CHAPTER LIX.
CONSTABLE APPLEBEE DISTINGUISHES HIMSELF.
Constable Applebee, seeking shelter from the storm beneath the roof ofDeadman's Court, kept his face and his thoughts in the direction ofSamuel Boyd's house, for such complete possession had the mysterytaken of him that lightning, wind, and rain were powerless to drive itfrom his mind. Besides which, as he afterwards informed his wife, hehad a presentiment that "something was going to happen." The latestflash of lightning caused him to clap his hand instinctively upon hiseyes; the crash of thunder that followed caused him to drop his hand.Then, as though the elements had exhausted themselves, there was asudden hush, for the sound of the fast-falling rain was faint in hisears after the deafening thunderpeal. So faint, indeed, that, in thebelief that the storm was spent, he stepped into Catchpole Square andlooked around, distinguishing only the outlines of the buildingsbecause of the darkness of the night. Almost on the instant the doorof Samuel Boyd's house was violently opened, and a man rushed out,slamming it behind him. With such frantic haste did he run that hecame into collision with the constable, and both were nearly upset.They recovered their equilibrium simultaneously, and before the mancould get his breath Applebee proved himself equal to the occasion.
"Easy, there!" he exclaimed, and with one hand caught the man by thethroat, while with the other he raised his whistle to his lips, andblew a loud and vigorous summons for assistance.
"Let me go!" cried the man, struggling to get free. "Come into thehouse with me--quick, quick, or the murderers will escape!"
"_You_ don't escape," said Applebee. "Keep still, or I'll knock you onthe head." And he tightened his hand on the man's throat.
At this moment his summons for assistance was answered by therespectable mechanic who had twice inquired the way to Holborn."What's up?" he inquired.
Applebee pulled out his bull's eye lamp, and turned its light upon thenew arrival. "Oh, it's you," he said. "I call upon you in the Queen'sname to assist me in arresting this man."
"Right you are," replied Lambert, in the half tipsy voice of themechanic.
"Are you mad?" cried the man. "They will escape, I tell you! Come withme into that house!"
"Keep still!" growled Applebee, shaking his captive roughly.
"What do you charge him with?" asked Lambert, keeping up the fiction.
"Murder," said Applebee. "The murder of Samuel Boyd!"
"That's a find," said Lambert. "Let's have a look at him." And to theconstable's astonishment he also pulled out a bull's-eye lamp.
"Who are you?" demanded Applebee.
"My name is Lambert," said the detective, dropping his disguise.
"I might have guessed it; but don't forget that _I_ made this arrest."
"You shall have the credit of it." The light of two bull's-eye lampswas thrown upon the man's face. "By George! It's Dick Remington."
"Absent on business," observed Applebee, sarcastically. "The murder'sout. What's that he's dropped?" Lambert picked it up. "A mask!"
It was the mask of a Chinaman's face; and moreover, Dick's outergarment was that of a Mongolian, resembling the garment of the waxfigure in the office from which but a few minutes ago he had escaped.
"Look here, Mr. Lambert, look here, Applebee," said Dick, eagerly----
"Stop, Dick Remington," interrupted Lambert. "Don't you think you hadbetter shut your mouth? We're bound to take you to the station, andcharge you. When you're brought before the magistrate you can tellyour story if you like. Take my advice."
"So far as my story is concerned I will," said Dick, "but in thathouse are the murderers of Samuel Boyd. For heaven's sake don't leavethe place without arresting them!"
"If he gets us into the house," remarked Applebee, "we're done for."
"We shall be three to two," urged Dick, despairingly.
"If your story's true," corrected Applebee, "we shall be two to three.What's this in your hand? A sword-stick?"
"No," said Dick, and his heart fell; he was beginning to realise thedanger he was in, "it is not a weapon. I will explain everything atthe proper time. Mr. Lambert, I implore you to search that house."
"Constable Applebee has spoken like a careful and sensible man," saidLambert, "but we'll see if we can equalise matters." Taking his policecall from his pocket he sent his summons through Deadman's Court."Blow yours, too, Applebee."
