THE MAN IN POSSESSION

Observer, Volume 6, Issue 150, 28 July 1883, Page 10

THE MAN IN POSSESSION

:---^\?V-^.''^ " "■.•''' l ;-': -s. ; v — ._i_ — f.- ?j ,* (*A ?£ ? sL ! ;;u>'^E;''ifi|!bli' mojttjing' after my the ;i i#i^&^M«;:^idifeb^Bislas for. m.si i^b^H|s| ||pomj ;^l^li:e^fered,-t Cahcied that' a 's^^^Vu^rißssed filislteU-Jii^.eou^ten^npe.^ La.^i|^si^ me •'",' )■ i^^t^ndilo.qupft'tj sneering fe^le,Wiots.*xd^f I.'1 .' 'fo-ood ■> ?; • ■: 'spjiyijiif^9. r^e^igh ; Kaa ...faeepi 'sol^o^QtSp *i# B lit i * j ; > Jwhat cannob be helped, must be enuufeci." I have ' '^^"beM.ablo %'d, arrange my little, affair ..with your ■ J^)Wiioipal,''&'ind^66hsequentlj, your presence, 'can ■ j^fa.©^ be . dfepense'd \ with.! I sbull be -glad- if yo u . r '} strill«.leave the fprenii'ses at once." ''*■'': - V ' , • ; '?!;£.* ■■•Taken aback, I' Was atf a 1 loss for a' jmoiiienb or v two* for Words'' to 'answer,' as" from; what .T: had i ; V^lieard .previdiis to my coming to. Briteleigh, 1 hnd :"."'. not the remotest idea that Mr Wintoek would be '.■i;tfbl'eVto,liquidatJe' : tlie 'heavy demand upon him; A<\Elad Miss Wintock, at last; thoroughly crushed •^rid.' broken in spirit, acceded to one" oil- his pro-' '■positions, and either consented to become' the 1 'bride of his son', or signed some document which ■/■ gave. him absolute power over her property ? The - vthought was horrible. Yet it might be so; for ■ as I had not been able to rll'ect any eomrnuuication with her since that unfortunate night,, her energies, physical and mental, might have collapsed ' in despair. ' Mr Wintock, seeing that I was dumbfounded, at once followed up his advantage. >{ I wish to ■ make one observation before you go. You have "> interfered most'; unwarrantably and impertinently , in me domestic arrangements of- my family since you have in the house, both by intruding Yourself upon the privacy of a young lady resident here, and in endeavouring to facilitate her escape fsorn Her natural guardians. Possibly, you may nob be aware that the yning lady in question is a dangerous lunatic, and that a degree of' wholesome restraint is absolutely necessary for her well-being and safety, though .at times she may have apparently lucid, intervals. I have no doubt you were misled by the craft peculiar to that sad siflliciion ; . hence, I am disposed to make due allowance for your extraordinary conduct. Otherwise, I should feel justified in communicating tlie circumstances ■to your employer, which would probably result in" no very agreeable consequences to yourself, - ; I may add for your satisfaction, that the young lacLys.will shortly be placed in a suitable establishment, .where shY will be properly cared for.- I hope.'howejfer^ as you are a young nuiii, that a due consideration-; of the extremely absurd manner in;w,nich- ybupia^e acted,.-and the slight inconvenience yo^have? ; Bijff.erM"^-.here, with a bland smiled he p'^Bsed--,hii' r hahdßigniGcantly over the uppei{ part of his face — "may. prove a warning to you to copdUetyourseslf more discreetly in future." He loOkecf in^faljin. the face and. waved his hand towards Ih.^dqpri-K' . , - Hok Impressed 1 , tlje fierce tempest of passion that inwardly, shook" me, T oanppt tell. " Sir, " I " repliedras '■xjftlmjf as' tv. was able, J " I am not in a position to doubt your word ; but " ' * • i ßub ; what?" he angrily demanded. " I tell you, man, that I posted a cheque for the amount last evening, and • that I expect a discharge and receipt by to-morrow's post. Will thiJt satisfy you?" "Then no doubt, sir, the same post will bring me' from my principal the usual release, without •which. I am not 'justified in deserting my post. Imttiediately upon, its arrival, I will comply with your wishes." "You were ready enough, however, to leave it to suit your own insolent purpose!" he hotly spurted out. "But one day will not make much ' difference; I daresay ; therefore, to-morrow be it." I bowed, and withdrew to the kitchen, indignant', bewilder^edf and with a. sickening sensation at the heart. Hwas completely foiled and beaten. " The last- night I shall be here — young lady mad .