Sir Richard Arden had learned how matters were with Mr. Longcluse. He hesitated. Flight might provoke action of the kind for which there seemed no longer a motive.
In an agony of dubitation, as the day wore on, he was interrupted. Mr. Rooke, Mr. Longcluse's attorney, had called. There was no good in shirking a meeting. He was shown in.
“This is for you, Sir Richard,” said Mr. Rooke, presenting a large letter. “Mr. Longcluse wrote it about three hours ago, and requested me to place it in your own hand, as I now do.”
“It is not any legal paper——” began Sir Richard.
“I haven't an idea,” answered he. “He gave it to me thus. I had some things to do for him afterwards, and a call to make, at his desire, at Mr. David Arden's. When I got home I was sent for again. I suppose you heard the news?”
“No; what is it?”
“Oh, dear, really! They have heard it some time at Mr. Arden's. You didn't hear about Mr. Longcluse?”
“No, nothing, excepting what we all know—his arrest.”
The attorney's countenance darkened, and he said, dropping his voice as low as he would have given a message in church—
“Oh, poor gentleman! he died to-day. Some kind of fit, I believe; he's gone!”
Then Mr. Rooke went into particulars, so far as he knew them, and mentioned that the coroner's inquest would be held that afternoon; and so he departed.
Unmixed satisfaction accompanied the hearing of this news in Sir Richard's mind. But with reflection came the terrifying question, “Has Levi got hold of that instrument of torture and ruin—the forged signature?”
In this new horror he saw the envelope which Rooke had handed to him, upon the table. He opened it, and saw the forged deed. Written across it, in Longcluse's hand, were the words—
“Paid by W. Longcluse before due.
“W. Longcluse.”
That day's date was added.
So the evidence of his guilt was no longer in the hands of a stranger, and Sir Richard Arden was saved.
David Arden had already received under like circumstances, and by the same hand, two papers of immense importance. The first written in Rooke's hand and duly witnessed, was a very short will, signed by the testator, Walter Longcluse, and leaving his enormous wealth absolutely to David Arden. The second was a letter which attached a trust to this bequest. The letter said—
“I am the son of Edwin Raikes, your cousin. He had cast me off for my vices, when I committed the crime, not intended to have amounted to murder. It was Harry Arden's determined resistance and my danger that cost him his life. I did kill Lebas. I could not help it. He was a fool, and might have ruined me; and that villain, Vanboeren, has spoken truth for once.
“I meant to set up the Arden family in my person. I should have taken the name. My father relented on his death-bed, and left me his money. I went to New York, and received it. I made a new start in life. On the Bourse in Paris, and in Vienna, I made a fortune by speculation; I improved it in London. You may take it all by my will. Do with half the interest as you please, during your lifetime. The other half pay to Miss Alice Arden, and the entire capital you are to secure to her on your death.
“I had taken assignments of all the mortgages affecting the Arden estates. They must go to Miss Arden, and be secured unalienably to her.
“My life has been arduous and direful. That miserable crime hung over me, and its dangers impeded me at every turn.
“You have played your game well, but with all the odds of the position in your favour. I am tired, beaten. The match is over, and you may rise now and say Checkmate.
“Walter Longcluse.”
That Longcluse had committed suicide, of course I can have no doubt. It must have been effected by some unusually subtle poison. The post-mortem examination failed to discover its presence. But there was found in his desk a curious paper, in French, published about five months before, upon certain vegetable poisons, whose presence in the system no chemical test detects, and no external trace records. This paper was noted here and there on the margin, and had been obviously carefully read. Any of these tinctures he could without much trouble have procured from Paris. But no distinct light was ever thrown upon this inquiry.
In a small and lonely house, tenanted by Longcluse, in the then less crowded region of Richmond, were found proofs, no longer needed, of Longcluse's identity, both with the horseman who had met Paul Davies on Hampstead Heath, and the person who crossed the Channel from Southampton with David Arden, and afterwards met him in the streets of Paris, as we have seen. There he had been watching his movements, and traced him, with dreadful suspicion, to the house of Vanboeren. The turn of a die had determined the fate of David Arden that night. Longcluse had afterwards watched and seized an opportunity of entering Vanboeren's house. He knew that the baron expected the return of his messenger, rang the bell, and was admitted. The old servant had gone to her bed, and was far away in that vast house.
