travelled together," said the Alderman. "It seemed asthough Kirk came from London to meet the Professor, who had returned bythe Hook of Holland to Harwich, and came on by the through carriage toBirmingham."
"And you believe that Kirk has gone with the Professor to visit Sir MarkEdwards?" I exclaimed eagerly.
"I think so. If you sent a letter to the Professor at Sir Mark'saddress, it's quite probable that he would get it."
"Had you ever met the Professor before?" I inquired.
"No, never. Of course I knew him well by repute."
"Did he mention that Edwards and Sutton were old friends of his?"
"I gathered that they were not. He had simply concluded an arrangementwith them for working his process as a matter of business. Indeed, hementioned that Sir Mark Edwards had invited him for a few days."
"Then they are not friends of long standing?" I asked.
"Probably not. But--well, why do you ask such curious questions asthese, Mr.--Holford! What, indeed, is the motive of all this inquiry?The Professor is a well-known man, and you could easily approach himyourself," the keen solicitor remarked.
"Yes, probably so. But my inquiry is in the Professor's own interest,"I said, because I had to make my story good. "As a matter of fact, Ihave learnt of an attempt to steal the secret of his process, and I'macting for his protection. When my inquiries are complete, I shall goto him and place the whole matter before him."
"Your profession is not that of a detective?" he suggested, with alaugh.
"No; I'm a motor engineer," I explained bluntly. "I know nothing, andcare less, about detectives and their ways."
Then I apologised for disturbing him at that hour and made my way backin the cab that had brought me to the centre of the city.
I left New Street Station at two o'clock in the morning--cold, wet, andcheerless--and at half-past four was in the Midland Hotel at Sheffield,sleepy and fagged.
The night-porter knew nothing of Sir Mark Edwards' address; therefore Ihad to wait until eight o'clock, when some more intelligent member ofthe hotel staff came on duty.
Everyone of whom I inquired, however, seemed ignorant; hence I took acab and drove to the great works of the firm--a huge, grimy place, withsmoky chimneys and heaps of slag, an establishment employing severalthousand hands, and one of the largest, if not the largest, inHallamshire. Here I was informed that Sir Mark resided thirty milesdistant, at Alverton Hall, close to the edge of Bulwell Common, famedfor its golf links.
Therefore at ten o'clock I took train there, and, finding a fly at thestation, drove direct to the Hall to face and denounce the man who wasan accomplice of assassins, if not the assassin himself, and a bold,defiant impostor.
The fly, after traversing a country road for a mile or so, suddenlyentered the lodge-gates and proceeded up a splendid avenue of high bareelms, until we drew up at the entrance to a fine old Elizabethanmansion, the door of which was thrown open by a liveried man-servant.
I held my breath for a second. My chase had been a long and stern one.
Then I inquired for the honoured and distinguished guest--who I hadalready ascertained at the works in Sheffield was supposed to be stayingthere--and was ushered with great ceremony into the wide, old-fashionedhall.
At last the impostor was near his unmasking. At last I would be able toprove to the world who killed Professor Greer!
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
SEVERAL REVELATIONS.
Alverton Hall, a noble old mansion, had been purchased by the Sheffieldsteel magnate Sir Mark Edwards some ten years before. In addition, Iheard that he owned a beautiful place in Glamorganshire and rented agreat deer-forest in Scotland. He was one of England's manufacturingprinces, whose generosity to charitable institutes and to the city ofSheffield was well known, and whose daughter had, only a year ago,married into the peerage.
A short, bluff, bald-headed old fellow, he spoke quickly, almostsnappishly, when I was ushered into his presence in a small,cosily-furnished room that looked out upon a fine old-world terrace,with a Jacobean garden beyond.
"It is true that I'm expecting Professor Greer on a visit here," hesaid, with a broad Hallamshire accent, in reply to my question. "Who,may I ask, are you?"
I explained that I was an intimate friend who desired to see himimmediately upon very important business, and that I had come down fromLondon for that purpose.
"Well," replied the short, active little man, "I expected him yesterday,and cannot think why he has not arrived."
"You have had some important business dealings with him, Sir Mark, I seefrom yesterday's paper?"
"Yes, very important. He made a statement in Birmingham explaining hisdiscovery."
"I suppose it is a most important one?"
"Most important. It opens up a new era in the British steel trade andplaces us in the foremost rank. At this moment no other steel in theworld can compete with that from our Meersbrook Works, thanks to theProfessor."
"You've known him a long time, I presume?"
"I've not known him personally very long," was Sir Mark's reply. "He isa man who has kept himself very much to himself. But, of course, as youknow, his reputation is worldwide. He is bringing with him his agent,Mr. Kirk."
"His agent!" I echoed, astounded. "You know him?"
"Of course. I've had several dealings with him. He was with us inVienna a week or so ago."
"And was Greer there also?"
"Of course," replied the steel manufacturer. "The contract was arrangedthere."
"And who else was with him?"
"No one to my knowledge--except an English lady who lived at theContinental in the Praterstrasse, while we were at the Grand. Sheseemed to be a friend of the Professor, for one evening he introduced meto her. By the way, her name was very similar to yours, I think--Holworth or Holford."
