LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2256, 21 May 1881, Page 4

LITERATURE.

THE MYSTERY OF LORD BRACKENBURY: A NOVEL. BY AMELIA B. EDWABDS, Author of "Barbara's History," •'Debenbarn'a Vow," &c. EPILOGUE. (Continued.} ' There is the man whom yon saw at the villa ; there is the man whom yon saw the night of the eruption; and there is Me-sra Fawcett and Clarke's claimant. Now, my dear friend—a moment's patience! The man you saw at the villa, accompanied by a lady, wore a kind of uniform, and commanded a boat's crew. Bichmond the f irst. Tho man you saw the night of the eruption was either a chance looker-on wto made himself useful, as you did, or he was a common seaman or peasant. Bichmond the Second. Finally, we have the man who, according to Fawcett and Clarke, has led a wandering life, spent his money, and wants twenty-five thousand pounds. This gentleman i* evidently neither of the previous Biohmonds. He is Bichmond the 1 hird.' ' Then, Marrables, you 'refuse to accept my positive testimony—the testimony of my own eyes.' •I think your mind was predisposed to receive a certain impression, and that you we e in both instances mistaken. However, be this as it may, the present question is how to deal with Bichmond the Third.*

Then they discussed this question of dealing with Bichmond the Third, and with Eiohmond the Third's legal advisers. Fawcett and Clarke's letters mentioned certain proofs of identity which had been lodged in their hands. To examine these proofs, and to obtain a personal interview with their client, were obviously the first steps which should be taken.

Upon these points Lancelot and his lawyers were agreed. It was accordingly settled that Messrs Marrables and Blake should write to Messrs Fawcett and Clarke, expressing Lord Brackenbury's willingness to meet their olient and examine his proofs of identity at such time and in such place as might best suit that gentleman's convenience.

Then Lancelot rose to go; but stopped half-way to the door, and pulled a letter from his pocket. 'Look here,'be said, 'I had forgotten to show you this. It is from my friend Cochrana. Tell me what yon think of It.' Mr Marrables received it with the deferec ce due to a letter written by the Conservative representative of the borough of Singleton ; but his face looked grave when he laid it down.

' It is a b»ao plot,' he said, ' a base and a deep-laid plot; and they mean fighting.' ' Hut those paragraphs from "The Tocsin" and " The Court Herald "? '

' Written in Fawcett and Clarke's office.'

' Good heavens !—why 1 If it be true — if it only be true—he has but to oome to me, to put out bis hand, and all I have is his ! Twenty-five thousand pounds ? What are twenty-five thousand pounds compared with what I owe him ? You know how little I have spent of his money, Marables; you know how it has accumulated, and to what an enormous total it has mounted during those seventeen years. It is all his. The nutates are all his ; the title is his—he has but to claim them I'

' And he would come to you—he would put out his hand, if it were he ! Bemember the affection that subsisted between your brother and yourself . . ' ' I do remember it—that is what cuts me deepest.' 'Look at tbe antecedents of Fawcett and Clarke ; think of Stephen Langtrey's rnin and death ; and then ask yourself if the late lord would ever have put himself into their hands. Is it credible ? Is it possible ? My dear Lord Brackenbury, does not your own excellent sense show you that your beloved brother would never have acted in this fashion, and that the very course pursued by Fawcett and Clarke's client provea him to be an impostor ?' I |Lancelot paused, drew a deep breath, and said—

' Upon my soul, Marrablea, I begin to think you are right. Invite the man to meet me ; and we will soon see whether he is an impostor or not.' ' I will invite him with pleasure,' said Mr Marrables. 'Or rather, I will invite Fawcett and Clarke to invite him. hut he will not come.'

Chapter 111. MB M AKKABLE3 TELLS A {LIE,

Had Mr Marrables been the mouthpiece of the Delphic oracle, he could not have prophesied more correctly. 'I will invite him with pleasure,' he said; 'but he will not come.'

He did invite 'him,' and in these terms:—

• Singleton, May 2nd, 18—.

' Deab Sibs,

' "We have reoeived your favor of the 29th iaat., and have communicated with our client in reference to the claim made by you on behalf of a gentleman whom yon state to be his brother. It appears to ns that if yonr client is really the person he represents himself to be, his identity can be established beyond the possibility of doubt at a personal interview with ours; and if so, all arrangements for the future are matters for discussion, not between the legal advisers of the party, but between the brothers themselves. We have, therefore, to invite yon to make an appointment for a personal meeting of the parties concerned. The gentleman under whose instructions yon are acting will thus have every facility to establish his identity. It will perhaps be convenient to arrange this meeting at our office on an early day next week.

