It was thought, therefore, that both Allen and Deede Dawson might
have been concerned in that affair, that Deede Dawson had managed
to secure the greater share of the booty, and that Allen, on the
night when Rupert found him breaking into Bittermeads, was
endeavouring to get hold of the silver for himself.
But the actual facts are not likely now ever to be known, for from
that day to this nothing has been heard of Allen. His old haunts
know him no more, and to his record, carefully preserved at Scotland
Yard, there have been no recent additions.
One theory is that Deede Dawson, finding him troublesome, took
effectual steps to dispose of him. Another is that Deede Dawson
got him away by either bribes or threats, and that, not knowing
of Deede Dawson's death, he does not venture to return.
In any case, he was a commonplace criminal, and his fate is of
little interest to any one but himself.
It was Walter for whom the police hunted with diligence and effort,
but with a total lack of success, so that they began to think at
the end of three months that he must somehow have succeeded in
making his way out of the country.
During the first portion of this time Rupert had been very busy
with a great many things that needed his attention. And then Lord
Chobham, his health affected by the crimes and treachery of a
kinsman whom he had known and trusted as he had known and trusted
Walter, was attacked by acute bronchitis which affected his heart
and carried him off within the week.
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