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 The Treasure 
 OF Thorburns 
 
 BY Frederick Boyle 
 
 ii 
 
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 ^i ! 
 
 3 i ; 
 
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 W«IfW..v iWt-
 
 LI E, RARY 
 
 OF THL 
 
 UN IVE.R5ITY 
 
 or ILLINOIS 
 
 SZ3 
 
 V.J
 
 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS 
 
 VOL. I
 
 NEW AND POPULAR NOVELS 
 
 AT ALL THE LIDRARIES 
 
 THE SON OF HIS FATHER. By Mrs. Oliphant, 
 
 author of ' It was a Lover and his Lass,' &o. 3 vols. 
 
 COULD HE DO BETTER ? By Arthur A. Hoff.mann, 
 
 JAC OBI'S AVIFE. By Adeline Sergeant, author of 
 
 'No Saint,' ' An Open Foe,' ' Beyond Recall,' &c. 3 vols 
 CATERINA. By the author of * Eautcrdale.' 3 vols. 
 WEEPING FERRY. By George IIalse. 2 vols. 
 
 UURST & BLACKETT, 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET.
 
 THE 
 
 TREASURE OF THORBURNS 
 
 A NOVEL 
 
 BY 
 
 FREDERICK BOYLE 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 A GOOD HATER," " LEGENDS OF MY BUNGALOW,'' " CAMP NOTES," ETC., ETC. 
 
 IN THREE VOLUMES 
 VOL. I 
 
 LONDON 
 
 HURST AND BLACKETT, LIMITED 
 
 13, GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET 
 
 1887 
 
 All Kisrhts Rese^-ved
 
 PRINTED BY 
 
 TILLOTSON AND SON, MAWDSLEY STREET 
 
 BOLTON
 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE FIRST VOLUME 
 
 CHAI'TER 
 
 I. — THE ESKINGS 
 
 \ IT. — A OI.IMPSE OF THORIUTRNS j. 
 
 *1 
 
 III. — A CONFIDENCE . 
 
 IV. — GEORGE GENEST. 
 
 xJV V. — FILJIRSFONTEIN 
 
 *^ VI. — ON 'I'HE VELDT 
 
 4 
 
 \\\. — THE SECOND PROPOSAL 
 
 ^vj VIII. — ACCEPTED 
 
 36 
 
 106 
 
 179 
 217
 
 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 THE ESKINGS. 
 
 "On the nth inst, at Mrs. Boarder's Establishment, 
 Cheltenham, very suddenly, Captain Eldred Yarl 
 Thorburn, of Thorburns, aged 72 years." 
 
 *' Papa ! Captain Thorburn is dead." 
 '' Impossible ! What ? — give me the 
 
 paper !" Miss Esking handed him the 
 
 Standard. 
 
 They were sitting at breakfast in the 
 
 house called Little Thorburns, which had 
 
 once been the bailiff's cottage. Mr. Esking 
 
 VOL. I. B
 
 2 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 bought it ten years before this date, and 
 he had not yet ceased to enlarge the 
 small but substantial dwelling. The space 
 before it, originally a bare courtyard, was 
 nearly covered with buildings, which left 
 but a narrow drive to the front door. 
 The cabbage garden behind, and a croft 
 adjacent, were now a delightful pleasaunce, 
 stretching to the wall of Thorburns the 
 Great. No impulse of hospitality moved 
 Mr. Esking to extend and beautify his 
 house. Though liberal, and even extrava- 
 gant, in entertaining such guests as paid 
 him a visit, they were so few that the 
 bailiffs cottage would have been almost 
 large enough. He simply wanted space 
 for his "collections," and as they grew, 
 or were brought from mouldy cellars at 
 his former residence in Shuttleton, rooms 
 were built to show them off 
 
 The result was a congeries of roofs and 
 walls, not uncomfortable to live in, but
 
 THE ESKINGS. 3 
 
 mighty puzzling to the strange visitor. 
 Oddest freak of all was the central build- 
 ing, a tower In the Byzantine style, more 
 or less designed, as Mr. Esking said, to 
 pull the shapeless mass together. It con- 
 tained, among a thousand odds and ends, 
 such pictures as he had gathered in a 
 miscellaneous sort of way ; for painting — 
 and architecture evidently — were the only 
 arts he did not study. This is not to 
 say that the antiquarian knew nothing of 
 them. In the point of view he took, few 
 authorities ranked higher. But it was the 
 history he understood rather than the 
 practice. From this tower Mr. Esking 
 could survey the grounds and the house 
 of his neighbour. Captain Thorburn, when 
 he chose. 
 
 It may be guessed that this was a man 
 of character. He had made his fortune 
 in a manufactory at Shuttleton, and those 
 who had no occasion to observe him in
 
 4 THE TREASURE OF THOR13URNS. 
 
 another light quoted his dihgence, shrewd- 
 ness, and exactitude in trade as a model 
 to the younger generation. At middle-age 
 he was rich in hard money, and yet 
 wealthier in those collections that had 
 given him fame throughout Europe. No 
 one knew their value or extent, for, unlike 
 most of his class, Mr. Esking seldom 
 attended meetings of the learned, and 
 still more rarely displayed his treasures. 
 When he did exhibit anything, it was a 
 treasure indeed. 
 
 An archaeologist in the widest sense was 
 he. Nothing in that line came amiss, but 
 his deepest enthusiasm was given to early 
 English art. His gallery of drawings, his 
 cabinets of china, ivories, carving in all 
 materials, plate, smith's work, and what 
 not, were envied and admired by the 
 savans of the British Museum. He 
 travelled widely in youth, at a day when 
 such things were hardly valued, and all the
 
 THE ESKINGS. 5 
 
 money he could spare, after scrupulously 
 and anxiously providing for the needs of 
 business, was devoted to the purchase of 
 what friends and rivals alike called rubbish. 
 The prices paid seemed ridiculous to those 
 worthy folks ; they seemed ridiculous now, 
 but in another sense. His accounts, posted 
 up for nearly half-a-century, showed an 
 expenditure of shillings, and even pence, 
 where now a hundred pounds might be 
 refused not injudiciously. 
 
 The first love of this great collector 
 was that which comes last to many of his 
 sort — coins. It led him to the search for 
 historical "rolls," which, in turn, developed 
 into a hobby for illuminated manuscripts. 
 Thence he naturally came to feel interest 
 in very early engravings, specially illus- 
 trations of artistic work. Letters and 
 autographs followed ; then ornamental 
 armour, mediaeval jewel-work, plate, and 
 I know not what besides. No fancy was
 
 6 THE TREASURE OF TIIORBURNS. 
 
 dropped as another came Into prominence ; 
 all went on simultaneously, and as occasion 
 offered, he made Incursions Into every field.. 
 His Rhodlan china, for Instance, and his 
 Tanagra figures, could not be matched In 
 any gallery of Europe. Little Thorburns 
 was a museum. But, as I have said, the 
 earliest arts of England had Mr. Esklng's. 
 warmest love. 
 
 He had bought this cottage and a few 
 acres of land, some ten years before my 
 story opens, and had withdrawn from trade 
 shortly after. The purchase confirmed his 
 friends In their opinion that he was "daft." 
 Little Thorburns Is situate fifty miles from 
 Shuttleton, where Mr. Esklng's Interests 
 and acquaintance lay. If there be a dis- 
 trict still remaining In England where 
 modern Ideas and conveniences do not 
 rule, it is that. Even the yeomen have 
 a pride of ancestry, a scorn for trade, and 
 a distrust of outlandish pursuits. It was
 
 THE ESKINGS. 7 
 
 pointed out to him that the neighbours 
 would not be friendly, to say the least, 
 and that the difficulties of reaching that 
 sequestered hamlet would deter elderly 
 contemporaries from seeking him out. 
 Ladies suggested, also, that if Mr. Esking 
 were indifferent to these considerations, he 
 should think of his daughter, who, in 
 process of time, would want companions 
 of her own age. But no argument moved 
 him. He sent the child away to spend 
 her earliest youth in the family of his 
 sister, Mrs. Fanshawe, and went into 
 banishment. 
 
 Things did not prove so bad as was ex- 
 pected. Captain Thorburn, of Thorburns, 
 who sold him this little property, shared 
 in a vague and muddled way the tastes 
 of his new neighbour. They had met 
 from time to time for many years past 
 in auction rooms, or at those small and 
 dusty shops in a back street where odd
 
 8 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 things used to be picked up half a cen- 
 tury ago. The dull squire of long descent 
 was pleased in a condescending way to 
 make acquaintance with the keen and 
 thoughtful tradesman. He fell into a habit 
 of consulting him by letter, and after due 
 time he begged advice upon his private 
 business. This led, after many years, to 
 a visit, and from that date his respect 
 for Mr. Esking as an authority in art 
 was supplemented by a high opinion of 
 his capacity in affairs. 
 
 Captain Thorburn had succeeded to a 
 small estate, loaded with charges and en- 
 cumbrances. During some careless years 
 in the service he had added to them, and 
 when age brought increasing difficulties, 
 his attempts to make money swelled the 
 burden. Mr. Esking lent him small sums 
 on due security, and as things grew worse 
 he gradually bought such objects as suited 
 him from the collection at Thorburns, at
 
 THE ESKINGS. 9 
 
 a good market price ; for his nature, if 
 cold and self-absorbed, had no taint of 
 meanness. These relations brought them 
 into such familiarity as was possible be- 
 twixt men so unlike. But all this was 
 unknown to the good folks of Shuttleton. 
 When Mr. Esking bought Little Thor- 
 burns from the ruined owner, that gentle- 
 man still made a certain show, befitting 
 the oldest family In the county. If not In 
 England. The estate had passed from 
 father to son, as popular belief went, from 
 times earlier than the Conquest. The 
 Thorburns had left no record In history, 
 but their ancient dwelling proved that they 
 once were rich. It was almost a ruin now, 
 but so extensive that the squire found ac- 
 commodation for his small household under 
 roofs still whole, behind windows unbroken. 
 Financial disasters did not wreck the Im- 
 portance of a family like this, In such a 
 neighbourhood. The greatest people still
 
 lO THE TREASURE OF TIIORBURNS. 
 
 paid respect to its representative, and at- 
 tended the small entertainments he gave ; 
 which, in an essential point, the Duke 
 could not rival, for Captain Thorburn had 
 not yet sold his ancestral wines. 
 
 Mr. Esking could not have been per- 
 suaded to show himself on these occasions, 
 but of necessity he made acquaintances, of 
 a sort, among the county people. They 
 recognised him — nothing beyond that, of 
 course. When the rumour spread that 
 personages of European fame called at 
 Little Thorburns, they even felt some 
 small curiosity about the new owner. Mr. 
 Esking did not encourage this sentiment. 
 If the county folk were inclined to qualify 
 their scorn for the Shuttleton manufacturer, 
 he still felt scorn unmixed for them, as a 
 rule. Mr. Esking judged a family, q2ui 
 family, by its name. He admitted all that 
 are found on the Battle Roll, though no 
 man was keener to suspect the interpola-
 
 THE ESKINGS. I I 
 
 tions of that document. An entry there 
 proved at least that the gens was important 
 enough to buy or compel a forgery In very 
 early days. He accepted also the Roll of 
 Caerlavroch, and incidental notices, of course. 
 For all other families, unless their names 
 showed them to be purest English, Mr. 
 Esking despised them. His own pat- 
 ronymic, the "son of the ash tree," con- 
 tained within itself reams of mystic lore. 
 No further evidence was needed to show 
 an antiquity and an Importance which the 
 oldest and grandest of Norman stocks could 
 not approach. That he and his forefathers 
 had been in trade, so far as the brief records 
 of the family stretched back, was a fact 
 utterly Insignificant and beside the question. 
 But shortly before Hilda Esking returned 
 to her father's house, an interruption of 
 this Intimacy with Captain Thorburn oc- 
 curred. The Squire suddenly shut up his 
 house, realised everything he possessed.
 
 12 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 and vanished from the scene. This catas- 
 trophe had been long expected, for his 
 embarrassments were notorious. It was 
 vaguely rumoured that Mr. Esking kept 
 him going, but no one knew. Captain 
 Thorburn had long since deserted county 
 lawyers, putting himself into the hands of 
 a Shuttleton solicitor. Everyone knew, 
 however, that he had sold and given up 
 his last acre, saving possibly the house 
 and grounds — it had no park. He with- 
 drew to London, and presently to Chelten- 
 ham. Thorburns stood empty, In charge 
 of an old sailor. 
 
 So at length we return to that an- 
 nouncement by Miss EskIng which so 
 disturbed her father ; but a little more 
 explanation is needed before we can take 
 up our narrative. 
 
 Of Mr. Esking's wife I have no par- 
 ticulars. He never spoke of her, perhaps 
 because the subject was painful, but more
 
 THE ESKINGS. I 5 
 
 probably, I fear, because the Incident was 
 almost forgotten. The child remained with 
 her father until he withdrew to Little 
 Thorburns, when his sister took charge of 
 her. Mr. Esking made a very liberal 
 allowance, and showed himself thoughtful 
 for his daughter's interests, as for all things 
 else that demanded his attention. Nothing 
 of the thriftless student about him. Each 
 summer, Hild — as she was christened, 
 though everyone added an ''a" — paid 
 a visit, and she spent Christmastide at 
 home. 
 
 Mrs. Fanshawe was the widow of her 
 brother's late partner, left with an only 
 son. When Mr. Esking drew all his 
 money out of the concern it was a heayy 
 blow. Mr. Fanshawe, a careless, pleasant 
 fellow, always used to wealth, made no 
 reduction in his handsome establishment 
 or his liberal customs. The loss of Mr. 
 Esking's brain was more important even
 
 14 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 than the loss of his capital. The business 
 struggled on amidst Increasing difficulties, 
 of which Mrs. Fanshawe knew nothing. 
 Then her husband died, and his affairs 
 were wound up at a time when Mr. Esking 
 was on the Continent. New men came 
 in, who covenanted, upon very weak 
 security, to pay the widow a large sum 
 by Instalments. 
 
 She was naturally anxious that her boy 
 should marry his cousin, but neither of 
 the children took that view. Hubert Fan- 
 shawe, the elder by seven years, fell in 
 love with a pretty, penniless girl of the 
 neighbourhood, and after a feeble resistance 
 his mother submitted. Very few weeks 
 after marriage the crash came, and Mrs. 
 Fanshawe lost everything except the money 
 settled on her. She withdrew to a small 
 house, where Hubert and his wife came 
 to live ; for the young man, bred to no 
 business, was incapable of earning a llveli-
 
 THE ESKINGS. I 5 
 
 hood. And Hilda returned home at fifteen 
 years of age. 
 
 I am not sure that Mr. Esking saw her 
 loveHness as such, but he recognised with 
 satisfaction a type as true, in the ethnic 
 sense, as could be found. Not Rowena, 
 daughter of Hengest — whom he called 
 Rumven, daughter of Hencgst — showed less 
 mixture of alien blood. English was Hilda 
 in every point, English of the pure old 
 stock. She grew up tall, white, blue-eyed, 
 flaxen, deep-bosomed. If her movements 
 in the house were languid, it was assuredly 
 not for lack of health, or strength, or 
 spirits. If her laugh did not come readily, 
 it was not that she wanted intelligence. 
 If her speech was low and careless, no one 
 suspected her of feeble character. 
 
 Mr. Esking had feared that this young 
 girl might interrupt his calm and studious 
 life ; but he soon found his alarms to be 
 baseless. She did not intertere with him
 
 1 6 THE TREASURE OF THOREURNS. 
 
 at all, nor show the slightest discontent 
 for their lonely existence. Her single wish, 
 long restrained, was to have two ponies 
 for riding ; and as soon as her father 
 perceived this he granted it. With a fresh 
 mount for the afternoon, Hilda was quite 
 happy. Between whiles she lived in the 
 garden, or, if the day was very wet — cold 
 did not signify — sat under the verandah, 
 which, as we shall see in good time, made 
 the only communication from the living- 
 rooms to her father's study. As for edu- 
 cation, that stopped point-blank. Rumven, 
 daughter of Hencgst, did not know French 
 nor play the piano ; but upon the other 
 hand she led an open-air life like Hild. 
 Captain Thorburn had just retired at the 
 time of her arrival, and even such limited 
 excitement as his visits might have caused 
 was lost. In the first twelve months of 
 her residence no stranger called, excepting 
 a few persons of scientific distinction and
 
 THE ESKINGS. I 7 
 
 venerable years. Even the rector and 
 curates stayed away, for though Mr. 
 Esking attended church with methodical 
 exactitude and was liberal enough with 
 his cheque-book, he did not welcome the 
 clergy. But Hilda was quite unconcerned. 
 After the twelve months a certain change 
 happened. She began to reach an age 
 when young men notice a girl, and some 
 parents of the neighbourhood observed 
 the interests of their sons without dis- 
 couragement. The rector found his high 
 pews better filled than of yore, in the 
 season when youthful scions of the squire- 
 archy are at home. Then people recol- 
 lected that they had met Mr. Esking at 
 Thorburns, and bowed. He answered 
 with formal courtesy, but showed so little 
 appreciation that few had the courage to 
 go further. But one family persevered. 
 This was Genest, of the Warrenage, father 
 and son. The old gendeman had been a 
 
 VOL. I. C
 
 1 8 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 great ally of Captain Thorburn's, one who 
 could sympathise feelingly with his des- 
 perate situation. He Introduced his heir, 
 a young graduate of Brasenose, who had 
 already won honours, and was zealous, as 
 both declared, in the arts and tastes Mr. 
 Esking followed. 
 
 The archives of Thorburns, which the 
 owner preserved with care, though he 
 never read them, nor could, had been 
 open to his friend, who spent much time 
 among them. There Mr. Esking found 
 evidence that the claim of the Genests to 
 ancient lineage was not so mythical as 
 that of others more prosperous at the 
 present day. Though he did not find the 
 name In those '' rolls " mentioned, Mr. 
 Esking accepted the warranty ; and George 
 Genest was a young man to take advan- 
 tage of any opening. He could not win 
 familiarity with father or daughter, but he 
 secured toleration, and made the most of it.
 
 THE ESKINGS. I9 
 
 Two years had passed since George 
 began his approaches ; he was now a 
 Fellow, a barrister, and great things were 
 expected of him in the county. ''Some- 
 thing " even was thought possible by his 
 acquaintance in town. With Hilda he had 
 not advanced an inch apparently, but no 
 one else had entered the field, and she 
 was now eighteen. Most people thought 
 that he would carry off the belle of the 
 neighbourhood. So we finally return to 
 the first page of this history. 
 
 Mr. Esking read the paragraph twice, 
 laid the newspaper aside carefully, and 
 resumed his meal. A stranger would not 
 have observed any sign of disturbance 
 beyond surprise. The grey-haired, handsome 
 old man discussed his breakfast with a 
 fine appetite. There was no sign of trouble 
 in his kindly eyes. But Hilda knew him 
 well. Deep pondering of vicissitudes in 
 history, combined with the experience of
 
 20 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 prosaic life which a great business confers^ 
 had destroyed the sense of mere astonish- 
 ment in Mr. Esking. The death of a friend 
 would not have moved him in that way, 
 whatever the circumstances, nor, in truth, 
 would almost any incident. Hilda con- 
 cluded that there were matters beyond her 
 cognisance in the relations of these two 
 men. But the question did not interest 
 her. 
 
 " I think I'll go to Shuttleton, my dear," 
 said Mr. Esking, at last. 
 
 "Will you be able to return this evening ?'' 
 
 " By the last train, perhaps. Oh, you 
 
 are thinking of Hubert's arrival ? Well, 
 
 I daresay you would be more comfortable 
 
 without me." 
 
 *' I don't know much of Kate, papa." 
 *' Ladies make acquaintance very quick." 
 No more was said. An hour afterwards 
 Mr. Esking drove to the station. 
 
 This visit had been hinted by Mrs,
 
 THE ESKINGS. 21 
 
 Fanshawe for a long while, upon Kate's 
 suggestion — though she did not suspect 
 that influence. Hubert's wife was terribly 
 disappointed with the result of her mar- 
 riage. She loved her husband in a way, 
 as much, perhaps, as she could love, but 
 his wealth and position had been great 
 inducements. Kate felt the longing for 
 *'good society," so common with her class, 
 in its most virulent form. She had hoped, 
 through her own charms, set ofT by Hubert's 
 money, to make her way among the county 
 people round Shuttleton, and in town to 
 be paragraphed in the society papers. That 
 pleasing vision escaped before the honey- 
 moon ended. 
 
 The blow was dreadful ; to exchange 
 the luxury of Grosvenor Villa and a house 
 in Chester Square, Hyde Park,,^for a mean 
 residence with her mother-in-law in a bye- 
 street of Shuttleton, exceeded the pains of 
 any martyr. Moreover, this was not all.
 
 2 2 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 Mrs. Fanshawe took the religious craze 
 under pressure of her misfortunes. She 
 joined a local sect of Brethren — I forget 
 their spiritual name — and held prayer 
 meetings at her house. Hubert asserted 
 himself — he did not want firmness on occa- 
 sion — but his wife could not resist. The 
 one comfort she felt when this state of 
 things developed did not last. The head 
 of the sect in position, though not by any 
 means in influence, was Mr. Mendel, of 
 Mendel Hall, the great banker of Shuttle- 
 ton ; but socially he did not recognise the 
 Brethren, and Kate soon found that her 
 hopes of getting into society again through 
 his means were desperate. 
 
 Under these circumstances, Little Thor- 
 burns became a sort of Promised Land, 
 where, if she could make good her footing, 
 pleasures delightful might be enjoyed. They 
 had very vague notions in Shuttleton about 
 Mr. Esking's place in the county. None
 
 THE ESKINGS. 23 
 
 of his old acquaintance had been asked 
 to Little Thorburns. But he had been a 
 personage too important in the town to 
 be forgotten. They talked much of him, 
 especially, of course, at Mrs. Fanshawe's 
 small tea parties, and legends were current. 
 Kate naturally fancied that he held some 
 such position in the county as he had 
 held in Shuttleton. 
 
 Another motive in which her husband 
 took part was the chance of a legacy. Mr. 
 Esking had a great fortune to leave, and 
 It would be only just to give a fair slice 
 of it to Hubert, since his withdrawal from 
 the factory had ruined the young man's life. 
 
 For three years, therefore, the Fan- 
 shawes had been endeavouring to get an 
 invitation to Little Thorburns, as a first 
 step towards various objects. With Mr. 
 Esking they failed utterly, but a short 
 time before, Kate had addressed herself to 
 Hilda, and the appeal succeeded forthwith.
 
 24 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 In the afternoon of this day they arrived. 
 Hilda was pleased to see her cousin, who 
 had many good points. A very big man 
 he was, not handsome, nor clever, nor 
 good, but resolute and absolutely fearless. 
 She liked that side of his character so 
 much as to overlook the other. 
 
 Kate was sympathetic in no way. Though 
 perfectly pretty In face and figure, the 
 unprejudiced eye of her own sex remarked 
 a sharpness of nose and style in general, 
 a smartness of dress, and a familiarity of 
 tone very unprepossessing. She had not 
 the slightest notion of tact In pursuing 
 her one aim of life — selfish advantage ; nor 
 did her manner promise that she would be 
 scrupulous about the method of securing 
 it. 
 
 " How you've grown !" Kate exclaimed 
 at once. '' Why, she's almost as tall as 
 you, Hubert! What a funny room! Now, 
 what do you call this .^"
 
 THE ESKINGS. 25 
 
 '' We call it the breakfast - room, or 
 sometimes mine." 
 
 *' Well, uncle did not consult you about 
 the furnishing of it, I should think. I 
 never saw so many pictures out of a shop." 
 
 "They are drawings of the old English 
 school. Papa changes them sometimes." 
 
 ''The oftener the better, you think, don't 
 you ? My ! what horrid daubs ! Uncle 
 hasn't spent much on the frames either ! 
 You don't mean to tell me that these 
 belong to the collection I've heard so 
 much of?" 
 
 " Papa has many thousands of them — 
 of the French and Italian schools also. 
 Their value does not lie in the frames. 
 Will you take off your bonnet, Kate .^" 
 
 '' Let us go round the place first." 
 
 Patiently Hilda led the way into Mr. 
 Esking's old study, used now for a dining- 
 room, which was walled from floor to 
 ceiling with huge portfolios, neatly labelled.
 
 26 THE TREASURE OF TIIORBURNS. 
 
 '' They are all full of sketches like 
 those you have seen," she explained. 
 But Kate rushed to the mantelpiece, where 
 in a large glass case a variety of odds 
 and ends In gold and silver were dis- 
 played ; around and above it many price- 
 less bits of china and miscellaneous objects 
 too precious to be cleaned. 
 
 *'ThIs is more like what I expected. 
 How awfully pretty that coral Is! It was 
 yours, I suppose ?" 
 
 " No, Indeed ! That was made for a 
 French prince many hundred years ago." 
 
 "It would suit a modern English baby 
 just as well, if I had one. And that buckle, 
 hey ! They are diamonds, I suppose ?" 
 
 *' I really don't know." 
 
 "Certainly they're diamonds! If uncle 
 gave me my choice of anything in the 
 room, 1 should choose that buckle." 
 
 Hilda led the way back. " Is there 
 no more on this side ?" asked Hubert.
 
 THE ESKINGS. 27 
 
 *' Yes. We are going to papa's new 
 study, which he calls the Charter Room." 
 She opened a door that led into the 
 garden, and passed along a verandah. 
 
 '' You don't mean to say you are 
 obliged to go out of doors when you 
 want to get from one room to another ?" 
 
 " Unless we go through the kitchen. 
 This is the way to the Charter Room." 
 
 ''Well, of all the idiotic houses " she 
 
 interrupted herself suddenly, warned by a 
 sharp squeeze from Hubert. " But I admit 
 that this is worth a promenade to see ! 
 It's the drawing-room, I suppose ?" 
 
 " We never have occasion for one. This 
 is where papa sits generally. All those 
 old chests are full of manuscripts and 
 wonderful things." 
 
 Kate felt no interest in such matters, 
 nor pretended. All round the large apart- 
 ment stood glazed cases, which Mr. Esking 
 kept full of pretty things to amuse and
 
 28 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 occupy a visitor who might have to wait 
 there — or to amuse himself. The least 
 was valuable. Kate ran over them with 
 inarticulate exclamations of surprise and 
 delight, trying to raise the lids securely 
 locked. 
 
 "What funny curios, and all so lovely! 
 Are those real diamonds ? Oh, oh, oh ! 
 — Uncle will spare me some of these 
 things, surely ! I would take great care 
 of them ! Do you think I might ask 
 him ?" 
 
 "It would be very Injudicious to suggest 
 such a thing," said Hilda, with grave 
 significance. 
 
 "Oh! Well, we may admire." But I 
 suppose Mrs. Fanshawe did not care to 
 admire long, when she had no prospect of 
 possessing. Very soon Hilda found her 
 ready to go. 
 
 Hubert had been surveying the windows 
 with interest.
 
 THE ESKINGS. 29 
 
 '' I don't see any shutters. Is it possible 
 that these things are left unprotected at 
 night ? Why, that case of gems alone " — 
 pointing to a large glazed tray, which 
 stood in front of a screen — " must be 
 worth thousands !" 
 
 "It's a fancy of papa's that shutters in- 
 vite a burglar. You see the windows are 
 double, of the thickest plate-glass, and we 
 have three dogs close by." 
 
 They went round the garden, visited the 
 stove, greenhouses, and so on ; but Mrs. 
 Fanshawe did not care for flowers. Her 
 interest suddenly revived in the orchid 
 house, where she picked some miscel- 
 laneous samples without asking leave. 
 
 " Do you keep any horses," Hubert 
 asked, ''besides the pair that met us .^" 
 
 "Oh! yes! I have one, and there's a 
 dear old creature for the dog cart, which 
 Jennings rides when he goes out with me." 
 
 *' Then you ride ! What a pity uncle
 
 30 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 hasn't two hacks ! Perhaps he might hire 
 one for me." 
 
 " I'm sure he will try, if it would give 
 you pleasure." 
 
 They returned to the house, and Hilda 
 secured an hour's respite while Kate 
 dressed for dinner. She foresaw annoy- 
 ance, not on her own account alone ; Mr. 
 Esking would revolt, and if his niece 
 asked him for any pretty trifle that had 
 its place in his collection — as, almost 
 certainly she would — his reply might be 
 rude. 
 
 Kate was amused by the odd old things 
 that appeared upon the dinner table, and 
 then she began to ask questions about 
 her uncle — why he had gone to Shuttle- 
 ton this night of all others, and so forth. 
 Hilda mentioned Captain Thorburn's death. 
 
 *' Is he gone ?" cried Hubert. " Then 
 uncle has made a good thing of his 
 annuity after all ?"
 
 THE ESKINGS. 3 I 
 
 "What annuity?" 
 
 "Oh, he didn't tell you, I suppose? 
 You're not in all his secrets, Hilda — 
 mum's the word with me, then !" 
 
 "Oh! no, it isn't. Not with the wife 
 of your bosom, my dear. If you know 
 a secret, out with it." 
 
 Hubert looked round ; the man-servant, 
 Armstrong, had left the room for a moment. 
 
 "Well, we're tiled here," he said. "It 
 was Jackson informed me. He says that 
 uncle settled an annuity on Thorburn, 
 with the condition that he takes all the 
 old chap has to leave at his death. I 
 suppose we shall find you the lady of 
 Thorburns next time you come, and 
 blazing with diamonds. 
 
 "Why diamonds ?" Kate echoed, jealously. 
 
 "Oh! the Treasure, my dear! Of course 
 uncle will find it. He's just the man. His 
 life has been a regular apprenticeship to 
 the business of hunting out such things."
 
 32 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 " I don't believe a word of that non- 
 sense. Do you, Hilda?" 
 
 " I haven't an idea what you're talking 
 about." 
 
 ''Oh! indeed! Then we'll drop the 
 subject." 
 
 " I am quite serious. Who is Mr. 
 Jackson, to begin with ?" 
 
 "Thwaite's managing clerk, and Thwaite 
 is uncle's lawyer. I meet him sometimes." 
 
 Their encounters took place mostly in 
 the billiard-room of the "Greyhound," when 
 Hubert could secure an hour's freedom at 
 night. 
 
 Armstrong came in, but in reply to a 
 significant glance Hilda said, aloud, " Now, 
 tell me what you mean about a treasure?" 
 
 '' Do you really pretend you have not 
 heard of it ? Come now !" 
 
 '' I don't pretend it, and I should very 
 much like to hear." 
 
 *' It's all nonsense, of course," Kate
 
 THE ESKINGS. 2>3 
 
 broke In, ''but your servants know the 
 story I'll undertake." She addressed the 
 butler in her familiar tone, '' Don't you ?" 
 
 Armstrong looked at his mistress, who 
 nodded. 
 
 ''There's talk of such a thing on the 
 country side, m'm," he said, respectfully. 
 
 " Of a treasure at Thorburns ?" 
 
 " Yes, miss. The story goes that some 
 gentleman buried it a long time ago, and 
 died." 
 
 "Without telling anyone where he had 
 hidden it, you know," Kate said. 
 
 "How very strange! Does papa — I 
 wonder whether papa knows this legend .^" 
 
 "Of course he does! Don't he, Arm- 
 strong ?" 
 
 After another look at his mistress, the 
 butler answered, cautiously — 
 
 " I should think Mr. Esking may have 
 heard tell, madam." 
 