' We are, dear Sirs, ' Yours truly, 'MARRABLBS AND BIAKK

' To MeaHra Fawcett, Clarke and Fawcett.' To which courteous invitation, Messrs Fawcett. Clarke and Fawcett, after two days' delay, returned the following reply : * Singleton, May sth, 18—.

• Deab SIE3, •We duly received youra of the 2nd inst., which we have laid bef Jre our client. We regret that ycu ahonld deem it necessary to propose a personal interview, as we cannot but feel that it is unnecessary, and would be painful. Our client and his brother have been ao long parted, and such great domestic changes have occurred during that time, that our client feels it would be better the meeting should not take place. We shall, however, be happy ourselves to meet you, and, if yon think fit, your client whenever you please ; and we are satisfied we can place documentary evidence of identity before you which will remove any doubt from the mind of yourselves or your client. Having regard, however, to the fact that our client prefers not to resume his rank or position, but to leave England as soon as possible, we think it Is desirable that he should retain hia incognito, and that the transaction should take place with the strictest regard to privacy. We need hardly add that our client has not the least wish to have recourse to a public Court of Law ; but, If his very moderate requirements are provided for in the manner we propose, would prefer to leave his brother's present position wholly undisturbod. We shall, therefore, be happy to attend at your office on Tuesday next, at twelve o'clock.

' We are, dear Sirs, ' Yours truly, ' Fawcett, Clarke and Fawcett,

' To Messrs Marrables and Blake.'

Then Mr Marrables himself wrote to Lancelot, advising that for the present, »t all events, Fawcett and Clarke's proposal should not be entertained.

'We can bat investigate their so-called "documentary evidence,"' he said, 'and

thence take whatsoever new departure may seem expedient. In the meanwhile., I may toll you that we believe wo have found a clue to Iho whereabouts >f this mysterious claimant, whom I ho,\ e more than ouce been tempted to regard r.s a purtly mythical personage, lhe F'awcetts have a client in jvlaccleafield with whom they "ro in daily communis ati-n. Frank Fawcett has betn over the;e rep3iter)Jy within the ltsvt fortnight or three weeks, frequently running up by the morning express, and returning tho same night. We seat ono of our junior clerks to Macclesfield lsssi evening to fiud out what he could in the town. He is a sharp fellow, and will not, I think, come back empty-handed.' Tho next day Mr Marrables wrote again : ' Singleton, May 7th, 18—, ' My dkae Lord Bkackenbury,

' The mysterious client at Macclesfield is a Mr Compton. Ue is stay. ing at the York Hotel ; and, in so far as our clerk could barn, seems to be spending his money pretty freely. He is described as tall, light complexioncd, and about fortyfive or forty-Beven years of age. I mean to see this gentleman with my own eyes before many days are over. In the meanwhile, I look for the pleasure of receiving you here to morrow.

' Believe me, my dear Lord, ' You is faithfully, 'JtfDWARD MATiItABLES,

■ To Lord Brackenbury. * Not for many years had Mr Marrablos gone so frequently to the office, or written so many business letters with his own hand. For, it must bo remembered, he was now four scoro and seven years of ago; and, notwithstanding tht. keenness of his intellect and the extraordinary vigor of his physique, he was in truth a very old gentleman. OZi as he waß, however, ho was not to be daunted by even so serious an undertaking as tho jonrney to Macclesfield and back. Confident that a colossal fraud was to the fore, he felt once more that anticipatory relish with which, in younger days, he was wont to pursue the pleasures of the legal chase. irto, having despatched his note to Lance lot Brackenbury, Mr Marrables went home behind the gravest of cobs driven by the steadiest of elderly grooms (for the days of high stepping greys and friaky Eorys were long since over), and sat down to his bachelor dinner with a somewhat better appetite than usual. Now, it was Mr MaTable's invariable custom to read for two hours after dinner ; and, because light reading was good for digestion, he always took a novel with his coffee. He was, in fact, an inveterate novel reader, and generally had a big box of fiction either just arrived from, or just departing to, Mudie's, Therefore, when he was comfortably settled in his easy-chair, with slippered feet, and placid mind, and the lignt of a shaded lamp directed full upon the first page of a certain third volume, Mr Marrables might well be excused from looking up somewhat impatieotly, and answering somewhat irritably, when interrupted with — 'lf you please, sir, there's a gentleman wants to speak to you ' ' Confound you, Davis ; you know I never pee any one at this hour. Tell him to go to the office at Singleton any day before five. Mr Blake will attend to him.'

