by Fergus Hume
CHAPTER XI.
BLACKMAIL.
Having come to the only possible arrangement, consistent with thedifficult position in which they stood, Lambert and Lady Agnes tooktheir almost immediate departure from The Manor. The young man hadmerely come to stay there in response to his cousin's request, so thathis avoidance of her should not be too marked, and the suspicions ofPine excited. Now that the man was dead, there was no need to behave inthis judicious way, and having no great love for Garvington, whom hethoroughly despised, Lambert returned to his forest cottage. There hebusied himself once more with his art, and waited patiently to see whatthe final decision of Agnes would be. He did not expect to hear for someweeks, or even months, as the affairs of Garvington, being very muchinvolved, could not be understood in a moment. But the lovers, parted bya strict sense of duty, eased their minds by writing weekly letters toone another.
Needless to say, Garvington did not at all approve of the decision ofhis sister, which she duly communicated to him. He disliked Lambert,both as the next heir to the estates, and because he was a more popularman than himself. Even had Pine not prohibited the marriage in his will,Garvington would have objected to Agnes becoming the young man's wife;as it was, he stormed tempests, but without changing the widow'sdetermination. Being a remarkably selfish creature, all he desired wasthat Agnes should live a solitary life as a kind of banker, to supplyhim with money whenever he chose to ask for the same. Pine he had notbeen able to manage, but he felt quite sure that he could bully hissister into doing what he wanted. It both enraged and surprised him tofind that she had a will of her own and was not content to obey hisegotistical orders. Agnes would not even remain under his roof--as hewanted her to, lest some other person should get hold of her and thedesirable millions--but returned to her London house. The only comforthe had was that Lambert was not with her, and therefore--as he devoutlyhoped--she would meet some man who would cause her to forget the Abbot'sWood recluse. So long as Agnes retained the money, Garvington did notparticularly object to her marrying, as he always hoped to cajole andbully ready cash out of her, but he would have preferred had sheremained single, as then she could be more easily plundered.
"And yet I don't know," he said to his long-suffering wife. "While she'sa widow there's always the chance that she may take the bit between herteeth and marry Noel, in which case she loses everything. It will be aswell to get her married."
"You will have no selection of the husband this time," said LadyGarvington, whose sympathies were entirely for Agnes. "She will choosefor herself."
"Let her," retorted Garvington, with feigned generosity. "So long as shedoes not choose Noel; hang him!"
"He's the very man she will choose;" replied his wife, and Garvington,uneasily conscious that she was probably right, cursed freely all womenin general and his sister in particular. Meanwhile he went to Paris tolook after a famous chef, of whom he had heard great things, and lefthis wife in London with strict injunctions to keep a watch on Agnes.
The widow was speedily made aware of these instructions, for when LadyGarvington came to stay with her sister-in-law at the sumptuous Mayfairmansion, she told her hostess about the conversation. More than that,she even pressed her to marry Noel, and be happy.
"Money doesn't do so much, after all, when you come to think of it,"lamented Lady Garvington. "And I know you'd be happier with Noel, thanliving here with all this horrid wealth."
"What would Freddy say if he heard you talk so, Jane?"
"I don't know what else he can say," rejoined the other reflectively."He's never kept his temper or held his tongue with me. His liver isnearly always out of order with over-eating. However," she addedcheering up, "he is sure to die of apoplexy before long, and then Ishall live on tea and buns for the rest of my life. I simply hate thesight of a dinner table."
"Freddy isn't a pretty sight during a meal," admitted his sister with ashrug. "All the same you shouldn't wish him dead, Jane. You might have aworse husband."
"I'd rather have a profligate than a glutton, Agnes. But Freddy won'tdie, my dear. He'll go to Wiesbaden, or Vichy, or Schwalbach, and takethe waters to get thin; then he'll return to eat himself to the size ofa prize pig again. But thank goodness," said Lady Garvington, cheeringup once more, "he's away for a few weeks, and we can enjoy ourselves.But do let us have plain joints and no sauces, Agnes."
"Oh, you can live on bread and water if you choose," said the widowgood-humoredly. "It's a pity I am in mourning, as I can't take you outmuch. But the motor is always at your disposal, and I can give you allthe money you want. Get a few dresses--"
"And hats, and boots, and shoes, and--and--oh, I don't know what else.You're a dear, Agnes, and although I don't want to ruin you, I do wantheaps of things. I'm in rags, as Freddy eats up our entire income."
