CHAPTER XLVI
LITTIMER'S EYES ARE OPENED
Lord Littimer sat on the terrace, shaded from the sun by an awning overhis deck-chair. From his expression he seemed to be at peace with all theworld. His brown, eager face had lost its usually keen, suspicious look;he smoked a cigarette lazily. Chris sat opposite him looking as littlelike a hard-working secretary as possible.
As a matter of fact, there was nothing for her to do. Littimer hadalready tired of his lady secretary idea, and had Chris notinterested and amused him he would have found some means to get ridof her before now.
But she did interest and amuse and puzzle him. There was somethingcharmingly reminiscent about the girl. She was like somebody he had onceknown and cared for, but for the life of him he could not think who. Andwhen curiosity sometimes got the better of good breeding Chris wouldbaffle him in the most engaging manner.
"Really, you are an exceedingly clever girl," he said.
"In fact, we are both exceedingly clever," Chris replied, coolly. "Andyet nobody is ever quite so clever as he imagines himself to be. Do youever make bad mistakes, Lord Littimer?"
"Sometimes," Littimer said, with a touch of cynical humour. "Forinstance, I married some years ago. That was bad. Then I had a son, whichwas worse."
"At one time you were fond of your family?"
"Well, upon my word, you are the only creature I ever met who has had theaudacity to ask me that question. Yes, I was very fond of my wife and myson, and, God help me, I am fond of them still. I don't know why I talkto you like this."
"I do," Chris said, gently. "It is because unconsciously you yearn forsympathy. And you fancy you are in no way to blame; you imagine that youacted in the only way consistent with your position and dignity. Youfancied that your son was a vulgar thief. And I am under the impressionthat Lady Littimer had money."
"She had a large fortune," Littimer said, faintly. "Miss Lee, do you knowthat I have a great mind to box your ears?"
Chris laughed unsteadily. She was horribly frightened, though she did notshow it. She had been waiting for days to catch Littimer in this mood.And she did not feel disposed to go back now. The task must beaccomplished some time.
"Lady Littimer was very rich," she went on, "and she was devoted toFrank, your son. Now, if he had wanted a large sum of money very badly,and had gone to his mother, she would have given it to him without theslightest hesitation?"
"What fond mother wouldn't?"
"I am obliged to you for conceding the point. Your son wanted money.and he robbed you when he could have had anything for the asking fromhis mother."
"Sounds logical," Littimer said, flippantly. "Who had the money?"
"The same man who stole Prince Rupert's ring--Reginald Henson."
Littimer dropped his cigarette and sat upright in his chair. He was keenand alert enough now. There were traces of agitation on his face.
"That is a serious accusation," he said.
"Not more serious than your accusation against your son," Chris retorted.
"Well, perhaps not," Littimer admitted. "But why do you take upFrank's cause in this way? Is there any romance budding under myunconscious eyes?"
"Now you are talking nonsense," Chris said, with just a touch of colourin her cheeks. "I say, and I am going to prove when the time comes, thatReginald Henson was the thief. I am sorry to pain you, but it isabsolutely necessary to go into these matters. When those foolishletters, written by a foolish girl, fell into your hands, your son vowedthat he would get them back, by force if necessary. He made that rashspeech in hearing of Reginald Henson. Henson probably lurked about untilhe saw the robbery committed. Then it occurred to him that he might do alittle robbery on his own account, seeing that your son would get thecredit of it. The safe was open, and so he walked off with your ring andyour money."
"My dear young lady, this is all mere surmise."
"So you imagine. At that time Reginald Henson had a kind of home which hewas running at 218, Brunswick Square, Brighton. Lady Littimer had justrelinquished a similar undertaking there. Previously Reginald Henson hada home at Huddersfield. Mind you, he didn't run either in his own name,and he kept studiously in the background. But he was desperately hard upat the time in consequence of his dissipation and extravagance, and themoney he collected for his home went into his own pocket. Then the policegot wind of the matter, and Reginald Henson discreetly disappeared fromBrighton just in time to save himself from arrest for frauds there and atHuddersfield. A member of the Huddersfield police is in a high positionat Brighton. He has recognised Reginald Henson as the man who was'wanted' at Huddersfield. I don't know if there will be a prosecutionafter all these years, but there you are."
