Sir William sighed. "I can soon get hold of that for you. Twenty minutes ought to do it."
He was as good as his word. In less than that time Luke was talking to the police officer in charge of the matter. "Yes, sir, I remember the details. I've got most of them written down here." He indicated the sheet that Luke was studying. "An inquest was held. Mr. Satcherverell was the coroner. Censure of the driver of the car."
"Did you ever get him?"
"No, sir."
"What make of car was it?"
"It seems pretty certain it was a Rolls - big car driven by a chauffeur. All witnesses unanimous on that point. Most people know a Rolls by sight."
"You didn't get the number?"
"No, unfortunately, nobody thought to look at it. There was a note of a Number FZX 4498, but it was the wrong number. A woman spotted it and mentioned it to another woman, who give it to me. I don't know whether the second woman got it wrong, but anyway it was no good."
Luke asked sharply, "How did you know it was no good?"
The young officer smiled. "FZX 4498 is the number of Lord Easterfield's car. That car was standing outside Boomington House at the time in question and the chauffeur was having tea. He had a perfect alibi, no question of his being concerned, and the car never left the building till 6:30, when his lordship came out."
"I see," said Luke.
"It's always the way, sir." The man sighed. "Half the witnesses have disappeared before a constable can get there and take down particulars." Sir William nodded. "We assumed it was probably a number not unlike that - FZX 4498 - a number beginning probably with two fours. We did our best, but could not trace any car. We investigated several likely numbers, but they could all give satisfactory accounts of themselves."
Sir William looked at Luke questioningly.
Luke shook his head. Sir William said, "Thanks, Bonner; that will do." When the man had gone out. Billy Bones looked inquiringly at his friend. "What's it all about, Fitz?"
Luke sighed. "It all tallies. Lavinia Fullerton was coming up to blow the gaff - to tell the clever people at Scotland Yard all about the wicked murderer. I don't know whether you'd have listened to her - probably not."
"We might," said Sir William. "Things do come through to us that way. Just hearsay and gossip. We don't neglect that sort of thing, I assure you."
"That's what the murderer thought. He wasn't going to risk it. He eliminated Lavinia Fullerton, and although one woman was sharp enough to spot his number, no one believed her."
Billy Bones sprang upright in his chair.
"You don't mean -"
"Yes, I do. I'll bet you anything you like it was Easterfield who ran her down. I don't know how he managed it. The chauffeur was away at tea. Somehow or other, I suppose, he sneaked the car away, putting on a chauffeur's coat and cap. But he did it, Billy!"
"Impossible!"
"Not at all. Lord Easterfield has committed at least seven murders to my certain knowledge, and probably a lot more."
"Impossible," said Sir William.
"My dear fellow, he practically boasted to me of it last night!"
"He's mad, then?"
"He's mad, all right, but he's a cunning devil. You'll have to go warily. Don't let him know we suspect him."
Billy Bones murmured, "Incredible."
Luke said, "But true!" He laid a hand on his friend's shoulder. "Look here. Billy old son; we must get right down to this. Here are the facts."
The two men talked long and earnestly.
On the following day, Luke returned to Wychwood. He drove down early in the morning. He could have returned the night before, but he felt a marked distaste for sleeping under Lord Easterfield's roof or accepting his hospitality under the circumstances.
On his way through Wychwood, he drew up his car at Miss Waynflete's house.
The maid who opened the door stared at him in astonishment, but showed him into the little dining room where Miss Waynflete was sitting at breakfast. She rose to receive him in some surprise.
He did not waste time. "I must apologize for breaking in on you at this hour." He looked round. The maid had left the room, shutting the door. "I'm going to ask you a question. Miss Waynflete. It's rather a personal one, but I think you will forgive me for asking it."
"Please ask me anything you like. I am quite sure your reason for doing so will be a good one."
"Thank you." He paused. "I want to know exactly why you broke off your engagement to Lord Easterfield all those years ago?"
