T. Tembarom — Chapter 39
CHAPTER XXXIX
It was Mr. Hutchinson who, having an eye on the window, first announced an arriving carriage.
“Some of 'em's comin' from the station,” he remarked.
“There's no young woman with 'em, that I can see from here.
” “I thought I heard wheels.
” Miss Alicia went to look out, agitatedly.
“It is the gentlemen.
Perhaps Lady Joan--” she turned desperately to the duke.
“I don't know what to say to Lady Joan.
I don't know what she will say to me.
I don't know what she is coming for, Little Ann, do keep near me!
” It was a pretty thing to see Little Ann stroke her hand and soothe her.
“Don't be frightened, Miss Temple Barholm.
All you've got to do is to answer questions,” she said.
“But I might say things that would be wrong--things that would harm him.
” “No, you mightn't, Miss Temple Barholm.
He's not done anything that could bring harm on him.
” The Duke of Stone, who had seated himself in T. Tembarom's favorite chair, which occupied a point of vantage, seemed to Mr. Palford and Mr. Grimby when they entered the room to wear the aspect of a sort of presidiary audience.
The sight of his erect head and clear-cut, ivory-tinted old face, with its alert, while wholly unbiased, expression, somewhat startled them both.
They had indeed not expected to see him, and did not know why he had chosen to come.
His presence might mean any one of several things, and the fact that he enjoyed a reputation for quite alarming astuteness of a brilliant kind presented elements of probable embarrassment.
If he thought that they had allowed themselves to be led upon a wild-goose chase, he would express his opinions with trying readiness of phrase.
His manner of greeting them, however, expressed no more than a lightly agreeable detachment from any view whatsoever.
Captain Palliser felt this curiously, though he could not have said what he would have expected from him if he had known it would be his whim to appear.
“How do you do?
How d' you do?
” His Grace shook hands with the amiable ease which scarcely commits a man even to casual interest, after which he took his seat again.
“How d' do, Miss Hutchinson?
” said Palliser.
“How d' do, Mr. Hutchinson?
Mr. Palford will be glad to find you here.
” Mr. Palford shook hands with correct civility.
“I am, indeed,” he said.
“It was in your room in New York that I first saw Mr. Temple Temple Barholm.
” “Aye, it was,” responded Hutchinson, dryly.
“I thought Lady Joan was coming,” Miss Alicia said to Palliser.
“She will be here presently.
She came down in our train, but not with us.
” “What--what is she coming for?
” faltered Miss Alicia.
“Yes,” put in the duke, “what, by the way, is she coming for?
” “I wrote and asked her to come,” was Palliser's reply.
“I have reason to believe she may be able to recall something of value to the inquiry which is being made.
” “That's interesting,” said his Grace, but with no air of participating particularly.
“She doesn't like him, though, does she?
Wouldn't do to put her on the jury.
” He did not wait for any reply, but turned to Mr. Palford.
“All this is delightfully portentous.
Do you know it reminds me of a scene in one of those numerous plays where the wrong man has murdered somebody--or hasn't murdered somebody--and the whole company must be cross-examined because the curtain cannot be brought down until the right man is unmasked.
Do let us come into this, Mr. Palford; what we know seems so inadequate.
” Mr. Palford and Mr. Grimby each felt that there lurked in this manner a possibility that they were being regarded lightly.
All the objections to their situation loomed annoyingly large.
“It is, of course, an extraordinary story,” Mr. Palford said, “but if we are not mistaken in our deductions, we may find ourselves involved in a cause celebre which will set all England talking.
” “I am not mistaken,” Palliser presented the comment with a short and dry laugh.
“Tha seems pretty cock-sure!
” Hutchinson thrust in.
“I am.
No one knew Jem Temple Barbolm better than I did in the past.
We were intimate--enemies.
” And he laughed again.
“Tha says tha'll swear th' chap tha saw through th' window was him?
” said Hutchinson.
“I'd swear it,” with composure.
The duke was reflecting.
He was again tapping with his cane the gaiter covering his slender, shining boot.
“If Mr. Temple Temple Barholm had remained here his actions would have seemed less suspicious?
” he suggested.
It was Palliser who replied.
“Or if he hadn't whisked the other man away.
He lost his head and played the fool.
” “He didn't lose his head, that chap.
It's screwed on th' right way--his head is,” grunted Hutchinson.
“The curious fellow has a number of friends,” the duke remarked to Palford and Grimby, in his impartial tone.
“I am hoping you are not thinking of cross-examining me.
