41 chapters
12 hour read
Selected Chapters
41 chapters
Chapter One.
Chapter One.
“Be quiet! What a silly little fluttering dove it is, struggling like this, ruffling all your plumes, and making your face so red. But how it becomes you!” “Mr Saul Harrington, how dare you!” “Because I love you so, you little beauty. There—and there—and there!” The kisses were given in spite of the frightened looks and struggles; but at each kiss there was a faint cry of shame, dislike, and indignation mingled. “You know I love you, and I know you love me.” “It is not true, sir. Let me go!” “It
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Two.
Chapter Two.
“Damn him!” “Uncle, dear!” “Well, he deserves it. Do you know, Gertie, that man only says one prayer, and that is for my death.” “Oh, uncle, you misjudge him.” “Eh? What? Has he been trying to court you again?” Gertrude inclined her head. “Eh? What?” cried the old man excitedly, and his deeply sunken eyes seemed to glow. “You—you are not beginning to like him?” “Oh! uncle, dear,” sobbed the girl, “I detest him, and he frightens me.” “Ah!” ejaculated the old man, with a sigh of content followed b
20 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Three.
Chapter Three.
“Well,” said Harrington sternly, “what about her?” “I mean,” said Portway hastily, “how do you know what she may be like? Take another view of the case—pass me the tobacco pouch—I am a selfish man as well as a poor one. You are giving me a delightful trip, finding me in food, a horse, rifle and ammunition, everything I could wish for, including a glass of prime old Bourbon whiskey. So I say, let’s keep it on as long as we can. By the way, how long have we been out here?” “Going on for six weeks.
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Four.
Chapter Four.
There was a tremendous roar, full-throated, from the creature’s jaws, a rush as it leaped over George Harrington; the rifle was falling down the gulch, crashing from stone to stone; and, knife in hand, and uttering a hoarse shriek of horror, Dan Portway was bounding from rock to rock, striving to mount the steep side of the rugged place, and with the bear in full pursuit. They were moments of agony, such as add years to a man’s life, and, listening to the panting breath of his pursuer, and his l
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Five.
Chapter Five.
“Don’t believe it, darling. Trick to throw me off the scent; but I’m on it safe, and I’m not going to be tricked.” “Then ask uncle when he wakes,” cried the girl, flushing up angrily, as she snatched her hand away. “No, thanks; don’t want a bottle or jug thrown at my head. But I don’t believe you, you artful little jade. It’s all your cunning way to lead me on. He has left you all his money, darling, and you’ve played your cards splendidly; but it would not make any difference to me if you hadn’
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Six.
Chapter Six.
“Ye-es, and no,” said the doctor. “When a man gets to eighty-five you may say his life hangs by a cobweb. Any little excitement may bring it to an end.” “Humph! Hah! And I’ve a shrewd suspicion that he had an angry interview with Mr Harrington—the nephew.” “And heir?” said the doctor. “My dear Lawrence,” said the old lawyer, smiling, “never try to pump one of our profession. In a very short time I shall be reading the will, so curb your impatience.” “Of course, my dear sir, of course; only a lit
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Seven.
Chapter Seven.
“Well, he might have written if he has got the news, and said when you might expect him. It isn’t as if Mr Hampton hadn’t telegraphed out. And it does seem so strange. Six weeks since poor master died, and no letter. You’d be glad to hear, miss, wouldn’t you?” “I—I—yes—I don’t know, Denton.” “Ah well, natural enough, my dear, when you don’t know what he’s like, and he’s to be your husband. I hope he’ll turn out all poor master said about him, and make you very happy, my dear. I remember well whe
23 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Eight.
Chapter Eight.
He snatched the card from the trembling girl’s fingers, and scowled as he read the inscription, though he could gather nothing from that. “Here, I’ll go down and see what he’s like. It may be some impostor.” He had reached the door when Gertrude flushed up, and seemed in her decisive action to have changed from girl to woman. “Stop, Mr Harrington!” she said; “this would not be the way to welcome my poor dead guardian’s grandson, and I think it is due to me that you should refrain.” “What!” he cr
21 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Nine.
Chapter Nine.