The first to answer the call was Constable Pond, to whom the affairwas hastily explained; and presently they were joined by anotherofficer.
"I see no harm in humouring Mr. Remington," then said Lambert. "Pond,you and this officer keep watch in the Square while we go into thehouse. There's only one way out of it, and there's only one way out ofthe Square."
"There's the wall at the back," said Dick.
"Which they've got over before this time----"
"Supposing," Applebee put in, "there was anyone to get over it."
"Yes, supposing that. When daylight comes we shall be able toascertain if there are any fresh marks of a grapnel there." Dick sethis teeth; his rope and grapnel were under the bed of his room inConstable Pond's house. "You wish to go into the house with us, Mr.Remington?"
"Yes."
"We must handcuff you. Give me the stick." He took possession of it,and Dick, with a groan, held out his hands. "Behind your back, Mr.Remington. I am sorry for the necessity, but there's no help for it.There, that's comfortable. Have you the key of the street door?"
"In my trousers' pocket."
Lambert put his hand beneath Dick's outer garment, and took the keyfrom the pocket. Then he showed his revolver. "If we're attacked,Applebee, I'll account for the two men. Now, then." He opened thedoor. "You go first, Mr. Remington. Applebee, keep behind me, and beprepared."
Throwing light upon their way with their bull's-eye lamps the twoofficers, preceded by Dick, ascended the stairs to the office. Noperson was there, nor in the bedroom. They went through all the roomsin the upper part of the house, with the same result. Lambert'sexperienced eye sought diligently for some sign of the presence of themen Dick had spoken of, but without success.
"A trumped-up story," said Applebee aside to him, "but _I_ knew thatall along."
Lambert made no reply, but turned to Dick, "Anywhere else, Mr.Remington?"
"The bottom of the house," replied Dick. Hope was dying within him. Heknew that he would be searched at the police station, and that, inaddition to other incriminating evidence, there would be found in hispocket the last words written by Samuel Boyd, the production of whichwould be fatal to Reginald. "Fool!" he thought. "Why have I kept itabout me? Why did I not destroy it?"
"Is there a cellar?" asked Lambert.
"Yes."
"I draw the line at cellars," objected Applebee.
"We will go there," said Lambert curtly, and the constable wascompelled to accompany them.
"There is a trap door leading to the cellar," said Dick, hopelessly,when they reached the kitchen, for he saw that it had not beendisturbed since he had last lifted it himself. Lambert raised it, andlet himself down; ascending, he shook the dust from his clothes.
"A regular rat hole," he said. "There's no one there."
"Nor anywhere else," said Applebee, sulkily. "We're only wasting time.Let's get to the station."
Caught, as it were, in a trap of his own preparing, Dick conveyed toLambert, in one of those secret glances which to an intelligent mindare as good as speech, an entreaty for a private word.
"Remain outside a minute, Applebee," said Lambert, as they stood inthe passage leading to the street door. "There's something I wish toask Mr. Remington."
Applebee would have refused if he dared, but Lambert's standing in theforce was too high, and the part he had played in the mystery tooconspicuous, for him to venture opposition, so, with a dissatisfiedmind and a discontented face, he walked slowly forward, and waited inthe Square by the street door.
"This is a bad business, Dick," said Lambert, becoming
familiar. Hiskind tone brought tears into the young man's eyes.
"It is even worse than it appears," said Dick, "as you will discoverwhen we reach the station. You might take the handcuffs off, Mr.Lambert. I'll go quietly." Lambert instantly released him. "Thank you.Handle that cane gently, and carry it upright, if you don't care toentrust me with it. You will know why soon. It is worth more than itsweight in gold. Do you think I have been lying?" Lambert stroked hischin. "It is an unfair question, perhaps. I'll answer it myself. As Ihope for mercy from our heavenly Judge I have spoken the truth."
