She refused to make any further explanation without her father's
consent, and as it was then half-past three o'clock, I was compelled to
await the Earl's return. In wonder whether any message had been sent me
from my friends at Crowland, I took a cab to Dover Street, where the
porter handed me a telegram from Walter also announcing the great find,
and saying that he was returning to London with the Earl, and would meet
me at Grosvenor Street.
Therefore, in hot haste, I drove back to Judith, and sat with her in the
cozy little room she used as boudoir until there came a loud ring at the
door, and the two men entered.
"Father!" cried Judith, springing up and throwing her arms round his
neck. "We are safe--safe at last!"
"Safe?" he echoed. "How? What has occurred?"
"Both men are dead," she declared. "They are lying dead in that room at
Harpur Street. Mr Kennedy has broken into the place, and we have both
seen them."
"Dead!" gasped the Earl, gazing fixedly at his daughter. "Who could
have killed them?"
"Ah! who knows?" she cried. "But I feared for you, knowing their deep
cunning. Yet they have fortunately fallen victims, and you--whom they
intended should die--have escaped."
"Really, Lady Judith, this is very extraordinary!" exclaimed Walter
Wyman. "Cannot you explain matters? Who are these men who are dead?"
"Selby and the hunchback," was her reply. "Ask Mr Kennedy. He will
tell you."
Walter then turned to me, and I briefly explained our gruesome discovery
and our very narrow escape from death. He stood aghast, and then in
turn told me how they had recovered the whole of the abbey treasure,
corresponding almost item for item with the list given in The Closed
Book. As soon as they had started excavating, aided by a dozen
labourers, Lord Glenelg had approached, introduced himself, and to their
amazement, had rendered valuable assistance. At first of course, they
had been mistrustful, recollecting the midnight search of some weeks
ago; but at last, assured of his lordship's good will, and that his
interest was that of an enthusiastic antiquary, his friendship was
accepted.
He had expressed a wish to Walter to meet me, and that was the reason
the pair had travelled up to London, leaving the valuable treasure
recovered in the hands of the rector, Fred, and Sammy Waldon.
"If, as you assure me, both men are dead, Mr Kennedy, I see no reason
for any further secrecy," exclaimed the Earl, turning his grey face
towards me at last, and standing with one hand tenderly upon his
daughter's shoulder. "Judith would perhaps explain matters to you
better than I can; but as she desires it, I will relate the facts as far
as they are known to me."
Her sweet gaze met mine, and I saw that she was breathless and nervous,
as though in dread of the truth being told. Her face was white and
attentive; and she half-clung to her father, as though relying upon his
paternal protection. She seemed apprehensive as if, even now, she would
withhold her strange secret from me.