The Mysteries of Detective Ashton-Kirk (Complete Series). John T. McIntyre

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СКАЧАТЬ know what you mean,"she said, lightly. "You think that they might go so far as to take me into custody as an accessory to the crime, or even as the actual criminal."

      "Mr. Osborne told me that such was their intention, if you do not explain clearly your connection with the case. I don't think that the Department is at all anxious to draw you into the matter; but some of the newspapers, as you no doubt have noted, have grown very insistent. They say that a poor musician is jailed instantly, while the woman of fashion, who is perhaps equally guilty, is allowed to go free. Such ways of putting things have a great effect upon public opinion; the politicians who conduct the municipal departments know this, and always move to protect themselves, no matter in what direction the movement takes them."

      "Then,"said Miss Vale, "you really think they will do as Mr. Osborne said?"

      "I have no doubt of it—if the matter is not cleared up before the time arrives for them to act."

      The girl arose and went to a window as though to look out; the investigator saw her hand pressed to her heart, and noted the trembling that had seized her. Yet, when she faced him once more, a moment or two later, she made a brave attempt to smile as before.

      "I think this is too bad of you,"she said. "Your point of view is almost as pessimistic as the detectives', or the newspapers'. I had expected comfort and encouragement."

      "And I came to give it—if you'll allow me,"said Ashton-Kirk, quietly.

      She looked at him for a moment, then both hands went out in a mock despairing gesture, and she laughed. But the laugh was unmistakably forced, and a keen ear for such things would have detected a pathetic little catch in it.

      "Now,"she said, "you are becoming mysterious. However, I suppose I must not complain, for it is entirely in character with your profession, isn't it?"

      He disregarded both the observation and the tone; there was a slight pucker between his keen eyes that spoke of impatience and resentment.

      "Mr. Osborne has been very plain with you, Miss Vale,"said he, "you have perhaps become accustomed to it in a measure. So I shall not hesitate to follow in his footsteps. I am going to make you face some very plain facts."

      "Mercy!"She laughed. "Mercy, Mr. Ashton-Kirk. I had not thought that you could be so deliberately cruel!"

      "In the first place, Miss Vale,"he began, paying not the slightest attention to her laughter or the mocking light in her eyes, "if you had continued as you began, this matter would have been cleared up before this, the newspapers would never have printed your name in connection with it, and you would have been spared the mortification of a detective at your doorstep."

      "Is there one—outside?"

      "There are several. If you venture out you will be followed wherever you go."

      The girl sank into a chair in a limp, rumpled sort of way; somehow the idea of surveillance affected her more than anything else. Her face became ashen; her hands shook distressfully as she clasped them tightly together.

      "When you allowed the fears and desires of Allan Morris to cloud your reason, you made a mistake. You admitted as much when you came to me after the murder; but instantly, upon seeing him again, you were as before. He was struck with fear, and he communicated his terror to you; as before you dreaded to trust anyone—even myself."

      "I think you are inclined to take a great deal for granted,"said Miss Vale. But in spite of the words, her eyes were wide with alarm.

      "He told you of the deaf-mute, Locke,"said Ashton-Kirk; "and also other things, which seem to have induced you to visit Locke at the Institute near Cordova on the night before last."

      Miss Vale elevated her brows in surprise; her attitude was one of wonderment.

      "I don't think I understand."

      "And you did not seem to understand yesterday when I called upon you. You fancied that I was not sure that I had seen you, and had come expecting you to admit the visit to Locke. And as I went away, you also fancied that you had thrown me off the scent."He smiled at the recollection, in spite of his evident resentment of her position. "But the fact of the matter was that I knew your fiancé had been the cause of your visit to the mute. You had seen Morris, you knew where he was, and I thought it would be a useful thing for me to be also acquainted with his whereabouts."

      "But,"protested Miss Vale in a faint voice, but still acting her chosen role to the best of her gifts, "if I had known and desired to conceal his whereabouts, surely you did not expect me to tell you of it."

      "Not directly. But, if you remember, I dropped a hint that his hiding-place was about to be discovered. This was true; you were about to disclose it. I had only to wait and follow as you rushed off to warn him."

      She leaned back in her chair and regarded him strangely, but he proceeded with evenness:

      "Your work upon the road was very clever; I congratulate you upon it. But it was scarcely sufficiently inspired to deceive an old hand."

      Here he waited, apparently expecting her to speak. But as she did not take advantage of the pause, he went on:

      "I called this morning to acquaint you with these things and to advise you on your future course. I must admit that I rather admire your steadfastness in following out what Allan Morris has desired of you; however, it is a great mistake for a strong nature to submit to the clamorings of a weaker one."

      She sat suddenly erect; protest was in her eyes, and one hand went up in denial. But, though her lips opened as though she were about to speak, no words came; once more she sank back in the chair with the air of one compelled to admit a bitter truth.

      "I am not so sure as to how deep Morris is in this murder,"continued the investigator, "but I have some ideas on the subject. On the other hand I am quite sure that you are promised to aid him, and that you feel duty bound to do so to the end, according to his not very wise instructions."

      He arose and stood looking down at her kindly.

      "My advice to you,"he went on—"and I speak with a fair knowledge of the facts—is that you do nothing more. Be content with what you have attempted; allow me to act for you in anything further which you have in mind. Or, if you cannot give me your confidence, let me carry the thing on in my own way, as you proposed at the first."

      There was a pause of some length; then the girl spoke.

      "I am just a trifle bewildered at all this,"she said; "and I really cannot say, Mr. Ashton-Kirk, that I altogether follow you."

      He smiled, but the disapproving wrinkle still showed between his eyes.

      "I see that you are still determined to hold to your attitude,"he said. "I am sorry, of course, but then one is called upon at times to do as one thinks best, and I suppose that is what you are doing."He turned toward the door, and she arose and touched the bell. "Good-by."

      "Good-by,"she returned.

      He stood for a moment in the doorway regarding her with mingled annoyance and admiration. As he caught the steps of the approaching servant in the hall, he said:

      "Possibly I can save you some little trouble. You need not call at the Rangnow Apartments. Up to last night, Allan Morris had not notified Mr. Tobin as to his new hiding-place. СКАЧАТЬ