lit- m. ^if'^i ^1 im % "«WU«>.>W«II>3A.. ^ I ^' ^^.'^r Wf^9^fSKsSSI^fSllfifS9^' L I E> FIARY OF THE UNIVLR5ITY or ILLINOIS Sm2.u> J f^1^'- »5^fc<^i^^ ^jW ^,^7< /UyL^lCCCi^CC , Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/withoutloveorlic01smar WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE VOL. I. NEW NOVELS AT ALL LIBRARIES. BLIND LOVE. By Wilkie Collins. With a Preface by Walter Besant. 3 vols. FOR THE LOVE OF A LASS : a Tale of Tynedale. By Austin Clare. 2 vols. AN OCEAN TRAGEDY. By W. Clark Russell. 3 vols. THE BELL OF ST. PAUL'S. By Walter Besant. 3 vols. FETTERED FOR LIFE. By Frank Barrett. 3 vols. PASSION'S SLAVE. By Richard Ashe King. 3 vols. A YANKEE AT THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR. By Mark Twain, i vol. A LAST LOVE. By Georges Ohnet. i vol. A NOBLE WOMAN. By Henry Greville. i vol. THE DEAD MAN'S SECRET. By J. E. Muddock. 1 vol. MR. STRANGER'S SEALED PACKET, i vol. London : CHATTO & WINDUS, 214 Piccadilly, W. WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE (^ t' What induced Joe Mercer to take the old Dragon Inn was a thing that puzzled liis friends and acquaintances not a little. Those who knew him best deemed him the last man to throw his money away in foolish specu- lation, and yet what could have induced him to take a dilapidated roadside inn, from which tlie custom had departed the last ten years, or more ? Joe Mercer had come to Exmoutli about thirty years before the commencement of this history. He had no apparent command VOL. I. B 2 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE of money to start with, still whatever busi- ness he took in hand throve, and for all his pleasant, good-humoured, somewhat unctuous manner there were very few who could lay claim to having got the best of Joe Mercer at a bargain, though there were plenty who could tell a different tale. Shortly after his arrival at Exmouth, he married a woman a little older than himself, a bold black-browed virago,, who, though attractive, both in ap- pearance, and from the possession of a little bit of money, had failed to find a man hardy enough to face the brunt of lier vixenish tongue for a lifetime. The command of a little more capital enabled Mercer to further extend his operations, and whatever he turned his hand to — and he was a regular Jack-of-all- trades — Joe Mercer made money at. He had dabbled in pretty nearly everything, but THE DRAGON INN 3 whether it was coal or corn, timber or turnips, he always came out of the speculation some- what the better for it. He was by this time reputed a ' warm man ' amongst his friends, but neither he nor his wife was much addicted to show. They lived quietly, and though no one doubted Joe Mercer had money, nobody suspected him of being rich. Still, what could have made liim take the old Dragon Inn H A house with a liistory, certainly, but a house, one would think, of which the history was ended ; while, as every one knew, it had been shut up altogether for the last five years. Standing about a mile out of the town, a little off a road, whicli, running through a rich farming country, led to a large fishing village only, it was not likely to attract much custom. Years ago, when the Dragon was a prosperous house, it was much the B 2 4 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE fashion amongst the visitors and people of Ex- mouth to have jaunts and junketings there in the summer-time. Picnics were held there. The big room at the Dragon was just the thing for a dance. It was a pleasant stroll from the town, and it was the fashion to declare that there were no such strawberries and cream anywhere as were to be had at the Dragon. The hostess had some renown as a cook, and it was considered amongst the young bloods who frequented the neighbouring town, quite the correct thing to dine there occasionally. But after dark, and more especially during the autumn and winter nights, rumour declared that the Dragon entertained very different guests, that instead of modish young gentle- men in top-boots and buckskins and caped riding-coats, it was crowded with black bearded men in semi-nautical attire, and whose speech THE DRAGON INN 5 was garnisbed with a profusion of those ex- pletives so much in vogue about the time that Xelson swept the seas. Eeport said that the horses of the Dragon did a deal more work by night than ever they did on the farm attached to the Inn by day, and that the granaries con- tained more ankers of brandy than sacks of corn. But all this was a thing of the past. Free trade had pretty well killed smuggling, and so far reduced the profits as to make the game no longer worth the candle. With railways, too, came the facility of travel, and the Ex- mouth merrymakers went further afield for their revelry. Still it was, no doubt, mainly the decline of smuggling that produced the decline of the Dragon. The old house struggled bravely along for some time under tenant after tenant, these latter mostly 6 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE endeavouring to get their living out of the land attached to it rather than by the inn itself ; indeed, the last landlord of the Dragon had finally decided to shut up the house as an inn, and confine himself solely to farming till his lease should be up. ' It's odd, very odd,' said one of Joe Mercer's intimates ; ' it bangs one altogether. Old Joe and his wife are a managing pair, but they have no experience in the liquor trade. He can't expect to get a living out of that old tumbledown house, and if Crank couldn't make the farm pay, it ain't likely that he can. He has done one or two smart specs in corn, no doubt, but that don't teach a man how to grow it, and Joe is over old to learn.' However, the new tenant of the Dragon, in spite of a good-humoured and slightly jocular manner, was an adept at keeping his mouth closed. THE DRAGON INN [7 He would talk freely with any one upon any subject, and was apparently as open and candid a man as you would wish to meet ; but for all that, you never got a word out of him about his own concerns. And though his neigh- bours were full of inquiry as to what had in- duced him to take the place, they got no scrap of information from Joe Mercer. He put them off with all sorts of jesting replies. ' It was a nice cheap place ; he wanted country air. He was crettinc? too old for business. A bit of a farm like that would just serve to amuse him.' * " Old," Joe ? ' retorted one of his cronies, ' gammon ! you ain't very far past fifty, and you're tough as pin wire. Why, it '11 cost you a mint of money to put the old tumble down place in repair.' To which Mr. Mercer merely replied, that ' he supposed 8 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE he should have to wear a bit of money over it.' It soon became evident that whatever his motive might be in taking the Dragon, he had no intention of spending money over the house. A bar and bar-parlour were speedily fitted up, with little regard to orna- mentation ; a licence to sell wine, beer, and spirits taken out, and that apparently was as much as Joe Mercer thouglit necessary to do for tlie public. He furnished as many rooms in the rambling old building as his family required, and indeed, in respect to bed- rooms, seemed to liave gone to rather un- necessary expense, having two or three to spare ; the old signboard was renovated till the victim of St. George shone resplendent in many colours, and then he briefly announced his appearance in the ' public line ' in the THE DRAGON INN 9 local papers, and sat himself down to wait for customers. He had certainly not gone to much expense, being even in that matter of the signboard careful of his outlay ; but still, it seemed, his friends were like to prove true prophets, and that in all probability he would never see his money again. The Dragon had now been re- opened some months, and Joe Mercer, to all appearance, was still waiting for customers who seldom came. The few pints of beer and the odd glasses of brandy-and-water that he sold would surely never pay either his rent or his licence ; while as for the land, Mr. Mercer seemed to trouble his head very little about that, and certainly no one would be hkely to accuse him of high farming. However, to the astonishment of his friends, the landlord of the Dragon seemed quite contented with lo WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE the present state of tilings. He declared that busmess was on the increase, despite there beinof no visible siofns of such being^ the case ; said that to re-establish an inn that had been given np for some years was a slow process, and that it would ' pay right enougli in the long run.' Meanwhile the only noticeable thing was that of the few customers who did fre- quent the Dragon, most of them were strangers to the neiohbourhood. Joe Mercer was blessed with only two children ; of these Sam, the elder, had some years since left the paternal nest, and, with his father's assistance, started in business on his own account. When his intimates inquired of Joe what his son was doing, that worthy would reply briefly, with an expressive wink, 'horses ;' but Mrs. Mercer, who was more communicative, always proudly described Sam as ' a gentleman THE DRAGON INN ii on the turf.' Whatever Sam Mercer's exact position might be, when he periodically made his appearance he was always dressed in good clothes, and had apparently plenty of money in his pockets. As for Sarah, more familiarly known as Sally Mercer, she was a good-looking, black- browed wench, who had inherited a good bit of Iier mother's energetic disposition and passionate temper. For the rest she was a vain, ambitious, pleasure-loving young woman, who had already made herself rather notorious by the lengths to which she had carried her some- what numerous flirtations ; but, with all this, the girl never lost sight of the one great object of her ambition, and in this she was constantly encouraged by her father. Miss Mercer was not satisfied with the companion- ship of tlie tradespeople, farmers, cornfactors, &c., among^st whom her lot was cast. She 12 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE aspired to ascend in the social scale, and knew that the one way she could achieve this was by marriage. ' Don't you throw yourself away, Sal,' her father Avould say ; ' you're a good-looking lass, and won't go to your husband empty-handed. Only marry a gentleman, and 111 see you've brass enough to ruffle it with the best of 'em ; remember, they are just as much caught by a pretty face as a shopman, and you're better- looking than ever your mother was, and she was a clipper in her day.' Miss Mercer, upon the whole, approved of the move from Exmouth to the Dragon. It was a much more roomy house than the one they had vacated, and it was no distance from her numerous friends ; indeed, as slie remarked to herself, it was a very nice distance for her admirer of the evening^ to THE DRAGON INN 13 see her home. At first she had some thoughts of occasionally officiating in the bar, but after two or three days' experience of the few customers who looked in, she made up her mind, unless more attractive metal turned up, to leave that domain entirely to her mother, and the ' young lady ' officially en- gaged for the post. This latter damsel had always been hope- lessly puzzled by a peculiar clause in her agreement, to wit, a stipulation that she should return to her own liome in Exmouth to sleep. Why Mr. Mercer could not find her a bedroom in a house with so much spare room as the Dragon passed her com- prehension. The men employed on the farm lived over the stables, and the two country girls who acted as handmaids to Mrs. Mercer slept in a cottage hard by, so that virtually WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE after nine o'clock, except perhaps for a chance traveller, there was nobody in the inn save the family themselves. These ar- rangements were pecuhar, no doubt, but not more so than Joe Mercer's taking the Dragon at all. 'He's a long-headed 'un, is Joe,' remarked one of his intimates, ' but he'll muddle all his money away over that there Dragon, mind me if he don't.' We can most of us reckon among our acquaintances some few whom we rather dread coming across, and his friends, as a rule, dreaded meeting Mr. Tootell. Always a gossip and a busybody, since retiring from business that gentleman had dedicated his leisure to assiduous inquiry into tlie affairs of his neighbours, and the taking of the Dragon inn by Joe Mercer was a thing that at once THE DRAGON INN 15 attracted his attention. Mr. Tootell having made his own money in the ' pubhc hne,' and having an infinite belief in his own wisdom, considered that no man could know better than himself as to what promised to be a paying property in that way. It was only friendly to give Joe a hint of how things ouofht to be done. Of course, he w^as innocent as a baby about the liquor traffic, and Mr. Tootell resolved to initiate him into a few of the tricks of the trade. Then Mr. Tootell discovered that to walk out to the Dragon, see how Joe was getting on, and re- fresh himself, with a glass of amber-coloured ale, was a very pleasant way of passing the forenoon, until at last the host of that inn began to weary exceedingly of his visitor. Mr. Tootell understood the business too well not to speedily see that the Dragon gave no 1 6 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE signs of ever becoming a paying concern, and it seemed a most extraordinary thing to him that shrewd old Joe Mercer did not see it also ; he must be losing money over it, it might be slowly, but it must be surely ; and the thing that surprised Mr. Tootell was that he seemed quite indifferent about it. Now, the losing of money in anything was a thing about Avhich Joe Mercer had never been known to be phlegmatic ; on the contrary, ' Cautious Joe,' as his intimates sometimes dubbed him, was well known to be exces- sively chary of scorching his fingers ; his withdrawal from a concern that did not promise to pay fairly might be confidently predicted ; the one mistake that lie had never been known to fall into was that of throwing good money after bad. A favourite aphorism of his was ' the first loss is the best and THE DRAGON INN 17 cheapest.' What on earth made hmi take the Drao^on Inn to beijin with ? What on earth made him go on witli it, was a problem which so interested Mr. Too tell that he devoted himself to its solution with much energy. Like most men of the Paul Pry type he was pach3'dermatous. Mrs. Mercer was downright rude to him, her daughter flouted him, as, indeed, she always had done, while, thick-skinned as Mr. Tootell indubit- ably was, even he could not regard Joe's welcome as cordial — still he continued his visits with undiminished pertinacity, and eventually, like other bores, he got to be endured ; he was a cross that had to be borne, and, as Joe Mercer said slyly, what his wife's tongue failed to bring about, it was hopeless for any one else to attempt. ' Excellent ale this, Joe,' quoth Mr. VOL. I. C 1 8 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE Tootell, as he sat in the bar, in the full enjoyment of a pipe and a cool tankard. ' Eeyther too strong to give to customers, though ; might get into their heads, and we don't want 'em drunk on the premises, do we ? Wants a little judicious blending, eh, Joe?' ' I only keep the one sort of ale,' re- plied Mercer, ' we've not enough custom for varieties.' 'Pooh. What's that got to do with it ? The first duty of an innkeeper is to take care of his customers' health and his own pockets, which means take care they never get their liquor too strong. By the way, who was that fellow I saw in here yesterday after- noon ? ' ' Don't know,' replied Joe. 'He is a stranger in tliese parts, I fancy. THE DRAGON INN 19 ' Odd, uncommon odd. I thought you looked as if you had met before.' ' So we have,' rephed Mercer. ' He has been in here two or three times for refresh- ment of some sort.' ' Curious, very curious ; not the first stranger by two or three that I've met at your place, Joe. Now, what can bring strangers in these parts to the Dragon ? Your ale is good, I grant, but it ain't such tip-top tipple as all that. Besides, the place hasn't a name, you know.' ' Xever you mind, Tootell ; the Dragon had a good name in days gone by, and will have again, you'll see. It don't follow be- cause you've given up business that every one else is to do the same.' ' Don't be edgy, Joe. I take a friendly interest in you. A business like this is c 3 20 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE depressing, and makes a man irritable, 1 know. I bear you no malice. Cheer up, Joe. I wish you luck, and bid you good afternoon.' As Mr. Tootell left the house he en- countered the stranger who had attracted his attention on the previous day, and marvelled much what this constant customer, as he termed him, of Joe's might be, and wliat he was doing in these parts. ' I wish I could hear what they're saying to eadi other,' he muttered. Mr. Tootell's vanity would have hardly been tickled had his wish been gratified, for the stranger's first words to Joe were — ' Why do you stand that prying old fool pottering about the premises ? ' 21 CHAPTER II MOKE CATCHES THAX OXE Exeter versus Exmoiilh. It is the night before the match, and Hke the Saxons on the eve of Hastings, the Exeter men are holding high revel — not perhaps the best preparation for the ' twisters ' and ' shooters ' that await them next day. At present, however, the quaint coffee-room at the Beacon rings with the mirth of as pleasant a party as ever gathered round its centre table, the life and soul of which appears to be a tall, good- looking young fellow, with bold blue eyes and a heavy blonde moustache. 2 2 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' Well, Fred,' exclaims one of the party, 'we never thought you would turn up in time for the matcli. You have three or four days' leave left, too.' 'Leave,' said the young man before alluded to ; ' wliat's the use of that when you are regularly cleaned out. Turn up ? The only doubt about my turning up was whether I coidd raise enough money to pay for my ticket ; after the dressing we got at Goodwood sovereigns were sovereigns.' ' Yes, I suppose so,' said another of the party. 'I saw by the papers that backers had a bad time of it. I thought of you, Hallaton.' 'Very kind of you,' returned that young gentleman, ' but what recalled my interesting self to your memory?' ' Don't you recollect, when the Colonel MORE CATCHES THAN OAE 23 rather hesitated about givnig you leave, you said it would be hundreds out of your pocket if he didn't let you go to Goodwood.' ' Ah ! yes,' replied Fred Hallaton, laugh- ing. ' " Hope springs eternal," &c., and fal- lacious as we know it, we still cling fondly to the old illusion.' At one angle of the coffee-room and in close vicinity to the central table was a small recess, v\'hich seemed meant for the special accommodation of either a misanthrope or of two people who had something very confiden- tial to say to one another. It was tenanted at present by a gentleman who was dining alone, a dark wirily-built man of medium height with a pair of restless grey eyes. He was apparently absorbed in his dinner, which was of a more luxurious nature than that of his neio'hbours. He had taken little heed of 24 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE the badinage of the cricketers until the allu- sion to Goodwood aroused his attention. As Hallaton's name caught his ear, a smile stole over his face, and he tossed off a glass of champagne with considerable gusto. From the alcove where he was seated he could not see above one or two of his neighbours, and of these Hallaton was not one, but he was a man of excellent memory, and not likely to forwt a name which he had written down with much profit to himself so often during the late Goodwood meeting. Sam Mercer indeed was quite as shrewd a business man as his father, but with more dasli and go in him than perhaps the elder man had ever had; a keenly observant man, and one who rarely forgot anything that had once come to his knowledge. He rather wanted to learn something about Mr. Hallaton, for as yet all MORE CATCHES THAN ONE 25 he knew of him was confined to the fact that he was in the Eoyal Artillery, which infor- mation he had gathered from the young gentleman's betting-book, on the cover of which was stamped his name and regiment. He had never met him before the otlier day, and during the Goodwood week had found him a good customer. ' It would be as well,' thought Sam Mercer, ' to find out what his prospects are ; if he is not tinny, he won't last long, con- sidering the way he bet at Goodwood.' As the cricketing party broke up, Halla- ton strolled up the room to look out of the window. As his eye fell on the tenant of the recess, he exclaimed, ' Mercer, by Jove ! What on earth are you doing here ? ' ' \Vell, Mr. Hallaton, I belong to these parts, and we most of us, as you know, take 26 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE a bit of a holiday after the Sussex fort- night.' 