"You can't ruin a woman with two millions, Jane. Get what you requireand I'll pay. I am only too glad to give you some pleasure, since Ican't attend to you as I ought to. But you see, nearly three times aweek I have to consult the lawyers about settling Freddy's affairs."
On these conditions four or five weeks passed away very happily for thetwo women. Lady Garvington certainly had the time of her life, andregained a portion of her lost youth. She revelled in shopping, went ina quiet way to theatres, patronized skating rinks, and even attended oneor two small winter dances. And to her joy, she met with a nice youngman, who was earnestly in pursuit of a new religion, which involved muchfasting and occasional vegetarian meals. He taught her to eat nuts, andeschew meats, talking meanwhile of the psychic powers which suchabstemiousness would develop in her. Of course Lady Garvington did notoverdo this asceticism, but she was thankful to meet a man who had notread Beeton's Cookery Book. Besides, he flirted quite nicely.
Agnes, pleased to see her sister-in-law enjoying life, gave herattention to Garvington's affairs, and found them in a woeful mess. Itreally did appear as if she would have to save the Lambert family fromever-lasting disgrace, and from being entirely submerged, by keepinghold of her millions. But she did not lose heart, and worked on bravelyin the hope that an adjustment would save a few thousand a year forFreddy, without touching any of Pine's money. If she could manage tosecure him a sufficient income to keep up the title, and to prevent thesale of The Manor in Hengishire, she then intended to surrender herhusband's wealth and retire to a country life with Noel as her husband.
"He can paint and I can look after the cottage along with Mrs. Tribb,"she told Mrs. Belgrove, who called to see her one day, more painted anddyed and padded and tastefully dressed than ever. "We can keep fowls andthings, you know," she added vaguely.
"Quite an idyl," tittered the visitor, and then went away to tell herfriends that Lady Agnes must have been in love with her cousin all thetime. And as the contents of the will were now generally known, everyone agreed that the woman was a fool to give up wealth for a dullexistence in the woods. "All the same it's very sweet," sighed Mrs.Belgrove, having made as much mischief as she possibly could. "I shouldlike it myself if I could only dress as a Watteau shepherdess, you know,and carry a lamb with a blue ribbon round its dear neck."
Of course, Lady Agnes heard nothing of this ill-natured chatter, sinceshe did not go into society during her period of mourning, and receivedonly a few of her most intimate friends. Moreover, besides attending toGarvington's affairs, it was necessary that she should have frequentconsultations with Mr. Jarwin in his stuffy Chancery Lane office,relative to the large fortune left by her late husband. There, on threeoccasions she met Silver, the ex-secretary, when he came to explainvarious matters to the solicitor. With the consent of Lady Agnes, theman had been discharged, when Jarvin took over the management of themillions, but having a thorough knowledge of Pine's financial dealings,it was necessary that he should be questioned every now and then.
Silver was rather sulky over his abrupt dismissal, but cunninglyconcealed his real feelings when in the presence of the widow, since shewas too opulent a person to offend. It was Silver who suggested that
areward should be offered for the detection of Pine's assassin. LadyAgnes approved of the idea, and indeed was somewhat shocked that she hadnot thought of taking this course herself. Therefore, within seven daysevery police office in the United Kingdom was placarded with bills,stating that the sum of one thousand pounds would be given to the personor persons who should denounce the culprit. The amount offered causedquite a flutter of excitement, and public interest in the case wasrevived for nearly a fortnight. At the conclusion of that period, asnothing fresh was discovered, people ceased to discuss the matter. Itseemed as though the reward, large as it was, would never be claimed.
But having regard to the fact that Silver was interesting himself in theendeavor to avenge his patron's death, Lady Agnes was not at allsurprised to receive a visit from him one foggy November afternoon. Shecertainly did not care much for the little man, but feeling dull andsomewhat lonely, she quite welcomed his visit. Lady Garvington had gonewith her ascetic admirer to a lecture on "Souls and Sorrows!" thereforeAgnes had a spare hour for the ex-secretary. He was shown into her ownparticular private sitting-room, and she welcomed him with studiedpoliteness, for try as she might it was impossible for her to overcomeher mistrust.
