AN AMAZING CONFESSION
Mr. and Mrs. Merry were seated the next day in the kitchen having a
long chat. It was not a pleasant one, for Mrs. Merry was weeping as
usual, and reproaching her husband. Giles had been out to see his old
cronies in the village, and consequently had imbibed sufficient
liquor to make him quarrelsome. The first thing he did, when he flung
himself into a chair, was to grumble at the kitchen.
"Why should we sit here, Selina?" he asked; "it's a blamed dull hole,
and I'm accustomed to drawing-rooms."
"You can't go into the drawing-room," said Mrs. Merry, rocking and
dabbing her red eyes with the corner of her apron. "Miss Eva is in
there with a lady. They don't want to be disturbed."
"Who is the lady?" demanded Signor Antonio, alias Mr. Merry.
"Lady Ipsen. She's Miss Eva's grandmother and have called to see her.
What about, I'm sure I don't know, unless it's to marry her to Lord
Saltars, not that I think much of him."
"Lady Ipsen--old Lady Ipsen?" said Giles slowly, and his eyes
brightened; "she's an old devil. I knew her in the days when I and
Hill and Strode enjoyed ourselves."
"And bad old days they were," moaned Mrs. Merry; "you'd have been a
better man, Giles, if it hadn't been for that Strode. As for the
jelly-fish, he was just a shade weaker than you. Both of you were
under the thumb of Strode, wicked man that he was, and so cruel to his
wife, just as you are, Giles, though you mayn't think so. But if I
die----"
"You will, if you go on like this," said Merry, producing his pipe;
"this is a nice welcome. Old Lady Ipsen," he went on, and laughed in
so unpleasant a manner, that his wife looked up apprehensively.
"What wickedness are you plotting now?" she asked timidly.
"Never you mind. The marriage of Lord Saltars," he went on with a
chuckle. "Ho! he's going to marry Miss Lorry."
"So they say. But I believe Lady Ipsen wants to stop that marriage,
and small blame to her, seeing what a man he----"
"Hold your jaw, Selina. I can't hear you talking all day. You get me
riz and you'll have bad time, old girl. So go on rocking and crying
and hold that red rag of yours. D'ye hear?"
"Yes, Giles--but Lord Saltars----"
"He's going to marry Miss Lorry, if I let him."
Mrs. Merry allowed the apron to fall from her eyes in sheer
amazement. "If you let him?" she repeated; "lor', Giles, you can't
stop his lordship from----"
"I can stop _her_," said Merry, who seemed determined never to let his
wife finish a sentence; "and I've a mind to, seeing how nasty she's
trying to make herself." He rose. "I'll see Miss Eva and make
trouble."
"If you do, Mr. Allen will interfere," said Mrs. Merry vigorously.
"I knew you'd make trouble. It's in your nature. But Miss Lorry
wrote to Miss Eva and said she'd interfere if you meddled with what
ain't your business."
Giles shook off the hand his wife had laid on his arm, and dropped
into a chair. He seemed dumfoundered by the information. "She'll
interfere, will she?" said he, snarling, and with glittering eyes.
"Like her impudence. She can't hurt me in any way----"
"She may say you killed Strode," said Mrs. Merry.
Giles raised a mighty fist with so evil a face, that the woman cowered
in her chair. Giles smiled grimly and dropped his arm.
"You said before, as I'd killed Strode. Well then, I didn't."
"How do I know that?" cried his wife spiritedly; "you can strike me,
but speak the truth I will. Bad as you are, I don't want to see you
hanged, and hanged you will be, whatever you may say. I heard from
Cain that you talked to Strode on the Wednesday night he was killed.
You met him at the station, when he arrived by the six-thirty,
and----"
"What's that got to do with the murder?" snapped Giles savagely. "I
talked to him only as a pal."
"Your wicked London friends were there too," said Mrs. Merry; "oh,
Cain told me of the lot you're in with; Father Don, Foxy, and Red
Jerry--they were all down at Westhaven, and that boy Butsey too, as
lied to me. You sent him here to lie. Cain said so."
"I'll break Cain's head if he chatters. What if my pals were at
Westhaven? what if I did speak to Strode----?"
"You was arranging to have him shot," said Mrs. Merry, "and shot him
yourself for all I know."
