Devil's Dice Part 20

"Then if what you say is true, why should this man act as spy upon me?"

demanded Jack fiercely.

"Ask him," I replied. "From his own lips I heard him report to his employer, Lady Fyneshade, the result of his investigations."

"Mabel! then she, too, is my enemy," he exclaimed furiously. "She has endeavoured all along to part me from Dora, but she shall not--by G.o.d!

she shan't."

"And what proof have you?" asked Markwick, addressing me. "What proof have you, pray, that I had been employed--as you so delicately put it-- by the Countess?"

"Your own words. I overheard you. It was highly interesting, I a.s.sure you," I answered, smiling as I watched the effect of my words.

Suddenly Jack, pale with anger, started with a sudden impulse towards him, crying:

"You have spied upon me and endeavoured unsuccessfully to give me into the hands of the police. Well, it is a fight between us. Were it not for the fact I am a guest in a friend's house I would horsewhip you as a cad and a coward. As it is, you shall go free. I shall, however, be armed against you; these revelations by my friend Ridgeway have proved what I long ago suspected, and--"

"This friend of yours, who desires to claim acquaintance with me, lies!"

he said with calm indifference.

"Go! Tell the Countess, whose lover you may be for aught I know, that the man she suspects is innocent, and that if necessary he will prove it," Bethune answered bitterly.

"I knew you were innocent, Jack!" I cried. "Prove it, old fellow!

Don't delay a moment."

He turned quickly, and asked me frigidly: "Then you also suspect me--of what?"

I saw that my involuntary exclamations had again betrayed my suspicions.

Ere I could reply, Markwick, who had flung himself into an arm-chair and was sitting in an indolent att.i.tude with legs outstretched, had cried:

"Innocent--bah!"

"What crime then do you allege?" Jack demanded. His face blanched as he strode up to his strange visitor with clenched fists.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

ATTACK AND DEFENCE.

Springing to his feet and tearing open his coat, Markwick, the man designated by one of Bethune's fair correspondents as "that vile, despicable coward," drew from his breast-pocket a folded newspaper, saying:

"This newspaper, the Daily News of this morning, will perhaps refresh your memory. Listen while I read. I promise not to bore you," and opening the paper quickly a cynical smile played about his thin lips as he read as follows:--

"`Yesterday, at Bow Street Police Court, Mr J. Arthur Price, barrister, made an extraordinary application to the magistrate. He stated that three years ago Sir Henry Sternroyd, Knight, the well-known Wigan ironfounder, died at Cannes, leaving his entire fortune, amounting to about three millions, to his son Gilbert. Two years ago Gilbert Sternroyd, who had been educated at Bonn, received the property, and took up his residence in London. He was a member of several good clubs, and soon became well-known and popular with a rather smart set. On March 12 last he went to the Empire Theatre alone, had supper with a friend at the New Lyric Club, and from there went to the Army and Navy.

He left there about half-past twelve alone, and walked in the direction of his chambers. Since that hour nothing whatever has been seen or heard of him. On the following morning a check for a rather large amount was presented for payment, but, as this check was drawn three days before, it is not thought by the police to have any connection with his mysterious disappearance. One fact, counsel pointed out, was strange, namely, that although the check was dated three days before, the check-book containing the counterfoil had not been discovered in his chambers, and it is therefore presumed that he had it upon him at the time of his disappearance. The case, counsel continued, presented many extraordinary and even sensational features, one of which was the fact that a will had been discovered, properly executed by the missing man's solicitors, by which the whole of his extensive fortune is bequeathed to a lady well-known in society, the much-admired wife of a peer. It is feared that the young man has met with foul play, and it was counsel's object in making the application on behalf of the relatives to direct public attention to the case, and express a hope that any person possessed of information as to his whereabouts would not fail to communicate with the police. The magistrate observed that the Press would no doubt take notice of counsel's application.'"

Markwick paused, his small eyes glistening with a revengeful fire as he gazed at Jack Bethune.

"Does not this statement bring back to your memory the incidents of that night?" he asked slowly, without taking his eyes off him.

With sinking heart I saw that my friend visibly trembled, and noticed that he started as each mention of the name of the murdered man stabbed his conscience. His face was bloodless; the dark rings around his eyes gave his ashen countenance an almost hideous appearance. The statement about the will was a new and amazing phase of the mystery, for it pointed conclusively to the fact that the dead man had left his wealth to Mabel, a fact that accounted for the seemingly unreasonable interest which the Countess had taken in his disappearance.

