CHAPTER XXIV.
DR. VINSEN TAKES AN INTEREST IN DICK.
The admonition was needed, for his brain was in a whirl. Thedisclosure of Reginald's movements made by Florence, his statement toher that he had an idea for improving his circumstances which heintended to carry out "whatever came of it," his silence regarding hisvisits to the house in Catchpole Square, his fevered ravings about hisfather--were, as Dick said with a groan, "so many nails in hiscoffin."
"No doubt can exist," he argued, "that Samuel Boyd was murdered eitherby his son Reginald or by Abel Death. If what I know were made publicReginald would be immediately arrested and charged. Poor Florence! Shelittle knows what is in store for her, and what can't be hidden muchlonger. But where, where is Abel Death? Is it possible that he alsohas been murdered? That would make things worse for Reginald. I'llsearch the house from top to bottom to-night in the hope of notfinding his body, for then the chance of his being the murderer wouldstill be open. If Florence's husband is put in the dock we'll make afight for his life."
Having thus relieved his mind he struck a bee-line for Aunt Rob'shouse, and his knock at the door was instantly answered by her andInspector Robson.
"I bring good news," said Dick, in a cheery tone.
"You have found her!" cried Aunt Rob, quivering with excitement.
"Yes, I have found her."
"Thank God--oh, thank God!"
Inspector Robson, pale as death, grasped Dick's hand, and in a huskyvoice asked, "Is she well?"
"Quite well--and waiting to see you."
Aunt Rob threw on her bonnet and mantle. "Here's your hat, father,"she said, almost breathless, "we must go to her at once. Come, Dick,come."
"Stop a minute," he said, laying his hand on her arm, "I havesomething to tell you first."
"I don't want to hear anything," she cried, sternly. "I want mychild!"
"Let Dick speak," said Inspector Robson.
Then Dick related all that Florence had told him, and their joy atrecovering their daughter was so great that they had no word ofreproach for her. The dear child was found, and they would be oncemore re-united. What more could they desire?
"They must come here this very day, father," said Aunt Rob. "This istheir home till they get one of their own."
He nodded, and the fond parents, accompanied by Dick, hastened to thedear one, with love and forgiveness in their hearts. When they wereall together in Florence's room he stood apart, a silent witness ofthe joyful meeting. How the parents embraced and wept over theirchild, how she clung to them and kissed them, and entreated them tobelieve that her love for them was stronger than it had ever been!Aunt Rob's tearful eyes shone with gladness; her one ewe lamb wasrestored to her; a sacred joy stirred their hearts at this re-union.
Then, when their agitation had somewhat subsided, and they had steppedin softly to see Reginald, who was still asleep, came the question ofhis removal.
"It must be left to the doctor," said Uncle Rob. "When do you expecthim, Florence?"
"He is coming to-night, between eight and nine o'clock," she answered,and added, with a wistful look, "we are very poor, father."
"You share with us, my dear," was his ready response. "All we have isyours. Mother, it is hardly likely he can be removed for a day or two.You will stay with Florence to-night."
"And every night," said Aunt Rob, "till we get her home. I don't lether out of my sight. Dick, what are you looking so glum for?"
"Am I looking glum?" he said, striving to speak cheerfully. "I was notaware of it."
"Dear Dick!" said Florence, stepping to his side. "How can we thankyou?"
"That will do, that will do," he said. "As if anybody in my placewouldn't have done the same! I must be off now--a thousand things toattend to."
"Pop into the office between eight and nine for a chat," said UncleRob.
"All right, uncle, I'll be there," answered Dick, waving goodbye tothe happy group.
He was glad to get away, to think of the work before him. The searchin Samuel Boyd's house for the body of Abel Death must be madeto-night; it might be the last opportunity he would have to do sosecretly.
"I must dodge the police, and I must get in early," he thought. "Atnine I will have a chat with Uncle Rob, at ten I'll be in CatchpoleSquare. My mind is in a state of muddle. Let me see how the casestands in respect of dates and the consecutive order of events. Tosave confusion I will jot them down."
Taking a small memorandum book from his pocket he halted at a streetcorner, and made the following entries:
"_Friday, 1st March_.--Abel Death discharged by Samuel Boyd. He pays avisit to Catchpole Square at about ten o'clock to beg Boyd to take himback into his service. Reginald's two visits to the house, the firstin the afternoon, the second late at night, hour unknown. In his hasteto get away on the second occasion he drops in the passage the key ofthe street door. Samuel Boyd murdered. Query--Did Abel Death andReginald meet? Would it be advisable, when Reginald is in his rightsenses, to ask him about this?
"_Saturday, 2nd March_.--Mrs. Death goes to Catchpole Square to obtainnews of her husband. Unsuccessful. Good reason for it. Dead men tellno tales. Reginald back in his lodgings, in bed, delirious. The eventsof the previous night being fresh in his mind, it is likely he ravedabout them. Query--Who attended to him? His landlady. Did she hearanything that would furnish a clue, and will this occur to her whenthe murder is discovered?
"_Sunday, 3d March_.--Mrs. Death repeats her visits to CatchpoleSquare. Same result. Same reason for it.
"_Monday, 4th March_.--Mrs. Death continues her visits to CatchpoleSquare.
