The Mark of Cain

by Carolyn Wells

  CHAPTER XVIII ALL FOR LOVE

  Avice went occasionally to see Landon in The Tombs. The formalities andrestrictions had been looked after by Judge Hoyt, and Avice was free togo at certain times, but she was not allowed to see Kane alone. In thewarden's room they met for their short visits, but of late, the wardenhad been kind enough to efface himself as much as possible, and one day,as he stood looking out of a window, he was apparently so absorbed insomething outside, that the two forgot him utterly, and Landon graspedthe hands of the girl and stood gazing into her sad brown eyes with alook of longing and despair that Avice had never seen there before.

  At last, he said, slowly, "I suppose you know I love you," and his voice,though intense, was as bare of inflection or emphasis as the room was ofdecoration. It seemed as if one _must_ speak coldly and simply in thatempty, hollow place. The very bareness of the floor and walls, made thebaring of the soul inevitable and consequent.

  And as she looked at Kane, Avice did know it. And the radiance of theknowledge lighted the darkness, dispelled the gloom and filled the placewith a thousand pictures of life and joy.

  With sparkling eyes, she went nearer to him, both hands outstretched. Thethree words were enough. No protestations or explanations were necessaryin that moment of soul-sight.

  But Kane gave no answering gesture.

  "Don't," he said; "it means nothing. I only wanted you to know it. Thatis all."

  "Why is that all?" and Avice looked at him blankly.

  Kane gave a short, sharp laugh. "First, because I am already the same asa condemned man; second, because if I weren't, I couldn't ask you tomarry me and thereby lose your whole fortune."

  "I don't care about the fortune," said Avice, still speaking with thisstrange new directness that marked them both; "but I have promised LeslieHoyt that if he frees you, I will marry him."

  "Avice! What a bargain! Do you suppose I would accept freedom at such aprice? Do you love him?"

  "No; I love you. I have told him so. But he will not get you off unless Iwill marry him, so I have promised."

  "Promised! That promise counts for less than nothing! I will get freedwithout his assistance, and you shall marry _me_! Darling!"

  "But you can't, Kane," and Avice spoke now from the shelter of his arms."No one but Leslie can get you off. He says he will do so whether you areguilty or not. He is very clever."

  "_Is_ he! But so are other people. I will get a lawyer who also is ableto 'get me off whether I am guilty or not'! Oh, Avice!"

  "How can you? You have no money. Leslie says you will never get thatinheritance from uncle."

  "Does he! Well, let me tell you, dear, I don't care. My mine is anassured fact; my interests are safe and protected."

  "Where did you get the money for that?"

  "Mrs. Black lent it to me. She is a fine business woman, and I turned toher, as the time was growing short and I had to have the money at once,if at all."

  "And I thought you were in love with her!"

  "No; she was truly in love with Uncle Trowbridge. But she is aclear-headed financier, and saw at once the scope and promise of mymining interests. She and I will both be rich from that deal. And so,Avice, I can offer you a fortune, not so large as you would get bymarrying Hoyt, but still, a fortune. Oh, darling, do you really love_me_!"

  But Avice was weeping silently. "It doesn't matter that I do, Kane; I ampromised to Leslie, and you cannot be freed without his help."

  "I may not be," said Landon, solemnly; "there is little hope as thingsstand now, except through Hoyt's cleverness and,--well, shrewdness."

  "Kane, why should it require shrewdness to get you acquitted? Why,doesn't your innocence speak for itself?"

  "_Am_ I innocent?"

  And then the warden had to tell them the time was up, and Avice had to goaway with that strange speech and that strange look on Kane's face,indelibly impressed on her memory.

  "_Am_ I innocent?" If he were, why not say so; and if he were not, whynot declare it to her and tell her the circumstances, which _must_ havebeen such as to force him to the deed.

  But out in the sunshine, outside that awful chill of the gloomy jail,Avice's soul expanded to her new knowledge like a flower. Kane loved her!All other good in the world _must_ follow! Suddenly she _knew_ he wasinnocent! She fought back the thought that she knew it because she knewhe loved her. She _knew_ he would be freed! And fought back the thoughtthat she knew it because she knew he was hers.