"You are speaking from authority?"
"Certainly I am. Reginald Henson, as such, is not known to InspectorMarley, but I sent the latter a photograph of Henson, and he returned itthis morning with a letter to the effect that it was the man theHuddersfield police were looking for."
"What an interesting girl you are," Littimer murmured. "Always sofull of surprises. Our dear Reginald is even a greater rascal than Itook him for."
"Well, he took your money, and that saved him. He took your ring, afacsimile of which he had made before for some ingenious purpose. It camewith a vengeance. Then Claire Carfax committed suicide, thanks to yourindiscretion and folly."
"Go on. Rub it in. Never mind about my feelings."
"I'm not minding," Chris said, coolly. "Henson saw his game and played itboldly. I could not have told you all this yesterday, but a letter I hadthis morning cleared the ground wonderfully. Henson wanted to causefamily differences, and he succeeded. Previously he got Dr. Bell out ofthe way by means of the second Rembrandt. You can't deny there is asecond Rembrandt now, seeing that it is locked up in your safe. And wheredo you think Bell found it? Why, at 218, Brunswick Square, Brighton,where Henson had to leave it seven years ago when the police were so hotupon his trail. He was fearful lest you and Bell should come togetheragain, and that is why he came here at night to steal your Rembrandt. Andyet you trusted that man blindly all the time your own son was sufferingon mere suspicions. How blind you have been!"
"I'm blind still," Littimer said, curtly. "My dear young lady, I admitthat you are making out a pretty strong case; indeed, I might go farther,and say that you have all my sympathy. But what you say would not betaken as evidence in a court of law. If you produce that ring, forinstance--but that is at the bottom of the North Sea."
Chris took a small cardboard box from her pocket, and from thenceproduced a ring. It was a ruby ring with black pearls on either side, andhad some inscription inside.
"Look at that," she said. "It was sent to me to-day by my--by a friend ofmine. It is the ring which Reginald Henson shows to Lady Littimer when hewants money from her. It was lost by Henson a night or two ago, and itfell into the hands of someone who is interested, like myself, in theexposure and disgrace of Reginald Henson."
Littimer examined the ring carefully.
"It is a wonderfully good imitation," he said, presently.
"So I am told," said Chris. "So good that it must have actually beencopied from the original. Now, how could Henson have had a copy madeunless he possessed the original? Will you be good enough to answer methat question, Lord Littimer?"
Littimer could do no more than gaze at the ring in his hand forsome time.
"I could have sworn--indeed, I am ready to swear--that the real ring wasnever in anybody's possession but mine from the day that Frank was a yearold till it disappeared. Of course, scores of people had looked at it,Henson amongst the rest. But how did Claire Carfax--"
"Easily enough. Henson had a first copy made from a description. I don'tknow why; probably we shall never know why. Probably he had it done whenhe knew that your son and Miss Carfax had struck up a flirtation. It washe who forged a letter from Frank to Miss Carfax, enclosing the ring. Bythat means he hoped to create mischief which, if it had been nipped inthe bud, could never have been t
raced to him. As matters turned out hesucceeded beyond his wildest expectations. He had got the real ring, too,which was likely to prove a very useful thing in case he ever wanted tomake terms. A second and a faithful copy was made--the copy you hold inyour hands--to hold temptingly over Lady Littimer's head when he wantedlarge sums of money from her."
"The scoundrel! He gets the money, of course?"
"He does. To my certain knowledge he has had nearly L70,000. But the caseis in good hands. You have only to wait a few days longer and the manwill be exposed. Already, as you see, I have wound his accomplice, theReverend James Merritt, round my finger. Of course, the idea of gettingup a bazaar has all been nonsense. I am only waiting for a little furtherinformation, and then Merritt will feel the iron hand under the velvetglove. Unless I am greatly mistaken, Merritt can tell us where PrinceRupert's ring is. Already Van Sneck is in our grasp."
"Van Sneck! Is he in England?"
"He is. Did you read that strange case of a man being found half murderedin the conservatory of Mr. Steel, the novelist, in Brighton? Well, thatwas Van Sneck. But I can't tell you any more at present. You must waitand be content."