-♦-confined i v ft madhouse— tell my employer — slight inconvenience," kept , echoing through my brain, till I felt dizzy with the whirl of confused thought, and mechanically passed my hand over my face as. Mr Wintock had done. The remembrance on the indignity enraged me beyond endurance ; and I determined, if human craft could 1 'accomplish it, that I would trace out Miss.W.intock that very night, and ascertain from her, own ■ lips , whether, when I left the house, I could do anything for her. Might not a solicitor, upon ■•'propeiVrepi'eaentation; take her case in hand, and forcibly obtain tlie release of her person from the fiends who' now held her in confinement? Doubtless, much energy and skill would' be required ; but the strong arm of the law was, or ought to be r ■'■"■ all-powerful. Ye/l jl would see her. ■ Old VSfiritoek might storm aua rave as he liked. I ghd'ulrt bid him farewell/on the morrow.;; and if -lie tried to injure nic/with my employer, I hoped my state-njent.-wo.uld be believed .; and if not— supposing I got my discharge and was 1 thrown out of work — the world .was wjde t and. £ should be a kind of martyr in a good, cause— the cause of beauty in ." distress., „..., . . „ , „;. . ; ; . Putting a good face on matte" rs, ,L told ,old Martha aud Benetti that I was to depart on the morrow, as Mr Wintock had settled all claims upon, him. It was evident' by the convert smile on the. "face of each that the intelligence gave them great satisfaction. In the course "d^t' the e.v ; enirig;l paiuitered out of the kitchen asH&'to go to my "fropiri; »'^Bn'K n§> dou'BtJfas'lfbdd^them good evening, they oonoiwled that I hadsretired for the night. In-' ■■ stead ioj doing ;6& I ;.qujebly slipped , up., the back r ,fltau\case,..,";Here, fts .in th? other, there was a Mhdi' at',Mi^^P> 'wh'iclr'Bhiut thb^upper range; of apartments frpnj.tlje.lower.. The staircase itself,, ; however, was miica darker. 'This door was also .Jtfcl&dj' ' cohfiMni'ng , 'my 'Vsuspicion,.. jtlat,* Miss Winstock was. above-st-.iirs. As is often the case in ancient. -manswns,, there ; )v;o/e. several nooks , an^i^/i'ecelses ," m^fchis [, old "circular, staircase. ; " : 'W4feVm.^one,ofr,t|wsS^ou.the landing X' t 'en,3ebnsecl 1 myself »nd' waitedf-paifioiitly. I diet nob' much; ' feax.discSj^^^aiiold Martha's sight was^noije ,v,.^5 ami she usually wore a bonnet-"■'jin^V^a'wK'.•otj-'au eyeaing^jis^she suffered/ some-; 'T^ha|^o^"rieupatisiii.; A± lenp^l s{^h|r;. .''";■ 'cpmmfc -Tiopoluig up tnfe Stairs, and .IMr'ing ; - - * ligVt^d.candle and" a' covered disbV. ; . • .' T? f

dish and candte^drew^lie l&y' from *hey pocket^ and proceeded to unlock the door. Then, entering with her burden — which she again put down for a minute inside— was about to relpcit it, when rl ;e}neTged froni my hiding-place anMstepped ; in.< also, shutting the door after me. The old dame turned deadly pale, and would hove screamed,bufc my, hand w,as ou her mouth. I learned that trick from' Benetti the night Miss Wintock was forcibly carried back from, my room: '.••'•'. '•' <• '' Now, my dear soul, don't make a riot-, because there's no need for it. I mean you no' ■ harm,- -and v^ould-not hurt a haiivuf yjpur-pld grey Iwaci f^r th^wosld. I' only want ai'little'jprivate^ conversation with you. There, now," taking the key from her trembling hand and transferring itto my pocket, after locking the door, "we can have it all quietly to ourselves, 'vithont fear of interruption. it's no use, Martha," I added sternly, seri.l2 tlmt she w.as about to remonstrate/- --" it's uiy turn for a little while hoW* What is the use of your' calling out ? No one, : can post sibly hear you." ■ , ■ Martha's teeth chattered and: her knees trembled. "What is it you want with me, man?" she asked. ' " Now, be civil, old lady. No ' manning,' if you please. Just take up the dish and candle, (md.l will bear you company. I want a few minutes' speech with your young l:idy." "I cannot! I dare not! Mr Wintock would kill me." "Stuif ! He'll do nothing of the kind. Besides, he is not obliged to know anything about it, unless