A WEDDING PRESENT
In the summer-house where Frank Lancaster, when an outlaw, had sought
refuge, sat Mildred and Eustace. Frank had stood his trial, but the
proceedings were merely formal, as the confession of Darrel, which
Captain Berry had obtained, proved his innocence beyond doubt. The
girl should have looked much more delighted than she did, now that the
man she loved was cleared of suspicion. But she seemed nervous and
apprehensive, and her face was pale. Eustace had come down from London
to tell her that Frank was free, and to intimate that he would be down
in the afternoon after an interview with White & Saon relative to the
will.
"Are you not pleased, Mildred?" asked Eustace, looking at her gravely.
"Very pleased," she replied, with an effort. "It is the best of news
to think that Frank is free, and will be recompensed for all he has
undergone."
"He has youth, health, strength, and forty thousand a-year," said
Jarman, looking away, "so he ought to be happy."
"I hope so--I hope so," said Mildred, casting down her eyes. "And it
is owing to you that he has been cleared of this terrible charge."
"I am glad to have been the agent. I always believed in his innocence.
But circumstances had more to do with the affair than I. I simply took
advantage of my luck."
Mildred shook her head. "You have had more to do with the matter than
you will admit, Eustace. But tell me exactly what has taken place. You
have been too busy to explain clearly."
"There was so much to do in connection with the trial," said Jarman;
"and I think you know the greater part of the facts."
"Never mind. I wish to hear them again."
Eustace nodded gravely, and began without preamble. "As you know,
Berry and his niece came to England, knowing the will of the late Mr.
Lancaster, which they procured through Anchor. He intended to play
traitor, and in some way arranged to get the money by ridding himself
of Tamaroo. But Berry wanted Anchor out of the way, so that he might
get the papers and fortune to himself. He shot Anchor, as I told you.
Then I chased him, and it was Tamaroo who got the papers."
"And who stabbed the man," said Mildred, shuddering--"you told me."
"That was a savage thing to do," admitted Eustace. "But, in spite of
his education, Tamaroo is a savage at heart. And in any case, Anchor
could not have lived after Berry's shot. Well, when Natty's father
died, Berry contrived to be appointed his guardian. He exercised a
great influence over him, and it was his intention to give Natty the
fortune by having Frank hanged."
"And was Natty to marry Miss Berry?"
"Mrs. Anchor, you mean. I don't know. Perhaps; but I don't think she
cared for the lad. He, when in possession of his fortune, would no
doubt have been induced to sign a will in favour of Fan and her uncle,
and then he would have been got rid of. It was with some such plan
that the two came to England. They made the acquaintance of Frank by
Fan writing and asking him to compose her some songs."
"Was it a trap?" asked Mildred.
"A decided trap. I don't know how they intended at first to bring
about his being accused of a crime, but chance threw Starth in Berry's
way, and then they saw what to do. Your brother hated Lancaster, and
was always quarrelling with him. It was not Frank's fault. Berry made
as much trouble as he could, and Fan by flirting with your brother and
then with Frank made matters worse. The affair culminated in the
quarrel in the Piccadilly Theatre, in which Frank used rash words.
Then the next day Walter wrote, asking Frank to call."
Mildred clasped her hands, and looked up nervously. "Was that a trap
also, do you think?"
"Yes," said Eustace, decidedly. "Your brother was in the scheme to get
the money. He knew that Lancaster would have to be hanged, so that it
might come into Denham's possession and then into Berry's. I expect
they promised him a share."
"But did they intend to give it to him?"
"No, they did not. Your brother was their dupe. Berry arranged that
Starth should get Frank down to his place and drug him. Then when he
was insensible a crime was to be committed and Frank was to bear the
blame."
"Horrible! Horrible!" said Mildred, hiding her face. "And to think
Walter should behave so. But who was to be killed?"
"Your brother," said Eustace. "Walter did not know who the victim was
to be, and, after drugging Frank, waited for Berry. The rest of the
scheme was to be carried on, as I believe, by Berry killing your
brother, and then by Frank being accused. But Walter never thought
that he would be the victim."
"Walter really drugged Frank?"
"Certainly. He put opium in his tea. When Frank was insensible he
searched him for the letter asking him to call, as he wanted that
evidence out of the way."
"But for what reason?"
"Why, to make it clear that Frank had called on him voluntarily. Had
the letter been shown, it might have pointed to the trap. Well, in
searching for the letter--which was thrown on the floor, and found by
Tilly--Walter discovered Frank's revolver, which he placed on the
table. It was the merest chance that Frank carried it, and, of course,
it was a card quite in the hands of the plotters. Walter waited for
Berry, but Berry was late. Now I will tell you of Darrel's
confession."
"Where was it found?"
"In Berry's strong-box. The police took the key from his dead body,
and searched his lodgings. They found the confession, which exonerated
Frank entirely."
"Tell me the exact words."
