"AS IN A LOOKING-GLASS."
The next afternoon Gerald was in London. All the way up in the train
he had reflected upon the extraordinary events which had transferred
Mavis from the keeping of Major Rebb to his own. In spite of
surrounding dangers--and these were great--he was not at all downcast.
Mavis had been protected so far, and he made sure that she would be
protected to the end, which in this case meant marriage with him. The
Major would never believe that Haskins had anything to do with the
girl's flight, though he certainly might suspect Arnold. But if Arnold
were traced to Exeter, where he intended to stay, to avert suspicion,
nothing could be learned likely to incriminate him. Mavis had already
gone down to Exmouth in Sammy Lee's barge, and that faithful fellow
swore that he could procure her a passage to the Thames in a coaster
owned by a comrade in whom he could implicitly trust.
Things were therefore right so far, and Gerald's spirits were high. He
had every reason to feel happy. Mavis was deeply in love with him, and
once Major Rebb was circumvented as it appeared he would be--there
would be no one else to interfere with the progress of his suit.
Before the end of the year Gerald hoped that he would be able to
introduce his beautiful bride to his London friends, and place her in
a position warranted by her wealth. It would not have been human if
Haskins had not remembered that Mavis was an heiress, but, in justice
to him, it must be admitted that his love was for the girl, and not
for her money--welcome as it was to a young man who liked the pleasant
things of this life. Gerald would have been contented to take Mavis
without a sixpence; nevertheless, it was not disagreeable to find that
she was bringing six thousand a year along with her.
Also Gerald was human enough to desire a certain amount of revenge on
Major Rebb for his behavior. Rebb certainly should be punished for the
infamous way in which he had treated the girl. Hitherto everything had
gone as he desired, but with the finding of the cylinder came the
change in Rebb's fortunes. Now he had a determined young man to deal
with, who would be less easy to manage than an unsophisticated girl.
Haskins chuckled as he thought how angry Rebb would be when Mavis,
free from the slur on her sanity, and from the wicked charge which he
was striving to fasten on her, came forth boldly to face the world.
Then the luxurious Major, as Mrs. Geary prophesied, reduced to his
five or six hundred a year, would no longer be able to indulge in
motor cars, or in such-like luxuries.
When Haskins next evening went to Bloomsbury to see Mrs. Pelham Odin
he felt very satisfied. Mavis was on her way to London, and would
arrive at Gravesend in two days; her pursuers had been thrown off the
track, and a bombshell with regard to the will was being prepared by
Tod Macandrew. Gerald had not seen him yet, but he expected to meet
him at the flat of the old actress, and then could arrange for certain
steps to be taken in the interests of Mavis. All things considered,
everything was going excellently, and Gerald entered into the presence
of Mrs. Pelham Odin with a very cheerful air.
That astute lady remarked his beaming face. She was as usual reclining
on the sofa in an effective attitude, waiting until ten o'clock, which
was the hour at which she usually went to the Belver Theatre to fetch
back her adopted daughter. She had been reading the evening paper, but
threw it aside with an air of relief when Haskins was announced. "I am
so glad to see you," said Mrs. Pelham Odin, "there is positively
nothing in the papers. Dear me, Mr. Haskins, you have the air of a
bridegroom."
"Nothing in the papers?" echoed Gerald, his bright face growing grave.
"Do you mean to say that the murder is not reported!" And he took up
_The Globe_ to skim the columns.
"Murder!" cried Mrs. Pelham Odin, in the low thrilling tone of Lady
Macbeth. "To what dastardly deed do you refer?"
"The woman who watched Mavis Durham has been stabbed to the heart, a
couple of days ago."
"Alas! for your comedy," cried the actress, "it has changed into a
tragedy. What of the girl herself?"
"She is a fugitive, the police are looking for her."
Mrs. Pelham Odin screamed melodramatically. "Is she accused?"
"Yes. And color is lent to the accusation by the scandal of Major
Rebb, who, as I told you, spread the report that she was insane."
