Within was a roll of paper, which he unfolded, and laid on the table.
The feeling in the room was intense.
The light shone full on the writing, and the men leant forward to scan the words. It seemed almost as though the dead man was with them speaking from the tomb his awful accusation.
Watson read in a firm voice.
“To my son.”
“My dearest boy,
“If you ever read this I will have passed for ever from your sight. I have longed for you for years, and have bitterly repented the hasty action which drove you from my side, though at the time I thought I was acting for your ultimate good. I pray to God that you may be still alive, and may return to take your place here.
“I can write no more as to this as the time is short. A great menace hangs over me, and I feel that my life may be taken at any time. I will be brief.
“In my capacity of Home Secretary it was necessary for me to be acquainted with the most dreadful secrets of crime, and criminals.
“Among the most baffling problems of modern times has been the personality of a master criminal, a blackmailer, forger and rogue, whose diabolical cunning had eluded the police completely. Even his name and residence were entirely unknown, though he had gone under several aliases for blackmailing purposes. He seemed to know every shady secret in Society.”
“Webb or Atkins,” said Sinclair excitedly. “The man we have been trying to find for years.”
“Go on,” said Allery.
“Some few days ago I received a letter from Sylvester Collins, the Investigator, who was actually trying to find this criminal. Several of the highest in the land had been asking me to locate this man, as their lives were being made a misery by him. Collins promised to send a report on the matter. When I opened the letter he sent me, the whole world seemed to go round, and for minutes I could not collect my thoughts. Instead of the letter I had expected, there was a typewritten document to the Duke of ⸻ demanding instant payment of a very large sum, and in the case of refusal a threat that incriminating documents of the worst character would be sent to the Duchess.
“It was on perfectly plain paper, with no address, but giving careful instructions as to how the money was to be paid in Paris.
“Even then I did not grasp the full meaning of what I read. The note had come by hand, straight from Collins but within a few moments I received a letter by hand from the Duke, containing the note I was expecting from Collins, which, he said, had evidently been sent to him in error. There could be only one explanation, however improbable it appeared. The two letters had come from the same person.
“I went at once to the Duke, and in strict confidence told him of what had happened. He told me the whole dreadful story.
“This man Webb—Julian Webb—had been draining him like a cask.
“Of course, I could have called in the police, but such terrible issues were at stake, and the scandal would have been so profound, that I chose the other course.
“I knew the risk and counted the cost. I sent for Collins, and faced him with the letter, and the situation. He tried to bluff, and of course denied the whole thing. I told him quite plainly that if I put the matter into the hands of the police, as it was my duty to do, it would mean disgrace and a long term of penal servitude for him; but that I was willing to save a scandal, to let him leave the country after he had handed over the incriminating documents. I informed him that when he had gone I should place the whole thing in the hands of Scotland Yard. He asked me for a week to consider the matter, and make his arrangements.
“He is coming to see me to-morrow in Town, and has agreed to bring the documents with him.
“I feel that, to such a man, the disgrace and flight will not appeal, and my life is now in grave danger. I have promised, perhaps somewhat rashly, not to reveal anything till I have seen him, so I can take no steps, but I am writing this and hiding it where you only will know, and if you come back, you will know what has happened to your father.
“If all is well, I shall myself destroy this when this danger is past.
“I can write no more. If you should ever read this you will know how to act.
“Good-bye my boy, and think kindly of your father, who treated you harshly, but has always loved you.
“Look after Mabel. If I am dead it is my wish that she marry Eric, who is a good boy. I have been very selfish in this matter.
James Watson.”
Well, here it was at last.