"I can't give them very exact. But the meaning was something like
this. Darrel loved you, and wanted to marry you. Walter at first
approved of the match, but afterwards he intended to marry you to
Natty, and so brought him down."
"I should never have married him," said Mildred, in a low voice.
"Walter, no doubt, thought he could force you. But Darrel got wind of
this through Balkis, who was his cousin. He came to remonstrate with
Walter. Darrel was half a savage also, with his African blood, and
your brother and he came to high words. Then Darrel confessed that
Walter insulted him so that he snatched up Frank's revolver from the
table and shot Walter through the head. He says in his confession that
he didn't intend to kill him."
"Do you think that is true?" asked Mildred.
"I can't say. Darrel was a most violent man, and his love for you
amounted to a frenzy. However, he shot Walter, but before he could get
out of the house Berry entered."
"How could he enter if the door was closed?"
"He had a latch-key, which he had procured from Walter. I daresay he
intended to kill Walter--either shoot him or stab him--and then go
away, leaving Frank to bear the blame. He went to Frank's chambers to
prove an _alibi_. But when he found Darrel in the room he saw that the
deed was done. To make himself safe he made Darrel sign a confession,
and kept it in his strong-box. Then the two agreed that Frank should
bear the blame. Now you can see, Mildred, why Darrel was unwilling to
denounce Frank when he recognised him here. He feared to be implicated
in the case. But his rage got the better of him, and he took Berry and
Fan to the secret rooms of Balkis."
"What has become of Balkis?"
"She has disappeared; no one knows where. I expect she had made all
arrangements and has departed for the States. It's just as well, as
she is wanted for the murder of those three."
"Why did she murder them? I thought she was friendly with them."
"She was in a way. But she was madly in love with your brother, and
was under the impression that he would marry her. He might have done
so, for Balkis is rich. However, if he got Lancaster's money he
intended to marry Fairy Fan. When, by means of that letter, I proved
that Fan had been making love to Starth, Balkis was furious. Then,
when she found that Darrel had killed her lover, she determined on his
death."
"Had Frank killed Walter, would Balkis have--"
"I am sure she would," interrupted Eustace, quickly. "She was a most
furious woman, and would have stuck at nothing. And she didn't. She
resolved also on the death of Berry, because he had caused all the
trouble, and had really brought about the death of your brother by his
machinations. So she closed them in the room and let the river in. The
three poor wretches were drowned like rats in a trap before I could
get back with the police."
Mildred shuddered with horror. "Had she designed all this?"
"No. To do her justice I don't think she did. The trap was arranged
for the police should they have made a raid on the gambling-rooms. It
seems that the inner room was only divided from the river by a thick
wall. There was a tunnel through this, closed at the lower end by an
iron slide, which was worked by a lever from the outer room. Balkis
shut the three in, and Darrel was fighting with the Captain. Then when
she got rid of us--I went to fetch the police, remember, as I
suspected foul play--she must have worked the lever and admitted the
water. Great Heavens!" said Eustace, covering his face. "I can imagine
the feelings of those poor wretches when they saw the water pouring
into the room. Bad as they were their punishment has been terrible."
"Were they all three dead?"
"Yes. The police shut the slide again by means of the lever and the
water was drained. The bodies were found, and by this time they have
been buried."
"Balkis disappeared?"
"Yes. She must have made preparations for flight. In any case she
intended to leave for America a week after the crime was committed.
Her money was all invested abroad, and she no doubt got on board some
boat that sailed immediately for Spain or the Continent. She had many
friends amongst the sailors who patronised her opium shop and
gambling-rooms, and had no difficulty in getting away."
"Then Frank was arrested?"
"I wrote to you. He gave himself up by my advice. I related everything
to Inspector Herny. He searched for the key of the strong-box and
found it on Berry's watch-chain. Then we found the box in the
Bloomsbury lodgings, and obtained the confession. Frank made his
statement in court, and then the confession was read. He has been
discharged without a stain on his character. And now he is with
Tamaroo seeing White & Saon about the will."
"I don't like Tamaroo after his stabbing my brother and that poor
Anchor," said Mildred, looking pale.
Eustace shrugged his shoulders. "Tamaroo is half a savage. But you
will not see much of him. Frank has arranged to pay him an income, and
he is going back to America next week. He has discharged his mission,
and nothing more remains to be done."
"And Frank?" said Mildred, in a low tone. "What of him?"
Eustace looked at her from under his eyes, and winced. He knew well
what was in her mind. "Frank," he said, in a hard tone, "is going down
to see Miss Drake at Kingsbridge. There he will make arrangements for
her comfort, now that he is in possession of the money. After that I
can't say. But, Mildred"--he took her hands--"I have done what you
asked. Your brother's murderer has been discovered, Frank is free.
What of my reward?"
"I will marry you," said Mildred, faintly. "I promised to do so, and I
shall keep my word."
Eustace smiled, but there was a look of pain in his eyes. "What of
Frank Lancaster?" he asked.
"Say nothing about him," she answered, pressing her hand on her heart.
