Harry Blount

“ Blount could be a perfect Job's comforter when occasion required, as is proved by the following:
"Well—you've put your foot in it this time, I'm [Pg 136] afraid. I've been away for a week or two—only got back to-day and heard of this. They have you straight enough on the draft, but that's nothing—only a few years. The other is 'life,' or worse.
"Why, don't you know they've got it down for murder now? Oh! you are in for it I'm afraid, as soon as Jaggers gives up. They haven't found the body yet, but, of course, that's pretty near certain to come to light. It's only a matter of time." ”

“ Even if his opponent should die it would not be as bad as what he had at first expected, and he accompanied Blount back to the hotel in a frame of mind rather cheerful than otherwise.
At the hotel Blount took Hall to a room and showed him the warrant. It was all in proper order, [Pg 116] as far as Hall could tell, and he could make no objection to being placed in Dover jail. He would have an examination next morning, Blount assured him, after he had been locked up, meantime could he do anything for him. ”

“ Jacobs's motion to discharge Hall was duly granted. In the court room with Blount was Morgan, and as Hall walked out, once more a free man, he had a new shadow.
"Don't let him out of your sight," warned Blount "or he'll fool you as he once did me. We are getting pretty close to him now—very close. Jaggers and Sanders we have pretty safe on the burglary, but it will never do to alarm him until everything is ready. I will get to London and see what can be done there." ”

“ Sanders read the story eagerly and looked considerably worried by it, Blount's little story fitted in so nicely.
Suddenly Blount appeared at the door of the cell.
"Well, through with the paper, Sanders?" he asked, and as it was handed back: "You were a most infernal fool to put your hand into anything with blood in it. Such fellows as Jaggers and 'The Knifer' (Sanders started) take chances of that kind right along, and are bound to come to the rope in the end—but they are little better than brutes, while you are a man of education. But I must be off! ”

“ As appointed, Blount called at the Bridge Hotel that evening. He had only seen Carden once and barely knew him, but knowing the friendship existing between Martin and Carden, had no reluctance about giving the latter a detailed account of his work since leaving London for Dublin and Antwerp.
On reaching Dublin he found without the slightest trouble that Mr. Hall had just returned from Antwerp, [Pg 104] but the most thorough search in Amsterdam—that city of diamond dealers and cutters—whence he had gone from Antwerp, failed to show that Hall had had dealings with any of them. ”

“ Blount rubbed his nose reflectively as he watched the vessel steaming away, murmured something not very angelic regarding Mr. Hall, asseverated that he believed himself closely related to several distinct kinds of idiots, and then went back to consult once more with his friend the inspector.
Kate Stafford was in the garden the evening after Hall's departure, book in hand, but not reading. She was thinking of the man who had saved her life—a dangerous occupation for a young lady engaged to [Pg 35] marry another man. ”

“ Up-stairs Blount ordered a pot of ale for Jaggers and "a little gin" for himself and then settling back in his chair invited his companion to "fire away," which he did to the following effect.
The old man, who was known to him as Gorman, had for several years been his best friend, and had often, after they had become intimate, hinted at the possession of a secret which would one day make him rich. Finally one day, about six months previous to the murder, he told Jaggers that he had found a man through whom he could convert his secret into cash. ”

“ The eavesdropper started back in alarm, but could not resist the temptation to listen to the story.
"I found 'The Knifer' easy enough in Leith, and got the papers on him," Blount was saying. "He admitted the robbery of the papers and draft in Harley Street, and Morgan got back to-night with the diamond broker who bought the diamonds. He had a tough job, but finally persuaded him to come, and he's down-stairs with Morgan now."
Again Hall started back in alarm. They were very close on him, and he paused irresolutely. ”

“ At Martin's request, Blount had been relieved from all other duty, and they now traveled about together.
On the morning of the tenth day after the disappearance of Hall, Martin was standing on the steps [Pg 53] of the hotel, waiting for Blount, when he suddenly caught sight of Mr. Stafford picking his way between the throng of wagons and cabs toward him.
"Bless my soul!" exclaimed the old gentleman, "it's as much as one's life is worth to cross here!"
"It is a dangerous spot," responded Martin, warmly returning the cordial greeting of Mr. Stafford. "How is Fred getting along?" ”

