p> - -<p>"Towards the end of '93; and you say yourself that Miss Gilmar began -her wanderings in that year."</p> - -<p>"Quite so; and I admit that she fled to escape Dean's vengeance, but I -am not so certain that he killed her. Remember, the diamonds were -stolen; so it may be a vulgar murder for robbery, after all."</p> - -<p>"No," said Parge, sticking obstinately to his point. "Dean killed her -out of revenge, and stole the diamonds to provide himself with the -means of escape. Have you been round the pawnshops?"</p> - -<p>"Not yet; but every pawnbroker has been warned. Also, I have sent -detectives over to Amsterdam and to Paris to watch if the diamonds -turn up."</p> - -<p>"Very good," said Simon, with a nod; "if Dean tries to pawn the jewels -you'll catch him."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe the thief is Dean."</p> - -<p>"I do; and also that he killed Miss Gilmar. Well, and what do you -intend to do now?"</p> - -<p>"Go down to Kirkstone Hall and see the original of the Yellow -Boudoir."</p> - -<p>"Good! And afterwards?"</p> - -<p>"Interview the solicitor who conducted the defence for Dean."</p> - -<p>"You mean the barrister."</p> - -<p>"No, I don't; I mean the solicitor. Who was Dean's solicitor?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Prain, of 40, Bacon Lane. You won't get anything out of him, -Absalom," said Parge, warningly. "He's as close as wax."</p> - -<p>"Who was Dean's counsel?" asked Gebb, ignoring the hint.</p> - -<p>"Clement Basson," replied Parge; "you'll induce him to talk -freely--for a drink."</p> - -<p>"Oh! he is dissipated?"</p> - -<p>"In a sort of way. A Bohemian barrister: ruined his career through -love of pleasure. Has had a few briefs, but not enough to pay, and -lives on a small income."</p> - -<p>Gebb noted this nutshell biography in his pocket-book, and prepared to -take his departure. He had a parting glass with the fat man, and after -promising to advise him of all that took place in connection with the -case, he left the house.</p> - -<p>"And tell me!" cried Parge after him, obstinate to the last; "tell me -when you find Dean."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_08" href="#div1Ref_08">CHAPTER VIII</a></h4> -<h5>MR. PRAIN, SOLICITOR</h5> -<br> - -<p>When Gebb left Parge he intended to go down to Norminster with as -little delay as possible and look over Kirkstone Hall. There he hoped -to learn further details of Miss Gilmar's life, and to ascertain, if -possible, whether she had other enemies besides the man she had -condemned to lifelong imprisonment. Owing to her grasping disposition -and penurious mode of life, it was probable that she had been -extremely unpopular, and it might be that amongst those who disliked -her might be found one who had carried the feeling so far as to kill -her.</p> - -<p>On considering the circumstances of the case Gebb could not bring -himself to believe that Dean was the assassin. All the same he was -anxious to ascertain the hiding-place of the convict, and make certain -of his innocence of this second crime; with the first, which was -before his time, he had nothing to do.</p> - -<p>On second thoughts, however, the detective judged it would be wiser to -call on Mr. Prain beforehand, and learn his opinion on the matter. -Also, Gebb wished to discover why the solicitor had not come forward -to identify the body of Miss Gilmar. From the description of the -Yellow Boudoir, so often referred to in the papers, he must have been -aware that the so-called Miss Ligram was none other than Ellen Gilmar. -If so, why had he not assisted the police to trace the woman's past -history? It was mainly to elucidate this point--which might be an -important one in solving the mystery--that Gebb called at the office -in Bacon Lane.</p> - -<p>Mr. Prain proved to be a small, lean-faced man, with a sharp pair of -eyes and a hard-looking mouth. He was neatly and spotlessly dressed in -the plainest fashion, and his office, a somewhat dingy place, was as -clear and trim as himself. When Gebb sent in his card Mr. Prain had -only to glance at the name to know that his visitor was the Scotland -Yard detective, and told the clerk to show him in at once. It was with -his hard little face set like a mask that Prain received the officer -of the law, for he had quite expected sooner or later to receive such -a visit, and was not unprepared.</p> - -<p>"You wish to see me, Mr. Gebb?" said the solicitor, in a low crisp -voice.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir; about a case you dealt with twenty years ago."</p> - -<p>"Oh! Then you have no questions to ask about the case of to-day?" said -Prain, composedly, and he darted a sharp look at his visitor to see -how the shot told.</p> - -<p>"Do you know my errand?" asked Gebb, somewhat uncomfortably, for he -was by no means pleased to find that the little solicitor was prepared -for his reception, and could not conceive why it should be so.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Mr. Gebb, I do. If you had not called on me, it is probable that -I should have paid you a visit."</p> - -<p>"It is two weeks since the crime was committed, Mr. Prain; so you have -had ample time to call."</p> - -<p>"No doubt," returned Prain, dryly, "but it so chanced that I was -abroad in Italy. However, when I saw the description of the Yellow -Boudoir I hastened back at once."</p> - -<p>"You guessed by the description of the yellow room that the murdered -woman was Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"I did! But may I ask how you found it out?"</p> - -<p>"An ex-detective told me. He traced her identity by the same means as -you did. But for his recollection of the room I should have known -nothing."</p> - -<p>"Oh! So the Yellow Boudoir gave Parge the clue," said Prain, -thoughtfully.</p> - -<p>"Yes! But how did you guess that I referred to Parge?"</p> - -<p>"He was the detective employed by the prosecution to hang my client; -but he did not succeed, for Dean still lives."</p> - -<p>"Ah, does he? Do you know where he is to be found?" asked Gebb, -sharply.</p> - -<p>"No!" replied Prain, shaking his head. "I know that he escaped about -four years ago, and that Miss Gilmar, out of fear of him, left -Kirkstone Hall lest he should kill her; I know no more."</p> - -<p>"You know one thing at least," retorted Gebb, astonished at the -coolness of the man, "that Dean killed Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"I deny that," said Prain, sharply; then after a pause, he added, "Do -you know why I came back to England on reading about her death?"</p> - -<p>"No, I do not! How should I?"</p> - -<p>"And why I intended to call on you?"</p> - -<p>"No! You'll have to answer your own questions, Mr. Prain."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll tell you," said the solicitor, slowly. "I wish to find out -if Miss Gilmar left a confession behind her stating why, and how, she -killed John Kirkstone; it was for that reason I returned so quickly."</p> - -<p>"Miss Gilmar kill Kirkstone?" cried Gebb, thinking of his own -suspicions. "Why, even your unhappy client did not accuse her."</p> - -<p>"My unhappy client, as you call him, was a fool," retorted Prain, -coolly; "he thought that Laura Kirkstone was guilty, whereas I am sure -that the housekeeper killed her master. But I could not bring the -crime home to her, and Dean was condemned to penal servitude on -account of a murder which I am certain he did not commit. When I heard -of his escape I thought he might find out Miss Gilmar and make her -confess. He always intended to escape, if possible, for that purpose."</p> - -<p>Gebb thought for a moment. "Perhaps he killed her, after all, because -she would not confess," said he, with some hesitation.</p> - -<p>"No," replied Prain. "Dean was wild and wasteful, and, between you and -me, Mr. Gebb, not altogether as well-behaved as he might have been, -but I am sure he was not the man to commit a murder. Believe me, he is -as innocent of this second crime as he was of the first."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Gebb, thoughtfully, "I have my doubts regarding his guilt -in both cases. I agree with you, going by the story told to me by -Parge, that Miss Gilmar killed Kirkstone, but who killed Miss Gilmar?"</p> - -<p>"Some unknown person, for the sake of the diamonds," returned Prain, -promptly.</p> - -<p>"The diamonds?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Miss Gilmar took possession of Laura Kirkstone's jewels, and -amongst them were some valuable diamonds. I read in the papers that -Miss Gilmar wore those diamonds nightly, and that when her dead body -was discovered the diamonds were gone."</p> - -<p>"True enough," replied Gebb, "It might be a case of robbery, as you -say. But if the murderer tries to dispose of those diamonds by sale or -pawning, I'll be able to catch him."</p> - -<p>"I may tell you," said Prain, after some reflection, "that the most -valuable of Laura's jewels was a diamond necklace, which I see by the -reports in the papers was stolen by the murderer. Now, that necklace -was given to Laura by Dean, and Miss Gilmar had no right to it."</p> - -<p>"But how could Dean, who was almost bankrupt, afford to give Laura a -diamond necklace?"</p> - -<p>"The necklace was a family jewel," said the solicitor, quickly; "and I -have a description of it. This I shall have copied and give it to you; -it may assist you to trace the necklace."</p> - -<p>"And thereby snare the murderer," answered Gebb. "Thank you, Mr. -Prain; the description you speak of will be very serviceable. And now -I wish to ask you a few questions about Miss Gilmar, if you don't mind -replying to them?"</p> - -<p>"Why should I mind?" retorted Prain, raising his eyebrows.</p> - -<p>"Parge gave me to understand you were as close as wax," said Gebb, -pointedly. "I use his own words."</p> - -<p>Prain shrugged his shoulders. "I don't deny it," he said quietly. "Why -should I? Twenty years ago I was trying to save Dean from being -hanged, while Parge was doing his best to place the rope round the -man's neck. Naturally, I was on my guard, and refused to tell Parge -all I knew. Your position is a different one, Mr. Gebb; as, with me, -you desire to learn the name of Miss Gilmar's murderer. I am quite at -your service, and you can ask me what you please."</p> - -<p>"Thank you. Then tell me who inherits Miss Gilmar's property?"</p> - -<p>"Do you mean her real or personal estate?" asked Prain.</p> - -<p>"Both," replied Gebb, promptly.</p> - -<p>"Well, then, you must know that the Kirkstone estates were entailed; -but the entail ended with that first murder."</p> - -<p>"So I heard from Parge, Mr. Prain. In the male line."</p> - -<p>"Yes, in the male line. Afterwards, by the will of the Kirkstone who -bought them, and who lived some hundred and fifty years ago, they pass -on through the female line. Now, the male line died out with John -Kirkstone, so that the estates passed by the will to the female line, -represented by Laura. When she died Ellen Gilmar inherited through her -mother, who was Kirkstone's aunt on the paternal side. Now that Miss -Gilmar is dead the estates pass to John Alder, a barrister, who -inherits through his mother, a distant cousin of the Kirkstones. If he -died Edith Wedderburn would inherit."</p> - -<p>"Who is she? Another cousin?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. Even more distant than Alder. She is now at Kirkstone Hall, -looking after it for Miss Gilmar, who placed her there. So far as the -personal estate is concerned Miss Gilmar can leave it by will to -whomsoever she pleases."</p> - -<p>"Have you the will?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. But I can't open it save in the presence of those likely to -inherit: Miss Wedderburn and Alder--in short, the relatives."</p> - -<p>"Whom do you think the money is left to?"</p> - -<p>"It's not my place to say," said Prain, with sudden stiffness.</p> - -<p>Gebb saw that the little solicitor knew the contents of the will, but -he was bound by professional etiquette, and could not disclose them.</p> - -<p>"Well," he said, covering his disappointment with a cough, "we may -leave that out of the question. Tell me about Miss Wedderburn."</p> - -<p>"I have told you," replied Prain, sharply. "She is the caretaker of -Kirkstone Hall, and is very poor."</p> - -<p>"Is she very pretty?"</p> - -<p>"Extremely pretty."</p> - -<p>"Ho! ho!" said Gebb, in a jocular tone; "in that case she must have -lovers."</p> - -<p>"She has two," answered Prain, dryly. "One is John Alder."</p> - -<p>"What! the heir?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! If she marries him she will still be mistress of Kirkstone Hall. -But she won't," said Prain, rubbing his chin with a vexed air, "for -the simple reason that she likes her other lover better."</p> - -<p>"Who is the other lover?"</p> - -<p>"An artist called Arthur Ferris. He is poor, but handsome."</p> - -<p>"Good looks won't make the pot boil," said Gebb, sententiously. "Well, -I'm not particularly anxious for further information about her love -affairs. What I wish to know is, if Miss Wedderburn corresponded with -Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"I can't tell you that: I don't know."</p> - -<p>"Do you think Miss Wedderburn is aware of her cousin's death?" said -Gebb, putting the question in another form.</p> - -<p>"It's improbable, as she would have written to me on the subject had -she known. By the way, is the body buried?"</p> - -<p>"Of course; it is two weeks since the murder."</p> - -<p>"True, I forgot," said Prain, thoughtfully. "I wonder if Alder knows -about her death."</p> - -<p>"He can't know, unless he traced her by the Yellow Boudoir."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Alder doesn't know much about that room and its crime, as he -belongs to the younger generation, and the story is almost forgotten. -However, I'll write to him on the subject. It is necessary that he -should learn his position as speedily as possible, if only on account -of the will."</p> - -<p>"That is your own concern," said Gebb, rising. "Still you might -arrange for me to have an interview with him, as he might throw some -light on the subject."</p> - -<p>"I fail to see how he can," said Prain, raising his eyebrows. "Miss -Gilmar never corresponded with him during her travels. If any one will -know about her, it will be Miss Wedderburn."</p> - -<p>"Ah! I'm going down to see her," said Gebb, putting on his hat. "I'll -have a look at the original of the Yellow Boudoir at the same time."</p> - -<p>"I say," said Prain, as the detective moved towards the door.</p> - -<p>"Well!" replied Gebb, turning.</p> - -<p>"If you see Edith, ask about her lover."</p> - -<p>"Which of them, Alder or Ferris?" said Gebb, stolidly.</p> - -<p>"Don't mention the name of either," repeated Prain slowly, "but ask -about her lover. Then--well, you'll see what will come of your -question."</p> - -<p>The detective gazed steadily at the solicitor.</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" he demanded, struck by the significance of the -man's words and look.</p> - -<p>"You'll find that out when she answers."</p> - -<p>"How will she answer?" demanded Gebb, quite mystified.</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Prain, with a long breath, "you ask and see."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_09" href="#div1Ref_09">CHAPTER IX</a></h4> -<h5>KIRKSTONE HALL</h5> -<br> - -<p>The day following his conversation with the little solicitor, Gebb -left Waterloo Station for Norminster in Hampshire, and arrived at that -quaint little town about midday. On making inquiries he learned that -Kirkstone Hall was a mile distant, situate amid some woods near the -banks of the Avon.</p> - -<p>As it was a fine morning, and Gebb was fond of walking, he used his -own legs to reach his destination; and after a pleasant stroll through -rural lanes, and across flowering meadows, he reached a pair of finely -wrought iron gates which stood wide open. The gates themselves were -covered with red rust, the lodge beside them was shut up, and the -stately avenue, which curved upward between noble oak trees, was -overgrown with grass. Even on the threshold, as it were, of the -estate, Gebb espied the ruinous economy of the late Miss Gilmar.</p> - -<p>On coming in sight of the Hall, he found the hand of Time still more -heavily laid upon the works of man. It was a quaint Jacobean building -of red brick, set upon a slight rise, and surrounded by stone -terraces. From the main body two wings spread to right and left, but -the windows of these were all closely shuttered. The hall door was -also closed, and--so far as Gebb could see--no smoke curled from the -stacks of chimneys. The terraces were grass-grown, the gardens -untended and in disorder, and the whole place had a silent, melancholy -aspect as though the soul of the house had departed. It was the palace -of the Sleeping Beauty, enchanted and spell-bound, and it seemed as -though there were a curse on the place.</p> - -<p>"And no wonder!" said Gebb, looking at the gaunt mansion, grim even in -the sunshine, "seeing the kind of people who lived in it, and the -crimes they committed."</p> - -<p>He ascended the steps and rang the bell, but before the sound had died -away he was aware of a brisk step approaching, and turned to see a -young lady walking along the terrace on the right.</p> - -<p>She was tall and dark, with fine eyes and a handsome face. Her figure -was shown to perfection by the trim, tailor-made costume which she -wore. In her hand she carried a silver-headed cane, and walked smartly -towards the detective, with the air of a woman fully alive to the -importance of time. When she spoke, her voice was deep and full, but -the matter of her speech was remarkably business-like. On the whole -Gebb judged Miss Edith Wedderburn--for he guessed that this was the -young lady referred to by Prain--to be a clever, plain-spoken woman, -with few of the weaknesses of her sex to hamper what she conceived to -be her duty.</p> - -<p>"Good day!" said the lady, with a comprehensive glance. "May I ask -what you want?"</p> - -<p>"I wish to see Miss Wedderburn."</p> - -<p>"Well, you see her now. I am Miss Wedderburn. Can I do anything for -you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Gebb, becoming as curt and as business-like as herself, -"you can give me a trifle of information."</p> - -<p>"Can I?" said Miss Wedderburn, dryly. "That entirely depends upon my -humour and what you want to know. Also, why you what to know it. Who -are you?"</p> - -<p>"My name is Absalom Gebb."</p> - -<p>"I am no wiser," interrupted the girl, with pointed insolence.</p> - -<p>"Of New Scotland Yard, Detective," finished Gebb, coolly.</p> - -<p>This time his reply made a decided impression on his hitherto cool -auditor. The rich colouring of her face vanished as by magic, and she -became pale even to the lips. Nevertheless, she forced herself to -smile with some composure, and controlled her emotion by a powerful -effort of will. Startled as she was, she even attempted to speak -lightly.</p> - -<p>"And what does Mr. Absalom Gebb, Detective, wish with me?" she said in -a low voice, her eyes fixed on the man's face.</p> - -<p>"He wishes to ask you a few questions," said Gebb in the same vein.</p> - -<p>"About what? About whom?"</p> - -<p>"About Miss Ligram."</p> - -<p>"Ligram! I don't know the name," said Edith, calmly. "Who is Miss -Ligram?"</p> - -<p>"The owner of this place."</p> - -<p>"You are wrong there, Mr. Gebb; the lady who owns this place is called -Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"I am aware of the fact. But it suited her to take other names while -she lived."</p> - -<p>"While she lived!" repeated Miss Wedderburn, raising her voice in -surprise. "What do you mean?"</p> - -<p>"I mean that Miss Gilmar is dead!"</p> - -<p>"Dead!"</p> - -<p>"Murdered."</p> - -<p>"Murdered! Oh, God! When? Where?"</p> - -<p>"In a suburb of London called Grangebury on the twenty-fourth of last -month."</p> - -<p>Edith looked rigidly at the detective with horror in her dark eyes, -and for the moment seemed scarcely to comprehend his news. She -appeared to be genuinely astonished and shocked; yet her next question -conveyed to Gebb a hint that she was not altogether unprepared for the -information.</p> - -<p>"Did he kill her?" she stammered, laying her hand on Gebb's arm.</p> - -<p>"He! Who?" asked the cunning detective, trying to trap her into a -hasty speech.</p> - -<p>"Dean! Marmaduke Dean!" said the girl, breathlessly.</p> - -<p>"What do you know about Marmaduke Dean?"</p> - -<p>"Everything! No doubt I know more than you do. Have you never heard of -the murder which took place in this house?"</p> - -<p>"In the Yellow Boudoir. Yes."</p> - -<p>"Ah! you know the story!" cried Miss Wedderburn, suspiciously.</p> - -<p>"I do; and I have come down to see you about it. Please take me -inside, Miss Wedderburn, and show me the Yellow Boudoir in which Dean -murdered your cousin Kirkstone."</p> - -<p>"My cousin Kirkstone? You seem to know a great deal of our family -history, Mr. Gebb," said Edith, drawing herself up.</p> - -<p>"I know as much as a report of the Kirkstone murder could tell me: and -as much as Prain the solicitor knows."</p> - -<p>"You know Mr. Prain?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! I was with him yesterday. But I'll learn no good from this -desultory conversation, Miss Wedderburn. Please take me indoors and we -can discuss the matter quietly. I am the detective in charge of the -case, so you need have no hesitation in telling me all you know."</p> - -<p>"I know nothing!" cried Edith, vehemently, "nothing!"</p> - -<p>"It is for me to judge of that," retorted Gebb, dryly.</p> - -<p>The keen look he gave her, and the significance of his tone and words, -seemed to startle the girl. She glanced defiantly at his watchful -face, and strove to match his gaze with a steady look of her own; but -whether from fear or modesty, her eyes fell, and she turned away to -obey his request and lead him within doors. Gebb followed her in -silence along the terrace and round the corner of the house, until -they both paused before an open French window which led into a -pleasant, sunny apartment of no great size. Before entering, Edith, -who had evidently been considering his last speech, turned to excuse -herself.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Gebb," she said, with an air of great dignity, "your words seem -to imply that I know more than I dare tell. I assure you that such a -suspicion is unjust and unfounded. The intelligence of Miss Gilmar's -death is terrible and unexpected to me; and any aid I can give you to -bring the assassin to justice you shall have. Whatever questions you -ask me I will answer; whatever you desire to see in this house I will -show you; but in justice to myself, I must ask you not to credit me -with guilty knowledge."</p> - -<p>"My dear young lady, I am the last person in the world to do so," said -Gebb, quickly. "I do not for a moment suppose that you know anything -of your cousin's unhappy death. I disclaim the sentiments with which -you credit me; and I must admit that there is no necessity for you to -exculpate yourself as you are doing."</p> - -<p>"I am not exculpating myself in the least," rejoined Miss Wedderburn, -coldly, "but you detectives seem to be so suspicious that you see ill -where none exists."</p> - -<p>Gebb laughed. "You have been reading detective novels," said he, -indulgently; "believe me, we detectives are not so black as the -novelists paint us. But, as I said before, this desultory conversation -is not useful. I would rather see the Yellow Boudoir."</p> - -<p>Edith nodded, and led the way into the house. Gebb followed her -through the sitting-room, which faced the terrace, and down a wide -passage, on the wall of which hung many pictures, mostly ancestral -portraits. At the end of this passage his guide unlocked a door, with -a key selected from a bunch which dangled at her girdle, and threw it -open, so that Gebb could pass into the room before her. He did so -without hesitation.</p> - -<p>"This is the Yellow Boudoir," said Miss Wedderburn, following the -detective; "it was in this room that the unfortunate Mr. Kirkstone was -killed twenty years ago."</p> - -<p>"By Dean!"</p> - -<p>"Not by Dean," replied Miss Wedderburn, sharply. "From all I have -heard. Dean is as innocent of that crime as you are."</p> - -<p>"Then who is guilty?" asked Gebb, artfully.</p> - -<p>"I am not a detective," said Edith, moving towards the window, "so I -cannot give you an opinion. If you will permit me I will admit air and -light so that you can see the room to its fullest advantage."</p> - -<p>When they entered, the boudoir had been in a kind of semi-darkness, as -the shutters of the one window were closed; but now Miss Wedderburn -threw these open, and the sunlight poured in. The dust raised by their -feet danced in motes and specs in the sun's rays, and Gebb, dazzled by -the strong glare, felt his eyes somewhat painful. However, they soon -became habituated to the flood of glorious light, and he looked with -deep interest at the original of the room which he had seen in -Paradise Row.</p> - -<p>The apartment was larger than that which had been occupied by Miss -Gilmar in Grangebury, but in every respect the furnishing and -appointments were the same, as she had carried out her whim with the -utmost care. The furniture, in place of being cane, was Chippendale; -the window and door were differently placed; and the colouring of the -whole room was more subdued and mellowed by Time. But the -predominating hue was the same--the carpet was yellow, sprinkled with -bunches of pale primrose flowers, the walls were draped with costly -hangings of golden tint, and, from a domed ceiling of drawn silk -depended an exact copy of the Arabian lamp studded with knobs of -yellow glass. The furniture was cushioned and covered with yellow -silk; the vases and metal-work were of brass; there was even a brazen -tripod and chafing dish standing in the same position as its imitation -had occupied in Paradise Row. The main difference in the room lay in -the absence of books, knickknacks, flowers and magazines, which showed -that it was not in daily use; otherwise all was the same. Gebb almost -fancied that some genii of the lamp had transported the Grangebury -palace to Norminster.</p> - -<p>"It is just the same," he said aloud, having taken in these details.</p> - -<p>"What is the same?" asked Miss Wedderburn, who was standing near the -window.</p> - -<p>"This room. It is similar to that in which Miss Lig--I mean in which -Miss Gilmar was murdered."</p> - -<p>The girl looked puzzled. "You are making a mistake," she said. "It was -Kirkstone who was killed here, not Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"Oh, but I am referring to the room at Grangebury," returned Gebb, -quickly.</p> - -<p>"Miss Gilmar's lodgings, you mean?" asked Edith, still perplexed.</p> - -<p>"Yes. Her room was furnished like this."</p> - -<p>"Impossible. From what I knew of my cousin she would not have spent -the money in furnishing a costly room."</p> - -<p>"Nevertheless she did," replied Gebb, coolly. "Of course the imitation -was somewhat gimcrack, and done on a cheap scale; but, for all that, I -assure you the resemblance between the original and the copy is -marvellous."</p> - -<p>"Strange!" muttered Edith, sitting down on a primrose-hued couch. "I -wonder why Ellen---- Tell me all about this terrible murder," she -broke off; "all---from the beginning."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_10" href="#div1Ref_10">CHAPTER X</a></h4> -<h5>STRANGE BEHAVIOUR</h5> -<br> - -<p>After some reflection Gebb concluded that Miss Wedderburn was quite -ignorant of the causes which had led to her cousin's death; also of -the details, and of the death itself. He therefore told her as -concisely as possible the story of the tragedy from the time Mrs. -Presk had been brought to the Grangebury police-station, down to the -visit he had paid to Prain the solicitor. Some points in the story he -suppressed, others he amplified; but, on the whole, he gave her a very -fair and unprejudiced account.</p> - -<p>With attentive ears, and her eyes fixed on the face of the narrator, -Edith sat listening, her hands clasped loosely on her lap. Several -times she asked him questions, but as a rule let the account flow on -uninterruptedly. When Gebb ended, she heaved a deep sigh, whether of -relief or pity the detective could not say, and rose to pace up and -down the room. Evidently she was more moved by the tragic fate of her -wretched cousin than she chose to admit. Gebb having told his story, -waited for her to recover, and comment on the matter.</p> - -<p>"Poor Ellen!" said Miss Wedderburn at length, but speaking to herself -rather than to her companion. "A miserable ending to a miserable life; -but I am not astonished."</p> - -<p>"How is that?" said Gebb, with a sharp look at her. "Surely the -tragedy is unexpected enough."</p> - -<p>Miss Wedderburn shook her head. "Ellen always said that sooner or -later she would be murdered."</p> - -<p>"By Mr. Dean?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," replied Edith, quietly, "by Mr. Dean."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said the detective, taking a long breath. "I thought you -believed in the innocence of Dean."</p> - -<p>"So I do; I never said I didn't. I only remarked that Ellen declared -Mr. Dean would kill her."</p> - -<p>"Well, she has been murdered, and in the most barbarous manner. Do you -say Dean is the criminal?"</p> - -<p>"Do you?" said Edith, answering one by asking another.</p> - -<p>"I don't know what to think," replied Gebb, crossly.</p> - -<p>"Neither do I," responded Miss Wedderburn; and then for quite two -minutes there was a dead silence. It was broken by Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Was Miss Gilmar unpopular in these parts?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"Very unpopular; the people round here called her Mrs. Harpagon, from -her miserly habits."</p> - -<p>"Did you like her, Miss Wedderburn?"</p> - -<p>"No!" replied the girl, coolly, "I did not; neither did she like me. -There was no love lost between us. She wanted a caretaker, and I -wished for a home. My staying here is a simple matter of business."</p> - -<p>"But surely you are sorry to hear of her murder?"</p> - -<p>"I am not utterly without heart, Mr. Gebb, although you seem to think -so. Yes, I am sorry. I would be sorry for any one who met with so -cruel a death."</p> - -<p>"Had Miss Gilmar any enemies?" asked Gebb, impatient of this fencing -which kept him at a distance.</p> - -<p>"I told you she was unpopular," said Edith, slowly, "but I don't know -that she had any enemies bitter enough to murder her."</p> - -<p>"Except Dean!"</p> - -<p>"Of course," she replied unmoved, "always except Mr. Dean."</p> - -<p>"Then he must have killed her."</p> - -<p>"It's not impossible," retorted Miss Wedderburn, coolly.</p> - -<p>Gebb, a rare thing for him to do, lost his temper completely. -"Madame!" he cried in a rage, "will you or will you not answer me -plainly?"</p> - -<p>"There is no need to raise your voice, sir. I am answering you."</p> - -<p>"But not plainly!"</p> - -<p>"What do you call plainly?" asked Edith, with a provoking smile.</p> - -<p>"You know what I mean," said Gebb, testily. "I call black black and -white white; you call both a kind of grey."</p> - -<p>"I believe they are grey when mixed. However, I see what you mean, Mr. -Gebb, so do not lose your temper. You wish to know why Miss Gilmar -left this place, how she left it, and why I am in charge."