THE UNKNOWN CUSTOMER
Before leaving her newly-discovered aunt Audrey extracted permission
from her to reveal what she had been told to Ralph. At first Madame
Coralie had made some objection, but on being assured that Shawe could
and would keep his own counsel she consented that he should be told
about the diamonds. "If he's hunting for the assassin, and thinking
that I am the one," said Madame Coralie, "he will learn beforehand
that I have the jewels, and will not be ready to credit me with
disposing of stolen gems. Eddy is sometimes so careless that I fear
lest the police should know."
"I think it would be best to tell the police," said Audrey, wisely.
"No; the interest in the case has died away," said her aunt, "and not
even Joseph's reward of one thousand pounds can revive it. Tell Mr.
Shawe, by all means, but warn him to keep his own counsel!"
Audrey left Madame Coralie with the strange feeling--so close was the
resemblance between the sisters, dead and alive--that she had been
conversing with her mother. She returned home in a dream, and then
thought disconsolately that she was no nearer learning what she wished
to know than she had been before. But it was necessary to disabuse
Perry Toat of the idea that the proprietress of the Pink Shop was
guilty, and Audrey determined to call at the appointed hour the next
day. Afterwards she could see Ralph and detail what she had learnt.
But to interview both her lover and the detective was not an easy
task, owing to the watch that was kept on her every action.
However, Providence stood her friend unexpectedly. Sir Joseph wished
to drive some people down to Richmond for afternoon tea at the Star
and Garter. He invited Mrs. Mellop to join the party, but to punish
Audrey for the way in which she had behaved to Lord Anvers he ordered
her to remain at home. His daughter disguised her satisfaction with
difficulty, and sent a wire to Ralph asking him to meet her at Perry
Toat's at half-past three o'clock. By that hour she would have put the
detective off the scent, and then could take Ralph aside and tell him
all that she did not wish Miss Toat to learn. Having arranged this,
she accompanied Mrs. Mellop to the door, where Sir Joseph, in a
magnificent motor-car, was waiting.
Mrs. Mellop was rather doleful, as she now knew that the millionaire
had made up his mind, on the authority of Audrey, to marry Rosy Pearl.
But the widow did not intend to lose the prize without a struggle, as
it was much too valuable. Besides, having seen Miss Pearl on the
music-hall stage, she did not think her a particularly formidable
rival. She determined, on this day, to be as fascinating as possible
in order to carry off Sir Joseph from under the very nose of Rosy
Pearl. And, as Mrs. Mellop had a very good opinion of herself, she
thought that she would succeed. So happy was she in the hope of
success that she kissed Audrey in the hall.
"You poor dear, I wish you were coming," she said affectionately.
"Oh, don't trouble yourself about me," said Audrey, who quite
understood what the kiss meant. "Give all your attention to capturing
my father."
"Wouldn't you like me for a stepmother?" asked Mrs. Mellop, coaxingly.
"I would like you better than Rosy Pearl," said Audrey, drily. "You
will have my undying gratitude if you can save him from that woman."
"Darling!" Mrs. Mellop pecked again at Audrey's cheek with great
delight at having enlisted her sympathy so far. "I shall do my best."
When the car glided away Audrey laughed. She felt sure that Mrs.
Mellop would do her best. She was also very certain that she would
fail, as Sir Joseph never changed his mind. He had declared, with
indecent haste, that he intended to marry the music-hall artist, and
he would do so, whatever obstacles were placed in the way. Moreover,
Rosy Pearl was just the kind of fine woman whom the millionaire
admired. Mrs. Mellop was a mere shrimp beside Miss Pearl's massive
proportions, and Sir Joseph did not care for diaphanous creatures of
the widow's type. However, Mrs. Mellop had intense faith in her own
cleverness and in man's stupidity, and went forth to conquer. No
wonder that Audrey--knowing her father's adamantine nature--laughed as
the would-be Lady Branwin fluttered out, all smiles and chiffons. "If
she's going out for wool, she will come home shorn," thought Audrey,
and went away to put on her quietest frock.
When she arrived at Buckingham Street, Strand, Miss Toat was duly
waiting to hear what she had learnt. Audrey had already arranged in
her own mind what to say, and sat down feeling quite cool and
composed. So calm did she seem that Miss Toat laughed in a vexed way.
"So you have been unsuccessful--you have learnt nothing," she said
promptly.
"How do you know?" asked Audrey, quickly.
"You would be more excited if you had found a clue. Well, Miss
Branwin"--she leant her elbows on the table--"perhaps I am wrong. If
you have learnt anything likely to be of value, let me hear it."
