“No, sir,” said Phil; “my friend did not get there until it was all over.”
“And he did not see Touron go away with the gun?”
“No,” said Phil; “but he saw the buggy far up the road, and he knew the French boy had the gun, because I told him so.”
Mr. Harrison smiled.
“I am afraid you cannot make out much of a case without witnesses,” he said, “and as I have heard of other troubles at your place in which Touron fared very badly, it would not do to begin proceedings with nothing to back them but your assertions. However, I will look into the matter further, but I will first mention that I have just heard from Mr. Markle, who is the Tourons’ lawyer, that he has received a despatch from New York, in which young Touron states that he was obliged to leave this town on account of a conspiracy against his safety; and also states that his father desires instant despatch in settling up this foreclosure business. As he is his father’s accredited agent, Mr. Markle feels bound to obey his instructions, and I see nothing to prevent the Hyson Hall property passing out of the hands of its present proprietors. I have investigated the matter thoroughly, and find there is quite a large sum due the holder of the mortgage. As there seems no money to pay this, nothing remains but to sell the place, since Touron is so determined to push matters.”
“I suppose all that will happen,” said Phil, mournfully, “unless I can soon find my uncle. But it is all stuff about a conspiracy against Emile Touron. He ran away because he was afraid I would inform against him.”
“That may be,” said Mr. Harrison; “but I don’t see how it is to be proved. Suppose we walk round to the place where he lodged and ask some questions there.”
Mr. Harrison and Phil went to the tavern, and were there informed by the proprietor himself that Mr. Touron had come in from a drive the evening before, had taken the horse and buggy to the place where they had been hired, and had then walked to the tavern and asked if supper was ready.
In reply to Mr. Harrison’s questions, the tavern-keeper said he was certain young Touron had no gun with him, because he would have been sure to notice it, and he also asserted that there was no gun in Touron’s room; because, having received a message from Mr. Markle, informing him that Touron had been obliged to leave town suddenly, and requesting him to take care of his effects, he had gone up to his lodger’s room and packed all his belongings into his valise, which he intended to keep until his bill was paid. There was no gun in the room.
Phil and Mr. Harrison then went down to the grocer’s house, and were there assured that no gun had been in the buggy when it was brought home the evening before.