 CHAPTER 18 of THE SEALED MESSAGE by FERGUS HUME 18. THE FIRST MARRIAGE Mrs. Pellam-Oden might well exclaim, Gerald and Todd were silent from sheer amazement even though the first might have expected to see one girl the double of the other. In that box of an office and in the somewhat dim light that filtered through the dingy window, Mavis and Charity appear to be exactly alike. Ms. Bird was also plainly dressed in a dark frock so as not to attract attention from Todd's clerks, and this, along with the thrown-back veils, completed the resemblance. The two girls had similar eyes and hair and complexion and cast a face, and even Mrs. Pellam-Oden found it difficult to distinguish one from the other long as she had known her adopted daughter. It is like a dream, she declared. Girouff'la, Girouff'le in real life. Oh, that I were in management again. What a chance for a play, a serious play which has to do with twins. What we are engaged in is serious enough, said Gerald sitting down. My dear Mavis, this is Mrs. Pellam-Oden who is going to take charge of you until we can prove your innocence. Mavis shook hands with the old actress. And you don't believe that I am guilty, she asked in a whisper. For answer, Mrs. Pellam-Oden embraced and kissed her. My dear, she said amably, truth looks out of your eyes. Out of my eyes, I think, said Charity. Mr. Haskins, this is really amazing. I never thought to find my double. It seems uncanny. Todd, you will be marrying Mavis instead of me. No, said Todd slowly and looking from one girl to the other. There is a difference. Meaning that Mavis is more charming than I am? Thank you. Oh, no! broke in, Miss Durham. I am only an ignorant country girl, but you are clever and polished and—and quite perfect, and a charity kissing Mavis as Mrs. Pellam-Oden had done and with the same kindness. Let us hope that I am, in Todd's eyes. This is Todd, Mavis. He is to be my husband. At last gasped McAndrew sentimentally. Gerald displayed impatience. Had we not better get to business, he observed, these girls are so alike that I don't want them to be seen together lest trouble comes of it. And trouble will come, said Mrs. Pellam-Oden, who had not yet got over her amazement. As Charity says, this line-for-line resemblance is uncanny. I hope your veils are thick enough, my dears. If any one saw you two together, the wonderful resemblance would certainly be commented upon and might get to Major Rebzeer's. Charity looked long and earnestly at Mavis. We must be sisters. Can you remember ever having a sister, Mavis? No. Nor did Major Rebzeer ever say that I had one. He brought me, as he said, from Bombay, some time after my mother died, and ever since I have been shut up in the Pixie's house. I was born at Simla, said Charity thoughtfully, at least the Aya who sold me to the juggler's wife declared that I was. I don't remember anything about it, of course. Mother. Oh, don't ask me, my dear. I can explain nothing. You know what I know, and it is strange that both you and Mavis should have been born in India. That fact and the resemblance certainly points to some relationship between you. They are sisters, declared Haskins firmly, in no other way can the likeness be accounted for. And yet there is a difference, said Todd for the second time. It is in the tone of the voice and in the look of the eyes. Quite so, said Charity swiftly. My voice has been trained for the stage and Mavis's has not. I have been brought up in the world and Mavis out of it, which fully accounts for the innocence looking out from her eyes and the worldly wickedness in mine. My dear, said Mrs. Palamodan displeased, how you rattle on. But I rather agree with you, I must say. If Mavis had been brought up as you and you as Mavis, you would simply have changed places. I hope that I make myself clear. As clear as the murky darkness of this twin mystery can be made clear until Major Reb confesses. Meanwhile, and until we can force that man's hand, we had better arrange what has to be done. It was Gerald who spoke. Mrs. Palamodan padded Mavis's hand which she was holding in her own very fondly. I lose one daughter to find another, she said cheerily. Mavis can come back with me to my flat and can wear some dresses which Charity has left behind. Then I'll teach her to dance, and in a couple of days she will be able to replace Charity at the Belver. You are quite willing, Gerald asked Miss Bird anxiously. Of course I am, she answered quickly. I am quite on your side. Remember that Mavis is accused of being a lunatic and a murderous. I know my mother told me, but I don't believe it for one moment. I would as soon think myself capable of committing a crime. I say the same, said Mrs. Palamodan. I told you, Mr. Haskins, that I would wait until I saw Mavis before deciding. Now that I have seen her, I disbelieve all that Major Reb says. And moreover, since the likeness is even stronger than you said between these two girls, I can promise you that the plot will be carried out safely. Gerald hesitated. Will Mavis dare to face the footlights? Mavis herself replied, and the brave blood of her soldier father flamed in her cheeks as his courage shone in her eyes. I shall dare anything for your sake, Gerald, she declared, without faltering. And Balarria has taught me to dance. Poor Balarria, she ended sadly. It will be all right, said Mrs. Palamodan, who had been watching the girl critically. It is a risk, of course, but as there is only one dance and the child has courage, I do not think she will experience stage fright. I can teach her the dance. No, interpose charity quickly. Let me do that. Mavis can come veiled to my lodgings which are now at Kensington, and I can show her all the steps and tricks and manner necessary. I swear that when she is dressed as I was in the moon-fay, and dances as I shall teach her, no one will be a bit the wiser. And my engagement ends in a week or so, and it will not be necessary for her to continue to appear. Mrs. Palamodan nodded. You must keep yourself quiet, charity. No one must see you at Kensington. I can trust my old dresser with whom I placed you there. Tonight and tomorrow night you can go to the theatre as usual. On the third night Mavis can appear. And I shall see after charity meanwhile, said Todd eagerly. In five days we can get married and I have bought a special license so that no bands need be put up. Then we can go abroad. But Todd, said Gerald, somewhat dismayed, although he might have expected this course of conduct. I want you to help me. I shall do so when I return in a month, said Todd quickly. It is as well since Mavis is to play the part of charity that my wife should be out of the kingdom. I shall leave her abroad when I return, and then we can try and put things straight. They are crooked enough now. Do you agree to this? Gerald asked charity once more. Of course, she answered promptly. It I shall send Todd back from Switzerland before the end of our honeymoon. The sooner these affairs are settled the better. I wish you and Mavis to be happy, and also I want to know about my parentage. I am tired of being charity bird. You will soon be Charity McAndrew, whispered Todd tenderly. Oh yes, but I wish to know if I am Charity Durham. I am sure you are and my sister, said Mavis, taking the other girl's hand, and Gerald and I have been talking. If I get this six thousand a year you shall have half. Oh no, cried Charity, half delighted and half doubtful. Oh yes, even though you may not prove to be my sister. Gerald shrugged his shoulders. There's no more to be said, he remarked. Save that I am certain my surmise is correct. Well, Mrs. Palamodan, will you take Mavis to your flat? Yes. The old lady rose and with her own hands drew down Mavis's veil. We had better go at once seeing that we all now understand what is to be done. Charity. The young lady had already arranged her veil. Todd is taking me back to Kensington, she said, and will call for me tonight at the theatre. I shall say that you are indisposed, mother. Quite so, rejoined the actress, but pray tell as few lies as possible and do behave yourself with Mr. McAndrew. We'll be as good as gold, said Todd piously. By the way, Gerald, one moment. My clerk went to watch Mrs. Crosby and her mother at Bogner. Well, and what happened? Neither Mrs. Birch nor Mrs. Crosby are there. They have not been near the place. Now, what does that mean? She certainly said that she was going. I suppose she changed her mind in a feminine way, rejoined Todd, and the symposium broke up, having arranged all necessary plans for the immediate future. For the next day or two Gerald was extremely anxious as may be guessed. The daily papers were filled with accounts of the Ligarth murder and with details respecting the search which was being made for Mavis Durham. The inquest had taken place and the jury, as was natural, considering what Major Reb declared, brought in a verdict of willful murder against the girl. No one entertained a shadow of a doubt as regarded her guilt, and Haskins was glad for once that Mavis had not been taught to read since she could not worry herself over what the newspaper said. Reb at the inquest had been severely reprehended for not having shut up his ward in a public asylum, but nothing came out about the income belonging to her which he enjoyed. It was the prevailing impression that Reb had taken charge of his brother officer's little girl out of sheer kindness of heart, and many of the journals praised his philanthropy. Gerald could imagine Reb's grim smile on reading about the undeserved honors thrust upon him. And the young man was also anxious about Mavis's appearance at the Belver Theatre, since she had been shut up all her life and might be terrified out of her wits when facing an audience. If she did fail, Mrs. Pellamodan intended to announce that her daughter was ill, and so glossed the matter over. But neither the actress or the lover need have been afraid. Mavis knew what was expected of her, knew what was at stake and heartened by her love for Gerald as well as by her desire for safety, she behaved like a heroine. In a wonderfully short space of time she picked up the dance, having already been taught how to use her hands and feet by the unfortunate Belaria. Moreover the girl was a born dancer, and likewise suggested improvements which delighted both charity and her adopted mother. Indeed the latter lamented loudly that Mavis was to marry Gerald instead of appearing on the stage as out of such promising material she said that a wonderful actress could be made. Dancing was only one way in which Mavis could express herself, but with instruction and experience, as Mrs. Pellamodan averred, she could attain to a high position on the English stage. And we need new talent, wailed Mrs. Pellamodan, half the actresses who are on the boards should be off them. One result of Mavis' improvements in the moon-fay dance was that Mrs. Pellamodan, being an old friend of the Belver manager, induced him to give Mavis a rehearsal. Of course he thought that the demure young lady who appeared was the charity bird he knew and that she merely wanted to alter the dance a trifle. As the ballet was nearly at an end he scarcely deemed it necessary to grant Mrs. Pellamodan's request, but in the end she got her own way and Mavis was fortunate enough to have a trial trip. This assisted her greatly as it enabled her to face a small audience before beholding the greater one. The manager was delighted with the improvements and hinted to Mrs. Pellamodan as he had hinted before that he was anxious to re-engage Ms. Charity Bird for the new ballet. No, said Mrs. Pellamodan, privately lamenting the necessity of declining exceptionally good terms, in a couple of weeks or so when the run of the moon-fay is over, my daughter and myself are going to south-end for a rest. Ms. Bird is not going to marry that McCandrew fellow, I hope, remarked the manager who had heard rumors. She will be a loss to the stage. Nothing has been arranged as yet, replied the actress evasively, and the matter dropped. When the night came for Mavis's appearance Charity did a rash thing in which she induced Todd to support her although both Mrs. Pellamodan and Gerald would have been seriously annoyed had they known. This was nothing less than to make Todd take her closely veiled to the gallery of the Belver Theatre to see her double dance. Todd remonstrated, but being very much in love yielded in the long run and just before the curtain rose on the moon-fay, Charity and the lawyer found themselves very comfortably seated among the gods. The theatre was crowded as usual as the ballet was a successful one, and Charity pointed out Gerald and Mrs. Pellamodan in a small box near the stage. I do hope Mavis is not afraid, whispered Charity who was a trifle nervous herself. No, answered Todd in the same low tones, I am quite certain that