 | CHAPTER XXXIII.
PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS. Freaks of fortune, or, The history and
adventures of Ned Lorn |  |
33. CHAPTER XXXIII.
PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS.
Mr. B— counselled Persever to consummate all his
preliminary measures before imparting to the bankers the
slightest intimation of his discovery. He approbated his
junior's cautious conduct in emphatic terms, and with a
bright and hopeful eye, declared that Susan must be ultimately
successful. But he said it might be important to
have the deposition of the aged widow at Summerton,
spoken of by Elgiva. And he promised to procure it himself
on his next visit to the village, where he was frequently
in the habit of sojourning.
Days and weeks flew past without an open demonstration
being attempted against the bankers. Persever wrote
frequently to Ned, but not for him. He wrote, as he said,
merely to keep the mind of his often disappointed young
friend from being either too much elated or depressed, and
to prepare him to bide his time in equable patience.
Mallex, before the announcement of his convalescence,
had obtained the nomination. Dr. Castor, upright and
honourable in principle, was yet one of those characters
who take delight in the petty species of diplomacy, or deception,
which may excite curious attention, and invest a trifling
matter with the appearance of mystery and importance.
Hence he could not be induced to indicate the nature of
the wound under which his patient was suffering. He interdicted
all visitors. The patient must be quiet and see
nobody, until the crisis occurred. There might be danger.
A few days would decide the fate of his rich friend. On
the morning succeeding the day of nomination, the smiling
doctor announced that the crisis was happily passed, and
that his patient would be able to ride out and see his friends
immediately. Nevertheless, Mallex was not entirely recovered.
The marks of the ass's hoofs were still visible
on his body, and he suffered more or less every hour in the
day from the rude infliction.
Dick Sutly, upon his return from Summerton, had
Tom Denny, who of course was not to be seen there, as he
was then performing the part of jailor in the country. But
Dick was not to be easily repulsed; and so he told the
servant that he must see some one who could give him the
information he wanted, or he would “kick up a row” at the
door. This threat had the effect to cause the admission of
Dick, and he was conducted to the apartment of Mr.
Fawner, who was about to ride into the country to report
the occurrences of the day to his august principal.
The old man sate in an easy chair, fashionably dressed, and
wearing a patronizing expression of features. It is astonishingly
true that no age or condition is exempt from the
powerful influences of suddenly acquired power and riches.
Fawner's compensation had been largely increased, and he
had been more and more admitted into the confidence of
his employer, who now placed him in the position of an
intimate friend, rather than a dependent and an inferior,
in their daily intercourse. And during Tom's absence, the
old man was not only constituted the master of the city
mansion, but the president pro tem, as Mallex expressed it,
of the banking house.
Dick was dismissed by the old clerk with a promise to
see him again that evening at nine o'clock. When Fawner
reported the particulars of his interview with Dick, Mallex
was exceedingly annoyed, and knew not exactly what to
say or do. He did not like to disclose even to so facile an
instrument as Fawner had proved to be, any of the particulars
of his revolting crimes. He durst not venture that far.
He had by imperceptible degrees made the old man's mind
familiar with the practical operation of such vices as might
be justified by a species of ingenious argument; but further
than this he had not supposed it would be necessary to
venture. But Mallex's mind was a capacious one, and
fruitful in expedients. When he could not allege the existence
of admitted facts as sufficient cause to produce the
effect desired, he did not scruple to resort to plausible
fabrication. And this he did on the present occasion. A
very brief narration sufficed to convince Fawner that it
would be both the part of wisdom and justice to conciliate
Dick Sutly. And the employment he was to have, and his
banker did not disclose the perilous fact that Dick's mother
was in his custody, and at that very moment howling in
the prison-room of the mansion he was then occupying.
When Fawner again saw Dick at the mansion in the
city, he merely repeated the proposition which had been
dictated by the banker. Dick pricked up his ears at the
mention of sums quite as large as he had been in the habit
of receiving from his scolding mother. Instantly he acceded
to the terms, and as quickly relinquished his purpose
to seek further intelligence in regard to the locality and
circumstances of his parent. And as Fawner did not seem
to be conversant with the precise nature of the transactions
in which he and his mother had been engaged for the benefit
of the banker, he had sufficient cautiousness not to
allude to any of them.
