The Mystery of the Sycamore. Wells Carolyn

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ said Appleby, seriously; “here’s the explanation in a nutshell. Years ago, Daniel Wheeler was pardoned for a crime he had committed – ”

      “He did commit it, then?” interrupted Keefe.

      “He was tried and convicted. He was sentenced. And I, being governor at the time, pardoned him on the one condition, that he never again set foot inside the boundaries of the State of Massachusetts.”

      “Whee!” exclaimed Genevieve; “never go to Boston!”

      “Nor anywhere else in the state. But this is the complication: Mrs. Wheeler, who is, by the way, a distant connection of my own family, inherited a large fortune on condition that she live in Massachusetts. So you see, the situation was peculiar. To keep her inheritance, Mrs. Wheeler must live in Massachusetts. Yet Mr. Wheeler could not enter the state without forfeiting his pardon.”

      “What a mess!” cried Genevieve, but Keefe said: “You planned that purposely, Mr. Appleby?”

      “Of course,” was the straightforward reply.

      “Then I don’t see how you can expect Mr. Wheeler’s help in the campaign.”

      “By offering him a complete pardon, of course.”

      “But go on with the story,” demanded Genevieve. “What did they do about the Massachusetts business?”

      “As you see,” returned Appleby, “this house is built on the state line between Massachusetts and Connecticut. It is carefully planned and built, and all the rooms or parts of rooms that Mr. Wheeler uses or enters are on the Connecticut side, yet the house is more than half in Massachusetts, which secures the estate to Mrs. Wheeler.”

      “Well, I never!” Genevieve exclaimed. “So that’s why he can’t go to the north arbor – it’s in Massachusetts!”

      “Of course it is. Also, he never goes into the northern end of the dining-room or the living-room.”

      “Or hall.”

      “Or hall. In fact, he merely is careful to keep on his own side of a definitely drawn line, and therefore complies with the restrictions. His den and his own bedroom and bath are all on the south side, while Mrs. Wheeler has a sitting-room, boudoir, and so forth, on the north side. She and Maida can go all over the house, but Mr. Wheeler is restricted. However, they’ve lived that way so long, it has become second nature to them, and nobody bothers much about it.”

      “Do people know?” asked Keefe. “The neighbors, I mean.”

      “Oh, yes; but, as I say, it makes little confusion. The trouble comes, as Miss Lane suggested, when Wheeler wants to go to Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts.”

      “Yet that is a small thing, compared with his freedom,” observed Keefe; “I think he got off easy.”

      “But with Wheeler it isn’t so much the deprivation as the stigma. He longs for a full pardon, and would do most anything to have it, but he refuses to stand for Sam’s election, even with that for a bribe.”

      “You can’t pardon him now that you aren’t governor, can you, Mr. Appleby?” asked Genevieve.

      “I can arrange to have it done. In fact, the present governor is ready and even anxious to pardon him, but I hold the key to that situation, myself. You two needn’t know all the details, but now you know the principal points, and I expect you to utilize them.”

      “I’m willing enough,” and Genevieve rocked back and forth thoughtfully, “and I may think of a way – but, for the moment, I don’t.”

      “Get chummy with Maida,” suggested Appleby.

      “Let me do that,” Keefe interrupted. “Without undue conceit, I believe I can influence the young lady, and I think Miss Lane, now that she knows the truth, can jolly up Mr. Wheeler to good effect.”

      “But, good gracious! What do you want to do?” and Genevieve giggled. “Say I entice the old gentleman over the line – then his pardon is canceled and he’s a criminal – then you agree to ignore the lapse if he meets your wishes – is that the idea?”

      Appleby smiled. “A little crude, Miss Lane. And beside, you couldn’t get him over the line. He’s too accustomed to his limitations to be caught napping, and not even your charms could decoy him over intentionally.”

      “Think so? Probably you’re right. Well, suppose I try to work through Maida. If I could persuade Mr. Wheeler that she suffers from the stigma of her father’s incomplete pardon – ”

      “Yes, that’s it. This thing can’t be accomplished by brutal threats, it must be done by subtle suggestion and convincing hints.”

      “That’s my idea,” agreed Keefe. “If I can talk straight goods to Miss Wheeler and make her see how much better it would be for her father in his latter years to be freed from all touch of the past disgrace, she might coax him to listen to you.”

      “That’s right. Now, you know what you’re here for; just do what you can – but don’t make a mess of things. I’d rather you did nothing than to do some fool thing!”

      “Trust us!” Genevieve encouraged him, as she rose. “Me and Curt may not put over a big deal, but we won’t do anything silly.”

      The two men smiled as the girl, with a pleasant good-night, went away to her own room.

      “She’s true blue,” said Keefe.

      “Yes, she is,” Appleby nodded. “All her frivolity is on the surface, like her powder and paint. At heart, that child has only my interests. I quite appreciate it.”

      “I hope you think the same of me, Mr. Appleby.”

      “I do, Keefe. More, I trust you with my most confidential matters. I’ll own I want this business here to come out in my favor. I can’t push Wheeler too hard – so I ask your help. But, as I hinted, I’ve one rod yet in pickle. If necessary, I’ll use it, but I’d rather not.”

      “Of course I hope you won’t have to, but, I’ll admit I don’t see much chance of succeeding with the present outlook.”

      “To-morrow morning will tell. If we can’t work the thing through by noon, say – I’ll spring my last trap. Good-night, Keefe.”

      “Good-night, Mr. Appleby.”

      Without apparent coercion the morning hours brought about a cozy session on the south veranda with Miss Lane and Daniel Wheeler in attendance, while at the same time, Keefe and Maida wandered over the beautiful park of the estate.

      Keefe had gently guided the conversation into confidential channels, and when he ventured to sympathize with the girl in regard to her father’s deprivation he was surprised at her ready acceptance of it.

      “Oh, you know, don’t you, Mr. Keefe!” she exclaimed. “But you don’t know all it means to me. You see” – she blushed but went steadily on – “you see, I’m engaged to – to a man I adore. And – ”

      “Don’t tell me if you’d rather not,” he murmured.

      “No, it’s a relief to tell – and, somehow – you seem so wise and strong – ”

      “Go СКАЧАТЬ