It was considerably past midday by the time Jim and his sister,
accompanied by Terence, reached London. On arriving at Paddington, they
engaged a cab and drove to the hotel they had selected, a private
establishment leading out of Piccadilly. Terence's amazement at the size
of London was curious to witness. Hitherto he had regarded Melbourne as
stupendous, now it struck him that that town was a mere village compared
with this giant Metropolis. When he noted the constant stream of
traffic, the crowds that thronged the pavements, and the interminable
streets, his heart misgave him concerning the enterprise upon which he
had so confidently embarked.
"Bless my soul, how many people can there be in London?" he asked, as
they drove up to the hotel.
"Something over five millions," Jim replied. "It's a fair-sized
township."
"And we are going to look for one man," continued the other. "I guess it
would be easier to find a scrubber in the mallee than to get on the
track of a man who is hiding himself here."
"Nevertheless we've got to find him somehow," said Jim. "That's the end
of the matter."
After lunch he sent word to Terence that he wished him to accompany him
on his first excursion. Up to that time he had formed no definite plan
of action, but it was borne in upon him that he could do nothing at all
until he had visited the eating-house to which Murbridge had been traced
after his arrival at Paddington Station. They accordingly made their way
to the house in question. It proved to be an uninviting place, with a
sawdust-covered floor, and half-a-dozen small tables arranged along one
side. On the other was a counter upon which were displayed a variety of
covered dishes and huge tea cups. At the moment of Jim's entering the
proprietor was giving his attention to a steaming pan of frying onions.
"What can I do for you, sir?" he asked, as he removed the frying-pan
from the gas and came forward.
"I want five minutes' conversation with you in private, if you will give
it to me," Jim replied, and then in a lower voice he added: "I stand in
need of some information which I have been told you are in a position to
supply. I need not say that I shall be quite willing to recompense you
for any loss of time or trouble you may be put to."
"In that case I shall be very happy to oblige you, sir," the man replied
civilly enough. "That is to say, if it is in my power to do so. Will you
be good enough to step this way?"
Pulling down his shirt-sleeves, which until that moment had been rolled
up, and slipping on a greasy coat, he led the way from the shop to a
tiny apartment leading out of it. It was very dirty and redolent of
onions and bad tobacco. Its furniture was scanty, and comprised a table,
covered with American cloth, a cupboard, and two wooden chairs, upon one
of which James was invited to seat himself. Terence, who had followed
them, took the other, while he surveyed its owner with evident
disfavour.
"And now, sir," said that individual, "I should be glad if you can tell
me what I can do for you. If it's about the Board School election, well,
I'll tell you at once, straight out, as man to man, that I ain't a-goin'
to vote for either party. There was a young wagabond that I engaged the
other day. He had had a Board School edecation, and it had taught him
enough to be able to humbug me with his takings. Thirteen and
elevenpence-'alfpenny was what he stole from me. And as I said to the
missus only last night, 'No more Board School lads for me!' But there,
sir, p'raps you ain't a-got nothing to do with them?"
"I certainly have not," James replied. "I am here on quite a different
matter. Of course you remember the police visiting you a short time
since, with regard to a man who was suspected of being the murderer of
Mr. Standerton, at Childerbridge, in Midlandshire?"
"Remember it?" the man replied, "I should think I did. And haven't I got
good cause to remember it? I was nigh being worritted to death by 'em.
First it was one, and then it was another, hanging about here and asking
questions. Had I seen the man? Did I know where he had gone? What was he
like? Till with one thing and another I was most driven off my head. I
won't say as how a detective oughtn't to ask questions, because we all
know it's his duty, but when it comes to interferin' with a man's
private business and drivin' his customers away from the shop--for I
won't make no secrets with you that there is folks as eats at my table
as is not in love with 'tecs--well, then I say, if it comes to that,
it's about time a man put his foot down."
"My case is somewhat different," said James. "In the first place, I am
not a detective, but the son of the gentleman who was murdered."