I have always been convinced that under cross-examination I could be induced to innocently give evidence condemnatory to both sides of any case whatever.
But would you mind telling me what the exact evidence is so far?
” Mr. Palford had been opening a budget of papers.
“It is evidence which is cumulative, your Grace,” he said.
“Mr. Temple Temple Barholm's position would have been a far less suspicious one--as you yourself suggested--if he had remained, or if he hadn't secretly removed Mr. --Mr. Strangeways.
” “The last was Captain Palliser's suggestion, I believe,” smiled the duke.
“Did he remove him secretly?
How secretly, for instance?
” “At night,” answered Palliser.
“Miss Temple Barholm herself did not know when it happened.
Did you?
” turning to Miss Alicia, who at once flushed and paled.
“He knew that I was rather nervous where Mr. Strangeways was concerned.
I am sorry to say he found that out almost at once.
He even told me several times that I must not think of him--that I need hear nothing about him.
” She turned to the duke, her air of appeal plainly representing a feeling that he would understand her confession.
“I scarcely like to say it, but wrong as it was I couldn't help feeling that it was like having a--a lunatic in the house.
I was afraid he might be more--ill--than Temple realized, and that he might some time become violent.
I never admitted so much of course, but I was.
” “You see, she was not told,” Palliser summed it up succinctly.
“Evidently,” the duke admitted.
“I see your point.
” But he seemed to disengage himself from all sense of admitting implications with entire calmness, as he turned again to Mr. Palford and his papers.
“You were saying that the exact evidence was--?
” Mr. Palford referred to a sheet of notes.
“That--whether before or shortly after his arrival here is not at all certain--Mr. Temple Temple Barholm began strongly to suspect the identity of the person then known as Strangeways--” Palliser again emitted the short and dry laugh, and both the duke and Mr. Palford looked at him inquiringly.
“He had `got on to' it before he brought him,” he answered their glances.
“Be sure of that.
” “Then why did he bring him?
” the duke suggested lightly.
“Oh, well,” taking his cue from the duke, and assuming casual lightness also, “he was obliged to come himself, and was jolly well convinced that he had better keep his hand on the man, also his eye.
It was a good-enough idea.
He couldn't leave a thing like that wandering about the States.
He could play benefactor safely in a house of the size of this until he was ready for action.
” The duke gave a moment to considering the matter--still detachedly.
“It is, on the whole, not unlikely that something of the sort might suggest itself to the criminal mind,” he said.
And his glance at Mr. Palford intimated that he might resume his statement.
“We have secured proof that he applied himself to secret investigation.
He is known to have employed Scotland Yard to make certain inquiries concerning the man said to have been killed in the Klondike.
Having evidently reached more than suspicion he began to endeavor to persuade Mr. Strangeways to let him take him to London.
This apparently took some time.
The mere suggestion of removal threw the invalid into a state of painful excitement--” “Did Pearson tell you that?
” the duke inquired.
“Captain Palliser himself in passing the door of the room one day heard certain expressions of terrified pleading,” was Mr. Palford's explanation.
“I heard enough,” Palliser took it up carelessly, “to make it worth while to question Pearson--who must have heard a great deal more.
Pearson was ordered to hold his tongue from the first, but he will have to tell the truth when he is asked.
” The duke did not appear to resent his view.
“Pearson would be likely to know what went on,” he remarked.
“He's an intelligent little fellow.
” “The fact remains that in spite of his distress and reluctance Mr. Strangeways was removed privately, and there our knowledge ends.
He has not been seen since--and a few hours after, Captain Palliser expressed his conviction, that the person he had seen through the West Room window was Mr. James Temple Barholm, Mr. Temple Temple Barholm left the house taking a midnight train, and leaving no clue as to his where-abouts or intentions.
” “Disappeared!
” said the duke.
“Where has he been looked for?
” The countenance of both Mr. Palford and his party expressed a certain degree of hesitance.
“Principally in asylums and so-called sanatoriums,” Mr. Grimby admitted with a hint of reluctance.
“Places where the curiosity of outsiders is not encouraged,” said Palliser languidly.
“And where if a patient dies in a fit of mania there are always respectable witnesses to explain that his case was hopeless from the first.
” Mr. Hutchinson had been breathing hard occasionally as he sat and listened, and now he sprang up uttering a sound dangerously near a violent snort.
“Art tha accusin' that lad o' bein' black villain enough to be ready to do bloody murder?
” he cried out.
“He was in a very tight place, Hutchinson,” Palliser shrugged his shoulders as he said it.
“But one makes suggestions at this stage--not accusations.
