Speaker 1: The second customer and the amber beads. After the episode
of the Florentine Dagger, Hagar lost her high spirits. She
had sent Eustace away to make his fortune and to
discover impossible the lost air of Jacob Dix. By this
act of self denial, as it really was, she had
deprived herself of all pleasure. She had robbed herself of
what might have been a bright future. Consequently, she was
less cheerful than of yore. Nevertheless, she felt convinced that
Lorne loved her, and that he would earn her gratitude,
possibly her hand, by returning with Goliath at his heels.
When that event took place, she would recover at once
her spirits and her lover. But at present the business
of the pawn shop took up her undivided attention and
forced her to put away sad thoughts and melancholy concess Also,
Providence provided distraction for her dismal humors by sending her
a negress to pawn a necklace of amber beads. Although
Hagar did not know it at the time, this was
the beginning of a second and rather more serious adventure.
It was drawing tonight one August evening when the woman
made her appearance, and the atmosphere of the shop was
darker than usual, Still it was sufficiently light for Hagar
to see that her customer was a tall and bulky
negress arrayed in a gaudy yellow dress neutralized by trimmings
of black jet beading. As the evening was hot and close,
she wore neither cloak nor jacket, but displayed her somewhat
shapeless figure to the full in this decidedly startling costume.
Her hat was a garden of roses, red, white, and yet,
and she wore a large silver brooch like a shield,
an extensive necklace of silver coins, and many bangles of
the same metal on her black wrists. As a contrast
to these splendors, she wore no gloves, nor did she
hide her coal black face with a veil. Altogether, this
odd customer was the blackest and most fantastically dressed negress
that Hagar had ever seen, and in the dim light
she looked a striking but rather alarming figure. On Hagar.
Coming to the counter, this black woman produced out of
a silver clasp seal skin satchel a necklace, which she
handed silently to Hagar for inspection, as the light was
too imperfect to admit of a close examination. Hagar lighted
the gas, but when it flamed up, the negress, as
though unwilling to be seen too clearly in the searching glare,
stepped back hastily into the darkness. Hagar put this retrograde
movement down to the natural timidity of a person unaccustomed
to pawning, and took but little notice of it at
the time. Afterwards she had cause to remember it. The
necklace was a string of magnificent amber beads threaded on
a slender chain of gold. Each bead was as large
as the egg of a sparrow, and round the middle
of each single one there was a narrow belt of
tiny diamonds. The clasp at the back was of fine gold,
square in shape, and curiously wrought to the representation of
a hideous Ethiopian face with diamonds for eyes. This queer
piece of jewelry was unique of its kind, and, as
Hagar rapidly came, calculated of considerable value. Nevertheless, she offered,
according to custom, as low a sum as she well could.
I'll give five pounds on it, she said, returning to
the counter rather. To her surprise, the negress accepted with
a sharp nod, and then took out of her bag
a scrap of paper. On this was written laboriously Rosa
Marlbone Road. The name and address were so imperfect that
Hagar hesitated before making out the pawn ticket. Have you
no other name but Rosa? She asked sharply. The nigress
shook her head and kept well in the shadow, and
no more particular address than marlbone rode again. The black
woman made a negative sign whereat. Annoyed by these gestures,
Hagar grew angered. Can't you speak? She demanded, tartly, are
you dumb? At once the nigress nodded and laid a
finger on her lips. Hagar drew back. This woman was black,
she was dumb. She gave half a name, half an address,
and she wished to pawn a valuable and unique piece
of jewelry. The whole affair was queer, and, as Hagar considered,
might be rather dangerous. Perhaps this silent negress was disposing
of stolen goods, as the necklace seemed too fine for
her to possess. For the moment, Hagar was inclined to
refuse to do business, but a glance at the amber
beads decided her to make the bargain. She could get
it cheap, she was acting well within the legal limits
of business, and if the police did appear in the matter,
no blame could be attached to her for the transaction.
