The ashiel mystery

TheProjectGutenbergEBookofTheAshielMystery,byMrs.CharlesBryce
ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostno
restrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthe
termsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineat
www.gutenberg.net
Title:TheAshielMysteryADetectiveStory
Author:Mrs.CharlesBryce
PostingDate:November3,2011[EBook#9746]ReleaseDate:January,2006
FirstPosted:October14,2003
Language:English
***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKTHEASHIEL
MYSTERY***

ProducedbyJulietSutherland,MaryMeehanandPGDistributedProofreaders


THEASHIELMYSTERYA
DETECTIVESTORY
BYMRS.CHARLESBRYCE

"ItisthedifficultyofthePoliceRomance,thatthereaderisalwaysamanof
suchvastlygreateringenuitythanthewriter."
ROBERTLOUISSTEVENSON.


CHAPTERI
WhenSirArthurByrnefellill,afterthreesummersathispostinthelittle
consulatethatoverlookedthelonelywatersoftheBlackSea,heappliedforsick
leave.Havingobtainedit,hehurriedhometoscatterguineasinHarleyStreet;
forhefeltalltheuneasydoubtsastohisfuturewhichastrongmanwhohas

neverinhislifeknownwhatitistohaveaheadacheisapttoexperienceatthe
firstsymptomthatallisnotwell.Outwardly,hepretendedtomakelightofthe
matter.
"Drains,that'swhatitis,"hewouldsaytosomeofthepassengerstowhomhe
confidedthealteredstateofhishealthonboardtheboatwhichcarriedhimto
Constantinople."AssoonasIgetbacktoacivilizedsewagesystemIshallbe
myselfagain.TheseEasterntownsareallrightforOrientals;andwhatisyour
MuscovitebutanOriental,inallessentialsofhygiene?Buttheyplaythedeuce
withaEuropeanwhohasgrownupinacountrywherepeoplestillindulgeina
senseofsmell."
Andifanyoneventuredtosympathizewithhim,ortoexpressregretathis
illness,hewouldsnubhimfiercely.Butforallthathefeltconvinced,inhisown
mind,thathehadbeenattackedbysomefataldisease.Hebecamemelancholy
anddepressed;and,ifhedidnotspendhisdaysindrawinguphislastwilland
testament,itwasbecausesuchaproceeding—inviewofthestateofhisbanking
account—wouldhavepartakenofthenatureofafarce.Havingasenseof
humour,hewaslittledisposed,justthen,toanyactionwhosecomicsidehe
couldnotconvenientlyignore.
WhenhearrivedinLondon,however,hewasrelievedtofindthatthespecialists
whomheconsulted,whiletheymostlygavehimhismoney'sworthofpolite
interest,didnotdisplayanyanxietyastohiscondition.Oneofthem,indeed,
wentsofarastomentionalongname,andtosuggestthatanoperationfor
appendicitiswouldbelikelytodonoharm;but,onbeingcross-examined,


confessedthathesawnoreasontosuspectanythingwrongwithSirArthur's
appendix;sothattheyoungmanlefttheconsulting-roominsomeindignation.
Heremembered,assoonasthedoorhadclosedbehindhim,thathehad
forgottentoaskthemeaningofthelongname;and,beingreluctanttoseteyes
againonthedoctorwhohadmystifiedhimwithit,wenttoanotherand

demandedtoknowwhatsuchatermmightsignify.
"Is—isit—dangerous?"hestammered,tryinginvaintoappearindifferent.
SirRonaldTompkins,F.R.C.S.,etc.etc.,letslipasmile;andthen,remembering
hisreputation,changedittoalookofgravesympathy.
"No,"hemurmured,"no,no.Thereisnodanger.Ishouldsay,noimmediate
danger.Stillyoudidright,quiteright,incomingtome.Takenintime,andinthe
properway,thisdelicacyofyourswill,Ihavenohesitationinsaying,giveway
totreatment.Iassureyou,mydearSirArthur,thatIhavecuredmanyworse
casesthanyours.Iwillwriteyououtalittleprescription.Justalittlepill,
perfectlypleasanttothetaste,whichyoumustswallowwhenyoufeelthis
alarmingdepressionandlackofappetiteofwhichyoucomplain;andIam
confidentthatweshallsoonnoticeanimprovement.Aboveall,mydearSir,no
worry;noanxiety.Leadaquiet,open-airlife;playgolf;avoidbathingincold
water;avoidsoup,potatoes,puddingsandalcohol;andcomeandseemeagain
thisdayfortnight.Thankyou,yes,twoguineas.Good-bye."
HepressedSirArthur'shand,andshepherdedhimoutoftheroom.
Hispatientdeparted,impressed,soothedandcomforted.
Afterthetwoweekshadpassed,andfeelingdecidedlybetter,hereturned.
SirRonaldonthisoccasionwasabsolutelycheerful.Heexpressedhimself
astonishedattheimprovement,andenthusiasticonthesubjectoftheexcellence
ofhisownadvice.HethenbroketoSirArthurthefactthathewasabouttotake
hisannualholiday.HewasstartingforNorwaythenextday,andshouldnotbe
backforsixweeks.
"ButwhatshallIdowhileyouareaway?"criedhispatient,aghast.
"Youhaveadvancedbeyondmyutmostexpectations,"repliedthedoctor,"and


thebestthingforyounowwillbetogoouttoVichy,andtakeacourseofthe
watersthere.Ishouldhaverecommendedthisinanycase.Myintended
departuremakesnodifference.LetmeearnestlyadviseyoutostartforFrance

