CHAPTER XIV.
The day that Sylvius Hogg left Bergen proved an eventful one at theinn.
After the professor's departure the house seemed deserted. It almostseemed as if the kind friend of the young Hansens had taken away withhim, not only the last hope, but the life of the family, and left onlya charnel-house behind him.
During the two days that followed no guests presented themselves atthe inn. Joel had no occasion to absent himself, consequently, butcould remain with Hulda, whom he was very unwilling to leave alonewith her own thoughts.
Dame Hansen seemed to become more and more a prey to secret anxiety.She seemed to feel no interest in anything connected with herchildren, not even in the loss of the "Viking." She lived a lifeapart, remaining shut up in her own room, and appearing only atmeal-time. When she did address a word to Hulda or Joel it was onlyto reproach them directly or indirectly on the subject of thelottery-ticket, which neither of them felt willing to dispose ofat any price. Offers for the ticket continued to pour in from everycorner of the globe. A positive mania seemed to have seized certainbrains. Such a ticket must certainly be predestined to win the prizeof one hundred thousand marks--there could be no doubt of it, so saidevery one. A person would have supposed there was but one ticket inthe lottery, and that the number of it was 9672. The Manchester manand the Bostonian were still at the head of the list. The Englishmanhad outbid his rival by a few pounds, but he, in turn, was soondistanced by an advance of several hundred dollars. The last bid wasone of eight thousand marks--and it could be explained only as theresult of positive madness, unless it was a question of national prideon this part of an American and an Englishman.
However this may have been Hulda refused all these offers, and herconduct excited the bitter disapproval of Dame Hansen.
"What if I should order you to sell this ticket? Yes, order you tosell it," she said to her daughter one day.
"I should be very sorry, mother, but I should be obliged to refuse."
"But if it should become absolutely necessary, what then?"
"But how can that be possible?" asked Joel.
Dame Hansen made no reply. She had turned very pale on hearing thisstraightforward question, and now withdrew, muttering some incoherentwords.
"There is certainly something wrong," remarked Joel. "There must besome difficulty between mother and Sandgoist."
"Yes, brother, we must be prepared for some serious complications inthe future."
"Have we not suffered enough during the past few weeks, my poor Hulda?What fresh catastrophe threatens us?"
"How long Monsieur Sylvius stays!" exclaimed Hulda, without payingany apparent heed to the question. "When he is here I feel lessdespondent."
"And yet, what can he do for us?" replied Joel.
What could there have been in Dame Hansen's past that she wasunwilling to confide to her children? What foolish pride prevented herfrom revealing to them the cause of her disquietude? Had she any realcause to reproach herself? And on the other hand, why did she endeavorto influence her daughter in regard to Ole Kamp's ticket, and theprice that was to be set upon it? Why did she seem so eager to disposeof it, or rather, to secure the money that had been offered for it?Hulda and Joel were about to learn.
On the morning of the 4th Joel escorted his sister to the littlechapel where she went every morning to pray for the lost one. Herbrother always waited for her, and accompanied her back to the house.
That day, on returning, they both perceived Dame Hansen in thedistance, walking rapidly in the direction of the inn. She was notalone. A man was walking beside her--a man who seemed to be talking ina loud voice, and whose gestures were vehement and imperious.
Hulda and her brother both paused suddenly.
"Who is that man?" inquired Joel.
Hulda advanced a few steps.
"I know him," she said at last.
"You know him?"
"Yes, it is Sandgoist."
"Sandgoist, of Drammen, who came here during my absence?"
"Yes."
"And who acted in such a lordly way that he would seem to have mother,and us, too, perhaps, in his power?"
"The same, brother; and he has probably come to make us feel his powerto-day."
"What power? This time I will know the object of his visit."
Joel controlled himself, though not without an evident effort, andfollowed his sister.
In a few moments Dame Hansen and Sandgoist reached the door of theinn. Sandgoist crossed the threshold first; then the door closed uponDame Hansen and upon him, and both of them entered the large parlor.
As Joel and Hulda approached the house the threatening voice ofSandgoist became distinctly audible. They paused and listened; DameHansen was speaking now, but in entreating tones.
