the darrow enigma-第27章

按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！


hand　to　shadow　whomsoever　he　may　send　as　a　substitute。　　May　I　depend
on　your　assistance　in　this　matter？〃

〃I　will　stand　by　you　till　we　see　the　thing　through；〃　I　said；　〃though
I　have　to　live　in　the　Post　Office　a　month。〃

Well；　I　wrote　and　mailed　the　decoy　letter　and　Maitland　explained　the
situation　to　the　postal　authorities；　who　furnished　us　a　comfortable
place　inside　and　near　the　general　delivery　window。　　They　promised　to
notify　us　when　anyone　called　for　our　letter。　　Our　vigil　was　not　a
very　long　one。　　On　Thursday　afternoon　the　postal　clerk　signalled　to
us　that　Carl　Cazenove's　mail　had　been　asked　for；　and；　while　he　was
consuming　as　much　time　as　possible　in　finding　our　letter；　Maitland
and　I　quietly　stepped　out　into　the　corridor。　　The　sight　that　met　our
gaze　was　one　for　which　we　had　not　been　at　all　prepared。　　There　at　the
window　stood　a　beautiful　young　girl　just　on　the　verge　of　womanhood。
Her　frank　blue　eyes　met　mine　with　the　utmost　candour　as　I　passed　by
her　so　that　she　should　be　between　Maitland　and　me；　and　thus　unable
to　elude　us；　whichever　way　she　turned　upon　leaving　the　window。　　We
had　previously　planned　how　we　should　shadow　our　quarry；　one　on　each
side　of　the　street　in　order　not　to　attract　attention；　but　these
tactics　seemed　to　be　entirely　unnecessary；　for　the　young　lady　did
not　have　the　slightest　suspicion　that　anyone　could　be　in　the　least
interested　in　her　movements。　　She　walked　leisurely　along；　stopping
now　occasionally　to　gaze　at　the　shop　windows　and　never　once　turning
to　look　back。　　She　did　not　even　conceal　the　letter；　but　held　it　in
her　hand　with　her　porte…monnaie；　and　I　could　see　that　the　address
was　uppermost。　　A　strange　sensation　came　over　me　as　I　dogged　her
steps。　　I　felt　as　an　assassin　must　feel　who　tracks　his　victim　into
some　lonely　spot　where　he　may　dare　to　strike　him。　　　It　was　useless
for　me　to　tell　myself　that　I　was　on　the　side　of　justice　and　engaged
in　an　honourable　errand。　　A　single　glance　at　the　girl's　delicate
face；　as　frank　and　open　as　the　morning　light；　brought　the　hot　blush
of　shame　to　my　cheek。　　In　following　her　I　dimly　felt　that；　in　some
way；　I　was　seeking　to　associate　her　with　evil；　which　seemed　little
less　than　sacrilege。　　I　could　do　nothing；　however；　but　keep　on；　so
I　followed　her　through　Devonshire　Street；　to　New　Washington　and
thence　down　Hanover　Street　almost　to　the　ferry。　　Here　she　turned
into　an　alleyway　and；　waiting　for　Maitland　to　come　up；　we　both
saw　her　enter　a　house　at　its　farther　end。

George　glanced　hastily　up　at　the　house　and　then　said；　as　he　seized
me　impatiently　by　the　arm：　〃It's　a　tenement　house；　come　on；　the
chase　is　not　up　yet；　we；　too；　must　go　in！〃

So　in　we　went。　　The　young　lady　had　disappeared；　but　as　we　entered
we　heard　a　door　close　on　the　floor　above；　and　felt　sure　we　knew
where　she　had　gone。　　We　mounted　the　stairs　as　noiselessly　as
possible　and　listened　in　the　hall。　　We　could　distinguish　a　woman's
voice　and　occasionally　that　of　a　man；　but　we　could　not　hear　what
passed　between　them。　　　On　our　right　there　was　a　door　partly　ajar。
Maitland　pushed　it　open；　and　looked　in。　　The　room　was　empty　and
unfurnished；　with　the　exception　of　a　dilapidated　stove　which　stood
against　the　partition　separating　this　room　from　the　one　the　young
lady　had　entered。　　Maitland　beckoned　to　me　and　I　followed　him　into
the　room。　　There　was　a　key　on　the　inside　of　the　door　which　he
noiselessly　turned　in　the　lock。　　He　then　began　to　investigate　the
premises。　　Three　other　rooms　communicated　with　the　one　of　which　we
had　taken　possession；　forming；　evidently；　a　suite　which　had　been
let　for　housekeeping。　　Everything　was　in　ill…repair；　as　is　the
case　with　most　of　the　cheap　tenements　in　this　locality。　　The
previous　tenant　had　not　thought　it　necessary　to　clean　the　apartments
when　quitting　them；　…　for　altruism　does　not　flourish　at　the　North
End；　…　but　had　been　content　to　leave　all　the　dirt　for　the　next
occupant。