"Who were the men you left in the office? Don't say unless you like,and don't speak one word that will tell against yourself. Understandme--I sha'n't use anything to your disadvantage unless I have the bestof reasons for it. And don't _mis_understand me. I intend to do myduty without regard to consequences. After all, the proper course issilence."
"I _must_ speak. I don't know for certain who the men were. You see mydress and the mask I dropped. I had it made in Covent Garden, andpartly helped to make it myself. I have been in this house sinceFriday night last, and have sat in that Chinaman's chair whenever Iheard a sound outside the room, made up to resemble him. I actedanother part, too--I could smile at it if it wasn't for what I seebefore me. There's new misery in store for those I love best in theworld, and it is I who will bring it home to them."
"Be a man, Dick, be a man."
"It is because I _am_ a man that I feel it as I do. I have beenworking to save them, and as likely as not I have brought destructionupon them. I waited for my chance in this house, and to-night it came;and it has been spoilt at the last moment by a----"
"By a man who was doing his duty," said Lambert, persuasively. "I amsure that is what you were going to say. Did you not see the men?"
"I could not. They were at the back of the hooded chair all the time,and of course I didn't dare to turn my head, or they'd have stuck aknife in me. Do you think I'm clever enough to have invented thestory?" he asked pathetically.
"I think you are clever enough to invent anything," replied Lambert.He had great admiration for the young fellow, and great sympathy withhim; notwithstanding which he would not commit himself. "Be quick.I've no time to listen to a long story; Applebee will be gettingimpatient. Didn't you hear their voices?"
"I could not distinguish them. They spoke in whispers, and I onlycaught a word here and there. But I suspect--I suspect----"
"Yes?"
"I more than suspect. I believe them to be Dr. Pye and the wretchVinsen, who is no doctor, but a money-lender named Ezra Lynn, inleague with that scoundrel of a juryman, Rawdon."
"I know all about Ezra Lynn and Rawdon. How did the men you suspectget out of the house?"
"I cannot tell. There is some awful mystery yet to be brought tolight. _I_ hoped to do it, but now I shall be deprived of myliberty----" He groaned, and clasped his hands convulsively. "Mr.Lambert, our only hope is in you. You want to see justice done, don'tyou?"
"I _will_ see it done," said Lambert, sternly.
"Don't be misled--don't be thrown off the right track! However strongappearances may be against me, and against Reginald Boyd, I swear, byall we hold most sacred, that we are both innocent!"
"Isn't it time we were moving, Mr. Lambert," called Applebee, fromwithout.
"In one moment, Applebee."
"Must I be taken to Bishop Street Station?" asked Dick.
"We daren't take you to another," replied Lambert, gravely. "It willbe a terrible shock to Inspector Robson."
"My poor uncle! I would give my right hand if it could be spared him.What will he think--what will his dear wife and daughter think?" Dickwas suffering physically as well as mentally; he had not tasted foodfor twenty hours.
Again Applebee's voice was heard from without.
"A last word," said Lambert, hurriedly. "My duty will be performed,whatever happens; no consideration will be allowed to interfere withits proper performance. There will be a search warrant. I don't askyou if there is anything in your room in Pond's house that will tellagainst you--don't speak; I will not listen--I don't ask you that. Ifanything is found it will be brought forward without fear or favour,and evidence given in a straightforward manner. But it may console youto know, quite privately and confidentially"--Dick nodded--"that I amworking up a case against the men whose names you mentioned, and thatif I succeed you may not be the worse off for it. Give me your wordthat you will keep this to yourself. Enough said. We're ready,Applebee."
Pond and his fellow constable, reporting that no person had passedthrough the Square, received instructions to keep watch, one in thefront, the other at the back of the house until they were relieved,and to arrest all suspicious characters. Then Lambert, Applebee, andDick, walked to the Bishop Street Station.
