Aymer's reply was that he feared he should never complete his book, for something always seemed to happen to delay it, and now he should soon have to accompany Mr Broughton to Stirmingham.

It was in this way. Mr Broughton, before removing to Barnham, where he inherited the practice and most of the fortune of a deceased uncle, had lived in Stirmingham, working as the junior partner in a firm there. He was no longer a partner, but still continued on friendly relations with the firm; and having much confidence in his ability, they frequently sent for him in difficult cases.

Now this firm--Messrs. Shaw, Shaw, and Simson--had one very good client, who had been to them almost equal to an estate, bringing in a yearly income, and paying cash without dispute. This client, or rather these clients, was one of those very building societies which had leased old Sternhold Baskette's incomplete houses for a term of years.

House property is, as every one knows, fruitful in causes of litigation--repairs, defaulting tenants, disputes, and what not; and, in addition, there is the task of collecting the rents, and a vast variety of smaller pickings. All these Shaw, Shaw, and Simson had enjoyed for fully half a century, till they had come to look upon them as their legitimate right, and as certain to descend into the hands of their successors. But as time went on, they began to get anxious, and to perceive that there was a great deal of truth in the ancient maxim, "This too shall pa.s.s away," for the term of the lease, long as it was, rapidly approached expiration.

Obviously, it was their interest to delay the delivering up of the property to the heir, John Marese Baskette, as long as possible; and they felt the stake to be so great, that they did not spare their own money in the effort to oust him from his just claim.

Messrs. Shaw, Shaw, and Simson were all three old and experienced men-- safe men, in every sense; but they hesitated to trust entirely to their own ingenuity in this complicated business. They had, in fact, entrusted it to Mr Broughton, who was not only more energetic, but was full of resources which would never have occurred to such steady persons as the three partners.

So it happened that, as the fall of the year advanced, Broughton had his hands full of the building societies' business, and had engaged to proceed to Stirmingham as their legal representative, at the great family council of the claimants in the Sternhold Hall, which was to open in three or four days.

Another circ.u.mstance that brought Aymer into still closer contact with the great case, was the fact that this firm of Shaw, Shaw, and Simson had an American client, who was himself one of the claimants. His name was another variation upon the old stem.

Anthony Baskelette was tolerably well to do. He had a great business, and had large transactions with manufacturers in Stirmingham. These necessitated an agent there, and Shaw, Shaw, and Simson had for years looked after his affairs. He was one of the Original Swampers. He really could prove his direct descent from one of old Will Baskette's cousins, and held ample doc.u.mentary evidence; and being moderately wealthy, thought he would have a trial at the monster estate at Stirmingham. He instructed Shaw, Shaw, and Simson to get up his claim in a legal form, and announced his intention of accompanying the body of the claimants to England in the steamer _Lucca_, which had been so generously chartered by Marese.

All the correspondence from him to Shaw and Company was sent on to Barnham; and in this way Aymer, who had much to do with Broughton's correspondence, began to have some idea of the magnitude of the interests at stake. Though const.i.tutionally averse to the law, and hating its formalities, he could not help feeling some considerable excitement about this tremendous case, and perhaps showed more genuine alacrity in executing Broughton's instructions relating to it, than he had with other matters.

At all events, Broughton told him that he should want him to act as his clerk, or notary, during his approaching visit to Stirmingham. The lawyer had begun to feel a certain amount of trust and confidence in Aymer, who never failed to fulfil his orders, though obviously against the grain, and especially as Aymer's demeanour was quiet and gentlemanly. If he did venture to throw out a suggestion, it was in the most respectful and diffident manner.

In this way it happened that Aymer became well up in the _latter_ part of the history of Stirmingham, especially in that section of the case which concerned the Baskettes, and in time it grew to be almost the leading thought in his mind. His letters to Violet were full of it.

The history was so romantic--so extraordinary, and yet so true--that it took strong hold upon his imagination.