When　we　had　finished　reconnoitering　we　returned　to　the　room　we　first
entered；　which　apparently　was　the　kitchen。　　We　could　still　hear
the　voices；　but　not　distinctly。　　〃Do　you　stay　here；　Doc；〃　whispered
Maitland；　〃while　I　get　into　some　old　clothes　and　hunt　up　the
landlord　of　this　place。　　I'm　going　to　rent　these　rooms　long　enough
to　acquaint　myself　with　my　neighbours　on　the　other　side　of　the　wall。
I'll　be　back　soon。　　Don't　let　any　man　leave　that　room　without　your
knowing　where　he　goes。〃　　With　this　he　left　me　and　I　soon　found　a
way　to　busy　myself　in　his　absence。　　In　the　wall　above　the　stove；
where　the　pipe　passed　through　the　partition　into　our　neighbour's
apartment；　there　was　a　chink　large　enough　to　permit　me；　when
mounted　upon　the　stove；　to　overlook　the　greater　part　of　the　adjacent
room。　　I　availed　myself　of　this　privilege；　though　not　without　those
same　twinges　of　conscience　which　I　had　felt　some　minutes　before
when　following　the　young　lady。　　The　apartment　was　poorly　furnished；
and　yet；　despite　this　scantiness　of　appointment；　there　was
unmistakable　evidence　of　refinement。　　Everything　visible　in　the
room　was　scrupulously　neat　and　the　few　pictures　that　adorned　the
walls；　while　they　were　inexpensive　half…tones；　were　yet　reproductions
of　masterpieces。　　In　the　centre　of　the　room　stood　a　small；　deal
table；　on　the　opposite　side　of　which　sat　the　man　who　had　answered　my
letter。

At　one　end　of　the　table；　poised　upon　the　back　of　a　chair；　sat　a
small　Capucin　monkey　of　the　Weeper　or　Sai　species。　　He　watched　the
man　with　that　sober；　judicial　air　which　is　by　no　means　confined
exclusively　to　supreme　benches。　　I；　too；　observed　the　man　carefully。
He　was　tall　and　spare。　　He　must　have　measured　nearly　six　feet　in
height　and　could　not；　I　think；　have　weighed　over　one　hundred　and
fifty　pounds。　　His　face　was　pinched　and　careworn；　but　this　effect
was　more　than　redeemed　by　a　pair　of　full；　black　eyes　having　a　depth
and　penetration　I　have　never　seen　equalled；　albeit　there　was；　ever
and　anon；　a　suggestion　of　wildness　which　somewhat　marred　their　deep；
contemplative　beauty。　　The　brows　and　the　carriage　of　the　head　at
once　bespoke　the　scholar。　　While　thus　I　watched　him；　the　young　girl
came　from　a　corner　of　the　room　I　could　not　overlook　and　laid　my
letter　before　him。　　　She　stood　behind　his　chair　as　he　opened　it；
smoothing　his　hair　caressingly　and；　every　now　and　then；　kissing　him
gently。　　He　paused　with　the　open　letter　before　him；　reached　up　both
arms；　drew　her　down　to　him；　kissed　her　passionately；　sighed；　and
picked　up　the　letter　again。　　I　took　pains　that　no　act；　word；　or　look
should　escape　me。　　This　show　of　affection　surprised　me；　and　I
remember　the　thought　flashed　through　my　mind；　〃What　inconsistent
beings　we　all　are！　　Here　is　a　man　apparently　capable　of　a　causeless
and　cold…blooded　assassination　of　a　harmless　old　man。　　You　would
say　such　a　murderer　must　be　hopelessly　selfish　and　brutal；　amenable
to　none　of　the　better　sentiments　of　mankind；　and　yet　it　needs　but
a　casual　glance　to　see　how　his　whole　life　is　bound　up　in　the　young
girl　before　him。〃

While　this　was　passing　through　my　mind　the　man　had　glanced　through
my　letter　and　thrown　it　upon　the　table　with　an　exclamation　of
disgust。　　〃Bah！　he　has　had　the　effrontery；〃　he　said　petulantly；　〃to
send　me　what　he　calls　a　new　mode　of　treatment　and　it　is　in　every
essential　that　of　Broadbent；　well　known　for　more　than　a　quarter　of
a　century。　　New　indeed！　　I　shall　never　find　a　doctor　who　has　any
scientific　acumen。　　I　may　as　well　abandon　the　search　now。　　Mon　Dieu！
and　they　call　medicine　a　science！　　Bah！〃　and　with　a　frown　he　dropped
his　head　despondently　upon　his　hand。　　The　young　girl　passed　her　hand
gently；　soothingly；　over　his　forehead　and　did　not　speak　for　nearly
a　minute。

〃You　are　not　feeling　well　to…night；　father；〃　she　said　at　length。
〃M。　Godin　has　been　here　during　my　absence。〃

〃M。　Godin！〃　I　exclaimed　half　aloud；　catching　at　the　stovepipe　lest
I　should　fall　from　the　stove。　　〃So　our　rival　is　hot　upon　the　scent；
…　probably　even　ahead　of　us。　　How　on　earth　…　〃　　But　I　did　not　finish
the　exclamation。　　My　seizure　of　the　pipe　upon　my　side　of　the
partition　had　produced　an　audible　vibration　of　that　portion　extending
over　the　heads　of　my　neighbours。　　The　young　girl's　quick　ear　had
detected　the　sound　and　she　had　ceased　speaking　and　fastened　her　eyes
suspiciously　upon　the　aperture　through　which　I　was　gazing。　　It　seemed
to　me　as　if　she　must　see　me；　yet　I　dared　not　move。　　After　a　little
she　seemed　reassured　and　continued：　〃I　knew　he　had　been　here。　　You
are　always　this　way　after　his　visits。　　Why；　of　late；　does　he　always
come　when　I　am　away？〃　　The　question　seemed　innocent　enough；　yet　the
man　to　whom　it　was　addressed　turned　crimson　and　then　as　pale　as
ashes。　　When　he　spoke　the　effort　his　self…control　cost　him　was
terribly　apparent。

〃We　have　private　business；　dear；〃　he　said；　〃private　business。〃　　He
hesitated　a　moment　and　again　his　eyes　wore　the　wild　look　I　had　first
noticed。　　〃I　am　selling　him　something；〃　he　continued；　〃very　dear　to
me　…　as　dear　as　my　heart's　blood；　and　I　expect　to　get　enough　for　it
to　guard　you　from　want。〃

〃And　you；　father？〃　the　young　girl　questioned　fervently。　　I　thought
I　noticed　a　tremor　run　through　his　frame；　as　drawing　her　face　down
to　his；　he　said；　kissing　her；　〃Me？　　Never　mind　me；　Puss；　this　cancer
here　will　take　care　of　me。〃

She　made　no　reply；　but　turned　away　to　hide　the　tears　that　sprang　to
her　eyes。　　As　she　did　so　she　raised　her　face　toward　me。　　I　have
never　been　considered　particularly　sympathetic；　…　that　is；　no　more
than　the　average；　…　but　there　was　something　in　the　expression　of　her
face　that　went　to　my　heart　like　a　knife。　　I　felt　as　if　I　were　about
to　sob　with　her。　　I　do　not　know　what　it　was　that　so　aroused　my
sympathies。　　We　are；　I　fancy；　more　apt　to　feel　for　those　whose　beauty
is　like　to　the　ideals　we　have　learned　to　love；　than　we　are　to　be
moved　by　the　suffering　of　those　whose　looks　repel　us；　…　and　this　may
have　had　something　to　do　with　my　condition；　…　for　the　young　girl　was
radiantly　beautiful；　…　yet　it　could　hardly　have　been　the　real　cause
of　it。

So　rapt　was　I　in　the　sympathetic　contemplation　of　her　that　I　did　not
see　Maitland's　entrance　or　realise　I　was　observed　till　he　plucked　me
by　the　coat　and　motioned　me　to　get　down。　　I　did　so　and　he　told　me
he　had　rented　the　rooms；　and　laid　before　me　the　plan　he　meant　to
pursue。

As　soon　as　he　had　ceased　speaking　I　said　to　him：　〃George；　you　are
undoubtedly　on　the　right　track。　　The　man　in　there　is　the　one　we　are
looking　for；　fast　enough；　but　I　am　afraid　we　are　a　bit　too　late。〃

〃Too　late！〃　he　exclaimed　in　a　tone　that　I　feared　might　be　overheard。
〃What　the　mischief　do　you　mean？〃

〃I　mean；〃　I　replied；　〃that　M。　Godin　is　already　upon　the　scene。〃

In　the　next　ten　seconds　Maitland　turned　all　colours　and　I　edged
nearer　to　him；　expecting　him　to　fall；　but　he　did　not。

〃M。　Godin！〃　he　ejaculated　at　length。　　〃How　in　the　name　of　all　the
gods　at　once　…　Doc；　he's　all　they　claim　for　him；　and　as　fascinating
as　he　is　clever；〃　at　which　last　remark　a　heavy　cloud　passed　over
Maitland's　face。　　〃Come；〃　he　continued　listlessly；　〃you　may　as　well
tell　me　all　you　know　about　it。〃

I　then　confided　to　him　what　I　had　heard　and　ended　by　asking　him
what　he　proposed　to　do。

〃Do？〃　he　replied。　　〃There　is