The Mystery of the Clasped Hands: A Novel

"Nearly a month," she answered, looking away as if she desired to avoid his eyes.

"And why did you not let me know that you were coming?" he asked, reproachfully. "You must surely remember that you promised to do so?"

"I did not like to trouble you," she replied, still in the same curiously hard voice. "You were not in London, and I thought you would be too busy to have time to spare for me."

"You know that is not true," he answered. "I should be a mean brute if I did not find time to look after my friends. Where are you living? In the old house?"

She paused for a moment before she replied. He noticed her embarrassment, but did not put the right construction upon it.

"Near the Tottenham Court Road," she said at last. "I don't think you would know the street if I told you."

"And your mother, how is she?"

He saw the look of pain which spread over her face, and noticed that her eyes filled with tears.

"My mother is dead!" she answered, very quietly. "She died in Naples two months ago."

"And you are alone in the world? My poor child! This will never do. You must let me help you if I can."

"No, no!" she cried, this time almost fiercely. "I do not require any help. I can support myself quite well."

"I shall have to be convinced of that before I let you go," he answered. "London is not the sort of place for a young girl to be alone in, particularly when one is a foreigner and poor."

"You were always kind to me," she replied, "but I can not let you do more. Besides you are going to be married. Is that not so?"

"It is quite true," he answered; "but how did you hear of it?"

She looked confused for a moment.

"I can not tell you," she replied. "Perhaps I saw it in the newspapers. You are famous, and they write about you. Now I must be getting home."

An empty cab happened to pass at that moment, and Godfrey hailed it.

"Get in," he said, when the vehicle had drawn up beside the pavement. "I am going to see you home. This is not the hour for you to be alone in the streets."

"No, no," she protested, even more vehemently than before. "I can not let you do this. I can walk quite well. It is not far, and I have often done it."

"Teresina, you must do as I tell you," said Godfrey, firmly. "I insist that you get in and that you give me your address."

She hesitated for a moment before she replied. Then she said:

"No. 16, Burford Street, off the Tottenham Court Road."

Having given the address to the driver, Godfrey took his place beside the girl. He was thankful, indeed, that he had met her, but the circumstances under which he had found her distressed him more than he was able to say. As they drove along he endeavoured to elicit some information from her concerning her present life. She was not communicative, however. That there was some mystery at the back of it all, he could see, and the more he thought of it, the more unhappy he became. Poor little Teresina! He remembered her as she was when she had first sat to him for the picture which had made his name; and as he looked out upon the falling snow and the miserable streets with the dark figures scurrying along the pavement on either hand, and thought of her future, his heart sank within him. He wondered whether he could persuade her to accept a sufficient sum of money from him to enable her to return to her own country and to live in comfort there? He was rich, and after all it was not only his duty but his pleasure to help an old friend. As she seemed so distressed at meeting him, he resolved to say nothing on the subject then, however; nevertheless, he was determined in his own mind that he would write to her on the morrow and make the offer, whether she accepted it or not. At last they came to a part of the Strand which was more brilliantly illuminated than elsewhere. As they came within the circle of the light, Teresina put up her hand to push back her hair, and Godfrey noticed that she wore a wedding-ring upon her third finger. This gave him food for reflection.

"Teresina," he said, "why did you not tell me that you were married? I thought you said you were alone in the world."

"My husband is dead," she answered, with what was almost a note of despair in her voice.

"Your husband dead, and your mother dead too?" he repeated, almost incredulously. "Teresina, my dear child, are you telling me the truth?"

"Why should you doubt me?" she cried. "You have no reason for doing so."

"Because I feel that you are hiding something from me," he said. "Is it any use my imploring you to confide in me? You know that I am your friend, and that I would help you to the best of my ability."

"I know you would," she answered. "You were always a good and kind friend to me. All I ask of you now, however, is to leave me alone. I am unhappy enough as it is. Do not seek to add to my misery."

