CHAPTER LVII
HIDE-AND-SEEK
Bell's professional enthusiasm got the better of his curiosity for themoment. It was a nice psychological problem. Already Steel wasimpulsively busy in the conservatory pulling the pots down. It was aregretful thing to have to do, but everything had to be sacrificed, Davidshut his teeth grimly and proceeded with his task.
"What on earth are you doing?" Bell asked, with a smile.
"Pulling the place to pieces," David responded. "I daresay I shall feelpretty sick about it later on, but the thing has to be done. Cut thosewires for me, and let those creepers down as tenderly as possible. Wecan't get to the little pots until we have moved the big ones."
Bell coolly declined to do anything of the kind. He surveyed the twograceful banks of flowers there, the carefully trained creepers trailingso naturally and yet so artistically from the roof to the ground, and thesight pleased him.
"My dear chap," he said, "I am not going to sit here and allow you todestroy the work of so many hours. There is not the slightest reason todisturb anything. Unless I am greatly mistaken, Van Sneck will lay hishad upon the ring for us without so much as the sacrifice of a blossom."
"I don't fancy so," Van Sneck replied. "I can't remember."
"Well, you are going to," Bell said, cheerfully. "Did you ever hear ofartificial memory?"
"The sort of thing you get in law courts and political speeches?" Davidsuggested. "All the same, if you have some patent way of getting at thefacts I shall be only too glad to spare my poor flowers. Their traininghas been a labour of love with me."
Bell smoked on quietly for some time. He toyed with the red blossomswhich had so stimulated Van Sneck's recollection, then tossed a sprayover to Van Sneck and suggested that the latter should put it in hisbutton-hole.
"So as to have the fragrance with you all the time," he said.
Van Sneck obeyed quietly, remarking that the scent was very pungent. TheDutchman was restless and ill at ease; he seemed to be dissatisfied withhimself--he had the air of a man who has set out with two or threeextremely important matters of business and who has completely forgottenwhat one of them is.
"You needn't distress yourself," David said, kindly.
"I beg your pardon," Bell said, tartly. "He is to do that very samething. Mental exercise never hurts anybody. Van Sneck is going to worrytill he puzzles it out. Will you describe the ring to us?"
The Dutchman complied at considerable length. He dwelt on the beauty ofthe workmanship and the exceeding fineness of the black pearls; he talkedwith the freedom and expression of the expert. Bell permitted him toramble on about historic rings in general. But all the same he could seethat Van Sneck was far from easy in his mind. Now and then a sudden gleamcame into his eyes: memory played for the fragment of a second on acertain elusive chord and was gone.
"Were you smoking the night you came here?" Bell asked, suddenly.
"Yes," Van Sneck replied, "a cigarette. Henson handed it over to me. Idon't deny that I was terribly frightened, I smoked the cigarette outof bravado."
"You went into the conservatory yonder and admired the flowers,"Bell observed.
Van Sneck looked up with astonishment and admiration.
"I did," he confessed. "But I don't see how you know that."
"I guessed it. It takes the brain some little time to get level to theimagination. And as soon as you came face to face with Henson you knewwhat was going to happen. You were a little dazed and frightened, and alittle overcome by liquor into the bargain. But even then, though youwere probably unconscious of it yourself, you were seeking some place tohide the ring."
"I rather believe I was," Van Sneck said, thoughtfully.
"You smoked a cigarette there. Where did you put the end?"
Van Sneck rose and went into the conservatory. He walked directly to alarge pot of stephanotis in a distant corner and picked the stump of agold-tipped cigarette from thence.
"I dropped it in there," he said. "Strange; if you had asked me thatquestion two minutes ago I should not have been able to answer it. Andnow I distinctly remember pitching it in there and watching it scorchsome of that beautiful lace-like moss. There is a long trail of ithanging down behind. I recollect how funnily it occurred to me, even inthe midst of my danger, that the trail would look better brought over thefront of the pot. Thus."
He lifted the long, graceful spiral and brought it forward. Steel nodded,approvingly.
"I came very near to dropping the ring in there," Van Sneck explained. "Ihad it in my fingers--I took it for the purpose from my waistcoat-pocket.Then I saw Henson's eye on me and I changed my mind. I wish I had beenmore sober."
