THE TRIPLE WEB
Sir Donald and Esther returned from the opera expecting to meet their
friends. Admitted by the servant, they were informed that Alice and
Oswald were still out. A little surprised, they expect them momentarily.
After waiting some time, Esther expresses the opinion that possibly an
accident occurred, causing the delay. Sir Donald has no fear but what
Alice and Oswald soon will arrive. "They have enjoyed the ride and gone
farther than intended."
Esther sees the probability of this, but feels piqued at their careless
conduct.
"Alice should know better than to stay out so late! Perhaps they have
not started back yet!"
Sir Donald looks up and notes his daughters evident excitement. Her
flashing eyes and quivering lips tell their story.
Esther feels that she has shown too much interest, and resorts to pretty
arts of dissembling.
Sir Donald is indulgent. He acquiesces in Esther's artful show, and with
much animation they chat away for another hour on subjects which seem
to have new interest for this charming girl. Finally both retire.
They listen, expecting the bell soon to announce the return of Alice and
Oswald.
Both Esther and Sir Donald arose early. They were puzzled at the strange
absence of their friends. Some accident must have befallen them. Perhaps
assistance is needed. However, it would be wise to avoid undue haste and
notoriety. The innocent conduct and mishaps of their friends must not be
made the theme of vulgar gossip.
Restrained by these refined sentiments, Esther and Sir Donald waited
until afternoon before taking any action. Then they started out
together, and procuring a boat, rowed up the Thames in the direction
which Oswald and Alice had taken, the keeper going with them.
After about an hour the boat was found, and all landed at this point. No
signs of the missing couple were seen. It was decided that Sir Donald
and Esther should row farther up the stream, while the keeper searched
the shore for any signs of the young people. Soon all stopped.
Oswald's hat was found upon the bank at the rustic seat. Their search up
and down the river revealed no other clew. They returned greatly
shocked.
It seemed certain that both had disappeared at the place where the hat
was found. In some way they had gone over the bank. There may have been
a bloody tragedy, but most likely Alice had fallen over into the stream,
and Oswald, attempting her rescue, both were drowned.
The police were notified. Careful search up and down both sides of the
stream gave no further clew. All the means available for rescue of the
bodies were employed. Finally a lace handkerchief was found. Esther
identified it as the property of Alice. The delicately embroidered
initials "A.W." made its identity complete. Both had been murdered or
were accidentally drowned.
The papers commented upon this mysterious affair. Reporters vied in
their narratives of exciting coincidences.
Sir Donald and Esther were harassed by all sorts of questions as to the
antecedents of their friends. Between desire to be courteous and
dictates of discretion, they often were much puzzled.
Detectives, each with his own theory, made frequent calls. While polite,
these inquisitors were most persistent in their persecutions. What cared
they for refined scruples? The presence of both missing parties at
Northfield, their conduct while there, and Oswald's stay at the home of
Alice in London were dwelt upon at length. Failing to get full replies
responsive to direct questions, shrewdly phrased opinions delicately
hinting at possible infatuation of one or the other were expressed.
Sir Donald, though much annoyed, could answer with apparent frankness,
yet conceal what he wished not told, but Esther had greater difficulty.
Their inquisitors soon became aware of this. Not desiring notoriety, but
shrinking from apparent concealment, Esther's distress was evident.
At first Sir Donald refrained from further instruction to Esther than
simple suggestion of care in her answers. But this inexperienced girl
was no match for detectives or reporters, who quizzed her mercilessly.
Sir Donald came to the rescue with a vigor most decisive.
One reporter had been offensively persistent. An amateur detective was
pressing Sir Donald with his theory of the case.
"Oswald suggested the night ride, and lured Alice to the rustic seat for
the purpose of murdering the girl. To avoid blame for her betrayal, she
was thrown into the river. His hat was left at the spot as evidence that
he too met death. Oswald fled, and is now somewhere in disguise."
Sir Donald managed to suppress his indignation at the substance and
manner of this statement. Just then the reporter in the next room asked
Esther by direct question what he had been urging by innuendo:
"Was there anything in the conduct of your friends while at Northfield
or in London which indicated that they were unduly familiar?"
Before time for reply, the reporter was lifted through the front door,
landing beyond the porch. No one seeming to appreciate our sleuth's
brilliant theory, he promptly left.
Both Sir Donald and Esther regretted the notoriety likely to result from
this affair, but none of its details were published.
Soon after, there appeared in a London paper this comment:
"It is pretty generally agreed that a certain gentleman and his daughter
know more than they feel safe to relate about the mysterious
disappearance of Oswald Langdon and Alice Webster. Their evident
embarrassment when questioned regarding the conduct of the missing
parties is significant. There is such a thing as being an accessory to
crime by concealment. There is no wrath like that of--, etc. A little
detective work along a certain line might unearth some startling finds.
A hint to the wise is sufficient."
Sir Donald received a marked copy of the paper containing this screed,
but concealed it from his daughter. This precaution was unavailing, as
another copy, conspicuously marked, was delivered by special carrier to
Esther.
Both were greatly distressed by these insinuations. Every one would know
to whom reference was made. However, there was nothing which could be
done. To resent this attack would be most indiscreet.
Relying upon the probability that Sir Donald and Esther were
sufficiently disciplined by this publication, other inquisitors
appeared.
Sir Donald's manner was so frigid that none cared to persist. No one had
the audacity further to interview Esther.
Instead of returning at once to Northfield, they remained several days
in London. Realizing that there might be some suspicion cast upon them,
Sir Donald was on his mettle. So far from shrinking from public gaze, he
openly moved about his affairs with dignified composure. He consulted
one of the most noted London detectives, retaining his agency to unravel
the Dodge conspiracy, lake tragedy, and these mysterious disappearances.