'Ah,' rephecl Hallaton, laughingly, 'and you can all afford it this year, which is more than we can. I only hope we shall have better luck to-morrow than I had at Goodwood.' ' Hope you may, sir ; at all events, it looks like fine weather.' Hallaton nodded good-humouredly, and then made his way after his companions to the smoking-room, little thinking what an influence the acquaintance of the bookmaker was destined to liave upon his future life. The match between Exeter and Exmouth always occasioned considerable excitement and attracted a fashionable gathering. Tlie strength of the two elevens was always some- what difficult to estimate, on account of the everchanging element which pervaded both MORE CATCHES THAN ONE 27 places. Exmoiith was constantly reinforced by some good cricketers amongst the visitors, who took temporary service under its banner, whilst Exeter, if it coukl not reckon on cratherini? strenoth from visitors, alwavs had the soldiers to fall back upon, who at times lent very valuable aid. As the bookmaker predicted, it was a glorious day, and the pretty cricket ground was thronged in conse- quence. The Exmouth men had gone in first, and disasters fell thick upon them, and it looked at one time as if they were about to be disposed of for a very poor score, but the tail of the eleven discovered unexpected vitality. One of the visitors who was put in seventh man developed hitting powers which he had been far from being credited with. He fairly collared the boAvling, and what that means at cricket we all know. Bowler after 28 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE bowler was tried against liim, but liis eye was now well in, and he hit them all over the field with apparent ease and satisfaction to himself. His partners, too, had gained courage, and the score ran up apace. Instead of being all out for some seventy or eighty runs, as was at one time threatened, the Exmouth men had quite doubled that score. There was still one wicket to fall, and that seemed hard to get. At one end was the champion, who had come so opportunely to the succour of hi.s side ; at the other was a steady and cautious man, who troubled himself nothing about run-getting, but devoted himself solely to the keeping up of his wicket. The bowlers were demoralised, and there seemed no part- ing this last pair. At last the chance came. Fred Hallaton was scouting deep as ' long field.' Suddenly the champion of the after- MORE CATCHES THAN OAE 29 noon lifted a half volley, high in the air, and apparently over the heads of the fielders. Amidst shouts of ' well hit,' Hallaton started like a deer in pursuit, and finished the Exmouth innings by as brilliant a one handed catch as ever was seen on that ground. Though never losing hold of the ball, Halla- ton had run at such speed that he was unable to stop himself till he blundered right into the benches, which were placed round the boundary. As he threw up the ball, amidst cries of ' well caught ' and quite a round of applause, he turned to apologise to a smartly dressed, good-looking young woman, into whose arms he had all but precipitated him- self. ' Ten thousand pardons,' he exclaimed, ' but you see he had given us such a deal of trouble. I hope I have done no harm to your dress.' 30 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' Xot at all,' replied the young lady with a smile, and flashing a pair of wicked black eyes upon him. ' Well caught, indeed, sir,' said a voice close to him. ' My sister, I am sure, would have forgiven you, Mr. Hallaton, if you had torn her skirts ever so bad, merely to see such a catch made. It looked two to one against us at one time, but I reckon it's even money now.' 'Splendidly fielded. Who is he?' ex- claimed a haughty-looking gentleman, who was exhibiting considerable expanse of Avhite waistcoat and heavy gold watch chain in the front row of the seats in the pavilion. ' Hallaton, did you say ? ' he continued, in reply to one of his neighbours who had fur- nished him with the name. ' Not Hallaton of the Artillery, is it ? Playing for Exeter, no MORE CATCHES THAN OAE 31 doubt it is ! The name is not common. Why, God bless me ! I had a letter from his uncle months aero askinsf me to be civil to him as he was coming to Exeter ; but, dear me, I've had so much to do I've never had time to look him up. You recollect my telling you all about it, Mary ? ' ' Xo, papa,' replied a slight, fair, ladylike - looking girl who was seated by his side, ' I wish you had. I'd have taken care then that we did the civil to him, and sent him an invi- tation for something or other.' ' I'll go down and make his acquaintance at once,' and so saying Mr. Lydney bustled down the stairs in search of the hero of the moment. Mr. Lydney, the prosperous banker of the town, was a very busy man, as well as a wealthy one. He lived in very good style, 32 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE entertained largely, and nothing went on in Exinoutli without his taking a part in it. He subscribed liberally to all the institutions, the cricket club, &c. Mary Lydney, his only child, kept house for him, and it was a marvel to most people that she remained Mary Lydney still. She was very nice-looking, and, there could be no doubt, must inherit a con- siderable fortune eventually from her father, to say notliing of what he might choose to do during his lifetime if she married with his approval. Curiously enough, she had been twice formally engaged, and the fact had been publicly announced, and yet upon both occa- sions the affair had been broken off, after having gone on for some time. In neither case had any but the most conventional reason been assigned. The banker only re- marked that he supposed Mary had thought MORE CATCHES THAN ONE 33 better of it, that his daughter must do as she pleased, and that he had no desire to force her incKnations. Now, if Mary Lydney had been a flirt, this would have been easy to understand ; but there never was a girl with less coquetry in her nature. Moreover, those who knew Mary Lydney best declared that in the first instance she had been very muck in earnest and most thoroughly in love. Both men had been quite ehgible in every respect. True, neither had been rich, but surely in her case that was no great objection. However, so matters stood, and this was as much as any one, except, perhaps, the father and laughter, knew about it. Mr. Lydney failed in his attempt to find Fred Hallaton. That gentleman, instead of returning to the pavilion, had remained to improve his acquaintance with Miss Mercer. VOL. I. D 34 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE He had been mucli struck by the black- browed young beauty, and she, on her part, was never loth to receive the attentions of a new admirer. She was insatiable in her thirst for admiration, excessively proud of her personal appearance, and quite capable of carrying on three or four flirtations at the same time : a woman to wliom a man was not likely to become more than a caprice. It is needless to be said that shyness was not one of Miss Mercer's attributes. She con- versed readily with Hallaton, and questioned him freely about himself and his pursuits. Her brother, in the course of the morning, had mentioned his meeting with Hallaton on the preceding night at the Beacon Hotel, and also that that gentleman was one of the officers quartered at Exeter. Sarah had never liad an officer in her train as yet. She saw MORE CATCHES THAN ONE 35 that Fred was rather struck, exerted herself to ths utmost to captivate him, and succeeded in enchaining the young artillery-man to her side till two or three cries of ' Hallaton ' attracted his attention, and rising in response to these shouts, Fred was curtly adjured by one of his comrades to ' come along and look sharp, as he was the next man to go in.' 'Wish me luck, won't you?' he said, as he prepared to comply with the injunction, ' and don't think that I shall fail to find my way out to the Dragon before long.' A saucy nod was the sole reply, and shortly afterwards, having donned his armour, Hallaton sallied forth to do battle for Exeter. Once more Fred Hallaton did his side good service, and though his innings could hardly be described as brilliant, yet it was a useful one, and by the time he returned to D 2 36 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE the pavilion the match bore a very interesting aspect. Exeter had still three wickets to fall, and were only thirty-seven runs behind their opponents. On entering the pavilion Fred was promptly laid hands on by the banker. '" I must introduce myself, Mr. Hallaton. My name is Lydney, old friend of your Uncle Bob's. Haven't seen him for years, by the way. He wrote to me about you, but I'm ashamed to say I've been so busy lately that I have not been able to look you up. How- ever, I hope you'll come and see us. My daughter shall send you a line ; come up and be introduced to her;' and with this- the banker carried off Hallaton to the roof of the stand, and introduced him to Mary Lydney. His mind powerfully impressed with the bold lAack eyes and vivid colouring of Sarah Mercer, Fred's first impression of Miss Lydney MORE CATCHES THAN ONE 37 was that she was pale and insipid, but he soon discovered that she was a pleasant enough girl to talk to, and that her conversation was not so flavourless as he had been prepared to find it. Mary apologised for her father's oversight, and warmly seconded the invita- tion. ' I will send you a line to the Barracks with all formalities, Mr. Hallaton, and trust that you will come and see us. Of course, there will be a bed for you. In the mean- time, perhaps you will waive ceremony and dine with us to-night ? ' But that Fred Hallaton declined to do, and with a courteous hope thai ]\Iiss Lydney would be present to see the finish of the game on the morrow, Hallaton took his departure, and made the best of his way back to the Beacon Hotel. 38 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE CHAPTER III THE BANKERS DAUGHTER Mr. Sam Mercer was not wont to stay with his family during his brief visits to Exmouth. He invariably put up at the Beacon Hotel. He was fond of and on excellent terms with his parents, but his business as a bookmaker left liim but little leisure either for writing or visiting, and it was no uncommon thing for months to elapse without any communication taking place between him and his people. He had been not a little surprised to hear, upon his arrival at the Beacon, that his father had taken the old Dragon Inn. He had seen the old man dip into all sorts of eccentric THE BANKER-' S DAUGHTER 39 speculations. He knew what a reticent man he was on all matters of business, but as Sam said, ' The old 'un generally came out the right end of the horn.' What this new fad of his might mean Sam could form no idea, and whatever his crafty parent's designs might be, he knew him too well to suppose for one moment that they would be unfolded to him. Joe Mercer had a high opinion of his son's natural astuteness, he had also on a slight scale tested Sam's business capabihties ; when he was a youngster, about twenty, he had furnished him with a modest capital and told him to start for himself. Sam elected to make his start in America, and it was there that he still further cultivated a taste for horse- racing with which he had been always bitten. With a shrewd head for figures he soon saw there was money to be made at it, and was toler- 40 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ably successful when out there. But if you mean to make money in business, you must ijo where business is, and Sam knew that for the professional racing-man there was no country in the world like England. He accordingly returned there, and enrolled him- self amongst the noisy fraternity of the ' ring.' Strong, active, keen-witted, betting on strict mathematical principles, and regarding the losses as mere temporary fluctuations in business, Sam steadily worked his way up- wards. He was soon well known as perfectly ' straight,' and acquired a very considerable clientele. His father more than once advanced him money with which to extend his opera- tions, and as Sam in due course repaid such loans he stood high in the old man's estima- tion. If not one of the leading magnates, Sam Mercer was a thoroughly known man . THE BANKER'S DAUGHTER 41 amidst the members of the mystic circle, a favourite with most of them, and rather celebrated for the queer Americanisms with which he was apt to garnish his conversation. He had promised to take his sister to see tlie finish of the match, and the next morning, after an early breakfast, Sam wended his way to the Dragon. There he was cordially wel- comed by his own people, and introduced to a Mr. Brent, who, Sarah informed him as they walked in the garden afterwards, was a stranger staying in the house, ' though what he, father, or any one else can want to stay at the Dragon for, beats me.' ' Never you mind the old'un,' rejoined Sam, ' his head is screwed on the right way, I guess ; but as for this Brent, it is odd, unless he has come after you, Sallie.' ' He needn't trouble to let me know it if 42 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE he has,' repHed the girl with a toss of her head. ' 'Tis not hkely I'd look at the likes of him.' ' He might think you good-looking, though you don't think him,' replied her brother, laughing ; ' but how do you like the move ? ' ' Oh, I don't mind it much,' replied Sarah. ' One house is pretty near the same as another, while we go on in this old pottering way. I want to go away and begin life afresh. Everybody says father has got money, and yet we go on just as w^e did when we were supposed to be poor.' 'Ah,' said Sam ; 'you want to splurge about a bit, keep a carriage, and play the lady ? ' The girl nodded. ' I'm sick of tramping up and down the Esplanade,' she remarked. ' I want a change of some sort.' ' Never fear. A good-looking young woman like you will get that before long. THE BANKER'S DAUGHTER 43 Time we went tramping if we mean to see the finish of this match.' On their way into Exmoiith Sam suddenly exclaimed, ' Here's old Tootell ; he is certain to stop us and ask Avhere we're going.' ' He ought not to ask me,' replied Sarah laughing, ' for the last time he did I told him bluntly not in his direction. Now, Sam, that is one of the plagues of keeping an inn. That dreadful old man is the torment of our lives. We can't shut the door against him, as we could before we turned innkeepers. You know what he is, and he is eternally prying about the Dragon — comes to see how we're getting on, he says. What Mr. Brent is doing here puzzles you ; as for Mr. Tootell, it causes him sleepless nights.' But upon this occasion, strange to say, Tootell raised his hat and hurried past 44 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE them. Like many idle men he passed a con- siderable portion of his time in looking out of the window, and from that post of vantage his attention had been attracted a few minutes previously by the appearance of Mr. Brent making his way to the very centre of the town. He had never seen Mr. Brent in Exmouth before. What could he want there .^ Mr. Tootell was going up to the cricket ground, but he considered that if possible to discover what had brought Mr. Brent into Exmouth of paramount importance. To know what his neighbours were doing, and to ascertain who and what any stranger might be who turned up in the town or its outskirts, had become quite a disease with Mr. Tootell. Since his retirement from the ' public ' line he had been deprived of what was to him a source of un- mitigated enjoyment. Mr. Tootell had a THE BANKER'S DAUGHTER 45 great belief in his own powers as a comic entertainer, and was wont to give specimens of his talents in that line, to a few of his inti- mates in his own bar-parlour. These per- formances were usually received with great enthusiasm ; his songs and recitations met witli much applause, as is wont to be the case when the host is an entertainer in more ways than one, and Tootell on such occasions pushed the bowl about with the generous freedom of the post- boys in the famous lyric. His exhibitions of the seasons-, in which his face was by turns supposed to express spring, summer, autumn, and winter, always brought dowm the house, and were the most extraordinary exhibitions of facial contortion ever seen. Some carping critic, it is true, had derisively said that if Mr. Tootell would turn his attention to grinning through a horse-collar he w^ould be sure of the top 46 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE prize in most country fairs. Be that as it may, the self-satisfied tones in which he announced laughing spring, slumberous summer, fitful autumn, and boisterous winter, and then pro- ceeded to facially illustrate them was a sight always received with inextinguishable laughter. Mr. Tootell, indeed, was much given to theatricals, and never lost an opportunity of displaying his histrionic powers, and though people were unkind enough to say that wliether he made up or whether he made faces he was always Tootell, and an irredeemable stick, yet that was by no means Mr. Tootell's idea of lus own humour as a low comedian. It is necessary to mention his passion for theatricals, because this taste initiated him to some extent in the art of making-up, and though he might perhaps fail in his own person, yet it showed him how clever actors could disguise them- THE BANKER'S DAUGHTER 47 selves by the assistance of wigs and pigments; and this knowledge, as we shall see, was destined to involve Mr. Tootell in an awkward predicament. When he met Sam Mercer and his sister he had for the moment lost sight of Mr. Brent, and it was his anxiety to once more hold tliat gentleman in view that caused him to pass them so hurriedly. He very soon re- covered the trail, and following Brent at a wary distance, saw him go into an ironmonger's shop. This circumstance would have hardly cost any man but Tootell a second thought, but that worthy, muttering to himself, • Now, Avhat can he want there ? ' stopped on reach- ing the window and looked in. Brent was engaged in purchasing some few tilings, apparently connected with the innkeeping trade, such as taps, funnels, &c. Having obtained these, he put the parcel under his 48 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE arm, and coming out of the shop, proceeded to retrace his steps in the direction of the Dragon. Mr. Tootell shook his liead, and wended his way to the cricket ground im- mersed in a brown study. Who was this man Brent ? What was he staying at the Dragon for, and what the dickens did he want with taps, funn"ls, &c. ? ' Bought 'em for old Joe Mercer, I s'pose ; old Joe didn't buy things like that for him- self;' and once more Mr. Tootell shook his head, and proceeded in quest of information. Play was m full swing when he arrived there, and the match in that interesting con- dition of being anyone's game. Exmouth was just finis' Mig their second innings, but had not done ([uite so well as in their first essay ;• still, 'Vr all that, what with having some few runs m hand on the first innings, THE BANKER'S DAUGHTER 49 they promised to put the Exeter men in for a very respectable total. A few minutes more and the last Exmouth wicket has fallen, and after the usual pause Exeter sets to work to make the 122 runs necessary to victory. It is almost needless to observe that Mr. Tootell was more absorbed in watch- ing the doings of his neighbours than in watching the cricket. * Hallo,' he muttered to himself, ' who's that young spark that Sallie Mercer has got hold of? Handsome girl, SalKe, but she must' be getting on. Let me see, how old is she ? ' Mr. Tootell was a peripatetic chronological table, or as the young ladies of his acquaint- ance expressed it, ' an old horror about dates.' But his thoughts on Miss Mercer's age were dissipated by his running against a fellow gossip from Exeter — something of his VOL. I. E 50 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE own kidney — and from him he immediately sought the information he wanted about Miss Mercer's cavaher, ' That,' returned the other, ' that is Mr. Hallaton, the young officer who made the great catch yesterday for Exeter. He seems a Uttle caught himself just now', doesn't he ? ' * Ah ! you've got quite a new lot of officers this year in Exeter, haven't you ? How d'ye do, Mr. Mercer, we were just talking about the officers in Exeter, and you were saying, Mr. Wilson ' ' That we have got a very lively lot this time.' "• Throw their money about freely, eh ? ' said Sam, ' and keep the tambourine a-rolling. It must make a good deal of difference to the town what sort of set you have at the barracks.' ' Yes,' replied Wilson, ' sometimes they are THE BANKER'S DAUGHTER 51 a much more moneyed lot than others, and of course that makes a difference.' * And those you've got there now are full of money ? ' inquired Sam. ' Just so,' replied Wilson. * There's young Hallaton and two or three more of 'em must spend a deal of money one way and the other.' Sam Mercer passed on with a careless nod, and left the two old gossips to exchange scandal at their leisure. Young Hallaton at all events had the reputation of being well off in the town where he was quartered, and this was a little bit of information that Mercer was glad to acquire, as he trusted to henceforth number young Hallaton amongst his cus- tomers. Not that he had any sinister designs against that young gentleman, but if he was destined to lose his money over racing, it mio-ht as well go into his, Sam Mercer's, pockets, as E 2 ^ t«Smr OF ILUNCMS 52 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE anyone else's, and he thoiiglit Fred Hallaton far too excitable a young man not to find the turf a very expensive pursuit before he was much older. Mr. Hallaton devoted himself pretty well to Miss Mercer nearly the entire afternoon, and Sarah was nothing loth to parade lier admirer before the eyes of Exmouth then and there assembled. In fact, when his innings came and he returned to the pavilion without making much addition to the score, his bosom ally, Dicky Chives, could not resist chaffing him about his flirtation. 