CHAPTER XVII
MR. JASPER JARMAN RELIEVES HIS MIND
There was silence for a few moments. Edward Povey nervously pokedlittle holes in the gravel path with the ferrule of his walking-stick.
"Don't you think, uncle, that we had better discuss the situationwithout personalities--or rudeness?"
Mr. Jasper Jarman's answer was a grunt.
"You see, uncle, I feel that I owe you some sort of apology, or at anyrate an explanation. I read what they said in the papers about you. Ilaughed for ten minutes."
"You did, eh! Well, I read the same as you did, and I didn't laugh forten seconds."
"But I didn't take it seriously. I thought you would explain easily."
"Yes, and be convicted as an accessory--as one of the gang."
"Accessory to what?"
"To the theft of the bonds--you did well out of that, it seems."Jasper's eyes took in his nephew's attire, the well-cut dark suit, thegleaming jewel in the cravat. "I suppose you decided on San Pietro forthe same reason as I did."
"My dear uncle, I was never more astonished in my life than when I sawyou sitting there, outside the Cafe de l'Europe."
"Not more than I was to see you, Mr. Povey."
Edward sat for a moment gazing out over the sea.
"What I'm wondering at is that a clever business man like you shouldrun away from a shadow."
"Yes, the shadow of a jail--what."
"Not at all, uncle. I read in the Paris _Daily Mail_ weeks ago thatthe bonds had been recovered and that the matter was ended. Why don'tyou go back, now?"
"The fact that the bonds are safe does not explain my presence atAdderbury Cottage. I'd have to say I was visiting you--and admit youas my nephew."
"And you wouldn't like that?"
"It's not a relationship that I'm proud of, Edward."
Edward looked at his uncle. "As I remarked before, there's no need tobe rude," he said.
"I'm only stating facts, Edward. Remember, I go by what I have seen.What were _you_ doing at Bushey, and, for the matter of that, what areyou doing here in San Pietro?"
Edward Povey rose and took a turn or two up and down the path. He hadasked himself at first whether he had been wise to attract his uncle'sattention. But he well knew that until he had found out the reason ofthe old man's presence on the island, he would know no peace. He wasmore than relieved to discover the true state of things and that hisuncle knew nothing of the Baxendale affair. The best thing to do nowwas to get the old man back to Kidderminster as soon as possible.There was nothing to associate Edward in his uncle's mind with the Mr.Sydney who lived at Venta Villa, even if, as was hardly probable, thatgentleman's name were known to the carpet manufacturer. He pulled upsuddenly in his walk as a scheme suggested itself, and stood lookingdown on Mr. Jarman.
"I really think, uncle, you had better go back and face the music--it'sa bit late, I'll admit, but it's your best move."
"And face the scandal too. Not me."
"There won't be any scandal if you do as I say. Write a letter to theeditor of your local paper--_The Kidderminster Shuttle_, isn't it?Tell him that you have been on a long sea voyage by your doctor'sorders and that you haven't been able to write or receive letters forweeks. Say that you have just read in an old number of the _DailyTelegraph_ that you have been 'wanted.' Work up the indignation hotand strong--say that you are hastening home to take proceedings forlibel against any one who has said a word against you. You must, also,say that Kyser was a friend of yours and that he had lent you thecottage at Bushey, and that when Aunt Eliza heard he was murdered, shewas frightened of ghosts and that is why you left so hurriedly. Sayshe wouldn't sleep another night in the place for a fortune."
Edward paused and wiped the perspiration from his face. Jasper, whohad been looking glum enough when his nephew had begun to speak, nowraised his head with a little smile.
"You're a magnificent liar, Edward--same time I rather like youridea--I believe you possess the elements of sense."
Edward smiled his acknowledgments, then went on--
"But I have a favour to ask, uncle. Forget you've seen me. I'm hereon business--secret political business."
"I shan't say a word. Get me out of this benighted place and I'll doanything you like. Now come on with me to my hotel and I'll write thatletter."
The two men left the gardens and walked up towards the Old Town.
"I'm staying at The Three Lilies, a comfortable old place--nothinggrand and smart like these"--Jasper waved to the great hotels on thefront,--"but I wanted somewhere quiet, you see."
