It isn't a pleasant recreation, but 'needs must when the devil drives.'
Nor was my occupation without meet reward, because the discourse was a
most interesting one. Try to guess what they were talking about!"
The Italian's eyes twinkled brightly.
"You must give me a lead or two first," he said. "You must tell me
whether I am hot or cold, as the children used to do in the game we
played when I was a boy. In the first place, did they meet by
appointment, and did the meeting take place in a public-house? On
consideration, I am sure it took place in a public-house."
"Right," Grey smiled. "An old-fashioned public-house, with the bar
divided into compartments, where one can listen comfortably. Bark was
waiting for his victim, who came more or less unwillingly; in fact, I
don't think he would have come at all, except that he was desperately
hard up and in urgent need of liquid refreshment. He appeared to be on
the verge of an attack of _delirium tremens_, but was in possession of
his faculties. And now I think I have told you enough. You may be able
to guess what they were talking about."
Once more Tanza's eyes twinkled brilliantly.
"Well, perhaps they were discussing Arnold Rent," he ventured. "I don't
suppose his name was mentioned, but no doubt he was the chief topic of
conversation."
"You are getting warm," Grey laughed. "Go on."
"You encourage me to proceed," the Italian said. "Of course, Bark
wanted information. Like the child in the story, he wanted to see the
works of the watch. He was very desirous to know exactly how certain
things were brought about. I suppose he wanted the very latest
information on the subject of electricity."
"Wonderful man!" Grey murmured. "You have hit it exactly. That is
precisely what he did want. Not that he got much information out of
Swift. On the whole, I should say that Bark found him very
disappointing. It appears that some time ago Arnold Rent began a series
of experiments in electricity----"
"Intermittent electricity," Tanza interrupted.
"Once more, wonderful man!" Grey laughed. "That is what Bark was driving
at. He wants to know all about those experiments, and no doubt it was
exceedingly exasperating to discover that Rent had abandoned his
researches and broken up his machinery. By a singular coincidence--at
least, you and I will call it a singular coincidence--that machinery was
broken up on the very day that the French maid's body was found in the
fountain by the sundial. Let me tell you that it was Bark who elicited
this information; in fact, he fished for it. From our point of view,
this is a most important discovery, as you know. Still, it is
practically the only real point that Bark made, and it turned his head
to such an extent that he made the mistake of frightening his man. A
moment or two later Swift bolted like a hare, and Bark remarked, _sotto
voce_, that next time they met his man would be as wax in his hands.
But if we play our cards correctly, the next time Swift has an interview
with anybody it will be with us two and not with Bark. I know that
Swift always works from eight till ten o'clock at night, and it struck
me that the best thing we could do would be to call to-morrow night and
have it out with him."
"A good idea," Tanza said. "But suppose the same idea occurs to Bark.
He knows as well as we do what Swift's habits are, and there is nothing
to prevent him from turning up at the interview. Wouldn't that be rather
awkward?"
"Oh, it might," Grey admitted. "But I have a plan for dealing with Mr.
Bark. Leave him to me. We can afford to take it easy to-morrow, and
after dinner we will go as far as Rent's offices and get to the bottom
of this business. We can see Rent's place from our anchorage as soon as
the office is lighted up. We can go then and interview him. If you
don't mind, I should like to turn in between the sheets for an hour or
two, for I am dead-tired."
The two friends dined comfortably, then lingered for half an hour over a
cigar, until the twilight began to fall and the houses and shops along
the sea-front were picked out picturesquely with tiny points of flame.
It was possible to discern the outline of Rent's workshop from the deck
of the yacht, and presently Grey's quick eyes made out the square of
flame which burnt so brilliantly in the office window. Swift was at
work, and there was no occasion to waste further time. Tanza rose to
his feet and tossed the end of his cigar into the water. He seemed
alert and vigorous.
"Now I am ready if you are," he said. "I suppose there are no
preparations to make. Shall we order the men to wait for us, or shall
we leave it and take a shore boat back?"
"I think the men had better wait for us," Grey said. "And, if you don't
mind, we'll pull round the bay and land opposite the workshop. Your
boatmen may have a burden to bring back with them, so I shall be glad if
you will choose two who are devoted to your interests and are not too
fond of asking superfluous questions. I don't think there will be any
risk in the matter, but I will take a small bottle of chloroform."
