by Fergus Hume
CHAPTER XXIV
A RAT IN A CORNER
The next day Giles returned to Rickwell with Steel. The detective couldnot leave town before, as he had to procure a warrant for the arrest ofAlfred Denham, alias Wilson, alias George Franklin, and half a dozenother names. The man was to be arrested for various robberies connectedwith the gang of thieves, of which he was the head. Search was beingmade by the police for _The Red Cross_ yacht, but evidently the gang hadtaken alarm, for she had disappeared. It was Steel's opinion that shewas down Plymouth way, sailing round the Devonshire coast, and thepolice in that county were on the lookout.
"Once I can get that ship," explained Steel to Giles when in the train,"and their claws will be cut. They have escaped for a long time, soingenious have their methods been. But I have accumulated a mass ofevidence, and have several names known to the police. Yes, and severalnames of people not known. There are about twenty thieves, professionaland amateur, connected with this matter. It is a big affair. But I'llget the yacht, and then Denham. That will be the means of laying barethe whole swindle."
"Which? Denham or the yacht?"
"Each! both! If the police can seize the boat unexpectedly, someincriminating papers are sure to be found on board. And if I can arrestDenham, I'll soon get the truth out of him."
"I don't believe he can tell the truth, even if forced to," said Waregrimly. "You have no idea how that man has cheated me, Steel," and thenGiles related the eavesdropping of himself and Morley.
"I don't know how Denham got to know," he continued, "but the tale hetold about the invented brother was his own history, and quite deceivedme and Morley. Also that soliloquy after Mrs. Benker departed was amasterly conception. It would have cheated any one, let alone me. Theman was acting for the benefit of myself and Morley, and knew we werelistening. What a clever scoundrel!"
"He's been a little too clever this time," replied Steel; then he beganto laugh, but refused to explain why he did so, save in a general way.
"This is the queerest case I was ever in," he said, with a chuckle; "youdon't know how queer."
"Well, you explain. I think you are keeping something from me."
"I am," answered Steel readily. "Tit for tat, Mr. Ware. You did a littlebusiness on your own account, and said nothing to me. I repay thecompliment."
"I was afraid you would arrest Miss Denham."
"You mean Miss Franklin. No, I should not have done that. Myinvestigations into this thieving case have shown me that she isperfectly innocent. She knows nothing about Denham's rascalities, andshe certainly did not commit the murder."
"Are you so sure that Dane is the culprit?" asked Giles.
"Yes, I am sure. He was at Gravesend on board that yacht, and when theso-called Wilson came by train from London, Dane rode over from Tilburyon a motor-bicycle. They met on that night, and then I expect Denhaminduced Dane to murder the girl. Afterwards Dane went back to Tilbury ashe came, and Denham induced his daughter to rescue him on your motor."
"But why should he get Anne to do that?"
"Because he saw that he had been wrong in forcing Dane to do what hedid. Dane was too hasty. He should have waited till Denham was a safedistance away, and then have executed the deed. As it was I believe thatDenham came out to find the girl dead, and knowing he might be accused,lost his head. Otherwise he certainly would not have betrayed himself toMiss Anne. She, believing him to be her father, secured the car andsaved him. A very clever woman, Mr. Ware. I hope you will ask me to thewedding."
"How do you know it will ever take place?" asked Giles sadly.
"Because I am sure we shall find Miss Anne in the Priory. I shall arrestDenham, and you can place the lady in charge of some friend, or send herup to her mother, the Princess Karacsay. By the way, how does she cometo be the mother?"
"It's a long story. The Princess was married twice, first to GeorgeFranklin, of Jamaica, and secondly to Prince Karacsay. But how do youknow that when Morley arrived with Anne that Denham did not take frightand fly?"
"I don't think Morley would let him do that. It is probable that MissAnne would tell him what she knew, and there would be quite enoughsuspicion excited in Morley's mind to induce him to communicate withme."
"Has he done so?"
