THE CONFERENCE
Their extended visits abroad endear Sir Donald's and Esther's home
memories. Northfield seems both haven and rose-scented bower of rest.
Yet there are many pensive reflections. Over brightest views often
settle shadows of tragic retrospect.
Neither Sir Donald nor Esther sees cleared future earthly prospects.
Both are uncertain as to issues in which each feels vital interest.
Since they listened to that suggestive declamation, neither cared for
another sail on the lake. Those oddly tinted pictures, combining in
tragic intermingled groupings blending lights and shades of lake and
river, pass before their soul sights with ever-varying hues.
Neither Sir Donald nor Oswald Langdon has written. London detective
bureau has lost all clews to whereabouts of the Laniers.
Sir Donald cannot locate either William or Mary Dodge. The lagging
justice momentum is at full stop.
Those red-handed villains continue their insolent defiance of outraged
law. For more than a generation one victim has been waiting avenging.
Still the murdered ward lifts unavailing hands toward brassy heavens,
imploring just reckoning upon her brutal slayer. Over earth and sea, in
unmerited exile, wanders an unfortunate victim of lying circumstance,
fearless to a fault of personal harm, yet bound by filial fetters in
unswerving fealty to family prestige and parental name. Doting father
and mother sit around a desolate hearth, helpless to help, powerless to
temper or withdraw the barbed arrow which has transfixed their souls.
Tenderly fostered, idolized daughter, modestly brilliant, grandly human,
with strong, sweet penchant toward self-sacrifice and for lowly,
unassuming ministry, yet love-loyal to banished suitor, must bide
uncertain issues, enduring that heartsickness which may find no
specific.
These rasping human paradoxes are warrant for much bewildering thought.
At such even Sir Donald Randolph's speculative, complacent optimism well
may stagger.
How ironical seems talk of "time's compensation"! Who now may prate,
"Evil is good misunderstood"? Surely such cogent blending requires some
powerfully focalized far observatory height!
As to London detective tactics, Sir Donald is becoming pessimistic. To
Esther he says: "Indeed, there is little in results to justify further
employment of this much vaunted agency. That there have been
perplexities I am fully aware. Having given the subject such careful
thought, I am not disposed either to minimize obstacles or to cavil at
well-meant efforts.
"Upon review of incidents in this fruitless pursuit, I am impressed with
the fact that all clews obtained came from your infatuation for hungry
or sick people. The Paris hospital confession, finding of Mary Dodge in
Calcutta suburb seclusion, revelations of this unhappy sufferer from
Lanier subornation, and saving of both intended victims through timely
intervention at that deserted house--all are due to your unconscious
cooeperation.
"I fail to see that I have directly contributed to these discoveries. It
is not apparent that any of my well-matured plans even promised success.
Every subtly framed purpose has failed.
"London sleuths are camping on cold trails, tracing misleading clews,
poising for unavailing swoop upon flown quarry, densely ignorant of real
Lanier purposes. These highly paid pursuers of ever-eluding outlaws knew
nothing of that murderous assault upon William and Mary Dodge until
after I had cabled the news to London. Their shifts had been so
ineffective that no plausible theory could be advanced for farcical
arrests, unwarranted detentions, failure to prosecute for undisputed
felonious assaults, strange releases, or continued custody of the
intended victim.
"But for my promise made to Oswald Langdon, I now might abandon this
search. There seems no justification for further employment of
detectives. The expense has been large. Results are unimportant.
"That fellow so trustingly followed my advice, and promptly sailed
without purposed haven on the tramp steamer, it now would be heartless
desertion not to continue even doubtful agencies in solution of this
most vexing problem."
Sir Donald well knows that his daughter feels interest in the success of
this pursuit. Though mute as to proposed tactics, her startled mien,
hopeful inquiring glances, close attention, quivering lips, turned-away,
drooping eyelids, reserved silences, and far-off looks, cannot
dissemble. Sir Donald sees these signs and interprets them aright. To
Esther he says: "I will continue this undertaking. Loyalty to human duty
shall be my concern. Results may owe other allegiance. There may be
accounting for those interlopers who, crossing boundaries of warranted
care, trespass upon exclusive 'preserves' of more imperious power. Such
presumption may be 'les majeste' against Providence."
With such sentiment Sir Donald dismisses all idea of quitting this
search.
Determined to do his utmost toward solution of all difficulties
hindering unraveling of this web, he will visit London and talk over the
whole matter with head of detective bureau.
