CHAPTER XXIX.
MR. HALL'S DISCOMFITURE
The paper which John had discovered among the rubbish in the stove was a half sheet of foolscap, which was covered with imitations of Mr. Berry's handwriting, the words occurring being those of the note of hand which Hall had presented for payment. The first attempts were inexact, but those further down, with which pains had evidently been taken, were close copies of Mr. Berry's usual handwriting. This of course John could not know, not being familiar with his uncle's hand, but his aunt confirmed it.
"It is clear," said John, "that Mr. Hall has forged the note which he presented against my uncle's estate."
"What a wicked man," said Mrs. Berry, "to seek to defraud me and my poor fatherless children! I never could have suspected him."
"It was the love of money, aunt. He thought you would not detect the fraud."
"I should not but for you, John. How lucky it was you came! Now tell me what I ought to do."
"Is there a lawyer in the place?" asked John.
"Yes; there is Mr. Bradley."
"Then, aunt, you had better send for him, and ask his advice."
"I will do so; I think that will be the best way."
Mr. Bradley, though a country lawyer, was a man of sound judgment, and quite reliable. When the circumstances were communicated to him, he gave his opinion that John's suspicions were well founded.
"I should like to see Mr. Hall here," he said. "Can you not ask him to be present, and bring the note with him?"
"The store closes at nine. I will invite him then, if you can meet him at that hour."
"That will suit me, Mrs. Berry," said the lawyer.
Mr. Hall was not surprised at the message he received. He expected that the widow would be troubled about the claim he had presented, and he was prepared to listen to entreaties that payment might be postponed. That his fraud was suspected he did not dream.
When Mr. Hall entered the little sitting-room he was somewhat surprised to see Mr. Bradley, the lawyer; but it occurred to him that Mrs. Berry in her trouble had applied to him to mediate between them.
"Good-evening, Mr. Bradley," he said.
"Good-evening, Mr. Hall," said the lawyer, rather coldly.
"It is rather cool this evening," said Hall, trying to appear at ease.
"I understand," said Mr. Bradley, not appearing to notice this remark, "that you have a claim against the estate of my late friend, Mr. Berry."
"Yes, sir."
"And the amount is—"
"Two thousand dollars," said Hall, promptly.
"So I understood. Did you bring the note with you?"
Hall opened his pocket-book, and produced the note. The lawyer took it, and scanned it closely.
"Do you know what led Mr. Berry to borrow this amount?" asked the lawyer.
"He wanted to put it into his business."
"Did he extend his business then? He might have done it to a considerable extent with that sum."
"No, I believe not," said Hall, hesitating.
"But I thought he borrowed the money with that object."
"The truth is," said Hall, after a pause, "he was owing parties in Boston for a considerable portion of his stock, and it was to pay off this sum that he borrowed the money."
"I suppose you are aware, Mr. Hall, that this claim will sweep away two-thirds of Mr. Berry's estate?"
"I am sorry," said Hall, hesitating. "I didn't know but he left more."
"Scarcely a thousand dollars will be left to the family. Mrs. Berry will have a very hard time."
"I won't be hard upon her," said Hall. "I don't need all the money now. I will let half of it, say, stand for a year."
"But it will have to be paid finally."
"Yes, I suppose I must have my money."
"It is rather strange that Mrs. Berry never knew anything of this. Her husband usually told her of his business affairs."
"She thought so," said Mr. Hall, significantly,
"Do you mean to imply that he did not?"
"It seems that he did not tell her of this."
"So it appears, and yet it is a very important matter. By the way, Mr. Hall, it was very creditable to a young man, like yourself, to have saved up so considerable an amount of money. Two thousand dollars is quite a little sum."
"I did not save it up,—that is, not all of it," said Hall, perceiving that this would lead to suspicion. In fact, he was beginning to feel rather uneasy under the lawyer's questioning.
"You did not save it up?"
"Not all of it. I received a legacy a little more than two years since from a relative."
"You were fortunate. What was the amount of the legacy?"
"Fifteen hundred dollars."
"And you loaned all this to Mr. Berry?"
"Yes, sir."
"And five hundred dollars more."
"Yes."
"You never mentioned this legacy at the time."
"Only to Mr. Berry."
"Where did your relative live, Mr. Hall?"
"In Worcester," said Hall, hesitating.
"What relative was it?"
"My aunt," answered Hall, beginning to feel uncomfortable.
"What was her name?"
"I don't see why you ask so many questions, Mr. Bradley," said Hall, beginning to find this catechising embarrassing, especially as he had to make up the answers on the spot.
"Surely you have no objection to answer my question, Mr. Hall?" said the lawyer, looking fixedly at the young man, who changed color.
