And again, out all day and in for the night?"
"You describe him exactly." Mrs. Benker peered into the clean-shaven face in a puzzled manner. "Your hair is black, your voice is changed, and only the eyes remain."
"My brother and I have eyes exactly the same.
I guessed your mistake when you spoke.
I assure you I am not my brother."
"Well, sir," said the woman, beginning to think she had made a mistake after all, "I will say your voice is not like his.
It was low and soft, while yours, if you'll excuse me mentioning it, is hard, and not at all what I'd call a love-voice."
Grim as Franklin was, he could not help laughing at this last remark.
"I quite understand. You only confirm what I say.
My brother has a beautiful voice, Mrs. Benker; and much harm he has done with it amongst your sex."
"He never harmed me," said Mrs. Benker, bridling. "I am a respectable woman and a widow with one son.
But your brother——"
"He's a blackguard," interrupted Franklin; "hand and glove with the very worst people in London.
You may be thankful he did not cut your throat or steal your furniture."
"Lord!" cried Mrs. Benker, astounded, "was he that dangerous?"
"He is so dangerous that he ought to be shut up.
And if I could lay hands on him I'd get the police to shut him up.
He's done no end of mischief.
Now I daresay he had a red cross dangling from his watch-chain."
"Yes, he had. What does it mean?"
"I can't tell you; but I'd give a good deal to know.
He has hinted to me that it is the sign of some criminal fraternity with which he is associated.
I never could learn what the object of the cross is.
He always kept quiet on that subject.
But I have not seen him for years, and then only when I was on a flying visit from Italy."
"Have you been to Italy, sir?"
"I live there," said Franklin, "at Florence.
I have lived there for over ten years, with an occasional visit to London.
If you still think that I am my brother, I can bring witnesses to prove——"
"Lord, sir, I don't want to prove nothing.
Now I look at you and hear your voice I do say as I made a mistake as I humbly beg your pardon for.
But you are so like Mr. Wilson——"
"I know, and I forgive you.
But why do you wish to find my brother?
He has been up to some rascality, I suppose?"
"He has, though what it is I know no more than a babe.
But they do say," added Mrs. Benker, sinking her voice, "as the police want him."
"I'm not at all astonished.
He has placed himself within the reach of the law a hundred times.
If the police come to me, I'll tell them what I have told you.
No one would be more pleased than I to see Walter laid by the heels."
"Is his name Walter?"
"Yes, Walter Franklin, although he chooses to call himself Wilson.
My name is George.
He is a blackguard."
"Oh, sir, your flesh and blood."
"He's no brother of mine," said Franklin, rising, with a snarl. "I hate the man.
He had traded on his resemblance to me to get money and do all manner of scoundrelly actions.
That was why I went to Italy.
It seems that I did wisely, for if I could not prove that I have been abroad these ten years, you would swear that I was Walter."