THE HONOURABLE JIM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10383, 6 March 1897, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE HONOURABLE JIM.

BY It. J. CUAKLETON, Author of "A Successful Dramatist," "Hector's Cloak," "Maloryßutherford," " Widdrington's Atonement," "A Lost Opportunity," "Castle ICihatli,''etc [Copyright.] CHAPTER XVll&f Continued.) Presently Mr. Pegram heard sounds as of people moving in the house ; tho opening and shutting of doors, 'and the noise of footsteps. He lay and listened, still wondering more and more as to where he might be. His mind by this" time had become clearer, and, taking the whole circumstances into account, he came to the conclusion that the letter he had received was another bait, like the former one, to decoy him into another trap. Then the warning his landlord had given him only last night recurred to him, and he bitterly blamed himself for being so foolish as to have disregarded it, and walked blindly into the trap set by his enemies. The promise he had made to his landlord, too, came back into his mind, the promise to communicate with him should he again get into trouble. Gladly would he do sctnow, but then he lay powerless to do anything of the kind, and, besides, had ho been ever so able, was it likely that he would be allowed to send any message? ; - .'. . > The place he found himself in was clearly to be a prison for his confinement; the barred windows and the whole appearance of the place showed that.' Michael Harvey had'been right.*',? He had a' powerful enemy who determined to get him out of the way, and that enemy, was none'other'than;

the Honourable Jim. Then he remembered all lib had suffered at the hands of that man; the chloroforming at Newcastle, the weary calling time after time at his rooms to be put off with what he now saw to be lies, the kidnapping on board ship, and now the assault upon him and bis imprisonment; all these thins;? crowded into his mind. He had been long-suffering; nay, how he began to think he had been stupidly so. He had been considerate towards this man, and so solicitous for his feelings and reputation that he had so far kept to himself the reasons for so strongly wishing to find him. Fortius cause he had refused the invaluable aid of Michael Harvey. And this treatment had been his reward ! For the first time, now that he thought of all this, a feeling of deep resentment towards the man came into his mind. He began to think he had been a fool to be so patient and forbearing for so long. But what to do now ? How to escape from where ho was and be at freedom once more to prosecute his search ? Clearly the first thing to do was to got well as soon as possible, Until he recovered his bodily powers he could do nothing. Even when he had recovered them he might be unable to do much, but for the present that was the main point. He would wait patiently until he was able to rise, and move about, and then—

He was disturbed in his cogitations by the sound of footsteps outside the door; then there was the noise of bolts being withdrawn, the key turned in the look, and someone entered the room. Pegram looked round and saw a rather short young man, with a good-tempered looking, face, beady black eyes, and a smile which showed a set of pearly white teeth; something in his appearance, too, which clearly showed him to be of the Hebrew race.

"And how are you this morning?" asked the young Jew. " Got a bit knocked about last night; but we'll soon put that all right. Hungry?" Pegram did not answer for some time. His mind was too much preoccupied with other things, especially as to where he might be and the intentions of his present hosts, to think about either hunger or thirst.

"Tell me where I am," he asked at length.

"Blimy," lie said. "It's a case of "o dunno whore 'e aro, 1 is it Never you mind that, but let me sort you up a bit and then I'll get you some breakfast." Ho left the room after saying this, and soon returned with a basin of water, a sponge, ami a towel. Then he carefully raised Pegram into a sitting position, and taking the blood-stained cloth from his head sponged away tlio clotted blood and washed his face and hands. Then lie bound up bis head again, and proceeded to rub his throat and chest with some sort of embrocation ho had brought with him. "Bless your soul," said ho, "many's the one I've doctored after a fight that's been a deal worse than you. Now, then, lot mo get your coat and waistcoat off and I'll rub you down with this stuff, and you'll bo all right in a jiffy. Feel better now?" Ho took off tho most of Pogram's clothing as ho was speaking and vigorously rubbed the embrocation into the bruises. By tho timo ho hud finished the patient felt wonderfully belter, and was able to sit up in the bed with some degree of comfort, propped up by tho pillows which his nurse arranged behind hi? back. Then the latter disappeared again, and returned bearing a tray which hold a cup and saucer, a small teapot, sugar and milk, and a plate of bread and butter. "There now,"said he. "Have a cup of this strong tea and eat a bite of bread and butter; it will do you all the good in tho world."