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I shall be glad of the information."</p> - -<p>"Very good," said Edith, calmly; "then you shall hear my history."</p> - -<p>"It will be just as well for you to tell it," said Gebb, dryly; "at -least, so far as concerns Miss Gilmar. Every detail is of value in -connection with this case. Please go on"--and he took out pencil and -pocket-book.</p> - -<p>"I am an orphan," said Miss Wedderburn, taking no notice of this -action, "as I lost my parents some five years ago. I was then eighteen -years of age and at a school in Canterbury, but on the death of my -father and mother I was unable to continue my education. Therefore, as -I had no parents, no friends, and no money, I was in anything but a -pleasant position."</p> - -<p>"Did your father leave no money?" inquired Gebb, with sympathy.</p> - -<p>"If he had I should not be here, sir. My father died so poor that -there was hardly enough money to pay his funeral expenses. I tell you -all these details, Mr. Gebb, so that you may understand my position -here. When I found myself thrown on the world I did not know what to -do, as I was unable to obtain a situation either as companion or -governess. Then I remembered Ellen Gilmar--a relative of my father's, -who I knew was living a quiet life in this place on the money left to -her by Laura Kirkstone. I wrote to her and explained my position; and, -as she no doubt found life here extremely dull, she asked me to stay -with her as a companion, but without a salary. The offer did not -attract me greatly, nor did Ellen on our first interview; but I was in -that unenviable position when beggars can't be choosers, so I was -forced to accept her offer. I have been here for the last five years, -and on the whole I have no reason to complain of my lot in life."</p> - -<p>"Was Miss Gilmar kind to you?"</p> - -<p>Edith shrugged her shoulders. "As kind as she could be to any one. We -quarrelled once or twice."</p> - -<p>"About what?"</p> - -<p>"I don't see that you have any right to ask that question," said -Edith, quietly. "Still, to show you how candid I am, I will answer it -frankly. We quarrelled about a certain Mr. Alder."</p> - -<p>"What! John Alder the barrister?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Miss Wedderburn, rather surprised; "do you know him?"</p> - -<p>"Not personally; but I heard about him from Mr. Prain."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Prain seems to have been very confidential. However, this -gentleman wished to marry me, and Miss Gilmar thought that I ought to -accept him, as he was the heir to the Kirkstone estates and also -because she intended to leave him her money."</p> - -<p>"Without a provision for you?"</p> - -<p>"Oh," said Miss Wedderburn, indifferently, "Ellen was not bound to -leave me her money, seeing that she had provided me with free board -and lodging. But she advised me to marry Mr. Alder, and so make -certain of being comfortable for life. But I did not like him, -so I refused to become his wife. Now I suppose he will turn me -out-of-doors."</p> - -<p>"Would he be so cruel?" said Gebb, with a glance at her handsome, -haughty face.</p> - -<p>"He might, and he might not. He is much liked by his friends, and, I -suppose, has as much charity as most people; but whatever he decides, -I can't stay on here, now that he is the master. Does he know that his -cousin is dead?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say. I don't think so; unless, like myself and Prain, he -discovered her death through the newspaper descriptions of the Yellow -Boudoir."</p> - -<p>"He'll find out soon, I've no doubt," said Edith, "and come down to -offer me a choice of being his wife or leaving the Hall. I shall -certainly go. But to continue my story. I remained with Miss Gilmar, -and got on fairly well with her. She told me all about the murder, and -her fears of being killed by Dean. Often she congratulated herself -that he was in prison."</p> - -<p>"And what did she do when she heard of his escape?"</p> - -<p>"She was beside herself with terror; and, thinking he would come down -here to murder her, she determined to leave the Hall. She made all -arrangements as regards money with her solicitor, and asked me to take -charge of this place. I agreed, and she went away over three years -ago. I have never," said Miss Wedderburn, with emphasis, "set eyes on -her since."</p> - -<p>"Did you know the course of her wanderings?"</p> - -<p>"Sometimes, when she wrote to inquire if Dean had made his appearance -at the Hall, but as a rule I heard nothing, and knew not where she -was. The last time she wrote was about six months ago, but she did not -say then where her next resting-place would be, and as she was not -inclined to be confidential I did not ask questions."</p> - -<p>"Did you know that she carried about a duplicate of this room?"</p> - -<p>"No, not until you told me. I never see the newspapers down here."</p> - -<p>"Can you tell me why she did so?"</p> - -<p>"It is hard to explain," said Edith, with a puzzled look. "When Ellen -was here she sat constantly in this room, and seemed greatly attached -to it. I do not know why, seeing that it had been the scene of her -cousin's murder. But I suppose she wanted to keep the threats of Dean -to kill her constantly in mind, and so framed a duplicate of this -room, that she might not forget her danger and run the risk of being -lulled into a state of dangerous security."</p> - -<p>"That would hardly account for her strange fancy for the room," said -Gebb, shaking his head.</p> - -<p>"I can supply no other reason," answered Edith, reflectively. "Ellen -was very eccentric, and one could not always account for her whims."</p> - -<p>"She was superstitious?"</p> - -<p>"Very! Believed in omens and fortune-tellers and all kinds of rubbish. -Yet I fancy she had not always been so weak-minded. It was the dread -of a violent death that made her consult these people."</p> - -<p>"Did she ever drop any hint about the murder?"</p> - -<p>"She dropped no hint, as you call it," said Edith, stiffly, "but told -me the whole story very plainly. She quite believed that Dean was -guilty."</p> - -<p>"Yet she might have killed Kirkstone herself," said Gebb, after a -pause.</p> - -<p>"That is impossible. She had no reason to do so; and moreover if she -had been guilty, she would certainly have betrayed herself to me. It -is no use speaking ill of the dead, Mr. Gebb."</p> - -<p>"Yet you cannot say that your cousin was a good woman."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps not," retorted Miss Wedderburn. "On the other hand, I cannot -say that she was a murderess. Well, sir, I have told you all I know, -and you see I cannot help you in any way."</p> - -<p>"I am not so sure of that," replied Gebb, coolly. "I have not yet -closed my examination."</p> - -<p>Edith flushed and looked uneasy. "I don't like that word," she said in -irritable tones; "it sounds as though I were a criminal in the dock."</p> - -<p>"That is a strong way of putting it, Miss Wedderburn. Why not compare -yourself to a witness in the witness-box?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, call me what you like," cried the girl, rising impatiently, "but -let us finish our conversation as quickly as possible. I have told you -about Miss Gilmar, about this room, about Mr. Alder; I know nothing -more."</p> - -<p>"Nothing, Miss Wedderburn? Think again."</p> - -<p>"I tell you I know nothing," said Edith, now crimson with rage. "What -do you mean by your hints?"</p> - -<p>"I mean that you have another lover," remarked Gebb, acting on the -advice of Prain, but quite in the dark as to what it would bring -forth.</p> - -<p>Miss Wedderburn sat down promptly again on the couch as though her -limbs refused to support her, and the flush on her face gave place to -a deadly pallor. She shook in every limb, as though overcome with -terror.</p> - -<p>"Arthur!" she faltered. "You know about----" Her voice stopped, and -she fell back in a faint.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_11" href="#div1Ref_11">CHAPTER XI</a></h4> -<h5>THE MAD GARDENER</h5> -<br> - -<p>Gebb was not easily surprised, being used by reason of his profession -to traffic in mysteries; but the unexpected fainting of Edith at his -apparently innocent question perplexed him beyond measure. Of course, -the girl had not told him the whole of her history, so no doubt in the -portions thus kept back lay the explanation of her violent emotion. -Gebb, being ignorant of the cause, was amazed at the result.</p> - -<p>"Hullo!" said he, throwing open the window to admit fresh air, "there -is something queer about this. Prain hinted that if I asked about her -lover I might hear something strange, and her actions speak quite as -loud as words. This fainting has some meaning in it. Well, well! I -must revive her first and question her afterwards."</p> - -<p>This was easier said than done, as there was no restorative of any -sort at hand. Miss Wedderburn lay back on the couch motionless and -white, the image of death; even the breeze from the open window could -not restore her senses. Gebb was about to throw wide open the door, -and shout for assistance, when through the window he caught sight of a -man crossing the lawn, and immediately hailed him loudly. The man -jumped round suddenly as though startled by the call, and after some -hesitation moved forward slowly and unwillingly to crane his head into -the room. He was a queer old creature, with shaggy white hair and -untrimmed beard, and two glittering eyes set so closely together as to -give him an uncanny look. He was dressed in a suit of old clothes -discoloured and rusty; and, with his elbows on the window-sill, moped -and mowed in a smiling vacant way at the detective. At the first near -glance Gebb saw that the newcomer was not in his right mind.</p> - -<p>"Here, my man," he said, making the best of this doubtful assistant, -"bring some water; the lady has fainted."</p> - -<p>The man grinned, and turned his eyes towards the white face of Edith. -Over his own a shade passed, with the result of altering it from gay -to grave. He even looked terrified, and with a kind of hoarse cry, -pointed one lean finger at the unconscious girl.</p> - -<p>"Is she dead? Did you kill her?" he asked in a harsh whisper.</p> - -<p>"No! No!!" replied the detective, soothingly, as he would speak to a -child, "she has fainted. Bring some water."</p> - -<p>"Kill her!" whispered the man, nodding; "it's a good room to kill -people in; we use it for that here. I won't tell. I'd rather see her -dead than alive; it's better for her. The grave's the bed for a weary -head."</p> - -<p>"Hush! Bring the water," cried Gebb, shrinking back from the horrible -creature. "Be off with you!"</p> - -<p>The madman shrank back in his turn at the peremptory tone of the -detective, and vanished with a nod, just as a sigh sounded through the -room. The cool draught playing on the forehead of Edith had at length -produced its effect, and with a second sigh longer than the first, she -opened her eyes, and looked vacantly at Gebb. The detective caught her -hand, and slapped it vigorously, whereat the girl sat up with an -effort, and her faintness passed away. Still her brain was not quite -clear, and she looked languidly at Gebb, as though she were in a -dream.</p> - -<p>"What did you say?" she asked in a low voice. "Am I--have I--what is -it?" and she passed a slow hand across her forehead.</p> - -<p>"You fainted, Miss Wedderburn," replied Gebb, softly.</p> - -<p>"Yes! I remember! I fainted! You asked about---- Oh, God! I know;" and -she covered her eyes with one hand.</p> - -<p>Before she could speak again, a harsh, cracked voice was heard singing -in the distance:--</p> -<br> -<div style="margin-left:10%; font-size:smaller"> -<p style="text-indent:-12px" class="t1"> -"The raven is the fowl for me,<br> -He sits upon the gallows tree,<br> -And bravely, bravely doth he sing,<br> -In a voice so low and rich:<br> -While flaunting in a garb of pitch<br> -The murderer's corpse does gaily swing.<br> -Ho! Ho! Ha! Ha! He! He! He!<br> -The raven and the gallows tree."</p> -<br> -</div> - -<p>"Ah!" Miss Wedderburn shivered nervously as this gruesome ditty -sounded nearer, and put her fingers in her ears to shut out the -singing. "It is Martin with his fearful songs!" said she, softly.</p> - -<p>"Martin! And who is Martin?" asked Gebb, amazed at these -extraordinary proceedings.</p> - -<p>"Martin! Martin! Mad Martin!" croaked the harsh voice; and there at -the window stood the crazy man, leering in a fawning manner, and -holding a tin basin half full of water. Dipping his hand into this, he -sprinkled a few drops towards Edith, singing tunelessly the while:--</p> -<br> -<div style="margin-left:10%; font-size:smaller"> -<p style="text-indent:-12px" class="t1">"Weep till tears roll as a flood,<br> -I baptise thee now with blood."</p> -</div> -<br> -<p>With an exclamation of annoyance Edith rose, and, snatching the basin -out of the man's hand, shut the window hurriedly. Martin gave a -frightened whimper and slunk away; while his mistress, soaking a -handkerchief in the water, bathed her pale face. Gebb, judiciously -waiting the development of events, stood quietly by, wondering, but -silent.</p> - -<p>"Is this a lunatic asylum, Miss Wedderburn?" he asked when she was -more composed, and he judged it judicious to recommence the -conversation.</p> - -<p>"No, of course not!" she replied irritably; "the man is mad, but quite -harmless. Martin!--Martin!--I do not know his other name. He is an -excellent gardener, and usually quiet enough, although he will sing -those gruesome songs all about gallows and murders. To-day--for some -reason--he is worse than usual."</p> - -<p>"He ought to be placed under restraint," said Gebb, carelessly, for he -was too bent on questioning his companion to be distracted by a -lunatic. "But this is not to the point. May I ask what caused you to -faint, Miss Wedderburn?"</p> - -<p>The girl raised her head and directed a steady stare at Gebb. "In my -turn, may I ask why you come here to question me?" she said defiantly.</p> - -<p>"I thought I explained my errand before," replied the detective, -mildly. "I am here to learn--if possible--who killed Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"I cannot tell you: I know nothing about it. Until you gave me the -news I was not aware even that she was dead."</p> - -<p>"Yet you were not so surprised by the information as I expected."</p> - -<p>"That can be easily explained, Mr. Gebb," said Edith, wringing out her -wet handkerchief. "As I told you before, I knew of my cousin's fears. -She was perhaps pursued by Mr. Dean when he escaped from prison, with -the avowed intention--it was reported--of killing her. She left her -home--as I know--in order to hide from him; but it is possible--I -say," she added with emphasis, "it is possible that Dean tracked her -down and revenged himself for her conduct of twenty years ago. You -wish to learn who killed Miss Gilmar, sir? I tell you I do not know! -Mr. Dean, in my opinion, is innocent; but on the face of it, I admit -that appearances are against him. Perhaps if you find the man and -question him you may arrive at the truth."</p> - -<p>"It is not improbable," replied Gebb, coolly; "but we must catch him -first. Still, Miss Wedderburn, your opinion of Dean's guilt or -innocence does not explain your recent conduct. To put a plain -question, miss, 'What made you faint?'"</p> - -<p>"That is my business!" said Edith, haughtily, but with averted eyes.</p> - -<p>"And mine too. Why should you faint because I ask if you have another -lover besides Mr. Alder?"</p> - -<p>"I refuse to answer!"</p> - -<p>"In that case," observed Gebb, artfully, "there must be something -wrong with Arthur."</p> - -<p>"How dare you call him Arthur?" flashed out Miss Wedderburn.</p> - -<p>"Call who Arthur?" asked Gebb, laying a trap for her hasty tongue.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Fer----" She stopped and bit her lip, hesitating, as it would -appear, whether to tell the name or not. After a momentary pause she -evidently deemed bold speaking the safest policy, for she continued -calmly: "After all, there is no reason why I should not tell you his -name."</p> - -<p>"None in the world, so far as I can see," answered the detective, with -a shrug. "I know that his Christian name is Arthur, but what is the -surname of your lover, Miss Wedderburn?"</p> - -<p>"How do you know that I have a lover?" retorted Edith, answering one -question by asking another.</p> - -<p>"How do I know that you have two lovers?" corrected Gebb, coolly. -"Because you told me about one named Mr. John Alder, and Mr. Prain -spoke to me about the other. I came here with a certain amount of -knowledge, miss."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Prain? What has he to do with it?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. I'm waiting for you to tell me."</p> - -<p>Edith clasped her hands together with a restless movement, and walked -up and down the room hastily. Suddenly, as though making up her mind -to the inevitable, she stopped before the detective.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Gebb," she said, clearly and distinctly, "I have no reason to -conceal anything in my life. I am engaged to a gentleman named Arthur -Ferris, whose occupation is that of an artist. He has nothing to do -with the murder of Miss Gilmar--that I swear."</p> - -<p>"There is no need to swear," said Gebb, wondering at her vehemence; -"but why did you faint when I asked you about him?"</p> - -<p>"I thought--I thought you might suspect him," faltered Miss -Wedderburn, in a low tone. "I know how suspicious you detectives are. -You seem to think that I know more than I tell you; but you are -wrong--I do not."</p> - -<p>"I suspect neither you nor Mr. Ferris," said Gebb, quietly; "but it -was so strange that you should faint at a simple question, that I -naturally wished to find out the reason."</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, you know it now."</p> - -<p>"I know the reason you choose to give," replied Gebb, significantly, -"but you will excuse my saying that it is rather a weak one."</p> - -<p>"I can give no other."</p> - -<p>"You could if you wished."</p> - -<p>"Then I refuse to give any other," rejoined Edith, with a frown.</p> - -<p>"Quite so," replied Gebb, rising. "Well, there is nothing for it but -for me to take my leave--for the present," he added significantly.</p> - -<p>"This sudden cessation of Gebb's questions alarmed Edith more than the -questions themselves had done, and she looked uneasy. Once or twice -she appeared about to speak, but closed her lips again without a word, -and conducted Gebb silently out of the house. The detective was rather -annoyed by this self-control, as the sole reason of his manœuvre -was to make Miss Wedderburn talk. Nine women out of ten would have -done so, and have defended themselves with many words; but this girl -was evidently the tenth, and knew the value of silence. However, Gebb -was too experienced to show his annoyance, and, mentally resolving to -question this Sphinx on a future occasion, when she was not so much on -her guard, he took his leave with a last warning.</p> - -<p>"You ought to have that mad gardener locked up," he said, looking up -to Miss Wedderburn as she stood on the terrace, "else there will be -another murder in the Yellow Boudoir."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Martin is quite harmless," replied Edith, calmly. "I told you so -before."</p> - -<p>"So harmless, that had he lived in Grangebury I should have suspected -him of killing your cousin," responded Gebb, dryly, and forthwith took -his departure, considerably puzzled, as well he might be, by the -attitude of the young lady. So far she had baffled him completely.</p> - -<p>As he walked down the neglected avenue he heard the harsh, cracked -voice of Mad Martin piping a tuneless ditty, and shortly afterwards -met with the man himself face to face. With his lean, bent form, -picturesque rags, and venerable white beard, the man looked like Lear, -insane and wretched. When he saw Gebb, the creature stopped singing, -and broke into a cackling laugh, which had little mirth in it -Gebb--usually self-controlled and careless of impressions--shuddered -at that merriment of hell.</p> - -<p>"Are you in love with her too?" he asked the detective.</p> - -<p>"No," replied Gebb, humouring the man. "Why do you think so?"</p> - -<p>"John Alder came here and loved her," said Martin, reflectively. -"Arthur Ferris came and loved her. I thought you might be a third. But -you won't win her heart--oh no! Young Arthur has done that. Tall, -straight, dark, handsome Arthur, with the mark of Satan on his cheek."</p> - -<p>"The mark of Satan!" repeated Gebb, puzzled by this description of -Ferris.</p> - -<p>"Hist!" cried Martin, with uplifted finger. "He is a wizard and she a -witch, and they dance in the Yellow Room when the moon is up. Young -Arthur has a red mark on his cheek; Satan baptized him there with -blood. Oh, blood! oh, blood!" moaned the wretched creature, "nothing -but blood.</p> -<br> -<div style="font-size:smaller"> -<p class=t1 style="text-indent:-20px; margin-left:15%">"'A knife for you, and a rope for me,<br> -And death in the Yellow Room;<br> -I am alive, and you are dead,<br> -But each hath gotten a tomb.'"</p> -</div> -<br> -<p class="continue">And with a long, dolorous cry Martin ran up the avenue swinging his -arms, leaving Gebb to puzzle out his enigmatic verse as best he could.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_12" href="#div1Ref_12">CHAPTER XII</a></h4> -<h5>THE DIAMOND NECKLACE</h5> -<br> - -<p>Gebb, much to his disgust, returned to Norminster as wise as he had -left it. Beyond meeting a lunatic, and interviewing an obstinate young -woman, he had spent his time and money to little purpose; and it was -with a perplexed brain that he sat down to consider his future -movements. In the face of his failure he was at a loss how to act. -Miss Wedderburn, with what looked like deliberate intention, only -repeated the story he already knew.</p> - -<p>Miss Gilmar had confessed to a fear of Dean. She had fled from the -Hall on account of that fear; her travels and hidings and -extraordinary precautions had been undertaken solely to thwart the -revenge of Dean. Gebb was aware of these facts; but there was nothing -more in them likely to instruct him. He had, so far, exhausted their -capabilities.</p> - -<p>"What am I to do?" he asked himself for, say, the fiftieth time. "How -am I to act? In which direction am I to move? Miss Wedderburn, without -any given reason, says that Dean is innocent. Prain is of the same way -of thinking, and so am I. Parge alone seems to believe in Dean's -guilt, and I don't agree with him. The man himself may be able to -supply evidence to reveal the truth; but where is he to be found?"</p> - -<p>Gebb could answer this question no more than he could the others he -propounded, and vainly racked his usually inventive brain to settle on -some course likely to elucidate the mystery. Finally, after mature -reflection, he resolved to call upon Prain, and ask him to explain the -meaning of Miss Wedderburn's fainting. The lawyer had told him to ask -a certain question, and see what answer it would bring. Well, he had -done so; and the answer was that the girl, without any apparent cause, -had fainted. Perhaps Prain knew the reason; and since Edith refused to -reveal it, his sole course was to question the solicitor. So to Prain -the detective went, full of curiosity, two days after his return from -the country. The interval had been filled up in attending to business -unconnected with the Grangebury mystery; but now Gebb returned to it -again, and sought Mr. Prain in the hope of learning something -tangible. But his spirits were very low.</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. Gebb," said brisk Mr. Prain, after greetings had passed, "I -have not been idle since I saw you last I have sent a description of -that necklace to the police. I have informed Mr. Alder of Miss -Gilmar's death, and I have received his instructions about the will."</p> - -<p>"There is a will, then?"</p> - -<p>"Without doubt. Miss Gilmar made her will before she left the Hall."</p> - -<p>"In favour of Mr. Alder?" said Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Yes. Of course, by the will of Kirkstone's ancestor Mr. Alder -becomes possessed of the Hall; but Miss Gilmar has left her personal -property--that is, the money which she inherited from Laura -Kirkstone--to him also. Miss Wedderburn, I am sorry to say, receives -nothing."</p> - -<p>"Poor girl. She will have to leave the Hall."</p> - -<p>Prain shrugged his shoulders. "That is at her own discretion," he -said, coolly. "Mr. Alder is in love with her; so if she marries -him----"</p> - -<p>"She won't marry him," interrupted Gebb; "she is in love with, and -engaged to, Mr. Ferris."</p> - -<p>"Ah! she told you about that scamp?"</p> - -<p>"She told me very little, Mr. -Prain; but she fainted when I mentioned the man under the very general -description of a lover."</p> - -<p>"She fainted! Hum!" Prain looked so serious and perplexed that Gebb -was impelled to question him further touching the matter.</p> - -<p>"Why did she faint?" asked the detective, bluntly.</p> - -<p>"I don't know--that is, I can't exactly say," stammered the other.</p> - -<p>Gebb looked at the solicitor, who in his turn stared at the carpet, -the ceiling, at the papers on his desk; anywhere but at his -questioner.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Prain," he said seriously, "you are not treating me fairly."</p> - -<p>"I beg your pardon," said Prain, nervously--and as a rule he was not a -nervous man, "I don't see how you make that out."</p> - -<p>"I do!" replied Gebb, sharply. "You know the reason of that fainting."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps I do; but I am not at liberty to reveal my knowledge. The -secret is Miss Wedderburn's."</p> - -<p>"Has it anything to do with this murder?"</p> - -<p>"No," replied Prain, decisively. "That it has not."</p> - -<p>"Then why did you tell me to ask her about Ferris?"</p> - -<p>"Because I wanted to be sure of something; and that fainting has -enlightened me."</p> - -<p>"Can't you tell me more?" cried Gebb, with some indignation.</p> - -<p>"No, I cannot," answered Prain, bluntly. "Get Miss Wedderburn's -permission, and I will. But even if you did know, the knowledge would -be of no use to you."</p> - -<p>"Has Miss Wedderburn any theory about this murder?"</p> - -<p>"Not that I know of. You saw her last, Mr. Gebb."</p> - -<p>"Does she know who killed Miss Gilmar?"</p> - -<p>"Why not ask her?" said Prain, evading the question.</p> - -<p>"I did; and I can't make out what she means. She says that Dean is -innocent, but won't give her reason. Now, Parge declares that Dean is -guilty."</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. Gebb, perhaps he is."</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" sneered Gebb, who was growing irritated. "Last time I saw -you, Mr. Prain, you denied his guilt."</p> - -<p>"And I do so now!" cried Prain, warmly. "I believe, as you do, Gebb, -that Dean is innocent of both crimes. He killed neither Kirkstone nor -Miss Gilmar. I don't know what Miss Wedderburn's reasons are, but she -is right to defend Dean. Still," added Prain with a shrug, "I don't -deny that many people look on the man as a murderer."</p> - -<p>"Does Mr. Alder believe in Dean's guilt--in his double guilt?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. He is sure of it. You can ask him for yourself," added Prain, -looking at his watch. "He'll be here soon."</p> - -<p>"I'll be glad to meet him. But what is your opinion about this crime?"</p> - -<p>"I told you the last time I saw you," replied the solicitor. "Miss -Gilmar was murdered by one of those fortune-tellers for the sake of -her diamonds. Recover that necklace, and you will soon trace the -assassin."</p> - -<p>"It's not much of an idea," said Gebb, scornfully.</p> - -<p>"It's the best I've got, at all events!" retorted Prain, with heat. "I -have done my best to prove its truth by sending a description of that -necklace to the police."</p> - -<p>"I dare say the description is in the hands of all pawnbrokers by this -time," said Gebb, thoughtfully. "Well, we shall see what will come of -it. What about Ferris?"</p> - -<p>"Ferris!" repeated Prain, in no wise astonished at this abrupt -question. "Well, he is an artist, and a bit of a scamp, with whom -Edith Wedderburn is in love. I don't know why; perhaps because he is a -scamp. Women seem to like scamps, for some reason best known to -themselves."</p> - -<p>"Is he handsome?"</p> - -<p>"Very. Tall and dark; rather military-looking."</p> - -<p>"Has he a mark on one cheek?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, a birth-mark; but not disfiguring. How did you know about it?"</p> - -<p>"That lunatic at Kirkstone Hall told me. He called it the mark of -Satan. By the way, who is that man?"</p> - -<p>"A gardener who used to live at the Hall in Kirkstone's time. I think -the tragedy of the Yellow Room must have sent him off his head. At all -events, he ran away after it occurred, and only turned up a year or -two ago, quite mad."</p> - -<p>"Why didn't they lock him up?"</p> - -<p>"Well, you see, Miss Wedderburn (who is rather a strong-minded young -woman) thinks kindness may cure him; so she gave him back his old post -of gardener. If Miss Gilmar had been there, I don't think he would -have been allowed to stay. I don't think, either, that Miss W.'s -experiment will be a success."</p> - -<p>"He sings the most gruesome songs--about murder, and blood, and the -Yellow Room."</p> - -<p>"I know," replied Prain, cheerfully. "I am afraid that last muddled -his brain and inspired his muse. He didn't sing or compose verse when -I knew him; but the man's a complete wreck. He used to be rather -handsome and stupid; but his own father wouldn't know him now. I'm -sorry for the poor devil, as now that Alder owns the Hall I dare say -he'll be kicked out, and have to end his days in an asylum."</p> - -<p>"The best place for him, in my opinion," said Gebb, emphatically. "He -is as mad as a March hare, and not half so harmless. Hullo! Who is -that knocking? Come in."</p> - -<p>It proved to be a note from Inspector Lackland, asking Gebb to come -down to Grangebury. In the first instance it had gone to Scotland -Yard, and, as it seemed important, had been sent on to the detective, -who had left word that he would be at Prain's, in case he was wanted.</p> - -<p>"Seems important," said Gebb, reading it. "I wonder what Lackland -wants to see me about--eh, Prain?"</p> - -<p>But Prain was not attending to him. He was busy shaking hands with a -tall, broad-shouldered man, fair-haired, blue-eyed, and altogether -comely to look upon. This gentleman was introduced to Gebb by the name -of Alder; whereby the detective was informed that he stood in the -presence of Miss Gilmar's heir and Miss Wedderburn's lover. Alder on -hearing Gebb's name looked at him keenly, and saluted him with marked -cordiality.</p> - -<p>"I am glad to meet you, Mr. Gebb," he said, in loud and hearty tones; -indeed, he was rather like a fox-hunting squire than a barrister. "How -are you getting on with the case of my poor cousin's murder? Have you -caught Dean?"</p> - -<p>"No," answered Gebb, plainly; "and, to tell you the truth, I am not -sure that Dean is the culprit."