"That was in Vienna?" I gasped.
"Yes. He introduced me in Leidinger's restaurant, in theKarntnerstrasse."
"And the lady--what was she like? Young or old?" I inquiredbreathlessly.
"Young," was his answer.
And, proceeding, he gave me a perfect description of Mabel!
"What was her attitude towards the Professor?"
"She appeared to be most eager to protect him from any suspicion offraud. She seemed to regard me with some misgivings--I know not why.Indeed, the reason of her being in Vienna and mixed up in the businessstruck me as altogether remarkable, for, truth to tell, I prefer not todeal with the fair sex in matters of pure business. I'm a plain man,"he added, with a strong burr in his voice, "and I believe always instraightforward dealing, whether it be in paying a workman a day's wageor carrying out a Government contract."
"This is all very interesting to me, Sir Mark," I said, without,however, telling him that the lady in question was my lost wife. "Youappear not to have approved of the lady's connection with the sale ofthe patent?"
"I didn't, I frankly tell you," he said. "I told Kirk my mind quiteplainly, but he assured me that the lady was a great friend of theProfessor."
I bit my lip savagely. How was it that Mabel, my dear, beloved wife,had allied herself with that pair of adventurers? What could have beenthe story told to her to induce her to become the catspaw of men of thatstamp?
It was on the tip of my tongue to tell the great steel magnate that hehad purchased a secret which did not belong to the seller, and that the"Professor Greer" he knew was not the real discoverer. But I hesitated.Before I spoke I would unmask this impostor and his "agent," KershawKirk.
A word from me to this shrewd, hard-headed man of business, and the twowould, I felt assured, find themselves in the hands of the police.
Yes, I now held the trump card. At any moment the pair might drive upto pay their promised visit to Sir Mark. And when they did, what anawkward surprise would await them!
I laughed within myself when I realised how innocently they would fallinto my vengeful hands.
So communicative and pleasant was
the bald-headed man that I went onestep further, daring to ask:
"I presume the price your firm paid for the secret of the new processwas a substantial one?"
"A very large one," he replied. "A big sum down, as well as a handsomeroyalty. This must be the second fortune which Greer has made. He hasreceived a lot of money for his process of hardening armour-plates. TheAdmiralty use only plates hardened by the Greer process, for here, as inmany other things, England is still ahead of Germany."
"Have you ever been to the Professor's house in London?" I asked.
"Never. He has, however, invited me to dine there next week."
"Next week!" I cried. "Then, of course, you'll go? You'll probablyfind Kershaw Kirk there."
"Yes," he laughed; "most probably. He's a strange man--isn't he?--andmost influential."
"He's certainly strange, but as regards his influence, I know nothing,"was my quick reply.
"Why, my dear sir, his influence is enormous! He can go direct toquarters where we are entirely debarred!" declared my companion, as Isat back in the chair listening to these revelations.
"How? I don't follow you."
"Well," he declared, "to me, the reason of Kirk's influence is acomplete mystery, but it has been conclusively proved more than oncethat he has the _entree_ to the highest quarters, and the ear of theauthorities."
I laughed.
"I suppose he has misled you into the belief that he has, Sir Mark.He's a boaster--like many other men of his stamp."
"He's a boaster and a trifle eccentric, I admit. Yet I have myself hadexperience of his undoubted influence. He's in some position of greattrust."
"There, I fear, I must differ, Sir Mark. I happen to know him well, andI think one day ere long you'll discover that his powers are merelyimaginary."
The short, bald-headed man shrugged his shoulders dubiously, whereat, inorder not to go contrary to his opinion, I turned our conversation intoa different channel. I had already learned much of interest, but much,too, that had caused me a twinge of despair.
We spoke of other things, and apparently impressed by the fact that Iwas eager to meet Greer, he invited me to wait until he and Kirkarrived.
"But they may not be coming, after all," I said. "They may have changedtheir minds."
"I think that hardly probable," Sir Mark replied. "They have beendelayed, though I've ascertained that they left Birmingham to comedirect here."
I told him nothing of my visit to Alderman Pooley, but my only fear wasthat, with the report of the bogus Professor's speech appearing in thepapers, the impostor had become alarmed and again made himself scarce.To me it appeared much as though he and his accomplices had neverintended the announcement to get into the papers. Indeed, even Sir Markhad expressed himself surprised at reading the report, understandingthat the meeting was a purely private one of the learned society whichhad invited him to lecture.
I smoked a cigar with the affable little man, and then he left me, beingcalled to the telephone. When he re-entered the room, he said:
"I've been speaking to the Professor. It seems that he's at home, athis house in London. He was recalled suddenly by telegram, and nothaving been home since his return from the Continent he was compelled toobey the summons. He promises to come here next Monday."
My heart sank once more within me. The truth was just as I had feared!The report of his speech in the papers had alarmed him, and he was nodoubt on his way abroad again, having netted a goodly sum from Messrs.Edwards and Sutton for a secret filched from the unfortunate man who hadbeen assassinated.
