HOME AGAIN.
When Mrs. Harvey Middleton reached England, she delayed but a day
in London to attend to necessary business. This business was solely
connected with her mission to America. Rudolph Rugg accompanied her to
the chambers of a well-known lawyer, and testified to having had the
charge of Tony, closing with the description of his death. Of course
nothing was said of the well, or about his having thrown him in, for
Rudolph was not a fool. The details of a probable story had been got
up by Mrs. Middleton and Rugg in concert. According to them and the
written testimony, Tony had been run over by a train on the Erie
railway, and a newspaper paragraph describing such an accident to an
unknown boy was produced in corroboration.
It was an ingenious fabrication, and Mrs. Middleton plumed herself upon
it.
"Poor boy!" she said, with a hypocritical sigh, "his was a sad fate."
"It was, indeed," said the lawyer; "but," he added, dryly, "you have no
cause to regret it, since it secures the estate."
"Don't mention it, Mr. Brief. It is sad to profit by such a tragedy."
"You don't take a business view of it, madame. Such things happen, and
if we can't prevent them, we may as well profit by them."
"Of course I will not refuse what has fallen in my way," said Mrs.
Middleton; "but I had formed the plan, if I found the boy alive, of
bringing him home and educating him for his position. He would not have
let me want."
"Don't she do it well, though?" thought Rudolph, who heard all this
with a cynical admiration for the ex-governess. "If I was a gentleman,
I'd make up to her, and make her Mrs. Rugg if she'd say the word."
"You think this man's evidence will substantiate my claim to the
estate?" she asked, after a pause.
"I should say there was no doubt on that point, unless, of course, his
evidence is impeached or contradicted."
"That is hardly likely, Mr. Brief. The poor man suffered much at the
death of the boy, to whom he was ardently attached."
"So you loved the boy, Mr. Rugg?" said the lawyer.
"Oh, uncommon," said Rudolph. "He was my pet, and the apple of my eye.
We was always together, Tony and I."
"And I suppose he loved you."
"He couldn't bear me out of his sight; he looked upon me as a father,
sir."
"If he'd come into the estate, he would probably have provided for
you," suggested the lawyer, watching him keenly.
"It's likely, sir. I wish he had."
"So it's a personal loss to you--the death of the boy."
"Yes, sir."
"Mrs. Middleton probably will not forget your services to the boy."
"No, sir. I shall, of course, do something for Mr. Rugg, though not as
much, perhaps, as my poor cousin would have done. Mr. Rugg, will you
see me to my carriage?"
"Certainly, ma'am."
Mrs. Middleton was anxious to go away. The conversation had taken a
turn which she did not like. It almost seemed as if the lawyer was
trying to find out something, and she thought it best to get Rudolph
away from the influence, lest Mr. Brief should catechise him, and draw
out something to her disadvantage.
"Mr. Rugg," she said, as they were going down stairs, "I advise you not
to go near Mr. Brief again."
"Why not, ma'am?"
"These lawyers are crafty. Before you knew what he was after, he would
extract the secret from you, and there would be trouble for both of us."
"Do you think so, ma'am? I didn't see nothing of it?"
"I think he suspects something. That matters nothing if it does not go
beyond suspicion. Unless he can impeach your testimony and draw you
into contradictions, we are safe, and you are sure of an income for
life."
"You needn't be afraid for me, ma'am. We are in the same boat."
She frowned a little at the familiar tone in which he spoke. It
was as if he put himself on an equality with her. But it was true,
nevertheless, and it was unpleasant for her to think of.
Was there nothing else that was unpleasant? Did she not think of the
poor boy who, as she thought, was killed, and at her instigation? Yes,
she thought often of him, but as much as she could she kept the subject
away from her thoughts.
"He's better off," she said to herself. "He didn't know anything of the
property, and he wasn't fit to possess it. All the troubles of life are
over for him."
"What are your plans, Mr. Rugg?" she asked.
"I have a mind to go down to Middleton Hall with you, ma'am. I used to
live there years ago, and I might find some of my old cronies."
"For that very reason you must not go," she said, hastily. "They
would be asking you all sorts of questions, and you'd be letting out
something."
"They wouldn't get nothing out of me."
"If you made no answer it would be as bad. They would suspect you."
"And you, too."
"Precisely."
"It's rather hard, Mrs. Middleton, I can't see my old friends."
"You can make new ones. A man with money can always find friends."
"That's true, ma'am," said Rudolph, brightening up. "Then you'd
recommend me to stay in London?"
"In London, or anywhere else that you like better. Only don't come
within twenty miles of Middleton Hall."
"Well, ma'am, you're wiser than I am, and you know better what it's
best to do."
"Of course I do. You are safe in being guided by me."
"But about the money, ma'am. How am I to get that if I don't see you?"
"Once a quarter I will pay in forty pounds to your account at any bank
you choose. You can let me know."
"All right, ma'am. It's strange to me to think of having a bank
account."
"It need not be strange henceforth. And now, Mr. Rugg, we must part.
I must hasten down to Middleton Hall to look after the estate. I have
been absent from it now for nearly three months."
"I suppose you are in a hurry to see your young man," said Rudolph,
with a grin.
"Mr. Rugg," said the lady, haughtily, "I beg you will make no reference
to my private affairs. You speak as if I were a nursery maid."
"I beg your pardon, ma'am. No offense was meant."
"Then none is taken. But remember my caution."
She stepped into the hansom which was waiting for her, and Rudolph
remained standing on the sidewalk.
"She's puttin' on airs," said the tramp, frowning. "She forgets all
about her bein' a governess once, without five pounds in the world. She
acts as if she were a lady born. I don't like it. She may try her airs
on others, but not on Rudolph Rugg. He knows a little too much about
Mrs. Harvey Middleton. Rich as you are, you're in his power, and if he
was so inclined he could bring you down from your high place, so he
could."
But Rudolph's anger was only transient. He was too astute not to
understand clearly that he could not harm Mrs. Middleton without
harming himself quite as much. As things stood, he was securely
provided for. No more tramping about the country for him in all
weathers. He had enough to lodge and feed him, and provide all the beer
and tobacco he could use. This was certainly a comfortable reflection.
So he sought out a comfortable lodging and installed himself before
night, determined to get what enjoyment he could out of London and the
income he had so foully won.
And Mrs. Middleton, she, too, congratulated herself.
She leaned back in the cab and gave herself up to joyful anticipations
of future happiness and security.
"Thank Heaven, I have got rid of that low fellow," she ejaculated,
inwardly. "I never want to see the brute again. He was necessary to
my purpose, and I employed him, but I should be glad if he would get
drowned, or be run over, or end his miserable life in some way, so that
I might never see or hear of him again."
But the thought of Rudolph did not long trouble her. She thought rather
of the handsome Captain Lovell, whom she loved, and to marry whom she
had committed this crime, and the hard woman's face softened, and a
smile crept over it.
"I shall soon see him, my Gregory," she murmured. "He will soon be
mine, and I shall be repaid for my long, wearisome journey."