The Fire Trumpet: A Romance of the Cape Frontier

  VOLUME TWO, CHAPTER TWO.

  RALPH TRUSCOTT'S QUEST.

  On the same day that these events are occurring on the far Kaffrarianborder, two men are seated together in a dingy office just out ofChancery Lane. One is a solicitor, evidently the presiding genius ofthe place--a man with a high, bald forehead, iron-grey hair, and a keen,intellectual face; the other is a tall, dark, military-looking man,faultlessly attired, who sits impatiently tapping his boots with hiscane while he listens to the lawyer in a half-incredulous and whollydiscontented frame of mind, which betrays itself only too plainly in hiseyes. A striking-looking man, in age about five-and-thirty; but thereis an unmistakable air of dissipation, not to say excess, about thelines of the handsome face--the air of one who had lived too hard andtoo fast, and would be prematurely old. And a superciliousness aboutthe mouth which the short black moustache did not conceal, and a cold,unscrupulous look in the eyes, would effectually prevent the face fromever being a pleasing one.

  Ralph Truscott, late Captain in Her Majesty's --th Foot, was a firmbeliever in the adage, "All's fair in love and war"--in the former halfof it literally, as more than one rather shady episode in his gallantcareer might serve to show, were it known, which it was not, even withinhis intimate circle; in the latter half as representing the multifold'cute devices whereby he had staved off and otherwise evaded the just orunjust demands of a swarm of importunate creditors, Jew and Gentile. Ina word, the man was a born spendthrift; and having run through one largefortune, and a second smaller one, in an incredibly short space of time,found himself compelled to sell, and had been living upon his wits andhigh play ever since. Not that he had degenerated into a mere card-roomsharper--far from it--but he was noted as a man with an extraordinaryrun of luck; and though some held significantly aloof from him inconnection with the card-table or the billiard-room, yet, on the whole,he had not lost caste. Of course it had occurred to him that he mightretrieve his fallen fortunes by picking up an heiress. It ought not tobe difficult, for he was just the sort of individual who, gifted with astriking exterior and unlimited assurance, might carry things prettymuch as he pleased among the society women of his--or of any--set. Butthis course was open to two objections. One lay in his own innerconsciousness, which made him fully aware that in three years, at theoutside, he would inevitably have run through the lady's fortune, inwhich case he would find himself again destitute, and saddled with awife to boot; the other, in the fact that though heiresses themselvesmight be soft of heart and compliant of head, their parents or guardianswere not. Indeed, some of these, in the obduracy of their stony hearts,had been known to veto the transaction forthwith; while others, after afew private inquiries into the circumstances and antecedents of thisenterprising individual, had briefly refused to entertain any of hisproposals, and had carried off their charges out of harm's way. So,Captain Ralph, repeatedly thwarted in his schemes of advancement, wascompelled perforce to abandon them. He consoled himself, however, withthe thought that after all it was better to be a free man, even ifliving was somewhat precarious, and gave up laying siege to the fairsex, with an eye to the main chance. But meanwhile his liabilitiesdecreased not, and at the time the reader has the honour of making hisacquaintance, he was, to use his own expression, "at his last kick" forwant of the needful.

  Such was the man who now sat in the inner office of Messrs. Grantham andGrantham, solicitors, in close confabulation with the senior partner.

  "Then you can give me no more positive information?" he was saying.

  "I'm sorry to say we can't," replied the lawyer. "The young lady leftEngland more than four years ago--went to the Cape, I believe, asgoverness or companion, or something or other in that line. Since thenwe have heard nothing of her."

  "Do you think she is out there still?"

  "My dear sir, it is impossible for us to say. I repeat that it was morethan four years ago, and that we have not heard one word of her since."

  "Well, I am surprised that you, of all people, should be so blanklyignorant of her whereabouts, considering that it might be necessary tocommuni--" He checked himself hurriedly, seeing that he had let out toomuch. "I mean--that her friends might be making inquiries after her."

  The faintest possible smile lurked round the corners of the lawyer'smouth. He fancied that the other had let down his guard in thatincautious speech into which vexation had betrayed him. And it was evenso.

  "You are very interested in this lady's whereabouts," he said.

  "Naturally. We are relations--distant relations, that is."

  "Indeed! How, may I ask?"

  "Well, you know--hang it all, I'm a deuced bad hand at pedigrees and allthat sort of thing, but we are, in a way, cousins, on the mother'sside," replied Truscott, testily, in a sort of tone which resented thedoubt thrown upon his statement by the other's inquisitiveness.

  "I see," said the lawyer, balancing a paper-cutter upon his forefinger.But though his features preserved their polite imperturbability, thefact was, he did not believe one word of this statement. "Let me see,though," he went on, musingly; "I know who might be able to give yousome information."

  "Who?" asked Truscott, eagerly looking up.

  "Miss Dynevard, of Dynevard Chase. She, you are aware, is MissStrange's stepsister."

  The other's countenance fell. He was more disappointed than he cared tosay. Eveline Dynevard was the last person he could communicate with onthe subject.

