The mystery of Lincoln's Inn

THE MYSTERY OF
LINCOLN'S INN

ROBERT MACHRAY

/

'

I

"^

HE MYS" ERY

LINCOLN'S INN

BY

ROBERT MACHRAY

AUTHOR OF "GRACE O'MAI.LEY," "THE VISION SPLENDID,"
" A BLOW OVER THE HEART," ETC.

TORONTO
THE MACMILLAN CO. OF CANADA, LTD.

1910

PRINTED BY

WILLIAM CLOWKS AND SONS, LIMITED,
LONDON AND liECCLES,

THE

MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

CHAPTER I

IT was at half-past ten in the forenoon of a Saturday
in July that Mr. Cooper Silwood, precise in attire,
composed in appearance, and punctual as usual to the
minute, walked into his room on the first floor of 176
New Square, Lincoln's Inn, where were the offices of
Eversleigh, Silwood and Eversleigh, the well-known
and long-established firm of solicitors of which he was
a partner.

He was met, as was customary, on his entrance by
the head-clerk, John Williamson, who had already
opened and sorted out methodically the letters received
over - night. An admirable specimen of his class,
Williamson generally wore an air of great impertur-
bability, but this morning his face had a troubled
expression.

"Anything special, Mr. Williamson?11 asked Sil-
wood quietly, putting away his hat and gloves.

"There are two or three important matters to
attend to, sir," replied the man quickly. "The most
important is a letter from Mr. Morris Thornton,1' he
continued, but in a markedly different tone; at the

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2 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

same time, he looked at his principal with an anxiety
he tried hard but just failed to dissemble.

" From Mr. Thornton," observed Silwood, calmly ;
he noticed, but was in no wise disconcerted by, the
head-clerk's manner.

" Yes, sir ; he writes from Vancouver."

" And what does he say ? " inquired Silwood.

" He states that he is coming home immediately,"
answered Williamson, and now there was unmistakable
anxiety in his voice as well as in his face.

" Indeed ! " exclaimed Silwood, who had given a
slight yet perceptible start on hearing the news. " It's
surely very sudden," he went on after a pause of a
few seconds. " In his last letter — let me see ; we got
it about a fortnight ago — he said nothing about
returning soon to England."

" He did not mention it at all, sir, I am certain.
But you will see from this last letter of his that he has
a very strong reason for leaving British Columbia ; he
is seriously ill — so ill that he has been warned by his
doctor to set his affairs in order. One knows what that
means — he is in a critical condition."

And again Williamson scanned his master's face
apprehensively.

"Ah, very sad," said Silwood, but he spoke in a
strange, hollow tone, glancing the while at Williamson
with a curious glittering light in his eyes that was
sinister and menacing. It suddenly faded away, how-
ever, and he asked quite evenly, " Does he say when he
is coming ? "

" Oddly enough, sir, he gives no precise date. But
here is his letter," said Williamson, picking it out from
the pile on Silwood's table.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 3

Silwood, knowing Williamson was watching him
narrowly, and conscious that it was necessary to pre-
serve an aspect of calmness, read Thornton's letter with
the utmost deliberation and with no more concern than
was natural in the pitiful circumstances of the case.

" Very sad, very sad," he said, when he had perused
the letter, which he put down in front of him with
elaborate carelessness ; " very distressing ! " he added,
shaking his head.

There was a moment of silence, and then Silwood
remarked to Williamson that he might go, but as the
head-clerk was withdrawing he called him back.

" Has Mr. Eversleigh come in yet ? " he asked.

" Yes, sir ; a few minutes ago."

" Have you told him about this letter from Mr.
Thornton ? "

" No, sir."

"That's right, Mr. Williamson. Ill tell him about
it myself."

Silwood nodded Williamson's dismissal, and the
clerk, who had undoubtedly been studying his principal
intently and wonderingly during their conversation,
bowed and went out.

"It's plain that Williamson has his suspicions,"
said Silwood to himself, after the door had closed upon
the head-clerk. " He is inclined to think there's some-
thing wrong — I could see it in his manner — it suggested
he was afraid there was some trouble impending. But
he knows nothing — he can know nothing."

He assured himself, however, that what Williamson
knew or suspected did not matter much.

But what did matter, what did matter enormously,
was this letter of Thornton's.

4 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Taking it up again, he read it over very carefully
twice or thrice ; then, still holding it in his hand, he
walked up and down the floor many times, absorbed in
thought. His small, hard, keen eyes gleamed angrily,
the lines of his cold, pale, clean-shaven face seemed to
become deeper, and his hands opened and shut con-
vulsively as he paced his room. Now and again he
looked at a large japanned box Avhich stood in one
corner. With a quick, nervous movement peculiar to
him in moments of doubt, he stopped and pushed up
the heavy brown wig which he always wore by day,
and sat down at his table. Once more he re-read
Thornton's letter.

" Thornton's coming back in this unexpected way,"
he said to himself, " upsets my plan — that is quite
clear ; my hand is forced. What is to be done now ?
The worst of it is that Thornton does not say when he
is coming — which is more than a little strange. He is
well on his way, no doubt, by this time ; he may drop
in upon us any day. I must prepare for it. I never
looked for his return — at least, not for a long time.
His coming precipitates the crisis. Well, it was bound
to come sooner or later. I must consider my position
coolly."

He knew he would not be disturbed for an hour, as
it was a fixed rule of the office that no one was to be
shown in to him till half-past eleven. He thought
best, pen in hand, seated at his table, and there he sat,
a still, immovable figure, save when he jotted something
on his blotting-pad, for several minutes. But his was
a nimble brain, and his mind was soon made up.

"I must see Eversleigh," he told himself, "and
acquaint him with — everything." As he thought this,

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 5

he half smiled, and his eyes for an instant had in them
the same threatening gleam that had flashed upon
Williamson.

Next he went to the large japanned box that stood
in the corner, and touching a spring cleverly concealed
in the moulding round its base, gained access to a
narrow, shelf-like cavity at the bottom, which was
stuffed with papers. From this secret place he extracted
a folio sheet covered with figures, against which were
various initials, "M.T." being conspicuous from their
frequency amongst them.

He went over this document very carefully, added
up the figures opposite the " M.T."s, and put down
the total on his pad.

" A quarter of a million,"" he whispered almost
aloud. " It's an immense sum. What a thing to have
to tell Eversleigh ! "

Then he folded up and replaced the sheet of figures
in the receptable hidden at the bottom of the big box,
but when he tried to close up the aperture he experi-
enced great difficulty in getting the spring to act ;
finally, however, he succeeded.

" I ought to see to that at once,"" he said with
decision, " but I dare not.""

He now proceeded to skim over the rest of his corre-
spondence with extraordinary rapidity but with little
real attention ; at the back of his mind he was still
occupied with the return of Moms Thornton.

All at once a thought struck him.

" I wonder if Kitty Thornton has heard from her
father by the same post ? If so, she may know the date
on which to expect him," was what he said to himself,
adding, " if she knows, Eversleigh will know." For

6 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Miss Kitty Thornton lived practically as a member of
the family of Francis Eversleigh, the senior partner of
the firm.

Silwood went to the door of his room, opened it
quietly, and looked out. A young and handsome man
was springing lightly up the stairs ; the two men
exchanged somewhat cold nods.

" Good morning, Gilbert,"" said Silwood, but with-
out much cordiality.

" Good morning," returned the other, with a distant
air.

" Going up to see your father, I suppose ? " asked
Silwood.

" Yes. Mr. Williamson, whom I met in the square,
told me he was in," replied Gilbert Eversleigh, and
with another nod went on upstairs.

" I'll just give you five minutes,11 said Silwood, under
his breath, addressing the back of the unconscious
Gilbert, who knocked at a door on the second floor and
was admitted.

" I thought I'd look in, sir, to ask how they all are
at home,11 said Gilbert to his father, Francis Eversleigh.
Gilbert had his own chambers in the Temple, of which
he was a member, and for the past three years had not
lived at his father's house in Surbiton.

Francis Eversleigh gazed at his son before answering
the implied question, and a father's pride expressed
itself clearly in his face. The son was dear to the
father's heart.

" They're all very well at home — your mother and
your sister and Kitty," responded Francis Eversleigh,
lingering somewhat on the last word. Glancing away
from his son to the window, he remarked casually,

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 7

" Really, I think Miss Kitty grows prettier and more
charming every day."

" She is lovely," cried Gilbert, with rising colour.

" By the way," observed the father, pointedly,
"Harry Bennet came in last evening, and it was not
hard to see the attraction.'1'1

" Miss Kitty ? "

"Yes."

" But Harry Bennet ! " said Gilbert, in a voice of
•protest.

" Yes. He stayed quite late."

" But you know, sir," objected Gilbert, with a frown,
" that Harry is said to be going the pace — making the
sparks fly furiously."

Francis Eversleigh did not reply. He thought he
had given his son a plain enough hint ; besides, Bennet
was a client of his own, and he did not wish to pursue
the subject further. Gilbert walked over to the window
and stood there, while his father covertly watched him.
Presently he faced round ; the frown had disappeared ;
his expression was confident and eager.

Father and son looked at each other. Seen thus
together, the family likeness between them was pro-
nounced ; seen apart, the differences became prominent.

Francis Eversleigh was a tall, stout, florid, handsome
man ; genial, easy-going, unsuspicious, self-indulgent —
not a typical solicitor in appearance or character.
Inheriting early in life a fine business, he had gradually
allowed himself to give way to a constitutional in-
dolence, a fatality of temperament which Gilbert happily
had escaped. Gilbert was tall and fair and good-look-
ing, but he was more slimly made than his father, and
was charged with far more vitality and force. He was

8 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

alert, active, resolute. In brief, he was strong and
keen where his father was weak and slack.

" It's a glorious day, sir," said Gilbert, " and as it's
a Saturday and I have nothing on of importance, I
think 111 run over to Surbiton and spend the afternoon
and evening. I'll wire mother I'm coming."

" What ! No work to do ! " the father made laugh-
ing demur. But he immediately followed with the
words, " Well, well, my boy, go and enjoy yourself.
Ifs fine to be young ! "

What he really meant, of course, was, " Go and see
Kitty, you lucky young dog, and good fortune go with
you." He knew that Gilbert loved the girl, and there
was nothing in all the world he desired more than that
Gilbert should succeed in his court to her.

As Gilbert turned to leave the room, Cooper Sil-
wood entered it, carrying an open letter in his hand.
After Gilbert had withdrawn, Silwood took care to see
the door was shut.

CHAPTER II

" HERE is a letter from Morris Thornton,"" said Silwood,
shooting a keen, swift glance at his partner, but it
escaped the other's notice.

Francis Eversleigh's thoughts, in fact, played
pleasantly around his son Gilbert and Kitty Thornton,
or if he had seen that look it might have startled him
out of the complacent musings which forecast a fortu-
nate ending only.

"Yes,'1 he said, rather apathetically. For though
the mention of the name of Kitty's father chimed in
agreeably with his reflections, the firm received com-
munications frequently from Morris Thornton — which
was only natural, as he was by far the most important
client it possessed, and therefore the arrival of this
particular letter excited no special interest in his breast.
" Is it more money for investment ? " he inquired,
tranquilly.

But Silwood did not answer the question. Instead
of doing so, he scanned the letter with those little, sharp
eyes of his, while his smooth, pallid face was as void of
expression as a block of stone.

"What does Morris say?" asked Eversleigh, after
a pause.

" Did you see Miss Kitty this morning ? " Silwood
queried, ignoring the other's words ; moreover, he spoke

9

10 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

in such a tone as was significant of the relations between
the two partners — it suggested the idea that he was
accustomed to direct Eversleigh, and not to be directed
by him.

"Certainly, I saw her this morning,11 replied Ever-
sleigh, beginning to wonder a little.

"Did she have nothing to tell you about her
father ? "

" She did not allude to him at all.11

" Do you happen to know if she received a letter
from him this morning ? "

" I'm pretty sure she did not ; if she had, she would
doubtless have mentioned it," said Eversleigh, looking
blankly at the questioner. " But what are you driving
at, Cooper ? " he asked.

" Morris Thornton informs us in this letter that he
is coming back to England "

" Indeed ! " cried Eversleigh, breaking in ; " that's
good news. I shall be very glad to see him again.11

And there \vas a pleasant smile on Eversleigh's face.

" Yes, he's coming home," Silwood went on ; " but
he doesn't state exactly when. I thought he probably
would write Miss Kitty about the same time that he
wrote us, giving the precise date — say, of his sailing from
New York ; he generally comes by that route.11

" I should think he has written her,11 said Francis
Eversleigh, " but she had not received a letter this
morning up to the time of my leaving Surbiton, so far
as I know. Did the letter to us come by the first
delivery or the second ? If it came by the latter, then
most likely she would get her letter, if there was one
for her, by it also. But that would be after I had left
Surbiton.11

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 11

"That's it, I believe,11 observed Silwood, who had
been examining the postmarks on the envelope in which
Thornton's letter had been enclosed ; " our letter came
by the second delivery. I am convinced that when you
return to Surbiton you will find Miss Kitty has heard
from her father. He will certainly have told her when
to expect him, and we must get to know the exact date
he specifies ; it is most important."

" It is certainly very odd," remarked Eversleigh,
leisurely and without much curiosity, " that so business-
like a man as Morris does not give a positive date either
for leaving New York or for arriving here ; but I don't
know, after all, that it is so particularly important.
The important thing, of course, is that he is coming
back again, and I'm heartily pleased to hear it. He's
been away a long time without a holiday at home —
seven years, isn't it? Kitty was only fourteen," con-
tinued Eversleigh, in a vein of reminiscence, " when he
left her in my wife's charge, and now she is twenty-
one. How happy the news will make the child !
Strange he doesn't mention a date — strange, as you
say, Cooper. But can't you make a pretty fair guess
at the approximate date from his letter ? You haven't
yet told me what he says in it. What does he
say?"

Cooper Silwood glanced at the letter as if to refresh
his memory, yet he knew its contents so perfectly that
he could have repeated it word for word.

" He tells us," said Silwood, deliberately, " that the
reason for his returning to England is the state of his
health, which is now most precarious."

" Dear me ! " interrupted Eversleigh, with lively
concern.

12 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

"He says he is subject to exceedingly serious heart-
trouble, and has been warned by his doctor that he
may not have long to live.1'

" Good Heavens ! " ejaculated Eversleigh, his face
suddenly grown grave. The friendship between him
and Morris Thornton had lasted many years ; indeed,
they had been boys together at Rugby, and the sad
tidings pained him greatly. " Poor Morris ! " he said,
in a low, hushed voice ; " how dreadful ! I thought I
should be so glad to see him once more, but — but this
is too terrible — too terrible ! "

Silwood had been almost as much of a friend to the
doomed man as his partner, but he uttered no words
of regret, far less of sorrow. While Eversleigh was
speaking, he turned away, with a slight gesture of
impatience, and fixed his eyes on some shelves filled with
law-books.

There was a short silence, and then Eversleigh, still
in that small, hushed voice, asked if there was anything
more in Thornton's letter.

" He intends to consult Sir Anthony Mortimer, the
great heart specialist, but he has no real hope of
recovery," replied Silwood, with another glance at the
letter. "Then he goes on to say that he will devote
the whole of the time left him to putting all his affairs
in thorough order, so that Miss Kitty will have no
trouble in the future. He thanks us for the care and
judgment we have shown in investing the sums of money
he has from time to time remitted us from Canada, and,
as a matter of form, he would like to check over the
securities, certificates of shares, etc., we hold for him.
He concludes by stating that when his agents have
realized the remainder of his estate in British Columbia

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 13

the proceeds will be placed in our hands, and that he
will leave instructions to this effect.1"

Though Eversleigh had asked for the information
Silwood thus gave him, his mind was so stunned by the
grave news concerning the condition of his friend that
he hardly took in what his partner said. Silwood saw
that Eversleigh was not following him. He now spoke
sharply and abruptly, so that Eversleigh was compelled
to listen.

" Morris, I take it," said he, " wishes to make an
examination into his affairs — an investigation, one
might call it ; that is the meaning of his desire to check
over the securities, certificates of shares, etc., in our
hands."

" Well, it's very natural in the circumstances,"
observed Eversleigh. " Poor Morris ! Poor fellow !
To have fought all these long years for his fortune —
to have won — and now to be robbed of the fruits of the
struggle ; it must be bitter — bitter ! Such a fine fortune,
too ! Thanks to your financial ability, Cooper," con-
tinued Eversleigh, with returning complacency, "his
estate is in a highly satisfactory condition ; everything
is in apple-pie order; he will be delighted with your
admirable management. It's a great fortune," he added,
meditatively. " What we hold of it, Cooper, is some-
thing like a quarter of a million, is it not ? "

"Yes, yes," assented Silwood, speaking rapidly.
" Francis," he went on, his manner for the first time
showing a trace of nervousness, his speech a touch of
incoherence, " that's what I must talk to you about —
there's a very good reason why I am so anxious as to
the date of Morris Thornton's arrival — something must
be done at once."

14 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" What do you mean, Cooper ? " asked Eversleigh,
his attention aroused ; " I don't understand you.""

Silwood had up to this point been standing ; he
now seated himself and gazed fixedly at his partner, on
whose face was to be seen some uneasiness but no great
alarm — rather a vague wonder.

" Frank," said Silwood, steadily, and now master of
himself, " prepare yourself — I have something to say —
I have a confession to make."

As he heard these words, Eversleigh, with a sudden
movement, pushed his chair back from the table. Fear-
ful of what was coming, he stared at Silwood, his mild
eyes big with surprise and terror.

" What is it ? " he stammered, in increasing agitation
— "what is it?" And he jumped up to his feet
excitedly, exclaiming, " A confession to make ! You !
Am I going out of my senses ? My God ! What do
you mean, Cooper ? "

" What I mean is this," said Silwood, keeping his
eyes fastened snake-like on Eversleigh as if to magnetize
him : " when Morris Thornton comes to look into his
affairs and ask for the securities and so forth we are
supposed to hold "

" Supposed to hold ! " cried Eversleigh, in tremulous
accents.

" When he asks us for his property he will dis-
cover "

" No, no, no — never that, Cooper ! " interrupted
Eversleigh, at last perceiving the other's drift.

" He will discover that his estate has vanished ;
it does not exist," said Silwood.

" What ! " ejaculated Eversleigh, staring wildly at
his partner, and still only half believing his ears, still

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 15

only half comprehending the sweep of the calamity in
which he was involved.

" The truth is, Frank, that, unknown to you, Fve
been speculating on the Stock Exchange, and I've lost
everything, or practically everything. If we were
called upon to-day," Silwood went on in a hard, pene-
trating tone which forced conviction on the mind of
the miserable man to whom he spoke, "to produce
our clients1 securities, bonds, shares and monies, we
should have very little to give them — the bulk has
disappeared."

" We are defaulters," moaned Eversleigh, in accents
of horror. And as he spoke, realizing and overwhelmed
by the disaster that had overtaken him, the big, soft
man seemed to shrivel and shrink up. With a pitiful
sound, plaintive, appealing, like the cry of a hurt child,
he covered his face with his hands and sank into his
seat.

" Some years ago," Silwood resumed, " I was tempted
to speculate. It appeared to be a certainty, but I lost,
To gain back what I had ventured, I speculated again,
with no better result. And this happened over and over
again. I did not always lose, or I might have become
discouraged. So I kept hoping and hoping to right
myself, but I only sank deeper and deeper in the mire."

While Silwood was speaking, a dark painful flush
overspread Eversleigh's face, then the blood ebbed
slowly away from it, and left the cheeks deathly pale.

" I have put off telling you of our position," con-
tinued Silwood, in the same measured, monotonous,
curiously callous voice that he had spoken in during
most of the interview, " but the early coming — he
may be here any day — of Morris Thornton compels me

16 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

to state exactly how we stand. You see now why I am
so anxious to know the date of his return to England."

Eversleigh slowly raised his head and looked at
Silwood the reproach, anger, and rage he felt but could
not express — he was so overcome, so dazed, that his
tongue could not find words. He saw with appalling
clearness, as in a flash of lightning, all that Silwood's
disclosure meant — dishonour, ruin, and the convict's
cell for himself, the brand of shame and infamy for his
family. He had blindly trusted Silwood all these years,
and, though he himself had taken not a penny of the
clients1 funds, the law would hold him equally guilty
with his partner.

" Something must be done," urged Silwood.

"There is only one thing to do,11 said Eversleigh,
finding words at last ; " we must make the truth
known at once."

" No," said Silwood, emphatically ; " that would be
sheer folly ; it will be soon enough to act in that way
when we must. Besides, is there no scheme that we
can devise to "

" What scheme could be devised ? "

"I have thought of one," said Silwood, and for
several minutes he spoke to Eversleigh in low tones of
persuasion, but Eversleigh refused to agree to what he
proposed.

" No," said Eversleigh, finally ; " Til never consent
to that — never, come what may."

"Think it over, Frank," Silwood pressed him —
" think it over calmly ; and, in any case, there is no
need for precipitancy."

" If I did my duty," said Eversleigh, with a groan,
" I should hand you and myself over to the police ! "

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 17

" That would be madness,11 replied Silwood. " Think
of it, man ! You will never be such a fool."

Eversleigh rose to his feet with a sudden pathetic
dignity.

"Leave me!1' he commanded Silwood; "I can
bear no more.11

And Cooper Silwood hesitated, then obeyed. When
he was gone out of the room, Eversleigh sat staring,
staring at the door.

It seemed to him incredible, impossible, that a few
brief minutes could work such havoc, such disaster,
such irremediable ruin. Only a short time before, that
fine young man, that handsome and debonair son of
his, of whom he was so proud, had stood in this room,
and had gone away smiling and hopeful ; and now >•

Eversleigh felt like one in a nightmare falling
through immeasurable depths.

CHAPTER III

THAT afternoon Gilbert Eversleigh went over, as he
had intended, to Ivydene, his father's residence in
Surbiton, a large and commodious villa standing
among trees and shrubs in its own grounds on the road
from Kingston to Thames Ditton, about three-quarters
of a mile from the market-place of the former. From
its upper windows there were to be got pleasant
glimpses of the river and of the Home Park beyond.
The Eversleighs were very fond of their house, and, in
an unassertive way, proud of it. Certainly it was the
centre of as sweet and well-ordered a home-life as any
in England,,

Gilbert's telegram to his mother had prepared her
for his coming, and when he arrived he was warmly
greeted by her and his sister Helen, a fair girl with the
family good-looks, who inquired if he was going to
spend the rest of the day with them. Gilbert replied
that he did not purpose returning to town till the last
train, and suggested it would be " very nice on the
river.1"1

While he was speaking, Miss Kitty Thornton made
her appearance, and as she shook hands with him his
eyes sparkled with admiration — and small wonder !

For Miss Kitty was a splendid piece of flesh and
blood, full of life and the joy and the spirit of youth.

18

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 19

A little over twenty-one, she was old enough to be a
woman and young enough to be a girl. She was not
too tall nor too slim. She belonged to the dark type.
She had black hair and plenty of it, and big black ex-
pressive eyes which often spoke her thoughts when her
tongue was silent ; on each cheek glowed a spot of
bright colour as large as a half-opened wild rose, but
of a deeper shade ; her lips were of a deeper shade
still ; her skin was of a warm dusky tint.

It was a strikingly brilliant face, but it had a
delicacy of feature, a fineness of line not common in
dark women. When it was in repose it was beautiful,
yet somehow it hinted sorrow, melancholy, unhappy
love, tragedy ; but it was seldom in repose, and when
it was lit up with animation, with feeling or laughter,
as it usually was, it was as radiantly lovely as mortal
man could wish to see.

There was a great heart in her too, but it had not
yet been tried and proved. Hitherto she had moved in
a sheltered world ; of evil, and the unending struggle
and strife of men and women outside, she had only a
faint conception ; the din of life had never clashed upon
her ears.

Her father, on the death of her mother, had brought
her over from Canada to Mrs. Eversleigh, begging the
wife of his old friend to take care of her for him. And
Mrs. Eversleigh, a gracious woman, had gladly assented
to his request. Kitty thus became a member of the
family, and was educated along with Helen both in
England and on the continent. The girls were like
sisters. Kitty was deeply attached to Mrs. Eversleigh,
and, in a less degree, to Francis Eversleigh. She was
very happy with the Eversleighs.

20 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Have they told you the good news, Gilbert ? "
asked Kitty, a note of rejoicing in her voice.

" Not yet," interposed Helen Eversleigh ; " there
hasn't been time."

"Tell me," said Gilbert, with a smile. "What
is it?"

" I got a letter from my father this morning, and he
says that he is returning to England very soon," said
Kitty, gleefully.

" That is indeed good news for you," Gilbert agreed.
"I thought you looked very much pleased about some-
thing," he added.

" Pleased ! I should say I am ! "

" And when is he coming ? " asked Gilbert.

" He says he will be here very soon," answered
Kitty — " in a few days after his letter. He does not
say quite when, but he writes, ' I will pop in and
surprise you some day in the week next after that in
which you receive this.' The very uncertainty as to
the date," remarked the girl, brightly, " gives a keener
edge to one's pleasure."

"I dare say that is what he intended," said Mrs.
Eversleigh.

The three ladies looked delighted — as indeed they
were. Gilbert seemed delighted also, but inwardly the
news made him feel downcast.

Passionately as he loved Kitty Thornton, the
thought of the large fortune she would inherit, which
Morris Thornton's approaching visit brought home to
him afresh, had been a check upon him ; so, too, was
the fact that she was the ward, in a measure, of his
father. These considerations had imposed upon him
silence and a certain self-control ; still he had an idea

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 21

that Kitty could not be altogether unconscious of his
love for her. He knew she liked him, and it was his
fond hope that he might " drive this liking to the
name of love." But so far he had not ventured to
voice his hope in words. And now he wondered if her
father's return would make a difference, and what her
father would think of him and his suit.

" He will think I am not good enough for her," he
said to himself, "and of course I'm not. Besides, as
she's a great heiress, he will expect her to make some
splendid match — and I am only a young barrister with
my career just beginning."

All this passed through his mind on hearing Kitty's
" good news," which he felt might not be equally good
news so far as he was concerned, but he strove to look
as happy over it as she was.

" We shall all be very glad to see him," said he to
the girl, mendaciously.

" What shall we do with ourselves this afternoon ? "
asked Kitty, changing the topic. " Now you are here,
Gilbert, we must make some use of you."

" He was talking of going on the river," remarked
Helen.

" Yes, yes," said Kitty, eagerly. " I never tire of
the river."

" Will you come, mother ? " inquired Gilbert of Mrs.
Eversleigh.

But Mrs. Eversleigh declined on the plea of having
some household matters to attend to.

" I can't go with you," she said, " but I'll tell you
what to do. You two girls can take your cycles, and
Gilbert can borrow his brother Ernest's wheel, and ride
to Molesey."

22 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" And get a punt there. The very thing," said
Gilbert, in the mood to welcome hard exercise, and so
to work off his trouble. " I suppose," he said to his
mother, "I'll find some of Ernie's boating things in
his room ? "

" Oh yes," said Mrs. Eversleigh, and he went off to
change his clothes.

Presently the three young people were cycling to
Molesey, which they soon reached. A punt was quickly
procured, and, in a few seconds more, Gilbert was
poling it up-stream with remarkable vigour considering
the heat of the day.

"You are working hard," said Kitty, noting his
extraordinary exertions.

" Oh, never mind him," sweetly remarked his sister.
" If s good for him."

" But won't you over-heat yourself, Gilbert ? " asked
Kitty. And though he replied with thanks that he was
all right, she insisted after a short while that he must
take an easy, and moor the punt under a shady bank.

He obeyed her, and then Kitty, to his secret dis-
comfiture, must needs talk about the coming of her
father, her heart being full of the subject. And as
she talked his trouble seemed to melt away, for she
spoke of the happy times they all would have when
Morris Thornton was in England, and obviously included
Gilbert in her notion of these happy times. The three
chatted gaily for an hour, and then they set off down-
stream.

They had gone several hundred yards, perhaps, when
they met, moving at top speed, a racing-skiff, the
occupant of which bowed to them with a rapid in-
clination of his head, but did not stop.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 23

" It's Harry Sennet," said Helen Eversleigh, gazing
after him, and waving her hand.

" How are you, Harry ? " Gilbert had shouted, as
the boat went past.

Bennet, now some distance away, rested on his oars,
and waved his hand to Helen, who was still regarding
him, as was also Kitty ; but it was the latter at whom
he looked. However, he did not seek to talk, but
watched the punt until it disappeared round a bend of
the stream. His face thereupon expressed mingled
feelings — a tremendous admiration of Kitty Thornton,
and an intense hatred of Gilbert Eversleigh, whom he
proceeded to curse aloud when out of sight, being the
chief.

" He's a fine oarsman, a fine athlete," observed Helen,
as the punt went on down-stream. She referred to
Harry Bennet, whom she had known all her life, and
for whom she had a liking. " I can't believe he is the
bad lot they say he is. If only he was not so keen on
racing and betting ! It's said that he is losing all his
money and ruining himself. It seems such a pity ! "
And she sighed.

" Yes," said Kitty, glancing at her friend ; but she
did not continue the conversation. She knew of Helen's
feeling for Bennet, but it was a feeling she herself did
not share.

As for Gilbert, he said nothing at all either good or
bad about the man whom he understood very well was
his rival. But he had heard what was being said about
Bennet quite openly, the sum and substance of which
was that Harry had become a reckless and inveterate
gambler.

The girls had heard something of this too, but only

24 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

in the most general way. All three, however, were
cognisant of the main facts of Bennet's life : how his
father had died when he was a child, and how he had
been petted, spoiled, and indulged by a foolish doting
mother ; how he had consequently grown into a wilful,
headstrong, intractable boy ; how, as he neared man-
hood, he showed a gift of marvellous physical strength,
in the development of which there for a time lay an
illusory hope of his improvement ; how, in his first year
at the university, he had been a member of the crew
which, after a long series of Oxford triumphs, had at last
given a victory to the light blues ; and how, on coming
into his property a few months later, he had forthwith
left Cambridge and taken to racing with frantic zest.

" It is such a pity," Helen went on ; " but I think
that so long as he keeps up his rowing there is a chance
for him.11

But now they were back at Molesey, and nothing
more was said of Bennet at the time. At dinner in the
evening, however, Helen spoke of their having seen him
on the river, and repeated what she had said about it
being a hopeful sign that he kept up his rowing.

" I think he doesn't row very much now,"" said her
brother Ernest, who was a solicitor like his father, and
expected soon to be a partner in the Lincoln's Inn firm.
" He simply can't have the time. His stable and his
horses and his betting-book absorb him entirely. I
wonder what that new horse of his — he calls it * Go
Nap ' — will do for him. He's sure to back it heavily.'1

" « Go Nap ' !" said Gilbert. " That's rather suggestive
of a plunge."

" Isn't it ? Harry is a terrific plunger anyway."

" Oh, don't let us talk about Harry Bennet," said

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 25

Francis Eversleigh, from the head of the table, where he
had been sitting in moody silence. He was so utterly
unlike himself, indeed, that his wife was alarmed, but
when she asked what ailed him he said he had " a rather
bad headache " — a statement which scarcely reassured
her, as she knew he never had headaches ; and when
she pressed him further, he replied sharply and irritably.
But the wretched man hardly knew what he was saying
or doing.

One part of Silwood's advice he had made up his
mind to accept and act upon, and this was that he
would do nothing to forestall the fate which must over-
take the firm, but to let things drift till the crash came.
And, having come to this conclusion, the unfortunate
solicitor told himself that he must try to behave as
usual in his family circle. But he found it impossible.
The tragic swiftness and completeness of the stroke
dealt him by Silwood was too much for him. Now, as
he thought of his home, and of his wife and children,
and of the frightful secret he carried in his breast of the
ruin hanging over them, a bitterness worse than that of
death possessed him. Generally full of easy agreeable
small-talk, that night he was gloomy and dumb.

He made one effort only to talk.

Kitty mentioned having had a letter from her father,
whereupon he stated that the firm had also had one
from Mr. Thornton.

"By the way,11 he said, striving to speak in his
ordinary tones, " your father made a curious omission
in his letter to us ; he does not specify when he is
coming — gives no precise date. I dare say it was an
oversight. I suppose he tells you in your letter just
when to expect him, Kitty ? "

26 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" No, he doesn't, Mr. Eversleigh — at least, not very
precisely. He says he'll come soon after his letter, but
he does not fix any date, as he wants to give me a little
surprise. Still, I think he'll be here some day next
week."

" Next week ! " said Eversleigh, slowly and painfully.
To him it was the voice of doom, and he relapsed into
silence again.

CHAPTER IV

DIXXER over, Francis Eversleigh retired to his room,
again excusing himself on the plea of headache, adding
in a very uncertain voice that he would no doubt be
better in the morning ; but he looked harassed, Avorn,
and ill. His wife concealed her consternation at his
state as well as she could, and mentally tried to assign
some cause for it; on reflection she thought that his
reference at table to Harry Bennet, whose affairs,
now much involved, she knew to be in the hands of
the firm, probably suggested the correct explanation.
Anxious to minister to her husband, and to find out if
possible what distressed him so sorely, she wished to
be alone with him, and she urged the others to go out
for a stroll by the river.

As the young people, nothing loth, went out, the
two brothers exchanged a few words, Gilbert asking
Ernest if he knew of anything in the office that had
upset their father.

" I saw him in the forenoon," he remarked, " and
he was looking as well as could be then. I hope he's
not going to have an illness."

"I know of nothing particularly worrying in the
office,"" returned Ernest. " How should there be ? I
fancy it is just as he says — he's got a bad headache,
perhaps from the heat. I don't fancy that there is

27

28 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

anything else the matter with him. He'll be all right
to-morrow, you'll see."

Now, when Gilbert was at Surbiton, there was an
unwritten law that when they took their walks abroad
he should pair off with Kitty, and Ernest with Helen.
This arrangement was so well understood that Ernest
never thought of even grumbling at it. So Gilbert
and Kitty led the way to the terrace or esplanade on
that side of the Thames, where they found a sequestered
seat. And there they were left by the other two, who
walked on towards the waterworks.

It was a delightful summer evening. The air was
soft, balmy, sweet ; a light breeze whispered delicate
suggestions, and wooed to pleasant thoughts and tender
fancies ; a crescent moon, shining low over the trees on
to the water, brought to the scene that touch of senti-
ment which is the very breath of poetry and romance.
It was a night for lovers ! Love, passion, sighs, smiles,
fond hopes, fervent vows, eloquent prayers, the gentle
rain of happy tears — all were in the enchanted atmo-
sphere of the place that night.

It was one of those magical nights on which the
heart is likely to be easily and perhaps profoundly
stirred, and Gilbert Eversleigh, with the woman he
loved by his side, was in a frame of mind to respond
only too quickly to its influence. He longed to speak
to Kitty, to tell her that he loved her, to ask her to
unite her life with his, to press her dear hand, to taste
the sweetness of her lips; but he forced himself to
silence, though the restraint he imposed on his desire
for utterance made it but gain the greater strength.

It may be that Kitty suspected she was on the
edge of a crisis, for she too was quiet, and for the first

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 29

time in her life somehow felt shy with Gilbert. Of
course she did not require any one to tell her that he
loved her, and more than once she had asked herself
if she loved him, and she had answered " Yes." Thus,
though words of love had never passed between them,
she was none the less conscious of the existence of their
love. And this made life joy, even if there was at the
back of her mind a tremulous maidenly sensitiveness
which made her half afraid of her happiness. An
instinct of reserve now warned her to say or do nothing
which could be taken by Gilbert as an opening.

Therefore a sort of constraint fell upon them, but
still there was a sweetness about it ; for was there not
a nearness and an intimacy in the dreamy brooding
silence, the outward sign of this" constraint, which was
only possible between true lovers ?

And thus they sat for some minutes, apart and yet
together.

It was Kitty herself who spoke first. Her thought
of Gilbert associated itself with that other subject
about which she was also so glad — the coming of her
father, and it was of him she spoke.

" Do you remember my father, Gilbert ? " she asked.

"Perfectly," replied Gilbert. "I had just come
back from school for the last time, and — he was very
kind to me. Of course, I remember him quite well.
And — and — it was then that he brought you to our
house."

"That was seven years ago," said Kitty. "Seven
years! I haven't seen him for all these years. I
wonder if he is much changed ? He will see a great
change in me. I was only a girl, a little girl, then, and
now I am a woman."

30 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

As she uttered the last words she glanced a little
apprehensively at her companion, for she felt she had
perhaps given him an opportunity. She saw his face
was clouded ; his eyes were fixed on a point in the
distance, and he did not speak.

"Your father's return,11 at length said he, with a
sigh, " will make a difference, I fear."

" In what way ? " inquired Kitty, not at once follow-
ing hard on the track of what was passing in his mind.

" He will take you from us,11 said Gilbert ; and then
he added, inconsequently and involuntarily, " I wonder
if he will like me ? "

And the girl now understood.

" Like you ! Of course he will,11 she exclaimed, in
a tone which made him proud and happy.

There was an emphasis in her voice which seemed
to assert that it would be impossible for her father to
criticise him — at all events adversely.

"It would mean so much to me,11 he exclaimed,
turning towards her.

Kitty stole a glance at him, and she observed that
his face was no longer clouded, but bore a grave,
questioning expression like that of a man in doubt
with regard to some deeply serious matter.

" It would mean all the world to me,11 he said,
meeting her glance.

" Why ? " rose to Kitty^ lips, but the words went
no further. For as Gilbert kept his gaze fastened
upon her, a subtle change was worked in his eyes;
they were no longer shaded with doubt or anxious
inquiry ; they searched and challenged her with
passionate appeal ; they unmistakably asked the ques-
tion of questions man can put to woman.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 31

And though no sound passed Kitty Thornton's
lips, she made no pretence of misunderstanding him.
All the woman in her instantaneously rose up in quick
response. All the love in her heart suddenly surged
up in a great wave of feeling which flooded her eyes,
now deep pools of light, with an unmistakable answer
to the unmistakable question in his, thus bent upon
her. Yet she trembled slightly, for she felt herself in
the grasp of something new and strange and delightful,
but just a little terrible and alarming.

And when Gilbert Eversleigh saw what he saw in
Kitty's eyes, self-control became impossible, and he
could restrain himself no longer.

" Kitty, Kitty," he said, in a deep earnest voice
which thrilled the girl as she listened — "Kitty? my
darling, I love you, I love you ! "

Kitty trembled still more, and lowered her eyes
shyly — perhaps to hide the light that glowed in them.

" Kitty," he said, his voice somewhat uncertain for
an instant as he looked at her downcast face — " Kitty,
my dear, you must know that I love you. Now that
I have said it, I should like to go on for ever saying ' I
love you, I love you ! ' You are everything to me —
everything to me," he repeated, with a lover's fond
iteration. " Oh, my dear, tell me that you love
me!"

Kitty raised her eyes.

" Listen to me a moment, Kitty," said Gilbert, who
had seen the message she flashed to him, and was
greatly encouraged thereby. " Let me tell you all that
is in my heart."

The girl now looked at him, some wonder in her
glance, as she asked herself if he had not said already

32 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

all that was in his heart, but as he went on she saw
what he meant.

" I love you better than life,"" he began, " but I am
not sure that I have done right in saying to you what

I have said. I had not intended I was carried

away . . ." And he paused.

" What is it ? " asked Kitty, and there was such
childlike trust and innocence in the way she made this
inquiry that he had to put strong compulsion on him-
self to keep from placing his arm round her waist and
drawing her toward him.

" You have spoken two or three times to-day about
your father," replied Gilbert, " and each time you gave
me, without knowing it, a pang, because, Kitty dear, I
am afraid that he may not think me good enough for
you, not rich enough, not placed high enough, for you.
I had intended to wait until he came before speaking
to you — I suppose I ought to have asked his permission
to address you first. Do you see, Kitty? But to-
night— well, I found I could wait no longer, and so
must tell you all that was in my heart. Your father
may blame me, Kitty. He might say that you should
see far more of life than you have before even thinking
of marriage. Yet, Kitty, after all it rests with you.
Kitty, Kitty, what do you say, my darling ? I cannot
help loving you — I can never cease to love you. Tell
me, do you love me ? Say you love me ! "

And he put forth his hand with a gesture of
entreaty.

Long before this Kitty's shyness had fallen from
her, her maidenly hesitation had disappeared. She
had a feeling that Gilbert Eversleigh had been fore-
ordained her lover before the foundations of the earth

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN S3

were laid — so vast was the certainty that filled her
mind. The very statement of the difficulty in which he
found himself with regard to her father helped her
inevitably to this conclusion. It was noble of him, she
thought, to take this attitude, and if he had not been
able to stick to it, was she the one to condemn him for
it? No, indeed.

"You are more to me, Gilbert," she said, quietly
but firmly, " than my father — than all the fathers in
the world. You are everything to me, just as I am
everything to you.11

As she spoke, she inclined towards him with a
beautiful movement of surrender and invitation.

He caught her in his arms and strained her yielding
form in his embrace ; their lips met and met again ; a
sweet agitation which grew into an ecstasy possessed
them both; they seemed to reach and stand on a
pinnacle of brightness and delight far removed from
the grey levels on which moved ordinary men arid
women through the shadows of life ; they murmured to
each other the sweet foolish things that lovers always
murmur, and in their ears never was diviner music.

And as for Morris Thornton — why, Kitty said
that he would be proud of Gilbert, and the very first
thing she would do on his arrival would be to tell him
that she was engaged.

" Of course," added Kitty, " he will be pleased,
because I am pleased."

" Are you still here ? " asked Ernest Eversleigh,
who with his sister now walked up to the bench where
the lovers were sitting. " We thought you were
coming on after us, and we waited for you for some
time, but as you did not turn up we came back again."

D

34- THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

And thus were the lovers brought down to the
every-day world.

" Is it time to go in ? " asked Gilbert, who was
unamiably wishing his brother at Jericho.

" I should think it is — particularly if you intend
to catch a train to town to-night," replied Ernest.

"Let us go in,"" said Kitty, rising from the seat
and linking her arm with that of Helen, somewhat to
Gilbert's astonishment, until it occurred to him that
she might wish to tell the other girl what had
happened.

The party — the girls first, the brothers in the rear
— now returned to Ivydene, where on their entrance
into the house they encountered Francis Eversleigh,
looking haggard and ghastly; he had felt too un-
utterably wretched to stay in his room where his wife
in vain sought to tend and soothe him, and had come
downstairs to see if he could not find some distraction.

Gilbert moved up to Kitty's side, and, as the two
stood together, their faces were tell-tale.

" Father," said Gilbert, blushing furiously, " Kitty
has promised to be my wife."

Helen Eversleigh rushed forward and threw her
arms round Kitty's neck, exclaiming, " Oh, you dear ! "
while Ernest warmly shook his brother's hand, but
their father stood stock-still. He tried to speak, but
the words were choked in his throat. Again he
essayed to say something, but could not. With a
groan he suddenly turned from them and fled upstairs.

" Father ! " exclaimed Gilbert, calling after him.
"What can be the matter with him, I wonder?" he said
to Ernest, who merely answered that he could not tell.

And then the two lovers looked at each other. They

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 35

both felt that Francis Eversleigh had behaved very
strangely.

" I'm afraid Mr. Eversleigh is not at all well," said
Kitty. " I am so sorry."

" Yes, father must be ill," agreed Gilbert ; " still, I
think it can't be anything very serious. And now, 1
suppose I must go," he added with a sigh.

The lovers bade each other good-bye in the porch.
Absorbed in their happiness, they thought no more of
Francis Eversleigh.

And when Gilbert spent the following day, which
was a Sunday, at Surbiton, it was only to be expected
that the lovers, after the immemorial manner of lovers,
should concern themselves with themselves and their
own affairs.

Francis Eversleigh remained in his room the whole
day ; he could not bear to see any one.

CHAPTER V

OK the Monday morning Francis Eversleigh did not
appear at breakfast.

Mrs. Eversleigh told Ernest that his father was
asleep after having passed a wakeful night, and she was
sure he would not feel equal to going to the office.
When Ernest inquired, as was natural, if she intended
sending for a doctor, she replied that a suggestion she
had made in the night to that effect had been per-
emptorily negatived by her husband, who maintained
that he was suffering from a slight attack for which it
was absurd to call in a physician.

"I am very anxious, however, about him,1' she said.
She paused and looked meditatively at her son. " Do
you know, Ernest,"" she continued, " if your father has
on hand some exceptionally difficult business just now,
or if there is some client who is giving him cause for
unusual anxiety ? " She was thinking of Bennet.

" I am quite certain there is absolutely nothing of
such gravity as to make him ill," replied Ernest, with
conviction. " Why, work goes on at the office from
day to day and from month to month with the ease
and regularity of machinery. But why do VQU ask this,
mother ? "

" Because it has occurred to me that there is
36

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 37

something on your father's mind, and it is that which
is making him ill."

" Indeed ! Oh, I think you must be mistaken,
mother."

" I hope so," she rejoined, but not in a really hope-
ful tone. " One of the things which perplex me is that
he seems to take very little pleasure in the engagement
of Kitty and Gilbert — that is strange, is it not ? Then
again, you would suppose he would be looking forward
with interest to seeing his old friend Morris Thornton
once more, yet, when I referred to it, he spoke in such
a queer way. I can't understand him at all."

As Ernest was about to speak Miss Kitty Thornton
entered the room, and conversation passed to other
topics. And as for Kitty herself, her brilliant beauty
appeared to have been enhanced by the happy event of
her engagement, for never had she looked so lovely as
she did that morning, and there was on her face a light
of happiness which was good to see.

" Is there anything I can do for you ? " Ernest
asked Kitty. "Can I carry a message, for instance,""
he went on, with a grin, rising to leave the room, "to
a certain barrister in the Temple ? "

But Miss Kitty merely smiled and shook her pretty
head.

" I won't have her teased," said Mrs. Eversleigh ;
but the offender had already vanished.

When Silwood reached his room in New Square he
found not only Williamson waiting as usual, but also
Ernest Eversleigh.

" I am sorry to have to tell you," said Ernest, " that
my father is indisposed. He will not be here to-day."

"Mr. Eversleigh ill!" exclaimed Silwood, and

38 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

stopped ; inwardly he termed Eversleigh a poor weak
fool without a particle of grit. Aloud he said, clicking
out the words stiffly, " I am very sorry to hear it. What
is the trouble ? "

"I don't think it is anything serious; hell be all
right by to-morrow.'1

" He did not send me any message ? "

" He was asleep when I left the house. Mother told
me he had been awake most of the night, but had dozed
off towards morning."

" I see. There was something I expected to hear
from him, but it's possible you can tell me. It's just
this. We received a letter on Saturday from Mr. Morris
Thornton, in which he informed us that he was leaving
Canada for England. Well, though he spoke of being
here very soon, he did not give us any exact date. Of
00111*86, it is no great matter, but it seems just a little
curious."

" It must have been an oversight," said Williamson.

" Perhaps so," assented Silwood.

" I am not certain of that," remarked Ernest.

'• You have heard something ? " queried Silwood.

" Miss Thornton has heard from her father "

" I had an idea she might have definite word as to
the date of her father's arrival," interposed Silwood.
" Not, as I told you before, that it matters ; it is only
that one likes to satisfy one's curiosity sometimes."

Thus carefully did Silwood minimize the interest
he took in the date of Thornton's arrival in London.
Certainly, Ernest Eversleigh had no suspicion of the
vital importance the subject possessed, and Silwood's
manner was so natural that even Williamson was put
off the scent.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 39

" Miss Thornton," said Ernest, " had a letter also
on Saturday ; but her father did not specify the date
of his coming to her either, the reason being, he told
her, that he wishes to give her a pleasant surprise by
dropping in on her when she isn't expecting him. Still,
he said enough to make her expect him some day next
week."

" Some day next week ! " repeated Silwood, with an
indrawing of the breath. Then he continued in an
ordinary tone, " He wishes to give her a surprise ; that
seems to me rather odd."

" It is," agreed Eniest ; and then he smiled.

"There is something more," suggested Silwood,
seeing the smile.

" I was thinking," rejoined Ernest, laughing a little,
" that the surprise will not be all on one side. Miss
Kitty has prepared a surprise for him too."

« Indeed ! "

"Yes. Kitty and Gilbert are engaged to be
married."

"Oh! Since when?"

"Saturday night. I wonder what Mr. Thornton
will say about it ! "

"I wonder!" echoed Silwood; but this subject
did not concern him greatly, and he turned to his
letters.

Ernest took the hint, and left Silwood with
Williamson. After a short talk about current business,
Silwood sent away the head-clei'k, having given him
instructions to attend to any urgent matter in Francis
Eversleigh's department which required immediate
attention.

" So Morris Thornton comes next week," he said to

40 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

himself when alone — "next week — next week. The
time is short — very short — and there is much to do."

Silwood, to all appearance, went on with his work as
usual, but in reality he was thinking out the situation.
What, he asked, did Francis Eversleigh mean by absent-
ing himself from the office — the plea of illness was
transparently absurd ; and did he intend to go on
absenting himself? That could not be allowed, thought
Silwood ; it would never do. And Thornton was to be
in London next week ! Silwood, therefore, resolved to
go to Surbiton that afternoon to see Eversleigh. •

His resolve did not need any strengthening, but
something occurred which would have supplied it had
it been required.

This was the receipt of a telegram from Harry
Bennet, telling the firm that he had passed a demand
draft on it for two thousand pounds.

Silwood, having explained to Ernest that he par-
ticularly wished to see his father, not only to see how
he was, but also to consult him with respect to Bennefs
affairs, accompanied the young man to Ivydene.

Silwood had not seen Francis Eversleigh since he
had made his confession to him on the Saturday fore-
noon, and even his phlegm was disturbed by the change
worked in twenty-four hours on Francis, who looked
broken and seriously ill. The meeting was an in-
tensely painful one to Eversleigh ; indeed, he thought
at first of declining to see Silwood, but changed his
mind.

Silwood saw Eversleigh in the latter's bedroom.

" Francis," said he, in a stiff, formal tone, " I am
very sorry to see you like this. You take things too
much to heart. It's a bad blow, I know — a terrible

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 41

blow. I can't tell you how bitterly I regret what Fve
clone — how I repent of it."

Eversleigh looked at him strangely. Ever since
Silwood had confessed his guilt there had been moments
when Eversleigh felt he could murder Silwood. And
now that Silwood was before him, he fiercely asked him-
self why he should not kill like a rat this man whom
he had trusted so implicitly, and who had betrayed that
trust so shamefully. Did the man not deserve death ?
Was anything too bad for him ? And these questions
were in his eyes as they fixed themselves on Silwood.

" I don't suppose you came here," he said, in a
strained voice that had a curious hissing sound about
it, " to tell me this."

"To tell you this, Frank," observed Silwood, meet-
ing fully the other's gaze, " and other things too."

" What other things ? " he asked hoarsely, glancing
away from Silwood. Already his impulse of murder
was passing away from his wavering mind ; he was
telling himself that if he killed Silwood the lot of his
wife and family would only be the more desperate.

Silwood all the while was regarding him intently.
He was trying to read Eversleigh's mind, and he came
to the conclusion that Eversleigh was capable of com-
mitting suicide or some other rash act.

"Before speaking of these, Frank," replied Silwood,
" let me beg of you not to fret too much. What is
the use of dwelling on what is past and cannot now be
mended ? "

"How can I help it?"

" You must try. For one thing, you must come to
the office. It is surely better to attend to your work at
the office "

42 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

"To attend to my work!" broke in Eversleigh.
" How can I, when all my thoughts are centred on one
thing — the ruin that is coming upon me and those
innocent ones who must suffer ? To attend to my work
is impossible ! "

" Surely not."

"You know — no one better — that for years I have
never attended to my work properly. Do not think
that I consider myself free from blame. I ought never
to have allowed you to get control of the whole finances
of the firm. It was my duty to have made inquiry, and
to have seen that everything belonging to our clients
was in perfect order. I have been criminally neglectful —
I see that very clearly ; " and as he spoke his own con-
demnation there was a sob in his throat.

" Yes ; but how does all this prevent you from
coming to the office ? Is it not just the other way ?
And for a short time there is no reason to be afraid.
What we have to dread most is the coming of Morris
Thornton, and that, I hear, will not be till some time
next week. That gives us a little breathing-space."

"Till some time next week!" said Eversleigh.
" That's not much of a respite."

" Still, it's something. But there is another thing
I have to tell you."

" What's that ? " dully asked Eversleigh, telling him-
self that at any rate he knew the worst.

" We got a telegram from Bennet saying he was
drawing on us for two thousand pounds." 4

" Well, can't we pay it ?"