 "You may depend on It," said Hubert, 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 34 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 ''that Jackson was well-informed. Uncle 
 paid old Thorburn an annuity in order to 
 get the place at his death and look for 
 the Treasure himself." 
 
 ''But where is it?" Hilda cried. 
 
 "Ah! that's just what the Thorburns 
 have been trying to find out for ever so 
 long. Jackson says they've dug the whole 
 property over one time or another. The 
 great hall is in ruins, isn't it ? David 
 Thorburn did that. He was brother to 
 the old chap just dead, and they quarrelled 
 about it." 
 
 "A telegram, miss," interrupted Arm- 
 strong. 
 
 "'Shall not be home till to-morrow 
 afternoon at the earliest. Give my best 
 love to Hubert and Kate !' " 
 
 " Captain Thorburn's death will cause 
 uncle a deal of business, of course," said 
 Kate. " I don't believe the silly old tale, 
 but I hope he'll begin to dig at once.
 
 THE ESKINGS. 35 
 
 What fun if he discovered the Treasure !" 
 With this interesting topic to discuss, 
 the evening did not prove so wearisome 
 .as Hilda had feared.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 Mr. Thwaite, the first solicitor in Shuttle- 
 ton, was a tiny little man, thin-lipped, 
 square -jawed and lean; quick, and watchful 
 of eye ; but these tokens of character were 
 masked to the unobservant by a genial 
 smile. He received Mr. Esking warmly. 
 
 " I was just going to write. You have 
 heard the news, I suppose ?" 
 
 '• Yes. Take the proper steps at once, 
 and push your formalities through as 
 quickly as possible." 
 
 "Well, that's easily done," Thwaite re- 
 plied, in a tone of some astonishment. 
 *' Everything is en regie, and if it were not 
 for the look of the thing — and my own
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 2)1 
 
 little interest," he added, laughing, '' we 
 might as well burn your agreement." 
 
 "Burn my agreement! What do you 
 mean r 
 
 '* Well, I rather thought there was a 
 misapprehension. What have you heard 1" 
 
 " Captain Thorburn's death. Is there 
 anything else ?" 
 
 **Thorburn dead? I follow you now. 
 Unfortunately, my dear Esking, I have a 
 stranger piece of intelligence for you. 
 Read that !" He handed a letter. Vaguely 
 alarmed, Mr. Esking looked at the post- 
 mark, *'Cape Colony." 
 
 '* Is it from those other people T he 
 asked. 
 ^ "Yes. Read it." 
 
 '' ' KiMBERLEY, GrIQUALAND, WeST, 
 
 '* March 23. 
 " ' Sir, 
 
 "'My brother, Captain Eldred 
 
 Thorburn, writes me that he has mort-
 
 38 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 gaged the remainder of his estate to a 
 Mr. Esking, through your agency. The 
 sum borrowed, he says, Is four thousand 
 pounds, and the deed gives Mr. Esking 
 a right of entry If this amount be not 
 repaid, with Interest at five per cent., 
 within thirty days of my brother's death. 
 
 " ' Captain Thorburn tells me also that 
 he Is seriously 111. Since the matter Is 
 evidently pressing, I enclose a draft for 
 four thousand pounds 
 
 "Great Heavens! Does he enclose It .^ 
 Have you got It ?" 
 
 " Yes. The money Is lying at Mendel's 
 Bank this minute.'" 
 
 "This Is " Mr. Esking caught the 
 
 solicitor's eye fixed on him with a curious 
 expression. He made an effort. "This Is 
 very surprising, Thwalte — and annoying, as 
 you are aware. I had hoped to place my 
 collections In a building worthy of them. 
 But there Is interest for three years and
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 39 
 
 a half — compound interest ! The capital 
 sum is not enough. And Thorburn died 
 on the nth — this is the 14th. In twenty- 
 seven days, unless these people remit the 
 balance, I may take possession, eh ?" 
 
 "It is not necessary to discuss your 
 legal status in that event. Read on." 
 
 '' ' I am not informed how long the 
 interest has been running, nor what pro- 
 portion of it, if any, remains unpaid. To 
 provide against all contingencies, I send, 
 by the same post, a credit for five 
 hundred pounds to Messrs. Mendel, with 
 whom you may discuss the amount of 
 Interest due, and who will pay you that 
 sum down if so much is owing. Further- 
 more, to meet the chance that still larger 
 arrears have accumulated, my agents here, 
 Messrs. Myers, send to Messrs. Mendel an 
 authority to draw on them for the balance, 
 whatever it may be. 
 
 '' * I shall be glad to hear at your
 
 40 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 earliest convenience that all is satisfactorily 
 arranged. ' 
 
 "'Your obedient servant, 
 
 '' ' David Thorburn.' " 
 
 Mr. Esking was a man of exceptional 
 coolness and self-restraint ; but his face 
 turned white, his hands trembled in re- 
 folding the letter, and he looked round 
 for a seat. Thwaite pushed a chair 
 towards him, without a sign of meaning ; 
 but his eyes were on the watch. 
 
 '' And this money also is right ?" Mr. 
 Esking asked, with a hard tone. 
 
 " Quite right. You may receive every 
 farthing due to us in five minutes, and 
 carry it away in your pocket." 
 
 Mr. Esking sat, turning the letter in 
 his hands, so absorbed in thought that 
 the silence was uncomfortable. 
 
 "This David Thorburn is not the heir, 
 I believe," said Thwaite, at length. 
 
 "Eh? No, not unless the family of the
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 4I 
 
 elder brother is extinct Why, what 
 
 right has he to interfere then ? I'm not 
 bound to take anybody's money !" 
 
 *' You are bound to take your own 
 though, and to release the security. There's 
 no way out of it, Esking. David Thor- 
 burn may be acting for the heir or heirs. 
 Do you know who they are ?" 
 
 Mr. Esking had seen in a moment that 
 his objection was worthless, and fell into 
 thought again. He roused himself discon- 
 tentedly. 
 
 "Thorburn had two brothers; David was 
 the younger. He quarrelled with both at 
 the same time, and they went to the 
 Cape. Ralph married there, and had chil- 
 dren ; David, so far as I know, is a 
 bachelor." 
 
 " He must have made a good thing of 
 emigration 
 
 "That puzzles me! I thought they were 
 all very poor in cash, though they had
 
 42 THE TREASURE OF TIIORBURNS. 
 
 sheep and ostrich feathers and all that to 
 any extent. Thorburn told me so." 
 
 " Perhaps David has found a Koh-i- 
 Noor — he writes from the diamond fields. 
 Did you ever hear what the quarrel was 
 about ?'' 
 
 '' I didn't ask. The disputes of kinsfolk 
 are not generally interesting to outsiders." 
 
 '* A stupid story is current that the 
 two younger Thorburns undermined their 
 brother's house, looking for treasure, and 
 he resented the liberty." 
 
 ''The point is, Thwaite, what can I 
 do?" 
 
 " I can only suggest that you take the 
 money, and look out for another building 
 worthy to shelter your collections." 
 
 " You have not cashed the draft ?" 
 
 " Not yet." 
 
 ''Think the matter over. I had set 
 my mind upon getting possession of Thor- 
 burns. There is no other house in
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 43 
 
 England which would suit my purpose so 
 thoroughly, even if I could secure it. 
 The resources of chicanery will furnish 
 you with some pretext for delay." 
 
 ''We are not very skilful in chicanery 
 at this office, Mr. Esking." 
 
 " Don't haggle over words, Thwaite, 
 when a client is so deeply interested. 
 Call it 'form,' and charge what you like, 
 so long as we succeed." 
 
 "Well, but how could you profit by 
 delay ?" 
 
 " This fellow David might die mean- 
 while, and if you had not cashed the 
 draft, his heirs might repudiate it." 
 
 "They couldn't. The money has gone 
 from his hands already. Delay could give 
 you no advantage, even if it were possible 
 to make out a case, and I don't see 
 any chance." 
 
 " Think it over, man !" repeated Mr. 
 Esking, irritably. " Dine with me to-
 
 44 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 night, and perhaps between us we may 
 find some means." 
 
 "I'm engaged, unfortunately. And there's 
 another point to consider. If the draft 
 was made payable to you, of course you 
 might do what you will about the matter. 
 But it's made payable to us, and we could 
 not leave four thousand pounds of a client's 
 money at Mendel's unclaimed." 
 
 '' Oh ! your objections ! For Heaven's 
 sake regard the matter from my point of 
 view and find a way out ! I will call in 
 the morning." 
 
 Mr. Esking went to his hotel, saluting 
 unconsciously a dozen old acquaintances in 
 the street, but unheeding their attempts to 
 exchange a word. He sat an hour in 
 reflection, interrupted by many a burst of 
 impatience ; then he ordered a carriage 
 and drove to the moor, where, in times 
 past, valuable inspirations had come to his 
 mind. But none occurred to-day. His
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 45 
 
 money was repaid, and he had lost the 
 cherished hope of his later years. Gradu- 
 ally Mr. Esking reconciled himself to that 
 disappointment In a way, and his thoughts 
 took another direction. The idea that arose 
 was exciting apparently. He got up from 
 his couch among the bracken, and walked 
 quickly. The driver called, In his rough 
 north-country way, and received an angry 
 order to go back to Shuttleton. Two 
 hours afterwards Mr. Esking returned, and 
 as he passed the telegraph office he sent 
 the message Hilda had read. 
 
 It Is difficult to entertain such guests as 
 Hubert and his wife under any circum- 
 stances, but In this case the task was 
 actually desperate. The Esklngs, as has 
 been explained, had no friends nor even 
 visiting acquaintances In the neighbourhood. 
 If Mr. Genest came to Little Thorburns 
 neither father nor daughter had entered the 
 Warrenage. And Mr. Genest, senior, only
 
 46 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 called when his son was at home. A 
 visitor who took an Interest in things anti- 
 quarian, or was free to admire Hilda, 
 might have found the day too short in Mr. 
 Esking's house ; but these people had no 
 such resource. Luckily, the topic started 
 overnight suggested some employment for 
 one morning, anyhow. 
 
 Said Kate at breakfast, " Let us go 
 over to Thorburns and see the place." 
 
 ''Who knows?" Hubert added. ''Per- 
 haps we may come across the Treasure." 
 
 "Yes, indeed. It belongs to uncle now, 
 and how delightful it would be to surprise 
 him with a chest full of pretty old curios 
 worth something fabulous, when he returns 
 this afternoon." 
 
 " You're converted, then ?" said Hubert. 
 
 "Oh, no! It's only my fun! But what 
 do you say, Hilda?" 
 
 " Why, this Treasure, like others, is 
 guarded by monsters. The man in charge
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 47 
 
 is a dreadful old sailor, and he has a pack 
 of dogs almost as savage as himself — huge 
 beasts. I meet him with one or two of 
 them nearly every day, as he goes home 
 from the public-house at Burnslde." 
 
 '' What do you call a pack ?" Hubert 
 asked. 
 
 " Two, to be specific. They are great 
 mastiffs of the Thorburn breed." 
 
 '' Well, I'll take a bigger stick than 
 usual. If we can find such a thing. 
 What time does he go to the pub ?" 
 
 "About eleven, I fancy, in the morning, 
 and about three In the afternoon. Between 
 whiles he goes to sleep." 
 
 '' Then let us start at half-past eleven." 
 
 ''Oh, yes," said Kate. ''It's absurd to 
 suppose the dogs will attack well-dressed 
 people." 
 
 " Well, perhaps there Isn't much danger 
 at that time, if we don't go up to the 
 house. One can see it all from the tower,
 
 48 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 and there's a long avenue. I've been 
 thinking that we should not speak of the 
 Treasure before papa. If he knows the 
 legend, and has never mentioned it to 
 me, he has some reason, no doubt." 
 
 "He wants to give you a surprise when 
 he digs it up." 
 
 ''That's not papa's way at all. We had 
 better not refer to the subject." 
 
 ''Oh, dear me! If uncle is so par- 
 ticular, I shall be putting my foot in it 
 a dozen times a day ! Perhaps you will 
 kindly write out a list of topics to be 
 avoided." 
 
 " There's only one — gossip ! Papa doesn't 
 feel interested in other people's business. 
 He never spoke of this Treasure, I expect, 
 because he thinks it a silly old wife's tale." 
 
 " I'm not of your opinion," said Kate, 
 decidedly. "Uncle is not that sort of a 
 man. He did not talk about it because 
 he thinks of it a great deal. Mark my
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 49 
 
 words. As soon as he takes possession 
 of Thorburns he will begin to search." 
 
 Armstrong's entrance checked the rather 
 warm reply that Hilda was about to 
 make. 
 
 ''Converted was not the word," said 
 Hubert, laughing. "You pass at a bound 
 from unbelief to fanaticism, Kate !" 
 
 " Because I have thought It over. I 
 neither believe nor disbelieve on hearsay." 
 
 When Armstrong had withdrawn, Hilda 
 spoke. " I think, Kate, that you have 
 never seen my papa ?'' 
 
 Mrs. Fanshawe was disconcerted just a 
 little. Hubert snatched a newspaper to 
 conceal his grin. 
 
 " I have not seen him, of course, but 
 I have heard a great deal from mamma, 
 his own sister. And for anyone who Is 
 quick at catching a hint, as I am, this 
 house, and the things in it, give informa- 
 tion enough. Why, the mere fact that you 
 
 VOL. L E
 
 50 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 can't get from one room to another with- 
 out going out of doors or through the 
 kitchen, contains a volume." 
 
 Hilda had resumed her calmness. She 
 only answered : " Recollect that papa is a 
 many-sided man, and don't venture far 
 upon the strength of your shrewdness. 
 Then, if you like, we will set out for 
 Thorburns at half-past eleven." 
 
 They started punctually. Though the 
 wall of Mr. Esking's garden marked the 
 confines of the Squire's narrow domain on 
 this flank, it faced the side of his house. 
 They had nearly half-a-mile to walk along 
 a very winding lane before reaching the 
 gates ; — in fact to skirt the whole property. 
 There was no village, not a dwelling in 
 sight ; they did not meet a soul. 
 
 ''Well, I've heard mamma wonder," said 
 Kate, at length, "that uncle should have 
 gone to live in a hole like this, but I'm 
 sure she had no notion what it really is !
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 5 1 
 
 You might as well be on a desert Island. 
 Suppose one were 111, or the house took 
 fire ? Where do you get your things ? 
 That's rather a pretty dress you have on, 
 Hilda." 
 
 *' I am doubly complimented, for I made 
 It." 
 
 "Good gracious! Does uncle keep you 
 so short ?" 
 
 " Quite the contrary," she answered, 
 laughing. '' He believes my things come 
 from Paris, and he Is a good deal 
 astonished, when he thinks of It, that 
 French milliners are so slow to send in 
 their bills. But 1 shall have to tell him 
 soon, for he begins to talk of demanding 
 Madame Rosalie's account by return of 
 post." 
 
 *' I don't wonder that uncle believes it 
 to be the Paris cut," said Hubert. '' I 
 never saw such a becoming dress." 
 
 He received a look, warning him of 
 
 ^^<:^ 
 
 ^^utf^^
 
 52 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 retribution in store. '' Oh, they make 
 ugly things in Paris," replied Kate, "just 
 as often as pretty ones — I don't mean 
 that for you, Hilda, of course. Here we 
 are, I suppose." 
 
 They had reached an antique gateway, 
 which barred an avenue of immemorial 
 elms. Its massive pillars were deeply cor- 
 roded, and the sculptured figures crowning 
 them had no trace of outline. The gates, 
 of elaborate workmanship but broken, and 
 devoured by rust, hung back, half-hidden 
 by coarse grass and weeds. Across the 
 open stood a paling with a wicket. So 
 dense grew the herbage in what had 
 formerly been a drive, that only the line 
 of trees on either hand showed its direction. 
 
 ''They haven't many callers here," said 
 Kate. " Good gracious ! I feel quite 
 creepy !" 
 
 '' And the man in charge doesn't use 
 this way on his visits to the pub," Hubert
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 53 
 
 added. '' Nobody has been In or out this 
 year, I should say." 
 
 '' There's another entrance, for servants, 
 which we have passed. But the wicket 
 Is unlocked, you see." 
 
 " Really, Hilda, I don't like to go In 
 after all. It reminds me of the picture of a 
 haunted house I once saw. And we shall get 
 ourselves wet through in this long grass." 
 
 "I don't care to turn back," said Hilda, 
 resolutely passing the rough gate. " You 
 are not less ready for an emergency than 
 you used to be, Hubert, I suppose ?" 
 
 '' Marriage has not taken all the fight 
 out of me," he answered, with a grin and 
 heave of his broad shoulders. 
 
 ''It's a comfort to have a husband 
 sometimes," said Kate. " How much fur- 
 ther have we to wade through this jungle?" 
 
 " Not far, I should think, but the trees 
 are so close here that one can hardly 
 judge, looking down on the avenue."
 
 54 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 *' Do you mean to say you have never 
 been here before ? Well, you are an ex- 
 traordinary girl !" 
 
 " I never thought of doing so. Captain 
 Thorburn had left the neighbourhood before 
 I came. Papa has several drawings and 
 plans and engravings of the house In 
 different ages, and I am quite satisfied 
 to look at them. It's little better than a 
 ruin now." 
 
 " Thorburns was a fine place once?" 
 Hubert asked. 
 
 " A very curious place, at least. It had 
 a great square courtyard In front, paved, 
 I suppose, and a fine tower on each side 
 the entrance gateway. We can see them 
 from our house, and — there they are !" 
 
 The towers stood before them, their 
 outline lost In a tangle of Ivy ; one had 
 a pointed roof, and a large clock, the 
 other was square. A massive portcullis, 
 dropped half-way down, gave a strong
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 55 
 
 hint to visitors that admittance through 
 the antique portal between them was for- 
 bidden. The walls of the court had been 
 levelled, and a few flowering shrubs run 
 to waste bore evidence that the area 
 Itself had been transformed into a garden 
 long ago. A circular drive, overgrown 
 with weeds now, passed round the towers 
 on either side, and skirted the house- 
 front. The building itself was straight and 
 plain, with narrow casements, but upon 
 one side stood the bare fagade of a very 
 handsome wing, probably Elizabethan — 
 the sky appeared through its shattered 
 windows. On the other hand lay a ter- 
 race, solidly constructed on ground sloping 
 so abruptly that the crown of large trees 
 rooted below made a thicket impassable 
 on what had once been a pleasant walk. 
 " That ruin was the banqueting-hall," 
 said Hilda, in whispers ; so still and im- 
 pressive was the scene. ''In the hollow
 
 56 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 there, beneath the terrace, Hes a very 
 deep pond that reaches almost to our 
 garden. Why It was dug " 
 
 A clamour of dogs interrupted her. 
 Two very large mastiffs of the old Lynn 
 breed broke suddenly from the corner of 
 the house, and galloped towards them 
 open-mouthed. The girls screamed with 
 terror, and Kate fell upon her knees. 
 Hubert quailed for an instant, but re- 
 covered himself. 
 
 ''Pick her up, Hilda, and lead her back! 
 Don't run !" 
 
 He had only his stick, and nerve. 
 Whilst Hilda, nearly paralysed with fright, 
 followed his injunction, Hubert went to 
 meet the brutes. Some men, not remark- 
 able for courage in other circumstances, 
 have a strange fascination over dogs ; he 
 possessed that gift, and a fearless spirit 
 besides. They came at him straight, 
 baying savagely, but at a few yards
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 57 
 
 distance their note changed, they parted, 
 and circled round. If he had flinched, 
 Hubert was a dead man. Keeping both 
 in view as well as he could without 
 turning, he moved deviously towards a 
 tree close by ; the relief was almost 
 sickening when he found his back against 
 it. The mastiffs sprang and rushed to 
 and fro, but they did not pass a certain 
 limit. They clashed their teeth, the foam 
 flew, they spurred themselves to attack, 
 but dared not. Suddenly one turned aside, 
 and howling with triumphant fury shot by 
 the tree. Hubert heard a scream, and a 
 fall — he ran out. Hilda lay on the ground 
 within a yard of him, the dogs just closing 
 on her. A thrust with the point, well- 
 directed, pierced one through the eye, and 
 he threw himself upon the other, dragged 
 its huge forepaw back with his left hand, 
 gripped its throat with his right, and, 
 struggling to his feet with that enormous
 
 58 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 burden, pinned it against the trunk while 
 hammering Its body with fist and knees. 
 No human streno^th could have borne that 
 exertion for more than a moment. Hubert 
 hurled the dog aside, gave it a kick with 
 all his force, and left it panting. He 
 understood brute nature. The mastiff got 
 up presently, and slunk away, growling 
 vengeance, but subdued, whilst Hubert 
 looked to his cousin. 
 
 " I am not hurt, Hubert," she said, 
 rIsincT with his assistance. " How brave 
 
 o 
 
 you are and how strong ! They would 
 have torn us to pieces! I owe you my life." 
 
 *' Yes, you wouldn't have been much more 
 than a mouthful for those brutes. But what 
 were you doing here ? Where is Kate ?" 
 
 " Safe, I hope. I could not leave you 
 alone in such danger. Oh, don't laugh ! 
 If a girl cannot help a man who is fight- 
 ing for her, she can stand beside him." 
 
 " My wife takes a more reasonable view
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 59 
 
 of her duty," he muttered. '' Well, I think 
 we have seen enough of Thorburns for 
 once. Let us get back." 
 
 '* Is that poor beast dead? How hideous 
 it looks !" 
 
 Hubert kicked the body, and put his 
 foot upon its neck to withdraw the cane. 
 
 '' Dead enough, but not too much," he 
 answered, giving It another kick. '' For 
 my own part, I thought it much more 
 hideous when it was alive." 
 
 They had not remarked a short, thick- 
 set, ill-favoured old man, who was ap- 
 proaching as fast as his infirmities would 
 allow, breathless with fury and excitement. 
 
 "Hi, you trespassing thieves, what d' 
 ye mean by it ? Who are ye ? I'll have 
 
 law for this, ye " blank, blank, blank. 
 
 *' Gie me your names and addresses, or 
 
 I'll Oh, it's Esking's girl, is it ? 
 
 You've come to survey the property, have 
 ye, miss ? Well, and I hope ye like it.
 
 '6o THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 But the dogs was mine, and ye shall pay 
 for 'em amongst ye, If there's justice in 
 England. They were mine, d' ye hear ? 
 You, Miss Esking, and your father didn't 
 have them in his swindling bargain " — and 
 so on. 
 
 " Now, old man," said Hubert, grimly, 
 ''your mastiffs didn't frighten us with their 
 teeth, and we aren't afraid of your tongue. 
 Shut up !" 
 
 " I've got a something noisier than a 
 tongue and sharper than teeth, you lout ! 
 Just stop a minute !" 
 
 " I should like to see that instrument. 
 Go on, Hilda; I'll catch you up." 
 
 " Don't hurt him ! He's old." 
 
 The veteran had stumped away, swear- 
 ing to himself, but he heard this remark 
 and turned. 
 
 ''He hurt me? If yon tramp isn't off 
 the premises when I come back he'll 
 want a doctor."
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 6 1 
 
 " I won't give you the trouble to return, 
 my ancient. Lead the way." 
 
 With a laughing reassurance to his 
 cousin, Hubert followed. They passed the 
 clock tower ; by its low-browed entrance 
 lay the door in splinters and an axe 
 beside it. The room was full of tools 
 and broken furniture. 
 
 ''This is how you protect your master's 
 property, is it?" said Hubert. "You chop 
 up his doors for firewood, eh ?" 
 
 "I'd like to serve you the same, and 
 maybe I will presently !" But there was 
 more spirit in the words than in the tone. 
 Simmons began to quail as his dogs had 
 done. 
 
 From the other tower, of which the 
 door had been already burnt, came savage 
 growls, and as his enemy passed, the 
 mastiff sprang out, bristling with rage and 
 vengeance. 
 
 " Haven't you had enough, you thick-
 
 62 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 headed lump?" Hubert cried, impatiently, 
 and ran forward. 
 
 '* Loo, Hector! At him, gocd dog! — 
 Loo, Loo !" cried Simmons, ferociously. 
 Hector tried to nerve himself, barked and 
 bayed, but did not advance. As Hubert 
 came within reach, he faltered, turned, and 
 slunk away, his tail between his legs. 
 A heavy kick sent him howling into 
 space. 
 
 " Now, my good man, show me this 
 terrible thing you speak of, quick. The 
 ladies are waiting." 
 
 Simmons went on, muttering to himself, 
 and reached the house. Then he paused. 
 
 '' Will you oblige me with your name, 
 sir, or will you not ?" 
 
 " I won't ! Now then, don't keep us 
 all day." 
 
 " Well, I know where to find you, 
 that's a comfort of its sort. You're a 
 friend of Esking's, and them as want you
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 63 
 
 know where to look. Now, just you be 
 off, will you ? 
 
 "Poor old chap!" said Hubert, taking 
 him not ungently by the ear. " Is that 
 all ? There, don't excite yourself again, 
 it's not becoming at your age ! Ta-ta !" 
 
 He went off laughing, while Simmons 
 trembled so with rage that he was obliged 
 to lean against the wall ; with that support 
 he shook a fist at his retiring adversary. 
 
 The ladies had halted at the turn, 
 finding comfort in a view of the roadway, 
 lonely though it was. 
 
 "Thank Heaven!" cried Hilda, when 
 Hubert reappeared. ''We have been ex- 
 pecting to hear a gun every moment !" 
 
 Kate Fanshawe did not show her feel- 
 ings thus. She addressed her husband 
 with fierce reproach. 
 
 " How could you leave me alone, you 
 great brute, in this disgusting place, half- 
 dead with fear ? What have you been
 
 64 THE TREASURE OF THOR BURNS. 
 
 doing all this time ? Tell me at once, I 
 insist !" 
 
 " Let us get home, Kate," said Hilda. 
 " Hubert will tell you his gallant conduct 
 on the way." 
 
 " I can't walk all that distance back,, 
 and I won't ! Let us get out of this 
 dreadful wilderness, and then we'll sit 
 under a hedge whilst Hubert fetches the 
 brougham." 
 
 ''It would take so long, dear. You'll 
 find the distance nothing while you listen 
 to the tale of your husband's bravery." 
 
 '' I saw nothing of his bravery ; he kept 
 it all for you ! I know he deserted me 
 in the most cowardly way when there 
 were all sorts of horrid dangers prowling 
 about. What have you to say, Hubert.^ 
 You can't justify yourself — I know that !" 
 
 The young man told his story as they 
 walked along. He did not take pains to 
 avoid the contrast between Hilda's gallant
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 65 
 
 rally to his side, and Kate's helpless sub- 
 mission to fate, and the latter grew silent 
 and lowering. She disliked her cousin 
 from the first, Instinctively, but this event 
 gave her a motive. 
 
 Neither of the ladies appeared at lunch, 
 so, with a bottle of champagne to nerve 
 him, Hubert told his adventure all over 
 again to Armstrong. It lost nothing by 
 repetition. The Idea that brave men do 
 not boast Is a nursery legend. One would 
 not easily find a soul as gallant as 
 Hubert's, nor a greater braggart. 
 
 The host returned about five o'clock. 
 His daughter was keeping a look out, tO' 
 secure the first word, but, as it chanced, 
 Hubert met him at the gate. I have 
 remarked that this distinguished savan 
 had a gentle look. He was a handsome 
 old man. None but a close observer 
 would have marked the lines of resolve 
 in his well-cut mouth, and the keenness 
 
 VOL. I. F
 
 66 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 of his pleasant eyes. Mr. Esking had no 
 sign of the type conventionally accepted 
 to denote the archaeologist. His hair was 
 not long, his manners the reverse of 
 abstracted, his dress particularly neat. If 
 anything could be noticed about his 
 clothes it was their decorous uniformity. 
 Winter and summer, morning and night, 
 he wore broadcloth, a large shirt front, 
 and a black satin tie. His address was 
 thoughtful and ceremonious, but always 
 ready. 
 
 The lesson Mr. Esking had drawn from 
 his long and deep studies was a philosophy 
 of Paganism. The usages of every age 
 are equally right, or equally wrong, as in- 
 dividual preference may decide, since there 
 is no principle therein. Arts and sciences, 
 morals, habits, are no more than historical 
 facts belonging to a certain epoch. The 
 customs of one age are not to be lauded, 
 still less to be rebuked, in comparison with
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 67 
 
 those of another. They appertained to a 
 certain era In the development of man 
 under certain conditions. After thought- 
 fully Identifying an equal stage, so to 
 speak, In the history of two races, one 
 may compare them. But such points of 
 contact are rarely found. For the rest, 
 there Is no good and no evil In the story 
 of mankind. Therefore, everyone should 
 follow the prevailing Impulse, and avoid 
 above all things singularity. 
 
 Mr. Esking greeted his nephew with 
 warmth and led him Into the garden. 
 Hubert was rather astonished, for Mrs. 
 Fanshawe, senior, had Impressed upon him 
 that her brother was reserved to all, and 
 specially towards his relations. He showed 
 himself quite otherwise, asking the young 
 man's pursuits, entering Into his amuse- 
 ments, laughing at his stories, and telling 
 Incidents In his own life of which his 
 acquaintances had no suspicion. Hubert
 
 68 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 was delighted. ''Who would have thought 
 him such a jolly old cock ?" he said to 
 himself. '' He'll certainly lend me that 
 five hundred as soon as I ask him !" 
 
 Under this encouraging belief the 
 nephew's spirits rose ; he talked with 
 frankness of his tastes and comrades. 
 Mr. Esking, on the other hand, dropped 
 Into sympathetic monosyllables when he 
 had set the stream flowing, and gave no 
 more reply than was needed to keep It at 
 the level. They walked for an hour up 
 and down, and in that space Hubert had 
 revealed his character to an Intelligence 
 much less acute than the antiquarian's. 
 
 Hilda had begged him not to speak of 
 the day's exploration until she had pre- 
 pared her father, and for a long time he 
 followed her advice. But they were so 
 cosy and confidential that he could not 
 keep the secret. At the first word, Mr. 
 Esking showed Interest, and hurried the
 
 A GLIMPSE OF THORBURNS. 69 
 
 narrative along. When it was done he 
 shook Hubert's hand warmly. 
 
 "You are a fine fellow! I'm proud to 
 be your uncle ! Did Simmons appear to 
 know of Captain Thorburn's death .^" 
 
 " I feel sure he does not." 
 
 " But he was burning the doors, you 
 say ? The clock-tower used to be his 
 quarters." 
 
 " He lives in the main building some- 
 where, I feel certain. Both towers are 
 choked with odds and ends of furniture." 
 
 ''And you killed one of his dogs? 
 They have been the terror of the country 
 side. We are all deeply grateful. That's 
 the dressing-bell. I say again, Hubert, 
 that I am proud of you." 
 
 "Egad, it may run to a thousand yet," 
 the young man thought to himself
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 
 
 At dinner, Mr. Esking was equally bland. 
 He complimented his niece upon her pretti- 
 ness, which indeed was well worth notice, 
 and listened kindly to her foolish observa- 
 tions. Kate triumphed. 
 
 *' I felt sure we should get on nicely, 
 uncle, because I take so much interest in 
 all these charming things around. There's 
 a buckle-brooch in your study which is a 
 perfect love." 
 
 ''Then no young lady could wear it 
 more becomingly than you, my dear," he 
 replied, with a bow. 
 
 " Oh, uncle ! I am overpowered !" with 
 a malicious glance at Hilda. " It's most
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 7 1 
 
 extraordinary how anyone could fail to see 
 that you're as generous as clever, and 
 above suspecting mean motives. I shall 
 treasure that brooch more than anything 
 I possess, but not for its value — though 
 that's considerable, I suppose ?" 
 