"Good gracious me! you don't say so," said the man, regarding him with
astonishment and also with evident appreciation. "Now that makes all the
difference. It's only fit and proper that a young gentleman should want
to find out the man who, so to speak, had given him such a knock-down
blow. Ask me what questions you like, sir, and I'll do my best to answer
'em."
"Well, first and foremost," said Jim, "I want to know how you became
aware that the man in question hailed from Childerbridge? He wouldn't
have been likely to say so."
"No, you're right there," the man replied. "He didn't say so, but I knew
it, because after he had had his meal, my girl was giving him 'is
change, I saw there was a Childerbridge label on the small bag he
carried in his hand. I put it to you, sir, if he hadn't been there,
would that label have been on the bag?"
"Of course it would not. And he answered to the description given you?"
"To a T, sir. Same sort of face, same sort of dress, snarly manner of
speaking, spotted bird's-eye necktie and all."
"It must have been the man. And now another question. You informed the
police, did you not, that you had no knowledge as to where he went after
he left your shop?"
The man fidgetted uneasily in his chair for a moment, and drummed with
his fingers upon the cover of the table. It was evident that he was
keeping something back, and was trying to make up his mind as to whether
he should divulge his information or not.
Here James played a good game, and with a knowledge of human character
few people would have supposed him to possess, took from his pocket a
sovereign, which he laid on the table before the other.
"There," he said, "is a sovereign. I can see that you are keeping
something back from me. Now, that money is yours whether you tell me or
not. If it is likely to affect your happiness don't let me know, but if
you can, I shall be glad if you will tell me all you know."
"Spoken like a gentleman, sir," the other replied, "and I don't mind if
I do tell you, though it may get me into trouble with some of my
customers if you give me away. You see, sir, round about here in this
neighbourhood, a man has to be careful of what he says and does. Suppose
it was to come to the ears of some people that it was me as gave the
information that got the bloke arrested, well then, they'd be sure to
say to 'emselves, 'he's standin' in with the perlice, and we don't go
near his shop again.' Do you take my meaning, sir?"
"I quite understand," James replied. "I appreciate your difficulty, but
you may be quite sure that I will not mention your name in connection
with any information you may give me."
"Spoken and acted like a gentleman again, sir," said the shopman. "Now
I'll tell you what I know. I didn't tell the 'tecs,' becos they didn't
treat me any too well. But this is what I _do_ know, sir. As he went out
of the door he asked my little boy, Tommy, wot was playing on the
pavement, how far it was to Great Medlum Street? The boy gave him the
direction, and then he went off."
"Great Medlum Street?" said James, and made a note of the name in his
pocket-book. "And how far may that be from here?"
"Not more than ten minutes' walk," the other replied. "Go along this
street, then take the third turning to your left and the first on the
right. You can't make no mistake about it."
"And what kind of a street is it?" Jim enquired. "I mean, what sort of
character does it bear?"
"Well, sir, that's more than I can tell you," said the other. "For all I
know to the contrary, it's a fairish sort of street, not so fust-class
as some others I could name, but there's a few decent people living in
it."
"And do you happen to have anything else to tell me about him?"
"That's all I know, sir," said the other. "I haven't set eyes on him
from that blessed moment until this, and I don't know as I want to."
"I am very much obliged to you," said Jim, rising and putting his
pocket-book away. "You have given me great assistance."
"I'm sure you're very welcome, sir," replied the man. "I am always ready
to do anything I can for a gentleman. It's the Board School folk
that----"
Before the man could finish his sentence, Jim was in the shop once more,
and was making his way towards the door, closely followed by Terence.
"Now the first question to be decided," he said, when they were in the
street, "is what is best for us to do? If I go to Great Medlum Street,
it is more than likely that Murbridge will see me and make off again;
while, if I wait to communicate with Robins, I may lose him altogether."
