by Fergus Hume
CHAPTER IX
A STRANGE DISCOVERY
The offices of Asher, Son, and Asher were situated in a dark, narrowstreet in the City, which led down to the river. In former days theplace might have been respectable, and then the original Asher had setup his official tent in the neighborhood; but civilization had movedwestward, and Terry Street was looked on askance by fashionablesolicitors. Nevertheless the firm of Asher continued to dwell in thedingy office, where their progenitors had slaved for close on a hundredyears. It was quite good enough, thought the present head of the firm,for such well-known lawyers.
The firm did a good old-fashioned business, eminently respectable andsafe. None of the three partners was a sharper, as Morley asserted; butas the firm had issued a judgment summons against the master of TheElms, he could scarcely be expected to think well of them. Old Mr. Asherrarely came to the office, preferring his country house and melon beds,and the business was conducted by the son and the other Asher, who was acousin. Both these gentlemen were over forty, and in spite of a moderneducation were decidedly old-fashioned. There was something in themusty air of the Terry Street office that petrified them into old menbefore their due time. The three clerks who sat in the outer rooms werealso elderly, and the sole youthful creature about the place was theoffice boy, a red-haired imp who answered to the name of Alexander. Hissurname was Benker, but was not thought sufficiently dignified for usein so sedate a place of business.
With some difficulty Steel found this musty haunt of the legal Muse, andsent up his name to the senior partner with a request for an interview.Alexander, whistling between his teeth, led him into a frowzy apartmentlined with books and tin boxes, and furnished with a green baize-coveredtable heaped with legal papers, three chairs, and a mahogany sofa of theEarly Victorian period. Mr. Asher, the son, might have belonged to thesame epoch, in spite of his age, so rusty and smug did he look. His facewas clean-shaven with the exception of side-whiskers; his hair was thinon the top and sparse on the sides, and he was dressed in a suit ofsolemn black, with a satin tie to match. In fact, he was the typicallawyer of melodrama, and Steel was surprised to find so ancient asurvival in these modern days. But when they began to talk Asher provedto be quite able to hold his own, and was not at all fossilized inbrain, whatever he might be in appearance. He knew not only the name ofSteel, but all about the case and Steel's connection therewith. Hereferred in feeling terms to Daisy's death.
"A very charming girl, Mr. Steel," said the young-old lawyer. "Onseveral occasions she has been here to draw her little income. It is sadthat she should have met with her death at the hands of a jealous womanat the very time she was about to enjoy a legacy of five thousand ayear."
"You don't say so!" cried Steel, who had heard nothing of this.
"Ah! Mr. Morley never informed you of the fact."
"Well, no, he didn't; but then, I have not seen him for over a week. Ibelieve he is at Brighton with his wife. Who left this money to the lateMiss Kent?"
"A relative of hers who died lately in Australia."
"And failing her who inherits?"
Mr. Asher reflected. "I don't know that you have any right to ask thatquestion," he said, after a pause.
"Pardon me," replied the detective. "Miss Kent was murdered. I fanciedthat the money might have something to do with the commission of thecrime."
"No, Mr. Steel. I read the evidence given at the inquest. Jealousy wasthe motive of the crime, and Miss Denham is guilty."
"I am somewhat of that way of thinking myself, Mr. Asher. And on theface of it there is no other way of accounting for the murder.Nevertheless it is just as well to look at the matter from all sides.The crime may be connected with the question of this fortune. You may aswell tell me what I wish to know. I'll keep my mouth closed."
"Are you going to accuse our client of the crime?" asked Asher dryly. "Ifear you will waste your time if you do. Since you look at the matter inthis way, I don't mind speaking about what after all is not yourbusiness."
"That is as it may be," returned Steel enigmatically.
Asher passed this remark over. "Failing Miss Kent, the five thousand ayear goes to George Franklin, a brother-in-law of the testator. Welately received a letter from him, informing us that he intended toclaim the money."
"How did he know that he would inherit?"