His manner was so kind and genial that Pegram could not but feel mollifiod, anxious and doubtful as he was concerning his position. Ho drank the tea and ate a little of the bread, and certainly felt much better for them. The young man sat on tho Bide of the bed, poured out the tea, prepared it, and hold the tray for him while he drank, all in the kindest and gentlest manner. " You have not told me yet whore I am," said Pegram, as he finished. "I am very anxious to get out and go about my business."

The young man laughed merrily, showing his white teeth mo:o than ever.

Anxious to get out, are you he said. "Just try it on. Get up and let's see how you will manage it." l'ecram was feoling so much bettor that he had nearly forgotten about his stiffness, and he strove to rise from tho bed, but found himself unable, and sank back with a groan. "You see how it is," said the young fellow. " However anxious you may be to got out and about your business, you must wait until you are able to walk, and that won't be for some days." "And can I 20 as soon as lam able to walk ?" asked Pegram, eagerly. " Well, that depends upon the guv'nor. He's an awfully kind old cove is the guv'nor, and might like you to stay a bit longer. He's awfully kind, and no mistake ; so kind that if he knew I had rubbed you with the liniment ho would jolly well punch my head. For, you see, it will help to set you on your legs a day or two sooner; and ho would rather have you safe in bed unablo to move, for then he knows you cannot wish to go away and leave him. He would break his heart if ho thought you were going away too soon. He would liko you to stay as long as possible, he's so kind." "And who is your guv'nor?" asked Pegram. "And where am I?" "Well, never mind all that, but make yourself as comfortable as you can. I will co and get you some inoro things. You were put to bed rather in a hurry last night." He left (ho room again and came back with a bundle of sheets and blankets, with which he covered Pegram, taking his clothos and placing them on the one chair the room boasted. Before doing so he coolly went through all the pockets, "Just as 1 thought," said ho, as ho turned the pockets insido out. "They've cleaned you out properly, whoever they were."

" Do you mean to say I've been robbed ?" cried Pegram in dismay. "That's an ugly word," said the young man. " I never said that. I said you had been cleaned out. And so you have." " And is there nothing left ?" " Nob a blooming farthing," was the reply. "But never mind that. You'll want for nothing as long as you are hero, the guv'uor is such a good, kind old cove. And the longer you stay the bettor He'll like it. So keep up your pecker. I'd lie down and have a good sleep if I were you.' So saying, with a good-humoured nod and a grin, lie left the room. As for poor Amos Pogrom, ha groaned aloud in his anguish. Here ho was, laid on his back helpless and penniless amongst strangers, and, worst of all, in an unknown place where it seemed likely he had been brought by those who sought to be rid Of his presence. CHAPTER XVIII. THE HONOURABLE JIM HAS BUSINESS IK TUB . CITY. The discerning reader will by this time have guessed the nature of the muttered colloquy between Wilcox and the old man in the big house behind tho button shop; he will have guessed, too, that it was in a room of that very house in which Amos Pegram found himself when he recovered his senses. Wilcox, on getting him into the cab, had driven him straight to this house, having first ascertained that the cab was what is called a "orawler." This being the case there was little fear of Pegram's placeof detention being discovered through the cabman given information to his friends, that is supposing him to have any, which was more than doubtful. i " That's satisfactory," said Mintern, when he heard an account of this at his club. "I shall have to be a good deal about theso next few days. In fact, I hope to got my business carried through shortly." "I suppose you will then pay me tho sum agreed upon ?" asked Wilcox, eagerly.

