"What do you mean by containing the latch-key?"
"Let us examine the letter first. Then you will see!"
The letter to Arnold at his lodgings, written on perfumed, lavender-tinted paper, contained a few hurried lines asking him to meet Laura at Ajax Villa on the night of the 24th July at half-past nine. "I may be a little late," the letter continued, "so I send you the latch-key, which I got from Walter who is at the seaside. You can let yourself in." The letter ended with an admonition not to fail to keep the appointment, and was signed with what appeared unmistakably to be Laura Mason's signature.
"I never wrote a line of it," said Laura, very pale; "and I never sent the latch-key. Walter was at the seaside certainly, but he would not have given me the key out of fear of Julia. I stopped with the Baldwins and never went to the villa while Julia was away."
"The letter to Laura at Mrs. Baldwin's, written on paper belonging to the Frivolity Theatre, likewise contained a few hurried lines saying that the writer would be with her as asked, at half-past nine on the night of the 24th of July, that he would obey instructions if he was early and admit her into the house if she rang the bell. It also stated that his understudy would play his part in The Third Man so that the appointment could be kept.
"I never wrote a line of that," said Arnold when Laura had finished reading the letter. "When did you get it?"
"On the afternoon of the 24th. I was astonished, as I knew I had not written you a letter about the villa, and I wondered how you would be able to let me in."
"Now observe, Laura," said Calvert, sitting down, "both these letters are delivered to you and I so late that there is no chance of our meeting for an explanation save at Ajax Villa. It seems to me like a trap-whether for you or for me I cannot say-perhaps for us both."
"Did you really come to the villa?" asked Laura, knitting her brows.
"I did. You were right in your guess about my being the man who spoke to Mulligan. When I received your letter I asked the manager to let my understudy take the part. He made some objection, but finally he gave permission for the change. Then I came home, intending to keep the appointment at half-past nine, and wondering what you wished to say, seeing that we had met three days previously, and then you had given no hint of your possession of the latch-key."
"I wondered in exactly the same way," exclaimed the girl. "I said to Mrs. Baldwin on Saturday night-the night you know-that I would go out for a stroll, the evening being hot. Gerty was at the theatre with Mr. Tracey. I then went to the villa at half-past nine or a little later. I did not see you, and but few people were about. I slipped into the garden so as not to be seen waiting in the road. I was afraid lest any of Julia's friends should see me. I then rang the bell somewhere near a quarter to ten, thinking you had arrived and were within. I rang and rang but no one appeared, so I fancied you had not been able to get away from the theatre, and returned to Mrs. Baldwin. I said I had been strolling in the Nightingales' Walk."
"Did you see a light in the room where the crime was committed?"
"No! Had I done so I should have waited. But the villa was quite in darkness," said the girl decisively. "You did not come?"
"I did later. There was a chapter of accidents. I came home rather tired and lay down to sleep after dinner. When I awoke it was nine o'clock. How I came to oversleep myself I can't say. I usually waken when I wish. Then a message came from the theatre just as I was getting ready to come-although I knew I would be late for the appointment. My understudy was taken ill, so I had to go back and finish the play. Afterwards, so eager was I to see if you were waiting, that I left the theatre without changing my clothes. I took a fast cab and reached Achilles Avenue about twenty or fifteen minutes to eleven."
"Did you drive up to the door?" asked Laura.
"No; I thought, for your sake, it was best to keep my visit quiet. I left the cab in Circe Street, and walked to the villa. No one was about. I went into the garden, but did not see you. I then walked into the house, letting myself in by the front door. I knew that you must have gone away, but I opened the door, just to see if you had left a note. Also I saw a light on the second story and fancied you must have got in and were perhaps waiting for me. These things are rather contradictory," added Arnold, passing his hand across his face, "but the mystery of your letter and the appointment rather worried me. However, I went in, and up to the White Room. There I saw a woman lying, dead face upwards on the mat before the piano. I saw that she was my cousin and was horrified. I turned the body over, and found the wound. She had been murdered. I was horrified. At first I intended to give the alarm. Then I thought that I might be accused of the crime-"
"But you had no motive," said Laura, "unless you knew that the money would come to you in the event of her death."