"It isn't that," said Hall; "but it seems unnecessary."
"You must consider, Mr. Hall, that this claim is a very unexpected one. Mr. Berry never mentioned to any one, so far as I know, that he had borrowed this money of you. Remember, also, that it will reduce Mrs. Berry to poverty, and you will not be surprised that we want to know all the particulars respecting the transaction."
"I should think the note ought to be sufficient," said Hall.
"True, the note. Let me examine it once more." The lawyer scrutinized the note, and, raising his eyes, said:—
"This note is in Mr. Berry's handwriting, is it?"
"Yes."
"By the way, Mr. Hall, the interest has been paid on this note at regular intervals."
"Ye—es," said Hall.
"How often?"
"Every six months," he answered, more boldly.
"Ah, then I suppose we shall find corresponding entries on Mr. Berry's books."
"I suppose so," said Hall; but he began to feel very uncomfortable.
"So that no interest is due now."
"About a month's interest; but never mind about that, I won't say anything about that," said Hall, magnanimously.
"You are very considerate, Mr. Hall," said the lawyer; "but I am sure Mrs. Berry will not accept this favor. She intends to pay you every penny she owes you."
Mr. Hall brightened up at this intimation. He thought it looked encouraging.
"I don't want to be hard," he said. "I don't care for the trifle of interest due."
"I repeat that Mrs. Berry means to pay every penny that is justly due, but not one cent that is not so due," said the lawyer, emphasizing the last words.
"Of course," said the clerk, nervously; "but why do you say that?"
"Do you wish me to tell you, Mr. Hall?" asked Mr. Bradley, fixing his keen glance upon the young man.
"Yes."
"Then I will tell you. Because I believe this note which I hold in my hand to be a base forgery."
Hall jumped to his feet in dismay.
"Do you mean to insult me?" he asked, with quivering lips.
"Sit down, Mr. Hall. It is best that this matter should be settled at once. I have made a charge, and it is only fair that I should substantiate it, or try to do so. Did you ever see this sheet of paper?"
So saying, he produced the crumpled half sheet which John found in the stove.
Mr. Hall turned pale.
"I don't know what you mean," he faltered; but there was a look upon his face which belied his words.
"I think you do know, Mr. Hall," said the lawyer. "You must be aware that forgery is a serious matter."
"Give me back the note," said Hall.
"Do you admit it to be a forgery?"
"I admit nothing."
"Mr. Hall, I will hand you the note," said the lawyer, after a slight pause, "merely reminding you that, if it is what I suppose, the sooner you destroy it the better."
Hall took the note with nervous haste, and thrust it into the flame of the lamp. In an instant it was consumed.
"You have done wisely, Mr. Hall," said Mr. Bradley. "I have no further business with you."
"I shall leave Wilton to-morrow, Mrs. Berry," said Hall. "I must ask you to get somebody else in my place."
"I will pay you to-night whatever wages are due you" said the lawyer, "in behalf of Mrs. Berry."
"But how shall I manage about the store?" asked Mrs. Berry.
"I will take charge of it, aunt," said John, promptly, "if you will get some one to assist me."
"Very well, John; but I am afraid it will be too much for you."
"Never fear, aunt; I haven't been in the store long, but I've learned a good deal about the business."
Hall was paid, and that was the last that was seen of him. He went away in the stage the next morning, and it is to be hoped that he has found out that honesty is the best policy.
After he had left the room, Mr. Bradley advanced to Mrs. Berry, and, grasping her hand, said, cordially:—
"I congratulate you on the new and improved look of your affairs."
"It has lifted a great weight from my mind," said the widow. "Now I feel sure that I shall be able to get along, especially with John's help. He was the first to suspect Mr. Hall of attempting to cheat me."
"You ought to be a lawyer, John," said Mr. Bradley. "You have shown that you have a good head on your shoulders."
"Perhaps I may be one some time," said John, smiling.
"If you ever do, my office is open to you. Good-night, Mrs. Berry; we've done a good evening's work."
The next day John undertook the chief management of his aunt's store. He engaged James Sanford, who had had some experience in another town, to help him, and things went on smoothly for a few weeks. At the end of that time John received an important letter from Hampton.
CHAPTER XXX.
A DANGEROUS ACQUAINTANCE
While John was attending to his aunt's interests at Wilton, important events were occurring at Hampton.
It has already been stated that Ben Brayton was accustomed to spend most of his time in lounging at the tavern, or in a billiard saloon close by. It was at the latter place that he had the privilege of forming an acquaintance with Arthur Winchester, a young man from the city of New York (or so he represented). He was dressed in the extreme of the fashion, sported a heavy gold chain, wore a diamond ring, and carried a jaunty cane. I cannot guarantee the genuineness of the gold or the diamond; but there was no one in Hampton who could distinguish them from the real articles.
