CHAPTER XIX
THREE LETTERS
Sheard did not remain many minutes in Downing Street that night. Therooms were uncomfortably crowded and insupportably stuffy. A vague ideawhich his common sense was impotent to combat successfully, that hewould see or hear from Severac Bablon amidst that political crush provedto be fallacious--as common sense had argued. He wondered why hisextraordinary friend--for as a friend he had come to regard him--hadbeen unable to keep his appointment. He wondered when the promised newswould be communicated.
That one of the Americans, or two, to whose presence he was becomingpainfully familiar, had followed him since he had left the office he waswell aware. But, as he had thrown off the man who had tried to followhim to Finchley Road, he was untroubled now. They had probably securedthe Dulwich address; but that was due to no fault of his own, and, inany case, Bablon seemed to regard all their efforts with completeindifference. So, presumably, it did not matter.
On his way out he met two hot and burly gentlemen, rather ill-dressed,who were hastening in. Instinctively he knew them for detectiveofficers. Hailing a cab at the corner, he sank restfully into the seatand felt in his pocket for his cigarette-case. There was a letter therealso, which he did not recollect to have been there before he enteredDowning Street.
In some excitement he took it out and opened the plain envelope.
It contained a correspondence-card and a letter. Both of these, and athird letter which reached its destination on the following morning,whilst all England and all France were discussing the amazingcircumstances set forth in No. 2, are appended in full.
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No. 1
"MY DEAR SHEARD,--I enclose the promised 'exclusive to the _Gleaner_.' It will appear in no other paper of London, but in two of Paris, to-morrow. Forgive me for sending you to Dulwich. I did so for a private purpose of my own, and rely upon your generous friendship to excuse the liberty. I write this prior to visiting Downing Street, where it will be quite impossible, amongst so many people, to speak to you. Do not fear that there exists any evidence of complicity between us. I assure you that you are safe."
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No. 2
"To the Editor of the _Gleaner_.
"SIR,--I desire to show myself, as always, a man of honour, and presume to request the freedom of your most valuable columns for that purpose. I address myself to the British public through the medium of the _Gleaner_ as the most liberal journal in London, and that most opposed to government by plutocracy.
As the inventor of the digital system of identification, of the anthroposcopic method, and of the _Code_ which bears my name, I am known to your readers, as well as for my years of labour against criminals of all classes and of all nations. I have been called the head of my profession, and shall I be accused of vanity if, with my hand upon my heart, I acknowledge that tribute and say, 'It is well deserved'?
"Under date as above, I am resigning my office as Chief of that department which I have so long directed, being no more in a position to perform my duties as a man of honour, since I have been instructed to take charge of what is called 'the Severac Bablon case.'
"It is the first time that my duty to France has run contrary to my duty to the great, the marvellous man whom you know by that name, and to whom I owe all that I have, all that I am; whose orders I may not and would not disregard.
"By his instructions I performed to-day a little deception upon the representatives of English law and upon one of my esteemed colleagues--a most capable and honourable man, for whom I cherish extreme regard, and whom I would wish to see in the office I now resign. He is not one of Us, and in every respect is a suitable candidate for that high post.
"I was honoured, then, by instructions to impersonate my Leader. No reference here to my powers of disguise is necessary. I took the place of him you call Severac Bablon at a certain Laurel Cottage in Dulwich. I entered with the key he had entrusted to me, too quickly to be arrested, if any had tried, and none made the attempt, which was an error of strategy (see _Code_, pp. 336-43). All in the dark I placed his coat and hat upon the table. I overlooked something in the gloom, but no matter. I correct my errors; it is the Secret. I was not otherwise disguised. It was not necessary. I waited until one of those watching broke into the little room at the back. I stood beside the window. Noiseless as the leopard I stepped behind him as he entered. I could have slain him with ease. I did not do so. I proclaimed myself. _I_ was entering, too!
"Why should I name the man to whom I thus offered the one great chance of a lifetime? No, I am so old at this game. He overlooked no more than another must have done--any more than I.
"But, although outside it poured with rain, my clothes were scarce wet. How had I watched and kept dry?
"He did not ask himself. No matter. I gave him his chance. We French, to-day, are sportsmen!
"I understand that my Leader brought about this _contretemps_ with deliberation, in order to terminate my false position, and make prominent this statement, and I am instructed to remind my authorities that State secrets of international importance are in my possession and thus in his. But, lastly, I would assure France and the world that no blot of dishonour is upon my name because I have served two masters. My great Leader never did and never will employ this knowledge to any improper end. But he would have my Government know something--so very little--of his influence and of his power. He would have them recall those warrants for his apprehension that place him on a level with the Apache, the ruffian; that are an _insult_ to a man who has never done wrong to a living soul, but who only has exercised the fundamental, the Divine, the Mosaic Law of _Justice_.
"I loved my work and I love France. But I grieve not. Other work will be given to me. I make my bow; I disappear. Adieu!
"I am, sir,
"Your obedient servant, "VICTOR LEMAGE "(late _Service de Surete_)."
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No. 3
(Received by Lady Mary Evershed)
"When, in your brave generosity, you accompanied your friend and mine on her perilous journey to warn me that Mr. Oppner's detectives had a plan for my capture, I knew, on the instant when you stepped into Laurel Cottage, that Miss Oppner had made a wise selection in the companion who should share her secret. I did not regret having confided that address to her discretion. The warning was unnecessary, but I valued it none the less. By an oversight, for which I reproach myself, a clue to your presence was left behind, when, but a few minutes before the police arrived, we left the cottage--which had served its purpose. But another of my good friends secured it, and I have it now. It is a white orchid. I have ventured to keep it, that it may remind me of the gratitude I owe to you both."