"I did not know that," said Arnold quickly; "no one was more astonished than I when I heard of the will. But at the time I was overcome by the horror of the deed. I had not my wits about me. I wondered how Flora came there. Then, my being her cousin and having the latch-key. O Laura, can you not guess that I lost my head! waited to see how I could escape. I went down the stairs, and then opened the door. Mulligan was leaning over the gate. I went and spoke to him, and escaped in the way the papers stated. I lost the latch-key and so I was connected with the matter. Thanks to my stage dress and make-up, no one thought I was the man mentioned in the papers. I did not come forward at the inquest. Now that the money has come to me, I dare not come forward. Here is the motive for the commission of the crime," – Arnold walked up and down the room feverishly-"no one will believe me guiltless. Laura, don't ask me any more. The peril of my position overwhelms me."
"Darling." Laura rose to embrace him. "I believe in your innocence. We will find out who killed the woman. Do you suspect any one?"
"No," said Arnold after a pause, and with an effort; "how can I suspect any one? I know very little of my cousin. But now that I have the money, I intend to learn the truth. Laura, Professor Bocaros seems to suspect me. I can't say why he should. He cannot possibly know I was at the villa on that night. He brought Jasher to me, and to avert all suspicion, I engaged Jasher to hunt for the assassin."
"O Arnold, have you laid that bloodhound on your own track?"
"Yes; it seems foolish, but it is wise. Even if Jasher does learn that I was at the villa, he will say nothing if I pay him well. He is a venal creature, as I gathered this morning. He may find the real criminal, and take this horror out of my life. If he does not, he will never hurt me if I pay. It is the professor I fear."
"We must keep the professor quiet, Arnold. Let Mr. Jasher hunt. He may learn the truth, and that is better than this suspense. But what of the dagger I brought you?"
"It is mine. But after showing it to you I went to see my cousin. I left it there, I fancy, and it must have been Flora who took it to Ajax Villa-Heaven knows why! Laura, what is to be done?"
"Wait! wait!" she said, with her arms round him. "You are innocent, and your innocence will be proved. You employ Jasher. I shall ask Mr. Tracey to help me."
CHAPTER XIII
ON THE TRACK
Mr. Jasher was a man who in his time had played many parts on the stage of the world. He loved money, and the ease and comfort which a judicious expenditure of money would procure. But he was not sufficiently successful in making an income. Several ventures had turned out badly before he opened his private inquiry-office, and hitherto that had not seemed likely to be a triumph. The work was hard and the pay not very good, and for some months Mr. Jasher had been contemplating the wisdom of giving up the business and starting as a theatrical manager. He was fond of the stage, and in the United States he had produced several dramas at a dead loss. But the English people being less clever than the Yankees, Jasher thought he would again venture on a theatrical agency.
It was about this time that Professor Bocaros called to see him. A chance of making a great deal of money out of the simple scholar presented itself to Jasher, and he took up the matter himself. It was so difficult that the detective-for so he was in fact-did not think it wise to trust the elucidation of the mystery to meaner hands. He resolved to attend to it personally, and charge accordingly. The discovery that the money had passed to Calvert was not pleasing to Jasher, as he had now to deal with a man more shrewd and less inclined to pay largely. However, supported by Bocaros, Jasher called at the Bloomsbury lodgings of the actor, and ended, as has been seen, in getting the business of hunting down the assassin of Flora Brand. It was not an easy mystery to unravel.
"But the first thing to be done," said Mr. Jasher to himself in the solitude of his office, "is to find out what sort of a cove Calvert is. If he's what I call a stinger, I'll have to go straight. If he ain't, I'll buckle to and do my best. But in any way I'll get all the money I can out of him."
In pursuance of this amiable resolve, Jasher sought out several theatrical folk whom he knew well. The report of Calvert was that he had a strong will, but was very good-natured. It was considered that he would never be an actor, and old-fashioned stagers believed that it was merely through his good looks and his fashionable clothes he obtained engagements. But Jasher knew the jealousy of those connected with the green-room, and determined to see Calvert act with his own eyes. According to the force and talent displayed by the young man, he might be able to estimate the depth of his character.
Having thus made up his mind, Jasher treated himself to a seat in the pit of the Frivolity Theatre. The audience was small as the play was not a great success. "It's a good thing he's got this fortune," was the agent's reflection, "as this piece won't run long; and being out of an engagement, he wouldn't have much chance of marrying that girl he's sweet on, according to old Bocaros."
