CHAPTER XIX
GROPING IN THE DARK
"How do you know he didn't?" snapped Miss Metoaca, sticking to hertheory with grim determination.
"Because Symonds declares there was no sign of confusion in the roomwhen he found the two men--one dead--one unconscious."
"Always Symonds!" grumbled Miss Metoaca disgustedly. "He is a regularJack-in-the-box. I don't care what he says. I firmly believe MajorGoddard is responsible for Lloyd's death, if he really _was_ killed,which I think is open to doubt."
"I thought as you do at first," agreed the senator, "but I found oncloser examination that the theory would not hold water. In the firstplace, Goddard, being blind, had, and has, to feel his wayabout--probably had to grope around Lloyd's body to locate hisface--which would undoubtedly have aroused the sleeping man...."
"Wait a bit," interrupted Miss Metoaca. "Even if he did awaken Lloyd,the latter would have thought nothing of finding his friend by hisbedside. They were roommates--and probably, after speaking to Goddard,he rolled over and went to sleep again.
"Then there's another thing," pursued Miss Metoaca eagerly, as Warrennodded a silent agreement to her statement. "Symonds declares Lloyd'swallet was stolen. Why should Nancy take the book when all she neededwas the one single paper, which Stanton contends concerned her?
"Now, Major Goddard is blind. It was impossible for _him_ to pick outthat paper from others; therefore, he would have been forced to stealthe pocketbook."
"That appears plausible," admitted Warren, "but it is _just_ asplausible to suppose that Nancy, fearing she would be discovered inLloyd's room, did not dare to stop and open the pocketbook there, andso took it away with her."
"You seem mighty anxious to believe Nancy took the despatch," commentedMiss Metoaca, and disappointment lent bitterness to her voice.
"You mistake me," protested Warren warmly. "I will do my utmost toclear Nancy of these terrible charges; but I fear there is no usetrying to prove Goddard guilty. After Symonds discovered the pocketbookwas missing, he and Doctor Ward searched Goddard's clothing, as well asthe room, but found no trace of the book or the despatch."
"Have you formed any theory as to how Major Goddard came to be lying inthe room unconscious?" inquired Miss Metoaca.
"Well." Warren stroked his gray beard thoughtfully. "He may have had anattack of vertigo, or, mind you, this is wild guessing, perhaps he andLloyd quarreled, and the latter struck him, forgetting his friend'sblindness."
"And perhaps the excitement and shock of a quarrel with his best friendbrought on Lloyd's attack of heart failure," put in Miss Metoacaexcitedly.
"Only time--and Goddard--can tell." Warren shrugged his shoulders as herose to go. "At present, Miss Metoaca, we are all groping in the dark,but I hope for enlightenment soon."
"When will the military commission hold the trial?" Miss Metoacafollowed Warren into the hall.
"As soon as Major Goddard is able to testify. He is one of the mostimportant witnesses. Now, Miss Metoaca, do stop worrying." Warren wasshocked by the change in the spinster's worn face, which he saw moreclearly in the light from the open door. "I will let you know themoment something new turns up."
"Be careful how you send news to me," cautioned Miss Metoaca. "Thishouse is under constant surveillance. The Secret Service men were hereall the morning, going through Nancy's belongings, and searching theentire house from top to bottom. They even overturned Aunt Betsy'sbarrel of soft soap. The Lord only knows what they expected to findthere. I wished they had done it before they handled my clothes, therewould be less dirty finger marks on them." Miss Metoaca snorted withsuppressed indignation. "Our wardrobes are simply ruined. Good-bye,Senator Warren; my love to your dear wife. I can never thank you enoughfor all your kindness." Her lips quivered, and her shrewd old eyesfilled with most unwonted tears.
"Please don't," pleaded Warren, much embarrassed. "You and Nancy havewarm friends, who will stand by you through thick and thin. You mustnot get discouraged."
"Discouraged?" echoed Miss Metoaca, winking violently. "When I think ofmy dear Nancy in that place--I'd--I'd--like to murder some one myself!"And she slammed the front door viciously as a slight vent to herover-wrought feelings.
About the same hour that Senator Warren and Miss Metoaca wereconferring together, Colonel Baker, much dissatisfied in mind, waswalking moodily along F Street. Things had not gone to suit him thatday. The result of the autopsy had puzzled him; the search of MissMetoaca's house had proved disappointing, for nothing had been foundthere that in any way touched on the supposed murder, or on thewhereabouts of the missing and all-important despatch. As he crossedthe street on his way to the Ebbitt House, he encountered Symondshurrying out of the F Street entrance of the hotel.
"Well, Symonds, what news?" he asked briefly, returning the other'ssalute.
"I hear that Major Goddard has regained consciousness, Colonel."
"Good!" Baker hesitated a moment; then turned on his heel. "Come withme, Symonds." And he led the way to Mrs. Lane's. The sentry on dutybefore the house saluted as he recognized him, and allowed him to enterthe dwelling.
Baker wasted no time downstairs, but went directly to Lloyd's sittingroom, and rapped softly on the door. In response to his knock, a nurseappeared in the doorway.
"What is it?" she asked.