“You will excuse me, I am sure.” “Oh, yes, old gentleman, go ahead.” “You see Doctor Lawrence and I are the late Mr Harrington’s executors, and we have a duty to perform. In the pursuit of that duty we shall have to ask questions that may seem impertinent.” “Oh, I don’t mind. Quite right. I’ll answer, only let’s get it done. Here! I like dogs,” he said softly to Gertrude, as he patted his leg, chirruped, and Bruno wagged his tail, trotted toward him, and then turned off, and went to the other si
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Ten.
Chapter Ten.
“Going out, George?” “Yes; I promised to run down to Greenwich with Saul Harrington. Not a bad fellow when you know him better. I say, how long are Mr and Mrs Hampton going to stay here?” “I don’t know, George.” “It’s to play propriety, I suppose.” “Mrs Hampton has always been very kind to me, and I know it inconveniences her to be here.” “Then let her go.” “She has asked me to go and stay with her, George.” “Then don’t go. I see: let her stay here. I’m rather sick of all this prudery, though. B
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Eleven.
Chapter Eleven.
“And as to being jealous about you and Gertie, why, the thing’s absurd.” “Of course it is. Take some more whiskey. Plenty more where that came from.” “Glad to hear it,” said Saul, taking up bottle and glass, as they sat together in the handsomely furnished old study at The Mynns. “Jealous? Ridiculous, when the old man had settled beforehand that you were to marry her. I say, old chap,” continued Saul, resting the neck of the bottle on the rim of the glass, and looking across the table with a lee
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Twelve.
Chapter Twelve.
He went into the drawing-room, where he found Gertrude seated with his wife. “Ah, my dear, I was afraid I was late. Not dressed for dinner?” “No, Mr Hampton; George wished it to be an hour later.” “Oh! Lawrence is coming, is he not?” “Yes; and George said he should bring back Mr Saul Harrington. I think I’ll go now and dress.” She smiled at him as he took and patted her little hand, and he followed her to the door before returning to where Mrs Hampton was seated bolt upright. “Well?” he said. “W
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Thirteen.
Chapter Thirteen.
Gertrude gave the doctor a piteous look. “Don’t be alarmed, my dear,” he said kindly. “I’ll soon bring him round. Leave him to us.” He followed the lawyer down to the gate, as Saul lingered for a moment to whisper to Gertrude: “He’s right, don’t be alarmed. It is not serious,” and he smiled to himself as he hurried after the others. “What a kind, considerate man Mr Saul is,” said Mrs Hampton sarcastically. “Humph!” She stopped to listen, as quite a disturbance came from the gate. “Is—is it an ac
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Fourteen.
Chapter Fourteen.
The great dining-room looked gloomy in the extreme, lit by a hand-candlestick, which had been brought in from the hall; and its occupants stood listening, Mr Hampton and Saul apart, Mrs Hampton and Gertrude together, waiting eagerly for permission to re-enter the study, where, as Gertrude walked to the dining-room door from time to time, all seemed to be terribly still. It was when returning agitatedly from one of these visits to the open door that she happened to glance upward to where her old
7 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Fifteen.
Chapter Fifteen.
“But, confound the man! he swears, so Lawrence says, that he made the prescription up quite correctly.” “Perhaps your system will not bear the particular drug he prescribed.” “My system won’t bear molten lead poured into it,” said the young man tartly. “Hang it! I felt as if I was being burned up.” “You recollect the sensations, then?” “Recollect! Why, it sobered me in an instant, and I felt all the time as if the end had come.” “But it had not, my dear old fellow,” cried Saul enthusiastically.
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Sixteen.
Chapter Sixteen.
“Yes, yes, I’ll go, Denton,” said Gertrude quickly; and she hurried down the garden, her steps inaudible on the closely shorn lawn, and came round behind the bushes in time to lay her hand upon that of the would-be suicide. “What the dev—” “George, dear.” “Oh, it’s you, Gertie. Well, what’s the matter?” “Mr Saul Harrington,” said the girl, flushing, as she turned upon the visitor, “have you forgotten Doctor Lawrence’s words?” “I? Oh, no,” said Saul uneasily, “but doctors exaggerate, and dear Geo
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Seventeen.
Chapter Seventeen.