'Look here, young man,' said Dicky, ' flirting is all right and regular, but there are times and seasons for it. You can't expect to play cricket and flirt as outrageously as you have been doing. You would never liave muffed that ball if you had been cool, THE BANKER'S DAUGHTER 53 and in your right mind. Of course you were thinking how you would astonish that hand- some girl, in whose pocket you have been sitting all the afternoon, and you did ! ' ' Shut up, Dicky,' was the laughing re- joinder, ' we all play a little too slow at 'em sometimes.' ' More especially when we are wool gather- ing, as you were,' said Chives. * Mark me, young fellow,' he continued with mock solemnity, ' your passion for petticoats will be your ruin.' — ' There he goes again,' soli- loquised Dicky, as Fred ran up the stairs lead- ing to the roof to shake hands with Miss Lydney. 'He can't keep away from 'em,' and with that IMr. Chives hurried to the re- freshment bar to calm his feelings. Dicky Chives was a well-known man in the Eoyal Artillery, and an athlete of no mean 54 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE description. Usually captain of their cricket team wherever he was quartered, and always engaged in boating and racquet-playing, shooting, or something of that description, he held curiously aloof from feminine society. Popular and well known amongst men, he was never seen in a ball-room, and when his brother officers thought to return hospitalities they had received in that fashion, it was de- clared that Dicky, although ready enough to put his hand in his pocket, invariably applied for three days' leave, until, to use his own expression, ' the shine was over.' ' Sorry for your bad luck, personally, Mr. Hallaton,' said Mary Lydney, as she shook hands, ' but my sympathies, of course, are all with Exmouth — a most interesting match. Three wickets to fall. Oh, no ! There goes another, and Exeter wants forty-one runs to win yet/ THE BANKER'S DAUGHTER 55 ' And will never get it,* exclaimed the banker. * It will be a close finish, but we shall just pull through. I shall be broke,' he continued, laughing, ' if we don't. I've got a sovereign on Exmouth.' ' We shall bring your heart in your mouth yet,' rejoined Hallaton, smiling. ' The last two wickets often give a deal of trouble.' Fred's careless words came true in the present instance, and Exeter crept up within thirteen runs of their opponents before their stumps were scattered for the last time, and Exmouth was left the victor by that amount. ' A capital match,' exclaimed the banker ; ' and mind, Hallaton, you have promised to pay us a visit next week.' ' All right, I am not likely to forget Miss Lydney's commands.' And so saying, Fred raised his straw hat and rejoined his com- rades. 56 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE CHAPTER IV ' THE OLD BALL-ROOM ' ' So you are off to-morrow, Sam,' said Miss Mercer to her brother, as he walked home with her after the cricket match ; ' how I wish I was ! ' ' Well, I guess you've no cause to complain,' he replied. * You had a pretty good time to-day, anyhow. That young Hallaton was " saloon- ing " you about pretty well the whole after- noon. You seemed to take to him rather kindly.' ' I should rather have said that he took kindly to me,' retorted the girl, laughing. ' Yes, he is rather nice. I wonder whether he 'THE OLD BALL-ROOM' 57 has got any money. These officers I've heard say are seldom rich, for all their laced jackets.' ' They have a good bit of money, some of them,' replied her brother, ' I know, because I have dealings with them. This young Hal- laton, I fancy, is well off; but it's not likely to matter much to you. No doubt he admires you, but a swell like him is not likely to come to the Dragon for a wife.' ' That's so hke a brother,' replied the girl pettishly. 'I'm sure I wish we had never come to the old tumbledown place. One hears such queer noises there at night. I declare, if I believed in ghosts I should think it was haunted.' ' Queer noises,' said Sam, ' odd, what sort of noises ? ' ' Oh ! I don't know, the whole place creaks. It's only the windows or rats, I suppose.' SS WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' I shall say good-bye to you here,' said Sam. ' I said it to the old folks this morning. Is there anything wrong with mother, by the way ? She's got a worried, anxious look about her that she didn't use to have.' 'Nothing that I know of,' rejoined the girl. ' My fancy, perhaps,' replied her brother, as he kissed her, and then, turning on his heel, he strolled back to his hotel. Miss Mercer walked on towards the Dragon, excessively pleased with herself and all the world. She had had a good-looking young officer dangling at her side before the public nearly the whole of the afternoon. She was conscious of looking her best, and that her proceedings had been viewed by her friends with envy and all iincharitableness. She smiled to herself as she fancied she heard the 'THE OLD BALL-ROOM' 59 expressions — ' Forward thing ! ' and ' Look how that Salhe Mercer is carrying on ! ' Miss Mercer was no innocent girl in her teens, but a young woman who knew the world. She might not be accomplished, but she was as quick-witted as any of her family, and less burdened with principle. She had no pitiable weakness, for instance, about adhering to the truth if she considered a lie would serve her purpose better. Just the sort of woman whose fatal beauty lures men to their un- doing. She threw her head up proudly as she thoucrht of her brother's remark. ' Not come to the Dragon for a wife, indeed,' she muttered. ' Sam don't know much about women, or else he'd not talk foolish like that. There's plenty will come to the Dragon, or anywhere else wdien Sallie Mercer lifts up her finger,' and then she began to reflect that 6o WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE though it was undoubtedly true that she might have been married more than once, yet it was equally certain that she had never as yet hooked a fish she considered worth landing. As for young Hallaton, he had promised to come out and see her at the Dragon, and let Sam think what he might, if she could only see a little more of that gentleman, she fancied that the result would be in her own hands. Sam, on his part, as he walked back to the Beacon, dismissed all thought of young Halla- ton from his mind. ' I dare say,' he reflected, ' that Sallie does get a little tired of the old jog-trot life. It's all very well for a few days rest, but it would kill me in a month. How- ever, peace and happiness ain't much in the way of a regular racing man, and the cry of " I'll take six to four " beats the songs of the thrushes and the blackbirds into fits ! It's a 'THE OLD BALL-ROOM' 6i rum start what made the old 'un take that inn ; however, he knows what he is about, and is more hkely to have an ace up his sleeve than expose his hand,' and then Sam Mercer went into the Beacon to snatch a hasty dinner before catching the night mail to town. Country quarters from time immemorial have enjoyed an unenviable notoriety for the facihty they afford those quartered in them of getting into scrapes, and it was not likely that the metropolis of the West was going to prove an exception. Fred Hallaton had been un- mistakably smitten by the belle of the Dragon. He had a good deal of idle time on his hands; Exmouth and Exeter were by rail but twenty minutes apart, and two days after the cricket match saw Fred Hallaton making his way out to call on Miss Mercer. That young lady received him with the sweetest of smiles. 62 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE 'Ah, this is good of you, Mr. Hallaton,' she exclaimed, as she extended her hand. ' You men are very apt to promise to come and see us, and then forget all about us till we next help you to kill an idle afternoon.' ' I can't fancy anyone forgetting you,' replied Fred, with an ardent glance. ' I was so much interested in your account of this old inn, that I thought I would take advantage of your promise to show it me.' ' I don't know that there's much to show,' returned the girl. ' It is more the stories connected with it ; but I'll show you one room running out at the back which really is curious.' She led the way up a few stairs, then along a passage, then down a few stairs again at the other end, threw open a door, and said — ' This is the baU-room.* 'THE OLD BALL-ROOM' 63 * Ball-room ! ' ejaculated Hallaton, 'and what on earth does an inn like the Dragon want with a ball-room ? ' ' Well,' replied Sarah, ' the house is a good big one, as you see, and years and years ago people used to come out from Exmouth in the summer time and dance here.' It was a good- sized room, quite capable of containing a party of four or five score people for dancing purposes. At one end was a much-out-of-repair little music gallery. Joe Mercer had evidently not thought it worth while to go to any expense about doing up this part of the house. There was lots of old furniture heaped up about it, broken chairs, benches, &c., and it was pervaded with that pecuhar smell which characterises a room in which the windows are never opened ; the dust of many years had accumulated on the 64 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE rickety furniture, which had probably been taken over by tenant after tenant, when the palmy days of the Dragon had departed. It was evidently many years since the room had been used in any way. ' The old people about,' continued Sarah, ' declare that there used to be no end of fun and capers going on here when they were young ; that there were lots of dances went on during the summer months, and in the winter they say it was given up to the smug- glers, who used to drink and smoke and carry on all sorts of mad games. There's an old fellow here, oh, ever so old, over eighty, I'm sure, to whom I sometimes go and talk when I'm dull, who tells horrible tales about what went on at the Dragon when he was young ; all hes, I dare say.' ' Ah ! I don't know,' replied Hallaton. THE OLD BALL-ROOM' 65 ' I fancy there was a good deal of wild work went on along these coasts in those times. Smuggling was at its height then, and I should think those who followed it were a pretty rough lot.' ' Yes, old Mutter tells dreadful tales about the Dragon. Perhaps he only does it to frighten me. He says the smugglers when they got mad with drink, would quarrel amongst themselves and use their knives and pistols on one another. He declares he has seen more than one man carried out of this room dead, and he's got a horrible story of an adventurous exciseman who got in amongst the smugglers, in disguise, but was discovered before he could get back to his comrades with the information he had gained, and was never heard of afterwards.' ' And what did people say became of him ? ' VOL. I. F 66 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE asked Hallaton, wlio was getting much in- terested in the legends of the Dragon, or, it might be, in the narrator of them, who was looking extremely handsome in her pink cambric morning dress. ' He was murdered, old Mutter declares. However, I know I wouldn't come into this room at night, and I don't believe in ghosts, either. But there's something uncanny about it. Look,' she added, ' do you see this trap-door in the corner ? They say that leads dowm to where the smugglers used to stow their brandy and stuff.' ' Has anybody ever been down to see ? ' asked Hallaton. ' Father did, when he first took the house. He says there are only a couple of large cellars which haven't been used for a long time. But come out into the sunshine ; this old room always gives me the creeps.' 'THE OLD BALL-ROOM' 67 As they went towards the door Hallaton's eye was suddenly caught by a candlestick, a box of lucifer matches and a short clay pipe, which were lying on a rickety table not very far from the trap-door. ' The only sign of the days we live in,' he exclaimed, laughing, as he touched the lucifers with his stick. ' Odd,' said Sarah. ' I wonder who has been into the room. I'm sure neither of the two girls would enter if you paid them for it. I suppose it must have been father for some- thing or other.' They passed out of the room, and Miss Mercer led the way to the garden, where the conversation speedily took a more personal turn. Sarah had every reason to feel confi- dent that she had not over-estimated her attractions. Fred Hallaton wandered about 68 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE the garden witli her for the best part of an hour, and was then formally presented to her parents as ' Mr. Hallaton, a friend of Sam's.' Fred rather wmced at this. Sam Mercer was, no doubt, a very respectable man in his line, but his acquaintanceship with Hallaton certainly did not justify his being described as one of that gentleman's ' friends.' Yet the girl had but cleverly taken advantage of the fact that it was her brother Avho had intro- duced Fred to her. Joe Mercer welcomed him with the greatest cordiality, insisted upon his having a glass of ale, said it was a queer old inn, and there was a many strange tales told about it. ' I don't trouble my head about it myself, but Sarah there has a taste for these bygone tales. You must come over and see us again, THE OLD BALL-ROOM' 69 sir, and get her to take you down the road a bit to old Mutter's. He will spin j^ou yarns by the hour about it. I shouldn't wonder if old Bob had seen a sight or two in these walls he'd as heve not speak about.' 'Thanks,' replied Fred, as he swallowed his ale and prepared to go. ' I shall take an early opportunity of coming over again ; these smuggling legends ahvays interest me, and you have promised to be my cicerone, Miss Mercer.' She wasn't very clear what that was, but she nodded assent and flashed her black eyes up into his face as she accompanied him to the gate. 'Good-bye,' she said. 'Don't forget to come soon, and I'll take you down to see old Mutter. Only give the old man a little tobacco, and a trifle to buy rum with, and 70 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE he'll go on yarning as long as you care to listen to liim.' And then, with a quick httle nod, she turned back to the house. Fred Hallaton was conscious of having passed a very pleasant aft^noon as he strode back on his way towards the railway-station. As he neared his goal he encountered a fussy little man, who, after eyeing him with evident interest, suddenly took off his hat, and asked him if he could tell him what o'clock it Avas. As the stranger was palpably wearing a watch, at all events a chain, Fred thought it rather singular that he should make this request, and as he took out his own watch to comply with it, observed dryly, ' I suppose yours don't go ! ' ' Well, yes, it does,' stammered the stranger, ^ but, but not quite, with the — accuracy necessary ' — and here the speaker's voice ' THE OLD BALL-ROOM' 71 swelled, as of a man at last safely delivered of his lie — ' to the happiness of a man of punctual habits ' 'Half-past five, and I recommend you to look sharp,' said Hallaton, with a steady stare at his questioner. ' I should think your friends would be anxious to see you.' ' Yes,' replied Mr. Tootell, for he of course was the stranger. ' Poor old Joe Mercer looks to seeing me pretty well every day; and capital good ale at the Dragon, ain't it, sir ? ' ' How the devil should I know ? ' returned Hallaton so sharply that Mr. Tootell involun- tarily took a step or two backwards. 'No offence,' he replied, deprecatingly. ' I don't mean any harm, I'm sure, but old Joe does keep good ale, and Sallie is an un- common fine gal.' ' I don't know who you are, or where you 72 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE may be going,' rejoined Fred fiercely, 'but I recommend you, wherever it is, to go, for if you pester me any more with your con- founded remarks I'll chuck you down the next area we come across.' ' Oh, I don't want to intrude upon anyone, especially the servants,' rejoined Mr. Tootell, drawing himself up in a way that provoked a smile from Fred Hallaton's lips ; ' but I thought perhaps you were friendly with the Mercers.' ' Well, never mind what you thought,' rejoined Fred, ' my way lies here, and yours, no doubt, in some other direction.' ' Oh, I don't mind which way I walk ; my time 's at my own disposal ; if you're going to the station, I'll just look in and see how my watch tallies with the station clock. Perhaps you have a train to catch ? If both our tickers were wrong it will be a case of" Oh, 'THE OLD BALL-ROOM' 73 what a surprise ! " ' and Mr. Tootell was proceeding to warble a strain of the popular refrain, when Hallaton turned sharply upon him, and said, ' You had better take your musical talents, sir, where they will be appre- ciated ; in the meanwhile, I wish you good afternoon.' Mr. Tootell stopped ; this was an insult to his vocal ability which he could not overlook. Moreover, as he admitted afterwards, ' That tall young man looked dangerous.' ' Huffy,' he remarked to himself ; ' these military gents are apt to be supercilious. Now, I wonder if he has been out to the Dragon ? ' 74 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE CHAPTER V TOOTELL IS PUZZLED ' I dox't understand it and I don't quite like it,' said Mrs. Mercer dogmatically, as she sat in the Dragon bar-parlour conversing with her husband and Mr. Brent. ' ' Well, I don't much like it myself,' replied Joe. ' It's rather too risky a specula- tion for my taste. ' Nonsense ! ' said Brent, ' who's to suspect you ? Did you ever make so much money in the time before? Business is just in full swino' now. Another eio-hteen months and our fortune is made.' ' That's all true enough,' rejoined Mercer, TOO TELL IS PUZZLED 75 * but it's a dangerous game, and I wish I had never started on it.' ' Stuff and nonsense ! ' retorted Brent, ' we won't go into particulars. Wlio risks most, I should hke to know — you or I ? ' ' That don't very much matter,' said Joe , ' When you are busted, it don't signify how much you're busted.' ' Come, come,' said Brent soothingly, ' it's no use funking now. You've sailed as close to the wind many a time, I'll be bound.' ' Never ! ' said the other emphatically, as he brought his fist down on the table. ' I've not been over particular, I admit, but I never went as far as this before. It's all very weU ; you've been playing a game of hide and seek all your hfe — I haven't ; there has never been anything against me that I couldn't face.' ' Oh, come ! ' rejoined Brent, ' you needn't 76 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE go bragging about your character now. Eemember, if you cut the whole business to- morrow you are in just the same scrape as if you carried on for : nother year or so. I'm not a rich man, and have got too mucli money in this business to drop such a paying concern. You must go on.' ' That's true, missis,' said Joe, turning to his wife ; ' I'll back out as soon as I can, but it can't be yet.' ' Just so,' said Brent ; ' now look here, we've been a little imprudent trusting to the ghost stories to keep the girls out of the old ball-room. We've been weak enougli to leave the key in the lock. There is nobody but the maids, I suppose, ever goes near it ? ' ' No,' replied Mrs. Mercer, ' and neither of them dare go inside, I'll pound it.' ' It was Dan's turn on, so I wasn't down- lOOTELL IS PUZZLED 77 Stairs. He said he heard voices in the ball- room this afternoon. It is well I had a special key made. That door must be kept locked in future.' ' I can't think who it could have been,' said ]\Iercer, whose face betrayed unmistak- able signs of uneasiness, ' but I'll take good care that the room is kept locked in future.' And here the appearance of Sarah with an inquuy as to whether supper was ready put an end to the conversation. Fred Hallaton on his way home to Exeter became suddenly conscious of a violent desire to learn all that he could about the coast lore of Devonshire. He determined to set to work and pick up all the smuggling legends he could lay his hands on, and those connected with the old Dragon Inn in particular, but he did not think proper to dilate on his newly 78 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE acquired information for the benefit of liis brother officers at dinner that evening. On the contrary, when questioned about his pro- ceedings by his particular chum, Dicky Chives, he was pecuHarly reticent concerning them, and was so unusually silent that that worthy at last remarked dryly, ' that whatever he had been doing, it didn't seem to have agreed with him.' Young men in Fred Hall a ton's state are either apt to be silent, or, worse still, garrulous, and then, as most of us have painful experi- ence, they wax eloquent only on the one subject. Hallaton had attained his twenty- fifth year, and this was the first time he had ever been seriously attracted by a w^oman's charms. He had spent only two afternoons in Sarah's society and was already entangled in a desperate flirtation with that young lady. TOO TELL IS PUZZLED 79 In considerable danger, if he only knew it, of making an arrant fool of himself. The game was too uneven, he was over head and ears in love with her, -whilst Sarah, though about his own age, was years older in all knowledge of affairs of the heart. If her flirtations had been numerous no one of them had cost her a regret. It was the cool