" Certainly ; but it is inconvenient. The withdrawal
of this sum from our bank account seriously reduces our
balance."

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 43

" What is our balance ? "

" About six thousand. With care, and if it were
not for the coming of Thornton, we might be able to
carry on for a long time.""

" I have been thinking over our affairs," said Ever-
sleigh, " since you spoke to me yesterday, and it seems
to me we ought to call in a first-class accountant to
make a thorough investigation."

" And what would be the inevitable result ? " asked
Silwood, drily.

" We should know — I should know — how we stand."

" But I know quite well."

"I suppose so. What is the amount of your — of
our, I suppose I must say — defalcations ? "

" About four hundred thousand. That would be a
nice thing for an accountant to discover, to certify to !
No, Francis, it is absurd to call in an accountant. It
would not be long before he found out we were insolvent,
and — defaulters. What service would that be to you
or to the firm ? None whatever."

" No, perhaps it would not do," acquiesced Eversleigh,
weakly. " You said four hundred thousand. How could
you have been such a fool as to lose so much money ?
Four hundred thousand ! "

" I was a fool, Frank. But it's easy enough for a
wise man to lose more than that on the Stock Exchange."

" Well," sighed Eversleigh, hopelessly, " I don't
know what's to be done."

" Why, nothing at present. And perhaps, Francis,
your personal position is not so bad. Ernest told me
of the engagement of Miss Thornton to Gilbert. That,
surely, is an excellent thing for you. When her father
finds out the state of affairs he will be silent. He will

44 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

certainly not care to prosecute the father of his daughter's
accepted husband, will he ? "

" He will insist on the engagement being broken off."

"Perhaps, but perhaps not. Leaving that aside,
have you thought of the scheme I mentioned ? "

" Yes, yes ; I have considered it," replied Eversleigh ;
then he looked at Silwood wonderingly, and said,
" You take our position — my position — very coolly,
Cooper. One would think you had no real conception
of what you have done."

" Well,11 rejoined Silwood, hardily, " you see, it is
all new to you, Francis, but it is no novelty to me. I
have been familiar with our position for a long time —
for years. But this is quite beside the point. Let us
come to business. Do you intend to adopt my scheme ? "

" I do not,11 said Eversleigh, firmly. " It is pre-
posterous."

" If you will be advised by me "

"Not in this,11 Eversleigh cried excitedly, "not in
this. Would to God I had never been born ! " he ex-
claimed. And he begged Silwood to leave him, promising
to be at the office, however, next day.

As Silwood travelled back to town there was a
singular and enigmatic expression on his face ; he was
thinking that Eversleigh's consent to what he had pro-
posed was not essential, and, this being so, that he would
act aloiie.

CHAPTER VI

FRANCIS EVERSLEIGH returned to the office in Lincoln's
Inn next day, and strove to take up his work again,
but with indifferent success ; the shadow of his impend-
ing ruin never lifted itself from his mind. On the
other hand, Cooper Silwood, having determined to act
alone, began to make preparations for carrying out his
scheme.

All that day Silwood was incessantly occupied with
the ordinary business of that department of the office
which was his special care. No man could have told
from his aspect, or from the manner in which he did
his business, that anything pressed heavily upon him ;
he seemed in no way different from the imperturbable,
shrewd, capable lawyer people believed him always to
be. But what he purposed doing was never absent
from his thoughts.

According to custom, at six o'clock Williamson
brought him the letters for signature. This signing of
the letters served as a sort of signal, for shortly after-
wards the clerks left and the office was closed, though
it was not an uncommon thing for Silwood to stay on
by himself for another hour or two. The Eversleighs
went earlier in order to catch the fast five-o'clock
suburban train.

At six o'clock Williamson went into Sil wood's
45

46 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

room with the letters ; he placed them silently before
his master, who read them over rapidly, and then
affixed the firm's signature in his careful, small hand-
writing. Williamson stood waiting, while he tried to
read his master's face, but Silwood's air was perfectly
inscrutable.

" I shall not go at once," said Silwood. " I have
not quite finished ; but there is no need for any one
to stay."

He gathered the letters together in a bunch, and
passed them on to Williamson.

" By the way," he asked, looking at the clerk with
a sharp glance, " how does Mr. Eversleigh strike you ?
I'm afraid he's not very well."

" I thought he seemed poorly — very poorly," replied
Williamson. " I felt very sorry for him, and I ventured
to suggest — having been with the firm so many years,
sir — to him that he needed a holiday."

" You did ! That was good. It's my own idea,
too. And what did he say ? "

" He said he was all right, or soon would be ; there
was nothing much the matter with him. Said it was
the heat."

" But about taking a holiday ? "

" He said it was not at all necessary."

"Well, I agree with you, Mr. Williamson. It
seems to me that he does need a change. I told him
that also. I urged him to take a month off, but he
won't hear of it. He keeps on saying he is not ill
really — only a bit out of sorts owing to the hot weather.
And it is hot, isn't it ? I must confess I feel this
frightful heat very much ; the office is horribly close.
Unless the weather becomes cooler, I declare I shall

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 47

require a holiday myself. And if Mr. Eversleigh still
persists in refusing a holiday — well, I believe I shall take
one. I haven't had a real vacation for a very long
time. But I had much rather he went."

" You certainly have had no holiday, Mr. Silwood,
for a long time — three or four years, it must be," said
Williamson, immensely surprised at the turn the con-
versation had taken. " When would you think of
going, sir?"

" Oh, I haven't thought much about it all," replied
Silwood ; " my taking a holiday is only a possibility.
Still, if this heat does not moderate, I should not
wonder if I did go. But it"s not settled."

" I understand, sir," said Williamson, who, as a
matter of fact, was completely mystified. " What's up
now ? " he asked himself. Still, on reflection, he had
to admit there was no reason why Silwood should not
take a holiday if he wished to do so.

" That's all, I think," said Silwood ; and with a nod
he dismissed the head-clerk.

Silwood waited for half an hour, so as to allow
plenty of time for all the clerks to have left the office,
and then he took a look into the various rooms to see
if there was any one still there ; but they were all empty.
Satisfied on this point, he returned to his own room and
shut himself in.

Next he went to the large japanned box in the
corner, touched the concealed spring, and laid open
the secret chamber, from which he took a number of
papers, including the sheet of figures against which
were placed initials. He pored over these papers,
studying them with the intentness of one who is com-
mitting a subject to memory. He made two or three

48 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

alterations in the figures, and then put all the docu-
ments back in their hiding-place. He tried to close up
the chamber, but the spring would not work properly.
He tried again and again, but he did not succeed.

With each failure his manner showed a rapidly
rising agitation, an increasing apprehension, his usual
impassivity dropping away from him completely. He
examined the mechanism of the arrangement, but he
could find nothing wrong with it ; so far as he could
see, it appeared to be in perfect order. As he struggled
with it, his pale face became extraordinarily livid, his
lips twitched convulsively, the perspiration stood in
beads on his forehead. For he knew that if the box
would not shut, then his scheme would tumble to pieces.

He had almost given it up in despair when the
accidental pressure of his knee against one of the sides
of the box caused the spring to act, and the opening
suddenly closed up of itself.

Trembling and gasping, Silwood sat down and
looked at the box as if it were some hateful living thing.

" It ought to be seen to,"" he said to himself, " but
I cannot permit any one to touch it. No one but my-
self must know of the secret chamber — that is vital.
And yet — no, I must run the risk."

He went on looking darkly at the box.

" Oh, what a fright you gave me ! " he said aloud
to it, and then glanced about fearfully at the sound
of his own voice. " How absurd ! " he said to himself,
reassuringly. " I must not let the thing get on my
nerves like this."

It was now not far from eight o'clock, which was
the hour for Silwood's dinner. In a few minutes more,
therefore, he betook himself to the restaurant in Holborn

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 49

which he was in the habit of patronizing. A little
after nine he walked back to Lincoln's Inn, which he
entered by the small door at the side of the fine gate-
way opening into Lincoln's Inn Fields. He spoke to
the porter for some seconds, and then went on to his
private chambers in Stone Buildings, his rooms being on
the top floor of the north-eastcorner building overlooking
Chancery Lane. He had lived here for several years.

After he had let himself in he locked the door,
filled a black clay pipe and lit it, took an armchair
and sat down. And there he sat for a long while
very still and quiet, save for the puff — puff — puffing
of the smoke from his lips. The pipe burnt itself out,
and he looked at his watch.

" It is too soon," he said to himself ; and he filled
a second black clay pipe. And this too he smoked out.

With a leisurely movement he at length rose and
went to the window, threw up the sash, and peered
out into the half-darkness of the street. He ran his
eye up and down Chancery Lane, and noted that all
the lights except the street-lamps were out, and that
the pavements were bare of human forms, save for one
or two dark-flitting, shadowy beings.

" It will soon be time," he thought ; and he closed
the window.

He sat down again, and proceeded to smoke a
third pipe. All the while he had been going over the
details of his scheme; now he was thinking whether
he had not been too abrupt in making the suggestion
that he might take a holiday to Williamson.

" What does it matter ? " he concluded ; " he knows
nothing."

He smoked on until twelve boomed through the

50 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

air — the strokes came in a great volume of sound from
the clocks in the Strand and from far and near. When
it had died away, he put down his pipe, and walked
into his bedroom.

But it was not to go to bed.

For, a few minutes later, a figure emerged from
Cooper Silwood's bedroom — the figure of a man of the
height and general build of Cooper Silwood, but other-
wise not like him in the least. Yet it was he, though
changed beyond recognition.

His mien was that of a respectable workman in
his everyday clothes. They were such clothes as
might be worn by men of half a dozen different trades
with equal appropriateness, so little distinctive of any
one trade were they, and yet they stamped themselves
unmistakably as a workman's clothes. Silwood wore
them like one who was thoroughly at home in them ;
he moved at ease in them. To all appearance he was
a workman, and from his bearing it might be guessed
that the part he was playing was no new one. To be
in this disguise was no novelty to him.

That it was no new role for him to assume was also
manifest from the skill and success with which his face
was made up. To begin with, the heavy brown wig he
usually had on his head had disappeared, and he was
now quite bald, with the exception of a narrow fringe
of dark -grey hair round the base of the skull. He was
no longer clean-shaven ; an untidy blackish moustache
covered his upper lip. A dark line had been pencilled
on either side of his nose, these lines alone imparting
to the face a marvellous change in its expression.
Besides, the skin of the face had been slightly stained,
as had also been that of the hands,

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 51

His disguise was absolute. His own mother, as the
phrase goes, would not have known him. He looked
to the life the part he was playing. Mr. Cooper Sil-
wood, the eminent solicitor, had disappeared, and a
sober, respectable workman had taken his place.

Could Francis Eversleigh now have seen this partner
of his he would have had much food for thought ; if
he could have followed him he would have had much
more.

The night was now very still — the roar of London
was hushed. Silwood opened his door gently, and
listened. The stairs were lit, but no sound came from
any of the chambers. Locking his door softly, he
stole down into the court of Stone Buildings ; they, too,
were wrapped in silence. For a moment he stood still
and strained his ears to catch the slightest noise, but
there was not a breath. Taking from his pocket a
key, he unlocked a small iron gate at the north-east
corner of the court, and passed through it and went
along a short narrow footway closed on the Chancery
Lane side by another iron gate, which he opened, and so
reached Chancery Lane. All this he did without hurry
or confusion. It was plain that he had got out of
Lincoln's Inn by this footway many times before.
Yet it was believed to be shut up every evening by
the porter, who was supposed to be the only person
possessing the keys of the gates.

From this footway — which is not much used even in
the day-time, and is hardly to be noticed at all in the
night-time — to Holborn is but a step. Silwood found
Chancery Lane deserted ; no one saw him emerge from
the Inn. He was quickly in Holborjo, and set out
eastwards at a rapid pace. And on he went, mile after

52 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

mile, stepping out briskly, through the city proper,
and on, on beyond it until he reached one of the great
districts of East-End London, where in small humble
houses, huddled together in.'a wilderness of mean streets,
thousands upon thousands live out their obscure and
uneventful lives.

Silwood went on like a man who knows his way
well. Never once did he pause until he reached the
end of his journey. He halted at a door in Douglas
Street, Stepney, and knocked a peculiar knock. Two
or three minutes passed, and then a light was shown at
the window, whereupon Silwood knocked in the same
way a second time.

" Is it you, James ? " asked a woman's voice, as the
door was partially opened.

" Yes, Meg ; let me in,11 said Silwood.

" I did not expect you/' she said, while Silwood
embraced her affectionately. " Is anything the matter ? "

The woman who put the question was a plump,
personable woman of about forty, with kindly brown
eyes and a tender mouth. She loved but was rather
afraid of this man, who yet was always good and kind
to her. But he had told her very little about himself.
She knew he was engaged in some mysterious business
which necessitated long absences from her, and the
wearing of a disguise ; she had tried to guess the
nature of his business, and had come to the conclusion
that it was some kind of secret police work.

Any romance there was in Silwood's life was con-
nected with this woman, of whom he was sincerely
fond, though he was still fonder of their child. Some
years before, an accident one evening in the street led
to his meeting her, and he took a fancy to her. The

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 53

thing jumping well with other things he followed her
up and married her, though he was careful not to let
her know who he was.

When with her and the child Silwood was another
man ; he seemed to have shed like a skin the cold for-
mality which characterized him in Lincoln's Inn ; his
very nature appeared changed.

" Is anything the matter ? " she asked.

"No, Meg, though there's news. But how is
Davy ? "

" Poor lamb ! He's as usual. He's asleep just now."

"Let me see him," said Silwood.

They went into a bedroom, and in a cot was their
child. The boy was a cripple — he had been born a
cripple, and the parents were all the more attached to
him on that account. There is no explaining the
workings of human nature ; Silwood, who had con-
fessed himself a criminal to his partner, Eversleigh,
was deeply attached to the boy. He now gazed at the
sleeping child, and the love that shone in his eyes was
as pure as an angel's.

" Poor lad ! dear lad ! " he said, and there were
tears in his voice.

Then the father and mother tip-toed out of the
room.

" You said there was news, James," suggested the
wife.

"Yes, I think you won't live here much longer.
My business will take me abroad, and I dare say I will
by-and-by — it may be very soon — send for you. I
may be away from England for a long time."

" Away from England ! " she murmured. " Oh,
James 1 Where is it you are going ? "

54 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" I don't know," he answered ; " I am not quite sure
yet. I'll let you know in a few days, and meanwhile I
want you to get ready, so that you can travel at a
minute's notice."

" Yes, James ; it's rather sudden, but I'll do what
you tell me."

" Now I must leave you," he said.

She was accustomed to these abrupt partings, but
as he was going she hung upon his neck while he
kissed her repeatedly.

The following day he was at his office at half-past
ten, looking as if it were impossible for such a man as
he to lead a double life.

CHAPTER VII

THE day on which Harry Bennet wired that he had
drawn on Eversleigh, Silwood and Eversleigh, for two
thousand pounds, was the first day of the Goodwood
meeting.

Bennet was a man who lost and won large sums on
the turf, and it was not in the least unusual for him
to wager several thousands on a single event, especially
if it were one of the greater races. With him
betting was a disease, a mania, so strong and uncon-
trolled ran the gambling fever in his blood.

His love for Kitty Thornton was genuine, but it
had to take a second place to this appalling madness.

When he saw her and Helen and Gilbert Eversleigh
in the punt on the river, he told himself as he rowed
up-stream that he must lose no time in declaring him-
self to the girl. He cursed Gilbert in his thoughts, but
believed his chance was at least as good as his rival's.
And if it had not been for some racing business he was
compelled to attend to that evening, he would have
gone to Ivydene. If he had, the probability is that
Kitty and Gilbert would not have been left alone that
night under the white magic of the moon, and their
engagement would not have taken place — at least, not
at that particular time.

55

5G THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

If he had gone to Ivydene that evening it is more
than possible that the life-current of their lives would
have changed its course.

In any case, that evening of fate passed, and next
day, being the opening at Goodwood, saw Harry on
the course plunging wildly and losing heavily. Nor
had he any luck that afternoon — hence the draft for
two thousand on the solicitors, after he had exhausted
his ready money.

The second day at Goodwood brought him a little
better fortune, and he came out of it without posi-
tive disaster. It was not necessary to call for more
funds.

In the first race on the third day his own horse,
Go Nap, ran. It was known that the animal had
done fairly well in its trials, and there was a good deal
of outside money on it. Harry, of course, backed it.
Go Nap won handsomely, and from that moment
Harry's luck changed. Plunging more recklessly than
ever, he more than succeeded in recovering himself.
At the end of the day he was a heavy winner.

He made his biggest coup on a horse which lost.
Harry had laid against it, although it was a hot
favourite. It should have won on its form quite easily,
everybody said, and there were rumours of foul play.
An investigation was talked of and eventually was
held, but nothing came of it. The impression, how-
ever, was that there had been some " crooked work " in
the matter. None was more forward in denying it
than Bennet. Fortunately for him, it was not known
that he had won a large sum, or there might have
been suspicions of his good faith. And presently the
disputings, the angry arguments, the murmurings, the

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 57

bickerings, died away, but what had happened was
not forgotten.

On the fourth day of the meeting Bennet was again
a winner, though the total of his gains was not so great
as that of the day before. Taken altogether, however,
it had been an excellent Goodwood for him, and he was
correspondingly elated.

His home was at Hampton Court, and he returned
to it in high feather. The first thing he did next
morning was to go to Ivydene. He had made up his
mind to speak to Kitty of his passion, and to ask her
to be his wife. Being away at the races he had not
heard of her engagement, and intoxicated with his
success at Goodwood he felt himself a conquering hero,
who had only to come, and be seen, to triumph
instantly.

He found Kitty at home and alone, nor did tlie
maiden seem displeased to see him. She had no sus-
picion, however, of the nature of his errand.

He was so full of his good fortune at the races, that,
as soon as the customary greetings were over, he forth-
with launched out into the story of his four days1 cam-
paign. Kitty had a pretty natural gift of listening
sympathetically, and the young man was greatly
pleased with the interest she manifested in his
narrative — so much so that his spirit glowed within
him. And, of course, Kitty congratulated him on the
victory of his horse, Go Nap, and on his other
successes.

As he looked at the beautiful girl, a strong desire
came upon him to speak to her at once of his passion,
but a certain novel bashfulness, arising from the very
reality of the love he felt for her, restrained him at the

58 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

moment. Instead of going to the point at once, he
began by asking in the most banal fashion if she had
any news.

Now, Kitty had two great pieces of news — one of
them a very great piece of news indeed ; one was the
coming of her father, the other her engagement to
Gilbert Eversleigh. It was of the first she chose to
speak.

" News ? Yes," said Kitty, eagerly, " great news.
Have you heard that my father is expected here from
Canada next week ? — but, perhaps, you have heard
of it."

" No, I have not heard of it. Rather sudden, is it
not?" asked Bennet. "You did not know of it,
I think, Miss Kitty, when I saw you some days
ago."

" I had a letter from my father the very next
morning."

" He arrives next week, you say ? On what day do
you look for him ? "

"That I can't tell you, for he has not mentioned
any fixed day ; but he will be here very soon. And,
oh ! I shall be glad to see him ! "

" Yes. It will be a great pleasure to you to see
him again."

" It will make me very happy," said Kitty, simply,
who was now counting the days and finding them some-
what long.

While the girl was speaking, Bennet was thinking
that it would be better for him to declare himself
before the arrival of her father. Did he put it off' till
afterwards, it was probable that Morris Thornton
would make some inquiries about him — in which case

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 59

his infatuation for betting and horse-racing would be
bound to come out, and Thornton might take a severe
view of his conduct. But the matter would appear in
a different light if he were engaged to Kitty before her
father's appearance on the scene.

They had been sitting in the drawing-room of
Ivydene quite near each other. Suddenly, to Kitty's
surprise, Bennet rose, and with outstretched hands
stood in front of her. He gave her no time to check
him — his words flowed like a torrent.

" Miss Kitty, your father will make you happy ;
will you not make me happy too ? You can make me
the happiest of men. I love you, you darling Kitty !
Tell me that you do not regard me with indifference !
Tell me that you will not refuse my love, Kitty ! Do
not send me away from your sweet presence. I love
you, I adore you for your beauty, for your sweetness,
for yourself. Kitty, do you love me ? I will do any-
thing and everything a man can to show you I love
you. Kitty, dearest, tell me ""

Springing a step forward, he tried to clasp her in
his arms, but she retreated and then waved him
back.

Bennet had spoken well, and with a rough sincerity
which the girl could not but feel. She tried to stop
him, but he would not be stopped. As he had gone
on, her face had paled and her eyes had grown full of
trouble and distress. She now blamed herself for not
putting her second piece of news before the other.
Trouble and distress also showed themselves in the
agitation with which she replied to him.

" Harry, Tin so sorry. What you ask is impos-
sible ! "

60 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Impossible ! You don't mean it, Kitty, surely,""
exclaimed Bennet. " Oh, say you don't mean it ! "

He was so cocksure of himself and of her that he
could not believe she was in earnest. His self-con-
fidence was so great that it blinded him, otherwise he
must have seen that she had no such answer to give
him as he wished.

"Yes, it is impossible," she said, quietly and firmly.
"I am very sorry to pain you, Harry, very sorry
indeed ; you may be quite sure of that."

The young man's eyes filled with an angry light
while the hot colour flushed his cheeks.

" It is your love I want, not your sorrow,"" he said
roughly.

" That I cannot give you," said Kitty. " Wait a
moment, Harry. A few minutes ago you asked me if
I had any news. Well, I did not tell you all the news.
There was one piece of news I felt a certain reticence
about. I wish now I had mentioned it to you. For, if
I had done so you would not have said — what you have
said. It is that I am engaged to be married."

<; Oh, Kitty ! " cried Bennet, in a voice that seemed
to ask her how she dared become engaged to any one
but himself. " You are engaged ! This is news indeed
... I wish I had known . . . engaged ! " And Bennet,
who was not able to contain his rage and mortification,
glowered at the girl, as these words came brokenly from
him. Then he looked at her for some seconds in
silence, and his look was not pleasant.

" I am sorry," said Kitty once more, but her accent
was cold. She thought he was not behaving prettily,
and that it was time for him to go.

" May I ask who is the lucky man ? " he inquired,

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 61

his face dark with wrath ; but in his heart he had
already guessed that Gilbert Eversleigh was his success-
ful rival.

" I do not know that you have any right to address
me as you are doing,"1 said Kitty with dignity. " You
asked a question and you have had your answer."1' But
as she looked at Bennet she relented a little. " I am
sorry to disappoint you, Harry," she went on, " but
there is nothing more to be said."

" I suppose it is Gilbert," said Bennet.

Kitty nodded assent.

Bennet gazed at her gloomily ; there was something
threatening in the black gleams he shot at her.

" Have you no good wishes for me ? " she asked,
making an effort to remind him that he should at least
try to play the part of a gentleman.

But Bennet only glared at her speechlessly.

At length, muttering some words so incoherently
that the girl could not catch them, he turned and left
the room abruptly.

And he kept muttering the same words over and
over again as he returned to his home ; they made an
infernal chorus in his thoughts, the burden of which
was, " She shall never many you, Master Gilbert, never,
never, if I can prevent her. She shall marry me, me,
me, nobody but me." And yet, even while he kept on
saying this to himself, he could not conceal from his
innermost soul that he was powerless. Kitty and
Gilbert were engaged ; there was the bitter fact. Still,
he whispered in his heart, they were not married, and
until Kitty was actually united to Gilbert there was
always room for a little hope.

Of Gilbert Eversleigh he thought with burning

62 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

hatred, and longed for an opportunity of doing him an
injury. In his first rage he had an idea that he would
withdraw all his business from Eversleigh, Silwood and
Eversleigh, but after he had somewhat cooled he came
to the conclusion not to do so. The firm, he argued,
was far too big and well-established and wealthy to be
hurt much by the loss of a single client like him.
Bennetts opinion of the standing of the firm was the
same as that held by everybody else. Besides, there
was another reason for continuing with the Lincoln's
Inn solicitors. He told himself that if he placed his
affairs in the hands of other lawyers, Francis Eversleigh
would inevitably be displeased, and this would lead to
a coolness between them which would make it impossible
for him to visit at Ivydene. But while Kitty remained
beneath the roof of Francis Eversleigh, Bennet had no
desire to cut himself off from seeing her there. And
he meant to go on seeing her. For, so long as she was
unmarried he did not altogether despair. He said to
himself that he would wait and see if chance did not
throw something in his way.

As for Kitty, she thought it best to say not a word
to Gilbert of Harry Bennefs proposal, but she took an
opportunity of cautioning her lover to beware of him.

To say that Kitty was amazed and dismayed at the
presumptuousness, the boorishness, the bad manners
Bennet had exhibited, would give but a faint indication
of what she felt. She considered his behavour, with its
unconcealed menace, little short of an outrage. Yet,
at the same time, an alarmed instinct in her apprised
her that the man was dangerous, and that vigilance was
necessary in dealing with him.

Gilbert was rather inclined gently to laugh down

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 63

the warning Kitty gave him ; in his abounding happi-
ness he smiled at her fears, but she insisted none the
less that Bennet was a man to be watched.

" You must always be on your guard with him," she
said.

" What can he do, my darling ? " asked Gilbert.
u Nothing,"" he said, with reassuring caresses.

CHAPTER VIII.

IT was now approaching the end of the week, and still
there was no sign of Morris Thornton, to the intense
disappointment of his daughter Kitty, who was all
impatience to see him.

As each day in that week of terror to Francis
Eversleigh went past, he sank further and further into
a slough of despond, and became a prey to deep
melancholy. The routine of his office work, with its
appeal to long-established habit, and the pressure to
keep up appearances so far as it was possible, helped
him a little during the day ; but in the evenings, when
his family were around him, and in the long, broken
nights, when his wife lay asleep by his side, he abandoned
himself to the deepest dejection.

Going to his office each morning, he speculated
drearily, with aching heart, whether this day or the
next would see Morris Thornton walk in, bringing ruin
with him. " How am I to meet him ? " Eversleigh
asked himself over and over again, but saw no answer.

Silwood had not spoken to him again except on
such items of business as had to be discussed by them
together. These consultations would have had some-
thing farcical in them for him if the situation had not
been so wholly tragical. He marvelled at the matter-
of-fact way Silwood went about these and other affairs,

64

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 65

Very quietly and methodically Silwood went on
maturing his plans, nor did he refer to them any more
when talking to Eversleigh ; but he had paid another
visit in disguise to Douglas Street, Stepney, and had
warned his wife to be ready to move when he gave the
word. He had also intimated, but more plainly, to
Williamson, that he would take a holiday very soon —
his reason, he alleged for taking it, being the great heat
which still continued. Never had there been known so
hot a July. Williamson admitted in his thoughts that
the reason was an excellent one, but wondered why Mr.
Eversleigh, who continued to look very ill, did not talk
of taking a vacation instead of his partner, who seemed
to be very much in his usual health.

On the Saturday of that week, Cooper Silwood,
whose punctuality had hitherto been invariable, did not
appear at the office when half-past ten came round,
and Williamson waited for him in vain for some time.
A little after eleven, however, the head-clerk received a
note from him, saying that he had gone to the Continent,
and intended making for the north of Italy, where he
had been some years before. He went on to say he was
not certain how long he would be away, but it would
be for two or three weeks, perhaps a month.

Carefully as Silwood had prepared the way, William-
son could not but be surprised at the suddenness with
which, in the end, his principal had departed, and
naturally his suspicions of there being something wrong
were increased ; but they remained indefinite and vague,
for he could fasten on nothing tangible.

In the course of the morning, Francis Eversleigh,
for the purpose of asking Silwood a question, went into
the latter's room, and found it empty. It was evident,

G6 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

too, from the state in which it was, that Silwood had
not been there that day. He at once leapt to the
conclusion that Silwood had gone away — in plain terms,
had absconded — an eventuality for which he was not
altogether unprepai'ed, as it had been part of the scheme
Silwood had mooted to him after the confession of the
defalcations, and also on the occasion of their interview
at Ivydene.

Still, this might not be the explanation, and Ever-
sleigh, after a few seconds'1 thought, put on his hat and
walked up to Silwood's private chambers in Stone
Buildings. Here he found the door locked, and a sheet
of paper pinned to it, on which was written, " Out of
Town."

His conjecture thus confirmed, it was none the less
a terrible shock to Francis Eversleigh ; even though he
had anticipated it, it was nevertheless hard to bear.

" He has left me to stand it all alone,"" he thought,
but even as he said this to himself, his common sense
reasserted itself. " But what will his flight benefit him ?
Ultimately he will be hunted down ; he cannot escape
the law ; no one can."

Then, hardly knowing what he was doing, he tried
the door again, pulling at the handle with all his might,
but it was to no purpose. He stood gazing gloomily
at the closed door.

"I have a great mind to have it broken open," he
muttered. " I can easily frame some excuse for doing
so — say he has forgotten something. But if I did
have the door opened, what would be the use ? What
good would it do ? It would not bring him back ; it
would not bring the money back. No, best leave it
alone."

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 67

Moving with slow, halting steps down the stairs, he
kept asking himself the question, " What am I to do
now?"' His agony of mind was almost beyond human
endurance as this question incessantly hammered on
his brain, obscuring and dulling his powers. Then, in
a muddled sort of way, he began to reason.

First, he might go to the authorities and incriminate
himself; but no one, he told himself, was required to do
that ; it was too much to expect any one to do.

Second, he might destroy himself, and so make an
end. Was this not the best course to pursue ? With
this idea in his mind, he remembered a shop in the
Strand, in the window of which he had seen revolvers
for sale. Why not buy one and be done with it all ?
" Why not ? " he asked himself, and turned his face
towards the Strand. But he had only gone a few paces
when the thought of his wife and children was too
poignant to allow him to proceed further with his
desperate purpose, and so he faced about and returned
to New Square, thinking, thinking of what he was to do.

There was only one thing to do, he concluded, and
that was to continue doing his work at the office as
best he could till the crash came. It could not be long
in coming, he reflected with indescribable bitterness,
for was not Morris Thornton already overdue ?

He had scarcely got seated in his own room when
his son Ernest came in, and remarked that Mr. Silwood
had gone for a holiday.

" I had not heard that he intended going," he went
on ; " in fact, I was astonished to hear of his taking a
holiday just now. Mr. Williamson tells me he has left
for the Continent."1'

" Yes," said Francis Eversleigh, somewhat vacantly,

68 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" he has gone for a holiday. I suppose I have forgotten
to mention to you that he was going abroad for a while,"
he continued, pulling himself together. " He has not
had a holiday for some years.11

" I see. By-the-way," said Ernest, " who in his
absence is to look after his department ? "

" 111 do so myself," observed the other, quietly.

"But, father," objected Ernest, "you are not well
enough "

" Oh, yes, I am," protested Eversleigh. " 111 attend
to it myself, my boy."

"Why not let me do it?"

" I had rather not," answered his father, sharply ;
" I prefer to do it myself."

Eversleigh knew very well that it would never do to
let any one but himself look after Sil wood's department.

The day of Silwood's disappearance wore to its end ;
the next day, Sunday, passed. It saw the lovers at
Ivy dene much engrossed with themselves, but not to
such an extent as to prevent many comments on the
delay in Morris Thornton's coming, and some surmises
as to its cause, the chief of which was that he was
carrying out his idea of giving Kitty a " surprise " —
carrying it a little further than she had expected.
Though she was disappointed, she was not alarmed.

On the Monday of that week, Francis Eversleigh,
looking more haggard and wretched than before, was
again at 176, New Square.

" Will Thornton come to-day ? " he asked himself,
despairingly.

He strove to keep calm and hide his sufferings from
the world, but every moment was torture. Yet Monday
went the way of all former Mondays, and still Morris

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 69

Thornton did not come. And so it was with Tuesday,
and Wednesday, and Thursday, and Friday, and
Saturday ; the week was gone, and Thornton had not
appeared !

Pondering this fact, Eversleigh, who remembered
what Thornton had said about his ill-health, was in-
clined to the conclusion that somewhere on the road
his old friend had had an attack, and had broken down.
But, if this were the case, why had he not sent, or caused
to be sent, a message to the firm or to his daughter?
Eversleigh knew she had not heard anything further
from her father, nor had the firm heard from Thornton.

In one sense, the non-appearance of Thornton was
a relief to Francis Eversleigh — it put the day of judg-
ment oft'; but in another, the prolonging of the suspense
intensified his mental agony.

Thornton's silence was as terrible as it was really
inexplicable.

Kitty, who was not aware of her father's serious
condition, and hence could not frame from that cir-
cumstance a possible explanation of his not coming,
was greatly perplexed.

At first she felt no fear, and kept saying to her-
self and to Gilbert — to whom, of course, she talked of
all that was in her heart — that she would see her
father to-morrow or next day ; but to-morrow became
to-day, and next day to-morrow, and yet he did not
appear. And there was nothing from him — not a
single line !

Gilbert, lover-like, did his utmost to cheer her,
saying what was obviously probable — her father had
been unexpectedly delayed, but would be here very
soon, and so on — and he spoke with such cheeriness

TO THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

that she gained some confidence from his. But as the
days sped by, and Morris Thornton came not nor sent
word, her apprehensions increased, and all Gilbert's
loving speeches could not allay them. Gilbert, too,
began to wonder not a little what it all meant.

It at length became evident to him that there was
something peculiarly significant in the non-appearance
and silence of Morris Thornton. He spoke what was
in his mind to his father, who, in reply, told him the
only hypothesis he could form was that Thornton had
fallen ill at some point in the course of the journey,
though that did not account for nothing being heard of
him. Gilbert now learned for the first time of the
precarious state of Thornton's health. He agreed with
his father that nothing should be said about it to Kitty,
as it could not but add to her anxiety.

But what Gilbert had heard made him comply all
the more eagerly with a suggestion Kitty offered on the
next Sunday, when they were talking on this subject,
which temporarily had assumed more importance almost
than their love.

This was that a cablegram should be sent to
Vancouver to Morris Thornton, asking when she was to
expect to see him in London.

Gilbert despatched the cablegram for her from the
Central Telegraph Office in the Strand, on his return to
town late that evening.

No answer was received by the girl till far on in the
afternoon of Monday.

The first thing she noticed on looking at the reply
message was that it was not signed by her father, but
by his local agent.

Then she read the whole cablegram, which ran—

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 71

"Your father sailed from New York for Southampton
by St. Lonis, July 21. No further advices. Wallace."

" July 21," said Kitty to herself. " Why, he ought
to have been here a week ago at least.1'

For it was now Monday, August 9th !

Eighteen days had elapsed since the sailing of the
St. Louis from New York, on July 21st !

CHAPTER IX

WHAT was the explanation ? Kitty wondered, much
perplexed.

Her father had left Vancouver and had gone to New
York — so she gathered from the cablegram. And as
he had not been to see her she concluded that he could
not be in England, and that meant in the circumstances
that he had not sailed from New York on the 21st of
July as he had intended. Gilbert had suggested to her
that her father had been unexpectedly detained, and at
first, as this seemed a probable solution of the problem,
she was inclined to think this was what had occurred.

But, as she reflected further, it did not seem so
likely. For supposing he had been forced to delay his
journey for a whole week, and had exchanged his berth
on the St. Louis for one on the boat of the same line
sailing a week later, that is, on the 28th, there would
still have been plenty of time for him to have arrived
in England and to have seen her, as he would have
reached Southampton by the 3rd of August, or by the
4th at latest. And it was now the 9th !

As Kitty tried to puzzle the matter out, her fears,
vague, but none the less distressing, were greatly
increased, and she began to suspect that something, she
knew not what, had happened to her father.

Gilbert, now as anxious as Kitty was, was at Surbiton
72

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN T3

in the evening to hear what news she had received from
Vancouver, and he was as much bewildered as she by
the cablegram from Wallace, Morris Thornton's agent.
All he could do was to remind her, as he had done
before, that the delay in her father's coming, as well as
his silence, might all be part of his scheme to "surprise"
her. But Kitty replied that this made her father out
as unkind in the extreme ; she was sure he would never
willingly put such a strain upon her affection.

"I can't make it out at all," she said, wrinkling her
pretty brows. " It seems very singular that he does
not write."

Then an idea struck her. It was that there might
be, on a careful re-reading of the letter she had received
from her father, in which he had said he was returning
to England, some words which would afford a clue.

" I shall look at his letter again," she said to Gilbert,
and went up to her room to fetch it.

" He writes," remarked the girl, when she had brought
it down, " quite positively ' I will come in a few days
after you receive this.1 'A few days,' he says. If he had
sailed on the 21st of July and came here to-morrow —
why, it would be nearly three weeks, and you can't call
that a few days."

"No," assented Gilbert; "but, Kitty, it's hardly
three weeks. If he had sailed on the 21st he would
have been here about the 28th or the 29th. You see
what's left is more like ten days than three weeks. But
what is the date of your father's letter ? "

"July llth."

"And when did you get it, dear?""

" Oh, Gilbert, don't you know, don't you remember?'1
asked Kitty, with some reproach in her voice. "Surely,

74 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

you cannot have forgotten that I got it on the very day
you told me that you loved me ! "

"Ah, sweetheart,1" quickly replied Gilbert, taking
her hand and pressing it tenderly, " I've been so happy
that I have lost all count of time — I forget everything
but you, my darling ! "

"A pretty speech,1' exclaimed Kitty, smiling upon
him while her hand returned the pressure of his, " and
I suppose I must forgive you, Gilbert. But about this
letter of father's. Well, it came just sixteen days ago
to-day. Now, sixteen days are not exactly a few days,
are they ?" she asked, sticking to her point.

"It was on the 24th that his letter came," said
Gilbert.

"So you have remembered the date, sir?" cried
Kitty.

"I had not really forgotten, dear; but thinking
about your father had, for the moment, put it out of
mind."

" Oh, yes, I know, Gilbert," she said, a little absently.

He devoured her with eyes of love, but he noticed
that her thoughts were not with him. They had
reverted to her father.

"I think I see how it all fits in," she said, after a
long pause, " for his sailing on the 21st. He wrote me
on the llth; that gave him ten days to wind up his
business in Vancouver, so far as he could wind it up,
and to get to New York in — five days in Vancouver,
and five days for the journey to New York. If he had
sailed on the 21st, as he said to his agent he would, he
would have been here on the 28th or 29th, that is, in
three or four days after his letter. Now three, four, or
even let us say five days, would be a few days — just as

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 75

he says in his letter. I can see he had planned it all
out, so as to fit everything in. Don't you see that,
Gilbert?"

"It certainly looks like it, dear.1'*

" Yes, it does. It is very strange that he did not
carry out his intention. I cannot understand it. There
is some mystery about it I cannot fathom."

" It seems singular," observed Gilbert ; " but I dare
say that, if we knew all the circumstances, there would
be a perfectly natural explanation, sweetheart. Pray
do not give way, my darling," he besought her, but his
own manner was not reassuring.

" I cannot help being anxious," replied Kitty. Then
she looked again at the cablegram from Wallace, and
said, " The agent wires, ' Your father sailed from New
York by St. Louis on 21st.1 That is quite definite, is
it not ? And he adds, * No further advices.' Does that
mean that father had advised Mr. Wallace that he had
sailed ? Oh, Gilbert, I am afraid, I am afraid ! We
imagine that the agent knew only of father's intention
— an intention, we suppose, he was prevented from
carrying out. But think what it means if we are wrong
in imagining this altogether ! Suppose that father did
sail on the 21st ! Gilbert, I am afraid," said Kitty, in a
low tone ; " I am afraid," she repeated, and the girl's
voice suddenly fell into a whisper. She shivered slightly,
and the tears stood in her eyes as she clung to her
lover.

i Gilbert took her in his arms, soothed and caressed
her. In the course of their conversation he had tried
to put the best construction on Morris Thornton's
non-appearance, but at heart he felt, like Kitty, that
there was good ground for misgiving. And to have

76 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

told the girl what he knew, but she did not know, of the
serious condition of her father, would be only to add to
her trouble. As for himself, that knowledge made him
appreciate the gravity of the matter even more than she
did. He resolved, therefore, to set inquiries on foot at
once, and furthermore to set to work vigorously himself
to probe the thing to the bottom.

Next morning, accordingly, he went to the office of
the American Line in London — the line of steamships
to which the St. Louis belonged — and asked the clerk
who waited on him for a list of the passengers who had
sailed from New York by that vessel, on July 21st.

The list was handed to him immediately. A cursory
glance showed him that the name of Morris Thornton
was on it.

Dumfounded, he stared at the list, saying nothing.
His surprise was so marked that the clerk could not
help noticing it, and was surprised in his turn.

"It does not mean," said Gilbert at length, "at
least, always, I suppose, that because an individual's
name is on the steamer list he must necessarily have
sailed, does it? I mean that he might be detained at
the last moment."

"That, of course, is possible," replied the clerk.
" The list is printed some little while before the ship
sails. But I can tell you if there was any one on the
list who in the end did not sail, if that is what you
wish to know."

" That is very kind of you," said Gilbert, but he
paused, reflecting that a question of this kind was a
somewhat delicate one. And he was aware that the
clerk was eyeing him curiously, almost suspiciously.

"Perhaps," said the clerk, "it would be simpler and

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 77

better if you told me about whom you desire to ask.
Is there any name on the list in which you are parti-
cularly interested ? " i

Gilbert noticed that the clerk was studying his face
with marked intentness, and he wondered why ; he
understood later.

" I see on the list," said Gilbert at length, " the
name of Mr. Morris Thornton."

" Mr. Morris Thornton ! " exclaimed the clerk,
whose tone was such as showed there was something
out of the common attaching to the name.

" Yes, Mr. Thornton," Gilbert went on. " Can
you tell me if he sailed by the St. Louis on the
21st?"

" Are you a friend of Mr. Thornton's ? " inquired
the clerk, in an eager voice.

" In a sense, yes," replied Gilbert. " But you have
not answered my question."

" In a sense," said the clerk, repeating Gilbert's first
wards ; then he continued, " I have a most special
reason for asking if you are a friend of his. What do
you mean, sir, by saying that you are a friend of his in
a sense ? "

" Well, I am engaged to his daughter. She expected
to see her father some days ago, but he has not arrived.
She knew he intended sailing from New York on the
21st, though she only knew of it yesterday. She
became alarmed on not seeing him or hearing from
him, and she cabled to his agent in Vancouver, and
in that way learned that her father was to have sailed
on the 21st. She asked me to make inquiries. I shall
be glad if you can help me. Can you tell me if Mr.
Thornton sailed on the St. Louis or not ? n

78 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

"Mr. Thornton,"" answered the clerk, in a queer,
half-frightened voice, " did sail by the St. Louis ! "

" What ! Are you sure of that ?"

« Absolutely.1'

Gilbert had a staggering sense that he was on the
edge of some extraordinary affair, and he gazed earnestly
at the clerk, who looked at him with corresponding
intentness.

" Have you anything more to tell me ? " asked
Gilbert.

" I think it would be better if you spoke to the
manager," said the clerk. " Would you mind coming
in to see him ? "

" Not at all ; but why ? "

" Well, you are not the only one who has been
making inquiries about Mr. Thornton — I may tell you
that ; but, please come into the manager's room."

Gilbert saw the manager, and explained his errand.

" I am afraid," said the manager, speaking in an
impressive voice, " that something may have happened
to Mr. Thornton ; indeed, I have very little doubt
of it."

« Why ? "

" Mr. Thornton did sail from New York as he in-
tended ; not only so, he landed at Southampton in
due course, and came on to London on the 29th
of last month. On that day he took a room at
the Law Courts Hotel in Holborn. These are the
facts."

" How do you know he went to the Law Courts
Hotel, may I ask?"

" I have it from the hotel people themselves, and
why they told me of it you will presently understand.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 79

It appears that Mr. Thornton was a good deal of an
invalid ; at any rate, shortly after he got to his hotel
he was taken very seriously ill — he had a violent heart-
attack of the most alarming character. He fell down
in the hall of the hotel and became unconscious. He
was immediately conveyed to his bed and a doctor
was summoned."

" Ah," said Gilbert, interrupting him, " I knew
that he had a weak heart. But, pardon me, pray
continue."

" Mr. Thornton was successfully treated by the
doctor, and after some hours recovered, but he re-
mained in bed for the rest of that day and most of
the next."

" He got better," said Gilbert, beginning to breathe
more freely. " That is good news."

"Oh, but wait," said the manager. "I have not
finished yet. He stopped in bed at his hotel most of
the next day, as I have already told you — that was the
30th, you will remember. He improved so much that
he told the attendant who had been detailed to look
after his comfort, that he felt quite equal to getting up,
and though the attendant remonstrated with him he
persisted and did get up. You follow me, Mr. Evers-
leigh ? "

"Perfectly," replied Gilbert, who saw that some-
thing very unusual was coming, and was most eager to
hear the end of the story.

"Mr. Thornton had dinner at the table cThdte — he
was as well as that, you understand. After dinner he
sat for quite a time chatting with two or three of the
other guests, and, rather late in the evening, he an-
nounced his intention of going out for a short stroll ;

80 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

he said the fresh air would do him good. And he did
go out."

The manager paused, and looked at Gilbert
significantly.

"He went out," he resumed, "but he has never
returned.""

CHAPTER X

" WHAT .^ " cried Gilbert ; he felt as if some one had
struck him a sudden blow.

" He has never returned to the hotel," said the
manager, very seriously.

" Ah ! to the hotel, but where " Gilbert stopped

without completing the question, while excitement
struggled with anxiety within his breast. He gazed
imploringly at the other.

" He did not return to the Law Courts Hotel that
evening,"" the manager went on, " and nothing has been
seen or heard of him since."

Gilbert smothered an ejaculation. What a thing,
he thought, to have to tell Kitty !

" That was the state of the case up to yesterday,"
continued the manager. " I have had no communi-
cation on the subject this morning, but if you like, I
will ring up the hotel on the ""phone — there may be
fresh news."

" Thanks ; but one moment, please. You had what
you have just told me from the hotel people?"

" Yes, and also from the police who are now moving
in the matter, though I am not aware of their having
found out anything."

" The police ! " exclaimed Gilbert, almost protest-
ingly, but even as he spoke he knew it was a fit and

81 G

82 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

proper case for the police to take up. " Please go on,"
he said.

" Of course," resumed the manager, " the police had
to be called in. Between ourselves I think they should
have been called in sooner than they were, but at the
same time it must be acknowledged that the hotel
authorities were in a difficult position ; people in their
business are always anxious not to interfere with the
freedom of their guests, so they make allowance for
eccentricities and what might be considered rather
erratic movements."

" I understand," said Gilbert. " Perhaps you will
now tell me just what action the hotel people took —
you can ring them up later."

" Very well. Mr. Thornton went out from the
hotel late that Friday night — the 30th of July was a
Friday — and on his way out he spoke to the porter,
saying he would go along Holborn and take a turn, it
might be, up and down Chancery Lane, if it was pretty
quiet."

" The porter remembered that distinctly, I pre-
sume ? "

" Yes, perfectly. He did not see Mr. Thornton
return, but he thought nothing of this, imagining that
Mr. Thornton had gone back into the hotel when he,
the porter, happened to be away for a minute from
the door."

" I must see that porter," Gilbert broke in. AVas
he, he wondered, the last man to see Thornton alive ?
For, already, a conviction was springing up within him
that Thornton was no more, and that this was the
mournful intelligence he would have to carry to Kitty.

"Certainly you must," assented the manager.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 83

" Well, next day a chambermaid, on going into Mr.
Thornton's room, found that his bed had not been
slept in ; she reported it, but nothing beyond taking a
note of the circumstance was done at the moment by
the hotel people. They supposed, naturally enough,
that Mr. Thornton would turn up in the course of
the day."

" But surely," said Gilbert, " they should have felt
some alarm seeing that they knew how frightfully ill he
had been two days before, don't you think ? "

" You must bear in mind, in fairness to them, that
they do not care to appear to limit in any way the
liberty of their guests — and also, Mr. Eversleigh, that
they never suspected anything was wrong ; it is easy to
be wise after the event."

" Yes, yes," Gilbert agreed, but he spoke with some
impatience.

" At first," the manager went on, " they were under
no apprehension as to his safety, but when he did not
return that day at all, nor the next, they began to
think it a little strange ; they thought it very singular,
too, that they did not hear from him. They waited,
however, till the Tuesday, and then they communicated
with the police, and the affair is now in the latter's
hands. A detective-inspector came to see if I could
throw any light on the mystery. Of course, I was
greatly interested, as you may imagine, but I could tell
him nothing. I went round to the hotel in Holborn,
and there learned what I have told you. I am afraid
there is nothing more known at present."

" But have the police discovered no trace of him ? "

" I don't think they have. I believe they are com-
pletely baffled — at their wits' end. They have no clue,

84 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

none at all, so far as I can hear. No ; the fact is that
Mr. Thornton has vanished, you might say, from off
the face of the earth. It is as if he had never been ! "

" What a terrible thing ! " said Gilbert, in a voice
of gloom. " Is there really nothing more ? "

" I fear there is absolutely nothing more."

"Have you made any guess as to what has hap-
pened ? " asked Gilbert.

" No. You will see the police, Mr. Eversleigh ? "

" At once. But perhaps you will ring up the Law
Courts Hotel; there's just a chance they may have
something fresh.""

The manager immediately telephoned, and was told
there were no further developments to be reported ;
Mr. Thornton was still missing, and nothing had been
heard of him.

Gilbert thanked the manager for the information he
had given, and with a heavy heart went off to Scotland
Yard. He thought of the loving girl who had looked
forward with such keen pleasure to the coming of her
father, and who was now so anxious about him. How
was he to tell her what he had heard ? And he feared
that the M-orst had happened to Morris Thornton ; he
felt his conviction growing that the man was dead-
Still, he must not say so to Kitty, so long as there was
any uncertainty.

Gilbert was seen at the "Yard" by Detective-
inspector Gale, an officer of great experience, and a
man of considerable ability. In introducing himself
Gilbert mentioned that he was the son of Francis
Eversleigh, of the firm of Eversleigh, Silwood, and
Eversleigh, thinking that they must be known to Gale,
who bowed r^pectfully as he listened. Coming to the

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INNT 85

matter of the disappearance of Moras Thornton, he
also said that the firm were the solicitors of the missing
man. Then he explained how it was he himself came
into the case.

" Mr. Thornton has a daughter here ? " said Gale,
making notes. " I did not know that. Indeed, I know
very little about Mr. Thornton. I shall be glad if you
will tell me all you know of him.""

And Gilbert did so.

The detective-inspector asked several questions about
the letter Thornton had addressed to his daughter, and
dwelt upon the sentence in it which spoke of Thornton's
intention to " surprise " Kitty.

" I should like to see that letter," he said.

" Certainly. You think it important ? "

" It may be — one can never tell," said the officer,
diplomatically, " but the word * surprise ' — the idea —
seems to suggest a certain whimsicalness on the part of
Mr. Thornton."

"It was merely his humour, I imagine," remarked
Gilbert ; " but I can't for an instant suppose that Mr.
Thornton carried his whimsicalness, as you term it, or
his humour to such a prodigious degree as to disappear
from his hotel in the way he did."

Gale nodded. Then he shut his note-book.

" You would think so, Mr. Eversleigh," he observed,
referring to Gilbert's last sentences; " but you would be
surprised how often men disappear intentionally."

" One hears of such things, but not frequently."

" These disappearances are much more common than
the public have any notion of, I can assure you. I am
speaking now of what I have called intentional dis-
appearances, and I don't mean what you might term

86 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

criminal disappearances either. Men make up their
minds to cut away completely from their surroundings,
to begin a new life, to turn over a fresh leaf, and so on ;
do you see ? "

" Yes ; but there could be nothing of the kind in
the case of Mr. Thornton."

"I do not say there was," said Gale, but his voice
was non-committal.

" May I ask if you have formed any theory regard-
ing Mr. Thornton's disappearance?"

" I have not ; the facts are too few."

" Have you any hope ? "

" Do you mean hope of finding where he is gone or
what has become of him ? "

" Yes. And do you think he is alive ? I have a
haunting dread that he is dead."

"Dead? Perhaps so ; I cannot say, but I think it
is too soon to come to that conclusion. Hundreds, yes
thousands of people, disappear in London every year,
and many of them are never heard of again. But you
cannot say that of the majority. I would not be
surprised to discover that Mr. Thornton is alive, and
I would be as little surprised to find out that he is
dead."

" It has occurred to me," said Gilbert, who felt that
the officer took up a safe but scarcely a sympathetic
position, " that it is possible Mr. Thornton had another
sudden heart-attack, and was taken into a house near
at hand by some kind person "

" But suppose he had an attack and had been taken
in as you suggest," interrupted Gale ; " surely it is im-
possible to suppose that such a circumstance would not
be reported somewhere? Mr. Thornton would have

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 87

sent word to the hotel sooner or later, don't you
think?"