“There! get out. What’s the matter, Lawrence?” “I’ve come to consult you.” “You have? Then hang it all, old chap, I’ll have jaundice or gout next week.” “About The Mynns’ affairs.” “Oh! Then I’ll keep quite well. What’s the matter now?” “Sit down, Hampton, and let’s talk quietly, old fellow, as friends.” The old lawyer sat down, took a penknife from a drawer, and throwing himself back in his chair, began to pare his nails. “Well, what is it?” he said. “I’m very uncomfortable about the state of a
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Eighteen.
Chapter Eighteen.
“Get rid of Saul Harrington.” “Yes, I should be glad to do that, and I shall try it,” said Gertrude, with a dreamy look in her eyes which changed to one of dislike and dread as a step was heard outside upon the gravel walk, and the two women looked at each other curiously. “Talk of some one—” said Mrs Hampton at last. At that moment the door was opened, and Saul Harrington ushered in. “Ah, ladies,” he said cheerily, “both indoors upon a day like this. Well, I’m glad to find you at home. Come to
9 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Nineteen.
Chapter Nineteen.
“You know what I want, of course,” he said shortly. “Yes, sir; I presume it is money.” “Well, it’s my money, isn’t it?” “Yes, yes; of course; but if you would allow me—” “I don’t allow you,” was the sharp reply. “I want three thousand pounds within a week. You understand—within a week.” “Consols are very low just now, Mr Harrington; would it not be advisable to wait till they go up?” “No, sir, it would not. You understand; I want that money within a week, and the day I am married, fifteen days f
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Twenty.
Chapter Twenty.
“I—I don’t think he has gone out, sir,” faltered the old lady. “Perhaps you wouldn’t mind going up to his room.” “And be told to mind my own business—eh? Thanks; no.” He gave the newspaper a vicious shake, and a blow in the middle to double it up for a fresh reading. “Shall I go up, Gertrude, my dear?” said Mrs Hampton. “If you would not mind. He may, perhaps, be a little unwell.” “To be sure, my dear. I’ll go.” The lawyer’s wife left the room, and without a moment’s hesitation walked along the
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Twenty One.
Chapter Twenty One.
“Yes, he has a bad cut upon his head,” said Denton, as she closely examined the place; “and it has been bleeding terribly. Poor fellow! I’ll call cook to help carry him away, and we’ll bathe it.” “No,” said Gertrude decisively; “he was dear uncle’s favourite, and he shall be treated as a friend. Let him stop here, Denton. Draw the mat into this corner, and put another thick mat beside it.” This was done, the mat slipping easily over the smooth floor, with its load; and after submitting patiently
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Twenty Two.
Chapter Twenty Two.
“The poor thing is in pain, I suppose.” “No, miss, it isn’t that,” said Denton slowly. “If he was hurt, he would yelp sharply. He has got something on his mind.” “Don’t be such a ridiculous old woman, Denton!” cried Mrs Hampton impatiently, to cover her own dread. “Dogs have no minds. They howl sometimes because it’s their nature to.” “Yes, ma’am,” said the old housekeeper respectfully, but speaking in a very slow, impressive tone; “because it is their nature to howl when they know there’s death
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Twenty Three.
Chapter Twenty Three.
The old lawyer uttered a grunt. “Not been near you?” “No, no!” “Nor written?” “Not he!” “Nor sent a telegram?” “No, my dear, no.” “Then, all I can say is that it’s very disgraceful.” “Out all night, and of course poor Gertrude as anxious—” “As if she was his wife,” added the lawyer, hanging up his hat and light overcoat. “More,” said Mrs Hampton. “You would not find a wife so anxious if a husband behaved like that.” “No, my dear, of course not. There, I’ll go up and dress. I say, you will not wa
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Twenty Four.
Chapter Twenty Four.
Gertrude turned ghastly pale, and looked down at her soft, light dress, which was splashed and stained in great patches with the wine. “Mrs Hampton!” “What a stupid thing to say, my dear,” cried the old lady excitedly. “Don’t take any notice of it. There, let’s go to dinner.” That meal was not a success, for every one seemed troubled and nervous, one infecting the other, but no allusion was made to the absentee, till they were seated alone over dessert, when, as the old lawyer sipped his claret,
17 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Twenty Five.
Chapter Twenty Five.