Biased by these considerations, Hagar made out the ticket in
the name of Rosa and took a clean new five
pound note out of the cash box. As she was
about to give ticket and money across the counter, she paused,
I'll take the number of this note, she thought, going
to the desk. If this negress can't be traced by
name or address, a bank note number will find her
if it is necessary. Deeming this precaution judicious, Hagar hastily
scribbled down the number of a five pound note, and,
returning to the counter, gave it and the ticket to
her queer customer. The negress stretched out her right hand
for them, and then Hagar made a discovery, which she
noted mentally as a mark of identification. If necessary. However,
she said nothing but tried to get a good look
at the woman's face. The customer, however, kept well in
the shadow and swept note and ticket into her bag hurriedly,
and she bowed and left the shop. Six days later,
haigh Are received a printed notice from New Scotland Yard
notifying to all pawnbrokers that the police were in search
of a necklace of amber beads, set with diamonds and
clasped with a negro's face wrought in gold. Notice of
its whereabouts was to be sent to the Detective department
without delay. Remembering her suspicions and recalling the persistent way
in which the negress had averted her face, Hagar was
not much surprised by this communication. Curious to know the
truth and to learn what crime might be attached to
the necklace, she wrote at once about the matter. Within
four hours a stranger presented himself to see the amber
beads and to question her concerning the woman who had
pawned the same. He was a fat little man with
a healthy red face and shrewd twinkling eyes. Introducing himself
as Luke Horval of the Detective Service, he asked Hagar
to relate the circumstances of the pawning. This the girl did,
frankly enough, but without communicating her own suspicions. At the
conclusion of her narrative, she displayed the amber beads, which
were carefully examined by mister Horval. Then he slapped his
knee and whistled in a thoughtful sort of way. I
guessed as much, said he, staring hard at Hagar. The
negress did it? Did what? Asked the girl curiously, why,
said Horval, murdered the old woman? Murder? The word had
a gruesome and cruel sound, which caused Hagar's cheek to
pale when it rang in her ears. She had connected
the amber beads with robbery, but scarcely with the taking
of life. The idea that she had been in the
company of a murder s gave Hagar a qualm, but
suppressing this as a weakness, she asked Horvald to tell
her the details of the crime and how it bore
on the pawning of the amber beads. It's just this way,
miss explained the detective easily. This Rosa is the nigger
girl of missus Areford. Is Rosa her real name? Oh? Yes,
I suppose she thought she might lose the beads if
she gave a wrong one. But the address ain't right.
It's the other end of London, as Missus Hareford lives,
or rather lived, added Horval, correcting himself seeing she now
occupies a kensal Green Grave, Campden Hill. Miss a sweet
little house in Bedford Gardens, where she lived with Rosa
and Miss Lyle. And who is miss Lyle the companion
of Missus Hareford, a dry stick of a spinster, miss
not to be compared with a fine girl like you.
Hagar did not deign to notice the compliment, but sharply
requested mister Horwall to continue his story, which he did,
in no wise abashed by her cold demeanor. It's just
this way, miss, said he again. The old lady, the
old maid, and the nigger Wench lived together in Bedford Gardens,
a kind of happy family, as one might say. Missus
Areford was the widder of a West Indian gent and
as rich as Solomon. She brought those amber beads from Jamaica,
and Rosa was always wanting them. Why the necklace was
very unsuitable to one of her condition. Twasn't exactly the
cost of it as she thought about, said Horvall, nursing
his chin. But it seems that the necklace is a
fetish or charm or lucky penny, as you might say,
to bring good fortune to the wearer. Missus Areford was
past wanting good luck, so hadn't no need for the beads.
Rosa asked her for them, just for the good luck
of them, as you might say. The old girl wouldn't part,
as she was as superstitious as Rosa herself over that necklace.
So in the end Rosa murdered her to get it.
How do you know she did, asked Hagar, doubtfully. How
do I know, echoed the detective, in surprise, because I
ain't a fool. Miss Last week, missus Areford was found
in her bed with a carving knight in her heart,
as dead as a door nail, and the beads were missing.
Miss Lyle she didn't know anything about it, and Rosa
swore she hadn't left her room. So you see, we
couldn't quite hit on who finished off missus Areford. But
now as I know Rosa pawned these beads, I'm sure
she did the job. What made you think that the
beads might have been pawned? Oh that was miss Lyle's idea.
A sharp old girl she is, miss She was very
fond of missus Areford, as she might well be, seeing
as the old lady was rich and kept her like
a princess. Often she heard Rosa ask for those beads.
So when missus Areford was killed and the beads missing,
she told me as she was sure Rosa had done
the trick. But the pawning, well, miss said Horball, scratching
his chin. It was just this way, miss Lyle said,
As how Rosa to get rid of the necklace until
the affair of the murder was blown over? Might pawn it?