Bell was examining a pot a little lower down. A piece had been chippedoff, leaving a sharp, clean, red edge with a tiny tip of hair upon it.
"You fell here," he exclaimed. "Your head struck the pot. Here is afragment of your hair on it. It is human hair beyond a doubt, and theshade matches to a nicety. After that--"
A sudden cry broke from the Dutchman.
"I've got it!" he exclaimed. "You have cleverly led my mind into theright direction. The only marvel is that I did not think of it before.You will find the ring in the pot where the tuberose grows. I am quitecertain you will find it amongst the moss at the base."
David carefully scooped up all the loose moss from the pot and laid it onthe study table. Then he shook the stuff out, and something glitteringlay on the table--a heavy ring of the most exquisite and cunningworkmanship, with a large gem in the centre, flanked by black pearls oneither side. Van Sneck took it in his fingers lovingly.
"Here you are," he said. "Ach, the beauty! Well, you've got it now, anddo you take care of it lest it falls into my hands again. If I got achance I would steal it once more, and yet again, and again. Ah, whatmischief those things cause, to be sure!"
The speaker hardly knew how much mischief the ring in question hadcaused, nor did his companions seek to enlighten him. David wrapped it upcarefully and placed it in his pocket.
"I'm glad that is settled," he said. "And I'm glad that I didn't have toinjure my flowers. Bell, you really are a most wonderful fellow."
Bell smiled with the air of a man who is well satisfied with himself. Atthis moment a servant came in with a message to the effect that InspectorMarley desired to see Mr. Steel on important business.
"Couldn't have come at a better time," David murmured. "Ask Mr.Marley in here."
Marley came smilingly, yet mysterious. He evinced no surprise at thesight of Van Sneck. He was, doubtless, aware of the success of theoperation on the latter. He particularly desired to know where Mr.Reginald Henson was to be found.
"This is a queer place to look for him," said Steel.
"But he was here yesterday," Marley protested. "He had an accident."
"Bogus," said Steel. "We turned him out of the house. Is he wanted?"
Marley explained that he was wanted on three different charges; in fact,the inspector had the warrants in his pocket at the present moment.
"Well, it's only by good chance that you haven't got one for me," Davidlaughed. "If you have ten minutes to spare, between Van Sneck and myselfwe can clear up the mystery of the diamond-mounted cigar-case for you."
Marley had the time to spare, and, indeed, he was keen enough to hear thesolution of the mystery. A short explanation from David, followed by afew pithy, pertinent questions to Van Sneck, and he was perfectlysatisfied.
"And yet I seemed to have an ideal case against you, Mr. Steel," he said."Seems almost a pity to cut a career like Mr. Henson's short, does itnot? Which reminds me that I am wasting time here. Any time you and VanSneck happen to be passing the police-station the cigar-case is entirelyat your disposal."
And Marley bustled off upon the errand that meant so much for ReginaldHenson. He was hardly out of the house before Ruth Gates arrived. Shelooked a little distressed; she would not stay for a moment, shedeclared. Her machine was outside, and she was riding over to Longdeanwithout delay. A
note had just been sent to her from Chris.
"My uncle is in Paris," she said. "So I am going over to Longdean for afew days. Lord Littimer is there, and Frank also. The reconciliation iscomplete and absolute. Chris says the house is not the same now, and thatshe didn't imagine that it could be so cheerful. Reginald Henson--"
"My dear child, Henson is not there now."
"Well, he is. He went there last night, knowing that he was at his lastgasp, with the idea of getting more money from Lady Littimer. To hisgreat surprise he found Littimer there also. It was anything but apleasant interview for Mr. Henson, who was finally turned out of thehouse. It is supposed that he came back again, for they found him thismorning in the grounds with one of the dogs upon him. He is most horriblyhurt, and lies at the lodge in a critical condition. I promised Christhat I would bring a message to you from Lord Littimer. He wants you andDr. Bell to come over this afternoon and stay to dinner."
"We'll come, with pleasure," David said. "I'll go anywhere to have thechance of a quiet hour with you, Ruth. So far ours has been rather aprosaic wooing. And, besides, I shall want you to coach me up on myinterview with your uncle. You have no idea how nervous I am. And at thelast he might refuse to accept me for your husband."