"Well, no, he hasn't. But then, he's a detective also, you see, and hisprofessional jealousy, even although he has retired, may induce him toengineer this business himself. But he shan't have the credit of itafter all my work," cried Steel vehemently.
Then the detective began to turn over his notes, so as to prepare forthe coming interview with Denham. Giles gave himself up to his ownthoughts, and rejoiced that he would soon see Anne again. Her characterwould be cleared, and then she would become his wife. Ware was muchrelieved that Olga had overcome her foolish fancy for him, but he couldnot be sure if her cure was permanent. When she excused herself, she wasweak and exhausted, and he dreaded lest when she recovered she shouldbegin to persecute him again. But after all, as he reflected, it reallydid not much matter. The future of Anne was taken out of her hands, andthe Princess Karacsay would not permit Olga to play fast and loose withAnne's happiness.
Giles remembered how Olga had told him that Anne was at school atHampstead, but had not said a word about the convent at Milan. No doubtAnne, when she first came to England, had gone for a few finishinglessons to the Hampstead school, for there she had met Mrs. Cairns.Still, Olga all the time had known much more of Anne's history than shehad chosen to tell. And if the Princess Karacsay had not been so candid,Ware doubted very much if Olga would have confessed her relationshipwith Anne. Yet on second thought he fancied he might be doing theHungarian sister wrong. In spite of her proposed treachery, she wasreally fond of Anne, and perhaps would not have delivered her up to thepolice. In fact, after she brought her mother over to unmask Denham,and had thus made her aware of Anne's existence, she could not do thatwithout provoking her mother's undying enmity. On the whole, Olga wassomething of a problem, and although Giles wished to think of her askindly as he could, he determined to see as little of her as waspossible after the marriage. He did not trust her. There was too much ofthe untamed tigress about the girl.
When the train arrived at Barnham, a trap ordered by Giles was waitingto take them to Rickwell. On the platform Steel was met by a localpoliceman who seemed to be much excited. "I have acted according to yourinstructions, sir," he said, touching his helmet.
"Well," said Steel sharply while Giles lingered to listen--foreverything the detective said was interesting to him; he still doubtedhis intentions regarding Anne--"did Mr. Morley bring down Miss Denham?"
"No, sir," was the unexpected answer. "Mr. Morley has not come backsince he went up to town two nights ago. He went by the nine train."
"The same train as I went by," interposed Giles.
"Are you sure?" said Steel, and Giles fancied he saw a smile play roundhis rather full lips.
"Yes, sir. Mr. Morley on the evening he went away called at the Prioryand had a quarrel with Mr. Franklin, sir. They came to blows, sir, andMr. Franklin's leg is broken."
"Then he has not left Rickwell?"
"No, sir. He's laid up with the broken leg and his daughter is nursinghim. He's awful bad, I've been told, sir, by Mrs. Parry."
Giles could not help laughing at the introduction of the good lady'sname. She seemed to be mixed up with everything. He could not be sorryfor Denham, as he was only meeting with his deserts. "But Anne--wherecan she be?" he asked Steel, as they stepped into the cart.
"I wish I knew," said Steel gloomily. "I had an idea that Morley wasplaying me false."
"Do you think he is in league with Denham?"
"I am sure of it. That is the portion of the case of which I have notspoken to you. You'll hear what Denham says. Now that Morley has lefthim in the lurch Denham will reveal Morley's connection with thesematters. But Morley has secured a hostage in the person of Miss Anne. Hehas taken her away somewhere. His wife may know of his whereabouts.After we have seen Denham
we'll speak of her."
"Since when have you had suspicions of Morley?"
"Since I investigated this Scarlet Cross case. I have found one or twoof the gang who, like Dane, are willing to turn King's evidence to savethemselves. It was one of them called Scott who told me of Dane's comingon the motor-bicycle to Rickwell. But later on you shall hear all. Letme round off the case by arresting Denham." Here Steel scratched hishead and smiled ruefully. "But I fear the case will not be finished tillMorley is caught, and where am I to look for him? I wish I had had himwatched. He has been too clever for me. I might have known. As Joe Barthe was one of the smartest detectives in London."