'I have told him so, sir,' replied Davis, who was as grave as an undertaker, and had lived with Mr Marr&bles for fifty years. • And he's not gone ?' ' No, sir. he says ha business is very particular, and he must see you.' ' Tell him to go to the devil!' * I have told him so, sir.' 'The deuce you have !' ' Not in those words precisely, sir, but equivalent.' Mr Marrablea laughed. ' Well, go back to him, Davis, and tell him, with my compliments, that 1 have little or nothing to do now with the business of the firm ; but xhat my partner, Mr Blake, will attend to him with pleasure. Say it civilly, mind.' ■ Yes, air, but he won't take No for an answer.'

'At all events, don't bring me another message.' Davis vanished, but reappeared immediately; *lf you please, sir, the gentleman says he is a very old friend, and that ho knows you will be glad to sea him.'

' What's hia name ?' ' Won't give it, sir.' ' Did you ask him for hia card ?' ' Won'c give it, sir.'

Mr Marrahles hesitated. He felt decidedly oross, and yet he could not help also feeling carious. ' Tell him to come up, and be hanged to him!' he said, hia curiosity getting the better of his crossness.

Then he nhut his book, got upon hia feet, and resolved not to Invite thia unwelcome guest to be seated. The door opened, and he came in—a tall, powerful, light-bearded man, in an overcoat and a felt hat. He took off his hat as he crossed the threshold; walked to the middle cf the room ; lifted the shade off the lamp and said—'Mr Marrables, do you know me? ' The colour fled from Mr Marrables, rosy face. He started at the stranger, and said nothing. •Mr Marrahle3,' his visitor repeated, 'do you know me t' Then Mr Marrables, for the first time in his life, told a lie. He said—'No.' ' Your looks say ' Yes,' my old friend. Why does your tongue say ' No ? ' Again Mr Marrables was silent. ' Look once more Have seventeen years so changed me ? Is it possible that you don't even recognise my voice ? lam Cuthbert Brackenbury.' Mr Marrables, trembling from head to foot, dropped into his easy chair. * I —l presume,' he said, trying to speak with old composure, * I presume I have the honour of speaking to Mr Compton from Macclesfield V

■ Compton from Macclesfield ? What do you moan ? I tell you lam Outhbert Brackenbury. What is this about my brother and the property ? I saw it only four days ago io the ' Fanf ulla.' The Italian papers are full of it. I had but just come ashore at Trieste, and in the first cafe I entered there I read it. I started for England nexb morning, and here I am. Is it true ? Js his title disputed? And on what grounds, ? And by whom?' 'ls it not—you —who dispute it?'stammered Mr Marrables. 'I? Are you mad? The "Fanfulla" speaks of a pretender to the title—is there any such pretender ? If so ho is an impostor, and I am here to unmask him.' Mr Marrables almost gasped for breath; then, half laughing, half-crying, he stretched out both hia hands, and said—- • Cuthbert, my dear boy, forgive me ! I recognised you the moment you came into the room. Ood bless yon !' Then, for some minutes, their talk was all broken exclamations, half-finished sentences, eager questions, and rapid answers.

' And you thought I was dead ? Everyone thought so, did they not ? And lancelot ?' • Lancelot did not believe it for years— I doubt, iu fact, if ho ever really believed it, though he yielded at last to necessity and took tha title. After that, he fancied he saw you . .' * taw me V ' Ay, about twelve years ago, in South Italy. First at the houso where you lived as boys. . .' «Ah!'

•Next, during the great eruption of "Vesuvius, coming out of nome burning house at ... . I forget the name of the place ' ' Ban Lorenzo ! Yes, I was there, with some of my crew. It was a farmhouse belonging to my wifo's relations, and we were saving what we could.' ' You are married then ?' • Yes.' ' And in the Navy ?'

' I am a shipowner, nnd the captain of a merchant vessel—rich for my station in life —active —happy. Enough of me, Tell mo about Lancelot!'

' Your brother ia also married,' said Mr Marrablen, with some embarrassment. • I know it. He is married to Winifred. I saw it in the papers. I thought they would have married Booner. They waited four years.' • Oh! then you expected . .' ' I knew he loved her, of course ; and I knew eho loved him.' • And that is why. . .' {'Jo be continued on Tuesday.)