She had not expected that. The color rose in her cheeks and one hand went to her breast. "Has he told you anything?"
Luke replied, "He told me there was something about a bird - a bird whose neck was wrung."
"He said that?" Her voice was wondering. "He admitted it? That's extraordinary!"
"Will you tell me, please?"
"Yes, I will tell you. But I beg that you will never speak of the matter to him - to Gordon. It is all past - all over and finished with. I don't want it - raked up." She looked at him appealingly.
Luke nodded. "It is only for my personal satisfaction," he said. "I shall not repeat what you tell me."
"Thank you." She had recovered her composure. Her voice was quite steady as she went on: "It was like this: I had a little canary. I was very fond of it, and, perhaps, rather silly about it - girls were, then. They were rather - well, coy about their pets. It must have been irritating to a man - I do realize that."
"Yes," said Luke, as she paused.
"Gordon was jealous of the bird. He said one day, quite ill-temperedly, 'I believe you prefer that bird to me.' And I, in the rather silly way girls went on in those days, laughed, and held it up on my finger, saying something like: 'Of course I love you, dicky bird, better than a great silly boy! Of course I do!' Then - oh, it was frightening - Gordon snatched the bird from me and wrung its neck. It was such a shock. I shall never forget it!" Her face had gone very pale.
"And so you broke off the engagement?" said Luke.
"Yes. I couldn't feel the same afterwards -" she hesitated - "it wasn't just the action - that might have been done in a fit of jealousy and temper - it was the awful feeling I had that he'd enjoyed doing it. It was that that frightened me!"
"Even long ago," murmured Luke. "Even in those days."
She laid a hand on his arm. "Mr. Fitzwilliam -"
He met the frightened appeal in her eyes with a grave, steady look. "It is Lord Easterfield who has committed all those murders," he said. "You've known that all along, haven't you?"
She shook her head with vigor. "Not known it! If I had known it, then - then, of course I would have spoken out. No, it was just a fear."
"And yet you never gave me a hint?"
She clasped her hands in a sudden anguish.
"How could I? How could I? I was fond of him once."
"Yes," said Luke gently. "I see."
She turned away, fumbled in her bag, and a small lace-edged handkerchief was pressed for a moment to her eyes. Then she turned back again, dry-eyed, dignified and composed.
"I am so glad," she said, "that Bridget has broken off her engagement. She is going to marry you instead, is she not?"
"Yes."
"That will be much more suitable," said Miss Waynflete rather primly. Luke was unable to help smiling a little. But Miss Waynflete's face grew grave and anxious.
She leaned forward and once more laid a hand on his arm. "But be very careful," she said. "Both of you must be very careful."
"You mean - with Lord Easterfield?"
"Yes. It would be better not to tell him."
Luke frowned. "I don't think either of us would like the idea of that."
"Oh, what does that matter? You don't seem to realize that he's mad - mad. He won't stand it - not for a moment! If anything happens to her -"
"Nothing shall happen to her!"
"Yes, I know, but do realize that you're not a match for him! He's so dreadfully cunning! Take her away at once; it's the only hope. Make her go abroad! You'd better both go abroad!"
Luke said slowly, "It might be as well if she went. I shall stay."
"I was afraid you would say that. But at any rate, send her away. At once, mind!"
Luke nodded slowly. "I think," he said, "that you're right."
"I know I'm right! Get her away - before it's too late."
Chapter 20
Bridget heard Luke drive up. She came out on the steps to meet him. She said, without preamble, "I've told him."
"What?" Luke was taken aback.
His dismay was so patent that Bridget noticed it. "Luke, what is it? You seem quite upset."
He said slowly, "I thought we agreed to wait until I came back."
"I know, but I thought it was better to get it over. He was making plans - for our marriage, our honeymoon - all that! I simply had to tell him!" She added - a touch of reproach in her voice - "It was the only decent thing to do."
He acknowledged it. "From your point of view, yes. Oh, yes, I see that."
"From every point of view, I should have thought!"
