Part 26 (1/2)
A stir in the room attracted their attention. Cecilia turned and faced Jack Kimball.
Jack was hurrying up to the judge's chair, and scarcely stopped to greet Cecilia.
”Mr. Robinson wishes you to detain these gentlemen a few minutes,” said Jack to judge Cowles. ”He is on his way here.”
A messenger was sent to the corridor after Rob Roland. The other lawyers were discussing some papers, and in no hurry to leave.
Presently Mr. Robinson and two other gentlemen entered. The face of the twins' father was flushed, and he was plainly much excited.
”I have just heard from my daughters,” he began, ”who are away on a motor tour. They state that the day my papers were taken from the mailbag they met on the road a man answering the description of this gentleman,” indicating Mr. Reed. ”They described him exactly, his disfigured thumb being easily remembered. Now the young fellow who was 'held-up' that day, and who has been sick since in consequence, also says he felt, while blindfolded, that same one-jointed thumb. Further than that,” and Mr. Robinson was actually panting for breath, ”my girls can state, and prove, that this same man was at a tea-house near Breakwater discussing papers, which the young girls who conduct the tea-house plainly saw. The papers were stamped with the seals of my patent lawyers.”
Rob Roland was clutching the back of the seat he stood near. The lawyer accused, Mr. Reed, had turned a sickly pallor.
Jack Kimball stepped up. ”There is present,” he said, ”one of the motor girls who was on the road at that time. She may be able to identify this man.”
What followed was always like a dream to Clip--for, leaving off legalities, we may again call her by that significant name. She faced the man to whom she had talked on the road, he who had wanted to help her with her runabout when she was unable to manage it herself. It was directly after Paul Hastings left them, and within a short time of the happening which had meant so much to Hazel's brother. Clip told this, and, strange to say, the lawyer made no attempt to deny any part of her statement.
”We are prepared to answer when the case is called,” he said. ”But it seems to me, Robinson, you went a long way for detectives. Did not the motor girls also tell you that they met me on the road to Breakwater two days ago?”
”Judge, I demand those papers!” called Mr. Robinson. ”This fellow does not deny he took them.”
”When the ladies leave the room,” said the judge quietly, with that courteous manner that made Clip want to run up to him and throw her arms about his neck, ”we may discuss this further. We are indebted to the young motor girl for her identification.”
When Clip took Mrs. Salvey out they went directly to the Kimball home, nor were they now afraid of being followed by the threatening and insulting Rob Roland.
CHAPTER XXIII
THE MOTOR GIRLS ON THE WATCH
Cora Kimball was turning away from the antique shop as indifferently as if nothing there interested her. The other girls looked at her aghast.
Bess could scarcely be motioned to silence, for the ”little mahogany man” came to close the door of the tonneau, incidentally to look over his customers.
”If you come again in a day or so,” he said to Cora, ”I will have tables,” and he rolled his eyes as if the tables were to come from no less a place than heaven itself. ”Oh, such tables!”
”I may,” replied Cora vaguely. ”But I fancy I may have a seaman's table made. I would not be particular about an original.”
”Wait, wait!” exclaimed the man. ”If you do not care for an original I could make a copy. The one I am to get is something very, very original, and I will have it here. There is no law against making one like it.”
”Well,” said Cora, ”I will be in Breakwater for a few days, and I may call in again. There,” as he handed in her blue plates, ”these are splendid. Mother has a collection of Baronials.”
Then they started off.
Bess drove up to the Whirlwind.
”Why in the world didn't you ask who had ordered the table?” she almost gasped. ”If you knew that you could easily have traced it.”
”Wait, wait!” exclaimed Cora, in tones so like those of the shop proprietor that the girls all laughed heartily. ”I will go to the shop again, and then I will see. Perhaps I will get the original--and then--well, wait--just wait.”