"I have come to see your patient, Major Goddard, who I am told hasregained consciousness."
"Oh, that is impossible," exclaimed the nurse, and she made a movementto close the door.
"One moment!"--sternly--"I am Colonel Baker, of the Secret Service. Itis imperative that I see Major Goddard at once. I will not stay long."And he edged toward the doorway.
The young nurse had but recently joined the United States SanitaryCommission, and she was overawed by Baker's authoritative manner.
"Doctor Ward has forbidden ... still," she murmured, "if you will staybut a few minutes...." She moved reluctantly aside, and Baker steppedinto the room, followed by Symonds.
"Don't worry," said the colonel kindly. "I will explain my presence toDoctor Ward; you will not be blamed. Where is your patient?"
"In the next room. He has been asleep all the afternoon, but is awakenow."
With noiseless steps Colonel Baker made his way into the next room, anddrew up a chair by Goddard's bedside. Nothing had been disturbed in theroom; the furniture had been left as it was before Lloyd's death. Afeeble attempt had been made to remove the blood stains in front of themantel; but the servant had only succeeded in spreading the stains overthe rag carpet.
Goddard moved restlessly, and turned over in bed, so that he facedBaker; his quick ear had caught the slight sound the newcomer made inseating himself.
"Nurse, is it you?" His voice was scarcely more than a whisper.
"No, Major Goddard; it is I, Colonel Baker."
"Baker?" Goddard spoke half to himself. "Baker? Not Colonel Baker, ofthe Secret Service?" attempting to rise in bed.
"The same, sir, but that need not excite you. Here, let me put thispillow at your back; you might then be more comfortable." Baker leanedover, and lifted Goddard up in his strong arms as Symonds slipped thepillow in place.
"Thanks. Who is the other person in the room?" inquired Goddard weakly.
"Symonds."
"Symonds!" Goddard's eyelids fluttered over his sightless eyes. Bakerdid not care to break the pause that followed. Suddenly Goddard rousedhimself. "What can I do for you, Colonel?"
"Just answer a few questions as to what happened here yesterdayafternoon. I won't keep you talking long."
"I--I--am not very strong," faltered Goddard faintly.
"You had a nasty fall," sympathized Baker, "and lost a lot of bloodbefore Symonds found you."
"Found me! Where?"
"Right on this floor, sir," volunteered Symonds. "You gave me an awfulturn, sir; for you looked more dead than..."--he stopped abruptly as hemet Baker's warning glare ... "alive," he supplemented feebly.
At that moment the nurse came in fr
om the sitting room and touchedBaker on the shoulder. "You must go at once," she whispered. "You arestaying too long. Major Goddard must not be excited."
"In a second, nurse." Baker waved her impatiently away, and turnedagain to Goddard. "Had you and Captain Lloyd been talking long beforeyou fell?"
After a prolonged pause came the whisper: "I--I--cannot remember."
Nothing daunted, the Secret Service officer pursued his examination.
"Did Captain Lloyd tell you that an important despatch, _proving_ MissNancy Newton a rebel spy, had been stolen from him by her?"
Goddard was so long in answering that Baker glanced anxiously at thesilent figure on the bed. Goddard's face matched the whiteness of thepillow case. He must have felt the scrutiny of Baker's searching eyes,for he moved slightly. Again came the same whisper: "I--I--cannotremember."
"Now, see here." Baker's voice rose.
Goddard held up a shaking hand. "Wait, Colonel," he stammered. "Youforget I am ill--faint--perhaps later--" He paused for breath. "Insteadof coming to me, why don't you ask Captain Lloyd?"
"For the very good reason that Lloyd is dead," returned Baker solemnly.
"Dead!" Goddard half rose; then sank back on his pillows, panting fromhis exertions.
"Yes, dead," went on Baker, watching him closely. "Brutally murderedlast evening." He paused.
"Where?" Goddard's white lips formed the question; the whispered wordcould hardly be heard.
"Here in this room while lying on his bed. Now, Major Goddard, I insistupon knowing..." He spoke to deaf ears; Goddard had fainted away.
A firm hand descended on Baker's shoulder, and swung him about face.
"What in hell do you mean by browbeating my nurse and forcing yourselfin here!" exclaimed Doctor Ward hotly. "Good God! What have you done toGoddard!" He had caught sight of the latter's ghastly face. "Nurse,look to your patient! Now, sir, out with you." He pushed Baker in thedirection of the door. "And you go, too, Symonds," as the man rose andstood uncertain whether or not to assist Colonel Baker in his effortsto remain in the room.
"I have a perfect right to come here," stormed Baker, bracing histhick-set figure against the door jamb. "I am investigating CaptainLloyd's murder, and came here to get Major Goddard's testimony. Youforget, Doctor, I am the head of the Secret Service of this city."
"I don't care a damn who you are," roared Ward, much incensed. "Inmanaging a sick room, I take my orders from no one. Major Goddard wasin no condition to be interviewed. I have carefully kept allsensational news from him. By your crass stupidity you have probablybrought on a relapse. When he is able he will give his testimony beforea court composed of his superior officers and to no one else. Now, go!"And he closed the door in Baker's indignant face.
The Lost Despatch Page 19