 CHAPTER 95 The Marriage in the Bannerworth Family Arranged After the adventure of the doctor, with regard to the picture about which such an air of mystery and interest has been thrown, the Bannerworth family began to give up all hopes of ever finding a clue to those circumstances concerning which they would certainly have liked to have known the truth, but of which it was not likely they would ever hear anything more. Dr. Chillingworth now had no reserve, and when he had recovered sufficiently to feel that he could converse without an effort, he took an opportunity, while the whole of the family were present, to speak of what had been his hopes and his expectations. You are all aware, he said, now, of the story of Marma Duke Bannerworth and what an excessively troublesome person he was, with all deference to you, Henry, first of all, as to spending all his money at the gaming table and leaving his family destitute, and then, when he did get a lump of money which might have done some good to those he left behind him, hiding it somewhere where it could not be found at all, and so leaving you all in great difficulty and distress, when you might have been independent. That's true enough, doctor, said Henry, but you know the old proverb, that ill-gotten wealth never thrives, so that I don't regret not finding this money, for I am sure we should have been none the happier with it, and perhaps not so happy. I'll bother the old proverb, thirty or forty thousand pounds is no trifle to be talked lightly of, or the loss of which to be quietly put up with, on account of a musty proverb, it's a large sum and I should like to have placed it in your hands. But as you cannot, doctor, there can be no good possibly done by regretting it. No, certainly, I don't mean that. Utter regret is always a very foolish thing, but it's questionable whether something might not be done in the matter, after all, for you, as it appears, by all the evidence we can collect, that it must have been Varney, after all, who jumped down upon me from the garden wall in so sudden a manner, and if the picture be valuable to him it must be valuable to us. But how are we to get it, and if we could, I do not see that it would be of much value to anybody for, after all, it is but a painting. There you go again, said the doctor, depreciating what you know nothing about. Now listen to me, Master Henry, and I will tell you. That picture evidently has some sort of lining at the back, over the original canvas. And do you think I would have taken such pains to bring it away with me if that lining had not made me suspect that between it and the original picture the money in bank notes was deposited? Had you any special reason for supposing such was the case? Yes, most unquestionably I had. For when I got the picture fairly down I found various inequalities in the surface of the back, which led me to believe that rolls of notes were deposited, and that the great mistake we had all along made was in looking behind the picture instead of at the picture itself. I meant immediately to have cut it to pieces when I reached here with it, but now it has got into the hands of somebody else, who knows I suspect, as much as I do. It is rather provoking. Is that the way to talk of the loss of heaven knows how many thousands of pounds? I am quite aggravated myself at the idea of the thing, and it puts me in a perfect fever to think of it, I can assure you. But what can we do? Oh, I propose an immediate crusade against Varney the vampire, for who but he could have made such an attack upon me, and forced me to deliver up such a valuable treasure. Never heed it, doctor, said Flora. Let it go. We have never had or enjoyed that money so it cannot matter. And it is not to be considered as the loss of an actual possession, because we never did actually possess it. Yes, chimed in the admiral, bother the money. What do we care about it? And besides, Charlie Holland is going to be very busy. Busy, said the doctor. How do you mean? Why isn't he going to be married directly to Flora here, and Emma, not I, going to settle the whole of my property upon him on condition that he takes the name of Belle instead of Holland? For you see his mother was my sister. And of course her name was Belle. As for his father, Holland, it can't matter to him now what Charlie is called, and if he don't take the name of Belle I shall be the last in the family, for I am not likely to marry and have any little bells about me. No, said the doctor. I should say not, and that's the reason why you want to ring the changes upon Charles Holland's name. Do you see the joke, admiral? I can't say I do. Where is it? It's all very well to talk of jokes, but if I was like Charles going to be married I shouldn't be in any joking humor. I can tell you but quite the reverse. And as for you and your picture, if you want it, doctor, just run after Varney yourself for it, or stay. I have a better idea than that. Get your wife to go and ask him for it, and if she makes half such a clamor about his ears that she did about ours he will give it to her in a minute to get rid of her. My wife, you don't mean to say that she has been here. Yes, but she has, though. And now, doctor, I can tell you I have seen a good deal of service in all parts of the world, and, of course, picked up a little experience. And if I were you, some of these days, when Mrs. Chillingworth ain't very well, I'd give her a composing draft that would make her quiet enough. Ah, that's not my style of practice, admiral, but I am sorry to hear that Mrs. Chillingworth has annoyed you so much. Fofo, man, fofo, do you think she could annoy me? Why, I have encountered storms and squalls in all latitudes, and it isn't a woman's tongue now that can do anything of an annoying character, I can tell you, far from it, very far from it, so don't distress yourself upon that head. But come, doctor, we are going to have the wedding the day after tomorrow. No, no, said Flora, the week after next, you mean. Is it the week after next? I'll be hanged if I didn't think it was the day after tomorrow, but of course you know best, as you have settled it all among you, I have nothing to do with it. Of course I shall, with great pleasure, return the doctor, be present on the interesting occasion. But do you intend taking possession of Bannerworth Hall again? No, certainly not, said Henry. We propose going to the Dearbrook estate, and there remaining for time to see how we all like it. We may, perchance, enjoy it very much, for I have heard it spoken of as an attractive little property enough, and one that any one might fancy after being a resident a short time upon it. Well, said the admiral, that is, I believe, settled among us, but I am sure we shan't like it, on account of the want of the sea. Why, I tell you, I have not seen a ship myself for this eighteen months. There is a state of things you see that won't do to last, because one would get dry moldy. It's a shocking thing to see nothing but land, land, wherever you go. From the preceding conversation may be gathered what were the designs of the Bannerworth family, and what progress had been made in carrying them out. From the moment they had discovered the title deeds of the Deerbrook property they had ceased to care about the large sum of money which Marmaduke Bannerworth had been supposed to have hidden in some portion of Bannerworth Hall. They had already passed through quite enough of the busy term oils of existence to be grateful for anything that promised ease and competence, and that serenity of mind which is the dearest possession which any one can compass. Consequently was it that, with one accord, they got rid of all yearning after the large sum which the doctor was so anxious to procure for them, and looked forward to a life of great happiness and contentment. On the whole, too, when they came to talk the matter over quietly among themselves, they were not sorry that Varney had taken himself off in the way he had, for really it was a great release, and as he had couched his farewell in words which signified it was a final one, they were inclined to think that he must have left England, and that it was not likely they should ever again encounter him under any circumstances whatever. It was to be considered quite as a whim of the old admirals the changing of Charles Holland's name to Bell, but as Charles himself said when the subject was broached to him, I am so well content to be called whatever those to whom I feel affection think proper, that I give up my name of Holland without a pang, willingly adopting in its stead one that has always been hallowed in my remembrance with the best and kindest recollections. And thus the affair was settled much to the satisfaction of Flora, who was quite as well content to be called Mrs. Bell as to be called Mrs. Holland, since the object of her attachment remained the same. The wedding was really fixed for the week after that which followed the conversation we have recorded, but the admiral was not at all disposed to allow Flora and his nephew Charles to get through such an important period of their lives without some greater demonstration and show than could be made from the little cottage where they dwelt, and consequently he wished that they should leave that and proceed at once to a larger mansion, which he had his eye upon a few miles off, and which was to be had furnished for a time at the pleasure of any one. And we won't shut ourselves up, said the admiral, but we will find out all the Christian-like people in the neighborhood and invite them to the wedding, and we will have a jolly good breakfast together, and lots of music, and a famous lunch, and after that a dinner, and then a dance and all that sort of thing, so that there shall be no want of fun. As may well be supposed, both Charles and Flora shrunk from so public an affair, but as the old man had evidently set his heart upon it, they did not like to say they positively would not. So, after a vain attempt to dissuade him from removing at all from the cottage until they removed for good, they gave up the point to him, and he had it all his own way. He took the house for one month, which had so taken his fancy, and certainly a pretty enough place it was, although they found out afterwards that why it was he who was so charmed with it consisted in the fact that it bore the name of a vessel which he had once commanded, but this they did not know until a long time afterwards when it slipped out by mere accident. They stipulated with the admiral that there should not be more than twenty guests at the breakfast, which was to succeed the marriage ceremony, and to that he exceeded, but Henry whispered to Charles Holland, I know this public wedding to be distasteful to you, and most particularly do I know it is distasteful to Flora, so if you do not mind playing a trick upon the old man, I can very easily put you in the way of cheating him entirely. Indeed, I should like to hear, and what is more I should like to practice, if you think it will not so entirely offend him as to make him implacable. Not at all, not at all. He will laugh himself when he comes to know it. As much as any of us, the present difficulty will be to procure Flora's connivance, but that we must do the best way we can by persuasion. What this scheme was will ultimately appear, but certain it is that the old admiral had no suspicion of what was going on, and proceeded to make all his arrangements accordingly. From his first arrival in the market-town, in the neighborhood of which was Bannerworth Hall, it will be recollected that he had taken a great fancy to the lawyer, in whose name a forged letter had been sent him, informing him of the fact that his nephew, Charles Holland, intended marrying into a family of vampires. It was this letter, as the reader is aware, which brought