The house of a thousand candles

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Title:TheHouseofaThousandCandles
Author:MeredithNicholson
ReleaseDate:May26,2004[EBook#12441]
Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHEHOUSEOFATHOUSANDCANDLES***

ProducedbyJeffreyKraus-yao


TheHouseofaThousandCandles
MeredithNicholson
TheHouseofaThousandCandles
ByMeredithNicholsonAuthorofTheMainChanceZeldaDameron,Etc.
WithIllustrationsbyHowardChandlerChristy
“Soonthemorntherefellnewtidingsandotheradventures”Malory
Copyright1905TheBobbs-MerrillCompany
November
ToMargaretMySister


CONTENTS
CHAPTER
ITheWillofJohnMarshallGlenarm

IIAFaceatSherry’s
IIITheHouseofaThousandCandles
IVAVoiceFromtheLake
VARedTam-O’-Shanter
VITheGirlandtheCanoe
VIITheManontheWall
VIIIAStringofGoldBeads
IXTheGirlandtheRabbit
XAnAffairWiththeCaretaker
XIIReceiveaCaller
XIIIExploreaPassage
XIIIAPairofEavesdroppers
XIVTheGirlinGray
XVIMakeanEngagement
XVIThePassingofOlivia
XVIISisterTheresa
XVIIIGoldenButterflies
XIXIMeetanOldFriend
XXATripleAlliance
XXIPickeringServesNotice
XXIITheReturnofMarianDevereux
XXIIITheDoorofBewilderment
XXIVAProwlerofTheNight
XXVBesieged
XXVITheFightintheLibrary
XXVIIChangesandChances
XXVIIIShorterVistas
XXIXAndSotheLightLedMe

TheHouseofaThousandCandles


CHAPTERI
THEWILLOFJOHNMARSHALLGLENARM
Pickering’sletterbringingnewsofmygrandfather’sdeathfoundmeatNaples
earlyinOctober.JohnMarshallGlenarmhaddiedinJune.Hehadleftawill
whichgavemehispropertyconditionally,Pickeringwrote,anditwasnecessary
formetoreturnimmediatelytoqualifyaslegatee.Itwasthemerestluckthatthe
lettercametomyhandsatall,forithadbeensenttoConstantinople,incareof
theconsul-generalinsteadofmybankerthere.ItwasnotPickering’sfaultthat
theconsulwasafriendofminewhokepttrackofmywanderingsandwasable
tohurrytheexecutor’sletteraftermetoItaly,whereIhadgonetomeetan
Englishfinancierwhohad,Iwasadvised,unlimitedmoneytospendonAfrican
railways.Iamanengineer,agraduateofanAmericaninstitutionfamiliarly
knownas“Tech,”andasmyfundswererunninglow,Inaturallyturnedtomy
professionforemployment.
Butthisletterchangedmyplans,andthefollowingdayIcabledPickeringofmy
departureandwasoutwardboundonasteamerforNewYork.Fourteendays
laterIsatinPickering’sofficeintheAlexisBuildingandlistenedintentlywhile
heread,withmuchponderousemphasis,theprovisionsofmygrandfather’swill.
Whenheconcluded,Ilaughed.Pickeringwasaseriousman,andIwasgladto
seethatmylevitypainedhim.Ihad,forthatmatter,alwaysbeenasourceof
annoyancetohim,andhislookofdistrustandrebukedidnottroublemeinthe
least.
Ireachedacrossthetableforthepaper,andhegavethesealedandberibboned
copyofJohnMarshallGlenarm’swillintomyhands.Ireaditthroughfor
myself,feelingconsciousmeanwhilethatPickering’scoolgazewasbent
inquiringlyuponme.Thesearetheparagraphsthatinterestedmemost:
Igiveandbequeathuntomysaidgrandson,JohnGlenarm,sometimea

residentoftheCityandStateofNewYork,andlateravagabondofparts
unknown,acertainpropertyknownasGlenarmHouse,withtheland
thereuntopertainingandhereinaftermoreparticularlydescribed,andall
personalpropertyofwhatsoeverkindthereuntobelongingandattached


thereto,—thesaidrealtylyingintheCountyofWabanaintheStateof
Indiana,—uponthiscondition,faithfullyandhonestlyperformed:
ThatsaidJohnGlenarmshallremainfortheperiodofoneyearanoccupant
ofsaidGlenarmHouseandmylandsattachedthereto,demeaninghimself
meanwhileinanorderlyandtemperatemanner.Shouldhefailatanytime
duringsaidyeartocomplywiththisprovision,saidpropertyshallrevertto
mygeneralestateandbecome,withoutreservation,andwithoutnecessity
foranyprocessoflaw,theproperty,absolutely,ofMarianDevereux,ofthe
CountyandStateofNewYork.
“Well,”hedemanded,strikinghishandsuponthearmsofhischair,“whatdo
youthinkofit?”
ForthelifeofmeIcouldnothelplaughingagain.Therewas,inthefirstplace,a
deliciousironyinthefactthatIshouldlearnthroughhimofmygrandfather’s
wisheswithrespecttomyself.PickeringandIhadgrownupinthesametownin
Vermont;wehadattendedthesamepreparatoryschool,buttherehadbeenfrom
boyhoodacertainantagonismbetweenus.HehadalwayssucceededwhereIhad
failed,whichistosay,Imustadmit,thathehadsucceededprettyfrequently.
WhenIrefusedtosettledowntomyprofession,butchosetoseesomethingof
theworldfirst,Pickeringgavehimselfseriouslytothelaw,andtherewas,I
knewfromthebeginning,nomannerofchancethathewouldfail.
Iamnotmoreorlessthanhuman,andIrememberedwithjoythatonceIhad
thrashedhimsoundlyattheprepschoolforbullyingasmallerboy;butourscore
fromschool-dayswasnotwithouttalliesonhisside.Hewaseasilythebetter
scholar—Igranthimthat;andhewasshrewdandplausible.Youneverquite

