Under Sealed Orders Part 43

"Ah, that is where the present trouble lies, Miss Sinclair. I firmly believe that this Sydney Bramshaw is the man, but how are we to prove it without bringing people all the way from England? I thought there was a man in the city who could identify him, as he had done business with the Dockett Concern, as it is commonly called in England. My lawyer and I hunted him up this afternoon, but he told us that he never knew before that Simon Dockett had a nephew. Now if we could only unearth some one who knows that Sydney Bramshaw is in reality Melburne Telford then our case is complete."

"I believe I know the right man," Lois remarked in a low voice. "He is living at Creekdale, and if you will take me there at once we can have a talk with him. I know he will a.s.sist us all he can, and we can depend upon what he says."

"We shall go at once," Mr. Westcote replied. "I shall order the car immediately. You had better come too, Margaret."

Lois was now in a great whirl of excitement, and she could hardly wait for the arrival of the car. Mr. Westcote told the chauffeur to make good time, and though they travelled fast it seemed to Lois a long time before the Haven appeared in sight.

The captain and Mrs. Peterson were greatly surprised when the car swung up to the Haven and the young women and Mr. Westcote alighted. The captain was lying in his big chair upon the verandah with his wife knitting by his side.

"Well, this is a surprise," he exclaimed as he shook hands with his visitors. "I thought you were all in the city, and had forgotten your country friends."

"Oh, we can never forget you, Captain," Lois smilingly replied. "We have come on purpose to see you, and so you should feel very much elated and be on your best behaviour."

"Sure, sure, indeed I shall. But what do you want to see me about?" he enquired. "Has it anything to do with that murder case? I am most anxious to hear the latest news."

"I have come to ask you to get your thinking-cap on," Lois replied.

"My thinking-cap! Why, bless your heart, it's always on, day and night."

"That's good, Captain. But first I wish to ask you a few questions."

"Drive ahead, then, I'm ready."

"You have often sailed to Liverpool, have you not?"

"Sure. Know the place well."

"You knew also of the Dockett Concern there, didn't you? I have heard you mention that name."

"Yes, indeed I did. Knew old Simon Dockett himself, and saw him often.

My, he was a cranky cuss, if ever there was one. He had a whale of a tongue, and knew how to use it."

"Did you know anything about his family?"

"Not much. He never married, as I guess no woman would have him. But I know for sure that he has a nephew. He sailed once on my s.h.i.+p, and that was the first time I met him. He was a gay one."

"Do you remember his name?" Lois was much excited now.

"Sure; it was Melburne Telford. I couldn't forget that for if he told it to us once on that trip he told it a hundred times. He was always boasting that he was the nephew of old Simon Dockett, and that he was to fall heir to his wealth."

"Have you ever seen him since, Captain?"

"Not until he struck this place, travelling under the name of Sydney Bramshaw. I knew him, though he didn't know me," and the captain smiled as he ran his hand over his bearded face. "I didn't have this then. At first I couldn't exactly make out where I had seen the fellow before, but when I remembered I gave such a whoop that the women folk thought I had gone out of my mind, and came running in to see what was wrong."

"So that was the matter with you that day, was it?" Mrs. Peterson asked as she paused in her knitting.

"Yes, that was it, and poor little Betty thought I had something in my head like 'Mr. David,' ho, ho!"

"But why didn't you tell us who Sydney Bramshaw really was?" Lois asked.

"At first I thought I would. But then I decided to await developments, and see what the fellow was doing around here, and why he was sailing under another name. If I told what I knew it would have been gabbled all over the place in no time, and the chap would have been looked upon with suspicion. He seemed to be harmless enough, and so I thought I might as well hold my tongue for a while anyway. But since he's gone and you've asked me point blank about him, I can't see any harm in telling what I know."

"Would it surprise you, Captain, to learn that Melburne Telford, alias Sydney Bramshaw, is David Findley's nephew?" Mr. Westcote asked.

"His nephew!" the captain exclaimed. "Old David's nephew!"

"Yes, that's who he is, and David and Simon Dockett were brothers."

"Good heavens!" the captain e.j.a.c.u.l.a.t.ed. "What's the meaning of it all, I'd like to know?"

"Let me tell you," Mr. Westcote replied. "It is only right that you should know."

As briefly as possible he related the story of the two sealed papers, the captain and his wife listening with the keenest interest. He told also of Bramshaw's suspicious actions.

"And do you mean to tell me that old David was murdered by his nephew?"

the captain asked in amazement when the story was finished.

"It looks very much like it, doesn't it?"

"It certainly does. My, my, who'd have thought such a thing!" and the captain leaned back overcome by what he had just heard.

Before the visitors left, Mrs. Peterson spread a little table with a spotless cloth, and brought forth some of her fresh bread, cake and preserves.

"It is no trouble, I a.s.sure you," she replied in answer to Lois'

remonstrance. "You must have a cup of tea before you leave, and I thought it would be nice out here on the verandah."

"That looks good to me," Mr. Westcote remarked as he drew his chair up to the table. "I haven't eaten a bite since morning. I was all ready to go to the restaurant when Dobbins came to see me, and then you girls arrived. If this keeps up much longer I shall be a skeleton. But I must not remain too long," he added, as he consulted his watch. "I must be back in the city before the C. P. R. leaves."

"May I stay with Lois?" Margaret asked.

"Why yes, if you will not be in the way."

"She must stay," Lois replied. "I could not get along without her now.

You will keep us informed, I hope, of how you make out."

"Yes, I shall write to-night, and if anything of great importance turns up I shall let you know at once."

CHAPTER x.x.xII

THE TABLES TURNED

The agony of mind that Jasper suffered in leaving his cabin and meeting the people of Creekdale on their return from old David's funeral was only a part of the trial he endured on his journey to the county jail.

On the wharf, while waiting for the arrival of the steamer, he was subjected to the pitiless stares and gibes of men, women and children.

News of the arrest had spread from house to house, and people had flocked to the wharf to have a last look upon the suspected man.

Jasper stood with his face to the river watching the steamer off in the distance, which was rapidly approaching. The actions of the crowd disgusted him. There was not one friendly voice lifted up on his behalf. Jim Goban strutted up and down keeping close watch upon his prisoner, and gloating over his task. He was having his revenge now for the blows he had received on the day of David's release.