ON THE BORDERS OF THE LAKE OF GENEVA.
It is time to look after our hero in his European wanderings.
He had been travelling hither and thither with his guardian, who
appeared to have no definite aim except to enjoy himself. Whether
he succeeded in doing this was by no means certain. On the whole,
he and Ben got along very well together. He did not undertake to
control his young secretary, but left him very much to his own
devices. There were times when he seemed irritable, but it generally
happened when he had been losing money at the gaming-table, for
he was fond of play, not so much because he was fascinated by it
as because it served as a distraction in lieu of more serious
pursuits. On the whole, he did not lose much, for he was cool and
self-possessed.
One thing was unsatisfactory to Ben--he had little or nothing to do.
He was private secretary in name, but what use Major Grafton had for
a private secretary Ben could not divine.
Why Ben need have concerned himself, as long as he received his
salary, may excite the wonder of some of my readers, but I think
most people like to feel that they are doing something useful.
Ben, however, found a use for part of his time. In his travels
through France, Switzerland, and Italy, he had oftentimes found
himself, when alone, at a loss on account of a want of knowledge of
the French language.
"Why should I not learn it?" he asked himself.
He procured some elementary French books, including a grammar,
dictionary, and tourist's guide, and set himself to the task with
his usual energy. Having little else to do, he made remarkable
progress, and found his studies a source of great interest.
"What are you doing there, Philip?" asked Major Grafton, one
afternoon.
"I am trying to obtain some knowledge of French. I suppose you have
no objection?"
"Not the least in the world. Do you want a teacher?"
"No, sir; I think I can get along by myself."
Major Grafton was rather glad that Ben had found some way of passing
his time. He did not want the boy to become homesick, for his
presence was important to him for reasons that we are acquainted
with.
Ben supplemented his lessons by going into shops, pricing articles,
and attempting to hold a conversation with the clerks. This was a
practical way of learning the language, which he found of great use.
Again they found themselves in Geneva, which Ben thought, on the
whole, a pleasant place of residence. Here, too, he could make
abundant use of his new acquisition, and did not fail to avail
himself of his opportunity. So he enjoyed his stay in the charming
Swiss city until one day he made an astounding discovery.
The most interesting walk in Geneva is along the borders of the
lake. Near it are placed seats on which the visitor may sit and
survey the unequalled view.
Ben had seated himself one day, with a French book in his hand,
which he was studying, when he observed a couple of ladies seat
themselves near him. He would have given them no further thought if
by chance the name of Major Grafton, spoken by one of them, had not
reached his ears.
"I see that Major Grafton is here," said one. "You know we met him
at Florence."
"Yes, the one who had the sick boy with him."
"The same."
"It was his son, was it not?"
"I thought so at the time, but I have since learned that I was
mistaken. He was the boy's guardian."
"The boy died, did he not?"
"Yes, and it must have been a serious calamity to him."
"You mean that he was very much attached to the boy?"
"No, I don't mean that. On the contrary, he appeared to care very
little for him. It was the pecuniary loss I was thinking of."
"Explain yourself."
"You must know, then, that the boy was heir to a large fortune, the
income of which, during his minority, was payable to Major Grafton
for his benefit. No doubt the guardian made a good thing out of it.
He probably made it pay both the boy's expenses and his own."
"Then, on the boy's death, he would lose this income?"
"Precisely."
"It is strange," said the younger lady; "but he still has a boy with
him."
"He has?" inquired the other, in surprise.
"The name he calls him is Philip."
"That was the name of the boy who died."
"Are you sure that he died? Are you sure that this is not the same
boy?"
"Positive."
"It is very singular. A strange idea has occurred to me."
"What is it?"
"What if he is passing off this boy for the first, in order to
retain the liberal income which he received as guardian?"
"But that would be fraudulent."
"That is true; but I think Major Grafton would be capable of it. I
hear from my brother that he gambles, and a gambler is not apt to be
overburdened with principle."
"If this is so, he ought to be exposed. To whom would the boy's
fortune go, if it were known that he was dead?"
"To three cousins, who, I understand, are living in poverty in New
York. There are two young girls and a brother, named Beaufort.
They were cut off by the grandfather, from whom the fortune was
inherited. For what reason I am not aware. However, the will
stipulated that if the boy should die, the fortune should go to
these children."
"Then they ought to be enjoying it now?"
"Exactly. If all is true that I suspect, they are being kept out of
it by a conspiracy."
"Who is the boy that Major Grafton has with him now?"
"I don't know. Possibly it is a relative of his own. He calls him
Philip to deceive the public, if all is as I suspect."
"Don't you think we ought to do something in the matter, Clara?"
"I never meddle with matters that don't concern me."
"Not even to right such a wrong as this?"
"No; I suppose matters will come right after awhile. The deception
will be discovered, you may depend upon it."
"If I knew the boy I would speak to him about it."
"You would have your labor for your pains. The boy is probably in
the conspiracy. I think he is a nephew of Major Grafton. If anything
were said to him, he would no doubt put the major on his guard, and
that would be the end of it. My dear, we shall do much better not to
interfere in the matter at all."
The younger lady looked dissatisfied, but did not reply.
The feelings with which Ben heard this revelation may be imagined.
He never for a moment doubted the truth of the story. It made clear
to him what had seemed singular hitherto. He had never been able
to understand why Major Grafton should pick him up, and without
any inquiry into his capacity offer him an engagement as private
secretary. He had found that the office was merely nominal, and that
there were no duties to speak of connected with it. Major Grafton
had shown no particular interest in him, and evidently cared nothing
for him, save as he served his purpose. But if his presence enabled
Grafton to remain in possession of a large income, there was no need
to inquire further. Ben saw that he was made an important agent in a
wicked conspiracy to divert a large fortune from its lawful owners.
What ought he to do?