  From an apathetic, hopeless inaction, she suddenly sprang to activity.She would find a way to save him without Hoyt's help; then she would befree of her promise to the clever lawyer.

  But how to go about it? It was one thing to feel the thrill ofdetermination, the power of an all-conquering love, and quite another toaccomplish her set purpose.

  Hoyt came in the evening. With the canniness of her new-found love, Aviceapproached the subject in a roundabout way.

  "I saw Kane this afternoon," she began.

  "You did! You went to the Tombs?"

  "Yes; Leslie, that man is innocent."

  "Indeed! I wish you had the task of proving it to the G. P. instead ofme. Avice, things are not going well. Whiting is saving up something; Idon't know quite what. But I confess to you I am afraid of his comingrevelations."

  "What do you mean? Has he evidence that you don't know of?"

  "I'm not sure. He may have, and he may only pretend it to frighten me."

  "But you promised to free Kane!"

  "And I will if I can. But, dear child, I am but human. It would takealmost a miracle to clear that man from the network of circumstantialevidence that trips us up at every step. I assure you I am doing my best,and more than my best. You believe that?"

  "Of course, I do," and Avice studied the earnest, careworn face thatlooked into hers.

  "And you also know why?"

  "Yes," came the answer in a low tone.

  "Not _because_ I believe him innocent, though I _do_ believe him so, butbecause of your promise. That is what makes me work for his release, as Idare to say no counsel ever worked before. That is why I fear the resultas I have never feared anything in my life. Because of my reward if Iwin! Because of _you_, you beautiful prize, that I shall deserve, when Iconquer the fight!"

  "Leslie, could no one else free Kane, but you?"

  "No! a thousand times No! Who else would use every means, honorable ornot! Who else would jeopardize his legal standing, forget professionalethics, resort to underhand methods, fearless of censure and opprobrium,so he but win his case? And all because a girl holds my heart in thehollow of her little white hand!"

  Avice was amazed and almost frightened at his vehemence. What was she,she asked herself, that these two men should love her so desperately?Kane had not declared himself in such glowing words as Hoyt, nor had heexpressed willingness to do wrong for her sake; but she knew his love wasas deep, his passion as strong as that of his counsel.

  "Leslie," she began timidly, for she had determined to stake all on onethrow; "if you free Kane,----"

  "Don't say if,--say when!"

  "Well, then, when you free him, won't you,--won't you let me off frommy--my promise to marry you,--if I give you all the fortune?"

  "Avice, what do you mean? Are you crazy? Of course I won't! It is you Iwant, not the fortune. And, besides, you couldn't do that. If you don'tmarry me, the fortune goes to found a museum."

  "Yes, I know,--but,--you are so clever, Leslie, couldn't you somehowbreak the will, or get around it, or----"

  "Dishonestly! Why, Avice!"

  "But you're freeing Kane dishonestly."

  "I am not! I fully believe Landon is innocent. But it seems impossible tofind the real culprit, and it is to persuade the judge and jury, that Ido things I would scorn to do in a less urgent case."

  "But Leslie, I don't _want_ to marry you."

  "Very well, then, don't."

  "And you'll free Kane, just the same?"
/>   "Indeed I will not! Your lover may shift for himself. And we'll see whatverdict he will get!"

  "Oh, Leslie, don't talk like that! I shouldn't think you'd want a girlwho loves somebody else."

  "I'd far rather you'd love me, dear," and Hoyt spoke very tenderly; "butI love you so much I'll take you on any terms. And, too, I have faith tobelieve I can teach you to love me. You are very young, dearest, and inthe years to come you will turn to me, though you don't think so now."

  "Then you refuse to get Kane free, except on condition that I marry you?"

  "I most certainly do."

  "Then listen to me, Leslie Hoyt! Go on and do your best for him. Ipromise that if you get him acquitted by your own efforts I will be yourwife. But I also warn you, that I shall try to get him freed without yourassistance, and if I do so, by any means whatever, that are in no wayconnected with your efforts, I shall not consider myself bound to you!"

