The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 330: what you’re looking at

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324 ealled upon: but he thought it as well to abstain from pledging himself with regard to the thrash- ing and pummeling process. “ Come, Ashton,” said his employer, “ we will go and write this letter to the bankers, and also the one to my friend Toddington about the apart- ments. Oh, by the bye,’ added Mr. Sycamore, turning back from the door as he was about to open it, “just cash my cheque, landlord, for a couple of hundred. I shall date it the day after to-morrow, by which time my funds are certain to be here: or if you have a payment to make in the metropolis, I can of course draw it at sight on my London bankers.” The hotel-proprietor looked somewhat blank at the Hon. Talbot Sycamore’s proposition: but that gloominess passed away in an instant, as divers considerations swept through his mind. There was Lord Toddington’s letter promising a rich harvest for six weeks: the recommendations of Mr. Sycamore were very certain not to end there: but if he were offended he would leave the hotel himself, and prevent all his aristocratic ac- quaintances from taking up their quarters there in future. “He must be all right,” said the landlord to himself, as a sequel to those rapid musings: but still he thought that in respect to the required amount he might accomplish a prudential com- promise. “It would really give me _ infinite pleasure, Mr. Sycamore,” he observed, now speak- ing aloud, “to comply with your request ‘ “Oh, it don’t matter in the least!” exclaimed the gentleman, with an air of the most pertect indifference. ‘ Ashton can run up to London by the next train—he will be down early to- morrow forenoon: and then all will be right. But I do know that at the hotel over the way they never refuse to cash a gentleman’s cheque—damme, never !” “Beg your pardon, sir—really did not mean to offend—did not for a moment think of refusing,” said the frightened landlord; “but was only about to hint that my own account happens to be very low at my bankers’—and if a hundred pounds would suffice 5% “ No—it don’t matter,’ said Mr. Sycamore : and he was again lounging towards the door, when he turned back, observing, “ Well, I’ll draw the cheque—I want some loose gold for to-day.” The hotel-proprietor hastened to furnish writing- materials; and while Christian drew a cheque to Mr. Sycamore’s dictation, the landlord drew an- other at his own desk. Mr. Sycamore appended his signature to the first-named draft ; and receiv- ing the landlord’s cheque, he despatched Ashton to the Ramsgate bank for the cash. As our young hero was proceeding along the street, he observed that James the groom was following him: but he thought it was merely accidental, and that the man was going in the same direction, either for a walk or on some business of his own. But on issuing forth from the bank, Christian found James lurking about at the door, and now looking as if he were anxious to speak to him. Our young hero accordingly stopped: the groom ac. costed him, and with a touch of the hat, observed, “Beg pardon, Mr. Ashton—but I s’pose you've been to the bank to get money ?” ** Yes,” replied Christian, though in a cold and es THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. distant manner, for he thought the question im- pertinent. ‘‘ Why do you ask ?” “Oh, for nothink partickler, sir!” responded James. “It’s all right:’—and he turned to hasten away. “Stop a moment!’ exclaimed Christian. “‘ You must have some reason for making such an jn- quiry. I suppose your master does not owe you any wages?” “ Not he, indeed, sir!” cried the groom: “ he is always in adwance rayther than t’otherwise. Only I knowed there was some little delay about mas- ter’s money—and I was glad to think the matter was put right. You see, Mr. Ashton,” added James, with a look and a tone of mysterious confidence, “‘master is so negligent about his money-affairs—and it all comes of being too rich! Them London bankers of his’n takes the adwan- tage of him: and if I was him I'd cut ’em dead— that I would!” Having thus spoken with a very determined air, James pressed down his hat fiercely upon his head, and looked very much as if he wished he had the chief of the London banking firm then and there in his presence, that he might inflict summary chastisement uponhim. He walked slowly away; and Christian returned to the hotel. There he handed the money to his employer, who proceeded to dictate a very angry letter indeed to his London bankers—and then a very familiar one to his inti- mate friend Lord Toddington. “Shall I take them to the post?” asked Chris- tian,—which was the question he invariably put, but to which he had hitherto as invariably received a negative response. On the present occasion, however, the Hon. Talbot Sycamore said that he might take them to the post; and thither he proceeded accordingly. He had forgotten to ask whether his services would be required any more for that day; and, having posted the letters, he hastened back to put the in- quiry. On ascending towards Mr. Sycamore’s sitting-room, he was just about to enter, when his ear caught so strange an observation from within, that he stopped short. The door happened to be ajar; and it was the dapper groom’s voice that was making the observation. “Come, none of this nonsense! I know you have got plenty of blunt—young Ashton told me so—and you must fork over twenty at least.” “T tell you, James,’ replied Mr. Sycamore, that I could only manage to get a hundred pounds —and you must satisfy yourself with ten.” “Well, Is’pose I must, then,” said the groom in a sulky tone: and Christian heard the chinking of gold. ‘ But I say, how long’s the game to last now ?” inquired James. “Hush, damn you! the door’s open!” rejoined Sycamore in a low savage voice. Christian glided away with a sensation as if he were walking ina dream. He was in a complete state of consternation and dismay; and he me- chanically issued forth from the hotel. He was, as it were, an automaton moved only by an influence , which was independent at the time of his own volition. When he gradually began to collect himself, he found that he was walking on the pier ; and he felt as if he had been taken up from the hotel and set down there by some invisible hand; for he had not the slightest recollection of why or I ee SS (€©) 0)(0\0) AMIE SH (C(O)