Part 21 (2/2)

Tom Troubridge read aloud:--

”B. and F. Bank. [Such a date.]

”SIR,--May I request that you will favour me personally with a call, at the earliest possible opportunity, at my private office, 166, Broad Street? I have reason to fear that two forged cheques, bearing your signature, have been inadvertently cashed by us. The amount, I am sorry to inform you, is considerable. I need not further urge your immediate attention. This is the third communication we have made to you on the subject, and are much surprised at receiving no answer. I hope that you will be so good as to call at once.

Yours, sir, &c., P. ROLLOX, Manager.”

”I thank you, Mr. Troubridge,” said the old man, quietly and politely.

”You see I was not wrong when I thought that this letter was of importance. May I beg as a favour that you would not mention this to any one?”

”Certainly, Mr. Hawker. I will respect your wish. I hope your loss may not be heavy.”

”The loss will not be mine though, will it?” said old Hawker. ”I antic.i.p.ate that it will fall on the bank. It is surely at their risk to cash cheques. Why, a man might sign for all the money I have in their hands, and surely they would be answerable for it?”

”I am not aware how the law stands, Mr. Hawker,” said Troubridge.

”Fortunately, no one has ever thought it worth while to forge my name.”

”Well, I wish you a good day, sir, with many thanks,” said Hawker. ”Can I do anything for you in Exeter?”

Old Hawker drove away rapidly in the direction of Exeter; his horse, a fine black, clearing the ground in splendid style. Although a cunning man, he was not quick in following a train of reasoning, and he was half-way to Exeter before he had thoroughly comprehended his situation.

And then, all he saw was that somebody had forged his name, and he believed that Madge knew something about it.

”I wish my boy George was at home,” he said. ”He'd save me getting a lawyer now. I am altogether in the hands of those Bank folks if they like to cheat me, though it's not likely they'd do that. At all events I will take d.i.c.kson with me.”

d.i.c.kson was an attorney of good enough repute. A very clever, quiet man, and a good deal employed by old Hawker, when his business was not too disreputable. Some years before, Hawker had brought some such excessively dirty work to his office, that the lawyer politely declined having anything to do with it, but recommended him to an attorney who he thought would undertake it. And from that time the old fellow treated him with marked respect, and spoke everywhere of him as a man to be trusted: such an effect had the fact of a lawyer refusing business made on him!

He reached Exeter by two o'clock, so rapidly had he driven. He went at once to d.i.c.kson's, and found him at home, busy swinging the poker, in deep thought, before the fireplace in his inner office. He was a small man, with an impenetrable, expressionless face, who never was known to unbend himself to a human being. Only two facts were known about him.

One was that he was the best swimmer in Exeter, and had saved several lives from drowning, and the other was, that he gave away (for him) large sums in private charity.

Such was the man who now received old Hawker, with quiet politeness; and having sent his horse round to the inn stable by a clerk, sat down once more by the fire, and began swinging the poker, and waiting for the other to begin the conversation.

”If you are not engaged, Mr. d.i.c.kson,” said Hawker, ”I would be much obliged to you if you could step round to the B. and F. Bank with me. I want you to witness what pa.s.ses, and to read any letters or papers for me that I shall require.”

The attorney put down the poker, got his hat, and stood waiting, all without a word.

”You won't find it necessary to remark on anything that occurs, Mr.

d.i.c.kson, unless I ask your opinion.”

The attorney nodded, and whistled a tune. And then they started together through the crowded street.

The bank was not far, and Hawker pushed his way in among the crowd of customers. It was some time before he could get hold of a clerk, there was so much business going on. When, at last, he did so, he said--”I want to see Mr. Rollox; he told me to call on him at once.”

”He is engaged at present,” said the clerk. ”It is quite impossible you can see him.”

”You don't know what you are talking about, man,” said Hawker. ”Send in and tell him Mr. Hawker, of Drumston, is here.”

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