calculating player against the impetuous novice. Needless to add that the game was in the former's hands and that tlie latter would be eventually at her mercy, hers to do what she willed with, to toss on one side or to take to herself as a husband. Chives, however, at the present had not the slightest suspicion that his comrade was so stricken ; he often chaffed Fred about being ' a lady's man,' but that meant no more than that'Hallaton was a ball-goer, fond of So WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE society, and not afraid of a woman when he met one. Dicky Chives knew in his heart that he was ; he would have stood up without flinching to the biggest rough if he had insulted him, but to converse with a lady always threw Dicky into a state of nervous bewilderment. He had seen Hallaton paying great attention to a handsome girl during the cricket match, but he had no idea of who Sarah was or what was her station. To see Fred doing cavalier was no new sight, and though he laughingly predicted that his weak- ness that way would prove his ruin, Mr. Chives really thought his chum perfectly well able to take care of himself, and would have manifested much incredulity if anybody had suggested that Hallaton was in a fair way to get himself into a terrible scrape. However, it was httle likely that Fred's visits to the TOO TELL IS PUZZLED gj Dragon would cease at present, nor was it likely that they would be long before they came to the knowledge of Dicky Chives. But there was another person who sus- pected the continuation of the flirtation that he had seen commenced on Exmouth Cricket Ground, and that was Mr. Tootell. Any- thing of that kind was a perfect godsend to the old gossip, who since his retirement from business had taken the supervision of all the love-making in Exmouth under his own care, and had in consequence run more than one narrow escape of being kicked for his pains. People are sometimes misunderstood ; but Mr. Tootell's unappeasable curiosity was quite understanded by the people of Exmouth. He was dying to know if anything more had come of that promising beginning, and when he had seen Hallaton coming from the direc- VOL. I. G 82 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE tion of the Dragon, lie had done his best to learn from him whether he had been there. If this was so it wonld make the inn highly- interesting. He could see how old Joe Mercer was getting on, and superintend Sarah's little affair at the same time. He rubbed his hands with satisfaction ; but here the ' something bitter ' arose, as he reflected that they were desperately impetuous young people to meddle with. Mr. Hallaton's manner, he could but acknowledge, upon the one occasion on which he had spoken to him, had been far from friendly, while Miss Mercer, he knew of old, was dangerous to interfere with. Still the master passion triumphed, and heedless of the unpleasant consequences that had more than once attended liis putting his nose into other people's affairs, Mr. Tootell TOO TELL IS PUZZLED 83 haunted the Dragon more persistently than ever. No rebuff seemed to daunt hnn, although Mrs. Mercer would storm at him on the slightest provocation, although Sarah barely acknowledged his salutation, and al- though even Joe himself was as near morose as it was possible for him to be. ]\Ir. Tootell bore it all Avith imperturbable good temper ; he was not to be irritated ; he came per- sistently morning after morning, sat for the best part of an hour over his pipe and mild ale, inquiring about every conceivable topic, from how the potatoes were getting on in the garden, to how trade was doing at the bar, to when Sarah was going to be married, to what Mr. Brent was doing down there. 'How should I know?' replied Joe Mercer testily one morning. ' As long as a customer pays his bill, it is nothing to me G 2 84 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE what his reasons may be for stopping in my house.' 'Well, but what should you think they were ? ' pertinaciously inquired Too tell. ' I don't bother my head about it,' replied Joe. ' I wonder you don't try the ale at some other hotel occasionally.' ' Rather ungrateful of you that, Joe. You know I promised you when you took the Dragon that you should have the benefit of all my experience, and you shall.' ' I'm not aware that I ever came to you for advice.' 'No, no, you wouldn't, Joe. You're a strong-willed man, with a shrewd head on your shoulders, that's what you are. You don't want everybody's advice about what you're going to do, not you ; but for all that, it's the duty of your friends, when you go 7 00 TELL IS PUZZLED 85 into a business you don't know anything about, to stand by you.' ' Confound it ! ' said Mercer. ' I know perfectly well wliat I'm about. I don't re- quire your advice, nor anyone else's.' For that morning, at all events, Mr. Tootell was silenced, and finished his ale with- out making further inquiry. But he had not the slightest intention of abandonino- his in- vestigations, and w^as as determined as ever to find out what business it was that detained ]\lr. Brent in the neighbourhood, and whether young Hallaton was a constant visitor at the Dragon. He had never met the latter there, and to his interrogations on the subject, both Joe and his wife professed complete ignorance of that gentleman's identity. ' We serve no one of that name,' had been Mercer's reply ; * but it is not to be supposed that I know the 86 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE name of everybody wlio comes in for a glass of ale.' To wliicli Mr. Tooteil had replied tartly that they weren't so very numerous as to confuse a man's recollection. He sus- pected that the Mercers were not quite tell- ing the truth, and in this we know he was well justified : but what are you to do with a man of this description ? one might as well publish one's private affairs in the paper as make Mr. Tooteil acquainted with them. In his thirst for information on this point, he had at length mustered up courage to inquire of Miss Mercer if she had met Mr. Hallaton lately ; but that young lady rose to the occasion, and with a scornful toss of her head promptly replied, ' If you'll ask me no ques- tions I'll tell you no lies,' and, case-hardened as he was, Mr. Tooteil did not dare to pursue tlie subject further. Miss Mercer was one of TOOTELL IS PUZZLED 87 the few people of whom he stood in awe. Brent, too, Mr. Tootell saw but little of ; he occasionally found that mysterious stranger in the bar when he visited the Dragon, but any attempt to inveigle Brent into conversa- tion was hopeless. He was apparently a walking monosyllable, and the advent of Mr. Tootell seemed to be to him a sio^nal for leaving the room. Gradually there stole upon the former a sort of shadowy idea that he had seen Brent before at some far away time ; long ago, if it was so, and when or where it was he had no conception. Al- though a great slice of his life had been passed in Exmouth, yet he had begun the world in London, and it was the profits he had made in the ' public' line there that had enabled him to take the house in Exmouth wdiere he finally acquired his competency. 88 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE This idea once got into his head, Mr. Tootell cudgelled his brain ceaselessly as to who Brent was in the past, and as to where he had met him. He endeavoured to throw himself in his way on every occasion, but the opportunities vouchsafed him were few, and even when he did succeed in pouncing on his victim. Brent speedily made his escape. Save the one occasion upon which he had seen him in Exmouth, he had never en- countered Ih'ent except either in, or in the immediate vicinity of, the Dragon. It was all a haze, and he could make nothing of it. One thing only was clear to Mr. Tootell, to wit, if ever he had met Brent in former days that was not the name he then went by ; that he had never known anyone so called he was perfectly certain. That he never encountered Hallaton was due chiefly to the fact that TOO TELL IS PUZZLED 89 whereas Mr. Tootell usually frequented the Dragon in the morning, Fred generally paid his visits to Sarah in the afternoon, and partly to the mere accident that he had never as yet run across Hallaton on his way to and from the station. Hallaton's journeys to Exmouth had not as yet attracted the atten- tion of his brother officers. It was supposed that he had friends in the town, having been seen talking to Miss Lydney in the cricket pavilion, and the banker was not only a prominent feature in his own town, but was well known in Exeter besides. ' Mercer,' exclaimed Brent, as he entered the bar-parlour hurriedly, soon after the termi- nation of one of Mr. Tootell's visits, ' we must put a stop to that mquisitive old idiot coming here. We've got enough custom just to be the blind we want, and our customers are all of the 90 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE right sort — men who come in simply for their drinks and ?,. short rest, and nothing else, bar two. I don't much like that young officer coming here. However, there's no mistake about li^hy he comes. He is after your daughter and, I'm bound to say, don't seem to have eyes for anything else.' ' Well, Sarah can take care of herself,' replied Mercer ; ' so never mind that part of it. He's a good sort, he don't want to know anything, he's no harm about the place, and you can't expect the girl not to have a sweet- heart.' ' Oh, I don't so much mind young Hallaton,' returned Brent, ' but we must put a stop to that fellow Tootell comins^ here. I'd knock his head off for twopence.' ' Oh, yes,' rejoined Joe, ' and there are times when I get so mad with his questioning I could shake the life out of the wretched TOOTELL IS PUZZLED 91 little atomy, altliougli I've known liim the last twenty years and more. But what good would that do ? He's a vmdictive little devil if he's thwarted, and he'd have either of us up at Exmouth for assault. It only calls attention to the house ; and then it wouldn't suit either of us to be turned inside out by one of these lawyer chaps.' ' No,' said Brent, ' it wouldn't suit my book to be in a witness-box at all. One never can tell what licence the beaks would allow a sharp lawyer.' ' He'd not mind either,' said Joe, with a twinkle in his eye ; ' that Tootell wouldn't mind a black eye or so to find out what has brought you down here.' ' No ; as 3^ou say, it would draw attention to the house, more or less, and that's just what we don't want. I must devise some other scheme.' 92 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE CHAPTEE VI AN EMBAERASSIXG SALUTE An invitation to spend a couple of days with the Lydneys reached Fred Hallaton in due course, and as that gentleman had nothing particular to do he resolved to accept it. He thought he could indulge his infatuation for Sarah Mercer quite as easily from the banker's house as from the barracks. His mornings would probably be at his own disposal, and it would be only paying his devotions before noon instead of after. The banker had a capital house standing in very pretty grounds in the outskirts of the town, and here Hallaton and his portmanteau AN EMBARRASSING SALUTE 93 were deposited just in time to dress for dinner. When — after making liis toilet — lie descended to the drawing-room, he found several people already assembled there. ]\i[r. Lydney kept a capital cook, and j)rided himself on his little dinners, and not without reason. He was one of those genial hosts who at once set their guests at ease, and without being particularly brilliant, have the knack of setting the ball of conversation going. Though celebrated for his wine, the banker was not remarkable for either witty epigram or sparkling anecdote, but he possessed the invaluable gift of tact. You must have been very dull or hopelessly shy to find yourself left out of the conversa- sation at Mr. Lydney 's table. Fred found himself placed on his hostess's right. The banker's wife had been dead for some years, and Mary Lydney had long taken 94 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE the head of her father's table. As it had fallen to his lot to take in a lady, with whom the making of conversation was a toilsome and arduons duty, he not unnaturally turned to his neighbour on the other side. There he, at all events, had no cause to complain, and Fred was soon chatting gaily and pleasantly enough. ' I came across a most extraordinary old lunatic here the other day,' he remarked. ' He stopped me to ask the time, having a Avatch on himself, and then proceeded to cross- examine me as to where I had been and where I was going. A little, thin, wizened old man, in a tall straw hat. Can you identify him by that description, Miss Lydney ? ' Mary burst out laughing. ' Papa,' she ex- claimxcd, ' please listen to this. Now, Mr. Hallaton, please repeat your little story. I AN EMBARRA SSIXG SAL UTE 95 think you'll find your friend is pretty well known.' Fred accordingly reiterated his story, and as he finished a laugh ran round the table and ' Tootell ' burst from several lips. ' Tootell ! ' exclaimed Fred, ' who, and what is he? ' ' Quite a character in Exmouth,' said the banker, while the words ' horrid old wretch ' escaped his daughter's lips, and such comments as ' insufferable old bore,' ' intolerable nui- sance,' &c., fell from others of the party. 'Why, surely,' rejoined Fred, 'he can't annoy any of you, he has no pretensions to be a gentleman ^ What do you mean .^ ' ' No, no,' replied Mr. Lydney, ' he is only a retired innkeeper, and a chartered bug- bear, a regular Old Man of the Sea, that Exmouth can't shake ofi". He is a most respect- 96 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE able man, and very respectful, but his uncon- trollable desire to pry into his neighbours' afiairs gets him into all manner of scrapes.' ' I should rather think so,' said Fred. ' Yes,' remarked Miss Lydney, ' and his age and diminutive stature, as a rule, get him out of them. Men get very angry with him, but they can't beat such a little creature as that, tiresome as he is,' and then the con- versation drifted into other channels. When the ladies left the room, the men drew up to their host's end of the table. ' I rode past the old Dragon Inn to-day,' remarked one of the guests, as he helped him- self to a bumper of the banker's claret. ' You, like myself, Lydney, can recollect it as an inn for many years, though its prosperous times were before our day.' ' Yes, though I can recollect it in my boy- AN EMBARRASSING SALUTE 97 hood as a house that did a respectable business, and I've heard my father tell all sorts of queer tales that were current about it when he was a young man. I know he said that more than once, when out picnicking there, he had danced in the old ball-room.' ' Well, I never thought to see it become an inn again,' said the first speaker, ' and what possessed any man to try such a hopeless experi- ment, I can't conceive.* ' I don't know that it is so very hopeless,' rejoined Mr. Lydney. ' I can't fancy it otherwise,' rejoined the other. ' There's not much money to be gathered from a few chance passers-by.' ' Ah, well,' replied the banker, ' old Mercer is making money somehow or other, though I don't pretend to know how.' The next morning, after breakfast, Fred VOL. I. H 98 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE Hallaton had arranged in his own mind to pay a visit to the object of his affections ; but we are rarely our own masters in other people's houses, and upon this occasion Fred's scheme was quietly knocked on the head by Mary Lydney. ' Now, Mr. Hallaton,' she said, as they rose from the breakfast table, ' if you will get your letters written, that is, if you have any to write, or your cigar smoked if you have not, I shall be ready to go out with you about eleven, and we will take a turn on the sea- wall, and see if we can beat up some recruits for lawn- tennis this afternoon.' There was no help for it ; there was no possibility of backing out of the challenge of his hostess. He could only reply that he had no correspondence to trouble him, and was quite at her disposal whenever she chose, and AN EMBARRASSING SALUTE 99 shortly afterwards he found hhnself prome- nading the sea-wall. Miss Lydney, it need be scarcely said, knew pretty well everybody worth knowing in Exmouth. She stopped to chat to several of her friends, and Fred found himself making the acquaintance of half the young ladies in the town. Having enlisted her recruits for the afternoon. Miss Lydney turned her steps homewards, and as they walked down the Esplanade for the last time Fred suddenly found himself face to face with Miss Mercer. Sarah was dressed very simply, and in good taste. An amused expression played for a moment over her face, as she caught sight of Hallaton, and as they passed she saluted Fred with a malicious smile and bow. He raised his hat, and the next minute became conscious of an extremely surprised expression on his companion's countenance. H 2 loo WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE 'I had no idea, Mr. Hallaton,' she observed, somewhat frigidly, ' that you were acquainted with that lady.' Fred muttered something confusedly about having been introduced to her in the cricket field, to which Miss Lydney replied a little sharply — ' I should have hardly thought that necessary in her case,' and then abruptly changed the subject. Mary, indeed, was very angry ; she of course knew Sarah very well by sight, and was perfectly aware who the hand- some, bold-eyed young woman was. She also knew that she was the daughter of a man of humble origin, who had prospered in Exmouth, made a bit of money, and after trying his hand at a good many trades, had finally settled down as an innkeeper. Mary would have described Miss Mercer as a forward minx. She had marked the malicious smile that had AN EMBARRASSING SALUTE loi spread over her face, and rightly considered ii-was a piece of studied impertinence her bow- incr to a o^entleman with whom she was walk- ing, and deemed that, by returning her salute, Fred Hallaton had abetted Miss Mercer's offence. Fred rose at once to the emergency, and began without delay to talk rapidly on some other subject. Sarah had been quite as keen to note Miss Lydney's annoyance, and started on her way home with a mixture of anger and triumph in her heart. She was pleased at having morti- fied ' that stuck-up Miss Lydney,' as she called her, but she did not quite approve of Fred's walking about Exmouth with anyone but her- self. Not that this had ever happened, for Fred would have fought rather shy at present of parading the town with a young lad}^ in Miss Mercer's position. When she reached I02 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE her home she found her father and Brent talk- ing in front of the house. ' Do you expect that young soldier chap out to-day,' inquired Joe, idly. ' He wasn't out yesterday, so I suppose it's likely he'll be here to-day?' ' I think not,' replied Sarah, ' for I passed Mr. Hallaton on the Esplanade this morning, and my gentleman seemed half- ashamed to acknowledge me ; but I wasn't going to have that, you know. ' ' What do you mean ? ' inquired her father. ' Why, he was walking with that Miss Lydney, who gives herself such airs — whether because she thinks herself good-looking or because her father is so rich, I don't know. He looked as if he were going to pass me without raising his hat, but I made him such AN EMBARRASSING SALUTE 103 a marked bow be was forced to return it. You should have seen Miss Lydney's face, conceited thing. She can't get a husband herself, and can't bear any young man she knows to look at another girl.' ' Do you mean to say,' said Joe, in rather awestruck tones, ' that you bowed to him while he was walking with Miss Lydney P ' ' Of course I did,' replied Sarah. ' You don't suppose I will allow a man to know me in one place and not in another ? ' ' Quite right,' interposed Brent. ' You are a girl of some spirit, you are. So young Hallaton is intimate with the Lydneys, is he?' * He knows them,' replied Sarah ; * though I should think that is a thing that doesn't much concern you.' ' Eather a quick-tongued young lady,' I04 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE remarked Brent, as Sarah swept her way into the house. * Takes after her mother a bit,' said Joe. ' You'd best speak 'em fair if you want thmgs to go comfortable.' ' Things can't be better than they are,' said Brent. ' As I said before, all that I wish is that we could hit upon some means of getting shot of Tootell, and I own I don't see my way to that.' 