knewtheextentofhispowersandresources,andhehad,Ialwaysmaintained,
themostamazinggoodluck,—aswitnessthefactthatJohnMarshallGlenarm
hadtakenafriendlyinterestinhim.Itwaswhollylikemygrandfather,whowas
amanofmanywhims,togivehisaffairsintoPickering’skeeping;andIcould
notcomplain,forIhadmissedmyownchancewithhim.Itwas,Iknewreadily
enough,partofmypunishmentforhavingsucceededsosignallyinincurringmy
grandfather’sdispleasurethathehadmadeitnecessaryformetotreatwith
ArthurPickeringinthismatterofthewill;andPickeringwasenjoyingthe
situationtothefull.Hesankbackinhischairwithanairofcomplacencythat
hadalwaysbeeninsufferableinhim.Iwasquitewillingtobepatronizedbya
manofyearsandexperience;butPickeringwasmyownage,andhisexperience


oflifeseemedtomepreposterouslyinadequate.TofindhimsettledinNew
York,wherehehadbeenestablishedthroughmygrandfather’sgenerosity,and
theexecutorofmygrandfather’sestate,washardtobear.
Buttherewassomethingnotwhollyhonestinmymirth,formyconductduring
thethreeprecedingyearshadbeenreprehensible.Ihadusedmygrandfather
shabbily.MyparentsdiedwhenIwasachild,andhehadcaredformeasfar
backasmymemoryran.Hehadsufferedmetospendwithoutrestraintthe
fortuneleftbymyfather;hehadexpectedmuchofme,andIhadgrievously
disappointedhim.ItwashishopethatIshoulddevotemyselftoarchitecture,a
professionforwhichhehadthegreatestadmiration,whereasIhadinsistedon
engineering.
Iamnotwritinganapologyformylife,andIshallnotattempttoextenuatemy
conductingoingabroadattheendofmycourseatTechand,whenImade
LauranceDonovan’sacquaintance,insettingoffwithhimonacareerof
adventure.Idonotregret,thoughpossiblyitwouldbemoretomycreditifIdid,
themonthsspentleisurelyfollowingtheDanubeeastoftheIronGate—
LauranceDonovanalwayswithme,whileweurgedthevillagersandinn-loafers

toallmannerofsedition,acquittingourselvessowellthat,whenwecameout
intotheBlackSeaforfurtherpleasure,Russiadidusthehonortokeepaspyat
ourheels.Ishouldlike,formyownsatisfaction,atleast,tosetdownanaccount
ofcertainaffairsinwhichwewereconcernedatBelgrad,butwithoutLarry’s
consentIamnotatlibertytodoso.NorshallItaketimeheretodescribeour
travelsinAfrica,thoughourstudyoftheAtlasMountaindwarfswonus
honorablementionbytheBritishEthnologicalSociety.
Theseweremyyesterdays;butto-dayIsatinArthurPickering’sofficeinthe
toweringAlexisBuilding,consciousofthemuffledroarofBroadway,discussing
thetermsofmyGrandfatherGlenarm’swillwithamanwhomIdislikedas
heartilyasitissafeforonemantodislikeanother.Pickeringhadaskedmea
question,andIwassuddenlyawarethathiseyeswerefixeduponmeandthathe
awaitedmyanswer.
“WhatdoIthinkofit?”Irepeated.“Idon’tknowthatitmakesanydifference
whatIthink,butI’lltellyou,ifyouwanttoknow,thatIcallitinfamous,
outrageous,thatamanshouldleavearidiculouswillofthatsortbehindhim.All
theoldmoney-bagswhopileupfortunesmagnifytheimportanceoftheirmoney.
Theyimaginethateverykindness,everyordinarycourtesyshownthem,is


merelyabidforasliceofthecake.I’mdisappointedinmygrandfather.Hewas
asplendidoldman,thoughGodknowshehadhisqueerways.I’llbeta
thousanddollars,ifIhavesomuchmoneyintheworld,thatthisschemeis
yours,Pickering,andnothis.Itsmacksofyourancientvindictiveness,andJohn
MarshallGlenarmhadnoneofthatinhisblood.Thatstipulationaboutmy
residenceoutthereisfantastic.Idon’thavetobealawyertoknowthat;andno
doubtIcouldbreakthewill;I’veagoodnotiontotryit,anyhow.”
“Tobesure.Youcantieuptheestateforhalfadozenyearsifyoulike,”he
repliedcoolly.Hedidnotlookuponmeaslikelytobecomeaformidable
litigant.Mystayingqualitieshadbeenprovedweaklongago,asPickeringknew

wellenough.
“Nodoubtyouwouldlikethat,”Ianswered.“ButI’mnotgoingtogiveyouthe
pleasure.Iabidebythetermsofthewill.Mygrandfatherwasafineold
gentleman.Ishan’tdraghisnamethroughthecourts,noteventopleaseyou,
ArthurPickering,”Ideclaredhotly.
“Thesentimentisworthyofagoodman,Glenarm,”herejoined.
“Butthiswomanwhoistosucceedtomyrights,—Idon’tseemtoremember
her.”
“Itisnotsurprisingthatyouneverheardofher.”
“Thenshe’snotaconnectionofthefamily,—nolong-lostcousinwhomIought
toremember?”
“No;shewasalateacquaintanceofyourgrandfather’s.Hemetherthroughan
oldfriendofhis,—MissEvans,knownasSisterTheresa.MissDevereuxis
SisterTheresa’sniece.”
Iwhistled.Ihadadimrecollectionthatduringmygrandfather’slong
widowerhoodtherewereoccasionalreportsthathewasabouttomarry.The
nameofMissEvanshadbeenmentionedinthisconnection.Ihadheardit
spokenofinmyfamily,andnot,Iremembered,withmuchkindness.Later,I
heardofherjoiningaSisterhood,andopeningaschoolsomewhereintheWest.
“AndMissDevereux,—issheanelderlynun,too?”