she will pull through all right. That girl has the heart of a lion. And indeed McCandrew's prophecy proved to be a correct one. When the curtain drew up on the forest scene in which Charity had figured so many nights as a moon-fay, everything went excellently. The wandering lover who was searching for his peasant love chased the moon-beams as usual. These were electric lights, and when they gathered into one radiance of white and he fell on his knees, invoking the fairy of the moon to assist him in his search, Mavis, a raid in filmy, vaporous robes of snow, stepped calmly on to the stage. She had altered the dress a little as she thought Charity's robes were a trifle scanty. The wardrobe mistress and the manager had remonstrated on the change and could not understand why Miss Charity Bird had altered her mind about the dress when the ballet was nearing its end. But they never suspected the truth as Mavis, a born actress, had mimicked Charity's speech and gesture in private life. So she appeared in a kind of Greek dress worn long and sparkling with silver. Her hair was crowned with a diadem of crystals and with her pure face uplifted in the glory of the light she looked indeed like a spirit. The audience, as did the stage hands and the manager, thought still that they saw Charity Bird, but all the same they felt in a puzzled way that there was something different in the girl. What would they have said had they known that the moonfay was being sought for far and wide as a lunatic and a murderous? But no one dreamed of such a thing and Gerald would not have winced even had Reb himself been present. But the major was not there as he had more important matters to attend to and moreover there was no need that he should come seeing that he was ignorant of the dancer's identity. In the dark scenic forest and amidst the soft radiance of the electric lights Mavis danced as she had been instructed by Charity so as to swing in time to the music but also she introduced something of the mystic element she had displayed when Gerald had beheld her swaying in the grounds of the Pixie's house. She floated across the wide stage like a veritable moonbeam beckoned to the lover bent over him like a fair white angel and finally melted into a mist. This was contrived by Gau's screens a clever device which had been much commented upon by the press. When the moonfay vanished there was a burst of applause. Charity had always been applauded for her dance but never had the audience been so hearty in showing their appreciation as on this night. But Charity was not at all jealous for the attention bestowed upon her double. I must have looked splendid if I was like that, she whispered to Todd. Of course you were like that, replied McCandoo. Isn't she your double dear? Only, he added loyally and what is more he really believed what he said, you were ever so much better. Mrs. Palamotin hurried behind the scenes as soon as Mavis's dance was at an end and hurried the girl away the moment she completed her change of dress. As this was the old actress's usual way of behaving with Charity her action caused no comment. Beyond the fact that several people behind the scenes remarked that Miss Bird had been in unusually good form on this particular night no one troubled about the matter. And indeed why should they seeing how they had beheld the ballet for more than a hundred nights and also the dance of Charity Bird. Gerald was delighted and there was a very merry little supper at Mrs. Palamotin's flat that night. Mavis again and again asked her lover if she had done well and if he was pleased with her. Gerald could only reply with kisses until Mrs. Palamotin merrily declared that she could not remain in the room if they were so affectionate. And then, child, she added, we must turn this young man out for tomorrow I have to be at Mr. McCandoo's wedding. Can not I come? asked Mavis eagerly. Bless me, child, no. Your presence would bring about the very complication we are desirous of avoiding. Things are going right so far so do not put them wrong. So the next day Mavis remained in the flat, quite accepted by the servants of the house as Miss Charity Bird, while the real lady who bore that name went with McCandoo and Gerald and Mrs. Palamotin to a quiet country church in Essex where Todd had elected to get married. Gerald was the best man and Mrs. Palamotin gave the bride away in her best theatrical style. None of Todd's relatives were present for obvious reasons, but as he led his bride down the aisle after the ceremony he grinned to think of Lady Euphemia's wrath, did she know what had taken place? I hope that I have done right, sighed Mrs. Palamotin when looking after the train that bore Todd and his bride away. I think I have. END OF CHAPTER XIII Gerald did nothing until the conclusion of the presumed Charity Bird's engagement at the Belver Theatre. There was no need to do so for the moment as the scheme to hide her had proved entirely successful and no one guessed where to look for the much wanted Mavis. Mrs. Palamotin took her to the theatre, waited for her there and escorted her back again so that Mavis spoke very little to the people behind the scenes. Gerald often came to supper and spent much of his time at the Bloomsbury Flat. He was supposed to be writing a new book, but in reality he indulged himself with a holiday to make love to the girl he had so strangely rescued. But when the Belver Theatre closed for a time, Mrs. Palamotin feeling the want of a change took Mavis to south end and there occupied pleasant apartments looking out onto the sea. Mavis did not like to be parted from her lover as he could not see her so frequently. But Mrs. Palamotin pointed out that Haskins would have to begin his search for the true murderer of Belaria so that things could be put right. Also, as Mavis was being taught to read and write by the old actress, it was just as well that Gerald should not come too often to distract the Scodr's attention from her lessons. So Mrs. Palamotin stopped with Mavis at the lively seaside town, happy in the company of the girl, and happy also to receive glowing letters from Mrs. Todd McAndrew in which she expatiated on her heavenly honeymoon. Haskins found his time hang rather heavily on his hands when Mavis and her new guardian left London. He wished to wait for Todd before beginning operations, but it would be quite a fortnight until McAndrew returned and until then there was nothing to do. Gerald tried to write a few chapters of his new book in vain. The thought of Mavis and a preparalist position failed his head, so he was obliged to throw aside his literary work until matters were made straight for the girl. Having come to this conclusion, he resolved not to wait for Todd's arrival but to work at the case himself. The difficulty was how to begin. Arnold had stated plainly that he believed Reb to be the guilty person, but a this Gerald could not be sure. He was convinced that if Belaria's life had stood between Reb and the six thousand a year she would have been murdered long ago. Moreover, the story of how Geary's knife came to be used sounded very plausible, and if Reb were guilty, Haskins believed that he would not have told the police about the weapon as he had done when the inquest was held. Then again, Arnold did not know the true reason of Belaria's fear and why she had buried herself in that secluded Devonshire village. It struck Gerald that the Tana Society had traced Belaria Dondi to Ligarth, and there she had been slain as she expected. Mrs. Birch knew of Belaria's dread of the coral hand, as Gerald had told her about it when she called to claim it again. She might have informed Vanosta, who had bestowed the amulet on Mrs. Crosby. He was undoubtedly an emissary of the Tana Society and probably was the real criminal. Arguing in this way, Haskins resolved to call on Mrs. Crosby and question her mother as to whether she had betrayed Belaria to the Burley Italian. Also, he was anxious to learn why Senior Vanosta had given the coral hand to the widow as it was incredible to think that she belonged to such a cutthroat organization. But there must be some reason why Mrs. Crosby should hold the trinket which had so sinister a significance and this Gerald made up his mind to see into. Finally, as a third reason for his visit, he desired to know when Reb and Mrs. Crosby would marry. If Todd were right about the widow's impeccuniosity, and Gerald believed that he was, she would not become the major's wife unless he was certain of his income. And while Mavis remained undiscovered, Reb could by no means be certain. Gerald would have asked Arnold to come to London, but he thought it best that he should not be seen in the company of Shybar, as the major might suspect that something was wrong. It was, of course, impossible that Reb could ever trace Mavis, but it was just as well to be on the safe side. So Arnold remained an Exeter, touring the surrounding country as far as Silbury, Denley, and Ligarth, keeping a keen eye on Geary, and communicating to Gerald by registered letters all the gossip dealing with the case which he could gather. It seemed from the little man's epistles that the excitement had died down after Bellaria was buried and a belief existed that Mavis, while flying from justice, had fallen into some river and had been drowned. Whether the Negro or Reb shared this comfortable belief Haskins could not discover. He thought not, else the major might have been still more afraid of losing his illegal income. In spite of his denial that Mavis had any relatives either on the father's or mother's side, it was possible that the gallant officer lied. And if relatives existed they would certainly claim the money if Mavis was supposed to be dead. A few days, therefore, after Mavis had departed with Mrs. Palomoden to Southend, Gerald paid a visit to Lady Smith Mansions. Mrs. Crosby was within looking much the same as usual, and she received him in quite a friendly manner. He fancied that the disagreeable topic of their last conversation had vanished from her memory. But her first words after greetings proved that this was not the case. I am glad to see you, my dear Gerald, she said languidly, pointing to a seat. But I hope you are not going to tell me any more horrors. I was not aware that I had ever told you any. He answered rather annoyed by her tone. Oh, yes! All that story of the lunatic whom you wanted me to look after. It was just as well that I did not, seeing how mad she is. She is not mad, insisted the young man. I told you that before and I tell you again, Madge. How often have I said that you are not to call me by my Christian name, you silly boy? Said Mrs. Crosby irritably. There is no one here. Gerald looked at the curtains dividing one room from the other. I suppose Mrs. Birch is not again lying down with a headache. No, she is out shopping and will be in soon. And you needn't look so cross. Neither mother nor I told Major Reb about your weird love affair. Mother overheard as she said but held her tongue. Madge? Don't I tell you. Major Reb may come in at any moment and I am also expecting Sr. Venosta to afternoon tea. What would either of them say if they heard you address me so familiarly? Gerald shrugged his shoulders and did not argue the point. As you please, Mrs. Crosby. I was merely taking the privilege of our age-long acquaintancehip. Why not friendship? She inquired closing her eyes. Friendship, then? When are you to be married? I can't say. Michael, that is Major Reb, you know, has not settled anything yet. He's very much upset poor man over this crazy girl. I don't believe that the girl is crazy, said Gerald decisively. So you said before. Major Reb told me of his interview with you at the Denley Inn and how absurd you were. Now I suppose you will admit that you have had a lucky escape. I admit nothing of the sort, said Haskins bluntly, then added in a diplomatic manner. Did I know where the poor girl was I would look her up and marry her to-morrow. I don't think that lunatic marriages are legal, yawned Mrs. Crosby. In spite of what you say the girl must be guilty. The jury brought in a verdict of willful murder and she should be hanged. As it is owing to her insanity I presume she will be shut up in an asylum. Then the major will be pleased, I expect, said Gerald grimly. No, he will not. He is very sorry about the affair. It has brought his name before the public in a most unpleasant manner. Luckily everyone knows how well he behaved in looking after the girl. He got nothing for doing it. Haskins started and wondered if it would be wise to reveal the real terms which existed between Mavis and her guardian. If Mrs. Crosby did not know how Rev earned his income, if it could be called earning, he was certainly marrying her under false pretenses. For the moment Gerald was inclined to blurt out the truth, but remembering