” That Hutchinson had lost his head was apparent to his daughter at least.
“Tha'd be in a tight place, my fine chap, if I had my way,” he flung forth irately.
“I'd like to get thy head under my arm.
” The roll of approaching wheels reached Miss Alicia.
“There's another carriage,” was her agitated exclamation.
“Oh, dear!
It must be Lady Joan!
” Little Ann left her seat to make her father return to his.
“Father, you'd better sit down,” she said, gently pushing him in the right direction.
“When you can't prove a thing's a lie, it's just as well to keep quiet until you can.
” And she kept quiet herself, though she turned and stood before Palliser and spoke with clear deliberateness.
“What you pretend to believe is not true, Captain Palliser.
It's just not true,” she gave to him.
They were facing and looking at each other when Burrill announced Lady Joan Fayre.
She entered rather quickly and looked round the room with a sweeping glance, taking them all in.
She went to the duke first, and they shook hands.
“I am glad you are here!
” she said.
“I would not have been out of it, my dear young lady,” he answered, “`for a farm' That's a quotation.
” “I know,” she replied, giving her hand to Miss Alicia, and taking in Palliser and the solicitors with a bow which was little more than a nod.
Then she saw Little Ann, and walked over to her to shake hands.
“I am glad you are here.
I rather felt you would be,” was her greeting.
“I am glad to see you.
” “Whether tha 'rt glad to see me or not I'm glad I'm here,” said Hutchinson bluntly.
“I've just been speaking a bit o' my mind.
” “Now, Father love!
” Little Ann put her hand on his arm.
Lady Joan looked him over.
Her hungry eyes were more hungry than ever.
She looked like a creature in a fever and worn by it.
“I think I am glad you are here too,” she answered.
Palliser sauntered over to her.
He had approved the duke's air of being at once detached and inquiring, and he did not intend to wear the aspect of the personage who plays the unpleasant part of the pursuer and avenger.
What he said was: “It was good of you to come, Lady Joan.
” “Did you think I would stay away?
” was her answer.
“But I will tell you that I don't believe it is true.
” “You think that it is too good to be true?
” Her hot eyes had records in them it would have been impossible for him to read or understand.
She had been so torn; she had passed through such hours since she had been told this wild thing.
“Pardon my not telling you what I think,” she said.
“Nothing matters, after all, if he is alive!
” “Except that we must find him,” said Palliser.
“If he is in the same world with me I shall find him,” fiercely.
Then she turned again to Ann.
“You are the girl T. Tembarom loves?
” she put it to her.
“Yes, my lady.
” “If he was lost, and you knew he was on the earth with you, don't you know that you would find him?
” “I should know he'd come back to me,” Little Ann answered her.
“That's what--” her small face looked very fine as in her second of hesitation a spirited flush ran over it, “that's what your man will do,” quite firmly.
It was amazing to see how the bitter face changed, as if one word had brought back a passionate softening memory.
“My man!
” Her voice mellowed until it was deep and low.
“Did you call T. Tembarom that, too?
Oh, I understand you!
Keep near me while I talk to these people.
” She made her sit down by her.
“I know every detail of your letters.
” She addressed Palliser as well as Palford & Grimby, sweeping all details aside.
“What is it you want to ask me?
” “This is our position, your ladyship,” Mr. Palford fumbled a little with his papers in speaking.
“Mr. Temple Temple Barholm and the person known as Mr. Strangeways have been searched for so far without result.
In the meantime we realize that the more evidence we obtain that Mr. Temple Temple Barholm identified Strangeways and acted from motive, the more solid the foundation upon which Captain Palliser's conviction rests.
Up to this point we have only his statement which he is prepared to make on oath.
Fortunately, however, he on one occasion overheard something said to you which he believes will be corroborative evidence.
” “What did you overhear?
” she inquired of Palliser.
Her tone was not pacific considering that, logically, she must be on the side of the investigators.
But it was her habit, as Captain Palliser remembered, to seem to put most people on the defensive.
He meant to look as uninvolved as the duke, but it was not quite within his power.
His manner was sufficiently deliberate.
“One evening, before you left for London, I was returning from the billiard-room, and heard you engaged in animated conversation with--our host.
My attention was arrested, first because--” a sketch of a smile ill-concealed itself, “you usually scarcely deigned to speak to him, and secondly because I heard Jem Temple Barholm's name.
” “And you--?
” neither eyes nor manner omitted the word listened.
But the slight lift of his shoulders was indifferent enough.
“I listened deliberately.
I was convinced that the fellow was a criminal impostor, and I wanted evidence.
