The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 226: what you’re looking at

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—_— OEE Se” THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. 215 Frederick’s horses; and the merchant beekoned him aside. “What was that adventure with a disguised Lescar the other night?” asked Sir Frederick. “Come—I dare say your master did not wish to frighten us at Tudor House, and therefore he has told you to hold your tongue: but you need not hesitate to explain everything to me :’’—and thus speaking, Sir Frederick placed a guinea in the groom’s hand. “Why, sir, the truth is,” responded the domes- tic, “there were two adventures with that Lascar —one about a week back, and the other on the night of the party. To which do you allude, sir P” “To both,” was the response. - On the first occasion, sir,” resumed the do- mestic, “I think his lordship had taken a little too much of your wine, sir—eaving your presence— and he upset the phaeton. I was stunned on the spot; and when I came to my senses again his lordship was crying out ‘Stop thief!’—and then his lordship went on swearing terribly, making me believe that he had been robbed. There was some- thing strange in his lordship’s manner, sir—though he declared he had sot been robbed ——” “And what about the adventure of the night betore last?” inquired Sir Frederick. “ Why, sir, as we were driving home, wo saw a fellow in white struggling with young Mr. Ash. ton; and then his lordship cried out that he was the very same Lascar who had tobbed him the other night.” The groom proceeded to relate the incident of the Lascar’s escape from Lord Rushbrook and Christian, just as Mr. Redcliffe had already detailed the circumstances to Sir Frederick : but the groom of his own accord added “that his lordship seemed struck quife aback when the ruffian spoke about the safe and cash-box.” “And you have not the slightest notion what the villain alluded to?” said the merchant in- niringly. “ Not the least, sir,” replied the groom. ‘Now teil me, my good fellow,” continued Sir Frederick—and he put another guinea into the domestic’s hand,—“has his lordship your master paid any considertble sum of money yesterday or to-day-——-I_ mean, is it within your knowledge that he has done so? Whatever information you give me, will do you no harm; and you can k silent as to having been questioned in this way.” “TI don’t know, sir, whether his lordship has peid away any large sum of money,” answered the groom: “ but saving yeur presence, sir, and with no disrespect, I do know that there was an execn- tion out against his lordship for twelve or thirteen hundred pounds— because he told me to take care that he was always denied if ever Buffer the Sheriff ’s officer should happen to call. Weill, sir, yesterday his lordship drove to Mr. May’s, the attorney’s, in Gray’s Inn Square ; and when he eame out of the office, he jumped into the phaeton, eaying he didn’t now care a curse forall the Buffers im existence.” “* Breathe not a syllable to a soul that I have been questioning you,” said Sir Frederick. As he separated from the groom—who knew not what to think of the numerous queries that had been put to hinse—the merchant looked at his watch, and found that it was now three o’clock. He at once ordered his carriage to be got ready ; and ascend. ing to the drawing-room, he said to Rushbrook, “ Your lordship must pardon me for leaving you éo abruptly : but I have just received a letter which calls me into the City.” “Well, I shall be off likewise,” said the Vis- count. “Shall I give you a lift in my phaeton P” “I thank you, my lord,” responded the mer- chant: “but I set a value upon my neck, and your lordship’s reckless driving by no means suite my ideas of safety.” During his ride into London, Sir Frederick Latham continued to reflect more and more on everything he had heard; and he wondered whether the inquiries ho was about to institute would throw any light upon one portion of the topics which bewildered him. He was a man of remarkable sagacity in business-matters, and keenly prompt to stize upon any clue which by any possibility might seem to promise the unravelment of a mys- tery. He repaired straight to the office of Mr. May, the solicitor, in Gray’s Inn Square: that gentleman was alone at the time in his private room; and he at once received Sir Frederick La- tham. The lawyer and the merchant were per- sonally unknown to each other: but the instan$ the great name of the latter was announced, the professional gentleman was on the alert to receive him with all possible courtesy and respect. “Mr. May,” said Sir Frederick, taking the seat which was proffered to him; “I am about to put three or four questions which may seem singular : but I beg you not to refuse to answer them on that account—nor to prejudge disparagingly the nobleman whoge name I shall have to mention. I allude to my brother-in-law, the Viscount Rush- brook.” | “ Ah, indeed!” said Mr. May, with the air of one to whom that namo was far from unfamiliar. “You know tiie Viscount,” continued Sir Fre- derick,—“ I mean professionally——” “T havo not the honour of being his lordship’s professional adviser,” interjected Mr. May. *“ No—but you have been very recently engaged against him,” resumed the merchant; “and yes- terday he called upon you-——”” “True, Sir Frederick,” responded the solicitor : “his lordship came to settle a little matter-——but to be candid with you, Viscount Rushbrook paid me some thirteen hundréd pounds to settle a liabi- lity on which I had Been compelled t6 issue an execution against his person.” | “ Precisely so,” said the merchant. “And now I am about to ask the question which may seem most singular. Did you happen to take the num- bers of the notes in which Lord Rushbrook settled this liability ?” “ Most assuredly,” exclaimed Mr. May: * for I at once sent off the money to my banker’s ; and as a matter of precaution, I invariably keep the num. bers of bank-notes thus confided to the care of a clerk.” “Would you favour mo with a sight of those numbers ?”’ asked Sir Frederick. The lawyer, wondering at the request, at once produced the list,—which the merchant compared with a slip that he took from his own pocket-book. All the numbers on Mr. May’s list corresponded with a quantity of those which were on the -_ COMME HOG cS) Co AU