Signor Antonio leaped, and taking his wife by the shoulders, shook
her till her head waggled. "There," he said, while she gasped, "you
say much more and I'll knock you on the head with a poker, you
poll-parrot. I was doing my turn at the circus at the time Strode
was shot, if he was shot at nine on Wednesday as the doctor said. I
saw the evidence in the paper. You can't put the crime on me."
"Then your pals did it."
"No, they didn't. They wanted the diamonds, it's true----"
"They struck him down and robbed him."
"You said they shot him just now," sneered Giles with an evil face,
"don't know your own silly mind, it seems. Gar'n, you fool, there was
nothing on him to rob. If my pals had shot him, they'd have collared
the wooden hand. That was the token to get the diamonds, as Red Jerry
said. But Mask hasn't got them, and though Father Don did open the
hand he found nothing."
"Open the hand?" questioned Mrs. Merry curiously.
"Yes. We found out--I found out, and in a way which ain't got
nothing to do with you, that the hand could be opened. It was quite
empty. Then Father Don put it aside, and that brat Butsey prigged
it. Much good may it do him."
"The wooden hand was put on the doorstep last night," said Mrs. Merry,
"and I gave it to Miss Eva."
The man's face grew black. "Oh, you did, did you," he said, "instead
of giving it to your own lawful husband? I've a mind to smash
you," he raised his fist again, and his poor wife winced; then he
changed his mind and dropped it. "But you ain't worth a blow, you
white-faced screeching cat. I'll see Miss Eva and make her give
up the hand myself. See if I don't."
"Mr. Allen will interfere."
"Let him," snarled Merry; "I know something as will settle him. I
want that hand, and I'm going to have it. Get those diamonds I
will, wherever they are. I believe Butsey's got 'em. He's just
the sort of little devil as would have opened that hand, and
found the paper inside, telling where the diamonds were."
"But did he have the hand?"
"Yes, he did. He dug up the hand--never mind where--and brought
it to me. It was empty then. Yes, I believe Butsey has the
diamonds, so the hand will be no go. Miss Eva can keep it if she
likes, or bury it along with that infernal Strode, who was a
mean cuss to round on his pals the way he did."
"Ah! he was a bad man," sighed Mrs. Merry; "and did he----?"
"Shut up and mind your own business," said Giles in surly tones.
He thought he had said too much. "It's that Butsey I must look
for. He stole the hand from Father Don and left it on your
doorstep, for Miss Eva, I suppose. He must be in the place, so
I'll look for him. I know the brat's playing us false, but his
father's got a rod in pickle for him, and----"
"Oh, Giles, Giles, you'll get into trouble again. That Wasp----"
"I'll screw his neck if he meddles with me," said the strong man
savagely; "see here, Selina, I'm not going to miss a chance of making
a fortune. Those diamonds are worth forty thousand pounds, and
Butsey's got them. I want money to hunt him down and to do--other
things," said Giles, hesitating, "have you got five hundred?"
"No," said Mrs. Merry with spirit, "and you shouldn't have it if I had.
You're my husband, Giles, worse luck, and so long as you behave
yourself, I'll give you roof and board, though you are not a nice
man to have about the house, but money you shan't have. I'll see Mr.
Mask first. He's looking after my property, and if you----"
"I'll do what I like," said Giles, wincing at the name of Mask; "if I
wasn't your husband, you'd chuck me, I 'spose."
"I would," said Mrs. Merry, setting her mouth, "but you're
married to me, worse luck. I can't get rid of you. See here,
Giles, you go away and leave me and Cain alone, and I'll give you
five pounds."
"I want five hundred," said Giles, "I'll stop here as long as I like.
I'm quite able to save myself from being accused of Strode's murder.
As to Cain," Giles chuckled, "he's taken up with a business you won't
like, Selina?"
"What is it?--oh, what is it?" gasped Mrs. Merry, clasping her hands.
"The Salvation Army."
"What! Has he joined the Salvation Army?"
"Yes," sneered the father; "he chucked the circus at Chelmsford, and
said it was a booth of Satan. Now he's howling about the street in a
red jersey, and talking pious."
Mrs. Merry raised her thin hands to heaven. "I thank God he has found
the light," she said solemnly, "I'm Methodist myself, but I hear the
Army does much good. If the Army saves Cain's immortal soul," said the
woman, weeping fast, "I'll bless its work on my bended knees. I
believe Cain will be a comfort to me after all. Where are you going,
Giles--not to the drawing-room?"