After this speech Steel began to think, and as he seemed impatient ofinterruption, Giles said nothing. In due time they arrived at the doorof the Priory. It was close on five o'clock. Steel rang the bell, and ashe did so a couple of policemen came round the corner for orders. Steeltold them to wait in the hall while he saw Denham. "I don't think he canshow fight with a broken leg," said Steel grimly.
As he spoke the door opened. Portia with her freckled face swollen withweeping appeared. She did not seem astonished at the sight of the men inuniform. Perhaps she had seen them lurking in the neighborhood and knewwhat to expect.
"Come in," she said sullenly to Steel and his companion. "My fatherexpects you."
"Who told him I was coming?" asked Steel.
"I don't know," she answered, and led the way up the stairs. On thelanding she turned viciously. "If father had not broken his leg, youwould not have found us here," she declared.
"I quite believe that," retorted Steel.
"And you needn't have brought those beasts of men," continued the girl,with a glance at the police in the hall. "We are all alone. Dowse andhis wife and daughter ran away whenever they heard there was trouble."
"Oh, they are mixed up in this affair also."
"I don't know. I shan't say anything, for I don't know nothing."
She sullenly led the way through a long corridor and opened the door ofa sitting-room. Here on a sofa with a small table at his elbow layDenham. His leg was swathed in bandages, and he wore a loosedressing-gown. As they entered he laid down a book and looked at them.His face was worn, his hair was quite grey, but the brilliance of hiseyes were undimmed, and he spoke in a masterful manner.
"Here you are, Steel," he said coolly. "Got the warrant?"
"How do you know I have a warrant?" asked the other, taken aback.
"I knew you would find out the truth the moment Mrs. Franklin, orrather, I should say the Princess Karacsay, discovered me. She has toldyou all and has put you on my track."
"Dane put me on your track."
"Dane? Well, I'm not surprised. He's a scoundrel. King's evidence, Isuppose? I'll defeat him, Steel. Take a seat and I'll tell you all aboutmyself."
Very much surprised at this calmness the two men sat down. Denham wavedhis daughter out of the room. She was unwilling to go, but a glance senther away. When she closed the door Denham turned to Giles.
"When you marry Anne, Mr. Ware," said he, "ask her to look after my poordaughter."
"How do you know I shall ever marry Anne?"
"Because you are a determined man. Men like you usually do get their ownway. You intend to marry Anne Franklin and you will. But Portia has beengood to Anne, and when I am in prison I hope Anne will take care ofher."
"I'll see to that," said Giles. "I don't believe that the sins of thefather should be visited on the children. Do you know where Anne has gotto? She went away with Morley."
At the sound of this name Denham's face grew black. "I wish I knew whereMorley is," he said vehemently. "I would give him up to the police withpleasure. On the evening of the day Anne escaped he came here with hiswife. When she left he had a quarrel with me, saying I had done wrong inletting Anne go. We fought, and he threw me down the stairs. My leg isbroken, and so I could not get away from the police. Well, I give myselfup. It is rather hard after I have done so much to get the money Iwanted."
"Even to committing a murder," said Steel.
"No," said Denham decisively; "I did not kill Daisy Kent. She wasmurdered by--but I'll tell you that later. In the meantime, Mr. Ware,tell me what the Princess told you, and I'll supply the details shedoubtless has omitted. Then Steel can follow with his tale."
Giles had no hesitation in complying with this request. He narrated hisconnection with Olga and the story told by her mother. Also he detailedhow he had confided in Morley, thinking him an honorable man. This wasthe only time when Denham smiled, and he did smile derisively. However,he did not interrupt, but when Giles was finished looked at Steel. Thatgentleman gave a history of his doings and discoveries. He omitted allmention of Morley. Denham noted this.
