The Cardiff Times

CHAPTER XI. After Long Years. It was sixteen years later, and our friend, Mr Townshend, was removed from Plowden Build- ings, Temple, and was lodged more notably and luxuriously in those chambers we wot of in Jer- myn-street. He had abandoned his attempt to earn a living by the practice of the Law.and now did infinitely becter by fooling and evading it. We have it on excellent authority that the Law is a Hass. Well, Townshend had managed to saddle and bridle that Bass, and he rode it to his profit. The HaSs might some day throw him, but meantime-- Come in," said Townshend, who lounged smoking in his luxuriant sitting-room. There entered the irreproachable Mortimer. His master turned his head and looked with a point of interrogation in his eye. A person, Markis," said Mortimer, 'as wishes to see you, private and particular." Which sex, Mortimer V" Male sex, Markis, and old-but not distin- guishable otherwise." Oh, he doesn't look like a good commission, then ?" 44 On the contrary, sir, I should say a very poor devil." II Show him in, then, Mortimer-show him in. We must be kind to poor devils." Townbhend rose and stood on the hearthrug, facing the door, to receive his visitor. In a few seconds Mortimer ushered in an old man, with white hair and full, tangled, white beard. Mr Townshend considered him curiously, with his glass stack in his eye, and he looked steadilv back at Mr Townshend, but he said no word until the reluctant Mortimer had withdrawn and closed tii a door. You don't remember me, Mr Townshend ?" said he then, in a voice that was full and strong to be an old man's. No," drawled Townshend, in his deepest baritone I can't say that I do." The man whipped off his white whiskeis and beard,and thus revealed close-shaven he appeared much younger than his white head would suggest bis age to be. if Ah," murmured Townshend. No, I can't remember you yet." "Sixteen—nearly fieventeen years ago,' said the man, It yon knew me, Mr Townshend. My hair was black then I was then turned four and j twenty." And now, of course," murmured Townshend, you must be only forty." The man waited was he rccognised ? Towns- hend still considered him. You were then a lawyer and you appeared for me." Ah, said Townshend. I know you now. Yoa are Lefroy." Yes," said the man, 44 I am Lefroy." j Ah, dear me," said Townshend. Siu down, and tell me all about yourself. Where bave yoa been all these years f Lefroy sat down, saying in a dull voice, I I have been passing the time in one of Her Majesty's convict prisons. It was a fine, bracing sitnation, I am told-on Dartmoor—bat it didn't suit me. That, and other things, have turned my bair white-as you see." Townshend was not easily amazed, but he was then. "I don't understand," said he. II I thought you escaped." I escaped from the prison in the north, but I was taken again." "Taken. I have been thinking of you all these years—when I have had time to think—as living with your wife a free man." At the mention of his wife, Lefroy perceptibly winced. Then you did not get the message," said he, that I sent you from the hospital by Sal Haynes ?" Hospital ? Message ? I've heard nothing from you at all since I parted from you on the day of your trial." "Then that woman deceived me," said Lefroy. And I must ask your pardon for thinking harshly of you sometimes, and even wondering if you could have had anything to do with sending me back to prison." I am mystified," said Townshend. Yoa bad better tell me all your story. Will you have » cigar ?" Thank you," said Lefroy, I don't smoke." Have a glass of wine, then ?" Thank you, I don't drink, Oh," he added, in answer to an odd look from Townshend, not because I am virtuous, but because I have one purpose left in life, and smoking and drinking— anything like self-indulgence- would interfere with it." You don't object to my smoking,I suppose ?" said Townshend. Why should I ?" said Lefroy. They Lefroy told his story-which I need not repeat, because my readers already know most of it. He told how he had escaped, and how his companion had been killed how he tramped to London to find his wife, and saw her married in church how he fell down unconscious, and came to himself in hospital how he had seen Sal Haynes, and had given her a message for him how he was taken cut of hospital by her in Townshend's name and rearrested. You. don't remember me ? said; the strange- looking man. I assure you," said Townshend, I neither saw the girl nor received any message and I bad some reason to hope I'd have heard of her, or from her, by then. I happened to meet her on the very dayof your trial-when I was leaving the town. 1 had an adventure in the train with her, and- Oh,yes," said Lefroy,interrupting, she has told me about that, and how good you were to her." "Told you lately, do you mean.?" asked Townshend, in