Part 32 (1/2)
The voice that uttered these disjointed sentences was only too well known to Theodore. He stepped down one step and spoke in a low tone:
”Pliny, what does this mean? Where are you going?”
”Going round like a top, first on my head and then on my heels. How are you?”
Poor Theodore! the plot thickened. What should he do with this poor drunkard? Could he endure to let him stagger to his home to that waiting sister in this condition? A shrill, sharp, merry whistle broke at this moment on his ear; that voice he knew too, and waited until its owner came up; then addressed him still in low tones:
”Tommy, where are you going?”
”Going home--been to a fire--whole block burned down by the square, Mr.
Stuart's house and--”
Theodore checked his voluble information.
”Have you seen anything of McPherson?”
”Yes, sir; he was at the fire too. Just whisked around the corner below here to go to his rooms. We came up together.”
Theodore's listening ear caught the sound of an approaching policeman, and he hastened his plans. Pliny had sunk down on the steps and was muttering to himself in drunken, broken sentences.
”Tommy,” said Theodore, addressing that individual, ”there are empty carriages coming around the corner; the train is in. Will you take this young man in a carriage, drive to McPherson's door, and tell him to drive to my rooms with you, and make this gentleman comfortable till I come? Can I trust you, Tommy?”
”Yes, _sir_, every time,” Tommy answered, proudly.
The policeman came up.
”What's all this?” he asked, gruffly.
Theodore turned to him and spoke a few words in a low rapid tone, and he moved hastily away. Then Theodore came back to Pliny.
”Will you go and spend the night with me at my rooms, Pliny?” he asked, gently.
”Well,” said Pliny, trying to rouse himself from his half stupor, ”I _did_ promise Doralinda Mirinda that I'd come home, but seeing the street has taken such a confounded notion to go round and round, why I guess she will excuse me and I'll oblige you.”
”This boy will call a carriage for you and make you comfortable, and I will be with you as soon as possible. I have a little business first.”
He gave a little s.h.i.+ver of relief as he saw Pliny stagger quietly away with Tommy. All this time, and indeed it was but a _very_ little time, although it seemed hours to the young man whose every nerve was in a quiver, his ear had been strained ready for the slightest sound that might occur in the room over which he was keeping guard; but the utmost quiet reigned. Winters evidently suspected nothing, and was biding his time. ”The villain means to escape hanging if he can,” muttered Theodore, under his breath.
And now the dim moonlight showed the tall forms of three policemen approaching. He advanced and held a brief whispered conversation with them, then the four ascended the steps. Theodore applied his night-key, and with cat-like tread they moved across the hall, and the library door swung noiselessly open. They were fairly inside the room before Mr.
Stephens, intent upon his papers, observed them. When he did he sprang to his feet, with a face on which surprise, bewilderment and consternation contended for the mastery. ”Theodore,” he gasped, rather than said; and it was Mr. Stephens' sorrow ever after that for one little moment he believed that his almost son had proved false to him.
The next the whole story stood revealed. From the moment that Mr.
Stephens uttered his exclamation all attempt at quietness was laid aside. A policeman strode across the room, flung wide the closet door, and said to the cowed and s.h.i.+vering mortal hiding therein, ”You are my prisoner, sir,” and from his pocket produced the handcuffs and proceeded to adjust them, while another disarmed him. Theodore went over and stood beside the gray-haired startled man.
”Don't be alarmed, sir,” he said, gently and quietly; ”the danger is quite over now. His pockets must be searched,” this to the policeman.
”He has twenty thousand dollars about him somewhere that belong to us.”
”My boy,” said Mr. Stephens, tremulously, and with utmost tenderness in his tones, ”what does all this mean? How did you learn of it?”
”By a special providence, I believe, sir,” answered Theodore, reverently.