Mrs. Pelham Odin gave a second scream, and flung up her hand. "Hold!"
she cried, in her deep voice. "Do I understand that this unfortunate
young woman has given way to her mania and has murdered----"
"No one. I tell you she is not insane," snapped Haskins tartly.
"But the corpse? Account for the corpse."
"I can't, unless Rebb himself murdered the woman, so as to get Mavis
placed in an asylum, and so be free to enjoy her money."
Mrs. Pelham Odin rose and walked to and fro with a nervous shudder,
less feigned than real, although theatrical instinct made her
accentuate it. "I don't love Major Rebb," she said, after a pause. "I
think I told you that before. All the same, he would never, never go
so far as crime."
"He has gone as far as that already," retorted Haskins, stretching out
his long legs and looking gloomily at the carpet, "what do you call
keeping that girl's money from her and shutting her up but criminal?"
"Still if he had reasons--good reasons?"
"He had none, either good or bad. Dear Mrs. Pelham Odin," Gerald rose,
and laid his hand on the old woman's arm, "hear what I have to say.
This is the time when you can show yourself my friend by protecting
one who is dear to me."
The actress recoiled, powerfully effected and very genuinely. "I
cannot mix myself up in a crime," she faltered.
"You will not be doing so, if you substitute Mavis for Charity, as you
suggested when I was last here."
"Oh," Mrs. Pelham Odin clasped her pretty, withered hands, and stepped
back a pace to be more dramatic. "Think of the scandal."
"There will be no scandal."
"My name will be brought into disrepute. And let me tell you, Mr.
Haskins, that my name both on and off the stage, is above reproach."
"I am quite sure of that, else I certainly should not ask you to take
charge of the woman I hope to make my wife."
"You will marry her still?"
"Of course, of course," said Haskins impatiently. "I love her more
than ever. And even if I loved her less, I am not the man to desert a
woman when she needs help so sorely."
"You are, as I know, very chivalrous."
"And you are, as I know, the kindest-hearted woman in the world."
"A fool, a fool, I fear, like all kind-hearted women."
"No. Were you a fool I should not ask you to carry out this plot. As
it is, Mavis is coming to London, and I want you to get Charity
married at once, and to place Mavis at the Belver Theatre for the
dance."
Mrs. Pelham Odin looked distinctly nervous. Carried away by her
theatrical instincts, and by admiration for Gerald's chivalry, to say
nothing of the interest she felt in his love affair as a woman much
less sentimental would have done, she had proposed the plot without
thinking that she would be taken seriously. Yet here was a young man
whom she admired actually asking her to lend herself to a fantastical
mode of concealment such as had never, to her knowledge, been seen off
the stage. Her dramatic instinct impelled her to yield: but her
common-sense warned her against mixing herself up in a murder
committed by a lunatic.
"Dear boy," she said, genuinely distressed, "it really is impossible."
"You proposed it, Mrs. Pelham Odin," muttered Gerald, sorely
disappointed, for if this actress did not help him, how was he to
conceal Mavis from the persecutions of Rebb?
"I did not think that you would take me at my word," she faltered,
"and after all, Mr. Haskins, Major Rebb might find out."
"I don't think so. I don't see how he could."
"If he comes to the theatre?"
"He will see the girl he believes to be Charity, dancing."
"But is this Mavis Durham really so like my girl?"
"They might be sisters--they might be twins. It would take you all
your time to find the difference between them, Mrs. Pelham Odin."
"Oh, that is impossible," she retorted sharply.
"No. When you see Mavis----"
"I am not going to see Mavis."
Gerald rose--he had thrown himself down when she so persistently
refused. "In that case I must apologize for taking up your time, and
see in what other way I can save this innocent girl."
"You are sure that she is innocent?"
"As sure as I am that you are a kind woman."
Mrs. Pelham Odin smiled. "That is very clever of you," said she: "you
appeal to my weakest side, which is vanity. Come sit down again, and
tell me all about this dreadful murder."