surprise. "Whilst I, have been in prison," answered Lefroy. "lhave seen her often during these years she has been the only person that has visited me, or has seemed to keep me in mind. She has been very kind to me. 14 I wonder," murmured Townshend, in reflec- tion, 44 why she did not bring me your message from the hospital. I heard from her soon after- wards—she repaid me a small sum of money I had lent her— Lut she said not a word about you. I wonder why." Well,said Lclr07. I think I can guess. She is intensely jealous, I have discovered, of my knowing.anybody bnt herself. She is a strange girl," he added, with a faint flusli on his cheek. I see," said Townshend. By the way." he continued, do you know that all the news- papers, at the time of your escape, reported you to bo filled, and not the other man Yes, I know," answered Lefroy. "Sal told mt- but not till long afterwards." "And don't you think," suggested Townshend, with sonorous softness, that your wife must have seen that report, and believed it ?" I have thought of that," said Lefroy, grimly. M Good heavens, is there anything I haven't thought of all these years. I have had time enough for thinking. But don't let us talk of it." Evidently,, everything between him and Julia was still accounted sacred. to Well, now, tell me," said Townshend, with a soothing cheerfulness What are you going to lo ? I suppose you are really a free man ?-on ticket of leave, eh ?" 44 No," answered Lefoy," I am not. I've escaped." Oh, that's bad- bad for you, I mean," mur- mured Townshend, with concern. But you would have been let out soon on ticket-of-leave ?" 441 daresay I -should-perhaps 1 should," said Lefroy, with a deep sadness. But I could stand it no longer. I've been working for escape for years. If I hadn't done that I should have gone mad and when escape was ready I had to go- j or be found out." How did you manage it ?" asked Townshend. Lefroy produced a long rusty nail from the bosom of his coat. That," said be, "and these." And he showed s his fingexs, with the tips all blunted and hard and his nails worn almost completely away. The sight was terrible in its suggestiveness. Townshend said nothing but "Ah I" Besides," continued Lefroy, in an argumen- tative tone of justification, if I had got ont on ticket-of-leave it would have been known to those I want to find-the men that I have suf- fered all this for, and who mana"t:l tip put me away again when I left the hospital." You mean the man Evans ?" 44 Evans, and more than Evans. I don't know who they are, but I'm going to find them. And I will find them, if I have to wait and wait, and follow them to the other world I" 441 see," said Townshend, with sonorous soft ness. Then the repressed passion of the man broke fortb. 44 You see what I am. and what you don't see you can guess. I am alone—alone and bare and desperate. Ab Cain's when he went out into the I wilderness, my punishment is greater than I can bear.. I bave lost love, hope, ambition-all I have lost my wife I have lost my child ) What has become of her ?" She has been taken away by my wife. And I all these years-the best years of my life—have been used, only to wear themselves out, and to j wear me away." Yes," said Townshend, with sympathy, it is terrible, my son—it is terrible—when once a J man gets into the clutch of the Law." 1 don't blame the Law. The Law is like Nature. It knows not what it does. It is blind force. It does not discriminate. No. I blame the intelligent, human creatures that let ma | suffer—that made me suffer—knowing what they did—knowing I was innocent—knowing they themselves were guilty. They pushed me back into the grinding mill of suffering wbeo once I had escaped. I have now but one purpose in life —to find them. It is foolish old wives' babble to say, Forgive your enemies,' and Venpeance is mine, I will repay, saith the Lord.' 1 cannot forgive. I will take my own vengeance. And I have come to you, Mr Townshend, to ask you to help me. You said sixteen years ago you would be my friend. I want a friend." And you shall have one," said Townshend, in a full, deep voice, that was in itself a blast of encouragement and strength. He was pro- foundly moved, and on the impulse he reached forth his hand, and clasped that of the escaped convict. It will give me the greatest pleasure to help you to square accounts with the villains. And I may tell you, without boasting, that you have come for help to the best man. Since 1 saw you last I have dropped the law, and taken np with crime—the detection of crime, and so forth." "I guessed you had dropped the law when I didn't find yon in the Temple," said Lefroy. Well," said Townshend, we had best make a start at once." He set his glass firmly In his eye, sat erect, and began to roll himself a cigar- ette—his constant habit when he meant business. First, we