Part 15 (1/2)
To the eternal credit of the keeper and the detective be it said that, at this moment, they found something of great interest in the calendar that hung on the opposite wall, while Kenneth talked earnestly with the warden. And the prisoners beyond the barred door were too busy with their exercise to look around.
”Jimmie boy!”
”Amy! You--you don't--”
”Of course I don't! Didn't I tell you so in my letter?”
”Yes, but--”
”Now, that isn't the way to talk, especially when I have come to bring you good news.”
”Good news? You mean your father--”
”Oh, it isn't about dad! I told you he was as firm a believer in you as I am--that he said he'd 'go the limit,' if you know what that means, to get you free. Jimmie boy, when dad likes a person he likes him!”
”I hope his daughter does the same.”
”Don't you know--_Jimmie_ boy?”
The warden, the detective, the keeper and the lawyer--all now seemed interested in that prosaic calendar.
Amy had had but little chance to speak to Darcy since, his arrest. In police headquarters he was kept in seclusion except as to his lawyer, and events had followed one another so rapidly that there had been no other opportunity until now, though the girl had sent him a hasty note in which she said she knew he was innocent and that everything possible was being done for him.
”And now, Jimmie, for the good news. I have engaged the best detective in this country for you,” and she beckoned to the lawyer to come forward.
”The best detective?”
”Yes. You need one as well as a lawyer. They're going to work together--aren't you, Mr. Kenneth?”
”Indeed a detective can help us best at this stage of the game, I think, Mr. Darcy,” was the lawyer's answer. ”I can look after the court proceedings, when it comes time for them, but what we want most is evidence tending to show that some one else, and not you, committed this crime.”
”As, most a.s.suredly was the case!” and for the first time in days Darcy's voice had its old ring and vigor in it.
”Of course, Jimmie boy,” murmured Amy. ”Now let me tell you all about it. They say I can't stay very long, so I'll have to talk fast, and you must listen--mostly. Now what do you say to--Colonel Ashley?” and Amy looked triumphantly at her lover.
”Colonel Ashley?”
”Yes. As the detective who is going to help prove you innocent by discovering the real--ugh! I hate to say it--_murderer_?”
”Why, Colonel Ashley is one of the greatest detectives in the United States--at least, he used to be. He must be pretty old now.”
”I know he is--but not too old to take hold. Now when he comes--”
”But, Amy, my dear! You can't get _him_! Why, he's not only one of the highest-priced detectives in the country, but he's retired I've read, and I doubt if he'd take a case--”
”He's going to take _your_ case, Jimmie boy!” and Amy smiled.
”But how--how--”
”I think we'll have to give Miss Mason credit for a whole lot in this matter,” broke in Kenneth. ”She surprised me when she told me. And I want to say that when the colonel gets going we'll have you out of here in short order, Mr. Darcy!”