"We advertised for him. He is quite unaware of the death of Miss Kent,and I daresay thinks Mr. Powell left the fortune to him direct."
"You can't be certain of his ignorance. However, let us give him thebenefit of the doubt. Where did he write from?"
"From Florence, in Italy, where he has lived for four years. He will bein London next week, and if you want to see him----"
"I'll think of it," interrupted Steel. "There may be no need to troubleMr. Franklin. At present I am searching for this clerk of yours, whowent off with Miss Denham."
The lawyer raised his eyebrows with manifest surprise. "A clerk of ours,Mr. Steel? I don't quite follow you."
"I refer to the man who served a judgment summons on Mr. Morley."
"A boy served that," explained Asher. "The boy who showed you in."
Steel stared hard at the solicitor, trying to understand why he had madesuch a statement. "But that is absurd," he remarked. "I know thatnothing was said at the inquest about the matter, as Mr. Morley did notwish it to be known that he was in such difficulties. But a tall man,with a reddish beard, dressed in a great-coat, with a white scarf,served the summons. Afterwards he went to the midnight service in theparish church, and lured Miss Kent outside by means of a note, which wecannot find. From what I have gathered this man went with Miss Denham inMr. Ware's motor-car. He fled with her, and I fancy he must be eitherthe assassin or an accessory after the fact."
Asher heard all this with extreme surprise. When Steel concluded hetouched the bell. Alexander responded with his usual cheerful andimpudent air. His master addressed him with some severity. "What aboutthat summons which was served by you on Mr. Morley, of Rickwell?" hedemanded.
The lad grew crimson to his ears, and looked at the floor muchembarrassed. "I served it all right, sir," he mumbled.
"_You_ served it," struck in Steel, with emphasis. "That is quiteuntrue. A tall man with a red beard served it."
"Alexander, tell the truth. What does this mean?"
The boy began to sob, and drew his coat-sleeve across his eye with asnuffle. "I thought it was all right," he said, "or I should not havegiven it to him."
"The summons! You gave it to someone to serve?"
"Yes, sir. To Mr. Wilson, mother's lodger."
"Is he tall? Has he a pale face and a red beard?" asked Steel.
"He has, sir. He's been with mother six months, and was always kind.When I got the summons he said that he was going into the country, andwould serve it on Mr. Morley."
"Alexander," said Asher in an awful tone, "I gave you money for yourrailway fare to go to Rickwell. What have you done with that money,wretched boy?"
"I went to the Hippodrome with another boy," wept Alexander. "I thoughtas I'd take the holiday, as you'd think I was in the country. Please,sir, I'm very sorry, but I thought Mr. Wilson was all right."
"Did Mr. Wilson come back to say that all was right?" demanded Steelsharply.
"No, sir, he didn't. Mother and I ain't set eyes on him since he wentaway to serve the summons. I was afraid to tell you, sir," he added tohis master, "'cause I knew I'd done wrong. But I hope you won't be hardon me, sir."
"Alexander," said Mr. Asher, "you have disgraced a most respectableoffice, and can no longer continue in it. You have spent money, you havewasted time, both given to you for a certain purpose. For the sake ofyour mother, who is a hard-working woman, I shall not take any legalsteps. But from this day you cease to be in our employment. Your wagesfor the week shall be confiscated, since you have made free with mymoney. At five to-day, Alexander, you leave this place forever."
"Oh, sir--please, sir--I didn't----"
"Alexander,
I have spoken. You can depart."
With a howl the boy went out of the room, and sat weeping in the outeroffice for at least ten minutes. He was wondering what he should say tohis mother, for she was a terrible woman, with a short temper and a hardhand. His fellow-clerks demanded what was the matter, but Alexander hadsense enough to keep his own counsel. All he said was that the governorhad discharged him, and then he wept afresh.
While thus employed Steel made his appearance. He had been discussingthe matter with Asher, and had proposed a course of action in connectionwith the delinquent to which Asher agreed. He advanced to the weepingAlexander and lifted him from his seat by the collar.
