The Solitary Farm Part 45

Cyril's lips met hers in a pa.s.sionate kiss, and, glowing with happiness, she ran into Dora's little garden as the door opened. Miss Ankers, hearing voices at this late hour--for it was nearly midnight--was looking out to see what was the matter. Cyril watched her admit Bella, and then turned away with a sigh. He intended to confess much about his father to Inglis, which he would much rather have kept concealed; but under the circ.u.mstances there was no other way of settling matters.

Since the tragic death of Captain Huxham, these had been in a very bad way.

Very shortly the young man arrived at the Manor-house, and found a constable on guard at the door. But he was admitted the moment the man recognised him. It appeared that Inglis had been expecting him for some time. Lister walked into the study, wherein the inspector had established himself, and explained that he had been escorting Miss Huxham home.

"The poor girl is quite worn out," said Cyril, seating himself with an air of relief, for he also was extremely tired.

"No wonder," replied the inspector. "Is Dutton on guard?"

"Yes. Mrs. Vand and the old woman and the girl are all safe."

"I have sent along another man," said Inglis nodding, "so that there may be no chance of the three escaping. The house was locked up when we came here, Mr. Lister, and only by breaking a window could we enter. Look at this, sir"--and the inspector pointed to a small lozenge-pane in the cas.e.m.e.nt, which had been broken.

"Well," said Cyril, after a pause.

"Through that broken pane Luke Tunks saw everything which took place in this study on the night of the murder."

Cyril felt his hair rise, and he thought of his father's probable danger, but he calmed down on reflecting that at least Edwin Lister was not guilty of the frightful crime. "How do you know?" he gasped with difficulty.

"We have caught Luke, and he will be here in a moment or so to confess."

Cyril looked surprised. "How did you catch him?"

"He ran out of the hut when we crossed the channel, and concealed himself in the corn. Then, remembering that the Manor-house was deserted he fetched a circle round the fields and came here. When we got into the house we found him nearly crazy with fear; he took us for ghosts."

"Where is he now?"

"In the kitchen guarded by a couple of men. He refused to confess, and I gave him an hour to make up his mind. Meanwhile, we have searched the house and have found that everything valuable more or less is gone. Some things left behind have been packed in boxes. I suppose the Vands hoped to escape and then get their goods later. But they carried off what they could."

"They intended to go to America," said Cyril, "the woman explained. She also declared that her husband murdered Captain Huxham."

"I expect she had a hand in it herself."

"She denies that."

"She naturally would," said Inglis very drily. "However, I'll send for Luke Tunks and see if he is willing to confess," and he gave a sharp order to one of the constables who was lounging in the hall.

In a few minutes the tall, lean gipsy, who looked extremely ill and extremely defiant, made his appearance at the door, held by two policemen.

"Bring him in," said the inspector calmly, and arranging some sheets of paper, which he took out of his pocket along with a stylograph pen. "Now then, my man, will you confess all that you saw?"

"If I do what will happen, governor?" asked Tunks hoa.r.s.ely.

"You may get a lighter sentence."

"Will I be arrested?"

"You are arrested now, and shortly you will be lodged in gaol."

"Then I shan't say anything!" growled Luke defiantly, and folding his arms he leaned against the panelled wall.

"Very good," said Inglis serenely; "take him away. In the morning he can be removed to the Pierside goal."

The two constables advanced, and Luke bit his lip. In any case he saw that things looked black against him.

"You have no right to arrest me," he declared. "On what charge do you arrest me?"

"On a charge of murdering Captain Jabez Huxham."

"I didn't. I can prove I didn't."

"You can do so in court and to a judge and jury. Take him away."

"No, no! I'll tell you all I know now," said Luke, making the best of a bad job, and being imaginative enough to both see and feel a visionary rope encircling his neck. "Let me tell now, governor."

This was exactly what Inglis wanted, as he desired to obtain all available evidence for the forthcoming inquest on the bodies of the dead men, black and white. But he pretended to grant the man's wish as a favour. "As you please," he said with a cool shrug. "You two men can go outside and remain on guard on the other side of the door."

The constables did as they were ordered and closed the door. Inglis, Lister, and Luke Tunks were alone, and as the gipsy was still weak from his late illness the inspector signed that he could take a seat. "Now tell me all you know, and I shall take it down. You shall affix your name to your confession, and Mr. Lister and myself will be the witnesses. Do you agree?"

"Yes," said Luke hoa.r.s.ely, and drawing his sleeve across his mouth, "for nothing I can say can hang me. I didn't kill either of the blokes."

"Either of the blokes? What do you mean?"

"I mean that Captain Huxham killed the man who called himself Lister, and Henry Vand killed Captain Huxham. I saw both murders."

Lister rejoiced, horrified as he was at the idea of his father's violent death, but thankful from the bottom of his heart that he had gone to his own place guiltless of blood. Inglis saw the expression on the young man's face, and asked a leading question.

"Was not this Mr. Lister your father?"

"Yes," answered Cyril promptly. "He came home from Nigeria some months ago with Durgo, who is the son of a friendly chief. My father, I understand, came down here to ask Captain Huxham for certain jewels--"

"Those you showed me, sir?"

"Yes, they were robbed from a trader called Maxwell Faith by Huxham, and my father wished to get them. Durgo came down to seek for my father, but we have never been able to find him."

"He is dead," said Luke abruptly.

"So you say; but where is the body?"

"I don't know; I can't say." Luke paused, then turned to the inspector.

"Let me tell you what I saw through yonder broken pane."

"Very good." Inglis arranged his papers and prepared his pen. "Mind you speak the truth, as I shall take down every word you say. Afterwards Mr.

Lister can tell me what he knows."

So it was arranged, and Tunks, as ready to tell now as formerly he was unwilling, launched out into his story. It appears that after leaving Mrs. Coppersley--as she was then--he went home to have some food.

Shortly before eight o'clock he strolled along the banks of the river and saw Pence watching the house. Knowing that the preacher was in love with the daughter of his master, he took little notice; then, while lying in the corn by the side of the path smoking, he saw, as he thought, Cyril Lister pa.s.s him, and stealthily followed.

"Why did you do that?" asked Inglis, raising his eyes.