  "Well, well, what a little firebrand it is!" and Hoyt smiled at her. "Goahead, my girl; use every effort you can discover. You will only succeedin getting your friend deeper in the slough of despond. Without beingintrusive, may I ask your intended course of procedure?"

  "You may not!" And Avice's eyes flashed. "You are to abide by ourbargain, and in no way relax the vigilance of your efforts, unless I seesuccess ahead without your help."

  "Which you never will! But, Avice, I don't like this talk. It sounds like'war to the knife'!"

  "And it is! But it is fair and aboveboard. I give you full warning thatI, too, am going to fight for Kane's life, and if I win it, I am his, notyours!"

  Judge Hoyt set his jaw firmly. "So be it, my girl: I love you so much Isubmit even to your rivalry in my own field. But to return frankness forfrankness I have not the slightest idea that you can do anything at allin the matter."

  "That's what I'm afraid of!" And Avice broke down and wept as if herheart would break.

  And it was then that Leslie Hoyt met the biggest moment of his life. Metand threw it!

  For a brief instant his soul triumphed over his flesh, and flinging hisarms round the quivering figure, he cried:

  "Avice! I will----" he was about to say, "give you up," and in the noteof his voice the girl heard the message. Had she kept still, he mighthave gone on; but she flung up her head with a glad cry and with abeaming face, and Hoyt recanted.

  "Never!" he whispered, holding her close; "I will never give you up!"

  "You meant to!"

  "For a moment, yes. But that moment is passed, and will never return! No,my sweetheart, my queen, I will never give you up so long as there isbreath in my body!"

  Avice sprang away from him. She was trembling, but controlled herself bysheer force of will.

  "Then it is war to the knife!" she cried. "Go on, Leslie Hoyt; rememberyour bargain, as I shall remember mine!"

  With a mocking bow and a strange smile she left the room.

  Judge Hoyt pondered. He had no fear of her ability to find any lawyer ordetective who could prove Landon's innocence by actual honest evidence.He had himself tried too thoroughly to do that to believe it possible foranother. But from Avice's sudden smile and triumphant glance as she lefthim, he had a vague fear that there was something afoot of which he knewnothing. And Leslie Hoyt was not accustomed to know nothing of matters onwhich he desired to be informed.

  As a matter of fact Avice had nothing "up her sleeve." She had abandonedthe idea of calling in Fleming Stone, as a foolish suggestion of afoolish fortune-teller. But none the less she was bent on finding someway to do what she had threatened. She had little real hope, butunlimited determination and boundless energy.

  She consulted Alvin Duane, only to meet with most discouraging advice andforecast of failure.

  "There's nothing to be found out," said the detective. "If there hadbeen, I'd 'a' found it out myself. I'm as good a detective as the nextone, if I have a tiny clue or a scrap of evidence that is the real thing.But nobody can work from nothing. And the only 'clues' I've heard of, inconnection with this case, are the lies made up by that little ragamuffinthey call Fibber, or something. No, Miss Trowbridge, whatever hope Mr.Landon has, is vested entirely in the powers of eloquence of his counsel.And it's lucky for him he's got a smart chap like Judge Hoyt to defendhim."

  Avice went away, thinking. No clues; and every case depended on clues.Stay,--he had said no clues except those Fibsy told of. True, he wasmocking, he was making fun of the boy, who was celebrated foruntruthfulness, but if those were the only clues, she would at leastinquire into them.

  Through Miss Wilkinson she found the boy's address in Philadelphia, andwrote for him to come to see her.

  He came.

  Avice had chosen a time when Eleanor would be out, and they were notlikely to be interrupted.

  "Good morning, Terence, how do you do?"

  "Aw, Miss Trowbridge, now,--don't talk to me like that!"

  "Why not, child?"

  "And don't call me child, please, Miss Trowbridge. I'm goin' onsixteen,--leastways, I was fifteen last month."

  "Ah, are you trying to be truthful, now, Fibsy?"

  "Yes'm, I am. I've got a good position in Philadelphia, and I was agoin'to keep it. But, well, I feel like I wanted to work on this here case ofyour uncle."