"Will you assist me, if I do?"
"At least I won't betray you," rejoined the actress evasively, and
arranged herself gracefully on the sofa. "Begin; I hang upon your
every word." And she cast a glance at an imaginary audience to mark
the effect of the speech.
Thinking that she might yield, for he had certainly aroused her
curiosity, Gerald related all that had taken place. Mrs. Pelham Odin
quite lost her stage airs and graces, so taken up was she with the
narrative. "So you see that Arnold believes in Mavis' innocence as
much as I do. And you believe also, Mrs. Pelham Odin. I see it in your
eyes."
The actress closed them. "My eyes tell what my tongue would hide," she
remarked, in measured tones. "Yes, I admit that your story puts the
matter in a new light. I really think that I must assist this poor
young creature, who is being persecuted by a cruel world."
"Bless you for a good woman," muttered Gerald, kissing her hand.
She pulled it away. "Don't make a mistake. I am playing to the
gallery," she said, with an artificial laugh. "If Mavis is proved
guiltless and you marry her with her income, it will be a great
advertisement for me. And perhaps," added Mrs. Pelham Odin, with
emphasis, "it may bring back to the public in a worthy fashion
the name of one who was their idol for many, many brilliant and
successful years. On the other hand if this girl really is insane,
and guilty----"
"You will have acted in a way which no other woman would have done,
and your conscience will reward you."
"I prefer the loaves and fishes," said the actress, smiling,
"moreover, I admit that I am curious to see this girl, who--as you
say--is so like Charity. Mavis came from India?"
"Yes--according to Major Rebb, who declares that her mother died in
Bombay, when Mavis was born."
"Charity, according to the juggler's wife, who was told by the ayah,
was born in Simla." Mrs. Pelham Odin frowned, and then waved her hand.
"There can be no relationship between the two girls."
"I think that there will be--when we learn the truth."
"Major Rebb will not tell it."
"Oh yes, he will, when I prove Mavis guiltless and force him to give
up the money. Sooner than remain in ignorance I shall ask Mavis to
bribe him into confession."
Mrs. Pelham Odin thought for a few moments, being as sharp as a needle
to see the pounds, shillings, and pence side of things. "Mr. Haskins,"
she finally remarked, "this likeness may be a freak of nature--we have
heard of such things before."
"Quite so, but so exact a likeness as this is can only come from the
two girls being born of the same mother."
"Well, you seem to be so certain that they are, Mr. Haskins, that, for
the sake of argument, we will grant it. In that case--and presuming
that Major Rebb confesses such is the case--Charity certainly ought to
have half the income."
"I quite agree with you," rejoined the young man unhesitatingly, "and
I am quite sure that, if we can prove the relationship, Mavis--being
guided by me--will be quite ready to hand over three thousand a year
to Charity. That would only be fair."
Mrs. Pelham Odin hopped off the sofa, very much excited. "Now you talk
common-sense, you show me in which way my duty lies. I am willing to
see this girl."
"And to help her against her enemies?"
"Hum!" Mrs. Pelham Odin pressed her fan to her lips, "even three
thousand a year for Charity might be earned too dearly. I can say no
more than that I'll see her. I am shrewd in reading characters, and I
can easily tell if Mavis is insane, or deceitful, or bloodthirsty."
Gerald laughed when he thought of his beautiful love. "Mavis is none
of the three. You will be ashamed of your suspicions when you see her
angel face."
"I know that angel face," said Mrs. Pelham Odin dryly, "it is a very
useful mask in some cases to cloak wicked designs. Well, I am going to
the theatre soon. Mr. Macandrew is there, and will come back with me
and Charity."
"Can I come to supper?"
"No," said Mrs. Pelham Odin quickly, "you must leave the matter in my
hands to explain. I like the centre of the stage, you know, and all
the limelight that I can obtain."
"You will speak to Tod and Charity?"
