 CHAPTER 24 THE SECOND MARRIAGE In his anxiety to prove his theory, Todd would then and there have taken his friend and Arnold over to the Pixie's house. But Gerald, more cool-headed than the impetuous Scotsman, pointed out that he had not sufficient grounds upon which to accuse the widow. If you ask her to explain her movements on that night, she will only refuse to gratify your curiosity, said Haskins positively. The police could make her speak. The police could not arrest her without a warrant and there is not, to my mind, sufficient evidence to obtain a warrant. And certainly the police cannot ask questions about anyone's private affairs until some reason can be given to show why such questions should be asked. Those ladies said that they were at Bogner when they really intended to come to Devonshire, observed Arnold who seemed to side entirely with McAndrew. It is a woman's privilege to change your mind, Mr. Arnold, and I ask you, what possible motive could Mrs. Crosby have had to journey all the way to Devonshire to commit an unnecessary murder? Unnecessary, snorted Todd, displeased. Seeing that the murder is ascribed to Mavis who may thus be shut up to provide Reb with an income, I cannot see that it is unnecessary. Ah, but Mrs. Crosby did not know that the major's income depended upon the seclusion of Mavis, said Haskins rapidly. I did not tell her as there was no reason why I should, and I am quite certain that Reb himself would not explain. If Mrs. Crosby had known that his income was so uncertain she would have refused to marry him. Perhaps she will do so now, said Arnold, hopefully. No. She has come down to see about the repairs to the Pixie's house, answered Gerald, and Reb loves her too well to let her go. I believe Todd that Geary is the man who committed the murder. It sounds plausible enough, grumbled McAndrew, and a case goodies they be built up against him, but the presence of Mrs. Crosby on the spot has to be explained. Gerald rose and walked up and down the room, thinking. I tell you what, Todd, he said abruptly. I am getting tired of poking about in the dark. I believe, as you do, and Arnold does, that Mavis is entirely innocent. Hitherto we have kept her in hiding so as to prove her innocence, since she may be arrested if she is discovered. Well then, I think it would be best to let her be arrested. Both Arnold and McAndrew jumped up wrathfully. What? They exclaimed, and Todd continued. What is the use of charity's sacrifice if you intend to hand over Mavis to the law? Todd, said Gerald seriously, as things stand now we are not able to force either Geary or Mrs. Crosby or Reb to speak. If Mavis is put on her trial they can be called as witnesses, and then the truth may come out. Also Mavis can be examined by two doctors. I shall insist upon that, when her sanity will be certainly be proved beyond all doubt. If she is proved to be sane then Reb will find himself in Queer Street and will be hard put to it to prove his innocence. We could have done all this in the first case, said Arnold irritably. No, replied Haskins sharply, for then we did not have the evidence to hand that we have now. Reb, Geary, and Mrs. Crosby are all implicated and we may also be able to place Venosta in the witness box. But the proof that Mavis is responsible for her acts and has been shut up in the Pixie's house while Reb enjoyed her income will gain the sympathy of everyone and will go far to show her innocence. I shall support her throughout the case. She is Reb's ward and is under twenty-one, said Todd Crosley, so the Major may not allow you to support her. I propose to take her out of the Major's keeping by making her my wife forthwith, said Gerald Cooley. But if you do, sir, cried Arnold much upset, Mavis will be arrested. Indeed I doubt if you will find any clergyman who will marry her to you seeing that she is said to be a lunatic. That's all right, rejoined Haskins easily. I have arranged that in my own mind. There is an old college chum of my late fathers who can see both sides of the question and I can trust him utterly. Today I'm going to London to repeat your experience and get a special license, Toddie. Our marriages are expensive matters, old boy, aren't they? Todd grunted and kicked the carpet. When you are married what do you intend to do? I shall bring my wife down here within three days and we shall all go over to the Pixie's house. Mrs. Crosby will not have left by that time, as from the quantity of luggage she brought, I fancy she intends to remain for a week or so. Then we can confront her and Reb and at possible Todd, I wish you to bring Geary on the scene. Thus all the actors in this tragedy of real life, as Mrs. Palamotin would call it, will be together and we can bring about the fall of the curtain. With Mrs. Gerald Haskins in jail, said Arnold gloomily, Mavis will be arrested on Reb's information at once. That is highly probable, but whether Mavis appears early or late she will have to stand her trial seeing that she is accused. Also she will have to be examined as to her sanity. But in both these ordeals I intend to be beside her as her husband. There was a pause. Well? It's a forlorn hope, said McCandrew, hesitating, and risky. Still, he looked questioningly at Arnold. The little man nodded sadly. Things are so bad that they can scarcely be worse, he remarked, and certainly, as Mr. Haskins thinks, a public trial would force the witnesses we want into court. Once in the box and closely examined the truth might come to light. I think Mr. Haskins should do as he says, but it is a risk. Life is all risks, said Gerald cheerfully. Well, I am going to pack up and clear off to London. And you, Toddy? I shall keep my eye on Geary and, if possible, I shall see Mrs. Crosby or her mother. Gerald nodded, and matters thus being arranged he went up to London that same afternoon enroute for south end to make Mavis his wife. Todd and Arnold left behind remained at the Princess Hotel and wandered about the country even as far as Ligarth. They heard that the London ladies were still with the Major, but did not catch a glimpse of them. And even Todd, audacious as he was, shrank from going to the Pixie's house and openly accusing the lively widow. Todd took occasion to pay a special visit to the Devon maid and found the hotel in charge of a rough man and his slaternly wife. It appeared that since Mrs. Geary's disappearance her husband had taken heavily to drink and refused to attend to his business. His uncivilized instincts had got the better of him and he was running wild in the