” “Ah!
come now,” remarked the duke amiably.
“Now we are getting on.
Did
you gain any?
” “I thought so.
Merely of the cumulative order, of course,” Palliser answered with moderation.
“Those were early days.
He asked you,” turning to Lady Joan again, “if you knew any one--any one--who had any sort of a photograph of Jem.
You had one and you showed it to him!
” She was quite silent for a moment.
The hour came back to her--the extraordinary hour when he had stood in his lounging fashion before her, and through some odd, uncivilized but absolutely human force of his own had made her listen to him--and had gone on talking in his nasal voice until with one common, crude, grotesque phrase he had turned her hideous world upside down--changed the whole face of it--sent the stone wall rising before her crumbling into dust, and seemed somehow to set her free.
For the moment he had lifted a load from her the nature of which she did not think he could understand--a load of hatred and silence.
She had clutched his hand, she had passionately wept on it, she could have kissed it.
He had told her she could come back and not be afraid.
As the strange episode rose before her detail by detail, she literally stared at Palliser.
“You did, didn't you?
” he inquired.
“Yes,” she answered.
Her mind was in a riot, because in the midst of things which must be true, something was false.
But with the memory of a myriad subtle duplicities in her brain, she had never seen anything which could have approached a thing like that.
He had made her feel more human than any one in the world had ever made her feel--but Jem.
He had been able to do it because he was human himself--human.
“I'm friendly,” he had said with his boy's laugh--“just friendly.
” “I saw him start, though you did not,” Palliser continued.
“He stood and studied the locket intently.
” She remembered perfectly.
He had examined it so closely that he had unconsciously knit his brows.
“He said something in a rather low voice,” Palliser took it up.
“I could not quite catch it all.
It was something about `knowing the face again.'
I can see you remember, Lady Joan.
Can you repeat the exact words?
” He did not understand the struggle he saw in her face.
It would have been impossible for him to understand it.
What she felt was that if she lost hold on her strange belief in the honesty of this one decent thing she had seen and felt so close to her that it cleared the air she breathed, it would be as if she had fallen into a bottomless abyss.
Without knowing why she did it, she got up from her chair as if she were a witness in a court.
“Yes, I can,” she said.
“Yes, I can; but I wish to make a statement for myself.
Whether Jem Temple Barholm is alive or dead, Captain Palliser, T.
Tembarom has done him no harm.
” The duke sat up delicately alert.
He had evidently found her worth looking at and listening to from the outset.
“Hear!
Hear!
” he said pleasantly.
“What were the exact words?
” suggested Palliser.
Miss Alicia who had been weeping on Little Ann's shoulder--almost on her lap--lifted her head to listen.
Hutchinson set his jaw and grunted, and Mr. Palford cleared his throat mechanically.
“He said,” and no one better than herself realized how ominously “cumulative” the words sounded, “that a man would know a face like that again--wherever he saw it.
” “Wherever he saw it!
” ejaculated Mr. Grimby.
There ensued a moment of entire pause.
It was inevitable.
Having reached this point a taking of breath was necessary.
Even the duke ceased to appear entirely detached.
As Mr. Palford turned to his papers again there was perhaps a slight feeling of awkwardness in the air.
Miss Alicia had dropped, terror smitten, into new tears.
The slight awkwardness was, on the whole, rather added to by T. Tembarom--as if serenely introduced by the hand of drama itself--opening the door and walking into the room.
He came in with a matter-of-fact, but rather obstinate, air, and stopped in their midst, looking round at them as if collectedly taking them all in.
Hutchinson sprang to his feet with a kind of roar, his big hands plunging deep into his trousers pockets.
“Here he is!
Danged if he isn't!
” he bellowed.
“Now, lad, tha let 'em have it!
” What he was to let them have did not ensue, because his attitude was not one of assault.
“Say, you are all here, ain't you!
” he remarked obviously.
“Good business!
” Miss Alicia got up from the sofa and came trembling toward him as one approaches one risen from the dead, and he made a big stride toward her and took her in his arms, patting her shoulder in reproachful consolation.
“Say, you haven't done what I told you--have you?
” he soothed.
“You've let yourself get rattled.
” “But I knew it wasn't true,” she sobbed.
“I knew it wasn't. ” “Of course you did, but you got rattled all the same.
” And he patted her again.
The duke came forward with a delightfully easy and--could it be almost jocose?
--air of bearing himself.
Palford and Grimby remarked it with pained dismay.
He was so unswerving in his readiness as he shook hands.
“How well done of you!
” he said.