must remember that to act freely and move about freely you must make yourself as un-i recognisable as possible you don't want to run any risks of being taken again." "Rather than be takea I will shoot myself," said Lefroy, quietly. That means the constant carrying of a revolver," said Townshend. He shook his head. That won't do at all. To carry a revolver is suspicious, you must never, wherever yon happen to be found—even if you should be searched— you must never excite suspicion. No," he con- tinued thoughtfully, "you must excite pity with pity there is no rcom for suspicion. Would you mind exciting pity ?" Why should I 1" Townshend struck a match, and lit hi s cigar- ette. "Would you mind making a monster of yourself ?" he asked. "What sort of a monster asked Lefroy, as if hesitating. Well," said Townshend, what the dear, delightful, humorous poor people of our country call An Object.' I don't care what I become if I can accom- plish my purpose without being recognised either by those I want to find or those I want to avoid." Quite so. You are pretty thm, I see. Keep thin. Are your joints—particularly your knee- joints—supple ?" Pretty supple." You must make the n mighty snpple. My suggestion is that from a lean young man, with all your limbs, you make yourself a stout old man with no limbs but arms. Ob, it can be done, with persistent practice for a few days. Dut," objected Lefroy, how can I work in that shape ? I must work to live." Why must ?' You must live, of course—but —Do you object to charity ?" I do-most bitterly," he answered in an absolute downright tone. A knock sounded on the door. Townshend made rapid play about his face with his band, to signify that Lefroy should restore his false beard, before he said, Come in." Mortimer opened the door discreetly to say, A ladv to see you, sir." Confound your impudence, Mortimer," cried Townshend. You knew I was engaged. What do you mean by it ?" I be your pardon, Markis," said Mortimer, with more contrition of look than of tone, but the lady would not take No for an answer. She eays she knows you, and she knows who's with you and she's sure you will see her." Before Townshend could frame an answer, a voice came from behind Mortimer :—" Don't be cross with the poor man, Mr Townshend it's all my fault." And in pushed-who? Sally Haynes—by all that was wonderful!—but Sally very much traus. formed. CHAPTER XII. Sal Transformed. Miss Haynes was a model of flagrant prosperity. Although the month was February, it was not very cold, but Miss Haynes was arrayed in a seal- skin jacket—(there was no mistake about it, for Townshend knew the real article)—which reached down to within six inches of the hem of a silk robe of black and orange stripe. About her neck was a handsome boa of bear-fur, and on her head was a, great Gainsborough hat with black feathers and a big bow of orange ribbon. She turned to make sure that Mortimer had withdrawn and that the door was closed. Then ehe turned again and spoke, not to Townshend, but to Lefroy. to Take them whiskers off I" she commanded with a peremptory wag of her head. He took them off obediently, and looked at her without a word or a smile. 41 You bad, ungrateful man she exclaimed. I was sure it was him, Mr Townshend," she added, glancing at the master of the chambers. I'd know him anywhere. I knew the set of bis back, and the back of bis head, I knew his walk. I was driving past when I saw him tnrn in at your door, and 1 says to myself, 'That must be him. As sure as Moses, that's him.' And I got out and came in." You knew my door, then ?" queried Towns- hend, with a little flutter of a smile. Knew your door? Of course I did." How is it, then," he asked, his smile still fluttering, that I have seen nothing of you— for how many years is it "Oh, you can read about all that in Punch,' she answered saucily. But," she added, I'll tell you myself if you wait. I want first to know what this bad, ungrateful man means by wander- ing about like this in an old coat, a shocking bad hat, and a sham beard. I've been down to see you—a Saturday night to Monday trip—and I didn't see you. They said you were gone. You've escaped again, you silly man and you'll be copped, as you were before." There is no necessity," said Townshend, promptly. He neadn't have Loan copped before —a3 you elegantly observe—if a certain young lady had not tried to do everything herself." Don't be saucy, Mr Townshend," said Miss Haynes, wagging her head at him. She added, for effect, a popular catch-phrase of the tiaie. living with mother now." The presence and the jaunty conduct of Sally Haynes seemed to have a very depressing effect upon Lefroy. I daresay I am fated to be taken again," he said despondently. "If you can recognise my back so easily, those who are look- ing for me won't find it difficult to recognise