CHAPTER XXX.
WAITING.
The expert who had been tracing out the goings and doings of Percy,made his report.
After it had been thoroughly reviewed by Clarence and Olive, they wereforced to confess that they were not one whit the wiser. The detectivehad found how and where Percy had squandered much of his fortune, buthad brought to light absolutely nothing that could be of use to hisemployers. And so they abandoned the investigation in that direction.
But when the report of the Professor's case was sent in, they foundmore cause for congratulation. First, it had been discovered that theProfessor had visited three different physicians, all of them menbearing reputations not over spotless. Next he had made sundrypurchases from two different chemists; and third, last and allimportant, he had been dogged to the bazaar of a dealer in theatricalwares, where he had purchased a wig, beard, and other articles ofdisguise.
Two days had passed since the above discoveries were reported. Thenthe detective called upon Dr. Vaughan and informed him that Mr. Davlinand the Professor, the latter disguised with wig, beard andspectacles, had taken the early morning train that very day, and thathe, the detective, had been lounging so near that he heard Davlin callfor two tickets to Bellair.
And then they knew that the siege had begun.
Three days later, Olive received the following letter, which speaksfor itself:
OAKLEY, WEDNESDAY EVENING.
DEAR OLIVE:
The engagement has opened in earnest.
Last evening, Mr. D. and _le Docteur_, between them, frightened the two maids out of the house. This morning I succeeded in scaring away the old housekeeper, which made a shortage in servants. Old Hagar happened along just then _by some chance_, and declared herself not at all afraid of contagion; so madame bade her brother employ her. The cook remains, as _Monsieur_ and _le Docteur_ must eat. My meals are served in madame's dressing-room, and shared by that lady.
Courage, my friend, our time is almost here. And I am yours till death,
M----.
This letter was perused by Olive and Clarence with almost breathlesseagerness and interest. And then they found themselves once morewaiting eagerly for fresh tidings from the "seat of war," as Clarencetermed it.
At last came a letter from Madeline that aroused them as the clarionstirs those arrayed for battle. It ran as follows, bearing neitherdate nor signature:
TO ARMS, MY FRIENDS!
If you were among the village gossips to-day, this is what you would hear, for it is what is fast spreading itself through the town:
The lady up at the mansion has been very ill, but is now better. Her husband took the fever from her, and, being old and his constitution enfeebled by the dissipation of his earlier days, he came near dying. Now they hope that he will live, although the danger is not yet passed. But _if he does live_ he will never be himself again. The fever has affected his brain, and he will be _hopelessly mad_.
That is what the villagers know.
What they do not know is, that Mr. D---- and the _doctor_ have already fitted up two rooms in the most secluded part of the closed-up wing, and that the "insane" man will be removed to those rooms to-night.
One fact concerning _le Docteur_, your expert has failed to discover, is that at some time the man has made a study of medicine. This is only a theory of mine, not a discovery; but when I tell you what he did, I think that you both will agree with me. A few days ago the _doctor_ walked down to the village one morning, and coolly presented himself at the door of Doctor G----'s office.
Doctor G---- is the least popular and least skillful of the three physicians here, but of course the city man was not supposed to know that. He, the city doctor, informed Doctor G---- that although his employer had not desired it, as he had perfect confidence in the present treatment of Mr. A----, still it was always his practice to consult with another physician.
So he desired Doctor G---- to accompany him to O---- and see his patient; not that he had any doubts about the disease, but because, in case of a serious termination, it was always a consolation to the friends to know that every precaution had been taken. Doctor G---- came, to find the patient in a bedrugged stupor. He endorsed everything _le Docteur_ chose to say, and went away feeling much puffed-up because of having been called in to consult with a New York physician.
You see they are moving very carefully, and do not intend to have any doubts raised.
Miss A---- of course remains in the village, and receives reports daily concerning her brother, and her Knight is still at her elbow.
Henry has been here for a week, and does not dream of my identity.
Hagar and myself, between us, have managed to get possession of a specimen of every drug that has been administered to Mr. A----, also of the harmless nostrums that are dealt out to madame for appearance's sake.
There is but one thing more that I must accomplish, and that must be done to-night, if possible. If I succeed in this, two days more will see me _en route_ for the city. If I fail--then I must remain here, if I can, and try again. In any case, I must make my new move within the week. So look out for the chrysalis; it remains for you to develop it into the butterfly.
This letter chanced to arrive during one of Doctor Vaughan's afternoonvisits, and Olive read it aloud to him, saying at the end, and almostwithout taking breath,
"Something she must accomplish first. If she has secured themedicines, and they are safe not to run away in her absence, then whatis it she means?"
Clarence shook his head, saying: "I have no idea. She speaks as if thething, whatever it is, was attended with some risk."
"And this explains Henry's absence," Olive said, tapping the letter inher lap. "No doubt he was summoned without any previous warning. Ofcourse, he is a mere tool for his master. They will hardly dare lethim see their game."
"Hardly; but if they were not using him to Madeline's satisfaction,she would have revealed herself to him."
"True."
"We are approaching a crisis now. If this new movement fails,--but Ihardly think it will."
Olive looked up in alarm. "Oh, don't suggest failure," she exclaimed."She _must_ succeed. What will become of poor Philip if she does not?"
Clarence lifted his face reverently. "I believe that the Power aboveus, who permits evil to be because only from pain and sorrow comespurification, has not permitted the life of this beautiful young girlto be darkened in vain. Out of her wrongs, and her sorrows, and herhumiliation, He will allow her own hands to shape not only a strong,true, earnest womanhood for herself, but the weapons which shalldeliver the innocent, and bring the guilty to justice."
And Olive felt comforted, and her hope took new wings.