A STRANGE COMMUNICATION
Having thus quieted the overwrought vicar, Clarice took leave of poor
Prudence. However, she left the girl in a much more cheerful frame of
mind, as she asserted her belief in Mr. Clarke's innocence, in spite
of all appearance to the contrary, and promised every assistance. But
when Miss Baird returned home, and thought over what she had learned,
it appeared difficult to keep her word.
Certainly, she did not think that the parson was guilty, even though
the evidence of the blood-spotted cuffs was almost proof positive. In
some way this might be explained, although at the moment, Clarice
could not suggest to herself any possible explanation. But she
believed that Clarke had given true evidence at the inquest, and that
Horran had quite intended to put matters right. For years her late
guardian had known the vicar, and had always respected him, although
he had never approved of Clarke's devotion to his miserable son. It
was quite probable that Horran had instructed Barras to give the vicar
a loan of one thousand pounds, but it was improbable that he had
insisted upon ten per cent., or indeed--knowing Clarke's
circumstances--upon any percentage whatsoever. Owing to Horran's
illness, he had given Barras a power of attorney to execute small
matters connected with the estate, and thus save himself trouble, so
it was probable that Barras, for the benefit of the estate, had
charged the large percentage. This could easily be ascertained by a
conversation with the lawyer, and Clarice determined to pay a visit to
London and see him, as soon as she could.
With regard to the story told by Sarah Dumps, the girl was doubtful.
It might or it might not be true. Assuredly, Zara Dumps, anxious to
marry Ferdy, had every reason to get Mr. Clarke into trouble, so as to
prevent the marriage of Prudence. Then, again, she really might have
seen Clarke leave the death chamber, and thus have made use of her
secret knowledge to gain her ends. If this was the case, Clarice asked
herself what Clarke was doing in her guardian's room at such an early
hour of the morning. According to the medical evidence, Horran was
murdered between one and two, and it was at the latter hour--according
to Zara Dumps--that Clarke had left the Laurels. This question could
be settled by asking the vicar bluntly to explain. But, seeing that
the poor man was so overwrought, it was impossible to question him for
the moment. The examination would have to come sooner or later, if
things were to be put right; but Miss Baird thought that it would be
as well to wait for a few days.
The irony of the situation lay in the fact that Zara need not have
accused the vicar, so as to gain the refusal of Prudence, and procure
the stoppage of the marriage. Mr. Clarke himself refused to allow the
ceremony to take place, and for some reason connected with the
prodigal son. What that reason was, Clarice very much wanted to know,
and determined to insist upon an explanation, when she questioned the
vicar about his presumed midnight visit. Clarice was naturally of an
impatient character, and would have been delighted to then and there
have interviewed Clarke so as to learn the truth. But the man was not
in a fit state of mind to calmly discuss his troubles, and Clarice
trusted that a few days would reduce his excitement to normal limits.
Then she could have a quiet conversation, and induce him to be frank
with her. Meanwhile, she reflected upon what was best to be done.
After some cogitation, she determined to go the next day to see Mr.
Barras, and learn exactly how the matter stood, as regards the loan;
afterwards she could return and see Mr. Clarke; and, meanwhile, she
intended to explain matters to Anthony, so as to have the benefit of
his common sense. Having thus arranged things, Clarice possessed her
soul in patience for the day. But all her schemes were upset when
Ferdy unexpectedly arrived about seven o'clock, and just in time for
dinner. He looked nervous, and shirked all explanation of his
appearance until dinner was over, and he was seated with his puzzled
sister in the drawing-room.
"Now, then, Ferdy," said Clarice, when coffee was served, and her
brother had lighted his inevitable cigarette, "perhaps you will tell
me why you have come down?"
"Aren't you glad to see me?" questioned Ferdy, evasively.
"Delighted; but that does not answer my question. Why did you come?"
"To see you, Clarry."
"Of course, and your other reason?"
Ferdy hesitated, and sought inspiration from the ceiling. Then, in his
usual crafty way, he began to explain by degrees. "I suppose you know
that everything is ended between myself and Prudence," he said.
Clarice looked hard at him, and wondered if it would be wise for her
to admit that she had seen Prudence, and knew the reason why the
engagement had been broken off. A moment's reflection convinced her
that, in dealing with so shifty a young man as he was, it would be
better to deny all knowledge. Ferdy was playing some game, she was
certain, and what the game might be, she wanted very much to learn. If
she gave him rope enough he would assuredly hang himself, so this she
proceeded to do, by pretending ignorance. "You hinted when we last met
that there was some misunderstanding between you."
"There is no misunderstanding on my part," cried Ferdy, falling at
once into the trap. "I love Prudence, and I am willing to marry her.
But she refuses to marry me, and has broken off the engagement."
"Indeed. And what reason does she assign for this sudden change?"
"Her father will not accept me as his son-in-law."
"On what grounds?"
Ferdy shrugged his shoulders. "Mr. Clarke, according to Prudence, does
not approve of the match."
"Have you been doing anything to make him disapprove?" asked Clarice,
quickly and pointedly.