"If you have any love for me--"
"Ah, my dear, I have so much love that--well we will see. I am going
to town again to-day. Frank is coming down. I want him to see you, as
he will give you a message from me."
"Can't you tell me what it is? I don't want to see Frank."
"I can only write the message," said Eustace, rising. "You will know
what I mean by five this evening." He looked at his watch. "I have
just time to catch the train. And now, as we have arranged to marry,
will you not kiss me?"
Mildred put her arms round his neck and kissed him. "God bless you for
all you have done," she murmured.
"Oh, He will. Does He not give you to me? Good-bye, and"--he kissed
her twice--"don't forget me."
Mildred sank into a chair as Eustace hurried away. At the gate he
looked back and waved his hand, but she never looked up. With a sigh,
Jarman went to his own house. There he packed a few things and
departed, leaving old Bowles in charge of the Shanty.
Mildred buried her face in her hands and wept. She loved Frank. Never
till this moment did she realise how much she loved him. And she knew
that he loved her as devotedly. But she must keep her promise to
Eustace. He had borne the heat and burden of the day. He had worked
nobly. and she could not break his heart by refusing to give him his
reward. But she knew not how she would be able to bear being his wife
when she so dearly loved Frank.
"I should have spoken out," she moaned. "I should have told the truth.
He would not have insisted on my fulfilling a rash promise. Yet--he
is so good, so noble. No. I must keep my word. Frank himself would
insist on that. And Frank, I shall see him again to say farewell. Oh,
Frank---Frank--my darling!" and she wept afresh.
From these sad thoughts she was aroused by the coming of Mrs. Perth
full of news. "My dear," said the old lady, "I have just come from the
Rectory. Would you believe it? Mr. Denham is to marry Jenny Arrow.
It's all settled. They marry in a month, and go to the States."
"I am very glad," said Mildred, drying her eyes.
"Well, I am too--but such indecent haste. However, it's none of our
business. My dear"--the old lady sat down and patted Mildred's
hand--"why are you crying? Are you not glad that this poor young man
has been proved innocent?"
"I am more than glad, because I love him."
"Ah!" said Mrs. Perth, again patting the hand, "I thought so. And I
must tell you one thing, my dear. He loves you. He told me so."
"Don't--oh don't!" cried the girl, tortured beyond endurance. "I am to
be married to Eustace Jarman!"
"Mildred--no!"
"I promised to marry him if he--oh, don't talk of it," and Mildred ran
into the house.
Mrs. Perth shook her head sadly, and slowly followed. She thought
Mildred was wrong. "It will not be a happy marriage," said Mrs. Perth.
That afternoon Frank arrived at the Shanty. He looked sad, and not at
all like a man whose character had been cleared, and who had come into
a fortune of forty thousand a-year. He was alone, as he intended only
to stop the night and to return the next day to London on his way to
Kingsbridge. Only at Jarman's urgent request had he come down to see
Mildred, as he felt that he could not trust himself in her presence.
At first he thought he would send the letter with which he had been
entrusted by Eustace. Then he decided not to be a coward, but to
deliver it himself. He therefore braced his nerves for a final
interview, and walked over to Rose Cottage.
Mildred was in the drawing-room and saw him at once. The lovers looked
at one another, and each strove to be calm. There was no need of
explanation, as they understood. Without a word Frank gave Mildred the
letter. She laid it aside. "Will you not read it?" asked Frank.
"After you are gone," said Mildred, in as steady a tone as she could
command.
"No. You must read it now. Eustace wants a reply, he told me."
"Why is he so cruel?" muttered Mildred, opening the letter languidly.
Frank watched her as she read, and sighed to think that she would be
the wife of another. However, he wished to be true to the friend who
had done so much for him, and in his heart resolved to give Jarman
half his money when the wedding took place.
Mildred flushed as she read the letter, and her eyes sparkled. On
finishing she handed it to Frank without a word, striving to repress
her agitation. Rather astonished at this emotion, Frank read it also.
Then he too flushed, and well he might.
The letter was from Eustace, and stated that he saw how Mildred and
Frank loved one another. He wished them both to be happy, and released
Mildred from her promise.
"Marry Frank, my dear," he wrote, "for I see I was wrong to ask for
such a promise. I am old and you are young. Marry Frank. I send him to
you as a wedding present, and I am sure you will not want a better.
Bless you both. I am going to America for a time, but when I return
perhaps there will be a corner near the fire for your sincere friend
EUSTACE."
The letter read, Frank and Mildred looked at one another. They could
find no words to speak of this wonderful self-sacrifice on the part of
Eustace. Mildred burst out crying, but the next moment she was in the
arms of Frank, and he kissed away her tears.
"He gave me liberty, he gave me life, he gave me fortune, and now,"
said Frank, softly, "he gives me you."
"God bless him!" sobbed Mildred.
"Amen to that," echoed Frank, and they kissed again.
THE END
EDINBURGH
COLSTON AND COMPANY, LIMITED
PRINTERS