'x^o,' rejoined Joe, sententiously. ' If you keep an inn you can't shut your doors,' and with that the two men turned back into the liouse. WilHam Brent was a man Avho for more than thirty years had been chasing fortune through illicit by-ways, seeking phantasmal riches by various illegal short cuts. If the law had never laid him by the heels it was AN EMBARRASSING SALUTE 105 owing to his cunning and good luck, and not because he had not more than once risked faUing into its clutches. It could not be said that the police knew him, for that was exactly what they did not. Had they been acquainted with his personality he would not have en- joyed that immunity from the consequences of the nefarious life he had so long led. But if they did not know him by sight they certainly knew of him, and ' Slippery Bill ' was chronicled on their records as chief pro- moter and designer of many a clever scheme for cozening the British Public, and wheed- ling their hard-earned gains out of their pockets. Like all men of his class Brent was a shrewd judge of human nature. A desire to make money with a minimum quantity of labour he knew was characteristic of human- ity. We are often reminded that money io6 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE cannot do everything. ' Perhaps not,' argued Mr. Brent, ' but it can give a good deal, and you can't tell me anything else that can give so much.' His schemes were as varied as ingenious, and, as a rule, till the inevitable explosion came, were extremely profitable both for himself and his associates. Some of them, indeed, had expiated their fraudulent proceedings by various terms of imprison- ment ; but Brent on these occasions invari- ably disappeared until the hue and cry had blown over. What his real name might be nobody knew ; he had rejoiced in innumerable aliases, and William Brent was his present travelling name. There was one thing singular about the man. His associates were generally lavish of the spoils that fell to their share. Brent was not ; he made money and he kept it, and it was probably this possession of ready money AN EMBARRASSING SALUTE 107 which enabled him so often to escape the consequences of his wrong-doing. If he had devoted the same amount of skill and energy to any legitimate calling he would have pro- bably been a far wealthier man. The profits may be great on illicit transactions, but there is always more or less a certain amount of blackmail to be paid by those engaged in them. ' Honour among thieves ' is a very fallacious adage to place trust in, and Brent had more than once paid high to close the compromising mouth of an old associate. Gifted with great coolness and audacity, he had so far borne a charmed life, and was regarded with no little awe and veneration by his companions, over whom he ruled with great firmness and authority ; but there was amongst them one to whom it was notorious that William Brent yielded a deference he accorded to no one else, and, moreover, that io8 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE it was certainly not from love that lie was so subservient to the ideas of this ancient com- rade. Brent was a self-reliant, well-educated man, subtle in his plans, and dictatorial to those concerned with him in their accomplish- ment ; but when old Creasey chose to assert himself — and the violent tempered old man was much given to doing so — Brent usually yielded. There were various rumours con- cerning his influence over him, mostly to the effect that he possessed knowledge of Brent's early life that the latter much dreaded to have published ; but these were all vague and confused. Certain, however, it was that he yielded to the domineering old man in a way that he did to no one else. This worthy w^as at the present moment in prison, where no small period of his life at recurring intervals had been passed. I09 CHAPTER yn Sarah's loye letter ' Well, Mary, what do you think of him ? ' inquired the banker, as he and his daughter sat tete-a-tete at dinner the evening after Fred Hallaton had left them. ' He is a nice, gentlemanly young man,' replied the girl. ' I rather like him ; but don't you think it rather odd, papa, that he should know IVIiss Mercer ? ' ' No, I can't say I do,' replied Mr. Lydney. ' Miss Mercer is a very good-looking young woman, and I should think by no means diffi- cult to know. I dare say she has a pretty no WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE numerous acquaintance amongst the young men here.' Mary Lydney said no more ; she and Hallaton had got on very well together, but she couldn't quite get over that bow upon the Esplanade, although the subject had never been alluded to between them since. When two or three days had passed with- out Fred Hallaton making his appearance at the Dragon, Sarah Mercer began to get some- what uneasy ; although she did not care for him she did not wish that this man should escape her toils. It might or it might not suit her to marry him, for Miss Mercer went so far as to picture that circumstance as sure to be at her option in due course, but it gratified her vanity to think that she had one of the officers from Exeter danghng in her train ; and when three days elapsed and she . SARAH'S LOVE LETTER in still neither saw nor heard of Hallaton, Sarah began to have misgivings. In her experience, and it was by no means circumscribed, she had found that constant interviews were necessary to maintain her thrall. When her admirers, from either accident or design, ceased to see her frequently they were speedily disenchanted. The fact obtruded itself that, free from the glamour of her splendid and rather sensuous beauty, Miss Mercer was a somewhat vulgar, half-educated young woman, and her first idea had been to treat Fred with considerable hauteur when he should appear. He was to be thoroughly well rated for his neglect, and then forgiven. But unfortunately for the carrying out of this programme, Fred's presence was necessary, and lie still shunned the Drao-on. Sarah was naturally a passionate woman, but she could 112 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE control lier temper wlien she saw good cause for doing so. Fred Hallaton's chains were not quite so tightly riveted as she had deemed them. She changed her tactics, and de- spatched a short note to the delinquent. ' Why are you angry with poor me ? ' it ran. ' You might at least come and tell me what I've done wrong. — Ever yours, Sarah.' Could Fred Hallaton but have seen the sullen, angry face that bent over the paper as those few words were penned, it might have saved him much future misery. Fred, indeed, on his side, was not a little wrath with the fair Sarah himself. He knew as well as Miss Lydney that the salute on the Espla- nade had been given with malice p^epense^ and it angered him that Sarah had deliberately placed him in such an awkward situation. SARAH'S LOVE LETTER 113 But Fred was too deeply smitten to nurse his indignation for long. He was already once more meditating a call at the Dragon, when Sarah's note was put into his hands, and, it need scarcely be said, that effectually clinched his resolve. He was received with much cordiality. Sarah's face flushed with downright pleasure at the success of her stratagem. She honestly was excessively glad to see him again. She had missed his adulation. It was a necessity to this girl that some man should be always pouring honeyed words into her ear. Even her father was pleased to see the young Fellow again. As we know, Joe Mercer had some- what ambitious aspirations for his daughter, and muttered to himself, ' He would do, if he'd take a fancy to her, as Sam 'ud say. Gentle- men don't come shinning round every day.' VOL. I. I 114 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' Now, Mr. Hallaton,' exclaimed Sarah, 'I will take you to see old Bob Mutter if you like, and you can hear from his own lips all that he has got to tell about the old inn.' ' I think I'd rather hear it from you than from him,' rejoined Fred, with an ardent oflance at his enslaver. ' Let us have one more look at the old ball-room before you begin.' Sarah laughed, and rejoined : 'Well, with you to protect me, I don't mind, but I honestly don't care about going there by myself. It gives me the creeps — but come along,' and she led the way. On arriving at the door, she turned the handle, and then said, ' I can't open it.' ' It's a little stiff from disuse,' suggested Fred. ' Let me try.' She stood back while he essayed to open SARAH'S LOVE LETTER 115 the door. He turned the handle sharply, and gave it a good jerk, and then remarked, ' No wonder we can't get in. It is locked.' 'I wonder what that's for,' exclaimed Sarah. ' Wait a minute, I'll go and ask father for the key.' They accordingly wended their way back again, and found Joe Mercer and Brent talk- ing together in the bar-parlour. ' We want to have a look at the old ball- room, father, and somebody has locked it up. Have you the key ? ' Joe Mercer and Brent exchanged a rapid glance. 'Yes, but it is upstairs,' responded the former, after a short pause. ' I have locked it up because the floor is not safe.' ' Why, father,' exclaimed the girl, ' we went in there the other day. The room was ii6 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE dusty and ghostly enough, but there wasn't a board even creaked under us.' ' What the devil are you doing here, sir ? ' suddenly inquired Brent, so fiercely that the other three looked round in utter amazement to see what had produced this explosion. Standing in the doorway, with both ears unmistakably cocked, was Mr. Tootell. If ever a man had curiosity limned in every hue of his face, if ever a man was listening to a conversation of absorbing interest, it was Mr. Tootell at that moment. ' What am I doing .^ ' he replied, in answer to Brent's question. ' I have just dropped in for a tankard of mild ale, and to see how my old friend is. Ah ! Mr. Hallaton, I hope I see you well, sir. No cause to ask after you, Miss Mercer, you look blooming.' Miss Mercer responded by an indignant SARAH'S LOVE LETTER 117 shrug of her shoulders, while Hallaton re- turned the old gossip's greeting with a con- temptuous stare. 'By the w^ay, Joe, you never told me about the old ball-room. I'd like to see it. That reminds me, I've never been thoroughly over the old house yet.' ' Well then, you can't see the old ball-room to-day, that's all I have got to say,' rephed Mercer. ' In my mind the old ball-room is unsafe. I've locked it up, and I'm not a-goin' to open it for anyone. I'm not a-goin' to have any broken legs lying about my premises.' ' Well, Mr. Mercer,' said Hallaton, laugh- ing. ' I don't think there'll be much risk of that, but if you don't want us to go into the room, of course that's sufficient.' ' Xo, no, tut, tut ! ' exclaimed Tootell. ' You young gentlemen are always so hasty. ii8 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE \ - I'm very anxious to see that ball-room. I don't mind even if there is a little danger. To think now, Joe, that you never mentioned that ball-room to me before.' ' I'm sorry I can't oblige you, Mr. Halla- ton, but I stick to what I say. I thought it best to lock that room up, and locked I intend to keep it.' ' Quite right, Joe, quite right,' said Mr. Tootell, as Sarah and her admirer quitted the parlour. ' Not the thing to let foolish young people like that go exploring by themselves ; but now they're gone, you and I'll just go and have a look at that floor by ourselves. ]\iight be something to be made of that room, Joe, who know^s ! We might get up a free and easy there. I'm rather a card, you know, in that way, and I'm sure I'd be always ready to obhge.' SARAH'S LOVE LETTER 119 Brent cast a meaning look at Joe Mercer, and then left the room. ' Odd tiling,' remarked Mr. Tootell, ' that man always reminds me of some one I used to know long ago.' ' Who might that be ? ' asked the other uneasily. ' That's just what I can't call to mind, but it's some one I knew before I came here, I fancy. It puts a man out not being able to think of a thing like this,' said Mr. Tootell meditatively. ' Now, Joe, what about that ball-room ? ' ' We'd best have this thing made clear at once,' said Mercer angrily. ' I keep a house of entertainment in which there are certain rooms set apart for the public ; the re- mainder of the house I intend to keep for myself. If the public rooms ain't enough for 120 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE you, you'd best go somewhere else for your liquor.' 'No, no, Joe,' replied Tootell. 'I'm not a-goin' to desert an old friend like that ; but it's impossible for me to advise you without looking over the premises, you know.' ' Advise me I ' cried Joe, ' what about ? Who the dickens asked your advice? ' ' Now don't get hasty,' replied Mr. Tootell ; ' of course I thought you were asking my opinion about doing the house up a bit.' ' Then you had best understand,' retorted the landlord of the Dragon, ' that I don't want your opinion about that or anything else ; ' with which sweeping disclaimer of any assistance Mercer left his guest to finish his ale by himself. The idea of a sort of Bluebeard's cup- board in the Dragon roused Mr. Tootell's SARAH'S LOVE LETTER 121 curiosity to a feverish height. He felt that he must see the inside of this locked room. What reason had Mercer for keeping it shut up? That its being unsafe was a mere excuse was palpable, and while he drank his ale Mr. Tootell's busy brain was lost in vain conjecture as to what might be the secret of this care- fully guarded chamber, and how he was to obtain a peep into it. He had not lived in Exmouth all these years without having heard of the ball-room and the ancient glories of the Dragon, but it had never occurred to him till that mornino^ that the ball-room was still in existence. He knew that a considerable part of the house was shut up, but had never before felt the slightest curiosity about these empty unfurnished rooms. But now there was a mystery about them, he felt he should never rest till it was solved. He wondered whether 122 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE it was possible to get a peep in at the windows of the mystic chamber. The Dragon was built like a T, of which the top faced the road while the tail ran back into the garden, and on which the windows of the ball-room opened. Mr. Tootell knew enough of the house to know that this tail of the T was the disused part, and that of course in that was the room into which he was so anxious to penetrate. Mr. Tootell finished his ale, and was about to take his way home again, when he suddenly bethought him that it was worth while to take a turn round the garden and see what he could make out at the back of the house. It was a large old-fashioned garden by no means carefully kept, and in which there had never been the slightest attempt to conform to the modern fashion of groups of small beds in intricate patterns, with trim narrow borders ^^ SARAH S LOVE LETTER 123 of lobelia, golden chain, or other similar plants. The large grass-plot in the centre was surrounded by various shrubberies with great deep borders in front of them, in which the flowers grew in wild luxuriance and looked almost as if they had been sown broadcast. It was evidently but very roughly cared for, and even Tootell could see that in the hands of anyone who had a real love for a garden it had great capabiHties. Prying about and making dihgent use of his eyes, Mr. Tootell had Httle trouble in making out to his own satisfaction which were the windows of the ball-room. Those three tall windows, of which the centre one ran down to the ground, and was flanked on each side by a bay-window stopping just short enough of the walk out- side to allow for a seat in each, pointed un- mistakably to the object of Mr. Tootell's quest, 124 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE but it required only a glance to see that they were boarded up on the inside, and that there- fore, as he reflected ruefully, there was no opportunity for making a peephole unless the glass was first broken. Mr. Tootell's further researches were suddenly stopped short by a significant cough, and it was beautiful to see then how absorbed he at once became in the cabbage roses, the view, or anything else indeed except the old ball-room. ' What ! ' said Brent, as he advanced with a mocking smile on his lips, ' as you couldn't see the inside you thought you would come and look at the out. Well, that's it, and now I hope you're satisfied.' ' Very interesting indeed,' replied Mr. Tootell ; ' I can quite fancy it being a most excellent room for the purpose. Dancing inside, then people stepped out by the window SARAH'S LOVE LETTER 125 and doubtless had refreshments of all kinds. I tell you what,' contmued Mr. Tootell, 'if the landlord in those days knew his business he had lots of little tables and chairs all over that grass-plot.' ' And if the landlord of these knew his business, he would allow no prying old fools about his premises ; ' with which far from flat- tering observation ]\Ir. Brent turned sharply on his heel and made his way round to the front of the house, where the landlord of the Dragon stood, his hands thrust deep into his pockets, and apparently buried in deep thought. ' It's devilish unlucky, Mercer, that that inquisitive old idiot should have overheard your daughter ask for the key of the ball-room. By the way, I told you the other day some- body had been in there.' 126 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' Why, what's the matter now ? ' inquired Joe. ' He's gone pottering round to the garden to have a look at the house on that side ; he has made out the ball-room, and he'll never rest till he gets a peep at it.' 'Well,' said Joe, with a chuckle, 'if as much as he can see through the windows will content him, he is welcome. I saw to the boarding up of those windows myself, and I'm blessed if there's a chink to put an eye to. No, no, he'll do us no harm that way, and I'll take good care he never has the key. But I'll tell you one thing that looks queer ; he says you remind him of some one he met long ago.' ' No, did he say that ? ' inquired Brent eagerly. ' Yes ; says he can't recollect who, but SARAH'S LOVE LETTER 127 thinks it was some one he knew before he ever came to Exmouth.' Brent drew a breath of rehef. ' Then it's all right,' he exclaimed ; ' but, of course, I might have known it was, he never did know me in Exmouth. I had left it before he came here.' As Mr. Tootell walked back to the town again he muttered, * That Mr. Brent is so rude ; it's extraordinary I do not recollect him.' But Tootell was used to such rebuffs, and was often wont to remark to himself, with a sigh, ' There ain't no politeness left in this world.' 128 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE CHAPTEE Yin THE WARNING The weeks slijDped by. Exmouth liad never been gayer than it was that summer. Garden parties, tennis tournaments, cricket matches, water picnics and dances followed each other in rapid succession. Plenty was also going on in Exeter, and the revels in both places were attended by the people of each town. Fred Hallaton threw himself into the fun going on round him with all the life and vigour that characterised his nature. In the ball-room, in front of the nets, or in front of the wickets he threw himself into the pastime of the hour, heart and soul. He was by no THE WARNING 129 means a bad fellow, but he was apt to pursue the pleasure of the moment without counting the cost, and at the present time was playing a game that has often brought infinite tribula- tion to the player. He was paying marked attention to one woman, while he was madly in love with another. Mary Lydney was no fooHsh, sentimental young woman, to let her heart go out of her keeping at the first few courtesies that a man might pay to her. She had had two disappoint- ments, the latter of which she had born with becoming resignation, but the first had been a very different matter. Her heartstrings had been sore wrung about tliat first love affair ; for a long time she had not known how it was that her betrothed had suddenly left her. But persistent questioning forced from her father the humihating fact that her fiance had VOL. I. K I30 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE broken off his engagement because he could come to no satisfactory arrangement in money matters with Mr. Lydney. What particular point he had taken umbrage at she had never cared to inquire. She felt sure that her father would be most liberal in his offer of settle- ments, and she flushed witli indignation when she thought that this man, who had professed to love her so dearly, had loved not herself but her money. As her father's only daughter she supposed that some of these days she should not only be very well off, but that her father would make her a handsome allowance if he approved of her choice, and she thought that the man whose requirements in this respect her father had failed to satisfy, must be indeed greedy of gold. She liked Hallaton, and could not help being aware that he paid her marked attention, but she was not likely to THE WARNING 131 let her heart go hghtly out of her own keeping agam. Then, moreover, she knew of his acquaintance witli ' that very objectionable Miss Mercer,' and she often wondered whether he saw anything of that young lady now. She had never asked him ; they had tacitly agreed that that fair damsel was never to be the subject of their discourse. Strangely enough, Sarah was equally curious to know if Fred saw much of Miss Lydney, but Hallaton sternly repressed all inquiries in that direction, and imperious as the girl was, and great as was her power over him, she found her lover, too, had a temper of his own, and, strange to say, she liked him all the better for it. Sarah Mercer had been so accustomed to rule her swains right royally that it interested her to have a man at her feet whom she could not quite deal with as K 2 132 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE she pleased. That society generally had noticed how attentive the young artilleryman was to Mary Lydney it is needless to say, and also that society waggled its head and whispered that all was arranged between Mr. Hallaton and the banker's daughter. Some of those dear elderly ladies to whom a past scandal is a thing preserved, but never buried, whispered ominously that the thing had happened twice before, that Mary had no difficulty in getting engaged, but in her case that never seemed to lead to a wedding. As for Dicky Cliives, when the rumour first met his ears, he put down his pipe, and said gravely, and in awe-struck tones, ' Is this true, you fellows ? I don't go gadding about, you know ; but has he gone too far to be saved, because if he hasn't I'll speak to him!' THE MARNlhG 133 But Ills comrades generally replied that Hallaton was making uncommon strong run- ning if he didn't mean it, and that if he was not engaged yet he was as good as. On hearing which Dicky resumed his brtde-gueule, puffed a lieavy cloud of smoke from under his moustache, and grimly ejaculated, ' There's another good man gone wrong ! ' Dicky consequently never said anything to Fred concerning^ this rumour. He hated to see his chums marry, because he knew that they then became lost to him in that capacity. It was not that the better halves of some of these lost sheep had not striven to make their houses pleasant to their husbands' old friend, the difficulty was with Dicky himself; he got on very well witli ladies once induced to ming-le with them, and indeed would have been rather a favourite 134 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE with them if he could only have been persuaded to go more frequently amongst them, but, to use his own expression, he ' shied at a petti- coat.' It must have been, I suppose, the mental strain required for the making of small talk, for he was a man to whom, except in the matter of tobacco, a lady's presence imposed no very unaccustomed restraint. If Chives had asked Fred whether he was going to marry Miss Lydney, that gentleman would probably have told Dicky not to be a fool. ' I visit a good deal at their house at Exmouth ; it's all rot to think just because a man is a little civil to the daughter of the house that he is thinking about marrying her,' and at the present moment it was probable that Fred had never taken thought to himself of what would be the end of either of his love affairs. THE WARNING 13 S Yet witli all the gaiety lie was mixed up in, Hallaton found time somehow to pay many a visit to the old Dragon Inn. He made a flimsy pretext of a passion for hearing these smugghng legends, and had even been taken by Sarah to see old Bob Mutter. He had made that veteran happy by a largesse of silver and tobacco, and endured, as he laughingly remarked, two or three stupendous Hes from the lips of that drunken old sailor. But, for the most part, he sought his information from Miss Mercer's own pretty mouth, to which his own at times got in closer proximity than strict etiquette warranted. ' I can't think,' said Sarah, as she walked lovingly with Fred Hallaton in the garden one autumn afternoon, ' what father's fad is about that old ball-room. He keeps it most 136 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE jealously locked ; as for its being unsafe, that's all moonshine.' 