He looked forward with pleasure to his approaching visit to Stirmingham.

Like all men with any pretence to brains, though he delighted in Nature and loved the country, there was a strong, almost irresistible, desire within him to mingle in the vast crowds of cities, to feel that indefinable "life" which animates the ma.s.s. A great city to such a man as Aymer was like a wonderful book--an Arabian Night's tale, an endless romance which would afford inexhaustible pleasure in the study of its characteristics.

Though it would involve at least a month's absence from Violet, he looked forward to the visit with impatience--not without a secret hope that he might in some unexpected manner find a chance of rising in the scale, and getting a little nearer to the object of his life.

He had a number of commissions to execute for Lady Lechester-- particularly one. This was to search the old bookstalls and the curiosity shops, in out-of-the-way corners, for antique Bibles. Agnes had a weakness, if it may be so-called, for collecting old editions of the Bible, and possessed a large and extremely interesting library filled with them. One or two particularly rare copies had hitherto escaped her search, and if there was such a thing to be found in Stirmingham she felt sure that Aymer would be precisely the man to find it.

He had also a commission to purchase for her a few pictures, with which to decorate the walls of a new wing she was adding to The Towers. She had a curious dislike to the old family mansion, and yet wished to live in the neighbourhood from a sense of duty. She held it as a doctrine that the owners of large estates should pa.s.s a part of their time, at all events, at home--there were so many ways in which they could do good, not only by charity, but by encouraging local industries.

The new wing was being built to enable her to reside at home, and yet gratify the innate dislike to The Towers which she cherished. Aymer's artistic taste was so marked that she felt confident he would select her suitable pictures. There were plenty of old paintings in the galleries of The Towers which could have been spared for the new wing, but she preferred to be surrounded with fresh objects, even down to the very footstool.

The day for the a.s.sembling of the great family council came nearer and nearer, and the letters from Anthony Baskelette more frequent. The daily papers, which Aymer saw now and read with the closest attention, began to devote a s.p.a.ce to notes upon the preparations, and some sent specials to Stirmingham in advance, who described the city in a series of sketches, which excited Aymer's curiosity to the highest pitch.

News came at last that the claimants were a.s.sembling at Imola; then the date of the sailing of the _Lucca_ came and pa.s.sed. They knew that she must sail upon that day, because her owners were under contract to deliver the bullion entrusted to them on a fixed date in London, where its approaching arrival had already had an appreciable effect upon the money-market. Seven hundred thousand pounds in coin, in gold bars and Mexican dollars, is a sum which cannot be transferred from one country to another at once, without causing some fluctuations upon the Exchange.

The owners of the _Lucca_ were under a bond by which they forfeited a heavy sum if the vessel did not start to time. Therefore there was no doubt that the _Lucca_ had sailed, though no announcement had reached London of the event, for it happened that the Atlantic cables were out of order, and there were not then such a number of cables as at present.

Still, no one doubted for an instant that she was upon the seas; and one well-known ill.u.s.trated paper announced that a special artist of theirs was on board, who, the moment he landed, would present the public with sketches of the incidents of the voyage, portraits of the claimants, and other subjects of interest. It was also generally understood that the heir, in his yacht, had started from New York to accompany the steamer.

What was Aymer's surprise and regret, upon opening the paper on the second morning after, to see the following telegram, one of the cables having got into partial working order again:--

"New York, Tuesday Night.

"The _Lucca_ sailed on Friday at noon, but _without_ the claimants.

She brings the specie announced."

Then there was an editorial note to the effect that several other words of the telegram could not be read, on account of the unsatisfactory state of the wires. The evening papers had further particulars:--

"The _Lucca_, and the yacht of John Marese Baskette, Esq, have pa.s.sed Sandy Hook. All well. A snow-storm blocked the line from Imola to New York, and the claimants could not arrive in time. They follow per _Saskatchewan_."

