XXX.
THE MATTER AS STATED BY MR. GRYCE.
I had exhausted my wonder, so I accepted this statement with no moredisplay of surprise than a grim smile.
"When you failed to identify Howard Van Burnam as the man whoaccompanied his wife into the adjacent house, I realized that I mustlook elsewhere for the murderer of Louise Van Burnam. You see I had moreconfidence in the excellence of your memory than you had yourself, somuch indeed that I gave you more than one chance to exercise it, having,by certain little methods I sometimes employ, induced different moods inMr. Van Burnam at the time of his several visits, so that his bearingmight vary, and you have every opportunity to recognize him for the manyou had seen on that fatal night."
"Then it was he you brought here each time?" I broke in.
"It was he."
"Well!" I ejaculated.
"The Superintendent and some others whom I need not mention,"--here Mr.Gryce took up another small object from the table,--"believed implicitlyin his guilt; conjugal murder is so common and the causes which lead toit so frequently puerile. Therefore I had to work alone. But this didnot cause me any concern. _Your_ doubts emphasized mine, and when youconfided to me that you had seen a figure similar to the one we weretrying to identify, enter the adjoining house on the evening of thefuneral, I made immediate inquiries and discovered that the gentlemanwho had entered the house right after the four persons described by youwas _Franklin Van Burnam_. This gave me a definite clue, and this is whyI say that it was you who gave me my first start in this matter."
"Humph!" thought I to myself, as with a sudden shock I remembered thatone of the words which had fallen from Miss Oliver's lips during herdelirium had been this very name of Franklin.
"I had had my doubts of this gentleman before," continued the detective,warming gradually with his subject. "A man of my experience doubts everyone in a case of this kind, and I had formed at odd times a sort of sidetheory, so to speak, into which some little matters which came up duringthe inquest seemed to fit with more or less nicety; but I had no realjustification for suspicion till the event of which I speak. That youhad evidently formed the same theory as myself and were bound to enterinto the lists with me, put me on my mettle, madam, and with yourknowledge or without it, the struggle between us began."
"So your disdain of me," I here put in with a triumphant air I could notsubdue, "was only simulated? I shall know what to think of youhereafter. But don't stop, go on, this is all deeply interesting to me."
"I can understand that. To proceed then; my first duty, of course, wasto watch _you_. You had reasons of your own for suspecting this man, soby watching you I hoped to surprise them."
"Good!" I cried, unable to entirely conceal the astonishment and grimamusement into which his continued misconception of the trend of mysuspicions threw me.
"But you led us a chase, madam; I must acknowledge that you led us achase. Your being an amateur led me to anticipate your using anamateur's methods, but you showed skill, madam, and the man I sent tokeep watch over Mrs. Boppert against your looked-for visit there, wasfoiled by the very simple strategy you used in meeting her at aneighboring shop."
"Good!" I again cried, in my relief that the discovery made at thatmeeting had not been shared by him.
"We had sounded Mrs. Boppert ourselves, but she had seemed a veryhopeless job, and I do not yet see how you got any water out of thatstone--if you did."
"No?" I retorted ambiguously, enjoying the Inspector's manifest delightin this scene as much as I did my own secret thoughts and the prospectof the surprise I was holding in store for them.
"But your interference with the clock and the discovery you made that ithad been going at the time the shelves fell, was not unknown to us, andwe have made use of it, good use as you will hereafter see."
"So! those girls could not keep a secret after all," I muttered; andwaited with some anxiety to hear him mention the pin-cushion; but he didnot, greatly to my relief.
"Don't blame the girls!" he put in (his ears evidently are as sharp asmine); "the inquiries having proceeded from Franklin, it was onlynatural for me to suspect that he was trying to mislead us by somehocus-pocus story. So _I_ visited the girls. That I had difficulty ingetting to the root of the matter is to their credit, Miss Butterworth,seeing that you had made them promise secrecy."
"You are right," I nodded, and forgave them on the spot. If I could notwithstand Mr. Gryce's eloquence--and it affected me at times--how couldI expect these girls to. Besides, they had not revealed the moreimportant secret I had confided to them, and in consideration of this Iwas ready to pardon them most anything.