"Heaven knows I have no desire to do that," said Godfrey. "But if you think I am going to leave you, as you are now, you are much mistaken. If you would only be brave and tell me everything, it might simplify matters."

"Impossible," she cried. "Have I not told you there is nothing to tell? Oh, why did I not go another way home!"

"Because it was to be," he answered. "You were in trouble, Providence sent me to help you. Believe me, that is the explanation."

A few moments later the cab turned from the Tottenham Court Road into a narrower and darker street. Half – way down this dingy thoroughfare it came to a standstill – before a house on the right-hand side. It was by no means a cheerful dwelling, and at that hour it was wrapped in complete darkness. They descended from the cab, and Godfrey, who had no desire that the cabman should overhear his conversation with Teresina, paid him off with a liberal largesse, and allowed him to go on his way rejoicing.

"Is it any use my again asking you to tell me your trouble?" he said to the girl beside him, when the vehicle had disappeared and a policeman had passed, after taking a long survey of them.

"Not in the least," she answered. "Please do not ask me."

"In that case, will you make me a promise, Teresina? If you will do so, I will ask no further questions for the present."

"What is it I am to promise?"

"That you will not leave this house without first letting me know whither you are going?"

"I will do that," she answered. "I will let you know when I leave this house."

"Here is my card then. You had better take care of it. A letter or telegram will always find me. And now good-night, my poor girl. Remember, I am your friend."

"Good-night, and may God bless you."

So saying, she disappeared into the house, while he, in his turn, after taking the bearing of the house, in case he should want to find it again, set off in the opposite direction to that by which he had entered the street.

Meanwhile Teresina, choking down her sobs, climbed the stairs to the room she occupied in that ramshackle tenement. Unlocking the door, she entered and started to cross the floor in search of a box of matches she remembered having left upon the chimney-piece. She had not advanced more than three steps, however, before she was seized by the throat from behind, while at the same time a keen-bladed knife was driven, as far as the handle, between her shoulders, only to be withdrawn and thrust in again and again, until she fell with a little gasp upon the floor.

When her assassin had made sure that she was dead, he lit the gas and knelt beside her for a few minutes. Then he rose, placed something in a box upon the table, turned off the gas once more, picked up the box, and went out, relocking the door behind him.

CHAPTER VI

After leaving Teresina, Godfrey made his way back to his hotel. As he strode along he meditated as to what he should do to help her. That the girl was in serious trouble, he had not the least doubt; but since she would not allow him to assist her in any form, what could he do?

He had been through a good deal that day, and by the time he reached his hotel he was quite worn out. The night porter who admitted him noticed his haggard appearance.

"You don't look very well, sir," he said, sympathetically; "is there anything I can do for you?"

"If you could manage to get me a brandy and soda, I should be very much obliged," Godfrey said, as he dropped into one of the seats in the hall.

"I will do so with pleasure, sir," the man replied, and disappeared at once in search of the refreshment, which he very soon brought back. Godfrey drank it off, and then announced his intention of proceeding at once to bed.

"Poor little Teresina!" he said to himself as he wound up his watch; "poor little girl, it seems a shame that she should suffer so!"

Little did he guess that at that moment Teresina's troubles were over, that she would never know sorrow or poverty again.

Next morning he returned to Detwich by an early train. Though he had only been absent from it a little more than twenty-four hours, it seemed to him that he had been away for years.

"You look tired out, Godfrey," said his mother, as they stood together in the hall.

"I did not have a very good night last night," he said, "and I had a hard day's running about yesterday. That is all. You needn't worry about me, mother; I'm as strong as a horse."

He went on to tell his mother of his meeting with Fensden, and informed her that the latter intended coming to stay with them next day.

"That will be very nice," she said. "You will enjoy having him. I shall put him up in the south wing in order that he may be near you. The wall-papers are more subdued there. I know, of old, how he notices these things."

"I don't think he will bother himself very much about wall-papers," said Godfrey, with a laugh. "He declares that he is so tired of travelling that the quiet of an English country house will brace him up again."