the old admiral and Jack Pringle into the neighborhood of the hall, and although it was a maneuver to get rid of Charles Holland, which failed most signally, there can be no doubt but that such a letter was the production of Sir Francis Varney, and that he wrote it for the express purpose of getting rid of Charles from the hall, who had begun materially to interfere with his plans and projects there. After some conversation with himself, the admiral thought that this lawyer would be just the man to recommend the proper sort of people to be invited to the wedding of Charles and Flora. So he wrote to him, inviting himself to dinner, and received back a very gracious reply from the lawyer, who declared that the honour of entertaining a gentleman whom he so much respected as Admiral Bell was greater than he had a right to expect by a great deal, and that he should feel most grateful for his company and await his coming with the greatest impatience. A devilish civil fellow, that attorney, said the admiral, as he put the letter in his pocket, and almost enough to put one in conceit of lawyers. Yes, said Jack Pringle, who had overheard the admiral read the letter. Yes, we will honour him, and I only hope he will have plenty of grog because you see if he don't. Damn it, what's that? Can't you keep things to yourself?" This latter exclamation arose from the fact that the admiral was so indignant at Jack for listening to what he had been saying as to throw a leaden ink stand that happened to be upon the table at his head. You mutinous swab, he said, cannot a gentleman ask me to dinner, or cannot I ask myself without you putting your spoke in the windless you vagabond? Oh, well, said Jack, if you were out of temper about it I had better send my mark to the lawyer and tell him that we won't come as it has made some family differences. Family, you thief, said the admiral, what do you mean? What family do you think would own you? Damn me if I don't think you came over in some strange but I tell you what it is, if you interfere in this matter I'll be hanged if I don't blow your brains out, and you'll be hanged if you do, said Jack as he walked out of the room, so it's all one either way, old fizz-gig. What, roared the admiral, as he sprang up and ran after Jack, have I lived all these years to be called names in my own ship, I mean my own house, what does the infernal rascal mean by it? The admiral, no doubt, would have pursued Jack very closely had not flora intercepted him, and by gentle violence, got him back to the room. No one else could have ventured to have stopped him, but the affection he had for her was so great that she could really accomplish almost anything with him, and by listening quietly to his complaints of Jack Pringle, which, however, involved a disclosure of the fact which he had intended to keep to himself that he had sought the lawyer's advice, she succeeded in soothing him completely, so that he forgot his anger in a very short time. But the old man's anger, although easily aroused, never lasted very long, and upon the whole it was really astonishing what he put up with from Jack Pringle in the way of taunts and sneers of all sorts and descriptions, and now and then not a little real abuse. And probably he thought likewise that Jack Pringle did not mean what he said on the same principle that he, the admiral, when he called Jack a mutinous swab and a marine, certainly did not mean that Jack was those things, but merely used them as expletives to express a great amount of indignation at the moment, because, as may be well supposed, nothing in the world could be worse, in Admiral Bell's estimation, than to be a mutinous swab or a marine. It was rather a wonder, though, that in his anger some day he did not do Jack some mischief, for, as we have had occasion to notice in one or two cases, the admiral was not extremely particular as to what sort of missiles he used when he considered it necessary to throw something at Jack's head. It would not have been a surprising thing if Jack had really made some communication to the lawyer, but he did stop short at that amount of pleasantry, and as he himself expressed it, for once in a way he let the old man please himself. The admiral soon forgot this little dispute and then pleased himself with the idea that he should pass a pleasant day with the attorney. Ah, well, he said, who would have thought that ever I should have gone and taken dinner with a lawyer, and not only done that, but invited myself, too. It shows us all that there may be some good in all sorts of men, lawyers included. And I am sure, after this, I ought to begin to think what I never thought before, and that is, that a marine may actually be a useful person. It shows that, as one gets older, one gets wiser. It was an immense piece of liberality for a man brought up, as Admiral Bell had been, in decidedly one of the most prejudiced branches of the public service, to make any such admissions as these. A very great thing it was, and showed a liberality of minds such as, even at the present time, is not readily found. It is astonishing, as well as amusing, to find how the mind assimilates itself to these circumstances in which it is placed, and how society, being cut up into small sections, presents different things merely as a consequence of their peculiar application. We shall find that even people, living at different ends of a city, will look with a sort of pity and contempt upon each other, and it is much to be regretted that public writers are found, who use what little ability they may possess in pandering to their feelings. It was as contemptible and silly as it was reprehensible, for a late celebrated novelist to pretend that he believed there was a place called Bloomsbury Square, but he really did not know, because that was merely done for the purpose of raising a silly laugh among persons who were neither respectable on account of their abilities or their conduct. But to return from this digression. The Admiral, attired in his best suit, which always consisted of a blue coat, the exact color of the navy uniform, an immense pale primrose-colored waistcoat, and white cursey mere continuations went to the lawyers as had been arranged. If anything at all could flatter the old man's vanity successfully, it certainly would be the manner in which he was received at the lawyer's house, where everything was done that could give him satisfaction. A very hensome repast was laid before him, and when the cloth was removed, the Admiral broached the subject upon which he wished to ask the advice of his professional friend. After telling him of the wedding that was to come off, he said, Now I have bargained to invite twenty people, and, of course, as that is exclusive of any of the family, and as I don't know any people about this neighborhood except yourself, I want you and your family to come to start with, and then I want you to find me out some more decent people to make up the party. I feel highly flattered, said the Attorney, that, in such a case as this, you should have come to me, and my only great fear is that I should not be able to give you satisfaction. Oh, you needn't be afraid of that, there is no fear on that head, so I shall leave it all to you to invite the folks you think proper. I will endeavor, certainly, Admiral, to do my best. Of course, living in the town as I have for many years, I know some very nice people, as well as some very queer ones. Oh, we don't want any of the queer ones, but let those who are invited be frank, hearty, good-tempered people, such as one will be glad to meet over and over again without any ceremony, none of your simpering people who are afraid to laugh for fear of opening their mouths too wide, but who are so mightily genteel that they are afraid to enjoy anything for fear it should be vulgar. I understand you, Admiral, perfectly, and shall endeavor to obey your instructions to the very letter, but if I should unfortunately invite anybody you don't like, you must excuse me for making such a mistake. Oh, of course, of course, never mind that, and if any disagreeable fellow comes, we will smother him in some way. It would serve him right, for no one ought to make himself disagreeable after being honored with an invitation from you, but I will be most especially careful, and hope that such a circumstance will not occur. Never mind, if it should, I'll tell you what I'll do, I'll set Jack Pringle upon him, and if he don't worry his life out it will be a strange thing to me. Oh, said the lawyer, I am glad you have mentioned him, for it gives me an opportunity of saying that I have done all in my power to make him comfortable. All in your power to make him comfortable, what do you mean? I mean that I have placed such a dinner before him as will please him. I told him to ask for just whatever he likes. The Admiral looked at the lawyer with amazement for a few moments in silence, and then he said, Damn it! Why, you don't mean to tell me that that rascal is here? Oh, yes, he came about ten minutes before you arrived, and said you were coming, and he has been downstairs feasting all the while since. Stop a bit. Do you happen to have any loaded firearms in the house? We have got an old blunderbuss, but what for, Admiral? To shoot that scoundrel Pringle, I'll blow his brains out as sure as fate. The impudence of his coming here directly against my orders too. My dear sir, calm yourself and think nothing of it. It's of no consequence whatever. No consequence? Where is that blunderbuss of yours? Do you mean to tell me that mutiny is of no consequence? Give me the blunderbuss. But my dear sir, we only keep it in terrorim, and have no bullets. Never mind that, we can cram in a handful of nails or brass buttons or hammer up a few half-pence. Anything of that sort we'll do to settle his business with. How do you get on, old tar barrel, said Jack, putting his head in at the door? Are you making yourself comfortable? I'll be hanged if I don't think you have a drop too much already. You look so precious red about the gills. I have been getting on famous, and I thought I'd just pop up for a minute to make your mind easy about me and tell you so. It was quite evident that Jack had done justice to the good cheer of the lawyer, for he was rather unsteady and had to hold by the doorpost to support himself, while there was such a look of contentment upon his countenance as contrasted with the indignation that was manifest upon the admiral's face that, as the saying is, it would have made a cat laugh to see them. Be off with thee, Jack, said the lawyer. Be off with thee. Go downstairs again, and enjoy yourself. Don't you see that the admiral is angry with you? Oh, he be bothered, said Jack. I'll soon settle him, if he comes any of his nonsense. In mind, Mr. Lawyer, whatever you do, don't you give him too much to drink? The lawyer ran to the door and pushed Jack out, for he rightly enough suspected that the quietness of the admiral was only that calm which precedes a storm of more than unusual amount and magnitude, so he was anxious to part them at once. He then set about appeasing as well as he could the admiral's anger by attributing the perseverance of Jack in following him wherever he went to his great affection for him, which, combined with his ignorance, might make him often troublesome when he had really no intention of being so. That was certainly the best way of appeasing the old man, and indeed the only way in which it could be done successfully, and the proof that it was so consisted in the fact that the admiral did consent, at the suggestion of the attorney, to forgive Jack once more for the offence he had committed. End of Chapter 95 of Varni the Vampire, Volume 2. Chapter 96 Part 1 of Varni the Vampire, Volume 2. It was not considered anything extraordinary that, although the baron Stolmoyer