Tanza asked no questions. He gave Grey credit for knowing what he was
talking about. He picked out two of the most discreet of his crew, who,
he declared, were ready to commit every crime in the Decalogue, and ask
no questions, if only he ordered them to do so. The boat set off
presently, and was moored at length on a spit of sand opposite the low
block of buildings which formed Rent's workshop. The two friends stole
over the sands and made their way into the buildings. It seemed to them
that there was more than one person inside, for they could hear the
sound of voices, which, however, presently resolved themselves into the
voice of Swift, who was singing wild snatches of incoherent verse. Grey
looked at his companion significantly. Then Tanza suddenly paused and
complained of the closeness of the atmosphere. A moment later a puff of
acrid smoke filled the corridor, and there came the snapping sound which
speaks unmistakably of fire.
"The madman!" Grey explained. "He has set the place ablaze. Come,
there is no time to lose."
They burst into the main workshop, which was now full of smoke and
flame. There was a heap of highly inflammable materials on the floor,
round which Swift was dancing wildly, singing jubilantly as he leapt.
The light of insanity blazed in his eyes. Evidently he was no longer
responsible for his actions. Seizing a heavy ruler, Tanza proceeded to
beat down the flames, which Grey finally extinguished with a bucket of
water which he discovered under a tap in a corner of the room. Then the
windows were flung open, and it was possible to breathe freely again.
Swift glanced vacantly at the intruders. He did not seem to have the
least idea whom he was addressing. He continued to journey round the
smouldering ashes, singing and shouting in the same meaningless way.
"Burn the whole place down," he screamed. "Destroy it and wipe it out
altogether, then you will be safe. But not till then, not till then.
Burn it down, I say!"
"What is to be done with him?" Grey whispered.
"Bromide and strychnine," Tanza said curtly. "Get him on board the
yacht, and I'll guarantee to put him right in twenty-four hours. But if
I were you----"
Tanza paused and the door opened, and Bark came staggering in. He
appeared disconcerted at the sight of strangers. He would have turned
and vanished again, but Grey was on him like a flash. There was a slight
struggle between the two men, and then, before Bark could realise what
had happened, a saturated handkerchief was pressed to his nostrils and
he sank placidly to the floor in a state of blissful unconsciousness.
As if nothing had happened, Swift still revolved round the charred
ashes, singing his weird, incoherent song. Tanza glanced at his
companion.
"It is all right," Grey said. "Help me to carry Bark to the boat and
we'll send him on board. Then they can come back for this poor fellow.
When you bring him to his senses I shall be able to tell you how we can
put our hands upon Mrs. Charlock's jewels. That will be something
gained."
*CHAPTER XLIII*
*A ONE-SIDED CONTEST*
Tanza's eyes gleamed. The little man was enjoying himself immensely.
He was beginning to grasp the situation. Already he knew more of what
had transpired than Grey gave him credit for. Nevertheless, there was
warm admiration in his glance as he looked towards his younger
companion.
"You appear to be in charge of the expedition," he said. "I should like
to know what you propose to do next. Taking one consideration with
another, this is, perhaps, the most interesting case I have ever been
connected with. I never had a clever set of antagonists. But isn't
there something more important than spending half the night in regaining
possession of Mrs. Charlock's jewels? Surely, that is a minor point in
comparison with bringing the criminals to justice."
"We shall bring the criminals to justice before long," Grey replied.
"One event follows the other. In all probability, if there had been no
jewels there would have been no crime. At least, that is my view of
it."
"And what about the French maid?" Tanza asked.
"You really are a wonderful man," Grey exclaimed. "I believe you know
as much about the thing as I do."
"I have been putting two and two together," Tanza said modestly.
"Besides, you have given me such an excellent clue to work upon. But it
is a sad business, Grey, and I am almost sorry I ever touched it. If
those innocent women were not mixed up in the affair I should not mind
so much. Just think what a terrible shock it will be to Mrs. Rent when
she learns the truth. And either you or I must tell her."
A shadow crossed Grey's face.
"I have not forgotten it," he said. "Meanwhile, we are wasting time.
