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[-39-]
CHAPTER XVI.
THE BEGINNING OF MISFORTUNES.
AT eight o'clock in the morning after the
scene at the Hell, and while Richard was still in the custody of the police, Sir
Rupert Harborough and the Honourable Arthur Chichester were hastening, in a
handsome cabriolet, belonging to the former, to Markham Place.
The conversation of these gentlemen during the drive will
tend to throw some light upon one or two preceding incidents that may have
appeared a little mysterious to the reader.
"I wonder what became of him last night," said
Chichester.
"Upon my honour at the moment I did not care,' returned
the baronet.
"Nor I either. I was only intent upon getting off
myself."
"He will not be pleased at our having left him in that
unceremonious manner."
"Oh! trust to me - any explanation will do. He is so
exceedingly green."
"And so marvelously particular in his conduct. If it had
not bean for us, he would have remained quite a saint."
"I am not afraid," observed Chichester, "of
being able to manage him and of turning him to immense advantage in our plans.
But that vulgar beast Talbot will most certainly spoil all. Even the idea of the
fellow's wealth and charities will not always induce Markham to put up with his
vulgarities. Besides, the wretch has such execrable bad taste. Last evening, for
instance, when I casually dropped a neat little lie about the soup at the King
of Prussia's table, Talbot instantly paraded the Duke of Lambeth's pea-soup.
Only fancy a Duke and pea-soup united together!"
"And then his dog's nose, and sore feet, and boiled
tripe," said the baronet. "After all the drilling we gave him in the
first instance, when he stipulated upon associating with us in order to see how
we worked the thing, he is still incorrigible. Then, when I think of all the
money I have already laid out in buying the materials - in getting the proper
paper - and in keeping him in feather all the time he was at work, my
blood boils to see that he hangs like a millstone round our necks, and threatens
by his vulgarity to spoil all."
"But what could we do?" cried Chichester. "You
told me in the first instance to find an engraver on whom we could rely; and I
was compelled to enlist the fellow Pocock in our cause. He was the very man, so
far as knowledge went, having been employed all his life in working for Bankers.
But his atrocious vulgarity is his bane; and even his aristocratic name of
Talbot which I made him assume, does not help him to pass himself off as a
gentleman. It was a pity he could not listen to reason and take the sum of ready
money down, which you offered him in the first instant. But, no - he must needs
cry thirds, and insist upon going about us to see fair play."
"And get his share," added the baronet.
[-40-] "Yes. Even the very
first night that he ever saw Markham," continued Chichester, "his
greediness would have induced him to risk the ruin of everything by winning a
few paltry pounds of the young fellow at Diana's lodgings. But I d—d soon
stopped that. I didn't even want to take the twenty pounds yesterday,
which Markham offered for the poor family concerning whom I invented so
capital a story."
"No - it is not a few pounds that will do us any good, or remunerate me
for my large outlay," said the baronet. "We want thousands - and this
Markham is the very instrument we require. The first trial was made yesterday,
and succeeded admirably. The note has actually been changed at a banker's: no one can expect a better test than that. Now if this Talbot is to ruin us
with Markham - the very person we want - the most excellent medium we could
require - himself being above all suspicion, and entertaining no suspicion —"
"It would be enough to break one's heart," added Chichester.
"Besides, my creditors are so clamorous, settle with them I must,"
continued the baronet. "And then Diana costs me a fortune. I must get rid
of her without delay; for I expect that she is getting sentimental
on this youth, and will not interest herself in our affair for fear of letting
him into a scrape."
"Why, it is very certain," observed Chichester,
"that according
to the admirable way in which we have arranged our plans, if an explosion took
place, we could not possibly be implicated. However - we must make haste and
work London, and then off to Paris. We might get rid of four or five thousand
pounds worth amongst the money-changers in the Palais-Royal. Then off to
Germany in due rotation - Italy next - touch at Spain - and home to England."
"Upon my honour, it is a noble scheme - a grand, a princely scheme!"
cried the baronet, elated with the idea. "My God! if it were spoilt in its
infancy by any fault of ours or our associates!"