"As far as the door to listen," growled Merry. "I'm sick of
hearing you talk pious. I'll come and stop here, and twist Cain's
neck if he prays at me."
"Trouble--trouble," wailed Mrs. Merry, wringing her hands, "I
wish you'd go. Cain and me would be happier without you, whatever
you may say, Giles, or Signor Antonio, or whatever wickedness you
call yourself. Oh, I was a fool to marry you!"
Giles looked at her queerly. "Give me five hundred pounds, and I
won't trouble you again," he said, "meanwhile"--he moved towards the
door. Mrs. Merry made a bound like a panther and caught him.
"No," she said, "you shan't listen."
Giles swept her aside like a fly, and she fell on the floor. Then
with a contemptuous snort he left the kitchen and went into the
passage which led to the front. On the right of this was the door of
the drawing-room, and as both walls and door were thin, Mr. Merry had
no difficulty in overhearing what was going on within. Could his eyes
have seen through a deal board, he would have beheld an old lady
seated in the best arm-chair, supporting herself on an ebony crutch.
She wore a rich black silk, and had white hair, a fresh complexion, a
nose like the beak of a parrot, and a firm mouth. The expression of
the face was querulous and ill-tempered, and she was trying to bring
Eva round to her views on the subject of Saltars' marriage. The girl
sat opposite her, very pale, but with quite as determined an
expression as her visitor.
"You're a fool," said Lady Ipsen, striking her crutch angrily on the
ground. "I am your grandmother, and speak for your good."
"It is rather late to come and speak for my good, now," said Eva with
great spirit; "you have neglected me for a long time."
"I had my reasons," said the other sharply. "Jane, your mother,
married Strode against my will. He was of good birth, certainly, but
he had no money, and besides was a bad man."
"There is no need to speak evil of the dead."
"The man's being dead doesn't make him a saint, Eva. But I'll say no
more about him, if you'll only listen to reason."
"I have listened, and you have my answer," said Eva quietly; "I am
engaged to Allen Hill, and Allen Hill I intend to marry."
"Never, while I have a breath of life," said the old woman angrily.
"Do you think I am going to let Saltars marry this circus woman?
No! I'll have him put in gaol first. He shall not disgrace the
family in this way. Our sons take wives from theatres and
music-halls," said Lady Ipsen grimly, "but the sawdust is lower
than either. I shan't allow the future head of the house to
disgrace himself."
"All this has nothing to do with me," said Eva.
"It has everything to do with you," said Lady Ipsen quickly; "don't I
tell you that Saltars, since he saw you at that Mrs. Palmer's, has
taken a fancy to you? It would take very little for you to detach him
from this wretched Miss Lorry."
"I don't want to, Lady Ipsen!"
"Call me grandmother."
"No. You have never been a grandmother to me. I will be now," Lady
Ipsen tried to soften her grim face; "I wish I'd seen you before,"
she added, "you're a true Delham, with very little of that bad
Strode blood in you, unless in the obstinacy you display. I'll
take you away from this Mrs. Palmer, Eva----"
"I have no wish to leave Mrs. Palmer."
"You must. I won't have a granddaughter of mine remain in a
situation with a common woman."
"Leave Mrs. Palmer alone, Lady Ipsen. She is a good woman, and when
my relatives forsook me she took me up. If you had ever loved me,
or desired to behave as you should have done, you would have come
to help me when my father was murdered. And now," cried Eva, rising
with flashing eyes, "you come when I am settled, to get me to help
you with your schemes. I decline."
The old woman, very white and with glittering eyes, rose. "You intend
then to marry Allen Hill?"
"Yes, I do."
"Well then, you can't," snapped the old woman; "his mother isn't
respectable."
"How dare you say that?" demanded Eva angrily.
"Because I'm accustomed to speak my mind," snapped Lady Ipsen,
glaring; "it is not a chit like you will make me hold my peace. Mrs.
Hill was in our family as a governess before your father married my
daughter Jane."
"What of that?"
"Simply this: a valuable diamond necklace was lost--an heirloom. I
believe Mrs. Hill stole it."