neighborhood. Mrs. Geary, now with her mother in Barnstable, refused to return to him or to surrender her children and Adonis talked loudly of forcing her stubborn will by law. But as yet he had not done anything, perhaps because he was in danger of the law himself. Todd learned as much from Inspector Morgan whom he met at the Silbury High Street on the third day after Gerald's departure in search of his wife. In the course of an idle conversation about this, that and the other thing, for McAndrew during his holiday at the Devon maid had learned to know Morgan intimately. The name of the negro was mentioned and the Inspector uttered a grunt. He's a black scoundrel that," he remarked. Why? asked Todd, pricking up his ears. I always understood that Geary was a meritorious inhabitant of Denley. He certainly conducted the Devon maid well as I stopped there myself. You know that? Morgan nodded. Things have changed since you and Mr. Haskins were there, sir," he said slowly. It was Mrs. Geary who kept the inn respectable and a miserable life she had with that sooty black guard, but she got fed up with his brutality and went back to her mother in Barnstable. Since then the inn has gone from bad to worse and Geary is drinking. I heard something of this, observed Todd. Why don't you pull him up? I am going to," said Morgan grimly. I have my eye on him. He is nearly always drunk and frightens children and insults women and threatens men. Sooner or later he will be locked up. And the strength the man has. Why do you know, Mr. McAndrew, that he knocked down the river wall of the Pixies' house? That portion overhanging the pool. I wanted to run him in for that, but Major Reb will not prosecute for some reason. He has a sneaking regard for his old servant, I suppose," said Todd, smiling. But this wall, Morgan, how the dickens could one man knock it down? Oh, the wall has been in a shaky condition for years and years," said the Inspector. It was only held together by the ivy. The bricks and mortar were rotten. But even then. A good strong push would have sent it over and Geary gave it that push. He was climbing over, I believe, as he wanted mad with drink to get into the Pixies' house and because of the ladies Major Reb had ordered the gates to be closed and locked. However, he found that the wall leaned a trifle towards the cliff and managed to knock it down. The man has an immense strength naturally and when drink is added to that. Morgan shrugged his big shoulders. I have known drunken men to do some wonderful things in the way of superhuman strength," he finished. I think Geary must have been superhuman to have pushed that wall over rotten as it was. If you remember, Mr. Haskins climbed it. I remember and a good thing it was that it didn't fall and drop him into the pool below. However, it's down now and on that side the grounds of the Pixies' house lie open to the world. By the way, how is Mr. Haskins? Because he got over the death of that crazy girl. Todd laughed. I don't think myself that she was crazy, Morgan, or that she killed that wretched Italian woman. Nor do I believe that she is dead and he looks straightly at the officer's red face. Have you any reason to think she is alive, sir? Her body has not been found, rejoined Todd evasively. What of that? Plenty of bodies are not found. But the girl was never outside the Pixies' house before that time she fled after the murder. Not knowing the lie of the country it is more than probable that she tumbled into some river or water-hole and was drowned. If alive, she certainly would have been caught by now. We have had constables all over the place for weeks. Even now? Well, no. The men have been withdrawn as so long a time has elapsed since the commission of the crime. We'll hear no more of the matter. Never prophesy until you know, Mr. Inspector. I do know, said Morgan positively. I don't go about with my eyes shut, Mr. McAndrew. And after saluting he stalked in a military way down the street, leaving Todd to pursue his shopping, which Todd had come out to do. McAndrew rather chuckled at the positive way in which this official dog-berry, who could see no further than his nose, asserted that the Pixies' house murder had been relegated to the past. On the fourth day of Gerald's absence Todd received a letter from his friend and the character of a bridegroom. Everything had gone well as the clergyman on hearing the whole story, told in Haskins' persuasive manner, had joined Mavis and his friend's son in holy matrimony. Now Reb had lost his income, as the conditions of the will had been fulfilled, and in spite of all his precautions Mavis had come into her own. Todd would have been less than human had he not reflected with great glee that the income being saved from Reb's clutches his wife as the twin sister of Mavis would benefit to the extent of three thousand a year. And Lady Euphemia called me a fool, chuckled Todd complacently. What will she say when she knows that I have married an heiress and will be able to get back a part of the family estate? In his letter Gerald informed McAndrew with great pride that Mavis had learned how to sign her name and had produced a singularly fine specimen of calligraphy. The rest of my darling's education, wrote the young man, will be completed by me after all these troubles are over and we can spend a proper honeymoon. Education as a means of passing a honeymoon did not command itself to Todd and he made a grimace. Then he sat down and wrote a letter to Amsterdam telling Charity to come over and to repair to Mrs. Palum Oden's London flat where he would join her later. She also gave her a full account of all that had taken place and detailed the story of the major as to her birth, mentioning also the income which Mavis intended to hand over as soon as the mystery of the crime was solved. When Todd posted this letter he took his way to Den Lee to see if he could find Geary and arrange for him to appear at the Pixies house. It was necessary as Gerald had explained that all the actors in this drama should come together for the clearing up all perplexities. But Geary was not easy to be found. Afraid of the official warning uttered by Morgan he had taken to the hills and although Todd roamed all over the place he could not find the man. He returned to the princess head quite fatigued and found a telegram from Gerald stating that he and his bride would be in Sudbury by the midday train next day. McCandrew communicated the joyful news to Arnold who had come back from a round of book selling for the gnome did not neglect his business