"And Talbot is such a drunken beast, that we can scarcely rely upon
him," said Chichester. "He will one day commit himself and us too: the
fellow does not know how to get tipsy like a gentleman."
"We will tell him the candid truth and see what he says," pursued the
baronet. "When he finds that we are determined not to tolerate him with
us, and that we will quash the whole thing at once if he insists upon
remaining, he must yield. There was that young Walter Sydney who seemed at
first to have taken a fancy to Diana. I thought of making use of him too ;- but he never called again after that drunken display of Mr. Talbot's. He was
evidently disgusted with him for his conduct, and with us for associating with him."
"Well," said Chichester, "let us resolve, then, to have an
explanation with Talbot in the sense you have mentioned; and you must also
speak seriously to Diana and get her to make use of young Markham."
"And if she will not," added the baronet, "I shall get rid of
her without delay. What is the use of having an expensive mistress, unless
you can use her either as a blind or a plant ?"
The delectable conversation terminated here, because those who had
carried it on, were now arrived at their destination.
The baronet's tiger knocked at the front door, and Mr. Whittingham speedily
made his appearance.
"Is your
master at home?" demanded Chichester.
"No
sir; be has not domesticated himself in his own abode since he went out shortly after you yesterday. But a person of my
acquaintance - a man of perfect credibleness - has just come to ensure me that my
young master will be here again in the currency of the day."
"Where did this person see your master ?" enquired Chichester,
struck by the absence of Markham the entire night.
"His respondencies is evasive and dissatisfactory,"
said Whittingham.
"This is very remarkable !" ejaculated Chichester: then, after a
pause, he added, "But we will await Mr. Markham's return; and I will just
see this man and interrogate him alone - alone, do you hear, Whittingham."
"I hear, sir, because my accoustic propensities is good. I will send
this person to you into the library."
Mr. Chichester alighted from the vehicle and hastened to the library, while
the baronet repaired to the stables to see that his horse (concerning which he
was very particular) was properly cared for.
Mr. Chichester walked up and down the library, reflecting upon the probable causes of Richard's
absence. At the moment he fancied that he might have fallen into the hands of
the police; but then he thought that, had this been the case, Markham would
have sent for himself or the baronet. He did not imagine that the noble nature
of the young man whom he was conducting headlong to his ruin, would scorn to
take any steps calculated to compromise his friends.
The door of the library opened, and a man entered.
"What? John!" ejaculated Mr. Chichester, turning very pale and
manifesting much confusion.
"Mr. Winchester !" cried Snoggles - for it was he. "Hush, my
good fellow - don't say a word " said Chichester, recovering his presence of
mind "I am really glad to see you - I have often thought of you since that
unpleasant affair. I hope it put you to no inconvenience. At all events, I will make matters all right now."
"Better
late than never," said Snoggles.
"Well - and you must promise me faithfully not to mention this affair to
any one, and I will always stand your friend. And, remember - my name is
Chichester now - not Winchester. Pray do not forget that."
"No-no: I'm fly enough - I'm down to trap," replied
Snoggles, with a leer of insolent familiarity.
"Here is a twenty-pound note - that will cover all your losses, and
recompense you into the bargain."
"That'll do."
"It would be better that you should not say that you ever knew me
before."
"Just as you like."
"I prefer that course. But now to another point Where did you see Mr.
Richard Markham?"
"At
the station-house, in — street."
"The station-house! And for what ?"
"Ah! there you beat me. I can't say! All that I know is that he gave me
half-a-sovereign to come and tell his old butler this morning that he should be
home in the course of the day."
"And that is all you know ?"
"Everything."
"Now can I rely upon you in respect to keeping the other matter secret
?" demanded Chichester.
"I have already told you so," answered Snoggles.
"And you need not tell old Whittingham that his master is at the
station-house."
[-41-]
Snoggles withdrew; and Mr. Chichester was immediately afterwards joined by
the baronet.
"Markham is at the station-house in — Street."
"The deuce he is! and for what ?"
"I cannot learn. Do you not think it is odd that he did not send for either of us?"
"Yes. We will return to town this moment," said the baronet, "and
send some one unknown to him to hear the case at the police-office. We shall
then learn whether anything concerning the notes transpires, and what to say to
him when we see him."