In company with Esther, Sir Donald reaches London. They stop at a
prominent hotel. He soon calls at the bureau headquarters and waits for
appearance of the chief, who is closeted upon some important job. After
about an hour Sir Donald is admitted. The chief warmly grasps him by the
hand, expresses pleasure at his call, and with enthusiasm says:
"After years' unavailing pursuit of the Laniers, there is now hope of
success.
"For months all trace of these villains had been lost, and our agency
was about to quit the job, when by chance a sure clew is found. For some
time both have been disguised in London. They occupy a basement room in
a suburb of the city. Recently this discovery was made. One of our men
was watching near a river boathouse for a burglar suspect who sometimes
frequented that locality. A rowboat is seen drifting down the Thames. In
the uncertain light it seems to have no occupant. As the boat nears, a
stooping form appears to waken from a sort of stupor. The boat is turned
toward the shore and fastened by a rope. The man walks rapidly down the
bank, followed by this spy. After a long chase, he is trailed to an old
stairway, down which the stranger disappears.
"This was three days previous to present time. Double shifts were set to
watch this basement entrance, resulting in seeing two men go out and in.
From their strange conduct it became evident that both were in disguised
hiding from some dreaded exposure, or were premeditating crime. The
older limps in his walk. He goes out only in daylight, soon returning to
their room. Nights are favored by the younger man, who acts very
strangely. During all next day after this discovery employes of our
agency watched that cellar entrance. The older man limped out toward
evening, and was followed to a stall, where he purchased a few eatables.
Soon after his return, the other passed out and moved rapidly away. He
was followed to the river-bank. Unfastening the same boat used on
previous evening, he rowed upstream. Our spy followed, keeping out of
view. Soon this trailer is surprised to see just ahead a form emerge
from clustering bushes, and watching the boatman, skulk along in same
direction. To avoid detection our spy moves more slowly, at times
waiting in shelter of bank shrubbery. In this way he is some distance
back down the stream from the boat. The rower frequently pauses at
points along banks of the river, and then moves on. Opposite a
projecting bank there is a long stop. Here the man stands up. He moves
back and forth across the river. The other watcher stands a little way
down the stream, intently looking. Through uncertain shadows the one in
rear dimly sees flash of a blade. It seems as if a thrust is made at
some object in the water. After several minutes the man is seated, and
turns downstream. It appears that the boat is simply drifting. Fore-most
sentinel starts back, keeping nearly opposite. This compels the one
farther down to make a circle and hide among some bushes several rods
from shore. Coming back to the rear, he discreetly trails along at some
distance, keeping boat and other spy in view. Near the boathouse the
rower turns toward shore. Forward watcher stops a few rods upstream
until the boat is fastened, then follows down the bank. After a long
tramp our employe sees the forward man pass down those rickety cellar
stairs, and the other spy cross over narrow alley into a small shanty,
with window opposite that basement entrance.
"Upon report of these incidents reaching the office, double watches are
assigned to shadow both cellar and cabin occupants. It becomes evident
that the cabin tenant is simply spying upon conduct of the others.
Fearing that any decisive attempt to learn his 'lay' may work
unnecessary complications, he has not been molested.
"This same Thames programme and tableau were enacted each of the two
succeeding nights. On last afternoon, shortly before dusk, both men came
up the stairs. They walk along together for a while, when the elder
stops at a stall where loaves of bread are exhibited. One of our agency
men is just ahead, lounging along lazily, but intently listening. The
elder, who slightly limps, softly says:
"'Get back early, Paul!' then glances nervously ahead. In subdued
whisper comes the reply, 'Yes, father.'
"That evening former performance is repeated. This important clew was
reported at headquarters shortly before your call.
"It cannot be otherwise than that Pierre and Paul Lanier are in London,
occupying the basement room down those old stairs. Paul makes these
night trips up the Thames to scene of his crimes. His conduct stamps him
as the murderer of Alice Webster and Oswald Langdon."
Sir Donald holds his peace while shrewd guesses are made as to causes of
such suggestive actions.
Still referring to his memoranda, the chief continues:
"Paul is partially deranged. The bodies pitched over the steep bank, and
he imagines will escape. Knowing that Alice Webster had been rescued
from the lake, he fears she may rise from Thames depths. Pausing at
shrubbery along the shore and scrutinizing of projecting branches is
through knowledge of how she was saved from that lake immersion. Perhaps
Paul is sane on all subjects except the murders. Even as to these he may
manifest much craft. Such crazed freaks sooner or later will lead to
sure exposure. Pierre knows his son's disordered mental state. It is
only necessary that both be well watched. Paul's irresponsible craze
will do the rest. The 'lay' of this spy can only be surmised. Perhaps
these villains are suspected of other crimes. It is improbable that any
self-constituted detective is on their trails. However, this sleuth will
be persistently shadowed. It is possible that thereby some important
'find' may occur. By such course our bureau will hedge against all
interference."
