CHAPTER XVI A PROMISE
Of the General Public, there were few who doubted Landon's guilt. When noother explanation offered, it was plausible think that the dying manreferred to his murderer as Cain. But when a man named Kane was shown tohave motive and opportunity, when also, he was a bold and even impudentwesterner, who could doubt that he was the murderer the victim meant todenounce?
Yet, some argued, ought he not to have the benefit of the doubt? Thoughhe had an apparent motive, though he confessed to being in the vicinityat or near the time of the murder, that was not actual proof.
And, all the time, Kane Landon, in jail, was seemingly unconcerned as towhat people thought of him, and apparently in no way afraid of the doomthat menaced him.
Again and again the district attorney talked with Landon.
At first non-committal, Landon later denied the crime.
"Of course, I didn't do it!" he declared; "I had quarreled with my uncle,I've quarreled with other people, but I don't invariably kill them!"
"But you were in the same woods at the time of the crime."
"I was; but that doesn't prove anything."
"Mr. Landon, I believe you are depending on our lack of proof to beacquitted of this charge."
"I am," and Landon's tone was almost flippant; "what else have I todepend on? You won't take my word."
"If you want to be acquitted, it will take a pretty smart lawyer to doit."
"What do you want me to do, confess?"
"I think you'll be indicted, anyway. Perhaps you may as well confess."
With this cheering reflection, Whiting left him.
Avice Trowbridge, instead of being prostrated at the news of Landon'sarrest, was furiously angry.
"I never heard of such injustice!" she exclaimed to Judge Hoyt, who toldher about it. "It's outrageous! Kane never did it in the world. You knowthat, don't you, Leslie?"
"I wish I were sure of it, dear. But it looks dark against him just now.Still, there's little real proof,----"
"There isn't any! There can't be any! I know he is innocent. I may havehad a shadow of doubt before, but I am sure now. Kane never did it!"
"But, Avice, your assertions and reiterations wouldn't carry any weightwith a jury. It needs more than a woman's opinion of a man to prove thetruth."
"Then I shall get what it does need, but the truth must be proved. Andyou will help me, won't you, Leslie? You promised, you know."
"Yes, and what did you promise me in return? Announce our engagement,Avice, wear my ring, set a day to marry me, and I swear I will get Landonfree, no matter what the truth may be."
"You are contemptible!" and Avice gave him a look of utter scorn.
"I know it. I acknowledge it. But it is my love and devotion to your owndear self that makes me so. Can't you understand,--no, no,--you can't. Nowoman could guess what it means to a hitherto honorable man to resolve tocommit perjury,--to swear to a lie,--but the prize is worth it! For you,my beauty, my idol, I would do anything! And I can do it safely; I shallnever be found out, for my reputation is too unsullied and too far abovereproach for me even to be suspected. I will exploit that letter you socleverly wrote, and however they may doubt its integrity, they can'tprove that Mr. Trowbridge didn't write it."
"Kane doesn't believe Uncle Rowly wrote it."
"Did he say so?"
"Not exactly; but he implied it."
"Don't you see why, dear? Landon, being guilty himself, knew the note wasforged, and of course, he knew only you would do it."
"Oh, I never thought of that! Do you think it helps to prove Kaneguilty?"
"Of course, and so do you, but you don't want to admit it. But you knowit, Avice, in your heart,--so how _can_ you keep on loving him?"
"I don't know how I can--" and Avice looked awed at her own thoughts."But never mind that now. You have promised--oh, Leslie,--do you think itwas that little Fibsy boy's getting that information about theScaphinotus and the trap-bottle from Professor Meredith, that made themarrest Kane?"
"It helped mightily, Avice. That boy came to see me, and he told me ofsome clues he had picked up in the woods. But they sounded prettyrubbishy, I thought, and I paid no attention to them. I did offer,though, to get him a position, and I found one for him with a man I knowin Philadelphia. It's a good place, and he ought to do well there."
"I think you were awfully good to him," Avice said, with glowing eyes. "Ihave a sort of liking for the boy, and Uncle was really fond of him."
"I gave him a talking to about telling stories. But he didn't seem muchimpressed. I fear he is incorrigible."
"Leslie," and Avice looked him straight in the eyes; "tell me the truthyourself! Why did you do that for Fibsy? You had some reason of yourown!"
