FIBSY
Next morning as I started for my office, I found myself combating a
strong impulse to call in at Ruth Schuyler's. I had no errand there,
and I knew that if she required my services she would summon me. It
was no longer incumbent on me to try to unravel the murder mystery.
Fleming Stone had that matter in charge, and his master-mind needed no
assistance from me.
And yet, I wanted to stop at the Fifth Avenue house, if only for a
moment, to reassure myself of Ruth's well-being. Though above me in
social rank, the little widow seemed to me a lonely and pathetic
woman, and I knew she had begun to depend on me for advice and
sympathy. Of course, she could turn to Fleming Stone, but, in a way,
he was adviser of the Schuyler sisters, and I knew Ruth hesitated to
intrude on his time.
I was still uncertain whether to call or not, and as I walked along
the few feet between my own house and the Avenue, I crossed the street
as I reached Vicky Van's house, and naturally looked at it as I
passed.
And after I had passed the flight of brownstone steps, and was going
along by the iron fence, I turned to look at the area door. This was
my performance every morning, and always without thought of seeing
anything of importance.
But this time the area door stood half-way open, and looking out was a
boy, a red-headed chap, with a freckled face and bright, wise eyes.
I turned quickly and went in at the area gate.
"Who are you?" I demanded, "and what are you doing here?"
"I'm Fibsy," he said, as if that settled it.
"Fibsy who?" I asked, but I dropped my indignant tone, for the lad
seemed to be composedly sure of his rights there.
"Aw, jest Fibsy. That's me name, because, if you want to know, because
I'm a natural born liar and I fib for a living."
He was impudent without being offensive; his wide smile was
good-natured and the twinkle in his eye a friendly one.
"I got yer number," he said, after a comprehensive survey of my
person, "you're C. Calhoun. Ain't you?"
"I sure am," I agreed, meeting his taste for the vernacular, "and now
for your real name."
"Terence McGuire," he smiled, and with a quick gesture he snatched off
his cap. "C'mon in, if you like. I'm F. Stone's right-hand man."
"What!" I cried, in amazement.
"Yep, that's what. I'm--well, I like to call myself his caddy. I
follow him round, and hold his clues for him, till he wants one, then
I hand it out. See?"
"Not entirely. But I gather you're in Mr. Stone's employ."
"You bet I am! And I'm on me job twenty-four hours a day."
"And what is your job just now?"
"Well, since eight A.M. I've been holdin' up this door, waitin' for
yer honor to pass by. An' I got you, didn't I?"
"Yes, I'm here." I stepped inside and the boy closed the door. We went
into the front basement room, where there was a lighted gas stove.
"I camp here, 'count o' the heats. There's no use gettin' up the steam
fer the few casual callers that drops in at present. Now, Mr. Calhoun,
I don't want to be stuffy nor nuthin', but Mr. Stone said I might ask
you some few things, if I liked an' you can answer or not, as you
like. This ain't no orficial investigation, but I s'pose you're as
intrusted as anybody in findin' this here Victoria Van Allen?"
"I'm interested in finding the murderer of Mr. Schuyler," I replied.
"An' maybe they ain't one an' the same. That's so." He spoke
thoughtfully and scanned my face with a quizzical glance. "But, of
course, Mr. Stone'll find out. Now, Mr. Calhoun, if you don't mind,
will you give me a line on that maid person, that Julia?"
"Julie, she is called."
"All right, Julie goes. Is she a young thing?"
"No; just this side of middle-aged. Probably thirty-five or so."
"Good looker?"
"Why, about average. Brown hair, brownish eyes--really, I never
noticed her closely enough to think about her appearance. She is, I'm
sure, a good servant and devoted to Miss Van Allen."
"But don't you know anything special? Anything that would pick her out
from a lot of other good servants?"
"In appearance, you mean?"
"Yes."
"I can't think of anything. Let me see. She wears glasses--"
"What sort?"