Longcluse would have stabbed him, but the baron recognised him, and sprang back with a yell. Instantly Longcluse had used his revolver; but before he could make assurance doubly sure, his quick ear detected a step outside. He then made his exit through a window into a deserted lane at the side of the house, and had not lost a moment in commencing his flight for London.
With respect to the murder of Lebas, the letter of Longcluse pretty nearly explains it. That unlucky Frenchman had attended him through his recovery under the hands of Vanboeren; and Longcluse feared to trust, as it now might turn out, his life, in his giddy keeping. Of course, Lebas had no idea of the nature of his crime, or that in England was the scene of its perpetration. Longcluse had made up his mind promptly on the night of the billiard-match played in the Saloon Tavern. When every eye was fixed upon the balls, he and Lebas met, as they had ultimately agreed, in the smoking-room. A momentary meeting it was to have been. The dagger which he placed in his keeping, Longcluse plunged into his heart. In the stream of blood that instantaneously flowed from the wound Longcluse stepped, and made one distinct impression of his boot-sole on the boards. A tracing of this Paul Davies had made, and had got the signatures of two or three respectable Londoners before the room filled, attesting its accuracy, he affecting, while he did so, to be a member of the detective police, from which body, for a piece of over-cleverness, he had been only a few weeks before dismissed. Having made his tracing, he obscured the blood-mark on the floor.
The opportunity of distinguishing himself at his old craft, to the prejudice of the force, whom he would have liked to mortify, while earning, perhaps, his own restoration, was his first object. The delicacy of the shape of the boot struck him next. He then remembered having seen Longcluse—and his was the only eye that observed him—pass swiftly from the passage leading to the smoking-room at the beginning of the game. His mind had now matter to work upon; and hence his visit to Bolton Street to secure possession of the boot, which he did by an audacious ruse.
His subsequent interview with Mr. Longcluse, in presence of David Arden, was simply a concerted piece of acting, on which Longcluse, when he had made his terms with Davies, insisted, as a security against the re-opening of the extortion.
Nothing will induce Alice to accept one farthing of Longcluse's magnificent legacy. Secretly Uncle David is resolved to make it up to her from his own wealth, which is very great.
Richard Arden's story is not known to any living person but the Jew Levi, and vaguely to his sister, in whose mind it remains as something horrible, but never approached.
Levi keeps the secret for reasons more cogent than charitable. First he kept it to himself as a future instrument of profit. But on his insinuating something that promised such relations to Sir Richard, the young gentleman met it with so bold a front, with fury so unaffected, and with threats so alarming, founded upon a trifling matter of which the Jew had never suspected his knowledge, that Mr. Levi has not ventured either to “utilise” his knowledge, in a profitable way, or afterwards to circulate the story for the solace of his malice. They seem, in Mr. Rooke's phrase, to have turned their backs on one another; and as some years have passed, and lapse of time does not improve the case of a person in Mr. Levi's position, we may safely assume that he will never dare to circulate any definite stories to Sir Richard's prejudice. A sufficient motive, indeed, for doing so exists no longer, for Sir Richard, who had lived an unsettled life travelling on the Continent, and still playing at foreign tables when he could afford it, died suddenly at Florence in the autumn of '69.
Vivian Darnley has been in “the House,” now, nearly four years. Uncle David is very proud of him; and more impartial people think that he will, at last, take an honourable place in that assembly. His last speech has been spoken of everywhere with applause. David Arden's immensely increased wealth enables him to entertain very magnificent plans for this young man. He intends that he shall take the name of Arden, and earn the transmission of the title, or the distinction of a greater one.
A year ago Vivian Darnley married Alice Arden, and no two people can be happier.
Lady May, although her girlish ways have not forsaken her, has no present thoughts of making any man happy. She had a great cry all to herself when Sir Richard died, and she now persuades herself that he never meant one word he said of her, and that if the truth were known, although after that day she never spoke to him more, he had never really cared for more than one woman on earth. It was all spite of that odious Lady Wynderbroke!
Alice has never seen Mortlake since the night of her flight from its walls.
The two old servants, Crozier and Martha Tansey, whose acquaintance we made in that suburban seat of the Ardens, are both, I am glad to say, living still, and extremely comfortable.
Phœbe Chiffinch, I am glad to add, was jilted by her uninteresting lover, who little knew what a fortune he was slighting. His desertion does not seem to have broken her heart, or at all affected her spirits. The gratitude of Alice Arden has established her in the prosperous little Yorkshire town, the steep roof, chimneys, and church tower of which are visible, among the trees, from the windows of Arden Court. She is the energetic and popular proprietress of the “Cat and Fiddle,” to which thriving inn, at a nominal rent, a valuable farm is attached. A fortune of two thousand pounds from the same grateful friend awaits her marriage, which can't be far off, with the handsome son of rich Farmer Shackleton.
