My feelings towards him were very far from being friendly after what I had heard of his treatment of his daughter, but I was anxious to send Perkins and the wagonette home, and the opportunity was a good one.
I alighted and sent a message to Sir Henry that I should walk over in time for dinner. Then I followed Frankland into his dining-room.
`It is a great day for me, sir - one of the red-letter days of my life,' he cried with many chuckles. `I have brought off a double event.
I mean to teach them in these parts that law is law, and that there is a man here who does not fear to invoke it. I have established a right of way through the centre of old Middleton's park, slap across it, sir, within a hundred yards of his own front door. What do you think of that? We'll teach these magnates that they cannot ride roughshod over the rights of the commoners, confound them! And I've closed the wood where the Fernworthy folk used to picnic. These infernal people seem to think that there are no rights of property, and that they can swarm where they like with their papers and their bottles. Both cases decided Dr. Watson, and both in my favour. I haven't had such a day since I had Sir John Morland for trespass because he shot in his own warren.'
`How on earth did you do that?'
`Look it up in the books, sir. It will repay reading - Frankland v. Morland, Court of Queen's Bench. It cost me 200 pounds, but I got my verdict.'
`Did it do you any good?'
`None, sir, none. I am proud to say that I had no interest in the matter. I act entirely from a sense of public duty. I have no doubt, for example, that the Fernworthy people will burn me in effigy to-night.
I told the police last time they did it that they should stop these disgraceful exhibitions. The County Constabulary is in a scandalous state, sir, and it has not afforded me the protection to which I am entitled. The case of Frankland v. Regina will bring the matter before the attention of the public. I told them that they would have occasion to regret their treatment of me, and already my words have come true.'
`How so?' I asked.
The old man put on a very knowing expression.
`Because I could tell them what they are dying to know; but nothing would induce me to help the rascals in any way.'
I had been casting round for some excuse by which I could get away from his gossip, but now I began to wish to hear more of it. I had seen enough of the contrary nature of the old sinner to understand that any strong sign of interest would be the surest way to stop his confidences.
`Some poaching case, no doubt?' said I with an indifferent manner.
`Ha, ha, my boy, a very much more important matter than that!
What about the convict on the moor?'
I stared. `You don't mean that you know where he is?' said I.
`I may not know exactly where he is, but I am quite sure that I could help the police to lay their hands on him. Has it never struck you that the way to catch that man was to find out where he got his food and so trace it to him?'
He certainly seemed to be getting uncomfortably near the truth.
`No doubt,' said I; `but how do you know that he is anywhere upon the moor?'
`I know it because I have seen with my own eyes the messenger who takes him his food.'
My heart sank for Barrymore. It was a serious thing to be in the power of this spiteful old busybody. But his next remark took a weight from my mind.
`You'll be surprised to hear that his food is taken to him by a child. I see him every day through my telescope upon the roof. He passes along the same path at the same hour, and to whom should he be going except to the convict?'
Here was luck indeed! And yet I suppressed all appearance of interest.
A child! Barrymore had said that our unknown was supplied by a boy. It was on his track, and not upon the convict's, that Frankland had stumbled.
If I could get his knowledge it might save me a long and weary hunt. But incredulity and indifference were evidently my strongest cards.
`I should say that it was much more likely that it was the son of one of the moorland shepherds taking out his father's dinner.'
The least appearance of opposition struck fire out of the old autocrat. His eyes looked malignantly at me, and his gray whiskers bristled like those of an angry cat.
`Indeed, sir!' said he, pointing out over the wide-stretching moor. `Do you see that Black Tor over yonder? Well, do you see the low hill beyond with the thornbush upon it? It is the stoniest part of the whole moor. Is that a place where a shepherd would be likely to take his station? Your suggestion, sir, is a most absurd one.'
I meekly answered that I had spoken without knowing all the facts.
My submission pleased him and led him to further confidences.
`You may be sure, sir, that I have very good grounds before Icome to an opinion. I have seen the boy again and again with his bundle.
Every day, and sometimes twice a day, I have been able - but wait a moment, Dr. Watson. Do my eyes deceive me, or is there at the present moment something moving upon that hillside?'
It was several miles off, but I could distinctly see a small dark dot against the dull green and gray.
`Come, sir, come!' cried Frankland, rushing upstairs. `You will see with your own eyes and judge for yourself.'
The telescope, a formidable instrument mounted upon a tripod, stood upon the flat leads of the house. Frankland clapped his eye to it and gave a cry of satisfaction.
`Quick, Dr. Watson, quick, before he passes over the hill!'
There he was, sure enough, a small urchin with a little bundle upon his shoulder, toiling slowly up the hill. When he reached the crest I saw the ragged uncouth figure outlined for an instant against the cold blue sky. He looked round him with a furtive and stealthy air, as one who dreads pursuit. Then he vanished over the hill.
`Well! Am I right?'
`Certainly, there is a boy who seems to have some secret errand.'
`And what the errand is even a county constable could guess. But not one word shall they have from me, and I bind you to secrecy also, Dr.
Watson. Not a word! You understand!'
`Just as you wish.'