even in these anxious days and the two had a merry little dinner on that same night prepared by Mrs. Jennings' own hands and the landlady's cooking when she desired was something to be wondered at. Todd insisted on a bottle of champagne being sent for and the tutor and the lawyer drank long life and happiness to the bride and bridegroom with all honors. Although, said Todd, setting down his glass, we are not yet out of the wood. An hour after dinner and while Arnold was detailing his early connection with Mavis Mrs. Jennings came in much flustered. Oh, sir, she said, here's that hard black landlord of the Devon maid. He asked to see you, sir. I wouldn't if I were you. He's always drunk and may be dangerous. Never mind, I am not afraid. Show him up," said Todd valiantly. Mrs. Jennings shook her head but did as she was bitten and in a few minutes Mr. Adonis Geary looking a wreck of his former stalwart self came into the room. However, he was perfectly sober and very much depressed. Wanderings on the hills did not agree with him and he looked as one of his ancestors might have looked when Cuban bloodhounds were hunting flesh and blood in the days of slavery. You wish to see me, sir," said Geary after casual glance at Arnold. Yes, Mr. Geary, replied Todd, settling himself in his chair. The fact is that things are coming to a climax and I want you to come to the Pixie's house tomorrow afternoon, say at two o'clock, to state what you know of Balearia's murder. Ah, don't know nothing, sir," said the negro doggedly. Mr. Haskins believes that you know everything, retorted Todd sharply, and unless you want to get into trouble it will be best for you to speak out. I don't know nothing," said Geary again and rolled his eyes ferociously at the mention of Gerald's name, and there's nothing can hurt me. I have sold the hotel, and next week I go to Jamaica. As a pensioner of major revs, I suppose. That's my business, sir. This place no place for me when my wife go away with my chilling. Balearia dead, that mad gal dead, and... You are wrong in thinking that Miss Durham is dead, Mr. Geary, said Todd, exploding his bombshell according to Gerald's written instruction. She is very much alive. Geary staggered and turned his usual green. She alive? Yes, and married to Mr. Gerald Haskins. You can tell the major that if you like, Mr. Geary, and tell him also that we are all coming over to-morrow to demand the six thousand a year which Major Reb has held for so long. I fear that your Jamaican pension is not very safe. Geary stood dumb-bounded, clutching his breast. His dull brain could scarcely grasp the significance of this speech. But he did grasp the fact that Reb was losing the money and that he, Mr. Adonis Geary, would not benefit. I tell the major. He faltered, wheeling. By all means, said Todd easily, I sent for you to be my messenger. Come, Geary, as Reb loses the money you had better come on our side and tell us who murdered Balearia. The negro turned at the door and drew himself up. No, sir, he declared with something of majesty. I eat the major's bread and I no-betray the major. After which speech he went out abruptly. Does that mean Reb is guilty? Todd asked Arnold. I always said that he was. We joined the ex-tutor dryly and later the two retired to their several couches to ponder over the new problem. The bride and bridegroom duly arrived the next day. Todd was slightly uneasy since Geary had probably told the major and that gentleman would undoubtedly, for his own safety, take steps to have Mrs. Haskins arrested. However, Geary had probably not delivered the message that Mavis was alive for no officer of the law appeared to break the joy of the meeting. Mavis looked slightly pale but her courage was high and she evidently determined to go bravely through the ordeal. United to her adored Prince Gerald, she was ready to face any one and any thing by his side. After greetings and explanations and a hurried meal the whole party drove over to Ligarth and Orlando for the momentous meeting. As the carriage passed through the village Mavis kept her veil down so she was not recognized. The gates of the Pixies house, marvellous to relate, were open and the carriage drew up to the house. Major Reb with two ladies was on the terrace. Mavis alighted and raised her veil. Great heavens! cried Reb pale with terror. Mavis, Durham! Mrs. Gerald Haskins, she replied proudly. And I come for my money. End of Chapter 24 Chapter 25 of the sealed message by Fergus Hume. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 25. Geary's Accusation It would be hard to say who was the palest and most terrorist-trickin' of the trio who stood on the terrace. Mrs. Crosby clung to her stern mother with dilated eyes shaking like a reed. But Mrs. Birch, although stern and unmoved outwardly at least, was also pallet. As for Reb, he leaned against the balustrade of the terrace scarcely able to speak. Before him stood Todd and Arnold, Gerald Haskins and the girl whom he had treated so cruelly, the girl whom he had believed until now was at the bottom of some rural stream. The hour of retribution had come, and in a flash the guilty man saw everything he possessed reft from him, saw also the structure of crime and falsehood he had reared crumbled into dust. His worst enemy would have pitied the Major in that hour of agony. You, he faltered, staring at Mavis as though she were indeed the ghost he almost believed her to be. You! Ah! murmured McCandrew complacently. So Geary did not deliver my message to you after all. Geary, the Major's to direct, braced for the coming struggle and his face hardened, did Geary know this? And he pointed to Mavis. I told him the truth last night. And he never told me. He never warned me. Reb clenched his fists. Oh, the scoundrel! I might have. But there it is too late, too late. What do you mean by too late? Had Mrs. Birch imperiously, and throwing a protecting arm round her daughter, fight for Maj if you will not for yourself? But Reb paid no attention to her. Geary, Geary! He muttered, looking round with bloodshot eyes. He was in the courtyard an hour ago and he did not tell me, curse him. He may be. Geary, Geary! He raised his voice to an angry cry and ran swiftly along the terrace through the arch and into the quadrangle. Gerald took the hand of his wife and followed quickly, with Todd and the ex-tutor behind. They did not wish to lose sight of Reb. For one moment Mrs. Birch and her daughter looked at one another and Maj hung back, trembling. But the mother suddenly seized the widow's rest and dragged her, a