" Yes ; that is reasonable."

" I had thought of that idea myself, but, on con-
sideration I dismissed it as quite untenable. Mr.
Thornton, I have come to the conclusion, has either
disappeared intentionally, or he is dead. Now I can see
nothing to indicate an intentional disappearance : the
state of his health would seem absolutely to forbid it."

"Then you think he is dead?" asked Gilbert, as
Gale paused.

"I can't say, please remember, but it looks rather
like it."

" But what about the body ?"

" Oh, bodies can be made to disappear."

" Do you mean that you think he has been
murdered ? "

" I won't go so far," said Gale, cautiously, " but Mr.
Thornton was a rich man, and probably had valuables
about him ; he was in a weak, feeble state, and so would
fall an easy victim. And it was late in the evening when
he went out. I am afraid it is possible — I will not say
probable, for there is no evidence — that he was murdered
the night he left the hotel."

" Is it not dreadful ? I've been thinking much the
same. But how did you know he was rich ? "

" We took possession of what property he had at
the hotel. It was not much, but what there was hinted
pretty plainly at wealth. There was one extraordinary
thing — we could not find his address, I mean the address
of the place he lived in."

"That was odd, and I cannot explain it," said
Gilbert. " You know noAv he lived in Vancouver?"

88 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Y"es, you have told me so, but I did not know it
before. We made inquiries by cable in New York —
the label on his luggage showed he had come from that
city — but he was unknown to the police there, nor
could they find out anything about him. Now we
shall make inquiries in Vancouver."

" I hope you will let me know if you hear of any-
thing," said Gilbert, rising to leave, after thanking the
inspector for his courtesy. " Miss Thornton is very
anxious about her father, and she will be more anxious
than ever after she has heard what I have to tell her."

" Certainly.11

Gilbert was just about leaving, when it struck him
as very desirable that the officer should communicate
with his father, Francis Eversleigh. He had already
told Mr. Gale that his father's firm were Morris Thorn-
ton's solicitors, and now he suggested to the inspector-
detective to accompany him, if he had the time, to see
his father, and tell him exactly how the case stood.

Gale thought for a moment, and then said that if
he would wait for a short while until he had finished a
memorandum he had been engaged on when Gilbert had
been shown in, he would go with him to his father.

" I really ought to see him in the circumstances,11
said Gale. " He may be able to give us some clue.11

But when Gale and Gilbert put the facts before
Francis Eversleigh, he had no suggestion to make.
Indeed, the solicitor was perfectly thunderstruck by
the intelligence they brought him, and acted in such
an extraordinary way as to cause Gilbert to fear that
the news had affected his brain. Eversleigh, in fact,
could hardly believe it ; but when he did, it, too, seemed
part and parcel of that hideous waking nightmare in

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 89

which he now lived. Yet, somewhere in the darkening
depths of his mind, there shot up a tiny ray of hope.
For if Morris Thornton were dead, or if it were only
that he had disappeared, was not that to postpone the
day of reckoning ?

Gilbert's most difficult and painful task was to
disclose to the girl he loved all he had come to know
that day. With infinite gentleness and delicacy he told
her the truth, and wound up by declaring she must not
lose hope of seeing her father again; it was far too soon,
he urged, and the circumstances were far too obscure
to admit of any definite conclusion being arrived at.

But Kitty, crying and sobbing bitterly in her lover's
arms, would say nothing. Gilbert knew, however, from
her passion of weeping, that she already mourned her
father as dead. Very tenderly he sought to console
her, but at first her grief would have its way, albeit
she clung to him as if she would never let him go.

CHAPTER XI

WHETHER to keep a matter to themselves, or to take
the public into their confidence, is a question to which
the police never seem able to give a decided answer.
There are occasions, of course, in which secrecy is plainly
indicated, but with respect to the majority of cases
they are too much inclined to the same course of
procedure.

Touching the disappearance of Morris Thornton
they had hitherto deliberately kept any statement about
it from the newspapers, and the facts were known only
to a few. And Detective-inspector Gale was of opinion
that it was better to go on with his inquiries as quietly
as possible. But Gilbert Eversleigh could not agree
with him.

"I am for giving his disappearance the widest
publicity," said Gilbert, in conversation with the officer,
on the day subsequent to that on which he first saw
him. " It is probable that we will hear something
in this way. You must confess that up to the present
you have accomplished nothing, Mr. Gale. Is it
not so?"

" Yes, that is quite true ; but I have not given up
the hope of doing something soon."

" That's all very well, but you must pardon me if I
90

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 91

tell you I am not satisfied. I have consulted Miss
Thornton, and she is with me in thinking that the
occurrence should be made public."

" That is Miss Thornton's wish ? "

" Yes ; and she also desires my father's firm to
offer a large reward to any one who can furnish the
information we want. Still, they will hardly like to
act in that way if you have any substantial objection
to offer."

Gale reflected for a few moments.

" You are sure that Miss Thornton will not mind ? "
he asked, the question showing the direction of his
thoughts. " It will not be exactly pleasant for her to
see her father's name in the papers."

" She is suffering intensely as it is," replied Gilbert,
"but the affair is too serious for her to give way to
personal feelings of that sort ; indeed, if the papers give
great prominence to it, she will be pleased rather than
the reverse, for she thinks, and so do I, that something
may come of it."

" What reward does she think of offering ? "

" A thousand pounds."

" A large sum ! It might tempt some one."

" Tempt some one ? " repeated Gilbert. " What do
you mean ? "

" Well," returned the officer, speaking slowly
and thoughtfully, "let us consider the case. You
know that I think Mr. Thornton either disappeared
intentionally "

" I thought you had rather given that idea up,"
interposed Gilbert.

"Still, it's a possibility, though there is a good
argument on the surface — on the surface, mind, I say —

92 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

against it in the state of his health. A man in his
precarious condition was not likely to embark on such
an adventure as an intentional disappearance implies.
Still, as I said, it is a possibility. Now, if his disappear-
ance was intentional, he must be living somewhere, and
must be in contact with other human beings. That is
so, is it not ? "

« Yes."

" While offering the large reward you mentioned, you
would at the same time give a full description of him.
That description might be seen by one or more of those
with whom he associates. In this manner information
might be obtained. There is another point, too, and
it is that if after a time no such information was
forthcoming, then the other hypothesis will be vastly
strengthened."

" By the other hypothesis you intend the idea that
he was murdered, I suppose ? " asked Gilbert.

" Yes. As I have already told you, I fear that will
turn out to be the true reading of the mystery. The
more I think of it, the more certain I feel about it.
There is, however, a third hypothesis, but it seems so
highly improbable that it is hardly worth mentioning.
It is that Mr. Thornton committed suicide.1'

" Suicide ! Impossible ! "

"It is very highly improbable," said Gale, "but,
pardon me, not impossible. I wonder how many things
are really impossible?" he continued, on what was a
favourite theme of his. " If you knew but a tithe of
the things ordinarily called impossible that I have found
not to be impossible at all ! But I digress. Well, with
regard to his having committed suicide, it was no great
distance from his hotel to the river."

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 93

"Oh, Mr. Gale, this is absurd. Why should he
commit suicide?"

" The only reason that can give the slightest colour
to such a supposition is that he suffered terribly from
his heart — the pain in these attacks is usually frightful
— and he might have felt that rather than stand another
he would prefer to die ; or again, it might be that he
was slightly out of his mind because of the pain. But
I don't really put this hypothesis forward as one that is
probable. No. I am afraid he was murdered. Still,
even in that case, the large sum you offer might tempt
some one — some one who perhaps saw the deed done, or
had his suspicions about something he saw — to come
forward with useful information.""

"It might even tempt an accomplice — that is, if
there were an accomplice, might it not ? " asked Gilbert
eagerly.

" It might, though it's not at all likely."

"But you withdraw your opposition to making
public the disappearance of Mr. Thornton ? "

" Yes, though I do not advise it. I hope it will not
annoy Miss Thornton very much, but I fear she may be
troubled with newspaper reporters.1'

" Cannot you refer them to me or to my father ? "

" I shall do so, but if they can ferret her out they
will, you may be sure."

" Oh, I dare say I shall be able to baffle them,"
declared Gilbert. " Now, will you assist me in drawing
up a statement for publication ?"

Before Gilbert left Scotland Yard a brief but
succinct account of the disappearance of Morris Thornton
was put into writing. Then followed a description
of Thornton, taken from the detective-inspector's

04 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

note-book, who, in his turn, had got the particulars from
certain members of the staff of the Law Courts Hotel.
Further, Mr. Gale drafted what he thought should go
into the advertisement, offering the reward of a thousand
pounds, and this Gilbert took to his father. On his
way to Lincoln's Inn he stopped at a typewriting
establishment, and gave instructions to have copies
made of the account of the disappearance, and to send
one to each of the London papers.

" This will be enough," thought he, " to set the ball
rolling.1'

Next he saw Francis Eversleigh, who, he found to
his surprise, was against inserting the advertisement.
The older man, who had his own bitter, gnawing, con-
suming anxieties of which the younger guessed nothing,
had a glimmering notion that to advertise the reward
was somehow likely to precipitate a crisis in his affairs
and bring about exposure. But, backboneless as usual,
he was easily over-ruled by his son. The advertisement
was made out, typewritten, manifolded, and also sent to
all the London journals.

The day following, Gilbert had ample proof that he
had set the ball rolling with a vengeance. Pressmen,
it seemed to him, descended upon him from every
quarter of the town, eager, clamorous, importunate,
determined not to be sent empty away. But, after all,
Gilbert had not much to tell them. They managed,
notwithstanding, to write sensational and, for the most
part, highly over-coloured articles round the missing
man. One or two of the evening papers wrote leaders
on the subject, and in many ways the public interest in
Thornton's disappearance was excited to the highest
pitch. For one thing, his wealth was exaggerated to

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 95

such an extent that he was represented as a sort of
colonial Croesus, and in London, and throughout the
country, people talked of and speculated about the man
now everywhere described as " The Missing Millionaire.""
Indeed, the reward of a thousand pounds was hardly
needed to stimulate public curiosity and sympathy and
activity.

High and low, rich and poor, the man of Mayfair
and the man of Whitechapel, conversed about it with
the same relish, the same wonder. The man in the
street, shopmen, clerks, labourers, even beggars and
outcasts, all heard of the mysterious disappearance of
Thornton, and were all anxious to know the explanation
of so extraordinary a thing. In brief, it was the one
topic of the moment.

And the offer of the large reward was not without
a certain effect.

It had become a matter of general knowledge that
Morris Thornton, on leaving the Law Courts Hotel,
told the porter there that he was going for a stroll
along Holborn and probably up and down Chancery
Lane. From this it fell out that many people of the
amateur detective variety investigated this quarter,
especially at night, but without being much or any the
wiser. Yet, indirectly, one of them did better than he
knew, for from him a certain human wreck, to whom a
doorway in Chancery Lane was a frequent refuge, learned
of the disappearance of Morris Thornton. Inquiring
with great earnestness what was the date of Thornton's
disappearance, he was informed that it was Friday, July
30th. It was now Friday, August 13th.

" That is exactly a fortnight ago," said the wreck,
with ail unmistakable note of exultation in his voice.

96 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

"The very night — the very night," he muttered, but
so indistinctly that the other could not catch the
words.

" What is it you say ? " he asked, but the wreck
declined to satisfy his curiosity.

" Oh, nothing — nothing at all," he replied.

"Did you happen to be here in this street that
night ? " inquired the other, suspiciously.

" Yes, I was."

" And did you see any thing or any one ? "

" I saw nothing — I saw nobody," said the wreck,
promptly.

But next morning he had a different story to tell.

He had very good reasons for not going to Scotland
Yard, so he betook himself to the office of Eversleigh,
Silwood, and Eversleigh, whose name appeared at the
foot of the advertisement offering the thousand pounds
reward. He told his tale to Francis Eversleigh, with
whom at that time was Gilbert. The latter had been
hurriedly sent for by his father on a matter of the most
urgent importance. They were anxiously discussing it,
when Williamson had come in and announced that
there was a man below who had called in answer to the
advertisement respecting Thornton's disappearance.

" He says he has information, but he would not
disclose it to me," remarked Williamson, in an injured
tone.

The head-clerk felt hurt that morning. He knew
that Francis Eversleigh had received a letter from Italy,
and he suspected it had something to do with Mr.
Cooper Silwood. He had even ventured to put an
indirect question about it to Francis Eversleigh, but
•with no success. Instead, that gentleman had told him

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 97

to go and fetch Gilbert at once from the Temple, or if
he was not there to hunt him up and bring him.

He now saw from Gilbert's face, as well as from
Francis Eversleigh's, that something very grave was
being discussed. On the table lay two papers, one
of which was partly printed, while the other was
a long, closely-written letter. Before withdrawing,
Williamson tried to see what was on the former, but
could not.

" I suppose we must have this man in," said Gilbert
to his father.

** Yes, yes," assented Francis. He said it with the
air of one to whom nothing could ever much matter
again.

" I cannot bear it — I cannot bear it ! " he exclaimed
suddenly, after Williamson had left the room. " It is
too much ! "

"Bear up, father — bear up!" cried Gilbert, little
understanding all that was in his father's mind.

But the wreck was at the door.

Ragged, tattered, with patched boots and a greasy
cap, with pinched features and a general appearance of
having gone irremediably to the bad, the wreck yet
bore himself well, and when he spoke his language and
accent were those of a gentleman. He looked at the
two Eversleighs, and addressing the older asked if he
were Mr. Eversleigh.

Francis Eversleigh bowed to the wreck, who had
once been a gentleman.

" I am Francis Eversleigh," he said ; " this is my
son Gilbert. You have something to tell us ? " he
suggested.

" Yes ; but first I wish to say that my information

H

98 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

by itself may not be of much use. Still, I think it may
put you on the track. If that is the case, I wish you
to promise me that I shall have some share of the
reward."

" That will be only fair.11

" Mr. Thornton,"" said the wreck, without further
preface, " disappeared on the night of Friday, July
30th. He went out for a stroll in Holborn, and was to
go into Chancery Lane. I was in Chancery Lane that
night, and I saw something that struck me as very
curious.""

The wreck paused impressively.
" What was it you saw ? " asked Gilbert.
" I saw a man," responded the wreck — " some sort
of workman he appeared to be from his dress — come out
of the iron gate, the small iron gate at the north-east
corner of this Inn — Lincoln's Inn."

"But it's always kept locked at night," objected
Francis Eversleigh.

" It was unlocked that night, at any rate," ob-
served the wreck. " I heard the sound — it was a low
sound, but the night was very still — of the unlocking.
I saw the man lock the gate again, and he looked round
him like a man afraid of being spied upon. He did
not see me, for I was in the shadow of a doorway. He
seemed to me to be rather flurried. Presently he
walked rapidly away. I thought it very strange that a
workman should have the key of the gate and at such
an hour. I wondered what it could mean, but I might
have forgotten all about it if the same man had not
returned. He had not been gone for more than half
an hour when back he came, unlocked the gate, and
passed on within. I spent the night in the doorway, but

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 99

he did not appear again. Very remarkable, was it not ? "
asked the wreck.

" Very remarkable indeed ! " said Gilbert, drily.

" Don't you believe me ? " inquired the wreck.

" I do not see the bearing of what you have told us
on the disappearance of Mr. Thornton. Of course,
what you saw was very strange, and should be com-
municated to the authorities of the Inn, but I can see
no connection between the man who came out of the
gate and Mr. Thornton. Do you think there was ? "

" I told you at the beginning that what I had to
communicate might not be of much use. I thought,
however, it might perhaps fit in with something you
knew, or that it might give you a hint," said the wreck,
in a tone of dejection.

" We shall not forget what you have told us," said
Gilbert, as the wreck prepared to leave the room.
" You should report what you saw to the authorities of
Lincoln's Inn, who will, no doubt, reward you for your
trouble."

Gilbert followed him to the door, and put some
silver into his hand as he went out. Then Gilbert
closed the door, and sat down beside his father.

" It looks," said he, " as if there were some un-
commonly queer goings-on in this old Inn."

But his father scarcely noticed what he said.
Francis Eversleigh's gaze was fastened on the paper
lying before him on his table — the paper which was
partly printed, partly written on.

It was an official certificate from the Syndic of
Camajore in Italy, duly signed and sealed, of the death
of Cooper Silwood.

CHAPTER XII

THE certificate of Cooper SilwoocTs death and the
accompanying letter had come that morning in a long,
queer-looking envelope, plastered half-over with stamps
and pitted with postmarks, amongst them being that
which showed the packet had been registered. It was
addressed to Francis Eversleigh personally : hence it
had not been touched by any one prior to his coming
to the office.

When he first saw the packet he thought there
was something ominous about it, and a sure prescience
that it contained bad news deterred him from opening
it immediately ; he therefore allowed it to lie on his
table for some time. Such a want of courage had now
become characteristic of the tortured man. At last,
however, he screwed himself up to the point of looking
into it. As it happened, he took out and glanced at
the letter first ; it was in a language he did not know,
but he guessed it was Italian. It was written in a
minute, cramped hand, difficult, in any case, to decipher,
and he put it aside. Then he scanned the certificate.
Here the printed words and his Latin helped him, and
he had little trouble in understanding what it was.

But in his shattered state it did not come home fully
to him at once. When it did, the effect on him was
terrible — his head swam distressingly, his heart fluttered
painfully, as he fell back gasping in his chair.

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THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 101

Cooper Silwood dead !

It seemed impossible to him, as his brain, caught in
strange tangles, like water- weeds in an eddy, whirled
this way and that.

Dead!

The thing at last impressed itself upon his con-
sciousness so as to blot out everything else for the
time.

" What next ? What next ? " he cried aloud, in a
voice that was hardly recognizable as his ; it was the
protest of a man goaded beyond the limit of endurance.

Then his brain clouded.

" Cooper Silwood dead — dead — dead — dead ! " he
babbled to himself, looking at the spots in the wall
opposite him, and noting mechanically the shapes and
sizes of them. " Dead — dead — dead ! " he mumbled,
till the words lost all meaning.

Something sub-conscious whispered to him this was
madness, and with a mighty effort he sought to recover
himself. The effort saved him.

The first force of the shock at length passed ; its
recoil passed off too, and he came to something like his
senses. Desiring instinctively to lean on some one
stronger than himself, his impulse was to send for his
son Gilbert immediately, and accordingly, when he had
pulled himself still further round, he summoned William-
son, and dispatched him to find and bring the young
man to Lincoln's Inn. He had hardly done so, when
his vacillating mind swung round again, and he regretted
it. But by the time Gilbert arrived his mood had
changed once more.

When Gilbert appeared in his father's room he found
Francis Eversleigh in tears. They were the tears of

102 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

weakness, of indecision, of self-pity ; but when Gilbert
heard what his father had to tell him he thought, of
course, they were the tears of one who mourns. They
could not but seem natural in the circumstances. He
had always disliked Silwood ; but his father and Silwood
had been associated in business for many years, and
though he was rather surprised that his father should
be in tears over Silwood's death, he was not at a loss
altogether to account for it : his father, he thought,
had a good heart, and was overcome with sorrow.
He supposed that a long acquaintance with Silwood
had shown his father some excellent qualities in the
man now dead — qualities which he himself could not
see.

" His death will be a great loss to you, father,11 said
Gilbert; "you must — and will — feel it very much, I
fear.11

" Yes," said Francis Eversleigh, in a harsh, strained
voice, staring straight before him.

" Have you told Ernest about it, or Mr. William-
son ? " asked Gilbert.

" Not yet ; but, of course, they must be told. First
of all, however, I should prefer to learn something of
the circumstances attending Mr. Silwood's death. I
must have this letter translated," said Francis Ever-
sleigh, pointing to the communication in the small,
cramped handwriting ; " I think it will tell us exactly
what has happened."

" I can get you a man," said Gilbert, " from a Col-
lege of Languages near here, if you like. Shall I go
and bring him ? Or shall I take the letter with me
and get it translated ? "

"Bring him here," said Eversleigh, who wished to

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 103

keep everything connected in any way with Sihvood as
much in the office as possible.

"The other way would be the quicker, perhaps,1"
Gilbert suggested.

" Perhaps ; but I had rather he came here," rejoined
Eversleigh, with some firmness.

In about half an hour Gilbert was back again in his
father's room with an interpreter, who quickly made
himself master of the contents of the letter, and after-
wards read it out aloud to the two Eversleighs.

It was from Ugo Ucelli, Syndic of Camajore, which
place, the interpreter explained, was in the north of
Tuscany, a few miles from the coast, and no great
distance from Leghorn, but the nearest town of import-
ance was Lucca.

The Syndic stated that he had been given instruc-
tions by Mr. Sihvood to communicate with Mr. Francis
Eversleigh should the illness from which he, Mr. Silwood,
was suffering at the time have a fatal termination, as
appeared to be likely. And the illness had, unfortu-
nately, resulted in the death of Mr. Silwood, as had
been feared.

Mr. Silwood had said he was a partner of Mr.
Eversleigh's. He, the Syndic, now hastened to Avrite
in accordance with the command of the deceased gentle-
man ; he regretted that he had to give Mr. Eversleigh
the pain of hearing the sad news, but he had a sacred
duty to the dead to perform, and he must discharge it.

Mr. Eversleigh had probably seen from the news-
papers, said the Syndic, that cholera was that summer
— one of the hottest on record — epidemic all along the
Gulf of Genoa and southward as far as Leghorn. Mr.
Silwood had fallen a victim to this plague — alas ! its

101 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

victims were numbered by hundreds and thousands ; it
was the greatest calamity that had visited Italy for
many years !

In Mr. Silwood's case there had been little hope
from the commencement of his sickness, to which he
succumbed after about twenty-four hours. Everything
had been done for him that could be done ; he had been
attended by a doctor of skill and experience, nor had
the tendance of competent nurses been wanting. Ah !
It was evidently the will of God ! The usual certificate
of death was enclosed.

Owing to the requirements of the law, concluded the
Syndic, the body was buried early on the morning of
the day following that on which the death took place.
The deceased had left some effects about which he had
not given directions. These were now in his, the
Syndic's possession, and he asked what was to be done
with them. As Mr. Eversleigh would doubtless know
what was proper in the circumstances, he, the Syndic,
would be glad to hear from him at his earliest con-
venience.

Such was the letter of Ugo Ucelli, Syndic of
Camajore.

The interpreter was asked to write out a translation
both of the letter and of the death certificate ; this he
did, received his fee, and withdrew.

Death is perhaps the only thing which commands
universal respect : all render involuntary homage to the
King of Terror. It was this that caused Gilbert, who
had no love for Silwood, yet to say with sincerity when
the interpreter had gone, " Poor fellow ! Poor fellow ! "
and then he was silent.

Francis Eversleigh had listened in a sort of heavy

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 105

stupor to the reading of the Syndic's letter. The feel-
ing which emerged most prominently from out of the
chaos of his thoughts was one of envy ; he envied Sil-
wood, inasmuch as he was finally beyond the reach of
the law — he had gone where its long arm could not go
— he was safe ! Eversleigh then tried to think what
was his position now Silwood was dead, and Morris
Thornton was dead, most probably, also ; but the man's
brain was tired and sick and torpid from the frightful
blows it had already been called upon to sustain. With
a deep sigh, he confessed his impotence to himself, and
abandoned the attempt.

" We must tell the others at once," he said, feeling
it was easier to do something than to think, " and have
an announcement of the death drawn up. We must
take the usual steps."

" Yes, yes," said Gilbert, " we must do so."

But Gilbert also had been thinking during the few
minutes in which he had been silent.

" What a strange place," he observed, " for Mr.
Silwood to have been at ! Perhaps, though, he was
just passing through. Still, at this time of the year,
it was an odd place to choose for a holiday. He must
have known, too, about the cholera, surely. I never
heard of Camajore ! Did you ? "

" I believe Mr. Silwood spent a holiday a few years
ago in the north of Italy, probably at this very place,
or somewhere in its neighbourhood, but I do not
remember exactly," rejoined the other, dully.

Francis Eversleigh sat in his chair, inert, without
initiative ; he seemed to be incapable of action. It was
Gilbert who took the lead.

" I suppose it is pretty certain that Mr. Silwood has

106 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

left a will," remarked Gilbert. " Of course letters of
administration will have to be taken out, and his estate
looked after generally. You will do that, I pre-
sume?"

" Oh, about his will. I don't believe," returned
Eversleigh, " that his will is in the office — indeed, I am
not aware there is a will at all." lie had very good
reasons for imagining there would be no will, for had
not Silwood told him that he had no money ?

" Mr. Silwood must have left a will, father," said
Gilbert, confidently ; " a man of his business habits
would be certain to make a will. If it's not in the
office here, then I should think it will be in his chambers
in Stone Buildings."

" Perhaps so."

"Well, that's what I should say. In any case,
father, you will have to go across to his chambers, see
what there is in them, and have everything taken care
of. I wonder who is his heir, or if he has one ? He
never seemed to have any relations or friends — but then
I did not know him very well."

" Relations, so far as I know, he had none," replied
Francis Eversleigh ; " and I scarcely think he had many
friends. He always lived a very lonely life."

" He was so engrossed in his business ! "

" Yes, yes — quite so. As regards his chambers, I
know he left them locked up."

" Still, don't you think you ought to examine them,
considering present circumstances ? If you like, I will
go over there with you now."

Eversleigh shrank from the thing. However, he
looked at his strong handsome son, and thought that
if he must go to Stone Buildings — and he knew that

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 107

he had better go as soon as possible — it was with
Gilbert that he would choose to go.

" I think, first," he said, " it will be as well to tell
Ernest and Mr. Williamson what has occurred ; after-
wards you and I will proceed to Mr. Silwood's chambers
and examine them."

Ernest Eversleigh and Williamson, therefore, were
sent for. Eversleigh announced to them that Silwood
was dead, and asked Gilbert to read to them the trans-
lation of the Syndic's letter. Both were profoundly
surprised ; Ernest, who appeared genuinely concerned,
expressed his regret at the news, while Williamson, who
was astonished beyond measure, looked utterly aghast,
and as if he thought the end of the world was about
to come.

"We — Gilbert and I — are going over to Mr.
Silwood's rooms in Stone Buildings," said Francis
Eversleigh. " I must consider what is necessary to
do in the circumstances, but 1 can say nothing at
present."

" Perhaps Mr. Williamson can tell us," said Gilbert,
as his father stopped, " if there is a will ? n

"No, Mr. Gilbert, I do not know of one," replied
the head-clerk. "Mr. Silwood never mentioned the
subject to me."

"I think that is all," said Francis Eversleigh,
after a moment's pause, and Ernest and Williamson
withdrew.

" Well, Gilbert, I suppose we had better go at once
and get it over," observed Eversleigh to his elder son.
" We will call one of the porters, and get him to go
with us to open the door."

On their way they met a porter of the Inn, and

108 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

told him of Silwood's death, and that they wished to
gain admittance to the chambers in Stone Buildings.

" Sorry to hear about Mr. Silwood," said the man ;
" must ha' been very sudden, surely. Dear me, dear me !
But about opening the door o' his rooms, I'm none so
certain that I can do it. Mr. Silvvood had a lock and
key of his own — a special Yale, which he'd had fitted
on himself. However, 111 try."

But the lock of the door, on which still was pinned
the piece of paper with " Out of Town " written upon
it, resisted all his efforts. He tried on it every key in
his bunch, but without effect.

" This is a job for a locksmith, that's what it is,"
said he at last. " Shall I go and fetch one ? I can
bring a man here in a few seconds who has the proper
tools, and he'll soon do the business."

" Yes, please get a locksmith at once," said Francis
Eversleigh.

In about five minutes the porter returned with a
locksmith, who set to work and forced the lock, but not
without a considerable expenditure of time and labour.

As the door was opened, a foetid, noisome odour
rushed out and filled the landing. The locksmith in-
voluntarily stepped back.

« Whiff, whiff, what's that ? " cried he, while the
others exclaimed about the horrible smell.

It was the locksmith who entered the room first, a
few feet in advance of the others. Instantly he uttered
a loud shout of terrified surprise. The others now
pressed in after him, Francis Eversleigh the last.

There lay the body of a man, face downwards, on
the floor.

Eversleigh, with a countenance as white as chalk,

THE MYSTERY CF LINCOLN'S INN 109

looked from the body to his son, and back to the body
again. Gilbert was as white as his father. The other
men looked mutely at the figure lying on the floor ; it
seemed to fascinate them. No one spoke a word. A
great question shaped itself in the stillness of that
room, but none of them was eager, for the moment, to
find the answer.

Who was the man — the man who lay dead ?

Other questions came into their minds, but this was
first.

" We must see the man's face," said Gilbert, and
his voice broke the spell which seemed to hold them
powerless.

The porter and the locksmith turned the body over.

Though the features had partially become decom-
posed, the face was still recognisable on close inspection.

*' It's a stranger, I think, leastways in the Inn," said
the porter.

Eversleigh gazed at the dead face, peering into it.
Suddenly he trembled as with ague, while he vainly
struggled to speak.

Gilbert, too, had been closely scrutinizing the dead
face, and he thought that he recognized it. Looking at
his father and seeing his evident emotion, he felt certain.

" It is Morris Thornton ! " said he, in a hoarse un-
natural voice.

" Morris Thornton !" echoed Francis Eversleigh, and
fell in a heap across the body of his old friend.

CHAPTER XIII

" MORRIS THORNTON ! "

Both the porter and the locksmith had heard the
name distinctly before Eversleigh swooned away, and
both understood who the dead man was. They were so
astounded that they stood looking at each other with
startled faces and mouths agape, while Gilbert bent over
the unconscious form of his father.

" Morris Thornton at last ! " cried the porter ; " it's
the gentleman as was missing."

" Morris Thornton — yes," said the locksmith ; " the
missing millionaire — the man wot was advertised for in
all the papers."

And then both men were silent, thinking of the
reward of a thousand pounds offered for information
about this very man.

" I was the first as found him," remarked the lock-
smith, coming to his wits, to the porter.

" We all found him together, didn't we ? " asked the
porter, in an aggrieved tone.

Gilbert, meanwhile, had moved his father from off
the dead body of Morris Thornton on to the floor, and
sought to bring him to by unfastening his collar and
tie and opening his shirt. The son felt that his first
concern was with his father, not with Morris Thornton —
with the living rather than the dead. And now, as he

110

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 111

tried to bring back to the inanimate frame the spark
of life, he noticed, as he had not done before, how
changed, how shrunken were the face and figure of his
father. He knew his father had been ailing for some
time, but he had not realised how far the mischief had
gone. And on the top of this illness had come, first
the death of Silwood, and now the discovery of Morris
Thornton lying dead in Silwood's chambers ! Small
wonder was it, he thought, that the shock of this last
circumstance, combined with all that had preceded it,
had proved too much for his father.

For some minutes he continued his efforts to re-
animate Francis Eversleigh, but without avail. The
porter and the locksmith gave him what assistance they
could ; finally the former suggested that a doctor should
be sent for.

" Yes," agreed Gilbert ; " go round to King's
College Hospital. I know one or two of the doctors
there ; take my card, and get one of them if you can.
Say the case is urgent.11

But the porter, who by this time was swelling with
the importance of the affair — an importance in which
he saw himself included — had another suggestion to
make.

" After I get a doctor,'1 he said to Gilbert, whom he
knew to be Francis Eversleigh's son, " don't you think
it would be well if I fetched a policeman ? There's the
dead body,11 he added significantly, " and of course
there will have to be an inquest."

" Quite right," replied Gilbert ; " but get the doctor
first."

And the porter withdrew, more important than
ever.

112 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Shall I stay, sir ? " asked the locksmith.

" Yes, please, until the police come ; they will want
your evidence.1'

" Very well, sir."

While he was trying to resuscitate his father,
Gilbert's mind had been in a whirl ; now that he had
desisted from the attempt his thoughts shaped them-
selves more clearly. Here, before him, lay Kitty's
father dead — Kitty's father, that was his first thought
— and his heart bled for her. He knew that, though
she had said and felt that Morris Thornton was no
more, she would still suffer terribly on hearing posi-
tively that he was dead.

Then the strangeness of the thing — the body being
found in Silwood's room, and Silwood his own father's
partner ! — took hold of him. Silwood dead ! Morris
Thornton dead ! What did this conjunction indicate ?
That there was something extraordinary about it did
not admit of any doubt whatever when it was coupled
with the fact that Thornton's body had been found in
Silwood's chambers. How had Morris Thornton come
to be there at all ? And in what way had he met his
death? What connection was there between that
death and Cooper Silwood ? What had Silwood to do
with it ? Had he anything to do with it ? For what
reason ? With what end in view ? Had Thornton
been murdered ? If so, it could not have been by
Silwood, for what motive could he have had for killing
Thornton? — Silwood, a member of one of the most
respectable firms in London. And yet there must be
some connection and some explanation. What was
it ? What could it be ?

As these questionings flashed through Gilbert's

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 113

mind, he stood gazing upon the dead man's face, as if
from its sightless eyes and from its dumb lips there
might come some solution of the mystery.

And then his thoughts took a fresh turn. Still
gazing at the face of Morris Thornton, he wondered if
the man had come to his death by being shot, if upon
the body would be found the marks of the lethal weapon
that had slain him, if the murderer had left behind him
some sign which in the end would lead to his detection
and conviction. But this was to presume Thornton
had been murdered, and there was no certainty as to
that.

While he was thus musing, his father showed some
indications of reviving. His eyelids fluttered and his
lips worked slightly. Gilbert bent down and raised his
father's head. With a deep sigh, Francis Eversleigh
opened his eyes and stared at his son as at some
stranger. But reviving still more, a light of recognition
came into his face, and he moved his head.

" Are you better, father ? " asked Gilbert.

Eversleigh made an effort to speak, but it failed ;
then he looked piteously at his son.

" I wish I had some brandy to give you," said
Gilbert. " A doctor will be here in a few minutes."

At the mention of the word "doctor," Francis Evers-
leigh struggled to raise himself, and, with Gilbert's help,
managed to get into a sitting position. Glancing about
him in a weak and uncertain way, his eyes fell upon the
body of Thornton ; a frightful spasm seemed to shake
him to pieces ; then his eyes all at once blazed with
light and life, but in an instant they became clouded
and overcast.

" Morris Thornton — I remember," he said, speaking

i

114 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

with great slowness, as though speech were exceedingly
difficult to him.

He shut his eyes, as if he would shut out the
sight of the dead man, while Gilbert watched him
anxiously and supported him with his strong young
arms.

Presently he opened his eyes again, looked at the
body, and then at Gilbert. On his face was a great
solemn interrogation which his son could scarcely fail
to understand. Eversleigh was asking what did it all
portend, but Gilbert did not speak ; he himself could
see no way out of the darkness surrounding the
scene.

" What has happened ? " asked the older man, but
even as he spoke Gilbert felt his father's form was
beginning to press more heavily on him.

" I do not know," the son replied.

Francis Eversleigh now fixed his gaze on Thornton's
body once more.

" Murder ! " he suddenly cried in a piercing voice,
and dropped back unconscious again.

" Murder ! "

Gilbert told himself that he could follow the mind
of his father perfectly. His father thought Morris
Thornton had been murdered. It was to all intents
what was in his own mind.

But if Thornton had been murdered, who, then, was
the murderer ?

The piercing cry of " Murder ! " which Francis
Eversleigh had raised before swooning again had not
been heard by Gilbert only. The locksmith, who was
still in the room, heard it for one, and it filled him
with fresh excitement. He had been endeavouring to.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 115

puzzle out the thing in his own way, and was not
exactly surprised to find the idea of murder imported
into it. That cry of " Murder ! " was the echo of his
own thoughts, and from that moment he was so con-
vinced that Thornton had been murdered that nothing
would disabuse him of the notion.

The cry was heard by three others, who were only a
few steps away from the door of Silwood's chambers
when Francis Eversleigh gave utterance to it. They
were the doctor from King's College Hospital, a police-
man from Lincoln's Inn Fields, and the Inn porter, all
arriving together. On hearing it, they ran forward
into the room.

The porter had already told both the doctor and
the policeman his own version of the finding of the
body of Thornton and of the fainting fit of Mr.
Eversleigh.

" What was that cry I heard ? " demanded the
policeman, who was the first to speak.

As he spoke he threw searching glances about and
around the room. But Gilbert paid no heed to his
question. He knew the doctor, thanked him for
coming so promptly, and asked him to try to revive
his father.

" It is the second time he has fainted," said Gilbert.
It was the locksmith that answered the policeman's
query.

" The sick gentleman," said he, " him that's in the
swound, called out loud ' Murder ! ' — he'd been looking
at the body — and then he dropped off again. That
was the second time he swounded."

"Oh, it was he," said the policeman. Then he
advanced to Gilbert, having been prompted thereto by

116 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

the porter, who whispered to him, "He's young Mr.
Eversleigh," and said, " Will you tell me from the
beginning the whole story, sir ? "

By this time his father was in the capable hands of
the doctor, so that Gilbert was able to give his whole
attention to the policeman. As succinctly as possible,
he narrated the circumstances which had led to his
father and himself going to Silwood's chambers, how
the door was broken open, and the body of Thornton
found lying on the floor. Next the policeman listened
to what the porter and the locksmith had seen, and by
the time he had heard what they had to tell him,
Francis Eversleigh had come to himself, though he
looked shattered and frightfully ill. Him, too, the
policeman questioned.

" Mr. Thornton was a client of yours, I be-
lieve ? " remarked the policeman, after many other
queries.

" Yes, an old schoolfellow, and one of my greatest
friends," replied Eversleigh. " His daughter is engaged
to marry my son Gilbert, here."

" This gentleman ? " asked the policeman, pointing
to Gilbert.

" Yes."

"And these are the private apartments of your
partner, Mr. Cooper Silwood ? "

"Yes."

" And the dead body of Mr. Thornton, your friend,
is found in the private apartments of your partner,
Mr. Silwood ? "

" Yes."

"And Mr. Silwood is dead?"

« Yes."

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 117

"Most extraordinary thing I ever heard of!" ex-
claimed the policeman. " There's something very strange
here."

" My father, as you can see for yourself,'1'1 interposed
Gilbert, " is ill ; he is in no fit state to stay here a
moment longer than is necessary. But if I can help
you, I shall be glad to do so."

" Mr. Eversleigh ought to go home at once," said
the doctor.

"That is all right," said the policeman.

" Do you report to Inspector Gale ? " asked Gil-
bert of the policeman ; " I know him very well."

" Yes ; I shall report to him. And in the mean
time these chambers must be closed up and sealed.
The inspector will no doubt come and examine every-
thing in them. This is the usual procedure. And of
course there will be a coroner's inquest. Nothing more
can be done at present, I think. Please sir, do not
touch the body," he added, speaking to the doctor, who
was scrutinizing it carefully.

" If I went to Scotland Yard, should I find the
inspector in ? " asked Gilbert.

" You'll find him there at 2.30."

"And there is nothing more that can be done just
now ? "

" Nothing."

Leaving Silwood's chambers in the charge of the
policeman, who had now been reinforced by the arrival
of two other constables, the two Eversleighs, the
doctor, the locksmith, and the porter filed out of the
chamber of mystery and death. As they entered the
court of Stone Buildings, they saw that little knots of
people had collected, who were discussing something

118 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

that evidently was unusually interesting. The fact was
that the porter, on his way for the doctor and the
policeman, had let fall hints of what had been found.
The Eversleighs were asked by some gentlemen of the
long robe, whom they knew, what was the truth of the
matter, and they put before them the bare facts. But
the porter and the locksmith were not so reticent. The
former gossiped freely, but not without a fitting sense
of the greatness of the occasion. The latter went into
Chancery Lane by the iron-gated footway leading from
the court of Stone Buildings and saw a crowd gathered
on the pavement opposite the windows of Cooper Sil-
wood's chambers. Already it had been spread abroad
that these chambers had been the scene of some as-
tounding tragedy. The locksmith, on being asked by
some one in the crowd if he could throw any light on
the subject, forthwith poured forth all he knew, de-
claring that undoubtedly Morris Thornton, whose dead
body had been discovered in Silwood's room, had been
foully murdered. And when the rumour ran that it was
the body of the Missing Millionaire, of whom everybody
had heard, the excitement rose to fever heat in the
crowd.

A passing reporter, on the staff of one of the even-
ing papers, saw the crowd, and was soon in possession
of the pith of the news, but desirous of getting the
fullest particulars, he sought out the locksmith, who
told him the whole story, again reiterating his convic-
tion that there had been a murder of the blackest
kind.

Thus it was the locksmith's idea of what had hap-
pened that coloured the tone of the papers that even-
ing, all of whom made the most of " THE MYSTERY OF

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 119

LINCOLN'S INN" and "THE MURDER OF THE MISSING
MILLIONAIRE," as they entitled it on their bills in the
largest of capitals.

And the affair quickly created an extraordinary
sensation.

CHAPTER XIV

IT was nearly two o'clock that Saturday afternoon when
Francis Eversleigh, supported by Gilbert and the doctor,
left Silwood's chambers in Stone Buildings. He stopped
on his way to his office, as has been said, to gratify the
curiosity of some of his acquaintances ; but he was so
weak and unsteady that the doctor soon forbade him,
and rightly, to exert himself even to talk.

On the arrival of the little party at 176, New Square,
they were met by Ernest Eversleigh and Williamson
the head-clerk, who were anxiously awaiting them, as a
rumour had already reached them of the discovery of
the body in Silwood's rooms; the report, however, had
been so vague that they could not believe it. William-
son, in particular, was sceptical.

Ernest eagerly pressed his father and brother for
information ; the doctor, however, would not allow
Francis Eversleigh to speak, and Gilbert said that he
would presently tell them all, but that he must first
attend to his father, who was far from well.

"Just one word, Mr. Gilbert," said Williamson.
"Is it true that the body of Mr. Morris Thornton
was found in Mr. Silwood's sitting-room ? — that is the
rumour.11

" Yes, it is quite true."

Williamson, on hearing this, fell back, with a look

120

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 121

of the profoundest astonishment on his face. Up to
this time he had not believed it, because, if it were true,
then the suspicions which he had for some time enter-
tained appeared to be more than confirmed, but he had
not looked for so startling a confirmation.

"I was right," he told himself. "I wish I could
get to the bottom of it."

Francis Eversleigh meanwhile went up to his room
on the second floor, and now the doctor insisted that he
must remain quiet. Further, the doctor said that he
himself would go out to obtain some suitable nourish-
ment for him. As he withdrew from the room, he
beckoned to Gilbert.

" Do not leave your father," he said to Gilbert, in
the passage. " I am afraid he is ill — of what I cannot
say, but it is easy to see that his vitality is very low.
Has he suffered from some severe illness — some bad
attack recently ? "

" No. He lias been ailing slightly for a few weeks
past — that is all."

" He seems to me to be very much run down," the
doctor went on. " You must make a point of getting
him to see his own physician — the family doctor. In
the mean time, Til fetch him a strong pick-me-up and
some light, nourishing food of which he stands much in
need. After he has had it, he should be taken home at
once, and put to bed as soon as possible."

" Very well," agreed Gilbert ; and the doctor went
on his way down the stall's. Gilbert returned to his
father's room.

Father and son, now left alone for the first time
since the discovery of Morris Thornton's body, looked
at each other strangely. Gilbert's gaze seemed to ask

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

the question, " What is the meaning of all this ? " His
father understood him but darkly, for he was suffering
from a frightful obsession which numbed his brain. He
was powerless to think coherently ; all that he could fix
his mind upon was merely what was nearest him, or
what was immediately happening. It was this which
explained his next words.

" What was the doctor saying to you, Gilbert ? " he
asked.

" Well, he said you were run down, and wanted
bracing up," replied Gilbert.

"Was that it?"

" Yes ; and I must say that it is not surprising you're
ill, after two such shocks as you have received to-day."

Then there was silence between them. Strange

O

thoughts, half-formed suspicions crowded upon Gilbert
in that pause. He glanced at his father, uncertain
whether to speak to him or not.

" Father," he said at last, " I do not like to press
the subject on you when you are so far from strong; but
how do you account for Morris Thornton's body being
found in Mr. Silwood's chambers — have you formed any
theory?"

" I know no more about it than you," cried Francis
Eversleigh, wildly ; " and I do not know what to think.
... I cannot think about it at all ... my brain refuses
to act. ... I have no idea ... it is all a terrible and
horrible mystery to me ! "

And then he flung up his hands, as if he were throw-
ing off some weight which oppressed him.

" Oh, it is dreadful, dreadful, dreadful ! " he cried ;
then burst into a passion of sobs, the sound and sight
of which moved and distressed Gilbert exceedingly.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 123

" Father ! Father ! " said the son, soothingly, in
accents of deepest sympathy.

In a few moments Eversleigh grew calmer, and
became a little more like his usual self.

" There is just one thing I'd like to ask you, father,"
said Gilbert ; " that is, if it is not too painful for you."

" What is it, my son ? "

" You uttered one word in that room over there,"
returned Gilbert, nodding in the direction of Stone
Buildings.

"What?"

"The one word was ' Murder I"1 Do you think Mr.
Thornton was murdered ? "

Francis Eversleigh stared about him with dilated
eyes, as might some being who was persecuted and
hunted.

" I don't know what to think," he said at length.

"But you did exclaim 'Murder!1 That was the
idea in your mind, was it not ? "

"Ah, Gilbert, my mind was utterly confused. . . .
I had suffered a tremendous blow. . . . Surely I can't
be held responsible for what I said in my condition at
the time."

"True, father. Still, there was the idea of murder
in your mind," persisted Gilbert.

" I tell you that I know nothing — nothing."

"Of course, you know nothing, father; but your
thought on seeing the body — your suspicion — was that
there had been murder. Was it not so ? "

"I can't say anything about it," replied Eversleigh,
fretfully. " I know as much and as little as you do how
it was that Thornton came to be in Silwood's chambers.
Pray do not tease me — do not worry me — I cannot

124 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

stand it; it is cruel of you to torture me in this
fashion.""

Gilbert stared at his father, wondering what was
meant by the expression " torture " — he could not
understand it. He was glad that the doctor returned
at this moment, bringing with him wine and a light
lunch for the invalid. Leaving his father to the doctor's
care, he went down to the next floor, where he saw
his brother Ernest, who was all agog to hear the story.
When Ernest had listened to Gilbert's narrative, his
sole commentary upon it was —

" Of course, everybody will say that Morris Thorn-
ton was murdered by Silwood ; what other conclusion
can there be ? "

" But why ? " urged Gilbert. " What motive could
Silwood have? No, I don't think that can be the
explanation. I confess, however, the thing baffles me
completely."

" Still," said Ernest, " you may be quite sure that
it's what the world will say. In any case, it can't fail to
do us a lot of mischief."

" Oh, that will depend on circumstances when the
mystery is cleared up, as I imagine it soon must
be>

Then Gilbert spoke of their father's condition, and
suggested that Ernest should take Francis Eversleigh to
Surbiton as soon as the doctor gave permission. As
for himself, he was going on to Scotland Yard to see
Inspector Gale.

« What am I tell Kitty ?" asked Ernest.

" I'll write her a note, which you will give her. Of
course, I should have liked to have broken the sad news
to her myself; but from what I know of her, I am sure

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 125

that she would prefer me to lose no opportunity of un-
ravelling the mystery of her father's death. Besides,
she has always believed, since she knew of Mr. Thornton's
disappearance, that he was dead.11

And Gilbert sat down and wrote his love a letter,
full of the tenderest feeling, in which he told her of the
discovery which had been made that day, and of which
his brother Ernest would give her more complete details.
Then he went on to say that he would not spare himself
in trying to elucidate the whole strange business, nor
would he lose any time ; therefore, he would see Inspector
Gale that very afternoon ; he would go to Scotland
Yard, in fact, immediately after sealing the letter to
her. But he would b« at Surbition in the evening.

When Gilbert did reach Scotland Y"ard, he found
Gale expecting him.

" I was waiting for you, Mr. Gilbert," said the
inspector.

"Yes?"

"One of the constables told me you asked when
I would be in, and he replied at half-past two ; it is
a quarter-past three now. By the way, how is your
father ? I hear he was so shocked that he fainted
twice."

" He is better now, but still very much shaken. I
left him in the doctor's charge, and when he is able to
go my brother Ernest will take him home."

" I think his home is in Surbiton ? "

" Yes ; I told you that when we were discussing the
disappearance of Mr. Thornton."

" Quite so. A day or two's rest will pull your father
round. Of course, I must see him. Do you think he
will be fit to see me to-morrow ? n

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" I should think so. And he must be as anxious as
anybody — indeed, more anxious than anybody — to have
this extraordinary affair cleared up."

" Certainly. Now, Mr. Gilbert, let me hear every-
thing from the beginning. Take your own time about
it, and try not to forget anything. Don't leave out the
slightest touch that may have any bearing on the
subject."

" I will do my best," said Gilbert. " My father, on
learning of the death of Mr. Silwood, sent for me this
morning."

"Excuse me," interrupted the inspector, "but I
must ask you questions as you go along. Was it this
morning your father heard of Mr. Silwood's death, and
how did he hear of it ? "

" By letter this morning. The letter was from Ugo
Ucelli, the Syndic of Camajore, with the usual certi-
ficate of death. The letter gave the particulars of Mr.
Silwood's death. Cholera is epidemic along the Gulf
of Genoa, and Mr. Silwood fell a victim to it. The
body was buried twenty-four hours after death. Of
course, the news affected my father very much — it was
totally unexpected."

" What was Mr. Silwood doing in Italy ? " asked
Gale.

" He was on a holiday."

"Had he been long away from the office, from
Lincoln's Inn ? "

" A week or two only, I think."

" You cannot say exactly ? "

" No, but you will easily find out at the office."

"I thought you might know, but, as you say,
I can ascertain the date at the office. You see, of

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 127

course, that it is necessary to get to know Mr. Sil-
woocTs movements?" The last sentence was put in-
terrogatively.

"This means, I imagine, that you connect Mr.
Silwood with the death of Mr. Thornton ? " asked
Gilbert.

" That is the obvious thing," replied the inspector ;
"but it is so obvious that I distrust it. I always
doubt the obvious in these cases. Here, however, it is
my duty to neglect nothing. And I must make it my
business to find out everything I can about Mr. Sil-
wood, and with regard to that I count with confidence
on your father's assistance. Well, to go back, your
father, on learning of Mr. Silwood's death, sent for
you ; what came next ? "

" He showed me the certificate signed by the
Syndic; it was in Italian, a language neither my
father nor I understand, but a large part of the certi-
ficate was printed, and from our Latin we made out
pretty well what it said. The letter, however, we
could make nothing of, so I went and got a man to
translate it.1"

Gilbert broke off suddenly with a sharp ejaculation.

" You have thought of something, Mr. Gilbert ? "
suggested the inspector, giving him a keen look of
inquiry.

" Yes, I have, and a very important thing it may
prove too. It has been completely driven out of my
mind by the dreadful discovery in Stone Buildings.
Now I remember it, and I believe it may give us the
key to the mystery."

"What is it?" asked Gale, as Gilbert paused, his
face aglow with excitement.

128 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Before I went out to bring the interpreter some-
thing happened," said Gilbert. " Strange that I should
have forgotten it so utterly ! While my father and I
were talking about Mr. Sil wood's death, we were inter-
rupted by a man, who had come in answer to the
advertisement in the hope of getting the reward of a
thousand pounds. The man was as hopeless-looking a
waster and vagabond as any I ever saw, but he spoke
like a man of education. And he told us that late on the
night of the disappearance of Morris Thornton he was
in Chancery Lane, and saw a workman coming out of
the iron gate at the north-east corner of Lincoln's Inn.1'

" That is just where Mr. Sil wood's chambers are, are
they not ? " asked Gale.

" Precisely ; his rooms are on the top floor of the
house at that very corner. Well, this workman be-
haved in a suspicious manner, and then disappeared.
But he returned in about half an hour, and let himself
into the Inn again by the iron gate."

" Wait a minute," said Gale. " You said a work-
man. What was a workman doing in the Inn at that
time of night ? And with a key which unlocked that
gate?"

" These are puzzles, are they not ? "

" You have certainly given me something to think
over. Have you anything more to tell me about this
workman ? "

" No ; our informant did not see him again."

Gilbert now resumed the thread of his narrative,
telling the inspector all that took place when he and
his father went to Silwood's chambers.