“Idon’tknowhowelderlysheis,butsheisn’tanunatpresent.Still,she’s
almostaloneintheworld,andsheandSisterTheresaareveryintimate.”
“Passthewillagain,Pickering,whileImakesureIgraspthesedivertingideas.
SisterTheresaisn’ttheoneImustn’tmarry,isshe?It’stheotherecclesiastical
embroideryartist,—theonewiththexinhername,suggestingthealgebraofmy
vanishingyouth.”
Ireadaloudthisparagraph:
Provided,further,thatintheeventofthemarriageofsaidJohnGlenarmto

thesaidMarianDevereux,orintheeventofanypromiseorcontractof
marriagebetweensaidpersonswithinfiveyearsfromthedateofsaidJohn
Glenarm’sacceptanceoftheprovisionsofthiswill,thewholeestateshall
becomethepropertyabsolutelyofSt.Agatha’sSchool,atAnnandale,
WabanaCounty,Indiana,acorporationunderthelawsofsaidstate.
“Foratouchofcomedycommendmetomygrandfather!Pickering,youalways
wereawell-meaningfellow,—I’llturnovertoyouallmyright,interestandtitle
inandtotheseangelicSisters.Marry!Iliketheidea!Isupposesomeonewill
trytomarrymeformymoney.Marriage,Pickering,isnotembracedinmy
schemeoflife!”
“Ishouldhardlycallyouamarryingman,”heobserved.
“Perfectlyright,myfriend!SisterTheresawasconsideredapossiblematchfor
mygrandfatherinmyyouth.SheandIarehardlycontemporaries.Andtheother
ladywiththefascinatingalgebraicclimaxtohername,—she,too,isimpossible;
itseemsthatIcan’tgetthemoneybymarryingher.I’dbetterlethertakeit.
She’saspoorasthedevil,Idaresay.”
“Iimaginenot.TheEvansesareawealthyfamily,inspots,andsheoughtto
havesomemoneyofherownifherauntdoesn’tcoaxitoutofherfor
educationalschemes.”
“Andwhereonthemaparetheselovelycreaturestobefound?”
“SisterTheresa’sschooladjoinsyourpreserve;MissDevereuxhasIthinksome
ofyourownweaknessfortravel.SisterTheresaishernearestrelative,andshe
occasionallyvisitsSt.Agatha’s—that’stheschool.”


“Isupposetheyembroideraltar-clothstogetherandotherwiselaborvaliantlyto
bringconfusionuponSatanandhiscohorts.Justthepeopletopullthewoolover
theeyesofmygrandfather!”
Pickeringsmiledatmyresentment.
“You’dbettergivethemawideberth;theymightcatchyouintheirnet.Sister

Theresaissaidtohavequiteawinningway.Shecertainlypluckedyour
grandfather.”
“Nunsinspectacles,thegentleeducatorsofyouthandthatsortofthing,witha
good-naturedoldmanfortheirprey.Noneofthemforme!”
“Iratherthoughtso,”remarkedPickering,—andhepulledhiswatchfromhis
pocketandturnedthestemwithhisheavyfingers.Hewasshort,thick-setand
sleek,withasquarejaw,hairalreadythinandaclose-clippedmustache.Age,I
reflected,wasnotimprovinghim.
IhadnointentionofallowinghimtoseethatIwasirritated.Idrewoutmy
cigarettecaseandpasseditacrossthetable,
“Afteryou!They’remadequitespeciallyformeinMadrid.”
“YouforgetthatIneverusetobaccoinanyform.”
“Youalwaysdidmissagooddealofthejoyofliving,”Iobserved,throwingmy
smokingmatchintohiswaste-paperbasket,tohisobviousannoyance.“Well,
I’mthebadboyofthestory-books;butI’mreallysorrymyinheritancehasa
stringtiedtoit.I’maboutoutofmoney.Isupposeyouwouldn’tadvancemea
fewthousandsonmyexpectations—”
“Notacent,”hedeclared,withquiteunnecessaryvigor;andIlaughedagain,
rememberingthatinmyoldappraisementofhim,generosityhadnotbeen
representedinlargefigures.“It’snotinkeepingwithyourgrandfather’swishes
thatIshoulddoso.Youmusthavespentagoodbitofmoneyinyourtigerhuntingexploits,”headded.
“IhavespentallIhad,”Irepliedamiably.“ThankGodI’mnotaclam!I’veseen
theworldandpaidforit.Idon’twantanythingfromyou.Youundoubtedlyshare
mygrandfather’sideaofmethatI’mawildmanwhocan’tsitstillorleadan


orderly,decentlife;butI’mgoingtogiveyouaterribledisappointment.What’s
thesizeoftheestate?”
Pickeringeyedme—uneasily,Ithought—andbeganplayingwithapencil.I
neverlikedPickering’shands;theywerethickandwhiteandbetterkeptthanI