"I see you have left something for me to tell," he said. "Well, as I amlike a rat in a corner, I must give in. The end has come, and I don'tknow that I am sorry. I have had a very uneasy life of it since I leftJamaica. And, as usual, it was a woman who ruined me."
"Not the Princess Karacsay," said Giles quickly.
"Yes. You heard her version of the story, now hear mine. She led me on,she behaved badly, she----"
"I don't believe you. I won't listen."
"Very good. Then we will take up the story from the time I came toMilan," replied Denham coolly. "Anne was with me, and I treated herwell. She never knew anything of my inner life, and always thought me agood man. I rather prided myself in keeping her in that belief."
"Dane said that you behaved very well," said Steel.
Denham nodded ironically. "I am much obliged for the good opinion ofsuch a scoundrel," he said. "Well, you know how I treated Anne. When shebecame a governess she left me to follow out my idea of making money. Ibought a yacht, and invented the Society of the Scarlet Cross. For atime all went well. Then I was foolish enough when robbing the safe ofLady Summersdale to drop a cross--a red cross. It was found by Bart--Imean Morley, who was the detective."
"You can call him Bart," said Giles. "Steel told me it was his name."
"I prefer to call him Morley, since by that name I know him best," wasDenham's retort. "As I say, he discovered the red cross. He had chargeof the case, and he traced me by that ornament. He got to know of theyacht and of the working of the gang. Instead of arresting us all, whichhe could have done, he agreed to join us."
"I thought so!" cried Steel, slapping his thigh. "I guessed this."
"Did you offer him any inducement?" asked Giles.
"Yes. At first he was bent on breaking up the gang and putting me injail. But I remembered how Walpole had said that every man had hisprice. I ascertained Morley's. It was ease and comfort and plenty ofmoney to gamble with."
"Did he gamble?" asked Ware, starting.
"He ruined himself with gambling," replied Denham. "If it had not beenfor his indulgence in that vice, he would not have joined our society,Mr. Ware. However, he did. I told him of the Powell money, and said thatwhen I got it I would share it with him. Franklin was drowned; I had hispapers, and knew all about his life, and there was no difficulty in myproving myself to be the man. I did so, and now have the money."
"But the price of Daisy's death was----"
"I'm coming to that," interrupted Denham impatiently. "Well, Morleyjoined us. His professional information helped us to improve ourbusiness. He made me give back Lady Summersdale's jewels, so that hisprofessional reputation might be preserved. He was highly complimentedon getting the swag back," added Denham, smiling ironically, "but thethieves unfortunately escaped."
"And he was hand in glove with the lot of you," said Steel, almost withadmiration. "I always said Joe Bart was clever."
"He was too clever for me," said Denham, shifting his position, andsighing with the pain of his leg. However, with iron resolution hecontinued. "But I'll punish him yet. Well, to make a long story short,Morley retired from the force and married a widow. She had money. Hespent all she had. He got his percentage from our society, and spentthat also. He was always gambling,
and took runs up to town to lose hismoney in a private hell he knew of. Afterwards he got into difficulties,and began to yearn for the Powell money. It was because Daisy Kent wasto inherit it that he induced her father to appoint him her guardian."
"And for that reason he settled in Rickwell."
"Yes. Kent had known Mrs. Morley for many years, and it was she who wasthe guardian. When he married Mrs. Morley our friend settled inRickwell, so that his wife might renew her friendship with Kent and getthe girl. It all came about as he designed, and Daisy Kent lived at TheElms. Morley thought he would sell me, and when the girl got the money,by using his influence to induce her to give it to him, I believe he wascapable of killing his wife and of marrying Daisy. But that scheme wasstopped by the fact that Daisy was engaged to you, Ware."
"I am thankful that she was," said Giles, wiping his face. "What a devilthe man is!"