</p> - -<p>"But if you knew what Dean said about----"</p> - -<p>"I know all that Dean said," interrupted Gebb, "also that he escaped; -but, for all that, I do not think he killed Miss Gilmar--or Kirkstone -either, for the matter of that."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" said Alder, thoughtfully. "I see you are of Basson's opinion."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Clement Basson! Do you know him?" asked the detective.</p> - -<p>"I should think so!" replied Alder, smiling. "I have known him for -years. He was Dean's counsel in the Kirkstone case."</p> - -<p>"I instructed him," said Prain, complacently. "He believed in Dean's -innocence as I did; but unfortunately our united efforts could not get -the poor devil off."</p> - -<p>"I think I'll call on Mr. Basson," said the detective, thoughtfully. -"Where is he to be found?"</p> - -<p>"No. 40, Blackstone Lane, Fleet Street," replied Alder promptly; "but -what do you expect to learn from him?"</p> - -<p>"His reasons for believing Dean not guilty."</p> - -<p>"They are the same as mine," cried Prain, "and I don't know how his -stating them over again can help you. He does not know where Dean is."</p> - -<p>"Still Mr. Gebb had better see Basson," suggested Alder, with -conviction. "Something may come of the visit. Will you call on me -afterwards, Mr. Gebb, and tell me what you learn from Basson? I am to -be found in the Temple, and, as you may guess, I am most anxious that -Dean should be traced. I intend to offer a reward of two hundred -pounds for his capture. I hope you will earn it."</p> - -<p>"I hope so, too," answered Gebb, much pleased; "but you are certain -that Dean is guilty?"</p> - -<p>"If he is not, I don't know who is," replied Alder, emphatically; and -for the time being the conversation ended.</p> - -<p>Gebb left Alder to consult with Prain as to the necessity of exhuming -the body of Miss Gilmar for identification, and took his way down to -Grangebury to learn why the bluff Lackland had written so earnest and -urgent a note. He found the plethoric inspector in a state of -excitement bordering on apoplexy, and wondered what could have -occurred to stimulate the martinet to such unusual excitement.</p> - -<p>"That you, Gebb?" cried Lackland, the moment the detective put his -nose inside the door. "George! I am glad to see you. It's found, -sir--found! What do you think of that, hey?"</p> - -<p>"What is found? the name of the murderer?"</p> - -<p>"No, no; but something as useful. The diamond necklace," said -Lackland, slowly.</p> - -<p>"You don't say so!" cried Gebb, excitedly. "Was it sold--pawned----?"</p> - -<p>"Pawned!" interrupted the inspector. "Aaron and Nathan's, Harold -Street, City. It came into their possession the day after the murder."</p> - -<p>"The devil! Our assassinating friend lost no time. Who pawned it?"</p> - -<p>"A young man who called himself James Brown."</p> - -<p>"James Fiddlesticks," said Gebb, contemptuously--"a false name. What -was he like?"</p> - -<p>"Tall, dark, handsome," said Lackland, with military brevity. "Aaron -said that he put the necklace up the spout as cool as a cucumber. He -was----"</p> - -<p>"Hold on!" cried Gebb, eagerly. "Had he a mark on one cheek--a -birth-mark?"</p> - -<p>"By George, he had! A purple spot; but not large enough to spoil his -looks."</p> - -<p>"I thought so!" said the detective, joyously. "So it was Arthur Ferris -did it."</p> - -<p>"Arthur who?" asked Lackland, gruffly.</p> - -<p>"Arthur Ferris, of Chelsea, artist. He pawned the necklace; he stole -the diamonds; he murdered Miss Gilmar. Hurrah! we've got him."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_13" href="#div1Ref_13">CHAPTER XIII</a></h4> -<h5>ARTHUR FERRIS</h5> -<br> - -<p>The unexpected discovery that Ferris had pawned the necklace, spurred -Gebb to unusual activity. No longer doubtful how to act, he hastened -to procure a warrant of arrest against the young man; yet before doing -so, and to be certain that his belief was not a false one, he called -first at Aaron and Nathan's. These worthy Jews he questioned closely -concerning the necklace, and the man who had pawned it. The ornament -corresponded in every way with the description furnished by Prain; and -the individual, on the evidence of his appearance, and of the -birth-mark on his right cheek, could not be mistaken for any one but -Ferris. Furthermore, his connection with Edith, who in her turn was -connected with the murdered woman, gave colour to Gebb's assumption -that Ferris was the guilty person.</p> - -<p>"I understand now why Miss Wedderburn fainted," said Gebb to himself. -"She thought, when I mentioned him as her lover, that I had discovered -the truth, and feared for his safety. No doubt, having informed him -about that necklace, and Miss Gilmar's fear of death, he killed and -robbed the woman in the hope that Dean would be blamed."</p> - -<p>If things were as Gebb surmised, Ferris, in hoping that his crime -would be laid to the charge of Dean, displayed an amount of cunning -hardly compatible with his disposal of the plunder. He had -accomplished the crime so cleverly, and had escaped so mysteriously, -that Gebb could not understand why he had pawned the necklace so -openly, the very next day, under the obviously false name of James -Brown. The rashness nullified his former caution, for he might have -guessed that information concerning the jewels would be sent to all -pawnshops. As a criminal, Ferris evidently had to learn the A.B.C. of -his craft.</p> - -<p>"Why did he not wait until the storm blew over before pawning the -necklace," murmured Gebb, much perplexed, "or, at least, take the -stones out of their setting and sell them separately, either in -London, Paris, or Amsterdam? Discovery would have been more difficult -in that case. And why did he pawn them so hurriedly unless he intended -to leave England? But in that case Edith Wedderburn would have known -of his intended departure, and probably would have gone with him. Rum -sort of cove he must be."</p> - -<p>Gebb in this manner argued the case for and against Ferris, for the -young man's conduct displayed such a mixture of caution and rashness -as to perplex the detective. Still it was no use, as he well knew, to -waste his time in making bricks without straw, when the arrest of the -culprit might enable him to gain a frank explanation of these -obviously silly actions; so Gebb, on the evidence of the pawning, -procured a warrant and proceeded to take Ferris in charge. As a -further mark of the man's folly, he had given a wrong name but a right -address; and Gebb, proceeding to Chelsea, asked at an Eden Street -house for Mr. Brown, only to be told that Mr. Ferris was the sole -lodger in it. The naïve simplicity of this novice in crime almost made -the detective swear to his innocence on the spot.</p> - -<p>"Confound it!" said Gebb, disconcerted by this, "the man has gone -about the pawning so openly that I really believe he is guiltless of -the crime. Either that or he's a born fool, although even that is -doubtful Miss Wedderburn is not the sort of woman to love an idiot, -although she does protect one. Seems to me as I'm dealing with a lot -of crazy folk."</p> - -<p>Ferris chanced to be absent at the time of Gebb's visit, but was -expected back every moment; so, on intimating that he wished to see -the artist on a matter of importance, and would wait for his return, -the detective was shown into the studio. It was a bare apartment of -some size, with ample light, but few decorations. Ferris seemed to be -rather a hard worker than an artistic dandy, for there were scattered -around none of the knickknacks and "bibelots" which many painters love -to collect. There was a sprawling clay-figure near a carpeted daïs for -the model, specimens of work on the walls, plaster heads and -unfinished pictures lying about in disorder, and on the easel, beside -a rusty iron stove, a landscape picture in progress of painting. -Altogether the studio looked anything but that of a Sybarite, and in -no wise accorded with Prain's description of Ferris as a scamp, for -scamps as a rule owe their doubtful reputations to their assiduity in -gratifying all their tastes, the best and the worst.</p> - -<p>"Yet he must have been hard pushed for money to murder that old woman -in order to rob her," said Gebb. "So, if he is economical here, I -expect he is wasteful in other ways. Hullo! here's a letter on the -writing-table with the Norminster postmark. Empty!" he added in -disgust, finding no letter inside. "Yet it is from that girl, I am -certain. The handwriting is that of a woman. Hum! And yesterday's -date, I see by the postmark. She had been writing to warn him. She -knows all about the matter. I wish I could find the letter. She's a -deep one, that girl, and as sharp as a needle. She wouldn't have -bungled the murder as Ferris has done."</p> - -<p>With this doubtful tribute of admiration, Gebb calmly proceeded to -turn over the papers on the writing-table, and examine the drawers. -But he could find no letter from Edith amongst the loose papers, and -the drawers proved to be locked, which showed that Ferris was a more -cautious man than his conduct in pawning the necklace indicated. How -far Gebb would have proceeded with his search, or how successful he -would have been, it is hard to say; for just as he was casting his -eyes towards a bureau which, he thought, might contain papers likely -to illuminate Ferris and his dark ways, the door opened and the man -himself entered with a brisk step. He appeared agitated and rather -pale, but on the whole composed and business-like.</p> - -<p>For a moment or so he did not speak, but looked at Gebb with no very -friendly expression of countenance. On his side, the detective -scrutinized the face of the newcomer with close attention, to see in -what degree he corresponded to the descriptions of Prain and Martin. -He beheld a tall and slender man, with an intelligent expression and -brilliant black eyes. On his short upper lip there was a small pointed -moustache, which gave him a rather military appearance, and on his -right cheek a purple mark, the size of a sixpence, but which--his skin -being so dark--did not show very conspicuously. He was dressed quietly -and in good style, and to all appearance was a man who respected -himself too much to indulge in the profligacy with which he was -credited by Prain. Gebb was rather favourably impressed by him than -otherwise, and could not help regretting his errand.</p> - -<p>"I am told you are waiting to see me," said Ferris, civilly. "May I -inquire your business?"</p> - -<p>"Is your name Arthur Ferris?"</p> - -<p>"It is. May I ask what----"</p> - -<p>"I arrest you in the Queen's name!" interrupted Gebb, laying one hand -on the young man's shoulder, and with the other drawing forth his -warrant.</p> - -<p>Ferris turned white even to the lips, and leaped back with an -exclamation of alarm and surprise. The detective's action seemed to -amaze him.</p> - -<p>"Arrest me! Why? What for? Who are you?"</p> - -<p>"My name is Gebb; I am a detective. Here is my warrant for your -arrest, Mr. Ferris, on a charge of murder."</p> - -<p>"Murder!" repeated Ferris, much agitated, as was natural. "You accuse -me of murder? There is some mistake."</p> - -<p>"People in your position always say so," replied Gebb, dryly; "but -there is no mistake. You murdered a woman called Gilmar on the -twenty-fourth of July last."</p> - -<p>"It's a lie! I no more murdered Miss Gilmar than you did."</p> - -<p>"That has yet to be proved, sir. Here is my warrant, and I have a -couple of men outside in case of need. However, I have no desire to -make trouble, and if you come along with me quietly, I shall use you -civilly. We can drive to the prison in a hansom."</p> - -<p>Ferris, who was looking round wildly, as though for some means of -escape, started and recoiled at the sound of the ill-omened word.</p> - -<p>"To prison!" he echoed hoarsely. "Great God! you would not take me to -prison. I am innocent, I tell you. I know nothing of this murder."</p> - -<p>"We have evidence to the contrary," said Gebb, quietly; "and I advise -you, sir, to hold your tongue. Anything you say now will be used in -evidence against you."</p> - -<p>"I shall not hold my tongue," said Ferris, with more composure. "There -is nothing I can say likely to inculpate me in the matter. I protest -against your action. I protest against being treated as a criminal."</p> - -<p>"You can protest as much as you like, Mr. Ferris, but you must come -with me. You may thank your stars that I have not put the darbies on -you. Give me your word not to attempt escape, and we'll walk out -arm-in-arm; no one will guess where you are going. You see, I wish to -make matters easy for you."</p> - -<p>"I shall not try to escape," said the unfortunate young man, proudly, -"as I have done nothing wrong. If I must go to prison on this charge, -I must; and I thank you, Mr. Gebb, for your civility, but I swear -before God that I am innocent of this crime."</p> - -<p>With this speech he resumed his hat and walked slowly out of the -studio. Gebb followed forthwith, and slipped his arm within that of -Ferris, so that the pair seemed to be leaving the house in a friendly -way. Two men were waiting at a distance, but on Gebb's nodding to them -to intimate that his charge was amenable to reason, they walked off; -and shortly afterwards the detective and Ferris got into a hansom. -Gebb directed the driver whither to go, and then turned to comfort his -companion, for whose despair he felt extremely sorry. Certainly, the -young man's conduct did not suggest guilt.</p> - -<p>"Cheer up, Mr. Ferris," he said kindly; "if you are innocent you will -soon be out of this trouble."</p> - -<p>"I don't know how ever I came into it," replied Ferris, -disconsolately. "You mean kindly, Mr. Gebb; therefore, in spite of -what you say regarding my remarks being used against me, I shall speak -freely. I did not know Miss Gilmar at all. I never set eyes on her in -my life; and until yesterday I was not aware of her death."</p> - -<p>"I see. Miss Wedderburn wrote and informed you of that," said Gebb, -coolly.</p> - -<p>"What do you know of Miss Wedderburn?" asked Ferris, in surprise.</p> - -<p>"I have seen her and spoken with her; and I know from her own lips -that she is engaged to you. On your writing-table I saw an envelope -with the Norminster postmark and yesterday's date, so I guessed that -she wrote to you about Miss Gilmar's death."</p> - -<p>"She did! I have no reason to conceal it. But she did not mention that -she had conversed with you."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps not, Mr. Ferris. She is a young lady who can keep her own -counsel."</p> - -<p>"She has no secrets that I know of," said Ferris, haughtily.</p> - -<p>Gebb shrugged his shoulders. "She has one about you," he said calmly.</p> - -<p>"Indeed!" replied the other with sarcasm. "And do you know what it is, -Mr. Gebb?"</p> - -<p>"I did not know when I saw her, but I know now. Miss Wedderburn is -aware that you killed Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"Did she say so?" asked Ferris, anxiously.</p> - -<p>"No; but I guess that is her secret. You are guilty, you know."</p> - -<p>"I swear I am not!" rejoined Ferris, vehemently. "I never saw Miss -Gilmar. I did not murder her. I know nothing about the woman."</p> - -<p>"Do you know anything about the diamond necklace?"</p> - -<p>"The diamond necklace!" stammered Ferris, changing colour, and with a -visible start, for this leading question evidently took him by -surprise.</p> - -<p>"Yes! the necklace you pawned on the twenty-fifth of July to Aaron and -Nathan."</p> - -<p>"It--it--was--was mine," replied the young man, as clearly as his -consternation would let him.</p> - -<p>"It was not yours," said Gebb, sharply; "it was Miss Gilmar's. She -wore it on the night of the murder, and it was taken from the corpse."</p> - -<p>"I did not take it. I did not take it."</p> - -<p>"Yet you pawned it."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I pawned it, but I swear I did not take it."</p> - -<p>"Then how did it come in your possession?"</p> - -<p>"I refuse to answer that question," said Ferris, sullenly.</p> - -<p>Gebb shrugged his shoulders. "Just as you please," he said; "but the -fact of your pawning that necklace is the cause of your arrest. If you -can explain----"</p> - -<p>"I explain nothing. I intend to keep my business to myself."</p> - -<p>"Then you will be in danger of the gallows."</p> - -<p>Ferris bit his lip and shuddered. "I am innocent," he said, -wonderfully calm considering his position, "but I refuse to state how -I became possessed of the necklace."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_14" href="#div1Ref_14">CHAPTER XIV</a></h4> -<h5>A SURPRISING DISCOVERY</h5> -<br> - -<p>The next day Ferris was brought up before the magistrate on the charge -of murdering Miss Gilmar. He looked pale and ill, and heard the -evidence of his pawning of the necklace in absolute silence. When he -was asked to defend himself he refused to utter a word; he declined -even to engage a solicitor; so in the face of this conduct there was -nothing for it but to commit him for trial. Ferris asked for bail, but -his request being refused, he was taken back to prison, still silent. -He might have been a stone image for all the information the law got -out of him; and every one marvelled at his obstinacy, so dangerous to -himself, so inexplicable to others.</p> - -<p>Gebb could not understand why he acted in this way, and risked his -neck in so obstinate a manner. Certainly Ferris declared himself to be -innocent; but he refused to prove the truth of his words, and -preserved an impenetrable silence which at once perplexed and provoked -the detective. The only reason he could conjecture for the mulish -behaviour of the artist was that the evidence against him was too -strong for disproval, and that he knew this to be the case.</p> - -<p>"Still he might make an effort to save himself," thought Gebb, as he -sat meditating in his office, "if only to tell a lie; although I don't -quite see what he could say. Mrs. Presk declared that Miss Gilmar wore -her jewels on that evening, and when we found the body those jewels -were gone. The principal jewel--which is a necklace--was pawned the -day after the murder by Arthur Ferris, who knows Miss Wedderburn, who -knew Miss Gilmar; and he refuses to state how the necklace came into -his possession. If he murdered the woman his possession of the -diamonds is easily accounted for: if he is innocent he must have -obtained the necklace from the assassin. Therefore, if not guilty -himself, he must know who is: that is plain logic."</p> - -<p>Logic or not, the result of the argument was very unsatisfactory, and -Gebb, in his own mind, was unable to decide either for or against -Ferris. He had that morning informed Prain by letter about the -artist's committal for trial, and asked him to call at the prison to -discover if possible the reason for the strange conduct of Ferris. -Also, he requested Prain to call at his office, and tell him the -result of the interview. So when his meditations were interrupted by a -sharp knock at the door, he quite expected to see the little solicitor -enter. In place of Prain, however, he beheld the burly form of John -Alder, who appeared to be different from his usual genial self.</p> - -<p>"You are no doubt surprised to see me here, Mr. Gebb," he said, when -the first greetings had passed, "but I am greatly disturbed about -Ferris. He is a friend of mine, you know."</p> - -<p>Gebb did not know about the friendship, but he was well aware that -Ferris was Alder's favoured rival with Edith Wedderburn, so wondered -at the tender-heartedness of the man who was distressed over the -removal of an obstacle to his wooing.</p> - -<p>"Why are you disturbed?" asked Gebb, rather sceptically. "What makes -you worry over Ferris?"</p> - -<p>"Because I am sure he is innocent of this murder," replied Alder. "Oh, -I heard all about his arrest and committal for trial from Prain, who -has gone round to see him. So I thought I would come and tell you that -I am convinced of his innocence."</p> - -<p>"But he pawned the necklace, Mr. Alder; he admits that he did."</p> - -<p>"Then he must have obtained the necklace from some one else."</p> - -<p>"That may be, sir," said Gebb, quietly; "but if he did he refuses to -say as much. And whosoever gave him the necklace killed Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"What defence does he make?" asked Alder, looking puzzled.</p> - -<p>"None. He asserts his innocence, but refuses to explain how he became -possessed of the necklace. If he can't explain, or won't explain, -those diamonds will hang him."</p> - -<p>"In what way? I don't quite see how you arrive at that point."</p> - -<p>"Miss Gilmar wore the necklace on the night she was killed," explained -the detective; "it was gone when we found the body; so by the -strongest of circumstantial evidence the assassin must have taken it."</p> - -<p>"All this may be true, Mr. Gebb, but it does not prove that poor -Ferris is guilty."</p> - -<p>"I think it does," replied Gebb, coolly, "seeing that he pawned the -necklace in question. If he isn't the principal, he is an accessory -before the fact."</p> - -<p>"Won't he confess how he became possessed of the diamonds?"</p> - -<p>"No, not to me. He refuses to say a word in his own defence."</p> - -<p>"Then I tell you what," said Alder, gravely, "this quixotic young man -is defending another person; he is shielding the assassin."</p> - -<p>"If he is, that shows him to be an accessory either before or after -the fact," repeated Gebb. "But who is the person you think he is -shielding?"</p> - -<p>"Dean! I believe the man killed my cousin."</p> - -<p>"Does Mr. Ferris know Dean?" asked Gebb, looking up sharply.</p> - -<p>"No. Nor did he know Miss Gilmar, so far as my knowledge goes," said -Alder, with a nod. "Ferris has been a friend of mine for many years, -and although for certain reasons we are not very intimate, I am sure -he is not guilty of this crime."</p> - -<p>"If Ferris did not know Dean, or does not know him, I don't very well -see how he can be shielding him!" cried Gebb, irritably. "If you will -excuse me saying so, Mr. Alder, I think you are talking sheer -nonsense."</p> - -<p>"I am sorry you think so," said Alder, stiffly. "Of course I only -state that Ferris is not acquainted with Dean, so far as I am aware; -but he may know him for all that."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Gebb, pertinently.</p> - -<p>"Because I am certain that Dean is guilty."</p> - -<p>"Admitting that he is--which I don't on the strength of the romantic -vow--how did Ferris become possessed of the necklace?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. Only Ferris can explain that."</p> - -<p>"Well, then, Mr. Alder, he won't explain. So on the face of it he is -guilty, and Dean isn't."</p> - -<p>"I tell you he is innocent!" said Alder, angrily, "and my friend Mr. -Basson can prove it."</p> - -<p>"Basson--Clement Basson, the barrister?" said Gebb, with a stare. -"Why, what on earth has he got to do with it?"</p> - -<p>"He saw Ferris on the night of the murder!"</p> - -<p>"Saw him! Where?"</p> - -<p>"At Grangebury! In the evening."</p> - -<p>"And Miss Gilmar was murdered at Grangebury," said the detective. -"Why, that looks as though Ferris was guilty. Your evidence rather -condemns than exonerates him."</p> - -<p>"Not at all," rejoined Alder, tartly. "I read the evidence of the -murder in the daily papers, although I did not know at the time that -Miss Ligram was my cousin, Ellen Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"Well. What of that?" inquired Gebb, rather puzzled by the irrelevancy -of this remark.</p> - -<p>"This much. Mrs. Presk and her servant were at a lecture on Dickens in -the Grangebury Town Hall."</p> - -<p>"I know that."</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. Gebb, that lecture was given by Basson!"</p> - -<p>"By Clement Basson, the barrister, who defended Dean twenty years -ago?"</p> - -<p>"The same! You must know that Basson is a friend of mine," continued -Alder, conversationally, "and a barrister, like myself. He is by no -means well off, as he is fonder of play than of work. I suggested to -him that he should write and deliver a few lectures in order to make -money, for he has a fine voice and is an excellent orator. He adopted -my suggestion and wrote a lecture on Dickens; but being nervous, he -wished to make an experiment in the suburbs, before attempting to -interest a London audience. I suggested that he should deliver it in -the Grangebury Town Hall, as I know many people in that suburb. He -consented, and delivered the lecture on the twenty-fourth of July, -that is, on the very night my cousin was murdered."</p> - -<p>"And Mrs. Presk attended the lecture with her servant," reflected -Gebb. "Did you know that Miss Gilmar was in Grangebury?"</p> - -<p>"I! No! She took lodgings in Paradise Row under the name of Ligram, -you know," said Alder. "I had not set eyes on her for years--in fact, -not since she left Kirkstone Hall. Out of terror lest she should be -killed by Dean, she kept her address secret from all, although I -believe she occasionally wrote to Miss Wedderburn on business."</p> - -<p>"I know," replied Gebb, with a nod. "But Miss Wedderburn had not heard -from your cousin since six months before the murder; so she was not -aware of Miss Ligram's--or rather Miss Gilmar's--presence in -Grangebury. But what has the lecture to do with Ferris and his -innocence?"</p> - -<p>"I'm coming to that," said Alder, quietly. "As I had suggested the -lecture to Basson, I wished him to have a large audience, so I asked -my friends in Grangebury to attend; also I invited some London -acquaintances, amongst them Ferris."</p> - -<p>"Did Ferris go to the lecture?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I saw him myself at the door, when I spoke a few words to him. -He sat in a front row, and Basson--who knows him--told me that he -stayed almost to the end of the lecture."</p> - -<p>"Oh," said Gebb, meaningly. "Almost to the end!"</p> - -<p>"Well, at all events, he stayed until ten o'clock," replied Alder, -rather nettled "And as my cousin was killed about that time, Ferris -could not have murdered her."</p> - -<p>"No! Certainly not So far as I can see, Ferris can prove an alibi. If -so, why does he not defend himself in that way?"</p> - -<p>Alder shrugged his shoulders. "I can't say; unless he is shielding -some one. I suggest Dean, as I really believe that Dean is guilty; but -then--so far as I know--Ferris is not acquainted with Dean. Nor is -anybody, for the man has not been heard of since he escaped from -prison. But you see, Mr. Gebb, that if my cousin was murdered at ten -o'clock--and the medical evidence says she was--Ferris, who was in the -Grangebury Town Hall at that hour, cannot be guilty."</p> - -<p>"I admit that! I shall look into the matter," said Gebb, "and let me -tell you, Mr. Alder, that I think very well of you for coming forward -with this evidence, as I know that Mr. Ferris is your rival."</p> - -<p>"With Miss Wedderburn," said Alder, colouring. "True enough; but for -all that I don't want him to be hanged when I know that he is -innocent. If Miss Wedderburn marries Ferris I'll just have to put up -with it, that's all."</p> - -<p>Gebb was about to express further admiration of Alder's conduct when -the door opened unexpectedly, and Prain came hurriedly into the room. -The little man looked worried, and with a nod to his brother lawyer, -he threw himself into a chair near the detective's desk.</p> - -<p>"Well, Gebb," he said, in a vexed tone, "I have been to see that young -ass, and I can't induce him to speak."</p> - -<p>"There will be no need for it," said Gebb, quietly; "I know now that -he is innocent, Mr. Prain."</p> - -<p>"How is that?" asked the solicitor, in amazement. Whereat Gebb, with -the assistance of Alder, told him of the presence of Ferris in the -Town Hall at the hour the murder was committed. Prain was more amazed -than ever. "Great Heavens!" he said; "if the man is innocent, and can -prove it, as you say, why doesn't he speak out?"</p> - -<p>"Because he is screening some one, I think," said Gebb.</p> - -<p>"I know he is," said Alder; "and I believe that the some one is Dean."</p> - -<p>"Why?" asked Prain, with a sharp look.</p> - -<p>"I believe that Dean committed the crime, Mr. Prain."</p> - -<p>"Yes, but you also believe that Ferris does not know Dean," cried -Gebb, crossly; "so why should he shield him?"</p> - -<p>"That is a paradox," said Alder, smiling.</p> - -<p>Prain looked up with a grave expression on his face. "It is a paradox -which I can explain," he said shortly. "Ferris does know Dean."</p> - -<p>"He does know Dean!" cried both his hearers in amazement.</p> - -<p>"Yes! I may as well tell you both, that Arthur Ferris is the son of -Marmaduke Dean."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_15" href="#div1Ref_15">CHAPTER XV</a></h4> -<h5>THE REVELATION OF MR. PRAIN</h5> -<br> - -<p>"Arthur Ferris the son of Dean!" repeated Gebb, looking alternately at -solicitor and barrister. "Well, I never heard of such a thing. Did you -know of it, Mr. Alder?"</p> - -<p>Alder shook his head with unqualified amazement. "Not I!" he said. "I -suggested that Ferris was shielding Dean, only because I am certain -Dean is the assassin; and only the assassin could have given that -necklace taken from the dead woman to Ferris, but I had no idea that -there was any relationship or even acquaintance between them."</p> - -<p>"Nevertheless it is true," replied Prain, with a nod. "I was Dean's -lawyer, as you know, and he told me much of his family history. When -his wife died, he placed his son Arthur with some of her relatives, -and went himself as a bachelor down to the Hall, to court Laura -Kirkstone for his second wife and meet with his fate. When he was -imprisoned for the murder of Kirkstone, the relatives of Arthur gave -him his mother's name of Ferris. I have kept my eye on that young man -all my life--or, rather, all his life of twenty-five years, and have -even assisted him on occasions with money. He is the son of Dean right -enough, although he still keeps to the name of Ferris."</p> - -<p>"Oh! he knows who he is, then?" said Gebb, sharply.</p> - -<p>"Certainly! He has known it for many years."</p> - -<p>"Has he any idea of the whereabouts of his father?" questioned Alder.</p> - -<p>"No; he would have told me if he had, as he is well aware that I -consider his father innocent, and would not give him up to the law -even if I knew of his hiding-place."</p> - -<p>"Do you believe that Dean is innocent in this instance, Mr. Prain?"</p> - -<p>The little man moved restlessly and evaded a direct reply to the -inquiry of Alder. "That is a question I cannot answer," he said -dubiously. "I asked Ferris if he obtained the necklace from his -father, but he denied that he did, and added that he was ignorant of -his father's whereabouts. He declared that he had not seen his father -since he was five years of age."</p> - -<p>"Oh, of course he would say all that!" cried Alder, with scorn, "in -order to shield his father, as I suggested; although until you spoke I -did not know who Dean really was. The evidence against Dean seems -clear enough to me."</p> - -<p>"In what way?" asked Gebb, anxious to hear Alder's ground of -accusation, since he appeared so certain of Dean's guilt.