diff options
| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:31:02 -0700 |
|---|---|---|
| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:31:02 -0700 |
| commit | 84c497ae815a38a36d5ef76e5601d1fbc92342f9 (patch) | |
| tree | ba502222a9e9a6ea7cb604ee183fcd93da0cf321 /8155-h | |
Diffstat (limited to '8155-h')
| -rw-r--r-- | 8155-h/8155-h.htm | 15423 |
1 files changed, 15423 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/8155-h/8155-h.htm b/8155-h/8155-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..266e441 --- /dev/null +++ b/8155-h/8155-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,15423 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Colonel Thorndyke's Secret, by G. A. Henty. + </title> + +<style type="text/css"> + <!-- + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; text-align: justify; font-size: 80%; font-style: italic;} + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .xx-small {font-size: 60%;} + .x-small {font-size: 75%;} + .small {font-size: 85%;} + .large {font-size: 115%;} + .x-large {font-size: 130%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + .indent40 { margin-left: 40%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; right: 1%; font-size: 0.6em; + font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; + text-align: right; background-color: #FFFACD; + border: 1px solid; padding: 0.3em;text-indent: 0em;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 15%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + .head { float: left; font-size: 90%; width: 98%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 0.8 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + --> +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Colonel Thorndyke's Secret, by G. A. Henty + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Colonel Thorndyke's Secret + +Author: G. A. Henty + +Release Date: July 23, 2009 [EBook #8155] +Last Updated: March 11, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COLONEL THORNDYKE'S SECRET *** + + + + +Produced by Martin Robb, and David Widger + + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + COLONEL THORNDYKE'S SECRET + </h1> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h2> + By G. A. Henty. + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> PUBLISHER'S INTRODUCTION. </a><br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII. </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + PUBLISHER'S INTRODUCTION. + </h2> + <p> + “Colonel Thorndyke's Secret” is a story so far out of the ordinary that it + will not be inappropriate to speak a few words regarding the tale and its + unusually successful author, Mr. George Alfred Henty. + </p> + <p> + The plot of the story hinges upon the possession of a valuable bracelet, + of diamonds, stolen from a Hindoo idol by a British soldier in India. This + bracelet falls into the possession of Colonel Thorndyke, who, shortly + afterward, is sent home to England because of his wounds. The secret + concerning the bracelet is told to the Colonel's brother, a country + squire, and the treasure is left to younger members of the Thorndyke + family. + </p> + <p> + As is well known today, the theft of anything from a Hindoo temple is + considered an extraordinary crime in India, and when this occurs it + becomes a religious duty for one or more persons to hunt down the thief + and bring back the property taken from the heathen god. + </p> + <p> + The members of the Thorndyke family soon learn that they are being + watched. But this is at a time when highwaymen are numerous in this part + of England, and they cannot determine whether the work is that of the + “knights of the roads” or that of the Lascars after the famous bracelet. A + mysterious death follows, and the younger members of the family are almost + stunned, not knowing what will happen next. They would give the bracelet + up, but do not know where it is hidden, the secret having been in the sole + possession of the member now dead. In this quandary the young hero of the + tale rises to the occasion and determines to join the London police force + and become a detective, with the hope of ultimately clearing up the + mystery. Thrilling adventures of a most unusual kind follow, and at last + something of the mystery is explained. The bracelet and other jewelry are + unearthed, and it is decided to take the bracelet to Amsterdam and offer + it to the diamond cutters at that place. But the carrying of the bracelet + is both difficult and dangerous. How the mission is brought to a + conclusion, and what part the Lascars played in the final adventure, will + be found in the pages that follow. + </p> + <p> + It can truthfully be said that Mr. Henty is easily the most popular of all + English story tellers, his books for boys enjoying a circulation of from a + hundred and fifty thousand to two hundred and fifty thousand per year. His + tales are all clean, and although some are full of exciting situations and + thrilling to the last degree, they are of a high moral tone, while the + English employed is of the best. + </p> + <p> + The present story is of peculiar value as giving a good insight into + country and town life in England over a hundred years ago, when railways + and telegraph lines were unknown and when the “knights of the road” were + apt to hold up any stagecoach that happened to come along. It also gives a + truthful picture of the dark and underhanded work accomplished at times by + those of East Indian blood, especially when on what they consider a + religious mission. + </p> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + CHAPTER I. + </h2> + <p> + Squire Thorndyke, of the Manor House of Crawley, was, on the 1st of + September; 1782, walking up and down the little terrace in front of the + quaint old house in an unusually disturbed mood. He was a man of forty + three or four, stoutly and strongly built, and inclined to be portly. Save + the loss of his wife four years before, there had been but little to + ruffle the easy tenor of his life. A younger son, he had, at his mother's + death, when he was three and twenty, come in for the small estate at + Crawley, which had been her jointure. + </p> + <p> + For ten years he had led a life resembling that of most of his neighbors; + he had hunted and shot, been a regular attendant at any main of cocks that + was fought within fifteen miles of Crawley, had occasionally been up to + London for a week or two to see the gay doings there. Of an evening he had + generally gone down to the inn, where he talked over, with two or three of + his own condition and a few of the better class of farmers, the news of + the day, the war with the French, the troubles in Scotland, the alarming + march of the Young Pretender, and his defeat at Culloden—with no + very keen interest in the result, for the Southern gentry and yeomen, + unlike those in the North, had no strong leanings either way. They had a + dull dislike for Hanoverian George, but no great love for the exiled + Stuarts, whose patron, the King of France, was an enemy of England. + </p> + <p> + More often, however, their thoughts turned upon local topics—the + holding up of the coach of Sir James Harris or Squire Hamilton by + highwaymen; the affray between the French smugglers and the Revenue men + near Selsea Bill or Shoreham; the delinquencies of the poaching gangs; the + heaviness of the taxes, and the price of corn. + </p> + <p> + At the age of thirty-three Squire Thorndyke married the daughter of a + neighboring landowner; a son was born and three years later Mrs. Thorndyke + died. Since then the Squire had led a more retired life; he still went + down to smoke his pipe at the inn parlor, but he gave up his visits to + town; and cock fights, and even bull baiting, were no longer attractions + to him. He was known as a good landlord to the three or four farmers who + held land under him; was respected and liked in the village, where he was + always ready to assist in cases of real distress; was of an easygoing + disposition and on good terms with all his neighbors. + </p> + <p> + But today he was unusually disturbed in his mind. A messenger had ridden + up two hours before with a letter from London. It was as follows: + </p> + <p> + “MY DEAR BROTHER JOHN: + </p> + <p> + “You will be surprised indeed at this letter from me, who, doubtless, you + suppose to be fighting in India. I have done with fighting, and am nearly + done with life. I was shot in the battle of Buxar, eighteen months ago. + For a time the surgeons thought that it was going to be fatal; then I + rallied, and for some months it seemed that, in spite of the ball that + they were never able to find, I was going to get over it, and should be + fit for service again. Then I got worse; first it was a cough, then the + blood used to come up, and they said that the only chance for me was to + come home. I did not believe it would be of any use, but I thought that I + would rather die at home than in India, so home I came, and have now been + a week in London. + </p> + <p> + “I thought at first of going down to my place at Reigate, and having you + and your boy there with me; but as I have certainly not many weeks, + perhaps not many days, to live, I thought I would come down to you; so the + day after you receive this letter I shall be with you. I shall not bring + my little girl down; I have left her in good hands, and I shall only bring + with me my Hindoo servant. He will give you no trouble—a mat to + sleep on, and a little rice to eat, will satisfy his wants; and he will + take the trouble of me a good deal off your hands. He was a Sepoy in my + regiment, and has always evinced the greatest devotion for me. More than + once in battle he has saved my life, and has, for the last three years, + been my servant, and has nursed me since I have been ill as tenderly as a + woman could have done. As I shall have time to tell you everything when I + arrive, I will say no more now.” + </p> + <p> + The news had much affected John Thorndyke. His brother George was five + years his senior, and had gone out as a cadet in the company's service + when John was but thirteen, and this was his first home coming. Had it not + been for a portrait that had been taken of him in his uniform just before + he sailed, John would have had but little remembrance of him. In that he + was represented as a thin, spare youth, with an expression of quiet + determination in his face. From his father John had, of course, heard much + about him. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing would satisfy him but to go out to India, John. There was, of + course, no occasion for it, as he would have this place after me—a + fine estate and a good position: what could he want more? But he was a + curious fellow. Once he formed an opinion there was no persuading him to + change it. He was always getting ideas such as no one else would think of; + he did not care for anything that other people cared for; never hunted nor + shot. He used to puzzle me altogether with his ways, and, 'pon my word, I + was not sorry when he said he would go to India, for there was no saying + how he might have turned out if he had stopped here. He never could do + anything like anybody else: nothing that he could have done would have + surprised me. + </p> + <p> + “If he had told me that he intended to be a play actor, or a Jockey, or a + private, or a book writer, I should not have been surprised. Upon my word, + it was rather a relief to me when he said, 'I have made up my mind to go + into the East India Service, father. I suppose you can get me a + cadetship?' At least that was an honorable profession; and I knew, anyhow, + that when he once said 'I have made up my mind, father,' no arguments + would move him, and that if I did not get him a cadetship he was perfectly + capable of running away, going up to London, and enlisting in one of their + white regiments.” + </p> + <p> + John Thorndyke's own remembrances were that his brother had always been + good natured to him, that he had often told him long stories about Indian + adventures, and that a short time before he went away, having heard that + he had been unmercifully beaten by the schoolmaster at Reigate for some + trifling fault, he had gone down to the town, and had so battered the man + that the school had to be closed for a fortnight. They had always kept up + a correspondence. When he received the news of his father's death George + had written to him, begging him to go down to Reigate, and to manage the + estate for him. + </p> + <p> + “Of course,” he said, “you will draw its income as long as you are there. + I mayn't be back for another twenty years; one gets rich out here fast, + what with plunder and presents and one thing and another, and it is no use + to have money accumulating at home, so just live on the place as if it + were your own, until I come home to turn you out.” + </p> + <p> + John had declined the offer. + </p> + <p> + “I am very well where I am,” he wrote, “and the care of the estate would + be a horrible worry to me; besides, I have just married, and if I ever + have any children they would be brought up beyond their station. I have + done what I can for you. I have seen the family lawyers, who have engaged + a man who has been steward to Sir John Hieover, and looked after the + estate during his son's minority. But the young blade, on coming of age, + set to work to make ducks and drakes of the property, and Newman could not + bear to see the estate going to the Jews, so, as luck would have it, he + resigned a month ago, and has been appointed steward at Reigate. Of + course, if you don't like the arrangement you must write and say so. It + will be a year before I get your answer, and he has only been engaged for + certain for that time; it must lie with you as to permanent arrangement.” + </p> + <p> + So Newman had taken charge of the Reigate estate, and had continued to + manage it ever since, although George had written home in great + displeasure at his offer being refused. + </p> + <p> + Inside the Manor the bustle of preparations was going on; the spare room, + which had not been used for many years, was being turned out, and a great + fire lighted to air it. John Thorndyke had sent a letter by the returning + messenger to a friend in town, begging him to go at once to Leadenhall + Street and send down a supply of Indian condiments for his brother's use, + and had then betaken himself to the garden to think the matter over. The + next day a post chaise arrived, bringing the invalid and his colored + servant, whose complexion and Indian garb struck the maids with an awe not + unmingled with alarm. John Thorndyke could hardly believe that the bent + and emaciated figure was that of his brother, but he remembered the voice + when the latter said, holding out his hand to him: + </p> + <p> + “Well, brother John, here I am, what is left of me. Gracious, man, who + would have thought that you were going to grow up such a fine tall fellow? + You are more fitted to be a soldier than I am. No, don't try to help me + out; Ramoo will do that—he is accustomed to my ways, and I would as + soon trust myself to a rogue elephant as to you.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to see you looking so bad, brother George.” + </p> + <p> + “What must be must. I have had my fling; and after thirty years of + marching and fighting, I have no right to grumble if I am laid upon my + back at last.” + </p> + <p> + Leaning on Ramoo's arm, Colonel Thorndyke made his way into the house, and + when the Hindoo had arranged the cushions of the sofa, took his place + there in a half reclining position. + </p> + <p> + “I am not always as bad as this, John,” he said; “the jolting of your + confounded roads has been too much for me. If I were the King I would hang + every fellow who had anything to do with them—contractors, boards of + county magistrates, and the whole lot. If I had known what it was going to + be like I would have hired a sedan chair, and had myself carried down. + That is what I have been doing in London; but I would rather have had an + Indian palkee, that one could have lain down comfortably in.” + </p> + <p> + “What shall I get you first, George? I have got some lemons.” + </p> + <p> + “I want something better than lemons, John. Have you any Burgundy handy?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, plenty.” + </p> + <p> + “If you give a bottle to Ramoo he will know how much water I want.” + </p> + <p> + Here the servants entered with a tray with a chicken and a dish of + kidneys. + </p> + <p> + “I sent up yesterday for some of the Indian things that you are accustomed + to, George, but they have not come down yet.” + </p> + <p> + “I brought a store down with me. This will do capitally for the present. + Ramoo will do the cooking for me in future. He need not go into the + kitchen to scare the maids. I could see they looked at him as if he had + been his infernal majesty, as he came in. He can do it anywhere; all he + wants is an iron pot with some holes in it, and some charcoal. He can + squat out there on the veranda, or, if it is bad weather, any shed will do + for him. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it is nice to be home again, John,” he went on, after he had eaten + a few mouthfuls of chicken and drunk a tumbler of Burgundy and water. “I + am glad to be back, now I am here, though I dare say I should not have + come home for another ten years if it had not been for this rascally + bullet. Where is your boy?” + </p> + <p> + “He is away at school.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I think I will go up to bed at once, if you don't mind, John. I + shall be fitter to talk in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + The next day, indeed, Colonel Thorndyke was materially better. His voice + was stronger and more cheery, and when he came down after breakfast he + took his seat in an easy chair instead of on the sofa. + </p> + <p> + “Now, brother,” he said, “we will have a cozy chat. There are several + things I want done, but the chief of these is that when I am gone you + should go down to Reigate, as I wanted you to do ten years ago. I want you + to seem to be its master, as well as be its master, until Millicent comes + of age, if not longer. Her name is Millicent Conyers Thorndyke. I wish her + to be called Millicent Conyers, and to appear as your ward, and not as + your niece and heiress of the property. If there is one thing in the world + I have a greater horror of than another, it is of a girl being married for + her money. I don't suppose that anyone knows that I have a daughter—at + any rate, none beyond a few Indian chums. She was sent home with an ayah + under the charge of the widow of a comrade of mine. I had been away for + months, and only went back to Calcutta in time to see her mother die. So + that is all right.” + </p> + <p> + “I could not do such a thing as that, George. I should be living under + false colors. It is not that I mind so much leaving here and looking after + the child's interest at Reigate, but I could not possibly take possession + of the place as its owner when I should not be so. Besides, there are + other objections. Mark would grow up supposing himself to be the heir.” + </p> + <p> + “Mark will be all right. I have, since I have been in London, signed a + will, leaving the rest of my fortune between them. I had it drawn up by + our father's solicitors, relying upon your consent to do what I asked you. + I have explained the matter to them, and given them the assignment, or + whatever they call it, of the Reigate estate to you, until my daughter + comes of age, appointing them her guardians should you die before that. + Thus, you will be placed in a proper position; and should it be known by + any means that the child is my daughter, that deed will still be a proof + that you are carrying out my wishes, and are absolute master of the estate + until she comes of age.” + </p> + <p> + “I must think it all over, George. It is a singular proposal, and I own I + would rather things went on in their regular course.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes, I understand that, John; but you see I have altogether set my + mind on this matter. I want to know that my girl is not going to be + married for her money; and, at any rate, that deed makes you master of the + Reigate estates for the next thirteen years; so the only thing that I + really want of you is to let the girl be called your ward instead of your + niece, and that she and everyone else shall be in ignorance that she is an + heiress. So far from doing the girl a wrong, you will be doing her a + benefit; and as I have explained the whole matter to our lawyers, no one + can possibly think that the thing has been done from any motive whatever + except that of affording me satisfaction.” + </p> + <p> + “I will think the matter over,” John repeated. “Of course, brother, it has + been in your mind for some time, but it comes altogether fresh to me, and + I must look at it in every light. For myself, I have no wish at all to + become master of our father's estate. I have been going in one groove for + the last twenty years, and don't care about changing it. You wished me to + do so ten years ago, and I declined then, and the ten years have not made + me more desirous of change than I was before.” + </p> + <p> + “All right; think it over. Please send Ramoo in to me; I have tired myself + in talking.” + </p> + <p> + John Thorndyke smoked many churchwarden pipes in the little arbor in his + garden that day. In the afternoon his brother was so weak and tired that + the subject of the conversation was not reverted to. At eight o'clock the + Colonel went off to bed. The next morning, after breakfast, he was + brighter again. + </p> + <p> + “Well, John, what has come of your thinking?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “I don't like it, George.” + </p> + <p> + “You mayn't like it, John, but you will do it. I am not going to have my + girl run after by ruined spendthrifts who want her money to repair their + fortunes; and I tell you frankly, if you refuse I shall go up to town + tomorrow, and I shall make a new will, leaving all my property to your + son, subject to a life annuity of 200 pounds a year to the child, and + ordering that, in the event of his dying before he comes of age, or of + refusing to accept the provisions of the will, or handing any of the + property or money over to my daughter, the whole estate, money, jewels, + and all, shall go to the London hospitals, subject, as before, to the + annuity. + </p> + <p> + “Don't be an ass, brother John. Do you think that I don't know what I am + doing? I have seen enough of the evils of marrying for money out in India. + Every ship that comes out brings so many girls sent out to some relation + to be put on the marriage market, and marrying men old enough to be pretty + nearly their grandfathers, with the natural consequence that there is the + devil to pay before they have been married a year or two. Come, you know + you will do it; why not give in at once, and have done with it? It is not + a bad thing for you, it will be a good thing for your boy, it will save my + girl from fortune hunters, and enable me to die quietly and comfortably.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, George, I will do it. Mind, I don't do it willingly, but I do + it for your sake.” + </p> + <p> + “That is right,” Colonel Thorndyke said, holding out his thin bronzed hand + to his brother; “that is off my mind. Now, there is only one other thing—those + confounded jewels. But I won't talk about them now.” + </p> + <p> + It was not indeed till three or four days later that the Colonel again + spoke to his brother on any than ordinary matters. He had indeed been very + weak and ailing. After breakfast, when, as usual, he was a little stronger + and brighter than later in the day, he said to his brother suddenly:— + </p> + <p> + “I suppose there are no hiding places in this room?” + </p> + <p> + “Hiding places! What do you mean, George?” + </p> + <p> + “Places where a fellow could hide up and hear what we are talking about.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't think so,” the Squire replied, looking round vaguely. “Such + an idea never occurred to me. Why do you ask?” + </p> + <p> + “Because, John, if there is such a thing as a hiding place, someone will + be sure to be hiding there. Where does that door lead to?” + </p> + <p> + “It doesn't lead anywhere; it used to lead into the next room, but it was + closed up before my time, and turned into a cupboard, and this door is + permanently closed.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mind stepping round into the next room and seeing if anyone is in + the cupboard?” + </p> + <p> + Thinking that his brother was a little light headed, John Thorndyke went + into the next room, and returned, saying gravely that no one was there. + </p> + <p> + “Will you look behind the curtains, John, and under this sofa, and + everywhere else where even a cat could be hidden? That seems all right,” + the Colonel went on, as his brother continued the search. “You know there + is a saying that walls have ears, and I am not sure that it is not so. I + have been haunted with the feeling that everything I did was watched, and + that everything I said was listened to for years; and I can tell you it is + a devilishly unpleasant thought. Draw your chair quite close to me. It is + about my jewels, John. I always had a fancy for jewels—not to wear + them, but to own them. In my time I have had good opportunities in that + way, both in the Madras Presidency and in the Carnatic. In the first + place, I have never cared for taking presents in money, but I have never + refused jewels; and what with Rajahs and Nabobs and Ministers that one had + helped or done a good turn to somehow, a good deal came to me that way. + </p> + <p> + “Then I always made a point of carrying money with me, and after a defeat + of the enemy or a successful siege, there was always lots of loot, and the + soldiers were glad enough to sell anything in the way of jewels for a + tithe of their value in gold. I should say if I put the value of the + jewels at 50,000 pounds I am not much wide of the mark. That is all right, + there is no bother about them; the trouble came from a diamond bracelet + that I got from a soldier. We were in camp near Tanjore. I was officer of + the day. I had made my rounds, and was coming back to my quarters, when I + saw a soldier coming out of a tent thirty or forty yards away. It was a + moonlight night, and the tent was one belonging to a white Madras + regiment. Suddenly, I saw another figure, that had been lying down outside + the tent, rise. I saw the flash of the moonlight on steel; then there was + a blow, and the soldier fell. I drew my sword and rushed forward. + </p> + <p> + “The native—for I could see that it was a native—was bending + over the man he had stabbed. His back was towards me, and on the sandy + soil he did not hear my footsteps until I was close to him; then he sprang + up with a cry of fury, and leaped on me like a tiger. I was so taken by + surprise that before I could use my sword the fellow had given me a nasty + stab on the shoulder; but before he could strike again I had run him + through. By this time several other, men ran out of the tent, uttering + exclamations of rage at seeing their fallen comrade. + </p> + <p> + “'What is it, sir?' they asked me. + </p> + <p> + “'This scoundrel, here, has stabbed your comrade,' I said. 'He did not see + me coming, and I ran up just as he was, I think, rifling him for booty. He + came at me like a wild cat, and has given me a nasty stab. However, I have + put an end to his game. Is your comrade dead?' + </p> + <p> + “'No, sir, he is breathing still; but I fancy there is little chance for + him.' + </p> + <p> + “'You had better carry him to the hospital tent at once; I will send a + surgeon there.' + </p> + <p> + “I called the regimental surgeon up, and went with him to the hospital + tent, telling him what had happened. He shook his head after examining the + man's wound, which was fairly between the shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “'He may live a few hours, but there is no chance of his getting better.' + </p> + <p> + “'Now,' I said, 'you may as well have a look at my wound, for the villain + stabbed me too.' + </p> + <p> + “'You have had a pretty narrow escape of it,' he said, as he examined it. + 'If he had struck an inch or two nearer the shoulder the knife would have + gone right into you; but you see I expect he was springing as he struck, + and the blow fell nearly perpendicularly, and it glanced down over your + ribs, and made a gash six inches long. There is no danger. I will bandage + it now, and tomorrow morning I will sew the edges together, and make a + proper job of it.' + </p> + <p> + “In the morning one of the hospital attendants came to me and said the + soldier who had been wounded wanted to speak to me. The doctor said he + would not live long. I went across to him. He was on a bed some little + distance from any of the others, for it was the healthy season, and there + were only three or four others in the tent. + </p> + <p> + “'I hear, Major Thorndyke,' he said in a low voice, 'that you killed that + fellow who gave me this wound, and that you yourself were stabbed.' + </p> + <p> + “'Mine is not a serious business, my man,' I said. 'I wish you had got off + as easily.' + </p> + <p> + “'I have been expecting it, sir,' he said; 'and how I came to be fool + enough to go outside the tent by myself I cannot think. I was uneasy, and + could not sleep; I felt hot and feverish, and came out for a breath of + fresh air. I will tell you what caused it, sir. About two years ago a + cousin of mine, in one of the King's regiments, who was dying, they said, + of fever (but I know the doctors thought he had been poisoned), said to + me, “Here are some things that will make your fortune if ever you get to + England; but I tell you beforehand, they are dangerous things to keep + about you. I fancy that they have something to do with my being like this + now. A year ago I went with some others into one of their great temples on + a feast day. Well, the god had got on all his trinkets, and among them was + a bracelet with the biggest diamonds I ever saw. I did not think so much + of it at the time, but I kept on thinking of them afterwards, and it + happened that some months after our visit we took the place by storm. I + made straight for the temple, and I got the jewels. It don't matter how I + got them—I got them. Well, since that I have never had any peace; + pretty near every night one or other of our tents was turned topsy turvy, + all the kits turned out, and even the ground dug up with knives. You know + how silently Indian thieves can work. However, nothing was ever stolen, + and as for the diamonds, at the end of every day's march I always went out + as soon as it was quite dark, and buried the bracelet between the tent + pegs; it did not take a minute to do. When we moved, of course, I took it + up again. At last I gave that up, for however early I turned out in the + morning there was sure to be a native about. I took then to dropping it + down the barrel of my gun; that way I beat them. Still, I have always + somehow felt myself watched, and my tent has been disturbed a great deal + oftener than any of the others. I have had half a mind to throw the things + away many a time, but I could not bring myself to do it.” + </p> + <p> + “'Well, sir, I have carried the bracelet ever since. I have done as he + did, and always had it in my musket barrel—When we had fighting to + do I would drop it out into my hand and slip it into my ammunition pouch; + but I know that I have always been followed, just as Bill was. I suppose + they found out that I went to see him before he died. Anyhow, my tent has + been rummaged again and again. I have no doubt that fellow whom you killed + last night had been watching me all the time, and thought that I had come + out to hide the things. However, there they are, sir. One of my mates + brought my musket here a quarter of an hour ago, and emptied the barrel + out for me. Now, sir, you did your best to save my life last night, and + you killed that fellow who did for me, and you pretty nearly got killed + yourself. I have got no one else I could give the things to, and if I were + to give them to one of my mates in the regiment they would probably cost + him his life, as they have cost me mine. But you will know what to do with + the things; they are worth a lot of money if you can get them home. Mind, + sir, you have got to be careful. I have heard tales of how those priests + will follow up a temple jewel that has been lost for years, and never give + it up until they get it back again.' + </p> + <p> + “'I ought to give it up,' I said. + </p> + <p> + “'You don't know where it came from, sir,' he replied. 'I was one of a + party of convalescents who were sent up just before that fight, and my own + regiment was not there: it might have been here, and it might have been in + the Carnatic. Bill never told me, and I have no more idea than a babe + unborn.' + </p> + <p> + “The gems were certainly magnificent; and though I knew well enough that + these untiring Brahmins would not be long in guessing that the things had + come into my possession, I took the bracelet. I thought, anyhow, that I + might have a few hours' start; the fellow I had killed might, of course, + have one or two others with him, but I had to risk that. I got leave an + hour later, and went down to Madras, and got them put into a place of + safety. That I was watched all the time I was in India afterwards I have + no doubt, but no attempts were made to assassinate me. They would have + known that I went straight away, but whether I had buried them somewhere + on the road, or had given them to someone's care at Madras they could not + know, and there was, therefore, nothing for them to do but to wait till I + made a move. + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt whatever that they came over in the same ship with me. + Two or three times during the week I was in London I saw colored men in + the street outside the hotel. Once it was a Lascar seaman, another time a + dark looking sailor in European clothes: he might pass for a Spaniard. + Several times as I was going about in a sedan chair I looked out suddenly, + and each time there was a dark face somewhere in the street behind. I had + a letter this morning from the lawyer, and he mentioned that two days ago + his offices had been broken into, and every strong box and drawer forced + open, but that, curiously enough, they could not find that anything had + been stolen, though in the cashier's box there were 30 pounds in gold. Of + course it was my friends. I have no doubt that one or two of them have + followed me down here; and for anything I know they may be lurking + somewhere in your garden at the present moment—that is, if they are + not standing beside us in this room.” + </p> + <p> + John Thorndyke looked round with an uncomfortable feeling. + </p> + <p> + “How do you mean, George?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean some of those Indian fellows can do all sorts of wonderful + conjuring tricks. I have seen them go up into the air on a rope and never + come down again, and for aught I know they may be able to render + themselves invisible. Seriously, I think that it is likely as not.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, and where are the things to be found now, George?” + </p> + <p> + “That I won't tell you, John. Before I go I will whisper it in your ear, + and give you the means of finding them, but not till then. No, I will + write it down on a piece of paper, and slip it into your hand. As soon as + you get out of the room you glance at it, and then put the piece of paper + into your mouth, chew it up and swallow it. I tell you I dare not even + whisper it; but whatever you do, take no steps in the matter until your + son comes of age.” + </p> + <p> + “There can surely be no danger in another twelve years, George; they will + have given up the search long before that.” + </p> + <p> + “Not they,” the Colonel said emphatically. “If they die others will take + their places: it is a sacred business with them. My advice to you is, + either sell them directly you get them into your hands, or go straight to + Amsterdam and sell them there to one of the diamond cutters, who will turn + them out so that they will be altered beyond all recognition. Don't sell + more than two stones at most to any one man; then they will never come out + as a bracelet again, and the hunt will be over.” + </p> + <p> + “I would almost rather leave them alone altogether, George.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, they are worth 50,000 pounds if they are worth a penny, and a great + deal more I should say; but you cannot leave them alone without leaving + everything alone, for all my gems are with them, and 52,000 pounds in + gold. Of course, if you like you can, when you get the box, pick those + diamonds out and chuck them away, but if you do you must do it openly, so + that anyone watching you may see you do it, otherwise the search will go + on.” + </p> + <p> + Two days later, as Ramoo was helping the Colonel to the sofa, the latter + was seized with a violent fit of coughing, then a rush of blood poured + from his lips. His brother and Ramoo laid him on the sofa almost + insensible. + </p> + <p> + “Run and get some water, Ramoo,” John Thorndyke said. + </p> + <p> + As Ramoo left the room the Colonel feebly placed his snuffbox in his + brother's hand with a significant glance; then he made several desperate + efforts to speak, and tried to struggle up into a sitting position; + another gush of blood poured from him, and as it ceased he fell back dead. + </p> + <p> + John Thorndyke was bitterly grieved at the death of his brother, and it + was not until he went up to his room that night that he thought of the + snuffbox that he had dropped into his pocket as his brother handed it to + him. He had no doubt that it contained the instructions as to the + treasure. It was of Indian manufacture. He emptied the snuff from it, but + it contained nothing else. He was convinced that the secret must be hidden + there, and after in vain endeavoring to find a spring, he took a poker and + hammered it, and as it bent a spring gave way, and showed a very shallow + false bottom. + </p> + <p> + In this was a thin gold coin, evidently of considerable antiquity, and a + small piece of paper, on which was written the word “Masulipatam.” John + Thorndyke looked at it in bewilderment; that it was connected with the + secret he felt certain, but alone it was absolutely useless. Doubtless his + brother had intended to give him the key of the riddle, when he had so + desperately striven to speak. After in vain thinking the matter over he + said: + </p> + <p> + “Well, thank goodness; there is nothing to be done about the matter for + another thirteen or fourteen years; it is of no use worrying about it + now.” He went to an old fashioned cabinet, and placed the coin and piece + of paper in a very cunningly devised secret drawer. The next morning he + went out into the garden and dropped the battered snuffbox into the well, + and then dismissed the subject from his mind. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <p> + Standing some two miles out of Reigate is the village of Crowswood, a + quiet place and fairly well to do, thanks in no small degree to Squire + Thorndyke, who owned the whole of the parish, and by whom and his tenants + the greater portion of the village were employed. Greatly had the closing + of the Manor House, after the death of old Squire Thorndyke, been felt. + There were no more jellies, soups, and other comforts to be looked for in + time of sickness, no abatement of rent when the breadwinner was sick or + disabled, no check to the drunkards, whom the knowledge that they would be + turned out of their cottage at a week's notice kept in some sort of order. + When, therefore, after ten years of absence of all government, John + Thorndyke, after the death of his brother, the Colonel, came down and took + possession, he found the place sadly changed from what it had been when he + had left it twenty years before. His first act was to dismiss Newman; who, + completely unchecked, had, he found, been sadly mismanaging affairs. It + was not long, however, before his hand made itself felt. Two out of the + three public houses were shut up in six months, a score of their habitual + frequenters had, weeks before, been turned out of their houses, an order + had been issued that unless a cottage was kept in good order and the + garden bright and blooming with flowers in the summer a fresh tenant would + be found for it. Every child must be sent to the village school; the + Squire was ready to do what there was to be done in the way of thatching + and whitewashing, repairing palings and painting doors and windows, but, + as he told the people, the village had to be kept clean and decent, and + anyone who would not conform to the rules was at liberty to leave without + a day's notice. + </p> + <p> + Many of the villagers grumbled under their breath, but public opinion was, + on the whole, favorable. There was someone to look after them now, someone + who would see that the greater portion of the wages was not spent at the + alehouse, who would take an interest in the people, and would lend a + helping hand in bad times. There was a feeling of regret that the Squire + was a widower, but the post of visitor and almoner was well supplied by + the lady who acted as companion and governess to the Squire's little ward + and regulated the affairs of his household. + </p> + <p> + John Thorndyke had never had much occasion for the display of energy + before, but he had an abundance of it, although hitherto latent. He had + come into this business against his will, but he took it up with a + determination to do well in it. The income was legally his until his niece + came of age, but he was determined he would take nothing out of the estate + beyond the necessary expenses of the position, and that all surplus should + be expended in improving it in every way possible, so that he could hand + it over to her in the most perfect condition. Therefore, when he came into + possession he made a close inspection of the farms, with their houses, + barns, and other tenements. Where he saw that the men were doing their + best, that the hedges and fields were in good order, he did everything + that was necessary without a word; but where there were slovenly farming + and signs of neglect and carelessness, he spoke out his mind sharply. + </p> + <p> + “This has all got to be amended,” he said. “What must be done I will do, + but unless I see things well kept up, the fences in good order, the hedges + cut, the cattle in good condition, and everything going on as it ought to + be, out you go next Christmas. The estate at present is a disgrace to the + county, but it shall not be so any longer if I can help it. I shall do my + share, and anyone who is not prepared to do the same had better look out + for another holding at once.” + </p> + <p> + No one rejoiced more at the coming home of the Squire than Mr. Bastow, the + Rector. He had had a pleasant time of it during the life of the old + Squire. He was always a welcome guest at the house; Mr. Thorndyke had been + ever ready to put his hand into his pocket for any repairs needed for the + church, and bore on his shoulders almost the entire expense of the village + school. In the latter respect there had been no falling off, he having + given explicit instructions to his solicitors to pay his usual annual + subscriptions to the school until his son's return from India. But with + the death of the Squire the Rector had gradually lost all authority in the + village. + </p> + <p> + For a time force of habit had had its effect, but as this wore out and the + people recognized that he had no real authority things went from bad to + worse. Drunken men would shout jeeringly as they passed the Rectory on + their way home from the alehouse; women no longer feared reproof for the + untidiness of their houses and children; the school was half emptied and + the church almost wholly so. + </p> + <p> + For seven or eight years Mr. Bastow had a hard time of it. It was, then, + both with pleasure as an old friend, and with renewed hopefulness for the + village, that he visited John Thorndyke on his return. The change in the + state of affairs was almost instantaneous. As soon as it became known that + the Rector was backed, heart and soul, by the Squire's authority, and that + a complaint from him was followed the next day by a notice to quit at the + end of a week, his own authority was established as firmly as it had been + in the old Squire's time, and in a couple of years Crowswood became quite + a model village. Every garden blossomed with flowers; roses and eglantine + clustered over the cottages, neatness and order prevailed everywhere. + </p> + <p> + The children were tidily dressed and respectful in manner, the women + bright and cheerful, and the solitary alehouse remaining had but few + customers, and those few were never allowed to transgress the bounds of + moderation. The Squire had a talk with the landlord a fortnight after his + arrival. + </p> + <p> + “I am not going to turn you out, Peters,” he said. “I hear that you make + some efforts to keep your house decently; the other two I shall send + packing directly their terms are up. Whether you remain permanently must + depend upon yourself. I will do up your house for you, and build a bar + parlor alongside, where quiet men can sit and smoke their pipes and talk + and take their beer in comfort, and have liberty to enjoy themselves as + long as their enjoyment does not cause annoyance to other people or keep + their wives and children in rags. I will do anything for you if I find the + place well conducted; but I warn you that I will have no drunkenness. A + man who, to my knowledge, gets drunk twice, will not get drunk a third + time in this parish, and if you let men get drunk here it is your fault as + much as theirs. Now we understand each other.” + </p> + <p> + Things once placed on a satisfactory footing, the Squire had but little + more trouble, and it soon came to be understood that he was not to be + trifled with, and that Crowswood was no longer a place for the idle or + shiftless. Two or three of the farmers left at the termination of their + year, but better men took their places, and John Thorndyke, having settled + matters to his satisfaction, now began to attend more to other affairs. He + had been, when he first came back, welcomed with great heartiness by all + the gentry of the neighborhood; his father had been a popular man, and + young Thorndyke had been regarded as a pleasant young fellow, and would in + any case have been welcomed, if only because Crowswood had become a + nuisance to the whole district. It was, indeed, a sort of rendezvous for + poachers and bad characters, it was more than suspected that gangs of + thieves and burglars made it their headquarters, and that even highwaymen + found it a convenient and quiet resort. + </p> + <p> + Thus, then, the transformation effected within a few months of Mr. + Thorndyke's return caused general and lively satisfaction, and a year + later he was put on the Commission of the Peace, and became one of the + most regular attendants at the Bench of Magistrates. Reluctantly as he had + taken up his present position, he found it, as time went on, a pleasant + one. He had not been conscious before that time hung somewhat heavily on + his hands, but here he had duties to perform and ample employment. His + nature was naturally somewhat a masterful one, and both as a magistrate + and a landlord he had scope and power of action. Occasionally he went up + to London, always driving his gig, with a pair of fast trotting horses, + and was known to the frequenters of the coffee houses chiefly patronized + by country gentlemen. Altogether, John Thorndyke became quite a notable + person in the district, and men were inclined to congratulate themselves + upon the fact that he, and not the Indian officer, his brother, had come + into the estate. + </p> + <p> + The idea of an old Indian officer in those days was that he was almost of + necessity an invalid, and an irritable one, with a liver hopelessly + deranged, a yellow complexion, and a hatred of the English climate. The + fact that, instead of leaving the army and coming home at his father's + death, George Thorndyke had chosen to remain abroad and leave the estate + to the management of agents, had specially prejudiced him in the eyes of + the people of that part, and had heightened the warmth with which they had + received his brother. John Thorndyke had upon the occasion, of his first + visit to the family solicitors spoken his mind with much freedom as to the + manner in which Newman had been allowed a free hand. + </p> + <p> + “Another ten years,” he said, “and there would not have been a cottage + habitable on the estate, nor a farm worth cultivating. He did absolutely + nothing beyond collecting the rents. He let the whole place go to rack and + ruin. The first day I arrived I sent him out of the house, with a talking + to that he won't forget as long as he lives.” + </p> + <p> + “We never heard any complaints about him, Mr. Thorndyke, except that I + think we did once hear from the Rector of the place that his conduct was + not satisfactory. I remember that we wrote to him about it, and he said + that the Rector was a malignant fellow, on bad terms with all his + parishioners.” + </p> + <p> + “If I had the scoundrel here,” John Thorndyke said with indignation, “I + would let him have a taste of the lash of my dog whip. You should not have + taken the fellow's word; you should have sent down someone to find out the + true state of things. Why, the place has been an eyesore to the whole + neighborhood, the resort of poaching, thieving rascals; by gad, if my + brother George had gone down there I don't know what would have happened! + It will cost a couple of years' rent to get things put straight.” + </p> + <p> + When the Squire was at home there was scarce an evening when the Rector + did not come up to smoke a pipe and take his glass of old Jamaica or + Hollands with him. + </p> + <p> + “Look here, Bastow,” the latter said, some three years after his return, + “what are you going to do with that boy of yours? I hear bad reports of + him from everyone; he gets into broils at the alehouse, and I hear that he + consorts with a bad lot of fellows down at Reigate. One of my tenants—I + won't mention names—complained to me that he had persecuted his + daughter with his attentions. They say, he was recognized among that + poaching gang that had an affray with Sir James Hartrop's keepers. The + thing is becoming a gross scandal.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what to do about him, Squire; the boy has always been a + trouble to me. You see, before you came home, he got into bad hands in the + village here. Of course they have all gone, but several of them only moved + as far as Reigate, and he kept up their acquaintance. I thrashed him again + and again, but he has got beyond that now, you see; he is nearly eighteen, + and openly scoffs at my authority. Upon my word, I don't know what to do + in the matter.” + </p> + <p> + “He is growing up a thorough young ruffian,” the Squire said indignantly, + “and one of these mornings I expect to see him brought up before us + charged with some serious offense. We had to fine him last week for being + drunk and making a disturbance down at Reigate. Why do you let him have + money? You may have no authority over him; but at least you should refuse + to open your purse to him. Don't you see that this sort of thing is not + only a disgrace to him, but very prejudicial to the village? What + authority can you have for speaking against vice and drunkenness, when + your son is constantly intoxicated?” + </p> + <p> + “I see that, Squire—none better; and I have thought of resigning my + cure.” + </p> + <p> + “Stuff and nonsense, Parson! If the young fellow persists in his present + course he must leave the village, that is clear enough; but that is no + reason why you should. The question is what is to be done with him? The + best thing he could do would be to enlist. He might be of some service to + his country, in India or the American Colonies, but so far as I can see he + is only qualifying himself for a jail here.” + </p> + <p> + “I have told him as much, Squire,” Mr. Bastow said, in a depressed voice, + “and he has simply laughed in my face, and said that he was very + comfortable where he was, and had no idea whatever of moving.” + </p> + <p> + “What time does he go out in the morning?” John Thorndyke asked abruptly. + </p> + <p> + “He never gets up till twelve o'clock, and has his breakfast when I take + my dinner.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will come in tomorrow morning and have a talk with him myself.” + </p> + <p> + The next day the Squire rode up to the door of the Rectory soon after one + o'clock. Mr. Bastow had just finished his meal; his son, a young fellow of + between seventeen and eighteen, was lolling in an easy chair. + </p> + <p> + “I have come in principally to speak to you, young sir,” John Thorndyke + said quietly. “I have been asking your father what you intend to do with + yourself. He says he does not know.” + </p> + <p> + The young fellow looked up with an air of insolent effrontery. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that it is any business of yours, Mr. Thorndyke, what I do + with myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, it is,” the Squire replied. “This village and the people in it + are mine. You are disturbing the village with your blackguard conduct; you + are annoying some of the girls on the estate, and altogether you are + making yourself a nuisance. I stopped at the alehouse as I came here, and + have ordered the landlord to draw no more liquor for you, and unless you + amend your conduct, and that quickly, I will have you out of the village + altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy, Mr. Thorndyke, that, even as a justice of the peace, you have + not the power to dictate to my father who shall be the occupant of this + house.” + </p> + <p> + “What you say is perfectly true; but as you make your father's life a + burden to him, and he is desirous of your absence, I can and will order + the village constable to remove you from his house by force, if + necessary.” + </p> + <p> + The young fellow cast an evil glance at his father. “He has not been + complaining, has he?” he said, with a sneer. + </p> + <p> + “He has not, sir,” John Thorndyke said indignantly. “It is I who have been + complaining to him, and he admits that you are altogether beyond his + authority. I have pointed out to him that he is in no way obliged to + support you at your age in idleness and dissipation, and that it were best + for him and all concerned that he should close his doors to you. I don't + want to have to send the son of my old friend to prison, but I can see + well enough that that is what it will come to if you don't give up your + evil courses. I should think you know by this time that I am a man of my + word. I have taken some pains to purge this village of all bad characters, + and I do not intend to have an exception made of the son of the clergyman, + who, in his family as well as in his own person, is bound to set an + example.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Thorndyke, I utterly decline to obey your orders or to be + guided by your advice.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, sir,” the magistrate said sternly. “Mr. Bastow, do I + understand that you desire that your son shall no longer remain an inmate + of your house?” + </p> + <p> + “I do,” the clergyman said firmly; “and if he does so I have no other + course before me but to resign my living; my position here has become + absolutely unbearable.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, sir, then you will please lock your doors tonight, and if he + attempts to enter, I, as a magistrate, should know how to deal with him. + Now, young sir, you understand your position; you may not take my advice, + nevertheless, I shall give it you. The best thing you can do is to take + your place for town on the outside of the coach that comes through Reigate + this afternoon, and tomorrow morning proceed either to the recruiting + officer for His Majesty's service, or to that for the East India + Company's. You have health and strength, you will get rid at once of your + bad associates, and will start afresh in a life in which you may redeem + your past and be useful to your king and country.” + </p> + <p> + Young Bastow smiled. + </p> + <p> + “Thanks,” he said sarcastically. “I have my own plans, and shall follow + them.” + </p> + <p> + “I would think, Mr. Bastow,” the Squire said quietly, “it would just be as + well for you to come home with me. I don't think that the leave taking is + likely to be an affectionate one.” + </p> + <p> + The Rector rose at once. + </p> + <p> + “I will come with you, Squire. I may tell you now, what I have not told + you before, that my son has more than once raised his hand against me, and + that I do not care to be left alone with him.” + </p> + <p> + “I judged him capable even of that, Mr. Bastow.” + </p> + <p> + “Goodby, Arthur,” his father said. “My heart is ready to break that it has + come to this; but for both our sakes it is better so. Goodby, my son, and + may Heaven lead you to better ways! If ever you come to me and say, + 'Father, I have turned over a new leaf, and heartily repent the trouble I + have caused you,' you will receive a hearty welcome from me, and no words + of reproach for the past.” + </p> + <p> + The young man paid no attention to the offered hand, but laughed + scornfully. + </p> + <p> + “You have not got rid of me yet,” he said. “As for you, Squire Thorndyke, + I shall not forget your meddlesome interference, and some day, maybe, you + will be sorry for it.” + </p> + <p> + “I think not,” John Thorndyke said gravely. “I am doing my duty to the + village, and still more I am doing my duty to an old friend, and I am not + likely ever to feel any regret that I have so acted. Now, Parson, let's be + off.” + </p> + <p> + After leaving the house with the clergyman, the Squire stopped at the + house of Knapp, the village constable; and said a few words to him, then, + leading his horse, walked home with Mr. Bastow. + </p> + <p> + “Don't be cast down, old friend,” he said. “It is a terrible trial to you; + but it is one sharp wrench, and then it will be over. Anything is better + than what you must have been suffering for some time.” + </p> + <p> + “I quite feel that, Squire; my life has indeed been intolerable of late. I + had a painful time before, but always looked forward with hope to your + brother coming home. Since you returned, and matters in the parish have + been put straight, this trouble has come in to take the place of the + other, and I have felt that I would rather resign and beg for charity than + see my son going from bad to worse, a scandal to the parish, and a + hindrance to all good work.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a bad business, Bastow, and it seems to me that two or three years + in prison would be the best thing for him, as he will not take up the only + trade open to him. At any rate, it would separate him from his evil + associates, and give you peace while he is behind the bars. Where does he + get his money?” + </p> + <p> + “That I know not, Squire. He takes some from me—it used to be done + secretly, now it is done with threats, and, as I told you, with violence—but + that would not account for his always having money. He must get it + somewhere else, for when I have paid my bills, as I always do the hour + that I receive money, there is but little over for him to take. He is + often away all night, sometimes for two or three days together, and I dare + not think what he does with himself; but certainly he gets money somehow, + and I am afraid that I cannot hope it is honestly obtained.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not well see how it can be,” the Squire agreed. + </p> + <p> + “If I had before known as much as you tell me now, I would have taken some + steps to have him watched, and to nip the matter before it went too far. + Do you think that he will take your notice, and come no more to the + house?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bastow shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “I fear that the only effect will be to make him worse, even when he was + quite a small boy punishment only had that effect with him. He will come + back tonight probably half drunk, and certainly furious at my having + ventured to lay the case before you.” + </p> + <p> + “You must lock the doors and bar the windows.” + </p> + <p> + “I did that when he first took to being out at night, but he always + managed to get in somehow.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it must be all put a stop to, Bastow; and I will come back with you + this evening, and if this young rascal breaks into the house I will have + him down at Reigate tomorrow on the charge of house breaking; or, at any + rate, I will threaten to do so if he does not give a promise that he will + in future keep away from you altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be glad, at any rate, if you will come down, Squire, for, to say + the truth, I feel uneasy as to the steps he may take in his fury at our + conversation just now.” + </p> + <p> + John Thorndyke took down from a wall a heavy hunting whip, as he went out + with the parson at nine o'clock. He had in vain endeavored to cheer his + old friend as they sat over their steaming glasses of Jamaica. The parson + had never been a strong man; he was of a kindly disposition, and an + unwearied worker when there was an opportunity for work, but he had always + shrunk from unpleasantness, and was ready to yield rather than bring about + trouble. He had for a long time suffered in silence, and had not the + Squire himself approached the subject of his son's delinquencies, he would + have never opened his mouth about it. Now, however, that he had done so, + and the Squire had taken the matter in hand, and had laid down what was to + be done, though he trembled at the prospect, he did not even think of + opposing his plan, and indeed could think of no alternative for it. + </p> + <p> + “I have told John Knapp to be here,” the Squire said, as they reached the + house. “It is just as well that he should be present if your son comes + back again. He is a quiet, trustworthy fellow, and will keep his mouth + shut if I tell him.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bastow made no reply. It was terrible to him that there should be + another witness to his son's conduct, but he saw that the Squire was + right. An old woman opened the door. + </p> + <p> + “Are all the shutters closed and barred?” John Thorndyke asked her. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir; I always sees to that as soon as it gets dark.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well; you can go to bed now, Elisa,” her master said. “Is John Knapp + here?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he came an hour ago, and is sitting in the kitchen.” + </p> + <p> + “I will call him in myself when I want to speak to him.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as the old servant had gone upstairs the Squire went into the + kitchen, Mr. Bastow having gone to the cellar to fetch up a bottle of old + brandy that was part of a two dozen case given to him by the old Squire + fifteen years before. + </p> + <p> + “Do you go round the house, John, and see that everything is properly + fastened up. I see that you have got a jug of beer there. You had better + get a couple of hours' sleep on that settle. I shall keep watch, till I am + sleepy, and then I will call you. Let me know if you find any of the doors + or windows unbarred.” + </p> + <p> + Five minutes later the constable knocked at the door of the parlor. “The + door opening into the stable yard was unbarred, Squire.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought it likely that it would be so, Knapp. You have made it fast + now, I suppose? That is right. Now lie down and get an hour or two of + sleep; it is scarce likely that he will be back until late. + </p> + <p> + “That was the old woman, of course,” he went on to his companion, when the + door closed behind the constable. “I thought it likely enough that he + might tell her to leave a way for him to come in. You told me that she had + been with you a good many years. I dare say she has left that door + unbarred for him many a time. I should advise you to get a man to sleep in + the house regularly; there are plenty of fellows who will be glad to do it + for a shilling or two a week, and I do not think that it is safe for you + to be here alone.” + </p> + <p> + An hour later he said to the Rector: “Now, Bastow, you had best go to bed. + I have taken the matter into my own hands, and will carry it through. + However, I won't have him taken away without your being present, and will + call you when we want you. Of course, if he will give a solemn promise not + to molest you, and, even if he won't enlist, to leave this part of the + country altogether, I shall let him off.” + </p> + <p> + “There is one thing, Mr. Thorndyke, that I have not told you,” the Rector + said hesitatingly. “Sometimes, when he comes home late, he brings someone + with him; I have heard voices downstairs. I have never seen who it was—for + what could I have done if I went down?—but I have heard horses + brought round to the stable yard, and heard them ride away:” + </p> + <p> + “It is just as well you told me,” the Squire said dryly. “If you had told + me this evening at the house, I would have dropped a brace of pistols into + my pocket. However, this hunting crop is a good weapon; but I don't + suppose they will show fight, even if anyone is with him. Besides, Knapp + has a stout oaken cudgel with him—I noticed it standing against his + chair as I went in—and as he is a strong active fellow, and we shall + have the advantage of a surprise, I fancy we should be a match even for + three or four of them.” + </p> + <p> + At one o'clock the Squire roused John Knapp. “It is one o'clock, John; now + take off your boots. I don't want him to know that there is anyone in the + house till we get hold of him. I am going to lie down on the sofa in the + parlor. The moment you hear footsteps you come and wake me.” + </p> + <p> + The clock in the kitchen had just struck two when the constable shook John + Thorndyke. “There are two horses just coming into the yard.” + </p> + <p> + “All right. I opened a window in the room looking down into the yard + before I lay down. I will go up and see what they are going to do. If they + try to break in anywhere down here, do you come at once quietly up to me.” + </p> + <p> + The Squire had taken off his boots before he lay down, and, holding his + heavy hunting crop in his hand, he went quietly upstairs. As he went to + the window he heard Arthur Bastow say angrily: + </p> + <p> + “Confound the old woman! she has locked the door; she has never played me + that trick before. There is a ladder in the stable, and I will get in at + that window up there and open it for you. Or you may as well come up that + way, too, and then you can stow the things away in my room at once, and + have done with it.” + </p> + <p> + The Squire went hastily down. + </p> + <p> + “Come upstairs, Knapp,” he whispered to the constable. “There are three of + them, and I fancy the two mounted men are highwaymen. Let them all get in, + keeping yourself well back from the window. The moon is round on the other + side of the house, but it will be light enough for us to see them as they + get in. I will take the last fellow, and I will warrant that he will give + no trouble; then I will fall upon the second, and do you spring on young + Bastow. The two highwaymen are sure to have pistols, and he may have some + also. Give him a clip with that cudgel of yours first, then spring on him, + and hold his arms tightly by his side. If I call you give him a back heel + and throw him smartly, and then come to my aid. I don't think I shall want + it, but it is as well to prepare for everything.” + </p> + <p> + They went upstairs and took their places, one on each side of the window, + standing three or four feet back. Just as they took up their positions the + top of the stable ladder appeared above the sill of the window. Half a + minute later young Bastow's head appeared, and he threw up the sash still + higher, and stepped into the room; then he turned and helped two men in, + one after the other. + </p> + <p> + “Follow me,” he said, “then you won't tumble over the furniture.” + </p> + <p> + As they turned, the heavy handle of John's Thorndyke's whip fell with + tremendous force on the head of the last man. + </p> + <p> + “What the devil is that?” the other exclaimed, snatching out a pistol and + turning round, as the falling body struck him, but he got no further. + Again the heavy whip descended, this time on his right arm; it dropped + useless by his side, and the pistol fell from his hand. Then John + Thorndyke fell upon him and bore him to the ground, snatched the other + pistol from his belt, and held it to his head. + </p> + <p> + “Now, my man,” he said quietly, “if you don't surrender I will blow out + your brains.” + </p> + <p> + “I surrender,” the man moaned. “I believe that you have broken my arm. + Curse you, whoever you are.” + </p> + <p> + The struggle between John Knapp and young Bastow was soon over. The young + fellow was lithe and sinewy, but he was no match for the constable, who, + indeed, had almost overpowered him before he was aware what had happened. + </p> + <p> + “Has he got pistols, Knapp?” the Squire asked. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, a brace of them; I have got them both safely in my pocket. + There,” he went on, as a sharp click was heard, “I have got the darbys on + him. Now shall I help you, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “You had better run downstairs first and light a couple of candles at the + kitchen fire: you will find a pair standing on the parlor table. Don't be + long about it; the first fellow I hit was stunned, and he may come round + any moment.” + </p> + <p> + “I will make sure of him before I go, Squire. I have got another pair of + darbys in my pocket.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as he had fastened these upon the wrists of the insensible man he + ran downstairs, and in a minute returned with the candles. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad that you are back,” the Squire said. “I was afraid that young + rascal would try to escape.” + </p> + <p> + “I took good care of that, Squire; you see I put one of his arms round the + bedpost before I slipped the darbys on, and he cannot get away unless he + takes the whole bed with him; and as I don't think he would get it out + either by the window or the door, he is as safe here as he would be in + Newgate. What is the next thing to do, Squire?” + </p> + <p> + “You had better tie this fellow's legs. I will leave you a candle here, + and you can keep guard over them while I go and wake Mr. Bastow.” + </p> + <p> + The Rector needed no waking; he was walking up and down his room in great + distress. He had not undressed, but had thrown himself upon his bed. + </p> + <p> + “What has happened, Thorndyke?” he asked as the Squire entered. “I heard + two heavy falls, and I felt that something terrible had taken place.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it has been a serious matter—very serious. That unfortunate + son of yours is not hurt, but I don't know but that the best thing that + could have happened would have been for him to have got a bullet through + his head. He brought home with him two men who are, I have little doubt, + highwaymen; anyhow, they each had a brace of pistols in their belt, and + from what he said I think they have been stopping a coach. At any rate, + they have something with them that they were going to hide here, and I + fancy it is not the first time that it has been done. I don't expect your + son had anything to do with the robbery, though he was carrying a brace of + pistols, too; however, we have got them all three. + </p> + <p> + “Now, you see, Bastow, this takes the affair altogether out of our hands. + I had hoped that when we caught your son in the act of breaking into your + house after you had ordered him from it, we should be able to frighten him + into enlisting, or, at any rate, into promising to disturb you no more, + for even if we had taken him before the bench, nothing could have been + done to him, for under such circumstances his re-entering the house could + not be looked upon as an act of burglary. As it is, the affair is + altogether changed. Even if I wished to do so, as a magistrate I could not + release those two highwaymen; they must appear as prisoners in court. I + shall hear down in the town tomorrow morning what coach has been stopped, + and I have no doubt that they have on them the proceeds of the robbery. + Your son was consorting with and aiding them, and acting as a receiver of + stolen goods, and as you have heard horses here before it is probable that + when his room is thoroughly searched we shall come upon a number of + articles of the same sort. I am sorry that I ever meddled in the matter; + but it is too late for that now. You had better come downstairs with me, + and we will take a turn in the garden, and try to see what had best be + done.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III. + </h2> + <p> + John Thorndyke opened the shutters of the parlor window, and stepped out + into the garden alone, for the Rector was too unnerved and shattered to go + out with him, but threw himself on the sofa, completely prostrated. Half + an hour later the Squire re-entered the room. The morning was just + beginning to break. Mr. Bastow raised his head and looked sadly at him. + </p> + <p> + “I can see no way out of it, old friend. Were it not that he is in charge + of the constable, I should have said that your only course was to aid your + son to escape; but Knapp is a shrewd fellow as well as an honest one. You + cannot possibly get your son away without his assistance, for he is + handcuffed to the bed, and Knapp, in so serious a matter as this, would + not, I am sure, lend himself to an escape. I have no doubt that with my + influence with the other magistrates, and, indeed, on the circumstances of + the case, they will commit him on a minor charge only, as the passengers + of the coach will, I hope, give evidence that it was stopped by mounted + men alone. I think, therefore, that he would only be charged with + consorting with and aiding the highwaymen after the event, and of aiding + them to conceal stolen goods—that is, if any are found in his room. + </p> + <p> + “That much stolen property has been hidden there, there is little reason + to doubt, but it may have been removed shortly afterwards. It was, of + course, very convenient for them to have some place where they could take + things at once, and then ride on quietly to London the next day, for, if + arrested; nothing would be found upon them, and it would be impossible to + connect them with the robbery. Later on they might come back again and get + them from him. Of course, if nothing is found in his room, we get rid of + the charge of receiving altogether, and there would be nothing but + harboring, aiding, and abetting—a much less serious business. Look + here, old friend, I will strain a point. I will go out into the garden + again and walk about for an hour, and while I am out, if you should take + advantage of my absence to creep up to your son's room and to search it + thoroughly, examining every board of the floor to see if it is loose, and + should you find anything concealed, to take it and hide it, of course I + cannot help it. The things, if there are any, might secretly be packed up + by you in a box and sent up to Bow Street, with a line inside, saying that + they are proceeds of robbery, and that you hope the owners will be traced + and their property restored to them. Not, of course, in your own hand, and + without a signature. There might be some little trouble in managing it, + but it could, no doubt, be done.” + </p> + <p> + John Thorndyke went out into the garden without another word. The hour was + nearly up when Mr. Bastow came out; he looked ten years older than he had + done on the previous day. He wrung his friend's hand. + </p> + <p> + “Thank God I have been up there,” he said. “I do not think they will find + anything.” + </p> + <p> + “Say nothing about it, Bastow; I don't want to know whether you found + anything. Now I am going to fetch two or three of the men from the + village, to get them to aid the constable in keeping guard, and another to + go up to the house at once and order a groom to saddle one of my horses + and bring it here.” + </p> + <p> + As it was now past five o'clock, and the Squire found most of the men + getting up, he sent one off to the house with the message, and returned + with two others to the Rectory. He told them briefly that two highwaymen + had been arrested during the night, and that as young Mr. Bastow was in + their company at the time, it had been necessary as a matter of form to + arrest him also. He went upstairs with them. + </p> + <p> + “I have brought up two men to sit with you, Knapp, until the Reigate + constables come up. You can take those handcuffs off Mr. Bastow, but see + that he does not leave the room, and do you yourself sit in a chair + against the door, and place one of these men at the window. How about + others?” + </p> + <p> + “The man you hit first, Squire, did not move until a quarter of an hour + ago; he has been muttering to himself since, but I don't think he is + sensible. The other one has been quiet enough, but there is no doubt that + his arm is broken.” + </p> + <p> + “I am going to ride down to Reigate at once, and will bring back a surgeon + with me.” + </p> + <p> + “You will repent this night's business, Thorndyke!” Arthur Bastow said + threateningly. + </p> + <p> + “I fancy that you will repent it more than I shall, Bastow; it is likely + that you will have plenty of time to do so.” + </p> + <p> + It was not long before the groom with the horse arrived. John Thorndyke + rode at a gallop down to Reigate, and first called on the head constable. + </p> + <p> + “Dawney,” he said, as the man came down, partially dressed, at his + summons, “has anything taken place during the night?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Squire, the up coach was stopped a mile before it got here, and the + passengers robbed. It was due here at one, and did not come in till half + an hour later. Of course I was sent for. The guard was shot. There were + two of the fellows. He let fly with his blunderbuss, but he does not seem + to have hit either of them, and one rode up and shot him dead; then they + robbed all the passengers. They got six gold watches, some rings, and, + adding up the amounts taken from all the passengers, about a hundred and + fifty pounds in money.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I fancy I have got your two highwaymen safe, <i>Dawney</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “You have, sir?” the constable said in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. I happened to be at the Rectory. Mr. Bastow had had a quarrel with + his son, and had forbidden him the house.” + </p> + <p> + The constable shook his head. “I am afraid he is a very bad one, that + young chap.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid he is, Dawney. However, his father was afraid that he might + come in during the night and make a scene, so I said I would stop with + him, and I took our village constable with me. At two o'clock this morning + the young fellow came with two mounted men, who, I have no doubt, were + highwaymen. We had locked up down below. Bastow took a ladder, and the + three got in at a bedroom window on the first floor. Knapp and I were + waiting for them there, and, taking them by surprise, succeeded in + capturing them before the highwaymen could use their pistols. The + constable and two men are looking after them, but as one has not got over + a knock I gave him on the head, and the other has a broken arm, there is + little fear of their making their escape. You had better go up with two of + your men, and take a light cart with you with some straw in the bottom, + and bring them all down here. I will ride round myself to Mr. Chetwynde, + Sir Charles Harris, and Mr. Merchison, and we will sit at twelve o'clock. + You can send round a constable with the usual letters to the others, but + those three will be quite enough for the preliminary examination.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Squire, that is good news indeed. We have had the coach held up so + often within five miles of this place during the past three months, that + we have been getting quite a bad name. And to think that young Bastow was + in it! I have heard some queer stories about him, and fancied before long + I should have to put my hand upon his shoulder; but I didn't expect this.” + </p> + <p> + “There is not a shadow of proof that he had anything to do with the + robbery, Dawney, but he will have difficulty in proving that he did not + afterwards abet them. It is serious enough as it is, and I am terribly + grieved for his father's sake.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir; I have always heard him spoken of as a kind gentleman, and one + who took a lot of trouble whenever anyone was sick. Well, sir, I will be + off in twenty minutes. I will run round at once and send Dr. Hewett up to + the Rectory, and a man shall start on horseback at seven o'clock with the + summons to the other magistrates.” + </p> + <p> + John Thorndyke rode round to his three fellow magistrates, who, living + nearest to the town, were most regular in their attendance at the + meetings. They all listened in surprise to his narrative, and expressed + great pleasure at hearing that the men who had been such a pest to the + neighborhood, and had caused them all personally a great deal of trouble, + had been captured. All had heard tales, too, to Arthur Bastow's + disadvantage, and expressed great commiseration for his father. They + agreed to meet at the court half an hour before business began, to talk + the matter over together. + </p> + <p> + “It is out of the question that we can release him on bail,” the gentleman + who was chairman of the bench said. “Quite so,” John Thorndyke agreed. “In + the first place, the matter is too serious; and in the next, he certainly + would not be able to find bail; and lastly, for his father's sake, it is + unadvisable that he should be let out. At the same time, it appears to me + that there is a broad distinction between his case and the others. I fear + that there can be no question that he had prior acquaintance with these + men, and that he was cognizant of the whole business; something I heard + him say, and which, to my regret, I shall have to repeat in court, almost + proves that he was so. Still, let us hope none of the stolen property will + be found upon him; whether they had intended to pass it over to his care + or not is immaterial. If they had not done so, I doubt whether he could be + charged with receiving stolen goods, and we might make the charge simply + one of aiding these two criminals, and of being so far an accessory after + the crime. + </p> + <p> + “If we could soften it down still further I should, for his father's sake, + be glad; but as far as he himself is concerned, I would do nothing to + lighten his punishment. He is about as bad a specimen of human nature as I + ever came across. His father is in bodily fear of him. I saw the young + fellow yesterday, and urged him to enlist, in order to break himself loose + from the bad companionship he had fallen into. His reply was insolent and + defiant in the highest degree, and it was then that in his father's name I + forbade him the house, and as his father was present he confirmed what I + said, and told him that he would not have anything more to do with him. + This affair may do him good, and save his neck from a noose. A few years + at the hulks or a passage to Botany Bay will do him no harm; and, at any + rate, his father will have rest and peace, which he never would have if he + remained here.” + </p> + <p> + A somewhat similar conversation took place at each house. John Thorndyke + breakfasted at Sir Charles Harris', the last of the three upon whom he + called, and then mounting rode back to Reigate. + </p> + <p> + “We have found the plunder on them,” the head constable said, coming out + of the lockup as he drew rein before it, “and, fortunately for young + Bastow, nothing was found upon him.” + </p> + <p> + “How are the two men?” + </p> + <p> + “The fellow you hit first is conscious now, sir, but very weak. The doctor + says that if he hadn't had a thick hat on, your blow would have killed him + to a certainty. The other man's arm is set and bandaged, and he is all + right otherwise. We shall be able to have them both in court at twelve + o'clock.” + </p> + <p> + The Squire rode up to his house. He was met at the door by his son, in a + state of great excitement. + </p> + <p> + “Is it all true, father? The news has come from the village that you have + killed two men, and that they and Arthur Bastow have all been taken away + in a cart, guarded by constables.” + </p> + <p> + “As usual, Mark, rumor has exaggerated matters. There are no dead men; one + certainly got a crack on the head that rendered him insensible for some + time, and another's arm is broken.” + </p> + <p> + “And are they highwaymen, father? They say that two horses were fastened + behind the cart.” + </p> + <p> + “That is what we are going to try, Mark. Until their guilt is proved, no + one knows whether they are highwaymen or not.” + </p> + <p> + “And why is Arthur Bastow taken, father?” + </p> + <p> + “Simply because he was in company with the others. Now, you need not ask + any more questions, but if you like to get your pony saddled and ride down + with me to Reigate at eleven o'clock, I will get you into the courthouse, + and then you will hear all about it.” + </p> + <p> + At greater length the Squire went into the matter with Mrs. Cunningham, + his lady housekeeper, and his ward's governess. + </p> + <p> + “It is a bad business, Mr. Thorndyke,” she said, “and must be terrible for + poor Mr. Bastow.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is a bad business altogether, except that it will rid him of this + young rascal. If I were in his place I should be ready to suffer a good + deal to obtain such a riddance.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that you won't sit upon the bench today?” + </p> + <p> + “No; at least I shall take no part in the deliberations. I shall, of + course, give evidence. The affair is not likely to last very long; my + story will take the longest to tell. Knapp's will be confirmatory of mine, + and the Reigate constable will depose to finding the watches, rings, and + money upon them; then, of course, the case will be adjourned for the + attendance of the coachman and some of the passengers. I don't suppose + they will be able to swear to their identity, for no doubt they were + masked. But that is immaterial; the discovery of the stolen property upon + them will be sufficient to hang them. No doubt we shall have some Bow + Streets runners down from town tomorrow or next day, and they will most + likely be able to say who the fellows are.” + </p> + <p> + “Will Mr. Bastow have to give evidence against his son?” + </p> + <p> + “Not before us, I think; but I imagine he will have to appear at the + trial.” + </p> + <p> + “It will be terrible for him.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, terrible. I sincerely hope that they will not summon him, but I am + afraid that there is very little doubt about it; they are sure to want to + know about his son's general conduct, though possibly the testimony on + that point of the constable at Reigate will be sufficient. My own hope is + that he will get a long sentence; at any rate, one long enough to insure + his not coming back during his father's lifetime. If you had seen his + manner when we were talking to him yesterday, you would believe that he is + capable of anything. I have had a good many bad characters before me + during the year and a half that I have sat upon the bench, but I am bound + to say that I never saw one who was to my eyes so thoroughly evil as this + young fellow. I don't think,” he added with a smile, “that I should feel + quite comfortable myself if he were acquitted; it will be a long time + before I shall forget the expression of his face when he said to me this + morning, 'You will repent this night's work, Thorndyke.'” + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean that you think he would do you any harm, Mr. Thorndyke?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I should not care to meet him in a lonely place if he was armed and + I was not. But you need not be nervous, Mrs. Cunningham, there is not the + smallest chance of his being out for years; and by that time his blood + will have had time to cool down, and he will have learnt, at any rate, + that crimes cannot be committed in this country with impunity.” + </p> + <p> + “It is all very shocking,” the lady said. “What will poor Mr. Bastow do? I + should think that he would not like to remain as clergyman here, where + everyone knows about it.” + </p> + <p> + “That must be for him to decide,” the Squire said; “but if he wishes to + resign I certainly shall not press him to continue to hold the living. He + is a very old friend of mine. My father presented the living to him when I + was nine or ten years old, and I may say I saw him daily up to the time + when I went down into Sussex. If he resigns I should urge him to take up + his residence here and to act as Mark's tutor; and he might also relieve + you of some of Millicent's lessons. You have plenty to do in looking after + the management of things in general. However, that is for the future.” + </p> + <p> + At eleven o'clock the Squire drove down to Reigate, taking Mark with him, + as it would save all trouble about putting up the horse and pony. On + arriving he handed Mark over to the head constable, and asked him to pass + him into a seat in the courthouse, before the public were let in. + </p> + <p> + Reigate was in a state of unusual excitement. That the coach should have + been stopped and robbed was too common an event to excite much interest, + but that two highwaymen should have been captured, and, as was rumored, a + young gentleman brought in on a charge of being in connection with them, + caused a thrill of excitement. Quite a small crowd was assembled before + the courthouse, and the name of Squire Thorndyke passed from mouth to + mouth. + </p> + <p> + “There is some talk of his being mixed up with it in some way or other,” + one said. “I saw him myself ride in here, about half past five, and I + wondered he was about so early. Some do say as he caught the two + highwaymen single handed; but that don't stand to reason. Besides, what + could he have been doing out at such an hour as that? He is a good + landlord, and they say that Crowswood has been quite a different place + since he came to be master. He is a tight hand as a magistrate, and + cleared out half the village the first two or three months he was there; + but he spent a mint of money on the place, and the people there say that + they could not have a better master. Ah, here is Squire Chetwynd. He was + sure to be here. There is Sir Charles' gig turning the corner. I expect + most of them will be on the bench; they don't get such a case as this + every day.” + </p> + <p> + “It may be there will be nothing for us to hear when the court opens,” + another said. “I hear both the fellows have been shot or knocked about so + bad that they cannot be brought up. Of course the court cannot sit if they + aint before it.