Eventually it was decided that he should not act on his own initiative,
but should communicate with Detective Robins, and let him make enquiries
in the neighbourhood in question. A note was accordingly despatched to
the authorities at Scotland Yard. In it James informed them that it had
come to his knowledge that the man Murbridge was supposed to be residing
in Great Medlum Street, though in what house could not be stated. Later
in the day Robins himself put in an appearance at the hotel.
"You received my letter?" James asked when they were alone together.
"I did, sir," the man answered, "and acted upon it at once."
"And with what result?"
"Only to discover that our man has slipped through our fingers once
more," said the detective. "He left Great Medlum Street two days ago. Up
to that time he had lodged at number eighteen. The landlady informs me
that she knows nothing as to his present whereabouts. He passed under
the name of Melbrook, and was supposed by the other lodgers to be an
American."
"You are quite certain that it is our man?"
"There can be no doubt about it. He went to the house on the day that
the murder was discovered. Now the next thing to find out is where he
now is. From what his landlady told me, I should not think he was in the
possession of much money. As a matter of fact, she suspected that he had
been pawning his clothes, for the reason that his bag, which was
comparatively heavy when he arrived, seemed to be almost empty when he
left. To-morrow morning I shall make enquiries at the various
pawnbrokers in the neighbourhood, and it is just possible we may get
some further information from them."
Promising to communicate with Jim immediately he had anything of
importance to impart, Robins took his departure, and Jim went in search
of Alice to tell her the news. Next day word was brought to him to the
effect that Murbridge had pawned several articles, but in no case were
the proprietors able to furnish any information concerning his present
whereabouts. Feeling that it was just possible, as in the case of the
eating-house keeper near Paddington Station, that the detectives had not
been able to acquire all the knowledge that was going, Jim, accompanied
by the faithful Terence, set off in the afternoon for number eighteen,
Great Medium Street. It proved to be a lodging-house of the common type.
In response to their ring the door was opened by the landlady, a voluble
person of Irish descent. She looked her visitors up and down before
admitting them, and having done so, enquired if they stood in need of
apartments.
"I regret to say that we do not," said Jim blandly. "My friend and I
have come to put a few questions to you concerning----"
"Not poor Mr. Melbrook, I hope," she answered. "Is all London gone mad?
'Twas but yesterday afternoon, just when I was settin' down to my bit o'
tea that a gentleman comes to make enquiries about Mr. Melbrook. I told
'im he'd left the house, but that would not do. He wanted to know where
he had gone, and when and why he had left, just for all the world as if
he was his long-lost brother. Then this morning another comes. Wanted to
know if I knew where Mr. Melbrook pawned his clothes? Did he appear to
be in any trouble? Now here you are with your questions. D'ye think I've
got nothing better to do than to be trapesing round talkin' about what
don't concern me? What's the world coming to, I should like to know?"
"But, my good woman, I am most anxious to find Mr. Melbrook," said Jim,
"and if you can put me into the possession of any information that will
help me to do so, I shall be very pleased to reward you for your
trouble."
"But I've got nothing to tell you," she replied, "more's the pity of it,
since you speak so fair. From the time that Mr. Melbrook left my house
until this very moment I've heard nothing of him. He may have gone back
to America--if he was an American as they say--but there, he may be
anywhere. He was one of them sort of men that says nothing about his
business; he just kept himself to himself with his paper, and took his
drop of gin and water at night the same as you and me might do. If I was
to die next minute, that's all I can tell you about him."
Seeing that it was useless to question her further, Jim pressed some
coins into the woman's willing hand, and bade her good-day. Then, more
dispirited by his failure than he would admit, he drove back to his
hotel. Alice met him in the hall with a telegram.
"This has just come for you," she said. "I was about to open it."
Taking it from her, he tore open the envelope, and withdrew the message.
It was from Robins, and ran as follows:--
"Think am on right track--will report as soon as return."
It had been despatched from Waterloo Station.
"Why did he not say where he was going?" said Jim testily, "instead of
keeping me in suspense."