The play was not a good one; the best scene being in the middle act, wherein a masked ball took place. Calvert was dressed as a Venetian, and looked remarkably handsome in black velvet and gold. During the scene he had to draw his dagger, and this drew Jasher's attention to the fact that he wore such a weapon. But he did not give the matter much thought. It was only when Arnold came on in the last act in a tweed suit with a reddish pointed beard that he started. It occurred to him that he had heard from a friend in the police of how the young man met by Mulligan had been thus attired. A description of the young man, save in a vague way, had not been put into the papers. And probably Jasher, but that his mind was full of the murder, would not have noticed the dress and general appearance. As it was, the remembrance of the dagger and the fact of the tweed suit and pointed beard made him reflect. Also the fact that Arnold was engaged to the sister-in-law of the man to whom the villa belonged made him lay unusual stress on the matter.
"Blest if I don't think he's got something to do with the matter, professor," he said to Bocaros that same evening.
The Greek, anxious to know how matters were proceeding, had made an appointment with Jasher at a Soho restaurant after the theatre, and was now at the supper-table looking more haggard and lean than ever with his blazing eyes and funereal looks. Disappointed at being deprived of Mrs. Brand's fortune, Bocaros-as Laura surmised rightly-was angry with Arnold for having obtained it. The remarks he had made in the young man's presence were mere fault-finding words, as he had no reason, on the face of it, to suspect him of being connected with the crime. Moreover, Arnold's ready acceptance of Jasher as an agent to search out the matter must have done away with all idea that he was guilty. No man would be such a fool as to put a bloodhound of the law on his own track, and when he had succeeded in gaining his end without danger. But when Jasher made the above remark Bocaros looked at him eagerly.
"That is my idea," he declared quickly. "I have no grounds to go upon. But Calvert is engaged to Miss Mason. In her brother-in-law's house Flora was killed, so he must know something."
"Oh, I don't see that," mused Jasher; "you go too fast, professor. Of course those facts, and the fact that he gets a large income, may seem suspicious, but being engaged at the theatre every night puts his guilt out of the question. But to learn all I can about Calvert, I have asked his understudy to come to supper." Jasher glanced at his watch. "He'll be here soon, and then we can talk."
"From your description," said Bocaros, who stuck to his point, "Calvert is the young man who spoke to Mulligan."
"I think that. He has the clothes and the beard described by the officer. But if he was the man, he would hardly be such a fool as to retain such a make-up."
"Yes, he would," persisted Bocaros; "safety often lies in danger. If Calvert had changed his make-up and a description had appeared in the papers, suspicion would have been excited."
"True; but no description appeared, or only a vague one."
"Calvert did not know that. He thought it best to keep to his make-up, trusting that people-who are generally stupid-would never connect his stage appearance with that of the man in real life. He is the man, I am sure, and he came out of the house."
"But it doesn't say he killed Mrs. Brand."
"He had ten thousand a year to gain by doing so."
"Quite right. But the woman was killed before nine, and during that hour Calvert was engaged at the theatre."
"That's true enough," said the professor gloomily, "all the same it seems queer. I believe he is guilty."
"Hush!" said Jasher, looking round uneasily; "don't talk so loud. You never know who may hear. Keep to generalities. Ah, here is Hart."
"The young man who came to the supper-table was a languid and fashionable youth, who, having run through his money, had gone on the stage to delight the public. As yet he had not made a success, and, judging from his looks, never would. Having got into trouble over some gambling debt, he had enlisted the services of Jasher. That astute gentleman had managed to settle the affair, and Hart was consequently willing to be friendly. He sat down with a bored air, and declared that he was almost dead. He acknowledged his introduction to Bocaros with a slight and supercilious nod.
"You work too hard," said Jasher, when Mr. Hart was engaged in eating.
"It's hard work hanging round the theatre waiting for a chance," said the other.
"You have got one," said the detective; "ain't you engaged at the Frivolity Theatre?"
"Only as Calvert's understudy," said the discontented youth. "I have to be at the theatre waiting for my chance should he fall ill. He's too clever to let me go on, and he can't act a bit. I could make a magnificent part of the one he spoils." And Hart began to explain the lines upon which he would-as he put it-create the part.
"Have you never had an opportunity of playing?" asked the professor, piling up little bits of bread in a listless manner.
"I had once," said Hart frankly, "but just my bad luck. I messed up the chance."
"Ah," said Jasher quickly, "how was that?"
"Well, don't you say anything," said Hart, glancing round, "as it would do me harm with the profession. Nobody will take much notice so long as it ain't talked about. It's only known in the theatre, and Calvert, who is a good-natured sort of chap, promised to hold his tongue."
"Oh," said Bocaros, meaningly, and looking up with eagerness, "he promised to hold his tongue, did he? About what?"
