"Dear Aunt,--You will doubtless be surprised to receive a letter from
me. It must be brief; the post leaves in an hour. Since I saw you we
have had a charming voyage out, but at the last we ran on a rocky
island off the coast of China, and became a total wreck in a few
minutes."
At this point Miss Pritty gasped "oh!" and fainted--at least she went
into a perfect semblance of the state of coma, but as she recovered
suddenly, and appealed to the letter again with intense earnestness, it
may have been something else that was the matter. She resumed her
perusal:--
"We succeeded in getting a hawser on shore, by means of which, through
God's mercy, nearly all the passengers were saved, including, of
course, your friend Miss Hazlit and her father. It is mournful to
have to add, however, that before the work was finished the wreck
slipped into deep water and sank with all her crew on board. We
remained only one day on the rock, when a passing ship observed our
signals, took us off, and carried us safely into Hong-Kong.
"Mr Hazlit and his daughter immediately left for--I know not where!
I remained here to make some inquiries about the wreck, which I am
told contains a large amount of gold coin. Now, I want you to take
the enclosed letter to my father's old servant, Joe Baldwin; help him
to read it, if necessary, and to answer it by return of post. It is
important; therefore, dear aunt, don't delay. I think you know
Baldwin's address, as I've been told he lives in the district of the
town which you are wont to visit. Excuse this shabby scrawl, and the
trouble I ask you to take, and believe me to be your loving nephew,
Edgar Berrington."
Miss Pritty was a prompt little woman. Instead of finishing her tea she
postponed that meal to an indefinite season, threw on her bonnet and
shawl, and left her humble abode abruptly.
Joe Baldwin was enjoying a quiet pipe at his own fireside--in company
with his buxom wife and his friends Mr and Mrs Rooney Machowl--when
Miss Pritty tripped up to his door and knocked.
She was received warmly, for Joe sympathised with her affectionate and
self-denying spirit, and Mrs Joe believed in her. Woe to the
unfortunate in whom Mrs Joe--_alias_ Susan--did _not_ believe.
"Come away, Miss,--glad to see you--always so," said Joe, wiping a chair
with his cap and extinguishing his pipe out of deference; "sit down,
Miss."
Miss Pritty bowed all round, wished each of the party good-evening by
name, and seating herself beside the little fire as easily and
unceremoniously as though it had been her own, drew forth her letter.
"This is for you, Mr Baldwin," she said; "it came enclosed in one to
me, and is from my nephew, Edgar Berrington, who says it is important."
"Thank you, ma'am," said Joe, taking the letter, opening it, and looking
at it inquiringly.
"Now Miss," said he, "it's of no manner o' use my tryin' to make it out.
You mustn't suppose, Miss, that divers can't read. There's many of 'em
who have got a good education in the three R's, an' some who have gone
further. For the matter of that I can read print easy enough, as you
know, but I never was good at pot-hooks and hangers, d'ee see; therefore
I'll be obliged, Miss, if you'll read it to me."