AN ADDITION TO THE HOUSE.
There were rejoicings in Phillimore Gardens over Tom's engagement, for
the two old people were both heartily fond of Kate--"our Kate," as they
were wont proudly to call her. The physician chafed at first over the
idea of keeping the matter a secret from Girdlestone. A little
reflection served to show him, however, that there was nothing to be
gained by informing him, while Kate's life, during the time that she was
forced to remain under his roof, would be more tolerable as long as he
was kept in ignorance of it. In the meanwhile the lovers saw little of
each other, and Tom was only consoled by the thought that every day
which passed brought him nearer to the time when he could claim his
prize without concealment or fear. He went about as happy and as
light-hearted a man as any in all London. His mother was delighted at
his high spirits, but his bluff old father was not so well satisfied.
"Confound the lad!" he said to himself. "He is settling down to a life
of idleness. It suits him too well. We must get him to choose one way
or the other."
Accordingly, after breakfast one morning, the doctor asked his son to
step with him into the library, where he lit his long cherry-wood pipe,
as was his custom after every meal, and smoked for some time in silence.
"You must do something to keep you from mischief, my boy," he said at
last brusquely.
"I'm ready for anything, dad," replied Tom, "but I don't quite see what
I'm fitted for."
"First of all, what do you think of this?" the doctor asked abruptly,
handing a letter over to his son, who opened it and read as follows:--
"DEAR SIR,--
"It has come to my knowledge through my son that your boy has
abandoned the study of medicine, and that you are still
uncertain as to his future career. I have long had the
intention of seeking a young man who might join in our
business, and relieve my old shoulders of some of the
burden. Ezra urges me to write and propose that your
son should become one of us. If he has any taste for
business we shall be happy to advance his interest in
every way. He would, of course, have to purchase a share
in the concern, which would amount to seven thousand pounds,
on which he would be paid interest at the rate of five
per cent. By allowing this interest to accumulate, and
investing also his share of the profits, he might in time
absorb a large portion of the business. In case he joined
us upon this footing we should have no objection to his
name appearing as one of the firm. Should the idea commend
itself to you, I should be most happy to talk over details,
and to explain to you the advantages which the firm can offer,
at my office in Fenchurch Street, any day between ten and four."
"With kind regards to your family, and hoping that they enjoy
the great blessing of health, I remain sincerely yours,"
"JOHN GIRDLESTONE."
"What d'ye think of that?" the doctor asked, when his son had finished
reading it.
"I hardly know," said Tom; "I should like a little time to think it
over."
"Seven thousand pounds is a good round sum. It is more than half the
total capital which I have invested for you. On the other hand, I have
heard those who ought to know say there is not a sounder or better
managed concern in London. There's no time like the present, Tom.
Get your hat, and we'll go down to Fenchurch Street together and look
into it."
While father and son were rattling along in a cab from Kensington to the
City, the young man had time to turn the matter over in his mind.
He wanted to be at work, and why not take this up as well as anything
else. It is true that he disliked what he had seen of both the
Girdlestones, but, on the other hand, by becoming a member of the firm
he would probably be thrown in the way of meeting the old merchant's
ward. This last consideration decided the matter, and long before the
cab had pulled up at the long and dirty passage which led to the offices
of the great African firm, the party principally interested had fully
made up his mind as to the course he should adopt.
They were duly ushered into the small sanctum adorned with the dissected
ships, the maps, the charts, the lists of sailing, and the water-colour
picture of the barque _Belinda_, where they were received by the head of
the firm. With a charming personal modesty, tempered by a becoming
pride in the great business which he had himself created, he discoursed
upon its transactions and its importance. He took down ledgers and
flashed great rows of figures before the eyes of the good doctor,
explaining, at the same time, how month after month their receipts
increased and their capital grew. Then he spoke touchingly of his own
ripe years, and of the quiet and seclusion which he looked forward to
after his busy lifetime.
"With my young friend here," he said, patting Tom affectionately on the
shoulder, "and my own boy Ezra, both working together, there will be
young blood and life in the concern. They'll bring the energy, and when
they want advice they can come to the old man for it. I intend in a
year or so, when the new arrangement works smoothly, to have a run over
to Palestine. It may seem a weakness to you, but all my life I have
hoped some day to stand upon that holy ground, and to look down on those
scenes which we have all imagined to ourselves. Your son will start
with a good position and a fair income, which he will probably double
before he is five years older. The money invested by him is simply to
ensure that he shall have a substantial interest in promoting the
affairs of the firm." Thus the old man ran on, and when Tom and his
father left the office with the sound of great sums of money, and huge
profits, and heavy balances, and safe investments, all jostling each
other in their brains, they had both made up their minds as to the
future.
Hence in a couple of days there was a stir in the legal house of Jones,
Morgan, & Co., with much rustling of parchment, and signing of names,
and drinking of inferior sherry. The result of all which was that the
firm of Girdlestone & Co. were seven thousand pounds the richer, and
Thomas Dimsdale found himself a recognized member of a great commercial
house with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto.
"A good day's work, Tom," said the old doctor, as they left the lawyer's
office together. "You have now taken an irrevocable step in life, my
boy. The world is before you. You belong to a first-class firm and you
have every chance. May you thrive and prosper."
"If I don't it won't be my fault," Tom answered with decision. "I shall
work with my whole heart and soul."
"A good day's work, Ezra," the African merchant was remarking at that
very moment in Fenchurch Street. "The firm is pinched again for working
expenses. This will help;" and he threw a little slip of green paper
across the table to his son.
"It will help us for a time," Ezra said, gloomily, glancing at the
figures. "It was fortunate that I was able to put you on his track.
It is only a drop in the ocean, however. Unless this diamond spec.
comes off, nothing can save us."
"But it shall come off," his father answered resolutely. He had
succeeded in obtaining an agent who appeared to be almost as well fitted
for the post as the recalcitrant major. This worthy had started off
already for Russia, where the scene of his operations was to lie.
"I hope so," said Ezra. "We have neglected no precaution. Langworthy
should be at Tobolsk by this time. I saw that he had a bag of rough
stones with him which would do well enough for his purpose."
"We have your money ready, too. I can rely upon rather over thirty
thousand pounds. Our credit was good for that, but I did not wish to
push it too far for fear of setting tongues wagging."
"I am thinking of starting shortly in the mail boat _Cyprian_," said
Ezra. "I should be at the diamond fields in little more than a month.
I dare say Langworthy won't show any signs for some time yet, but I may
as well be there as here. It will give me a little while to find my
way about. You see, if the tidings and I were to come almost
simultaneously, it might arouse suspicions. In the meantime, no one
knows our little game."
"Except your friend Clutterbuck."
A dark shadow passed over Ezra's handsome face, and his cruel lip
tightened in a way which boded little good to the old soldier should he
ever lie at his mercy.