THE FLIGHT OF PIERRE AND PAUL
The Laniers are elated but puzzled at their release from Calcutta
imprisonment. They are haunted with doubt as to the extent of the Dodge
confession. That some sort has been made they are sure. Suggestions and
statements of actual facts connected with the London suit and Thames
homicides had been startling, but there are many missing links in the
chain. The elder Lanier readily can see that these omissions may have
been through either ignorance or craft. If the former, then Dodge only
partly has confessed; if the latter, there is great and imminent peril.
That Sir Donald Randolph had some part in this affair is evident. His
and Esther's presence in Calcutta and the search for Mary Dodge are
conclusive.
Why is William Dodge still held in custody? Did those who advised the
arrests counsel his further detention in hope of more complete
confession? Is he held awaiting stronger proofs as to the plot against
the property of Alice Webster? Perhaps he is to be tried as principal
in that crime, and they are to be arrested later as accessories. If the
bodies of Alice and Oswald have not been found, perhaps there are no
satisfactory proofs of these murders. William Dodge has no evidence of
Paul's guilt, but doubtless suspects the truth. The arraignment of Dodge
on the charge of attempted fraud against the London property of Alice
would lead to most serious exposures, furnishing dangerous clews to past
villainies in this immediate venue.
Hedging against such contingents, Pierre had decided not to return to
Bombay. The danger was so great that he gave up thought of sailing with
Sir Charles Chesterton. The risk of Dodge revelations through pressing
search and inquiries of Sir Donald, then in Calcutta, was so serious as
to check all interest Pierre had felt in the prospective match between
Paul and the heiress, Agnes Randall.
Determined thoroughly to keep posted as to the progress of Sir Donald's
investigations in Calcutta, Pierre had made most plausible excuses to
Sir Charles, for not accompanying him back to Bombay to witness the
nuptials between Paul and Agnes. The prospect of Paul's marriage with
this rich heiress would not compensate for losses which might result
from this Randolph inquisition.
There must be decisive action. All scruples shall down before this great
danger to Lanier interests. Two more voices must be silenced. Then
discovery will be impossible.
Having written to William Dodge at Paris, Pierre had shadowed Sir Donald
and Esther and kept track of Mary Dodge until the arrival of his son.
Thereafter the two divided this work, awaiting the coming of William
Dodge.
Pierre had received word that Dodge would sail and stating as to
probable time of his arrival in Calcutta. There had been delays because
of storms, but the vessel is sighted, and both Laniers hurry to the
Dodge cabin. There is time to escort this credulous wife to the place
where they will soon bring her long-absent husband. All details have
been arranged with care. Action will be promptly decisive. As the Thames
hushed voices, so shall here be forever stilled tell-tale murmurs of
these menace tones.
What trifles thwart mature plans!
There could be no doubt of Mary Dodge's consent. This fond wife, who
hitherto unmurmuringly had complied with all hard details of
concealment, submitting without complaint to scant supplies, given and
accepted as gratuitous alms, waiting and longing for her husband's safe
return, surely would obey all instructions, moving with alacrity to lure
and death.
But strong motives may run counter. That holy instinct which has all
authority of original implanting asserts its high-born function. Little
Nellie is too sick to be left alone; William Dodge can wait; Pierre
Lanier may frown; Paul may look darkly fierce; Mary Dodge may tremble;
but she will not leave that helpless invalid whatever betides.
It recks little how anciently or from what rudimentary beginnings this
peerless impulse dates its growth; whether spontaneous breath of divine
instillment, or evolved through cycles of the eternal past, such has
sanction and warrant of the Infinite.
Thwarted here, Lanier craft resorts to most plausible shift. Suspecting
that possibly this timid woman hesitates to go with them, at such late
hour, to a strange place, there to await the uncertain coming of her
husband, they devise other plans to obviate this objection, finally
deciding upon the one resulting in the arrests.
William Dodge had received Pierre Lanier's letter sent to Paris. While
convalescent at the hospital this reached him, addressed to his alias,
and caused such sudden removal, without leaving of any explanation for
Sir Donald or Esther Randolph. Having sent a nurse for his mail, he
received the invitation to return. Pierre Lanier had written him that
things looked better, but still were a little shaky. By using proper
precaution, all would turn out favorably. He need not write Mary, as she
and the children were well. By promptly returning, he could see his wife
and children. There were good reasons for Mary's failure to answer his
letters. All would be explained on his arrival in Calcutta. Affairs soon
would shape so that he could pay the whole balance yet due. As some
precautions were wise, it would be advisable for Dodge to dress as at
London, sail under his past alias, and wait at Calcutta landing until
Pierre met him and gave instructions. An answer was requested, stating
when and how Dodge would make the return trip.