Sir Donald is greatly encouraged. That the agency fully believes in
murder of Oswald Langdon by Paul Lanier is immaterial. The death of
Alice Webster is only too certain. Paul thinks he has slain both. It is
not strange if thoughts of his awful crimes have caused at least partial
madness. Sir Donald says: "This homicidal mania may lead to queer
freaks. There are no reliable rules to follow in treatment of such a
man. It will be necessary to guard against every possible surprise. Paul
must be so carefully and constantly watched as to render his being at
large harmless. Otherwise, more deaths may be chargeable to his account."
The chief agrees, and replies:
"It will not do for you or your daughter to remain in London. Sight of
either of you might cause the Laniers to leave. Stay of these villains
in London will promote exposure of their crimes through Paul's mad
infatuation. It is possible Paul sometimes may appear in vicinity of
Northfield. There is no telling but that his disordered fancy may find
material in former lake memories."
Sir Donald sees the force of these suggestions. He will employ guards at
Northfield and along shores of the lake. Father and daughter go home
that afternoon. As if in reverie, he says:
"I feel renewed confidence in the London agency. There have been many
obstacles. The system employed was faultless. It is unreasonable to
judge by the results. Have not my own most subtle, well-matured plans
proved unavailing? You never thought of taking part in this scheming for
man-capture, yet every important link discovered should be credited to
your sweet infatuation. I hardly have treated this agency with proper
consideration.
"While kept posted by it, I have concealed much. Neither Paris hospital
confession, nor Mary Dodge's story, nor strange romance of Oswald
Langdon has been hinted at by me.
"There is no telling how much such information, promptly communicated,
might have affected plans of these sleuths in unraveling such
complicated villainies.
"It is true this agency might not have respected my scruples as to
possible effects of such disclosures upon the fate of William Dodge or
of Oswald Langdon. Such confidences still shall remain inviolate."
Thus cogitating and talking, Sir Donald passes the time between London
and Northfield. Esther intently listens, but is silent. They pass up the
flower-fringed path to front porch. Then there are joyful recognitions,
ejaculated questions, and happy, tearful welcomes.
Long-absent son and brother is home again. Charles has been around the
world. Though sending and receiving frequent letters, he had not
written about his proposed return.
This surprise drives from the minds of Sir Donald and Esther all
unpleasant memories of recent years. Return of this handsome young man,
safe, sound, and joyous, to his childhood home after such long absence
is happiness enough for the present. Many days pass before Sir Donald
can fix his thoughts upon the Lanier affair. However, two servants have
been detailed to watch along shores of the lake and to report any
strange actions they may see. One is on day and the other on night duty.
Similar precautions are taken about the mansion grounds.
Sir Donald hesitates to say anything to his son about these strange
experiences. Still it is unwise to withhold such confidences. Charles is
energetic, quick-witted, discreet, and decisive. He may prove a most
valuable ally, and must be on guard against Lanier plots.
After hearing the story, Charles Randolph makes numberless inquiries and
suggestions, but finds that his father has considered every phase of
this entangled affair. The son talks most about that other spy who
trailed the Laniers. He is greatly interested in those strange
shadowings by mysterious person in Calcutta, and in disconnected
dream-lines so dramatically declaimed by some wood-concealed orator
along the lake shore. Charles is anxious to solve these mysteries. He
suggests some decisive plans.
Sir Donald listens patiently, and quietly refers to the many hazards.
Charles is disposed to criticise the conduct of Oswald Langdon. "This
man acted unwisely. He should have faced all with manly courage, and
accepted the consequences."
His father so minutely elaborates each mitigating circumstance, with
such profound array of all interests to be promoted by Oswald's whole
course, that Charles feels an accusing sense. He frankly admits his
error.
Esther's troubled face grows radiant. Sir Donald and Charles exchange
looks. Their talk drifts to lighter subjects.
Esther and Charles are much together. Enthusiastic reminiscences often
are followed by irrelevant questions and vague comments. From pensive
moods Esther rallies with pretty, dissembling, sisterly interest.
All this has a charming pathos for Charles. He shrewdly diagnoses these
symptoms. With much brotherly craft Charles approves of Oswald Langdon's
erratic courses, speaking hopefully about prospects of full vindication.
Such references electrify Esther. She makes little effort to hide her
glad appreciation. After these sage comments, Esther gazes admiringly
into her brother's face. This ermineless expounder counterfeits much
gowned gravity, looking wisely impartial.
To dispel moody, pensive abstractions requires that oft and anew this
"Daniel come to judgment."