to-morrow."
SirArthurhadbythistimedevelopedablindfaithinSirRonaldTompkinsand
didnotdreamofignoringhissuggestion.Hethrewoveralltheengagementshe
hadmadesincearrivinginEngland;packedhistrunksoncemore;and,ifhedid
notactuallyleavethecountryuntiltwoorthreedayslater,itwasonlybecause
hewasnotabletogetasleepingberthonthenightexpressatsuchshortnotice.
TheendoftheweeksawhiminstalledatVichy,themostassiduousand
conscientiousofallthewaterdrinkersassembledthere.
Itwasontheverandaofhishotelthathemadetheacquaintanceof
Mrs.Meredith.
Shewastwenty-five,rich,beautifulandawidow,herhusbandhavingbeen
accidentallykilledwithinafewmonthsoftheirmarriage.Afterayearorsoof
mourningshehadrecoveredherspirits,andledagaylifeinEnglishsociety,
whereshewasverymuchinrequest.
SirArthurhadseenfewattractivewomenoflate,theladiesofBakubeing
inclinedtoruntofatanddiamonds,andhethoughtLenaMerediththemost
lovelyandthemostwonderfulcreaturethateversteppedoutofafairytale.
Fromtheverymomentheseteyesonherhewasherdevotedslave,andafterthe
firstfewdaysamoreconstantattendantthananyshadow—forshadowsatbest
aremerefair-weathercomrades.Heseldomsawtheladyalone,forshehadwith
herasmallchild,notyetayearold,ofwhichshewas,asitseemedtoSirArthur,
inordinatelyfond;andwhethersheweresittingunderthetreesinthegardenof
thehotel,ordrivingslowlyalongthedustyroads—aswasherhabiteach
afternoon—thebabyanditsnursewerealwayswithher,andbytheirpresence
putaneffectivechecktothepersonalitiesinwhichhewaslongingtoindulge.It
wouldhavetakenmorethanababytodiscourageSirArthur,however:he
cheerfullyincludedthelittlegirlinhisattentions;and,astimewenton,became
knowntotheotherinvalidsintheplacebythenicknameof"theNursemaid."
Mrs.Meredithtookhishomageasamatterofcourse.Shewasusedto
admiration,thoughshewasnotoneofthosewomentowhomitisindispensable.

Sheconsidereditoneoftheluxuriesoflife,andheldthatitismorebecoming
thandiamondsandabetterprotectionagainsttheweatherthanthemost
expensivefurs.AtfirstshelookedupontheobviouslystrickenstateofSir
Arthurwithamusement,combinedwithagooddealofgratificationthatsome
oneshouldhavearisentoentertainherinthisdullhealthresort;butgradually,as
theweekspassed,herpointofviewunderwentachange.Whetheritwasthe
boredomofthecure,orwhethershewastouchedbytheunselfishdevotionof
heradmirer,orwhetheritwasduemerelytotheaccidentthatSirArthurwasan
uncommonlygood-lookingyoungmanandsolittleconsciousofthefact,from
onecauseoranothershebegantofeelforhimafriendlinesswhichgrewquickly
morepronounced;sothatattheendofamonth,whenhefoundher,forthefirst
timewalkingalonebythelake,andproposedtoherinsidethefirsttwominutes
oftheirencounter,sheacceptedhimalmostaspromptly,andwithverynearlyas
muchenthusiasm.
"Iwanttotalktoyouaboutthechild,littleJuliet,"shesaid,adayortwolater.
"Orrather,thoughIwanttotalkabouther,perhapsIhadbetternot,forIcantell
youalmostnothingthatconcernsher."
"Mydear,"saidSirArthur,"youneedn'ttellmeanything,ifyoudon'tlike."
"Butthat'sjustthetiresomepart,"shereturned,"Ishouldlikeyoutoknow
everything,andyetImustnotletyouknow.Sheisnotmine,ofcourse,but
beyondthatherparentagemustremainasecret,evenfromyou.YetthisImay
say:sheisthechildofafriendofmine,andthereisnoscandalattachedtoher
birth,butIhavetakenallresponsibilityastoherfuture.Areyou,Arthur,also
preparedtoadopther?"
"Darling,Iwilladoptdozensofthem,ifyoulike,"saidherinfatuatedbetrothed.
"Julietisalittledear,andIamverygladweshallalwayshaveher."
InEngland,thenewsofLenaMeredith'sengagementcausedaflutterof
excitementanddisappointment.Ithadbeenhopedthatshewouldmakeagreat

match,andshereceivedmanylettersfrommembersofherfamilyandfriends,
pointingoutthedeplorablemannerinwhichshewasthrowingherselfawayon
animpecuniousyoungbaronetwhooccupiedanobscurepositioninthe
ConsularService.ShewasbeggedtorememberthattheDukeofDachethad
seemeddistinctlysmittenwhenhewasintroducedtoherattheendofthelast
season;andtoldthatifshewouldnotconsiderherowninterestsitwas


unnecessarythatsheshouldforgetthoseofheryoungerunmarriedsisters.
AtshootinglodgesintheNorth,andincountryhousesintheSouth,youngmen
wereobservedtoreceivethetidingswithpainedsurprise.Morethanoneofthem
hadgivenMrs.Meredithcreditforbettertastewhenitcametochoosinga
secondhusband;morethanoneofthemhadfelt,indeed,thatshewastheonly
womanintheworldwithaneyediscerningenoughtoappreciatehisown
valuablequalitiesattheirtrueworth.Couldthefactbethatshehadoverlooked
thoseraregifts?Foraweekorsodepressionsatinmanyaheartunaccustomed
toitspresence;andyoungladies,insearchofahusband,found,hereandthere,
thatoneturnedtothemwhomtheyhadallbutgivenupashopelesslyindifferent
totheircharms.
Unconcernedbythelackofenthusiasmarousedbyherdecision,LenaMeredith
marriedSirArthurByrne,andinthecourseofafewmonthsdepartedwithhim
tohispostontheBlackSea;wherethebabyJulietandhernurseformedan
importantpartoftheconsularhousehold.
Theyearspassedhappily.SirArthurwasmovedandpromotedfromonelittle
porttoanotheratriflemorefrequentedbytheshipsofhiscountry,andaftera
yearorsotoyetanotherstilllarger;sothat,whilenothingwastoogoodfor
Julietintheeyesofheradoptedmother,andtoalesserextentinthoseofher
father,ithappenedthatsheknewremarkablylittleofherownland,thoughfew
girlsweremorefamiliarwiththoseofothernations.Norweretheirwanderings
confinedtoEurope:Africasawthem,andthesoutherncontinentofAmerica;

anditwasinthatfarcountrythatthehappydayscametoanend,forpoorLady
ByrnecaughtcoldonebitterArgentineday,anddiedofpneumoniabeforethe
weekwasout.
SirArthurwasheart-broken.HepackedJulietofftoaconventschoolnear
BuenosAyres,andshuthimselfupinhisconsulate,refusingtomeetthosewho
wouldhaveofferedtheirsympathy,andgoingfromhisroomtohisoffice,and
backagain,likeamaninadream.
NotformorethanayeardidJulietseeagaintheonlyfriendshehadnowleftin
theworld;anditwasthensheheardforthefirsttimethathewasnotreallyher
father,andthatthewomanshehadcalled"Mother"hadhadnorighttothat
name.Shewasfifteenyearsoldwhenthisblowfellonher;andshehadnotyet
reachedhersixteenthbirthdaywhenSirArthurwastransferredbacktoEurope.