  "Er--yes; of course," he said, hurriedly. "I had forgotten. I willwrite to Miss Dynevard."

  "Can I make the inquiry for you?" asked the lawyer, politely.

  "No--no, thanks. I needn't trouble you further. Much obliged; goodmorning," and taking up his hat Truscott made his way out into thestreet.

  The lawyer went to the window and watched him turn the dingy corner."John," he said to his brother and junior partner, who at that momententered. "You saw that chap who just went out from here. He's got aninkling of the contents of old Dynevard's will. I read him like a bookas he sat there, clumsily trying to fish out the whereabouts of MissStrange."

  "H'm! Has he?" grunted John Grantham, who was the greatest possiblecontrast to his more astute brother, in that he was short, red-faced,and irritable. "He didn't succeed, I hope?"

  "No. I couldn't have told him if I had wanted to, for the simple reasonthat I don't know. But he says he's her cousin."

  "Hanky-panky," replied the other, with a contemptuous snort. "I don'tbelieve a word of it. It's easy to see what he's after. And it wouldbe a bad day for Lilian Strange, or indeed for any other pretty girl,when that rascal got making up to her. I know Master Ralph Truscott andhis goings on, a good deal better than he thinks."

  "Well, it's my opinion that the young lady's married long ago. Anattractive girl like that is sure to be able to pick and choose in acountry where gentlewomen are scarce, I should imagine."

  "Bless my soul--yes," assented the other, changing his coat, andbrushing his hat, preparatory to a start for home. "And the soonerfriend Truscott goes to the devil, the better for society at large; he'sgoing there as fast as he can, as it is."

  Meanwhile, the subject of this charitable remark was seated in a hansomwith his face turned westward.

  "That damned lawyer was lying," he mused, "lying all the time. I couldsee it in his face, and it's those chaps' trade to lie. He could havetold me if he had chosen. Never mind, I'll be even with him yet. I'llgo to the Cape; by Jove, I will, and at once; the sooner the better, andthis place is getting too hot for me just now. A few months of traveland sport, and it'll cool down again, and then, if I find the fairLilian--Find her? I must find her, and I will." Then a suggestion,which Mr Grantham had thrown out, crossed his mind, and he turned hotand cold over the idea.

  "I think it not improbable that we might have to seek for her underanother name," the lawyer had said. "Miss Strange, you are aware, was ayoung lady of considerable attractions. She may have married."

  "No, she will not," repe
ated Truscott to himself, "I know her betterthan that. Unless--I don't know. Time works queer changes. What afool I was ever to let her out of my sight! And yet how could I tellthat she would ever be worth keeping in it? It was the merest flukethat took me to Doctors' Commons this morning, and a still greater onethat moved me to look at old Dynevard's will. I'll go out and look forher, the game's worth the candle, and, by George, if I win--and whyshouldn't I? She will almost throw herself into my arms, if only as acontrast to the Kafirs and Boers she is living amongst. Then I'll turnover a new leaf. I could with Lilian, almost, I think. I never saw anywoman to come up to her, unless it was--well, never mind. Yes, my luckis on the turn. Nearly six years ago, though. I wonder what she's likenow."

  He chuckled gleefully to himself as he leaned back in the cab andlighted a cigar. Then a thought struck him, and opening the trap in theroof he shouted a direction to the driver. The man turned his horse'shead and in a moment was speeding away Citywards. Somehow, the readerhas already seen the dusty office-door before which Truscott leaped outof his cab, as also the sharp boy who opened it.

  "Is your master in?"

  The boy nodded and jerked his thumb over his shoulder. Quickly mountingthe stairs Truscott found himself in the same dingy apartment whereinClaverton had sat, several years previously.

  "Hullo, where's Morkum?" he asked, disappointedly.

  "He is out for de day, sair," replied the occupant of the room, ahook-nosed son of Benjamin, rising from the table at which he wasseated, and washing his hands with invisible soap, a process theygreatly needed with the material article. "Can I not do anydings foryou?"

  "Yes, you can, Schultz," said the other, in a conciliatory tone. "Thefact is, I want to renew."

  The Jew looked keenly at him, and his little eyes twinkled maliciously.

  "I can't do it, sair. De monish, you see, must be paid. It isover-due--over-due."

  "What's the amount now?"

  "Fifteen hundred and twenty-fife--six," answered Schultz, having dulyconsulted a ponderous tome bound in leather.

  "The devil! Now look here, Schultz. We'll renew, say for three months,and you shall let me have the odd five hundred on your own terms."

  "No, sair. Mishter Morkum he said he cood not renew. I was haf demonish or--" and the speaker shrugged his shoulders in a way that washighly suggestive.

  "But don't you see, Schultz, I must renew, at any rate," said the other,angrily. "Don't be a damned fool now. I'm on a good thing, I tell you,and you shall be paid in full in a few months' time. Don't you see?"

  But the Israelite apparently did not see. He was as obdurate towardsthis Gentile, as the Egyptian Gentile had erewhile been towards his ownancestors. He only shrugged his shoulders and repeated: "MishterMorkum, he say I was haf de monish. Fifteen hundred and twenty-fife--six."

