"Garret. I refused to give him any more money as he was squandering
all I had. He was acquainted with young Moxton, and knew how rich the
elder Moxton was. Edgar showed Garret a letter from his father, so
Garret forged the old man's signature on a bill. He accepted it
himself, and managed to get money on it. Of course, he thought that if
he were discovered I would buy back the bill at any price, so that he
would not be disgraced. He counted on my love for Hilda, you see."
"And how was the forgery discovered?"
"Old Moxton found it out just before he died. He passed the bill on to
Busham, as his lawyer, to take steps to arrest Garret. Busham did not
do anything at the moment. Then old Moxton died, and that same night
Busham brought the bill to Edgar at my music-hall."
"Ah! then in spite of his denial he met Edgar on that night?"
"Garret told me so," replied Schwartz. "I knew very little of Edgar
Moxton save that he was a bad man. Busham gave him the bill, for
Edgar, on hearing of his father's death, insisted upon having it."
"How did he know that the bill was in existence?"
"Busham told him about it, when Edgar inquired after the estates. He
did not care at all about his father's death. He wanted the money; and
although he was now rich he still wished for more. Janet Gordon had
told him how I looked after Garret on Hilda's account, and he knew, of
course, that the music-hall was my property. He then followed Garret
into my room where I was, and, showing him the bill, accused him of
the forgery. I saw him replace the bill in the red pocket-book and put
that in his pocket. Garret also saw in which pocket he placed it."
"What did Moxton want?"
"The music-hall. He had been drinking, and was also intoxicated by the
money that had come to him. He said that if I did not give him the
music-hall and make it over legally to him, he would have Garret
arrested."
"What did you do? How did you answer the scoundrel?" asked Ellis.
"I refused," replied Schwartz, with energy. "I had done much for
Garret, but even for Hilda's sake I could not beggar her and myself by
giving up my property. Garret insisted that I should save him at any
cost, but I said I could do nothing; and Moxton went away swearing
that he would have Garret arrested on the morrow."
"And Garret?"
"Finding that I would do nothing he rushed away distracted. What I now
tell you he told me afterwards. By accident he took my fur-lined coat
and put it on, leaving his own behind. Then he followed Edgar home in
the hope of robbing him of the bill while he was drunk. He saw
Zirknitz quarrel with Edgar on the Dukesfield platform and kept out of
the way. Then he followed Moxton when he left the station."
"Busham followed also?"
"Yes, but he did not let Garret see him. Busham wished to get back the
bill himself, as he wanted to keep all power in his own hands. That
was why he followed Edgar from the music-hall. On seeing Garret, he
wondered what he was after, and watched."