“ A cool, elegant fellow was Harry Hall, and before a week had elapsed Kate found herself thinking more about him than she would have cared to acknowledge. What particularly pleased her was his refraining from hinting, in any way, at the "betrothal." Mr. Hall, however, was too good a general to make any such mistake—he knew how to wait. The French say—"Everything comes to him who waits," and it soon became evident to Mr. Stafford that, unless something unforeseen happened, his old partner's son would carry out his father's wishes, and carry off his daughter. ”

“ Even as he spoke Blount was starting away, but stopped to add:
"Don't you think it would be better if O'Brien were to stay here and you should go back to Hanley Hall? Mr. Hall has no reason to regard you other than as a friend after your action regarding the duel."
Martin did not like the idea, but consented to go back, not to Hanley Hall itself but to the village. So far as avoiding Hall was concerned this was useless, for when Carden called next morning Martin learned that Hall was also a guest at the inn. ”

“ Jacobs; for Blount knew the attorney and his record quite well, nearly as well as Hall himself.
The telegram was sent without delay, and Jacobs came at once, arriving at Dover late the same night. [Pg 117] Blount met him accidentally at the entrance to his hotel, the nearest to the station.
"Ah! Good evening Mr. Jacobs! Down to see our friend, I suppose?"
Jacobs was almost as startled as his client had been on meeting Blount, but having nothing particular to fear at the moment, like his client, quickly recovered himself.
"Yes, Mr. Blount," he replied. "Are you the party in charge?" ”

“ Morgan was a really bright fellow, much younger than Blount, and a protégé of the latter.
Although now interested on his own account in everything concerning Mr. Jacobs, it was more from habit than anything else Blount inquired what the boy wanted so far away from his employer's office.
"Some peculiar kind of paper—a kind that's ship [Pg 142] ped a great deal to Australia and other colonies, I believe—and come to think of it, the youngster had several packages of chemicals in his pocket when arrested. Shouldn't wonder if that fellow Jacobs was up to some knavery again." ”

“ The inspector was an old friend of Blount's, and although he pretended to be tired of it, was himself interested in the Martin matter.
"Yes, you can have him, I suppose, but that Martin matter will be the death of me, I'm afraid." And having fired this shot the inspector left "for a few minutes," but when Morgan entered at the end of a half hour he had not returned. Blount accordingly [Pg 143] informed him that he had obtained the necessary permission.
"And I'll take it on myself to say you need not wait to report now. Come along! We can talk as we walk. We must get down to Blackwall." ”

“ Martin read the telegram aloud, and when he had finished they all understood the care and necessity for haste in its delivery. Hall must once more be placed under surveillance and Blount found without delay. [Pg 169]
"O'Brien, you must get over to the Surrey side and find Blount! You, Fred, must go back to Hanley Hall and watch things there! I'm afraid the case will not prove as clear against our man as Morgan seems to think. He's too slippery to be trapped so easily!" ”

“ Blount then showed Carden the two advertisements, at the same time informing him that he knew them to be Hall's.
"You see—he's getting anxious!" said Blount. "In the second he names a specific sum—and quite a large one too. Then again, he omits reference to that mysterious undergarment. I expect to receive full information regarding the missing property to-night. The chambermaid and his valet whom he engaged in Dublin, both belong to us. ”

“ When the time comes he will find everything prepared!"
Carden's words did much to reassure Mrs. Stafford, and she retired in a fairly good frame of mind. Miss [Pg 107] Fleming accompanied her, pausing at the door to shake her finger threateningly at her disconsolate lover.
Next morning, immediately after breakfast, and after a short but not all stormy interview with Miss Fleming, Carden left for London.
At Bow Street he found that nothing had been heard from Blount since the previous day. Being anxious to get back to Naas, Carden left a note for Blount and started at once for Liverpool. ”

“ An ordinary man would have found it no easy task—burdened as the rescuer was with all his clothes, and the weight of a strong, healthy girl—to reach and scramble up the bank unaided; but the stranger managed to do so, and with a contemptuous smile asked Hall if the lady was known to him. ”