"No!" replied Ferdy, indignantly, "I don't know why you are always
suspecting me of doing wrong, Clarry. I'm straight--that is, I am as
straight as most fellows."
"That is not saying much," rejoined Clarice, sarcastically.
"Well, then, I am as straight as Ackworth."
"That you are not, Ferdy. Anthony always speaks the truth."
"So do I. You have no right to say otherwise."
"Ferdy, all your life you have told half-truths, and those are much
worse than right-down lies."
"Oh, hang it, that's too bad. I tell you what it is, Clarry. If you
have such a bad opinion of me, I am not fit for your society. Give me
my income, and let me go out of your life."
"I'll do nothing of the sort," said Clarice, sternly. "You are not
fit to look after your own life. If I gave you the two thousand a
year--and remember I cannot do that until the two years are past--you
would simply go headlong to ruin. No, Ferdy, you must marry Prudence,
and she will look after you."
"How impossible you are, Clarry," cried Ferdy, greatly exasperated. "I
tell you that I should like to marry Prudence, but she won't allow me
to. Both herself and her father are against my becoming her husband.
You can ask them, if you doubt me."
"Oh, I believe what you say," remarked Clarice, readily.
"Then what am I to do?"
"Leave it to time to right things. I dare say Mr. Clarke will change
his mind again."
"He may not for years, even if he changes it at all," grumbled Ferdy,
"and I can't wait on his pleasure for ever."
"If you love Prudence you can."
"I don't know. I do love her, but she doesn't love me," said the young
man, sulkily, "and if I can't get love in one quarter, I must in
another. Do you see?"
"Oh, yes," said Clarice, cruelly. "I see that you love only one
person, and that is yourself. What's the other woman's name?"
Ferdy started, and grew red. "The--the--the--other woman?"
"Yes. You talk about getting love in another quarter. In the Dumps
quarter, I dare say."
"She's a lovely girl, and as good as they make them," said Ferdy, in a
furious way; "don't you say a word against her, Clarry, for I won't
stand it. You must respect her----"
"As my future sister-in-law?"
"Yes," said Ferdy, getting up to add dignity to his declaration. "Oh,"
remarked Miss Baird, coolly; "so you have proposed?"
"I have proposed, because Prudence chucked me, and Zara has accepted
my hand."
"How delightfully you have arranged it all, Ferdy. Does Miss Dumps
know about your income?"
"She knows everything, and she is willing to wait for two years until
I come in for my money."
"How considerate of her. She must love you very much, Ferdy, to be
willing to accept you with a paltry two thousand a year."
"She does love me," said Ferdy, with sulky dignity.
"And you love her?"
"Yes, I do."
"What about your love for Prudence?"
"I love her, but in a different way."
Clarice laughed. "Really, Ferdy, you must have a large heart. Why not
turn Turk or Mormon?"
"It's all very well to laugh," said Ferdy, with a wounded air; "but if
you had been chucked by one you loved, you would seek love elsewhere.
I am certain of that."
"Ah. You judge me by yourself. Well, then, Ferdy, suppose I refuse to
allow you to marry Zara?"
"You can't. I am my own master and over age."
"You are not master of your money."
"I shall be in two years."
"Quite so, and Zara, who must be a most self-denying person, is
willing to wait until you are rich in two years. I understand; but in
the meantime, Ferdy, what if I stop your allowance?"
"I shall go to law," said Ferdy, pompously.
"I am afraid that won't do you much good," retorted his sister, with a
calm smile. "In the first place, you have no money, and no lawyer will
undertake the case unless certain fees are paid down. In the second
place, you will fail in your action. The will is perfectly clear as to
my powers and duties as guardian. I have full power to do what I like
until you are legally of age in two years."
"It's an infernal shame," muttered Ferdy, who had sense enough to see
that she spoke the truth.
"I don't think so, and any sensible person who understood the position
of things would not think so either. However, you can see that it is
waste of time for you to go to law. What else can you do?"
"I can go on the stage."
"With Zara?"
"Yes," said Ferdy, triumphantly, and rubbing his hands. "Ah, you
didn't think I'd say that, did you?"
"I expected to hear anything, so long as it was sufficiently silly,"
said Clarice, in her coldest tone. "Really, Ferdy, you are a child."
"You won't find it so when I take my own way."
"What is your own way?"
"I have told you. I am engaged to Zara, and I intend to marry her, now
that Prudence has behaved so badly. If you refuse to allow me money,
I'll chuck the medical profession and go on the stage to act with Zara
in her Butterfly sketch at the Mascot Music Hall. She isn't satisfied
with the Chrysalis, and I can act that."
"Act what?" asked Clarice, puzzled by the scientific word.
"The Chrysalis. In the sketch--it is called the Birth of a
Butterfly--there's a Chrysalis, acted by a man, which wriggles about
the stage. Out of it comes Zara as the Butterfly, and----"
"Oh, I understand. What a high ambition you have. I should think a
worm of that acrobatic kind would just suit you. So this is your plan,
is it?"