"Good-day, Mr. Silver," she said, when he bowed before her. "This is anunexpected visit. Won't you be seated?"
Silver accepted her offer of a chair with an air of demure shyness, andsitting on its edge stared at her rather hard. He looked neat and dapperin his Bond Street kit, and for a man who had started life as aWhitechapel toymaker, his manners were inoffensive. While Pine'ssecretary he had contrived to pick up hints in the way of socialbehavior, and undoubtedly he was clever, since he so readily adaptedhimself to his surroundings. He was not a gentleman, but he looked likea gentleman, and therein lay a subtle difference as Lady Agnes decided.She unconsciously in her manner, affable as it was, suggested the gulfbetween them, and Silver, quickly contacting the atmosphere, did notlove her any the more for the hint.
Nevertheless, he admired her statuesque beauty, the fairness of whichwas accentuated by her sombre dress. Blinking like a well-fed cat,Silver stared at his hostess, and she looked questioningly at him. Withhis foxy face, his reddish hair, and suave manners, too careful to benatural, he more than ever impressed her with the idea that he was adangerous man. Yet she could not see in what way he could reveal hismalignant disposition.
"What do you wish to see me about, Mr. Silver?" she asked kindly, butdid not--as he swiftly noticed--offer him a cup of tea, although it wasclose upon five o'clock.
"I have come to place my services at your disposal," he said in a lowvoice.
"Really, I am not aware that I need them," replied Lady Agnes coldly,and not at all anxious to accept the offer.
"I think," said Silver dryly, and clearing his throat, "that when youhear what I have to say you will be glad that I have come."
"Indeed! Will you be good enough to speak plainer?"
She colored hotly when she asked the question, as it struck her suddenlythat perhaps this plotter knew of Garvington's slip regarding the check.But as that had been burnt by Pine at the time of her marriage, shereflected that even if Silver knew about it, he could do nothing.Unless, and it was this thought that made her turn red, Garvington hadagain risked contact with the criminal courts. The idea was not apleasant one, but being a brave woman, she faced the possibility boldly.
"Well?" she asked calmly, as he did not reply immediately. "What haveyou to say?"
"It's about Pine's death," said Silver bluntly.
"Sir Hubert, if you please."
"And why, Lady Agnes?" Silver raised his faint eyebrows. "We were morelike brothers than master and servant. And remember that it was by thepenny toys that I invented your husband first made money."
"In talking to me, I prefer that you should call my late husband SirHubert," insisted the widow haughtily. "What have you discoveredrelative to his death?"
Silver did not answer the question directly. "Sir Hubert, since you willhave it so, Lady Agnes, was a gypsy," he remarked carelessly.
"That was made plain at the inquest, Mr. Silver."
"Quite so, Lady Agnes, but there were other things not made plain onthat occasion. It was not discovered who shot him."
"You tell me nothing new. I presume you have come to explain that youhave discovered a clew to the truth?"
Silver raised his pale face steadily. "Would you be glad if I had?"
"Certainly! Can you doubt it?"
The man shirked a reply to this question also. "Sir Hubert did not treatme over well," he observed irrelevantly.
"I fear that has nothing to do with me, Mr. Silver."
"And I was dimissed from my post," he went on imperturbably.
"On Mr. Jarwin's advice," she informed him quickly. "There was no needfor you to be retained. But I believe that you were given a year'ssalary in lieu of notice."
"That is so," he admitted. "I am obliged to you and to Mr. Jarwin forthe money, although it is not a very large sum. Considering what I didfor Sir Hubert, and how he built up his fortune out of my brains, Ithink that I have been treated shabbily."
Lady Agnes rose, and moved towards the fireplace to touch the ivorybutton of the electric bell. "On that point I refer you to Mr. Jarwin,"she said coldly. "This interview has lasted long enough and can lead tonothing."
"It may lead to something unpleasant unless you listen to me," saidSilver acidly. "I advise you not to have me turned out, Lady Agnes."
"What do you mean?" She dropped the hand she had extended to ring thebell, and faced the smooth-faced creature suddenly. "I don't know whatyou are talking about."
