Chapter 26

A WEDDING PRESENT

In the summerhouse where Frank Lancaster, when an outlaw, had sought refuge, sat Mildred and Eustace. Frank had stood his trial, but the proceedings were merely formal, as the confession of Darrel, which Captain Berry had obtained, proved his innocence beyond doubt. The girl should have looked much more delighted than she did, now that the man she loved was cleared of suspicion. But she seemed nervous and apprehensive, and her face was pale. Eustace had come down from London to tell her that Frank was free, and to intimate that he would be down in the afternoon after an interview with White & Saon relative to the will.

"Are you not pleased, Mildred?" asked Eustace, looking at her gravely.

"Very pleased," she replied, with an effort. "It is the best of news to think that Frank is free, and will be recompensed for all he has undergone."

"He has youth, health, strength, and forty thousand a-year," said Jarman, looking away, "so he ought to be happy."

"I hope so--I hope so," said Mildred, casting down her eyes. "And it is owing to you that he has been cleared of this terrible charge."

"I am glad to have been the agent. I always believed in his innocence. But circumstances had more to do with the affair than I. I simply took advantage of my luck."

Mildred shook her head. "You have had more to do with the matter than you will admit, Eustace. But tell me exactly what has taken place. You have been too busy to explain clearly."

"There was so much to do in connection with the trial," said Jarman; "and I think you know the greater part of the facts."

"Never mind. I wish to hear them again."

Eustace nodded gravely, and began without preamble. "As you know, Berry and his niece came to England, knowing the will of the late Mr. Lancaster, which they procured through Anchor. He intended to play traitor, and in some way arranged to get the money by ridding himself of Tamaroo. But Berry wanted Anchor out of the way, so that he might get the papers and fortune to himself. He shot Anchor, as I told you. Then I chased him, and it was Tamaroo who got the papers."

"And who stabbed the man," said Mildred, shuddering--"you told me."

"That was a savage thing to do," admitted Eustace. "But, in spite of his education, Tamaroo is a savage at heart. And in any case, Anchor could not have lived after Berry's shot. Well, when Natty's father died, Berry contrived to be appointed his guardian. He exercised a great influence over him, and it was his intention to give Natty the fortune by having Frank hanged."

"And was Natty to marry Miss Berry?"

"Mrs. Anchor, you mean. I don't know. Perhaps; but I don't think she cared for the lad. He, when in possession of his fortune, would no doubt have been induced to sign a will in favour of Fan and her uncle, and then he would have been got rid of. It was with some such plan that the two came to England. They made the acquaintance of Frank by Fan writing and asking him to compose her some songs."

"Was it a trap?" asked Mildred.

"A decided trap. I don't know how they intended at first to bring about his being accused of a crime, but chance threw Starth in Berry's way, and then they saw what to do. Your brother hated Lancaster, and was always quarrelling with him. It was not Frank's fault. Berry made as much trouble as he could, and Fan by flirting with your brother and then with Frank made matters worse. The affair culminated in the quarrel in the Piccadilly Theatre, in which Frank used rash words. Then the next day Walter wrote, asking Frank to call."

Mildred clasped her hands, and looked up nervously. "Was that a trap also, do you think?"

"Yes," said Eustace, decidedly. "Your brother was in the scheme to get the money. He knew that Lancaster would have to be hanged, so that it might come into Denham's possession and then into Berry's. I expect they promised him a share."

"But did they intend to give it to him?"

"No, they did not. Your brother was their dupe. Berry arranged that Starth should get Frank down to his place and drug him. Then when he was insensible a crime was to be committed and Frank was to bear the blame."

"Horrible! Horrible!" said Mildred, hiding her face. "And to think Walter should behave so. But who was to be killed?"

"Your brother," said Eustace. "Walter did not know who the victim was to be, and, after drugging Frank, waited for Berry. The rest of the scheme was to be carried on, as I believe, by Berry killing your brother, and then by Frank being accused. But Walter never thought that he would be the victim."

"Walter really drugged Frank?"

"Certainly. He put opium in his tea. When Frank was insensible he searched him for the letter asking him to call, as he wanted that evidence out of the way."

"But for what reason?"

"Why, to make it clear that Frank had called on him voluntarily. Had the letter been shown, it might have pointed to the trap. Well, in searching for the letter--which was thrown on the floor, and found by Tilly--Walter discovered Frank's revolver, which he placed on the table. It was the merest chance that Frank carried it, and, of course, it was a card quite in the hands of the plotters. Walter waited for Berry, but Berry was late. Now I will tell you of Darrel's confession."

"Where was it found?"

"In Berry's strong-box. The police took the key from his dead body, and searched his lodgings. They found the confession, which exonerated Frank entirely."

"Tell me the exact words."