my front." "Townshend shrewdly considered that, if Miss Haynes were still jealous of any help given to Lefroy except her own, it would be gool policy to take—or seem to take her into counsel. So Come now," said he, don't let us waste time in that sort of talk. Let us lay our heads together and see what we can do." Yes," said she, two heada are better than one, even if they are only sheep's beads." (Miss Haynes was one of those—and they are many— whose ready stock of wit consists of cheap and second-hand phrases.) Then Townshend set before her nomeiliing of the suggestion he had been offering to'Lefroy— not all of it, for he did not know whether she was to be trusted out and out in her inflammatory condition of feeling. He told her be had advised him to assume a better disguise than that in which he had come—some disguise that would provoke pity rather than suspicion. She was intelligent and acute. You are quite right," said she. When they pity you they don't think any harm of you." Besides." said Townshend, if an object' is not a beegar or vagrant, the police are the last people of thinking to lay a finger on him—even to see how he is dressed, or what he may have on his person." That's quite right," assented Miss Haynes. That—I'm sure." But," urged L;froy, if I am nothing but pitable what can I be but a beggar and a vagrant ? Pity won't give me work." He says he must work," said Townshend, lifting a smile upon Miss Haynes. 41 What do you think ?" Letroy smiled grimly, and Miss Haynes said He can't work—not for a gootd while, at any rate. He won't get work for this asking, what- ever he's like. But he know's quite well he's welcome to share what I have." Lefroy shook his head. "What? Not welcome?" exclaimed Miss Havnes. Do you think I say what I don't mean? "Welcome enough, I dareaay," said Lefroy; and I am much obliged to you, Sal but I can't sponge upon your bard earnings." A quick flush showed on Sal's pale face. I make twenty pound a week at the 'Alls." ISo that was the work Sal had found for herself.) I can easily spare some of it—if I want to. But very well. Never mind," said She, if that's your spirit after all theæ years." Townshend noted these manifestations of feel- ing with profound interest. It was evident that Miss Haynes was still deeplv engrossed with Lefroy, and that her engrossment embarrassed him. I think," said Townshend, I can suggest I' an arrangement that will clear away all diffi- culties for a time. I have somethmg to show you." k He took a bunch of keys from his pocket, and I went and opened one of the long drawers in his escritoire. From it he took and held up before them thing that both recogniscd it was the fatal steel gauntlet that had been the chief piece of evidence against Lofroy. I bought it," said Townshend, from the bank manager's family for five pounds. The thing is really yours, my friend you have done nothing to foifeit it. You told me once you reckoned it worth at least £ 100 111 give you that for H. minus the £5 I paid the banker's famil* Lefroy was silent he was evidently in debate with himself. Perhaps you would rather not sell it ?" said Townshend. It seems ungrateful to you,1' said Lefroy, but I would really rather not part with it. I have a superstition, that has grown upon me, that I shall never be myself again until I have that back as my own." Very well," said Townshend, I'll tell you what. You sell to me now on the undsr- standing that you redeem it when yon can." ij I understand," said Lefroy. It is very kind of you, Mr Townshend. I quite understand. You will be my pawnbroker." Jnst so," said Townshend. Your uncle- unlicensed. Will you have the whole sum now ? For that I can only give you a cheque, and a cheque might be awkward to get cashed. Or, will you have something on account ?" I think something on account will be best, thank you," said Lefroy, with a flushed face, while Miss Haynes listened and looked on some- what sulkily. Five pounds will do." The money-in gold-was barely handed over, J when there came again a knock-a hurried one—1 at the door. At Townshend's Come in there entered promptly Mortimer again. I afraid, Markis," said he, "the house is being watched." And he glanced from Lefroy to Miss Haynes. Townshend went out with Mortimer. In a few seconds he returned, and- peered cautiously from behind the window curtains of his sitting-room. "Iam afraid," said he, that Mortimer is right. There are two detectives that f recognise out there. It's queer. How has their attention been drawn to the place ? And why haven't they come in ? Perhaps they are waiting for a eearch- warrant to be brought along. We may not have much time left. I think we'll put them to the test," said he, after biting the inner side of his thumb for a second or two, by sending you out first, Miss Haynes. If they take no notice of your