"Yourhomemustalwaysbewithme,Juliet,"hehadsaid,whenhebroketoher
hisignoranceofherorigin."Ihaveonlyyouleftnow."
Butthoughhewaskind,andevenaffectionatetoher,heshowednorealanxiety
forhersociety.ShewassenttoaschoolinSwitzerlandassoonastheylandedin
Europe;and,whilesheusedtofancythatatthebeginningoftheholidayshewas
gladtoseeherreturn,shewasmuchmorefirmlyconvincedthatattheendof
themhewasatleastequallypleasedtoseeherdepart.
Shewasnineteenbeforeherealizedthatshecouldnotbekeptatschoolforever;
andwhenheconsideredthesituation,andsawhimself,amanscarcelyover
forty,saddledwithagrown-upgirl,whowasneitherhisowndaughternorthat
ofthewomanhehadloved,andtowhomhehadsworntocareforthechildasif
shewereindeedhisown,itmustbeadmittedthathisheartfailedhim.Itwasnot
thathehadanyaversiontoJulietherself.Hehadbeenfondofthechild,andhe
likedthegirl.Itwastheawkwardnessofhispositionthatfilledhimwithakind
ofdespair.
"Ifonlysomebodywouldmarryher!"hethought,ashesatoppositetoheratthe

dinner-table,onthenightthatshereturnedforthelasttimefromschool.
Thethoughtcheeredhim.Juliet,henoticedforthefirsttime,hadbecome
singularlypretty.HeengagedasevereFrenchwomanofmatureageaschaperon,
andmadespasmodicattemptstotakehisadopteddaughterintosuchsocietyas
theBelgianport,wherehewasconsulatthistime,couldafford.
Itwasnotalargesociety;nordideligibleyoungmenfigureinitinanyquantity.
Thosetherewere,wereforeigners,towhomthequestionofadotmustbe
satisfactorilysolvedbeforetheideaofmatrimonywouldsomuchasoccurto
them.
Juliethadnomoney.LadyByrnehadleftherfortunetoherhusband,andrash
speculationsonhisparthadreducedittoameagreamount,whichhefeltno
inclinationtopartwith.Twoorthreeyearswentby,andshereceivedno
proposals.SirArthur'shopesofseeingherprovidedforgrewfaint,andhecould
imaginenowayoutofhisdifficulties.HehimselfspenthisleaveinEngland,but
henevertookthegirlwithhimonthoseholidays.Hehadnowishtobecalledon
toexplainherpresencetosuchofhisfriendsasmightnotrememberhiswife's
whim;and,thoughshepassedashisdaughterabroad,shecouldnotdothatat


home.
Juliet,forherpart,wasnotverywellcontent.Shecouldhardlyavoidknowing
thatshewaslookedonasanincubus,andshesawthatherfather,asshecalled
him,dreadedtobequestionedastotheirrelationship.Shelivedasimplelife;
rodeandplayedtenniswithyoungBelgiansofherownage;read,worked,went
tosuchdancesandentertainmentsasweregiveninthelittletown,anddidnot,
onthewhole,wastemuchtimepuzzlingoverthemysterythatsurroundedher
childhood.ButwhenherfriendsaskedherwhysheneverwenttoEnglandwith
SirArthur,shedidnotknowwhatanswertomake,andworriedherselfinsecret
aboutit.
Whydidhenottakeher?Becausehewasashamedofher?Butwhywashe

ashamed?Hermother—shealwaysthoughtofLadyByrnebythatname—had
saidshewasthedaughterofafriendofhers.Sothatshemustatleastbethe
childofpeopleofgoodfamily.Wasnotthatenough?
Shewasalreadytwenty-threewhenSirArthurmarriedagain.Theladywasan
American:Mrs.ClarencyButcher,agood-lookingwidowofaboutthirty-five,
withthreelittlegirls,ofwhomtheeldestwasfifteen.Shehadnottheenormous
wealthwhichisoftenoneofhercountrywomen'smostpleasingattributes,but
shewasmoderatelywelloffandcameofagoodColonialfamily.Havinglived
forseveralyearsinEngland,shehadgrowntoprefertheKing'sEnglishtothe
President's,andhaddropped,almostcompletely,theaccentofhernative
country.Shewasextremelywelleducated,andtalkedthreeotherlanguageswith
equalcorrectness,herfirsthusbandhavingbeenattachedtovariousEuropean
legations.Altogether,shewasacharmingandattractivewoman,andtherewere
manywhoenviedSirArthurforthesecondtimeinhislife.
Itwasnot,perhaps,herfaultthatshedidnottakeverykindlytoJuliet.Thegirl
resentedtheplaceonceoccupiedbyherdeadmotherbeingfilledbyany
newcomer;andwasnot,itistobefeared,atsufficientpainstohideherfeelings
onthepoint.AndthesecondLadyByrnewashardlytobeblamedifshe
rememberedthatinafewyearsshewouldhavethreedaughtersofherownto
takeout,andfeltthatafourthwasalmosttoomuchofagoodthing.
Besides,therewasnogettingoverthefactthatshewasnorelationwhatever,and
wasontheotherhandaconsiderabledrainonthefamilyresources,allofwhich
LadyByrnefeltentirelyequaltodisbursingaloneandunassisted.Finally,her


presenceledtodisagreementsbetweenSirArthurandhiswife.
ThedaycameonwhichLadyByrnecouldnotresistdrawingJuliet'sattentionto
herunfortunatecircumstances.Inaheatedmoment,inducedbythegirl'srefusal
tomeetherhalf-waywhenshewasconsciousofhavingmadeanunusualeffort
tobefriendly,shepointedouttoJulietthatitwouldbemorebecominginherto

