THE FORTUNE
And the fortune?
This remark may be made--that had they not found it when they did
there would very shortly have been nothing left to find. Mr. Thomas
Ossington had chosen for the treasure-chest a simple opening in the
wall, to which access had originally been gained by touching a spring.
This spring had been concealed under what had probably been a picture
of a dog's head; the fifth alternating dog's head on the right-hand
side of the bedroom door. When you pressed it a door flew open. But
this primitive treasure-chest, if not entirely obvious to the world at
large, was open to the rats and mice, and similar small deer, who had
their happy hunting-grounds within the wall itself. The result was
that, when the contents were examined, it was found that the bundles
of bank-notes had been gnawed, in some cases to unrecognisable shreds;
that meals--hearty ones of the cut-and-come-again description--had
been made of parchment deeds, bonds, share certificates, and similar
impediments; that coin--gold coin--had been contained in bags, which
bags had been consumed, even to the strings which once had tied them.
The coins lay under accumulations of dust, in heaps upon the floor. On
several were actually well-marked indentations, showing that sharp,
gleaming teeth had applied to them a stringent test before finally
deciding that they really were not good to eat. A curious spectacle
the whole presented when first brought to the light of day.
However, in but few cases had the damage proceeded to lengths which
had rendered what was left absolutely worthless--discovery had come
just in the nick of time. The Bank of England was good enough to hand
over cash in exchange for the fragments of all notes of which there
was satisfactory evidence that there had been once a whole. The
various documents which represented property were none of them in a
condition which rendered recognition altogether impossible, and when
it was once established what they were, for all intents and purposes
they were as available for their original use as if they had been in a
condition of pristine freshness.
Altogether the find represented a sum of something like £40,000. Not a
large fortune, as fortunes go, but still a comfortable capital to be
the possessor of. If fate only had been kind to him, and the men and
women who formed his world of finer texture, Tom Ossington might have
been as happy as the days were long.
Oddly enough, the real trouble came after the fortune was found. The
difficulty was as to whom it belonged--not because the claimants were
so many, but because they were so few.
It was Madge's wish that it should be divided between those who were
actually present at the moment of its discovery, maintaining that such
a division would be in accordance with both law and equity.
Ballingall's continued disappearance resolved the number of these into
four--Ella, Jack Martyn, Bruce Graham, and herself. The first rift in
the lute was caused by Mr. Graham, he refusing point-blank to have
part or parcel in any such transaction. He maintained that the fortune
had been found by Madge, and that therefore, in accordance with the
terms of the will, the whole of it was hers. In any case he would have
none of it. He had felt, on mature reflection, that Ballingall's
accusations had not been without foundation, that his conduct had been
unprofessional, that he had had no right to share his confidence with
anybody--that, in short, he had behaved ill in the whole affair; and
that, therefore, he had no option but to decline to avail himself of
any advantages which were, so to speak, the proceeds of his
misbehaviour.
When she heard this, Madge laughed outright. Seeing that her laughter
made no impression, and that the gentleman continued of the same
opinion still, she was moved to use language which was, to say the
least, surprising. It was plain that, beneath the lash of the lady's
tongue, he was unhappy. But his unhappiness did not go deep enough to
induce him to change his mind. When it was obvious that his resolve
was adamant, and that by no means could he be induced to move from it,
she announced her own decision.
"Very well; if the fortune's mine, it's mine. And if it's mine I can
do what I like with it. And what I like, is to divide it with Ella;
and if Ella will not have half, then I'll not have a farthing either.
And the whole shall go to the Queen, or to whoever unclaimed money
does go. And you'll find that I can be as firm--or as obstinate--as
anybody else."
"But, my dear," observed Ella, mildly, "I never said that I wouldn't
have half. I'm sure I'll be delighted. I'll need no pressing--and
thank you very kindly, ma'am."
"I do believe, Ella," returned Madge, with calmness which was both
significant and deadly, "that you are the only reasonable person with
whom I am acquainted."
So it was arranged--the two girls divided the whole; which of course
meant, as Madge knew perfectly, that Jack Martyn would have his share.
As a matter of fact, Mr. and Mrs. Martyn have been husband and wife
for some time now, and are doing very well.
And it is said--as such things are said--that Madge Brodie will be
Mrs. Bruce Graham yet before she dies. It is believed by those who
know them best that he would give his eyes to marry her, and that she
has made up her mind to marry him.
This being so, it would seem as if a marriage might ensue.
If such is the case, it appears extremely likely, if Madge ever is his
wife, that, whether he will or won't, Bruce Graham will have to have
his share.
She is as obstinate as he is--every whit.
The Gresham Press
UNWIN BROTHERS,
WOKING AND LONDON.