"I can't give them very exact. But the meaning was something like this. Darrel loved you, and wanted to marry you. Walter at first approved of the match, but afterwards he intended to marry you to Natty, and so brought him down."

"I should never have married him," said Mildred, in a low voice.

"Walter, no doubt, thought he could force you. But Darrel got wind of this through Balkis, who was his cousin. He came to remonstrate with Walter. Darrel was half a savage also, with his African blood, and your brother and he came to high words. Then Darrel confessed that Walter insulted him so that he snatched up Frank's revolver from the table and shot Walter through the head. He says in his confession that he didn't intend to kill him."

"Do you think that is true?" asked Mildred.

"I can't say. Darrel was a most violent man, and his love for you amounted to a frenzy. However, he shot Walter, but before he could get out of the house Berry entered."

"How could he enter if the door was closed?"

"He had a latch-key, which he had procured from Walter. I daresay he intended to kill Walter--either shoot him or stab him--and then go away, leaving Frank to bear the blame. He went to Frank's chambers to prove an _alibi_. But when he found Darrel in the room he saw that the deed was done. To make himself safe he made Darrel sign a confession, and kept it in his strong-box. Then the two agreed that Frank should bear the blame. Now you can see, Mildred, why Darrel was unwilling to denounce Frank when he recognised him here. He feared to be implicated in the case. But his rage got the better of him, and he took Berry and Fan to the secret rooms of Balkis."

"What has become of Balkis?"

"She has disappeared; no one knows where. I expect she had made all arrangements and has departed for the States. It's just as well, as she is wanted for the murder of those three."

"Why did she murder them? I thought she was friendly with them."

"She was in a way. But she was madly in love with your brother, and was under the impression that he would marry her. He might have done so, for Balkis is rich. However, if he got Lancaster's money he intended to marry Fairy Fan. When, by means of that letter, I proved that Fan had been making love to Starth, Balkis was furious. Then, when she found that Darrel had killed her lover, she determined on his death."

"Had Frank killed Walter, would Balkis have--"

"I am sure she would," interrupted Eustace, quickly. "She was a most furious woman, and would have stuck at nothing. And she didn't. She resolved also on the death of Berry, because he had caused all the trouble, and had really brought about the death of your brother by his machinations. So she closed them in the room and let the river in. The three poor wretches were drowned like rats in a trap before I could get back with the police."

Mildred shuddered with horror. "Had she designed all this?"

"No. To do her justice I don't think she did. The trap was arranged for the police should they have made a raid on the gambling-rooms. It seems that the inner room was only divided from the river by a thick wall. There was a tunnel through this, closed at the lower end by an iron slide, which was worked by a lever from the outer room. Balkis shut the three in, and Darrel was fighting with the Captain. Then when she got rid of us--I went to fetch the police, remember, as I suspected foul play--she must have worked the lever and admitted the water. Great Heavens!" said Eustace, covering his face. "I can imagine the feelings of those poor wretches when they saw the water pouring into the room. Bad as they were their punishment has been terrible."

"Were they all three dead?"

"Yes. The police shut the slide again by means of the lever and the water was drained. The bodies were found, and by this time they have been buried."

"Balkis disappeared?"

"Yes. She must have made preparations for flight. In any case she intended to leave for America a week after the crime was committed. Her money was all invested abroad, and she no doubt got on board some boat that sailed immediately for Spain or the Continent. She had many friends amongst the sailors who patronised her opium shop and gambling-rooms, and had no difficulty in getting away."

"Then Frank was arrested?"

"I wrote to you. He gave himself up by my advice. I related everything to Inspector Herny. He searched for the key of the strong-box and found it on Berry's watch-chain. Then we found the box in the Bloomsbury lodgings, and obtained the confession. Frank made his statement in court, and then the confession was read. He has been discharged without a stain on his character. And now he is with Tamaroo seeing White & Saon about the will."

"I don't like Tamaroo after his stabbing my brother and that poor Anchor," said Mildred, looking pale.

Eustace shrugged his shoulders. "Tamaroo is half a savage. But you will not see much of him. Frank has arranged to pay him an income, and he is going back to America next week. He has discharged his mission, and nothing more remains to be done."

"And Frank?" said Mildred, in a low tone. "What of him?"

Eustace looked at her from under his eyes, and winced. He knew well what was in her mind. "Frank," he said, in a hard tone, "is going down to see Miss Drake at Kingsbridge. There he will make arrangements for her comfort, now that he is in possession of the money. After that I can't say. But, Mildred"--he took her hands--"I have done what you asked. Your brother's murderer has been discovered, Frank is free. What of my reward?"

"I will marry you," said Mildred, faintly. "I promised to do so, and I shall keep my word."

Eustace smiled, but there was a look of pain in his eyes. "What of Frank Lancaster?" he asked.

