"In what way will he want paying?" I asked.
"Well," answered John Turner, dragging at the knees of his trousers, which garments invariably incommoded his stout legs, "Well, the Government of National Defence is beginning to show that it has been ill-named. Before long they will be replaced by a Government of National Ruin. The a.s.s in the streets is wanting to bray in the Hotel de Ville, and will get there before he has finished."
"You are well out of it," said I, "and do not seem to have suffered by the siege."
"Next to being a soldier it is good to be a banker in time of war,"
said Turner, pulling down his waistcoat, which, indeed, had been in no way affected by the privations currently reported to be the lot of the besieged Parisians.
"What about Miste?" he added, abruptly.
"I have seen his back again, I do not believe the man has a face."
And I told my astute friend of my failure to catch Charles Miste at the Bank of England.
"Truth is," commented the banker, "that Monsieur Miste is an uncommonly smart rogue. You must be careful--when he does show you his face, have a care. And if you take my advice you will leave this little business to the men who know what they are about. It is not every one who knows the way to tackle a fellow carrying a loaded revolver. By the way, do you carry such a thing yourself?"
"Never had one in my life."
"Then buy one," said Turner. "I always wear one--in a pocket at the back, where neither I nor any one else can get at it. Sorry you could not come to luncheon," he continued. "I wanted to have a long talk with you."
He settled himself in the large arm-chair, which he completely filled.
I like a man to be bulky in his advancing years.
[Ill.u.s.tration: "WAITER, TAKE THIS GENTLEMAN"S ORDER. YOU YOUNG FELLOWS CANNOT SMOKE WITHOUT DRINKING, NOWADAYS--HORRID BAD HABIT. WAITER, BRING ME THE SAME."]
"Take that chair," he said, "and this cigar. I suppose you want something to drink. Waiter, take this gentleman"s order. You young fellows cannot smoke without drinking, nowadays--horrid bad habit.
Waiter, bring me the same."
When we were alone, John Turner sat smoking and looking at me with beady, reflective eyes.
"You know, d.i.c.k," he said at length, "I have got you down in my will."
"Thanks--but you will last my time."
"Then it is no good, you think?" he inquired, with a chuckle.
"Not much."
"You want it now?" he suggested.
"No."
"Your father"s son," commented my father"s friend. "Stubborn and rude.
A true Howard of Hopton. I have got you down in my will, however, and I"m going to interfere in your affairs. That is why I sent for you."
I smoked and waited.
"I take it," he went on in his short and breathless way, "that things are at a standstill somewhat in this position. If you marry Isabella Gayerson, you will have with her money, which is a tidy fortune, four thousand a year. If you don"t have the young woman, you can live at Hopton, but without a sou to your name. You want to marry Mademoiselle, who thinks you are too old and too big a scoundrel.
That is Mademoiselle"s business. Giraud junior is also in love with Mademoiselle Lucille, who would doubtless marry him if he had the wherewithal. In the mean time she is coy--awaiting the result of your search. You are seeking Giraud"s money, so that he may marry Mademoiselle of the bright eyes--you understand that, I suppose?"
"Thoroughly."
"That is all right. It is best to have these affairs clearly stated.
Now, why the devil do you not ask Isabella to marry you--"
"To begin with, she would not have me," I interrupted.
"Nice girl, capable of a deep and pa.s.sionate affection--I know these quiet women--two thousand five hundred a year."
"She wouldn"t have me."
"Then ask her, and when she has refused you, fight the validity of your father"s will."
"But she might not refuse me," said I. "She hates me, though! I know that. There is no one on earth with such a keen scent for my faults."
"Ye-es," said Turner slowly. "Well?"
"She might think it her duty to accept me on account of the will."
"Have you ever known a woman weigh duty against the inclination of her own heart?"
"I know little about women," replied I, "and doubt whether you know more."
"That is as may be. And you wouldn"t marry Isabella for two thousand a year?"
"Not for twenty thousand," replied I, half in my winegla.s.s.
"Virtuous young man! Why?"
I looked at Turner and laughed.
"A slip of a French girl," he muttered contemptuously. "No bigger round than the calf of my leg."
And I suppose he only spoke the truth.
He continued thus to give me much good advice, to which, no doubt, had I been prudent, I should have listened with entire faith. But my friend, like other worldly wiseacres, had many theories which he himself failed to put into practice. And as he spoke there was a twinkle in his eye, and a tone of scepticism in his voice, as if he knew that he was but whistling to the wind.
Then John Turner fell to abusing Miste and Giraud and the late poor Vicomte as a parcel of knaves and fools.
"Here am I," he cried, "with a bundle of my signatures being hawked about the world by a thief, and cannot stop one of them. Every one knows that my paper is good; the drafts will be negotiated from pillar to post like a Bank of England note, and the account will not be closed for years."
It was a vexatious matter for so distinguished a banker to be mixed in, and I could give him but little comfort. While I was still with him, however, a letter was brought to me which enlightened us somewhat. This communication was from my agent Sander, and bore the Brussels postmark.
"This Miste," he wrote, "is no ordinary scoundrel, but one who will want most careful treatment, or we shall lose the whole amount. I have now arrived at the conclusion that he has two accomplices, and one of these in London; for I am undoubtedly watched, and my movements are probably reported to Miste. Yourself and Monsieur Giraud are doubtless under surveillance also. I am always on Miste"s heels, but never catch him up. It seems quite clear, from the inconsequence of his movements, that he is endeavouring to meet an accomplice, but that my presence so close upon his heels repeatedly scares them apart. He receives letters and telegrams at the Poste Restante, under the name of Marcel. So close was I upon his track, that at Bruges I caused him to break his appointment by a few hours only. He sent off a telegram, and made himself scarce only two hours before my arrival. This is a large affair, and we must have great patience. In the mean time, I think it probable that Miste will not endeavour to cash any more drafts. He only wants sufficient for current expenses, and will probably endeavour to negotiate the whole amount to some small foreign government in guise of a loan."
"That is what he will do," affirmed John Turner. "Persia or China of a needy South American state."
It pleased me at times to think that I could guess Lucille"s thoughts, and indeed she made it plain at this time that she cherished some grudge against me. It was, I suppose, only natural that she should suspect me of lukewarmness in a search which, if successful, would inevitably militate to my own discomfiture. Alphonse Giraud was doubtless awaiting, with a half-concealed impatience, the moment when he might honourably press his suit. Thus, Charles Miste held us all in the hollow of his hand, and the news I had received was as important to others as to myself.