In the morning, I met my friends at the appointed place; and as the
clock struck ten, we started for the residence of Mrs Hyland.
As we came within sight of the house, I perceived Lenore at the window.
She recognised us, rose from her seat, and disappeared towards the back
of the room. When I rang the bell, the door was opened by herself.
Without hesitating, she conducted us all three into the parlour, where
we found Adkins and Mrs Hyland.
The latter appeared to be no little astonished by our unexpected
entrance; but as for Adkins himself, he looked more like a frightened
maniac than a man.
"What does this mean?" exclaimed Mrs Hyland, in a voice that expressed
more alarm than indignation.
"These gentlemen have called to see you on business, mother," said her
daughter. "There is nothing to fear from them. They are our friends."
Having said this, Lenore requested us to be seated; and we complied.
Adkins did not speak; but I could read from the play of his features,
that he knew the game was up, and that he had lost.
"Mrs Hyland," said Wilton, after a short interval of silence, "I have
called here to do what I believe to be a duty, and which I ought to have
done long ago. If I am doing any wrong, it is only through my ignorance
of what's right. I was your husband's friend, and we sailed together,
for nine years or thereabouts. I was on the ship `Lenore' when Captain
Hyland died, in New Orleans; and I have heard the stories that Mr
Adkins here has told about this young man. Those stories are false.
When in New Orleans, at the time of your husband's death, Adkins was
most of the time drunk, and neglecting his duty. Rowley did not desert
from the ship, neither did he neglect the captain, but was the only one
of the ship's company with him, or taking care of him, when he died.
Mr Adkins never liked Rowley; and the only reason I can think of for
his not doing so, is just because it is natural for a bad man to dislike
a good one. When Mr Adkins obtained the command of the ship, he would
not let Rowley come aboard again--much less return in her to Liverpool.
I made one voyage with Adkins as first mate after Captain Hyland's
death, and learnt, while making it, that I could not continue with him
any longer--unless I should become nearly as bad as himself. For that
reason I left the ship.
"Mrs Hyland!" continued Wilton, fixing his eye upon Adkins, and
speaking with determined emphasis, "I have no hesitation in pronouncing
Mr Adkins to be a wicked, deceitful man, who has been robbing you under
the cloak of friendship; and still continues to rob you."
"These men have formed a conspiracy to ruin me!" cried Adkins, springing
to his feet. "I suppose they will succeed in doing it. Three men and
one woman are more than I can contend against!"
Mrs Hyland paid no attention to this remark; but, turning to Mason,
said, "I believe that you are Mr Mason, the steward of the `Lenore.'
What have you to say?"
"I have to state that all Mr Wilton has told you, is true," said Mason.
"Rowley, to my knowledge, has never done anything to forfeit your
friendship. I have long known that Captain Adkins was a scoundrel; and
my desire to expose him--overcome by the fact that I have a large family
to support, and was afraid of losing my situation--has caused me to pass
many a sleepless hour. I had made up my mind not to go another voyage
along with him--before learning that my testimony was wanted in aid of
Rowley here. On hearing that he had robbed the young man--not only of
his old friends, but of his liberty--I no longer hesitated about
exposing him. He is a dishonest villain; and I can prove it by having
the ship's accounts overhauled."
"Go on! go on!" cried Adkins. "You have it all your own way now. Of
course, my word is nothing."
"He is telling the truth for once in his life," said Mason to Mrs
Hyland. "For his word _is_ just worth nothing, to any one who knows
him."
"Now, Rowland," said Mrs Hyland, "what have you to say?"
"Very little," I answered. "I did not wish you to think ill of me.
There is nothing that can wound the feelings more than ingratitude; and
the kindness with which you once treated me, was the reason why I have
been so desirous of proving to you that I have not been ungrateful. You
have now evidence that will enable you to judge between Adkins and
myself; and after this interview, I will trouble you no more, for I do
not desire to insist upon a renewal of the friendship you have
suspected. I only wished you to know that I had given you no cause for
discontinuing it."
"Now, gentlemen!" said Adkins, "having been amused by all each of you
has to say, I suppose I may be allowed to take my leave of you; and,"
said he, turning to Mrs Hyland, "I'll see you again, madam, when you
have not quite so much interesting company to engage your attention."
He arose, and was moving towards the door.
"Stop!" shouted Mason, stepping before him. "Mrs Hyland," continued
the steward, "I know enough about this man, and his management of your
business, to justify you in giving him in charge to a policeman. Shall
I call one?"
For a minute Mrs Hyland was silent.
I looked at Adkins, and saw that my triumph over him was complete. His
own appearance condemned him; and anyone to have seen him at that
moment--humiliated, cowed, and guilty--would ever after have dreaded
doing wrong; through very fear of looking as he did.
In truth, he presented a melancholy spectacle: for he had not the
courage to assume even a show of manliness.
To complete my triumph, and his discomposure, Lenore, who had been all
the while listening with eager interest, and apparent pleasure to what
had been said, cried out, "Let him go, mother, if he will promise never
to come near us again!"
"Yes, let him go!" repeated Mrs Hyland. "I must think before I can
act."
Mason opened the door; and Adkins sneaked out in a fashion that was
painful, even for me--his enemy--to behold. After his departure, each
waited for the other to speak.
The silence was broken by Mrs Hyland, who said:
"Of you, Mr Wilton, and you, Mr Mason, I have often heard my late
husband speak in the highest terms; and I know of no reason, why I
should not believe what you have told me."
"With you, Rowland," she continued, turning her eyes upon me, with
something of the old friendly look, "with you, I have been acquainted
many years; and the principal reason I had for doubting your integrity
and truthfulness, was because I thought that, had you possessed the
regard for us, you should have had, you would certainly have come back
after the death of my husband.
"You did not; and the circumstance, as you will admit, was strong
against you. I have now much reason to believe that I have been
deceived in Adkins; and I do not know whom to trust. I must suppose
that all of you have come here without any ill feeling towards me: for I
know not why you should wish to do me an injury.
"I have a respect for those in whom Mr Hyland placed confidence. I
have heard him speak well of all of you; and I do not remember now of
anything he ever said that should give me a favourable opinion of
Adkins. Indeed, I never heard Mr Hyland speak much concerning him. It
is my duty to think of the past as well as the present, before I can say
anything more."
Wilton and Mason both assured Mrs Hyland that they had only acted under
the influence of a sense of duty--inspired by the respect they had for
the memory of her husband.
We left the house; but not till Mrs Hyland had shaken hands with me,
and at the same time extended to me an invitation to call the next day;
and not till Mrs Hyland's daughter had given me reason to believe that
my visit would be welcome.
Volume One, Chapter XIV.