Part 20 (1/2)
”To look for Cyril. Do you object? I will try to induce him not to hurt you, when I find him.”
”You understand that you will have to endure the ignominy of having the man outside following you wherever you may go.”
”Ignominy, you call it! Why, the man may actually be to me as a protection from my friends.”
”You use hard words. I enter into your feelings sufficiently to understand that, from your own point of view, they may not seem to be unjustified. But at the same time I am sufficiently your friend, and Cyril's friend, to decline to allow you, if I can help it, to throw dust in your own eyes. That Cyril has been guilty of actual theft, I do not for a moment believe. That he may have perpetrated some egregious blunder, I fear is possible. I know him probably as well as you do. I know John Ireland too, and I am persuaded that he would not bring a charge of this kind without having good grounds to go upon.
Indeed, I may tell you plainly--slurring over the truth will do no good to any one--Cyril is known to have been in actual possession of one of the missing jewels.”
”I don't believe it.”
”Best a.s.sured you will do good neither to Cyril's cause nor to your own by a refusal to give credence to actual facts. It is only facts which a judge and jury can be induced to act upon. Satisfactorily explain them if you can, but do not suppose that you will be able to impress other people with the merits of your cause by declining to believe in their existence. I do entreat you to be advised by me before, by some rash, if well-meaning act, you do incalculable mischief to Cyril and yourself.”
”Thank you, Mr. Franklyn, but one does not always wish to be advised even by one's legal adviser. Just now I should be obliged by your confining yourself to answering questions. Perhaps you will be so good as to tell me where I am most likely to find John Ireland, that immaculate policeman?”
”When I left him he was just going to Makell's Hotel to make inquiries as to Cyril's whereabouts upon his own account.”
”Then I will go to Makell's Hotel to make inquiries of John Ireland upon my account.”
”In that case you must excuse me if I come with you. I warn you again, that if you are not careful you may do Cyril more mischief than you have any notion of.”
”I shall come too.”
This was Miss Wentworth. Miss Strong bowed.
”If you will, you will. Evidently the man on the doorstep is not likely to serve me as an adequate protection against my friends.”
Miss Strong put on her hat and mackintosh in what was probably one of the shortest times on record. Miss Wentworth generally dressed more quickly than her friend; on such an occasion she was not likely to be left behind. The curious procession of three pa.s.sed through the door and down the steps in Indian file, Miss Strong first, Mr. Franklyn last.
At the bottom of the steps stood Mr. Hollier. The leader looked him up and down.
”Is your name Hollier?”
The man touched his hat.
”That's my name, miss.”
”I am Daisy Strong, Mr. Cyril Paxton's promised wife.” She seemed on a sudden to be fond of advertising the fact. ”I am going to look for Mr.
Paxton now. You may, if you choose, play the part of spy, and follow me; but let me tell you that if he comes to harm through you, or through any of your a.s.sociates, there'll be trouble.”
”I see, miss.”
Mr. Hollier grinned, hurting, as it seemed, the lady's sense of dignity.
”I don't know what you see to smile at. A woman has given a man sufficient cause for tears before to-day. You may find, in your own case, that she will again.”
CHAPTER XIII
THE DETECTIVE AND THE LADY