of Salzburg went out with the mysterious stranger who had arrived at the Anderbury arms to see him, he should return without him, for certainly he was not bound to bring him back by any means whatsoever. Moreover he entered the inn so quietly, and was such an appearance of perfect composure, that no one could have suspected for a moment that he had been guilty really of the terrific crime which had been laid to his charge, a crime which few men could have committed in so entirely unmoved and passionless a manner as he had done it. But he seemed to consider the taking of a human life as a thing not of the remotest consequence, and not to be considered at all as a matter which was to put anyone out of the way, but as a thing to be done when necessity required, with all the ease in the world, without arousing or awaking any of those feelings of remorse which one would suppose ought to find a place in the heart of a man who had been guilty of such monstrous behavior. He walked up to his own apartment again and retired to rest with the same feeling, apparently of calmness, and the same ability to taste of the sweets of repose as had before characterized him. The stranger's horse, which was a valuable and beautiful animal, remained in the stable of the inn, and as, of course, that was considered a guarantee for his return, the landlord, when he himself retired to rest, left one of his establishment sitting up to let in the man who now lay so motionless and so frightful in appearance in one of the ice-wells of the mysterious passage leading from the base of the cliffs to the grounds of Andeberry House. But the night wore on, and the man who had been left to let the stranger in, after making many efforts to keep himself awake, dropped into sound repose, which he might just as well have done in the first instance, in as much as, although he knew it not, he was engaged in the vain task of waiting for the dead. The morning was fresh and beautiful, and at a far earlier hour than a person of his quality was expected to make his appearance, the baron descended from his chamber. For somehow or other, by common consent, it seemed to be agreed that great personages must be late in rising and equally late in going to bed. But the baron was evidently not so disposed to turn night into day, and the landlord congratulated himself not a little upon the fact that he was ready for his illustrious guest when he descended so unexpectedly from his chamber as he did. An ample breakfast was disposed of, that is to say, it was placed upon the table and charged to the baron who selected from it what he pleased, and when the meal was over the landlord ventured to enter the apartment and said to him with all due humility, If you please, sir, Mr. Leek, who has the letting of Andeberry on the Mount, that is, Andeberry House, as it is usually called, is here, sir, and would be happy to take your orders as to when you would be pleased to look at those premises. I shall be ready to go in half an hour, said the baron, and as the distance is not great, I will walk from here to the mansion. This message was duly communicated to Mr. Leek, who thereupon determined upon waiting until the baron should announce his readiness to depart upon the expedition. And he was as good as his word, for in about half an hour afterwards he descended to the hall, and then Mr. Leek was summoned, who came out of the bar with such a grand rush that he fell over a mat that was before him, and saluted the baron by digging his head into his stomach, and then falling sprawling at his feet and laying hold of his ankle. This little incident was duly apologized for and explained, after which Mr. Leek walked on through the town, towards Andeberry on the Mount, followed by the illustrious personage whom he sincerely hoped he should be able to induce to take it. It was a curious thing to see how they traversed the streets together. For while the baron walked right on, and with a solemn and measured step, Mr. Leek managed to get along a few paces in front of him sideways so that he could keep up a sort of conversation upon the merits of Andeberry House and the neighborhood in general without much effort, to which remarks the baron made such suitable and dignified replies as a baron would be supposed to make. "'You will find, sir,' said Mr. Leek, that everything about Andeberry is extremely select and amazingly correct, and I am sure a more delightful place to live in could not be found.' "'Ah,' said the baron, very likely.' "'It's lively, too,' continued Mr. Leek, very likely, and there are two chapels of ease besides the church.' "'That's a drawback,' said the baron. "'A drawback, sir, well, I am sorry I mentioned it, but perhaps you are a Roman Catholic, sir, and in that case the chapels of ease have no interest for you. Not in the slightest, but do not, sir, run away with any assumption concerning my religious opinions, for I am not a Roman Catholic.' "'No, sir, no, sir, nor more am I, and as far as I think, and my opinion goes, I say, why shouldn't a gentleman with a large fortune be what he likes or nothing if he likes that better? But here we are, sir, close to one of the entrances of Andeberry House. There are three principal entrances you understand, sir, on three sides of the estate, and the fourth side faces the sea, where there is that mysterious passage that leads down from the grounds to the beach, which perhaps you have heard of, sir, the landlord of the inn mentioned it. We consider it a great curiosity, sir, I can assure you in these parts a very great curiosity, and it's an immense advantage to the house, because, you see, sir, in extremely hot weather all sorts of provisions can be taken down there and kept at such a very low temperature as to be quite delightful. That is an advantage. Mr. Leek rang the bell that hung over one of the entrances, and his summons for admission was speedily answered by the old couple who had charge of the premises, and then, with a view of impressing them with the notion of the importance of the personage whom he had brought to look at the place, he said aloud, the barren stolt-mayer of salt something has come to look at the premises. This announcement was received with all due deference and respect, and the task of showing the barren the premises at once barely commenced. Here you have, said Mr. Leek, assuming an oratorical attitude. Here you have the umbrageous trees stooping down to dip their leaves in the pearling waters. Here you have the sweet foliage lending a delicious perfume to the balmy air. Here you have the murmuring waterfalls playing music of the spheres to the listening birds who sit responsive upon the dancing boughs. Here you have all the fragrance of the briny ocean mingling with the scent of a bank of violets and wrapping the senses in Elysium. Here you may never tire of an existence that presents never ending charms, and that, in the full employment of which, you may live far beyond the allotted span of man. Enough, enough, said the barren. Here you have the choicest exotics taking kindly to a soil gifted by nature with the most extraordinary powers of production, and all that can pamper the appetite or yield delight to the senses is scattered around by nature with a liberal hand. It is quite impossible that royalty should come near the favorite spot without visiting it as a thing of course. And I forgot to mention that a revenue is derived from some cottages, which, although small, is yet sufficient to pay the tithe on the whole estate. There, there, that will do. Here you have pearling rills and cascades and fishponds so redundant with the Finney tribe that you have but to wish for sport, and it is yours. Here you have in the mansion chambers that vie with the accommodation of a palace, ample dormitories and halls of ancient grandeur. Here you have stop, said the barren, stop. I cannot be pestered in this way with your description. I have no patience to listen to such mere words. Show me the house at once and let me be the judge for myself. Certainly, sir, oh, certainly. Only I thought it right to give you a slight description of the place as it really was. And now, sir, that we have reached the house, I may remark that here we have silence, said the barren. If you begin with here we have, I know not when you will leave off. All I require of you is to show me the place and to answer any question which I may put to you concerning it. I will draw my own conclusions, and nothing you can say one way or another will affect my imagination. Certainly, sir, certainly. I shall only be too happy to answer any questions that may be put to me by a person of your lordship's great intelligence. And all I can remark is that when you reach the drawing-room floor, any person may truly say, here you have, I really beg your pardon, sir. I had not the slightest intention of saying here you have, I assure you. But the words came out quite unawares, I assure you. Peace, peace, cried again the barren. You disturb me by this incessant clatter. Thus admonished, Mr. Leek was now quiet and allowed the barren in his own way to make what investigation he pleased concerning Anderbury House. The investigation was not one that could be gone over in ten minutes, for the house was extremely extensive, and the estate altogether presented so many features of beauty and interest that it was impossible not to linger over it for a considerable period of time. The grounds were most extensive, and planted with such a regard to order and regularity, everything being in its proper place, that it was a pleasure to see an estate so well kept, and although the barren was not a man who said much, it was quite evident, by what little he did utter, that he was very well pleased with Anderbury on the Mount. And now, said Mr. Leek, I will do myself the pleasure, sir, of showing your grace the subterranean passage. At this moment a loud ring at one of the entrance gates was heard, and upon the man who had charge of the house answering the summons for admission, he found that it was a gentleman who gave a card on which was the name Sir John West Lake, and who desired to see the premises. Sir John West Lake, said Mr. Leek, oh, I recollect he did call it my office, and say that he thought of taking Anderbury on the Mount. A gentleman of great wealth and taste is Sir John, but I must tell him, Baron, that you have the preference if you choose to embrace it. At this moment the stranger advanced, and when he saw the baron he bowed courteously, upon which Mr. Leek said, I regret, Sir John, that if you should take a fancy to the place, I am compelled first of all to give this gentleman the refusal of it. Certainly, said Sir John West Lake, do not let me interfere with any one. I have nearly made up my mind, and came to look over the property again. But of course, if this gentleman is beforehand with me, I must be content. I wish particularly to go down to the subterranean passage to the beach, if it is not too much trouble. Trouble, certainly not, sir. Here Davis, get some links, and we can go at once. And as this gentleman likewise has seen everything but that strange excavation, he will probably descend with us. Certainly, said the baron, I shall have great pleasure, and he said it was so free and unembarrassed in air that no one could have believed for a moment in the possibility that such a subject of fearful interest to him was there to be found. The entrance from the grounds into this deep cavernous place was in a small but neat building that looked like a summer house, and now torches being procured and one lit a door was opened which conducted it once into the commencement of the excavation. And Mr. Leake heading the way, the distinguished party as the gentleman loved afterwards to call it in his accounts of the transaction, proceeded into the very bowels of the earth as it were, and