"You did not expect to find me here?" said Frank, after he had shaken hands warmly with his friend.
"The very last place in which I should have looked for you. How did you come?" He glanced inquiringly at Tamaroo.
"I brought him," replied the old negro. "When you overturned the lamp I drew Mr. Frank away in the darkness. We went to the nearest railway station and came to town. Then did we seek this shelter. The Captain will never think to find us here. What of him?"
"He is furious, and quite at a loss to find you. But--" Eustace glanced at Balkis, where she stood with folded arms staring at Frank with no very pleasant expression.
"There is nothing to fear," she said, guessing Jarman's meaning. "As yet I am not sure if this man killed my Walter."
"I did not," interposed Frank. "I told you so before."
"And I also assured you of his innocence," said Tamaroo, uneasily.
Balkis still continued to glare. "As I say, I am not sure," she declared obstinately. "If you did not kill my Walter you will come to no harm. Here you can stay until I send you out of the place to foreign parts. But if you killed him"--she looked savage--"there will be no escape for you. Now you know!" And with this not very reassuring speech she passed through the door again, shutting it with a clang.
Eustace heard a key turn in the lock and recalled the warning of Mrs. Burl.
"Are we safe here?" he asked Tamaroo, who appeared quite easy in his mind. "I was told that these rooms were dangerous."
"Dangerous?" echoed the negro, looking round. "Why should they be dangerous?"
Jarman repeated the warning of Mrs. Burl and the boast of Balkis. But Tamaroo merely laughed. "There is no danger," he said decisively. "I am quite sure that. Balkis will do nothing to harm us."
"She does not seem to be very well disposed towards Frank."
"Because she will insist that I killed Starth," said Frank. "No doubt Berry has been poisoning her mind. However, Berry will not look for me here."
"Darrel might," hinted Eustace, uneasily.
"Nonsense! How can he find this place?"
"Oh, he knows it! My belief that he had the negro blood in his veins is true. He is a relative of Balkis, and sometimes comes here; but he is not proud of the relationship."
"But even if he does know this place he'll never think that I am here."
Eustace looked doubtful. "I had to pitch him out of the garden of Rose Cottage," he said. "He was impertinent to Mildred."
"To Mildred?" repeated Frank, with an angry flush.
"Yes," responded Jarman, keeping his eyes away from Frank's face. "He said--well, never mind what he said. I punished him for his insolence, and he went away, vowing that he would hunt you down."
Tamaroo laughed. "He will never come here," he said. "He must know that Balkis is on the side of the Berrys, and will believe that this is the last place I would bring my master to. The very danger of the refuge makes its safety."
"I am not sure that Balkis _is_ on the side of Captain Berry now," was the reply of Eustace. "She certainly will not help him, if only because she hates Fairy Fan," and Eustace related how he had made use of the letter Miss Berry had written.
Tamaroo nodded approvingly. "That is a good plan," he said. "If she thinks the white woman loved Starth, she will not help her plots. Balkis was madly in love with Mr. Starth."
"She says he would have married her," said Jarman.
Frank laughed. "I don't believe that. Starth was nice in his ideas of female beauty, and would not marry a black woman. Moreover, he was desperately in love with Fan."
"Balkis knows that, and hates Fan accordingly," said Eustace, grimly. "But Starth might have married Balkis for her money."
"She is certainly rich," put in Tamaroo, meditatively. "Already she has made up her mind to return to America. She goes next week."
"And what will you do with Frank then?"
"Take him abroad. I have arranged it all with Balkis. She knows many sailors, and can get some captain to give Mr. Frank and myself a passage--say to Spain. There we will wait till there is a chance of learning who killed Starth."
Jarman looked attentively at the negro. "You do not know who is the guilty person?" he asked meaningly.
"No." Tamaroo looked surprised. "Why should I?"
"Well," said Eustace, quietly, "I went to Sand Lane to examine Tilly, the servant. She said that the right-hand window of the house was open--"
"I remember that. I told you so," said Frank.
"Yes, and on your report I questioned Tilly. She admitted that she told a lie at the inquest. The window was open when she left the house. On her return"--here Eustace looked again at Tamaroo--"it was locked, which proves that the assassin entered by the window, and, after committing the murder, locked it so that no one should get into the house, and discover the crime. Then he left by the door."
"Why do you look at Tamaroo when you say that?" asked Frank.
"Because Tilly found a scrap of tartan ribbon on the kitchen floor similar to that worn by Balkis. I brought it with me, and Balkis acknowledged that it was a piece she gave to Tamaroo, when he decided to see Starth."
Frank wheeled round and looked anxiously at the negro. "Did you see Starth?" he demanded. "I thought you did not arrive in London till after the murder, and for that reason you could not find me."
Tamaroo considered for a few minutes. "I did say that," he admitted; "because I thought it wise for the moment to conceal that I had been in Starth's house. I thought you might mistrust me."
"I should never do that," replied Lancaster, patting the old man on the back. "But why did you visit Starth?"
"I should like to know that also," said Eustace, who was not so easily convinced of the negro's innocence.
The man gave him a reproachful glance. "I acted for the best, Mr. Jarman. You can trust me."