liketoseeaman’shands.
“Ifearit’sgoingtobedisappointing.Inhistrust-companyboxeshereIhave
beenabletofindonlyabouttenthousanddollars’worthofsecurities.Possibly—
quitepossibly—wewerealldeceivedintheamountofhisfortune.Sister
Theresawheedledlargesumsoutofhim,andhespent,asyouwillsee,asmall
fortuneonthehouseatAnnandalewithoutfinishingit.Itwasn’tacheap
proposition,andinitsunfinishedconditionitispracticallyvalueless.Youmust
knowthatMr.Glenarmgaveawayagreatdealofmoneyinhislifetime.
Moreover,heestablishedyourfather.Youknowwhatheleft,—itwasnotasmall
fortuneasthosethingsarereckoned.”
Iwasrestlessunderthisrecital.Myfather’sestatehadbeenofrespectablesize,
andIhaddissipatedthewholeofit.MyconscienceprickedmeasIrecalledan
itemoffortythousanddollarsthatIhadspent—somewhatgrandly—onan
expeditionthatIled,withconsiderablesatisfactiontomyself,atleast,through
theSudan.ButPickering’swordsamazedme.
“Letmeunderstandyou,”Isaid,bendingtowardhim.“Mygrandfatherwas
supposedtoberich,andyetyoutellmeyoufindlittleproperty.SisterTheresa
gotmoneyfromhimtohelpbuildaschool.Howmuchwasthat?”
“Fiftythousanddollars.Itwasanopenaccount.Hisbooksshowtheadvances,
buthetooknonotes.”
“Andthatclaimisworth—?”
“Itisgoodasagainstherindividually.Butshecontends—”
“Yes,goon!”
Ihadstrucktherightnote.Hewasannoyedatmypersistenceandhisapparent
discomfortpleasedme.
“Sherefusestopay.ShesaysMr.Glenarmmadeheragiftofthemoney.”


“That’spossible,isn’tit?Hewasforevermakinggiftstochurches.Schoolsand
theologicalseminarieswereasortofweaknesswithhim.”

“Thatisquitetrue,butthisaccountisamongtheassetsoftheestate.It’smy
businessasexecutortocollectit.”
“We’llpassthat.Ifyougetthismoney,theestateisworthsixtythousanddollars,
plusthevalueofthelandoutthereatAnnandale,andGlenarmHouseisworth
—”
“Thereyouhaveme!”
Itwasthefirstlightnesshehadshown,anditputmeonguard.
“Ishouldlikeanideaofitsvalue.Evenanunfinishedhouseisworth
something.”
“Landoutthereisworthfromonehundredtoonehundredandfiftydollarsan
acre.There’sanevenhundredacres.I’llbegladtohaveyourappraisementof
thehousewhenyougetthere.”
“Humph!Youflattermyjudgment,Pickering.Theloosestuffthereisworthhow
much?”
“It’sallinthelibrary.Yourgrandfather’sweaknesswasarchitecture—”
“SoIremember!”Iinterposed,recallingmystormyinterviewswithJohn
MarshallGlenarmovermychoiceofaprofession.
“Inhislastyearsheturnedmoreandmoretohisbooks.Heplacedoutthere
whatis,Isuppose,thefinestcollectionofbooksrelatingtoarchitecturetobe
foundinthiscountry.Thatwashischiefhobby,afterchurchaffairs,asyoumay
remember,andherodeithard.Buthederivedagreatdealofsatisfactionfrom
hisstudies.”
Ilaughedagain;itwasbettertolaughthantocryoverthesituation.
“Isupposehewantedmetositdownthere,surroundedbyworksonarchitecture,
withtheideathatastudyofthesubjectwouldbemyonlyresource.Thescheme
iseminentlyGlenarmian!AndallIgetisaworthlesshouse,ahundredacresof


land,tenthousanddollars,andadoubtfulclaimagainstaProtestantnunwho
hoodwinkedmygrandfatherintosettingupaschoolforher.Blessyourheart,

man,sofarasmyinheritanceisconcerneditwouldhavebeenmoneyinmy
pockettohavestayedinAfrica.”
“That’saboutthesizeofit.”
“Butthepersonalpropertyisallmine,—anythingthat’slooseontheplace.
Perhapsmygrandfatherplantedoldplateandgovernmentbondsjusttopiquethe
curiosityofhisheirs,successorsandassigns.Itwouldbeinkeeping!”
Ihadwalkedtothewindowandlookedoutacrossthecity.AsIturnedsuddenly
IfoundPickering’seyesbentuponmewithcuriousintentness.Ihadneverliked
hiseyes;theyweretoosteady.Whenamanalwaysmeetsyourgazetranquilly
andreadily,itisjustaswelltobewaryofhim.
“Yes;nodoubtyouwillfindtheplaceliterallypackedwithtreasure,”hesaid,
andlaughed.“Whenyoufindanythingyoumightwireme.”
Hesmiled;theideaseemedtogivehimpleasure.
“Areyousurethere’snothingelse?”Iasked.“Nosubstitute,—nocodicil?”
“Ifyouknowofanythingofthekindit’syourdutytoproduceit.Wehave
exhaustedthepossibilities.I’lladmitthattheprovisionsofthewillareunusual;
yourgrandfatherwasapeculiarmaninmanyrespects;buthewasthoroughly
saneandhisfacultieswereallsoundtothelast.”
“HetreatedmealotbetterthanIdeserved,”Isaid,withaheartachethatIhad
notknownofteninmyirresponsiblelife;butIcouldnotaffordtoshowfeeling
beforeArthurPickering.
Ipickedupthecopyofthewillandexaminedit.Itwasundoubtedlyauthentic;it
borethecertificateoftheclerkofWabanaCounty,Indiana.Thewitnesseswere
ThomasBatesandArthurPickering.
“WhoisBates?”Iasked,pointingtotheman’ssignature.
“Oneofyourgrandfather’sdiscoveries.He’sinchargeofthehouseoutthere,
andatrustworthyfellow.He’safaircook,amongotherthings.Idon’tknow


