A FALSE MOVE.
THE next day the two young men repaired to the club for the purpose of
having luncheon and discussing their plans. Contrary to the wish of
Claude, his friend did not deem it advisable to at once depart for
Thorston, as he wished to remain in town for a few days on business
connected with Hilliston.
"You see, you are quite in the dark regarding that gentleman," said
Tait, as they lighted their cigarettes after dinner, "and before we
commence operations at Thorston it will be advisable to know that he is
not counteracting our efforts."
"In that case you had better go down to Thorston and I will remain in
town so as to keep an eye on Hilliston."
"I don't think that will be necessary," replied Tait reflectively, "it
is more than probable that Hilliston will visit Thorston."
"For what purpose?"
"Can't you guess? Last night he learned from Linton that Jenny Paynton
supplied the material for that novel. Consequently he will see her, and,
if possible, find out where she heard the story."
"Yes; I suppose he will," said Claude thoughtfully. "By the way, who is
Miss Paynton, who now seems to be mixed up in the matter?"
"She is the daughter of an old recluse called Ferdinand Paynton."
"A recluse! Humph! That's strange."
"Why so? You would not say so if you saw the old man. He is an invalid
and lives in his library. A charming companion, though I must say he is
rather sad."
"Where does he live?"
"At Thorston, half a mile from the Manor House. Not very rich, I should
think. His cottage is small, like his income."
"And his daughter lives with him?"
"Yes. A pretty girl she is, who inherits his literary tastes. It is my
impression that she wrote the most part of that novel. From all I know
of Frank Linton he is given more to poetry than to prose. Jenny has the
brain, not Frank."
"Ho, ho!" said Claude, smiling. "Is it the skeptical misogynistic Tait I
hear speaking?"
"Himself. I admit that I do not care for women, as a rule, but there are
exceptions to every rule, and in this case Jenny Paynton is the
exception."
"Is she in love with our author?"
"No. But I rather think he is in love with her, as you will be when you
see her."
"I! What are you talking about, Tait? I have more to do than to fall in
love with country wenches, however pretty."
"Jenny is not a country wench," said Tait, with some displeasure; "she
is a highly educated young woman."
"Worse and worse! I hate highly educated bluestockings."
"You won't hate Jenny, at all events. Especially as it is probable you
will see a great deal of her."
"No; I shall keep away from her," said Claude doggedly.
"That's impossible. We must maneuver to get at the truth. By asking her
straight out she certainly will not gratify our curiosity. We must plot
and plan, and take her unawares. She is not a fool, like Linton,
remember."
"What! Do you call a lion of the season by so opprobrious a name?"
"I do," replied Tait serenely; "because I don't believe he wrote the
book."
"Well! well! Never mind Linton. We have pumped him dry. The next thing
is to tackle the fair Jenny. How do you intend to set about it?"
"I can't say, at present. We must be guided by circumstances. I will
introduce you to the rector and to Mr. Paynton. There will be musical
parties and lawn tennis _fêtes_, so in some way or another we may find
out the truth?"
"Does anyone else live with Paynton; his wife, for instance."
"No. His wife died before he came to Thorston, where he has been for a
long time. An old servant called Kerry lives with him."
"Man or woman?"
"Man. A queer old fellow, rather morose."
"H'm! A flattering description. By the way, he bears the same name as
the ancient retainer in Boucicault's play."
"Why shouldn't he?"
"It may be an assumed name."
Tait threw a surprised glance at his friend, and laughed quickly.
"Who is suspicious now?" said he, smiling. "You blame me for suspecting
Hilliston, yet here you are doubtful of people whom you have never
seen."
Before Larcher could answer this home thrust, a waiter entered with a
letter for him which had just arrived.
"From Hilliston," said Claude, recognizing the writing. "I wonder what
he has to say?"
"It's only another move in the game," murmured Tait; then as Claude,
after glancing at the letter, uttered an ejaculation of surprise, he
added: "What is the matter?"
"Hilliston is going down to Eastbourne."
"Impossible!" cried Tait, holding out his hand for the letter. "He is
surely not so clumsy as to show his hand so plainly."
"He does, though. Read the letter yourself."
"MY DEAR CLAUDE [wrote Hilliston]: Mrs. Hilliston has decided to
leave town for Eastbourne this week, so it is probable we will
see you and Mr. Tait down there. If you can spare the time come
to dinner at half-past seven to-night, and tell me how you are
getting on with your case.
"Yours very sincerely,
"FRANCIS HILLISTON."
"Well," said Claude, as Tait silently returned the letter, "what do you
think?"
"I think that Hilliston intends to look up Jenny Paynton."
"I can see that," replied Claude impatiently, "but touching this
invitation to dinner."
"Accept."
"But I promised to see my mother to-night, and tell her about John
Parver. She will expect me, as I have written."
"I will take your apologies to her," said Tait quietly.
"You?"
"Yes. Listen to me, Claude," continued the little man in a tone of
suppressed excitement. "You will keep your belief in Hilliston. I tell
you he is your enemy and wishes you to leave this case alone. To-night
he will make one last attempt to dissuade you. If he succeeds he will
not go to Eastbourne. If he fails you can depend on it he will try and
see Jenny before we do. Now, to thwart his aims we will go down to
Thorston by an early train to-morrow morning."
"But I must see my mother before I leave town."
"No! I will tell her all she wishes to know."
"She might not like it."
"This is not a case for likes or dislikes," said Tait grimly; "but a
question of getting the better of Hilliston. You must dine with him
to-night, and find out, if possible, if it was his wife or himself who
suggested this visit to Eastbourne. You need not tell him we go down
to-morrow. Say you don't know--that you await my decision. Try and learn
all you can of his attitude and plans. Then we will discuss the matter
when you return. On my part," continued Tait significantly, "I may have
some something to say about your mother."
"You want to see her?"
"Yes. I am extremely anxious to see her."
"Perhaps you suspect her!" cried Claude, in a fiery tone.
"Bless the man, what a temper he has!" said Tait jocosely. "I don't
suspect anyone except Hilliston. But I am quicker than you, and I wish
to learn precisely what your mother has to say. A chance remark on her
part may set us on the right path."
"Well, I will be guided by you," said Claude, in a few minutes. "You can
go to Hampstead, and I will dine with Hilliston. But I don't like the
task. To sit at a man's table and scheme against him is not my idea of
honor."
"Nor is it mine. You are doing no such thing. All I wish you to do is to
observe Hilliston's attitude and hold your tongue. There is nothing
wrong in that. I want to find out his motive for this behavior."
"Then why not see him yourself!"
"I will see him at Thorston. Meantime it is necessary that I become
acquainted with your mother. Now come and wire an acceptance to
Hilliston, and write a letter to your mother for me to deliver."
Claude obeyed. He was quite content to accept the guidance of Tait in
this matter, and began to think that his friend was right in suspecting
Hilliston. Else why did the lawyer's plans so coincide with their own.
"Mind you don't tell Hilliston too much," said Tait, when the wire was
despatched.
"I shall tell him that we go to Thorston shortly, and that we saw John
Parver."
"No; don't tell him about John Parver. He will be certain to mention the
subject first."
"Well, and if he does----"
"Oh, you must use your brains," replied Tait ironically. "Baffle his
curiosity, and above all, make no mention of the breastpin episode
related in the third volume."
"Why not?"
"Because Jenny Paynton told Linton of that. She could not have obtained
it from the newspapers, as it is not related therein."
"It is pure invention."
"No! I believe it to be a fact."
"But who could have told it to Miss Paynton?"
"Ah!" said Tait, in a low tone. "Find me the person who told her that
and I'll find the man who murdered your father."