AN UNEXPECTED MEETING
"I have been much to blame," said the vicar. "I set myself up as a judge
when I had no right to do so. Leo, you must forgive me."
"I forgive you freely," replied the young man, grasping the hand held
out by Mr Tempest. "Appearances were against me, so it was little wonder
that you did not entirely trust me. Still, Mr Tempest, you should have
known me better than to think me guilty of such a crime."
"I know--I know I have been wrong."
"Well, let us drop the subject. My character is now clear, and I have no
wish to recall a very disagreeable past."
This conversation took place in the study of Mr Tempest, and in the
presence of Sybil and Marton. The detective had shown the vicar the
insolent but welcome letter he had received from Pratt. The confession
therein entirely exonerated Leo, and he could again hold up his head. He
and Mr Tempest were quite reconciled. Sybil, with her hand in Leo's,
looked thoroughly happy.
"_I_ never lost faith in you, Leo!" she said. "Sooner or later I knew
that all would be well."
"I have to thank Marton for the clearing of my character, Sybil."
"Faith, you are wrong there!" said Marton, smiling. "I thought you were
innocent; but as I had not looked into the case, I saw no means of
proving it. Had not Pratt sent this confession I should still be in the
dark. He is a scoundrel, but he is a good friend to you, Haverleigh!"
"I don't agree with you," said Tempest, sharply, for he was still sore
on the subject of the cup. "Pratt knew that Leo was suspected, and he
should have come forward long ere this to put the matter right."
"You ask too much from a man of Pratt's nature," said Marton, dryly. "It
is wonderful that he should have confessed his guilt even at the
eleventh hour. However, this closes the case, and I can go back to
London. We know now who stole the cup, and we know also that it cannot
be recovered. Pratt will stick to it this time. It was only his vanity
and desire for popularity that made him give it away in the first
instance."
"If it came back to me I should never accept it," said the vicar,
emphatically. "A stolen cup should never have been put to sacred uses. I
wonder at the daring of the man!"
"Oh! a man like Pratt is capable of anything," said Marton, with a
shrug. "But you will never see him again, Mr Tempest. And now, Mr
Haverleigh, I think you should see Sir Frank Hale and make him confess
that he lent you the money."
"There will be no difficulty about that," replied Leo. "Hale told only
two people that he repudiated all knowledge of the loan. One was my
aunt, the other myself. He is too cunning to tell the world the untruth
he told us. Besides, my character being cleared, he can have no further
hold over me. I fear he will be angry."
"I am certain he will. Let us see him together."
Leo was quite willing to do this, so after taking a fond leave of Sybil,
and a cordial one of her father, he set out with the detective to bring
Sir Frank Hale to his bearings. On the way Marton asked Leo's permission
to touch upon a delicate subject. Haverleigh told him to speak freely.
"I owe you too much to take offence at anything you may say," he
observed. "You have been my very good friend, Marton."
"Oh, that's all right," replied the detective, brightly; "and I really
do not deserve your thanks. Any help I have given you has been purely
accidental. If Pratt had held his tongue, you would still have been in
the same position as before. But I am bound to say, Haverleigh, that
even before the arrival of this letter Mr Tempest expressed his belief
in your innocence."
"I am glad of that," said Leo. "He treated me badly, and it is a
pleasure to me to hear that his own good sense told him I was innocent
before he had the actual proof. I am anxious to stand well with him,
Marton."
"Ah! That is the matter I wish to discuss. I see that you and Miss
Tempest are much attached to one another. Do you think the vicar will
consent to the marriage?"
"I really can't say. Even before this scandal he seemed to be displeased
with me, and kept me away from his house as much as possible. He did not
want to see me, and he would not let me see Sybil. We had to meet by
stealth. Now he may have changed his mind."
"And if he has? What, then?"
"Then I can announce my engagement to Sybil," said Leo. "But, you see, I
am not in a position to marry, and may not be for a long time. I have to
make my way in the world, and to make money also. I thought of enlisting
for this war, and of fighting my way through the ranks to a commission."
"Even then I do not see how you could marry. You might gain a
commission, but not money. Until your worldly prospects are more secure,
I do not think you should engage yourself to Miss Tempest."
"That is straight speaking, Marton."
"You gave me permission to speak out. I like you, Haverleigh, and after
the trouble you have come through I think you should be rewarded by
getting your heart's desire. But if you love Miss Temple, you will not
marry her until you can give her a comfortable home. Even if you are
successful in South Africa, a baggage waggon is not the place for a
delicate girl. You can offer her nothing better than that."