  Then Truscott saw that it was useless, and, unfortunately for him, histemper got the better of him. He raved, and swore, and shook his fistunder the other's nose, threatening him with swift and suddenannihilation, and abusing him and his partner in a torrent of thecoarsest invective he could lay tongue to. But of his violence thelittle Jew was not one whit afraid, for his hand was in his coat-pocketand his fingers were grasping the butt of a revolver. His wicked littleeyes sparkled like those of a rhinoceros, and the short grey bristlesstood up upon his upper lip, as he turned upon Truscott in wrath.

  "Hein! Vat do you shay? You shall not bully me, I can tell you datmuch. You call yourself a shentelman, inteed? Yesh, you shall repentof this, ven you are in shail, dat's vere you shall be. If you come astep nearer, I shall shoot you," he went on, producing his weapon, forTruscott in another minute would have seized him by the throat anddashed him to the floor. But a bullet-wound would in no wise facilitatethe success of his enterprise, if the result were no worse, and this hehad the sense to see in a glimmering of reason which flashed in upon hisrage. So he stopped, and, shaking his fist at the Jew, rushed from theroom with a final curse--the parting epithet and scornful laugh flungafter him by that worthy in no wise tending to allay his ire.

  "Say, sonny," remarked the cabman to the smart boy at the door. "TheKernel's dustin' your guv'nor's jacket, ain't he?" For the row going onupstairs was in a measure audible in the street.

  "Reckon he'll be the fust what's done it--and the last," replied theimp, pulling a handful of nuts from his breeches-pocket, and proceedingto crack them. Then Truscott emerged, and, flinging himself into thecab, started off westward.

  "What a fool I was to get in a rage with the brute!" he thought,bitterly. "An utter fool! Now I've about done for myself, unless I canget away at once. I'm starting on a fool's errand, though. Six years--or even five; it's a long time. She may laugh in my face even if I findher; and then again--Hang it! I'll just have another look at the willto make sure. No; it's right enough, though. Still, I'm starting offon a regular fool's errand. I've a good mind to give it up--a devilishgood mind. But nothing venture, nothing win."

  The last ray of the sickly September sunlight was slanting garishly overthe dust and whirl and roar of the great city, as he alighted at thesteps of his club. Yes, a change would do him good, he thought, lookingaround; and when he came back, why, then--Somehow he felt certain ofwinning the game which he had set himself to play, and was quite elate.But the only thorn in his side--and a very sharp one it was--lay in thehaunting fear lest the Jew should have him arrested before he could getaway. And he could not get away for nearly a week. He would go down inthe morning and see Morkum himself, and make it all right with thatdirty little Schultz. Morkum was a reasonable fellow, and would be sureto renew, if not to accommodate him further, once an inkling of the casewas laid before him; and as for Schultz, why, a bottle of champagne anda slap on the back would salve his wounded feelings.

  With this comforting resolve, Truscott dined sumptuously, and, in highgood-humour, started off to a friendly rubber, at which he reckoned tomake some nice little pickings. It was a fine evening--he would walk;so, lighting a cigar, he stepped out briskly, humming a popular tune,and thinking over his prospects if this move succeeded.

  Before he had gone far, some one accosted him.

  "Beg pardon, Capting. Sorry to trouble a gentleman--"

  "What the devil do you want?" cried Truscott, angrily, an uncomfortableidea taking hold of him.

  "I must arrest you, Capting, at the soot of Silas B. Morkum and Co,"replied the other, touching him on the shoulder. "Very sorry, sir,extremely sorry; but dooty is dooty--ain't that right, Tom?"

  "Tom," a thin, quiet-looking individual, who might be anything, from aRussian spy to a Methodist class leader, nodded, and replied:

  "That's so, Bill."

  "But look here," cried Truscott, "I'm going down to see Morkum the firstthing in the morning. Can't we make some arrangement for to-night? Thefact is, I've got an important engagement now."

  The sheriff's officer smiled pityingly.

  "Extremely sorry, Capting, but the thing can't be done. We'll jest goquietly to my little crib now, and in the morning you can send and letyour friends know. Here's the writ; better look at it for yourself,Capting, and see that all's fair, square, and above-board. Fifteenhundred and twenty-five--six. Cab, Tom."

  "Damn the writ!" cried Truscott, savagely.

  And then, as they entered the rickety, jolting vehicle, he relapsed intosilence. Fifteen hundred and twenty-five pounds! It might be fifteenmillion for all the chance there was of his being able to pay a third ofit; for even he had at last come to the end of his tether. And no onewould be likely to help him either; and this scheme, upon which he hadbeen building such hopes, must fall through, for every day was ofimportance now. And all its glowing chances looked fairer than ever nowthat he was compelled to abandon it; and his bright castles in the airseemed crumbling away in the very dust. So, with rage and despair inhis heart, Ralph Truscott alighted at the door of the lowsponging-house--his prison; whither he was consigned at the suit ofSilas
B. Morkum and Co, and whence he should not depart until he hadsatisfied the debt to the very last farthing; a requirement which atpresent he saw remarkably small prospect of fulfilling.