The inspector, as Gilbert proceeded, compared his
statement with the report made by the policeman who
had been summoned by the porter.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 129

" What you tell me," said Gale, when Gilbert had
finished, "bears out exactly what my subordinate has
set forth. The coroner has been sent for, and we must
wait till we hear from him. I shall accompany him
when he makes his examination of the body, and I
expect a message from him every minute.11

" Will you let me go with you ? " asked Gilbert.
" You must remember that I am engaged to Mr.
Thornton's daughter, and so" am, therefore, in a
measure her representative."

" I have not forgotten that, and I do not know
that there is any objection. If you will tell me where
I can find you, 111 let you know. I must send you
away just now, for I wish to be alone to think — and
there is a great deal to think of."

" Very well. I'll stay in the waiting-room outside,"
and Gilbert left the inspector to his thoughts.

CHAPTER XV

"As strange a case as any I ever heard of," said
Inspector Gale to himself, after Gilbert had with-
drawn. " Now, what do I know about it exactly ? Let
me see."

Gale was a shrewd man, with an abundance of
sound common sense and an extensive experience in
criminal matters. He also had a certain degree of
imagination, which is the quality the ordinary detective
lacks.

From a cabinet he took some sheets of blue paper
which were fastened together ; they were the memo-
randa he had made of the facts connected with the
disappearance of Morris Thornton. Gale read them
over rapidly but carefully. Putting them down on his
desk, he reflected.

" Moms Thornton, a rich colonial," he thought,
"came to London on July 29th, and put up at the
Law Courts Hotel in Holborn. Late in the evening of
the next day, July 30th, he left the hotel for a walk
in Holborn or perhaps in Chancery Lane — so he said
to the porter. To-day, August 14th, his body is
found in a room at the top of a house in Stone Build-
ings, Lincoln's Inn, that is, on the Chancery Lane side
of the Inn. That looks as if he had carried out his

130

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 131

intention of taking a stroll in Chancery Lane. This
fits in well enough. What next ?

"How did he get up to the room at that time of
night ? The Inn would be closed ; the night porter of
the Inn must have let him in. I must make a note
of that. And what took him there ? He must have
had some object in view. And the room was in the
set of chambers occupied by Mr. Cooper Silwood, one
of the most respectable solicitors in London, and a
member of the very firm of solicitors with whom Mr.
Thornton transacted his business. Could it be that
Mr. Thornton had gone to see Mr. Silwood about some
matter? But surely not at that hour — it hardly
seems possible. Still I must not neglect that phase of
the case.

" As regards Mr. Silwood. As he is now dead, the
thing looks like leading up to a blind wall. He had
been for some time away on a holiday. I must get
the date when he left London. If he was in London
on July 30th, or on the next day, the case would
appear pretty black for him. Then there is the locked
door. The door of the room in which the body was
found had a special lock, and of course a special key,
which Mr. Silwood carried. Some one locked the door
on the dead man ; the only one, presumably, who had
the key to lock it was Mr. Silwood. This also looks
pretty black for him.

" But the motive ? Suppose Silwood did kill Morris
Thornton, what would be his reason ? It must have
been some very strong reason indeed that would make
a respectable solicitor murder an important client.
Most improbable — impossible, one would have said ;
but nothing is impossible, nothing in the world. Yet

132 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

everything points to the deed having been done by
Silwood. The conclusion is obvious.""

At this point in his reflections Gale took a turn
up and down the floor. He was saying to himself, as
he had said to Gilbert, that when a conclusion was
obvious, then it was necessary to beware of it. His
long experience had taught him that obvious con-
clusions rarely turned out to be correct.

"Well, where are we?" Gale mused, sitting down
again. " Let us say Silwood had a motive for murder-
ing Thornton, and did actually kill him, and having
committed the murder, fled the country on the pretence
of taking a holiday — suppose all this ; where does it
land us ? "

Here a curious idea came into Gale's mind. He
considered it doubtfully for two or three minutes;
then, reminding himself of his favourite theory that
nothing was impossible, he gave it tentatively a place
in his thoughts.

" Suppose," he said to himself, " that Silwood is
not dead, and that all this palaver about the certificate
of death from the Italian magistrate is a skilfully
manufactured affair, a mere pretence, in fact, with the
object of defeating justice? If this were so, it would
complete the case with a vengeance. Still, why
shouldn't Silwood be dead? Well, I must look into
it, though the idea that he is alive seems rather far-
fetched."

Far-fetched or not, the idea fascinated the inspector
as it appealed to his imagination ; it haunted him so
that he could not drive it out of his mind.

" Suppose," he kept saying to himself over and over
again, " Silwood is not dead. If he is not dead, what

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 133

does that imply ? Does it mean that there is some
conspiracy, a conspiracy in which the Eversleighs are
involved ? "

Gale pondered deeply. He had the feeling that
somehow he was on the verge of a great discovery; but,
as he thought still further, he was not so sure. It
seemed absurd to connect the Eversleighs with any-
thing of the sort. Finally, he came to a decision.
Rising from his chair, he pressed an electric bell, and
told a man who instantly appeared in answer to his call
to ask Mr. Gilbert Eversleigh to step into the room.

Gilbert, expecting that the coroner had been heard
from, came in eagerly.

" The coroner ? " he asked.

" No, Mr. Gilbert. I wished you to tell me again
the name of the place in Italy where Mr. Silwood died."

" Camajore, in the province of Tuscany — it is in the
north of Italy, on the west coast or a few miles inland."

" Camajore ? " repeated Gale " How is it spelt ? "

Gilbert spelt the word.

" Do you know the place ? " asked the officer.

« Not at all."

"Do you happen to know the best and quickest
way of getting to it ? "

" You would take the train for Genoa, I fancy.
Camajore is only a short distance from Genoa. But
why do you ask me this ? "

"It will be necessary, I think, for us to have the
death of Mr. Silwood confirmed."

"I understand," said Gilbert, but lie had only a
glimmering of the inspector's meaning. " It will be as
well — as a matter of form."

" Quite so." said Gale. " All sorts of inquiries will

134 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

be made, and we must be in a position to answer them.
By the way, Mr. Gilbert, would you mind telling me
if Mr. Silwood was on terms of intimacy with Mr.
Thornton — would you say that Mr. Silwood was as
much of a friend of Mr. Thornton as your father was ? "

" Mr. Thornton certainly knew Mr. Silwood very
well, though perhaps he was hardly on the same terms
of intimate friendship as my father was.1''

" Still there was a considerable acquaintance ? "

" Undoubtedly.11

" Do you think Mr. Thornton knew Mr. Silwood
well enough to go to the latter's rooms at midnight or
thereabouts ? "

" I should scarcely have thought so. It's rather an
extreme thing to go to a man's rooms at that time of
night.11

" But if there was some pressing reason P'1

" Of course, necessity knows no law, but I can't
suppose for one instant there was such a necessity. I
believe that Mr. Thornton's relations with both Mr.
Silwood and my father were of the most cordial
character ; indeed, I am certain they were. There was
absolutely no hint of anything else. I know that for
many years past Mr. Thornton reposed the greatest
confidence in my father's firm.11

" So I understand,11 assented Gale. " Now, Mr.
Gilbert, I must ask you to leave me. I shall tell you
the instant I hear from the coroner."

And Gilbert went out once more.

As soon as he had gone, Gale rang his bell again.

" I cannot go myself,11 he mused ; " I must be
present at the inquest — that is necessary. I must send
Brydges.11

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 135

Brydges was the detective who ranked next to
himselfin Scotland Yard. In a moment or two more
Brydges was in the presence of the chief.

" You have heard about the Lincoln's Inn case ? "
asked Gale.

" Yes, something, but not accurately — just what
they are saying in the Yard."

"" And that is ? "

" That the body of the missing millionaire has
been found in a room at the top of a house in Stone
Buildings, the said room being the sitting-room of a
Mr. Cooper Silwood, a solicitor, a member, in fact, of
the firm of solicitors who did the dead man's legal
business. A very curious position, is it not ? " com-
mented Brydges.

"Very curious indeed. All the more so because
Mr. Silwood too is dead."

" Yes, I heard that also."

" It is with reference to Silwood's death that I want
you just now. I wish you to go to Italy, to a place
called Camajore, some miles from Genoa, and find out
everything you can about his death."

" Ah ! " exclaimed Brydges ; " I see. You think
his death may be a fake ; is that it ? "

" Well, it occurred to me that it might be so ; at
any rate, I think it well worth inquiring further into.
You can leave to-night for Genoa ? "

" Yes, certainly."

" And you will wire the results of your mission in
cipher to me as soon as possible," said Gale.

" Am I to consult the local authorities ? "

" Yes ; 111 have a letter of credentials prepared for
you. You will present it to the police at Genoa, and

136 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

I do not imagine you will find any difficulty. Notv, go
and make your preparations."

Left alone once again, Gale took up the thread of
his musings.

" There is one other point," he thought, " and that
is the presence in Chancery Lane, on the night when
Thornton disappeared, of that mysterious workman,
who possessed the key to the iron gates of the small
footway communicating with the court of Stone Build-
ings and Chancery Lane itself.

" What was it I was told ? A workman, or a man
dressed as a workman, let himself out of the iron gate
late at night ; the man appeared to be flurried, to act
in a suspicious manner. In about half an hour he
returned, and let himself in again. He was seen no
more that night. And it was the night — the night
presumably of the murder.

"This assuredly must be followed up; it looks like
a clue. I must get hold of the waster who told the
story, and hear for myself what he has to say. I
wonder if he spoke the truth, or if he invented the
whole thing. And if this story is true, and if this
workman had something to do with Thornton's death,
how is he to be connected with Cooper Silwood ? If
this workman committed the murder, how did he get
possession of the key to Silwood's chambers ? Perhaps,
during Silwood's absence, he got into the room. Well,
it comes back to getting the date on which Silwood
left London for his holiday — that's what I must
ascertain.""

The inspector had reached this conclusion when
there was a knock at his door, and a constable entered
and informed him that the coroner had sent a message

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 137

to the effect that he was waiting for him in SilwoOCPs
chambers.

Gale called Gilbert, who had been sitting outside
wearily and impatiently, and the two men got into a
cab and drove to the scene of the discovery of the
body. On their way thither Gale put a question.

"I am very anxious to get to know the day on
which Mr. Silwood left London," said the officer ;
"do you think you could find that out for me this
afternoon ? "

" I think the office will be closed, but I'll go and
see, if you like."

" I wish you would. Suppose you go round to New
Square while I go on to Mr. Silwood's chambers ? "

Gilbert agreed, and presently was in the office of
Eversleigh, Silwood and Eversleigh, where, to his
great surprise, he found Williamson still on the
premises, apparently hard at work.

" What a day this has been, Mr. Gilbert ! " cried
Williamson. " I thought I'd wait to see if there was
any more news. Your father and Mr. Ernest have
just gone home. Fm afraid your father, Mr. Gilbert,
is very poorly — not that that is strange, after what has
happened."

"No, indeed," said Gilbert. "Can you tell me,
Mr. Williamson," he went on, "the day on which
Mr. Silwood left for his holiday ? "

"A fortnight ago, exactly, to-day I had a note
from him, saying he was off to Italy. I don't know
whether he went by the night mail on the evening
of the Friday or by the continental express on the
Saturday morning ; he did not mention which train he
was going by."

138 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

"A fortnight ago to-day? That was July 31st.
And Friday was the 30th.11

"Precisely," said Williamson, with a touch of
malice, " and that is the very day — that Friday — on
which Mr. Thornton disappeared. It has a strange
look, Mr. Gilbert ; I can make nothing of it — nothing
at all."

" You are sure of the date ? " asked Gilbert, sharply.

" As I said, it was either on the Friday night or on
the Saturday morning that Mr. Silwood left."

Gilbert, as he went to tell Inspector Gale what he
had learned, could not but confess to himself that the
matter did wear a very strange look indeed.

When he got to Stone Buildings, he saw the
inspector, the coroner, an assistant, and two constables.
It was Gale who spoke.

" The coroner," he remarked, " is having the body
taken to the nearest mortuary, Mr. Gilbert, and he will
report later. Meanwhile, I have made an examination
of these apartments, and I am bound to say that every-
thing in them appears to be in good order. I see no
sign of disorder, no indication of a struggle. And I
have looked into the bedroom, and there also I can
see nothing to take hold of. Mr. Silwood, I should
say, prepared in the most leisurely fashion for his trip ;
not a thing betokens hurry or flurry — this is all satis-
factory enough, so far as it goes."

Gale addressed a few words to the coroner, and
then the body was removed. As Gilbert turned to
leave the room, Gale put his arm on his sleeve.

« What about the date ? " he asked.

" Mr. Silwood left either that Friday night or next
morning — which, is not certain."

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 139

Gale looked at Gilbert, earnestly, but he did not
speak ; his silence was eloquent enough.

" You think," said Gilbert, slowly, " that Silwood
murdered ? "

He did not complete the sentence.

" I say nothing definite, Mr. Gilbert ; but don't you
think it looks that way ? ""

" It is impossible — impossible ! " said Gilbert.

But Gale shook his head.

When Gilbert got to Waterloo, on his way to see
Kitty, he heard at the bookstall people eagerly asking
for the latest editions of the evening papers. On the
placards he saw in big black letters —

"THE BODY OF THE MISSING MILLIONAIRE DISCOVERED.
"Is IT MURDER?"

How was he to tell Kitty, his darling ? What
could he say to her ?

But when he arrived at Surbiton, he was surprised
to find that Kitty showed considerable calmness in the
circumstances.

" I was sure my father was dead,"" she said to him,
as they talked over the discovery of the body. "I
was certain that if he had been alive he would have
come to me. I never had any hope. And, Gilbert,
I do not believe that Mr. Silwood killed him. Why
should he have done so? I wonder if the darkness
which surrounds my father's death will ever be cleared
away ? "

" It is shrouded in mystery at present, my darling,"
said Gilbert, immensely relieved that Kitty was bearing
up so well ; " but perhaps some evidence will be forth-
coming at the inquest. It is to take place on Tuesday.*

140 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" I think I should like to be present," said Kitty,
after a long pause.

"It may be very painful for you, and I do not
believe you will be called on.""

" It is my duty, I suppose, and I must not shrink
from it."

" My own brave little girl," said Gilbert, kissing
her fondly.

CHAPTER XVI

ALL the newspapers had published as full accounts
as they could compile of the Lincoln's Inn Mystery,
dwelling on and emphasizing the extraordinary features
of the case. Determined now to give it the utmost
publicity, Inspector Gale had supplied them with most
of the information at his command, but he took good
care to say not a word about the mission on which he
had despatched Brydges. What he did communicate
to the Press was sufficient, however, to arouse the public
to a still higher pitch of excitement regarding the
whole strange story of Morris Thornton. As a natural
consequence, the room in which the inquest was held
was packed as densely as it could be.

In the mean time Gale had been exceedingly active.
He had not yet received any message from Brydges ;
he did not, in fact, expect to hear from him for a day
or two, if so soon. But he had interviewed Miss Kitty
Thornton and Francis Eversleigh.

From the former he had obtained her father's letter
announcing his coming to England, but he saw the
missive was of no particular importance in itself.
From the latter person he had been able to learn
nothing fresh, but he had a feeling that Francis Ever-
sleigh's state of collapse was much more complete than

141

142 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

the occasion, sad and painful as it was, quite accounted
for, and he asked himself if it were possible that the
solicitor was holding back something from him.

Both Miss Kitty and Eversleigh had somewhat
puzzled the detective, but for entirely different reasons.
Both of them were present in the room at the inquest —
indeed, they sat side by side ; and Gale, secretly watch-
ing them, found himself puzzled again by what had
puzzled him before.

What puzzled him was, on the one hand, the quiet
strength shown by the girl ; and on the other, the
superlative weakness exhibited by the man. He was
astounded by the firm, composed demeanour of Miss
Thornton, but he was even more astounded by the
nervous, perturbed, and almost hysterical condition of
Eversleigh. Gale thought that if the positions of the
two had been reversed, he would have understood it
better.

The truth was, so far as Kitty was concerned, that
having concluded some time before that her father
was dead, and also, after hearing the details of the
finding of the body in Stone Buildings, that it was
in the highest degree improbable that he had been
murdered by Cooper Silwood, she had made up her
mind, in spite of her grief, to take a certain stand.
For she saw that, as the case stood, Francis Evers-
leigh, her lover Gilbert, and the rest of the Eversleighs,
to all of whom she occupied almost the relation of a
member of their family, must rest under a heavy cloud
until such time as the darkness should be lifted.
Therefore, she nerved herself to face this crisis in her
and their affairs with all the courage and determination
she possessed, and to demonstrate by her attitude that

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 143

she, the daughter of Morris Thornton, had every
confidence in them. Gilbert, who knew what was in her
mind, thanked and blessed her, and admired and loved
her more than ever.

Highly intelligent, she did not fail to know that
popular opinion pronounced Cooper Silwood, the partner
of Francis Eversleigh, the murderer of her father, and
she was set on making it plain to all the world that
she did not take that view. As she sat by the side of
Francis Eversleigh she took his hand, and tried to
assure him of her sympathy and support.

As for Francis Eversleigh, his lamentable state was
so evident that no one could behold him without pity.
His face was full of suffering, his eyes were heavy and
dull, his frame was bent and bowed. He tried to
concentrate his thoughts, to fix his wandering wits on
some definite idea, but the slightest effort exhausted
him. All that he was really conscious of was that he
was the victim of an incredibly cruel and malicious
destiny that was slowly grinding the life out of him.
In a blurr of emotions he hazily wondered how he was
to get through the ordeal of the day. And further,
he had a faint suspicion — he was not able to formulate
it clearly — that, when Gale had spoken to him about
the date on which Cooper Silwood had left for his
Italian holiday, he had said something unguardedly — he
could not remember exactly what — to the inspector,
which that officer had regarded as peculiar. He was
trying, with such strength as was left him, to recall it
when the coroner took his seat.

When the jury had been impanelled and sworn,
they, according to custom, went to view the remains —
now hardly recognizable, but in the dead man's clothes

144 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

had been found letters which further identified him,
had there been any doubt. But there was no doubt
whatever that the remains were the remains of Morris
Thornton.

Thereafter evidence was given.

Inspector Gale, between whom and the coroner
there chanced to be a tacit feud, on account of former
differences — a circumstance which later was to have its
effect on the inquest — followed every word with the
closest attention.

First came the tale of the finding of the body.

The locksmith was called, and he recounted his
share in the discovery in Stone Buildings, as already
set forth in this narrative. But he was particularly
questioned about the difficulty he had experienced in
opening the door of Silwood's chambers. In reply, he
described the Yale lock which he had forced to gain
admission to the rooms ; it was a lock of a special
kind, and could only be opened and locked by a
special key.

The lock was now produced and identified by the
locksmith.

A clerk from the makers was then put in the box.
He stated that the lock bore a number in addition to
the name of the firm to which he belonged, and by
tracing the number in their books, they were able to
state that the lock had been supplied to Mr. Cooper
Silwood some four years before, and he mentioned the
precise date. And with the lock they had supplied
two keys ; they had not retained a triplicate. One of
their men, he said, had fixed the lock on the door of
Mr. Sil wood's chambers. Asked by the coroner if the
lock was of the kind that would shut of itself on the

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 145

swinging-to of the door, he answered that it was not ;
it could neither be opened nor locked without the
proper key being used. The door was locked, witness
volunteered, after Mr. Thornton was dead.

" I don't know that you can say that ! " exclaimed the
coroner, sharply. " The door was certainly locked by
some one on Mr. Thornton, alive or dead ; a key was
used, it is plain, but you do not know that Mr. Thorn-
ton was dead at the time ; you have no right to say
that."

** Perhaps not," said the clerk, humbly ; " but it
occurred to me, sir, that if Mr. Thornton had been
alive when he was locked in, he would have tried to
get out. When he found he could not get out by
the door, would he not have broken one of the
windows ? Or maybe he would not have had more
to do than lift a window and cry for help to some
one without."

The coroner agreed that there was something in
what the clerk had said, but he did not pursue this
branch of inquiry further.

" You said," remarked the coroner, " that your firm
supplied Mr. Silwood with two keys ? "

" Yes."

" He never told you that he had lost one of the
keys ? "

" I am positive he never did. If he had lost one,
he would have sent to us for another, surely ; and
then I must have heard of it, for it is my duty
to keep the record of the keys. We have a regular
registry."

" On the other hand, he might lose a key and say
nothing about it ; is that not so ? "

L

146 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Certainly, sir.1'

Inspector Gale wondered not a little at the unusual
line the coroner was taking in his questions.

The clerk was now dismissed, and the Lincoln's Inn
porter summoned. The porter corroborated in the
main the evidence of the locksmith, the only new
point he made being to state that he had been sent
for by Mr. Francis Eversleigh to open Sil wood's
door. He was aware that this particular door had a
special lock, and he had informed Mr. Eversleigh of
the fact.

Then Francis Eversleigh was called, and as he was
plainly very ill, he was given a chair.

The coroner, who knew him perfectly, invited him
to make a statement, and in a weak, halting, hesitating
manner he did so. When it was finished he was asked
a few questions.

"You were aware that Mr. Thornton intended
coming to London ? "

" He wrote to us to that effect, but he specified no
date on which we might look for him."

" You did not know of his arrival in London — until
when ? "

"Until my son, Gilbert, who had been making
inquiries, told me of Mr. Thornton's coming to the
Law Courts Hotel, and of the subsequent disappear-
ance. Thereafter my firm offered a reward for any
information which might lead us to know what had
become of him.""

" Your son Gilbert had been making inquiries —
why?"

Francis Eversleigh, stumbling at every second or
third word, gave an account of the circumstances which

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 147

had resulted in the discovery that Morris Thornton had
come to London, and had thereafter disappeared.

" I was naturally very anxious," said Eversleigh.
" Mr. Thornton was an old and dear friend, and his
only child, a daughter, had lived with us for some
years."

" Was Mr. Silwood also a friend of the deceased ? "

" Almost as much as I was."

" There was no ill feeling between them ? "

" I am quite sure there was not."

" Have you any explanation to offer, or any sugges-
tion to make, regarding the finding of Mr. Thornton's
body in your partner's private apartments ? "

" I can account for it in no way. It is a profound
mystery to me. No one was more surprised than I was
when the body was discovered in Mr. Sil wood's sitting-
room. The shock was so great, indeed, that I fainted
away."

"What was the date on which Mr. Silwood de-
parted for his holiday — I understand he went to
Italy?"

"He went on the very night that Mr. Thornton
disappeared, or the following morning. A note was
received from him on the Saturday morning saying he
was off — that was the day after Mr. Thornton's
disappearance."

Here Inspector Gale interposed, and said it would
be proved that Mr. Silwood left on the Saturday
morning.

The words caused an immense sensation in the room ;
the feeling was general that this had an important
bearing on the case ; in the breast of almost every one
present there was the impression that the dead man

148 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

had been murdered by Silwood. Black despair clutched
at Francis Eversleigh's heart-strings.

Gilbert was next called, and said what he had to
say in a manly, straightforward manner.

Inspector Gale now came upon the stand, and put
before the jury the facts as he knew them. In brief,
he said the facts were that Mr. Thornton, on the
Friday night in question, left his hotel with the declared
intention of going for a walk in Holborn or in Chancery
Lane; that he did not return; and that his body, fifteen
days later, was found in Stone Buildings, which was a
part of Lincoln's Inn, practically in Chancery Lane.
Also, that the room in which the body was discovered
belonged to Mr. Silwood, who had left London the
morning next after the disappearance of Mr. Thornton.
The conclusion was obvious; yet, on the other hand,
there were two considerations to which importance must
be attached : one was the absence of motive on the part
of Silwood, the other was that on the very night of the
disappearance, a man, dressed as a workman, had been
seen to issue from Lincoln's Inn, from the Stone
Buildings end of the Inn, and that he had not been
able to find out anything about this workman. In these
circumstances he suggested that the jury should return
an open verdict.

Gale's reference to the mysterious workman was the
first intimation the public had received of that person ;
it had the effect somewhat of casting doubt on the
certainty of Silwood's guilt.

" An open verdict," said the coroner, with a curious
inflection of voice. " Wait till we have heard the
medical evidence."

Dr. Gilson, an eminent man, called and sworn, said

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 149

that he had made an autopsy on the body, according to
instructions from the coroner.

" With what result ? " asked the coroner.

" I found no trace of violence on the body ; there
was absolutely nothing to indicate Mr. Thornton came
by his death by foul means. On the contrary, my ex-
amination showed conclusively that death came from the
bursting of an aneurism. Mr. Thornton undoubtedly
died of heart-disease. In other words, he died from
natural causes.15

" From natural causes ! "

The thing seemed beyond belief.

The coroner, who had been prepared for what was
coming, glanced at Gale, and on his face was the ghost
of a smile.

Every one in the room looked at every one else with
blank amazement.

" From natural causes ! " they repeated to each other.
Then Morris Thornton had not been murdered after all.
But on reflection they saw that the mystery was not
solved, and now they inquired, how had he come to die
" from natural causes " in Cooper SilwoocTs rooms ?

When Francis Eversleigh heard the doctor's words,
a light of gladness came upon his face. For the first
time for days he seemed to breathe more like a man ;
but like the rest he was astonished and asked the same
question all were asking.

A second doctor, of equal eminence with the other
expert, confirmed the statement of his colleague.

" There is not the faintest shadow of doubt," said
he, " that Mr. Thornton died from the bursting of an
aneurism. He was not murdered, he died from natural
causes — so much is absolutely certain."

150 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

After this there was very little to be done.

The jury brought in a verdict that Morris Thorn-
ton died from natural causes.

But the Lincoln's Inn Mystery was as great as
ever.

NEVER had there been a more baffling mystery.

Morris Thornton, the missing millionaire, had not
been murdered either by Cooper Silwood or the
mysterious workman, either of whom might have been
thought guilty of the crime ; medical testimony, based
on the scientific accuracy of an autopsy, was conclusive
on this point. The man had fallen a victim to heart-
disease, and there was no getting away from the fact.
But a great deal about the case called loudly for
explanation.

Amongst others were such queries being put as:
How did Thornton come to be in Silwood's rooms ?
Had he gone there of his own volition ? If so, with
what object? And once there, what had taken place
prior to his death ? And who had locked the door
upon him ? And did any one besides Silwood have a
key to the rooms ?

It was a curiously tangled skein : would it ever be
unravelled ? or would it take its place among the
many unsolved mysteries of London ? The Thornton
Mystery continued to be the talk, the question, of the
day, and many keen brains set to work upon it. The
popular imagination, too, was powerfully impressed by
the pathos of the idea of Thornton, after years of
striving and success in the land of his exile, coming

151

152 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

home only to meet his death in this strange fashion in
the midst of such extraordinary surroundings.

As for the inquest itself, its wholly unexpected
result filled the general public with astonishment. In
some minds it excited a feeling of alarm, because it
showed how possible it was for a man to pass out of
sight, to be lost and swallowed up, even to die, and all
this take place without the police, the guardians of the
great city's peace and safety, being aware of it.

Both the amazement and the alarm were evident in
that unerring reflex and register of opinion, the Press
of the country. Not a newspaper throughout the land
but commented at length on the subject. They were
at tremendous pains to set forth the whole dark story
with the utmost minuteness. Some even attempted a
solution of the problems it disclosed. And in one
instance, at least, this led to a further development.

The Morning Call, a well-known London journal,
had secretly changed hands ; it had a new editor and
for the most part a new staff ; every man on it tingled
and burned to distinguish himself and cover his paper
with glory. The general line taken by the Call was
the sensational, and the Thornton Mystery was just
the sort of thing out of which it calculated to make
fresh capital. From its point of view, the tame finding
of the jury at the inquest was overwhelmingly dis-
appointing. Westgate, a member of its staff, who had
been present at it, told his chief, that the result was
" simply disgusting." And his chief, with a smile, had
sympathized with him.

Westgate had come from a rival paper known as
the Morning Light, and was a very smart and capable
journalist. From his natural bent, as well as from his

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 153

training, he had made himself an expert of no mean
standing on all matters connected with crime. He
would have been an excellent detective, but the detective
service, which is not recruited from the most intelligent
classes in the world, gave no sufficient salary for a man
of his stamp. As a journalist, he earned twelve hundred
a year, and was well worth every penny of it. Inspector
Gale, the best detective in England, did not get five
pounds a week.

Westgate's chief, who had been editor of the Morn-
ing Light, knew and appreciated the speciality of his
subordinate. Discussing the case after the verdict, he
asked him what he thought of it.

" I don't know quite what to think," replied West-
gate, " but I am not satisfied. There is something in
the affair that does not meet the eye; there is something
behind it all. For one thing, I feel as certain as I am
of being alive that the solution of the mystery rests
with Cooper Silwood. It turns on him as on a pivot.
I take no stock in the tramp's story of his seeing a
workman coming out of Lincoln's Inn on the night
of Thornton's disappearance. If the tramp was in
Chancery Lane at the time he said he was, how was it
he saw nothing of Morris Thornton ? Morris Thornton
was undoubtedly in the Lane — at least it is altogether
likely — at or about the time the tramp said he was
there. But, in any case, who would trust the story of
a tramp by itself ? Why, you can pick up a waster of
the same kind any night of the year you like, and he'll
pitch you any yarn he thinks you want. No, the case
turns on Silwood."

"Well, suppose I grant you that, what then ? If
the solution lies with Silwood, it will continue to rest

154 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

with him, as he is dead. You run your head up against
a stone wall, Westgate. Silwood's death ends the thing
pretty finally.1"

" Silwood dead ! " cried Westgate, pursuing his own
train of thought. " Just think of it ! Isn't it the
strangest thing in the world? In the way of coinci-
dence it beats anything I ever heard of. Consider, for
a second. Suppose, for the sake of argument, it had
been proved that Thornton was murdered, and that the
murder was committed by Silwood, what a fortunate
event Sil wood's dying at this precise juncture would be
for Silwood ! You see that, don't you ? "

" Of course, the coincidence is remarkable, but what
more can you say about it ? Silwood is dead, and that
settles everything — so far as it can be settled. There
does not seem to be much more to say."

"Though it does not appear to be much good,"
persisted Westgate, " still, the key of the situation,
as I said before, lies with Silwood. I wish I knew more
about that man. Personally, I feel certain that Silwood,
when he went off for his holiday that Saturday morning,
locked the door on the dead body of Thornton."

" How you harp on this, Westgate ! You have no
evidence for what you say, either."

" There is a strong presumption, however."

"The exact time of Thornton's death is not known,
yet you are arguing as if it was. You cannot say for
certain that Thornton was dead that morning at all."

" The doctors agreed that Thornton had been dead
about fifteen days when the body was found. That
brings his death pretty well, or, at any rate, very close,
to the time of his disappearance."

" Still there might be a gap of a good many hours."

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 155

" I doubt it," said Westgate, stubbornly. " Let me
tell you what happened, as it seems to me. On leaving
the Law Courts Hotel, Thornton went to Chancery
Lane, got somehow or other into Silwood's rooms, and
died there suddenly a short while afterwards. I am
convinced that he saw Silwood when he got into the
room, and that something occurred between him and
Silwood — I don't even attempt to guess what it was —
which produced such an effect upon his weak heart that
he dropped dead from the shock."

" Your explanation is plausible, but it suffers from
your not being certain that Silwood was there with
Thornton at the time of the latter's death. In assum-
ing Silwood's presence, you assume too much. But go
on with your mapping out of what happened. Suppose
we take your suppositions as certainties, what next ? "

" When Silwood saw that Thornton was dead, he
would ask himself what he was to do," Westgate re-
sumed. "There was the body in the room, and it's
being there had to be accounted for somehow. Silwood,
I am positive, shrank from saying anything about it —
shrank to such an extent that he made up his mind to
fly rather than appear to have any connection whatever
with it."

The chief of the Call shook his head.

"This," said he, "is just where your building up of
the case tumbles to pieces. Suppose Thornton died in
Silwood's presence, why on earth should not Silwood
have said so boldly ? Why should he have run away
as you conjecture he did ? Would it not have been far
easier, safer, better for him to have at once summoned
a policeman and told him what had happened ? "

" But he didn't call a policeman ! " exclaimed

156 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Westgate, eagerly ; " don't you see where that lands you ?
Why did he not call a policeman — why ? Because he
had some strong reason for not doing so. If every-
thing had been absolutely all right, he would, as a
matter of course, have summoned a policeman, and
there would be no Thornton Mystery at all — only the
pathos of the story of a man's career ending in such
swift tragedy ; that would have been all. No ! Again
I say that, for some reason or other, Silwood did not
care to face the world and tell it what took place in
his room that night. Instead of staying to face the
music as an honest man would, he resolved on flight,
and did accordingly fly the country the following morn-
ing. Mind you, I do not say that Silwood knew Thorn-
ton died from heart failure — that is another aspect of
the thing ; he may have believed that he had some-
thing to do physically with bringing about the death
of Thornton. Still, that is not the main thing. The
main thing is that he had some good reason for flight,
and that he did fly.11

The chief said nothing, though a pause on West-
gate^ part gave him an opportunity of speaking.

" It is absurd,11 said the chief at last. " Silwood
belongs to one of the best firms in London. His
partner, Eversleigh, stands at the head of his pro-
fession. You saw him at the inquest.11

" Yes ; he sat beside Miss Thornton. I thought it
rather strange that she should be present at the inquest,
but it was evident she was much attached to Mr. Evers-
leigh in a daughterly way. They say she is engaged
to his son.1'

" Well, Westgate, how does that fit in with your
theories about Silwood, Eversleigh's partner ? "

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 157

" Not very well, I admit, but we are only making
guesses and trying to piece things out a bit. And I
have not yet told you all that is in my mind."

" Go on," said the editor, as Westgate looked at
him for permission.

"I paid very careful attention to the statement
made by Inspector Gale. Now, he's not a great
detective, but he's shrewd."

The chief nodded assent.

" In his statement, Gale never once spoke as if he
thought Silwood was dead."

" What do you say ? " cried the other, aroused at
last. " Did not speak as if he thought Silwood was
dead ! By Jove, that's a horse of another colour."

In a flash he saw that, if Silwood was not dead,
then the theories of Westgate were likely to become
substantialities.

" Gale wanted an open verdict ; he actually recom-
mended the jury to bring one in. He spoke of the
murder being the work of either Silwood or the
mysterious workman — that was before the medical
men knocked the idea of murder into thin air — Gale
was not prepared for that, 111 swear — but he never
once spoke of Silwood as if he thought of Silwood as
dead. I noticed that most particularly. Now, to go
on with our supposings," said Westgate, with even
greater eagerness than he already exhibited, "let us
see where we are. Silwood is announced to have died of
cholera at some outlandish place in the north of Italy.
Perhaps he did, and perhaps he didn't. Say he did
not, and that the whole thing is a plant, a put-up
job?"

Westgate paused abruptly, and looked at his chief.

158 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Of course, I see your point," responded the editor.
" You would say, following out your theories, that
after locking the dead body of Thornton into his room,
Silwood went to Italy, and has somehow or other had
a false announcement of his death sent to England,

O

hoping in this way to cover up his tracks effectually.
But, once more, Westgate, my boy, where is the motive
for all this astonishing business ? "

"That, I confess, I do not know. But if Silwood
is alive, why then, he is to be found "

He broke off and gazed suggestively at the other.

" And you are the man to find him ! Eh, is that
it ? " asked the editor, as quick as lightning.

" If you say the word ! "

Perceval, chief of the Call, leaned back in his chair,
lost in debate within himself for a minute. As a rule,
it did not take nearly so long as that for him to make
up his mind.

" All right,11 he said. " You can go. First, of
course, you will go to this place in Italy and ascertain
if Silwood died, was buried, and all the rest of it. That
may be the end of your search ; but if it is not, why
then go ahead, Westgate. You'll start without delay,
and let me know as soon as possible what you are
doing."

And Westgate went from the presence of his chief,
rejoicing exceedingly on being sent on a mission after
his own heart.

It was therefore more than annoying that almost
the first person he saw on his arrival in Genoa was
Sub-inspector Brydges, Gale's under-study at Scotland
Yard. As soon as he saw him he guessed that Gale
had despatched his subordinate to Italy, to make

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 159

inquiries about Sil wood's death, and a brief conversa-
tion with the officer, whom he often met and knew
perfectly, made this a certainty.

Brydges made no secret of his errand. He had
already wired Gale that he was satisfied Silwood was
dead, and had been buried at Camajore, just as the
inspector had been informed by the Eversleighs. And
he saw no reason for concealing this from Westgate,
after they had had some talk together in which both
of them, metaphorically speaking, put their cards, or
most of them, on the table.

" You can take it from me,*5 concluded Brydges,
"that Mr. Silwood is as dead — as dead as Queen
Anne."

But Westgate was not satisfied.

So he went to Camajore, saw the Syndic, the doctor,
the nurses, and every one besides from whom he could
get any information. The result was always the same.
Silwood had died. The polite Syndic even took him
to see the mound of earth under which lay Sil woods
remains.

" It was no good ? " asked the chief of Westgate on
his return to the office of the Call.

" No good at all," said Westgate, much crestfallen.

CHAPTER XVIII

UPON the Eversleighs the verdict at the inquest had
various effects.

Mrs. Eversleigh had been completely upset by the
discovery of the body of Morris Thornton in the
private rooms of Silwood, her husband's partner, but
she recovered quickly after the verdict, which dispelled
a great multitude of nameless fears that had sprung up
within her mind.

The presence of Kitty at the inquest had been
entirely her own idea, and it had required courage of
an almost desperate sort to carry it out. Her lover,
seeing the strain the girl was putting on herself, tried
to dissuade her from going, but she bravely persisted.
When the verdict was given, and she witnessed the
relief it afforded her friends, she felt far more than
repaid. At the same time, the tragedy which closed
her father's life lay heavy upon her. What helped
her most to bear it was Gilbert's love and unfailing
sympathy. And on the girl herself all these strange
and painful events resulted in materially deepening and
strengthening her character. Hitherto anything of the
kind had been far removed from her.

With regard to Gilbert Eversleigh, he knew not
what to conclude, as all attempts on his part to reason
out the mystery of Stone Buildings invariably ended in

160

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 161

confusion. lie told himself that the secret of the affair
was never likely to be revealed, and was not sure if he
were glad or sorry this should be the case. Yet at
times he had an uneasy feeling that perhaps, after all,
there was more to come.

On the benumbed mind, on the half-paralyzed
faculties, of Francis Eversleigh the verdict for a while
acted like a charm ; for a short time its effect on him
was little short of magical.

He had believed that Cooper Silwood had murdered
Morris Thornton ; what he alone knew made the deed
only too probable. To find, then, that there had been
no murder was a relief to him beyond all words to
describe. For a few days it nearly made a man of him.
He saw that much was dark regarding the death of his
old friend and client, and he was absolutely certain that
in some way or other Silwood was mixed up in it ; but
to know that his partner had not actually been guilty
of the blackest crime in the calendar had a beneficial
influence on him.

The sanguine side of his nature, long overshadowed,
now began to assert itself; he even whispered to him-
self that it was possible his ruin might be averted
after all.

At first he feared that the standing of the firm
might be so gravely compromised by the events which
had taken place that its position would be rendered
hopeless by the withdrawal of their business by its
clients ; but, when then they took no steps in this
direction, the elasticity of his mind asserted itself more
and more. As a matter of fact, a great deal of sympathy
was expressed for him ; several of his clients, indeed,
went out of their way to assure him of their

M

162 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

undiminished confidence and regard. No one for an
instant suspected there was anything wrong with the
firm. The death of Thornton was looked upon as an
inexplicable fatality, that of Silwood as another.

In these reassuring circumstances he took heart of
grace, plucked up courage, and said to himself that
he must make a decided change in his own habits and
methods, and must no longer be easy-going, careless,
and unsystematic, but must work doubly hard, and
do whatever lay in his power to save the situation.
But a man's character is not changed in a day, and
Francis Eversleigh, despite his brave resolutions, was,
at bottom, the same Francis Eversleigh. And with all
the heart in the world to retrieve lost ground, it was
hardly possible for him to do it, even if his affairs had
been in a different position.

His most pressing duty, he knew, was to make that
examination into the business of his firm which he had
purposed making earlier. One morning towards the
end of the week in which the verdict was given, he
came to his office determined to commence a thorough
overhauling of his accounts, but his innate weakness
prevented him from persevering. And, in addition to
the slackness habitual to him, there was another reason
that kept him back. And this reason was Williamson.

Had Eversleigh been a strong man, he would have
made the death of his partner an excuse for this ex-
amination— so natural an excuse, in truth, that William-
son would have thought nothing of it. But he had not
got very far in examining the books when he became
aware that the head-clerk was following all he did with
suspicious interest. The mere fact that Eversleigh was
manifesting unusual activity was enough to excite

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 163

surprise in Williamson. The first shock which the
returning complacency of the solicitor received came
from the thought that perhaps Williamson had a
glimmering of the truth.

Then Eversleigh could not do much in the way of
investigation without referring to Williamson for in-
formation. In any case, Eversleigh saw with fatal
distinctness, that if this process were continued, the
result could be no other than to put Williamson in
possession of the whole circumstances of the firm.
Conscious of this, his good resolves suffered eclipse, and
he once more fell back on the desperate policy of letting
things drift whither they would. But, for a week or two,
matters at 176, New Square, Lincoln's Inn, went on as
if nothing out of the common had happened, or was likely
to happen. Francis Eversleigh, his son Emest, the head-
clerk Williamson, and the other clerks, occupied their
accustomed seats in their accustomed rooms. People
came and went as usual ; deeds were prepared, documents
drawn up, and all the machinery of the office seemed
to be in excellent running order. No shadow of
approaching doom darkened the firm's doors.

Still, Eversleigh knew that he could not continue
his policy of drifting beyond a certain point. It was
part of his unescapable misfortune that the severest
pressure on him came in one way or another from
members of his own unsuspecting family.

In the first place, it was necessary to get another
partner in place of Silwood. This, on various pretexts,
which gave him delay, he put off. He knew that
Ernest must expect to be taken into partnership at
this juncture when a suitable opportunity presented
itself. But to make Ernest a partner meant involving

164 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

the young man in the ruin of the firm — if ruin came,
and Eversleigh in his heart now believed that it was
inevitable — and he was minded not to do this if it could
be helped. But it was difficult for him to resist the
pressure brought to bear upon him. His wife spoke to
him of Ernest, but he managed to quiet her with the
promise that before long the matter would be satis-
factorily arranged. And this was the easier, inas-
much as the poor lady, who had seen the improvement
in her husband's state of health after the verdict,
believed Ernest had only to wait a few weeks and all
would be well.

But the improvement in Francis Eversleigh's bodily
and mental health was only, could be only temporary.
Already drifting like a rudderless ship, he might any
moment founder on the rocks. Deeply involved in a
course of equivocation and deceit, to which there could
be but one end, unless some miracle occurred, the
necessity of continuing in it, added to the other cir-
cumstances of his situation, soon changed the transient
brightness of his spirits into the gloom of that settled
and terrible melancholy which had descended upon him
before. In vain he strove to fight against it, to over-
come it ; his efforts were utterly useless.

The most serious things he had to consider were
the Thornton Estate and the Silwood Estate.

With regard to the latter, he well knew there was
no such thing as a Silwood Estate at all, but he deemed
it essential for the sake of keeping up appearances to
make a pretence that there was such an estate — at
least, until it became evident there was none. Here
the "law's delays," of which he took full advantage,
assisted him ; but then there was Williamson endlessly

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 165

curious and prying. Some of the questions he put to
his principal were hard to answer, and drove Eversleigh
to the verge of madness.

Silwood's room in the office, the japanned box —
always excepting the secret cavity of which no one
knew — the whole office, and finally Silwood's chambers
in Stone Buildings, now free from the embargo of the
law, had been carefully searched for the will of the
dead solicitor ; but no will had been found. Williamson
openly said that the absence of a will in the case of a
man who must have been rich, and who was a lawyer
to boot, was a most singular thing. Undoubtedly it
was this that suggested to the head-clerk something of
the actual fact, namely, that there was a screw loose
with respect to the financial position of the firm. But,
as before, he had nothing definite to go on, and he
never dreamed that the affairs of the house were in the
desperate condition they really were.

But it was the Thornton Estate which troubled
Eversleigh most of all.

Gilbert, as the affianced husband of Kitty, spoke
to his father soon after the inquest about Morris
Thornton's property, and asked him if Thornton's will
was deposited in the office, or if the agents in Canada
had it.

Francis knew there was a will in the office, and was
tolerably sure no other was in existence, but Gilbert's
query gave him a chance of standing him off on the
whole subject for a considerable time. He snatched at
it eagerly.

" We have a will of his," he said to his son, " but
it was executed a good many years ago. I am, in the
circumstances in which you stand towards Kitty,

166 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

betraying no confidence when I tell you that by that
will he left everything of which he was possessed to
her. But it is quite possible there may be a later will.
That is a matter for inquiry. It will certainly be
necessary for us to wait till we hear from the agents in
British Columbia. They have been apprized by cable and
by letter of Mr. Thornton's death, and they must have
seen something of it in the papers — the noise of it has
gone round the world. But we must not move until
we have heard from them. In the event of its being
reasonably sure that there is no other will, we will, of
course, submit the one we have to probate as soon as
may be. I don't think we can do more at present.1'

"I understand," said Gilbert; "you will just
observe the usual routine. I suppose it will be some
weeks, perhaps a month or two, before anything further
can be done. Still, I imagine you can get all the
affairs of his that are in your hands into the best
order."

" Oh," said Eversleigh, with an attempt at lightness,
"that is all right. Mr. Silwood had charge of them,
and now I have."

" I have no doubt, sir, they are all right," said
Gilbert, unsuspiciously.

" Yes, yes. I should say in a month or six weeks we
can go to probate, but it will depend, of course, upon
what we hear from Vancouver. You may be sure there
will be no unnecessary delay."

"I am certain of that," assented Gilbert, readily,
unvisited by the slightest inkling of his father's state of
mind.

Similar pretexts were used by Eversleigh in dealing
with Ernest and Williamson. And so a little time was

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 167

gained, but it was to very small purpose. Once more
the strain on him was fast becoming past endurance.

A fortnight, three weeks, went by, and Eversleigh
had relapsed altogether into his former condition of
deepest dejection, to the alarm of his wife and relatives,
who wondered what in the world could account for it.
But though he had gained respites in the matters that
disquieted him most seriously, he knew that at most and
best they were but respites, and likely to be short ones.
He saw the day of reckoning drawing nearer and
nearer ; that it should come in all probability through
his son Gilbert and Kitty, whom he loved as his own
child, was an aggravation of his sufferings.

It had been the custom of the Eversleighs to betake
themselves to the seaside during the month of August,
but this year, because of all that had happened, it had
not been observed. Francis Eversleigh was entreated
by his family to take a brief holiday, but he de-
clined on the plea there was too much work at the
office. He, on the other hand, besought his wife to
go away for. a change, but she would not, with the
result that the Eversleighs and Kitty stayed on at
Surbiton.

It was now that Kitty, more than all the rest, showed
her affection for him by devoting herself assiduously
to his comfort in the most marked manner. The girl
was fond of him for his own sake, and was he not
Gilbert's father? In many little ways she tried to
cheer him, and to drive away the dark shadow that
enveloped him. And all these loving attentions were
so many fresh stabs to the miserable man.

As the days ran on, Eversleigh was a prey to constant
apprehensions; he was haunted by the dread, from

168 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

moment to moment, of something happening which
would lead to exposure.

And come it did, but from an unexpected quarter.

It came in the form of a demand for a large sum of
money, and it came from Harry Bennet, a man whom
Eversleigh had almost forgotten, particularly as Harry
had for some time been a stranger at Ivydene.

This demand meant ruin.

CHAPTER XIX

THE demand from Bennet was contained in a short
letter, and the sum he asked for was ten thousand
pounds.

With a curt explanation that a horse on which he
had put a great deal of money had disappointed him,
he said it was now necessary for him to have this amount
immediately. He went on to say that he knew they,
his solicitors, had no ready money of his in their hands,
but they would undoubtedly be able to advance it on
the security of Beauclerk Mansions, which he directed
them to sell. However, to sell them to the best
advantage might take some time. Would they, there-
fore, anticipate the proceeds of the sale to the extent of
the sum asked for, and repay themselves afterwards
when the sale was effected ? He was sure that the
Mansions would fetch far more than ten thousand
pounds.

Though the period had been marked by events so
important as to cause it to seem of considerable length,
but a few weeks in reality had elapsed since Harry
Bennet had proposed to and been rejected by Kitty
Thornton. Like all the world, Bennet was not igno-
rant of what had happened in the Eversleigh circle,
but he was completely absorbed by his turf speculations.

169

170 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

He had not quite forgotten his purpose of being re-
venged on Gilbert, but for the time it slumbered.

After Goodwood, all through the month of August,
Bennet followed the round of race-meetings with un-
impaired zest ; sometimes he was successful in his bets,
but far more frequently he was a heavy loser. He had
soon spent the considerable sum he had made during
his Goodwood campaign, and now was hard pressed
for funds. He had already managed to dissipate the
whole of his once extensive patrimony, with the ex-
ception of the large block of flats called Beauclerk
Mansions, which he now told his solicitors to put on
the market.

In ordinary circumstances there would have been
no difficulty in getting an immediate advance on the
property, which was worth far more than ten thousand
pounds, as Bennet said. But Cooper Silwood had
changed all that.

Williamson, who now watched, as a cat a mouse,
Eversleigh as he had watched Silwood, had put the
letter into his principal's hand with the remark that
it was such a pity Mr. Bennet was ruining himself;
he seemed bent on going headlong to destruction !

Francis Eversleigh merely nodded, read the letter,
and said dully that he would attend to the matter him-
self presently.

At first he was not without hope that all was well,
and that the advance could be procured. But a brief
examination showed him that Beauclerk Mansions no
longer stood in • Bennefs name — they had been sold
during the preceding year, as he shortly discovered, by
Silwood. Amongst other things, this of course meant
that Silwood had forged Bennefs signature. But, at

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 171

the moment, Eversleigh did not stop to think of it ;
the one damning fact which stood forth with frightful
distinctness was that Beauclerk Mansions were already
sold.

" What am I to do ? " groaned Eversleigh.

He considered if there was any way by which he
could raise the money ; but ten thousand pounds is a
large sum, even to a rich man, when it has to be put
down in cold cash. Still, the credit of the firm was
unimpaired, and for a few brief moments Eversleigh
permitted himself the luxury of imagining his bankers
would advance the amount. But he knew they
would not do so without security, and he was certain
he had none to offer. Silwood had taken care of
that.

" What am I to do ? In Heaven's name, what am I
to do ? " Eversleigh asked himself, while his heart
seemed to be contracting under the unrelenting grip of
a hand of iron.

Ruin, black ruin !

It was coming very near, very near !

And worse than ruin.

Infamy !

Again, as often before, he saw the convict's cell, the
desolate home, the wife and children whom he loved
for ever disgraced.

The cold sweat of terror, of despair, stood on the
brows of the wretched man, who shook and trembled as
with palsy. He had a swooning sense that he was
standing in the midst of a dissolving world, a wreck
amidst a myriad of wrecks all whirling on to some dark
abyss. He felt as if his brain were giving way under
these repeated shocks ; then a merciful blankness and

172 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

vacuity of thought and impression suddenly descended
upon him.

Williamson, coming into the room later, found
Eversleigh in a faint stretched across the table.

The head-clerk regarded his principal curiously ; then
he proceeded, before attempting to resuscitate Eversleigh,
to look carefully over the papers lying on the table.
Amongst them, however, he saw nothing that was of a
specially suspicious character, unless it was Bennet's
letter. Having satisfied himself on this point, William-
son next endeavoured to revive his master.

"I am afraid you're trying to do too much," he
observed to Eversleigh, when the latter had recovered.
" Now that Mr. Silwood is gone, your work is doubled."

" Oh, I'm all right now ; it was just a passing
weakness," replied Eversleigh. Then he noticed
Rennet's letter and glancing from it to Williamson,
said, " I must not forget to see about getting the
money as soon as possible for Mr. Bennet. I don't
suppose there will be much trouble about getting it.
But it will take a day or two to arrange."

" In the mean time," asked Williamson, " shall I
look out the deeds of the property ? "

" No," replied Eversleigh, with a shiver, which he
tried to hide successfully ; " there will be time enough
for that when I have got the advance arranged for."

" Yes, sir ; but should not a notice of the sale be
drawn up at once, and the matter otherwise put in
shape?"

" I am not without hope," said Eversleigh, slowlv,
" that there may, after all, be no necessity to sell the
Mansions. It's a fine property, and it would be a good
thing if Mr. Bennet could keep it. A mortgage for

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 173

the ten thousand may be sufficient. Ill mention that
when I write Mr. Bennet to-day."

