CHAPTER XXXIX
THE FASCINATION OF JAMES MERRITT
On the whole Mr. James Merritt, ex-convict and now humanitarian, wasenjoying himself immensely. He did not sleep at the castle, for LordLittimer drew the line there, but he contrived to get most of his mealsunder that hospitable roof, and spent a deal of time there. It was by nomeans the first time he had been "taken up" by the aristocracy since hisconversion, and his shyness was wearing off. Moreover, Henson had givenhis henchman strict instructions to keep his eyes open with a view togetting at the bottom of the Rembrandt mystery.
Still, there is always a crumpled rose-leaf somewhere, and Merritt hadhis. A few days after Henson departed so hurriedly from town the stolenRembrandt disappeared from Merritt's rooms. Nobody knew anything aboutit; the thing had vanished, leaving no trace of the thief behind.Perhaps Merritt would have been less easy in Littimer's society had heknown that the missing print was securely locked away in the latter'sstrong room. Still, had Merritt been acquainted with the classics,_carpe diem_ would like as not have been his favourite motto. Hedeclined to worry over the matter until Henson's return. It was not forhim to know, yet, that Chris had actually gone over to Moreton Wells,and, during the absence of Merritt's landlady, calmly walked into thehouse and taken the picture away.
"You are going to see some fun presently," she said, coolly, to theastonished Littimer, as she laid the missing picture before him. "No, Ishall not tell you anything more at present. You shall hear the wholestory when Reginald Henson stands in the pillory before you. You know nowthat Henson was at the bottom of the plot to destroy Dr. Bell'scharacter?"
"I always felt that our Reginald was a great scoundrel," Littimerpurred over his cigarette. "And if you succeed in exposing himthoroughly I shall watch the performance with the greatest possiblepleasure. I am not curious, my dear young lady, but I would givesixpence to know who you are."
"Keep your sixpence," Chris laughed, "and you'll know all in good time.All I ask is not to be astonished at anything that happens."
Littimer averred that he had long since lost the power of astonishment.There was a brightness and restlessness about Chris to-day thatconsiderably added to her charms. It was nearly a week now since Bell andHenson had departed, and in the meantime Chris had heard nothing fromLongdean. Half an hour before a telegram had arrived to the effect that agentleman in a blue coat might be expected at Littimer Castle at anymoment. The police were coming, and Merritt was late to-day. If Merrittfailed to turn up the whole situation would be spoilt. It was with afeeling of unutterable relief that Chris saw him coming up the drive.
"Come on the terrace," she said. "I have something very serious to say toyou. Mr. Merritt, you have got us both into very serious trouble. Why didyou do it?"
"Ain't done nothing," Merritt said, doggedly. He repeated the oldformula, "What's up?"
"Er--it's about my diamond star," said Chris. "I lost it a few days ago.If I had known what was going to happen I should have put up with myloss. But I made inquiries through the police without saying a word toanybody, and now I find the star was pawned in Moreton Wells."
"Oh, lor," Merritt gasped. "You don't mean to say the police knowthat, miss?"
"Indeed I do. You see, once I allowed matters to go out of my hands I waspowerless. The case now rests entirely with the police. And I am informedthat they may come here and arrest you at any moment. I fear there is noescape for you--you pawned the thing yourself in your own name. What athousand pities you yielded to sudden temptation."
"But I found it," Merritt whined. "I'll take my oath as I found it underthe terrace. I--I--was rambling along the cliffs one day and I found it.And I didn't know it was yours. If I had known it was yours, I'd neverhave gone and done no such a thing."
Chris shook her head sadly.
"And just as you were getting on so nicely," she said.
"That's it," Merritt whined, brokenly. "Just as I was properly spoofingeverybody as I--I mean just as I was getting used to a better life. Butyou can save me, miss; you can say as you were hard up for money andthat, knowing as I knew the ropes, you got me to pawn it for you. Put itin that way and there's not a policeman in England as can touch me."
"I had thought of it," Chris said, with a pretty assumption of distress."But, but--Mr. Merritt, I have a terrible confession to make. It was notI who started the police: it was somebody else. You see, the star was notmy property at all. I--I got it in London."
Mr. Merritt looked up with involuntary admiration.
"You don't mean to say as you nicked it?" he asked. "Well, well."
Chris bent her face lower to conceal her agitation, Her shoulders wereheaving, but not with emotion. The warmth of Merritt's admiration hadmoved her to silent laughter, and she had made the exact impression thatshe had desired.
"I have telegraphed to the lady, who is more or less of a friend ofmine," she said. "I have urged her to take no further steps in thematter. I fancy that she is a good and kind girl and that--but a replymight come at any time."
There was a reply on the way now, as Chris knew perfectly well. The wholething had been carefully arranged and planned to the moment by Steel andthe others.
"I dare say they'll let you down easy," Merritt said, disconsolately;"but it'll be hot for me. I've copped it too many times before, you see."
