A Lad of Grit: A Story of Adventure on Land and Sea in Restoration Times
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CHAPTER XVIII--The Veil is Partly Drawn
Directly I set foot once more on English soil I hastened to Portsmouth,though on my journey thither I did stay a while at Rake, for the sake ofold memories. On my arrival at Portsmouth I found my uncle lookingcareworn and haggard, due to the constant strain and worry that hisduties in the dockyard entailed, for discontent amongst the workmen hadalmost grown into open mutiny. So ill paid were they that in some casesfamilies were starving while work was plentiful.
As the 23rd day of April, 1668, drew near, that being my twenty-firstbirthday, I found that I was becoming more and more excited over thevague rumours that I had heard from time to time respecting theremarkable disclosures that were to be made under the terms of myfather's will.
Nor was the excitement confined to myself. My uncle busied himself tillall traces of his worry lost themselves in his activity; my aunt bustledabout the house, driving the servants hither and thither, bringing linenfrom the huge oak chest, furbishing the massive furniture, and causing ahuge supply of viands to be prepared for the entertainment of ourguests--for the invited company numbered close on a score, so that ourhouse would be filled to overflowing, and rooms had to be engaged at"The Bell Inn" and "The Blue Posts".
On the Monday preceding the eventful day the guests began to arrive.There were Sir George Lee, greyer and more bent than of yore, MasterHugh Salesbury, Lawyer Whitehead, all from the neighbourhood of Rake; myold shipmates, Greville Drake and Felgate, the latter accompanied by hisyoung wife, whom he had lately wedded, and several others who had beenfriends of my father long before I could remember.
My birthday eve they kept in high style, the men smoking long claypipes, till our dining-room was enveloped in a cloud of tobacco smoke,so that my aunt declared that her best hangings would reek for days likea London coffee tavern, whereat Sir George pacified her by saying thatthe weed of Virginia is ever a sovereign safeguard against the plague!
My twenty-first birthday came at last, and at ten in the morning we allassembled in our largest room, where, after I had received thecongratulations of my friends, the long-expected legal formality began.
I sat at the head of the long oak table, with Lawyer Whitehead on myright and Sir George on my left, the others being seated at the sides.Before the lawyer was placed a heavy brass-bound box, which, besidesbeing locked, was fastened with a formidable-looking red seal.
With a solemn bow Master Whitehead stood up, and, clearing his throatwith a professional cough, began in a dry, legal manner:
"In accordance with the instruction laid down by my late client, MasterOwen Wentworth, I have to make the announcement that his son, who thisday attains his majority, can now take upon himself his rightful title,Sir Aubrey Wentworth of Holwick, in the county of Yorks."
At this astounding information my senses became numb, and I could butdimly see the faces of my friends and hear the indistinct murmur ofastonishment and congratulation from those of my guests who up to thepresent were not in the secret.
"The late Owen Wentworth, by reason of his excessive loyalty to HisMajesty the King, and of his careful thought for the proper upbringingof his son during the past troublous times, did part with a portion ofhis family estates and personal property in order to furnish His Majestywith such aid as all loyal cavaliers were bound by their duty to give.The residue, which is no inconsiderable amount, he hid in a secureplace, taking good care that it should come to his son on his attainingthe age of twenty-one, provided that he showed great promise of fillinghis position in a right and proper manner. The recovery of the hiddentreasure will depend on certain conditions imposed by Sir Owen (to givehim his rightful title), and these conditions were written and entrustedto my keeping." Here the lawyer tapped the box with his finger andproceeded to break the seal. This done, he produced a small key andunlocked the box. The hinges creaked as he threw back the lid anddisclosed a number of parchments all neatly tied with faded ribbon.
Placing the documents on the table, the lawyer continued. "I havehere," he said, "a third part of a sheet of writing, which, when unitedto its fellows, will disclose the exact position of the hidden riches ofHolwick. Another portion worthy Sir George hath, while you, Sir Aubrey,must in truth produce the third part."
At this the knight laid down a paper which I recognized as the one thathad been read by him under such strange circumstances at Rake, someeight years before, and the light flashed across me--the senselessjargon that he had read was part of a secret code whereby I shouldinherit my fortune.
"Now, Sir Aubrey, where is your share of the document?"
I stammered that I had not such a paper.
"Then----"
"Stay one moment, Master Whitehead," said Sir George; "if I rememberaught, Sir Aubrey never had his part of the document delivered to him.His father expressly stated that a metal box was to be given to him, andunder pains and penalties he was not to open it to this day. But, as weknow, that box was filched, and therefore Sir Aubrey could not possiblyhave opened it, neither can he be held accountable for its contents."