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not so, Master Jones. I spoke to one of the constables half an + hour ago—he lives next door to me—and he said that they would + be well enough to appear. Neither of them have been shot, though they have + been hurt pretty bad.” + </p> + <p> + All this added to the desire of those around to get into the court, and + there was quite a rush when the doors were opened two minutes before + twelve, and it was at once crammed, the constable having some difficulty + in getting the doors shut, and in persuading those who could not get in + that there was not standing room for another person. There was a buzz of + talk in court until the door opened and six magistrates came in. It was + observed that John Thorndyke did not seat himself with the others, but + moved his chair a little apart from them, thus confirming the report that + he was in some way connected with the matter, and did not intend to take + any part in the decision. Then another door opened, and the three + prisoners were brought in. The two first were pale and evidently weak; one + had his head wrapped in bandages, the other had the right sleeve of his + coat cut off, and his arm bandaged and supported by a sling. Both made a + resolute effort to preserve a careless demeanor. The third, who was some + years younger than the others, looked round with a smile on his lips, + bowed to the magistrates with an air of insolent bravado when he was + placed in the dock, and then leaned easily in the corner, as if + indifferent to the whole business. A chair was placed between his comrades + for the use of the man whose head was bandaged. Many among those present + knew Arthur Bastow by sight, and his name passed from mouth to mouth; but + the usher called loudly for silence, and then the magistrates' clerk rose. + </p> + <p> + “William Smith and John Brown—at least, these are the names given—are + charged with stopping the South Coast coach last night, killing the guard, + and robbing the passengers; and Arthur Bastow is charged with aiding and + abetting the other two prisoners, and with guilty knowledge of their + crime.” + </p> + <p> + It was noticed by those who could see the prisoners' faces that, in spite + of Bastow's air of indifference, there was an expression of anxiety on his + face as the charge was read, and he undoubtedly felt relief as that + against himself was mentioned. The first witness was John Knapp, and the + constable stepped into the witness box. + </p> + <p> + “What do you know of this business, Knapp?” the chairman asked. “Just tell + it your own way.” + </p> + <p> + “I am constable of Crowswood, your honor, and yesterday Squire Thorndyke + said to me—” + </p> + <p> + “No, you must not tell it like that, Knapp; you must not repeat what + another person said to you. You can say that from information received you + did so and so.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, your honor. From information received I went to the Rev. Mr. + Bastow's house, at a quarter to nine last night. At nine o'clock Squire + Thorndyke and the Parson came in together. They sent the servant up to + bed, and then the Squire sent me round to examine the fastenings of the + doors. I found that one back door had been left unfastened, and locked and + bolted it. The Squire told me to lie down until one o'clock, and he would + watch, and Mr. Bastow went up to bed.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know of your own knowledge why these precautions were taken?” + </p> + <p> + “Only from what I was told, your honor. At one o'clock the Squire woke me, + and he lay down in the parlor, telling me to call him if I heard any + movement outside. About two o'clock I heard two horses come into the + Parson's yard. I called Squire Thorndyke, who went upstairs to an open + window; presently someone came and tried the back door. I heard voices + outside, but could not hear what was said. The Squire came down and called + me upstairs. I went up and took my place at one side of the window, and + the Squire took his on the other. I had this cudgel in my hand, and the + Squire his riding whip. A ladder was put up against the window, and then + someone came up, lifted the sash up high and got in. There was light + enough for me to see it was young Mr. Bastow. Then the two other prisoners + came up. When the third had got into the room Mr. Bastow said, 'Follow me, + and then you won't tumble over the furniture.'” + </p> + <p> + “How was it that they did not see you and Mr. Thorndyke?” the chairman + asked. + </p> + <p> + “We were standing well back, your honor. The moon was on the other side of + the house. There was light enough for us to see them as they got in at the + window, but where we were standing it was quite dark, especially to chaps + who had just come in from the moonlight. As they moved, the Squire hit the + last of them a clout on the head with his hunting crop, and down he went, + as if shot. The man next to him turned, but I did not see what took place, + for, as the Squire had ordered me, I made a rush at Mr. Bastow and got my + arms round him pretty tight, so as to prevent him using his pistols, if he + had any. He struggled hard, but without saying a word, till I got my heel + behind his and threw him on his back. I came down on the top of him; then + I got the pistols out of his belt and threw them on the bed, slipped the + handcuffs onto one wrist, lifted him up a bit, and then shoved him up + against the bedpost, and got the handcuff onto his other wrist, so that he + could not shift away, having the post in between his arms. + </p> + <p> + “Then I went to see if the Squire wanted any help, but he didn't. I first + handcuffed the man whose head he had broken, and tied the legs of the + other, and then kept guard over them till morning. When the constables + came up from town we searched the prisoners, and on two of them found the + watches, money, and rings. We found nothing on Mr. Bastow. I went with the + head constable to Mr. Bastow's room and searched it thoroughly, but found + nothing whatever there.” + </p> + <p> + The evidence created a great sensation in court. John Thorndyke had first + intended to ask Knapp not to make any mention of the fact that Arthur + Bastow was carrying pistols unless the question was directly put to him. + But the more he had thought over the matter, the more convinced was he + that the heavier the sentence the better it would be for the Rector; and + when he had heard from the latter that there was nothing left in his son's + room that could be brought against him, and that he could not be charged + with the capital crime of being a receiver, he thought it best to let + matters take their course. + </p> + <p> + The head constable was the next witness. He deposed to the finding of the + articles produced upon the two elder prisoners and the unsuccessful search + of the younger prisoner's room. + </p> + <p> + “You did not search the house further?” the chairman inquired. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; I wanted to get the prisoners down here as fast as I could, + seeing that two of them were seriously hurt.” + </p> + <p> + The chairman nodded. + </p> + <p> + “You will, of course, make a careful search of the whole house, + constable.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir; I left one of my men up there with instructions to allow no one + to go upstairs until I returned.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite right.” + </p> + <p> + John Thorndyke was the next witness, and his evidence cleared up what had + hitherto been a mystery to the general body of the public, as to how he + and the constable happened to be in the house on watch when the highwaymen + arrived. The most important part of his evidence was the repetition of the + words young Bastow had used as he mounted the ladder, as they showed that + it was arranged between the prisoners that the stolen goods should be + hidden in the house. The Squire was only asked one or two questions. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose, Mr. Thorndyke, that you had no idea whatever that the younger + prisoner would be accompanied by anyone else when he returned home?” + </p> + <p> + “Not the slightest,” the Squire replied. “I was there simply to prevent + this unfortunate lad from entering the house, when perhaps he might have + used violence towards his father. My intention was to seize him if he did + so, and to give him the choice of enlisting, as I had urged him to do, or + of being brought before this bench for breaking into his father's house. I + felt that anything was better than his continuing in the evil courses on + which he seemed bent.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Mr. Thorndyke. I must compliment you in the name of my brother + magistrates, and I may say of the public, for the manner in which you, at + considerable risk to yourself, have effected the capture of the two elder + prisoners.” + </p> + <p> + After consulting with the others the head constable was recalled. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know anything about the character of the youngest prisoner?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir. We have had our eye upon him for some time. He was brought + before your honors a week ago charged with being drunk and disorderly in + this town, and was fined 5 pounds. He is constantly drinking with some of + the worst characters in the place, and is strongly suspected of having + been concerned in the fray between the poachers and Sir Charles Harris' + gamekeepers. Two of the latter said that they recognized him amongst the + poachers, but as they both declined to swear to him we did not arrest + him.” + </p> + <p> + John Knapp was then recalled, and testified to Bastow's drinking habits, + and that the landlord of the alehouse at Crowswood had been ordered by the + Squire not to draw any liquor for him in future on pain of having the + renewal of his license refused. + </p> + <p> + “Have you any more witnesses to call?” the chairman asked the head + constable. + </p> + <p> + “Not at present, your honor. We have sent up to town, and on the next + occasion the coachman will be called to testify to the shooting of the + guard, and we hope to have some of the passengers there to identify the + articles stolen from them.” + </p> + <p> + “It will be necessary that the Rev. Mr. Bastow should be here. He need not + be called to give evidence unless we think it to be of importance, but he + had better be in attendance. The prisoners are remanded until this day + week.” + </p> + <p> + An hour later the three prisoners, handcuffed, were driven under an escort + of three armed constables to Croydon Jail. When again brought up in court + the passengers on the coach identified the articles taken from them; the + coachman gave evidence of the stopping of the coach, and of the shooting + of the guard. The head constable testified that he had searched the + Rectory from top to bottom, and found nothing whatever of a suspicious + nature. None of the passengers were able to testify to the two elder + prisoners as the men who had robbed them, as these had been masked, but + the height and dress corresponded to those of the prisoners; and the two + Bow Street runners then came forward, and gave evidence that the two elder + prisoners were well known to them. They had long been suspected of being + highwaymen, and had several times been arrested when riding towards London + on occasions when a coach had been stopped the night before, but no stolen + goods had ever been found upon them, and in no case had the passengers + been able to swear to their identity. One was known among his associates + as “Galloping Bill,” the other as the “Downy One.” At the conclusion of + the evidence the three prisoners were formally committed for trial, the + magistrates having retired in consultation for some time upon the question + of whether the charge of receiving stolen goods ought to be made against + Arthur Bastow. + </p> + <p> + “I think, gentlemen,” the chairman said, after a good deal had been urged + on both sides of the question, “in this case we can afford to take a + merciful view. In the first place, no stolen goods were discovered upon + him or in the house. There is strong presumptive evidence of his + intention, but intention is not a crime, and even were the evidence + stronger than it is, I should be inclined to take a merciful view. There + can be no doubt that the young fellow is thoroughly bad, and the bravado + he has exhibited throughout the hearing is at once unbecoming and + disgraceful; but we must remember that he is not yet eighteen, and that, + in the second place, he is the son of a much respected clergyman, who is + our neighbor. The matter is serious enough for him as it stands, and he is + certain to have a very heavy sentence. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Thorndyke, who takes no part in our deliberations, is most anxious + that the prisoner's father should be spared the agony of his son being + placed on trial on a capital charge, though I do not think that there + would be the smallest chance of his being executed, for the judges would + be certain to take his youth into consideration. Had there been prima + facie evidence of concealment, we must have done our duty and sent him to + trial on that charge; but as there is no such evidence, I think that it + will be in all respects better to send him on a charge on which the + evidence is as clear as noonday. Moreover, I think that Mr. Thorndyke's + wishes should have some weight with us, seeing that it is entirely due to + him that the important capture of these highwaymen, who have long been a + scourge to this neighborhood, has been effected.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bastow had not been called as a witness. John Thorndyke had brought + him down to Reigate in a closed carriage, and he had waited in the + justices' room while the examination went on; but the magistrates agreed + that the evidence given was amply sufficient for them to commit upon + without given him the pain of appearing. John Thorndyke had taken him to + another room while the magistrates were consulting together, and when he + heard the result drove him back again. + </p> + <p> + “I have fully made up my mind to resign my living, Thorndyke. I could not + stand up and preach to the villagers of their duties when I myself have + failed so signally in training my own son; nor visit their houses and + presume to lecture them on their shortcomings when my son is a convicted + criminal.” + </p> + <p> + “I quite see that, old friend,” the Squire said. “And I had no doubt but + that you would decide on this course. I will try not to persuade you to + change your decision, for I feel that your power of usefulness is at an + end as far as the village is concerned. May I ask what you propose to do? + I can hardly suppose that your savings have been large.” + </p> + <p> + “Two years ago I had some hundreds laid by, but they have dwindled away to + nothing; you can understand how. For a time it was given freely, then + reluctantly; then I declared I would give no more, but he took it all the + same—he knew well enough that I could never prosecute him for + forgery.” + </p> + <p> + “As bad as that, eh?” Thorndyke said sternly. “Well, we won't talk further + of him now; what I propose is that you should take up your abode at the + Hall. I am not satisfied with the school where Mark has been for the last + two years, and I have been hesitating whether to get a private tutor for + him or to send him to one of the public schools. I know that that would be + best, but I could not bring myself to do so. I have some troubles of my + own that but two or three people know of, and now, that everything is + going on smoothly on the estate and in the village, I often feel dull, and + the boy's companionship does me much good; and as he knows many lads of + his own age in the neighborhood now, I think that he would do just as well + at home. + </p> + <p> + “He will be taking to shooting and hunting before long, and if he is to + have a tutor, there is no one I should like to have better than yourself. + You know all the people, and we could talk comfortably together of an + evening when the house is quiet. Altogether, it will be an excellent + arrangement for me. You would have your own room, and if I have company + you need not join us unless you like. The house would not seem like itself + without you, for you have been associated with it as long as I can + remember. As to your going out into the world at the age of sixty, it + would be little short of madness. There—you need not give me an + answer now,” he went on, seeing that the Rector was too broken down to + speak; “but I am sure that when you think it over you will come to the + same conclusion as I do, that it will be the best plan possible for us + both.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV. + </h2> + <p> + The trial of the two highwaymen and Arthur Bastow came off in due course. + The evidence given was similar to that offered at Reigate, the only + addition being that Mr. Bastow was himself put into the box. The counsel + for the prosecution said: “I am sorry to have to call you, Mr. Bastow. We + all feel most deeply for you, and I will ask you only two or three + questions. Was your son frequently out at night?” + </p> + <p> + “He was.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you often hear him return?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I seldom went to sleep until he came back.” + </p> + <p> + “Had you any reason to suppose that others returned with him?” + </p> + <p> + “I never saw any others.” + </p> + <p> + “But you might have heard them without seeing them. Please tell us if you + ever heard voices.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have heard men's voices,” the clergyman said reluctantly, in a low + voice. + </p> + <p> + “One more question, and I have done. Have you on some occasions heard the + sound of horses' hoofs in your yard at about the time that your son came + in?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bastow said in a low voice: “I have.” + </p> + <p> + “Had you any suspicion whatever of the character of your son's visitors?” + </p> + <p> + “None whatever. I supposed that those with him were companions with whom + he had been spending the evening.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bastow had to be assisted from the witness box, so overcome was he + with the ordeal. He had not glanced at his son while giving his evidence. + The latter and his two fellow prisoners maintained throughout the trial + their expression of indifference. The two highwaymen nodded to + acquaintances they saw in the body of the court, smiled at various points + in the evidence, and so conducted themselves that there were murmured + exclamations of approval of their gameness on the part of the lower class + of the public. The jury, without a moment's hesitation, found them all + guilty of the offenses with which they were charged. Bastow was first + sentenced. + </p> + <p> + “Young man,” the judge said, “young as you are, there can be no doubt + whatever in the minds of anyone who has heard the evidence that you have + been an associate with these men who have been found guilty of highway + robbery accompanied by murder. I consider that a merciful view was taken + of your case by the magistrates who committed you for trial, for the + evidence of your heartbroken father, on whose gray hairs your conduct has + brought trouble and disgrace, leaves no doubt that you have for some time + been in league with highwaymen, although not actually participating in + their crime. The words overheard by Mr. Thorndyke show that you were + prepared to hide their booty for them, and it is well for you that you + were captured before this was done, and that no proceeds of other + robberies were found in the house. The evidence of the Bow Street officers + show that it had for some time been suspected that these men had an + accomplice somewhere in the neighborhood of Reigate, for although arrested + several times under circumstances forming a strong assumption of their + guilt, nothing was ever found upon them. There can now be little, doubt + who their accomplice was. Had you been an older man I should have + sentenced you to transportation for life, but in consideration of your + youth, I shall take the milder course of sentencing you to fifteen years' + transportation.” + </p> + <p> + The capital sentence was then passed in much fewer words upon the two + highwaymen. As they were leaving the dock Bastow turned, and in a clear + voice said to John Thorndyke, who had been accommodated with a seat in the + well of the court: + </p> + <p> + “I have to thank you, Thorndyke, for this. I will pay off my debt some + day, you make take your oath.” + </p> + <p> + “A sad case, Mr. Thorndyke—a sad case,” the judge, who had greatly + complimented the Squire on his conduct, said to him as he was disrobing + afterwards. “I don't know that in all my experience I ever saw such a + hardened young villain. With highwaymen it is a point of honor to assume a + gayety of demeanor on such occasions; but to see a boy of eighteen, never + before convicted, exhibiting such coolness and effrontery is quite beyond + my experience. I suppose his record is altogether bad?” + </p> + <p> + “Altogether,” the Squire said. “His father has, during the last two years, + been quite broken by it; he owned to me that he was in bodily fear of the + lad, who had on several occasions assaulted him, had robbed him of his + savings by means of forgery, and was so hopelessly bad that he himself + thought with me that the only possible hope for him was to get him to + enlist. I myself recommended the East India Company's service, thinking + that he would have less opportunity for crime out there, and that there + would be a strong chance that either fever or a bullet would carry him + off, for I own that I have not the slightest hope of reformation in such a + character.” + </p> + <p> + “I would have given him transportation for life if I had known all this,” + the judge said. “However, it is not likely that he will ever come back + again—very few of them do; the hulks are not the most healthy places + in the world, and they have a pretty rough way with men who give them + trouble, as this young fellow is likely to do.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bastow, as soon as he had given his evidence, had taken a hackney + coach to the inn where he and the Squire had put up on their arrival in + town the evening before, and here, on his return, John Thorndyke found + him. He was lying on his bed in a state of prostration. + </p> + <p> + “Cheer up, Bastow,” he said, putting his hand upon the Rector's shoulder. + “The sentence is fifteen years, which was the very amount I hoped that he + would get. The more one sees of him the more hopeless it is to expect that + any change will ever take place in him; and it is infinitely better that + he should be across the sea where his conduct, when his term is over, can + affect no one. The disgrace, such as it is, to his friends, is no greater + in a long term than in a short one. Had he got off with four or five + years' imprisonment, he would have been a perpetual trouble and a source + of uneasiness, not to say alarm; and even had he left you alone we should + always have been in a state of dread as to his next offense. Better that + he should be out in the colonies than be hung at Tyburn.” + </p> + <p> + “How did he take the sentence?” + </p> + <p> + “With the same bravado he had shown all through, and as he went out of the + dock addressed a threat to me, that, under the circumstances, I can very + well afford to despise. Now, if you will take my advice, you will drink a + couple of glasses of good port, and then go to bed. I will see to your + being awakened at seven o'clock, which will give us time to breakfast + comfortably, and to make a start at nine.” + </p> + <p> + “I would rather not have the wine,” the Rector said feebly. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but you must take what is good for you. I have ordered up a bottle + of the landlord's best, and must insist upon your drinking a couple of + glasses with me. I want it almost as much as you do, for the atmosphere of + that court was enough to poison a dog. I have got the taste of it in my + mouth still.” + </p> + <p> + With much reluctance the Rector accompanied him to the private sitting + room that the Squire had engaged. He sat down almost mechanically in an + easy chair. The Squire poured out the wine, and handed him a glass. Mr. + Bastow at first put it to his lips without glancing at it, but he was a + connoisseur in wine, and the bouquet of the port appealing to his latent + senses, he took a sip, and then another, appreciatingly. + </p> + <p> + “The landlord said it was first rate, and he is not far wrong,” John + Thorndyke remarked, as he set down his own glass. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it is a fine vintage, and in perfect condition,” Mr. Bastow agreed. + “I have drunk nothing better for years, though you have some fine bins.” + </p> + <p> + “I would take a biscuit, if I were you, before I took another glass,” the + Squire said, helping himself from a plate on the table. “You have had + nothing to eat today, and you want something badly. I have a dish of + kidneys coming up in half an hour; they cook them well here.” + </p> + <p> + The Rector ate a biscuit, mechanically sipped another glass of wine, and + was even able to eat a kidney when they were brought up. Although + September was not yet out, the Squire had a fire lighted in the room, and + after the meal was over, and two steaming tumblers of punch were placed + upon the table, he took a long pipe from the mantel, filled and lighted + it, then filled another, and handed it to the Rector, at the same time + holding out a light to him. + </p> + <p> + “Life has its consolations,” he said. “You have had a lot of troubles one + way and another, Bastow, but we may hope that they are all over now, and + that life will go more smoothly and easily with you. We had better leave + the past alone for the present. I call this snug: a good fire, a clean + pipe, a comfortable chair, and a steaming bowl at one's elbow.” + </p> + <p> + The Rector smiled faintly. + </p> + <p> + “It seems unnatural—” he began. + </p> + <p> + “Not at all, not at all,” the Squire broke in. “You have had a tremendous + load on your mind, and now it is lifted off; the thundercloud has burst, + and though damage has been done, one is thankful that it is no worse. Now + I can talk to you of a matter that has been on my mind for the last three + weeks. What steps do you think that I ought to take to find a successor + for you? It is most important to have a man who will be a real help in the + parish, as you have been, would pull with one comfortably, and be a + pleasant associate. I don't want too young a fellow, and I don't want too + old a one. I have no more idea how to set about it than a child. Of + course, I could ask the Bishop to appoint, but I don't know that he would + appoint at all the sort of man I want. The living is only worth 200 pounds + a year and the house—no very great catch; but there is many a man + that would be glad to have it.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been thinking it over, too, Thorndyke, when I could bring my mind + to consider anything but my own affairs. How would Greg do? He has been + taking duty for me since I could not do it myself. I know that he is a + hard working fellow, and he has a wife and a couple of children; his + curacy is only 70 pounds a year, and it would be a perfect godsend, for he + has no interest in the Church, and he might be years without preferment.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think he would do very well, Bastow. Yes, he reads well, which I + own I care for that a good deal more than for the preaching; not that I + have anything to say against that. He gives sound and practical sermons, + and they have the advantage of being short, which is a great thing. In the + first place, it is good in itself, and in the second, specially important + in a village congregation, where you know very well every woman present is + fidgeting to get home to see that the pot is not boiling over, and the + meat in the oven is not burnt. Yes, I will go down tomorrow afternoon and + ask him if he would like the living. You were talking of selling the + furniture; how much do you suppose it is worth?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't suppose it will fetch above seventy or eighty pounds; it is solid + and good, but as I have had it in use nearly forty years, it would not go + for much.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, let us say a hundred pounds,” the Squire said. “I will give you a + check for it. I dare say Greg will find it difficult to furnish, and he + might have to borrow the money, and the debt would be a millstone round + his neck, perhaps, for years, so I will hand it over with the Rectory to + him.” + </p> + <p> + So they talked for an hour or two on village matters, and the Squire was + well pleased, when his old friend went up to bed, that he had succeeded in + diverting his thoughts for a time from the painful subject that had + engrossed them for weeks. + </p> + <p> + “You have slept well,” he said, when they met at breakfast, “I can see by + your face.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have not slept so soundly for months. I went to sleep as soon as + my head touched the pillow, and did not awake until the chambermaid + knocked at the door.” + </p> + <p> + “That second glass of punch did it, Bastow. It is a fine morning; we shall + have a brisk drive back. I am very glad that I changed my mind and brought + the gig instead of the close carriage.” + </p> + <p> + In the afternoon the Squire drove into Reigate. He found the curate at + home, and astonished and delighted him by asking him if he would like the + living of Crowswood. It came altogether as a surprise to him, for the + Rector's intentions to resign had not been made public, and it was + supposed in the village that he was only staying at the Squire's until + this sad affair should be over. Greg was a man of seven or eight and + twenty, had graduated with distinction at Cambridge, but, having no + influence, had no prospects of promotion, and the offer almost bewildered + him. + </p> + <p> + “I should be grateful indeed, Mr. Thorndyke,” he said. “It would be a boon + to us. Will you excuse me for a moment?” + </p> + <p> + And opening a door, he called for his wife, who was trying to keep the two + children quiet there, having retired with them hastily when Mr. Thorndyke + was announced. + </p> + <p> + “What do you think, Emma?” her husband said excitedly, as she came into + the room. “Mr. Thorndyke has been good enough to offer me the living of + Crowswood.” + </p> + <p> + Then he recovered himself. “I beg your pardon, sir, for my unmannerliness + in not first introducing my wife to you.” + </p> + <p> + “It was natural that you should think of telling her the news first of + all,” the Squire said courteously. “Madam, I am your obedient servant, and + I hope that soon we shall get to know each other well. I consider it of + great importance that the Squire of a parish and the Rector should work + well together, and see a great deal of each other. I don't know whether + you are aware, Mr. Greg, that the living is worth 200 pounds a year, + besides which there is a paddock of about ten acres, which is sufficient + for the keep of a horse and cow. The Rectory is a comfortable one, and I + have arranged with Mr. Bastow that he shall leave his furniture for the + benefit of his successor. It will include linen, so that you will be put + to no expense whatever in moving in. I have known these first expenses to + seriously cripple the usefulness of a clergyman when appointed to a + living.” + </p> + <p> + “That is good of you indeed, Mr. Thorndyke,” the curate said. “We have + been living in these lodgings since we first came here, and it will indeed + make matters easy to have the question of furniture so kindly settled for + us.” + </p> + <p> + “Will your Rector be able to release you shortly?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt that he will do that at once. His son has just left + Oxford and taken deacon's orders; and the Rector told me the other day + that he should be glad if I would look out for another curacy, as he + wanted to have his son here with him. He spoke very kindly, and said that + he should make no change until I could hear of a place to suit me. His son + has been assisting him for the last month, since I took the services at + Crowswood, and I am sure he would release me at once.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I should be glad if you will move up as soon as possible to the + Rectory. I know nothing about the necessary forms, but I suppose that Mr. + Bastow will send in his resignation to the Bishop, and I shall write and + tell him that I have appointed you, and you can continue to officiate as + you have done lately until you can be formally inducted as the Rector. + Perhaps you would not mind going round to your Rector at once and telling + him of the offer you have had. I have one or two matters to do in the + town, and will call again in three quarters of an hour. I shall be glad to + tell Mr. Bastow that you will come into residence at once.” + </p> + <p> + On returning at the appointed time he found that the curate had returned. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Pilkington was very kind, and evidently very pleased; he + congratulated me most warmly, and I can come up at once. We don't know how + to thank you enough, Mr. Thorndyke.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want any thanks, I can assure you, Mr. Greg. Tomorrow I will send + a couple of women in from the village to get the place in order, and no + doubt Mr. Bastow will want to take away a few things. He is going to + remain with me as tutor to my son. I am sure you and I will get on very + well together, and I only hope that your sermons will be no longer when + you are Rector than they have been while you have been assisting us. Long + sermons may do for a town congregation, but in my opinion they are a very + serious mistake in the case of a village one. By the way, I think it would + be as well for you to get a servant here, and that before you go up. Mr. + Bastow's servant was an old woman, and in a case like this I always think + it is better not to take one's predecessor's servant. She generally + resents any change, and is always quoting how her last master had things. + I mention this before you go, because she is sure to ask to stay on, and + it is much easier to say that you are bringing a servant with you than to + have to tell her she is too old or too fat. Don't you think so, Mrs. + Greg?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think it will be much better, Mr. Thorndyke. Even if I cannot hear + of one likely to suit us permanently, I will take someone as a stop gap. + One can easily change afterwards.” + </p> + <p> + “The old woman will do very well,” the Squire said. “She has two married + daughters in the village, and with a shilling or two from the parish she + will manage comfortably. At any rate we shall look after her, and I have + no doubt Mr. Bastow will make her an allowance.” + </p> + <p> + Never were a pair more delighted than Parson Greg and his wife when two + days later they took possession of their new home. Half a dozen women had + been at work the day before, and everything was in perfect order. To Mrs. + Greg's relief she found that the old servant had already gone, the Squire + having himself informed her that Mrs. Greg would bring her own maid with + her. Mr. Bastow said that he would allow her half a crown a week as long + as she lived, and the Squire added as much more, and as the woman had + saved a good deal during her twenty years' service with the Rector, she + was perfectly satisfied. + </p> + <p> + “It is a good thing that she should be content,” the Squire said to Mr. + Bastow. “She has a lot of connections in the village, and if she had gone + away with a sense of grievance she might have created a good deal of ill + feeling against your successor, and I am very anxious that he should begin + well. I like the young fellow, and I like his wife.” + </p> + <p> + “We are fortunate, indeed, Ernest,” Mrs. Greg said the following morning, + as with the children, two and three years old, they went out into the + garden; where the trees were laden with apples, pears, and plums. “What a + change from our little rooms in Reigate. I should think that anyone ought + to be happy indeed here.” + </p> + <p> + “They ought to be, Emma, but you see Mr. Bastow had trouble enough; and it + should be a lesson to us, dear, to look very closely after the boys now + they are young, and see that they don't make bad acquaintances.” + </p> + <p> + “From what we hear of the village, there is little fear of that; the + mischief must have begun before Mr. Thorndyke came down, when by all + accounts things had altogether gone to the bad here, and of course young + Bastow must have had an exceptionally evil disposition, Ernest.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, no doubt; but his father could not have looked after him properly. I + believe, from what I hear, that Bastow was so dispirited at his + powerlessness to put a stop to the state of things here, that, except to + perform service, he seldom left the house, and the boy no doubt grew up + altogether wild. You know that I was in court on the second day of the + examination, and the young fellow's insolence and bearing astonished and + shocked me. Happily, we have the Squire here now to back us up, the + village has been completely cleared of all bad characters, and is by all + accounts quite a model place, and we must do our best to keep it so.” + </p> + <p> + The news of the change at the Rectory naturally occasioned a great deal of + talk. At first there was a general feeling of regret that Mr. Bastow had + gone, and yet it was felt that he could not have been expected to stay; + the month's experience that they had had of the new parson had cleared the + way for him. He and his wife soon made themselves familiar with the + villagers, and being bright young people, speedily made themselves liked. + The Squire and Mrs. Cunningham called the first afternoon after their + arrival. + </p> + <p> + “You must always send up if anything is wanted, Mr. Greg; whenever there + is any illness in the village we always keep a stock of soups and jellies, + and Mrs. Cunningham is almoner in general. Is there anything that we can + do for you? If so, let me know without hesitation.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed, there is nothing, Mr. Thorndyke. It is marvelous to us coming in + here and finding everything that we can possibly want.” + </p> + <p> + “You will want a boy for your garden; and you cannot do better than take + young Bill Summers. He was with me for a bit last year, when the boy I + have now was laid up with mumps or something of that sort, and he was very + favorably reported on as being handy in the garden, able to milk a cow, + and so on. By the way, Mrs. Greg, I have taken the liberty of sending down + a cow in milk. I expect she is in your meadow now. I have seven or eight + of them, and if you will send her back when her milk fails I will send + down another.” + </p> + <p> + “You are too kind altogether, Mr. Thorndyke!” Mrs. Greg exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Not at all. I want to see things comfortable here, and you will find it + difficult to get on without a cow. I keep two or three for the special use + of the village. I make them pay for it, halfpenny a pint; it is better to + do that than to give it. It is invaluable for the children; and I don't + think in all England you see rosier and healthier youngsters than those in + our schools. You will sometimes find milk useful for puddings and that + sort of thing for the sick; and they will appreciate it all the more than + if they had to look solely to us for their supply.” + </p> + <p> + “How is Mr. Bastow, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “He is better than could be expected. He himself proposed this morning + that my boy Mark should begin his studies at once; and, indeed, now that + the worst is over and he has got rid of the load of care on his shoulders, + I hope that we shall have him bright and cheerful again before long.” + </p> + <p> + Such was indeed the case. For some little time Mr. Bastow avoided the + village, but John Thorndyke got him to go down with him to call upon Mr. + Greg, and afterwards to walk through it with him. At first he went timidly + and shrinkingly, but the kindly greetings of the women he met, and the + children stopping to pull a forelock or bob a courtesy as of old, + gradually cheered him up, and he soon got accustomed to the change, and + would of an afternoon go down to the village and chat with the women, + after he had ascertained that his successor had no objection whatever, and + was, indeed, pleased that he still took an interest in his former + parishioners. Mark was at first disappointed at the arrangement, for he + had looked forward to going to a public school. His father, however, had + no great trouble in reconciling him to it. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Mark,” he said, “there are advantages in a public school. I + was never at one myself, but I believe that, though the discipline is + pretty strict, there is a great deal of fun and sport, and you may make + desirable acquaintances. Upon the other hand, there are drawbacks. In the + first place, the majority of the boys are sons of richer men than I am. I + don't know that that would matter much, but it would give you expensive + habits, and perhaps make you fonder of London life than I should care + about. In the next place, you see, you would be at school when the + shooting begins, and you are looking forward to carrying a gun next year. + The same with hunting. You know I promised that this year you should go to + the meets on your pony, and see as much of them as you can, and of course + when you were at school you would only be able to indulge in these matters + during your holidays; and if a hard frost set in, as is the case three + times out of four, just as you came home, you would be out of it + altogether. + </p> + <p> + “I must say I should like you to have a real love of field sports and to + be a good shot and a good rider. A man, however wide his acres may be, is + thought but little of in the country if he is not a good sportsman; and, + moreover, there is nothing better for developing health and muscles than + riding, and tramping over the fields with a gun on your shoulder; and, + lastly, you must not forget, Mark, that one of my objects in making this + arrangement is to keep Mr. Bastow with us. I am sure that unless he + thought that he was making himself useful he would not be content to + remain here; and at his age, you know, it would be hard for him to obtain + clerical employment.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, father. I see that the present plan is the best, and that I + should have but little sport if I went away to school. Besides, I like Mr. + Bastow very much, and I am quite sure that I shan't get so many whackings + from him as I used to do from old Holbrook.” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy not, Mark,” his father said with a smile. “I am not against + wholesome discipline, but I think it can be carried too far; at any rate, + I hope you will be just as obedient to Mr. Bastow as if he always had a + cane on the table beside him.” + </p> + <p> + Mark, therefore, went to work in a cheerful spirit, and soon found that he + made more progress in a week under Mr. Bastow's gentle tuition than he had + done in a month under the vigorous discipline of his former master. Mr. + and Mrs. Greg dined regularly at the Squire's once a week. + </p> + <p> + “Have you had that Indian servant of yours long, Mr. Thorndyke?” Mrs. Greg + asked one day. “He is a strange looking creature. Of course, in the + daytime, when one sees him about in ordinary clothes, one does not notice + him so much; but of an evening, in that Eastern costume of his, he looks + very strange.” + </p> + <p> + “He was the servant of the Colonel, my brother,” the Squire replied. “He + brought him over from India with him. The man had been some years in his + service, and was very attached to him, and had saved his life more than + once, he told me. On one occasion he caught a cobra by the neck as it was + about to strike my brother's hand as he sat at table; he carried it out + into the compound, as George called it, but which means, he told me, + garden, and there let it escape. Another time he caught a Thug, which + means a sort of robber who kills his victims by strangling before robbing + them. They are a sort of sect who regard strangling as a religious action, + greatly favored by the bloodthirsty goddess they worship. He was in the + act of fastening the twisted handkerchief, used for the purpose, round my + brother's neck, when Ramoo cut him down. The closest shave, though, was + when George, coming down the country, was pounced upon by a tiger and + carried off. Ramoo seized a couple of muskets from the men, and rushed + into the jungle after him, and coming up with the brute killed him at the + first shot. George escaped with a broken arm and his back laid open by a + scratch of the tiger's claws as it first seized him. + </p> + <p> + “So at George's death I took Ramoo on, and have found him a most useful + fellow. Of course, I was some little time before I became accustomed to + his noiseless way of going about, and it used to make me jump when I + happened to look round, and saw him standing quietly behind me when I + thought I was quite alone. However, as soon as I became accustomed to him, + I got over all that, and now I would not lose him for anything; he seems + to know instinctively what I want. He is excellent as a waiter and valet; + I should feel almost lost without him now; and the clumping about of an + English man servant would annoy me as much as his noiseless way of going + about did at first. He has come to speak English very fairly. Of course, + my brother always talked to him in his own tongue; still, he had picked up + enough English for me to get on with; now he speaks it quite fluently. + When I have nothing whatever for him to do he devotes himself to my little + ward. She is very fond of him, and it is quite pretty to see them together + in the garden. Altogether, I would not part with him for anything.” + </p> + <p> + For some years life passed uneventfully at Crowswood. It was seldom indeed + that the Squire's authority was needed to set matters right in the + village. The substitution of good farmers for shiftless ones in some of + the farms, and the better cultivation generally, had given more + employment; and as John Thorndyke preferred keeping two or three cottages + shut up rather than have them occupied by men for whom no work could be + found, it was rare indeed that there were any complaints of scarcity of + work, except, indeed, on the part of the Rector, who declared that, what + with the healthiness of the village and the absence of want, his + occupation, save for the Sunday duty, was a sinecure. Mr. Bastow was more + happy and much brighter than he had been for many years. The occupation of + teaching suited him, and he was able to make the work pleasant to his + pupil as well as to himself; indeed, it occupied but a small portion of + the day, the amount of learning considered necessary at the time not being + extensive. A knowledge of Greek was thought quite superfluous for a + country gentleman. Science was in its infancy, mathematics a subject only + to be taken up by those who wanted to obtain a college fellowship. Latin, + however, was considered an essential, and a knack of apt quotation from + the Latin poets an accomplishment that every man who was a member of + society or aspired to enter Parliament was expected to possess. Thus Mark + Thorndyke's lessons lasted but two or three hours a day, and the school + term was a movable period, according to the season of the year and the + engagements of the Squire and Mark. In winter the evening was the time, so + that the boy shot with his father, or rode to the hounds, or, as he got + older, joined in shooting parties at the houses of neighbors. + </p> + <p> + In summer the work was done in the morning, but was not unfrequently + broken. Mark went off at a very early hour to drive perhaps some twenty + miles with his great chum, Dick Chetwynd, for a long day's fishing, or to + see a main of cocks fought or a fight between the champions of two + neighboring villages, or perhaps some more important battle. + </p> + <p> + When Millicent Conyers was ten years old she came regularly into the + study, sitting curled up in a deep chair, getting up her lessons while + Mark did his, and then changing seats with him while he learned his Horace + or Ovid by heart. At this time she looked up greatly to him, and was his + companion whenever he would allow her to be, fetched and carried for him, + and stood almost on a level with his dogs in his estimation. Five years + later, when Mark was eighteen, these relations changed somewhat. He now + liked to have her with him, not only when about the house and garden, but + when he took short rides she cantered along on her pony by his side. She + was a bright faced girl, full of life and fun, and rejoicing in a far + greater amount of freedom than most girls of her age and time. + </p> + <p> + “It is really time that she should learn to comport herself more staidly, + instead of running about like a wild thing,” Mrs. Cunningham said, one + day, as she and the Squire stood after breakfast looking out of the open + window at Mark and Millicent. + </p> + <p> + “Time enough, my dear lady, time enough. Let her enjoy life while she can. + I am not in favor of making a young kitten behave like an old tabby; every + creature in nature is joyful and frolicsome while it is young. She is as + tall and as straight as any of her friends of the same age, and looks more + healthy; she will tame down in time, and I dare say walk and look as prim + and demure as they do. I was watching them the other day when there was a + party of them up here, and I thought the difference was all to her + advantage. She looked a natural, healthy girl; they looked like a set of + overdressed dolls, afraid to move or to talk loud, or to stretch their + mouths when they smile; very ladylike and nice, no doubt, but you will see + Millicent will throw them into the shade when she is once past the tomboy + age. Leave her alone, Mrs. Cunningham; a girl is not like a fruit tree, + that wants pruning and training from its first year; it will be quite time + to get her into shape when she has done growing.” + </p> + <p> + John Thorndyke had occasionally made inquiries of Mr. Bastow as to the + whereabouts of his son. At the time the sentence was passed transportation + to the American colonies was being discontinued, and until other + arrangements could be made hulks were established as places of confinement + and punishment; but a few months later Arthur Bastow was one of the first + batch of convicts sent out to the penal settlement formed on the east + coast of Australia. This was intended to be fixed at Botany Bay, but it + having been found that this bay was open and unsheltered, it was + established at Sydney, although for many years the settlement retained in + England the name of the original site. As the condition of the prisoners + kept in the hulks was deplorable, the Squire had, through the influence of + Sir Charles Harris, obtained the inclusion of Bastow's name among the + first batch of those who were to sail for Australia. Mr. Bastow obtained + permission to see his son before sailing, but returned home much + depressed, for he had been assailed with such revolting and blasphemous + language by him that he had been forced to retire in horror at the end of + a few minutes. + </p> + <p> + “We have done well in getting him sent off,” the Squire said, when he + heard the result of the interview. “In the first place, the demoralizing + effect of these hulks is quite evident, and it may be hoped that in a new + country, where there can be no occasion for the convicts to be pent up + together, things may be better; for although escapes from the hulks are + not frequent, they occasionally take place, and had he gained his liberty + we should have had an anxious time of it until he was re-arrested, whereas + out there there is nowhere to go to, no possibility of committing a crime. + It is not there as it was in the American colony. Settlements may grow up + in time, but at present there are no white men whatever settled in the + district; and the natives are, they say, hostile, and were a convict to + escape he would almost certainly be killed, and possibly eaten. No doubt + by the time your son has served his sentence colonies will be established + out there, and he may then be disposed to settle there, either on a piece + of land of which he could no doubt take up or in the service of one of the + colonists.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V. + </h2> + <p> + The scene in the convict yard at Sydney, five years after its foundation + as a penal settlement, was not a pleasant one to the lover of humanity. + Warders armed to the teeth were arranging gangs that were to go out to + labor on the roads. Many of the convicts had leg irons, but so fastened as + to be but slight hindrance to their working powers, but the majority were + unironed. These were the better behaved convicts; not that this would be + judged from their faces, for the brutalizing nature of the system and the + close association of criminals had placed its mark on all, and it would + have been difficult for the most discriminating to have made any choice + between the most hardened criminals and those who had been sent out for + what would now be considered comparatively trivial offenses. The voyage on + board ship had done much to efface distinctions, the convict life had done + more, and the chief difference between the chained and unchained prisoners + was that the latter were men of more timid disposition than many of their + companions, and therefore less disposed to give trouble that would entail + heavy punishment. But it was only the comparatively well conducted men who + were placed upon road work; the rest were retained for work inside the + jail, or were caged in solitary confinement. Each morning a number, + varying from half a dozen to a dozen, were fastened up and flogged, in + some cases with merciless severity, but it was seldom that a cry was + uttered by these, the most brutal ruffians of the convict herd. This + spectacle was just over: it was conducted in public for the edification of + the rest, but, judging from the low laughs and brutal jests, uttered below + the breath, it signally failed in producing the desired impression. Two of + those who had suffered the severest punishment were now putting on their + coarse woolen garments over their bloodstained shoulders; both were + comparatively young men. + </p> + <p> + “I shall not stand this much longer,” one muttered. “I will brain a + warder, and get hung for it. One can but die once, while one can get + flogged once a week.” + </p> + <p> + “So would I,” the other said bitterly; “but I have some scores to settle + in England, and I am not going to put my head in a noose until I have + wiped them out. The sooner we make arrangements to get back there the + better.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we have talked of this before,” the other said, “and I quite agreed + with you that if we all had the pluck of men we ought to be able to + overpower the warders, in spite of their firearms. Of course some of us + would get killed, but no one would mind that if there was but the remotest + chance of getting away. The question is what we should do with ourselves + when we were once outside the prison. Of course I know that there are two + or three hundred settlers, but there would not be much to be got out of + them, and life among those black fellows, even if they were civil to us, + which I don't suppose they would be, would not be worth having.” + </p> + <p> + “We might not have to stay there long; ships with stores or settlers + arrive occasionally, and if a lot of us got away we might seize one by + force, turn pirates for a bit, and when we are tired of that sail to some + South American port, sell our capture, and make our way home to England. + If we were not strong enough to take her, we could hide up on board her; + we should be sure to find some fellow who for a pound or two would be + willing to help us. The thing can be done if we make up our minds to do + it, and I for one have made up my mind to try. I haven't chalked out a + plan yet, but I am convinced that it is to be done.” + </p> + <p> + “I am with you, whatever it is,” the other said; “and I think there are + twenty or thirty we could rely on. I don't say there are more than that, + because there are a lot of white livered cusses among them who would + inform against us at once, so as to get their own freedom as a reward for + doing so. Well, we will both think it over, mate, and the sooner the + better.” + </p> + <p> + The two men who were thus talking together were both by birth above the + common herd of convicts, and had gained a considerable ascendency over the + others because of their reckless indifference to punishment and their + defiance of authority. Few of the men knew each other's real names; by the + officials they were simply known by numbers, while among themselves each + had a slang name generally gained on board ship. + </p> + <p> + Separation there had, of course, been impossible, and when fastened down + below each had told his story with such embellishments as he chose to give + it, and being but little interfered with by their guards, save to insure + the impossibility of a mutiny, there had been fights of a desperate kind. + Four or five dead bodies had been found and thrown overboard, but as none + would testify as to who had been the assailants none were punished for it; + and so the strongest and most desperate had enforced their authority over + the others, as wild beasts might do, and by the time they had reached + their destination all were steeped much deeper in wickedness and brutalism + than when they set sail. + </p> + <p> + The two men who were speaking together had speedily become chums, and, + though much younger than the majority of the prisoners, had by their + recklessness and ferocity established an ascendency among the others. This + ascendency had been maintained after their arrival by their constant acts + of insubordination, and by their apparent indifference to the punishment + awarded them. At night the convicts were lodged in wooden buildings, + where, so long as they were not riotous, they were allowed to talk and + converse freely, as indeed was the case when their work for the day was + done. + </p> + <p> + As to any attempt at escape, the authorities had but small anxiety, for + until the arrival of the first settlers, three years after that of the + convicts, there was nowhere a fugitive could go to, no food to be + obtained, no shelter save among the blacks, who were always ready for a + reward of tobacco and spirits to hand them over at once to the + authorities. The case had but slightly changed since the settlement began + to grow. It was true that by stealing sheep or driving off a few head of + cattle a fugitive might maintain himself for a time, but even if not shot + down by the settlers or patrols, he would be sure before long to be + brought in by the blacks. + </p> + <p> + The experiment had already been tried of farming our better conducted + convicts to the settlers, and indeed it was the prospect of obtaining such + cheap labor that had been the main inducement to many of the colonists to + establish themselves so far from home, instead of going to America. As a + whole the system worked satisfactorily; the men were as much prisoners as + were the inmates of the jail, for they knew well enough that were they to + leave the farmers and take to the bush they would remain free but a short + time, being either killed or handed over by the blacks, and in the latter + case they would be severely punished and set to prison work in irons, with + labor very much more severe than that they were called upon to do on the + farms. + </p> + <p> + Some little time after the conversation between the two convicts the + prison authorities were congratulating themselves upon the fact that a + distinct change had taken or was taking place in the demeanor of many of + the men who had hitherto been the most troublesome, and they put it down + to the unusually severe floggings that had been inflicted on the two most + refractory prisoners in the establishment. When in the prison yard or at + work they were more silent than before, and did their tasks doggedly and + sullenly; there was no open defiance to the authorities, and, above all, a + marked cessation of drunkenness from the spirits smuggled into the place. + </p> + <p> + Only the two originators were aware of the extent of the plot; for they + had agreed that only by keeping every man in ignorance as to who had + joined it could they hope to escape treachery. In the first place, they + had taken into their confidence a dozen men on whom they could absolutely + rely. Beyond this they had approached the others singly, beginning by + hinting that there was a plot for escape, and that a good many were + concerned, and telling them that these had bound themselves together by a + solemn oath to kill any traitor, even if hanged for it. + </p> + <p> + “No one is to know who is in it and who is not,” the leaders said to each + recruit. “Every new man will be closely watched by the rest, and if he has + any communication privately with a warder or any other official he will be + found strangled the next morning; no one will know who did it. Even if he + succeeded in eluding the vigilance of his comrades at the time, it would + soon be known; for if indulgence of any kind was shown towards one man, or + he was relieved from his ordinary work, or even freed altogether and + suddenly, he would be a dead man in twenty-four hours, for we have friends + outside among the ticket of leave men who have bound themselves to kill at + once any man set free.” + </p> + <p> + To the question, “What do you intend to do when we get off?” the answer + was, “We shall go straight to the bush, so as to avoid a fight with the + soldiers, in the first place; then we shall join that night, and drive off + all the cattle and sheep from the settlements, take possession of every + firearm found in the houses, then move off a couple of hundred miles or so + into the bush, and establish a settlement of our own. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, we shall take horses and clothes and any spirits and food we + may find. If the soldiers pursue us, we will fight them; but as there are + only three or four companies of them, and we shall be eight hundred + strong, we shall very soon show them that they had better leave us alone. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, no doubt they will send more soldiers out from England, but it + will be over a year before they can get here; and we propose after we have + done with the fellows here to break up into parties of twenty and thirty, + dividing the sheep and cattle among us, and each party going where it + will. The place is of tremendous size, as big as a dozen Englands, they + say, and each party will fix a place it fancies, where there is good water + and a river with fish and so on, and we may live all our lives + comfortably, with just enough work to raise potatoes and corn, and to + watch our stock increasing. Anyhow, we might calculate on having some + years of peace and freedom, and even if in the end they searched us all + out, which would be very unlikely, they could but bring us back, hang a + few, and set the rest to work again; but we think that they would most + likely leave us alone altogether, quite satisfied with having got rid of + us.” + </p> + <p> + “Those who liked it could, no doubt, take wives among the blacks. The + convict women who are out on service with the settlers would, you may be + sure, join us at once, and an enterprising chap who preferred a white + woman to a black could always make his way down here and persuade one to + go off with him to his farm. That is the general plan; if many get tired + of the life they have only to come down to Sydney, hide up near the place + on some dark night, and go down to the port, seize a ship, and make off in + her, compelling the officers and sailors to take them and land them at any + port they fancy, either in Chili, Peru, or Mexico, or, if they like, sail + west and make for Rio or Buenos Ayres or one of the West Indian islands. + As to when it is going to be done, or how it is going to be done, no one + will be told till it is ready to be carried out. We have not settled that + ourselves, and thus one who was fool enough to risk certain death could + tell the Governor no more than that there was a plot on hand, and that the + man who had sworn him in was concerned in it.” + </p> + <p> + So one by one every man in the prison was sworn by a terrible oath to + secrecy, to watch his companions, and to report anything that looked + suspicious. Many joined willingly, the prospect of relief, even should it + only be temporary, being too fascinating to be resisted. Some joined + against their will, fearing that a refusal to do so would be punished by + death; and the fact that two or three men were found strangled in bed had + a very great effect in inducing others to join in the plot. + </p> + <p> + These deaths caused some uneasiness to the authorities. Their utmost + endeavors failed to discover who were the perpetrators of these murders; + and even when everyone in the same hut was flogged to obtain information, + not one opened his lips. + </p> + <p> + One night the word was passed round that the time had come. One only in + each hut was familiar with the details, and he gave instructions to each + man individually as to what he was to do. The date had been determined by + the fact that the time which they had been sentenced to wear irons had + terminated the day before, and their unusually subdued and quiet demeanor + having carried them through the interval without, as usual, fresh + punishments being awarded them before the termination of the former one. + </p> + <p> + In the morning the whole of the convicts were drawn up to witness the + flogging of the inmates of one of the huts, where a man had been found + strangled the morning before. The first prisoner was taken to the + triangle, stripped to the waist, and tied up. There was a dead silence in + the ranks of the convicts, but as the first blow fell upon his shoulders + there was a loud yell, and simultaneously the whole ranks broke up, and a + number of men sprang upon each of the warders, wrested their muskets from + them, and threw them to the ground. Then there was a rush towards the + Governor and officers, who were assembled in front of the stone house that + faced the open end of the square. Firing their pistols, these at once took + refuge in the house, three or four falling under the scattered fire that + was opened as soon as the muskets of the warders fell into the hands of + the convicts. + </p> + <p> + Directly the doors were closed the officers appeared at the windows, and + opened a rifle fire upon the convicts, as did the guards near the gate. As + comparatively few of the convicts had muskets, they began to waver at + once. But, headed by the two ringleaders, the armed party rushed at the + guard, shot them down, and threw open the gate. + </p> + <p> + Then an unexpected thing occurred. The soldiers from the barracks happened + to be marching down to do target practice on the shore, and were passing + the convict prison when the firing broke out. They were at once halted, + and ordered to load, and as the convicts, with exultant shouts, poured + through the gate they saw a long line of soldiers, with leveled muskets, + facing them. + </p> + <p> + “At them!” one of the leaders shouted. “It is too late to draw back now. + We have got to break through them.” + </p> + <p> + Many of the convicts ran back into the yard; but those armed with muskets, + the more desperate of the party, followed their leaders. A moment later a + heavy volley rang out, and numbers of the convicts fell. Their two + leaders, however, and some twenty of their followers, keeping in a close + body, rushed at the line of soldiers with clubbed muskets, and with the + suddenness and fury of the rush burst their way through the line, and then + scattering, fled across the country, pursued by a dropping fire of + musketry. + </p> + <p> + The officers in command, seeing that but a fraction had escaped, ordered + one company to pursue, and marched the rest into the prison yard. It was + already deserted; the convicts had scattered to their huts, those who had + arms throwing them away. Dotted here and there over the square were the + bodies of eight or ten convicts and as many warders, whose skulls had been + smashed in by their infuriated assailants as soon as they had obtained + possession of their muskets. Close to the gate lay the six soldiers who + had furnished the guard; these were all dead or mortally wounded. + </p> + <p> + The Governor and the officials issued from the house as soon as the + soldiers entered the yard. The first step to do was to turn all the + convicts out of the huts and to iron them. No resistance was attempted, + the sight of the soldiers completely cowing the mutineers. When the bodies + of the convicts that had fallen were counted and the roll of the prisoners + called over, it was found that eighteen were missing, and of these six + were during the course of the next hour or two brought in by the soldiers + who had gone in pursuit of them. The rest had escaped. + </p> + <p> + The convicts were all questioned separately, and the tales they told + agreed so closely that the Governor could not doubt that they were + speaking the truth. All had been sworn in by one of two men, and knew + nothing whatever of what was intended to be done that day, until after + they were locked up on the evening previous. Each of those in the huts had + received his instructions the night before from the one man. + </p> + <p> + There were eighteen huts, each containing fifteen convicts. Of the men who + had given instructions six had fallen outside the gate, together with + sixteen others; five had been overtaken and brought in; altogether, twelve + were still at large. Among these were the two leaders. The next day six of + the prisoners were tried and executed. The rest were punished only by a + reduction in their rations; sentence of death was at the same time passed + upon the twelve still at large, so as to save the trouble of a succession + of trials as they were caught and brought in. + </p> + <p> + The two leaders had kept together after they had broken through the line + of soldiers. + </p> + <p> + “Things have gone off well,” one said as they ran through. “Those soldiers + nearly spoilt it all.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that was unlucky,” the other agreed; “but so far as we are + concerned, which is all we care about, I think things have turned out for + the best.” + </p> + <p> + Nothing more was said until they had far outstripped their pursuers, + hampered as these were by their uniforms and belts. + </p> + <p> + “You mean that it is not such a bad thing that they have not all got + away?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that is what I mean. It is all very well to tell them about driving + off the sheep and cattle and horses, and going to start a colony on our + own account, but the soldiers would have been up to us before we had gone + a day's journey. Most of the fellows would have bolted directly they saw + them. As it is, I fancy only about a dozen have got away, perhaps not as + many as that, and they are all men that one can rely upon. One can feed a + dozen without difficulty—a sheep a day would do it—and by + giving a turn to each of the settlers, the animals won't be missed. + Besides, we shall want money if we are ever to get out of this cursed + country. It would not be difficult to get enough for you and me, but when + it comes to a large number the sack of the whole settlement would not go + very far. + </p> + <p> + “My own idea is that we had best join the others tonight, kill a few + sheep, and go two or three days' march into the bush, until the heat of + the pursuit is over. We are all armed, the blacks would not venture to + attack us, and the soldiers would not be likely to pursue us very far. In + a week or so, when we can assume that matters have cooled down a bit, we + can come down again. We know all the shepherds, and even if they were not + disposed to help us they would not dare to betray us, or report a sheep or + two being missing. Of course, we shall have to be very careful to shift + our quarters frequently. Those black trackers are sure to be sent out + pretty often.” + </p> + <p> + “As long as we are hanging about the settlements there won't be much fear + of our being bothered by the blacks. Of course, we shall have to decide + later on whether it will be best for us to try and seize a ship, all of us + acting together, or for us to get quietly on board one and keep under + hatches until she is well away. That is the plan I fancy most.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I. In the first place the chances are that in the next two or three + months at least half the fellows will be picked up. To begin with, several + of them are sure to get hold of liquor and make attacks upon the settlers, + in which case some of them, anyhow, are sure to get killed. In the next + place, most of them were brought up as thieves in the slums of London, and + will have no more idea of roughing it in a country like this than of + behaving themselves if they were transported to a London drawing room. + Therefore, I am pretty sure that at the end of three months we shall not + be able to reckon on half of them. Well, six men are not enough to capture + a ship, or, if they do capture it, to keep the crew under. One must sleep + sometimes, and with only three or four men on deck we could not hope to + keep a whole ship's crew at bay.” + </p> + <p> + “Then there is another reason. You and I, when we have got a decent rig + out, could pass anywhere without exciting observation; while if we had + half a dozen of the others, whatever their good qualities, they would be + noticed at once by their villainous faces, and if questions were to be + asked we should be likely to find ourselves in limbo again in a very short + time. So I am all for working on our own account, even if the whole of the + others were ready to back us; but, of course, we must keep on good terms + with them all, and breathe no word that we think that each man had better + shift for himself. Some of those fellows, if they thought we had any idea + of leaving them, would go straight into Sydney and denounce us, although + they would know that they themselves would be likely to swing at the same + time.” + </p> + <p> + As none of the convicts were acquainted with the bush, they had been + obliged to select as their rendezvous a hut two miles out of the town, + where the convict gangs that worked on the road were in the habit of + leaving their tools. On the way there the two men killed a couple of sheep + from a flock whose position they had noticed before it became dark. These + they skinned, cut off the heads, and left them behind, carrying the sheep + on their shoulders to the meeting. + </p> + <p> + “Is that you, Captain Wild?” a voice said as they approached. + </p> + <p> + “Yes; Gentleman Dick is with me.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a good job. We had begun to think that the soldiers had caught + you.” + </p> + <p> + “They would not have caught us alive, you may take your oath. How many are + there of us here?” + </p> + <p> + “Ten of us, Captain. I think that that is all there are.” + </p> + <p> + “That is enough for our purpose. Has anyone got anything to eat?” + </p> + <p> + There was a deep growl in the negative. + </p> + <p> + “Well, we have brought a couple of sheep with us, and as we have carried + them something like a mile, you had better handle them by turns. We will + strike off into the bush and put another three or four miles between us + and the jail, and then light a fire and have a meal.” + </p> + <p> + Two of the men came forward and took the sheep. Then they turned off from + the road, and taking their direction from a star, followed it for an hour. + </p> + <p> + “I think we have got far enough now,” the man called Captain Wild said. + “You had better cut down the bushes, and we will make a fire.” + </p> + <p> + “But how are we to light it?” one of them exclaimed in a tone of + consternation. “I don't suppose we have got flint and steel or tinder box + among us.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, we can manage that!” the Captain said. “Get a heap of dried leaves + here first, then some wood, and we will soon have a blaze.” + </p> + <p> + His orders were obeyed. Some of the men had carried off the warders' + swords as well as their muskets, and now used them for chopping wood. As + soon as a small pile of dried leaves was gathered the Captain broke a + cartridge and sprinkled half its contents among them, and then dropped the + remainder into his musket. He flashed this off among the leaves, and a + bright flame at once shot up, and in five minutes a fire was burning. + </p> + <p> + One of the sheep was soon cut up, the meat hacked in slices from the + bones, a ramrod was thrust through the pieces, and, supported by four + sticks, was laid across the fire. Three other similarly laden spits were + soon placed beside it, and in a short time the meat was ready for eating. + Until a hearty meal had been made there was but little talking. + </p> + <p> + “That is first rate,” one of the men said, as he wiped his mouth with the + back of his hand. “Now one only wants a pipe and bacca and a glass of + grog, to feel comfortable.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Captain, are you satisfied with the day's work?” + </p> + <p> + “It would have been a grand day had it not been for the soldiers passing + just at the time. As it is, Gentleman Dick and I have been agreeing that + as far as we are all concerned it has not turned out so badly. There would + have been a lot of difficulty in finding food if we had all got away, and + some of those mealy mouthed fellows would have been sure to go back and + peach on us at the first opportunity. A dozen is better than a hundred for + the sort of life we are likely to lead for some time. We are strong enough + to beat off any attack from the black fellows, and also to break into any + of these settlers' houses. + </p> + <p> + “We can, when we have a mind to, take a stray sheep now and then, or even + a bullock would scarcely be missed, especially if our pals in the + settlement will lend us a helping hand, which you may be sure they will + do; in fact, they would know better than to refuse. Then a large party + could be traced by those black trackers at a run, while a small one would + not; especially if, as we certainly will do, we break up into twos and + threes for a time. First of all, though, we must go well into the bush; at + daybreak tomorrow morning we will drive off twenty sheep, and go right + away a hundred miles, and wait there till matters have settled down. They + will never take the troops out that distance after us. Then we can come + back again, and hang about the settlement and take what we want. The wild + blacks don't come near there, and we shall be safer in pairs than we + should be if we kept together; and of course we could meet once a week or + so to talk over our plans. We must borrow some whisky, flour, tea, + tobacco, and a few other items from the settlers, but we had better do + without them for this trip. I don't want to turn the settlers against us, + for they have all got horses, and might combine with the troops to give + chase, so it would be best to leave them alone, at any rate till we get + back again. Another reason for treating them gently is that even if they + did not join the troops they might get into a funk, and drive their sheep + and horses down into Sydney, and then we should mighty soon get short of + food. It will be quite time enough to draw upon them heavily when we make + up our minds to get hold of a ship and sail away. Money would be of no use + to us here, but we shall want it when we get to a port, wherever that port + may be.” + </p> + <p> + “That sounds right enough, Captain,” one of the convicts said, “and just + at present nothing would suit me better than to get so far away from this + place that I can lay on my back and take it easy for a spell.” + </p> + <p> + There was a general chorus of assent, and there being neither tobacco nor + spirits, the party very soon stretched themselves off to sleep round the + fire. + </p> + <p> + In the morning they were up before daylight, and half an hour later + arrived at one of the farms farthest from Sydney. Here they found a flock + of a hundred sheep. The shepherd came to the door of his hut on hearing a + noise. + </p> + <p> + “You had best lie down and go to sleep for the next hour,” the leader of + the convicts said sharply. “We don't want to do an old pal any harm, and + when you wake up in the morning and find the flock some twenty short, of + course you won't have any idea what has come of them.” + </p> + <p> + The man nodded and went back into the hut and shut the door, and the + convicts started for the interior, driving twenty sheep before them. + </p> + <p> + During the first day's journey they went fast, keeping the sheep at a trot + before them, and continuing their journey through the heat of the day. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you what, Captain,” one of the men said when they halted at + sunset, “if we don't get to a water hole we shall have to give up this + idea of going and camping in the bush. My mouth has been like an oven all + day, and it is no use getting away from jail to die of thirst out here.” + </p> + <p> + There had been similar remarks during the day, and the two leaders agreed + together that it would be madness to push further, and that, whatever the + risk, they would have to return to the settlements unless they could + strike water. As they were sitting moodily round the fire they were + startled by a dozen natives coming forward into the circle of light. These + held out their hands to say that their intentions were peaceful. + </p> + <p> + “Don't touch your muskets!” Captain Wild exclaimed sharply, as some of the + men were on the point of jumping to their feet. “The men are friendly, and + we may be able to get them to guide us to water.” + </p> + <p> + The natives, as they came up, grinned and rubbed their stomachs, to show + that they were hungry. + </p> + <p> + “I understand,” the Captain said; “you want a sheep, we want water;” and + he held up his hand to his mouth and lifted his elbow as if in the act of + drinking. + </p> + <p> + In two or three minutes the natives understood what he wanted, and + beckoned to the men to follow. The tired sheep were got onto their legs + again, and half a mile away the party arrived at a pool in what in wet + weather was the bed of a river. A sheep was at once handed over to the + natives, and when the men had satisfied their thirst another sheep was + killed for their own use. + </p> + <p> + After a great deal of trouble the natives were made to understand that the + white men wanted one of their party to go with them as a guide, and to + take them always to water holes, and a boy of fifteen was handed over to + them in exchange for two more sheep, and at daybreak the next morning they + started again for the interior, feeling much exhilarated by the piece of + luck that had befallen them. They traveled for four days more, and then, + considering that the soldiers had ceased their pursuit long ago, they + encamped for ten days, enjoying to the utmost their recovered freedom and + their immunity from work of any kind. Then they returned to the + neighborhood of the settlements, and broke up, as their leader proposed, + into pairs. + </p> + <p> + They had been there but a short time before the depredations committed + roused the settlers to band themselves together. Every horse that could be + spared was lent to the military, who formed a mounted patrol of forty men, + while parties of infantry, guided by native trackers, were constantly on + the scent for the convicts. + </p> + <p> + “This is just what I expected,” Captain Wild said to his lieutenant. “It + was the choice of two evils, and I am not sure that the plan we chose was + not the worst. We might have been quite sure that these fellows would not + be able, even for a time, to give up their old ways. If they had confined + themselves, as we have done, to taking a sheep when they wanted it, and + behaving civilly when they went to one of the houses and begged for a few + pounds of flour or tea, the settlers would have made no great complaint of + us; they know what a hard time we have had, and you can see that some of + the women were really sorry for us, and gave us more than we actually + asked for. But it has not been so with the others. They had been breaking + into houses, stealing every thing they could lay their hands upon, and in + three or four cases shooting down men on the slightest provocation. + </p> + <p> + “The money and watches were no good to them, but the brutes could not help + stealing them; so here we are, and the settlement is like a swarm of angry + bees, and this plan of handing over most of their horses to the military + will end in all of us being hunted down if we stay here. Two were shot + yesterday, and in another week we shall all either be killed or caught. + There is nothing for it but to clear out. I am against violence, not on + principle, but because in this case it sets people's backs up; but it + cannot be helped now. We must get a couple of horses to ride, and a spare + one to carry our swag. We must have half a sack of flour and a sheep—it + is no use taking more than one, because the meat won't keep—and a + good stock of tea and sugar. We must get a good supply of powder, if we + can, some bullets and shot. We shall have to get our meat by shooting. + </p> + <p> + “There is no time to be lost, and tonight we had better go to that + settler's place nearest the town. He has got two of the best horses out + here—at least so Redgrave, that shepherd I was talking to today, + told me—and a well filled store of provisions. If he will let us + have them without rumpus, all well and good; if not, it will be the worse + for him. My idea is that we should ride two or three hundred miles along + the coast until we get to a river, follow it up till we find a tidy place + for a camp, and stop there for three or four months, then come back again + and keep ourselves quiet until we find out that a ship is going to sail; + then we will do a night among the farmhouses, and clean them out of their + watches and money, manage to get on board, and hide till we are well out + to sea. We must get a fresh fit out before we go on board; these clothes + are neither handsome nor becoming. We must put on our best manners, and + tell them that we are men who have served our full time, and want to get + back, and that we were obliged to hide because we had not enough to pay + our full passage money, but that we have enough to pay the cost of our + grub, and are ready to pull at a rope and make ourselves useful in any + way. If we are lucky we ought to get enough before we start to buy horses + and set ourselves up well in business at home.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that is a very good plan,” the other agreed, “and I am quite sure + the sooner we make ourselves scarce here the better.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI. + </h2> + <p> + While arranging for young Bastow being sent out with the first batch of + convicts John Thorndyke had been introduced to several of the officials of + the Department, and called upon them at intervals to obtain news of the + penal colony. Three years after its establishment a Crown colony had been + opened for settlement in its vicinity. As the climate was said to be very + fine and the country fertile, and land could be taken up without payment, + the number who went out was considerable, there being the additional + attraction that convicts of good character would be allotted to settlers + as servants and farm hands. + </p> + <p> + Six years after Arthur Bastow sailed the Squire learned that there had + been a revolt among the convicts; several had been killed, and the mutiny + suppressed, but about a dozen had succeeded in getting away. These had + committed several robberies and some murders among the settlers, and a + military force and a party of warders from the prison were scouring the + country for them. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Mr. Thorndyke,” the official said, “the Governor in his report + does not gives us the names of any of those concerned in the matter; he + simply says that although the mutiny was general, it was wholly the work + of a small number of the worse class of prisoners. By worse class he means + the most troublesome and refractory out there. The prisoners are not + classified according to their original crimes. A poacher who has killed a + game keeper, or a smuggler who has killed a revenue officer, may in other + respects be a quiet and well conducted man, while men sentenced for + comparatively minor offenses may give an immense deal of trouble. I will, + however, get a letter written to the Governor, asking him if Arthur Bastow + was among those who took part in the revolt, and if so what has become of + him.” + </p> + <p> + It was more than a year before the reply came, and then the Governor + reported that Arthur Bastow, who was believed to have been the leading + spirit of the mutiny, was among those who had escaped, and had not yet + been recaptured. It was generally believed that he had been killed by the + blacks, but of this there was no actual proof. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Bastow was much disturbed when he heard the news. “Suppose he comes + back here, Mr. Thorndyke.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't suppose anything of the sort,” the Squire replied. “I don't say + that it would be altogether impossible, because now that vessels go from + time to time to Sydney, he might, of course, be able to hide up in one of + them, and not come on deck until she was well on her way, when, in all + probability, he would be allowed to work his passage, and might be put + ashore without any information being given to the authorities. I have no + doubt that among the sailors there would be a good deal of sympathy felt + for the convicts. No doubt they have a hard time of it, and we know that + the gangs working on the roads are always ironed. Still, this is very + unlikely, and the chances are all in favor of his being in hiding in the + bush. + </p> + <p> + “The shepherds and other hands on the farms are chiefly convicts, and + would probably give him aid if he required it, and there would be no + difficulty in getting a sheep, now and then, for, as all reports say, one + of the chief troubles out there are the wild dogs, or dingoes, as they are + called; any loss in that way would readily be put down to them. As to + money, he would have no occasion for it; if he wanted it he would get it + by robbing the settlers, he would know that if he came back here he would + run the risk of being seized at once on landing or of being speedily + hunted down as an escaped convict. I don't think that there is the + slightest occasion for us to trouble ourselves about him.” + </p> + <p> + But though the Squire spoke so confidently, he felt by no means sure that + Arthur Bastow would not turn up again, for his reckless audacity had made + a great impression upon him. The proceeds of the robberies in the colony, + in which he had no doubt played a part, would have furnished him with + money with which he could bribe a sailor to hide him away and, if + necessary, pay his passage money to England, when discovered on board, and + perhaps maintain him when he got home until he could replenish his purse + by some unlawful means. Lastly, the Squire argued that the fellow's + vindictive nature and longing for revenge would act as an incentive to + bring him back to London. He talked the matter over with Mark, who was now + a powerful young fellow of twenty, who, of course, remembered the + incidents attending Bastow's capture and trial. + </p> + <p> + “I cannot help fancying that the fellow will come back, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if he does, father, we must make it our business to lay him by the + heels again. You managed it last time, and if he should turn up you may be + sure I will help you to do it again.