</p> - -<p>"In every way," retorted the barrister. "Dean hunted Miss Gilmar down -and killed her in Paradise Row. Being hard up, as he must be, seeing -that he is an outlaw and in hiding, he stole the jewels she wore. He, -no doubt, gave the necklace to Ferris, as I know the young man is as -poor as a church mouse, and kept the other jewels to himself. I don't -say that Ferris knew at the time his father had killed Miss Gilmar, -but when Mr. Gebb here stated that the necklace was taken from her -dead body, Ferris is quick enough to put two and two together, and -guess what his father had done. He therefore holds his tongue and -refuses to say from whom he got the necklace. A man with his life in -jeopardy would not keep silent without a strong motive, and what -stronger motive can Ferris have than one which concerns the safety of -his father? To me the affair is as clear as day."</p> - -<p>"Your case is very ingeniously constructed, I admit," said Prain, -dryly, "and you argue the rope round Dean's neck in fine style. -Nevertheless your theory is--theory, and nothing more."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Alder, with a shrug, "what does Mr. Gebb say?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Gebb says nothing at present," rejoined that gentleman, after a -moment's thought. "Least said, soonest mended. When I gather more -evidence I shall speak more freely."</p> - -<p>"Where do you intend to look for evidence?"</p> - -<p>"At Kirkstone Hall. I shall ask Miss Wedderburn why she fainted on the -occasion of my mentioning about Ferris; although I did ask her once, -and she lied."</p> - -<p>"I can explain that," observed Prain, quickly. "I said I would not do -so without the young lady's permission, but as I have been forced to -tell you about Dean's relationship to Ferris, I may as well reveal the -rest. Miss Wedderburn knows that Arthur is the son of Dean, so when -you asked her about him, I dare say the thought struck her that you -knew of it through me, and intended to accuse him of killing Miss -Gilmar to avenge his father. With a revulsion of feeling she fainted. -There--you have the explanation from my point of view."</p> - -<p>"That's all very well, Mr. Prain; but I wish to have the explanation -from Miss Wedderburn's point of view. Where is she now?"</p> - -<p>"Still at the Hall," said Alder, gloomily; "but she intends to leave -it, now that I am master there."</p> - -<p>"Oh!" said Prain, with a smile. "She refuses to be its mistress?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! I don't mind confessing it. She is infatuated with Ferris, and -when I went down the other day to ask her for the last time to be my -wife, she refused me, and declared that she intended to marry Ferris. -But I don't bear him any ill-will," said Alder, generously. "We both -love Miss Wedderburn, and she prefers him in his poverty to me with my -money. Still, I don't know how she can bear the idea of marrying the -son of a murderer."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps, like myself, she believes in Dean's innocence," said Prain, -dryly.</p> - -<p>"If he is guilty of the first crime, he is guilty of the second."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Gebb, thoughtfully, "there is something in that. Unless -Dean had been guilty of Kirkstone's murder, he would not have been so -bent upon punishing the woman who accused him of it, and it is just -possible he murdered her out of revenge. However, I believe myself -that Dean is innocent of both crimes. As to the second, I shall see -Ferris again, and try to learn if he got the necklace from his father; -as to the first," added Gebb, emphatically, "I shall search Kirkstone -Hall for Miss Gilmar's confession."</p> - -<p>"Her confession!" repeated Alder, surprised. "What confession?"</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Prain, taking no notice of the barrister's question, and -addressing Gebb, "so you are coming round to my opinion--that Miss -Gilmar killed Kirkstone."</p> - -<p>"It has been my opinion for some time," rejoined Gebb, coolly, "and I -believe that Miss Gilmar left a confession behind her telling the -truth. I don't think she would risk its discovery by carrying it about -with her, so it is probable she wrote it out and concealed it in some -hiding-place at Kirkstone Hall."</p> - -<p>"In that case search the Hall," said Alder, disbelievingly. "You have -my full permission to do so."</p> - -<p>"I shall certainly avail myself of it, Mr. Alder. So Miss Wedderburn -leaves the Hall. What about her <i>protégé</i>, Martin?"</p> - -<p>"That lunatic! I don't know. He had better stay where he is for the -present, although I think myself he should be locked up."</p> - -<p>"What does Miss Wedderburn think?"</p> - -<p>"She says he is mad, but not dangerous, and asked me to let him stay -on at the Hall until she is settled--with Ferris, I suppose--when she -will take him with her. A nice companion he will be to a young married -couple."</p> - -<p>"I'm afraid that marriage won't take place for some time," said Prain, -gloomily; "even if Arthur does escape, he's too poor to keep a wife."</p> - -<p>"In that case," said Alder, rising to take his leave, "there may be a -chance for me. While there is life there's hope, you know."</p> - -<p>Prain shook his head with a doubtful smile. "While Arthur Ferris lives -Miss Wedderburn won't marry you," he said positively.</p> - -<p>Alder stopped at the door and looked back. "See here, Mr. Prain," he -remarked earnestly, "I'm all fair, square, and above-board. Gebb here -will tell you that before you came I defended Ferris, because I -consider him innocent. But I believe that his father killed Kirkstone -and my cousin, and I am certain that both crimes will be brought home -to him. In that case I have my doubts as to whether a proud girl like -Edith will marry the son of a murderer. If she does not, she will -accept me, of that I am certain; and I shall do everything to bring -such a marriage about."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Prain, "I've known Edith all her life, and I don't think -she will marry you."</p> - -<p>"We'll see about that," rejoined Alder, confidently, and swung out of -the door with a look of determination in his blue eyes.</p> - -<p>Prain shook his head and shrugged his shoulders, for he thought that -the barrister was over-confident for a lover. Then he took up his hat -to go, and addressed a last question to Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Well, sir," said he, grimly, "and what do you intend to do now?"</p> - -<p>"Three things, Mr. Prain, and I don't mind telling you what they are. -I intend to question both Ferris and Miss Wedderburn, I intend to -search Kirkstone Hall for that confession of Miss Gilmar's, which I -really believe exists, and I intend to call upon Mr. Clement Basson."</p> - -<p>"What about Basson--can he prove anything?"</p> - -<p>"He can prove an alibi in favour of Ferris," said Gebb; and forthwith -related to Prain all that he had been told by Alder regarding the -lecture in the Grangebury Town Hall.</p> - -<p>Prain listened attentively, and nodded his head approvingly, for he -was pleased to find a loophole for Arthur's escape.</p> - -<p>"Very creditable to Alder," he said, when the detective finished. "His -conduct in speaking up for Ferris deserves our praise. Few men would -be so generous to their rival. But if this is so, why did not Ferris -clear himself before the magistrate? He would be free now, had he done -so."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Gebb, thoughtfully, "so far as that goes, we come back to -Mr. Alder's belief. Ferris is shielding his father."</p> - -<p>"If he is," said Prain, "Dean must be guilty."</p> - -<p>"It looks like it. But I tell you what, Mr. Prain," cried Gebb, -emphatically, "as sure as I sit here Dean is innocent! Whosoever -killed Miss Gilmar was expected by her; was a friend with whom she was -at her ease; that is proved by the smoking and the wine. She would not -have been at ease with Dean."</p> - -<p>"He might have been disguised as a fortune-teller," suggested Prain.</p> - -<p>"No, I don't believe it. No disguise could have hidden him from the -eyes of a woman who feared him so. Whosoever killed that woman, it -wasn't Dean."</p> - -<p>"Then why is Ferris shielding Dean?"</p> - -<p>"We don't know if he is; you, yourself, said that he denied it."</p> - -<p>"I know I did; I know he does!" cried Prain, in despair. "God bless my -soul, what a case this is! The more we talk about it the more confused -does it become. I tell you what, Gebb, your only chance of arriving at -the truth lies in either forcing Ferris to confess where he got the -necklace, or in hunting down Dean."</p> - -<p>"I'll try the first of your suggestions at once," said Gebb, putting -on his hat. "And if Ferris won't confess to me, I'll write and ask -Miss Wedderburn to come to town."</p> - -<p>"What good can she do?"</p> - -<p>"She can make him confess the truth. What the man won't do for justice -he may do for love. However, I'll see him at once. Justice will make -the first attempt--Love the second."</p> - -<p>"And both will fail!" cried Prain. "You'd better catch Dean, my good -man."</p> - -<p>"That's easier said than done," retorted Gebb; and the two parted, -each more or less exasperated. And very naturally, for the -perplexities of the Grangebury murder case were enough to anger the -mildest natures, and those of Prain and Gebb were rather the reverse.</p> - -<p>Irritated and puzzled by the complexion of affairs, Gebb did not let -the grass grow under his feet, but at once visited the prison in which -Arthur Ferris was confined. He easily obtained permission to see him -and entered to find the young man looking ill and worn, but as firm as -ever in his policy of silence, Gebb came to the reason of his visit -forthwith.</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. Ferris, you are a nice gentleman to stay here, when a word -from you in the Court would clear you of all this."</p> - -<p>"What word?" asked Ferris, suspecting a snare, and speaking -cautiously.</p> - -<p>"Why! word where you were at the time of the murder. I know you did -not kill Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"How do you know that?" asked the young man, with a start.</p> - -<p>"Because you were in the Grangebury Town Hall listening to the lecture -on Dickens," replied Gebb. "Mr. Alder told me."</p> - -<p>"It is very kind of Alder to defend me," replied Ferris, frankly, -"Yes, Mr. Gebb, it is quite true. I was not near Miss Gilmar on that -night. I am innocent."</p> - -<p>"Then why didn't you say so?"</p> - -<p>"I did, several times."</p> - -<p>"But why don't you produce your alibi?"</p> - -<p>"Because I don't choose to," retorted Ferris, slowly, and turned sulky -again.</p> - -<p>"So you are shielding your father, after all?"</p> - -<p>"Who told you about my father?" he asked tremulously.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Prain," said Gebb. "Your father is Dean, who swore to kill that -woman for accusing him of Kirkstone's murder. He escaped and killed -her and gave you the necklace, and you won't speak because you want to -save your father's neck."</p> - -<p>"My father has nothing to do with it, Mr. Gebb. I did not get the -necklace from him. I don't know where he is. This is my last word," -said Ferris, firmly. And it was.</p> - -<p>Gebb begged and implored and threatened, but to no purpose. Whatever -Ferris knew he kept to himself.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_16" href="#div1Ref_16">CHAPTER XVI</a></h4> -<h5>MISS WEDDERBURN</h5> -<br> - -<p>Having failed with Ferris, owing to the artist's obstinate refusal to -speak, Gebb thought that he would hear what Basson had to say. He knew -from Prain that the barrister had defended Marmaduke Dean, and -although he had not succeeded in obtaining an acquittal, believed that -his client was innocent. Dean, of course, must have known that his -counsel held this opinion; so, on escaping from prison, with a desire -to prove his innocence, it was not unlikely that he might have called -secretly on Basson, and implored his assistance. If so, Basson might -know a good deal about the man, if he could only be induced to speak -out, and it was to gain his confidence in this matter that Gebb paid -him a visit.</p> - -<p>"Of course he may know nothing," thought Gebb, as he walked the next -day towards Blackstone Lane, in which Mr. Basson--according to -Alder--had his abode. "On the other hand, if Dean called on him, which -is not unlikely, he may know a good deal. I wish to learn where Dean -is hiding; how he manages to live; and what his movements were towards -the end of July last. Basson may be able to inform me of these matters -If he can, so much the better; if he can't, I'll go down to Kirkstone -Hall to search for that confession, and see Miss Wedderburn before she -leaves the place. If she can't force Ferris to speak, no one else can; -the man is as obstinate as a pig."</p> - -<p>With this elegant simile Gebb turned out of Fleet Street into -Blackstone Lane, and shortly found himself climbing the narrow -staircase of No. 40. Mr. Basson being poor and briefless, and -evidently careless of his ease, lived at the very top of the high -building. After ascending four flights of steep stairs, the detective -came upon a door with the name "Clement Basson" painted on it in black -letters. Also there was a dingy scrap of paper, on which was written, -"Back in five minutes"; so it seemed, much to Gebb's disappointment, -as though Basson were not in his office. However, two or three sharp -knocks brought forth a grinning boy in a suit several sizes too small -for him, and this lad, having put Gebb through a short examination, -with the intention of discovering if he had a bill or a writ, or a -judgment summons in his pocket, at length relented, and announced that -Mr. Basson was within. Evidently the "Back in five minutes" label was -used to beguile creditors into thinking that Mr. Basson was absent. -That announcement, and the conversation with the juvenile Cerberus, -gave Gebb an immediate insight into the state of Mr. Basson's -finances, and his Bohemian mode of hand-to-mouth living.</p> - -<p>Shortly he was ushered into a dingy chamber, very barely furnished, -and very dirty. There was a yellow blind pulled up askew on an -unclean window; below this a deal table covered with green baize, -ink-stained and worn-out, which was piled up with dirty papers. An -ancient bookcase, with a brass screen, was filled with an array of -untidy-looking volumes in calf-skin, with red labels; there were two -chairs--one for the lawyer and one for any possible client, a rusty -grate, filled with torn-up papers, and an empty Japan coal-scuttle. In -the midst of these ruins of prosperity, like Marius amid the remains -of Carthage, sat Clement Basson, a tall, jovial-looking man, with a -fine head of grey hair, a quick eye, and a neatly trimmed beard and -moustache. He was carelessly dressed in a kind of sporting fashion, -and wore an old cricketing-cap on the back of his head. The man was -clever, kindly, and quick-witted; he was also thriftless, weak-willed, -and untidy. His worser qualities weighed down his better; and with -many qualifications for climbing to the top of the tree, Mr. Basson -preferred, out of sheer idleness and lack of concentration, to dance -gaily round the trunk in ragged attire. He looked like a survival of -Grub Street; one of the feather-headed crew who wrote pamphlets and -starved in garrets, and naturally belong to the reigns of the early -Georges. He was quite out of place in the late Victorian epoch--an -ironical survival of the unfittest.</p> - -<p>"Good day!" he said, in a rich baritone voice, advancing to meet his -visitor. "What can I do for you, Mr. Gabb?"</p> - -<p>"Gebb, sir; not Gabb," answered the detective, seating himself in the -one other chair.</p> - -<p>"The boy said Gabb," retorted Basson, returning to his chair. "He was -thinking of his own gift, maybe;" and he laughed heartily at his -rather feeble joke. "Well, Mr. Gebb, have you brought me a brief?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Gebb, smiling, for the man's good humour was infectious. -"I'm in a different branch of the law to a solicitor. I don't deal in -briefs so much as in handcuffs."</p> - -<p>"Ah! You are a detective. A Bow Street Runner."</p> - -<p>"Yes. In charge of the Grangebury murder case."</p> - -<p>"Just so!" said Basson, with a nod, and looking grave. "I read about -it in the papers; and now I remember, your name was mentioned. Well, -and have you caught the blackguard who murdered the poor woman?"</p> - -<p>"Not yet I've come to see if you can help me."</p> - -<p>"I?" said Basson, much amused. "You've come to the wrong shop, then. -How should I know the assassin?"</p> - -<p>"If I can believe Mr. Alder, you knew him once," was Gebb's reply.</p> - -<p>"Ah! So Alder has been speaking to you about me. He thinks that Dean -is guilty, and I was Dean's counsel in that Kirkstone case. Is it that -you are driving at, Mr. Gebb?"</p> - -<p>"It just is. Do you believe that Dean is guilty?"</p> - -<p>Basson did not reply immediately. He lighted a German pipe of -porcelain, and, blowing out the match, placed it in a little pile -which lay near the inkstand. Then he puffed out a cloud of smoke, and -through it looked at his visitor.</p> - -<p>"Why do you ask me?" he demanded abruptly.</p> - -<p>"I want your opinion. I know from Mr. Alder that you did not believe -Dean guilty of Kirkstone's murder."</p> - -<p>"No. That I did not," rejoined Basson, hastily. "No more than I -believe Mr. Ferris--poor boy--guilty of this one. I was coming to tell -you that he was at my lecture on the night of the murder, but Alder -said he would speak to you about it. Did he?"</p> - -<p>Gebb nodded. "I know that Ferris is innocent, but he had the necklace -in his possession, and that is a suspicious circumstance."</p> - -<p>"I saw about that in the papers," said Basson, nodding. "Well, and how -does he say the necklace came into his hands?"</p> - -<p>"He declines to tell me."</p> - -<p>"Does he? With his neck in the noose, so to speak."</p> - -<p>"Precisely, Mr. Basson; he did not even confess his presence at your -lecture. He said he was innocent, and for the rest held his tongue."</p> - -<p>Basson stared, and pressed the tobacco in the pipe bowl with his -little finger. "Now, that's queer," he said. "Why does he act in this -way?"</p> - -<p>"I think he wishes to shield his father."</p> - -<p>"I didn't know he had a father. Thought his father was dead."</p> - -<p>"As good as dead, I am afraid. Dean is his father."</p> - -<p>"What!" Basson's pipe fell out of his hands, and he looked at Gebb in -amazement. "Dean, the man I defended, Ferris's father?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Ferris lived with some relations, who changed his name when his -father was condemned. Now, Mr. Basson, I don't believe Dean is guilty -of this second murder; but on no other ground than that he did kill -the woman, and gave Ferris the necklace to pawn, can I account for the -young man's silence."</p> - -<p>"Does he say that Dean is guilty?" asked Basson, picking up his pipe.</p> - -<p>"No; he denies it, but refuses to confess how he became possessed of -the necklace. Mr. Basson, tell me on what grounds you believed that -Dean did not kill Kirkstone."</p> - -<p>"No motive," rejoined Basson. "People don't commit murders without -motives. But a year or two ago I got an anonymous letter, which -strengthened my belief in his innocence. Wait a bit, and I'll get it -for you."</p> - -<p>He opened a small safe standing at the end of the room near the -bookcase, and after five minutes' groping in its depths, at length -fished out a dingy bit of paper, which he brought back to Gebb. This -he spread out on the table, and raised his finger to enforce the -attention of the detective.</p> - -<p>"Dean declared his innocence to me," said the barrister, with forensic -force, "and I believed him. But he thought that Laura Kirkstone was -guilty--that in a mad fit she killed her brother. I did not agree with -this, for I held then, and I hold still, that Ellen Gilmar stole that -knife from Laura, and murdered Kirkstone before she went upstairs to -call Dean and inculpate him in the murder. Now, when Dean escaped from -prison I received this letter; read it."</p> - -<p>Gebb glanced his eye rapidly over the scrap of paper, which contained -two lines of writing running thus: "If you see Dean, tell him not to -hunt down a wretched woman. When she dies justice shall be done." To -this there was no name and no date and no envelope. Gebb inquired -after this latter.</p> - -<p>"I'm sorry to say I destroyed it by mistake," said Basson, with -regret; "but I remember that it had the Norminster postmark on it, -therefore I am sure the note came from Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"But why should she write to you?" inquired the detective.</p> - -<p>"She fancied Dean on escaping might visit me to get my aid to prove -his innocence."</p> - -<p>"I thought such might be the case myself," said Gebb, thoughtfully, -"Did he come near you at any time after his escape?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Basson, emphatically, "I never saw him from the time he -went into prison. I don't know where he is; I wish I did, as this note -shows that Miss Gilmar knows herself to be guilty, and has left some -sort of confession behind, to be read after her death and clear Dean."</p> - -<p>"Where do you think this confession is to be found?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know. She may have hidden it in Kirkstone Hall, or may have -had it with her. When I got this note I went at once to the Hall to -tax Miss Gilmar with writing it. However, she had fled out of fear of -Dean, and I could not learn her whereabouts. The next I heard was her -murder at Grangebury under the name of Ligram."</p> - -<p>"Do you think Dean' killed her?" asked Gebb, anxiously.</p> - -<p>"I don't know. He might have found her and tried to force her into -confession, and failing getting her to do so have killed her; but I -don't know."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Gebb, getting on his legs, "I had an idea myself that -there might be a confession concealed in Kirkstone Hall. Now, on the -evidence of this note, I am sure of it. I'll go down and search. But -tell me frankly, Mr. Basson, do you know where Dean is to be found?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Basson, solemnly, "I swear I don't."</p> - -<p>"I must rely on myself, then," said Gebb, with a sigh. "I'll see you -again, Mr. Basson."</p> - -<p>"I shall be glad to help you, sir," replied the barrister, and bowed -the detective out of his dingy room.</p> - -<p>Gebb retired in an exultant frame of mind, as he had discovered beyond -all doubt that a confession by Miss Gilmar was in existence which -would probably exonerate Dean from all complicity in Kirkstone's -murder. The question was, where to search for it. On his way back to -the office Gebb tried vainly to find an answer to this query, but it -was banished from his mind when he discovered that no less a person -than Miss Wedderburn was waiting to see him. She approached him at -once when he entered, and there was a sparkle of rage in her eyes, -which intimated that the object of her visit was not a peaceful one.</p> - -<p>"Here you are at last, Mr. Gebb!" she said, in a wrathful voice. "And -pray, sir, what do you mean by arresting Mr. Ferris?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's your trouble, is it, miss?" answered Gebb, coolly. "Well, -my dear young lady, I arrested Mr. Ferris because he pawned a diamond -necklace!"</p> - -<p>"And what had that to do with you, may I ask?"</p> - -<p>"This much, miss. The necklace was the property of Miss Gilmar, and -was removed from her dead body."</p> - -<p>"Nothing of the sort!" cried Edith, vehemently. "Ellen was alive when -she gave away that necklace."</p> - -<p>"Gave away that necklace!" repeated Gebb, starting up. "What do you -mean?"</p> - -<p>"What I say!" rejoined Miss Wedderburn, tartly, "I gave the necklace -to Arthur, and it was Miss Gilmar who presented it to me in Paradise -Row, on the night she was murdered."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_17" href="#div1Ref_17">CHAPTER XVII</a></h4> -<h5>AN EXPLANATION</h5> -<br> - -<p>It took Gebb some time to grasp the meaning of Miss Wedderburn's -remarks, for the information it conveyed seemed impossible of belief. -He looked so doubtful, that she repeated her speech with some -impatience.</p> - -<p>"I tell you Miss Gilmar gave me that necklace on the night she was -murdered."</p> - -<p>"At what hour?" gasped Gebb, not quite master of himself.</p> - -<p>"Shortly after nine o'clock."</p> - -<p>"Did you see her on that night?"</p> - -<p>"Of course I did!" said Edith, sharply. "How else could I have got the -necklace?"</p> - -<p>"But you told me at Kirkstone Hall that you did not know Miss Gilmar -was in Grangebury."</p> - -<p>"That is perfectly true," rejoined Edith, colouring; "but I told you -many things that were false. I was forced to do so, to protect Arthur -and myself."</p> - -<p>"So you knew of the murder when I paid my first visit?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; and when you inquired after Arthur, I fancied you had discovered -his pawning of the necklace, and that you intended to accuse him of -the crime. Naturally, I was anxious to save him."</p> - -<p>"That was why you fainted," said Gebb, suddenly enlightened.</p> - -<p>"It was. In a moment I saw Arthur's danger, as I knew well he would -not say that I gave him the necklace; so the thought made me faint. -When I learned later that you knew nothing, I held my tongue."</p> - -<p>"You did, and to some purpose. I congratulate you on your power of -acting, Miss Wedderburn. You deceived me completely."</p> - -<p>"What else was I to do?" said Edith, resentfully. "You would not have -had me betray myself or Arthur? How did you find out that the necklace -was pawned?"</p> - -<p>"That I shall explain later," replied Gebb, annoyed by her attitude. -"And, in my turn, may I ask why you killed Miss Gilmar?"</p> - -<p>Edith stared at him in surprise, and laughed. "You are making a -mistake!" she said with haughty coolness. "I did not kill Ellen -Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"But you were with her on that night?"</p> - -<p>"So I was; but I left her at nine o'clock, and then she was alive and -well. Why should I kill her?"</p> - -<p>"To obtain the necklace."</p> - -<p>"What nonsense you talk, Mr. Gebb. She gave me the necklace for -Arthur, of her own free will. Even if she had refused to give it to me -I should certainly not have murdered her. I love Arthur very much, it -is true, but hardly enough to commit so wicked a deed for his sake."</p> - -<p>"Do you swear that you are innocent?" asked Gebb, looking at her -keenly.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I swear I am," she answered, meeting his look with much -frankness. "If necessary I can prove my innocence, and that of -Arthur."</p> - -<p>"Oh, Mr. Alder has proved his innocence already."</p> - -<p>"Very kind of him," said Edith, with sarcasm, "for I dare say he was -glad enough to hear of Arthur's arrest."</p> - -<p>"You do him wrong, Miss Wedderburn. On seeing the case in the paper -Mr. Alder came round at once to see me. He stated that Mr. Ferris was -present in the Town Hall at Mr. Basson's lecture, and therefore could -not have been with Miss Gilmar at ten o'clock, the hour when she was -killed. He proved your lover's innocence."</p> - -<p>Edith raised her eyebrows and looked surprised. "Why did Mr. Alder do -that?" she said, half to herself. "He hates Arthur because----"</p> - -<p>"Because he is engaged to you," finished Gebb. "That is a mistake, -miss; for Mr. Alder is quite friendly with Mr. Ferris, and bears him -no grudge for winning your hand. You may not credit it, but Mr. Alder -is a real gentleman."</p> - -<p>"The leopard can change his spots, then," said Edith, still puzzled. -"I should never have thought that Mr. Alder was so generous. It is -very strange," she finished musingly--"very strange indeed."</p> - -<p>The detective quite agreed with her. He thought that the whole affair -was wonderfully strange, particularly as he was ignorant of how Edith -had obtained a valuable necklace from an old miser like Miss Gilmar; -and, also, he could not understand her reason for taking it. He quite -saw that she had deceived him in order to save herself and Ferris from -being accused of the murder, but he was doubtful if she was so -innocent of all knowledge concerning the death as she feigned to be. -With this idea in his mind he addressed her with some sharpness, and -asked her a leading question.</p> - -<p>"If you did not kill the woman yourself," said he, "who did?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," answered Edith, candidly. "She was alive when I left -her at nine o'clock, and when I saw her death in the paper I was as -much surprised as any one."</p> - -<p>"You knew, then, that she called herself Miss Ligram at Grangebury?"</p> - -<p>"Oh yes, else I would not have known she was the victim. Though, to be -sure," added Edith, with a nod, "the description of the Yellow Boudoir -would have made me suspect. I spoke falsely for my own ends when I -told you that I saw no newspapers at Norminster."</p> - -<p>"Well, Miss Wedderburn," said Gebb, after a pause, "I see no reason to -doubt your innocence, but I should like to hear your reasons for -getting the necklace."</p> - -<p>"I'll tell you the whole story, Mr. Gebb. Indeed, I am sorry now that -I did not do so when you called to see me; but I was afraid of getting -Arthur into trouble, and so held my tongue."</p> - -<p>"It was your silence which caused his arrest," said Gebb. "Had you -spoken out, he would not have been arrested."</p> - -<p>"He could have exculpated himself," protested Edith, earnestly.</p> - -<p>"I dare say; but in order to shield you--as I now see--he refused to -speak. However, we can talk of these things later, Miss Wedderburn. -Tell me your story."</p> - -<p>"Certainly; I shall explain fully," said the girl, quickly, "and -anything you do not quite understand you can ask me about afterwards. -Well, Mr. Gebb, you must know, first of all, that Arthur is the son of -Marmaduke Dean, who----"</p> - -<p>"I am aware of that fact," interrupted Gebb. "Prain told me."</p> - -<p>"Very good," said Edith, composedly. "It makes my task the easier. -Yes, he is the son of Dean; and when his father escaped from prison, -some years ago, he came down to Kirkstone Hall to see if the poor man -had returned there. You know that Dean desired to revenge himself on -Miss Gilmar for her share in his condemnation. Well, Arthur thought -that his father might have gone to the Hall to punish her; so he came -down to warn Miss Gilmar and prevent a second crime, if possible."</p> - -<p>"And what did Miss Gilmar do?"</p> - -<p>"She was greatly alarmed by the news; and, terrified lest Dean should -really come, she went away, as I told you before, and hid herself in -London under those several names. It was in this way that I became -acquainted with Arthur, and we were very friendly. He used to visit me -frequently, and in the end we fell in love with one another."</p> - -<p>"As was natural," said Gebb, smiling. "But before you proceed, tell me -if Dean ever came to the Hall, as he was expected."</p> - -<p>"No," replied Edith, vehemently, "he never did. I don't know where he -is."</p> - -<p>"Does Ferris know?" asked the detective, eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Not he! Neither of us have set eyes on his father. The poor man may -be dead for all we know."