Next day additional particulars came to hand. It appeared that the heir, Marese, had on the Wednesday gone to Imola, and received an ovation from the a.s.sembled claimants. He was to accompany them to New York on the Friday, and to follow the _Lucca_ in his yacht. On Thursday night there came a heavy fall of snow--and a strong wind, which caused immense drifts. Notwithstanding these the special train, with Marese and one hundred and fifty claimants, started from Imola with a pilot-engine in front, the station-masters along the line having telegraphed that they would clear it in time. They did partially succeed in the attempt; but the storm came on again, the wires were blown down; and telegraphic communication for a part of the way interrupted.

In the thick snow the special crept along, with the pilot in front; but, despite of all their caution, the pilot-engine ran into a drift and stuck fast. The special came up, but there was no collision. To proceed was, however, impossible; every moment made it more so, and they began to fear lest the return to Imola should be also blocked up.

After much consultation it was decided to run back to Imola, and proceed by a more circuitous route. There was just a chance that, if this other route was clear of snow, they might get to New York in time. They put on steam and pushed as fast as possible, and the consequence was a narrow escape from a serious disaster. The wind, since they had pa.s.sed, had blown down a large pine tree, which fell across the line. The engine of the special struck this tree, but being provided with cow-guards, was not thrown off the line. Some of the machinery was, however, damaged, and the special came to a standstill. After a long delay, consequent on the interruption of telegraphic communication, a second train was sent up, and the pa.s.sengers re-embarked in it, and at last got back to Imola. It was now, however, too late to reach New York in time, especially as the longer route was equally enc.u.mbered with drifts of snow. The result was that the _Lucca_ was obliged to start without them.

VOLUME TWO, CHAPTER TWELVE.

The _Saskatchewan_ was to start on the next Friday. The claimants had arrived at New York on the Sunday, after much trouble and a long journey, having to make an immense detour. The council could not now hold its first meeting on New Year's Day, but was expected to a.s.semble on the 6th January (Twelfth Day).

For two days they were without intelligence at Barnham and Stirmingham, the cables being wrong again, but on the third Aymer was sent for to the private residence of Mr Broughton at seven in the morning. The London dailies had not yet arrived, but he had received a private telegram from Shaw, Shaw, and Simson, with the most extraordinary news. The yacht of Mr Marese Baskette had brought the steamship _Lucca_ back to port a derelict, having found her helpless on the high seas, with every pa.s.senger and every one of the crew dead.

Presently the papers came and contained the same announcement, though they one and all expressed a strong doubt as to the accuracy of the news. By-and-by down came a second edition of the _Telegraph_, repeating the former telegram, with additional particulars. By night it was known as a fact over the length and breadth of the world, that the _Lucca_ had been found lying like a log upon the waste of waters with a crew of corpses--a veritable ship of the Dead. The ghastly news was only too true. Excitement rose to the highest pitch; edition after edition of the papers sold out; men congregated in groups, discussing this new horror which had saddened civilisation. All were completely in the dark as to how it had happened, and in the eagerness for further insight the brief telegram announcing that the claimants had started on board the _Saskatchewan_ was overlooked. There were plenty, however, who pointed out to each other the fortunate escape the claimants had had. If the snow had not fallen on that particular night; if the wires had not been broken by the falling posts; if the pine tree had fallen on one side instead of crossing the line, they would in all human probability have one and all shared the fate of those on board the _Lucca_.

Only one circ.u.mstance caused any abatement of the intense alarm which this fearful occurrence created. It was this: The greater portion of the s.p.a.ce allotted for pa.s.senger accommodation on the _Lucca_ had been taken by Marese for the claimants, and as it was not certain up to the last moment whether they would come or not, the ship started with less than a third of her full complement of pa.s.sengers. There was not, therefore, such a death-roll as might have been; but, even as it was, it was extended enough.