THE END.
Transcriber's Note:
The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first passage is the original passage, the second the corrected one.
- Advertisement:
ALL IN DARK
ALL IN THE DARK - Page 12:
Longcluse good humouredly.
Longcluse good-humouredly. - Page 29:
Mr. Longcluse, the millionarie, had, of course, many poor
Mr. Longcluse, the millionaire, had, of course, many poor - Page 39:
when you sent me down for Charles; and the boy will be back.
when you sent me down for Charles; and the boy will be back, - Page 40:
“Oh oh! very good. And now, Sir,” he said, in rising
“Oh, oh! very good. And now, Sir,” he said, in rising - Page 49:
“You know him, Mr Darnley?” inquired Lady May.
“You know him, Mr. Darnley?” inquired Lady May. - Page 50:
“Why should it?” laughed Vivian Darnley, partly to cover
“Why should it?” laughed Vivian Darnley, partly to cover, - Page 53:
fright, and then pretended to think her great deal more frightened
fright, and then pretended to think her a great deal more frightened - Page 60:
carriages, and I'll send a servant with you, and he ll arrange
carriages, and I'll send a servant with you, and he'll arrange - Page 64:
He was a man who was thought likely to marry His estate
He was a man who was thought likely to marry. His estate - Page 68:
him so good-natured. She don't know what to
him so good-natured. She doesn't know what to - Page 73:
decased; the particulars were as follows:—”
deceased; the particulars were as follows:—” - Page 80:
needn't tell yon. You know the miserable life I lead. Egad!
needn't tell you. You know the miserable life I lead. Egad! - Page 82:
here again, slam it in his face. I have done with him for ever?”
here again, slam it in his face. I have done with him for ever!” - Page 83:
thimbleful of something. What has frightened you!”
thimbleful of something. What has frightened you?” - Page 91:
espectable people; and I know his dodge. He thinks he came
respectable people; and I know his dodge. He thinks he came - Page 94:
that party to the Derby,”
that party to the Derby.” - Page 96:
“I believe,” said Mr. Longcluse, with a laugh. “I
“I believe,” said Mr. Longcluse, with a laugh, “I - Page 98:
“Yes, a little, perhaps. Don't you.”
“Yes, a little, perhaps. Don't you?” - Page 105:
world, I'm thinking',” she answered dolorously.
world, I'm thinking,” she answered dolorously. - Page 108:
evenins, like this, ye have just a chilly flush o' the sun' settin',
evenins, like this, ye have just a chilly flush o' the sun settin', - Page 122:
and had not this confidence an unacountable though distant
and had not this confidence an unaccountable though distant - Page 126:
“Do you know that gentleman's name!”
“Do you know that gentleman's name?” - Page 127:
have been misinformed, you see, as to the indentity of the person
have been misinformed, you see, as to the identity of the person - Page 127:
his tongue; he's a bit rougher, and a swaggering' cove, and a
his tongue; he's a bit rougher, and a swaggerin' cove, and a - Page 138:
and we must drop him And now, darling, good-bye.”
and we must drop him. And now, darling, good-bye.” - Page 142:
since she had know him, and his admiration.
since she had known him, and his admiration. - Page 147:
lso; and certainly he saw Vivian Darnley in the drawing-room
also; and certainly he saw Vivian Darnley in the drawing-room - Page 147:
indow, as his cab turned away from the door. With a swelling
window, as his cab turned away from the door. With a swelling - Page 152:
and among others a note from Lady Mary Penrose, reminding
and among others a note from Lady May Penrose, reminding - Page 154:
unpleasant. There were whispered with sneers
unpleasant. These were whispered with sneers - Page 159:
and might have thought that, the muscian having
and might have thought that, the musician having - Page 162:
So over the short grass that handsome girl walked, with Mr
So over the short grass that handsome girl walked, with Mr. - Page 170:
“Yes, she was here; she came with Lady Tramways. They
“Yes, she was here; she came with Lady Tramway. They - Page 177:
“Now, Sir, you'll be so good as to to observe that you have
“Now, Sir, you'll be so good as to observe that you have - Page 190:
fingers will trace a name or two on the pages that are passing
fingers will trace a name or two on the pages that are passing. - Page 191:
and the Pharoahs saw it, and we see it to-day. Is it worth while
and the Pharaohs saw it, and we see it to-day. Is it worth while - Page 192:
very bald, with coarse, black hair, that might not unsuitable
very bald, with coarse, black hair, that might not unsuitably - Page 194:
But not pays his bets! And how could he? Ten shillings
But not pay his bets! And how could he? Ten shillings - Page 195:
and the rest are rifling, but they were the most impertinent, and
and the rest are trifling, but they were the most impertinent, and - Page 199:
eloquence. There was in Cicero's face, he though, something
eloquence. There was in Cicero's face, he thought, something - Page 200:
out unluckily. I have heard that you are again in danger. I I
out unluckily. I have heard that you are again in danger. I - Page 210:
you would readily believe, who were, or are, political refugees.