"If you will sit down, Lady Agnes, I can explain."
"I can receive your explanation standing," said the widow, frowning. "Bebrief, please."
"Very well. To put the matter in a nutshell, I want five thousandpounds."
"Five thousand pounds!" she echoed, aghast.
"On account," said Silver blandly. "On account, Lady Agnes."
"And for what reason?"
"Sir Hubert was a gypsy," he said again, and with a significant look.
"Well?"
"He stopped at the camp near Abbot's Wood."
"Well?"
"There is a gypsy girl there called Chaldea."
"Chaldea! Chaldea!" muttered the widow, passing her hand across herbrow. "I have heard that name. Oh, yes. Miss Greeby mentioned it to meas the name of a girl who was sitting as Mr. Lambert's model."
"Yes," assented Silver, grinning. "She is a very beautiful girl."
The color rushed again to the woman's cheeks, but she controlled heremotions with an effort. "So Miss Greeby told me!" She knew that the manwas hinting that Lambert admired the girl in question, but her prideprevented her admitting the knowledge. "Chaldea is being painted asEsmeralda to the Quasimodo of her lover, a Servian gypsy called Kara, asI have been informed, Mr. Silver. But what has all this to do with me?"
"Don't be in a hurry, Lady Agnes. It will take time to explain."
"How dare you take this tone with me?" demanded the widow, clenching herhands. "Leave the room, sir, or I shall have you turned out."
"Oh, I shall leave since you wish it," replied Silver, rising slowly andsmoothing his silk hat with his sleeve. "But of course I shall try andearn the reward you offered, by taking the letter to the police."
Agnes was so surprised that she closed again the door she had opened forher visitor's exit. "What letter?"
"That one which was written to inveigle Sir Hubert to The Manor on thenight he was murdered," replied Silver slowly, and suddenly raising hiseyes he looked at her straightly.
"I don't understand," she said in a puzzled way. "I have never heardthat such a letter was in existence. Where is it?"
"Chaldea has it, and will not give it up unless she receives fivethousand pounds," answered the man glibly. "Give it to me and it passesinto your possession, Lady Agnes."
"Give you what?"
"Five thousand pounds-
-on account."
"On account of blackmail. How dare you make such a proposition to me?"
"You know," said Silver pointedly.
"I know nothing. It is the first time I have heard of any letter. Whowrote it, may I ask?"
"You know," said Silver again.
Lady Agnes was so insulted by his triumphant look that she could havestruck his grinning face. However, she had too strong a nature to lowerherself in this way, and pointed to a chair. "Let me ask you a fewquestions, Mr. Silver," she said imperiously.
"Oh, I am quite ready to answer whatever you choose to ask," heretorted, taking his seat again and secretly surprised at herself-control.
"You say that Chaldea holds a letter which inveigled my husband to hisdeath?" demanded Lady Agnes coolly.
"Yes. And she wants five thousand pounds for it."
"Why doesn't she give it to the police?"
"One thousand pounds is not enough for the letter. It is worth more--tosome people," and Silver raised his pale eyes again.
"To me, I presume you mean;" then when he bowed, she continued herexamination. "The five thousand pounds you intimate is on account, yetyou say that Chaldea will deliver the letter for that sum."
"To me," rejoined the ex-secretary impudently. "And when it is in mypossession, I can give it to you for twenty thousand pounds."
Lady Agnes laughed in his face. "I am too good a business woman to makesuch a bargain," she said with a shrug.
"Well, you know best," replied Silver, imitating her shrug.
"I know nothing; I am quite in the dark as to the reason for yourblackmailing, Mr. Silver."
"That is a nasty word, Lady Agnes."
"It is the only word which seems to suit the situation. Why should Igive twenty-five thousand pounds for this letter?"
"Its production will place the police on the track of the assassin."
"And is not that what I desire? Why did I offer a reward of one thousandpounds if I did not hope that the wretch who murdered my husband shouldbe brought to justice?"
Silver exhibited unfeigned surprise. "You wish that?"
"Certainly I do. Where was this letter discovered?"
"Chaldea went to the tent of your husband in the camp and found it inthe pocket of his coat. He apparently left it behind by mistake when hewent to watch."
"Watch?"
