CHAPTER XI.
DETAILS.
During the day that followed the discoveries in Mrs. Fry's upperchamber, Mr. Ferrars did a variety of things that surprised the brotherof Charles Brierly; yes, and the doctor as well, and he said some thingsthat seemed quite incomprehensible. For the detective was somewhat givento half-uttered soliloquy when he knew himself among "safe" people, andcould therefore afford to relax his guard. Likewise he failed to say thethings which Brierly, at least, expected, and much desired to hear.
His first movement after the three had breakfasted, was to ask for thekeys of the cottage chambers, for they had been handed over to Brierlysomewhat ostentatiously in the presence of Mrs. Fry and at the foot ofthe cottage stairs, by the doctor.
"I want to spend another half-hour in those rooms," he said, "and to soleave them that I shall know at once if a human foot has so much ascrossed the threshold."
This was all the explanation he chose to make then or upon his return.
Indeed, when he came back he spent all of the remaining time until highnoon, smoking alone upon the doctor's neat lawn and along the shady sideof the house, excusing himself and guarding against possible intrusion,by remarking that he felt the need of a little solitary self-communion.
At luncheon the question of the burial was discussed, and afterwardBrierly announced his intentions to call upon Miss Grant, if the doctorthought her able to receive him.
"I have told Mrs. Marcy to keep the gossips out," Doctor Barnes saidgravely, "she's too sensitive, Miss Grant I mean, to hear unfeeling orcurious discussions of the case. But a friend who is in sympathy--that'sanother thing. She'll be better with such company than alone."
When Brierly had set out, the detective threw away his after-dinnercigar.
"Were you called to see the little lady who was taken ill hereyesterday, after the close of the inquest?" he asked carelessly. "Iforgot to inquire, in my desire to keep Brierly occupied."
The doctor shook his head. "I fancy she only needed time to recoverfrom the effect of her gruesome position. It was a blunder, putting herin plain sight of that shrouded corpse. Those little blue-eyed women aremasses of nerves and fine sensibilities--often. I don't see how it cameabout."
"If you mean the 'blunder' of putting those ladies where they were, itwas I who blundered. I arranged to place them there."
"You!" the doctor's eyes opened wide in astonishment. "Then I retract.It was I who have blundered."
"Um--I am not so sure," Ferrars replied slowly, and then the subject asby mutual consent was ignored between them. Ferrars, who seemed for thetime at least to have done his thinking, wrote several letters at thedoctor's desk, and then prepared to go out.
"I asked permission to call and inquire after Mrs. Jamieson's health,yesterday," he said to the doctor, "and as she has not required yourservices she may be able to receive me now."
"There is another Esculapius in Glenville," reminded Doctor Barnes.
"So I have heard; but the lady is a person of good taste. She would havecalled you in if any one." He bowed and went out with a gleam of humourin his eyes.
"It's sometimes hard to guess what Ferrars means when he speaks withthat queer look and tone," mused the doctor. "And who would have thoughthe would care or think of a formal call like this just now! And yet,that little woman is pretty enough to attract a man, I'm sure; and adetective may be as susceptible, I suppose, as another."
Ferrars waited for a few moments in the reception-room of the GlenvilleHouse, and was then conducted to the pretty suite occupied by Mrs.Jamieson. He found her half reclining in a long, low chair, with herfriend, Mrs. Arthur, still in attendance. She wore a soft, loose robe ofblack, with billowy gauze-like ruffles, and floating ribbons of the samesable hue, relieved only by a knot of purple wood violets at her throat.Her face was very pale and her eyes, with their changing lights ofgreyish green and glinting blue, looking larger and deeper than usualbecause of the dark shadows beneath them, and the waves of her plentifulfair hair falling low and loose upon her forehead.