"I think I can," answered Eustace, cautiously. "And yet--why did you visit Starth?"
"To explain that, I must remind you of the murder of Anchor in San Francisco. It was Sakers who shot him. I was glad of it."
Eustace looked as surprised as Frank. "I thought Anchor was the executor of my father?" said the latter.
"He was, and he intended to betray his trust. He was so madly in love with his wife that he could not give her up. She threatened to leave him and go with her uncle if he did not let her share in the money of Mr. Lancaster. Anchor had the papers--some of them. But I had others which he wanted, so that he could dispose of the money. He intended to join his wife in Chicago, and, with Sakers, to arrange for the robbery. I do not know how he intended to manage it. But I do know," added Tamaroo, emphatically, "that it was his intention to return to his house, where I was waiting for him, to get the papers from me, and to leave me dead behind him."
Eustace could scarcely believe this, "If you heard how the man spoke to me--"
"I know. It was to throw dust in your eyes. You would report that Anchor was at enmity with Sakers and Mrs. Anchor, and thus no one would suspect him of the robbery. When he spoke to you, Mr. Jarman, he had the papers on him. Sakers--or rather Berry--knew this. He intended to kill Anchor, and to rob the body of the papers. However, he chose the wrong moment, as you were talking to the man. You chased Sakers, and he could not search the body. I did so."
"Ah! you were on the spot. You said something about it."
"I learnt--in a way that it is not necessary to explain--that the man intended to betray his trust. Mrs. Anchor gave the information."
"Was she at the house?"
"Yes, and I was waiting there for the return of Anchor. I left the house and went to your rooms, Mr. Jarman, where Mrs. Anchor said her husband had gone. I saw the shot fired, and saw also that Sakers fled, pursued by you. When the street was quiet I came to see the body, and got the papers from the breast-pocket."
"But what about the Chinaman, Lo Keong, who stabbed him?"
"It was not a Chinaman," said Tamaroo, quietly. "I stabbed him."
"You?" Jarman was beginning to see the connection between the San Francisco crime and the Sand Lane murder.
"Yes, I," said Tamaroo, perfectly calm and collected, while Frank shivered. "Anchor was a traitor. He was betraying a sacred trust. When I took the papers he opened his eyes. I saw that he was still alive, so I stabbed him."
Jarman jumped up, and even Frank recoiled from the negro. "You had no right to kill the man," said Eustace, hoarsely.
"I did not. The shot was a fatal one. I simply stabbed him to make sure. You need not rebuke me, Mr. Jarman. I did it then and I would do it again."
"Did you do it again?" asked Frank, remembering the death of Starth.
"You are thinking of Sand Lane. Yes, sir, it was I who stabbed Starth."
Eustace shuddered. "Was he alive?"
"No. He was quite dead. But I stabbed him in order to frighten Mr. Berry. When he saw that the man had died from wounds similar to those Anchor had died from, I fancied he would be afraid, and abandon his scheme to get the money."
"Did Berry know that you stabbed Anchor?"
"No. Nor does he know that I stabbed Starth. But, seeing that there was a shot wound and a knife wound in the two cases, he must have gathered that someone else was mixed up in the matter. Such a knowledge would make him careful."
"It didn't, however," said Frank.
The young man did not like the way in which Tamaroo had behaved, for, although he had not murdered either Anchor or Starth, still he had mutilated them. But then, in spite of his veneer of education, Tamaroo was a negro pure and simple, with the savage instincts of the African race. To rebuke him would be as futile as punishing a dog for barking. Tamaroo had only obeyed his nature. And Eustace, on his side, shrewdly suspected that Balkis--also an African--would act in the like barbaric fashion did she think it necessary. The race instinct held good, in spite of the fact that both these black people were educated.
"Tell me exactly what occurred in the house," said Eustace, "and also explain why you went to see Starth?"
"When I came to England I stopped here for a time," said Tamaroo, "as I knew Balkis in San Francisco, and knew that she would not betray me to Berry."
"Why not, considering--"
"That is a secret of Obi," said the old man, with a savage look. "I was here in these rooms, which are not generally known to the outside world. Starth and Berry came here, and I knew them, but when they were here I always kept out of their way. From listening I became aware that there was a plot against you, Mr. Frank, to have you hanged. Starth and Berry were the movers, also Miss Berry. Starth was to receive his share on condition that he inveigled you to his house, and there you were to be saddled with the guilt of murder."
"But Starth did not expect to be killed himself?"
"Oh no! But Berry intended that he should be the victim. That was why Miss Berry made trouble and created rows between Starth and you, Mr. Frank. Berry, at the theatre on the previous night, brought about that quarrel so that you might be accused. Then the next day Starth wrote the letter asking you to visit him. How Starth fancied that the crime was to be brought about I don't know. He drugged you, and then waited for the arrival of Berry to carry on the rest of the plot."
"How did you come to know all this?"
"I gathered it at various times, and thought out the rest," said Tamaroo, nodding. "Of course, some of it is my own fancy."
"Theory," grunted Eustace, admitting, however, that the negro had pieced things together very cleverly. "Well, you went to Sand Lane?"
