The Mynns' Mystery Part 47

The old lawyer took no notice of the last words, but said quietly:

"There has been a suggestion, sir, that the missing man had collected together a large sum, and has gone off with no intention of returning."

"For the present," said Saul, with a quick glance at Gertrude.

"At all, sir."

"Oh, rubbish. Who has dared to insinuate that? Bah! preposterous.

Collect a few hundreds, and leave behind this fine estate. My dear Mr Hampton, are you serious?"

"Ideas, these, sir, which sound strange; but to which colour is given by the a.s.sertion now made that the person in question is not the true George Harrington, but an impostor."

Saul Harrington leaped from his seat with a horrified and startled look in his eyes, and then sank back, grasping the arms and staring wildly at the old man, his jaw dropping, but no words coming from his lips.

"Yes, I surprise you, of course," continued the old lawyer, in his calm, unruffled, legal manner.

Saul Harrington uttered a gasp, as he seemed to make a tremendous effort to master his emotion.

"Yes, yes, of course," he cried, "you surprise me terribly. Then-- then--if he is an impostor the property would naturally fall to me."

"No," said the lawyer, as Saul sat back in his chair, with his teeth set and a peculiarly rigid aspect in his face, "the property only comes to you in the event of George Harrington's death without issue."

"Yes," said Saul, in a hoa.r.s.e whisper.

"And we do not know that George Harrington dead."

"No, no; of course not," said Saul hastily. "I begin to see now why you summoned me back. But--impostor--my cousin--the man I left here, accepted by you all?"

"Yourself included, Mr Saul," said the lawyer gravely.

"Yes, of course--of course--his proofs of ident.i.ty--of course."

"They were very strong, Mr Saul, and upon the strength of them he has obtained from the estate ten thousand pounds in hard cash, and he has disappeared."

"But it is impossible! An impostor?" said Saul hoa.r.s.ely. "No, no, no; you do not think so."

"My position forbids me to offer an opinion. At least, I consider it does, sir."

"But what proofs have you?" cried Saul, who seemed to be recovering himself. "You are keeping something back. Who says that George Harrington is an impostor?"

"I say the man who called himself George Harrington is a rank impostor, sir," said a firm voice at the doorway; and all turned to see the speaker standing there, a little in advance of Doctor Lawrence.

"You!" cried Saul, springing up, and looking so ghastly pale and drawn of countenance, that he seemed to have aged ten years.

"Yes, I do, sir."

"And--may I ask--who--you are?" said Saul, speaking with terrible effort.

"Yes! I am George Harrington, come here to claim my rights."

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.

AN INVITATION DECLINED.

"Come, Mr Saul, sir, drink a little more of this," said Doctor Lawrence; and he held a gla.s.s to the young man's lips, as he lay back on the sofa, where he had been lifted, for the words he had heard uttered had so strange an effect upon him that he had stood staring wildly for a few moments, and then uttered a sudden, low cry, and fallen heavily upon the carpet.

"Better now," he said, drinking with avidity; and then sitting up quite calm and connected. "A sudden fit of giddiness. I have been travelling night and day. I have not eaten; and the suddenness of this news completely overset me. Very absurd, of course."

"No, sir; quite natural," said the doctor quietly.

"Yes," said Saul, with a peculiar laugh, "in a girl; but not in a strong man."

"And now, if you will take my advice," said the doctor, "you will partake of some refreshment, and leave all further discussion of this business till another day."

"No," said Saul hoa.r.s.ely, "I must have all this cleared up before I go."

"Well, we can arrange that," said Gertrude smiling. "I will tell Denton to see that you have a room made ready; sleep here to-night."

"Sleep? here?" cried Saul quickly. "No, thank you; I shall get back to town."

"Far wiser to stay, sir," said the doctor quietly.

"No. You will be going back; I'll go with you."

"As you like," said the doctor; and at that moment Mrs Hampton whispered to Gertrude as they stood apart.

"You asked him--to stay!"

"Yes," said Gertrude, with her eyes full of perplexity. "I cannot tell how it was, but I do not feel afraid of him now."

She started almost as she spoke, for an angry voice behind exclaimed:

"Well, sir, why are you looking at me like that?"

"For the simple fact that I was eager to see what kind of man my cousin Saul might be."

"Your cousin, sir. You have to prove that yet," cried Saul excitedly.

"Of course; of course! Don't be put out about it, or I shall begin to think you did not want me to come back."

"Gentlemen, gentlemen?" cried Mr Hampton, "pray let us have calmness and discretion; there are ladies here."

"Yes; I am quite cool; and I beg their pardon."

"But may I ask why you are here this evening, sir," said the lawyer. "I thought, after our last meeting, it was decided that you should wait patiently."