"Tell me one thing, and I will wait as long as you like. Who are you?"
Chris shook her head, merrily. A great relief had been taken off hermind. She had approached a delicate and difficult matter, and she hadsucceeded beyond her expectations. That she had shaken the man oppositeher sorely was evident from his face. The hardness had gone from hiseyes, his lips were no longer bitter and cynical.
"I may have been guilty of a great wrong," he murmured. "All these yearsI may have been living under a misapprehension. And you have told me whatI should never have suspected, although I have never had a high opinionof my dear Reginald. Where is my wife now?"
"She is still at Longdean Grange. You will notice a great change in her,a great and sorrowful change. But it is not too late to--"
Littimer rose and went swiftly towards the house. At any other time theaction would have been rude, but Chris fully understood. She hadtouched the man to the bottom of his soul, and he was anxious to hidehis emotion.
"Poor man," Chris murmured. "His hard cynicism conceals a deal ofsuffering. But the suffering is past; we have only to wait patiently fordaylight now."
Chris rose restlessly in her turn and strolled along the terrace to herfavourite spot looking over the cliffs. There was nobody about; it wasvery hot there. The girl removed her glasses and pushed back the bandedhair from her forehead. She had drawn a photograph from her pocket whichshe was regarding intently. She was quite heedless of the fact thatsomebody was coming along the cliffs towards her. She raised thephotograph to her lips and kissed it tenderly.
"Poor Frank," she murmured. "Poor fellow, so weak and amiable. And yetwith all your faults--"
Chris paused, and a little cry escaped her lips. Frank Littimer, lookingvery wild and haggard, stood before her.
"I beg your pardon," he began. "I came to see you because--"
The words died away. He staggered back, pale as the foam beating on therocks below, his hand clutching at his left side as if there was somemortal pain there.
"Chris," he murmured. "Chris, Chris, Chris! And they told me--"
He could say no more, he could only stand there trembling from head tofoot, fearful lest his mocking senses were making sport of him. Surely,it was some beautiful vision he had come upon. With one unsteady hand hetouched the girl's sleeve; he pressed her warm red cheeks with hisfingers, and with that touch his manhood came back to him.
"Darling," he whispered, eagerly. "Dearest, what does it mean?"
Chris stood there, smiling rosily. She had not meant to betray herself;fate had done that for her, and she was not sorry. It was a cruel trickthey had played upon Frank, but it had been necessary. Chris held out herhand with a loving little gesture.
"Are you not going to kiss me, dear?" she asked, sweetly.
Frank Littimer needed no further invitation. It was quiet and secludedthere, and nobody could possibly see them. With a little sigh Chris felther lover's arms about her and his kisses warm on her lips. The clever,brilliant girl had disappeared; a pretty, timid creature stood in herplace for the time. For the moment Frank Littimer could do no more thangaze into her eyes with rapture and amazement. There was plenty of timefor explanations.
"Let us go into the arbour," Frank suggested. "No, I am not going torelease your hand for a moment. If I do you will fly away again. Chris,dear Chris, why did you serve me so?"
"It was absolutely necessary," Chris replied. "It was necessary todeceive Reginald Henson. But it was hard work the other night."
"You mean when I came here and--"
"Tried to steal the Rembrandt. Oh, you needn't explain. I know that youhad to come. And we have Henson in our power at last."
"I am afraid that is too good to be true. But tell me everything from thebeginning. I am as dazed and confused as a tired man roused out of asound sleep."
Chris proceeded to explain from the beginning of all things. It was anexceedingly interesting and exciting narrative to Frank Littimer, and hefollowed it carefully. He would have remained there all day listening tothe music of Chris's voice and looking into her eyes. He had come theremiserable and downcast to ask a question, and behold he had suddenlyfound all the joy and sweetness of existence.
"And so you have accomplished all this?" he said, at length. "What aglorious adventure it must have been, and how clever you are! So is Mr.David Steel. Many a time I have tried to break through the shackles, butReginald has always been too strong for me."
"Well, he's shot his bolt, now," Chris smiled. "I have just been openingyour father's eyes."