</p> - -<p>"I'm not so sure of that," said Gebb, thinking of the murder. "Go on, -please."</p> - -<p>"I would not tell you about my engagement," said Edith, who did not -relish the smiles of the detective, and therefore spoke with some -resentment, "but that it is necessary for the safety of Arthur and -myself that I should speak freely. Mr. Ferris"--she adopted this more -formal style of mention to keep Gebb in order--"Mr. Ferris came to see -me frequently, and confided to me all his troubles. He was greatly in -want of money, as his pictures did not sell, and he had no one to help -him. I could not, as I had no money, and I was simply earning my -living as my cousin's housekeeper at Kirkstone Hall. In July Ar----, -that is, Mr. Ferris, was in such distress that I resolved to aid him -by obtaining from Miss Gilmar the diamond necklace which had belonged -to his father."</p> - -<p>"I know," said Gebb, who was listening attentively, "the necklace -which Dean gave Laura Kirkstone."</p> - -<p>"Yes; it was a family jewel, and Dean gave it to Laura only because -she was to be his wife. When she died, it should have been returned to -Dean--or, as he was a convict--to his son. Miss Gilmar, however, -seized it, and all the rest of Laura's jewels. With the other jewels I -had nothing to do, but I was resolved to obtain the necklace for -Arthur. Was it not right to do so?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," rejoined Gebb, promptly, "the necklace certainly belonged to -Mr. Ferris, as his father could not benefit by it. But my wonder is -how you got it. From what I have heard of Miss Gilmar, I should have -thought the task an impossible one."</p> - -<p>"It was difficult to obtain it, but I did so in the end. I told you," -said Edith, with some colour, "that I did not know Miss Gilmar was at -Grangebury. Well, that was not true; for she wrote to me stating that -she was living in Paradise Row under the name of Ligram, and in her -letter she asked me about some business. I resolved to visit -Grangebury, but as I did not know where it was, I asked Arthur to -escort me."</p> - -<p>"Did he know of your intention?"</p> - -<p>"No; but curiously enough the week I wrote to him he was going down to -Grangebury to hear a friend lecture. That was on the twenty-fourth of -July; so I came up to town, and went with him on that night."</p> - -<p>"To the lecture?"</p> - -<p>"Well, not at first. The lecture did not begin until close on nine -o'clock, and I wished to see Miss Gilmar; so I sent Arthur in to the -Town Hall, and intended to join him when I got the necklace. I then -visited Miss Gilmar. She was alone in the house, and admitted me -herself. She was much alarmed at seeing me, and still more so when I -demanded the necklace."</p> - -<p>"I don't wonder at it. Did she refuse to give it up?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; although she was wearing it at the time. I told her then that if -she did not give it up to me for Arthur, I should search for Dean and -tell him where she was. Indeed," added Edith, reflectively, "I am not -sure but what I did not say that I knew where Dean was."</p> - -<p>"But you did not?" said Gebb, looking at her keenly.</p> - -<p>"No, certainly not," she rejoined hastily; "but I said so to frighten -Miss Gilmar. She was terrified, and implored me not to take the -necklace or tell Dean; but I knew that I was acting rightly, so in the -end she gave me the necklace, which I put into my pocket, and left at -once."</p> - -<p>"About what time?"</p> - -<p>"About half-past nine, I think. Miss Gilmar seemed anxious to get me -away from the house, and almost pushed me out of the front door, which -she locked after me. I then went to the Town Hall; but as Arthur was -in one of the front seats, and the lecturer was speaking, I did not -wish to create a disturbance by joining him, so I sat down near the -door. I had some conversation with the doorkeeper as to where Mr. -Ferris was seated; so if you ask him, he'll tell you that I sat near -him until the lecture concluded, at half-past ten o'clock. Then Arthur -joined me in much alarm, as he thought I had got into trouble. We -returned to London, where I gave him the necklace, and told him to -pawn it and pay his debts. I slept at the Grosvenor Hotel, near the -Victoria Station, and Arthur went back to his rooms in Chelsea. So you -see, Mr. Gebb, both he and I are quite innocent."</p> - -<p>"It seems so," said the cautious Gebb, not committing himself.</p> - -<p>"It is so," insisted Edith, haughtily. "The doorkeeper can tell you -that both Mr. Ferris and myself were in the Town Hall before and after -ten, and it was about that time Miss Gilmar was murdered."</p> - -<p>"Was any one with her when you called?"</p> - -<p>"No. I told you she was alone; but there was wine on a small table, -and with that, and the way she pushed me out, I was sure she expected -some one."</p> - -<p>"Did you meet any one in the street going there?"</p> - -<p>"Not a soul. I saw no one. Everybody in Grangebury seemed to be at the -lecture."</p> - -<p>"Did you write and tell Mr. Ferris about my visit to you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I did; and warned him not to pawn the necklace, as he might be -suspected. But it was too late, for he pawned it the day after I gave -it to him. But he is innocent, as you see, Mr. Gebb. Surely he will be -released."</p> - -<p>"When his trial takes place he will," said Gebb. "He would have been -let off before if he had told this story to the magistrate."</p> - -<p>"Ah!" said Edith, in a low voice, "he held his peace for my sake. -Good, brave Arthur! No wonder I love him."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_18" href="#div1Ref_18">CHAPTER XVIII</a></h4> -<h5>WHAT MRS. PRESK FOUND</h5> -<br> - -<p>Gebb continued to question and cross-question Edith until he became -thoroughly acquainted with the details of her visit to Miss Gilmar at -Grangebury. When in full possession of the facts he permitted her to -depart, but took the precaution to ask for her London address in case -he should require her further evidence. Edith informed him that since -leaving Kirkstone Hall she had been staying with an old schoolfellow -in Bloomsbury Square, and was likely to remain there for some time, or -at all events until she could find a situation.</p> - -<p>"I must work, you know, Mr. Gebb," she confessed frankly. "I am very -poor."</p> - -<p>"Yet had you accepted Mr. Alder you would----"</p> - -<p>"Accept Mr. Alder!" interrupted Edith, colouring. "I would sooner -sweep the streets than marry any one but Arthur. Mr. Gebb," she added -imploringly, "now that you are convinced of his innocence, do get him -out of prison."</p> - -<p>"I'll do my best," promised the detective. "He will come up for trial -in a week or two, but in the mean time if I place the actual facts of -the case before the magistrate who committed him, I have no doubt he -will be admitted on bail."</p> - -<p>"Anything--anything, dear Mr. Gebb, so long as he is set free!"</p> - -<p>The detective proved to be as good as his word, and worked zealously -in the interest of Ferris. As the forthcoming trial would probably be -a mere matter of form, seeing that the later evidence acquitted him, -the magistrate readily accepted bail for a small amount, and, to -Edith's astonishment, the person who guaranteed it was Mr. Alder. He -came forward in the most friendly way to stand security for his rival, -and would not even hear of Edith thanking him when Arthur was released -through his generosity.</p> - -<p>"I knew he was not guilty," said this benefactor to Edith, "and I told -Gebb it was a shame keeping an innocent man in prison."</p> - -<p>"How can we ever thank you?" said Edith, tearfully.</p> - -<p>"There is no need to thank me, Miss Wedderburn. Of course I should -like you to marry me; but as Ferris proves to be the lucky man, I can -only make the best of my misfortune."</p> - -<p>In her own heart Edith could not understand the kindness of Mr. Alder, -for up to the present she had always thought him hard-hearted and -selfish. Perhaps the succession to the Kirkstone estates had wrought -this change, for previous to the death of his cousin the barrister had -been in deep water, as Basson frankly told Gebb.</p> - -<p>"It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good," said the Bohemian -lawyer, "and the wretch who killed that old woman put a power of money -into Alder's pocket. He isn't the man to live on nothing; and has -rather expensive tastes; so, if he hadn't come in for that property, -he'd have been in Queer Street. It's truth I'm telling you." To which -latter remark Gebb quite assented, as Alder had rather the worn look -of a man who lived hard, and made the most of his life.</p> - -<p>"It's a pity Miss Wedderburn doesn't marry him," he observed. "She -might keep him in order. He's a ship that needs an anchor, in my -opinion."</p> - -<p>"Well, well, Mr. Gebb, Ferris is the better man of the two."</p> - -<p>"But not the richer. Mr. Alder has offered two hundred pounds reward -for the capture of Miss Gilmar's assassin."</p> - -<p>"And you intend to earn it, I suppose?" said Basson, smiling.</p> - -<p>"If I can; but at present I see no chance of finding the criminal. -Upon my word," cried Gebb, in disgust, "against my better judgment I'm -beginning to believe that Dean is guilty after all."</p> - -<p>"I don't think so; but if that is your idea, why don't you find Dean -and tax him with the crime? An interview with him would put the matter -beyond all doubt."</p> - -<p>"I don't know where to look for him," said Gebb, grumbling. "I think I -shall look up Parge about the matter. If any one knows where Dean is -to be found, Parge is the man. Yes, I'll see Parge."</p> - -<p>"You may see Parge," said Basson, in a tone of contempt, "but it's -doubtful if you'll ever see Dean. He has vanished so completely, that -I should not be at all surprised to learn that he is dead. If he was -alive and in hiding, surely the police would have found him out before -now."</p> - -<p>"The police only perform miracles in novels," replied Gebb, dryly, and -went off to see Parge.</p> - -<p>The fat ex-detective received him almost as wrathfully as he had done -on the occasion of the previous visit. Gebb had been so busily -employed in searching for Miss Gilmar's assassin, that he had -foolishly omitted to pay Mr. Parge the attention which that gentleman -considered his due; therefore he was greeted by his chief in anything -but a friendly way.</p> - -<p>"And I don't want to hear any more excuses," said Parge, scowling; -"too much time is lost in telling unnecessary lies. Let me know how -much further you have got on with the case."</p> - -<p>Glad to escape further blame, the detective related all he had -discovered in relation to Ferris and Miss Wedderburn. Parge listened -attentively, and was gracious enough to signify his approval of Gebb's -conduct.</p> - -<p>"You have not done badly," he said, with a nod. "Although your -discoveries have been due more to good luck than to your own -intelligence. If the girl had not confessed about her visit, and her -giving of the necklace to Ferris, you would still be in doubt about -his innocence."</p> - -<p>"No, I wouldn't," protested Gebb. "Before Miss Wedderburn spoke I was -quite sure that Ferris was guiltless. Alder's evidence proved that he -was at the lecture, at the time the crime was committed."</p> - -<p>"It didn't prove how Ferris became possessed of the necklace, -however," snapped Parge. "But I don't see that you are much further on -than before. Have you examined that doorkeeper as to Miss Wedderburn's -presence in the lecture hall on the night and at the hour of the -murder?"</p> - -<p>"I have not had time, Simon. To-morrow morning I am going down to see -him."</p> - -<p>"At Grangebury, I suppose?" said Parge. "Will you find the man there?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; the doorkeeper is also the caretaker of the hall."</p> - -<p>"Then at the same time you had better call on Mrs. Presk. I suppose -the goods of Miss Gilmar have been moved by Alder as her heir?"</p> - -<p>"Yes! The body was exhumed and has been identified, and now Alder has -taken possession of the estates. Prain is attending to all legal -matters concerning the will, and, by Alder's direction, he dismantled -the Yellow Boudoir. I don't see what I shall gain by seeing Mrs. -Presk."</p> - -<p>"You can find out if she has discovered anything touching on the first -or second murder!"</p> - -<p>"I don't quite understand."</p> - -<p>"Bah!" cried Parge, angrily. "Can't you understand that a woman would -not be left in possession of a dead woman's goods without satisfying -her curiosity in some way? I'll bet you, Absalom, that Mrs. Presk has -searched in all Miss Gilmar's boxes, and clothes, and papers, to find -out what she can about her. Now, it is just possible that Mrs. Presk -may have come across that confession you talk about."</p> - -<p>"Do you think it exists?" asked Gebb, with some scepticism.</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do; that hint in the anonymous letter written to Basson shows -that Miss Gilmar had it in her mind to do justice to the man she -wronged."</p> - -<p>"But you declared that Dean was guilty," said Gebb, recalling his -first conversation.</p> - -<p>"So I did; it seemed so at the time," rejoined Parge, promptly. "But I -have altered my mind; especially since you told me about that letter -written by Miss Gilmar to Basson. Either she or Laura Kirkstone killed -the man. I don't know which, neither do you; so, for the gratification -of our mutual curiosity and the clearance of Dean, you had better find -that confession."</p> - -<p>"Well, Simon, if that confession is anywhere, it is hidden at -Kirkstone Hall."</p> - -<p>"It might be," replied Parge, cautiously. "On the other hand, Miss -Gilmar might have written it after she fled from the Hall, and have -carried it about with her from place to place. If Mrs. Presk has found -it, she is just the kind of woman, from your description, to make -money over it, by refusing to give it up until she gets her own terms. -Call on Mrs. Presk, Absalom, and find out the truth."</p> - -<p>"I'll do so," said Gebb, making a mental note of this. "But what about -Dean?"</p> - -<p>"Well, I believe that Dean is guilty of murdering Miss Gilmar," said -Parge, "even if he is innocent of the first crime. He committed the -second in order to punish the woman who unjustly condemned him. I am -sure he had every cause to wish her ill. She treated him most -vindictively."</p> - -<p>"It is no use our discussing that matter," said Gebb, tartly. "I -believe--on arguments I furnished you with before--that Dean is -innocent. You think he is guilty; time and discovery may prove which -of us is right. The question now is, where is he to be found?"</p> - -<p>"I can't say, Absalom. He escaped from prison in 1893, and we hunted -for him high and low, but without success. He vanished as completely -as though the earth had swallowed him up. I thought myself he might -have gone to Kirkstone Hall to kill Miss Gilmar; and I searched the -neighbourhood, but he was nowhere to be found. From that day to this -not a word has been heard of him."</p> - -<p>"I suppose there is no use hunting for him?"</p> - -<p>"It is waste of time, to my mind," retorted Parge, crossly. "You -see what Mrs. Presk is doing. Question her; question the servant -who---- By the way, what is the servant's name?"</p> - -<p>"Matilda Crane; but she knows nothing."</p> - -<p>"It's as well to ask her, however," warned Parge. "The people who seem -to know least usually know most. Now go away, Absalom, and don't be so -long in looking me up again. I'm anxious to get to the bottom of this -case."</p> - -<p>"You can't be more anxious than I am," replied Gebb, disconsolately.</p> - -<p>"At all events, I am more hopeful," rejoined Parge, and dismissed his -pupil, who went away with the conviction that the old man was worn -out--that he was past work--and that no aid or useful advice could be -expected from him. But Gebb still had sufficient reverence for his -elder not to hint at these things. Besides, Parge might have turned -the tables on him had he been too frank.</p> - -<p>The next day he went down to Grangebury, and called at the Town Hall -to interview the caretaker. He proved to be a smart ex-soldier, with -an observant eye and a good memory, which gifts he made use of on the -present occasion for the benefit of Gebb, and also of his own pocket.</p> - -<p>"I remember the lady quite well," he said, after some thought. "The -young gentleman called himself Mr. Ferris, and told me he was going -in, but that a lady, by name Miss Wedderburn, would come afterwards; -and he asked me to bring her up to where he was sitting in the front -seats. She came in about half-past nine o'clock, but refused to let me -take her up to the front, as she did not wish to disturb the lecturer. -She sat down near the door, and when the lecture ended the young -gentleman joined her, and they went out together."</p> - -<p>"Were they in the hall before ten o'clock?" asked Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Yes, sir. Before ten and after ten. I saw them both."</p> - -<p>This unprejudiced testimony put the matter beyond all doubt So Gebb -gave the man a florin, and went away quite convinced that Ferris and -Edith were innocent. He next called upon Mrs. Presk, and had an -interview with that lady, and with her servant. What the landlady told -him may be gathered from a conversation later in the day which Gebb -had with Edith.</p> - -<p>It was in the afternoon when Miss Wedderburn saw him. She was sitting -with Arthur in the drawing-room of Mrs. Barrington at Bloomsbury, and -they were anxiously discussing the case of Miss Gilmar's death when -Gebb was announced. Neither Edith nor her lover was particularly glad -to see the detective, as their associations with him had been anything -but pleasant. However, Gebb took black looks and short answers as a -portion of the ills incidental to his profession, and conversed with -the pair in his most amiable and persuasive fashion.</p> - -<p>"I have been down to Grangebury to-day," he said, addressing Edith, -"and I saw Mrs. Presk, the landlady of your late cousin. From her I -obtained a railway ticket, and it is a piece of evidence of such -importance that I have come to you and Mr. Ferris about it."</p> - -<p>"A railway ticket!" repeated Edith, looking puzzled. "From what -station?"</p> - -<p>"The ticket," said Gebb, producing it from his pocket-book, "Is dated -the twenty-fourth of July, and is a return portion from London to -Norminster!"</p> - -<p>"It is not mine, then!" cried Miss Wedderburn. "I did not take a -return ticket."</p> - -<p>"But you came up on the twenty-fourth of July from Norminster, did you -not?"</p> - -<p>"Certainly; to see Ellen. But I bought a single ticket, second class."</p> - -<p>"Second class," said the detective, looking at the ticket; "this is a -third class return. Are you sure it isn't yours?"</p> - -<p>"Quite sure" said Edith, decisively. "Why should I deceive you about -it?"</p> - -<p>"Why, indeed!" said Gebb, ironically, with a hint at her former -deception. "Is it yours, Mr. Ferris?"</p> - -<p>Arthur shook his head. "No. If I travelled at all it would be third -class, I admit. But I did not go to Norminster in the month of July."</p> - -<p>"I thought so," said Gebb, with an air of relief. "Then as this ticket -belongs to neither of you, some third person must have travelled from -Norminster to Grangebury on the twenty-fourth of July. And I believe -that person," added Gebb, emphatically, "to be the murderer of Miss -Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"On what grounds?" cried Edith and Arthur together.</p> - -<p>"Because Mrs. Presk found this ticket in the Yellow Boudoir. It must -have been dropped there by the assassin."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_19" href="#div1Ref_19">CHAPTER XIX</a></h4> -<h5>THE UNEXPECTED OCCURS</h5> -<br> - -<p>Gebb found it impossible to discover the owner of that third-class -railway ticket. He went himself to Norminster to find out, if -possible, to whom it had been issued, but all in vain. The -station-master had taken another situation in Scotland, the ticket -clerk was absent on his annual holidays, and none of the porters could -remember any particular person who had gone up to London on that -particular day. On the whole, circumstances seemed to be against Gebb -in following this clue, and after several vain attempts he gave it up, -at all events for the present This he confessed to Parge, who at once -reproved him for faint-heartedness, and preached a lengthy sermon on -the folly of being discouraged.</p> - -<p>"You don't expect roast ducks to fly into your mouth, do you?" said -Parge, indignantly. "Of course, it is no easy task to hunt down a -criminal. We'd have all the bad 'uns in gaol if such was the case. -You've only been a week looking after this ticket business, yet you -shy off just because you can't find out about it straight away. You -never were a detective, Absalom, and you never will be!"</p> - -<p>"But just look here," cried the badgered Absalom. "What can I do? I've -been----"</p> - -<p>"I know where you've been--to Norminster," growled Parge, "and I know -what you've done--nothing. You think I'm past work. I saw that the -other day. Well, from nat'ral infirmity, or too much fat, so I am; but -in nowise else, Absalom, so don't you believe it. If I was in your -shoes, which I ain't, I'd write up to that station-master in Scotland, -and ask him if he knows of any partic'ler person as left Norminster on -that day. It ain't a big place, and if he's a sharp one he might -remember."</p> - -<p>"I've written to the station-master," cried Gebb, crossly.</p> - -<p>"Oh, have you?" returned Parge, rather disappointed. "Then I'll be -bound you don't know what you're going to do about that ticket clerk."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do. I'm going to wait till he comes back, and then question -him at once. In about a week I'll know all those two know, though I -dare say it won't be much. And look you here, Simon," cried Gebb, -warming up, "it's all very well your pitching into me over this case; -but is it an easy one? 'Cause if you say it is, it ain't. I never in -my born days came across such a corker of a case as this one. Who -would have thought that Ferris and the girl would be mixed up in -it?--yet they were. And who would have thought them guilty? Everybody! -And were they guilty? You know they weren't. Can you find Dean? No, -you can't, though you tried yourself when his trail was still fresh. -Then how the devil do you expect me to find him after all these years? -It's very easy to sit in your chair and pick holes, Simon, but when -you come to work the case for yourself, you'll be as up a tree as I am -at this blessed moment."</p> - -<p>"I don't deny that the case is hard, Absalom."</p> - -<p>"Hard!" echoed Gebb, with scorn; "it's the most unnat'ral case as ever -was. I've only got one blessed clue after all my hard work, and that's -the railway ticket; which, so far as I can see, is about as much good -as a clock would be to a baby."</p> - -<p>"Why don't you question Mrs. Presk?"</p> - -<p>"I have questioned her, and the servant too; and beyond the ticket, -she don't know a blessed thing."</p> - -<p>"Can't Basson help you, or Mr. Alder, or Mr. Ferris?"</p> - -<p>"No, none of the three; they don't know who killed Miss Gilmar, and if -it comes to a point, Simon, I don't see why they should know."</p> - -<p>"It is queer that the lot of them, including the girl, should have -been in Grangebury on the very night of the murder," said Parge, with -a musing air.</p> - -<p>"It's a coincidence, that's all," retorted Gebb, "and you know very -well in our profession there's no end of coincidences, though if you -write them in a book people tell you they're impossible. You can't -accuse any one of the three of killing the old woman, as they were all -in the lecture hall the whole evening. You know all about Ferris, and -Miss Wedderburn; well, it couldn't have been them. Mr. Basson was -lecturing; it couldn't have been him. Mr. Alder was looking after the -money and the house, so as to get plenty of cash in for his friend; so -it couldn't have been him. If not them, who is guilty?"</p> - -<p>"Well, Dean must be the criminal."</p> - -<p>"I don't believe it," replied Gebb, obstinately. "And if he is, he'll -not be hanged; for old Nick himself couldn't hunt him out. By the way, -Simon, what kind of a man was he to look at--to the naked eye, so to -speak?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know what he'll be like now," replied Parge, briskly; "but he -was uncommonly good-looking in the dock, I can tell you. Just the man -to take a woman's fancy: tall, and dark and smiling."</p> - -<p>"Any particular mark?" asked Gebb, professionally.</p> - -<p>"Well, he wasn't scarred or scratched in any way that I know of," -replied Parge, reflectively, "but he had a frown."</p> - -<p>"Get along! Every one's got a frown," said Gebb, in a disgusted tone.</p> - -<p>"Not of his sort," was Parge's answer. "Since sitting here, Absalom, -I've been reading a heap of books I never read before. Amongst others -one called 'Redgauntlet,' by a baronet, Sir Walter Scott. Know it?"</p> - -<p>"No, I don't. What has it got to do with Dean?"</p> - -<p>"There was a fellow in it," said Parge, following his own reflections, -"as had a horseshoe mark over his nose when he frowned. Quite queer it -was."</p> - -<p>"Must have been," said Gebb, derisively. "And has Dean a horseshoe?"</p> - -<p>"No. But when he scowls, or frowns, like this"--here Parge made a -hideous face--"he's got a queer mark, deep as a well and quite -straight, between his eyebrows. I'd know him from among a thousand by -it. Seems to cut his forehead in two like. If you see a man with a -mark like that when he's in a rage, Absalom, just you nab him, for -that's Dean."</p> - -<p>"Stuff!" said Gebb, impatiently. "Lots of men wrinkle up into lines -when they get out of temper. I've seen foreheads like Clapham Junction -for lines."</p> - -<p>"Not so deep," answered Parge, shaking his head, "and not straight -down between the eyes. Most men frown in lines which run across the -forehead when they raise their eyebrows like; but Dean draws -everything up to a deep mark as dips just between the eyebrows and on -to the nose. It's the queerest mark I ever saw; and whatever disguise -he puts on he can't smooth that furrow out. A baby could tell him by -it."</p> - -<p>"Hum!" said Gebb, who had been thinking. "Now you come to talk of it, -Simon, that young Ferris has a mark like that, but not very deep."</p> - -<p>"He's young yet, Absalom; but I dare say he takes after his father. -Well, all I say is that there's no other way in which you'll spot -Dean. He may grow old, and white, and shaky, or he may disguise -himself in all kinds of ways, but he can't rub out that brand of Cain -as Nature has set on him. I said it before, and I say it again."</p> - -<p>"I'll look round for a man of that sort," said Gebb, rising to take -his leave, "but I can't say I've much hope of finding him. Dean's been -lost for so long that I dare say he's lost for ever. Well, good-bye, -Simon. I won't see you for a day or two. There's heaps for me to do."</p> - -<p>"Where are you going?" grunted the fat man.</p> - -<p>"I'm off to ask Mr. Alder to let me search in Kirkstone Hall for that -confession of Miss Gilmar's. Then I'm going down there to look it up."</p> - -<p>"That won't do any good towards finding out who killed her," said -Parge, shaking his head.</p> - -<p>"I don't know so much about that, Simon," replied Gebb, coolly. "I -wouldn't be a bit surprised to find as the person who killed Kirkstone -was some one quite different from those we suspect."</p> - -<p>"It must be either Miss G. or Miss K.," said Parge, "and knowing the -truth about them won't help you to spot the assassin. You look for -Dean first, Absalom, and leave the confession alone for a while."</p> - -<p>"No!" replied Gebb, obstinately. "I'll look for the confession, and -fly round afterwards for Dean. You let me negotiate the job in my own -way, Simon."</p> - -<p>With this determination, of which Parge by no means approved, but was -unable to hinder, Gebb went off to make his last venture in solving -the mystery. By this time he was in a furious rage at his many -failures, and swore under his breath that come what might he would -hunt down and punish the unknown assassin of the wretched old woman -who had been strangled in Paradise Row. He had three designs in his -head, one of which he hoped might serve to attain the much-desired -end. Firstly, he intended to search for the confession of Miss Gilmar, -in the belief that it might throw some light on the later case. -Secondly, he resolved to follow the clue of the railway ticket, and -learn who had come up from Norminster on that fatal night to visit -Miss Gilmar, since such person--on the evidence of the ticket found in -the Yellow Boudoir--was undoubtedly her murderer. Thirdly, he was bent -upon making another search round the pawnshops to see if any of the -other jewels taken from the body had been turned into money. The -appearance of the necklace was accounted for by Edith, as she had -received it from the old woman before the assassin had arrived; but -the rings, bracelets, and hair ornaments were still missing. Sooner or -later, in order to benefit by his crime, the murderer would seek to -turn them into cash when he thought the storm had blown over. Then was -the time to trace and capture him.</p> - -<p>The French have a proverb which runs in English, "that nothing is -certain but the unforeseen," and certainly Gebb proved the truth of -this when he arrived at Alder's lodgings. As yet the barrister, -pending the administration of the estate, had not moved from his rooms -in the Temple; but he intended to do so shortly, and already had -engaged handsome chambers in Half-moon Street. These, however, he was -never destined to occupy, for on the very day Gebb called to see him -he met with an accident which seemed likely to result in his death. As -one pleasure to be gained from his riches, Alder had purchased a -horse, shortly after coming into his fortune, and every morning went -riding in the Row. He was a good rider, but not having indulged in the -exercise for some years, by reason of his impecuniosity, he had lost a -portion of his skill, with the result that the horse, a fiery animal -with tricks of which Alder was ignorant, bolted unexpectedly, and -threw his rider against the rails. Alder fell across them with such -force that he had injured his spine, and now was lying in his rooms in -a crippled condition.</p> - -<p>"Do you think he'll get over it?" asked Gebb, when Alder's servant was -relating the occurrence.</p> - -<p>"No, sir," answered the man, shaking his head. "The doctor says he's -bound to die sooner or later. The spine is injured, and my poor master -can't feel anything below his waist. It's death in life already, and -the end is sure to come."</p> - -<p>"Can I see him?" asked the detective, after some thought.</p> - -<p>"No, sir; the doctor left word that he was to see no one."</p> - -<p>With this Gebb was forced to be content; and as already he had -obtained Alder's permission to search the Hall, he went away rather -low-spirited. It seemed hard that the man should come to an untimely -end, just when he inherited his kingdom. Moreover, he had behaved very -well in defending Ferris in the face of all evidence, and releasing -him from prison; therefore Gebb thought it just as well to send a line -to the artist and Edith, so that they might come forward in their turn -to do what they could for the man who had acted so generously towards -them both.