"I have no doubt it will," said the old lady: "I remember when your father took me to Paris for our honeymoon, the mere sound of the French language gave me a headache. I never hear it now without thinking of that time. And now tell me about Molly. Did she enjoy the play you took her to see?"

"Immensely," he replied. "She sent her love to you, and bade me tell you that she would be very pleased to come over to meet Fensden on Saturday. I only hope that she won't be knocked up by all this shopping."

His mother shook her head.

"I don't think you need have any fear on that score," she said. "When a girl is about to be married to the man of her heart, the collection of her trousseau becomes a labour of love. She will make a beautiful bride, worthy of my boy. I can't say more than that."

"You shouldn't say so much," said Godfrey. "If your boy were to believe all the compliments you pay him, he would become insufferably conceited. And now I must go round and see how things have been progressing in my absence."

The following morning witnessed Molly's arrival at the Hall. It was the first time she had stayed there since her engagement, and in consequence she was received with rapturous delight by her lover. Though they had only been parted for a day, they seemed to have a hundred things to tell each other. There were, moreover, certain important matters to be discussed connected with the internal arrangements of the house of which she was so soon to be mistress. I believe, so infatuated was the young man that, had she expressed a desire to have the whole fabric pulled down, and rebuilt in another fashion, he would have set about the work at once.

"You are quite sure there is nothing else you would like to have done?" he asked, when they had made the tour of inspection, and were approaching to the drawing-room once more.

"You have done too much already," she replied, looking affectionately at her lover. "I very much doubt if ever there was a girl so spoilt as I. You will have to make up for it by ruling me with a rod of iron afterward."

"God forbid that I should ever do that," he said seriously. "I hope I shall always be an indulgent husband to you."

"Not too indulgent," she said. "For my own sake, you must not be. I don't want to be like a spoilt child."

"You will never be that," he said. "To me you will always be the most – "

"Hush!" she said, holding up her finger in warning. "I think we must make it a rule to avoid every sort of compliment. I have had more than is good for me already."

"I shall find it difficult to obey you, but I will try," he returned. "And now come with me to the studio; I have one thing left to show you."

"What is that?"

"You must wait and see for yourself," he replied, and led the way through the conservatory to the room of which he had spoken. They found the easel covered with a cloth. This he drew aside.

"It is my present to you," he said, referring to the picture he had revealed, "to be hung in your own room."

"Oh, Godfrey, how good of you! What a splendid likeness!"

It was, in fact, a portrait of himself upon which he had been working hard ever since his engagement had been announced. He had intended it as a surprise, and in the pleasure he gave her, he felt that he had been amply repaid for the labour it had cost him.

"I shall treasure it all my life long," she said, and rewarded him in a manner that would have turned many folks green with envy.

"And now," she said, when she had gazed her full upon it, "I want you to show me a photograph of your friend, Mr. Fensden, if you have one. Remember I have no idea what he is like."

"That can very easily be remedied," he said. "I have a photo which was taken in Rome, and a small portrait that I painted myself."

So saying, he crossed the room to his writing-table, and, having opened a drawer, took from it a packet of cabinet photographs. They were, for the most part, likenesses of old friends, and when he had selected one of Victor from the number, he placed it before her.

"So that is Mr. Fensden?" she said, seating herself in what he called his business chair.

For some moments she studied it attentively. Then she replaced it on the writing-table.

"Well, now that you have seen the portrait, what do you think of him?" Godfrey asked, as he turned over some canvases on the other side of the room.

"I scarcely know what to say," she replied, slowly. "It is a refined face, a clever one, if you like; but, if I may be allowed to say what I think, there is something in it, I can not tell what, that I do not care about. I fancy the eyes are set a little too close together." Then she added more quickly: "I hope I have not offended you, dear. I should not have spoken so candidly."

"Why shouldn't you?" he inquired. "Perhaps, now you speak of it, the eyes are a little too close together. But you must wait until you have seen the man himself before you judge him. I assure you he can be a charming companion."