departure, then we shall know that our friend has been marked, and that we are in for it." Then Miss Haynes astonished Townshend and brought the situation to a dead-lock by declar- ing sulkily, I'm not going out alone. I want him to come with me. He's mine to take care of —nobody else's. What have I been working for all theBO years, and looking after him for ? Am I going to drop it now ? No fear I Ain't you coming ?" Off with them whiskers," cried Sal Haynes. "No," answered Lefroy, with face set hard and resolute voice I'm not coming." Why not ?" she urged. We can get a cab, and drive off before they know where they are. I am welToff, I tell you. No need to work with me. I'll do that. You can do as you like—get up when you like, go to bed when you like. You can make your 'omo with me." Was this a wooing, Townahend wondered. If it was, it was the oddest conceivable-primitive —almost savage. Then Lefroy's repudiation of her broke bounds. Go away, woman I" he said. Why do you trouble me ? I don't want any of your help. I never have wanted it I You weary me I I thought I had got rid of your importunities when I escaped from prison, and now you follow me here with them. It is too free." Sal's face became of a dead-white colour, and her dark eyes blazed. Oh, I am a woman, am I ?" she cried in a loud voice. I am too free, am I? Well, what price you ? You ridiculous, soft, conceited aris- tocrat You turn up your nose at me, do you ? I am much too good for you, I am If I had any sense I'd never lower myself to have anything to Ray to such a feller 1 An escaped convict. from Dartmoor I" These words were uttered in so loud and angry a voice that Townshend laid a restraining, sooth- ing hand on her arm. Come, come, Miss Haynes," said he, in his soft booming tones, you'll regret this, when you come to think of it." Ob, will I ?" she cried. He and the fat, putty-faced, tow-headed woman he hankers after —the woman he still calls his wife, though she ain't—they're a pair together. They make me fair sick." She said much more that I cannot quote. Lefroy, with a glance of appeal to Townshend, turned away with aerrimly shot mouth he would say no more. I must really, Miss Haynes," said Towns- L hend, closing his hand npon her arm and exercis- ing some urgency towards the door, I don't like to say such a thing to a lady, but I must desire you to go. Go for the present, and come back and see me when your anger has subsided. It will subside, I know." I'll go, Mr Townshend. Don't trouble your- self. But as for that ungrateful swine—let him took out for himself I He hasn't seen the last of Dartmoor I" Townshend had opened the door, she was gone. Well, you've done it, my son I" said he, returning to Lefroy. There's one more enemy to reckon with, and one that knows more about you than all the rest put together." "I am very sorry, Mr Townshend, to have brought this scene upon you," said Lefrov, but on my soul and honour. I owe her nothing. I have never asked for, or taken, any help from her, and I have again and again desired her to cease her visits to me at the prison though, I grant, when she came I always saw her, in the hope of getting some news." I quite understand, my friend. But," said he, while his odd smile lifted his moustache, it seems a, pity that 'such constancy as Sal's should be so ill-re warded. But we must bustle about. For all we know she may have gone straight to the detectives that are watching the house." He rang the bell and Mortimer appeared, with a look of acute interest on his face, "Show Mr Lefroy down to the cellar, Mor- timer." said Townshend. 44 You'd better leave your coat and hat behind-I shall need them. Don't be alarmed. You'll be quite free from interruption down below, and you can begin the suppling of your jointo." I thought," said Lefroy, in some surprise, that the shop below this, and the cellars below that of course, were tenanted by a wine mer- chant." So they are," answered Townsbend. But I am the wine merchant. Now be off." When Lefroy had disappeared with Mortimer, Townshand took up Lefroy's hat and coat, whipped into his bedroom and locked the door. In a very little while he reappeared, a new man. He bad assumed the appearance which Lefroy wore when he entered the chambers. He descended the stairs and looked into the street. There was an instant stir of interest in two men who lounged on the other side of the way. Townshend slammed the door, and turned directly to Regent-street, noting with a glance that one of the men had set himself to follow him. He turned down towards Waterloo-place, to make sure the man was following, and then, having assured himself of that, he shot across the roadway, passed rapidly down that part of Jermyn-street which Hes behind the Cri- terion, and plunged into the back entrance of that famous restaurant. (To be Continued.) -1: