the red seal-第22章

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Under　pretense　of　searching　for　pencil　and　paper　Helen　contrived　to　see　the　address　of　every　letter　lying　on　the　table；　but　the　envelope　she　sought；　with　its　red　seal；　was　not　among　them。　　When　she　looked　up　again；　pencil　and　paper　in　hand；　she　found　Mrs。　Brewster　leaning　lazily　back　and　regarding　her　from　under　half…closed　lids。　　〃You　are　very　like　your　father；　Helen；〃　she　commented　softly。

The　girl　stiffened。　　〃Am　I？　　Babs　and　I　are　generally　thought　to　resemble　our　mother。〃

〃In　appearance；　yes；　but　I　mean　mannerisms　…　for　instance；　the　way　of　holding　your　pencil；　your　handwriting；　even；　closely　resembles　your　father's。〃　　Mrs。　Brewster　pointed　to　the　notes　Helen　was　scribbling　on　the　paper　and　to　an　open　letter　bearing　Colonel　McIntyre's　signature　at　the　bottom　of　the　sheet　lying　beside　the　pad　to　illustrate　her　meaning。　　〃These　are　almost　identical。〃

〃You　are　a　close　observer。〃　　Helen　completed　her　memorandum　and　laid　it　aside。　　〃What　became　of　father？〃

〃He　went　to　a　stag　supper　at　the　Willard；〃　chimed　in　Barbara；　stopping　her　aimless　walk　about　the　library。　　〃He　said　we　were　not　to　wait　up　for　him。〃

Helen　pushed　back　her　chair　and　rose　with　some　abruptness。

〃I　am　more　tired　than　I　realized；〃　she　remarked　and　involuntarily　stretched　her　weary　muscles。　　〃Come；　Margaret；〃　laying　a　persuasive　hand　on　the　widow's　shoulder。　　〃Be　a　trump　and　rub　my　forehead　with　cologne　as　you　used　to　do　abroad　when　I　had　a　headache。　　It　always　put　me　to　sleep　then；　and；　oh；　how　I　long　for　sleep　now！〃

There　was　infinite　pathos　in　her　voice　and　Mrs。　Brewster　sprang　up　and　threw　her　arm　about　her　in　ready　sympathy。

〃You　poor　darling！〃　she　exclaimed。　　〃Let　me　put　you　to　bed；　Mammy　taught　me　the　art　of　soothing　frayed　nerves。　　Come　with　us；　Babs；〃　holding　out　her　left　hand　to　Barbara。　　But　the　latter；　with　a　dexterous　twist；　slipped　away　from　her　touch。

〃I　must　stay　and　straighten　the　library；〃　she　announced。

Mrs。　Brewster's　delicate　color　had　deepened。　　〃It　would　be　as　well　to　open　some　of　the　doors；〃　she　agreed　coldly。　　〃The　library　looks　odd；　not　to　say　funereal；〃　she　glanced　down　the　spacious　room　and　shivered　ever　so　slightly。　　〃Do；　Babs；　put　out　some　of　the　lights；　they　are　blinding。〃

〃Oh；　I'll　turn　them　all　out　〃…　Barbara　sought　the　electric　switch。

〃But　your　father　…〃

〃No　need　to　worry　about　father；　he　can　find　his　way　about　in　the　dark　like　a　cat；〃　responded　Barbara　with　unabated　cheerfulness。　〃Seems　to　me；　Margaret；　you　and　father　are　getting　mighty　chummy　these　days。〃

The　sudden　darkness　into　which　Barbara's　impatient　fingers；　pressing　against　the　electric　light　buttons；　plunged　the　library　and　its　occupants；　prevented　her　seeing　the　curious　glance　which　Mrs。　Brewster　shot　at　her。　　Helen；　who　had　listened　to　their　chatter　with　growing　impatience；　looked　back　over　her　shoulder。

〃Hurry；　Barbara；　and　come　upstairs。　　Now；　Margaret；〃　and　she　piloted　the　widow　along　the　hall　toward　the　staircase　without　giving　her　an　opportunity　to　answer　Barbara's　last　remark。　　Barbara；　pausing　only　long　enough　to　pull　back　the　portieres　of　the　hall　door　and　arrange　them　as　they　hung　customarily；　turned　to　go　upstairs　just　as　Grimes　came　down　the　hall　from　the　dining　room　carrying　a　large　tray　with　pitchers　of　ice　water　and　glasses。

〃I　thought　you　had　gone　to　your　room；　Grimes；〃　she　remarked；　as　the　butler　waited　respectfully　for　her　to　pass　him。

〃I've　just　come　in；　miss；　and　found　Murray　had　left　the　tray　in　the　dining　room；〃　explained　Grimes　hurriedly。　　〃I　hope；　miss；　I'll　not　disturb　the　ladies　by　knocking　at　their　doors　now　with　this　ice　water。〃