"The Three Lilies? Is that the little inn that faces an old castlesort of a place--just on the edge of the Old Town?"
"Yes--why?"
"Oh, nothing. I'm only wondering if you have noticed anything strangeabout that old place opposite."
"Well--they seem rather a queer lot. Men--mostly soldiers--come prettyoften to see the man who lives there. They come secretly too; therewas one the other night who hid in the yard under my window. I heardsomething and looked out; you can understand the fright I got when Isaw the tip of a man's cigar."
"What kind of a man was he? Can you describe him?"
"I watched after I had put the light out. There was a horse standingat the door opposite and the owner of the place came and saw aman--another soldier--off the premises. When the sound of the horsehad died away in the distance, the man under my window crossed over.I've often seen him."
"Sallow face, eh? Thin?"
"That fits him. He's been in the wars, however. I saw him to-day andhe walks with a crutch and carries his arm in a sling. Why? Do youknow the Johnny who lives in the castle?"
Edward did not answer; he was thinking deeply. These clandestinemeetings between Mozara and Dasso were only in accordance with thesuspicions that crowded his mind of a plot. A great joy filled hisheart as he told himself that Miranda was alive. He was glad he hadwritten to the Duc de Choleaux Lasuer, a strong arm to lean on would beuseful in the work Edward Povey had in hand.
It was late when they reached The Three Lilies and the house oppositewas in darkness. Edward accompanied his uncle to his room and togetherthey wrote their letter to _The Kidderminster Shuttle_. This done, theyounger man took his departure. He made an appointment with his uncleat the stone seat in the gardens for eleven o'clock the next morning.He was rather sorry he had advised the old man to hurry away; he wouldhave been useful as an informant, living as he did with the enemy underhis eye.
Any schemes such as these, however, were doomed to have a very rudeawakening. Edward arrived at the stone seat early and gave himself upto his thoughts. His original misdemeanour in assuming the name andpersonality of Mr. Kyser was all but forgotten in the light of laterevents, and the plans for the location and rescue of Galva Baxendale.In his own mind he was rather more than half a hero already, and theshock which he received at five minutes past eleven was a sharp one,and coming, as it did, hard upon his self-adulation seemed to himunmerited and unfair.
As steps approached he looked up expecting to see the portly figure ofMr. Jasper Jarman. Instead, he made out a lean and hungry lookingCorbian who, when he saw the figure on the seat, advanced, andsnatching off his greasy cap handed a letter to Edward.
"Meester Povee?"
Edward took the envelope and opening it drew out a sheet of paper. Itwas dated at nine o'clock in the morning and was headed with the deviceTHE THREE LILIES.
"_EDWARD POVEY,_
"_Please accept my very best thanks for the advice you gave meyesterday evening. You have in some measure atoned for the harm youhave done. On your head and yours alone rests the onus of my shatteredreputation, the anguish of your Aunt Eliza and the possible downfall ofone of the largest carpet factories in the Midlands._
"_Last night circumstances made it expedient that I should dissembleand show you a tolerance I was far from feeling. You are a liar and Ido not doubt for one moment but that you are a thief. It wa
s to avoidthe possible trial with such a scoundrel beside me in the dock that Ileft England. When you get this I shall have departed from the cursedisland of San Pietro by the boat that leaves for Spain at ten. You didnot mention your poor wife to me. I do not expect I will run acrossher, it being more than probable that you have murdered the poor womanand buried her in the garden at Adderbury Cottage. If I do see her,however, I will consider it my duty to acquaint her with the evil lifeof self-indulgence and ease you are living in Corbo._
"_The messenger who brings you this is the son of the landlord of TheThree Lilies. I have told him that you will reward him--you can affordit._
"_JASPER JARMAN_"
Edward tore the letter into little pieces and swore softly to himself.It was a rude awakening to his dreams of rescuing distressed damsels.Then he took a silver coin from his pocket and handed it to the son ofthe landlord of The Three Lilies.
"There's no answer," he said shortly, and turned and walked up to thebustling life of the boulevard. He had entered the gardens with thefeelings of Sir Galahad, he left them with those of Charles Peace.
The Princess Galva: A Romance Page 17