HUNTING UP EVIDENCE FOR A DIVORCE――MR. SLINGSBY SET TO WORK.
While the intrigue was being carried on between Laura Stanbridge and
her victim, Tom Gatliffe, Aveline’s grandfather was in deep
consultation with his lawyer as to how a divorce was to be obtained
for his darling pet, who was by this time moving in the best society,
and surrounded by fashionable admirers. Mr. Chicknell did not know
very well what course to advise.
The earl was persistent in his demands. A divorce he was bent upon
having, at all hazards.
An opportunity most suddenly and unexpectedly presented itself.
Mr. Wrench was commissioned to wait upon the engineer at his house at
Wood Green.
He called several times, but could not succeed in meeting with the
owner of the establishment.
He ascertained from the loquacious servant in charge of the place that
her master came home only occasionally. She said, in answer to the
detective’s persistent inquiries, that Mr. Gatliffe had been for some
time past in the habit of remaining in London, in consequence, as she
alleged, of pressure of business at the works.
Mr. Wrench heard all she had to say, and very soon began to draw his
own inference therefrom.
“Stays in town, does he?” murmured our astute officer. “Umph! there is
some special reason, for this business is all very well in its way,
but there may be another cause. Formed some new connection perhaps,
illicit love and all that sort of thing. The case looks more
promising. If I succeed in finding out anything the earl, my patron,
will be in a state of delight, but after all it’s too contemptible and
paltry a business for me to be engaged in. Well, we will see what can
be done. Something’s in the wind――that’s quite certain. The question
is, how is it to be worked?”
Attached to the staff of gentlemen of which he (Wrench) was a
distinguished ornament was a man who was a sort of supplementary or
occasional detective――his name was Slingsby.
His services had been frequently called into requisition to hunt up
evidence for his superiors. Mr. Slingsby had no objection to push his
inquiries in channels where his superiors did not choose to venture.
He was a sort of sleuth hound, who would stoop to any mean artifices
to obtain the desired information.
Mr. Wrench, upon his return home, sent for Slingsby without further
ado.
“Well,” said the last-named, when he was closeted with his superior,
“Naggs said you wanted to see me.”
“Naggs was right――sit down,” returned Mr. Wrench.
“Anything on hand? Any fresh business?” inquired Slingsby.
“Yes; if you will have a little patience you shall hear.”
“I’m all attention, sir.”
“Very well. In the first place there is a young man named Gatliffe,
who is by trade an engineer. He resides at Wood Green.”
“I can go there, and soon ascertain about him.”
“Don’t you be so fast. I don’t want you to go to Wood Green. To do so
would be an act of the greatest imprudence. Besides, I have already
been there myself. What I want you to do is to watch him as he leaves
his work. He is foreman to an engineer in the Euston-road. I will give
you the name of the firm and the number of the house. He generally
leaves the works at six in the evening, but sometimes he stops till
seven or eight, and indeed on special occasions even later than that;
but, as a rule, you will be able to make sure of him between six and
seven, or from that to eight. You understand me thus far.”
“Oh, perfectly. I quite understand, Mr. Wrench.”
“Very well. What I want you to do is this――when he leaves, follow him
and notice where he goes to. It’s probable he may make for the
station; in which case push your inquiries no further, as you may rest
assured that he is about to return to his own home.”
“But if he doesn’t do so?”
“If he does not, follow him and see where he goes to. This done, come
to me.”
“And what’s he been up to――forgery or something of that sort, I
suppose?”
“Nothing of the kind. He has not done anything wrong――at all events,
nothing against the law.”
“What is he wanted for, then?”
“He is not wanted. All I require for the present of you is to
ascertain where he goes to on the nights he does not return to Wood
Green. We have good reason for believing that he has taken up with
some woman. Should this be the case we must learn more about it.”
“Then that’s all you want me to do at present.”
“That is all. Here is the name and address of his governor. Now do
your best. I have written underneath the address, between the hours of
six and eight, and here is his photograph, by which you will be able
to recognise him.”
“All right, Mr. Wrench. Never fear, I’ll find out what you want;” and
with these words Mr. Slingsby took his departure.
On the following night he watched the entrance through which the
workpeople passed in and out of the works in the Euston-road.
In the course of half-an-hour or so he observed Gatliffe pass through
the door, and Mr. Slingsby followed at once. He was, however, much
disappointed at finding his man make direct for the railway-station,
and had in accordance with his instructions to give up the chase for
that night.
