Gilbert returned to Rome, well content with his success so far. He felt
that Lord Prestonkirk was genuinely interested, and therefore would do
all he possibly could to help him. But, at the same time, what he had
heard concerning James Russell filled his mind with disquiet and
uncertainty.
The presence of James Russell in Northern Italy at or about the date of
Silwood's reported death was in itself startling. True, there were many
James Russells in the world, and this particular James Russell who had
been wounded in the streets of Genoa, might not be the James Russell
whom he regarded as Silwood's confederate or accomplice; but Gilbert had
little or no doubt that he was the man he wanted so much to find.
And if this were the case, what then? What was this man doing in
Northern Italy, a few miles from Camajore? The answer evidently was that
he had been in touch with Silwood.
Again Gilbert was forced to ask himself, Might not Silwood, after all,
be dead and buried at Camajore, as the Syndic had said? If that were so,
then Silwood must have communicated a knowledge of the secret chamber to
Russell before his death, and the secret chamber must have been opened
by Russell. On a review of all the circumstances, Gilbert was compelled
to acknowledge that this might be the explanation. If it were, it was
obvious that he must try harder than ever to lay James Russell by the
heels. But he was still determined to have the grave opened. For if
Silwood's body were in it, then there was no more to be said on that
head, and Cooper Silwood would disappear finally from the story, leaving
the mystery of Lincoln's Inn for ever unsolved.
Gilbert wrote to his father, Francis Eversleigh, an account of what he
had done and of what he had heard with regard to James Russell. He also
communicated with the private detective he was employing to track
Russell down.
At the time fixed, Gilbert went to see the Ambassador, but it was only
to meet with disappointment.
"I must ask you," said Lord Prestonkirk, "to exercise a little patience,
as it may be a day or two before the matter can be settled one way or
the other. I saw the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and told him what you
wished. Of course I did not tell him what you told me, but I said I
believed there were good reasons for my supporting your application for
having the grave opened. I dare say he thinks that it has something to
do with politics. Be that as it may, we are on excellent terms, and he
promised to see about it, but said it was outside his department, and he
must speak to the Minister of Justice, as such affairs were under his
control."
"I am greatly obliged to you," said Gilbert, earnestly. "Can you give me
any idea when you will hear from the Minister again?"
"Very soon, I think. I urged that the matter was most important, and
said that I should deem it a personal favour if there was as little
delay as possible."
"You are most kind," said Gilbert, "and I don't know how I am to thank
you sufficiently."
"Pray do not try, Mr. Eversleigh. You see," continued the Ambassador
with a smile, "you have aroused my curiosity, and I must say I am quite
keen to know the truth. Come again to-morrow, and perhaps I may have
something definite to tell you."
Gilbert called at the Embassy the following day, scarcely expecting to
hear the "something definite" of which Lord Prestonkirk had spoken, but
to his joy he did.
"I have to tell you," said the Ambassador, cordially, "of a most
unexpected piece of good fortune."
"You have succeeded!" cried Gilbert, excitedly.
"Yes; but let me tell you how it came about. It appears that Ucelli, the
Syndic of Camajore, has been for a long time in the black books of his
superior, the Minister of Justice. This is the piece of good fortune so
far as you are concerned. As soon as he heard that Ucelli was suspected
of having issued a false death certificate, he instantly said that such
a charge must be immediately investigated. So far as I can make out, the
Minister was delighted with the opportunity of making things
particularly unpleasant for Ucelli, on whom he has had an eye for
months. I imagine he is anxious to find a sufficient reason for removing
him from his position. You will get the benefit of the Minister's being
in this frame of mind. It is a lucky thing for you, and I hope it is a
good omen of your success."
"Thank you again and again," said Gilbert. "I am infinitely indebted to
your Excellency. What can I do to show how thankful I am?"
"There is one way," replied the Ambassador, kindly. "I wish you to keep
me informed of what takes place--I want to know the sequel to this
strange story into which you have brought me."
"Oh, I shall be very glad to let you know what happens; I should have
done that in any case. Now, your Excellency, what is the next move?"
"The Minister of Justice is determined that the matter shall be probed
to the bottom," rejoined Lord Prestonkirk. "He is therefore sending to
Camajore no less a person than his Deputy-Minister. I was rather
surprised to hear it, for the Deputy-Minister is quite a great man, but
it indicates the importance the Minister attaches to the investigation,
and you may be sure it will be thorough."
"I am very glad to hear it," said Gilbert, but he had hardly uttered
these words when a sort of dread came over him that Silwood's body might
be found in the grave. He steadily refused, however, to let his mind
dwell on this idea.
"All that remains for me to do now, Mr. Eversleigh," said the
Ambassador, "is to give you a line to the Minister of Justice by way of
introduction; you had better go and call on him at once."
"Yes, I will do so."
Lord Prestonkirk wrote a short note, and handing it to Gilbert, wished
him good-bye and good luck.
"Don't forget to let me know--eh--the sequel," smiled the Ambassador, as
he shook hands with Gilbert.