"Yes. I came down especially to tell you."
"What does Dr. Jerce say?"
"He says nothing. Jerce is sulky with me, because you----"
"Because I refused to marry him. What a child the man is, in spite of
his fame and knighthood. As much a child as you are."
"I am not here to discuss Jerce," said Ferdy, loftily, "but to hear
what you have to say to my plan. If you will allow me my income as
usual, I won't go on the stage."
"But you'll marry Zara, all the same."
"Yes. She loves me and I love her."
"No, you don't. You love Prudence, and are only dominated by a
stronger will in the person of this dancer. I know that Prudence has
treated you badly, and so has Mr. Clarke. All the same, if you truly
love the lady and not the dancer, you will wait until time brings Mr.
Clarke round to accepting you as his son-in-law."
"No," said Ferdy, very decidedly; "and I want your answer, please, so
that I can arrange what to do."
"Ah, that means you must decide whether you are to be a doctor or a
Chrysalis," said Clarice, quietly and contemptuously. "Give me a few
minutes to consider the matter, Ferdy."
Her brother looked at her suddenly, apparently thinking that she was
about to give way. However, he was sufficiently wise not to press his
advantage for the time being. "I'll play for a time," he said,
crossing to the piano, "while you think. Will the music disturb you in
any way?"
"No," said Clarice, absently, and Ferdy began to play a soft,
murmurous piece of music, which suggested waving green forests and
gentle summer winds. He played very well in an amateur sort of way,
and played also softly, so Clarice was quite able to follow her own
thoughts, as the music echoed through the room.
In Ferdy's defiance she saw again the hand of Zara Dumps. Apparently
the dancer was bent upon marrying the boy, and would stop at nothing
to accomplish her aim. Perhaps she was in love, as Ferdy undoubtedly
was a handsome and charming fellow. Also in two years he would be in
possession of a very respectable income. Anthony had hinted that Zara
wished to marry money; but either she had not chanced upon a
millionaire sufficiently susceptible, or else she had a genuine love
for Ferdy Baird, and was prepared to be happy with him on a moderate
income. Clarice saw very plainly that her brother was absolutely
dominated by the will of the dancer, and that if she refused the
allowance she would only throw him more completely into the arms of
this clever woman. On the other hand, by letting things remain as they
were, she would be able, by holding the purse strings, to keep a
certain hold over the headstrong boy. It was out of the question to
allow Ferdy to ruin his career by going on the music hall stage.
Moreover, Clarice began to feel piqued by Zara. That this woman should
set herself to intrigue in this manner annoyed her. Zara apparently
thought that she could get everything her own way. Clarice was
determined that she should not be triumphant all along the line, and
looked forward with pleasure to thwarting the dancer. Also, in the
accusation of Clarke by Miss Dumps, Clarice saw that much larger
issues than Ferdy's future were involved. Zara evidently quite
expected that Clarice would refuse Ferdy's allowance, and thus would
compel him to rely on her. Miss Baird at once resolved to countercheck
the dancer by acting in a contrary way. As she had done with Ferdy, so
would she do with Zara--that is, she intended to give the dancer rope
enough to hang herself. Clarice wished to find out what string Zara
was pulling, and time was required to look into matters. Time could be
gained by checkmating her in this manner, so having made up her mind,
Clarice called Ferdy away from the piano.
"My dear boy," she said gently. "I don't want you to be unhappy. I
know, as I said before, that Prudence has treated you badly, so it is
not to be wondered at that you should go to a woman who loves you."
"Zara does--oh, she does," said Ferdy, promptly.
"Well, then," said Clarice, in a caressing tone, "I shall continue
your allowance, as I don't want you to go on the stage. But if I do
this, you must make me a promise."
"Anything," cried Ferdy, delighted at having secured his end.
"Promise me that you will not contract a secret marriage with this
dancer," said Miss Baird, earnestly.
"I promise, with all my heart," replied Ferdy; and so the agreement
was made, and Clarice thus gained time to fathom the schemes of Miss
Dumps, which had to do with greater things than Ferdy imagined.
It was at this moment, or a little later, that Anthony appeared in
full mess kit. He looked excited when he burst into the room, which he
did more noisily than usual. "I apologise for my dress," he said,
coming forward to kiss Clarice, "but I was in such a hurry to see you
that I came over without changing, in another fellow's motor-car. It's
waiting outside, and I can't stop more than a few minutes."
"And I expect you want to speak to Clarry," said Ferdy, quickly; "I'll
go out and have a look at the car."
Anthony seemed pleased when the boy left the room, and at once brought
out a letter. "I came to see you about this," he said, handing it to
the girl; "it came by to-night's post, and I lost no time in bringing
it to you. What does it mean?"
Clarice opened the letter, which was written in a delicate hand, and
very neatly, on fine thick paper. The few lines ran as follows:--
"If Captain Anthony Ackworth marries Miss Clarice Baird, his future
brother-in-law will be placed in the dock, as guilty of the murder of
his guardian, Mr. Henry Horran. From a Friend."