"Yes. As I thought that this trouble was coming, I pretended to Balkis that I wished to see Starth, and she gave me the tartan ribbon she wore as a sign that I could be trusted."
"In what way?" asked Frank.
Tamaroo shook his head. "I can't tell you that. There was something in Starth's life which Balkis knew, and which gave her a hold over him. He was always afraid of people of my colour. Unless I had taken the tartan ribbon he would not have spoken."
"Did he speak?"
"I never saw him," replied the negro, simply. "I did not get to the house till nearly seven. The window was open, and as I saw no one about, and could get no answer when I rang, I climbed in. I then locked the window, so that no one should enter in that way to interrupt between Starth and myself."
"There was no chance of that."
"I don't know, Mr. Jarman. I had entered that way, and, seeing what a plot was in progress, others might have come in. I then went down the stairs to see the servant, as Balkis had mentioned her."
"Balkis knew Tilly," murmured Eustace. "And then?"
"There was no one there. I went up the stairs, and found Starth dead. He lay in the middle of the room, and you, Mr. Frank, were unconscious on the sofa--drugged as I saw."
"Why did you not give the alarm?" asked Lancaster, angrily. "I could not, sir. I was a stranger and a man of colour. Also I had entered by the window. Had I given the alarm I should have been arrested and perhaps hanged. You can see my difficulty."
"Yes," admitted Frank. "I see it was an awkward position."
"I thought it best to go away and say nothing. I knew that Starth had been shot so as to inculpate you, and that you would be arrested. Had that happened I should have come forward. As you escaped I waited, hoping to trap Berry in the dark. I wished to find you, and to tell you what I knew. That was why I posted the Scarlet Bat over London. I knew that it was tattooed on your arm, and that if you became aware of the posters you would, out of curiosity, inquire for the sealed letter."
"That's exactly what happened," said Eustace. "But you say that Starth was waiting for Berry after he drugged Frank. Perhaps Berry came and shot Starth with Frank's pistol, and then departed."
"No," said Tamaroo, decisively, "I can't think that. Berry wanted to enjoy the money, and wouldn't have risked the murder."
"Then I can't say who shot the man if not Berry," said Jarman. "However, on what you say, we'll try and bluff Berry. And before you Berry," said Jarman. "However, on what you say, we'll try and bluff Berry. And before you left, you stabbed the body?"
"Yes, I did," rejoined Tamaroo, defiantly. "The man was dead and I thought to frighten Berry. There was much at stake. I then left the house, but I don't think anyone saw me going, as it was growing dark. That is all I know. What else is to be found out must be discovered by you, Mr. Jarman."
"I'll do my best," said Eustace. "But who am I to follow?"
Providence answered that question. There was the sound of the door opening. Balkis entered, and after her came Captain Berry, his niece, and Darrel. The Rhodesian, fulfilling his threat, had hunted Frank down, and was face to face with his prey.
Fairy Fan cast a scornful glance round the room. It did not deserve such disdain, as it was magnificently furnished, although the display of colour was rather barbaric. The walls were lined with tall narrow mirrors framed in gold, and with painted panels let in between. The hangings were of crimson plush embroidered with gold, and the blue carpet was profusely sprinkled with yellow flowers. There were red velvet divans against the walls, many gilt chairs with spindle-legs, and numerous card-tables with green-cloth tops. At the further end of the room a door--likewise sheathed in iron--led into an inner and smaller apartment, similarly furnished. And everywhere glittered electric lights in opaque globes. Apparently Balkis had spared no cost to make her subterranean gambling-rooms as gorgeous as possible. When she saw Miss Berry sneer at the--in her opinion--matchless magnificence of the place, her black eyes sparkled with fury.
But the men had more important things to think about than the furnishing of the room, with which they were well acquainted. Berry surveyed Frank with glee, and rubbed his hands. He looked harder and more evil than ever, and openly gloated over his victim.
"I guess you're fixed this trip, young man," said he, cheerfully.
Frank turned a disdainful back on the little scoundrel, and addressed himself to Darrel, who glared at him with sulky triumph.
"You betrayed me, I suppose?" he said, with contempt.
"I knew that Tamaroo would bring you here," replied Darrel, coolly, "and I have brought Berry to have you arrested."
"That is out of the question," put in Jarman, decidedly.
"Why so?" demanded Berry, with a snarl.
"Because I know too much about you and your niece here. If this case comes into court, I'll have Captain Banjo Berry, _alias_ Sakers, arrested for the murder of Anchor in San Francisco."
"I did not murder him."
"I can testify to that," said Fan, who was listening eagerly. "He was with me in Chicago at the time."
"You were not in Chicago," cried Tamaroo. "You came back to your own house, and told me that your husband had gone to see Mr. Jarman. I followed him, and I saw Captain Berry kill Anchor."
The little skipper clenched his hands. "It's a lie! Who'll believe the words of a black man?"
"I am not black," said Eustace, coolly, "and I can swear that you fired the shot. Your niece made out that her husband was killed by an old miner whom he had cheated. That is untrue. You shot him, as you hoped to get the papers dealing with the Scarlet Bat treasure from him."
"He intended to give them in any case," said Mrs. Anchor.