 ''It has value enough to be worthy your 
 acceptance," Mr. Esking said. 
 
 Hilda was astonished. Her father had 
 no tempers and few moods, in her ex- 
 perience at least. She knew them all, and 
 it had been her dread, since the visitors 
 arrived, that he would be disgusted with 
 them in ten minutes, and too probably 
 give them the hint to leave in twenty-four 
 hours. Mr. Esking was quite capable of 
 such an act, in his cold, courteous and 
 resolute way. Instead, he talked cordially 
 with Hubert and paid deference to Kate! 
 
 This incomprehensible humour was sus- 
 tained until the ladies rose, and then Mr. 
 Esking sent for a particular vintage, only
 
 72 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 produced when great personages dined. 
 Hilda began to think it possible that he 
 meant to "do something" for her cousins. 
 And the fancy pleased her. 
 
 When uncle and nephew were left alone, 
 Hubert found himself getting on so well 
 that he ventured — the wine invigorating 
 him — to make allusions which he had only 
 contemplated as a vague possibility in a 
 future dim and remote. He breathed the 
 word "embarrassments." Some speculations, 
 of a serious and substantial class, had 
 turned out unluckily, and he could not 
 speak of them to his mother. Mr. Esking 
 showed a warm interest, and was not too 
 inquisitive. ''These little troubles," said he, 
 *'will occur when amateurs compete with 
 men of business. The latter have bought 
 their knowledge dear, and they sell it at 
 a price enhanced. As a rule without 
 exception, practically, a man neither gives 
 nor lends for nothing. He seeks a profit
 
 A CONFIDENCE. "] ^y 
 
 of some kind. I, myself," Mr. Esking 
 continued, with a genial smile, "have had 
 transactions which puzzled my acquaintance. 
 They asked where my advantage lay, 
 and not perceiving it they gave me credit 
 for disinterested charity. But I may con- 
 fess to you, Hubert, as a lesson in life, 
 that I never made a loan or a gift, of 
 any importance, unless I saw my way. 
 If you were a judge I could show you a 
 variety of fine things I secured by means 
 which, to the outside ring, seemed purely 
 philanthropic." Then he told a story or 
 two. 
 
 This tone chilled Hubert's confidence 
 sadly. He began to think that his mother 
 might be not wrong, after all, in her view 
 of Mr. Esking's character. It was a relief 
 when he rang for coffee and cigars. 
 Armstrong brought them, announcing that 
 Simmons was below, ''very rough," de- 
 manding to see the master.
 
 74 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 *' Certainly ! Show him up ! He has 
 not brought both dogs, eh, Hubert ?" 
 
 The veteran began to roar his grievances 
 before entering the room. *' I want com- 
 pensation," he cried, "and I'll oh, 
 
 there's the young man as refused his 
 address when he was a-trespassing on my 
 master's property and beating my dogs ! 
 You can hear what he's got to say for 
 himself! I ask fifty pound, Mr. Esking; 
 and the law will give it me." 
 
 *'A moment, Mr. Simmons. You talk 
 of your master. He is dead." 
 
 ''Is he ? You think your time's come, 
 eh ? I have much pleasure in informing 
 you, sir, that my master is alive, and 
 perhaps you'll soon find him kicking." 
 
 Hubert exclaimed, " He isn't near enough 
 to protect you, my man, unless you keep 
 a civil tongue in your head." 
 
 "This is your master, Mister What's- 
 your-Name," cried Simmons, producing an
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 75 
 
 old pistol. " It'll protect my tongue, civil 
 or no ! Now, Mr. Esking, sir !" 
 
 '' Be quiet, Hubert. Sit down, my good 
 man, and take a glass of wine, and don't 
 talk nonsense. Am I to understand that 
 you have a new master .^" 
 
 " I won't sit down, but I'll drink Mr. 
 Eldred Thorburn's health in a glass of this 
 'ere," pouring himself a bumper of whisky. 
 '' Here's long life to him and confusion to 
 his enemies." 
 
 '' I join you in that sentiment, if there is 
 such a person. You are well assured of it ?" 
 
 "Assured? There's his handwriting to 
 speak for him. You may read the letter, 
 if you like." 
 
 Mr. Esking took it, and examined the 
 post marks — "Cape Colony" and "Burn- 
 side," the nearest ofhce in England. 
 
 "You received this to-day.'*" 
 
 "Yes, I did, if it makes any difference 
 to you — at one o'clock this afternoon, or
 
 76 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 thereabouts, as I went to Rowley to con- 
 sult my lawyer. He told me of poor 
 Captain Thorburn's death. And he says 
 fifty pounds isn't enough compensation for 
 my dogs ; — so I warn you." 
 
 Mr. Esking made no reply, but opened 
 the letter. Hubert was dull and slow, but 
 he could mark a quiver of still excitement. 
 
 " ' FiLLJIESFONTEIN, NEAR TaUNS. 
 
 '' ' Mr. Simmons, 
 
 "'Captain Thorburn writes to 
 his brother, my uncle David, that he Is at 
 the point of death. I am the heir-at-law 
 of Captain Thorburn, and I come Into all 
 his property by a will he has sent to my 
 uncle David. I am the son of his elder 
 brother, Ralph. I mean to come over as 
 soon as I can fix up my business here. 
 "'You will keep the place for me, as 
 you have done for my uncle. I authorise 
 you to draw for any sum up to ^loo — one 
 hundred pounds — which may be necessary.
 
 A CONFIDENCE. "]"] 
 
 through any agent that will advance the 
 sum. (Mr. Esking smiled a little here.) 
 
 '' ' There is a man In the neighbourhood 
 who has lent money to my uncle, Captain 
 Thorburn, upon the security of the farm 
 [farm crossed out and ' property ' substi- 
 tuted]. I am to tell you that the loan 
 has been paid off by my uncle David, 
 residing in Kimberley in these parts. You 
 will produce this letter as evidence, if 
 needful, and you will not allow that man 
 to take possession, if Captain Thorburn 
 dies before I get home — which the Almighty 
 forbid ! 
 
 *' ' That is all. I expect to get away In 
 six months or thereabouts. 
 
 '' ' I am, your master, 
 
 " ' Eldred Yarl Thorburn.' " 
 
 Hubert sat grinning, but aware. In- 
 stinctively, that this was a grave matter 
 somehow. Mr. Esking folded the letter 
 carefully and returned it.
 
 78 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 " I am glad to hear that the ancient 
 line is not extinct. Thorburn of Thor- 
 burns, Hubert, is a standing memorial of 
 English history. Now, Simmons, about 
 the compensation due to you. My nephew 
 had no right to trespass on the property 
 in your charge, and still less to kill your 
 dogs. But you will remember that they 
 attacked him, and, as I learn, had pu 
 my daughter into jeopardy, before he 
 struck them. It is no case for exagger- 
 ated damages. Fifty pounds is monstrous. 
 I will pay you fifteen pounds, or, if you 
 like, I will refer the matter to arbitration 
 — of the magistrates in quarter sessions, 
 or any individual among them, if you 
 prefer that." 
 
 "I won't have no arbitration! It's fifty 
 pounds I ask, and fifty pounds I'll have, 
 one way or other." 
 
 "Well," said Mr. Esking, after a moment's 
 thouorht, '' I am anxious to do what Is
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 79 
 
 right and to behave kindly towards a 
 neighbour. But you ask too much. I am 
 a tradesman, and I know the worth of 
 money. Say twenty-five pounds — but re- 
 member that is my last word !" 
 
 *'I say fifty pounds, and that's my last 
 word ! There !" 
 
 "Very well. I expect a jury will give 
 you nothing, especially when you refuse a 
 liberal offer. Indeed," he added, speaking 
 to himself, " I can't understand why I 
 made it. Good evening, Simmons." 
 
 '' Good evening, as you're so polite ; and 
 pleasant dreams." 
 
 '' I suppose you're the man in the neigh- 
 bourhood who lent Captain Thorburn 
 money ?" asked Hubert, after a pause. 
 " His nephew isn't grateful." 
 
 "We don't expect gratitude in business. 
 I wanted his house. I was ready to pay 
 for it. This young man prefers to keep 
 it, and repays my loan. Very well."
 
 8o THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 *' I understood you had settled an 
 annuity upon old Thorburn ?" 
 
 Mr. Esking showed neither surprise nor 
 annoyance. " I wished to do so, but he 
 would not consent. Shuttleton gossips 
 generally get hold of a stick by the 
 wrong end. Captain Thorburn desired a 
 mortgage, and I submitted, thinking it 
 would come to the same end." 
 
 ''And David Thorburn has paid it off?" 
 
 "Yes." 
 
 Hubert didn't like to go further. "That 
 was an odd communication, wasn't it ?" 
 
 "The heir's? Yes, it's odd. This young 
 fellow has a character, I judge. There's 
 simplicity in his expressions, but vigour 
 enough in his meaning." 
 
 "How many repetitions of 'Uncle' and 
 * Captain Thorburn ' were there ?" 
 
 " A good number, certainly. That is a 
 trick I should expect from a young man 
 of his upbringing."
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 8l 
 
 "Was he educated at the Cape?" 
 
 *' Ralph Thorburn married a Boer's 
 daughter, and his son was born there. 
 Eldred is more than half-Dutch, I should 
 fancy. Continual allusion to relations Is 
 characteristic of primitive society, In the 
 pastoral phase especially. Kinship, my 
 dear Hubert, Is almost the only bond 
 where population Is scanty, and where 
 men stand In dally peril from a slave or 
 servile class. It Is cherished accordingly. 
 The early history of our own people Is 
 not to be understood In Its proper sense 
 If the great Influence of the blood-tie be 
 not kept before the mind." 
 
 " But In Cape Colony men do not 
 stand In dally peril, do they ?'' 
 
 *'The time when they did Is not far 
 back, and habit survives circumstances. 
 Besides, Eldred Thorburn writes from 
 Fllljlesfontein, near Tauns. I am not 
 so devoted to antiquity that I neglect to 
 
 VOL. I. G
 
 82 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 read the daily papers. Tauns has been 
 often mentioned of late. I don't know 
 where it lies, but the name is associated 
 with the fillibustering expedition of the 
 Transvaal." 
 
 " I wonder whether Arthur Mendel will 
 come across him?" said Hubert. 
 
 "Is young Mendel in South Africa?" 
 
 ''Yes. He got leave from his father on 
 the pretext of looking up the position of — 
 what d'ye call them ? — the Kaffirs, you 
 know. But I fancy Arthur was bored to 
 death with the brethren and the prayer 
 meetings." 
 
 "Very likely. He's a young man who 
 doesn't know his own mind. Did he mean 
 to visit the fillibusters ? Then I suppose 
 he may meet Thorburn, who seems to be 
 one of them, pending his transformation 
 into an old English gentleman." 
 
 " What a ruffian you will have for a 
 neighbour !"
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 83 
 
 "It does not follow, perhaps. His 
 morality is Boer, I conclude, and the 
 most respectable Dutch families sympathise 
 with the fillibusters. Prima facie, indeed, 
 I should expect them to do so." 
 
 '' Well, the heir runs a good chance of 
 being killed, anyhow !" 
 
 '' I have thought of that," Mr. Esking 
 ■calmly answered, as he rose. " Now, 
 Hubert, I pass my evenings in the 
 Charter Room. Make my compliments 
 to your wife, and acquaint her with my 
 habit. If you would like to bear me 
 company, I shall be pleased." 
 
 Kate was in a small room upstairs ex- 
 amining the thousand and one things, and 
 questioning her cousin. She graciously 
 approved Hubert's proposal to keep their 
 host company. Hilda smiled consent. 
 
 Mr. Esking was smoking a long ''church- 
 warden," and sipping a mild glass of 
 whisky, whilst collating two volumes in
 
 84 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 crabbed manuscript, more mysterious even 
 than Greek to Hubert. He put them 
 aside, pointing to an old armchair, and 
 made preparations for a chat. 
 
 " You are surprised to see me using 
 this old-fashioned paraphernalia," motioning 
 with his churchwarden. " In the first 
 place, I am fond of ancestral habits ; In 
 the second, which is a more serious con- 
 sideration, I have found that our fore- 
 fathers were wise In their choice of a 
 pipe as In other things. I have tried 
 nearly every form of smoking, and for 
 my purpose none compares with the long 
 clay. I rest It on my arm, you see, 
 when reading or writing ; I hold It when 
 talking or moving about. The smoke of 
 a cigar gets Into one's eyes and keeps 
 one's hand busy. A nargullleh I must 
 lay aside if I wish to cross the room. 
 There is nothing like the churchwarden 
 for a studious man."
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 85 
 
 " I will smoke nothing else hence- 
 forward !" Hubert cried, obsequiously. 
 
 •'Are you going to turn studious? But 
 perhaps I wrong you. Are you studious, 
 I should say ?' 
 
 "Well, I've had no encouragement, 
 uncle. If I stayed with you long I think 
 I should take an interest in your occu- 
 pations. What are those old books ?" 
 
 "This," said Mr. Esking, with a sly 
 smile, "is a very early transcript of Arch- 
 bishop Alfric's Vocabularium, and this other 
 is sent to me by a friend at Brussels, who 
 believes it to be that copy of the same 
 work which was in possession of Rubens 
 the painter, missing ever since his death." 
 
 Hubert thought he might venture, "And 
 is it ?" 
 
 " I incline to fancy that it is still 
 another edition. You remember, of course, 
 that the Rubens copy was transcribed by 
 Junius, whose work is preserved at the
 
 86 THE TREASURE OF TIIORBURNS. 
 
 Bodleian Library. My friend should have 
 sent this to Oxford. I rather think it 
 will be found to differ considerably from 
 the Junius edition, as it does from my 
 own, which, I cherish a fond fancy, is- 
 the original. If so, the Brussels copy 
 has great value. Perhaps you would like 
 to hear, as an introduction to your studies,, 
 upon what ground I base my pleasing 
 confidence that this manuscript of mine is 
 Archbishop Alfric's original composition ?" 
 
 " I should like it very much indeed, 
 uncle," said Hubert, in wild dismay. 
 
 Mr. Esking gravely spread out the 
 volumes, opened his mouth with a solemn 
 air, and laughed silently. 
 
 *' No, my dear boy, I will not take 
 advantage of your foolish remark. Young 
 heroes are not the sort of men who care 
 for old English vocabularies. We will talk 
 of matters in which you are really interested. 
 Choose your subject."
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 8/ 
 
 "Well," said Hubert, vastly relieved, "I 
 should like to hear something of Thorburns. 
 What a funny place It Is !" 
 
 "Some parts are the oldest In England, 
 I think, of such buildings as could properly 
 be called a house, still occupied. The 
 Thorburns had held It from time Immemo- 
 rial, as people said, when De Warrenne 
 Earl of Surrey and Regent of Scotland, 
 took a fancy to the site. Edward Thor- 
 burn refused a good price, and a liberal 
 exchange, so the Earl accused him of 
 treason ; he fled Into Scotland, and was 
 killed at the battle of Falkirk." 
 
 " Was that the man who Is said to have 
 burled all his valuables ?" Hubert re- 
 membered too late Hilda's caution, and 
 awaited the reply In alarm. But Mr. 
 Esking was quite composed. 
 
 "Yes; Edward Thorburn. De Warrenne 
 pulled down his house, and built a hunt- 
 ing lodge. The greater part of the back
 
 88 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 premises, which you could not see, are his 
 construction ; the main block Is of Henry 
 the Fourth's time, mostly, and that fine 
 banqueting hall, which Ralph and David 
 Thorburn undermined some forty years 
 ago, was Elizabethan. The family always 
 kept a portion of their estate, and they 
 recovered the house itself at De Warrenne's 
 death." 
 
 " You don't mind me talking of the 
 Treasure, uncle .^" 
 
 ''Not at all — why should I?" 
 
 " I don't know, indeed. Are you sure 
 it has never been discovered in all these 
 centuries ?" 
 
 '' Quite sure. The Thorburns of every 
 generation have been looking for it." 
 
 '' The old fellow died without telling his 
 secret ?" 
 
 ** His eldest son knew, perhaps, but he 
 was killed with his father." 
 
 '' But is it impossible that some thief
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 89 
 
 — or the workmen, perhaps, employed In 
 all these alterations, came across It ?" 
 
 "As nearly Impossible as a thing can 
 be. They were closely watched, no doubt, 
 and the ground shows no trace of dis- 
 turbance." 
 
 ''Bless me, uncle! You talk as if you 
 knew where It lies .^" 
 
 ''Yes, I know." 
 
 Hubert was dumbfounded. After staring 
 an Instant, he blurted out, "And where 
 is It?" 
 
 Mr. Esking laughed, rose, crossed the 
 room, and unlocked one of the ancient 
 chests. He took from It a sheet of vellum, 
 with heavy seals attached. 
 
 " This Is a deed of gift to the Chantry 
 of Burnslde, bestowing certain lands on 
 condition that a dally mass be served for 
 ever on behalf of this same Edward 
 Thorburn, etc. It Is dated just before 
 Warrenne dispossessed him. At the time
 
 90 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 of the Reformation, John Thorburn ex- 
 pelled the priests, pulled down the Chan- 
 try, resumed his ancestor's gifts, and 
 deposited this with other deeds In his 
 Muniment Room. Captain Thorburn gave 
 it to me — or sold it, with the vocabulary 
 and many other things." 
 
 Hubert took the parchment, examined 
 it In every point of view, and said, 
 bewildered : — 
 
 " But what has this to do with the 
 Treasure, uncle ?" 
 
 "You see now the value of my pursuits. 
 Thorburns innumerable have looked at this 
 manuscript, probably, but since none of 
 them took pains to learn old English — 
 or anything else that is useful — they may 
 have said like you, ' What's the use of 
 this musty thing ?' I will show you, 
 Hubert." 
 
 A tap at the door Interrupted them. 
 Mr. Esking took the scroll and put it
 
 A CONFIDENCE. QT 
 
 in his pocket before saying ''Come in!" 
 It was Hilda and Kate. 
 
 ''You are not conspiring, uncle?" cried 
 the latter. " I give you warning that my 
 husband tells me all his secrets, like a 
 good boy, and if it's anything treasonable 
 you are concocting, I am a loyal subject. 
 I shall denounce you remorselessly unless 
 my silence is purchased at an enormous 
 price." 
 
 "Name your own terms, my dear. I 
 throw myself upon your mercy." 
 
 " Well, for the present, seeing you have 
 given me that charming brooch, I will 
 not be hard. It's only a horse I want 
 — oh, not to buy, but just to hire, whilst 
 we stay here. I am longing to ride with 
 Hilda." 
 
 " That is granted, if I can find one. 
 Anything more ?" 
 
 "Oh, you good uncle! It must be very 
 pretty, remember."
 
 92 THE TREASURE OF TIIORBURNS. 
 
 "And very quiet, please," Hubert Inter- 
 rupted. 
 
 " Don't give people the Idea that I can't 
 ride, you silly fellow ! But I should like 
 him quiet, of course. Would It be asking 
 too much If I begged a mount for my 
 husband also ?" 
 
 "Not at all. I think I know where to 
 look." 
 
 Hilda, meantime, had sat down, with the 
 air of one who Is used to bid good night 
 In a leisurely way, and to talk things over 
 before going to bed. Hubert was on 
 thorns. Before remarking that action of 
 his host's, which seemed to give such im- 
 portance to the charter. It had dimly and 
 vaguely suggested itself to his mind that 
 Mr. Esking might have some motive In 
 granting him so much confidence. When 
 he observed the cautious pocketing of the 
 scroll, his suspicion was confirmed, and he 
 was eager to pursue the interrupted talk.
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 93 
 
 *'Any horse will do for me, so long as 
 It can go, uncle," he cried. ''Your con- 
 ditions are granted, dear!" 
 
 Kate looked at him with astonishment. 
 The tone of Impatience was not to be mis- 
 understood, and under different circum- 
 stances she would have demanded an 
 explanation there and then. Hilda said : — 
 
 *' Mr. Genest has some young horses, 
 papa, which he means to send to Bottom- 
 ley Fair. Perhaps he would let us have 
 two meanwhile." 
 
 " I will write him a note In the morning. 
 What do you propose to do v/Ith these 
 young people, my dear ?'' 
 
 " I have no notion," she replied, calmly. 
 *' Do you fish, Hubert?" 
 
 " I don't care much about It, but with a 
 horse I can always amuse myself. Don't 
 trouble about me." 
 
 "And I," said Kate, "propose to 
 rummage all your collections, uncle, and
 
 94 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 Improve my mind awfully. There's occu- 
 pation for a month In every room of the 
 house." 
 
 Hilda looked up anxiously, but Mr. 
 Esking made no protest. He answered 
 smiling : — 
 
 " I will put together a special bunch of 
 keys for you. Your husband also has 
 developed a sudden taste for archaeology, 
 and I shall be proud to direct your 
 studies." 
 
 This was all so extraordinary that Hilda 
 felt anxious to get away, and think it 
 over. But Kate, garrulous under such 
 encouragement, began a long story of her 
 childhood ; how she found a Queen Anne's 
 farthing ; how she loved, and how she lost 
 it ; proof of an essential devotion to things 
 antique. Mr. Esking listened patiently, 
 and showed Interest at the proper times. 
 Hubert thought they would never go, but 
 Hilda befriended him. At the first oppor-
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 95 
 
 tunity she kissed her father and bore 
 Kate from the room. 
 
 ''As soon as the door was closed, he 
 resumed : " You were going to show me 
 how that charter is connected with the 
 hidden Treasure ?" 
 
 Mr. Esking drew it forth, and pointed 
 to a few Hnes upon the back. The ink 
 was much faded, the writing uneven, 
 shaky, and so entangled with flourishes 
 that an unskilled person could not make 
 out a letter — a curious contrast to the 
 neat and formal penmanship of the charter; 
 though that was no less unintelligible to 
 Hubert. 
 
 ''It looks," said he "as if somebody- 
 had dipped a rabble of string in ink, and 
 pressed it on the vellum." 
 
 "A very good comparison. In itself 
 this writing has value, for we possess 
 very few examples of what may be called 
 familiar correspondence of that date. I
 
 96 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 imagine that Edward Thorburn or his son 
 wrote it — the latter, probably. How it 
 happened that they chose this document 
 to make a note upon we cannot possibly 
 tell. Perhaps the priest was in their con- 
 fidence — we know that he died just about 
 this time. If Thorburn trusted him, the 
 back of a charter, most jealously pre- 
 served, no doubt, was a safe thing to 
 write upon. Or, they may have intended 
 to place their Treasure under protection, 
 as it were, of their former good deeds. 
 Whatever the motive, the result answered 
 their purpose. No one has read this 
 memorandum for a matter of five hundred 
 years." 
 
 Hubert did not care to discuss mysteries; 
 he wanted to get at facts. ''And what 
 does it say, uncle ?" 
 
 " I never had so much trouble in de- 
 ciphering an inscription. You see, we are 
 accustomed to the contractions and flourishes
 
 A CONFIDENCE. 97 
 
 of clerkly penmanship. They are conven- 
 tional, and as soon as one has learned the 
 rules it is easy to make out individual 
 peculiarities. But this, practically, was a 
 hieroglyphic." 
 
 " I should think so. There's not a letter 
 in it, so far as I can see." 
 
 " And I was so much puzzled at first 
 that it took me hours to decide in what 
 language it was composed. Had there 
 been a signature I should have guessed, for 
 an old yeoman family like the Thorburns 
 would certainly use English in writing a 
 note. But there is none, and 1 had, of 
 course, no suspicion of its purpose. To 
 read that short memorandum, Hubert, was 
 the hardest mental labour I ever went 
 through." 
 
 ''And what does it come to .^" 
 
 "You are very anxious to learn," replied 
 Mr. Esking, with a queer smile. " Listen." 
 He read the words. 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 98 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 ''If possible, I am less wise than be- 
 fore," said Hubert, staring. 
 
 "Yet it is English. I give the ipsissima 
 verba to show my frankness. If you want 
 a translation as well, I must be more 
 discreet. Take it thus : — 
 
 " ' Under protection of Our Lady, of 
 Holy St. Cuthbert, St. Dunstan, and St. 
 Thomas of Canterbury, and all the Glorious 
 Company of Saints and Martyrs, I have 
 this day hidden my goods under the house 
 built by my forefathers, from which the 
 oppressor has driven me. I pray God to 
 curse him and his for ever ! 
 
 " ' My son and I dug the ground, and 
 relaid the pavement. By morning it was 
 finished. In the middle of the floor dig 
 down. A blessing on him who finds it 
 if he spring from my loins ; every devil 
 who abides in hell, and every spirit that 
 lurks among the world of men, torment 
 him who takes my wealth unjustly.' "
 
 A CONFIDENCE. . 99 
 
 "That's good talk," said Hubert, 
 admiring the vigour of the sentiment. 
 " But I don't see how it tells you very 
 much more than all the Thorburns seem 
 to have known." 
 
 " I said that my translation was dis- 
 creet. I have left out four words. It is 
 curious indeed," he added, thoughtfully, 
 '' how the key of the secret was, so to 
 speak, handed down by tradition. Hig 
 Thorburn, at least, knew where to look 
 if only he could find the place." 
 
 ''That's a contradiction, isn't it?" 
 
 "Not at all. If I tell you there's an 
 apple on the greenest tree in my orchard, 
 you know where to look ; but you have 
 still to find the greenest tree. Hig was 
 the only clever man the family ever pro- 
 duced. He knew that the Treasure lay 
 under the house built by Edward's fore- 
 fathers — that is, the oldest part, if any 
 trace of it still remains."
 
 lOO THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 '' I understand. Then, uncle, you meant 
 to dig In a place you know as soon as you 
 got possession of Thorburns ? What a 
 disappointment !" 
 
 Mr. Esking turned away to lock up the 
 charter. Coming back, he said, abruptly — 
 
 " I ask only a few hours, a stout young 
 fellow like you to help, and It's mine still." 
 
 " Good Heavens ! But — but, uncle, would 
 not that be robbery ?" 
 
 " No ! These things, of Inestimable value 
 to science, have lain In the earth for 
 centuries. They will He there for centuries 
 more, or If found by accident they will 
 probably be dispersed, melted, wasted ! I 
 have discovered where they are, by my 
 own labour, skill and patience ! I bought 
 them with four thousand pounds and more 
 of money, hardly earned. They are mine, 
 and I will have them !" 
 
 '' But the curse, uncle ?'' urged Hubert, 
 feebly.
 
 A CONFIDENCE. lOI 
 
 "The curse! It applies to robbers, and 
 I am none ! I will pay Eldred Thorburn 
 the full value if it can be reckoned. He 
 shall have every farthing in money — posses- 
 sion is enough for me." 
 
 Hubert saw his way to change an em- 
 barrassing conversation. '' I don't under- 
 stand these matters, but such curious old 
 things as you expect to find fetch an 
 enormous price, don't they?" 
 
 "Well, I could raise a hundred thousand 
 pounds with the contents of this room 
 alone, and I would, for the purpose of 
 securing them !" 
 
 ''A hundred thousand pounds! Why, 
 what do you think old Thorburn buried .^" 
 
 ''How should I know? It was all he 
 treasured most, plate and jewellery, of 
 course, but no one can guess what besides. 
 If it prove to be uninteresting in the 
 archaeological point of view, I shall pay 
 so much the less, or Edward Thorburn
 
 I02 THE TREASURE OF TFIORBURNS. 
 
 will be welcome to it. But that Is un- 
 likely. How many examples of plate can 
 be found through the length and breadth 
 of England dating from the fourteenth 
 century ? I only think of four — the 
 Coronation Spoon, the Lynn Cup, the 
 Salt-cellar and the Enamelled Cover at 
 All Souls' College. It gives a thrill only 
 to imagine that there may be one piece 
 surviving within half-a-mlle of us. But 
 there may be a score — two score — and of 
 date still earlier ! I will have them, 
 Hubert, and you shall help me! Ask 
 what conditions you will." 
 
 The word was out. For some minutes 
 past he had been expecting to hear It 
 sooner or later ; but the sudden proposi- 
 tion startled him. And Hubert had made 
 up his mind to refuse, not consciously, 
 upon principle or argument, but by In- 
 stinct. His courage was not of the sort 
 which dares a;n adventure like this. If
 
 A CONFIDENCE. IO3 
 
 it had been a question of braving all the 
 Thorburn clan in arms, he would not 
 have hesitated, but law, the irresistible 
 moral force of constables, solicitors, barris- 
 ters, ending with the judge who passes 
 sentence, Hubert did not even think of 
 defying. He had temptations. Those 
 embarrassments called speculations were 
 gambling debts in some variety. While 
 resolved not to bear part in this mad 
 scheme, he was anxious not to quarrel 
 with a relative who kept a hundred 
 thousand pounds lying idle in odds and 
 ends, and to get present relief, if possible. 
 
 ''Will you allow me to think it over, 
 uncle?" said he, "and if you like we will 
 change the subject. I wish to consult 
 you about my own affairs." 
 
 " My dear boy," replied Mr. Esking, 
 blandly, "it is too late for discussing 
 those topics to-night. I have given you 
 my confidence, and we can speak with a
 
 I04 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 frankness that would have been unfitting 
 previously. I have just returned from 
 Shuttleton, where I took pains to learn 
 so much as is publicly rumoured about 
 your affairs. They are not supposed to 
 be in that condition which your well- 
 wishers could desire. No, don't interrupt, 
 because it is late, and you have a fort- 
 night before you to correct any misap- 
 prehension on my part. I shall be pleased 
 to help you, both now and in the future, 
 beyond what you would ask. But it must 
 be on my own terms, and what they are, 
 you know — some hours of manual labour 
 which a navvy would think well paid at 
 a shilling the hour." 
 
 " Not if he saw a chance of penal 
 servitude at the end of his night's work!" 
 Hubert answered, incautious in his dis- 
 appointment. 
 
 " And therefore I didn't offer you a 
 shilling an hour,, nor a thousand pounds
 
 A CONFIDENCE. IO5 
 
 an hour. Consider the proposal. I need 
 not tell you to keep the secret from your 
 wife. Though you should refuse in the 
 end, I shall still think of you with a 
 certain kindness if you hold your tongue ; 
 — the refusal, I mean, will pass out of 
 my recollection, and we shall resume our 
 former relations. But if you chatter, 
 
 Hubert, expect nothing but ill-will from 
 
 I" 
 me ! 
 
 The tone was significant. Hubert vowed, 
 
 not only to his uncle but to himself also, 
 
 that Kate should not hear a whisper of 
 
 their conversation.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 GEORGE GENEST. 
 
 Mr. Esking's note was sent to the War- 
 renage early, and the groom brought an 
 answer that Mr. George would call as 
 soon as he was up. This message Arm- 
 strong delivered at eleven o'clock. 
 
 ''Good gracious!" Kate exclaimed, "and 
 Mr. George — whoever he may be — is not 
 here yet ! The rural population seems 
 very sophisticated in these parts." 
 
 " Mr. George Genest is not a rural per- 
 sonage," said Hilda, "but not townified 
 either." 
 
 " A nondescript ?'' 
 
 " On the contrary, he is the ideal of an 
 Oxford man in one of his varieties."
 
 GEORGE GENEST. lO/ 
 
 '' Oh, jolly and Impudent, and full of 
 go ? I'm so glad he's coming !" 
 
 ''Not at all — not In the sense you mean, 
 that Is. Mr. George Genest gets up at 
 ten and makes a tremendous effort to 
 overtake the early risers. And In general 
 he's not far behind by lunch time." 
 