</p> - -<p>"It's hard lines," said Gebb to himself, when he had posted his -letter. "I do call it hard. Alder gained a fortune, it is true; but he -lost the woman he wished to marry, and now he loses his life. It's a -queer world, that gives a man a pleasure only to take it away from him -again. I don't understand the workings of Providence nohow."</p> - -<p>With this philosophical reflection, Gebb went home to make his plans -before going down to Norminster the next day. He had little hope of -success, however, and now that Alder was dying, he wondered, if he did -capture the murderer, if the reward would be paid to him.</p> - -<p>"Of course it will," he said to himself on reflection, "for if Alder -dies. Miss Wedderburn becomes mistress of the Hall."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_20" href="#div1Ref_20">CHAPTER XX</a></h4> -<h5>A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK</h5> -<br> - -<p>It was a bright and sunny day when Gebb found himself once more -at Kirkstone Hall. In the sunshine the building looked grim and -desolate. The smokeless chimneys, the closed doors, dusty windows, and -grass-grown terraces, gave the place a forlorn and wretched aspect; -and the absence of life, the silence broken only by the twittering of -the birds, the neglected gardens, created, even to the detective's -prosaic mind, an atmosphere of menace and dread. It looked like a -place with a history; and Gebb wondered if Miss Wedderburn, on -becoming its mistress, would care to inhabit it again.</p> - -<p>"When she marries Ferris and begins a new life, I dare say she will -seek some more cheerful abode," he thought, as he stood on the -terrace, and looked on the silent house. "It would be foolish for a -young couple to dwell with the ghosts of the past. I am not -imaginative myself, but I should not care to live here; no, not if the -house was given to me rent free. If I were Miss Wedderburn I'd pull it -down and build a new place without a past or a ghost."</p> - -<p>While Gebb soliloquized thus, he heard a hoarse voice in the distance, -and saw Martin, spade on shoulder, passing across the lawn singing one -of his gruesome songs. Evidently he had caught sight of the detective -on the terrace, for not until he came towards him did he begin to -sing. Then he danced grotesquely over the green turf, croaking his -wild ditty, and looking a strange figure in the strong sunshine; yet -not unsuited to the lonely place, with its grim associations:--</p> -<br> -<div style="font-size:smaller; margin-left:15%"> -<p class="t1" style="text-indent:-12px">"When moon shines clear my shadow and I</p> -<p class="t2">Dance in the silver light;</p> -<p class="t1">When moon lies hid in a cloudy sky</p> -<p class="t2">My shadow with her takes flight.</p> -<p class="t1">And I remain, in the falling rain,<br> -Calling upon my shadow in vain:<br> -'Oh, shadow dear, I wait you here,</p> -<p class="t2">Alone in the lonely night.'"</p> -</div> -<br> -<p class="continue">When he came close to Gebb he stopped his song and dance suddenly, and -looked inquiringly at the detective with his head on one side. "What -do you want?" he croaked. "There is nothing here but death and -misery."</p> - -<p>"I've come to look at the house, Martin. Can you show me over it?"</p> - -<p>"No, no," said the gardener, shaking his head. "I don't walk through -the valley of dry bones. If you sit in the Yellow Room you hear the -dead tell secrets."</p> - -<p>"What kind of secrets?" asked Gebb, humouring him.</p> - -<p>"How the sister killed the brother, and how she who killed them both -laughed and laughed.</p> -<br> -<div style="font-size:smaller; margin-left:15%"> -<p class="t1" style="text-indent:-10px">'But she died at last in deep despair<br> -When Satan caught her in his snare.'"</p> -</div> -<br> -<p>Gebb looked fixedly at the man. He had been in the house at the time -of the Kirkstone murder, so it might be that his poor wits retained a -memory of the tragedy. Was it possible that light could be thrown on -its darkness by this madman? The detective asked himself that question -once or twice as he listened to the poor creature rambling on, how -Laura had killed her brother at the instigation of Miss Gilmar.</p> - -<p>"And is Mr. Dean innocent?" he asked suddenly.</p> - -<p>"God and His saints know that he had no hand in it!" cried Martin, -with a remarkably sane look on his face. "A woman ruined one, a woman -slew the other; and the poor soul lies in chains--in chains." And he -fell to weeping, as though his heart would break with sorrow and pain.</p> - -<p>"I wonder if this is the truth," thought Gebb. "Perhaps, after all, -Laura did murder her brother, and Miss Gilmar to save her denounced -Dean. But there is no sense to be got out of this lunatic; his -evidence would not stand in a court of law. The only thing is -to search for that confession, so the sooner I set to work the -better.--Martin," he said, aloud, "can you show me over the house?"</p> - -<p>"Not I! Not I! Ask old Jane. Come, and I'll take you to old Jane;" and -shouldering his spade again, Martin walked off round the comer of the -terrace, singing:--</p> -<br> -<div style="font-size:smaller; margin-left:15%"> -<p class="t1" style="text-indent:-10px">"God it far away, alas!</p> -<p class="t2">The Devil is beside us;</p> -<p class="t1">And as we wander thro' the world,</p> -<p class="t2">He is the one to guide us.</p> -<br> -<p class="t1" style="text-indent:-10px">"He gives with grin, the wage of sin;</p> -<p class="t2">And when the fiend hath paid us,</p> -<p class="t1">We stand outside the gate of Hell,</p> -<p class="t2">With Christ alone to aid us."</p> -</div> -<br> -<p>Old Jane proved to be a grim and elderly female in a rusty black dress -and a still rustier bonnet She came out of a side door, and wiping her -hands on a coarse apron, curtsied to Gebb, while Martin, introducing -the pair with a regal wave of the hand, danced off round the corner.</p> - -<p>"What may you be pleased to want?" asked old Jane, when the scarecrow -gardener had disappeared.</p> - -<p>"I have received permission from Mr. Alder to look over the house," -replied the detective, "and I wish you to show it to me."</p> - -<p>"There ain't much to see, sir," croaked the ancient dame, "it's all -dust and darkness. I doubt if my old legs would carry me over it."</p> - -<p>"Oh, well, I can go by myself, Jane," said Gebb, cheerfully.</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Grix, if you please!" snapped Jane, indignantly. "I only allows -Miss Edith to call me by my first name. Poor pretty dear, and she's -gone away for ever."</p> - -<p>"I wouldn't be too sure of that," rejoined Gebb, dryly. "Mr. Alder has -met with an accident and may die; in which case Miss Wedderburn will -return here as mistress."</p> - -<p>"Mr. Alder's ill, is he?" said Jane, in no very regretful tone, "and -may die. Ah, well," with a lachrymose whine, "all flesh is grass, that -it is; and if Miss Edith does come back I hope she'll shut up the -Yeller Room."</p> - -<p>"For what reason, Mrs. Grix?"</p> - -<p>"'Cause it's haunted by spirits," replied Mrs. Grix, with a mysterious -look. "I've heard the two of 'em quarrelling there."</p> - -<p>"Which two? What two?" asked Gebb, who began to think that the old -lady had been at the bottle.</p> - -<p>"Miss Gilmar and the master; they 'aunts the Yeller Room and fights. I -knows it; 'cause I sleeps here all alone, save for Martin as lives in -the back part; an' I hears voices, that I do."</p> - -<p>"I wonder you are not more afraid of that madman than of ghosts."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Grix smiled in a cunning and significant manner. "Oh, I ain't -afraid of Martin, sir; no one as knows him fears him."</p> - -<p>"And why?" asked Gebb, sharply.</p> - -<p>This question Mrs. Grix did not choose to hear; but mumbling and -shaking her old head, hobbled along the passages in the direction of -the Yellow Room. She ushered Gebb into this with a chuckle, and threw -open the shutters to let the sunlight shine on the faded and time-worn -decorations of the room.</p> - -<p>"I s'pose you'll want to see this first," said Mrs. Grix; "most folks -likes to see a room as a murder's been done in. There's a stain of -blood over in that corner--master's blood, which Miss Gilmar would -never let be wiped out I dessay master comes and looks at it, and -wishes he had his body again. He was an awful bad one--and mean!" Mrs. -Grix lifted up a pair of dirty and trembling hands. "They was both of -'em skinflints," said she, with a nod.</p> - -<p>"Whom are you speaking of, Mrs. Grix?"</p> - -<p>"Of Miss Gilmar and Mr. Kirkstone, sir."</p> - -<p>"Did you know them?"</p> - -<p>"Did I know them?" echoed the hag, with scorn. "Of course I knowed -them; and a bad lot the pair of 'em was. They give Miss Laurer a fine -time, I can tell you. I wonder she didn't go off with Mr. Dean, I do."</p> - -<p>"Were you here when the murder took place?" asked Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Lor' bless yer 'eart, I sawr the 'ole of it," croaked Mrs. Grix. -"Master was a-lying over there with a knife in his 'eart, and Miss -Gilmar, she was 'ollering for the police."</p> - -<p>"Did Dean kill Kirkstone?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, that's telling!" said Mrs. Grix, cunningly. "Don't you ask no -questions, young man, and you won't be told no lies."</p> - -<p>"You must tell me!" cried Gebb, seizing her by the wrist "I am from -Scotland Yard--a detective." And he shook the beldame furiously.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Grix raised a feeble wail of horror.</p> - -<p>"Lor', you're perlice, are you?" she whimpered. "Jist let me go; I -know nothin'."</p> - -<p>"Did Laura Kirkstone kill her brother?"</p> - -<p>"I dunno; I swear I dunno."</p> - -<p>"Was Miss Gilmar the criminal?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Grix leered. "She never told me she was, sir, but she didn't -carry the Yeller Room about with her for nothing."</p> - -<p>"What do you mean?" said Gebb, releasing her.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Grix rubbed her wrist, which had been somewhat bruised by his -clasp, and leered again. "Miss Gilmar wrote it all down," she said.</p> - -<p>"A confession?" cried the detective.</p> - -<p>"I dunno what you call it, sir; but I know she wrote it down, 'cause -she said to me, 'It'll be all right when I'm dead.' Well, she are -dead," said Mrs. Grix, "and it ain't all right, unless she left the -writin' behind her."</p> - -<p>"Where is that confession?"</p> - -<p>"I dunno. I wish I did. There's money in it. I've hunted all over the -'ouse, and I can't come across it nohow."</p> - -<p>"Well, Mrs. Grix, what is your opinion? Was it Dean, or Miss Gilmar, -or Miss Laura who killed the man?"</p> - -<p>"You look about for the paper, lovey," said Mrs. Grix, coaxingly, "and -it'll tell ye all."</p> - -<p>"You tell me."</p> - -<p>"But I don't know for certain."</p> - -<p>"Never mind. What is your opinion?"</p> - -<p>"Will ye give me money for it?"</p> - -<p>"That depends upon your information."</p> - -<p>"Then I shan't tell ye," cried Mrs. Grix, backing towards the door. -"You can look for what she wrote. I shan't 'elp you. Keep me fro' the -work-'ouse, and maybe I'll tell ye summat to make you wink; but not -now, not now. Old Jane Grix ain't no fool, lovey. No, no!"</p> - -<p>Gebb made a step forward to detain her, but Mrs. Grix hobbled through -the door and vanished in the darkness as mysteriously as any of the -ghosts she had been talking about. At all events, when the detective -slipped out of the Yellow Room and into the twilight of the passage, -his eyes were somewhat dazzled by the sunlight and glare of colour -within, and he saw nothing for the moment, Mrs. Grix was quicker on -her old feet than he supposed, and in some way hobbled out of sight -into one of the numerous passages, so that when Gebb's eyes became -accustomed to the gloom he did not know into which one she had gone. -Also he heard rapidly retreating footsteps--not the heavy hobble of -the old woman, but rather the light, dancing step of Martin. And as to -confirm this impression he heard the hoarse voice of the gardener -singing one of his wild songs:--</p> -<br> -<div style="font-size:smaller; margin-left:15%"> -<p class="t1" style="text-indent:-10px">"Light shall come, but not from above,<br> -Joy shall come, but not from love,<br> -The glow of hell, the lust of hate,<br> -Impatiently for these I wait."</p> -</div> -<br> -<p>"Ha!" said Gebb to himself, as he hurried down the passage. "Martin -has been listening. I wonder why? I don't believe he is mad, after -all, for neither that old woman nor Miss Wedderburn is afraid of him. -He must be feigning madness for some reason. Ha!" cried the detective -with a sudden start, "can Martin be the murderer of----"</p> - -<p>Before he could finish the sentence he heard a series of piercing -shrieks from Mrs. Grix, and a hoarse growling from Martin. These -noises sounded far in the distance, and Gebb ran down the passage, -through the sitting-room into which he had been shown by Miss -Wedderburn on the occasion of his first visit, and on to the terrace. -Here he saw Mrs. Grix running from Martin, who was rushing after her -with a furious face. Gebb stared, not at the terrified old woman, who -was hurrying towards him with wonderful activity for one of her years, -but at Martin's face. It wore a savage scowl, and there between the -eyes was the deep mark spoken of by Parge.</p> - -<p>"Dean!" cried Gebb, thunderstruck. "You are Dean!"</p> - -<p>"Yes! yes!" screeched Mrs. Grix, getting behind Gebb, "he's Dean sure -enough. He was going to kill me 'cause I wanted to tell ye."</p> - -<p>Martin--or rather Dean--stopped when he heard his name, then turned, -and leaping over the terrace ran like a hare down the avenue.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_21" href="#div1Ref_21">CHAPTER XXI</a></h4> -<h5>FOUND AT LAST</h5> -<br> - -<p>On seeing the pseudonymous gardener speeding down the avenue, Gebb -lost no time, but, leaving Mrs. Grix to her rage and lamentation, -vaulted over the terrace in his turn, and raced at top speed after the -fugitive. The detective was lean and young, and an excellent runner, -whereas Dean, <i>alias</i> Martin, was old and scant of breath; so the only -thing which equalized the contest was the despair which winged the -feet of the wretched quarry. If Dean were caught by the bloodhound of -the law, he would be shortly relegated to the prison whence he had -escaped; so he flew wildly over the ground, running he knew not -whither to escape the fate which awaited him. And Gebb, who -personified Nemesis, followed hot-footed in his track.</p> - -<p>The road to Norminster ran straight through the fields like a white -ribbon laid upon green velvet, and the town itself was distant a mile -from Kirkstone Hall. Down this, amid a cloud of white dust, Gebb saw -Dean running some way ahead, and setting his elbows to his sides he -followed steadily and surely, reserving his wind for the termination -of the race, the result of which could only be the capture of the -ragged figure now flying for dear life. Carters, and pedestrians, and -labourers in the fields stared in amazement at the chase, and some, -with that love of sport inherent in every breast, joined Gebb in his -man-hunt. After Dean had covered a quarter of a mile he began to fail, -and to zigzag in his course, bounding wildly from one side to the -other, and wasting his strength in useless ways. Gebb with his -shouting train drew steadily nearer, and the miserable, hunted wretch -could hear their cries, and the beating of their feet on the hard -white road. Still he endeavoured to shake off his pursuers and escape, -for by a powerful effort he managed to run another quarter of a mile. -Then age and fear and exhaustion told on his failing limbs, and with a -wild cry Dean flung up his hands despairingly and fell amid puffs of -dust. When Gebb arrived he was lying senseless in the middle of the -highroad.</p> - -<p>"So!" said the detective to himself, as he knelt beside the ragged -creature. "I've found you at last, Mr. Dean. You know the truth of all -these matters, at any rate; and in some way or another I'll force you -into confessing it."</p> - -<p>But at the present moment it seemed as though Dean would never speak -again in this world, for he lay as still as any corpse, his white head -and whiter face resting on Gebb's knee. The frowning mark between the -eyes, by which the detective had known him, was smoothed away, and -there was no expression on the blank countenance, no movement in the -slack limbs. Gebb, however, knew that this apparent death was only a -temporary faintness, and whipping out his brandy-flask, forced some -drops of the fiery liquid between the white lips of his prisoner. -While engaged in this kindly office, the labourers who had joined in -the pursuit came up with much amazement expressed on their honest, -sunburnt faces.</p> - -<p>"What's the matter with Mad Martin, mister?" asked one, looking at the -unconscious Dean.</p> - -<p>"He's madder than usual, that's all," said Gebb, "and has nearly -killed Mrs. Grix at the Hall yonder. I must take him to Norminster and -get a doctor to look after him: he'll die here."</p> - -<p>The detective made this artful speech with the intention of enlisting -the sympathy of the bystanders, both for himself and Martin, <i>alias</i> -Dean, as popular feeling generally inclines towards defiance of law -and order. Moreover, a detective is not an admired character with the -common people, and Gebb had no desire to render his task of capturing -Dean more difficult than was necessary by stating his vocation; so for -diplomatic reasons he spoke as above. The result justified his -precaution, for the labourers were most anxious that the mad -gardener--as they knew him to be--should be taken at once to -Norminster and placed in charge of a medical man. A cart was coming -along the road, and into this Dean was hoisted by friendly hands. Gebb -having taken his seat beside him, the vehicle rolled slowly towards -Norminster, while the labourers returned to their work, quite -vivacious after the exciting episode which had broken the monotony of -the day. Gebb, knowing what was at stake, felt thankful to get rid of -them so easily.</p> - -<p>As it was but half a mile to Norminster from the spot where Dean had -fallen, the cart soon arrived there. The man himself had revived, -thanks to Gebb's brandy, and sat staring straight before him in a kind -of sullen stupor. He made one effort to escape when he was set down at -the door of the gaol; but Gebb, with the assistance of a near -policeman, soon overpowered him, and carried him within, while the -carter drove off, wondering, in his slow-thinking mind, that a man -brought to see a doctor should be taken to the county gaol for -care. However, he had received five shillings from Gebb, so did not -trouble his head about the matter, and spent most of it at the next -public-house, where he narrated the episode with such additions as his -drunken humour suggested.</p> - -<p>To the governor of the gaol Gebb explained that Dean was an escaped -prisoner, for whom the police had long been looking, and mentioned his -own name and occupation. The result of this was that Dean was confined -in a cell with a warder to watch him lest he should in his despair -attempt suicide. Then Gebb repaired to an hotel and wrote to the -governor of the gaol whence Dean had escaped, asking him to come down -himself or send some responsible person in order to identify the -prisoner. The detective also sent an urgent wire to Ferris, requesting -him to visit Norminster at once on business connected with Martin; for -he shrewdly suspected that the artist knew of the man's identity with -Dean, and that the mention of the name would bring both Arthur and -Edith immediately to Kirkstone Hall. It was shortly after midday when -Gebb sent this telegram, so he quite expected that if matters stood as -he imagined Ferris would come down, and not alone; for if Ferris knew -that Martin was his father, Edith also must be in the secret, and, no -doubt, she would accompany him. Then Gebb, who was really angry with -the young couple for their many concealments, determined to have a -thorough explanation of their strange behaviour. These important -matters having been attended to, Gebb returned to the gaol and saw -Dean; but the interview proved to be anything but a success. Whether -the man was mad or not Gebb could not decide without evidence; but -certainly his present sullen silence formed a strange contrast to his -former excitement. He neither talked recklessly nor sang his wild -songs. His limbs were at rest, and his eyes looked dull, although -formerly they had been bright and glittering. With vacant gaze and a -sullen expression, he sat huddled up in a corner of his cell and -absolutely refused to speak or even notice his questioner. The man was -thoroughly exhausted and worn out; but Gebb left the cell with the -firm conviction that Dean was perfectly sane, and that his madness had -been feigned to more effectually baffle dangerous inquiries. But, like -the fox in the fable, for all his tricks the man had been caught at -last, and Gebb wondered if, after all, he had murdered Miss Gilmar.</p> - -<p>"Did that return third-class ticket dropped in the room at Paradise -Row belong to Dean?" the detective asked himself. "I should not be -surprised if it did. As Miss Wedderburn denies that it is hers, Dean, -under the name of Martin, is the only person who could have used it. -In that case he must have remained in London all night; for, as the -crime was committed at ten o'clock, he could not have caught a return -train so late to Norminster. Now, Mrs. Grix lives in the Hall, so she -is the most likely person to let me know if Dean was absent on the -twenty-fourth of July. I'll see her at once and get to know all I can, -pending the arrival of Ferris and Miss Wedderburn. They may deny -Dean's complicity in the crime, so I must be prepared to baffle them."</p> - -<p>Having made up his mind to question Mrs. Grix, the detective, making a -hurried meal, walked out to Kirkstone Hall, and arrived to find the -old woman solacing herself with gin-and-water after the fatigues of -the morning. She was excessively nervous when Gebb reappeared, as she -was conscious she had said too much in her rage with Martin, and now -guessed that she was about to be thoroughly examined touching all she -knew concerning him. Mrs. Grix, to save her own skin, was quite -prepared to equivocate, and Gebb guessed as much, for he went to work -with her in a severe official way which frightened her considerably.</p> - -<p>"Now, Mrs. Grix," said he, when they were comfortably established in -the kitchen, "I've come to ask you a few questions."</p> - -<p>"I don't know nothin', I don't," protested Mrs. Grix, beginning her -tactics.</p> - -<p>"You know a great deal," replied Gebb, sharply. "And if you don't -answer me truthfully, I'll arrest you on suspicion and put you in gaol -'longside of Dean; so now you know."</p> - -<p>"Lawk-a-mussy!" squealed Mrs. Grix, "have you put him in prison?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I have; so you tell me the truth, or I'll put you in also!"</p> - -<p>"I'll speak out, sir," cried the old wretch, much terrified. "I don't -want to go to prison. I've done nothing."</p> - -<p>"You have spied and listened and searched," retorted Gebb, "all for -the sake of gaining possession of other people's secrets and -extracting blackmail when possible. Now you answer my questions, or it -will be the worse for you."</p> - -<p>"I'm willing, sir," said Mrs. Grix, meekly; "but I don't know as much -as you think. I only suspects like."</p> - -<p>"Can you tell me who killed Kirkstone?" asked the detective.</p> - -<p>"That's one thing I don't know for certain," replied the dame; "but -if you arsk me, sir, I bel've as Miss Gilmar did."</p> - -<p>"On what grounds do you suspect her?"</p> - -<p>"Becose she wrote out summat telling the truth and hid it; and she -wouldn't have done that, unless she were guilty. Then she were in love -with Mr. Dean, and Mr. Kirkstone wanted him to marry Miss Laura; so I -thinks as Miss Ellen got 'em both out of the way. She was a clever -one, was Miss Ellen."</p> - -<p>"Do you know where the confession is?"</p> - -<p>"No, I don't. Martin was always hunting for it to clear himself, but -if he found it he didn't tell me."</p> - -<p>"And Martin is Dean?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, he is. It ain't no good tellin' lies, lovey! He is Dean!"</p> - -<p>"I thought there was a gardener here at the time of the murder called -Martin?"</p> - -<p>"There was," replied Mrs. Grix, coolly. "And he was queer, too, I tell -you; but not as queer as this Martin. I knowed he was Dean as soon as -I clapped eyes on him, though he was sorely altered from the 'andsome -man he was."</p> - -<p>"Then he impersonated Martin to save himself from the police?"</p> - -<p>"He did; he's no more mad than I am; but he thought it was safer to -pretend being crazy. His songs was awful," said Mrs. Grix, shuddering.</p> - -<p>"Did Miss Wedderburn know the truth?"</p> - -<p>"Of course, sir! And when she knowed as I knowed, she tole me to 'old -my tongue, and paid me for doing it; but she didn't give much, lovey!"</p> - -<p>"Did Mr. Ferris know?"</p> - -<p>"Seeing as Mr. Dean's his own born father--which I knowed fro' -listening to 'm talking--he did."</p> - -<p>"Did Dean kill Miss Gilmar?"</p> - -<p>Mrs. Grix did not reply to this question with her former glibness. "I -don't rightly know of that," she said slowly. "If he did, it wasn't -here, for Miss Ellen was in London this long time."</p> - -<p>"Was Dean ever in London while he stayed here under the name of -Martin?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, he was. And just about the time of the murder. It was in July -Miss Ellen died, wasn't it?"</p> - -<p>"It was," replied Gebb, eagerly, "on the twenty-fourth of July."</p> - -<p>"Ah, well, I shouldn't be surprised if Dean did kill her. He was -always talking of punishing her," continued Mrs. Grix, with relish; -"but I didn't think he'd go so far as murder."</p> - -<p>"What makes you think that he did?" asked Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Why," said Mrs. Grix, nodding, "he was up in London in July, and he -stayed there all night."</p> - -<p>"On the twenty-fourth?"</p> - -<p>"I can't be sure, sir, but it was at the end of the month. And when he -came back he was queerer than ever. Oh, I dessay he went up to kill -Miss Ellen," said Mrs. Grix, with conviction. "I can't swear to it, -but I'm sure he did; and serve her right, too."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_22" href="#div1Ref_22">CHAPTER XXII</a></h4> -<h5>A SECRET HOARD</h5> -<br> - -<p>On concluding the examination of Mrs. Grix--which lasted some time, -owing to the inherent objection of that lady to speak the truth--Gebb -spent the afternoon in searching the house for Miss Gilmar's -confession. By this time he had quite adopted the opinion of Mrs. Grix -regarding the guilt of the former housekeeper, and, on the same -authority, he was certain that she had written out and hidden away an -account of her crime. The question was, where was it concealed? For -the house was so large and rambling, and dusty and dusky, that Gebb -almost despaired of finding the paper. At first he thought it might be -hidden in the Yellow Room. In that fatal apartment the crime had been -committed, and, to keep her perpetually in mind of Dean's threat -against her life, the wretched woman had lived during her concealment -in a precisely similar apartment, decorated and furnished in the same -manner; so, seeing that she had attached such importance to it, the -probability was that she had hidden the paper within its precincts. -But a strict examination of floor, walls, carpet, hangings, and -furniture proved that the confession was not there. Gebb was disgusted -at this result and turned his attention to the rest of the house.</p> - -<p>In the few hours he had to himself he examined nearly every room in -the place, not forgetting the sleeping apartments of Dean and Mrs. -Grix, which were situated in the back part of the house. He made -several discoveries of more or less importance, but the object of his -search he failed to find. Towards five o'clock he gave up hunting for -this needle in a haystack--for the search was quite as difficult and -impossible--and repaired hot and dusty to Mrs. Grix. From the old -woman he obtained water to wash in, and a brush for his clothes, and -afterwards she supplied him with a cold supper and beer. Just as Gebb -finished this, feeling very refreshed, he heard the sound of voices, -and stepped on to the terrace to find that Ferris and Edith had -arrived. They both looked pale and nervous, and the grim way in which -the detective eyed them inspired neither with confidence.</p> - -<p>"We are here, you see," said Ferris, as Edith seemed unwilling to -speak, "but neither Miss Wedderburn nor myself can guess the reason of -your very peremptory telegram."</p> - -<p>"I think you know the reason very well," said Gebb, grimly, "else you -would not be here. However, there is no need to talk secrets in the -open, so if you will come with me to the Yellow Boudoir, we can speak -more at our ease--and perhaps more openly," finished the detective, -with a dry cough.</p> - -<p>Edith looked at her lover in a quick, terrified manner, but judged it -wiser to make no remark, and the two meekly followed Gebb into the -Yellow Room. Here they sat down side by side on the primrose-hued -couch, while Gebb, after glancing outside to see that Mrs. Grix was -not listening, closed and locked the door. Then he drew a chair in -front of the couch, and surveyed the pair in no very friendly manner.</p> - -<p>"Well, Miss Wedderburn and Mr. Ferris," he said, with much -displeasure, "It seems I have to find out things for myself."</p> - -<p>"What things?" asked Edith, flushing; for, not knowing the extent of -Gebb's knowledge, neither she nor Ferris was prepared to speak freely.</p> - -<p>"Things which you know. Miss Wedderburn, and about which you could -have informed me. If I had known then what I know now," added Gebb, -with emphasis, "I might have had less trouble and more result in this -murder case."</p> - -<p>"I don't understand you," faltered Ferris, doubtfully.</p> - -<p>"You may understand me better when I tell you that your father is in -prison again."</p> - -<p>"My father? Dean?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, Dean or Martin--whichever you like to call him."</p> - -<p>"Do you mean to say that Mad Martin, the gardener, is really Mr. -Dean?" said Edith, making a final attempt to baffle Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Yes, Miss Wedderburn, I do; and why should you or Mr. Ferris there -pretend ignorance of what you know to be true? I recognized Dean -myself from a description given by Parge. No one can mistake that mark -between the eyes when he frowns--which mark, I see, Mr. Ferris has at -this moment. And to make sure that Martin is Dean, I have the evidence -of Mrs. Grix."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Grix! Has she told you----"</p> - -<p>"She has told me everything," interrupted Gebb; "and Dean tried to -punish her for talking. Then he ran away, and I chased him into -Norminster, where he now lies in gaol."