"I know that," said Tamaroo; "and he asked me to come to the house, so that he might get the rest of the documents from me. But I guessed his trick, and I followed him. I took the papers from his body and I knifed him."
"You?" cried Fan and Berry together.
"Yes. He was a traitor, and he died. You killed him, Berry, but I put the finishing stroke. And I also stabbed Starth."
"Ah!" cried Berry in triumph. "You murdered him."
Frank darted forward and placed himself before the little man. "If that is so," he said, "I must be innocent."
"You are not," snarled Berry. "You shot Starth, and this black nigger finished him off."
"Starth was dead when I put the knife into his heart," said Tamaroo. "You were afraid when you found that he was killed as Anchor had been killed in San Francisco."
"You gave me a bad quarter of an hour, I admit," said Berry; "but I guess Lancaster will swing, and you'll get gaol, Tamaroo."
"Nothing of the sort," said Jarman, coolly. "You can't do what you like, Berry. I'll see to that."
"See to yourself," said Berry, wrathfully. "See to your own life. If I give the word, neither you nor Lancaster will leave this place alive. I can depend upon Balkis."
"Yes," said Balkis, "you can depend upon me."
Her eyes were fixed on Fairy Fan with a vindictive expression, and her words bore a different meaning to what Berry gave them. He quite believed that Balkis was on his side, and went on in triumph.
"There are men in the pay of Balkis who would knife you as soon as I chose. Take care, Jarman, I am not to be trifled with. I mean to get that money."
"Forty thousand a-year," put Tamaroo; and Fan's eyes sparkled.
"So much as that?" she said, clasping her hands.
"Yes," said Frank. "I don't suppose I'll spend half of it."
"You!" cried the Captain, with a howl of derision. "You won't spend it. You hang and the money goes to Denham."
"Supposing it does," said Eustace, suddenly--"suppose your clever plot comes to a successful conclusion, how are you going to get the money from Denham?"
"He'll do anything I wish him to do."
"Oh no, he won't. You disgusted him by asking that he should play the spy on Lancaster. He came down to me, and, in conjunction with Tamaroo, I have opened his eyes to your rascality. Denham is on the side of Lancaster, and your plot to coerce him has failed."
Fan laughed derisively. "I can twist him round my finger."
"Oh no. He is in love with Miss Arrow, the daughter of the rector of Wargrove. He will have nothing further to do with you, Mrs. Anchor."
Berry's face was changing colour. He recognised that he had made a mistake in letting Natty get beyond his influence, and did not know what to do for the moment. If he had Lancaster hanged, Natty would get the money--that was always intended--but now Natty was on the side of the enemy, he and Fan would never enjoy the forty thousand a-year. Perhaps it would be better to make some bargain with Lancaster. Darrel guessed that the little skipper thought of hedging, and hastily interposed.
"Let's get this over," he said. "Here is Lancaster, whom we know is guilty of murder. Balkis had better conduct us to the upper part of the house, since she does not wish the police to come here. Then Lancaster can be arrested."
"If the police came here," said Balkis, before anyone could speak, "not one of them would leave again. These rooms are known to none but those who have gambled here, and when I go to America next week no trace of them will remain."
"How do you intend to destroy them?" asked Berry, derisively.
The black woman looked at Fan with an evil eye, and smiled slowly. "You may learn that before we part," she said.
Frank was growing weary of all this hesitation and of these vague threats. He resolved upon a bold stroke in order to bring Berry to his knees.
"I'm sick of this hole-and-corner business," he cried. "Let us do what Darrel suggests. I shall submit to arrest."
"Frank!" said Jarman, hurriedly; and Tamaroo also protested.
"I intend to give myself up," said Lancaster, determinedly. "Had I not been a moral coward I should have done so in the first instance. I am perfectly innocent of this crime, and I shall stand my trial."
But this proposition, as Frank anticipated, was not at all to the taste of Berry. He was about to object when his niece stopped him. With an engaging smile she came forward and took Frank's hand. "Listen to me, my dear," she said sweetly. "You were always my favourite, and I have loved you always. Promise to marry me, and you shall go free to enjoy the money."
"Along with you, I suppose?"
"Along with me," she answered, still smiling. "It is not hard."
"No, but it's impossible, I guess," said Berry, grimly. "I ain't going to let you and Fan skip with the dollars after all my trouble."
"And I'm not going to let Lancaster escape," chimed in Darrel. "I want to see him hanged."
"He shall never be hanged!" said Tamaroo, much agitated.
Eustace, who had his eye on the savage face of Balkis, suddenly addressed Miss Berry. "You say you love Lancaster?"
"I do. I have always loved him."
"That is untrue. You only want to marry him because you can't get the money in any other way. There is a chance, I see, of you three thieves falling out." He looked scornfully on Berry, Fan, and Darrel. "In that case an honest man, such as Lancaster is, may come by his own."
"You talk nonsense," said Fan, doggedly. "I love Frank--"
"Pardon me, you loved Starth."
Fan objected loudly, while the eyes of Balkis flashed. "I never did, Eustace, I hated him."
"You loved Starth," repeated Jarman, mercilessly. "I have it in your own handwriting."
Without a word Balkis darted forward, and held out the letter. The other woman laughed. "That is a trick of Mr. Jarman's," she said.