"I have learnt nothing," said Audrey, cautiously; "nothing of any
value."
"You got Madame Coralie to remove her yashmak?"
"Accident did that for me. It was ripped off by a tack as she rose."
"Well?" asked Perry Toat, eagerly.
"Well," replied Miss Branwin, coolly, "that's all."
"But you had some conversation with her?"
"Yes. But she could tell me nothing. She merely repeated what she had
said at the inquest--that she left my mother in bed and came up the
stairs to the still-room."
"Did you mention anything about the discrepancy in time?"
"Oh!"--Audrey was really dismayed--"I quite forgot to."
"Ah, my dear young lady"--Perry Toat looked vexed again--"that is the
most important question of the lot. Although, I daresay," she added
consolingly, "you would not have had a true reply. I must look into
the matter myself."
"There is nothing to be learnt, Miss Toat. I am quite sure that Madame
Coralie is innocent."
"What makes you think so?"
"I observed her face, and she did not change colour. She told me all
that I have told you with the greatest frankness."
"Naturally," said Miss Toat, doubtfully, "she would be on her guard
with you."
"I don't think she was," replied Audrey, with studied simplicity;
"besides, she has promised to help me to find the criminal. She is
most anxious to do so, because of her business."
"I don't see how discovering the real criminal will improve the
business."
"Well"--Audrey looked pensive--"Madame Coralie is rather revengeful."
"And very cunning. What is to be done now? You have failed."
"I have not looked into everything yet, Miss Toat. I intend to call
again on Madame Coralie."
"I shall do so also," said Perry Toat, with determination; for she
recollected the large reward, and felt anxious to obtain it.
Her visitor did not wish to forbid her calling again at the Pink Shop,
as such a request might have awakened Miss Toat's suspicions. So she
said nothing, feeling certain that Madame Coralie was perfectly well
able to look after herself. Meanwhile, Miss Toat, having gathered all
she wished to learn, and feeling a faint suspicion that Audrey had not
told her everything, made up her mind to look into things for herself.
Then she turned the conversation, so that Miss Branwin should not
gather her intentions.
"You made a conquest the other day," said Miss Toat, while Audrey rose
to take her leave and smoothed her gloves.
"Really!" The girl blushed. "What do you mean?"
"Colonel Ilse fell in love with you."
Audrey blushed again. "That nice military man who came as I went
yesterday, you mean, don't you? He is really charming--such a nice
smile. If I wasn't engaged to Mr. Shawe I might follow up my
conquest."
Miss Toat shook her head. "You would be disappointed. Colonel Ilse has
buried his heart in the grave of the wife who died over twenty years
ago. If he can only find the daughter who was stolen from him he will
be quite content."
"Then I must be the same with Ralph," said Audrey, laughing. "Do you
know, Miss Toat, Colonel Ilse put me in mind of someone. I can't think
who."
The detective nodded. "Curious you should say that. I had an idea that
I had seen someone like him. But then, these military men are all cut
to one pattern. See one and you see the lot. Ah! Come in!" She raised
her voice as a knock came to the door.
Ralph entered, looking smart and lover-like. "Here I am, Audrey," he
said.
"Oh!" laughed Perry Toat, rebukingly, "do you think that this is
Cupid's Bureau? What an unromantic place to meet in."
"We have to meet in all manner of places," said Audrey, with a smile.
"My father doesn't approve of our marriage, and will not let Mr. Shawe
come to the house. Good-day, Miss Toat. We must be off."
When she went out, looking up into her lover's face, Perry Toat
sighed. The little office seemed more dingy than ever now that rosy
love had flown away. The detective returned to her papers rather
discontentedly. She also wished to walk out with a lover; but there
was no chance of that unless she gained this one thousand pounds which
Sir Joseph Branwin offered for the detection of his wife's assassin.
The episode of Ralph meeting Audrey at the office, and the sight of
their love, made the little woman more determined than ever to win the
reward. "They are the butterflies," said Miss Toat, shuffling her
papers, "and I am only the grub as yet."
So while the poor grub worked in the dull room the butterflies
fluttered in the sunshine. To be precise, they drove in a taxi-cab to
their favourite meeting-place near the Round Pond. Here Audrey related
how she had seen Madame Coralie, and what had taken place. Shawe was
not easily astonished, but on this occasion he confessed that he was.
It was surprising to learn that Madame Coralie was the sister of Lady
Branwin, and more surprising still to hear that she so easily
confessed to having possession of the long-lost diamonds.
"Oh, she must be innocent," said the barrister, after an astonished
pause. "I can't conceive she would admit so much if she were guilty.