"Confound ib, man," cried the other, impatiently. " Did we not arrange all that the other day! Tho money's not due for two months." , _ "But if you get your business completed there will be no need to wait longer," urged Wilcox, "" Yqu know you said that after that was done yon cared nothing about him, Besides I've had to part with a lot more money this very night on account of this 'affair.",/ ;\ ". .. .., . ,"... ~ ~.''• •' ".That's your business, not mine, said Mintern', ',$ " Keep your bargain and I'll keep mine,' And now,l'll bid you goodnight, for I must be going. They're waiting for me in the card-room.". ~ "'..,' "All right, my fellow," muttered •Wilcox 'to, himself,.'as';- he'left the club. " You'treat me like a dog, but I'll pay you

out for it one of these fino days. Only let me once got your hundred safely into my hands and .then we'll see. If I. don't make you fork otib to a pretty 'Stiff Mine I'm a Dutchman. I have a plan of my.own, and hang mo if I don't set about carrying it out at once, seeing you're so high and mighty." So saying ho hailed & liahSotnftndwent off to one of his accustomed haunts.

Next morning the Honourable James Mintern was astir early— early, that is, for him, seeing that he Was in the city by noon. His destination was Lombard-street, where he entered a certain building and wont upstairs to the first floor, A porter in uniform, with gilt buttons and a gold-banded cap, received him in the inquiry office of the firm he sought, and at his request ushered him into the private office of the principal partner. "You've looked over the papers I left with you, I suppose," said Mintern, after greetings had passed. " Yes, I've gone very carefully through them," was the reply. "And wha't do you think of the property ?" "According to the report the mine's a good one and a valuable property— character, of the reporting engineer Is Well known to us, and we have every confidence in him. There's no doubt about the value of the property." "That being so, are you prepared to make an offer for it?" " Certainly. But first of all, as a matter of form—a mere matter of form, you understand—we must be satisfied as to the validity of your title. Then we ore propared to make an offer. You have brought the necessary documents with you, I Bupposo ?" " Yes," said Mintern, producing a packet of papers, and plaoing them on the table. Hero they are." " The head oi the firm took up the papers and sorted them, going through them methodically one by one, bis client meanwhile watching him keenly. At last ho finished his inspection and looked up. " Up to a certain poinb the documents are all in order. There is no doubt as to the title of the original holders of the property. Bub as regards James Parker, there is a voucher missing." "Is it .absolutely necessary?'' asked Mintern, looking rather pale. James Parker wae, it will be romembered, the name ho himself had gone by in Australia. But James Parker, he had bold the financier, was still in Australia, and ho could not go back upon his statement without arousing suspicion. He repeated his question. " Absolutely," said the other, quietly. The Honourable James Mintom rose from his seat. Spite of all hie efforts, he could not conceal his discomfiture. There was nothing for it, however, except to acquiesce. When he reached the street he stood for a few momonts on tho doorstep utterly dazed and dumbfounded as he looked at, without seeing, tho hurrying crowds of busy, eager men rushing past him in evory direction. But it was not his nature to bo easily stopped or diverted from an object, and in a very few moments he was himself again. "Luckily I called on that whippersnapper yesterday and made matters up with him. Just as well to have two strings to ono's bow, I will go to him again and try if he can manage the thing for me, with these people of his he talks about." The'person lie had called by the scarcely respectful term of " whipper-snapper," was none other than Mr. Samuel Tucker ; and a few minutes found him ascending the steep and narrow staircase leading to that gentleman's office. Entering the office, he found it occupied by the " staff' only; that is to say, by the small boy before-mentioned, "Mr. Tucker's just gone out, sit'," said the small boy. "He's just gone round the corner, to consult his solicitor; but if you will take a seat for a minute, I will run round and fetch him."

