Part 49 (2/2)

”Mr. Jernyngham,” said the officer, ”if you will make an appointment to meet me on my return from the reservation, I will be at your service, but you must excuse me now. I have some instructions to give the constable, who has a long ride before him.”

”A minute, please; I'll be brief. Am I to understand that you have no intention of seizing Prescott?”

”That is what I meant. So far as I can determine at present, we shall not interfere with him.”

Jernyngham's haggard face grew red with anger.

”What are your grounds for this extraordinary decision?” he demanded.

”A strong presumption of his innocence.”

”Preposterous!” Jernyngham broke out. ”The scoundrel killed my son, and you refuse to move any further against him! I must carry the matter to Ottawa; you leave me no recourse.”

The officer rapped on the table and the trooper entered.

”Come and see me when I get back, Mr. Jernyngham, and we'll talk over the thing again. I have other business which demands urgent attention now.”

Jernyngham's face was deeply colored and the swollen veins showed on his forehead.

”Understand that I insist on Prescott's arrest! I will, spare no effort to secure it through your superiors!”

Seeing that he was in no mood to listen to reason, the officer let him go, and Jernyngham walked slowly to the lobby downstairs. There were a number of men in it, but two or three strolled into the bar and the others drew away from him when he sat down. They were not without compa.s.sion, but they shrank from the grim look in the man's worn face.

For a while he sat still, resting one elbow on a table, and trying to arrange his confused thoughts. He knew nothing of Prescott's interview with Curtis or the reason for his visit to Wandle on the night of the latter's flight; the discovery of the brown clothes occupied the most prominent place in his mind, and convinced him of Prescott's guilt.

Then he began to consider how he could best bring pressure to bear on the administration in Ottawa. From inquiries he had made, it appeared less easy than he had supposed. It was, he had been told, unusual for anybody to interfere with the Northwest Police, who had been entrusted with extensive powers; and there was a strong probability of his failing to obtain satisfaction. It was, however, unthinkable that Prescott should escape. Jernyngham's poignant sense of loss and regret for past harshness to his son had merged into an overwhelming desire for vengeance on the man whom he regarded as Cyril's murderer. He was left without an ally; the organized means of justice had signally broken down; but the man should not go unpunished.

Tormented by his thoughts, he went out in search of Gertrude.

CHAPTER XXIX

JERNYNGHAM BREAKS DOWN

Colston and his party were leaving the hotel, with Jernyngham and Gertrude a few paces in front of them. A big lamp hung beneath the veranda, and the light from the windows streamed out on the snow. While Colston held the door open for his wife and Muriel to pa.s.s through a man came hurriedly along the sidewalk and Colston started.

”Be quick!” he cried to Muriel. ”It's Prescott!”

Letting the door swing to, he moved hastily forward, and then stopped, seeing that he was too late to prevent the meeting. Jernyngham had recognized the newcomer.

”Mr. Prescott,” the old man cried, ”a word with you!”

Prescott stopped with a troubled face a few yards away.

”If you insist, I'm at your service.”

Colston drew nearer. Jernyngham's tone had alarmed him, and it's ominous harshness was more marked when he resumed:

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