how Mrs. Crosby had taken his last confidence, he resolved to hold his tongue about the money question and to let the widow and her admirer adjust their own private affairs. Meanwhile the widow had gone to the tea-table which had just been set and was talking while she poured out the tea. I hope that you have got over your infatuation for that girl, Gerald. You will never see her again. I expect she is dead, fell into a pit or a river or something when she ran away after committing the murder. Poor thing. It is a lucky business for her that she is dead. Mrs. Crosby said Gerald ceremoniously taking a cup of tea. You will insist that Miss Durham killed her nurse. I believe from the bottom of my heart that she is innocent. Oh, of course you would, being in love, said Mrs. Crosby with a shrug. But if she is innocent, who is guilty? Major Rev? No, I do not accuse him. Oh, good of you, my dear Gerald. But, added the young man with emphasis, you may have an idea as to who killed Belaria Dundee. A piece of bread and butter fell for Mrs. Crosby's hand and she turned round with an amazed look. I? In Heaven's name how should I know? Didn't your mother tell you what I said about Belaria and that coral hand which I found in your cigarette case? Yes, the woman was afraid when she saw it. Do you know why she was afraid? No, I certainly do not. Good Senior Vinosta tell you. Mrs. Crosby rose and came forward with a glittering light in her eyes not pleasant to look at. What do you mean, Senior Vinosta? Gave you the amulet, Mrs. Birch told me as much. If he did, what then? Senior Vinosta is an old friend of mine. So long as Major Rev does not object I failed to see why you? Oh, I have no objections to offer. Interrupted Gerald hurriedly. But Belaria was afraid of that coral hand which symbolized. Now then, Mrs. Crosby, what did it symbolize? I don't know. She faltered and her eyes dropped. After a pause she looked up. I'll tell you all I know, she added passing her lay's handkerchief across her lips. But keep what I say to yourself. Go on, I shall say nothing to the world without your permission. Mrs. Crosby reflected. I was in difficulties over money when we last met, she said rapidly. There was an Italian money lender, a Jew in the city, who held a bill of mine and treated me badly. I did not know what to do. When I told Senior Vinosta in despair, since he was always a good friend of mine, he asked me the name of the Jew and all particulars. What is the name of the Jew? Asked Gerald quickly. That has nothing to do with the story. There is no need for you to know. This money lender was an Italian Jew and came from Naples. When Senior Vinosta heard my tale he detached that coral hand from his watch chain on the very day you found us together and gave it to me saying that if I showed it to the Jew everything would go well. I put it for safety in my cigarette case which you carried off. So small an object could easily be lost as you may guess. When I found that my case was missing I sent Mother at once to you thinking, and rightly, that you had taken it. She brought it back. Well, go on, did you show it to the Jew? Yes, he was desperately afraid and agreed to whatever terms I chose to make. So you may guess I insisted on having favorable ones. That is all, Gerald. Why was the Jew afraid? I know no more than I know why Bellaria was afraid. Did this Italian Jew from Naples say anything? No, he turned a dirty yellow and nearly went on his knees. I told him that if he did not give me my way that he would get into trouble and that I had brought the sign to show him. He yielded and after our making terms he seemed glad to get rid of me. But you know, I know nothing. She interrupted tartly and returned to the tea table, Haskins wondering if she was playing a part. Since she knew so much it seemed to him that she must know more. He tried the effect of a surprise. Ah, the Jew was probably afraid of the tana. This time Mrs. Grosby dropped the teapot which clouded on the tray with a great noise. The tana society? She stammered, very pale. The tana society said a new and foreign sounding voice at the same time and Senior Venosta was shown into the room as the teapot fell. Mrs. Grosby recovered herself with an effort. Oh, senior, how are you today? Last time, Mr. Haskins, you know Mr. Haskins, found you with me. Now you find him with me. How strange! She was talking for the sake of talking as Gerald noted, for her face was livid in her bosom rose and fell stormily. The burly Italian who looked perfectly self-controlled and composed eyed Haskins who bore his gaze without flinching. Neither man took notice of Mrs. Grosby's chatter and she sank again into her seat before the tea table. Won't you sit down also, you two? She tittered nervously. You are mentioned the tana society, said Venosta, turning on the little woman, and to this a young man. Pardon me, I mentioned at first to Mrs. Grosby, said Haskins Cooley. What do you know of the tana society? Very little beyond the fact that it consists of a body of men who emerge on occasions from the den to dispense that justice which cannot be obtained by law. The headquarters of the societies in Naples and the symbol is a coral hand grasping a dagger. Senior Venosta might have been hewn out of marble for all the surprise he showed at this speech. But he was staggered since Gerald caught the expression of his eyes. May I ask how you know all of this, sir? Gerald shrugged. I see no reason to conceal the fact that by chance I carried away Mrs. Grosby's cigarette case during my last visit. The amulet fell out when I opened the case in my rooms for a cigarette. Quite so, assented Venosta blandly, but you thought, no doubt, that it was merely a trinket. Yes, such as an old friend, you, for instance, Sr. Venosta, might give to Mrs. Grosby. Ah! The Italian turned swiftly on the widow. You have a told a hymn. No, no, she said vehemently. Only that you gave me the trinket and that I made that Jew moneylender do what I wanted by showing it to him. I did not tell anything else because I know nothing else, save that the coral hand has to do with some society called the tana. How do you know that much, even? My mother told me, Mr. Haskins told her. And how do you know? demanded Venosta turning toward Gerald. Because Bellaria Dundee, the Italian started, came to my rooms just before Mrs. Birch appeared to reclaim the cigarette case. Bellaria was afraid when she saw the amulet and staggered out of the room crying out, tana, tana. I asked a friend what the word meant and he told me it meant a den. Told me also that he had heard of the society by that name in Naples. I guessed then from what Bellaria said and from her terror that the tana society wished to kill her. Venosta nodded and smiled amably. You are a clever young gentleman to piece things together so cleverly. Well I have heard of the name of a Bellaria Dundee. In connection with this murder, asked Gerald or long ago when she was a singer and in love with Enrico Salviati. Sr. Venosta's brow grew dark and he frowned fiercely. Bellaria told a you much, he said striving to appear calm. Much, assented Gerald easily and not at all daunted by black looks, but she did not tell me who had struck the blow or who had given the information which led to the striking of the blow. She could not. She is dead, poor soul. Venosta eyed him coldly. Then in spite of the verdict which accuses an English young lady of murder you are believed the tana society murdered Bellaria Dundee. Did justice on her let us say? remarked Gerald quietly. That is the euphonious way in which you Italians put such things. And you are believed that I obtained the news of Bellaria's whereabouts from? His eyes wandered to Mrs. Crosby. She sprang to her feet indignantly. It is not true. I told you nothing of what my mother said, nothing of what she heard from Gerald. Say that I did not tell you. How could I, when I knew nothing? Had I known of this society and your connection with it I should not have made use of that coral hand to terrify the Jew. I do not say that I am a connected with the tana society, madam. You gave me the trinket, which was given to me by a member of the society for use in emergencies, madam. I gave it to you to aid you out of friendship. That is all. He waved his large white hand. There is no more to be said. Pardon me, said Gerald quickly. There is this much to be said. How did you come to know of Bellaria's hiding place, if Mrs. Crosby? Madam here told me nothing, interrupted the Italian, silencing the little widow with a gesture. Bellaria Dundee was a traitoress, who deserved to be killed. Nevertheless she hid herself so successfully that the tana society never knew what she was until the papers said that she had been found dead in a debenture. Did not an emissary of the tana society kill her? Asked Gerald confounded. No, said Venosta gravely. Heaven punished Bellaria not of the tana. She is a dead, stabbed, but I do not know who struck the blow. He looked at Mrs. Crosby and at Gerald coldly, bowed slightly, and left the room. End of chapter 19 Chapter 20 of The Sealed Message by Fergus Hume 20. Dark Mystery Almost as soon as the Italian went out Mrs. Birch entered. Since Gerald had seen her last she had greatly aged and looked more worn and thin than ever in her dark gown. Glancing from the young man to her daughter she went to the latter and took her hand. What is the matter, Madge? She asked in her stern, cold voice. Why has Sr. Venosta left and why are you shivering? Gerald, she turned to Haskins. What have you been saying to my daughter? Nothing, he answered calmly, but a Sr. Venosta has been saying a great deal to both of us. It is about that coral hand, Mother, cried Mrs. Crosby feverishly and clinging to Mrs. Birch. Sr. Venosta says that it is the symbol of a society which murders and for that reason the moneylender was afraid. I wish I had refused Venosta's assistance. She ended. Why did you talk of these horrors? asked Mrs. Birch reproachfully. You know, Gerald, that Madge cannot bear such things. I am trying to learn who killed Bellaria, Mrs. Birch, and it struck me, since she was afraid of the coral hand, that you told Madge what I told you and that this being repeated to Venosta he might have stabbed the woman by order of the Tanna Society. I don't know anything about the Tanna Society. Neither do I, neither do I, muttered Mrs. Crosby. And there is no reason why Sr. Venosta, who is our friend, should kill Major Reb's servant, went on Mrs. Birch steadily. Everyone knows that she was stabbed by that crazy girl. I don't agree with you, replied Gerald coldly and prepared to leave. However, it is useless arguing. I can only apologize to Mrs. Crosby for having brought up so disagreeable a subject. Good day. No, said the widow, rising and recovering her collar and nerve. Don't go yet, Gerald. I know that you did not mean any harm, and after all, as Sr. Venosta has nothing to do with the death, it matters very little. Had I known when I saw the money lender what I know now I should never have taken that coral hand. But I have given it back to Sr. Venosta, and he will not mention the subject again. Sit down and have another cup of tea. Do, urged Mrs. Birch, the light coming into her cold eyes. I think you owe it to Maj to remove the impression of this horror. The whole thing is too fantastical with its symbols and secret societies and murders in lonely houses. We live in the twentieth century and these things belong to fiction. The last does not, replied Haskins dryly. Beleria was certainly murdered at the Pixie's house. And by that crazy girl, insisted Mrs. Birch. I hope she will be caught and shut up in an asylum. It is not safe to let such a creature go at large. Haskins defended Mavis no longer, as he was afraid that the two women, both keen-eyed and clever, might guess his secret knowledge of the girl's whereabouts. Let us change the subject, he said, taking a fresh cup of tea for Mrs. Crosby's hand. I hope you enjoyed yourselves, Agbogner. Oh, very much indeed, said the widow brightly, and we were quite sorry to return to London. But we are going abroad soon, to Switzerland. Gerald winced. Switzerland was a wide place. Yet if Mrs. Birch and her daughter went there, it was not impossible but what they might come across the honeymooning path of Mr. and Mrs. McAndrew. In that event Major Reb would certainly learn that charity was married and therefore guess that Mavis was with Mrs. Pellamodan. However, he showed no signs of his fears but privately resolved to write to Todd. When are you going, Mrs. Crosby? I can't say exactly, she answered carelessly. It all depends on Major Reb. He is coming with mother and myself but has some business to arrange before he can leave London. What have you been doing with yourself lately, Gerald? We, as you know, have been at Bogner. Writing, as usual. And