"I gathered as much from his photograph," she answered, taking it up and looking at it again, "At what time does he arrive to-day?"

"In time for afternoon tea," said Godfrey. "I am going to drive in to meet him."

Molly made a little moue; with the selfishness of love, she did not approve of Godfrey leaving her, if only for so short a time. And, if the truth be confessed, I fear she was a little jealous of the man who was to be responsible for his absence. It is not always that a sweetheart is any too well disposed toward her lover's bachelor friends. For some reason, Fensden's photograph had prejudiced her against him. She was resolved to be just; but she felt convinced in her own mind that she would never be able to say that she really liked or trusted the man. She did not tell Godfrey this.

In accordance with the arrangements he had made, that afternoon, at about three o'clock, Godfrey drove off to the station to meet his friend. He was looking forward to seeing him, if only that he might show him how great was the difference between the sketch the other had drawn of his future wife that night in the desert, and the reality. I fancy if England had been searched through that day, a happier young man than the master of Detwich would have been difficult to find. Yet, though he could not guess it, the climax of his life was only a few hours' distant.

As he drove along, he thought of Molly and the happiness that was to be his portion in the future. Then his thoughts turned to Teresina. While he had prospered in the world, she had lost what little happiness she had ever possessed. He determined to discuss her affairs with Fensden on the first available opportunity, when doubtless the latter would be able to suggest a way in which he might assist her. By the time he had arrived at this reflection, he had reached the station, and the groom was standing at the horse's head. Having placed the reins under the patent clip, he descended from the cart and went on to the platform. The station-master saluted him respectfully, and informed him that the train had already been signalled. Indeed, the words had scarcely left that functionary's lips before a whistle was heard in the cutting, and a moment later it came into view. As the train swept past him Godfrey caught a glimpse of the man he had come to meet, gathering together his travelling things, in a first-class carriage.

"How are you, my dear old fellow?" he cried, as he turned the handle of the door. "You don't know how glad I am to see you! I am afraid you have had a cold journey. Let me take some of your things."

Victor graciously permitted the other to assist him with his luggage, and then he himself descended from the carriage. They shook hands and afterward strolled in the direction of the gate. Victor was attired in a magnificent travelling ulster, and a neat deer-stalker's hat. An orange-coloured tie peeped from the opening under his beard, and his hands were as daintily gloved as a lady's. Altogether, as he walked down the platform, he presented as artistic a figure as Detwich had seen for a very long time.

"What have you been doing since I saw you?" Godfrey inquired as they took their places in the dog-cart.

"Repairing the ravages of time and Continental travel," Victor replied, somewhat ambiguously. Then he added politely: "I hope Miss Devereux is well?"

"Very well, indeed," said Godfrey, "and most anxious to see you. She has read your poems and has seen your portrait; all she requires now is to be introduced to the original."

"In that case I fear she will be disappointed," said Victor, with what was almost a sneer in his voice. "Since she is with you, I presume your mother and sister are at the Hall. Do they look forward to the idea of turning out?"

"They are a pair of foolish women who would do anything, or give up anything in order to make me happy," the other replied. "As a matter of fact, I don't know that they altogether mind. They both prefer London, and when they return from their travels, I believe it is their intention to take a flat and settle down somewhere in the neighbourhood of Kensington."

"While you are assimilating the bucolic virtues. Well, it's a pretty picture, and if I had fifteen thousand a year and a fine estate I might be tempted to do the same. As I haven't the money or the property I remain what I am."

"And that is?"

"A trifler," Victor replied, with unusual bitterness. "One who might have done and who did not – who dropped the substance in an attempt to grasp the shadow."

"Nonsense," said Godfrey, who did not like to hear his friend abuse himself in this fashion. "If you are going to talk like that I shall have to prescribe a long dose of country air."