"Come, young man," said he, "take me home to your mother at once."
"Oh, Lor'," cried Alexander, "she'll give me beans!"
"You deserve the worst beating she can give you," said Steel severely,while the clerks grinned. "However, you must come with me. Where do youlive?"
"Warder Street, Lambeth," snuffled Alexander, and urged by the hand onhis collar, went out of the office with the detective.
"We'll take a hansom," said Steel, and shortly was ensconced in one withthe miserable Alexander.
As a rule a ride in a hansom would have been a joy to Master Benker, buthe was too much afraid of the meeting with his mother to take anypleasure in the treat. However, he relied on the promise of thedetective that he would sooth the maternal ire, and managed to replyfairly well to the questions Steel asked. These referred to Mr. Wilson.
"Who is he?" demanded the detective.
"Mother's lodger," replied Alexander; "he's been with her six months,and mother thought a deal of him. He was kind to me."
"Ah! Was he well off?"
"I don't know. He paid his rent regular, but he wore shabby clothes, andwas always out. I only saw him at night when I came home from theoffice."
"Did he ask you many questions about the office?"
"Oh, yes. He said he wished me to get on--that I was a smart boy, and acredit to my mother."
"So you are," answered Steel genially. "I'm sure she'll give you a proofof her approval to-day. Now don't cry, boy." Steel shook Alexander, andthen demanded suddenly, "You copy all the letters, do you not?"
"Yes, I do," answered Master Benker, wondering why this was asked.
"And you read them sometimes?"
"Nearly always. I like to know what's going on. Mr. Wilson said I shouldmake myself acquainted with everything."
"I'm sure he did," muttered Steel ironically. "Did you read any lettersaying that Miss Kent had inherited a fortune? Miss Daisy Kent, wholived with Mr. Morley at Rickwell?"
Alexander thought for a moment. "Yes, I did. It was a letter to somelawyers in Sydney."
"Did you tell Mr. Wilson about it?"
"Yes, sir. He was always talking about people coming in for money, and Isaid that a girl called Miss Kent had come in for five thousand a year."
"I thought so. When did you tell Mr. Wilson this?"
"Three days after Christmas."
"Before he offered to serve the summons?"
"Why, I hadn't got the summons then," said Alexander. "Mr. Asher gave itto me the day before New Year. I said I was going into the country toRickwell, for Mr. Wilson asked me what I was making myself smart for. Hesaid he'd take the summons, and that I could go to the Hippodrome withJim Tyler."
"Which you did on your employer's money. You are a smart lad, Alexander.What did your mother say?"
"Mother was out when I came home with the summons, and after Mr. Wilsonsaid he'd take it I didn't say anything to her."
"Then she thought that on the day before the New Year you were at theoffice as usual?"
"Yes," snuffled Master Benker, "she did. Oh, Lor'!" as the cab stoppedbefore a tidy house in a quiet street, "here we are."
"And there is your mother," said the detective cheerfully, as a severeface appeared at the white-curtained window.
Alexander wept afresh as Steel paid the cabman, and positively howledwhen the door opened and his mother--a lean woman in a black dress, witha widow's cap--appeared. He would have run away but that Steel againhad a hand on his collar.
"Alexander," cried his mother harshly, "what have you been doing?"
"Nothing very dreadful, ma'am," interposed Steel. "It will be all right.Let me in, and I'll speak for my young friend."
"And who may you be, sir?" demanded Mrs. Benker, bristling.
"A personal friend of Mr. Asher's."
On hearing this dreaded name Mrs. Benker softened, and welcomed Steelinto a neat parlor, where he seated himself in a horsehair mahoganychair of the most slippery description and related what had happened.Alexander stood by and wept all the time. He wept more when his motherspoke.
"I expected it," she said in quiet despair; "that boy is the bane of mylife. I'll speak to you shortly, Alexander. Go to your room and retireto bed."
"Oh, mother! mother!" cried Master Benker, writhing at the prospect of athorough whipping.