Williamson bowed and retired, mutely asking him-
self what was the particular thing or reason that had so
affected his principal as to cause him to faint. Could
it be, in any way, he wondered, connected with Bennet ?
No ; on reflection, he thought it could not be that, for
Eversleigh's references to the matter had been quite
natural. Yet the head-clerk opined there must be
some reason.

" I believe," he told himself, after long considera-
tion, " the best course for me to pursue would be to
resign and get out of it all.

But he did not resign.

That afternoon Eversleigh wrote Bennet a reply in
which he stated the loan Bennet required would doubt-
less be obtained very soon, but two or three days might
elapse before the preliminaries were concluded. Then
he expressed the hope that a mortgage on the Mansions
for ten thousand pounds might be enough to extricate
Bennet from his difficulties, and in that case the sale
need not be proceeded with. But if the Mansions
must be sold, he trusted plenty of time for advertising
would be allowed, otherwise they might have to be
disposed of at a considerable sacrifice.

In a word, it was exactly the kind of letter a
solicitor who had nothing behind in his mind, would
write a client in Bennefs position.

Here, again, Eversleigh was playing for a respite ;
but here, again, he did not deceive himself — he knew
that the end was fast approaching.

The bitterness of death took hold of him. When
he went home that evening he scarcely touched any

174 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

food. As soon as dinner was over, he rose from the
table, and, saying he would go out for a walk by the
river, left Ivydene. For a long time he paced up and
down in a great agony of mind. Three courses were
open to him. One was to go on as long as possible —
till the crash came. The second was to file his petition
in bankruptcy, in which case exposure was inevitable.
The third lay before him — in the broad bosom of the
river gliding past him ; a plunge, and all would be
over.

The last, as a final solution of all his difficulties,
had a strong attraction. It see\ned so easy, and called
for so small an effort. There was a fascination in the
flowing water, in its softly murmurous motion. He
looked at the river, and then dared not look longer.
It seemed to cry to him, " Come to me ! come to me !"
Then he strode away from it into the high-road ; but
it drew him back again, for still he heard it calling,
calling, " Come to me ! come to me ! "

Moving out of the shadows of the trees on the
terrace, he walked slowly, listening to that sinister
voice, while he looked at the dark spaces of the water
where the river lay in its deepest pools.

But as he walked, still within the shadows, he came
upon a pair of lovers, and he stopped to watch them.

The lovers were his son Gilbert and Kitty
Thornton.

Their faces looked forward along the path, and they
did not see the man standing in the shadows. The
girl leaned lightly on Gilbert's arm, and was speaking
low and softly to him. As she uttered the words,
Gilbert patted the little hand that rested on his arm.

On Kitty's face was something that had not been

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 175

there a month or two before, and which now imparted
to it a touch of gravity. Perhaps her face was just a
little sad. And yet she was not feeling sad, for the
man in the shadows heard her say —

" Oh, Gilbert, it is good to be in love ! Life now
would not be worth living without love."

A passing boat attracted the attention of the pair,
and they stood to observe it. Behind them was Francis
Eversleigh.

"I feel as if I could not exist without you now,
Gilbert," said the girl, moving on again.

" Nor I without you, darling,"" answered Gilbert,
tenderly.

Then in silence they went on their way.

When they were out of hearing, Francis Eversleigh
heaved a great sigh, and followed them with tottering
steps. The siren voice of the river had died out from
his ears ; it called him no longer.

" I must struggle on to the end," he said, and
returned to his house.

About noon next day, Bennet, who had pressing
reasons for getting at once the ten thousand pounds he
had asked for, looked in at 176, New Square, Lincoln's
Inn, and requested to see Francis Eversleigh.

" How are you, Harry ? " inquired Eversleigh, when
he saw him.

Bennet had not seen the other for a considerable
time, and he was immensely struck by the altered
appearance of the solicitor, so he answered that he was
very well, but regretted to notice that Mr. Eversleigh
appeared to be in poor health.

" Well," said Eversleigh ; " you have no doubt
heard Fve had much of a painful nature — Mr. Silwood's

176 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

death and Mr. Thornton's — to try me recently. I have
felt these blows very keenly.1'

" Of course you would," responded Bennet. " About
this money, Mr. Eversleigh, I am sorry to trouble you,
but I must have it at once."

"At once!"

" Yes, to-day if possible."

" It's not possible."

"Then to-morrow. I should like you to push on
with the sale of Beauclerk Mansions. I do not desire
a mortgage on the property. It must be sold out-
right."

"But, Harry "

" Pray spare me, Mr. Eversleigh. I know you wish
to expostulate with me, and I know the kindness which
inspires you to do so, but I have quite made up my
mind. Can I have the money to-morrow ? "

" I'm afraid not, Harry. It's not so very easy to
raise so large a sum in a day or two — there are all
sorts of formalities, you know."

" It ought not to be difficult, surely. These Ken-
sington properties are first-rate and should find ready
purchasers. And Beauclerk Mansions are in the best
situation too. I am certain they must be in splendid
order, for I never receive complaints now from the
tenants. You remember that two or three years ago
the tenants often sent me complaints direct instead of
writing to you. Well, there has been nothing of the sort
for a long while. I know Mr. Silwood was a splendid
manager. What a pity it is you lost him ! I haven't
been near Beauclerk Mansions for many a month
— no need, you know, thanks to Mr. Silwood's ability.
I am sorry to lose the property, but go it must.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 177

I suppose it will realize thirty or forty thousand,
won't it ? "

" I dare say it will."

" Then an advance of ten thousand should be easy
to get."

" Yes, yes," agreed Eversleigh ; " but it will take a
few days."

" I must have it to-morrow, sir — to-morrow. I can-
not wait any further than that."

"Well, Til do what I can," said Eversleigh, with a
choking gasp ; " I'll do what I can."

"I'm certain you will be able to manage it," said
Bennet, rising and going to the door. There he stopped
and turned to Eversleigh. " Do you know," he said ;
" I think I'll run down on the Underground to High
Street, and take a look at Beauclerk Mansions — a last
fond look," he added with a grin and disappeared.

At four o'clock in the same day he was back again
at Lincoln's Inn, and there was a strange expression on
his face as he climbed the stairs to Francis Eversleigh's
room.

CHAPTER XX

As Bennct entered the room, Eversleigh looked at him
and forced a smile, but he turned livid when he observed
the other's aspect. There was no smile on Ben net's
face, but something disquieting and even threatening
appeared upon it. Eversleigh, seeing it, said to him-
self that the expected day of reckoning had indeed
come. His first feeling was almost one of relief, but
that soon gave way to a determination to make as much
of a stand as he could. He tried to encourage himself
by thinking that Bennet had always been a friend of
his and of his family. Unaware that Kitty had preferred
Gilbert to Bennet, and of the sentiments Bennet now
had with respect to his son, he had some hope that it
might be possible to " do something with Harry," as he
phrased it vaguely to himself.

" Well, Harry, back again ? " he said, trying with a
prodigious effort to speak calmly. " I did not antici-
pate seeing you so soon."

" Yes, Mr. Eversleigh," remarked Bennet, bluntly ;
" I have returned pretty quickly, because I desired to
see you immediately with a view to asking you for an
explanation of a circumstance which puzzles me ex-
tremely. Still, I dare say you can clear the matter up.
It is about Beauclerk Mansions. I have just come from
them this very minute."

178

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 179

As Bennet had come in Eversleigh had stood up ;
he now sank into his chair. Harry remained on his
feet, gazing at the solicitor, and there was a note of
anger in his voice as he addressed Eversleigh.

"An explanation, Harry," said Eversleigh, waving
Bennet to take a seat beside him. " About what ? "

" Well, Mr. Eversleigh," said Bennet, drily, " when
I left you this morning I told you I would take a run
down to the Mansions to have a last look at them ; do
you remember ? "

" You made some little jest of it," returned Ever-
sleigh, nervously.

" Yes ; I was trying to appear light-hearted about
it ? I was not light-hearted really. But that does not
matter in the slightest degree. I did go to the
Mansions "

Bennet stopped, as he was in doubt what to say next.

" You went to Beauclerk Mansions ? " said Ever-
leigh ; " and "

" I'll tell you as exactly as I can what took place.
On the pretext of inquiring if there was a flat to be
let, I got into conversation with one of the porters. I
saw the man did not know who I was. He told me
there were two or three desirable flats vacant ; would I
care to look over them ? I don't know quite why I did
it, but I thought I would take a glance at the vacant
flats, keeping the porter in talk the while. You follow
me ? " asked Harry, breaking off as he saw the eyes of
the solicitor wandered over the room.

Eversleigh was listening, but not carefully ; he
guessed well enough what Bennet would tell him, and
he was casting about for some appeal that would touch
Bennet and induce him to stay his hand.

180 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Oh yes," he responded ; " I am following you
perfectly, Harry."

" As I went over the flats with the porter," Bennet
resumed, " I noticed the property was in very good
order, and I remarked to the man that it must be well
managed and be very valuable. The porter replied
that the property was well managed, especially since
the new management had taken it up. I was surprised,
as you may imagine, to hear of a new management, but
I naturally supposed that you or rather Mr. Silwood,
had made the change. I asked how long the new
management had been in power, and was told it had
been for about a year."

Bennet paused, gazed at Eversleigh, and repeated,
" About a year."

" About a year," said Eversleigh, mechanically.

" The porter went on to say," continued Bennet,
" that he understood the property had been in new
hands for that time, and that was why it was in such
good order — the new broom was sweeping cleaner than
the old. When he spoke of the property being in new
hands, I thought it more than a bit odd, and I asked
him in whose hands the property now was. He gave
me the name of a firm of house-agents of whom I have
heard before, but not in connection with your firm, Mr.
Eversleigh. This surprised me again, and I put the
question if he knew who was the owner of the property,
and he answered that it belonged to a company,
named ' Modern Mansions, Limited.' When he said
this, I looked at him in amazement, but I saw that
he was in earnest, and stated what he believed to
be true."

Again Bennet stopped and fixed his gaze on

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 181

Eversleigh, but the solicitor said not a word — he
opened his lips as if to speak, but remained silent.

" You do not speak, Mr. Eversleigh ! " cried Bennet.
" Well, let me finish my story. He had told me that
the property belonged to 'Modern Mansions, Limited,1
and he so surprised me that I blurted out that I
thought he must be wrong, and that I had understood
it was owned by a Mr. Bennet, whose father had been
the original proprietor. ' No,' said the man ; ' it did
belong to him, but he sold it to the company just
about twelve months ago ! "

Bennet paused once more, as if to give Eversleigh
an opportunity of making a remark, but he did not
avail himself of it.

" Still you do not speak ! " cried Bennet. " But to
finish with my yam. I felt positively certain that the
porter was making a big mistake, as I knew I had not
sold Beauclerk Mansions, but I thought I would carry
my inquiries a step further. Therefore, keeping up the
pretence of wanting a flat, I asked the porter if he could
get me a copy of the agreement or form of lease for a
flat ; no doubt, I said, there was a regular form to
be had in the office of the company. That was so,
he thought ; would I go with him to the manager's
office ? Well, I did go, and I got the form ; here it is,"
said Bennet, taking a printed paper from his pocket
and placing it before Eversleigh.

" Not that there was any need of that as proof the
Mansions were mine no longer," Bennet continued. " I
had a short talk with the manager, and I soon had no
doubt about it. Now, Mr. Eversleigh, you have heard
what I have said. I demand an explanation from you.
What have you to say ? "

182 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Eversleigh looked at Bennet, then at the ceiling,
then at the floor, but could not find speech.

" Have you nothing to say ? What meaning, Mr.
Eversleigh, am I to place on your silence ? Why don't
you speak ? "

Hitherto Bennet, believing like all the rest of the
world that there could be nothing wrong with so
eminent a firm as Eversleigh, Silwood and Eversleigh,
had supposed there might be some explanation of these
curious circumstances ; he was suspicious, but imagined
there might be a possible justification. What he could
not understand was why Eversleigh had written and
spoken to him as if the Mansions were still his. Evers-
leigh's silence now told him quite unmistakably
there was something very wrong about the whole
matter.

" Why don't you speak, Mr. Eversleigh ? " he asked,
roughly, springing from his chair and towering over the
solicitor.

" Harry," began Eversleigh, brokenly, shrinking
before the angry eyes of his client, " Harry, your
property, as you know, was in Mr. Silwood's depart-
ment of the office. Mr. Silwood "

But Eversleigh paused tongue-tied ; there was a
slackening of the muscles of his face. He seemed on
the point of collapse.

As Bennet regarded the solicitor the expression of
his face become horrible ; all the evil of his life seemed
suddenly stamped upon it ; it was cruel, fierce, brutal,
devilish. He saw that Eversleigh had no explanation
to offer; he realized that he had been the victim of
fraud, and that his property was gone — it had been
stolen from him by his solicitors ! As this came home

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 183

to him, his mood was little short of murderous, and it
must be admitted there was some excuse for him.

" Silwood's death," he said harshly, " does not matter
to me in the, least. He is dead, and it is you that I
have to deal with. What has become of my property ? "

Harry's rough tones made Eversleigh shrink still
more, but he managed to speak.

" Mr. Silwood is dead," he quavered, wishing the
while that he was dead too. "But his death is so
recent that there has not been sufficient time to go
into all his affairs.""

" I care nothing for his affairs. What has become
of my property ? Tell me that."

" You must know, Harry, that Mr. Silwood's death
has made a great difference to me."

" It has nothing to do with rne. What has become
of my property ? "

" It is possible," said Eversleigh, weakly, " that
there may have been things in his department that are
slightly irregular. No doubt," he went on more firmly,
" he thought he was acting in your best interests when
he sold your property."

" Sold my property," repeated Bennet, with a fierce
snarl. " If he sold it, what did he sell it for ? And
where is the money ? w

Eversleigh was mute.

" Again you have nothing to say ! Now I ask you
just one question. Did you know, or did you not
know, when you wrote me yesterday that you would
procure the advance of ten thousand pounds on the
property, that it had been sold already? Answer me ! "

Bennefs eyes blazed with rage and menace as he
thundered the last words at Eversleigh.

184 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Eversleigh partly rose from his chair, clutching as he
did so at his collar ; then he sat down with a loud groan,
covered his face with his hands, and broke into sobs.

Bennet stood over him and shook him violently.

" You did know,1' he shouted. " You knew all the
while that my flats had been sold. Do you know what
you are ? You are a thief and a swindler — that's what
you are ! "

" Harry," pleaded Eversleigh, feebly.

"Don't call me 'Harry,'" replied Bennet. "You
have lied to me and stolen from me. I must think,"
he wound up, as he released his hold of the other and
walked up and down the floor.

Meanwhile Eversleigh's sobs subsided, and he
ventured to look at Bennet. Bennet noticed the
glance at once.

" I believe," said he, " if I did what I ought to do,
I should have you arrested at once for fraud ; but I
don't see that that would do me any good."

"Harry," said Eversleigh, haltingly, "I was your
father's friend, and I was never unkind to you."

" Never unkind to me ! What have you done with
my money?"

" I never had a penny of it."

" Oh, you put the blame on Silwood ! He is dead,
and cannot deny the charge."

"I never had anything to do with selling your
property, Harry. I did not know it had been sold
until a day or two ago — until yesterday, in fact."

" But you did know when you wrote me. You lied
about it."

" I did," acknowledged Eversleigh. " I could not
help it. Consider how I was situated ! "

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 185

" You were to get me the ten thousand pounds,
and to pretend to sell the Mansions ? "

"That was it."

" You can get me the ten thousand ? "

" No ; that was a pretence too. I cannot get you
the money.1"

" Worse and worse ! " exclaimed Bennet. " What
has been done with the money ? "

" Mr. Silwood might have told you, I cannot. I
had none of it, I again assure you,"" protested
Eversleigh.

Bennet now sat down.

" Let us understand each other," he said. " So far
as I make the matter out, the position is this : you state
Mr. Silwood disposed of my property and appropriated
the proceeds — is that it ? "

Eversleigh bowed.

" What do you intend doing ? "

" Nothing. What can I do ? "

Bennet sat very still, thinking what was the best
course for him to take.

" Do you suppose," he asked at length, " that Mr.
Silwood was guilty of other — irregularities ? "

" How can I tell ? For many years Mr. Silwood
attended to all the financial business of the firm, and I
never concerned myself with it at all. And now I can
only find out very slowly and gradually how matters
stand."

" Have you no capital ? No means of your own ? "

" No. I have always lived up to my income — you
know how I have lived, Harry, for you have often
shared my hospitality," said Eversleigh, appealingly.

" Oh, your hospitality be ! " cried Bennet,

186 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S IN7N

rudely. " How does that help either you or me now ?
If anything, it makes matters worse. What I ought
to do is just what I said. I should go to another
solicitor, tell him how the case stands, and in a short
time you would be in prison. But what good will that
be to me ? I must think everything over very care-
fully. I shall not be precipitate."

Eversleigh held up his head a little.

" Thank you, Harry," he said.

" I'm not thinking of you," rejoined Harry, brutally.
" One word, however. How many people know about
my property being disposed of — in this irregular manner
by Silwood ? " asked Bennet, sarcastically.

" No one but myself."

" Can I depend on that statement ? "

" Absolutely."

" Well, I shall take no action to-day. I am going
home now, and to-night I'll make up my mind. I shaJl
see you again to-morrow, and tell you what is my
intention."

And Bennet strode out of the room. As he de-
scended the stairs he almost cannoned against Gilbert
Eversleigh, who was going up to see his father. Bennet
hardly returned the salute Gilbert gave him, but the
sight of his successful rival had given him an idea.

CHAPTER XXI

"I SHALL see you again to-morrow, and tell you what
is my intention," were the words with which Bennet
had left Eversleigh, and they rang in the ears of the
solicitor like a knell. He knew he was in Bennet's
power, and as he thought of Harry and the character
of the young man he told himself it was useless to
expect mercy or even consideration of any kind.

"The day of reckoning," he moaned, "has indeed
come."

He asked himself if there was any one to whom he
could appeal for assistance in his extremity ; but he
could think of no one, and even if such a friend had
existed, it would now be too late to appeal to him for
help, because Bennet knew enough — and more than
enough — to send him to prison.

This was in his mind when Gilbert, passing up the
stairs on which he had encountered Bennet, came into
his father's room. For one moment he had a wild
notion to tell his son everything, but quickly decided
against it.

"I met Harry Bennet just now,"" remarked Gilbert,
"and he seemed in a bad humour, to judge from the
glance with which he favoured me. I suppose you have
been giving him a lecture?"

Giving Bennet a lecture !
187

188 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

The irony of the thing smote Francis Eversleigh.
Again he wondered if he should tell Gilbert everything,
and put some of the burden on the strong shoulders of
his son ; but no, he could not do it. And what could
Gilbert do to help him ? "

"Oh no," said Eversleigh, in reply to Gilbert's
question ; " I did not lecture him. He wanted money
at a moment's notice, and I told him he must wait a
little."

" I see," responded Gilbert, and the conversation
passed to other topics.

When Francis Eversleigh went home to Ivydene
that evening he believed it more than probable that
he was going to it for the last time for many years,
as he felt certain Bennet would have him arrested
next day. After a sleepless night of agony and re-
morse, he took a mute but infinitely pathetic farewell of
the place and the loved ones whose abode it was, before
leaving it.

" D'you think you are well enough to go to the
office to-day ? " asked his wife, doubtfully.

" Yes, dear," he replied, with more than usual
tenderness in his voice. " I'm quite well, and perhaps
since Mr. Silwood's death, I give in too much to
business worries ; but there is nothing really the
matter."

And he embraced her very fondly after he had
said this, wondering in his heart what she would think
of him when she knew the truth, as she likely would
that very day.

Then he went to meet his fate.

His fate proved to be better and worse than he
had expected.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 189

The solicitor had scarcely arrived at 176, New
Square, Lincoln's Inn, when Bennet made his appear-
ance.

" Well, Harry," said Eversleigh, timidly, on seeing
him.

" I have thought this business over," Bennet de-
clared, " and I have come to a determination. I shall
not prosecute you. I shall take no action in the matter,
but there's a condition."

Francis Eversleigh could hardly believe his ears
when he heard Bennefs words, "I shall not prosecute
you."

Involuntarily he gave a great sigh of relief.

But then there was a condition, Bennet had said.
What was it? He was thunderstruck when he heard
what it was.

" I am willing not to prosecute you," continued
Bennet, coolly, " on oneVondition, and on one condition
alone. You have acknowledged your guilt, but there
is one way in which you may make good your — debt,
let us call it — to me."

" Yes ? " asked Eversleigh, as Harry stopped for an
instant.

" It is the case," said Harry, speaking sharply, " is
it not, that your son Gilbert is engaged to Miss
Thornton ? "

" Certainly," replied Eversleigh, in a puzzled tone.

" You have a great deal of influence with your
son ? "

" Naturally."

"You and he are on the best of terms — many
fathers and sons are not — but you and Gilbert are very
good friends."

190 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

"Undoubtedly."

"If I prosecute you, you will be convicted and
sentenced ?"

Eversleigh did not answer.

"Your conviction,11 Bennet went on remorselessly,
"will infallibly cover Gilbert with disgrace, to say
nothing of the other members of your family; his
career at the Bar will be blighted. Is that not the
case ? "

Dry-lipped Eversleigh heard, but he could not
trust himself to answer.

"Gilbert will be ruined — you know that is so.
Now, do you think, with this hanging over him, he is a
proper person to marry Miss Thornton ? Of course, he
is not.11

Eversleigh groaned.

" Harry, spare me ! " he cried.

But Bennet had no idea of sparing him.

" Your son Gilbert must not marry Miss Thornton ;
you must prevent him from doing so. Do you under-
stand?11

" But this is monstrous, Harry,11 protested Evers-
leigh ; " my influence over Gilbert is not great enough
for this.11

" If that is so, then so much the worse for you.
But not only must you use your influence with Gilbert,
you must also bring it to bear on Miss Thornton.
You must tell her that she must not marry Gilbert.
Now, do you understand ? "

"I understand,11 returned Eversleigh, speaking for
the first time during the conversation with some firm-
ness ; " but what you wish is impossible. Gilbert and
Miss Thornton Jove each other. Gilbert is a man, he

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 191

is not a child, and Miss Thornton is a woman and not
a child either. Is it likely that anything I said to
them would make them break off their engagement ? "
" Gilbert and Miss Thornton love each other !"
These words were gall and wormwood to Bennet.
The sight of Gilbert the previous afternoon had
revived his dormant desire for revenge, and after
much thought he had come to the conclusion to
tell Francis Eversleigh that the price of his silence
with regard to the fraudulent sale of Beauclerk Man-
sions was that the solicitor must use pressure to get
the match broken off, and not only that, but also to
induce the girl to marry him. It was rather a mad
scheme, and if Bennet had really considered it fully he
would probably have decided against suggesting it.
It never struck him that he was conniving at fraud ; if
it had, he would not have been deterred. He was a
headstrong, reckless man, determined to get his own
way, rightly or wrongly, and to get it whatever
happened.

" Wait," he said ; " I have not finished yet. You
must break off the match. How it is to be done I
leave to you. You will find some means of doing it.
The main point is that it be done. There must be no
misunderstanding on that head. But there is more
to be said : you must not only break off the match,
but you must forward my suit with Miss Thornton.1'1
" Your suit with Miss Thornton ! " cried Eversleio-h.

O

" Yes ; perhaps you were not aware that I proposed
to her, but I was too late. She had already accepted
your son. You never heard that she rejected me ? "

" I did not know it."

Eversleigh's thoughts went back to that day— the

192 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

awful, fateful day in which Silwood had confessed his
embezzlements — on which he had given Gilbert a hint
of Bennet's advances to Kitty, and how, at the time he
had given it, life stretched before him bright and fair.
He shuddered as he recalled all that had happened
since.

Bennet, watching him intently, saw the shudder
that shook the frame of the solicitor, and, not knowing
what was passing through the other's mind, misinter-
preted it.

"The idea of my proposing to Miss Thornton
makes you shudder, is that it ? " he asked fiercely and
angrily. " It becomes you well — you, the cheat, the
embezzler, the swindler."

Eversleigh looked at Bennet helplessly.

" You disapprove of me, you dare to disapprove of
me for her ! " Bennet continued. " Surely I am as
good as your son ! " he exclaimed with violence, " the
son of a thief ! "

" Gilbert is as honest as the day," said Eversleigh,
stung into speech.

" I know nothing about that," cried Bennet, scorn-
fully. " But this is all beside the mark. Gilbert is
nothing to me ; why should I consider him ? He stands
between me and Kitty Thornton, and it will be your
part to remove him from my path."

" How am I to do it ? How am I to do it ? " wailed
Eversleigh.

Bennet regarded him with contempt.

" That lies with you," he said pitilessly. " I have
already made that quite clear. And you must speak to
Miss Thornton and tell her — oh, tell her anything,
but tell her that she must marry me."

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 193

" Suppose I did tell her that, do you imagine that
it would weigh with her, if it was not backed by some
very strong, some overwhelming reason ? " asked Evers-
leigh, struggling to speak calmly with the young man.
"And what reason can I give? I cannot perform im-
possibilities. Surely you must admit that ? "

" I admit nothing," snarled Bennet viciously.

The two men looked at each other; Eversleigh's
face bore a hopeless and beaten expression, Bennefs
was savage and implacable.

For a space there was silence between them.

On Bennet Eversleigh's last words had made a
certain impression, and he was asking himself if, after
all, his scheme would not work : he felt not the least
pity or compassion ; but what if he had indeed set
Eversleigh a task beyond his powers to accomplish?
As he conversed with Eversleigh, he saw that what in
his own home the previous evening had seemed a
simple enough thing, was not simple at all. He saw
that if Eversleigh, at his bidding, told the lovers that
the match must be broken off, it did not at all follow
they would consent — unless they were told that in
this way, and this only, Eversleigh would be delivered
from some great and imminent danger. " Well,"" he
thought, " that is what Eversleigh must do, and for
the same reason Kitty must be brought to consent to
marry me.""

"You will speak to your son and Miss Thornton
to-night ? " Bennet said aloud.

" To-night ! "

" Why not ? The sooner the better, surely ! "

"Harry," said Eversleigh, making a last effort,
"just consider the position."

194 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" What else am I doing ? " Bennet broke out rudely.

" Have patience a moment, if not for my sake, then
for your own. You wish me to tell Gilbert, whom by
the way I shall not see to-night, that he must have his
engagement with Miss Thornton cancelled. Gilbert
knows perfectly that his marriage with Miss Thornton
is the thing next my heart, and he will require from
me an explanation. Am I to tell him the truth ? And
it is the same in Miss Thornton's case. Am I to tell
her the truth also ? M

"Certainly. Why not, pray?1" asked Bennet,
ruthlessly.

" I do not believe Gilbert will consent.1'

" He will, fast enough, to save you ; for in saving
you is he not saving himself and his career?"

" But Miss Thornton,1' argued Eversleigh, " is not
my child. She is of age. She is her own mistress. I
have no power over her. How can I compel her to
marry you ? "

Bennet stood in sullen silence.

"She would marry me to save you from a convict's
cell," he said at last. " But as I understand you to
mean that you will not speak to her on this matter,
I tell you what I'll do. I shall go to her myself, and
tell her all I know. If she consents to marry me, then
I shall spare you ; if she refuses — you can guess for
yourself what will take place. And this is my last
word," added Bennet, and stalked out of the room.

CHAPTER XXII

Ox leaving Francis Eversleigh, whose feelings at the
turn events had taken were poignant beyond description,
Harry Bennet went as fast and as straight to Surbiton
as the train could carry him. As he neared Ivydene,
he was visited by some slight compunctions, but these
he soon overcame and thrust out of his mind.

On inquiring if Miss Thornton was at home, he
was told by the maid, to whom Bennet was no stranger,
that Miss Thornton and Miss Helen Eversleigh were
out, but were expected in very shortly. Mrs. Eversleigh,
however, was in ; would he not come in and see her ?
But Bennet, who had no wish to see Mrs. Eversleigh,
excused himself and withdrew. He did not go far
away, but hung about the house waiting till the two
young ladies should appear. And presently, when
they came into view, Bennet at once went to meet
them.

When the girls saw him, they beheld him with very
different emotions. There was a smile of welcome on
Helen's face, which showed she was glad to see him again,
and that perhaps also she still, in her heart, was not ill
disposed towards him ; at the same time, she wondered
why he had not been near Ivydene for so long a time
and this imparted a certain eagerness to her greeting of
him. But Kitty received him coldly. Both the girls

193

196 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

were in deep mourning, and Bennet thought he had
never seen Kitty look better. The coldness of his
reception he put down to the grief she must be feeling
for her father, and for an instant he was inclined to
doubt if this were the proper time to speak to her on
the subject which had brought him to Surbiton, but
his hesitation was soon over.

There was something strange and unnatural in
Bonnet's manner as he saluted the girls. So marked
was it that even Helen Eversleigh could not help
noticing it. Kitty observed it instantly, and she drew
an augury of evil from it. Since her rejection of the
young man she had almost forgotten his existence, so
much had happened in the interval. Now, as she
looked at him, her distrust of him returned.

Yet his first words somewhat disarmed her, though
the tone in which they were uttered was hardly what
she would have expected. She saw he was labouring
under some strong excitement.

" I have not seen you, Miss Thornton," he said,
hoarsely, "for some time, and I had meant to write
you a note of sympathy, but — but — I was so "

"I understand," said Kitty, as Bennet paused,
embarrassed.

" It was very sad for you," remarked Bennet.

" Yes," said Kitty, simply.

The three were now close to Ivydene, and Helen
Eversleigh invited him to come in. Bennet stopped in
the road, and did not at once reply ; the others stopped,
too, regarding him curiously.

Then, to the surprise of the girls, Bennet said,
addressing Helen Eversleigh —

" Would you mind leaving us, Miss Eversleigh ;

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 197

there is something I wish to say to Miss Thornton?"
Then he turned to Kitty and observed, gruffly, " It is
something very important, Miss Thornton, or I should
not trouble you. Indeed, I have come on purpose to
tell you of it."

Kitty bowed gravely, and Helen, greatly astonished,
retired to the house, saying as she went —

" Come in when you have had your talk. You
won't be long, I suppose.11

But neither of the others answered.

" Is it something you have to tell me about my
father t " asked Kitty, who at once supposed that Bennet
had in some way or other obtained information respect-
ing Morris Thornton.

" No, Miss Thornton,11 answered Bennet, bluntly.
"It is about something quite different that I wish to
speak to you."

" But if I do not wish to listen to you ? " asked
Kitty, suddenly alarmed.

" You must,11 insisted Bennet.

" Must ! " cried Kitty. " You take a very strange
tone. I shall not listen to you, Mr. Bennet.11

And she moved a step from him.

He strode beside her, and put his hand roughly on
her arm.

" I am in earnest," he said, his eyes gleaming bale-
fully. " You must hear me unless you wish the worst
to happen to those people in there.11

He waved his hand toward Ivy dene.

" Miss Thornton," Bennet went on, more calmly
when he saw the girl gave heed to him, " it is in your
power, and in yours alone, to save your friends, the
Eversleighs, from the gravest disaster."

198 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Kitty stared at him, thinking the man must have
gone mad.

; " I repeat,"" Bennet continued, " that it is in your
power, Miss Thornton — do you understand ?— in your
power, to avert a great danger, a terrible disaster, from
the Eversleighs."

" I do not understand you in the least," said Kitty.
" Will you please explain yourself ? "

" You will listen, then ? " asked Bennet, tauntingly.
" And you will do well to listen, if you have any
regard for these people."

" Will you explain, please?" asked Kitty, impatiently.

" Yes ; but I shall have to trouble you to hear rather
a long story, but without it you would not understand."

" Go on," Kitty answered.

" I must commence by speaking of myself," said
Bennet. " I had need of a sum of money — ten thousand
pounds, and I directed my solicitors, Eversleigh, Silwood
and Eversleigh, to get it for me by selling a property
in Kensington called Beauclerk Mansions, which belonged
to me — at least, I believed it belonged to me. I knew
that the sale of the property was not likely to be
effected immediately ; it had to be advertised, and so
on. But I did want that ten thousand in a hurry. So
I wrote the Eversleighs, and, knowing the Mansions
were worth far more than the sum I asked, requested
them to make or procure me an advance of the monev,
and to repay the loan from the proceeds of the sale.
Do you understand, Miss Thornton ? "

" Perfectly ; though I do not see why you should
imagine it is interesting or important to me," replied
Kitty.

" I am coming very quickly now to that," returned

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 199

Bennet. "I wrote the firm as I have told you, and
received a communication in reply from Mr. Eversleigh,
Mr. Francis Eversleigh, who said that lie could not get
me the money at once, but would do so in the course
of a few days. But there were reasons for my having
it without delay, so I went to see Mr. Eversleigh, and I
saw him this morning/'1

Bennet paused, and looked meaningly at Kitty ; he
saw that she was following him closely.

" You saw Mr. Eversleigh, you were saying," she
observed.

" I saw him, told him I must have the money, and
he put me off, but said there would be as little delay
as possible. With that I had to be content, though I
was disappointed. I had nothing particular to do for
the rest of the day, and it occurred to me to go to
Beauclerk Mansions, and take a last look at them. I
was in a bad humour, and the thing fell in with my
mood. When I got to the Mansions, can you guess
what I discovered ? "

" How can I ? " inquired Kitty, wonderingly.

" The discovery was an accidental one," Bennet
resumed, " but there was no room for doubt about the
matter. I found out that Beauclerk Mansions no
longer belonged to me. They had been sold some
twelve months before to a company named 'Modern
Mansions, Limited."11'

And now Kitty began to see something of what
Bennet was about to tell her, and she gazed at him
apprehensively.

"The property had been sold!1' she exclaimed.

" Yes ; without my authority, and by my own
solicitors, Eversleigh, Silwood and Eversleigh."

200 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Surely, there was some mistake," suggested the girl.
" I thought so myself, at first," responded Bennet,
"and I promptly went to Mr. Eversleigh and asked
for an explanation. But, Miss Thornton,'" he went on,
impressively, " there was no mistake. Mr. Eversleigh
put the blame of the sale on his dead partner, Silwood
— that may be true, or it may not, in either case it is
nothing to me — but he confessed that the property had
been sold. No account was ever rendered to me — in a
word, the sale was a fraudulent one. Out of his own
mouth, Eversleigh stood convicted of fraud."

" I cannot believe it ! " cried Kitty, " there must be
some dreadful mistake."

" The law, Miss Thornton, will not call it a mistake.
It will call it a crime. I have but to say the word,
and Francis Eversleigh will be arrested, in due course,
tried, and convicted."

Kitty stood and faced the man, her eyes full of
indignation.

" Mr. Bennet," she said, " I have known Mr. Evers-
leigh for years, and I cannot credit what you say."

"It is quite natural for you to say so. I could
hardly take the thing in myself at first, but there is not
the slightest doubt of the truth of what I have told
you. Francis Eversleigh is in my power, and I make
no scruple in telling you so."

Bennefs air, Kitty acknowledged to herself, was not

that of a man who spoke falsely, whatever else it was ;

she was afraid that he did in very deed speak the truth.

" You do not scruple to tell me this," she said ;

" why do you tell me about it at all ? "

Bennet looked at the beautiful girl, and her beauty
maddened him.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 201

" It is because I love you," he said boldly.

" Because you love me ! You take a strange way of
showing your love. What do you mean ? "

" I said that Eversleiglfs fate was in my hands ; I
should have said it was in yours, Kitty."

" In mine ? "

" Yes, in yours, in your pretty hands, Kitty. You
have but to command me, and, so far as I am concerned,
Eversleigh remains a free man. I will not seek to have
him arrested if you tell me not to do so."

"And what more, Mr. Bennet? Is it that your
love for me dictates this generosity ? Oh, if that be
so, I thank you with all my heart."

" I do not want your gratitude, Kitty. I want you.
I will only stay my hand on condition that you promise
to marry me. There, is that plain enough?"

" To marry you ! " exclaimed Kitty. " You know
very well that I am engaged to Gilbert Eversleigh."

" Oh, Gilbert ! " said Bennet, contemptuously.
" After what I have told you about his father you would
never dream of marrying him ! "

Kitty's eyes suddenly blazed.

" Take care what you say ! " she cried.

The passion in her eyes did not daunt him ; on the
contrary, he admired her spirit, and his desire to marry
her waxed stronger.

"Am I to understand, then," he asked deliberately,
"that you prefer to see Gilbert Eversleigh disgraced,
for disgraced he will be when his father is a convicted
felon ? "

Kitty started ; she felt as if she were in a trap.

Bennet saw he had at last made an impression.

"You can ruin Gilbert, too, if you like," he

202 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

continued; "the fate of both father and son rests
with you.1'

He thought he had said enough, and so was silent,
The girl \valking by his side was also silent. If what
this man said was* true, and she was afraid it was,
what a frightful calamity had suddenly come upon
her ! Her heart sank within her, all the sweetness of
life and love were on the instant turned to bitterness
and gall.

" You can ruin Gilbert," Bennet had said ; she could
ruin the man she loved ! And Francis Eversleigh, the
kindly man, who had been a father to her ! And Mrs.
Eversleigh and the others ! She could ruin them or
save them — so Bennet had said. Her word would save
them !

Bennet fancied he knew the debate which was going
on within the giiTs breast. At length Kitty came to
a decision.

" Do you want an answer now ? " she asked.

" At once ; yes or no ? "

" You know that I do not love you ? "

" I love you, and you will come to love me."

" Never, never ! " she cried wildly.

Bennet frowned heavily.

" You will, you shall, you must," he vowed.

" You cannot force love," said the girl.

" Now, Miss Kitty," said Bennet, roughly ; " I do not
wish to discuss that with you. Give me your answer !
Will you marry me, yes or no ? Or is Francis Evers-
leigh to go to prison ? "

" If I marry you, how will that protect Mr. Evers-
leigh?"

" I will give him a receipt in full for whatever his

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 203

firm owes me. I will give you the receipt, if you like,
and you can give it to him.1'

"'Mr. Bennet," said Kitty, " I shall tell you what I
am willing to do. You have told me some strange
things ; they are so strange that I find a difficulty in
believing them. Yet I am afraid," went on the girl,
honestly, "that they are true. But surely I have a
right to ask that these statements of yours be confirmed.
If you will give me till to-morrow — if you will come
then, I will give you my answer."

"And pray what will you do in the mean time?"

" I shall speak to Mr. Eversleigh."

« Very well," said Bennet, after a moment's thought.
" He will not deny the truth of what I have told you.
I agree. I will be here at noon to-morrow for your
decision. Only remember that the fate of the Evers-
leighs is in your hands, as I have said, and in yours
alone."

And he turned and left her.

CHAPTER XXIII

ON entering the house, Kitty went at once to her own
room, though she knew Helen Eversleigh would think
it strange, perhaps even unkind. " But she will never
imagine why it is," thought the girl; "she will sup-
pose Bennet had something painful to tell me about
my father.1'

Kitty Thornton was a brave woman, and she had
brains as well as courage ; she sat down in her room,
and deliberately set herself to consider the situation in
which she now found herself. The conversation with
Bennet had occupied but a short while, and she had
hardly realized all it meant for her. Now, sitting there
quietly, she went over it again. On the face of it,
what he had told her about Eversleigh seemed im-
probable in the extreme, but she recalled the positive-
ness of his assertions and the air of truthfulness and
certainty with which he had made them. It was clear
to her that Bennet believed he did hold the fate of
Eversleigh in his hands.

Then she thought of Francis Eversleigh. In her
mind's eye she saw him as he had appeared to her in
her girlhood — handsome, generous, large-hearted, kind-
ness itself. Her instinct told her that he was not
formed of the stuff out of which the thief and the
swindler were made. And she recalled Bennetts words,

204

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 205

" Mr. Eversleigh put the blame of the sale on his dead
partner Silwood" — Silwood, the man in whose chambers
her father's body had been found ; yes, Kitty had no
doubt whatever that if any one was guilty, he was the
criminal. She remembered Silwood's appearance very
well, and she contrasted it with that of Eversleigh, to
the great advantage of the latter. It was incredible
that Eversleigh was a bad man. But though not actu-
ally guilty, was he a party to the guilt of Silwood all
along, and therefore guilty in that sense ? Or had he
discovered what Silwood had done only after Silwood's
death ? Well, she must wait until she had heard what
Francis Eversleigh had to say.

For, after all, these were minor points. In all likeli-
hood, she concluded, Eversleigh would confirm Bennefs
statements. If so, what then ?

And, now, Kitty Thornton had need of all her
courage.

The fate of the Eversleighs was in her hands ; she
could save them, but at what a price !

The sacrifice of her own happiness.

She could save them, but only by condemning herself
to misery for the rest of her life.

As she sat thinking, thinking of the wretchedness that
must be hers as the wife of Bennet, the poor girl closed
her eyes, as if thus she could shut out that blank and
dreary prospect. She had no illusions as to the nature of
the man. In her heart she called him a bully and a
brute, and she knew he was a desperate gambler. Her
life with him could be nothing but one long horror.

" I cannot marry him," she said, rebelling against the
harshness and bitterness of the dilemma thrust upon
her,

206 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" But what then ? " she asked herself.

She knew Bennet would keep his word did she
refuse to marry him ; Francis Eversleigh would be
arrested, and he and his family overwhelmed in one
common ruin.

" How can I permit it ? " she said.

Hitherto she had striven to keep the thought of
her lover, Gilbert, out of her mind, so as to be able to
reason more clearly, but in its background Gilbert had
always been. She loved him with her whole heart, and
it was seldom that, consciously or unconsciously, she
was not thinking about him. She had looked forward
with pride and joy to being his wife. And now ?

Bennet had declared that Gilbert's father's ruin
would be Gilbert's ruin too.

And she could save him.

" I must, I must," said Kitty, bravely, but her
heart was cold as ice. " Cost me what it may, I must
save him from ruin."

She told herself that it was her duty to make this
sacrifice for her lover's sake, and she tried to steel her-
self to the idea. But when she thought of the long
and bitter years that lay before her as the wife of Harry
Bennet, her courage grew less and less.

" I must not think of that,"" she said ; " if I do, I
shall break down. I must think, and think only, of
saving them from the ruin which threatens them all."

Still the tears would come into her eyes. She
wiped them away, however, and when she went down to
dinner showed no traces of them. Her eyes were
suspiciously bright, and the spots of colour on her
cheeks were less brilliant than usual, but her aspect
was so little different from what it generally was that

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 207

even Helen Eversleigh, who looked at her inquiringly
when they met, did not observe any change in her
appearance.

Francis Eversleigh was at the head of the table,
and from time to time he shot a quick glance at her.
He had heard from his daughter, Helen, that Bennet
had called that afternoon, and he felt sure Bennet had
told the girl all. He expected she would speak to him
on the subject after dinner, and he dreaded it. What
would she say to him ? What would she do ? What
had she said to Bennet ?

Kitty had always been fond of Francis Eversleigh,
and as she caught one or two of these glances of his,
and knew the secret of his anxiety, she pitied him and
smiled at him encouragingly. Like the other members
of the Eversleigh household, she had noticed for weeks
how poorly he had looked. Now, as she sat at table
with him she told herself she knew why it was — he had
been carrying in his breast the knowledge of his
partner's crime. She felt so sorry for him, that for a
time she almost forgot how black her own future was
likely to be.

After dinner she and Eversleigh withdrew from the
dining-room together, and went into the library. This
move excited no surprise in the others, who supposed
it accounted for by there being some fresh development
with regard to her late father's affaire which required
immediate attention.

Eversleigh left it to Kitty to begin the conver-
sation.

" Mr. Bennet was here this afternoon,7* she said,
steadily ; " and he told me something which astonished
and pained me more than I can express."

208 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Kitty stopped, expecting Eversleigh to speak, but
he only looked at her sorrowfully.

" He told me," said Kitty after a pause, " that some
house property of his, which was entrusted to your
firm, had been sold without his consent or knowledge,

c5 "

and that the money had been misappropriated. Is it
true?"

" I regret to have to answer, Kitty, that it is too
true," replied Eversleigh, falteringly. "It is only
too true," he repeated, shaking his head sadly, "too
true."

" Won't you tell me all about it ? " asked the girl.
" I do so wish to help you if I can," she cried
earnestly.

"Kitty, you are, as you always have been, a dear
sweet girl," responded Eversleigh, with twitching lips
and tears standing in his eyes ; "but I am afraid you
can do nothing."

" Perhaps I can. But let me know, will you not,
how this frightful thing has come about ? " she urged.

"It is a dreadful story, a shameful story, Kitty. I
have tried to act for the best "

He broke off with a sob.

" I shall never believe you were guilty of anything
criminal ! " she exclaimed.

" I did not steal the money ; you are right, if that
is what you mean, dear; but the law will hold me
guilty."

" I did not imagine for a single instant that you
had taken any one's money wrongfully. Mr. Bennet
said that you told him the money was taken by Mr.
Silwood."

" Yes, yes," returned Eversleigh ; " that is true."

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 209

" Besides yourself and Mr. Bennet and me, does any
other person know about this — trouble ? "

" No, not a soul.1'

" Then it is only Mr. Bennet you have to fear ? "

" Yes ; but is that not sufficient ? "

" I am afraid it is. Still, if there was to be found a
way of satisfying him, would that release you from
further worries of the same kind ? "

"Kitty," said Eversleigh, speaking with much
emotion ; " Kitty, I shall not pretend not to under-
stand what you refer to when you talk of finding a way
to satisfy Bennet. He told me what he intended doing
— how he was to disclose to you that my fate was in
his hands, and to declare to you he would not prosecute
me if you would promise to marry him. It seems to
me a monstrous proposition — that you should sacrifice
yourself for me. No, Kitty, you must not marry him.
You must leave us to our fate."

As Eversleigh said these words, there was a ring in
his voice that had long been absent from it. He
really meant what he said.

" I shall not leave you and the others to their fate,"
cried Kitty ; " you are all dear to me — and then," she
said shyly, " there is Gilbert. Mr. Bennet declares
Gilbert will be involved in your ruin ; that is," she
added gently, " if you were found to be a party to —
irregularities; then, in that case he would be com-
pelled to give up the Bar."

Eversleigh nodded gloomily.

" I fear that would be so," he said with a gasp.

" Gilbert is dearer to me than myself," Kitty went
on, blushing a little, " and I must save him if I can."

Neither spoke for a few minutes.

p

210 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" You are a brave, heroic woman," said Eversleigh,
at last. " But Gilbert will never consent to your
sacrificing yourself in this way."

"Gilbert need not know until you are safe out of
Bennetts grasp," suggested Kitty. " And do you not
see that I am between two fires," she continued ; " so
that I must yield myself? If the worst befall you,
then you, dear Mrs. Eversleigh who has been a mother
to me, your sons and your daughter, will be made
miserable for ever ! Oh, I cannot think of it ! And
then there is my love for Gilbert ! No," she sighed in
a whisper ; " I cannot ruin him."

" You are a noble girl," said Eversleigh, with deep
feeling ; " but I, we — even Gilbert — have no right to
expect such a sacrifice from you, Kitty."

The girl did not at once reply. Instead she gazed
thoughtfully at him.

"I wonder if there is no other way of satisfying
Mr. Bennet ? " she asked.

" I do not know of any."

" Could you not take the money you owe him out
of my fortune ? Oh, I would give him the half of all I
possess — nay, the whole of it, if that would satisfy him."

" Kitty," said Eversleigh, in so despairing a voice,
that it made her start in a sudden terror that he was
about to do something desperate. " Kitty, I see I must
tell you everything. Indeed, I should have told you
everything sooner, but I am a weak, cowardly wretch.
For nearly two months I have endured tortures every
hour and every moment, ever since the day Silwood
told me that he had embezzled — that is the bitter word
— and appropriated to his own use for speculations on
the Stock Exchange the money and property of our

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 211

clients — yours, Kitty, along with the rest. And I,
fool that I was, never knew anything of it ! I suspected
nothing. It was the expected coming of your father
which made Silwood speak out. Kitty, the part of
your fortune which was in our charge has gone — it
does not exist."

Kitty was silent.

" Why do you not reproach me ? " inquired Evers-
leigh. " There is nothing you would say that I should
not deserve.""

And then he saw she was crying quietly. But
it was not for the loss of the greater part of her
fortune.

" How you must have suffered ! " she said, through
her tears.

And now the man broke down helplessly and wept
like a child.

" I must save him," she said to herself with deter-
mination. " If there is no other way, then I must
many Mr. Bonnet."

But even while she felt strong enough to carry out
her purpose, there was a great cry of desolation in her
heart ; she tried to still it with the thought that there
was something in the world even higher than love.

CHAPTER XXIV

AFTER Kitty had left Francis Eversleigh she would
have preferred to retire to the seclusion of her bed-
room, but she knew that if she did so it would cause
surprise to her friends and lead them to guess something
was amiss. Anxious to spare them, she forced herself
to join them in the drawing-room, and sat for an hour,
taking her part in the general talk. Then, saying she
was rather tired, she withdrew.

Between the making of a heroic resolve likely to
cost the maker dear, and the carrying out heroically
of all the resolve entails, there is, unless resolve and
deed go swift together, room for many changes of feel-
ing not unlike the rising and the falling of waves.
Within Kitty's breast the waves rose and fell that
night, now bearing her aloft so that the sacrifice of
herself seemed easy, now burying her in depths which
made it appear impossible.

She did not really waver in her determination ; her
mind was made up to save the Eversleighs from the
calamity which threatened them. What troubled her
most was the way in which she should communicate
her decision to Gilbert. She knew that he loved her
with all the strength and passion of a strong nature,
and he knew that she loved him. And now she must
tell him that she was not going to marry him, but

212

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 213

Bennet, the very man, in fact, against whom she had
warned her lover, and whom, she was well aware, he
detested. How was she to break the news to him ?
How tell him so that he would understand her decision
was irrevocable ?

For one thing, he must not know why she was
breaking off their engagement. Francis Eversleigh had
assured her that Gilbert was unconscious of Silwood's
frauds ; indeed, she had not required any such assur-
ance. And she was determined that he should not
know from her. She saw, then, that she could give
him no explanation. She must just tell him bluntly
she had changed her mind. But, in that case, what
would he think of her? what must he think of her?
And that she should choose Bennet of all men !
Gilbert could not but misunderstand her. He must
think her deceit itself.

It was this thought, more than any other, that sunk
her deep in gulfs of despair.

And then she told herself that this, too — this re-
nunciation of the good opinion of her lover, this mis-
understanding she must subject herself to — was part of
the price she had agreed to pay to save him and his
father from ruin. "And Gilbert," she said in her
heart, " will never know what I have done for
him. He will deem me fickle, false, base, a cheat and
a lie!"

And then a sort of rage came upon her, and she
asked why this fate had been thrust upon her; what
had she done to be made the victim of such outrageous
fortune ?

"Why should I suffer thus cruelly?" she cried
rebelliously. " Is there no escape ? "

214 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

She thought of what she had said to Francis
Eversleigh — how she would gladly give up her wealth
to Bennet if that would satisfy him. And now she
remembered that the whole of her fortune was not
lost, for there was still a considerable portion of it in
Canada. Could she not make a bargain with Bennet ?
She resolved to try, but she did not believe she would
succeed.

If she failed, and she felt she would, and was com-
pelled to agree to marry Bennet, then it would be
impossible to stay any longer with the Eversleighs;
she must make arrangements for leaving them at once.
They, too, would think her hateful and detestable. It
was all very bitter !

"Yet they must never know," said Kitty, ponder-
ing darkly all these things through the long blank
hours.

In the morning she saw Francis Eversleigh alone
for a few moments.

"Kitty," he said, in a shaking voice, "you must
not sacrifice yourself. It is not right. Tell Bennet
to do his worst. We must bear it as best we
can."

There was a brave smile in the girl's eyes as she
answered him.

" I have decided," she responded. " You need have
no fear. If there is no other way, 111 marry Mr.
Bennett

Then she stopped and looked at him earnestly.

" It may not be necessary," she remarked. " Per-
haps the money and property I have in Canada will be
enough to satisfy him."

" Kitty, Kitty," cried Eversleigh, " I do not know

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 215

what to say — do not know how to tell you, but I so
love and admire you ! But you must not blight all
your sweet young life for me — it is not right. As it
is, you suffer enough at my hands in the loss of the
greater part of the fortune your [father worked so
hard for."

The girl took his hand and pressed it gently.

" I have made up my mind," she said gravely.

Eversleigh, unable to speak, raised her hand to his
lips, and kissed it.

