CHAPTER XXV.
Carden had barely finished his story regarding Hall when a telegram camefor Blount. It was a duplicate of one which had been delivered at thepolice office in Bow Street, as the double address proved, and had beensent to both places to prevent any possible delay in reaching the personfor whom it was intended.
This precaution to ensure promptness showed the importance of thecontents, and Blount being engaged in the hunt for "The Knifer," whom hebelieved to be somewhere on the other side of the city, Martin did nothesitate about opening the telegram. It was from Morgan and Doctor Foxwas more than satisfied with the interest exhibited by his patient.
"Draft was bought by the party and in the manner expected. Will be back with proof in a day or two."
Martin read the telegram aloud, and when he had finished they allunderstood the care and necessity for haste in its delivery. Hall mustonce more be placed under surveillance and Blount found without delay.
"O'Brien, you must get over to the Surrey side and find Blount! You,Fred, must go back to Hanley Hall and watch things there! I'm afraid thecase will not prove as clear against our man as Morgan seems to think.He's too slippery to be trapped so easily!"
Richard was himself again, and the doctor marvelled at the sudden changein his patient.
O'Brien started off at once, Carden remained only a few minutes longer,and ten minutes after the receipt of the telegram Martin and the doctorwere alone.
At the end of two hours O'Brien returned with Blount, who sharedMartin's opinion as to the incompleteness of the case against Hall.
"However, Morgan is not given to discovering mare's nests and may havemore than we imagine," said Blount. "And now I must leave you to keeptrack of Hall. I've just got through with Sanders. He admits getting thedraft from Jaggers, and Jaggers has already admitted stealing it fromHall; so the thing is pretty clear, if Morgan has been as successful asthat telegram would indicate. There's only the papers to recover, andJaggers says his friend 'The Knifer' has them, and when Sanders brokedown he let out that 'The Knifer' was probably living with a womanfriend of both in Leith, so I'm off for there."
Even as he spoke Blount was starting away, but stopped to add:
"Don't you think it would be better if O'Brien were to stay here and youshould go back to Hanley Hall? Mr. Hall has no reason to regard youother than as a friend after your action regarding the duel."
Martin did not like the idea, but consented to go back, not to HanleyHall itself but to the village. So far as avoiding Hall was concernedthis was useless, for when Carden called next morning Martin learnedthat Hall was also a guest at the inn.
"He was standing at his window as we came out," continued Carden as theystrolled along. "Of course he must have recognized you, although he didnot appear particularly interested. Hello! This is the very man comingafter us on the horse. Going to call on Kate, I suppose."
Hall passed a minute later, with a friendly nod which might be intendedfor either or both. He was evidently not interested about Martin or hismovements, and had more than enough to engage his thoughts elsewhere. Intwo days more he would be married and on the way to Australia andimmense wealth.
Something of this kind occurred to the two pedestrians as they watchedthe rapidly disappearing equestrian.
"Looks pretty happy," remarked Carden.
"Yes, but he is not married yet," returned the other with a grim smile,"There's a great many things liable to happen during the nextforty-eight hours."
A great many exciting things did occur in the last six hours of theensuing forty-eight, beginning with the arrival of Blount the nightbefore the day set for the wedding.
Martin, Carden and Doctor Fox were together when Blount entered.
"Well, the famous Martin matter is about closed and the Hall matterabout to open up!" he exclaimed, in a loud tone. "Here are your papers,Mr. Martin."