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but we may not hear of his having returned until he strikes a blow. + At any rate, see that your pistols are loaded and close at hand at night.” + </p> + <p> + “They always are, father. There is no saying when a house like this, + standing alone, and containing a good deal of plate and valuables, may be + broken into.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you might as well carry them always when you go out after dark. I + shall speak to Knapp, and request him to let me know if he hears of a + suspicious looking character—any stranger, in fact—being + noticed in or about the village, and I shall have a talk with Simeox, the + head constable at Reigate, and ask him to do the same. He is not the same + man who was head at the time Bastow was up before us, but he was in the + force then, and, as one of the constables who came up to take the + prisoners down to Reigate, he will have all the facts in his mind. He is a + sharp fellow, and though Bastow has no doubt changed a good deal since + then, he would hardly fail to recognize him if his eye fell upon him. Of + course we may be alarming ourselves unnecessarily, but there are several + reasons why I should object strongly to be shot just at the present time.” + </p> + <p> + “Or at any other time, I should say, father,” the young man said with a + laugh. + </p> + <p> + “I shall know him, Squire, safe enough,” the head constable replied when + John Thorndyke went down to see him on the following day; “but I should + think that if he does come back to England he will hardly be fool enough + to come down here. He was pretty well known in town before that affair, + and everyone who was in the courthouse would be sure to have his face + strongly impressed upon their minds. You may forget a man you have seen + casually, but you don't forget one you have watched closely when he is in + the dock with two others charged with murder. Five out of my six men were + constables at that time, and would know him again the minute they saw him; + but anyhow, I will tell them to keep a sharp lookout in the tramps' + quarters, and especially over the two or three men still here that Bastow + used to consort with. I should say that Reigate is the last place in the + world where he would show his face.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so,” the Squire said. “He has caused trouble enough down here as + it is; his father is getting an old man now, and is by no means strong, + and fresh troubles of that kind would undoubtedly kill him.” + </p> + <p> + A month later the Reigate coach was stopped when a short distance out of + the town by two highwaymen, and a considerable prize obtained by the + robbers. Soon afterwards came news of private carriages being stopped on + various commons in the South of London, and of several burglaries taking + place among the houses round Clapham, Wandsworth, and Putney. Such events + were by no means uncommon, but following each other in such quick + succession they created a strong feeling of alarm among the inhabitants of + the neighborhood. John Thorndyke, going up to town shortly afterwards, + went to the headquarters of the Bow Street runners, and had a talk with + their chief in reference especially to the stoppage of the Reigate coach. + Mr. Chetwynd had lately died, and John Thorndyke had been unanimously + elected by his fellow magistrates as chairman of the bench. + </p> + <p> + “No, Mr. Thorndyke, we have no clew whatever. Our men have been keeping + the sharpest watch over the fellows suspected of having a hand in such + matters, but they all seem keeping pretty quiet at present, and none of + them seem to be particularly flush with money. It is the same with these + burglaries in the South of London. We are at our wits' end about them. We + are flooded with letters of complaint from residents; but though the + patrols on the common have been doubled and every effort made, we are as + far off as ever. As far as the burglaries are concerned, we have every + reason to think that they are the work of two or three new hands. The jobs + are not neatly done, and certainly not with tools usually used by + burglars. They seem to rely upon daring rather than skill. Anyhow, we + don't know where to look for them, and are altogether at sea. + </p> + <p> + “Of course it is as annoying to us as it is to anyone else; more so, + because the Justices of the Peace are sending complaints to the Home + Secretary, and he in turn drops on us and wants to know what we are doing. + I have a sort of fancy myself the fellows who are stopping the coaches are + the same as those concerned in the burglaries. I could not give you my + reasons for saying so, except that on no occasion has a coach been stopped + and a house broken into on the same night. I fancy that at present we + shan't hear much more of them. They have created such alarm that the + coaches carry with them two men armed with blunderbusses, in addition to + the guards, and I should fancy that every householder sleeps with pistols + within reach, and has got arms for his servants. At many of the large + houses I know a watchman has been engaged to sit in the hall all night, to + ring the alarm bell and wake the inmates directly he hears any suspicious + sounds. Perhaps the fellows may be quiet for a time, for they must, during + the last month, have got a wonderful amount of spoil. Maybe they will go + west—the Bath road is always a favorite one with these fellows—maybe + they will work the northern side of the town. I hope we shall lay hands + upon them one day, but so far I may say frankly we have not the slightest + clew.” + </p> + <p> + “But they must put their horses up somewhere?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but unfortunately there are so many small wayside inns, that it is + next to impossible to trace them. A number of these fellows are in + alliance with the highwaymen. Some of them, too, have small farms in + addition to their public house businesses, and the horses may be snugly + put up there, while we are searching the inn stables in vain. Again, there + are rogues even among the farmers themselves; little men, perhaps, who do + not farm more than thirty or forty acres, either working them themselves, + or by the aid of a hired man who lives perhaps at a village a mile away. + To a man of this kind, the offer of a couple of guineas a week to keep two + horses in an empty cowshed, and to ask no questions, is a heavy + temptation. + </p> + <p> + “We have got two clever fellows going about the country inquiring at all + the villages whether two mounted men have lately been heard going through + there late at night, or early in the morning, so as to narrow down the + area to be searched, but nothing has come of it, although I am pretty sure + that they must have three or four places they use in various directions. + My men have picked up stories of horsemen being heard occasionally, but + they come from various directions, and nowhere have they been noticed with + any regularity. Besides, there are other knights of the road about, so we + are no nearer than we were on that line of inquiry.” + </p> + <p> + A month later John Thorndyke had occasion to go up again to town. This + time Mark accompanied him. Both carried pistols, as did the groom, sitting + behind them. The Squire himself was but a poor shot, but Mark had + practiced a great deal. + </p> + <p> + “'Tis a good thing to be able to shoot straight, Mark,” his father had + said to him three years before. “I abhor dueling, but there is so much of + it at present that any gentlemen might find himself in a position when he + must either go out or submit to be considered a coward. Then, too, the + roads are infested by highwaymen. For that reason alone it would be well + that a man should be able to shoot straight. You should also practice + sometimes at night, setting up some object at a distance so that you can + just make out its outline, and taking a dozen shots at it. I know it is + very difficult when you cannot see your own pistol, but you can soon learn + to trust to your arm to come up to the right height and in the right + direction. Of course you must wait until morning to find out where your + bullet has gone.” + </p> + <p> + Two days after they had reached town the Squire received a letter from + Mrs. Cunningham. + </p> + <p> + “DEAR MR. THORNDYKE: + </p> + <p> + “Knapp has been up this morning to tell me that a stranger dismounted + yesterday at the alehouse, and while his horse was being fed he asked a + few questions. Among others, he wished to be told if you were at home, + saying that he had known you some fifteen years ago, when you lived near + Hastings, and should like to have a talk with you again. In fact, he had + turned off from the main road for the purpose. He seemed disappointed when + he heard that you had gone up to town, and hearing that you might not be + back for three or four days, said he should be coming back through Reigate + in a week or ten days, and he dared say he should be able to find time to + call again. Knapp did not hear about it until this morning; he asked the + landlord about the man, and the landlord said he was about thirty, dark, + and sparely built. He did not notice his horse particularly, seeing that + it was such as a small squire or farmer might ride. He carried a brace of + pistols in his holsters. The landlord was not prepossessed with his + appearance, and it was that that made him speak to Knapp about him. I have + told the men to unfasten the dogs every night, and I have asked Knapp to + send up two trustworthy men to keep watch.” + </p> + <p> + “It may mean something, and it may not,” the Squire said, as he handed the + letter to Mark. “It is a suspicious looking circumstance; if the fellow + had been honest he would surely have said something about himself. There + is no doubt these housebreakers generally find out what chance there is of + resistance, and, hearing that we were both away, may have decided on + making an attempt. I have pretty well finished our business and ordered + nearly all the provisions that Mrs. Cunningham requires. But I have to + call at my lawyer's, and that is generally a longish business. It is half + past two o'clock now; if we start from here at five we shall be down soon + after eight, which will be quite soon enough. We shall have a couple of + hours' drive in the dark, but that won't matter, we have got the lamps.” + </p> + <p> + “I am quite ready to start, father. I am engaged to sup with Reginald + Ascot, but I will go over this afternoon and make my excuses.” + </p> + <p> + At five o'clock they started. “You have got your pistols in order, Mark?” + the Squire asked, as they drove over London Bridge. + </p> + <p> + “I have them handy, father, one in each pocket.” + </p> + <p> + “James, are your pistols charged?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir.” + </p> + <p> + At six o'clock it was beginning to get dusk, and they stopped while the + groom got down and lit the lamps; then they resumed their journey. They + were within five miles of Reigate when suddenly two horsemen rode out from + a side road with a shout of “Stand and deliver!” + </p> + <p> + The Squire lashed the horses, and a moment later a pistol was fired, and + the ball went through his hat. By the light of the lamps Mark saw the + other man raise his hand, and, leveling his pistol, fired on the instant; + then, as there was no reply to his shot, he discharged the second barrel + at the first who had fired, and who had at once drawn another pistol. The + two reports rang out almost at the same moment, but Mark's was a little + the first. There was a sharp exclamation of pain from the highwayman, who + wrenched round his horse and galloped down the lane from which he had + issued, the groom sending two bullets after him. + </p> + <p> + “Where is the other man?” Mark exclaimed, as his father reined in the + horses. + </p> + <p> + “Somewhere on the ground there, Mark; I saw him fall from his saddle as we + passed him.” + </p> + <p> + “Is it any use pursuing the other, father? I am pretty sure I hit him.” + </p> + <p> + “I am quite sure you did, but it is no good our following; the side roads + are so cut up by ruts that we should break a spring before we had gone a + hundred yards. No, we will stop and look at this fellow who is unhorsed, + Mark.” + </p> + <p> + The groom got down, and, taking one of the carriage lamps, proceeded to a + spot where the highwayman's horse was standing. The man was already dead, + the bullet having hit him a few inches above the heart. + </p> + <p> + “He is dead, father.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you had better lift him up on the foot board behind; James can + ride his horse. We will hand the body over to the constable at Reigate. He + may know who he is, or find something upon him that may afford a clew that + will lead to the capture of his companion.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't know him, Squire,” the constable said as they stopped before + his house and told him what had happened. “However, he certainly is dead, + and I will get one of the men to help me carry him into the shed behind + the courthouse. So you say that you think that the other is wounded?” + </p> + <p> + “I am pretty sure he is. I heard him give an exclamation as my son fired.” + </p> + <p> + “That is good shooting, Mr. Mark,” the constable said. “If every passenger + could use his arms as you do there would soon be an end to stopping + coaches. I will see what he has got about him, and will come up and let + you know, Squire, the first thing in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “I will send Knapp down,” John Thorndyke said, as they drove homewards. “I + am rather curious to know if this fellow is the same Mrs. Cunningham wrote + about. I will tell him to take Peters along with him.” + </p> + <p> + “I hardly see that there can be any connection between the two. Highwaymen + don't go in for house breaking. I think they consider that to be a lower + branch of the profession.” + </p> + <p> + “Generally they do, no doubt, Mark; but you know I told you that the chief + at Bow Street said that he had a suspicion that the highway robbers and + the house breakers who have been creating so much alarm are the same men.” + </p> + <p> + “It is curious that they should have happened to light on us, father, if + they were intending to break into our house.” + </p> + <p> + John Thorndyke made no reply, and in a few minutes drove up to the house. + Their return, a couple of days before they were expected, caused great + satisfaction to Mrs. Cunningham and Millicent. The former, however, had + wisely kept from the girl the matter on which she had written to the + Squire, and the suspicion she had herself entertained. + </p> + <p> + “It is very dull without you both,” Millicent said. “I was telling Mrs. + Cunningham that I thought it would be a good thing, when you got back, for + us two to take a run up to town for a week, just to let you see how dull + the place is when two of us are away. You are looking quite serious, + uncle. Is anything the matter?” + </p> + <p> + “Happily nothing is the matter with us, dear, but we have had an + adventure, and not a very pleasant one.” + </p> + <p> + “What was it?” the girl asked. + </p> + <p> + “If you examine my hat closely, Millicent, it will tell you.” + </p> + <p> + The girl took up the hat from a chair on which he had put it, and brought + it to the light. “There are two holes in it,” she said. “Oh, Guardy, have + you been shot at?” + </p> + <p> + “It looks like it, dear. Two gentlemen highwaymen—at least, that is + what I believe they call themselves—asked us pressingly to stop, and + as we would not comply with their request, one fired at me, and, as you + see, it was an uncommonly good shot. The other was about to fire when + Mark's pistol put a stop to him, and his second barrel stopped the fellow + who had fired first; he was hit, for we heard him give an exclamation of + pain, but before any more shooting could be done he turned and rode off + down a narrow lane where we could not follow.” + </p> + <p> + “And what became of the first?” Millicent asked with open eyes. + </p> + <p> + “He was dead before we could get down to examine him; he will not disturb + the King's peace again. It happened about four miles from home, so we + brought him in and gave him and his horse into the charge of the constable + at Reigate.” + </p> + <p> + “And you have really killed a man?” Millicent said, looking up with an + awestruck expression to Mark. + </p> + <p> + “Well, as the man would have killed us if I hadn't, I cannot say, + Millicent, that his death weighs in any way heavily on my mind. If he were + as good a shot as the other, my father's life would not have been worth + much, for as we were driving fast, he was not above half as far away as + the other had been when he fired. Just the same, I suppose, as it would be + in a battle; a man is going to shoot you, and you shoot him first, and I + don't suppose it ever troubles you afterwards.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I don't mean that I blame you, Mark; but it does seem + shocking.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't suppose you would think that, Millicent, if a burglar, who had + taken one shot at you and was about to finish you with another, was cut + short in the operation by a shot from my pistol. I believe that your + relief and thankfulness would be so great that the idea that it was a + shocking thing for me to do would not as much as enter your head.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish you had shot the other man as well as the one you did, Mark,” the + Squire said, as he walked with his son down to Reigate to attend the + inquest the next morning on the man he had brought in. Mark looked at his + father in surprise. + </p> + <p> + “There is no doubt I hit him, father,” he said; “but I should not think + that he will be likely to trouble us again.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish I felt quite sure of that. Do you know that I have a strong + suspicion that it was Arthur Bastow?” + </p> + <p> + Mark had, of course, heard of Bastow's escape, but had attached no great + importance to it. The crime had taken place nearly eight years before, and + although greatly impressed at the time by the ill doings of the man, the + idea that he would ever return and endeavor to avenge himself on his + father for the part he had taken had not occurred to him. Beyond + mentioning his escape, the Squire had never talked to him on the subject. + </p> + <p> + “It was he who bade us stand and deliver, and the moment he spoke the + voice seemed familiar to me, and, thinking it over, I have an impression + that it was his. I may be mistaken, for I have had him in my mind ever + since I heard that he had escaped, and may therefore have connected the + voice with him erroneously, and yet I cannot but think that I was right. + You see, there are two or three suspicious circumstances. In the first + place, there was this man down here making inquiries. Knapp went down + early this morning with the innkeeper, and told me before breakfast that + Peters at once recognized the fellow you shot as the man who had made the + inquiries. Now, the natural result of making inquiries would have been + that the two men would the next evening have broken into the house, + thinking that during our absence they would meet with no resistance. + Instead of doing this they waylaid us on the road, which looks as if it + was me they intended to attack, and not the house.” + </p> + <p> + “But how could they have known that it was us, father? It is certainly + singular that one of the two men should have been the fellow who was up at + the inn, but it may be only a matter of coincidence.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know, Mark; I don't say that singular coincidences don't occur, + but I have not much faith in them. Still, if they were journeying down to + attack the house last night they would hardly have stopped travelers by + the way when there was a rich booty awaiting them, as they evidently + believed there was, or that man would not have come down specially to make + inquiries. My own impression is that when they heard that we should return + in two or three days one of them watched us in London, and as soon as they + learned that we were to start for home at five o'clock they came down here + to stop us. They would hardly have done that merely to get our watches and + what money we had in our pockets.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I should think not, father; but they might be friends of men who have + got into trouble at Reigate, and, as you are chairman of the bench, may + have had a special grudge against you for their conviction.” + </p> + <p> + “That is, of course, possible, and I hope that it is so.” + </p> + <p> + “But even if Arthur Bastow had escaped, father, why should he come back to + England, where he would know that he might be arrested again, instead of + staying quietly out in Australia?” + </p> + <p> + “There are two reasons. In the first place the life out there would not be + a quiet one; there would be nothing for him but to attack and rob the + settlers, and this, as they are sure to be armed, is a pretty dangerous + business. Then there are perils from the blacks, and lastly, such a life + would be absolutely devoid of comfort, and be that of a hunted dog; living + always in the bush, scarcely venturing to sleep lest he should be pounced + upon either by the armed constables of the colony or by the blacks. It is + not as if the country were extensively populated; there are not a very + large number of settlers there yet, and therefore very small scope for + robbers. These people would keep very little money with them, and the + amount of plunder to be got would be small indeed. Therefore, I take it + that the main object of any escaped convict would be to get away from the + place. + </p> + <p> + “That is one of the reasons why the fellow might come back to England in + spite of the risks. The other is that I believe him to be so diabolically + vindictive that he would run almost any peril in order to obtain revenge + upon me or his father. Twice he has threatened me, the first time when we + captured him, the second time as he left the court after he had received + his sentence. I am not a coward, so far as I know, Mark, but I am as + certain as I stand here that he meant what he said, and that, during these + years of imprisonment and toil out there, he has been cherishing the + thought of coming home some day and getting even with me. You see, he is + said to have been the leader of this convict revolt. There is no doubting + his daring, and to my mind the attack upon us last night, when they knew + that they could have managed a successful robbery here, points to the fact + that it was the result of personal animosity, and strengthens my belief + that it was Arthur Bastow who called upon us to stand and deliver.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a very unpleasant idea, father.” + </p> + <p> + “Very unpleasant, and it seems to me that we should at any rate spare no + pains in hunting the man you wounded down.” + </p> + <p> + “I will undertake that if you like. I have nothing particular to do, and + it would be an excitement. You have a lot to keep you here.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't fancy that you will find it an excitement, Mark, for of course + the detectives will do the hunting, but I should certainly be glad if you + would take a letter for me to the head of the Detective Department, and + tell him what I think, and my reasons for thinking so, and say that I + offer a reward of a hundred pounds for the capture of the man who tried to + stop us, and who was, we are certain, wounded by you. Unless he has some + marvelously out of the way hiding place, it ought not to be difficult. A + wounded man could scarcely lie hidden in the slums of London without it + being known to a good many people, to some of whom a reward of the sum of + a hundred pounds would be an irresistible temptation.” + </p> + <p> + By this time they had reached Reigate. The inquest did not last many + minutes, and the jury without hesitation returned a verdict of justifiable + homicide. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII. + </h2> + <p> + The next morning Mark went up to London. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Mr. Thorndyke,” the chief at Bow Street said, “your father's + suspicions as to the man's identity may or may not be justified; that, + however, makes no difference to us. Here is a highwayman who has been + wounded, and would certainly be a valuable capture: I will set my men to + work at once; if he is in London they will get news of him before many + days. My men in any case would do their duty, but your father's offer will + certainly stimulate their energy. Where are you stopping?” + </p> + <p> + “At the Bull, in Holborn.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well; I will be sure to let you know as soon as we get any clew to + the man's identity.” + </p> + <p> + Mark remained in London a week, and at the end of that time he received a + note from Bow Street saying that the superintendent wished to see him. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry that I have no news for you, Mr. Thorndyke,” the officer said, + when he called upon him. “Every place where such a man would be likely to + be in hiding has been searched, and no clew whatever has been obtained. We + shall now circulate notices of the reward throughout the country. If the + man was at all severely hit, we may assume that he must be somewhere in + the neighborhood of London, whereas, if the wound was a slight one, he + might be able to go a long distance, and may be now in York, for aught we + know. However, now that the search in London has terminated, I can really + see no use in your staying here any longer; we will let you know directly + we have any news.” + </p> + <p> + Three months later John Thorndyke received a letter from the Detective + Office asking him to call the next time he came up to town, as although no + news had been obtained that would lead to the man's immediate arrest, news + had at any rate been obtained showing that he was alive. It happened that + Mark was intending to go up on the following day, and his father asked him + to call for him at Bow Street. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Thorndyke, we have heard about your man, and that after we had + quite abandoned the search. I had come to the conclusion that the wound + you gave him had been a fatal one, and that he had been quietly buried by + some of the people with whom he was connected. The discovery was, as half + these discoveries generally are, the result of accident. Last week a + gentleman entered the Bank and asked for change in gold for a fifty pound + note. The cashier, looking at the number, found that it was one of those + that had been stolen from a passenger by one of the south coaches several + months ago. The gentleman was at once taken into a private office, and + questioned as to how he had obtained the note. The account that he gave + was that he was a surgeon in practice at Southampton. A gentleman had + arrived there on a date which we found to be the day after that on which + you were stopped; he was well dressed, and had the air of a gentleman; he + had come down by coach, and was evidently very ill. He told the surgeon + that he had been engaged in a duel, that the pistols had been discharged + simultaneously, and that he had killed his man, but had himself been + severely wounded. He said that the person whom he had killed had + influential connections, and that it would be necessary for him to remain + in seclusion for a time, and he asked him to take charge of his case, as + he had ample means of paying him handsomely. The surgeon examined the + wound, and found it to be indeed a serious one, and, as he thought, + probably fatal. However, having no doubt as to the truth of the story, he + had taken the gentleman in, and he remained under his charge until a week + before he came up to town. + </p> + <p> + “For the first month he had been dangerously ill, but he completely + recovered. The surgeon had no reason whatever for doubting his patient + being a gentleman; he was fashionably dressed, and had evidently changed + his clothes after the duel, as there were no bloodstains upon them. He + was, however, glad when he left, as his conversation did not please him + from its cynical tone. The Bank sent to us directly the man presented the + note, which he stated had been given to him in part payment for his + medical services and the board and lodging of the patient; the total + amount had been 75 pounds, and the balance was paid in gold. As he was + able to give several good references, and was identified by three + gentlemen, he was, of course, released. I have no doubt whatever that the + fellow he attended was your man. The surgeon said, whoever he was, he must + have been a man of iron resolution to have made such a journey in the + state he was. + </p> + <p> + “No doubt he must have ridden straight to the place he used as his + headquarters, where he had his wound roughly bandaged, changed his + clothes, and had ridden in the morning to some point that the coach passed + on its way to Southampton. Of course we obtained a minute description from + the surgeon of the man's appearance. We found that the people at the coach + office had no remembrance of there being anyone answering to that + description among the persons who traveled by the coach, but of course + that would not go for much, for over three months have elapsed. + </p> + <p> + “When the coachman who had driven the down coach that day came up to town, + we saw him, and he remembered perfectly that on or about that day he had + picked up a passenger at Kingston—a gentleman who was in very weak + health. There were only three inside passengers besides himself, and he + had to be assisted into the coach. The way bill, on being turned up, + showed that an inside passenger had been taken up at Kingston. I have + already sent down men to make inquiries at every village in the district + between Reigate and Kingston, and I trust that we shall lay hands on him, + especially now we have got an accurate description of him, while before we + were working in the dark in that respect.” + </p> + <p> + “What is the description, sir? My father is much interested on that point, + for, as I believe I told you, he has a strong suspicion that the fellow is + the man who was transported more than eight years ago to Australia, and + who made his escape from the prison there.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know. At first it appeared to me very improbable, but I am bound + to say the description tallies very closely with that given of him. The + surgeon took him to be nearly thirty; but after what he has gone through + he may well look three or four years older than he is. He had light hair, + rather small gray eyes, and a face that would have been good looking had + it not been for its supercilious and sneering expression.” + </p> + <p> + “I can remember him,” Mark said; “and that answers very closely to him. I + should say that it is certainly Bastow, and my father made no mistake when + he asserted that he recognized his voice.” + </p> + <p> + The officer added a note to the description in his register: “Strongly + suspected of being Arthur Bastow, transported for connivance with + highwaymen; was leader of a mutiny in convict jail of Sydney two years and + a half ago. Made his escape.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no doubt,” he went on, “that he is a desperate character. No + doubt he is the man who has been concerned in most of these robberies in + the southern suburbs. We must get hold of him if we can, and once we do so + there will be an end of his travels, for the mutiny in prison and escape + is a hanging business, putting aside the affairs since he got back. Well, + sir, I hope he will give you and your father no more trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I hope so,” Mark said. “I suppose that the fellow who was shot + was one of the men who escaped with him from the convict prison.” + </p> + <p> + “That is likely enough. Two would get home as easily as one, and the fact + that they were both strangers here would account for the difficulty our + men have had in their search for him. You see, we have had nothing + whatever to go on. You must not be too sanguine about our catching the man + in a short time: he is evidently a clever fellow, and I think it likely + that once he got back he lost no time in getting away from this part of + the country, and we are more likely to find him in the west or north than + we are of laying hands on him here. We will send descriptions all over the + country, and as soon as I hear of a series of crimes anywhere, I will send + off two of my best men to help the local constables.” + </p> + <p> + On his return home Mark told his father what he had done. + </p> + <p> + “I thought that I could not have been mistaken, Mark; we have got that + rascal on our hands again. I hope now that they have got a description of + him to go by, they will not be long before they catch him; but the way he + escaped after being badly wounded shows that he is full of resources, and + he may give them some trouble yet, if I am not mistaken. At any rate, I + will have a talk with the Reigate constable, and tell him that there is + very little doubt that the man who attacked us was Arthur Bastow, who has, + as we have heard, escaped from Botany Bay, and that he had best tell his + men to keep a sharp lookout for him, for that, owing to his animosity + against us for his former capture and conviction, it is likely enough that + sooner or later he will be in this neighborhood again. After his + determined attempt at my life when pretending to rob us, I shall certainly + not feel comfortable until I know that he is under lock and key.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish, Guardy, you would give up this magistrate's business,” Millicent + said at dinner. “I am sure that it is worrying you, and I can't see why + you should go on with it.” + </p> + <p> + “It does not worry me, as a rule, Millicent; indeed, I like the duty. + Besides, every landowner of standing ought to take his share in public + work. There are only two of the magistrates younger than I am, and + whatever you may think of me, I feel myself capable of doing what work + there is to do. When Mark gets a few years older I shall resign, and let + him take my place on the bench. I own, though, that I should be glad if + these highway robberies could be suppressed. Poaching and the ordinary + offenses of drunkenness and assaults are disposed of without any trouble; + but this stopping of the coaches, accompanied occasionally by the shooting + of the coachman or guard, gives a great deal of trouble, and the worst of + it is that we are practically powerless to put such crimes down. Nothing + short of patrolling the roads in parties of three or four between sunset + and sunrise would put a stop to them, and the funds at our disposal would + not support such an expenditure.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a pity that you cannot get up a corps like the yeomanry, and call + it the Mounted Constabulary,” said Mark. “There are at least a dozen + fellows I know who would, like myself, be glad to join it, and I dare say + we could get a score of young farmers or farmers' sons.” + </p> + <p> + “It is not a bad idea, Mark, and I dare say that for a time the duty would + be zealously performed, but before very long you would tire of it. A few + wet nights or winter's cold, and you would cease to see the fun of it, + especially as you may be sure that the news that the roads are well + patrolled would soon come to the ears of these scoundrels, and they would + cease to work in the district.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you are right, sir; but I think that a few of us would stick to + it.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps so, Mark, but I should be sorry to wager that the work would be + thoroughly done. The first county or hunt ball, or even dinner party, more + than half of them would be away. I don't say that you personally might not + for some considerable time persist in patrolling the roads, for you have a + sort of personal interest in the matter; but I would wager that before two + months have passed you would find you were the only one who attended at + the rendezvous regularly.” + </p> + <p> + A fortnight later the party were seated round the fire in the dusk. Mr. + Bastow was sitting next to the Squire, and was in unusually good spirits. + He had heard no word of what the Squire had discovered, nor dreamed that + his son was again in England, still less that he was suspected of being + one of the men who had endeavored to stop the Squire and his son on their + drive from London. Suddenly there was the crack of a pistol outside, and a + ball passed between him and the Squire. Without a word, Mark Thorndyke + rushed to the door, seized a pistol from his riding coat, and, snatching + up a heavy whip, dashed out into the garden. + </p> + <p> + He was just in time to see a figure running at full speed, and he set off + in pursuit. Good runner as he was, he gained but slightly at first, but + after a time he drew nearer to the fugitive. The latter was but some sixty + yards away when he leaped a hedge into a narrow lane. Mark followed + without hesitation, but as he leaped into the road he heard a jeering + laugh and the sharp sound of a horse's hoofs, and knew that the man he was + pursuing had gained his horse and made off. Disgusted at his failure, he + went slowly back to the house. The shutters had been put up. + </p> + <p> + “I have lost him, father. He ran well to begin with, but I was gaining + fast on him when he leaped into a narrow lane where he had left his horse, + and rode off before I could get up to him. I need hardly say that there + was no use attempting to follow on foot. He missed you all, did he not?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Mark. It is not so easy to take an accurate aim when it is nearly + dark. The bullet passed between myself and Mr. Bastow, and has buried + itself in the mantelpiece.” + </p> + <p> + “Something ought to be done, Guardy,” Millicent Conyers said indignantly. + “It is shameful that people cannot sit in their own room without the risk + of being shot at. What can it mean? Surely no one can have any enmity + against you.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope not, my dear,” John Thorndyke said lightly. “Some of the fellows + we have sentenced may think that we were rather hard on them, but I do not + think that any of them would feel it sufficiently to attempt to murder + one; besides, Mark says that the fellow had a horse waiting for him, and + none of our poachers would be likely to be the owner of a horse. It may be + that the highwayman Mark shot at and wounded has come down to give us a + fright. It is no use worrying about it now; in future we will have the + shutters closed at sunset. It is hardly likely that the thing will be + attempted again, and Mark's chase must have shown the fellow that the game + is hardly worth the risk.” + </p> + <p> + “He might have shot you, Mark; you had no right to risk your life in that + sort of way,” the girl said to him, later, as they were seated together in + front of the fire, while the Squire was reading the Gazette at the table, + Mrs. Cunningham was working, and Mr. Bastow, who had been greatly shaken + by the event, had retired to bed. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think that he really meant to kill your father?” + </p> + <p> + “I should imagine he did; a man would hardly run the risk of being hung + merely for the pleasure of shooting. I would give a good deal if I had + caught him, or better still, if I had shot him,” said Mark. “However, I + will make it my business to hunt the fellow down. After this evening's + affair, we shall never feel comfortable until he is caught. I have no + doubt that he is the fellow we have been hunting for the last four months. + The people at Bow Street seem no good whatever; I will try if I cannot + succeed better.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't do anything rash, Mark,” said Millicent, in a low voice; “you have + no right to put yourself in danger.” + </p> + <p> + “But our lives are in danger now, Millicent—in much greater danger + than mine would be when looking out for him. But there seems no guarding + against attacks like this; I mean to hunt him down, if it takes me a year. + I have nothing special to do, and cannot employ my time more usefully.” + </p> + <p> + When the ladies went up to bed the Squire said: + </p> + <p> + “Come into the library, Mark, and we will smoke a pipe, and have a talk + over this business.” He touched the bell. “Have you got a good fire in the + library, Ramoo?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sahib, very good.” + </p> + <p> + “Then take a bottle of number one bin of port there—and a couple of + glasses.” + </p> + <p> + When they were quietly seated, glasses filled, and the long pipes alight, + the Squire said: “I want to have a serious talk with you, Mark. What I am + going to say will surprise you a good deal. I had not intended to tell you + for another four years—that is to say, not until Millicent came of + age—but after that affair tonight, I feel that my life is so + uncertain that I ought not to delay letting you know the truth. I suppose + you agree with me that it was Bastow who shot at me this evening?” + </p> + <p> + “I have not the least doubt about that, father.” + </p> + <p> + “I will not say that he shot at me,” the Squire said, “for he may have + shot at his father; the villain is quite capable of that. It was his + father who brought me upon him, and though I effected his capture eight + years ago I don't suppose he cares which of us he killed. However, the + point is not what he aimed at, but whether it was he, and that I take + there is no doubt about. He missed me this time, but his next shot may be + more successful, At any rate, I think that it is high time that I told you + the story.” + </p> + <p> + And, beginning with the arrival of Colonel Thorndyke at his place, he + repeated the conversation that he had had with him. Several times in the + early portion of his narrative he was interrupted by exclamations of + surprise from his son. + </p> + <p> + “Then Millicent is really my uncle's heiress!” exclaimed Mark, when he + heard the request the Colonel had made of the Squire. + </p> + <p> + “That is so, Mark. She does not know it herself, and it was my brother's + urgent wish that she should not know it until she came of age or until she + married. I fought against it to the utmost, but it was his dying prayer, + and I could not refuse it. My solicitor knows the facts of the matter, and + so does Mrs. Cunningham, who brought Millicent over from India when she + was only about a year old. I may say that I especially urged that it would + not be fair to you to be brought up to consider yourself to be heir to the + property, but he said: + </p> + <p> + “'Putting aside the estate, I have a considerable fortune. In the first + place, there are the accumulations of rent from the Reigate place. I have + never touched them, and they have been going on for twelve years. In. the + next place, the shaking of the pagoda tree has gone on merrily, and we all + made a comfortable pile. Then I always made a point of carrying about with + me two or three hundred pounds, and after the sacking of some of the + palaces I could pick up jewels and things from the troops for a trifle, + being able to pay money down. Even without the rents here, I have some + 50,000 pounds in money. I should think the jewels would be worth at least + as much more, irrespective of a diamond bracelet which is, I fancy, worth + more than the rest put together. It was stolen from the arm of some idol.' + He then explained how he got it, and the manner in which he had placed it + and the rest of his wealth in a secure position. + </p> + <p> + “'Things stolen from a god are frightfully dangerous,' he said, 'for the + Brahmins or priests connected with the temples have been known to follow + them up for years, and in nine cases out of ten they get possession of + them again. Murder in such a case is meritorious, and I would not have + them in the house here, were they ten times the value they are. I know + that my clothes, my drawers, and everything belonging to me have been gone + through at night a score of times. Nothing has been stolen, but, being a + methodical man, I could generally see some displacement in the things that + told me they had been disturbed. They gave it up for a time, but I haven't + a shadow of a doubt that they have been watching me ever since, and they + may be watching me now, for anything I know. Now, half of that fortune I + have left by my will to your son; half to the girl. I will tell you where + the things are the last thing before I die. + </p> + <p> + “'Now, mind, you must be careful when you get them. When I am dead you are + almost certain to be watched. You don't know what these fellows are. The + things must remain where they are until your boy comes of age. Don't let + him keep those diamonds an hour in his possession; let him pass them away + privately to some man in whom he has implicit confidence, for him to take + them to a jeweler's; let him double and turn and disguise himself so as to + throw everyone that may be spying on him off his track. If you can manage + it, the best way would be to carry them over to Amsterdam, and sell them + there.' + </p> + <p> + “I confess it seemed absurd, but it is a matter about which he would know + a great deal more than I do, and he was convinced that not only was he + watched, but that he owed his life simply to the fact that the fellows did + not know where the diamonds were hidden, and that by killing him they + would have lost every chance of regaining them. + </p> + <p> + “So convinced was he of all this, that he would not tell me where he had + stowed them away; he seemed to think that the very walls would hear us, + and that these fellows might be hidden under the sofa, in a cupboard, or + up the chimney, for aught I know. He told me that he would tell me the + secret before he died; but death came so suddenly that he never had an + opportunity of doing so. He made a tremendous effort in his last moment, + but failed, and I shall never forget the anguish his face expressed when + he found himself powerless to speak; however, he pressed his snuffbox into + my hand with such a significant look that, being certain it contained some + clew to the mystery, and being unable to find a hidden spring or a + receptacle, I broke it open that night. + </p> + <p> + “It contained a false bottom, and here are what I found in it. I stowed + them away in a secret drawer in that old cabinet that stands by my + bedside. It is in the bottom pigeonhole on the right hand side. I bought + the cabinet at a sale, and found the spring of the secret drawer quite + accidentally. I shall put the things back tonight, and you will know where + to look for them. You press against the bottom and up against the top + simultaneously, and the back then falls forward. The opening behind is + very shallow, and will hold but two or three letters. But, however, it + sufficed for this;” and he handed Mark the coin and slip of paper. + </p> + <p> + “But what are these, father?” + </p> + <p> + “These are the clews by which we are to obtain the treasure.” + </p> + <p> + As Mark examined them carefully the Squire stood up with his back to the + fire, and looking round walked to the door and said: “I thought there was + a draught somewhere; either Ramoo did not shut the door when he went out + or it has come open again. It has done that once or twice before. When I + go into town tomorrow I will tell Tucker to send a man up to take the lock + off. Well, what do you make out of that?” + </p> + <p> + “I can make out nothing,” Mark replied. “No doubt the coin is something to + be given to whoever is in charge of the treasure, and Masulipatam may be + the place where it is hidden.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, or it may be a password. It reminds one of the forty thieves + business. You go and knock at the door of a cave, a figure armed to the + teeth presents itself, you whisper in his ear 'Masulipatam,' he replies + 'Madras,' or 'Calcutta,' or something of that sort, you take out the coin + and show it to him, he takes out from some hidden repository a similar + one, compares the two, and then leads you to an inner cave piled up with + jewels.” + </p> + <p> + Mark laughed. + </p> + <p> + “Well, it is no laughing matter, Mark,” the Squire went on seriously. “The + little comedy may not be played just as I have sketched it, but I expect + that it is something of the kind. That coin has to be shown, and the word + 'Masulipatam' spoken to the guardian, whoever he may be, of your uncle's + treasure. But who that guardian may be or how he is to be found is a + mystery. I myself have never tried to solve it. There was nothing whatever + to go upon. The things may be in England or, it may be, anywhere in India. + To me it looked an absolutely hopeless business to set about. I did not + see how even a first step was to be taken, and as I had this estate and + you and Millicent to look after, and was no longer a young man, I put the + matter aside altogether. You are young, you have plenty of energy, and you + have your life before you, and it is a matter of the greatest interest to + you. + </p> + <p> + “Possibly—very improbably, mind, still possibly—when Millicent + comes of age and learns who she is, Mrs. Cunningham may be able to help + you. I have no idea whether it is so. I have never spoken to her about + this treasure of George's, but it is just possible that while he was in + town before he came down to me he may have given her some instructions + concerning it. Of course he intended to give me full particulars, but he + could hardly have avoided seeing that, in the event of my death, perhaps + suddenly before the time came for seeking the treasure, the secret would + be lost altogether. Whether he has told her or his lawyer or not I cannot + say, but I have all along clung to the hope that he took some such natural + precaution. Unless that treasure is discovered, the only thing that will + come to you is the half of the accumulated rents of this estate during the + ten years between my father's death and George's; these rents were paid to + our solicitors, and by them invested. + </p> + <p> + “The rentals amount to about 2500 pounds a year, and of course there is + interest to be added, so that I suppose there is now some 25,000 pounds, + for I had out 2000 pounds when I came here, to set matters straight. I had + a great fight with the lawyers over it, but as I pointed out they had + failed altogether to see that the agent did his duty, and that at least a + couple of hundred a year ought to be expended in necessary repairs, I had + a right to at least that sum to carry out the work that ought to be done + from year to year. In addition to that sum I laid out about 1000 pounds a + year for the first three years I was here; so that practically 5000 pounds + was expended in rebuilding the village and doing repairs on the + homesteads; that, however, is not the point now. Altogether, then, there + is some 25,000 pounds to be divided between you and Millicent when she + becomes mistress of this property. + </p> + <p> + “According to the terms of my brother's will, I am still to remain here + until she marries; when she does so I shall, of course, go back to my own + little place; the income of that has been accumulating while I have been + here, my only expenses having been for clothes. I have taken nothing out + of this estate since I came here, and each year have paid to the + solicitors all balances remaining after discharging the household + expenses, these balances averaging 700 or 800 pounds a year. Of course the + income was absolutely left to me during the time I remained ostensible + owner, but I had no wish to make money out of a trust that I assumed + greatly against my will. That money is Millicent's; of course the house + had to be kept up in proper style whether I were here or not. Had she at + once come into possession, there must have been horses, and carriages, and + so on. I don't say that I have not had all the expenses of our living + saved; that I had no objection to; but I was determined at least not to + take a penny put of the estate beyond those expenses. You see, Mark, you + will have your 12,500 pounds anyhow, as soon as Millicent comes of age—not + a bad little sum—so that even if you never hear anything more of + this mysterious treasure you will not be penniless, or in anyway dependent + upon me. At my death, of course, you will come into the Sussex place, with + what savings there may be.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I have no reason to grumble, father,” Mark said heartily. “Of + course it came upon me at first as a surprise that Millicent was the + heiress here, and it flashed through my mind for the moment that the best + thing would be to take a commission in the army, or to follow my uncle's + example, and get a cadetship in the Company's service. I have no doubt + that I should have enjoyed life either way quite as much or possibly more + than if I had gone on a good many years as heir to these estates, and + afterwards as Squire. Of course, now I shall make it my business to see if + it is possible to obtain some sort of clew to this treasure, and then + follow it up; but the first thing to which I shall give my mind will be to + hunt down Bastow. We shall never feel safe here as long as that fellow is + alive, and that will be the first thing I shall devote myself to. After + that I shall see about the treasure.” + </p> + <p> + “As to that, Mark, I cannot impress upon you too strongly what your uncle + said. It may, of course, be a pure delusion on his part; but if he is + right, and some of these Hindoo fellows are still on the watch to obtain + that bracelet, you must use extraordinary precautions when you get it into + your hands; he advised me to take it across to Amsterdam, and either get + the stones recut or to sell them separately to different diamond merchants + there. He said that my life would not be worth an hour's purchase as long + as the stones were in my hands.” + </p> + <p> + “That rather looks, father, as if the things were somewhere in England; + had they been in India, you would have had them some months in your hands + before you could get them to Amsterdam.” + </p> + <p> + “I did not think of that before, Mark, and it is possible that you are + right; but I don't know; he might have thought that it would be impossible + for me to dispose of them at Madras or Calcutta, and may have assumed that + I should at once deposit them in a bank to be forwarded with other + treasure to England, or that I should get them packed away in the treasure + safe in the ship I came back by, and that I should not really have them on + my person till I landed in England, or until I took them from the Bank. + Still, I see that your supposition is the most likely, and that they may + all this time have been lying somewhere in London until I should present + myself with a gold coin and the word 'Masulipatam.'” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Mark sprang to his feet, and pulled back the curtains across a + window, threw it up, and leaped into the garden, and there stood listening + for two or three minutes, with his pistol cocked in his hand. He stepped + for a moment into the room again. + </p> + <p> + “You had better put that light out, father or we may have another shot.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you hear anything, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought I did, father. I may have been mistaken, but I certainly + thought I heard a noise, and when I pulled the curtains aside the window + was not shut by three or four inches. I will have a look through the + shrubbery. That fellow may have come back again. Pull the curtains to + after me.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go with you, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + “I would rather you didn't, father; it would only make me nervous. I + shan't go into the shrubbery and give them a chance of getting first shot. + I shall hide up somewhere and listen. It is a still night, and if there is + anyone moving I am pretty sure to hear him.” + </p> + <p> + The Squire turned down the lamp, drew the curtains, and seated himself by + the fire. It was three quarters of an hour before Mark returned. He shut + the window, and fastened it carefully. + </p> + <p> + “I fancy you must have been mistaken, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that shot through the window has made me nervous. I certainly + did fancy I heard a noise there; it may have been a dead bough snapping, + or something of that sort; and of course, the window being partly open, + even though only three or four inches, any little noise would come in more + plainly than it otherwise would do. However, everything has been perfectly + quiet since I went out, and it is hardly likely indeed that the fellow + would have returned so soon after the hot chase I gave him.” + </p> + <p> + “It is very stupid—the window being left open,” the Squire said. “I + shall question Martha about it in the morning; it was her duty to see that + it was shut and fastened before drawing the curtains. Just at present one + can scarcely be too careful. I don't mean to deny that whether there was a + window open or not a burglar who wanted to get into the house could do so, + still there is no use in making their work more easy for them. I know, as + a rule, we are careless about such things; there has not been a burglary + in this part for years, and until lately the front door has never been + locked at night, and anyone could have walked in who wanted to. Of course + the servants don't know that there is any reason for being more careful at + present than usual. + </p> + <p> + “I was thinking the other day of having shutters put to all these + downstair rooms. Some of them have got them, and some have not; still, + even with shutters, burglars can always get in if they want to do so. They + have only to cut round the lock of a door or to make a hole in a panel to + give them room to put an arm through and draw back a bolt, and the thing + is done. I know that all the silver is locked up every night in the safe, + for Ramoo sees to that, and I have never known him neglect anything under + his charge. Well, Mark, I don't know that it is any use sitting up longer, + we have plenty of time to talk the matter over; it is four years yet + before Millicent comes of age, though, of course, there is nothing to + prevent your setting out in quest of the treasure as soon as you like. + Still, there is no hurry about it.” + </p> + <p> + “None whatever, father; but I don't mean to lose a day before I try to get + on the track of that villain Bastow.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII. + </h2> + <p> + Mark was some hours before he went to sleep. The news that he had heard + that evening was strange and startling. Full of health and strength, the + fact that he was not, as he had always supposed, the heir to the estate + troubled him not at all. The fact that in four years he would come in for + some twelve thousand pounds was sufficient to prevent his feeling any + uneasiness as to his future; and indeed in some respects it was not an + unpleasant idea that, instead of being tied down to the estate, he should + be able to wander at will, visit foreign countries, and make his own life. + </p> + <p> + In one respect he was sorry. His father had in the last year hinted more + than once that it would be a very nice arrangement if he were to make up a + match with his ward; he had laughed, and said that there would be plenty + of time for that yet. But the idea had been an agreeable one. He was very + fond of Millicent—fond, perhaps; in a cousinly way at present; but + at any rate he liked her far better than any of the sisters of his + friends. Of course she was only seventeen yet, and there was plenty of + time to think of marriage in another three years. Still, the thought + occurred to him several times that she was budding out into a young woman, + and every month added to her attractions. It was but the day before he had + said to himself that there was no reason to wait as long as three years, + especially as his father seemed anxious, and would evidently be glad were + the match to take place. Now, of course, he said to himself, that was at + an end. He had never given her any reason to suppose that he cared for + her, and now that she was the heiress and he comparatively poor, she would + naturally think that it was for the estate, and not for herself, that she + was wooed. Then there was the question of this curiously lost treasure, + with the mysterious clew that led to nothing. How on earth was he to set + about the quest? He puzzled for a long time over this, till at last he + fell asleep. He was roused by Ramoo entering the room. + </p> + <p> + “What is it, Ramoo?” + </p> + <p> + “Me not know, sahib. Massa Thorndyke's door shut. Me no able to make him + hear.” + </p> + <p> + “That is curious, Ramoo,” Mark said, jumping hastily out of bed. “I will + be with you in a minute.” + </p> + <p> + He slipped on his trousers, coat, and slippers, and then accompanied Ramoo + to his father's door. He knocked again and again, and each time more + loudly, his face growing paler as he did so. Then he threw himself against + the door, but it was solid and heavy. + </p> + <p> + “Fetch me an ax, Ramoo,” he said. “There is something wrong here.” + </p> + <p> + Ramoo returned in a short time with two men servants and with the ax in + his hands. Mark took it, and with a few mighty blows split the woodwork, + and then hurling himself against the door, it yielded. As he entered the + room a cry broke from his lips. Within a pace or two of the bed the Squire + lay on the ground, on his face, and a deep stain on the carpet at once + showed that his death had been a violent one. Mark knelt by his side now, + and touched him. The body was stiff and cold. The Squire must have been + dead for some hours. + </p> + <p> + “Murdered!” he said in a low voice; “my father has been murdered.” + </p> + <p> + He remained in horror struck silence for a minute or two; then he slowly + rose to his feet. + </p> + <p> + “Let us lay him on the bed,” he said, and with the assistance of the three + men he lifted and laid him there. + </p> + <p> + “He has been stabbed,” he murmured, pointing to a small cut in the middle + of the deep stain, just over the heart. + </p> + <p> + Ramoo, after helping to lift the Squire onto the bed, had slid down to the + floor, and crouched there, sobbing convulsively. The two servants stood + helpless and aghast. Mark looked round the room: the window was open. He + walked to it. A garden ladder stood outside, showing how the assassin had + obtained entrance. Mark stood rigid and silent, his hands tightly + clenched, his breath coming slowly and heavily. At last he roused himself. + </p> + <p> + “Leave things just as they are,” he said to the men in a tone of unnatural + calmness, “and fasten the door up again, and turn a table or something of + that sort against it on the outside so that no one can come in. John, do + you tell one of the grooms to saddle a horse and ride down into the town. + Let him tell the head constable to come up at once, and also Dr. Holloway. + Then he is to go on to Sir Charles Harris, tell him what has happened, and + beg him to ride over at once. + </p> + <p> + “Come, Ramoo,” he said in a softer voice, “you can do no good here, poor + fellow, and the room must be closed. It is a heavy loss to you too.” + </p> + <p> + The Hindoo rose slowly, the tears streaming down his face. + </p> + <p> + “He was a good master,” he said, “and I loved him just as I loved the + Colonel, sahib. Ramoo would have given his life for him.” + </p> + <p> + With his hand upon Ramoo's shoulder, Mark left the room; he passed a group + of women huddled together with blanched faces, at a short distance down + the passage, the news that the Squire's door could not be opened and the + sounds made by its being broken in having called them together. Mark could + not speak. He silently shook his head and passed on. As he reached his + room he heard shrieks and cries behind him, as the men informed them of + what had taken place. On reaching his door, the one opposite opened, and + Mrs. Cunningham in a dressing gown came out. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter, Mark, and what are these cries about?” + </p> + <p> + “A dreadful thing has happened, Mrs. Cunningham; my father has been + murdered in the night. Please tell Millicent.” + </p> + <p> + Then he closed the door behind him, threw himself on his bed, and burst + into a passion of tears. The Squire had been a good father to him, and had + made him his friend and companion—a treatment rare indeed at a time + when few sons would think of sitting down in their father's presence until + told to do so. Since he had left school, eight years before, they had been + very much together. For the last two or three years Mark had been a good + deal out, but in this his father had encouraged him. + </p> + <p> + “I like to see you make your own friends, Mark, and go your own way,” he + used to say; “it is as bad for a lad to be tied to his father's coattail + as at his mother's apron string. Get fresh ideas and form your own + opinions. It will do for you what a public school would have done; make + you self reliant, and independent.” + </p> + <p> + Still, of course, a great portion of his time had been with his father, + and they often would ride round the estate together and talk to the + tenants, or walk in the gardens and forcing houses. Generally Mark would + be driven by his father to the meet if it took place within reasonable + distance, his horse being sent on beforehand by a groom, while of an + evening they would sit in the library, smoke their long pipes, and talk + over politics or the American and French wars. + </p> + <p> + All this was over. There was but one thing now that he could do for his + father, and that was to revenge his death, and at the thought he rose from + his bed impatiently and paced up and down the room. He must wait for a + week, wait till the funeral was over, and then he would be on Bastow's + track. If all other plans failed he would spend his time in coaches until + at last the villain should try to stop one; but there must be other ways. + Could he find no other he would apply for employment as a Bow Street + runner, serve for a year to find out their methods, and acquaint himself + with the places where criminals were harbored. It would be the one object + of his life, until he succeeded in laying his hand on Bastow's shoulder. + He would not shoot him if he could help it. He should prefer to see him in + the dock, to hear the sentence passed on him, and to see it carried out. + As to the treasure, it was not worth a thought till his first duty was + discharged. + </p> + <p> + Presently a servant brought him a cup of tea. He drank it mechanically, + and then proceeded to dress himself. Sir Charles Harris would be here soon + and the others; indeed, he had scarcely finished when he was told that the + doctor from Reigate had just arrived, and that the constable had come up + half an hour before. He at once went down to the library, into which the + doctor had been shown. + </p> + <p> + “You have heard what has happened,” he said, as he shook hands silently. + “I expect Sir Charles Harris here in half an hour. I suppose you will not + go up till then?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I think it will be best that no one should go in until he comes. I + have been speaking to Simeox; he was going in, but I told him I thought it + was better to wait. I may as well take the opportunity of going upstairs + to see Mr. Bastow. I hear that he fainted when he heard the news, and that + he is completely prostrate.” + </p> + <p> + “Two such shocks might well prove fatal to him,” Mark said; “he has been + weak and ailing for some time.” + </p> + <p> + “Two shocks?” the doctor repeated interrogatively. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I forgot you had not heard about the affair yesterday evening: a man + fired at us through the window when we were sitting round the fire, before + the candles were lit. The ball passed between my father's head and Mr. + Bastow's; both had a narrow escape; the bullet is imbedded in the + mantelpiece. I will have it cut out; it may be a useful item of evidence + some day.” + </p> + <p> + “But what could have been the man's motive? Your father was universally + popular.” + </p> + <p> + “Except with ill doers,” Mark said. “I ran out and chased the fellow for + half a mile, and should have caught him if he had not had a horse waiting + for him in a lane, and he got off by the skin of his teeth. I hope that + next time I meet him he will not be so lucky. Mr. Bastow was very much + shaken, and went to bed soon afterwards. I am not surprised that this + second shock should be too much for him. Will you go up and see him? I + will speak to Simeox.” + </p> + <p> + The constable was out in the garden. + </p> + <p> + “This is a terrible business, Mr. Thorndyke. I suppose, after what you + told me, you have your suspicions?” + </p> + <p> + “They are not suspicions at all—they are certainties. Did you hear + that he tried to shoot my father yesterday evening?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, I have heard nothing about it.” + </p> + <p> + Mark repeated the story of the attempt and pursuit. + </p> + <p> + “Could you swear to him,' Mr. Thorndyke?” + </p> + <p> + “No, there was not much light left; besides, as I have not seen him for + the last eight years, I should certainly not be able to recognize him + unless I had time to have a good look at him. Had it only been last + night's affair it might have been anyone; but the shooting through the + window was not the act of a thief, but of an assassin, who could only have + been influenced by private enmity. I quite see that at present I have no + legal evidence against Bastow; I am not even in a position to prove that + he is in the country, for it cannot be said that my father's belief that + he recognized the voice of the man who said 'Stand and deliver!' is proof. + I doubt if anyone could swear that, when he only heard three words, he was + absolutely sure that it was the voice of a man he had not seen for some + years. However, fortunately, that will make no difference; the man is, as + I told you, wanted for his heading the mutiny in the convict prison at + Sydney, which will be quite sufficient to hang him without this business. + But I own that I should prefer that he were hung for my father's murder if + we could secure sufficient evidence. Moreover, there is the attack upon us + three or four months ago, and with the evidence of the surgeon who + attended him as to his wound, that would be enough to hang him. But we + have first got to catch him, and that I mean to make my business, however + long the search may take me.” + </p> + <p> + “Was anything taken last night, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know; I did not look. We shall see to that when we go upstairs. + We may as well go indoors now; Sir Charles may be here in a few minutes, + and I want to hear Dr. Holloway's report as to Mr. Bastow.” + </p> + <p> + “He does not suspect, I hope, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank God; my father never mentioned to him anything he heard about + his son, or his suspicions, therefore he has no reason to believe that the + fellow is not still in the convict prison at Sydney. We shall keep it from + him now, whatever happens; but it would, for his sake, be best that this + shock should prove too much for him. He has had a very hard time of it + altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “He is terribly prostrate,” the doctor reported when Mark joined him. “I + don't think that he will get over it. He is scarcely conscious now. You + see, he is an old man, and has no reserve of strength to fall back upon. + Your father has been such a good friend to him that it is not surprising + the news should have been too much for him. I examined him at the Squire's + request some months ago as to his heart's action, which was so weak that I + told the Squire then that he might go off at any time, and I rather wonder + that he recovered even temporarily from the shock.” + </p> + <p> + In a few minutes Sir Charles Harris drove up. + </p> + <p> + “This is terrible news, my dear Mark,” he said, as he leaped from his gig + and wrung Mark's hand—“terrible. I don't know when I have had such a + shock; he was a noble fellow in all respects, a warm friend, an excellent + magistrate, a kind landlord, good all round. I can scarcely believe it + yet. A burglar, of course. I suppose he entered the house for the purpose + of robbery, when your father awoke and jumped out of bed, there was a + tussle, and the scoundrel killed him; at least, that is what I gather from + the story that the groom told me.” + </p> + <p> + “That is near it, Sir Charles, but I firmly believe that robbery was not + the object, but murder; for murder was attempted yesterday evening,” and + he informed the magistrate of the shot fired through the window. + </p> + <p> + “Bless me, you don't say so!” the magistrate exclaimed. “That alters the + case altogether, and certainly would seem to make the act one of + premeditated murder; and yet, surely, the Squire could not have had an + enemy. Some of the men whom we have sentenced may have felt a grudge + against him, but surely not sufficient to lead them to a crime like this.” + </p> + <p> + “I will talk of it with you afterwards, Sir Charles. I have the very + strongest suspicions, although no absolute proofs. Now, will you first + come upstairs? Doctor Holloway is here and Simeox, but no one has entered + the room since I left it; I thought it better that it should be left + undisturbed until you came.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so; we will go up at once.” + </p> + <p> + An examination of the room showed nothing whatever that would afford the + slightest clew. The Squire's watch was still in the watch pocket at the + head of the bed, his purse was on a small table beside him; apparently + nothing had been touched in the room. + </p> + <p> + “If robbery was the object,” Sir Charles said gravely, “it has evidently + not been carried out, and it is probable that Mr. Thorndyke was partly + woke by the opening of the window, and that he was not thoroughly aroused + until the man was close to his bed; then he leapt out and seized him. + Probably the stab was, as Dr. Holloway assures us, instantly fatal, and he + may have fallen so heavily that the man, fearing that the house would be + alarmed at the sound, at once fled, without even waiting to snatch up the + purse. The whole thing is so clear that it is scarcely necessary to ask + any further questions. Of course, there must be an inquest tomorrow. I + should like when I go down to ask the gardener where he left the ladder + yesterday. Have you examined the ground for footmarks?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Sir Charles, but you see it was a pretty hard frost last night, and + I cannot find any marks at all. The ground must have been like iron about + the time when the ladder was placed there.” + </p> + <p> + The gardener, on being called in, said that the ladder was always hung up + outside the shed at the back of the house; there was a chain round it, and + he had found that morning that one of the links had been filed through. + </p> + <p> + “The Squire was most particular about its being locked, as Mr. Mark knows, + so that it could not be used by any ill disposed chaps who might come + along at night. The key of the padlock was always hung on a nail round the + other side of the shed. The Squire knew of it, and so did Mr. Mark and me; + so that while it was out of the way of the eyes of a thief, any of us + could run and get it and undo the padlock in a minute in case of fire or + anything of that sort. I have not used the ladder, maybe, for a fortnight, + but I know that it was hanging in its place yesterday afternoon.” + </p> + <p> + “I expect the fellow was prowling about here for some time,” Mark said. “I + was chatting with my father in the library when I thought I heard a noise, + and I threw open the window, which had by some carelessness been left a + little open, and went out, and listened for nearly an hour, but I could + hear nothing, and put it down to the fact that I was nervous owing to what + had happened early in the evening, and that the noise was simply fancy, or + that the frost had caused a dry branch of one of the shrubs to crack.” + </p> + <p> + “How was it you did not notice the window was open as you went in?” + </p> + <p> + “The curtains were drawn, sir. I glanced at that when I went into the room + with my father. After being shot at once from outside, it was possible + that we might be again; though I own that I did not for a moment think + that the fellow would return after the hot chase that I gave him. I + suppose after I went in he looked about and found the ladder; it is likely + enough that he would have had a file with him in case he had any bars to + cut through to get into the house, but to my mind it is more likely that + he knew where to find the ladder without any looking for it; it has hung + there as long as I can remember.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir,” the gardener said, “I have worked for the Squire ever since he + came here, and the ladder was bought a week or two after he took me on, + and the Squire settled where it should be hung, so that it might be handy + either in case of fire or if wanted for a painting job. This aint the + first ladder; we got a new one four years ago.” + </p> + <p> + “It is singular that the man should have known which was the window of + your father's room.” + </p> + <p> + “Very singular,” Mark said. + </p> + <p> + Shortly after the doctor left, and Mark had a long talk with the + magistrate in the library, and told him his reasons for suspecting that + the murderer was Arthur Bastow. + </p> + <p> + “It certainly looks like it,” the magistrate said thoughtfully, after he + had heard Mark's story, “though of course it is only a case of strong + suspicion, and not of legal proof. Your father's recognition of the voice + could have scarcely been accepted as final when he heard but three words, + still the whole thing hangs together. The fellow was, I should say, + capable of anything. I don't know that I ever had a prisoner before me + whose demeanor was so offensive and insolent, and if it can be proved that + Bastow is in England I should certainly accept your view of the case. He + would probably have known both where the ladder was to be found and which + was the window of your father's bedroom.” + </p> + <p> + “I should certainly think that he would know it, sir. The bedroom was the + same that my grandfather used to sleep in, and probably during the years + before we came here young Bastow would have often been over the house. The + first year or two after we came he was often up here with his father, but + I know that my father took such an objection to him, his manner and + language were so offensive, that he would not have me, boy as I was—I + was only about eleven when he came here—associate with him in the + smallest degree. But during those two years he may very well have noticed + where the ladder was.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you intend to say anything about all this tomorrow at the inquest, + Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I shall do so,” Mark said moodily. “I am certain of it + myself, but I don't think any man would convict him without stronger + evidence than I could give. However, that business in Australia will be + sufficient to hang him.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you are right, Mark. Of course, if you do light upon any + evidence, we can bring this matter up in another court; if not, there will + be no occasion for you to appear in it at all, but leave it altogether for + the authorities to prove the Sydney case against him; it will only be + necessary for the constables who got up the other case against him to + prove his sentence, and for the reports of the Governor of the jail to be + read. There will be no getting over that, and he will be hung as a matter + of course. It will be a terrible thing for his unhappy father.” + </p> + <p> + “I do not think that he is likely to come to know it, sir; the shock of + the affair yesterday and that of this morning have completely prostrated + him, and Dr. Holloway, who was up with him before you arrived, thinks that + there is very little chance of his recovery.” + </p> + <p> + When the magistrate had left, Mark sent a request to Mrs. Cunningham that + she would come down for a few minutes. She joined him in the drawing room. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you for coming down,” he said quietly. “I wanted to ask how you + were, and how Millicent is.” + </p> + <p> + “She is terribly upset. You see, the Squire was the only father she had + ever known; and had he been really so he could not have been kinder. It is + a grievous loss to me also, after ten years of happiness here; but I have + had but little time to think of my own loss yet, I have been too occupied + in soothing the poor girl. How are you feeling yourself, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't understand myself,” he said. “I don't think that anyone could + have loved his father better than I have done; but since I broke down when + I first went to my room I seem to have no inclination to give way to + sorrow. I feel frozen up; my voice does not sound to me as if it were my + own; I am able to discuss matters as calmly as if I were speaking of a + stranger. The one thing that I feel passionately anxious about is to set + out on the track of the assassin.” + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing unusual in your state of feeling, Mark. Such a thing as + this is like a wound in battle; the shock is so great that for a time it + numbs all pain. I have heard my husband say that a soldier who has had his + arm carried off by a cannon ball will fall from the shock, and when he + recovers consciousness will be ignorant where he has been hit. It is so + with you; probably the sense of pain and loss will increase every day as + you take it in more and more. As for what you say about the murderer, it + will undoubtedly be a good thing for you to have something to employ your + thoughts and engage all your faculties as soon as this is all over. Is + there anything that I can do?” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you; the inquest will be held tomorrow. I have sent down to + Chatterton to come up this afternoon to make the necessary preparations + for the funeral. Let me see, today is Wednesday, is it not? I seem to have + lost all account of the time.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Wednesday.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I suppose the funeral will be on Monday or Tuesday. If there is any + message that you want sent down to the town, one of the grooms will carry + it whenever you wish.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you; 'tis not worth sending particularly, any time will do, but I + shall want to send a note to Mrs. Wilson presently, asking her to come up + the first thing tomorrow morning.” + </p> + <p> + “He can take it whenever, you like, Mrs. Cunningham. I have nothing to + send down for, as far as I know. I suppose you have heard that the doctor + thinks very badly of Mr. Bastow?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. Ramoo is sitting with him now.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I think, if you will write your note at once, Mrs. Cunningham, I + will send one down to Dr. Holloway, asking him to send an experienced + nurse. He said he should call again this afternoon, but the sooner a nurse + comes the better.” + </p> + <p> + That afternoon Mark wrote a letter to the family solicitors, telling them + of what had taken place, and stating that the funeral would be on the + following Tuesday, and asking them to send down a clerk with his father's + will, or if one of the partners could manage to come down, he should + greatly prefer it, in view of the explanations that would be necessary. He + had already sent off a letter to the head of the Detective Department, + asking him to send down one of his best men as soon as possible. Then he + went out into the garden, and walked backwards and forwards for about two + hours, and then returned to what he thought would be a solitary meal. Mrs. + Cunningham, however, came down. She had thoughtfully had the large dining + table pushed on one side, and a small one placed near the fire. + </p> + <p> + “I thought it would be more comfortable,” she said, “as there are only our + two selves, just to sit here.” + </p> + <p> + He thanked her with a look. It was a nice little dinner, and Mark, to his + surprise, ate it with an appetite. Except the cup of tea that he had taken + in the morning, and a glass of wine at midday, he had touched nothing. + Mrs. Cunningham was a woman of great tact, and by making him talk of the + steps that he intended to take to hunt down the assassin, kept him from + thinking. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you very much, Mrs. Cunningham,” he said, when the dinner was over. + “I feel very much better.” + </p> + <p> + “I have brought down my work,” she said, “and will sit here while you + drink your wine and smoke a pipe. Millicent has gone to bed, completely + worn out, and it will be pleasanter for us both to sit here than to be + alone.” + </p> + <p> + Mark gladly agreed to the proposal. She turned the conversation now to + India, and talked of her life there. + </p> + <p> + “I was not out there very long,” she said. “I was engaged to my husband + when he first went out, and six years afterwards joined him there, and we + were married. Your uncle, who was a major of his regiment, gave me away. + My husband got his company six months afterwards, and was killed three + years later. My pension as his widow was not a large one, and when your + uncle offered me the charge of his daughter I was very glad to accept it. + He gave some idea of his plans for her. I thought they were very foolish, + but when I saw that his mind was thoroughly made up I did not attempt to + dissuade him. He said that when he came home to England (and he had no + idea when that would be) he should have me here, as head of his + establishment, and it would be given out that the child was his ward. I + hoped that he would alter his mind later on, but, as you know, he never + did.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, of course, she will have to be told now,” Mark said. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think so? It seems to me that it were better that she would go as + she is, at any rate, until she is twenty-one.” + </p> + <p> + “That would be quite impossible,” Mark said decidedly. “How could I assume + the position of master here? And even if I could, it would be a strange + thing indeed for me to be here with a girl the age of my cousin, even with + you as chaperon. You must see yourself that it would be quite impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “But how could she live here by herself?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think she could live here by herself,” Mark said, “especially + after what has happened. Of course, it has all got to be talked over, but + my idea is that the place had better be shut up, and that you should take, + in your own name, a house in London. I suppose she will want masters for + the harp, and so on. For a time, at any rate, that would be the best plan, + unless you would prefer some other place to London. We have done our best + to carry out my uncle's wishes, but circumstances have been too strong for + us, and it cannot be kept up any longer; but there is no reason, if you + and she prefer it, why she should not be known, until you return here, by + her present name. Of course the affair will create a great deal of talk + down here, but in London no one will know that Millicent is an heiress, + though it is hardly likely that you will make many acquaintances for a + time.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you known it long, Mark? I thought that you were kept in ignorance + of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I only heard it yesterday evening, Mrs. Cunningham; after that shot + through the window my father thought I ought to know all about it, for the + attempt might be repeated more successfully. He told me all about her, and + about the treasure.” + </p> + <p> + “What treasure?” Mrs. Cunningham said. “I don't know what you mean.” + </p> + <p> + He then told her of the story his uncle had related, and how he had been + prevented from giving full instructions for its discovery, the only clew + being a gold coin and the word Masulipatam, and that this treasure had + been left equally divided between him and Millicent by his will. + </p> + <p> + “He told me that he should provide for you,” Mrs. Cunningham remarked, + “when I said that it would be unfair that you should be brought up + believing yourself the heir. I never heard any more about it, but I am + glad that it is so.” + </p> + <p> + “I fancy the chance of its coming to either of us is very small,” Mark + said; “a coin and a word are not much to go upon. I have not the most + remote idea what they mean, and whether the treasure is in England or in + India, Heaven only knows.” + </p> + <p> + “Possibly, when he made the will, he may have told the solicitors where it + was, and instructed them to keep it secret until the time that Millicent + came into possession of the estate.” + </p> + <p> + “It is just possible he did so, Mrs. Cunningham, but the efforts he made + to speak at the last moment would almost seem to show that he had not told + them, for, if he had, the matter would have been of no vital importance + one way or the other. Will Millicent be well enough to come down in the + morning?” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so, too; but, at any rate, keep her up in her room till the + afternoon. The inquest will be at eleven o'clock, and it is better that + she should not come down until everyone has gone away.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX. + </h2> + <p> + Directly after breakfast was over the next morning the Rector came in. + </p> + <p> + “I would not come in yesterday, Mark,” he said. “I knew that you would be + best alone; and, indeed, I was myself so terribly upset by the news that I + did not feel equal to it. I need not say how deeply I and my wife + sympathize with you. Never did a kinder heart beat than your father's; + never have I seen people so universally grieved as they are in the + village. I doubt whether a man went to work yesterday, and as for the + women, had it been a father they had lost they could not be more + affected.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he will be greatly missed,” Mark said unsteadily; “and, between + ourselves—but this must go no further—I have a suspicion, + amounting almost to a certainty, that the hand that dealt this blow is the + same that caused the vacancy that brought you here.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean Arthur Bastow?” Mr. Greg said in amazement. “Why, I thought + that he was transported for fifteen years.” + </p> + <p> + Then Mark told the Rector the inner history of the past six months, and of + the report they had had from the officer at Bow Street of the personal + appearance of the wounded man. + </p> + <p> + “Other things are in favor of it,” he went on. “My father's watch and + purse were untouched, and a stranger on a dark night would be hardly + likely to have discovered the ladder, or to have had a file in his pocket + with which to cut through a link, though this might have been part of the + apparatus of any burglar. Then, again, an ordinary man would hardly have + known which was my father's bedroom, except, indeed, that he saw the light + there after those in the ladies' rooms were extinguished; but, at any + rate, he could not have told which was my father's and which was mine. But + all this is, as I said, Mr. Greg, quite between ourselves. I had a long + talk yesterday with Sir Charles Harris, and, as he said, there is no legal + proof whatever, strong as the suspicion is; so I am going to say nothing + on the subject at the inquest. The scoundrel's poor father is dying, + happily in ignorance of all this. Dr. Holloway was up with him all night, + and told me this morning before he drove off that it is very unlikely that + he will get through the day.” + </p> + <p> + “It is all very terrible, Mark; but I cannot deny that everything points + to the man. Surely no one else could have cut short so useful a life, for + certainly no ordinary degree of hatred would drive a man, however brutal + his nature, to commit such a crime, and to run the risk of hanging for it. + Let us take a brisk walk in the garden for an hour—that will be the + best thing for you. I will stop with you until the inquest is over, and + then you had better come over and have lunch with us.