Haskins plunged into an account of his new book for the sake of talking on a safe subject. Yet even as he spoke his brain was wondering why the widow lied about Bogner. According to Todd's clerk the two ladies had not been near that watering place but Mrs. Crosby spoke as having just returned from that very town. Probably since both were hard up Mrs. Crosby in talking of the moneylender had confessed as much, they had been ruralizing in some quiet and cheap part of the country. For the next twenty minutes the conversation was of a light and somewhat frivolous order and in so congenial an atmosphere the widow expanded like a flower. Even Mrs. Birch grew more human and less like a stone image. It was quite like old days when Gerald's mother had sat knitting and listening with a smile on her well-remembered face. Mrs. Crosby evidently recalled the past for when Gerald finally took his departure she accompanied him to the door. What a pleasant quarter of an hour we have had, she said pressing his hand. We always get on well together, Gerald, and mother is so fond of you. I wish you had not quarreled with Michael, with Major Reb, that is, for when I am married I want you still to be my friend. I am only too willing to continue so, but Reb doesn't like me. How can you expect him to, said Mrs. Crosby petulantly, when you accuse him of shutting up that girl unjustly? I do hope you have got over your infatuation for her. It would never do for you to marry a madwoman. No, said Gerald, shirking a useless argument, it would never do. Good day, Maj. I shall see you again soon. And he went down the stairs with backward glances to see Mrs. Crosby shaking a playful finger at him for calling her as usual by her Christian name. When in the street Gerald suddenly remembered that it would have been as well to get Signor Vinosta's address from the widow as he wanted to gain further information concerning the Tana Society. But on second thoughts he saw little use in again questioning Vinosta. The Italian had plainly denied the murder and would tell him nothing more about the Society which was a secret one. Haskins quite believed what Vinosta said with regard to the crime. If Bellaria, judged atratus by the Tana, had been deliberately stabbed, it was improbable that Vinosta, as the mouthpiece of the cutthroat organization, would deny that such justice had been executed. Such societies were rather proud than otherwise of their vengeance and did not mind the truth being known since publicity on this score terrified other members who might wish to break their oaths. The Tana Society therefore was guiltless of Bellaria's death and the assassin would have to be sought for in another quarter. But where can I look? Gerald asked himself and it was none until he reached Frederick Street that he decided what to do. The decision he came to was to journey at once to Denley and interview the Negro. Probably Geary knew the truth and might be bribed or terrified into telling what he knew. To depend upon this semi-civilized creature was grasping at a straw, but to whom else could he go for information? Reb, fighting with his back to the wall, would not tell, but Geary knowing his master's secrets might be persuaded or kicked or bought over into speech. When Gerald arrived in his rooms he was met with a surprise in the shape of Todd McAndrew, looking sunburnt, healthy and marvelously happy. Good heavens, what are you doing here? asked Haskins, amazed. Looking for you? retorted Todd and shook hands. Charity is so anxious to see Mavis cleared and you married to her that she made me come back. And where is Mrs. McAndrew? At Amsterdam? What is she doing there? Waiting for me. She would not stop in Switzerland as it was too far away, so she came to Amsterdam. I can run over and see her whenever I like, until this infernal business of the murder is cleared up and I can bring her back to England. I am glad she is in Holland, remarked Gerald and told Todd how Mrs. Crosby and her mother intended to go to Switzerland and of his dread lest they might meet Charity. Todd nodded. It is just as well, he answered. However, Charity is all right and snug, so I am at your disposal. Mavis and Mrs. Pelham Oden are at south end? Yes, where Reb is not likely to look for them. As for myself, I am going to Devonshire tomorrow to see Geary and Arnold. Arnold? Yes, I should like to interview him and see if he has picked up any further information. As to Geary, do you suspect him? Yes and no. According to Reb, Geary gave the knife to Bellaria and certainly I shot Geary in the right arm, so on the night of the murder he was in no condition to kill the woman. Geary, I believe, is guiltless, but he knows Reb's secrets and I wish to force him into telling them. Hum! said Todd, nursing his chin. Do you believe that Reb? I don't know what to believe of Reb. Interrupted Gerald quickly. As I told you, Mr. Arnold thinks that Reb stabbed Bellaria. He may have done so or he may not. At all events I am going down to find out. Then Haskins related what he had learned about the Coral Hand and how Vanosta had disclaimed the murder, which he would not have done Todd had the society executed vengeance on Bellaria, but by confessing he would run his neck into a noose. No, he would simply deny having told me and his guilt would be difficult to prove, since both Mrs. Crosby and Mrs. Burt's say that they did not tell him about Bellaria's terror of the amulet. Moreover, he would clear out of England back to his own country and could laugh at the English law. No, Todd. I feel certain that Vanosta and his accursed society are innocent. And you believe that Geary is innocent also? You leave only Reb to be accused. However, I'll come down with you and scour the country after a conversation with us, Arnold. We can then learn what strangers were in the neighborhood of Ligarth on the night of the murder. What then? No stranger had any reason to murder Bellaria? Well, I don't know. The crime may be the work of a tramp. I dare say there were rumors of jewels and money and all the rest of it. A tramp might. No, said Gerald very decidedly. Mavis declares that Bellaria received a letter which excited her. I should not be surprised to learn that the letter asked her to come to the gate at midnight so that she might meet with her death. Ah, then you think this letter was written by the assassin? If so, Reb is guiltless. He would not commit himself to making an appointment and writing when he could have met Bellaria easily without doing so. Where is this letter? I don't know. Mavis says that Bellaria had it on her person, but it could not have been found else it would have been produced at the inquest. I know from reading the papers that it was not. Huh, said Todd again. Well, let us go down to Devonshire and then we can look into things. It is very good of you to cut short your honeymoon to help me, said Gerald, patting McAndrew on the back. It is very good of me indeed, assented Todd readily, and I wouldn't have done it for another living soul. Come now, take me out to dinner at the truck, and amuse me with the best play in London. Askins laughed and did all that was desired, as it was just as well to keep Todd from fretting after the wife he had left at Amsterdam. But McAndrew did not do things by half. Having come over to help his friend, he did not keep reminding him of the sacrifice he had made. Todd ate an excellent dinner and laughed at a musical comedy and went to sleep in Gerald's extra bedroom after a smoke and a glass of whiskey slightly diluted with water. McAndrew, as became a native of Scotland, liked his drink strong. Next morning the two friends went down to the west of England and very good spirits. At Exeter Todd alighted to see Arnold, having obtained the Monmouth Hotel address from Gerald, and the other amateur detective proceeded to Silbury, where as usual he put up at the Prince's head. Mrs. Jennings was pleased to see him, but could tell him very little about the murder likely to throw any light on its darkness. It seemed to Gerald that she took very little interest in the matter. That crazy girl can't be found, she told her guest. So I expect poor soul she has been drowned, that is the general opinion, sir. As that is the case, and Miss Bellaria is buried in Leagarth graveyard, there is no more to be said. What of the Pixie's house? Major Reb has shut it up, in a way that is. For that mad girl's rooms were beautifully furnished. I saw them myself, added Mrs. Jennings breathlessly, when I went over after the inquest to Leagarth. But Major Reb has been living in those rooms with his man. Geary? No, sir. Geary is still the landlord of the Devon maid. He was fiddling with the pistol and hurt himself, but he is all right now. Major Reb brought his own man from town, who cooks and looks after the place. I expect the Major likes better to live in the Pixie's house than in the hotel at Denley. I would not live in that wicked house myself, and it misses Jennings with a shutter. I should be afraid of Miss Bellaria's ghost. His Major Reb there now? Ask Gerald quickly. He comes again tomorrow or the next day, I believe, answered the landlady, who knew all the gossip of the neighbourhood, and they say that he intends to repair the house against his marriage with the Londonlady. Haskins nodded and took his way over the hills to Denley. It was apparent that Reb really believed Mavis to be drowned, according to Common Report, and since no one was likely to question his right to the income or the house, he intended to reap as a married man the fruit of his villainy. It seems strange to Gerald that Mavis should not have any relative who would dispute the will, but he knew how often old families dwindle down to a single person. In this case, he believed that there were two twigs still sprouting from the Durham family tree in the persons of the twin girls. On crossing the bridge in Denley Valley, Haskins saw Geary lounging at his door looking big and black and sullen and dangerous. However, a white man was not to be intimidated by a barbarous animal like this, so Gerald walked up to him coolly and wished him good day. Geary grew green under his black skin and glared like a wild beast, his hands working convulsively. At his back in the passage could be seen the scared face of Mrs. Geary. She evidently dreaded what Haskins' errand might be, since she must have known of her husband's footpad attack. What might you be doing here, sir? asked Geary, rolling his eyes. Taking a stroll, Geary, simply taking a stroll, how was your arm? The negro glared and took a step forward as hands slipping round to the back. Haskins moved aside and gripped the revolver which he had taken the precaution to bring with him. Mr. Geary's knife was too dangerous a weapon to be met with mere fists. I am quite ready, said the white man coolly. You bring out that knife and I shoot. That would be murder, sir. Wimpered Geary reading danger in Haskins' steady eye, but he withdrew his hand from his back all the same. You nearly murdered me afore, sir. I winged you as a murderous dog, said Gerald sharply, and you quite deserved to be shot. Are you not afraid lest I should bring you into court for attacking me? You would get a long term of imprisonment, Adonis. We don't allow these sort of things in England. You do what you like, sir. Major Reb, him look after me. I don't think Major Reb will interfere, said Gerald carelessly. Geary showed his white teeth significantly. That mass of mine will see that all is safe with me, sir, until he die. Ah, that means you can force him to protect you. I say nothing, sir. Strange for you are always gareless. Where is your amiable smile, Mr. Geary, and your polite manners? I always knew you to be a murderous hound, but you might have spared poor Bilaria. Geary flung up his hands and looked greener than ever. I did not have nothing to do with that woman, sir. Oh, I think so. Stand where you are and keep your hands in front of you, cried Haskin sharply, or I'll send a bullet through you. The negro's eyes rolled and looked round for assistance, but the population of Den Lee were indoors partaking of the evening meal and beyond a few children playing far down the stream no one was in sight. I no killed that Bilaria. He repeated doggedly, but did not venture to grip his knife. He had experienced the shooting of his opponent before. You liar! You came back here, and after having had your arm bound up, you went to the Pixie's house. This chant shot of Haskin's hit the mark. No, sir, no, sir, gassed the big man, but his knees knocked together. You did, cried Haskin's, following up his advantage, and Major Reb went also. It won big lies, sir. No, no, don't shoot, sir. And with a scream he backed into the house to shut the door, but could not, because Mrs. Geary, large and massive, blocked the way. See here, Geary, said Haskin's, lowering