The Lonsdales were sporting their gay costumes and
rich jewels at the fashionable watering places. Alice was
as gay as the rest, or seemed to be so; and was really an
object of pride and admiration for Lonsdale and for her mother.
Lonsdale, although he had made his fortune trading
in merchandize, was, now that he possessed riches, becoming
more and more a proud aristocrat, and boasted of a southern
extraction. Official dignitaries, military and naval
officers, and literary lions, received the homage of his admiration.
Eugene Bainton, restless under the yoke which had been
finally imposed upon him, sought in vain for the repose of
mind which he might have enjoyed by an entire severance
from his iniquitous partner. How different would have
been his condition if he had resolutely followed the monitions
of his relenting conscience, and made a full and satisfactory
restitution to the despoiled orphan! He was not constituted
to be a villain, and although, from certain defects in
his conformation, he might commit errors, under the influence
of a cupidity which he had not a sufficient estimate of
the obligations of moral right to resist, yet the sluggish
sense of justice, which was not extinct in his bosom, would,
at times, if not arrested by the more vigorous intellect of
his partner, assert its claims to obedience. Surrendered up
at last to the control of Mallex, whom he feared and despised,
the gay, sport with the fashionable, and engage in the dissipations
of the wealthy, but there was no rest for his
troubled spirit when he returned at night to his silent
couch. He was constantly in motion, traveling from city
to city, and from the sea shore to the springs, in quest of an
object which alas, can never be found, but in one's own
breast!
The election was over, and Mallex was to be the representative
of the one hundred thousand people residing in
the — district. Now he was one of the great men.
Many who had branded him as a scoundrel, and really believed
him to be one, sought his company and bestowed
their flatteries upon him. Of course he comprehended
everything of that nature; but he smiled none the less,
and accepted their homage. His wealth, his new position,
and the fact that he belonged or professed to belong to the
party in power, made it obvious that the bestowal of much
of the patronage of the government would be accorded to
him; and hence he was continually surrounded by a crowd
of office-seekers and enterprising men in quest of lucrative
contracts. A hint here, and something resembling a promise
there, sufficed for the egregious sycophants, and increased
the number of expectants at every successive levee
of the great man, whose unvarying smile betokened the
gratification he seemed to enjoy.
And that Mallex posessed an intellect of extraordinary
vigour and activity, was attested by the fact that none of
the minute details of the transactions occurring around
him, in which he might be directly or remotely interested,
escaped his observation. He had already achieved fortune
and position by the energy of his mind, when opposed by
all the dangers of the avenging hand of justice, and in despite
of a thousand obstacles which would have deterred
any common villain from the perilous pursuit. And ever
vigilant, while guarding and obstructing all the avenues
which might lead to his detection, he was at the same
time not only amassing additional riches, but was ascending
the ladder of political distinction with almost unequalled
rapidity. All the gigantic transactions of the enormous
capital his house could command were dictated by him to
result which attend the exact calculations of a
great military genius. Of course he was insensible to the
sufferings of others whose disasters, from the fluctuations
in the financial world which he had himself originated, only
contributed to increase his wealth and power. His agents
and instruments were all dependent on his bounty, and the
services allotted them to perform were arranged with such
consummate ability, that no conflicts arose between them,
while none of them comprehended fully the motive of the
master. The tasks thus separately performed, when linked
together, constituted an entire work which none but the
genius that conceived it was permitted to survey in all its
details.
He became familiar with the history of the government,
and conversant with the principles of his party. These it
was necessary for him to study for occasional ad captandum
displays. But the most important knowledge, in his
estimation, was to learn the characters, the virtues and
vices, the secret motives and selfish desires, of those in authority
who might aid him in the attainment of his own
ambitious projects; and every opportunity was seized upon
that promised to afford him such inestimable information.
He wrote ingenious and cheerful letters to his partner,
and so skilfully did he dictate employment for his inert
auxiliary, that the mere mechanical execution of the directions
he imparted resulted, in various speculations, in
the gain of many thousands of dollars. Such successes
would be more likely than anything else to confirm his partner
in the recently renewed resolve to accompany him farther
in the career which had hitherto been so profitable.