showsomegratitudetopeopleonwhosecharityshewasliving,andonwhom
shehadabsolutelynoclaimofbloodatall.
TheinterviewendedbyJulietflyingtoSirArthur,andbegging,whileshewept
onhisshoulder,tobeallowedtogoawayandworkforherliving;thoughwhere
andhowsheproposedtodothisshedidnotspecify.
SirArthurhadabadquarterofanhour.Hisconscience,theknowledgeofthe
extenttowhichhesharedhissecondwife'sfeelings,theremembranceofthe
vowshehadmadeonthesubjecttohisfirstwife,theseandtheold,ifnotvery
strong,affectionhehadforJuliet,combinedtostirinhimfeelingsof
compunctionwhichshowedthemselvesinanoutburstofirritability.Hescolded
Juliet;heblamedhiswife.
"Why,"heaskedthemboth,"cantwowomennotliveinthesamehousewithout
quarrelling?Isitimpossibleforawretchedmanevertohaveamoment'speace?"
Intheend,heworkedhimselfintosuchapassionthatLadyByrneandJuliet
weredriventoareconciliation,andfoundthemselvesdefendingeachother
againsthisreproaches.
Afterthistheygotonbettertogether.


CHAPTERII
Onehotsummerday,afewmonthsafterthemarriage,Juliet,returningtothe
consulateafteramorningspentinveryactiveexerciseuponatenniscourt,was
metonthedoorstepbyDora,theyoungestoftheClarencyButchers,whowas
awaitingherapproachinahighstateofexcitement.
"Hurryup,Juliet,"shecried,assoonasshecouldmakeherselfheard."You'll
neverguesswhatthereisforyou.Somethingyoudon'toftenget!"
"Whatisit?"saidJuliet,comingupthesteps.
"Guess!"
"Apresent?"
"No;atleastIsupposenot;buttheremaybeoneinside."

"Inside?Oh,thenit'saparcel?"askedJulietgood-humouredly.
Shefeltamildcuriosity,temperedbytheknowledgethatmanythingsprovided
athrillfortheten-year-oldDora,whichshe,fromtheadvancedageoftwentythree,couldnotlookuponasparticularlyexciting.
"No,notaparcel,"criedDora,dancingroundher."It'saletter.
Therenow!"
"Thenwhydoyousayit'ssomethingIdon'toftenget?"askedJuliet
suspiciously;"Ioftengetletters.It'saninvitationtotheGertignés'dance,I
expect."
"No,no,itisn't.It'saletterfromEngland.Youdon'toftengetonefromthere,
now,doyou?Youneverdidbeforesincewe'vebeenhere.Ialwaysexamine


yourletters,youknow,"saidDora,"toseeiftheylookasiftheycamefrom
youngmen.SodoesMargaret.Wethinkit'stimeyougotengaged."
Margaretwasthenextsister.
"It'sverygoodofyoutotakesuchaninterestinmyfate,"Julietreplied,asshe
pulledoffherglovesandwenttotheside-tablefortheletter.Asamatteroffact
shewasagooddealexcitednow;forwhatthechildsaidwastrueenough.She
mightevenhavegonefurther,andsaidthatshehadneverhadaletterfrom
England,exceptwhileSirArthurwasthereonleave.
Itwasalargeenvelope,addressedinaclerk'shandwriting,andshecametothe
conclusion,asshetoreitopen,thatitmustbeanadvertisementfromsomeshop.
"DEARMADAM,—Weshallesteemitafavourifyoucanmakeitconvenient
tocalluponusonedaynextweek,uponamatterofbusinessconnectedwitha
memberofyourfamily.Itisimpossibletogiveyoufurtherdetailsinaletter;but
ifyouwillgrantustheinterviewweventuretoask,wemaygosofarastosay
thatthereappearstoustobeareasonableprobabilityoftheresultbeingof
advantagetoyourself.Trustingthatyouwillletushaveanimmediatereply,in
whichyouwillkindlynamethedayandhourwhenwemayexpecttoseeyou.—
Weare,yoursfaithfully,

"FINDLAY&INCE,Solicitors."
TheaddresswasastreetinHolborn.
Julietreadtheletterthrough,andstraightwayreaditthroughagain,witha
beatingheart.Whatdiditmean?Wasitpossibleshewasgoingtofindherown
familyatlast?
ShewasrecalledtothepresentbythevoiceofDora,whomshenowperceived
tobereadingtheletteroverhershoulderwithunblushinginterest.
"Say,"saidDora,"isn'titexciting?'Somethingtoyouradvantage!'Justwhat
theyputintheagonycolumnwhentheyleaveyouafortune.Ibetyourlong-lost
uncleintheWesthaskickedthebucket,andleftyouallhisill-gottengains.
Markmywords.You'llcomebackfromEnglandalovelyheiress.Idowishthe
otherswouldcomein.There'snooneinthehouse,exceptSirArthur."


"Whereishe?"saidJuliet,puttingthesheetofpaperbackintotheenvelopeand
slippingitunderherwaistband."Youknow,Dora,it'snotatallanicethingto
readotherpeople'sletters.Iwonderyouaren'tashamedofyourself.I'm
surprisedatyou."
"Ishouldn'thavereaditifyou'dbeenquickerabouttellingmewhatwasinit,"
retortedDora."It'snotatallanicethingtoputtemptationinthewayofalittle
girllikeme.DoyousupposeI'mmadeofcastiron?"
Shedepartedwithaninjuredair,andJulietwenttolookfortheconsul.
"Whatisit?"heasked,assheputtheenvelopeintohishand."Aletteryouwant
metoread?Notaproposal,eh?"Hesmiledatherasheunfoldedthelargesheet
ofofficepaper.
"Hullo,what'sthis?"
Hereaditthroughcarefully.
"Why,Juliet,"hesaid,whenhehadfinished,"thisisveryinteresting,isn'tit?It
looksasifyouweregoingtofindoutsomethingaboutyourself,doesn'tit?After
alltheseyears!Well,well."