"Let us go in," remarked Joel.
Hulda entered with a heavy heart; Joel was trembling with suppressedanger and impatience.
Sandgoist sat enthroned in the big arm-chair. He did not even take thetrouble to rise on the entrance of the brother and sister. He merelyturned his head and stared at them over his spectacles.
"Ah! here is the charming Hulda, if I'm not mistaken," he exclaimed ina tone that incensed Joel even more deeply.
Dame Hansen was standing in front of the man in an humble almostcringing attitude, but she instantly straightened herself up, andseemed greatly annoyed at the sight of her children.
"And this is her brother, I suppose?" added Sandgoist.
"Yes, her brother," retorted Joel.
Then, advancing until within a few steps of the arm-chair, he asked,brusquely:
"What do you want here?"
Sandgoist gave him a withering look; then, in a harsh voice, andwithout rising, he replied:
"You will soon learn, young man. You happen in just at the right time.I was anxious to see you, and if your sister is a sensible girl weshall soon come to an understanding. But sit down, and you, too, youngwoman, had better do the same."
Sandgoist seemed to be doing the honors of his own house, and Joelinstantly noted the fact.
"Ah, ha! you are displeased! What a touchy young man you seem to be!"
"I am not particularly touchy that I know of, but I don't feelinclined to accept civilities from those who have no right to offerthem."
"Joel!" cried Dame Hansen.
"Brother, brother!" exclaimed Hulda, with an imploring look.
Joel made a violent effort to control himself, and to prevent himselffrom yielding to his desire to throw this coarse wretch out of thewindow, he retired to a corner of the room.
"Can I speak now?" inquired Sandgoist.
An affirmative sign from Dame Hansen was all the answer he obtained,but it seemed to be sufficient.
"What I have to say is this," he began, "and I would like all three ofyou to listen attentively, for I don't fancy being obliged to repeatmy words."
That he spoke like a person who had an indisputable right to his ownway was only too evident to each and every member of the party.
"I have learned through the newspapers," he continued, "of themisfortune which has befallen a certain Ole Kamp--a young seaman ofBergen--and of a lottery-ticket that he bequeathed to his betrothed,Hulda Hansen, just as his ship, the 'Viking,' was going down. I havealso learned that the public at large feels convinced that this willprove the fortunate ticket by reason of the peculiar circumstancesunder which it was found. I have also learned that some very liberaloffers for the purchase of this ticket have been received by HuldaHansen."
He was silent for a moment, then:
"Is this true?" he added.
He was obliged to wait some time for an answer to this question.
"Yes, it is true," replied Joel, at last. "And what of it, if youplease?"
"These offers are, in my opinion, the result of a most absurd andsenseless superstition," continued Sandgoist, "but for all that,they will continue to be made, and to increase in amount, as the dayappointed for the drawing approaches. Now, I am a busines
s man myself,and I have taken it into my head that I should like to have a hand inthis little speculation myself, so I left Drammen yesterday to come toDal to arrange for the transfer of this ticket, and to beg Dame Hansento give me the preference over all other would-be purchasers."
Hulda was about to make Sandgoist the same answer she had given toall offers of this kind, though his remarks had not been addresseddirectly to her, when Joel checked her.
"Before replying, I should like to ask Monsieur Sandgoist if he knowsto whom this ticket belongs?" he said haughtily.
"To Hulda Hansen, I suppose."
"Very well; then it is to Hulda Hansen that this application should beaddressed."
"My son!" hastily interposed Dame Hansen.
"Let me finish, mother," continued Joel. "This ticket belongedoriginally to our cousin, Ole Kamp, and had not Ole Kamp a perfectright to bequeath it to his betrothed?"
"Unquestionably," replied Sandgoist.
"Then it is to Hulda Hanson that you must apply, if you wish topurchase it."
"So be it, Master Formality," retorted Sandgoist. "I now ask Hulda tosell me this ticket Number 9672 that Ole Kamp bequeathed to her."