With that, he wont out and lett M intern, who sat down to wait. There was a savage frown upon his face, but his countenance cleared up as he thought of the master of the office he was in at present, and what a sfiemingly weak fool he was. Meanwhile the small boy clattered downstairs and round the corner of the street, but he went to no solicitor's office, knowing better than that. Instead, he pushed open the swing door of a tavern, and there, sure enough, he found his master taking his lunch in the buffet. Finances wore in a bad condition with Mr. Samuel Tucker today, so much so that) they would not oven run to the modest sixpenny steak-pudding at the Harp. So he had contented himself with a glass of bitter ale, which cost only twopence, knowing that at the buffet ho could have biscuits and cheese free of charge. Hastily finishing his lunch when ho heard tho news brought by the staff, he hurried back to the office, full of excitement. It was a very unusual thing for a client to call upon him, which made his'excitement all the greater, and by the timo ho had climbed the stairs he was quite out of breath and unable to say a word. "I've brought you the papers I told you of," said the Honourable Jim, handing him the engineer's report and other documents, bat retaining in bis pocket those relating to the title. " You can let your people see them, and ask them to make me an offer.'' " Oh, thank you," gasped out Samuel, his soul swelling with visions of wealth. Ho had never " pulled off," as he tormed it, a big thing as yet, and bad never been so near doing sp as now—so he thought, at least. He took from a drawer a neatlywritten document.

" That is the commission letter which 1 told yon I should require you to sign," said he. "It is conditional on my procuring you ii purchaser." Mintorn rend over the letter, signed it, and took his leave, bidding Samuel to call upon him as soon as his people had looked over the papers and were satisfied. Sam folded up the letter and looked it carefully away, lie was in the seventh heaven of delight, and looked upon his fortune as good as made. But now wo must see how Amos Pegrnm wns getting on. The third day after his mishap he was sufficiently recovered to be able to leave his bed, and hobble about the room. He had been attended to all along by the young Jew, and so far had seen no one else. It was evening, and he was sitting on the bed staring at the fire, when the door was unlocked and opened, and the young Jew looked in.

" A gentleman to Bee yon," he announced ; then lotting some person into tho room, relocked the door and made off. In the dim light the features oi the visitor could not be distinguished until he approached the firo, and then Pegram, to his utter surprise, recognised in him his former acquaintance, Wilcox.

His first fooling on seeing who it was was one of pleasure. He certainly had no very great regard for the man, but, under the circumstances, the sight of anyone from the outer world would have been welcome. Besides, he thought that although there had been at one time bad blood between them, still surely Wilcox could never go away and leavo him there when ho learned lie was there against his will, He hailed him as a deliverer.

" Well, old fellow," said, Wilcox, assuming an air of good fellowship, which to Pogram augured well. '" And what the dickens are you doing here f " That's more than I can tell you. Bub how did you know that Iwas here?" , Wilcox ignored the question.' "If you wish to.leave," said he, "I shall certainly do all I can to help you. In fact, 1 can promise that yon shall leave at once, on certain conditions." -•' ■ •

" And what are these conditions ?" asked

Pegram. " You remember when you were with me how anxious you were-to rind out a cortain party. Well, I have found out since then that that party has been .just as anxious to keep out of your way as you were to find him. In fact, I may tell you that it is to that anxiety ol his you owe your present position." " I suspected as much. But what do you wish to know V ".' .

" Not much. Only the nature of the past dealings between you two, and his reasons for fearing to meet you. Tell me. this, and although I shall incur his extreme displeasure and possible vengeance, I will see you are released." Vi ,' ■ ' " Why do you wish to know these things? asked Pegram. . „, ,\„ \ ■',. " Because I have been sourvily treated by this man M in tern, and.wist to-be revenged on him, Surely, after what he has done to you, you need have, no scruples,about exposing hita/'j- ,'ys " .-,'. ■''~ •■: ..;. 4 .ft ' "Perhaps so. Bub still I decline to say anything about our mutual relsfcionii" said Pegram. 1 '", ■ ':'"'"" ''■•"" 'T '■'■}'^'('■■'.'' c