She welcomed her visitor with a faint half smile, and thanked him againfor his kindness of the previous day. She blamed herself for her want ofnerve and courage. She inquired after Miss Grant and expressed hersympathy for the bereaved girl, and her desire to see her again, toknow her, and serve her if possible; she had shown herself so brave, yetso womanly that day--and then the little lady told of her encounter withMiss Grant in the unfortunate character of messenger or bearer of badnews. She was glad there would be no lack of staunch friends to supportthe sweet girl in her time of need and trouble, and she finished bysending a pretty message to Hilda, and then without further question orcomment concerning the murder or the progress of the case, she let thetalk slip into the hands of her friend, and leaned back in her chairlike one too weak for further effort, seeing which Ferrars soonwithdrew.
"You will not consider this an example of my usual hospitality, Itrust," Mrs. Jamieson said, as he bent over her chair to say farewell."I fear I was not wise in refusing to let them call a physician, but Ido dread being in the hands of a doctor. I shall be pleased to hear howthis sad case progresses, Mr. Grant, and by the bye, has anything newoccurred since the inquest? Any new witnesses or discoveries of anysort?"
But Ferrars shook his head, and murmuring something about time beingshort, and not taxing her good nature and strength further, he bowedlow, and went away.
"It's very good of her," he mused, as he went, "to take such kindlyinterest in my supposed relative, Miss Grant. But she certainly showedscant interest in the chief actor in the drama, my friend Brierly."
The candles had just been lighted that evening, and Ferrars was oncemore waiting at the doctor's desk, while Brierly, pale and heavy-eyed,lounged by the long window near, when Dr. Barnes came in, hat in hand.
"As you felt some interest in Mrs. Jamieson's selection of a physicianthis morning," the latter said, "I will inform you that I have just beensummoned to see that lady, professionally, of course," he added, as ifby an afterthought, and smiling slightly.
"Thank you. Mrs. Jamieson has vindicated my belief in her goodjudgment," replied Ferrars, and then he wheeled about in his chair, andput out a detaining hand.
"Don't think I doubt your reserve, doctor," he went on, "when I ask youto avoid or evade, if needful, any discussion of this affair of ours.That is, avoid giving any information, be it ever so trivial." He shot aquick glance toward Brierly, and met the doctor's eye for one swift,momentary glance.
"My visit will be purely professional, and doubtless brief," was thereply, as the speaker passed from the room, and Ferrars smiled, knowingthat his friend understood the meaning behind the half jesting words.
A moment later Robert Brierly arose, yawned, and crossed the room totake up his hat.
"This inaction is horrible," he said, drearily. "I must get out. I wishI had walked down with Barnes. Won't you come out with me, Mr. Ferrars?"
The detective dipped his pen in the sand-box, and arose quickly. Thenwhen he had found his hat, and had lowered the light over the writingtable, he put a hand upon the other's shoulder.
"I'll go out with you, of course, Brierly," he said, and there was aworld of sympathy, as well as complete understanding in his tone. "Butfirst, I want to ask you to show yourself as little as possible upon thestreets, for a few days to come at least, and then only in the companyof the doctor or myself, and not to go out evenings at all unlesssimilarly attended. It will be irksome, I know, but I believe itimportant, and I must ask this of you, too, without explanation, for thepresent at least."
The young man looked at him for a moment, earnestly and in silence.
"Do you ask this for reasons personal to myself, or because it seems toyou to be for the interest of the investigation?" he asked slowly.
Ferrars smiled. "You're as able to take care of yourself as any man Iknow, Brierly," he said, with frank conviction. "It's for the interestof the case that we--and especially you--keep ourselves as much aloof
aspossible from questions and curiosity. There is another reason which Icannot give just yet."
"As you will. I have put myself and my brother's vindication in yourhands, Mr. Ferrars, and I shall do nothing, be sure, to hinder yourprogress." As they passed out Brierly paused under the shadow of theporch. "May I ask if you have put the same embargo upon Miss Grant?" hequestioned.
"I have, yes. Glenville must know what we wish it to know, and not asyllable more."
"Ah! I like that."
"Why?"
"Because it sounds as if you had really found the end of your threadhere."
"Oh, yes. The beginning is here. Not of the case, mind; only of theclues. But heaven only knows where it may lead us before we find theend."
"What matters," said the brother of Charles Brierly, with a heavy sigh,"so long as it brings us to the truth!"
The Last Stroke: A Detective Story Page 11