The Secret of Whitmore Chase.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, Volume 1, Issue 33, 12 August 1867, Page 197

The Secret of Whitmore Chase.

A TALE OF ENGLAND & AUSTRALIA. Bt R. E. Lee, Author of “A Tangled Skein.” WEITTEH FOE THE HAWKE’S BAT WAEKLT TIMES. The right of translation, is reserved hy the author. CHAPTER IV. BEECHAM FINDS AN AGENT. j&CfTiiE offices of Messrs. Grabhe and Koh" (sT^vL l er> attorne y s » were situated in Thavies Inn, Holborn. They were ostensibly legal practitioners, but their real business A r was money-lending, and very profitable | found it, taking especial care in every > transaction to exact good security and usurious interest. Although there were two partners, Kohler was merely a nonentity, receiving but a minimum share of the gains, lie had been taken into partnership by Grabbe for a twofold reason; being not only acquainted with many of the latter’s nefarious transactions, but also willing and perfectly qualified to transact the more questionable part of the business which fell to the share of the firm. Grabbe was the deus ex mdchiua of the establishment, but he occasionally found it very convenient to assure despairing individuals from whom he had wrung the last penny that his partner was the stumbling-block in the, way of his charity. “I am very sorry,” lie woiild say, “ personally I would allow you time with pleasure, but I have a partner, and. he —” and the worthy attorney would nod significantly, leaving the unsuccessful applicant under the impression that he, was a victim to Kohler’s rapacity. Like most people of his class, Grabbe was not satisfied with the rank of those with whom lie transacted business. His clients ranged no higher 'than embarrassed tradesmen or would-be “ swells,” who aped the manners of the upper ten thousand, resembling them in nothing but the manifestation of an unlimited capability of spending money. Still, Grabbe found this circle of clients very profitable. The shrewd old lawyer held the clue to many secrets involving the credit of firms and the honor of families ; but so long as he received liis money his lips were closed. TYhat mattered it to him whether creditors were swindled or households brought to the verge of ruin, if his “ little bills” were duly honoured, of which he took good care ? Commissioners in Bankruptcy, when censuring a delinquent, might advert to his transactions with the attorney in anything but complimentary terms; but the examination over, Grabbe slapped his pocket, and found a ringing response there which fully compensated him for the reproof he had received. Yet with all this he was not satisfied; he yearned for an introduction to a higher class of clients. Possessed of a large capital, his fancy painted in glowing tpe plunder to be realised from spendthrift aristocrats «ind the post-obits of embarrassed heirs ; but he found that his brother usurers were too wary to him a chance of catching any of their victims worth plucking. It was therefore with some surprise than on' his< arrival at his chambers one morning, the attorney received the following laconic epistle:—

“Mr Beecham Whitmore requests Mr Grabbe to call at the Clarendon Hotel this. afternoon, at three o’clock/’

“ Whitmore,” he muttered, “ I don’t remember the name; what can he want with me?” and he was endeavouring to recollect whether he had ever been acquainted with any person of that name when his partner Kohler entered. “Do you know this name F” inquired Grabbe, handing him the note. Koliler appeared confused. “ I did not intend you to know anything of the matter,” he said, after a pause. “ I advanced a hundred pounds on bill drawn by a Mr Whitmore last month, while you were in Cheshire about that mortgage. The account I received of his ability to pay was satisfactory; and although you told me not to meddle with any strange clients during your absence, I discounted the bill on my own responsibility. I heard last week some strange rumours respecting Whitmore, and wrote to him, but have received no answer. However, as I took the risk agaiust your advice, of course the affair is mine only.” “ Who is this Whitmore ?” Grabbe asked.

“ The elder son of a Westmorland baronet,” replied Kohler. “ The bill is accepted by the son of old Burden, the retired brewer, who may be made to pay if we put the screw on.” Grabbe took down a “ Baronetage”, and turned to the name. His eyes sparkled as he closed the book and turned to his partner. “ Put the transaction to our joint account,” he said..l am much mistaken if this is not the chance I have been wanting for some. time. Strange that you should stumble upon the opportunity for which I have so long waited.” “ Then I did right in advancing the money ?” inquired Kohler. “ Right!” Certainly !” was the reply. “It is but an introduction, yet I have often succeeded with au opening less promising. I shall be absent this afterno'in, so you must attend to the preparation of those mortgages.” “ Captain Holmes called again this morning,” Kohler remarked.