No one could understand how it had happened; not the slightest explanation was given, and the public mind was exercised in speculating upon the cause of the disaster. The pa.s.sage from America to England had long lost the character of a voyage. The height to which perfection had been carried in the great steamship lines, was such that it had become a mere ocean promenade. No one thought of danger; the perils of the deep had been so thoroughly overcome. In the midst of this security came a shattering blow, which dispelled the confidence slowly built up by such an expenditure of skill and money as had perhaps never been equalled in the history of the world. The mystery seemed impenetrable. If the vessel had disappeared like the _City of Boston_; if it had sunk, there would have been several explanations possible. But to be brought back into port perfect, uninjured, and yet a derelict, with a dead crew--it was inexplicable.

The _Saskatchewan_ arrived on the 2nd January, and with her came the claimants--all but Marese--and these immediately proceeded to Stirmingham. It was hoped that she would have brought fuller particulars as to the fate of the _Lucca_; but having started on the very day that the _Lucca_ returned to port, nothing more was known on board than the simple fact.

On the 4th, however, another steamer came into Liverpool, bringing the New York papers up to date, and the contents of these were at once published in London.

By the steamer came a letter from Anthony Baskelette. He had left the _Saskatchewan_ on hearing of the _Lucca's_ return, in great anxiety about some consignment he had made by her to his agent in Stirmingham.

He had met the heir, and had been invited to accompany him to England on board his yacht, which would not reach Liverpool till the 9th. He was full of the _Lucca_ catastrophe, and his long letter contained more particulars than four papers.

Aymer read it with the deepest interest. It ran:--

"You will of course attend the council on the 6th, both in the interest of the building society and of myself. I am delayed by the necessity of seeing after the consignment I had made on board the unfortunate _Lucca_, which consignment is too valuable to be left to agents. I am in the greatest anxiety, because it is uncertain yet in what light the rescue of the _Lucca_ will be regarded.

"There can be no doubt that if the owner of the yacht--Mr Marese Baskette--likes, he can put in a heavy claim for salvage. The question is--whether in his position as the ostensible heir, and as a gentleman, he will insist upon his right, or, at all events, moderate his demands?

"I have met and conversed with him, and I gather from him that personally he is averse to making any claim at all. He considers that his yacht simply performed a duly, and a duly that was imperative upon her captain. To take money from those unfortunate persons who had consigned goods, or bullion in the _Lucca_ he thought would be contrary to every sentiment of honour and humanity.

"But, unfortunately, he is not altogether a free agent. It appears that at the time when the salvage of the _Lucca_ was effected, there was on board the yacht a certain Mr Theodore Marese--a cousin of Mr Baskette's, who is only in moderate circ.u.mstances, and naturally looks upon the event as a windfall which may never occur again--as I hope and pray it never will.

"Mr Theodore Marese, it seems, performed some personal service in rescuing the _Lucca_, and was considered to have run considerable risk to his life.

"A certain sum will have no doubt to be paid to Mr Theodore, and I cannot blame him if he insists upon his right. He was practically the master of the yacht at the time, and it seems was on his way--with Mr Baskette's permission--to London, to attend to some very urgent business there, which the catastrophe of the _Lucca_ has delayed and greatly injured, causing him pecuniary loss.

"Then there is the captain of the yacht, and the crew. It is a fine vessel--some 300 tons or more, I should think--a screw steamer, and very fast. She carries a rather numerous crew, and all these are ravenous for plunder, and it is hard to see how these claims are to be avoided.

Still further, it seems that Mr Baskette himself is not altogether a free agent. He freely admitted to me that he was not without his debts--as is probable enough to a man of fashion, with a certain position to maintain.

"These creditors may take advantage of the _Lucca_ business to push him, and say that he must take the salvage in order to meet their demands.

Of this he is greatly afraid.

"Baskette is a most pleasant man, easy to converse with, very open and straightforward--quite a different person to what I should have expected. He has been particularly agreeable to me, promising his best efforts to curtail my loss, and has given me a cabin in his now famous yacht, the _Gloire de Dijon_.