</p> - -<p>"But he is mad!" said Ferris, eagerly.</p> - -<p>"Who is mad?" demanded Gebb, turning on him. "Your father, or Martin -the gardener?"</p> - -<p>Ferris made a despairing gesture. "Since you know so much," he said in -low tones, "I admit that the two are one and the same. Martin is -really my father, Marmaduke Dean, who has been concealed here; but he -is insane."</p> - -<p>"He is nothing of the sort, Mr. Ferris. His insanity was feigned for -the better baffling of the police. Neither you nor Miss Wedderburn can -deceive me any longer. You have kept silence, you have told untruths, -and altogether have given me endless trouble, but now I must insist -upon your speaking out, both of you. This time I know so much that you -cannot deceive me; and I'll force you to speak."</p> - -<p>"Suppose we refuse?" cried Edith, indignant at this rough speech.</p> - -<p>"If you do I'll arrest you both as accessories after the fact to the -murder of Miss Gilmar. Ah, you look afraid! But I know--I know. Dean -murdered that woman, and you are both aware of it."</p> - -<p>"My father is innocent!" cried Arthur, with a groan.</p> - -<p>"If he is, what was he doing at Grangebury on the evening of the -murder? Why did he stay in London all night? What was his return -ticket to Norminster doing in Miss Gilmar's room at Paradise Row? -The man is guilty, I tell you. Defend him if you can. Tell the -truth if you dare, and for once both of you act honourably and -straightforwardly."</p> - -<p>The detective spoke with much vehemence, and rising from his seat -walked rapidly up and down the room. Much as Edith resented his -language, yet she was conscious that in a great measure it was -deserved. For this reason she restrained her passion and spoke frankly -and to the purpose.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Gebb," she said, and the detective paused to listen, "I do not -deny that much you say is true. Neither myself nor Mr. Ferris have -spoken so openly as we might have done. But you must not forget that -we had much that was dangerous to ourselves to conceal. If we had told -you about the necklace, you might have suspected us of the crime, and -it was dread of such danger which kept us silent."</p> - -<p>"I know that you are both innocent," said Gebb, coldly. "But about -Dean?"</p> - -<p>"We did not speak of Dean--of my father--for the same reason," struck -in Arthur, earnestly. "He was imprisoned for a crime which he did not -commit, and you would not have had me--his own son--betray him."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps not; it is a hard thing to ask," responded the detective. -"But now that I know so much, perhaps you will tell me more, and -inform me how it was that your father came here, and when it was that -you first recognized him."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," replied Arthur, with a glance at Edith for permission to -speak. "I heard almost immediately about my father's escape from -prison, and, knowing his hatred for Miss Gilmar, I came to Kirkstone -Hall, thinking he might go there to revenge himself. However, although -he had not come, Miss Gilmar, with a guilty conscience, no doubt, took -fright, and went to hide herself in London. On my first visit I met -Miss Wedderburn, and afterwards I frequently came to see her. One day -while I was here, an old man arrived and asked to see Miss Gilmar. I -saw him, and so did Miss Wedderburn; and when he heard my name, and -had examined me carefully, he saluted me as his son. At first I could -scarcely believe that he was my father, as I had not seen him for -close on twenty years, and was too young to retain much recollection -of him. But he soon proved to me that he was Marmaduke Dean, and told -us how he had escaped."</p> - -<p>"Did he come to the Hall to kill Miss Gilmar?" asked Gebb, anxiously.</p> - -<p>"No!" said Ferris, with emphasis. "That threat was uttered only in his -mad passion. All he wanted from her was proof of his innocence."</p> - -<p>"And I wrote to her about it," said Edith, taking up the tale; "but -she was afraid of Mr. Dean, and swore that he killed Mr. Kirkstone."</p> - -<p>"Though I am certain," interposed Arthur, "that she killed him -herself, and accused my father because she was jealous of his love for -Laura."</p> - -<p>"That may be," said Gebb, nodding; "but proceed with your story."</p> - -<p>"Let me tell the rest," cried Miss Wedderburn. "Mr. Dean was so broken -down and ill with the life he had led in prison, that I suggested he -should stay here and let me look after him. The police had been to the -Hall, and not having found him there, had left. I did not think they -would come again, so I believed that Mr. Dean would be quite safe. So -he stayed for a day or so, until Mrs. Grix recognized him, but I -bribed her with money to silence. She suggested that for safety Mr. -Dean should pretend to be Martin--a gardener not quite right in his -head, who had left the Hall after the tragedy. It was twenty years -since he had gone, and Mr. Dean was much altered from his former self; -so in the end he adopted the name of Martin, and pretended to be mad. -So now you know, Mr. Gebb, when you saw me first, the reason why I was -not afraid of his madness. You thought it real; I knew it to be -feigned."</p> - -<p>"Did every one round here think he was really Martin come back?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. But he kept within the Hall grounds, and saw few people. These -left him alone because of his madness. So there is the truth, Mr. -Gebb."</p> - -<p>"Not all the truth," said Gebb, significantly. "You have not told me -how he killed Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"He did not kill her!" cried Ferris, furiously.</p> - -<p>"He did!" insisted Gebb. "He was in Grangebury on the twenty-fourth of -July."</p> - -<p>"Impossible!" said Edith, much alarmed. "I did not know that. But even -if he was," she went on, "it does not prove that he killed the woman."</p> - -<p>"It's pretty good as circumstantial evidence," said Gebb, coolly; "but -I have another and stronger proof. Look here," and out of his pocket -the detective took a canvas bag, which, when opened, displayed -bracelets rings, and diamond stars.</p> - -<p>"Miss Gilmar's jewels!" cried Edith, recognizing them at once.</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Gebb, "Miss Gilmar's jewels, which I found concealed in -Dean's bedroom."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_23" href="#div1Ref_23">CHAPTER XXIII</a></h4> -<h5>THE CONVICT'S DEFENCE</h5> -<br> - -<p>Shaking in the body and white in the face, Ferris looked upon the -jewellery, which seemed positive evidence of his father's guilt, then -flung himself back on the couch with a groan, his hand over his eyes -to shut out the terrible sight--for terrible it was to him, the son of -Marmaduke Dean. Edith also gazed fearfully upon the heap of gold and -glittering stones, not doubting the truth of Gebb's story.</p> - -<p>"Yes!" said the detective, raking the jewels together and replacing -them in the bag. "In looking for Miss Gilmar's confession I found -these in the room of Dean. They were hidden on the top of a tall press -in a dark corner, and I felt, rather than saw them. The case against -your father is clear enough, Mr. Ferris, although I was doubtful -of it at first. Mrs. Grix can prove that he spent the night of the -twenty-fourth of July away from the Hall. The ticket I found in Miss -Gilmar's room shows that he must have been there, since no one but he -could have possessed, in this especial instance, a ticket from -Norminster to London. I'll have the evidence of the station-master and -the ticket-clerk to prove his purchase of it shortly, and finally the -possession of this jewellery places the matter beyond all doubt."</p> - -<p>"There must be some mistake," said Edith, when she found her tongue, -"for, although the evidence is against Mr. Dean, I can't believe him -guilty. He is an old, broken-down man, timid and cowed. To plan and -carry out so ingenious and remorseless a crime would need more spirit -and determination than he is possessed of. Besides," she added, very -reasonably, "If, as we all think, Mr. Dean is guiltless of Kirkstone's -death, why should he kill Miss Gilmar?"</p> - -<p>"That is rather an argument against than in favour of him," said Gebb, -quietly. "If she condemned him unjustly, and bore false witness -against him, as I truly believe she did, that very fact would make him -all the more anxious to punish her for such perjury. What do you -think, Mr. Ferris?"</p> - -<p>"What can I think?" groaned the young man. "The evidence seems to -prove my father's guilt. Still, on the face of it, I agree with Miss -Wedderburn; he cannot be guilty. Innocent men have been hanged on -evidence as conclusive; yet afterwards the truth has come to light. A -judge and jury found him guilty of Kirkstone's murder, which we are -now certain he did not commit, so it is possible that, despite the -evidence to the contrary, he may be innocent of this second crime. Mr. -Gebb!" added Ferris, entreatingly, "you know the whole of this matter, -and are more experienced in such cases than Miss Wedderburn and -myself. Tell us truly--Do you believe in my father's guilt?"</p> - -<p>The detective hesitated, and, looking from one to the other, rubbed -his chin in a perplexed manner. "I shall answer you honestly, Mr. -Ferris," said he, after a pause. "I am not certain of your father's -guilt. I said that the possession of this jewellery placed the matter -beyond doubt; but against that I must place the fact--established by -strong circumstantial evidence--that Miss Gilmar received her assassin -as a friend. She was afraid of Dean, and even after the lapse of -twenty years she must have recognized him. In place of giving him wine -and cigarettes, her impulse would have been to cry out for help. -Moreover, without knowing all about her visitor--presuming he was -disguised--she would not have let him into her house. On the whole I -am doubtful. The fact of the jewellery being found in his room proves -his guilt; the fact that Miss Gilmar conversed with him as a friend -shows his innocence. Who can decide the matter?"</p> - -<p>"I know!" said Edith, suddenly--"Mr. Dean himself. You say that he is -in Norminster gaol, Mr. Gebb. Well, that is only a mile from here, so -let us all three go there and question Mr. Dean. With this evidence -for and against him, he must either declare his innocence or admit his -guilt."</p> - -<p>"It is the most straightforward course," said Gebb, with a nod. "What -do you say, Mr. Ferris?"</p> - -<p>"I am content to abide by my father's word," replied Arthur, rising. -"Anything is better than this uncertainty. Let us go to Norminster -gaol."</p> - -<p>"It's rather late," said Gebb, glancing at his watch. "However, I dare -say we shall have no difficulty in seeing the prisoner. Come along!"</p> - -<p>In the then tumble-down, deserted condition of Kirkstone Hall there -was no vehicle obtainable, but the evening was pleasant and Norminster -no great distance away, so the three walked briskly along the road in -the cool, grey twilight. Conversing about the case made the way seem -short, and they soon arrived in the little town and halted before the -gates of the gaol. A word from Gebb procured them instant admittance, -and they were shown into the presence of the Governor, a retired -major, with a bluff manner and a twinkling eye, which was not -unobservant of Edith's good looks.</p> - -<p>"Well, sir," said Gebb, almost immediately, "and how is your -prisoner?"</p> - -<p>"Clothed and in his right mind!" replied the Governor. "He has given -over his sulking and feigned madness, and evidently seems resolved to -make the best of things. Indeed, I shouldn't be surprised, Mr. Gebb, -if he intended to make you his father-confessor, for he has asked -several times after you."</p> - -<p>"Good!" said Gebb, rubbing his hands. "This looks like business; he -has thrown up the sponge."</p> - -<p>"Will you see him now?" asked the Governor, with a side glance at -Edith.</p> - -<p>"At once, if you please; and I wish this lady and gentleman to be -admitted with me."</p> - -<p>"Well, it is hardly regular to admit strangers at this hour, Mr. -Gebb," said the Major. "Still, as you captured the man, and it is as -well for you to hear his confession, if he wishes to make it, I am -content to accede to your request. Have you any interest in the -matter?" he asked, looking at Edith inquisitively.</p> - -<p>"Yes, The man was hidden in my place under the name of Martin," she -replied with a blush, not deeming it wise to further enlighten the -Governor.</p> - -<p>"Indeed. You are Miss Wedderburn, of the Hall? I thought so. Well, go -along, all of you, but don't remain more than half an hour with the -prisoner. I have to lock up for the night shortly; and I may be -tempted to keep so fair a lady in my castle, you know."</p> - -<p>Laughing at his own mild joke, the Governor gave his visitors over to -the guidance of a warder; and they were soon ushered into a cell, -where they found Dean sitting on his bed, chatting cheerfully with the -man who watched him. He sprang up to receive them, and after the -warder had exchanged a few words with the watcher, they both withdrew, -leaving the lamp in the cell. Gebb was much gratified by this mark of -the Governor's trust, and spoke to Dean with great complacency.</p> - -<p>"I see you have come to your senses, Mr. Dean," he said civilly -enough, but with point. "It is about time, I think."</p> - -<p>"As you say, about time," replied Dean, who had been greeting Edith -and his son. "I have given over fighting against the injustice of the -world. I was condemned, an innocent man, some twenty years ago, and I -escaped from my prison in the vain hope of getting Ellen Gilmar to -prove my innocence; but she is dead, and I am again in the hands of--I -won't say justice, but injustice."</p> - -<p>"But why did you kill Miss Gilmar?" asked Gebb; for Ferris and Edith -sat by quietly, letting him conduct the conversation, as the most -capable person.</p> - -<p>"I did not kill Miss Gilmar," replied Dean, firmly and sadly. "God -knows who sent that wicked woman to her last account, but it was not -I."</p> - -<p>"Yet you uttered a threat against her."</p> - -<p>"I did, in my first wrath at the injustice of my sentence; but nearly -twenty years of imprisonment removed revenge from my heart I came down -to Kirkstone Hall not to kill her, but to implore her to tell the -truth, and free me from undeserved shame. But she had fled, thinking -in her guilty mind that I intended to harm her. I told Miss Wedderburn -that I did not, also Ar--I mean Mr. Ferris."</p> - -<p>"You can call him Arthur," said Gebb, coolly. "I know that he is your -son."</p> - -<p>"Is this so?" asked Dean, looking with some surprise at Ferris.</p> - -<p>"Yes, father. I told Mr. Gebb the truth, or, rather, I admitted it, as -he had already learned my relationship to you from Prain. He knows -everything, and we have come to ask you to right yourself in his -eyes--to confess."</p> - -<p>"Confess, Arthur! Do you believe that I killed Kirkstone?"</p> - -<p>"No," said Arthur, with conviction, "I do not."</p> - -<p>"And you, Edith," said Dean, looking at the girl, "is it your opinion -that I am guilty of Miss Gilmar's death?"</p> - -<p>"No," replied Edith, in her turn. "Appearances are against you, but I -truly believe you to be guiltless."</p> - -<p>"And so I am, for----"</p> - -<p>"Before you go on," interrupted Gebb, looking up, "I think it will be -best for you to approach this matter with more particularity. Were you -not at Grangebury on the night of the twenty-fourth of July?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," admitted Dean, promptly, "I was. I went to see Mr. Basson, who -had been my counsel."</p> - -<p>"About what?"</p> - -<p>"About the confession of Miss Gilmar."</p> - -<p>"What!" cried Gebb, in surprise. "You found it?"</p> - -<p>"I found it on the twentieth of July, concealed in the Yellow Boudoir, -where Ellen Gilmar had hidden it. I know now who killed Kirkstone."</p> - -<p>"Miss Laura!" cried the detective, knowing Dean's belief.</p> - -<p>"No. Miss Gilmar herself was the murderess."</p> - -<p>"Well, I never!" said Gebb; and looked at Edith and her lover, who -were not much astonished. "And where is the confession now?"</p> - -<p>"Mr. Alder has it," was the unexpected reply.</p> - -<p>"Alder! Why, he believes you to be guilty. He said so several times."</p> - -<p>"I asked him to," replied Dean, quickly; "Mr. Alder has been a good -friend to me all through."</p> - -<p>"He has been a good friend to us all," said Edith, touching Arthur's -hand. "Does Mr. Alder know who you are?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. He had been present at my trial, you know, and, in spite of my -altered appearance, he recognized me on one of his visits to the Hall. -I begged him to keep my secret, and he did. I asked him to talk of me -as guilty, so that I might be the more effectually concealed."</p> - -<p>"I don't see how that would help you," interrupted Gebb, sharply.</p> - -<p>"Why not? If Alder had gone about insisting that I was innocent, you -might have suspected that he had seen me lately; while by stating what -everybody believed, no questions would be asked."</p> - -<p>"True enough," said Gebb, his brow clearing. "But I confess this -disjointed information of yours puzzles me not a little. Suppose you -tell us the whole story from the time you first masqueraded as Mad -Martin."</p> - -<p>"Certainly," assented Dean, readily. "I intended to do so, as I wish -you to help me to establish my innocence. Also, I owe it to my son and -Miss Wedderburn to relate things I formerly kept from them."</p> - -<p>"We are all attention," said Edith, and leaned forward eagerly.</p> - -<p>"When I was feigning madness at the Hall," said Dean, glancing at his -three auditors, "I was wondering all the time how I could prove my -innocence of Kirkstone's murder. One night, Mrs. Grix--who had found -out my true name--told me that Miss Gilmar had written a confession of -the crime; and--as she believed--had hidden it in the house. She -gathered this from some words let fall by Miss Gilmar. Thenceforth it -became the aim of my life to find that confession; but although I -looked everywhere, I could not discover it. Then Mr. Alder came -visiting at the Hall, as you know, Edith, and he guessed who I was. -Feeling that I could not deceive him, I confessed that I was really -Marmaduke Dean, and consulted him as to the possibility of proving my -innocence. Alder scoffed at the idea of a confession being in -existence, as he said if Miss Gilmar were guilty, she would not put -the fact down in black and white. He advised me to consult Basson, who -had been my counsel, and to see if I could not be cleared; but this I -was afraid to do, lest Basson should hand me over to the police."</p> - -<p>"Oh, he would never have done that," said Gebb, remembering the -personality of Basson, "he is good nature itself."</p> - -<p>"So Alder said," continued Dean. "Still I was too afraid to venture, -and remained in hiding at the Hall, thankful that Alder kept my secret -I must say that in every way he acted like a true friend, for he could -easily have given warning about me to the authorities."</p> - -<p>"I wonder he did not do so for Miss Gilmar's sake," said Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Had he deemed me guilty he would have done so," cried Dean, quickly; -"but I told him the whole facts of the case, and declared that Laura, -being possessed of the knife, had killed her brother. Alder in the end -said he believed in my innocence, but he declined to look upon Laura -as the assassin. He fancied that Miss Gilmar had committed the crime, -and to shield herself, and punish me for not being in love with her, -she accused me. Still, he declined to believe that she had confessed -her guilt in writing. I was certain, however, from what Mrs. Grix -said, that she had, and----"</p> - -<p>"This is all very well," interrupted Gebb, quickly, "but it does not -explain your visit to Grangebury."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_24" href="#div1Ref_24">CHAPTER XXIV</a></h4> -<h5>PROOF POSITIVE</h5> -<br> - -<p>Impatient of the interruption, Dean looked at Gebb in a quick, -irritable way, like a man whose nerves are not under control; but, in -his own interests, he answered quietly enough--</p> - -<p>"I am coming to the Grangebury visit shortly," he said, "but it is -necessary for me to explain what led to it, so that you may not -misunderstand my reason for going there."</p> - -<p>"I beg your pardon, Mr. Dean," replied the detective. "Pray go on."</p> - -<p>"As I said before," continued the prisoner, "I was certain that Miss -Gilmar had left a confession behind her, and after months of search I -found it."</p> - -<p>"Where?" asked Edith, much interested.</p> - -<p>"In the Yellow Room. It was sewn into the hangings, between the satin -and the lining, and, but for the particular minute search I made, -would never have been discovered. I dare say Ellen Gilmar hid it thus -safely so that she might not be accused of the crime in her lifetime; -but no doubt when dying she intended to indicate its hiding-place, so -that I might be set free and my character cleared, after she was safe -from the punishment of man."</p> - -<p>"As she is," observed Ferris, bitterly.</p> - -<p>"Leave her to God," said Dean, slowly. "As she has sown, so shall she -reap, and I wish her no worse fate. Well," continued he, "you will -understand that as soon as I discovered this proof of my innocence I -was bent upon clearing myself. But this was not so easy to do. I had -escaped from gaol, and were I discovered would be at once taken back, -when, as I fancied, the confession might go astray or prove useless. -It was towards the end of July last that I found it, and I consulted -Mr. Alder, who came down about the same time to visit Edith."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Edith, colouring. "He came to ask me again to marry him."</p> - -<p>"Alder advised me to place the confession in the hands of Basson, and -offered to take it up to him. But at the moment I was unwilling to let -this proof of my innocence leave my hands, and I determined to go up -to London myself and see Basson. But, thinking I might be discovered, -I feared to do so--or at all events to go to Basson's office. I wrote -and told Alder this, so he suggested that I should go to Grangebury, -where Mr. Basson was giving a lecture, on the twenty-fourth of July, -and he said I could come up late and see Mr. Basson before the -lecture, place the confession in his hands with instructions what to -do, and then return by a late train to Norminster. Thus, he said in -his letter, I should be exposed to less risk of discovery. The advice -seemed good to me, and I adopted it."</p> - -<p>"But where did you get the money to visit London?" asked Edith. "For I -never gave you any."</p> - -<p>"I borrowed it from Mrs. Grix, and told her I was visiting a friend," -explained Dean. "Also I asked her to tell you that I had gone into -Norminster, in case you missed me."</p> - -<p>"I didn't miss you at all, and there was no need for Mrs. Grix to say -anything," said Miss Wedderburn. "All the same," she added -reproachfully, "you might have trusted me."</p> - -<p>"And me also," interposed Ferris. "I should have had the confession, -not Basson."</p> - -<p>"You are right," replied his father, with a sigh. "I behaved -foolishly, I admit; but I acted, as I thought, for the best. On the -twenty-fourth of July, by the five o'clock train, I went up to -Grangebury."</p> - -<p>"Did you know that Miss Gilmar was there?" asked Gebb, with a glance -at Edith.</p> - -<p>"No, I did not," answered Dean. "Why do you ask?"</p> - -<p>"Because Miss Wedderburn knew of Miss Gilmar's whereabouts."</p> - -<p>"That is true enough," responded Edith, calmly; "but I did not think -it necessary at the time to tell Mr. Dean. No one but myself--and -later on Arthur--knew that Miss Gilmar was lodging in Paradise Row. -Continue, Mr. Dean!"</p> - -<p>"I arrived late in Grangebury, about six o'clock, and went to a -public-house, where I had some tea, and made myself as respectable as -possible to go to the lecture. I intended to see Mr. Basson before it -began, and then take the nine o'clock train to Norminster."</p> - -<p>"Had you a return ticket?" asked Gebb, remembering the one found in -the Yellow Room.</p> - -<p>"Yes; a third-class return. However, in the public-house I fell -asleep, being worn out with trouble and fatigue. I did not waken until -it was nearly nine o'clock, and then went to the Town Hall. Mr. Basson -was already on the platform, so I could not speak to him. Yet I was -anxious to get back to Norminster on that night, as I did not want -Edith to know I had been in London."</p> - -<p>"But why?" said Edith. "You must have been aware that you could trust -me."</p> - -<p>"I wished you to know nothing, my dear, until Basson proved my -innocence," replied Dean, sadly. "But I should have trusted you. I see -it now. However, I did not go back that night, for I lost my ticket."</p> - -<p>"Where did you lose it?" asked Gebb, eagerly, for this was a most -important point.</p> - -<p>Dean shook his head. "I can't say," he replied. "I saw Mr. Alder at -the door of the Town Hall, and told him that I was going back, but -gave him the confession, and asked him to show it to Basson. He tried -to get me to remain, but I was bent on returning, and knew that the -confession was safe in his hands. I ran to the station, but there -found I had lost my ticket, where I know not. I had no money to buy -another, so I went back to the Town Hall and saw Mr. Alder again about -half-past nine o'clock. Then, to my surprise, I saw Edith enter the -Hall."</p> - -<p>"I had just returned from getting the necklace from Miss Gilmar," -explained Edith. "I came up to Grangebury after you did."</p> - -<p>"I did not know you were out of Kirkstone Hall," said Dean. "Well, I -did not trouble to wonder why you were there; but lest you should see -me I kept myself out of sight. I then explained my position to Mr. -Alder. He gave me some money, and advised me to stay all night at -Grangebury. I was unwilling to do so, but as the last train had left I -was forced to stay. I slept in the public-house where I had been -before, and left by the early train next morning."</p> - -<p>"Did you hear of the murder before you left?"</p> - -<p>"No, as I departed early. So you see, Mr. Gebb, I can prove an alibi; -for at the time of the murder--ten o'clock it was, the paper said--I -was asleep in the public-house. The keeper of it can prove that I -was."</p> - -<p>"What is the name of the public-house?"</p> - -<p>"The Golden Hind, near the railway station."</p> - -<p>Gebb noted this name in his pocket-book, and rose to his feet "So this -is all you have to tell me?" said he, briskly.</p> - -<p>"All!--and enough, too. I don't know who killed Ellen Gilmar. It was -not I."</p> - -<p>"If the hotel keeper can prove your alibi that will be all right, Mr. -Dean. But this confession; you say Mr. Alder has it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. But I asked him to make no use of it," replied Dean, "for, as I -was in Grangebury on the very night--about the very hour--that Ellen -was murdered, I was afraid, if Alder acted on the confession, I might -be accused of the second crime. Certainly I had a defence; but the -evidence was so strong against me that I did not wish to risk -appearing."</p> - -<p>"Do you know who killed Miss Gilmar?"</p> - -<p>"No!" cried Dean, vehemently, "I do not."</p> - -<p>"Then what about these?" said Gebb, and suddenly produced the jewels -of Miss Gilmar. "These ornaments belonged to the dead woman; they were -taken off her body by the wretch who killed her. I found them hidden -in your room at Kirkstone Hall; yet you swear that you do not know the -name of the assassin. What am I to understand by this contradiction?"</p> - -<p>"It's a plot to ruin me," said Dean, becoming very pale. "I did not -know that these jewels were in my room. I never saw them before. -Edith! Arthur! What do you know of this?"</p> - -<p>"We know nothing," they said simultaneously.</p> - -<p>"Come, Mr. Dean," said Gebb, imperiously, "these ornaments would not -have been hidden in your room without your knowledge. If your alibi is -to be believed you are innocent, but on this evidence you must know -who is guilty."</p> - -<p>Dean gave a long sigh, and lapsed into his old sullen manner.</p> - -<p>"I know nothing about them," he said in a piteous tone; "some one must -have put them there. I don't know who. I have told you the truth, but -even that will not help one, and I shall be condemned for the second -time--an innocent man. Oh, God is cruel--cruel!" and the tears ran -down his cheeks.</p> - -<p>After that there was little more to be said. The old man was ill and -feeble. For the moment he had braced himself to tell his story, and -the hope of being righted had given him unnatural strength; but now -that all was told, Nature claimed her own, and Dean fell back on his -bed thoroughly exhausted. Ferris desired to stay beside his father, -but when the warder came back they would not permit this, and in the -end the three left the prison. In the street Gebb turned to speak a -few words to Edith before leaving for town, as he had decided to do.</p> - -<p>"What are your intentions?" he asked.</p> - -<p>"I shall stay here until to-morrow," she replied. "I am too exhausted -to return to London to-night But I must go up in the morning, as I -promised to see Mr. Alder."</p> - -<p>"Alder?" repeated Gebb, who had half forgotten the man; "how is he?"</p> - -<p>"Very ill--dying, they say; and he sent for me to see him. I could not -go to-day, as I came here with Arthur to see what had been done about -his father. Do you think he is innocent?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, I do," replied Gebb; "but I am puzzled about the jewels. I -cannot help thinking that Dean knows something about them; but he -won't speak."</p> - -<p>"He may to-morrow morning," said Ferris, quickly. "I think he is too -exhausted to-night to remember much more. His memory has been severely -taxed to-day, you know. I shall speak to him to-morrow, and whatever -he tells me I shall tell you, Mr. Gebb."</p> - -<p>"Very well," replied Gebb, dubiously, and walked briskly to the -railway station, as he was anxious to reach London, to see Parge and -tell him what he had discovered.</p> - -<p>Also, he desired the advice of Parge regarding the jewels, for despite -Arthur's promise, he did not trust him altogether. The young man had -deceived him before, and should occasion arise might do so again. So -Gebb determined to act independently of anything which might be said -by Dean in the morning. He was surrounded on all sides by people who, -with their own ends to gain, were more or less unscrupulous, so it -behoved him to be wary. Otherwise, he would never pluck out the heart -of this mystery.</p> - -<p>On arriving in town Gebb went to his office, and there found three -letters for him. Two, from the station-master and the ticket-clerk of -Norminster Station, were corroborative of Dean's visit to town on the -evening of the twenty-fourth of July; for both stated that Mad Martin, -the gardener of Kirkstone Hall, had purchased a return ticket, and had -left for London by the five o'clock train. But knowing what he did, -this evidence came too late to enlighten Gebb in any degree, so he -tossed the letters aside and opened the third one. It proved to be -from Parge, requesting him to call and see him at once on important -business concerning the Grangebury murder case, these latter words -being underlined.