"That the clock was going at the time the shelves fell, and that heshould be the one to draw our attention to it would seem to thesuperficial mind proof positive that he was innocent of the deed withwhich it was so closely associated," the detective proceeded. "But toone skilled in the subterfuges of criminals, this seemingly conclusivefact in his favor was capable of an explanation so in keeping with thesubtlety shown in every other feature of this remarkable crime, that Ibegan to regard it as a point against him rather than in his favor. Ofwhich more hereafter.
"Not allowing myself to be deterred, then, by this momentary set-back,and rejoicing in an affair considered as settled by my superiors, Iproceeded to establish Franklin Van Burnam's connection with the crimewhich had been laid with so much apparent reason at his brother's door.
"The first fact to be settled was, of course, whether youridentification of him as the gentleman who accompanied his victim intoMr. Van Burnam's house could be corroborated by any of the many personswho had seen the so-called Mr. James Pope at the Hotel D----.
"As none of the witnesses who attended the inquest had presumed torecognize in either of these sleek and haughty gentlemen the shrinkingperson just mentioned, I knew that any open attempt on my part to bringabout an identification would result disastrously. So I employedstrategy--like my betters, Miss Butterworth" (here his bow wasoverpowering in its mock humility); "and rightly considering that for aperson to be satisfactorily identified with another, he must be seenunder the same circumstances and in nearly the same place, I sought outFranklin Van Burnam, and with specious promises of some great benefit tobe done his brother, induced him to accompany me to the Hotel D----.
"Whether he saw through my plans and thought that a brave front and anassumption of candor would best serve him in this unexpected dilemma, orwhether he felt so entrenched behind the precautions he had taken as notto fear discovery under any circumstances, he made but one demur beforepreparing to accompany me. This demur was significant, however, for itwas occasioned by my advice to change his dress for one lessconspicuously fashionable, or to hide it under an ulster or mackintosh.And as a proof of his hardihood--remember, madam, that his connectionwith this crime has been established--he actually did put on the ulster,though he must have known what a difference it would make in hisappearance.
"The result was all I could desire. As we entered the hotel, I saw acertain hackman start and lean forward to look after him. It was the onewho had driven Mr. and Mrs. Pope away from the hotel. And when we passedthe porter, the wink which I gave him was met by a lift of his eyelidswhich he afterwards interpreted into 'Like! very like!'
"But it was from the clerk I received the most unequivocal proof of hisidentity. On entering the office I had left Mr. Van Burnam as near aspossible to the spot where Mr. Pope had stood while his so-called wifewas inscribing their names in the register, and bidding him to remain inthe background while I had a few words at the desk, all in his brother'sinterests of course, I succeeded in secretly directing Mr. Henshaw'sattention towards him. The start which he gave and the exclamation heuttered were unequivocal. 'Why, there's the man now!' he cried, happilyin a whisper. 'Anxious look, drooping head, brown moustache, everythingbut the duster.' 'Bah!' said I; 'that's Mr. _Franklin_ Van Burnam youare looking at! What are you thinking of?' 'Can't help it,' said he; 'Isaw both of the brothers at the inquest, a
nd saw nothing in them then toremind me of our late mysterious guest. But as he stands there, he's a---- sight more like James Pope than the other one is, and don't youforget it.' I shrugged my shoulders, told him he was a fool, and thatfools had better keep their follies to themselves, and came away with myman, outwardly disgusted but inwardly in most excellent trim forpursuing an investigation which had opened so auspiciously.
"Whether this man possessed any motive for a crime so seemingly out ofaccordance with his life and disposition was, of course, the next pointto settle. His conduct at the inquest certainly showed no decidedanimosity toward his brother's wife, nor was there on the surface ofaffairs any token of the mortal hatred which alone could account for acrime at once so deliberate and so brutal. But we detectives plungebelow the surface, and after settling the question of Franklin'sidentity with the so-called Mr. Pope of the Hotel D----, I left New Yorkand its interests--among which I reckoned your efforts at detectivework, Miss Butterworth--to a young man in my office, who, I am afraid,did not quite understand the persistence of your character; for he hadnothing to tell me concerning you on my return, save that you had beencultivating Miss Althorpe, which, of course, was such a natural thingfor you to do, I wonder he thought it necessary to mention it.
"My destination was Four Corners, the place where Howard first met hisfuture wife. In relating what I learned there, I shall doubtless repeatfacts with which you are acquainted, Miss Butterworth."