I thought so too, so I sent a printed slip
to all the pop shops in London. You wrote that
the beads were here. So it seemed that Miss Lyle
was right. Evidently, by the way, who gets the money
of missus Areford A mister Frederick Jevins. He's a nephew
of miss Lyle's, a nephew of miss Lyle's, echoed Hagar
in surprise. And why did missus Areford leave her money
to him instead of to her relatives? Well it's just
this way, miss said Horvall, rising she hasn't got no relatives.
And as mister j Evans was a good looking young
chap always at the house to see his aunt. She
took a fancy to him and left the money his way.
You are sure that miss Lyle is no relation to
miss Areford. Quite sure she was only the old girl's companion.
Was missus Areford weak in the head? Not as I
ever heard of, said mister Horvall, with a stare. But
you can find out if you like, from miss Lyle.
Miss Lyle, how am I to say her? Why? Said
the detective, clapping on his hat, when you come to
see a rosa is the same nigger as pawn Bamberbid's
just leave some one to look after the shop, miss,
and come with me right away. With true feminine curiosity,
Hagar agreed at once to accompany the detective to Camden Hill.
The shop was delivered into the charge of Bulker, a
misshapen imp of sixteen, who for some months had been
the plague of Hagar's life. He had a long body
and long arms, short legs, and a short temper, and
also a most malignant eye, which indicated only too truly
his spiteful nature. Having given a few instructions to this
charming lad, Hagar departed with Horvall in the Omnibus and
arrived at Bedford Gardens early in the afternoon. The house
was a quaint, pretty cottage which stood in a delightful
garden once the solace of poor dead missus Areford's soul,
and was divided from the road by a tall fence
of iron railings, closed in with wooden planks painted a
dark green. A room into which the detective and Gipsy
were shown was a prim and rather cozy apartment, which
bore the impress of miss Lyle's old maidism in the
disposition of the furniture. When they were seated here and
were waiting for Miss Lyle, who had been advised of
their arrival, Hagar suddenly asked Horwall a leading question. Is
rosa dumb? She demanded, bless you, No, answered Horvall. It's true,
as she don't talk much, but she can use her
tongue in nigger fashion. Why do you ask? She said,
she was dumb when she pawned the beads. Oh that
was cut. She she was too cute to let her
voice betray her, replied Horrible, smiling. He had humor enough
to note Hagar's unconscious bull but as she was likely
to be useful to him in the conduct of the case.
He did not wish to anger her by remarking on it.
When Miss Lyle made her appearance, Hagar, after the manner
of women, took immediate note of her looks and manner.
The old maid was tall and lean and yellow, with
cold gray eyes and a thin lipped, hard tempered mouth
turned down at the curves. Her iron gray hair was
drawn tightly off her narrow forehead and screwed into a
hard looking knob. Behind. She wore a black stuffed gown,
somber and lustreless collar and cuffs of white linen, and
cloth slippers in which she glided noiselessly. All together an
unpromising hard woman, a sidel lated and narrow minded, who
looked disapprovingly on the rich beauty of Hagar and remarked
her graces with a jaundiced eye and a vinegary look.
The cough with which she ended her inspection showed that
she condemned the girl at first sight. Is this young
person necessary to your conduct of the case, said Miss Lyle,
addressing herself to Horval and ignoring Hagar altogether. Why yes,
miss replied Horval, on whom the antagonistic attitude of the
two women was not lost. She keeps the pawn shop
at which rose upon the beads. Miss Lyle gave a
start of virtuous horror, and her thin lips wreathed in
a viporous smile. The wretch did kill my poor friend,
then she said, in a soft and fluty voice. I
knew it. She pawned the amber beds, Miss Lyle. But
now don't say the wretch didn't kill my martyred friend,
snapped Miss Lyle, going to the bell rope. But we'll
have her in, and perhaps this young person will recognize
her as the viper who pawned the beads. It is
to be hoped, so said Hagar, very dryly, not approving
of being spoken at in the third person. But the
negress kept her face turned away, and I might not.
It is your duty to recognize her, exclaimed Miss Lyle,
addressing herself to the girl for wants. I am convinced
that Rosa is a dangerous criminal. Here she is the
black Jezebel. As the last word fell from her mouth,
the door opened and Rosa entered the room, whereat Hagar
uttered an exclamation of surprise. This negress was rather short
and more than a trifle stout. It is true that
she wore a yellow dress trimmed with black jet beating,
that silver ornaments were on her neck and wrists, also
that she was without the wonderful hat. Still, Hagar was
surprised and explained her ejaculation forthwith. That is not the
woman who pawned the beads, she declared, rising not the woman,
echoed Miss Lyle virulently. She must be. This is Rosa,
yez yez ay Rosa, said the negress, beginning to weep.