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you; I cannot do so,” Mark said, “though I should like to. In the + first place, Millicent will come downstairs this afternoon, and I should + like to be in to meet her. Had it not been for that I might have come, as + I can walk across the fields to the Rectory without passing through the + village. There is another reason. I sent up yesterday by the coach a + letter to be delivered at once by hand, and I expect a detective down here + by one o'clock. I don't know that he will do any good; but at the same + time it will give me something to do, and at present there is nothing I + dread so much as sitting alone. Fortunately, yesterday evening Millicent + went to bed at five o'clock, and Mrs. Cunningham sat with me all the + evening, and her talk did me a great deal of good.” + </p> + <p> + The inquest occupied a very short time, the only point on which many + questions were asked being as to the firing through the window. Mark + stated that it was already so dark that although he was within fifty yards + of the man when he mounted and rode off, he could not give any very + distinct description of his figure. It struck him as being that of a man + of medium height. + </p> + <p> + “You have made out that the bullet was intended for your father?” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot say that, sir, it went between his head and that of Mr. Bastow, + but it might have been meant for either.” + </p> + <p> + “Was your father impressed with the idea that it was an attempt to murder + him?” + </p> + <p> + “He naturally thought so. Mr. Bastow can assuredly have no enemies, while + my father, as a magistrate, may have made some. He certainly thought it + was an attempt to murder him, and was so impressed by the fact that when + we went to the library later on he went into certain family matters with + me that he had never communicated before, and which, had it not been for + this, he would not have entered into for some years to come.” + </p> + <p> + “He had his opinion, then, as to who was his assailant?” + </p> + <p> + “He had, sir, but as it was but an opinion, although there were several + facts that seemed to justify the conviction, there was no proof whatever, + and therefore I do not think myself justified in saying what that opinion + was.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you entertain the same opinion yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “I do,” Mark said emphatically; “but until I can obtain some evidence in + support of what is really but a matter of opinion, and because, were I to + give the name, it would lessen my chance of obtaining such evidence, I + decline to mention the name.” + </p> + <p> + “You have no doubt that the author of the second attempt is the same as + that of the first?” + </p> + <p> + “Personally, I have no doubt whatever; it stands to reason that it is + barely possible that two men could have, unknown to each other, made up + their minds to murder my father on the same evening.” + </p> + <p> + The constable's evidence added nothing to that given by Mark. He had been + down to the lane where the man pursued had mounted. The reins of the horse + had apparently been thrown over a gatepost, and he thought it had been + standing there for some little time, for there were marks where it had + scraped the ground repeatedly. He had followed the marks of its hoofs for + some distance; it had gone at a gallop for about half a mile, and then the + pace had slackened into a trot. It continued until the lane fell into the + main road, but beyond this he had been unable to distinguish it from the + marks of the traffic in general. + </p> + <p> + “You found no footprints whatever near the foot of the ladder, or anywhere + else round the house?” + </p> + <p> + “None whatever, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “There were no signs of any other window or door save that of Mr. + Thorndyke's room being attempted?” + </p> + <p> + “None at all, sir.” + </p> + <p> + There was but a short consultation between the jurors, who at once + returned a verdict of “Willful murder by some person or persons unknown.” + </p> + <p> + Dr. Holloway had, after giving evidence, returned at once to Mr. Bastow's + room. The only point of importance in his evidence was the statement that + the wound must have been fatal at once, the heart itself having been + penetrated. It had been inflicted by a dagger or a narrow bladed knife. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean that it was an unusually small dagger, Dr. Holloway?” + </p> + <p> + “I should say it was a very fine dagger; not the sort of weapon that you + would expect to find a highwayman carry, if he carried one at all, but + rather a weapon of Spanish or Italian manufacture.” + </p> + <p> + “Not the sort of wound that a rapier would make?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the wound itself might have been very well made by a light rapier, + but there was a slight bruise on the flesh on each side of the wound, such + a mark as might be made by the handle or guard of a dagger, and + sufficiently plain to leave no doubt in my mind that it was so made.” + </p> + <p> + “Had the wound a downward course, or was it a straight thrust?” + </p> + <p> + “A straight thrust,” the doctor replied. “My idea is that the two men were + grappling together, and that as Mr. Thorndyke was a very powerful man, his + assailant, who probably was approaching the bed with the dagger in his + hand, plunged it into him; had he struck at him I should certainly have + expected the course of the wound to be downward, as I fancy a man very + seldom thrusts straight with a dagger, as he would do with a rapier.” + </p> + <p> + When the inquest was over, Mark, going out into the hall, found the doctor + waiting there for him. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Bastow breathed his last some ten minutes ago. I saw when I went up + to him just before I gave my evidence that it was likely that he would die + before I returned to the room.” + </p> + <p> + “I am very sorry,” Mark said, “although I expected nothing else from what + you told me: He was a very kind hearted man; no one could have had a + kinder or more patient tutor than he was to me, while my father regarded + him as a very dear and valued friend. I am expecting the undertaker here + in a few minutes, and they can both be buried at the same time.” + </p> + <p> + It was late in the afternoon before Millicent came down with Mrs. + Cunningham. The news of Mr. Bastow's death had set her tears flowing + afresh; she had been very fond of him, and that he and the Squire should + have been taken at once seemed almost beyond belief. She had, however, + nerved herself to some degree of composure before she went down to meet + Mark; but although she returned the pressure of his hand, she was unable + for some time to speak. Mrs. Cunningham thought it best to speak first on + the minor grief. + </p> + <p> + “So Mr. Bastow has gone, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Dr. Holloway thought very badly of him yesterday, and said that he + had but very faint hope of his rallying. I cannot help thinking that it + was best so. Of course, he was not a very old man, but he has for some + years been a very feeble one, and now that Millicent and I have both given + up our studies with him, I think that he would have felt that his work was + done, and would have gone downhill very fast.” + </p> + <p> + “I think so, too,” Mrs. Cunningham agreed. “I am sure that even had the + Squire's death come quietly, in the course of nature, it would have been a + terrible blow to him. He was fond of you and Millicent, but his affection + for your father was a passion; his face always lit up when he spoke to + him. I used to think sometimes that it was like an old dog with his + master. It was quite touching to see them together. I think, Mark, with + you, that it is best that it should be as it is.” + </p> + <p> + Gradually the conversation turned to other matters. Millicent was, + however, unable to take any part in it, and half an hour later she held + out her hand silently to Mark and left the room hurriedly. The next day + she was better, and was able to walk for a time with Mark in the garden + and talk more calmly about their mutual loss, for to her, no less than to + Mark, the Squire had been a father. + </p> + <p> + “'Tis strange to think that you are the Squire now, Mark,” she said as + they sat together in the dining room on the evening before the funeral. + </p> + <p> + “You will think it stranger still, Millicent,” he said, “when I tell you + that I am not the Squire, and never shall be.” + </p> + <p> + She looked up in his face with wonder. + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, dear, you will know tomorrow, as Mr. Prendergast, one of the family + solicitors, is coming down; but I think it is as well to tell you + beforehand. It has been a curious position all along. I never knew it + myself till my father told me when we went into the library after the shot + was fired. The news did not affect me one way or the other, although it + surprised me a great deal. Like yourself, I have always supposed that you + were my father's ward, the daughter of an old comrade of his brother's. + Well, it is a curious story, Millicent. But there is no occasion for you + to look frightened. The fact is you are my uncle's daughter and my + cousin.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is not very dreadful!” she exclaimed in a tone of relief. + </p> + <p> + “Not dreadful at all,” Mark said. “But you see it involves the fact that + you are mistress of this estate, and not I.” + </p> + <p> + Millicent stood up suddenly with a little cry. “No, no, Mark, it cannot + be! It would be dreadful, and I won't have it. Nothing could make me have + it. What, to take the estate away from you when you have all along + supposed it to be yours! How could I?” + </p> + <p> + “But you see it never has been mine, my dear. Father might have lived + another five-and-twenty years, and God knows I have never looked forward + to succeeding him. Sit down and let me tell you the story. It was not my + father's fault that he reigned here so long as master, it was the result + of a whim of your father's. And although my father fought against it, he + could not resist the dying prayer of my uncle.” + </p> + <p> + He then related the whole circumstances under which the girl had been + brought up as Millicent Conyers, instead of Millicent Conyers Thorndyke, + and how the estate had been left by Colonel Thorndyke's will to his + brother until such time as Millicent should come of age, or marry, and how + he had ordered that when that event took place the rest of his property in + money and jewels was to be divided equally between Mark and herself. + </p> + <p> + “It must not be, Mark,” she said firmly. “You must take the estate, and we + can divide the rest between us. What is the rest?” + </p> + <p> + “To begin with,” Mark said cheerfully, “there are 25,000 pounds, the + accumulations of the rents of the estate after the death of my grandfather + up to the time when the Colonel returned from India; and there are, + besides, a few thousands, though I don't exactly know how many, that my + father paid over to the solicitors as the surplus of the rents of the + estates after paying all expenses of keeping up this house. He very + properly considered that although he had accepted the situation at your + father's earnest wish, he ought not to make money by doing so. If we put + it down at 30,000 pounds altogether, you see there is 15,000 pounds for + each of us. A very nice sum for a young man to start life with, especially + as I shall have my father's estate near Hastings, which brings in 500 + pounds a year; and as the rents of this have been accumulating for the + last ten years, my share will be raised from 15,000 pounds to 20,000 + pounds. Besides this, there is the main bulk of the Colonel's fortune made + in India. That seems to be worth about 100,000 pounds but I must own that + the chance of getting it seems very small.” + </p> + <p> + “How is that, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + Mark told her the whole story. + </p> + <p> + “I mean to make it my business to follow the matter up,” he said. “I think + that the chance of ever finding it is very small. Still, it will give me + an object to begin life with.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I hope that you will never find it!” she exclaimed. “From what you + say it will be a terrible danger if you do get it.” + </p> + <p> + Mark smiled. + </p> + <p> + “I hardly think so, Millicent. I cannot believe that people would be + following up this thing for over fifteen years, for it was many years + before the Colonel came home that he got possession of these diamonds. + Even Hindoos would, I think, have got sick of such a hopeless affair long + before this; but as they may ever since your father's death have been + watching us, although it hardly seems possible, I shall follow out the + Colonel's instructions, and get rid of those particular diamonds at once. + I shall only keep them about me long enough to take them to Amsterdam and + sell them there. The Colonel said they were the finest diamonds that he + ever saw, and that he really had no idea of what they were worth. However, + that is for the future.” + </p> + <p> + “Mrs. Cunningham has known this all along, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “Not about the money affairs, but of course she knew that you were my + cousin. She brought you from India, you see, and has known all along that + the Colonel was your father. She knows it, and the family solicitors know + it, but I believe no one else, except, perhaps, Ramoo. I am not sure + whether he was in uncle's service when you were sent over in Mrs. + Cunningham's charge. He may know it or he may not, but certainly no one + else does, except, as I say, the solicitors and myself. Possibly some + other of the Colonel's old comrades knew that there was a child born; but + if they were in England and happened to hear that my father had succeeded + to the estate, they would, of course, suppose that the child had died.” + </p> + <p> + “Then,” Millicent said, in a tone of relief, “there can be no reason why + anyone else should know anything about it. I will see Mr. Prendergast when + he comes down tomorrow, and beg him to say nothing about it; 15,000 pounds + is quite enough for any girl; and besides, you say that my father's + greatest wish was that I was not to be married for money, and after all + the pains that have been taken, his wish will not be carried out if I am + to be made owner of the estate.” + </p> + <p> + “You won't be able to persuade Mr. Prendergast to do that,” Mark said, + smiling. “It is his duty simply to carry out the provisions of your + father's will, and to place you in possession of the estate; and if he + would keep silence, which he certainly won't, you don't suppose that I + would.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I shall hate you, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think you will, Millicent, and I would rather that you did that + than that you should despise me. At the present moment you may think that + this estate would be only a burden to you, but some day when you marry you + might see the matter in a different light.” + </p> + <p> + The girl looked at him reproachfully. + </p> + <p> + “I should never think so!” she burst out. “What would you have me do? Live + here in this great house, with only Mrs. Cunningham, while you are going + about the world seeking for this treasure? Never!” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't think that it would be nice for you to do that, Millicent,” + Mark said. “Mrs. Cunningham and I have been talking it over. We thought + that the best plan would be for her to take a house in London, and go + there with you; you would have the advantages of good masters. + </p> + <p> + “Then you were saying only a short time since that you would like to learn + the harp and take lessons in painting. There would be time enough to think + about what you would do with respect to this house afterward.” + </p> + <p> + “It is all horrible,” Millicent said, bursting into tears, “and I shall + always feel that I have robbed you.” + </p> + <p> + “But I don't feel so in the least,” Mark urged. “I was not in the smallest + degree put out when my father told me about it. I have always had a fancy + for wandering about the world, as my uncle did, and doing something to + distinguish myself, instead of settling down for life to be a country + magistrate and a squire. Of course it came as a surprise, but I can assure + you that it was not an altogether unpleasant one. What can a man want more + than a nice little estate of 500 pounds a year and 20,000 pounds in + money?” + </p> + <p> + “It is all very well to say that, but as you said to me just now, you may + see it in a different light some day.” + </p> + <p> + Then she sat thinking for some time. “At any rate,” she went on at last, + “I don't see why anyone should know about it now. If the house is to be + shut up and you are going away, why need anyone know anything about it? My + father's wish was that I should not have people making love to me just + because I was an heiress; after all that has been done, it would be wicked + to go against his wishes. I suppose the interest of this 15,000 pounds + would be enough for Mrs. Cunningham and I to live comfortably on in + London?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Mark said; “it will, at 5 per cent, bring in 750 pounds a year.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I shall remain Millicent Conyers to the world. There is nothing to + prevent that, is there?” she said almost defiantly. + </p> + <p> + “No,” he replied thoughtfully. “The rents of this estate might accumulate. + I suppose the solicitors would see after that; and as I shall be away it + will, of course, make no difference to me. Were I to stay in the + neighborhood I could not consent to live as my father did, in a false + position; but even then I might give out that the property had only been + left to my father during his lifetime, and that it had now gone elsewhere, + without saying whom it had gone to. However, as I shall be away there will + be no occasion even for that. When the will is read there will be no one + present but ourselves, and I don't see why its contents should not be kept + a secret for a time; at any rate, we can ask Mr. Prendergast's opinion + upon that subject.” + </p> + <p> + At this moment, Mrs. Cunningham coming into the room, Millicent ran to her + and threw her arms round her neck. + </p> + <p> + “He has made me most miserable,” she said. “I thought I could not have + been more miserable than I was before he told me all about it.” + </p> + <p> + “I knew that he was going to do so, and I was quite sure that you would + not be pleased at the news. I have all along thought that it was a mistake + on the part of your father; but as it was his decision, and not mine, I + only had to carry out his wishes.” + </p> + <p> + “It is cruel,” Millicent sobbed. “I don't mean it is cruel of my father; + of course he could not have known, and he thought he was doing the best + thing for my happiness, but it has all turned out wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “For the present you may think so, dear; but you must remember that up to + the present time it has turned out well. I know that your uncle did not + like it at first, but I think that he passed ten happy years here. It gave + him a great power for doing good, and he worthily availed himself of it. + We have all spent a happy time; he was universally liked and respected. I + think all of us have benefited by it. It would not have been half as + pleasant if it had been known that you, my child, were the real owner of + the estate, and he was acting merely as your guardian. Let us hope that + everything will turn out as well in future. Colonel Thorndyke told me that + he had left a considerable sum in addition to the estates, and that this + was to be divided between you and Mark; so you see your cousin will not go + out into the world a beggar.” + </p> + <p> + “It is most of it lost,” Millicent said with an hysterical laugh. “It is + all hidden away, and no one can find it; everything has gone wrong + together.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I think, dear, that you had better go up to bed. I will go with + you. At the present time this, of course, has come upon you as an + additional shock. I would gladly have shielded you from it for a time if I + could have done so, but you must have learned it tomorrow, and I quite + agree with Mark that is was better that he should tell you this evening. I + sent down to the town today to the doctor's and asked him to send me up a + soothing draught, thinking that you might be upset by the news. I hope by + the morning you will be able to look at matters more calmly.” + </p> + <p> + Some time later Mrs. Cunningham came down again. + </p> + <p> + “She has cried herself to sleep,” she said. “She is much grieved about + this money being lost.” + </p> + <p> + “It is annoying; still I cannot help thinking that the Colonel must have + taken some such precaution to prevent the treasure from being lost.” + </p> + <p> + “One would certainly think so,” Mrs. Cunningham agreed; “the Colonel + seemed to me a methodical man. I know that he had the reputation of being + one of the most particular men in the service as to all petty details. His + instructions to me before I left him were all very minute, and he gave me + a sealed packet which he told me contained instructions and a copy of the + register of his marriage and of Millicent's birth, and he said that in + case of his death I was to take it to your father. He said that there was + a letter inclosed in it to him, and also a copy of his will. The letter + was directed to your father, and not to me. I handed it over to him when + he asked me to come here. He told me afterwards that the letter contained + the request that his brother lived to make personally to him—that + the child should be brought up as his ward; and that he had handed the + certificates to a lawyer, who had, however, received copies of them from + the Colonel himself before he went down to see your father. So, as he took + these precautions to insure his wishes being carried out in the event of + his sudden death, I should think that he must have done something of the + sort with regard to this treasure.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think that extremely likely, Mrs. Cunningham. I certainly had + not thought of that before, and I hope that for Millicent's sake and my + own it may turn out to be so. I can get on extremely well without it, but + at the same time I don't pretend that 50,000 pounds are to be despised.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning Mr. Prendergast, who had arrived at Reigate late the + evening before, and had put up at an inn, came up to the house an hour + before the time named for the funeral. He learned from Mark that he had + already acquainted Millicent with her change of circumstances. A few + minutes after he arrived, a servant told him that Miss Conyers would be + glad if he would see her alone for a few minutes in the drawing room. Mark + had already prepared him for her request. + </p> + <p> + “Mark has told you that he told me about this hateful thing last night, I + suppose, Mr. Prendergast?” + </p> + <p> + “He has,” the old lawyer said kindly; “and he tells me also that you are + not at all pleased at the news.” + </p> + <p> + “Pleased! I should think not, Mr. Prendergast,” she said indignantly. “I + am not going to rob my cousin of what he has always been taught to think + as his inheritance. It is abominable, I call it, and most unnatural.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear young lady, it is yours, and not his. I do not wish to + discuss whether the arrangement was altogether a wise one, but I think + that so far it has turned out well for all parties. Your estate has + profited greatly by the management of your uncle, the tenants and all + connected with it have benefited greatly, he himself has had active + employment afforded him, of which he was fond. Your cousin has, I believe, + enjoyed the advantages of the position, and has become acquainted with the + best people in this part of the country, and will now obtain the benefit + of something like 15,000 pounds—a comfortable little sum, especially + as he inherits, I believe, his father's property in Sussex. You yourself + will have obtained what I cannot but consider the advantage of having been + brought up without knowing that you were an heiress, and therefore without + being spoiled, which is, in my opinion, the case with many young ladies in + such a condition; therefore I cannot but think that, if unwise in its + conception, the matter has so far worked out well. I am bound to say that + Mr. Mark Thorndyke has been speaking to me very handsomely on the subject, + and that he appears in no way disappointed at finding that you are the + heiress of the estate, and is really concerned only at your unwillingness + to accept the situation.” + </p> + <p> + “I wanted to know, Mr. Prendergast,” she said, but in a tone that showed + she was convinced by his manner that her request would be refused, “if you + could arrange so that things would not be disturbed, and he should come + into possession as his father's heir in the natural way.” + </p> + <p> + “But you see he is not his father's heir, Miss Thorndyke. His father only + had the use, as we call it, of the property until you came of age, or + marriage; it was not necessary for it to come to you on your coming of + age, but only, as your father explained to me, in the event of your + marriage; that is to say, it was not to become public that you were + entitled to the estate until your marriage. If you married before you were + twenty-one the property was then to come to you. If you did not you were + to be informed of the circumstances or not, as Mr. Thorndyke might decide + was best, but you were not to come into the property until you married. + Your cousin was also to be informed when you came to the age of + twenty-one, and as at that time he was to take his half share of the + remainder of the property, he would then be able to arrange his life as he + liked. If your uncle died, as unfortunately he has done, before you + reached the age of twenty-one, you would then be placed in your proper + position; but your father desired us to say to you that it was his wish, + that if it could be arranged, your having succeeded to the ownership + should not be publicly known until you divulged it to your husband after + marriage. The other portions of the will must be carried out. This being + only a request, you are at liberty to follow it or not as you may choose.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly I should choose,” the girl said. “After all this trouble to + prevent my being run after as an heiress, it would be wicked to upset it + all and to fly in the face of his wishes by setting up as mistress of this + estate. Still you understand, Mr. Prendergast, that I don't mean to take + it.” + </p> + <p> + The lawyer smiled indulgently. “There is one way in which it might be + managed,” he said. “Perhaps you can guess what it is?” + </p> + <p> + A flush of color rose over the girl's face. “Don't say it, I beg of you, + Mr. Prendergast. Mrs. Cunningham hinted at it this morning, and I told her + that my own wish entirely agreed with that of my father, and that I was + determined not to be married for money; and I am quite sure that Mark + would be as unwilling as I am that the estate should change hands in that + way. No, Mr. Prendergast, you must find some other way of doing it than + that. Surely an estate cannot be forced upon anyone who is determined not + to take it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we must think it over,” Mr. Prendergast said quietly. “And now I + think that it is time for me to join the others.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X. + </h2> + <p> + The funeral of Squire Thorndyke and Mr. Bastow was over, and all agreed + they had never seen a more affecting spectacle than that at the churchyard + when the two coffins were brought in. The distance was short, and the + tenants had requested leave to carry the Squire's bier, while that of Mr. + Bastow was borne by the villagers who had known and loved him. Behind + followed all the magistrates and a great number of the gentry for miles + round; the churchyard was crowded by every man, woman, and child in the + village, and the women, as well as many of the men, wept unrestrainedly as + the coffins passed by. Besides these, a large number of people from + Reigate and the surrounding villages were present, attracted rather by the + crime that had caused the death than by the loss of the Squire himself. + The church was crowded, and it was with difficulty that Mr. Greg read the + service. The Squire was laid by the side of his father, Mr. Bastow in the + spot where many of his predecessors had slept before him. + </p> + <p> + Mark had been greatly affected, not only by his own loss, but by the sight + of the general grief among those for whom the Squire had done so much. + Even Mr. Prendergast, who had taken part in many such functions over + departed clients, was much moved by the scene. + </p> + <p> + “I have been at many funerals,” he said to Mark as they walked back to the + Hall, “but I never have been at one that so affected me. No monument ever + raised, sir, did such credit to him who was laid beneath it as the tears + of those simple villagers.” + </p> + <p> + Mark did not reply; his heart was altogether too full to speak. As they + entered the house he said, “The ladies will have their lunch upstairs, Mr. + Prendergast; we may as well have ours at once, and then you can call them + down if there is any business to be done.” + </p> + <p> + “That will not take long,” the lawyer said. “I have brought down the wills + of both your uncle the Colonel, and your father, and I think that it would + be as well for me to read them both. That of your father is a very short + and simple document, extending, indeed, only over a few lines. Your + uncle's is longer and more complicated, but as you are well aware of the + gist of it, it will take us but a short time to get through it.” + </p> + <p> + Mark took his meal in a perfunctory manner. For himself he would have + eaten nothing, but he made an effort to do so in order to keep his guest + company. When it was over he said: + </p> + <p> + “We may as well go into the library at once, and I will send up for the + ladies. It is as well to lose no time, for I know that you want to catch + the afternoon coach up to town.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Cunningham and Millicent joined them in a minute or two, the girl + looking very pale in her deep mourning. + </p> + <p> + “I am about,” Mr. Prendergast said quietly, “to read the wills of Colonel + Thorndyke and Mr. John Thorndyke, and I will ask you, if there is any + phrase that you do not understand, to stop me, and I will explain to you + its purport.” + </p> + <p> + The three persons present were acquainted with the main provisions of the + Colonel's will. It began by stating that, being determined that his + daughter, Millicent Conyers Thorndyke, should not be married for her + money, he hereby bequeathed to his brother, John Thorndyke, his estate in + the parish of Crowswood, to be held by him until his daughter Millicent + came to the age of twenty-one, or was married; if that marriage did not + take place until she was over the age of twenty-one, so long was it to + continue in John Thorndyke's possession, save and except that she was, on + attaining the age of twenty-one, to receive from it an income of 250 + pounds a year for her private use and disposal. + </p> + <p> + “To Jane Cunningham, the widow of the late Captain Charles Cunningham, of + the 10th Madras Native Infantry, should she remain with my daughter until + the marriage of the latter, I bequeath an annuity of 150 pounds per annum, + chargeable on the estate, and to commence at my daughter's marriage. All + my other property in moneys, investments, jewels, and chattels of all + sorts, is to be divided in equal portions between my daughter, Millicent + Conyers Thorndyke, and my nephew, Mark Thorndyke. Should, however, my + daughter die before marriage, I bequeath the said estate in the parish of + Crowswood to my brother, John Thorndyke, for his life, and after him to + his son Mark, and to the latter the whole of my other property of all + kinds, this to take effect on the death of my daughter. Should my brother + predecease the marriage or coming of age of my daughter, she is at once to + come into possession of the said estate of Crowswood. In which case my + nephew Mark and Mr. James Prendergast, of the firm of Hopwood & + Prendergast, my solicitors, are to act as her trustees, and Mrs. Jane + Cunningham and the said James Prendergast as her guardians.” + </p> + <p> + All this was, of course, expressed in the usual legal language, but the + purport was clear to those previously acquainted with its bearing, the + only item that was new to them being the legacy to Mrs. Cunningham. John + Thorndyke's testament was a short one. He left all his property to his son + Mark, with the exception of a hundred pounds to his niece to buy a + mourning ring or brooch or other ornament in memory of him, and fifty + pounds to Mrs. Cunningham for a similar purpose, as a token of his great + esteem for her character, and 200 pounds to Ramoo for his faithful + services to his brother and himself. When the lawyer had folded up the + wills Millicent said: + </p> + <p> + “On my part, I have to say that I absolutely renounce the legacy of the + estate in favor of my cousin Mark, who has always believed that it would + be his.” + </p> + <p> + “And I as absolutely refuse to accept the sacrifice,” Mark said. + </p> + <p> + “My dear young lady,” Mr. Prendergast said quietly, “at present, at any + rate, you have no power whatever to take any action in the matter; you + are, in the eye of the law, an infant, and until you come of age you have + no power to execute any legal document whatever. Therefore you must + perforce remain mistress of the estate until you attain the age of + twenty-one. Many things may happen before that time; for example, you + might marry, and in that case your husband would have a voice in the + matter; you might die, in which case Mr. Mark Thorndyke would, without any + effort on your part, come into possession of the estate. But, at any rate, + until you reach the age of twenty-one your trustees will collect the rents + of the estate on your behalf, and will hold the monies in trust for you, + making, of course, such payments for your support and maintenance as are + fit and proper for your condition.” + </p> + <p> + The tears came into Millicent's eyes as she resumed the seat from which + she had risen, and she did not utter another word until Mr. Prendergast + rose to leave. + </p> + <p> + “I shall doubtless learn your wishes as to the future, Miss Thorndyke, + from your cousin,” he said. “I hope that you will not cherish any malice + against me, and that when you think it over you will come to the + conclusion that second thoughts are sometimes the wisest, and also that + you should have some consideration for your father's wishes in a matter of + this kind. He worked hard and risked his life to build up the fortune that + he has left. He evidently thought greatly of your welfare, and was, above + all things, anxious to insure your happiness. I am sure that on thinking + it over you will see that you should not thwart his wishes.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear boy,” he said to Mark, as they stood on the doorstep waiting for + the carriage to come round, “the best plan by far in this business would + be for the interests of your cousin and yourself to be identical. She is a + very charming young lady, a little headstrong in this matter, perhaps, but + I do not think that that is altogether unnatural.” + </p> + <p> + “That might have come about if it had not been for the property, Mr. + Prendergast,” Mark said, “but it cannot be now. If she and I had been + engaged before all this happened the case would have been different; but + you see yourself that now my lips are sealed, for it would seem as if I + had not cared for her until she turned out to be an heiress.” + </p> + <p> + “You are a silly young couple,” the lawyer said. “I can only hope that as + you grow older you will grow wiser. Well, you had better come up and have + a talk with me about the assets your uncle mentions in his will.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you don't know anything about them, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing at all, except as to the accumulations in his absence. He + mentioned vaguely that he was a wealthy man. I thought that, as a matter + of course, he had told his brother all about it.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a curious business, sir, and I doubt if there will ever be anything + besides the accumulations you speak of.” + </p> + <p> + “Bless me, you don't say so! Well, well, I always thought that it was the + most foolish business that I ever heard of. However, you shall tell me all + about it when you come up. I shall miss my coach unless I start.” + </p> + <p> + So saying, he shook Mark's hand, took his place in the gig, and was driven + away. Millicent did not come downstairs again that day. + </p> + <p> + “She is thoroughly upset,” Mrs. Cunningham said, “and it would be best to + let her have her own way for a time. I think the sooner I can get her away + from here the better. The house is full of sad memories, and I myself feel + shaken and in need of a change.” + </p> + <p> + “I can quite understand her feeling and yours, Mrs. Cunningham. I do hope + you will be able to disabuse her mind of the idea that I have any shadow + of feeling of regret that she instead of I has the estate, and please try + to work upon her on the ground of her father's wishes. I could see that + her face changed when Mr. Prendergast put the matter in that light, which + I do not think had occurred to her before. I am thinking of going up to + town in a couple of days; I was thinking of doing so tomorrow, but a day + or so will make no difference. I propose that you both go with me, and + that I then help you look for a house. Even if you don't get one at once, + a week in London will be a change, and you can then, if you like, go + somewhere for a time. Of course Bath would be too gay at present; but you + might go to Tunbridge Wells, or, if she would like a seaside place, as she + has never been near the sea since she was a baby, that would be the + greatest change for her. You might go down for a month or two to Dover or + Hastings. There is no occasion for you to settle down in London for a + time. There is Weymouth, too, if you would like it better. I believe that + that is a cheerful place without being too fashionable.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that will be an excellent plan,” Mrs. Cunningham said. + </p> + <p> + “If you like I will drive you up to town, and the luggage can go by the + carrier; it is more pleasant than being shut up in a coach.” + </p> + <p> + “Much more cheerful, of course.” + </p> + <p> + “You will, of course, leave many of your things here, and the packing them + up will give her something to do, and prevent her from brooding.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that is an excellent idea, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + Late in the afternoon Ramoo came in in his usual silent manner. The man + had said but little during the past few days, but it was evident that he + was grieving deeply, and he looked years older than he had done before + that fatal night. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Ramoo, you will stay with me for the present. I hardly know + what I shall be doing for a time, but I am sure that until I settle down, + Miss Conyers will be very glad to have you with her.” + </p> + <p> + “No, sahib, Ramoo will return home to India. Ramoo is getting old; he was + thirty when he entered the service of the Colonel, sahib; he is fifty now; + he will go home to end his days; he has saved enough to live in comfort, + and with what the lawyer sahib told him your father has left him he will + be a rich man among his own people.” + </p> + <p> + “But you will find things changed, Ramoo, since you left; while here, you + know, we all regard you as a friend rather than as a servant.” + </p> + <p> + “You are all very kind and good, sahib. Ramoo knows that he will meet no + friends like those he has here, but he longs for the bright sun and blue + sky of India, and though it will well nigh break his heart to leave the + young missie and you, he feels that he must go.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Ramoo. We shall all be very sorry to lose you, but I + understand your longing to go home, and I know that you always feel our + cold winters very trying; therefore I will not oppose your wishes. I shall + be going up to town in two or three days, and will arrange to pay your + legacy at once, and will inquire what vessels are sailing.” + </p> + <p> + Millicent was unfeignedly sorry when she heard of Ramoo's determination; + she was very fond of him, for when as a child she first arrived at + Crowswood he had been her companion whenever the Squire did not require + his services, and would accompany her about the garden and grounds, + listening to her prattle, carrying her on his shoulder, and obeying her + behests. No doubt he knew that she was the daughter of his former master, + and had to a certain extent transferred his allegiance from the sahib, + whose life he had several times saved, to his little daughter. Still, she + agreed with Mark that it was perhaps best that he should go. She and Mrs. + Cunningham would find but little occasion for his services when + established in London, and his swarthy complexion and semi-Eastern costume + would attract attention, and perhaps trouble, when he went abroad—the + population being less accustomed to Orientals then than at present—but + still less would they know what to do with him were they for a time to + wander about. Mark said at once that so long as he himself was engaged in + the task that he had set himself, he could not take Ramoo with him, and as + for his staying alone in the house when it was only in charge of a + caretaker, it was not to be thought of. + </p> + <p> + Although not inclined at the present time to agree with Mark in anything, + Millicent could not but acknowledge that it were best that Ramoo should + not be urged further to reconsider his determination, and she also fell in + with his proposal that they should go up to London for a week, and then go + down to Weymouth for a time, after which they would be guided by + circumstances. Accordingly, two days later, Mark drove Millicent and Mrs. + Cunningham up to London. A groom accompanied them on Mark's favorite + horse. This was to be left in town for his use, and the groom was to drive + the carriage back again. Comfortable rooms were obtained in a quiet inn + for the ladies, while Mark put up at the Bull, saying that he would come + every day to take them out. + </p> + <p> + “Why did not Mark stay here, Mrs. Cunningham?” Millicent asked pettishly. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose he thought it better that he should not do so; and I own that I + think he was right.” + </p> + <p> + “When we were, as we supposed, no relation to each other,” Millicent said, + “we could be like brother and sister. Now that we find that we are cousins + we are going to be stiff and ceremonious.” + </p> + <p> + “Not necessarily because you are cousins, Millicent. Before, you were his + father's ward, and under his father's care; now you are a young lady on + your own account. You must see that the position is changed greatly, and + that what was quite right and proper before would not be at all right and + proper now.” + </p> + <p> + Millicent shrugged her shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if Mark wishes to be distant and stiff he can certainly do so if he + likes it. It makes no matter to me.” + </p> + <p> + “That is not at all fair, Millicent, and very unlike yourself. Had not + Mark suggested his going to another inn, I should have suggested it + myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes; no doubt it is better,” Millicent said carelessly. “He has + several friends in town, and of course we cannot expect him to be devoting + himself to us.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Cunningham raised her eyebrows slightly, but made no answer. + Millicent was seldom wayward, but at present things had gone very hardly + with her, and her friend felt that it would be better to leave her + entirely to herself until her humor changed. In the morning, when Mark + came round, Millicent announced that she felt tired with the drive of the + previous day, and would prefer staying indoors. Mark looked a little + surprised, more at the tone than at the substance of the words, for the + manner in which she spoke showed that the excuse she had given was not her + only reason for not going out. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, I shall stay at home too,” Mrs. Cunningham said quietly, as he + glanced toward her inquiringly. “Millicent is unnerved and shaken, and + perhaps it is just as well for her to have a day's complete rest.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, Mrs. Cunningham; then I will, as I cannot be of any use to + you, set about my own business for the day. I have already been round to + the lawyer's, and have got a check for Ramoo's legacy. He will be up this + afternoon, and I will go round to Leadenhall Street and find out what + ships are sailing and when they start. I will come in this evening for a + chat.” + </p> + <p> + Millicent sat without speaking for some minutes after he had left the + room. Mrs. Cunningham, whose hands were always busy, took some work out of + a bag and set to work at it industriously. Presently the girl said: + </p> + <p> + “What business is this that Mark is going to occupy himself in?” + </p> + <p> + “I do not know much about it,” she replied. “But from a few words which he + let drop I believe that he intends to devote himself to discovering and + hunting down your uncle's murderer.” + </p> + <p> + The listless expression faded out at once of Millicent's face. + </p> + <p> + “But surely, Mrs. Cunningham, that will be very dangerous work.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt it will be dangerous work, but I don't think that that is likely + to hinder Mark. The man, whoever he may be, is of course a desperate + character, and not likely to be captured without making a fierce struggle + for it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then he ought to put the matter in the hands of the proper authorities,” + Millicent said decidedly. “Of course such men are dangerous. Very likely, + this man may have accomplices, and it is not against one only that Mark + will have to fight. He has no right to risk his life in so desperate an + adventure.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Cunningham smiled quietly over her work. The Squire had often + confided to her how glad he would be if these two should some day come + together. In that case the disclosure after marriage of the real facts of + the case would cause no disturbance or difficulty. The estate would be + theirs, and it would not matter which had brought it into the partnership; + she had thoroughly agreed with him, but so far nothing had occurred to + give any ground for the belief that their hopes would be fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + Till within the last year Millicent had been little more than a child; she + had looked up to Mark as she might have done to a big brother, as + something most admirable, as one whose dictum was law. During the last + year there had been some slight change, but more, perhaps, on Mark's part + than on hers. He had consulted her wishes more, had asked instead of + ordered, and had begun to treat her as if conscious that she was fast + growing up into womanhood. + </p> + <p> + Millicent herself scarcely seemed to have noticed this change. She was + little more inclined to assert herself than before, but was ready to + accompany him whenever he wished her to do so, or to see him go away + without complaint, when it so pleased him; but the last week had made a + rapid change in their position. Millicent had sprung almost at a bound + into a young woman. She had come to think and resolve for herself; she was + becoming wayward and fanciful; she no longer deferred to Mark's opinion, + but held her own, and was capable of being vexed at his decisions. At any + rate, her relations with Mark had changed rapidly, and Mrs. Cunningham + considered this little outburst of pettishness to be a good omen for her + hopes, and very much better than if they had continued on their old + footing of affectionate cousins. + </p> + <p> + Mark went back again to the lawyer's, and had a long talk with Mr. + Prendergast over the lost treasure. The old lawyer scoffed at the idea + that there could be any danger associated with the bracelet. + </p> + <p> + “Men in India, I suppose, get fanciful,” he said, “and imbibe some of the + native superstitions. The soldier who got them from the man who stole them + was stabbed. He might have been stabbed for a thousand reasons, but he had + the bracelet on his mind. He was forever hiding it and digging it up, and + fancying that someone was on his track, and he put down the attack as + being made by someone connected with it. His manner impressed your uncle. + He concealed the diamonds or sent them off somewhere, instantly. He never + had any further trouble about them, but like many men who have a craze, + fancied that he was being perpetually watched and followed. The + unfortunate result of all this is that these jewels and the money that he + accumulated during his service in India seem to be lost. A more stupid + affair I never heard of. + </p> + <p> + “Now, as to the clew, any reasonable man would have given full + instructions as to how the treasure was to be found; or if he did not do + that, would, at least, instead of carrying about an absurd coin and a + scrap of paper with a name upon it, have written his instructions and put + them in that ridiculous hiding place, or, more wisely still, would have + instructed his solicitor fully on the subject. The amount of trouble given + by men, otherwise perfectly sane, by cranks and fancies is astonishing. + Here is something like 100,000 pounds lost owing to a superstitious whim. + As to your chance of finding the treasure, I regard it as small indeed. + The things are hidden in India, in some old tomb, or other rubbishing + place. Your uncle may have committed them to the charge of a native; he + may have sent them to a banker at one of the great towns; he may have + shipped them to England. He may have sent them to the North Pole for + anything I know. How can one begin to search the universe?” + </p> + <p> + “I thought, sir, that perhaps he might have sent them to some London Bank + or agent, with instructions to hold them until claimed by him, and that + perhaps an inquiry among such houses would lead to the discovery that they + hold certain property forwarded by him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well; there is some sense in that suggestion,” Prendergast grumbled, “and + I suppose the first thing to be done will be to carry that out. If you + wish, we will do it for you. They would be more likely to give the + information, if they possess it, to a well known firm of solicitors like + ourselves than to any private individual. Besides, if you were to go + yourself, they would in each case want you to be identified before they + would answer any question, whereas I should write a note to them in the + firm's name, with our compliments, saying that we should be glad to know + if the late Colonel Thorndyke, of whose will we are the executors, had any + account at their firm or has deposited any property in their hands. There + are not above five or six banks doing business with India, and as many + agents in a large way of business; and if he did such a foolish thing, he + would be certain to do it with some houses of good standing—if, + indeed, anything can be taken as certain in the case of a gentleman with + such extraordinary fancies and plans as his.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Mr. Prendergast,” Mark said, with a slight smile at the + lawyer's irritability; “that will be clearing the ground to a certain + extent. If that does not succeed, I think I shall go to India myself, and + shall there make similar inquiries at all the principal establishments at + Calcutta and Madras. Should I fail there, it seems to me that the only + remaining plan will be to find out from the military authorities the place + where my uncle's regiment was encamped on the day—we have the date + on which the jewels were given to him—and to institute a minute + search of all the old ruins within such a distance as he might have + reached within a day's ride.” + </p> + <p> + “But you have no certainty that it was a ruin. He might have dug a hole + under his tent and have buried the things there; he might have taken a + shovel and buried them in a clump of bushes a quarter of a mile away. The + thing is more and more ridiculous the more you look at it.” + </p> + <p> + “I see it is very difficult, sir, but one might narrow it down somewhat if + one discovered the spot. Probably there are still native officers in the + regiment who were there at the time. If so, they might possibly know who + was my uncle's servant at the time. The man may be a pensioner, and in + that case I might discover his address through the military authorities, + and I could find out from him whether my uncle often rode out at night, + what were his habits, and possibly where the tent stood, and so on.” + </p> + <p> + “Well,” Mr. Prendergast said, “if you like to undertake a wild goose chase + of this sort it is your business, and not mine; but I consider the idea is + the most Utopian that I ever heard of. As to where the tent stood, is it + likely that a man would remember to within a hundred yards where a tent + stood fourteen years ago? Why, you might dig up acres and acres of ground + and not be sure then that you had hit upon the right place.” + </p> + <p> + “There is one other circumstance, Mr. Prendergast,” Mark said quietly, + “that has to be taken into consideration, and which renders it improbable + that these diamonds were hidden anywhere by my uncle himself at that time. + He certainly spoke of the whole of this treasure collectively. It is + morally certain that he would not carry all these jewels that he had been + collecting about with him, and certainly not his treasure in money. He + must, therefore, have sent these diamonds to the person, whoever he may + be, who had the keeping of his other jewels and of his money. This + certainly points to a bank.” + </p> + <p> + “There is a sensible conjecture. Yes, there is something in that. He + certainly could not have carried about him 50,000 pounds in gold and as + much in jewelry; it would have been the act of a madman, and Colonel + Thorndyke, although eccentric and cranky, was not mad. But, on the other + hand, he may have carried about a banker's passbook, or what is equivalent + to it, for the amount that had been deposited with a native banker or + agent, together with a receipt for the box containing the jewels, and this + he might have hidden with the diamonds.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think that he would have done that; there could have been no + object for his putting the power of demanding his money and valuables out + of his possession.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, well,” the lawyer said testily, “it is of no use arguing now what + he might or might not have done. A man who would have taken the trouble + that he did to prevent his daughter knowing that she was an heiress, and + fancied that he was followed about by black fellows, might do anything, + reasonable or unreasonable, under the sun. At any rate, Mr. Thorndyke, I + will carry out your instructions as to inquiries in London, and will duly + inform you of the result; beyond that I must really decline to give any + advice or opinion upon the matter, which is altogether beyond me.” + </p> + <p> + On leaving the lawyer's, Mark went to Bow Street, and related to the chief + the circumstances attending his father's murder. + </p> + <p> + “I have heard them from the man I sent down at your request, Mr. + Thorndyke, and taking the attempt early in the evening and the subsequent + murder, there can be no doubt that the affair was one of revenge, and not + of robbery. Had the second attempt stood alone, robbery might have been + the object; the mere fact that nothing was stolen in no way alters the + case. Men are often seized with a certain panic after committing a murder, + and fly at once without attempting to carry out their original purpose. + Your father, no doubt, fell heavily, and the man might well have feared + that the fall would be heard; but the previous attempt precludes the + supposition that robbery was at the bottom of it. It points to a case of + revenge, and certainly goes a very long way to support the theory that we + talked over when I last saw you, that the highwayman who endeavored to + stop you on the road, whom you wounded, and who afterwards went down to + Southampton, was the escaped convict, Bastow. Since that time I have had a + man making inquiries along the roads between Reigate and Kingston, but + altogether without success. I should be glad to follow up any other line + that you might suggest, and that might offer any reasonable possibility of + success, but I must own that at present we are entirely off the scent.” + </p> + <p> + “I am thinking of devoting myself entirely to the quest. I have no + occupation at present. I have an income amply sufficient for my wants, and + for all expenses that I may incur, and I intend to devote, if necessary, + some years of my life to hunting this man down. As your men have searched + without success in the country, I think for the present my best plan will + be to devote myself to learning something of the ways and haunts of the + criminal classes of London, and it is with that object that I have come to + you now. I should like, for some time, at any rate, to enter the detective + force as an enrolled member. I should, of course, require no pay, but + should be prepared to obey all orders and to do any work required, as any + other member of the corps would do. I am strong, active, and have, I hope, + a fair share of intelligence. I should not mind risking my life in + carrying out any duty that you might assign to me. I presume that I need + not always be on duty, and could, when not required, employ my time as I + liked, and keep up my acquaintances in town. Should it be otherwise, + however, I am perfectly ready to submit myself in all respects to your + rule. I have a first rate horse and should be available for country duty, + wherever you might think fit to send me. I should not desire any + distinction to be made between me and the paid officers.” + </p> + <p> + “Your proposal is an altogether novel one, Mr. Thorndyke, but it is worthy + of consideration. I have no doubt that you would make a very useful + officer; the work is certainly interesting, though not without serious + hazards. However, I will think the matter over, and if you will call in + tomorrow you shall have my answer. We are always glad to have a new hand + in the force, for the faces of our men are so well known among the + criminal class that they are liable to be detected even under the + cleverest disguises. There is work, too, upon which it is absolutely + necessary that a gentleman should be employed, and in the event of your + joining us, I should wish you to keep the matter strictly from all your + acquaintances; and it would certainly be advantageous that you should, + when disengaged, continue to mix with your friends and to mingle in + society of all kinds as freely as possible. There is crime among the upper + classes as well as among the lower, though of a different type; and as Mr. + Thorndyke of Crowswood you would have far better opportunities of + investigating some of these cases than any of my men would have. You would + not object to take up such cases?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all, sir; that is, if it could be arranged that I should not do + the actual work of making an arrest, or have to appear in court as a + witness.” + </p> + <p> + “That could be managed,” the chief said “When you have got to a certain + point the matter of the final arrest could always be handed over to + someone else, but as a rule we keep our officers in the background as much + as possible, because at every trial the court is half full of men of the + criminal class, and the faces of our men would soon be known to every one + of them. Well, if you will call about ten o'clock tomorrow you shall have + my answer; but I should advise you to think the matter well over before + you see me again. The responsibilities as well as the dangers are great, + and indeed in some of the work you would literally have to carry your life + in your hand; and I can assure you that the task you would undertake is by + no means a light one.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI. + </h2> + <p> + Mark called that evening, as he had promised, upon Mrs. Cunningham. + </p> + <p> + “I hope that you feel all the better for your day's rest, Millicent,” he + said. + </p> + <p> + The girl looked quickly at him to see if there was any sarcasm in the + question, but it was evident that the inquiry was made in earnest. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I feel better now,” she said. “I have dozed a good deal today. I did + not feel up to anything. Mrs. Cunningham's work has progressed + wonderfully. I should say that she has done more today than she ordinarily + finds time to do in a week. What have you been doing with yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “I have been having a long talk with Mr. Prendergast about the lost + treasure.” + </p> + <p> + “And of course he said that you would never find it, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, yes, he distinctly expressed that opinion.” + </p> + <p> + “And afterwards?” + </p> + <p> + “Afterwards I went to Bow Street and had a long talk also with the chief + officer there.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't like the idea of your searching for this man, Mark. In the first + place, I don't see why you should hope to succeed when the men whose + business it is to do such work have failed. In the next place, I think + that you may get into serious danger.” + </p> + <p> + “That I must risk, Millicent. I have already proved a better shot than he + is, and I am quite ready to take my chance if I can but come upon him; + that is the difficult part of the matter. I know that I shall need + patience, but I have plenty of time before me, and have great hopes that I + shall run him to earth at last.” + </p> + <p> + “But you would not know him if you saw him?” + </p> + <p> + “I think I should,” Mark said quietly; “at least, if he is the man that I + suspect.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you do suspect someone?” Mrs. Cunningham said, laying down her work. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know of no reason why you should not know it now. I suspect—indeed, + I feel morally certain—that the man who murdered my father was + Arthur Bastow.” + </p> + <p> + An exclamation of surprise broke from both his hearers, and they listened + with horror while he detailed the various grounds that he had for his + suspicions. They were silent for some time after he had brought his + narrative to a conclusion, then Mrs. Cunningham said: + </p> + <p> + “What a merciful release for Mr. Bastow that he should have died before + this terrible thing came out! For after what you have told us I can hardly + doubt that you are right, and that it is this wicked man who is guilty.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it was indeed providential,” Mark said, “though I think that, feeble + as he has been for some months, it might have been kept from him. Still, a + word from a chance visitor, who did not associate Bastow the murderer with + our dear old friend, might have enlightened him, and the blow would have + been a terrible one indeed. It is true that, as it was, he died from the + shock, but he did not know the hand that struck the blow.” + </p> + <p> + “Now that you have told me this,” Millicent said, “I cannot blame you, + Mark, for determining to hunt the man down. It seems even worse than it + did before; it is awful to think that anyone could cherish revenge like + that. Now tell me how you are going to set about it.” + </p> + <p> + “I have promised the chief officer that I will tell absolutely no one,” he + said. “I have a plan, and I believe that in time it must be successful. I + know well enough that I could tell you both of it without any fear of its + going further, but he asked me to promise, and I did so without + reservation; moreover, I think that for some reasons it is as well that + even you should not know it. As it is, you are aware that I am going to + try, and that is all. If I were to tell you how, you might be picturing + all sorts of imaginary dangers and worrying yourself over it, so I think + that it will be much the best that you should remain in ignorance, at any + rate for a time. I can say this, that I shall for the present remain + principally in London, and I think that I am more likely to come upon a + clew here than elsewhere.” + </p> + <p> + Millicent pouted, but Mrs. Cunningham said: “I think, perhaps, that you + are right, Mark, and it is better that we should know nothing about it; we + shall know that you are looking for a clew, but of course no danger can + arise until you obtain it and attempt to arrest him. I feel sure that you + will do nothing rash, especially as if any harm befell you he might escape + unpunished, and therefore that when the time comes to seize him you will + obtain such help as may be necessary, and will, if possible, arrest him at + a moment when resistance is impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Mrs. Cunningham; I shall certainly spare no efforts in taking + him that way, and would far rather he met his fate on a gibbet than by a + bullet from my pistol.” + </p> + <p> + “I agree with you, Mark,” Millicent said; “even hanging is too good for + such a wicked man. When are you going to set about it?” + </p> + <p> + “I hope to be able to begin tomorrow,” he said. “I am impatient to be at + work, even though I know perfectly well that it may be months before I can + get on his track. I hope to get a good deal of information as to the + habits of men of his kind from the Bow Street runners, and I have an + appointment tomorrow morning to see their chief, who will give me every + assistance in his power.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you will not be able to take us out?” Millicent said. + </p> + <p> + “I trust to do so later on, but I cannot say how long I shall be engaged. + However, I hope to get away so as to go out with you after lunch, and may + possibly be able to postpone my getting regularly to work until after you + have gone, so as to be able to devote myself to your service.” + </p> + <p> + “But what sort of work? I cannot make out how you are going to begin.” + </p> + <p> + “I can tell you this much, that to begin with I shall go in company with a + constable to various places where such a man is likely to be found. It + will take some time to acquaint myself with all these localities; the next + step will be to find out, if possible, if anyone at all answering to his + description is in the habit of coming there occasionally, and whom he + visits; another thing will be to find out the places where receivers of + stolen goods do their business, and to watch those with whom highwaymen + are suspected of having dealings. All this, you see, will entail a lot of + work, and require a very large amount of patience. Of course, if nothing + whatever comes of such inquiries, I shall have to try quiet places in the + suburbs; you must remember that this fellow during his time as a convict + must have had opportunities of getting a vast amount of information likely + to be useful to him, such as the addresses of men holding positions of + apparent respectability, and yet in alliance with thieves. You may be sure + that when he returned he took every imaginable pains to obtain a safe + place of concealment before he began his work; my own opinion is that I am + more likely to find him living quietly in a suburban cottage than in a + London slum.” + </p> + <p> + Millicent was now thoroughly interested in the search. “It seems a great + business, Mark, but going into it as thoroughly as you are doing I feel + sure that you will succeed. I only wish that I could help you; but I could + not do that, could I?” she asked wistfully. + </p> + <p> + He saw that she was in earnest, and suppressed all semblance of a smile. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid, dear, that you would be a much greater source of + embarrassment than of assistance to me,” he said gravely. “This is + essentially not a woman's work. I believe that women are sometimes + employed in the detection of what we may call domestic crimes, but this is + a different matter altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose so,” she sighed; “but it will be very hard to be taking our + ease down at Weymouth while we know that you are, day after day, wearing + yourself out in tramping about making inquiries.” + </p> + <p> + “It will be no more fatiguing than tramping through the stubble round + Crowswood after partridges, which I should probably be doing now if I were + down there. By the way, before you go we shall have to talk over the + question of shutting up the house. We had too much to think of to go into + that before we came away, and I suppose I shall have to run down and + arrange it all, if you have quite made up your mind that you don't mean to + return for a year or two.” + </p> + <p> + “Decidedly our present idea is to have a few weeks at Weymouth, and then + when we feel braced up to come back here and look for a house. Where are + you likely to be, Mark?” Mrs. Cunningham asked. + </p> + <p> + “I shall consult with Dick Chetwynd; he knows the town thoroughly, and is + more up here than he is down in the country; he will recommend me to some + lodging in a street that, without being the height of fashion, is at least + passable. I have not the least wish to become a regular man about town, + but I should like to go into good society. One cannot be at work + incessantly.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning the chief of the detective department told Mark that he + had decided to accept his offer. + </p> + <p> + “As you will receive no pay,” he said, “I shall regard you as a sort of + volunteer. For the first two or three months you will spend your time in + going about with one or other of my men on his work. They will be able to + put you up to disguises. When you have once learned to know all the + thieves' quarters and the most notorious receivers of stolen goods, you + will be able to go about your work on your own account. All that I require + is that you shall report yourself here twice a day. Should I have on hand + any business for which you may appear to me particularly well suited, I + shall request you to at once undertake it, and from time to time, when + there is a good deal of business on hand, I may get you to aid one of my + men who may require an assistant in the job on which he is engaged.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I am very much obliged to you, sir,” Mark said, “and will, I + can assure you, do my best in every way to assist your men in any business + in which they may be engaged.” + </p> + <p> + “When will you begin?” + </p> + <p> + “It is Saturday today, sir. I think I will postpone setting to until + Monday week. My cousin and the lady in whose charge she is came up with me + on Thursday, and will be leaving town the end of next week, and I should + wish to escort them about while here. I will come on Monday morning ready + for work. How had I better be dressed?” + </p> + <p> + “I should say as a countryman. A convenient character for you to begin + with will be that of a man who, having got into a poaching fray, and hurt + a gamekeeper, has made for London as the best hiding place. You are quite + uncertain about your future movements, but you are thinking of enlisting.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, sir, I will get the constable at Reigate, who knows me well, + to send me a suit. I might find it difficult to get all the things I want + here.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, for the next week Mark devoted himself to the ladies. + Millicent, in her interest in the work that he was about to undertake, had + now quite got over her fit of ill temper, and the old cordial relations + were renewed. On the Friday he saw them into the Weymouth coach, then + sauntered off to his friend Chetwynd's lodgings. + </p> + <p> + Ramoo had already sailed. On his arrival in town he had said that he + should, if possible, arrange to go out as a steward. + </p> + <p> + “Many men of my color who have come over here with their masters go back + in that way,” he said, in answer to Mark's remonstrances. “It is much more + comfortable that way than as a passenger. If you go third class, rough + fellows laugh and mock; if you go second class, men look as much as to + say, 'What is that colored fellow doing here? This is no place for him.' + Much better go as steward; not very hard work; very comfortable; plenty to + eat; no one laugh or make fun.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, perhaps it would be best, when one comes to think of it, Ramoo; but + I would gladly pay your passage in any class you like.” + </p> + <p> + “Ramoo go his own way, sahib,” he said. “No pay passage money; me go to + docks where boats are sailing, go on board and see head steward. Head + steward glad enough to take good servant who is willing to work his way + out, and ask for no wages. Head steward draw wages for him, and put wages + in his own pocket. He very well satisfied.” + </p> + <p> + On Wednesday he came and told Mark that he had arranged to sail in the + Nabob, and was to go on board early the next morning. He seemed a great + deal affected, and Mark and Millicent were equally sorry to part with the + faithful fellow. + </p> + <p> + “Well, old man,” Dick Chetwynd said, when Mark entered the room, where he + was still at breakfast, “I was beginning to wonder whether you had gone to + Reigate. Why, when I saw you last Friday you told me that you would look + me up in a day or two.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been busy showing London to Mrs. Cunningham and Miss Conyers,” he + replied—for Millicent had insisted on keeping her former name, at + any rate for the present—and Mark was somewhat glad that there had + been no necessity for entering into any explanations. It was agreed that + when he went down to discharge some of the servants and called upon his + friends he should say nothing of the change in his position, but should + assign as a motive that he intended to travel about for a long time, and + that he felt he could not settle down in the lonely house, at any rate for + two or three years; and therefore intended to diminish the establishment. + </p> + <p> + “You will have some breakfast, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “No, thank you. I breakfasted two hours ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Then you still keep to your intention to stay in London for a while?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. I don't feel that I could bear the house alone,” Mark replied. “You + see, Mrs. Cunningham and my uncle's ward could not very well remain in a + bachelor's home, and naturally, after what has happened, they would not + like to do so, even if they could. They have gone down to Weymouth for a + few weeks for a complete change; and Mrs. Cunningham talks of taking a + house in town for a time. I am going to look for lodgings, and I want your + advice as to the quarter likely to suit me.” + </p> + <p> + “Why not take up your abode here for a time? There is a vacant room, and I + should be very glad to have you with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you very much, Dick, but I should prefer being alone. You will have + friends dropping in to see you, and at present I should be poor company. + It will be some little time before I shall feel equal to society.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Mark. I always speak first and think afterwards, as you know + pretty well by this time. Well, what sort of lodgings do you want?” + </p> + <p> + “I want them to be in a good but not in a thoroughly fashionable street. + In time, no doubt, I shall like a little society, and shall get you to + introduce me to some of the quieter of your friends, and so gradually feel + my way.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do all that sort of thing for you, Mark. As you know, I am not one + of those who see much fun in gambling or drinking, though one must play a + little to be in the fashion. Still, I never go heavily into it. I risk a + few guineas and then leave it. My own inclinations lie rather towards + sport, and in this I can indulge without being out of the fashion. All the + tip top people now patronize the ring, and I do so in my small way too. I + am on good terms with all the principal prize fighters, and put on the + gloves with one or other of them pretty nearly every day. I have taken + courses of lessons regularly from four or five of them, and I can tell you + that I can hold my own with most of the Corinthians. It is a grand sport, + and I don't know how I should get on without it; after the hard exercise I + was accustomed to down in the country, it keeps one's muscles in splendid + order, and I can tell you that if one happens to get into a fight in the + streets, it is no light thing to be able to polish off an antagonist in a + round or two without getting a mark on your face that would keep you a + prisoner in your room for a week or more.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I should like very much to take lessons too, Dick; it is one of the + things that I have always wished to do. I suppose one can do it of an + evening, or any time you like?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, any hour suits those fellows. You ought to get either a heavy + middleweight or a light heavyweight; you will be a heavyweight yourself by + the time you have filled out. Let me think; what is your height—six + feet one, if I remember rightly?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that is about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, with your shoulders and long reach and activity, you ought to be + something out of the way if you take pains, Mark. You see, I am barely + five feet ten, and am something like two stone lighter than you are. I + suppose you are not much under twelve stone and a half.” + </p> + <p> + “That is just about my weight; I weighed at the miller's only a fortnight + ago.” + </p> + <p> + “Good. I will make some inquiries, and see who would be the best man to + take you in hand to begin with. And now about lodgings. Well, I should say + Essex Street, or any of those streets running down from the Strand, would + suit you. The rooms in Essex Street are bigger than those in Buckingham + Street, and you will find anything between the two in some of the others. + I may as well saunter round there with you. Of course money is no object + to you?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” Mark agreed, “but I don't want big rooms. I think a small one, when + you are sitting by yourself, is more cozy and comfortable.” + </p> + <p> + Finally two rooms were taken in Villiers Street; they were of moderate + size and handsomely furnished: the last tenant had fitted them out for + himself, but had lived to enjoy them only three months, having at the end + of that time been killed in a duel over a quarrel at cards. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I think you are in luck, Mark; you might look through a good many + streets before you would find rooms so fashionably furnished as these. I + see he went in for driving; that is evident from these engravings on the + walls.” + </p> + <p> + “They are common, gaudy looking things,” Mark said, “and quite out of + character with the furniture.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all, as times go, Mark; it is quite the thing for a man to have + prints showing his tastes, riding or driving, shooting or coaching, or the + ring. If you don't like them you can take them down, or, what will be + better, take them out of their frames and put some of the champions past + and present up there instead.” + </p> + <p> + “I will see about it,” Mark said with a laugh. “I may turn out a complete + failure.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no fear of that, Mark; and as the ring is all the fashion now, I + can assure you it would be considered in good taste, though I own that in + point of art most of these things leave a good deal to be desired. Now + that that important thing is settled, suppose you come and lunch with me + in Covent Garden? I don't belong to a club yet, though I have got my name + down at a couple of them, but as far as I can see they are slow sort of + places unless you know a lot of people. The coffee houses are much more + amusing; you see people of all sorts there—fellows like myself, who + have no clubs to go to; country gentlemen up for a week; a few writers, + who, by the way, are not the best customers of these places; men whom + nobody knows, and men whom everybody knows. Of course, the best time to + see them is of an evening.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have generally been in of an evening when I have been up in towns + Dick, and I have always been amused. However, I am quite ready to lunch + there now, for I breakfasted early.” + </p> + <p> + “I have to make some calls this afternoon, Mark. At seven this evening I + will look in at your lodgings, and you shall go along with me to + Ingleston's in St. Giles'. It is one of the headquarters of the fancy, and + Jack Needham, who taught me, is safe to be there, and he will tell me who + he thinks is best for you to begin with.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, after taking luncheon, they separated, and Mark went to his + inn. + </p> + <p> + Ingleston's was at that time regarded as the headquarters of the fancy. At + the back of the house was a large room, with benches rising behind each + other to accommodate the spectators. Here, on the evenings when it was + known that leading men would put on the gloves, peers of the realm would + sit side by side with sporting butchers, and men of fashion back their + opinion on a coming prize fight with ex-pugilists and publicans. A number + of men were assembled in the bar; among these was Jack Needham. + </p> + <p> + “Good evening, Mr. Chetwynd,” the man said as they came up to him. “It's + going to be a good night. Tring and Bob Pratt are going to have a round or + two together, and Gibbons will put on the gloves with anyone who likes to + take him on.” + </p> + <p> + “This gentleman is Mr. Thorndyke, a squire, Jack, whose place is near mine + at Reigate. He has come up to town for a few months, and wants to learn + how to use his mauleys. I told him that you would advise him as to who + would be the best man for him to go to.” + </p> + <p> + “I can tell you better when I have seen him strip, sir. There is no one in + the big room at present. It won't be open for half an hour. Ingleston + keeps it shut as long as he can so as to give everyone a fair chance of a + good place. If the gentleman will come in there with me I will have a look + at him.” + </p> + <p> + Mark expressed his willingness to be looked at, and the man having gone + and got the key of the room from Ingleston, went in with them and locked + the door behind. + </p> + <p> + “Now, sir, if you will strip to the waist I shall be better able to say + who you should have as your teacher than I can now.” + </p> + <p> + Mark stripped, and the man walked round and round him, examining him + critically. + </p> + <p> + “He's a big 'un,” he said to Dick when he had completed his examination. + “He has got plenty of muscle and frame, and ought to be a tremendous + hitter; he is about the figure of Gibbons, and if he goes in for it + really, ought to make well nigh as good a man, if not quite. I don't think + Bill would care about taking him up till he knows a bit about it. I tell + you what, sir; you will be too big altogether for me by the time you get + to be quick on your legs, and to use your strength, but if you like I will + take you on for a month or so—say, two months; by that time I think + you will be good enough to go to Gibbons. I will just call him in if you + don't mind; he came in just before you.” + </p> + <p> + In a couple of minutes he came in with a man of similar height and + somewhat similar figure to Mark. + </p> + <p> + “This is Gibbons, sir, ex-champion, and like enough he might be champion + now if he chose; as fine a boxer as ever stripped, but he is ring maker + now to the P. C. and it suits him better to do that and to teach, than to + have a chance of getting a battle once a year or so.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you a great many pupils, Gibbons?” + </p> + <p> + The man shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “I am too big, sir; gentlemen like to learn from someone about their own + weight, or perhaps a bit lighter, and there are not many of them who would + care to stand up against a man who has been champion, and so I have plenty + of time on my hands. I am a hard hitter, too, even with the gloves; that + is one reason why Jack had best take you on until you get a little handy + with your fists. I do more in the dog fancier line than I do with boxing, + but there is nothing I like better than getting the gloves on with an + amateur who is likely to be a credit to me. That is my card, sir; you will + find me in pretty nearly any time of the day, and I have got a place + behind the house where I do teaching when I get a chance. It is handy in + one way, because you can drop in and take a lesson any time you like.” + </p> + <p> + “That would suit me exceedingly well,” Mark said; “and when I have had a + couple of months with Needham I will come to you.” + </p> + <p> + Mark now put on his clothes again, and they went out together, and + re-entered a few minutes later, when the door was open. The benches were + soon crowded. Mark had been to several prize fights with Dick Chetwynd, + had often boxed with him and other lads, and had had lessons from an + ex-prize fighter at Reigate, and was therefore able to appreciate the + science shown by the various men who confronted each other. The event of + the evening was the contest between Tring and Bob Pratt; both were very + powerful men, who were about to go into strict training for matches that + had been made for them against two west countrymen, who were thought very + highly of by their friends, and who were regarded as possible candidates + for the championship. + </p> + <p> + Bob Pratt was a stone heavier than his opponent, but far less active, and + owed his position more to his ability to take punishment, and to hard + hitting powers, than to his science. In the two rounds that were fought, + Tring had the advantage, but the general opinion was that in the long run + the other would wear him down. Both fought with good temper, and were + warmly applauded as they shook hands at the finish. + </p> + <p> + “I think I should back Tring in a fight,” Mark said, as the meeting broke + up, “but it is difficult to say, for he is in better condition than the + other, and it may be that when both are thoroughly fit the heavy man might + show more improvement than he would do.” + </p> + <p> + The hat was passed round at the conclusion: Every man dropped in his + guinea, some more, it being understood that the collection was divided + between the two men to pay the expenses of their training. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII. + </h2> + <p> + The next morning Mark commenced work in earnest, and for two months + visited all the worst slums of London in company with one of the Bow + Street men. Both were generally in disguise, but Mark's companion + sometimes went openly to some of the houses inhabited by men well known as + criminals. On such occasions Mark remained within call, ready to go in if + assistance should be required; but there was small fear of this, the men + who were visited were all personally known to the officer, and generally + greeted him with “You aint wanting me, are you?” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all; what I am wanting is a little information for which I shall + be quite willing to pay the first man who enables us to lay hands on the + gentleman I want to find.” Then he would describe Bastow's appearance. + </p> + <p> + “He has taken to the road, I fancy, and has given us a good deal of + trouble; if it is the man I think it is, he has been away from London for + some years, and came back eight or ten months ago.” + </p> + <p> + The reply was always to the same effect: + </p> + <p> + “I don't know of such a man, and never heard of him. For my part, I would + not split on a pal, not for anything; but I should not mind earning five + guineas to put you on a cove who is not one of us. Besides, it aint only + the money; you know, you might do me a good turn some day.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so; well, I can tell you it is a good deal more than five guineas + that would be earned if you could put me in the way of laying my hand on + his shoulder. I don't think that he is living in town. I expect he is in + some quiet neighborhood; still, if he is on the road, he must have a horse + somewhere. You might ask among the stables, and find out whether anyone + keeps a horse there who is in the habit of going out in the afternoon and + not coming back until the next day. You have plenty of time upon your + hands, and it would pay you well if you could bring me the information I + want.” + </p> + <p> + The officer said to Mark at the end of two months: “These knights of the + road don't often mix themselves up with the London housebreakers. The most + likely men to be able to tell you about the doings of such a fellow would + be receivers of stolen goods, but it would be dangerous to question any of + them—they would be sure to put him on his guard. I will give you a + list of some of them, and I should say that your best way would be to + watch their places of an evening, from the time it gets dark till ten or + eleven. Of course, it is just a chance. You may watch one place for a + month and he may happen to go there the very day you have gone off to + watch another crib. Still, there is just the chance, and I don't see that + there is one any other way.” + </p> + <p> + During this time Mark had been taking a lesson every evening with Needham, + and had surprised his teacher with the rapidity of his progress; he had + said, the very evening before, when Mark had countered him with a blow + that knocked him for two or three minutes senseless: + </p> + <p> + “We have had enough of this, governor; you have got beyond me altogether, + and I don't want another blow like that. You had better take on Gibbons + now. You are too big altogether for me, and yet you don't fight like a + heavyweight, for you are as quick on your pins as I am.” + </p> + <p> + Well pleased at having the day to himself and of having got clear of his + work in the thieves' rookeries, Mark went the next morning to Gibbons' + shop. His entry was hailed by a chorus of barking from dogs of all sorts + and sizes, from the bulldog down to the ratting terrier. + </p> + <p> + “Glad to see you, Mr. Thorndyke,” Gibbons said, when he had silenced the + barking. “I saw Jack last week, and he told me that he should hand you + over to me pretty soon, for that you were getting beyond him altogether, + and he thought that if you stuck to it you would give me all my work to do + in another six months.” + </p> + <p> + “I finished with him last night, Gibbons, and I shall be ready to come for + a lesson to you every morning, somewhere about this hour. I have brought + my bag with my togs.