"Monsieur Sandgoist," the young girl answered in firm but quiet tones,"I have received a great many offers for this ticket, but they havebeen made in vain. I shall say to you exactly what I have said toothers. If my betrothed sent me this ticket with his last farewellupon it it was because he wished me to keep it, so I will not partwith it at any price."
Having said this Hulda turned, as if to leave the room, evidentlysupposing that the conversation so far as she was concerned hadbeen terminated by her refusal, but at a gesture from her mother shepaused.
An exclamation of annoyance had escaped Dame Hansen, and Sandgoist'sknitted brows and flashing eyes showed that anger was beginning totake possession of him.
"Yes, remain, Hulda," said he. "This is not your final answer. If Iinsist it is because I certainly have a right to do so. Besides,I think I must have stated the case badly, or rather you must havemisunderstood me. It is certain that the chances of this ticket havenot increased because the hand of a shipwrecked seaman placed it in abottle and it was subsequently recovered; still, the public seldom ornever reasons, and there is not the slightest doubt that many personsdesire to become the owners of it. They have already offered topurchase it, and other offers are sure to follow. It is simply abusiness transaction, I repeat, and I have come to propose a goodtrade to you."
"You will have some difficulty in coming to an understanding with mysister, sir," replied Joel, ironically. "When you talk business to hershe replies with sentiment."
"That is all idle talk, young man," replied Sandgoist. "When myexplanation is concluded you will see that however advantageous thetransaction may be to me it will be equally so to her. I may alsoadd that it will be equally so to her mother, Dame Hansen, who ispersonally interested in the matter."
Joel and Hulda exchanged glances. Were they about to learn the secretDame Hansen had so long concealed from them?
"I do not ask that this ticket shall be sold to me for what OleKamp paid for it," continued Sandgoist. No! Right or wrong, it hascertainly acquired an increased financial value, and I am willing tomake a sacrifice to become the owner of it."
"You have already been told that Hulda has refused much better offersthan yours," replied Joel.
"Indeed!" exclaimed Sandgoist. "Much better offers, you say. How doyou know?"
"Whatever your offer may be, my sister refuses it, and I approve ofher decision."
"Ah! am I dealing with Joel or Hulda Hansen, pray?"
"My sister and I are one," retorted Joel. "It would be well for you tobecome satisfied of this fact, as you seem to be ignorant of it."
Sandgoist shrugged his shoulders, but without being at alldisconcerted, for like a man who is sure of his arguments, he replied:
"When I spoke of the price I was willing to pay for the ticket, Iought to have told you that I could offer inducements which HuldaHansen can hardly reject if she takes any interest in the welfare ofher family."
"Indeed?"
"Yes, and it would be well for you, young man, to understand, in yourturn, that I did not come to Dal to beg your sister to sell me thisticket. No, a thousand times no."
"For what, then?"
"I do not ask for it, I demand it. I will have it."
"And by what right?" exclaimed Joel, "and how dare you, a stranger,speak in this way in my mother's house?"
"By the right every man has to speak as he pleases, and when hepleases, in his own house," retorted Sandgoist.
"In his own house?"
Joel, in his indignation, stepped threateningly toward Sandgoist, who,though not easily frightened, sprung hastily out of his arm-chair. ButHulda laid a detaining hand upon her brother's arm, while Dame Hansen,burying her face in her hands, retreated to the other end of the room.
"Brother, look at her!" whispered the young girl.
Joel paused suddenly. A glance at his mother paralyzed him. Her veryattitude revealed how entirely Dame Hansen was in this scoundrel'spower.
Sandgoist, seeing Joel's hesitation, recovered his self-possession,and resumed his former seat.
"Yes, in his own house," he continued in a still more arrogant voice."Ever since her husband's death, Dame Hansen has been engaging inunsuccessful speculations. After losing the small fortune your fatherleft at his death, she was obliged to borrow money of a Christianiabanker, offering this house as security for a loan of fifteen thousandmarks. About a year ago I purchased the mortgage, and this house willconsequently become my property--and very speedily--if I am not paidwhen this mortgage becomes due."
"When is it due?" demanded Joel.
"On the 20th of July, or eighteen days from now," replied Sandgoist."Then, whether you like it or not, I shall be in my own house here."