"Yes! The letter stated that you intended to elope that night with Mr.Lambert, and would leave the house by the blue door. Sir Hubert went towatch and prevent the elopement. In that way he came by his death, sinceLord Garvington threatened to shoot a possible burglar. Of course, SirHubert, when the blue door was opened by Lord Garvington, who had heardthe footsteps of the supposed burglar, threw himself forward, thinkingyou were coming out to meet Mr. Lambert. Sir Hubert was first shot inthe arm by Lord Garvington, who really believed for the moment that hehad to do with a robber. But the second shot," ended Silver withemphasis, "was fired by a person concealed in the shrubbery, who knewthat Sir Hubert would walk into the trap laid by the letter."
During this amazing recital, Lady Agnes, with her eyes on the man'sface, and her hands clasped in sheer surprise, had sat down on a nearcouch. She could scarcely believe her ears. "Is this true?" she asked ina faltering voice.
Silver shrugged his shoulders again. "The letter held by Chaldeacertainly set the snare in which Sir Hubert was caught. Unless theperson in the shrubbery knew about the letter, the person would scarcelyhave been concealed there with a revolver. I know about the letter forcertain, since Chaldea showed it to me, when I went to ask questionsabout the murder in the hope of gaining the reward. The rest of my storyis theoretical."
"Who was the person who fired the shot?" asked Lady Agnes abruptly.
"I don't know."
"Who wrote the letter which set the snare?"
Silver shuffled. "Chaldea loves Mr. Lambert," he said hesitating.
"Go on," ordered the widow coldly and retaining her self-control.
"She is jealous of you, Lady Agnes, because--"
"There is no reason to explain," interrupted the listener between herteeth.
"Well, then, Chaldea hating you, says that you wrote the letter."
"Oh, indeed." Lady Agnes replied calmly enough, although her conflictingemotions almost suffocated her. "Then I take it that this gypsy declaresme to be a murderess."
"Oh, I shouldn't say that exactly."
"I do say it," cried Lady Agnes, rising fiercely. "If I wrote theletter, and set the snare, I must necessarily know that some one washiding in the shrubbery to shoot my husband. It is an abominable liefrom start to finish."
"I am glad to hear you say so. But the letter?"
"The police will deal with that."
"The police? You will let Chaldea give the letter to the police?"
"I am innocent and have no fear of the police. Your attempt toblackmail me has failed, Mr. Silver."
"Be wise and take time for reflection," he urged, walking towards thedoor, "for I have seen this letter, and it is in your handwriting."
"I never wrote such a letter."
"Then who did--in your handwriting?"
"Perhaps you did yourself, Mr. Silver, since you are trying to blackmailme in this bareface way."
Silver snarled and gave her an ugly look. "I did no such thing," heretorted vehemently, and, as it seemed, honestly enough. "I had everyreason to wish that Sir Hubert should live, since my income and myposition depended upon his existence. But you--"
"What about me?" demanded Lady Agnes, taking so sudden a step forwardthat the little man retreated nearer the door.
"People say--"
"I know what people say and what you are about to repeat," she said in astifled voice. "You can tell the girl to take that forged letter to thepolice. I am quite able to face any inquiry."
"Is Mr. Lambert also able?"
"Mr. Lambert?" Agnes felt as though she would choke.
"He was at his cottage on that night."
"I deny that; he went to London."
"Chaldea can prove that he was at his cottage, and--"
"You had better go," said Lady Agnes, turning white and lookingdangerous. "Go, before you say what you may be sorry for. I shall tellMr. Lambert the story you have told me, and let him deal with thematter."
Silver threw off the mask, as he was enraged she should so boldlywithstand his demands. "I give you one week," he said harshly. "And, ifyou do not pay me twenty-five thousand pounds, that letter goes to theinspector at Wanbury."
"It can go now," she declared dauntlessly.
"In that case you and Mr. Lambert will be arrested at once."
Agnes gripped the man's arm as he was about to step through the door. "Itake your week of grace," she said with a sudden impulse of wisdom.
"I thought you would," retorted Silver insultingly. "But remember I mustget the money at the end of seven days. It's twenty-five thousand poundsfor me, or disgrace to you," and with an abrupt nod he disappearedsneering.
"Twenty-five thousand pounds or disgrace," whispered Agnes to herself.