Part 32 (2/2)

He had ascertained beyond a doubt that Doctor Heath's expenses, taken all in all, were in excess of his professional income. He might have a private income, true; but this was not proven, and then there _was_ a mystery that the accused had tried in vain to hide from the eyes of the hunters. There was a correspondence that was carried on with the utmost caution, letters received that had thrown him quite off his guard, and that were destroyed as soon as read. Finally and lastly, there was the bottle broken into fragments and thrown to the dust heap; but, without doubt, the counterpart of the one found at Miss Wardour's bedside on the morning of the robbery; while, among some cast-off garments, had been found the _half of a handkerchief_, that matched precisely the one found over the face of the heiress. All these facts Mr. Belknap had laid before her with elaborate explanations, and ”notes by the way,” but instead of drawing from her the expected indignant demand for the instant arrest of the accused one, Miss Wardour had listened coldly, and with marked impatience, and had finally declared her decision not to move in the affair, nor to allow any one to act in her behalf.

As Constance reviewed the arguments of the detective, a new thought came to her. Doctor Heath, all unconscious of the danger menacing him, might in some way, do himself an injury, and add to the chain of circ.u.mstantial evidence that was lengthening for his overthrow. He must be warned.

This was a delicate task, and she hesitated a little over the manner of accomplis.h.i.+ng it.

Finally, she seated herself once more at her desk and wrote another letter, or rather a note.

It contained only a few lines, and was addressed to, ”_Mr. Raymond Vandyck._”

Meanwhile, private detective Belknap was driving slowly in the light buggy, that had brought him to Wardour Place, toward the residence of Jasper Lamotte. His features wore a look of complacent self-satisfaction, and he hummed softly to himself, as he drove easily over the red and brown leaves that were beginning to flutter downward and carpet the highway.

Arriving at Mapleton; he drove leisurely up the avenue, and lifting his eyes toward the stately edifice crowning the hill, he saw, standing on the broad piazza, and gazing directly toward him, a beautiful woman, clad in trailing silk, and wearing a shawl of richest crimson cashmere, draped about her head and shoulders; as he drew nearer, he was startled at the strange mingling of pallor and flame in her face; the temples were like blue veined ivory, and the slender hands, clasping the folds of crimson, seemed scarcely strong enough to retain their hold; but the lips and cheeks were a glowing crimson, and the eyes burned and glowed with a steady intense light.

”So,” thought private detective Belknap, ”I have not left all the beauty behind me, it seems. I suppose this is the daughter of mine host.”

And so thinking, he reined in his horse upon the graveled drive and, lifting up his hat, with elaborate courtesy, said:

”I believe this is Mapleton.”

The lovely brunette allowed the crimson shawl to drop from about her head as she came slowly down the steps, never once removing her dark searching eyes from his face.

”This is Mapleton, sir. May I ask if this is Mr. Belknap?”

Somewhat surprised, he answered in the affirmative.

”Mr. Belknap, the detective,” she persisted, and then seeing that he hesitated over his answer, she added, ”I am Jasper Lamotte's daughter, and know that he expects you.”

”I am the man Mr. Lamotte expects,” he said, throwing down the reins and springing from the buggy. ”Is Mr. Lamotte at home?”

”My father is in the library,” she replied, coming still nearer him, ”follow me, Mr. Belknap, I will send a servant to take your horse.”

He followed her up the steps, and across the broad piazza; as they pa.s.sed under the shadow of the arched doorway, she paused, looked about her, and then, drawing close to the detective and laying one hand lightly on his arm, she whispered:

”Mr. Belknap, I have a word for your ear alone. Can you meet me to-night where we shall be secure from intrusion?”

Her burning eyes searched his face, and accustomed as he was to strange situations, Mr. Belknap was startled for a moment out of his self-possession.

”I have need of your professional services,” she hurried on, ”and they must be rendered very secretly. Will you hear what I have to say?”

The beautiful face was full of wild eagerness, and Mr. Belknap was not insensible to the piquancy of the situation.

”I am yours to command, madam. Name the place and hour,” he replied gallantly.

”Then meet me at the boat house, you can see it from here, to-night at nine. Be sure you are not followed, and--above all, do not mention to my father, or any one, this meeting of ours. You will be punctual?”

”As the hour itself.”

”Thanks. Come in now, sir; I will send a servant to announce your arrival.”

She threw open the door of the drawing room, motioned him to enter, inclined her head in a graceful adieu, and swept down the hall.

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