"_Tuesday, 5th March_.--The day of the great fog. My conversation withUncle Rob in the police station. Mrs. Death and Gracie are brought in.Her story. Florence leaves home secretly to nurse Reginald. Fearingthat he is dying, and gathering from his ravings that he wishes to seehis father, she goes to Catchpole Square after midnight. She is seenby the police and drops her handkerchief, which Constable Pond picksup. My conversation with Applebee. He tells me that Pond has a room tolet. I reconnoitre Samuel Boyd's house, and determine to force anentrance next night. Only one way of getting in, by means of rope andgrapnel.
"_Wednesday, 6th March_.--At the police court with Mrs. Death andGracie. I write par. for 'L. B. B.' I take lodgings in Pond's house,and obtain possession of Florence's handkerchief. Visit Aunt Rob, andlearn particulars of Florence's flight. I purchase rope and grapnel. Ivisit Mrs. Death. No news of her husband. Make the acquaintance of Dr.Vinsen. He gives Mrs. Death two pounds. Why should he be so generous?At one in the morning I get over dead wall, and into Samuel Boyd'shouse. Discovery of the murder. Find Samuel Boyd's written accusationof his son. Pocket it. Find Reginald's key to street door. Pocket it.Things look black.
"_Thursday, 7th March_--Visit Aunt Rob. Receive letter from Florence.Go to her. Fetch Aunt and Uncle Rob. Leave them together. Things lookblacker."
Replacing the memorandum book in his pocket he became conscious thathe was being observed. Looking up he saw the sleepy eyes of Dr. Vinsenfixed upon him.
"My dear young friend," said the doctor, with an amused smile, "Ihave been observing you for quite three minutes, and wondering whatengrossing task you were engaged upon to make you oblivious ofpassers-by. An effort of literature--a poem--an inspiration? I envythe literary character. So free, so untrammelled by the ordinarycircumstances of our prosaic existence! It soars on the wings ofimagination into fairy realms--in-to fai-ry realms. Who knows thatyou have not in your pocket"--he tapped Dick's breast with a lightfinger--"something that will open our minds to noble truths? Whoknows--who knows?"
"_I_ know," said Dick. "If an account of how many socks, and collars,and handkerchiefs I have sent to the wash will elevate mankind I amsure I have no objection."
"A washing account," said Dr. Vinsen, with a gentle laugh. "Dear,dear, dear! But romance and mystery may be found even in commonplacematters. Look around. Observe the men and women who are
passing us.What secrets are hidden in their breasts? In yours? In mine? It occursto me at this moment to inquire whether mystery is the offspring ofromance, or romance the offspring of mystery?"
"You can take your choice," said Dick, attempting to shake Dr. Vinsenoff.
"_Can_ one take one's choice?" said Dr. Vinsen, walking by Dick'sside, and ignoring his companion's distaste for his society. "Is itopen to us to do so? Are we free agents? Are we not rather like boatson a strange sea, with hidden currents that whirl us on, andoccasionally bring destruction upon us--des-truc-tion up-on us? Do youhappen to be aware if the missing man has returned to the bosom of hisfamily?"
"I am not aware of it. I should consider it very unlikely."
"Then you have a theory concerning his mysterious disappearance." Dickshook his head sullenly. "No? Perhaps you are right not to troubleyourself. I perceive that you are not in the mood for conversation. Mydear young friend, I take my leave. If I can be of any service, praycommand me."
So saying, Dr. Vinsen raised his hat, affording the world a view ofhis bald head and his halo, and slowly ambled away.
"Confound you!" said Dick, looking after him. "Why did you raise yourhat to me? I am not that kind of man, you know."
His mind was in a state to magnify and distort the simplest matters.To such an extent that the voice of a newsboy shouting in an adjoiningstreet caused him to hurry in that direction to buy a paper. There wasnothing in it touching the murder, and he crumpled it up and threw itinto the road So he idled away the time until a few minutes beforenine, when he entered the Bishop Street Police Station, where hisuncle expected him.
"Well, Dick, my lad," said Inspector Robson, "things have taken a turnsince our talk the night before last."
"They have, indeed," returned Dick, and thought, "If you knew all!"
"It has been a terrible time," said the inspector, "and we owe youwhat we can never repay."
"You make too much of it, uncle. What did I do but go to Florence whenshe asked me? Did you stop long with her?"
"Till the last minute. Had tea there. It's a blessing the mystery'sover; it almost drove me mad. It isn't a pleasant reflection thatReginald is the son of such a man as Samuel Boyd, but it would be hardlines to blame children for the faults of their parents. Have you seenMrs. Death and her little girl?"
"Yes," replied Dick, "I have been twice to their lodgings, andthey have heard nothing of the missing man. They are in greatpoverty--there are seven little children----"
"Poor creature! How's the little girl?"
"There's a chance of her getting well. A friend has unexpectedlyturned up, and a doctor is attending her."
Then he related all that he knew of Dr. Vinsen.
"Have you ever heard of him, uncle?"
"Never; he must be a kind gentleman, and I'm glad such a piece of goodfortune has fallen to Mrs. Death's share. I wish we could find herhusband for her. Dick, now that Reginald is connected with us, a watchought to be kept on the house in Catchpole Square. Constable Applebeesays it looks as if it was quite deserted. If it remains so a day ortwo longer I shall consider what is best to be done. Abel Death andMr. Boyd are mixed up together in my mind, and some steps should betaken to clear the mystery. You remember what you said aboutmurder--do you still hold to it?"
It was an awkward question, and Dick gave an evasive reply.
"You might have a look round Catchpole Square yourself, Dick."
"I will do so," said Dick, and soon afterwards took his departure.