 *' You mean he Is fast ?" 
 
 ''Not at all, again, If I understand you. 
 But here he comes." 
 
 The ladles were sitting In Hilda's room, 
 which looked on the ■ approach. Mr. 
 Esking had gone for his after-breakfast 
 walk, and Hubert accompanied him. Kate 
 ran to the window and peeped. 
 
 The distance between road and hall door 
 was not fifty yards, measuring round a 
 clump of evergreens and flowering shrubs 
 which occupied the central space. Mr. 
 Genest, however, broke Into a trot, after 
 pushing the gate open, reined In smartly 
 at the portico, and leapt down, throwing
 
 I08 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 his leg over the pommel — so quick in 
 every movement that Kate formed only a 
 rapid notion of an eye-glass before he 
 vanished and the bell rang a carillon. 
 
 "What a jumpy young man!" she 
 whispered, returning. " His horse i^ 
 
 covered with lather, and a parched pea 
 could not hop against him !" 
 
 *' Walk her about for half-an-hour ! — 
 See he does it, Armstrong, will you ?" a 
 high-toned voice was heard to say outside, 
 -and the door opened on the instant. 
 
 "Mr. Genest," the butler announced. 
 
 " My dear Miss Esking, I am commis- 
 sioned by the authorities to express our 
 exquisite delight in finding an opportunity 
 to serve you." 
 
 " My cousin will acknowledge the service 
 more gracefully than I could. Mrs. Fan- 
 shawe — Mr. George Genest." 
 
 He bowed swiftly, as he did all else, but 
 not roughly. Kate marked a tall, slender
 
 GEORGE GENEST. IO9 
 
 figure, well-built and active ; a good-looking 
 face, though sadly wanting In repose, and 
 twisted slightly, as In the effort to keep 
 an eyeglass In Its position ; an air which 
 was all Intelligence, all brilliancy of mind, 
 with little depth or resolution. The nervous 
 temperament In excess Kate might have 
 recognised, had she been a judge. 
 
 In cut and style Mr. Genest's costume 
 was admirable, and he had that look of re- 
 finement and assured position which young 
 men In Shuttleton conspicuously lack. 
 
 He also made his observations, and 
 summed up Mrs. Fanshawe at a glance — 
 pretty, vulgar, a bore. 
 
 '' It Is on your account Mr. Esking has 
 applied to us ? Our state Is the more 
 blessed. You little Imagine, Mrs. Fan- 
 shawe, what a happy chance your request 
 disclosed to my father — I dare not mention 
 myself Would you not wish to see our 
 horses, and choose ?"
 
 no THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 *' I should love it — with my husband's 
 advice." 
 
 "Certainly, certainly! Any other man 
 would be crushed by his feeling of res- 
 ponsibility to the universe in directing you. 
 Suppose Mrs. Fanshawe were run away 
 with, trusting to male discretion in that 
 confidence which sits so pleasingly upon 
 her sex ? If she could not take it out 
 of her husband, what remorse would con- 
 sume the unhappy bystanders, and what 
 an outcry would be raised by the public ! 
 I shudder at the thought." 
 
 Kate found this very complimentary and 
 very agreeable, but Hilda understood the 
 contemptuous tone. 
 
 "We heard you were in London," said 
 she. 
 
 " I should be. Instinct guided me to 
 the paternal roof last night, and instinct 
 urges me to keep that roof in view, though 
 Miss Esking tries to divert my attention.
 
 GEORGE GENEST. I I I 
 
 Since you would wish to choose a horse, 
 Mrs. Fanshawe — aided by your husband's 
 sound judgment — the way to gratify that 
 judicious wish, as it seems to me, is to 
 visit the Warrenage. I am authorised, 
 more, I am commanded, to invite all the 
 party at Little Thorburns to luncheon. 
 You cannot refuse this time, Miss Esking." 
 
 '' It has never been a question of my 
 refusal. You must persuade papa." 
 
 ''Is that a function becoming the male 
 sex ? To persuade is a feminine art, for 
 which Nature has given you the most 
 special advantages." 
 
 "They have not succeeded hitherto, you 
 know " 
 
 ''Don't mock me. Miss Esking! I am 
 too sadly assured that they have never 
 been exerted. But I have an invaluable 
 ally this time. Mrs. Fanshawe would be 
 irresistible alone, I should think, but acting 
 through you, there lives not the man with
 
 112 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 soul SO dead that he could struggle against 
 her influence." 
 
 *' I should certainly like to see the horses," 
 Kate remarked, with her usual clumsiness. 
 
 "Then it is setded," said George, rising. 
 ** I shall speed back to relieve the pater- 
 nal anxiety. At two o'clock of this whitest 
 day in our calendar, the event so long 
 talked of will certainly come off. Till 
 that time I live on air, like a chameleon." 
 
 '' Pray recollect," Hilda said, with some 
 earnestness, '* that papa is very unwilling 
 to go abroad. He may be touched by 
 Mr. Genest's readiness to oblige in this 
 matter, but you have earned his gratitude 
 on former occasions without moving his 
 passion for retirement." 
 
 ''We had not the assistance which I 
 confidently expect now. Till two o'clock, 
 mesdames !" 
 
 Hilda rang, he bowed, and hastened 
 from the room.
 
 GEORGE GENEST. II3 
 
 "A very agreeable young man, indeed, 
 and quite a rattle!" said Kate. ''You 
 gave me a very false idea of him." 
 
 " Did I ? You read character at a 
 glance, Kate ; perhaps I am dull." 
 
 " I see that Mr. George Genest thinks 
 a great deal of you, my dear.'' 
 
 Hilda did not reply. 
 
 ''Is he rich?" 
 
 " He's heir to a good estate in land, I 
 believe." 
 
 "You believe? In such a case as this? 
 I should have thought you would know 
 all about everybody in the neighbourhood. 
 Is there any other young man in whose 
 affairs you are more interested ? Come 
 now, my dear, I am your cousin, and 
 except mamma, your nearest relative — and 
 married too! Confide in me." 
 
 Hilda did not even flush, but she 
 looked impatient. 
 
 "There is no young man in whom I 
 
 VOL. I. I
 
 114 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 take any interest at all. Pray don't talk 
 in this way again !" 
 
 " But, my dear child, girls are born to 
 marry, and you especially must look out 
 for yourself. There is very little choice 
 in this dead-alive vicinity, and uncle don't 
 take you about. Of course you are very 
 much attached to him and all that. I 
 know what it erst me to leave home, 
 though I was an orphan. But you'll 
 allow me to say, dear, that few parents 
 are so independent of their daughters, 
 so to speak, as uncle is. He would 
 hardly miss you, I should think." 
 
 *' If he would not — which I don't admit, 
 Kate, not in the least — it is unpleasant 
 to be told so." 
 
 ''Well, if the subject is disagreeable 
 for any reason, I will not pursue it. 
 But what are your interests, Hilda ? 
 What do you care about ?'' 
 
 '* Nothing — and everything."
 
 GEORGE GENEST. TI5 
 
 '' That means, I suppose, that you Hve 
 from day to day without a purpose ? 
 Now that is wrong, my dear. You 
 might do worse, no doubt " 
 
 "Yes, I hope I might do worse. What 
 were your interests before you married ?''' 
 
 '^Oh, I don't know " 
 
 "Why, then!" 
 
 " Don't snap me up ! I mean that I took 
 so much notice of all that was going on, 
 I was so ready to bear a part In it, that 
 my sympathies were too general for a 
 particular object. But I never lost sight 
 of woman's proper mission." 
 
 " You were fortunate In knowing what 
 
 It IS. 
 
 " Instinct tells every one of us. I 
 cannot admit, my dear Hilda, that you 
 are an exception. If you never think of 
 marriage, I can only conclude that you 
 have suffered a disappointment." 
 
 Hilda flushed angrily, then laughed.
 
 Il6 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 '* Conclude what you please, but drop 
 the subject. I think that is papa's ring." 
 
 Kate was greatly offended at this tone. 
 
 '' Recollect, Hilda, that I am older 
 than you, and have vastly more experi- 
 ence — to put it on that ground alone. 
 If you will not listen to a friendly 
 remonstrance, I may find it my duty to 
 speak to uncle." 
 
 ''For Heaven's sake, don't, Kate!" she 
 exclaimed, too much alarmed by this 
 proposal to heed the impertinence or the 
 absurdity of it. " Papa is quite capable 
 of telling you to mind your own business, 
 in the plainest words possible." 
 
 '' I am obliged for the advice, but I 
 think I know him better. At the first 
 convenient opportunity I will speak." 
 
 " Then I forbid you to do anything 
 so silly. If you persist after that " 
 
 -What then?" 
 
 " I advise you for your own sake,
 
 GEORGE GENEST. II7 
 
 Kate ! What a stupid conversation we 
 have drifted into !" 
 
 " I want to know what you will do if 
 I persist ?" 
 
 ''Why," Hilda answered, laughing quietly, 
 " I shall tell papa that I don't welcome 
 your interference, and then he will be 
 simply amused." 
 
 "We shall see." But when Kate thought 
 the matter over in cold blood, she saw 
 how foolish she had been. This little 
 quarrel and check increased her dislike 
 for Hilda, and put her into a spiteful 
 frame of mind for the day. 
 
 Mr. Esking cheerfully consented to 
 lunch at the Warrenage, and ordered the 
 barouche. Hilda did not care to drive 
 at any time, and she expressed her 
 intention of riding. 
 
 "The next time you go out," said 
 Hubert, " I hope to have the pleasure 
 of escorting you."
 
 Il8 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 "And me, I presume," said Kate. 
 
 *'Of course, my dear. But you will 
 have to practise a little." 
 
 '* Not all alone, I hope, whilst you go 
 careering about the country with Hilda. 
 If that's the notion, I give it up at once!" 
 
 Hilda left them, disgusted. When she 
 came down presently in her habit, Hubert 
 did not conceal his admiration. She 
 looked a Goddess, he said, and invited 
 Kate to sympathise. 
 
 " This semi - masculine costume suits 
 some people," she replied ; "I like a more 
 womanly dress myself." 
 
 " By-the-bye, my dear, have you reflected 
 that you don't possess a habit, so far as 
 I am acquainted with your wardrobe ?" 
 
 It was ridiculous, but she had not, 
 and the inquiry struck her dumb for the 
 instant. Kate's influence with her husband 
 was based in great measure on foresight 
 and shrewdness displayed In little things.
 
 GEORGE GENEST. II9 
 
 She dared not confess. "Of course, I 
 have reflected on such an obvious matter, 
 and I know what to do," she answered,, 
 sharply. But the only way out of this 
 absurd difficulty that occurred to her was 
 to reject every horse In the Warrenage 
 stables. 
 
 Mr. EskIng was summoned, and they 
 started, Hilda riding by the carriage. 
 The horse was as beautiful as Its mistress 
 to a connoisseur's eye, and as superb In 
 its proportions. For when Mr. EskIng 
 gave his mind to do anything he did it 
 thoroughly. If his daughter wished to 
 ride she must have the best animal in 
 the market. Cupid was gentle as 
 
 strong, and kind as good, but he had 
 been two days In the stable ; he knew 
 that his high spirits would not alarm, 
 and allowed himself to follow his inclina- 
 tions. Kate's knowledge of horses was 
 vague and theoretical. She saw this fine
 
 I20 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 beast tossing his head, champing and 
 jerking at the reins, dancing with unequal 
 steps about the road, now before and now 
 behind the carriage. She remarked Hilda 
 patting his neck in affectionate sympathy 
 and kind assurance of a gallop when they 
 reached the turf, not as Kate read it, in 
 timid deprecation of his vicious Impulses. 
 
 It shocked her to observe Mr. Esking's 
 calmness while his daughter was thus ex- 
 posed to peril. In truth, the antiquarian 
 was almost as ignorant about horses as 
 herself, but he was used to see Cupid's 
 playful humours, and probably fancied. If 
 a thought he gave to the matter, that 
 such is the nature of ladies' hacks. 
 
 *' There! I knew how it would be! That 
 dreadful creature has bolted !" 
 
 ''Not a bit of it, my dear! They are 
 both enjoying a gallop. How well Hilda 
 rides, uncle." 
 
 Mr. Esking took off his glasses, surveyed
 
 GEORGE GENEST. 12 1 
 
 the graceful form vanishing far ahead, and 
 observed — 
 
 '' My daughter does everything well. A 
 girl of her type could not be clumsy. Had 
 Hilda been born, as she should, fifteen 
 hundred years ago, I have no doubt she 
 would have been a Shield Maiden." 
 
 ''What was that?" 
 
 '' Ah, there is no subject more interesting 
 in our early history. Shield Maidens were 
 a corps of free-born girls who fought 
 beside the men, but kept aloof. Sometimes 
 they made an expedition on their own 
 account, and they were always regarded 
 with especial dread for their desperate 
 courage and ruthlessness. Some scholars 
 think that the allusions to them which 
 abound in saga and ballad are allegorical. 
 The name ' Shield Maiden ' was certainly 
 applied to the Valkyries, but it seems to 
 me quite evident that there was also a 
 class of living women who bore it."
 
 122 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 ''But, uncle," Kate exclaimed, "you do 
 not mean to say that Hilda would have 
 been a blood-thirsty Amazon if she had 
 lived in those times ?" 
 
 " I think it likely. She has the perfect 
 physical type, the courage also, and the 
 instinctive longing for a great excitement. 
 The small pleasures and troubles of our age 
 do not move her. She walks in her sleep." 
 
 "Does she .'^ How dreadful!" 
 
 " I spoke figuratively," he replied, smiling. 
 " Hilda is too sound in nerve and body 
 to know what somnambulism Is. I believe 
 she never dreams." 
 
 " But about the Amazon ?" said Kate, 
 pursuing her Idea. " You think that your 
 daughter could possibly have been so un- 
 womanly as to fight and kill people, and 
 all that ?" 
 
 " I don't quite know what unwomanly 
 means. The Shield Maidens were women 
 assuredly. Under the different training
 
 GEORGE GENEST. I 23 
 
 which her foremothers have undergone for 
 so many centuries, Hilda, Hke the rest of 
 you, has acquired many artificial notions. 
 But at heart we are all the same as our 
 ancestors were. Long and varied circum- 
 stances make the outward divergence." 
 
 '' But religion, uncle, duty towards our 
 neighbour, morality .^" 
 
 " Veneers, my dear ! Human nature 
 never has changed, though, I admit, it 
 seems to be different in different races of 
 men. Whereby hangs another tale." 
 
 " Well, I am very much distressed to hear 
 this report of Hilda. You ought to know." 
 
 Mr. Esking laughed. 
 
 '' I fear I have been talking a little 
 above your head, Kate. Don't carry away 
 the idea that your cousin is a monster. 
 In this nineteenth century she is a gentle, 
 listless girl ; I speak only of what she 
 might have been fifteen hundred years ago." 
 
 Kate gave up the mystery, but her
 
 124 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 husband had been making a great effort 
 to follow Mr. Esking's train of thought. 
 Said he, hesitating — 
 
 " Hilda was always just what she is 
 now ever since I can recollect. Do you 
 mean, uncle, that she might be stirred to 
 great passions ?" 
 
 " I mean that, among other things." 
 
 She reappeared, still galloping along the 
 turf, but upon the other side of the high- 
 way. Antique posts and a worm-eaten 
 rail obstructed her path ; the carriage was 
 approaching fast from one direction and 
 Cupid from the other. "Get out of the 
 way," Kate screamed. "Oh, she will be 
 killed before our eyes !" 
 
 But Hilda did not swerve. Laughing 
 merrily she steadied her horse, and cleared 
 the railing — sped on a few yards, then 
 wheeled and overtook them, not a hair 
 out of place, but her face flushed and 
 eyes shining in pleased excitement.
 
 GEORGE GENEST. I 2 5. 
 
 ''Bravo, bravo!" cried Hubert. ''You 
 are a finished horsewoman, my dear !" 
 
 The Genests are an old family, and 
 their mansion, the Warrenage, stands upon 
 a site which they have occupied for many 
 generations. But the love and the care 
 for antiquity have never been their char- 
 acteristics. Several times has the dwelling 
 been pulled down so zealously that not 
 a stone remained, and a new one has 
 been built. The Warrenage existing is a 
 very model of the commonplace, not re- 
 markable even for convenience. It has a 
 charming view, and for that reason pos- 
 sibly the spot was selected by an ancestor 
 more tasteful than his scions ; they did not 
 change it only because so much building 
 material lay ready to hand. Mr. Esking 
 identified ornaments of the fifteenth cen- 
 tury in walls of the nineteenth. 
 
 Mr. Genest came out to receive his 
 guests — a hale old man, with a cunning
 
 126 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 and vulgar expression. He had good 
 manners, of course, for though a churl 
 innate, and well able to hold his own in 
 the shifts to which embarrassments urged 
 him, he held an historical position in the 
 county. His grand resource was horse- 
 breeding, but he came so nearly under the 
 less dignified class of dealer, that in a 
 district less remote the Excise officials 
 might probably have insisted that he took 
 out a licence. 
 
 Many compliments did this gentleman 
 pay to Mr. Esking and his daughter 
 before lunch was announced ; but Kate 
 received hardly a word, and her husband 
 hardly a glance. Mr. Genest eagerly 
 pointed out a few pictures of interest on 
 the modern, stupid walls, and a few 
 memorials, preserved for their oddity alone, 
 displayed in glass cases. But he showed 
 such ignorance that George interrupted 
 him, colouring with vexation.
 
 GEORGE GENEST. 12/ 
 
 The young man did not cease to chatter 
 all through lunch, in a high-pitched voice, 
 too frequently broken by a strident laugh. 
 His talk was smart, but, if one may be 
 allowed to say so, naturally affected. He 
 would not utter a commonplace. If cir- 
 cumstances compelled him to speak in a 
 straightforward sense, he would try, at 
 least, to find a roundabout expression — I 
 refer, of course, to his company manners. 
 It was an instinctive habit, but none the 
 less wearisome. 
 
 When they went to see the horses 
 paraded before the hall door, Kate found 
 it much easier to play the part she had 
 resolved, in the humour which her host's 
 neglect created, or, rather, intensified. 
 Without hesitation, she objected to every 
 horse as a groom led it past, and so spite- 
 fully that the bystanders quickly perceived 
 her mind was made up to refuse whatever 
 might be offered. Mr. Genest had loudly
 
 128 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 declared that he would take no money 
 from a friend for the mere loan of a 
 horse ; that he was no dealer, and still 
 less the keeper of a livery stable : but in 
 his soul he hoped that profit would come 
 of the transaction somehow. This silly 
 mood annoyed him, for he was guilelessly 
 unconscious of offence. 
 
 But it was Hilda who first showed im- 
 patience ; she walked away, and George 
 followed her. Mr. Esking stood quietly 
 observant, regarding Kate with a fixed 
 smile. The Squire turned from her ab- 
 ruptly, and invited his guest to see a few 
 ancient books which had been preserved 
 by chance, and they also withdrew before 
 all the cavalcade had been inspected. 
 Kate stood rather aghast. 
 
 *' But, uncle," cried Hubert, "you were 
 good enough to say that I also might 
 choose a horse !" 
 
 '' Certainly ! And, Mr. Genest, since we
 
 GEORGE GENEST. I 29 
 
 have put you to so much trouble, I ask 
 leave to buy the animal my nephew 
 selects." 
 
 The Squire's brow cleared at once. "If 
 you really wish it, of course I am pleased. 
 Make your choice, Mr. Fanshawe ; Mr. 
 Esking and I will come to terms very 
 easily." He went indoors with that gentle- 
 man. 
 
 " I never was treated so rudely before," 
 Kate whispered, pale with rage. "If I 
 am not to ride, you shan't go flying over 
 the country with Hilda — I say you shan't." 
 
 Hubert did not know what to do ; the 
 groom was smiling maliciously. After a 
 minute's hesitation, he said, '' Then we had 
 better follow the rest, my dear. Perhaps 
 you will explain to uncle .^" 
 
 "I won't! How dare you ask .'^" 
 
 "Then I will!" and left her. 
 
 " Hubert !" 
 
 But the outrage was too gross. He 
 
 VOL. I. K
 
 130 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 asked a servant where the gentlemen were, 
 and followed him, while Kate, furious and 
 bewildered, turned into the lunch room by 
 herself. 
 
 Mr. Genest was talking eagerly in 
 whispers, when Hubert interrupted them. 
 
 "You've not been so long in coming to 
 a decision, Mr. Fanshawe," he said, rather 
 impatiently. " Which is it ?" 
 
 ''Why, the fact is that my wife dislikes 
 the idea of stopping at home whilst I ride 
 about. So, uncle, I am much obliged by 
 your kind offer, which I regret to decline." 
 
 " I hope you won't suspect that we 
 have enjoyed your hospitality under false 
 pretences. Squire ?" said Mr. Esking. 
 '' But to avoid all mistake, I shall beg 
 my nephew to choose a horse for me. 
 The class of animal I want is expensive, 
 I fancy — quiet in harness but strong and 
 fast. Jacob gets rather old for the dog- 
 cart.
 
 GEORGE GENEST. I3I 
 
 '* I have the very thing, but, as you say, 
 she is rather expensive. Come along, Mr. 
 Fanshawe. You shall report on her with- 
 out prejudice, while we leave Mr. Esking 
 to his studies." 
 
 Meantime, George had been making 
 such progress towards intimacy as he 
 could. Hilda had known him for several 
 years slightly, and though not caring for 
 him in the least, he was the only young 
 man she ever spoke to. Instinct will have 
 its way. Hilda saw his absurdities quite 
 well, and felt no interest in his character ; 
 but male admiration was not disagreeable. 
 
 It could not be questioned that the 
 youth was clever. He had taken honours, 
 he held a fellowship, he wrote occasionally 
 for a leading newspaper, and he worked 
 hard at the bar, with prospects already 
 opening. This was his theme at the 
 moment when, after some airy sarcasms 
 directed at the uncertain temper of foolish
 
 132 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 women, through the particular Instance 
 of Kate Fanshawe, he began serious 
 conversation. 
 
 '' Do you know, Miss Esking, I meant 
 to call at Little Thorburns to-day, without 
 a pretext avowable, when your fathers 
 blessed note came to my relief. In fact, 
 that was my purpose in running down. I 
 return to-night." 
 
 "Indeed!" Whether the exclamation 
 referred to his Intention or his departure 
 was left unexplained. George took It as 
 applying to the former. 
 
 ''Yes," he continued. ''I used to think 
 that I did not want sympathy, and for the 
 case of failure I still cling to my opinion. 
 I have tested It often enough." 
 
 "We understood that you never failed." 
 
 " I have encouraged that Idea by con- 
 cealing my disasters, but they have been 
 numerous, comparatively. However, when 
 a piece of unexpected luck befell me yester-
 
 GEORGE GENEST. I 33 
 
 day, I found myself quite as weak as other 
 people. The judge complimented me 
 
 In open court, Miss Esking, the bar 
 congratulated me, and the solicitors made 
 an emphatic note. They say In the 
 Temple that my fortune Is made." 
 
 " I am very glad to hear It. So you 
 came down to tell Mr. Genest ?" 
 
 '' Yes, and to carry the news to Little 
 Thorburns. It Is a pilgrimage for 
 
 sympathy. Miss Esking. Do I find 
 
 It ?" 
 
 " Certainly you do. We have hardly 
 any friends, and to learn that one of them 
 has made a success Is doubly gratifying." 
 
 "Will you drop the plural, then? Mr. 
 Esking Is always good and kind. I would 
 rather hear that you feel an Interest." 
 
 The earnest tone was not to be mis- 
 understood. Hilda had Iouq- known that 
 his regard for her was growing Into pas- 
 sion. Girls we read about but never see —
 
 134 THE TREASURE OF THOREURNS. 
 
 I speak from my own experience — would 
 have found an opportunity to let the young 
 man understand that his suit must be hope- 
 less. Hilda did not seek it, nor even 
 desire it ; perhaps because her nature was 
 still unawakened, and she did not compre- 
 hend the importance of the matter. When 
 the opportunity came, a hint seemed 
 enough. Looking into his troubled eyes, 
 which the everlasting glass could not make 
 ridiculous under this excitement, Hilda said 
 calmly : — 
 
 " I shall always feel interest in your 
 good fortune, Mr. Genest, whether at the 
 bar or in your private affairs, even though 
 we should never meet again." 
 
 "Why do you put it so? We shall 
 meet again — frequently. Your condition 
 makes me uneasy." 
 
 " I have no reason to think that you 
 will not find me at Little Thorburns, 
 whenever you like to call, from this
 
 GEORGE GENEST. 135 
 
 time until I die, and I am always 
 pleased to see a friend." 
 
 "You don't think of leaving it, then?" 
 '' No. I don't see why I ever should." 
 George had a reason to urge, most 
 potent in his eyes, and he was about to 
 press it, disregarding the hint. But Hilda 
 had made use of his preoccupation to 
 turn, without attracting her companion's 
 notice, and at this moment they came in 
 view of Mr. Genest and Hubert at the 
 hall door, scrutinising a powerful young 
 horse. 
 
 " My cousin has a good eye," she said. 
 "That's a fine creature, but it looks 
 vicious, doesn't it ?" 
 
 "Why, it's Bay Leaves! Do you care 
 much about your cousin's cervical verte- 
 brae, Miss Esking? The governor forgets 
 that it is not a case of sale, and the 
 maxim caveat emptor does not apply. 
 However, if you wish, I will interfere."
 
 136 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 ''Certainly I wish! Is Bay Leaves 
 dangerous ?" 
 
 " Not In harness, though very Hvely. 
 But the sight of a saddle distracts her." 
 
 ''Then pray Interfere! I am not un- 
 concerned about Hubert's neck, but my 
 own Is quite an abiding anxiety with me. 
 Cupid Is not to be trusted when Psyche 
 — or, In English, Bay Leaves — becomes 
 distraught." 
 
 Mr. Genest explained that the new horse 
 was not to be ridden, and If speed and 
 power and good looks only were essential, 
 a finer or a better animal could not be 
 found. When the merits and faults of 
 Bay Leaves were Impartially explained to 
 Mr. Esking by George, he did not hesitate 
 to purchase. "We will settle the price 
 by ourselves, If you like," said the Squire, 
 exchanging a glance with his son. And 
 the elders withdrew together. 
 
 It Is needless to describe the mood In
 
 GEORGE GENEST. I 37 
 
 which Kate was found. Georee Genest 
 apologised volubly, Intermixing a few 
 remarks, sharp as thorns, emphasised by 
 the quizzical glass. Hilda was silent and 
 Hubert sullen. In a few minutes Mr. 
 Esking arrived, and they set off back. 
 
 "Well, father?'' George asked, eagerly, 
 as the carriage drove away. 
 
 '' He listened, my dear boy, and If I can 
 read expression he Is not unfavourable." 
 
 " But he said nothing ?'^ 
 
 "No. It was evidently a new Idea. I 
 am not dissatisfied by any means. And 
 what did you make of the girl .^" 
 
 " Nothing ! She gave me to understand 
 that the thought of marriage had never 
 occurred to her.", 
 
 " Then you are not dissatisfied either, 
 I suppose. If you did not put the business 
 more distinctly than we resolved? It's just 
 the answer r^ young lady should make." 
 
 "Yes, but Hilda meant It, and meant
 
 138 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 US to understand it, as serious. If you'd 
 seen the resolute look in her lovely eyes 
 you would not doubt that. How divinely 
 beautiful she is, father!" 
 
 "I go with you there. But Esking has 
 a calm, unembarrassed manner in drawing 
 a cheque for three figures which is even 
 more agreeable to my elderly taste. Don't 
 lose heart, George ! You have the field 
 to yourself, and the parent is not unkindly, 
 to say the least." But George was not 
 reassured. 
 
 On the drive back, Mr. Esking talked 
 quietly of things archaeological connected 
 with the Warrenage. He made no remark 
 on Kate's evident temper, nor asked a 
 reply from Hubert. Father and daughter 
 left them by themselves till dinner-time, 
 and during the meal they kept up an easy 
 conversation, with only formal reference 
 from time to time to their guests. Such 
 conduct in a man grave and thoughtful,.
 
 GEORGE GENEST. I 39 
 
 like Mr. Esking, was, In effect, a congd. 
 Hilda understood it so, and she felt cer- 
 tain that unless Kate apologised he would 
 express his meaning plainly within a short 
 time. Hubert also understood It, but he 
 had not the tact to avert impending mis- 
 chief After the extraordinary proposal of 
 last night, Mr. Esking could not afford 
 to quarrel. So Hubert indulged his own 
 vexation and sulked. 
 
 Hilda rose immediately after dinner. 
 When they entered the drawing-room Kate 
 threw herself Into a chair and sobbed 
 hysterically. 
 
 " If you will tell us what is the matter, 
 dear," said Hilda, ''we will do anything we 
 can to cheer you up. Are you unwell ?" 
 
 " I have been insulted by those Genests, 
 and you saw It, and uncle and everybody 
 saw it, and nobody stood by me or took 
 my part, or said a civil word. It's shame- 
 ful !" she sobbed.
 
 140 THE TREASURE OE THORBURNS. 
 
 " I am sure, Kate, neither papa nor I 
 saw you insulted. You gave Mr. Genest 
 a good deal of trouble, and put papa in 
 a false position. But I think he got out 
 of it very well." 
 
 "Got out of what?" she cried, fiercely. 
 
 " I say out of a false, ridiculous position. 
 At papa's request, for your convenience, 
 Mr. Genest brought up all his young 
 horses, a very handsome lot, as Hubert 
 admits, and you pettishly refused every 
 one." 
 
 Finding intimidation did not answer, 
 Kate returned to tears. 
 
 '' I did not refuse everyone, but you all 
 walked away before I could make a choice ! 
 I say it was shameful !" 
 
 "And I say, Kate, that such a word 
 was never addressed before to my father 
 or to me. Think seriously of what I tell 
 you now. My father is very indifferent 
 to conventionalities and forms. I can see
 
 GEORGE GENEST. I4I 
 
 that your conduct has offended him deeply, 
 and unless you explain he will certainly 
 pronounce his opinion In strong terms. 
 Come now, Kate, It Is easy to make an 
 excuse ! Only say that you were unwell 
 and Irritable to-day, when you came down 
 In the morning, and papa will accept It." 
 
 "I shall tell no falsehood! It Is for 
 you to excuse yourselves." 
 
 *' If you take that line " Hilda 
 
 paused. 
 
 ''We had better leave the house, you 
 mean : 
 
 " I really think you had ! Good night !" 
 
 An explanation hardly less decisive had 
 been reached in the Charter Room, 
 whither Mr. Esking retired when the ladles 
 had gone. He plunged Into business forth- 
 with. 
 
 '' Have you thought of the matter I 
 hinted at last night, Hubert .^" 
 
 ''About the Treasure at Thorburns ?"
 
 142 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 '' Yes." 
 
 " I have considered your suggestion, 
 uncle, and I don't like It at all." 
 
 ''You are quite right. It was a passing 
 fancy, which, of course, does not bear a 
 moment's reflection In the light of day. 
 I mixed my whisky a little too strong 
 last night, perhaps. Tell me, nephew, 
 does your wife often Indulge the humour 
 she showed to-day ?" 
 
 " Kate has rather a quick sense of 
 personal dignity, and the Genests were 
 quite rude, uncle." 
 
 "Were they? I did not observe. My 
 cheque-book tells me that her resentment 
 fell a little heavy on me." 
 
