Three days after this, Adrian Herbert was disturbed at his easel by Mr. Brailsford, who entered the studio in an extraordinarily excited condition,
“Mr. Brailsford! I am very glad to — What is the matter?”
“Do you know anything of Magdalen? She is missing again.” Herbert assumed an air of concern. “Herbert: I appeal to you, if she has confided her plans to you, not to ruin her by a misplaced respect for her foolish secrets.”
“I assure you I am as much surprised as you. Why should you assume that I am in her confidence?”
“You were much in her company during your recent visits to us; and you are the sort man a young girl would confide any crazy project to. You and she have talked together a good deal.”
“Well, we have had two conversations within the last six weeks, both of which came about by accident. We were speaking of my affairs only. You know Miss Sutherland is a friend of hers. She is our leading topic.”
“This is very disappointing, Herbert. Confoundedly so.”
“It is unfortunate; and I am sorry I know nothing.”
“Yes, yes: I knew you were not likely to: it was mere clutching at a straw. Herbert, when I get that girl back, I’ll lock her up, and not let her out of her room until she leaves it to be married.”
“When did she go?”
“Last night. We did not miss her until this morning. She has gone to disgrace herself a second time at some blackguard country theatre or other. And yet she has always been treated with the greatest indulgence at home. She is not like other girls who do not know the value of a comfortable home. In the days when I fought the world as a man of letters, she had opportunities of learning the value of money.” Mr. Brailsford, as he spoke, moved about constantly; pulled at his collar as if it were a stock which needed to be straightened; and fidgeted with his gloves. “I am powerless,” he added. “I cannot obtain the slightest clue. There is nothing for it but to sit down and let my child go.”
“Are you aware,” said Herbert thoughtfully, “that she has been taking lessons in acting from a professor of music during the last few months?”
“No, sir, I certainly am not aware of it,” said Brailsford fiercely. “I beg your pardon, my dear Herbert; but she is a damned ungrateful girl; and her loss is a great trouble to me. I did not know; and she could not have done it if her mother had looked after her properly.”
“It is certainly the case. I was very much surprised myself when Miss Sutherland told me of it, especially as I happened to have some knowledge of the person whom Miss Brailsford employed.”
“Perhaps he knows. Who is he and where is he to be found?”
“His name is an odd one — Jack.”
“Jack? I have heard that name somewhere. Jack? My memory is a wreck. But we are losing time. You know his address, I hope.”
“I believe I have it here among some old letters. Excuse me whilst I search.”
Herbert went into the ante-room. Mr. Brailsford continued his nervous movements; bit his nails; and made a dab at the picture with his glove, smudging it. The discovery that he had wantonly done mischief sobered him a little; and presently Adrian returned with one of Jack’s letters.
Church street, Kensington,” he said. *Will you go there?”
“Instantly, Herbert, instantly. Will you come?”
“If you wish,” said Adrian, hesitating.
“Certainly. You must come. This is some low villain who has pocketed the child’s money, and persuaded her that she is a Mrs Siddons. I had lessons myself long ago from the great Young, who thought highly of me, though not more so than I did of him. Perhaps I am dragging you away from your work, my dear fellow.”
“It is too dark to work much today. In any case the matter is too serious to be sacrificed to my routine”
Quarter of an hour later, Mrs. Simpson’s maid knocked at the door of Jack’s garret, and informed him that two gentlemen were waiting in the drawing room to see him.
“What are they like?” said Jack “Are you sure they want me?”
“Certain sure,” said the girl “one of ‘em’s a nice young gentleman with a flaxy beard; and the other his father, I think. Ain’t he a dapper old toff, too!”
“Give me my boots; and tell them I shall be down presently.”
The maid then appeared to Mr. Brailsford and Adrian, saying, “Mr Jax’ll be down in a minnit,” and vanished. Soon after, Jack came in. In an instant Mr. Brailsford’s eyes lit up as if he saw through the whole plot; and he rose threateningly. Jack bade good morning ceremoniously to Herbert, who was observing with alarm the movements of his companion.
“You know me, I think, sir,” said Mr. Brailsford, threateningly.
“I remember you very well,” replied Jack grimly. “Be pleased to sit down.”
Herbert hastily offered Mr Brailsford a chair, pushing it against his calves just in time to interrupt an angry speech at the beginning. The three sat down.
We have called on you, Mr Jack,” said Adrian, in the hope that you can throw some light on a matter which is a source of great anxiety to Mr Brailsford. Miss Brailsford has disappeared”
“What!” cried Jack. “Run away again. Ha! ha! I expected as much.”
“Pray be calm,” said Herbert, as Mr Brailsford made a frantic gesture. “Allow me to speak, Mr Jack: I believe you have lately been in communication with the young lady.”
“I have been teaching her for the last four months, if that is what you mean.”
“Pray understand that we attach no blame to you in the matter. We merely wish to ascertain the whereabouts of Miss Brailsford: and we thought you might be able to assist us. If so, I feel sure you will not hesitate to give this gentleman all the information in your power.”
“You may reassure yourself,” said Jack.” She has got an engagement at some theatre and has gone to fulfill it. “She told me so a few days ago, when she came to break off her lessons.”
“We particularly wish to find out where she has gone to,” said Herbert slowly.
“You must find that out as best you can,” said Jack, looking attentively at him. She mentioned the place to me; but she asked me not to repeat it, and it is not my business to do so.”
“Herbert,” cried Mr. Brailsford, “Herbert.”
“Pray: remonstrated Adrian. “Just allow me one word—”
“Herbert,” persisted the other: “this is the fellow of whom I told you as we came along in the cab. He is her accomplice. You know you are,” he continued, turning to Jack, and raising his voice. “Do you still deny that you are her agent?”
Jack stared at him imperturbably.
“It is a conspiracy,” said Mr Brailsford. “It, has been a conspiracy from the first; and you are the prime mover in it. You shall not bully me, sir. I will make you speak.”
“There, there,” said Jack. “Take him away, Mr Herbert.”
Adrian stepped hastily between them, fearing that his companion would proceed to violence. Before another word could be spoken the door was opened by Mrs Simpson, who started and stopped short when she saw visitors in the room.
“I beg pardon — Why, it’s Mr Brailsford,” she added, reddening. “I