"It is not a trick," hissed the negress. "Look you, I loved Walter with all my heart and soul. He would have married me. Yes, you may laugh"--she glared like a brave lioness on Berry and Darrel--"but he would have married me. I loved him, and this white woman stole his love."
Fairy Fan changed colour at the sight of this rage on the part of Balkis, and even the Captain looked uneasy. He was well aware that Balkis had it in her power to make things unpleasant for him, and was quite willing to save his own skin by deserting his niece. Fan still kept her courage, and denied the letter.
"I wrote that with a purpose. It is not true. I swear it!"
"Though you swore a hundred oaths I should not believe you," said Balkis, stamping. "You loved my Walter, you took him from me. I will punish you. I will--I will!" She shook her fist in a paroxysm of rage and dashed into the inner room.
Fan stared at Eustace. "This is your work," she said, looking pale.
Jarman nodded. "I got the letter for this purpose. You will not pacify that savage jealousy easily."
Miss Berry slipped her arm within that of her uncle. "I am quite safe," she said coolly. "No harm can come to me."
"Wait a moment," said Berry, removing his arm. "You left me in the lurch, Fan, when you married Anchor. I'm going to make my own bed this time, and lie on it.
"What do you mean?" she asked quickly.
"This," said the little scoundrel, coolly. "Natty's given us the go-by, so there ain't much chance of getting the money through him."
"There's less chance of getting it through me," said Frank, quickly, "if that's your meaning, Berry. I intend to give myself up."
"Don't be a fool," said Darrel, quickly, and looking uneasy.
"I've been a fool long enough. I'll give myself up."
Eustace nodded. "That's the best thing to do," he declared, for he had been observant of the Berry face. "Stand your trial, Frank. I have got evidence that will stand you in good stead."
"But see here," cried Berry, looking more and more dismayed. "If you can be proved innocent--"
"Ah! You admit that I am innocent," said Frank, quickly.
"To all here. But it depends upon yourself if I prove it in open court. What will you give me?"
"Wait a moment, Frank," interposed Jarman, preventing the young man from replying. "Do you mean to say, Berry, that you can prove the innocence of Lancaster?"
"No, he can't," said Darrel. "It's impossible."
"Not if I get five thousand a-year for life," said Berry, coolly.
"Then I must have half of it," put in Fairy Fan.
At this moment Balkis called them into the inner room in an imperious voice. At first they were unwilling to go; then they decided to obey, seeing that the negress might prove dangerous. She was seated at the head of a table under a kind of canopy.
"You say that Lancaster is innocent?" she asked Berry.
"I do," he replied, "if I get five thousand a-year; and a mighty small sum that is, considering the cards I hold."
"But what about me?" said Fan, looking disagreeable.
"Oh, you shall be rewarded," said Balkis, blandly. "I don't believe you loved Walter after all."
"No. I love Frank here, but since he will not marry me, let him give me the same sum as he gives my uncle."
"That means I have to pay ten thousand a-year," said Frank.
"Out of forty thousand. It's cheap at the price."
"I refuse to allow this," said Darrel, loudly. "Balkis, you are my relation. Stand by me."
"Ah! you remember I am of your blood when you want me," said the negress, bitterly. "Well, I shall do what you wish."
"Then I wish this," said Darrel, strong in this support. "Do not let any of these people leave this place alive till I get what I want. Lancaster must be hanged, I must marry Mildred Starth, and I must have twenty thousand a-year given to me."
"Very modest you are! murmured Jarman; while Tamaroo, glancing at Balkis, smiled slightly.
"What about us?" asked Berry and Fan.
"I will see that you have money also," said Darrel. "I am master of the situation now."
"And you intend to hang me?" cried Frank, his blood up. "Then not one of you will get a penny. Denham shall have the money if I die."
"Or the charity," put in Eustace. "Frank has only to commit suicide, which is better than being hanged, and the money goes to the charity. I think you'd better make terms, Berry."
"I intend to. Leave me alone, Darrel. Lancaster, will you give me and Fan ten thousand a-year between us if I prove your innocence?"
"Yes, I will do that. I'll make an agreement if you like."
"Oh, I can trust you. You can do nothing till you have the proof. I have the confession of the person who killed Starth. It is locked up in my strong-box at my rooms. The key is on my watch-chain. When we leave here you will come to my lawyers, and we can arrange with Tamaroo here about getting a document drawn up. When all is tight and right, you will get the paper that proves your innocence."
"And whose guilt?" asked Frank.
"I can tell you," said Eustace, quickly. "I have suspected the man for some time. Darrel, _you_ shot Starth."
"I did not," said the big man, hoarsely.
"Yes, you did," said Berry, relentlessly. "I can chuck you now, since I am right myself. I found you in the room with the dead body. I let myself in with my latch-key. I could have denounced you, but having my own game to play I let you off on your signing a confession. You did so in the room at Sand Lane."
"It's a lie--it's a lie!" said Darrel, turning grey.
"It is true, I believe," said Eustace, quickly. "Tamaroo says that Berry was coming to the house."