The appearance of Mr. Arthur Winchester created something of a sensation among the young men of Hampton, or at least that portion who aspired to wear fashionable clothes. Mr. Winchester's attire was generally regarded as "nobby" in the extreme.
They exhibited an elegance which the highest efforts of the village tailor had never succeeded in reaching. Forthwith the smart young men in Hampton became possessed with the desire to have their clothes made in the same faultless style, and Mr. Winchester was accommodating enough to permit the village tailor to take a pattern from his garments.
Among those who gazed with admiration at the new-comer was Ben Brayton. He was the first, indeed, to order a suit like Mr. Winchester's, in which, when obtained, he strutted about proudly, arm in arm with the young man himself.
Various circumstances served to strengthen the intimacy between the two. In the first place neither had any weighty occupations to prevent their drinking or playing billiards together, and it chanced after a time that this became a regular business with them.
Ben Brayton was an average player, and appeared nearly equal to his new friend. At all events, in the friendly trials of skill that took place between them, Ben came off victorious perhaps a third of the time.
"Come, Ben," said Winchester, one morning, "this is slow. Suppose we make the games a little more exciting by staking a little on the game."
"You're a better player than I am, Winchester," said Ben.
"Not much. You beat me pretty often. However, I'll give you twenty points, and stake a dollar on the game."
"I don't mind," said Ben. "A dollar isn't much."
"Agreed."
The game was played, and, counting the twenty points conceded, Ben came off victorious by five points.
He pocketed the dollar with a sense of elation.
"Will you have another?" he asked.
"Of course I will. I'm bound to have my revenge."
The second game was played, and likewise terminated in Ben's favor. He pocketed the second dollar with satisfaction. He had never found billiards so interesting.
"Come, Brayton, this won't do. I didn't think you were so good a player. You'll clean me out at this rate."
"Oh, I only happened to be lucky," said Ben, in high good humor. "Shall we try it again?"
Of course they tried it again, and spent nearly the entire day in the same way. Fortune veered about a little, and Ben came out minus three dollars.
"Never mind, Brayton, you'll get it back to-morrow," said Winchester, as they parted.
So Ben thought, and the furor of gaming had already taken such possession of him that he got up unusually early, anxious to get at the fascinating game.
So matters went on for a week. They never exceeded one dollar as stakes, and played so even that Ben was only ten dollars behindhand. This he paid from his allowance, and so far from being satiated with the game could hardly restrain his impatience till Monday morning should give him a chance of playing again.
It is perhaps needless to say that Ben had fallen into dangerous company. Mr. Arthur Winchester was really a far superior player, and eventually meant to fleece Ben out of his last dollar. But he did not wish to arouse suspicion of his intentions, and "played off," as the saying is, and thus had no difficulty in luring Ben on to the point at which he aimed.
At the end of the second week Ben was only five dollars behind.
"You're gaining upon me," said Winchester. "You're improving in your play."
"Am I?" said Ben, flattered.
"Not a doubt of it. I don't like to boast, but I am considered a first-class player in the city, and, by Jove, you're almost even with me."
Ben listened with gratification to this praise. He didn't doubt that Winchester was the first-class player he represented, and in fact he was a superior player, but he had never yet put forth his utmost skill. He had only played with Ben, suiting himself to his inferior style of playing.
Gradually Winchester suggested higher play.
"A dollar is nothing," he said. "Let us make it five."
Ben hesitated.
"That's a good deal to lose," he said.
"That's true, but isn't it as much to win? Come, it will make our games more interesting, and you're as likely to come out ahead as I am."
"That is true," thought Ben.
"I'll tell you what," he said; "give me twenty-five points, and I'll do it."
"Anything for excitement," said Winchester; "but we're so nearly matched that you'll beat me twice out of three times on those odds."
Ben did beat the first game, and the exultation with which he pocketed the stakes revealed to his experienced opponent that he had the game in his hands.
Towards the middle of the afternoon Ben stood one game ahead. He was flushed and excited by his success.
"I'll tell you what," said Winchester; "let's give up child's play and have the real thing."
"What do you mean?" asked Ben.
"Let us stake fifty dollars, and done with it. That'll be something worth playing for."
Ben started in surprise. The magnitude of the stake took his breath away.
"I haven't got the money," he said.
"Oh, well, you can give me your note. I'll wait, that is, of course if I win; but I am not so sure of that as I was. You're a pretty smart player."