By degrees he had completely overthrown the religion
of Fawner. The temptation was too powerful for the poor
old man's resistance. He had once tasted the sweets of
wealth, and subsequently and for many long years, had
drained the bitter dregs of destitution. And now when
another glimmer of prosperity seemed to dawn upon him,
in his old age, and when cupidity is said to culminate in
the human breast, he could not permit any scruples of doctrine
to interpose between him and the immediate attainment
of his desires. He was henceforth qualified to practice
deceptions, to offer and receive bribes, to commit usury,
of his employer. But the deeper and darker crimes
were not entrusted to him. That would have been too
hazardous an experiment.
Radley, too, treacherous and unprincipled as he was,
could still be of use to the great man, and so his services
were employed and paid for. Mallex knew precisely how
far to impart to the burly lawyer his secrets, and that was
just to the extent necessary to derive the benefit of his co-operation.
If it was a crime, then Radley became, in his
own parlance, particeps criminis, and nothing was to be
apprehended from his disclosures. But in capital offences,
the great man kept his own counsel, or only imparted
it to the debased instruments which were to be employed
in the execution.
Nor did the member elect relax his vigilant watchfulness
over the movements of the friends of the two deceased
Parkes, who were very generally his enemies, because it was
the impression of most of them that both of the unfortunate
brothers had been unjustly treated by the great bankers.
Whenever Ned visited the city all his movements
were watched and duly reported. Even the arrival of Susan,
or of Tim, was noted by the one stationed at the
wharf for that purpose. But Persever was the most feared,
and subjected to the most incessant espionage. And had
he not suspected this, and made it known that he had sealed
and deposited in a place of security the documents brought
by him from the west, as well as his own deposition, it
might not have been conducive to his health to venture
much in the open air without being accompanied by a
friend. But Mallex was aware that in any enterprise he
might meditate against this champion of the despoiled orphan,
he would have to cope with a mind equal to his own
in resources.
It so happened that the member elect was one day driving
past the mansion of Mr. B—, just as Persever emerged
from the door, attended by Mr. B— himself, who wore
a smile on his countenance, and before parting with his
visitor shook him cordially by the hand. Mallex perceived
that Persever had seen him, and that he had hastily averted
his face, purposely to create a contrary impression.
The great man hastened without a moment's delay to
the office of Radley, and demanded to know what could be
the meaning of Persever's visits to the great legal adviser.
“It must be on the business of one of his clients, sir.
We frequently consult the judgment of Mr. B—, and
in cases of importance and difficulty we obtain his written
opinion, which has to be paid for, I assure you. Persever
must have a rich client.”
“Of course he was consulting him,” said Mallex, musing.
“But it does not follow that his client must be rich. It
may be a client who expects to be rich, and to be able to
pay hereafter.”
“I defy all the lawyers in creation to recover a dime for
Ned Lorn while the certificate of Dr. Drastic is in existence,”
replied Radley, leaning back in his chair, and elevating
his right hand.
“So it seems to me; and so, indeed, I have been
informed this same great legal luminary has himself declared.”
“Did Bainton procure his opinion?” asked Radley.
“No. But Persever did, a long time ago. I know not
who paid for it, if his opinions are delivered only for
money. But, Radley, I am not at ease in regard to
these late consultations. I have reason to apprehend some
new enterprise is in contemplation. Persever's actions to-day
had a meaning—I allude to his attempt to make them
appear meaningless, or without signification. I am not
often deceived in my estimate of the import of the slightest
glance or smallest gesture; and if his visit to-day to Mr.
B— did not have reference to some matter in which I
am interested, then I shall not hesitate to confess I have
been mistaken this time. Find it out, Radley, find out all
about it—smell out all that's in the wind, and then come to
me for a check proportionable in amount to the magnitude
of the discovery. Good day, sir.”
And when Mallex departed from the door, Radley turned
back for his hat, intent upon finding, if possible, some traces
of this newly started game.