"That is of no consequence," I returned, with almost brazen duplicity;for I not only was ignorant of what he was going to say, but had everyreason to believe that it would bear as remote a connection as possibleto the secret then laboring in my breast. "A statement of the case fromyour lips," I pursued, "will emphasize what I know. Do not stint any ofyour disclosures, then, I beg. I have an ear for all." This was truerthan my rather sarcastic tone would convey, for might not his storyafter all prove to have some unexpected relation with the facts I hadmyself gathered together.
"It is a pleasure," said he, "to think I am capable of giving anyinformation to Miss Butterworth, and as I did not run across you or yourvery nimble and pert little maid during my stay at Four Corners, I shalltake it for granted that you confined your inquiries to the city and thesociety of which you are such a shining light."
This in reference to my double visit at Miss Althorpe's, no doubt.
"Four Corners is a charming town in Southern Vermont, and here, threeyears ago, Howard Van Burnam first met Miss Stapleton. She was living ina gentleman's family at that time as travelling companion to his invaliddaughter."
Ah, now I could see what explanation this wary old detective gavehimself of my visits to Miss Althorpe, and began to hug myself inanticipation of my coming triumph over him.
"The place did not fit her, for Miss Stapleton only shone in the societyof men; but Mr. Harrison had not yet discovered this specialidiosyncrasy of hers, and as his daughter was able to see a few friends,and in fact needed some diversion, the way was open to her companion forthat acquaintance with Mr. Van Burnam which has led to such disastrousresults.
"The house at which their meeting took place was a private one, and Isoon found out many facts not widely known in this city. First, that shewas not so much in love with Howard as he was with her. _He_ succumbedto her fascinations at once, and proposed, I believe, within two weeksafter seeing her; but though she accepted him, few of those who saw themtogether thought her affections very much engaged till Franklin suddenlyappeared in town, when her whole manner underwent a change, and shebecame so sparklingly and irresistibly beautiful that her avowed loverbecame doubly enslaved, and Franklin--Well, there is evidence to provethat he was not insensible to her charms either; that, in spite of herengagement to his brother and the attitude which honor bade him holdtowards his prospective sister-in-law, he lost his head for a shorttime at least, and under her seductions I do not doubt, for she was adouble-faced woman according to general repute, went so far as toexpress his passion in a letter of which I heard much before I was sofortunate as to obtain a sight of it. This was three years ago, and Ithink Miss Stapleton would have been willing to have broken with Howardand married Franklin if the latter had had the courage to meet hisbrother's reproaches. But he evidently was deficient in this quality.His very letter, which is a warm one, but which holds out no hope to herof any closer bond between them than that offered by her prospectiveunion with his brother, shows that he still retained some sense ofhonor, and as he presently left Four Corners and did not appear againwhere they were till just before their marriage, it is probable that allwould have gone well if the woman had shared this sentiment with him.But she was made up of mean materials, and while willing to marry Howardfor what he could give her or what she thought he could give her, sheyet cherished an implacable grudge against Franklin for his weakness, asshe called it, in not following the dictates of his heart. Being sly aswell as passionate, she hid her feelings from every one but a venial,though apparently devoted confidante, a young girl named----"
"Oliver," I finished in my own mind.
But the name he mentioned was quite different.
"Pigot," he said, looking at the filigree basket he held in his hand asif he picked this word out from one of its many interstices. "She wasFrench, and after once finding her, I had but little difficulty inlearning all she had to tell. She had been Miss Harrison's maid, butshe was not above serving Miss Stapleton in many secret and dishonorableways. As a consequence, she could give me the details of an interviewwhich that lady had held with Franklin Van Burnam on the evening of herwedding. It took place in Mr. Harrison's garden, and was supposed to bea secret one, but the woman who arranged the meeting was not the personto keep away from it when it occurred, and consequently I have beenenabled to learn with more or less accuracy what took place betweenthem. It was not to Miss Stapleton's credit. Mr. Van Burnam merelywanted his letter back, but she refused to return it unless he wouldpromise her a complete recognition by his family of her marriage andensure her a reception in his father's house as Howard's wife. This wasmore than he could engage himself to perform. He had already, accordingto his own story, made every effort possible to influence the oldgentleman in her favor, but had only succeeded in irritating him againsthimself. It was an acknowledgment which would have satisfied most women,but it did not satisfy her. She declared her intention of keeping theletter for fear he would cease his exertions; and heedless of the effectproduced upon him by the barefaced threat, proceeded to inveigh againsthis brother for the very love which made her union with him possible;and as if this was not bad enough, showed at the same time such adisposition to profit by whatever worldly good the match promised, thatFranklin lost all regard for her, and began to hate her.