“ Blount says, through the Mardykes family. I wonder whether there is a house upon it—if so, he will probably live at the other side of the lake, and his arrival will have made very little difference to us. So much the better, perhaps.
"I saw him and Sir Harry, at about eight o'clock this morning, set out together in the big boat, with two men, to cross the lake.
"Farming is, I believe, a very absorbing pursuit. He won't feel his solitude much; and Mr. Blount says he will have to go to fairs and markets. It is altogether a grazing farm." ”

“ He is very little changed, except that he is much more sun-burnt. He has got a look, too, of command and melancholy. I am sure he has suffered, and suffering, they say, makes people better. He talked very little during dinner, and rather justified Sir Harry's description. Sir Harry talked about the farm he intends for him—they are to look at it to-morrow together. Mr. Blount seems to have got a load off his mind.
"The farm is not so far away as I had imagined—it is only at the other side of the lake, about five hundred acres at Clusted, which came to Sir Harry, Mr. ”

“ I must be growing stupid—but I'll be off at once!"
"Wait a moment! You can't get away until to-night. Better send your man a telegram to watch him closely. Then come back to my rooms—it may be a long hunt, and money does as much as brains sometimes."
"I have sent the telegram," said Blount. "He is at this moment under the best pair of eyes in Europe."
Two hours later Blount started on his long chase, and when Mr. Stafford called he found Martin all prepared to accompany him.
[Pg 55]
CHAPTER IX.
While riding back to Hanley Hall, Mr. ”

“ She seemed to know what was coming, for from behind her handkerchief came a tear-stained face wearing an hysterical smile to receive his salute.
"You will not go away," she said, not inquiringly.
"No—of course not, since it troubles you."
That was all. There was no giving or asking. No questioning the right of one or the submission of the other. It was all decided from the moment Martin had arisen from his chair—although he knew nothing about the letter. ”

“ O'Brien cheerfully volunteered to put himself out of Blount's reach, and started that afternoon for Dover.
[Pg 152]
CHAPTER XXIII.
Morgan's efforts to find Jaggers were untiring and equally unavailing, and at the end of the first week he was certain Jaggers was not to be found in Blackwall, so certain that he ventured to express this belief to Blount. The latter, however, was equally certain Jaggers was in Blackwall. "Keep at it," he said; "you'll run across his trail yet, although I was a little ahead when I said a week," and Morgan accordingly continued the hunt. ”

“ Carden folded up the letter and placed it in his pocket. His eyes were not exactly dry—nor were any others at the table—little Miss Fleming and Julia were actually sobbing; Mr. Stafford, Doctor Fox and O'Brien were vainly endeavoring to look through the open window; and Kate sat dry-eyed, aye, and dry-lipped too, gazing intently before her, and Carden became angry.
"I've violated Dick's confidence," he said, in hard tones and looking straight at his cousin,—"only to show you the kind of a man we are losing—for he's going to certain death, I firmly believe!" ”

“ The doctor hastily prepared something for Jaggers, which was scarcely in his stomach before Morgan asked:
"What you say may possibly save Sanders' neck from the rope and put it around Hall's, but you must sign a statement of it!"
Morgan had touched the right key, and knew it when he saw the glitter of the dying (?) man's eyes on mentioning Hall.
"Now then, Jaggers! If you want to put the rope on the right man you must tell me where the papers are. Where are they now? You've got 'em, I suppose?"
"No—Jack (The Knifer) played me a mean trick. He's got all the papers an' wouldn't give 'em to me. ”

“ Bestowing another curse on this, he took a drink of [Pg 94] it and sat down to think. Suddenly he brightened up, and seizing a pencil wrote the following advertisement:
"If the parties who took the watch No. 0072 and other jewelry, together with an undergarment from No. — Harley Street, will return the same at once, they will receive the full value and not be prosecuted. All the articles must be returned to ensure the foregoing."
"There, that looks hopeful—that is, if the fools have not thrown it away!" exclaimed Hall, as he read over the advertisement. ”