And not only had Ritson, in the interests of his client, the accused
man, financed Gowrie, but he had provided the money to procure a
special license for the solemnisation of the marriage. It must be
confessed that there was some difficulty over the procuring of this
latter, or at all events, after it had been procured. The clerk had
given the license readily enough, as he never thought that a hunted
man would seek to marry. But afterwards it crossed his mind that Angus
Herries was wanted by the police in connection with the "Marsh Inn"
murder, and he had forthwith informed Scotland Yard. But a description
of the man who had procured the license--it was Kind--led to nothing,
and as the license was given, it was probable that the marriage would
take place. The only thing to do was to keep a look-out throughout
England for the church where the ceremony was likely to be performed.
Inspector Trent was communicated with, and came up to London to make
personal enquiries, but he could learn nothing likely to trace the man
who had taken out the license. This was the more difficult, as Kind
had disguised himself to procure the same, But the fact remained that
Angus Herries, who stood in the shadow of the gallows, was so little
impressed by his terrible position that he intended to marry. Trent,
who was wanting in imagination, could not understand.
Gowrie had also interviewed Trent at Tarhaven, while Kind was getting
the license, and told a very straightforward story. He had been asleep
in the tap-room, he said, and had departed at seven in the morning
according to his intention, as told to the landlady on the previous
night. He had heard nothing, and had seen nothing, and would have come
forward before only he had been travelling in the midlands for the
last few weeks, and had not seen any paper likely to inform him that
he was being asked for. Having told all he knew, that is, all he chose
to appear to know, Mr. Gowrie left the Tarhaven police-office stating
that he would hold himself at the disposition of the police, and would
be found at any time at the "Marsh Inn," where he had again induced
Mrs. Narby to take him in. In the face of this plausible story,
Inspector Trent, whose intellect was none of the brightest, did not
see how he could arrest Gowrie, and the old reprobate won clear of a
rather difficult position.