Ben did not hesitate long. He was dazzled by the idea of winning fifty dollars, and his success thus far encouraged him to think that he would.
"Give me thirty points, then," he said.
"I ought not to; but anything for excitement."
The game was commenced. Ben led till towards the close of the game, when his opponent improved his play, and came out three points ahead.
"It was a close shave," he said.
Ben looked uneasy. It was all very agreeable to win a large sum; but to lose was not so comfortable.
"I haven't got the money," he said.
"Oh, give me your note, and pay when it's convenient! In fact, perhaps you need not pay at all. You may win the next game."
"I don't know if I had better play," said Ben, doubtfully.
"Oh, you mustn't leave off a loser. You must have your revenge. In fact, I'll make you a good offer. We'll play for a hundred dollars, and I'll give you thirty-five points. That'll square us up, and make me your debtor."
"Say forty, and I'll agree."
"Forty let it be then; but you'll win."
Again Winchester permitted Ben to gain in the commencement of the game, but towards the last he took care to make up for lost time by a brilliant play that brought him out victor.
"I was lucky," he said. "I began to think, the first part of the game, that all was over with me."
Ben, silly dupe that he was, did not fathom the rascality of his companion.
"I don't think I played as well as usual," he said, ruefully.
"No, you didn't. Perhaps your hand has got a little out, you have played so many hours on a stretch."
Ben gave Winchester another due-bill for one hundred dollars, wondering how he should be able to meet it. He was rather frightened, and resolved not to play the next day. But when the next day came his resolution evaporated. I need not describe the wiles used by Arthur Winchester. It is enough that at the close of the coming day he held notes signed by Ben for three hundred dollars.
He assured the disturbed Ben that he needn't trouble himself about the matter; that he didn't need the money just yet. He would give him time to pay it in, and other things to the same effect. But having come to the conclusion that Ben had been bled as much as he could stand, he called him aside the next morning, and said:—
"I'm sorry to trouble you, my dear Brayton, but I've just had a letter recalling me to the city. Could you let me have that money as well as not, say this afternoon?"
"This afternoon!" exclaimed Ben, in dismay. "I don't see how I can get it at all."
"Do you mean to repudiate your debts of honor?" said Winchester, sternly.
"No," said Ben, faltering; "but I've got no money."
"You ought to have made sure of that," said Winchester, shortly, "before playing with a gentleman. Go to your mother. She is rich."
"She won't give me the money."
"Look here, Brayton," said Winchester, "I must have that money. I don't care how you get it. But some way or other it must be got. I hope you understand."
A bright idea came to Ben.
"You can't collect my notes," he said; "I'm under age."
"Then," said Winchester, his face darkening with a frown that made Ben shiver, "I demand satisfaction. To-morrow morning, at five o'clock, I will meet you with swords or pistols, as you prefer."
"What do you mean?" asked Ben, his teeth chattering, for he was an arrant coward.
"What I say! If the law will not give me satisfaction, I will demand the satisfaction of a gentleman. Fight or pay, take your choice; but one or the other you must do."
The sentence closed with an oath.
"I'll do my best," said Ben, terrified. "Of course I mean to pay you."
"Then you'll let me have the money to-morrow?"
"I'll try."
The two parted, and Ben, thoroughly miserable, went home, trying to devise some means to appease his inexorable creditor, whom he began to wish he had never met.
CHAPTER XXXI.
BEN MAKES A DISCOVERY
Ben went home slowly, in a state of great perplexity. He knew his mother too well to think she would pay him three hundred dollars without weighty cause. Should he tell her the scrape he had got into? He felt a natural reluctance to do that, nor was he by any means satisfied that she would pay the money if he did. Then again he was ashamed to admit that he was afraid to fight. He felt convinced that, should he reveal the matter, his mother would bid him take advantage of the legal worthlessness of his notes to Winchester. He would gladly do it, but was afraid, and did not dare to admit it. On the whole, Ben felt decidedly uncomfortable.
"Is mother at home?" he inquired, when he reached home.
"No; she's gone over to Mrs. Talbot's to spend the afternoon," was the reply.
Ben felt relieved by this assurance, though he hardly knew why.
"I wonder whether mother has got as much as three hundred dollars by her," he thought.
With this thought in his mind he went upstairs, and entered his mother's chamber.
The first thing he caught sight of when he entered was a little bunch of keys lying on the table. He knew at once that they were his mother's keys. It was certainly extraordinary that she should on that particular day have left them exposed. She was generally very careful. But it chanced that she had hurried away, and in her haste had forgotten the keys, nor did she think of them while absent.
