THE SHADOW OF MYSTERY
When supper was over, the stranger lighted a cigar and stretched
himself out upon the cot.
"This is certainly comfort," he remarked, as he watched Jasper clear
away the dishes. "It is fortunate that we have found such hospitality.
You do not have many such visitors, I suppose. It must be rather
lonely for you here."
"Not as a rule, though I have been much favoured lately," Jasper
replied with a laugh, and he told how his cabin had been taken
possession of the previous night.
"Well, that was cool, I should say," and the stranger smiled. "Walked
right in, did they?"
"But I didn't mind, for they were such a queer couple; a feeble old
man, and a bright, smart girl of about sixteen. It was nice for me to
have them here on such a stormy night. I would have been very lonely,
otherwise."
"Where are they now?"
"They left this morning. It is a sad story. But as they are strangers
to you, it would hardly interest you."
"Indeed it would," was the emphatic reply. "I am somewhat new to this
country, and would like to find out all I can about the life of the
people, especially in the country districts."
When Jasper had finished washing the dishes, he sat down upon a chair
by the side of the cot, and lighted the cigar his visitor had given
him. He then related the story of old David and Betty, taking care to
say as little as possible about his own part in the affair.
"And so the old man is at the girl's home now, is he?" the stranger
asked.
"Yes, for a time."
"But what will become of him?"
"I do not know for certain. I shall try to assist him all I can. But
he will not go back to Jim Goban's if I can help it. It is the height
of cruelty for such a refined man to live at a place like that. I do
not know what the people of this parish were thinking about to allow
him to be put there."
"Has he any relatives?"
"It seems not. He has been a puzzle to every one since the day he came
here. He has been the laughing-stock of all the people because of a
peculiar notion of his."
"And what is that?"
"He is in love with Break Neck Falls over there, and talks to it as if
it were a human being. He believes that the time will come when people
will obtain power and light from the falls, and the entire country will
be greatly benefited."
"So that is why he is called crazy, eh?"
"Yes."
"Is there really a good reason for his idea? Is there a large
waterfall?"
"Yes. I have been there several times, and consider it a good place
for a plant. The old man has curious drawings of his entire plans,
which I shall show you as he left them with me this morning. He must
have forgotten them in his excitement, as I understand he guards them
very carefully. People laugh at Crazy David for the jealous way he
protects his treasure."
"Did you say his name is David?" the stranger asked.
"Yes. David Findley, so I believe. But he is only known as 'Crazy
David' in this parish."
As Jasper uttered these words, the man lying on the cot rose suddenly
to a sitting position, and looked keenly into the face of the young man
before him as if he would read his innermost thoughts. With an
apparent effort he checked himself, and with a slight laugh resumed his
former position.
"I got worked up over the hard luck of that old man," he remarked. "It
is a downright shame that he should be called crazy, and misunderstood.
But, then, that has always been the way. Men who have done most for
their fellow men have been looked upon with suspicion, and termed fools
or madmen. May I see his drawings?"
For some time the stranger studied the rude lines old David had made
upon the paper. Not the slightest mark escaped his notice, and he
plied Jasper with numerous questions most of which the latter was
unable to answer.
"I am fond of studying human nature," the visitor at length
volunteered, as if to explain his remarkable interest in the old man,
"and I must say that this is one of the most interesting cases I have
ever come across. Here we have an old, poverty-stricken man, somewhat
weak-minded, who has the vision and the enthusiasm of youth, combined
with a child's simplicity. And he really believes that people of
capital will carry out his ideas, does he?"
"Yes, he is sure of it."
"And he has no doubts as to the final outcome?"
"No."
"This scheme gives him considerable pleasure, I suppose."
"Yes, it is his very life. It cheers him and buoys him up, and makes
him treat all discomforts as of the present, which will vanish when
once he comes into his own."
"So he expects to get very rich, does he?"
"Oh, yes. He talks about what he will do when he has money. It
certainly would be a great pity to take such a hope from him. I
believe it would kill him at once."
For a long time they talked, and it was late when they went to bed, the
stranger with the chauffeur in the adjoining room, and Jasper upon the
cot. The latter found it hard to get to sleep, as many thoughts kept
surging through his mind. He wondered why his visitor should take such
a keen interest in the welfare of old David. He recalled, too, his
sudden start when David's name was mentioned, and the excuse which had
been given did not altogether satisfy him.
Jasper was awake early next morning, and had the frugal breakfast ready
by the time his two visitors came from their room. As soon as
breakfast was over, the chauffeur left to look after the car. The
stranger then pushed back his chair, lighted a cigar, and handed one to
Jasper.
"Please do not trouble about the dishes now," he began in a tone which
somewhat surprised the young man.
"I have been thinking over what you told me last night, and am greatly
impressed by the sad condition of that old man. You have no work in
view, so I understand?"
"You are right," Jasper replied.
"Well, then," the other continued, "I wish to make a definite
proposition to you on several conditions. I wish to employ you for one
month, and will give you one hundred and fifty dollars, if that will be
satisfactory."
It was Jasper's turn now to start, and look with astonishment at the
man before him. Was he in earnest? he asked himself, or was he merely
joking?
"Ah, I see you are astonished," and the stranger smiled, "but I assure
you that I mean what I say, and to prove it, I shall pay you in
advance."
"But what are the conditions?" Jasper stammered.
"They are three," the stranger replied after a slight pause. "First,
that you are to take special care of that old man. How you are to do
it I shall explain later. In the next place you are to ask no
questions as to why I am doing this. And last of all, you are not to
say who is doing this, neither to the old man nor, in fact, to any one."