But we must wait till the boat comes and then take the unfortunate Swift
along with us. He will be safe in your hands. If there is one man
living who can put him right, you are the man. You see, it will be
necessary to confront Swift and Bark before we get to the root of
things. I shouldn't wonder if Bark showed fight."
"Action for damages and that kind of thing, I suppose," Tanza chuckled.
"Forcible abduction of an honest British citizen. Heavy damages,
presumably. Oh, I have no doubt we shall have trouble of that kind, but
if you leave Bark to me I think I can find a way to reduce him to
reason. Give me a few hints when we get back, for when I talk to Bark I
wish to let him know that I am well posted in what has taken place.
Practically, I could write a history of the whole transaction, though I
am in the dark as to the way in which this business has been
engineered."
"Electrically engineered, I suppose?" Grey asked.
"That's it," Tanza said eagerly. "That is the point on which I am
somewhat dubious. If you enlighten me I can tackle Bark efficiently.
It had best come through me."
"It shall," Grey said curtly. "Here is the boat and we have Swift to
deal with."
In the inner office Swift was still walking round the charred remains of
the fire, muttering to himself and quite oblivious that he was no longer
alone. He stared vacantly at his companions. It seemed impossible to
beat anything like sense into his head. He was palpably on the verge of
a breakdown. What he needed was a powerful drug and sleep, which,
evidently, he had been without for some time. Tanza shook his head
gravely as he watched the unhappy man.
"A bad case," he muttered. "Look at the pupils of his eyes. If that
man doesn't sleep before long he will be a raving maniac. But it is not
too late to save him if he is properly looked after. I don't envy his
feelings when he comes to himself. What a pity it was you didn't warn
me about this, so that I could have brought my drugs with me."
"I am sorry," Grey murmured. "But what are we going to do? There is
little to be gained by hanging about like this."
There was nothing for it but strong measures. And, despite his struggles
and protestations, Swift was carried to the boat, shouting and singing
as he went. Fortunately, it was a quiet spot, and there was not much
chance of attracting the attention of the passers-by. But Grey drew a
deep breath of relief when the boat touched the yacht side and Swift was
hauled unceremoniously aboard. A few minutes later Tanza got to work
with his drugs and hypodermic syringe, and gradually Swift's cries and
protestations died away. The dilation of his pupils narrowed and
lessened. The wild look on his face gave place to a more placid
expression, then by degrees his breathing grew more regular, his head
fell forward on his breast, and he slept. Tanza watched him with
satisfaction.
"That's all right," he said. "Now let us get the poor fellow to bed.
He is not likely to wake for eight or ten hours, and when he does so I
don't envy his feelings. I daresay I can keep him in hand with a
judicious application of drugs. But the pity of it, my dear fellow, the
pity of it! Fancy talent like that being frittered away in this foolish
fashion. Upon my word, I had a great mind to devote the best part of
six months to Swift's mental regeneration. I think it would be worth
the trouble, and he could repay me by initiating me into those
scientific mysteries so essential to the pursuit of my hobby."
"I wish you would," Grey murmured. "I am sure that Swift would do you
credit. It isn't as if the poor chap had a natural weakness for drink;
but he has no friends and he has drifted into this terrible habit. It
is a good thing you have a crew you can rely upon. Otherwise we should
have been hard put to it to carry this daring scheme into execution.
Now let us get this fellow to bed and send for Bark."
Swift was put to bed at once and Bark fetched. A grinning sailor came up
in response to Tanza's summons with the information that Bark was in a
state of furious indignation and demanded to be released without delay.
"He seems to be annoyed, then?" Tanza asked pleasantly.
"Carrying on something awful, sir," the grinning sailor responded.
"But, seeing as the orders were yours, we just let him talk and took no
notice. Do you want him here, sir? Certainly, sir."
The sailor vanished, and a moment later a pair of unseen hands pushed
Bark violently into the cabin. He came in staggering and rolling,
making, however, some attempt at dignity, which was lost upon his
captors. Tanza closed the door and turned the key in the lock. Then he
wheeled round and faced the infuriated Bark, who stammered and stuttered
with rage.
"What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. "Why this outrage? Why
couldn't you have sent for me as a gentleman would have done? Am I a
free British subject, or am I not?"
Tanza smiled.