"True enough. I admit that what you say is correct. But what am I to
do?"
"Well," said the detective, after a pause, "it seems to me that you
have some claim upon your aunt. She took charge of you and brought you
up. I understand she intimated that you would be her heir, and you
received an education to fit you for the position. If she intended to
send you adrift as she _has_ done, she should at least have had you
taught some profession or trade whereby you could earn your bread and
butter. Yes; I think you have a right to demand some assistance from
her."
Leo shook his head and flushed. "I can't bring myself to do that," he
said in a low voice. "She has insulted me so deeply that it goes against
my nature to eat humble pie. I would rather make my own way in the
world. As to Sybil, I shall not ask her to engage herself to me
until--as you say--I can offer her a home."
"You can do nothing but enlist, I suppose?"
"No. Soldiering is all I am fit for. Now that my name has been cleared I
will bid farewell to Sybil and enlist straight away. She will wait for
me, I am certain. I get my commission I can perhaps see my way to make
her my wife. If I am shot--well," Leo shrugged his shoulders, "there is
an end to all things."
"Haverleigh!" said Marton, after a pause. "Will you tell me what reason
your aunt has for disliking you so much?"
"I don't know. She has always been stern and hard with me. Lately she
has openly hated me. That is why I left her."
"There is something connected with you that is wrong?"
"Not to my knowledge. I have been foolish, but not wilfully wicked."
"I know that. But Mrs Gabriel knows something--it may be about your
parents--that has prejudiced the vicar against you. It was her influence
that made him turn against you. He admitted as much to me. But he
refused to say what she had told him."
"I guessed all this," said Leo, quietly; "but what can I do?"
"Insist upon knowing what has been said. You have a right to. If the
vicar will not speak out--and he has given his word not to--Mrs Gabriel
may be forced to do so. Were I you, Haverleigh, I should see her and
insist upon an explanation."
"She won't give it."
"I should force it out of her," said Marton, determinedly. "Oh! I know
she is a hard woman, but if you persevere she must give way."
Leo thought for a few moments. "Well, Marton," he said at length, "I
will see the vicar first and speak to him on the subject of Sybil. From
what he says I may see the reason of his attitude towards me. Then I can
call upon Mrs Gabriel. You may be sure I shall do my best."
Marton nodded, but said no more for the present, as by this time they
were at the door of Hale's house. A demure servant opened the door and
took in their names. Shortly she ushered them into a room where Sir
Frank was seated in a chair by the window reading to his sister. Edith
Hale looked pale and ill. She lay on a sofa, but started up and blushed
rosy red when she saw Leo. There was no doubt that the poor girl was
deeply in love with the young man. Leo, in the kindness of his heart,
felt a pang. It seemed to him that he was treating her cruelly, although
the position was none of his making.
"Good-day!" said Hale, without rising, and including Leo and Marton in
one swift glance. "I am surprised to see you, Haverleigh. I thought you
did not care about keeping up my acquaintance."
Leo would have replied sharply, but as Edith was present he cast a
meaning glance in her direction. "I should like to speak with you
alone," he said, "that is, in the presence of Mr Marton."
Before Hale could reply Marton interposed. "Wait a bit," he said in his
smooth voice, and with a glance at the girl. "There is something to be
said first in the presence of Miss Hale."
"In my presence!" she exclaimed turning red, while her brother scowled.
"Yes. Something you will be pleased to hear. You both know that Mr
Haverleigh has been accused of stealing this chapel cup."
"I never believed it, never!" cried Edith, eagerly, and Leo gave her a
look of gratitude, which made her turn pale with emotion.
"And you, Sir Frank?"
Hale shrugged his shoulders. "I never thought much about the subject,"
he said, the lie coming at once to his practised lips. "The evidence was
against Haverleigh, I admit; but I tried to think the best of him."
"Your speech is rather contradictory, Sir Frank," was the dry response
of Marton. "But I think you must have thought well of Haverleigh or you
would not have helped him out of his difficulty by lending him money."
"Oh, Frank, did you do that?" cried Edith, taking her brother's hand. "I
love you for it. How good you are!"
Hale's face grew blacker and blacker. Had he been alone he would have
lied, but in the presence of the sister he loved so deeply he could not
bring himself to deny the truth. Moreover, he had a kind of instinctive
feeling that Marton had come to proclaim the innocence of Leo, else why
should he come at all? His plot of getting Leo into his power had
failed--he was clever enough to see that--so it only remained for him to
retreat with as much dignity as possible.