"YouthinkImustgo,then,"shesaidalittledoubtfully.
"Go?OfcourseIshouldgo,ifIwereyou.Whynot?"
"Youdon'tthinkitisahoax?"
"No,no;Iseenoreasontosupposesuchathing.Iknowthefirmof
Findlay&Incequitewellbynameandreputation."
"Oh,IhopetheywilltellmewhoIam!"criedJuliet."Haveyounoideaatall,
father?"
"No,mydear,youknowIhavenot.Besides,IpromisedLenaIwouldneverask.
Youarethechildofafriendofhers.ThatisallIknow.Ithinkshescarcely
realizedhowharditwouldbeforyounottoknowmorewhenyougrewup.I
oftenthinkthatifshehadlivedshewouldhavetoldyoubeforenow."


"Ifyoupromisedhernottoask,Iwon'taskeither,"saidJulietloyally."ButI
hopethey'lltellme.Itwillbedifferent,won'tit,iftheytellmewithoutmy
asking?"
"Ithinkyoumightask,"saidSirArthur."Itisabsurdthatyoushouldbebound
byapromisethatImade.Andyoumaybesureofonething.Yourasking,or
yournotasking,won'tmakeanyoddstoFindlay&Ince.Iftheymeantotell
you,theywill;and,iftheydon't,you'renotlikelytogetitoutofthem."
"AndwhenshallIgo?"criedJuliet."Theysaytheywantmetoanswer
immediately,youknow."
"Ohwell,Idon'tknow.Inafewdays.Youwillhardlybereadytostarttomorrow,willyou?"
"Icouldbeready,easily,"saidJuliet.
"You'reinagreathurrytogetawayfromus,"saidSirArthur,witharather
uneasylaugh.
"Notfromyou."Julietputherarmthroughhis."Icouldneverfindanotherfather
halfasniceastheoneI'vegot.Butyoucoulddoverywellwithoutsomany
daughters,youknow."Shesmiledathimmockingly."You'reliketheoldwoman
wholivedinashoe.Yououghttosetupaschoolforyoungladies."

"Idon'tbelieveIshallbeabletogetonwithoutmyeldestdaughter,"hereplied,
half-serious."StillIthinkitwouldbebetterforyouifyourrealparentshave
decidedtoownuptoyou.Atallevents,iftheydonotturnoutdesirable,Ishall
stillbehere,Ihope;soIdon'tseehowyoucanloseanythingbytakingthis
chanceoffindingoutwhatyoucanaboutthem."
AtthispointLadyByrnecameintotheroom,andthenewshadtoberetoldfor
herbenefit;theletterwasproducedagain,andshejoinedheartilyinthe
excitementithadcaused.
"YouhadbetterstartonMonday,"shesaidtoJuliet."Thatwillgiveyoutwo
daystopack,andtowritetoanhotelforrooms.Areyougoingtotakeher,
Arthur?"sheadded,turningtoherhusband.
"Iwould,likeashot,"hereplied,"butIcan'tpossiblygetawaynextweek.I've


gotalotofworkonhandjustnow.Isuppose,mydear,"hesuggesteddoubtfully,
"thatyouwouldn'tbeabletorunoverwithher?"
LadyByrnedeclaredthatitwasimpossibleforhertodoso:shehad
engagements,shesaid,foreverydayofthefollowingweek,whichitwasoutof
thequestiontobreak.HadSirArthurforgottenthattheythemselveswerehaving
largedinner-partiesonTuesdayandFriday?WhatshewoulddowithoutJulietto
helpherinpreparingforthem,shedidnotknow,butatleastitwasobviousthat
someonemustbetheretoreceivehisguests.No,Julietwouldhavetogoalone.
Shewasreallyoldenoughtobetrustedbyherselfforthreedays,andtherewas
noneed,thatshecouldsee,forhertobeawaylonger.
"ShecangoonMonday,seethelawyersonTuesday,andcomebackon
Wednesday,"saidLadyByrne."Thehelplessnessofyounggirlsistheonething
IdisapproveofinyourEuropeansystemofeducation.Itismuchbetterthatthey
shouldlearntomanagetheirownaffairs;andJulietisnotsuchaninnyasyou
seemtothink."
"Ishallbeperfectlyallrightbymyself,"Julietprotested.

SirArthurdidnotlikeit.
"SupposingsheisdetainedinLondon,"hesaid.
"Whatshoulddetainher,"demandedhiswife,"unlessitisthediscoveryofher
parents?And,ifshefindsthem,Ipresumetheywillbecapableoflookingafter
her.Inanycase,shecanwrite,orcabletouswhenshehasseenthesolicitors,
anditisnouseprovidingforcontingenciesthatwillprobablyneverarise."
Soatlastitwasdecided.AletterwaswrittenanddispatchedtoMessrs.Findlay
&Ince,sayingthatMissByrnewouldhavepleasureincallinguponthemat
twelveo'clockonthefollowingTuesday;andJulietbusiedherselfin
preparationsforherjourney.
OnMondaymorningsheleftOstend,inthecompanyofhermaid.
ItwasagloriousAugustday.Onshoretheheatwasintense,anditwasareliefto
getoutofthestiflingcarriagesofthecrowdedboattrain,andtobreathethe
gentleairfromtheseathatmetthemastheycrossedthegangwayontothe
steamer.Julietenjoyedeverymomentofthejourney;andwouldhavebeensorry


whenthecrossingwasoverifshehadnotbeensoeagertosetfootuponher
nativesoil.
Sheleantupontherailinthebowsoftheship,watchingthewhitecliffsgrow
tallerandmoredistinct,andfeltthatnowindeedsheunderstoodtheemotions
withwhichtheheartoftheexileissaidtoswellatthesightofhisownland.She
wonderedifthesightoftheircountrymovedotherpassengersontheboatasshe
herselfwasmoved,andmadetimidadvancestoaladywhowasstandingnear
her,inherneedofsomecompanionwithwhomtoshareherfeeling.
"HaveyoubeenawayfromEnglandalongtime,"sheaskedher.
"Ihavebeenabroadduringaconsiderableperiod,"repliedthepersonshe
addressed,astern-lookingScotchwomanwhodidnotappearanxioustoenter
intoconversation.
FromherseveredemeanourJulietimaginedshemightbeagovernessgoingfor