"Because he does not like to commit himself before he has more to
report, I suppose," said Alice. "Do not worry yourself about it, dear.
You will hear everything in good time."
A long letter from Helen which arrived that evening helped to console
Jim, while the writing of an answer to her enabled him to while away
another half-hour. But it must be confessed that that evening Jim was
far from being himself. He felt that he would have given anything to
have accompanied the detective in his search. He went to bed at an early
hour, to dream that he was chasing Murbridge round the world, and do
what he would he could not come up with him. Next day there was no news,
and it was not until the middle of the day following that he heard
anything. Then another telegram arrived, stating that the detective
would call at the hotel between eight and nine o'clock that evening. He
did so, and the first glimpse of his face told Jim that his errand had
as usual been fruitless.
"I can see," he said, "that you have not met with any success. Is that
not so?"
"I'm sorry, sir," the man answered. "Information was brought me the day
before yesterday that a man answering in every way the description of
the person we wanted had pawned a small portmanteau at a shop in the
Mile End Road, and on making enquiries there, I heard that he had come
to lodge at a house in one of the streets in the vicinity. Accompanied
by one of my mates, I went to the house in question, only to discover
that we were too late again, and that the man had left for Southampton
that morning, intending to catch the out-going boat for South Africa.
Procuring a cab, I set off for Waterloo, and on my arrival there sent
that telegram to you, sir, and then went down to Southampton by the next
train. Unfortunately the two hours' delay had given him his chance, for
when I reached Southampton it was only to find that the vessel had
sailed half-an-hour before. I went at once to the Agent's office, where
I discovered that a man whose appearance tallied exactly with the
description given had booked a steerage passage at the last moment, and
had sailed aboard her. But if he's got out of England safely, we'll
catch him at Madeira. The police there will arrest him, and hold him for
us until we can get him handed over. He does not know that I am upon his
track, and for that reason he'll be sure to think he's got safely away."
"We must hope to catch him at Madeira then. The vessel does not touch at
any port between, I suppose?"
Robins shook his head.
"No, Madeira is the first port of call. And now, sir, I'll bid you
good-night, if you don't mind. I've had a long day of it, and I'm tired.
To-morrow morning I've got to be abroad early on another little case
which is causing me a considerable amount of anxiety."
Jim bade him good-night and then went in search of his sister, only to
find that she had a bad headache, and had gone to bed. After the
excitement of the day bed was out of the question, so donning a hat and
coat he left the hotel for a stroll. He walked quietly along Piccadilly,
smoking his cigar, and thinking of the girl who had promised to be his
wife, and who, at the moment, was probably thinking of him in the quiet
little Midlandshire village. How delightful life would be when she would
be his wife. He tried to picture himself in the capacity of Helen's
husband. From Helen his thoughts turned to Murbridge, and he tried to
imagine the guilty wretch, flying across the seas, flattering himself
continually that he had escaped the punishment he so richly deserved,
finding more security in every mile of water the vessel left behind her,
little dreaming that justice was aware of his flight, and that Nemesis
was waiting for him so short a time ahead.
Reaching Piccadilly Circus, he walked on until he arrived at Leicester
Square. As the sky had become overcast, and a thin drizzle was beginning
to fall, he called a hansom, and bade the driver take him back to his
hotel. The horse started off, and they were soon proceeding at a fast
pace in the direction of Piccadilly. Just as they reached the Criterion
Theatre, a man stepped from the pavement, and began to cross the road.
Had not the cabman sharply pulled his horse to one side, nothing could
have saved him from being knocked down. So near a thing was it that Jim
sprang to his feet, and threw open the apron, feeling sure that the man
was down. But near though it was, the pedestrian had escaped, and,
turning round, was shaking his fist in a paroxysm of rage at the cabman.
At that moment he saw Jim, and stood for a second or two as if turned to
stone; then, gathering his faculties together, he ducked between two
cabs and disappeared.
_That man was Richard Murbridge!_