miserable figure, pale-faced and shaking in her gay attire into the quadrangle. We must see what Michael will do, a whispered Mrs. Birch passing her tongue over her dry lips. He may win the day yet. No, no! moaned Mrs. Crosby. He is lost. At the far end of the quadrangle Gerald and Mavis saw the token of Geary's drunken handiwork. A considerable portion of the ivy-clothed wall had fallen outward and lay in ruins on the lip of the cliff. Three or four trees had been dashed into the pool below and there was a clear view across the rattle to the green forest beyond. The mystery of the enchanted castle was at an end and no longer a palace of the sleeping beauty it lay open to the world as Morgan had said. And now in its romantic quadrangle there were sterner doings than the moonlight wooings of lovers who had, for the moment, recalled the golden age when the gods came down to men. Geary! Geary! shouted Reb, rushing towards the fallen wall and mounting its ruins. There was no response and Gerald fancied that Reb had merely made an excuse so as to get near the river and throw himself in. But guilty or innocent the major was sufficiently brave to face the sins he had committed and came down again slowly to the group near the battered sundial. He was still livid but more self-controlled. I shall deal with Geary later, he said thickly, in the meanwhile I can deal with you. We are quite ready, said Gerald tranquilly. Who are we? questioned Reb scathingly. Myself and my wife. She is not your wife, a marriage with a mad woman is not legal. Mavis shuddered and clung to Gerald's arm. It was the first time that she had been called mad to her face. Oh, guardian! She wailed. How can you say that of me when I was so fond of you? You had every reason to be fond of me, said Reb harshly, and his eyes gleamed as he thought the girl was weakening. I gave you a happy home in this delightful place because your brain was not strong enough to bear the troubles of this world. Mavis withdrew her hand from Gerald's arm and looked scornfully at the lyre whom she now saw in his true colours. You kept me here that you might enjoy the money which my father left to me, she declared in haughty tones. You betrayed the trust your dead friend placed in you. I was a weak girl and an ignorant one to believe in your lies. But now, she added stepping forward a pace, now Major Reb, and her use of the name showed the attitude she intended to adopt, I call upon you to give me back my money and leave this place which belongs to me. No mad woman can possess money, said Mrs. Crosby shrilly. She saw the Major's income was about to be lost and that it would be useless to marry him. Michael, call the police and have her removed. One moment, said Gerald quietly, you go too fast, Mrs. Crosby, but I am glad to see you at last as you really are. I thought you were my friend. I now see that you are my enemy. My wife is perfectly sane and as her husband I shall see that her sanity is proved. Call the police, cried Mrs. Crosby furiously, and she broke from her mother's grip. How dare you stand there and insult me, Gerald. I was your friend and I will be your friend still if you will shut up that girl and apologize. Todd laughed at the weakness of this speech. If you cannot find anything better to say, Mrs. Crosby, you had better hold your tongue, he said costically. Even if Mrs. Haskins is shut up, the money still belongs to her husband. Major Reb has lost that, for ever. It is the money you are after, madam. Yes, it is, yes it is, said Mrs. Crosby, utterly reckless and defying the efforts of her mother to keep her silent. If you knew the miserable years of poverty I have had, you would not wonder at my wishing for the money. My marriage with Michael will save me from shame and misery, and she choked with mingled terror and rage and Mrs. Birch pulled her back roughly. Are you a fool to talk like this? She muttered, hold your tongue, you silly child. She shook her angrily. Wait until Michael settles this affair. Major Reb. She turned inquiringly to her proposed son-in-law. I shall settle this affair very speedily, said Reb, walking across the lawn towards the archway. My man shall go for the police. Or better still, that coachman who drove you from Silbury Mavis shall go back to bring Inspector Morgan. I am very sorry that you have thrust yourself into danger, but I should not be doing my duty by society if I did not have you imprisoned. As a lunatic, asked Mavis scornfully, she had quite lost her old dread of the Major by this time. As a murderous, he retorted. Prove that, said Haskin, stepping in Reb's path. Out of my way, growled Reb, looking dangerous. You have brought a serious accusation against my wife, persisted the young man, and I intend to make you prove it. On what grounds do you say that my wife is crazy? She has been all her life, said the Major, forced to answer, for he saw very plainly that Haskins would knock him down if he attempted to pass the archway. Not that the Major feared a fight, but his situation was so desperate that he wished to adjust things as quietly as possible. His threat to call the police was a bluff as Gerald knew, and because Gerald did know, Reb was furious. Prove that she has been mad all her life, said Haskins coolly. Mavis has been with Mrs. Palamodan since she left here, and that very clever old woman cannot see that my wife is mad. Nor can McAndrew, nor Arnold, nor anyone else. I can, I can! Cried Mrs. Crosby with a bright red spot, burning on either cheek and looking very angry. Ah, you are a prejudiced witness, seeing that you wish to marry Major Reb for the income he is now losing. That he has lost, interposed Todd in a dry legal tone, the conditions of Julian Durham's will have been fulfilled and Mrs. Haskins now takes possession of her property. How can you prove that my wife is mad? asked Gerald again and taking no notice of the interruption. Have you had her examined by two doctors according to law? No. Replied Reb grudgingly. Then how dare you shut her up in this house? I shall bring an action against you on behalf of my wife for false imprisonment. You had better think twice before you do that, said the Major in icy tones, for I shall retort with an accusation of murder. You say that my wife murdered Bilaria. I do, said Reb doggedly, I swear to it. I dare say, but you have yet to prove your accusation. I am quite willing to allow Mavis to be arrested. Gerald stepped aside. Go and fetch the police, Reb. They will be here soon. Here, Reb started and turned to shade Pailer. I left instructions at the