'It doesn't much matter,' replied Hallaton. ' It is only an old man's whim, I fancy. It may be that your father has got it into his head that some of the lumber and old furniture we saw there is valuable.' ' I sleep a good way from it,' replied Sarah, ' but sometimes I hear strange noises that sound as if they came from the old room. I told mother so the other day, and remarked that if the ghosts of the old smugglers had come back, they must have come in very substantial form ! ' ' And what did Mrs. Mercer say ? ' ' Nearly snapped my nose off,' replied the girl laughing. ' Told me I was old enough to know better, and that she would trouble me to hold my tongue, and not go talking THE WARNING 137 about such thiiio's, acldii]0' " If you efo gabbling about ghosts I shall have the girls afraid to move about the house now the days are drawing in." Father and Mr. Brent, too, are quite touchy about any allusion to that room.' ' I can't see what Mr. Brent has to do with it,' said Hallaton, ' any more than I can see what on earth he is doing here. By the way, what does he do here ? ' • I'm sure I don't know,' replied Sarah ; ' he goes out very little, and never, to my knowledge, into Exmouth. He seems to spend most of his time talking to father.' Hallaton here turned the conversation into more personal channels. His question had been asked from very idleness, for what Mr. Brent's business mio-ht be at the Dra^jon was a thin Of in which he felt no interest. 138 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE Inside the bar parlour it was evident that something unusual had occurred to disturb the usually tranquil conversation that went on between Joe Mercer and his guest. ' This letter is serious,' exclaimed Brent. ' That inquisitive, chattering magpie Tootell was bad enough, but even if he did succeed in recollecting me, although it would be awk- ward, still there could be no such conse- quences as would happen in this case.' ' Eead the letter again,' replied Mercer sententiously. ' Letter,' returned the other ; ' it's only a line from one of my most trusted confederates, a man who has been in a good many big things with me. He don't say much, but Jim can say a good deal in a few words. There's nothing more than this — " Mind yourselves ; Creasey is out." And if he had said the Devil THE WARNING 139 is unchained I shouldn't have considered it more serious.' 'Well, I can't quite understand it,' said Mercer. ' To begin with, who is Creasey, and what is he out of? ' ' Out of prison, curse him ! Creasey is the bane of my existence, the millstone that has been round my neck all my hfe. But for Creasey,' continued Brent passionately, ' I might have been something very different. T've never stooped to be the mere vulgar bandit that Creasey is — a man who has adopted burglary as his calHng.' Carried away by his own tempestuous feelings. Brent did not notice his companion's countenance, but suddenly his eye fell upon Joe's awe-struck face, and pausing, he said with a laugh, ' Do I frighten you, old man P ' I40 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' I knew nothing about Creasey,' was the reply ; ' you never told me you were mixed up with people of that sort, and what is the use of calling things by such ugly names ? I don't hold with robbery, mind you.' ' Ah, you don't,' said Brent, ' pray what do you call our present business ? ' ' Well, it is smart trading, if you must talk about it,' said Joe. ' I get all the pro- duce I can off the farm, and sell it at the best market.' Brent burst into a ht of laughter. ' Now,' continued Joe, ' what about Creasey ? Not that I've any desire to make his acquaint- ance, but how can he interfere with us ? Does he know you're here ? ' ' No ; but he will,' rejoined Brent. ' As I tell you, there's no shaking him off. He'd find me if I was in the midst of the THE WARNING 141 Australian bush. He always does, except he's locked up.' ' Well, what does he want, when he has found you ? ' ' Money,' said the other ; ' but that's not the worst of it. He'll want to know what I'm doing, and, worse still, to have a hand in it.' ' Oh, Lord,' said Joe, ' and then I suppose that he'll blow the gaff.' ' No ; to do Creasey justice, he's not that sort quite, but he is just as bad. Out of his own business he's the stupidest chap I know. Give him a centre-bit, a jemmy, a pair of goloshes, and a box of safety matches, and I believe he is clever, but for anything that requires head work and combination he is a hopeless dunderhead. He has spoilt three or four of the best things I ever planned ; not 142 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE that he has " rounded " intentionally ; he has let the cat out of the bag from sheer stupidity.' ' But can't you give him money and beg him to go away for the present ? ' ' You don't know him,' said Brent. ' The obstinate old man claims to have a great liking for me. Go ! Not he. He'd settle down close to us, break into a house once a week just to keep his hand in, and finally " crack " the Dragon some night, just to see what " his dear boy," as he calls me, is about.' ' Then what do you propose to do ? ' said Joe. ' I told you the other day I wished I'd never gone on with it. I should have liked to back out of it even then ; but now that we are making money so fast I own I should like to risk it a little longer.' THE WARNING 143 * What Ave must do is this,' rephed Brent. ' As soon as Creasey makes his appearance — and appear he will, as sure as fate, though at present he neither knows my address nor the name I'm going under — we must stop the concern, and I must make a clean bolt of it abroad.' ' Why abroad ? ' inquired Joe Mercer. ' Simply because that's the only place where I've a chance of shaking off Creasey. Foreign towns confuse him, and, moreover, the foreign police are lynx-eyed. Creasey is never long on the Continent before he dis- appears into retirement.' ' And then ? ' said Mercer ' It'll be time to think what then when I've shaken off my incubus,' and with these words Brent suddenly vanished down the passage in the direction of the ball-room. 144 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE Joe Mercer had most clearly expressed Ills feelings in his conversation with Brent. He had been very loth to go into a business which he knew placed him within the trammels of the law. Hard bargains he had driven, and very close to the wind had he sailed as^ain and ac^ain in his dealings ; some of his doings could by no means morally be condoned, although legally no man could interfere with him. At first he had sternly declined this affair as too risky, but Brent was a plausible man, and painted in glowing terms the enormous profits he had made by the same scheme two years before. ' It burst up suddenly,' concluded Brent,^'and we all had to quit and travel at short notice, but we made a pile of money at the game while it lasted.' This story oft repeated into Joe's avid THE WARNING 145 ears, added to the suggestion that the old Dragon Inn was the very place for their purpose, and on offer at a very low rent, at last induced Mercer to embark on the speculation. For once his greed for gold got the better of his habitual prudence, and the landlord of the Drac^on found himself the possessor of a thriving business, but a business which brooked no investiization. VOL. I. 145 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE CHAPTEE IX dicky's eyes aee opened Although Mr. Chives had no taste for balls and picnics, and regarded lawn tennis with tolerant contempt, yet he was a most energetic man concerning all matters of sport, and always running about the country to play cricket, to shoot, fish, or to perhaps ride a horse at some local meeting. Nothing came amiss to Dicky of this kind, and even rat- catching met with favour in his eyes. These manifold pursuits brought Chivy, as he was often called by his intimates, in contact with a large and varied circle, and wherever he DICKY'S EYES ARE OPENED 147 was quartered the number of gentlemen of all degrees wlio called at the barracks to see him was the cause of much chaff among his brother officers. His servant was constantly pursuing him with ' Gentleman, please, to see you, sir,' and whether the gentleman was interested in rats or pohtics, whether he was member for the borough or the landlord of a sporting tavern, who had simply called in to give Dicky ' the office ' that there would be parlour field sports at his little place, was generally an open question. Let him be stationed where he would, Mr. Chives and his brace of terriers, which their proprietor proudly boasted would face any living thing, were sure speedily to be well-known figures in the town. Fuss and Fidget were a couple of broken-haired terriers, quite as restless as their master, and con L 2 148 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE tributed not a little to liis notoriety. They apparently believed tlieir sole mission on earth was the destruction of vermin, and that they were taken out walking for no other purpose. , A mistaken idea on tlieir part that the killing of cats was laudable had more than once got Mr. Chives into hot water. What had brought that ubiquitous gentleman over to Exmouth this fine autumn day is of no moment, but seven o'clock saw him sitting down to wiiat threatened to be a solitary dinner at the Beacon, when suddenly, to his great delight, a tall, florid, stalwart man en- tered the coffee-room, and, after greeting him warmly, volunteered to join him in his meal. Doctor Nichoils was a man much of Dicky's own kidney, and they had met many times and in many places in pursuit of their favourite pastimes. How Nicholls had ac- DICKY'S EYES ARE OPENED 149 quired the sobriquet of ' The Doctor,' to which his position as a veterinary surgeon by- no means entitled him, I don't know, but as such he was well known for many a mile round Exmouth. ' The Doctor ' was a busy man, but contrived to combine business w^ith pleasure by dint of untiring energy. He was here, there, and everywhere, and there w^as httle that went on either in the town or about it but what came to his ears. Xot that he w^as given to gossip — far from it. His talk was chiefly of dogs and horses, and such scandal as escaped his lips was cjiiefly equine. ' Well, Mr. Chives, how goes it ? ' he ex- claimed, as he took his seat opposite him. ' Having settled over the Leger, it's getting time to lose more money in trying to pick the winners of the two big back-end handicaps. Have you got a fancy ? ' ISO WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' No. I spotted the winner of the Cesare- witch five years ago, and lose a few pounds every year in endeavouring to do it again.' ' We must try and do better for you this time. D'ye know Sam Mercer ? ' ' No ; never heard of him. Who's he ? inquired Chives. ' Never heard of him ? Well, that's queer, too, considering Mr. Hallaton's a great pal of 3^ours. However, no matter; Sam's a great pal of mine, and is as clever a man as there is in the ring. He generally gives me a hint worth following towards the finish of the piece, and if he don't, why then it's not good enough to touch. What's the news at the barracks ? Fuss and Fidget been in mischief lately ? Any old woman's best mouser miss- ing?' DICKY'S EYES ARE OPEAED 151 'No,' rejoined Chives, ' the "quads" are all right ; the mischief's amongst the bipeds. Fred Hallaton's gone wrong.' ' Why, what's the matter ? ' asked the doctor, with no little astonishment. ' He's going to be married,' replied Dicky, so solemnly that the last dread formula of a sentence to death might have been expected to follow. ' However, it's a good thing for him, I suppose. Miss Lydney will have a pot of money, I'm told.' ' Very Hkely,' rejoined the doctor ; ' but that won't matter to Mr. Hallaton.' ' Oh, won't it, rather. You don't suppose a subaltern of Horse Artillery is a millionaire, do you ? ' ' Xo ; but your chum's not going to marry Mss Lydney — at least, I'll lay hberal odds against it.' 152 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' Why, everyone's talking of it, I'm told, said Chives. 'It's as good as given out. The banns are up, so to speak.' ' Yes ; I know all about that, but what about the other ? Why, Mr. Hallaton's always out at the Dragon. Her brother's a great friend of mine, but I've no liking for Sarah Mercer, and the man who takes her for better or worse may make up his mind to do with the latter.' ' What the deuce are you talking about, and who on earth are these Mercers ? ' in- quired Cliives. ' Why, you saw that handsome girl Halkton was walking about with when you played at Exmouth, that was Sarah Mercer ; her father keeps the old Dragon Inn just outside the town.' ' And you think Fred's after lier,' said DICKY'S EYES ARE OPENED 153 Chives, much, surprised at this double com- plication. ' Don't know what he goes out to that tumbledown place for if he isn't,' replied the doctor, ' but he'd better be careful ; he's playing with a tiger-cat when he's fooling with Sarah Mercer.' ]Mr. Chives had much respect for the doctor's opinion. A man of his knowledge concerning horses and dogs he thought must be an equally good judge of womankind, and he came rapidly to the conclusion that Fred Hallaton was in a fair way to make an egregious ass of himself. This young miso- gynist, however, knew his hot-headed chum too well to think that he could do any good by interfering. ' If Hallaton must marry,' he remarked at length, 'I suppose Miss Lydney would be a 154 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE good match for him, though why a fellow can't let well alone I can't think.' 'Yes, I should think so,' observed the doctor, ' and if you mean would it be better than running away with Sarah Mercer — infinitely. Lydney was born to, and has always held, a high position in the place, and, judging by appearances, is well off.' ' And no near relations, bar his daughter, to leave his money to,' remarked Chives, sud- denly developing mercenary propensities. ' About having no near kith and kin, I wouldn't be so sure,' rejoined the doctor. * Lydney undoubtedly had a younger brother, who disappeared abruptly from Exmouth under a cloud. I don't know exactly what it was, for I Avas only a boy at the time. He has never been seen or heard of in the place since. But then, again, he has never been said to have DICKY'S EYES ARE OPENED 155 died. If anything happened to the banker, I shouldn't be surprised to see him turn up again.' ' Ah ! and you think he might share in Miss Lydney's inheritance ? ' ' Oh, I'm sure I don't know,' rephed the doctor laughing, ' but hang it, that's enough of this. If we are to go in for speculation, let's talk over the weights of the Cesarewitch.' ' It's getting time I was off,' said Chives, as he took a cigar from his case and rose from the table. ' Ah, going back to Exeter, I suppose. I'll walk down to the station with you. I want to persuade you to come with me to Newmarket next week.' ' If I can get away,' replied Chives, ' I don't mind if I do. You are going for the whole week, I suppose ? ' 156 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' No ; business won't allow of that. We'll run up from here on the Monday, have Tuesday and Wednesday at Newmarket, and be back here again on the Thursday.' ' Write it down, old man,' said Chives. ' If the chief '11 let me, I'm on,' and with that he disappeared into the train. ' A good sort that,' mused the doctor as he walked slowly away. ' I'm glad I told him what I did at dinner. If ever a young man wanted a word in season, it's Hallaton just now. I don't know whether he's a man who'll bear talking to, but I should think if anyone could warn him that he is in a fair way to make a fool of himself it's Chives. They're great allies, and Chives is a little the elder of the two. However, I've done all I can, and it's no particular business of mine after all,' and with this the doctor dismissed DICKY'S EYES ARE OPEAED 157 the subject from his mind and betook himself to his own abode. The object of all this solicitude was, how- ever, not one whit disturbed about his doings or their results. He had spent the afternoon, with great satisfaction to himself, at the Dragon, where he had pursued his flirtation with the fair Sarah more hotly than ever. He had dined at mess, and was now playing a rubber with apparently no care on his mind save the winning of the odd trick, and yet for all that he had found two or three disagree- able letters upon his table on his return from Exmouth : one from his bankers, calling at- tention to the fact that his account was con- siderably overdrawn. He had not been racing since Goodwood, but it is by no means neces- sary to attend races in order to bet upon them, and the ill-luck Fred had experienced 158 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE at Goodwood had stuck to him ever since. He had struck one of those veins of ill-luck famihar to all who gamble ; he could do no- thing right. Even when it really did look as if fortune was within his grasp liis fancy at the eleventh hour succumbed to the exigencies of training. On two occasions also did he encounter that bitterest of misfortunes known to the backer of horses — his selections won, but were disqualified, the one for foul riding, in the other case for the omission of a penalty. Then there was a jeweller's bill, which also astonished him not a little, as bills of that nature are wont to do. He was not given to jewellery himself, but Miss Mercer had developed a very pretty taste that way, and Fred was one of those careless young men who scarcely note the cost of a bano-le or such-like knick-knacks. 