"Yes, I see," Chris said, thoughtfully. "Mr. Merritt, I have made up mymind: if I had not--er--borrowed that star, it would not have been lost,and you would not have found it, and there would have been no trouble. Myconscience would not rest if I allowed you to be dragged back into theold life again. I am going to save you--I am going to tell the policethat you pawned that star for me at my instigation."
Merritt was touched even to tears. There was not an atom of chivalry inthe rascal's composition. He had little or no heed for the trouble thathis companion appeared to be piling up for herself, but he was touched tothe depths of his soul. Here was a clever girl, who in her own wayappeared to be a member of his profession, who was prepared to sacrificeherself to save another. Self-sacrifice is a beautiful and tender thing,and Merritt had no intention of thwarting it.
"Do that, and I'm your pal for life," he said, huskily. "And I never wentback on a pal yet. Ask anybody as really knows me. 'Tain't as if youweren't one of us, neither. I'd give a trifle to know what your littlegame is here, eh?"
Chris smiled meaningly. Merritt's delusion was distinctly to be fostered.
"You shall help me then, presently," she said in a mysterious whisper."Help me and keep your own counsel, and there will be the biggest job youever had in your life. Only let you and I get out of this mess, and weshall see what we shall see presently."
Merritt looked speechless admiration. He had read of this class ofhigh-toned criminals in the gutter stories peddled by certain publishers,but he had never hoped to meet one in the flesh. He was still gazingopen-mouthed at Chris as two men came along the avenue.
They were both in plain clothes, but they had "policeman" writ large allover them.
"Cops, for a million," Merritt gurgled, with a pallid face. "You can tell'em when you're asleep. And they are after me; they're coming this way.I'll be all right presently."
"I hope so," Chris said, with a curling lip. "You look guiltyenough now."
Merritt explained that it was merely the first emotion, and would passoff presently. Nor did he boast in vain. He was quite cool as theofficers came up and called him by name.
"That's me," Merritt said. "What's the trouble?"
One of the officers explained. He had no warrant, he said, but all thesame he would have to trouble Mr. Merritt to accompany him to MoretonWells. A diamond star not yet definitely identified had been handed overto the police, the same having been pawned by James Merritt.
"That's quite right," Merritt said, cheerfully. "I pawned it forthis young lady here--Miss Lee. Of course, if it is not herproperty, why, then--"
The officer was palpably taken back. He knew more than he cared to say.The
star had been pledged by Merritt, as he cheerfully admitted, but theowner of the star had lost the gem in London under suspiciouscircumstances in which Miss Lee was mixed up. And at present it was notthe policy of the police to arrest Miss Lee. That would come later.
"I am afraid that there has been a misapprehension altogether," Chrissaid. "Allow me to explain: Mr. Merritt, would you step aside for amoment? I have to speak of private matters. Thank you. Now, sir, I amquite prepared to admit that the ornament pledged does not belong to me,but to Miss Henson, whom I met in London. I took the star by mistake. Youmay smile, but I have one very like it. If Miss Henson had searched herjewels properly she would have found that she had my star--that I hadhers. I heard of the business quite by accident, and telegraphed to MissHenson to look searchingly amongst her jewels. She has a large amount,and might easily have overlooked my star. Here is a boy with a telegram.Will you take it from him and read it aloud? It is addressed to me, youwill find."
It was. It was signed "Enid Henson"; it went on to say that the senderwas fearfully sorry for all the trouble she had caused, but that she hadfound Miss Lee's star with her jewels. Also she had telegraphed at onceto the police at Moreton Wells to go no farther.
"Looks like a mistake," the officer muttered. "But if we get thattelegram--"
"Which has reached the police-station by this time," Chris interrupted."Come into the castle and ask the question over the telephone. I supposeyou are connected?"
The officer said they were; in fact, they had only recently joined theExchange. A brief visit to the telephone, and the policeman came back,with a puzzled air and a little more deference in his manner, with theinformation that he was to go back at once, as the case was closed.
"I've seen some near things in my time, but nothing nearer than this," hesaid. "Still, it's all right now. Very sorry to have troubled you, miss."
The officers departed with the air of men who had to be satisfied,despite themselves. Merritt came forward with an admiration almostfawning. He did not know quite how the thing had happened, but Chris haddone the police. Smartness and trickery of that kind were the highestform of his idolatry. His admiration was nearly beyond words.
"Well, strike me," he gasped. "Did ever anyone ever see anything likethat? You, as cool as possible, and me with my heart in my mouth allthe time. And there ain't going to be no trouble, no sort of botherover the ticket?"
"You hand over that ticket to me," Chris smiled, "and there will be anend of the matter. And if you try to play me false in any way, why, itwill be a bad day for you. Give me your assistance, and it will be thebest day's work you ever did in your life."
Merritt's heart was gained. His pride was touched.
"Me go back on you?" he cried, hoarsely. "After what you've done? Onlysay the word, only give old Jim Merritt a call, and it's pitch-and-tossto manslaughter for those pretty eyes of yours. Good day's work! Aye, forboth of us."
And Chris thought so too.