</p> - -<p>"He has found out something," thought Gebb. "I wonder what it is? -another mare's-nest, I expect. However, we'll see. I'll call -to-morrow."</p> - -<p>At ten o'clock next morning he was in Pimlico, and in the presence of -Mr. Parge, who received him with a look of subdued triumph.</p> - -<p>"Well, Absalom," said he, "have you discovered who killed Miss -Gilmar?"</p> - -<p>"No, I haven't, Simon; have you?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. I found out the truth from--who do you think?"</p> - -<p>"I don't know," said Gebb, impatiently. "Mrs. Presk, perhaps."</p> - -<p>"No, not from the mistress, but from the maid--Matilda Crane."</p> - -<p>Gebb looked at the ex-detective in amazement. "Why, what did she know -about it?"</p> - -<p>"She knew who visited Miss Gilmar on the night of the murder. I said -you had not examined that girl properly, Absalom, so I sent for her to -put a few questions myself. Then I discovered that she had found, cast -into the grate among other papers, a letter written by the assassin to -Miss Gilmar. Here it is."</p> - -<p>Gebb took the bit of paper handed to him, and read as follows:--</p> - -<p> -"Dear Miss Gilmar,</p> - -<p>"I wish to see you on the evening of the 24th July, between nine and -ten o'clock, about some information touching Dean. Get rid of every -one in the house at that time, and expect me for certain. It will be -better for us to be alone. Burn this.</p> - -<p>"Yours truly, -"John Alder."</p> - -<p> -"Alder!" repeated Gebb, in amazement; "Alder!"</p> - -<p>"Yes! it was Alder who murdered that wretched woman."</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_25" href="#div1Ref_25">CHAPTER XXV</a></h4> -<h5>HOW THE DEED WAS DONE</h5> -<br> - -<p>Gebb quite agreed with Parge, regarding the guilt of Alder; and on -looking back over the collective evidence, he wondered that he had not -suspected him before. No wonder he had come forward to defend Ferris: -for bad as he was, the man had some conscience, and did not wish to -see a guiltless person hanged for his crime, even though that person -was his rival in love. What Gebb could not understand was, why Alder -had been so kind to Dean; and it was to ascertain this, amongst other -things, that he left Parge as soon as he was able, and went off to -Alder's rooms. The man was dying; and for the clearance of all persons -concerned in the matter, it was absolutely necessary that he should -make a confession of his guilt, even at the eleventh hour.</p> - -<p>"I could tell you much that I have discovered," said Gebb, slipping -the incriminating letter into his pocket, "but as Alder is dying there -is no time to be lost in getting him to confess."</p> - -<p>"I agree with you," replied Parge, promptly. "I knew that he was -dying, as I saw an account of his accident in the papers. Get him to -confess, and for that purpose take Mr. Basson with you as a witness; -then come back to me, and tell me everything. I wish to write out all -details concerning this very extraordinary case, and put the report in -my collection."</p> - -<p>"It certainly merits it," replied Gebb, putting on his hat, "and I -dare say this confession will be the most wonderful of all. By the -way, why did not the servant give up this letter before?"</p> - -<p>"Because she is a cunning, artful little minx!" burst out Parge, in -great wrath, "and wished to make money over it. She found it, as I -told you, while cleaning out the grate, when the room was stripped by -Alder. The letter was torn across, as Miss Gilmar evidently did not -think it worth while to adopt Alder's advice and burn it. It was lucky -she did not, or her death would have gone unavenged; as it is----"</p> - -<p>"As it is, the man will escape the law," interrupted Gebb, "but I dare -say he'll be punished somehow. I'm sure he deserves to be. Did Mrs. -Presk know of 'Tilda's discovery?"</p> - -<p>"No! 'Tilda kept the discovery to herself, and intended to sell her -information to the highest bidder. It took me two hours to wring the -truth and the letter out of her; but I did in the end, and for the -evidence I paid her five pounds."</p> - -<p>"I've no doubt Miss Wedderburn will pay you when she comes into the -estate."</p> - -<p>"What, the five pounds!" exclaimed Parge, wrathfully. "Why, I expect -the reward."</p> - -<p>"But the reward was to be paid by Alder himself," argued Gebb; "and -although it was a blind, you can hardly expect the man to pay for his -own detection."</p> - -<p>"His next heir must pay it!" said the ex-detective, doggedly.</p> - -<p>"Miss Wedderburn is the next heir."</p> - -<p>"Then I'll apply to her," cried Parge, "I'm going to be paid for my -trouble."</p> - -<p>"Seems to me, Simon, I've had all the trouble," said Gebb, dryly. -"You've sat in your armchair and done nothing."</p> - -<p>"I've found out the truth, if you call that nothing!" retorted Parge, -growing red. "I've used my brains, which is more than you have done. -There is life in the old dog yet, Absalom!"</p> - -<p>"And temper also," rejoined Gebb, who was rather sore about the reward -"Eh, Simon? Well! well! We'll argue the matter hereafter. I must go to -Alder."</p> - -<p>"Don't forget to take Basson!"</p> - -<p>"No, I won't. But if you are right about Alder, you are wrong about -Dean; he did not kill Kirkstone."</p> - -<p>"Then who did?" grunted Parge, rather displeased.</p> - -<p>"Miss Gilmar herself!" retorted Gebb, and departed swiftly, leaving to -his friend this--to him--indigestible morsel.</p> - -<p>Parge raged a trifle after Gebb had gone, as he did not like to be put -in the wrong; but when he recollected his triumph in the new murder -case, he was quite content to set it against his failure in the old -one. So he sat placidly in his armchair, and enjoyed his success, and -the prospect of getting two hundred pounds with so little trouble. All -of which was satisfactory to his wife also; as it kept Parge in a good -temper for one entire day, a state of things which was little less -than miraculous in that frequently disturbed household.</p> - -<p>In the mean time Gebb, with a desperate fear in his heart that he -might be too late, went as quick as a hansom could travel to Basson's -rooms. Keeping the cab at the door, he ran up the long staircase so -quickly that he arrived at the top with failing breath and beating -heart. The perennial legend, "Back in five minutes," was still on the -barrister's door, and Gebb on knocking was again greeted by the boy in -the small suit. This latter admitted that his master was at home, but -stated that he could not be seen.</p> - -<p>"'Cos he ain't well," explained Cerberus; "he's had a shock!"</p> - -<p>"What kind of a shock? An accident?" asked Gebb.</p> - -<p>"No," replied the boy, after some consideration, "not that sort of -shock. Quite another kind."</p> - -<p>"Well, I'm sorry to disturb Mr. Basson," said Gebb, "but you must take -him my card and tell him that I must see him. It's a matter of life -and death."</p> - -<p>The boy still seemed unwilling, but Gebb thrust the card into his -hand, and insisted; so in the end it was taken to Basson. In less than -a minute Cerberus returned with the information that his master would -see Mr. Gebb at once. With a nod the detective stepped into the dingy -inner office, and found Mr. Basson with his arms on the mantelpiece, -and his head bent down on them in an attitude of dejection. When he -heard the footstep of his visitor--and firm, quick, business-like -footsteps they were--he turned slowly, and displayed a very pale face -and eyes so red that they looked as though he had been crying.</p> - -<p>"What is the matter?" asked Gebb, rather taken aback by this evidence -of grief.</p> - -<p>"I've had a shock," replied Basson, using the very same words as his -small clerk had done.</p> - -<p>"Nothing serious, I hope?"</p> - -<p>"Serious in one way, not in another. Still, I am glad to see you. If -you had not come to me I should have paid you a visit in the course of -the day. You have a right to know."</p> - -<p>"Know what?" demanded Gebb, beginning to feel uncomfortable; he knew -not why.</p> - -<p>"That Alder is dead."</p> - -<p>"Dead!" Gebb, with a burst of anger unusual in one of his -self-control, dashed his hat on the floor. "By----!" he used a strong -word, "so he has escaped me after all!"</p> - -<p>"What!" cried Basson, leaning forward in the chair he had flung -himself into. "You know?"</p> - -<p>"I know that Alder killed Miss Gilmar; I heard it this morning. I have -the evidence of his own handwriting to prove his guilt. When did you -hear of it? How did you hear of it?"</p> - -<p>"I heard all about it at eight o'clock this morning, shortly before -Alder died."</p> - -<p>"Then he confessed his crime?"</p> - -<p>"He did. I was sent for at seven o'clock at his particular request, -and he told me the whole story. In order to clear any innocent person -who might be suspected, I wrote down what he said, and got him to sign -it. The doctor and myself were the witnesses, and the confession is -locked in my desk yonder. I was coming round to your office later on -in order to place it in your hands. How did you find out the truth?"</p> - -<p>"It's a long story, Mr. Basson. I'll tell it to you some other time. -But I learned that he killed his cousin, and I came here to get you to -go with me, and force him to confess."</p> - -<p>"He did so voluntarily," said Basson, sadly, "and made what reparation -he could for his wickedness. Do you wonder that I received a shock, -Mr. Gebb? It was terrible to hear a man I had known so long, whom I -had liked so much, confess himself a murderer."</p> - -<p>"It is terrible, I grant you," replied Gebb, somewhat moved by the -grief of the old Bohemian. "I should never have thought it of him -myself, as is proved by the fact that I never suspected him. He seemed -a kindly, honest, pleasant gentleman. Perhaps, however, there is the -excuse that he did the deed in a fit of rage. From what I have heard -of Miss Gilmar she was a woman to irritate an archangel."</p> - -<p>Basson shook his head. "There is not even that excuse," he said. "The -crime was committed in cold blood. He planned and carried it out in -the most ruthless manner."</p> - -<p>"But why in Heaven's name did he desire the death of his wretched -cousin?"</p> - -<p>"Money, Mr. Gebb--money. Alder was desperately hard up--on the verge -of bankruptcy; and as his cousin refused to help him, he killed her. -To gain her wealth was the motive of the act. Well," added Basson, -with a sigh, "he did not enjoy his ill-gotten gains long, for in the -midst of his prosperity the hand of God struck him down."</p> - -<p>"You have the confession, you say?"</p> - -<p>"Here it is!" Basson unlocked the drawer of his desk, and took out a -sheet, or, to be precise, several sheets of paper, and handed them to -Gebb. The detective turned to the end, saw the three signatures, then -slipped the papers into his pocket.</p> - -<p>"It will take too long reading this just now," he said apologetically, -"and I have much to do. Will you be so kind, Mr. Basson, as to tell me -the facts in your own way? I am curious to know how so many people -concerned in the case came to be collected in Grangebury on the night -of the murder."</p> - -<p>"Alder collected them," said Basson, nodding; "he planned the whole -affair in a most wonderful manner, so as to throw suspicion of the -crime on every one but himself. Had he lived he would have escaped all -suspicion."</p> - -<p>"I think not," replied Gebb, feeling for the letter he had received -from Parge; "his own handwriting would have committed him. This is one -of those little accidents which mar the plans of the most accomplished -criminals. However, that is neither here nor there. Let me hear the -confession."</p> - -<p>Basson thought for a moment, then began. "It seems that Miss -Wedderburn was not the only person Miss Gilmar wrote to; she -corresponded also with Alder about business matters, for, as she had -left her property to him by will, she did not think that he would -betray her to Dean. As a matter of fact, she was simply putting -temptation in the man's way, for Alder was desperately hard up, and -was looking forward to the time when he would come into possession of -Miss Gilmar's money. However, she did not know that, and kept him -advised of her changes of address."</p> - -<p>"Did he know that she was in Grangebury?"</p> - -<p>"Oh yes; but he did not visit her there, for already he was thinking -of getting rid of her by violent means. The difficulty was how to do -it without incriminating himself. Then two accidents helped him. The -first was that while on a visit to Kirkstone, Edith told him that she -was bent on getting the necklace for Arthur Ferris, and was going up -to Grangebury on the evening of the twenty-fourth of July to get it. -Ferris, she said, was to escort her. Later on, while Alder was still -in the hall, Dean told how he had discovered Miss Gilmar's confession, -and wished to give it to me. He was afraid, however, to come to my -office lest he should be recognized. Afterwards Alder induced me to -lecture at Grangebury, and wrote to Dean telling him to come up and -see me there. Then he gave Ferris tickets for my lecture, and told him -he could wait for Miss Wedderburn in the Town Hall, while she went to -see Miss Gilmar. So now you see, Mr. Gebb, that on the twenty-fourth -of July Alder had these three people likely to be suspected on the -spot."</p> - -<p>"A very ingenious idea," said Gebb. "I suppose he didn't care on whom -suspicion fell?"</p> - -<p>"I don't think he did," admitted Basson, candidly; "but he preferred -to be guided by circumstances, and he really wanted the suspicion to -fall upon Dean, as he had threatened to kill Miss Gilmar. Well, you -know about Arthur and Edith."</p> - -<p>"Yes, I know that he waited in the Town Hall, and that she got the -necklace and joined him later, and that they both returned to London. -Also, I know that Dean came up, and as he was too late to see you, -gave the confession to Alder. But I don't know how Alder managed to -get away from the hall without suspicion."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that was easy," replied Basson. "He was busy seeing after the -tickets on my behalf, and looking at the house; so none of the -attendants knew where he was at the moment, but believed him to be in -another part of the Town Hall. When Edith came back with the necklace -he sent her into the hall, and got rid of Dean, who had missed his -train, by giving him money and telling him to stay all night in -Grangebury--a fact which favoured his plans; then the coast being -clear, he went alone to Paradise Row shortly before ten o'clock, and -saw Miss Gilmar. In accordance with his instructions she was alone in -the house, as she had sent Mrs. Presk and 'Tilda to my lecture."</p> - -<p>"She admitted him?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, and locked the door after he was inside; but he did not see -where she hid the key. He then told her that Dean had found the -confession, and Miss Gilmar, as you may guess, was in a great state. -She immediately, with her usual superstition, got out the cards, to -see what would happen."</p> - -<p>"And she turned up the death-card?"</p> - -<p>"Yes. How do you know?"</p> - -<p>"Because I found it in her lap."</p> - -<p>"Yes," said Basson again, "she picked up the death-card, and while -gazing at it in horror Alder, who was striding about the room smoking, -slipped behind her, and with a cord torn from the nearest curtain, -strangled her. He then robbed her of all her jewels and slipped them -into his pocket. Then he tried to get out, but found the doors locked, -and did not know where the keys were."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Presk had the key of the back door, and Miss Gilmar that of the -front," said Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Quite so; but Alder did not know that. He did not dare to get out by -the window, lest he should be taken for a burglar, and arrested; so he -stepped down to the kitchen and waited till Mrs. Presk came home. He -heard her go upstairs and then call 'Tilda, so that he knew the crime -had been discovered. When the servant went up to the Yellow Boudoir, -Alder ran out of the back door, and returned to the Town Hall. The -people in charge of the money and tickets thought that he had been -with me, I fancied he had been with them, and as no inquiries were -made, you see nobody could guess that he had been away and had -committed a crime."</p> - -<p>"And why did he leave the jewels in Dean's room at Kirkstone Hall?"</p> - -<p>"Ah, you know that?" said Basson, much surprised. "Why, he hid them so -as to throw the blame on Dean. Everything was suspicious against the -man. He was presumably guilty of the first crime, he had threatened to -kill Miss Gilmar, he was in Grangebury on the night of the murder, and -the jewels--as Alder arranged--were to be found in his room."</p> - -<p>"They were found," said Gebb. "I found them, and for the moment -believed Dean guilty. But about that ticket found in the Yellow -Boudoir?"</p> - -<p>"That was purposely dropped there by Alder to further incriminate -Dean."</p> - -<p>"How did he get the ticket?"</p> - -<p>"In giving the confession it fell out of Dean's pocket, and Alder -picked it up. So you see, Mr. Gebb, that in every way chance played -into Alder's hands."</p> - -<p>"'The wicked flourish like a green bay tree'; but not for long," said -Gebb, grimly. "But tell me. Why was Alder so kind to Ferris?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, that was his deceit," said Basson, with a sigh. "He fancied that -when Dean was accused of this second murder Edith would never marry -Ferris, as being the son of such a man. He was kind to him because he -wanted to ingratiate himself with Edith: so that she might marry him -after parting, as he thought she would, with Ferris."</p> - -<p>"Infernal scamp!" cried Gebb, swearing, "when he knew that the poor -devil was innocent. Have you Miss Gilmar's confession?"</p> - -<p>"Here it is; Alder gave it to me. It clears Dean entirely, so I -suppose he'll receive a free pardon."</p> - -<p>"I suppose so," said Gebb, putting the confession of Miss Gilmar into -his pocket along with that of Alder. "But his life is ruined. I'm only -sorry for one thing: that Alder did not live to be hanged."</p> - -<p>"Well, I cannot agree with you; after all, he was my friend," said -Basson, sadly.</p> - -<p>"He was a blackguard," retorted Gebb, and took his departure.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4><a name="div1_26" href="#div1Ref_26">CHAPTER XXVI</a></h4> -<h5>THE END OF IT ALL</h5> -<br> - -<p>One month after the death of John Alder, the two detectives, Parge and -Gebb, sat in the room of the former, discussing the now solved mystery -of the Grangebury Murder Case. On the table there lay a cheque for two -hundred pounds made payable to Absalom Gebb, and signed by Edith -Wedderburn. The conversation was mostly about this cheque and how it -should be divided between them so as to compensate each with due -fairness. The matter was a delicate one, and could not be settled -without some sharp words on either side.</p> - -<p>"After all, Simon," remonstrated Gebb, in vexed tones, "I did most of -the work and deserve the reward for my pains."</p> - -<p>"You don't deserve all of it," retorted Parge, captiously.</p> - -<p>"I don't claim all of it. I say divide it into two parts of one -hundred pounds each. That will pay me, and much more than compensate -you."</p> - -<p>"I don't know so much about that," grunted the fat man. "I've done a -deal of thinking over the case, I can tell you. And it was me who -found out the murderer. So in justice I ought to have the whole two -hundred pounds."</p> - -<p>Gebb snatched up the cheque, and slipped it into his pocket. "If you -talk like that you won't have a single penny!" he cried wrathfully, -for he was disgusted with the avarice of his coadjutor. "In the -goodness of her heart Miss Wedderburn considered that she should pay -the reward out of the estate, and did so--to me; there was no word of -you, Mr. Parge, when she signed this cheque."</p> - -<p>"I dare say not," growled Simon, savagely, "that's gratitude, that is; -yet if it hadn't been for me her father-in-law to be would have swung -for a murder as he didn't commit."</p> - -<p>"Don't you make any mistake about that, Simon," replied Gebb, dryly, -"Mr. Dean could have proved his innocence without you in both cases. -The confession of Miss Gilmar shows that she killed Kirkstone, and the -evidence of the hotel-keeper of the Golden Hind proves that Dean slept -there at the very hour of the murder. He would have been declared -innocent even if you hadn't discovered the truth."</p> - -<p>"Well, I did, anyhow," declared the other, sulkily.</p> - -<p>"So did Mr. Basson, if you come to that."</p> - -<p>"Rubbish!" cried Parge. "He only heard the confession of Alder."</p> - -<p>"Well, and didn't that reveal the truth? As a matter of fact, in the -face of that confession, Miss Wedderburn need not have paid the reward -to any one. However, she thought that I deserved payment for all my -work, so she gave me this money. It is only because you are a pal, and -because I know you've helped in the matter, that I give you fifty -pounds for yourself."</p> - -<p>"Fifty pounds!" roared the fat man, growing purple with rage. "You -said one hundred just now."</p> - -<p>"So I did; but I've taken off fifty for your greediness, Simon. I -don't need to give you a single stiver if it comes to that."</p> - -<p>"I'll never help you again!"</p> - -<p>"Much I care!" retorted Gebb. "I can get on without you. And I can't -say as I care to work with a man as doesn't know when his friend is -doing him a good turn. You say another word, Simon Parge, and I'll -reduce your reward to twenty-five pounds."</p> - -<p>If Parge had been able to move he would no doubt have fallen on Gebb; -but chained as he was to his chair, he could do nothing but glare at -his junior with a fierce eye and a very red face. He knew very well -that Gebb was acting in the most generous manner in offering to share -the reward, so, fearful of losing all by opening his mouth too wide, -he sulkily signified that half a loaf was better than none.</p> - -<p>"I dare say it is," said Gebb, tartly; "but you only get a quarter of -a loaf. I brought two fifty-pound notes with me, but as you have been -so avaricious, you shall only have one. There it is;" and Gebb clapped -a Bank of England note into the hand of Parge, which closed on it -readily enough.</p> - -<p>"And you keep one hundred and fifty," he said, with a frown.</p> - -<p>"I do; and I've earned it, Simon, by the sweat of my brow. But now -that I've behaved towards you a deal better than you deserve, I'll go -and bank my money. You'll not see me here again in a hurry."</p> - -<p>"No, no!" cried Parge, seeing that his greed had carried him too far, -and softened by the money, which, after all, had been earned very -easily. "Don't go, Absalom. I can't do without you."</p> - -<p>"Haven't I been generous, Simon?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, you have. Don't take a man up so short. Sit down and have a pipe -and a glass of grog, and a talk over the case."</p> - -<p>With some dignity Gebb accepted the olive branch thus held out, and -resumed his seat. Afterward Parge seemed so repentant of his late -behaviour that the dignity of Absalom disappeared altogether; and, -moreover, the whisky and tobacco proved strong aids to patching up the -quarrel. In ten minutes the pair were chatting together in the most -amicable fashion.</p> - -<p>"Well, Absalom," said Parge, with a plethoric grunt, "and how does the -matter of that Grangebury case stand now? You know I'm shut up here, -and never hear a word of what's going on. Tell me the latest news."</p> - -<p>"Miss Wedderburn has inherited the Kirkstone property."</p> - -<p>"She owns the Hall, then?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, she inherits the Hall, and also Miss Gilmar's personal property. -It was left to Alder first, and failing him to Miss Wedderburn, so she -is now a rich woman, and I dare say will make a better use of her -money than the old skinflint who left it to her."</p> - -<p>"She'll buy a husband with it, I suppose," said Parge, ill-naturedly.</p> - -<p>"Don't you make any mistake," contradicted Gebb, friendly to both -Edith and Arthur. "She was engaged to Ferris in the days of her -poverty, and she'll not throw him over now that she is rich; but there -is no purchase about the matter. I dare say Ferris will yet succeed -with his pictures. In the mean time, he is to marry Miss Wedderburn, -and good luck to both of them, say I. They are as decent a young -couple as I know."</p> - -<p>"When docs the marriage take place?"</p> - -<p>"Next month. Old Dean can't live long, and he wants to see the pair -man and wife before he leaves this very unjust world."</p> - -<p>"Unjust world!" echoed Simon, incredulously. "Dean has been pardoned, -has he not, Absalom?"</p> - -<p>"Of course; pardoned by the State for a crime he never committed, -after passing nearly twenty years in gaol for Miss Gilmar's sake. I -don't wonder the old fellow is dying. He is worn out with trouble and -a sense of harsh injustice. He has one foot in the grave now, and I -expect he'll drop into it as soon as his son marries Edith -Wedderburn."</p> - -<p>"And he didn't kill Kirkstone after all?"</p> - -<p>"No," replied Gebb, with something of a dismal air. "It appears from -the confession left by Miss Gilmar that she struck the blow. Do you -remember the bowie-knife mentioned in the evidence as belonging to -Dean?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, the knife with which the man was killed," said Parge. "The -sister borrowed it from Dean, didn't she?"</p> - -<p>"Yes; and it appears that in her rage against Ellen Gilmar for -presuming to love Dean, she threatened her upstairs with the knife, -while Kirkstone and Dean were quarrelling in the smoking-room. Ellen -wrenched the knife away, and said she would take it at once to Dean in -the Yellow Room. She went down with it, and found that having -quarrelled, Dean and Kirkstone had parted, the former having gone up -to bed Ellen entered with the knife in her hand, and laid it on the -table. Then Kirkstone, who was in a bad temper, began to insult her. -She retorted, and in a short space of time they were at it hard. Then -when Miss Gilmar said something unusually cutting to Kirkstone, he -rushed at her to strike her. She snatched up the knife to defend -herself, and held it point out. In his blind rage he dashed against -it, and the point pierced his heart. He fell dead on the spot."</p> - -<p>"Oh," said Parge, reflectively, "then it was really an accident!"</p> - -<p>"Yes; but Miss Gilmar was so terrified that she hardly knew what to -do. Then, remembering that the knife belonged to Dean, and that he had -been fighting with Kirkstone, also that he despised her love, she -determined to inculpate him, so as to avenge herself and save her own -life. She ran upstairs and told him that Kirkstone wished to see him -again in the Yellow Room. Dean fell into the snare, and came down only -to find Kirkstone dead with the knife in his heart Then he was seized -with a panic, and fled back to his room, whence he was dragged when -that wicked old woman accused him of the murder!"</p> - -<p>"Didn't Dean suspect her?"</p> - -<p>"No; he fancied that Laura, to whom he had lent his knife, had struck -the blow; but afterwards, when reviewing the circumstances in prison, -it occurred to him that Miss Gilmar might be guilty."</p> - -<p>"But how did Miss Gilmar quieten Laura?"</p> - -<p>"Easily enough! She told her that Dean had taken the knife and had -killed Kirkstone. But it seems to me," said Gebb, meditatively, "that -if Laura had only given her evidence clearly, the truth about the -knife would have been found out."</p> - -<p>"I dare say!" rejoined Parge, tartly. "But if you had been in charge -of the case, as I was, you would have found out when too late that -Laura, being weak-witted and under the thumb of Ellen Gilmar, was -afraid to tell the absolute truth."</p> - -<p>"Nevertheless, the case was muddled," insisted Gebb.</p> - -<p>"Absalom!" cried Parge, fiercely. "You can take the best part of the -reward if you choose, but you shan't throw discredit on my past work. -I conducted the Kirkstone murder case to the best of my ability."</p> - -<p>"And punished the wrong man."</p> - -<p>"That was the force of circumstances."</p> - -<p>"It was the want of getting the necessary evidence," retorted Gebb, -with some heat. "However, we have improved since then in detective -matters, as in others."</p> - -<p>"Oh, have you?" growled Parge. "Then why did you arrest the wrong man -in the person of Ferris?"</p> - -<p>"You have me there, Simon, you have me there," laughed Gebb; which -admission put Parge into great good-humour.</p> - -<p>"And criminals nowadays are just as stupid as they were in my youth," -he said, waving his pipe. "For instance, why did Alder kill Miss -Gilmar?"</p> - -<p>"Because he wanted her money."</p> - -<p>"Well, by threatening her with Dean he could have got her to allow him -a good income. There was no need for him to strangle her."</p> - -<p>"Perhaps not; and especially in poor Mrs. Presk's front parlour. She -hasn't been able to let it since. And, to make matters worse, Matilda -Crane has gone away with the five pounds you gave her."</p> - -<p>"Mrs. Presk had better give up the house at once," said Parge, -nodding. "No one will occupy a room in which a murder has taken place. -'Taint nat'ral to live with ghosts. What about that Yellow Boudoir at -Kirkstone Hall?"</p> - -<p>"Oh! Mr. and Mrs. Ferris are going to pull it down when they come back -from their honeymoon, I expect they will build another wing."</p> - -<p>"By the way, is Ferris going to stick to that name?"</p> - -<p>"Well, no; but all the same he isn't going to call himself Dean."</p> - -<p>"Then he is going to take his wife's name, I suppose?" suggested -Parge.</p> - -<p>Gebb shook his head "By the will of that ancestor who left the Hall to -his descendants, all who live in it not being Kirkstones have to take -that name. If Alder had lived he would have called himself John -Kirkstone."</p> - -<p>"Like the one that was murdered. A bad omen!"</p> - -<p>"Well, he never had a chance of changing his name. But I expect Ferris -and Miss Wedderburn will call themselves Mr. and Mrs. Arthur -Kirkstone."</p> - -<p>"Well," said Parge, raising his glass, "I hope they will be lucky."</p> - -<p>"So do I," responded Gebb, "If only because they paid this two hundred -pounds."</p> - -<p>"Of which I got only fifty," grumbled Parge, and so got the last word -after all.</p> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<br> -<h4>THE END</h4> -<br> -<br> -<br> - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Lady from Nowhere, by Fergus Hume - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LADY FROM NOWHERE *** - -***** This file should be named 55960-h.htm or 55960-h.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/9/6/55960/ - -Produced by Charles Bowen from page scans provided by the -Internet Archive (Princeton University) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. 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