police station before coming here that Inspector Morgan was to come with two men. When they arrive you can give Mavis in charge, and then we can submit your accusation of insanity to a couple of doctors and your charge of murder to a jury. Then cried Mrs. Crosby viciously, Michael will get back his money. I think not, replied Gerald coldly, I take charge of that. By this time the courage was oozing out of Reb who had not expected the young man to take up such an attitude. Cannot we arrange this matter quietly? He asked, trying to appear composed. No, said the other quietly. The offer you made me in yonder room does not suit me. An offer, said Mrs. Birch in her deep voice. I offered to let Haskins marry Mavis and take her to America if he, or rather she, surrendered half the income. I refuse as Gerald refused, said Mavis proudly. I prefer to stand my trial. I am not going to pass the rest of my life under a cloud for your sake, Major Reb. Your sister, your twin sister shall get the money, cried Reb, at his wit's end how to deal with the situation. Ah, you never knew that. I knew when Gerald told me, said Mrs. Haskins composedly, and I more than suspected it before. Indeed Charity allowed me to pass as herself so as to save me from you. I shall repay that with three thousand a year. My husband and I have arranged that. You passed as Charity, cried Reb amazed. Yes, I danced at the Belver Theatre and it's a lie, you couldn't. What became of Charity if you did that? Charity was with me, said Todd, stepping forward. With you? Yes, as my wife. Major Reb jumped and staggered against the sundial. So both the sisters are married, he muttered. They are, said Todd, and they have agreed to share the income you have held all these years. I am afraid that the game is up, Major. Reb said nothing. The game was indeed up and he did not know which way to turn or how to get the better of his pitiless opponents. Mrs. Birch left her daughter for the moment and touched his arm. Why did you not tell me that there was another girl? She asked horsely and savagely. There was no need, and the Major shook her off. There was every need. You told me, you told Maj that your income depended upon Mavis Durham. Mavis Haskins, if you please, interpolated that young lady. Mrs. Birch paid no attention. On Mavis Durham not marrying. You said that if in some way her insanity could be proved and she could be stopped from marriage that your income would be safe. For that reason my daughter wished to marry you. She loved me, said Reb unsteadily, and looked at Mrs. Crosby. I loved you as well as any other man. She said coolly and shrugging her shoulders, but I would have married anyone to escape from debt and duns and hideous poverty. As you are now poor, of course I cannot marry you. Come, mother, there is nothing more to be got here. Let us go back to our misery. Reb said nothing but turned very white. The woman for whom he had sold his soul was ready to cast him aside like an old glove. Mrs. Crosby, with a vicious glance at Mavis and a look of indifference at the man she had professed to love, took her mother's arm. Mrs. Birch was quite ready to go and indeed seemed to be in a hurry to depart, but the path of the two was blocked by the tiny figure of Arnold who had hitherto held his peace. So you did know that the major's income depended upon Mavis being prevented even by the murder of Balaria from marrying? What is that to you? Let me pass! cried Mrs. Crosby haughtily. We—Arnold waved his hand to include Gerald and Todd. We thought that you were ignorant and so could not guess what was your motive for murdering that unfortunate woman. Murder! Mrs. Crosby went a dead white and became as rigid as a corpse. Reb started and came forward. You must be mistaken! he said in shaking tones to Arnold. He is a foul liar, said Mrs. Birch, grasping her daughter to keep her from falling. Let us pass, sir. No, said Arnold, still holding his ground and speaking loudly while the others kept silence. When Inspector Morgan comes you shall be arrested. I shall give you in charge for this murder of which Mrs. Haskins is wrongfully accused. Mrs. Crosby shrieked, looking a pitiable spectacle of fear and shame as she clung to her mother. But that stern lady, although white and also terrified, controlled her feelings with iron nerve. On what grounds do you accuse my daughter? She demanded. I saw you and her in a motor-car at Belldown. I saw you on the way here. You were at the gates of the Pixies House shortly before twelve o'clock, waiting for Balaria, whom you lured to the gate by means of a letter. I was at Bogner. I was at Bogner! cried Mrs. Crosby, shaking with fear. No, interposed Todd. My clerk went to watch you at Bogner. Neither you nor Mrs. Birch went there at all. You were down here. Come, Mrs. Crosby, you may as well confess. We can prove all about the motor-car and your presence here. Maj. Maj! cried Reb, who looked horrified. Is this true? But Mrs. Crosby only clung sobbing to her mother, being terrified almost to death. At the same moment that Reb spoke, Inspector Morgan, with a couple of policemen, entered the quadrangle and advanced towards the group. You wanted me here, Mr. Haskins? he asked inquiringly. I got your message, and here I am with my men. What is it? In the first place, said Gerald quietly, allow me to present to you my wife. Then when Morgan saluted in a puzzled way he continued, once known as Mavis Durham, what? Morgan grew red and his eyes almost started out of his head. Do you mean to say that this lady is Mavis Durham? Mrs. Haskins now, said the girl with a perfectly calm smile, and I surrender myself to you willingly. I arrest you in the king's name for murder, gavled Morgan trying to recover his official dignity. Anything you say now will be used in evidence against you. And he signed to his subordinates likewise, startled out of their wits to take charge of the girl. Arnold sprang forward as a young constable placed his hand on Mavis's arm. Stop! He cried. Mrs. Haskins is innocent. Here is the guilty woman. And he pointed to Mrs. Crosby. No, no! You can't prove that. You dare not. You— I can prove it! cried Arnold, bluffing. Mrs. Crosby was at the gate of the Pixies' house at the time Bilaria Dundee was murdered. A dozen witnesses can swear that she was in the neighborhood. Is this true? Morgan asked the little widow whose gate he was all gone and who suddenly looked twice her age. It is not true. It is not true! She cried. Mother and I were at bell-down. We went on to see Major Reb at Denley. Hush, you fool! muttered