A Mysterious Disappearance Part 44

Claude was not unprepared for this att.i.tude on Mensmore's part. But he was determined that it should not continue if he could help it.

"When we parted at Monte Carlo, Mensmore," he said, "we parted as friends."

"Yes."

"Then tell me what has happened since to cause this obvious change in your opinion of me?"

"Is it not true that you suspect me of murdering Lady d.y.k.e?"

"No."

"But why has my sister been told that I ran serious risk of being apprehended on that account?"

"Because we certainly did suspect a mysterious personage who called himself Sydney H. Corbett, and whose behavior was so unaccountable that the authorities required a reasonable explanation of it."

"Do I understand, Bruce, that we meet with no more suspicion between us than when we last saw each other?"

"Most certainly."

"Then I ask your pardon for my manner and words. I have suffered keenly during the last three days from this cruel thought. Let us shake hands on it."

As their hands met they both heard Mrs. Hillmer stifle a sob. Mensmore turned to her.

"Now, Gwen," he said, "don't be foolish. We will soon clear up this miserable business. So far as we are concerned, all we need to do is to tell the truth and fear n.o.body."

"That's it," said White. "If you adopt that course the matter will soon be ended."

Mensmore turned to the speaker. He guessed his ident.i.ty, but Bruce introduced the detective by name.

"Well," said Mensmore, "I have come here to answer questions. What is it you want to know?"

Mr. White glanced at the barrister, and the other explained.

"I have, as you may already realize, taken more than a pa.s.sive interest in this inquiry, so the questioning largely devolves on me. First, tell me why you adopted the name of Corbett?"

"Simply enough, though stupid, I now admit. When I returned from the States I was very hard up, but managed to pick up a subsistence by writing for the sporting press, and occasionally backing horses. But I knew this could not last, so I tried to secure some financial interests in the City. In doing so I made the acquaintance of a man named Dodge, and committed myself to the underwriting of a new venture named the Springbok Mine. This fell through at the time, and with this collapse came other demands. I hate being worried by creditors, so when my sister offered to take and furnish a flat for me, near her own, I thought I would live quietly for a time and conceal my name so as to have peace there at any rate. Therefore, I a.s.sumed the name of a friend in America, little thinking that I should land both him and myself into such trouble by doing it. That is the explanation. By the way, what has happened to Corbett?"

"He is all right. He expects to see you to-night. You know Sir Charles d.y.k.e, do you not?"

"Yes."

"Intimately?"

"Well, no, not exactly. He and I were at school together at Brighton, at Childe's place."

"At Brighton?"

"Yes. I was a little chap when d.y.k.e was a senior. After he left, the headmaster changed the school to a place called Seton Lodge, at Putney, on account of cramming operations for Army exams."

"Then you were at Putney?"

"Yes, for two years."

"And d.y.k.e was not?"

"No; that I am sure of."

"Have you and Sir Charles been friendly since?"

Mensmore's face hardened somewhat as he answered, "I have seen very little of him, and hardly ever spoken to him."

"Why? Did you quarrel?"

"N-no, but we just did not happen to meet. Bear in mind, I was in business some years ago, and I am not yet thirty."

"Did you know his wife?"

"I have never, to my knowledge, seen her."

"How, then, can you account for the fact that she visited your flat at Raleigh Mansions on November 6."

"I say that such a statement is mere nonsense."

"But if it can be proved?"

"It cannot."

"I a.s.sure you, on my honor, that it can."

"But look here, Bruce. Why should she come to see me? I question greatly if she knew of my existence."

"Nevertheless, it is the fact."

"I can only tell you it is not. I left London on November 8, and on the two previous evenings I dined alone. Mrs. Robinson, my housekeeper, can tell you that not another soul entered my flat for a week prior to my departure, except my sister and--and--I had forgotten--some workmen."

"Some workmen?"

"Yes; some fellows from a furniture warehouse."

"What were they doing?"

"Well, don't you see, I told you I was not well off, and my sister furnished my flat for me, in August last that was, but the drawing-room was left bare for a time. Just before I left for France she decided to refurnish her drawing-room, and she gave me the whole fit-out. The things were brought in by the men who brought her purchases."

At this astounding revelation Bruce and the detective were utterly taken aback. It was with difficulty that the barrister enunciated his next words clearly.

"Can you tell me with absolute certainty the date of this change of the furniture?"

"Oh yes. It was the day before I started for the Riviera; that must have been November 7."