 " I thought you wanted the horse." 
 
 " I wanted a horse, but not at Mr. 
 Genest's figure. But you have not 
 answered my question ?" 
 
 "My wife has a warm temper, I 
 must admit."
 
 GEORGE GENEST. 1 43 
 
 "And you cannot control it? How 
 often do these outbreaks occur, on an 
 average, in the fortnight ?" 
 
 *' What do you mean, uncle ?" 
 
 " I mean that this is a quiet, studious 
 house, nephew. That life is short, and I 
 cannot waste half a day in executing 
 commissions for a lady who is not grate- 
 ful, but quite the reverse. I mean more 
 than that. It is unpleasant to observe 
 that one of my family has so little 
 command in his own household that a 
 member of it can venture to behave as 
 your wife did to-day." 
 
 "You are very hard upon me, sir! 
 said Hubert. 
 
 " I am vexed at the loss of money, 
 for needless expenditure is loss ; and I 
 am disappointed in you. After that gallant 
 action with the dogs I thought my nephew 
 a hero, and I find him a hen-pecked 
 husband. For the sake of your own
 
 144 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 happiness in the future I recommend you 
 to drop the part, but in any case, if you 
 stop the fortnight with me, take care we 
 have no more demonstrations of this sort." 
 
 *'We do not wish to stay in any house 
 on conditions, uncle." 
 
 '* Very well. But understand that I do 
 not mean this unkindly. I shall not bear 
 any malice, nor alter the arrangements I 
 contemplated in my will, as advised at 
 present. But if your submission to your 
 wife causes me any annoyance I shall 
 take what steps I may to punish her and 
 you." 
 
 His tone was impressive, and his look 
 made Hubert understand. The proposal 
 of the night before was to be kept secret, 
 on pain of forfeiting all interest in his 
 uncle's property. He did not reply, and 
 left the room.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN, 
 
 '' I THOUGHT I recognised your figure a 
 mile away! Glad to see you again, Eldred, 
 after a twelve months' separation. Is it 
 by accident we meet here ?" 
 
 " Petrus Ericsen outspanned at my farm 
 this morning, and told me you were on 
 the way. So I rode out to surprise 
 you. 
 
 "That's a good boy! Is there any 
 danger .^" 
 
 " Not a bit. And how are you. Uncle 
 David ?" 
 
 " Old, Eldred. I wanted to see you 
 again, badly, before I grew older. You're 
 well ?" 
 
 VOL. I. L
 
 146 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 " I'm an elephant ! There's nothing 
 more : 
 
 " Isn't it enough that I longed to 
 behold my nephew and the future head 
 of the family ? He would not come to 
 his uncle, so his uncle goes to him." 
 
 " Indeed I am happy. You know we 
 are desperate anxious for news here, and 
 I thought you had heard something," 
 
 " Not of the kind you expect. Nobody's 
 coming to hang you all yet, so far as 
 I know." 
 
 "There'll be shooting when they come." 
 
 "I'm sorry to hear you say that. Aren't 
 you disgusted with the freebooting lot .^" 
 
 " I've nothing to do with them, uncle. 
 There's no district In the Colony quieter 
 than this, so far as I know. We have 
 a Veldt-Cornet, but he never comes near 
 me, and the Kaffirs seem friendly 
 enough In my neighbourhood. Anyhow, 
 as for filllbustering, Uncle David, the
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 147 
 
 whole country from this to Simon's Bay 
 belonged to the niggers at one time, 
 .and I don't know that there's any Boer 
 in It, English or Dutch, who has a 
 better right to his lands than I have. 
 Some Christian took them, and sold them 
 to another — whether It was a century 
 ago or last year makes no odds. I've 
 bought every morgen I have, fair and 
 honest. Let every man settle his own 
 score ; I answer for mine." 
 
 ''All right, my boy! Don't get warm 
 before we've shaken hands !" 
 
 ''We'll do It now, Uncle David — this Is 
 the last outspan before you get to my 
 place. All I mean to say Is that If any 
 meddling people come here to rob me of 
 my lawful property, I'll fight, whether 
 they're English or Transvaal." 
 
 The creaking wagon stopped. Eldred 
 Thorburn dismounted, unsaddled, 'cast his 
 horse loose, and watched It roll in the
 
 148 THE TREASURE OF THORRURNS. 
 
 sand ; then turned to shake hands with 
 his uncle, who had clambered down. 
 They offered a curious contrast. The 
 younger was very tall, almost gigantic, 
 and big in proportion ; his dress of home- 
 spun, loose and flowing, had a colour 
 indescribable. Under a torn felt hat of 
 unknown antiquity, his hair, nearly white 
 with bleaching of the sun, fell in tangled 
 ringlets below the shoulder, twisted by 
 the wind of a long gallop round an ostrich 
 feather, which princesses would have ad- 
 mired. The sunburnt features were very 
 handsome, the unkempt moustache, almost 
 snowy by contrast, did not quite hide a 
 firm but pleasant mouth ; the eyes, of 
 palest blue, had a falcon's keenness and a 
 falcon's calm. A combination he presented 
 of Dutch and English types by no means 
 uncommon in South Africa among those 
 families which have good blood on either 
 side.
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 1 49 
 
 David Thorburn, on the other hand, 
 was small, neat and dapper ; good-looking 
 for an old man, well-dressed, sharp of 
 expression. Though his skin was tanned, 
 of course, it had not the roughness which 
 an open-air life produces in that land of 
 burning plains and everlasting whirl of 
 dust ; the hands, small and shapely, bore 
 no mark of toil. One recognised the 
 successful trader at a glance. 
 
 It has been mentioned incidentally that 
 the two younger brothers of Captain Thor- 
 burn had completed the ruin of his old 
 house — the finest part of it, at least — by 
 burrowing in search of the Treasure. 
 They chose the Banqueting Hall for the 
 scene of their operations, guided by some 
 remains of a structure vastly more ancient, 
 which a local archaeologist identified at the 
 base of the Elizabethan walls ; — family 
 traditions recorded that nearly every part 
 of the mansion had been explored at one
 
 150 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 time or another, and when this enthusiast 
 wrote an account of his discoveries, It 
 seemed to Ralph and David that they had 
 found the secret at last. The Banqueting 
 Hall had crumbled in part already, and 
 their researches so weakened the rest that 
 it fell with a crash one stormy night. 
 
 Captain Thorburn was on foreign ser- 
 vice, and they did not wait his return. 
 Borrowing from anyone who would lend, 
 they sailed for Cape Colony, where a kins- 
 man had some status in the public service. 
 He did what he could ; set Ralph to 
 manage a farm near Caledon, and found 
 David a place in the Post Office. Both 
 did fairly in a modest way, taught pru- 
 dence by disaster. Ralph bought some 
 land presently, and then married the heiress 
 of a Dutch wine-grower. Only one child 
 survived out of many, the heir-presumptive 
 of Thorburns. 
 
 To him w^as given the very best education
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. I51 
 
 that could be secured in South Africa at 
 that time — no great thing, In truth. The 
 most useful study he made was a good 
 knowledge of English. Ralph insisted on 
 this above all things, and took pains him- 
 self to use good language before the boy. 
 In later years Eldred forgot his careful 
 training, but when need arose he un- 
 consciously slipped back Into early habits. 
 David also did well, gained the con- 
 fidence of his chiefs, and had laid by a 
 few hundreds when the Diamond Fields 
 were discovered. The authorities appointed 
 him to be Local Organiser at Klip Drift ; 
 and then he found his opportunity. Too 
 wise to Invest In digging, he turned over 
 his few hundreds every day In the 
 purchase of gems, and In bringing up 
 country such goods as were saleable, at 
 an enormous profit. Within three months 
 after organising the department he resigned^ 
 and gave himself to trade.
 
 152 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 David sent for his brother, but the 
 invitation found him on his deathbed. 
 After settHng his father's affairs, Eldred 
 went up, but with no idea of trafficking. 
 Both uncle and nephew held, as an article 
 of that law which regulates the eternal 
 fitness of things, that the heir of Thor- 
 burns must not deal in money. He might 
 work with his hands, shear sheep, gather 
 grapes, make wine, and sell the results of 
 his husbandry. But he must not trade. 
 
 Eldred was put into a first-class claim 
 at Gong-Gong, then at Dutoitspan, and 
 then, as the diggings opened out, at New 
 Rush. He worked hard, and made a deal 
 of money, all of which was handed to his 
 uncle. He refused to call it his own. This 
 young fellow, in fact, did not understand 
 the value of any coin above the useful 
 shilling. To talk to him of making a 
 fortune was to speak an unknown tongue. 
 He had land and a vineyard at home, horses
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 1 53 
 
 and oxen. Of what use is cash to one 
 granted these advantages by Providence ? 
 Diamond-seeking has no permanent in- 
 terest for one who holds such views. 
 When the novelty of the scene and the 
 employment were worn out, Eldred Thor- 
 burn experienced a new feeling. He 
 began to be bored. Fast life, as it is 
 known upon the Diamond Fields, had 
 not the slightest charm. He disliked sit- 
 ting to drink, and an uncongenial habit 
 he would never seek to acquire, as so 
 many do, at the cost of suffering. Even 
 gossip at the bar-counter was wearisome, 
 for Eldred did not understand half the 
 allusions, and to lounge idle under a roof 
 annoyed him. For cards he had the 
 strongest aversion, not on principle, nor 
 even because, in his secret soul, he thought 
 it would be much more amusing to grab 
 the stakes and fight for them afterwards. 
 More serious was the fact that men sat
 
 154 "THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 down to play generally at an hour when 
 he wanted to sleep, and the cards multi- 
 plied this inclination a thousand fold. 
 They compelled his attention, and he 
 was not used to attend ; losses and gains 
 do not excite a man to whom sovereigns 
 or counters are equally conventional. And 
 there was no other sort of fast life in 
 that desert which appeals to one who 
 knows himself the heir of a line im- 
 memorial, and respects himself as such. 
 Eldred Thorburn enlisted in the 
 Diamond Fields Horse, and served a 
 campaign. That was a most valuable 
 experience in every way, but it did not 
 produce the abiding effect which Uncle 
 David hoped. He learned to speak 
 English better — or rather, more tiuently — 
 and he picked up some knowledge of the 
 world. It did not shock this young man 
 to serve as a trooper, under command of 
 persons who, to say the least, held no
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 1 55 
 
 such position as belongs to the heir of 
 Thorburns. He did his duty loyally and 
 obediently until the day the force was 
 disbanded ; then, a free citizen once more, 
 he punched the heads of half-a-dozen 
 personages who had not shown him due 
 respect. It was done without violence, 
 just so emphatically as to point the moral. 
 But from that proceeding certain conse- 
 quences followed, which made a longer 
 stay on the Fields disagreeable. After so 
 many months of an exciting life, Eldred 
 disliked the notion of returning to his 
 sleepy home at Caledon. One of the 
 Bechuana Fillibusters chanced to pass, 
 through at the time, and from him the 
 young man bought a farm, granted partly 
 on compulsion and partly on sale, by the 
 chief of the unfortunate Batlapins. The 
 freebooter's name was De Villiers, but he 
 would have been much surprised to hear 
 anyone pronounce it otherwise than "Filjie."
 
 156 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 Eldred did not sympathise with the 
 filHbusters; his views upon the sacred right 
 of property were as strong as could be. 
 Only, in a general sense, he did not admit 
 that laws apply to niggers, and for this 
 case in particular he did not trouble about 
 the question, after satisfying himself that 
 his title deeds were correct. A person 
 duly authorised had put Filjie in posses- 
 sion ; another person who habitually per- 
 formed such acts had countersigned the 
 transfer ; Filjie sold his rights, the sale 
 was registered and stamped by somebody, 
 who took his fees ; and Eldred inquired 
 no further. He would not have robbed 
 the blacks himself, but after paying for 
 land acquired by means which were no 
 affair of his, he meant to keep it against 
 all interference. 
 
 The scene around those two is sadly 
 familiar to South African travellers ; if few 
 have beheld that very landscape, they
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 157 
 
 have seen others precisely similar day by 
 day for weeks, or it may be months. A 
 rolling expanse of earth, which would be 
 called sand elsewhere, stretched, unbroken 
 by tree or thicket, to bare flat-topped 
 hills. It was covered with grass, but the 
 blades sprang so thinly that the red soil 
 showed between, and fierce sunshine had 
 burnt them to a dull, grey hue. That 
 was the tone prevailing everywhere, on 
 earth or in the sky, for its blue was 
 obscured by the radiation of a heat 
 scorching and keen as the flame of a 
 blow-pipe. The season was near mid- 
 summer, and few flowers appeared, though 
 the dry stalks and withered tassels on 
 every side bore token that the desert had 
 been a parterre some weeks ago. Columns 
 of light sand danced over it now, rising 
 suddenly, waltzing a hundred yards, and 
 sinking mysteriously as they rose. All 
 round the horizon spread mirage, which
 
 I 58 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 ■seemed to reflect the hills in a sheet of 
 pellucid water, with sedgy, shallow banks, 
 or wooded Islets dotted over it. A mile 
 teyond the halting - place stood Filjies 
 Kloof, where the rocky barrier closed in 
 Avith a sweep from either hand, leaving a 
 narrow pass between two crags. Naked 
 they were at summit as the towers of a 
 ■giant fortress, as square against the sky 
 and as abrupt in outline ; but round their 
 feet lay massed a pile of debris, fallen in 
 the course of ages, densely clothed with 
 thorn-bush and withered grass, which 
 filled every interstice of the huge boulders. 
 On all sides antelopes were grazing, many 
 thousands of them, hundreds within pistol 
 shot. 
 
 To such a view David Thorburn had 
 been accustomed for many years, and it 
 did not strike him. Some kinds of game, 
 rare now in the Colony, attracted his eye 
 for a moment. " Those are wilde-beests
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 1 59 
 
 playing yonder, I suppose ?" he said, care- 
 lessly. 
 
 ''Yes, I shot one," Eldred answered in 
 the same tone, ''for your breakfast, uncle, 
 before starting." 
 
 "The kloof is a dangerous bit of road, 
 isn't it T' David continued, with more 
 interest. 
 
 " Dangerous enough if it were held in 
 force. An army could not pass unless they 
 had guns." 
 
 "You've not chosen a safe place for your 
 farm, Eldred." 
 
 "As safe as any other round about. The 
 kloof does not count for much any way. 
 If the Kaffirs wished to attack me, they 
 would advance against the homestead. 
 They might sit in the kloof till Doomsday 
 for all I care." 
 
 " But they would close the road, wouldn't 
 they ?" 
 
 "And what then?" Eldred answered,
 
 l6o THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 laughing. "You are thinking of your 
 post-carts, Uncle David. We don't use 
 such conveniences in this neighbourhood. 
 I've received your letters by hand, three 
 in nine months, and the men who carried 
 them were the only visitors I have had till 
 Petrus Ericsen came In this morning." 
 
 ''Three letters? Why, I've written to 
 you every fortnight!" 
 
 "Ah, they're lying somewhere on the 
 road. But I'm just as much obliged to 
 you, uncle, and I feel ashamed to think 
 how seldom I have answered you." 
 
 " Then you haven't any suspicion, perhaps, 
 why I have come ? It's a long and trying 
 journey for a man of my age, Eldred." 
 
 " I had not thought enough of that. 
 Upon my word, uncle, I could not be 
 more pleased to see you, but I feel more 
 grateful. What's the news .^" 
 
 " That I'll tell when we get home. I 
 thought you did not pay enough attention
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. l6l 
 
 to my letters — or you might be dead or 
 ill. Coffee's ready. How far is your place 
 beyond the kloof?" 
 
 '' Not an hour." 
 
 They drank coffee, and smoked a pipe, 
 talking of the fields and life there, of 
 politics, English and Colonial, so far as 
 they concerned Eldred's position. His 
 uncle took a larger Interest, of course, 
 but the world of Europe was utterly 
 foreign to this young man. Thorburns 
 made a subject of which he never tired, 
 but his mind did not accept it as con- 
 nected with England — -England and Europe 
 at best were connected with it. 
 
 Then the oxen were yoked, and David 
 climbed back to his mattress spread In 
 the wagon. He travelled comfortably with 
 his ''leader" from Mozambique, his Hot- 
 tentot driver, his body servant and cook, 
 coolies of Madras, two led horses and 
 two Hottentot grooms. David had been 
 
 VOL. I. M
 
 1 62 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 rich now, and considered, for half a dozen 
 years or more. Old ways of thought had 
 returned, and he took to himself such 
 luxury as befits a Thorburn, though of 
 late generations they had not enjoyed 
 it. 
 
 Eldred mounted and led the way, his 
 rifle slung behind him. He had no fear, 
 though the kloof, as they approached It, 
 seemed more and more convenient for 
 an ambuscade. David had Imagined that 
 the filllbusters, and those who bought, 
 their lands, lived In hourly peril, and so 
 imagining, it was really a gallant act to 
 pay this visit. Rumour assured him that 
 Monkoroane was arming, Montsola was In 
 the field. He had reason to know that 
 these alarming statements were not wholly 
 false. But his nephew on the spot, who 
 was no simpleton, did not seem to recognise 
 the slightest danger Impending ; the Kaffirs 
 might rise, no doubt, since they had prove-
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 1 63 
 
 cation, but nothing threatened for the 
 time. David's wagon was a perambulating 
 armoury ; a safe conduct from Monkoroane 
 lay handy in his pocket. He resolved not 
 to mention these precautions. 
 
 They passed the defile safely, and on 
 the other side found a scene exactly cor- 
 responding to that in the rear — the same 
 rolling waste encircled by mirage, with 
 hills above, the same crowd of antelopes, 
 as it appeared, grazing, sporting, curiously 
 pausing to look. The single difference was 
 that the fiat - topped barrier of cliffs did 
 not close in ahead, so far as one could 
 see, and the desert bore signs of human 
 occupancy. A herd of sheep and goats, 
 commingled, disputed the antelope's pastur- 
 age ; a little group of brood mares, with 
 their foals, stood by a dam ; some oxen 
 grazed in the distance. The homestead, a 
 mud cabin whitewashed, had a patch of 
 green around it.
 
 164 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 '' It doesn't look grand at all," said 
 David. " I don't think of the beginnings 
 of Rome when I survey your property, 
 Eldred." 
 
 He laughed. '' If that fact doesn't 
 distress you, uncle, I vow it's all the 
 same to me! I'm busy, and I shall get 
 something for the place when sale day 
 comes." Eldred had never entertained a 
 doubt that Thorburns would fall to him. 
 
 " The time Is very close," his uncle 
 replied, significantly. 
 
 They reached the homestead, which 
 proved to be even rougher than David 
 had thought from his distant view of it. 
 There were but two rooms, of twelve feet 
 square or so, the only ornament white- 
 wash, and the only furniture a bed, a 
 board on tressels, and a seat which had 
 been a box. The first chamber was 
 Eldred's, not to count a pair of lambs ; 
 that behind was occupied by an old
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 1 65 
 
 Hottentot woman. The cookhouse stood 
 a few yards away, and therein slept 
 the two Bastard labourers who were 
 regularly employed. 
 
 "I'm glad you've brought your servants," 
 Eldred said. " My housekeeping is little 
 better than a Kaffir's, and not so clean." 
 
 There were things in the wagon that 
 speedily transformed the bare hut. In a 
 few minutes its walls were hung with 
 cotton cloth, the box seat was dismissed 
 to the other room, the lambs followed. 
 For his own lodging David had a tent 
 well-furnished, and he spared enough of 
 its plenishing to make his nephew's 
 chamber habitable for meals. The Mad- 
 rassi cook meanwhile took possession of 
 the wilde-beest's carcase, and in due time 
 served a variety of excellent dishes. Then, 
 over a cigar, they got to business. 
 
 '* I heard from my brother just after 
 you left the Fields," David began.
 
 1 66 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 ''So I gathered in a letter that reached 
 me. 
 
 **Yes, the first time for thirty-eight 
 years, though he wrote to your father, 
 as you know. By-the-bye, did you get 
 an answer to your communication men- 
 tioning his death ?" 
 
 " Not a word." 
 
 ''Well, he wrote me pleasantly enough — 
 I have all the letters here, and you may 
 read them for yourself. They show that 
 my brother has been ill for a long while, 
 and in sad embarrassments. I sent him 
 money at once. In acknowledging it he 
 told me his affairs in part, but it is only 
 of late that I understood exactly how he 
 stands. A Mr. Esking, who bought the 
 cottage they call Little Thorburns, has 
 advanced him four thousand pounds on 
 mortgage of the old place and what land 
 remains. It was a liberal arrangement, so 
 far as I can gather the circumstances, but,
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 1 6/ 
 
 in effect, Esking gets possession of the 
 house at Eldred's death unless, which is 
 utterly impossible for him, the mortgage 
 be paid off!" 
 
 ''Good Heavens, uncle!" 
 
 " And the event is not far off by last 
 
 reports. So I did what was necessary, 
 and came to seek you, as you did not 
 reply to my letters." 
 
 "But — Thorburns gone! Why, it is 
 mine at Uncle Eldred's death! I thought 
 by English law he could not leave it away 
 from me, if he wished !" 
 
 "The property has never been entailed. 
 He could leave it or sell it, and in fact he 
 has sold it for four thousand pounds, if 
 that sum isn't repaid with interest within 
 a certain space of time after brother dies. 
 I don't know how long." 
 
 " I will sell everything I have, Uncle 
 David ! If that's not enough, you will lend 
 me the balance, won't you ?"
 
 1 68 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 "It would be very much more than 
 enough, my boy. The proceeds of the 
 diamonds you found and gave to me, I 
 have always regarded as your property, and 
 how much do you think it stands for now, 
 in my books ?" 
 
 ** I never thought of it as mine, but the 
 sum must be a good deal if you let me 
 regard it in that way. Five thousand 
 pounds, perhaps, with the value of the 
 claim." 
 
 " Nineteen thousand, six hundred and 
 forty-nine pounds, seven shillings, and six- 
 pence, Eldred ! I have used the money 
 and turned it to good interest. But that 
 is beyond the matter. What was needful 
 I have done on my own account. By 
 the last mail, before starting on my 
 journey, I sent to your uncle's solicitor 
 — who is Mr. Esking's solicitor also — a 
 draft for four thousand pounds, and an 
 authority of my agents at Capetown to
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 1 69 
 
 draw one thousand pounds for Interest. 
 So that Is right, even If poor Eldred 
 dies suddenly, as his last letter gives us 
 to expect." 
 
 " Yes, that's right — I mean about the 
 cash. But won't you go home now, 
 uncle ?" 
 
 ** I am too old ; but you must go." 
 
 '' Without you ? I think 1 should pine 
 for a breath of the veldt !" He pointed 
 through the open door. "Is there any- 
 thing like this In England ?" 
 
 David laughed. *' Nothing In the very 
 least like It, but there are compensations. 
 Now, my boy, In his last letter Eldred 
 sent me a copy of his will, leaving all 
 to you " 
 
 " Then, If the mortgage Is paid off, 
 there's no hurry for me to go." 
 
 '' I fancied you loved Thorburns almost 
 as much as we do ?" 
 
 " If It was only that, I'd walk all the
 
 I/O THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 way. But England, uncle, and English- 
 men! I've seen plenty of them, you 
 know, and they're poor creatures to live 
 with." 
 
 ''If I must answer seriously, I should 
 say that you have never seen them in 
 their proper surroundings. But it's silli- 
 ness! I'll tell you, Eldred, why you must 
 leave at once with me." 
 
 ''Why, what is to become of my farm 
 and stock ?" 
 
 " Bosh ! You may drive the cattle along, 
 and w^e'll sell them as we travel. Now, 
 listen. You know that one of your an- 
 cestors buried a Treasure at Thorburns 
 which has never been found .^" 
 
 "Oh yes, I know that!" 
 
 " Read the letters presently. You will 
 find that Eldred thinks this man Esking 
 had a purpose beyond friendship in lending 
 the money. He is what they call in 
 Europe an antiquarian, one who studies
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. I7I 
 
 old things and puts them together. I 
 know the sort. Eldred has a notion that 
 Esking knows, or thinks he knows, where 
 the Treasure Hes, and that Is why he 
 wants to get Thorburns Into his possession. 
 Now, my brother seems to be dying, poor 
 fellow. There's no time to lose. He 
 urges me to pay off the mortgage, If 
 possible, but though that Is done, we 
 must not leave the house unoccupied for 
 an hour ?" 
 
 '' Is It unoccupied now ?" 
 
 "An old sailor has charge of It, but I 
 know nothing of him. Esking is rich- 
 He could buy up an army of caretakers. 
 Besides, he may die. You must go, and 
 there's an end of It !" 
 
 Eldred was discontented with the pros- 
 pect. The abstract idea of going ''home" 
 pleased him continually, but he would 
 have liked to keep It always abstract. The 
 Treasure did not appeal to his Imagination.
 
 172 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 Though It had been hard cash, Eldred 
 would not have felt excited about It ; but 
 for old things — from his youth up he had 
 wondered silently what all the fuss was 
 ..about. 
 
 This was a typical Africander, of the 
 best sort, and David knew how to deal 
 with such. The Instinctive sense of 
 property Is a leading trait among them. 
 Interference with an owner's right stirs a 
 passion of jealousy. Upon this feeling 
 David worked, not In vain. If he did not 
 rouse his nephew to excitement. It was 
 only because Eldred could not fancy that 
 a man In his senses would try to steal a 
 lot of antique rubbish ; nor a wealthy man 
 would risk penal servitude for a store of 
 old coins. Imagination must be founded 
 on knowledo^e in such a case. The 
 Africander Is Incapable of understanding 
 the antiquarian. Therefore, though the 
 suggestion of robbery moved him, he could
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 1 73 
 
 not feel much alarm. However, it was 
 resolved that they should start next day. 
 
 Eldred wrote the letter to Simmons, 
 which we have seen in an earlier chapter, 
 and sent it to the nearest post-office, 
 fifty miles away, or thereabouts, in the 
 Free State. One of his uncle's grooms 
 carried the missive, with a Bastard guide 
 from the homestead. Then Captain Thor- 
 burn's letters and will came under dis- 
 cussion, and so the day passed 
 
 Next morning there was game to shoot 
 for the day's provision — a care which 
 might have seemed superfluous where a 
 buck may be shot at any moment from 
 the doorway. But human nature is the 
 same everywhere. An Englishman does 
 not think of offering his guests a battue 
 of sparrows, and the Africander regards 
 common sorts of antelope in the same 
 way. He seeks the rarer species, which, 
 in truth, are better eating ; and they are
 
 1 74 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 few and shy. It cost Eldred a long 
 gallop and some hunting craft to secure 
 a harte-beest, while David looked on with 
 interest. They rode back with fine ap- 
 petites, the disembowelled carcase slung 
 behind. 
 
 The Mozambiquer came in, while they 
 ate, to announce that a horseman was 
 approaching at top speed from the north. 
 Such an event had not been paralleled 
 since Eldred's arrival ; he got up at once 
 to see. 
 
 "It's Petrus Ericsen, uncle! From the 
 way he is risking his neck among the 
 mercat holes, I should fancy he has some 
 news !" 
 
 " The Batlapins have risen !" cried 
 David, hurrying out. " I know it ! 
 
 Inspan, James! Saddle my horse! Look 
 alive !" 
 
 Eldred laughed. " More likely, someone 
 is hurt at Beaujeans, and Petrus is galloping
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. I 75 
 
 to fetch old Groethode. He'll want to 
 change horses ! Send one of the Totties to 
 bring in my grey, James." But he did 
 not feel quite easy. Petrus knew that 
 veldt, and was aware that the part through 
 which he rode at a headlong gallop was 
 undermined by marmot and mercat. It 
 must be grave news of some sort he 
 carried. 
 
 -By ! He's down!" 
 
 Eldred was looking away at the moment 
 — he turned quickly and ran. Ericsen's 
 horse was struggling to his feet, but the 
 rider lay prone, a huddled figure. Eldred 
 knew too well the meaning of that atti- 
 tude. In a few moments he reached the 
 spot. Petrus was dead — his neck broken. 
 What was the alarm that made him risk 
 such a fate would never be told in this 
 world. 
 
 David came up panting as the young 
 man rose from his knee.
 
 176 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 ''Didn't he say a word? This is 
 terrible !" 
 
 *' We have only to bury him. Poor 
 fellow !" 
 
 " Bury him ? There's no time for that. 
 The Kafhrs have risen, I tell you, and 
 there are more than he lying stark on this 
 veldt ! Quick, James !" David shouted. 
 " Leave the tent and everything. Inspan 
 the wagon as it is !" 
 
 '' But, uncle " 
 
 " I know they have been buying arms, 
 and — look at the dead man's hands ! 
 They're covered with dry blood ! And 
 his horse is wounded — see !" 
 
 He ran back, whilst Eldred examined 
 the corpse. There was no trace of a 
 wound upon it, but the backs of the 
 hands were smeared, as if a plastering of 
 blood had flaked away on that desperate 
 ride. He looked at the horse which 
 stood quiet with its head down, breathing
 
 FILJIESFONTEIN. 1 77 
 
 with deep and hurried exhalations ; upon 
 his hind legs and withers trickles of gore 
 were conspicuous, proceeding from a tiny 
 puncture which Eldred's experience de- 
 clared at once to be a rifle-shot. He 
 returned thoughtfully, the horse following. 
 
 The Hottentots were Inspanning ; the 
 coolies bustled about ; David stood by 
 the stirrup, calling Impatiently. 
 
 " Let your people follow with the 
 wagon, Eldred ! The grey Is saddled — 
 we'll go ahead ! Quick, man ! The 
 Kaffirs are up !" 
 
 " It may be so, uncle, but there are 
 a thousand other chances that would 
 account for what we see." 
 
 "I tell you I know! Don't argue, 
 but mount !" 
 
 Eldred looked round. It was hard to 
 leave so suddenly the small crops just 
 ripening, the cattle, the hut lately rebuilt, 
 which he would never see again. But 
 
 VOL. I. N
 
 178 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 David grasped him feverishly by the 
 hand. 
 
 " Beyond that cursed kloof I'll listen 
 to you ! Come now !" 
 
 With a sigh the young man clambered 
 into his saddle, and rode on, leaving the 
 wagon to follow them.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 ON THE VELDT. 
 
 They rode quickly towards the defile, 
 intending to await their baggage on the 
 further side. David Thorburn had no 
 •experience of peril from the blacks, after 
 two score years of residence in Cape 
 Colony. He was nervous and impatient. 
 
 '• Can't we avoid that infernal kloof, 
 Eldred ? Is there no way across the 
 open veldt ?" 
 
 '' There is, but if the Kaffirs have 
 risen — which, mind you, uncle, I don't 
 believe for a moment ! — the other road 
 will be more dangerous." 
 
 "How stupidly obstinate you are! Did 
 Petrus shoot his horse himself.'^"
 
 l8o THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 '' There are plenty of skellum niggers 
 who would take a long shot at a Boer." 
 
 *' But would he have galloped over a 
 veldt he knew to be rotten to tell you, 
 if it had been no worse than that ? No, 
 we're In an ugly mess ! I had more 
 than a suspicion before I set out !" 
 
 ''How good of you to come, uncle!" 
 
 " At every outspan they reassured me," 
 he answered, impatiently. " My affairs 
 are pretty straight, Eldred. If anything 
 happens, you will find the books and my 
 will and statement of accounts, which I 
 carefully drew up for you, at the Standard 
 Bank in Klip Drift. You'll be a rich 
 man, nephew. Thorburn of Thorburns 
 will hold up his head again. Don't look 
 for the Treasure, unless Esking or some 
 man like him advises you ; and don't 
 seek it under the house, anyway. Too 
 much mischief has been done already." 
 