"Yes: there is not a moment to lose," returned
Chichester.
The cabriolet was brought round to the door again in a few minutes, during
which interval Chichester assured Whittingham that he had learned nothing concerning his master, and that he and the baronet were only returning to town
for the purpose of looking after him.
As soon as the vehicle was out of sight, Mr. Whittingham
returned in a disconsolate manner to his pantry, where Mr. Snoggles was
occupied with a cold pasty and a jug of good old ale.
"Well, I've learnt someot to-day, I have," observed
Snoggles, who could not keep a secret for the life of him.
"What's that ?" demanded Whittingham.
"Why that Winchester is Chichester, and Chichester is
Winchester."
"They are two irrelevant cities," observed the
butler; "and not by no manner of means indentical."
"The cities is different, but the men is the same,"
said Snoggles.
"I can't apprehend your meaning."
"Well - I will speak plain. Did you hear me tell Suggett
the story about my old master, last night at the Servants' Arms ?"
"No - I was engaged in a colloquial discourse at the
time."
"Then I will tell you the adventur' over agin ;" -
and Mr. Snoggles related the incident accordingly.
Mr. Whittingham was quite astounded and he [-42-]
delivered himself of many impressive observations upon the
affair, but which we shall not be cruel enough
to inflict upon our readers.
It
was about half-past twelve o'clock when Richard returned home. His countenance
was
pale and anxious; and he vainly endeavoured to smile as he encountered his
faithful old dependant.
"Ah! Master Richard, I was sadly afraid that you
had fallen into some trepidation!"
"A very unpleasant adventure, Whittingham - which I will
relate to you another time - kept me away from home. I was with Sir Rupert Harborough and Mr. Chichester
—"
"Mr. Chichester ain't no good, sir," interrupted the butler emphatically.
"What
do you mean, Whittingham ?"
"I mean exactly what I say, Master Richard,- and nothing
more nor less. Both the baronet and Mr. Chichester have been here this morning."
Then, with a considerable amount of circumlocution
and elaborate comment, the butler related the conduct of Chichester towards
Snoggles, and their accidental meeting that morning.
"This
is very extraordinary," said Richard, musing.
"I can't say I ever regularly admired this Mr.
Chichester," observed Whittingham. "He seems too dashing, too
out-and-out,
and too-too-cjrcumwenting in his discourse, to be anythink exceeding and
excessive good. Now I like the baronet much better; he isn't so familiar in his
manners. Whenever he speaks to me he always says 'Mr. Whittingham;' but
Mr. Chichester calls me plain 'Whittingham.' As for that wulgar fellow
Taibot, who has called here once or twice, he slaps me on the shoulder, and
bawls out, 'Well, Whittingham, my tulip, how are you?' Now, you
know, Master Richard, it's not conformant to perceived notions to call a butler
a tulip."
"1 have been deceived in my acquaintances - no doubt I
have been deceived," said Richard, musing audibly, and pacing the library with agitated steps.
"There is something suspicious in the connexion of that man Talbot -
however
rich he may be - with so elegant a gentleman as the baronet ;- then this conduct
of Chichester's towards his servant - their taking me to a common gambling-house
- their deserting me in the moment of need, - yes, I have been
deceived! And then, Diana - I ought never more to see her: her influence, her
fascination are too dangerous !"
"A gambling-house !" ejaculated Whittingham, whose
ears caught fragments of these reflections.
"My old friend," said Richard, turning suddenly towards
the butler, "I am afraid I have been enticed - inveigled into society which is not creditable to me or my
position. I will repair my fault. Mr. Monroe, my guardian, advised me some weeks
ago to indulge in a tour upon the continent: I will avail myself of this
permission. At four o'clock I have an appointment - a pressing appointment to keep
in town: by seven at latest I shall, return. Have a post-chaise at the door and
all things in readiness: we will proceed to Dover to-night. You alone shall accompany
me."
"Let's do it, sir - let's do it," exclaimed the faithful
old dependent: "it will separate you from them flash fellows which lead
young men into scrapes, and from them wulgar persons which call butlers tulips."
Whittingham retired to make the preparations for the
contemplated journey, and Richard seated himself at the table to write a couple
of letters.