Fortunately Persever espied Radley as he crossed the
street and approached his office; for, if the latter had presented
himself abruptly, the former, guarded as he was,
which lawyers know so well how to interpret. As it was,
Persever had time to adjust his features, although he was
conscious of an internal trepidation, and of a sickening
apprehension that the enemy had discovered the mine he
was preparing in time to counteract it.
When Radley entered the office, he found Persever sitting
with his back towards him, apparently absorbed with the
subject of the plea or argument he was writing. He approached
noiselessly, and presented himself suddenly before
his professional antagonist, hoping to achieve some
insight into his secret purpose by the expression of his
face.
“Persever!” said he, “we want to know what is to be
done with the assets of Daniel L. Parke?”
“Wait a moment, Radley,” replied Persever, without
lifting his eyes from the document he was writing. “Wait
till I finish this paragraph, and finally adjust the old quarrel
between John Doe and Richard Roe.”
Radley flung himself upon a chair and picked up a newspaper,
feeling that he had either been foiled by the cool
self-possession of Persever, or else there could be nothing
new in contemplation on the part of the adversary.
“Now, Radley, what is it about Parke's estate?” asked
Persever, deliberately putting down the pen and leaning
back in his chair.
“Why, we were fools to part with the money, and would
like to have it back again, since it is not probable there are
any heirs.”
“But your men had no more right to it than Mr. John
Doe there had to Richard Roe's lands.”
“We had possession.”
“Yes. But no just title.”
“The administrator appointed by the court can recognize
no donatio causa mortis in favour of your client—”
“There may be something better than that,” said Persever,
quickly, convinced it was Radley's object to obtain
intelligence for his employers, and that they had learned
something to induce the belief there might be a new scheme
hatching against them.
“What else could you possibly allege?”
“Oh, I am not sure but we shall be able some day to
establish nuncupative will in favour of Ned. His uncle
was in the habit of speaking of him as his heir—”
“Uncle? Oh, if you can make it appear that the elder
Parke was his uncle, we shall submit; and he will be the
heir of his father likewise, without the necessity of a will.”
“But, sir,” said Persever, gravely, “you are aware that
a nuncupative will, if once admitted, is quite as effectual
without, as with the link of consanguinity. So Ned's illegitimacy,
as you are in the habit of terming it, will have
nothing whatever to do with the matter. And if he recovers
the estate of D. L. Parke, of course that will include
John Parke's also, for the former was undeniably the
heir of the latter.”
“And that has been the subject of your consultation
with Mr. B—, has it?” exclaimed Radley, quite convinced
that he had got upon the right scent, as he termed it.
“My consultations with Mr. B—? Oh, ay, certainly,”
continued Persever, but chagrined that his own
conduct should have given rise to suspicions. “It is an
important cause, and the highest authority should be consulted.”
“Surely, Mr. B— cannot suppose such a thing practicable,
after such a lapse of time,” said Radley, half abstractedly.
“You know nothing of the merits of our side, Radley,
and certainly you cannot suppose me silly enough to make
any particular revelations. You cannot know what new
discoveries have been made, what new witnesses have come
forward, or anything about it.”
“No—no. Only keep up your fire, Persever, that's all
I want. This business has more than once filled my purse,
and I shall not quarrel with my bread and butter.” Saying
this, Radley departed, believing he had sounded the
depths of the mystery with his intellectual plummet.
Persever, on the contrary, after some reflection, became
fearful he had done wrong even in suggesting a false alarm.
It might have the effect of putting the enemy on the alert,
when it would be desirable to have them in an unsuspecting
and unprepared condition. He arose and proceeded boldly
and without hesitation to report what had taken place to
Mr. B—.
Mr. B— smiled, and reassured his junior. He said
it was well the dogs should have a bone to gnaw; but it
was likewise true that the canine species were generally
less tractable, and were decidedly more dangerous over a
bone than at any other time. Yet it would keep their ideas
from wandering in other directions, so long as they were
prepared for battle on that ground. “However,” he continued,
“we must not charge upon them while they show
their teeth. We must wait until the M. C. goes to Washington.”
And so it was determined.
| CHAPTER XXXIII.
PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS. Freaks of fortune, or, The history and
adventures of Ned Lorn | |