the pistol he had raised. I intend to have you arrested for that assault unless you tell me the truth about this crime. You are guilty. No, sir, no, sir, moaned the man. Mr. Haskin's, said the woman brushing aside her husband and coming out. My husband has been a bad one to me, but he is innocent. Major Reb went to the Pixie's house on— Hold that tongue, you beast! yelled Geary furiously. End of Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Of The Sealed Message by Fergus Hume This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 21. Major Reb at Bay But Mrs. Geary would not be silenced. Her meekness seemed to have disappeared and she faced the Negro as bold as any Amazon. I shall not hold my tongue adornous, she said, drawing a deep breath. The time has gone by when you could bully me. I have suffered enough at your hands and a fool I was to marry a Black savage such as you are. You— 21. How long she would have gone on in that manner is impossible to say, for the pent-up anger of years appeared to break forth. However, Gerald saw that people were coming out of their houses and sauntering in the direction of the inn. Unwilling that too much should be made public, for obvious reasons, he pushed his way past Mrs. Geary and into the house commanding the two to follow him. They did so, the woman willingly enough. But the Negro hung back with a snarl and evidently tried his old tricks on his wife. There was a scream as Haskins entered the old sitting-room which he had occupied with Todd, and then the sounds of slapping and scuffling and swearing. Gerald flung himself into an armchair and looked towards the open door. It was failed the next moment by Geary being thrust forward by his wife who had cuffed and thrashed him into a dazed silence. She literally flung him into the room and following herself closed and locked the door. Standing before this, wrathful and gigantic, she pointed a menacing finger at the black man. I was a fool to marry such a black savage as you are! She went on from where she had left off. You have been a beast and a tyrant and have driven me to drink. The drink is in me now, and that is what makes me so bold. Wait till the drink is out of you! Breathe Geary trying to assert himself and flash an angry look in her direction. Formerly that look at cowed the woman, but now she simply snapped her fingers in his astonished face. It won't do, Adonis, it won't do. The worm has turned at last. You have made me desperate. I'll have no more of these murders and beatings and swearings. I am a Baptist myself, and you have nearly ruined my soul. But now, you black dog, it is my turn. Tomorrow I go back to my mother at Barnstaple with my children. I can get work to do and earn money to keep them and myself. As for you, stay here with your ill-gotten money for doing Major Reb's dirty work. I could ruin you, but I shall not do that. Still, the truth must be told to this gentleman. What is that? Ask Gerald sitting up and expectant of what was coming. He saw the truth in Mrs. Geary's fiery eyes. The truth is that Major Reb murdered Bellaria. It isn't the truth, muttered Geary clenching his huge fists. His wife daunted him. Ah, you'd like to strike me, you animal? She said in a loud voice. But do, do, I dare you. Never again. Oh, never again. I can die but once, and if you use your knife I'll use my teeth and my hands and my feet to fight you. Better death than more of this dog-life with you. Her breast rose and fell stormily, and Gerald looked at her as amazed as was her husband. Never before had the meek ogres behaved in this fashion, although on several occasions she had tried to assert herself. But having turned she left no room for doubt as to what she meant. Looking at the transformed woman who had been goaded into revolt, Haskins thought of Balzac's remark which was now excellently illustrated. There is nothing more horrible than the rebellion of a sheep. Wait, only wait! It was Geary who spoke, but he spoke without conviction since he felt rather than saw that his rule was at an end. It is ever thus, with tyrants, they browbeat those who are willing to serve them for many years, and the milder the servant the greater burden does the master impose. Mrs. Geary had labored like a horse doing more than was required of her. Still the negro had not been pleased, and therefore had beaten and kicked his beast of burden never dreaming of any revolt. But the measure was failed to the brim. The last straw had stiffened the camel's back rather than broken it, and Mrs. Geary had risen to assert the right of a human being. Adonis blustered and threatened, but he knew that never again would his wife submit to his domination. With your domestic affairs I have no need to meddle, said Gerald, raising his hand to stop Mrs. Geary's speech and her husband's growling. I think you are right to leave that, brute, and if you need money I shall supply you with all you wish. Thank you, sir, said Mrs. Geary, dropping a curtsy, and glared at her husband. The drink was dying out of her, but she still fought as she was supported by Haskins presence. You hear that, Adonis? I'll go to la, sir, growled Geary. You make a my wife fight. You shall have more law than you bargain for, said Gerald coldly. I can promise you that. Go on, Mrs. Geary, tell your story. She placed her big arms akimbo and spoke steadily. When Geary went after you on that night, sir, I knew he was up to some deviltry, since he almost stripped himself and used all the oil in the crew at stand to rub over himself. I spoke to the Major, that is, I went in to speak to him here, and ask what Geary was up to. But the Major was gone. Gone, echoed Gerald. Then he went immediately after I left. Not exactly, sir. It was quite an hour after Adonis followed you that I came in here. Then Adonis came back wounded, and I bound up his arm. He asked if his old master was in, and when he heard that the Major had gone out, he followed. Followed where? I followed to the Pixie's house, said Adonis hoarsely. You may as well know that what I know, sir. I am nothing to do with the murder. I went over the hills for the Major, and I found him coming back. At what time was that? After midnight, cried Mrs. Geary. It was two o'clock before the Major and Adonis returned. And Valeria was murdered according to the medical evidence about midnight, murmured Haskins. So you went to the Pixie's house? No, sir. I no go there. I meet the Major coming back. He said that he had gone to see if you, sir, had been visiting the house after you went from here. Then I told him that I tried to kill you, for I hear that you wish to make trouble for the Major. The Major buried angry with me and we come home. Then in the morning we heard of the murder. Didn't the Major tell you that he had found Valeria stabbed? No, sir. Him say nothing. I ask nothing. That's all. If Major Red was in the Pixie's house at midnight, he either stabbed Valeria himself, or he knows who stabbed her, said Gerald deliberately and rose. Is this all you have to tell me? That all, growled the man sullenly. But the Major did not kill. Valeria asked for my big knife, because she was feared. Did you know what she feared? No, sir. The Major he know, but he know tell me. There was nothing to be done but to wait and see Reb, so as to question him on this unexpected information, which Mrs. Geary had forced her cowed husband to give. Haskins slipped a sovereign into the woman's hand and walked to the door. If you follow me again to knife me, Adonis, he remarked. Remember, I have a revolver. The Negro pointed to his useless right arm. I can do nothing, he said, and his eyes flashed as he added. I should like to. Mrs. Geary pushed past her husband. No, you can do nothing with that arm. It has beaten me often enough. Geary, she pointed a finger at him. Now I leave your house with my children. This very moment I leave. I shall never see you again. You have nowhere to go, you fool gal. I can trap with the children to Ligarth, and there a friend of mine can put me up for the night. I have this sovereign the young gentleman has given me, and tomorrow I take the train back to my mother. I think you are wise, Mrs. Geary, called back Gerald, and began his return journey to Silbury, leaving the Negro and his wife to settle their private affairs as best they could. But he felt certain that Mrs. Geary meant what she said and would leave the Devon maid at once. She feared now that she was more sober and Gerald was gone, lest she should again succumb to the tyranny of the Negro. The next morning Gerald received a letter from Todd saying that he was going with Arnold to Belldown, a village on the hither side of Ligarth, and some ten miles distant. Haskins wondered why his friend and the tutor should go to such a secluded place. Probably, Tom had found some evidence which took him there for examination of the same. But his letter was most unsatisfactory, as he gave no hint of what Arnold had explained. Gerald felt somewhat in the dark. However, it was useless to conjecture. When McCandoo had done what he wanted to do at Belldown, whatever that might be, he would come to Silbury with Mr. Arnold and explain himself. Meanwhile, Gerald possessed his soul in patience and wished that Rev would come down to the Pixies house. When he descended to breakfast and Mrs. Jennings entered with her budget of gossip, he learned that Major Rev had driven through Silbury early that morning on his way to Ligarth. He came down by the night train I hear, sir, said Mrs. Jennings. Haskins was very well satisfied as this arrival provided him with work for the day. Apparently Rev had seen Mrs. Crosby on the previous day and had learned what took place from the widow or her mother. And it was possible that he had come to the Frederick Street chambers to ask Haskins what he meant by meddling with the case. There he would learn that the marplot as he regarded Haskins had gone on to Devonshire and so had come down post-haste by the next train he could catch. All this argued a guilty conscience and Gerald took his way to Ligarth later in the morning to have it out with his enemy. It occurred to him that Rev was guilty after all. The day was not so hot as the previous one had been so Haskins walked to Ligarth. He could have obtained a horse or a bicycle as on the two former occasions but preferred to use his legs. The country was very beautiful and the air most exhilarating so he enjoyed the journey and arrived at Ligarth without unduly hurrying himself. When he came inside of the Pixie's house he felt in his hip pocket to make sure that his revolver was safe. Rev was a desperate man and might make an attack after the fashion of Geary. Therefore it was as well to be on the safe side. Thus ready for any emergency he rang the bell at the big gates which were again closed and bolted. In less time than he expected the gates were thrown open by the mild-faced valet of Rev whom Haskins had last seen in London. My master is expecting you, sir, said the valet, stepping back to permit the visitor to enter. In fact, sir, he came down here immediately after you for an interview. I have been watching at the gates all the morning. How did Major Rev know that I was in Devonshire? asked Gerald and received the expected reply that Rev had inquired at his Frederick Street rooms. While following the valet up the narrow path which round between saplings and jungly grasses Gerald looked hard at him wondering if this man, like Geary, knew of Rev's affairs. But the mild face of the valet betrayed nothing. He looked like a sheep and probably was one. Major Rev did not care for over-clever servants. Probably he had learned a lesson when pinching off Geary who knew far too much. The old place looked very beautiful in the warm golden light and Gerald caught a glimpse of the lawn whereon Mavis had danced. He sighed to think of what had happened since that wonderful night. A gulf had opened between the girl and the world which could only be bridged by an open confession by Rev as to the truth of the murder. But Haskins had very little time to cogitate for the valet led him swiftly through the archway and into the house. He preceded the visitor up a shallow staircase and along a spacious passage on the first floor. On knocking at a door and being bitten to enter, he introduced Gerald into a large room with no less than five windows looking out onto the tangled avenue and rough lawns and riotous shrubberies. This was Mavis's apartment, as Gerald had been told when he came to see Inspector Morgan, and it was luxuriously furnished so as to be a pleasant prison for the unfortunate girl. Bad as Rev was, he had done his best to make Mavis's voluntary captivity indurable, that is, it could be called voluntary since the major had told her that all English girls were brought up in seclusion and she had acquiesced. How are you, Haskins? said