Now that he had had ttide'for reflection, h'[3 old distrust of his visitor came back to him. His soul revolted from making a confidant and ally of a blackleg and a swindler. "I'll not prow you for an immediate determination," said Wilcox, . "Think it over further, and I'll come back and see you to-morrow,"

"There will bo ho occasion fat that. You can take my answer now, I have quite made up my mind, and will tell you nothing." "I'll come back all the same, for you muse remember that If you do not do as I wish, you are a prisoner here as long as the party wo have beon talking of chooses. I'll leave you now, and hope yon may have changed your mind before I return." He tapped with his walking-stick on the door which was opened by the young Jew, took his departure. Pegram continued to look at the fire, and his thoughts came thicker and faster than ever. How, thought ne, how did this man get to know where ho was > He. must have some hand in bringing probably was in collusion with the party whose secret ho wished to surprise, But now that his-strengbh had returned he would no longer submit tamely to be imprisoned in a free country. A thousand desperate thoughts came into his head. He Would beat down the door ; he would seize and overpower the young Jew; he would break the windows and arouse the neighbourhood by his shouts. But finally he oame to the Conclusion that for the present his best plan was to go to bed and wait until morning, then resolve on what plan ho should adopt to regain his liberty. In another quarter of an hour he was sound asleep. The first peep of day found him oujb of bed and dressed, with the exception of his boots, which indeed had been taken away from the room. H examined the door, but the lock was so substantial and the bolt so thiok that it seemed hopeless attempting anything in that direction, lis next turned his attention to the window. The iron bars which he had before observed as protecting ib were scewed to the inside wooden frame of the window, and it would have been possible to unscrew them with the aid of a burnscrew or other suitable tool, but there was nothing of such a nature in the room, tho very poker even having been removed. And now he noticed for the first time that besides tho inner bars there were others outside the window, and these latter were let into the stonework and securely run in with lend, therefore impossible to be removed. The only way of getting over this difficulty would have been to cut through tho bars with a file, but, of course, he had nothing of the sort. After a careful examination, he was forced to come to the conclusion that escape either by door or window was impossible. Ho went to the window again, Perhaps he might be able to drop a note into tho street below, and depend upon some passer-by finding it and conveying it to its address. Ho climbed up on bo the window sill, the better to see out, and to his mortification saw there was no street below, but only a courtyard with a few stunted and blackenod shrubs nnd half-grown trees, and bounded on the further side by a high wall. Over the top of this wall he could see the tops of some gas lamps, showing there was a thoroughfare beyond, but at tho other side of this thoroughfare there were no dwelling-houses to bo seen, only the blank staring walls of aomo buildings, looking like warehouse'. Therefore, he could nob hope to attract attention by making signals from his window, even if it was open. He put Ids hands between the iron bars and strove to raise tho sash, but even this contingency had been foreseen and guarded against, for tho sash was firmly fixed in its place by means of screws.

' Discouraged and disappointed he crept ! into bed again, lest the suspicion? of its attendant should be aroused by finding him astir so soon, lb seemed to him a humiliating and rather an absurd thing that a man should not be able to get out of a more private house if he chose, for he had come to the conclusion that the house lie was in was a private one, If it had been a castle, or a prison, with thick stono walls, the case would have been different, and not So humiliating. And then he began to think of all the stories he had read of men shut up in strong prisons, who had by their ingenuity and perseverance succeeded in escaping. And so his mind wont on working, and, the, idea of escape dismissed as impracticable, the idea of getting a message sent to Harvey returned. Again ho ran over in his mind the wonderful things he had read on this subject, and the many original and clevor ways which had been adopted for sending notes— loaves of bread, in pies, in hollow walking-sticks, and other strange hiding-places. But none of them seemed possible in hie case, and he was just giving up the matter in despair when his eye fell upon his hat, which hung behind the door, and an idea struck him. " Eureka I" ho cried, triumphantly, as he sprang out of bed and rushed towards the hat. " I have it now. I can eee my way to do it at last." (To he continued.]