Eva laughed. "I don't believe that for one moment," she said
scornfully. "Mrs. Hill is a good, kind, sweet lady."
"Lady she is, as she comes of good stock. Sweet I never thought her,
and kind she may be to you, seeing she is trying to trap you into
marrying her miserable son----"
"Don't you call Allen miserable," said Eva, annoyed; "he is the best
man in the world, and worth a dozen of Lord Saltars."
"That would not be difficult," said Lady Ipsen, sneering; "Saltars is
a fool and a profligate."
"And you expect me to marry him?"
"To save him from disgracing the family."
"The Delham family is nothing to me," said Eva proudly; "look after
the honour of the family yourself, Lady Ipsen. As to this talk about
Mrs. Hill, I don't believe it."
"Ask her yourself, then."
"I shall do so, and even, if what you say is true, which I don't
believe, I shall still marry Allen."
"Eva," the old lady dropped into her seat, "don't be hard on me. I
am old. I wish you well. It is true what I say about Mrs. Hill. You
can't marry her son."
"But I can, and I intend to."
"Oh, this marriage--this disgraceful marriage!" cried the old woman
in despair, "how can I manage to stop it. This Miss Lorry will be
married to Saltars soon, if I can't put an end to his infatuation."
Eva shrugged her shoulders. "I can give you no help."
"You might plead with Saltars."
"No. I can't do that. It is his business, not mine. Why don't
you offer Miss Lorry a sum of money to decline the match?"
"Because she's bent upon being Lady Saltars, and will stop at
nothing to achieve her end. I would give five hundred--a thousand
pounds to stop the marriage. But Miss Lorry can't be bribed."
It was at this point that Giles opened the door softly and looked
in. "Make it fifteen hundred, your ladyship, and I'll stop the
marriage," he said impudently.
"Giles," cried Eva, rising indignantly, "how dare you----?"
"Because I've been listening, and heard a chance of making money."
Mrs. Merry burst in at her husband's heels. "And I couldn't stop
him from listening, Miss Eva," she said, weeping; "he's a brute.
Don't give him the money, your ladyship; he's a liar."
"I'm not," said Giles coolly, "for fifteen hundred pounds I can
stop this marriage. I have every reason to hate Miss Lorry. She's
been playing low down on me, in writing to you, Miss Strode, and
it's time she learned I won't be put on. Well, your ladyship?"
The old woman, who had kept her imperious black eyes fixed on Giles,
nodded. "Can you really stop the marriage?"
"Yes I can, and pretty sharp too."
"Then do so and you'll have the fifteen hundred pounds."
"Will you give me some writing to that effect?"
"Yes," said Lady Ipsen, becoming at once a business woman; "get me
some ink and paper, Eva."
"Stop," said Giles politely--so very politely that his poor wife
stared. "I don't doubt your ladyship's word. Promise me to send to
this address," he handed a bill containing the next place where
Stag's Circus would perform, "one thousand five hundred in notes, and
I'll settle the matter."
"I'll bring the money myself," said Lady Ipsen, putting away the bill;
"you don't get the money till I know the truth. How can you stop the
marriage? Tell me now."
"Oh, I don't mind that," said Giles, shrugging. "I'm sure you
won't break your word, and even if you were inclined to you
can't, if you want to stop the marriage. You can't do without
me."
"Speak out, man," said Lady Ipsen sharply.
"Well then----" began Giles and then hesitated, as he looked at poor
faded Mrs. Merry in her black stuff dress. "Selina, you give me fifteen
hundred pounds and I'll not speak."
"What have I got to do with it?" asked his wife, staring.
"It will be worth your while to pay me," said Merry threateningly.
"I can't and I won't, whatever you may say. Tell Lady Ipsen what you
like. Your wickedness hasn't anything to do with me."
"You'll see," he retorted, turning to the old lady. "I've given you
the chance. Lady Ipsen, I accept your offer. Lord Saltars can't marry
Miss Lorry, because that lady----"
"Well, man--well."
"That lady," said Giles, "is married already."
"Who to?" asked Eva, while Lady Ipsen's eyes flashed.
"To me," said Merry; "I married her years ago, before I met Selina."
"Then I am free--free," cried Eva's nurse; "oh, thank heaven!" and
she fell down on the floor in a faint, for the first and last time in
her life.