Immagini della pagina
PDF
ePub

task of concocting the medicine was over, performed with that airy, laughing grace so becoming to him, there were two tumblers of the steaming beverage, one at either elbow, and Abel, as he moved his men, sipped at his glass, half unconsciously, until its contents disappeared.

Now, as he looked up, with the question, "Is that so?" upon his lips, his heightened ruddiness and a certain glitter of the eyes told that the unusual stimulus had affected him.

"Yes," said Dassel, glancing towards the door and finding it closed. Each involuntarily moved nearer across the table, Abel with his short, plump arms folded upon it, his visitor with one finger almost touching his sleeve, scanning the other's face.

poor-in debt. Your wife is unhappy. You have made her so by fooling away your hard earnings in lottery tickets. Let this be your lottery, in which, at last, you will be sure of the prize,enough to pay your debts and buy you a snug little home! enough to restore your wife's smiles and good temper! Winter is coming on; rents are high; I know it all. Look here! give me the clue, and you shall have this to-night!" -he took from his vest-pocket two bonds of five hundred dollars each, and held them before him on the table.

"What is it I am to give you for this?"

“You know, well enough, to what 1 refer,-a thousand dollars, cash down,— nothing can be easier."

Abel did know to what his compan

"I didn't never have no confidence in ion referred. There was a spot over his that St. Louis trip."

[blocks in formation]

"I've thought, for some time, Abel, that you knew more about this matter than you have disclosed. If so, I think it your duty to make it known. I have not been with the firm as long as you; yet, if I possessed facts with regard to a matter like this, I should feel bound to reveal them. I would like to know how your suspicions tally with mine. Bellows, I have observed you closely, and I know that you have found a clue to the robber. Give up that clue to me, allow me to prosecute this thing alone, and I will not only allow you all the advertised reward, but will add a thousand dollars of my own. Think of that,

Abel! two thousand dollars! You are

heart which burned with intense con sciousness. It appeared to him as if the keen blue eyes opposite could see, through his soiled vest, and all its wrappings of paper, the sleeve-button, with its green jewel flashing balefully. His whole breast seemed illuminated. He half expected the man to reach forth and grasp it. But, although the liquor he had taken increased the vividness of his feelings, it had not impaired his judgment. The doubts which had troubled him, the conflicting respect and suspicion, all merged in one sharp certainty, and he drew a breath which relieved him of weeks of suspense. Modest and deprecating as were his ordinary manners, he did not quail, now, before an inquisition which was truly terrible. The flash of their eyes met like the clashing of steel.

"Think of how much good this money will do you. The friend to whom you gave your note for a hundred dollars will be here to attach your furniture next week."

"Who told you that?"

"Your wife. No one else can make that thing which you have worth as much to you as I, Abel. A thousand dollars is quite a sum to a man situated as you are."

[blocks in formation]

thought it over. I could have had it, any day, since the first week of the murder."

A slight paleness increased over Dassel's face; there was hatred or some other ugly emotion in its pallor, but he conquered the feeling which had only betrayed itself in the clutch of his finger-nails into the flesh of his palm; a tremulous smile played about his mouth as he spoke as if he were asking some woman to be his wife

"Are we not friends, Bellows? I have relied on your friendship. I believed that you loved me, as I have you, and yours."

Abel's glance sank beneath the soft power of a look which few, of either sex, ever had resisted, and, wandering restlessly about the room, fell on the hobby-horse which had given Toddle such delight.

"I always liked you better'n any blood relation," he faltered, presently.

"Thank you, Abel. Then I cannot see how you can refuse me so small a favor, the first I ever asked of you!"

"Because," answered Abel, again recovering his self-possession, "this is a matter of conscience, Mr. Dassel. God knows I've been troubled in my mind about it! Murder is murder, sir, and nothing ought to excuse it. It makes me feel like a party to it, sir."

"That is all right, Abel; I see just how you are placed. But this case, it strikes me, admits of palliation. I have made up my mind that the robber had no intention of murder,—he was attacked by the watchman, and, under the influence of the instinct of self-preservation, killed him to save himself. How he came to be tempted to commit the robbery, who knows? Desperate circumstances-circumstances like yours, or worse-might have urged him upon it. I would not be any more merciful to him than you would. It is not a question of the robber's crime. It is a question of friendship between you and I, Abel. I want to prosecute this thing myself. In order to get it into my hands, I wish to get possession of that small article which the robber lost. I

offer you a thousand down for it, and all the reward promised by the firm." "You don't mean to say you will deliver up the guilty parties and secure the reward?"