"Then I'll go back to London at once," I announced; and, withoutbetraying my anxiety to my bald-headed friend, who had been so cleverlyvictimised, I bade him adieu, and an hour later left Bulwell for London.
In the grey March afternoon I alighted from a hansom before thatwell-remembered door of the Professor's house in Sussex Place. I didnot for one moment believe him to be there. He had, of course, escapedlong ago. In Edinburgh and in Glasgow I had been close at his heels, asI had also been in Birmingham, yet he had always cleverly evaded me.
To my amazement my ring was answered by Antonio--sleek, smiling, yet asevil-faced as ever!
"Is your master at home?" I asked sharply, for I certainly had notexpected to meet the man who had escaped to Italy, and who hadafterwards threatened me.
"No, signore," was his bland reply. "He is out at present."
"Then he--he's at home again?"
"Yes, signore. He returned unexpectedly yesterday."
"And Miss Ethelwynn?"
"The signorina is still at Broadstairs; we expect her up to-morrow."
"And my wife, Antonio--where is she?" I inquired, looking him straightin the face.
"Ah, how can I tell, Signor Holford? Have I not already told you that Iam entirely ignorant of her whereabouts?" And he exhibited his bonypalms.
"You have been with your master in Hungary or in Roumania, I hear?"
"Certainly! Why not?" he said, as we stood within the wide hall. "Butthe Signor Kirk is upstairs in the study. Perhaps you will care to seehim? I believe he has been trying to telephone to you at Chiswick."
I started in eager anticipation.
"Of course, I'll see Mr. Kirk," I said.
And endeavouring to steady my nerves and control my temper, I mountedthe thickly-carpeted stairs to the room I so well remembered.
The point which puzzled me was whether I should now boldly accuse Kirkof duplicity and fraud. If I did, I feared that, to the bogusProfessor, he might give the alarm, and that he would again slip throughmy fingers.
On my way to the study I resolved upon a purely diplomatic course. Iwould not let Kirk know of my visits to Birmingham and Sheffield, oreven that I had noticed the report of the Professor's announcement.
For a second I held my breath. Then I turned the handle of the door andboldly entered.
"Why, my dear Holford," cried Kirk, jumping up from the writing-chairand grasping my hand as though delighted at my visit, "I've been tryingto get on to you at your garage three times this morning, but yourpeople have been engaged. You must be pretty busy down there--eh?"
The thin-faced man was, indeed, a perfect actor.
"I called to see Antonio," I said. "I heard he had returned."
"Then it is fortunate--most fortunate," he said. "I am awaiting thereturn of someone who is very desirous indeed of making youracquaintance. It was for that reason that I've been trying to ring youup."
My lips parted in an incredulous smile. So the impostor was anxious tomeet me--doubly anxious, no doubt, because he was aware that I knew thetruth of poor Greer's death.
Yes, I would meet and unmask him.
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
"NO TRUMPS."
In the failing London light, as Kirk rose and stood near the window, hiscountenance was even more sinister and more mysterious than ever. Abouthis lips played that enigmatical, sarcastic smile which so tantalisedand irritated me. Here was a man who had actually deceived thehard-headed Sheffield magnate into a belief that he possessed power andinfluence, while, in reality, he was only a clever adventurer.
"Sit down, Holford," he said, in a cheery voice, inviting me to a bigleather arm-chair. "The time has come when it is very necessary for youand me to arrive at some clear and definite understanding."
"Yes," I cried, "I agree with you. Have I not asked you all along for aclear statement of facts? Have I not urged you to tell me where I canfind my wife?"
"You have," he said, leaning against the big, old-fashioned mahoganytable piled with books and scientific periodicals. "But until thepresent I have been unable to satisfy you. Even now I am still in agreat measure in the dark as to the--well, the unfortunate occurrence,shall we call it?--which took place in this house."
"But you have, I understand, been acting in concert with the man whocalls himself Greer?" I remarked. "You've been with him abroad!"
"I don't deny that. Why sh
ould I?"
I shrugged my shoulders impatiently. His evasion was always cunning,always well-contrived.
"When you first brought me here," I said, "it was to obtain myassistance to discover who killed Professor Greer, and--"
"And you made a promise which you did not keep!" he interrupted. "HenceI have been unable to keep faith with you. Is not that quite feasible?"
"My wife's disappearance is the point which most concerns me," I said."The other matter is, to me, of secondary importance. If you cared todivulge, you could tell me my wife's whereabouts. I happen to know thatshe has been in Vienna, staying at the Hotel Continental, and she hasbeen seen in your company, Mr. Kirk."
"Now that's really quite smart of you!" he laughed, with a patronisingair, his grey face changing slightly, I thought. "I wonder how you cameto know that?"
"The source of my information does not matter," I said sharply."Suffice it that it is a reliable one."
"Well," he laughed, "since that evening when you sat with me in BedfordPark I've been compelled to be active, and I've discovered quite anumber of things which at that time I never dreamed--facts that haveamazed me, as they will, before long, amaze