the red seal-第29章

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d；　as　McIntyre　took　her　hand　and　pressed　it　understandingly。　　〃So　he　insisted　that　I　should　treat　him　like　an　ordinary　burglar　…　we　had　both　forgotten　Barbara's　silly　wager　in　our　horror　about　father。　　Jimmie　didn't　dare　take　the　securities　and　father's　confession　with　him　for　fear　he'd　be　searched　at　the　police　station；　and　the　scandal　would　have　come　out　then。〃

〃True；〃　agreed　McIntyre。　　〃Go　on；　Helen。〃

〃So　Jimmie　thrust　the　securities　and　father's　confession　into　an　envelope　and　sealed　it　with　red　wax；　using　Barbara's　seal；〃　explained　Helen。　　〃He　hadn't　time　to　write　an　address　or　message　on　it；　but　he　told　me　to　return　the　envelope　to　him　later　in　the　day　or　give　it　to　Philip　Rochester　and　ask　his　aid。　　I　brought　it　here　on　Wednesday　morning　and　with　Harry's　permission　put　the　envelope　in　the　safe。〃

〃I　tried　to　get　it　from　there；〃　volunteered　Sylvester；　〃for　I　overheard　Turnbull's　plan；　before　I　left　by　the　reception　room　window。〃

〃So　it　was　you　and　not　Mr。　Rochester　whom　I　saw　steal　out　of　the　window；〃　exclaimed　Mrs。　Brewster。

〃It's　not　the　first　time　I've　been　mistaken　for　him；〃　exclaimed　Sylvester　calmly。

Kent　started　and；　gazing　at　Rochester　and　the　clerk；　saw　there　was　a　general　resemblance　in　coloring　and　physique。

〃Did　you　present　the　checks　to　McDonald　at　the　Metropolis　Trust　Company　bearing　Rochester's　and　my　forged　signatures？〃　he　asked。

〃I　did；〃　acknowledged　Sylvester。　　〃Mr。　Rochester's　wardrobe　came　in　very　handy　for　deceiving　the　casual　glance。　　You　know；　'clothes　make　the　man；　and　want　of　it　the　fellow。'〃

Kent　looked　up　quickly；　struck　by　an　idea。

〃Sylvester；　did　you　steal　the　envelope　containing　the　securities　from　me　at　the　Club　de　Vingt？〃　he　asked。

Sylvester　shook　his　head。　　〃No；　but　she　did；〃　pointing　to　Mrs。　Brewster。　　〃It's　no　lie；〃　as　McIntyre　uttered　an　indignant　denial。　〃When　Ferguson　left　here　carrying　off　the　securities　from　under　my　nose　almost　…　I　　had　spent　the　whole　day　trying　to　learn　the　safe's　combination；　I　trailed　him　to　the　Club　de　Vingt；　and　heard　the　head　waiter　tell　him　you；　Mr。　Kent；　were　sitting　in　the　small　smoking　porch；　so　I　climbed　up　the　trumpet　vine；　oh；　it　was　strong　and　no　climb　for　one　who　has　done　the　feats　I　have　in　the　circus。　I　reached　the　porch　just　in　time　to　see　Mrs。　Brewster　drop　her　fan；　and　when　the　men　bent　to　pick　it　up　she　'lifted'　the　envelope　and　concealed　it　under　her　scarf。〃

〃Don't；〃　Mrs。　Brewster　laid　a　detaining　hand　on　McIntyre　as　he　stepped　forward。　　〃The　man　is　telling　the　truth。　　I　thought　it　was　the　envelope　you　gave　me　earlier　in　the　evening　…　it　was　unaddressed　and　the　red　seal　was　the　same。〃

〃Just　a　moment；〃　interrupted　Kent。　　〃What　did　you　do　with　the　envelope？〃

〃When　I　returned　home　I　dropped　it　inside　one　of　the　Venetian　caskets；〃　Mrs。　Brewster　replied。　　〃No　one　ever　went　near　them；　and　I　thought　it　would　be　safe　there。　　You　see；　I　was　puzzled　to　know　how　it　had　disappeared　from　the　desk　in　the　reception　room；　where　I　had　left　it　in　one　of　the　pigeon　holes；　intending　to　take　it　later　to　my　room。〃

〃I　took　the　envelope　…　your　envelope　…　out　of　the　desk；〃　confessed　McIntyre。　　〃I　would　have　spoken　of　it；　Margaret；　but　was　hurt　that　you　had　left　our　marriage　certificate　lying　around　so　carelessly。〃

〃Your　what？〃　Barbara　sprang　up；　astounded。

〃Our　marriage　certificate；〃　repeated　McIntyre　firmly。　　〃Margaret　and　I　were　married　last　week　in　Baltimore。　　We　would　have　told　you；　Helen；　but　your　peculiar　conduct　and　Barbara's；　so　angered　me　that　I　forbade　Margaret　to　take　you　into　our　confidence。〃

〃Father！〃　　Barbara　got　no　further；　for　Helen　had　risen。　　She　spoke　with　quiet　dignity。