  The deep seriousness and purpose that shone in the boy's eyes almoststartled Avice.

  "Work on the case? What do you mean, Fibsy?" She spoke very gently, forshe knew his peculiar sense of shyness that caused him to bolt if nottaken seriously.

  "Yes'm; Mr. Trowbridge's murder, you know. They's queer things goin' on."

  "Such as what?"

  Avice was as earnest as the boy, and he realized her sympathy andinterest.

  "Well, Miss Trowbridge, why did Judge Hoyt want me out o' New York? Whydid he send me to Philadelphia?"

  "I think to get you a good position, Fibsy. It was very kind of JudgeHoyt, and I'm afraid you're not properly grateful."

  "No, ma'am, I ain't. 'Cause you see, he just _made_ Mr. Stetson take meon. Mr. Stetson, he didn't want another office boy, any more'n a catwants two tails. Why, he had a perfectly good one, an' he's got him yet.The two of us. 'Cause, you see I'm only tempo'ry an' the other feller,he's perm'nent. Judge Hoyt, he's payin' my salary there himself."

  "How do you know this?"

  "Billy, the other feller told me. He heard the talk over the telephone,an' Judge Hoyt says if Mr. Stetson'd take me fer a coupla munts, he'd payme wages himself. Only I must go at onct. An' then the judge, he told meI must beat it, cause Mr. Stetson wanted me in a hurry."

  Avice thought deeply, then she said: "Fibsy, I'd be terribly interestedin your story, if I could believe it. But you know yourself--"

  "Yes'm, I know myself! That's just it! And I know I ain't lyin' _now_!And I won't never, when I'm doin' detective work. Honest to goodness, Iwon't!"

  "I believe you, Terence,--not so much on your word, as because the truthis in your eyes."

  "Yes'm, Miss Avice, it is! An' now tell me _why_ Judge Hoyt wanted meouten his way!"

  "I've no idea, but if he did, it must have been because he thought youknew something that would work against his case. Oh, Fibsy, if youdo,--if you do know anything that would hinder the work of freeing Mr.Landon, _don't_ tell it, will you? Don't tell it Fibsy, for my sake!"

  "Land, Miss Avice! What I know,--if I know anything,--ain't a goin' tohurt Mr. Landon! No-sir-ee!"

  "Well, then, Judge Hoyt thinks it is, and that's why he wanted you out oftown."

  "No, Miss Trowbridge, you ain't struck it right yet. You see, Miss, I'vegot that detective instinck, as they call it, an' I've got it somepin'fierce! Now I tell you I got clues, an' if you laugh at that as ev'rybodyelse does, I'll jest destroy them clues, an' let the case drop!"

  The earnestness of the freckled face and the flash of the blue eyesrobbed the words of all absurdity, and gave Fibsy the dignity of aprofessional detective dismissing a client.

  "What are these clues, really?" she asked him in kindly tone
s.

  "I can't tell you, Miss Trowbridge. Not that I ain't willin',--but themclues is _clues_, only in the hands of a _knowin'_ detective."

  "Then tell Mr. Duane."

  "I said a knowin' detective. That goat don't know a clue from pickledpigs' feet! No ma'am! 'Scuse me, but them clues is my own,--and they'llgo to waste, lessen I can give 'em to the right man."

  "And who is the right man, Fibsy?"

  "He's Fleming Stone, that's who he is! And no one else is any goodwhatsumever."

  "Fleming Stone? I have heard of him."

  "Have you, Miss Avice! Well, if you want ter find out for sure who killedyour uncle, they ain't no one as can find out but that same FlemingStone!"

  "You go back now, Fibsy," said Avice, after a moment's thought, "and if Idecide to send for this man, I'll let you know."

  "All right, Miss Avice, but I ain't goin' back to Phil'delphia, I'm goin'to stay here fer awhile. If you wanter see me, they's a telephone to thehouse where I live. Here, I'll write you down the number. If I ai'n'thome, leave word wit' me Aunt Becky."

  Avice took the paper Fibsy gave her, and nodded pleasantly to him as hewent away, but she was so deeply absorbed in her own thoughts shescarcely heeded the boy.