Ruth looked up fondly into her lover's face.
"As if he could," she said, indignantly. "As if any man could find faultwith you."
David drew the slender figure to his side and kissed the sweet, shy lips.
"When you are my wife," he said, "and come to take a closer and tendererinterest in my welfare--"
"Could I take a deeper interest than I do now, David?"
"Well, perhaps not. But you will find that a good many people find faultwith me. You have no idea what the critics say sometimes. They declarethat I am an impostor, a copyist; they say that I am--"
"Let them say what they like," Ruth laughed. "That is mere jealousy, andanybody can criticise. To me you are the greatest novelist alive."
There was only one answer to this, and Ruth broke away, declaring thatshe must go at once.
"But you will come this afternoon?" she said. "And you will makeLord Littimer like you. Some people say he is queer, but I call himan old darling."
"He will like me, he is bound to. I've got something, a present for him,that will render him my slave for life. _Au revoir_ till the gloaming."
* * * * *
The dew was rising from the grass, the silence of the perfect morning wasbroken by the uneasy cries of the dogs. From their strange whimperingWilliams felt pretty sure that something was wrong. At most times hewould have called the dogs to him and laid into them with a whip, forWilliams knew no fear, and the hounds respected his firm yet kindly rule.
But Williams was in an exceptionally good temper this morning. Everythinghad turned out as he had hoped for and anticipated, and the literalkicking-out of Henson the previous evening was still fresh and sweet inhis memory. It would be something to boast of in his declining years.
"Drat the dogs," he exclaimed. "Now, what's the matter? I had bettergo and see. Got a fox in a hole, perhaps! We shall have to tie 'em upin future."
Williams darted into the thicket. Then he came full upon Henson, lying onhis back, with his white, unconscious face and staring eyes turned to thesky, and two great dogs fussing uneasily about him. A big pup close byhad a large swelling on his head. By Henson's side lay the ash stick hehad picked up when pursued by Merritt.
Williams bent over the stark, still figure and shuddered as he saw howhis clothing was all torn away from the body; saw the deep wounds inthe chest and throat; he could see that Henson still breathed. Hisloud shouts for assistance brought Frank Littimer and the lodge-keeperto the spot. Together they carried the body to the lodge and sent forthe doctor.
"The case is absolutely hopeless," Walker said, after he had made hisexamination. "The poor fellow may linger till the morning, but I doubtif he will recognise anybody again. Does anybody know how the thingcame about?"
Nobody but Merritt could have thrown any light upon the mystery, and hewas far away. Williams shook his head as he thought of his parting withHenson the previous night.
"I let him out and closed the gate behind him," he said. "He must havecome back for something later on and gone for the dogs. He certainly hitone of the pups over the head with a stick, and that probably set theothers on to him. Nobody will ever know the rights of the business."
And nobody ever did, for Henson lingered on through the day and far intothe night. At the house Lord Littimer was entertaining a party at dinner.Everything had been explained; the ring had been produced and generallyadmired. All was peace and happiness. They were all on the terrace in thedarkness when Williams came up from the lodge.
"Is there any further news?" Lord Littimer asked.
"Yes, my lord," Williams said, quietly. "Dr. Walker has just come, andwould like to see you at once. Mr. Reginald Henson died ten minutes ago."
A hush came over the hitherto noisy group. It was some little time beforeLord Littimer returned. He had only to confirm the news. Reginald Hensonwas dead; he had escaped justice, after all.
"Well, I'm not sorry," Lady Littimer said. "It is a rare disgracesaved to the family. And there have been trouble and sorrow enough andto spare."
"But your own good name, my dear?" Lord Littimer said. "And Frank's?"
"We can live all that down, my dear husband. Frank will be too happy withChris to care what gossips say. And Dr. Bell and Enid will be as happy asthe others."
"And Ruth and myself, too," David said, quietly. "Later on I shall tellin a book how three sirens got me into a perfect sea of mischief."
"What shall you call the book?" Littimer asked.
"What better title could I have," David said, "than _The Crimson Blind_?"
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