Then, in an attempt to change the other's thoughts, he talked of their travels together, and of the curious characters they had met, which lasted until they had passed through the lodge gates and were well on their way across the park. Even in the sombreness of winter the place looked very beautiful, and Victor expressed himself delighted with it.

"I had no idea it was so fine," he said, as they swept round the drive and came into view of the house. "I can very well understand your liking for a country life when you possess an estate like this. Your uncle did you a kind action when he made you his heir."

"Nobody is more sensible of that fact than I am," Godfrey replied. "I only wish I could let the old fellow know how grateful I am. I often think that during his lifetime he was disappointed in me because I took to painting instead of becoming a country gentleman. I wonder what he would say if he could see me now? I don't know what you may think, but to my mind there are times when one likes to imagine that the dead are near us."

Victor gave a violent start, followed by a shiver.

"Good Heavens! What an idea!" he cried. Then, dropping back into his old cynical tone, he continued: "I am afraid that if your idea were possible our human affairs would become somewhat complicated. For my own part I am quite content that the matter should stand as it is."

As he finished speaking they drew up before the steps and the two men descended from the cart. The ladies were waiting in the hall to receive them.

"How do you do, Mr. Fensden?" said Mrs. Henderson, coming forward to meet him. "It is a long time since we have met, and you have been a great traveller in the meantime."

"Thanks to your son," said Victor as he took her hand. "How do you do, Miss Kitty? Events advance too quickly with all of us, but they seem to have taken giant strides with you."

"You mean that when last we met I was still on the other side of that line which is only crossed by a girl when she performs the mysterious operation called 'putting her hair up,'" answered that sharp-tongued young lady.

"Now, Victor," said Godfrey, when Kitty had been annihilated, "let me have the pleasure of introducing you to Miss Devereux."

The couple bowed to each other, and Victor offered her his congratulations.

"And now you must come and have your tea," said Mrs. Henderson, hospitably. "You must need it, I am sure, after your long journey."

"Or perhaps you would prefer something more substantial," put in Godfrey. "I noticed that you shivered as we came up the drive."

"I really think I should," said Victor. "After the warmth of the East our English winters are not to be trifled with."

Godfrey led the way to the dining-room and placed the spirit-stand before his friend.

"I don't think I have ever been so cold in my life before," said Victor, as he poured out an amount of brandy for himself that made Godfrey open his eyes in astonishment, for he had always looked upon the other as an exceedingly temperate man.

"Now, tell me, would you prefer to see your room first?" Godfrey inquired, when the other had tossed off his refreshment, "or shall we join the ladies?"

"Perhaps I had better make myself presentable first," Victor answered, glancing complacently at himself in the mirror above the chimney-piece.

Godfrey accordingly led the way to the room which had been set apart for his friend's use, and to which the latter's luggage had been conveyed. It was a pleasant apartment, looking out on what was called the Ladies' Garden, and thence across the park to a high and wooded hill. Victor went to the window and studied the prospect.

"You have a charming home," he said, with what was almost a sigh; "you are about to marry a beautiful girl; you have wealth, success, and everything else that can make life worth living, Godfrey. You should be a happy man."

"I am happy," Godfrey replied, "and, please God, I'll do my best to make others so. And that reminds me, Victor, I want to have a talk with you. Do you know that on Thursday night I met Teresina in the Strand?"

Victor had turned from the window, and was brushing his hair at the time. As he heard what Godfrey said, the brush fell from his hand upon the floor. As he picked it up and continued his toilet, he said in surprise:

"Teresina in London? Surely you must have been mistaken. I thought she was still in Naples?"

"She is in London," Godfrey repeated. "I could not have been mistaken, for I spoke to her."

"At what time did you see her?"

"Just about midnight," his friend replied.

"Are you aware that the signora is dead and that Teresina is married?"

"How should I be likely to?" said Victor. "You know that I have not seen her since I bade her good-bye in your studio before we went abroad. And so the pretty model is married? Well, I suppose the proper thing to say is that one hopes that she will be happy."