"My messing up my chance. You see Calvert didn't feel well one night, and I went on. I did act A1, and was scoring all round, when I got so excited that I fell ill. My heart ain't very strong," added the youth, "and that's why I can't take Turkish baths."
"Well, well," said Jasher, looking a very benevolent stout gentleman, and sipping his wine with relish, "what happened when you fell ill?"
"Why, they had to send for Calvert. Luckily he was at his lodgings."
"Also ill?" put in the professor.
"No. He said he was ill, but he wasn't. He came and took my place for the last act, and they said he never acted better in his life."
"About what time does the third act commence?"
"About ten."
"And Calvert came to the theatre at that time?"
"A few minutes before," said Hart, attacking some cheese.
"So he was disengaged on that evening up to that time. Ill at home?"
"He was away from the theatre, if that is what you mean," said the young man, "but he wasn't ill, so far as I know, in spite of what he said. It was a fake of some sort. I guess there was a girl in it."
"What do you mean?" asked Bocaros excitedly.
Hart started. "Why, nothing. Only some of our chaps were ragging him about getting away that evening to meet a girl."
"Did he deny that he was going to do so?"
"No. He laughed and coloured. A shy chap is Calvert."
Bocaros intervened. "Can you tell me what night this was?"
"What do you want to know for?" asked Hart suspiciously.
"It's merely curiosity," said Jasher smoothly; "you needn't trouble about the matter, if you don't like."
"I don't care two straws," said Hart, with a good-natured laugh, "but I can't understand what you fellows are driving at. Catch me forgetting the night I got my chance. It was the 24th of July."
"Jasher and Bocaros looked significantly at one another, but the interchange was lost on Hart, who was attending to his wine. The conversation then drifted into subjects connected with Mr. Hart's career, and he finally departed quite unaware that he had been made use of.
"What do you think now?" asked Bocaros triumphantly.
"Well, Calvert was absent on that night, and he resembles the young man who lured Mulligan away. Also he wears a dagger in the second act of the play which he might have used."
"He did use it," said the professor positively; "the wound was made by a stiletto, according to the medical evidence. It is a stiletto he wears. And he was absent between six and half-past nine, the very time the doctor said the woman was killed. Besides," went on Bocaros excitedly, "Calvert knows Fane very well. He might have thus obtained possession of the key."
"Fane swore it was never out of his possession.
"He may have done that to shield Calvert, seeing the man is going to marry Miss Mason."
"True enough," said Jasher, rising. "Well, Calvert himself has given me the funds to prosecute the search. It will be queer if I run him down. I guess he'll be willing to let sleeping dogs lie if I do run him to earth."
"No," said the professor determinedly; "if Calvert is guilty he must be punished."
"You leave matters in my hands," retorted Jasher, his good-natured face growing black. "I'm going to make money out of this."
Bocaros changed the subject, for no apparent reason. "How did you get money to prosecute your inquiries?"
"Calvert told his solicitors to give me what I wanted. I saw Merry, and obtained a cheque for fifty. That's enough to go on with."
"What do you intend to do now?"
"Go to his lodgings and see what his landlady knows."
Bocaros thought. "There's another thing you might do," said he. "I know that Emily Doon is the sister of Calvert's landlady. You might question her. She will be with her sister to-morrow, and, as you know, she is Mrs. Fane's maid."
Jasher looked keenly at the professor. "That's the girl you are sweet on," he said smiling.
"What if I am?" returned Bocaros sharply; "she is a nice, good girl, and handsome. She adores me," cried Bocaros, on whose head the unaccustomed champagne had taken effect, "and I will marry her when I am rich."
"Will you ever be rich?"
"If Calvert is the man who killed Flora Brand, yes," said Bocaros, and with a grim smile he departed. Jasher looked after him and shrugged his shoulders.
"I must keep you in order," said he to himself, "or you will spoil the whole thing."
But however little the detective may have trusted Bocaros, he made use of the information he had received. At three o'clock the next day he went to ask if Calvert was at home. But he did not make the inquiry until he saw Calvert drive away in a cab. Mrs. Varney appeared with her ingratiating smile, and assured him that the young man was out. "He has gone to Troy," said Mrs. Varney, "but of course we know what that means. A handsome young lady, Mr. Jasher."
"Hullo!" said the detective, starting; "and how do you come to know my name, ma'am?"