"I will answer your questions one at a time," he said coolly. "You ask
me why this outrage. Now, I put it to you as a far-seeing man with more
than the ordinary share of brains--would you have preferred us to bring
you on board the yacht, or would you rather have had the thing done
through the medium of a policeman?"
"You are talking rubbish," Bark blustered.
"My good Bark, I am not in the habit of talking rubbish, as you very
well know. It suits Mr. Grey and myself to work this matter out in our
own way, without fuss or bother. Besides, we wanted to remove you
beyond reach of temptation. So long as you were free to go your own way
there was always the danger of Mrs. Charlock's jewels falling into your
hands. And we objected to that. You will stay here just as long as we
like, and, if I am anything of a prophet, you will be thanking us before
long for the interest we have taken in your welfare."
"I am a free British subject," Bark cried.
"No, I beg your pardon, you are nothing of the sort. You are a prisoner
on board this yacht, and here you are likely to remain for the present.
Besides, how long would you be free if you once got ashore? I have only
to mention one or two matters which we know of to the police and your
boasted freedom would come to a speedy end. You may as well take it
quietly. You will gain nothing by bluster, and you can't frighten my
crew. If I were to put you in irons and take you a voyage round the
world, not one of my men would interfere. But you need not be alarmed.
I have not the least desire for your company on a voyage of
circumnavigation, and that, singularly enough, is why you are here
to-night. I know the remark sounds illogical, but you will see how
sensible it is before long."
"Go on," Bark said theatrically. "Keep it up. I see that you are
enjoying yourself."
"I am," Tanza said crisply. "Nothing gives me such pleasure as the
elucidation of a crime. It is a positive joy to me to bring a scoundrel
to book. And yet I am really the best friend you have, because I am
saving you later from being charged with the murder of Mrs. John
Charlock!"
*CHAPTER XLIV*
*BROUGHT TO BOOK*
Bark quailed visibly before the eyes of his companion. He ceased to
stand upright. His back was bowed and bent, his head was buried in his
shoulders. His jaunty air vanished. The cynical smile faded from his
lips. The pallor of his face and a shadow of fear in his eyes told
their story.
"I swear I don't know what you mean," he said hoarsely. "For God's
sake, don't talk like that, doctor. Oh, I am a bad lot, and I own it.
Call me a scamp if you like, and I'll not deny it. You know all about
me, doctor. But I am not as bad as all that. It had never occurred to
me--no, not for all the money in the world--to do violence to a
fellow-creature. I am innocent of bloodshed, if this is the last word
that I am ever allowed to speak."
"Ah, now you are coming to your senses," Tanza said. "It is one thing
to feel sure of a man's innocence, but it is another thing to prove it.
Now, let us regard this matter from the point of view of the Crown
Prosecutor who is opening the case against you. You have a sister who
was Mrs. John Charlock's maid. This sister was carrying on an intrigue
with a celebrated chemist whom we will call--but why make a parable of
it? Let us call him by his proper name of Arnold Rent. This Rent was
simply making a tool of your sister, because he wished to get her
mistress's jewels. He is a far-seeing young man and, to use a common
expression, has a pretty good notion of his own interest. Like many a
clever young man before him, he has gone a bit too far. He is up to his
eyes in debt and difficulty and dare not tell his mother, who is a bit
of a fanatic in her way and quite capable of leaving her money elsewhere
if she thinks her son is likely to make a bad use of it. Therefore he
conceives the idea of getting hold of Mrs. Charlock's jewels. We won't
go into the love affair, because that does not concern either of us,
though it has a bearing on the story. Your sister Hortense acts as this
man's tool and robs her mistress of her diamonds. For the present the
stones are hidden in a secure place, which is known only to the thief
and to Arnold Rent. It is just at this time that the thief discovers
that she is merely a pawn in the game; it is her mistress who is the
object of Rent's affections. The girl is beside herself with jealousy,
though Rent manages to soothe her to a certain extent. For her own
protection, however, she writes a letter to her brother, telling him how
he can find the jewels in case anything happens to her. She is not too
explicit as to the hiding-place, and this brother has to exercise his
ingenuity as to the way in which the stones may be brought to light. At
this point a tragedy occurs, and the girl is found dead in the fountain
by the sundial in her employer's garden. Appearances point to suicide
or accident. Nobody guesses that the poor woman is the victim of foul
play, and I don't suppose they ever would if, perchance, I had not come
here in my yacht for a little change and the thing happened to come to
my ears. Rightly or wrongly, I concluded there was something wrong and
sent for my friend Mr. Grey. To make a long story short, we discovered
that I was absolutely right, and in a few hours we shall be able to
prove that your sister was deliberately murdered. Whether Mrs. Charlock
met with the same fate or not, we are not able at present to say. And
now, Bark, are you going to deny your conviction, or stick to the fable
that your sister's death was an accident? Didn't you come here with the
intention of seeking out the hiding-place of those jewels? Take time to
reply. You will gain nothing by lying. We happen to know where the
jewels are, and we can put our hands upon them at any moment. We are
not in the least afraid of being anticipated by you, because, even if we
gave you a plan of the hiding-place, you couldn't touch them. If you
attempted to do so, a third victim would be added to those who have
already lost their lives in connexion with those ill-fated gems. You
can please yourself whether you speak or not; if you like, I will unlock
the door and send you ashore at once."