Hoyt started; "Why Avice, you're clairvoyant! Well, since you ask, I willtell you. The boy is clever in a detective way. And he might stumble onsome clue that would--that would--"
"Oh, I know! That would implicate Kane!"
"Yes; and so you see, dear, it is better to get him out of the way beforehe makes any trouble for us."
"Were his clues, as he calls them, of any importance?"
"Probably not; but the boy is unusually, almost abnormally shrewd, and wecan't afford to take chances. I didn't care to look at his buttons andfoot prints, for I thought it better to remain in ignorance of theirsignificance, if they have any."
"Oh, Leslie, isn't it awful? I never deliberately committed an act ofdeception before."
"Why are you so sure that Landon is innocent?"
Avice's eyes fell. "I'm not," she said in a low tone. "But I want himcleared, anyway."
"I wished you loved me like that!"
"I wish I did! But I don't and never shall."
"But I shall have you, darling and I'll make you so happy you can't helploving me. Avice, my only excuse for taking you this way, is my positiveconviction that I can make you happy."
"But you haven't freed Kane yet--"
"He isn't indicted yet, dear. Perhaps he never will be. Not if I canprevent it. But his freedom, sooner or later, will mean our marriage, soI shall accomplish it, somehow. With the boy out of the way, I ought tomanage it. But that little chap is so shrewd, he might even see throughthat note you made up. You know he has an eye for details, and the paperis different from the sort your uncle used and McGuire might easilynotice that. And if the least question were raised about that note'sgenuineness, I fear it would go hard with us."
"How clever, Leslie, to think of these things."
"And you do love me a little, don't you, my girl?"
"I like you a whole lot, but--"
"Never mind the but--stop there. I'll make you _love_ me yet, and ifdoing this thing for you will help, I'll willingly do it. Since I'm notincriminating an innocent man, I'm willing to let a guilty one go free.But Avice, if some guiltless person should be suspected,--I couldn't thenkeep back the truth."
"That's why I want John Hemingway suspected. Then there is no danger ofaccusing an innocent person. If the police really think it was a mannamed Hemingway, they can't do anything to Kane, but free him."
"We'll see," and Judge Hoyt sighed. It was not an easy task he hadundertaken, to fasten suspicion on a mythical character, but he wouldcarry it through, if possible, because of the reward that was to be his.To do him justice, he didn't think Avice was deeply in love with Landon,but rather, that her sympathies had been aroused by the man's tragicposition and perhaps by the injustice of his sudden and unexpectedarrest.
And he fully believed that Landon, once freed, would turn to Mrs. Blackand not to Avice. The judge felt that these two had known each other welland long before their recent meeting at the Trowbridge home, and thatthey were only biding their time to renew their relations, whatever theywere or had been.
Judge Hoyt and Avice went together to the Tombs to see Landon. Theapplication of Hoyt for permission was readily granted and the prisonerwas brought to see them in the
warden's room.
Landon was in an aggravating mood. He was indifferent, almost jaunty inhis demeanor, and Avice was really annoyed at him.
"Kane," she said, earnestly, "I don't know why you assume this light air,but it must be assumed. It can't be your real feelings. Now, Judge Hoytis willing to help you,--to help us. If you are indicted--"
"Nonsense! The Grand Jury'll never indict me."
"Why do you think they won't?"
"Because they can't get sufficient evidence."
"Oh, Kane, why didn't you say because you are innocent? You are,--aren'tyou?"
Landon looked at her. "What do you think?" he said, in a voice devoid ofany expression whatever.
Avice looked away. "I don't know what to think! I am telling you thetruth, Kane. I cannot decide whether I think you guilty or not--I don'tknow."
"And you'll never learn,--from me!"
"Kane! What do you mean by such an attitude toward me?"
"Yes, Mr. Landon," broke in Judge Hoyt, unable longer to control hisindignation, "What do you mean?"
"Nothing at all," replied Kane, coolly; "and by the way, Judge, I'madvised by our worthy district attorney that I would do well to get acompetent lawyer to run this affair for me. Will you take it up?"
"Are you sure you want me?"
"Naturally, or I shouldn't have asked you."
"Why do you hesitate, Leslie?" said Avice, her troubled eyes looking fromone man to the other.
"Shall I be frank?" began Hoyt, slowly.
"It isn't necessary," said Landon; "I know what you mean. You think itwill be a hard matter, if not an impossible one, to clear me."