aholiday.
"Youmustbegladtobegoinghome,"sheventured.
"It'safarcrynorthtomyhome,"saidtheScotchwoman,thawingslightly."I'm
fearingIwillnotbeseeingitthissummer.I'llbestoppinginthesouthwithsome
friends.Thejourneynorthisawful'expensive."
"I'msorryyouaren'tgoinghome,"Julietsympathized,"butitwillbenicetosee
theEnglishfacesatDover,won'tit?TheremayevenbeaScotchmanamongthe
porters,youknow,bysomechance."
"Nofear,"saidherneighbourgloomily."They'llbelocalmen,Ihavenaedoubt.
ThoughwhethertheyareEnglishorScots,"sheadded,"I'llhavetogivethem
saxpenceinsteadofafifty-centimebit;whichisoneofthebonniestthingsyou
seeontheContinent,tomywayofthinking."
Julietcouldgetnoenthusiasmoutofher;and,lookwhichwayshemight,she
couldnotseeanyreflectiononthefacesofthosearoundheroftheemotions
whichstirredinherownbreast.Ithadbeenaroughcrossing,inspiteofthe
cloudlessskyandbroilingsunshine,andmostofthepassengershadbeenlaid
lowbytherollingofthevessel.Theydisplayedanxietyenoughtoreachland;
but,asfarasshecouldsee,whatlanditwastheyreachedwasamatterof


indifferencetothem.Nodoubt,shethought,whentheshipstoppedandtheyfelt
better,theywouldbemoredisposedtoasentimentalitylikehers.
Shefoundhermaid—whohadbeenoneofthemostsea-sickofthoseaboard—
andassistedherashore,putherintoacarriageandministeredtoherwantswith
thehelpofatea-basketcontainingthedeliciousnoveltyofEnglishbreadand
butter.Inhalfanhour'stimetheyweresteaminghurriedlytowardsLondon.She
wastolodgeatasmallhotelinJermynStreet;andonthatfirsteveningeventhis
seemedperfecttoher.Thebadnessofthecookingwasathingsherefusedto
notice;andtheastonishinghillsandvalleysofthebedcausedinhernosensation
beyondthatofsurprise.Shewasyoung,strongandhealthy,andtherewasno

reasonthattriflingdiscomfortsofthiskindshouldaffectherenjoyment.Tothe
shortcomingsofthebed,indeed,sheshuthereyesinmoresensesthanone,for
shewasasleepthreeminutesafterherheadtouchedthepillow,nordidshewake
tillhermaidrousedherthenextmorning.
Shegotupatonceandlookedoutofthewindow.Itwasafinedayagain;over
theroofsofthehousesoppositeshecouldseeabluestreakofsky.Alreadythe
airhadlostthetouchoffreshnesswhichcomes,eventoLondoninAugust,
duringthefirsthoursofthemorning;andtheheatinthelow-ceilingedroomon
thethirdfloorwhichJulietoccupiedforthesakeofeconomy,wasoppressivein
spiteofthesmallsashwindowsbeingopenedtotheirutmostcapacity.ButJuliet
onlylaughedtoherselfwithpleasureatthebrilliancyoftheday.Shefeltthatthe
weatherwasplayinguptotheoccasion,asbecamethisimportantmorningofher
life.Forthatitwasimportantshedidnotdoubt.Shewasgoingtohear
tremendousnewsthatday;makewonderfuldiscoveriesaboutherbirth;hear
undreamt-ofthings.Ofthisshefeltabsolutelyconvinced,anditwouldnothave
astonishedhertofindherselfclaimedasdaughterbyanyofthereigningfamilies
ofEurope.Shewaspreparedforanything,orsoshesaidtoherself,however
astounding;and,thatbeingso,shewasexcitedinproportion.Anyonecould
havetoldherthat,bythisattitudeofmindtowardsthefuture,shewaslayingup
forherselfdisappointmentattheleast,ifnotthebitterestdisillusions;butthere
wasnoonetothrowcoldwateronherhopes,andshefilledtheairwithcastles
ofeverystyleofarchitecturethatherfancysuggested,withoutanyhindrance
fromdoubtormisgiving.
Shedressedquickly,inthegayesthumour,butwithevenmorecarethanshe
usuallybestoweduponherappearance;asubjecttowhichshealwaysgavethe
fullestattention.


"WhichdresswillMademoisellewear?"themaidaskedher.
"Why,myprettiest,naturally,"shereplied.

"What,thewhiteonethatMademoiselleworeforthemarriageofMonsieur,her
papa?"inquiredThérèse,scandalizedattheideaofsuchapreciousgarment
beingputonbeforebreakfast.
"Thatveryone,"Julietassuredher,undaunted;andwasarrayedinit,inspiteof
obviousdisapproval.
Afterbreakfasttheywentout,and,inquiringtheirwaytoBondStreet,flattened
theirnosesagainsttheshopwindowstotheirmutualsatisfaction.
Theyhaditalmosttothemselves,fortherewerenotmanypeopleleftinthatpart
ofLondon;butmorethanoneheadwasturnedtogazeattheprettygirlinthe
garden-partydress,whostoodtransfixedbeforeshopaftershop.This
amusementlastedtillhalf-pasteleven,whentheyreturnedtothehotelforJuliet
togivethefinalpatstoherhair,andtoretiltherhattoananglepossiblymore
becoming,beforeshestartedtokeepherappointmentwiththesolicitors.The
nexttwentyminuteswerespentincross-examiningthehotelporterastothe
timeitwouldtaketodrivetoherdestination,and,havingdecidedtostartatten
minutestotwelve,inwonderingwhetherthequarterofanhourwhichhadstillto
elapsewouldevercometoanend.
AtthreeminutestotwelvesherangthebelloftheofficeofMessrs.
Findlay&Ince.