[ocr errors]

Oh, but I do. Your suspicions are as far astray as wrongful to an innocent man. There is something to be explained which will be made clear when the time comes. Did you not know, Abel, that I, also, was a loser, to a small amount, by that robbery? that my desk was opened, and a little box taken from it containing several precious souvenirs of my foreign home-among other things, a pair of sleeve-buttons, of old-fashioned setting, but containing emeralds which were heirlooms in my family? Such was the case. My reason for not complaining was this: I believed that I could find the burglar by means of those jewels; they were too remarkable not to give a probability of their being traced. Since the robbery I have not allowed a day to pass in which I have not made exertions to find those emeralds. I have been to diamond-merchants and pawnbrokers. In short, I have found the other button, and by that means expect to convict the guilty party. I only ask you to give me that which you found, and to testify, when called into court, to the circumstances of the finding. In the meantime I give you a thousand dollars to relieve you from your present difficulties."

The porter stared blankly into the. face of the speaker. Astonishment too great to be otherwise than mute had possession of him. But, it had an effect upon him quite contrary to what his companion expected; instead of adding to his confusion it calmed his excitement; the fumes of the liquor cleared away from his brain; his sensibilities no longer were in the ascendant; his reason came into full play; the half shrewd, half-merry twinkle of the eyelid was gone; one might have thought that the porter had changed places with the man of the world, his glance grew so penetrating.

In the short silence which followed,

swift thoughts brought numerous matters before his mind, from which to make his selection. Was it possible that he had been accusing an innocent man, constantly, in his secret soul?misrepresenting his every action, giving a ghastly coloring to his most simple actions, shrinking from his proffered friendship, shuddering when his hand touched his laughing boy? How glad he would be, could he spring up, this moment, confess his suspicion, and beg the forgiveness of the man whom he had loved, even while he had condemned! How simple the solution, after all! And he had made himself such an unhappy fool about the matter! Now that Dassel had mentioned that the buttons had been taken from his desk, how the whole face of the case was altered! How thankful he was that he had taken no steps to accuse one who could so easily have proved himself innocent!

And yet! how curious that Dassel should offer him so large a sum of money for the missing button, instead of simply asking him if he had found it!

Guilt is almost sure to overreach itself. It betrays itself continually; as Dassel had remarked, in the story of Count Konisberg, "the Ancient Mariner is ever impelled to repeat the tale of his own crimes."

There was inconsistency in the manner which Dassel had taken to recover his sleeve-button. Abel could but see it, though his heart yearned to overlook it. Perhaps, too, in that long watch which he had kept over a suspected man, he had come upon other reasons for doubting him. As we have said, the porter was not the firmest of men; he trembled, now, inwardly, for soft and thrilling as was the regard of his friend, there was a subtle light behind it which pierced him like a threat; but he had considerable moral bravery, and his hand, which had moved towards his vest-pocket, withdrew itself, and he answered the other's proposition,—

"Give me twenty-four hours to think upon it, Mr. Dassel. Come here tomorrow night, and get my answer."

"I will not wait. A thousand dollars to-night or never."

66 Indeed, it is not with me; I have it away, for safe keeping."

This was a falsehood into which Abel was hurried by the other's manner; he blushed as he spoke it, for he was not accustomed to lie, and he felt that Dassel knew that he was lying.

Dassel stood up; Abel arose, alsó, pale with a dread that the angry man was about to spring upon him and choke him. He felt guilty, as if he had given his friend good reason to hate him,-even to attack him. He had refused to give up that which belonged to the other. At this moment, Mrs. Bellows came in.

"I declare, if you don't look like two prize-fighters," she laughed; "what ye been talking about,-politics?"

"Oh no, indeed, madam, I've been giving your husband a lesson in the art of making money."

"Which he needs, bad enough."

"Like the rest of us, I suppose. I have stayed late; I must be going. Tomorrow night, is it, then?"

"Yes," said Bellows, following him to the door, "I will get it for you tomorrow. Don't be offended, Mr. Dassel."

"Oh, as to that," with a light laugh, "we are friends or enemies. I love my friends and hate my enemies. Goodnight, Mrs. Bellows."

Abel arose, the next morning, more uneasy in mind than he had been since the first week of the robbery. Some instinct urged him not to go about with the fatal sleeve-button on his person. He could not tell himself whether he was afraid that it would be violently wrested from him, or whether he dreaded his own weakness which might be persuaded into giving it up. He always had kept it in the pocket of his vest.

"It is cold," he said to his wife; "I b'lieve I'll put on my winter-vest, Abbey," and he hung the one he had been wearing on a peg in his bedroom.

Still, he did not feel easy. He went back, took the troublesome button from its hiding-place, wrapped it in more paper, opened the clock and tucked it

away in that sacred repository of small treasures, where Mrs. Bellows kept Matthew's five-dollar gold-piece and her marriage certificate.

He did not meet Dassel that day; it was not his correspondence-day, and he did not come to the store. Abel felt relieved; but he shrank from the evening, for he had made up his mind to refuse to give up the button. When he reached home, tea was ready, and Abbey was looking unusually good-natured. A pair of handsome gilt china vases stood on the mantel-piece, and a new delaine dress-pattern lay on a chair.

"There was an old-clo'es man come along to-day," she said, in explanation. "I don't usually deal with them rascals; but this one give real good bargains. I got the dress and the vases, and what d'ye s'pose I give for them? nothin' but your old coat and that vest you threw by this mornin'."

