CHAPTER XI
SKIRMISHING
On the following morning the gentlemen at Fair Oaks were astir atan unusually early hour, and immediately after breakfast held a briefconference. It was decided to offer a heavy reward for theapprehension of the murderer of Hugh Mainwaring, while a lesserreward was to be offered for information leading to identificationand arrest of the guilty party. Preparations were also to be madefor the funeral, which would take place the next day, and which, inaccordance with the wishes of Ralph Mainwaring, was to be strictlyprivate.
Their conference at an end, Ralph Mainwaring ordered the carriage totake himself, Mr. Whitney, and the secretary to the depot.
"I believe I will ride down with you," said Mr. Merrick.
"Certainly; plenty of room. Going to the city?"
"Yes; but not with you gentlemen. We will part company at thedepot and I will take another car."
"How are you getting on, Mr. Merrick?" inquired Mr. Thorton.
"As well as can be expected, all things considered," was thenon-committal reply.
"Going to be a slow case, I'm afraid," commented Ralph Mainwaring,shaking his head in a doubtful way, while Mr. Thornton addedjokingly,--
"We've got some mighty fine fellows over home there at the Yard; ifyou should want any help, Mr. Merrick, I'll cable for one of them."
"Thank you, sir," said the detective, with quiet dignity; "I don'tanticipate that I shall want any assistance; and if I should, I willhardly need import it from Scotland Yard."
"Ha, ha! That all depends, you know, on what your man is. If therascal happens to have any English blood in him, it will take aScotland Yard chap to run him down."
"On the principle, I suppose, of 'set a rogue to catch a rogue,'"Merrick replied, smiling.
He bad scarcely finished speaking when Hardy suddenly entered theroom.
"Beg pardon, sir," he said, addressing Ralph Mainwaring; "but thecoachman is gone! We've looked everywhere for him, but he's nowhereabout the place."
"When did he go?" asked Mr. Whitney, quickly.
"Nobody knows, sir. Joe, the stable-boy, says he hasn't been aroundat all this morning."
"Bring the boy here," said Mr. Mainwaring.
There was instantly recalled to every one present the memory ofBrown's insolent manner at the inquest, together with his confusedand false statements. In a few moments Hardy returned with thestable-boy, an unkempt, ignorant lad of about fourteen, but with aface old and shrewd beyond his years.
"Are you one of the servants here?" Mr. Mainwaring inquired.
"I works here, ef that's wot yer mean; but I don't call myselfnobody's servant."
"How did it happen that you were not at the inquest?" he demanded.
"Didn't got no invite," was the reply, accompanied by a grin, whileHardy explained that the boy did not belong to the place, but hadbeen hired by the coachman to come nights and mornings and attendto the stable work.
"What do you know about this Brown?" inquired Mr. Mainwaring,addressing the boy.
"Wal, I guess he's ben a-goin' it at a putty lively gait lately."
"You mean he was fast?"
"I guess that's about the size of it."
"When did you see him last?"
"Hain't seen nothin' of him sence las' night, an' then he was sortercrusty an' didn't say much. I come down this mornin' an' went towork,--he allus left the stable key where I could get it,--but Iham' t seen nor heard nothin' o' him. Me'n him," with an emphaticnod towards Hardy, "went up to his room, but he warn't there, norhadn't ben there all night."
"Why do you think he was fast?"
"Wal, from all I've hearn about him I guess he's ben goin' with akinder hard set lately. I've seen some putty tough-lookin' subshangin' 'round the stables. There was a lot of 'em waitin' for himWednesday night."
"Wednesday night!" ejaculated Mr. Whitney. "At what time? and whowere they?"
"I dunno who they was, but they was hangin' 'round about eighto'clock waitin' for him to go with 'em. An' then he's had lots ofmoney lately."
"How do you know this?"
"I've hearn him a-jinglin' it in his room; an' night afore las' Iclim' up-stairs and peeked in, an' he had a whole pile of goldpieces 'bout that high," measuring with his hands; "but he see me,an' he said he'd gimme a whalin' ef he catched me at it agin."
"Did you watch him last night?" asked Mr. Mainwaring.
"Yas; he acted so kinder queer that I waited 'round to see what hewas goin' to do. After 'twas still an' he thought I'd gone, he comedown an' started off towards the side street. Jes' fer fun Ifollered him; an' when he got to the lake he stopped and looked all'round, as ef to make sure there warn't nobody to see him, an' thenhe takes somethin', I couldn't see what, out from under his coat an'chucks it quick into the lake, an' then he started on a run downtowards the street."