“ And yon told him that unless he paid up a writ would issue, I suppose ?” Grabbe enquired. His partner nodded. “ That man’s impudence is abominable,” Grabbe observed, with an air of viftuous indignation. “• Three times his bill for two hundred has been renewed, for the paltry consideration of ten pounds each time, and now he comes here whining about his wile and children, wanting us to renew the bill, or give him time to raise the money, without compensation for doing so. The ingratitude of some men is shocking. Include his name iu the list of writs.” ,

Kohler left the room, and Grabbe rubbed his hands and chuckled. “ I see,” he soliloquised, “ the young man finds it inconvenient to pay, and asks his brother to get time, or perhaps wants a further advance. Well, I think I may venture, but I must hot be too easy. No doubt the youug man is inexperienced, and it-will be strange if I cannot wind him round my finger.” The Nvortlijr-attorney, however, was slightly mistaken in-his estimate of the- character of his correspondent and of the-business to be transacted. Punctual to the; appointed time Grabbe made his appearance at. tlwG Clarendon, a Beecham motionetl'lhs visitor to a sea£-,and’" the"" two men made a mental survey of each other, Grabbe was

a shrewd physiognomist, and his hasty glance gave him ample reason to alter his opinion concerning the probability of the “ winding” process he had. anticipated. “ I have sent for yon, Mr Grabbe,’’ Beecham said, “in consequence of a note from your. firm, addressed to my brother, falliug into my hands. I prefer dealing with principals, and have therefore sent for you instead of Hie junior member of your firm, by whom the letter is signed.” Grabbe bowed, and Beecham continued: “ I wish to know whether you were aware of my brother’s pecuniary position when you discounted that bill P”

“It was discounted by my partner,” was the reply,“but of course we were aware that Mr Philip Whitmore is the heir to Sir Bryan Whitmore. Should it be inconvenient to take up the bill, we have no objection to renew it, for a consideration.” Beecham smiled in a manner that made Grabbe feel rather uneasy. “ Supposing I were to tell you,” said" the former, “ that when that hill was drawn, Philip Whitmore had uo prospect of meeting it ; supposing that his father lias discarded him —turned him into the streets to starve, would you still feel disposed to renew it ? ” Grabbe was about to make some response, but Beecham motioned to him to remain silent, and said : “ Listen to me, Mr Grabbe. All that I have told you is true. Philip Whitmore has offended his father—offended him so deeply that reconcilia-

tion is out of the question ; and at the present moment he is utterly destitute.” “ In that case,” Grabbe remarked, “we must come upon the man who backed the bill.” “ You have not heard the news concerning Mr Burden, then, the other party concerned in the hill?” inquired Beecham. “ I have been informed this morning, by an excellent authority, that Mr Burden, having lost heavily on the “ Two Thousand” last week, left England yesterday, and is at the present moment in that convenient refuge.for individuals under a cloud, Boulogne. What is the value of your bill now, Mr Grabbe ?” ■ • The attorney made no reply, and Beecham went bn : “ A shrewd business man like you will at once

perceive that it is not worth the stamp upon it. Now, I have a proposal to made to you.” A canning expression played on Grabbe’s features. “ I see,” he thought, “he wants to make the best possible terms for getting tli&.bill back, but it won’t do,” and lie was prepaiSeg to make some remark to this effect, when Beecham again inerrupted him. “ I guess your thought,” he said. “ You imagine that I wish- to put the case in the worst possible light, in order to cancel the bill as cheaply as possible, but- you arc mistaken. So far from wishing you to lose by the transaction, I am prepared to pay down the full amount necessary to redeem it, on certain conditions.” Grabbe breathed more freely, hut looked, enquiringly at Beecham, who continued: “ I have said that I am prepared to pay you the liun dred pounds; if you render me a service I will double the. sum. I have told you that my brother is destitute, and I will give you an insight into

the cause of Ills being so. Two months back he contracted a disgraceful marriage, iu opposition to a project on winch my father had set his heart, and the consequence was that Sir Bryan discarded ‘him. Since that- time I have assisted him,, but

he lately applied to me for a sum of money which it was not in my power to raise. I wrote to him and told him so, aud have heard nothing more from him. My father is inexorable ; he will not allow. Philip’s name to be mentioned, and I am not aware of his present address; I have thought over the matter, and have come to the conclusion

that the best thing he can do is to emigrate. I will provide the necessary funds, and I wisli you to find him out and persuade him to accept the offer; Ido not want him to know that it comes from me, I therefore leave it to your ingenuity to devise a plausible tide. One thing, however, must be accomplished, he must be separated from his wife; this I also leave to you, and if you succeed you will find that I know how to appreciate the service.”

“ I accept the offer,” replied Grabbe, “ but I imagine there will be some difficulty iu discovering his address. Have you no cine ?” At this moment a servant entered with a card, on which was engraved “Mr George Luscombe,” under the name was written in pencil, “on business connected with Mr Philip Whitmore.” Shew him in,” said Beecham. Luscombe entered the room, but paused on seeing a stranger. “ This gentleman is aware of my brother’s posi tion,” Beecham observed, indicating Grabbe by a glance. “If you come from Philip you can speak with out reserve before Mr Grabbe.”

Luscombe appeared irresolute; at last he said, “ I do not come from your brother, Mr "Whitmore, but on his account. 1 saw. your name in the : Morning Post’ among the list of arrivals at the Clarendon, aud as I am sure you cannot be awi re of Philip’s present condition, I resolved to call upon you.” Beecham and Grabbe exchanged glarces.

“ Are you acquainted with his address ?” the latter asked.