Punctually at twelve Bennet made his appearance
at Ivydene. He found Kitty waiting for him in the
shrubbery in front of the house.

"I have come for your answer," he said, without
prelude. " Is it Yes or No, Miss Thornton," he asked
excitedly.

"Will you listen to me first — just a moment," she
pleaded, as she saw the impatient working of his face ;
" only a moment ? "

" Well," Harry replied grudgingly ; " what is
it?"

" If you will tell me how much Mr. Eversleigh owes
you, I will pay it to you — every farthing," replied
Kitty.

Bennet shook his head with an almost savage
gesture.

" Miss Thornton," said he, " you will not understand
me. I have told you that I love you. And all's fair
in love and war. I am glad to have this hold on you
— glad to think that if it is even against your will I
have such a chance of making you marry me, and I
shall not relinquish it. Don't you see, Kitty, I should
be a fool to give you up ? "

216 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" I will give you twice the amount Mr. Eversleigh
owes you, if you like."11

" It is useless, quite useless, to make any proposition
of that kind," said Bennet, who, of course, thought
that the girTs money would come to him in any case.
" Will you marry me, yes or no ? "

" But you know, Mr. Bennet, that I do not love you.
You know that I am engaged to Gilbert Eversleigh ? "

" Gilbert Eversleigh ! " cried Bennet, with a fierce,
scowling, threatening expression. " Why should I con-
sider him ? He took you from me ; if it had not been
for him, perhaps you would have loved me. I hate
and loathe the very sound of his name. I should like
to see him disgraced and ruined, but I am foregoing
that gratification because I love you. I would rather
marry you than wreak my vengeance on him, and to
give up this opportunity of revenge is no slight thing
for me to do."

" He has given you no cause for such feelings ! "

" Cause enough," said Bennet. " But all this is
stupid. For the last time, I tell you that the fate of
the Eversleighs is in your power. Will you send
Francis Eversleigh to prison, or will you marry me ?
That is the issue. And you must answer at once ; I
will be trifled with no longer."

Kitty, however, did not speak.

There was a sudden panic in the giiTs heart. She
was asking how could she bring herself to marry this
man, with his coarseness and brutality.

" It is No, then ! " exclaimed Bennet. " You doom
your friends to hopeless ruin and infamy."

" Mr. Bennet, the answer is Yes," said Kitty, her
voice quivering, but her heart once more steadfast.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 217

"You will marry me? "asked Bennet, a note of joy
in his rough tones.

" Yes, to save the Eversleighs."

" You will marry me soon ? "

"Mr. Bennet, you must remember that my father
has only been dead a few weeks."

" Kitty, now you have promised to marry me," said
Bennet, and he spoke with an accent of sincerity, " I
will remember anything you like to ask me to remember,
for I do love you. But you will not keep me waiting
too long ? "

Having gained his object, Bennet tried to drop the
bully and to become the lover.

" You do love me," said Kitty, scanning his face.

« With all my soul ! "

" And yet your love is not strong enough to make
you give me up — even when you know I do not love
you, and that my love is another's ? "

" Oh,'I am not that sort of man ; I am uncommonly
human. When I see my chance I go for it with all my
might ; and here is my chance come by wonderful luck,
and I take it. What an ass I should be not to take
it ! Do you blame me so much for doing so, when you,
Kitty, are the prize to be won ? "

Confident now that he had carried the day, Bennet
spoke quite pleasantly. He even attempted to put his
arm round the girl, but she would not let him.

" Mr. Bennet," she said, the colour burning in her
cheeks, " I have promised to marry you, and I shall not
break my word, but I do not love you. Pray spare

me until — until " And she stopped with a slight

choke.

Bennet swore under his breath.

218 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Aloud he said, "As you please, Kitty,11 and stood
frowning at her heavily.

o •/

"My promise to you,11 Kitty reminded him, "is
conditional on your giving Mr. Eversleigh a full dis-
charge from all his indebtedness to you.11

" Yes. You shall have the necessary document
from me on the day of our marriage ; that is fair, is
it not ? "

" Will you not let me have it now, or very
soon ? "

" I'm to give everything and get nothing ? " asked
Bennet. But even as he put this question he told him-
self there was no danger of the girl going back from her
promise, and that he might safely let her have the dis-
charge. Still, if he did so, it must be on terms. So
he continued, " Til tell you what 111 do. Ill give you
that discharge the first time you kiss me.11

Kitty, though her heart felt like breaking all the
while, smiled a wan assent.

" Is it a bargain ? " he inquired.

And she nodded.

"You shall have the discharge,1' cried Bennet,
"as soon as it can be prepared. Does that content
you?11

" Yes,11 said Kitty, and there was a pause.

" My proposed marriage to you,11 said Kitty, speak-
ing again, " will bring about some changes. It is quite
plain that I can stay no longer at Ivydene with the
Eversleighs — they will not understand why I am acting
as I am doing, and, indeed, they must not suspect why
it is. I shall have to invent some plea — some excuse.
Until I have gone — for I must go — I do not wish them
to know that I am to marry you. Francis Eversleigh

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 219

will know, but none of the rest need know until I have
left Surbiton."

" Where do you think of going ? " inquired Bennet.
" You must not go far away."

" I have a distant relative — a second cousin of my
father's — in Yorkshire. She is an elderly lady, and has
more than once asked me to pay her a visit. It is to her
that I shall go. Indeed, there is no other to whom I
could go ; she is the only relative that I have in the world.11

" Yorkshire is a long way off," said Bennet.

" I can think of nothing else," she said.

" You will let me know what you decide," said
Bennet, after an interval of silence.

" Yes. Ill write you. And now good-bye," said
Kitty ; " I feel tired and worn out."

When Bennet had gone, Kitty braced herself for
the painful tasks which lay before her. First of all, she
told Mrs. Eversleigh that she was going to Yorkshire
next day, and though Mrs. Eversleigh said very little,
the girl saw that she was hurt, offended, and greatly
mystified. And Helen Eversleigh, Kitty could not but
notice, thought her conduct strange. But neither of
the Eversleigh ladies pressed her for an explanation,
for which Kitty was thankful.

But infinitely the hardest thing was what she should
say to Gilbert. She sat down in her room with a sheet
of paper before her, but for a long while she could not
bring herself to touch her pen. How she wished she
could tell him something of the truth — tell him that
she was not the false, fickle light o' love he must
think her !

Again she had to fight the battle with herself, and
again she triumphed.

220 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

It was a very short letter, but it was written in her
heart's blood.

t

" Dear Gilbert," it ran, " I have changed my mind.
Our engagement must be broken off. I intend marry-
ing Mr. Bennet. — KITTY."

CHAPTER XXV

EVER since the discovery of Morris Thornton's body in
Silwood's rooms, in Stone Buildings, Gilbert Eversleigh
had constantly felt that he moved in an atmosphere of
mystery, which affected him so closely that he could not
but be very uncomfortable. He attempted in various
ways to get further light, but without success. Another
thing which worried him not a little was the poor health
of his father, and the increasing disinclination the latter
showed to attend to business. Over against these dis-
quieting circumstances there were to be set Kitty's love
for him, and his love for her, which far over-balanced
them.

That morning Gilbert, when he awoke, first thought
of Kitty, and promised himself that, as he and she had
arranged, they would have a long splendid time together
that very day.

When he went in to breakfast, a small pile of letters
lay on the table beside his plate. He took them up
and scanned the writing of the addresses. Of course,
he at once recognized Kitty's writing. For a moment
he held her letter in his hand, a happy smile on his face,
and was about to open it, but he put it down again,
saying to himself that he would keep it to the last as a
special treat. So he went through the rest of his
correspondence, and read it rather slowly, to put off

221

222 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

the moment of delight which should be his when he
came to the ghTs letter.

At last he opened her letter.

" Dear Gilbert,11 he read. Instantly he was alarmed,
for this was not the way she generally began her letters
to him. " I have changed my mind," ran the words ;
his alarm increased. But when he next came to the
words, " Our engagement must be broken off. I intend
marrying Mr. Bennet,11 a feeling of stupefaction over-'
came him. He read the short letter over and over
again in a mechanical sort of \vay, hardly taking in its
meaning.

" ' I have changed my mind,1 J1 he repeated to him-
self. " ' Our engagement must be broken off. I intend
marrying Mr. Bennet.1 ".

The thing was so sudden that at first it stunned
him — he could not believe it.

But there it was in black and white, in Kitty's own
writing.

" I have changed my mind ! "

There was no mistaking that.

" Our engagement must be broken off. I intend
marrying Mr. Bennet,11 she wrote.

These were her words, and there was no getting
away from them.

So everything was at an end between them !

More than that, Kitty was to marry Bennet !

With a sudden movement of anguish and rage,
Gilbert crumpled the letter in his hand and threw it
from him. He sat for a while staring out of his
window, while his mind began to work with incredible
swiftness.

Kitty had jilted him — for Bennet !

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 223

But Gilbert knew the girl very well, and the first
movements of grief, anger, pain, and amazement past,
he tried to think the matter out calmly, with the
result that he passionately told himself Kitty was no
jilt, and there must be something astounding behind
her letter. Then he picked up the crumpled sheet of
paper from the floor, smoothed it out, and read its
contents once more. But there was neither light nor
comfort to be got from them.

What could be the explanation of her extra-
ordinary conduct? he wondered, for of course there
must be some explanation. Kitty was no shallow flirt,
no woman of mere caprice. "Why had she done this ?

But did her letter afford no hint ?

She had not only thrown him over, but she
announced she was to marry Bennet — Bennet, of all
people in the world ! Had she not warned him against
this very man ? And now she was to marry him !

Why?

As Gilbert sat in his room endeavouring to solve
this problem, it seemed to him that he heard Kitty's
rich voice saying in low and sincere accents the words
— almost the last she had uttered when they were
together by the river-side three evenings before, " I feel
as if I could not exist without you now, Gilbert."

What could have brought about this mighty
change? What sinister, malign influence had cast its
spell over her ?

As he thought and thought, it appeared to him
plain enough that the girl's change of mind must
associate itself in some way with Bennet.

" Yet," said he to himself, " I know she loves me
even as I love her. She does not love Bennet, whom

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

she declares she now intends to marry. What pressure,
in Heaven's name, can Bennet have brought to bear
on her? Pressure there must have been, and of the
strongest kind, otherwise she would never dream of
marrying him. What can it be ?"

A little longer he sat asking questions to which he
could furnish no answers.

"I shall go to Surbiton," he said at last, "and ask
her what she means. She has not forbidden me to see
her, and I shall go at once."

But when he reached Ivydene, Kitty was not to be
seen ; she had left Surbiton by an early train that
morning.

He found the house in some confusion, and in
answer to his inquiries, he could discover no more than
that Miss Thornton had departed for Yorkshire. He
saw both his mother and his sister, but could glean
very little from them. Both, he noticed, were greatly
excited and distressed, but they told him that, beyond
saying it was necessary for her to leave, Kitty had
offered no explanation.

" I cannot understand it at all," said Mrs. EversleSgh.
" Have you no idea of what has occurred to cause her
to act in this strange manner, Gilbert ? " she asked her
son.

"I have not the slightest idea," replied Gilbert.
" I got a short note this morning from her. It said
nothing about leaving you. She said she had changed
her mind with regard to our engagement, and that she
was going to marry Mr. Bennet."

"Marry Mr. Bennet?" exclaimed Mrs. Everleigh,
her eyes wide with astonishment. " She did not tell
me that. Oh, Gilbert, what does it all mean? My

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 225

heart misgives me, there is something frightfully
wrong ! She told us last night, without any warning,
that she was leaving us. Of course I did not like to
question her — I had no right, and her manner was for-
bidding. But the poor girl looked very sad and un-
happy. I spoke to your father about her, but he was
too ill and miserable to discuss the subject, or, indeed,
any subject. I did not wish him to go to town to-day ;
but he said it was most important he should go, and
he went."

" Did he appear surprised at Miss Thornton's
decision ? "

" I cannot say he did. When she told him she was
going, he only nodded."

"Do you think he knows why she has gone, and
why she is going to many Mr. Bennet ? "

** I asked him these very questions, Gilbert ; but he
said he could not tell me anything. It is all very
strange ! "

" Very strange ! " cried Gilbert. " It is perfectly
maddening ! "

" Perhaps you had better see your father," suggested
Mrs. Eversleigh.

" Yes ; 111 go to him at once," said Gilbert.

" You will be gentle and careful, Gilbert ! " urged
his mother. "More than once lately I have been
forced to think the troubles through which your father
has recently passed have been almost too much for
him. He is all the time in a state of fever both
of body and mind. You will not forget that, my
son!"

" Certainly not, mother," replied Gilbert.

Eversleigh had expected Gilbert would come to

a

226 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

him, but, up to the moment of seeing him, was uncertain
how to act.

Gilbert, when he met his father, began by stating
he had received an extraordinary letter from Miss
Thornton, in which she broke off her engagment with
him, and announced her intention of marrying Bennet.

"As soon as I got the letter,"" Gilbert continued,
" I went over to Surbiton to see her, but when I went
there I found she had left the house and gone to a
friend in Yorkshire. Mother could tell me nothing,
so I have come to you to see if you can help me to
some understanding of the matter.'1''

" Did Kitty give you no reason ? "

" She merely said she had changed her mind."

" Changed her mind ! A woman's reason,11 said
Eversleigh, with a dreary smile.

"Kitty was not that kind of woman,11 declared
Gilbert. "There mast have been some powerful reason
to make her act in this way."

The young man, his face working, strode up and
down the room.

Presently he turned to his father and asked, almost
fiercely —

" Can you tell me why this has happened ? Do you
know why she has broken off with me, and why she is
to marry Bennet ? "

Eversleigh moved uneasily in his chair, looked at
his son with a glance of entreaty, but remained silent.

" Father,1' said Gilbert, " you do know something !
Will you not tell me of it ? Have I not a right to
know ? I appeal to you to tell me everything.11

Eversleigh glanced this way and that, like a man
seeking some path of escape.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 227

"Father,"" said Gilbert again; "yon must tell me!
I love Kitty with my whole soul — she is dearer to me
than life, and I cannot resign her without a struggle !
I must know what has come between her and me.
Can you not help me ? "

" Why don't you write Miss Thornton ? " asked
Eversleigh.

" I shall do so, though the tone of her letter is not
encouraging. But do you mean to say you do not
know what has made her change her mind ? "

Eversleigh tried to speak. A frightful struggle
was going on within him. Should he tell Gilbert the
whole truth or not ? Suddenly he made up his mind,
as Gilbert said beseechingly —

" Oh father, will you not tell me what you know ? "

" Yes, 111 tell you what I know — all that I know.
But how am I to tell it ? You will not forget, Gilbert,
that I am your father, your most unhappy father, and
you must not condemn me utterly.11

Condemn !

The word had an ominous sound, and Gilbert felt
himself grow cold as he heard his father's words.

" What is it ? " he asked, in a hoarse voice.

" Can you cast your thoughts back," said Eversleigh,
in a weak and quavering tone, " to a certain Saturday
in July, when you were in this office? I had spoken
to you of the presence of Mr. Bennet at Ivydene "

" Remember that day ! " broke in Gilbert. " Shall
I ever forget it ? It was on the evening of that day
I proposed to Kitty, and she accepted me. I have
more cause than ever now to remember it ! "

" That was the day, Gilbert. It was also the day,
you will remember, on which we heard that Mr.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Thornton was coming back to England. The whole
trouble begins with his letter,1' said Eversleigh, and
stopped with a gulp and a choke.

" With Mr. Thornton's letter ?"

" Yes," said Eversleigh, trying to fight down his
emotion. " Gilbert," he went on more calmly, " I am
very sorry to tell you that on the day we received the
letter intimating Mr. Thornton's return, I received
from Mr. Silwood a confession that he had been specu-
lating with the funds and the property of our clients, and
that all had been lost — Mr. Thornton's with the rest."

" What ! " cried Gilbert, doubting his senses.

" It is true/'

" Father, do you know what you are saying ? "

" Alas, yes, only too well ! Thornton's letter spoke
of making a formal examination of the securities we
held of his, and it was this which led Silwood to confess
his embezzlements."

" But you had nothing to do with them, father ! "

" No ; but I need not tell you that in the eye of the
law, I, as Sil wood's partner, was equally guilty. What
I have suffered, what I have endured from that moment,
you can never guess ; I have lived in a hell of torture.
When I knew the truth, I did not know what to do ;
but I just let myself drift and drift and drift, hoping
against hope that somehow or other there might
be a way out of the difficulties that beset me. But
there has been no way out. Things have gone from
bad to worse. There was first Silwood's death, and
then the death of Morris Thornton."

Gilbert uttered a sharp cry.

"You thought Silwood murdered Thornton be-
cause of the money ? " he said.

" Before the inquest I did, but not afterwards. I
know no more about that mystery than you. Well,
the effect of these two deaths was to give me a respite
— I knew it could be at best but a short one, for at
any moment some other client might make a demand
which, owing to Silwood's defalcations, we should not
be able to meet. And, by a devilish chance of fate,
Bennet was the man to make that demand. He told
us to sell a block of flats belonging to him, and asked
us to advance him ten thousand pounds pending the
sale."

" And you couldn't ! " exclaimed Gilbert, whose
head was whirling with what he had heard.

"There was no possibility of getting the money.
But that was not the way in which Bennet came to
know of our — embarrassments. He took it into his
head to go and see the flats — out of a sort of bravado,
I think, and there he discovered the flats had been sold
a year ago. He came to me, and I was compelled to
tell him the flats had been sold without my knowledge
by Silwood. You see that placed me in his power;
he could have denounced me at once, and I expected
nothing else. But he did not act at once ; instead, he
said he would take a night to think over it. Next
day he returned and announced he would not prosecute
me, provided I brought about the breaking off the
match between you and Kitty, and got Kitty to marry
him."

Eversleigh, who had spoken rapidly, now paused;
while Gilbert, with swimming eyes, gazed at his father.

" I protested to Bennet,'1 Eversleigh resumed, " that
it was impossible for me to do this ; my influence was not
strong enough. And then he said he would tell Kitty

230 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

everything, and leave my fate to her. He did tell her
everything, and Kitty, to save me from prison, and you
and the rest from ignominy, consented to marry him."1

Gilbert drew a deep breath.

" So that is how it is ? " he said, his voice full of
pain. " She has sacrificed herself for us ! "

" It is very noble of her," said Eversleigh.

"Noble, yes; it is heroic. But we have no right
to expect such a sacrifice from her.1'

" None whatever. Indeed, I told her so. I urged
her to leave us to our fate ; but she would not."

Eversleigh looked at his son anxiously.

The young man's face had a strange hopeless ex-
pression ; but he had taken his father's statement much
more quietly than the latter had anticipated. Gilbert
made no frantic moan, the calamity of which he had
just been apprised went far beyond anything of the
kind. It now literally struck him dumb, both with
surprise and grief. Kitty gone from him for ever !
Kitty, his darling, his wife that was to be ! And she
had gone in order to save him and his father ; and his
father was a defaulter !

" I must think over what you have told me, sir," he
said at length, and went across to his chambers in the
Temple.

CHAPTER XXVI,

GILBERT EVERSLEIGH walked out of his father's office,
and finding an unoccupied bench in the neighbouring
Lincoln's Inn Fields, sat down to ponder this terrible
and altogether unexpected situation.

First, he tried to grasp the facts which had just
been thrust upon him, and to see them in all their
bearings.

There was no question now but he must relinquish
all thoughts of Kitty Thornton. The sacrifice the girl
was making for him and his father filled him with a
feeling of worship of her into which there entered
something sacred. In his mind he placed her on an
altar, as it were, and could have fallen down before her
in adoring homage of that lofty spirit of loyalty she
had shown. Now that he knew all, he determined to
write to thank her for what she had done. So far as
he was concerned, it must be his part, he told himself,
to make her sacrifice no harder. Therefore he must
abide by her decision and accept it.

Gilbert was a young man, with all the high hopes
and the hot passions of youth, and it was not without
the deepest pain that he thought of her and his vanished
happiness. It was natural that he should first think of
her and of his own loss. But once he accepted her
decision, he resolved to lock away her image in his

231

232 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

heart, and to cherish it there in secret. Having got
himself into this frame of mind, he passed on to
consider his father's position.

The greatness and importance of the firm of Evers-
leigh, Silwood and Eversleigh, solicitors, had never for a
single instant been doubted by Gilbert, until his father's
declaration had swept away that greatness and im-
portance for ever. All his life Gilbert had believed his
father's firm was as enduringly established as the Bank
of England ; he regarded it as a permanent institution.
It was difficult for him to realize it was nothing now
but a bankrupt concern. When he did realize it, and
remembered the obligations of the firm which must
exist over and above those arising out of the Thornton
and Bennet Estates, he saw with fatal clearness Kitty's
sacrifice might very well be made in vain, and that some
other client might, and almost certainly would, bring
about the exposure and ruin of the firm she had tried
to save.

Then, he asked himself, what was his own duty ?
Without doubt, he must stand by his father, and do
what he could to help him. But how ?

The cause of all this disaster and calamity was
Silwood, the man whom he had instinctively disliked
and distrusted. It was Silwood who had ruined the
firm. It was through Silwood, indirectly, that he had
lost Kitty. And Silwood was dead ! From his grave
he defied them all to touch him ; there was nothing to
be done to a dead man, Gilbert reflected, drearily.

But was that altogether true ? The lips of the
dead man were for ever sealed ; but had he left nothing
behind him ? The Eversleigh firm had been a great
one, and to make away with all its funds and properties

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 233

could have been no small business, but one which
involved a large number of transactions. Surely there
must be notes, traces, indications of these transactions
somewhere. Thousands and thousands of pounds
from sales of shares, and house or land property could
not be got or disposed of without leaving some
mark.

So Gilbert reasoned.

And he resolved to urge his father, therefore, to
have everything connected with Sil wood's department
thoroughly investigated at once. And then he thought
of his father. " Cast your mind back to that Saturday,"
his father had said. Measured by what his father must
have suffered, that Saturday seemed ages ago. Poor
unhappy father ! A great wave of pity for him flooded
the heart of the son, who now reproached himself
bitterly for having spoken no word of sympathy.

" I must go to him," he said, rising from the bench,
"and ask him to let me help him."

A few moments later Gilbert stood once more in
his father's room, his face no longer dark, but full of
purpose.

" When you told me what you did just now, father,"
said he, " I am afraid I did not behave very well. I
was so taken up with myself that I had no consideration
for you. It was wrong of me. I should have known
you must have passed through a dreadful time, in which
you have suffered agonies. . And now, sir, I come to
request you to permit me to assist you in every way I
can."

" Gladl}T, my boy ; but how can you ? What is
there that any one can do ? I am like a sinking ship,"
said Eversleigh, mournfully.

234 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Will you tell me if you have overhauled Mr.
SilwoocTs books and papers ? "

" No, I have not. I began, but desisted."

"Why, father?1'

"Because I thought Williamson was suspicious. I
felt sure that he was watching me. So I stopped, and
allowed things to drift."

"But, father, the only chance you have lies in
making this investigation. If Williamson is in the way,
he must be got rid of."

" Would not that in itself excite remark ? "

"Not necessarily, surely. But if his going does
cause remark, we shall just have to put up with it
Besides, we can give him an excellent character and a
gratuity — these will salve his feelings."

" But what excuse can I make ? "

"Can you not say you are going to make extensive
changes, owing to Mr. Silwood's death ? "

"He has been such a long time with us," objected
Eversleigh.

" Yes, I know ; but you cannot afford to keep a
man who suspects you. At any cost, he must go."

" He is a good clerk," began Eversleigh.

" I wonder if he really is ! " exclaimed Gilbert. " If
he was such a good clerk, how was it that he did not
know of SilwoocTs defalcations ? "

" Perhaps he does know."

" If he does, it would be well to be sure of it. Have
him in now, and tell him he is to go. If he knows
anything he will speak out."

" You are so impetuous," said Eversleigh, feebly.

" I have a strong feeling," replied Gilbert, " that
your safety lies in immediate action."

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" And what would be your next step ? "

" I should get in an accountant familiar with legal
work, and have him go over all Silwood's books and
papers. Silwood cannot have disposed of all the moneys
and properties of the firm without leaving some indica-
tion of how he did it ; and perhaps an investigation may
reveal that things are not so bad as you think. He
cannot have disposed of everything. For instance, there
must be certain trusts and other matters with which he
could not tamper. Suppose we try to look into them
all, father."

A spark of hope shone for a moment in Eversleigh's
eyes, but it speedily went out.

"I am quite willing, Gilbert, but I am afraid it
will not be any use,11 he said, dejectedly. " Whom
would you think of getting to examine the books and
papers ? "

"I fancy I know the very man. Young Archer
Martin, of Roscoe and Martin.11

" Could you depend on his discretion ? "

"Absolutely.11

Eversleigh was silent. His impulse was to surrender
himself to the guidance of his son ; but he was sore
afraid. Gilbert saw from his father's face that he was
hesitating.

"There is no other way, father,11 he cried, with
decision.

" Then be it so,11 agreed Eversleigh.

" And what about Williamson ? "

"Can you not let him remain, at least, for a
time?11

" I think not, sir.1'

" Well, well. I am not sure it is wise.11

238 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

But Gilbert had no doubts, and in the end William-
son received a note saying that after that week his
services would not be required. At the same time, the
head-clerk was given a handsome cheque as a solatium.

Gilbert next set out for the office of Roscoe and
Martin, where he was fortunate to find Archer Martin.
As briefly as possible, Gilbert told him that he had
reason to believe there had been some irregularities in
his father's office, and that his father had deputed
him to invite the accountant to make a searching
investigation immediately, if that fitted in with his
engagements.

"As it happens, it does; I can set to work to-
morrow," said Martin.

" Of course," said Gilbert, " it is a confidential in-
vestigation— that is understood."

O

" Certainly," said the accountant, who had no idea
that he might innocently be making himself a party
to a fraud.

Archer Martin, accordingly, went to 176, New
Square, the following day, and began his inquiries.
Without referring to any one except Gilbert, he went
on his way, steadily plodding through the books and
papers of the firm. His labours extended over several
days, but he had not gone very far when he saw the
true character of the work he was engaged on. He
knew there was being disclosed bit by bit a gigantic
system of fraud which involved huge sums of money,
and that the system had been practised remorselessly
and with diabolical cunning and ingenuity for years.
He saw that Cooper Silwood, by one means or another,
had appropriated many thousands of pounds, though
what he had done with the cash did not appear. It

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 237

was plain he had stopped at nothing ; there were false
entries everywhere and many forgeries.

He wondered at the ability Silwood had manifested
in keeping up appearances so long. It was evident to
him, from various sums of interest being paid to clients
at the proper time, as if their investments still remained,
that Silwood had kept a strict account of his robberies,
but though he searched in Sil wood's room, throughout
the rest of the office, and even in Silwood's apartments
in Stone Buildings, for some book or memoranda relat-
ing to these robberies, he could not find it. He came
to the conclusion that Silwood had either destroyed it
or taken it with him. He had heard of Silwood's
death as well as of the death of Morris Thornton, and
now saw pretty clearly how matters stood.

Failing to light upon Sil wood's memoranda, he tried
to see what could be done by tracking out some of the
larger transactions of the defaulting solicitor, which
necessarily involved the names of other persons.

And this led him to make an extraordinary discovery,
though he did not think it so extraordinary as it really was.

Amongst the names of persons having large trans-
actions with Silwood, there occurred that of James
Russell, described as of 99, Douglas Street, Stepney.
In the aggregate, Silwood's dealings with this man came
to a vast sum, and Archer Martin thought Douglas
Street, Stepney, was a curious address for one who
presumably must be very well off indeed.

All through his investigation he had been in close
contact with Gilbert Eversleigh, and he now suggested
some inquiries be made about Mr. James Russell, of
99, Douglas Street, Stepney. This Gilbert undertook
to do himself.

238 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Gilbert had some difficulty in finding Douglas Street,
but eventually did find it. No 99 turned out to be a
humble house — not at all the kind of dwelling in which
a man dealing with large sums of money was likely to
reside. He discovered also that it was no longer
occupied by Russell, that individual with his wife and
crippled child having left it some time before ; but he
learned that they were poor people, living in a very
poor way. And much more he could not learn.

" What, then, was the connection between Cooper
Silwood and James Russell ? " he asked himself. " Was
Russell a confederate ? "

But he could get no further than this supposition.
He had to content himself with putting a private
detective on the trail of James Russell, and awaiting
results.

CHAPTER XXVII

IT was now the second week of September. Kitty
Thornton was staying at Buckhurst House, near Selby,
in Yorkshire, not many miles from Doncaster, with her
relative, Mrs. Joicey, a widow lady.

The girl, though she felt as if her heart was broken
and there never could be any happiness in the world
for her again, still adhered firmly to her determination
to do what she considered her duty. Since she had
come to Yorkshire she had heard but once from the
Everslcighs. The message came in a short note from
Gilbert, which ran —

" My father has told me all. God bless you and
keep you/1

The words were brief, but Kitty read into them a
depth of meaning. She pictured to herself Gilbert
writing this letter in much the same spirit of renun-
ciation of joy and acceptance of inevitable evil, as had
inspired her own action. And again she told herself,
as she had had to tell herself very often, that in life
there were higher things than love. But she treasured
up Gilbert's words and even the piece of paper on which
they were written.

Meanwhile she had another interview with Bennet,
who, following the round of the races, as usual, had

239

240 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

gone down to Yorkshire for the great Doncaster
September meeting, in which his horse, Go Nap, was
expected to cut no small figure.

Although Bennet had not been able to get the ten
thousand pounds from Francis Eversleigh which he had
asked him for, he yet had experienced very little
difficulty in obtaining all the funds he wanted for his
purposes. More than once before this time he had
had recourse to a certain Jew, Joel Levy by name, for
loans, which Bennet had always heretofore repaid
punctiliously ; he was therefore in excellent credit
with this money-lender.

When Bennet told Levy he was engaged to marry
Kitty Thornton, the daughter of Thornton, the Missing
Millionaire, whose remarkable story was known to
everybody, Levy offered no objection when he was
asked for a fresh loan. He merely inquired when the
marriage \vas to take place, and was satisfied on hearing
it was arranged for an early date — as soon, in fact, as
the lady's mourning for her father would decently
permit.

Levy congratulated Bennet on his good fortune,
wished him equal luck in his racing, and, having
obtained his signature to bills carrying interest at
fifty per cent., wrote out a cheque.

Thereafter Bennet liquidated his most pressing
liabilities, and with the balance, still a considerable
sum, set off in high spirits for Yorkshire.

But before going north he had seen Francis Evers-
leigh, been told the exact sum for which Beauclerk
Mansions had been sold by Silwood, and had had
prepared a discharge to the firm for the same. This
he took with him unsigned, and when he presented

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

himself at Buckhurst House, and asked for Miss
Thornton, he had the document in his pocket.
i He had made a bargain with the girl for it, and his
pulses beat fiercely as he thought he would at last hold
her in his arms and embrace her. He knew well
enough that her response was likely to be of the
coldest, but assured himself that from the moment he
touched her lips, he should begin to dominate and bend
her to his will.

i Kitty received him much more graciously than he
expected, but this was merely because she felt that,
with a man of Bennefs character and disposition, the
Eversleighs would not be safe until her sacrifice was
complete. She was afraid, too, that in some way she
might be tricked by him.

When he handed her the document which was to
cancel the obligations of Eversleigh's firm, he was care-
ful to tell her it had been drawn up by Francis Evers-
leigh himself, who had also sent with it a covering
letter, expressing its effect in formal terms.

" I think," said he to her, " I have done exactly
what you would have wished me to do. Nothing
remains now except for me to sign it and transfer it
to you.11

Kitty nodded gravely, and brought him pen and
ink, that he might affix his signature to the discharge.

He signed his name with a flourish.

" I would do a great deal more than this for you,
Kitty,11 he cried, as, holding the paper in his hand, he
advanced towards her.

Giving it to her, he said, eagerly, " You remember
the bargain we made ? "

** Yes,1' she replied, and unresistingly allowed him

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

to take her in his arms. He clutched her to his breast
in an almost savage embrace, while he showered kisses
on her lips. Passively she submitted to his caresses,
though she loathed them and him from the bottom of
her soul. By a strong effort of will, she managed to
control herself so as not to show the repulsion with
which he filled her.

" And I have promised to marry this man ! " she
thought. " How shall I ever be able to live with him ! "

As she gently disengaged herself from him, he saw
that she was deathly white.

" Oh, Kitty ! " he exclaimed. " If you would only
love me ! "

" Love was not in our compact," she said, with a
tremor.

" You shall love me,11 he responded. " When we
are married, you must love me."

But the girl said nothing.

Then he asked if she would not accompany him
to the races. " You are sure to bring me luck," he
cried.

Reminding him that she was still in the deepest of
mourning, she declined, wondering how the man should
be so unfeeling.

" For the moment I had forgotten," he returned,
apologetically. " It was very thoughtless of me — pray
forgive me ; but wish me luck all the same, will you
not, Kitty ? "

Kitty, however, was hurt, and would give him no
answer. Bennet regarded her for an instant or two, a
heavy frown gathering on his face.

" You refuse to wish me luck ! " he cried. " I do
everything you ask me to do, and yet you won't wish

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

me good luck ! For your sake I have forgone my claim
on the Eversleighs, and you haven't one good word for
me ! Kitty, I warn you not to cross me, not to make
me angry. Thanks to you, the Eversleighs owe me no
money — that is true, but remember that if I were to
whisper in certain quarters what I know about the
firm, its credit would not last very long."

" What ! You would do such a thing ! "

" It depends on you, Kitty, and on you alone. Be
my friend — I know you cannot, perhaps, love me all at
once, but be my friend; in our circumstances surely
this is not much to ask from you."

" What would you have me do ? "

" Wish me luck, Kitty— that's a very little thing ! "

" I have always heard, Mr. Bennet," the girl said,
looking at him steadily, " that this racing is your ruin.""

" Oh, you preach, do you ! " ejaculated Bennet, with
a scowl, and, without another word, turned on his heel
and left her, while Kitty bitterly asked herself if her
sacrifice was to go for nothing.

An hour or two later, Bennet was at Doncaster, in
close confabulation with Bob Deans, the jockey who
was to ride Go Nap.

" You understand thoroughly ? " inquired Bennet,
as he was going back to his hotel.

" Yes, guv'nor, I understand perfectly," replied the
jockey. " You can depend on me."

But Bob Deans made a face behind the other's
back.

"He's a daisy," he said to himself, "that's what
he is ! "

The first day of the Doncaster September .meeting
passed by without special incident. Bennet had several

244. THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

bets on the different events, but at the end his book
nearly balanced ; it was a trifle against him.

"It will be all right to-morrow," he said to an
acquaintance, with whom he was discussing the fortunes
of the day. "I expect that Go Nap will pull me
through handsomely."

" You believe hell win ? "

" I feel absolutely confident of it," said Bennet,
with emphasis.

" You are not alone in that," remarked the other.
" I noticed your horse is going up in the betting ; it
now stands at five to one against ; a few days ago it
was ten to one."

Bennet smiled ; indeed, his face showed every sign
of pleasure.

" You might do worse," said he, " than put a bit
on him."

" Yes, I think I shall," responded the other ; " it
looks pretty good."

And to all whom he met Bennet spoke well of his
horse, and took any small bets that were offered, but,
contrary to his usual practice, he would not risk any
large sum. And all the while, secretly, through agents
he thought he could trust, he was laying heavily against
Go Nap, until he stood to win .£20,000 if the horse
lost.

Bright sunshine, a cool breeze, and a perfect track
combined to make the second day of the races
peculiarly enjoyable to the devotees of the turf. The
race in which Bennetts horse was to run was the third
on the list. The fine appearance of the animal that
morning as he went for a short gallop had gained
for him many supporters, and an immense amount of

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 245

money was forthcoming on him, with the result that he
further improved his position in the betting. When
the flag fell, the price was only three to two against
him.

To the huge delight of his backers, Go Nap won
easily. Taking the lead from the start, he was never
seriously challenged, and reached the post " with plenty
to spare.1'

Bennet, who was watching the race from one of the
stands, had followed his horse from start to finish with
anxious eyes. He had given Bob Deans certain in-
structions, and he believed they would be obeyed
implicitly by the jockey. Bennet saw the horse lead-
ing at the beginning. That was nothing, he said to
himself, as Deans knew what to do, and was the best
judge of when to do it. But as Go Nap sailed along
steadily in front, apparently without effort, Bennet
commenced to see the race as through a mist. When
his horse won, and his friends were offering him their
congratulations, he could scarcely speak for rage. His
passion completely blinded him to the impolicy of his
behaviour, and everything that was worst in the man
came to the surface. Hardly noticing what was said to
him, he rushed from the stand.

" He takes it queerly," said a bystander.

"His head's a bit turned, though that's perhaps
not to be wondered at," said a second.

As for Bennet, he literally saw red.

" Deans has sold me ! " was the savage cry in his
heart.

Thrusting those aside who happened to be in his
path, he made his way to the jockey, who saw him
coming. Bob Deans viewed with alarm the fury and

5246 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

despair in Bennetts face, and turned to run away, but
with two or three quick bounds Bennet was upon him.

Grasping the jockey by the shoulder, Bennet, who
had utterly lost control of himself, and was wholly blind
to consequences, shook him as a terrier shakes a rat.
Bennet was a tall, athletic man, and the tiny figure of
Bob Deans was as nothing to him.

Instantly several of those standing about tried to
interfere and separate the two men.

But Bennet, who was now to all intents and
purposes a madman, shook them off fiercely, without
letting go his hold on Deans.

" Leave me alone," the jockey spluttered, " or I'll
give you away ! Let me go ! "

" Let you go, you hound ! " cried Bennet in a
terrible voice, and, his face hideously distorted, he
shouted, « By , 111 kill you ! "

The onlookers again strove to pull the two men
apart, and succeeded sufficiently for Bob Deans to cry
so that every one heard him —

" He wished me to pull the horse ; he offered me a
big bribe, but I would do nothing crooked."

Bennet heard the words as well as the others.

Putting forth all his strength, and quite beside
himself, he sprang forward with uplifted fist, and catch-
ing the unfortunate jockey a frightful blow under the
chin, felled him to the ground.

Many now ran up to the group. Bob Deans was
a popular jockey, and the victory of Go Nap had been
popular. Soon there was a great crowd.

A short examination showed that Bob Deans was
dead.

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE little jockey had ridden his last race !

The blow which had struck him down had been
delivered by one who had been a first-class athlete, and
who was still in splendid physical condition. There
had been the stark madness, too, of blind rage behind
Bennet's arm, and the blow had proved fatal.

When the truth was known, there instantly was a
great commotion. Bennet made no effort to get away ;
if he had attempted to fly he would not have suc-
ceeded, for he was ringed round by hostile and stern
faces that plainly spoke of vengeance. In a moment
more hands were laid upon him by those of the crowd
nearest him, but he offered no resistance. Instead, he
stood staring at the motionless body of his victim, and
appeared not to realize what he had done, and the
position in which his act had placed him.

Suddenly from somewhere in the crowd a loud cry
went up of " Murder ! Murder ! "

The cry seemed to break the fit of stupor in which
Bennet was, for his face was seen to quiver, while a
shudder shook his frame.

" What have I done ? What have I done ? " he
said, as if he had just become conscious of the deed he
had committed.

247

248 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" You have killed him," replied one of those stand-
ing by.

" He is not dead ? " asked Bennet, wildly.

"Dead! yes; he is dead, and you killed him 1"
answered the same man.

" I never meant to kill him," said Bennet, look-
ing once more at the little figure that lay on the
ground.

" Why," said a voice, " I heard you say to him,
* 111 kill you ! ' — I heard you say those very words ! "

" I was in a passion," Bennet declared, " and did not
know what I was doing. I never thought of killing
him."

"Then why did you say to him — I heard the words
distinctly—' Fll kill you ' ? "

But Bennet made no reply. He now comprehended
fully the position in which he stood, and he thought
silence his best policy. Those about him, however,
were far from silent. He could not help hearing what
was being said, and he understood that nothing but
detestation and execration were being expressed. The
crowd had no sympathy whatever for him. On the
contrary, had the crowd not been composed of English-
men, accustomed to abide by the law of the land,
Bennet would have been given a short shrift. If what
he had done had been perpetrated in America, he
would undoubtedly have been immediately lynched out
of hand. But the crowd waited for the police to come
upon the scene.

The crowd, however, talked excitedly, vehemently.
The words which had passed between Bennet and the
jockey were repeated from lip to lip. The statement
of Bob Deans that Bennet had tried to bribe him to

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 249

pull Go Nap, and that he had refused to do so, was
soon known to all ; in the minds of most was the thought
that Bennet, in suggesting this course to the jockey, was
guilty of a crime even greater perhaps than murder, and
that no punishment was too heavy for it. Many of them
would have maintained that hanging was too good for
him ; some of them even said so.

Presently the police came up, and Bennet was arrested
and charged with the murder of Bob Deans.

The affair, as was to be expected, made a tremen-
dous sensation, not only throughout the world of the
turf, but everywhere.

At Doncaster itself reports of what had taken
place spread like wildfire through the place; nothing
else was talked of, and but little interest was taken in
the remaining races on the programme that after-
noon.

In the whole history of racing never had there been
anything so extraordinary.

The popular victory of Go Nap, the murder of the
victorious jockey by the owner of the horse, the revela-
tion which had been given by the unfortunate Deans of
the reason why Bennet had killed him, — these and other
particulars, which grew and grew as they passed from
mouth to mouth, formed as sensational a set of inci-
dents as could well be imagined. Brief but lurid
accounts of what had occurred at Doncaster appeared
in the London evening papers the same day, and caused
the greatest excitement.

Gilbert Eversleigh, walking about seven o'clock
from the Temple to his club for dinner, his mind
occupied and distressed by the difficult problem of
how his father was to escape ruin, received his first

250 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

intimation of the tragedy from the placard of one of
these journals. In large, solid black letters he read —

" VICTORY OF Go NAP AT DONCASTER.

MURDER OF ITS JOCKEY, BOB DEAXS,

BY ITS OWNER, HENRY BENXET."

" What new calamity is this ? " he asked himself, as
his thoughts flew to Kitty. As soon as possible, he
procured all the evening papers and read, with feverish
haste, their narratives of the terrible event, from which
the main facts stood out clearly enough.

"What will happen next?1' he cried in his heart,
overcome with amazement and horror.

Owing to its being the holiday season of the year,
there were but few men at the Club when Gilbert reached
it, but such as were there were conversing about the
murder. Bennet was well known to several of them ;
it was recalled that he was a Varsity oar, but what was
principally talked of was his monstrous passion for
gambling, which it was guessed was responsible for his
present terrible situation. Gilbert listened, but took
only a small part in the conversation ; it was an immense
relief to him to find no reference was made by anybody
to Bennefs engagement to Kitty. He hoped it might
be possible to keep the giiTs name out of the business
altogether, but in this he was speedily disappointed.

Next morning the papers were full of the affair.
Descriptions of what had taken place at Doncaster were
given the utmost prominence, and nothing was left un-
told that could be put together about Bennet in a short
space of time. What was known of his career was
published ; and amongst other things mention was made
of his recent engagement to Miss Kitty Thornton,

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 251

daughter of the man whose body had been found a few-
weeks ago in such strange circumstances in the rooms
of the late Mr. Cooper Silwood, and much sympathy
was expressed for her. This was the first public an-
nouncement of Kitty's engagement to Bennet, and
Gilbert, who noticed it with the greatest pain, wondered
how this piece of news had been conveyed to the Press.
He could not know that Joel Levy, the big money-
lender, had talked about it among his friends, through
whom it had got to the ears of the reporters.

The same morning, that is the morning after the
death of Bob Deans, Kitty saw a long account of it in
the columns of the Yorkshire paper that was delivered
every morning at Buckhurst House. Prior to reading
this statement, Kitty had deemed herself as unhappy as
it was possible for any one to be, but when she knew
what had happened, she was plunged into deeper misery
still. Bennet a murderer, and she engaged to him ! It
was the last unkindest stroke of fortune. And yet
while she was sorry for herself, and much as she detested
Bennet, she could not help feeling sorry for him. It
did not at first occur to her that he had, by his rash
act, if not crime, put an end, in all probability, to their
engagement. When that thought did come, as it was
bound to come, she drearily speculated what the wretched
man in his despair would do ; in other words, she feared
that the bargain she had entered into with Bennet for
the salvation of the Eversleighs was a bargain which in
these new circumstances he would not keep.

The papers had announced an inquest was to be
held that day, and she awaited the verdict with sicken-
ing apprehension. And what might there not appear
in these journals in addition to the account of the

252 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

inquest? Of course, she told herself, it was quite im-
probable that Bennet would say anything about the
Eversleigh matter at the inquest; but what might he
not say, might he not already have said, to others — to
the police, for instance ? She was not long left in doubt
as to the line Bennet intended to take.

The inquest was held in a crowded court which was
entirely hostile to Bennet. And that the jury took the
darkest view of Bennefs action soon was manifest. A
local solicitor, called Deakin, had been retained for him,
and he did his best to get a verdict of manslaughter
returned, but even if the evidence had been less con-
vincing than it was, the general feeling would still have
been too strong for him.

There were plenty of witnesses who agreed, with
only small verbal discrepancies which are always a
feature of such cases, and confirm rather than detract
from the value of the main volume of testimony, as
to what had passed between Bennet and Bob Deans.
The words used by the two men were quoted by several
witnesses with substantial accuracy; particularly the
threat of Bennet to the jockey, "Til kill you!" was
brought forward by them all, and practically settled in
the minds of coroner and jury the degree of Bennefs guilt.

Bennet, they concluded, had intended killing Bob
Deans, and had killed him. The cause of the murder
made Bennefs crime blacker and blacker still.

His solicitor tried to show there had not been, there
could not be, any premeditation on Bennefs part, and
that the deed was done in the heat of passion without
there being any real intention to kill the man. He
urged that the death of the jockey was of the nature
of an accident ; his client had certainly struck the blow,

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 253

but could not know it was likely to be fatal. The most
and worst Bennet was guilty of, Deakin contended, was
manslaughter.

i But the jury were of another mind. Without re-
tiring to consider their verdict, they at once found
Beunet guilty of the wilful murder of the jockey.

It was a verdict which met with general approval.
The coroner, in accepting it, said the case was one of
the most painful nature, but as it would doubtless form
matter for the consideration of a higher court, he would
make no further comment upon it.
I Like hundreds of thousands of people who were
following this dark story of the turf with the most
absorbing interest, both Kitty and Gilbert saw the
finding of the jury, and later that Bennet had been
committed for trial at the next assizes on the capital
charge. Kitty, wondering miserably what Bennet would
do, thereafter received from him a letter, in which he
asked her to visit him in prison without delay. By this
time he had been removed from Doncaster to York, and
thither Kitty went, accompanied by her relative, Mrs.
Joicey, that very day, though it was not until the next
that she saw him.

Prison life had already told on Bennet, and she
observed a marked change in his appearance, which
filled her with pity ; but the man was in a black, reck-
less, defiant humour, as she soon noticed ; even the
near presence of a warder did not deter him from
expressing what was in his mind.

" I'm very, very sorry for you, Harry," she said,
and there was the sound of tears in her voice. It was
the first time, too, since their engagement that she
had called him " Harry."

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Sorry ! " he cried. " Do you think I believe
that ? Don't be a hypocrite. You are glad, you
must be glad of my misfortune. You think it will set
you free ! "

" Oh, Harry, do not think of me ; think of your-
self!11

"Think of myself!11 said Bennet, fiercely, implac-
ably. " Can I not think of myself and of others too ? "

The girl involuntarily shrank from him.

" Oh, Harry, Harry ! " she said piteously.

" I sent for you,11 Bennet went on without heeding
her appeal, "to tell you that I will not release you.
I do not believe that I shall be found guilty of murder
— it was no murder, and I shall not release you from
your engagement to me. But if I am found guilty,
you may be sure I shall not go out of the world with-
out letting it know the truth about Francis Eversleigh.
There ! That is all ! And now you can go.11

" Harry, Harry ! " cried Kitty ; " how can I touch
your heart ? "

" Touch my heart ! The day has gone past for
that. Now go — and go at once ; the sight of you is
torture. Go!1'

THOUGH Bennet had said to Kitty Thornton that the
sight of her was torture to him, yet, when she had
departed, her pleading face remained present for a
short time in his thoughts and temporarily softened
him. But this frame of mind quickly passed, leaving
him a prey to hatred, malignity, and the darkest
passions.

His devilish humour now prompted him to an act
of hideous malice. The idea came to him that if he
had Gilbert Eversleigh as his counsel at the forth-
coming trial, he would inflict on Gilbert, as well as on
Kitty, the most exquisite pain. It was the idea of a
fiend rather than of a human being, and showed, as
perhaps nothing else could have done, how Bennefs
whole nature had been warped to the side of evil. He
gloated over this monstrous idea, telling himself that
in this way, whatever happened, he would glut his
desire for revenge. He knew that, in ordinary circum-
stances, Gilbert would never consent to appear for him
if he could avoid doing so ; but a threat to expose
Francis Eversleigh would be enough, Bennet believed,
to settle the matter. Whether Gilbert would or
would not be a good counsel counted for little with
him in comparison with the gratification he expected

Wf

256 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

and promised himself, from seeing the man he had
always hated placed in this position.

It was much the same thing as if Bennet had said
to Gilbert—

" If you succeed in getting me off from the capital
charge, I shall not release Kitty from her engagement,
but will marry her after my term of imprisonment has
expired. Though I shall be a convict, I shall compel
her to marry me, for the same reason that made her
engage herself to me.

" Or, if you don't succeed, and I am sentenced to
death, and there is no Kitty for me, then you shall not
have her; for I will not quit this world without ex-
posing your father and bringing disgrace on you, in
which case you will not seek to marry her."

No matter the result of the trial, Bennet assured
himself, with diabolical satisfaction, that he would cause
Gilbert's heart to suffer the most horrible agony.

He at once took the necessary steps by instructing
the local solicitor, Deakin, to have Gilbert Eversleigh
retained for his defence. He gave a certain plausibility
to this, when discussing it with the lawyer, by repre-
senting that Gilbert was well known to him, being the
son of the head of the London firm of solicitors who
transacted his legal business, as well as that of his father
before him. When Deakin, in reply, suggested it might
be better, in view of the seriousness of the charge, to
employ a more eminent barrister, Bennet peremptorily
declined to do so, saying his mind was made up.

Deakin, therefore, put himself in communication
with Gilbert, and he naturally did so in this particular
case through Eversleigh, Silwood and Eversleigh, though
they were not his own London agents.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 257

When Francis Eversleigh received his letter, he
instantly perceived the malice and hatred that inspired
Bennefs proposal ; it was a fresh and bitter blow to
himself, but he understood its ingenuity of cruelty was
specially aimed at his son. As for himself, he was
helpless ; all he could do was to send for Gilbert, and
lay the letter before him.

Gilbert at first was dumbfounded. He could hardly
believe that Bennet at such a time could make such a
proposition seriously ; but he, too, soon perceived what
lay behind it.

" It is infamous ! " he cried ; " or the man must be
out of his head. To select me of all people ! "

Then he looked at his father, whose weakness and
loss of power were more and more evident every day.

"What am I to do?" he asked. "How can I
defend this man ? "

" He holds me in the hollow of his hand,"" observed
Francis Eversleigh, with a pathetic shake in his voice.

" I know, I know," said Gilbert. " And I suppose I
must appear for him. But the thing is an outrage "

Gilbert was interrupted by a loud knocking at the
door of his father's room — it was no ordinary knocking,
but a knocking that spoke of some strong emotion on
the part of the person who knocked.

Gilbert strode to the door and opened it. The
clerk who had replaced Williamson was standing there,
and on his face was a terrified expression.

" I must speak to Mr. Eversleigh immediately," he
said hurriedly.

"What is it, Mr. Whittaker?" asked Eversleigh,
with a quick agitation.

" I should like, begging Mr. Gilbert's pardon, to

258 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

see you in private, sir,1' returned Whittaker, confusedly.
" Please come into Mr. Sil wood's room ; there is no
need for Mr. Gilbert to go from here. It is something
I must show you personally in Mr. Sil wood's room."

" But of what nature is it ? "

" That I can scarcely tell, but you may be able to
do so."

Francis Eversleigh said no more, but went with
Whittaker into Silwood's room. In a few moments he
came back alone, looking so shattered that as soon as
his son saw him he rushed forward to assist him. When
Gilbert offered him his arm, he took it at once, and
Gilbert could feel how his father shook and trembled.

" What has happened ? " he asked, after helping his
father into a chair.