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, sir, I am ready at once; the place is clear now behind. I have + just been making it tidy, for we had a little ratting last night, one of + my dogs against Sir James Collette's, fifty rats each; my dog beat him by + three quarters of a minute.” + </p> + <p> + “You will never see me here at one of those businesses. I have no + objection to stand up to a man my own size and give and take until we have + had enough, but to see rats slaughtered when they have not a chance of + making a fight of it is altogether out of my line.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, I do not care about it myself; there are lots who do like it, + and are ready to wager their money on it, and as it helps to sell my dogs, + besides what I can win out of the event—it was a wager of twenty + guineas last night—it aint for me to set myself up against it.” + </p> + <p> + Calling a boy to look after the shop, Gibbons went away into a wooden + building in the back yard; it was about twenty-five feet square, and there + were holes in the floor for the stakes, when a regular ring was made. The + floor was strewn with clean sawdust; a number of boxing gloves hung by the + wall. + </p> + <p> + “There is the dressing room,” Gibbons said, pointing to a door at the + other end. When both were ready he looked Mark over. “Your muscles have + thickened out a good bit, sir, since I saw you strip. Before another four + years, if you keep on at it, you will be as big a man as I am. I am about + eight years too old, and you are four years too young. You will improve + every day, and I shan't. Now, sir, let us see what you can do. Jack tells + me that you are wonderfully quick on your feet; there is the advantage you + have of me. I am as strong as ever I was, I think, but I find that I + cannot get about as I used to.” + </p> + <p> + He stood somewhat carelessly at first, but as they sparred for an opening + he became more careful, and presently hit out sharply. Mark leaped back, + and then, springing forward, struck out with his left; Gibbons only just + stopped it and then countered, but Mark was out of reach again. + </p> + <p> + “That is good enough,” Gibbons said; “I can see Jack has taught you pretty + nearly all there is to know. We will just take those hits again. You were + right to get away from the first, but the second time you should have + guarded with your left, and hit at my chin with your right. That jumping + back game is first rate for avoiding punishment, but you have got to come + in again to hit. You took me by surprise that time, and nearly got home, + but you would not do it twice,” and so the lesson went on for three + quarters of an hour. + </p> + <p> + “That will do for today, sir; I am getting blown, if you are not. Well, I + can tell you I have never had a more promising pupil, and I have brought + forward two or three of the best men in the ring; no wonder that Jack + cannot do much with you. Give me six months, every day, and you should + have a turn occasionally with other men, and I would back you for a + hundred pounds against any man now in the ring.” + </p> + <p> + Three or four days later Mark received a message that the chief wanted to + speak with him that afternoon, and he accordingly went down. + </p> + <p> + “I've got a job for you, Mr. Thorndyke; it is just the sort of thing that + will suit you. There is a house in Buckingham Street that we have had our + eye on for some time; it is a gambling house, but with that we have + nothing to do unless complaints are made, but we have had several + complaints of late. It is a well got up place, and there are a good many + men of title frequent it, but men of title are not always more honest than + other people; anyhow, there are some rooks there, and several young + fellows of means have been pigeoned and ruined. They are mighty particular + who they let in, and there would be very little chance of getting my + regular men in there. Now, you are a stranger in London, but you have + friends here, and no doubt you could get introduced. We want to know if + the play is fair; if it isn't, we would break the place up altogether. We + know enough to do it now; but none of the poor beggars who have been + ruined will come forward, and, indeed, haven't any idea, I think, that + they have lost their money in anything but a run of bad luck. + </p> + <p> + “One young fellow blew his brains out last week, and his father came here + with a list of what are called debts of honor, which he found in his room. + There they are, and the names of the men they are owed to; of course some + of them have been fairly won, but I have a strong suspicion that those I + have marked with a cross have not been. For instance, there is Sir James + Flash, a fellow who was turned out of White's two years ago for sharp + practice with cards; there is John Emerson, he is a man of good family, + but all his friends have given him up long ago, and he has been living by + his wits for the last five years. The others marked are all of the same + sort. Now, what I want you to do is to become a frequenter of the place; + of course you will have to play a little, and as you are a stranger I + expect that they will let you win for a bit; but if not the old gentleman + has placed 200 pounds in my hands for the expenses.” + </p> + <p> + “I could play with my own money,” Mark said rather warmly. + </p> + <p> + “You forget, Mr. Thorndyke,” the chief said firmly, “that at the present + moment you are a member of my force, and that you go to this place in that + capacity, and not as Squire of Crowswood; therefore you must, if you + please, do as I instruct you. The gentleman will be ready to pay that sum. + As you see, the amounts entered here total up to nearly 10,000 pounds. He + said that it will ruin him to pay that sum, but that he must do so rather + than his son should be branded as a defaulter. I have advised him to write + to all these people saying that it will take him some time to raise the + money, but that he will see that nobody shall be a loser by his son's + debts. I have told him in the meantime that I will endeavor to get proof + that the play was not fair, and in that case he would, of course, refuse + to pay any of the claims on that ground; and you may be sure that if + unfair play was proved none of those concerned would dare to press their + claims.” + </p> + <p> + “Then my function would be simply to watch?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, to watch, and to bring me word of anything you may observe. You see, + without making a public scandal, if it could be found that a man was + discovered cheating, and the way in which he was doing it, one would be + able to put so strong a pressure on him, that not only might he be forced + to abstain from going to any club, but would be frightened into giving up + any IOUs he might hold.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be glad to do the best I can, sir; but frankly I know next to + nothing of cards, and should have but little chance of detecting anything + that might be going on, when it must be done so cleverly that experienced + gamblers, watching a man closely, fail to see anything wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “I quite understand that; but one of my men has made a study of the + various methods employed by gamblers to cheat, and although it would take + you years to learn how to do it yourself, a few hours' instruction from + him would at least put you up to some of their methods, and enable you to + know where to look for cheating. The man is now waiting in the next room, + and if you will take two or three hours daily with him, say for a week, + you ought to be able to detect the doings of these fellows when to others + everything seems right and above board. You may have no inclination for + cards, but knowledge of that sort is useful to anyone in society, here or + anywhere else, and may enable him either to save his own pocket or to do a + service to a friend.” + </p> + <p> + Mark was greatly interested in the tricks the man showed him. At first it + seemed to him almost magical, after he himself had shuffled the cards and + cut them the dealer invariably turned up a king. Even admitting he might + have various places of concealment, pockets in the lining of the sleeve, + in the inside of the coat, and in various other parts of the dress, in + which cards could be concealed and drawn out by silken threads, it did not + seem possible that this could be done with such quickness as to be + unobserved. It was only when his teacher showed him, at first in the + slowest manner, and then gradually increasing his speed, that he perceived + that what seemed impossible was easy enough when the necessary practice + and skill had been attained. The man was indeed an adept at a great + variety of tricks by which the unsuspecting could be taken in. + </p> + <p> + “I ought to know,” he said. “I was for three years in a gambling house in + Paris, where every other man was a sharper. I have been in places of the + same sort in Belgium, Holland, Germany, and Italy. At first I was only a + boy waiter, and as until evening there was nothing doing at these places, + men would sometimes amuse themselves by teaching me tricks, easy ones to + begin with, and when they saw I was sharp and quick handed they went on. + After a time I began to work as a confederate, and at last on my own + account; but I got disgusted with it at last. A young fellow shot himself + at the table of the gambling house at Rome, and at another place I was + nearly killed by a man who had lost heavily—do you see, it has left + a broad scar right across my forehead?—so I gave it up. + </p> + <p> + “I was in the French police for a time, and used to watch some of the + lower hells. I was nearly killed there once or twice, and at last I came + back here. My French chief gave me a letter to the chief, and I was taken + on at once, for, talking as I do half a dozen languages, and being + acquainted with most of the swell mobsmen of Paris, I was just the man who + happened to be wanted here at the time. Since I came over I have done a + good deal in the way of breaking up hells where sailors and others are + plundered. But, you see, I cannot be used for the higher class of work; my + nose has been broken, and I have half a dozen scars on my face. I hate the + sight of cards now. I have seen so much of the ruin they do, and have, I + am sorry to say, taken a hand so often in doing it, that save showing + someone who would use the knowledge in the right way how the tricks are + done, nothing would persuade me to touch them again. However, as a + protection, the knowledge is as useful as it is dangerous when used the + other way. It would take you ten years to learn to do these tricks + yourself so well as to defy detection; but in a very short time, by + learning where to keep your eyes, you would get to detect almost any of + them. + </p> + <p> + “You see, there are three methods of cheating: the first by hidden cards, + the second by marked cards, the third simply by sleight of hand, this + being generally used in connection with marked cards. These tricks require + great skill and extreme delicacy of touch, for the marks, which are + generally at the edge of the cards, are so slight as to be altogether + imperceptible save to a trained hand. There are also marks on the back of + the cards; these are done in the printing, and are so slight that, unless + attention were attracted to them, no one would dream of their existence.” + </p> + <p> + In the course of a week's practice Mark learned where to look for + cheating; he could not indeed follow the fingers of his instructor, for + even when he knew what was going to be done, the movements were so rapid + that his eye could not follow them, and in nine cases out of ten he was + unable to say whether the coup had been accomplished or not; but he could + see that there was a slight movement of the fingers that could only mean + that something was being done. + </p> + <p> + “It would be a good thing,” he said one day, “if every young fellow before + going out into the world were to have a course of such instruction as you + are giving me; he would learn, at least, the absolute folly of sitting + down to play cards with strangers. He would see that he could be robbed in + fifty different ways, and would be at the absolute mercy of any sharper. I + never had any inclination for gambling, but if I had been inclined that + way you would have cured me of the passion for life.” + </p> + <p> + The week's instruction was lengthened to a fortnight, and at the end of + that time Mark went to Dick Chetwynd. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know, Dick,” he said, “a gambling place in Buckingham Street?” + </p> + <p> + “I know that there is a hell there, Mark, but I have never been in it. Why + do you ask?” + </p> + <p> + “I have rather a fancy to go there,” he replied. “I hear that, although a + good many men of fashion haunt the place, the crowd is rather a mixed + one.” + </p> + <p> + “It has a bad name, Mark; I have heard some queer reports about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, so have I. I should think that it is a very likely place for a man + like Bastow to go to if he has any liking for play. Of course he would get + up as a gentleman. At any rate, I have been making what inquiries I can in + some of the thieves' quarters, and have come to the conclusion that he is + not likely to have taken up his abode there, and I don't think I can do + better than make a round of some of these doubtful houses. I should like + to begin with this, and then work downwards.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I dare say I could manage it, Mark; I know half a dozen men who + play there; they say there is more fun and excitement to be got than at + White's or Crockford's, or any of those places. Some men, of course, play + high, but a good many who go there only risk a few guineas; some go + because it is the proper thing at present for a man about town either to + play or to bet on horses or cock fights, or to patronize the ring; and, + after all, it is easier to stroll for an hour or two of an evening into + comfortable rooms, where you meet a lively set and there is champagne + always going, than it is to attend races or prize fights.” + </p> + <p> + Very few days passed that Mark did not go in for half an hour's chat with + his friend, and two days after this conversation Dick said: + </p> + <p> + “By the way, Mark, I have arranged for us to go to that hell tonight; + young Boldero, who is a member of my club, told me some time ago that he + played there sometimes. I met him yesterday evening, and said that I had a + fancy to go and have a look at it, and that a friend of mine from the + country also wanted to go; he said at once that he would take us there. + </p> + <p> + “'I should advise you not to play much, Chetwynd,' he said; 'sometimes + they play uncommonly high, and there are some fellows who have wonderful + luck. Of course, on ordinary occasions, when the play is low, you could + stake a few guineas there as well as elsewhere, but when really high play + is on we small fish always stand out. All I can say is that I have never + seen anything that savors of foul play in the smallest degree; but you + understand how it is, if one man happens to have a big run of luck, there + are always fellows who go about hinting that there is something wrong in + it. However, it is a jolly place to drop into, and, of course there is no + occasion to play always, and if one loses one is likely to win on the next + race or on the next fight.'” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly that evening Mark met Boldero, whom he had once or twice + before seen in Dick's company, and the three went together to the house in + Buckingham Street. Boldero nodded to the doorkeeper as he went in, and + they then proceeded upstairs and entered a handsome room, with comfortable + sofas and chairs, on which a dozen men were seated, for the most part + smoking. Several champagne bottles stood on the tables, and all who liked + helped themselves. Boldero was known to several of those present, while + two or three were also known to Dick. Boldero introduced them both to his + friends. One of these was the Hon. John Emerson, a man of some five and + thirty, with a languid air and a slight drawl. + </p> + <p> + “Glad to make your acquaintance, sir,” he said to Mark. “Have you been + long in town?” + </p> + <p> + “Two or three months only,” Mark replied. + </p> + <p> + “Is this your first visit here?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, this is my first visit to any place of the sort, but I thought that + I should like to go the rounds before I went home again.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so. Going to punt a few guineas, I suppose?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I suppose that is the right thing to do.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, everyone who comes is expected to do a little that way; there is no + occasion to play high.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I should not like to do that,” Mark said innocently; “indeed, I know + very little about cards.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is quite immaterial so long as you only play games of chance; in + fact, you don't want to know anything about them. You see others staking + their money, some on one side of the table, and some on the other; you + place your money whichever side you like, and take your chance. There is + no skill in it. Some people play on what they call a system, but there is + nothing in it; you have just as much chance if you put your money down + blindfolded. If luck is with you, you win; if luck is against you, you + lose.” + </p> + <p> + After chatting for a few minutes Mark went with his two companions + upstairs. The room they now entered was furnished as a drawing room, + except that in the middle was a table, round which some fifteen people + were seated, while as many more looked on; round the room were several + small tables, on which were packs of cards. These were for those who + preferred to play piquet or ecarte, two or three couples being so engaged. + Mark knew enough of cards to know that hazard was being played at the + large table. There was an inner room, and Mark strolled across and looked + in. It was at present untenanted; it contained a center table capable of + holding four, and two or three small ones, with two chairs set in + readiness to each. + </p> + <p> + “That is where the heavy play goes on,” Boldero said. “None of your four + or five guineas wagers there, fifties and hundreds are nearer the mark, + and I have seen a thousand wagered many a time. It is exciting work even + looking on, I can tell you; what it must be for the players I cannot say, + but I should think it must be frightful.” + </p> + <p> + Mark took up his stand at the hazard table, and after looking on for some + little time began to play. Beginning with guineas, he gradually, as luck + favored him, played five guineas, and after half an hour's play won fifty. + Then luck turned, and in a few minutes he had lost all he won. + </p> + <p> + “You ought to have stopped, Mark,” Dick said reproachfully, as he stepped + back from his place, which was at once filled by one who had been standing + behind him. + </p> + <p> + The play in the inner room had now begun, and Mark went in and joined + those who were looking on. In half an hour one of the players had had + enough, and a young man said to Emerson, who was standing on the other + side of the table: + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mr. Emerson, will you give me my revenge?” + </p> + <p> + “I would really rather not, Mr. Cotter. The luck has been so one sided + lately that I would rather leave it alone.” + </p> + <p> + “But it may turn tonight,” the other said. “At any rate, I will try it, if + you have no objection.” + </p> + <p> + There was a certain eagerness in the young man's voice that caused Mark to + watch him closely. He was a good looking young fellow, but his face was + not a strong one; and although he evidently tried to assume an appearance + of indifference as he sat down, there was a nervous movement of his + fingers. Mark took his place behind him as play began. The game was + ecarte, and for a time Emerson lost. + </p> + <p> + “I think the luck has changed, Mr. Cotter, but as we generally raise the + stakes after playing for a bit, I am ready to do so. Shall we make it + fifty pounds again?” + </p> + <p> + “With pleasure,” the young man said. + </p> + <p> + He won the next two games, then for some time they won alternately. + </p> + <p> + “Shall we say a hundred again?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “As you like,” Emerson replied. “We don't seem to get much forwarder + either way at present.” + </p> + <p> + A considerable number of lookers on had now gathered round. So far Mark, + although watching the fingers of the opposite player intently, had seen no + sign whatever of unfair play. He now redoubled his attention. Cotter won + the first game, his adversary the three next. Mark noticed now that after + looking at his hand Emerson looked abstractedly, as if meditating before + taking the next step; there was no expression in his face, but Mark + fancied that his eyes rested for a moment on the man standing next to + himself. He looked at his watch and then, as if finding the hour later + than he had expected, moved away from his place, and presently joined + Dick, who was standing with Boldero on the other side of the table. + </p> + <p> + “Who is that man playing with Emerson?” he asked in a whisper. + </p> + <p> + “He is the son of Cotter, the head of Cotter's Bank, in Lombard Street.” + </p> + <p> + As the men were standing two or three deep round the table, Mark could not + see the table itself, but this mattered little, for his attention was + entirely directed towards the man standing behind Cotter's chair. He saw + that after glancing down at the young man's hand he looked across as if + seeing what Emerson was going to do; sometimes his eyes dropped for an + instant, at other times there was no such movement, and after noticing + this four or five times, and noticing the course Emerson took, he had no + doubt whatever in his own mind that the movement of the man's eyes was an + intimation to Emerson of the nature of Cotter's hand. The young man had + lost four games in succession; he had grown very pale, but showed no other + signs of agitation. Presently he said: + </p> + <p> + “You have your usual luck again; I will only play one more game tonight, + but we may as well make it worth playing. Shall we say five hundred?” + </p> + <p> + “At your service,” Emerson replied. + </p> + <p> + This time the face of the man standing behind Cotter's chair was + immovable, and Mark, placing himself behind a short man and straining his + head forward, saw that Cotter scored four. The next time there was still + no sign. Emerson showed a king and scored it, and then won every trick and + the game. + </p> + <p> + “That makes nine hundred pounds,” the young man said quietly, writing an + IOU for that amount and handing it to Emerson. There was a general + movement of the spectators, and two fresh players took the seats vacated + by the late antagonists. + </p> + <p> + “Who was the man standing behind Cotter's chair?” Mark asked Boldero. + </p> + <p> + “That is Sir James Flash. He is just going to play, you see; it is sure to + be another hot game, and an interesting one.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I think I will go,” Mark said; “the heat of the room has given me a + bit of a headache. I will see you tomorrow, Dick.” + </p> + <p> + “Good night, old man,” Chetwynd said; and, shaking hands with Boldero, + Mark went downstairs immediately after Cotter. The latter went into the + room below, drank off a tumbler of champagne, and then went down, took his + hat, and went out. Mark followed him for a short distance, and joined him + as soon as he got up into the Strand. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Cotter,” he said, “I have not the pleasure of knowing you personally, + and I must introduce myself. My name is Mark Thorndyke, and I am the owner + of an estate close to Reigate. Would you mind my exchanging a few words + with you?” + </p> + <p> + Cotter looked up, and was about to give a flat refusal, but the expression + of Mark's face was so friendly and pleasant that he changed his mind and + said in a hard voice: + </p> + <p> + “I really do not know what you can have to say to me, Mr. Thorndyke, but + of course I can hardly refuse to hear you.” + </p> + <p> + They walked across the road and turned up a quiet street. + </p> + <p> + “For certain reasons it is not necessary for me to explain,” Mark said, “I + went to that place for the first time tonight, and I watched the play + between you and Mr. Emerson.” + </p> + <p> + “It does not matter, sir; I lost, and I am not going there again.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope, on the contrary, that you will go there again, Mr. Cotter. If I + mistake not, from what I heard, you have lost considerable sums to that + man.” + </p> + <p> + “I imagine, sir, that that is no business of a stranger.” + </p> + <p> + “In no way personally,” Mark replied, not heeding the angry ring in the + voice, “but as an honest man it does concern me. I am absolutely + convinced, sir, that that money has not been won from you fairly.” + </p> + <p> + The young man gave a start. + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” he said shortly. “Mr. Emerson is a man of good family and a + gentleman.” + </p> + <p> + “He is a man of good family, I admit, but certainly not a gentleman; his + antecedents are notorious.” + </p> + <p> + “I have never heard a word against him; he is intimate with Sir James + Flash and other gentlemen of position.” + </p> + <p> + “I am not surprised, that you have not heard of it; it was probably to the + interest of several persons that you should not do so. Nor do I suppose + that you are aware that Sir James Flash was himself expelled from White's + for cheating at cards.” + </p> + <p> + “Impossible!” Mr. Cotter replied. + </p> + <p> + “I can assure you of the fact,” Mark said quietly. “Probably you have + among your acquaintances some members of White's. I am sure if you ask + them they will confirm the fact. Now, sir, I can assure you that I have no + interest in this matter, save to prevent a gentleman from being ruined by + blacklegs. May I ask how much you owe to Mr. Emerson and Sir James Flash?” + </p> + <p> + The young man hesitated. “I believe you, sir,” he said at last. “They hold + my IOUs for 29,000 pounds. I need hardly say it is absolute ruin. My + intention is to make a clean breast to my father about it tomorrow + morning. My father will give me the money, in the first place because he + loves me and would save my name from disgrace, and in the second because + were I posted as a defaulter it would strike a severe blow at the credit + of the bank. So he will give me the money, but he will bid me leave his + house forever. That will matter little, for I shall pay the money, and + tomorrow night I shall blow out my brains.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, if you will follow my advice you will neither pay the money + nor blow out your brains. I saw enough tonight to feel absolutely certain + that you have been cheated. Sir James Flash stood behind you, and was, I + am sure, signaling your hand to Emerson. I believe that Emerson played + fair otherwise, until the last game, but I am convinced that he then + cheated. You had good hands, but he had better; and although I did not see + him cheat—for I was on the other side of the table—I am + convinced that he did so. Now, sir, I advise you to go in as usual + tomorrow evening, and to play, raising your stakes as you did tonight. + When the times comes I will expose him. Should I not be able to detect him + we must try another night. I am so much convinced that this is the case, + and that I shall succeed, that whether you play one night or three I will + guarantee that you shall be no loser, but will, on the honor of a + gentleman, place in your hands the amount of your losses; so that you will + not have to ask your father for a check larger than you would do if you + confessed to him tomorrow morning. I only ask in return that you, on your + part, will give me your word of honor that you will never touch a card + again after you rise from the table.” + </p> + <p> + “I cannot accept so generous an offer from a stranger,” Cotter said in a + low tone. + </p> + <p> + “I do not think that it is generous,” Mark replied quietly, “because I am + perfectly convinced that I shall not have to pay at all. Have you any + other IOUs out?” + </p> + <p> + “I have given them for about 5000 pounds, but that is not in addition to + the 29,000 pounds. Emerson told me that as he knew that I should have + difficulty in paying them at the present moment, he had taken them up, and + held them with his own.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you give me the names of the persons to whom you gave them in the + first place?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly;” and he mentioned three names, all of which stood with a black + cross against them on Mark's list. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you. Then you will go tomorrow night again?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; and I swear to you that I will never touch a card afterwards.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think that you need fear,” Mark said. “I have not been long in + London, but I happen to have been shown a good many of the tricks that + these blacklegs play on greenhorns, which will account for my having + noticed what has never been observed by the honest portion of the men who + frequent the place. Now I will say good night, sir. I shall be behind your + chair or his tomorrow night.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what to say,” Cotter said hesitatingly. + </p> + <p> + “There is no occasion to say anything; it is the duty of every honest man + to interfere if he sees another honest man being robbed, and that is my + sole object in this matter. Good night;” and turning round, he walked + rapidly away. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII. + </h2> + <p> + The next morning, before going round to Gibbons', Mark saw his chief and + told him of what had taken place on the previous evening. + </p> + <p> + “I certainly did not think that you would succeed so soon; you believe + that you will be able fairly to expose these fellows?” + </p> + <p> + “I have no doubt whatever that I shall be able to expose one of them; and + I have equally no doubt that if the others are arrested, either false + cards or pockets for cards will be found upon them. What do you wish me to + do, sir? I can, of course, expose any fellow I catch at it, but can do + nothing about the others.” + </p> + <p> + “I must have more than one captured,” the chief said. “At even the most + irreproachable club there may be one blackleg, but if it is clear that + this place is the haunt of blacklegs we can break it. There are half a + dozen Acts that apply; there is the 11th Act of Henry VIII, statute 33, + cap. 9, which prohibits the keeping of any common house for dice, cards, + or any unlawful game. That has never been repealed, except that gaming + houses were licensed in 1620. What is more to the point is that five Acts + of George II, the 9th, 12th, 13th, 18th, and 30th, impose penalties upon + the keepers of public houses for permitting gambling, and lay heavy + penalties upon hazard, roulette, and other gambling games, on the keepers + of gambling houses and those who play there. Having received complaints of + several young men being rooked in the place, we can, if we prove that some + of its frequenters are blacklegs, shut the place up altogether. We should + do it quietly, and without fuss, if possible; but if we shut it up several + others of the same sort will be certain to close their doors. But mind, + there will probably be a desperate row, and you had better take pistols + with you. I will have four men close at hand from ten o'clock till the + time the place closes, and if they hear a scrimmage, or you fire a pistol + out of the window, they will rush in and seize all engaged in the row, and + march them to the lock up. Of course you will have to be included.” + </p> + <p> + Mark then went to Chetwynd. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what did you think of it last night?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I own that it went against my grain to see that young fellow being + victimized by a sharper.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear Mark, you must not use such language as that. I fancy from what I + have heard that the Honorable John is not altogether an estimable + character, but to call him a sharper is going too far altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think that it is, for from what I saw last night I am pretty well + convinced that he did not play fair. I mean to go again tonight.” + </p> + <p> + “But why on earth should you mix yourself up in such an affair, Mark? It + is no business of yours; you are not an habitue of the place. Above all, + it is extremely unlikely that you are right. There were some shady people + there, no doubt, but there were also a good many gentlemen present, and as + you know nothing of cards, as far as I know, it is the most unlikely thing + in the world that you should find out that Emerson cheated when no one + else noticed it.” + </p> + <p> + “It is my business; it is the duty of every honest man to see that a poor + lad like that should not be eaten up by a shark like Emerson. I don't care + if there is a shindy over it. I shall not interfere unless I can prove + that the man is cheating, in which case no man of honor would go out with + him. I shall be glad if you and Boldero would go with me again this + evening. I am not known there, and you are to a good many men, and Boldero + to many more. I only want that, if I get into a row, you should testify to + the fact that I am a gentleman, and ordinarily sane. If there is a row you + will have an opportunity of seeing how much I have benefited by my + lessons.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I heard you were making tremendous progress. Jack Needham told me a + month ago that you had knocked him out of time, and I went into Gibbons' + yesterday morning with a man who wanted to buy a dog, and he told me that + he considered that it was a great misfortune that you were an amateur, for + that you only required another six months' practice, and he would then be + ready to back you for a hundred pounds against any man in the ring. But + about this affair, Mark. Are you really in earnest?” + </p> + <p> + “I am, Dick, thoroughly in earnest; so would you be if you had spoken to + Cotter last night, as I did. I tell you that if I had not given him a + little hope that the thing might come out right, he would have blown out + his brains today.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mark, if you have set your mind on it, of course I will stick to + you, though I have some doubts whether Cotter has any brains to speak of + to blow out, else he would not be mad enough to back himself against + Emerson and other men whom Boldero tells me he has been playing with.” + </p> + <p> + “He has made an ass of himself, no doubt, Dick; but I fancy a good many + fellows do that at one time or other of their lives, though not, I grant, + always in the same way.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will go, Mark. I need not ask Boldero, for he told me that he + should look in again at ten o'clock this evening, for he thought that + another night's play would probably bring Cotter to the end of his + tether.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly a little before ten they walked into the gambling house + together. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Dick, I want you, as soon as you sit down, to take your place in the + front line within a yard or two of Emerson. I don't want you to be just + behind him, but a short distance away; and I want you to keep your eye + upon Sir James Flash, who, if I am not mistaken, will take up the same + position that he did last night, near enough to Cotter to see his hand. + You will remark, I have no doubt, as I did last night, that whenever + Cotter has a bad hand, Flash will either close his eyes, or put his hand + up to his mouth and stroke his mustache, or make some sign of that sort. + When Cotter has a good hand he will stand perfectly still or look about + the room. At any rate, he will make no sign—that, of course, is a + guide to Emerson whether to propose or to refuse to allow Cotter to do so. + I need not point out to you what a tremendous advantage the knowledge + whether an opponent's hand is good or not gives him. Of course, while + watching an hour's play I can only know that Flash was making signs, and + that when he did so Cotter's hand was a bad one. It is possible that the + manner in which the sign was made, either by closing his eye or twisting + his mustache, or so on, may have been an intimation as to the suit in + which Cotter was strongest or weakest.” + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, this is a serious thing, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a serious thing. I don't want you to get into a row with the + fellow. I should like you to give me a nod when you have satisfied + yourself that I was not mistaken. I will take upon myself to denounce the + fellow, and to say what I noticed yesterday and you can back me up by + saying that you saw the same thing. I have no doubt that I shall be able + to convince every decent man there that my charge is well founded. I am + going to watch Emerson. With the help he gets from Flash, he won't risk + anything by cheating until it comes to a big stake like the last game + yesterday, in which case, if Cotter's hand happens to be a strong one, he + is likely to do so, and I fancy if he does I shall be able to catch him at + it. You had better keep Boldero near you. You can whisper to him what you + are watching Flash for, and get him to do so too; as, if I catch Emerson + cheating, there is likely to be a row; he can lend a hand if necessary, + and, at any rate, his joining in with you will suffice to show his friends + that the thing is genuine.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Mark. I am interested in the matter now, and am ready for + anything.” + </p> + <p> + Soon after ten Cotter and Emerson again sat down, and, as usual, a lot of + spectators gathered round the table. The game resembled the one on the + previous evening. Mark placed himself' by the side of Cotter, a stranger + stood immediately behind his chair, another member of the club was on the + other side, and Sir James Flash stood partly behind him, so that although + somewhat in the background he could obtain a view between their heads of + Cotter's cards. Mark saw to his satisfaction that Dick and Boldero had + secured the exact position that he wished them to take. For the first few + games the play was even, and Dick began to think that Mark had been + mistaken, for Flash appeared to take little interest in the game, and made + no sign how Emerson should proceed. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the stake rose to a hundred again he distinctly saw Flash close + his eyes and play with his mustache; he called Boldero's attention to the + fact, and found the latter, who had also been watching, had noticed it. By + the time a few games had been played he verified Mark's assertion that + these signs were signals that Cotter's hand was a bad one, and in each + case Emerson played without giving his opponent the opportunity of + discarding and taking in fresh cards. He and Dick nodded quietly to Mark, + who had satisfied himself that so far Emerson had not cheated in any other + way. As on the previous evening, Cotter, after losing five or six hundred + pounds, proposed a final game of five hundred. Mark bent down his head, so + that the intentness of his gaze should not be noticed, but from under his + eyebrows he watched Emerson's every movement; suddenly he placed a foot on + the edge of the chair of the man sitting in front of him, and with a + sudden spring leaped upon the table, seized Emerson's hand, and held it up + to the full length of his arm. + </p> + <p> + “Gentlemen,” he shouted, “this fellow is cheating; there is a card in his + hand which he has just brought from under the table.” + </p> + <p> + In a moment there was a dead silence of surprise; then Mark forced the + hand open and took Emerson's card, which he held up. + </p> + <p> + “There, you see, gentleman; it is a king.” + </p> + <p> + Then a Babel of sounds arose, a dozen hands were laid upon Emerson, who + was pulled back from his chair and thrown down on a sofa, while hands were + run over his coat, waistcoat, and breeches. + </p> + <p> + “Here they are!” a man shouted, and held a dozen cards over his head. + </p> + <p> + The place of concealment had been cleverly chosen; the breeches apparently + buttoned closely at the knee, but in reality they were loose enough to + enable a finger and thumb to be passed between them and the stocking, and + in the lining of the breeches was a pocket in which the cards had been + placed, being held there by two pieces of whalebone, that closed the + pocket. The searchers, among whom were Dick and Boldero, did not have it + all their own way; four or five men rushed upon them, and endeavored to + pull them off Emerson. The din of voices was prodigious, but Mark, still + standing on the table, stilled it for a moment by shouting: + </p> + <p> + “The scoundrel has an accomplice, who this evening and yesterday has been + signaling the strength of the cards in Mr. Cotter's hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Who is he?” was shouted over the room. + </p> + <p> + “It is Sir James Flash,” Mark said. “I denounce him as a cheat and a + sharper.” + </p> + <p> + As pale as death, Flash rushed to the table. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know who you are, sir,” he said, in a tone of concentrated rage, + “but you are a liar, and you shall answer for this in the morning.” + </p> + <p> + “I will answer to any gentleman that calls me to account,” Mark said, in a + ringing voice, “but I don't meet a man who has been expelled from White's + for cheating, and who I have no doubt is well stocked with cards at the + present moment, in readiness for the victim that he is next going to meet + after the plucking of Mr. Cotter has been done. Now, gentlemen, search him + and see if I am wrong; if I am I will apologize for that part of my + accusation.” + </p> + <p> + Flash drew a pistol from his pocket, but in an instant his arm was seized + by those standing round him, and it exploded harmlessly. Among those who + seized Flash was the man who had played with him the previous evening. In + spite of his struggles and curses, and the efforts of his friends to + rescue him, he too was thrown down and eight court cards were found + concealed in his sleeve. The uproar while this was going on had been + tremendous, but it was suddenly stilled as four men in dark clothes + entered the room. Each held in his hand the well known symbol of his + office, the little ebony staff surmounted by a silver crown. + </p> + <p> + “I arrest all present in the name of the king,” one said, “for breaking + the laws against gambling, and for brawling and the use of firearms. Now, + gentlemen, resistance is useless; I must request that you each give me + your card, and your word of honor that you will appear at Bow Street + tomorrow morning.” + </p> + <p> + “What is all this about, sir?” he asked Mark, who was still standing on + the table. + </p> + <p> + “Two fellows here have been caught cheating.” + </p> + <p> + “What is your name and address, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “My name is Mark Thorndyke, and I am a landed gentleman at Reigate; my + friends Mr. Chetwynd and Mr. Boldero will bear this out.” + </p> + <p> + “Who are the two men?” the constable asked. + </p> + <p> + “The two fellows with torn clothes,” Mark said. “They are Mr. Emerson and + Sir James Flash.” + </p> + <p> + “You are certain of the charge that you are making?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite certain; the cards have been found hidden upon them.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, yes!” a score of voices shouted; “they have been caught in the act + of cheating.” + </p> + <p> + “Take those two men into custody,” the constable said to two of his + companions. + </p> + <p> + “Who fired that pistol?” he went on. + </p> + <p> + A number of voices shouted: + </p> + <p> + “Sir James Flash; he attempted to murder Mr. Thorndyke.” + </p> + <p> + The constable nodded to the man who had laid his hands on Sir James Flash, + and in a moment a pair of handcuffs closed on his wrists. + </p> + <p> + “You shall repent this!” Flash exclaimed furiously. + </p> + <p> + “Calm yourself, Sir James,” the constable said calmly. “We know our duty, + and do it whether a man is a peer or a peasant; you are accused of card + sharping and an attempted murder.” + </p> + <p> + “What is your address in town, Mr. Thorndyke?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “18 Villiers Street.” + </p> + <p> + “Is there any charge against anyone else here? A good many of you seem to + have your clothes torn and disarranged.” + </p> + <p> + “Some fellows attempted to rescue Emerson and Flash while we were + searching them; for what reason we can all pretty well imagine.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall require the names in the morning of your assailants,” the + constable said; “it looks very much as if they were confederates of the + two prisoners. Now, gentlemen, you can all leave. This house is closed, + and will not be opened again until this affair is thoroughly + investigated.” + </p> + <p> + In five minutes the house was deserted. + </p> + <p> + “How can I thank you, Mr. Thorndyke?” Cotter, who was one of those who had + seized Flash's arm, diverted his aim and searched him, said, when they got + outside the house. “You have saved my life. It did not seem possible to me + that you could succeed in showing that I was being cheated, and I had + firmly resolved that, instead of allowing you to suffer loss, I would + tomorrow morning make a clean breast of the whole affair to my father, as + I had intended to have done this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “If I might advise you, Mr. Cotter, I should say, carry out your intention + as far as making a clean breast of it is concerned. Happily, you are free + from debt, as those IOUs are worthless, for they were obtained from you by + cheating, therefore you have no demand to make upon his purse. The police + will, I have no doubt, endeavor to keep this thing quiet, but your name + may come out, and it would be far better that your father should hear this + story from you than elsewhere; and your assurance that you will never + touch a card again, and the heavy lesson that you have had, will doubtless + induce him to look at the matter leniently. It will, no doubt, be a + painful story to tell, but it will be far better told by you.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do it, sir; as you say, the lesson has been a heavy one, and + henceforth my father shall have no reason to complain of me. May I call + and see you tomorrow evening?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. I shall be at home from seven to eight, after which hour I + have an engagement. Good night.” + </p> + <p> + Cotter walked on, and Mark fell back, and joined Dick and Boldero, who had + fallen behind when they saw him speaking to Cotter. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mark, I congratulate you,” Dick Chetwynd said. “You did it + wonderfully, though how on earth you knew that fellow had a card in his + hand is more than I can guess.” + </p> + <p> + “I felt sure he was going to cheat,” Mark said quietly; “I saw that + Cotter's hand was a very strong one, and knew that Emerson would be aware + that it was so, because he would receive no signal from Flash, therefore + this was the time, if any, that he would cheat. He had been playing with + both hands upon the table. I saw him withdraw one, there was a little + pause, and then it came up again, and I had not a doubt in the world that + there was a card in it, and that it had been hidden somewhere in his + breeches, which is one of the best places of concealment, for his hand + being under the table while getting at the card, no one present who was + not behind the scenes, as I was, could detect him doing it.” + </p> + <p> + “The wonder to me is,” Boldero said, “that while there were a number of + men looking on closely, for Emerson has long been suspected of not playing + fair, you, just fresh from the country, if I may say so, should have + spotted him.” + </p> + <p> + “That is easily explained,” Mark said. “Not wishing to fall a victim, I + have of late been put up to a great many of these sharpers' tricks by a + man who at one time had been in the trade himself.” + </p> + <p> + “That was a capital idea, Mark,” Dick said. “I wish you would introduce me + to him.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't do that, Dick, but I shall be very glad to teach you all I know + myself about it; but I fancy that after this you will be in no great hurry + to enter a gambling hell again.” + </p> + <p> + “That is so, Mark. I have never had any great inclination for play; but + after this you may be quite sure that I will light shy of cards + altogether. Still, I shall be glad if you will put me up to some of these + tricks, for I may be able to some day save a victim of card sharpers, as + you have done this evening.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning, when those who had been present at the scene of the + previous evening arrived at the office of the detectives in Bow Street, + they were shown into some private rooms, and asked to wait. Cotter, Mark, + and his two friends first had an interview with the chief. + </p> + <p> + “You will understand,” the latter said, “that this is an altogether + informal affair. I propose you first tell me your story as briefly as + possible.” + </p> + <p> + This was done. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mr. Cotter. I take it that you do not wish to prosecute?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not. I would, in fact, give anything rather than appear in it.” + </p> + <p> + “You have said that, in addition to the IOUs that you have given to the + two men caught cheating, they hold others to the amount of some five or + six thousand pounds, given by you to three other frequenters of the club. + In fact, these papers have been found in Emerson's pocketbook; he told + you, I believe, that he had taken them up, so that you should not be + inconvenienced by them. I understand, then, that you will be quite content + if you get these IOUs back again; those given to Emerson and Flash are, of + course, worthless. After what has happened, they could not be presented, + but probably you might have trouble about the others, for, though I have + no doubt that the whole of the men were in league together, we have no + means of absolutely proving it.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be more than content, sir; I have no wish to prosecute.” + </p> + <p> + “We are glad,” the chief said, “to be able to close a dangerous place; and + as the exposure will put a stop to the career of these two men, and no + doubt alarm a good many others, we don't care about taking the matter into + court. Such gross scandals as this are best kept quiet, when there is no + object in ventilating them. Therefore, gentlemen, as Mr. Cotter is willing + to do so, we shall let the matter drop. I shall be obliged if you will + step into the next room, however, until I have seen these three men.” + </p> + <p> + When they had left, the three were brought in. + </p> + <p> + “You have been concerned, sirs,” the chief said sternly, “in winning large + sums of money from the Hon. William Denton, from Mr. James Carew, from Mr. + William Hobson, and others; in all of these cases the two men caught + cheating last night were also concerned. You all hold notes of hand of Mr. + Hobson. I shall advise that gentleman's father to refuse to pay those + notes, and promise him that if any further request for payment is made I + will furnish him with such particulars for publication as will more than + justify him in the eyes of the world in refusing to honor them. You, as + well as Mr. Emerson and Sir James Flash, have won large sums from Mr. + Cotter, and the fact that the IOUs he gave you were found on Mr. Emerson + points very strongly to their being in confederacy with you in the matter; + at any rate, they point so strongly that, whether a jury would convict or + not on the evidence that we shall be able to lay before them, there can be + no question whatever as to what the opinion of men of honor will be. These + IOUs are in our hands. Mr. Cotter does not desire to pursue the case; he + will, however, refuse absolutely to pay those IOUs, and in doing so he + will have the approval of all honorable men. That being so, the IOUs are + absolutely useless to you, and if you will agree to my tearing them up + now, he has most kindly consented to let the matter drop in your cases.” + </p> + <p> + The three men, who had all turned very white when he was speaking, now + protested angrily against imputations being made on their honor. + </p> + <p> + “Well, sirs,” the officer said, “in that case the matter can, of course, + go on. You know best what the feeling will be as to these IOUs. They will + form an important item of evidence against you, you will see. As the + matter stands, either you gave them to Emerson to collect for you, without + any money passing between you—a very strange procedure, which you + will find it difficult to explain—or else he gave you the coin for + them, and you passed them over to him, and have, therefore, parted with + all claim on Mr. Cotter on your own account. Of course I impound them with + the other IOUs as proof of a conspiracy between you. Now, sirs, am I to + tear them up or not?” + </p> + <p> + The three men looked at each other, and then one of them said: + </p> + <p> + “We protest altogether against the assertion, sir, but at the same time, + as there can be little doubt that Emerson and Sir James Flash have played + unfairly, and we do not wish any association of our names with theirs, we + are perfectly willing that the IOUs, which, under the circumstances, we + should never have dreamt of presenting, should be destroyed.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that you have chosen wisely,” the chief said dryly. “It is a pity + that you did not do so at first. These are the IOUs he gave to one or + other of you. Perhaps it would be pleasanter for you to destroy them + yourselves.” + </p> + <p> + The three men took the papers with their names on them and tore them up. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you,” he went on sarcastically. “That will place you in a better + position. You will be able to tell your friends that you felt so indignant + at the manner in which Mr. Cotter had been swindled by Emerson and Flash + that you at once destroyed his IOUs for the sums that you had won of him. + But, gentlemen,”—he spoke sternly now,—“remember that we have + a long list against you, and that the next victim, or let us say his + father, might be more disposed to push matters to their full length than + is Mr. Cotter. Remember, also, that we keep ourselves acquainted with what + is going on, and that should trouble arise we shall produce all the + complaints that have been made against you, and shall also mention your + connection with this affair, in which, as I understand, you all did your + best to prevent those two fellows from being searched.” + </p> + <p> + Without saying another word the three men went out of the room, too + crestfallen to make even an attempt at keeping up their air of + indignation. The others were then called in. + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry, gentlemen,” he said, “that you have had the trouble of coming + here, for the gentleman swindled has declined to prosecute the swindlers, + and you will understand that he is somewhat anxious that his name should + not appear in the matter. Fortunately, as instead of paying in cash he + gave IOUs for his losses, he will not be a loser to any large amount by + these transactions. I may say that the proprietor of the hell has been + there this morning, and to avoid trouble he has consented to close his + place for good. I have only to remark that I should advise you, gentlemen, + in future, only to indulge in gambling in places where you may be fairly + assured of the character of the men you play with. I think, in conclusion, + that you may all feel grateful to Mr. Cotter for refusing to prosecute. It + has saved you from having to appear in court as witnesses in so utterly + disreputable an affair.” + </p> + <p> + There was a general murmur of assent, and in a minute or two the room was + clear. Flash and Emerson were then brought in, with a constable on each + side of them. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Cotter has, I regret to say, declined to prosecute, and Mr. Thorndyke + has done the same with regard to Sir James Flash's use of his pistol. You + have, therefore, escaped the punishment due to swindlers at cards. It is + the less matter, as you are not likely to have an opportunity of making + fresh victims, for the story will be known by this afternoon in every club + in London. These IOUs will be of no use to you—they are not worth + the paper on which they are written. However, I shall take it upon myself + to hand them back to Mr. Cotter, to prevent the possibility of their + getting into other hands and giving him trouble. + </p> + <p> + “You can unlock those handcuffs, constable; these men are at liberty to + go, and if they will take my advice they will lose no time in crossing the + water and establishing themselves somewhere where their talents are likely + to be better appreciated than they are here. They can go; one of you can + call a hackney coach for them if they wish it. They will scarcely care to + walk with their garments in their present condition.” + </p> + <p> + Then the chief went into the next room. + </p> + <p> + “There is an end of that affair, Mr. Cotter. Here are the IOUs you gave to + those two swindlers. Those you gave to the other three men, who were no + doubt their confederates, have been torn up by them in my presence. They + declare that after seeing how shamefully you had been victimized they had + not the slightest idea of ever presenting them.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure that I am extremely grateful to you,” Cotter said. “I know that + I have behaved like a madman, and that I don't deserve to have got off as + I have done. It will be a lesson to me for life, I can assure you.” + </p> + <p> + On leaving, Dick Chetwynd walked for some distance with Mark—as far + as Gibbons' place in St. Giles. + </p> + <p> + “There is one thing which I cannot understand,” he said, “and that is how + it was that the constables happened to be so close at hand, just at the + time they were wanted.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you see, Dick, my relations with Bow Street are just at present of + a somewhat close nature, for they are aiding me in the search that I told + you that I was making for my father's murderer. The consequence was that I + had only to mention to the chief that I fancied I had detected cheating at + that place, and that there was a likelihood of a row there last night, and + he at once said he would send four men, to come in if they heard a rumpus; + and he was, indeed, rather glad of an opportunity for breaking up the + place, concerning which he had had several complaints of young men being + plucked to the last feather. Well, it was lucky they came. I don't say + that it would have made any difference, because I think our side was a + great deal stronger than they were, still it would have led to a nasty + row, and perhaps to half a dozen duels afterwards. Well, I will say goodby + now. I am very glad that the affair has been dropped; it would not have + mattered so much to me, as I am single and my own master, but there were a + good many men there who would have been ready to have paid up handsomely + rather than that their names should appear in connection with a row at a + gambling house.” + </p> + <p> + At seven o'clock in the evening Philip Cotter called at Mark's lodgings, + accompanied by his father, who, as he came in with him, advanced at once + to Mark and shook him warmly by the hand. + </p> + <p> + “My son has told me everything, Mr. Thorndyke,” he said, “and I cannot + thank you sufficiently for the noble part you took in rescuing him from + the terrible effects of his folly. I have been down here twice this + afternoon, for I felt that I could not rest until I had shaken you by the + hand. It is not the question of money so much, though that would have been + a serious loss to me, but it is the saving of my son's life, and the + saving of the honor of our name.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad indeed to have been of service, Mr. Cotter, and I trust that + you have consented to forgive the folly that he has committed, and which I + feel sure will never be repeated.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. It was a heavy blow to me, Mr. Thorndyke, when Philip told me; but + as he has sworn most solemnly never to touch a card again, and as I feel + sure that the lesson cannot but be a useful one to him all his life, I + have agreed to say no more about it, and let the matter drop altogether. + He has been fortunate to have escaped so easily. He has told me of the + noble offer you made to pay his losses if you should not be able to prove + that he was being cheated.” + </p> + <p> + “I was not committing myself heavily,” Mark said with a smile. “I had seen + enough to be absolutely certain, and was sure that I should be able to + bring it home to them.” + </p> + <p> + “But it was at a considerable risk to yourself, Mr. Thorndyke. As it was, + you had a narrow escape of being shot.” + </p> + <p> + “Not a very narrow escape,” Mark replied. “With so many men standing round + him and their attention called to him, it was certain that he would be + seized before he could take aim at me. I had pistols in my pocket, and was + prepared to fire in an instant, but I saw at once that there was no + occasion for that.” + </p> + <p> + “But I cannot imagine how you should have detected the cheating,” the + banker said. “You are younger than my son, and he said that you told him + that you had only recently come up to London. It is astonishing that while + experienced players should never have noticed that anything was wrong you + should have discovered it.” + </p> + <p> + “The explanation is simple, Mr. Cotter. I have no inclination for play + myself, but I happened a short time since to fall in with a man who was + well acquainted with all the various methods of card sharping. I thought + that a knowledge of that might some day be useful, and I got him to put me + up to a number of the tricks of card sharpers both at home and abroad. + Having these fresh in my mind, and seeing that your son was playing with a + man whose reputation I knew to be bad, I naturally concentrated my + attention upon him, and was not long in discovering that he had a + confederate standing behind your son's chair. Being a stranger in the + place, I could not denounce him, but the next night I set two friends to + watch that method of cheating, while I kept my eyes fixed on Emerson's + hands. As I anticipated, there was nothing suspicious about his movements + so long as play was comparatively low, for the advantage that he gained + from his confederate enabled him to be sure of winning in the long run; it + was only in the last game, which was a high one, that, as he knew that + your son had a strong hand, he was tempted to stock his hand with false + cards; and watching closely, I had no difficulty in detecting his method.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, you have, at any rate, laid us both under the deepest + obligation. Is there any possible way in which we can show our gratitude?” + </p> + <p> + Mark thought for a moment. + </p> + <p> + “In one way you might do me a favor, Mr. Cotter. A ward of my father's, + who will inherit some property when she comes of age, is at present + finishing her education in town, and is living with a lady who has been + her friend and companion since childhood. I have a good many + acquaintances, but they are all bachelors; and having been living down at + my father's place, near Reigate, for so many years, the ladies have no + acquaintances in London. They live at Islington, and their life is a very + dull one. I am anxious, for several reasons, that the young lady should + have the advantage of going somewhat into society. Hitherto I have had no + means of introducing her. If it is not too much to ask, Mr. Cotter, I + should be extremely glad and obliged if Mrs. Cotter would call on them and + give them an introduction into society. The lady with my father's ward is + the widow of a captain in the Indian Army, and is in all ways a very + charming person, and has been at the head of my father's establishment for + the last twelve years.” + </p> + <p> + “With the greatest pleasure in the world, Mr. Thorndyke. I am only sorry + that it is so slight a thing that you ask of me. I have thought it but + right to tell my wife what has passed, and I had difficulty in persuading + her not to come with me this evening to also express her gratitude to you. + She will be pleased indeed to call upon your friends at once, and I am + sure she will do so tomorrow. I was going to ask you to dine with us, and + I hope that you will do so. We shall have no one else, and I hope that you + will be able to arrange to meet your friends at our house a few days + later.” + </p> + <p> + The next morning Mark called on Mrs. Cunningham. + </p> + <p> + “I think you will have a visitor today,” he said. “It has happened that I + have been able to do a service to the son of Mr. Cotter, a wealthy banker. + I am going to dine there this evening. He asked me about my friends in + London, and I mentioned that my only lady friends were you and Millicent. + He asked a few questions as to where you were living, and so on, and said + that his wife would have much pleasure in calling and introducing + Millicent into society. As your life is very dull here, and it is clearly + very desirable that Millicent should go into society, I gladly accepted + the offer, and I believe that she will call today.” + </p> + <p> + “That will be very nice indeed, Mark. Millicent is not complaining, but + she must have felt it very dull. I have even felt it so myself after the + cheerful society we had at home.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that I shall like it,” Millicent said doubtfully. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes, you will, Millicent; and besides, it will be good for you. It is + not natural for a girl of your age to be here without friends, and I shall + be very glad to know that you are going to mix a little with other + people.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Cotter called that afternoon, and three days later Mark met Mrs. + Cunningham and Millicent at a dinner party at the banker's, and Mrs. + Cotter introduced them very warmly to several of her friends, with the + result that in a very short time they were frequently invited out, while + they became very intimate with the banker and his wife, and often spent + the day there. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV. + </h2> + <p> + Some little time after this Mark was intrusted by his chief with the work + of discovering a man who had committed a very atrocious murder, and was, + it was tolerably certain, hiding in the slums of Westminster. It was the + first business of the kind that had been confided to him, and he was + exceedingly anxious to carry it out successfully. He dressed himself as a + street hawker, and took a small lodging in one of the lanes, being away + the greater portion of the day ostensibly on his business, and of an + evening dropped into some of the worst public houses in the neighborhood. + He was at first viewed with some suspicion, but it was not long before he + became popular. He let it be understood that he had got into trouble down + in the country, and that he was quite ready to take part in any job that + promised to be profitable. But he principally owed his popularity to the + fact that the bully of the locality picked a quarrel with him, and, to the + astonishment of those present, Mark invited him to go outside. + </p> + <p> + “You had better make it up with him, mate,” a man sitting by his side + whispered. “He was in the prize ring at one time, and thrashed big Mike + Hartley at Kennington. He had to give it up owing to having fought a + cross. He would kill you in five minutes.” + </p> + <p> + “I will chance that,” Mark said quietly, as he moved towards the door. “I + don't think that he is stronger than I am, and I can use my fists a bit, + too.” + </p> + <p> + By the time they had taken off their upper garments a crowd had assembled. + The news that a hawker was going to stand up against Black Jim circulated + rapidly, and caused intense excitement. To the astonishment of the + spectators, the bully from the first had not a shadow of a chance, and at + the end of the third round was carried away senseless, while the hawker + had not received a scratch. A few days later Mark, who, on the strength of + his prowess, had had two or three hints that he could be put up to a good + thing if he was inclined to join, was going down to Westminster when two + men stopped and looked after him. + </p> + <p> + “I tell you, Emerson, that is the fellow. I could swear to him anywhere. + What he is got up like that for I cannot tell you, but I should not be + surprised if he is one of that Bow Street gang. He called himself Mark + Thorndyke, and Chetwynd said that he was a gentleman of property; but that + might have been part of the plant to catch us. I have never been able to + understand how a raw countryman could have caught you palming that card. I + believe that fellow is a Bow Street runner; if so, it is rum if we cannot + manage to get even with him before we go. It seemed to me that luck had + deserted us altogether; but this looks as if it was going to turn again. + Let's go after him.” + </p> + <p> + Keeping some fifty yards behind him, they watched Mark to his lodgings, + waited until he came out again, and followed him to a public house. + </p> + <p> + “He is acting as a detective, sure enough,” Emerson said. “The question + is, what are we to do next?” + </p> + <p> + In half an hour Mark came out again. Several people nodded to him as he + passed them, but they saw a big man, who happened to be standing under a + lamp, turn his back suddenly as Mark approached him, and, after he had + passed, stand scowling after him, and muttering deep curses. Flash at once + went up to him. “Do you know who that fellow is, my man?” The fellow + turned savagely upon him. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know who he is; but what is that to you?” + </p> + <p> + “He is not a friend of ours,” Flash said quietly; “quite the contrary. We + have known him when he was not got up like this, and we are rather curious + to know what he is doing here.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean that?” + </p> + <p> + “I do; I owe the fellow a grudge.” + </p> + <p> + “So do I,” the man growled. “Just step up this next turning; there won't + be anyone about there. Now, then, what do yer want to know?” + </p> + <p> + “I want to know who he is.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, he calls himself a hawker; but my idea of him is he is one of the + fancy, perhaps a west countryman, who is keeping dark here till he can get + a match on. I have been a prize fighter myself, but he knocked me out in + three rounds the other day.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, the last time I saw him,” Flash said, “he was dressed as a swell. + My idea of him is, he is a Bow Street runner, and he is got up like this + to lay his hands on some of the fellows down here.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't mean it!” the man said with a deep oath. “Then I can tell you + he has come to the wrong shop. I have only got to whisper it about, and + his life would not be worth an hour's purchase. I had meant to stick a + knife in him on the first opportunity, but this will save me the trouble.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you can have your revenge and five guineas besides,” Flash said. + “But we must be there at the time. I should like him to know that I was at + the bottom of his being caught.” + </p> + <p> + They stood talking together for a few minutes, and then separated, Flash + and his companion going back to a quiet lodging they had taken until they + could finish their arrangements for disposing of their furniture and + belongings before going abroad, while at the same time they finished + plucking a country greenhorn they had met at a coffee house. Two days + later, wrapped up in great coats, and with rough caps pulled down over + their eyes, they entered the thieves' resort half an hour before Mark's + usual time of getting there. A larger number of men than usual were + assembled, and among them was Black Jim. The men were all talking + excitedly, and were evidently furious at the news that the pugilist had + just told them. + </p> + <p> + “Those are the gents that have given me the office,” he said, as Flash and + his companion entered. “They can tell yer he is one of that cursed Bow + Street lot.” + </p> + <p> + “That is right enough, my men,” Flash said. “He and four of his mates + broke into a place where we were having a bit of play, three weeks since, + marched us all away to Bow Street, and shut the place up. I don't know + what he is down here for, but you may be sure that it's for no good to + some of you. We owe him a heavy one ourselves. He came spying on us + dressed up as a swell and spoilt our game, and got the darbies put on us, + and we have sworn to get even with him.” + </p> + <p> + “You will get even, don't you fear,” one of the men growled, “and more + than even, strike me blind if you don't.” + </p> + <p> + “Look here, lads,” Flash said. “There is one thing I say—don't use + your knives on him; remember he is a runner, and no doubt his chief knows + all that he is doing, and no doubt ordered him to come here. There will be + a big search, you may be sure, when he don't turn up to make his report. + So don't let's have any bloodshed. Let the thing be done quietly.” + </p> + <p> + “We can chuck his body into the river,” one said. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but if it is picked up with half a dozen holes in it, you may be + sure that they will be down here, and like enough every man who has used + this place will be arrested; you know that when there are twenty men in a + job the chances are that one will slip his neck out of the halter by + turning King's evidence.” + </p> + <p> + An angry growl went round the room. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you know well enough it is so, it is always the case; besides, we + ought to give him a little time to prepare himself. My idea is that the + best plan will be to bind and gag him first, then we can hold a little + court over him, and let him know what is coming. An hour later, when the + place gets a bit quiet, we can carry him down to the river—it is not + above fifty yards away—tie a heavy weight round his neck, cut his + cords the last thing, and chuck him over; if his body is found, it will be + thought it is that of some chap tired of life who took pains to drown + himself pretty quickly, and there won't be any fuss over him, and there + will be nothing to come upon any of you fellows for.” + </p> + <p> + There was a general murmur of assent. Several of those present had already + committed themselves to some extent with the supposed hawker, and were as + eager as Flash himself that he should be killed; still, all felt that it + was as well that it should be managed with the least possible risk of + discovery, for while an ordinary man could be put out of the way without + any trouble arising, the fact that he was a Bow Street runner added + enormously to the risk of the discovery of his fate. + </p> + <p> + There was a little talk, and then two of the men went out and brought back + a couple of strong ropes. A few minutes after their return Mark Thorndyke + came in. He paused as he entered the room, in surprise at the silence that + reigned, for he was accustomed to be greeted with friendly exclamations. + However, as he walked in the door closed, and then suddenly, with shouts + of “Down with the spy!” the men sprang from their seats and made a sudden + rush at him. For a minute the struggle was tremendous; man after man went + down under Mark's blows, others clung onto him from behind, a rope was + passed round his legs and pulled, and he fell down with a crash, bringing + down five or six of his assailants; a minute later he was gagged and + bound. + </p> + <p> + While the struggle was going on no one noticed that a Lascar's face was + pressed against the window; it disappeared as soon as Mark fell, and ten + minutes later a dark faced sailor ran into Gibbons'; it was a quiet + evening at Ingleston's, and Gibbons, after smoking a pipe with half a + dozen of the pugilists, had just returned. + </p> + <p> + “Hallo,” he said, as he opened the door, “what the deuce do you want?” + </p> + <p> + The man was for a moment too breathless to answer. + </p> + <p> + “You know Mr. Thorndyke,” he said at last, in very fair English. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know him. Well, what of him?” + </p> + <p> + “He has been attacked by a number of thieves in a public house near the + river, at Westminster, and he will be murdered unless you go with others + to help him.” + </p> + <p> + “What the deuce was he doing there?” Gibbons muttered, and then, seizing + his cap, said to the Lascar, + </p> + <p> + “Come along with me; it aint likely that we shall be in time, but we will + try, anyhow.” + </p> + <p> + He ran to Ingleston's. + </p> + <p> + “Come along, Ingleston,” he exclaimed, “and all of you. You all know Mr. + Thorndyke. This man says he has been attacked by a gang down at + Westminster, and will be murdered. I am afraid we shan't be in time, but + it is worth trying.” + </p> + <p> + The prize fighters all leaped to their feet. Mark had sparred with several + of them, and, being open handed and friendly, was generally liked. In a + moment, headed by Ingleston and Gibbons, they started at the top of their + speed, and in less than a quarter of an hour were at bank side. + </p> + <p> + “That is the house,” the sailor said, pointing to the public, where a red + blind had been lowered at the window, and two men lounged outside the door + to tell any chance customer that might come along he was not wanted there + at present. + </p> + <p> + Inside a mock trial had been going on, and Mark had been sentenced to + death as a spy, not a voice being raised in his defense. As soon as he had + been lifted up and seated so that he could see the faces of those present, + he recognized the two gamblers, and saw at once that his fate was sealed; + even had they not been there the chance of escape would have been small. + The fact that one of the detectives had been caught under circumstances + when there was but slight chance of its ever being known how he came to + his end, was in itself sufficient to doom him. Several of the men present + had taken him into their confidence, and he had encouraged them to do so, + not that he wanted to entrap them, or that he intended to do so, but in + order to obtain a clew through them as to the hiding place of the man he + was in search of. + </p> + <p> + The savage exultation on the faces of the two gamblers, however, was + sufficient to extinguish any ray of hope. He felt sure at once that they + had been the authors of his seizure, and that no thought of mercy would + enter the minds of these two scoundrels whose plans he had frustrated, + whose position he had demolished, and to whom he had caused the loss of a + large sum of money. Neither Flash nor Emerson would have taken share in a + crime known to so many had they not been on the point of leaving England. + Their names were known to no one there, and even should some of these + afterwards peach they would at least be safe. Mark had been asked whether + he could deny that he was a member of the detective force, and had shaken + his head. Even if he had told a lie, which he would not do, the lie would + have been a useless one. No one would have believed it, for the two + gamblers would have been witnesses that he was so. + </p> + <p> + He had been placed in one corner of the room, so that what light there was + would not fall on his face, and had anyone entered they would not have + noticed that he was gagged. One, indeed, had suggested that it would be + better to lay him under one of the benches, but Black Jim said, with a + brutal laugh: + </p> + <p> + “No, no; it is better that we should keep sight of him, and if anyone asks + a question of course we can say that the gentleman has the toothache.” + </p> + <p> + Presently Flash spoke to the ruffian in a low voice. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I think you are right,” he replied. “Look here,” he went on, raising + his voice. “There is no occasion to have such a lot in this business; Jake + Watson, Bill the Tinker, and me are quite enough to carry him to his bed. + I reckon the rest had better make themselves scarce when the times comes, + go home, and keep their mouths shut. I need not say that anyone who lets + his tongue wag about it is likely to come to a worse end than this + bloodhound. We will have another glass of grog before you turn out; the + streets won't be quiet for another hour yet, and there is another guinea + of this worthy hawker's to be spent. Summers, make another big bowl of + punch. Don't put so much water in it as you did in the last.” + </p> + <p> + The landlord, a notorious ruffian, was just coming into the room with a + huge bowl when there was the sound of a scuffle outside. + </p> + <p> + “You had better see what is up,” Black Jim said, and two of the men + nearest the door unbarred and opened it. As they did so there was a rush, + and eight powerful men ran in, knocking to the floor those who had opened + the door. The rest sprang to their feet; Gibbons looked round, and as his + eye fell upon Mark, who had, the moment the men inside rose, got into a + standing position, Gibbons launched himself towards him, striking four of + the ruffians who endeavored to stop him to the ground with his crushing + blows. + </p> + <p> + “This way,” he shouted to his friends. “Ingleston and Tring, do you keep + the door.” + </p> + <p> + The moment the six men had closed round Mark, one of them, taking out his + knife, cut the cords, removed the bandage from his mouth, and extricated + the gag. The name of the two prize fighters had created something like a + panic among the crowd, which had increased when one of them shouted, “It + is Charley Gibbons.” + </p> + <p> + Flash and Emerson sprang to their feet with the rest, and the latter + shouted, “Go at them, men; there are only eight of them, and we are + twenty. Knife them, or you will all hang for this job.” + </p> + <p> + The knowledge of their danger was evident to all the men, and, nerved by + desperation, they rushed at the prize fighters; but the eight were now + nine, and each of them in a fray of this kind was equal to half a dozen + ordinary men. Scarce a word was spoken, but the sound of crushing blows + and scuffling, and an occasional, oath, made a confused din in the half + lighted room. Mark burst his way through his assailants to the spot where + Flash and Emerson were standing, somewhat in the rear of the crowd, for + they had been sitting at the other end of the room. Flash had a pistol in + his hand, but the man who was standing in front of him was struck with + such violence that he fell backwards, knocking Emerson to the ground and + almost upsetting Flash, and before the latter could steady himself Mark + struck him with all his force under the chin. A moment later the landlord + blew out the two candles, and in the darkness the ruffians made a dash for + the door, carried Tring and Ingleston off their feet, and rushed out into + the lane. + </p> + <p> + “If the man who blew those candles out don't light them again at once,” + Gibbons shouted, “I, Charley Gibbons, tell him that I will smash him and + burn this place over his head; he had best be quick about it.” + </p> + <p> + The landlord, cowed with the threat, soon returned with a candle from the + kitchen, and lit those that he had extinguished. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Thorndyke, we just arrived in time, I fancy,” Gibbons said. + </p> + <p> + “You have saved my life, Gibbons—you and the others. How you got to + know that I was here I cannot imagine. I would have been a dead man in + another half hour if you had not arrived. I thank you all from the bottom + of my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “That is all right, sir,” Gibbons said. “It is a pleasure to give such + scoundrels as these a lesson. Is anyone hurt? I fancy I have got a scratch + or two.” + </p> + <p> + Several of the men had been cut with knives, but the blows had been given + so hurriedly that no one was seriously injured. Twelve men lay on the + ground. + </p> + <p> + “Now sir, what shall we do with these fellows?” + </p> + <p> + “I should say we had better leave them alone, Gibbons. I don't want any + row over the affair. It is the work of these two fellows here. I think I + pretty well settled one of them.” + </p> + <p> + Gibbons stooped over Flash. + </p> + <p> + “You have broken his jaw, sir; but he will come round in time. I believe + this other fellow is only shamming. I don't see any of our handiwork upon + his face. The others have all got as much as they want, I think,” and + taking a candle he looked at their faces. “There is not one of them who + will want to show up for a week or so,” he said, “and there are two or + three who will carry the marks to their graves. Well, sir, if you don't + want anything done to them, the sooner we are off the better. Those + fellows who got away may bring a lot of others down upon us. As long as it + is only fists, we could march through Westminster; but as they would have + knives, it is just as well to get out of it before there is any trouble. + You are got up in a rum way, Mr. Thorndyke.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I will tell you about it afterwards. I agree with you that we had + best be moving at once.” + </p> + <p> + But the men who had fled were too glad to have made their escape to think + of anything but to make for their dens as quick as possible, and the party + passed through the lanes into the open space in front of Parliament House + without interruption. + </p> + <p> + “We will go up to your place, Ingleston, and talk it over there,” Mark + said. “You can get those cuts bound up, and I shall be very glad to get a + drink. That thing they shoved into my mouth hurt my tongue a good deal, + and I have not gone through a pleasant half hour, I can tell you.” + </p> + <p> + He walked up past Whitehall with Gibbons and Ingleston, the others going + in pairs, so as not to attract attention. As soon as they reached + Ingleston's place, the latter told the man in the bar to put the shutters + up, led the way into the bar parlor, and mixed a large bowl of punch. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Gibbons, in the first place,” Mark said, after quenching his thirst, + “how did you know of my being in danger?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, a black sailor chap ran into my place suddenly and told me.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean a colored man, Gibbons?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, one of those Lascar chaps you see about the docks. I did not + ask any questions, but ran as hard as I could. I had only left here five + minutes before, and knew that Tring and some of the others would still be + here. They did not lose a moment, and off we went. The sailor chap he kept + ahead. I tried to come up to him two or three times to get to know + something about it, but he always seemed to quicken his pace when I was + coming up, and I soon got too blown to want to do much talking. He led us + to the door, and after that I saw nothing more of him. What became of him + I don't know. I expect he was better at running than he was at fighting.” + </p> + <p> + “It is curious,” Mark said thoughtfully. “He might have been in the place + when I went in, and slipped out while I was making a fight for it. I have + seen a Lascar several times while I have been down there. I dare say it + was the same man, though why he should take such trouble for the sake of a + stranger I don't know. There seems to be a good many of them about, for + now I think of it, I have run against them several times wherever I have + been in town.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, sir, what did they want to kill you for?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Gibbons, it happened in this way. My father, you know, was murdered + by a man who had a grudge against him, and who is both a highwayman and a + house breaker.” + </p> + <p> + “They don't often go together,” Ingleston said. “The highwaymen generally + look down upon the burglars and keep themselves to themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “I hew they do, Ingleston; but this fellow has been a convict, and is not + particular what he turns his hand to. The detectives have been after him + for a long time, but have failed, and I determined to take the matter up + myself, and ever since I have been up here I have been hunting about in + the worst quarters of the town. The people of Bow Street have aided me in + every way they could, and I suppose some of these men have seen me go in + or out of the place. Of course, when I am going into these bad quarters, I + put on a disguise and manage to get in with some of these thieves, and so + to try to get news of him through them. Three weeks ago I decided to try + Westminster. I was getting on uncommonly well there, principally because I + gave a tremendous thrashing to a fellow they call Black Jim. He has been a + prize fighter.” + </p> + <p> + “I know him,” Tring said; “it was the fellow that was kicked out for + selling a fight. He was not a bad man with his fists, either; but I expect + you astonished him, Mr. Thorndyke.