the major when his man had shut the door and they were alone together in the splendid room. I have been expecting you. So I have been given to understand by your valet, replied Gerald Cooley, and sat down to take out his pipe. You don't object to my smoking, I presume? Rev smiled grimly. No, he rejoined deliberately. You may need soothing before our conversation ends. Dear me, that sounds threatening. Are you going to murder me or drop me into a new bliet? If so, I advise you to think twice about it. The police at Silbury know that I am here. I told a young constable in the high street where I was going. I don't see why you should do that, said Rev sharply. I do, rejoined the young man calmly. You are a dangerous man, Rev, and you are being driven into a corner. However, if you think to silence me by violence you will only get yourself into difficulties. You are afraid, taunted the major sneeringly. Oh, not at all, retorted Haskins, although his fair face flushed a triple. There is no question of that. The mere fact that I come here alone is enough to prove that I do not fear you. He lighted his pipe carefully and looked along the stem at his host. Fire away! Rev sat down in a comfortable chair with his back to the window, probably so that Haskins should not read his face too easily. He was neatly dressed in a maroon-cuttered smoking-suit and looked as thick and span as though he had just stepped out of a band-box. But then Rev, being something of a lady-killer, had always been attentive to his personal appearance. He suited the room very well as he looked high-bred and bland and dangerously amiable. What do you wish me to say? He asked quietly. That is for you to judge, answered Haskins lazily, but very attentive to Rev's slightest movement. You say that you expected me. Well, I presume that means you have something to say. You have called to see me without an invitation, retorted Rev, so that shows you have a few questions to ask me. You are right, I have. But you are not hospitable, Rev. I am dry after that long walk from Silbury. What about beer? Are you not afraid of my poisoning you? Asked the Major, rising and going to a sideboard. Not at all. You would like to, so as to silence me forever. Had I come here without anyone knowing my whereabouts you would doubtless try to get rid of me in some way or another. But the game in this case is not worth the candle. The Pixie's house has a bad reputation for one murder, Major, and I don't think you would care to have another committed either by yourself or your tool, Geary. I did not set Geary on to you, snapped Rev, discomposed by this cool chatter and returning to the central table with the tray. So I understand, Geary told me so last night. You have seen him? Oh yes, and his wife also. She rather gave you away, Major, and I may tell you that she has left her husband having had enough of his brutality. The children, I believe, are with her. I don't know what you mean about that woman having given me away, said the Major, trying to control himself. There is nothing in my life but what will bear inspection. Even by the law. Even by the law. Will you have Hawke or Claret? Hawke, please, and some seltzer. I congratulate you on your courageous conscience, Major. Few people, even the best of us, can stand having their secret lives looked into. Rev passed along a glass foaming with the drink and shrugged his shoulders as he took up the Claret jug. Did you come here to preach platitudes? He asked cynically. Gerald took a long drink and sat down his glass with a laugh. No. I came to ask you where Mavis Durham is hiding. How should I know? She may be dead for all I can tell. And indeed, added Reb to himself, I believe she is dead, else she would have been discovered long ago. Have you any idea of her whereabouts? If I had, would I ask you—Fence Gerald Cooley—I stopped on the night of that poor girl's flight at the Prince's head, as you will find if you ask Mrs. Jennings. I have asked her already and I know that. Ah! Then you did suspect me of having a hand in the murder. I fancied that you might, since you loved Mavis and wanted to get her away from here. I hope you are satisfied with your work. With my work, what do you mean? Haskins sat up. Simply this—that nothing has gone right since you found that infernal cylinder impride into my private affairs. Reb glared, if it was the old days of dueling Haskins, I should call you out. I quite believe it. But as dueling days are past, you will have to silence me in another way. Why should I silence you? Because, Reb, I know too much. After I left you on that night at the Devon maid, you came here and— I did not—interrupted Reb fiercely. You came here, Mrs. Geary says so, and I believe for my soul that you killed Balaria and put the blame on Mavis to secure her money. Reb started to his feet. You infernal liar! And he flung his glass at the young man. End of Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Of the Sealed Message by Fergus Hume This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 22 A Confession The glass skimmed past Haskins' head and smashed against the wainscotting. By this time both men were on their feet. Reb, glaring and furious, but Gerald perfectly calm. A few drops of the claret had sprinkled his face and he wiped these off quietly. There is nothing to be gained by losing your temper, Reb, he remarked. Don't tell me what to do or what not to do. Rage the Majors striding towards the door which he locked. You are in my power here. Haskins sat down again with a contemptuous laugh. So much so that if you opened that door to let me out, I should refuse to go. Don't be a fool, Reb. One would think you were a melodramatic actor. Do you think that I am afraid of your of a dozen like you? Sit down and let us talk quietly over the matter. Reb walked forward and flung himself into a chair, gnawing his moustache somewhat taken aback by Haskins' aplomb. Usually when he asserted his undeniably strong will, his opponents sat down and obeyed. But the Major recognized readily enough that he had a determined man to deal with, and moreover, knew that he could not get the better of him by treachery since the Silbury police were aware of Haskins' whereabouts. The Pixie's house already had an unpleasant reputation, and Reb did not wish an inexplicable disappearance to take place there. He would willingly have got rid of this man who so persistently crossed his path but the risk was too great. And as man to man Gerald was more than able to hold his own. Reb was no fool and for a moment he mentally confessed himself beaten. I ask your pardon for losing my temper, he said wiping his forehead, but no man can sit quietly and hear himself accused of woman murder. Defend yourself, then, said Gerald, relighting his pipe which had gone out during the episode. There is no need for me to make a defence, snarled the other. I think there is. Geary may hold his tongue since he appears to be devoted to you, but his wife, having left her husband, was certainly speak out. What can she say? asked Reb, taking another glass of claret. That you went to this place on the night and about the time of the murder. You went away some time after I left and did not return until two in the morning. Major Reb sat mootily looking at the tips of his slippers. He saw well that Gerald was right and if the young man, as he probably would, supported Mrs. Geary in making trouble very unpleasant questions might be asked. Why that devil do you interfere in my business? he asked between his teeth. Because I love Mavis Durham. She is dead. You can't be sure of that. Then you know! cried the Major starting to his feet. Now how should I know anything when you have exonerated me from complicity in her flight? argued Gerald dexterously skirting the subject. If I had run away with Mavis she would be my wife by this time. And would have passed her honeymoon in prison. Grald Reb quite convinced by Gerald's quiet tone. I think not. I should have fought for my wife. And I intend to search for her and fight for her still. You'll never find her. If she were alive she would have been captured long ago. Ah, it would please you no doubt to see her hanged. No, on my soul, no! cried the Major beginning to walk, to and fro. I only want to see her happy. She was happy here, he added, as Gerald laughed unpleasantly. She was happy until you came and disturbed her poor brain. Her very clever brain, contradicted the young man acidly. Sha! Major, am I a fool that you should talk to me in this way? Whatever you may state to the outside world for the sake of your illegal income, you know perfectly well that Mavis is perfectly sane. She is not. Would she have killed Balaria of Sane? Oh, you are trying to keep up that fiction also. It is not fiction, insisted Reb obviously in earnest. I will admit that the girl's brain was stronger than I chose to tell anyone outside this room. All the same I believe that, weary of being shut up, she tried to escape on that night. Balaria came to stop her and Mavis then must have stabbed her. Remember, Balaria had Geary's knife. Do you really believe this? asked Gerald, quite puzzled. I swear that I do. Come, Haskins, let us stop plainly, since there is no one to hear us. Don't you believe it yourself? No, I do not. You, if anyone, killed Balaria. Why should I? Because you knew that I would take the girl away and marry her. To put her presumed insanity beyond all doubt, you murdered Balaria and placed the crime on the poor girl's shoulders. In this way, should she be found, you secure her income for life since she cannot marry. That would have been a clever thing for me to do, said Reb in a quiet way, but I had not the brains to conceive such a plot, much less the cleverness to carry it out. I might, in a fit of rage, kill a man capable of defending himself. I certainly should never raise my hand to stab a defenceless woman, whatever provocation I might have. You were here about the time of the murder, said Haskins as he wrinkled his brow in perplexity. Reb spoke very earnestly. I was. Since Mrs. Geary has let the cat out the bag I may as well confess, and you will see how groundless your suspicions are. It was long after ten o'clock when I left the Devon maid and I took a lantern with me. Why did you go at all? To search for your confounded canoe. Geary told me about it and so did Balaria, who learned where it was hidden from Mavis. Yes, I told Mavis. Well… Well, I wanted to find it and break it up so that you should no longer get across the pool and climb the wall. I walked over the hills and lost my way for a time. It was close upon twelve o'clock when I got to the pool. I searched for the canoe and could not find it. I heard a shriek inside the grounds of this house. And you went to see what it was. Not at the moment. I knew that Balaria being always terrified for reasons you need not know. Pardon me, I know all about the Tannah Society. Reb looked astonished but made no comment being too occupied and exonerating himself. Then you know that she suffered greatly from nerves and was afraid of being discovered and killed. Often she shrieked at night as Mavis told me, and at times when here late I heard her myself. I therefore merely thought that Balaria was in one of her mad fits and went on searching. About one o'clock I climbed the bank and, crossing the stream by the ridge to Ligarth, I went to the gate of the Pixie's house, wondering if you had dared to come there after seeing me. I found the gates opened and Balaria dead. As I was stooping over the body Geary came running from the house. He said that he had followed me to tell about your shooting him in the arm, and on finding Balaria's body he had gone to look for Mavis. She had vanished. I searched the house also and could not find her. I therefore came back to Denly with Geary making him promise to say nothing of our midnight visit. Why? asked Gerald straightly. Why? echoed the major looking surprised. When you were meddling with my affairs, had you known of that visit at the time you would have denounced me to the police and I should have had great difficulty in clearing myself? I held my peace. And I tell you that I really believed as I believe now that Mavis had stabbed Balaria so as to get her liberty. Why did you not believe that some emissary of the Tannas society had found out Balaria's hiding place and had killed her? You mean Venosta? said Reb hurriedly. Well I own that after the first shock of surprise I did suspect Venosta, as Mrs. Crosby had shown me the coral hand and had told me the use she put it to. Did she know about the society? asked Gerald. She declared that she was ignorant of its existence. So she was. But I knew about the society at Naples fifteen or sixteen years ago when I rescued Balaria from its clutches. No, I don't believe Venosta killed Balaria although he would have done so