But I no kill my pooh. Dear missy dat one
big lie. Are you sure, amiss, that this is not
the woman, asked horval Roba. Dismayed, Hagar stepped forward and
looked sharply at the sobbing negress up and down, and
she glanced at the woman's hands and shook her head.
I am prepared to swear in a court of law
that this is not the woman, she said quietly. Rubbish rubbish,
cried Miss Lyle. Flushing. Rosa coveted the necklace, as it
was connected with some debased African superstition, and it one
old fetish interrupted Rosa. Her eyes sparkling fire at the
old maid and ol Missy. She did wish to gibbet me,
but you know, letter certainly not, said miss Lyle with dignity.
The necklace was not fit for you to wear, and
because I persuaded missus Areford not to give it to you,
you murdered her. You wretch down on your knees. Woman,
and confess I know, fess, exclaimed the terrified Negress. I know,
kill my missy. I no give dose amber beads for money.
If dose beads mine, I keep them day A mighty
big fetish for sure. One moment, said Horval, as Miss
Lyle was about to speak again. Let us conduct this
inquiry calmly and give the accused every chance, miss he said,
turning to Hagar. On what day, at what time was
it that the beads were pawned? Hagar calculated rapidly and
answered promptly. On the evening of the twenty third of August,
between six and seven o'clock, ah, exclaimed Miss Lyle joyfully.
And on that very evening Rosa was out and did
not return till nine. Me went to see Massa Jevins
for you, said Rosa vehemently, you send me, I send you.
Just listen to the creature's lies. Besides, mister Jevons's rooms
are in Duke Street, Saint James's, whereas it was at Lambeth.
You were, I know, go to that gemmen's house. You
send me to detrain Waterloo Waterloo, said Horoval, looking sharply
at Rosa. You were there, yeiz Massa me dear at
seven and eight in the neighborhood of Lambeth, murmured Horval.
She might have gone to the pawn shop after all,
of course she did, cried miss Lyle vindictively, and pawned
the amber beads of my poor dear friend. She did
nothing of the sort, interposed Hagar with spirit. Whosoever pawned
the beads, it was not this woman. Besides, how do
you know that Rosa killed missus Areford. She wanted the beads,
young woman, and she killed my friend to obtain them. No, no, dat,
one big lie. I am sure it is, said Hagar
her face aflame. I believe in your innocence Rosa, Mister Horval,
she added, turning to the detective, you can't arrest this
woman as you have no grounds to do so well.
If she didn't pawn those beads, she did not, I
tell you she did, cried Miss Lyle angrily. I believe
you are an accomplice of the creatures. What reply Hagar
would have made to this accusation, it is impossible to say,
for at this moment a young man walked into the room.
He was good looking in appearance and smart in dress,
but there was a haggard look about his face, which
betokened dissipation. This, said Miss Lyle, introducing him, is my nephew,
the heir to the property of my late dear friend.
He is resolved, as such air to find out and
punish the assassin of his benefactress. For my part, I
believe Rosa to be guilty, and I cried Hagar with energy,
believe her to be innocent. Let us hope she is,
said Jevons in a weary voice, as he removed his gloves.
I am tired of the whole affair. You are bound
to punish the guilty, said Miss Lyle in hard tones.
But not the innocent, retorted Hagar, rising, young woman, you
are insolent. Hagar looked Miss Lyle up and down in
the foolist manner. Then her eyes wandered to the well
dressed figure of Jevons, the heir. What she saw in
him to startle her? It is difficult to say, but
after a moment's inspection, she turned pale with suppressed emotion.
Stepping forward, she was about to speak, and checking herself. Suddenly,
she beckoned to Horval and advanced towards the door. My
errand here is fulfilled, she said quietly, mister Horval, perhaps
you will come with me, yes, and you can go also,
Rosa cried miss Lyle, angered by the insulting gaze of
the girl. I am mistress here in my nephew's house,
and I refuse to let a murderess remain under its roof.