"I was only too glad to help Haverleigh," he said quietly, and with
marked courtesy. "He was in debt, and the three hundred pounds I gave
him was of some use, I believe. I beg that he will say no more on the
subject."
"How good you are--how good you are!" gasped Edith, caressing her
brother. Leo and Marton glanced at one another. Hale's masterly retreat
took them both by surprise. When Leo remembered the conversation in the
chapel he could hardly believe his ears. The only thing to be done was
to beat the man with his own weapons.
"I will say no more, Hale, save that when I am able the money shall be
repaid. I thank you heartily for your kindness."
Sir Frank bit his lip, but summoned up sufficient dignity to be
gracious. He and Leo were both wearing masks for the benefit of Edith.
"Pay the money when you like," he said, sitting up. "I am shortly going
abroad with my sister, and I do not think we shall see one another for a
long time. However, my solicitor at Portfront will attend to the matter
of the loan."
"Then there really _was_ a loan," said Marton, determined to get the
plain truth out of Hale in the presence of witnesses.
"Certainly. I gave Leo three hundred pounds in gold. I have already said
so."
"And it was with that loan he paid his debts?" pursued Marion.
"Yes," said Leo, seeing his drift, "I paid them with that money. But the
good people here declared that I sold the cup to pay them!"
"How could they! How could they!" muttered Edith.
"Because they are fools," cried Sir Frank, seeing that he was completely
beaten. "For my part, I never believed that Haverleigh did such a
thing!"
"Thank you," said Leo, inwardly smiling at the lie.
"Then you will be delighted to hear that the thief has been found."
As Marton spoke Hale suddenly turned pale, and rose with an effort.
"The thief has been--found!" he stammered.
"Yes," replied Marton, with a swift glance, thinking at once of his
theory of a conspiracy. "It seems that this man Angel--I beg your
pardon, you know him as Pratt--stole the cup."
"But it was Mr Pratt who gave it!" cried Edith.
"Quite so, Miss Hale. Afterwards he was sorry that his generosity had
led him to make so great a sacrifice. Therefore he stole what he had
bestowed."
"And what about this story of Mrs Jeal?" asked Hale, trying to be
amiable.
"Oh! that was part of the business, Sir Frank. Pratt thought the cup
would be seen here, even if he kept it in his house. So he sent it up to
London to be pawned for safe keeping. You do not understand why this
should be done. But then you have never come into contact with a man
like Pratt. However, for reasons I need not explain, he pawned the cup.
His servant Adam is rather like Mr Haverleigh, and it was thus that Mrs
Jeal, not having a clear view, made a mistake. You understand, Sir
Frank?"
"Quite," replied Hale in a strangled voice. He was pale and
anxious-looking. Leo thought that this was anger at his escape. But
Marton took another and a more serious view.
"I am sure you are pleased that Haverleigh's character has been
cleared."
"I am pleased--very--very pleased," said Edith, joyfully, "and so is
Frank. Are you not, Frank?"
"Yes! very pleased." Hale forced himself to say so much; then he walked
to the door. "I am not well," he said, turning for a moment; "you will
excuse me, gentlemen. My sister will see you out. If you--" He paused,
and darting a look of hatred at Leo, left the room. Haverleigh was more
surprised than Marton, who had captured a fresh idea, and was already
building up a theory.
Leo remained only a short time. He was most embarrassed by the looks of
Edith, and escaped as speedily as courtesy permitted. When they left the
house and were some distance on the road, Marton spoke. "I think there
is insanity in that family," he said.
"Why do you think so?"
"The girl is queer. No woman in her sane senses would give herself away
as she does. The brother is a cripple, and queer too. Never you marry
into that lot, Haverleigh! They have some hereditary taint."
"I have no intention of marrying anyone but Sybil," said Leo, dryly;
"but did you see how Hale backed out of his false position?"
"Yes; and I believe he has more to do with this matter than you think. I
should not be at all surprised to find that he and Mrs Gabriel for some
reason had been working together against you. Oh! there has been--there
may be yet some conspiracy against you."
"I can understand Hale conspiring," said Leo; "he wants to marry Sybil,
and wishes Edith to become my wife. But Mrs Gabriel, why should she?"
"We have yet to find that out," interrupted Marton. "Go and see what the
vicar says. I must be alone for a time. I want to think the matter out.
At all events, Hale has acknowledged that he lent you the money, in the
presence of witnesses. You are all right in that quarter. I daresay
he'll make another attempt to best you, though."
"Nonsense. Did you not hear him say that he was going abroad with his
sister? I think he will leave me alone now."