whereMr.GlenarmgotBates,buthehadeveryconfidenceinhim.Themanwas

withhimattheend.”
Apictureofmygrandfatherdying,alonewithaservant,whileI,hisonly
kinsman,wanderedinstrangelands,wasnotonethatIcouldcontemplatewith
muchsatisfaction.Mygrandfatherhadbeenanoddlittlefigureofaman,who
alwaysworealongblackcoatandasilkhat,andcarriedacurioussilver-headed
staff,andsaidpuzzlingthingsatwhicheverybodywasafraideithertolaughor
tocry.Herefusedtobethankedforfavors,thoughhewasgenerousandhelpful
andconstantlyperformingkinddeeds.Hiswhimsicalphilanthropieswereoften
describedinthenewspapers.Hehadoncegivenaconsiderablesumofmoneyto
afashionablechurchinBostonwiththeexpressstipulation,whichhe
safeguardedlegally,thatifthecongregationeverintrusteditsspiritualwelfareto
aministernamedReginald,HaroldorClaude,anamountequaltohisgift,with
interest,shouldbepaidtotheMassachusettsHumaneSociety.
Thethoughtofhimtouchedmenow.Iwasgladtofeelthathismoneyhadnever
beenaluretome;itdidnotmatterwhetherhisestatewasgreatorsmall,Icould,
atleast,easemyconsciencebyobeyingthebehestoftheoldmanwhosenameI
bore,andwhoseinterestinthefinerthingsoflifeandarthadgivenhiman
undeniabledistinction.
“IshouldliketoknowsomethingofMr.Glenarm’slastdays,”Isaidabruptly.
“Hewishedtovisitthevillagewherehewasborn,andBates,hiscompanionand
servant,wenttoVermontwithhim.Hediedquitesuddenly,andwasburied
besidehisfatherintheoldvillagecemetery.Isawhimlastearlyinthesummer.I
wasawayfromhomeanddidnotknowofhisdeathuntilitwasallover.Bates
cametoreportittome,andtosignthenecessarypapersinprobatingthewill.It
hadtobedoneintheplaceofthedecedent’sresidence,andwewenttogetherto
Wabana,theseatofthecountyinwhichAnnandalelies.”
Iwassilentafterthis,lookingouttowardtheseathathadluredmesincemy
earliestdreamsoftheworldthatlaybeyondit.
“It’sapoorstake,Glenarm,”remarkedPickeringconsolingly,andIwheeled
uponhim.

“Isupposeyouthinkitapoorstake!Isupposeyoucan’tseeanythinginthatold
man’slifebeyondhismoney;butIdon’tcareacursewhatmyinheritanceis!I


neverobeyedanyofmygrandfather’swishesinhislifetime,butnowthathe’s
deadhislastwishismandatory.I’mgoingouttheretospendayearifIdieforit.
Doyougetmyidea?”
“Humph!Youalwayswereastormypetrel,”hesneered.“Ifancyitwillbesafer
tokeepourmostagreeableacquaintanceonastrictlybusinessbasis.Ifyou
acceptthetermsofthewill—”
“OfcourseIacceptthem!DoyouthinkIamgoingtomakearow,refuseto
fulfilthatoldman’slastwish!Igavehimenoughtroubleinhislifewithout
disappointinghiminhisgrave.Isupposeyou’dliketohavemefightthewill;
butI’mgoingtodisappointyou.”
Hesaidnothing,butplayedwithhispencil.Ihadneverdislikedhimsoheartily;
hewassosmugandcomfortable.Hisofficebreathedtheveryspiritof
prosperity.Iwishedtofinishmybusinessandgetaway.
“Isupposetheregionouttherehasahighdeath-rate.How’sthemalaria?”
“Notalarminglyprevalent,Iunderstand.There’sasummerresortoveronone
sideofLakeAnnandale.Theplaceisreallysupposedtobewholesome.Idon’t
believeyourgrandfatherhadhomicideinmindinsendingyouthere.”
“No,heprobablythoughttherusticationwouldmakeamanofme.MustIdomy
ownvictualing?IsupposeI’llbeallowedtoeat.”
“Batescancookforyou.He’llsupplythenecessities.I’llinstructhimtoobey
yourorders.Iassumeyou’llnothavemanyguests,—infact,”—hestudiedthe
backofhishandintently,—“whilethatisn’tstipulated,Idoubtwhetheritwas
yourgrandfather’sintentionthatyoushouldsurroundyourself—”
“Withboisterouscompanions!”Isuppliedthewordsinmycheerfullesttone.
“No;myconductshallbeexemplary,Mr.Pickering,”Iadded,withaffableirony.
Hepickedupasinglesheetofthintype-writtenpaperandpasseditacrossthe

table.Itwasaformalacquiescenceintheprovisionsofthewill.Pickeringhad
prepareditinadvanceofmycoming,andthisassumptionthatIwouldaccept
thetermsirritatedme.AssumptionsastowhatIshoulddoundergiven
conditionshadalwaysirritatedme,andaccounted,inalargemeasure,formy
pronenesstosurpriseanddisappointpeople.Pickeringsummonedaclerkto