Be content, said Hagar, pausing at the door. Rosa shall
come with me, and when you see us again with
mister Horball, you will then learn who killed missus Areford
and why? Insolent Hussy muttered Miss Lyle and closed the
door on Hagar, Horball and the black woman. The trio
walked away and shortly afterwards picked up an omnibus, in
which they returned to the Lambeth pawn shop. Hagar talked
earnestly to Horball the whole way, and from the close
attention which the detective paid to her, it would seem
that the conversation was of the deepest interest. Rosa, a
dejected heap of misery, sat with downcast eyes, and at
intervals wiped away the tears which ran down her black cheeks.
The poor negress, under suspicion as a thief and a murderess,
turned out of house and home, desolate and forsaken, was
rushed to the earth under the burden of her woes
on her the fetish necklace of amber beads had brought
a curse. On arriving at the shop, Hagar conducted Rosa
into the back parlor, and after a further conference, she
dismissed the detective. You can stay with me for a week,
she said to Rosa. And then what you do, oh,
said Hagar, with an agreeable smile, I shall take you
with me to denounce the assassin of your late mistress.
All that week, Rosa stayed in the domestic portion of
the pawn shop and made herself useful in cooking and cleaning.
Hagar questioned her closely concerning the events which had taken
place on the night of the murder in the house
at Bedford Gardens, and elicited certain information which gave her
great satisfaction. This she communicated to Horval when he one
day paid her a hurried visit. When in possession of
the facts, Horval looked at her with admiration, and on
taking his leave, he paid her a compliment. You ought
to be a man with that head of yours, he said.
You're too good to be a woman, and not bad
enough to be a man, retorted Hagar, laughing, be off
with you, mister Horroval, and let me know when you
want me up west. In four more days, Horoval again
made his appearance, this time in a state of the
greatest excitement. He was closeted with Hagar for over an hour,
and at its conclusion he departed in a great hurry.
Shortly after noon, Hagar resigned the shop into Bulker's charge,
put on hat and cloak, and ordered Rosa to come
with her. What the reason of this unexpected departure might be,
she did not inform the negress immediately, but before they
reached their destination, Rosa knew all and was much rejoiced.
Thereat Hagar took Rosa as far as Duke Street Saint James's,
and here at the door of a certain house, they
found the detective impatiently waiting for them. Well, mister Horvald, said, Hagar,
coming to a stop. Is he indoors safe and sound?
Replied Horvald, tapping his breast coat pocket, and I have
got you know what? Here? Shall we come up? Not immediately?
I wished to see him by myself. First, you remain
outside his door and enter with Rosa when I call you.
Mister Horval nodded with a full comprehension of what was
required of him, and the trio ascended the dark staircase.
They paused at a door on the second landing, then Hagar,
motioning to her companions that they should withdraw themselves into
the gloom wrapped lightly on the portal. Shortly afterwards, it
was opened by mister Frederick Jevins, who looked inquiringly at Hagar.
She turned her face towards the light which bell through
the murky staircase window whereat Recognizing her, he stepped back
in dismay. The pawn shop girl, he said, in astonishment,
what do you want? I wish to see you, replied
Hagar composedly. But it is just as well that our
conversation should be in private. Why you can have nothing
to say to me, but what the whole world might
hear after I have mentioned the object of my visit.
You may think differently, said Hagar, with some dryness. However,
we'll talk here if you wish no No, come in,
said Jevons, standing on one side. Since you insist upon privacy,
you shall have it this way. He showed her into
a large and rather badly furnished room. Evidently, mister Fred
Jevins had not been rich until he inherited the fortune
of missus Areford. I suppose you will be moving to
the Bedford Garden his house soon, said Hagar, sitting composedly
in a large armchair. Is that what you came to
speak to me about? Retorted Jevins rudely. Not exactly. Perhaps,
as you are impatient, we had better get to business. Business.
What business can I have to do with you? Why,
said Hagar quietly, and looking directly at him. The business
of those amber beads which you pawned, I stammered Jevins,
drawing back with a pale face, also added he Hagar solemnly,
the business which concerns the commission of a crime. A
a crime, gasped the wretched creature. Yes, the most terrible
of all crimes, murder. What what what do you you mean?
Hagar rose from her chair and, drawn to her full height,
stretched out an accusing arm towards the young man. What
I mean? You know well enough, she said sternly. I
mean that you murdered missus Areford. It's a lie, cried Jevins,
sinking into a chair for his legs, refused to support
him longer. It is not a lie, it is the truth.