"He is a clever man," replied Denham coolly, "but he was notsufficiently clever to get the better of Daisy Kent. What she foundout, or how he treated her, I don't know; but she took a violent hatredto him. He knew she would not give him the money when she got it, andso----"
"Stop!" cried Ware. "Do you mean to say Morley killed the girl?"
"No. I wish I could say so. But he was in his house all the time. He isinnocent enough. I'll tell you about that later. At present let me go onwith the story. I heard by cable from Australia that Powell was dead,and then I feigned death to get rid of Anne. I came to England, and, asWilson, heard about the will, and afterwards served the summons."
"Why did you serve the summons?"
"I simply wanted to see Morley without suspicion being excited. I sawhim in the library. He told me that he had ordered the yacht to anchoroff Gravesend and that Dane was coming to tell him when it was there. Hethen asked me to kill Daisy Kent, saying I could get the fortune whenshe was dead."
Denham paused, and wiped his face.
"I don't pretend to be a good man," he said, "but I declined to murderthe girl. While we were arguing Anne entered. When she saw me she nearlyfainted, as she thought I was dead. She recognized me."
"Yes," put in Giles, "but she said she didn't speak to you."
"But she did. Morley knew then that she was Franklin's daughter, and, ifDaisy died, the rightful owner of the money. I expect that is why he haddecoyed her away. Well, I made Anne agree to be silent, promising her anexplanation the next day. She left the room. I went away, and afterwardsto church. I wished to see Daisy and warn her against Morley. I passed anote saying that I desired to see her about the money. She went out. Ifollowed shortly. It was snowing heavily when I got out. I heard a cry,and rushed in its direction. It came from the grave of Kent. Daisy waslying there dead. I saw a man dash away----"
"Who was he?" asked Steel and Giles simultaneously.
"I believe, from the glimpse I caught, he was Dane."
"I thought so," said Steel triumphantly.
"Yes, Dane killed the girl. I expect Morley put him up to it. I lost myhead. I knew that to save himself that Morley would accuse me. I rushedforward. Anne came out. I hurriedly explained, and then----"
"We know," interrupted Giles, "you bolted on my motor-car. Tell us howyou got the money."
"Oh, I appeared as Franklin, and saw Asher. I produced my papers, andwas put into formal possession of the money. Morley insisted that Ishould live down here, under his eye. I could not refuse. He has drainedme of nearly every penny. Then, when trouble began, he made use of hisposition here to warn me of what was going on."
"He made a fool of me," said Giles grimly. "I told him everything, andyou played that nice little comedy in the park."
"With Mrs. Benker?" Denham smiled. "Yes; and the soliloquy was my ownidea. I knew that would impose on you."
"Morley swindled me also," said Steel, with gloom. "Clever man!"
"You said that before," remarked Denham dryly. "However, when Anne'smother appeared I knew the game was up. She made me promise to send Anneto her, so I had to let her go."
"Why did you blame Anne for the murder?"
"I wanted to stop your prying into matters which did not concern you,"snarled the man savagely. "It was you who started all this infernalbusiness. But it's all over. You can arrest me as soon as you like,Steel, and if you can catch Morley I'll willingly stand in the dockbeside him."
As he said this the door opened. There was a noise outside. Portia wastrying to keep some one back, but the man forced his way past her andinto the room. It was Trim, and he presented a letter to his master."Beg pardon, sir, but I heard you were here, and there's a letter camethis morning marked 'Immediate.' I wanted to start for town, but when Iheard you were here I came over, and this young woman's been trying tokeep me out, to say nothing of them police below."
Giles opened the letter hastily. Something fell with a silvery ring onthe floor. Steel picked it up. "What's this?" he asked wonderingly--"acoin with precious stones!"
"Anne's Edward VII. half-sovereign," shouted Giles. "This is from her."The letter, written in pencil, merely said, "Prisoner--yacht--Bilbao."
"Steel," cried Giles, "Morley has taken her to Bilbao! We follow."