"As he made no effort to conceal his feelings, she must have becomeimmediately aware of the change which had taken place in them. Buthowever affected by this, she gave no sign of relenting in her purpose.On the contrary, she persisted in her determination to retain hisletter, and when he remonstrated with her and threatened to leave townbefore her marriage, she retorted by saying that, if he did so, shewould show his letter to his brother as soon as the minister had madethem one. This threat seemed to affect Franklin deeply, and while itintensified his feeling of animosity towards her, subjected him for themoment to her whim. He stayed in Four Corners till the ceremony wasperformed, but was such a gloomy guest that all united in saying that hedid the occasion no credit.
"So much for my work in Four Corners."
I had by this time become aware that Mr. Gryce was addressing himselfchiefly to the Inspector, being gratified no doubt at this opportunityof presenting his case at length before that gentleman. But true to hisspecial habits, he looked at neither of us, but rather at the frettedbasket, upon the handle of which he tapped out his arguments as hequickly proceeded:
"The young couple spent the first months of their married life inYonkers; so to Yonkers I went next. There I learned that Franklin hadvisited the place twice; both times, as
I judge, upon a peremptorysummons from her. The result was mutual fret and heartburning, for shehad made no progress in her endeavors to win recognition from the VanBurnams; and even had had occasion to perceive that her husband's love,based as it was upon her physical attributes, had begun to feel thestress of her uneasiness and dissatisfaction. She became more anxiousthan ever for social recognition and distinction, and when the familywent to Europe, consented to accompany her husband into the quietretreat he thought best calculated to win the approbation of his father,only upon the assurance of better times in the fall and a possible visitto Washington in the winter. But the quiet to which she was subjectedhad a bad effect upon her. Under it she grew more and more restless, andas the time approached for the family's return, conceived so many plansfor conciliating them that her husband could not restrain his disgust.But the worst plan of all and the one which undoubtedly led to herdeath, he never knew. This was to surprise Franklin at his office and,by renewed threats of showing this old love-letter to his brother, winan absolute promise from him to support her in a fresh endeavor to winhis father's favor. You see she did not understand Silas Van Burnam'sreal character, and persisted in holding the most extravagant viewsconcerning Franklin's ascendancy over him as well as over the rest ofthe family. She even went so far as to insist in the interview, whichJane Pigot overheard, that it was Franklin himself who stood in the wayof her desires, and that if he chose he could obtain for her aninvitation to take up her abode with the rest of them in Gramercy Park.To Duane Street she therefore went before making her appearance at Mrs.Parker's; a fact which was not brought out at the inquest; Franklin notdisclosing it of course, and the clerk not recognizing her under thefalse name she chose to give. Of the details of this interview I amignorant, but as she was closeted with him some time, it is only naturalto suppose that conversation of some importance took place between them.The clerk who works in the outer office did not, as I have said, knowwho she was at the time, but he noticed her face when she came out, andhe declares that it was insolent with triumph, while Mr. Franklin, whowas polite enough or calculating enough to bow her out of the room, waspale with rage, and acted so unlike himself that everybody observed it.She held his letter in her hand, a letter easily distinguishable by theviolet-colored seal on the back, and she filliped with it in a mostaggravating way as she crossed the floor, pretending to lay it down onHoward's desk as she went by and then taking it up again with an archlook at Franklin, pretty enough to see but hateful in its effect on him.As he went back to his own room his face was full of anger, and such wasthe effect of this visit on him that he declined to see any one elsethat day. She had probably shown such determination to reveal his pastperfidy to her husband, that his fears were fully aroused at last, andhe saw he was not only likely to lose his good name but the esteem withwhich he was accustomed to be regarded by this younger and evidentlymuch-loved brother.
"And now, considering his intense pride, as well as his affection forHoward, do you not see the motive which this seemingly good man had forputting his troublesome sister-in-law out of existence? He wanted thatletter back, and to obtain it had to resort to crime. Or such is mypresent theory of this murder, Miss Butterworth. Does it correspond withyours?"