Part 22 (1/2)
”I reckon not, sir.”
”Still, you'd better make sure. Run your hand in at each end as far as you can reach.”
”There's nothing there, sir. A beam goes along where those nails are.”
”You are sure there is no other opening?”
”Certain of it.”
”Nevertheless, I'll have a look myself.”
”To be sure, Mr. Corrigan,” the officer replied, stepping aside.
Carefully the chief stooped down and explored the chasm with his hand.
”You're right, Tim; there is nothing more,” a.s.serted he. ”We have everything we came after, I guess.”
”I am glad to hear that,” put in the French woman with returning confidence. ”Mr. Carlton will, I am sure, be pleased that you found what he sent you for. But what a strange place for him to store his property!
Things of value, no doubt, which he treasured and feared might be lost.
Have you any idea when he will be back? Perhaps if you would give me his address I might write him a letter--that is, if you think--” She halted timidly.
For the fraction of a second Corrigan was silent as if he winced at performing the duty before him.
”I am afraid, madam,” responded he at last, ”that Mr. Carlton will not return; nor, I fear, will you wish him back when you know the circ.u.mstances under which he has disappeared. Suffice it to say we come vested with authority to take possession of his personal effects. After to-day there will be no need for you to reserve his room.”
”You mean he is not to return at all--_never_?” asked the woman in an awe-stricken voice.
Corrigan nodded.
Weakly the woman dropped into a chair, a sudden light of pained understanding breaking over her face.
”You mean Mr. Carlton--”
”That was not his real name,” interrupted the officer. ”He went under several names. Stuart is the one the police know him by. He was a professional diamond thief.”
”No, no! I cannot believe it,” protested the loyal little creature stoutly. ”Why, he was all kindness to us. When my husband was ill he nursed him for a whole week, day and night. He gave toys to the children, did errands, and often brought us fruit or candy. Are you sure there is no mistake? Certainly we should know if he were a bad man.”
”Alas, my good woman, the proofs we hold in our hands are so convincing as to leave not the slightest possibility for error. There were, you see, two Carltons--the kind, friendly gentleman you knew; and the clever, experienced criminal with whom the police were acquainted. Most of us are a combination of various selves. This man had two sharply contrasting individualities and unfortunately it was the baser of them that dominated. He has a long prison record behind him.”
”_Ciel!_” The woman clasped her hands in horror. ”But why?” exclaimed she. ”He did not need to steal. He always had plenty of money.”
”That was how he got it.”
For a while she seemed too stunned to say more; then she whispered:
”And where is he now?”
”Serving a prison sentence for a crime in Chicago.”
”It is terrible--terrible! Oh, my husband will be sad to hear this; and my sister too. Poor fellow! I can scarcely believe it. Suppose the neighbors were to hear we had been housing a burglar--they would not speak to us.”