CHAPTERIII
Agloomylittleclerkclimbeddownfromahighstoolwherehesatwriting,and
openedthedoor.
"Ohyes,MissJulietByrne,"hesaidwhenJuliethadtoldhimhername."Mr.
Findlayisexpectingyou.Willyouwalkupstairs,MissByrne,please.Ithinkyou
haveanappointmentfortwelveo'clock?Thisway,ifyouplease."
Heledthewayupasteepandnarrowflightofstairs,whichroseoutoftheblack
shadowsattheendofthepassage.
"Ladiesfindthesestairsratherdark,I'mafraid,"heremarkedpleasantly,ashe

heldopenadoorandusheredJulietandhermaidintoanemptyroom."Willyou
kindlywaithere,"hecontinued."Mr.Findlayisengagedforthemoment.You
arealeetlebeforeyourtime,Ibelieve."Hepulledouthiswatchandexaminedit
closely."Notquitethehouryet,"herepeated,andcloseditwithasnap."ButMr.
Findlaywillseeyouassoonasheisdisengaged."
Withaflourishofhishandkerchiefhewithdrew,shuttingthedoorbehindhim.
Julietsatdownonahardchaircoveredwithgreenleather,andtoldhermaidto
takeanother.Herspiritsweredamped.ThesightofMr.Nicol,astheclerkwas
named,oftenhadthateffectuponpersonswhosawhimforthefirsttime;indeed
hewasfoundtobeaveryusefulcheckontroublesomeclients,whoarrivedfull
ofdeterminationtohavetheirownway,andwereoftensocowedbytheir
preliminaryinterviewwithNicolastofeelitaprivilegeandarelief
subsequentlytobebulliedbyMr.Ince,orpersuadedbyMr.Findlayintothe
beliefthatwhattheyhadpreviouslydecidedonwasthelastthingadvisableto
do.
Mr.FindlayfrequentlyremarkedtoMr.Ince,whenhispartner'seasilyroused


temperwasmorehighlytriedthanusualbysomeimbecilemistakeoftheclerk's,
thatNicolmighthavefaultsasaclerkandasaman,butthat,asabuffer,hewas
thenearestapproachtoperfectionobtainableinthisworldofmakeshifts.
TowhichMr.Incewouldreplywithpointandfluencythatfenderscouldbehad
bythedozenfromanyshippingwarehouse,atalowercostthanoneweek's
salaryofNicol'swouldrepresent,andwouldbefarmoreefficientintheoffice.
Stillhedidnotsuggestdismissingtheman.
Juliet,asshesatandlookedroundthemustylittlewaiting-room,feltthathere
wasanendofherdreamsoftheresplendentfamilyshewastofindpiningtotake
hertoitsheart.Shefeltcertainthatshecouldneverhaveanyfeelingsin
commonwithpeoplewhocouldemployafirmofsolicitorswhichinitsturnwas
servedbythemanwhohadreceivedher.Romanceandtheclerkcouldnever,she

thought,meetunderoneroof.Andsucharoof!Theroominwhichshesatwas
sodark,sogloomy,sobareandcheerless,thatJulietbegantowonderwhether
shewouldnothavebeenwisernottohavecome.Thiswasnotaplace,surely,
whichfondparentswouldchooseforalong-deferredmeetingwiththeirchild,
afteryearsofseparation.Shewalkedtothewindow,buttheonlyviewwasofa
blankwall,andthatsoclosethatshecouldhavetoucheditbyleaningout.No
wondertheroomwasdark,evenatmiddayinAugust.Thewallswerelinedwith
bookshelves,whereheavyvolumes,alldealingwiththesamesubject,thatof
law,stoodshouldertoshoulderinstoutbindingsofbrownleather.
Therewasafireplaceofcrackedanddirtymarblewithanengravinghungover
it,representingthecoronationofQueenVictoria.Agasstoveoccupiedthegrate,
andagasbracketstuckoutfromthewalloneithersideofthepicture.
Onthesmallroundmahoganytablethatstoodinthemiddleoftheroomlaya
Bible,andacopyoftheSt.James'sGazette,whichwasdatedaweekback.Juliet
tookitupandreadanaccountofacricketmatchwithoutmuchenthusiasm.
Thensheflungitdownandwanderedabouttheroomoncemore;butshehad
exhaustedallitspossibilities;andthoughshetookavolumeentitledCauses
Célèbresfromtheshelf,andturneditspageshopefully,sheputitbackwitha
grimaceatitsdullnessandasortofsurpriseatfindinganythingdrierthanthe
cricket.
Shehadwaitedhalfanhour,whenthedooropenedandthefaceofNicolwas
introducedroundthecornerofit.


"Willyoupleasecomethisway,"hesaid.
Tellinghermaidtostaywhereshewas,Julietfollowedhim.Heopenedtheother
dooronthelanding,andannouncedherinaloudvoiceas,withaquickened
pulse,shepassedhim,andenteredtheroom.
Thereweretwomenstandingbythehearth.Oneofthemcameforwardto
receiveher.

"Howdoyoudo,MissByrne,"hesaid;"Iamgladyouwereabletocome.
IamJeremyFindlay,atyourservice."
Mr.Findlaywasamanofmoderateheight,withalongpointednosewhichhe
wasinthehabitofputtingdowntowithinaninchortwoofhisdeskwhenhe
waslookingforanyparticularpaper,forhewasveryshortsighted.Itrather
conveyedtheimpressionthathewaspokingaboutwithit,andthathehuntedfor
questionableclausesorillegalitiesinadocument,muchasapigmighthuntfor
trufflesinawood.Fortherest,hewasmiddle-aged,withhairnearlywhite,and
smallgreywhiskers.HebeamedatJulietthroughgold-rimmedeyeglasses.
"Letmeintroducemyfriend,"hesaid,mumblingsomething.
Julietdidnotcatchthename,butshesupposedthatthiswasMr.Ince.
Theothermansteppedforwardandshookhands,butsaidnothing.Hewasa
thin,pallidcreature,ratherabovetheaverageheight,andhadthedrooping
shouldersofascholar.Hisface,whichwaslongandnarrow,lookedpaleand
emaciated,andthoughhisblueeyeshadakindlytwinkleitseemedtoJulietthat
theyburnedwithafeverishbrightness.Hisnosewaslongandslightlyhooked,
andbeneathitthemouthwashiddenbyaheavyredmoustache;whilehishair,
thoughnotofsobrightacolour,hadareddishtingeaboutit.Heappearedtobe
aboutfiftyyearsofage,butthiswasduetoalookoftirednesshabitualtohis
expression,and,inpart,toactualbadhealth.Inrealityhewasyounger.
"Praytakethischair,MissByrne,"Mr.Findlaywassaying."Weareanxiousto
havealittleconversationwithyou.Iamsureyouquiteunderstandthatwe
shouldnothaveaskedyoutocomeallthewayfromBelgiumunlessyour
presencewasofconsiderableimportance.HowimportantitisIreallyhardly
knowmyself,butIrepeatthatIwouldnothaveurgedyoutotakesolonga
journeyifIhadnothadseriousreasontothinkthatitwasdesirableforyourown


