Seeing that little Johnny Tompkins was safely out of the country, under injunctions to make a new man of himself, and to keep that new man, when made, at the Antipodes, I could not see anything indiscreet in touching on the matter in the course of conversation with Mrs. Hilary Musgrave. In point of fact, I was curious to find out what she knew, and supposing she knew, what she thought. So I mentioned little Johnny Tompkins.
"Oh, the little wretch!" cried Mrs. Hilary. "You know he came here two or three times? Anybody can impose on Hilary.""Happy woman I--I mean unhappy man, Mrs. Hilary.""And how much was it he stole?"
"Hard on a thousand," said I. "For a time, you know, he was quite a man of fashion.""Oh, I know. He came here in his own hansom, perfectly dressed, and--""Behaved all right, didn't he?"
"Yes. Of course there was a something."
"Or you wouldn't have been deceived!" said I, with a smile.
"I wasn't deceived," said Mrs. Hilary, an admirable flush appearing on her cheeks.
"That is to say, Hilary wouldn't."
"Oh, Hilary! Why didn't his employers prosecute him, Mr. Carter?"
"In the first place, he had that inestimable advantage in a career of dishonesty--respectable relations.""Well, but still--"
"His widowed mother was a trump, you know."
"Do you mean a good woman."
"Doubtless she was; but I mean a good card. However, there was another reason.""I can't see any," declared Mrs. Hilary.
"I'm going to surprise you," said I. "Hilary interceded for him.""Hilary?"
"You didn't know it? I thought not. Well, he did.""Why, he always pretended to want him to be convicted.""Cunning Hilary!" said I.
"He used to speak most strongly against him.""That was his guile," said I.
"Oh, but why in the world--?" she began; then she paused, and went on again: "It was nothing to do with Hilary.""Hilary went with me to see him, you know, while they had him under lock and key at the firm's offices.""Did he? I never heard that."
"And he was much impressed with his bearing.""Well, I suppose, Mr. Carter, that if he was really penitent--""Never saw a man less penitent," I interrupted. "He gloried in his crime; if I remember his exact expression, it was that the jam was jolly well worth the powder, and if they liked to send him to chokee they could and be--and suffer accordingly, you know.""And after that, Hilary--!"
"Oh, anybody can impose on Hilary, you know. Hilary only asked what the jam was.""It's a horrid expression, but I suppose it meant acting the part of a gentleman, didn't it?""Not entirely. According to what he told Hilary, Johnny was in love.""Oh, and he stole for some wretched--?"
"Now do be careful. What do you know about the lady?""The lady! I can imagine Johnny Tompkin's's ideal?""So can I, if you come to that."
"And she must have known his money wasn't his own.""Why must she?" I asked. "According to what he told Hilary, she didn't.""I don't believe it," said Mrs. Hilary, with decision.
"Hilary believed it!"
"Oh, Hilary!"
"But, then Hilary knew the girl."
"Hilary knew--! You mean to say Hilary knew--?
"No one better," said I composedly.
Mrs. Hilary rose to her feet. "Who was the creature?" she asked sharply.
"Come," I expostulated, "how would you like it if your young man had taken to theft and--""Oh, nonsense. Tell me her name, please, Mr. Carter.""Johnny told Hilary that just to see her and talk to her and sit by her side was 'worth all the money'--but then, to be sure, it was somebody else's money--and that he'd do it again to get what he had got over again. Then, I'm sorry to say, he swore.""And Hilary believed that stuff?"