This was the gist of the Lanier letter as deciphered by William Dodge,
though Pierre so thoroughly had hedged against possible miscarriage as
to render intelligent interpretation impossible, except to one in
possession of Dodge's sources of information.
Being able to move about the ward, though still weak, William Dodge is
electrified. Without delay he sends the same nurse to order a cab, soon
after quits the hospital, going to a new lodging-house in a suburb of
Paris. Here he has a relapse, lasting many weeks, but slowly recovers.
He then starts for Calcutta, previously having written to Pierre Lanier,
addressed to the designated alias, giving guarded details of proposed
trip. There have been unavoidable delays, rough seas, numerous squalls,
and much impatient chafing, but passengers reach Calcutta.
At the landing, Pierre Lanier, in old familiar disguise, pulls Dodge's
arm, and upon recognition, giving former signal to follow at discreet
distance, moves quickly. For some distance trailing, Dodge sees Pierre
enter a closed vehicle, beckoning him to follow. After an extended
drive, they stop in a sparsely settled suburb of the city. Pierre
alights, followed by Dodge, with Paul in the rear. No other driver being
in sight, Dodge thinks that Paul has performed this service. To all
attempts at discussion of the situation, during the ride, Pierre insists
on absolute silence.
When inside of the old house, the three seated on a bench at a small
table, before a tallow candle, the one window blinded, and the door
securely fastened, Pierre Lanier explains why such secrecy has been
employed.
"Sir Donald Randolph had arrived in Calcutta and made inquiries for the
Dodge family. Months before it had become necessary for Mary Dodge not
to write, as I could neither remain in Bombay nor trust the forwarding
of letters to any other person. Detectives employed by Sir Donald kept
strict watch of the mails. It was in compliance with my instructions
that Mary moved, ceased writing, and since remained in seclusion. I and
Paul saw her to-day, and she knows of your expected arrival. We arranged
this place of meeting. You must stay here until further plans for the
safety of all can be devised. To-night we will again see Mary, and have
her call to-morrow at two o'clock in the afternoon, when you both can
talk it all over. It is hoped that matters will so clear up as to
necessitate but very brief longer disguise or concealment."
Nothing was said about the recent death of little Benny Dodge, nor was
Nellie's sickness mentioned. To all Dodge's questions concerning his
family, ingenious replies were made.
Food and cots had been provided. Pierre and Paul soon left to acquaint
Mary Dodge with her husband's arrival and to arrange for the morrow's
meeting, promising a speedy return. About midnight they came back and
reported. Pierre remained only a short time, but Paul stayed until
morning, when he left, with caution that William Dodge be sure to keep
concealed until the afternoon's meeting.
By a rear entrance both Laniers passed to their hiding-place in the
basement, under the trapdoor. Soon followed the strange procedure
resulting in the release of these two murderous villains, while their
intended victim, who had confessed, still remains unarraigned behind
prison bars.
* * * * *
Such cumulative perversities of fate bewilder the Laniers. They daily
become more perplexed.
Paul's recital of events at Bombay, preceding his departure for
Calcutta, alarmed and mystified his father, who could suggest no
plausible theory for such ghostly groupings.
It is now sure that the Laniers dare not risk further attempt at removal
of either William or Mary Dodge. They would be suspected. It will be
dangerous longer to remain in Calcutta, with the Dodges liable at any
time to make more startling confessions. There is fear that both Laniers
still are shadowed and may be arrested for one or more offenses. Strange
that no charge was preferred against them for their murderous assaults
on William and Mary Dodge. There could be no doubt in this case, and the
proofs would be overwhelming.
To Pierre Lanier's crafty, well-informed intelligence this phase is most
alarming. While much relieved by failure of the authorities to press
this charge, he feels convinced that such official laches were prompted
by overpowering motives, boding more serious dangers. Large moneyed
interests or the running down of capital offenders, must be the ends
justifying such laxity of official zeal.
There is a strong impulse toward immediate flight, restrained through
fear that their every act is being watched.
Each day the mazes of this labyrinth grow more puzzling.
While Pierre and Paul feel the tentacles of this octopus contracting
around their guilty souls, the persons and agencies which they doubt not
are tightening these irresistible coils, foiled, perplexed, and
chagrined, have no well-defined ideas upon the subject.
Neither Sir Donald Randolph nor the London detective agency ever aided,
abetted, or advised this strange proceeding, nor did those employed by
Sir Donald to ferret out Lanier crimes know aught concerning any part of
such proposed move, except that he had interfered to save the lives of
William and Mary Dodge.
To all Sir Donald's inquiries the head of Calcutta police gave no other
answer than, "You just wait awhile."
In fear of they knew not just what, the Laniers fled from Calcutta,
toward no fixed destination, desperately resolved never again to be
taken alive.