 " Don't talk in that tone. If the Kaffirs
 
 ON THE VELDT. l8l 
 
 are waiting yonder we will both get 
 through or neither !" 
 
 " I know your loyalty. But if you see 
 me killed, Eldred — if you're certain of it, 
 ride away — don't trouble about my body ! 
 They may carve it as they like ! You 
 are the last of the old line. Remember 
 that countless ancestors are watching you 
 — perhaps," he added, with a pallid smile. 
 
 " If they are," said Eldred, firmly, '' I 
 will not disgrace them by riding away 
 when my uncle is down." 
 
 " But dead — I said dead !" 
 
 " Then I will avenge you ! Say no 
 more ! You see it's needless, for the 
 kloof is empty." 
 
 They were just entering its mouth, and 
 the distance before them was but two 
 hundred yards. It did not follow, as 
 Eldred well knew, that the Kaffirs were 
 not there because they had not yet 
 opened fire ; — thousands might be lying in
 
 152 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 that dense shrub. But he felt confident 
 there was no cause for alarm whatsoever, 
 and comforted his uncle with the first 
 argument to hand. The latter shook his 
 head, and glanced from one steep and 
 broken eminence to the other. 
 
 They went on, trotting briskly — It was 
 but a few minutes. David's heart was In 
 his mouth, to use that saying of old 
 experience when people drew an Image 
 from their own daily sensations. The 
 sandy path, clothed with burnt turf and 
 dry flower-stalks, turned sharply to right 
 and then to left ; — the view of the veldt 
 beyond opened before them — and nothing 
 happened. They passed the gates, and 
 saw a plain stretching miles away, lost 
 In mirage at an horizon unseen with a 
 pale shadow of hills above. 
 
 Though Eldred had not credited the 
 peril, his nature was sympathetic enough 
 to feel for another's terrors. For a hun-
 
 ON THE VELDT. 1 83 
 
 dred yards beyond the kloof he kept 
 silence ; then turned, laughing : — " You 
 see the " 
 
 As he spoke, David fell forward on 
 his horse's neck, and the same instant a 
 ball spun close by Eldred's ear — two 
 shots resounded. He caught his uncle, 
 and dragged him across the saddle-bow. 
 There was no need to look twice — a 
 bullet had entered beneath the neck- 
 piece of his sun-hat, and passed out by 
 the mouth. He was dead. 
 
 Eldred let the corpse slide gently down 
 to earth — turned, and rode back full gallop, 
 doubling as he went. Two bullets sped 
 by him, but the evidence of smoke curling 
 upward from points almost on a level with 
 the veldt was not necessary to assure him 
 where the murderers lay. That ball which 
 killed David came almost horizontally, not 
 from above. 
 
 He sprang off his horse at full gallop
 
 184 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 after receiving the shot — an accompHsh- 
 ment which every Boer possesses — and 
 running under its cover gained the foot 
 of a narrow sheepwalk, which led deviously 
 towards the summit inaccessible on his 
 left hand. Casting the steed loose, Eldred 
 mounted, under cover of great stones and 
 bushes, but exposed from time to time. 
 At his fastest pace he clambered up the 
 steep, panting and groaning under the 
 terrible exertion, but supported by the 
 stubborn firmness of the Boer. These 
 Kaffirs, or what they might be, would try 
 to escape, probably, since they were but 
 two to one, perceiving that the avenger 
 had reached orround above their hidino^- 
 place. 
 
 In a few moments he gained a level 
 spot some three feet square, whence the 
 slope below was commanded ; in following 
 a goat once he had discovered this path. 
 It was just time — two ragged blacks,
 
 ON THE VELDT. 185 
 
 carrying guns, had torn themselves free 
 from the lowest thorn-bush, and were 
 doubling back along the defile. Eldred 
 unslung his rifle, drew a heavy breath to 
 still the trembling of his hands, stood firm 
 as Iron for a second — and the foremost 
 dropped without a cry. 
 
 Quick as thought, the young man re- 
 loaded, but too late; — the remaining Kaffir 
 threw himself behind a rock, and left 
 not a trace. Eldred also took shelter, 
 keeping watch. So they remained for 
 nearly half-an-hour. The murderer could 
 not crawl away, for all round him, as It 
 chanced, there were bare openings, and 
 Eldred dared not quit his post of ob- 
 servation. He waited for his servants to 
 appear, but they had heard the shots 
 and were wrangling In noisy panic. 
 
 At length the big Mozamblquer showed 
 his face, pallid and working, at the bend. 
 
 " Take care !" Eldred cried In Dutch :
 
 1 86 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 but as he spoke a rifle cracked, and the 
 burly form staggered out, returning to 
 shelter In an Instant. 
 
 '' Are you hurt ? Is any one else 
 there ?" 
 
 ''All here, baas!" replied one of the 
 Bastards, " James shot through the neck. 
 What we do ?" 
 
 "That's Hendrick, Isn't It .^ Come up 
 here to me, you and Johannes, by the 
 track you know." In briefest words he 
 explained the position. 
 
 "All right, baas! We's coming." Twenty 
 minutes later, the two herdsmen joined 
 him, crawling on their stomachs. Eldred 
 gave them instructions, and they went 
 downward by the path he had ascended. 
 
 Then, after awhile, smoke rose upon 
 the other slope at the entrance of the 
 kloof A brisk wind was blowing, and 
 the flames roared along. Sparks flew as 
 though some great firework were blazing.
 
 ON THE VELDT. 1 8/ 
 
 and in three minutes the whole incline 
 had taken light — a fiery furnace from the 
 tall cliff above to the road below. 
 
 " Run, you others !" Eldred shouted 
 above the clamour. He was in deadly 
 peril himself, for the flames had caught 
 here and there upon his own side and 
 spread faster than a horse could gallop, 
 though it was more sheltered. But the 
 avenger stood his ground for moments 
 that seemed ages, until, through the smoke 
 and hurrying fire, he saw his enemy rush 
 forth. Then the watch was ended. He 
 did not even wait to mark the success of 
 an aim that never failed, but ran headlong 
 down. Scorched, blinded, his hair and 
 beard singed, his clothes a-fire, he reached 
 the veldt and rolled upon it. 
 
 The Bastards were there, chuckling in 
 contortions of delight. 
 
 "That Kaffir roasted, baas! Vultures 
 won't find a mouthful on him ! And, baas,
 
 1 88 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 David gone, too! Him lie there!" The 
 •one death seemed not less humorous to 
 these strange beinofs than the other. 
 
 Eldred went to his uncle's body, which 
 lay doubled up, as it had fallen from his 
 arm. There were no tools to bury it, and 
 ■days must pass before the wagon could 
 push through that red-hot defile— even if 
 it had escaped. He laid the dead man 
 out tenderly, removed his arms and his 
 papers, carried him to a deep dry sluit, 
 a water-course, and sought a bank there 
 above the reach of ordinary floods. The 
 quest led him far, while his Bastards 
 followed, grinning and nudging one another. 
 They meant no harm — it was but their 
 way to show interest and emotion. 
 
 The grave Eldred chose at length 
 would assuredly be washed away before 
 next spring, even if the jackals did not 
 find it ; but he had no choice. LavinQ^ 
 the corpse along, he kissed it tenderly,
 
 ON THE VELDT. 189- 
 
 and with his knife, his heavy boots, and 
 the barrel of his rifle, broke the soil 
 down upon it. That task was not long. 
 And then he looked to his own safety. 
 
 The horses had fled, and the antelopes 
 also, far beyond range. He was alone 
 upon the veldt, no white man nearer than 
 twenty miles, and he did not question 
 now that the Kaffirs were moving. Those 
 two men might be scouts of a force on 
 its way to occupy the kloof, through 
 which families returning from up country 
 would pass. If so, David's servants were 
 no better than dead men. 
 
 This idea passed through Eldred's mind, 
 but he paid no attention : had he been in 
 their case he would not have expected 
 others to think of him. It is needful 
 to show this young man's character as 
 training and events and mode of life had 
 formed it. I sketch only the people I know, 
 and the hero of romance, whose innate
 
 IQO THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 chivalry Is unaffected by circumstances, 
 Is a being I have not yet encountered. 
 Certainly he will not be found among 
 people who have been bred to danger from 
 their youth up. The teaching of that 
 school is emphatically, every man for him- 
 self He neither gives help to an able- 
 bodied comrade at his personal risk, nor 
 asks It. This Is not selfishness, and 
 assuredly not cowardice — but a simple 
 return to those laws which guide brute 
 nature when the conditions of human life 
 revert to the brutal form. One wild 
 animal does not aid another ; he saves 
 himself. But for his mate and for his 
 whelps he will die ; even for a helpless 
 comrade sometimes. Man goes a step 
 beyond. Including a wider circle of those 
 who may demand the sacrifice of his life. 
 No terrors or sufferings would have driven 
 Eldred to desert his uncle living, but for 
 the servants, though they had been
 
 ON THE VELDT. I9I 
 
 white, not so much as conscious pity 
 could be expected of him. Had they 
 asked his good wishes or his prayers, 
 such would have been granted willingly. 
 But, in the absence of a request, Eldred 
 did not even think of those unfortunates. 
 I say again, that my characters are not 
 heroic, still less romantic ; but actual men 
 and women, behaving and feeling as 
 human creatures do under the circumstances 
 made for them. 
 
 It was still early in the day, not yet 
 noon, but a false start in that waterless 
 desert might cost the wanderers their 
 lives, though the enemy did not over- 
 take them. The Bastards had taken rifles 
 and ammunition from David's armoury, 
 and had brought them off Whether 
 they would fight or no, it was impos- 
 sible to say — that might depend on the 
 humour of the moment. Starvation, there- 
 fore, was not to be feared, though drought
 
 192 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 was. The nearest neighbour, Groethode, 
 dwelt in his wagon ; he had built a 
 *'dam," of course, but no hut. If the 
 old man had taken alarm, and treked 
 away, he would let off the water, no 
 doubt, to inconvenience pursuers, so far 
 as might be. At that season, all the 
 streams, hollows, and almost all the rivers 
 were dried up, and where his next drink 
 was to come from Eldred had no idea. 
 Water there must be within such distance 
 as antelopes can travel, but that is a 
 very long stretch ; and neither he nor 
 the Bastards knew in what direction to 
 seek it. 
 
 Eldred resolved, therefore, to push on 
 towards Groethode's camp, some twenty 
 miles to the south-east. Three hours he 
 marched steadily, observing not a sign of 
 human life upon the waste, then halted, 
 shot a spring-bok, and devoured the flesh 
 half raw to check his thirst. Another
 
 ON THE VELDT. 1 93 
 
 long Stretch brought them within view of 
 the spot where Groethode's wagon stood 
 ■ — It was vacant ! The burning heat, the 
 dust, the anxiety, had withered Eldred's 
 tongue so that It rattled as he swore a 
 deep oath of horror and disappointment. 
 The Bastards were In better case, for 
 they had drunk the antelope's blood. 
 
 The cool and dusk of evening had set 
 In when the dam was reached. A hole 
 had been cut though It but the mud 
 was not yet dry, and shallow pans of 
 water lay here and there In the middle. 
 Eldred stripped and waded towards them, 
 but the slime was too deep. He threw 
 himself full length In Its black and foetid 
 surface, and took a mud bath. Inexpres- 
 sibly grateful, whilst the water, draining 
 into the hollow he made, promised him 
 drink. 
 
 He had not looked round carefully 
 before plunging in — the veldt for miles 
 VOL. L o
 
 194 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 was bare, and he assured himself only 
 that no Kaffirs appeared in sight. The 
 Bastards, less eager, were more observant. 
 Among the herds of game at a distance 
 they remarked the two horses, still saddled, 
 grazing peacefully. A glance and a grin 
 were signals enough ; — when their master 
 lay down, losing sight of them, they 
 stole away. 
 
 The horses would not be caught, how- 
 ever ; after trying for a while, driving 
 them away from the dam, the Bastards 
 ventured a call. It was low and wary, 
 but Eldred heard and understood — heroes of 
 romance probably would not. Struggling 
 to his feet he regained the solid earth 
 and seized his rifle, which the blacks, 
 armed already, had not thought to re- 
 move. They were just grasping the reins, 
 Ave hundred yards off. 
 
 '' Bring them in !" Eldred roared. '^ Gallop, 
 you dogs, or I fire !" He covered them.
 
 ON THE VELDT. 1 95 
 
 "Yes, yes, baas!" cried the distant 
 answer. 
 
 ''Turn this way! Gallop!" 
 
 One of them mounted and obeyed — the 
 other busied himself on the far side the 
 horse, moving along. 
 
 "Stop where you are, Hendrick!" — but 
 the Bastard still ran on, under cover of 
 the animal's flank. 
 
 "Stand!" Eldred shouted again. "One, 
 two — will you stand ?" 
 
 Johannes came up. "Hendrlck's a skellum, 
 baas! He's gang to Kaffirs at Tauns !" 
 
 In fact, a rifle, a saddle, and a horse 
 made temptation too strong for resistance 
 by any Bastard, when troubles in the 
 neighbourhood promised him impunity. 
 Hendrick had more nerve than his com- 
 rade. He trusted to the protection of 
 the animal's body, but more to the fading 
 light, and kept moving away. Neither 
 help availed him with a man who could
 
 196 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 shoot to a hand's breadth at five hundred 
 yards. The horse plunged violently and 
 bolted ; Hendrick lay on the veldt with 
 both legs shattered. 
 
 "See to him, Johannes!" Eldred cried, 
 and started, naked as he was, in pursuit 
 of the flying steed. It was his favourite 
 grey, happily, which obeyed the master's 
 voice as soon as the moment's panic had 
 subsided. 
 
 " This Bastard dead stuff to-morrow^ 
 midday," said Johannes. 
 
 It was evidently true, unless a surgeon 
 came to his assistance ; and an angel's 
 visit was more probable. They carried 
 him to the dam, bound his wounds up, 
 left him some food, his rifle and am- 
 munition, and rode away. Neither re- 
 proaches nor prayers were uttered during 
 these operations. Such is the fortune of 
 war. 
 
 The others rode on till midnight with
 
 ON THE VELDT. 1 97 
 
 brief outspans ; then they slept two hours, 
 Eldred making his grey He down, and 
 reposing beside it. The full moon enabled 
 them to travel almost as fast as by day. 
 They thought the danger had been left 
 behind now, since the Kaffirs doubtless 
 were advancing from the north-west, if it 
 was their movement which Petrus Ericsen 
 had ridden to announce. Groethode also 
 was retiring in the opposite direction, for 
 his wagon-wheels guided the horsemen on 
 their midnight ride through the trackless 
 veldt. But a sudden discovery enlightened 
 them. 
 
 In the clear, calm radiance of the 
 moon, distant objects are almost as con- 
 spicuous as in the brilliant sunshine of 
 South Africa. A long way off Eldred 
 remarked two forms ahead, like black 
 stones, lying directly in his front. Very 
 soon he made them out, unslung his 
 rifle, and advanced cautiously, pausing at
 
 198 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 a little distance. There was no reply to 
 his shouts nor movement. "Dead fellows!" 
 said Johannes, relieved. 
 
 Dead they were, and mutilated. Eldred 
 recognised his uncle's groom and the 
 guide he had furnished to show that 
 Hottentot his way to the Free State 
 post-office. They had been murdered,, 
 and within a very few hours. In return- 
 ing from their errand, no doubt. Horses, 
 arms and clothing had vanished. 
 
 " Kaffirs up, baas !" Johannes exclaimed^ 
 his small eyes rolling. "They're on this 
 road ! See, baas ! Groethode's wagon pass 
 before them fellows killed — see ! they's He 
 thwart the track !" 
 
 " Groethode Is driving his sheep and 
 oxen," said Eldred, thoughtfully. "Dirk 
 must have met them, and he'd talk with 
 the herdsman. Why didn't he stop ?" 
 
 " Dirk don't foot a trail. He cross 
 any veldt straight as lines. As like as
 
 ON THE VELDT. T99 
 
 not he's travel by Bean's kloof and 
 strike road right here." 
 
 ''Bean's kloof? Of course! Do you 
 know that track, Johannes ?" 
 
 " I's gone it once with Dirk. Bad 
 
 country for wagons sluits deep ! But 
 
 horse travel easy if him fetch right line." 
 
 ''And how far is it to Weenengrond 
 by Bean's kloof?" 
 
 " Six hours, baas !" 
 
 It would have been useless to ask why 
 Johannes had not suggested this road 
 before ; amazing as is the instinct of the 
 Bastard Hottentot, his proceedings are 
 unaccountable. 
 
 " Then go ahead !" Eldred exclaimed. 
 
 They left the wagon track, heading for 
 the misty and mysterious hills upon their 
 left. But very soon the young man paused. 
 
 " Do you hear anything ?" he asked. 
 
 " Shooting yonder," Johannes replied, 
 calmly. " I hear it good while."
 
 200 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 "Where? How far off? How many 
 guns r 
 
 '' Three mile, maybe — straight ahead on 
 old track. Half-dozen, I think, baas !" 
 
 Eldred hesitated. Old Groethode was 
 no friend, but he had a wife and children. 
 *' I think," from a man of Joahannes' 
 race, is enough to go upon with confi- 
 dence. If the assailants were so few, it 
 would not be charitable only but judicious 
 to disperse them. The thought of the 
 children decided Eldred. He returned to 
 the road and galloped on. 
 
 It was more than three miles, but the 
 Bastard's notion of distance is vague, and 
 his expressions vaguer. The firing reached 
 their ears now distinctly, but it was rare 
 — single shots at a few moments' interval. 
 Presently they came in sight of the 
 wagon, its stained and ragged tilt gleam- 
 ing silvery in the moon. Eldred drew 
 up to reconnoitre, marked two or three
 
 ON THE VELDT. 20I 
 
 flashes at the level of the ground, and 
 one from the vehicle. Then there was 
 a pause, and he advanced, trotting gently. 
 On a sudden the fire re-opened, much 
 nearer the wagon, and several rifles 
 cracked simultaneously. He guessed the 
 position, and charged, shouting. Three 
 Kafflrs sprang from the earth and fled ; 
 three more, almost under the wheels, crept 
 out, following with savage cries of dismay. 
 Eldred threw himself off his horse, and 
 before they were lost to sight dropped 
 two, remounted and approached. 
 
 '' I am deeply obliged to you, sir ! Do 
 you speak English ?" 
 
 Eldred was astonished to see a gentle- 
 manly young fellow descend from the 
 wagon. He answered with a question. 
 '* Where's Groethode ?" 
 
 " He rode away and left me." 
 
 '' But his wife and children ?" 
 
 '' They all rode away, begad, and my
 
 202 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 Kaffirs as well, on my own horses. I 
 thought it was all over with me, sir !" 
 
 "Why, for that matter it was, in about 
 two minutes, I should think." 
 
 ''Not quite so soon," the gentleman 
 replied, rather indignant. " I have kept 
 them off for an hour. 
 
 ''Do you think you hit any of them?" 
 
 " I hope so. I am a good shot." 
 
 Eldred had the Africander's profound 
 contempt for English marksmanship, and 
 this young man was emphatically English. 
 
 " There were six who ran away," he 
 said. 
 
 " Indeed ? I thought I had disabled 
 three." 
 
 "It was those three who had crept 
 under the wagon, and were just climbing 
 into it." 
 
 "You don't say so! Really, I'm very 
 grateful ! You have saved my life, sir ! 
 May I ask to whom I am indebted ? My
 
 ON THE VELDT. 205 
 
 name is Mendel — Arthur Mendel and I 
 am travelling for amusement." 
 
 The tone was not affected, though It 
 seemed so to Eldred, but such as birth 
 and training form In a certain class of 
 English gentlemen. He answered Im- 
 patiently, " My name is Thorburn. Did 
 you sleep well last night ?" 
 
 "Very well, thank you," Mendel replied, 
 astonished. 
 
 *' Then perhaps you could keep watch 
 whilst we lie down for an hour ? Have 
 you any water ?" 
 
 " Plenty, and spirits, too !" 
 
 ''Water is what I asked for." 
 
 Mendel anxiously brought forth a beaker 
 and a tankard, silver, engraved with arms and 
 inscriptions ; Eldred's contempt increased. 
 
 "The name of Thorburn is familiar to 
 me, somehow — oh, yes, I recollect. A 
 distinguished acquaintance of ours — Mr. 
 Esking — bought a property from Captain
 
 204 THE TREASURE OF THOREURNS. 
 
 Thorburn, of Thorburns. A relative, 
 
 perhaps ?" 
 
 " My uncle," Eldred answered, briefly. 
 The name of Mendel was familiar to 
 him also, and he remembered, at length, 
 that David had consigned his money to 
 Mendel's Bank at Shuttleton. 
 
 After a deep draught — how blessed only 
 he could fancy who had gone through 
 some such labours and anxieties as had 
 befallen Eldred that day ! — he made his 
 arrangements, cautioned Mendel to keep 
 awake, to report any movement, and to 
 have an eye on Johannes ; then threw 
 himself upon the sand and slept. 
 
 Long before sunrise they were astir, 
 riding towards Bean's kloof. " I am sorry 
 to dismount your man," said Mendel. 
 
 "He is used to be dismounted, but if 
 you're so kind it's easy to ride and tie 
 with him." 
 
 *' I will," the other answered, simply,
 
 ON THE VELDT. 205, 
 
 and Eldred looked at him with interest, 
 though It was contemptuous. In truth, such 
 generosity towards a Bastard is absurd. 
 Johannes would have walked the horses 
 very nearly to a standstill if necessary. 
 
 The moon was still bright enough to 
 travel by In safety. Half-a-mile on the 
 back-track, Mendel said — 
 
 •' There's something yonder, Mr. Thor- 
 burn. Isn't it a man lying down ?" 
 
 '' Very likely. The Kaffirs ran In that 
 direction." 
 
 " Then — oughtn't we to go and see 
 what it is ?" 
 
 '' Quite unnecessary. That Kaffir will 
 not trouble you any more." 
 
 '' You think he is dead .^" 
 
 "Or badly hurt." Speaking In Dutch 
 he asked Johannes, who replied, " Dead," 
 promptly. Eldred repeated the Bastard's 
 opinion. 
 
 " But shouldn't we go to see ? He may
 
 206 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 be only wounded, you know, and if dead, 
 it's our duty to bury him, I suppose." 
 
 '' Bless my soul and body !" cried 
 Eldred in amaze. '' Do you recollect that 
 this man was killed in the attempt to 
 murder you ?" 
 
 '' Oh, yes ! But he's our fellow-creature, 
 you know, although black." 
 
 This was silliness beyond comprehension, 
 but Eldred recognised the spirit of it, 
 .and replied, without mockery, '' How do 
 you propose to bury him ?" 
 
 "Ah, I forgot that! But I think there 
 are spades in Groethode's wagon." 
 
 Feather head and good heart made a 
 •combination new to Eldred's experience. 
 A fool he knew, and even a humani- 
 tarian, but the two characters in one 
 person had not hitherto presented them- 
 selves to his notice. He remarked the 
 phenomenon with curiosity, and said, 
 carrying Mendel along —
 
 ON THE VELDT. 20"J 
 
 " If that Kaffir had succeeded in his 
 attempt a few hours since, do you think 
 he would have buried what was left of 
 you ?" 
 
 " Oh, no, of course ! But gentlemen 
 should set an example." 
 
 " I understand that your servants ran 
 away and stole your horses ?" He did 
 not point the connection more sharply, 
 and Mendel didn't see it. 
 
 ''Yes. Mr. Groethode and all his 
 family set off without saying one word 
 to me, and my men followed. I could 
 have shot them, I was so vexed !" 
 
 '' Do you intend remaining long in this 
 country ?" 
 
 '' I think not. The fact is, Mr. Thor- 
 burn, my people take great interest in 
 South African affairs, and late events 
 have excited them. I came here partly 
 for my own amusement and partly to 
 observe upon the spot the disgraceful
 
 208 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 proceedings of the fillibusters. I have seen 
 
 quite enough to " He caught himself 
 
 up hurriedly. " Do you live in these 
 parts ?" 
 
 '' My farm adjoins Groethode's," said 
 Eldred, gravely amused. 
 
 "Oh, I thought the fillibusters were 
 all Boers ! But as I say, I have seen 
 enough ; and I've had some good sport 
 also. I shall go home now." 
 
 ''If we get through safe, I think you 
 had better." It was not meant unkindly, 
 but ElJred felt that the conclusion was 
 abrupt, and he began to feel considerate 
 towards this young man. His amend- 
 ment, however, did not correct the slip. 
 
 ''The fact is, Mr. Mendel, that you 
 are too good for this frontier. I should 
 advise you to return to your comfortable 
 home without delay, where, if a man 
 murders you, he will be duly tried before 
 execution, and buried in consecrated
 
 ON THE VELDT. 209 
 
 ground afterwards. By - the - bye, does 
 Groethode speak English ?" 
 
 "A little." 
 
 "Ah, enough, apparently! And I sup- 
 pose your Kaffirs knew enough to follow ?" 
 
 *' They spoke very well Indeed. But I 
 don't see quite what you mean ?" 
 
 " Why, to put It frankly, I suppose 
 they thought as I do, that you had 
 better leave the country. Only they were 
 not particular how you left It." 
 
 ''You mean that I'm a greenhorn? 
 Really, Mr. Thorburn, I don't think I 
 am. 
 
 "Then I'm satisfied to take your word 
 for It," said Eldred, kindly. 
 
 " Anyhow, I won't be a greenhorn any 
 more." 
 
 "That's a serious change. There's no 
 harm In greenness, but a deal, may be, 
 In the other thing. Where do you live 
 In England ?" 
 
 VOL. I. P
 
 2IO THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 ''My father is head of the principal 
 bank in Shuttleton. Mr. Esking I spoke 
 of is one of our cHents." 
 
 ''A man of worth?" 
 
 ''Mr. Esking? Oh, quite! We are 
 all proud of him." 
 
 "And rich?" 
 
 " Very, I believe. Not being connected 
 with the bank I cannot say precisely, 
 but, on the other hand, I am free to 
 talk." 
 
 This was good news. "And Mr. 
 Thwaite, of Shuttleton. Do you know 
 him ?" 
 
 " Perfectly — the first solicitor in our 
 town. We have some acquaintances in 
 common, it appears ?" 
 
 " I don't know those gentlemen." 
 
 Eldred's tone did not invite his com- 
 rade to persevere, and they rode in 
 silence. By this time it was daylight, 
 and the sky began to glow. In a few
 
 ON THE VELDT. 211 
 
 moments it shone with tints of opal 
 from the zenith to the horizon. There 
 was no need to look behind for the 
 sunrise. Their backs were warmed as 
 with flame, and their lone shadows fell 
 blue and clear ahead. 
 
 ''That's Bean's kloof, baas!" said Johannes; 
 " Vasson's homestead yonder!" 
 
 Eldred pulled up and looked keenly in 
 the direction suggested. 
 
 ''Give me your hand," he said to 
 Johannes in some excitement. " Put your 
 foot in my stirrup. Now look !" 
 
 " I think Kaffirs burn Vasson's place, 
 baas !" This talk had passed in Dutch. 
 
 " Now, Mr. Mendel — you're wounded." 
 
 "Only a scratch. What is it .^" 
 
 "Well, if you're a greenhorn there s 
 good stuff in you. Come, I'll do as you 
 please. The Kaffirs are plundering that 
 house down yonder. It isn't necessary 
 for us to interfere with them," — he asked
 
 2 12 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 Johannes. "No, It Isn't necessary! Now, 
 give the word." 
 
 " I say ' Charge !' " 
 
 "So be It!" 
 
 They galloped. A column of smoke 
 was rising, and a score of Kaffirs busied 
 themselves about the homestead. As the 
 horsemen appeared, they ran, firing long 
 shots. 
 
 " Don't reply, Mr. Thorburn. Pray 
 don't." 
 
 " I'm under your orders." 
 
 "No, I forgot ! Blaze away !" and 
 Mendel began to shoot ; Eldred did not 
 follow his example. The hut was blazing 
 at every point when they reached It. 
 
 " Vasson got away safe ; there are his 
 wagon tracks ! and he took his cattle 
 with him. Now, If we get through the 
 kloof, Mr. Mendel, we are well out of a 
 scrape." 
 
 " The Kaffirs don't seem to be In
 
 ON THE VELDT. 213 
 
 such numbers, and they don't fight as I 
 expected." 
 
 " Batlapins are a Bastard lot. But 1 
 suspect that all these parties are loafers 
 of the neighbourhood. The main body 
 is far behind." 
 
 "Killing and burning.-^ Let us go 
 back !" 
 
 Eldred laughed heartily — a very frank 
 and pleasing laugh, which to Mendel 
 sounded curious upon such a theme. 
 Then he recollected his uncle lying 
 beneath the load of soil, and grew 
 serious. 
 
 They passed the kloof, and reached 
 Weenengrond, a tiny settlement on Free 
 State territory. Deep excitement reigned 
 there, for Vasson had arrived with his 
 report of the outbreak. At the post- 
 office they dismounted, amidst a little 
 group of Boers, who had been listening 
 in gloomy silence, as their manner is, to
 
 2 14 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 his tale. Eldred told what he knew, In 
 Dutch, of course, whilst Mendel stood 
 beside him. Suddenly the latter fell 
 forward. 
 
 "Why, he's sopping with blood!" cried 
 a bystander; ''look at his boots!" 
 
 They carried him indoors, and examined 
 him. A ball had passed through his leg 
 from side to side, and the back of his 
 head was gashed by a bullet. He had 
 bound up his hurts, but the bandages had 
 slipped. Eldred saw the wounds were 
 not dangerous in themselves, but they 
 caused a great bleeding. 
 
 He looked at the insensible figure be- 
 fore him. Very young Mendel seemed, 
 very slender, fairly good-looking, but quite 
 the reverse of manly in the sense that 
 Africanders accept. Gentleness and refine- 
 ment were the characteristics prevailing. 
 He remembered faces of that type among 
 English officers with whom he had served.
 
 ON THE VELDT. 215 
 
 They knew Eldred at Weenengrond, 
 and In virtue of his prowess rather than 
 his mlHtary experience, they offered him 
 the command of their laager — It had been 
 decided forthwith that the people of the 
 settlement must go Into laager on the 
 veldt near by. Eldred ridiculed the 
 notion. ''There Is no danger," he said. 
 "Go about your business In peace! The 
 Batlaplns will have had fighting enough 
 before they threaten Free State soil. I 
 shall remain with this young fellow until 
 he can sit a horse again." 
 
 Mendel had recovered from his fainting 
 fit. "Oh, thank you, Mr. Thorburn," he 
 whispered, " I wish you would come home 
 with me !" 
 
 " Why, that Is likely enough, If you 
 can pay a visit to KImberley on the 
 way. I am bound for England, but there 
 Is some business I must transact before 
 starting."
 
 2l6 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 '' I will wait with pleasure, but don't 
 leave me. These fat giants with their 
 great beards, and long hair, and hard 
 little eyes, are more awful than Kaffirs !" 
 
 " I think I am the biggest here," said 
 Eldred, laughing, "and I have the biggest 
 beard and longest hair" — he forgot his 
 recent singeing. 
 
 "Ah, but you are an English gentleman 
 under disguise !" 
 