The very possession of the jewels would make the police certain of her
guilt."
"But the police must never know," said Audrey, anxiously. "Remember, I
tell you all this under seal of secrecy."
"Oh, I shall say nothing," Ralph assured her seriously--"especially as
your aunt has been so candid as to dispel any suspicions that I may
have entertained regarding her complicity in the crime."
"Then you don't believe in Perry Toat's theory?"
"No, I certainly do not. I have my own views."
"What are they?"
Shawe hesitated. "I shall tell you what they are when I am more
certain of my suspicions."
"Then you do suspect someone?" asked the girl, swiftly.
"Yes and no; that is, I have found a mare's nest."
Audrey looked at him carefully. It struck her that his face was thin
and pale, and that his eyes looked remarkably dull. "You are worrying,
dear."
"Yes, over this case. I really think"--Shawe passed his hand across
his forehead--"that it would be best to leave it alone. Audrey"--he
took her hands and looked entreatingly into her face--"why not let
sleeping dogs lie?"
She shook her head. "I must learn who killed my mother. Aunt
Flora--that is, Madame Coralie--will help me. Why do you wish things
to be left alone?"
"Because the wording of that anonymous letter haunts me," said Shawe,
irritably. "If you search into this matter you will experience some
very great grief. Is it worth risking that?"
"For the sake of my mother's memory it is," said the girl, firmly.
"My darling, I assure you that your mother will rest no more quietly
in her grave because her assassin is hanged. Why not abandon the whole
business and marry me at once? I have not much money, it is true, but
what I have is enough for both of us to live quietly."
"No, no, no!" said Audrey, insistently. "We discussed this matter
before, and I told you that I would not drag you down and hinder your
career by saddling you with a poor wife; and if I marry against my
father's wishes I am bound to be poor. Besides, I have sworn to myself
never to rest until the murderer of my poor mother is brought to
justice. If you won't help me--and you certainly do not seem anxious
to do so--I must work alone."
"Of course I shall help you," snapped the barrister, sharply. "I want
to get at the truth as speedily as possible, so that we may be
married. And to aid you in your search I now make a suggestion."
Audrey looked at him with interest. "What is it?"
"You say that your father admired Madame Coralie when she was Flora
Arkwright of Bleakleigh. Very good! Flora Arkwright may have admired
your father, and may have grudged him marrying your mother. Now, why
not go to Madame Coralie straight away and rouse her jealousy?"
"Rouse her jealousy?"
"Yes. The Deceased Wife's Sister Bill is law now, and there is no bar
against Madame Coralie marrying Sir Joseph."
"Yes, there is. You forget Eddy Vail."
"Oh, the deuce!" cried the barrister, in dismay, "so I do. Never mind,
it is as well to try the experiment. Tell Madame Coralie that Sir
Joseph is to marry Rosy Pearl, and see what she will say. For your
dead mother's sake, if not for her own, she may resent the marriage."
"Of course, the idea is absurd," said Audrey, pettishly. "My aunt has
not a shadow of excuse to object to my father marrying anyone. What
ever feelings she may have entertained for him once, they have been
parted too long for such feelings to exist now."
"Well, the experiment is worth trying," insisted Ralph, anxiously.
Audrey thought for a moment, then rose and walked across the grass.
"To set your mind at rest I shall see my aunt at once and tell her."
"Good! I shall wait at the door of the Pink Shop and hear your
report."
With this understanding the two strolled across the Gardens to
Walpole Lane, and while Ralph lingered on the pavement Audrey passed
into the Turkish shop. She had chosen rather an awkward hour for an
interview, as Madame Coralie's clients were rolling up in carriage and
motor-brougham. But the proprietress of the shop was upstairs in the
still-room, and sent down word that she would see Miss Branwin at
once. The girl soon found herself in the presence of her aunt, while
Badoura, who had introduced her, returned to look after the customers,
who were being served by the other three girls. "I can only give you
five minutes, my dear," said Madame Coralie, who was again wearing her
yashmak. "Is there anything wrong?"
"Nothing particularly; but I thought that it was just as well you
should know that my father has made up his mind to marry again."
"What!" Madame Coralie gave a roar like that of a wounded lioness.
"Who is the woman?"
"Miss Rosy Pearl, of the--"
"That music-hall creature--impossible!" Madame Coralie clenched her
hands, and her black eyes looked extremely angry. "Why, it was Rosy
Pearl who was my other customer who slept in this house on the night
of the crime!"
"Oh!" Audrey grew pale. In a flash she saw what Madame Coralie meant.