"Couldn't you see what he threw?"
"No, I couldn't see what 'twas; but it struck the water awful heavy."
"Is that all you know about the affair?"
"Yas, that's all."
"Wait a moment," said Mr. Merrick, as the boy turned to leave theroom. "Can you tell how many, or what kind of looking men were withBrown on Wednesday night?"
"There was three of 'em. One was a big feller with kinder squinteyes, the other two was ornery lookin' fellers; one of 'em was darklike a furriner, an' t'other one had sorter yeller hair."
"How long were they there?"
"About half 'n hour, I guess. They was all gone 'fore nine o'clock."
"Did you hear anything that was said?"
"I hearn 'em talkin' somethin' about the boss."
"Mr. Mainwaring?"
"Yas. He'd made a kick about somethin' or 'nuther that afternoon,an' Brown he was cussin' mad, an' then when they went away I hearnone of 'em say somethin' about 'makin' a good job of it.'"
"How was this, Hardy?" inquired Mr. Whitney. "Had there been anywords Wednesday between Mr. Mainwaring and the coachman?"
"Yes, sir; I had forgotten it; but now I remember that when he cameback that afternoon, he found some fault with the coachman, andBrown was very insolent, and then Mr. Mainwaring threatened todischarge him."
"'Pon my soul! I should say here was something worth looking into,"said Mr. Thornton, as the boy left the room, accompanied by Hardy.
"A great pity that we could not have had his testimony at theinquest," commented the attorney. "We might then have corneredBrown; but I was not aware that there was such a person employed onthe place."
Meanwhile, a carriage ordered by telephone from the Arlington hadalready arrived at Fair Oaks.
"Well," said Ralph Mainwaring, "the carriage is waiting. We hadbetter proceed to the depot; we can talk of this latest developmenton our way."
"You will excuse me, gentlemen," said Mr. Merrick, quietly, "I havechanged my mind, and will postpone my trip to the city."
"Struck a new trail, eh?" queried Ralph Mainwaring, with a peculiarexpression, as he paused to light a cigar.
"On the contrary, sir, only following up an old one," and, with asomewhat ambiguous smile, the detective withdrew.
The coachman's sudden disappearance, together with the facts learnedfrom the stable-boy, formed the subject of discussion for the nexthalf-hour between Ralph Mainwaring and the attorney, Scott listeningwith a thoughtful face, although taking little part in theconversation. Upon their arrival at the offices of Mainwaring &Co. they were given a cordial greeting by Mr. Elliott and Mr.Chittenden, after which they passed on to the elegant privateoffices of Hugh Mainwaring. Mr. Whitney was visibly affected ashe entered the familiar rooms, and to each one was forciblyrecalled the memory of their meeting a few days before. A briefsilence followed, and then in subdued tones they began to discussthe business which had now brought them there.
At about two o'clock that afternoon, Scott found himself enteringan ancient and dilapidated looking block in a rather disreputablepart of the city. He had fulfilled his appointment with Mr.Suther
land, and after an hour's conversation both gentlemen appearedvery sanguine regarding the case under consideration. As Scott wastaking leave, he produced Hobson's card and related the particularsof their incidental meeting at Fair Oaks, and Hobson's urgentinvitation to call upon him at his office.
Mr. Sutherland laughed. "About what I expected," he said. "It wasevident from his remarks at the inquest that some one--probablyMrs. LaGrange--had posted him concerning you, and he is afraid youare onto his secret."
"I had questioned if it were that, or whether possibly he might beonto mine."
"Not at all probable," said the attorney, after a moment'sreflection. "If he really understood your position, he would befar too cunning to allow you to get sight of him. You have thescoundrel completely in your power."
"Yes, as much as he is in anybody's power; but it is doubtful ifany one can hold so slippery a rascal as he. I believe I will givehim a call, however."
"It would do no harm, taking care, of course, that you give him noinformation."
"Oh, certainly," said Scott, with a smile, as he paused for aninstant in the doorway; "my object will be to get, not give,information."
"His object will probably be the same," was Mr. Sutherland's partingshot, as he turned with a laugh to his desk.
Scott, having ascended a narrow, crooked stairway, found himself ina long, dark hall, poorly ventilated, and whose filthy condition wasonly too apparent even in the dim light. Far in the rear he saw adoor bearing the words, "R. Hobson, Attorney." As he pushed openthe door, a boy of about seventeen, who, with a cigarette in hismouth and his feet on a table, sat reading a novel, instantly assumedthe perpendicular and, wheeling about, faced Scott with one of themost villainous countenances the latter had ever seen. Something inScott's appearance seemed to surprise him, for he stared impudentlywithout speaking. After silently studying the face before him foran instant, Scott inquired for Mr. Hobson.