 "All right, my boy! Go to sleep! In 
 three days you will be able to start for 
 Kimberley by wagon. A week there will 
 suffice, I hope, and then for England !"
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 
 
 When Hubert Fanshawe came down, on 
 the third morning of a visit which was 
 to last a fortnight, Mr. Esking was 
 alone in the breakfast - room. He asked 
 after Kate with becoming warmth, and 
 listened with interest to the reply. Hubert 
 thought all was forgotten, and recovered 
 his spirits ; but in due time, after ful- 
 filling the claims of hospitality, Mr. Esk- 
 ing proceeded with undiminished calm- 
 ness : — 
 
 " It has occurred to me, Hubert, that 
 the sudden departure which you proposed 
 last night may be inconvenient- " 
 
 '• I proposed nothing of the kind, uncle !"
 
 2l8 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 ''Didn't you? Well, let us put It, the 
 sudden departure that suggested Itself." 
 
 'Mt didn't suggest Itself to me ! I don't 
 wish to leave you ! Quite the reverse !" 
 
 *'Then I will make no qualification," 
 said Mr. Esking, with a smile which 
 showed, If I can analyse It, good-natured 
 composure, a little Impatience for his 
 nephew's dullness, and firm resolve. " It 
 has occurred to me that your sudden 
 departure might cause Inconvenience to 
 yourself, or to Kate, or to my sister, or to 
 all three. I should be distressed to think 
 that the visit had resulted In any shape 
 or form of annoyance.. Therefore, my 
 dear nephew, I beg your acceptance of a 
 little present which will enable you to 
 pass the time elsewhere with more gaiety 
 than we could possibly have offered you." 
 
 Hubert's brow was heavy with passion; 
 but he glanced at the cheque Mr. Esking 
 offered, and it cleared considerably.
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 2ig 
 
 "Your hints are not to be misunder- 
 stood, uncle. May I hope that you 
 bear no ill-will towards us for my wife's 
 behaviour yesterday ?" 
 
 " Not in the very least ; why should 
 I ? Mr. Genest was quite reconciled as 
 soon as he got my money ; he would 
 be delighted to entertain your wife every 
 day on the same terms. There is no 
 ill-feeling in that direction, and I really 
 wanted a horse ; the price was a little 
 heavier than I could have wished, but 
 that's not serious. Oh! no, Hubert! I 
 have been much interested in your con- 
 versation, and Kate's also. We part with 
 the kindliest feeling on my side." 
 
 Hubert did not understand. 
 
 *'Our feelings towards you, uncle," he 
 said, "are quite as warm. Under those 
 circumstances, is it necessary to part ?'' 
 
 " It will be better, I think. We have 
 made a pleasing acquaintance, and our
 
 2 20 THE TREASURE OF TIIORBURNS. 
 
 mutual sympathy will not be lessened by 
 distance." Mrs. Fanshawe appeared. " I 
 was saying, dear Kate, that the purpose 
 of your visit has been fulfilled greatly 
 to my satisfaction, and Hubert is good 
 enough to say to yours also. This is a 
 very dull house at any time, but especially 
 at this season, when seaside places and 
 others are so gay. I should think Scar- 
 borough must be charming now." 
 
 Kate had entered the room with an 
 air evidently expectant of circumstances, 
 prepared to smile and be friends in a 
 triumphant way if overtures were made ; 
 or to sulk over her injuries if Mr. Esking 
 persisted in his displeasure of over-night. 
 Nothing worse could possibly be expected, 
 for she had persuaded herself that Hilda's 
 warning was ridiculous, and her husband 
 had not ventured to tell her his uncle's 
 remarks. Therefore, this abrupt suggestion 
 made her gasp in amaze.
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 22 1 
 
 *' But, uncle ! Do you mean to turn us 
 out ?" 
 
 " Turn you out, my dear ? Certainly 
 not ! I think you will really find Scar- 
 borough more agreeable for a fortnight— - 
 but you will choose for yourself, of 
 course. Indeed, I should prefer the 
 Lake District personally, and your husband 
 is furnished with means to ensure com- 
 fort wherever you go." 
 
 Her face became so threatening that 
 Hubert hastily presented the cheque. 
 '* See how liberal our uncle is, my 
 dear !" 
 
 Kate was not so angry that she could 
 not glance at the figure, but, handsome 
 though it was, the utmost money could 
 do was to check the full expression of 
 her rage. 
 
 "You are turning us out, Mr. Esking," 
 she said, with an evil smile. "And I 
 am only grateful that you do it so
 
 222 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 graciously. I shall never forget It — never ! 
 Hilda, my dear, you were quite correct, 
 and I beg pardon humbly for doubting 
 your thorough knowledge of your papa's 
 character. We are turned out — with a 
 cheque ! And we're going to Scarborough 
 to enjoy ourselves for the time we were 
 to have passed here !" 
 
 ''That's very judicious!" said Mr. 
 Esking, with cheerful composure. "You 
 must not think that I recommended the 
 Lake District. There are many trying 
 incidents that may befall a tourist there. 
 Bring in breakfast, Armstrong. The 
 weather alone," he added, rising, *'is so 
 uncertain, and the company one meets 
 seldom proves agreeable on a wet day. 
 Scarborough, I have understood, is always 
 pleasing to ladies. A kidney, my dear ? 
 And when do you propose to start ?" 
 
 Kate was suffering. She dared not trust 
 herself to answer, daunted by the firm
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 223 
 
 and hard resolve, the recklessness, the 
 indifference to anything which she or all 
 the world might say, of a man from 
 whom they had great expectations — for 
 Hubert had told so much of the conversa- 
 tion last night. He answered for his 
 wife sullenly : — • 
 
 ''If Kate approves of Scarborough, we 
 must go early, I suppose ?" 
 
 '' Perhaps you had better. It is a 
 broken journey, though not far in a bee- 
 line. Armstrong, fetch the Bradshaw." 
 Though Mr. Esking never travelled him- 
 self, his rare visitors, always persons of 
 distinction, had constant need of Bradshaw. 
 And with the methodic thoughtfulness be- 
 longing to his disposition, he subscribed to 
 the great railway authority, and received 
 his volume every month. 
 
 '' I think," said he, turning over the 
 pages with skilled rapidity, "you had 
 better catch the train for York at Rowley,
 
 2 24 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 11-15 ^•^' What time Is it? That will 
 be a little too early for Kate, perhaps. 
 The next suitable is 1-30 p.m. Will 
 you decide for the 1-30 p.m.?" 
 
 Kate could endure no longer. '' Please 
 let us decide the order of our going for 
 ourselves, sir ! We will not cause you any 
 further trouble !" 
 
 The scene was inexpressively painful to 
 Hilda. In the long days and nights, 
 scarcely broken by an incident, of the 
 last three years, she had learned to 
 understand her parent — in his outward 
 manifestations of character, at least. Those 
 studies had not been conscious. She 
 neither watched, nor Inquired, nor re- 
 flected ; but the brain gathered knowledge 
 without effort. A father more absolutely 
 kind did not exist. He refused nothing, 
 spared himself neither trouble nor cost 
 to meet any wish of his daughter's ; In 
 truth, they had been very few and very
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 225 
 
 trifling. Demonstrations of affection Hilda 
 did not expect or miss, and perhaps her 
 affection was rather increased than lessened 
 by a coolness of tone when, in deeds, 
 love was so clearly proved. 
 
 She knew Mr. Esking, therefore, to 
 be hard of will and obstinate. That he 
 should turn out guests who offended him 
 was to be expected, but this cynical ease, 
 courtesy, and good humour shocked her. 
 Hilda would have expected a stern rebuke, 
 and an expulsion carried through In 
 another manner — more open, as one may 
 say. She could hardly have explained 
 the feeling, but It was a consciousness 
 that her father had depths under the 
 smoothness of his calm and resolute 
 bearing which she had not suspected. 
 
 But the proprieties must be observed 
 on her side. 
 
 " Papa does not understand these 
 matters, even so well as most men, 
 VOL. L Q
 
 2 26 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 Kate," she said. '' I shall be happy to 
 assist you in packing." 
 
 " I want no help of yours !" Kate 
 answered, wild with spite. 
 
 Mr. Esking said, gravely, as he rose 
 from table : " With my daughter's assist- 
 ance or without, I trust you will be 
 ready in time." 
 
 ** Really, uncle, I protest " 
 
 '' And I bid you remember, Hubert, 
 what I said last night. I spoke with a 
 full comprehension of your unfortunate 
 circumstances, and the revelations of this 
 morning add nothing to my knowledge 
 of your wife's disposition. Therefore, 
 between us, nephew, things remain the 
 same. It will be your fault if I change 
 my arrangements. Remember that!" He 
 left the room. 
 
 ''Oh, Kate, I am so sorry!" Hilda 
 could say no more. 
 
 " I am not. I am glad to leave the
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 22/ 
 
 house of a madman, and a boor ! What 
 fun It will be telling this story in 
 Shuttleton ! But no one will be surprised 
 .a bit, that's the worst of It !" 
 
 '' I really think uncle Is not quite 
 right, Hilda," Hubert said. '' That's the 
 only excuse I can make for him." 
 
 '' He does not want one luckily, for 
 that's quite wrong. But we won't go 
 into the question, please. I am very 
 sorry this has happened, and so Is papa, 
 I'm sure." 
 
 " I should like to make him sorry, and 
 you too ! Perhaps I shall find a means 
 in good time." 
 
 '' Don't blame Hilda, dear." 
 
 '' Oh, of course ! Perhaps you would 
 hke me to invite her to our house ? Oh, 
 certainly ! Pray come, dear Hilda, and I 
 will try to make you as comfortable as 
 your father has made us. Do ; and stop 
 a fortnight ! Trust my husband to see
 
 2 25 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 you are not turned out in three days if 
 he can help it." 
 
 " I have expressed my regret, which is 
 sincere, but I will say that your con- 
 duct " she interrupted herself. " Good- 
 bye, Kate ! Good-bye, Hubert !" 
 
 "Won't you give me a parting kiss " 
 
 Hilda left the room, longing for the open 
 air to blow away the influence of a woman, 
 silly and vulgar as malicious, and to re-string 
 her jarred nerves. She ordered Cupid. 
 
 So their cousin was not present when 
 Mr. and Mrs. Fanshawe left. But Mr. 
 Esking was, eager in a grave way, full 
 of solicitude for the visitors departing. 
 Hilda, preoccupied, had taken Jennings 
 with her, forgetting that he would be 
 wanted. Mr. Esking asked severely why 
 the coachman was not there, and when 
 his absence was explained, assured Kate 
 with emphasis that he should reprove his 
 daughter for her thoughtlessness in taking
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 229 
 
 him away ; meanwhile, they were per- 
 fectly safe with young Talboys, the groom. 
 And so on. Kate really believed him to 
 be mad or irresponsible, at least, but she 
 did not forgive on that account. 
 
 Hubert was more cheerful. For when 
 he penetrated to the Charter Room, an- 
 nouncing that they were ready, Mr. Esking 
 proved to be very agreeable. He had 
 been thinking of the small embarrassments 
 into which his nephew's unfortunate ''specu- 
 lations " had led him, and, having some 
 loose cash at the moment, he was pleased 
 to lend a round sum upon a note of 
 hand. The transaction did not occupy 
 hve minutes ; impatient as she was, Kate 
 observed no delay. But in that time her 
 husband obtained relief from pressing cares, 
 and Mr. Esking locked an I.O.U., pay- 
 able at sight, in the security, not of an 
 antique coffer, but of a modern safe, 
 warranted to resist anything.
 
 "Thank you, dear uncle," Kate said,, 
 as she got Into the brougham, "for a 
 very brief but very amusing visit. I 
 have told Hilda that I should like to- 
 repay your hospitality one day." 
 
 Mr. Esking smiled cordially, and bowed,, 
 and shook hands again through the 
 window. So they left Little Thorburns. 
 
 Lunch was a meal unknown in that 
 household, unless some stranger were 
 present. Hilda did not return till late. 
 After a walk and a survey of his glass- 
 houses and garden, Mr. Esking retired 
 to the Charter Room, not to emerge 
 till dinner was anounced, as a general 
 thing. He occupied himself in cataloguing, 
 arranging and annotating his collections. 
 This great work was in progress when 
 Hilda came back to her father's roof, 
 and it had been continued without inter- 
 ruption ever since ; but the results were 
 hardly yet perceptible, Mr. Esking's plan
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 23 1 
 
 in this matter was as thoughtful, his 
 execution as firm, as in all things else he 
 undertook. Assuredly he never ''pottered." 
 But the task would have found employ- 
 ment for a half-dozen industrious and 
 learned scribes. Nothing he had ever 
 studied did this man forget, and each 
 article in his museum thought worthy a 
 place in the catalogue suggested reference 
 to others. 
 
 From breakfast to dinner time, after 
 the stroll of inspection, Mr. Esking was 
 thus occupied daily. Few girls, even 
 good ones, could have endured the 
 loneliness, but Hilda did not seem to 
 feel it. She read no novels, which 
 indeed was a happy abstinence ; she did 
 not propose to help her father, she paid 
 no more visits to the housekeeper's room 
 or the kitchen than was necessary. But 
 if anyone supposed that her life was 
 dull, or she was stupid, it would have
 
 232 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 been a ridiculous mistake. Hilda dwelt 
 in the open air — winter and summer, wet 
 or fine, made no difference. When the 
 day was so bad that she could not leave 
 a shelter without annoyance more keen 
 than the enjoyment to be obtained, her 
 chair was set in the roofed passage lead- 
 ing from the older buildings to the 
 Charter Room. There she sat, possibly 
 read, or, less possibly, worked, content to 
 feel the wind and the dank vapours of 
 the garden. 
 
 For these, when the sun did not shine, 
 made her delight — or rather, her subsis- 
 tence. She did not *' revel," or disport 
 herself on the brightest day. The open 
 air was a necessity, not a luxury — that 
 is, it did not excite her, but without it 
 she could not live. Having it in full 
 measure, the girl could well dispense with 
 '' occupation." 
 
 This peculiarity interested Mr. Esking
 
 THE SPXOND PROPOSAL. 233 
 
 in a high degree. It was in his mind 
 when he said Hilda would have been 
 a Shield Maiden, perhaps, had she lived 
 fifteen hundred years ago. It matched 
 her fine figure, exquisite complexion, large 
 blue eyes, and wealth of golden hair ; it 
 belonged to the thoroughbred English 
 stock, so very rare among us now-a-days. 
 Had the instinctive want of open air 
 been missing;- in his dauQ^hter's character, 
 Mr. Esking would not have regarded her 
 with such pride as a specimen. That 
 present, he felt assured that all the other 
 virtues of the antique strain which he 
 valued much more deeply than the mon- 
 grel race of his contemporaries, would 
 appear on due summons. What these 
 were, to his conception, will be displayed. 
 At dinner he announced that Mr. 
 Genest had paid a call, bringing the 
 new horse. Hilda told what George had 
 said, how Bay- Leaves could not be trusted
 
 under the saddle, though reasonably quiet 
 In harness. A leisurely discussion of this 
 statement, with excursions into the arch- 
 aeology of the Warrenage, and the pedigree 
 of the Genests, carried them through the 
 meal. Mr. Esking knew infinitely more 
 about the place and the family than did 
 the Squire or even George, thanks to 
 his patient labour in the Muniment 
 Room at Thorburns ; and he had a way, 
 brief, but full of matter, in telling his 
 information, which always kept Hilda 
 attentive. 
 
 But when Armstrong had withdrawn, 
 the serious purport of Mr. Genest's visit 
 was declared. 
 
 *' It seems, my dear," said Mr. Esking, 
 "that George admires you very much." 
 
 " I know that, papa," she answered, 
 calmly. 
 
 ** Indeed? And what did you reply?" 
 
 " I had no occasion to reply exactly.
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 235 
 
 I let him understand that I did not care 
 for him in that way." 
 
 " I am sorry to hear it, my dear, if 
 you really meant that. It is a com- 
 pliment to a manufacturer's daughter. 
 Everyone would like to see the Genests 
 of the Warrenage occupying their old 
 position." 
 
 *' I should like it, certainly, for one," 
 Hilda said, smiling, "if the restoration 
 were not be carried out at my expense." 
 
 '' But George is a fine young fellow. 
 He will make a position for himself, 
 anyhow, and with the help you could 
 give, my dear, it would be a great one. 
 Think of it. You do not object to him 
 personally ?" 
 
 *' No, I don't object. What do you 
 mean, papa — that you wish me to marry 
 Mr. George Genest .^" 
 
 " You may put it so. Yes. He is 
 coming down shortly, and I should like
 
 236 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 lilm to be here a good deal, so that we 
 may observe him. I have Httle doubt 
 what the consequence will be In your 
 case." 
 
 " Nor have I, papa !" 
 
 "Don't make up your mind beforehand," 
 said Mr. Esking, with a little Irritation. 
 ''You will resist your own Instincts, I 
 know. If you do. Remember, I wish you 
 to like the lad, and give him the oppor- 
 tunity of pleasing your fancy. That's all. 
 As I say. If you do that, Hilda, I have 
 no fear of the result." 
 
 "Then It goes further than a wish with 
 you, papa ?" 
 
 " Not at present. Let the future take 
 care of Itself I distinctly desire you to 
 allow George Genest a chance, to think 
 of him as a possible husband, and to 
 treat him accordingly. Behave on that 
 understanding, my dear, and we can discuss 
 the matter in due time."
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 237 
 
 He retired, leaving Hilda in astonish- 
 ment and some distress. 
 
 The subject was not mentioned again. 
 A fortnight passed, and the young barrister 
 came home for the long vacation, which 
 he had hitherto spent upon the Continent 
 mostly. The day after his arrival he 
 called. It was an embarrassing moment 
 for Hilda, who suspected that he knew 
 Mr. Esking stood on his side, while she 
 remembered the words that had passed 
 in the grounds of the Warrenage. But 
 George Genest had many instincts of the 
 gentleman ; he was very deep in love, and 
 timid in this presence. His only action 
 which could possibly be thought to betray 
 a knowledge of the understanding between 
 their parents was a certain unusual assi- 
 duity in visiting Little Thorburns ; and that 
 Hilda must needs pardon. Her feeling 
 towards him did not grow warmer, but it 
 did not grow more cold. The "jumpiness,"
 
 238 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 which used to Irritate while It amused, was 
 repressed In some measure, as an abiding 
 interest took possession of his mind. 
 
 Setting the presence of her lover aside, 
 as she could easily do, Hilda found the 
 new state of things agreeable. George was 
 quick, well-informed, and rather droll In 
 conversation ; always ready to divert him- 
 self and others, prepared at a moment's 
 notice to suggest ''something to do." It 
 will be understood that such a faculty 
 would not hitherto have been useful in 
 Mr. Esking's house, but a change came 
 over It at this time. The antiquarian 
 almost abandoned his catalogue, spending 
 half his day with the young people, 
 driving to houses and scenes In the 
 neighbourhood, in charge of a picnic 
 basket, while they rode, listening with a 
 bland smile to the youth's rattle, justifying 
 his own presence from time to time, as 
 It were by a little lecture upon the points
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 239 
 
 of historical interest which made the pre- 
 text of their excursion. 
 
 Several weeks passed in this manner, 
 and Hilda began to form acquaintances 
 in the county. For they met a number 
 •of people by accident, all of whom George 
 knew, of course, and most of whom were 
 rather gratified by an introduction to the 
 rich and famous archaeologist, or to his 
 beautiful daughter, or to both. They 
 penetrated at least the outer wall of the 
 county circle, lunched with a peer of the 
 realm, and entertained a baronet with 
 pigeon pie, foie gras and champagne, 
 under his ancestral trees. George was 
 not jealous — in truth, he had no cause ; 
 but Hilda was surprised to mark that 
 these casual presentations were rather 
 sought by Mr. Esking. If the idea had 
 not been too absurd for acceptance, she 
 would have thought that her father actually 
 wished to get into society.
 
 240 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 One evening, as they entered the gate 
 of Little Thorburns, after a long day, 
 Simmons passed. He touched his cap to 
 George, scowled at Hilda, and grinned 
 maliciously at Mr. Esking, who was 
 seated In the carriage. 
 
 *' By-the-bye," said George, as he dis- 
 mounted, " I had a talk with that cranky 
 old fellow a day or two ago." He 
 paused to help Hilda from the saddle. 
 
 '' Did he say anything about the 
 threatened lawsuit.^" Mr. Esking asked. 
 '' I am getting anxious." 
 
 *'Oh, he has made up his mind to 
 leave that business until Thorburn's return 
 home." 
 
 "Is he really coming?" Hilda inquired. 
 
 "Quite seriously. Simmons heard from 
 him last week. His uncle Ralph is dead, 
 and he's only waiting to nurse a sick 
 friend at Kimberley. Then, Mr. Esking, 
 as Simmons hopes, he will let you know
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 24 1 
 
 what's what ; — the ancient mariner will be 
 rather pleased to learn what's what him- 
 self, I Imagine, for he seems very vague 
 at present." 
 
 George was staying to dinner, and he 
 entered the house. 
 
 '' Did you observe that Simmons had 
 no dog with him, Miss Esking ? The 
 solitary specimen which survived your 
 cousin's onslaught was heart-broken, so 
 he says — good for nothing ; and he 
 shot him." 
 
 ''What a brutal old man!" Hilda cried. 
 
 " He's wept tears of rum ever since, 
 and his only consolation Is that young 
 Thorburn will certainly add this Item to 
 his general account against you, sir." 
 
 Hilda withdrew to dress. 
 
 " Simmons had no exact Information 
 about the time of his master's arrival ?" 
 Mr. Esking asked. 
 
 " I'm sorry I did not pay more atten- 
 
 VOL. I. R
 
 242 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 tlon — the matter interests you, of course. 
 Egad, sir, I'll run after him, if you like. 
 There's plenty of time, for an able-bodied 
 snail would give the old fellow a start on 
 the road from your gate to Thorburns." 
 
 " I should be obliged. Dinner will 
 wait your return, of course." 
 
 But George was back without delay, 
 and he told his news at table, "I've a 
 whole budget," he began. " In the first 
 place, David Thorburn was killed by 
 Kaffirs. Doesn't that shock you. Miss 
 Esking .^" 
 
 " Shock me ? Men are killed every 
 day and every minute. Why should it .^" 
 
 " I don't know, I'm sure. The ways 
 of ladies are unaccountable — perhaps I 
 should rather say that their fashions are." 
 
 " How do fashionable women behave 
 when they hear that somebody they never 
 knew is killed by Kaffirs ?'' 
 
 " I believe they say generally, to begin
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 243 
 
 with, ' Poor fellow ! How sad ! How ' 
 
 Well, there they end." 
 
 " I can repeat all that — It's words ! 
 What do they do ?" 
 
 "Oh, they do nothing at all! As you 
 say, it's words! ' Pon my soul. Miss 
 Esking, you convince me without an 
 effort !" 
 
 ''Convince you of what?" 
 
 " Of the silliness of women in Pfeneral ! 
 Why should anyone think it necessary to 
 cry out because David Thorburn is dead? 
 I will carry the news round to-morrow 
 morning, and observe with a sweet smile 
 how our ladies take it." 
 
 " Please recollect a certain difference. I 
 was not affected on hearing of the sudden 
 death of a man whose existence was un- 
 known to me a few days ago. People 
 acquainted with Mr. David Thorburn will 
 naturally and properly feel more concern." 
 
 " Oh, I quite understand ! There are
 
 244 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 plenty of ladles in your case. I'll direct 
 my attention to them." 
 
 " But when is Mr. Thorburn coming 
 home ?' said Mr. Esking. 
 
 "It seems that this friend also was 
 hurt — In the same affair, I suppose, which 
 cost David his life — and he is lying at 
 Kimberley, young Thorburn nursing him. 
 He expected to get away in a week 
 from the date of his letter, but the 
 wounded man must travel slowly. It 
 might be a month after Simmons received 
 it that he would arrive " 
 
 "And when did Simmons receive it?" 
 
 "On Wednesday last. He has orders 
 to put the stabling into repair at once, so 
 that it may be dry when the heir comes, 
 and to do up the house. Thorburn 
 means to take his friend home before 
 entering into possession, and Simmons is 
 to hold himself ready to meet them at 
 Southampton."
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 245 
 
 " I hope we are not to be invaded 
 by an army of bricklayers and decorators 
 from Rowley," Hilda said. 
 
 "Oh, no! Except the stables, nothing 
 is to be touched in the way of repairs. 
 But Simmons is to clean and whitewash, 
 and all that." 
 
 " A dangerous commission to give to 
 an old sailor," Mr. Esking said. 
 
 ''We must not speak of Mummius and 
 Corinth in a lady's presence " 
 
 "Why not? I see the application." 
 
 " Anotner accomplishment! I was lost 
 in admiration already." 
 
 "To change the subject, George," said 
 Mr. Esking, "read the note which I 
 found waiting with Sir Philip Bohun's 
 card." 
 
 " An invitation to lunch at the Castle, 
 and survey it at leisure. Very ingeniously 
 turned ! I recognise the head of the 
 governess in her ladyship's composition.
 
 246 THE TREASURE OE TIIORBURNS. 
 
 * Lady Bohun will be uneasy until she 
 receives the assurance that an authority 
 so clistlngulshed as Mr. Esking Is not 
 satisfied with an outside view of her 
 house. This refusal of an Invitation to 
 see the Interior will lead Lady Bohun 
 to suspect the genuineness of various 
 memorials In which she has believed Im- 
 plicitly hitherto.' Very good for you, sir ; 
 and you, Miss Esking, have your little 
 paragraph. Tf Mr. Esking can prevail 
 upon his daughter to accompany him, he 
 will Introduce the fascination of youth to 
 the charms of antiquity !' Dear dame^ 
 and dearer governess !" 
 
 "That is magnanimous from you, Mr. 
 Genest," said Hilda, "for I do not observe 
 that you are invited." 
 
 "Oh, I am enfant de la maison at 
 Bohun Castle" he replied. " It would be 
 rather a slight to ask me. I hope you 
 will pfo, sir."
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 247 
 
 ** I will go with pleasure one day, but 
 not just now. We'll see about it." 
 
 Hilda rose, and the gentlemen passed 
 into the Charter Room. 
 
 " Your father will be distressed to 
 hear of David Thorburn's fate, George." 
 
 " Miss Esking's wise remarks give me 
 courage to speak frankly," he answered, 
 taking a cigar. '' Why should my father 
 be distressed ? All the Thorburns were 
 idiots, or next thing to it, except old 
 Hig, and David was peculiarly imbecile, 
 as I gather. This young fellow will 
 prove to be a curiosity, I expect — a 
 mixture of the fool and the boor." 
 
 '' My old friend Captain Thorburn 
 was very reluctant to speak of his 
 brothers " 
 
 '• Naturally, if he accepted a certain 
 text of Scripture in its literal sense. A 
 man could not respect the wisdom of 
 kinsfolk who burrowed under the founda-
 
 248 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 tlons of his home and brousfht half of It 
 to the ground. Why, David ThorDurn 
 had not the IntelHgence of a working 
 bricklayer !" 
 
 " It's rather odd that we never chanced 
 to speak of that incident, George. Do 
 they talk of the Thorburn Treasure In 
 the neighbourhood .^" 
 
 " Oh, yes, and awful nonsense they 
 talk about It." 
 
 "People believe In It, then?" 
 "Some do, some don't; and both are 
 equally absurd, to my thinking. In a 
 matter of which nobody has any informa- 
 tion, It's only a fool who believes or 
 denies." 
 
 " A very judicious frame of mind." 
 " The only good quality I claim," he 
 answered, laughing, " Is judgment. Why 
 should there not be a treasure at Thor- 
 burns ? Such discoveries are made every 
 day. If it Is asked, upon the other hand,
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 249 
 
 why there should be, In that old house, 
 rather than in the Warrenage, for instance, 
 I can only say that the tradition of 
 centuries has declared that there is a 
 treasure in the former place and not in 
 the latter ; the circumstances are re- 
 membered — probably you know them, sir ? 
 — and they are a sufficient reason in 
 themselves. But then, again, tradition is 
 a notorious liar. So, until better in- 
 formed, I keep an open mind." 
 
 " And you have done wisely up to 
 this. But I can give you that better 
 information. There is a treasure at Thor- 
 burns, and I know precisely where it lies." 
 
 " You don't say so, sir !" George cocked 
 his eyeglass with an extra twist, and 
 listened, not breathless at all, but in- 
 terested and yet more amused. 
 
 " I have in my possession the original 
 record of its deposit. I could drop a 
 plumb-line into the very middle."
 
 250 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 "Really! This becomes exciting! You 
 have the original record — how you must 
 long to drop that line — with a hook at 
 the end !" 
 
 '' Don't you ?" 
 
 "If I had your knowledge and your 
 tastes, sir, I should go out of my mind. 
 As it is, I would give something to be 
 present when the excavation is made. 
 You will tell young Thorburn, I suppose ?" 
 
 "He has robbed me, George — or rather, 
 his uncle did. I lent Captain Thorburn 
 a large sum, and maintained him till his 
 death, on the agreement that his house 
 should fall to me. At the very moment 
 when I was to enter into the rights I 
 had bought, David Thorburn repaid the 
 sum with interest — and I am swindled !" 
 
 George saw the passion in his face, and 
 he had sympathy enough to understand 
 how bitter the disappointment must be. 
 " The Treasure is not cash, I suppose, sir ?''
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 25 I 
 
 *' I feel sure it isn't — a fugitive would 
 take cash with him. It is the plate and 
 the household valuables of a rich yeoman 
 five hundred years ago. There is no such 
 find on record. It will supply a new 
 page in history. The money's worth of 
 it I meant to give to the Thorburns, to 
 the utmost farthing and beyond." 
 
 " There is still a law of treasure trove," 
 George murmured. 
 
 "I will reckon with that. Now, George^ 
 listen. Don't interrupt till I have done. 
 You love my daughter, but you will 
 never marry her even if I stand merely 
 neutral. At my request she would marry 
 you, and I will command, if need be — 
 upon conditions. It would be possible 
 to remove this Treasure without Simmons' 
 knowledge, though he were in the house, 
 but one day, soon, he will be absent for 
 twenty-four hours at least — probably much 
 more — when he goes to meet Eldred
 
 252 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 Thorburn, I mean. We want only a 
 pick-axe and a spade, a pocketfull of 
 cement, and perhaps two hours without 
 interruption. I could do the work myself, 
 but two persons will be better. 1 say 
 that Eldred Thorburn shall have the 
 money-worth, every penny of it ! I am 
 rich enough. And if you help me you 
 shall have Hilda !" 
 
 "This is an amazing proposal Indeed, 
 Mr. Esking! It amounts to burglary!" 
 
 '' To take something from a man who 
 does not know he possesses It, and who 
 could not value It If he did, is not 
 robbery. If Thorburns had fallen to 
 me, as It would have done but for an 
 accident, the Treasure would have been 
 mine legally. Where is the difference, 
 when I am ready to pay three times 
 four thousand pounds, or six times, if 
 necessary ?" 
 
 " Without arguing that curious thesis,
 
 THE SECOND PROPOSAL. 253 
 
 sir, I must declare that the law would 
 see an immense difference." 
 
 " The law is blind ; incompetent to 
 deal with such a case. As you say, we 
 will not argue. It is to take or to 
 leave, George Genest. If you think of 
 the risk, think also of the prize." 
 
 Armstrong tapped at the door. " Your 
 horse is ready, sir," he said. 
 
 '' You do not expect an answer now ?" 
 George said, rising. 
 