On the succeeding evening he was again at his post, and very shortly
before seven Gatliffe again passed out of the building――this time to
look a different direction. He walked on westwards, and entered a
coffee-shop, where he remained for about half-an-hour or more, Mr.
Slingsby keeping watch and ward on the outside.
He saw Gatliffe emerge from the coffee-shop, and then walk on at a
smart pace, the detective following at a respectful distance. After
this the young engineer went into a hosier’s shop, and purchased a
pair of gloves.
He then made direct for Covent Garden Theatre, paid the entrance
money, and went into the Promenade Concerts.
The detective did the same, and kept a sharp eye upon the movements of
his man, who in the course of a few minutes was joined by a female, in
whose company he remained for the whole of the evening. When the
performance was over the two, upon reaching the street, called a
four-wheeled cab, into which they both got. When the vehicle was
driven off Mr. Slingsby jumped into a hansom, and told the driver to
follow the four-wheeler.
The driver of the hansom obeyed the order given him, and in the due
course of time the four-wheeler was brought to a standstill at the
house in the occupation of Miss Stanbridge.
Mr. Slingsby saw its two occupants alight and enter the house in
question; then he discharged his cab, and watched the house for some
considerable time.
He saw a light in the parlour, and saw also the shadows of two or
three persons, one of which appeared to be that of a man, the others
those of females.
He remained watching the house for an hour and a half, or perhaps two
hours; then, when the front parlour was in darkness he went his way,
well satisfied with his night’s adventure.
Early on the following morning he waited upon Mr. Wrench to make him
acquainted with the successful nature of his expedition.
“You have done well, wonderfully well, Slingsby,” said the detective.
“Nothing could be better. You are quite certain as to his identity.”
“Oh, quite certain――he is the image of the photograph.”
“Say, rather the photo is the image of him.”
“Yes, it is. There cannot be any mistake as to that; and the lady――do
you know her?”
“No, never saw her before.”
“A fashionable party, I suppose?”
“Oh, dear yes, quite up to the knocker.”
“Good-looking?”
“Yes, she’s what you would call a fascinating sort of woman, and
appeared from what I could see of her to be quite the lady. When I say
a lady, I mean of course one of doubtful repute.”
“Ah, just so. That is no more than I expected. So much the better.”
“The better?”
“Certainly, the matter will be more easily worked.”
“Most likely; but what is to be my next proceeding?”
“You have to watch him again, and see if he pays another visit to this
establishment. When this has been done we will consider our next
course of procedure.”
Mr. Slingsby acted in accordance with the instructions given him by
his superior.
He was at the works in the Euston-road on the following night, but the
result was not quite so satisfactory. Tom Gatliffe went to the
railway-station, and made for his home at Wood Green.
He did the same on the following evening, but Mr. Slingsby did not
despair. He kept his man steadily in view, and never missed a single
night from his post.
All this time Gatliffe was in ignorance of the surveillance which was
kept over him.
On the third night he bent his steps in the direction of Laura
Stanbridge’s residence, the detective following at a respectful
distance.
The gentle rap which Gatliffe gave at the door caused it to be opened
by the servant girl, when without a word the visitor entered.
Mr. Slingsby remained curling his heels on the pavement on the
opposite side of the street.
Presently the owner of the house came out with her admirer.
Mr. Slingsby judged rightly enough that the two were going to some
place of entertainment. He did not deem it expedient to follow them,
but went his way, and returned to his post a little before eleven
o’clock.
In about half an hour after that time the lady and gentleman returned,
the former letting herself and her companion in with a latch-key.
A gleam of light shot from the parlour window as on the first
occasion, and Mr. Slingsby watched the house until he concluded all
the inmates had retired to bed, then he returned to his own lodgings,
very well satisfied with his night’s work.
“It is pretty clear we have run him to earth,” said Mr. Wrench, when
his emissary made him acquainted with all the facts which had come to
his knowledge. “You have done this job to-rights, Slingsby. Everything
is satisfactory, as far as it goes, but, of course, much remains to be
done. For the present, however, let the matter rest till I have seen
my employer; then I will let you know how to act. Say nothing to
anybody; keep quite quiet, and we shall win in a hand canter.”
“All right, sir; I am to do nothing till I hear from you.”
“Nothing whatever.”
When Mr. Slingsby had taken his departure, Mr. Wrench rubbed the palms
of his hands together in great glee.
“Ah, I wasn’t far out in my surmise!” he ejaculated. “I thought there
was a woman in the case. Well, I should never have thought it of him,
for, to say the truth, he appeared to be altogether a different sort
of man; but, Lord, one never knows whom to place faith in. Still he
seemed so discreet, so high-minded, so far removed from temptation.