you would readily believe, who were, or are, political refugees.” - Page 210:
I see you, the remarkable circumstances to which I have but alluded,
I see you, the remarkable circumstances to which I have but alluded. - Page 214:
the chase, and—— Here we are at the hall-door Don't
the chase, and—— Here we are at the hall-door. Don't - Page 215:
somehow to ring through her head, he made a very explicit declaration
somehow, to ring through her head, he made a very explicit declaration - Page 222:
you,” he screamed, dashing his hand on the table, at the other
you,” he screamed, dashing his hand on the table, at the other end - Page 223:
So spoke Tansey, into whose talk, in moments of excitement
So spoke Tansey, into whose talk, in moments of excitement, - Page 224:
“No, dear, never mind him—he's well enough.” David,
“No, dear, never mind him—he's well enough.” David - Page 227:
hanged, “losht sheven pound sheventeen, ash I m a
hanged, “losht sheven pound sheventeen, ash I'm a - Page 227:
In a very small room, where burned a single jet of gas, Mr. Mr.
In a very small room, where burned a single jet of gas, Mr. - Page 232:
CHAPTER XLVIII
CHAPTER XLVIII. - Page 239:
in the perennial mourning that belongs to a gentlemen of his
in the perennial mourning that belongs to gentlemen of his - Page 240:
which would corroborate his first vague suspicions?”
which would corroborate his first vague suspicions? - Page 242:
let four full-length portraits. Two of these were a lady and
set four full-length portraits. Two of these were a lady and - Page 242:
ribbon, and the gentlemen stood booted for the field, and falcon
ribbon, and the gentleman stood booted for the field, and falcon - Page 242:
Plumes is his name—that says he'll stay still your Uncle David
Plumes is his name—that says he'll stay till your Uncle David - Page 248:
little chuch, whose steeple cast its shadow every
little church, whose steeple cast its shadow every - Page 248:
Lady May Penrose a note, in the folowing terms:—
Lady May Penrose a note, in the following terms:— - Page 252:
the least picturesque and and most probable way. I should like
the least picturesque and most probable way. I should like - Page 259:
look or tone, or air, that gradually overcome her more and
look or tone, or air, that gradually overcame her more and - Page 260:
connected with Alice? Slowly it passes along. Through
connected with Alice! Slowly it passes along. Through - Page 278:
system of check, such as would made it next to impossible for
system of check, such as would make it next to impossible for - Page 278:
Baron Vanboeren
Baron Vanboeren. - Page 279:
murdered here in London, was, I believe in your employment?”
murdered here in London, was, I believe, in your employment?” - Page 279:
“I am in London, Sir, ubon my business, and no one else's. I I
“I am in London, Sir, ubon my business, and no one else's. I - Page 281:
spread, and the monstrous battered felt hat, in which a a costermonger
spread, and the monstrous battered felt hat, in which a costermonger - Page 281:
without in the end contracting some some incurable insanity; and
without in the end contracting some incurable insanity; and - Page 283:
whther its terrors or its fury may prevail.
whether its terrors or its fury may prevail. - Page 284:
Little did she dream that such a gallery exsited. How were
Little did she dream that such a gallery existed. How were - Page 290:
There is something in that pale face and spectra
There is something in that pale face and spectral - Page 291:
or where he likes—I'll stand t—and I don't think he'll need
or where he likes—I'll stand it—and I don't think he'll need - Page 293:
“Yes, as were driving into town to-day, Uncle David told me
“Yes, as we were driving into town to-day, Uncle David told me - Page 298:
think she would marry me at all, Isn't it better to say, ‘My
think she would marry me at all. Isn't it better to say, ‘My - Page 298:
left a message for his sister with old Crozier ordered his servant
left a message for his sister with old Crozier, ordered his servant - Page 302:
Lonclushe harmlesh.”