Mrs. Birch, shaking her. You never came near me there! cried Reb, and then became aware that, on the impulse of the moment, he had ruined the widow. In a paroxysm of shame and terror, for the man did love the miserable woman, he added. Mrs. Crosby is innocent. I swear she is. I know who is guilty. You—everyone cried out Inspector Morgan loudest of all. The scene was beyond his comprehension, and he was on the verge of an apoplectic fit. The whole scene was melodramatic and unreal, and on the stage or when written in a book would have been described so by critics. Who is guilty? demanded Morgan fiercely. Geary, Adonis Geary, said Reb. The knife was his, and I found him in the grounds when I arrived. There was a savage shout before he could finish, and Geary sprang from behind the ruined river wall. He had been concealed there and had heard everything, but he did not appear until his adored master accused him of the crime. Then terror and rage made him leap forward half mad and half drunk. You say one big lie, sir. He shouted with rolling eyes and a thick voice. I loved you once, but now you would kill me with a lie. I tell you who did kill that poor Balarria. Who killed her? asked Gerald, for Morgan was too bewildered to ask. Geary looked slowly round and pointed to Mrs. Birch. Oh, mother, mother! cried Mrs. Crosby. I would have saved you if I could. End of Chapter 25 Chapter 26 The Gods Are Just There was an absolute silence for a few moments. What with one accusation and another Inspector Morgan's brain was reeling. Gerald could only stare in blank amazement at the negro, who declared so positively that Mrs. Birch was guilty of a cowardly murder. As for the accused woman, she put aside her weeping daughter gently and faced the police boldly. Todd and Reb and Arnold were silent out of sheer astonishment. Haskins had thought Geary guilty. Arnold had believed Reb to be the doer of the deed. Todd deemed that Mrs. Crosby had struck the blow, but not one of the three ever fancied that Mrs. Birch was the mysterious assassin of the unfortunate Italian. Ask this man, said Mrs. Birch harshly to Morgan, and pointing towards Geary. Ask him on what grounds he makes such an accusation. My daughter and I certainly were at bell-down and drove on past Ligarth, intending to call on Major Reb at the Devon maid. But our car broke down and we were obliged to stop in a cottage for the night. I can prove an alibi. If you can, said Morgan, finding his tongue, why should your daughter say that she would have saved you if she could? My daughter is mad with terror, said Mrs. Birch stonely. Madge knows that I am wholly innocent. And she looked at Mrs. Crosby. Yes, yes, yes, whispered the widow faintly. We stopped the night in a cottage. We are innocent. My mother can prove an alibi. At one big lie cried Geary with scorn. You would like the Major to say that I killed Bellaria? Oh, yes, and I would be hanged, sir. He turned reproachfully towards his master who had been willing to sacrifice him for another after his years of faithful service. You are very wicked, Massa. I love you. I do all bad things for you, but I know die. This woman, he pointed to the perfectly calm Mrs. Birch who was much the most composed of the group. She come here and kill Bellaria. She write a letter saying that if Bellaria come to digate late, she would be safe from Dosu would kill her. And Bellaria she comes with my big knife to save herself. Then this woman, he pointed again at Mrs. Birch. She stab and stab and stab. It is all utterly false, denied the accused woman coldly. Do you believe this of your mother's friend, Gerald? No, said the young man generously. There must be some mistake. I cannot believe that Mrs. Birch would be so wicked. Her known character contradicts this man's accusation. I believed that Geary murdered Bellaria himself at Major Reb's instigation. That's a lie, said Reb in an agitated voice. That one big lie repeated Geary in his own vernacular and fumbled in his breast pocket. See, Massa? He went towards Morgan, dissed a letter that I find in Bellaria's dress and Mrs. Crosby made a bound and a grab. But Morgan whisked the letter out of Geary's hand and held it above her head. One of the policemen caught the widow to hold her back and she burst into tears. Is this your writing, madam? Morgan asked Mrs. Birch holding the letter before her. No, said Mrs. Birch in an unshaken voice. Mr. Haskins knows my writing well. Gerald, look at the letter. The young man took the epistle. It was evidently disguised handwriting, clumsy and illiterate. He could not reasonably say that Mrs. Birch had penned the few lines which asked Bellaria to come to the gates of the Pixie's house at midnight on a certain date to meet a well-wisher, so the letter was signed, who could save her from the Tanna Society. The script was quite unlike Mrs. Birch's sloping Italian hand, which was that of the mid-Victorian epic. No, he said and very gladly, I don't think that Mrs. Birch wrote this letter. Ah! The woman drew a long breath but displayed no triumph. Of course, Mr. Inspector, the charge is absolutely absurd. This mad girl who Mr. Haskins has married murdered the miserable creature. Ah! said Gerald, slipping his arm round Mavis who shivered and hit her face. You return evil for good, Mrs. Birch. Morgan took the letter and placed it in his pocket. I don't know what to think. He muttered. You may be innocent and geary. He glanced at the savage face of the negro who shouted wrathfully. I no killed that woman! She cried, stamping like a wild bull in a rage. She write the letter. I come to this house to find a major and I find Valeria dead. She just dying. Did she speak? Mavis asked the question. No, she no speak. She die at once. I look in the dress and I find that letter and this. Geary opened his huge black palm and on it lay the coral hand with the dagger. That on the ground near the dress, he ended. Do you recognize this? Asked Morgan turning to Gerald while Mrs. Crosby uttered a wail of fear and Mrs. Birch became even peterer than she had been. Gerald had defended Mrs. Birch before and she had returned his kindness by accusing Mavis. He determined to leave her to her fate since she was so ungrateful especially as he readily recognized the coral hand. So you did not give it back to Venosta after all. She said to the terrified Mrs. Crosby, Mr. Inspector, this amulet belongs to... He was about to say the name when Mrs. Birch after a glance of despair around interrupted. It belongs to me, she said harshly, not to my daughter. Mrs. Crosby received it from