But, then, after all, it is but a natural consequence. Here’s a fine
handsome young fellow finds himself suddenly deserted by one who, if
the truth must be told, ought to have cleaved to him through good and
bad fortune. Yes, it is but natural that he should form another
connection, and it is withal most fortunate, as far as we are
concerned.”
He put on his hat and gloves, and sallied forth.
He made the best of his way to Mr. Chicknell’s chambers.
The lawyer was perfectly staggered when he heard the news.
“You don’t mean it? Can it be possible?” he ejaculated.
“Fact, sir――an indisputable fact.”
“Do you think he is living in open adultery with this woman?”
“I fear――or rather I fancy so.”
“Umph! sit down. Pray, be seated, Mr. Wrench. The earl must know of
this; he will be most delighted.”
“There’s but little doubt of that, sir.”
“None――none in the least, Wrench. Dear me, you have done well. The
only obstacle in our way is at once suddenly and unexpectedly
removed.”
“Not quite.”
“Eh, what do you mean?”
“We must have proofs.”
“Ah, true. But these are easily obtainable, I suppose, eh?”
“I don’t suppose there will be any great difficulty in the matter; but
as yet only half our task is accomplished.”
“Umph! Certainly that’s right enough, and the other half, as you term
it, is perhaps the most difficult part.”
“It must be managed, sir――that’s all I know.”
“Yes, most decidedly; that is quite clear. The earl has the highest
opinion of your ability and discretion. He speaks in the most
flattering terms of your――ahem!――your wonderful powers of
penetration.”
“Does he? I am sure I am much obliged to his lordship for his good
opinion of me,” cried the detective, with a short laugh.
“Oh, I am not joking, Wrench. Don’t imagine that,” observed the
lawyer.
“I don’t for a moment suppose you are, sir.”
“And so he’s taken up with a woman of doubtful repute――has he? Dear
me, it seems almost incredible.”
“Well, it’s only as we suppose at present, sir. As I said before,
proofs are necessary. It would never do to jump hastily at a
conclusion. I have never been accustomed to do that.”
“No, no, of course not. That we know perfectly well; and so, upon
second consideration, it would be perhaps just as well to hold the
matter over for the present, and not mention the subject to the earl
till we have clearer evidence.”
“I should not do so, not till such time as we are more certain of our
bird. He will fall into the web, I dare say, in good time.”
“And what do you propose doing then?” inquired the lawyer.
“Well, sir, that is the reason for my waiting upon you. He has been
seen in places of public resort with this woman; he has been seen
entering the house with her, and there is every reason to suppose that
he has remained there all night; but this, as you know, is not
positive evidence. We must have more than this.”
“Certainly; that is quite clear――much more. Do you know any of the
inmates――any servant in the house?”
Mr. Wrench shook his head, and said, “Not a soul――not one person.”
“There is a servant, of course, or servants?”
“Only one, I believe.”
“Oh! only one――eh?”
“As far as I have been able to ascertain.”
“And is she to be got at? Most domestic servants are.”
“Well, that remains to be seen. I have not made any attempt to enlist
her in our service, and for this reason: should she be faithful to her
mistress――which is more than likely――it would be putting them on their
guard.”
“Just so; that is clear enough, Wrench. Well, I cannot do better than
leave it in your hands. You know what is requisite――proofs, clear and
unmistakeable proofs, that he has committed adultery.”
“When I obtain further information I will see you again,” returned the
detective, as he left the lawyer’s chambers.
Mr. Wrench pondered over the matter.
At present he could not very well see his way. He had, as he termed
it, a delicate and difficult bit of steerage.
A rash or imprudent step might ruin all.
He was by no means disposed to tamper with Miss Stanbridge’s servant.
He had ascertained that she had been a long time with her present
mistress, and the people in the neighbourhood said she was “true as
steel.”
The detective, therefore, concluded possibly enough that the girl
might prove a troublesome customer.
He sent for Mr. Slingsby, with whom he had a long consultation.
In the end it was agreed between the two that other attempts should be
made before having recourse to the servant for information.
Mr. Wrench now came to the front. He watched the house in the
occupation of Laura Stanbridge, and made several inquiries in the
neighbourhood in a careless manner.
He ascertained by the merest accident that a charwoman was
occasionally engaged by the maid servant to clean the house and do the
rough work of the establishment.
This was just the sort of person Mr. Wrench was desirous to meet with.