'Well, DICKY'S EYES ARE OPENED 159 he had said to himself as he dressed for mess, ' I suppose kick will turn some day. However, at present there's nothing for it but to have another dig into capital. I must sell some more of those railway shares. I can buy in again, at a slight difference no doubt, when I make a couii' Alas ! that coup so seldom comes ; and if it does we very rarely buy in again ! Fred Hallaton played a pretty good rubber at whist ; he had a liking for cards, and had assiduously cultivated all games thereat in which skill tells, but though a fair performer, he had one fatal weakness — he never adhered steadfastly to the same points. The conse- quence was, after a very successful run at the conventional garrison points, he would pro- bably experience just the reverse when play- ing at his London club for very much higher i6o WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE stakes. To-niglit lie was holding great cards, and had just triumphantly called ' Three by cards and two by honours ; out, treble, double, and the rub,' as Chives entered the room. ' Halloa, Dick ! ' he exclaimed ; ' what wickedness have you been up to all day ? ' ' I've been over to Exmouth,' replied Chives. ' Never you mind what about. Perhaps I was buying a horse ; perhaps I was trying a dog ; and then, again, perhaps I wasn't.' ' And perhaps you don't want to tell, and perhaps we don't want to know,' retorted Hallaton laughing. ' Still, if I was so down- right ashamed of myself, I'd fudge up some excuse to cover my misdeeds.' ' Ah,' replied Chives, ' my wickedness hasn't been very great. I shouldn't wonder if it brings its own punishment all the same. DICKY'S EYES ARE OPENED i6i I dined at the Beacon with Dr. Xicholls, and I've agreed to go with him to Newmarket if I can get away. I suppose Thornton,' he continued, turning to the adjutant, ' there won't be any trouble about that for four days ? ' 'I should think not. We'll see about it to-morrow.' ' Going to Newmarket, are you ? ' said Hallaton. ' I've a great mind to come too.' ' You'd better put that idea on one side,' said Thornton. ' I'm sure the chief won't let you both go.' ' Eather a bore that,' returned Hallaton. ' And Dicky has got decidedly first call. I say, Chivey, when you go over to your quarters I'll go with you.' ' All right,' rephed the other, ' I'm going til ere now,' and the pair left the room to- getlier. VOL. I. M i62 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' Now,' said Hallaton, ' as I can't go to New- market, I shall want you to do something for me. I've been having an awful bad time lately. It set in a hailstorm at Goodwood, and it has been blowing great guns ever since. I can't turn a trick, and I'm a terrible lot out in the last three months.' ' Give it up man,' replied Chives, ' it is no use persistently following your bad luck.' ' You're quite right, but I've a chance now, Dicky, to get a bit back, I think. I got a line to-night from the cleverest tout I know, and he tells me that Sugar Cane will about win the Ces are witch.' ' Of course I'll back her for you,' said Chives, ' but answer me one question. Why don't you back her yourself.' ' For the best of all possible reasons ; I'm warned not to do so till the day. This man DICKY'S EYES ARE OPEXED 163 tells me that the mare belongs to a very queer party, and if they can't get their own money on satisfactorily, she'll not run at all. Her performances are not very great, but he tells me I needn't take any notice of that. She is a very much better mare than she is credited with being, and has got wonderfully well in.' ' Well,' said Chives, who had been turning over the pages of a turf guide, ' her perform- ances are not very gaudy, certainly.' ' No, but for all that the public have been nibbling at her, at forty to one. If her number goes up put me a hundred on her.' ' I say, that's a lot of money to knock down ; don't you think a pony will do ? ' ' Xot a bit of use,' replied the other ; ' if I don't land a good stake I must sell out shares of some kind or another ; a hundred won't make any difference while I'm about it.' M 2 i64 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE 'All right, old man, I'll do it, though I won't promise to follow your tip, nor I am afraid will you take w^arning by mine. Now, Fred, I heard all about your visits to the old Dragon Inn to-day. Don't be angry with me, and don't ask who my informant is, but this is what I was told. You'd better play with a tiger cat than make love to Miss Mercer.' * Nicholls — for I suppose he was your infor- mant — was d d impertinent to comment on my actions. It was like his confounded impudence to pry into my private affairs,' said Hallaton hotly. ' That'll do ; no need to flare up,' rejoined Chives. ' I've said my say, and you'll hear never another word from me about Miss Mercer. Now, let's talk racing.' i65 CHAPTEE X THE SWEETS OF THE SUGAR CANE Mr. Chiyes having obtained his leave started as agreed on the Monday with the doctor, and duly arrived at Xewmarket, if too late for the day's racing, still in excellent time for dinner. Chives was very fond of a bit of racing when it came in his way, entering with the keenest zest into the sport of the thing ; but his specu- lations were on a modest scale, and not wont to occasion him much anxiety wdien they proved unsuccessful. He usually put as many five-pound notes as he could conveniently lay hands on into his breast pocket, and, in his 1 66 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE own vernacular, when he had ' punted ' them all awaj^ he stopped. It was not his first visit to the metropolis of the Turf, but for all that lie was not learned in Newmarket. As for the doctor, he was an old hahitue. He had been a race-goer for upwards of thirty years, and was well versed in all the intricacies of the running ground, wdiether Across the Flat, the Eowley Mile or tlie Cesarewitch Course, &c. He knew them all. Dinner over, he proposed that they should stroll down to the rooms and see what was doing. Plenty of speculation was going on there about the big race on the following day, and Chives and the doctor looked on much amused at the stirring scene before them. Suddenly Chives was startled by the cry of ' Whatll anybody lay me against Sugar Cane ? ' He turned sharply to the direction from which the voice proceeded, and saw a THE SWEETS OF THE SUGAR CANE 167 quietly dressed man, who was leaning, upon a crutch-handled stick. ' Here's forty hundreds Sugar Cane,' was the quick response. The first speaker simply nodded as he took out his betting book, and then observed laconically, as he pencilled the bet, ' I'll do it again.' ' Here's thirty to one Sugar Cane,' roared another speculator. ' Done in hundreds,' quietly remarked the man with the crutch stick. ' Monkeys if you like.' ' No, thank you, Mr. Eoach,' replied the professional who had laid the last bet. Inquiries after Sugar Cane became now pretty numerous. It was obvious that several backers had followed the inspiration of Mr. Eoach, and the price against the mare shortened rapidly. i68 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' By Jove,' thought Chives, ' for once I do believe Fred really has got hold of a good thing. Sugar Cane looks like becoming a hot tavourite,' he observed, turning to the doctor. ' Don't know anything about her,' replied that AYorthy. ' So little indeed that T forget whether she's ever run ; but the confederacy to which she belongs are dead sharps, and that man Eoach, who " put her up," and backed lier to-night, very often does commissions for that stable. How^ever, I've had about enough of this, and feel a bit tired after the day's travelling ; besides everyone at Newmarket gets up early.' So the two strolled out of the rooms and made their way leisurely up the High Street in the direction of their lodgings. They were lounging along, when suddenly from a narrow by-street on their left came a half-stifled cry THE SWEETS OF THE SUGAR CANE 169 of ' help ! ' Both men turned sharply round, and the doctor suddenly exclaimed, ' Come on, Chives. By God, there's a pack of roughs have got a man down, and are robbing him.' In the centre of the narrow street one man was kneeling on another while his three com- panions were endeavouring to rifle the pockets of their victim, who, though unable any longer to cry for assistance, from the fierce grip on his throat, still struggled manfully with his assailants. The doctor dashed in boldly at the robbers, but these latter were by no means disposed to let their prey escape them. Pausing in their work of plunder, three of them fiercely confronted the new comers, and with awful maledictions bade them go about their business. The doctor might not possess much science, but he was a powerful man for his years, and I70 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE grit to the back-bone. He was not to be cowed by curses, and went boldly in at the foremost of his antagonists. But in Dicky Chives he had a most valuable ally. Though low in stature, Dicky was broad in shoulder, rather bull necked, and in chest like a High- land bull. He not only possessed great strength, but was an exceptionally good man with his hands ; and his quiet ' All right, doctor, wire in, I can lick a couple of such trash as this in no time,' struck no little awe to the hearts of the two ruffians who were confronting him. The observation too, was followed up by some half-dozen blows straight from the shoulder, which, as the doctor laughingly remarked after the fray was over, resembled the kicks of a horse more than the application of man's natural weapons. Like all ruffians of this sort, the robbers THE SWEETS OF THE SUGAR CANE 171 were arrant curs at bottom, with little stomach for hard fic^^hting. The battle was of short duration, two or three minutes, and the gang took to their heels, and as the attacked man struggled breathless to his feet, the doctor exclaimed, ' Sam Mercer, by all that's fortu- nate ! We would have been glad to do any- one such a turn, of course, but I'm real glad Sam, we were in time to pull you out of the fire.' ' Eeckon you're right, doctor,' gasped Mercer ; ' the tarnation skunks had pretty near fixed me. Ugh ! ugh ! ' he continued, still choking a bit. ' If I had only been up in time to have one kick at that bushwhacker who was hanging on to my windpipe ! ' ' Sure you're none the worse ? ' inquired the doctor. ' Nary worse,' rej^lied Sam ; ' the thieves 172 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE only took my wind. I managed to hang on to the flimsies. Haven't the pleasure of knowing you, sir,' continued Sam, turning to Chives ; ' but I'm awfully grateful for your assistance. Guess we've got to have a drink over this as soon as possible ; ' and with that the bookmaker led the way up the High Street. Sam Mercer's lodgings w^ere no very great distance from their own, but the doctor declined Sam's proffered hospitality, said it was getting late, and they would- all be the better for a good night's rest. ' Don't you be afraid about the drinks, old man ; we'll find time to wash our mouths out with you to-morrow — at Jarvis's, perhaps, wdien we've got the Seizerwitch off our minds. Good-night.' And with hearty hand-grips the three men separated. THE SWEETS OF THE SUGAR CANE 173 A grand October day, when tlie crisp air seems to act like wine on the system — one of those bright clear days when, if striding through the turnips with the first crackle of frost on them, one feels all over like ' killing,' or if on Newmarket Heath like backing winners — a day that seems to augur success to whatever we have undertaken ; but on a race-course there are always gathered the two opposing armies, and the battle must go against one side, be it the backers or the fielders. The small preliminary race that precedes the cheval de bataille of the second October week has just been run, and is followed by the slight lull which takes place before the hoisting of the numbers for the Cesarewitch. Standing against the rails of Tattersall's ring are two men avIio have ap- parently met for the first time that day. 174 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' Well, Sam,' said the bookmaker, who had laid Mr. Eoach the odds against Sugar Cane the previous night, ' I'm glad to see you looking all yourself. It was all over the town this morning that you'd been rushed by a lot of rowdies on your way home from the rooms, and robbed, and half murdered.' ' Not quite so bad as that,' rejoined Mer- cer, ' but that was about the programme, if a friend of mine had not stepped in and spoilt it. But you had no end of a game on at the rooms after I left, hadn't you, over Sugar Cane ? What's it all mean ? ' ' Well," replied the other ; ' it beats me. I did think I knew something about that one, and -when Crutch Eoach first put her up I thought it was only to make a market, and laid him forty hundreds, but I soon found it was a genuine commission. He often does them for THE SWEETS OF THE SUGAR CANE 175 that stable, you know. Bless your soul, before half an hour was over, people were tumbhng over one another to get on the good thing. The mare looked like becoming a red-hot favourite, when just as the rush was at its height Captain Figg quietly exclaimed, "Here's ten thousand to a thousand Sugar Cane or any part of it." We all stared, for you know what Figg is ; when he begins to lay 'em in that way they're as good as dead ; but perhaps the most puzzled man of the whole lot was Crutch Eoach. He evidently couldn't under- stand it. However, he shot the captain for ten monkeys, and then the duel began in earnest, but the captain never flinched ; he tired out Eoach and all Sugar Cane's other supporters, and finally drove her back to twenty-five to one — no takers.' ' It's a queer start,' said Sam, ' and a ques- 176 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE tion of who knows most. Neither of 'em make many mistakes, nor are likely to have bet as they did without direct information. However, here go the numbers,' and Sam commenced ticking them off on his race-card. ' Sugar Cane goes, at all events, and there's pretty certain to be a move either for or against her now,' and so sa^dng, Sam Mercer plunged into the throng in the exercise of his calling. He had been for some minutes vociferating the odds, booking bets, and holding mysterious confabulation with his brethren, when he was suddenly touched upon the shoulder, and on turning round found himself confronted by Dicky Chives. 'What can I do for you, sir,' inquired Sam. ' Wliat price Sugar Cane .^ ' inquired Licky. THE SWEETS OF THE SUGAR CAAE 177 ' Tliey are taking twenty to one,' replied Mercer. ' All right, I've a commission to back her. Will you lay me twenties ? ' ' Certainly, Mr. Chives. What shall I put it down to ? Ten pounds or more P ' ' I want to back her for a hundred,' re- plied Dicky. Mercer hesitated for a minute or so, as if thinking, and then said, ' You're not backing it for yourself, sir .^ ' ' Certainly not,' replied Chives, * I never bet in such sums as that.' ' Very good,' said Sam, ' then 111 lay you two thousand to a hundred,' and having pen- cilled the bet the bookmaker again started oif on his vociferous career. ' Well,' thought Chives, as he walked away to seek some place from which to see VOL. I. N 178 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE the race run, ' I don't know whether Mr. Mercer doubts my stabihty, but it struck me he was rather unwilling to bet with me.' But in this he did Sam a great injustice. Sam Mercer was not the man to forget what a good turn Chives had done him the night before. He did not know positively, but from what he had seen during the last few minutes, he had come to the conclusion that there was something not right with Sugar Cane. A bookmaker cannot afford to indulge in sentiment, but had not Chives so clearly said he was backing the mare for somebody else, Mercer would have strongly advised him to leave it alone. He could not Lave explained what it was all about, but he had been far too long in his profession not to understand the signs of the market. Crutch Eoach was silent to-day, and it was evident that the THE SWEETS OF THE SUGAR CANE 179 backers of Sugar Cane were chiefly composed of the general pubhc, while, ominous sign, Captain Figg and three or four of the most astute operators in the ring seemed to have endless money to bet against the mare. However, the roar of the bookmakers is hushed at last, and the cry from the stand proclaims ' they're off.' Chives, who has re- gained the fly which he and the doctor have chartered for the day, stands up on the seat, and adjusts his race-glasses. As the horses pass through the gap, Chives descries the green and white hoops of the mare well in the van. ' Sugar Cane is going well,' he ob- served quietly to the doctor. ' Why you haven't backed that one, surely,' exclaimed Xicholls. ' Xot for myself, but I have for Hallaton.' ' Much .^ ' inquired the doctor, laconically. i8o WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE 'A hundred/ replied Chives, with equal brevity, 'Money thrown away,' rephed his com- panion ; ' I'll tell you all about it afterwards. It's as rascally a business as that precious confederacy ever indulged in.' With the details of the race we have nothing to do. The running of the only horse which bears upon this history — Sugar Cane — may be briefly described. After lying in front for about three-quarters of a mile, she dropped unaccountably in the rear, and some distance from home her jockey ceased to persevere with lier, and she finished quite at the tail of the ruck. ' Sorry for Fred,' muttered Mr. Chives, as he closed his glasses. ' I'm afraid from what he said that lie is rather in a hole about money matters, and this afternoon's work isn't calcu- THE SWEETS OF THE SUGAR CANE i8i latecl to improve things,' and then it struck Dicky Cliives as rather singular that Hallaton's hundred had gone into the pocket of Sarah Mercer's brother. Of course it made no difference whether he took the odds about Sugar Cane from Sam Mercer or any other bookmaker, the result would have been the same, but if the doctor was at all right in his estimate of the young lady, the Mercer family seemed destined to be very unfortunate ac- quaintances for Fred Hallaton. ' Now doctor,' he said at length, ' tell me what you heard about the mare before she started.' ' That she was likely to run pretty much as she did. It seems that Gregory, one of the two confederates, had a trial while Carver, the other, was away from home, and that the mare failed to accomphsh what she was asked. In i82 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE his anxiety to save the money for which he had backed her he gave Captain Figg a heavy laying commission, without saying a word to Crutch Eoach, who was backing it for the stable, and who, he was dreadfully afraid, would begin by saving his own money before he began looking after that of his employers. This all leaked out about an hour ago, and I'm told that there will be a very pretty row between Messrs. Eoach, Gregory, and Carver to wind up with. Well, I hope we shall do better over the Middle Park Plate to-morrow, for Pve had a bad race over the Cesarewitch.' ' Yes, and besides Hallaton's money there's a modest tenner which has been reft from the house of Chives, and which must if possible be recovered to-morrow.' [83 CHAPTEE XI WAS IT A WIG ? Although Mr. Tootell was thick-skinned, still he had his feehngs. It took, no doubt, a good deal to get down to them, but they were there, although they might not lie near the surface, and the more Mr. Tootell pondered on it, the more confirmed he was in his opinion that he had been treated with scant courtesy on his last visit to the Dragon. He determined to abstain from visiting that hostelry, and in his self-conceit thought that this would be a severe deprivation for Joe Mercer. 