you arc silly enough to inform him." Old Martha bent us if to pick up the dish and caudle. There was ;i slight noise below. Possibly Benetti had returned for a moment inro the house for something. In an instant her mouth was at the keyhole ; she was about to shriek for assistance, but I was too quick for her. " You treacherous old beldam," I whispered, "if you try that dodge again, I'll gag you. Now, just listen to me. 1 know all about the rascally doings in this house. I know that Miss Wintook is forcibly confined somewhere in one of these attics. She is no more insane than lam ; so that tale will not serve Mr Wintock's purpose. To-morrow I'm off to London; and I'll move earth, sea, and sky, till I get the authorities on i,\m right track to find and release her. L know Mr Wiutock'tj motive — her property. He won't have a feather of it to fly with ; lie is more likely to land in gaol. You shall come in for your share of punishment in illegally confining her. Let me see her for a few moments, and I promise you, ou the word of v, man, that whatever transpires, you sliaii be held free from blame." After some, further expostulation on her part, and renewed throats and promises on uiiiie, Martini took her dish and candle and proceeded to Miss Wintock'.H apartment. I kept close to her, eyeing keenly every movement ; for I felt that if only half a chance occurred^ she would play me false. Never .shall I forget the sight that ]jresenled itself ou my entering 3liss Wintoek's wretched garret. Stretched on a. miserably narrow pallet lay the beautiful but- haggard girl, dressed aw I last saw her. but with a stout leathern girdle belted tightly round her waist, and which, fastened with a thick strong cord passing round one of the bedposts, effectually prevented her from moving except within a- very limited area. The casement was strongly barred on the inside, and the catch securely fastened. In this remote room, at the very top of the house, there was not the slight w-st opportunity of communicating with the world without. Old Martha noticed the start I gave on first entering tho room, and commenced a hypocritical whimpering. " Indeed, Mr Meredith, it's no fault of mine, nor could I help it. "Pis all master's doing and Mr George's, and, l am too old and too feeble to do anything but obey orders." " Silence, woman .'" I sternly retorted, as I thrust her into the only chair in the room, and advanced to the side of- the poor ■suffering and illuscd young lady. .... The death-like pallor of her countenance, the dropping of the long dark eyelashes, and the listless rolling of the languid eyes, evinced the intense mental anguish that racked her. The instant her eyes rested on me, a sharp faint cry of joyful recognition escaped her, and she stretched out her hand. In the tumult of my distracted feelings, I seized it and pressed it warmly to my lips. A deep flush came rushing info her neck and face, until she crhnisoned to the temples. The next instant she was, if possible oven paler, than before, and her short, rapid breathing fold of the .excitement under which she laboured. " . " Oli Mr Meredith — I was afraid — I thought — I .hoped you would not desert me," she gasped. "Not while' I have, life, dear Miss Wiutock," was the prompt reply. While I spoke, my pocket-knife .was put, and -I was sawing like a maniac at the cord to sever it. Old Martha began to wr,ing her hands and to remonstrate,, but her remonstrances J speedily cheeked. The cord was speedily .cut through ; and gently- raising, Misg Wintock to a sitting posture, I asked'; "Arc you able to stand?" - . f ", Yes.;,. thank you very, very. much. At' least I'll try." She gave me one glance of appealing trustfulness, and burst into a passionate fit' of, weeping. -, " Oh, take me away with you. from this horrid place! I shall go' really mad ; I know , I shall-; lam so now almost, O my* poor brain !" - I tried my utmost to sooth her. Ey,en Martha, aided me. Perhaps, her , wquaaniy 'feeling was touched ; for .1 believe she was more the unlucky, victim and. tool iqf^cirouai stances .than; of • an intrinsically bad ancT '.hardened nature. 