Part 11 (2/2)

”Not far across the Border,” replied Lauriston.

”Get there in a few hours, I reckon?” asked Melky. ”You could? Very well, then, mister, you take my tip--get there! Get there--quick!”

Lauriston laid down his knife and fork and stared.

”Whatever for?” he exclaimed.

”To find somebody--anybody--as can prove that those rings are yours!”

answered Melky solemnly and emphatically. ”Tain't no use denying it--you're in a dangerous position. The police always goes for the straightest and easiest line. Their line was clear enough, just now--Parminter give it away! They've a theory--they always have a theory--and when once police gets a theory, nothing can drive it out o'

their heads--their official heads, anyway. What they're saying, and what they'll try to establish, is this here. That you were hard up, down to less than your last penny. You went to Mr. Multenius's--you peeked and peered through the shop window and saw him alone, or, perhaps, saw the place empty. You went in--you grabbed a couple o'

rings--he interrupted you--you scragged him! That's their line--and Zillah can't swear that those rings which you claim to be yours aren't her grandfather's, and up to now you can't prove that they're yours and were once your mother's! Mister!--be off to this here Peebles at once--immediate!--and find somebody, some old friend, as can swear that he or she--never mind which--knows them rings to be your property beyond a shadow of doubt! Bring that friend back--bring him if he has to come in an invalid carriage!”

Lauriston was so much struck by Melky's argument and advice that it needed no more explanations to convince him of its wisdom.

”But--how could I get away'” he asked. ”There'll be that detective chap hanging about outside--I know I've been shadowed ever since last evening! They'll never let me get away from London, however much I wish. The probability is that if they saw me going to a railway station they'd arrest me.”

”My own opinion, mister, after what's taken place this morning, is that if you stop here, you'll be arrested before night,” remarked Melky coolly. ”I'd lay a tenner on it! But you ain't going to stop--you must go! There must be somebody in the old spot as can swear that them two rings o' yours is family property, and you must find 'em and bring 'em, if you value your neck. As to slipping the police, I'll make that right for you, proper! Now, then, what money have you about you, Mr.

Lauriston?”

”Plenty!” answered Lauriston. ”Nearly forty pounds--the money I got last night.”

”Will you do exactly what I tell you?” asked Melky, ”And do it at once, without any hesitation, any hanging about, any going home to Mother Flitwick's, or anything o' that sort?”

”Yes!” replied Lauriston. ”I'm so sure you're right, that I will.”

”Then you listen to me--careful,” said Melky. ”See that door in the corner? As soon as you've finished that pudding, slip out o' that door.

You'll find yourself in a little yard. Go out o' that yard, and you'll find yourself in a narrow pa.s.sage. Go straight down the pa.s.sage, and you'll come out in Market Street. Go straight down Southwick Street--you know it--to Oxford and Cambridge Terrace, and you'll see a cab-rank right in front of you. Get into a taxi, and tell the fellow to drive you to Piccadilly Circus. Leave him there--take a turn round so's he won't see what you do--then get into another taxi, and drive to St.

Pancras Church. Get out there--and foot it to King's Cross Station.

You'll catch the 3.15 for the North easy--and after you're once in it, you're all right. Get to Peebles!--that's the thing! S'elp me, Mr.

Lauriston, it's the only thing!”

Five minutes later, there being no one but themselves in the little room, Lauriston gave Melky a hearty grip of the hand, walked out of the door in the corner, and vanished. And Melky, left alone, pulled out his cigarette case, and began to smoke, calmly and quietly. When the waitress came back, he whispered a word or two to her; the waitress nodded with full comprehension--for everybody knew Melky at Goldmark's, and if the waitresses wanted a little jewellery now and then, he let them have it at cost price.

”So you can give me the checks for both,” said Melky. ”I'll pay 'em.”

But Melky let three-quarters of an hour elapse before he went to the desk in the outer shop. He sipped a cup of coffee; he smoked several cigarettes; it was quite a long time before he emerged into Praed Street, b.u.t.toning his overcoat. And without appearing to see anything, he at once saw the man who had followed Lauriston and himself from the Coroner's Court. Being almost preternaturally observant, he also saw the man start with surprise--but Melky showed, and felt, no surprise, when the watcher came after him.

”You know me, Mr. Rubinstein,” he said, almost apologetically. ”You know, of course, we're keeping an eye on that young Scotch fellow--we've got to! He went in there, to Goldmark's, with you? Is he still there?”

”Strikes me you ain't up to your job!” remarked Melky, coolly. ”He went out, three-quarters of an hour ago. Gone home, I should say.”

The man turned away, evidently puzzled, but just as evidently taking Melky's word. He went off in the direction of Star Street, while Melky strolled along to the p.a.w.nbroker's shop. It was necessary that he should tell his cousin of what he had done.

Mrs. Goldmark was still with Zillah--Melky unfolded his story to the two of them. Zillah heard it with unfeigned relief; Mrs. Goldmark, who, being a young and pretty widow, was inclined to sentiment, regarded Melky with admiration.

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