witnessmysignature.
“Howsoonshallyoutakepossession?”heasked.“Ihavetomakearecordof
that.”
“IshallstartforIndianato-morrow,”Ianswered.
“Youareprompt,”hereplied,deliberatelyfoldinginquartersthepaperIhadjust
signed.“Ihopedyoumightdinewithmebeforegoingout;butIfancyNewYork
isprettytameafterthecafésandbazaarsoftheEast.”
Hisreferencetomywanderingsangeredmeagain;forherewasthepointat
whichIwasmostsensitive.Iwastwenty-sevenandhadspentmypatrimony;I
hadtastedthebreadofmanylands,andIwasdoomedtospendayearqualifying
myselfformygrandfather’slegacybysettlingdownonanabandonedandlonely
IndianafarmthatIhadneverseenandhadnointerestinwhatever.
AsIrosetogoPickeringsaid:
“Itwillbesufficientifyoudropmealine,sayonceamonth,toletmeknowyou
arethere.Thepost-officeisAnnandale.”
“IsupposeImightfileasupplyofpostalcardsinthevillageandarrangeforthe
mailingofoneeverymonth.”
“Itmightbedonethatway,”beansweredevenly.
“Wemayperhapsmeetagain,ifIdon’tdieofstarvationorennui.Good-by.”
WeshookhandsstifflyandIlefthim,goingdowninanelevatorfilledwith
eager-eyed,anxiousmen.I,atleast,hadnocaresofbusiness.Itmadeno
differencetomewhetherthemarketroseorfell.Somethingofthespiritof
adventurethathadbeenmycursequickenedinmyheartasIwalkedthrough

crowdedBroadwaypastTrinityChurchtoabankanddrewthebalance
remainingonmyletterofcredit.Ireceivedincurrencyslightlylessthanone
thousanddollars.
AsIturnedfromtheteller’swindowIranintothearmsofthelastmaninthe
worldIexpectedtosee.


This,letitberemembered,wasinOctoberoftheyearofourLord,nineteen
hundredandone.


CHAPTERII
AFACEATSHERRY’S
“Don’tmentionmynameanthoulovestme!”saidLauranceDonovan,andhe
drewmeaside,ignoredmyhandandotherwisethrewintoourmeetingacasual
qualitythatwassomewhatamazinginviewofthefactthatwehadmetlastat
Cairo.
“AllahilAllah!”
ItwasundoubtedlyLarry.Ifelttheheatofthedesertandheardthecamel-drivers
cursingandourSudaneseguidesplottingmischiefunderawindowfaraway.
“Well!”webothexclaimedinterrogatively.
Herockedgentlybackandforth,withhishandsinhispockets,onthetilefloor
ofthebanking-house.Ihadseenhimstandthusonceonatimewhenwehad
eatennothinginfourdays—itwasinAbyssinia,andourguideshadlostusinthe
worstpossibleplace—withthesameuntroubledlookinhiseyes.
“Pleasedon’tappearsurprised,orscaredoranything,Jack,”hesaid,withhis
deliciousintonation.“Isawafellowlookingformeanhourorsoago.He’sbeen
atitforseveralmonths;hencemypresenceontheseshoresofthebraveandthe
free.He’sprobablystilllooking,ashe’sapersistentdevil.I’mhere,aswemay
say,quiteincog.StayingatanEast-sidelodging-house,whereIshan’tinviteyou

tocallonme.ButImustseeyou.”
“Dinewithmeto-night,atSherry’s—”
“Toobig,toomanypeople—”
“Thereinliessecurity,ifyou’reintrouble.I’mabouttogointoexile,andIwant
toeatonemorecivilizeddinnerbeforeIgo.”
“Perhapsit’sjustaswell.Whereareyouofffor,—notAfricaagain?”


“No.JustIndiana,—oneofthesovereignAmericanstates,asyououghtto
know.”
“Indians?”
“No;warrantedalldead.”
“Pack-train—balloon—automobile—camels,—howdoyougetthere?”
“Varnishedears.It’seasy.It’snotthegettingthere;it’sthenotdyingofennui
afteryou’reonthespot.”
“Humph!Whathourdidyousayforthedinner?”
“Seveno’clock.Meetmeattheentrance.”
“IfI’matlarge!Allowmetoprecedeyouthroughthedoor,anddon’tfollowme
onthestreetplease!”
Hewalkedaway,hisglovedhandsclaspedlazilybehindhim,loungedoutupon
BroadwayandturnedtowardtheBattery.Iwaiteduntilhedisappeared,then
tookanup-towncar.
MyfirstmeetingwithLauranceDonovanwasinConstantinople,atacaféwhere
Iwasdining.HegotintoarowwithanEnglishmanandknockedhimdown.It
wasnotmyaffair,butIlikedtheeaseanddefinitenesswithwhichLarryputhis
foeoutofcommission.Ilearnedlaterthatitwasawayhehad.TheEnglishman
meantwellenough,buthecouldnot,ofcourse,knowtheintensityofLarry’s
feelingabouttheunhappylotofIreland.Inthebeginningofmyown
acquaintancewithDonovanIsometimesarguedwithhim,butIsoonlearned
bettermanners.HequiteconvertedmetohisownnotionofIrishaffairs,andI

wasashotanadvocateasheofhead-smashingasameansofrestoringIreland’s
lostprestige.
Myfriend,theAmericanconsul-generalatConstantinople,wasnotwithouta
senseofhumor,andIeasilyenlistedhiminLarry’sbehalf.TheEnglishman
thirstedforvengeanceandinvokedallthepowers.Heinsisted,withreason,that
LarrywasaBritishsubjectandthattheAmericanconsulhadnorighttogive
himasylum,—apointthatwas,Iunderstand,thoroughlywell-groundedinlaw
andfact.Larrymaintained,ontheotherhand,thathewasnotEnglishbutIrish,