Arrived, within a few minutes of his leaving the Embassy, at the
Ministry of Justice, Gilbert was almost immediately ushered into the
presence of Signor Fava, the Minister. Finding that Gilbert did not know
Italian, Signor Fava conversed with him in English.
"You believe Ucelli to be in a plot," said the Minister, after some
discussion, "to screen this Mr. Silwood? Yes; but there is one question
I must ask: Why has he tried to screen Mr. Silwood? What was, or is, the
consideration?"
"I do not know what was, or is, the connection between the two," replied
Gilbert.
"Ucelli must have been offered some strong inducement."
"That is probable, most probable."
"It must be inquired into, it must!"
The Minister touched an electric bell, and his Secretary entered the
room.
"Please request Signor Vinci to come to me," the Minister said in
Italian to his subordinate, who forthwith withdrew.
"Signor Vinci," the Minister explained to Gilbert, "is my Deputy. I
merely desire to introduce you to him. I have already asked him to
arrange with you when to go to Camajore. When do you intend to go?"
"I should like to go at once--that is, if it is convenient to Signor
Vinci."
"How would to-morrow do?"
"Capitally."
A tall, swarthy man, with a determined-looking face, now came in.
"Mr. Eversleigh," said the Minister, "this is the Deputy-Minister,
Signor Vinci. He has already received his instructions, and if you can
go to-morrow, so can he. And you will find that he can speak English as
well as or better than I."
"Oh no, Excellency," protested the Deputy. "But I am certainly quite
ready to go with Mr. Eversleigh to-morrow, if that suits him."
And so it was arranged.
Before setting out next morning, Gilbert received a telegram from his
brother Ernest, which made him very sad. It ran--
"Father seriously ill, but immediate danger not apprehended. He is
unable to attend office. I opened your last letter to him, but am
completely fogged as to its meaning."
"My father seriously ill," thought Gilbert. "How he has suffered! If the
worst happens, it will have been Silwood who has killed him! And the
office! How long can it go on in my father's absence without something
being discovered and a catastrophe precipitated? What a terrible
situation! What am I to do?" he asked himself, greatly agitated. But a
little reflection convinced him that it was his duty to proceed to
Camajore. Still, his brother's message chilled and depressed his
spirits.
It was towards the middle of the afternoon when Gilbert and Signor Vinci
walked up the single street of Camajore to the residence of Ucelli.
The Syndic saw the Deputy-Minister with surprise, but was far from
guessing the real cause of his appearance.
"It is about the effects of that poor Signor Silwood you have come," he
said to Signor Vinci in Italian, "along with Signor Eversleigh, is it
not?"
"The effects," said Vinci, diplomatically; "yes. Let me see them."
The Syndic produced the money and the various articles which had
belonged to Silwood.
"I will give you a receipt for them," said the Deputy, "and take them
with me to Rome. They will eventually be given to the person or persons
who can show the best claim to them."
"That is quite correct," agreed the Syndic, obsequiously. "Will your
Excellency take them now?"
"Yes."
The Deputy-Minister, the look of determination on his face which it
habitually wore suddenly becoming sharply accentuated, snapped out the
"Yes" so harshly that Ucelli could not help noticing it; there was that
in it which made him quake. He glanced at the Deputy to see if he could
interpret the swift change in his manner.
"Mr. Eversleigh," said Vinci, crisply, "has proffered a request to the
Minister of Justice, and his Excellency will comply with it. This
request was that the grave of Mr. Silwood should be opened, and the body
removed to England. It is permitted."
"But, Excellency," urged the Syndic, "pray consider the circumstances.
Mr. Silwood died of cholera."
"I am aware of it," said the Deputy. "Of course, every precaution
science can suggest must be taken. But the command of the Minister
admits of no discussion. The grave must be opened, and that to-day; now,
or at any rate as soon as possible."
"But, Excellency!" began Ucelli, "I----"
"Say no more! The matter is settled, and I am here to see the grave is
opened and the body given over to Mr. Eversleigh."
"A thousand pardons, but, Excellency, I shall be able to get no one to
dig. Everybody knows Mr. Silwood died of cholera; and who amongst the
villagers will have the courage to face the pestilence?"
"But with proper precautions?"
"Alas! our simple people do not understand precautions; they do
understand what death from cholera means by the way of infection."
"I must say I do not comprehend the objection, if the necessary
precautions are taken. No, signor, let us to work at once. I will go
with you and procure disinfectants, and, thereafter, the grave-diggers,
while Mr. Eversleigh rests here. Come!"
The Syndic scanned the Deputy's face, but it was uncompromisingly
resolute.
"There is no need for your Excellency to put yourself to the trouble of
going with me--I can easily see to all that is required," suggested
Ucelli.
"I prefer to go with you," replied the Deputy, with unmistakable
decision. Then he added, "My authority may be of some use to you,
signor, with the grave-diggers."
And the voice of the Deputy was exceedingly grim, while Ucelli turned a
sickly white and found nothing more to say.