I have evidence evidence. He started up with dry and
trembling lips. Yes, threw her influence over missus Areford. Your
aunt induced her to make you her heir. You are
fond of money, you are in debt, and you could
not wait until the old lady died in the course
of nature. On the night of the murder, you were
in the house. No, no, I swear you need not.
You are seen leaving the house to throw suspicion on Rosa.
You disguised yourself as a negress and came to pawn
the amberbid necklace at my shop. I recognized that the
supposed black woman was minus the little finger of the
right hand. You, mister Jevins, are mutilated in the same
way again. I paid you with a five pound note.
Of that note, I took the number. It has been
traced by the number, and you are the man who
paid it away. I saw Jevins jumped up, still white
and shaking. It's a lie, a lie, he said hoarsely.
I did not kill missus Areford. I did not pawn
the beads. I did. You did both those things, said Hagar,
brushing past him. I have two witnesses who can prove
what I say is true, Rosa, mister Horvall. She flung
the outside door wide open, while Jevins again sank into
the arm chair with an expression of horror on his
white face. Rosa Horval, he muttered, I am lost, Rosa.
And the detective entered quickly in response to Hagar's call,
and with her look down on the shrinking figure of
the accused man. These are my witnesses, said Hagar slowly. Rosa,
I saw dat man in the house when my missy died,
said the negress. I hear noise in the night. I
come down and I see Massa. Jevins run away from
the room of my missy, and missus lyle let him
out by the side door. He kill my pooh missy. Yes,
I tink dat you, hear, said Hagar to the terrified man. Now,
mister Horvall, I traced the five pound note you gave
me by its number, said the detective. Yes, he paid
it away at his club. I can bring a waiter
to prove it you, hear, said Hagar again. And I
know by the evidence of your lost finger, that you
are the man disguised as a negress who pawned the
necklace which was stolen from the person of Missus Areford
after you murdered her. The dead woman, as Rosa tells us,
wore that necklace night and day. Only with her death
could it have been removed. You murdered her, you stole
the necklace of amber beads. Jevin leaped up. No, no, no,
he cried loudly, striking his hands together in despair. I
am innocent, that said Horvall, slipping the handcuffs on his wrists.
You shall prove before a judge and jury. When Jevins,
still protesting his innocence, was removed to prison Hagar and
the negress returned to Carbi's Crescent. It can easily be
guessed how she had traced the crime home to Jevins.
She had noticed that the negress who pawned the beads
had no little finger. On being brought face to face
with Rosa, she had seen that the woman had not
lost the finger, and when Jevins had removed his gloves,
she had seen in his right hand the evidence that
he was one with the mysterious black woman of the pawnshop.
Still she was not certain, and it was only when
Rosa had deposed to the presence of the man at
midnight in the Bedford Garden's house, and when Horwall had
traced the five pound note of which she had taken
the number, that she was certain that Jevons was the murderer.
Hence the accusation, hence the arrest. But now the fact
of his guilt was clearly established. To obtain the wealth
of missus Areford, the wretched man had committed a crime.
To hide that crime and throw the blame on Rosa.
He had pawned the amber beads, and now the amberbids
were about to hang him. In the moment of his triumph.
When preparing to enjoy the fruits of his crime, Nemesis
had struck him down. The news of the arrest, the
story of the Amber beads, was in all the papers
next day, and next day also Miss Lyle came to
see Hagar. Pale and sterned. She swept into the shop
and looked at Hagar with a bitter smile. Girl, she said, harshly,
you have been our evil genius. I have been the
means of denouncing your accomplice. You mean, returned Hagar composedly,
my accomplice. No, my son, your son. Hagar recoiled with
a startled expression. Your son, Miss Lyle, not miss but missus.
Lyle returned the gaunt, pale woman, And Frederick Jevins is
my son by my first husband. You think he is guilty.
You are wrong, for he is innocent. You believe that
you will hang him. But I tell you, girl, he
will go free. Read this paper, she said, thrusting an
envelope into the hand of Hagar, and you will see
how you have been mistaken. I shall never see you
again in this life, but I leave my curse on you.
Before Hagar could collect her wits, Miss or rather missus Lyle,
as she called herself, went hurriedly out of the shop.
Her manner was so wild, her words so ominous of evil,
that Hagar had it on her mind to follow her
and impossible prevent the consequences of her despair. She hurried
to the door, but missus Lyle had disappeared, and as
there was no one to mind the shop, Hagar could
not go after her. Luckily, at this moment Horval turned
the corner, and at once the girl beckoned to him.