quickly lost all traces of the daylight. The place did not descend by steps but by a gentle slope which it required some caution to traverse because being cut in the chalk which in some places was worn very smooth it was extremely slippery. But this was a difficulty that a little practice soon overcame, and as they went on the place became more interesting every minute. Even the baron allowed Mr. Leake to make a speech upon the occasion, and that gentleman said, You will perceive that this excavation must have been made at a great expense out of the solid cliff, and in making it some of the most curious specimens of petrification and fossil remains were found. You see that the roof is vaulted, and it is only now and then a lump of chalk has fallen in, or a great piece of flint. And now we come to one of the ice wells. They came to a deep excavation down which they looked, and when the man held the torch beneath its surface they could dimly see the bottom of it where there was a number of large pieces of flint stone and, apparently likewise, the remains of broken bottles. There used to be a windlass at the top of this, said Mr. Leake, and the things were let down in a basket. They do say that ice will keep for two years in one of these places. And there are more of these excavations, said the baron. Oh, dear, yes, sir, there are five or six of them for different purposes, for when the family that used to live in Anderbury House had grand entertainments, which they sometimes had in the summer season, they always had a lot of men down here cooling wines and passing them up from hand to hand to the house. From the gradual slope of this passage down to the cliffs and the zigzag character of it, it may be well supposed that it was a considerable extent. Indeed, Mr. Leake asserted that it was half a mile in actual measured length. The baron was not at all anxious to run any risk of a discovery of the dead body which he had cast into that ice well which was nearest to the opening onto the beach. So as he went on, he negative the different proposals that were made to look down into the excavations, and succeeded in putting a stop to that species of inquiry in the majority of instances, but he could not wholly do so. Perhaps it would have been better for his purpose if he had encouraged a look into every one of the ice wells, for in that case their similarity of appearance might have tired out Sir John Westlake before they got to the last one. But as it was when they reached the one down which the body had been precipitated, he had the mortification to hear Mr. Leake say, And now, Sir John, and you, my Lord baron, as we have looked at the first of these ice wells and at none of the others, suppose we look at the last. The baron was afraid to say anything because, if the body were discovered and identified as that of the visitor at the inn, and who had been seen last with him, any reluctance on his part to have that ice well examined might easily afterwards be construed into a very powerful piece of circumstantial evidence against him. He therefore merely bowed his assent, thinking that the examination would be but a superficial one, and that, in consequence, he should escape easily from any disagreeable consequences. But this the fates ordained otherwise, and there seemed no hope of that ice well in particular escaping such an investigation as was sure to induce some uncomfortable results. Davis, said Mr. Leake, these places are not deep you see, and I was thinking that if you went down one of them it would be as well, but then you would be able to tell the gentleman what the bottom was fairly composed of, you understand. Oh, I don't mind, Sir, said Davis, I have been down one of them before today, I can tell you, Sir. I do not see the necessity, said Sir John Westlake, exactly of such a thing, but still if you please and this gentleman wishes, I have no wish upon the occasion, said the Baron, and like yourself cannot see the necessity. Oh, there is no trouble, said Mr. Leake, and it's better now you are here that you see and understand all about it. How can you get down, Davis? Why, Sir, it ain't above fourteen feet altogether, so I shan't have any difficulty, for I can hang by my hands about half the distance and drop the remainder. As he spoke he took off his coat and then stuck the link he carried into a cleft of the rock that was beside the brink of the excavation. The Baron now saw that there would be no such thing as avoiding a discovery of the fact of the dead body being in that place, and his only hope was that in its descent it might have become so injured as to defy identification. But this was a faint hope because he recollected that he had himself seen the face, which was turned upwards, and the period after death was by far too short for him to have any hope that decomposition could have taken place even to the most limited extent. The light which was stuck in a niche shed but a few inefficient rays down into the pit, and as the Baron stood with folded arms looking calmly on he expected each moment a scene of surprise and terror would ensue. Nor was he wrong, for scarcely had the man plunged down into that deep place when he uttered a cry of alarm and terror and shouted, Murder! Murder! Lift me out! There is a dead man down here, and I have jumped upon him. A dead man, cried Mr. Leek and Sir John Westlake in a breath. How very strange, said the Baron. Lend me a hand, cried Davis. Lend me a hand out. I cannot stand this, you know. Lend me a hand out, I say, at once. This was easier to speak of than to do, and Mr. Davis began to discover that it was easier by far to get into a deep pit than to get out of one notwithstanding that his assertion of having been down into those places was perfectly true, but then he had met with nothing alarming and had been able perfectly at his leisure to scramble out the best way he could. Now however, his frantic efforts to release himself from a much more uncomfortable situation than he had imagined it possible for him to get into were of so frantic a nature that he only half buried himself in pieces of chalk which he kept pulling down with vehemence from the sides of the pit and succeeded in accomplishing nothing towards his rescue. Oh, the fellow is only joking, said the Baron, and amusing himself at our expense. But the manner in which the man cried for help and the marked terror which was in every tone was quite sufficient to prove that he was not acting, for if he were a more accomplished mimic could not have been found on the stage than he was. This is serious, said Sir John Westlake, and cannot be allowed. Have you any ropes here by which we can assist him from the pit? Don't be alarmed, my man, for if there be a dead body in the pit it can't harm you. Take your time quietly and easily, and you will assuredly get out." I, said the Baron, the more haste the worst speed is an English proverb, and in this case it will be fully exemplified. This man would easily leave the pit if he would have the patience with care and quietness to clamber up its side. It would appear that Davis felt the truth of these exhortations, for although he trembled excessively he did begin to make some progress in his ascent and get so high that Mr. Leake was enabled to get hold of his hand and give him a little assistance so that in another minute or so he was rescued from his situation, which was not one of peril although it was certainly one of fright. He trembled so excessively and stuttered and stammered that for some minutes no one could understand very well what he said, but at length upon making himself intelligible he exclaimed, There has been a murder. There has been a murder committed and the body thrown into the ice pit. I felt that I jumped down upon something soft, and when I put down my hand to feel what it was it came across a dead man's face, and then of course I called out. You certainly did call out. Yes, and so would anybody I think under such circumstances. I suppose I shall be hung now because I had the charge of the house. That did not strike me until this moment, said the Baron, but if there be a dead body in that pit it certainly places this man in a very awkward position. What the deuce do you mean? said Davis. I don't know no more about it than the child unborn. There is a dead man in the ice well, and that is all I know about it, but whether he has been there a long time or a short time I don't know any more than the moon, so it's no use bothering me about it. My good man, said the Baron, it would be very wrong indeed to impute to you any amount of criminality in this business since you may be entirely innocent, and I, for one, believe that you are so, for I cannot think that any guilty man would venture into the place where he had put the body of his victim in the way that you ventured into that pit. I say I cannot believe it possible, and therefore I think you are innocent, and will take care to see that no injustice is done you. But at the same time I cannot help adding that I think, of course, you will find yourself suspected in some way. I am very much obliged to you, sir, said Davis, but as I happen to be quite innocent I am very easy about it, and don't care once draw what people say. I have not been in this excavation, for heaven knows how long. But what's to be done? said Mr. Leek. I suppose it's our duty to do something under such circumstances. Unquestionably, said the Baron, and the first thing to be done is to inform the police of what has happened so that the body may be got up, and as I have now seen enough of the estate to satisfy me as regards its capabilities, I decide at once upon taking it, if I can agree upon the conditions of the tenancy, and I will purchase it if the price be such as I think suitable. Well, said Mr. Leek, if anything could reconcile me to the extraordinary circumstance that has just occurred, it certainly is, Baron, the having so desirable attendant for Andeberry on the Mount as yourself. But we need not traverse all this passage again, for it is much nearer now to get out upon the sea coast at once, as we are so close to the door opening upon the beach. It seems to me that we ought to proceed at once to the town and give information to the authorities of the discovery which we have made. It is absolutely necessary, said the Baron, to do so. So come along at once. I shall proceed to my inn, and as of course I have seen nothing more than yourselves, and consequently could only repeat your evidence, I do not see that my presence is called for. Nevertheless, of course, if the justices think it absolutely necessary that I should appear, I can have no possible objection so to do. This was as straightforward as anything that could be desired, and moreover, it was rather artfully put together, for it seemed to imply that he, Mr. Leek, would be slighted if his evidence was not considered sufficient. Of course, said Mr. Leek, I don't see it all why, as you, sir, have only the same thing to say as myself, I should not be sufficient. Don't call upon me on any account, said Sir John West Lake. Oh, no, no, cried Mr. Leek, there is no occasion, I won't you may depend if it can be helped. Sir John, in rather a nervous and excited manner, made them good day before they got quite into the town and hurried off, while the baron with a dignified bow when he reached the door of his hotel said to Mr. Leek, Of course I do not like the trouble of judicial investigations more than anybody else, and therefore, unless it is imperatively necessary that I should appear, I shall take it as a favour to be released from such a trouble. My Lord Baron, said Mr. Leek, you may depend that I shall mention that to the magistrates and the coroner and all those sort of people. And then Mr. Leek walked away, but he muttered to himself as he did so. They will have him, as sure as