Directly I set foot once more on English soil I hastened to Portsmouth,
though on my journey thither I did stay a while at Rake, for the sake of
old memories. On my arrival at Portsmouth I found my uncle looking
careworn and haggard, due to the constant strain and worry that his
duties in the dockyard entailed, for discontent amongst the workmen had
almost grown into open mutiny. So ill paid were they that in some cases
families were starving while work was plentiful.
As the 23rd day of April, 1668, drew near, that being my twenty-first
birthday, I found that I was becoming more and more excited over the
vague rumours that I had heard from time to time respecting the
remarkable disclosures that were to be made under the terms of my
father's will.
Nor was the excitement confined to myself. My uncle busied himself till
all traces of his worry lost themselves in his activity; my aunt bustled
about the house, driving the servants hither and thither, bringing linen
from the huge oak chest, furbishing the massive furniture, and causing a
huge supply of viands to be prepared for the entertainment of our
guests--for the invited company numbered close on a score, so that our
house would be filled to overflowing, and rooms had to be engaged at
"The Bell Inn" and "The Blue Posts".
On the Monday preceding the eventful day the guests began to arrive.
There were Sir George Lee, greyer and more bent than of yore, Master
Hugh Salesbury, Lawyer Whitehead, all from the neighbourhood of Rake; my
old shipmates, Greville Drake and Felgate, the latter accompanied by his
young wife, whom he had lately wedded, and several others who had been
friends of my father long before I could remember.
My birthday eve they kept in high style, the men smoking long clay
pipes, till our dining-room was enveloped in a cloud of tobacco smoke,
so that my aunt declared that her best hangings would reek for days like
a London coffee tavern, whereat Sir George pacified her by saying that
the weed of Virginia is ever a sovereign safeguard against the plague!
My twenty-first birthday came at last, and at ten in the morning we all
assembled in our largest room, where, after I had received the
congratulations of my friends, the long-expected legal formality began.
I sat at the head of the long oak table, with Lawyer Whitehead on my
right and Sir George on my left, the others being seated at the sides.
Before the lawyer was placed a heavy brass-bound box, which, besides
being locked, was fastened with a formidable-looking red seal.
With a solemn bow Master Whitehead stood up, and, clearing his throat
with a professional cough, began in a dry, legal manner:
"In accordance with the instruction laid down by my late client, Master
Owen Wentworth, I have to make the announcement that his son, who this
day attains his majority, can now take upon himself his rightful title,
Sir Aubrey Wentworth of Holwick, in the county of Yorks."
At this astounding information my senses became numb, and I could but
dimly see the faces of my friends and hear the indistinct murmur of
astonishment and congratulation from those of my guests who up to the
present were not in the secret.
"The late Owen Wentworth, by reason of his excessive loyalty to His
Majesty the King, and of his careful thought for the proper upbringing
of his son during the past troublous times, did part with a portion of
his family estates and personal property in order to furnish His Majesty
with such aid as all loyal cavaliers were bound by their duty to give.
The residue, which is no inconsiderable amount, he hid in a secure
place, taking good care that it should come to his son on his attaining
the age of twenty-one, provided that he showed great promise of filling
his position in a right and proper manner. The recovery of the hidden
treasure will depend on certain conditions imposed by Sir Owen (to give
him his rightful title), and these conditions were written and entrusted
to my keeping." Here the lawyer tapped the box with his finger and
proceeded to break the seal. This done, he produced a small key and
unlocked the box. The hinges creaked as he threw back the lid and
disclosed a number of parchments all neatly tied with faded ribbon.
Placing the documents on the table, the lawyer continued. "I have
here," he said, "a third part of a sheet of writing, which, when united
to its fellows, will disclose the exact position of the hidden riches of
Holwick. Another portion worthy Sir George hath, while you, Sir Aubrey,
must in truth produce the third part."
At this the knight laid down a paper which I recognized as the one that
had been read by him under such strange circumstances at Rake, some
eight years before, and the light flashed across me--the senseless
jargon that he had read was part of a secret code whereby I should
inherit my fortune.
"Now, Sir Aubrey, where is your share of the document?"
I stammered that I had not such a paper.
"Then----"
"Stay one moment, Master Whitehead," said Sir George; "if I remember
aught, Sir Aubrey never had his part of the document delivered to him.
His father expressly stated that a metal box was to be given to him, and
under pains and penalties he was not to open it to this day. But, as we
know, that box was filched, and therefore Sir Aubrey could not possibly
have opened it, neither can he be held accountable for its contents."
