Indeed, I am more moved by convictions than facts.
That Eleanore Leavenworth never committed this crime, I am assured.
That, on the other hand, the real perpetrator is known to her, I am equally certain; and that for some reason she considers it a sacred duty to shield the assassin, even at the risk of her own safety, follows as a matter of course from the facts.
Now, with such data, it cannot be a very difficult task for you or me to work out satisfactorily, to our own minds at least, who this person can be.
A little more knowledge of the family—”
“You know nothing of its secret history, then?”
“Nothing.”
“Do not even know whether either of these girls is engaged to be married?”
“I do not,” I returned, wincing at this direct expression of my own thoughts.
He remained a moment silent.
“Mr. Raymond,” he cried at last, “have you any idea of the disadvantages under which a detective labors?
For instance, now, you imagine I can insinuate myself into all sorts of society, perhaps; but you are mistaken.
Strange as it may appear, I have never by any possibility of means succeeded with one class of persons at all.
I cannot pass myself off for a gentleman.
Tailors and barbers are no good; I am always found out.”
He looked so dejected I could scarcely forbear smiling, notwithstanding my secret care and anxiety.
“I have even employed a French valet, who understood dancing and whiskers; but it was all of no avail.
The first gentleman I approached stared at me,—real gentleman, I mean, none of your American dandies,—and I had no stare to return; I had forgotten that emergency in my confabs with Pierre Catnille Marie Make-face.”
Amused, but a little discomposed by this sudden turn in the conversation, I looked at Mr. Gryce inquiringly.
“Now you, I dare say, have no trouble?
Was born one, perhaps.
Can even ask a lady to dance without blushing, eh?”
“Well,—” I commenced.
“Just so,” he replied; “now, I can’t.
I can enter a house, bow to the mistress of it, let her be as elegant as she will, so long as I have a writ of arrest in my hand, or some such professional matter upon my mind; but when it comes to visiting in kid gloves, raising a glass of champagne in response to a toast—and such like, I am absolutely good for nothing.” And he plunged his two hands into his hair, and looked dolefully at the head of the cane I carried in my hand. “But it is much the same with the whole of us.
When we are in want of a gentleman to work for us, we have to go outside of our profession.”
I began to see what he was driving at; but held my peace, vaguely conscious I was likely to prove a necessity to him, after all.
“Mr. Raymond,” he now said, almost abruptly; “do you know a gentleman by the name of Clavering residing at present at the Hoffman House?”
“Not that I am aware of.”
“He is very polished in his manners; would you mind making his acquaintance?”
I followed Mr. Gryce’s example, and stared at the chimney-piece.
“I cannot answer till I understand matters a little better,” I returned at length.
“There is not much to understand.
Mr. Henry Clavering, a gentleman and a man of the world, resides at the Hoffman House.
He is a stranger in town, without being strange; drives, walks, smokes, but never visits; looks at the ladies, but is never seen to bow to one.
In short, a person whom it is desirable to know; but whom, being a proud man, with something of the old-world prejudice against Yankee freedom and forwardness, I could no more approach in the way of acquaintance than I could the Emperor of Austria.”
“And you wish—”
“He would make a very agreeable companion for a rising young lawyer of good family and undoubted respectability.
I have no doubt, if you undertook to cultivate him, you would find him well worth the trouble.”
“But—”
“Might even desire to take him into familiar relations; to confide in him, and—”
“Mr. Gryce,” I hastily interrupted; “I can never consent to plot for any man’s friendship for the sake of betraying him to the police.”
“It is essential to your plans to make the acquaintance of Mr. Clavering,” he dryly replied.
“Oh!” I returned, a light breaking in upon me; “he has some connection with this case, then?”
Mr. Gryce smoothed his coat-sleeve thoughtfully.
“I don’t know as it will be necessary for you to betray him.
You wouldn’t object to being introduced to him?”
“No.”
“Nor, if you found him pleasant, to converse with him?”
“No.”