“ I am,” replied Luscombe. Then addressing himself to Beecham, he continued : “ I met your brother accidentally yesterday, aud was only then made aware of what had transpired since his marriage. He is living in a miserable house in Chelsea; and lam sorry to say that his misfortunes appear to have led him to resort too frequently to the bottle.” “Ifl am not mistaken, Mr Luscombe, it is not the first time you have seen him do so,” saiu Beecham, drily. Luscombe’s features flushed, but he went on: “ It is true that I am inadvertently the author oi his troubles, having been the cause of his first introduction to his wile; lam therefore very desirous of assisting hint as much as possible. The pecuniary aid in my power to give him is unfortunately not sufficient to do him any good, and 1 am compelled to appeal to you. Let me inform you how I discovered him. Having to complete a painting rather suddenly, I went clown to Chelsea to call upon an individual who acts as a model for artists. After transacting my business, I was returning to town, when I was amazed at suddeidy encountering yourjjrother Philip, shabbily dressed. For a moment 1 imagined myself mistaken, but his attempt to evade me conviuced me that it was indeed himself. I accosted liim, and after some hesitation he told me the whole story of his marriage, your father’s anger, and his present poverty. I had not seen him since I breakfasted with him some months ago at his rooms in Hyde Park Gardens, and having beeu ou the Continent during the interval, I was not aware of his marriage; the whole aff;dr therefore completely took me by surprise, and I cannot sufficiently express to you my sorrow at learning that he had ruined his prospects by marrying a girl to whom I had.been the cause of liis introduction. He appears utterly cast down and reckless", and l ain afraid' \Vill take some "desperate step unless prevented. That your father

will not assist him I cun well imagine; but surely you ciui do something to withhold him from the gulf which he is rapidly approaching. He is not acquainted with my intention of seeing you, and if! I can be of use to you in any project you may form for his benefit, you may freely command my services.” " |

Beecham exchanged a few words with Grabbe ; then turning to Luscombe, said, “ You do me but justice in thinking that my brother’s unfortunate condition is painful to me. I will endeavour to devise some means of assisting liitn, though I deeply regret to hear that his misfortunes have driven him to drink. Idleness has taught him a severe lesson.” I “It has taught me one, at any rate,” Luscombe replied; “ I shall never forgive myself for my share in the matter. He declined to give me his address, but I managed to ascertain it in the! neighbourhood,” and he handed a written direction' to Beecham. !

“ I do not know that yon can be of any assistance, Mr Luscombe,” said Beecham, rising, as an intimation that the interview had terminated, “ however, if you will call upon Mr Grabbe at his office in Tliavies Inn, he will employ you in the affair, if necessary.” “ Deuced cool fellow that,” said Luscombe to himself, as he left the hotel. “I wish poor Philip had taken a leaf from his book. Confound the ‘ Convivial Owls,’ this matter has caused mu a remorse that will last mv lifetime.”

Directly the door closed behind Luscombe, Beecham looked at Grabbe with a gratified smile. “ Here is your great difficulty at once removed,” he said. “ You have now the address, Grabbe, and the rest is easy. I will give you a cheque for a hundred on account; and as I intend to remain in town until the matter is settled, you cun at once commence operations.” “In the event of my persuading your brother to go abroad, what is to become of his wife ?’ t inquired Grabbe. “I am prepared to pay-her fifty pounds a year,” was tiie answer. By the bye, I have heard that she was the adopted child of the people with whom she was living. You might persuade Philip that they will befriend her if lie will go.” “ A capital idea,” returned the attorney. “In bis present desperate condition lie will no doubt be glad of an offer which will prove advantageous to both. Have you any particular wish to select the place to which he is to emigrate ?” “ I think Australia would be the best spot for him,” Beecham said. “He will have a chance of

a fair start there, and his future success will entirely depend upon himself.” Besides,” Grabbe rejoined, with a cunning look, “ Australia is a long way off, and he will find it difficult to annoy you from thence, if lie feels inclined to do it.”

Exactly,” Beecham replied, “ I see we understand eacli other; l need not beat about the hush with a mail of your discernment. It is both lbr his advantage and my own if he leaves England. Have you any correspondents in Australia ?” “ Several;” was the answer. “ Leave the completion of this matter entirely in my hands. Of course I cannot expect you to confide fully in me on so short an acquaintance, but I tl.iuk the manner in which I conduct this affair will convince yon that I am deserving of your confidence. I fancy I may venture to assure you that your brother will not trouble you again. There is one tiling, however, which lias just occurred to me—you say that his wife was an adopted child. Would it not be possible, after her husband’s departure, to persuade her friends to receive her again ; or do you think it likely that they will appeal to your father on her behalf?”

“ No,” Beecham replied, “ Sir Bryan receives no letters that are not; first opened by myself; he is a hopeless invalid; and I could easily prevent a personal interview. Your idea is a good one, and should you succeed in carrying it out, I shall not be forgetful. I will leave you now to begin the work ; here is the promised cheque, and I hope you will soon be in a position to demand another.” “ This looks well,” soliloquised Grabbe, as he took his way towards his chambers, “ I think I can foresee some nice pickings in this little job. Send him to Australia —yes, I will do so, but I will keep my finger upon him ; who knows what may occur ? Beecham is playing a deep game will he win it ?”