I am sure had he known where she was hiding. But he did not and who could have told him? Not Mrs. Crosby. Although you mentioned Balaria's name and whereabouts confound you, as Mrs. Crosby knew nothing of the Tannas society? Well, Haskins, you must see now that I am innocent. It looks like it I admit. But everything fitted in so well with your plans that I naturally thought you guilty. Then you see that I am not, snapped Reb much ruffled. If I were would I confess my midnight journey to you? Seeing that Mrs. Geary is about to make it public, I think you would have had to in the long run, retorted Gerald sharply. She mustn't do that, muttered Reb still walking and becoming much agitated for he was beginning to realize his danger. She will now that her husband can no longer terrorize her. You are in a very awkward position. My advice to you, if you are really as innocent as you pretend to be, is to search out Mavis and hand over her income. After all, by the will you need not account for what you have spent up to date, and you have had a long run for your money. You say that because you want the income yourself. I could do with it, and when I marry Mavis I shall certainly insist upon justice being done to her. I would take her without a penny as you well know, but I am not such a fool as to refuse six thousand a year along with a pretty clever wife. Well then, find Mavis and we shall see. Cried Reb quite out of temper and throwing himself into a chair. For you to accuse her when she is found. No, thank you. First I want to prove her innocence. You will find that difficult. Not with your help, Major. Reb grew violent. Damn you! I say that I believe the girl may be innocent and surely I have exonerated myself. I may think so, but the public. The public need never know anything about it. See here, Haskins. You love this girl and you seem to think that she is still alive. Good. I make a bargain with you. Give me three thousand of this six thousand a year belonging to the Durham estate, and you can marry Mavis quietly and take her to America or the colonies. No one will think to find the notorious Mavis Durham and Mrs. Gerald Haskins. Thus everything will be settled and I can marry Mrs. Crosby as I greatly want to with a quiet heart. What say you? I refuse your offer, said Gerald calmly. Mavis shall have her character cleared and shall have nothing or all of her income. Reb rose and snapped his fingers. Do your worst, he said, trying to suppress his anger. Find Mavis and marry her. But be prepared for me to have her condemned for Valeria's murder and shut up in an asylum. I hope to prove her innocence, said Haskins quietly. Even if you do, snarled Reb, becoming reckless when he found himself so beset, you may lose the money. That is impossible. It belongs to Mavis. To the real Mavis. Gerald rose, guessing that Reb referred to the other twin. What do you mean by that, Reb? Mavis has a sister. Yes, you may look, but Charity Bird is the real Mavis, or at least I can prove it to be so. There is a likeness between the girls I admit, said Gerald pretending ignorance, but it is ridiculous to say that they are sisters. They are twin sisters. Sit down and I'll tell you all about it. But that you can make so much mischief, I should not say a word. But when you know the truth, for your own sake, you may hold your tongue and give me half the income. Without a word, Haskins resumed his seat, marvelling at thus having been able to force Reb's hand without revealing his suspicions. The Major hastily swallowed another glass of claret and began to speak in a hurry. I was in a Gurkha regiment in India some twenty-five years ago. Gerald interrupted. I thought you were in a West Indian regiment. Later, later, said Reb tastily, don't interrupt. I exchanged to Jamaica a few years later. But in India I had a brother officer who was my greatest friend. His name was Julian Durham, and he had six thousand a year against my six hundred. He was not very strong and always said that as he had no relatives he would make me his heir. Then he married a silly flirting girl, with whom he quarreled and my hopes were thus dashed to the ground. Did you aid the quarrel? asked Gerald delicately. Yes, replied Reb shamelessly. The wife stood in the way of my getting a fortune from Julian, and I tried to part husband and wife. I succeeded, for more than a year after the marriage Mrs. Durham went to Bombay with the intention of living apart from her husband. What a scoundrel you are, Reb! said Haskins, astonished at the cold-blooded way in which the man recounted his villainy. The major laughed harshly. I only tell this to you and you don't matter, he retorted. Outside if you say anything I shall deny all and who will believe you, Haskins? However, to continue. We were stationed in the far north of India and I escorted Mrs. Durham to Bombay where she intended to embark for England. At Bombay she was taken ill and died giving birth to twins. I didn't want a couple of girls on my hand and I knew that Julian could not live long, so I paid the nurse to take one of the children, the eldest, mind you, to Simla, and to get rid of it somehow. She sold it, I believe, to a juggler's wife and afterwards Mrs. Pellamodan then on tour bought the child in Calcutta to bring up. That child is charity bird. Can you prove this? Yes, be quite certain of that. The Aya and the juggler's wife are still alive. Well then, that disposed of one twin. I brought the other back to the north of India to her father and she was christened to Mavis. Julian was very ill, so made a will in my favour and in favour of his child. I was to be her guardian and to enjoy the money until she married. Then I was to hand it over without accounting for what I had spent. In this way Julian hoped to satisfy me for his old promise to make me his heir and of course I agreed. And you said nothing of the other twin. No, why should I? One brat on my hands was enough. Afterwards Julian came home to Brighton and died. It was at Brighton that he made his will as you know. I came back from India with Mavis and to cut off all association with those who knew her and Durham I exchanged into a West India regiment and took her to Jamaica. I sold out fifteen or sixteen years ago and brought the child here after a tour in Italy. It was in Naples that I found Balarria. She was a singer and had betrayed some man belonging to the Tanna society. I don't know the exact story but she was in danger of death so I took her by stealth to Devonshire and made her nurse to Mavis. And Geary. He was my servant in Jamaica. In Devonshire at Barnstaple he met with his wife and as I wanted someone to watch the Pixies house I established him at the Devon maid making him a present of the freehold. Gerald Rose. And you paid for it out of Mavis's money? Of course I did. Only you mistake. The money doesn't belong to Mavis until she is married. She will be married to me the moment that I can find her, said Gerald Grimley, stalking to the door. Wait a bit, called out Reb. If you marry her without promising me the three thousand a year I shall prove the identity of charity and she will get the lot. When she marries Todd McAndrew he's in love with her you know. You will get left. You cannot take the money from Mavis. Her name is mentioned in the will, said Gerald Cooley and tried the door which was locked. I say open this confound you. Major Reb flung the key across the room and Haskins fitted it into the lock. Before he could open the door Reb continued. Don't be a fool in your own interest, Haskins. I shall swear that charity is Mavis and your beloved will lose all. You can scarcely do that in the face of the story you will have to tell. Mrs. Palamodan and the juggler's wife and the aya can prove that charity is the missing twin. And I dare say Mavis's baptismal certificate can be found. Her name in the will makes her the heiress. Then I'll tell about charity and prove her identity, cried Reb, starting furiously to his feet, and she will at least get half. I don't care if she does. We taught a Gerald flinging open the door. But you had better give the money to me and then I'll be silent as to charity being Durham's daughter. No, Major. I don't care for your crooked ways. I'll find Mavis and marry her. Probably she will be quite willing to have the income with her twin. Three thousand a year will be enough for her and for me. Good day, Major. Find some other man who is willing to become such a black guard as you are. Reb caught the decanter and slung it across the room. It only crashed against the closed door. And when Reb ran forward to pursue the man who flouted him he found the door locked on the outside. End of Chapter 22 Chapter 23 of the Sealed Message by Fergus Hume This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. 23 Todd's Discovery On returning to the Silbury Hotel Gerald sat down to think over the important conversation with Reb. To all appearances the master was as innocent as the man. Nevertheless, according to the Major, Geary had been to the Pixie's house on the fatal night in spite of his denial. On the face of it the negro had no reason to kill Beleriah and Reb had sworn that the murder was neither committed nor prompted by him. If this were so it appeared strange that Reb should have found Geary not only in the grounds of the Pixie's house but in the mansion itself when he arrived. Seeing that Geary was thus first in the field it was not improbable that he had caught a glimpse of the assassin. Whether he had and had told his master it was of course impossible to say. But Haskins determined to have another interview with the landlord of the Devon Maid and force him to disclose the whole truth which he assuredly had not told in his wife's presence. One important thing Gerald had learned from Reb and that was the truth of his surmise regarding charity. She was, as he had always supposed, the twin sister of Mavis, and Haskins congratulated himself on guessing this before Reb had spoken out. Still, it was just as well that Rage had made the major thus candid and the matter was put beyond all doubt. Haskins was pleased also by the discovery as guided by him Mavis would be quite willing to divide the income and then Lady Euphemia would not be angry at Todd's runaway marriage. So far everything was right. But the mystery of the crime had still to be solved. Until it was Mavis must continue not only to be an outcast and a fugitive from justice but must remain unable to claim her rights as Julian Durham's heiress. Apparently, Geary and Reb and Signor Vinosta as an emissary of the Tana Society were all innocent. If so, who was the guilty person? Gerald wondered if the letter to which Mavis had referred could be found as he firmly believed that it would afford a clue to the identity of the criminal. In his own mind he constructed the manner in which the crime had been committed. Bilaria had received this mysterious letter which for some reason overcame her fear sufficiently to make her venture out at night. To meet the writer of the letter she had opened the gates and then had been stabbed by her own knife, Geary's weapon, which had been rested from her in a hand to hand struggle. The wonder was that the struggle had not attracted attention. As it was, Reb swore that he had heard only one scream and that might have been uttered by Mavis when she found the dead body of the nurse. Bilaria therefore was an all probability slain unawares. However, it was useless to build up theories which were all moonshine, so Gerald resolved to wait until Todd and Arnold arrived. According to McAndrew's letter they would come to Silbury early next day, so Gerald had a good many hours to himself. He had half a mind to see Inspector Morgan and learn all details concerning the inquest, as some possible evidence might have been obtained likely to throw light on the darkness. But Haskins refrained from doing so, as he did not wish to arouse Morgan's suspicions and reopen the case. For Mavis' sake the quieter he moved in the matter the better it would be. Gerald wondered after hearing Reb's acknowledgment of Charity's birth, if he had any idea of the scheme by which the girls had been made to change places. But after reflection he decided that it was impossible, as Mrs. Palamoden had managed very cleverly. Also Reb was unaware that the twin he had got rid of was now Mrs. McAndrew, and since that young lady was at Amsterdam, there would be no chance of her being met by Mrs. Birch and her daughter when in Switzerland. Bearing in mind what Mrs. Crosby had told him of her projected tour abroad, Gerald was greatly surprised when he met the widow and her mother driving up the Silbury High Street from the railway station. She saw him at once as he stood thunderstruck on the pavement and beckoned for him to come to the side of the Landau. You are surprised to see us here, she said