Inspector Robson's face was worn and anxious, and when he saw Dick andheard the charge it became haggard. He held up his hand, as ifimploring a short respite of silence, and they averted their eyesuntil he spoke. Raising their heads, a dead white face confrontedthem, its lips sternly compressed. He did not avoid their glance, butit was noticeable that not for a single moment did his own rest uponhis nephew. "That is a man," thought Lambert, "who would go straightto his death at the call of duty. It makes one proud to be anEnglishman." They were all very grave as, without faltering, he tookdown the charge at the dictation of Constable Applebee.
"Before I am searched," said Dick, "I may be allowed to speak, Isuppose."
"I would not," advised Lambert.
"But I will, if I am not prevented by force. To be silent would be anadmission of guilt, and I am innocent. I wish all in this place tohear my story, every word of which is true."
There was no one in the office except those immediately concerned,Lambert, when they entered, having taken the precaution to order theconstable in attendance outside. In a voice shaken by emotion, butweak from want of rest and food, Dick related as briefly as possiblethe particulars of the part he had played in the mystery. He himselfemptied his pockets, and handed the document falsely incriminatingReginald to his uncle.
"I kept these matters to myself," he said, "because I saw that therewas a strong case of circumstantial evidence against Mr. ReginaldBoyd, and that the knowledge I had gained would strengthen it. Had Irevealed at the inquest what I knew nothing could have prevented averdict of wilful murder against him being returned. Convinced of hisinnocence my aim was to spare him and those he loved the agony whichthis additional evidence would have caused them. I felt that time wasrequired to bring the guilt home to those who had committed the crime,and to that task I bent all my energies. I may have erred, but I actedfor the best, as I believed, and as I still believe; for even now I donot despair that the truth will be made known. As to what that hollowcane contains I am as ignorant as yourselves, except that before Isnatched it from the hands of the men who were searching the room Iheard one of them say, 'The jewels! They are here--they are here!' IfI had been left at liberty I should have hunted the wretches down, butnow----"
He had spoken under the influence of intense excitement, but sleeplessnights, hunger, and the consciousness of the torture which his uncleRob was undergoing, overpowered him here, and with a pitiableendeavour to continue, he broke completely down. A long deep sighescaped him, and he sank into the arms of Lambert, who had expectedand was waiting for the collapse. In this state he was conveyed to acell.
An examination of the contents of the cane made Applebee open his eyeswide with astonishment. Lambert had in his pocket a list of the jewelswhich Lady Wharton had given Samuel Boyd on the night of the murder,and he ticked them off as Inspector Robson entered them on the chargesheet.
"You will understand, Constable Applebee," said Lambert, when thebusiness was concluded, "that what passes in Inspector Robson's officeis not public property. The arrest is not to be spoken of outside. Ihave heard it said in high quarters that there is too much babblingand boasting among certain members of the force. If it continuessevere measures will be resorted to."<
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"I understand, Mr. Lambert," replied Applebee, with the air of aninjured being. Before they reached the police station he had beeninclined to regard himself as a hero, but his reception had notpleased him, and he returned to his beat in a state of mind notexactly amiable. He soon consoled himself, however. "It's jealousy,that's what it is," he said to himself. "He's riled because he didn'tmake the arrest, and can't claim the reward. If it belongs to anybodyit belongs to me, and if they try to do me out of it I'll go to lawwith them. There's nothing that I know of in the regulations to keepit from me. Anyway, there's the reward for the jewels, and it's methat found them. Her ladyship wouldn't be mean enough to go from herword." Thus did Applebee muse, and thus does Mammon poison many aman's nature. For Applebee had always been an inoffensive, harmless,kindly man, but the glare of gold had brought into play the baser partof him.
Despite Lambert's warning, which had been given partly out ofconsideration for the feelings of Inspector Robson, a whisper of thearrest, and, more or less true, of the incidents connected with it,did get about, and the excitement in the neighbourhood of BishopStreet Police Station, where great numbers of people congregated inthe hope of catching sight of Dick, was no less than on the precedingFriday, when proceedings against Reginald were commenced.
Samuel Boyd of Catchpole Square: A Mystery Page 60