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"Allow me to remark," interpolated Brett, "that your telegrams were admirably terse and to the point." "Thank you, sir. Many eminent judges have complimented me on my manner of giving evidence. And now to business. Capella took up his abode. According to your instructions I obtained a competent assistant, a native of Naples, and we both awaited Mr. Capella's arrival. Mr.
Hume, who glared at his host with uncompromising hostility, and had not taken any part in the conversation, shook his head. Brett surprised both, for different reasons, by readily falling in with Capella's suggestion. "A whisky and soda would be most grateful," he said. The Italian moved towards the bell. "Permit me!" cried Brett.
In each instance the address given to the driver was that of a well-known West End hotel. The detective's cab kept pace with Capella's through Old Broad Street, Queen Victoria Street, and along the Embankment. At the Mansion House, and again at Blackfriars, they halted side by side, and Winter noticed that his quarry was looking into space with sullen, vindictive eyes.
Capella's yielding to blackmail is the keystone of the arch. Every loose block fits at once into its proper place. The Japanese, Ooma, must have met Sir Alan and discussed this very question with him. The baronet must have unwittingly revealed the family secret, and the Jap was clever enough to perceive its value.
He actually brought Capella's man William his name is with him. I told them I had backed the first winner to-day, an eight to one chance, and that started them. I offered to put them on a certainty next week, and William's face fell.
"Nor do I; but the fact remains. Mr. Capella's decision to go to Naples is somehow bound up with it. Oh, dear! During the last two years a dozen or more girls have been happily married in this village without any one being killed, or running away, or dying of grief. Why should those things descend upon my poor little head?" "Perhaps you are mistaken.
Helen, like all well regulated young Englishwomen, quickly took a reasonable view of the problem. Already Capella's heroics and his wife's lamentations began to appear ridiculous. Margaret looked wistfully at both of them. "You do not understand why my husband has gone to Naples," she said slowly, seemingly revolving something in her mind. "I think I can guess his motive," said the barrister.
She was profoundly thankful that David Hume had come back to claim the hand of Helen Layton, the woman who had been the unwilling object of Capella's wayward affections. She would be only too glad to give half her property to the young couple if they would settle in New Zealand or Peru far from Beechcroft.
Capella's conduct reminded him of a spiteful child which deserved a sound spanking. He telegraphed to Hume to inform him of the fiery visitor who might be expected at the hotel that evening. Oddly enough, Helen, David, and the Rev. Mr. Layton, tempted by a marine excursion to Scarborough and back, left Whitby Harbour on a local steamer at 11 a.m., and were timed to return about 9 p.m.
The barrister, when he reached the landing, was confronted by the Italian. "A word with you, Mr. Brett," was the stiff greeting given to him. "Certainly. But I am going to Mrs. Capella's room." "She can wait. She does not know you are here. James, remain outside until Mr. Brett returns. Then conduct him to your mistress." Capella's tone admitted of no argument, nor was it necessary to protest.
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