Under ordinary circumstances Ben would have made no improper use of the keys thus thrown in his way; but, harassed as he was by the importunities of Winchester, it seemed to him a stroke of luck that placed them in his power.
He determined to open the drawers of his mother's bureau, and see what he could find. If only he could find the sum he wanted he could get out of his present difficulties, and perhaps explain it to his mother afterwards.
Ben, after several trials, succeeded in finding the key that fitted the upper drawer. He examined the contents eagerly. It was of course filled with a variety of articles of apparel, but in one corner Ben found a portemonnaie. He opened it, and discovered a roll of bills, six in number, each of the denomination of twenty dollars.
"One hundred and twenty dollars!" he said. "That's more than a third of the bill. Perhaps, if I pay that, Winchester'll wait for the rest."
It occurred to him, however, that a further search might reveal some more money. If he could get thirty dollars more, for example, that with the other would make one half the sum he owed Winchester, and with that surely the other might be content, for the present at least. The rest of the debt he could arrange to pay out of his weekly allowance, say at the rate of five dollars a week.
Accordingly Ben began to poke about until he found a folded paper. He opened it with curiosity and began to read. His interest deepened, and his excitement increased.
"By Jove," he said, "if this isn't the lost will I've heard so much talk about. The old lady's kept it mighty quiet. Wouldn't John Oakley give something to get hold of it?"
Ben sat down to reflect upon the discovery he had made.
"Mother's right to keep it quiet," he said to himself. "She ought to have destroyed it, and I verily believe she has tried," he continued, as he noticed the scorched appearance of the will. "I wonder she didn't."
The next question to consider was, what to do with it. It did not take long to decide. His mother would be very much frightened, and this would give him a hold upon her, by which he might induce her to give him the money he required.
"Yes, I'll keep it," he said.
He put the roll of bills into his pocket-book, carefully deposited the will in his side-pocket, and, shutting and locking the bureau-drawer, placed the keys in the same position upon the table in which he had found them, and then left the room.
"A pretty good day's work!" thought Ben to himself. "I think I'll go and pay Winchester what money I have, and get him to wait a few days for the rest."
Ben left the house, and wended his way to the tavern. He found Winchester in the bar-room, smoking a cigar. He looked up inquiringly as Ben entered.
"How are you, Winchester?" said Ben.
"All right," said the latter, noticing Ben's changed demeanor, and auguring favorably from it. "Have a cigar?"
"I don't care if I do," said Ben.
Winchester handed him one, and the two sat down together.
"Oh, about that money," said Ben, after a little pause. "I can let you have a part of it now, but I shall have to make you wait a few days for the rest."
"How much can you pay me now?"
"One hundred and twenty dollars," said Ben.
"That's good," said Winchester, with satisfaction. "The fact is, I'm deuced hard up, and need it."
"I don't want to pay you here," said Ben. "Come out a little way, and I'll hand it to you."
"All right. I'd like a walk."
The two sauntered forth together, and Ben paid over the money.
"You'll oblige me by not mentioning to anybody that I have paid you any money," said Ben. "I have a reason for it."
"Of course."
"I can't tell you the reason."
"That's your affair."
"Now about the rest."
"Yes, about the rest."
"I think I can get it for you in a few days."
"I can wait a few days to oblige you, but I must go to the city as soon as I can get away. So please hurry up."
"I'll do the best I can. This morning," he added, "I didn't see how I was going to get the money. My mother wouldn't look upon it as we do, as a debt of honor; but since then I've been lucky enough to get possession of one of her secrets, and I think it will help me."
"Glad of it," said Winchester, "for your sake. I don't care, of course, how you get the money, as long as you do get it. That's the main thing, you know."
"Yes, I see."
"Now what do you say to another little game of billiards?"
"I can't stake any more money. I've lost enough," said Ben, sensibly.
"Then let it be a friendly game—just a little trial of skill, that's all."
To this Ben was not averse, and the two made their way as so often before to the billiard saloon.
In the mean time Mrs. Oakley returned home from her afternoon visit. She had not yet missed her keys, but on going up to her chamber, discovered them lying upon the table.
"How terribly careless I have been!" she said. "I hope they have not been seen."
Tolerably sure of this, she opened the upper bureau-drawer, and looked for the portemonnaie. It was in the same place. She opened it, and found it empty. Her eyes flashed with indignation.
"Some one has been to the drawer," she said.
She next thought of the will, and felt for it. It was not there! She turned pale, and with nervous fingers took everything out of the drawer, hoping to find it misplaced. But her search was vain. The will was not to be found.
She sank back into a chair, and exclaimed with passionate regret:—
"Fool that I was! Why did I not make all sure by burning it?"