〃Oh；　no；　Mrs。　Brewster　and　Miss　Helen　have　only　just　gone　upstairs。〃　Barbara　paused　in　front　of　the　butler　and　poured　out　a　glass　of　water。　〃I　can't　wait；　Grimes；　I　am　too　thirsty。〃

〃Certainly；　miss；　that's　all　right。〃　　Grimes　craned　his　head　around　and　looked　up　and　down　the　hail；　then　leaning　over　he　placed　the　tray　on　a　convenient　table　and　stepped　close　to　Barbara。

〃I've　been　reading　the　newspapers　very　carefully；　miss；〃　he　began；　taking　care　to　keep　his　voice　lowered。　　〃Especially　that　part　of　Mr。　Turnbull's　inquest　which　tells　about　the　post…mortem。〃

〃Well；　what　then？〃　asked　Barbara　quickly　as　the　butler　paused　and　again　glanced　up　and　down　the　hall。

〃Just　this；　miss；〃　he　spoke　almost　in　a　whisper。　　〃The　doctors　do　say　poor　Mr。　Turnbull　was　poisoned　by　acca　…　aconitine；〃　stumbling　over　the　word。　　〃It's　a　curious　thing；　miss；　that　I　brought　some　of　that　very　drug　into　this　house　last　Sunday。〃

〃You　did！〃　Barbara's　fresh　young　voice　rose　in　astonishment。

〃Hush；　miss！〃　The　butler　raised　both　hands。　　〃Hush！〃　　He　glanced　cautiously　around；　then　continued。　　〃Colonel　McIntyre　sent　me　to　the　druggist　with　a　prescription　from　Dr。　Stone　for　Mrs。　Brewster　when　she　had　romantic　neuralgia。〃

〃Had　what？〃　Barbara　looked　puzzled；　then　giggled；　but　her　mirth　quickly　altered　to　seriousness　at　sight　of　the　butler's　expression。　〃Mrs。　Brewster　had　a　touch　of　rheumatic　neuralgia　the　first　of　the　month；　do　you　refer　to　that？〃

〃Yes；　miss。〃　Grimes　spoke　more　rapidly；　but　kept　his　voice　lowered。　〃The　druggist　told　me　what　the　pills　were　when　I　exclaimed　at　their　size　…　regular　little　pellets；　no　bigger　than　that；〃　he　demonstrated　the　size　with　the　tip　of　his　little　finger；　and　would　have　added　more　but　the　gong　over　the　front　door　rang　out　with　such　suddenness　that　both　he　and　Barbara　started　violently。

〃Just　a　moment；　miss；〃　and　he　hurried　to　the　front　bell；　to　return　after　a　brief　colloquy　with　a　messenger　boy；　bearing　a　letter。　〃It's　for　Mrs。　Brewster；　miss；〃　he　explained；　as　Barbara　held　out　her　hand。

〃I'll　give　it　to　her　and　this　also；〃　Barbara　took　the　envelope　and　a　small　ice　pitcher　and　glass。　　〃Good　night；　Grimes。　　Oh；〃　she　stopped　midway　up　the　staircase　and　waited　for　the　butler　to　overtake　her；　〃Grimes；　to　whom　did　you　give　the　aconitine　on　Sunday？〃

〃I　didn't　give　it　to　nobody；　miss。〃　　The　butler　was　a　trifle　short　of　breath；　his　years　did　not　permit　him　to　keep　pace　with　the　twins。　〃I　was　in　a　great　hurry　as　the　druggist　kept　me　waiting；　and　I　had　to　serve　tea　at　once。〃

〃But　what　did　you　do　with　the　aconitine　pills？〃　demanded　Barbara。

〃I　left　the　box　on　the　hail　table；　miss　…〃

〃Great　heavens！〃　Barbara　stared　at　the　butler；　then　without　a　word　she　raced　up　the　staircase　and　disappeared　through　the　open　door　of　Mrs。　Brewster's　bedroom。

The　light　from　the　hall　shone　through　the　transom　and　doorway　in　sufficient　volume　to　clearly　indicate　the　different　pieces　of　furniture；　and　Barbara　put　the　pitcher　and　glass　on　the　bed　stand　and　laid　the　letter　which　Grimes　had　given　her　on　the　dressing　table；　then　went　slowly　into　her　own　bedroom。　　She　could　hear　voices；　which　she　recognized　as　those　of　her　sister　and　Mrs。　Brewster；　coming　from　Helen's　bedroom；　but　absorbed　in　her　own　thoughts　she　undressed　in　the　dark　and　crept　into　bed　just　as　Mrs。　Brewster　passed　down　the　hallway　and　entered　her　own　room。　　The　widow　had　taken　off　her　evening　gown　and　slippers　and　donned　a　becoming　wrapper　before　she　discovered　the　letter　lying　on　the　dresser。　Drawing　up　a　chair　she　dropped　into　it；　let　down　her　long　dark　hair；　and　settled　back　in　luxuriant　comfort　against　the　tufted　upholstery　before　she　ran　her　well…manicured　finger　under　the　flap　of　the　envelope。　　A　slip　of　paper　fell　into　her　lap　as　she　took　out　the　contents　of　the　envelope　and　she　let　it　rest　there　while　scanning　the　closely　typewritten　lines　on　the　Metropolis　Trust　Company　stationery。　　