" Yes, in a minute," stammered the other ; " I am
horribly upset, and I can stand so little now ! In a
minute I'll tell you all."

He lay back in his chair with his eyes closed — the
mere wreck of the handsome man he once had been.

" A very strange thing has taken place, Gilbert,"
he said after a while — " a very strange thing indeed ! "

Eversleigh stopped, and Gilbert patiently waited
till his father spoke again, his heart full of compassion
and sorrow. For the moment, he forgot Bennet, and
could think of nothing save the pitiable state of his
father.

At length Francis Eversleigh recovered himself
sufficiently to stand up.

"Come with me," he said to Gilbert, "to Mr.
Silwood's room — that will be the simplest way of
making you acquainted with what has happened."

And Gilbert, with mingled feelings of curiosity

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 259

and alarm, followed his father to the next floor. Half-
way down the stairs, Eversleigh halted.

" Whittaker thinks it's a burglary," he whispered
mysteriously in Gilbert's ear.

" A burglary ! In the office ! " said Gilbert, in-
credulously in a low voice.

" Wait," cautioned Eversleigh. " Wait until you
see."

And now they were in Sil wood's room, which was
still known as Silwood's, though it knew Silwood no
more. It was changed, however, but little since he
had sat in it and worked his wicked will.

" Close the door, Gilbert," said Eversleigh.

The son obeyed, and then glanced about him. He
could see no sign of disturbance, nothing that indicated
specially the burglary of which his father had given a
suggestion on the stairs. There were in the room, as of
yore, the same table, chair, book-cases, deed-boxes ; all
were arranged in the way that was familiar enough to
him. The large japanned box stood by itself in the
usual corner. There appeared to be absolutely no
hint of anything out of the ordinary. This rapid
scrutiny over, Gilbert looked at his father inquir-
ingly.

" You don't notice anything particularly ? " asked
Eversleigh.

" No ; that is, at a superficial glance."

" I wish you to examine the bottom of that box," said
Eversleigh, pointing to the large japanned box in the
corner. " You and Mr. Archer Martin have recently
had constant access to it for the purpose of going over
Mr. Silwood's books and papers ; you therefore know
it well. Now you will see something I am sure you

260 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

know nothing of. I did not know of it myself — not
until Whittaker showed me it.""

While Eversleigh was speaking, his son was looking
at the foot of the box, from which he saw there pro-
truded a narrow strip of metal.

" What do you make of that ? " asked the father,
huskily.

" I should say it was a sort of secret chamber — you
can't exactly call it a drawer," Gibert replied, after a
study of the box. " I knew nothing of it ; you are
right there. How has it been discovered ? What was
found in it ?" he inquired eagerly, while other questions
came thronging into his mind. " When was this dis-
covery made ? " he went on.

"It was made this morning," replied Eversleigh.
" Whittaker tells me he had occasion to come into the
room a few minutes ago to get a paper which he
thought he'd find here. He could not lay his hand on
it quickly, and had to hunt for it. Quite by accident,
as he was searching, he happened to observe a strip of
metal at the foot of the box sticking out. Naturally,
he went and examined the box, and then saw the secret
chamber, which he declares was empty, and I don't
doubt it. Now he is positive that when he saw the
box yesterday this secret chamber was closed."

" Positive ! In what way ? "

" It seems that he and one of the other clerks re-
quired to move the box yesterday. And he maintains
that one or other of them, or both, must have seen the
secret chamber if it had been open then. He con-
cludes, of course, that it has been opened since he saw
it last. His theory is that it was opened last night by
a burglar. I don't know whether he really believes

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 261

that ; it appears preposterous and beyond possibility
that any ordinary burglar would be acquainted with
this secret chamber.1''

Gilbert nodded his agreement. He had listened
carefully to his father, but at the same time had been
trying to understand how the mechanism was worked
by which the chamber was opened and closed. It
baffled him, however, and he desisted from the
attempt.

" What do you make of it ? " asked the father.

"Do you believe Whittaker right in thinking the
chamber was opened last night ? " inquired Gilbert.

" I do."

" But that he was wrong in putting it down to a
burglar ? "

" Yes. Do burglars break into lawyer's rooms ? I
don't mean to say that such a thing is impossible, for
valuable documents have been stolen — you can imagine
that."

" Of course. But if the secret chamber was not
opened by a burglar, then by whom was it opened ? "

"That is the question,"" said Eversleigh, gazing
earnestly at his son.

"Whoever opened the secret chamber knew of its
existence,11 Gilbert went on, thinking the matter out
aloud.

" Undoubtedly. He knew of its existence, and he
also had the means of opening it.11

Gilbert suddenly started, for an extraordinary
notion had come into his mind. His father saw the
start, and thought he knew its meaning. The two men
looked at each other strangely.

" Only two men in the world, I feel certain, knew

262 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

of that chamber," Eversleigh resumed. " One was the
mechanic who devised and made it, the other was "

" Cooper Silwood ! " exclaimed Gilbert.

" Yes, Cooper Silwood."

" But Silwood is dead, so you would say that it was
the other ? That seems absurd."

"It is absurd. What would the mechanic who
made the box care about taking anything out of the
secret chamber ? Once his job of making the thing
was finished, he would be finished with it altogether.
No, it was not the mechanic."

Gilbert was silent.

" Don't you see ? " asked Eversleigh.

" Silwood ! "

" Precisely."

"But that is impossible. Dead men do not open
secret chambers," said Gilbert, but there was something
curious and suggestive in the manner of his saying it.

" No. Dead men do not open secret chambers, but
living ones do. Silwood is not dead ! He is alive ! "

Eversleigh's voice rose into a shout and then
cracked.

" It seems inconceivable."

" Yet there is no other conclusion. The maker of
the box being out of the question, it follows that it
must have been Silwood. I believe he was here last
night and removed from the secret chamber something
of particular value to him."

"Silwood might have told some one of it," objected
Gilbert.

" Is it likely ? You know he was the least com-
municative of men."

" What about Williamson ? "

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 263

" I feel confident he knew nothing of it either.
Don't you see this secret chamber was a receptacle
in which Silwood hid papers or other things he had an
object in concealing? You may be certain he told no
one of it. If he had told any one, would he not have
told me ? No, Gilbert ; from the moment I knew of
Whittaker's discovery I suspected the truth."

" But the certificate of his death ? "

" It was a false certificate."

" Strange I had not thought of that before, once I
knew the kind of man he was ! "

" Silwood is alive," Eversleigh once more, but with
less vigour, declared, after a pause of some duration.

All through the conversation up to this point he
had carried himself, supported by excitement, with some
degree of his former buoyancy, but now he seemed to
sink rapidly into a state of apathy, while Gilbert re-
garded him anxiously.

" I don't know what's to be done next," murmured
Eversleigh, feebly.

"Some one must go to Italy," said Gilbert, em-
phatically, " and find out the truth — that's what must
be done ! "

" Then," said his father, " you must go ! "

CHAPTER XXX

« I?" ASKED Gilbert.

" Yes," Francis Eversleigh replied, with some de-
cision. " I can do nothing. In fact, I am physically
and mentally unfit to do anything of importance at
present. The discovery of the secret chamber, in-
dicating as it must that Silwood is alive, supplied me
with a sort of stimulus, but that is passing off, and I
feel as weak and helpless as a child. I feel," he went
on, while he slowly put his hand to his forehead, " as
if I were going mad. It is an awful feeling ! "

" Father ! "

" Oh," cried Eversleigh, " this business will be the
death of me ! I know it ! "

These words, Gilbert told himself, were caused by
the reaction to which his father had alluded, and were
not to be taken literally, but he gazed solicitously at
the other.

" No wonder you are depressed, father," he said, in
a sympathetic tone. " Well, 111 go to Italy," he added
in another voice.

" That's right ! Don't mind me ! You must go at
once, my boy."

" Yes, but what about Bennet ? We have rather
lost sight of him, have we not ? "

" I think we need not consider Bennet at the
264

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 265

moment. I shall answer his lawyer and say you are
willing to be retained for Bennet's defence.1"

« You deem that best ? "

" What choice have I, Gilbert ? "

Gilbert shrugged his shoulders.

"There is no alternative," continued Eversleigh.
"But some time must pass before the trial; indeed, you
will have a good many weeks to come and go upon.
Surely that will give you plenty of room for making
your inquiries. Still, there is no saying — the task may
be very difficult."

Eversleigh paused, lost in thought.

" You would not bring the police into the thing ? "
Gilbert asked suggestively.

" Not at first. Later, perhaps, but I don't know ; it
must depend on circumstances one can neither foresee
nor control. I shall certainly say not a word at this
juncture to the police."

" What about the Foreign Office people ? "

" Yes, that is a good idea. I think your best plan
is to go and see, if you can, Sir John Manners, the
Under-Secretary, whom I know very well. Til give
you a note to him, and request him to make your path
as smooth as possible. If you see him personally, I
should be inclined to tell him in confidence what we
now believe about Silwood — that is, if he is at all en-
couraging in his manner. You must judge for yourself."

" I understand," said Gilbert.

" I should ask him for an introduction to the
British Ambassador at Rome. It might prove very
useful. Arm yourself with the best credentials you can
get ; but of course you must be guided largely by what
Sir John says."

266 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Yes," assented Gilbert. " But suppose he is not
at the Foreign Office ? At this time of the year so
many officials are away on holiday "

" You can see, at any rate, the man next to him ;
still, it would be far better to see Sir John."

"I had better set off for Downing Street immedi-
ately," said Gilbert, but he did not at once move.
Instead, he looked very thoughtful; at length he
spoke. " You have no doubt about Silwood being
alive, sir ? "

" None whatever."

" You believe he was here last night — here, in
London, in this office ? "

" Certainly."

" Then should we not look for him in London ?"

" A natural question ; but does not that mean
bringing in the police ? "

"There are private detectives to be got. I have
one at this moment on the track of Russell, who bought
so much from Silwood."

"I do not object to having a private detective
employed, but I have a strong impression — it amounts
really to a certainty — that the clue is to be picked up
in Camajore, where Silwood was reported to have died.
On the face of the certificate, which we now believe to
be a false one, there is written, plain as if it had been
in ink, collusion between Silwood and the Syndic. They
were, you may be sure, in league, and they may be so
still. Be that as it may, you can make investigations,
which I am positive will have valuable results."

Eversleigh leaned back wearily, fatigued with so
much speaking.

" Will you try and find Sir John at the Foreign

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 267

Office, then return and let me know ? Meanwhile I'll
rest a little," said Eversleigh.

In a couple of hours Gilbert was back again in
Lincoln's Inn. He had been lucky enough in his
errand. He had seen the Under-Secretaiy, who had
given him the introduction he had wanted to the
Ambassador at the Quirinal.

"I did not think it necessary to tell Sir John,"
said Gilbert, relating what had taken place at the
Foreign Office, " anything regarding what we now know
about Silwood. On the way to Downing Street I went
over the circumstances carefully, and I came to the
conclusion that it might serve our purpose well enough
merely to say to him that, as Silwood had died in Italy,
you desired me to make inquiries, to see the body had
been buried decently, to have a tombstone put up, and
so on. And that it would, or might be, of great service
if he would give me a note to the Ambassador, to be
presented, however, only if an occasion arose fordoing so."

" And Sir John was satisfied ? "

" Perfectly. He was very nice about it, and said he
was delighted to be of use to you."

Eversleigh smiled wanly. Then he spread out on
his table some papers, which Gilbert saw were the
certificate of Silwood's death, the letter of Ugo Ucelli,
the Syndic of Camajore, that had accompanied it, and
the envelope in which both had been enclosed.

" It occurred to me," observed Eversleigh, " that it
would be well for you to take these with you."

He handed them to his son.

" Do you recall the contents of the Syndic's letter ? "
he went on. " Perhaps you had better have the trans-
lation."

268 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" I remember what he said in a general sort of
way, but the translation might be a help," replied
Gilbert.

" Well, here it is," said Eversleigh, drawing a folded
sheet from a packet.

Gilbert read the translation rapidly, and asked —

" Did you ever answer the letter ? "

" Not beyond sending a formal acknowledgment."

" The letter speaks of Silwood having left certain
effects, which the Syndic says are in his possession ; he
asks you what is to be done with them."

" I know, I know," remarked Eversleigh. " Of
course, if the circumstances had been normal, I should
have attended to the Syndic's letter fully. But I was
in no state to do so. The letter, you must remember,
came on the day of the discovery of Morris Thornton's
body — was, indeed, the immediate cause of the discovery.
Before that — ever since Silwood's confession — I was too
upset to give my mind to business properly, and since
that I have been able to attend to nothing as it ought
to be attended to."

And Eversleigh sighed painfully.

" I would not brood on that, sir," observed Gilbert.

" I cannot help it ; but never mind me just now.
I suppose you will leave to-night for Genoa ; you ought
to be there in thirty-six hours or so. Therefore you
should see the Syndic, if he is at the place still, in two
days from now. His letter to me gives you an opening.
You can tell him I asked you to find out what effects
Silwood left."

" That will do very well indeed," said Gilbert.

A few minutes later he bade his father good-bye,
and left that evening for the Continent. In forty-eight

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 269

hours he was in Camajore, and lost no time in hunting
up Ugo Ucelli, its Syndic, or Chief Magistrate.

Ucelli, a medium-sized man of characteristically
Italian appearance, received him with extreme polite-
ness. When the Syndic understood Gilbert did not
know Italian, he conversed with him in French, a
language both were proficient in.

Gilbert made known who he was, and the errand
on which, ostensibly, he had come.

" Ah ! that poor Monsieur Silwood," said Ucelli.
" His was an extremely sad case. But what would
you ? It was the will of God."

Gilbert kept his eyes fixed on the man, and studied
his face closely, as if he could in that way penetrate its
inmost secrets.

"The cholera was everywhere,"" continued Ucelli,
"and many died besides M. Silwood. It has been a
great calamity. Alas ! but it is the will of God ! the
will of God!"

The repetition of the phrase irritated Gilbert.

" A pestilence is always terrible," he said, but some-
what bluntly. " You did all you could, I am sure, for
Mr. Silwood."

" The best doctors, nurses, care — everything. But,
alas ! it was the will of God."

" What a consummate hypocrite the man must be ! "
thought Gilbert. Aloud he said, " Was the body buried
near here ? "

" In the churchyard. Come, let me show you his
tomb."

As they went together down the single street of
which Camajore consists, towards the church, Gilbert
said his father had specially charged him to discuss

270 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

with Ucelli what was to be done with the effects Si 1 wood
had left behind him, and which were now in the Syndic's
possession.

" Yes ; when we return to my house I will show you
them. There is not much — some letters, a pocket-book
containing a few pounds in notes, and some gold and
silver, the money amounting in all to about twenty
pounds English. There is also a watch, and I believe that
is all. As Syndic I have kept them, but, of course, am
very willing to hand them over to the proper authority.
Indeed, I shall be very glad to do so."

By this time the two men had reached the grave-
yard. On entering it, Ucelli pointed to the numerous
mounds on which the earth was comparatively fresh.

" The cholera,"" he said ; " it was the cholera ! Alas !
it was the will of God ! "

Gilbert nodded, his face set and stern.

" See," said the Syndic, when they had advanced a
few steps, pointing to a mound, " that is where the body
of M. Silwood lies."

In appearance this mound differed in no respect from
the rest.

"Do you think of erecting a monument to M.
Silwood ? " asked Ucelli. " If so, I can have it made
for you here."

" No," replied Gilbert, shortly. " What I intend to
do is to remove the body to England."

"The body removed to England !" said the Syndic,
who had given a great start on hearing Gilbert's
statement.

"Yes ; that seems best," remarked Gilbert, watching
Ucelli keenly, and noticing his surprise.

" But think ! he died of cholera ! The law will

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 271

forbid — it does forbid — the body of one who has died
of cholera from being removed. It is therefore im-
possible, I regret to tell you, for you to carry out your
intention. I am very sorry, for your idea is a natural
one ; but the law, monsieur, the law will not per-
mit it."

" There's a good deal of cleverness about this plot,"
thought Gilbert. But he said to Ucelli, " I am very
sorry to hear this. Is there no way of getting over the
difficulty ? "

" No way, monsieur, none whatever. It is impossible.
It is the law. And it is also common sense," he added,
smoothly and courteously. " On reflection you must
admit it."

"Suppose the law did not forbid it," asked Gilbert,
" what should I have to do in order to be allowed to
remove the body ? "

"The authorities must give permission."

"What authorities?"

" At Rome. I can do nothing in such a matter ;
it is too high for me."

"Then to Rome I must go," said Gilbert to him-
self. But he talked no more on this subject with the
Syndic, who accordingly thought Gilbert was satisfied,
and had abandoned any idea he might have had of
removing the body to England.

Then they went to the office of the Syndic, and
there Gilbert was shown the effects to which allusion
had already been made. In addition to the articles
and sums of money mentioned by Ucelli, there were two
leather valises and some clothing. The Syndic explained
that it had been necessary to burn most of the clothes
that had belonged to Silwood.

272 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

"If you would like to examine or look into any-
thing," said Ucelli, " you are at liberty to do so. It is,
perhaps, slightly irregular, as you are not a relative of
the deceased, but I make no objection."

" Everything has been carefully planned," thought
Gilbert, as he mentally took note of the various objects.
" They have succeeded in making the thing look perfectly
natural and what would be expected in the circumstances.
The watch, the clothes, the money, the letters, the
travelling-bags, are just what one would expect to find
as the dead man's effects, if he had been a dead man."

" To give you these, I shall require to have an order
from the Government," said Ucelli.

" The Government at Rome ? "

"Yes."

" I suppose, then,1' said Gilbert, " I had better go
on to Rome?"

" That is your best course," agreed tFcelli, without
suspicion, and he bade Gilbert bon-voyage.

CHAPTER XXXI

WHILE Ucelli, Syndic of Caniajore, was congratulating
himself he had played his part so well that he had as
little to fear from Gilbert Eversleigh as from the
detective Brydges, or the journalist Westgate, who had
come to make inquiries respecting the death of Cooper
Silwood, Gilbert, on the other hand, was congratulating
himself that, owing to the final turn of their conversa-
tion, his going on to Rome seemed to the Syndic the
right and proper thing to be done.

If Ucelli had suspected Gilbert had a twofold object
in view, he would have taken all the means in his power
to prevent him from attaining it; but he thought Gilbert
had dropped any idea he might have entertained of
opening Silwood's grave, and now had no other end
than to obtain the necessary authorization by which
Sil wood's effects would be handed to him. The Syndic's
mind, therefore, was at ease.

On his way to the Italian capital, Gilbert considered
the situation. He did not doubt that the law with
regard to the removal of a cholera-infected body was
vhat Ucelli stated, and he foresaw it might be difficult,
perhaps impossible, for him to accomplish his purpose.
He hoped, however, that he might put such stress on
his belief that in SilwocxTs grave was no body at all,
as would lead the British Ambassador to make strong

273 T

274 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

representations that in this case there could be no danger
in opening the grave.

On his arrival in Rome, Gilbert called at the Embassy
immediately, only to be told that Lord Prestonkirk, the
Ambassador, was not in the city, but was staying at
a house he had in the mountains many miles away.
Thither, accordingly, Gilbert went, the journey in-
volving the loss of a day, at which he fretted not a
little.

The kindness of his reception by Lord Prestonkirk
speedily caused him to forget his vexation.

Lord Prestonkirk was one of the ablest and most
experienced diplomatists in the English service. He
had spent a great many years at the Foreign Office in
London, becoming eventually the Permanent Under-
secretary, a position he had occupied with great dis-
tinction until the Prime Minister, who was also Secre-
tary of State for Foreign Affairs, had offered him the
Embassy at Rome.

Gilbert presented his letter of introduction from
Sir John Manners, the Ambassador's successor as Per-
manent Under-Secretary, to Lord Prestonkirk, who at
once said he would be very glad to do anything in his
power to assist him.

" I have come to your Excellency ," said Gilbert, after
thanking the Ambassador for his courteous reception,
"to consult you confidentially on a very serious matter.
I must unfold to you a strange story, and ask for your
assistance, or, at least, advice. It is connected with the
death of Mr. Silwood, my father's partner."

" I remember hearing of Mr. Silwood's death," said
Lord Prestonkirk, "in the north of Italy some weeks
ago. Cholera, was it not ? "

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 275

" So it was said," replied Gilbert. " My father re-
ceived the intelligence in a letter from the Syndic of
Camajore, the place of Mr. Silwood's death ; a cer-
tificate of the death accompanied the letter. Here they
are," Gilbert continued, taking them from his pocket, and
placing them before the Ambassador. "Please read them."

"The certificate is in the usual form," said Lord
Prestonkirk, " and the Syndic's letter shows that every-
thing was done for the unfortunate man that could be
done. That is satisfactory."

" I have just come from Camajore," remarked Gilbert,
" where I saw the Syndic. You will notice that in his
letter he speaks of Mr. Silwood having left certain
effects ; they will be handed over to me on my obtain-
ing the proper authority."

" And you wish my help in the matter ? "

" Yes, your Excellency ; but this is only the begin-
ning. I told you I had a strange story to unfold,"
said Gilbert. "To put the matter as briefly as pos-
sible, I — or rather, I should say, my father and I — have
reason to believe that the certificate of Mr. Silwood's
death is a false certificate, that the letter of the Syndic
is nothing but a clever piece of fiction, and that Sil-
wood is alive."

" What ! " exclaimed the Ambassador. " Are you
quite serious in making these statements ? "

He looked at Gilbert incredulously.

"I certainly should not make them," answered
Gilbert, gravely, "unless there was good ground for
them. And as I do not believe that Silwood is dead,
it follows that I do not believe his body lies buried at
Camajore. It is regarding this that I beseech your
Excellency's assistance."

276 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

The Ambassador was silent, but his face wore a per-
plexed expression.

" What you have said suggests, Mr. Eversleigh,"
remarked Lord Frestonkirk, after a lengthy pause,
" something criminal, that is, if you are right in your
belief. I am afraid that I am not the proper person
exactly to come to. But tell me succinctly what you
thought you would ask me to do in the case.""

" I wished you to help me with the Italian Govern-
ment by getting, or by putting me in the way of getting,
authority to have the alleged grave of Silwood opened
up."

" I see. But supposing I did try to do this for you,
it must be obvious to you that I should have to bring
forward some very convincing argument. Graves are
not opened except for special reasons."

" I know," responded Gilbert. " I was prepared for
what you urge, and I must tell you all. But in doing
so, I am placing the honour of my father in your
hands."

The Ambassador bowed.

"Mr. Eversleigh," he said, somewhat stiffly, "you
must please yourself as to what you tell me."

"I beg your Excellency's pardon," cried Gilbert;
" but it is not too much to say that it is a matter of
life and death to my father and myself. Pardon me,
I beg of you."

" Well, I'm ready to listen," said Lord Prestonkirk,
more graciously. " Indeed, I am a good deal interested.
You have said enough to show me that there is some
strange story, as you stated, and if I can be of any
service to you, you may count upon me."

Then Gilbert told him all.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 277

The Ambassador listened with great attention,
asking a question now and again as Gilbert proceeded
with his tale. When it was finished, Lord Prestonkirk
remarked that he had never heard a stranger story.

" You believe," he asked, " that the testimony of
the secret chamber is absolutely convincing of Silwood's
being alive ? "

" Yes."

" Was there no one else who could have opened it ?"

" No one but the maker, and he is out of the ques-
tion. Who, beside Silwood, would have any object in
opening it?"

"The conclusion is just," acknowledged the Ambas-
sador ; " and I believe, with you and your father, that
the man is alive ; everything undoubtedly points that
way. But as I hinted, I think, to you already, it is
really a case for the police."

" Later it will in all probability be," said Gilbert ;
speaking with great earnestness. " But at present my
strong desire and hope is that I may be able to trace
Silwood, lay hands on him, and get from him, in some
way or other, an explanation of certain transactions
which he negotiated in the course of his defalcations.
If I were to have him arrested when found, it would
most likely be impossible to get him to say anything."

" I understand," said the Ambassador, but he looked
at Gilbert dubiously.

" I believe he had a confederate," Gilbert went on,
as he saw Lord Prestonkirk did not altogether follow
him. "Let me explain a little more fully. The ac-
countant who went over his books and papers found
that large transactions had taken place between Sil-
wood and a certain James Russell. Inquiries were

278 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

made about this Russell, and it turned out he was quite
a poor man, or, at all events, a man living in a very
poor way in Stepney — not in the least the sort of man
to engage in large financial operations. I fancy he
was a man of straw over whom, perhaps, Silwood may
have had some hold, and that Silwood made use of him
when a man of straw was needed. We found that this
man had recently left Stepney, and I have employed a
private detective to hunt him down."

" What did you say his name was ? "

" James Russell."

" Ah ! " exclaimed Lord Prestonkirk.

" Is it possible your Excellency knows anything of
him?"

"Perhaps. Do you happen to know what he was
like in appearance ? "

" We could get no accurate description of the man.
His neighbours said he was seldom at home; they
thought he was a workman."

" Well, it may only be a case of coincidence,1' said
the Ambassador; "but the man's connection with Sil-
wood suggests it may be something more than a co-
incidence. It happened one day last month, August,
that there was a person giving the name of James
Russell, and described as a workman, a British subject,
stabbed in the streets of Genoa. He was wounded in
the side, but not severely. Though he refused to prose-
cute the person who knifed him, and the thing was
hushed up, the affair was reported to me, as it might
have led to trouble. There was no prosecution, how-
ever, and I took very little interest in it, but the man's
name comes back to me."

"It is more than a trifle curious," said Gilbert,

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 279

musingly, " and I shall not forget what you have told
me."

This he said aloud, but inwardly he was asking
himself if it might not be that, after all, Silwood had
communicated to James Russell the method of opening
the secret chamber. If that were the case, then the
proof on which they built the idea of Silwood's being
alive was not so convincing as they had thought. He
kept this, however, to himself.

" I should say it was the same man,1' remarked the
Ambassador. " As I tell you, I attached no import-
ance to the matter at the time, since it led to no
trouble. Now, it seems very odd that this workman,
James Russell, did not try to get compensation for his
injury — that looks strange in an ordinary workman.
Then there is the fact that Silwood was in the same
neighbourhood."

Lord Prestonkirk gazed at Gilbert.

" Your story grows upon me, Mr. Eversleigh," con-
tinued the Ambassador. " I am immensely interested,
and I'll see what I an do. But once more I must tell
you that it is a case for the police."

"I admit that it would be so under ordinary cir-
cumstances. But, your Excellency, I must think of my
father. I must try to save him. I do not see how I
am to do it, I confess ; but while there is the slightest
chance of getting fuller information than we now
possess of what Silwood did, I cannot abandon all
hope. You see my position ? "

" And sympathize with it ; but still — still, it is all
very irregular."

" But you will help me ? "

" There will be difficulties. You see, I cannot tell

280 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

the Italian authorities what you have told me. I can-
not use the same arguments with them that you have
used with me. Still, I am going to try what I can do.
There is a detective in all of us, and you have excited
the detective in me, and if I can get that grave opened
for you, it shall be opened.1'

Gilbert thanked the Ambassador warmly.

"I shall be in Rome the day after to-morrow,1' said
Lord Prestonkirk, as he shook hands with Gilbert.
" Come and see me in the afternoon.11

CHAPTER XXXII

GfLBERT returned to Rome, well content with his
success so far. He felt that Lord Prestonkirk was
genuinely interested, and therefore would ;do all he
possibly could to help him. But, at the same time,
what he had heard concerning James Russell filled his
mind with disquiet and uncertainty.

The presence of James Russell in Northern Italy at
or about the date of Silwood's reported death was in
itself startling. True, there were many James Russells
in the world, and this particular James Russell who had
been wounded in the streets of Genoa, might not be
the James Russell whom he regarded as Silwood's con-
federate or accomplice; but Gilbert had little or no
doubt that he was the man he wanted so much to
find.

And if this were the case, what then ? What was
this man doing in Northern Italy, a few miles from
Camajore ? The answer evidently was that he had
been in touch with Silwood.

Again Gilbert was forced to ask himself, Might not
Silwood, after all, be dead and buried at Camajore, as
the Syndic had said ? If that were so, then Silwood
must have communicated a knowledge of the secret
chamber to Russell before his death, and the secret

281

282 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

chamber must have been opened by Russell. On a re-
view of all the circumstances, Gilbert was compelled to
acknowledge that this might be the explanation. If it
were, it was obvious that he must try harder than ever
to lay James Russell by the heels. But he was still
determined to have the grave opened. For if Silwood's
body were in it, then there was no more to be said on
that head, and Cooper Silwood would disappear finally
from the story, leaving the mystery of Lincoln's Inn for
ever unsolved.

Gilbert wrote to his father, Francis Everleigh, an
account of what he had done and of what he had heard
with regard to James Russell. He also communicated
with the private detective he was employing to track
Russell down.

At the time fixed, Gilbert went to see the Ambas-
sador, but it was only to meet with disappointment.

"I must ask you,11 said Lord Prestonkirk, "to
exercise a little patience, as it may be a day or two
before the matter can be settled one way or the other.
I saw the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and told him
what you wished. Of course I did not tell him what
you told me, but I said I believed there were good
reasons for my supporting your application for having
the grave opened. I dare say he thinks that it has
something to do with politics. Be that as it may, we
are on excellent terms, and he promised to see about
it, but said it was outside his department, and he must
speak to the Minister of Justice, as such affairs were
under his control."

"I am greatly obliged to you,11 said Gilbert,
earnestly. " Can you give me any idea when you will
hear from the Minister again ? "

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 283

" Very soon, I think. I urged that the matter
was most important, and said that I should deem it a
personal favour if there was as little delay as possible."

" You are most kind," said Gilbert, " and I don't
know how I am to thank you sufficiently."

" Pray do not try, Mr. Eversleigh. You see,"
continued the Ambassador with a smile, "you have
aroused my curiosity, and I must say I am quite
keen to know the truth. Come again to-morrow, and
perhaps I may have something definite to tell you."

Gilbert called at the Embassy the following day,
scarcely expecting to hear the " something definite " of
which Lord Prestonkirk had spoken, but to his joy he
did.

" I have to tell you," said the Ambassador, cordially,
" of a most unexpected piece of good fortune."

" You have succeeded ! " cried Gilbert, excitedly.

" Yes ; but let me tell you how it came about. It
appears that Ucelli, the Syndic of Camajore, has been
for a long time in the black books of his superior, the
Minister of Justice. This is the piece of good fortune
so far as you are concerned. As soon as he heard
that Ucelli was suspected of having issued a false
death certificate, he instantly said that such a charge
must be immediately investigated. So far as I can
make out, the Minister was delighted with the oppor-
tunity of making things particularly unpleasant for
Ucelli, on whom he has had an eye for months. I
imagine he is anxious to find a sufficient reason for
removing him from his position. You will get the
benefit of the Minister's being in this frame of mind.
It is a lucky thing for you, and I hope it is a good omen
of your success."

284 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Thank you again and again," said Gilbert. " I
am infinitely indebted to your Excellency. What can
I do to show how thankful I am ? "

" There is one way," replied the Ambassador, kindly.
" I wish you to keep me informed of what takes place
— I want to know the sequel to this strange story into
which you have brought me."

" Oh, I shall be very glad to let you know what
happens ; I should have done that in any case. Now,
your Excellency, what is the next move ? "

"The Minister of Justice is determined that the
matter shall be probed to the bottom," rejoined Lord
Prestonkirk. "He is therefore sending to Camajore no
less a person than his Deputy-Minister. I was rather
surprised to hear it, for the Deputy-Minister is quite a
great man, but it indicates the importance the Minister
attaches to the investigation, and you may be sure it
will be thorough."

" I am very glad to hear it," said Gilbert, but he
had hardly uttered these words when a sort of dread
came over him that Sil wood's body might be found
in the grave. He steadily refused, however, to let his
mind dwell on this idea.

"All that remains for me to do now, Mr. Evers-
leigh," said the Ambassador, " is to give you a line to
the Minister of Justice by way of introduction ; you
had better go and call on him at once."

" Yes, I will do so."

Lord Prestonkirk wrote a short note, and handing
it to Gilbert, wished him good-bye and good luck.

"Don't forget to let me know — eh — the sequel,"
smiled the Ambassador, as he shook hands with Gilbert.

Arrived, within a few minutes of his leaving the

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 285

Embassy, at the Ministry of Justice, Gilbert was almost
immediately ushered into the presence of Signer Fava,
the Minister. Finding that Gilbert did not know
Italian, Signor Fava conversed with him in English.

" Yrou believe Ucelli to be in a plot," said the
Minister, after some discussion, " to screen this Mr.
Silwood ? Yes ; but there is one question I must ask :
Why has he tried to screen Mr. Silwood ? What was,
or is, the consideration ? "

" I do not know what was, or is, the connection
between the two," replied Gilbert.

"Ucelli must have been offered some strong
inducement."

" That is probable, most probable."

" It must be inquired into, it must ! "

The Minister touched an electric bell, and his
Secretary entered the room.

"Please request Signor Vinci to come to me," the
Minister said in Italian to his subordinate, who forth-
with withdrew.

" Signor Vinci," the Minister explained to Gilbert,
" is my Deputy. I merely desire to introduce you to
him. I have already asked him to arrange with you
when to go to Camajore. When do you intend to
go?"

" I should like to go at once — that is, if it is con-
venient to Signor Vinci."

" How would to-morrow do ? "

" Capitally."

A tall, swarthy man, with a determined-looking
face, now came in.

" Mr. Eversleigh," said the Minister, " this is the
Deputy -Minister, Signor Vinci. He has already received

286 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

his instructions, and if you can go to-morrow, so can he.
And you will find that he can speak English as well as
or better than I."

" Oh no, Excellency," protested the Deputy. " But
I am certainly quite ready to go with Mr. Eversleigh
to-morrow, if that suits him."

And so it was arranged.

Before setting out next morning, Gilbert received a
telegram from his brother Ernest, which made him
very sad. It ran —

" Father seriously ill, but immediate danger not
apprehended. He is unable to attend office. I opened
your last letter to him, but am completely fogged as
to its meaning."

" My father seriously ill," thought Gilbert. " How
he has suffered ! If the worst happens, it will have
been Silwood who has killed him ! And the office !
How long can it go on in my father's absence without
something being discovered and a catastrophe precipi-
tated ? What a terrible situation ! What am I to
do ? " he asked himself, greatly agitated. But a little
reflection convinced him that it was his duty to pro-
ceed to Camajore. Still, his brother's message chilled
and depressed his spirits.

It was towards the middle of the afternoon when
Gilbert and Signor Vinci walked up the single street
of Camajore to the residence of Ucelli.

The Syndic saw the Deputy-Minister with Surprise,
but was far from guessing the real cause of his
appearance.

" It is about the effects of that poor Signor Silwood
you have come," he said to Signor Vinci in Italian,
" along with Signor Eversleigh, is it not ? "

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 287

"The effects," said Vinci, diplomatically; "yes.
Let me see them."

The Syndic produced the money and the various
articles which had belonged to Silwood.

" I will give you a receipt for them,1' said the
Deputy, " and take them with me to Rome. They will
eventually be given to the person or persons who can
show the best claim to them."

" That is quite correct," agreed the Syndic,
obsequiously. " Will your Excellency take them
now?"

" Yes."

The Deputy-Minister, the look of determination on
his face which it habitually wore suddenly becoming
sharply accentuated, snapped out the " Yes " so harshly
that Ucelli could not help noticing it ; there was that
in it which made him quake. He glanced at the
Deputy to see if he could interpret the swift change in
his manner.

"Mr. Eversleigh," said Vinci, crisply, "has proffered
a request to the Minister of Justice, and his Excellency
will comply with it. This request was that the grave
of Mr. Silwood should be opened, and the body re-
moved to England. It is permitted."

" But, Excellency," urged the Syndic, " pray con-
sider the circumstances. Mr. Silwood died of cholera."

" I am aware of it," said the Deputy. " Of course,
every precaution science can suggest must be taken.
But the command of the Minister admits of no dis-
cussion. The grave must be opened, and that to-day ;
now, or at any rate as soon as possible."

" But, Excellency ! " began Ucelli, " I "

" Say no more ! The matter is settled, and I am

288 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

here to see the grave is opened and the body given
over to Mr. Eversleigh.11

"A thousand pardons, but, Excellency, I shall be
able to get no one to dig. Everybody knows Mr.
Silwood died of cholera ; and who amongst the villagers
will have the courage to face the pestilence ? "

"But with proper precautions ?"

" Alas ! our simple people do not understand pre-
cautions ; they do understand what death from cholera
means by the way of infection.11

" I must say I do not comprehend the objection, if
the necessary precautions are taken. No, signor, let
us to work at once. I will go with you and procure
disinfectants, and, thereafter, the grave-diggers, while
Mr. Eversleigh rests here. Come ! "

The Syndic scanned the Deputy 1s face, but it was
uncompromisingly resolute.

" There is no need for your Excellency to put your-
self to the trouble of going with me — I can easily see
to all that is required,11 suggested Ucelli.

" I prefer to go with you,11 replied the Deputy, with
unmistakable decision. Then he added, " My authority
may be of some use to you, signor, with the grave-
diggers.11

And the voice of the Deputy was exceedingly grim,
while Ucelli turned a sickly white and found nothing
more to say.

CHAFIER XXXIII

" COME ! " said the Deputy-Minister peremptorily to
Ucelli. " Meanwhile, Mr. Eversleigh, do you remain
here till we return. I do not think you will have to
wait very long.""

"Very well, signer,"" Gilbert replied, though he
would have preferred accompanying the two Italians.

" Come ! " cried the Deputy once more to Ucelli.

But the Syndic had now found his tongue. He
begged the Deputy to give him a few moments1 private
conversation in the next room.

"You can say what you have to say here, surely.
If you speak in our own language, Mr. Eversleigh will
not understand you, so you will be quite safe."

Ucelli urged that Mr. Eversleigh was evidently a
highly intelligent man, and must have picked up some
knowledge of Italian. Therefore, with all respect to
the Deputy-Minister, he ventured to think it possible
Mr. Eversleigh might understand. And again he
requested a private interview, which finally was granted
to him.

The Deputy and the Syndic retired to an adjoining
room, and left Gilbert alone with his thoughts.

His thoughts were a strange jumble. In the fore-
ground of them were Silwood, James Russell, the Syndic,

289 u

290 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

and the Deputy-Minister, but behind them were his
father, Kitty, and Harry Bennet. As he sat there, they
all presently seemed to mingle, to become obscure, as in
some feverish dream, and then to stand out sharp and
clear again.

Perhaps half an hour had passed when there rang
through the house the report of a revolver, immediately
followed by the sounds of a struggle and the cries and
shouts of those engaged in it.

Gilbert sprang to his feet at once, and ran into
the next room, from which the noise had come.

There, on the floor, were Ucelli, and above him the
Deputy-Minister holding him by the throat. A little
distance away lay a revolver ; there was the smell of
burnt powder in the air, while the furniture of the
apartment was in disorder.

" Get something," panted the Deputy, " with which
we can bind and secure him, Mr. Eversleigh. Take
that table-cover and tear it up — that will do."

Gilbert, who had of course easily grasped the situa-
tion, did as he was bid, and in two or three minutes
the Syndic was bound hand and foot.

"You are not hurt?" Gilbert inquired of the
Deputy. " I heard the sound of a shot."

" No ; though it was not Ucelli's fault. He de-
liberately tried to kill me, but I was too quick for him,"
said the Deputy, still gasping. " I will tell you all
when I have recovered a little."

And breathing heavily, he seated himself on a chair.
Gilbert glanced at Ucelli — the man's face was the colour
of paper.

" First of all," said Signor Vinci, after an interval,
" he tried to bribe me, and failing in that, sought to

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 291

kill me, though what he hoped to gain by killing
me I cannot understand."

" It was the act of a madman."

" You would say he was driven to it by despair ?
That, perhaps, is the explanation ; or it may be he ex-
pected to make good his escape. But you see what all
this means? It means you are correct in what you
have stated about Silwood. Ucelli has not made a
confession — that is, a direct confession — but his conduct
can bear no other interpretation."

" Yes," assented Gilbert.

" Our next step must be to get the grave opened,
and then the case will be complete. But first I will give
Ucelli the opportunity of making a full confession."

The conversation between the Deputy-Minister and
Gilbert had, up to this point, been in English. Turn-
ing to the Syndic, Signor Vinci asked him in his own
language if he wished to make a statement.

" What is the use ? " asked Ucelli. " I have done
for myself — the game is up ! "

" That being so, why not make a clean breast of
everything ? "

" What good would that do me ? You will, besides,
lay a charge against me of trying to murder you, and
I shall be condemned to a life-sentence."

The Deputy thought for a few seconds.

"You are determined to say nothing?" he asked
Ucelli.

" I will confess all — but only if you will promise me
one thing on your honour," said Ucelli, who had been
thinking too.

" I cannot make terms with you."

" In this instance you can."

292 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" To what do you refer ? "

" If you will waive the charge against me of trying
to kill you, I will disclose everything. After all, I did
not kill you ; and if you will withhold the charge of
attempt to murder, I will open my lips."

" You ask a great deal ! " cried Vinci, but he did
not refuse the man. As rapidly as he could, he told
Gilbert of Ucelli's proposal, and said he was disposed
to accept it.

" You may be surprised," he said to Gilbert, who
was indeed astonished. " But I will tell you the reason.
It is for your sake. If Ucelli makes a full confession,
you will learn all you desire to know. Naturally, I
have a desire that Ucelli should be punished for his
attempt on my life, but I am willing to forego it. By
so doing, and in this way obtaining the confession, I
acknowledge and repay the obligation you have placed
the Ministry of Justice under, for you have put into
our hands the means of convicting Ucelli. I am sure
this is what the Minister, His Excellency Signer Fava,
would have me do.11

" It is noble of you," said Gilbert, warmly, " to
give up wreaking vengeance on your own account."

The Italian bowed and smiled pleasantly. He now
addressed the Syndic, who had been watching the faces
of the two others as they conversed, trying to gather
from their expression what they were saying.

" I agree to your proposal," he said to Ucelli. " I
will make no personal charge against you. You, on
your part, will tell us all — absolutely all without
equivocation."

"Yes, Excellency, absolutely all," replied the Syndic,
a little colour of hope coming into his pallid cheeks.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 293

" With your permission, I will speak in French, which
Mr. Eversleigh understands, as does your Excellency, I
doubt not."

" Let it be so," assented the Deputy. " Speak on ! "

" I must go back some years, four or five," said
Ucelli ; " it was then that Silwood first came to
Camajore. He made a stay of several weeks, in the
course of which he became intimate with me ; he often
spent the evenings here, playing chess, a game of which
I am fond. His holiday at an end, he went back to
England. I did not see him again till last July. I
wondered at his coming when cholera was everywhere,
but he had an object in view — a scheme, which com-
pelled him to run the risk."

Here the Syndic paused, as if to collect his
thoughts.

" You saw him again ?" prompted the Deputy.

" Alas, yes ! He came to me and tempted me, and
I succumbed. For a sum of money I agreed to assist
him in his scheme. I knew I was doing a criminal act,
but the bribe he offered me quieted all my scruples,"
Ucelli resumed. " I am a poor man, and I fell ! "

" How much did he offer you ? " demanded Vinci.

" It was fifty thousand liras," replied Ucelli.
" Imagine, Excellency, the temptation to a poor man
like myself!"

" Fifty thousand liras ! " exclaimed the Deputy. " It
is a large sum of money."

"Fifty thousand liras," thought Gilbert; "how
much is that in English money?" A mental calcu-
lation showed him that it was nearly two thousand
pounds. Where, he wondered, had Silwood got such
a sum ? But Ucelli was speaking.

294 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" Yes, he offered me fifty thousand Hras," repeated
the Syndic, "and I swallowed the bait — like a fool.
But I did not consent all at once. I knew the pro-
ceeding he proposed was dangerous in the extreme ; but
he allayed my fears by declaring it was impossible that
it should ever be found out.1'1

The Syndic stopped, overcome with self-pity.

" Well," cried Vinci ; « what next ? "

"His proposal was that I should have him in my
house here, and soon after he was to pretend to be ill
of cholera. After a short interval it was to be given
out that he had died, while I was to have an imaginary
body buried. There were so many deaths here at the
time, and consequently so much confusion, that there
was no difficulty in carrying out his plan.1'1

" So you were right," said the Deputy to Gilbert.

" I issued a false certificate, and at Silwood's
dictation penned the letter sent to Mr. Eversleigh's
father," went on the Syndic, now bent on leaving
nothing untold. " And it was he who arranged I
should have in my possession the letters, money,
clothes, and other articles which belonged to him."

" To give colour to the fiction of Silwood's death ? "
asked the Deputy.

" Precisely. I thought we had foreseen everything,
and that discovery was impossible. Alas ! but we are
blind fools ! I hoped, when inquiries came, I should
be able to satisfy them easily. The two men who
came to make inquiries before Mr. Eversleigh, I had no
difficulty with."

It was Gilbert's turn to be amazed.

" What ? " he cried. " Two men before me ! What
do you mean ? "

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 295

" Ah, you did not know of them ? " said the Syndic.
" One was a detective of the English police, the other
was a journalist, but they went empty away."

" Do you know their names ? "

" Am I likely to forget anything or anybody con-
nected with this affair ? " asked Ucelli. " No ; the
name of the detective was Brydges, of Scotland Yard ;
that of the other was Westgate, a man on the staff of
a London journal, the Morning Call"

The names conveyed no meaning to Gilbert, but he
was filled with wonder. Thinking it over later, he saw
it must have been suspected by others that Silwood was
not dead, and he guessed these inquiries had been made
in connection with the finding of Thornton's body in
Silwood's rooms in Lincoln's Inn. The knowledge that
the detective and the journalist had been at Camajore,
however, gave him a bad turn ; he was afraid to think
what might have happened to his father if either of
them had stumbled on the truth.

"I know neither of them,'"' said Gilbert to the
Syndic.

" They got nothing from me," resumed Ucelli. " I
felicitated myself on getting rid of them without
trouble. And then you came, Mr. Eversleigh, and I
imagined you were as satisfied as they had been. I was
a blind fool, a blind fool ! "

"You see I was sure Silwood was not dead,"
remarked Gilbert.

"Do you know where he is?" eagerly inquired the
Syndic.

" No, I don't ; I hoped you would know."

The Syndic shook his head.

Signor Vinci darted an angry look at him.

296 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" I don't know," persisted Ucelli, seeing the look.

" What occurred after the so-called death of Sil-
wood ? " asked the Deputy. " How did he get out of
the country ? Ifs plain he did not go as Silwood. If
he had plenty of money, as I suppose his giving you
fifty thousand liras shows, he would be able to procure
disguises, have his own carnage, and journey as he
liked."

" Mr. Silwood," replied Ucelli, " is undoubtedly a
very rich man, as you suggest. He had an abundance
of money."

Gilbert startled the other two men by suddenly
rising from his chair with a vehement ejaculation.

" Silwood a rich man ? " he cried.

" Beyond question, a very rich man."

Here was a new idea to Gilbert — new with a
vengeance ! Silwood rich !

Then what about Silwood's alleged losses on the
Stock Exchange ? he asked himself. Were they fic-
titious too ? Or — what ?

" Silwood is rich," continued the Syndic, " but it
took very little money to get him out of the country,
as it happened. His scheme had taken account of
that, and he brought with him a disguise — a disguise
as complete as any I ever saw; no one could have
recognized him in it. By taking off his wig, putting
on a moustache, staining his face and hands, and touch-
ing up his cheeks with some paint, he became another
man altogether. Then he had clothes with him — such
clothes, he told me, as any British workman might
wear — and these he wore. The disguise was perfect,
and must have been carefully studied. In the night I
guided him out of Camajore, and set him on the way

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 297

to Lucca, which he reached ; thence he went on to
Genoa, where he took ship for England. But he was
delayed at Genoa— there was an accident ; how it came
about is not known, but he was stabbed in the street.""

"Stabbed in the street!" exclaimed Gilbert, on
whom the full light was now breaking.

" Yes ; he telegraphed for me to go to him, and I
went He said that to prosecute the man who had
stabbed him would be fatal, and I arranged there should
be no prosecution. Besides, his wound was not serious ;
he had merely to lie quiet for some days.1'

"Under what name did Silwood go when he was
thus disguised ? " asked Gilbert, though he knew what
the reply would be.

" James Russell," said the Syndic.

CHAPTER XXXIV

" JAMES RUSSELL ! I thought so," said Gilbert, tingling
with excitement.

" Is this of importance to you ? " the Deputy asked
Gilbert.

" Of the utmost importance.'"

The Deputy smiled, and showed he was well pleased ;
but he asked no more questions, save one only.

" Is there anything else about which you wish to
interrogate Ucelli ? " he inquired.

" Yes. I should like to know if he is aware where
Silwood, alias Russell, went to in England ? "

" London," said the Syndic ; " but he intended going
to America eventually."

" That is all, I think, at present," said Gilbert to
Signer Vinci.

"Should some other point occur to you later,"
suggested the Deputy, " you will have an opportunity
of putting it to him in Rome, whither we must proceed
with all speed."

" I had thought of setting out for London at once,"
said Gilbert. " The information I have obtained should
be acted on without delay. Besides, my father is very
ill."

" If you could spare one day ! You are a witness
to the confession of Ucelli, and I desire you to make a

298

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 299

deposition with respect to it before the Minister of
Justice himself."

" I certainly owe you as much as that," acquiesced
Gilbert.

Thereafter, the Deputy, leaving the bound man in
Gilbert's charge, went out of the Syndic's house, to
return in a short time with a couple of civil officers,
who took Ucelli to prison. The Deputy now informed
Gilbert that he had given orders to open up the reputed
grave of Silwood, and late that evening they heard a
coffin had been taken up and found to be filled with
stones.

Next day the Deputy and Gilbert were in Rome,
recounting to the Minister of Justice what had taken
place. A deposition was drawn up and signed by
Gilbert ; at the same time, he acknowledged very
heartily his great obligations to the Minister and the
Deputy.

" Not at all," said the Minister ; " you have really
conferred a great favour on us. But there is one thing
I should like to ask you, if it is not indiscreet."

" And that is, signor ? "

"We know why Ucelli entered into this conspiracy
with Silwood ; it was because of the fifty thousand liras
Silwood gave him. But we do not know what induced
or compelled Silwood to act as he did. I can see, of
course, that in all probability he is a great criminal.
For that matter, the conspiracy itself was a crime of
the gravest character. If I could arrest this Silwood,
he would receive a heavy sentence, you may be sure."

While his superior was speaking, the Deputy had a
little smile on his grim face. He had wished to ask
Gilbert the question now put to him by the Minister,

300 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

but, feeling tolerably certain of the truth, had refrained.
Still, he listened eagerly to Gilbert's reply.

" Silwood is an absconder and a forger," said Gilbert.
"To conceal his crimes, to cover up his tracks, he
planned and carried out, with Ucelli's help, this
infamous plot. There, that is all."

" And more than enough ! " exclaimed the Minister.
" You will, as soon as you return to England, pro-
ceed to have this man hunted down ? "

" It will be the one object of my life until it is
accomplished," said Gilbert, emphatically.

On his way back to London, Gilbert pondered what
he should next do, and reflected on the occurrences of
the last two or three days. The whole scheme of Silwood
was now tolerably plain. To begin with, it was evident
Silwood had long been leading a double life. There
were the wife and child and the house at Stepney on
the one hand ; and, on the other, the private chambers
in Lincoln's Inn. In the latter he was Cooper Silwood,
solicitor; in Stepney he was James Russell, workman.
And now Gilbert recalled very vividly the story told by
the waster, the poor human wreck who spoke like a
gentleman, the story of the workman seen issuing in the
dead of night from the iron gate of the Stone Buildings1
end of Chancery Lane.

" Of course, it was Silwood," argued Gilbert ; " it
must have been he. The waster said the workman was
flurried, went away hurriedly, but returned in half an
hour. What does that mean, taken in connection with
the fact that next morning Silwood left London ? It
must have been no light thing which made him flurried.
He intended going to Stepney, started, and then
changed his mind. Not like him either, to change

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 301

v

his mind in that way. Something must have
happened."

Then the thought came leaping into his mind which
explained everything.

" It must have been because Morris Thornton was
lying dead in Silwood's room — that accounts for his
agitation and indecision."

After that he asked himself the inevitable question —

" Had Silwood said or done anything to cause such
a shock to Thornton as killed him ? If so, what ? "

But this was a question he could not answer now. The
key to the mystery lay with Silwood, and it was possible,
even probable, he had made good his escape to America,
if it was to America he was gone. America was a wide
word, Gilbert mused,but the arm of Justice was long. Yet
the search all over America — was that not like looking
for a needle in a haystack ? And the time which would
almost certainly be occupied in the quest — what might
not happen in the interim ?