 ''Oh, no! We have a month before 
 us, I daresay ; a week certainly. Ponder 
 it well ! Good night !"
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 ACCEPTED. 
 
 'George Genest was shrewd and practical, 
 but his father's son could not be chival- 
 rous, and exclusive culture of the brain 
 does not produce a harvest of principles. 
 Right and wrong were not feelings with 
 him, but questions for cool, unprejudiced 
 argument. To such a mind Mr. Esking's 
 proposition was not shocking, beyond the 
 ugly possibility of vengeance from out- 
 raged law ; — this made a consideration 
 grave enough, but it might be put aside 
 until the means came under discussion. 
 For the abstract idea George could find 
 several pleas. It is a pity that things 
 of high historic interest should lie buried
 
 ACCEPTED. 255 
 
 in the earth. If Thorburn got them, he 
 would probably make no good use of 
 his luck. The money-worth Mr. Esking 
 was eager to pay, more than content 
 with the value of the objects in their 
 artistic and antiquarian point of view. 
 The Treasure of Thorburns thus became 
 a public question, superior to the paltry 
 detail of ownership — and who had such 
 right to take it in hand, as trustee for 
 the world of scholars and students, as 
 Mr. Esking? 
 
 But George did not dwell long on this 
 aspect of the proposal, either. He re- 
 flected at some length upon the likelihood 
 of the story. Mr. Esking might well be 
 *' cracked" on this subject, or he might 
 have misunderstood the antique evidence ; 
 or, still more probably, the Treasure might 
 have been removed. This was no small 
 matter. For to dig upon private property 
 in search of buried valuables is not less
 
 256 THE TREASURE OF THORLURNS. 
 
 criminal, of course, whether the things 
 sought be found or no ; but the illogical 
 mind of man might accept as a silly freak 
 in one case what it would punish severely 
 in the other. George decided that the 
 chances ran in favour of Mr. Esking's 
 theory. Knowing where the Treasure had 
 been deposited, he had assured himself, 
 doubtless, that it still remained there. 
 Nor was he *' cracked " upon the subject ; 
 nor could it reasonably be supposed that 
 such an authority would misread an old 
 inscription. 
 
 Leaving these matters for future delibera- 
 tion, George turned without effort to 
 the practical bearing of the idea. For 
 the reward or payment offered he would 
 have risked a deadly peril. But, in the 
 first place, was it quite certain that 
 Hilda would submit ? In the second, 
 was it absolutely needful to pay the 
 price .'^ George was conceited; not stupidly,
 
 ACCEPTED. 257 
 
 but thoroughly. He did not think him- 
 self handsome or fascinating in an unusual 
 degree, but for '* all round " capacity to 
 interest a clever girl he recognised no 
 superior. And, then, deep In his secret 
 soul lay an exaggerated estimate of the 
 distance between a Genest of the Warren- 
 age and a manufacturer's daughter. He 
 had been refused once, but many things 
 had happened since then. George had 
 a right to think that his society was 
 not unpleasing. In fact, before this pro- 
 posal he had begun to hope that Hilda 
 would reconsider her decision. If so, what 
 need had he to engage in an adventure 
 perilous, disagreeable and discreditable ? 
 
 It did not escape this young man's 
 observation that Mr. Esking might avenge 
 himself for a refusal by curtailing his 
 daughter's dowry If she married against 
 his w4sh ; or even by discarding her — 
 the parent who could offer such a bargain 
 VOL. I. s
 
 258 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 must be capable of anything. But what- 
 ever his first notion in paying court to 
 Hilda, he now sought the bride for her 
 own sake, and the thought of consequences 
 only occurred to be dismissed. More 
 serious was the reflection that Mr. Esking 
 might give his daughter a command not 
 to engage herself without his consent, and 
 this chance he finally prepared to meet 
 by a frank disclosure of his intentions. 
 Not without profit had George studied 
 mankind at the University and in the Law 
 Courts. He recognised that to deceive 
 Mr. Esking would be a dangerous essay, 
 and resolved to appeal in straightforward 
 terms. 
 
 Accordingly, next day, he took an 
 opportunity to declare himself. The old 
 gentleman was poring, as usual, over one 
 of his cases, notebook in hand, pencil in 
 mouth, and a sheet of foolscap beside 
 him, half its length turned down as
 
 ACCEPTED. 259 
 
 margin for observations and references. 
 He looked up with a benevolent smile. 
 
 " I am reviewing In mature age the 
 evidence of youthful folly, George. It is 
 irritating, but not quite painful." 
 
 ''Your follies of youth, sir, were more 
 prudent, I suspect, than the wisdom of 
 most veterans." 
 
 " I think they were. Now, here is a 
 case of gems which I bought thirty years 
 ago, at a price I could very 111 afford, as 
 antiques. The last time I examined them 
 some doubt arose ; that was twelve years 
 since. Now I am certain, and they go 
 up to town for sale to-night. But see 
 how exquisite they are, George ! I think 
 better of myself because I was taken in 
 so thoroughly. For if I had bought them 
 a bargain It would have been no credit." 
 
 " I understand. Since to be taken in 
 was not a disgrace, under the circumstances, 
 you are almost proud to think that you
 
 26o THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 made such a sacrifice to art. Shall you 
 lose much, sir ?" 
 
 '' Quite the contrary. I said the review 
 was not painful. Gems that deceived me 
 as a boy will be passed by the highest 
 connoiseurs. Have you anything to say 
 about our topic of last night .^" 
 
 '' I wish to speak frankly, Mr. Esking. 
 We have a month before us. Will you 
 promise not to influence your daughter 
 one way or the other during that time ?'' 
 
 '' I promise with pleasure, but it is 
 unnecessary. I should never interfere, 
 excepting the conditions referred to. You 
 wish," he added, smiling, "to win Hilda, 
 if possible, on your own merits, without 
 aid from me T' 
 
 '' I wish to try, sir." 
 
 '* Very well. But since it will cause 
 some little embarrassment in the future 
 if you try too openly and fail, I advise 
 you to study her carefully, to look into
 
 ACCEPTED. 261 
 
 her tastes and her character before risking 
 much. If you do so, with the intelHgence 
 and thoughtfulness which I beHeve you 
 to possess, we may all be spared some 
 trouble." 
 
 " You mean that there are reasons in- 
 herent, in Miss Esking's case or mine, 
 which forbid me to hope for success 
 without your assistance ? Pray speak out, 
 sir, remembering always that your words 
 may be used against you, as the policemen 
 say. 
 
 " I willingly submit to that in the 
 interest of us all. Speaking out then, 
 George, you are a smart fellow, and 
 clever, and good-looking — but I appeal 
 to your artistic instincts — are you the 
 match, physically or mentally, which my 
 daughter would recognise ? She has no 
 silly ideas upon the subject. Whether 
 marriages are made in Heaven or else- 
 where is a problem which, I'll be bound
 
 262 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 to say, has never passed through her head ; 
 but assuredly Hilda feels, though un- 
 consciously, what kind of man would be 
 her natural helpmate. Regarding the 
 question without prejudice, can you think 
 that you are he ?" 
 
 " Perhaps I am unable to regard it 
 dispassionately, but I can listen to your 
 exposition, sir, with absolute composure. 
 What class of man, in your judgment, 
 would Miss Esking recognise as her 
 fated counterpart ?" 
 
 '' It is not difficult to see. My 
 daughter is an extraordinary instance of 
 'throwing back,' as you sportsmen say — 
 an English girl of the pure ethnic type, 
 who would have been quite at home in 
 the Ceols of Hengcst. You understand 
 me, I'm sure. I speak of her nature, 
 which artificial restraints and acquirements 
 have overlaid in some degree ; but the 
 substance remains."
 
 ACCEPTED. 263 
 
 ** I quite understand. Well?" 
 
 *' But if you understand, you can answer 
 the question." 
 
 *' I am not so familiar with old times 
 and old habits of thought as you. Pray 
 continue." 
 
 " I would say, then, did you ever hear 
 that one English maiden of that time 
 was attracted by the charms or the arts 
 of a Roman wooer .'^ He stood im- 
 measurably above her level, doubtless ; 
 perhaps it was on that account she failed 
 to appreciate him. But as a matter of 
 fact she did not find her match there." 
 
 '' Then I ask again, sir, what species 
 of male animal, gemis homo, would Miss 
 Esking recognise as a fitting helpmate?" 
 
 "If I am right in my view, history 
 tells us. He should be as big as possible, 
 bearded, resolute, masterful. A man who, 
 if I declined his suit, would carry my 
 daughter off if he could, without inquiring
 
 264 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 her wishes very carefully. In short, 
 George, everything most unlike yourself." 
 
 " But you have drawn a savage !" 
 
 "My outline is rough. It .is not to 
 be supposed that such a being has no 
 virtues. All that belong to courage — truth, 
 honour, kindness of heart, steadfastness, 
 and many more, are his." 
 
 " And I trust you do not think, sir, 
 that I am wanting these ?'' 
 
 '' Certainly not, for I hope to welcome 
 you as a son-in-law. But you fail, I 
 think, in those other qualifications needed 
 to attract my daughter's instinctive fancy. 
 Probably you do not believe a word of 
 all this. Consider it, nevertheless, George, 
 and make your studies, with the hint I 
 have given, before taking a decisive 
 step." 
 
 " But if Miss Eskino: entertains such 
 views," he interrupted. 
 
 '* Not views. She has never thought
 
 ACCEPTED. 265 
 
 upon the subject. I speak of unconscious 
 inclinations." 
 
 " Well ! But are you certain that your 
 influence would be strong enough to over- 
 come them, if It were exerted ?" 
 
 "Just as certain of that as of the other 
 points I have suggested." 
 
 *' Then I may take it that you have 
 made a study of Miss Esklng's character 
 all round ? Forgive the confession that I 
 thought you were absorbed in antiquarian 
 investigations." 
 
 " But that is a reason for studying 
 Hilda ! She is a survival, as I say. In 
 observing her habits and ways of thought 
 I am led to a comprehension of most Im- 
 portant details of history. Don't laugh, 
 George ! You must have wondered what 
 the maidens and matrons were like who 
 bore no inconsiderable part in the story 
 of the Conquest. Watch Hilda, and you 
 will understand."
 
 266 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 '' My knowledge of the story Is not 
 equal to that pleasing task, I fear. Let 
 us return. Though Miss Esking has an 
 unconscious inclination for a savage, she 
 will dutifully submit if the parent chooses 
 another sort of husband. You feel sure 
 of that ? Very good, sir ! I will bear 
 your remarks in mind, but meanwhile you 
 will allow me a fair field .^" 
 
 ''That is understood." 
 
 George thought these notions silly. But 
 they caused him to regard Hilda with an 
 intellectual attention which he had not 
 hitherto thought it needful to bestow upon 
 a lovely girl, however curious her ways. 
 Mr. Esking gave him every opportunity. 
 It was not novel to remark that she 
 showed indifference to the small cares, 
 topics, likings, aversions, and fancies gene- 
 rally, which are cherished by the young 
 of her sex. No house was better ordered 
 than Little Thorburns ; George had ob-
 
 ACCEPTED. 267 
 
 served with hopeful complacency the smooth- 
 ness of domestic life there, a striking con- 
 trast to the state of things at home. But 
 Hilda seemed to take no interest in her 
 duties, and certainly no pride in them. 
 He never heard an order given, nor a 
 point discussed, nor an explanation asked, 
 much more offered. She was unquestion- 
 ably mistress, but the arrangements worked 
 by machinery as it were. 
 
 Hilda was listlessly impatient of theories, 
 enthusiasms, abstractions. She cared no- 
 thing for sentiment. All the modern talk 
 of woman's place in society, her peculiar 
 duties to Heaven and mankind, were 
 words, and tiresome words also. She did 
 not seem to recognise any difference of 
 sex with regard to ideas or employments. 
 That implied, as George told her one 
 day, a sympathy with a certain school of 
 feminine philosophers ; but Hilda did not 
 see anything to found a school upon, and
 
 268 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 dropped the subject, bored in two minutes. 
 The only poetry she could read, or bear 
 to glance at, was such as stirs the blood ; 
 and her taste there was so exacting that, 
 in effect, her literature of this sort was 
 confined to the old ballads of love and 
 war. Mr. Esking seized an occasion to 
 make her confess that she had begun 
 the study of " Anglo-Saxon " in order to 
 enjoy the Lay of Brunnenburg and 
 Coedmon's rendering of the Scriptures. 
 These observations led George to 
 understand why and how Mr. Esking 
 had come to entertain such an odd fancy 
 about his daughter's character. But they 
 did not persuade him that the fancy 
 was correct. A lonely and eccentric old 
 student might thus interpret the signs ; 
 a young man who had lived in the 
 world could not accept such an expla- 
 nation. Hilda was unlike other girls, no 
 doubt — so much the worse for other
 
 ACCEPTED. 269 
 
 girls: — but to talk of her as a ''survival,"' 
 and all that, was simple rubbish. 
 
 One peculiarity, however, he found very 
 curious. That desperate love for the open 
 air puzzled him. How could it possibly 
 be reconciled with commonplace notions — 
 or, for that matter, with the proprieties, 
 and dignities, and responsibilities of a 
 British housewife ? The weather changed 
 soon after he began his scrutiny, and their 
 rides were interrupted. But he learned by 
 chance that Hilda went out all the same, 
 her escort furnished with a waterproof, but 
 she unprotected. And whenever he called, 
 though March winds had returned un- 
 timeously, she was in the garden, or, at 
 best, seated under the verandah, quite 
 comfortable. The most extraordinary fact 
 of all was that her skin did not show the 
 cold. The hands, of perfect shape, small 
 and soft though sunburnt, were never red ; 
 the fine complexion took no unusual colour.
 
 270 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 Sitting at work, but more generally idle, 
 Hilda was the same in appearance whether 
 the glass stood at ninety in the shade or 
 beneath the sixty. And Mr. Esking assured 
 him with grave emphasis that twenty degrees 
 more either way made no difference per- 
 ceptible. 
 
 The result of his pondering was that 
 George lost what self-confidence he had 
 fostered up to this. He felt himself at 
 sea in judging a young lady to whom 
 the rules of ordinary womanhood did not 
 apply, Hilda stood above or below them, 
 and, being a sensible fellow at bottom, 
 he admitted that her unconcealed amuse- 
 ment in his society was not necessarily 
 encouraging. Nor was the loneliness upon 
 which he had counted in a certain degree; 
 for, more watchful now, he remarked 
 that no incidents affected her. The eirl 
 had been diverted by those glimpses of 
 county people who came in their way
 
 ACCEPTED. 271 
 
 during the pic-nic season, as she called 
 it, but her Interest lasted only just so 
 long as they remained in sight. She 
 did not concern herself about the visit 
 to Bohun Castle. If it was remembered, 
 it did not cause more thought than any 
 other appointment that might be inscribed 
 on her ''agenda." 
 
 Nevertheless, seeing what a grave price 
 he would have to pay for Mr. Esking's 
 support, George determined to risk a de- 
 claration ; after all, since he was unable to 
 guess Hilda's feeling towards him it might 
 possibly be kind. Therefore, one day, a 
 fortniofht or so after the conversation w^th 
 
 o 
 
 Mr. Esking, he seized an opportunity as 
 they walked in the grounds. So brief were 
 the words exchanged that I need not record 
 them. Hilda showed surprise and a little 
 impatience. Nothing had occurred, she 
 said, to change the views with which 
 Mr. Genest was acquainted. He would
 
 272 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 not have dared to press the pointy 
 though her answer had been less resolute. 
 They returned to the house, not un- 
 friendly. The task of persuading her 
 must not be made more difficult for Mr. 
 Esking. 
 
 That gentleman was busy in the Tower^ 
 where, had he chanced to look, all the 
 little scene could have been observed. 
 To overhear is scarcely needful in such 
 cases. As George mounted to ride away, 
 Mr. Esking descended from his elevation, 
 and pressed him to dine on the morrow. 
 He accepted. 
 
 Before they withdrew to the Charter 
 Room that night the compact was made 
 by interchange of look. George began 
 at once : — 
 
 '' Let me assure myself that you quite 
 understand the risk — we can speak safely 
 here ?" 
 
 '' The windows are double, of the
 
 ACCEPTED. 273 
 
 thickest glass ; the inner door steel-plated, 
 and the outer locked. Say on." 
 
 '' Do you see that you are risking 
 penal servitude .^" 
 
 '' No judge would pass more than a 
 nominal sentence." 
 
 '' On you, perhaps not ; but your as- 
 sistant — whom they would call your ac- 
 complice — would not get off so easily. 
 But I am ready to stand the chance, sir, 
 on conditions. In the first place, Thor- 
 burns must be quite empty when we make 
 the attempt " 
 
 " Of course ! I have reckoned on that. 
 Let us complete the former question. You 
 are justified in supposing the worst, George, 
 but I have this to say. By a will which 
 I ought to receive from my lawyer to- 
 morrow for signature, one half of all my 
 property is left to Hilda, and the other 
 half will be yours." 
 
 "Not if I am sentenced as a felon !" 
 
 VOL. I. T
 
 2 74 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 '' That would make no difference under 
 the circumstances. The other half, I say, 
 is left absolutely to her husband, yourself. 
 Now, if It would relieve your anxiety, and 
 to show In practical form my absolute 
 trust, I will execute a deed of gift, 
 which I will hand to you upon the 
 evening appointed. Fix the amount your- 
 self." 
 
 *' I do not lend my assistance for 
 money, sir! Positively, Mr. Esking, you 
 seem to take no account at all of the 
 disgrace which I, at least, shall feel ! But 
 let this pass. Obtain your daughter's 
 consent that evening — I accept nothing 
 more ! 
 
 "The time is short, and I suspect you 
 have made my interference more delicate 
 than it should have been. But you may 
 trust me, George, as I trust you. Is 
 there anything else ?'' 
 
 "Yes. I must have a pledge that you
 
 ACCEPTED. 275 
 
 will not examine this Treasure, If we find 
 it, for twelve months !" 
 
 "That I cannot admit. You have your 
 reward — the Treasure Is mine ! Not ex- 
 amine It for twelve months ! I might die 
 within the time, and I could not rest In my 
 grave, George ; I should return and haunt 
 yoQ !" While he spoke, his excitement 
 cooled ; the last words were almost smiling. 
 
 " My condition Is Insurmountable. If 
 we stand In the dock. It shall not be even 
 hinted that we shared plunder like house- 
 breakers. The chest, or what It may be, 
 shall be found untouched." 
 
 "But why twelve months? That's much 
 longer than Is necessary — or shorter." 
 
 " Because In that time I shall be" mar- 
 ried, I hope. No, sir ! Give me your 
 word of honour on that score, or no 
 temptation shall Induce me to act." 
 
 "Well, It Is unreasonable, but I give 
 my word — solemnly."
 
 276 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 " And I accept It solemnly. Upon that 
 stipulation, If Miss Esking promises to be 
 mine before or on the night you fix, I 
 will abet you In this crime." 
 
 "So be It! Now, I must tell you, 
 George, that I have opened communi- 
 cations with Simmons, and we are on good 
 terms. He has heard again from Eldred 
 Thorburn, definitely fixing the 7th of next 
 month for his arrival at Southampton — 
 provided, of course, that the Union steamer 
 Is punctual. Any way, Simmons leaves here 
 on the 6th, and I propose to do our work 
 that night. There Is not the shadow of 
 danger. We shall be quite beyond view 
 from the high road, and If by miraculous 
 chance any labouring man should be about 
 at such an hour he will think us super- 
 natural beings. The Treasure, I feel certain, 
 will not be heavy ; Edward Thorburn was 
 rich for a man of his class, but the house- 
 hold plenishing of a duke at that day was
 
 ACCEPTED. 277 
 
 not grand — In things he would bury, I 
 mean. Leave all details to me. We shall 
 not return along the road, I hope, but 
 make our way to the door in my garden 
 wall, enter the house through the verandah 
 outside this room, and deposit the thing 
 In one of my manuscript chests yonder. 
 No servants' windows overlook the grounds. 
 It Is not humanly possible that our doings 
 should be observed." 
 
 " I see that, sir. One might think that 
 you had built this house expressly for 
 the enterprise." 
 
 After a moment's hesitation, Mr. Esking 
 cried, with a deep but still excitement : 
 "I did arrange It so! And take comfort 
 from that assurance, George! It Is a good 
 many years since I discovered where the 
 Treasure lay, In a memorandum noted on 
 the back of an old charter which Captain 
 Thorburn sold to me. My first Impulse 
 was to make an agreement with him ; but,
 
 278 THE TREASURE OF TIIORBURNS. 
 
 first, he would not listen to a hint upon 
 the matter, and then he ingenuously let 
 me understand that my share would be 
 nothing, not even honour. At that time 
 his difficulties were not hopeless, or he 
 would not believe them so. I knew his 
 situation better, but not the whole truth. 
 It seemed likely that he would be obliged 
 to sell Thorburns, and then It occurred to 
 me so to contrive the additions which I 
 found necessary In my own house that 
 they should give me a strategic position. 
 The Tower Is useful to store my col- 
 lections, but besides that It commands a 
 view of the part of Thorburns In which 
 I am interested. The garden door was 
 appreciated by my poor friend as a polite 
 convenience ; but It enables me to reach 
 that part unobserved. People laugh at my 
 guileless system of architecture, when they 
 observe that no one can enter this room 
 unless by passing through the kitchen or
 
 ACCEPTED. 279 
 
 the garden. But you see now, George, 
 that the architect is not such a fool in 
 common matters as common folks think." 
 
 "What a revelation! You should have 
 been a diplomatist, sir, or a soldier." 
 
 *' I am content! Then came the smash. 
 Poor Thorburn's debts were small, but 
 his creditors were small. I bought every- 
 thing he still possessed that was useful 
 to me, and lent him four thousand 
 pounds on the conditions you have heard. 
 I rested easy in the assurance that 
 Thorburns must fall to me. Treasure 
 and all. You know the story of my 
 disappointment. Believe me, George, 
 thoughtfulness is seldom wasted. The 
 preparations made long ago are of price- 
 less value at this moment." 
 
 Genest sat in wonder. Until quite 
 lately he had thought this scheming, 
 resolute old man, a harmless, amiable, 
 rather foolish, student of futilities.
 
 2 8o THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 '' You see why I tell all this now ? 
 I desire to give you a practical assurance 
 that every step in our enterprise has 
 been pondered, every danger forseen " 
 
 " Including discovery ?" 
 
 '' That also I have considered, but it 
 Is a chance so remote, when Simmons has 
 lost his dogs, and he himself quits the 
 field, that I have ceased to think of it. 
 Now, George, I will tell you the plan. 
 Sir Philip Bohun's invitation comes in very 
 well — if you can contrive to suggest that 
 he ask us to dinner, and he catches the 
 idea." 
 
 " I think I could manage that," said 
 George, gloomily. The more he heard of 
 the project, treated in such a cold-blooded 
 way, the more bitterly ashamed he felt. 
 Was it possible that this cunning, ruthless 
 old man could be Hilda's father ? 
 
 " We shall come home late, and you, 
 having accompanied us in the brougham,
 
 ACCEPTED. 281 
 
 return to the Warrenage in my dog-cart. 
 You conceal It behind the trees by Thor- 
 burns gate, in a place I will show you, 
 and wait for me. In half-an-hour I join 
 you. The tools will be found where they 
 are wanted. In two hours at the utmost 
 we shall stand in this room once more, 
 the work done, the Treasure deposited 
 safely in that chest. Then you drive 
 smartly home. Whether to take any pre- 
 cautions by way of accounting for the 
 interval between leaving here and arriving 
 at the Warrenage is a matter for your 
 consideration. It may be done with ease, 
 if you think such a measure prudent — 
 damage the cart, and lead your horse." 
 
 " I don't think that will be necessary," 
 George replied, his disgust growing stronger 
 and stronger. 
 
 ''Well! And next day, when you call, 
 we will talk of marriage." 
 
 The young man rose hastily ; it was a
 
 282 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 change of subject so abrupt as to be 
 actually painful. 
 
 " If Miss Esking has not retired, I will 
 wish her good night, and go," he said. 
 
 '' You will find her upstairs, no doubt. 
 You approve of the arrangements ?" 
 
 ''Oh, yes! Good night, sir!" 
 
 " I will write to Sir Philip Bohun first 
 thing in the morning, and send the note 
 by hand. If you call on her ladyship to- 
 morrow, and induce her to invite us for 
 the 6th, it will be excellent time, I should 
 think. Good night, George. Tell Hilda 
 I am busy and don't wish to be disturbed 
 till she goes to bed. My Dutch friend 
 wants his vocabulary back, and I have not 
 finished with it. The manuscript really 
 proves to be an unique edition of Arch- 
 bishop Alfric's Dialogues — ah, I forgot ! 
 It was with Hubert Fanshawe I discussed 
 that matter. Good night, George !" Mr. 
 Eskinof sat himself down to collate the 
 
 o
 
 ACCEPTED. 283 
 
 crabbed scroll with an air of benevolent 
 composure, not affected in the least. 
 
 George observed him. " What a terrible 
 man !" he said to himself. 
 
 Hilda was seated by the open window 
 of the drawing-room, gazing idly on the 
 moonlit garden. She looked up in 
 
 surprise. "Is anything the matter?" 
 
 " Not at all. I have only come to say 
 good night — and to warn you, by-the-bye, 
 that Mr. Esking is busy. He does not 
 wish to be interrupted till bed-time." 
 
 " I am not used to these attentions, 
 Mr. Genest, that's why I fancied there 
 might be something wrong. My father's 
 visitors do not invade the gynacoeum 
 after dinner." 
 
 '' Gynacoeum? What a scholar you are !" 
 
 ''Such a scholar as a parrot is!" 
 
 '' But my Intrusion does not annoy 
 you ? I selfishly came to get the taste 
 out of my mouth — the taste of whisk)r
 
 284 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 and tobacco, I mean ! Are you really 
 content, Miss Esking, to sit from dinner 
 till bed-time without exchanging a word ?" 
 " Quite content, Mr. Genest." 
 " Might I hint a timid feeling of wonder?" 
 "You might, for it chimes in with the 
 thoughts that engaged me just now." 
 
 " Then possibly you may be persuaded 
 to tell me what they were ? It is gene- 
 rally understood that a young lady sitting 
 at the window by moonlight is meditating 
 on love." 
 
 '' That subject did not occur to me. I 
 was thinking how unutterably mean and 
 small our life is, how unimportant we are, 
 how miserably silly it is to pine, and strive 
 to assert ourselves. And I was thinking 
 that men were happier in the blessed times 
 of ignorance, when they found a reassuring 
 consolation in believing that the moon 
 rose, and shone, and sank at the impulse 
 of a being like themselves. We know
 
 ACCEPTED. 285 
 
 better now. The man in the moon is a 
 grotesque old fable ! And this discovery, 
 like others, seems humiliating to me." 
 
 '' I feel what you mean. The blind 
 forces of nature are dreadful to contem- 
 plate. I have been struck with the same 
 
 idea " George found himself getting 
 
 beyond his depth, and paused abruptly. 
 
 " Indeed ! But the idea did not daunt 
 you ? You studied law not the less assidu- 
 ously, hoping for briefs and a silk gown 
 and the commendation of your fellows !" 
 
 *' I assure you my ambition soars higher. 
 These things are only a means. I hope 
 to win a place in the government of my 
 country." 
 
 '' Dear me ! And what do the blind 
 forces of nature care for the government 
 of your country ? I think, Mr. Genest, 
 you did not work out that idea of yours. 
 If a duke, and a judge, and an archbishop 
 stood with a ploughboy on the lawn
 
 2 86 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 yonder, would the moonbeams shine less 
 brilliantly on him than on them? It is 
 likely that the ploughboy would be the 
 finest figure of them all." 
 
 " I readily confess that you carry the 
 argument above my reach. May I ask 
 to what conclusions you are led .^" 
 
 " To none — or rather, to conclude that 
 it Is not worth while to draw conclusions." 
 
 ''That's a sad creed. Miss Esking, If I 
 understand you right. Men are such con- 
 temptible beings that It doesn't matter what 
 they do. Is that it .^" 
 
 " Near enough." 
 
 " I think I begin to follow. It's not 
 worth while to have any ambition or wish 
 or choice about anything?" 
 
 "And much more to talk!" 
 
 "That's a strong hint. It seems to me 
 that yours are very woeful sentiments for 
 a young lady, and I rather fancy that the 
 orthodox would not approve of them.
 
 ACCEPTED. 287 
 
 What becomes of Everything In your 
 philosophical system ?" 
 
 " Everything returns to Its true shape, 
 and becomes Nothing." 
 
 " More and more dreadful ! I must beg 
 the Rector to Interview you ; or I will 
 summon my friend Hawkins, of Balllol, 
 to demonstrate, as he can so ably, that 
 Ritual Is Everything. Even If he should 
 not convince you, I defy you to satisfy 
 him that It Is Nothing. If I may 
 venture to speak seriously, I should say, 
 Miss Esking, that you live too much 
 alone. These are odd fancies for a girl, 
 and — you will not be offended ?" 
 
 "Commonplace never offends." 
 
 *' I drop such a prickly subject. Good 
 night ! You have given me food for 
 reflection that will last." 
 
 George was going to say that such 
 views are perilous. The more he thought 
 of them the more clearly he saw that
 
 288 THE TREASURE OF THORBURNS. 
 
 they led to the negation of all conventional 
 proprieties. But a young man in love 
 subordinates all questions to the interest 
 of his suit, and in this point of view 
 Hilda's wild philosophy was encouraging. 
 He understood now that Mr. Esking might 
 probably succeed in persuading his daughter. 
 A eirl who feels that it is not worth while 
 to have a choice about anything might 
 reasonably be expected to submit, even in 
 such a case as marriage, if her father 
 urged her, and she had no strong ob- 
 jection to the youth proposed. Upon that 
 score George was easy. Hilda liked him 
 very well. 
 
 But these agreeable thoughts could not 
 lonof detain him from consideration of the 
 
 o 
 
 price exacted for his bride. Though the 
 explanations and the plan Mr. Esking 
 offered seemed to remove all danger from 
 the enterprise, George had a feeling more 
 powerful than conscience — the sense of
 
 ACCEPTED. 289 
 
 gentlemanly honour. Yet, though he re- 
 garded the prospect with dismay and 
 
 misery, to withdraw never entered his 
 
 mind. 
 
 It was no delicate task to suggest to 
 Lady Bohun that she should invite Mr. 
 Esking and his daughter to dine. Her 
 only hesitation, when George hinted it, 
 was a doubt whether they would accept. 
 She proposed, at length, to call, in reply 
 to Mr. Esking's note, and introduce the 
 idea gracefully. So it was decided and 
 accomplished. Next day Sir Philip and 
 his lady drove to Little Thorburns, 
 inspected the treasures of art which Mr. 
 Esking freely displayed, and marvelled 
 over them ; but above all, they were 
 struck with Hilda's beauty. Her ladyship 
 conveyed the invitation with some neatness. 
 
 " We dare not show you our trivial 
 collection in cold blood, after this," she 
 said. ''Our courage must be quickened 
 VOL. I. u
 
 290 THE TREASURE OF TIIORBURNS. 
 
 by artificial means, Mr. Esking. Suppose 
 you came to dinner on . the 6th ? We 
 shall be alone — my family, and no one 
 else." . 
 
 Mr, Esking consented graciously. And 
 so the execution of the plot began. 
 
 END OF FIRST VOLUME 
 
 TILLOTSON AND SON, PRINTERS, BOLTON 
 
 C3*