CHAPTER XXXIII.
CROSS PURPOSES.
An irate pair were seated at breakfast the morning after Celine'sflitting. And while they ate little, they talked much and earnestly,sometimes angrily. They had arrived at the conclusion, which, althougherroneous, had been foreseen by the astute Celine, namely: That therobbery had been committed at the instigation of Mr. Percy, and thatCeline had been brought over and used by him as a tool.
It was evident that something must be done, and that quickly.
While these papers were in the hands of Percy, as undoubtedly theywere at that moment, it were best to keep that gentleman as much aspossible under their own eye.
"With a smothered exclamation of triumph she draws awaya _silken belt_!"--page 315.]
Yesterday, it had seemed desirable that Miss Arthur and her _fiance_should be kept out of the house of Oakley. To-day, they agreed thatthe quicker the pair took up their abode beneath its hospitable roof,the sooner they, Mr. Davlin and his accomplice, would breathefreely. If they could get the two in the same house with themselves,they might yet outwit Mr. Percy--with the aid of their friend andally, the sham doctor, if in no other way. Meantime, they would notmake the robbery known; or rather, they would inform the servants andall others whom it seemed desirable to enlighten, that the girl,Celine, had possessed herself of certain jewels and of Mrs. Arthur'spurse, and fled with her spoils.
Accordingly, Hagar was summoned and told of the base ingratitude ofthe French maid. Whereupon she was much astonished, and ventilated heropinions of French folk in general, and that one in particular.Through Hagar, the other servants, now few in number, were informed ofthe defalcation, and the extent of damage done by Miss Celine Leroque.Then the kitchen cabinet held a session forthwith, and settled thefate of their departed contemporary, being ably assisted by Hagar.
The Professor was made no wiser than were the rest of the tools whoserved the plotters. But he was somewhat surprised upon being desired,by Mr. Davlin, to equip himself for a walk, the object of which was toallay the alarm of Miss Arthur and her friend, and invite them to themanor forthwith. Said invitations were to be followed up with thedoctor's assurance that, having made a more minute examination, he wasfully satisfied that there was no fear of contagion from Mrs. Arthur,and but little from her husband; none, in fact, unless they desired tobe much in his room.
The worthy pair set out for the village, and were so fortunate as tomeet Mr. Percy on the very threshold of the inn. Having exchangedgreetings and cigars, and having discussed the weather and variousother interesting topics, the gentlemen sent up their compliments toMiss Arthur.
They were soon admitted into the presence of that lady, where moreskirmishing was done, during which Dr. Le Guise unburdened himself, asper programme, and then Mr. Davlin fired his first shot.
"By-the-by, Miss Arthur, you may congratulate yourself that you didnot retain that impostor of a French maid longer in your service."
Lucian had purposely placed himself near the spinster, and where hecould observe the face of Percy without seeming to do so. But thatgentleman was glancing lazily out at the window, and his face was asexpressionless as putty. Lucian uttered a mental, "Confound his _sangfroid_," as he continued:
"She has robbed my sister of jewels and money to the tune of a coupleof thousand, and has cut and run."
"Goodness gracious, Mr. Davlin!" shrieked the spinster.
But Percy only turned his head lazily, and elevated his eyebrows inmute comment.
"Yes," laughing lightly, "I suppose the hussy fancied that she hadmade a heavier haul still. My sister had about her person some papers,or rather _duplicates of papers that are deposited in a safer place_.The jade took these also, thinking, no doubt, that they were of valueor, perhaps, without examining them to see that they were worse thanworthless to her."
"Oh, Mr. Davlin, what an artful creature! I was sure she was not quiteto be trusted. But who would have supposed that she would dare--"gushed Miss Arthur.
"Oh, she is no doubt a professional; belongs to some city 'swell mob,'begging your pardon. But I shall run up to the city to-night, I think,and try and see if the detectives can't unearth her."
Still no sign from Percy; not so much as the quiver of an eyelid.
So Mr. Davlin came straight to the issue, thinking that surely Mr.Percy would betray something here; perhaps would refuse to come toOakley. In such case, Lucian felt that he should be tempted to springupon and throttle him from sheer desperation.
But again he was mistaken, for no sooner was his invitation extended,than Mr. Percy accepted it with evident gratification, saying, in hiseasy drawl: "Shall be delighted to change my quarters. Anything mustbe an improvement upon this. And as your--ah, Dr. Le Guise--says thereis positively no danger, Miss Arthur will of course be rejoiced toreturn to her proper place."
And of course Miss Arthur assented.
Before leaving, Mr. Davlin arranged that the carriage should come forMiss Arthur the next day, and that a porter should immediatelytransfer their luggage to Oakley.
"My faith," mused he, as he strode back to tell Cora of his mission;"but he carries it with a high hand. I didn't think there was so muchreal devil in him. He is playing a fine game, but I don't think he candream that we suspect him. If we can deceive him in this, and get himinto the house, we will be able to accomplish his downfall, I think."
Meantime, Edward Percy was viewing the matter from his ownstand-point.
"Luck is running into my hand," he assured himself. "They areevidently a little bit afraid of me; there's nothing moreawe-inspiring than a cool front, and I certainly carry that. Once atOakley, it will be strange if I don't fathom their little mystery. Ifthey are doing mischief there, I won't be behind in claiming thelion's share of the spoils."
According to arrangement, Miss Arthur and her lover were transferredto Oakley on the following day, and there the game of cross purposeswent on.
Cora received Miss Arthur with much cordiality, averring that she hadmissed the society of "dear Ellen," more than she could tell, anddeclaring that now she should begin to get well in earnest.
Messrs. Davlin and Percy affected much friendliness, and watched eachother furtively, day and night.
Dr. Le Guise reported an unfavorable change in his insane patient andforbade them, one and all, to enter his room.
Cora and Davlin protested against the doctor's cruel order, but invain. Mr. Percy made no objections, but kept his eyes open. Oneevening, the second of his stay at the manor, he saw, while coming upthe stairs with slippered feet, the form of Mr. Davlin as itdisappeared around the angle leading to the west wing. Then Mr. Percystole on until he stood at the door of the wing. Satisfying himselfthat Davlin was actually within the forbidden room, he waited fornothing further, but glided quietly back to his own door, looking asimperturbable as ever and saying to himself:
"There is a mystery; and we, _rather I_, am not to see Mr. Arthur atpresent. Well, I don't want to see him; but _I hold the clue_ to yourlittle game, my fair second wife."
Lucian Davlin went to the city, but he did not set a detective on thetrack of Celine Leroque. He chose his man, one who had served himbefore, and set him about something quite different. Then he returned,feeling quite satisfied and confident of success.
Madeline Payne, the Detective's Daughter Page 34