"I don't mean quite that," and Hoyt's fine face clouded. "Yes, Landon,I'll take the case, if you desire it."
And so Kane Landon had a clever, shrewd and capable lawyer to defend him.Avice had great faith in Leslie Hoyt's genius, though she had feared thetwo men were not very friendly.
She took occasion later, on the way home, to thank Hoyt for hiswillingness in the matter.
"I'm sure you'll get him off," she said, hopefully.
Hoyt looked grave. "You're mistaken, Avice; I can't get him off."
"What! You mean he'll be convicted!"
"How can he help but be? I can't perform miracles. But I might make amore desperate effort than a stranger. That's all I can promise."
"Even when you remember what I have promised you?"
"Oh, my love, when I think of that, I feel that I _can_ perform miracles.Yes, I'll succeed somehow. Landon shall be freed, and I shall put all mypowers to the work of making his freeing a jubilant triumph for him."
Avice went home aghast at what she had done. She had forged a document,she had persuaded Hoyt to perjure himself, and worst of all, she hadpromised to marry a man she did not love.
She had friendly feelings for her _fiance_, but no impulse of lovestirred her heart for him. Indeed, it was while she was talking with him,that she realized that she really loved Kane Landon. As she thought itall over, she knew that she had loved Landon without being aware of it,and that it was Hoyt's appeal that had shown her the truth. Yes, that waswhy she had forged that letter, because Kane's safety was more to herthan her own honesty! And all this for a man who did not love her! It wasshocking, it was unmaidenly,--but it was true.
She would save the man she loved, and then, if there was no escape shewould marry Hoyt. Her debt to him must be paid, and she had given herpromise. Well, she would not flinch. Once let Kane be freed of allsuspicion of crime, and then she would pay her penalty.
She remembered a quotation. "All for love and the world well lost." Thatwas her heart's cry.
But from these moments of exaltation and self-justification, Avice wouldfall into depths of self-reproach, and black despair.
At times she could scarcely believe she had done the awful thing she haddone, and then the remembrance of _why_ she had done it returned, andagain she forgave herself.
The next time Hoyt called, he looked very grave.
"Avice," he said, "Avice, dear, I don't see how I can carry that matterthrough. I mean about the forged note. It is sure to be found out, andthen where would I be?"
"Very well," said the girl, coldly, "then our engagement is broken. Thatis the one condition, that you free Kane. And you said you couldn't dothat without using the note."
"But I can try other ways. I can try to get him off because of lack ofevidence."
"Do just as you choose, Leslie. If you free him by any means whatever, Iwill keep my promise and marry you, but not otherwise."
"Avice! when you look like that, I _can't_ give you up! You beautifulgirl! You _shall_ be mine! I'll stop at nothing to win you. I would doanything for you, Avice, _anything_! Do you understand?"
Impulsively, he took her in his arms. But she cried out, "No, Leslie, youshall not kiss me, until you have freed Kane!"
"Girl!" he cried, and clasped her roughly, "do you know how you make mefeel when you insist it is all for his sake?"
"But it _is_! I have made no attempt to deceive you as to that."
"Indeed you haven't. But aren't you ashamed to love a man who cares foranother woman?"
A dear, serene light shone in Avice's eyes. "No!" she said, "No! Youdon't know what a woman's pure love is. I ask no return, I sacrifice myheart and soul for him, because I love him. He will never know what Ihave done for him. But he will be free!"
"Free to marry Eleanor Black!"
"Yes, if he chooses. She is not a bad woman. She is mercenary, she neverloved my uncle, and was only marrying him for his money. She is in lovewith Kane. I can read her like a book. And though she is older, she iscongenial to him in many ways, and I hope,--I trust they will be happytogether."
Hoyt looked at the girl with a sort of reverence. She was like a willingmartyr in a holy cause, and if her sacrifice was founded on falsehood, itwas none the less noble.
"You are a saint," he cried; "but you are mine! Oh, Avice, you shall yetlove _me_, and not that usurper. May we announce our engagement at once?"
"No; you seem to forget you haven't won me yet!"
"But I will! I cannot fail with such a glorious prize at stake!"
"You never can do that, except by freeing the man I do love!"
Hoyt's brow contracted, but he made no complaint. Truly, he _had_ beentold often enough of Avice's reasons for marrying him, and as he hadaccepted her terms, he had no right to cavil at them.