"I--I really don't know why the report of the sudden disappearance of a man whom I knew but very slightly should be of paramount interest to me," Jack answered, but the haggard expression on his face told only too plainly the effect caused by the mine his enemy had suddenly sprung upon him.

"It may one day be of vital interest to you," Markwick said menacingly, as he carefully refolded the paper and placed it again in his pocket.

Jack gave vent to a dry, hollow laugh, saying: "It is certainly a strange affair altogether, but surely this is not news to you. I heard of Sternroyd's disappearance weeks ago."

"You were perhaps the first person aware of it--eh?" observed Markwick caustically.

"By that remark you insinuate that I possess knowledge which I have not disclosed," Jack answered brusquely. "Both the Countess and yourself have perfect liberty to form your own conclusions, and they would be amusing were it not for the gravity of the question involved, namely, whether or not Gilbert Sternroyd has met with foul play."

"He has met with foul play," cried Markwick sternly. "And you alone know the truth."

This direct accusation startled me. I glanced at my friend. He was standing upright, rigid, silent, his terrified eyes gazing fixedly into s.p.a.ce.

But for a moment only. Suddenly, he again sprang towards his accuser, and facing him boldly, cried:

"You're endeavouring to fasten upon me the responsibility of young Sternroyd's disappearance! Well, do what you will. I do not fear you,"

and a strange laugh escaped his lips. "Arrest me, put me in a criminal's dock, bring forward your array of counsel, your evidence, and the results of your accursed espionage, then, when you have finished I will speak. But before you do this, before you advance one step further upon the dangerous course you are now pursuing, remember that slander is an offence against the law; remember that in such evidence as must be given in an a.s.size court certain persons must be seriously compromised, and do not forget that the very weapon by which I shall defend my own honour will be one that must prove disastrous to yourself. I have said enough. Go!"

Markwick was amazed at this unexpected outburst. He, like myself, had apparently expected Jack to confess to the crime of which we both suspected him, but by this firm declaration of innocence it almost seemed as though we were both mistaken. Yet in that brief moment I remembered his refusal to allow me to enter the room in which he had undoubtedly concealed the body. I reflected upon the many suspicions that had been aroused within me. No! I was still convinced of his guilt, notwithstanding his denial. The fact seemed apparent that he possessed a secret of Markwick's, and felt secure because he knew that this man dare not risk the dire consequences of its revelation.

"Then am I to understand that you absolutely defy us?" asked the mysterious friend of Sybil.

"Us?" echoed Bethune indignantly. "By that word you mean Lady Fyneshade and yourself. Yes, I defy you both! Act if you dare; but I warn you the peril will be yours."

"Very well," the man answered, bowing haughtily with a coolness that was astounding. "Defiance is of little avail in a criminal's cell."

Jack placed his hand upon the bell and rang it violently.

"I have endeavoured to save the honour of more than one person in this affair, but if you wish for exposure you can, of course, make known many ugly facts," he said.

"But you declare emphatically you are innocent," Markwick said hastily.

"Neither you nor Ridgeway have alleged any specific charge against me,"

he answered. "If any crime is alleged to have been committed by me, then after my arrest it will be time for me to prepare my defence.

Until then I shall remain silent."

"And the day is not far distant when you will be compelled to speak,"

the other said in a tone of impatience and annoyance, while at that moment my father's man appeared in answer to Jack's summons.

"No further discussion is necessary," my friend said in a tone more quiet than before. "I decline to enter into details." Then, turning to the servant, he said:

"Show this gentleman out."

Markwick uttered not a word. Biting his lip viciously, he glanced threateningly from my guest to myself, drew a deep breath, and turning on his heel followed the man out, and a few moments later pa.s.sed below the window and disappeared down the drive.

The interview had been an extraordinary one. Markwick, who had with such well-feigned ignorance declared himself unacquainted with me, possessed a most remarkable personality. The mystery that surrounded him was as impenetrable as that which had enveloped Sybil, but I was compelled to admit within myself that I shared his suspicion as to Bethune's guilt. Yet my friend's open defiance was absolutely bewildering. He had engaged his enemy with his own weapons, and for the present, at any rate, had vanquished him.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.