Luke said slowly, "There are times when one can't afford decency."
"Luke, what do you mean?"
He made an impatient gesture. "I can't tell you now and here. How did Easterfield take it?"
Bridget said slowly, "Extraordinarily well. Really, extraordinarily well. I felt ashamed. I believe, Luke, that I've underestimated Gordon, just because he's rather pompous and occasionally futile. I believe really he's rather - well a great little man."
Luke nodded. "Yes, possibly, he is a great man - in ways we haven't suspected. Look here, Bridget; you must get out of here as soon as possible."
"Naturally, I shall pack up my things and leave today. You might drive me up to town. I suppose we can't both go and stay at the Bells and Motley - that is, if the Ellsworthy contingent have left?"
Luke shook his head. "No, you'd better go back to London. I'll explain presently. In the meantime, I suppose I'd better see Easterfield."
"I suppose it's the thing to do. It's all rather beastly, isn't it? I feel such a rotten little gold digger."
Luke smiled at her. "It was a fair enough bargain. You'd have played straight with him. Anyway, it's no use lamenting over things that are past and done with. I'll go in and see Easterfield now."
He found Lord Easterfield striding up and down the drawing room. He was outwardly calm; there was even a slight smile on his lips. But Luke noticed that a pulse in his temple was beating furiously. He wheeled round as Luke entered. "Oh, there you are, Fitzwilliam."
Luke said, "It's no good my saying I'm sorry for what I've done. That would be hypocritical. I admit that from your point of view I've behaved badly and I've very little to say in defense. These things happen."
Lord Easterfield resumed his pacing.
"Quite - quite!" He waved a hand.
Luke went on. "Bridget and I have treated you shamefully. But there it is! We care for each other, and there's nothing to be done about it, except to tell you the truth and clear out."
Lord Easterfield stopped. He looked at Luke with his pale protuberant eyes. "No," he said, "there's nothing you can do about it." There was a very curious tone in his voice. He stood looking at Luke, gently shaking his head, as though in commiseration.
Luke said sharply, "What do you mean?"
"There's nothing you can do," said Lord Easterfield. "It's too late."
Luke took a step nearer him. "Tell me what you mean?"
Lord Easterfield said, unexpectedly, "Ask Honoria Waynflete. She'll understand. She knows what happens. She spoke to me about it once."
"What does she understand?"
Lord Easterfield said, "Evil doesn't go unpunished. There must be justice. I'm sorry, because I'm fond of Bridget. In a way, I'm sorry for you both."
Luke said, "Are you threatening us?"
Lord Easterfield seemed genuinely shocked. "No, no, my dear fellow. I've no feeling in the matter. When I did Bridget the honor to choose her as my wife, she accepted certain responsibilities. Now, she repudiates them, but there's no going back in this life. If you break laws, you pay the penalty."
Luke clenched both hands. He said, "You mean that something is going to happen to Bridget? Now, understand me, Easterfield; nothing is going to happen to Bridget, nor to me! If you attempt anything of that kind, it's the finish. You'd better be careful! I know a good deal about you!"
"It's nothing to do with me," said Lord Easterfield. "I'm only the instrument of a higher Power. What that Power decrees, happens."
"I see you believe that," said Luke.
"Because it's the truth! Anyone who goes against me pays the penalty. You and Bridget will be no exception."
Luke said, "That's where you're wrong. However long a run of luck may be, it breaks in the end. Yours is very near breaking now."
Lord Easterfield said gently, "My dear young man, you don't know who it is you're talking to. Nothing can touch me!"
"Can't it? We'll see. You'd better watch your step, Easterfield."
A little ripple of movement passed over the other. His voice had changed when he spoke. "I've been very patient," said Lord Easterfield. "Don't strain my patience too far. Get out of here."
"I'm going," said Luke, "as quick as I can. Remember that I've warned you."
He turned on his heel and went quickly out of the room. He ran upstairs. He found Bridget in her room, superintending the packing of her clothes by a housemaid.
