Under the plane-tree I found a rickety garden seat, on which, being now very tired, I was glad enough to rest.
How long I remained there in solitude—hearing the distant roar of London and a confused movement and noise of voices from the street, in which I judged a crowd had now gathered—I know not. But, finally, I beheld the stalwart form of Lavender, his hands clasped behind him and his head bent as in deep thought, coming up the wet garden path between the straggling row of little fruit-trees. His aspect struck me as depressed.
‘Well, sir,’ he said, when he reached me, ‘I think we have done all we can for to-night. I have disposed of Mr. Marsigli, and I and my men have been pretty thoroughly through the house. Some of what I take to be the stolen jewels are there, and a certain amount of plate; but no letters or papers that I can discover.’
He took out his handkerchief and wiped his face.
‘This is strictly between ourselves, sir,’ he went on, ‘you understand of course?’
I assured him I did.
‘Then I think I may say that in my opinion you can make your mind easy as to the existence of a previous marriage. You remember the conversation we overheard? Her answer, you may have observed, was not a denial of the fact but of the existence of proof—a very different story. However, if we fail to find proofs nearer home it will be simple to take a run over to Paris. We shall have no difficulty with the prisoner. It is in his interest to give all the information he can, and he is sharp enough to know that. A rum customer, though, as I have ever had to deal with—one minute a mad savage and the next close on a fine gentleman. Trying cattle these foreigners, always springing some trick on you! He’ll have to swing for her, I expect—still she must have led him a pretty lively dance. Something to be said on both sides, sir, as in my experience there usually is.’
Much of the above was welcome hearing; yet the detective’s aspect remained depressed. Again he wiped his face.
‘And now I dare say you’ll not be sorry to be moving, sir,’ he remarked.
Then as I rose, stiff and weary, and walked beside him along the garden path, the real source of his trouble was disclosed.