with a gay smile. This is not Switzerland, is it? You said nothing about coming down here yesterday, he answered. No, because neither I nor my mother had any intention of coming. It was this way, Gerald. Michael, major Reb, you know, came in almost as soon as you had left and we told him all that had taken place. Why did you do that? asked Haskins imperatively. Don't bully Gerald, said Mrs. Crosby tartly. I told Michael because I have no secrets from Michael and he was very angry that you should have spoken to me as you did. I was perfectly polite, permit me to remind you, Mag. Don't call me by my Christian name, she said as usual. Well then, Michael went away to have an explanation with you and later telegraphed to me that you had gone to Devonshire and that he intended to follow at once. He also asked us to come down that we might see the Pixies House as we intend to repair it when we marry. Do you indeed? muttered Haskins ironically. Of course, said Mrs. Crosby with an airy flutter of her laces, and I may tell you, Gerald, that I came down the more willingly since I do not want you and Michael to quarrel. That is why we are here. To see the house and to prevent a quarrel, said Gerald Cooley. I am greatly obliged to you for the trouble you have taken, Mrs. Crosby, but I have already seen the Major. Mrs. Birch, who had hitherto kept silence, looked up sharply. Have you had a quarrel? she demanded eagerly. Yes and no. Reb was slightly difficult to deal with, but we now understand one another. Mrs. Crosby asked, what about? About various things, answered Haskins carelessly. He was determined not to answer her questions as he had a vague idea that she was not so honestly his friend as she pretended to be. And you parted amably, I hope, said Mrs. Birch. Haskins laughed as he remembered the parting and how he had locked Reb in the room. I think that the Major would gladly see me tarred and feathered, he said lightly. There! cried Mrs. Crosby with a childish pout. I knew you had quarreled and I did so wish you to be friends. I want you to come to the Pixies house when I marry Michael and see the improvements. I have already arranged what to do. Have you been down here before then? asked Gerald astonished. Yes, over two years ago. Michael asked me down when we were first engaged. I saw that poor malaria but not Mavis. Why did you not see Mavis? Because Michael said her mental state was so sad that she might be dangerous. She was shut up on the day I went over the house and as I was only there for an hour she knew nothing of my visit. I and mother were stopping in the neighborhood. It was when I was learning to drive a motor, Gerald. I would have taken that poor girl out for drives as I got to know the country so thoroughly but it was too dangerous. Where did you stop? asked Gerald still lingering although Mrs. Birch seemed inclined to cut short her daughter's chatter. At a village miles away called Belldown. Why do you start? A mosquito stung me, answered Haskins readily, but his real reason for starting was that Belldown happened to be the place where Mr. Arnold and Todd were now stationed. There are heaps of mosquitoes here, Mrs. Crosby. You will be stung. Ah, well, we are only here for a couple of days at the Pixie's house, that is. I merely want to look round and now that the poor mad girl has gone I can explore at my leisure. Good day. I wish I could ask you to come over but Michael might object. So stupid of you to quarrel with my future husband when we are such friends. She gave the signal to the driver of the land out to move on and both she and her mother bestowed friendly smiles on the young man as he took off his hat. Gerald watched the carriage climb up the long street and vanish over the crest of the hill. Then he walked back again to the hotel, wondering why Mrs. Crosby was so anxious to retain his friendship when she became Mrs. Reb. He knew that Madge was a flighty woman, although much cleverer than she pretended to be, and was sure that she had some reason for all this friendliness and chatter. However, he had more important things to think about than Mrs. Crosby's heirs and graces, and spent a wakeful night building up theories and knocking them down again. By dawn he had arrived at the conclusion that Geary was the criminal. I expect, thought Haskins while taking his bath, that Geary found his hold over Reb was getting lax, so he deliberately killed Balaria, knowing that the major had gone to the Pixies' house in the hope of getting blackmail by threatening to throw the blame of the murder on his master. And by the murder he secured to Reb an income out of which large sums could be paid. Yes, I really believe that Geary will prove to be the guilty person, but how am I to fix the crime on him? This was a hard question to answer, and a Gerald waited for the arrival of Todd to put it to him, since two heads are better than one. The Solicitor arrived at midday along with Arnold having come from Belldown, so they explained, by railway. Todd looked anxious and not so healthy as he had done in London, but Haskins put this down to the man's unavoidable fretting after his bride. Arnold had not changed in the least and appeared to be as tiny and gnome-like as ever. First and foremost the two men being hungry had dinner, and then Gerald conducted them both to the hotel drawing room, a gorgeous apartment which had been placed at his disposal by Mrs. Jennings for an extra pound on the bill. Having the apartment to themselves, the three men saw that the door was closed and then sat down to talk. Gerald immediately asked the question which had been trembling on his tongue from the moment he set eyes on his friend. In the first place, Todd, he said impatiently, what took you at Arnold to Belldown? That is a long story, said Todd leisurely. Then tell it as shortly as you can. One moment, let us do things in order. First let me know you're doing here, Jerry. But, began Haskins with irritation. Todd cut him short. See here, Jerry, said he firmly. I am supposed to be your solicitor and it is my place to conduct the business. I want things done in order. First your story and then mine. Both will be extremely interesting, I have no doubt. Gerald stared. Why should you think I have anything to tell? Well, observed McCandrew, jocularly, a little bird, Mrs. Jennings by name, whispered to me that two London ladies had come down on a visit to Major Reb, who is camping, so to speak, at the Pixie's house. Yes, Mrs. Crosby and her mother, what of that? I shall tell you when I have heard what you have to say about them. Arnold uttered a grunt and rate his long beard with lean fingers. Haskins looked from one to the other quite mystified. As what you have to say anything to do with those ladies? A great deal to do with them, Jerry. A light broke in on Haskins' clouded brain. Mrs. Crosby said that she had stopped at Belldown, that is where you have been. Hum! said Todd, glancing at Arnold. I didn't think she would have admitted so much. Todd? Gerald caught his friend's arm. Don't worry me with your hints and looks. Has Mrs. Crosby anything to do with this crime? I can't say. Rejoin the solicitors, dolledly. And I shan't speak until you tell me how you got along with Reb. Haskins threw himself back in his chair and made the best of a Scotsman's obstinacy. I have something very important indeed to tell you, he said seriously. You know the likeness between the girls. McCando knotted. I told Mr. Arnold here all about it and about your idea of the two being twins. My idea has proved to be correct. They are twins. Todd jumped up, scattering his papers and with his red hair almost standing on end. Do you mean to say that, Reb? Yes. Sit down, Toddie, and listen, said Gerald vigorously, and when his legal advisor became quiet he related the whole of the conversation with Reb. Well, I'm blessed, muttered Todd rubbing his head when the narrative was ended. What a wonderful thing! There is something in your intuitions after all, Jerry. I don't think it needed much intuition to guess at a possible relationship, seeing how marvelously alike Mavis is to charity. The wonderful part consists in my getting Reb to give himself away. Ah, said Arnold significantly. The military gentleman is beginning to see that the wheel of fortune is turning the wrong way with him. And quite right, too, said Todd meditatively. What a scoundrel the man is to be sure! Well, Jerry, important as what you have told us is, I am more interested in the movements of Mrs. Crosby and her mother. When you tell me about them I can explain what Mr. Arnold and myself have discovered at Belldown. There is little to tell about them. Reb came down after me and they came down after Reb. He asked his future bride here to have a second look at her future home. Oh, so she had been here before. Yes, so she says some time ago. This is her second visit. Her third, more like, muttered Arnold and his beard. We can't be sure of that, said Todd rapidly. For heaven's sake tell me what you mean, cried Haskins jumping up in his turn. Mine nerves are wearing thin with all this suspense. Well then, began McCandrew shuffling with his papers. It's this way. Mr. Arnold here was going about the country in his caravan, selling books, and reached Belldown on the same day that Mavis fled. Mavis fled at night. Well, well, cried McCandrew testily. You know what I mean. Arnold was at Belldown on the day of the night when Mavis fled and the murder was committed. Is that plain enough? Yes, go on, Toddie, don't be a silly ass. I am your solicitor just now and not your pal, said Todd with great dignity. Well then, while wandering about Belldown, Arnold saw two ladies in a motor car. One was driving and one was being driven. And they were Mrs. Birch and her daughter, whom we, Jerry, supposed to be at Bogner. I never knew that Mrs. Crosby could drive a motor. Oh, yes. I taught her a trifle myself and she is quite an expert at the business. She mentioned today when I stood by her carriage how she had motored over every inch of the country. But what was she doing down here about when—when she was supposed to be at Bogner? That is what I want to ask her and I'm glad that she is on the spot. Gerald thought for a few moments. How did you recognize these ladies, Mr. Arnold? Major Reb once showed me a colored photograph of the lady to whom he was engaged and I recognized Mrs. Crosby when she passed in her motor. A severe-looking old lady in black was with her and Mr. McCandrew tells me that she is Mrs. Birch, the mother. I may tell you that the two ladies wore motor goggles and veils. Then how did you recognize them? asked Gerald again. Mrs. Crosby's veil was up as they passed and she pulled it down when she saw that I was looking earnestly at her. The motor was going very slowly at the moment because a hay wane was in front blocking the road. I see. Well, what happened? The motor went to the inn at Belldown. It was about six o'clock and the two ladies had dinner. They were at the inn when I left Belldown in my caravan, on the way to Ligarth, where I hoped to rescue Mavis. Yes, yes, yes, cried Todd impatient at the slow wane which Arnold was speaking, and late that night, about ten o'clock, he passed the motor on the road between Belldown and Ligarth. It had broken down and Mrs. Crosby was tinkering with the machine. I shouldn't think she could mend a broken motor, Todd. Oh, I don't expect anything very serious was the matter. Probably her driving, she drives furiously as a woman always does, had put the gear out of order. However, Arnold passed them and capped some distance outside Ligarth, so that the villagers who knew his face would not recognize him. Then, sometime after eleven, he saw the motor coming along, also skirting the village. The two women were in it and he thought that they had lost their way. And then again he fancied that Mrs. Crosby was going to the Devon maid to see Reb. At all events, the motor passed out of sight in the darkness. I may tell you that its lamps were not lighted, so Mrs. Crosby ran the risk of police interference. Rather foolish, I think, seeing she did not want to be seen. Well, well, said Gerald after a pause, and what does all this mean? Arnold, went on Todd cautiously, did not attach much importance to this motor-car business, but when he told me I fancied that Mrs. Crosby had to do with the murder. I don't see how. I do. She didn't want to be recognized, she had no lamps, so that she could slip along easily, and, as we learned at Belldown, she did not return through the village. If she did not come down to murder, Bellaria, why was she in this neighborhood, and why did she lie to you about Bogner? It's a mare's nest you have found, Todd. Mrs. Crosby has no motive to murder Bellaria, and she certainly hasn't the nerve. I'll ask her myself, said Todd Rising. Come on over to Leagarth. End of Chapter 23