andthat,ashiscountrymaintainednorepresentativeinTurkey,itwashis
privilegetofindrefugewhereveritwasoffered.Larrywasalwaysthemost
plausibleofhumanbeings,andbetweenus,—he,theAmericanconsulandI,—
wemadeanimpression,andgothimoff.
IdidnotrealizeuntillaterthattherealjokelayinthefactthatLarrywas
English-born,andthathisdevotiontoIrelandwaspurelysentimentaland
quixotic.Hisfamilyhad,tobesure,comeoutofIrelandsometimeinthedim
past,andsettledinEngland;butwhenLarryreachedyearsofknowledge,ifnot
ofdiscretion,hecutOxfordandinsistedontakinghisdegreeatDublin.Heeven
believed,—orthoughthebelieved,—inbanshees.Healliedhimselfduringhis
universitydayswiththemostradicalandturbulentadvocatesofaseparate
nationalexistenceforIreland,andoccasionallyspentamonthinjailforrioting.
ButLarry’sinstinctswerescholarly;hemadeabrilliantrecordattheUniversity;
then,attwenty-two,hecameforthtolookattheworld,andlikeditexceedingly
well.Hisfatherwasabusyman,andhehadothersons;hegrantedLarryan
allowanceandtoldhimtokeepawayfromhomeuntilhegotreadytobe
respectable.So,fromConstantinople,afteratourofEurope,wetogethercrossed
theMediterraneaninsearchoftheflesh-potsoflostkingdoms,spendingthree
yearsinthepursuit.WepartedatCairoonexcellentterms.Hereturnedto
EnglandandlatertohisbelovedIreland,forhehadblithelysungthewildest

Gaelicsongsinthedarkestdaysofouradventures,andneverlosthislovefor
TheSod,asheapostrophized—andcapitalized—hisadoptedcountry.
Larryhadthehabitofimmaculateness.HeemergedfromhisEast-sidelodginghousethatnightclothedproperly,andwearingthegentlemanlyairofpeaceand
reservethatissowhollyincompatiblewithhisdispositiontobreeddiscordand
indulgeinriot.WhenwesatdownforaleisurelydinneratSherry’swewerenot,
Imodestlymaintain,aforbiddingpair.We—ifImaydragmyselfintothematter
—arebothatrifleundertheaverageheight,sinewy,nervous,and,justthen,
trainedfine.Ourlean,clean-shavenfaceswerewell-browned—minewearinga
freshcoatfrommydaysonthesteamer’sdeck.
LarryhadneverbeeninAmericabefore,andthescenehadforbothofusthe
charmofagayandnovelspectacle.Ihavealwaysmaintained,intalkingto
Larryofnationsandraces,thattheAmericansarethehandsomestandbestputuppeopleintheworld,andIbelievehewaspersuadedofitthatnightaswe
gazedwitheyeslongunaccustomedtosplendoruponthegreatcompany
assembledintherestaurant.Thelights,themusic,thevarietyandrichnessofthe


costumesofthewomen,themanyunmistakablyforeignfaces,wroughta
welcomespellonsensesinuredtohardshipinthewasteanddrearyplacesof
earth.
“Nowtellmethestory,”Isaid.“Haveyoudonemurder?Istheoffense
treasonable?”
“Itwasatenants’rowinGalway,andIsmashedaconstable.Ismashedhim
prettyhard,Idaresay,fromtherowtheykickedupinthenewspapers.Ilaylow
foracoupleofweeks,caughtaboattoQueenstown,andhereIam,waitingfora
chancetogetbacktoTheSodwithoutgoinginirons.”
“Youwerecertainlyborntobehanged,Larry.You’dbetterstayinAmerica.
There’smoreroomherethananywhereelse,andit’snoteasytokidnapamanin
Americaandcarryhimoff.”
“Possiblynot;andyetthesituationisn’twhollytranquil,”hesaid,transfixinga
bitofpompanowithhisfork.“Kindlynotethefloridgentlemanatyourright—

atthetablewithfour—he’snexttheladyinpink.Itmayinterestyoutoknow
thathe’stheBritishconsul.”
“Interesting,butnotimportant.Youdon’tforamomentsuppose—”
“Thathe’slookingforme?Notatall.Butheundoubtedlyhasmynameonhis
tablets.Thedetectivethat’sherefollowingmearoundisprettydull.Helostme
thismorningwhileIwastalkingtoyouinthebank.LateronIhadthepleasure
oftrailinghimforanhourorsountilhefinallybroughtupattheBritishconsul’s
office.Thanks;nomoreofthefish.Letusbanishcare.Iwasn’tborntobe
hanged;andasI’mapoliticaloffender,IdoubtwhetherIcanbedeportedifthey
layhandsonme.”
Hewatchedthebubblesinhisglassdreamily,holdingitupinhisslimwell-kept
fingers.
“Tellmesomethingofyourownimmediatepresentandfuture,”hesaid.
ImadethestoryofmyGrandfatherGlenarm’slegacyasbriefaspossible,for
brevitywasadefinitelawofourintercourse.
“Ayear,yousay,withnothingtodobutfoldyourhandsandwait.Itdoesn’t


soundawfullyattractivetome.I’dratherdowithoutthemoney.”
“ButIintendtodosomework.Ioweittomygrandfather’smemorytomake
good,ifthere’sanygoodinme.”
“Thesentimentisworthyofyou,Glenarm,”hesaidmockingly.“Whatdoyou
see—aghost?”
ImusthavestartedslightlyatespyingsuddenlyArthurPickeringnottwentyfeet
away.Apartyofhalfadozenormorehadrisen,andPickeringandagirlwere
detachedfromtheothersforamoment.
Shewasyoung,—quitetheyoungestinthegroupaboutPickering’stable.A
certaingirlishnessofheightandoutlinemayhavebeenemphasizedbyher
juxtapositiontoPickering’sheavyfigure.Shewasinblack,withwhiteshowing
atneckandwrists,—asombercontrasttotheotherwomenoftheparty,who