"I was," said Berry. "You may as well know all. I wanted Lancaster hanged to let Natty have the money--"
"We know all that," said Frank. "Go on. Tell us something new."
"I will tell you--" began the Captain, when Darrel, dashing forward, caught him by the throat. The two rolled over on the floor, while Fan shrieked, and jumped on a divan to be out of the way.
Balkis rose to her feet and waved the other three men out of the room. "Go! Go!"
Jarman and Frank, however, did not move, but Tamaroo, who seemed to understand Balkis, caught their hands, and dragged them out. The negress came after them rapidly, and slammed the door to. As she did so there was a shriek from Miss Berry. Tamaroo still dragged the men towards the outer door. "Come up! Come up!" he cried. "There is danger--danger!"
Eustace was brave enough, but he felt a qualm at this mysterious danger, of which he knew nothing. "Come, Frank, let us get the police quick!" and he darted along the passage and up through the trap-door. Tamaroo followed, and Lancaster. And still they could hear the men fighting within and the shrieks of Fairy Fan.
Balkis, at the door of the inner room, taunted the three. "You white woman loved my Walter and took his love. You shall die! You, my cousin, killed my Walter. You shall die! You Captain Berry, brought about the death of my Walter. You shall die!"
From within rose a wail, and then came the curses of Darrel and Berry, who felt that they had been trapped. Balkis heard them beating at the door, and, laughing loudly, mocked them. Then she pulled a lever which was hidden behind the hangings. There was a roar, a long wail, and then came sobbing, With a delighted smile the negress listened, then she glided from the apartment.
When the police arrived they found the respectable house empty. The negress had vanished. The trap-door was open, and down here Jarman led them, hoping to save the wretched three. But it was too late. As the police and Frank and Eustace darted towards the inner door to open it Tamaroo rushed between and spread out his hands.
"It is too late!" he said, pointing to the lever. "She has let in the water. The river fills that room, and those three are drowned!"
It was so terrible to think of this doom befalling the wicked trio that Frank sat down and fairly sobbed.
"Nemesis!" said Jarman.
In the summerhouse where Frank Lancaster, when an outlaw, had sought refuge, sat Mildred and Eustace. Frank had stood his trial, but the proceedings were merely formal, as the confession of Darrel, which Captain Berry had obtained, proved his innocence beyond doubt. The girl should have looked much more delighted than she did, now that the man she loved was cleared of suspicion. But she seemed nervous and apprehensive, and her face was pale. Eustace had come down from London to tell her that Frank was free, and to intimate that he would be down in the afternoon after an interview with White & Saon relative to the will.
"Are you not pleased, Mildred?" asked Eustace, looking at her gravely.
"Very pleased," she replied, with an effort. "It is the best of news to think that Frank is free, and will be recompensed for all he has undergone."
"He has youth, health, strength, and forty thousand a-year," said Jarman, looking away, "so he ought to be happy."
"I hope so--I hope so," said Mildred, casting down her eyes. "And it is owing to you that he has been cleared of this terrible charge."
"I am glad to have been the agent. I always believed in his innocence. But circumstances had more to do with the affair than I. I simply took advantage of my luck."
Mildred shook her head. "You have had more to do with the matter than you will admit, Eustace. But tell me exactly what has taken place. You have been too busy to explain clearly."
"There was so much to do in connection with the trial," said Jarman; "and I think you know the greater part of the facts."
"Never mind. I wish to hear them again."
Eustace nodded gravely, and began without preamble. "As you know, Berry and his niece came to England, knowing the will of the late Mr. Lancaster, which they procured through Anchor. He intended to play traitor, and in some way arranged to get the money by ridding himself of Tamaroo. But Berry wanted Anchor out of the way, so that he might get the papers and fortune to himself. He shot Anchor, as I told you. Then I chased him, and it was Tamaroo who got the papers."
"And who stabbed the man," said Mildred, shuddering--"you told me."
"That was a savage thing to do," admitted Eustace. "But, in spite of his education, Tamaroo is a savage at heart. And in any case, Anchor could not have lived after Berry's shot. Well, when Natty's father died, Berry contrived to be appointed his guardian. He exercised a great influence over him, and it was his intention to give Natty the fortune by having Frank hanged."
"And was Natty to marry Miss Berry?"
"Mrs. Anchor, you mean. I don't know. Perhaps; but I don't think she cared for the lad. He, when in possession of his fortune, would no doubt have been induced to sign a will in favour of Fan and her uncle, and then he would have been got rid of. It was with some such plan that the two came to England. They made the acquaintance of Frank by Fan writing and asking him to compose her some songs."
"Was it a trap?" asked Mildred.
"A decided trap. I don't know how they intended at first to bring about his being accused of a crime, but chance threw Starth in Berry's way, and then they saw what to do. Your brother hated Lancaster, and was always quarrelling with him. It was not Frank's fault. Berry made as much trouble as he could, and Fan by flirting with your brother and then with Frank made matters worse. The affair culminated in the quarrel in the Piccadilly Theatre, in which Frank used rash words. Then the next day Walter wrote, asking Frank to call."
Mildred clasped her hands, and looked up nervously. "Was that a trap also, do you think?"
