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The two young men each ordered a cool hock-and-soda and lighted two very excellent cigarettes which came out of the pocket of extravagant George. Then they began to talk, and Harry opened the conversation with a question. 'George, he said, with a serious look on his usually merry face, 'were you on Southberry Heath on the night that poor devil was murdered?
But Dr Pendle remained constantly at his desk in the library, and although the plotter actually saw the cheque-book at the elbow of his proposed victim, he was unable, without any good reason, to pick it up and satisfy his curiosity. He was therefore obliged to defer any attempt to obtain it until the next day, as the bishop would probably leave it behind him when he rode over to Southberry.
'What did you tell her? questioned the old lady, with some impatience. 'That I was on Southberry Heath last night. 'What were you doing there? 'Seeing after that gipsy ring for Mab, explained George, pulling his moustache. 'I bought it of Mother Jael, and had to ride out to the camp to make the bargain.
This conduct, coupled with the fact of Jentham's allusion to Tom Tiddler's ground, and his snatch of extempore song, confirmed Cargrim in his suspicions that Pendle had visited London for the purpose of drawing out a large sum of money, and intended to pay the same over to Jentham that very night on Southberry Heath. With this in his mind it was no wonder that Cargrim preached a stirring sermon.
I spoke with her daughter, however. 'I trust you were not molested by that ruffian Jentham, who stays at The Derby Winner, said Cargrim, with hypocritical anxiety. 'Oh, no! he is away on Southberry Heath with his gipsy friends, I believe at least, Miss Mosk told me so. Good-night, Mr Cargrim, she added, evidently not anxious to prolong the conversation.
On that evidence, on the evidence of the pistol, on the evidence that Mosk was absent at Southberry on the night of the murder, I ask you to obtain a warrant and arrest the man this afternoon. 'I shall see a magistrate about it at once, fussed Tinkler, tearing up his now useless memoranda. 'Bill Mosk! Damme! Bill Mosk!
'I should think so; he finishes a bottle of brandy every day. 'Oh, Miss Mosk, how very dreadful! cried Miss Whichello, quite in the style of Daisy Norsham. 'Why is he staying in Beorminster? 'I don't know, but it's for no good, you may be sure. If he isn't here he's hob-nobbing with those gipsy wretches who have a camp on Southberry Common. Mother Jael and he are always together.
'How could he hear with the noise of the storm? You might as well ask if the bishop did; he was on Southberry Heath on that night. 'Oh, yes, but he heard nothing, dear lady; he told me so. 'You seem to be very interested in this murder, Mr Cargrim, said the little lady, with a keen look. 'Naturally, everyone in Beorminster is interested in it. I hope the criminal will be captured.
Afterwards Jentham, not being able to pay for his board and lodging at The Derby Winner, promised Mosk, the landlord, that he would discharge his bill shortly, as he expected the next week to receive much money. From whom he did not say, but while drunk he boasted that Southberry Heath was Tom Tiddler's ground, on which he could pick up gold and silver.
I shall return to-morrow night, and shall rest on Saturday until the evening, when I shall ride over to Southberry, attend at St Mark's, and return on Sunday night. 'Does not your lordship desire my attendance? asked Cargrim, although he knew that he was the morning preacher in the cathedral on Sunday. 'No, answered Dr Pendle, curtly, 'I shall go and return alone.
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