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I knocked him out of time in three rounds. Well, he has been a bully + down there, and everyone was very glad he was taken down. After that I got + to know several of the worst lot down there. They fancied that I was one + of themselves, and several of them made proposals to me to join them, and, + of course, I encouraged the idea in hopes of coming upon the man that I + was after. Then some fellow in the street recognized me, I suppose, and + denounced me to the rest as being one of the runners. I suppose he told + them this evening, before I went in. + </p> + <p> + “The place was a regular thieves' den, which, of course, was why I went + there. Naturally they were furious, especially those who had been + proposing to me to join them. Anyhow, they had evidently settled among + themselves that I was to be put out of the way, and directly I went in I + was attacked. I knocked down a few of them, but they jumped on my back, + and one of them managed to get a rope round my legs, and down I went with + three or four of them, and before I could get up again they had tied and + gagged me. Then they held a sort of court. Man after man got up and said + that I had been drawing them on to find out what they were up to, and had + agreed to join them, of course with the intention of getting them caught + in the act, and two got up and said that they knew me as one of the + runners. They all agreed that I must be put out of the way. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose, as the landlord did not want blood spilt in his house, they + did not knife me at once; however, they told me that they had decided that + as soon as the coast was clear I should be carried down to the river, and + chucked in, with an old anchor tied to my neck. I had just a gleam of hope + a short time before you came in, for then it had been settled that it was + just as well no more should be engaged in the affair than was necessary, + and that Black Jim, with two others, whom I had been talking to, and the + two men who had told them that I was a runner, should manage it, and the + rest were to go off to their homes. + </p> + <p> + “I had been all the time trying to loosen my ropes, and had got one of my + hands nearly free, and I thought that if they waited another half hour I + might have got them both free, and been able to make a bit of a fight of + it, though I had very little hope of getting my legs free. + </p> + <p> + “However, I had my eye on the knife of the man who was sitting next to me, + and who was one of those who was to stay. I thought that if I had my hands + free, I could snatch his knife, settle him, and then cut the ropes from my + legs; that done, I could, I think, have managed Black Jim and the others. + As for the men who denounced me, they were small men, and I had no fear of + them in a fight, unless; as I thought likely enough, they might have + pistols. One of them is the fellow whose jaw I broke; I hit him hard, for + he had a pistol in his hand.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no doubt you hit him hard,” Gibbons said dryly. “He looked a + better sort than the rest.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the fellow was a card sharper whom I once detected at cheating; and + so was the one who was lying next to him, the man whom you said you + thought was shamming.” + </p> + <p> + By this time the men's wounds were all bandaged up. Mark told them that he + would be round there again in the morning, and hoped that they would all + be there. + </p> + <p> + “I shall go home at once, and turn in,” he said. “Straining at those cords + has taken the skin off my wrists, and I feel stiff all over; it will be a + day or two, Gibbons, before I am able to put the gloves on again. I wish I + could find that Lascar; I owe him a heavy debt.” + </p> + <p> + As Mark made his way home he thought a good deal about the colored sailor. + If the man had been in the den the ruffians would hardly have ventured to + have attacked him in the presence of a stranger. Of course, he might have + been passing, and have seen the fray through the window, but in that case + he would run to the nearest constable. How could he know anything about + his habits, and why should he have gone to Gibbons for assistance? That, + and the fact that he had so often observed Lascars in the places he had + gone to, certainly looked as if he had been watched, and if so, it could + only be connected with those diamonds. It was a curious thing altogether. + </p> + <p> + The next morning he went early to Bow Street. As soon as the chief came he + related the events of the previous evening, and told him that it was Flash + and Emerson who had denounced him. + </p> + <p> + “I know the place,” the officer said. “It is one of the worst thieves' + dens in London. However, it is just as well you decided not to take any + steps. Of course, all the fellows would have sworn that they did not + intend to do any harm, but that Flash had put them up to frightening you, + and I doubt whether any jury would have convicted. As to the other men, we + know that they are all thieves, and some of them worse; but the mere fact + that they proposed to you to join in their crimes won't do, as no actual + crime was committed. However, I shall have the gang closely watched, and, + at any rate, you had better leave Westminster alone; someone else must + take up the work of looking for that man you were on the watch for. + Anyhow, you had best take a week's rest; there is no doubt you have had a + very narrow escape. It is strange about that Lascar; he might not have + cared for going in to take part in the fray, but you would have thought + that he would have waited outside to get a reward for bringing those men + to your rescue.” + </p> + <p> + As Mark did not care to tell about the diamonds till the time came for + getting them, he made no reply, beyond expressing an agreement with the + chief's surprise at the man not having remained to the end of the fray. On + leaving Bow Street he went up to Ingleston's. The men who had rescued him + the night before were gathered there; and he presented each of them with a + check for twenty-five guineas. + </p> + <p> + “I know very well,” he said, “that you had no thought of reward when you + hurried down to save me, but that is no reason why I should not show my + gratitude to you for the service you have rendered me; some of you might + very well have been seriously hurt, if not killed, by their knives. At any + rate, I insist upon you taking it; money is always useful, you know, and + it is not often so well earned as this.” + </p> + <p> + The men were greatly pleased, and Tring said: + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, if you get into another scrape you may be sure that you can + count upon us.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall try and not get into any more,” Mark laughed. “This has been a + good deal more serious than I had bargained for, and I shall be very + careful in the future.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV. + </h2> + <p> + “The burglary season seems to have recommenced in earnest,” Mark's chief + said some nine months after he had been at work. “For a time there had + been a lull, as you know, but I have had three reports this week, and it + strikes me that they are by the same hand as before; of course I may be + mistaken, but they are done in a similar way, the only difference being + that there is ground for believing that only one man is engaged in them. I + fancy the fellow that you are after has either been away from London for + some time, or has been keeping very quiet. At any rate, we have every + ground for believing that he keeps himself aloof from London thieves, + which is what I should expect from such a man. If one has nerve enough to + do it, there is nothing like working singly; when two or three men are + engaged, there is always the risk of one being caught and turning Queen's + evidence, or of there being a quarrel, and of his peaching from revenge. + </p> + <p> + “If your man has been away from town, he has certainly not been working + any one district; of course, one gets the usual number of reports from + different quarters; but although burglaries are frequent enough, there has + been no complaint of a sudden increase of such crimes as there would have + been judging from the numerous daring attempts here, had Bastow been + concerned; therefore I feel sure that he has been living quietly. He would + have his mate's share—that man you shot, you know—of the + plunder they made together; he would know that after that affair at your + place there would be a vigilant hunt for him, and it is likely enough that + he has retired altogether from business for a time. + </p> + <p> + “However, men of that sort can never stand a quiet life long, and are sure + sooner or later to take to their trade again, if only for the sake of its + excitement. Now that the burglaries have begun again, I shall be glad if + you will devote yourself entirely to this business. You have served a good + apprenticeship, and for our sake as well as yours I should be glad for you + to have it in hand.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be very pleased to do so, sir. Although we do not know where he + is to be found, I think I can say that it is not in the slums of London; + it seems to me that he may be quietly settled as an eminently respectable + man almost under our noses; he may show himself occasionally at + fashionable resorts, and may be a regular attendant at horse races. + </p> + <p> + “He would not run any appreciable risk in doing so, for his face is quite + unknown to anyone except the constables who were present at his trial, and + even these would scarcely be likely to recognize him, for he was then but + eighteen, while he is now six or seven and twenty, and no doubt the life + he has led must have changed him greatly.” + </p> + <p> + “I quite agree with you,” the chief said. “After the first hunt for him + was over, he might do almost anything without running much risk. Well, I + put the matter in your hands, and leave it to you to work out in your own + way; you have given ample proof of your shrewdness and pluck, and in this + case especially I know that you will do everything that is possible. Of + course you will be relieved of all other duties, and if it takes you + months before you can lay hands upon him, we shall consider it time well + spent, if you succeed at last. From time to time change your quarters, but + let me know your address, so that, should I learn anything that may be + useful, I can communicate with you at once. You had better take another + name than that by which you are known in the force. I shall be glad if, + after thinking the matter over, you will write me a few lines stating what + you propose to do in the first place.” + </p> + <p> + Mark went back to his lodgings, and sat there for some time, thinking + matters over. His first thought was to attend the races for a time, but + seeing the number of people there, and his own ignorance of Bastow's + appearance, he abandoned the idea, and determined to try a slower but more + methodical plan. After coming to that conclusion he put on his hat and + made his way to Mrs. Cunningham's. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Constable,” Millicent said saucily, as he entered, “any fresh + captures?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I think that I have for the present done with that sort of thing; I + have served my apprenticeship, and am now setting up on my own account.” + </p> + <p> + “How is that, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “There is reason to believe that Bastow has begun his work again near + London. As I have told you, it is absolutely certain that he is not hiding + in any of the places frequented by criminals here, and there is every + reason for supposing that he has been leading a quiet life somewhere, or + that he has been away in the country. As long as that was the case, there + was nothing to be done; but now that he seems to have set to work again, + it is time for me to be on the move. I have seen the chief this morning, + and he has released me from all other' duty, and given me carte blanche to + work in my own way.” + </p> + <p> + “Then why don't you leave the force altogether, Mark? You know that I have + always thought it hateful that you should be working under orders, like + any other constable.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, women don't like to be under orders, Millicent; but men are + not so independent, and are quite content to obey those who are well + qualified to give orders. I have had a very interesting time of it.” + </p> + <p> + “Very interesting!” she said scornfully. “You have nearly been killed or + shot half a dozen times; you have been obliged to wear all sorts of dirty + clothes, to sleep in places where one would not put a dog, and generally + to do all sorts of things altogether unbecoming in your position.” + </p> + <p> + “My dear, I have no particular position,” he laughed, and then went on + more seriously: “My one position at present is that of avenger of my + father's murder, and nothing that can assist me in the task is unbecoming + to me; but, as I said, it has been interesting, I may almost say + fascinating, work. I used to be fond of hunting, but I can tell you that + it is infinitely more exciting to hunt a man than it is to hunt a fox. You + are your own hound, you have to pick up the scent, to follow it up, + however much the quarry may wind and double, and when at last you lay your + hand upon his shoulder and say, 'In the King's name,' there is an + infinitely keener pleasure than there is when the hounds run down the fox. + One sport is perhaps as dangerous as the other: in the one case your horse + may fail at a leap and you may break your neck, in the other you may get a + bullet in your head; so in that respect there is not much to choose + between man and fox hunting. There is the advantage, though, that in the + one you have to depend upon your horse's strength, and in the other on + your own courage.” + </p> + <p> + “I know that you are an enthusiast over it, Mark, and I can fancy that if + I were a big strong man, as you are, I might do the same; but if you are + going now to try by yourself, why should you not leave the force + altogether?” + </p> + <p> + “Because, in the first place, I shall get all the information they obtain, + and can send for any assistance that I may require. In the next place, by + showing this little staff with its silver crown, I show that I am a Bow + Street runner, and can obtain information at once from all sorts of people + which I could not get without its aid.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I won't say anything more against it, Mark. How are you going to + begin?” + </p> + <p> + “I mean to go the round of all the places near London—say, within + ten miles. I shall stay from a week to a fortnight in each, take a quiet + lodging, give out that I am on the lookout for a small house with a + garden, and get to talk with people of all kinds.” + </p> + <p> + “But I cannot see what you have to inquire for.” + </p> + <p> + “I imagine that Bastow will have taken just the sort of house that I am + inquiring for, and in the course of my questions I may hear of someone + living in just that sort of way—a retired life, not making many + friends, going up to London sometimes, and keeping, perhaps, a deaf old + woman as a servant, or perhaps a deaf old man—someone, you see, who + would not be likely to hear him if he came home in the middle of the + night, or in the early morning. Once I hear of such a man, I should + ascertain his age, and whether generally he agreed in appearance with what + Bastow is likely to be by this time, then get down one of the constables + who was at the trial, and take his opinion on the subject, after which we + should only have to watch the house at night and pounce upon him as he + came back from one of his excursions. That is the broad outline of my + plan. I cannot help thinking that in the long run I shall be able to trace + him, and of course it will make it all the easier if he takes to stopping + coaches or committing murderous burglaries.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I suppose we are not going to see you often, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, not so often as you have done, Millicent, for some time, at any + rate. I shall not be more than five or six miles away, and I shall often + ride into town for the evening, and return late with some sort of hope + that I may be stopped on the road again; it would save me a world of + trouble, you see, if he would come to me instead of my having to find + him.” + </p> + <p> + “Which side of London are you going to try first?” + </p> + <p> + “The south side, certainly; there are a score of places that would be + convenient to him—Dulwich, Clapham, Tooting, Wimbledon, Stockwell; + the list is a long one. I should say Wimbledon was about the most distant, + and I should think that he would not go so far as that; if he only acted + as a highwayman he might be as far off as Epsom; but if he is really the + man concerned in these burglaries he must be but a short distance away. He + would hardly risk having to ride very far with the chance of coming upon + the patrols. I think that I shall begin at Peckham; that is a central sort + of position, and from there I shall work gradually west; before I do so + perhaps I shall try Lewisham. He is likely, in any case, to be quite on + the outskirts of any village he may have settled in, in order that he may + ride in and out at any hour without his coming and going being noticed.” + </p> + <p> + “You certainly seem to have thought it over in all ways, Mark; you almost + infect me with your ardor, and make me wish that I was a man and could + help you.” + </p> + <p> + “You are much nicer as you are, Millicent.” + </p> + <p> + The girl tossed her head in disdain at the compliment. + </p> + <p> + “It is all very well, Mark,” she went on, ignoring his speech, “but it + seems to me that in finding out things a woman would be able to do just as + much as a man; she can gossip with her neighbors and ask about everyone in + a place quite as well, if not better, than a man.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes I don't doubt that,” Mark laughed, “and if I want your aid I shall + have no hesitation in asking for it. Until then I hope you will go on with + your painting and harping steadily, like a good little girl.” + </p> + <p> + “I am nearly eighteen, sir, and I object to be called a good little girl.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if I were to say a good young woman you would not like it.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't think I should. I don't know why, but when anyone says a girl + is a good young woman or a nice young woman, there always seems something + derogatory about it; it is almost as bad as saying she is a very + respectable young person, which is odious.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, you see,” he went on, “you are quite getting on in society; since + Mr. Cotter's introduction to Mrs. Cunningham and his mother's subsequent + call you have got to know a good many people and go about a good deal.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it has been more lively of late,” she admitted. “At first it was + certainly monstrously dull here, and I began to think that we should have + to change our plans and go down again to Weymouth, and settle there for a + time. Now I am getting contented; but I admit, even at the risk of making + you conceited, that we shall certainly miss you very much, as you have + been very good, considering how busy you have been, to come in three or + four evenings every week for a chat.” + </p> + <p> + “There has been nothing very good about it, Millicent; it has been very + pleasant to me; it is like a bit of old times again when I am here with + you two, and seem to leave all the excitement of one's work behind as I + come in at the door.” + </p> + <p> + “I wonder whether the old time will ever come back again, Mark?” she said + sadly. + </p> + <p> + “It never can be quite the old time again, but when you are back at the + old place it may be very near it.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at him reproachfully. + </p> + <p> + “You think that I shall change my mind, Mark, but at heart you know + better. The day I am one and twenty I hope to carry out my intentions.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, as I have told you before, Millicent, I cannot control your + actions, but I am at least master of my own. You can give away Crowswood + to whom you like, but at least you cannot compel me to take it. Make it + over to one of the hospitals if you like—that is within your power; + but it is not in your power to force me into the mean action of enriching + myself because you have romantic notions in your mind. I should scorn + myself were I capable of doing such an action. I wonder you think so + meanly of me as to suppose for a moment that I would do so.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a great pity my father did not leave the property outright to your + father, then all this bother would have been avoided,” she said quietly. + “I should still have had plenty to live upon without there being any fear + of being loved merely for my money.” + </p> + <p> + “It would have been the same thing if he had,” Mark said stubbornly. “My + father would not have taken it, and I am sure that I should not have taken + it after him; you are his proper heiress. I don't say if he had left a + son, and that son had been a second Bastow, that one would have hesitated, + for he would probably have gambled it away in a year, the tenants might + have been ruined, and the village gone to the dogs. Every man has a right + to disinherit an unworthy son, but that is a very different thing from + disinheriting a daughter simply from a whim. Well, don't let us talk about + it any more, Millicent. It is the only thing that we don't agree about, + and therefore it is best left alone.” + </p> + <p> + The next day Mark established himself at an inn in Peckham, and for six + weeks made diligent inquiries, but without success. There were at least a + dozen men who lived quietly and rode or drove to their business in town. + Many of them were put aside as needing no investigation, having been + residents there for years. Some of the others he saw start or return, but + none of them corresponded in any way with the probable appearance of the + man for whom he was in search. During this time he heard of several + private coaches being held up on the road between Epsom and London, and + three burglaries took place at Streatham. + </p> + <p> + He then moved to Stockwell. Before proceeding there he had his horse up + again from Crowswood, and rode into Stockwell from the west. He was + dressed now as a small country squire, and had a valise strapped behind + his saddle. The inn there was a busy one. + </p> + <p> + “I want a room,” he said, as he alighted. “I shall probably stay here a + few days.” + </p> + <p> + Presently he had a talk with the landlord. + </p> + <p> + “I am on the lookout,” he said, “for a little place near town. I have come + in for a small estate in the country, but I have no taste for farming, and + want to be within easy reach of town, and at the same time to have a place + with a paddock where I can keep my horse and live quietly. I don't much + care whether it is here or anywhere else within a few miles of town, and I + intend to ride about and see if I can find a place that will suit me. I do + not want to be nearer the town than this, for I have not money enough to + go the pace; still, I should like to be near enough to ride or walk in + whenever I have a fancy for it.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand, sir. Of course there are plenty of places round here, at + Clapham and Tooting, and I may say Streatham, but most of them are a deal + too large for a bachelor, still I have no doubt you would find a place to + suit you without much difficulty. These sort of places are most in request + by London tradesmen who have given up business and want to get a little + way out of town and keep a gig. I should say there must be a score of such + people living round here. I am often asked about such places, but I don't + know of one to let just at the present moment. + </p> + <p> + “Still, there ought to be, for of late people have not cared so much to + come out here; there has been such a scare owing to highwaymen and + burglars, that men with wives and families don't fancy settling out of + town, though there aint much work about it, for to every one house that is + broken into there are thousands that are not, and besides, the houses that + these fellows try are large places, where there is plenty of silver plate + and a few gold watches, and perhaps some money to be had.” + </p> + <p> + Mark soon made the acquaintance of the stablemen, and a few pints of beer + put them on good terms with him. Every day he took rides round the + neighborhood, going out early, stabling his horse, and after having a chat + with the ostlers, strolling round the place. Clapham, Ewell, and Streatham + were also visited. + </p> + <p> + “I know of a place that would just suit you,” the ostler at the Greyhound + at Streatham said to him, on the occasion of his third visit there; “but + it is let; my old mother is the gentleman's housekeeper. He took the place + through me, for he rode up just as you have done, one afternoon, nigh a + year ago. He was from town, he was; he told me that he had been going the + pace too hard, and had to pull in, and wanted a little place where he + could keep his horse and live quiet for a time. I told him of a place that + I thought would suit him just outside the town, and he called in the next + day and told me he had taken it. 'Now,' he said, 'I want a woman as house + keeper; an old woman, you know. I cannot be bothered with a young one. If + you speak a civil word to a wench she soon fancies you are in love with + her. I want one who can cook a chop or a steak, fry me a bit of bacon, and + boil an egg and keep the place tidy. I intend to look after my horse + myself.' + </p> + <p> + “'Well, sir,' I said, 'there is my old mother. She is a widow, and it is + as much as she can do to keep off the parish. She is reckoned a tidy cook + and a good cleaner, and she could keep herself well enough if it wasn't + that she is so hard of hearing that many people don't care to employ her.' + </p> + <p> + “'I don't care a rap about that,' he said. 'I shall not need to talk to + her except to tell her what I will have for dinner, and if she is deaf she + won't want to be away gossiping. Does she live near here?' + </p> + <p> + “'She lives in the town,' I said. 'I can fetch her down in half an hour.' + </p> + <p> + “'That will do,' says he. 'I am going to have lunch. When I have, done I + will come out and speak with her.' + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, he engaged her right off, and he tipped me a guinea for + finding the place for him, and there he has been ever since. It was a + lucky job for mother, for she says there never was a gentleman that gave + less trouble. He is a wonderful quiet man, and in general stops at home + all the day smoking and reading. He has a boy comes in two or three times + a week to work in the garden. Sometimes of an evening he rides up to town. + I expect he cannot keep away from the cards altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “Is he an elderly man?” Mark asked. + </p> + <p> + “Lor', no, sir; under thirty, I should say. He is a free handed sort of + chap, and though he aint particular about his eating, he likes a bottle of + good wine, the old woman says, even if it is only with a chop. He never + rides past here and I happen to be outside without tossing me a shilling + to drink his health.” + </p> + <p> + Mark went into the house and ordered lunch. It would not have done to have + asked any more questions or to have shown any special interest in the + matter, but he felt so excited that he could not have avoided doing so had + he waited longer with the ostler. After he had finished his meal he + strolled out again into the stable yard. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” he said to the ostler, “can't you put me up to another good thing, + just as you told that gentleman you were speaking to me about?” + </p> + <p> + “There are two or three places that I know of that might suit you, sir. + There is a house on the hill. I know that it has got a paddock, but I + don't know how big it is; it is in general known as Hawleys—that is + the name of the last people who lived there. Anyone will tell you which is + the house. Then there is another place. You turn to the right the third + turning on the hill; it stands by itself two or three hundred yards down; + it has got a goodish bit of ground. There is only one house beyond it; + that is the one where my mother lives. That was an old farm once, but this + was built later. I believe the ground belonged to the farm. You will know + it by a big tree in front of it; it stands back forty feet or so from the + road.” + </p> + <p> + “Where does the road lead to?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, it aint much of a road beyond the next house; it is only a + lane, but you can get through that way into the main road, through Tooting + down into Balham, and on to Wimbledon.” + </p> + <p> + “'I think I will go and have a look at both those places,” Mark said. + </p> + <p> + “Will you take your horse, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “No; I suppose it is not much above half a mile?” + </p> + <p> + “About that, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will walk; I shall not be likely to find anyone to hold my horse + there.” + </p> + <p> + Mark had no difficulty in finding the house. It looked as if it had been + untenanted for some time, and in the window was a notice that for keys and + information applications were to be made at a shop in the High Street. + Well pleased to find that there was no one in the house, Mark entered the + gate and passed round into what at one time had been a kitchen garden + behind it; at the bottom of this was a field of three or four acres. + </p> + <p> + The ground was separated by a hedge from that of the house beyond. This + was fully a hundred yards away. A well bred horse was grazing in the + field, a man smoking a pipe was watching a boy doing gardening work behind + the house. Mark remained for nearly an hour concealed behind the hedge in + hopes that he would come nearer. At the end of that time, however, he went + into the house, and after waiting another ten minutes Mark also left, + resisting the temptation to walk along the road and take a closer look at + it, for he felt that such a step would be dangerous, for should the man + notice anyone looking at the place his suspicions might be aroused. + </p> + <p> + It was evident that the lane was very little used; in many cases the grass + grew across it. There were marks of horses' feet, but none of wheels, and + he concluded that when going up to town the man came that way and rode + quietly through Streatham, for the hoof prints all pointed in that + direction, and that on his return at night he came up the lane from the + other road. + </p> + <p> + “Well, master, what do you think of the houses?” the ostler asked on his + return to the inn. + </p> + <p> + “I have only been to the one in the lane that you spoke of, for I want to + get back to town. I had a good look at it, but it is rather a dreary + looking place, and evidently wants a lot of repairs before it can be made + comfortable. The next time that I am down I will look at the other.” + </p> + <p> + Mounting his horse, he rode at a rapid pace into London, and dismounted at + Bow Street. + </p> + <p> + “You have news, I see, Mr. Thorndyke,” the chief said when he entered. + </p> + <p> + “I have, sir; I believe that I have marked the man down; at any rate, if + it is not he, it is a criminal of some sort—of that I have no + doubt.” + </p> + <p> + “That is good news indeed,” the chief said. “Now tell me all about it.” + </p> + <p> + Mark repeated the story the ostler had told him, and the result of his own + observations. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” he said, “the man, whether Bastow or not, has clearly taken the + place for the purpose of concealment, for he can approach it by the lane, + which is a very unfrequented one, on his return from his expeditions. He + has taken on a deaf old woman who will not hear him ride in at night, and + will have no idea at what hours he comes home. Riding out through the main + street in the afternoon he would excite no notice, and the story to the + ostler would very well account for his taking the house and for his habit + of coming up here of an afternoon and returning late. I thought it best to + come back and tell you, and I will adopt any plan that you suggest for his + capture.” + </p> + <p> + “You say that he has been there for nearly a year?” + </p> + <p> + “About a year, the ostler said.” + </p> + <p> + “Then one of my men, at least, must have been very careless not to have + found him out long ago. Let me see;” and he took down a volume of reports. + “Streatham. Tomlinson has been here a fortnight making every inquiry. 'No + man of suspicious appearance or of unknown antecedents here.' + </p> + <p> + “Humph! That is not the first time that Tomlinson has failed altogether in + his duty. However, that does not matter for the moment. What is your own + idea, Mr. Thorndyke?” + </p> + <p> + “My idea is that a couple of good men should go down with me to Streatham, + and that we should be always on the watch in High Street until we see him + ride past. Directly it is dark we will go to his house, fasten the old + woman up, and search it thoroughly. If we find stolen property so much the + better; but in any case we shall wait inside the house until he returns, + and as he comes in throw ourselves upon him before he has time to draw a + pistol. I should say it would be as well the men should go down in a trap. + There is an empty house next door, and when we go to search the place we + can leave the horse and trap inside the gate. Directly we have him secure + we can fetch up the trap, put him in, and one of the men and myself can + drive him back here, leaving the other in charge of the house, which can + then be searched again next day.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that will be a very good plan, and will avoid all unnecessary + fuss. I will send Malcolm and Chester down with you tomorrow. Where will + you meet them?” + </p> + <p> + “I should say that they had better put up at the Greyhound. I don't + suppose he will go out until six or seven o'clock, but they had better be + there earlier. One should station himself in the main street, the other + concealing himself somewhere beyond the fellow's house, for it is likely + enough that sometimes he may take the other way. I will go down to the + Greyhound at six, and will wait there until one of them brings me news + that he has left.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you had better come in in the morning, and give your instructions + to the men; there will be less fear of any mistake being made. I should + say you had better put your horse up and come here on foot; one can never + be too careful when one is dealing with so crafty a rogue as this; he + certainly does not work with an accomplice, but for all that he may have + two or three sharp boys in his pay, and they may watch this place by turns + and carry him news of any stir about the office.” + </p> + <p> + “I will walk in,” Mark replied. “It is no distance from Stockwell.” + </p> + <p> + Mark slept but little that night. He had believed all along that he should + be finally successful, but the discovery had come so suddenly that it had + taken him completely by surprise. It might not be the man, and he tried + hard to persuade himself that the chances were against his being so, so + that he should not feel disappointed should it turn out that it was some + other criminal, for that the man was a criminal he had not a shadow of + doubt. + </p> + <p> + The next morning he was at the office early. The chief arrived half an + hour later, and the two officers were at once called in. + </p> + <p> + “You will go with Mr. Thorndyke,” the chief said, “and he will give you + instructions. The capture is a very important one, and there must be no + mistake made. We believe the man to be Bastow. I think you were present at + his trial, Chester; he escaped from Sydney Convict Prison some three years + ago, and is, I believe, the author of many of the highway robberies and + burglaries that have puzzled us so. Of course, you will take firearms, but + if he is alone you will certainly have no occasion to use them, especially + as you will take him completely by surprise. You will order a gig from + Morden, and leave here about three o'clock. I should say you had better + get up as two countrymen who have been up to market. However, Mr. + Thorndyke will explain the whole matter to you fully.” + </p> + <p> + Mark then went off with the two officers to a private room, and went into + the whole matter with them. + </p> + <p> + “I think, Chester,” he said, “that you had better watch in the High + Street, because you know the man. At least, you have seen him, and may + recognize him again.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I should know him, however much he has changed. I took particular + notice of him at the trial, and thought what a hardened looking young + scamp he was. It is very seldom I forget a face when once I have a + thorough look at it, and I don't think I am likely to forget his.” + </p> + <p> + “Malcolm, I think you cannot do better than take your place in the garden + of the house next to his; it is a place that has stood empty for many + months, and there is no chance of anyone seeing you. His paddock comes up + to the garden, and you can, by placing yourself in the corner, see him as + he comes out into the lane. As soon as you see that he has gone, come back + to the Greyhound with the news. I shall be there, and you will pick up + Chester in the High Street as you come along; of course you won't pretend + to know me, but the mere fact of your coming back will be enough to tell + me that he has gone. As soon as it gets dark we will pay our reckoning, + and drive off in the gig, leaving it in the drive in front of the house + this side of his. I shall have strolled off before, and shall be waiting + for you there. If he does not come out by ten o'clock we can give it up + for tonight. You had better say that you have changed your mind, and will + take beds at the Greyhound; and the next morning drive off in your gig and + put up again at the inn at the other end of the town, the White Horse. I + will come over again at two o'clock in the afternoon. You will bring + handcuffs, and you had better also bring a stout rope to tie him with.” + </p> + <p> + When every detail had been arranged, Mark strolled to Dick Chetwynd's + lodgings. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mark what has become of you? I have not seen you for the last two + months, and I hear that you have not been near Ingleston's crib since I + saw you.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I have been away on business. You know I told you that I was spending + much of my time in endeavoring to hunt down my father's murderer. I can + tell you now that I have been working all the time with the Bow Street + people, and I think I know every thieves' slum in London as well as any + constable in the town.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't say so, Mark! Well, I should not like such work as that. The + prize fighters are a pretty rough lot, but to go to such dens as those is + enough to make one shudder. But that does not explain where you have been + now.” + </p> + <p> + “No. Well, having persuaded myself at last that his headquarters were not + in town, I have been trying the villages round, and I believe that I have + laid my hands on him at last.” + </p> + <p> + “You don't say so, Mark! Well, I congratulate you heartily, both on your + having caught the fellow and for having got rid of such horrid work. Where + is he? Have you got him lodged in jail?” + </p> + <p> + “No, we are going to capture him tonight; or if not tonight, tomorrow + night. Two of the Bow Street officers are going down with me, and we shall + have him as he comes home from one of his expeditions either on the + highway or as a house breaker. If he does not go this evening we shall + wait until tomorrow, but at any rate, the first time that he goes out we + shall have him.” + </p> + <p> + “I have got a special engagement for this evening, Mark, or I would offer + to go with you and lend you a hand, if necessary.” + </p> + <p> + “There is no occasion for that, Dick. We shall take the fellow by surprise + as he goes into his own house, and have him handcuffed before he can draw + a pistol. Then, when we have got him fairly tied up, we shall put him into + a light cart that we shall have handy, and bring him straight to Bow + Street. To tell you the truth, I am so excited over the thought that I do + not know how I should have got through the day if I had not come in to + have a chat with you.” + </p> + <p> + “I can quite understand that, old fellow. Well, the best thing we can do + is to take a stroll out and look at the fashions. It is early yet, but + just at present it is all the rage to turn out early. It will do me good + too, for I was at Ingleston's last night, and the smoke and row has given + me a headache. I shall really have to give up going there, except when + there is an important fight on. It is too much to stand, and the tobacco + is so bad that I am obliged to keep a suit of clothes for the purpose. Let + us be off at once.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI. + </h2> + <p> + At four o'clock Mark put up his horse at the Greyhound, and chatted for a + quarter of an hour with the ostler, who had been making inquiries, and had + heard of one or two other houses in the neighborhood which were + untenanted. Mark then strolled up the town, exchanging a passing glance + with Chester, who, in a velveteen coat, low hat and gaiters, was chatting + with a wagoner going with a load of hay for the next morning's market in + London. He turned into an inn, called for a pint of the best port, and sat + down in the parlor at a table close to the window, so that he could see + all who went up or down. He entered into conversation with two or three + people who came in, and so passed the time till seven, when he felt too + restless to sit still longer, and went out into the street. + </p> + <p> + When he was halfway to the Greyhound he heard the sound of a horse's hoofs + behind him, and saw a quietly dressed man coming along at an easy trot. + Had it not been that he recognized the horse, he could not have felt sure + that its rider was the man whose coming he had been waiting for, there + being nothing in his appearance that would excite the slightest suspicion + that he was other than a gentleman of moderate means and quiet taste, + either returning from a ride or passing through on his way to town. He had + a well built and active figure, carried himself with the ease of a + thorough horseman, and nodded to one or two persons of his acquaintance, + and checking his horse at the principal butcher's, ordered some meat to be + sent in that evening. + </p> + <p> + Mark could trace no resemblance in the face to that of the young fellow he + remembered. It was a quiet and resolute one. If this were Bastow, he had + lost the sneering and insolent expression that was so strongly impressed + on his memory. It might be the man, but if so, he was greatly changed. + Mark's first impression was that it could not be Bastow; but when he + thought over the years of toil and confinement in the convict prison, the + life he had led in the bush, and the two years he had passed since he + returned home, he imagined that the insolence of youth might well have + disappeared, and been succeeded by the resolute daring and dogged + determination that seemed to be impressed on this fellow's face. + </p> + <p> + Mark paused fifty yards before he reached the inn. In a few minutes he saw + Chester coming along. There was no one else in sight. + </p> + <p> + “Is it Bastow?” he asked, as the officer came up. + </p> + <p> + “It's Bastow sure enough, sir. But he is so changed that if I had not had + him in my mind I should not have recognized him. I calculate that a man + who has gone through what he has would have lost the expression he had as + a boy. He must have learnt a lot in the convict prison, and the fact that + he headed the mutiny and escaped from the searchers and managed to get + home showed that he must have become a resolute and desperate man. All + those burglaries, and the way in which he has several times stopped + coaches single handed, show his nerve and coolness. I had all that in my + mind as he came along, and his face was pretty much as I expected to see + it. He is a cool hand, and I can understand how he has given us the slip + so long. There is none of the shifty look about his eyes that one + generally sees in criminals, no glancing from side to side; he rode with + the air of a man who had a right to be where he was, and feared no one. He + will be an awkward customer to tackle if we do not take him by surprise.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I agree with you there. However, he won't have much chance of using + either his pistols or his strength. Here is Malcolm coming, so I will walk + away for a few minutes, and let you go in first. You can tell the ostler + now that you will have your horse put in at nine o'clock. I have been + thinking, by the way, that we had better take the trap round behind the + house instead of leaving it in the drive. The man may come back this way, + and if so, he might hear the horse stamp or make some movement, and that + would at once put him on his guard.” + </p> + <p> + As the officers entered the inn Mark went into the yard and told the + ostler that he had met some friends, and should let his horse remain there + for the night. + </p> + <p> + “It is possible that they may drive me into the town in the morning,” he + said; “and I shall very likely send a man down for the horse.” + </p> + <p> + At a quarter to nine he went out again, and walked to the house he had + before visited; in ten minutes he heard the sound of wheels, threw open + the gate, and the men, jumping down, led the horse in. + </p> + <p> + “You may as well take him out of the trap,” he said. “We cannot very well + get that round the house, but there is no difficulty about taking the + horse.” + </p> + <p> + The officers had brought a halter and a nosebag full of corn. The horse + was fastened to a tree with soft ground round it, the nosebag put on, and + a horse cloth thrown over its back; then Mark and his two companions went + out into the lane, and in a couple of minutes entered the next gate, + treading lightly, and going round to the back of the house. + </p> + <p> + A light burned in the kitchen, and an old woman could be seen knitting. + They lifted the latch and walked in. Dropping her knitting, she rose with + an exclamation of terror. + </p> + <p> + Mark advanced alone. + </p> + <p> + “Do not be frightened,” he said; “we are not going to do you any harm.” He + took out his little ebony staff. “We are constables,” he went on, “and + have orders to search this house. We must secure you, but you will be + released in the morning. Now, which is your room?” + </p> + <p> + In spite of Mark's assurance, the old woman was almost paralyzed with + terror. However, the two constables assisted her up to her room, and there + secured her with a rope, taking care that it was not so tightly bound as + to hurt her. Then they placed a gag in her mouth, and left her. + </p> + <p> + “Now let us search his room in the first place,” Mark said, when they came + downstairs again. “I hardly expect we shall find anything. You may be sure + that he will have taken great pains to hide away any booty that he may + have here, and that it will need daylight and a closer search than we can + give the place now, before we find anything.” + </p> + <p> + The search of the house was indeed fruitless. They cut open the bed, + prized up every loose board in the bedroom and the parlor, lifted the + hearth stone, tapped the walls, and searched every drawer; then, taking a + lantern, went out into the stable. The officers were both accustomed to + look for hiding places, and ran their hands along on the top of the walls, + examining the stone flooring and manger. + </p> + <p> + “That is a very large corn bin,” Mark said, as he looked round, when they + desisted from the search. + </p> + <p> + “You are right, sir. We will empty it.” + </p> + <p> + There were two or three empty sacks on the ground near it, and they + emptied the corn into these, so that there should be no litter about. + Chester gave an exclamation of disappointment as they reached the bottom. + Mark put his hand on the bin and gave it a pull. + </p> + <p> + “It is just as I thought,” he said. “It is fastened down. I saw an ax in + the woodshed, Malcolm; just fetch it here.” + </p> + <p> + While the man was away Mark took the lantern and examined the bottom + closely. “We shan't want the ax,” he said, as he pointed out to Chester a + piece of string that was apparently jammed in the form of a loop between + the bottom and side. “Just get in and clear those few handfuls of corn + out. I think you will see that it will pull up then.” + </p> + <p> + There was, however, no movement in the bottom when Mark pulled at the + loop. + </p> + <p> + “Look closely round outside,” he said, handing Malcolm, who had now + returned, the lantern. “I have no doubt that there is a catch somewhere.” + </p> + <p> + In a minute or two the constable found a small ring between two of the + cobblestones close to the foot of the wall. He pulled at it, and as he did + so Mark felt the resistance to his pull cease suddenly, and the bottom of + the bin came up like a trapdoor. + </p> + <p> + “That is a clever hiding place,” he said. “If I had not happened to notice + that the bin was fixed we might have had a long search before we found it + here.” + </p> + <p> + Below was a square hole, the size of the bin; a ladder led down into it. + Mark, with a lantern, descended. Four or five sacks piled on each other + lay at the bottom, leaving just room enough for a man to stand beside + them. + </p> + <p> + “The top one is silver by the feel,” he said, “not yet broken up; these + smaller sacks are solid. I suppose it is silver that has been melted down. + This—” and he lifted a bag some eighteen inches deep, opened it, and + looked in “—contains watches and jewels. Now I think we will leave + things here for the present, and put everything straight. He may be back + before long.” + </p> + <p> + Mark ascended, the bottom of the trap was shut down again, the corn poured + in, and the bags thrown down on the spot from which they had been taken. + They returned to the house, shut the door, and extinguished the light. + </p> + <p> + “That has been a grand find,” he said; “even if this is not Bastow, it + will be a valuable capture.” + </p> + <p> + “That it will, Mr. Thorndyke. I have no doubt that this fellow is the man + we have been in search of for the last eighteen months; that accounts for + our difficulty in laying hold of him. He has been too crafty to try to + sell any of his plunder, so that none of the fences have known anything + about him. No doubt he has taken sufficient cash to enable him to live + here quietly. He intended some time or other to melt down all the rest of + the plate and to sell the silver, which he could do easily enough. As for + the watches and jewels, he could get rid of them abroad.” + </p> + <p> + “No doubt that is what he intended,” Mark agreed. “It is not often these + fellows are as prudent as he has been; if they were, your work would be a + good deal more difficult than it is.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right, sir; I don't know that I ever heard of such a case before. + The fellow almost deserves to get away.” + </p> + <p> + “That would be rewarding him too highly for his caution,” Mark laughed. + “He is a desperate villain, and all the more dangerous for being a prudent + one. Now, I think one of us had better keep watch at the gate by turns. We + shall hear him coming in plenty of time to get back here and be in + readiness for him. We must each understand our part thoroughly. I will + stand facing the door. It is possible that he may light that lantern we + saw hanging in the stable, but I don't think it likely he will do so; he + will take off the saddle, and either take the horse in there—there + is plenty of food in the manger—or else turn it out into the + paddock. As he comes in I will throw my arms round him and you will at + once close in, one on each side, each catch an arm tightly, handcuff him, + and take the pistols from his belt. Don't leave go of his arms until I + have lit the candle; he may have another pistol inside his coat, and might + draw it.” + </p> + <p> + It was now one o'clock, and half an hour later Malcolm, who was at the + gate, came in quietly and said he could hear a horse coming along the + lane. + </p> + <p> + “Which way, Malcolm?” + </p> + <p> + “Tooting way.” + </p> + <p> + “That is all right. I have been a little nervous lest if he came the other + way our horse might make some slight noise and attract his attention; that + was our only weak point.” + </p> + <p> + They had already ascertained that the front door was locked and bolted, + and that he must therefore enter through the kitchen. They heard the horse + stop in front, a moment later the gate was opened, and through the window + they could just make out the figure of a man leading a horse; then the + stable door opened, and they heard a movement, and knew that the horse was + being unsaddled; they heard it walk into the stable, the door was shut + behind it, and a step approached the back door. It was opened, and a voice + said with an oath, “The old fool has forgotten to leave a candle burning;” + then he stepped into the kitchen. + </p> + <p> + In an instant there was a sound of a violent struggle, deep oaths and + curses, two sharp clicks, then all was quiet except heavy breathing and + the striking of flint on a tinderbox; there was the blue glare of the + sulphur match, and a candle was lighted. Mark then turned to the man who + was standing still grasped in the hands of his two captors. + </p> + <p> + “Arthur Bastow,” he said, producing his staff, “I arrest you in the King's + name, as an escaped convict, as a notorious highwayman and house breaker.” + </p> + <p> + As his name was spoken the man started, then he said quietly: + </p> + <p> + “You have made a mistake this time, my men; my name is William Johnson; I + am well known here, and have been a quiet resident in this house for + upwards of a year.” + </p> + <p> + “A resident, but not a quiet resident, Bastow. I don't think we are + mistaken; but even if you can prove that you are not Bastow, but William + Johnson, a man of means and family, we have evidence enough upon the other + charges. We have been in search of you for a long time, and have got you + at last. You don't remember me, though it is but eighteen months since we + met; but I fancy that I then left a mark upon you that still remains on + your shoulder. I am Mark Thorndyke, and you will understand now why I have + hunted you down.” + </p> + <p> + “The game is not finished yet,” the man said recklessly. “The hunting down + will be the other way next time, Mark Thorndyke.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think so. Now, Chester, you may as well tie his feet together, + and then search him. When that is done I will look after him while you + fetch the trap round.” + </p> + <p> + In his pockets were found two gold watches, forty-eight pounds in gold, + and a hundred pounds in bank notes. + </p> + <p> + “We shall hear where this comes from tomorrow,” Malcolm said, as he laid + them on the table; “it will save us the trouble of getting evidence from + Australia.” + </p> + <p> + The prisoner was placed in a chair, and then the two officers went out to + fetch the trap round. + </p> + <p> + “So you have turned thief catcher, have you?” he said in a sneering tone, + that recalled him to Mark's memory far more than his face had done, “and + you carry a Bow Street staff about with you, and pretend to belong to the + force: that is a punishable offense, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it would be if I had no right to use it,” Mark said quietly; “but it + happens that I have a right, having been for a year and a half in the + force. I joined it solely to hunt you down, and now that I have done so my + resignation will be sent in tomorrow.” + </p> + <p> + “And how is the worthy squire?” + </p> + <p> + Mark started to his feet, and seized one of the pistols lying before him. + </p> + <p> + “You villain!” he exclaimed, “I wonder you dare mention his name—you, + his murderer.” + </p> + <p> + “It was but tit for tat,” the man said coolly; “he murdered me, body and + soul, when he sent me to the hulks. I told him I would be even with him. I + did not think I had hit him at the time, for I thought that if I had you + would have stopped with him, and would not have chased me across the + fields.” + </p> + <p> + “You scoundrel!” Mark said. “You know well enough that you came back, + stole into his room, and stabbed him.” + </p> + <p> + Bastow looked at him with a puzzled expression. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know what you are talking about,” he said. “I fired at him + through the window—I don't mind saying so to you, because there are + no witnesses—and saw him jump up, but I fancied I had missed him. I + saw you bolt out of the room, and thought it better to be off at once + instead of taking another shot. You gave me a hard chase. It was lucky for + you that you did not come up with me, for if you had done so I should have + shot you; I owed you one for having killed as good a comrade as man ever + had, and for that bullet you put in my shoulder before. If I had not been + so out of breath that I could not feel sure of my aim I should have + stopped for you, but I rode straight to town.” + </p> + <p> + “A likely story,” Mark said shortly. “What, you will pretend that there + were two murderers hanging round the house that night?—a likely tale + indeed.” + </p> + <p> + “I tell you that if your father was killed by a knife or dagger, I had + nothing to do with it,” the man said. “I am obliged to the man, whoever he + was. I had intended to go down again to Reigate to finish the job myself; + I should scarcely have missed a second time. So it is for that you hunted + me down? Well, I don't blame you; I never forgive an injury, and I see + your sentiments are mine. Whether I killed your father or not makes no + difference; he was killed, that is the principal point; if I was going to + be put on my trial for that I could prove that at eight o'clock I was in a + coffee house in Covent Garden. I purposely kicked up a row there, and was + turned out, so that if I were charged with that shooting affair I could + prove that I was in London that evening.” + </p> + <p> + “I can't quite believe that,” Mark said; “a fast horse would have brought + you up to town in an hour and a half, and another fast horse would have + taken you back again as quickly; so you might have been in London at eight + and back again at Crowswood by half past twelve or one, even if you + stopped a couple of hours at a coffee house. However, you won't be tried + for that. Those things on the table and the contents of that corn bin are + enough to hang you a dozen times.” + </p> + <p> + “Curse you! have you found that out?” Bastow exclaimed furiously. + </p> + <p> + “We have,” Mark replied. “It would have been wiser if you had got rid of + your things sooner. It was a clever hiding place, but it is always + dangerous to keep such things by you, Bastow.” + </p> + <p> + The man said no more, but sat quietly in his chair until they heard the + vehicle stop outside the gate. Then the two constables came in, and + lifting Bastow, carried him out and placed him in the bottom of the cart. + </p> + <p> + “You can loose the old woman now, Malcolm,” Mark said as he took his seat + and gathered the reins in his hand. “By eleven o'clock, no doubt, one of + the others will be down with the gig again, and you can empty out the + contents of that hole, and bring them up with you. I don't think that it + will be of any use searching further. You might have a good look all round + before you come away. There may be some notes stowed away, though it is + likely enough that they have been sent away by post to some receiver + abroad.” + </p> + <p> + For some time after starting they could hear the prisoner moving about + uneasily in the straw. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose there is no fear of his slipping out of those handcuffs, + Chester?” + </p> + <p> + “Not a bit; they are full tight for him. I expect that that is what is + making him uncomfortable.” + </p> + <p> + Presently the movement ceased. + </p> + <p> + “He is still enough now, Mr. Thorndyke. I should not be at all surprised + if he has dropped off to sleep. He is hardened enough to sleep while the + gibbet was waiting for him.” + </p> + <p> + It was four o'clock in the morning when they drove up at Bow Street. Two + constables on duty came out to the cart. + </p> + <p> + “We have got a prisoner, Inspector,” Chester said. “He is the man we have + been looking for so long. I fancy we have got all the swag that has been + stolen for the last eighteen months—bags of jewels and watches, and + sacks of silver. He is handcuffed, and his legs are tied, so we must carry + him in.” + </p> + <p> + The officer fetched out a lantern. The other constable helped him to let + down the backboard of the cart. + </p> + <p> + “Now, Bastow, wake up,” Chester said. “Here we are.” + </p> + <p> + But there was no movement! + </p> + <p> + “He is mighty sound asleep,” the constable said. + </p> + <p> + “Well, haul him out;” and, taking the man by the shoulders, they pulled + him out from the cart. + </p> + <p> + “There is something rum about him,” the constable said; and as they + lowered his feet to the pavement his head fell forward, and he would have + sunk down if they had not supported him. + </p> + <p> + The Inspector raised the lantern to his face. + </p> + <p> + “Why, the man is dead,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Dead!” Chester repeated incredulously. + </p> + <p> + “Aye, that he is. Look here;” and he pointed to a slim steel handle some + three inches long, projecting over the region of the heart. “You must have + searched him very carelessly, Chester. Well, bring him in now.” + </p> + <p> + They carried him into the room, where two candles were burning. Mark + followed them. The inspector pulled out the dagger. It was but four inches + long, with a very thin blade. The handle was little thicker than the blade + itself. Mark took it and examined it. + </p> + <p> + “I have not a shadow of doubt that this is the dagger with which he + murdered my father. The wound was very narrow, about this width, and the + doctor said that the weapon that had been used was certainly a foreign + dagger.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think this is a foreign dagger,” the Inspector said on examining + it, “although it may be the one that was used, as you say, Mr. Thorndyke. + It has evidently been made to carry about without being observed.” + </p> + <p> + He threw back the dead man's coat. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, here is where it was kept. You see, the lining has been sewn to the + cloth, so as to make a sheath down by the seam under the arm. I expect + that, knowing what would happen if he were caught, he had made up his mind + to do it all along. Well, I don't know that you are to be so much blamed, + Chester, for, passing your hand over his clothes, you might very well miss + this, which is no thicker than a piece of whalebone. Well, well, he has + saved us a good deal of trouble. You say you have got most of the booty he + has collected?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that we have got all of it, sir, but we have made a very big + haul, anyhow; it was a cunningly contrived place. There was a big corn bin + in the stable, and when we had emptied out the corn it seemed empty. + However, Mr. Thorndyke discovered that the bin was fixed. Then we found + that the bottom was really a trap door, and under it was a sort of well in + which were sacks and bags. One of the sacks was full of unbroken silver, + two others contained silver ingots, things that he had melted down, and + there was a large bag full of watches and jewels. In his pocket we found a + hundred pounds in bank notes, about fifty guineas, and a couple of gold + watches.” + </p> + <p> + “That he must have got tonight from the Portsmouth coach; we heard half an + hour ago that it had been stopped near Kingston, the coachman shot, and + the passengers robbed. It will be good news to some of them that we have + got hold of their valuables. Well, Mr. Thorndyke, I have to congratulate + you most heartily on the skill with which you have ferreted out a man who + had baffled us for so long, and had become a perfect terror to the south + of London. No doubt we shall be able to trace a great portion of the + property in that sack. The capture has been splendidly effected.” + </p> + <p> + “You will understand,” Mark said, “that I do not wish my name to appear in + the matter at all. I have, as you know, been actuated by private reasons + only in my search, and I see no occasion why my name should be mentioned; + the evidence of Chester and Malcolm will be ample. From information + received, they went down to this place, searched it in his absence, + discovered the stolen goods, and captured them. Having handcuffed and + bound him, one drove him up to town, the other remaining to guard the + treasure. On his way he got at this hidden dagger and stabbed himself. My + evidence would not strengthen the case at all.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't see that it will be necessary to call you, Mr. Thorndyke. The + discovery of this hidden booty and the proceeds of the coach robbery would + be quite sufficient. Beyond the coroner's inquest there will be no + inquiry. Had it been otherwise it might probably have been necessary to + call you at the trial. However, as it is, it will save a lot of trouble; + now we shall only need to find the owners of these bank notes. I will send + off a cart for the things as early as I can get one, and will send a + couple of constables round to the houses where burglaries have been + committed to request the owners to come over and see if they can identify + any of their property; and those who do so can attend the inquest + tomorrow, though I don't suppose they will be called. The chief will be + mightily pleased when he hears what has taken place, for he has been sadly + worried by these constant complaints, and I fancy that the authorities + have been rather down upon him on the subject. The announcement that the + career of this famous robber has been brought to an end will cause quite a + sensation, and people round the commons on the south side will sleep more + quietly than they have done lately. I expect that if he had not put an end + to himself we should have had to send him across to Newington today, for + of course it is a Surrey business, though we have had the luck to take + him. I suppose we shall not see much of you in the future, Mr. Thorndyke?” + </p> + <p> + “No indeed,” Mark said. “My business is done, and I shall send in my + resignation this morning. I don't regret the time that I have spent over + it; I have learned a great deal, and have seen a lot of the shady side of + life, and have picked up experience in a good many ways.” + </p> + <p> + Mark, after requesting the Inspector to find a man to go over to Streatham + and bring back his horse, and writing an order to the ostler to deliver + it, walked across to his lodgings. Upon the whole, he was not sorry that + Bastow had taken the matter into his own hands; he had, certainly, while + engaged in the search, looked forward to seeing him in the dock and + witnessing his execution, but he now felt that enough had been done for + vengeance, and that it was as well that the matter had ended as it had. He + was wearied out with the excitement of the last forty-eight hours. It was + one o'clock when he awoke, and after dressing and going into Covent Garden + to lunch at one of the coffee houses, he made his way up to Islington. + </p> + <p> + “Taking a day's holiday?” Millicent asked as he came in. + </p> + <p> + “Well, not exactly, Millicent; I have left school altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “Left school, Mark? Do you mean that you have decided that it is of no use + going on any longer?” + </p> + <p> + “I have given it up because I have finished it. Arthur Bastow was captured + last night, and committed suicide as he was being taken to the station.” + </p> + <p> + An exclamation of surprise broke from Mrs. Cunningham and Millicent. + </p> + <p> + “It seems horrid to be glad that anyone has taken his own life,” the + latter said; “but I cannot help feeling so, for as long as he lived I + should never have considered that you were safe, and besides, I suppose + there is no doubt that if he had not killed himself he would have been + hung.” + </p> + <p> + “There is not a shadow of doubt about that,” Mark replied. “We found the + proceeds of a vast number of robberies at his place, and also in his + pockets the money he had taken from the passengers of the Portsmouth coach + an hour before we captured him. So that putting aside that Australian + business altogether, his doom was sealed.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, please, tell us all about it,” Mrs. Cunningham said. “But first let + us congratulate you most warmly not only on the success of your search, + but that the work is at an end.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I am glad it is over. At first I was very much interested; in fact, + I was intensely interested all along, and should have been for however + long it had continued. But, at the same time, I could do nothing else, and + one does not want to spend one's whole life as a detective. At last it + came about almost by chance, and the only thing I have to congratulate + myself upon is that my idea of the sort of place he would have taken was + exactly borne out by fact.” + </p> + <p> + And Mark then gave them a full account of the manner in which the + discovery had been made and the capture effected. + </p> + <p> + “You see, Millicent, I followed your injunction, and was very careful. + Taking him by surprise as I did, I might have managed it single handed, + but with the aid of two good men it made a certainty of it, and the whole + thing was comfortably arranged.” + </p> + <p> + “I think you have done splendidly, Mark,” Mrs. Cunningham said. “It was + certainly wonderful that you should have found him doing exactly what you + had guessed, even down to the deaf servant. Well, now that is done and + over, what do you think of doing next?” + </p> + <p> + “I have hardly thought about that,” he replied; “but, at any rate, I shall + take a few weeks' holiday, and I suppose after that I shall settle down to + the search for my uncle's treasure. I am afraid that will be a much longer + and a vastly more difficult business than this has been. Here there were + all sorts of clews to work upon. Bastow ought to have been captured months + ago, but in this other affair, so far, there is next to nothing to follow + up. We don't even know whether the things are in India or in England. I + believe they will be found, but that it will be by an accident. Besides, I + fancy that we shall hear about them when you come of age, Millicent. There + was to have been no change till that time, and I cannot help thinking that + Uncle George must have made some provisions by which we should get to know + about them in the event of his death without his having an opportunity of + telling anyone where they are. + </p> + <p> + “He might have been killed in battle; he might have been drowned on his + way home. He had thought the whole matter over so thoroughly, I do think + the possibilities of this could not have escaped him. As I told you, Mr. + Prendergast made inquiries of all the principal bankers and Indian agents + here, and altogether without success. After he had done that, I got a list + of all the leading firms in Calcutta and Madras, and wrote to them, and + all the replies were in the negative. It is true that does not prove + anything absolutely. Eighteen years is a long time, and the chances are + that during those years almost every head of a firm would have retired and + come home. Such a matter would only be likely to be known to the heads; + and if, as we thought likely, the box or chest was merely forwarded by a + firm there to England, the transaction would not have attracted any + special attention. If, upon the other hand, it remained out there it might + have been put down in a cellar or store, and have been lying there ever + since, altogether forgotten.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't see myself why you should bother any more about it; perhaps, as + you say, it will turn up of itself when I come of age. At any rate, I + should say it is certainly as well to wait till then and see if it does, + especially as you acknowledge that you have no clew whatever to work on. + It is only three more years, for I am eighteen next week, and it certainly + seems to me that it will be very foolish to spend the next three years in + searching about for a thing that may come to you without any searching at + all.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I will think it over.” + </p> + <p> + “You see, you really don't want the money, Mark,” she went on. + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't want it particularly, Millicent; but when one knows that + there is something like 50,000 pounds waiting for one somewhere, one would + like to get it. Your father worked for twenty years of his life + accumulating it for us, and it seems to me a sort of sacred duty to see + that his labor has not all been thrown away.” + </p> + <p> + Millicent was silent. + </p> + <p> + “It is very tiresome,” she said presently. “Of course my father intended, + as you say, that his savings should come to us, but I am sure he never + meant that they should be a bother and a trouble to us.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't see why they should ever be that, Millicent. As it is we have + both sufficient for anything any man or woman could reasonably want, and + neither of us need fret over it if the treasure is never found. Still, he + wished us to have it, and it is properly ours, and I don't want it to go + to enrich someone who has not a shadow of a right to it.” + </p> + <p> + On the following morning Mark went to attend the inquest on Bastow. He did + not go into the court, however, but remained close at hand in the event of + the coroner insisting upon his being called. However, the two men only + spoke casually in their evidence of their comrade Roberts, who had been + also engaged in the capture. One of the jurymen suggested that he should + also be called, but the coroner said: + </p> + <p> + “I really cannot see any occasion for it; we are here to consider how the + deceased came by his death, and I think it must be perfectly clear that he + came by it by his own act. You have heard how he was captured, that the + spoils of the coach that he had just rifled were found upon him, and that + the booty he had been acquiring from his deeds for months past also was + seized; therefore, as the man was desperate, and knew well enough that his + life was forfeited, there was ample motive for his putting an end to his + wretched existence. I really do not think, gentlemen, that it is worth + while to waste your time and mine by going into further evidence.” + </p> + <p> + Finally, a verdict of felo de se was returned, with a strong expression of + the jury's admiration of the conduct of constables Malcolm, Chester, and + Roberts, who had so cleverly effected the capture of the man who had so + long set the law at defiance. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII. + </h2> + <p> + Four days later Mark, on his return from dinner, found Philip Cotter + sitting in his room waiting for him. They had met on the previous evening, + and Cotter had expressed his intention of calling upon him the next day. + </p> + <p> + “I am here on a matter of business, Thorndyke,” the latter said as they + shook hands. + </p> + <p> + “Of business!” Mark repeated. + </p> + <p> + “Yes. You might guess for a year, and I don't suppose that you would hit + it. It is rather a curious thing. Nearly twenty years ago—” + </p> + <p> + “I can guess it before you go any further,” Mark exclaimed, leaping up + from the seat that he had just taken. “Your people received a box from + India.” + </p> + <p> + “That is so Mark; although how you guessed it I don't know.” + </p> + <p> + “We have been searching for it for years,” Mark replied. “Our lawyer, + Prendergast, wrote to you about that box; at least, he wrote to you asking + if you had any property belonging to Colonel Thorndyke, and your people + wrote to say they hadn't.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I remember I wrote to him myself. Of course that was before you did + me that great service, and I did not know your name, and we had not the + name on our books. What is in the box?” + </p> + <p> + “Jewels worth something like fifty thousand pounds.” + </p> + <p> + “By Jove, I congratulate you, old fellow; that is to say, if you have the + handling of it. Well, this is what happened. The box was sent to us by a + firm in Calcutta, together with bills for 50,000 pounds. The instructions + were that the money was to be invested in stock, and that we were to + manage it and to take 100 pounds a year for so doing. The rest of the + interest of the money was to be invested. The box was a very massive one, + and was marked with the letters XYZ. It was very carefully sealed. Our + instructions were that the owner of the box and the money might present + himself at any time.” + </p> + <p> + “And that the proof of his ownership was to be that he was to use the word + 'Masulipatam,'” Mark broke in, “and produce a gold coin that would, + probably—though of this I am not certain—correspond with the + seals.” + </p> + <p> + He got up and went to the cabinet which he had brought up with him from + Crowswood, unlocked it, and produced the piece of paper and the coin. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that looks like the seal, Thorndyke. At any rate, it is the same + sort of thing. Why on earth didn't you come with it before, and take the + things away?” + </p> + <p> + “Simply because I did not know where to go to. My uncle was dying when he + came home, and told my father about the treasure, but he died suddenly, + and my father did not know whether it was sent to England or committed to + someone's charge in India, or buried there. We did the only thing we + could, namely, inquired at all the banks and agents here and at all the + principal firms in Madras and Calcutta to ask if they had in their + possession any property belonging to the late Colonel Thorndyke.” + </p> + <p> + “You see, we did not know,” Cotter went on, “any more than Adam, to whom + the box belonged. Fortunately, the agent sent in his communication a + sealed letter, on the outside of which was written, 'This is to remain + unopened, but if no one before that date presents himself with the token + and password, it is to be read on the 18th of August, 1789.' That was + yesterday, you know.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that was my cousin's eighteenth birthday. We thought if my uncle had + left the box in anyone's charge he would probably have given him some such + instructions, for at that time there was hard fighting in India, and he + might have been killed any day, and would therefore naturally have made + some provisions for preventing the secret dying with him.” + </p> + <p> + “We did not think of it until this morning early, though we have been + rather curious over it ourselves. When we opened it, inside was another + letter addressed 'To be delivered to John Thorndyke, Esquire, at Crawley, + near Hastings, or at Crowswood, Reigate, or in the event of his death to + his executors.'” + </p> + <p> + “I am one of his executors,” Mark said; “Mr. Prendergast, the lawyer, is + the other. I think I had better go round to him tomorrow and open the + letter there.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I should think you might open it at once, Thorndyke. It will probably + only contain instructions, and, at any rate, as you have the coin and the + word, you could come round tomorrow morning and get the chest out if you + want it.” + </p> + <p> + “I won't do that,” Mark said; “the coffer contains gems worth over 50,000 + pounds, and I would very much rather it remained in your keeping until I + decide what to do with it. How large is it?” + </p> + <p> + “It is a square box, about a foot each way; and it is pretty heavy, + probably from the setting of the jewels. Well, anyhow, I am heartily glad, + Thorndyke. I know, of course, that you are well off, still 100,000 pounds—for + the money has doubled itself since we had it—to say nothing of the + jewels, is a nice plum to drop into anyone's mouth.” + </p> + <p> + “Very nice indeed, although only half of it comes to me under my uncle's + will. To tell you the truth, I am more glad that the mystery has been + solved than at getting the money; the affair was a great worry to my + father, and has been so to me. I felt that I ought to search for the + treasure, and yet the probability of finding it seemed so small that I + felt the thing was hopeless, and that really the only chance was that my + uncle would have taken just the course he did, and have fixed some date + when the treasure should be handed over, if not asked for. I rather + fancied that it would not have been for another three years, for that is + when my cousin comes of age.” + </p> + <p> + “What cousin do you mean?” Philip Cotter asked. “I did not know you had + one.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is at present a secret, Cotter—one of the mysteries + connected with my uncle's will. For myself, I would tell it in the market + place tomorrow, but she wishes it to be preserved at present; you shall + certainly know as soon as anyone. By the way, I have not seen you at Mrs. + Cunningham's for the last week, and you used to be a pretty regular + visitor.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” the young man said gloomily; “I don't mind telling you that Miss + Conyers refused me a fortnight ago. I never thought that I had much + chance, but I had just a shadow of hope, and that is at an end now.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps in the future—” Mark suggested for the sake of saying + something. + </p> + <p> + “No; I said as much as that to her, and she replied that it would always + be the same, and I gathered from her manner, although she did not exactly + say so, that there was someone else in the case, and yet I have never met + anyone often there.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you are mistaken,” Mark said. + </p> + <p> + “Well, whether or not, there is clearly no hope for me. I am very sorry, + but it is no use moping over it. My father and mother like her so much, + and they are anxious for me to marry and settle down; altogether, it would + have been just the thing. I do not know whether she has any money, and did + not care, for of course I shall have plenty. I shall be a junior partner + in another six months; my father told me so the other day. He said that at + one time he was afraid that I should never come into the house, for that + it would not have been fair to the others to take such a reckless fellow + in, but that I seemed to have reformed so thoroughly since that affair + that if I continued so for another six months they should have no + hesitation in giving me a share.” + </p> + <p> + It was too late to go up to Islington that evening. In the morning Mark + went with the still unopened letter to the solicitor's. The old lawyer + congratulated him most heartily when he told him of the discovery that he + had made. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad indeed, Mark; not so much for the sake of the money, but + because I was afraid that that confounded treasure was going to unsettle + your life. When a man once begins treasure hunting it becomes a sort of + craze, and he can no more give it up than an opium smoker can the use of + the drug. Thank goodness, that is over; so the capital amount is doubled, + and you are accordingly worth 70,000 pounds more than you were this time + yesterday—a fine windfall! Now let us see what your uncle says.” + </p> + <p> + He broke the seal. The letter was a short one, and began: + </p> + <p> + “My DEAR JOHN: + </p> + <p> + “If you have not, before you receive this, got my treasure, you will get + it on the 18th or 19th of August, 17??89. I have made a will which will + give you full instructions what to do with it. I may say, though, that I + have left it between a little daughter who was born six months ago, and + your son Mark. My own intentions are to stop out here until I get the rank + of general, and I have taken the measures that I have done in case a + bullet or a sharp attack of fever carries me off suddenly. I hope that you + will have carried out the provisions of my will, and I hope also that I + shall have come home and talked the whole matter over with you before I go + under. + </p> + <p> + “Your affectionate brother.” + </p> + <p> + “A singular man,” Mr. Prendergast said, as he laid the letter down on the + table beside him. “What trouble these crotchety people do give! I suppose + you have altogether put aside that folly of his about the jewels?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, no, I can't say that I have, Mr. Prendergast. Do you know that I + have a fancy—it may only be a fancy, but if so, I cannot shake it + off—that I am watched by Lascars. There was one standing at the + corner of the street as I came up this morning, and again and again I have + run across one. It is not always the same man, nor have I any absolute + reasons for believing that they are watching me; still, somehow or other, + I do come across them more frequently than seems natural.” + </p> + <p> + “Pooh, nonsense, Mark! I should have thought that you were too sensible a + fellow to have such ridiculous fancies in your head.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, I should never have thought of such a thing, Mr. Prendergast, + if it had not been for what my father told me, that my uncle was + desperately in earnest about it, and had an intense conviction that + someone watched his every movement.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't let us talk of such folly any longer,” the lawyer said irritably. + “Now that you have got the money, the best thing you can do is to go at + once and carry out what was the wish both of your father and your uncle, + and ask your cousin to marry you; that will put an end to the whole + business, and I can tell you that I am positively convinced that the day + she gets twenty-one she will renounce the property, and that if you refuse + to take it she will pass it over to some hospital or other. You cannot do + better than prevent her from carrying out such an act of folly as that, + and the only way that I can see is by your marrying her. I gathered from + what you said when I gave you the same advice at Reigate that you liked + her and should have done it had it not been for her coming into the estate + instead of you. Well, you are now in a position to ask her to marry you + without the possibility of its being supposed that you are a fortune + hunter.” + </p> + <p> + “I will think about it, Mr. Prendergast. Of course this money does make a + considerable difference in my position; however, I shall do nothing until + I have got the jewels off my hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, a couple of days will manage that,” the lawyer said; “you have only + got to take the box to a first class jeweler, and get him to value the + things and make you an offer for the whole of them.” + </p> + <p> + Mark did not care to press the subject, and on leaving went to Cotter's + Bank. He was at once shown into his friend's room, and the latter took him + to his father. + </p> + <p> + “It is curious, Mr. Thorndyke,” the latter said heartily, “that we should + have been keeping your money all this time without having the slightest + idea that it belonged to you. We are ready at once to pay it over to your + order, for if you pronounce the word you know of, and I find that the coin + you have corresponds with the seal on the box, the necessary proof will be + given us that you have authority to take it away. I have had the box + brought up this morning, so that we can compare the seal.” + </p> + <p> + The box was taken out of the strong safe, and it was at once seen that the + coin corresponded with the seals. + </p> + <p> + “I will leave it with you for the present, Mr. Cotter; it contains a large + amount of jewels, and until I have decided what to do with them I would + rather leave them; it would be madness to have 50,000 pounds worth of gems + in a London lodging, even for a single night. As to the money, that also + had better remain as it is at present invested. As I told your son—that + and the jewels are the joint property of myself and another. I dare say + that in a few days half of the money will be transferred to the name of + the other legatee; that can be easily done. I shall get my lawyer, Mr. + Prendergast, to call upon you, Mr. Cotter. I suppose it would be better + that some legal proof that we are entitled to the money should be given.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be glad to see him and to take his instructions,” the banker + said; “but in point of fact I regard the property as yours; I have nothing + to do with wills or other arrangements. I simply received the box and the + cash with an order that they should be delivered to whomsoever should come + with the word 'Masulipatam' and a coin to match the seals. That you have + done, and with subsequent dispositions I have no concern. I shall be happy + to keep this box for you as long as you should think proper; and I have + also written out an acknowledgement that I hold securities of the value, + at the closing prices yesterday, of 103,000 pounds 16 shillings,” and he + handed the paper to Mark. + </p> + <p> + As the latter left the bank he looked up and down the street, and muttered + an angry exclamation as he caught sight of a rough looking fellow just + turning a corner into a side street. The glance was so momentary a one + that he could not say whether the man was a colored seaman; but he + certainly thought that he was a Lascar. + </p> + <p> + “I am going to have trouble about that bracelet,” he said to himself, as + he hailed a hackney coach and told him to drive to Islington. “I am + convinced that the Colonel was right, and that there are some men over in + this country with the fixed purpose of seeing what is done with those + jewels, and obtaining them if possible. How they could tell that they were + deposited at Cotter's beats me altogether. It may be indeed that they + really knew nothing about it, and have simply been watching me. They can + hardly have been watching me for the last nine months, and yet, curiously + enough, though I have never given the matter a thought since, Charley + Gibbons said that it was a dark colored man who brought the news that took + them to my rescue and saved my life. I have often run against Lascars, and + if they have taken this trouble all along, now that they have seen me come + out of the bank, I shall be watched night and day. + </p> + <p> + “It is a creepy sort of idea. I should not be afraid of any number of them + if they attacked me openly; but there is no saying what they might do. I + wish Ramoo had been here. I would have consulted him about it; but as I + got a letter from him only last week saying that he had, on the day of + writing it, arrived in Calcutta, it is of no use wishing that. At any + rate, I cannot do better than stick to the plan that my uncle sketched + out, and take them across to Amsterdam. It would be very unfair to take + them to any jeweler here. He might have them in his possession for a week + or ten days before he made me any definite offer for them, and during that + time I would not give a fig for his life. If I distribute the stones at + Amsterdam they would hardly set about attacking twelve diamond merchants + one after another. Well, at any rate, I must say nothing about the affair + to Millicent and Mrs. Cunningham. It was bad enough my running risks in + the pursuit of Bastow; but this would be ten times worse, and I know + Millicent would be for letting the things remain for good at the banker's. + But I have no idea of allowing myself to be frightened by two or three + black scoundrels into throwing away 50,000 pounds.