Chương Chương 24 · A REPORT FOLLOWED BY SMOKE

. A REPORT FOLLOWED BY SMOKE

“Oft expectation fails, and most oft there

Where most it promises; and oft it hits

Where Hope is coldest, and Despair most sits.”

All’s Well that Ends Well.

When I told Mr. Gryce I only waited for the determination of one

fact, to feel justified in throwing the case unreservedly into his

hands, I alluded to the proving or disproving of the supposition

that Henry Clavering had been a guest at the same watering-place

with Eleanore Leavenworth the summer before.

When, therefore, I found myself the next morning with the Visitor

Book of the Hotel Union at R---- in my hands, it was only by the

strongest effort of will I could restrain my impatience. The

suspense, however, was short. Almost immediately I encountered his

name, written not half a page below those of Mr. Leavenworth and

his nieces, and, whatever may have been my emotion at finding my

suspicions thus confirmed, I recognized the fact that I was in the

possession of a clue which would yet lead to the solving of the

fearful problem which had been imposed upon me.

Hastening to the telegraph office, I sent a message for the man

promised me by Mr. Gryce, and receiving for an answer that he could

not be with me before three o’clock, started for the house of Mr.

Monell, a client of ours, living in R----. I found him at home and,

during our interview of two hours, suffered the ordeal of appearing

at ease and interested in what he had to say, while my heart was

heavy with its first disappointment and my brain on fire with the

excitement of the work then on my hands.

* * * * *

I arrived at the depot just as the train came in. There was but

one passenger for R----, a brisk young man, whose whole appearance

differed so from the description which had been given me of Q that

I at once made up my mind he could not be the man I was looking

for, and was turning away disappointed, when he approached, and

handed me a card on which was inscribed the single character “?”

Even then I could not bring myself to believe that the slyest and

most successful agent in Mr. Gryce’s employ was before me, till,

catching his eye, I saw such a keen, enjoyable twinkle sparkling in

its depths that all doubt fled, and, returning his bow with a show

of satisfaction, I remarked:

“You are very punctual. I like that.”

He gave another short, quick nod. “Glad, sir, to please you.

Punctuality is too cheap a virtue not to be practised by a man on

the lookout for a rise. But what orders, sir? Down train due in ten

minutes; no time to spare.”

“Down train? What have we to do with that?”

“I thought you might wish to take it, sir. Mr. Brown”--winking

expressively at the name, “always checks his carpet-bag for

home when he sees me coming. But that is your affair; I am not

particular.”

“I wish to do what is wisest under the circumstances.”

“Go home, then, as speedily as possible.” And he gave a third sharp

nod exceedingly business-like and determined.

“If I leave you, it is with the understanding that you bring your

information first to me; that you are in my employ, and in that of

no one else for the time being; and that _mum_ is the word till I

give you liberty to speak.”

“Yes, sir. When I work for Brown & Co. I do not work for Smith &

Jones. That you can count on.”

“Very well then, here are your instructions.”

He looked at the paper I handed him with a certain degree of care,

then stepped into the waiting-room and threw it into the stove,

saying in a low tone: “So much in case I should meet with some

accident: have an apoplectic fit, or anything of that sort.”

“But----”

“Oh, don’t worry; I sha’n’t forget. I’ve a memory, sir. No need of

anybody using pen and paper with me.”

And laughing in the short, quick way one would expect from a person

of his appearance and conversation, he added: “You will probably

hear from me in a day or so,” and bowing, took his brisk, free way

down the street just as the train came rushing in from the West.

My instructions to Q were as follows:

1. To find out on what day, and in whose company, the Misses

Leavenworth arrived at R---- the year before. What their movements

had been while there, and in whose society they were oftenest to be

seen. Also the date of their departure, and such facts as could be

gathered in regard to their habits, etc.

2. Ditto in respect to a Mr. Henry Clavering, fellow-guest and

probable friend of said ladies.

3. Name of individual fulfilling the following requirements:

Clergyman, Methodist, deceased since last December or thereabouts,

who in July of Seventy-five was located in some town not over

twenty miles from R----.

4. Also name and present whereabouts of a man at that time in

service of the above.

To say that the interval of time necessary to a proper inquiry into

these matters was passed by me in any reasonable frame of mind,

would be to give myself credit for an equanimity of temper which I

unfortunately do not possess. Never have days seemed so long as the

two which interposed between my return from R---- and the receipt

of the following letter:

“Sir:

“Individuals mentioned arrived in R---- July 3, 1875. Party

consisted of four; the two ladies, their uncle, and the

girl named Hannah. Uncle remained three days, and then

left for a short tour through Massachusetts. Gone two

weeks, during which ladies were seen more or less with the

gentleman named between us, but not to an extent sufficient

to excite gossip or occasion remark, when said gentleman

left R---- abruptly, two days after uncle’s return. Date

July 19. As to habits of ladies, more or less social. They

were always to be seen at picnics, rides, etc., and in the

ballroom. M---- liked best. E----considered grave, and,

towards the last of her stay, moody. It is remembered now

that her manner was always peculiar, and that she was more

or less shunned by her cousin.

However, in the opinion of one girl still to be found at

the hotel, she was the sweetest lady that ever breathed.

No particular reason for this opinion. Uncle, ladies, and

servants left R---- for New York, August 7, 1875.

“2. H. C. arrived at the hotel in R----July 6, 1875,

in-company with Mr. and Mrs. Vandervort, friends of the

above. Left July 19, two weeks from day of arrival. Little

to be learned in regard to him. Remembered as the handsome

gentleman who was in the party with the L. girls, and that

is all.

“3. F----, a small town, some sixteen or seventeen miles

from R----, had for its Methodist minister, in July of last

year, a man who has since died, Samuel Stebbins by name.

Date of decease, Jan. 7 of this year.

“4. Name of man in employ of S. S. at that time is