*CHAPTER XXXVII*
*A RESPITE*
Wilfrid stood gazing at the handful of scattered fragments intently,fearful lest he might have made a mistake. The first feeling in hismind was one of passionate triumph. He had forgotten that he still owedthis money to Samuel Flower. He had forgotten everything else in theknowledge that, for the time being at any rate, he was free. DoubtlessFlower would ultimately be able to prove the debt, but days or weeksmust elapse before that came about, and meanwhile, Wilfrid would bejustified in asking for proofs of any assertion Cotter might make. Thiswas what Vardon would advise, anything to gain time, and in the eyes ofa lawyer the advice would only be business-like. Before Flower couldprove that the destroyed document had existed, Wilfrid would be able toplace his affairs in order.
All the same, he was not without his doubts. Was it not his duty torestore these fragments of paper to their owner? There was no excusefor not doing so, seeing that Wilfrid knew what they represented. And,besides, he had had the money. It was not as if, having signed thedocument, he had afterwards been defrauded of his due.
"What does it mean?" Beatrice asked.
"I can explain in a very few words," Wilfrid said. "I borrowed a sum ofmoney to enable me to set up housekeeping here on the understanding thatI should pay it back within a certain period. The legal time was threemonths, but I was distinctly promised that if I could not repay themoney then these people would wait a little longer. Mind you, I hadnothing but their word for it, and I knew that, if they changed theirminds, I must find the money at the end of three months or loseeverything. I don't doubt that I could have had this respite if youruncle had not interfered. But as soon as he found out who I was he setto work to ruin me, or rather, he set Cotter to work, which is much thesame thing. I dare say Flower guessed how I found the means to furnisha house in Oldborough and the rest was easy. At all events, by buyingthat acceptance of mine, he became my creditor himself, and in theordinary course I should have found myself without a home to-night. Wemay take it for granted that Cotter was going to Castlebridge to-nightto put the law in operation when something interrupted him."
"But it must have been some friend of yours," Beatrice exclaimed. "Itmust have been somebody who knew what Cotter was going to do. Of course,I don't understand much about these things, but you would seem to befree for the moment. Do you think anything will be gained in the longrun by violence of this kind?"
"I am indebted to no friend for this," Wilfrid said emphatically."Besides, there are letters and documents lying on the grass which referto other matters besides mine. It was only by the merest accident thatI recognized this scrap of my own handwriting. Whoever waylaid Cotterwas looking for something else of which we know nothing. Don't you seethat things must take their course, Beatrice, and that I must wait andsee what is going to happen? There is something almost Providential inthis business. However, I will do the right thing. I will gather upthese fragments and give them back to Cotter if you think I should."
"Oh, I don't know what to say," Beatrice replied. "It is so hard for meto put myself in your place. Don't you think you had better consultsome solicitor?"
Wilfrid pondered the matter. Perhaps Beatrice was right.
"I think I'll take your advice," he said. "I'll walk with you as far asMaldon Grange and then come back for you after I have seen Vardon. Inthe circumstances, there is nothing else to be done. All I want you todo is to believe that I am acting for the best."
"I am certain of it," Beatrice said warmly. "No, there is no reason whyyou should come with me any farther. I suppose you will return beforedark. You will not be afraid of trouble at home for the next few days.Oh, what a tangled coil it all is!"
Wilfrid strode to Oldborough in search of Vardon whom he was luckyenough to find still in his office. The latter shook hands and motionedWilfrid to a seat.
"I have been expecting to see you all day," Vardon said. "I am sorry Iwas not successful in this business of yours, but, as I told you before,my client is cautious and refused to take the risk. Is there anythingelse I can do short of lending you the money?"
"Well, you can answer me a question or two," Wilfrid replied. "As Iunderstand it, Flower had no legal claim upon me till after twelveo'clock to-day. Now, can you tell me what he is in a position to do atthe present moment?"
Vardon shook his head gravely.
"Pretty well anything he likes," he said. "You see, you had failed inpayment, so you are entirely in his hands. All he would have to dowould be to send Cotter into Castlebridge to make a declaration that youwere a defaulter, and the sheriff would then take possession. You are,however, probably safe till Saturday morning."
"But wait a bit," Wilfrid said eagerly. "We can put Flower out of thequestion for the moment, seeing that he is too ill to attend to businesshimself. Before Cotter made the declaration you speak of wouldn't hehave to produce the original bill?"
"Of course. Why do you ask?"
"Because the original bill is in my hands," Wilfrid said grimly. "It isa most extraordinary story and I hardly expect you to believe it, thoughfortunately, I have a witness who will be ready to prove what I say.Look at this."
Wilfrid took the torn scraps of blue paper from his pocket and began toarrange them on Vardon's desk. The latter watched the proceedings asone follows some new and intricate puzzle. Naturally enough, the thingwas roughly arranged, but by and by it took shape, and Vardon could readwithout trouble.
"What on earth does this mean?" he demanded. "I suppose this is theoriginal bill you gave to Darton?"
"Make your mind easy on that score," Wilfrid said. "That is theoriginal bill and no other. And as to the rest, I found it just as yousee it now in the wood this side of Maldon Grange. I also found arevolver and a cap, to say nothing of other documents in the sametattered condition, which I left there as they were no business of mine.It was only by a lucky chance that I recognized my own handwriting, andthere and then I explained to my companion, Miss Galloway, exactly whathad taken place. Now let us have a clear understanding, Vardon. If Ithrow these scraps into the fire, I shall be able to snap my fingers atSamuel Flower and all his works?"
"Not the slightest doubt about that," Vardon said emphatically. "Allthe same, mind you, it isn't exactly the right thing to do. Still, itwill give you time, and you must be the best judge how far that willhelp you. You see, if the thing got into court and it came out that yousuppressed this document, a lot of awkward questions might be asked.But there is a way in which you can gain time and put yourself right inthe eyes of outsiders."
"I should like to know what it is," Wilfrid murmured.
"My dear fellow, the thing is simple. You are justified in ignoringeverybody in the transaction except Flower himself. Fortunately foryou, he is in no position to deal with business matters and, were I inyour place, I should simply seal those scraps up in an envelope and makeFlower a present of them when he is fit to attend to business. By thattime you will probably have met your obligation and you can use your owndiscretion as to whether you tell Flower your opinion of him or not.One thing is certain. So long as the torn bill remains in your keepingyou need not have the slightest anxiety about your home. Flower ispowerless to act and his subordinates are in a still more helplesscondition."
"You won't take these scraps?" Wilfrid asked.
"Not I, indeed," Vardon protested. "As a matter of fact, I am sorry youtold me anything about it. There are certain matters no client oughtever to tell his solicitor, and this is one of them. Go home and lockthese pieces up securely and do nothing till Flower is ready forbusiness. That is the best advice I can give you."
Wilfrid could only do as Vardon suggested and wait the turn of events.The trouble seemed to lift from Wilfrid's shoulders as he walked along.
The Five Knots Page 37