"He is in, sir, but he is engaged at present with a client," saidthe boy, in tones which closely resembled Hobson's. "I will takein your card, sir."
The boy disappeared with the card into an adjoining room, returninga moment later with the most obsequious manners and the announcementthat Mr. Hobson would be at liberty in a few moments. Scott rightlyjudged that this ceremony was merely enacted for effect, and contentedhimself with looking about the small, poorly furnished room, whilethe office boy opposite regarded him with an undisguised curiosity,which betrayed that this client--if such he could be regarded--differedgreatly from the usual class. Young and untaught thoughhe were, he had learned to read the faces about him, and that ofhis employer was to him as an open book, and the expression whichflashed into Hobson's eyes as they fell upon Scott's card indicatedplainly to the office boy that in this instance the usual conditionswere reversed, and the attorney stood in fear of his visitor.
A few moments later the door of the next room opened noiselesslyand Hobson, attired in a red dressing-gown and wearing his mostingratiating smile, silently beckoned Scott to enter. With a quickglance the latter took in every detail of the second apartment. Itwas somewhat larger than the first, but the furnishing was meagreand shabby in the extreme, and, with the exception of a small setof shelves containing a few dilapidated volumes, there were novisible signs of an attorney's office.
Hobson did not speak until he had carefully closed the door, thenhe said, in low tones,--
"As our conversation is likely to be of a confidential nature, youwould perhaps desire greater privacy than can be secured here. Stepthis way."
He opened the door into a room so dark and so thick with staletobacco smoke that at first Scott could discern nothing clearly.
"My den!" said Hobson, with a magnificent flourish, and Scott steppedwithin, feeling, he afterwards said, as though he were being usheredby Mephistopheles into the infernal regions, and this impression wasnot lessened by the first objects which he was able to distinguish,--apair of skulls grinning at him through the smoky atmosphere.As his eyes became accustomed to the dim light he noted that theroom was extremely small, with only one window, which opened uponthe blank wall of an adjoining building, and with no furniture, savean enormous, high-top desk and two chairs. One of the latter Hobsonplaced near the window for his visitor, and then busied himself fora moment at the desk in hastily concealing what to Scott looked likesome paraphernalia of the black arts. Upon the top of the desk werethe two skulls which had first attracted Scott's attention, andwhich he now regarded rather curiously. Hobson, following hisglance, said, by way of explanation,--
"Rather peculiar ornaments, I dare say, you consider those, Mr.Scott; but I am greatly interested in phrenology and devote much ofmy leisure time to its study. It is not only amusing, you know, butit is of great assistance in reading and understanding my fellow-men,and enables me to adapt myself to my clients, so to speak."
Having satisfactorily arranged his belongings, Hobson locked thedoor, and, seating himself behind his desk, appeared ready forbusiness.
"Well, my young friend," he began, "I rather expected you, for Iflatter myself that I understand enough of human nature to know thatthere are very few who will pass by an opportunity of learningsomething for the advancement of their own interests or thebetterment of their own condition in life."
"That may be perfectly natural," Scott replied; "but you flatteryourself altogether too much if you think that I have come herewith any expectation that you can advance my interests or bettermy condition."
"That remains to be seen. Much also depends upon yourself, for Itake it that a young man of your calibre is not without ambition."
Hobson paused, regarding his visitor with sharp scrutiny, butreceiving no reply, continued, "I might add, that to a young manwith ambitious designs such as yours, I would probably be able torender great assistance."
"I am not aware of any unusual ambition on my part."
"Oh, no, nothing unusual. You simply had no intention of remainingHugh Mainwaring's secretary any longer than was necessary. Thatwas perfectly natural, perfectly laudable, my young friend, and Iadmire the shrewdness and foresight with which you set about toaccomplish your designs. At the same time, I believe I am in aposition to give you just the information and advice you need inorder to insure your success."
Both men had the same object in view. Each wished to ascertain whatthe other knew concerning himself. Scott, unable to determinewhether Hobson had spoken at random or with an inkling of the facts,answered, coldly,--
"I do not know to what you refer, or on what grounds you base theinference which you seem to have drawn."