〃You　forget；　father；　that　since　Monday　night　we　have　thought　you　a　forger　and；　worse；　a　murderer；〃　her　voice　faltered。　　〃In　our　effort　to　guard　you　we　have　become　estranged。　　Margaret〃…　she　held　out　her　hand　with　an　affectionate　gesture　and　with　a　sob　her　step…mother　kissed　her。

〃How　did　this　envelope　get　back　inside　our　safe？〃　asked　Kent　a　moment　later；　picking　it　up　and　displaying　the　red　seal；　intact　save　for　the　broken　corner。

〃I　went　downstairs　about　midnight　or　a　little　later　and　into　the　library；〃　confessed　Helen。　　〃What　was　my　surprise　and　terror　to　see　Grimes　holding　the　envelope。　　To　me　it　meant　father's　exposure　as　a　forger。　　I　had　a　revolver　in　my　hand　and　struck　before　I　thought。　Then　I　must　temporarily　have　lost　my　reason。　　It　was　only　my　thought　to　save　father　that　lent　me　courage　and　strength　to　thrust　Grimes　inside　the　casket　where　Babs　and　I　used　to　hide。　　I　then　returned　to　my　room；　and　was　just　coming　downstairs　again　after　secreting　the　envelope；　to　release　Grimes　and　get　medical　assistance　if　need　be；　when　Margaret's　screams　aroused　the　household。〃

McIntyre　interrupted　his　daughter　with　a　hasty　gesture；　and　addressed　his　wife。　　〃When　Detective　Ferguson　questioned　me　as　to　your　reason　for　being　in　the　library；　Margaret；　I　stated　you　had　gone　down　to　get　a　book　left　lying　on　the　Venetian　casket；〃　he　said。　　〃I　waited　for　you　to　volunteer　an　explanation　of　your　presence　there；　but　you　never　made　any。〃

〃I　went　down　to　get　our　marriage　certificate。〃　　Margaret　forgot　the　presence　of　others　and　spoke　only　to　him；　the　love…light　in　her　eyes　pleading　against　the　censure　she　dreaded；　as　she　made　her　brief　confession。　　〃Mr。　Clymer　sent　me　a　note；　inclosing　a　canceled　check；　stating　the　bank　officials　had　decided　my　signature　was　a　forgery。　The　check　was　drawn　to　Barbara；　and　on　examining　it　I　noticed　the　peculiar　formation　of　the　letter　'B'；　it　is　characteristic　of　your　handwriting　and　Helen's。〃　　She　paused；　and　added：

〃I　was　at　a　loss　what　to　think。　　I　knew　you　and　Helen　wrote　alike；　Helen's　extraordinary　behavior　to　me　led　me　to　believe　that　perhaps　she　had　been　short　of　funds；　and　forged　my　name　to　a　check　in　desperation。　　Then　I　remembered　seeing　you；　Charles；　open　the　box　containing　my　aconitine　pills；　the　box's　disappearance；　and　Jimmie's　death　from　that　poison〃　…　she　raised　her　hands　in　an　expressive　gesture。　　〃Although　my　reason　told　me　that　you　might　be　guilty；　my　loyalty　and　love　refuted　the　accusation。〃

〃Margaret！〃　McIntyre's　voice　shook　with　emotion；　then　controlling　himself　he　turned　to　Sylvester。　　〃I　presume　this　check　was　some　more　of　your　deviltry？〃

Helen　answered　for　the　clerk。　　Removing　a　soiled　paper　from　her　bag　she　laid　it　on　Kent's　desk。　　〃This　note　was　handed　to　me　by　Grimes；〃　she　explained。　　〃It　reads：　'Helen；　please　cash　this　check　and　give　money　to　Mrs。　Brewster's　dressmaker。　　Father。'　　I　followed　the　instructions。〃

〃And　gave　the　money　to　my　sister；〃　Sylvester　chuckled　at　their　surprise。　　〃My　sister　was　taught　in　a　French　convent；　and　she　is　an　excellent　seamstress；　when　she　isn't　drunk；　as　Mrs。　McIntyre　knows。〃

〃See　here；　Sylvester；〃　Clymer　broke　his　long　silence。　　〃You　were　in　the　police　court　on　a　charge　of　assault　and　battery　brought　by　your　wife　on　Tuesday　morning；　and　you　were　in　the　prisoner's　cage　at　the　moment　Turnbull　died。　　How　then　was　it　possible　for　you　to　be　at　the　McIntyre's　at　midnight　on　Monday？〃

〃I　was　out　on　bail　and　appeared　in　the　courtroom　just　in　time　for　my　trial；〃　Sylvester　explained。　　〃I　did　not　have　to　sit　in　the　cage；　but　recognizing　Turnbull　I　went　there　to　be　with　him。〃

Kent　placed　the　forged　check　bearing　Margaret　Brewster's　signature　on　the　desk。　　〃I　take　it　this　check　is　your　work；　Sylvester；〃　he　said。　　〃You　reaped　the　benefit　by　having　the　money　paid　to　your　sister。　　Did　you　also　have　the　fake　telegram　delivered　to　me　stating　Mr。　Rochester　was　in　Cleveland？〃