Signor Venosta but she gave it to me to return to him after she made use of it to control the Jew money lender. I did not return it to Signor Venosta. I... she stopped. It was found near the corpse of Balarria by this man, said Morgan gravely. So if it belonged to you, it hers, it hers, shouted Geary. How do you know, asked Reb sharply. I see this woman in that engine, he met the motor-car, on the hill when I leave Balarria dead. I run out to see where anyone was that killed Balarria and I see that woman with this udder in that engine. But you came running from the house, cried Reb, you could not. Let be, said Mrs. Birch, evidently recognizing that denial was useless. No doubt he did see me. But I am guilty and Mrs. Crosby is perfectly innocent. Then you killed the woman, cried Gerald appalled. Yes, but not intentionally. Listen. From you we learned something about this girl and then my daughter and I were here on one occasion and knew something beforehand about the matter. We forced Major Reb to explain as the girl was supposed to be pretty, she cast a disdainful glance at Mabus, and my daughter was a trifle jealous. When you, Gerald, came asking Madge to take charge of this girl I took alarm as I thought that something serious was the matter. You did, said Reb bitterly, and you forced me to tell you the truth of how my income depended upon Mabus never getting married. But I did not expect you to kill Balarria so as to save the income. I did not do so for that purpose, said Mrs. Birch steadily. Imagined I were in despair as only her marriage with you could save us from terrible trouble. When Gerald explained about Balarria's fear of the coral hand, I learned its purport from Sr. Venosta. Then I thought that I could use it to bend Balarria to my will. What was your will, asked Todd who looked awestruck, to insist that Balarria should take Mabus to Italy and keep her there so as to prevent her marrying. Then I knew that Major Reb's income would be safe and that Madge could marry and take us both out of the horrible misery we endured trying to keep up appearances on nothing. On nothing? cried Haskins suddenly. Beyond a hundred a year imagined I were penniless, said Mrs. Birch coolly. But you lived in style, said Reb who seemed to be thunderstruck by these sordid revelations. Oh, we are only a couple of adventurises, said Mrs. Birch ironically. We deceived everyone, even Gerald's mother, who was as kind and good a woman as ever breathed. Don't, muttered the young man softly. I am only praising the dead, said Mrs. Birch stolidly. I say no evil of her. Well then, we were in desperate straits, else I never would have hit on the desperate scheme of getting Balarria to kidnap Mabus, which was what it amounted to. I told Madge nothing, save that I wanted to see Major Reb. We informed Gerald that we were going to Bogner and we really were going. But by my plan we came to Devonshire and Madge got one of her friends to let her a motor. She drives excellently and as we were at Belldown before she knows the country. I pretended that Major Reb was at the Pixie's house and had arranged to see me at midnight. This I told my daughter. And you believed so ridiculous a story, said Morgan fixing an official eye on the shrinking woman. But she only moaned. Leave her alone, I am to blame, said Mrs. Birch sharply, and the murder of Balarria was pure accident. Pure accident, muttered Arnold ironically. Mrs. Birch turned on him with a wintry smile. Yes, sir. The car broke down. That was really an accident. While Madge was seeing what was the matter I said that I would walk on and inquire if Major Reb was at the house and could take us in for the night. I came to the gates and waited for a time. Balarria came at length. She opened the gates in fear and trembling and was armed with a large yellow-handled knife. That, my knife, muttered the negro and rolled his eyes. I explained who I was and told her about the marriage. I said that I could put Venosta as representing the society on her track unless she took Mavis to Italy and kept her single. I promised her a pension, but the foolish creature, Mrs. Birch shrugged her shoulders, would listen to nothing. She refused to go to Italy, saying that she would be killed there. I showed her the coral hand and she tried to snatch it from me. We struggled and she lost her head, saying that I had come to kill her. Once she wounded me in the arm. Here Mrs. Birch rolled up her sleeve and showed a newly-heeled scar of considerable dimensions, so I tried to take the knife from her. Then—then—cried Morgan, speaking for the others who were all tongue-tied and staring at the terrible recital. Mrs. Birch put a slim hand to her head. I don't know exactly what took place. She said wearily and indifferently, but somehow I got the knife and in the struggle in the darkness I stabbed her to the heart. When she fell I was terrified at what I had done and flung the knife into the long grass. The coral hand had long since fallen to the ground. Then I ran away back to the car. I found Match had repaired the damage which was slight. She saw blood on my dress. I told a lie and we got into the car to fly. On the hill yonder she pointed over the ruined wall towards Denly. The car went wrong again. Then it was that we saw a man come running up. It was Geary, but Match started the car and we managed to get away. I was not sure if he recognized us. You—you—said Geary with a grin. In the lamp I saw you when I come to town with my massa. But I say nothing till my massa want to hang me. I come back and look for this gal in the house. I had fled by that time with Arnold, said Mavis faintly. Is that all? asked Morgan formally turning to Mrs. Birch. What else would you have? she asked. Did your daughter know of? She knew nothing. I only knew that my mother had accidentally killed Bilaria, cried Mrs. Crosby foolishly. I made her tell me because of the blood. You idiot! said the mother between her teeth. Then, said Morgan officially, I must arrest you both. But I am innocent, shrieked Mrs. Crosby. You are an accomplice after the fact, said Morgan. Come. He laid a heavy hand on Mrs. Crosby's shoulder. She started away with a terrible cry. Reb flung himself forward to save her. Morgan grappled with him and Mrs. Birch tried to snatch her daughter out of the way. The others were too startled to move. Mrs. Crosby, who was mad with fear, tore herself from the grasp of Mrs. Birch and ran towards the ruined wall, in the vain hope of escaping. Save me! Help me! I won't go to prison! I am innocent, innocent! In deadly terror she