"No? Then you will allow me to remark, Mr. Scott, that suchfamiliarity as yours with a portion of Hugh Mainwaring's privatecorrespondence, extending back over a period of fifteen or moreyears, taking into consideration the facts that you cannot be muchmore than twenty-five years of age, and have only been about twoyears in Mr. Mainwaring's employ, would indicate that you had soughtto acquaint yourself with some facts connected with your employer'searly life with the express purpose of using the same to your ownadvantage."
"You must see the inconsistency of such a supposition, when youconsider that I have been in possession of these facts for sometime--it is unnecessary to state how long--and have made no useof them whatever."
"Possibly," said Hobson, with emphasis, "your knowledge of thefacts may not have been definite enough to warrant your use of them."
His voice and manner unconsciously betrayed the importance which heattached to Scott's reply. The latter detected this, and answeredevasively,--
"It is sufficiently definite for any own personal satisfaction inany event."
Hobson shook his head. "It is useless to evade the point. You hadan object in looking up that correspondence; you intended to makea good thing out of the facts you got hold of; and, if yourinformation is sufficiently complete, you can make a good thing outof them yet."
"If I have not attempted anything of that kind in the past, wouldI be likely to t
ry it at this late day?" Scott asked, with the airof one who is open to any available suggestion.
Hobson at once assumed a confidential manner, and, moving a littlenearer his visitor, replied, in a low tone,--
"Look here, Mr. Scott, that's just why I wanted to meet you. Yousee I knew more about you than you think. I've taken an unusualinterest in you, too; and, seeing the little game you were playing,and knowing that I held the trump card myself, I naturally wouldlike to take a hand and help you out at the same time. Now, thepoint is just this, Mr. Scott: What do you really know concerningthe transaction referred to in that correspondence? I supposeyou are familiar with all the letters that passed on both sides?"
"Perfectly so."
"Certainly. But you will acknowledge, Mr. Scott, that those letterswere expressed in very guarded terms, and, with the exception ofpossibly one or two, gave no hint of the nature of that transaction.Remember," he added, impressively, "I have an exact copy of thecorrespondence on both sides, and no one could ever assume anystatement or admissions that were not there."
"I presumed that, of course," said Scott, calmly.
"Now, my young friend, let us get down to the actual knowledge whichyou have of the facts. You are, I suppose, aware that there was amissing will involved in the case?"
"I am; and that one or two of your letters purported to show thatthe missing will was destroyed by Hugh Mainwaring."
"Did I make any such allegation?"
"Not directly; but your allusions and references would be clear toany one having a knowledge of the English statutes."
Hobson started, and inquired quickly, "Are you familiar with Englishlaw?"
"I made myself familiar with your citations and references in thiscase."
"I see; you have indeed made a study of the case. Well, Mr. Scott,permit me to say that I accused Hugh Mainwaring of nothing which hehad not previously confessed to me himself. Have you any knowledgeconcerning that will,--its terms or conditions, or the names of thetestator or beneficiaries?"
"There was nothing in the correspondence to give any clue to thoseparticulars. I could only gather that Hugh Mainwaring had defraudedothers and enriched himself by destroying this will."
Hobson looked relieved. "Without doubt, he did; but allow me tocall your attention to one point, Mr. Scott. You see how littleactual knowledge you have of this affair. There are others--Mrs.LaGrange, for instance, and the mysterious individual whom she heardconversing with Mr. Mainwaring on the night of the murder,--all ofwhom know as much or more than you; and while this meagre knowledgeof the case might perhaps have been sufficient to bring to bear uponMainwaring himself, personally, it would have little or no weightwith those with whom we would now have to deal. You know nothingof the terms of the will, or of the persons named as beneficiaries,whom, consequently, Hugh Mainwaring defrauded. You have no proofthat he destroyed the will. In fact, my dear young friend, youcould produce no proof that such a document ever existed at all!"
"Do I understand you, then, that those letters, Mr. Mainwaring'sincluded, would not be regarded as proof?" Scott asked, withwell-feigned surprise.
"Not of themselves with these people; I know them too well."Hobson shook his head decidedly, then continued, in oraculartones, "Remember, I am only speaking of your chances with them.Mainwaring's letters were very guarded, mine scarcely less so.They would have no weight whatever with men like Ralph Mainwaring orWilliam Thornton. They might even charge you with forging the wholething. The point is just this, Mr. Scott: in order to be able toget anything from these parties you must have complete data, absoluteproof of every statement you are to make; and such data and proofsare in the possession of no one but myself. So you see I am theonly one who can assist you in this matter."
"And what compensation would you demand for 'assisting' me?"