“I am her nearest friend, sir; and, I may say, I am deputed to hear your business. You come from Mr George Harrington, I presume?” “Well, no, sir. I only reached Liverpool yesterday, London this afternoon. I am George Harrington.” “What?” “You seem surprised. I received letters from my grandfather, asking me, urgently, to return to England. I had made my preparations for returning, when I met with—an accident, and I have been dangerously ill. When I recovered and reached San Francisco, I found a
25 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Twenty Six.
Chapter Twenty Six.
He crossed to the door, held it open, and bowed gravely, as without a word they passed out, and then as soon as they were gone, he turned fiercely upon the old man. “Now, sir, if you please, I am waiting for an explanation,” he said in a low, angry voice. “Yet,” said Mr Hampton, throwing himself back in his chair, thrusting up his glasses, and fixing his calm, cold eyes upon the visitor as he continued, “I do not grant that you have any right, sir, to demand this explanation. Your position shoul
19 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Twenty Seven.
Chapter Twenty Seven.
The old woman gazed at him wildly. “You remember? The bottom curved up and as I stood on it, gave way, and then came up again with a loud bump.” She still gazed at him silently, while he seemed to be trying to evoke old memories. “Yes, to be sure, and you put me to bed in a great four-post affair, with heavy tassels and bobs round the top, and they swung to and fro, and—to be sure, yes, you set a great night-shade full of round holes on the floor, with a tin cup of water in it, and a long thin r
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Twenty Eight.
Chapter Twenty Eight.
“My dear madam,” cried their visitor, smiling, “now you have set eyes on me I hope there is no such whisper to your inner self.” “Indeed there is not, sir.” “My dear Rachel?” cried the lawyer firmly, “this is extremely indiscreet. We are face to face with a very great difficulty.” “No difficulty at all. Wait till the wretched man comes back, and then send him about his business.” “You are talking like an inconsistent child, Rachel,” said the lawyer sternly. “Mr George Harrington—” “The assumed M
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Twenty Nine.
Chapter Twenty Nine.
“Which he?” cried the old woman shortly. “Can’t be our Mr George Harrington, because he was to go to Lincoln’s Inn about this time. And I don’t believe it is likely to be the other. He’ll never come back at all. Oh, the pest?” Mrs Denton looked from one to the other with a satisfied air, as she handed the letter she brought in to Gertrude, her air suggesting that she expected to be spoken to; but as nothing was said, she shrugged her shoulders and left the room. “From Saul Harrington,” said Gert
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Thirty.
Chapter Thirty.
“ Poor Bruno! What do you mean? Not dead, is he.” “Oh, dear no, sir. Getting quite strong again.” “Indeed,” said Saul drily. “Yes, sir; somebody tried to kill him, but Miss Gertrude has nursed him back to life.” “Poor dog! Somebody tried to kill him. What for? Biting?” “I don’t know, sir. He crawled in one morning half dead; and, for a long time, I thought he wouldn’t get over it. But he’s nearly well now.” “And chained up?” “No, sir; but shut up in the stable. We can’t have him in the house, he
12 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Thirty One.
Chapter Thirty One.
“Far wiser to stay, sir,” said the doctor quietly. “No. You will be going back; I’ll go with you.” “As you like,” said the doctor; and at that moment Mrs Hampton whispered to Gertrude as they stood apart. “You asked him—to stay!” “Yes,” said Gertrude, with her eyes full of perplexity. “I cannot tell how it was, but I do not feel afraid of him now.” She started almost as she spoke, for an angry voice behind exclaimed: “Well, sir, why are you looking at me like that?” “For the simple fact that I w
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Thirty Two.
Chapter Thirty Two.
“Why, my dear, you oughtn’t to do that. Now, if it was the other, with his dreadful ways of sitting up with Mr Saul over the whiskey, and the finding him asleep in his chair at seven o’clock in the morning, you might sigh.” “Hush, Denton,” said Gertrude colouring, as she softly laid down the dog’s heavy head, with the effect that the poor beast whined. “Now, I tell you what I should do if I were you, Miss Gertie,” continued the old woman. “Dogs are a deal like human beings when they’re ill.” “Wh
10 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Thirty Three.
Chapter Thirty Three.
“Quiet, Bruno!” she said, to hide her confusion. “He has been hurt very much. I brought him out here for a change.” “Lucky dog,” he said; and then in dread lest it might be considered an impertinence: “How was he hurt? Run over—a kick?” “No, poor fellow; somebody must have struck him a terrible blow on the head.” “Indeed! That’s bad. Let me look at him. I understand a good deal about dogs.” “You do?” cried Gertrude eagerly. “Oh, yes. I have been in the wilds, sometimes for months, with no other
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Thirty Four.