1 84 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' I'm sorry for Joe,' he muttered to him- self; 'he'll miss my daily budget of news sadly, but when it comes to calling people " inquisitive idiots," it's coming it rather too strong. It's time such language was at once pronounced unparliamentary, and that is where Joe failed. He allowed such language to pass without taking any notice of it. No ; I'm sorry, but I must give Joe up. One can't frequent a house which contains a Blue- beard chamber, and where you're called an inquisitive idiot for wanting to know what's in it.' But if Mr. Tootell deemed that he was P unishinof the landlord of the Drason he was o inflictincr asfonies on himself What there might be or what went on in that mysterious baUroom haunted his mind day and night ; he pictured to himself the most preposterous WAS IT A WIGf 185 scenes by turns. Sometimes the skeleton in the cupboard was a veritable one, then his imagination depicted that the room was full of treasures, that old Joe had in some mysterious way discovered that there was a walled-up cellar which contained all kinds of laces, velvets, wine, etc., a buried legacy from the smugglers who had haunted the house in days of yore. Yes, that would account for Joe Mercer's taking the Dragon. He had somehow discovered the secret that all these valuable goods were contained within its walls, and was now busy moving them surreptitiously away, so that his landlord might not lay claim to what was clearly more his property than anyone else's. In short, there was no end to the romances which Mr. Tootell built up for himself about the Dragon and the locked-up ballroom. Three days had 1 86 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE elapsed and then the old talemonger could stand it no longer ; lie felt that he really must go out and see how things were going with the Mercers. If he could not solve the mystery of the Dragon, he could at all events keep an eye upon that little flirtation of young Hallaton's. He was taking two or three turns on the esplanade preparatory to starting for the country, when his attention was attracted by a grey-haired old gentleman who was slowly sauntering up and down the sea wall. That he had never seen tlie old gentle- man before was quite enough for Tootell : Who was he ? And what was he doing in Exmouth ? were two questions that a strange face invariably aroused in his mind. The grey-haired gentleman had apparently plenty of time on his hands. He sauntered along in most indolent fashion, and constantly JVAS IT A WIG? 187 paused to admire the view and inliale great gulps of the strong Seabreeze. Presently he seated himself on one of the benches, and to one of Mr. Tootell's inquiring mind this was an opportunity not to be resisted. Taking a seat beside the stranger he ventured the remark that it was a lovely morning. ' Yes,' was the reply, ' it's years since I saw it last, but Exmouth is still what I have always remembered it, a sweetly pretty place.' ' Ah ! knew it of old, did you, now ? ' said Mr. Tootell. ' Now what might be your idea, sir, of years ? ' ' Thirty odd ; time enough to have made great changes in the place, as no doubt it has in the people.' ' Ah ! that was before I came here. I suppose you had a large acquaintance when you were here before ? ' i88 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE 'Not very,' replied the stranger; ' I was only here a short time. Are Lydney and Sons, the bankers, still to the fore ? ' ' There have been no sons in the house,' replied Mr. Tootell, ' since I've been in Exmouth. It's Lydney and Daughter, although they don't write it on their cheque- books. Did you happen to know them, Mr. ? Johnson I think you said your name was.' The stranger smiled as he bent his head. ' I was acquainted with one of them. By the way, there was a famous inn in these parts in those days. I don't suppose it exists now, probably been pulled down to make way for a fashionable hotel.' ' Not a bit of it,' rejoined Tootell. ' The Beacon — of course, you mean the Beacon — is as flourishincr as ever. Bless IVAS IT A WIGf 189 you, I ought to know, I was in the " public " hne myself, once ; kept the White Stag here for years.' ' Xo,' said the stranger quietly, as soon as it was possible to interrupt the other's loquacity ; ' the inn I mean stood about a mile outside Exmouth. It was a celebrated house ; I can't recollect the name.' ' Xot the Dragon,' exclaimed Mr. Tootell, his eyes very nearly starting out of his head with excitement. ' It wasn't the Dragon, Mr. Johnson, was it ? ' ' That's it,' replied the stranger ; ' the Dragon.' ' Why that has been taken by an old friend of my own, old Joe Mercer ; but he isn't doing much good with it ; he won't be guided by me, or else he would start a little gathering there every week, call it the ifo WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE " Sons of Harmony," or some such name. It would be attractive, and draw custom. People like a little music with their liquids, leastways that's my experience. Got the very room for it, and all. You recollect the old ballroom there ? ' ' Can't say I do,' replied the stranger. ' I only stayed there for two or three nights, and recollect very little about the place.' ' Ah ! then I've no doubt you would like to see it. I'm going out there now. If you like to walk out with me, I'll ask old Joe to show it us.' ' You're very good,' replied the stranger, rising, ' and some other time I shall be very proud. Just now I must go back to my lodgings. Good morning, sir.' ' Good morning,' replied Tootell. ' Don't forget to give my old friend Joe a turn. It's IVAS IT A WIG? 191 a nice walk, and you get a good glass of ale at the end of it. A good fellow is old Joe, but obstinate, damned obstinate.' ' Now,' said Mr. Tootell to himself, as the stranger walked away, ' I do wonder who he is. Yery suspicious, the way he behaved about his name. Never said honestly his name was Johnson. And what on earth could he have wanted at the Dragon Inn all those years ago ? ' A misty speculation that could only have occurred to a man of Tootell's insatiable curiosity. However, he regarded this as a still further reason for delaying his visit to the Mercers no longer — he was disappointed that he had failed to persuade the stranger to accompany him. In his cunning, Mr. Tootell had thought of making a cat's paw of his new acquaintance, and instigating him to ask for a sight of the 192 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE mysterious chamber. Tliat being out of the question, he must now trust solely to his own efforts. On arrival at the Dragon, somewhat to his dismay, Mr. Tootell found himself received by Mrs. Mercer. She and Brent were engaged in an animated conversation, and there was evidently considerable difference between them. At the sight of Tootell their tongues at once stopped, and Mrs. Mercer greeted him with a somewhat uncourteous ' Good morn- ino-.' As for Brent he took no notice of the visitor, but smoked on in solemn silence. To a man like Tootell this was irritating past endurance. He was a man to whom ' talk ' was a necessity, and conversation from his point of view, usually took the form of asking questions. Mrs. Mercer speedily left the parlour, while the exasperating brevity of IVAS IT A WIG? 193 Brent's replies to the interrogatories Mr. Tootell put to him were in that gentleman's opinion simply sickening. As he said after- guards, the fellow icouldnt know anything. Again the thought flashed across Tootell that the man's face was not altogether strange to him, and then all at once a new idea struck him. It was capitally done, and was calcu- lated almost to defy scrutiny, but was this man Brent wearino- his own hair ? Was it a wig or was it not ? Mr. Tootell, bear it in mind, from his histrionic tastes had considerable knowledge of making up for the stage, and after staring intently at Brent for some minutes arrived at the conclusion that it was a wig. In spite of the contempt he usually mani- fested for him, Tootell's prolonged scrutiny seemed to make Brent uncomfortable. -*" Eising from his chair he exclaimed with VOL. I. 194 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE forced jocularity, ' If you want to stare at me, old gentleman, I expect you to pay for it.' With tliat he strolled out of the parlour, leaving Tootell more impressed than ever with the idea that he (Brent) was wearing a wig, and much perplexed as to by what stratagem the said wig was to be got off its wearer's head. Clear up these two points he felt he must ; a peep into Bluebeard's chamber he must have ; and to see what manner of man was disguised under that wig was hkewise necessary to his happiness ; but how to compass either of these things he was completely nonplussed. At this juncture Joe Mercer entered the parlour, and he welcomed Tootell in more kmdly fashion than the others had done. ' Well, Joe,' said Mr. Tootell, * I've come WAS IT A WIG? 195 over to have a little cliat with you. I've been thinking over that little scheme of ours — a little harmony once a week, you know. Suppose we go and have a look at the room ? ' ' Now, once for all, understand that room's locked, and it ain't agoin' to be unlocked. I can manage my own business without any assistance from you.' ' Well, well, I'm sure I don't want to interfere, but they do say ' ' Who's they ? ' interrupted Joe, sharply. ' Oh, I don't know exactly. People will talk, you know. However, never mind, Joe, I've got a new customer for you. I met a nice old gentleman on the Esplanade this morning who knew Exmouth years ago. He asked particularly after the old Dragon Inn. I told him all about it, and said he'd get as 2 196 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE good a glass of stingo here as anywhere about Exmouth.' ' Did he ask for me by name ? ' ' No, Joe, he did not, and that's the truth. His own name was Johnson, that is, he didn't say it wasn't. He is probably come to stay some time in these parts. I daresay he would be more comfortable with you than where he is. I'll see about it for you.' 'Don't you trouble yourself,' rejoined Mercer. ' We don't care about any more boarders. The Missis don't care about having so much cooking going on.' ' Til at Brent seems to stick to you. By the way, you haven't found out what he's doing down here,' remarked Mr. Tootell con- fidentially . ' Never mind about Brent,' replied Mercer. ' What about this stran^^er who WAS IT A WIG? 197 inquired for the Dragon ? What aged man was he ? ' About your own age. It's singular he should recollect anything about the Dragon. Why, you can't remember it in its famous days, can you, Joe ? ' ' No ; I've heard of 'em. But they were over before my time. Nobody, I reckon, remembers them except old Bob Mutter.' ' It is odd, now you mention it, that a stranger to Exmouth should ever have known of the old Dragon Inn,' remarked Tootell. ' I must ask him how it came about the next time I see him,' and, seeing no further chance of clearing up either of the two mysteries which disturbed him, the old gossip rose to depart, resolved to make diligent pursuit of this fresh hare that had crossed his path. On Brent's return to the room Mercer 1 93 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE told liiin Tootell's story, remarking that it was certainly rather singular that a stranger's main recollection of Exmouth should be the old Dragon Inn. For a few minutes Brent sat musing. ' Yes,' he replied at last, ' I can't understand that. I can't cipher it out. From the description I shouldn't be much surprised if the stranger is Creasey. How that man always contrives to find me out I can't tell, but he does. I should not have thought that he had ever even heard of the Dragon, nor am I even aware that he knows anything about this part of the country. At times I think he knows my real name, but he has never said so, positively.' ' I don't suppose it is Creasey,' replied the other. ' That Tootell always makes a great fuss about anyone until he finds out who he PVAS IT A WIG ? 199 is.' Blessed if I don't think he is always afraid of over- looking an Emperor in dis- o'uise.' ' It's all very well,' said Brent, ' to think I am skeary about Creasey, but I should like to have a look at this stranger, without his seeing me. As I told you the other day, if it is Creasey, it's all up with our business, he will insist upon joining in it, and bring us to grief, as he always does ; he is too unlucky, not to say too careless a confederate to trust in any game, add to which he is so terribly well known. Why, they have got his photo- graph in every prison and leading police station in England.' ' Yes,' said Mercer, decisively, ' if that fellow has found you out we must give it up. I've never run such a risk before, and I never will again.' 200 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE 'And you never made so much money before.' ' No,' replied Joe, ' and if we can carry on for a twelvemonth more, and get out scot- free, I'll not say it hasn't been worth running.' ' We must keep a sharp look-out,' rejoined Brent, ' and as a precaution I must endeavour to have a look at this stranger.' In pursuance of tliis resolve Mr. William Brent relaxed from his usual habit of avoiding Exmouth, and commenced taking an occasional constitutional on the Esplanade. At war with the laws of his country as he liad been from his youth up, he considered that he owed his immunity from chastisement in great measure to the strict concealment of his identity ; whatever the nefarious scheme he might be engaged in, he invariably adopted a disguise of some sort, and he was ' IVAS IT A WIG?' 20I famous among his confederates for his dexterity in making up. The victims of his frauds would have often been dumbfounded if they could have seen the real man in place of the cleverly disguised swindler who had outwitted them. The good fortune that had so far attended him was perhaps making him too darino- in his schemes, but his audacitv never occasioned him to neglect the slightest precaution nor to run unnecessary risk. He did not like Mr. Tootell's visits to the Dragon, but he could not see how to prevent them. For the first time it had struck him that morning that Mr. Tootell had suspected his disguise ; in such tortuous paths as he was accustomed to tread a quick eye and a good memory for faces were essential, and he not only recognised Tootell, but had recalled to mind where he had met him. He did not 202 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE want Tootell to recognise him, but reflected that if it came to the worst Mr. Tootell could allege nothing against him beyond that he used to frequent the tavern in London of which he, Tootell, was then the proprietor, in company with men of rather dubious character. 203 CHAPTEE XII ' TAKE ME WITH TOU' ' I SUPPOSE we sliaU lose you now very soon, Mr. Hallaton,' observed Miss Lydney, as she paced by his side up and down the Esplanade. ' You officers always go away about this time.' ' Yes, I'm off in a week or so, and I'm sorry for it ; but one must be attentive to one's rela- tions, you know ; and I rejoice in an uncle who is a perfect martinet upon that point. He was in the service himself, so that he knows perfectly well the time at which long leave commences. I shall have to spend a month with Sir Eobert in Kent. However, there's 204 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE one thing, the fun here is pretty nearly over ; but what a jolly season it has been, has it not ? ' ' Yery,' replied Mary; 'but that's rather a selfish remark on your part. The fun is over, and you're going away. Have you no sym- pathy for us who are left behind ? ' ' You can't think I shall forget the many friends I've made here, and least of all Miss Lydney.' ' Oh, I don't know about that ! ' rephed the young lady, laughing. 'I daresay you'll have forgotten all about us long before you come back.' 'You can't think that of me,' rejoined Hallaton. ' You know I couldn't if I would.' ' I think you're talking great nonsense,' replied Mary. ' If rumour may be trusted, you'll perhaps not forget one person here, but 'TAKE ME WITH YOU' 205 that is neither me nor any lady of my acquaintance.' 'I don't understand you,' stammered Fred, but his face too clearly showed that he did, although he had never dreamt that his constant visits to tlie Dragon had of late become quite common gossip in Exmouth. That, as one whom it to some extent concerned, the rumour should be slow to reach Miss Lydney's ears was only natural, but it had at length, and she had heard it with no little indignation. She felt that it was likely to be true, and she was very angry that Fred Hallaton should have dared to put such an affront upon her. His attention to her had been most decidedly marked, and that he should presume under those circumstances to carry on a low intrigue with a girl like Sarah Mercer was a positive insult. She felt the more indignant on dis- 2o6 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE covering that the liking she had always had for him had ripened into something warmer ; if she was not in love with him, she was drift- ing into something very like it, and this intel- ligence opened her eyes to the fact. Her first impulse was to take care never to see him again, but she was a proud sensitive girl, and on consideration thought it would excite less remark if she broke off their intimacy by degrees. She was aware that he was going away before long, and that would facilitate their lapsing into a distant acquaintance. She would probably never have opened her hps to him on the subject had he refrained from love-making on this their last walk, for although Fred Hallaton did not know it, Mary had determined if possible it should be that. There was silence between them for two or three minutes. Fred Hallaton was not often 'TAKE ME WITH YOU' 207 taken aback, but for once he had nothing to say. Miss Lydney was the first to speak. 'I am not,' she remarked, ' given to credit all the idle gossip that comes to my ears, but on this occasion I can vouch that you do know this young woman, and it is somewhat to my astonishment that you find her attractive. Of course your intimacies I have no wish to com- ment on, but to talk sentiment to me, when you are notoriously paying your attentions to another woman and such a woman, is simply an insult.' ' But believe me ' began Hallaton. ' You^ she interrupted contemptuously ; then suddenly recovering herself, ' It's getting cold, she continued, ' and I shall go in. I'll not trouble you any further, Mr. Hallaton, we'll part here,' and with a haughty bow Mary Lydney dismissed him. 2o8 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE As Fred Hallaton walked back towards the railway station, lie reflected ruefully, as many of us have often done, that he was in for a bad time. The world was running askew with him just now, and when that is the case it makes it no better that the broth is of our own brewing. Men who gamble cannot be always successful, and the old adage ' It's well to be off with the old love before you are on with the new,' is doubtless the result of bitter experience. 'Serve me right,' he muttered. 'Hang it all. I just feel as pitiful a cur as ever crawled. By Jove ! she was far too good a girl to treat in that fashion. How she did flash out. Who could iiave dreamt of pretty Mary Lydney's eyes lightening like that ? Who could have told her about Sarah ? ' Because the Dragon was little frequented and that by a cla^s inferior to his own, Fred 'TAKE ME WITH YOU' 309 Hallatoii fell into the mistake of supposing that his visits there escaped observation. It was not likely. He forgot that Sarah had often accompanied him back to the outskirts of the town, and though he might not have been seen on the Esplanade with her, plenty of Exmouth people had seen them walking together. That Sarah Mercer was carrying- on with one of the young officers from Exeter, and givino^ herself more airs than ever in consequence, was the subject of much talk amongst her old friends and acquaintances. Mr. Tootell also was not the man to refrain from commenting freely on what he saw at the Dragon, so that one way and the other Fred Hallaton's afiair with Sarah Mercer was quite as much discussed amongst the middle class people of Exmouth as his flirtation with Miss Lydney was amongst those of his own VOL. I. p 2IO WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE station. Mary was not given to gossiping with servants, but she had been quite unable to stop her own maid's loquacity when that young person first became aware of Mr. Hallaton's iniquities. Fred began at last to think he had made a precious muddle of his affairs generally. Did he want to marry Miss Lydney ? No, he was not clear about that. She was a sweet girl, by whose side it was very pleasant to saunter through a summer afternoon, but marriage was another thing, and yet he knew he had given her to suppose he had that end in view. But if he did not want to marry her, still less did he wish to quarrel with her, and he knew that henceforth he could expect nothing but the coldest salutation from Miss Lydney, nor was it likely that he would ever make his peace with her again. Sarah Mercer was superbly 'TAKE ME WITH YOU' 211 handsome, but then he certainly did not con- template making her his wife, and he did not quite see how that flirtation would end. Once or twice he had resolved to see her no more, but his infatuation was too strono^ and a^ain and again he returned to drink of the Circean draught. Do not believe that a man cannot be for a little while in love with two women at the same time. Hallaton was genuinely in love both with Mary Lydney and Joe Mercer's daughter, but his love for the first was of a higher order than that which he had conceived for the latter. Had Sarah Mercer not crossed his path it is quite possible he might by this have resolved to win the banker's daughter, if he had not already done so ; but Sarah intoxicated him, and as she gave him every encouragement, he had not the strength of mind to break her thrall. p 2 212 WITHOUT LOVE OR LICENCE ' It's well,' he muttered to liimself as the train bore him along the line to Exeter, ' that I am going on leave. My affairs seem in a devil of a mess all round. Miss Lydney has taken things into her own hands and dismissed me. Whatever chance I might have had of win- ning her I have lost by my own folly ; as for Sarah, 1 am half sorry I ever saw her, I'll wish her good-bye and have done with it, and wlien I come back from leave make a stern resolve not to cross the threshold of the Dragon. I'm rather foolish even to say " good- bye," I beheve, but I can't help it. I must see her once more. Then I'm rather in a scrape about money matters. There's another hundred gone over that brute Sugar Cane. Dipping into capital is a very good game while it lasts, but the worst of it is, it don't last long. Let's see, this is Wednesday, and Chives has 'TAKE ME WITH YOU' 213 wired for one day's extra leave, and so won't be back till Friday. I have no doubt they will give me leave to go that day without waiting for his appearance. Dick is always true to time. I'll go and bid Sarah good- bye to-morrow, and be off by the evening mail next day.' By the time Hallaton had arranged his programme to his entire satisfaction, the train had reached the station, and Fred made the best of his way to the Barracks. He had made no mystery of his approach- ing departure. There was no reason he should ; most of his friends — ^just as Miss Lydney did — knew that he was going away in a few days on two months' leave, but there was one place in which Fred had instinctively felt that it would be better not to mention it, and that was at the Dragon. He felt it was likely to 214 WITHOUJ LOVE OR LICENCE be productive of a scene if Sarah should discover that he was going to part from her for so long, and yet there was something too pitiful in sneaking away without avowing it ; and as he took his way into Exmouth ^ the next morning, he had quite determined that lie would bid Sarah farewell and explain to her that it was best they should say good-bye to one another for good. But though he was unaware of it, the news had already reached Miss Mercer's ears, and though ignorant of the precise day she did know that her lover was