Dear　Mrs。　Brewster；　she　read。　　Our　bank　teller；　Mr。　McDonald；　has　questioned　the　genuineness　of　the　signature　on　the　inclosed　check。　An　important　business　engagement　prevents　my　calling　to…night；　but　please　stop　at　the　bank　early　to…morrow　morning。

I　feel　that　you　would　prefer　to　have　a　personal　investigation　made　rather　than　have　us　place　the　matter　in　the　hands　of　the　police。

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Yours　faithfully；　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　BENJAMIN　A。　CLYMER。

The　widow　read　the　note　a　number　of　times；　then　bethinking　herself；　she　picked　up　the　canceled　check　still　lying　in　her　lap；　and　turned　it　over。　　Long　and　intently　she　studied　the　signature　…　the　peculiarly　characteristic　formation　of　the　letter　〃B〃　caught　and　held　her　attention。　　As　the　seconds　ticked　themselves　into　minutes　she　sat　immovable；　her　face　as　white　as　the　hand　on　which　she　had　bowed　her　head。

Across　the　hall　Helen　McIntyre　tossed　from　one　side　to　the　other　in　her　soft　bed；　her　restless　longing　to　get　up　was　growing　stronger　and　stronger。　　While　Mrs。　Brewster's　deft　fingers　and　the　cooling　cologne　had　stopped　the　throbbing　in　her　temples；　they　had　brought　only　temporary　relief　in　their　train　and　not　the　sleep　which　Helen　craved。　She　strained　her　ears　to　discover　the　time　by　the　ticking　of　her　clock；　but　either　it　was　between　the　half　or　quarters　of　an　hour；　or　it　had　stopped；　for　no　chimes　sounded。　　With　a　gasp　of　exasperation；　Helen　flung　back　the　bed　clothes　and　sat　up。　　Switching　on　the　light　by　the　side　of　her　bed　she　hunted　for　a　book；　but　not　finding　any；　she　contemplated　for　a　short　space　of　time　a　pair　of　rubber…heeled　shoes　just　showing　themselves　under　the　edge　of　a　chair。　With　sudden　decision　she　left　the　bed　and　dressed　rapidly。　　It　was　not　until　she　had　put　on　her　rubber…heeled　shoes　that　she　paused。　Her　hesitation；　however；　was　but　brief。　　Stepping　to　the　bureau；　she　pulled　out　a　lower　drawer　and　running　her　hand　inside；　touched　a　concealed　spring。　　From　the　cavity　thus　exposed　she　took　a　small　automatic　pistol；　and　with　a　stealthy　glance　about　her；　crept　from　the　room。

The　library　had　been　vacant　fully　an　hour　when　a　mouse；　intent　on　making　a　raid　on　the　candy　which　Barbara　had　carelessly　left　lying　loose　on　one　of　the　tables；　paused　as　a　faint　creaking　sound　broke　the　stillness；　then　as　the　noise　increased；　the　mouse　scurried　back　to　its　hole。　　The　noise　resembled　the　turning　of　rusty　hinges　and　the　soft　thud　of　one　piece　of　wood　striking　another。　　There　was　a　strained　silence；　then；　from　out　of　the　darkness　appeared　a　tiny　stream　of　light　directed　full　on　a　white　envelope　bearing　a　large　red　seal。

The　next　instant　the　envelope　was　plucked　from　the　hand　holding　it；　and　a　figure　lay　crumpled　on　the　floor　from　the　blow　of　a　descending　weapon。

It　was　closely　approaching　one　o'clock　in　the　morning　before　Mrs。　Brewster　stirred　from　her　comfortable　bedroom　chair。　　Taking　up　her　electric　torch；　which　she　kept　always　by　the　side　of　her　bed；　she　walked　quickly　down　the　staircase　and　into　the　pitch　dark　library。　Directing　her　torch…light　so　that　she　steered　a　safe　course　among　the　chairs　and　tables；　she　approached　one　of　the　pieces　of　carved　Venetian　furniture　and　reached　out　her　hand　to　touch　a　trap…door。　As　she　looked　for　the　spring　she　was　horrified　to　see　a　thin　stream　of　blood　oozing　through　the　carving　until；　reaching　the　letter　〃B；〃　it　outlined　that　initial　in　sinister　red。

Scream　after　scream　broke　from　Mrs。　Brewster。　　She　was　swaying　upon　her　feet　by　the　time　Colonel　McIntyre　and　his　daughter　Helen　reached　the　library。

〃Margaret！　　What　is　it？〃　　McIntyre　demanded。　　〃Calm　yourself；　my　darling。〃

The　frenzied　woman　shook　off　his　soothing　hand。

〃See；　see！〃　she　cried　and　point