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Cunningham and Millicent were sitting in their bonnets in the parlor. + </p> + <p> + “Here you are at last, sir,” the girl said. “Another five minutes, and we + should have gone out. You told us that you would come early, and now it is + twelve o'clock; and you are generally so punctual in your appointments. + What have you got to say for yourself?” + </p> + <p> + “A good many things have happened since then, Millicent. Last night your + friend Mr. Cotter called upon me.” + </p> + <p> + “Why do you say my friend? He was your friend, and it was entirely through + you that we knew him at all.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we will say 'our friend,' Millicent; and he made a communication to + me that this morning I had to go to Mr. Prendergast and make a + communication to him.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean by your communications?” Millicent asked, laughing. “You + are quite mysterious, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + “And then I had to go,” he went on, without heeding her interruption, “to + Cotter's Bank, where I saw both our friend and his father, and there is + the result of these communications and that interview;” and he threw the + paper to her. + </p> + <p> + “What does it mean?” she asked in astonishment, after glancing through it. + </p> + <p> + “It means, dear, that your father took exactly the precautions I thought + he would take, and after sending his money and jewels home, he sent a + sealed letter to the firm with whom he deposited them, which happened to + be Cotter's, with instructions that should no one present himself with the + word and coin by the 18th of August, 1789—that is to say, on your + eighteenth birthday—the envelope should be opened; it was so opened, + and it contained a letter that was to be sent to my father, or, in the + case of his death before that date, to his executors.” + </p> + <p> + “How wonderful!” the girl said. “I had quite given up all idea of it. But + how is it that it came to be so much? Have they sold the jewels?” + </p> + <p> + “No, you see it is the compound interest going on for seventeen years, and + perhaps some rise in the value of the securities, that has doubled the + original sum invested. As for the jewels, I have left them at the bank; I + should not care about having 50,000 pounds worth of such things in my + rooms and I should not think that you would like to have them here, + either.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not,” Mrs. Cunningham said emphatically; “you did quite right, + Mark. I don't think I could sleep, even if you had half a dozen of your + detective friends posted round the house.” + </p> + <p> + “Still I suppose we shall have a chance of seeing them?” Millicent said. + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. I can make an appointment with Philip Cotter for you to see + them at the bank; or if I take them to a jeweler to value, you could see + them there. But I should think that the bank would be the best. I am sure + that Cotter would put his room at your disposal, and, of course, if you + would like to have some of them for yourself you could select any you + liked, but I expect that they won't look much in their present settings; + the Indian jewelers have not the knack of setting off gems. However, there + is no hurry about them one way or another. The money, I have told Cotter's + father, shall, for the present, remain as it is invested; it is all in the + Funds, Cotter said, for although the instructions were that it was to be + put into good securities, he did not feel justified under the peculiar + circumstances in going outside Government stock. Mr. Prendergast is quite + of opinion that it would be better to make no change until you come of + age. I did not know whether you would wait till then, for some purpose or + other you might want to use some of it.” + </p> + <p> + Millicent shrugged her shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “I think I would much rather have had just the money I had before, Mark; + all this will be a great nuisance, I am sure. I think there ought to be a + law against women having more than 20,000 pounds, whether in money or in + land.” + </p> + <p> + Mark laughed. + </p> + <p> + “It would be a bad thing for spendthrift young noblemen, Millicent. How + are they to pay off their debts and mortgages if there were no heiresses + ready to do so in exchange for a title?” + </p> + <p> + “It would be a good thing for them, I consider,” the girl said + indignantly. “In the first place, they would not impoverish themselves if + they knew that there was no way of building up their fortune again, and in + the next place, if they did ruin themselves they would have to either set + to work to earn an honest living or blow out their brains, if they have + any to blow out. I can assure you that I don't feel at all exultant at + getting all this money, and I think that my father was quite right in + wishing that I should know nothing about it until I married; but, on the + other hand, I am heartily glad, more glad than I can say, Mark, that you + have come into your share.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad for one reason, Millicent; that is, that this must put an end + to the ridiculous idea you have of giving up Crowswood. Your father has + made me rich beyond anything I could possibly have expected from him. I + suddenly find myself a wealthy man, and I can buy another estate for + myself worth more than Crowswood if inclined to settle down as a squire; + therefore your theory that I have been disappointed in not inheriting what + I thought was my father's estate falls to the ground altogether. In no + case would I ever have accepted your sacrifice. If you had liked to hand + it over to St. Bartholomew's or Guy's Hospital, or to give it away to any + other charity, I would not have prevented you, but I would never have + accepted it for myself. Now, thank goodness, the question cannot arise; + for you must see that, even looking at the matter from a purely business + point of view, I have benefited to an enormous and altogether unexpected + extent by your father's will, and if any contest between us could arise it + should be on the ground that he has acted unfairly to you by giving me so + large a proportion of the money that, in the course of nature, you should + have inherited. It was not even as if he had known and liked me, for I was + but four years old at the time he wrote the letter saying that I was to + share the money and jewels with you.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very obstinate and very disagreeable, Mark,” she said, with tears + in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I think the obstinacy has been principally on your side, Millicent; + though certainly I should not think of saying that you have been + disagreeable. It has been an excess of kindheartedness on your part, and + you have resolutely closed your eyes to the fact that, had I been willing + to take advantage of your generosity, I should have lacked the courage to + do so, for I should have been pointed at wherever I went, as a mean fellow + who took advantage of his little cousin's romantic generosity. Pray, dear, + let us say no more about it. We are two rich young people; we have both an + estate; yours, I grant, is the larger, but if I choose I can increase + mine, until it is quite as large as Crowswood. We can be better friends + than we have been for the last year, because this point of dispute has + always stood between us and made us uncomfortable. Now you will have to + think over what you would like done, and whether you wish any change made + in your manner of living.” + </p> + <p> + “Did you tell Mr. Cotter,” Millicent laughed, after a pause, “that I had a + half share in the money?” + </p> + <p> + “No, that was a matter for you to decide, not for me. I told him that I + was only a half shareholder, but there was no necessity to say who it was + who had the other half. When I was talking to Philip Cotter, the words 'my + cousin' slipped out, but he did not associate it in any way with you. It + might have been the son of another brother or of a sister of my father's.” + </p> + <p> + “In that case, then, we will certainly make no change, will we, Mrs. + Cunningham?” + </p> + <p> + “I think, Millicent, that Mr. Prendergast and Mark will probably be of + opinion that you ought now to be introduced regularly into society. The + fact that you are a rich heiress might, as your father so much wished, + remain a secret. But it is one thing having this blazoned about and quite + another for you to be living quietly here, where, with the exception of + Mr. Cotter and a few other friends, you have no society whatever. + Certainly it was not the wish of your father that you should remain + unmarried. You are quite pretty and nice enough to be sought for yourself + alone, and I must say that I think, now that you have finished with your + various masters, it would be well that you should go out a good deal more, + and that as a first step we should go down to Bath this year instead of + paying another visit to Weymouth, as we had arranged.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't want any change at all, Mrs. Cunningham. If I am to get married I + shall be married; if I am not I shall not fret about it.” + </p> + <p> + “But for all that, Millicent,” Mark said, “Mrs. Cunningham is right. We + quite agree that there is no occasion whatever for you to go about labeled + 'A good estate and over 70,000 pounds in cash,' but I do think that it is + right that you should go into society. With the exception of Philip + Cotter, Dick Chetwynd, and two or three other of my friends, you really + know very few people. You have now gone out of mourning, and I think that + Mrs. Cunningham's proposal that you should go down to Bath is a very good + one. I shall not be sorry for a change myself, for I have been engrossed + in my work for a long time now. I can go down a day or two before you, and + get you comfortable lodgings, and will myself stay at a hotel. Although I + have no intimate friends beyond those from Reigate, I know a large number + of men of fashion from meeting them at the boxing schools and other + places, and could introduce you both, and get you into society.” + </p> + <p> + “I am altogether opposed to the idea,” Millicent said decidedly. “You want + to trot me out like a horse for sale.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Millicent,” Mark said calmly. “I only want you to have the same + advantages that other girls have, neither more nor less, and for you to + enjoy yourself as others do. There is nothing undignified or objectionable + about that, especially as we are agreed that nothing shall be said about + your fortune. Well, we will think it over. Mr. Prendergast and I certainly + do not wish to act as tyrants, and there is no occasion to come to a + decision in a hurry. We have only discovered our good fortune today, and + can scarcely appreciate the difference that it will make to us. We can + think over what will be for the best at our leisure, and see if we cannot + hit upon some plan that will be agreeable to you.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Mark,” she said gratefully. “I am afraid that you must think + me very disagreeable and cross; but though you, as a man, have not the + same sort of feelings, I can assure you that I feel all this money and so + on to be a heavy burden; and were it not for your sake I could wish + heartily that this treasure had never been discovered at all.” + </p> + <p> + “I can quite understand that,” he said quietly. “At the present moment, + even, I do not see that it will be of much advantage to me; but it may be + that some day I shall see it in a different light. It has come upon me + almost as suddenly as it has upon you. I thought that after I had finished + with the Bastow affair I should set to work to find out this treasure, and + that it would probably take me out to India, occupy me there for some + time, and that afterwards I might travel through other places, and be away + from England three or four years. Now the matter is altogether altered, + and I shall be some time before I form any fresh plans. In fact, these + must depend upon circumstances.” + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Cunningham had left the room two or three minutes before, thinking + that Mark might be able to talk her charge into a more reasonable state of + mind were he alone with her, and he added: + </p> + <p> + “Of one circumstance in particular.” + </p> + <p> + She looked up inquiringly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, Millicent, it depends a great deal upon you. I know you think that + all that has happened during the past year has been a little hard upon + you, and I thoroughly agree with you; you were fond of Crowswood, and were + very happy there, and the change to this somewhat dull house, just at a + time when you are of an age to enjoy pleasure, has been a trial. Then, + too, there has been this question of the estate upon your mind. But you + must remember it has been somewhat of a trial to me also. I grant that I + have had plenty of occupation which has been in every way beneficial to + me, and have not at all lamented leaving the country, but in one respect + it has been a trial. I don't know whether it ever entered your mind, + before that sad time at home, that I was getting to care for you in a very + different way to that in which I had done before. + </p> + <p> + “My father, I think, observed it, for he threw out a very plain hint once + that he would very gladly see us coming together. However, I never spoke + of it to you. I was young and you were young. It seemed to me that there + was plenty of time, and that, moreover, it would not be fair for me to + speak to you until you had had the opportunity of going out and of seeing + other men. Then came the evening before his death, when my father told me + how matters really stood, and he again said that there was a way by which + all trouble could be obviated. But I saw that it was not so, and that the + hope I had entertained must be put aside. I had never told you I loved you + when I seemed to be the heir of the property and you only the daughter of + an old comrade of his, and I saw that were I to speak now, when you were + the heiress, it could not but appear to you that it was the estate and not + you that I wanted, and I felt my lips were sealed forever. Mr. Prendergast + said that day when he came down to the funeral, and you told him that you + would not take the property, that it might be managed in another way, and + you said that you did not want to be married for your money; so you see + you saw it in exactly the same light as I did. + </p> + <p> + “My first thought this morning, when Mr. Cotter told me that the money had + mounted up to over 100,000 pounds, was that it would unseal my lips. You + were still better off than I was, but the difference was now immaterial. I + was a rich man, and had not the smallest occasion to marry for money. + Whether I married a girl without a penny, or an heiress, could make but + little difference to me, as I have certainly no ambition to become a great + landowner. I still think that it would have been more fair to you to give + you the opportunity of seeing more of the society of the world before + speaking to you, but you see you are opposed to that, and therefore it + would be the same did I wait patiently another year, which I don't think I + should be able to do. I love you, Millicent. It is only during the past + eighteen months, when I have thought that I had lost you, that I have + known how much I love you, and how much my happiness depends upon you. I + can truly say that were you penniless, it would make no shadow of + difference to me. It is no longer a question of arranging matters + comfortably: it is a question of love. The estate is nothing to me. It + never has been anything, and it does not count at all in the scale. I hope + that you will put it altogether out of your mind in giving me an answer; + and that if you cannot say as truly and wholly as I do, 'I love you,' that + you will say as frankly as you have always spoken to me, 'I love you very + much as a cousin, Mark, but not in that way.'” + </p> + <p> + The girl had sat perfectly quiet while he was speaking. + </p> + <p> + He was standing before her now, and he took one of her hands. + </p> + <p> + “I love you, dear; I love you with all my heart. Do you love me?” + </p> + <p> + Then she looked up and rose to her feet, and placed both hands upon his + shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “As you love me, so I love you, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + After that, conversation languished till Mrs. Cunningham came into the + room, five minutes later. + </p> + <p> + “We have come to the conclusion, Mrs. Cunningham,” he said, “that there + will be no necessity for the visit to Bath. Millicent is otherwise + provided for; she has promised to be my wife.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad, Mark, glad indeed!” and she took Millicent in her arms and + kissed her tenderly. “I have all along hoped for it, but I began to be + afraid that you were both such obstinate young people that it would never + come about. I know that your father wished it, Mark, and he told me that + his brother had said that it would be a good arrangement if some day you + should come to like each other. I have guessed for the last year, and, + indeed, before then, that Millicent would not say 'No' if you ever asked + her; but this stupid estate seemed to stand in the way. Of late, I have + even come to hope that the obstinate girl would keep to her intention, and + that if, as I knew would be the case, you refused to take the estate, she + would give it away to some charity. In that case, there could be nothing + to prevent your speaking; and even then you would have been between you + very fairly equipped with this world's goods. However, the present is a + far better solution, and the discovery of the treasure has saved you from + three years' waiting before things were straightened out. I feel as if I + were her mother, Mark, having had her in my charge since she was a baby; + and as she grew up it became my fondest hope to see you united some day, + and I think that I am almost as pleased that my hope has been fulfilled as + you are yourselves.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII. + </h2> + <p> + After thinking over the best way in which to set about the work of + carrying the diamonds to Amsterdam, Mark decided upon asking the advice of + his late chief. The latter said, as Mark entered his room: + </p> + <p> + “I did not expect to see you here again, Mr. Thorndyke.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, I have come to ask your' advice about another matter + altogether.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it now?” + </p> + <p> + “I have to convey a diamond bracelet of very great value across to + Amsterdam. I have reasons to believe that there is a plot to seize it on + the way, and that the men engaged will hesitate at nothing to achieve + their object. Under these circumstances I should be very much obliged if + you will tell me what would be the best course to pursue. I must say that + the bracelet is, with many other jewels, in a strong teak box of about a + foot square, at present in the possession of our bankers; they were + brought from India by my uncle. I imagine that the rest of the jewels are + of comparatively little importance in the eyes of these men, though + doubtless they would take them also if they lay their hands on them. The + bracelet, however, is of special interest to them, not so much for its + intrinsic value, as because it was stolen from one of their sacred idols. + </p> + <p> + “This was about twenty years ago; but I have reason to believe that the + search for it on the part of some Hindoos connected with the temple has + never ceased. The soldier who took it was murdered; his comrade, into + whose hands they next passed, was also murdered. They next came to my + uncle, who forwarded it at once to England. His bungalows were searched + again and again, until probably the fellows came to the conclusion that he + must have either buried it or sent it away. Nevertheless, to the day of + his death he was firmly convinced that he was closely followed, and every + movement watched. He warned my father solemnly that he too would be + watched, but as far as we know it was not so; at any rate, we had no + reason to suppose that the house was ever entered. On the other hand, I am + convinced I have been watched more or less closely ever since I came up to + town, and as I came out from the bank yesterday I saw a man—a + colored fellow, I believe—on the watch. + </p> + <p> + “My uncle said that my life would not be worth an hour's purchase so long + as I had the bracelet in my possession, and advised that it should be + taken straight over to Amsterdam, broken up, and the diamonds sold singly + to the merchants there.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a curious story, Mr. Thorndyke. I own to ignorance of these Indian + thieves and their ways, but it certainly seems extraordinary that so + hopeless a quest should be kept up for so long a time. You are sure that + it is not fancy on your part that you have been watched? I know you are + not the sort of man to take fancies in your head, but as you have had the + matter so strongly impressed upon you, you might naturally have been + inclined to think this would be the case when it was not so.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't think there is any chance of my being mistaken. It is only of + late that I have thought about it, but when I did so and thought over what + had passed since I came to London, I recalled the fact that I had very + often come across foreign seamen; sometimes they were Lascars, at others + they might have been Italian or Spanish seamen; and you see, sir, it was, + as I told you at the time, some foreign sailor who came and informed + Gibbons that I had fallen into the hands of a gang of criminals, and that + I should certainly be killed if I was not rescued immediately. Gibbons at + once got together half a dozen fighting men, and, as you know, rescued me + just in time. It was extraordinary that the man never came forward to + obtain any reward.” + </p> + <p> + “That was a friendly act, Mr. Thorndyke.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have no reason to suppose that these men would be hostile to me + personally. I was not the thief, I was simply the person who happened to + be in possession, or rather, might come into possession of the bracelet. + From the close watch they had kept, they were, I imagine, well aware that + I had not got it, but may have thought, and doubtless did think, that I + had some clew to its hiding place, and should sooner or later get it. With + my death the clew might be finally lost, and my life was consequently of + extreme importance to them, and therefore they took steps to have me + rescued, and the fact that they learned this and knew how friendly I was + with Gibbons shows how close was the watch kept over me. No doubt, had + Gibbons refused to help them, they would have come here at once.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, after what you say it would seem that your conjecture is + right, and in this case, if I were you, I should take the bracelet out of + the case and conceal it about me. I would not fetch it myself from the + bank.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I should be much safer so,” Mark said thoughtfully. “In the + first place, I must go to the bank to get them, and I might be murdered + merely on the supposition that I had brought the bracelet away. In the + next place, even if I got to Amsterdam safely and got rid of the bracelet + and returned unnoticed by them, a fresh danger would arise when I got the + other gems into my possession, for they could not be certain whether the + diamonds were still among them or not.” + </p> + <p> + “I should hardly think that would be the case if they watch you as + strictly as you believe. Even if none of them accompanied you, they would + soon find out what diamond merchants you went to, and the leader might + call upon these men, stating that he was commissioned to purchase some + diamonds of exceptional value for an Eastern Prince, in which case he + would be sure to obtain sight of them. + </p> + <p> + “If I had your business to perform, I would not go near the bank again, + but would send some friend I could trust to go and open the box, and take + out the bracelet, and make it into a small parcel. He should hand it to + you privately, as you are on your way to embark for Amsterdam. Then I + would take with me one or two of my men, and, say, a couple of your prize + fighters, and with such a guard you ought to be fairly safe.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that is a capital plan,” Mark said, “and if I don't go to the + bank there will be nothing to lead them to suppose that I have taken them + out, or that I am just going across to Holland.” + </p> + <p> + Mark then went straight to Dick Chetwynd's lodgings. + </p> + <p> + “I want you to do me a service, Dick,” he said. + </p> + <p> + “With pleasure, Mark. What sort of service is it? If it is anything in my + power, you know that you can absolutely rely upon me. You are not going to + fight a duel, are you, and want a second?” + </p> + <p> + “No; quite another sort of business. I will tell you shortly what it is. I + have to convey an extremely valuable diamond bracelet to Amsterdam, and I + have reason to believe that there will be an attempt to murder me, and to + carry off the jewels before I can dispose of them. It happened in this + way;” and he then related the history of the diamonds, the reason he was + followed, and the suggestions that the Chief of the Bow Street detectives + had given him. + </p> + <p> + “That is all right,” Dick said, when he concluded. “It is a rum business, + but certainly I will do what you ask me; and, what is more, I will go over + with you to Amsterdam, and see the thing through. It is an interesting + business, if it is a queer one.” + </p> + <p> + “You know Philip Cotter?” + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Mark; why, I have met him with you several times.” + </p> + <p> + “I will give you a note to ask him to allow you to open the case, and to + take from it the bracelet; I don't know whether it is a regular gold + mounted bracelet, or simply some diamonds that have been fastened together + as a necklace; however, I suppose you are sure to recognize them; they are + altogether exceptional stones, and will certainly be done up in a packet + by themselves, whatever the others may be. Say that you will call in and + take them away some other time, of which I will give him notice by letter. + I will write the note now, and if you can spare time to go there today, + all the better, for I shall be glad to get the business over; then I will + come again tomorrow morning, and we will arrange the details of the plan. + I will look in the shipping list, and see what vessels are sailing for + Amsterdam. When we have fixed on one, it will be best for you to take our + passages under any names you like, so that they are not our own. The + detectives will take their passages separately, and so will Gibbons and + whoever else goes with us.” + </p> + <p> + “I will go at once, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + “Don't go straight there, Dick; if these fellows are dogging my footsteps + everywhere, and saw me coming here, they might take it into their heads to + follow you.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, they can never be doing all that sort of thing; that's too much to + believe. However, to please you, I will go into my club for a quarter of + an hour. Shall I come round to your rooms this evening, or will you come + here?” + </p> + <p> + “I think I will put off our meeting altogether until tomorrow morning. I + have an engagement this evening that I cannot very well get out of.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, Mark, just as you please. What time will you come round in the + morning?” + </p> + <p> + “About the time you have finished breakfast. I will go now, and have a + look at the shipping list.” + </p> + <p> + They parted at the door, and Mark went to the coffee house where shipping + matters were specially attended to, and where master mariners might often + be met, conversing together, or with ship owners or merchants. On going + through the list, he found that the fast sailing brig, Essex, of 204 tons, + and mounting eight guns, would sail for Amsterdam in three days' time, and + would take in goods for that place, and, should sufficient freight be + obtained, for any other Dutch port. It was also announced that she had + good accommodation for passengers. Information as to cargo could be + obtained from her owners, on Tower Hill, or from the captain on board, + between the hours of ten and twelve. Then, in small type, it was stated + that the Essex was at present lying in the outside tier nearly opposite + Anderson's wharf. + </p> + <p> + Mark made a note of all these particulars in his pocketbook, and then went + to Ingleston's public house. + </p> + <p> + “Morning, Mr. Thorndyke,” the man said; “haven't seen yer for the last + month or so.” + </p> + <p> + “No; I have been out of town. Do you expect Gibbons in here this morning?” + </p> + <p> + “It is about his time, sir, when he has nothing in particular to see + about. Like a turn with the mauleys this morning?” + </p> + <p> + “Not this morning, Ingleston. I have got some engagements for the next day + or two where I could not very well show myself with a black eye or a + swelled nose; you have given me a good many of both.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mr. Thorndyke, when one stands up against a man who is as strong as + one's self, and a mighty quick and hard hitter, you have got to hit sharp + and quick too. You know my opinion, that there aint half a dozen men in + the country could lick you if you had a proper training.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose you couldn't get away for a week, or maybe two?” he said. + </p> + <p> + “Lor' bless you, no, sir. Who would there be to keep order here at night? + When I first came here I had not given up the ring, and I fought once or + twice afterwards. But, Lor' bless you, I soon found that I had got either + to give up the pub or the ring, and as I was doing a tidy business here, I + thought it best to retire; since then business has grown. You see, boxing + is more fashionable than it used to be, and there are very few nights when + one don't have a dozen Corinthians in here—sometimes there are twice + as many—either to see some of the new hands put on the mauleys, and + judge for themselves how they are going to turn out, or maybe to arrange + for a bout between some novice they fancy and one of the west countrymen. + No, sir, I could not do it anyhow; I should not like to be away even for + one night, though I know Gibbons would look after things for me; as for + being away for a week, I could not do it for any money. No, sir, my fight + with Jackson last year was the last time I shall ever go into the ring. I + was a fool to go in for that, but I got taunted into it. I never thought + that I should lick him, though, as you know, sir, I have licked a good + many good men in my time, but Jackson is an out and out man, and he has + got a lot more science than I ever had; my only chance was that I could + knock him out of time or wear him down; but he was too quick on his pins + for me to do the former. Ah, Gibbons, here is Mr. Thorndyke. He wants to + see you; you had best go into my room behind the bar.” + </p> + <p> + “Want to get hold of a fresh hand, Mr. Thorndyke?” Gibbons asked when they + had sat down by the fire. + </p> + <p> + “No, Gibbons, it is another business altogether. Have you got anything + particular to keep you in town for the next fortnight? It may not be over + a week, but it may be over a fortnight.” + </p> + <p> + “No, sir,” the man said, after taking three or four draws at his long + pipe. “No, sir; they won't want the ropes and stakes for another three + weeks, so I am your man if you want me. What, is it for, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it is rather a curious affair, Gibbons. I have to take a very + valuable bracelet over to Amsterdam, to sell there, and I have very strong + reasons for believing that if some fellows get an inkling of it they will + try to put me out of the way, and get hold of the diamonds. I want a + couple of good men to go with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Well sir, I should say you and me could lick a dozen ordinary chaps, + without thinking anything of it.” + </p> + <p> + “I dare say we could, Gibbons, in a stand up fight without weapons, but I + fancy these fellows will not try that. They are foreigners, and the first + thing they would try would be to put a dagger between my shoulders as I + walked up and down on deck at night, or, more likely still, creep into my + cabin and stab me while I was asleep. If the voyage were only to last one + night I might sit up, pistol in hand, but if the wind is foul we might be + a week. We are a pretty strong party. Mr. Chetwynd—you know him—is + going with me; there will also be two runners from Bow Street, and I want + you to take another good man with you. Of course, on board we shall + separate. The Bow Street men will watch the passengers, and you and your + mate will smoke your pipes and keep yourselves ready to join in if you see + there is going to be a row. But I rather think that the passage will be a + quiet one. At Amsterdam, until I have got rid of the diamonds I certainly + should not care about going out into the street after nightfall without + having you close behind me.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, sir. I should say Tom Tring would be as good a man as one + could get at the job. What is the money to be, Mr. Thorndyke?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, what do you think yourself, Gibbons?” + </p> + <p> + “I take it you pay all expenses, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, everything.” + </p> + <p> + “Would five and twenty guineas a head be too much?” + </p> + <p> + “No; I will do better than that. I will give you five and twenty guineas + each when we get to Amsterdam, and I will give you another twenty-five + each if I come back here safe and sound.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I call that handsome. One could not want more, and you can rely on + it that Tring will jump at the offer. He has not been able to get a fight + on lately, and he is rather in low water.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you will both get up as quiet traders. I don't know what other + passengers there may be, but I don't want them to know that you belong to + the fancy.” + </p> + <p> + “I twig, sir. We will get up quiet like.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I want you tomorrow morning, Gibbons, to go down to Holmes & + Moore, No. 67 Tower Street, and take two first class tickets to Amsterdam + on board the Essex, which sails on Saturday. I don't know what the passage + money will be, but this is sure to be enough; and we can settle accounts + afterwards. You will find out what time of day she will start.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, governor. I suppose you will be here again before that?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't suppose I shall, unless there is some change in the + arrangements. If for any reasons Tring cannot go with you, you will get + somebody else instead. You are sure that you quite understand your + instructions? Here is the name and address of the people in Tower Street.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, sir. You may make sure that when you go down to the ship you + will see the two of us on board.” + </p> + <p> + It needed but a few minutes at Bow Street to inform the chief of the + arrangements that had been made. + </p> + <p> + “I have told off Chester and Malcolm; one of them shall go down and take + their tickets. Of course, they will take their passages in the fore cabin, + as the danger, if there is danger, may come from there, and you will have + your other two men with you aft. I fancy myself that there is hardly any + chance of your being in any way troubled while on board. It will be + considered that there will be a vastly greater chance of carrying out any + plan they may have formed at Amsterdam than there would be on board a + ship; you see, if there were any struggle whatever on board there would be + no escape for them. + </p> + <p> + “For myself, of course I cannot give any opinion worth having in a matter + so different from anything we have to do with here, and I should have + unhesitatingly scoffed at the idea of anyone watching the movements of + people for a long number of years in order to obtain the possession of + jewels, however valuable. However, your uncle was well acquainted with the + habits of Hindoos, and was not a man to be lightly alarmed; you yourself, + after your year with us, should not be deceived in such a matter as being + yourself followed; under these circumstances you are quite right to take + every precaution, and as you pay well for the services of our two men, + even if I had no belief whatever in the existence of danger to you, I + should not feel justified in refusing to let you have them.” + </p> + <p> + Having arranged these matters, Mark spent the rest of his time that day + and the next at Islington. + </p> + <p> + “I am going across to Amsterdam on Saturday with a diamond bracelet to + sell there.” + </p> + <p> + Millicent looked at him in reproachful surprise. + </p> + <p> + “Why, surely, Mark, there can be no hurry about that. I think you might + have stayed a little longer before running away.” + </p> + <p> + “I should do so, you may be quite sure, Millicent, if I consulted my own + inclinations, but I am bearing out your father's wishes. This bracelet is + the most valuable of all the things he had, and I believe that it has some + sort of history attached to it. He told my father that he had sent all the + gems home principally to get these diamonds out of his possession; he said + that as soon as my father got hold of the things, he was to take the + diamonds straight over to Amsterdam and sell them there, for he considered + that they were much too valuable to be kept in the house, and that it was + possible that some of the Hindoos might endeavor to get possession of + them. At the time he spoke he believed that my father would, at his death, + go to the bank and get the jewels, as of course he would have done if he + had known where to find them. My father promised him that they should be + taken to Amsterdam at once; and although so many years have passed since + his death, I think I am bound to carry out that promise.” + </p> + <p> + “I have never been able to understand, Mark, how it was that my father, + when he gave all these instructions about me and these jewels and so on, + did not at the same time tell uncle where to find them.” + </p> + <p> + “It was a fancy of his; he was in very bad health, and he thought so much + over these diamonds that it had become almost a sort of mania with him + that not only was there danger in their possession, but that he was + watched night and day wherever he went. He thought, even, if he whispered + where the hiding place was to be discovered it might be heard; therefore + he deferred telling it until too late. Of course all this was but a fancy + on his part, although it is probable enough that the possession of the + diamonds was a source of danger in India, and might have been a source of + danger here had any thieves known that such valuable gems were kept in a + private house or carried about. At any rate, I shall be glad to be free of + the responsibility; and although, naturally, I don't like leaving you at + the present time, I think it best to carry out your father's instructions + at once, and to get them off my mind altogether. Dick Chetwynd is going + with me, so it will be a pleasant little trip.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I am glad he is going with you, Mark; for although I know well + enough that they could never be watching for those diamonds to turn up all + these years, I feel sure I should fidget and worry if you were alone. You + are not going to take the others with you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, only this particular bracelet. None of the others are exceptionally + valuable, so far as I know. At any rate, your father did not specially + allude to them. I have no doubt that there are some really valuable jewels + among them, for my uncle prided himself on being a judge of precious + stones, and as he invested a large amount of money in them, they are, no + doubt, worth a great deal. Still, I don't suppose there will be any + difficulty in selling them here, and, at any rate, I don't want to be + delayed at Amsterdam by having to sell perhaps fifty or a hundred pieces + of jewelry; any time will do for that. I fancy that I ought to be able to + dispose of the bracelet in three or four days at the outside. I have got + from Bow Street a list of all the principal diamond merchants in + Amsterdam. That is a matter of great interest to the force, as almost all + precious stones stolen in this country are sent across there, and if there + is any special jewel robbery we send over a list of all the articles taken + to the merchants there. As a rule, that would not prevent their dealing in + them, but there are some who will not touch things that have been + dishonestly come by, and we occasionally get hints that enable us to lay + hands upon thieves over there.” + </p> + <p> + “I hate to hear you say 'the force,' Mark, just as if you were still a + detective; it is bad enough that you should have belonged to it, even for + the purpose you did; but you have done with it now.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; but, you see, it is rather difficult to get out of the habit when + one has been for over a year constantly at work at a thing. This will be + my last absence on business, Millicent; henceforward I shall be able to be + always with you.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, now that I know what you have been doing all this time, Mark, I + must admit that you have been very good to have been with us as much as + you have. I often used to wonder how you passed your time. Of course I + knew that you were trying to find that man out, but it did not seem to me + that you could be always at that, and I never dreamt that you had become a + regular detective. I am very glad I did not know it till a short time + before you gave it up. In the first place, I should have been horrified, + and, in the second place, I should have been constantly uneasy about you. + However, as this is to be the last time, I will let you go without + grumbling.” + </p> + <p> + “By the way, Millicent, what do you wish me to say about our engagement? I + don't see that there is the slightest occasion for us to keep up the farce + of your being Miss Conyers any longer. You cannot be married under a false + name, you know, and now that you have escaped what your father was so + afraid of, and are going to be married for love and not for money, I don't + see why there should be any more mystery about it.” + </p> + <p> + “But how would you account for my having been called Conyers all this + time?” + </p> + <p> + “I should simply tell the truth; that your father, having a great fear + that you might be married for money, left the estate to my father, to be + held by him until you came of age, and that it was at his particular + request that you were brought up simply as his ward, and dropped the + family name and passed by your two Christian names. I should say that we + have all been aware for a long time of the facts of the case, and I should + also say that your father had left a very large fortune in addition to the + estate between us, and had expressed a hope that we should, when the time + came, marry each other.” + </p> + <p> + “Then people will think that we have only married to keep the fortune + together, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, my dear, I don't suppose there are a great many people who will be + interested in the matter, and those who get to know you will see at once + that as far as I am concerned, there was no great difficulty in falling in + with your father's ideas, while, on the other hand, they may consider that + you made a noble sacrifice of yourself in agreeing to the plan.” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense, sir. I am not going to flatter you, as no doubt you expect; + but, at any rate, I am perfectly content with my share of the bargain.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there is one thing, Millicent; all who knew us down at Reigate will + say that it is a very sensible arrangement, and will be glad to know that + I shall retain the estate they have hitherto considered to be mine. Well, + then, you agree to my mentioning to my intimate friends that you are my + cousin, and that we are engaged?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I suppose it is the best thing, Mark, and, as you say, I must marry + under my proper name, and it is just as well to get the talk over down at + Reigate now, as for it all to come as a wonder when we are married.” + </p> + <p> + “When is that going to be, Millicent?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I don't know; of course it will be a long time before we even think + of that.” + </p> + <p> + “I beg your pardon, I am thinking of it now, and I can see no reason + whatever why it should be delayed. We know each other well enough, I + should think, and there is no probability of our changing our minds on + discovering all sorts of faults, that we never dreamt, in each other. I + may be away for a fortnight, and I would suggest that you had better make + your preparations at once, so that we can be married a fortnight after I + come back.” + </p> + <p> + “You say that there is no fear of our discovering faults in each other. I + can assure you that I have just discovered a very serious fault, namely, + that you are altogether too masterful, too bent upon having your own way. + I know you always were so when you were a boy, but I hoped you had grown + out of it; now I see that I was altogether mistaken. Seriously, Mark, your + proposal is absurd.” + </p> + <p> + “Where does the absurdity come in, Millicent?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, everywhere,” she said gravely. + </p> + <p> + “Which in the present case means nowhere,” he said. “Do you mean to tell + me, Millicent, that in this town there are not a hundred dressmakers, each + of whom could turn you out a wedding dress and as many other garments as + you can possibly require in the course of a month, or even if that effort + were too stupendous, that you could not divide the work among a dozen of + them?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I don't say that could not be done,” Millicent admitted + reluctantly. + </p> + <p> + “Well, what other objection is there?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you see, one does not, like to be bustled in such a matter as this, + Mark. One likes to think it all over and to realize it to one's self.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, dear, you will have a fortnight while I am away to think and to + realize as much as you like. I can see no advantage myself in waiting a + single day longer than there is a necessity for; I have been for the last + year coming here merely as a visitor, and I want to take possession of you + and have you all to myself. I suppose Mrs. Cunningham will be coming in + presently, and I will put the matter to her. If she says you cannot be + ready in a month I must give you another week, but I don't think that she + will say so. By the way, how about her?” + </p> + <p> + “I was thinking of that last night, Mark. It would be very lonely for her + to live by herself now, and you see she has always been as a mother to + me.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, dear; and I am sure that I should have no objection to her + coming back to Crowswood, and living there as a friend, and helping you in + the housekeeping.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you very much, Mark; I should like that in every way. You see, I + know nothing whatever about housekeeping; and besides, when you are out, + it would be a great thing to have her with me, for it would be very lonely + by myself in that big house.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we will have her there, by all means, dear, if she likes to come; + you had better talk it over with her. Ah! here she is. + </p> + <p> + “We were just talking over the time it will take Millicent to get ready,” + he said, “and I shall be glad of your opinion. I have been telling her + that I am going away for a fortnight, and have proposed that the marriage + should come off a fortnight later. I cannot see any use in delay, and she + does not either; at least, I suppose not, for the only objection she has + advanced is that there will be but a short time in which to get her things + ready. That strikes me as being all nonsense. I could get things ready for + ten weddings in that time. What do you think?” + </p> + <p> + “I see no reason for delay,” Mrs. Cunningham said; “and assuredly a month + ought to be sufficient to get everything made.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Mrs. Cunningham; then we can consider that settled, + Millicent!” + </p> + <p> + “I call this tyranny, Mrs. Cunningham,” Millicent protested. “He says he + proposes that we shall be married in a month; it is not a proposal at all, + it is an order. If he had wanted me in such a hurry he might have said so + a year ago, and now that he has made up his mind at last, he wants + everything done in a hurry.” + </p> + <p> + “It is the nature of men, my dear; they are all alike in that respect. I + think you had better make up your mind to it, especially as I have no + doubt in this case the order is not a very unpleasant one.” + </p> + <p> + “You are too bad, Mrs. Cunningham,” Millicent said. “I made sure that I + should find you on my side, and it seems you have gone over altogether to + the enemy.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are you going to?” asked Mrs. Cunningham of Mark. + </p> + <p> + “I am going across to Amsterdam to sell that bracelet. My uncle expressed + a particular wish to my father that he should do so immediately it came + into his possession. Dick Chetwynd is going over with me, and if the + weather is fair it will be a pleasant trip.” + </p> + <p> + “Where are you thinking of going after the marriage?” + </p> + <p> + “We have not talked it over yet. My own idea is that, as neither of us has + been abroad, we might as well take this opportunity for seeing something + of the Continent. Of course we cannot go to France, things are in too + disturbed a state there; but we might go to Brussels, and then into + Germany, and perhaps as far as Vienna, and then down into Italy; but of + course, if Millicent prefers it, we will simply take a tour through + England and Scotland.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I am glad that I am to have some voice in the matter,” Millicent + said. “However, I should like the tour you propose very much, Mark. I have + often thought that I should like to see Italy above all places.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then, we will consider that settled. And now, what are you going to + do for today?” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX. + </h2> + <p> + The Essex was to sail at eleven o'clock. Half an hour before that time + Mark's hackney coach drew up at the wharf. Ten minutes later Dick + Chetwynd, who had, like Mark, driven by a circuitous route, and had made + several stoppages, joined him, and as they shook hands slipped a parcel + into his hand, and this Mark at once pocketed, and buttoned his coat up + tightly; then hailing a boat, they went on board together; they had sent + their luggage on the previous evening. On getting on board Mark saw the + two prize fighters walking up and down the deck aft. They were quietly + dressed, and save for their size would have attracted no attention, and + would have been taken for two countrymen on their way to Holland on + business. + </p> + <p> + The two detectives were seated forward, their appearance being that of two + quiet business men, commercial travelers or small traders. The two friends + first went below, and saw to the cabin which they were to share, and found + their luggage was all there. Then they returned on deck. Four or five + other passengers were standing watching the last bales of goods coming on + board. The tide was just on the turn, and a quarter of an hour later the + warps were thrown off, and some of the sails hoisted, and the Essex began + to move through the water. + </p> + <p> + “Look there, Dick!” Mark exclaimed. “Do you see that boat lying on its + oars in the middle of the stream? That man sitting in the stern is a + foreigner, either from Southern Europe or from India.” + </p> + <p> + “He is certainly a dark man, Mark. Still, that may be only a coincidence.” + </p> + <p> + “It is rather a curious one,” Mark said. “We are too far off to see his + features, but he is apparently watching us off. There, the oars are + dipping into the water, now he sees that we are fairly under way.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mark, I shall begin to think that you are right. I am bound to say + that hitherto I thought that it was ridiculous to suppose that you could + have been watched as you thought, and that you had got these diamonds on + your brain till you had really become fanciful. However, it certainly + looks as if you were right; but even if you were, how on earth could they + have found out that we were going by this ship?” + </p> + <p> + “That is more than I can tell; if they have been watching me they must + have known that I was intimate with you; they have seen me come out of + Cotter's Bank, and afterwards enter your lodgings; they would feel sure + that I had heard that there would be danger connected with the diamonds, + and might suppose that I should get some friend to take them from the + bank, and may have followed your movements as well as mine. In that case + they would have found out that you also went to Cotter's Bank; may have + followed you to Tower Street, and found out that you had taken a passage + for two to Amsterdam. They may again have seen you go to the bank this + morning and have guessed that you had the diamonds about you, and then + seeing us together on the wharf would feel pretty certain that it was so. + One of them may have hired that boat and watched the Essex to see that + neither of us went on shore again.” + </p> + <p> + “Now they see that we are off they will know that their game is up,” + Chetwynd said. + </p> + <p> + “I am not so sure of that, Dick; there are craft going every day to + Antwerp and Flushing, and for anything we know some of them may be on + board a craft already dropping down like ourselves by this tide. But even + if we had twelve hours' start, by landing, say at Flushing, they would + have time to cross by land to Amsterdam and get there before us.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I suppose they would; anyhow, it is pretty certain that we shall not + be troubled on the voyage.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I never thought there was much danger of that, because even if they + were on board they would see that you and I, being always together, could + not be got rid of without an alarm being given.” + </p> + <p> + Not until they were passing Greenwich did either of the detectives come + near Mark, then as he and Dick were standing by the bulwarks, looking at + the hospital, Chester strolled across the deck and, pointing to the + building as if asking him some question about it, said: + </p> + <p> + “There is a colored man forward, dressed as a sailor.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that so?” Mark said. “I see no one aft here who looks suspicious, and + I don't think they will try anything till we get to Amsterdam. There was a + colored man in a boat watching us as we set sail.” + </p> + <p> + “I saw him, sir. Can he get to Amsterdam before us?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I have no doubt he can; if he lands at Flushing or Antwerp, and + takes a post chaise or a diligence, I should say he could get there + twenty-four hours before us. Certainly he could do so if he landed at The + Hague, as we have to go a long way round to get into the Zuyder Zee. That + is where the real danger will be; still you had better keep a sharp + lookout on the man forward.” + </p> + <p> + No more was said. Mark was not long in getting into conversation with the + other passengers aft, and later on strolled forward with Dick, asking the + sailors some questions as to what sort of passage they were likely to + have, and how the wind suited. The men agreed that unless the wind shifted + they would not be likely to make a quick passage. + </p> + <p> + “The wind is northeasterly,” one of them said. “We can only just lay our + course now, and it will be dead against us in some of the reaches. Still, + I think we shall manage to make down to sea with only a tack or two, but + when we are once fairly out of the river it will be a long leg and a short + one, and going up round the Texel it will be dead against us. Except that + it would be a bit worse if it had a little more east in it, it is about as + foul a wind as we could have, and I don't see any sign of a change, worse + luck.” + </p> + <p> + Presently, moving about among them, he got next to Gibbons. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think we shall have any trouble on board,” he said; “if there is + any, it will be after we have landed. But you can keep an eye on that + foreign sailor standing alone there up in the bows.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, sir; if you like, I can manage to get into a quarrel with him, + and can warrant that he won't get out of his berth before it is time to go + ashore.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I would leave him alone, Gibbons; as long as he is forward he can do + no harm; but if you see him working his way aft, after it gets dark, it + will do him no harm if you manage to stumble against him and give him a + clout on the head.” + </p> + <p> + “All right, sir; if I hit him once he won't want another. The fellow seems + quiet enough, and as far as strength goes he don't look stronger than a + girl.” + </p> + <p> + After chatting for some time longer Mark and Dick Chetwynd went aft again. + The Essex did not put into any intermediate port, and it was only on the + sixth day after sailing that she approached Amsterdam. The voyage had + passed off without any incident except that at nine o'clock one evening + there had been a slight noise on deck and the sound of a fall. The friends + went up at once. Several of the sailors had run aft, and Gibbons was + explaining matters to them. + </p> + <p> + “I was walking up and down the deck,” he said, “when I saw this chap + staring down through the skylight, and I said to him, 'I don't call it + good manners to be prying down into your betters' cabin.' He did not + answer or move, so I gave him a push, when he turned upon me like a wild + cat, and drew his knife from his girdle. There it is, on the other side of + the deck. As I did not want daylight put into me, I just knocked him + down.” + </p> + <p> + “Served him right,” one of the sailors said. “He had no right to come aft + at all, and if he drew his knife on you, you were quite right in laying + him out. But you must have hit him mighty hard, for you have knocked the + life pretty near out of him. Well, we may as well carry him forward and + throw a bucket of water over him. That is the worst of these foreign + chaps; they are always so ready with their knives. However, I don't think + he will be likely to try his hand on an Englishman again.” + </p> + <p> + Mark and his friend went below again. In the morning Mark asked one of the + sailors if the foreigner was much hurt. + </p> + <p> + “Well, he is a good bit hurt, sir. That big chap looks as strong as a + bullock, and his blow has flattened the foreign chap's nose. He cannot see + out of his eyes this morning, and is keeping his bunk. They cannot stand a + blow, those foreign chaps; but I don't suppose that any of us would have + stood such a blow as that, without feeling it pretty heavy. The man who + hit him is quite sorry this morning that he hit him quite so hot, but, as + he says, when a fellow draws a knife on you, you have not got much time + for thinking it over, and you have got to hit quick and hard. I told him + he needn't be sorry about it. I consider when a fellow draws a knife that + hanging aint too bad for him, whether he gets it into a man or not.” + </p> + <p> + There was a growl of assent from two or three sailors standing round, for + in those days the use of the knife was almost unknown in England, and was + abhorrent to Englishmen, both as being cowardly and unfair, and as being a + purely foreign crime. + </p> + <p> + “It will be dark before we get alongside,” Mark said to the two + detectives. “Do you two walk first; we will keep just behind you, and the + others shall follow as close as they can keep to us. If anyone is looking + out for us they will see that we are a strong party, and that it would be + no good to attack us, for even if they were to stab me it would not be + possible to search me for the diamonds when I am with a party like this.” + </p> + <p> + It was indeed quite dark when the brig brought up outside a tier of + vessels lying by the wharf. A few oil lamps burning by the quay showed + that there were a good many people still sauntering about. The party + waited until the rest of the passengers had landed. They learned from one + of those who knew the place that the hotel to which they were going was + but three or four hundred yards away, and obtained directions how to find + it. + </p> + <p> + “Now we will go,” Mark said. “Gibbons, you had better keep a sharp lookout + on your own account. That fellow you knocked down may try to put a knife + into you.” + </p> + <p> + “I will keep a sharp lookout, sir, never you fear.” + </p> + <p> + “I think, Tring, you had better watch Gibbons; he is more in danger than I + am. Have you seen the man go on shore?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, he was the very first to cross onto the next vessel,” Tring said. + </p> + <p> + The loungers on the quay had gathered together to watch the passengers as + they left the ship, and by the dim light from one of the oil lamps it + could be seen that the majority of them were of the roughest class. As + they were passing through them a man with a cry of rage sprang at Gibbons + with an uplifted knife. Tring's fist struck him under the ear as he was in + the act of striking, and he fell like a log. There was a cry of “Down with + them!” and a rush of a score of men, most of whom were armed with heavy + bludgeons. + </p> + <p> + The party was at once broken up, heavy blows were exchanged, the two + pugilists rolling their assailants over like ninepins, but receiving + several heavy blows from their assailants' clubs. A rush of five or six + men separated Mark from the others. Those in front of him he struck down, + but a moment later received a tremendous blow on the back of the head + which struck him to the ground unconscious. His companions were all too + busy defending themselves against their assailants to notice what had been + done, and as the attack had taken place in the center of the roadway + behind the quay, there was no lamp, and the fight was taking place in + almost total darkness. + </p> + <p> + By this time many people had run up at the sound of the fray. A minute + later there was a cry that the watch were coming, and four or five men + with lanterns emerged from one of the streets leading down to the quays, + and hurried towards the spot. The fight at once ceased, the men who had + attacked mingled with the crowd, and when the watch came up they found the + five Englishmen clustered together and ten or twelve men lying on the + ground. + </p> + <p> + The instant that the fight had ceased Dick Chetwynd asked, “Where is Mr. + Thorndyke?” + </p> + <p> + No answer was given. The other four men simultaneously uttered + exclamations of alarm. The crowd was thinning fast as the watch came up. + </p> + <p> + “What is all this about?” one of them asked in Dutch. + </p> + <p> + “Do any of you speak English?” Dick asked. + </p> + <p> + “I do,” one of them said. + </p> + <p> + “We landed five minutes ago from that craft,” continued Dick, “and as we + came across we were attacked by a band of ruffians. An Englishman, one of + our party, is missing.” + </p> + <p> + “Whose bodies are these?” the watchman asked, raising his lantern and + pointing to them. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps Mr. Thorndyke is among them,” Dick Chetwynd said. + </p> + <p> + The fallen figures were examined by the light of the lanterns. Mark was + not among them. The watchmen uttered an exclamation of astonishment as + they looked at the men's faces. + </p> + <p> + “What did you strike them with?” the one who spoke first asked. + </p> + <p> + “Struck them with our fists, of course,” Gibbons replied. “They will do + well enough; you need not bother about them, they will come round again + presently. The question is, Where is Mr. Thorndyke?” + </p> + <p> + The whole of the lookers on had dispersed, each fearing that he might be + charged with taking part in the outrage. + </p> + <p> + “This is a very serious matter,” Chetwynd said. “We have every reason to + believe that the attack was premeditated, for the gentleman who is missing + was known to have some valuables on him; all these fellows ought to be + taken and locked up and made to give an account of themselves. We are + going to the Hotel d'Hollande where you can find us at any time. I dare + say some of these scoundrels are known to you, and that may give you a + clew as to where Mr. Thorndyke is. + </p> + <p> + “I have but little hope that he will be found alive; no doubt he has been + stabbed and his body carried off so that they can search his clothes at + their leisure. We came in a strong party to prevent the risk of an attack + upon Mr. Thorndyke. Here is my card. It is of no use our attempting to + search by ourselves, but if you will get these fellows taken to the watch + house, and will call at the hotel, we will join your party and help you to + search the places you think he has most likely been taken to.” + </p> + <p> + “I think, sir, you had better come with me to the watch house, and see the + Lieutenant, and tell him what has happened.” + </p> + <p> + “I will just take my friends to the hotel, and shall be back from there + before you have got men to take these fellows away. If you go to one of + those ships and borrow a bucket, empty it over each of them; you will find + that will bring them to!” + </p> + <p> + As soon as they arrived at the hotel Dick ordered a private sitting room + and five bedrooms. + </p> + <p> + “We have made a terrible mess of this, lads,” he said gloomily. “I don't + say that it is any of our faults, but it is a horrible affair. I have not + the least doubt that Mr. Thorndyke has been killed, and it is no + satisfaction to us that we have pretty nearly done for a dozen of those + scoundrels.” + </p> + <p> + “I would not have had it happen for a hundred pounds, nor a thousand, sir. + If there had been daylight we could have licked a score of them in spite + of their bludgeons, but they came with such a rush at us that we got + separated before we knew where we were. I don't think that it was our + fault. I feel as much ashamed as if I had thrown up the sponge in the ring + at the end of the first round. To think that we came over here, four of + us, and yourself, sir, on purpose to take care of Mr. Thorndyke, all well + save a few knocks with those sticks, and Mr. Thorndyke killed and carried + off before we have been on shore five minutes. A better young fellow I + never put on the gloves with;” and Gibbons passed the back of his hand + across his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Well, I must be off now,” Chetwynd said. “I feel heartbroken over it. I + have known him since we were boys together; and what makes it worse is + that only three days ago he became engaged to be married. How we are going + to take the news back God only knows!” + </p> + <p> + As he hurried down the street towards the wharf he saw a number of + lanterns coming towards him, and ten or twelve watchmen came along + escorting the prisoners, many of whose faces were covered with blood; then + came four other watchmen carrying a body on a stretcher. + </p> + <p> + “One of them is dead,” the watchman who had before spoken said to Dick. “A + foreign seaman, a Lascar I should say, from his color; we found an open + knife by his side.” + </p> + <p> + “That is the man who began the fray,” Chetwynd said. “He was on the point + of stabbing one of my companions when another hit him under the ear.” + </p> + <p> + “What!” the watchman said. “He must have been hit like the kick of a + horse. All these prisoners seem to have been struck but once; two of them + cannot speak. I think their jaws are broken; four of them have broken + noses, and another has had all his front teeth knocked out, while the + others are nearly as bad.” + </p> + <p> + “I see you have brought with you some of their bludgeons,” Dick said, + pointing to one of the watchmen carrying a great bundle of sticks over his + shoulder. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, sir, twenty-three of them; it certainly seems to show that it was a + planned thing. Most of these fellows' faces are so bruised that I cannot + say who they are at present, but two or three are known as the worst + ruffians in the city, and I have no doubt we shall find that they all + belong to the same gang.” + </p> + <p> + By this time they had arrived at the watch house, a building of + considerable size; the prisoners were first lodged in a strong room with + barred windows and very heavy doors, and then the watchman went with + Chetwynd to the Lieutenant's room. The officer had just returned, having + hurried down with a reinforcement to the wharf as soon as he had heard of + the fray, and tried to obtain some information from the people who had + gathered round, attracted by the lanterns of the watch. He had already + learned from the watchmen all they knew about the affair. As he spoke + English well, he at once addressed Dick: + </p> + <p> + “This is a serious affair, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “A very serious affair, for, indeed, I am afraid that my dearest friend + has been murdered.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you kindly give me the particulars?” the officer said, sitting down + to the table with a pen in his hand. + </p> + <p> + Dick Chetwynd told him the story of how Mr. Thorndyke, having some very + valuable jewels that he wished to dispose of, and believing that he would + be attacked by a band of robbers, had asked him to accompany him, and had + brought four detective officers and pugilists to protect him against any + sudden attack. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, that accounts for the terrible blows that these fellows received,” + the officer said. “And your friend; was he a strong man?” + </p> + <p> + “He was a man exceptionally strong, and a match for either of the + pugilists that he brought over. I have no doubt that he was stabbed, + though of course he might have been brought down by a blow from one of the + bludgeons. He must have been completely insensible when carried off. + </p> + <p> + “The watchman here tells me that three or four of these ruffians are + known, and perhaps if you will give orders for the blood to be washed off + the others' faces some more may be recognized and prove an aid in enabling + you to form an idea where Mr. Thorndyke has been carried. I trust that you + will send out a party to search for him. I and the four men with me will + gladly join them, and may be of use if any resistance is offered.” + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant at once gave orders to the watchman to go down and see that + the prisoners all washed their faces. As soon as he returned with the + report that this was done the officer went down with Dick Chetwynd to + examine them. Three or four of the men with lanterns also went in. Eight + out of eleven men were recognized; the other three, whose features were so + swollen that they could not see out of their eyes, could not be made out, + but their companions, on being questioned, gave their names. + </p> + <p> + “They all belong to a gang of wharf thieves and plunderers. They live in a + slum near the water. I will have men posted in the lanes leading to it, + and will myself go with you to see that a search is made of every house; + but first I will try to find out from these fellows where he was to be + taken. + </p> + <p> + “Now, my men,” he said, “anyone of you who will tell me where one of the + party you attacked was to be taken to will find things made easy for him + at his trial.” + </p> + <p> + None of the men spoke for a minute, and then one said: + </p> + <p> + “We know nothing about it; how should we, when we were all knocked + stupid?” + </p> + <p> + “No, but you might know where he was to be taken.” + </p> + <p> + “I know nothing about that. We all got word to mind we were on the wharf + when a brig, that was seen coming up, came alongside, and that we were to + have a hundred francs each for attacking some passengers as they landed. + Six of them came along together, and one said, 'These are the men.' A + black sailor came up first and spoke to two or three men in some foreign + language. I don't know who the men were; it was too dark to see their + faces. It was one of them who gave the order. It seemed an easy job enough + when there were twenty-five of us with heavy sticks, but it didn't turn + out so. I only know that I hit one big fellow a blow that ought to have + knocked him down, and the next moment there was a crash, and I don't know + anything more about it until a lot of water was thrown over me and one of + the watch helped me to my feet. I don't know whether the others know more + than I do, but I don't think they do.” + </p> + <p> + All the others protested at once that they were equally ignorant. They had + gone to earn a hundred francs. They had been told that the money was all + right, but who found it or who were the men to be attacked they had not + the least idea. + </p> + <p> + “How was it that you all had these bludgeons—there were no knives + found on any of you?” + </p> + <p> + The man who spoke before said: + </p> + <p> + “The order was 'No knives,' and before we went down to the wharf each of + us was searched and a stick given to us. I suppose from that, that whoever + paid for the job didn't want blood to be shed; it suited us well enough, + for it was a job there was sure to be a row over, and I don't suppose any + of us wanted to put his head in a noose. I know that we all said to each + other as we went out that it did not want such sticks as we had to give a + man a thrashing, but the man who hired us, whoever he was, knew his + customers better than we did.” + </p> + <p> + The officer translated the man's words as they were spoken to Dick, and on + hearing the last speech, the latter said: + </p> + <p> + “Then there is still hope that Thorndyke may only have been stunned; that + is a greater reason for our losing no time in looking for him, for I am + afraid that they won't hesitate to kill him when they have got him hidden + away.” + </p> + <p> + “I expect,” the Lieutenant said, “they thought that if any of the watch + came upon them as they were carrying him off, they might be at once + arrested if it was found that they were carrying a dead man, whilst if he + were only stunned they would say that it was a drunken comrade who had + fallen and knocked his head against something. I agree with you, sir; we + had better start on our search at once.” + </p> + <p> + “Will you pass the Hotel d'Hollande? If not, I will run and bring my men.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I will go that way; it will be no further.” + </p> + <p> + Dick walked on fast. + </p> + <p> + “We have no news of him,” he said, as he entered the room where the four + men were anxiously awaiting him, “but we and the watch are now going to + search the slums where the men who were taken prisoners all live; come + down now, and I will tell you what I have learned, before the others come + up. + </p> + <p> + “There is reason for believing that he was not stabbed,” he went on, as + they reached the street, “for the men all say that they were armed only + with clubs, and that the strictest orders were given that none were to + carry knives, therefore there is little doubt that he was at the time only + stunned. But I am bound to say that this gives me very small ground for + hoping that we may find him alive. I fear they only stunned him, so that + they might carry him safely to their haunts, for if stopped they could say + that it was a drunken comrade, who had fallen and hurt himself. I fear + that when they get him into one of their dens they will make short work of + him, therefore it is clear that there is not a moment to be lost. Ah, here + comes the watch.” + </p> + <p> + There were eight men with the Lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + “I have already sent off ten others,” he said as he joined Chetwynd, “to + watch the lanes, and let no one go in or out. I thought it best not to + lose a moment about that, for when the men see that we have learned from + the others where the gang came from, and have closed the avenues of + escape, they will hesitate about murdering their prisoner if he was still + alive when my men got there.” + </p> + <p> + In a quarter of an hour they arrived at the end of a narrow lane, where + two watchmen were standing with lanterns. + </p> + <p> + “You have seen nor heard nothing?” the Lieutenant asked him. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, we have not seen a man moving in the lane.” + </p> + <p> + “There is just one hope that we might be in time,” the Lieutenant said, as + he went on down the lane, “and that is, that the fellows when they gather + will be so dismayed at finding that nearly half their number are missing, + and knowing that some of them are pretty sure to make a clean breast of + it, they will hesitate to complete their crime. It is one thing to rob a + man in the streets, quite another to murder him in cold blood. There is + likely to be a good deal of difference of opinion among them, some of the + more desperate being in favor of carrying the thing through, but others + are sure to be against it, and nothing may have been done. You may be sure + that the sight of my men at the end of the lanes will still further alarm + them. I have no doubt the news that we have surrounded the district has + already been circulated, and that if alive now he is safe, for they will + think it is better to suffer a year or two's imprisonment than to be tried + for murder. We are sure to make some captures, for it is probable that + several of the others will bear marks of the fight. Each man we take we + will question separately; one or other of them is pretty safe to be ready + to say where your friend was taken to if I promise him that he shan't be + prosecuted.” + </p> + <p> + Every house in the district was searched from top to bottom. Six men; with + cut and bruised faces, were found shamming sleep, and were separately + questioned closely; all declared that they knew nothing whatever of anyone + being carried there. + </p> + <p> + “It is of no use your denying your share in the affair,” the Lieutenant + said. “Your comrades have confessed that there were twenty-five of you + hired to carry out this, and that you received a hundred francs each. Now, + if this gentleman is not found, it will be a hanging matter for some of + you, and you had better tell all you know. If you will tell us where he + is, I will promise that you shan't be included in the list of those who + will be prosecuted.” + </p> + <p> + The reply, although put in different words, was identical with that of the + prisoners. + </p> + <p> + “We had nothing to do with carrying him off; we were hired only to knock + the men down who were pointed out to us; not a word was said about + carrying them off. He may have been carried off, that we cannot say, but + he has certainly not been brought here, and none of us had anything to do + with it.” + </p> + <p> + Morning was breaking before the search was concluded. The detectives, + accustomed as they were to visit the worst slums of London, were horrified + at the crowding, the squalor, and the misery of the places they entered. + </p> + <p> + “My opinion. Mr. Chetwynd,” Gibbons growled, “is that the best thing to do + would be to put a score of soldiers at the end of all these lanes, and + then to burn the whole place down, and make a clean sweep of it. I never + saw such a villainous looking crew in all my life. I have been in hopes + all along that some of them would resist; it would have been a real + pleasure to have let fly at them.” + </p> + <p> + “They are a villainous set of wretches, Gibbons, but they may not be all + criminals.” + </p> + <p> + “Well; I don't know, sir; but I know that if I were on a jury, and any of + the lot were in the dock, I should not want to hear any evidence against + them; their faces are enough to hang them.” + </p> + <p> + At last the search was over, and they were glad indeed when they emerged + from the lanes and breathed the pure air outside, for all the Englishmen + felt sick at the poisonous air of the dens they had entered. The + prisoners, as they were taken, had been sent off to the watch house. + </p> + <p> + “I begin to think that the story these fellows tell is a true one, Mr. + Chetwynd,” the Lieutenant said, “and that they had nothing to do with + carrying your friend off. In the first place, they all tell the same + story: that in itself would not be much, as that might have been settled + beforehand; but it is hardly likely that one of the lot would not have + been ready to purchase his life by turning on the others. There is very + little honor among thieves; and as they know that we have taken their + mates—for no doubt we were watched as we marched them up the town—they + would make sure that someone would turn traitor, and would think they + might as well be beforehand. I fancy that the men, whoever they are, who + hired this gang to attack you, carried out that part of the business + themselves.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid that is so,” Dick agreed; “and I fear in that case that he is + in even worse hands than if these ruffians here had taken him.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, sir, can you furnish us with any clew?” + </p> + <p> + “The only clew is that they were most probably dark men. That man who was + killed was undoubtedly one of them. I should say that they would probably + be got up as foreign sailors.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, that is something to go upon, at any rate. I will send round men at + once to all the places by the quays where sailors board, and if three or + four of them have been together at any place we are sure to hear of it, + and the moment I have news I will send to your hotel.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you; I don't see that we can be of any use at present, but you will + find us ready to turn out again the moment we hear that you have news.” + </p> + <p> + When the party returned to the hotel they sat talking the matter over for + upwards of an hour. All were greatly discouraged, for they had little hope + indeed of ever learning what had become of Mark. As they had started out + Dick had told the night porter that he could not say what time they might + return, but that before the house closed he must have a couple of bottles + of spirits and some tumblers sent up to their sitting room, together with + some bread and cold meat, for that they might not return until morning, + and would need something before they went to bed, as they had had nothing + since their dinner, at one o'clock. + </p> + <p> + “It wants something to take the taste of that place out of one's mouth,” + Tring said to Dick, as, directly they entered, he poured some spirits into + the glasses. “I feel as queer as if I had been hocussed.” + </p> + <p> + All, indeed, were feeling the same, and it was not until they had eaten + their supper and considerably lowered the spirits in the two bottles that + they began to talk. The two detectives were the principal speakers, and + both of these were of opinion that the only shadow of hope remaining + rested upon Mark himself. + </p> + <p> + “Unless they finished him before he came round,” Malcolm said, “they would + find him an awkward customer to deal with. Mr. Thorndyke has got his head + screwed on right, and if, as you say, they are Indians, Mr. Chetwynd, I + should think that if he once comes fairly round, unless he is tied up, he + will be a match for them, even with their knives. That is the only chance + I see. Even if the watch do find out that three or four foreign sailors + have been at one of the boarding houses and did not turn up last night, I + don't think we shall be much nearer. They will probably only have carried + him some distance along the wharf, got to some quiet place where there is + a big pile of wood, or something of that sort, then put a knife into him, + searched for the diamonds, which you may be sure they would find easily + enough wherever he had hidden them, and then make off, most likely for + Rotterdam or The Hague; they could be at either of these places by this + time, and will mostly likely divide the diamonds and get on board + different craft, bound for London or Hull, or indeed any other port, and + then ship for India. From what Mr. Thorndyke said they did not want the + diamonds to sell, but only to carry back to some temple from which they + were stolen twenty years ago.” + </p> + <p> + Chester was of precisely the same opinion. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid, Mr. Chetwynd,” he added, as they rose to go to their rooms + for two or three hours' sleep, “the only news that we shall get in the + morning is that Mr. Thorndyke's body has been found.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX. + </h2> + <p> + At ten o'clock a constable came with a message from the Lieutenant to Mr. + Chetwynd that he would be glad if he would come down to the watch house. + Dick did not wake the others, but freshening himself up by pouring a jug + of water over his head, went at once with the constable. + </p> + <p> + “Have you news?” he asked eagerly as he entered. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, the men returned an hour ago. At four of the houses they went to a + foreign sailor had been lodging there for the last day or so, but + yesterday afternoon all had paid their reckoning and left. Then the idea + struck me that it would be as well to ask if they had been seen on the + quays, and I sent off a fresh batch of men to make inquiries. A quarter of + an hour ago one of them came back with the news that he had learned from a + sailor that he had noticed a dark colored foreigner, whom he took to be a + Lascar sailor, talking to a boatman, and that they had rowed off together + to a barge anchored a short way out; he did not notice anything more about + him. + </p> + <p> + “Now, I should not be at all surprised if the fellow went off to arrange + with the bargeman for a passage for himself and four or five comrades to + some port or other, it might be anywhere. It would make no difference to + them where the barge was bound for. No doubt he saw the man again after + the brig was sighted, and told him that they should come on board soon + after it got dark, and told him to have the boat at the stairs. You see, + in that case they might not have carried Mr. Thorndyke above fifty yards. + They would probably get him on board as one of their party who had been + drunk. The barge, no doubt, got under way about nine o'clock, which is the + hour when the tide was high last night, and during the night the Indians + could easily drop your friend overboard—and may even have done so + before they got under way, which would have been the easiest thing to do. + There would have been no one at the helm, and they could have chosen a + moment when the crew, probably only three, were below. I am afraid that + this is not a cheering lookout, but I have little doubt that it is the + correct one. + </p> + <p> + “I have told my men to find out what barge was lying at the spot the + sailor pointed out, and if we discover her name, which we are likely to be + able to do, there will be no difficulty in finding out to whom she belongs + and where she was bound for. Then we can follow it up; though there is + little likelihood of our finding the murderers still on board.” + </p> + <p> + “Thank you very much for the pains that you are taking, sir,” Dick said. + “I am afraid that there is no shadow of hope of finding my poor friend + alive. I have no doubt that the thing has happened exactly as you suggest; + the whole course of the affair shows how carefully it was planned, and I + have no hope that any scruple about taking life would be felt by them for + a moment. I will go back to the hotel, and I shall be obliged if you will + let me know as soon as you obtain any clew as to the barge.” + </p> + <p> + An hour and a half later the officer himself came round to the room where + Dick Chetwynd and the two pugilists were sitting. The detectives had + started out to make inquiries on their own account, taking with them a + hanger on at the hotel who spoke English. + </p> + <p> + “The barge's name was the Julie,” he said; “she has a cargo on board for + Rotterdam.” + </p> + <p> + “I think the best thing would be to take a carriage, and drive there at + once,” Dick said. + </p> + <p> + “You can do that, sir, but I don't think you will be there before the + barge; they have something like eighteen hours' start for you, and the + wind has been all the time in the east. I should say that they would be + there by eight o'clock this morning.” + </p> + <p> + “No, I don't know that it would be of any use, but at least it would be + doing something. I suppose we could be there in four hours?” + </p> + <p> + “From that to five; but even if the barge were delayed, and you got there + first, which is very unlikely, I do not think that there would be the + remotest chance of finding those villains on board. I reckon they would, + as we agreed, launch the body overboard even before they got under way + here, and they may either have landed again before the craft got under + way, pretending that they had changed their minds, and then walked across + to The Hague or to Haarlem, or have gone on with the barge for two hours, + or even until daybreak. If by that time they were near Rotterdam, they may + have stayed on board till they got there; if not, they may have landed, + and finished the journey on foot, but they would certainly not have + stopped on board after six or seven o'clock this morning. They would + calculate that possibly we might get on their track at an early hour this + morning, and set out in pursuit at once. + </p> + <p> + “However, it will doubtless be a satisfaction to you to be moving, and at + least you will be able to overhaul the barge when you get to Rotterdam, + and to hear what the boatmen say. The chances are they will not even have + noticed that one of the men who came on board was missing. The men may + very well have made up a long bundle, carried it on shore with them, or + three of them may have carried a fourth ashore; and in the dark the + bargemen were unlikely to have noticed that the number was less than when + they came on board. However, it will be something for you to find out when + and where the fellows landed.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; I should certainly like to lay hands on them, though I am afraid we + should find it very hard to prove that they had anything to do with this + affair.