fate, just because he is a baron, and his name will look so well in the county chronicle. Mr. Leek then repaired immediately to the house of one of the principal magistrates and related what had occurred to the great surprise of that gentleman, who suggested immediately the propriety of making the fact known to the coroner of the district, as it was more his business than a magistrate's, in the first instance since nobody was accused of the offense. This suggestion was immediately followed, and that functionary directed that the body should be removed from where it was to the nearest public house and immediately issued his precept for an inquiry into the case. CHAPTER 96 PART II By this time the matter had begun to get rooted about in the town, and of course it went from mouth to mouth with many exaggerations, and although it by no means did follow that a murder had been committed because a dead body had been found, yet such was the universal impression. And the matter began to be talked about as the murder in the subterranean passage leading to Andeberry House, with all the gusto which the full particulars of some deed of blood was calculated to inspire, and how it spread about was thus. The fact was that Mr. Leek was so anxious to let Andeberry on the mount to the rich Baron Stolmoyer of Salisbury that he got a friend of his to come and personate Sir John Westlake while he, the Baron, was looking at the premises in order to drive him at once to a conclusion upon the matter, so that what made Sir John so very anxious that he should not be called forward in the matter consisted in the simple fact that he was nothing else than plain Mr. Brown, who kept a hatter's shop in the town. But he could not keep his own counsel, and instead of holding his tongue, as he ought to have done about the matter, he told it to everyone he met, so that in a short time it was generally known that something serious and startling had occurred in the subterranean passage to Andeberry House, and a great mob of persons thronged the beach in anxious expectation of getting more information on the matter. The men likewise, who had been ordered by the coroner to remove the body, soon reached the spot, and they gave an increased impetus to the proceedings by opening the door of the subterranean passage, and then looking earnestly along the beach as if in expectation of something or somebody of importance. When eagerly questioned by the mob, for the throng of persons now assembled quite amounted to a mob, to know what they waited for, one of them said, a coffin was to have been brought down to take the body in. This announcement at once removed anything doubtful that might be in the minds of any of them upon the subject, and it once proclaimed the fact not only that there was a dead body, but that if they looked out they would see it forthwith. The throng thickened, and by the time two men were observed approaching with a coffin on their shoulders, there was scarcely anybody left in the town except a few rare persons indeed who were not so curious as their neighbors. It was not an agreeable job, even to those men who were not the most particular in the world, to be removing so loathsome a spectacle as that which they were pretty sure to encounter in the ice well, but they did not shrink from it, and by setting about it as a duty they got through it tolerably well. They took with them several large torches, and then, one having descended into the pit, fastened a rope under the arms of the dead man, and so he was hauled out, and placed in the shell that was ready to receive him. They were all surprised at the fresh and almost healthful appearance of the countenance, and it was quite evident to everybody that if anyone had known him in life they could not have the least possible difficulty in recognizing him now that he was no more. And the only appearance of injury which he exhibited was in that dreadful wound which had certainly proved his death, and which was observable in his throat the moment they looked upon him. The crush to obtain a sight of the body was tremendous at the moment it was brought out, and a vast concourse of persons followed it in procession to the town where the greatest excitement prevailed. It was easily discovered that no known person was missing, and some who had caught a sight of the body went so far as to assert that it must have been in the ice well for years, and that the extreme cold had preserved it in all its original freshness. The news, of course, came round, although not through the barren, for he did not condescend to say one word about it in the inn, and it was the landlord who first started the suggestion of, what suppose it is the gentleman who left his horse here? This idea had no sooner got possession of his brain than it each moment seemed to him to assume a more reasonable and tangible form, and without saying any more to anyone else about it, he had once started off to where the body lay awaiting an inquest to see if his suspicions were correct. When he arrived at the public house and asked to see the body, he was at once permitted to do so, for the landlord knew him and was as curious as he could be upon the subject by any possibility. One glance, of course, was sufficient, and the landlord at once said, Yes, I have seen him before, though I don't know his name. He came to my house last night and left his horse there, and although I only saw him for a moment as he passed through the hall, I am certain I am not mistaken. I daresay all my waiters will recognize him, as well as the barren Stolmeyer of Salzburg, who is staying with me, and who no doubt knows very well who he is, for he went out with him late and came home alone, and I ordered one of my men to wait up all night in order to let in the very person who is now lying dead before us. The deuce you did, but you don't suppose the barren murdered him, do you? It's a mystery to me altogether, quite a profound mystery. It's very unlikely, certainly, and what's the most extraordinary part of the whole affair is, how the deuce could he come into one of the ice-wells belonging to the Andeberry House? That's what puzzles me altogether. Well, it will all come out, I hope, at the inquest, which is to be held at four o'clock today. There must have been foul place somewhere, but the mystery is where, and that heaven only knows, perhaps. I shall attend, said the landlord, of course, to identify him, and I suppose, unless somebody claims the horse, I may as well keep possession of it. Don't flatter yourself that you will get the horse out of the transaction. Don't you know quite well that the government takes possession of everything as don't belong to nobody? Yes, but I have got him, and possession, you know, is nine points of the law. It may be, but their tenth point will get the better of you for all that. You take my word for it, the horse will be claimed of you, but I don't mind, as an old acquaintance, putting you up to a dodge. In what way? Why, I'll tell you what happened with a friend of mine, and don't think it was me, for if it was, I would tell you at once, so don't think it. He kept a country public house, and one day an elderly gentleman came in, and appeared to be unwell. He just uttered a word or two, and then dropped down dead. He happened to have in his fob a gold repeater, that was worth at least a hundred guineas, and my friend, before anybody came, took it out and popped in, in its stead, an old watch that he had, which was not worth a couple of pounds. It was running a risk. It was, but it turned out very well, because the old gentleman happened to be a very eccentric person, and was living alone, so that his friends really did not know what he had, or what he had not, but took it for granted that any watch produced belonged to him. So if I were you in this case, when the gentleman's horses claimed, I'd get the darndest old screw I could, and let them have that. You would? Indeed would I, and glory in it too, as the very best thing that could be done. Now a horse is of use to you? I believe ye it is. Exactly, but what's the use of it to government? And what's more, if it went to the government, there might be some excuse, but the government will know no more about it, and make not so much as I shall. Some jack-in-office will lay hold of it as a thing of course, and a perquisite, when you might just as well, and a great deal better, too, keep it yourself, for it would do you some good, as you say, and none to them. I'll do it, it is a good and a happy thought. There is no reason on earth why I shouldn't do it, and I will. I have made up my mind to it now. Well, I am glad you have. What do you think now the dead man's horse is worth? Oh, fifty or sixty guineas value. Then very good, then when the affair is all settled, I will trouble you for twenty pounds. You? Yes, to be sure. Who else do you suppose is going to interfere with you? One is enough, ain't it, at a time? And I think, after giving you such advice as I have, that I am entitled at all events to something. I'll tell you what, said the landlord of the hotel, taking all things into consideration, I have altered my mind rather, and won't do it. Very good, you need not, only mind if you do, I am down upon you like a shot. The excitement contingent upon the inquest was very great. Indeed, the large room in the public house where it was held was crowded to suffocation, with persons who were anxious to be present at the proceedings. When the landlord reached home, of course he told his guest the baron of the discovery he had made, that the murdered man was the strange visitor of the previous night. For now, from the frightful wound he had received in his throat, the belief that he was murdered became too rational a one to admit of any doubts, and was that which was universally adopted in preference to any other suggestion upon the occasion. Although no doubt, people would be found who would not scruple to aver that he had cut his own throat after making his way into the well belonging to Andeberry House. The landlord had his own misgivings concerning his guest the baron, now that something had occurred of such an awful and mysterious a nature to one who was evidently known to him. It did not seem to be a pleasant thing to have such an intimate friend of a man who had been murdered in one's house, especially when it came to be considered that he was the last person seen in his company, and that consequently he was peculiarly called upon to give an explanation of how, and under what circumstances, he had parted with him. The baron was sitting smoking in the most unconcerned manner in the world when the landlord came to bring him this intelligence, and when he had heard him to the end the remark he made was, Really, you very much surprise me, but perhaps as you are better acquainted with the town than I am, you can tell me who he was? Why, sir, that is what we hoped you would be able to tell us. How should I tell you? He introduced himself to me as a Mr. Mitchell, a surveyor, and he said that, hearing I talked of purchasing or renting Andeberry on the mount, he came to tell me that the principal sidewall that you could see from the beach was off the perpendicular. Indeed, sir. Yes, and as this was a very interesting circumstance to me, considering that I really did contemplate such a purchase or renting and do so still, as it was a moonlit night and he said he could show me in a minute what he meant if I would accompany him, I did so, but when we got there and on the road I heard quite enough of him to convince me he was a little out of his senses, and consequently I paid no more attention to what he said, but walked home and left him on the beach. It's a most extraordinary circumstance, sir. There is no such person I assure you as Mitchell, a surveyor, in the town, so I can't make it out in the least. But I