"True, true! Sir George," replied Master Whitehead; "but unfortunately,
though Sir Aubrey is not to be held accountable, the fact remains that
the complete solution is missing, and, as my late client refused to make
a duplicate, the secret is as far off as ever."
Here I could not forbear from interrupting the argument betwixt the
knight and the lawyer.
"But I have a copy of the part that should have been entrusted to me!"
"Heaven bless the boy!" ejaculated Sir George. "Where is it, and how
came you by it?"
In answer I rushed off to my own room, laid hold of the precious copy,
and returned.
"Here it is!" I shouted triumphantly, handing it to Master Whitehead,
and straightway I told them of my meeting with Increase Joyce, and how I
secured the temporary possession of the filched document.
"Now for the test," remarked Sir George when I had finished my tale, and
straightway the three papers were placed side by side on the table,
everyone crowding round to read what the joint document would reveal.
The paper which I produced did not correspond with the others, and the
lawyer twisted and turned them about for some considerable time. At
length a puckered frown overspread his wizened face, and he beat upon
the table with his fingers with the air of a man who has sustained a
momentary check.
"'To Beverley without ye gate on ye highway----' that reads aright; but
the next line doth not seem in keeping with the rest. How now, Sir
George, if thy wits are as sharp as thy sword----"
But Sir George Lee shook his head. "Troth!" he ejaculated, "if a man of
law cannot frame the wording of a document, how can I, a country
gentleman, hope to do it?"
"Methinks I can help you," spoke a soft, sweet voice, and looking up I
saw Mistress Felgate, who, hand in hand with her husband, had been a
silent yet interested listener to the discussion.
The lawyer rose, and with great courtesy placed his hand over his heart
and bowed, yet his manner betokened a professional scorn for feminine
advice.
"At your service, madam."
"Then begin with the bottommost line and read upwards."
"'Whereas my sonne having trulie carried out mine desires----'"
"Faith, sweetest, thy wits have proved better than the lawyer's!"
interrupted Felgate, bringing his fist down heavily on the table in his
excitement.
"'----Mine desires'" resumed Master Whitehead, receiving the
interruption with a deprecatory cough, "'I doe hereby give full
directions in soe that the treasures of mine house at Holwick may come
to him by right. Digge IIJ feet down at XXXII paces from y^e west side
of y^e wall, keeping in line II tall fir trees that doe lie without y^e
gate on y^e highway to Beverley.'"
"Nothing particularly difficult about these instructions," remarked my
uncle.
"I think so too," I replied; "and even now that villain Joyce may be
making a second and possibly successful attempt to recover what is mine
by rights. Indeed, from what he told me, he must have been very near
the spot."
"There is little time to be lost," replied Sir George. "My advice to
you is that you travel hotfoot to Holwick, and leave nothing undone till
you lay hands on the treasure. Would I were a score or so of years
younger and I would bear you company with the greatest of pleasure."
"I'll start to-morrow!" I exclaimed resolutely.
"I am with you, Aubrey," said Drake, grasping my hand.
"And I cannot desert my old shipmates," added Felgate. "So I hoist the
signal for permission to part company; and if my senior officer will
comply, I'll weigh anchor with you to-morrow."
Mistress Felgate gave her permission with the stipulation that her
husband must run no needless risks, the compact was sealed by a kiss
bestowed by her gallant and unabashed bridegroom, and the conversation
was resumed, while mirth and gaiety reigned supreme.
My mind, however, was too full of feverish anxiety for me to enjoy the
festivities, and drawing Greville aside, I discussed our forthcoming
journey.
"And if you find that Joyce has forestalled you?" he asked.
"Then I'll track him to the utmost end of the earth."
"And then----?"
"Greville, you know that I am not a revengeful man by nature, but I
swear that that villain dies by my hand."
"Then why didn't you kill him at Haarlem?"
"And get hanged for my pains? No, no! 'Tis a waiting game."
Presently Felgate joined us, and together we slipped out of the house,
crossed the street, and entered the establishment that Nicholas Wade ran
under the designation of posting stables.
The owner, bald-headed, high-shouldered, and bow-legged like many of his
class, came forth and mincingly asked what we required.
"Horses, man, horses! The best you have in your stables.
"For how long, your honour?"
"As long as it serves us. This bay will suit me."
"And I take a fancy to that black mare," added Drake.
"Nay, you've forestalled me," rejoined Felgate laughingly. "But no
matter, the brown nag will serve me, for of a verity I feel more at home
in a jollyboat than on the back of that beast."
The question of terms was quickly settled, and the mounts were ordered
to be brought round at nine the next morning. Then we went back to
enjoy the festivities, longing the while for the morrow to come.