"You will not be in your own house here until that date, even if youare not paid at that time," retorted Joel, "and I forbid you to speakas you have been doing in the presence of my mother and sister."
"He forbids me--me!" exclaimed Sandgoist. "But how about hismother--what does she say?"
"Speak, mother!" cried Joel, approaching Dame Hansen, and endeavoringto remove her hands from her face.
"Joel, my brother," exclaimed Hulda. "I entreat you, for my sake, tobe calm."
Dame Hansen bowed her head upon her breast, not daring to meether son's searching eyes. It was only too true that she had beenendeavoring to increase her fortune by rash speculations for severalyears past. The small sum of money at her disposal had soon meltedaway, and she had been obliged to borrow at a high rate of interest.And now the mortgage had passed into the hands of this Sandgoist--aheartless and unprincipled man--a well-known usurer, who was heartilydespised throughout the country. Dame Hansen, however, had seen himfor the first time when he came to Dal to satisfy himself in regard tothe value of the property.
This was the secret that had weighed so heavily upon her. This,too, explained her reserve, for she had not dared to confide in herchildren. This was the secret she had sedulously kept from those whosefuture she had blighted.
Hulda scarcely dared to think of what she had just heard. Yes,Sandgoist was indeed a master who had the power to enforce his will!The ticket he wished to purchase would probably be worth nothing afortnight hence, and if she did not consent to relinquish it certainruin would follow--their house would be sold over their heads, and theHansen family would be homeless and penniless.
Hulda dared not even glance at Joel, but Joel was too angry to pay anyheed to these threats. He could think only of Sandgoist, and if theman continued to talk in this way the impetuous youth felt that heshould not be able to control himself much longer.
Sandgoist, seeing that he had once more become master of thesituation, grew even more arrogant and imperious in his manner.
"I want that ticket, and I intend to have it," he repeated. "Inexchange for it I offer no fixed price, but I promise t
o extend themortgage for one--two, or three years--Fix the date yourself, Hulda."
Hulda's heart was so deeply oppressed with anguish that she was unableto reply, but her brother answered for her.
"Ole Kamp's ticket can not be sold by Hulda Hansen. My sister refusesyour offer, in spite of your threats. Now leave the house!"
"Leave the house," repeated Sandgoist. "I shall do nothing of thekind. If the offer I have made does not satisfy you I will go evenfurther. In exchange for the ticket I offer you--I offer you--"
Sandgoist must certainly have felt an irresistible desire to possessthis ticket--or at least he most have been convinced that the purchasewould prove a most advantageous one to him, for he seated himself ata table upon which lay pen, ink, and paper, and a moment afterward headded:
"Here is what I offer."
It was a receipt for the amount of Dame Hansen's indebtedness--areceipt for the amount of the mortgage on the Dal property.
Dame Hansen cowered in her corner, with hands outstretched, and eyesfixed imploringly on her daughter.
"And now give me the ticket," cried Sandgoist, "I want it to-day--thisvery instant. I will not leave Dal without it"
As he spoke he stepped hastily toward the poor girl as if with theintention of searching her pockets, and wresting the ticket from her.
This was more than Joel could endure, especially when he heard Hulda'sstartled cry of "Brother! brother!"
"Get out of here!" he shouted, roughly. And seeing that Sandgoistshowed no intention of obeying, the young man was about to spring uponhim, when Hulda hastily interposed.
"Here is the ticket, mother," she cried.
Dame Hansen seized it, and as she exchanged it for Sandgoist's receipther daughter sunk, almost fainting, into an arm-chair.
"Hulda! Hulda! Oh, what have you done?" cried Joel.
"What has she done," replied Dame Hansen. "Yes, I am guilty--formy children's sake I wished to increase the property left by theirfather, but instead I have reduced them to poverty. But Hulda hassaved us all. That is what she has done. Thank you, Hulda, thank you."
Sandgoist still lingered. Joel perceived the fact.
"You are here still," he continued, roughly. And springing uponSandgoist he seized him by the shoulders and hustled him out-of-doorsin spite of his protests and resistance.