For a few seconds Jasper looked at the stranger in a quizzical manner.
He was wondering whether the man was really in his right mind.
"Isn't that a strange proposition to put to one you know so little
about?" he asked.
"In most cases it might be," was the quiet reply. "But I have good
reasons for what I am doing, and do not think that there will be any
mistake. Are you willing to enter my employment for a month?"
"Now, that all depends. I need the money, God knows, but I must
understand more about what is expected of me in connection with the
care of the old man."
"I can easily settle that. You are first of all to get a good place
for him to live, and, if possible, secure some dependable person to be
his companion who will take a special interest in his welfare. You are
to keep a detailed account of all expenses, and send the bill to me at
the end of the month. This address will find me," and he drew forth a
card and handed it to the young man.
There was nothing on the card to reveal to Jasper the identity of the
man who was taking such a remarkable interest in old David. It simply
told that the stranger's name was Robert Westcote, of 22 Princess
Street, Woldun.
"I think everything is satisfactory now," and Jasper lifted his eyes to
the stranger's face. "I am not likely to ask any questions, and as to
telling people who you are, there will be no trouble about that. In
fact, I am not intimate enough with any one here to wish to tell, even
if I desired to do so."
"That is good," Mr. Westcote replied. "I could not have chosen a
better person for my purpose."
"When do you want me to begin my work?" Jasper asked,
"At once, that is, if you can see your way to do so. But first of all,
I should like to visit this old man. I am somewhat curious about him
now that he is under my protection. How far is he from here?"
"About five miles, I should judge, though I have never been there
myself. He is at Mrs. Bean's, and she lives on a back road."
"Very well, then, we shall go just as soon as the car is ready, and I
should like for you to go with me."
It took the chauffeur some time to find out what was the matter with
the car, and when the damage was repaired, the three started down the
road at a fast rate. This was something new to Jasper, and he leaned
back in the comfortable seat and gave himself up to the enjoyment of
the moment. He need not worry any more for the present about his
living, as he had a cheque for one hundred and fifty dollars safely
stowed away in his pocket. As to the mystery connected with it all, he
did not feel inclined to bother his head. In fact, he was becoming
greatly interested, and was now quite anxious to see what the final
outcome would be, and why this stranger had taken such an unusual
interest in an old pauper.
It did not take them long to reach Mrs. Bean's house, where they drew
up before the gate. It was a small, humble abode, but everything about
the place was scrupulously neat and clean. Flowers bloomed in front of
the house, while several large trees stood a short distance away.
Under one of these they saw old David sitting in a rocking-chair with
Betty by his side. She had been reading to him but had laid down her
book to look at the car, which was an unusual thing in that settlement.
Seeing Jasper, she sprang quickly to her feet with a cry of delight,
and hurried toward the road. Her face was aglow with excitement, and
Mr. Westcote thought that he had never beheld a more perfect picture of
radiant health and beauty.
"This is the young woman I was speaking to you about," Jasper remarked,
as he stepped from the car.
"I am delighted to meet you," and Mr. Westcote held out his hand. "I
have heard about you, and have been quite anxious to see you. How are
you making out with your new charge?"
"Great," and a smile wreathed the girl's face. "He is so happy here,
and likes for me to read to him. But he is so funny at times, and
interrupts me to ask questions."
"What about?" Mr. Westcote enquired.
"Oh, about Break Neck Falls. He wants to know if I can hear the water
speaking, and, of course, I always do," she added with a slight laugh.
"He wanted me to go there this morning, but as mother and the boys are
away I could not leave, so I am trying to satisfy him by reading."
"Would your mother be willing to keep him for a time, do you think?"
Jasper asked, "that is, if she were paid enough?"
"I'm afraid not," and the girl's eyes roamed in a thoughtful manner
toward where David was sitting. "You see, our house is too small, and
there is hardly room enough as it is. And besides, we are too far away
from the Falls. Mr. David needs to be quite near so that he can visit
the place whenever he takes the notion, which is quite often. That is
the only thing which will make him happy."
"Quite right," Mr. Westcote assented. "He should live as near as
possible. But may we see your charge?" he asked.
"Certainly," and Betty at once led the way across the field to the big
shady tree.
Old David, seeing them coming, rose to meet them. He stood very erect
and dignified as Jasper took his hand, and then introduced Mr.
Westcote. He was visibly embarrassed that he did not have chairs for
all, and offered his own to the stranger.
"Please keep your seat," Mr. Westcote told him. "I prefer to sit on
the ground. What a delightful place you have here, sir," and he looked
around upon the scenery.
"It is very beautiful," David assented, "and I can hear the Falls so
plainly, especially at night."
An amused twinkle shone in Betty's eyes as she turned them upon
Jasper's face. She knew very well that it was impossible to hear the
sound of the falling waters, and that it was purely imagination on his
part.
The stranger, however, did not smile. In fact, there was an expression
of sadness upon his face as he watched David. He said very little,
being content to let the others do the talking. But he observed the
old man very carefully without apparently doing so. What his thoughts
were he kept to himself, and when he arose to go, he took David's hand
in almost a reverent manner, and looked searchingly into his eyes as if
trying to find something there which he missed. He hardly spoke a word
on the way back but seemed lost in deep thought. As Jasper alighted
from the car in front of his cabin, Mr. Westcote laid his right hand
upon his shoulder.
"Take good care of that old man," he said. "Let nothing interfere with
your watchfulness until you hear from me again. Get the best place you
can for him, no matter what it costs."
That was all, but the expression upon the stranger's face, and the
impressive manner in which he uttered these words gave Jasper cause for
deep thought during the remainder of the morning.