sakethatyoushoulddoso.Imaysayatoncethatthematterisafamilyone;but
beforegoingfurtherImustaskyourpermissiontoputoneortwoquestionsto

you,whichIhopeyouwillbelievearenotpromptedbyanyfeelingofidle
curiosityonmypart."
Hepaused,andJulietmurmuredsomewordsofacquiescence.Mr.Findlaytook
offhiseyeglasses,glaredatthem,replacedthem,andranhisnoseoverthe
surfaceofthepapersonhiswriting-table.
"Ah,hereitis!"heexclaimedtriumphantly,pouncingonafoldedsheetand
liftingittohiseyes."Justafewnotes,"heexplained.
"WewroteyoucareofSirArthurByrne,"heresumed;"areyouamemberofhis
family?"
HerewasadisturbingquestionforJuliet.Shehadimagined,untilthisinstant,
thatshewasonthepointofbeingtoldwhoherfamilywas,andnowthisman
wasaskingforinformationfromher.Tearsofdisappointmentwouldnotbekept
fromhereyes.
"IamamemberofSirArthur'shousehold,"shestammered.
"Areyounothisdaughter,then?"askedMr.Findlay.
"No,Iamnotreally,"Julietreplied.
"ThenmayIaskwhatrelationyouaretohim?"saidthelawyer.
"Iamhisadopteddaughter,"saidJuliet."Ihavealwayscalledhim
'Father.'"
"Areyounotanyrelationatall?"pursuedMr.Findlay.
"Ibelievenot."
"Then,MissByrne,IhopeyouwillnotthinkitanimpertinentquestionifIask,
whoareyou?"
"Idon'tknow,"acknowledgedpoorJuliet."Iwashopingyouwouldtellmethat.
Ithought,Iimagined,thatthatwaswhyyousentforme."


"Youastonishme,"saidMr.Findlay."Doyoumeantosaythatyourfamilyhas
nevermadeanyattempttocommunicatewithyou?"
"No,never."

"AndthatSirArthurByrnehasnevertoldyouanythingastoyourbirth?
Surelyyoumusthavequestionedhimaboutit?"
"Hehastoldmeallheknows,"saidJuliet,"butthatamountstonothing."
"Indeed;thatisverystrange.Hemusthavehaddealingswiththepeopleyou
werewithbeforeheadoptedyou.Hemustatleastknowtheirname?"
"Idon'tknow,"saidJuliet."Hedoesn'tknoweither,Iamsure.Itwasn'tSir
Arthurwhoadoptedme.Itwastheladyhemarried.AMrs.Meredith.Sheis
dead."
"Buthemusthaveheardaboutyoufromher,"insistedMr.Findlay."Hewould
nothavetakenachildintohishouseholdwithoutknowinganythingatallabout
it."
"HiswifetoldhimthatIwasthedaughterofafriendofhers,andbeggedhim
nottoaskheranymoreaboutme.Hewasverydevotedtoher,andhedidasshe
wished.Hehasbeenmostkindtome;butIamsurehewouldbeasgladasI
shouldbetodiscovermyrelations.Iamdreadfullydisappointedthatyoudon't
knowanythingaboutthem.WeallthoughtIwasgoingtofindmyfamilyat
last."
Juliet'svoicequaveredalittle.Shehadbuilttoomuchonthisinterview.
"Iamreallyextremelysorrynottobeabletogiveyouanyinformation,"
Mr.Findlaysaid.
Heturnedtowardstheothermanwithaninterrogativeglance,andwasmetbya
nodofthehead,atwhichheleantbackinhischair,crossedhislegsandfolded
hishandsuponthem,withtheexpressionofsomeonewhohasplayedhispartin
thegame,andnowretiresinfavourofanothercompetitor.Thepalemanmoved
hischairalittleforwardandtookuptheconversation.
"AreyoureallyquitecertainthatSirArthurByrnehastoldyouallheknows?"


hesaidearnestly,fixingonJulietalookatoncegraveandeager.
"Yes,"sheanswered."IcanseethatheisaspuzzledasIam.Andhewouldbe

gladenoughtofindawaytogetridofme,"sheaddedbitterly.
"Ithoughtyousaidyouwereattachedtohim,"saidthestrangerinsurprise,"and
thathehadbeenverykindtoyou?"
"Yes,"saidJuliet,"hehas,andIamasfondofhimaspossible.Buthehasthree
stepdaughtersnow;hehasmarriedagain,youknow.Andheisnotverywelloff.
Iamagreatexpense,besidesbeinganextragirl.Idon'tblamehimforthinkingI
amonetoomany."
Therewasalongpause,duringwhichJulietwasconsciousofbeingclosely
scrutinized.
"IthinkImaybeabletogiveyounewsofyourfamily,"saidthepaleman
unexpectedly."Thatis,ifyouarethepersonIthinkyouarelikelytobe."
"Oh,"exclaimedJuliet,"canyoureally?"
"Well,itispossible,"admittedtheother."Ican'tsayforcertainyet."
"Oh,do,dotellme!"criedthegirl.
"Outofthequestion,atpresent,"herepliedfirmly."Imustfirstsatisfymyselfas
towhosechildyouare,andonthatpointyouappearabletogivemeno
assistance.YoumustwaittillIcanfindoutsomethingfurtheraboutthismatter
ofyouradoption.Andeventhen,"headded,"itisnotcertainifIcantellyou.
Youmustunderstandthat,thoughcertainfamilysecretshavebeenplacedinmy
possession,itdoesnotdependuponmyselfwhetherornotIshallultimately
revealthemtoyou."
Juliet'sfacefellforamoment,butsherefusedtoallowherselftobediscouraged.
"Thereisachanceforme,anyhow!"sheexclaimed."HowIhopeyouwillbe
allowedtotellmeintheend!Butwhy,"shewenton,turningtoMr.Findlay,
"didyoumakemethinkyouknewnothingatallaboutme.Isupposethefamily
secretsyourpartnerspeaksofarethesecretsofmyfamily?"