"Yes," said Eustace, decidedly. "Your brother was in the scheme to get the money. He knew that Lancaster would have to be hanged, so that it might come into Denham's possession and then into Berry's. I expect they promised him a share."
"But did they intend to give it to him?"
"No, they did not. Your brother was their dupe. Berry arranged that Starth should get Frank down to his place and drug him. Then when he was insensible a crime was to be committed and Frank was to bear the blame."
"Horrible! Horrible!" said Mildred, hiding her face. "And to think Walter should behave so. But who was to be killed?"
"Your brother," said Eustace. "Walter did not know who the victim was to be, and, after drugging Frank, waited for Berry. The rest of the scheme was to be carried on, as I believe, by Berry killing your brother, and then by Frank being accused. But Walter never thought that he would be the victim."
"Walter really drugged Frank?"
"Certainly. He put opium in his tea. When Frank was insensible he searched him for the letter asking him to call, as he wanted that evidence out of the way."
"But for what reason?"
"Why, to make it clear that Frank had called on him voluntarily. Had the letter been shown, it might have pointed to the trap. Well, in searching for the letter--which was thrown on the floor, and found by Tilly--Walter discovered Frank's revolver, which he placed on the table. It was the merest chance that Frank carried it, and, of course, it was a card quite in the hands of the plotters. Walter waited for Berry, but Berry was late. Now I will tell you of Darrel's confession."
"Where was it found?"
"In Berry's strong-box. The police took the key from his dead body, and searched his lodgings. They found the confession, which exonerated Frank entirely."
"Tell me the exact words."
"I can't give them very exact. But the meaning was something like this. Darrel loved you, and wanted to marry you. Walter at first approved of the match, but afterwards he intended to marry you to Natty, and so brought him down."
"I should never have married him," said Mildred, in a low voice.
"Walter, no doubt, thought he could force you. But Darrel got wind of this through Balkis, who was his cousin. He came to remonstrate with Walter. Darrel was half a savage also, with his African blood, and your brother and he came to high words. Then Darrel confessed that Walter insulted him so that he snatched up Frank's revolver from the table and shot Walter through the head. He says in his confession that he didn't intend to kill him."
"Do you think that is true?" asked Mildred.
"I can't say. Darrel was a most violent man, and his love for you amounted to a frenzy. However, he shot Walter, but before he could get out of the house Berry entered."
"How could he enter if the door was closed?"
"He had a latch-key, which he had procured from Walter. I daresay he intended to kill Walter--either shoot him or stab him--and then go away, leaving Frank to bear the blame. He went to Frank's chambers to prove an _alibi_. But when he found Darrel in the room he saw that the deed was done. To make himself safe he made Darrel sign a confession, and kept it in his strong-box. Then the two agreed that Frank should bear the blame. Now you can see, Mildred, why Darrel was unwilling to denounce Frank when he recognised him here. He feared to be implicated in the case. But his rage got the better of him, and he took Berry and Fan to the secret rooms of Balkis."
"What has become of Balkis?"
"She has disappeared; no one knows where. I expect she had made all arrangements and has departed for the States. It's just as well, as she is wanted for the murder of those three."
"Why did she murder them? I thought she was friendly with them."
"She was in a way. But she was madly in love with your brother, and was under the impression that he would marry her. He might have done so, for Balkis is rich. However, if he got Lancaster's money he intended to marry Fairy Fan. When, by means of that letter, I proved that Fan had been making love to Starth, Balkis was furious. Then, when she found that Darrel had killed her lover, she determined on his death."
"Had Frank killed Walter, would Balkis have--"
"I am sure she would," interrupted Eustace, quickly. "She was a most furious woman, and would have stuck at nothing. And she didn't. She resolved also on the death of Berry, because he had caused all the trouble, and had really brought about the death of your brother by his machinations. So she closed them in the room and let the river in. The three poor wretches were drowned like rats in a trap before I could get back with the police."
Mildred shuddered with horror. "Had she designed all this?"
"No. To do her justice I don't think she did. The trap was arranged for the police should they have made a raid on the gambling-rooms. It seems that the inner room was only divided from the river by a thick wall. There was a tunnel through this, closed at the lower end by an iron slide, which was worked by a lever from the outer room. Balkis shut the three in, and Darrel was fighting with the Captain. Then when she got rid of us--I went to fetch the police, remember, as I suspected foul play--she must have worked the lever and admitted the water. Great Heavens!" said Eustace, covering his face. "I can imagine the feelings of those poor wretches when they saw the water pouring into the room. Bad as they were their punishment has been terrible."
"Were they all three dead?"
"Yes. The police shut the slide again by means of the lever and the water was drained. The bodies were found, and by this time they have been buried."
"Balkis disappeared?"
"Yes. She must have made preparations for flight. In any case she intended to leave for America a week after the crime was committed. Her money was all invested abroad, and she no doubt got on board some boat that sailed immediately for Spain or the Continent. She had many friends amongst the sailors who patronised her opium shop and gambling-rooms, and had no difficulty in getting away."
"Then Frank was arrested?"
"I wrote to you. He gave himself up by my advice. I related everything to Inspector Herny. He searched for the key of the strong-box and found it on Berry's watch-chain. Then we found the box in the Bloomsbury lodgings, and obtained the confession. Frank made his statement in court, and then the confession was read. He has been discharged without a stain on his character. And now he is with Tamaroo seeing White & Saon about the will."