scrambled over the fallen wall. Geary ran forward to stop her from escaping while Morgan still fought with the Major and the two policemen were trying to help their superior. When seeing the Negro run after Mrs. Crosby, the mother, silent and savage, moved swiftly across the grass in pursuit. She did not run, but she glided so rapidly that in a moment, as it seemed, she was over the ruins of the wall and on the verge of the cliff along with Maj. The Negro she pushed aside. As the others came running up she cried out, Maj, let us die together. And before Mrs. Crosby knew what was in her mother's mind she had leaped into the deep pool holding her dearly loved daughter for whom she had sinned so deeply. There was a loud splash, the agonized scream of Mrs. Crosby and then silence. Six months later a happy young couple were in the drying room of a handsome house in Kensington. With them was Mrs. Palamotin looking more stately and graceful than ever. She had established herself on the sofa in her regulation attitude and a mavest was seated in a low chair beside her. Mavest stood with his back to the fire smoking and looked extremely happy. His happiness was reflected in the face of his young wife and Mrs. Palamotin presided over the joint enjoyment like a fairy godmother. You are both looking splendid, she said in her deep, clear voice, and I am glad to see you both after your sojourn abroad. But do you think it was kind to leave England without seeing me? This caught the two hands of the old actress. No, it was not kind. I said that it was not kind. But Gerald. Gerald said that it was necessary, said that young man coolly. Dear Mrs. Palamotin, look at the circumstances. There was the inquest on the bodies of those two poor women who drowned themselves in the peace-pool, in Mother Carey's peace-pool. I thought that Mrs. Birch dragged her daughter to death. So she did, admitted Gerald quickly. Mrs. Crosby would have been arrested as an accomplice after the fact, and in any case would have sunk into poverty without her mother to help her. Mrs. Birch, of course, thought she would be hanged, although seeing how she swore that the crime was accidental, extenuating circumstances might have been found. I suppose Mrs. Birch, who was frantically fond of her daughter, thought it best they should go together. Maj certainly would have lived, poor soul, in spite of all her misery, as she loved life. But Mrs. Birch pulled her down, and they are buried in Ligarth Cemetery. Beside Belaria, said Mavis with a shiver. How strange! The punishment of Providence, my dear, said Mrs. Palamotin rebukingly. The murderous was laid beside her victim. A wicked woman. No, said Gerald, throwing up his hand. Don't call her that. But she murdered. I believe that the crime really was committed accidentally, and a she-and-poor match have paid for their sins, let us leave them to God, Mrs. Palamotin. Who are we to judge? And as was revealed at the inquest, those two women had suffered much misery and trouble. I wonder how they managed to deceive the tradesmen for so long, said the old actress musingly. I am sure my tradesmen always make me pay every month. But look at the thousands they owed, and—it would all have been paid had Mrs. Crosby married the major. I dare say, with Mavis's six thousand a year. I have only three thousand, said Mrs. Haskins. Charity has the rest. Mrs. Palamotin kissed the girl's forehead. You behaved in a noble way, my dear. I hear that Lady Euphemia has quite taken to charity now that she knows her father was a Devonshire Durham, and Todd has got back his ruined castle to play the Laird. He says, however, that he is coming back from Scotland to work again at the law. And quite right he is, said Gerald sitting down. I don't believe in any man being lazy. Lady Euphemia wants Todd to play the Laird on his wife's money, but Todd has too much respect to live on his wife. I know you have, said Mavis, looking at him fondly. You don't know how difficult it is to make him take money, she added turning to the actress. He will live on his own income and works like a nigger. Not like Geary, if he is the nigger in question. My dear Mavis, this house is yours, and I—you're going to say that you are a border—stop! And Mavis laid a pretty hand over his mouth. Gerald kissed it. You are both extremely silly, said Mrs. Palamotin, share and share alike—money and love and sentiments and everything. Right, said Haskins playfully, Mavis darting, give me back that kiss. I came here, said Mrs. Palamotin in her most dignified way, to welcome you back from the continent so I must be attended to, and you did leave England after the trial without seeing me. Gerald rose and became serious. I did so to save my wife from an attack of brain fever, he said gravely. Think of what that trial meant to a girl who had never faced such a throng of people. Oh, Gerald! There was the Belver Theatre. I am sure the people in the court were a better audience, said Mrs. Palamotin using her fan. And after all, the trial was a mere form. You were proved to be quite sane by those two nice doctors and perfectly innocent when the evidence was given as to Mrs. Birch's verbal confession. I read all about it in the papers. You were made quite a heroine, Mavis, and as I like heroines, I expected you to come and tell me all about it. Instead of which, added the actress, returning to her grievance, you went quietly to the continent. To Switzerland, said Haskins, sipping his arm around Mavis's waist. There we passed a happy time, and Mavis recovered from the shock of all these dreadful things. We never talk of them now. I am very sorry, too, said Mrs. Palamotin obstinately, but I must know what has become of every one. Major Reb, I understand, is in South America. Yes, he could not face the court, and so he bolted. No one went after him, as, of course, he knew nothing about the murder, and Mavis did not prosecute him for his behavior to her. Geary! That terrible Uncle Tom's cabin person! He ran away also. I expect he is with Reb now. I must say Reb did not treat him well trying to fix the guilt on him. Perhaps he's given Reb the go-by on that account and is now in Jamaica with another wife. Where is the English one? In Barnstaple, with her coffee-colored children, Mavis allows her a small income. I am so sorry for her, said Mrs. Haskins apologetically. I am sorry for anyone who is unhappily married. Well, you and charity have married good men. But poor men, said Gerald, smiling. End of Chapter 26. End of The Sealed Message by Fergus Hume. Recorded by Céline Major.