"Go to your room, Alexander, and make ready," repeated the widow, with aglare, and the boy retired slowly, wriggling and snuffling. When hissobs died away and an upstairs door was heard to close with a bang, Mrs.Benker addressed herself to Steel.
"I hope you will induce Mr. Asher to overlook this," she said, claspinga pair of lean, mittened hands; "I am so poor."
"I'll do my best," responded Steel; "that is, if you will give me someinformation about your late lodger, Mr. Wilson."
"Why should I do that?" asked Mrs. Benker suspiciously.
"Because Mr. Asher wishes to know all about him. You see, your sonallowed Mr. Wilson to serve this summons, and it is necessary that Mr.Asher should learn where he is."
"That's only fair; but I don't know. Mr. Wilson has not returned heresince he left on the day before New Year."
"Did he leave any luggage behind him?"
"No, sir, he didn't." Mrs. Benker paused, then continued, "I'll tell youexactly how it occurred, if Mr. Asher will make some allowance for thewickedness of that wretched boy of mine."
"I'll see what can be done, and use my influence with Mr. Asher."
"Thank you, sir," said the widow gratefully. "Well, sir, I was absentall the last day of the year, as I was seeing a married daughter of minein Marylebone. Mr. Wilson was in the house when I left at ten in themorning, but said nothing about going away. When I returned at six inthe evening I found that he was gone bag and baggage, and that he hadleft his rent on the table. Also a note saying that he was suddenlycalled away and would not return."
"Have you the note?" asked Steel, thinking it just as well to have somespecimen of Wilson's handwriting.
Mrs. Benker shook her head. "I burnt it," she replied; "it was onlywritten in pencil and not worth keeping. I must say that Mr. Wilsonalways behaved like a gentleman, although I saw little of him. He wasqueer in his habits."
"How do you mean--'queer'?"
"Well, sir, I hardly ever saw him in the daytime, and when I did heusually kept his blinds down in his room, as he suffered from weak eyes.Even when he saw Alexander in the evening he would hardly have anylight. Then sometimes he would lie in bed all the day, and be out allthe night. At other times he would stay at home the whole of thetwenty-four hours. But he always paid his rent regularly, and gavelittle trouble over his food. Yes," added Mrs. Benker, smoothing herapron, "Mr. Wilson was always a gentleman. I will say that."
"Humph!" thought Steel, taking all this in eagerly. "A queer kind ofgentleman," he added aloud. "Did you know anything else about him, Mrs.Benker?"
"No, sir." She drew herself up primly. "I never pry--never."
"Did any one call to see Mr. Wilson?"
"No one. All the time he was here not one person called."
"Did he receive any letters?"
"No. Not one letter arrived."
"Queer," murmured Steel. "What newspaper did he take?"
"The _Morning Post_. Also he took the _World_, _Truth_, _ModernSociety_, and _M. A. P._ He was fond of the f
ashionable intelligence."
"Oh, he was, was he? Would you have called him a gentleman?"
"He always paid his rent duly," hesitated Mrs. Benker, "so far he was aperfect gentleman. But I have lived as a lady's maid in the bestfamilies, sir, and I don't think Mr. Wilson was what you or I would callan aristocrat."
"I see. So you were a lady's maid once. In what families?"
Mrs. Benker was not at all averse to relating her better days, and didso with pride. "I was with the Countess of Flint, with Mrs. Harwitch,and with Lady Susan Summersdale."
"Ha!" said Steel, starting. He remembered that Morley had been concernedwith Lady Summersdale about the robbery of her jewels. "Did you tell Mr.Wilson this?" he asked.
"Oh, yes. We had long talks about aristocratic families."
She repeated several tales she had told Wilson, and Steel asked her manyquestions. When he took his leave he asked a leading one: "Did Mr.Wilson wear a red cross as an ornament?"
"On his watch-chain he did," said Mrs. Benker, and Steel departed verysatisfied with his day's work.