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that also, Mr. Chetwynd. Morally, we may feel absolutely certain; + but, unless the boatmen noticed that one of their number was missing when + they landed, we have at present no evidence to connect them with it.” + </p> + <p> + “We will set out as soon as my other two men return. I told them to be + back soon after twelve. I will write to you this evening from Rotterdam. + Ah! here are the men.” + </p> + <p> + The door opened, and, to the stupefaction of the party, Mark Thorndyke + entered the room. + </p> + <p> + “Good Heavens, Mark!” Dick exclaimed, springing forward and seizing his + hand, “is it really you alive in the flesh? We had given you up for dead. + We have been searching the town for you all night, and were just going to + set out for Rotterdam in search of a barge on which we believed you were + carried. Why, it seems almost a miracle!” + </p> + <p> + The two prize fighters also came forward, and shook hands with a pressure + that would have made most men shrink. + </p> + <p> + “I am as glad, Mr. Thorndyke,” Gibbons said, “as if anyone had given me a + thousand pounds. I have never quite given up hope, for, as I said to Mr. + Chetwynd, if you got but a shadow of a chance, you would polish off those + nigger fellows in no time; but I was afraid that they never would give you + a chance. Well, I am glad, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Mark, this is the Lieutenant of the watch here,” Dick said. “He has been + most kind, and has himself headed the search that has been made for you + all night. Now tell us all about it.” + </p> + <p> + “First of all give me something to drink, for, except some water, I have + had nothing since dinner yesterday. You are right, Dick; it is almost a + miracle, even to me, that I am here. I would not have given a penny for my + chance of life, and I can no more account for the fact that I am here than + you can.” + </p> + <p> + Mark drank off a tumbler of weak spirits and water that Gibbons poured out + for him. Chetwynd rang the bell, and ordered lunch to be brought up at + once. Just at this moment the two detectives came in, and were astonished + and delighted at finding Mark there. + </p> + <p> + “Now,” he said, “I will tell you as much as I know, which is little + enough. When I came to my senses I found myself lying on the deck of a + craft of some sort; it was a long time before I could at all understand + how I got there. I think it was the pain from the back of my head that + brought it to my mind that I must have been knocked down and stunned in + that fight; for some time I was very vague in my brain as to that, but it + all came back suddenly, and I recalled that we had all got separated. I + was hitting out, and then there was a crash. Yes, I must have been knocked + down and stunned, and I could only suppose that in the darkness and + confusion I had been carried off and taken on board without any of you + missing me; my hands and feet were tied, and there was something shoved + into my mouth that prevented me from speaking. + </p> + <p> + “I should think that it must have been an hour before I quite recovered my + senses, and got the thing fairly into my mind. Then a man with a knife + leant over me, and made signs that if I spoke he would stab me, and + another took the gag out of my mouth and poured some water down my throat, + and then put it in again. I saw that he was a dark colored man, and I then + understood it all; it was those Hindoos who had got up the attack upon us + and had carried me off. I had no doubt they had got the diamonds I had + sewn up in the waistband of my trousers. + </p> + <p> + “I wondered why they were keeping me, but was sure they would stab me + presently and throw me overboard. I knew that they had killed two soldiers + for the sake of the diamonds, and if it hadn't been that they had given me + the water, I should not have had a shadow of doubt about my fate.” + </p> + <p> + “I puzzled over why they should have done so, and came to the conclusion + that they dared not do it on board, because of the crew, and that they + intended to take me on shore somewhere, and there dispose of me. I made + many attempts to loosen my ropes, but they would not give the slightest. + At last I think I dozed off for a time. After I had had the water they + drew a blanket or something of that sort over me. It had been there + before, but it had only been pulled up as high as my nose, and I felt sure + that it was only done to prevent the Dutchmen on the boat seeing that I + was bound and gagged; this time they pulled it right over my face. When + they took it off again I could see it was nearly morning, for there was a + faint light in the sky. They were moving about on the deck, and presently + I saw one of the sailors get into the boat and pull it along, hand over + hand, by the rail, until he was close to me. Then four Lascar sort of + chaps—I could scarcely make out their features—lifted me and + lowered me into the boat and got in themselves. + </p> + <p> + “I did not attempt to struggle. No doubt they had made up some tale that I + was mad or something of that sort, and I thought that I had best pretend + to be quiet and peaceable till I could see some sort of chance of making a + fight for it. It was but a few yards from the shore. The man lifted me out + onto the bank, and the sailor then started to row back to the barge; they + carried me a few yards away, and then laid me face downwards on some + grass. Now, I thought to myself, it is all over; they are going to stab me + and make off. To my surprise I felt they were doing something—I + could not make out what—to the ropes; then there was quiet. I lay + there I should think for half an hour, wondering why on earth they did not + finish me. At last I made up my mind to move, and turned round onto my + back. As I lay there I could see no one, and, raising my head, looked + round. To my amazement I found that I was alone. It was now almost light, + and as I craned my head in all directions I assured myself that they had + gone; then I began to try again at the ropes. + </p> + <p> + “To my surprise I found that they were much looser than they were before, + although still tight enough to give me nearly an hour's work before I got + my hands free. Then it took me almost as long to get the ropes off my + legs, for they had knotted them in such a fearfully intricate way that it + was a long time before I could even discover where the ends were. At last + I finished the job, stood up, and looked round. A quarter of a mile off + there was a good sized town, but not a soul could I see. + </p> + <p> + “Till now I had hardly thought of the diamonds; I put my hands to my + waistband and found, as I expected, that they were gone. I think I felt + nothing but pleasure: the confounded things had given trouble enough, and + I was well rid of them. Why they should have spared my life I could not + imagine. If they had finished me, which they could have done without any + risk to themselves when they got me ashore, they could have gone off with + the diamonds without the slightest fear of pursuit, while now there was, + of course, a chance that I might follow and recognize them.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you know them again?” the Lieutenant interrupted. + </p> + <p> + “Not in the slightest; it was light enough to see that they were dark, but + from the time the boat came along the blanket was over my head, and except + when they gave me the water I had no chance of seeing any of their + features. Still, if I had gone straight to the town I saw and reported the + matter to the authorities and sent mounted men to all the ports to warn + them not to let any colored men embark, I might have given them a lot of + trouble, but I don't suppose any of them would ever have been caught. + After the craft they had shown in the whole matter, it is certain that + they would have laid their plans for escape so well that the law would + never have laid hands upon them. I put my hand mechanically to my watch to + see the time, and to my astonishment discovered that I still had it in my + pocket, and was equally surprised to find that the money in my trousers' + pockets was also untouched. The watch had, of course, stopped. I first of + all went down to the water and had a good wash; then I proceeded to the + town, and, going to a hotel, ordered breakfast.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, I thought you said that you had had nothing to eat, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes? Well, I had forgotten all about that breakfast. The people looked a + good deal surprised at an Englishman walking in in that way. While I was + eating my breakfast two men—who were, I suppose, authorities of some + kind—who spoke English, came and questioned me. As I had made up my + mind to say nothing more about the affair, I merely told them that I had + come for a sail from Amsterdam, and that I wanted a carriage to take me + back. They were evidently astonished at my choosing a dark night for such + a trip, but I said that I had some curiosity to see how the boatmen + navigated their vessel when there were no lighthouses or anything to steer + by. They asked a few more questions, and then went away, evidently + thinking that I was a little mad. However, they must have spoken to the + landlord, who in a short time made signs that the carriage was at the + door. + </p> + <p> + “I had avoided asking the men either the name of the place or how far it + was from any big town, because that would have made the whole affair more + singular. It was a quarter past eight when I started, and beyond the fact + that I know by the sun we came pretty nearly due east, I have not the + slightest idea of the road. The coachman could not speak a word of + English. I should say we came about seven miles an hour and stopped once + to bait the horses, so I suppose that it must have been between four and + five miles from Rotterdam when I landed.” + </p> + <p> + Lunch had by this time been laid on the table, and at Dick's invitation + the Lieutenant joined them. + </p> + <p> + “It is an extraordinary story!” he said. “That your life should have been + spared is altogether beyond my comprehension, still more so why they + should have left you your money and watch.” + </p> + <p> + “The whole story is extraordinary,” Dick Chetwynd said; “for we have every + reason to believe that those fellows, or at least one or two of them, have + been patiently watching for a chance of carrying off those diamonds for + twenty years. When my friend told me of it ten days ago I did not believe + that it could be possible; but he has certainly shown that he was correct + in his opinion.” + </p> + <p> + Mark then related the history of the jewels, surprising the pugilists and + detectives as much as the Lieutenant. + </p> + <p> + “It is extraordinary indeed,” the latter said. “I should not have believed + it possible that men would devote so many years to such a purpose, nor + that they could have succeeded in tracing the diamonds in spite of the + precaution taken by your uncle, and afterwards by yourself. It would seem + that from the time he landed in England he, and after him your father and + yourself, must have been watched almost night and day. I can understand + now why they did not take your watch and money. They evidently acted from + a sort of religious enthusiasm, and were no ordinary thieves, but as + evidently they did not hesitate to kill, I cannot understand why they + should have added to their risks by sparing you.” + </p> + <p> + “No, that is what puzzles me,” Mark agreed. “I was thinking it over while + we were driving here. Now let me hear about the fight, Dick. How did you + all come out of it?” + </p> + <p> + “As well as could be expected. Gibbons and Tring both got some heavy blows + with the cudgels, as indeed we all did more or less, but they did great + execution. Eleven fellows were left senseless on the ground, and one of + them, that black fellow who came over with us, was killed. The other ten + are all in prison. All of us did our best, and managed to leave our mark + on eight others, who were in consequence picked out, and are also in + jail.” + </p> + <p> + Dick went on to relate the particulars of the search. + </p> + <p> + “You see, our friend here had traced you to the barge and found out her + destination, and if you had come ten minutes later you would have found + that we had all just started for Rotterdam. I was only waiting for Chester + and Malcolm to return to set out. I am sorry, Mark, that you have lost + your diamonds; not so much because they are gone, for I can well + understand you to be thoroughly glad to be rid of such dangerous articles, + but because they have carried them off in our teeth, after we have been + specially retained to protect you. I certainly thought that with such a + bodyguard you were absolutely safe from any number of Hindoos.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we made a regular mess of it, Mr. Thorndyke,” Gibbons said. “I never + felt so certain of winning a battle as I did that you would not be touched + as long as we were looking after you. Tring and I, if we had been asked, + would have said that we could each have taken on a dozen foreigners + easily. Mr. Chetwynd is handy with his fists too, though he hasn't your + weight and reach, and your two other friends are both pretty well + accustomed to deal with rough customers. As for Tring and me, it makes one + feel small to know that we have been bested by a handful of niggers, or + Hindoos, or whatever the chaps are, whom a good sized boy of twelve ought + to be able to polish off.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, Mark, what is to be done next?” Dick Chetwynd asked. + </p> + <p> + “The next thing will be to get back as soon as we can, Dick. I, for one, + have had enough of Holland to last me for a lifetime.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid, gentlemen,” the Lieutenant said, “you will have to wait a + day or two before you can leave. I have nineteen men in prison, and there + will be a meeting of magistrates this afternoon. Now you have come back, + Mr. Thorndyke, the charge against them won't be as serious as it would + have been before, but they are guilty of a desperate and premeditated + assault upon six passengers on their arrival here; they have already + admitted that they were paid for their work; and as among them are some of + the worst characters in the city, you may be sure that now we have got + them fairly in our hands we shall not let them go. It is so simple an + affair that the investigation ought not to take long, but we shall want to + find out, if we can, who acted as the intermediary between the Hindoos and + the prisoners. I should think that two meetings ought to be sufficient for + the present, but I am afraid that there may then be a long remand, and + that you will either have to remain here or to come over again.” + </p> + <p> + “It would be a horrible nuisance,” Dick said; “still it would be better to + come back again than to wait here indefinitely, and anyhow I don't suppose + it would be necessary for all of us to come back again.” + </p> + <p> + “I should not mind if it could be arranged for me to be here again in a + month's time,” Mark agreed, “for, to tell you the truth, I am going to be + married in less than three weeks, and as I had intended to come to + Brussels, and afterwards to travel for a while, I could make a visit here + without greatly putting myself out.” + </p> + <p> + “I will try and arrange that, Mr. Thorndyke.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall be glad,” Mark said, “if you can manage to get the men sentenced + without going into the question of the diamonds at all, and treat the + matter as a mere attempt at robbery. It surely would not be necessary to + bring the question of my being carried away into the matter at all; I can + give evidence that I was knocked down and stunned, and that I was robbed + of some jewels that I had about me, which were the object of the attack.” + </p> + <p> + “I think we should have to admit that,” the Lieutenant said; “it must come + out that the attack was an organized one.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, if it must, it must,” Mark said reluctantly; “but then, you see, no + end of questions would be asked, and the thing might be delayed while a + search is being made for the men who stole the bracelet.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, we will keep it out of the inquiry if we can,” the Lieutenant said. + “The meeting will be at three o'clock. I will send a man to take you to + the Town Hall.” + </p> + <p> + At the appointed hour the party proceeded to the court, and the eighteen + prisoners, under a strong guard, having been brought in, six magistrates + took their places on the bench; the rest of the court was crowded, the + fray on the wharf and the number of captures having created quite a stir + in the city. They had arranged that Tring should first give his evidence, + which he did, the Lieutenant of the watch acting as interpreter, though + most of the magistrates understood English. The appearance of the + prisoners created quite a sensation in the court, for the injuries that + they had received were now even more conspicuous than they had been when + they were first captured; some of them had to be led into court, their + eyes being completely closed, others had their heads bandaged, and all + showed signs of tremendous punishment. Tring related that he, with five + others, had come ashore together; one of his companions had a row on board + a ship they had crossed in, with a Lascar sailor, who was a passenger, and + they kept together as they were crossing the wharf, thinking that possibly + the man might attempt to stab his companion. + </p> + <p> + “I was walking behind him,” Tring went on, “when the Lascar jumped + suddenly out from among the men standing about, and was about to stab my + companion, when I hit him just in time, and he went down; then there was a + rush, and we all got separated, and did as well as we could until the + watch came up; that is all that I know about it.” + </p> + <p> + “Is the Lascar among the prisoners?” one of the magistrates asked the + Lieutenant of the watch. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir, when picked up by one of my men he was found to be dead; the + blow had apparently killed him instantly.” + </p> + <p> + The other five then gave their evidence; it was similar to that of Tring, + save that being in front of him they knew nothing of the attack by the + Lascar. All they knew about it was that there was a sudden rush upon them + by a number of men armed with bludgeons, that they were separated, and + that each defended himself until the guard came up. + </p> + <p> + Some of the watch then gave evidence, and told how on arriving at the spot + eleven of the prisoners were found lying senseless; how, on recovering, + they were all taken to the watch house, where several of them were + recognized as notoriously bad characters; they had admitted that they were + paid to make the attack, which was apparently the result of the private + enmity of some person or persons unknown to one or more of those attacked. + </p> + <p> + The Lieutenant then related the steps that he had taken to capture others + connected with the attack, and that he found eight men bearing marks of + the fray, and that all these were also notorious characters, and + associates of the prisoners first taken. The first witnesses were again + questioned; five of them said that, so far as they knew, they had no + personal enemies. Mark, who was the last to get into the witness box, said + that he himself had no enemies, but that an uncle of his, who was in the + British Indian service, had a sort of feud with some members of a sect + there on account of some jewels that he had purchased, and which had, they + declared, been stolen from a temple. Two soldiers through whose hands + these things had passed, had been successively killed by them, and his + uncle had to the day of his death believed that their vengeance would one + day fall upon him. + </p> + <p> + “I can only suppose,” continued Mark, “that I have inherited the enmity + they bore him, as I inherited the jewels, and that the attack was really + designed solely against me, and the consequences might have been fatal to + me had it not been for the strength and courage of my fellow passengers.” + </p> + <p> + “Did they come with you for your protection, Mr. Thorndyke?” + </p> + <p> + “To some extent, yes. The fact is, that I have for some time been + convinced that I was followed about by natives of India, and remembering + what my uncle had said on the subject, I became to some degree + apprehensive, and thought it as well to leave London for a short time. + That this attack was really instigated by the men I have no doubt + whatever, since, as you have heard, it was begun by a Lascar, who tried to + stab one of my companions and who received a knockdown blow that caused + his death from one of the others. It is a well known fact that these + people will cherish for many years a determination to avenge any injury. + However, I hope that after the failure of this attempt upon my life I + shall hear no more of them.” + </p> + <p> + “Were any knives found on the prisoners?” the magistrates asked the + Lieutenant of the watch. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir; all carried clubs. And they told me that they had been + especially ordered not to take knives, and had indeed been searched before + they came out.” + </p> + <p> + “What impression do you gather from that, Mr. Thorndyke?” + </p> + <p> + “My impression is, sir, that they desired to overpower those with me and + to beat them down, in order to carry out their revenge upon me.” + </p> + <p> + After some consultation the magistrate who had before spoken said: + </p> + <p> + “The prisoners will be remanded. It is necessary that we should find out + who was the chief culprit who bribed this gang.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as the prisoners were taken out of court Mark slipped across to + the magistrates, accompanied by the Lieutenant as interpreter. + </p> + <p> + “I hope, gentlemen, that our presence here will not be necessary, for it + would be a matter of extreme inconvenience. I may say that my marriage is + fixed for today three weeks, hence you can well imagine that I want to + return as soon as possible. Two of the men are, as you have heard, Bow + Street officers, whose presence could not well be spared.” + </p> + <p> + The magistrates again consulted together. + </p> + <p> + “Your evidence has all been taken down by the clerk of the court. + Certainly we should not require your presence at the remand; but whether + we should do so at the trial would, of course, depend upon whether these + men all own their guilt, which, having been taken red handed, it is likely + enough they will do. We will consent, therefore, to your leaving, if you + will give us an undertaking to return for the trial if your presence is + necessary, and that you will bring with you the man who struck down the + Lascar who commenced the fray, and one of the others.” + </p> + <p> + “That I will do willingly,” Mark replied. “We are much obliged to you for + your consideration. I shall be traveling for a time after my marriage; but + I will as I pass through Belgium after my marriage give you the route I + intend to take and the address at which letters will find me, and if you + send me a sufficiently long notice I will at once return for the trial.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI. + </h2> + <p> + “You managed that very well, Mark,” Dick said. “You kept well within the + limits of truth without bringing the real facts of the attack upon us into + the case.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, you see, Dick, after working as a detective, one gets into the way + of telling stories with the smallest amount of deviation possible from the + truth. What will these fellows get done to them, Lieutenant?” + </p> + <p> + “I should say that they will get two or three years imprisonment; the only + charge now is rioting and assault. It is lucky for them that they had + clubs instead of knives, for that would have brought the matter under the + head of attempted murder. The matter of the gems was not important in the + case, but there is sure to be a great fuss and search for the missing + Indians. I suppose you will soon be off home now?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I shall find out tonight what vessel leaves for England tomorrow, + and take a berth in the first that sails for London. It is too late to + think of starting this evening, and indeed I feel that I want a long + night's rest, for I did not sleep much last night, and have not quite + recovered from that crack on my head.” + </p> + <p> + On his return to the hotel Mark sent out a man to inquire at the shipping + offices, and finding that a bark would sail at nine o'clock the next + morning, they went down and took berths, and sailed in her next day. The + voyage home was a rapid one, for the wind blew steadily from the east, and + the vessel made the passage to the mouth of the river in two days, and the + next took them up to London. + </p> + <p> + “I will call round tomorrow or next day, Gibbons, with the checks for you + both,” Mark said as he prepared to go ashore. + </p> + <p> + “No, sir. We are both of one mind that we could not take them. We went + over to prevent you being robbed of those sparklers, and to see that you + came to no harm. Well, the things are lost, and you got knocked down and + carried away. It is no thanks to us that you are alive now. It is a + mortifying job, that with two detectives to watch over things and with us + to fight we should have been fairly beat by a few black niggers.” + </p> + <p> + “If there had been any bungling on your part, Gibbons, there might be + something in what you say, but no one could have foreseen that before we + had been on shore two minutes we should have been attacked in that way. + You both did all that men could do, as was shown by the condition of the + fellows who were taken. I was just as much separated from you as you were + from me, and the fact that we were surprised as we were is really due to + my not determining to stay on board until the morning, which I could no + doubt have done with the captain's permission. It never struck me for a + moment that we should be attacked in force. I thought it probable that an + attempt at assassination would be made, but it certainly did not seem + probable that it would be attempted while you were all with me. You are + not in the slightest degree to blame, for your part of the agreement was + carried out to my satisfaction. I shall certainly carry out mine, as I + have arrived home safe and sound.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, governor, it is very good of you; but I tell you it will go against + the grain for us to take your money.” + </p> + <p> + On landing, Mark parted with Dick Chetwynd, who had arranged to drop + Mark's bag at his lodgings on his way home, and at once took a hackney + coach to Islington. Millicent gave a cry of delight as he entered the + room. + </p> + <p> + “You are back earlier than I expected, Mark. You told me before you + started that the wind was in the east, and that you might be a long time + getting to Amsterdam unless it changed. I have been watching the vane on + the church, and it has been pointing east ever since. + </p> + <p> + “Well, you have sold the diamonds, I hope?” she said, after the first + greeting was over. + </p> + <p> + “No; I have bad news for you, Millicent; the jewels have been stolen.” + </p> + <p> + “Well it does not make much difference, Mark. We have much more than + enough without them, so don't bother yourself in the least. How did it + happen?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it is rather a long story. I will tell it you when Mrs. Cunningham + is here, so as not to have to go over it twice. How are the dresses + getting on?” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose they are getting on all right,” she said. “I have done nothing + for the last two days but try them on. You see, we put them out to three + milliners, and they all three seem to reach the same point together, and I + start after breakfast, and it takes about two hours at each place. You + don't know what trouble you have given me by hurrying things on so + unreasonably.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it is better to have it all done and over,” he said, “than to have + the thing hanging over you for a couple of months.” + </p> + <p> + “That is what Mrs. Cunningham says. Now I want to hear about your + adventures, and I will call her down.” + </p> + <p> + “Only think, Mrs. Cunningham,” Millicent said presently, with a laugh, + after she had returned with her, “this silly boy has actually let the + diamonds be stolen from him.” + </p> + <p> + “No, really, Millicent!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, indeed. Fancy his not being fit to be trusted to look after them! + However, I tell him it is of no consequence. I don't know how they went. + He would not tell me the story until you came down.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sorry to say it is true, Mrs. Cunningham, although I can assure you + that I really cannot blame myself for either carelessness or stupidity. I + knew when I started that there was a very great risk, and took what seemed + to me every possible precaution, for in addition to Dick Chetwynd going + with me, I took two detectives from Bow Street and two prize fighters.” + </p> + <p> + Exclamations of surprise broke from both ladies. + </p> + <p> + “And yet, in spite of all that, these things were stolen,” Millicent said. + “How on earth did they do it? I should have sewn them up in my pockets + inside my dress.” + </p> + <p> + “I sewed them up in the waistband of my trousers, Millicent, and yet they + managed, in spite of us, to steal them. And now I must begin by telling + you the whole history of those diamonds, and you will understand why I + thought it necessary to take a strong party with me.” + </p> + <p> + He then told them, repeating the history the Colonel had given his father + of the diamonds, and the conviction that he had, that he had been followed + by Hindoos, and the instructions he had given for the disposal of the + bracelet. + </p> + <p> + “As you know,” he said, “nothing happened to confirm my uncle's belief + that there were men over here in search of the diamonds during my father's + life, but since then I have come to the same conclusion that he had, and + felt positive that I was being constantly followed wherever I went. As + soon as I heard where the treasure was I began to take every precaution in + my power. I avoided going to the bank after my first visit there, and, as + you know, would not bring the things for you to look at. I got Dick + Chetwynd to go there, open the case, and take out these diamonds. He did + not bring them away with him, but fetched them from there the morning we + started. He went down and took the passage for us both at the shipping + office, and the pugilists and the detectives each took passages for + themselves, so that I hoped, however closely I was followed, they would + not learn that I was taking them to Amsterdam.” + </p> + <p> + “It was very wrong, Mark; very wrong indeed,” Millicent broke in. “You had + no right to run such a terrible risk; it would have been better for you to + have taken the diamonds and thrown them into the Thames.” + </p> + <p> + “That would not have improved matters,” he said; “the Indians would not + have known that I had got rid of them, and would have continued their + efforts to find them, and I should always have been in danger instead of + getting it over once for all. However, I did not think that there was any + danger, going over as I did, with two of the best prize fighters in + England, to say nothing of the detectives, who were the men who were with + me when I caught Bastow. The only danger was that I might be stabbed; but, + as they would know, it was no use their stabbing me unless they could + search me quietly, and that they could not do unless I was alone and in + some lonely neighborhood, and I had made up my mind not to stir out unless + the whole party were with me. I found out, when we got on board that in + spite of all the precautions I had taken, they had discovered that I was + going to sail for Amsterdam, which they could only have done by following + Dick as well as myself. There was a dark faced foreign sailor, who, I had + no doubt, was a Hindoo, already on board, and I saw another in a boat + watching us start; this was unpleasant, but as I felt sure that they could + not have known that I had with me detectives and pugilists, I still felt + that they would be able to do nothing when I got to Amsterdam.” + </p> + <p> + Then he told them the whole story of the attack, of his being carried + away, and of his unexpected release; of the search that had been made for + him and the arrest of eighteen of his assailants. Millicent grew pale as + he continued, and burst into tears when she heard of his being a prisoner + in the hands of the Hindoos. + </p> + <p> + “I shall never let you go out of my sight again, Mark!” she exclaimed when + he had finished. “It was bad enough before when you were searching for + that man here, and I used to be terribly anxious; but that was nothing to + this.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, there is an end of it now, Millicent; the men have got the + diamonds, and will soon be on their way to India, if they have not started + already.” + </p> + <p> + “Nasty things!” she said; “I shall never like diamonds again: they will + always remind me of the terrible danger that you have run. Isn't it + extraordinary that for twenty years four or five men should be spending + their lives waiting for a chance of getting them back!” + </p> + <p> + “I do not expect there were so many as that; probably there was only one. + He would have no difficulty in learning that my father had not received + any extraordinary gems from my uncle, and probably supposed that they + would not be taken out from wherever they might be until you came of age. + After the death of my father he might suppose that I should take them out, + or that, at any rate, I should go to whoever had them, and see that they + were all right, and he then, perhaps, engaged half a dozen Lascars—there + are plenty of them at the docks—and had me watched wherever I went; + and, do you know, that I believe I once owed my life to them.” + </p> + <p> + “How was that, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I was captured by some fellows who suspected me to be a Bow Street + runner, and I think that it would have gone very hard with me if a party + of five or six prize fighters had not broken into the house, pretty nearly + killed the men in whose hands I was, and rescued me. They said that they + had heard of my danger from a foreign sailor who called at Gibbons', with + whom I was in the habit of boxing, and told him about it. You see, until + they learned where the jewels were, my life was valuable to them, for + possibly I was the only person who knew where they were hidden; so really + I don't think I have any reason for bearing a grudge against them. They + saved my life in the first place, and spared it at what was a distinct + risk to themselves. On the other hand, they were content with regaining + the bracelet, not even, as I told you, taking my watch or purse. You see, + with them it was a matter of religion. They had no animosity against me + personally, but I have no doubt they would have stabbed me without the + slightest compunction had there been no other way of getting the things. + Still, I think that I owe a debt of gratitude to them rather than the + reverse, and, after all, the loss of the bracelet is not a serious one to + us.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad it is gone,” Millicent said. “You say it had already caused the + death of two men, and if you had succeeded in selling it I can't help + thinking that the money would have brought ill fortune to us. I am + heartily glad that the diamonds are gone, Mark. I suppose they were very + handsome?” + </p> + <p> + “They were magnificent,” he said. “Dick and Cotter both agreed that they + had never seen their equal, and I fancy that they must have been worth a + great deal more than your father valued them at.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it does not matter at all. There is no history attached to the + others, I hope, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “Not in any way, dear. They were bought, as the Colonel told my father, in + the ordinary course of things, and some, no doubt, were obtained at the + capture of some of the native princes' treasuries; but it was solely on + account of this bracelet that he had any anxiety. You can wear all the + others, if you have a fancy for keeping them, without a shadow of risk.” + </p> + <p> + “No, Mark, we will sell them every one. I don't think that I shall ever + care to wear any jewels again; and if I am ever presented at court and + have to do so, I would rather that you should buy some new ones fresh from + a jeweler's shop than wear anything that has come from India.” + </p> + <p> + “To-morrow you shall both go to the bank with me to see them, and then I + will take them to some first-class jeweler's and get him to value them.” + </p> + <p> + The visit was paid next day. Both Millicent and Mrs. Cunningham were + somewhat disappointed at the jewels. + </p> + <p> + “It is hardly fair to see them like this,” Philip Cotter said. “They would + look very different if reset. No Indian jewels I have ever seen show to + advantage in their native settings; but many of the stones are very large, + and without knowing anything about them I should say that they are worth + the 50,000 pounds at which you say Colonel Thorndyke valued them. He was + not likely to be mistaken. He was evidently a judge of these matters, and + would hardly be likely to be far wrong.” + </p> + <p> + “We will go with you to the jeweler's, Mark,” Millicent said. “In the + first place, I shall not feel quite comfortable until I know that they are + out of your hands, and in the next place I should like to hear what he + thinks of them.” + </p> + <p> + “I have a number of Indian jewels that I wish you to value for me,” Mark + said, as, carrying the case, he entered the jeweler's shop. “They were + collected by Colonel Thorndyke, an uncle of mine, during service in + India.” + </p> + <p> + The jeweler took them with him into a room behind the shop. The case was + opened, and the man took out sixty-eight small parcels it contained, and + opened them one after the other. + </p> + <p> + “I shall need a very careful examination of these before I can form any + estimate of their value,” he said, after inspecting some of the more + important pieces of jewelry carefully. “They are a most magnificent + collection, and had they been properly cut in the first place they would + have been worth a very large sum. Unfortunately, the Indian princes think + more of size than of lustre, and have their stones cut very much too flat + to show off their full brilliancy. Some of these large ones I should + certainly advise to be recut, for what they will lose in weight they will + gain in beauty and value. However, sir, I will go through them and give + you an estimate of the selling value of each piece. I need not say that + they ought all to be reset in the prevailing fashion; but the gold, which + is in some cases unnecessarily massive, will go some distance towards + defraying the expense.” + </p> + <p> + “When shall I call again?” Mark asked. + </p> + <p> + “I should be glad if you can give me a week,” the jeweler said. “Some of + the things, for instance that great pearl necklace, I could appraise + without much difficulty, but all the gems must be taken out of their + settings before I could form a fair idea of their value.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I will call in a week's time,” Mark said. “I am in no particular + hurry about them, but I would rather that they were in your care than + mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, if the cracksmen got word that there was such a collection as this + in any private house it would need a couple of men with pistols to keep + guard over them.” + </p> + <p> + A week later Mark again called. + </p> + <p> + “I have the list ready for you, sir; you will see that they are not marked + according to their setting, but according to their size and value. Thus, + you see, the largest stones are priced separately; the smaller ones are in + groups according to their weight. The total comes to 42,000 pounds. I do + not know whether that at all equals your expectations. I may say that I + have shown the stones to two or three of our principal diamond merchants, + and that the prices I have put down are those at which they would be + willing to buy them; possibly some would be worth more. I had the + merchants here together, and they spent some hours going through them, and + the sums put down are those at which one or other were willing to + purchase.” + </p> + <p> + “It quite answers my expectations,” Mark said. “My uncle's estimate, + indeed, was somewhat higher, but doubtless he judged them at the price + which they would fetch in India. Well, sir, I authorize you to close with + the offers, and to dispose of them for me. I will give you a written + authority to do so. In the meantime, I wish to buy a suite of jewels as a + wedding present, a tiara, necklace, and bracelets; but I do not want any + diamonds to be among them.” + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid I have nothing in stock without diamonds; of course, I have + both necklaces and bracelets of almost any stones that you might select, + but I have no complete set without diamonds; the effect would be somber, + and few ladies would like them.” + </p> + <p> + “We have some unpleasant associations with diamonds,” Mark said, “and on + that point I am quite determined; but if you used pearls instead of + diamonds the effect might be as good. I don't care whether the stones are + emeralds or rubies; at any rate, I should like to see some, and then + perhaps you might be able to make me a set on the same model.” + </p> + <p> + Several superb sets were brought in; Mark selected one of emeralds and + diamonds. + </p> + <p> + “What would be the price of this set?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + “That set is 6000 pounds, sir; the stones are exceptionally fine ones; but + if you substituted pearls of equal size for the diamonds, it would cost + considerably less; I could not give you the exact price until it is made, + but I should say that it would be about 4500 pounds.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then, I will take that. How long will it be making?” + </p> + <p> + “I should not like to say less than three months at the earliest; it will + require some time to collect as fine a set of emeralds as these. Indeed, I + think that most probably I shall use these emeralds, or the greater part + of them, and collect others to take their places at my leisure. I do not + know whether the best plan would not be to take the diamonds out and + substitute pearls; there would be no difficulty in getting them, and in + that case I might have it ready for you in a month.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that will be the best plan; but you need not be in any particular + hurry about them. My marriage will take place in less than a fortnight, + and after that I shall probably be three or four months before I return to + London. I will get you to keep the things until I come back.” + </p> + <p> + “I have sold the jewels, Millicent,” he said, when he returned to + Islington; “the jeweler has found purchasers for them all, and the total + comes to 42,000 pounds.” + </p> + <p> + “Whatever shall we do with all our money, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “I rather wonder myself, dear. However, there is one thing, there are + always plenty of people who will be glad to relieve us of anything that we + don't want. I can tell you that in the course of my search for Bastow I + have seen an amount of poverty and misery such as I never dreamt of, and I + certainly should like to do something to relieve it. The best thing that I + know of would be to give a handsome sum to three or four of the great + hospitals. I don't know of any better means of helping the very poor.” + </p> + <p> + “Suppose, Mark,” the girl said, putting her hand on his arm, “we give this + 42,000 pounds as a thank offering. We never expected to get it, and my + father's jewels have nearly cost you your life. We have such an abundance + without that, I should like, above all things, to give this money away.” + </p> + <p> + “I think that is an excellent plan, Millicent, and a very happy thought on + your part. We cannot do it now, as we have not yet got the money, but as + soon as we do we will send off checks for 10,000 guineas each to St. + Bartholomew's, Guy's, and St. Thomas'—those are the three principal + ones; the others we can settle afterwards. But I should say that the + Foundling would be as good as any, and I believe that they are rather + short of funds at present; then there is the London Mendicity Society, and + many other good charities. Perhaps it would be better to divide the whole + among eight of them instead of four; but we need not settle that until we + return.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you think we shall have to go to this horrid Amsterdam, Mark?” + </p> + <p> + “I hope not, dear; but I shall no doubt hear from the Lieutenant of the + watch during the next week or ten days.” + </p> + <p> + When the letter came it was satisfactory. The prisoners, seeing the + hopelessness of any defense, had all admitted their guilt, and the name of + the man who had dealt with them had also been given up. Except in his case + there would be no trial. The others would have sentences passed on them at + once, and three, who had been promised comparatively slight punishment, + would go into the box to give evidence against the man who had engaged + them. Before starting for Holland Mark had consulted Millicent as to + whether she would prefer being married in London or at Crowswood. She had + replied: + </p> + <p> + “I should greatly prefer Crowswood, Mark. Here we know no one, there we + should be among all our friends; certainly if we don't go we must get Mr. + Greg to come up and marry us here. I am sure he would feel very + disappointed if anyone else were asked. At the same time I should not like + to go home. When we come back from our trip it will be different; but it + would be a great trial now, and however happy we might be, I should feel + there was a gloom over the house.” + </p> + <p> + “I quite agree with you, Millicent. When we come back we can see about + entirely refurnishing it, and, perhaps, adding some rooms to it, and we + need not go down until a complete change has been made. We shall be able + to manage it somehow or other, and I quite agree with you that anything + will be better than going back to the house for a day or two before the + wedding.” + </p> + <p> + On the voyage back from Holland Mark had talked the matter over with Dick + Chetwynd, and said that he thought of taking rooms for Mrs. Cunningham and + Millicent at Reigate, and stopping at the hotel himself, and having the + wedding breakfast there. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, Dick, you will be my best man.” + </p> + <p> + “I should think so,” Dick laughed. “Why, if you had asked anyone else I + should have made a personal matter of it with him, and have given him the + option of resigning the position or going out with me. But your other + plans are foolish, and I shall take the matter into my own hands; I shall + insist upon the two ladies coming down to the Park, and I will get my aunt + to come and preside generally over things. I shall fill up the house with + bridesmaids, and shall have a dance the evening before. You can put up at + the hotel if you like, but you know very well that there are a dozen + houses where they will be delighted to have you; there is no doubt that + when they know what is coming off you will get a dozen invitations, and + then after church all those invited will drive off to the Park to the + wedding breakfast. After that is over you can start in a post chaise to + Canterbury or Dover, wherever you may decide to make your first halt.” + </p> + <p> + “But, my dear Dick, I could not put you to all this trouble!” + </p> + <p> + “Nonsense, man. I should enjoy it immensely; besides, I shall be really + glad of a good reason to try and open the doors of the Park again. I have + been there very little since my father's death, and I think I shall make + it my headquarters in future. I am getting rather tired of bachelor life + in London, and must look out for a wife; so nothing could be more + appropriate than this idea. Don't bother yourself any further about it. I + shall ride down and establish myself there tomorrow, and spend a couple of + days in driving round to our friends and in sending out invitations. I + shall still have nearly a fortnight for making all preparations. Why, it + will cause quite an excitement in the neighborhood! I shall be hailed as a + benefactor, and I shall let everyone know that your father's ward was + really your cousin, but that by the will of her father she was to drop her + surname until she came of age; and that until that time your father was to + have the entire control of the property. I shall add that although the + estate, of course, is hers, your uncle has left you a very big fortune, + and that nothing could be more suitable in all respects than the + marriage.” + </p> + <p> + “That will do excellently, Dick; that will be quite enough, without going + into details at all. You can mention that we intend to have the house + entirely refurnished, and on the return from our wedding trip abroad to + settle there. I am sure I am extremely obliged to you for your offer, + which will certainly clear away all sorts of small difficulties.” + </p> + <p> + A day or two after his return Mark wrote to Mr. Greg telling him the + relations in which Millicent and he stood to each other, and of the near + approach of their marriage. He said that Millicent would be married from + Dick Chetwynd's, but that it would be at Crowswood church. In return he + received a warm letter of congratulation from the Rector, telling him that + the news was in every respect delightful, and that his wife and the + children were in a state of the highest excitement, not only at the + marriage, but at their coming down to reside again at Crowswood. + </p> + <p> + “The village,” he said, “will be scarcely less pleased than I am, for + though everything goes on as you ordered, and the people get their milk, + broths, and jellies as before, they don't look at it as the same thing as + it was in the old days. I cannot say that the news of your engagement to + Miss Conyers—I ought to say Miss Thorndyke—is surprising, for + I had thought that it would be quite the natural thing for you to fall in + love with each other, and, indeed, my wife declares that she saw it coming + on distinctly during the last few months before you left here. Your + postscript saying that Bastow had been captured and had committed suicide + gave me a distinct feeling of relief, for no one could tell whether the + deadly enmity that he felt for your father might not extend to you. I have + cut this note rather short, but I have just heard the door shut, and I am + quite sure that my wife has gone down to tell the good news in the + village, and I really cannot deny myself the pleasure of telling some of + the people myself, and seeing their faces brighten up at the news.” + </p> + <p> + As Dick had foretold would be the case, Mark received a very warm letter + from Sir Charles Harris, congratulating him upon his approaching marriage, + and insisting upon his taking up his quarters with him. + </p> + <p> + “I am sending a man down with this to hand it to the guard as the up coach + goes through the town. Chetwynd told me that his call on me was the first + he had paid, so I feel fairly confident that I shall forestall the rest of + your friends, and that you will give me the pleasure of your company.” + </p> + <p> + Mark wrote back accepting the invitation at once, which enabled him to + decline half a dozen others without the necessity of making a choice. + Everything turned out as arranged. Millicent and Mrs. Cunningham went down + in a post chaise, two days before the wedding, and Mark drove down in his + gig with them. Dick Chetwynd met them on horseback just outside Reigate, + and escorted the ladies to his house, Mark driving on to that of Sir + Charles Harris. Millicent found the house full of her special friends, + whom she had asked to be her bridesmaids. She was almost bewildered by the + warmth of their welcome, and overpowered by the questions poured upon her. + </p> + <p> + “The news quite took all our breath away, Millicent,” one of them said. + “It seems extraordinary that you should have been Miss Thorndyke all the + time, though I don't think that any of us were at all surprised that you + should take the name now; you must have been surprised when you heard that + you were the heiress of Crowswood.” + </p> + <p> + “I was a great deal more disgusted than surprised,” she said rather + indignantly. “I did not think that it was fair at all that I should step + into Mark's shoes.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, it has all come right now, Millicent, and I dare say you thought + that it would, even then.” + </p> + <p> + “I can assure you that I did not; quite the contrary, I thought that it + never would come right. I was very unhappy about it for a time.” + </p> + <p> + “Now, young ladies,” Dick Chetwynd laughed, “will you please take Mrs. + Cunningham and Miss Thorndyke up to their rooms? I don't suppose I shall + see any more of you before dinner time; there are those trunks to be + opened and examined, talked over, and admired. Mind, I have fifteen more, + for the most part men, coming to dinner, so those of you who aspire to + follow Miss Thorndyke's example had best prepare yourselves for conquest.” + </p> + <p> + The ball on the following evening was a great success. Dick had determined + that it should be a memorable one, and there was a consensus of opinion + that it was the most brilliant that had taken place in that part of the + country for many years. + </p> + <p> + Crowswood church and village presented a most festive appearance on the + following day; there was not a cottage that had not great posies of + flowers in its windows, and that had not made some sort of attempt at + decoration with flags or flowers. A huge arch of evergreens, with sheaves + of wheat and flowers, had been erected on the top of the hill, and every + man, woman, and child turned out in their best, and cheered lustily, + first, when Mark drove up in his gig, and equally lustily when the + Chetwynd carriage, drawn by four gray horses, dashed up, preceded by a + large number of others with the bridesmaids and friends. The church was + already crowded, and Mr. Greg was visibly moved at seeing the son and + niece of the man to whom he owed his living made man and wife. When the + wedding breakfast, at which more than fifty sat down, and the necessary + toasts were over, Mr. and Mrs. Thorndyke started for Canterbury. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII. + </h2> + <p> + It was not until Easter that Mark Thorndyke and his wife returned to + England. They had spent the greater portion of that time in Italy, + lingering for a month at Venice, and had then journeyed quietly homewards + through Bavaria and Saxony; They were in no hurry, as before starting on + their honeymoon Mark had consulted an architect, had told him exactly what + he wanted, and had left the matter in his hands. Mrs. Cunningham had from + time to time kept them informed how things were going on. The part of the + house in which the Squire's room had been situated was entirely pulled + down, and a new wing built in its stead. Millicent had been specially + wishful that this should be done. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know that I am superstitious, Mark,” she had said, “but I do + think that when a murder has taken place in a house it is better to make a + complete change. The servants always think they see or hear something. + That part of the house is avoided, and it is difficult to get anyone to + stay there. I think it is very much more important to do that than it is + to get the house refurnished; we can do anything in that way you like when + we get back, but I should certainly like very much to have the great + alteration made before we return.” + </p> + <p> + The architect was a clever one, and the house, which was some two hundred + years old, was greatly improved in appearance by the new wing, which was + made to harmonize well with the rest, but was specially designed to give + as much variety as possible to the general outline. Millicent uttered an + exclamation of pleasure when they first caught a glimpse of the house. As + they rode through the village they were again welcomed as heartily as they + were on their wedding day. Mrs. Cunningham received them; she had been + established there for a month, and had placed the house entirely on its + old footing. They first examined the new portion of the house, and + Millicent was greatly pleased with the rooms that had been prepared for + them, Mark having requested Mrs. Cunningham to put the furnishing into the + hands of the best known firm of the day. + </p> + <p> + “I have asked,” Mrs. Cunningham said, “the Rector and his wife and Mr. + Chetwynd to dine with us this evening; they can scarcely be termed + company, and I thought that you might find it pleasant to have these old + friends here the first evening. There is a letter for you on the library + table, Mark; it may almost be called a packet; it has been here nearly a + month.” + </p> + <p> + In our days a newly married couple would find on their return from foreign + travel basketfuls of letters, circulars, and catalogues from tradesmen of + all kinds; happily, our forefathers were saved from these inflictions, and + Mark at once went to the library with almost a feeling of surprise as to + who could have written to him. He saw at once that it was a ship's letter, + for on the top was written, “Favored by the Surinam.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, it is Ramoo's writing. I suppose he gave it to someone he knew, and + that instead of its being put in the mail bag in India, he brought it on + with him. What a tremendously long epistle!” he exclaimed, glancing his + eye down the first page, and then a puzzled expression came across his + face; he sat down and began to read from the first slowly and carefully. + </p> + <p> + “HONORED SAHIB: + </p> + <p> + “I do not know why I should write to tell you the true history of all + these matters. I have thought it over many times, but I feel that it is + right that you should know clearly what has happened, and how it has come + about, and more especially that you should know that you need never fear + any troubles such as those that have taken place. I am beginning to write + this while we are yet sailing, and shall send it to you by ship from the + Cape, or if it chances that we meet any ship on her way to England, our + letters may be put on board her.” + </p> + <p> + “Why, this letter must be more than a year old,” Mark said to himself. + There was no date to the letter, but, turning to the last sheet, he saw as + a postscript after the signature the words, “January 26th.—A ship, + the Surinam, is lying a short distance from us, and will take our letters + to England.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, it must be a year old; but what he means by the way he begins is + more than I can imagine;” and he turned back to the point at which he had + broken off. + </p> + <p> + “I would tell it you in order as it happened. I, Ramoo, am a Brahmin. + Twenty years ago I was the head priest of a great temple. I shall not say + where the temple was; it matters not in any way. There was fighting, as + there is always fighting in India. There were Company's Sepoys and white + troops, and one night the most sacred bracelet of the great god of our + temple was stolen.” + </p> + <p> + “Good Heavens!” Mark exclaimed, laying down the letter. “Then it has been + Ramoo who has all this time been in pursuit of the diamonds; and to think + that my uncle never even suspected him!” + </p> + <p> + Then suddenly he continued, “now I understand why it was my life was + spared by those fellows. By Jove, this is astounding!” Then he took up the + letter again. + </p> + <p> + “Two of the Brahmins under me had observed, at a festival the day before + the bracelet was lost, a white soldier staring at it with covetous eyes. + One of them was in charge of the temple on the night when it was stolen, + and on the day following he came to me, and said, 'I desire to devote my + life to the recovery of the jewels of the god. Bondah will go with me; we + will return no more until we bring them back.' 'It is good,' I said; 'the + god must be appeased, or terrible misfortunes may happen.' Then we held a + solemn service in the temple. The two men removed the caste marks from + their foreheads, prostrated themselves before the god, and went out from + amongst us as outcasts until the day of their death. Two months later a + messenger came from the one who had spoken to me, saying that they had + found the man, but had for a long time had no opportunity of finding the + bracelet. Then Bondah had met him in a lonely place, and had attacked him. + Bondah had lost his life, but the soldier was, though sorely wounded, able + to get back to his regiment. He had died, but he had, the writer was + convinced, passed the jewels on to a comrade, whom he would watch. Then I + saw that one man was not sufficient for such a task. Then I, too, the + Chief Brahmin of the temple, saw that it was my duty to go forth also. + </p> + <p> + “I laid the matter before the others, and they said, 'You are right; it is + you who, as the chief in the service of the god, should bring back his + jewels.' So again there was a service, and I went forth as an outcast and + a wanderer, knowing that I must do many things that were forbidden to my + caste; that I must touch unclean things, must eat forbidden food, and must + take life if needs be. You, sahib, cannot understand how terrible was the + degradation to me, who was of the purest blood of the Brahmins. I had + taken the most solemn vows to devote my life to this. I knew that, whether + successful or not, although I might be forgiven my offense by the god, yet + that never again could I recover my caste, even though the heaviest + penances were performed. Henceforth, I must stand alone in the world, + without kindred, without friends, without help, save such as the god might + give me in the search. + </p> + <p> + “I was rich. The greater part of my goods I gave to the temple, and yet + retained a considerable sum, for I should need money to carry out my + quest, and after I had accomplished it I should hand over what remained + for the benefit of the poor. I should myself become a fakir. I want you to + understand, sahib, that henceforth I had but one object in life, a supreme + one, to accomplish, in which nothing must stand in my way, and that what + would be in others a crime was but a sacrifice on my part, most acceptable + to the god. I journeyed down to the place where my comrade was, dressed as + one of the lowest class, even as a sweeper, and he and I strove by all the + means in our power to discover what this man had done with the jewels. + Night after night we crawled into his tent. We searched his bed and his + clothes. With sharp rods we tried every inch of the soil, believing that + he had hidden the diamonds underground, but we failed. + </p> + <p> + “There my comrade said, 'I must give my life to find out where he hides + these things. I will watch night after night by the door of his tent, and + if he comes out I will stab him; it shall be a mortal wound, but I will + not kill him outright. Before he dies he will doubtless, as the other did, + pass the jewels on to some comrade, and then it will be for you to follow + him up.' 'It is good,' I said. 'This man may have hidden them away + somewhere during the time they have marched through the country. In spite + of the watch you have kept he may have said to himself, “I will return, + though it be years hence.” Your plan is good,' I said. 'I envy you. 'Tis + better to die thus than to live in sin as we are doing.' + </p> + <p> + “That evening the man was stabbed, but an officer running up killed my + comrade. The soldier was taken to the hospital, and I lay down beside the + tent with my eye to a slit that I had cut, and watched till morning. + </p> + <p> + “Then I took my broom and swept the ground. I had not been hired as one of + the camp sweepers, and so could move about and sweep where I chose. No one + ever asked me any questions. The soldiers heeded me no more than if I had + been a dog, and, of course, supposed that I was acting by the order of the + head of the sweepers. Presently I saw one of the servants of the hospital + go across to the tent of the officer who had killed my comrade. He came + over and went into the hospital tent. I felt sure that it was the wounded + man who had sent for him. He was in there some time. Presently a soldier + came out and went to the tent of the wounded man, and returned bringing a + musket. Then I said to myself, 'The god has blinded us. He wills that we + shall go through many more toils before we regain the bracelet.' Doubtless + the man had carried the bracelet in his musket all the time, and we, blind + that we were, had never thought of it. + </p> + <p> + “Presently the officer came out again. I noticed that as he did so he + looked round on all sides as if to see if he were watched. Then I knew + that it was as I had thought: the soldier had given the bracelet to him. + At this I was pleased; it would be far more easy to search the tent of an + officer than of a soldier, who sleeps surrounded by his comrades. I + thought that there was no hurry now; it would need but patience, and I + should be sure to find them. I had not calculated that he would have + better opportunities than the soldier for going about, and that, + doubtless, the soldier had warned him of his danger. Two hours later the + officer mounted his horse and rode towards the camp of another regiment, a + mile and a quarter away. There was nothing in that; but I watched for his + return all that day and all that night, and when he did not come back, I + felt that he was doing something to get rid of the diamonds. + </p> + <p> + “He was away three days, and when he returned I was almost sure that he + had not the diamonds about him. As he had ridden off he had looked about + just as he had when he left the hospital: he was uneasy, just as if he was + watched; now he was uneasy no longer. Then I knew that my search would be + a long one, and might fail altogether. I went away, and for three months I + prayed and fasted; then I returned. I bought different clothes, I painted + my forehead with another caste mark, then I bought from the servant of an + officer in another regiment his papers of service: recommendations from + former masters. Then I went to the officer—you will guess, sahib, + that it was the Major, your uncle—and I paid his servant to leave + his service, and to present me as a brother of his who had been accustomed + to serve white sahibs, and was, like himself, a good servant; so I took + his place. + </p> + <p> + “He was a good master, and I came to love him, though I knew that I might + yet have to kill him. You have heard that I saved his life three times; I + did so partly because I loved him, but chiefly because his life was most + precious to me, for if he had died I should have lost all clew to the + bracelet. I had, of course, made sure that he had not got them with him; + over and over again I searched every article in his possession. I ripped + open his saddle lest they might be sewn up in its stuffing. All that could + be done I did, until I was quite sure that he had not got them. He, on his + part, came to like me. He thought that I was the most faithful of + servants, and after the last time I saved his life he took me with him + everywhere. He went down to Madras, and was married there. I watched his + every movement. After that he went down frequently. Then a child was born, + and six months afterwards his wife died. + </p> + <p> + “The regiment was stationed at the fort. At that time he was at many + places—the governor's, the other officer sahibs', the merchants', + and others'. I could not follow him, but I was sure by his manner that he + had not taken back the bracelet from whoever he had sent it to. I knew him + so well by this time that I should have noticed any change in his manner + in a moment. At last the child went away in the charge of Mrs. Cunningham. + I bribed the child's ayah, and she searched Mrs. Cunningham's boxes and + every garment she had, and found no small sealed parcel or box amongst + them. Three years more passed. By this time the Colonel treated me more as + a friend than as a servant. He said one day, laughing, 'It is a long time + since my things have been turned topsy turvy, Ramoo. I think the thieves + have come to the conclusion that I have not got what they are looking + for.' 'What is that, sahib?' I asked. 'Some special jewels,' he said. + 'They are extremely valuable. But I have got them and a lot of other + things so safely stowed that no one will ever find them unless I give them + the clew.' 'But suppose you are killed, sahib,' I said; 'your little + daughter will never get the things.' 'I have provided for that,' he + answered. 'If I am killed I have arranged that she shall know all about it + either when she comes to the age of eighteen or twenty-one.' + </p> + <p> + “A few weeks after that he was wounded very badly. I nursed him night and + day for weeks, and when he came to England he brought me with him. As you + know, sahib, he died. When he was in London he went to see Mrs. Cunningham + and the child, and several times to the office of the lawyer who attended + your father's funeral. Then he came down to your father, and I know he had + long and earnest conversations with him. I did all I could to listen, but + the Colonel always had the windows and doors shut before he began to + speak. I could see that your father was troubled. Then the Colonel died. + After his death I could never find his snuff box; he had carried it about + with him for some years; once or twice I had examined it, but it was too + small for the diamonds to be hidden in. I suppose that he had given it to + the sahib, your father, but as I could never find it I guessed that there + was some mystery attached to it, though what I could not tell. + </p> + <p> + “Then your father took me down to Crowswood with him, and Mrs. Cunningham + and the little girl came down. I was surprised to find that your father + seemed to be master of the estate, and that no one thought anything of the + child, whose name had been changed. I spoke one day to Mrs. Cunningham + about it; your father seemed to me a just and good man, and I could not + believe that he was robbing his brother's daughter. Mrs. Cunningham told + me that the Colonel did not wish her to be known as an heiress, and that + he had left the estate to his brother until she came of age. Your father + was as good a master as the Colonel had been. I watched and watched, and + once or twice I overheard him talking to himself in the library, and + discovered that your father himself was altogether ignorant of the hiding + place of the property that the Colonel had mentioned in his will. I knew + then that I should have to wait until the child was either eighteen or + twenty-one. + </p> + <p> + “It was a long time, but I had learnt to be patient. I was not unhappy; I + loved your father, I loved the Colonel's little daughter; and I was very + fond of you. All these things were small to me in comparison to my vow and + the finding the jewels of the god, but they shortened the years of + waiting. Then a year before the young mistress was eighteen came the shot + through the window. I did not know who had fired it, but I saw that your + father's life was in danger, and I said to myself, 'He will tell the young + sahib what he knows about the bracelet.' After you had gone into the + library I opened the door quietly, and listened. I could hear much that + was said, but not all. I heard him say something about a snuff box, and + some means of finding the lost things being hidden in it, and that he had + kept them all these years in a secret hiding place, which he described. + You were to search for the diamonds, and I guessed from that that he did + not know what he was to be told when the young memsahib came of age, or + perhaps when she was eighteen. It was not until I had thought over what I + heard that I came to the conclusion that if I could find the things he + spoke of I might be able to find the jewels. By that time your father had + gone to bed. I was foolish not to have been patient, but my blood boiled + after waiting for eighteen or nineteen years. The god seemed to have sent + me the chance, and it seemed to me that I should take it at once. I knew + that he generally slept with his window open, and it seemed to me that it + would be easy to slip in there and to get those things from the cabinet. I + knew where the ladder was kept. I took a file from the tool chest and cut + the chain.” + </p> + <p> + Here Mark dropped the letter in horror. + </p> + <p> + “Good Heavens!” he exclaimed. “Then Bastow spoke truly, and he was not my + father's murderer! Never did a single suspicion of Ramoo enter my head. + This is appalling; but I cannot read any more now. It is time for me to go + and dress for dinner.” + </p> + <p> + “Is anything the matter with you, Mark?” Millicent asked anxiously, as she + met him in the drawing room; “you look as white as a sheet.” + </p> + <p> + “I have been reading Ramoo's letter, and he has told me some things that + have surprised and shocked me. I will tell you about them after dinner, + dear. It is a long story, but you won't have to wait until Dick and the + Gregs are gone. They are interested in all that interests us, and shall + hear the letter read. No; I think I will ask them and Dick to come in the + morning. I should not like anything to sadden the first evening of our + coming home.” + </p> + <p> + “Then it is something sad.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but it does not affect us, though it does affect Ramoo. Now clear + your brow, dear, and dismiss the subject from your mind, else our guests + will fancy that our marriage has not been altogether so satisfactory as + they had hoped.” + </p> + <p> + “As if they could think such a thing as that, Mark,” she said indignantly. + “But there is the sound of wheels; it is Mr. Chetwynd's gig.” + </p> + <p> + The three visitors all came in together, having met at the door. Mark, + with a great effort, put aside the letter from his mind, and a cheerful + evening was spent. They had much to tell of their travels, many questions + to ask about the parish and their mutual friends and the neighborhood + generally, and when they rose to go Mark said: + </p> + <p> + “Would you mind riding over again tomorrow morning, Dick? I have a letter + to read to you that will interest you greatly.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly. What time shall I be here?” + </p> + <p> + “Say at eleven o'clock. It is a long epistle, and will take us an hour to + get through; after that we can stroll round, and, of course, you will stop + to lunch. + </p> + <p> + “I should be glad if you and Mrs. Greg can come over too,” he added, + turning to the Rector; “you will be much interested also in the matter.” + </p> + <p> + The next day the party met in the library at the hour named. “I may tell + you, Mr. Greg, that I specially asked you and your wife here because this + letter throws some light on Arthur Bastow's connection with my father's + murder; you were friends with his father, and I think you ought to know. + As to you, Dick, the letter will interest you from beginning to end, and + will surprise as much as it will interest you.” + </p> + <p> + “Even I don't know what it is, Mrs. Greg,” Millicent said. “I know it + quite upset Mark yesterday, but he said he would sooner I did not know + anything about it until today, as he did not want me to be saddened on the + first evening of our return home. Now, please go on, Mark; you have said + quite enough to excite us all.” + </p> + <p> + Mark had read but a short distance when Dick Chetwynd exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “Then Ramoo was at the bottom of that Indian business, after all. I almost + wonder you never suspected it, Mark.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, I hardly could do so,” Mark said, “when my uncle was so fond of + him, and he had served him so faithfully.” + </p> + <p> + As he approached the point at which he had laid down the letter on the + previous evening, Millicent's color faded. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly an exclamation of horror broke from her when he read the last + line. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Mark,” she said, with quivering lips, “don't say it was Ramoo. He + always seemed so kind and good.” + </p> + <p> + “It was here I stopped last night,” he said, “but I fear there can be no + doubt about it. I must say that it is evident from this letter, that no + thought of doing my father harm was in his mind when he placed that ladder + against the window. Now I will go on.” + </p> + <p> + The letter continued as follows: + </p> + <p> + “Having placed the ladder, I clambered to the window and quietly entered + the room. It was quite dark, but I knew the place of every piece of + furniture so well that I was able to go without hesitation to the cabinet. + Your father was speaking very slowly and distinctly when he told you how + it was to be opened, and I was able to do it easily, but I did not know + that the back opened with a sharp click, and the noise startled me and + woke your father. In an instant he was out of bed and seized me by the + throat. Now, he was a much stronger man than I was. I struggled in vain. I + felt that in a moment I should become insensible; my vow and my duty to + the god flashed across me, and scarce knowing what I did, I drew a little + dagger I always carried, and struck blindly. He fell, and I fell beside + him. For a time I was insensible. When I recovered I was seized with the + bitterest remorse that I had killed one I loved, but I seemed to hear the + voice of the god saying, 'You have done well, Ramoo. I am your great + master, and you are bound to my service.' + </p> + <p> + “I got up almost blindly, felt in the cabinet, and found a coin and a + piece of paper, and a feeling of exultation came over me that, after + nearly twenty years, I should succeed in carrying out my vow and taking + his bracelet back to the god. I descended the ladder, crept in the back + door by which I had come out, went up to my room, where I had kept a light + burning, and examined my treasures. Then I saw that all had been in vain. + They were doubtless a key to the mystery, but until a clew was given they + were absolutely useless. I sat for hours staring at them. I would have + gone back and replaced them in the cabinet and left all as it had been + before, but I dared not enter the room again. The next day I heard you say + that you suspected that the talk with your father had been overheard, and + that the man who had earlier in the evening before shot at him had + returned, and while listening had heard something said about the hiding + place, and thought that he would find some sort of treasure there. I + thought that in the talk your father might have told you how to use these + things, though I had not caught it, and it was therefore important that + you should have them back again, so I went into the room after the inquest + was over, and placed the things in their hiding place again. + </p> + <p> + “Then, thinking it over, I determined to leave your service. You would be + trying to find the treasure, and I must watch you, and this I could not do + as long as I was a house servant; so I came up to London, and you thought + I had sailed for India, but I did not go. I hired four Lascars, men of my + own religion, and paid them to watch every movement that you made, to see + where you visited and where you went. I paid them well, and they served me + well; it was so that I was able to bring those men to your help when but + for that you would have lost your life. It was for this to some extent + that I had you followed; for I soon found out that you were on the search + for the man who had fired through the window, and who you believed had + killed your father, rather than for the jewels. I knew that you might run + into danger, and partly because I loved you, and partly because it was + possible that it would be essential for that coin and piece of paper to be + produced in order that the treasure might be obtained, I kept guard over + you. + </p> + <p> + “When the 18th of August approached we were all on the watch. I felt sure + that you would take every possible precaution while you had the bracelet + in your possession. We knew who were your principal friends, the banker's + son and Mr. Chetwynd. On the 18th of August everything went on as usual. + On the following day the banker's son came to you, and as soon as he left + you, you went to the lawyer's, and afterwards to the banker's. I felt sure + now that it was at that bank that the jewels had been placed, and that you + had been waiting till the young memsahib's birthday for the news that they + might be taken out; then you went to Mr. Chetwynd's, and he went to the + bank. I had no doubt that he was to take them out for you, and after that + one of the men never took his eyes off him when he was outside of his + house. Afterwards you went to the place where the men used to fight, and + the man who was watching you went in, and had beer, and saw you talking + with the big man you used to fight with, in the parlor behind the bar. The + watcher went out to follow you, but left another to watch this man. We + found that both Mr. Chetwynd and he went to a shipping office in Tower + Street, and we then guessed that you intended to take the bracelet at once + across the sea. + </p> + <p> + “I went myself and found out that a vessel was sailing in two days to + Amsterdam. I took a passage for a man in the cheap cabin, and asked to + look at the list of passengers, as I believed that some friend would be + sailing by her; there were two men's names down together in one + handwriting among the first class passengers, and I guessed that these + were you and Mr. Chetwynd. I also saw the name of the big man, which I had + heard long before, down in the list of passengers, and another name next + to his in the same handwriting. I did not know his name, but guessed that + it was another of the fighting men, and that they were going to look after + you until you had got rid of the diamonds. On the morning that she was to + sail one of the Lascars was on board; I thought it possible that in order + to throw anyone who might be following you off your scent you might at the + last moment go ashore, and that Mr. Chetwynd might take the diamonds over, + so I watched, and saw you on the deck with your friend. + </p> + <p> + “I and the other three Lascars then took passage that evening in a craft + for Rotterdam, and got to Amsterdam two days before your ship arrived; we + went to different houses, and going separately into the worst parts of the + town, soon found a man who kept a gambling den, and who was a man who + could be trusted. I offered him a thousand francs to collect twenty-five + men, who were to be paid a hundred francs each, and to be ready, if your + ship arrived after dark, to attack two passengers I would point out to + them. I did not want you to be hurt, so bargained that all knives were to + be left behind, and that he was to supply the men only with clubs. If the + ship came in in daylight you were to be attacked the first time you went + out after dark. You know how that was carried out. You had two more men + with you than I had expected; but I thought that with a sudden rush you + might all be separated. You know the rest. The moment you were knocked + down I and three others carried you to a boat. It had been lying near the + stairs, and we took you off to the barge in which I had arranged you + should be taken to Rotterdam. + </p> + <p> + “We told them that you were a drunken man who had been stunned in a fight + in a public house. As soon as we were off, I searched you and found the + diamonds. Then, as you know, we put you ashore. We all crossed to England + that night. Two days later I sailed in this ship, the Brahmapootra. I am + not afraid of telling you this, because I know that the diamonds will not + shine on the god's arm until all fear of search and inquiry are over. My + task will be done when I hand them over to the man who holds the office I + once held; then I shall bear the penances imposed on me for having broken + my caste in every way, and for having taken life, and for the rest of my + days I shall wander as a fakir through India. I shall be supported by the + knowledge that I have done my duty to my god, and have sacrificed all in + his service, but it will ever be a grief to me that in so doing it was + necessary to sacrifice the life of one who had ever shown me kindness. You + may wonder why I have written this, but I felt that I must own the truth + to you, and that you should know that if in the course of my duty to the + god it was my misfortune to slay your father, I have twice saved your + life, just as three times I saved that of the Colonel Sahib, your uncle.” + </p> + <p> + There was silence for some little time after Mark had finished reading. + </p> + <p> + “It is a strange story indeed,” Mr. Greg said, “but it is not for us to + judge the man. He has acted according to his lights, and none can do more. + He sacrificed himself and his life solely to the service of his god, well + knowing that even were he successful, his reward would be penance and + suffering, and a life of what cannot but be misery to a man brought up, as + he has been, to consider himself of the highest and holiest rank of the + people. I think, Mark, we need neither say nor think anything harshly of + him.” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly not,” Mark agreed. “I can understand that according to his view + of the matter anything that stood between him and his goal was but an + obstacle to be swept aside; assuredly there was no premeditation in the + killing of my father. I have no doubt that the man was attached to him, + and that he killed him not to save his own life, but in order that his + mission might be carried out.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so, Mark; it was done in the same spirit, if I may say so, that + Abraham would have sacrificed his son at the order of his God. What years + of devotion that man has passed through! Accustomed, as you see, to a + lofty position, to the respect and veneration of those around him, he + became a servant, and performed duties that were in his opinion not only + humiliating, but polluting and destructive to his caste, and which + rendered him an outcast even among the lowest of his people. Do you not + think so, Mrs. Thorndyke?” + </p> + <p> + Millicent, who was crying quietly, looked up. + </p> + <p> + “I can only think of him as the man who twice saved Mark's life,” she + said. + </p> + <p> + “I understand why you have wished to tell me this story,” the Rector went + on to Mark. “You wish me to know that Arthur Bastow did not add this to + his other crimes; that he was spared from being the murderer of your + father, but from no want of will on his part; and, as we know, he killed + many others, the last but an hour or two before he put an end to his own + life; still I am glad that this terrible crime is not his. It seemed to be + so revolting and unnatural. It was the Squire's father who had given the + living to his father, and the Squire himself had been his friend in the + greatest of his trials, and had given him a shelter and a home in his old + age. I am glad, at least, that the man, evil as he was, was spared this + last crime of the grossest ingratitude.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, Mark,” Dick Chetwynd said cheerfully, in order to turn the subject, + “I am heartily glad that we have got to the bottom of this jewel mystery. + I have been puzzling over it all the time that you have been away, and I + have never been able to understand how, in spite of the precautions that + we took, they should have found out that the jewels were at Cotter's, and + that you had them on board with you, and, above all, why they spared your + life when they could so easily and safely have put you out of the way. It + is certainly strange that while you were thinking over everything + connected with the jewels, the idea that Ramoo was the leading spirit in + the whole business should never once have occurred to you.” + </p> + <p> + A month later, when Mark went up to town, he called at Leadenhall Street. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, you have not heard of the arrival of the Brahmapootra at + Madras yet. May I ask when she left the Cape?” + </p> + <p> + “She never left the Cape, sir,” the clerk replied, “and there are very + grave fears for her safety. She spoke the Surinam and gave her mails for + England when the latter was eight days out from the Cape, and the Surinam + reported that a day later she encountered a terrible gale, lost several + spars, and narrowly escaped being blown onto the African coast. Since then + we have had no news of the Brahmapootra. A number of Indiamen have arrived + since; the latest came in only yesterday, and up to the time when she left + no news had been received of the ship. Three small craft had been sent up + the coast weeks before to make inquiries for her, but had returned without + being able to obtain any intelligence, and had seen no wreckage on the + coast, although they had gone several hundred miles beyond where she had + spoken the Surinam, therefore there can be little doubt that she foundered + with all hands during the gale. You had no near relatives on board, I + hope, sir?” + </p> + <p> + “No near relatives, but there was one on board in whom I was greatly + interested. Here is my card; I should feel greatly obliged if you would + write me a line should you hear anything of her.” + </p> + <p> + “I will do so, sir. We have had innumerable inquiries from friends and + relatives of those on board, and although of late we have been obliged to + say that there can no longer be any hope that she will ever be heard of, + not a day passes but many persons still come in to inquire.” + </p> + <p> + No letter ever came to Mark; no news was ever heard of the Brahmapootra. + Ramoo's sacrifice was in vain, and never again did the diamond bracelet + glisten on the arm of the idol in the unknown temple. + </p> + <p> + THE END. <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's Colonel Thorndyke's Secret, by G. A. Henty + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK COLONEL THORNDYKE'S SECRET *** + +***** This file should be named 8155-h.htm or 8155-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/1/5/8155/ + +Produced by Martin Robb, and David Widger + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project +Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +http://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” + or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the phrase “Project +Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase “Project Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +“Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, “Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.” + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +“Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right +of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH F3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at http://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit http://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. +To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + </body> +</html> |