'She produced her.bld-fashio'n'ed'smelling-bot.ble, bathed Miss WintbVk's handstand face, 'uhd'induced her. to cat some of tlie -food she : hati" brought ; and I , persuaded her, .with some difßcidtyj ,tq take, a^sip or two from my .spirit flask,, t which,. l had; pre- ■ viously. put-in my\pocket, : in'Case of emergency, : ' ; ; "At ..last/the yoring l^dy.b'eciiinp: calmer. But I' saw/thai; .at'' would' fre., necessary ' to 'use • extreme caution, or .-she' -would- suffer a relapse, as>Bhec6n■tiriued' 1 10 / '-!entreat i> >me . in .'the : 'mqdtfMth^tib! language, mot. to leave her again xn.tjie. ppj^qf the Winfocks., -~->h looked •at ray watch y ibiwan Cell !siit|i?rjJ!^nes>^ : , *|ig': : :an:4';m^^^^ ;#b;My'an{l;j^

M& WinWiWuld p&bJbiy., ai he often did, wait till a quarter past. G-eorge Wintock would be off ( shortly afterwards. Though I had spoken so confidently to Martha, I was not at all sureftiiat eolne Unlucky ac'eident toiglit not 'intervene 'if I remained where I was. Benetti might miss; Martha. In fact, I was terribly uneasy and in a sad dilemma. Stay where I was fpr any. length of time, 'l dared not. LeaVe Miss Wiritodk in her present?: state of' mmd, I could not. Indeed, I think she would have attempted to force her way' with me, had I shown any indication of leaving her. „ A,- hasty,, and permtps rash Resolve,? took' possegsicin 8f mi. If I "could oMyg^t l^iss $Vintock below and conceal her till after the departure: of the' Wiutoeks, we' niight succeed in getting, away unseen down to the villiage, where I hoped to house her safely and obtain assistance in protecting her; for surely none who knew her would 'irafuse to aid ; and oven if discovered, I should. ,then 'only,, have the Italian to deal with. Our rtirfie had been singularly ill-chosen before. We had waited till both Mr Wintock and his son had returned home before making our attempt. . I again bent 'over Miss Wintock, and asked : "Do you think, you could walk a little ?"— at the same time giving her a meaning look. 'The rapid glance of intelligence with which she replied re-assured me. " Now, Martha," I said, " I'm extremely obliged to you for all you halve done ; and depend upon it, you snail not be forgotten; But I must have the' loan of that bonnet and shawl for a little while ;" removing the one from her head and the other from her shoulders. " It's no "ise to resist, old lady ! A wilful man must have his way, and so you may as well be quiet. Now, sit down again in that chair, and don't stir unless I bid you, for time is precious. Ton my word, Miss Wintock, that bonnet becomes you as well us it does Martha ;" placing it upon her head. " Rather a leffc-handed compliment to you, though. There ; tuck up your hair safely out of sight in the crown ; don't show auy of it, on any account. Now for the shawl ; close up the throat— so. Here's a pin. That will to admirably. I declare I should not know you from Martha herself at a yard's distance, if I did not see your features. Now, Martha, old girl, I'm just going to lock you in this room a little while — only a little while you know, for I will leave tiie door on the landing open. Bcuctti will be sure to find you by-and-by ; as, if you don't make your appearance below, he will no doubt seek you here, guessing that something has happened. Nay, Martha," as she rose from her seat in great trepidation; "I don't wish to do anything ungentlemanly. Ido not at :ill fear your giving an alarm from the window ; it is too strongly barred for you to force it. You wouldn't like to take Miss Winlock's place, I suppose?" pointing to the pallet from which I Intel released her. " Ver.T well. Then keep quiet, and no harm will aonw ' to you of this. You can tell Mr Wintock that i you wero over-come by stratagem and i'uroe, it" ! you like. We will leave you the light, n-s «■« can i do better without it." i The hint was sufficient. Perhaps, tor.. \n heart, the old cve.it.ure might not be unwilling I'.hac her charge should escape. Before I had done j speaking, Miss Wintock and I were out in the long corridor. The door "was locked