Lonclushe harmlesh.’” - Page 311:
where she executed an involuutary frisk that carried her a little
where she executed an involuntary frisk that carried her a little - Page 312:
she was staring at the smiling face of the young lady; you
she was staring at the smiling face of the young lady; “you - Page 315:
herished for him was gone, and a great disgust was there
cherished for him was gone, and a great disgust was there - Page 315:
nstead.
instead. - Page 316:
tears overflow her eyes; and she says in the intervals, almos
tears overflow her eyes; and she says in the intervals, almost - Page 317:
reflected the gray horizon. Vaguely, however, he could see that
reflected the grey horizon. Vaguely, however, he could see that - Page 317:
the distant lights, and heard through the the dim air the chimes,
the distant lights, and heard through the dim air the chimes, - Page 318:
all this time towards the candles: “do now, you're sure to see
all this time towards the candles): “do now, you're sure to see - Page 319:
think?”
think!” - Page 321:
withhish name shined to it. There, now you have everything.”
with hish name shined to it. There, now you have everything.” - Page 329:
friends will laugh?”
friends will laugh!” - Page 333:
ou told Miss Alice you'd not be here till to-morrow!” she says
you told Miss Alice you'd not be here till to-morrow!” she says - Page 333:
ettishly, holding the candle high above her head.
pettishly, holding the candle high above her head. - Page 338:
you look ill and unhappy: what's the matter!”
you look ill and unhappy: what's the matter?” - Page 344:
has polished off a family there a happetite for another up here
has polished off a family there a happetite for another up here. - Page 344:
Shir Richard wantsh every door in the 'oushe fasht locked. and
Shir Richard wantsh every door in the 'oushe fasht locked, and - Page 347:
Sir Richard leaned back in the cab as he drove into town,
Sir Richard leaned back in the cab as he drove into town. - Page 347:
exploit that he was at the moment equal to. In Mortlake were
exploit than he was at the moment equal to. In Mortlake were - Page 360:
morning. She had been spirited away like the rest
morning. She had been spirited away like the rest. - Page 362:
and Sir Richard lounges, expecting the arrival of David
and Sir Richard lounge, expecting the arrival of David - Page 368:
know that for ten years, and have postponed removing them.
known that for ten years, and have postponed removing them. - Page 369:
and yet but slightly. You wish. perhaps to learn particulars
and yet but slightly. You wish, perhaps, to learn particulars - Page 370:
“But you talk of bringing me face to face withthem; how
“But you talk of bringing me face to face with them; how - Page 370:
“No, in the the solid. Here is the key of the catacombs.”
“No, in the solid. Here is the key of the catacombs.” - Page 372:
“Bah! what a wise man Then I may show you whom I
“Bah! what a wise man. Then I may show you whom I - Page 374:
“And is more. Why, count the words, one, two, four six,
“And is more. Why, count the words, one, two, four, six, - Page 374:
art, of which perhaps you suspect nothing. Come, come.
art, of which perhaps you suspect nothing. Come, come, - Page 375:
floor
floor. - Page 378:
ripens round me. But once I take this step, all is up with that,
ripens round me. But once I take this step, all is up with that. - Page 378:
You see—you understand. Bah! you are no fool; it is plain.
You see—you understand. Bah! you are no fool; it is plain, - Page 383:
How it would have fared with him, if he had, I can't tell.”
How it would have fared with him, if he had, I can't tell. - Page 393:
CHATPER LXXXIV.
CHAPTER LXXXIV. - Page 399:
keys. Never mind; I know it all know,” she whispered, as she
keys. Never mind; I know it all now,” she whispered, as she - Page 403:
good keepin' me 'ere no longer I don't want no quarrellin' nor
good keepin' me 'ere no longer. I don't want no quarrellin' nor - Page 406:
I've had nothing to do it. I've never had a hint that she
I've had nothing to do with it. I've never had a hint that she - Page 413:
orged deed. Written across it, in Longcluse's hand, were the
forged deed. Written across it, in Longcluse's hand, were the - Page 413:
paper, in French. published about five months before, upon
paper, in French, published about five months before, upon - Page 414:
attended him though his recovery under the hands of Vanboeren;
attended him through his recovery under the hands of Vanboeren;