"I don't know. Just ordinary glasses, I guess."
"Spectacles or nose-riders?"
"I'm not sure. Spectacles, I think. And she has a great many
gold-filled teeth."
"Front ones?"
"Yes, that is, they're very noticeable when she speaks to you."
"Well, that's sumpum. Is she quick and spry-like, or poky?"
I smiled at the boy's eagerness. "She's rather alert," I said, "but,
of course, quiet and respectful. I never looked at her with any
personal interest, so I can only give you my general impressions."
"You see, it's this way," and the boy looked very serious, "wherever
Miss Van Allen is, that Julie's there, too. And when Miss Van Allen
wants errands done, of course, she sends Julie. And, of course, said
Julie is disguised. I dope out all this has to be so. For Miss Van
Allen has mailed letters and--oh, well, of course she could mail
letters in lots of ways, but sumpum tells me, that she depends on Miss
Julie as an errand girl. So, I want to find out the look of the Julie
person, and see if I can't track her down, and so get at Miss Van
Allen. Vicky Van, I believe her friends call her."
"They do," said I, looking sternly at the boy, "and I'll say right
here, that I'm one of her friends, and I won't stand for any
impertinence or any remarks of any sort about that lady. If she is
suspected of this crime, let the law take its course, but until there
is some direct evidence, don't you dare to connect her name with it."
"I'm only obeying Mr. Stone's orders. And, take it from me, Mr.
Calhoun, I ain't so fresh as to make remarks about a lady. I'm a
prevaricator of the truth, but only when it's abserlutely necessary.
And on the other hand, I'm a born protector of women. Why, I'd be only
too tickled to find a gentleman suspect. Or, at least, to clear Miss
Van Allen from all s'picion."
"Why do you feel such a kindly interest in the lady?"
"This house, for one reason. You see, I've been all over it, at Mr.
Stone's orders, and I ree'lize what a nice lady she is. I don't have
to see her, to understand her tastes and her 'complishments. Why, jest
the books on her centre tables and the records for her phonograph
spell her out for me, in words of one syllable. And, though I'm
hunting for her, it isn't with a solid hunch that's she's the
knife-sticker. Not by no means. But find her I've gotto! Because F.
Stone says for me to."
I looked at the boy more curiously. He was a strange admixture of
street boy and sleuth. His quick, darting eyes were never still, but
warily alert to catch the meaning of any sound or motion on my part. I
felt as if he read me through, and would not have been surprised to
have him tell me he knew of my recent communications with Vicky. But I
only said, "You are, then, Mr. Stone's right-hand man?"
"I put it that way, yes. But really, I'm his apprentice, and I'm
learning his trade. I study his methods, and I add some gumption of my
own, and if I can help him, I'm glad and happy. And anyway, I'm
learning."
"And this talk about your lying? Is that straight goods?"
"If it is, how can you believe what I tell you?" he asked,
whimsically. "But, I used to be a fierce liar. Then, gettin' in with
F. Stone, made me see it's wrong to lie--usuerly, that is. So I don't,
now--leastways, not much. Only when it's jest the only thing to do to
save game."
"How does Mr. Stone know when you're telling the truth, then?"
"Good land, I don't lie to him! I wouldn't, and if I did, it wouldn't
be any use. He'd see through me, quicker'n scat! But, honest, I
wouldn't. You see, he's my idol, yes sir, my idol, that's what that
man is! Well, Mr. Calhoun, as you've told me all you can pry loose
from your stock of infermation, you an' me may as well make our
adooses."
"How do you know I haven't revealed all I know of the case?"
"Oh, I read from your mobile counternance that you're keepin' sumpum
back, but it don't matter. F. Stone'll nail it, when he gets good an'
ready. What I wanted from you was mostly the speakin' likeness of the
Julie dame. An' I guess I got it. Oh, say, one other thing. Who among
Miss Van Allen's friends is an artist?"
"Miss Gale is one. Miss Ariadne Gale."
"Thank you, sir. And will you gimme her address?"
I did so, and then I went away, thinking Fleming Stone a queer sort of
detective to have for assistant such an illiterate, uncultured boy as
Fibsy. The name was enough to condemn him! But as I thought the
little chap over, I realized that his talk had been clear-headed and
to the point, besides showing sagacity and perspicacity.
It was growing late, but after this interview I felt I must see Ruth
for a few minutes, so called at the Schuyler house.
She greeted me cordially and seemed glad to see me. Winnie was still
acting as secretary for her, but the rush of notes of condolence was
over, and as Ruth was not, of course, giving or accepting social
invitations, there was not so much work for Win as at first. But the
two had become fast friends, and Winnie told me how they sat together
chatting often for pleasant half hours at a time.
I told Ruth about the strange boy at Vicky Van's house.
"Yes," she said, "I've heard about him. Mr. Stone picked him up
somewhere and he uses him as a sort of outside scout. He has all
confidence in him, though I believe the little chap rejoices in the
name of Fibber."
"Fibsy," I corrected. "He is certainly a bright youth. And he plans to
hunt down Miss Van Allen by means of her maid, Julie."
"Are they together?"
"We only suppose so. It seems probable, that Miss Van Allen would want
the help, if not the protection of her servant. Julie is a most
capable woman, and devoted to her mistress."
"I've heard so. I have a kind, thoughtful woman, too, and I should
miss her terribly were I without her."
"Oh, but your Tibbetts is a servant, and nothing more. This Julie was
a real friend to Miss Van Allen, and looked after her in every way.
Housekeeper, maid, nurse, and general bodyguard."
"Yes, Miss Van Allen must have needed such a person, since, as I am
told, she lived alone. My sisters-in-law are quite in love with the
Van Allen house. Both they and Winnie have been singing its praises
this morning. It seems your Vicky Van is a lady of most refined
tastes."
"She certainly is. I can't help thinking if you and she had known each
other, in favorable circumstances, you would have been friends."
"It may be. I have never felt sure that she is the guilty one, but I
have changed my mind about not wanting her to be found. I do want that
she should be. Mr. Schuyler's sisters have shown me that to hesitate
at or neglect any means of hunting her out would be wrong. And so, I
am glad we have Mr. Stone and I hope he will succeed in his search."
"What changed your mind, especially?"
"I realized that it would be disloyalty to my husband's memory to let
his possible slayer go free. The girl must be found, and then if she
can be freed of suspicion, very well, but the case must be
investigated fully."
"I dare say you are right. Mr. Schuyler was a man of importance and
influence, and aside from that, every deed of blood calls for revenge.
I honor you for deciding as you have."
"It is justice that moves me, more than my personal inclination," Ruth
went on. "I will not deny, Mr. Calhoun, that in some ways, my
husband's death has freed me from certain restrictions that hampered
and galled me. I shouldn't mention this to you, but I know the sisters
have told you that I have, in many ways, gone counter to Mr.
Schuyler's wishes, since I have been my own mistress. It is true. He
and I disagreed greatly on matters of the household and matters of my
personal comfort and convenience. Now that I can do so, I am arranging
my life differently. It is natural that I should do this, but the
Schuyler ladies think that I have begun indecently soon. I say this,
not by way of apology, but because I want you to understand."
Ruth looked very sweet and wistful, as she seemed to make a bid for my
sympathy. I was impressed anew by the soft pallor of her face and the
sweet purity of her gray eyes. I contrasted her with Vicky Van. One,
the embodiment of life and gayety, the other a gentle, dovelike
personality, which, however, hinted sometimes at hidden fires. I
believed that Ruth Schuyler had been so repressed, so dominated by her
brute of a husband, that her nature had never expanded to its own
possibilities.
And, like a blinding flash of lightning, the knowledge came to me that
I loved her! It was no uncertain conviction. The fact sprang
full-armed, to my brain, and my heart swelled with the bliss of it.
I scarcely dared look at her. I couldn't tell her--yet. I had no
reason to think she cared for me, other than as the merest
acquaintance, yet, then and there, I vowed to myself that she should
care.
I thought of Vicky Van--poor little Vicky. She had interested me--did
interest me, but in only a friendly way. Indeed, my interest in her
was prompted by sympathy for her luckless position and the trust she
had reposed in me, I would hold her trust sacred. I would never play
false to Vicky Van. But henceforth and forever my heart and soul
belonged to my liege lady, my angel-faced Ruth.
"What is the matter, Mr. Calhoun?" I heard her saying, and I looked up
to see her smiling almost gayly at me. "Your thoughts seem to be a
thousand miles away!"
"Oh, not so far as that," I protested. Somehow, I felt buoyantly
happy. I had no wish to tell her of my love, at present I was quite
content to worship her in secret, and I exulted in a sort of
clairvoyant knowledge that I should yet win her. I smiled into her
dear eyes, as I continued: "They were really round the corner in Vicky
Van's house."
To my delight she pouted a little. "Let's talk of something else," she
said. "I've no doubt Miss Van Allen is charming, and her home a
perfect gem, but I own up I'm not anxious to discuss her all the time
and with every one."
"You shall be exempt from it with me," I promised. "Henceforth her
name is taboo between us, and you shall choose our subjects yourself."
"Then let's talk about me. Now, you know, Mr. Calhoun, I never see Mr.
Bradbury, so you must be my legal adviser in all my quandaries.
First, and this is a serious matter, I don't want to continue to live
with the Schuyler ladies. We are diametrically opposed on all matters
of opinion, and disagree on many matters of fact." Ruth smiled, and I
marveled afresh at the way her face lighted up when she indulged in
that little smile of hers. "Nor," she went on, "do they want to live
with me. So, it ought to be an easy matter to please us all. As to the
house and furnishings, they are all mine, but if the sisters prefer to
live here, and let me go elsewhere, I am willing to give them the
house and its contents."
"I know you don't care for this type of residence," I said, "indeed,
Miss Schuyler said yesterday, as we looked over Vicky Van's house,
that it was just the sort of thing you liked."
"Oh, I can't think I would like her house! I supposed it was a plain
little affair. Harmonious and pretty, Winnie says, but she didn't give
me the impression it was elaborate."
"No, it isn't. And it wouldn't be as grand as your home ought to be.
But mention of the girl is not allowed, I believe--"
She smiled again, and resumed: "Well, I want you to sound the Schuyler
sisters, and find out their wishes. When I speak to them, they only
say for me to wait until after the mystery is solved and all this
horrid publicity and notoriety at an end. But I want to go away from
them now. I want Mr. Stone to do his work, and I hope he will find
that girl and all that, but I can't stand it to live in this
atmosphere of detectives and reporters and policemen any longer than I
must. Would it do for me to go to some quiet hotel for a while? I
could take Tibbetts, and just be quietly by myself, while the
Schuylers continue to live in this house."
I thought it over. I understood perfectly how she hated to be
questioned continually as to her life with her late husband, for I was
beginning to realize that that life had been a continuous tragedy.
Nothing much definite, but many sidelights and stray hints had shown
me how he had treated her, and how patiently she had borne it. And,
now he was gone, and I, for one, didn't blame her that she wanted to
get away from the scenes of her slavery to him. For it had been that.
He had enforced his ideas and opinions upon her, until she had been
allowed to do nothing and to have nothing as she wished.
And now, she desired only peace and quietness somewhere, anywhere,
away from the two who represented Randolph Schuyler's tyranny and
carping criticism without his right to obtrude them on her.
"I will speak to them," I said, "and I'm sure we can arrange some mode
of life for you which will give you rest and freedom of judgment."
"Oh, if you only can!" she murmured, as she held out a friendly hand.