〃I　faked　that；〃　broke　in　Rochester；　before　the　clerk　could　make　a　disclaimer。　　〃I　thought　it　best　to　disappear　for　a　few　days　down　in　Virginia；　where　I　could　think　things　over　in　peace。〃

〃So　it　was　you；　Sylvester；　and　not　Mr。　Rochester　whom　I　encountered　in　his　apartment；〃　exclaimed　Kent。　　〃How　did　you　get　in　the　apartment？〃

〃From　the　fire…escape　and　along　the　window　ledge　to　the　bathroom　window。〃　　Sylvester　hitched　his　shoulders。　　〃It　was　nothing　for　a　man　of　my　agility。〃

Ferguson　eyed　him　with　doubtful　respect。

〃You　have　courage；〃　he　admitted　grudgingly。　　〃Come；　we　must　get　to　Headquarters；〃　and　he　aided　Sylvester　to　his　feet；　but　once　standing；　Sylvester　refused　to　move。　　Instead　he　turned　to　Helen。

〃What　was　that　you　passed　to　Mr。　Rochester　in　the　police　court　and　he　later　gave　to　Mr。　Turnbull？〃　he　asked。　　〃Oh；　don't　deny　it；　I　saw　you　palm　a　note；　Mr。　Rochester；　from　the　young　lady。〃

〃There　is　nothing　now　to　conceal；〃　declared　Helen。　　〃After　O'Ryan　and　Jimmie　left　the　house　for　the　police　station　I　grew　fearful　that　Jimmie　might　over…tax　his　strength　in　carrying　out　the　farce　of　his　arrest。　　So　as　soon　as　I　could　I　telephoned　to　Philip　to　meet　me　at　the　police　court　and　to　bring　some　amyl　nitrite　capsules　with　him。〃

〃And　the　note；　Sylvester；　which　you　saw　Miss　McIntyre　give　me　in　court；〃　concluded　Rochester；　as　Helen　paused；　〃told　me　to　hand　the　capsules　to　the　burglar　and　to　defend　him　in　court。　　I　did　both；　although　badly　puzzled　by　the　request。〃　　Rochester　hesitated。　　〃I　carried　out　your　wishes；　Helen；　without　question；　but　when　the　burglar's　identity　was　revealed；　I　jumped　to　the　conclusion　that　you　had　used　me　as　an　instrument　to　kill　him；　for　I　knew　something　of　the　effects　of　amyl　nitrite。〃

〃Great　Heavens！〃　exclaimed　Helen；　aghast。

Rochester　looked　at　her　and　bit　his　lip；　he　knew　of　her　affection　for　Jimmie　and　her　attachment　to　his　memory；　but　he　could　not　kill　the　hope　that　when　Time　had　healed　the　loss；　his　devotion　might　some　day　win　her　for　his　own。

〃I　did　you　great　injustice；〃　he　admitted　humbly。　　〃But　I　was　fearfully　shocked　by　the　scene。　　I　strove　to　divert　suspicion　by　insisting　that　Jimmie　died　from　angina　pectoris；　and　then　you　came；　Helen；　and　demanded　an　autopsy。

〃I　had　to；〃　Helen　broke　in。　　〃I　could　not　believe　that　Jimmie's　death　was　due　to　natural　causes；〃　her　voice　quivered。　　〃He　had　been　so　loyal　…　so　faithful　…　I　could　not　be　less　true　to　him；　even　if；　as　I　feared；　my　own　dear　father　was　guilty　of　the　crime。

Kent　turned　and　faced　Sylvester；　who　had　made　a　few　shuffling　steps　toward　the　door。

〃You　have　done　incalculable　harm　by　your　criminal　acts；〃　he　said　sternly。　　〃But　for　your　lying　and　trickery　Jimmie　Turnbull　would　be　alive　to…day。　　I　trust　the　Court　will　give　you　the　maximum　sentence。〃

Sylvester　eyed　him　insolently。　　〃I've　had　a　run　for　my　money；　and　I　stood　to　win　large　sums　if　things　had　only　gone　right；〃　he　announced；　then　addressed　Helen　directly。　　〃What　did　you　do　with　the　securities？〃

〃I　put　the　envelope　back　in　the　open　safe　when　I　was　here　early　this　afternoon；〃　she　explained。

An　oath　ripped　from　Sylvester。　　〃I　mistook　you　for　your　sister；〃　he　snarled。　　〃Had　I　known　it　was　you；　I'd　have　wrung　the　securities　from　you。〃

Helen　stared　at　his　suddenly　contorted　face。　　〃Ah；　you　are　the　man　who　looked　in　at　the　window　of　the　reception　room　yesterday　morning　when　I　was　talking　to　Mr。　Kent；〃　she　cried。　　〃I　recognize　you　now。〃

He　continued　to　glare　at　her。　　〃I　also　sent　you　a　note　by　your　sister　outside　the　Caf　　St。　Marks　to　secrete　the　letter　'B'；〃　his　voice　rose　almost　into　a　shout　in　his　ungovernable　rage。　　〃I　heard　Turnbull　tell　you　to　take　the　envelope　to　Rochester；　and　I　banked　on　your　bringing