A few shillings would go a long way with a woman of that description,
and the chances were that she had a tongue, which she could make very
good use of.
He had ascertained that she was known as Mrs. Mumms, that she was a
widow, with a son and a daughter. The son was shopboy to a greengrocer
in Jermyn-street, the daughter was in service in one of the western
suburbs――Richmond or Twickenham it was said――but there was no positive
certainty as to this.
Mr. Wrench elected to try the son, to begin with. He went to the
greengrocer’s where he worked, and bought some fruit, had the
satisfaction of seeing the lad in question, but he did not deem it
advisable to make any inquiries of him at that time――he awaited a more
fitting opportunity.
On the following morning he paced up and down Jermyn-street till he
saw young Mumms come out with his basket on his arm.
Mr. Wrench waited till he came by his side, then he said――
“Hold hard for a moment――I want to ask you a question.”
“Yes, sir,” said the lad, coming to a halt.
“Do you happen to know the name Crowdace in this neighbourhood?”
“Can’t say I do. What street does he live in?”
“I have been told he lives in Ryle-street.”
“Don’t know the name.”
“Sure?”
“Quite sure.”
“Do you know the name of Stanbridge?”
“Oh, yes, I know that name. I’ll show you where she lives if you want
her. I shall have to pass the house.”
“I don’t want to see her. What I want to know is, has she a lodger
with her of the name of Crowdace?”
The name of the gentleman whom the detective was inquiring for was of
course a pure invention.
“I never heard that she had, but mother will be able to tell you; she
works there occasionally.”
“Is there any gentleman lodger there?”
“Well, there you bother me. She don’t take no lodgers, I believe, but
there is a gentleman or two there occasionally.
“Is she a married lady?”
“I don’t know as she’s what you might term a married lady, but still
she may be for aught I know; but mother will be able to tell you more
about it.”
“Where does your mother live?”
“Close by here; I’ll show you if you like.”
“Do――there’s a good chap.”
Mr. Wrench slipped a shilling into the boy’s hand, for which he
appeared to be duly grateful.
He took the detective to a narrow court, and halted in front of a
dirty-looking house with five bell handles one above the other on the
side of the doorway.
He rang the third bell, whereupon a woman, wiping the soap suds from
her bare arms with her apron, made her appearance in the passage.
“Mother, a gentleman wants to speak to you,” said the greengrocer’s
assistant, as he left to go his rounds.
“Your sarvint, sir,” said Mrs. Mumms, coming forward.
“Oh, your son informs me that you know Miss Stanbridge. Is that so?”
“Yes, sir, I work for her at times.”
“Ah, just so. Do you happen to know if she has had a gentleman named
Crowdace lodging at her house?”
The woman shook her head.
“I never heard the name before,” said she.
“And you don’t know, I suppose, whether there is anyone of that name
lodging in the same street?”
“Well, sir, not as I’ve overheard. There may be, but its unbeknown to
me, if there is.”
“My object is simply this. A gentleman of that name is missing, and
his friends are anxious to ascertain something about him.”
“Ah, I’m sorry I can’t tell you.”
“Will you be kind enough to make inquiries in the neighbourhood for
me? If you succeed you will be handsomely rewarded.”
“I’ll do my best.”
“Good. Here is a card with the name written thereon. Good morning,
Mrs. Mumms.”
“Will you call again, sir?”
“Most certainly I will, in a day or two.”
This was certainly going a most roundabout way to obtain the desired
information, but Mr. Wrench’s object was to throw the woman off her
guard.
There could be no possible harm in his inquiring for a fictitious
individual. His doing so would not arouse suspicion. In the due course
of time he hoped to have Mrs. Mumms as an ally.
He called again upon her; of course no such person could be found. He
gave her five shillings for her trouble, and engaged her on the day as
charwoman to his own establishment.
She came and cleared up his house. He treated her liberally――gave her
a plentiful supply of beer and gin, and she was greatly pleased with
her new employer.
She went her ways, and in about a fortnight was again hired by our
cunning detective.
In the evening she was directed by Mrs. Wrench to dust and clean her
husband’s library. While she was occupied with this task Mr. Wrench
entered. The charwoman was about to withdraw, but the detective
requested her to remain.
“Don’t go, Mrs. Mumms,” said Wrench. “I want to have a little
conversation with you. Sit down.”
The woman looked a little surprised, or it might be alarmed, but did
as she was requested.
Mr. Wrench closed the door of the room, and then took a seat himself.
As a preliminary, he insisted upon his companion taking a glass of
something short. This done, he proceeded to business.
