He himself cared nothing for wealth, but it was pleasant to know that his wife would not be deprived of the luxuries to which she had been accustomed.
The voyage was an uneventful one and when Southampton was reached they proceeded straight to London.
It was not till late the next morning that the news of Gaunt’s arrival became known, and when he drove to Bow Street Police Court, the streets were thronged with an enthusiastic crowd who gave him the reception that is generally accorded to a popular hero.
He surrendered himself to the police, and later in the day was brought before the magistrate.
The proceedings were over in a few minutes. Mr. Ruggles, K. C., rose and spoke a few sentences.
“My clients have instructed me to withdraw the case, and I do so without comment.”
Sir Richard Tester then rose.
“I should like my client to have an opportunity of stating on oath what really occurred, and how Marillier was killed.”
The magistrate agreed, and Gaunt went into the witness box. The story was soon told and when he was formally discharged, a cheer was raised in the court, and it was with the utmost difficulty that he made his way back to the car. During the afternoon he found out that the case brought by the Amanti Company against Davis had collapsed from lack of evidence, and so that worry disappeared.
A week later Lady Ethel was quietly married to Edward Drake, and they started for the south of France, where Gaunt and his wife were to meet them in the yacht.