tell you I consider the man out of his senses, and perhaps that may account for the whole affair. Oh, yes, sir, that would, certainly. But still, it's a very odd thing, because we don't know of such a person at all, and it does seem so extraordinary that he should have made his appearance all of a sudden in this sort of way. I suppose, sir, that you will attend the inquest now that's to be held upon him? Oh, yes, I have no objection whatever to that. Indeed, I feel myself bound to do so, because I suppose mine is the last evidence that can be at all produced concerning him. Unquestionably, sir, our coroner is a very clever man, and you will be glad to know him, very glad to know him, sir, and he will be glad to know you, so I am sure it will be a mutual gratification. It's at four o'clock the inquest is to be, and I dare say, sir, if you are there by half past it will be time enough. No doubt of that, but I will be punctual. We have already said that the room in which the inquest was to be held was crowded almost to suffocation, and not only was that the case, but the lower part of the house was crammed with people likewise, and there can be very little doubt but the baron would have shrunk from such an investigation from a number of curious eyes if he could have done so. While the landlord of the house would have had no objection as far as his profit was concerned in the sale of a great quantity of beer and spirits to have had such an occurrence every day in the week, if possible, the body lay still in the shell where it had been originally placed. After it had been viewed by the jury and almost everyone had remarked upon the extraordinary fresh appearance it wore, they proceeded at once to the inquiry, and the first witness who appeared was Mr. Leake, who deposed to have been in company with some gentleman viewing Andeberry House and to have found the body in one of the ice-wells of that establishment. This evidence was corroborated by that of Davis, who had so unexpectedly jumped into the well without being aware that it contained already so disagreeable a visitor as it did in the person of the murdered man regarding the cause of whose death the present inquiry was instituted. Then the landlord identified the body as that of a gentleman who had come to his house on horseback and who had afterwards walked out with Baron Stolmeyer of Salzburg, who was one of his guests. Is that gentleman in attendance? said the coroner. Yes, sir, he is. I told him about it, and he has kindly come forward to give all the evidence in his power concerning it. There was a general expression of interest and curiosity when the Baron stepped forward, attired in his magnificent coat trimmed with fur, and tendered his evidence to the coroner, which, of course, was precisely the same as the statement he had made to the landlord of the house, for, as he had made up such a well-connected story, he was not likely to pervericate or to depart from it in the smallest particular. He was listened to with breathless attention, and when he had concluded the coroner with a preparatory hum, said to him, and you have reason to suppose, sir, that this person was out of his senses? It seemed to me so. He talked wildly and incoherently, and in such a manner as to fully induce such a belief. You left him on the beach? I did. I found when I got there that it was only a very small portion, indeed, of Andeberry House that was visible, and, although the moon shone brightly, I must confess I did not see myself any signs of deviation from the perpendicular, and, such being the case, I left the spot at once, because I could have no further motive in staying, and, moreover, it was not pleasant to be out at night with a man whom I thought was deranged. I regretted, after making this discovery, that I had come from home on such a fool's errand, but as, when one is going to invest a considerable sum of money in any enterprise, one is naturally anxious to know all about it, I went little suspecting that the man was insane. Did you see him after that? Certainly not, until today, when I recognized in the body that has been exhibited to me the same individual. Gentlemen, said the coroner to the jury, it appears to me that this is a most mysterious affair. The deceased person has a wound in his throat, which I have no doubt you will hear from a medical witness has been the cause of death, and the most singular part of the affair is how, if he inflicted it upon himself, he has managed to dispose of the weapon with which he did the deed. The last person seen in his company, said one of the jury, was the baron, and I think he is bound to give some better explanation of the affair. I am yet to discover, said the baron, that the last person who acknowledges to having been in the company of a man afterwards murdered must, of necessity, be the murderer. Yes, but how do you account, sir, for there being no weapon found by which the man could have done the deed himself? I don't account for it at all, how do you? This is a regular, said the coroner, call the next witness. This was a medical man who briefly stated that he had seen the deceased and that the wound in his throat was amply sufficient to account for his death, that it was inflicted with a sharp instrument having an edge on each side. This then seemed to conclude the case, and the coroner remarked, gentlemen of the jury, I think this is one of those peculiar cases in which an open verdict is necessary or else an adjournment without date so that the matter can be resumed at any time if fresh evidence can be procured concerning it. There is no one accused of the offense, although it appears to me impossible that the unhappy man could have committed the act himself. We have no reason to throw the least shade of suspicion or doubt upon the evidence of the baron Stolmeyer of Salisbury. For as far as we know anything of the matter, the murdered man may have been in the company of a dozen people after the baron left him. A desultory conversation ensued, which ended in an adjournment of the inquest, without any future day being mentioned for its reassembling, and so the baron Stolmeyer entirely escaped from what might have been a very serious affair to him. It did not, however, appear to shake him in his resolution of taking Andebury on the mount, although Mr. Leek very much feared it would, but he announced to that gentleman his intention fully of doing so and told him to get the necessary papers drawn up forthwith. I hope, he said, within a few weeks' time to be fairly installed in that mansion, and then I will trouble you, Mr. Leek, to give me a list of the names of all the best families in the neighborhood, for I intend giving an entertainment on a grand scale in the mansion and grounds. Sir, said Mr. Leek, I shall, with the greatest pleasure, attend upon you in every possible way in this affair. It is a very excellent neighborhood, and you will have no difficulty, I assure you, sir, in getting together an extremely capital and creditable assemblage of persons. There could not be a better plan devised for it once introducing all the people who are worth knowing to you. I thank you, said the Baron. I think the place will suit me well, and as the Baroness Stolmeyer of Salzburg is dead, I have some idea of marrying again, and therefore it becomes necessary and desirable that I should be well acquainted with the surrounding families of distinction in this neighborhood. It was a hint not at all likely to be thrown away upon Mr. Leek, who was the grand gossipmonger of the place, and he treasured it up in order to see if he could not make something of it which would be advantageous to himself. He knew quite enough of the select and fashionable families in that neighborhood to be fully aware that neither the Baron's age nor his ugliness would be any bar to his forming a matrimonial alliance. There is not one of them, he said to himself, who would not marry the very devil himself and be called the Countess Lucifer or any name of the kind always provided there was plenty of money, and that the Baron has without doubt so it is equally without doubt he may pick and choose where he pleases. This was quite correct of Mr. Leek, and showed his great knowledge of human nature, and we entertain with him a candid opinion that if the Baron Stolmeyer of Salzburg had been ten times as ugly as he was, and heaven knows that was needless, he might pick and choose a wife almost when he pleased. This is a general rule, and as of course to all general rules there are exceptions, this one cannot be supposed to be free from them. Under all circumstances and in all classes of society there are single-minded beings who consult the pure dictates of their own hearts, and who, disdaining those things which make up the amount of the ambition of meaner spirits, stand aloof as bright and memorable examples to the rest of human nature. Such a being was Flora Bannerworth. She would never have been found to sacrifice herself to the fancied advantages of wealth and station, but would have given her heart and hand to the true object of her affection, although a sovereign prince had made the endeavour to wean her from it. Chapter 96 Chapter 97 1. The One Pire Volume 2 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Vali 1. The One Pire Volume 2 by Thomas Prescott Press Chapter 97 The Admiral's preparation and the visit to Dearbrook. It was quite finally settled between the Admiral and the Bannerworths that he was to have the whole conducting of the marriage business, and he even succeeded in getting a concession from Flora Bannerworth that he might invite more than twenty guests, as had at first been stipulated. Indeed, she told him that he might ask for tea if he pleased. The Admiral had asked for this enlargement of his off-pass because he had received from the lawyer such a satisfactory list of people who were eligible to be invited that he found it extremely difficult to draw any individual's distinction, and accordingly he felt valiant client as far as he was concerned to invite them all, which was a piece of liberality he scarcely expected Flora would succeed to. When, however, he got leave to double the number, he considered that he was alright, and he said to Jack Pringle, to whom, as usual, he had got completely reconciled. I say Jack, my boy, will have the whole ship's crew and no mistake for better wedding the more the merrier, you know. Aye aye sir, said Jack, that's true, I have not been married more than a dozen times myself, at the outside, and I always took care to have lots of fun. A dozen times? Jack, you don't mean that? I rather think I does. You know, I was married at different ports of India twice, and then wasn't I married in Jammu-ki, and then after that wasn't I married in the South Seas, in one of the friendly islands? A deuce deal too friendly, I should say. Welcome, fellow new Jack, you must have the impudence of the very devil. Yes, I believe, yes I have. I look upon it that it is our impudence has got us on in the world. How dare you say are you vagabond? But however, I won't quarrel with you now at any rate, for I expect you to dance a hornpipe at the wedding. But mind me now, Jack, I'm serious. I won't have any drunkenness. Well, it's rather a hard thing that a fellow can't get drunk at a wedding, but I suppose I must put up with that deadly injury and do the best I can. And now Admiral, as you have looked over that little affair of mine in going to the lawyers when you didn't want me, I'll make you a voluntary promise, and that is that I'll only take two bottles all the day long. Two bottles of what? A run, of course. Well, that's moderate, for as I have known you, I think take about five, of course, I can't very well say anything to two, so you may take that much, Jack, for I really think you won't be much the worse of it. The worse of it? I