This agency undertook to solve the three complex issues involved,
convinced that these were so interwoven as to form one web. Skillful
assistants were intrusted with particular lines of investigation.
Double shifts were employed in watching each of the Laniers. A trusted
lieutenant, skilled in intricate work, was sent to India.
Sir Donald keenly felt the unpleasant notoriety. He had been attacked at
the most sensitive, vital point of his nature. Never before had he
experienced any sense of social ostracism. No thought of family shame
ever had suffused his cheek. And his beloved Esther! This motherless
girl, whose clinging, obedient love and trusting dependence had wound
their silken tendrils around every pulsing fiber of his soul!
That penny-liners could make coarse reference or express vague innuendo
about this pure-minded, sensitive girl seemed horrible. He could have
trampled to death such offenders with deliberate fury, yet this
vengeance but more surely would crush Esther's hopes. For her sake he
must be patient. Time, property, and every available means will find
employment in her vindication. There shall be permitted no maudlin
sentiment of pity in this undertaking. Certain retribution shall be
whetted by each delay.
This former impersonation of complacent optimism, acquiescing in all
human experiences as special essentials of the infinite plan, shrinks
from such crucial test. This is surely a noted exception. A daughter's
tender heartstrings are too sensitive for such stoic touch.
Sir Donald chafes at slow processes of retributive justice. How tardy
the infinitesimal grind! Would that the wheels speed their lagging
momentum!
The former Sir Donald Randolph is changed. His old philosophical,
speculative, idealistic bent is as completely in abeyance as though
stricken with rudimentary palsy. In their stead is an alert, untiring,
relentless Nemesis, more pitiless because of intense, novel zeal.
But Sir Donald is handicapped. Not that time or money is lacking. These
are available. What about Esther? Her comment upon the absence of Oswald
and Alice that night had been painfully distinct. The unmistaken, mute
language of her eyes and quivering lips was clearer. Her pretty,
persistent dissembling was confirmation. Subsequent suspicious
innuendoes had aggravated her feelings. He asks himself: "Shall I
neglect this troubled child to engage in ferreting out crime? Why should
Esther's sorrows merit her father's neglect?"
Seeing a picture of justice blinded, he exclaims: "What mocking irony in
judicial pose of blind goddess poising nicely adjusted balance, whose
crude, arbitrary registers reckon not of vicarious pain!"
Sir Donald's first duty is at home. Justice can find agents more expert
than he, but its ministry is too coarse for the subtle sentiments of the
fireside.
Sir Donald and Esther returned to Northfield.
Though taking her father into many little girlish confidences, Esther
had not told him of her life's mission or of Oswald's proposal. She
still remained silent. Both subjects were painful. Her father's worries
should not be increased.
Esther sees no way to begin her chosen work. Recent troubles cloud her
vision. She shrinks from the notoriety. That which was once grand
charity and self-sacrifice is now crafty, hypocritical show.
She knows her father's proud sense of propriety and abhorrence of every
sham profession cannot be reconciled to such step at this time. Has not
this field been interdicted by Providence? Are her faculties to find
employment in the more congenial ministries of home?
Esther feels a sort of vague responsibility for the tragic occurrences
of the past few weeks. True, she had acted from high moral sense of
duty, but conscience is often dogmatic.
Esther knows Oswald was sincere. That she loved this manly, refined,
courteous suitor she is most painfully certain. But for her acquiescence
in the infatuation of Alice Webster, Oswald never would have encouraged
the growing sentiment of this girl. Had Esther remained at Northfield,
Oswald would have stayed away from London. But for Esther's apparent
desire that Oswald and Alice take the boat-ride while she accompanied
Sir Donald to the opera, both now would be alive.
Esther charged herself with being the cause of all Sir Donald's sorrows,
and wished to bear his burdens.
For several months Sir Donald and Esther remained at Northfield.
Occasionally they went to London, Esther accompanying her father upon
these brief trips. Each felt sympathy for the other. Such generous
sentiments, while bringing additional solicitude, have their
compensations. Personal griefs gradually recede. Vain regrets are
merging in tender companionship and mutual sympathy. Each tries to bear
the other's load. Thereby selfish grief grows less acute.
Gradually Sir Donald's champing impatience for speedy retribution
sufficiently subsides for intelligent survey of the situation. From the
nature of the case, time, patience, and much discretion are required.
Isolated circumstances shall find coherent connections, chasms of time
and latitude are to be bridged.
Sir Donald keeps advised of what is being done by the agency.
Circumstances have been reported, but there are many missing links. One
report concluded thus: "Both Pierre and Paul Lanier are still in London.
It is sure that these are confederates of William Dodge. The tireless,
systematic camping of the detectives upon the Lanier trails found them
both in frequent conference with Dodge. All were disguised. When casual
reference to the Dodge suit was made in hearing of either father or son,
Lanier conduct had careful watchers. Their speech and silence were alike
significant. The fact that neither Dodge nor Lanier ever had met the
other was noted."
Sir Donald surprised the opposition by having the Dodge case set for
trial.
There was a conference held at the office of the Dodge solicitors.
William Dodge and both Laniers were present, two of the party being in
disguise. Soon after, the case of William Dodge against Alice Webster
was dismissed by the complainant.
At a London meeting, the Bureau chief said to Sir Donald: "Your bluff
worked well. It is now sure that Dodge is the tool of the Laniers. Alice
Webster's death rendered this conspiracy unavailing. The interests to be
subserved by the bringing of this action are in another venue. India is
the proper jurisdiction. William Webster's estate and Pierre Lanier are
the real parties in interest."
William Dodge quit London, and both Laniers sailed for Calcutta.
Sir Donald and Esther left Northfield for Paris.