"True, true! Sir George," replied Master Whitehead; "but unfortunately,though Sir Aubrey is not to be held accountable, the fact remains thatthe complete solution is missing, and, as my late client refused to makea duplicate, the secret is as far off as ever."
Here I could not forbear from interrupting the argument betwixt theknight and the lawyer.
"But I have a copy of the part that should have been entrusted to me!"
"Heaven bless the boy!" ejaculated Sir George. "Where is it, and howcame you by it?"
In answer I rushed off to my own room, laid hold of the precious copy,and returned.
"Here it is!" I shouted triumphantly, handing it to Master Whitehead,and straightway I told them of my meeting with Increase Joyce, and how Isecured the temporary possession of the filched document.
"Now for the test," remarked Sir George when I had finished my tale, andstraightway the three papers were placed side by side on the table,everyone crowding round to read what the joint document would reveal.
The paper which I produced did not correspond with the others, and thelawyer twisted and turned them about for some considerable time. Atlength a puckered frown overspread his wizened face, and he beat uponthe table with his fingers with the air of a man who has sustained amomentary check.
"'To Beverley without ye gate on ye highway----' that reads aright; butthe next line doth not seem in keeping with the rest. How now, SirGeorge, if thy wits are as sharp as thy sword----"
But Sir George Lee shook his head. "Troth!" he ejaculated, "if a man oflaw cannot frame the wording of a document, how can I, a countrygentleman, hope to do it?"
"Methinks I can help you," spoke a soft, sweet voice, and looking up Isaw Mistress Felgate, who, hand in hand with her husband, had been asilent yet interested listener to the discussion.
The lawyer rose, and with great courtesy placed his hand over his heartand bowed, yet his manner betokened a professional scorn for feminineadvice.
"At your service, madam."
"Then begin with the bottommost line and read upwards."
"'Whereas my sonne having trulie carried out mine desires----'"
"Faith, sweetest, thy wits have proved better than the lawyer's!"interrupted Felgate, bringing his fist down heavily on the table in hisexcitement.
"'----Mine desires'" resumed Master Whitehead, receiving theinterruption with a deprecatory cough, "'I doe hereby give fulldirections in soe that the treasures of mine house at Holwick may cometo him by right. Digge IIJ feet down at XXXII paces from y^e west sideof y^e wall, keeping in line II tall fir trees that doe lie without y^egate on y^e highway to Beverley.'"
"Nothing particularly difficult about these instructions," remarked myuncle.
"I think so too," I replied; "and even now that villain Joyce may bemaking a second and possibly successful attempt to recover what is mineby rights. Indeed, from what he told me, he must have been very nearthe spot."
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"There is little time to be lost," replied Sir George. "My advice toyou is that you travel hotfoot to Holwick, and leave nothing undone tillyou lay hands on the treasure. Would I were a score or so of yearsyounger and I would bear you company with the greatest of pleasure."
"I'll start to-morrow!" I exclaimed resolutely.
"I am with you, Aubrey," said Drake, grasping my hand.
"And I cannot desert my old shipmates," added Felgate. "So I hoist thesignal for permission to part company; and if my senior officer willcomply, I'll weigh anchor with you to-morrow."
Mistress Felgate gave her permission with the stipulation that herhusband must run no needless risks, the compact was sealed by a kissbestowed by her gallant and unabashed bridegroom, and the conversationwas resumed, while mirth and gaiety reigned supreme.
My mind, however, was too full of feverish anxiety for me to enjoy thefestivities, and drawing Greville aside, I discussed our forthcomingjourney.
"And if you find that Joyce has forestalled you?" he asked.
"Then I'll track him to the utmost end of the earth."
"And then----?"
"Greville, you know that I am not a revengeful man by nature, but Iswear that that villain dies by my hand."
"Then why didn't you kill him at Haarlem?"
"And get hanged for my pains? No, no! 'Tis a waiting game."
Presently Felgate joined us, and together we slipped out of the house,crossed the street, and entered the establishment that Nicholas Wade ranunder the designation of posting stables.
The owner, bald-headed, high-shouldered, and bow-legged like many of hisclass, came forth and mincingly asked what we required.
"Horses, man, horses! The best you have in your stables.
"For how long, your honour?"
"As long as it serves us. This bay will suit me."
"And I take a fancy to that black mare," added Drake.
"Nay, you've forestalled me," rejoined Felgate laughingly. "But nomatter, the brown nag will serve me, for of a verity I feel more at homein a jollyboat than on the back of that beast."
The question of terms was quickly settled, and the mounts were orderedto be brought round at nine the next morning. Then we went back toenjoy the festivities, longing the while for the morrow to come.