Part 11 (1/2)

”I think it will be best to adjourn at this stage,” he said. ”It is obvious that we can't finish this today.” He turned to the jurymen. ”I propose to adjourn this enquiry for a week, gentlemen,” he went on. ”In the meantime--”

His attention was suddenly arrested by Melky Rubinstein, who, after much uneasiness and fidgeting, rose from his seat and made his way to the foot of the table, manifestly desiring to speak.

”What is it?” asked the Coroner. ”Who are you? Oh!--the witness who identified the body. Yes?”

”Mr. Coroner!” said Melky, in his most solemn tones. ”This here inquest ain't being conducted right, sir! I don't mean by you--but these here gentlemen, the police, and Mr. Parminter there, is going off on a wrong scent. I know what they're after, and they're wrong! They're suppressing evidence, Mr. Coroner.” Melky turned on Ayscough. ”What about the clue o' this here old book?” he demanded. ”Why ain't you bringing that forward? I'm the late Daniel Multenius's nearest male relative, and I say that clue's a deal more important nor what we've been hearing all the morning. What about that book, now, Mr. Ayscough?

Come on!--what about it!--and its owner?”

”What is this?” demanded the Coroner. ”If there is anything--”

”Anything, sir!” exclaimed Melky. ”There's just this--between the time that my cousin there, Miss Zillah Wildrose left the old man alive, and the time when Mr. Lauriston found him dead, somebody came into the shop as left a valuable book behind him on the parlour table, which book, according to all the advertis.e.m.e.nts in the morning papers, is the property of Mr. Spencer Levendale, the Member of Parliament, as lives in Suss.e.x Square. Why ain't that matter brought up? Why ain't Mr.

Levendale brought here? I ask you, Mr. Coroner, to have it seen into!

There's more behind it--”

The Coroner held up a hand and beckoned the police inspector and Mr.

Parminter to approach his desk; a moment later, Ayscough was summoned.

And Lauriston, watching the result of this conference, was quickly aware that the Coroner was not particularly pleased; he suddenly turned on the inspector with a question which was heard by every one in court.

”Why was not the matter of the book put before the Court at first?” he demanded. ”It seems to me that there may be a most important clue in it. The fact of the book's having been found should most certainly have been mentioned, at once. I shall adjourn for a week, from today, and you will produce the book and bring Mr. Spencer Levendale here as a witness. This day week, gentlemen!”

Melky Rubinstein turned, whispered a hurried word to Zillah and Mrs.

Goldmark, and then, seizing Lauriston by the elbow, drew him quickly away from the court.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

THE BACK DOOR

Once outside in the street, Melky turned down the nearest side-street, motioning Lauriston to follow him. Before they had gone many yards he edged himself close to his companion's side, at the same time throwing a cautious glance over his own shoulder.

”There's one o' them blooming detectives after us!” said Melky. ”But that's just what's to be expected, mister!--they'll never let you out o' their sight until one of two things happen!”

”What things?” asked Lauriston.

”Either you'll have to prove, beyond all doubt, that them rings is yours, and was your poor mother's before you,” answered Melky, ”or we shall have to put a hand on the chap that scragged my uncle. That's a fact! Mister!--will you put your trust and confidence in me, and do what I tell you? It's for your own good.”

”I don't know that I could do better,” responded Lauriston, after a moment's thought. ”You're a right good fellow, Melky--I'm sure of that!

What do you want me to do?”

Melky pulled out a handsome gold watch and consulted it.

”It's dinner-time,” he said. ”Come round to Mrs. Goldmark's and get some grub. I'll tell you what to do while we're eating. I've been thinking things over while that there Parminter was badgering poor Zillah, and s'elp me, there only is one thing for you to do, and you'd best to do it sharp! But come on to Praed Street--don't matter if this here chap behind does shadow you--I can get the better of him as easy as I could sell this watch! It 'ud take all the detectives in London to beat me, if I put my mind to it.”

They were at Mrs. Goldmark's eating-house in five minutes: Melky, who knew all the ins and outs of that establishment, conducted Lauriston into an inner room, and to a corner wherein there was comparative privacy, and summoned a waitress. Not until he and his companion were half way through their meal did he refer to the business which was in his thoughts: then he leaned close to Lauriston and began to talk.

”Mister!” he whispered. ”Where do you come from?”

”Peebles,” answered Lauriston. ”You heard me tell them so, in that court.”

”I'm no scholar,” said Melky. ”I ain't no idea where Peebles is, except that it's in Scotland. Is it far into that country, or where is it?”