But Bark did not appear anxious to accept this offer. He sat writhing
uneasily in his chair, his face turned eagerly to Tanza, as if waiting
for the latter to continue. But the Italian said no more. He had given
Bark his lesson and waited patiently for its effect.
"You are too many for me," Bark said presently. "You know too much. I
might just as well tell the truth. My sister did write to me and tell
me all about Arnold Rent, and I came here hot-foot to help her in the
matter of those jewels. It was a shock to me to hear of her death, but
I didn't suspect anything at the time. She was always a hot-headed,
impulsive girl, and I naturally thought she had committed suicide. But
when I came to inquire into the matter I formed another conclusion
altogether. I asked myself a question or two, but I couldn't answer
them. It occurred to me that perhaps Arnold Rent could. I had known
him for some years. He is all right as men go, but put him in a tight
place and he would stick at nothing. I thought the matter out, and at
last I began to see my way. Hortense had been murdered. There was no
doubt about that. But how had it been done? There were no marks of
violence. There was nothing to show that she had met with a violent end,
except that she was lying in the fountain. I couldn't get rid of the
notion that Rent was in some way connected with this business, and I was
confirmed in my opinion by his keeping out of my way. It is a pity he
isn't able to tell us the truth. He knows all about it."
"You should have thought about that before you assaulted him," Grey put
in quietly. "Don't forget that you are responsible for Rent's present
mental condition."
A queer sort of laugh broke from Bark's lips.
"Oh, so you know about that, too?" he exclaimed. "It does not appear to
be much good trying to keep anything from you gentlemen. Mind you, I
didn't mean to do him any harm, but he refused to pay me money he owed
me, and I lost my temper. If I had waited a bit longer I could have
told him a thing or two which would have compelled him to listen to me.
I could have forced him to give me all the money I needed. But there it
is, and the thing can't be helped. And I don't think I could tell you
any more if you kept me talking till daybreak. I'll help you all I can.
I'll do anything you want me to do. I think I have sense enough to know
when I am in a tight corner."
Tanza rose and unlocked the door.
"That is all at present. I should like to see the letter your sister
wrote you--I mean the letter about the hidden jewels, which gave you the
clue to the hiding-place. We can put you up for the night on the yacht,
if you like; indeed, you will be well advised to stay here. I don't
think, after what has happened, you are likely to play us false. You
have had too severe a lesson."
Bark asserted, with many oaths, that he had no intention of doing
anything of the kind. He evinced a not unnatural anxiety to be alone.
He was thoroughly cowed and as wax in the hands of his captors. Grey
gave a sigh of relief as Bark vanished from the cabin.
"His room is preferable to his company," he said. "What a pestiferous
little rascal it is! I don't think he is likely to give us any trouble
in the future. And how well you handled him. Your cross-examination
was masterly."
Tanza shrugged his shoulders modestly.
"Could I have failed," he asked, "with all the cards in my hand? Why,
the fellow hadn't the ghost of a chance. But he has been useful to us,
and the only thing that remains to be done is to get this matter over as
soon as possible. I am correct in assuming, I suppose, that Mrs.
Charlock met the same fate as her maid?"
"You mean that she was murdered?" Grey asked.
"Well, I didn't want to put it so brutally."