should think not, sir. It rather strikes me that two bottles of rum wouldn't hurt a newborn baby. It's just, for all the world, like milk, you know? It has no effect upon me, and as far as being fond of drink goes, I'll just as soon take pump water, if it had a different taste, and was a damn deal stronger. Well, well, Jack, that's a bargain, you know? So we need saying nothing more about it. I suppose there'll be a fiddle and all that sort of thing? Oh, don't doubt that there shall be lots of fun. Then I'm your man. I'll show them a thing or two that will make them open their eyes a bit, and if so be, as they once, anything in the shape of a yarn, I'm the proper sort of individual to give it to them. I'd rather think and no mistake. I'll tell them how you ran away once with a female savage after you, with a long thing like a squirrel that she called a sphere, and how you called to all the ships crew to come and help you, as if the very devil was at your heels. Jack very prudently did not wait for an answer to this, for he was rather well aware that it was not the sort of thing that was exactly pleasing to the admiral, who was just upon the point, of course, of getting into one of his rages, which would have produced another quarrel, only as a matter of course, to end in another reconciliation. The old man, however, was too well pleased with the unlimited commission he had to do as he pleased, regarding the marriage affair, to allow himself to be put much out of the way in the matter, and he bent all his mind and energies towards the completion of that piece of business, which he had in hand, and which was certainly the most interesting to him that he had ever been permitted to engage in. Passing as he did almost the whole of his life upon the ocean, he had never married, and his affection for Charles Holland, who was the only relative he had in the world, was of that concentrated nature, which is only to be found under such circumstances. Charles' mother had always had a large portion of that neural's regards, and when upon returning home once from a cruise of three years duration, he found that she was dead and had left behind her an orphan child. He had once about his intention of filling the place of a parent to it, and that he had both in the spirit and the letter kept his word. We know that Charles Holland was always most ready to admit. Perhaps the severest shock he ever experienced was when that letter purported to be from Charles, but which was really the production of Marchdale and Warnie was produced, and which seemed at the first blush to imply a dishonorable breaking of his contract with Flora, and if anything could have increased his admiration of her, it certainly was the generous noble manner in which she repudated that attempt to injure Charles in her esteem, and at once declared her belief that the letter was a forged document. We may easily imagine then from these preceding circumstances that the marriage of Charles with one whom he so entirely approved of was one of the most gratifying affairs in the old man's life, and that he viewed it with an extraordinary interest. As we have before stated, he got possession for a month of the house on which he had fixed his fancy, and an extremely handsome and commodious place it was. It was arranged that after they had remained there for some time, they should all move off to Giebrug together, and as it was only an early infancy that the Bannerwards had seen that estate, they purposed paying it a visit before the marriage ceremony took place. This was an idea of the old admirals, for he said truly enough, you can't possibly know what state it is until you go there, and it may be necessary for all we know to do a great deal to it before just fit for occupation. Apart from this consideration too, it seemed likely enough that somebody might be in it. For Off-Late, it had changed hands, and for all they knew, the Bannerworth family might have to institute a suit at law for its recovery. The distance was sufficient to make it a whole day's journey, but it was a very pleasant one, for they went in a travelling carriage replete with every accommodation, and the road passed through one of the most fertile and picturesque counties of England, being interspersed with Hill and Dale most charmingly, and reminding the younger branches of the Bannerworths of some of those delightful continental excursions which they once had the means of making, but which for a long time they had not had an opportunity of enjoying. It was towards the close of a day of great beauty for the season that they reached the village of Dearbrook close to where the state was situated, and put up at the principal inn to which they were directed. The circumstances under which the Dearbrook property had been left for a long time had been such that there was likely to be some difficulty concerning it. In fact, it had been used by Mamadouk Bannerworth as a kind of security from time to time for his gambling debts, so it was probable that hardly anyone had had it long enough to trouble himself about rentals. If we find anyone said Henry Bannerworth in possession, I shall not trouble them to pay anything for the use of the house they have had, provided they quietly give up possession and leave the place in a decent state. Oh, that of course they will do, said Charles Holland, and be too glad to escape a rears of rent, but it would be no bad thing to ask the landlord of this house what is the state of the property. No doubt he can not only let us know whether it be tenant or not, but if so what sort of people they are who occupy it. This suggestion was agreed to and when the landlord was summoned and the question put, he said, oh yes, I know the dear brook estate quite well, it is a very handsome little property and is at present occupied by Mr. Jeremy Sheppard, a quaker, a very worthy gentleman indeed I believe, but I suppose all quakers are worthy people because you see sir, they wear broad brimmed hats and no collars to their coats. An excellent reason, said the admiral, but I had a friend who did know something about quakers and he used to say that they had got such a reputation for honesty that they could afford to be rogues for the rest of their existence. Well, well, said Henry, we can but call upon him. Do you think that this would be a reasonable law? Oh yes sir, said the landlord. He is sure to be home at this hour if you have any business to transact with Mr. Sheppard. He is a very respectable man sir and as it is his own property that he lives upon, he is quite a gentleman and never wears anything but drab britches and gaiters. Without waiting to enter into any further conversation with the landlord, who had such extraordinary reasons for his opinions, Henry and Charles and the admiral, leaving the rest of the party at the inn, proceeded to Dearbrook Lodge as it was called and found as they approached it that it exceeded in appearance their warmest anticipations. It was a substantial red brick house of the Tudor style of architecture and had that air of dignified and quite repose about it which a magnificent lawn of the greenest possible turf in the front always gives to a country mansion. The grounds too seemed to be extensive and to take it for all in all the Bannerworth family for every reason to be well pleased with this first view that they got of their acquired property. You will have some troubles at the admiral with the Quaker you may depend. They are a race that hold fast to anything in the shape of pounds, shillings and pins and are not very easy to be dealt with. Oh the man may not be so absurd as should think such else. It can be proved that their estate was in a Bannerworth family for many years and your possession Henry of the title deeds will set the question at rest. But see what a stately looking servant is coming in answer to the ring which I have just given to the bill. A fit man most certainly having all the appearance of what is so frequently advertised for as a serious man servant advanced to the gate and in answer to the inquiry if Mr. Shepherd was within he said yes truly is he but he like it not to be disturbed for he is at prayers that is to say at dinner and is not accustomed to be disturbed there it. I regret that we must disturb him said Henry for our business happens to be important and we must positively see him. Upon this remonstrance the servant unlocked the gate and conducted them up a path by the side of the lawn which led to the house and the more they saw of it the more pleased they were with the many natural beauties with which they surrounded and Henry whispered to Charles I am quite sure that Flora will be delighted with this place for if I know anything of her taste it will just suit it agreeably and comfortably and I do sincerely hope that we shall be able to get possession without the disagreeable necessity of a lawsuit. They were shared into a handsome apartment and then called that Mr. Shepherd would be with them very shortly and they were not sorry to have a little leisure for studying the place before its reputed owner made his appearance. I suppose said Henry the best way will be at once to state that I'm the owner of the place and upon what conditions I'm willing to forego any claim that I might otherwise succeed in settling up for a rears of rental during the time that he has been here. Oh yes said Charles you cannot be too explicit but hush here he comes and you will soon know what sort of an individual you have to deal with in this matter and this moment the door opened and Mr. Shepherd the present ostensibly possessor of the dearbrook estate and whose appearance spoke to the truth of the landlord's word made his appearance. But as what he said was sufficiently important to deserve a new chapter we shall oblige him with one. End of chapter 97 Chapter 98 of Varni the Vampire Volume 2 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in a public domain. For more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org Recording by Valli Varni the Vampire Volume 2 by Thomas Prescott Prest Chapter 98 The interview with the Quaker at Dearbrook. The Quaker was a man of about middle age and was duly attired in the garb of the particular sect to which he belonged. There was about his countenance all that effectation of calmness and abandonment of worldly thoughts and desires which is mistaken by so many people for the reality of self-denial when really those who know this sect well are perfectly aware that there is not a more money-loving grasping people on the face of the earth. After gravely motioning his visitors to be seated, Mr. Shepherd cast his eyes up to the ceiling as if he were muttering some prayer and then he said, Verily, may I ask to whom I am to attribute this visit from individuals who in this veil of unblessedness are unknown to me? Certainly sir, said Henry, you are entitled, of course, at once to such an explanation of us. I have called upon you because I am the proprietor of this estate to know how it is that you became in possession of it and under what pretence you hold that possession. Mr. Shepherd slightly changed colour and staggered back a face or two before he said, The property is mine, but I naturally declined to produce my title to anybody who may ask for it. Thou mayest go now. Behind thee is the door. Mr. Shepherd, said Henry, I am familiar condition as to means and evidence both to prove my title to the estate and an action of ejectment will soon force you from it. But I am unwilling under any circumstances to do what I fully may do if anything short of that will answer my purpose. I therefore give you a fair notice that if upon my convincing you that I am the owner of the estate you go out quietly within 14 days. I will make no inquiry as to how long you have been here and will say nothing whatever upon the subject of rental