"Oh," – Mrs. Varney tossed her head in a light-comedy way-"my sister knows the professor, and the professor knows you. The fact is-"
"Oh, that's all right. The professor (and a nice gentleman he is, though but a foreigner) told me of his weakness."
"Weakness, indeed!" This time Mrs. Varney frowned as a tragedy-queen. "Professor Bocaros ought to be proud of having a handsome young lady like my sister admiring him."
"Well," said Jasher, who wished to get an interview with Miss Doon, and guessed the right way to go about the matter, "he is a man who will be able to give her a good position."
"Do you know everything about him?" asked the landlady eagerly.
"Everything. I am his man of business," lied Mr. Jasher.
"Oh!" She looked longingly at the detective, not suspecting his real profession. "Won't you come inside for a few minutes. My sister is with me, and I am sure she would be pleased to meet Mr. Bocaros's man of business. When she marries him she will naturally be brought much into contact with you."
"I fear I am too busy, ma'am," said the man, playing his fish.
"Oh, but do come in," pleaded Mrs. Varney.
"Well, then, for five minutes," said Jasher, and this was how he came in a short time to be seated in a cosy parlour opposite to a tall, bold-looking young woman, with a hard mouth and big eyes almost as large and black as the professor's own. She resembled her sister in looks, and was scarcely less theatrical. After expressing her pleasure at seeing Jasher, and being determined-as he soon saw-not to let him go until she knew everything about Bocaros, she invited him to a cup of tea. Mrs. Varney went out to get the tea, and Jasher found himself being pumped by Miss Doon.
"I met the professor quite casually," she said, "having been insulted by a man one evening in the Nightingales' Walk. I cried for help, and the professor smote the ruffian to the earth. Then he asked me into his rustic home, and was quite the gentleman. We have been quite the best of friends for over a year," sighed Miss Doon sentimentally, "and lately he has given me to understand that he desires a nearer and dearer tie."
"Why don't you marry him, then?"
Miss Doon smiled and looked significantly at the detective. "I do not care about living in so damp a house as 'The Refuge,'" she said. "I will marry the professor when he can give me a better home. I suppose he is not well off?"
"At present he isn't," said the professor's man of business, "but some day he may come in for a few thousands a year."
"Oh!" Miss Doon gasped, "how delicious. I would certainly marry him then and leave my present place. Not that I have anything to complain of," she added graciously, "but I have always felt that it was my high lot to be a lady of rank."
"Quite so. And if the professor gets this money he can resume his rank, which is that of a Greek baron."
"Oh, good gracious!" Miss Doon gasped again; "then I would be the Baroness Bocaros."
"Certainly. But you had better stop in your place for a time till the professor gets his money. I suppose you get on well with Mrs. Fane?"
"We are like sisters," said the fair Emily; "she entrusts me with all her secrets."
"Has she secrets?" asked Jasher quickly.
Miss Doon coloured, tossed her head, and bit her lip. She saw that she had said too much. "I am true to my mistress, sir," said she loftily, "and what she asked me to do, I did, without betraying her."
Jasher was puzzled. He thought the girl was a fool to talk thus, and wondered what Mrs. Fane could have asked her to do. However, it was not a propitious moment to get the truth out of the maid as she was now more or less on her guard, so he deftly changed the conversation. "I suppose you find Ajax Villa unpleasant after the murder?" he suggested.
Miss Doon closed her eyes. "Don't speak of it. My nerves are shattered. It's awful. And to think no one ever knew who killed the poor soul."
"I suppose you don't?"
"Certainly not," replied Miss Doon violently, "I was at the seaside with the other servants. I know nothing."
"Are the other servants pleasant?" asked Jasher, baffled again.
Emily shrugged her ample shoulders. "Oh yes," she said; "Gander, the cook, is the most amusing." Here she began to laugh. "We had such a joke the other day," she added. "I intended to tell the professor."
"What was that?" asked the detective carelessly. Miss Doon recounted the episode of the dagger. "It was in the dustbin, and Gander thought the jewels were real. She gave notice, only to find that the dagger was a stage jewel that had been worn by Mrs. Fane at a fancy ball."
"You knew that, I suppose?" said Jasher, much interested.
"No. She has not been to a fancy ball since I was with her, and that is three years. But she said the dagger was hers, and Gander was in a great state."
Jasher asked for a description of the dagger, which she gave. Then Mrs. Varney returned with the tea, and the conversation became more general. But the detective left with a firm conviction that Calvert had left the dagger in the dust-hole after killing the woman.