"We will not put it that way, Mr. Scott," Hobson replied, his small,malignant eyes gleaming with delight at the ease with which hisprey was falling into his clutches. "It is like this: RalphMainwaring and Thornton are prejudiced against me; I might not beable to work them as successfully as I could wish, but you and Icould work together very smoothly. I could remain invisible, as itwere, and give you the benefit of the information I possess and ofmy experience and advice, and you could then successfully manipulatethe wires which would bring in the ducats for both of us. What doyou say, my young friend?"
"Do you think that either Ralph Mainwaring or Mr. Thornton wouldcare enough for any secrets you might be able to disclose to payyou hush money?"
"I object to the term of 'hush money.' I am merely trying to getwhat was due me from Hugh Mainwaring. As he never paid me in full,his heirs must. Yes, I could work them after they return toEngland and set up in style on the old Mainwaring estate. Theywould be rather sensitive about the family reputation then."
"Where are the beneficiaries of that will that was destroyed?" Scottsuddenly inquired.
Hobson looked sharply at him. "Dead, long ago. Why do you ask?"
"I was thinking that if they or their heirs were living, it wouldbe better to go to them with this information. They would probablypay a good price for it."
"You're right, they would," Hobson replied, approvingly; "but theyare all dead."
"Were there no heirs left?"
"None whatever, more's the pity. However, I've got a good hold onthese English chaps and will make them hand over the sovereigns yet."
The contempt which Scott had hitherto concealed as Hobson unfoldedhis plans was now plainly visible on his face as he rose from hischair.
"Don't hasten, my young friend," said Hobson, eagerly. "Sit down,sit down; we have not laid our plans yet."
"No, nor will we," was the reply. "If you think to make a cat's-pawof me in any of your dirty, contemptible pieces of work, you aremistaken. If you think that I came here with any intention oflistening for one moment to any of your vile propositions, you aremistaken. I came here simply to satisfy myself on one point. Myerrand is accomplished, and I will remain no longer."
Hobson had sprung to his feet and now faced Scott, barring the wayto the door, while fear, anger, defiance, and hate passed in rapidsuccession across his evil countenance, making his appearance moredemon-like than ever.
"You lie!" he exclaimed, in a hoarse whisper. "I have not givenyou one word of information!"
"No," Scott interrupted, "you have given me no information, and youcould give me none, for the reason that I know more concerning thiswhole affair than you do. I also have knowledge of certain othermatters regarding one Richard Hobson, alias Dick Carroll, and hisLondon adventures."
Hobson's face had become a livid hue, and Scott detected a suddenmovement of his right hand towards his desk.
"None of that!" he cried, warningly, at the same time springingquickly upon him with two well-aimed blows, one of which knocked arevolver from Hobson's hand, while the other deposited him in a heapupon the floor. While the latter was recovering from the effect ofthe stunning blow he had received, Scott picked up the revolver and,having examined it, slipped it into his pocket, saying,--
"I will keep this for a while as a souvenir of our interview. Itmay be needed as evidence later."
Hobson crawled to his feet and stood cowering abjectly before Scott,rage written on every lineament of his face, but not daring to giveit expression.
"Who in the devil are you, anyway?" he growled.
"That is none of your business whatever," Scott replied, seizinghim by the collar and dragging him to the door. "The only thing foryou to do is to unlock that door as expeditiously as possible,asking no questions and making no comments."
With trembling fingers the wretch complied, and Scott, stillretaining his hold upon his collar, reached the door of the outerroom, where, with a final shake, he released him.
"Wait a moment," Hobson whispered, eagerly, half-paralyzed with fear,while his eyes gleamed with malign hatred. "You've got no hold onme by anything I've said, and you've no proof of that
Carrollbusiness, either."
Scott looked at him an instant with silent contempt. "You cowardlyscoundrel! all I have to say to you at present is, be careful howyou interfere with me! I'm only sorry I soiled my hands with you,but I'll do it again if necessary; and the next time you will fareworse!" and, opening the door, he passed quickly through the outerroom, conscious of the amazed stare of the office boy, who hadoverheard his last words. Hobson did not attempt to follow him, butpaced up and down his room, trembling with fear and rage combined,and vainly striving to imagine who his visitor might be. At lasthe sat down to his desk and began to write rapidly, muttering tohimself,--
"I half believe--only that he's too young--that he is some houndover here trying to scent out the whole thing. But," he added, withan oath, "whoever he is, if he crosses my track he'll be likely tofollow Hugh Mainwaring before long, that's all!"