“I cannot find the person of whom I am in search,” said he. “Will you
just answer one or two questions. Mind you, I will make it worth your
while. I don’t expect anybody to work for nothing.”
“In course not, sir. You’re a different sort of gentleman to that.”
“Well, you see, Mrs. Mumms, it has occurred to me that probably the
party to whom I allude is passing under a different name.”
“Likely enough, sir; but I hope as how he aint bin doing anything
wrong.”
“Oh, dear me, no such thing. But, now, tell me――there is a gentleman
living at the house owned by Miss Stanbridge, or has been, eh?”
“She’s always had a relation――a cousin or nephew I believe he
is――living with her. She brought him up from a mere lad, so I’ve been
told, but he aint there so much as he used to be, and of late I’ve not
seen much of him.”
“Ah! a relation, eh?”
“Yes; so I believe, but he’s not the party you are in search of. He’s
been there for years.”
“And is not there somebody else?”
“Yes, lately there has been.”
“And do you know his name?”
“Certainly――Mr. Gatliffe.”
“You’ve been given to understand. Now tell me plainly. This Mr.
Gatliffe is living with her not as a lodger but as――Well, you know
what I mean, you are a woman of the world, Mrs. Mumms. Please answer
me truly.”
“I shouldn’t like to say, sir. It aint no business of mine. There’s a
good many couple a living together as aint man and wife, but that’s
nobody’s business but their two selves. They both on ’em act on the
square as far as I’m concerned, and there’s no call for me to round on
’em.”
“A very proper observation on your part. I wish everyone had your
discretion, Mrs. Mumms; but you need not be afraid of speaking frankly
to me. I know they are living together without your telling me so, and
you know it.”
“S’pose I do, what of that? He’s a fine honourable young fellow as
ever stepped in shoe leather, and everybody likes him.”
“That is true enough, but he is not there always――only occasionally.”
“No, he’s not always there; but I do hope and trust that you don’t
intend him any harm.”
Mr. Wrench burst out into a loud laugh.
“Oh, dear me, no. Harm indeed! Of course not. What could have put that
into your head?”
“Oh, I begs parding, sir. Meant no offence, but I should be sorry to
get anybody into trouble.”
“You are not likely to do that. Now answer me one question before you
go. See, here are five sovereigns, if you answer me truly.”
Mrs. Mumms was astounded at the sight of five sovereigns. Her breath
seemed to be taken away.
“Do you consent?” cried her companion in a severe tone.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Speak the truth, that’s all. Mr. Gatliffe and Miss Stanbridge occupy
one bedroom when he visits the house. I know they do, but that is one
thing――I want to hear it from your lips.”
Mrs. Mumms took up the corner of her apron with which she wiped her
lips, then her nose, and lastly her eyes.
“You hear what I say. Give me the desired information and the five
pounds are yours. Why need you hesitate? If you won’t tell me I shall
have no difficulty in finding somebody who will, possibly for a tenth
part of this sum.”
“Well, then, they do occupy but one bedroom.”
“In short, he is to all intents and purposes her husband――in every
respect but the marriage ceremony?”
“I should suppose so, but I do hope you are not going to bring them
into trouble. I wish I had not said anything about them.”
“Don’t you be alarmed; nobody will interfere with your pair of turtle
doves,” observed Mr. Wrench, with a short laugh. “Be of good cheer,
Mrs. Mumms, and take up the money.”
He handed the gold pieces to his companion, who wrapped them up in a
piece of dirty, crumpled paper, and transferred them to her pocket,
without saying a word.
“What is the name of the girl who is servant to the establishment?”
asked the detective, carelessly.
“Her name? Oh, Susan.”
“Susan what?”
“Susan Tarver.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Wrench wrote it down on a sheet of note paper which
lay on the table before him.
“What do you want with her?” cried the charwoman, in a tone of alarm.
“I want nothing of her.”
“I hope you won’t mention anything about this to Susan――I do hope
that.”
“I promise you not to do so; neither is it likely, seeing that I don’t
know her and have no desire to make her acquaintance.”
Mrs. Mumms now rose and left in a state of trepidation, for she
half-repented of having given the information for which she had been
so liberally paid, but when she got home she was in better spirits and
was well satisfied with her day’s work.
Mr. Wrench had now obtained as much as was necessary for his purpose,
the cumbrous and expensive machinery of the law could be put in motion
as soon as Mr. Chicknell and his aristocratic client chose. Mr. Wrench
hastened to the lawyer’s office, and after this the sagacious attorney
hastened down to Broxbridge.