Chapter Thirty Four.
“Humph! quotation for quotation,” muttered Doctor Lawrence. “You must wait, sir. You must wait.” “My dear Hampton,” said the doctor, “don’t you think that we might sympathise a little more with our young friend?” “I do not acknowledge that this gentleman is our friend,” said the lawyer sternly. “No, sir; and it does not seem to me that you are in any hurry to acknowledge me,” said the young man laughing. “Indeed, sir,” said the lawyer tartly. “I can only repeat my words—you must wait.” “Can’t wa
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Thirty Five.
Chapter Thirty Five.
A new life seemed to have dawned for her, and the sunshine brightened her darkened heart as she bent over and caressed the dog—lifting playfully first one and then the other of his long, soft, hairy ears to whisper with girlish glee: “Yes, some day, Bruno—some day he will come again.” Then she looked round, almost with a guilty start, but only for the former restful look of happiness to come back. “Such a change, ma’am; such a change. Poor darling! If that other business had gone on, it would ha
22 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Thirty Six.
Chapter Thirty Six.
“Get that gentleman out of the room quickly. Or no. Here, Gertrude, show me where I can lock up the dog. A room, outhouse—anywhere.” “Better shoot him. The dog’s mad,” cried Mr Hampton excitedly. “Oh!” ejaculated Gertrude. “The dog’s not mad,” panted George. “You lead the way.” “Yes, yes,” cried Gertrude. “I think I can hold him. Stand on one side, and be ready to shut the window to as soon as I get him outside.” “I’m ready,” said Gertrude, with a calm display of courage which brought forth an a
18 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Thirty Seven.
Chapter Thirty Seven.
He had plenty of time for thought during the long hours of that painful night. The ladies ostensibly went off to bed, while the gentlemen occupied the dining-room, the doctor rising from time to time to go in to see his patient, who lay in a complete stupor—overcome for the time being by the potency of the medicine which had been administered. It was a slow, dreary watch, for all were more or less exhausted by the struggle which they had had, but no one complained, and three o’clock had arrived
16 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Thirty Eight.
Chapter Thirty Eight.
“Almost identical, sir,” said the old doctor. “But Mr Saul assured me that the wound was not a bite, but an abrasure that had gone bad, consequent upon ignorant treatment by a foreign doctor, and was poisoning the blood.” “Thank you, sir,” said the young man gravely; and as soon as the lawyer had replaced the keys, they quietly left the room, and were on their way to prepare the hot spirit and water, when they stopped short, and Mr Hampton grasped his companion’s arm, as from the cellar, soundin
14 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Thirty Nine.
Chapter Thirty Nine.
“Wait, sir? Impossible. Come with me.” They went into the kitchen where they were saluted by a heavy snore, and found the gardener fast asleep by the fireside. He was roused and sent home as not being again necessary; and as soon as the door was closed upon him, George turned upon the lawyer. “Now, sir, where can I find tools: a hammer and chisel?” “Tools? Oh, yes. There are some, I believe, in the little room by the garden door.” He led the way to a little cupboard-like ante-room where garden i
11 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Forty.
Chapter Forty.
“No,” said George shortly. “If there is a discovery to be made, I’ll be the first to make it; and then we must have in the police at once.” As he spoke, he attacked the brickwork with the chisel, easily removed one brick, and the others came more easily still. “These bricks have not been untouched for years, Mr Hampton.” “No, sir, no,” said the old man feebly, as he wiped his face. “But it may mean a robbery by some old servant—of the wine.” “Yes, sir, it may,” said George hoarsely, as he worked
15 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter
Chapter Forty One.
Chapter Forty One.
He proved then, and afterwards by means of communication from the States, enough to satisfy the most sceptical, that he was the real George Harrington; while now the gardener could come forward with divers little bits of evidence to add to the certainty of Saul Harrington’s guilt. “Why didn’t I say so afore?” the gardener said in the kitchen, in answer to a question, “’cause I didn’t think it was no consequence. If I see larks going on, with footmarks under windows, and holes in yew hedges, why,
6 minute read
Read Chapter
Read Chapter