Miss Lyle, did you see her, yes, said Horval with
a nod. She's on her way across Westminster Bridge. Oh
follow her, follow her, quickly, cried Hagar wildly. She is
not herself. She is bent on some rash deed or
of all paused a moment in bewilderment, Then, grasping the situation,
he turned without a word and raced down the street
in the trail of miss Lyle. Hagar watched his hurrying
figure until it turned the corner, and she retreated to
the back parlor and hurriedly opened the envelope. On the
sheet of paper she found within the following confession was written,
I am not a spinster, but a widow began the
document abruptly. A twice married woman by my first husband,
I had Frederick Jevans, who passes as my nephew and
whom I love better than my own soul. When my
second husband, mister Lyle died, I cast about for some
means of employment as I was poor. Missus Areford advertised
for an unmarried woman as a companion. She absolutely refused
to have any companion in but a spinster. To get
the situation, which was a good one as missus Areford
was rich, I called myself miss Lyle and obtained the place.
Missus Areford had no relatives and much money, so I
schemed to obtain her wealth for my son, whom I
introduced as my nephew. Rosa, the Black Maid, had a
great deal of influence over her weak minded mistress, and
in some way I don't know how she fathomed my purpose.
It was a battle between us, as Rosa was determined
that I should not get the money of missus Areford
for my son. Finally I triumphed and Frederick was left
sole heir of all the old lady's wealth, and Rosa
learnt by eavesdropping the true relationship between myself and Frederick.
She told her mistress, and with missus Areford, I had
a stormy scene in which she declared her intention of
revoking her will and turning me and my son out
on the world as paupers. I begged, I implored, I threatened,
but missus Areford, backed up by that wicked Rosa was firm.
I sent for my son to try and soften the
old lady, but he was not in town and did
not come to see me till late at night. When
he arrived, I told him that I had killed missus Areford.
I did so to prevent her altering her will, and
out of love for my dear son, lest he should
lose the money. Frederick was horrified and rushed from the house.
I believe Rosa saw me let him out by the
side door. I was determined to throw the blame on Rosa,
as I hated her so, knowing that she coveted the
necklace of amber beads, I stole it from the neck
of the dead woman and gave it to my son
next day. I suggested that he should dress up as
Rosa and pawn the necklace, so that she might be
suspected to save me. He did so. I obtained a
dress that Rosa was fond of wearing, yellow silk trimmed
with black beads, also the jewelry of the creature. Frederick
blackened his face and pawned the beads in a pawn
shop at Lambeth. I sent Rosa on a pretended errand
to Waterloo Station at the time. Frederick was pawning the
beads so as to get evidence against her that she
was in the neighborhood. Then I suggested to Horrival, the detective,
that the beads might have been pawned. He found the shop,
and I thought my plot had succeeded that Rosa would
be condemned and hanged. Unfortunately, the woman who kept the
pawn shop was clever and traced Frederick by means of
his mutilated right hand. I hate her. Frederick is now
in prison on a charge of murder which he did
not commit. I am guilty. I killed missus Areford. Frederick
knows nothing. He helped me to save myself by trying
to throw the blame on Rosa all useless. I am guilty,
and I am determined that he shall not suffer for
my sin. Officers of the law. I command you to
release my son and arrest me. I am the murderess
of missus Areford. I swear it. Julia Lyle witnesses Amelia Tyke,
housemaid Mark Drew butler. Hagar let the document fall from
her hands with a sensation of pity for the wretched woman.
How she must love her son, thought the girl to
have murdered a kind and good woman for his sake.
It is terrible. Well, I suppose he will now be
released and will enter in to possession of the wealth
his mother schemed to obtain for him. But he must
do justice to Rosa for all the trouble he has
caused her. He must give her an annuity, and also
the necklace of amber beads, which has been the cause
of tracing the crime home to its doer. As for
Missus Lyle, at this moment, white and breathless, Horval rushed
into the parlor. Hagar sprang to her feet and looked
anxiously at him, expectant of bad news. She was right,
my girl, cried Horval hoarsely. Miss Lyle is dead dead, ah,
said Hagar to herself. I thought as much. She threw
herself over Westminster Bridge and has just been picked out
of the water. Dead, dead, said Hagar. Again, dead as
a door nail, replied the detective in a perplexed tone.
But why why did she commit suicide? Hagar's side and
in silence, handed to the detective the confession of the
dead woman, end of the second customer, and the amber beads.