With these questions, and such as these, Gilbert
was distracted during his journey, and the news which
met him on his arrival in London made his heart heavy
as lead.

His brother Ernest was at the station when his
train steamed in. Gilbert observed he looked pale and
sad.

" How is father ? " were Gilbert's first words.

" Oh, it is terrible ! " exclaimed Ernest.

" Is he worse ? "

" Yes, he is worse. He will never be himself again,
I fear. He is out of his mind."

" Out of his mind ! " cried Gilbert, but in his heart
he was saying it was no wonder that his father had

302 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

become insane, considering all he had borne during the
past two months.

" Isn't it dreadful ? "

" It may be only temporary," Gilbert suggested.

"The doctors who have seen him do not give us
much hope."

" You have had specialists called in ? "

" Certainly."

" What form does his trouble take ? "

" He is not at all violent ; indeed, he is gentleness
itself. But his memory seems a blank, and he does not
speak except to say one sentence, and it breaks one's
heart to hear him say it."

" What does he say ? '

"He asks, 'What o'clock is it?' but he does not
know what he says. If you tell him the time, he does
not comprehend you. That was how mother found his
trouble out. One night he had a sort of fit in bed ;
when it passed he asked, ' What o'clock is it ? ' and
mother told him. He asked again, ' What o'clock is
it?' and mother again told him. But he immediately
inquired once more, * What o'clock is it ? ' and then she
began to surmise something was very wrong with him."

" Poor mother ! " exclaimed Gilbert. " How is
she?"

" She is a brave woman, and is bearing up wonder-
fully. Well, she waited till morning, and then sent
me for a doctor, who, after seeing father, said his brain
was affected. I got the best specialists to see him, and
they declared his mind had given way, so far as they
could judge, from overstrain. It seems that the gentle
kind of melancholy madness which afflicts him is
incurable. Isn't it sad ? "

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 303

" Very sad ; but doctors are sometimes wrong, and
we must hope for the best. Is he at Ivydene ? "

" Yes ; with a nurse. The doctors thought it was
prudent to have a nurse, though, really, he does not
require one. He is just like a child. I have not
allowed news of his trouble to get about."

The brothers now got into a hansom, and drove to
Gilbert's chambers in the Temple. Gilbert could see
that Ernest had more to tell him, and half guessed
what it was. In the circumstances, too, Gilbert thought
Ernest must now be told the true position of the firm
of Eversleigh, Silwood and Eversleigh.

"When your letter to father came," continued
Ernest, " he was already in the condition he now is, so
I opened and read it. As I wired you, I was com-
pletely bewildered by what you wrote, but tried to
puzzle out your meaning. Without the key, however,
I could not succeed."

" Til disclose everything to you, Ernie," said Gilbert.

"And, Gilbert, there is something more. The
doctors said father's trouble came from his brain
having been overstrained. I believe they are right, and
I'll tell you why. I had to make out the position of
our firm with respect to the securities of one of our
clients, Mr. Archibald Johnstone, and, so far as I can
see, we have not got these securities ; at any rate, I cannot
lay my hands on them anywhere in the office. I went
to Archer Martin, the accountant, hoping he might
throw some light on the subject ; but he said I had
better ask you, as you would know. Gilbert, Gilbert,
I don't know what to think, but it looks to me as if
there's something very serious in this business."

" Yes, Ernie, there is," said Gilbert ; " it is as

30-4 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

serious as it can be. It is so serious that I can almost
feel glad father is not in his right mind."

" Gilbert ! "

" It is true. Now let me tell you all I know. The
main thing is that Cooper Silwood robbed the firm of a
large sum of money. He absconded to Camajore, in
Italy, where, in collusion with the Syndic of the place
he gave out that he was dead."

Ernest stared at his brother wildly.

" What are you saying ? " he cried. " Silwood robbed
the firm ! absconded to Italy ! pretended he was dead ! "

" Exactly. But I must begin at the beginning, and
tell you the whole story in detail."

When he had heard it all, Ernest was thunderstruck.

" This Silwood must be a devil ! " he cried.

" Ay, a devil in cleverness, in ingenuity, in resource,
in cunning, and we have to encounter and defeat these
qualities in him. He must be found."

"The police?"

" Can we afford to let them know our affairs ? "

"No; I suppose not. Would you employ private
detectives ? "

" Yes ; there are very excellent private detective
agencies in America, such as Pinkerton's. As I have
already told you, I have a man in England following
up the trail of Silwood, whom he knows only as James
Russell. He may have something to report."

There were several letters lying on Gilbert's table.
Owing to the urgency of his talk with Ernest, he had
not looked at them ; he now did so, hoping that one
of them was from the detective, and this hope proved
well-founded.

The detective wrote that he had discovered in the list

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN. 305

of steerage passengers, kept by one of the Liverpool
shipping firms, an entry of " James Russell, wife, and
child." From inquiries he had made, he had learned
that the child was a cripple ; this fact, together with
the name, James Russell, and the numbers in the party,
agreed with what he had been told of the Russells who
had lived in No. 99, Douglas Street, Stepney, so that he
had very little doubt that he was on the right trail.
He went on to state that the Russells had sailed for
New York and had arrived there, as he had ascertained
from his correspondent in that city. On landing,
Russell had declared he was an immigrant, and having
been informed that by American law it was necessary
to show he was possessed of a certain stipulated sum of
money, had produced it, and was allowed to enter the
country. Russell had also declared his intention to go
West, mentioning St. Paul in the State of Minnesota as
his probable destination. These facts, the detective
added, were communicated to him by cable, and he
asked for further instructions.

Gilbert handed the letter to Ernest, remarking here

* O

was some good news.

" Oh, if we can only catch Silwood soon ! " cried
Ernest, after perusing the letter.

CHAFIER XXXV

" To catch Sihvood ! Yes, that is the business we must
press to a conclusion ; everything must give way to it ! "
said Gilbert, energetically. " I shall wire the detective
to cable his American correspondent to continue his
search.11

Then Gilbert was silent for a while, meditating
deeply.

" Bennefs trial," he said at length, " is fixed for the
middle of November, is it not, Ernie ? "

"Yes, November 15th, at York. North Eastern
Circuit ; Judge, Warrender," replied Ernest, quickly.

" That would give me six weeks,"" remarked Gilbert,
thoughtfully.

" What ! Do you intend going to the United
States after Silwood? Six weeks is rather a short
period.11

" Of course it is, but it might be enough. I believe
I ought to go, and I have a presentiment I shall succeed.
St. Paul is a long way off, though.11

Gilbert now consulted an atlas.

" I see,11 said he, " St. Paul is just about half-way
across the American continent. Still, I should be able
to reach it in ten days. Say twenty days for going
and returning, that leaves twenty and odd days for
hunting the man down. Yes, 111 go. Will you

306

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 307

arrange about a steamer, while I run across to Surbiton

c5 7

to see father, mother, and Helen ? "

"Yes. But are you not counting too much on
Sil wood's being at St. Paul ? You don't really know
he is there at all."

" I trust I'm not. My opinion is that Silwood was
sure of the working of his scheme ; so much so, he took
no trouble to cover up his movements. When he said
he was going to St. Paul, I imagine he stated the truth.
Still, I may be wrong. But I shall soon know."

" You think he was so confident he had obliterated
the past, so to speak, that he took no further pre-
cautions ? "

"That's just my idea. Anyhow, I wish you would
inquire about steamers, and secure a berth for me on
the first one that goes out. Meanwhile I'll go over
to Ivydene."

"All right," said Ernest, and went across to the
office in Lincoln's Inn. There he rang up the shipping
companies on the telephone, and finally arranged for
a passage on the St. Louis, which was leaving South-
ampton next morning.

He remembered it was the St. Louis by which Morris
Thornton had returned to England, and it struck him
as of good augury that his brother should sail on it in
pursuit of Silwood, who had so marred the fortunes of
Thornton and them all.

The brothers met again late in the afternoon, and
Ernest told Gilbert that he had taken a berth for
him in this vessel, and, as it sailed on the morrow
about noon, he must at once make preparations for
leaving.

" I am very glad that I start so soon," remarked

308 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Gilbert. " I feel as if I must be moving and doing
something towards getting on Si 1 wood's track. When
I saw poor father, I longed with all my soul to slay
this man, this villain, who has wrought us such terrible
wrong, such irremediable mischief. I know now how a
murderer must feel — though to kill such a miscreant as
Silwood would not be murder ; it would be like killing
some poisonous reptile."

" I understand your feelings," said Ernest ; " but if
you meet him you must not give way to your anger,
just though it is. You must not forget that it is the
money "

" You may be sure I won't forget it," interrupted
Gilbert. "But it made my blood fairly boil when I
saw father, and heard his parrot-like cry of 'What
o'clock is it?' He did not know me at all; he does
not even know mother. It's frightfully sad for her,
poor dear. And we owe this whole trouble to that devil,
Silwood ! It makes me savage to think of it ! "

" Yes, it's hard to bear. Now, is there anything
more I can do for you ? Any matter to attend to ?"

"You might see the detective, and tell him I
have gone to New York, where I shall loolf up his
correspondent."

" He had better cable across that you are going —
that will prepare the way for you."

"Quite right," agreed Gilbert. "Are you coming
to see me off to-morrow morning ? "

" From Waterloo ? Yes. Did you say anything
to mother about going to America ? "

" Yes, I told her of it. She was surprised ; but I
assured her I had no option, but hoped to bring back
good news."

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 309

" Pray Heaven you may ! "

"Has anything further been done in the case of
Bennet ? " asked Gilbert, after a minute's silence.

" I went to York, and, along with the local solicitor,
had a conversation with Bennet, but to no purpose. I
never saw such an impracticable man. He seemed all
the time in a state of suppressed rage and fury ; indeed,
they hardly were suppressed. He is more like a caged
tiger than a man."

" Does he know about father's condition ? "

" No. I have kept it quiet, as I told you before.
But I fear we cannot keep it hid very long ; it is bound
to get out."

" Are you to see Bennet again soon ? "

" I must, and he is pretty sure to ask why father
has not come instead of me. He asked me that last
time, and he was very rude when I told him father was
too ill to go to York. Til have to tell him the truth
sooner or later. What do you think ? "

"I advise telling him the truth," said Gilbert.
" Now, Ernie, there's one thing I wish to ask you, and
then I will go on with my packing. I did not like to
ask mother. Has she or Helen or any one heard how
Miss Thornton is ? "

" All that I can tell you," replied Ernest, " is, I was
told she had been to see Bennet in prison. Neither
mother nor Helen has heard from or of her, I feel quite
sure."'

Gilbert sighed heavily, but said nothing.

Next day he was on board the St. Louis, and arrived,
a week later, at New York. On the pier he was met
by the detective's correspondent, a slim, sharp-faced
man, called Matthews, who introduced himself.

310 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" I have news for you, Mr. Eversleigh," said
Matthews, after they had exchanged a few words.

" Good news, I hope ? " asked Gilbert.

" I reckon it is pretty good," was the reply. " James
Russell, the man you want, is living in St. Paul with
his wife and child. His house is in a poor quarter of
the city, and he don't seem well off. He goes about
quite openly, too, as if he had nothing to fear — I mean
he don't try and hide himself. I have an agent in St.
Paul, and what I've told you is what he wired me ; you
can depend on it."

" This is indeed good news," said Gilbert, eagerly.
"Now I must go on to St. Paul. How long will it
take me to get there ? "

" Two days, more or less. You travel to Chicago
first, and then on to St. Paul. So you will go straight
there ? Have you any acquaintances or friends in St.
Paul?"

" I know no one there."

" Would you like a letter to my agent ? He's as
bright as a new dollar, and as sharp as a needle."

" Much obliged to you ; by all means give me a
note to him. And now tell me about the trains, please ;
I am quite a stranger here."

" D'you wish to leave to-day ? "

" I hate to think of losing a minute needlessly," said
Gilbert, earnestly. "The matter is of the greatest
importance."

"So I guessed," observed Matthews. "I'll do the
best I can for you."

And he did. He made everything easy for Gilbert,
so that the latter had no difficulty in reaching St. Paul
well within two days after his arrival in New York.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 311

As he had calculated, he was in St. Paul ten days after
leaving London. Putting up at the Merchant's Hotel,
he at once tried to get into communication with
Hankey, Matthew's agent, on the telephone, but was
disappointed. From a directory he ascertained where
Hankey's office was, and learning from the hotel clerk
that it was only a few blocks away, and not difficult to
find, he set out for it. But he did not reach it with-
out having to ask his way several times from people he
met in the streets.

Stopping at the junction of two streets, and un-
certain whether to go straight ahead or turn off, Gilbert
consulted a policeman standing at the corner. As he
spoke, the sound of his voice, or rather his accent,
attracted the attention of a man who was passing by.
Gilbert had his back to this pedestrian, so that he did
not see him.

The pedestrian paused to make certain that he did
recognize Gilbert's voice ; besides, he recognized Gilbert's
figure. Then he walked on slowly, and watched Gilbert's
movements from a distance, taking care to keep himself
unobserved.

The pedestrian was Cooper Silwood, alias James
Russell, but it was in the latter character he now
appeared.

"What is he doing here?" Silwood asked himself.
" Is it a mere accident, or has he discovered something ?
I must follow him and see where he goes — that may
afford an indication of his business here."

And as he shadowed Gilbert from a safe distance,
nnd pondered the reason for his being in St. Paul, his
keen intelligence told him more and more insistently
that Gilbert's visit to St. Paul was concerned with him.

312 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

A-ny doubt he had was dissipated when he saw Gilbert
enter the building in which were situated the offices of
' Hankey 's Private Detective Agency."

"How much does he know?" wondered Silwood.
" How does he know it ? What mistake have I made ?
what loophole left ? I believed myself absolutely safe ;
but now. . . . Well, St. Paul is no place any longer for
me. I must leave it at once, and go on to Winnipeg,
and hide myself somewhere on the prairies of the North-
West."

After a very short time, Gilbert reappeared and
retraced his steps to the Merchant's Hotel, whither
Silwood, still at a safe distance, followed him.

"This is where he is stopping," thought Silwood,
as he observed Gilbert pass into the hotel.

Then Silwood walked rapidly away.

Gilbert had met with a second disappointment. On
calling at Hankey's Agency, he had been told Hankey
himself had that morning been summoned on urgent
business to Minneapolis, and would not return till the
evening, when he would make a point of coming round
to the Merchant's. There was therefore nothing for it
but to wait.

Late in the evening Hankey came.

" I am sorry I am so late, but I could not help it ! "
he exclaimed. "I have come straight to you from
Minneapolis, without going to my office first, as I knew
you must be anxious to see me. Sorry I could not
come sooner, but it was an important case — defaulting
bank president and cashier."

Gilbert nodded that he quite understood.

" About James Russell," continued Hankey. " I
can put my hand on him at any time ; he is kept under

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 313

constant observation, though he has no idea of it. Yet
it hardly seems necessary, for he walks about quite
openly in the streets, sometimes alone, sometimes with
his wife. They have a lame, crippled child, which they
have taken out once or twice."

" Is James Russell anything like this ? " asked
Gilbert, handing Hankey a photograph of Silwood.

" About the same height, perhaps, but otherwise
quite different."

" Yet it is the same man," said Gilbert.

" If so — and I don't doubt your word — what a
splendid disguise he has assumed ! Case of absconding ? "
asked Hankey. " Do you wish him arrested ? "

" By-and-by ; but first I must try to get him to
disgorge. He has absconded with a large sum of
money."

"Much?"

" Between three and four hundred thousand pounds."

" Nearly two million dollars ! " exclaimed Hankey.
" Mr. James Russell must be a pretty smart man. Two
million ! I confess to a certain admiration for a man
who can rake in as big a pot as that. Well, I should
say it would be very difficult to make a man of that
calibre disgorge. How do you intend doing it?"

" I thought you might be able to suggest some plan."

" Well, I reckon that is possible. First thing is to
get hold of Russell — and it'll have to be a tight hold,
you bet."

" Of course. I admit I don't see what to do ; but it
seems to me I remember reading of a case the Pinkertons
had, in which they had the criminal seized — it was also
a case of embezzlement — and kept in a room till he
disgorged. They did not put him into prison ; they

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

kept him a prisoner in a room in a house of their
own."

" I guess something of the kind has happened,"
remarked Hankey ; " but it sounds rather like a bit out
of a dime novel. You suggest I should attempt the
same game with James Russell, is that it ? "

"It is just an idea ; I don't say you should act upon
it. Is there any plan in your mind ? "

" Not at the moment. I'll sleep on it, and come
round in the morning."

" Very well. But of course you understand I wish
the business concluded as speedily as possible."

" Quite so. Til be here early in the morning."

Gilbert could not get to sleep easily that night.
He was possessed by a feeling of intense excitement ;
but at last he fell into a restless slumber. It seemed
to him that he had just closed his eyes when he was
awakened by a loud knocking at his door.

" What is it ? " he cried.

"It's Hankey. I must see you at once. Most
urgent ! "

Gilbert sprang out of bed instantly, and admitted
the detective.

CHAPTER XXXVI

" SORRY to disturb you so unceremoniously," said
Hankey, " but it is necessary. I bring you unexpected
news of supreme moment. Please dress, and while you
are dressing I will tell you of a very startling develop-
ment in the Russell affair."

" Is the news good or bad ? "

" Good, I think ; but time alone will disclose that.
But please dress as quickly as you can, for you will have
to go on a journey immediately. I have taken the
liberty of ordering something for you to eat, and it
should be here in a minute or two. You have just half
an hour in which to catch the train you must travel by."

" What is the news ? " asked Gilbert, going on
dressing all the while.

" Well, last night, after I left you, I went to my
office, late as it was, and I found one of my subordinates
waiting for me. It was the man whose duty it was to
shadow Russell. He reported that he had kept sight of
him until he went into his own house. My man then
hung about, and after some time, a conveyance drove
up, into which presently Russell, his wife and child got.
He followed them to the railway depot, and finally saw
them depart in the Northern Pacific Express for
Winnipeg."

" Gone ! " exclaimed Gilbert ; " and with a start of
815

316 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

half-a-day ! And James Russell leaves St. Paul the
very day I arrive. That's curious. Had he got warn-
ing ? But how?"

" Perhaps he saw you in the streets yesterday — you
were about a good deal, were you not ?"

" Yes ; that may be it."

" It does not matter much, anyhow ; the fact remains
that he went away last night.""

" And I must go after him at once. That's what
you mean ? "

" That's part of it ; but there is more to tell you,
much more. For, this morning, about forty minutes
ago — oh, I lost no time, you will perceive — one of
my men who has to be on duty all night at my office,
came to my house and woke me up. He was aware
Russell was on board the Northern Pacific Express
going to Winnipeg last night, and he had come hot-
foot to show me an early edition of the Pioneer Press —
that's our leading paper — in which there is a long
account of a dreadful accident to this very express. It
had collided with a freight train, both trains being
wrecked and smashed to pieces. Many of the passengers
have been killed, and most of the survivors are badly
injured."

" And Russell ? " Gilbert inquired breathlessly.

" He is not in the list of the dead ; his name
appears amongst those whose injuries are probably
fatal. This is why I am hurrying you up. If you
wish to see him alive, you must catch the first train.
Now, do you see ? Was not my knocking you up in
this way justified?"

** Yes, indeed. I am grateful to you for your zeal.
How far up the line was the accident ? "

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 317

"A few miles south of Glyndon. You can be
there in a comparatively short time."

"I think I should like you to come with me," said
Gilbert, after a brief silence ; " that is, if you are dis-

engaged."

" I can manage to come all right, and I should like
to know the end; though it's possible the man may
recover. On the other hand, if he knows he is certain
to die, there's just a chance he may be willing to own
up and make restitution, if that's in his power."

" A death-bed confession ! Now, I should say,"
remarked Gilbert, " Russell is the last man on earth to
make one."

But now there appeared a waiter with a tray on
which was some breakfast, and the conversation stopped.

Ten minutes later, Gilbert and Hankey were speed-
ing northwards on the Northern Pacific to the scene of
the collision, where they arrived in due course. On
the way up, every one was talking of the appalling
disaster. Many in the train were relatives of the victims,
and the whole atmosphere was charged with grief and
sorrow. Gilbert Eversleigh was too young and too
sensitive not to sympathize with and share these feelings.
They made such an impression on him that the vengeance
he cherished, and the hatred he felt for Silwood were
decidedly modified, though he was scarcely aware of it
himself.

The express stopped some fifty yards away from the
spot where the collision had taken place. When Gilbert
and the detective alighted, they saw an enormous crowd
had already gathered together, large numbers having
flocked in from the surrounding country. For the
most part, it was a quiet and silent crowd. The

318 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Shadow of Death lay heavy upon it ; here and there,
however, were little groups weeping and sobbing and
wringing their hands. In the midst of one stood a
woman, suddenly crazed, who alternately screamed and
laughed.

The scene was such, the circumstances were such,
that they could not fail to make an ineffaceable im-
pression on Gilbert's mind.

It was an unparalleled scene of destruction.

In the centre was the wreck of the two trains lying
on the torn and twisted rails. The engines were piled
high in the middle, with their colossal frames seamed,
cracked, broken, burnt, and bent into queer shapes.
Some of the coaches and carriages of the ill-fated
express had been smashed into matchwood, others lay
about in large pieces and dislocated sections, and the
whole formed a confusion of wood, glass, and other
materials, rendered more terrible from the fact that
fire had swept its destroying torch over a large part
of it.

And it was whispered there were bodies, or what
had once been bodies, lying somewhere in that chaos !

Gangs of railroad men were struggling to bring
some sort of order into it, but their progress was neces-
sarily slow. Now and again a charred and blackened
object, which had lost all semblance to anything
human, was dug up and carried away.

On one side of the wreck two large tents had been
erected : one was used as a mortuary, to which the dead
were carried ; the other served as a hospital for the
injured and wounded, where they were tended by
doctors from the vicinity, who had volunteered their
services.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 319

It was to the hospital tent that Gilbert and Hankey
directed their steps, but they experienced considerable
difficulty in gaining admission. However, at last they
were allowed in, and a doctor, of whom they inquired,
told them James Russell was still alive, was indeed
likely to live for two days or perhaps longer, but that
the nature of the injuries he had received made his
recovery impossible. He was quite conscious, and
knew he was dying.

" He would be glad to see some one he knows,"
added the doctor.

" How are his wife and child ? "

"Both are injured, but not seriously. I have not
told them of Russell's condition."

" Is there any objection, doctor," asked Gilbert,
" to my speaking to him at once ? "

" None at all, I think," replied the physician, and
he led them to the pallet on which lay Russell, his
head and shoulders swathed in bandages, and his face,
where visible, extraordinarily pinched and white. The
false moustache which he had worn as part of his dis-
guise was gone, the paint had been washed from his
cheeks, and Gilbert had no difficulty whatever in
identifying Cooper Silvvood in " James Russell."

" It is he," he whispered to Hankey.

Hankey peered into the face.

" He is now more like that photograph you showed
me," said Hankey beneath his breath to Gilbert.

Gilbert went and stood over Silwood, and looked
him in the eyes. The dying man evinced no surprise
at seeing him, but returned Gilbert's gaze calmly. He
was the first to speak.

" Gilbert Eversleigh," he said in a queer voice, that

320 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

had no weakness in it. " I expected you to come, but
not so soon. How is it you are here so quickly ? The
telegram I sent by the doctor to you at the Merchants1
Hotel was despatched only two hours ago."

" You sent me a telegram ! " said Gilbert, astonished,
but not so much so as not to note Silwood knew he had
been stopping at the Merchants1. " I have not received
it. The reason I am here is, I was aware you were on
board the express, and hearing of the accident, I came
at once on the chance of speaking to you."
" You knew I was on the express ? "
" Yes ; your movements yesterday were observed."
" I see," said Silwood, thoughtfully. Then he added,
" Well, it does not signify now — nothing signifies any
more to me ! "

Silwood pronounced these words in a firm voice,
though strongly tinged with regret. Gilbert stood by
in silence, many feelings working within him.

"Nothing matters any more to me personally,11
continued Silwood ; " but there are others of whom I
must think, for they are dear to me. It was because
of them, it was for their sakes, that I sent you the
telegram. I asked the doctor to tell me the truth, the
whole truth, about my state; and when he told me
that I should not last more than two or three days, I
had to consider the best course to take. What helped
me to make up my mind was the certainty you had
made some discovery — otherwise, I reasoned, you would
not have been in St. Paul yesterday. Had this accident
not occurred, and if I had been alone, I should have
succeeded in baffling you ; even hampered by my wife
and the boy, I believe I could have managed to escape
pursuit. But now I am dying, and my wife and child

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

would soon have been hunted down when left to them-
selves. Therefore I resolved to ask you to come
to me."

Silwood paused, his breath coming a little more
quickly than before.

" But why ? " asked Gilbert.

" I wished to make a bargain with you."

" To make a bargain ! "

" Yes. I thought of offering to tell you the whole
truth if you would consent to make provision for my
wife and child. She is an uneducated woman, and the
boy is a cripple.! They are two helpless creatures, and
they are absolutely innocent ; they do not even know
my real name. They believe I am "

" James Russell ! "

" Yes ! You know that ! That is what I thought,
else you would not have been in St. Paul. Will you
consent to make some provision for them, if I declare
everything without concealment or reserve ? I do not
know how much you do know ? " he added inquiringly.

" I know a good deal, but not all. I know you did
not lose the money on the Stock Exchange, as you told
my father, but that you — appropriated it to your own
use, and still have it, I imagine. Is it not so ? "

" Yes. That money shall be restored to you in trust
for your father and the firm, if you will accede to my
suggestion about my wife and child. What more do
you know ? "

" I know you led a double life, and that you entered
into a conspiracy with Ucelli, the Syndic of Camajore.
But I do not know what passed between you and
Morris Thornton the night he died."

" I will tell you the whole story," said Silwood, " if

322 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

you will agree to see my wife and child suitably pro-
vided for."

" And if I refuse ? "

" Refuse ! You will not refuse. Consider ! In forty-
eight or fifty hours I shall be dead. Nothing can
alter that. I shall be where the hand of the law cannot
touch me. What can you do against a dead man ?
Personal vengeance on me is impossible. On the other
hand, if you will do what I wish, then I will tell you
where the money is, so that you will have no difficulty
in obtaining it. You have much to gain and nothing
to lose by falling in with my desire."

" But I shall be able to get at the money in any
case."

" No, that you never shall unless you get my help."

Gilbert thought for a while. The coolness of
Silwood's proposition startled him ; yet there was
much to recommend it.

"Let me consider for a few moments what you
have said," he remarked to Silwood ; " and I will tell
you my decision."

CHAPTER XXXVII

BECKOOTXG to Hankey, the detective, to follow him,
Gilbert went from the hospital tent into the open air
to consider quietly what he should do. He was not
sorry to get out of the atmosphere of the tent, which
reeked with iodoform ; where also the sight of so many
poor stricken and agonized wretches harrowed his
feelings.

Just outside the tent, he encountered the doctor
who had conducted him to the bedside of Cooper Sil-
wood, alias James Russell.

" Did you find him quite sensible, as I said ? " asked
the doctor.

" Extraordinarily so," replied Gilbert, " His mind
is perfectly clear, even his voice shows no weakness.
One would scarcely think he is dying."

" And yet nothing can save him. For two or
three hours longer he will remain in much the same
condition ; thereafter a state of collapse must supervene,
which will end in death — during that period he will
become unconscious, and remain so to the last."

" Of course, you must know," said Gilbert ; " but
from the strong, firm voice he speaks in, one would
imagine he is not in this desperate case."

" It is so, however. The principal mischief is in-
ternal, and does not admit of cure."

823

324 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

Then the doctor hurried into the tent. What he
had said had given fresh point to those words of Sil-
wood's— " You can do nothing against a dead man.
Personal vengeance upon me is impossible." The hand of
Heaven, Gilbert reflected, already lay heavy on the man.

Then he debated the offer made by Silwood. From
the first he had inclined to accept it. What he had
witnessed of the calamity had softened his heart ; and
to find Silwood cared for his wife and child in the way
he evidently did, was a discovery of a side, entirely
unsuspected, of this man's nature, which somehow
appealed to Gilbert. These were sentimental influ-
ences, but became powerful reasons when added to the
practical argument, the immediate recovery of the
stolen money. Gilbert did not altogether believe that
the money, or a large part 'of it, at any rate, could
not be recovered without Silwood's help, but it might
be a long and tedious business, involving, likely enough,
considerable litigation, expense, and delay. Then there
was the secret of Morris Thornton's death to be cleared
up — a thing which Silwood alone could do.

Gilbert quickly made up his mind that the best
policy was to accept Silwood's offer. Rapidly outlining
the main facts to Hankey, who listened with an ever-
increasing wonder, Gilbert desired him to accompany
him into the tent to act as witness to the statement of
Silwood.

" Well ? " asked Silwood, as Gilbert bent over him.

" I agree. You will hold nothing back ? "

" I am glad, for the sake of my wife and our
child," said Silwood. " No, nothing shall be held back.
But who is this man ? " he asked, his eyes glancing at
Hankey.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 325

" I asked him to come as a witness."

" Very well ; he'll be a witness to what you promise
for my wife and child, as well as of what I tell you.
So be it. What do you promise for them ? "

" What do you wish me to promise exactly ? "

" That you pay her three pounds a week for life, and
that, should she die before the child, you will continue
the payment to him for his life.11

" Yes, I promise that, contingent "

" Certainly, you mean contingent on your receiving
the money ? That is understood. Now, ask one of the
doctors to come here ? "

One of the doctors was called up.

" Doctor,11 said Silwood, " will you go and ask my
wife, Mrs. James Russell, who is lying in the tent some-
where, to give you the key she has on the ribbon round
her neck ? Say that I sent you ; give her my love, and
tell her I am comfortable.11

There were tears in Silwood^ eyes as he spoke the
last words. Seeing them, Gilbert marvelled at the
strange intricacies of the human soul, but held his
peace.

" Your wife sends her love to you,11 said the doctor,
on his return, " and bids you not fret about her. Here
ia the key."

" Thank you, doctor. Give the key to this gentle-
man here,11 and Silwood with his eyes indicated that it
should be given to Gilbert. This done, the doctor
retired. x

"That key,11 Silwood resumed, "is the key of a
compartment in the Minnesota Safety Deposit Vaults, in
which you will find not only all the money, in the form
of bank-notes, bonds payable to bearer, and other easily

326 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

negotiable securities, that I owe to the firm of Evcrs-
leigh, Silwood and Eversleigh, but a good deal more
than I owe."

" Where are these Safety Deposit Vaults ? " asked
Gilbert

" In St, Paul," whispered Hankey, bending towards
him.

"Yes, in St. Paul," said Silwood, who had over-
heard.

"And all the money is there in bonds and so
forth? "asked Gilbert.

"That and more, for I have made money. Always,
always, all my life, have I longed to possess a great
store of money; it was my passion — money, money,
always money ; always more money," said Silwood, with
a passing gleam in his eyes ; then a deep sigh escaped
him. " You will find there is far more than enough to
recoup the firm."

Gilbert listened in amazement, revolving what
manner of man this was to have acted as he had done
through all these silent years.

" And more than enough to pay that annuity to my
wife and child," Silwood went on. " Now promise me
once more that you will pay them what I have asked,
and then I will tell you the whole story. Do you
promise ? "

" Yes, I promise," said Gilbert.

" Then my mind is at rest, so far as they are con-
cerned. And all is well," said Silwood, as if he had
never done anything wrong in his life. Then he
began —

" I do not know quite when the idea came to me of
making myself master of the clients1 money, but, as I

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 327

told you, I ever burned to be rich. Your father was so
easy-going and unsuspecting, and he trusted me so fully,
that when the idea came it found quick lodgment in
my thoughts. But what helped more than anything
else, was that I was already leading a double life. I had
married beneath me, as people would say ; but the only
moments of happiness I have had in my life connect
themselves with my wife and child. It matters not
how I met and came to marry her. No one of our class
dreamed I was other than Cooper Silwood, solicitor, of
Lincoln's Inn. But I was also James Russell at Stepney.
I experienced no difficulty in l>eing both ; I had my
disguise, and having also the keys of the two iron gates
opening into Chancery Lane, at the top of Stone Build-
ings, I was able to let myself out or in at pleasure.
To lead this double life was easy, I say ; I even liked it.
When the thought came to me of enriching myself at
the expense of the clients, it occurred to me to make
use of James Russell to assist Cooper Silwood. Do you
understand ? "

"Yes. You purposed to transfer the securities to
yourself as James Russell ? In fact, that is what you
did do, at any rate in part."

"Yes; Cooper Silwood sold to James Russell,"
assented Silwood. "The plan worked well — worked
well for years. Gradually I got possession of every-
thing— save what was impossible for me to touch.
And all that money and property I had converted into
first-class bonds and shares payable to bearer, with one
exception, a very important exception, when the letter
came from Morris Thornton, telling us he was returning
to England, and would make a formal examination of
the securities we held of his. I was not prepared for

328 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

it ; my hand was forced. I had not meant to disappear
until I had completed a certain negotiation — the ex-
ception to which I have just referred. It was more than
possible, I thought, that Thornton would come before
that negotiation was complete, in which case I might
be in great danger. The more I thought about it, the
greater the danger seemed. It was this that drove me
to tell your father of the position to which I, as Cooper
Silwood, had brought the firm. Of course, I said nothing
to him about James Russell."

"I don't quite follow you,"" said Gilbert. "Why
did you tell my father at all ? "

"Because I wished him, being so friendly with
Thornton, to hold Morris off until that negotiation was
complete. Do you not understand ? Suppose Thorn-
ton had come before my plans were ripe and asked for
that examination, I believed your father would have
been able to have stood him off for some time — long
enough for me to get that matter settled to my liking.
Now, do you see ? "

" Yes," said Gilbert, dryly, any pity he had felt for
Silwood disappearing as he listened to this heartless
statement. " What was this important negotiation of
which you speak ? "

" I had sold some acres of land to a contractor, who
had paid a heavy price for them," said Silwood, now
speaking with the indifference of a man who is telling
a story that has no longer any interest for him ; " but
I had to be content with getting half the price in cash
and half in the form of a bill. The total amount was
thirty thousand pounds, the bill was for fifteen thousand,
and when we heard from Thornton it still had some
time to run. I did not discount the bill, but put it in

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 329

a chamber in that large japanned box you may re-
member seeing in my room."

" The secret chamber ! " exclaimed Gilbert.

" You know of it ? "

" Did you not go one night to New Square not long
ago, and open it ? "

" Yes ; you know that ! I went to get the bill — it
was due next day."

"I see. Well, you left the secret chamber open,
and that showed us you were not dead, and put us on
your track."

Silwood's eyes flickered.

" The spring would not work," he said. " It had
baffled me very nearly once or twice before, but that
time it baffled me altogether. So ! so ! I understand
now why you came to St. Paul — it was the secret
chamber which gave me away, which has brought me
here."

" Yes ; I went to Italy," said Gilbert, " and Ucelli
confessed the conspiracy you and he had entered into.
He it was who told me that you and James Russell were
one. James Russell was tracked to Liverpool, then to
New York, and then to St. Paul."

" What a pity I did not leave that bill alone ! " said
Silwood, quite calmly. " But I could not think of leaving
fifteen thousand pounds behind me. That," he added,
" you will find with the rest."

" Did you cash the bill ?"

" Certainly, as James Russell, to whom it was pay-
able."

" How in the world," interjected Gilbert, " shall we
be able to put all these matters right r "

"There will be plenty of money," said Silwood,

330 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

" for everybody. But let me get on with my story
while I am able. I told you I put the bill for the
fifteen thousand into the secret chamber. Of course I
hoped Thornton would not come before it matured,
or, if he did, that your father would find means to delay
the investigation of his account. But your father on
this point was firm ; he said he would not deceive
Thornton, though I pressed him more than once.
When I saw I could not move him, I prepared to act
alone. I gave out I was about to take a holiday —
it was a holiday from which I had no intention to
return — at least, not as Cooper Silwood. I meant
to leave on a Saturday evening — I actually went on
the Saturday morning . . . and it was because of
Thornton."

" Of Morris Thornton ? "

" It was past midnight,"" said Silwood, " and I was
getting ready to go to Stepney, when I heard steps
coming up the stairs towards my rooms in Stone Build-
ings ; the steps stopped at my door ; some one knocked.
I had no wish to open the door, for I was in my dis-
guise, so I paid no attention to the sound.

" ' Whoever you are,1 said a voice, ' I warn you to
open the door, or I shall tell the porter to call the
police. I saw you from Chancery Lane. Come, open
at once ! '

" I glanced at my window, the one looking into
Chancery Lane. By some frightful carelessness I had
neglected to pull down the blind, and thus it was pos-
sible enough for the man to have seen me. But what
did he want, I wondei'ed ?

" ' Open at once ! ' said the voice again ; * or it will
be the worse for you.'

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 331

" I was in a fix, but my best course seemed to be to
let the man in ; so I asked him to wait a moment, say-
ing I was only half dressed. I hastily donned my wig,
tore off' my false moustache, and put on my ordinary
coat and waistcoat. Then I opened the door.

" ' What is the matter ?' I asked.

"The man walked right into the room without
speaking, and looked all round it, as if he was search-
ing for some one. Then I saw who it was. It was
M orris Thornton !

"'What is the matter?1 he repeated after me.
'That is what I ask you to tell me, Cooper Silwood.
... I arrived in London yesterday, and was taken ill.
Feeling better this evening, I came out to get some
fresh air, and strolled down this way. I remembered
where your rooms were, and glancing up at the lighted
window saw a figure passing and repassing. I was
certain it was not you. This was a bald man with a
moustache. ... I watched him for some minutes.
Then I went down to the lodge and was let in, as I
said I wished to see you on urgent business. Now here
I am, and here you are ! Did you know about this
man being here — the man I saw ? He gave me quite a
start.1

"I did not speak immediately, being somewhat
flurried by the sudden appearance of Thornton. He
now came quite close to me, and peered into my face.
I saw he looked ill and greatly changed, and his hands
were shaking. He went on peering into my face, so
that I wondered why.

"'What are you doing with that paint on your
cheeks ? ' he asked.

"I had forgotten the stain on my face— the stain

332 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

that was part of my disguise. This question discon-
certed me.

" * Was it you, Cooper Silwood, that I saw ? It
was ! It was ! What does this mean ? ' he demanded,
visibly agitated. ' You are not the kind of man who
goes to a masked ball. One would think you were
practising, rehearsing some part ... a disguise . . .
seeing how it would do ... but why, Silwood, why ?
One would think there was something wrong — that you
were about to abscond.1

" All this he said in jerky sentences, while his
cheeks turned a horrible bluish purple. I recalled he
had written to us that he was suffering from heart-
disease, and I was alarmed for him.

" ' Calm yourself, Morris,"1 I said to him, soothingly,
but with the opposite effect.

" * Explain, explain ! ' he cried, in tones of great ex-
citement, his body trembling the while.

" My wits by this time had come back to me, and
I assured him I had promised a young friend to go
to a masked ball to take care of him — that was all ;
and that I could not but feel sorry he had caught me
in the manner he had. In fact, I tried to laugh the
matter off; but I failed to disarm his suspicions, which
evidently had been keenly aroused. He sat down on
a chair, breathing very heavily. I entreated him to
return to his hotel, but he declined.

" ' Cooper Silwood,' he said, ' I do not believe you
are telling me the truth. I do not believe this inven-
tion of yours about the masked ball. Again I tell you»
you are not that kind of man.1

" ' You do not know what you are saying,1 I pro-
tested, 'your illness '

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 333

" 'Enough, enough ! ' he cried, jumping up. Then
he stood for a moment struggling with himself as it
were, clutched at his throat, staggered, and fell in a
heap on the floor. I rushed forward to raise him, but
he was already dead. When I saw he was dead, I was
distraught. First I put on my disguise once more,
and went forth into the night, reeling like a blind man.
But a few minutes1 thought induced me to return. I
resolved to leave London by the earliest train, and did
leave next morning."

Exhausted by this long effort, Silwood ceased speak-
ing. Gilbert never doubted Silwood had spoken the
truth. Besides, he had noticed how in several points
his statements were confirmed by the evidence at the
inquest on Morris Thornton. The explanation of the
Mystery of Lincoln's Inn was, after all, curiously
simple, once the facts were known in their entirety.

" I believe I have told you all," said Silwood, as
Gilbert stood silently by his bed. " Is there anything
you wish to ask me ? If there is, ask it now, for I feel
a dreadful weakness coming over me."

As the man spoke, a shiver shook him from head
to foot.

" No. I think there is nothing else," said Gilbert,
gently, his heart again softened.

" You will not forget your promise about my wife
and child ? " Silwood asked eagerly.

" I shall not."

" They need never know who Cooper Silwood was,
need they ? "

'* Perhaps not," agreed Gilbert, but doubtingly.

" If you can, let them believe I am none other than
the James Russell they love, and who loves "

334. THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

But Silwood's voice failed him ; his eyes overflowed.

" Let us go," said Gilbert to Hankey.

" What an extraordinary man ! " exclaimed Hankey
to Gilbert, when they were in the open air. " Won-
derfully bright, too, but he chose to run crooked, not
straight. Yet there was good in the man — I suppose
there is in every man."

"He was an evil, wicked man," said Gilbert,
speaking of Silwood as one already dead, " but he was
not all evil, all wicked."

CHAPTER XXXVIII

" WHAT do you now intend to do ? " asked the detec-
tive, after they had emerged from the hospital tent.

" Go back to St. Paul by the first train," Gilbert
replied, " and see what are the contents of that com-
partment in the Minnesota Safety Deposit Vaults. I
don't doubt Silwood told the truth, but I wish to have
his statement confirmed."

"Naturally," remarked Hankey. "And after
that?"

" I think of asking you, if you can manage it, to
come with me to St. Paul to-day. I should prefer to
have you with me when I go to the Safety Deposit
Vaults, where you are probably well known "

The detective nodded.

" thereafter, I propose that you should return

here, and await events."

" Till Silwood is dead, I suppose you mean. And
then?"

" Take care of Mrs. Russell and the child. If they
wish to return to England, be kind enough to carry out
their desire. You shall have enough funds from me
for all purposes. If they elect to stay in this country,
I want you to find them a home, and I will see that
the income promised is remitted to you quarterly."

" Very good," said the detective. " My business in
835

336 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

this matter is your business. I'll go and see if there's
a train southwards soon."

But they had to wait some hours, and it was the
morning of another day when they arrived in St. Paul.

Gilbert and the detective went to the Minnesota
Safety Deposit Vaults, and on their representing they
had received the key of the compartment from James
Russell, no objection was made to their entering the
place, and withdrawing the papers from the receptacle
in which they were deposited. On inspection these
papers were found to consist of Bank of England
notes, of various values from £WQ to ^lOOO, amount-
ing in all to d£4<0,000 ; of gold bonds of half a dozen
different American railroads, each bond of the value
of a thousand dollars, coming in the aggregate to
nearly a quarter of a million sterling ; of bonds of the
United States Government for more than ^200,000 ;
and of miscellaneous securities, the grand total being
upwards of half a million sterling. One feature of all
these certificates, bonds, and shares, was they were all
payable to bearer, just as Silwood had said, as also, of
course, were the Bank of England notes.

Half a million sterling !

Such was the vast sum Cooper Silwood had accu-
mulated at the expense of the clients of Eversleigh,
Silwood and Eversleigh.

Gilbert knew that the amount, roughly speaking,
for which the firm was responsible was about ^OOjOOO.
Here, then, was sufficient, and more, to satisfy all claims
in full, and leave a good deal over for Mrs. James
Russell and her son. Gilbert resolved that after the
obligations of the firm were discharged, the balance
should be placed in trust for her and the boy.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 337

Having come to this conclusion, Gilbert sent Hankey
back to the scene of the catastrophe. Then he de-
spatched a brief cable to his brother Ernest, saying,
" Russell found. Property recovered. Returning."
He was afraid to put more than these few words into
the message, lest by some mischance they should fall
into the wrong hands.

Without delay, Gilbert left St. Paul for Chicago
and New York, reaching the latter city in about forty
hours safely. The possession of the equivalent of half
a million in a bag, which he never for a moment let
out of his sight, made him extremely anxious and un-
easy. During the journey from St. Paul to New York
he did not allow himself to sleep, but kept a deter-
mined eye on the bag. But no one suspected he was
the bearer of such an amount of riches, and he passed
comparatively unnoticed from start to finish.

On reaching New York, he at once went to the
office of the line by which he had come from England,
and was pleased to hear that there was a ship going
out that very day at two o'clock in the afternoon, and
that he could sail on her if he wished. He replied that
it would suit him admirably. After paying for his
passage, he produced the bag, and inquired if it
could be placed in the ship's strong room, to which
assent was given. Gilbert now felt his mind was
at rest.

Yet during the voyage he was visited now and
again by misgivings, as he had heard that even the
strong rooms of Atlantic greyhounds have not always
been burglar-proof. Then the ship was struck by a
tempest in mid-ocean, and Gilbert was afraid both he
and the treasure might go to the bottom. But at length

338 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

the ship sailed into port, and there, at the side of the
dock, was Ernest waiting for him.

After the two brothers had embraced, and Ernest,
in reply to Gilbert's inquiry, had told him their father
was in much the same condition as when Gilbert had
seen him last, he produced a cablegram, addressed to
Gilbert, which had been received at the office in
Lincoln's Inn some five days before.

" It is about Silwood, I think," said Gilbert.

The cablegram was from Hankey; it ran as
follows —

" Russell dead. Wife desires return England.
Writing."

" Silwood is dead,11 said Gilbert, briefly.

" Dead ! I never thought to hear that ! " exclaimed
Ernest.

" I have much to tell you, Ernie ; but wait until we
are in the train. Besides, I must get a bag out of the
ship's strong room. There may be some little delay
over it ; come with me."

Gilbert went back to the ship, whence, a short time
afterwards, he issued, bearing the precious bag.

"Do you see this bag?" he said to his brother
in a whisper. " It is worth half a million of
money."

"Gilbert!"

" It is the truth ; it contains Silwood's hoard."

In silence the brothers passed into the train for
London. Once it was well under way, Gilbert told
Ernest all that had happened.

"Fancy Silwood being so attached to his wife and
child!" cried Ernest. "What a strange mixture he
was ! And now he is dead — really dead this time ! What

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 339

a colossal failure he made of his life ! And yet he could
not have carried out his schemes with the success he
did achieve had he not been a man of remarkable
ability.1'

" Yes ; but he has made others suffer. Think of
father ! "

" Yes ; and yourself, indirectly, and Kitty."

" Any news of her ? " asked Gilbert, wistfully.

" No."

" Have you been again to York to see Bennet ? "

" No ; but Deakin, the local solicitor, has arranged
for me to see him on Tuesday next."

Then there fell a silence between the brothers.
Ernest was thinking over what he had heard from
Gilbert about Silwood and the recovery of the money
and the bonds ; while Gilbert dwelt sadly on the image
of Kitty, wondering how she was bearing up and pass-
ing the time while Bennet lay in prison. Then his
mind shifted to the consideration of what still lay before
Ernest and himself.

" There will be much to think of, much to do," he
said to Ernest. " I mean with respect to winding up
the affairs of the firm."

"Is it necessary, do you think, to wind up its
affairs?"

"We must do something. What I thought was,
that a letter to the clients should be drawn up, stating
that, as Silwood is dead and father incapacitated by ill-
health, the firm must be wound up ; but that you — a
son of Francis Eversleigh, who had been for some time
associated with him in the business — proposed to begin
a new business under the style of Eversleigh and Evers-
leigh, and would be glad to have the same confidence

340 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

extended to you by the clients of the old firm as they
had shown to Eversleigh, Silwood and Eversleigh.
Something of that kind — that's what I thought."

" Yes. There is one point," said Ernest, thought-
fully. "The properties Silwood sold, such as house
property and land property ; what is to be done about
them?1'

" I don't think we need try to replace them. In
all such cases, I would go to the particular clients
themselves, tell them the truth, and offer full compensa-
tion. You must remember Silwood's hoard amounts to
far more than the firm owes, and you are perfectly
entitled to make every necessary use of it."

When the brothers arrived in London, their first
care was to take the half-million bag to their bank,
where they deposited the money and left the bonds in
the care of the manager. Then they went to Lincoln's
Inn, and proceeded to draft the letter Gilbert had
suggested. The following day these letters were
despatched. One of them had a singular result ; it was
that which was addressed to Harry Eennet.

The brothers had discussed what was to be done in
his case, and had decided that, though Bennet had
given a discharge to the firm, yet he must be paid the
value of the property, Beauclerk Mansions, which Sil-
wood had sold. So a special note had been placed at
the foot of the letter sent him. apprizing him of their
intention.

At the same time a letter was sent to Deakin, the
York solicitor, informing him that as the firm of
Eversleigh, Silwood and Eversleigh was being wound
up, owing to the continued ill health of the sole re-
maining partner, the firm could no longer act with him

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 341

for Bennet, and further, that Mr. Gilbert Eversleigh
had returned to them his brief in this case.

The first result of this was that Deakin came rush-
ing up to London. He had seen Bennet, who, wild
with rage and defeated spite, had ordered him to go
and see what was the meaning of this change of front
on the part of the Eversleighs.

" Mr. Bennet," said Deakin, " is the most reckless
man I ever saw. He behaves like a lunatic, and says
the most mad things. He tells me — of course, I know
it is absurd — that he can send Mr. Francis Eversleigh
to prison for embezzlement, and he demands again that
Mr. Gilbert Eversleigh appear for him at his trial."

It was Ernest Eversleigh to whom Deakin spoke.
Ernest, acting on the advice of Gilbert, told Deakin in
confidence as much of the facts as was necessary, wind-
ing up by saying —

" My father, no doubt, might still be proceeded
against, but he is out of his mind. Besides, I offer the
fullest compensation. Taking these two things together,
is there need to say more ? "

" I should say not," replied Deakin, without a
moment's hesitation.

And back Deakin went to York, and acquainted
Bennet with what he had learned. For a time Bennet
refused to believe what Deakin had told him about the
recovery of the money from Silwood, but when at last
he was convinced of it, he fell into a great surly silence,
from which he could not be drawn. When Deakin
spoke of obtaining the services of an eminent counsel
for his defence, Bennet made no reply. Instead of
giving way to anger, as he usually did when he heard
anything that displeased him, he sat gloomy and sullen.

342 THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN

After trying for ten minutes to get a word out of him,
and failing, Deakin left the prison.

Next morning he received a hurried summons to the
Governor of the Prison's room, and there he heard that
Bennet, in spite of the fact that he was constantly
watched night and day, had somehow managed to open
a vein in his arm and had bled to death in the night.

"The warder, who was guarding him at the time,"
said the Governor, " saw him lying on his bed fast asleep,
as he supposed ; when it was daylight blood was noticed
on the floor, and then it was found that Bennet was
dead.11

" But how did he get an instrument with which to
open a vein in his arm ? " asked Deakin, aghast.

"The surgeon says,11 answered the Governor, "that
the vein was bitten open. The act was done with great
determination. You saw him yesterday, I believe ; was
there anything in what you told him to account for the
deed?"

" I brought him news that greatly disappointed him,
but nothing to account for this. Poor devil ! "

But Deakin did not know all.

When Bennefs death became public, there were
many who said he had cheated the gallows, and few
mourned for the lost life and the career gone fatally
wrong.

Even Kitty Thornton, in her kind heart, could not
sincerely say she was sorry he was dead. Indeed, in the
years that came after, she never though-t of Harry
Bennet without growing quiet and pensive far beyond
her wont, as she reflected how, in one way and another,
she had been saved from him.

THE MYSTERY OF LINCOLN'S INN 343

Gilbert Eversleigh and Kitty Thornton did not
come together at once again — the shadow of Bennet lay
between them, but in the course of time they did, as
was inevitable.

"When thou doest well unto thyself," said the
satirist, " all men will speak well of thee."

And Gilbert Eversleigh, the rising barrister, backed
by the beauty and wealth of his wife, is spoken well of
by all the world.

The other side of life's double shield is to be seen
at Ivydene, where there may be beheld, nursed and
tended by a wife's unchanging love, and a daughter's
unalterable affection, a white-haired, bent figure, from
whose loose lips there comes the question, over and over
again, " What o'clock is it ? What o'clock is it ?"

THE END

TRIKTKD BT WILLIAM CLOWES AND £OKP, LIMITED, LONDON AND BBCCLBS.

: SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY

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