66

"I wish you'd stop sellin' my gar-, ments till I give you leave,” burst forth Abel, adding the next moment, no harm done, though, Abbey,-you did make a real good bargain."

He laughed nervously, pretending to admire the dress-pattern, while the sweat stood on his forehead as he congratulated himself upon having removed "the silent witness" in time. He would have thought it a mere chance, that the old-clo'es man should have got that vest, had not the articles given been of more value than those received, quite the reverse of the usual way of doing that business;-guilt, again, overreaching itself. Why not have driven a hard bargain, and prevented suspicion?

[blocks in formation]

them,-had got upon its track. Neither conjecture was pleasant. He began to feel haunted, and to look about him, as he went his ways.

That evening Mr. Dassel did not come. Abel retired to-bed with a feeling of relief, and began to think that he had exaggerated the importance of late words and actions. This belief was strengthened when, the following day, he encountered Dassel on the pavement, not far from the store, and received the usual pleasant smile and word.

"Why, Abbey, your clock's half-anhour too slow," he exclaimed, that evening, coming home at dusk, and finding the supper not ready. "I never knew the old clock to play us such a trick before;-she's growin' lazy."

"Is it slow?" asked the wife, beginning to fly around the table. "Mr. Dassel he was in to-day, and said it was too fast. He stopped her a few minutes, and set her right by his watch."

Abel's heart was in his mouth.

"I never see such a handy person, for a brought-up gentleman, as he is," continued Mrs. Bellows; "he might pass for a right-down Connecticut Yankeehe can do any thing. Sech a tinker! He noticed the lock of the bureau-draw was broke, and offered to fix it. He's done it first-rate."

He scarcely heard what she said; he was at the clock, feeling in its dusty

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

1

The next day was Saturday. Mr. Dassel would be in, through the forenoon, writing up his foreign letters. He came, as usual; Abel, restless and miserable, made an excuse to approach him, replacing some light boxes near his desk.

Dassel sat at his work, calm, humming to himself a German drinkingsong, as his white, slender hand flashed over the paper, writing with ease and rapidity. A ray of sunlight came through the skylight, flashing upon something brilliant at his wrist, as he moved it. Abel saw the flash, and recognized the emerald-set sleeve-buttons. Dassel looked up at the same instant, meeting the troubled glance raised from the jewels to his face, with just the glimmer of a smile-triumph shining beneath indifference. Neither of them spoke; nor for several days thereafter were they brought in contact.

Abel Bellows grew thin and haggard under the perplexities of the position in which he was placed. Then, too, he had private troubles of a financial character, a note of a hundred dollars to be met, and nothing to meet it with; his wife soured and fretting over coming trouble, Mr. Dassel passing him with a haughty carelessness.

At last he resolved to do what he should have done at the first,-seek some member of the firm, and tell him, simply and fully, the whole story of the sleeve-button, leaving it to the firm to decide upon the facts and to act as they saw proper. Having come to this resolution, it was with a lighter step than usual that he trod the familiar way, and entered upon his duties in the store, about ten days after the affair of the clock. Alas for good resolutions, which came too late! Alas for Abel, and his wife, and his little ones! All the previous troubles of their lives were as nothing to the disaster which befel them that day.

being the person who had robbed the store and murdered the watchman. "Who accuses me? where are the proofs?" he cried, in his anguish.

"That you will know, at the examination. I assure you they are strong, or they would not have brought us to accuse you, Bellows."

This was said by Mr. Borden, and the reproach in his voice was a hard thing for the porter to hear. It caused a lump to rise in his throat which prevented farther attempts at self-defence, and he was led away to disgrace and imprisonment.

CHAPTER XII.

WILL SHE DO IT?

"GIRLS is so sweet," said Mrs. Grizzle, who, never having had a daughter, always had sighed for one. "I wish Sam would hurry up his cakes; I expected we'd have the fun of a weddin' before this. We'll do it up Brown when he does git married; we'll only have it to do once. I never seen Miss Bulbous look so pretty as she did just now. How'd you like her, Grizzle?"

"Oh, middlin'. She's good weight and fine grain; she's been well fed. But, I can't say but I fancy our neighbor more, or even Miss Bayles. Fact is, I like that latter. I feel to home with her. She allers puts me in mind of the grocery-store, and she a-coming in so modest with her little purse, hesitating over this and that, which was what she wanted, but so dear! It's pleasant to me to know that I allers gave her good measure and under price."

"Let you alone for that, Grizzle; the only wonder is, how you ever contrived to git rich, with your easy ways."

"Government contracts to blame for that, my dear; I couldn't help it. Miss Bayles is a gen'us though, isn't she? Did you notice how exact she got the When the gentlemen of the firm came smile in my eye, and them books on the to business that day, they came accom- table, with my hand on 'em? I told panied by police-officers, who took her to give me a literary turn, as the Abel, bewildered and stupefied by the portrait was for my descendants, and I shock, into custody, on the charge of didn't care about handin' down the

« IndietroContinua »