owing to me on account of such occupation. I defy thee, friend, said the Quaker, and if thou giveest me any trouble I shall put thee in chancery. From whence, thou will not get out for the term of thy natural life. So I give thee due notice and thou mayest please thyself in the transaction and again I tell thee that the door is exactly behind thee out of which I beg to request thou shouldst at once walk. I tell thee what, Mr. Quaker, said the admiral, who had the difficulty restrained himself thus far. I look upon you as one of the greatest humbucks ever I came across and that's saying a great deal for in my life I have come across some tempers and if we don't make you smart for this confounded obstinacy your wolf and sheep's clothing we will know the reason why. If it costs me a thousand pounds I'll make you suffer for it. Thou mayest be damned, friend, said the Quaker, possession is a great number of points of the law and as I have it I mean to keep it. I have a friend who is in law and who will put thee as comfortably in chancery and with as little expense to me as possible. This is a very charming estate and I have not the slightest intention of giving it up but you must, said Charles, give it up to the right owner. How can you be so foolish as to run yourself to legal expenses for nothing? Teach thy grandmother, young man, to suck eggs, said the Quaker. I wish thee all a remarkably good day and thou mayest all return from whence you came and hang thyself if thou pleased for all I care and having made up my mind to live and die in this very pleasant property I shall have to put thee all into chancery. Why you can't ink thief, said the Admiral. Thou mayest be damned, said the Quaker. In speaking so to thee I use the language which I am perfectly well aware thou wills best understand. So I say unto thee again, thou mayest be damned. Obedia, show thee sinners of the premises and should they refuse to go with that quickness that shall seem to be fitting and proper thou mayest urge them on with diverse kicks on their hinder persons and thou mayest likewise call to thy aid, Tauzer, the large dog to bite similarly great mouthfuls out of them. The Quaker turned and was walking in a very stately manner out of the room when the Admiral stepped forward and exhilarated his movements with such a kick that away he went he had been shot out of a gun. Their friend said the Admiral, since you seem found of kicking I think this is a very good beginning. It strikes me you didn't know who you had to deal with and now Mr. Obedia it's your turn and will manage Tauzer when we get outside. I think thee all the same friend said Obedia would rather be excused. Perhaps you would like your nose pulled instead then. No friend it's quite long enough already and I shall take myself off to the lower regions of these premises forward. So saying Obedia rushed from the room with great precipitancy leaving most certainly the Admiral and his party masters of the field and all the both Henry and Charles both disapproved of the assault which the Admiral had committed they could not interfere for laughing and as they left the house which they did now of their own accord Charles said Uncle you may depend you will be pulled up to the quarter session. Damn the quarter session said the Admiral do you think I was going to sit still quietly while that vagabond promised to kick me but as it is it's all up with coming to Diabruk to live for one while to come for if he is really as good as his word and puts the matter into chancery there's an end of it. I have heard it's like ducking in head foremost into a hollow tree with a wasp's nest at the bottom of it you may kick but I'll be damned if you can get out. Well said Henry I believe that's rather an illustration but we must do the best we can in such a case and in a meantime seek out some other place to reside in. Your friend a little lawyer in the town shall have the case to conduct for us and perhaps after all we shall defeat with our new imagination I long to see the day comes at that mural when that fellow will have to troop out of the place for in all my life I never did know such confounded impudence as he treated us with. Never mind never mind said Charles the time must come of course when this pleasant estate to which we have taken such a fancy will be ours until then we shall have no difficulty whatever in finding some sweet verdant spot full of exquisite and natural beauties which we can make a home of well and easily caring nothing for being a short time only kept from possession of that which of right shall in a short time belong to us and there is one thing that I'm rejoiced at which is that Flora has not seen this place so that she can have no regret about it because she don't know of its existence farther than by name and it can hold no place in her imagination which could make it a subject matter of regret when they reach the inn they informed Mrs. Bannerward and Flora of the Infections of the Enterprise and of the obstinacy of the tenant of the house and on that evening they had a good laugh with each other about the little scene that had occurred between the admiral and the Quaker so that upon the whole perhaps they were quite as happy for people can but laugh and be merry as if they had at once got possession of the Dear Brook estate without any trouble or difficulty whatever they determined upon staying there for that night although they might have got fresh horses and gone back if it had pleased them so to do but there was much to tempt them in the romantic scenery around which they took a stroll when it was lit up by the sweet moonlight and everything came out in silvery relief looking so beautiful and serene so pensively quiet and so admirable that it was calculated to draw the mind entirely from all thought of earthly matters and to completely rid them of even the shadow of an annoyance connected with that Dear Brook property which was so wrongfully detained from them it is at such seasons as this said Flora that contentment steals into the heart and we really feel with how little we should be satisfied provided it be sufficient to ensure those ordinary comforts of existence which we all look for it is indeed such as and you and I Flora would not repine if our lot had been much more humble than it is provided heaven had left us youth and love those indeed said Henry our dear possessions well then remarked the admiral you have got youth on your side and I once knew a words looking fellow than even you are so why don't you fall in love with somebody at once don't make so sure uncle said Flora Archly that he has not the old admiral laughed he liked Flora to call him uncle and said you shall tell me all about it Flora some day when we are alone but not now while these chaps are listening to every word we utter I will said Flora it's a grand secret of Henry's which I am determined to tell that's wherein kind of you said Henry to say the least of it not at all if you had trusted me Henry it would be quite another thing but as I found it out from my own natural sagacity I cannot see that I am bound in the slightest to bestow upon you any consolation on account of it or to show you any mercy on the subject and she hopes said Charles that that will be a lesson to you to tell her upon another occasion everything whatever the slightest stint or hindrance I stand convicted said Henry and my only consolation is that I don't mind a straw the admiral knowing all about it and I meant to tell him myself as a matter of course did you said the admiral that's a very good attempt to get out of it but it won't answer exactly Henry with those who know better so say no more in such light and pleasant conversation they passed some time until the chill night air grateful and pleasant as it was to the senses made them think it prudent to retire to the inn again after they had partaken of the evening meal and Flora and Mrs. Bannerworth had retired to rest the gentleman sat up at the express desire of the admiral to talk over the affair upon which they were all in common so deeply interested a general feeling of anxiety evidently pervaded all their minds to a certain something of the whereabouts or the fate of Warnie who had so very mysteriously taken himself off at a time when the least of all expected he would have executed such a maneuver you won't see said the admiral that what is bred in the bone as I told you will never be out of the flesh and this vampire fellow could not possibly be quiet you see for long but he must be at his old tricks I do not know said Charles Holland but I'm rather inclined to think that he has somehow become aware that he had become rather a trouble to us and so his pride of which I think we have had evidence enough that he has a large share of took the alarm and he went off as quick as he could it may be so said Henry and of course in the absence of anything to the contrary I feel inclined to give Warnie the vampire credit for as much purity of motive as I can that's all very well in its way said the admiral but you must acknowledge that he did not leave in the most polite manner in the world and then I for one cannot exactly approve of his jumping upon Dr. Chillingworth's back from off a garden wall as a cat would upon a mouse be liberal uncle said Charles and recollect that we are not quite sure it was Warnie for the doctor declines to be positive upon the subject and he ought to know stuff said the admiral the doctor knows well enough but he is like the man that has threatened to kick the other for laughing at his wife he said he was sure he had done it but if he had been done here he would have kicked him into the middle of next week certainly said Charles the doctor seems quite clearly of opinion that whoever committed that assault upon him did so with a full knowledge of the work of the picture which he believes contained within its extra lining bank notes to a large amount and which said Henry after all is but a supposition and Warnie after such an attempt to possess himself of such a treasure if it was he that made it may be actually now a houseless wanderer but I consider that such has been the notoriety of his proceedings that if he now attempts any vampire tricks he very soon will be discovered and we shall hear of him from his own account said Charles Holland he has not been the most scrupulous person in the world but regard to the means by which he has from time to time recruited an exhausted extrigger and we can easily imagine that this vampire business of his would so terrifying paralyze people that he would have little difficulty in robbing a house under such circumstances you may depend added Charles that he has done one of two things he has either commenced a much more reckless career than ever he has yet attempted or he has gone away completely into obscurity and will never be heard of again I sincerely myself hope that the later is the case for it will be better for him and better for everybody connected with him and the fellow said that Mirol I should not like him to starve although he has given us so much trouble and I hope that if anything very queer happens to him he will not scruple to let us know and he will not positively want but come is it to be another tumbler of peace or to bed bed was voted for such the new was that Mirol's wish or he never would have mentioned alternative and in the course of another half hour the whole of these persons in whose fate we profess to have so profound an interest were wrapped in repose we will now turn to a consideration of what this singular and mysterious Baron Stollmauer of Salzburg was about for that he has some ulterior objects in view which by no means at present shoot themselves we cannot doubt and likewise there can be no question that that very shortly some of his views and projects will develop themselves end of chapter 98