Alfred, wholly unsuspicious of the evil thoughts which dwelt in the
minds of others, was seated in the retirement of his own chamber,
writing the melancholy announcement of Willoughby's death to Lady Arden.
With the idea, however, that the knowledge of his brother's having put a
period to his own existence would add much to his mother's affliction,
he made no allusion to that part of the subject; nor any mention of the
supposition, that Willoughby's death had been occasioned by poison; he
merely stated, that it had been very sudden, and that Dr. Harman was of
opinion, that something of an apoplectic fit, had been the cause.
While he was thus employed, Geoffery presented himself, and renewed his
officious offers of condolence.
Alfred thanked him, but begged to be left alone. While Geoffery stood
behind his cousin's chair, his restless eye (expressive at once of
outlook and precaution), wandering as usual in every direction, and
scanning every object, descried, as much to his astonishment as delight,
in one of the recesses of the escritoire, the paper packet marked
arsenic, which it may be remembered, Alfred had put there the day
before. How it had got there, which to Geoffery was of course a mystery,
there could be little doubt that this was the packet spoken of by the
servants as missing. Here indeed was a powerful circumstance in favour
of a scheme, so diabolical in purpose, so improbable in execution, that
it was his wishes, not his hopes, which had first given entertainment to
the thought. This monster, this creation of the evil one, was now
assuming an almost palpable, or at least plausible form. If, as he had
strong reason to suspect, the entire truth was known only to himself, it
seemed now, no great stretch of probability to hope, that this
extraordinary combination of unlooked-for circumstances might establish,
by apparently irresistible evidence, the next to incredible accusation,
which, could it indeed be established, would in the selfsame hour build
up at once his own long despaired-of fortunes. Caution, however, must
still be observed, while steps must be taken, to procure the
interference of the coroner; and get him to require that the body should
be opened; he must also receive a hint to search the escritoire; and the
result of the coroner's inquest must decide him, whether or not it would
be prudent to take any further steps. In the mean while, however, lest
the poison should be removed, previously to the time of a legal search
being made, he must contrive, that the packet, where it now lay, should
be seen by an impartial witness. His own evidence might not be received,
as he was known of course, as heir at law, to have an interest in
Alfred's being proved guilty. These were his thoughts, while descending
to the hall. Here he summoned Davison, and instructed him to go up to
Sir Alfred's room; to enter quietly, as though fearful of disturbing
him; to proceed to the back of his chair before he spoke; then to
apologize for his intrusion by saying, Mr. Geoffery had sent him for his
gloves, which he had laid on the table and forgotten. While pretending
to search for the gloves, he was to fix an attentive eye on the part of
the escritoire described to him by Geoffery, till he saw with sufficient
distinctness to be able to swear to the fact, a paper packet with the
word arsenic marked upon it. He was of course not to make a comment, or
even allow Sir Alfred to observe the direction of his eyes.
This service punctually performed, but the gloves, which, by-the-by,
were on Geoffery's hands, still unfound, Davison returned to his master,
who, after ascertaining that he could swear to having seen the arsenic,
added,
"You must have perceived, Davison, by the delicacy of my conduct from
the first, how glad I should be to retain the charitable opinions of
every one as long as possible; but at the same time I have a duty to
perform, though a painful one, and so may you, perhaps, when called upon
in a court of justice. In the mean time, however, be prudent, and don't
hurt the feelings of the older servants, by any rash or premature
remarks. As for strangers they don't care, and every one must know
sooner or later, so that your denying facts to them would be wrong, and
might invalidate your future evidence."
Davison looked half puzzled and half frightened, but said nothing.
"Doctor Harman," proceeded Geoffery, "has not been quite prudent; he
has, I find from one or two neighbours who have called this morning to
make inquiries, been gossiping already." And here, under pretext of
repeating what the Doctor had been saying, though poor Harman, to do him
justice, had not opened his lips, Geoffery, in an under voice, and with
much mystery of manner, mentioned the suspicious circumstance of the
paper which had fallen from Sir Alfred's bosom. As for the attempt to
rinse the glass, several servants had been present at the time.
Geoffery, now thinking that he had supplied his attendant with
sufficient topics of conversation for any servants' hall he might enter,
ordered his horses. He had several objects in view in his morning ride,
one of the principal ones, a call on business at Doctor Harman's.