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I had determined to tell this little man every circumstance which might lead to Kaffar's discovery, especially those which happened in Yorkshire. It seemed my only resource, and I felt, that somehow something would come of it. I therefore briefly related what I have written in this story. "That man who mesmerized you is very clever," said the professor quietly, when I had finished.
Only ten days were wanting to Christmas Eve, and I knew no more of Kaffar's whereabouts than I did on the day when I defied Voltaire and started on my search. Again reports from the detectives came, and still no news. No doubt, by this, Voltaire was gloating over his victory, while I was nearly mad with despair. Only ten days! I must do something.
"Is that all, Tom?" I said at length. "This morning, as I told you, he arranged for Kaffar's luggage to be sent to Egypt, while he himself is preparing to depart." "Where is he going?" "To London." "And Miss Forrest?" "She, I hope, will stay with us for some time. But, Justin, can you really give no explanation of these things? Surely you must be able to?" "I cannot, Tom.
Oh, spare him for my sake!" I need not enter into the further explanations she made, nor how she pleaded for mercy for him, for they were painful to all. And did I spare him? Yes; on condition that he left England, never to return again, besides stipulating for Kaffar's safety. He left the house soon after, and we all felt a sense of relief when he had gone, save Miss Staggles, or rather Mrs.
I thought I made a forward step at Dover, for, on inquiring at an hotel there, I found that a man answering to Kaffar's description had engaged a bedroom for one night, and had gone on to Calais by the midday boat, in time to catch the express for Paris. "Did this gentleman have any luggage?" I asked. The hotel proprietor did not think the gentleman carried any luggage, but he would inquire.
In the light of the moon I saw a knife red with blood, and my hand, too, was also discoloured. "What does this mean?" cried Voltaire. "I do not know. I am dazed bewildered." "But that is Kaffar's knife. I know he had it this very evening. Where is Kaffar now?" "Is it true?" I remember saying. "Have we been together?" "That's his knife, at any rate. And what is this?"
Temple found me?" "It's a lie!" he cried; "Kaffar was never seen." "Well, then, if you are so sure, give me in charge. It will not be very much opposed to my wishes, for by so doing you will set the whole machinery of the law of England on Kaffar's trail, and I promise you it will find him.
In this town, where almost every nationality was to be seen, no notice would be taken of him. A thousand men answering to Kaffar's description might be seen every day. Still I did all I could, and then hurried on to Cairo. I have not tried to give any detailed account of my journeys, nor of the alternate feelings of hope and despair that possessed me.
The lodging-house keeper had kept his word, and Kaffar would be safe. It was become intensely real, intensely exciting! Five hours to wait five hours! Only those who have felt as I did can know what they meant. At twelve o'clock I sent Simon to the station, while I went to the lodging-house to await Kaffar's arrival. "Mr. Kaffar will have supper, I suppose?" I said to the proprietor of the house.
I found on entering the breakfast-room that my presence caused no surprise, neither did any of the guests regard me suspiciously. It had gone abroad that I had gone out to find Kaffar, but was unable to do so; and as Voltaire had publicly spoken of Kaffar's luggage being sent to Cairo, there was, to them, no mystery regarding him.
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