The first was to Mrs. Arlington, and ran thus:-
"Circumstances
of a very peculiar nature, and which I cannot at present explain to you, compel me to quit
London
thus abruptly. I hope you will not imagine that I leave your agreeable society without many regrets. We
shall probably meet again, when I may perhaps confide to you the motives of
this sudden departure; and you will then understand that I could not have remained in London another minute
with safety to myself. I scarcely know what I write - I am so agitated and uneasy. Pray excuse this scrawl.
"RICHARD
MARKHAM."
The second letter was to Mr. Monroe, and was couched in the following terms:-
"You will be surprised, my dear sir, to find that
I am Immediately about to avail myself of your kind recommendation and
permission to visit the continent. I conceive it to be my duty - in consequence of rumours or reports which
may shortly reach your ears concerning me - to inform you that have this moment only awoke to the fearful perils of the
career in which I have for some weeks past been blindly hurrying along, till at
length yesterday —: but I dare not write any more. I am penitent - deeply
penitent; let this
statement induce you to defend and protect my reputation,
"Ever
your sincerely obliged,
"R.
MARKHAM."
Having hastily folded, addressed; and sealed these
Ietters,
Markham hurried up to his bed-room to select certain articles of clothing and
other necessaries which he should require upon his journey.
He was interrupted in the middle of this occupation, by the
entrance of Whittingham, who came to announce that two persons of somewhat
strange and suspicious appearance desired an immediate interview with him.
Scarcely was this message delivered, when the two men, who
had followed Whittingham up-stairs, walked very unceremoniously into the
bed-room.
"This is Richard Markham, 'spose ?" said one
advancing towards the young man.
"Yes - my name is Markham: but what means this insolent
and unpardonable intrusion ?"
"Intrusion indeed!" repeated the foremost of the
ill-looking strangers. "However, not to keep you waiting, my young friend,
I must inform you that me and this man here are officers; and we've a warrant to
take you."
"A warrant!" ejaculated both Richard said
Whittingham at
the same moment.
"Come, come, now - I des say you haven't been without your
misgivings since yesterday ;- but if young gen'lemen will play such pranks, why,
they most expect some time or another to be wanted - that's all !"
"But what have I done ?" demanded Richard.
"There must be some mistake. I cannot be the person whom you require."
"Did you not call at a certain bankers' in the City
yesterday ?" demanded the officer.
"Certainly - I had some money to receive, which Mr.
Monroe
my guardian had paid into their hands for my use."
"And you changed a five hundred pound note. The clerk did
it for your accommodation."
"I do not deny it: I required change. But how is all
this connected with your visit ?"
"That five hundred pound note was a forgery!"
"A forgery! Impossible!" cried Richard.
"A forgery!" said Whittingham: "this is really
impudence of too consummating a nature!"
"Come, there's no mistake, and all this gammon won't
do. Me and my partner came in a hackney-coach, which stands-at the corner of the
lane; so if you're ready, we'll be off to Bow Street at once."
"I am prepared to accompany you," said Ri-[-43-]chard, "because I am well aware that I shall not be
detained many minutes at the magistrate's office."
"That's no business of mine," returned the principa1
officer: then, addressing his companion, he said "Jem, you'll stay here and take a survey of the
premises; while I get off with the prisoner. You ten follow as soon as you've
satisfied yourself whether there's any evidence upon the premises."
It was with great difficulty that Richard overruled the
desire of Whittingham to accompany him, but at length the faithful old man was
induced to comprehend the necessity of staying behind, as an officer was about
to exercise a strict search throughout the house, and Markham did not choose to
leave his property to the mercy of a stranger.
This point having been settled, Richard took his departure
with the officer in whose custody he found himself. They entered the
hackney-coach, which was waiting at a little distance, and immediately proceeded
by the shortest cuts towards the chief office in Bow street.
Upon their arrival at that ominous establishment, Richard's
pocket-book and purse were taken away from him; and he himself was thrust into
a cell until the charge at that moment before the magistrate was disposed of.
Here must we leave him for the present; as during the night
which followed his arrest, scenes of a terrible nature passed elsewhere.
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