"Say nothing about him," she answered, pressing her hand on her heart. "If you have any love for me--"

"Ah, my dear, I have so much love that--well we will see. I am going to town again to-day. Frank is coming down. I want him to see you, as he will give you a message from me."

"Can't you tell me what it is? I don't want to see Frank."

"I can only write the message," said Eustace, rising. "You will know what I mean by five this evening." He looked at his watch. "I have just time to catch the train. And now, as we have arranged to marry, will you not kiss me?"

Mildred put her arms round his neck and kissed him. "God bless you for all you have done," she murmured.

"Oh, He will. Does He not give you to me? Goodbye, and"--he kissed her twice--"don't forget me."

Mildred sank into a chair as Eustace hurried away. At the gate he looked back and waved his hand, but she never looked up. With a sigh, Jarman went to his own house. There he packed a few things and departed, leaving old Bowles in charge of the Shanty.

Mildred buried her face in her hands and wept. She loved Frank. Never till this moment did she realise how much she loved him. And she knew that he loved her as devotedly. But she must keep her promise to Eustace. He had borne the heat and burden of the day. He had worked nobly, and she could not break his heart by refusing to give him his reward. But she knew not how she would be able to bear being his wife when she so dearly loved Frank.

"I should have spoken out," she moaned. "I should have told the truth. He would not have insisted on my fulfilling a rash promise. Yet--he is so good, so noble. No. I must keep my word. Frank himself would insist on that. And Frank, I shall see him again to say farewell. Oh, Frank---Frank--my darling!" and she wept afresh.

From these sad thoughts she was aroused by the coming of Mrs. Perth full of news. "My dear," said the old lady, "I have just come from the Rectory. Would you believe it? Mr. Denham is to marry Jenny Arrow. It's all settled. They marry in a month, and go to the States."

"I am very glad," said Mildred, drying her eyes.

"Well, I am too--but such indecent haste. However, it's none of our business. My dear"--the old lady sat down and patted Mildred's hand--"why are you crying? Are you not glad that this poor young man has been proved innocent?"

"I am more than glad, because I love him."

"Ah!" said Mrs. Perth, again patting the hand, "I thought so. And I must tell you one thing, my dear. He loves you. He told me so."

"Don't--oh don't!" cried the girl, tortured beyond endurance. "I am to be married to Eustace Jarman!"

"Mildred--no!"

"I promised to marry him if he--oh, don't talk of it," and Mildred ran into the house.

Mrs. Perth shook her head sadly, and slowly followed. She thought Mildred was wrong. "It will not be a happy marriage," said Mrs. Perth.

That afternoon Frank arrived at the Shanty. He looked sad, and not at all like a man whose character had been cleared, and who had come into a fortune of forty thousand a-year. He was alone, as he intended only to stop the night and to return the next day to London on his way to Kingsbridge. Only at Jarman's urgent request had he come down to see Mildred, as he felt that he could not trust himself in her presence. At first he thought he would send the letter with which he had been entrusted by Eustace. Then he decided not to be a coward, but to deliver it himself. He therefore braced his nerves for a final interview, and walked over to Rose Cottage.

Mildred was in the drawing-room and saw him at once. The lovers looked at one another, and each strove to be calm. There was no need of explanation, as they understood. Without a word Frank gave Mildred the letter. She laid it aside. "Will you not read it?" asked Frank.

"After you are gone," said Mildred, in as steady a tone as she could command.

"No. You must read it now. Eustace wants a reply, he told me."

"Why is he so cruel?" muttered Mildred, opening the letter languidly.

Frank watched her as she read, and sighed to think that she would be the wife of another. However, he wished to be true to the friend who had done so much for him, and in his heart resolved to give Jarman half his money when the wedding took place.

Mildred flushed as she read the letter, and her eyes sparkled. On finishing she handed it to Frank without a word, striving to repress her agitation. Rather astonished at this emotion, Frank read it also. Then he too flushed, and well he might.

The letter was from Eustace, and stated that he saw how Mildred and Frank loved one another. He wished them both to be happy, and released Mildred from her promise.

"Marry Frank, my dear," he wrote, "for I see I was wrong to ask for such a promise. I am old and you are young. Marry Frank. I send him to you as a wedding present, and I am sure you will not want a better. Bless you both. I am going to America for a time, but when I return. perhaps there will be a corner near the fire for your sincere friend Eustace."

The letter read, Frank and Mildred looked at one another. They could find no words to speak of this wonderful self-sacrifice on the part of Eustace. Mildred burst out crying, but the next moment she was in the arms of Frank, and he kissed away her tears.

"He gave me liberty, he gave me life, he gave me fortune, and now," said Frank, softly, "he gives me you."

"God bless him!" sobbed Mildred.

"Amen to that," echoed Frank, and they kissed again.

THE END.