"Yes; and will do my best to obtain their consent. I'll let you know
by post what they say; provided," added the actress with emphasis,
"that you will not see Mr. Macandrew in the meantime."
"Why not? I want to ask him----"
"One thing at a time. If this plot is to be carried through I must
have the sole handling of it, so I do not wish you and Mr. Macandrew
to discuss the matter. If they are agreeable to marry and slip away
quietly out of the kingdom, leaving Mavis to take Charity's place at
the Belver Theatre, I shall let you know. Then, when this girl arrives
in London, wire me when you will bring her. She must stop here."
"But the people of the house will see two Charitys," remonstrated
Gerald, "and, as an account of the crime will be in the papers, Mavis
may be given away by some of your servants."
Mrs. Pelham Odin nodded. "True," she said, with her sharp eyes on the
carpet, "well, then, you must take Mavis to your rooms."
"Worse and worse: Rebb would hear of it."
"There is Mr. Macandrew's office, of course. Yes." Mrs. Pelham Odin
dropped her fan with an air of decision. "Take Mavis there, closely
veiled. I shall bring Charity also veiled. Should we settle to carry
through this plot, I can arrange for Charity to board somewhere, and
Mavis can come back here as Charity. And then---- Oh, it's all right.
I begin to see my way. Good-night."
"Good-night, and thank you. Your kindness will not be unrewarded."
"No," she laughed--"three thousand a year is worth working for."
"I don't believe that you think of that."
"Not solely, of course. I want to help you and to see you happy. Also
I am very sorry for this poor girl, and Major Rebb is a man I hate.
But the three thousand a year for Charity also forms an element. Mixed
motives, you understand--very mixed. So once more, good-night."
Gerald took his departure very much cheered at having brushed away
another obstacle from the path which was to lead Mavis to the altar.
He knew that Mrs. Pelham Odin was both a clever and an obstinate
woman, and although he did not credit her with money-grubbing, yet he
felt convinced that she would not surrender Charity's chance of
getting three thousand a year, if she could help it, since she would
indirectly participate in such good fortune. Also Tod, for the same
reason, would be anxious to assist--though Tod was not a miser either.
On the whole, Haskins was very satisfied, and having done all that he
could do he waited patiently for the arrival of the _Seamew_ at
Gravesend with Mavis on board.
The boat was late, as the weather did not prove propitious. Gerald
went to Gravesend, and walked about the streets of that dull seaport
in a frenzy of impatience. Finally he was undeservedly rewarded, for
to the hotel where he was stopping--he had given Sammy Lee the address
at Exeter--came a lean, bright-eyed captain with Mavis in charge. The
girl was closely veiled, and plainly dressed in some dark material. It
would not do for her to attract attention, seeing that England was
ringing with the murder of which she was accused and with her strange
escape.
Sammy Lee's mate proved to be a very pleasant little man, who confided
to Gerald that Sammy had told him all and that he did not believe in
the guilt of his passenger for one moment. "She's as pretty as a
picture, and as true as steel, and as innocent as a dove," said the
poetical captain, "and if that Rebb beast hurts her, well then, I'll
have him shanghaied on board the _Seamew_, and do for him." After
which, with a nod, he departed.
The lovers had no time to talk at the hotel, as Gerald had wired
at once to Tod, and they were expected in London. But in the
train--Haskins secured a first-class carriage to themselves--they had
a long conversation, and learned to know one another even better, if
that were possible. And in spite of her danger Mavis was happy in the
company of her adored Fairy Prince. As to Gerald, he could only
worship her, so gentle and innocent and lovely did she seem.
On arriving in London they drove--with Mavis again veiled--to Tod's
Chancery Lane office, and were shown into the inner room. Here were
Tod and Mrs. Pelham Odin, and Charity--also veiled. The two girls
looked at one another and unveiled as by impulse. Then----
"As in a looking-glass!" cried Mrs. Pelham Odin. "Wonderful,
marvelous. Here indeed is material for a new _Comedy of Errors_."