Frank laughed as he had not laughed for a long time.
"Do you mean to say he doesn't know who you are?" he asked.
"My dear boy, he hasn't the faintest idea. Neither had you the faintestidea when I made you a prisoner the other night. But he will know soon."
"God grant that he may," Frank said, fervently.
He bent over and pressed his lips passionately to those of Chris. When helooked up again Lord Littimer was standing before the arbour, wearing hismost cynical expression.
"He does know," he said. "My dear young lady, you need not move. Theexpression of sweet confusion on your face is infinitely pleasing. I didnot imagine that one so perfectly self-possessed could look like that. Itgives me quite a nice sense of superiority. And you, sir?"
The last words were uttered a little sternly. Frank had risen. His facewas pale, his manner resolute and respectful.
"I came here to ask Miss Lee a question, sir, not knowing, of course,who she was."
"And she betrayed herself, eh?"
"I am sorry if I have done so," Chris said, "but I should not have doneso unless I had been taken by surprise. It was so hot that I had takenoff my glasses and put my hair up. Then Frank came up and surprised me."
"You have grown an exceedingly pretty girl, Chris," Littimer said,critically. "Of course, I recognise you now. You are nicer-looking thanMiss Lee."
Chris put on her glasses and rolled her hair down resolutely.
"You will be good enough to understand that I am going to continue MissLee for the present," she said. "My task is a long way from beingfinished yet. Lord Littimer, you are not going to send Frank away?"
Littimer looked undecided.
"I don't know," he said. "Frank, I have heard a great deal to-day tocause me to think that I might have done you a grave injustice. And yet Iam not sure.... In any case, it would be bad policy for you to remainhere. If the news came to the ears of Reginald Henson it might upset MissMachiavelli's plans."
"That had not occurred to me for the moment," Chris exclaimed. "On thewhole, Frank had better not stay. But I should dearly like to see you twoshake hands."
Frank Littimer made an involuntary gesture, and then he drew back.
"I'd--I'd rather not," he said. "At least, not until my character hasbeen fully vindicated. Heaven
knows I have suffered enough for a boyishindiscretion."
"And you have youth on your side," Littimer said gravely. "Whereas I--"
"I know, I know. It has been terrible all round. I took those lettersof poor Claire's away because they were sacred property, and for no eyebut mine--"
"No eye but yours saw them. I was going to send them back again. Iwish I had."
"Aye, so do I. I took them and destroyed them. But I take Heaven towitness that I touched nothing else besides. If it was the last word Iever uttered--what is that fellow doing here in that garb? It is one ofHenson's most disreputable tools."
Merritt was coming across the terrace. He paused suspiciously as hecaught sight of Frank, but Chris, with a friendly wave of her hand,encouraged him to come on.
"It is all part of the game," she said. "I sent for our friend Merritt,but when I did so I had no idea that Frank would be present. Since youare here you might just as well stay and hear a little more of thestrange doings of Reginald Henson. The time has come to let Merritt knowthat I am not the clever lady burglar he takes me for."
Merritt came up doggedly. Evidently the presence of Frank Littimerdisturbed him. Chris motioned him to a seat, quite gaily.
"You are very punctual," she said. "I told you I wanted you to give LordLittimer and myself a little advice and assistance. In the first place wewant to know where that gun-metal diamond-mounted cigar-case, at presentfor sale in Rutter's window, came from. We want to know how it got thereand who sold it to Rutter's people. Also we want to know why Van Sneckpurchased a similar cigar-case from Walen's, of Brighton."
Merritt's heavy jaw dropped, his face turned a dull yellow. He lookedround helplessly for some means of escape, and then relinquished the ideawith a sigh.
"Done," he said. "Clear done. And by a woman, too! A smart woman, Iadmit, but a woman all the same. And yet why didn't you--"
Merritt paused, lost in the contemplation of a problem beyond hisintellectual strength.
"You have nothing to fear," Chris said, with a smile. "Tell us allyou know and conceal nothing, and you will be free when we have donewith you."
Merritt wiped his dry lips with the back of his hand.
"I come peaceable," he said, hoarsely. "And I'm going to tell you allabout it."