CHAPTER XVI.
A FALSE MOVE.
THE next day the two young men repaired to the club for the purpose ofhaving luncheon and discussing their plans. Contrary to the wish ofClaude, his friend did not deem it advisable to at once depart forThorston, as he wished to remain in town for a few days on businessconnected with Hilliston.
"You see, you are quite in the dark regarding that gentleman," saidTait, as they lighted their cigarettes after dinner, "and before wecommence operations at Thorston it will be advisable to know that he isnot counteracting our efforts."
"In that case you had better go down to Thorston and I will remain intown so as to keep an eye on Hilliston."
"I don't think that will be necessary," replied Tait reflectively, "itis more than probable that Hilliston will visit Thorston."
"For what purpose?"
"Can't you guess? Last night he learned from Linton that Jenny Payntonsupplied the material for that novel. Consequently he will see her, and,if possible, find out where she heard the story."
"Yes; I suppose he will," said Claude thoughtfully. "By the way, who isMiss Paynton, who now seems to be mixed up in the matter?"
"She is the daughter of an old recluse called Ferdinand Paynton."
"A recluse! Humph! That's strange."
"Why so? You would not say so if you saw the old man. He is an invalidand lives in his library. A charming companion, though I must say he israther sad."
"Where does he live?"
"At Thorston, half a mile from the Manor House. Not very rich, I shouldthink. His cottage is small, like his income."
"And his daughter lives with him?"
"Yes. A pretty girl she is, who inherits his literary tastes. It is myimpression that she wrote the most part of that novel. From all I knowof Frank Linton he is given more to poetry than to prose. Jenny has thebrain, not Frank."
"Ho, ho!" said Claude, smiling. "Is it the skeptical misogynistic Tait Ihear speaking?"
"Himself. I admit that I do not care for women, as a rule, but there areexceptions to every rule, and in this case Jenny Paynton is theexception."
"Is she in love with our author?"
"No. But I rather think he is in love with her, as you will be when yousee her."
"I! What are you talking about, Tait? I have more to do than to fall inlove with country wenches, however pretty."
"Jenny is not a country wench," said Tait, with some displeasure; "sheis a highly educated young woman."
"Worse and worse! I hate highly educated bluestockings."
"You won't hate Jenny, at all events. Especially as it is probable youwill see a great deal of her."
"No; I shall keep away from her," said Claude doggedly.
"That's impossible. We must maneuver to get at the truth. By asking herstraight out she certainly will not gratify our curiosity. We must plotand plan, and take her unawares. She is not a fool, like Linton,remember."
"What! Do you call a lion of the season by so opprobrious a name?"
"I do," replied Tait serenely; "because I don't believe he wrote thebook."
"Well! well! Never mind Linton. We have pumped him dry. The next thingis to tackle the fair Jenny. How do you intend to set about it?"
"I can't say, at present. We must be guided by circumstances. I willintroduce you to the rector and to Mr. Paynton. There will be musicalparties and lawn tennis _fetes_, so in some way or another we may findout the truth?"
"Does anyone else live with Paynton; his wife, for instance."
"No. His wife died before he came to Thorston, where he has been for along time. An old servant called Kerry lives with him."
"Man or woman?"
"Man. A queer old fellow, rather morose."
"H'm! A flattering description. By the way, he bears the same name asthe ancient retainer in Boucicault's play."
"Why shouldn't he?"
"It may be an assumed name."
Tait threw a surprised glance at his friend, and laughed quickly.
"Who is suspicious now?" said he, smiling. "You blame me for suspectingHilliston, yet here you are doubtful of people whom you have neverseen."
Before Larcher could answer this home thrust, a waiter entered with aletter for him which had just arrived.
"From Hilliston," said Claude, recognizing the writing. "I wonder whathe has to say?"
"It's only another move in the game," murmured Tait; then as Claude,after glancing at the letter, uttered an ejaculation of surprise, headded: "What is the matter?"
"Hilliston is going down to Eastbourne."
"Impossible!" cried Tait, holding out his hand for the letter. "He issurely not so clumsy as to show his hand so plainly."
"He does, though. Read the letter yourself."
"MY DEAR CLAUDE [wrote Hilliston]: Mrs. Hilliston has decided to leave town for Eastbourne this week, so it is probable we will see you and Mr. Tait down there. If you can spare the time come to dinner at half-past seven to-night, and tell me how you are getting on with your case. "Yours very sincerely, "FRANCIS HILLISTON."
"Well," said Claude, as Tait silently returned the letter, "what do youthink?"
"I think that Hilliston intends to look up Jenny Paynton."
"I can see that," replied Claude impatiently, "but touching thisinvitation to dinner."
"Accept."
"But I promised to see my mother to-night, and tell her about JohnParver. She will expect me, as I have written."
"I will take your apologies to her," said Tait quietly.
"You?"
"Yes. Listen to me, Claude," continued the little man in a tone ofsuppressed excitement. "You will keep your belief in Hilliston. I tellyou he is your enemy and wishes you to leave this case alone. To-nighthe will make one last attempt to dissuade you. If he succeeds he willnot go to Eastbourne. If he fails you can depend on it he will try andsee Jenny before we do. Now, to thwart his aims we will go down toThorston by an early train to-morrow morning."
"But I must see my mother before I leave town."
"No! I will tell her all she wishes to know."
"She might not like it."
"This is not a case for likes or dislikes," said Tait grimly; "but aquestion of getting the better of Hilliston. You must dine with himto-night, and find out, if possible, if it was his wife or himself whosuggested this visit to Eastbourne. You need not tell him we go downto-morrow. Say you don't know--that you await my decision. Try and learnall you can of his attitude and plans. Then we will discuss the matterwhen you return. On my part," continued Tait significantly, "I may havesome something to say about your mother."
"You want to see her?"
"Yes. I am extremely anxious to see her."
"Perhaps you suspect her!" cried Claude, in a fiery tone.
"Bless the man, what a temper he has!" said Tait jocosely. "I don'tsuspect anyone except Hilliston. But I am quicker than you, and I wishto learn precisely what your mother has to say. A chance remark on herpart may set us on the right path."
"Well, I will be guided by you," said Claude, in a few minutes. "You cango to Hampstead, and I will dine with Hilliston. But I don't like thetask. To sit at a man's table and scheme against him is not my idea ofhonor."
"Nor is it mine. You are doing no such thing. All I wish you to do is toobserve Hilliston's attitude and hold your tongue. There is nothingwrong in that. I want to find out his motive for this behavior."
"Then why not see him yourself!"
"I will see him at Thorston. Meantime it is necessary that I becomeacquainted with your mother. Now come and wire an acceptance toHilliston, and write a letter to your mother for me to deliver."
Claude obeyed. He was quite content to accept the guidance of Tait inthis matter, and began to think that his friend was right in suspectingHilliston. Else why did the lawyer's plans so coincide with their own.
&
nbsp; "Mind you don't tell Hilliston too much," said Tait, when the wire wasdespatched.
"I shall tell him that we go to Thorston shortly, and that we saw JohnParver."
"No; don't tell him about John Parver. He will be certain to mention thesubject first."
"Well, and if he does----"
"Oh, you must use your brains," replied Tait ironically. "Baffle hiscuriosity, and above all, make no mention of the breastpin episoderelated in the third volume."
"Why not?"
"Because Jenny Paynton told Linton of that. She could not have obtainedit from the newspapers, as it is not related therein."
"It is pure invention."
"No! I believe it to be a fact."
"But who could have told it to Miss Paynton?"
"Ah!" said Tait, in a low tone. "Find me the person who told her thatand I'll find the man who murdered your father."