"Perhaps," replied Marton, thoughtfully. "We'll see. I'll believe he is
going abroad when he is across the Channel. I'm off for a long walk,"
and the detective set off at a brisk pace.
Leo thought no more about this especial matter, leaving it entirely to
Marton. Forthwith he returned to the Vicarage, saw Mr Tempest, and then
and there asked him if he objected to him as a suitor for Sybil. At this
very direct question Mr Tempest wriggled and looked uncomfortable.
"You put a very painful question to me, Leo," he said, after a pause. "I
am ashamed of myself for having thought so ill of you, and I should like
to make amends, if possible. I know that you are attached to Sybil, but
now that you are at variance with your aunt, I do not see that you are
justified in asking me to consent to this engagement."
"I know what you mean," said Leo, proudly, "and I do not intend to
engage myself until I am in a better position. All I ask is that you
will not force Sybil to marry Hale when I am away."
"I should not let her marry Hale in any case!" cried the vicar, angrily.
"I would never give my child to a cripple. Moreover, the Hales are not
so sane as they might be. And, Leo, I shall not force Sybil's
inclinations in any way. She can remain unmarried all her life if she
pleases."
"That is all I want," said Leo, gladly. "I am going to enlist, Mr
Tempest, and if I get a commission there may be some chance of my asking
Sybil to be my wife. She will be true to me while I am away; I know she
will."
"Humph!" said the vicar, doubtfully. "A commission, eh?"
Leo interpreted his objection. "Then you have something against me
personally," he said, "and for this reason you do not want me to think
of Sybil in any way. What is the matter, Mr Tempest?"
"I can't tell you, Leo." The vicar looked directly at him. "So far as
you are concerned, I do not wish for a better husband for my daughter,
but Mrs Gabriel has informed me of something which makes me unwilling to
countenance the marriage. Don't ask me what it is. I cannot tell you."
"I do not ask you to tell me, Mr Tempest. This very night I shall ask
Mrs Gabriel herself what she has been saying."
"Better not," advised the vicar. "It will only cause you much distress."
Leo looked at him in astonishment. What could his aunt have been saying
about him or his parents likely to make the vicar take so strong a view
of the matter? "If there is anything wrong I have a right to know," he
said at length. "I shall insist upon an explanation, Mr Tempest. If I
discover any valid reason why I should give Sybil up, I am quite ready
to yield. When you next see me, Mr Tempest, I shall either have given up
the idea of marrying your daughter, or I shall insist upon marrying her
in spite of you and Mrs Gabriel! You cannot say that I am treating you
unfairly. I go now."
"But, my dear boy--" called out Mr Tempest, much distressed. He spoke to
the empty air. Leo had already left the room and was out of the gate.
After leaving The Nun's House, Leo had taken up his residence at the
Colester Arms. Marton was there also, and Leo expected to see him at
dinner. He was anxious to tell him what the vicar had said. But the
detective did not return from his walk, and after waiting for him till
close upon nine o'clock, Leo left the hotel and walked towards the
castle to have it out with Mrs Gabriel.
The night was moonless, but there were many stars. Here and there a
swathe of mist lay on the plains below; but up on the hills all was
comparatively clear. Leo, who knew every inch of Colester, walked slowly
out of the town gate and crossed to the other hill. He took a narrow
private path which he knew of, wishing to get unobserved to the castle.
Just at the foot of this path he met Marton. The recognition was mutual.
"You are going to see Mrs Gabriel?" said the detective.
"Yes. Where have you been, Marton?"
"I have been trying to see her, but she is ill--at least so the butler
says. I suspect, however, this is a lie. She doesn't want to see me!"
"Shall I--"
"Yes, you go up. I must return to the hotel and get some dinner. I have
been walking and thinking until I am worn out. I'll wait your return,
and we can talk over the matter."
"What matter?"
"The conspiracy of Mrs Gabriel and Hale," said Marton, promptly. "Get on
with you, Haverleigh. I'm off to dinner." And he went away at a quick
pace, leaving Leo much astonished.
However, there was no use in standing and wondering, so he pursued his
way. As Mrs Gabriel was said to be ill, and had denied herself to
Marton, it was not unlikely that he would be treated in the same way.
Therefore, instead of going to the front door, Leo went round the castle
on to the terrace. This was shut off from the rest of the ground by a
high fence with a gate in it. Leo had retained the key of this gate and
had no difficulty in getting in. The room which looked on to the terrace
was lighted, but the blinds were down. Leo peered in. He saw Mrs Gabriel
seated in a chair. Standing near her was Mr Richard Pratt.