"I don't like Tamaroo after his stabbing my brother and that poor Anchor," said Mildred, looking pale.
Eustace shrugged his shoulders. "Tamaroo is half a savage. But you will not see much of him. Frank has arranged to pay him an income, and he is going back to America next week. He has discharged his mission, and nothing more remains to be done."
"And Frank?" said Mildred, in a low tone. "What of him?"
Eustace looked at her from under his eyes, and winced. He knew well what was in her mind. "Frank," he said, in a hard tone, "is going down to see Miss Drake at Kingsbridge. There he will make arrangements for her comfort, now that he is in possession of the money. After that I can't say. But, Mildred"--he took her hands--"I have done what you asked. Your brother's murderer has been discovered, Frank is free. What of my reward?"
"I will marry you," said Mildred, faintly. "I promised to do so, and I shall keep my word."
Eustace smiled, but there was a look of pain in his eyes. "What of Frank Lancaster?" he asked.
"Say nothing about him," she answered, pressing her hand on her heart. "If you have any love for me--"
"Ah, my dear, I have so much love that--well we will see. I am going to town again to-day. Frank is coming down. I want him to see you, as he will give you a message from me."
"Can't you tell me what it is? I don't want to see Frank."
"I can only write the message," said Eustace, rising. "You will know what I mean by five this evening." He looked at his watch. "I have just time to catch the train. And now, as we have arranged to marry, will you not kiss me?"
Mildred put her arms round his neck and kissed him. "God bless you for all you have done," she murmured.
"Oh, He will. Does He not give you to me? Goodbye, and"--he kissed her twice--"don't forget me."
Mildred sank into a chair as Eustace hurried away. At the gate he looked back and waved his hand, but she never looked up. With a sigh, Jarman went to his own house. There he packed a few things and departed, leaving old Bowles in charge of the Shanty.
Mildred buried her face in her hands and wept. She loved Frank. Never till this moment did she realise how much she loved him. And she knew that he loved her as devotedly. But she must keep her promise to Eustace. He had borne the heat and burden of the day. He had worked nobly, and she could not break his heart by refusing to give him his reward. But she knew not how she would be able to bear being his wife when she so dearly loved Frank.
"I should have spoken out," she moaned. "I should have told the truth. He would not have insisted on my fulfilling a rash promise. Yet--he is so good, so noble. No. I must keep my word. Frank himself would insist on that. And Frank, I shall see him again to say farewell. Oh, Frank---Frank--my darling!" and she wept afresh.
From these sad thoughts she was aroused by the coming of Mrs. Perth full of news. "My dear," said the old lady, "I have just come from the Rectory. Would you believe it? Mr. Denham is to marry Jenny Arrow. It's all settled. They marry in a month, and go to the States."
"I am very glad," said Mildred, drying her eyes.
"Well, I am too--but such indecent haste. However, it's none of our business. My dear"--the old lady sat down and patted Mildred's hand--"why are you crying? Are you not glad that this poor young man has been proved innocent?"
"I am more than glad, because I love him."
"Ah!" said Mrs. Perth, again patting the hand, "I thought so. And I must tell you one thing, my dear. He loves you. He told me so."
"Don't--oh don't!" cried the girl, tortured beyond endurance. "I am to be married to Eustace Jarman!"
"Mildred--no!"
"I promised to marry him if he--oh, don't talk of it," and Mildred ran into the house.
Mrs. Perth shook her head sadly, and slowly followed. She thought Mildred was wrong. "It will not be a happy marriage," said Mrs. Perth.
That afternoon Frank arrived at the Shanty. He looked sad, and not at all like a man whose character had been cleared, and who had come into a fortune of forty thousand a-year. He was alone, as he intended only to stop the night and to return the next day to London on his way to Kingsbridge. Only at Jarman's urgent request had he come down to see Mildred, as he felt that he could not trust himself in her presence. At first he thought he would send the letter with which he had been entrusted by Eustace. Then he decided not to be a coward, but to deliver it himself. He therefore braced his nerves for a final interview, and walked over to Rose Cottage.
Mildred was in the drawing-room and saw him at once. The lovers looked at one another, and each strove to be calm. There was no need of explanation, as they understood. Without a word Frank gave Mildred the letter. She laid it aside. "Will you not read it?" asked Frank.
"After you are gone," said Mildred, in as steady a tone as she could command.
"No. You must read it now. Eustace wants a reply, he told me."
"Why is he so cruel?" muttered Mildred, opening the letter languidly.
Frank watched her as she read, and sighed to think that she would be the wife of another. However, he wished to be true to the friend who had done so much for him, and in his heart resolved to give Jarman half his money when the wedding took place.
Mildred flushed as she read the letter, and her eyes sparkled. On finishing she handed it to Frank without a word, striving to repress her agitation. Rather astonished at this emotion, Frank read it also. Then he too flushed, and well he might.
The letter was from Eustace, and stated that he saw how Mildred and Frank loved one another. He wished them both to be happy, and released Mildred from her promise.