CHAPTER III.
When Mr. Stafford retired from business in New York, and came back toEngland, he was very wealthy. He purchased quite an estate with thegreater part of the money, and was living on it at the time our storyopens.
Few men can retire from active business life and settle down to a quiet,humdrum existence; and, although such had been Mr. Stafford's ideal lifeduring his business career, he soon began to speculate--at firstsuccessfully, but later disastrously.
In his efforts to regain what he had lost he gradually sunk deeper anddeeper in the mire, until at length the entire estate was mortgaged. Theinterest on some of these mortgages was coming due about the timeRichard Martin had come upon the scene, and as he was not quite ready topay it, Mr. Stafford intended to go to London, and ask the attorney towhom he made his payments for time. There had been no difficulty aboutthis previously, and he anticipated none now. He announced his intentionof going, one morning at breakfast; but as his family were in blissfulignorance of the existence of any mortgages on their home, he gave themto understand that he was going to attend a stockholders' meeting.
Breakfast over, Mr. Stafford strolled out with his pipe and Hall to keephim company, and sat down under the trees near the spot where Kate hadbeen upset.
They were hardly seated before Hall said:
"Mr. Stafford, I don't exactly know how you look upon that compactbetween yourself and my father, but I promised my father when only achild to keep my part. When I grew older, and realized its fullsignificance, I must confess I looked upon it as nonsensical, and I cameas much from curiosity as anything else, but now--now----"
"Proceed, Mr. Hall."
"Well, now--if you have no objection I should be only too happy to makeyour daughter my wife."
"None whatever--provided Kate is willing. Have you spoken to her?"
"No, but with your consent I will now."
Kate was coming toward them, and Hall went to meet her. He led her awayto a seat nearer the river, and as Mr. Stafford returned to the house hesaw Hall bending over Kate, who appeared to be paying great attention towhat he was saying.
"It was a very fortunate idea--not a foolish one," muttered Mr.Stafford, as he gazed at them, "for unless I can get both time and moneywe may not be here long."
He left shortly afterwards for London, and had been gone a half hourwhen Hall returned alone. He had an unpleasant expression on his face,and when informed of Mr. Stafford's departure, said he must go to Londonalso; that he had intended to accompany Mr. Stafford thither, but hadforgotten the time.
On reaching the station, he sent the following despatch to Jones &Jones, No. 9 Queen Street, London.
"S will ask for time. Give none.
"BELDEN."
Mr. Hall smiled wickedly as he handed this despatch to the clerk, andseated himself in the train in somewhat better spirits than he appearedto be when he reached the station.
When Stafford arrived in London, he proceeded at once to the officewhere he paid his interest and was conducted to the private office ofthe senior member of the firm of Jones & Jones.
Before Mr. Stafford could explain the nature of his business, Mr. Jonesbegan:
"Well, Mr. Stafford, I suppose you've come to pay off that fivethousand. You are a little ahead--two days, I think--but we will be allready. In fact, if you can wait a short time--Eh! What's the matter?"
"Pay it off! Why, I thought--that is, I understood that there was noneed--no danger of my having to pay the principal as long as theinterest was paid up. I understood it was trust funds--your partner soinformed me when making the loan."
"But the mortgage has changed hands, Mr. Stafford," replied Mr. Jones,"and the new mortgagee must have prompt payment of the interest."
He was feeling for the key to the telegram which lay upon his desk andnow found it.
"That is just what brought me here. Formerly I have had no trouble inobtaining a little time, and I hope I shall have none now."
Mr. Stafford was terribly excited, and the lawyer really pitied him,although he replied:
"I can promise you none, Mr. Stafford. Indeed I have positiveinstructions to foreclose whenever the interest is not paid promptly."
With a weary sigh Mr. Stafford arose, and bidding Mr. Jones "good-day,"passed into the street.
An hour after he left Mr. Hall arrived, and proceeded at once to Mr.Jones's private office. Fully an hour elapsed before he arose to depart,closing the conversation with, "Do nothing further until you hear fromme--I will telegraph you when to go ahead."
From the solicitors' office Hall proceeded rapidly to a tumble-downbuilding in the worst quarter of London. Another hour was spent thereand he emerged with the same ugly look on his face which it had wornduring the forenoon. It was nearly dark and he passed unnoticed throughthe crowded alley, where a stranger usually excited considerable and notalways pleasant interest, and was soon at the station and a few minuteslater on his way to Manchester, from whence the ride home was but a fewminutes.
It was nine o'clock when Hall arrived, and he was surprised to find Mr.Stafford had not returned. Mrs. Stafford not feeling well had retired,and Kate was invisible, and so Hall betook himself to the refuge of thelonely library, to await Mr. Stafford's arrival.