on old Martha; while Miss Wintock carried the dish and cover, to enable her to impersonate Martha as faithfully as possible. " Now for it once again," I said to my companion, " and I trust with better luck. But you must be as cool as you can, and keep your wits about, you. A hitch now will spoil all, for I fear tin's is your last and only chance. Whenever you feel inclined to faint, think of your liberty or a lunatic asylum." "Do not fear me," she whispered. " I will do my utmost, or perish in the attempt. They shall not tear me from you a second time." " Very good. Be as quick as you can, till we reach the last turn at the bottom of the stairs. Then, if the coast is clear, I will go forward and reconnoitre." Hurriedly whispering these and other hints, I led her, to the turn of the stairs, and then wenc forward by myself. A few seconds afterwards, Martha's double came limping down and along the passage into .the scullery as directed. The impersonation was excellent and complete, and' but for the serious stake at issue I could have laughed outright. However, this was no time for indulgence in levity, but for nerve,' watchfulness, and action. , • The outer door of the kitchen passage stood open. Benetti usually left it so while he went to get the horses and vehicle ready for his masters. I stole softly towards it, to. get a bird's-eye view of what might be going on without, endeavouring the while to arrange some definite plan of proceeding. A rapid glance informed me that the elder Wintock had not yet departed. The gig, with the fine high-bred mare he was accustomed to drive, still stood in the yard. The animal was a noble specimen, of great strength, speed, and snirit ; but would stand as quietly as a lamb in the hall-yard while awaiting its master's pleasure, though it required a strong hand to hold the ribbons v> hen once upon the. road. , Benetti was busily engaged in the stable saddlingand bridling 'Mr George Wintock's horse. I could' hear his V Whoa, Dandy !" and other, ejaculations less amiable, in his broken English, as the animal seemed to be giving ' bini some trouble.' In-, another five minutes he would bring him out into the yard equipped ready for his rider. ; . Instantaneously an. Idea ■ whizzed- through" my brain like a flash of light, upsetting whatever of scheme or intention I might haS y e already 'formed. In a second" I was at the. seullery-door> "W.hist! ]Sj- 0W — quick. Here, yoii take mj .arm. Jump into the gig the instanb .you reach it.' Tr'ustto line for the, rest." :■ i ■..'■.. X Miss Wi n !' oc^ looked up at me in wonderment;., '"btt immediately obeyed. :i " : ' ''' ' '• " 1 i-iOut'ut thejopen door a»d( across, the yardj^itli .Miss Wintock on my arm. "In with you, miss; quickly; tor dear life !"- ■ "' • >■'■■•'■■*■'• >'■ , She. needed .no. second;, adraonitpn j t tylt/balf lifted by' me, sprang nimbly into the vehicle. I •was abdufi : fcb' follow; but, as l ili-l"iiek ;i ft o"uld' hake it, we were not to get ; ,a'>yay ; ,^^eas.ily, v . i^hj^^; hearing ;our footsteps,, had begun to; pavv t.^fe .Befteitivi^

I should have been uncorisci<?ji3o^tKe ; ffe%|>|sfi;,i in stepping into the. gig,. Miss ' Winto'ck;, sli^nwr' turned her ,h.^ad and- caug^sighfcol tlieiltalmtiTja; *i swarthy visage. Her., short 'suppressed "cry and^r eager finger at once pointed, out to mo thj.6 of iher ; 'tSrror. Benetti comprehendect t% Jftjafcfej jr of affairs at the first glance, and witli ti'tetee^ whoop, came ' rushing at ' full ' speed to seize ,^he^', mare's head. There was ! not' time fdr?",ine' v \lo;; ;' mount. Stepping, for ward „a; pace or two, and' exerting my utmost strength, I dealt lrim'a buffefey which fairly balanced, that which he had &eaLH>~ me at the Hall door, followed up by a kick upoM> ; the shins, as he staggered backwaM 1 and fell^yy literally yelling .with agony. The mare snorted,"' arid/ began to move. Snatching tlxe^reifay,,^';', sprang into the gig ;;• and had just cleared thp^ yard as Greorge Wintock came rushing oufc t& : ; 3 ' ascertain the cause of the disturbance^; ? . ';■ tl'll '■', ,'■*' (To be continued/.'. r 1