werearrayedwithadegreeofsplendor.Shehaddroppedherfan,andPickering
stoopedtopickitup.Inthesecondthatshewaitedsheturnedcarelesslytoward
me,andoureyesmetforaninstant.VerylikelyshewasPickering’ssister,andI
triedtoreconstructhisfamily,whichIhadknowninmyyouth;butIcouldnot
placeher.Asshewalkedoutbeforehimmyeyesfollowedher,—theerectfigure,
freeandgraceful,butwithacharmingdignityandpoise,andthegoldofherfair
hairglintingunderherblacktoque.
Hereyes,assheturnedthemfulluponme,werethesaddest,loveliesteyesIhad
everseen,andeveninthatbrilliant,crowdedroomIfelttheirspell.Theywere
fixedinmymemoryindelibly,—mournful,dreamyandwistful.Inmyabsorption
IforgotLarry.
“You’retakingunfairadvantage,”heobservedquietly.“Friendsofyours?”
“ThebigchapintheleadismyfriendPickering,”Ianswered;andLarryturned
hisheadslightly.
“Yes,Isupposedyouweren’tlookingatthewomen,”heobserveddryly.“I’m
sorryIcouldn’tseetheobjectofyourinterest.Bah!thesemen!”
Ilaughedcarelesslyenough,butIwasalreadysummoningfrommymemorythe
gravefaceofthegirlinblack,—hermournfuleyes,theglintofgoldinherhair.
Pickeringwascertainlyfindingthepleasantplacesinthisvaleoftears,andIfelt


myhearthotagainsthim.Ithurts,thisseeingamanyouhaveneverliked
succeedingwhereyouhavefailed!
“Whydidn’tyoupresentme?I’dliketomaketheacquaintanceofafew
representativeAmericans,—Imayneedthemtogobailforme.”
“Pickeringdidn’tseeme,foronething;andforanotherhewouldn’tgobailfor
youormeifhedid.Heisn’tbuiltthatway.”
Larrysmiledquizzically.
“Youneedn’texplainfurther.Thesightoftheladyhasshakenyou.Shereminds
meofTennyson:

“‘Thestar-likesorrowsofimmortaleyes—’
andtherestofitoughttobeasolemnwarningtoyou,—many‘drewswordsand
died,’andcalamityfollowedinhertrain.Bah!thesewomen!Ithoughtyouwere
pastallthat!”

Sheturnedcarelesslytowardme,andoureyesmetforaninstant

“Idon’tknowwhyamanshouldbepastitattwenty-seven!Besides,Pickering’s
friendsarestrangerstome.ButwhatbecameofthatIrishcolleenyouusedto
moonover?Herdistinguishingfeature,asIrememberherphotograph,wasa
shortupperlip.Youusedtoforceheruponmefrequentlywhenwewerein
Africa.”
“Humph!WhenIgotbacktoDublinIfoundthatshehadmarriedabrewer’s
son,—thinkofit!”
“Putnotyourfaithinashortupperlip!Herfaceneverinspiredanyconfidence
inme.”


“Thatwilldo,thankyou.I’llhaveabitmoreofthatmayonnaiseifthewaiter
isn’tdead.IthinkyousaidyourgrandfatherdiedinJune.Aletteradvisingyou
ofthefactreachedyouatNaplesinOctober.Hasitoccurredtoyouthatthere
wasquiteaninterimthere?What,mayIask,wastheexecutordoingallthat
time?Youmaybesurehewastakingadvantageoftheopportunitytolookfor
thered,redgold.Isupposeyoudidn’tgivehimasounddrubbingfornot
keepingthecableshotwithinquiriesforyou?”
HeeyedmeinthatdisdainformystupiditywhichIhaveneversufferedfrom
anyotherman.
“Well,no;totellthetruth,Iwasthinkingofotherthingsduringtheinterview.”
“Yourgrandfathershouldhaveprovidedaguardianforyou,lad.Yououghtn’tto
betrustedwithmoney.Isthatbottleempty?Well,ifthatpersonwiththefatneck

wasyourfriendPickering,I’dhaveacareofwhat’scomingtome.I’dbequite
surethatMr.Pickeringhadn’tmadeawaywiththeoldgentleman’sboodle,or
thatitdidn’tgetlostonthewayfromhimtome.”
“Thetime’srunningnow,andI’minfortheyear.Mygrandfatherwasafineold
gentleman,andItreatedhimlikeadog.I’mgoingtodowhathedirectsinthat
willnomatterwhatthesizeoftherewardmaybe.”
“Certainly;that’stheeminentlyproperthingforyoutodo.But,—butkeepyour
witsaboutyou.Ifafellowwiththatneckcan’tfindmoneywheremoneyhas
beenknowntoexist,itmustbeburiedprettydeep.Yourgrandfatherwasatrifle
eccentric,Ijudge,butnotafoolbyanymannerofmeans.Thesituationappeals
tomyimagination,Jack.Iliketheideaofit,—thelosttreasureandthewhole
business.Lord,whatasaladthatis!Cheerup,comrade!You’reasgrimasan
owl!”
Whereuponwefelltotalkingofpeopleandplaceswehadknowninotherlands.
Wespentthenextdaytogether,andintheevening,atmyhotel,hecriticizedmy
effectswhileIpacked,inhisusualironicalvein.
“You’renotgoingtotakethosethingswithyou,Ihope!”Heindicatedtherifles
andseveralrevolverswhichIbroughtfromtheclosetandthrewuponthebed.
“Theymakemehomesickforthejungle.”