Part 20 (1/2)

Lady Seyton eagerly agreed to this proposal; and it was arranged that we should be at Seyton House half an hour before the appointed time, in readiness for the gentleman. Lady Seyton left in a hackney-coach, somewhat relieved, I thought, by having confided the oppressive secret to us, and with a nascent hope slightly flus.h.i.+ng her pale, dejected countenance.

The firm of Flint and Sharp had then a long conference together, during which the lady's statement and Mr. Chilton's doc.u.ments were, the reader may be sure, very minutely conned over, a.n.a.lyzed, and commented upon.

Finally, it was resolved that, if the approaching interview, the manner of which we agreed upon, did not prove satisfactory, Mr. Flint should immediately proceed to Ireland, and personally ascertain the truth or falsehood of the facts alleged by Chilton.

”Mr. Chilton is announced,” said Lady Seyton, hurriedly entering the library in Grosvenor Square, where Mr. Flint and myself were seated. ”I need not be present, I think you said?” she added, in great tremor.

”Certainly not, madam,” I replied. ”We shall do better alone.”

She retired instantly. Flint rose and stationed himself close by the door. Presently a sounding, confident step was heard along the pa.s.sage, the library door swung back on its noiseless hinges, and in stalked a man of apparently about thirty-five years of age, tall, genteel, and soldier-looking. He started back on seeing me, recognizing, I perceived, my vocation, at a glance.

”How is this?” he exclaimed. ”I expected”--

”The Countess of Seyton. True; but her ladys.h.i.+p has deputed me to confer with you on the business mentioned in your note.”

”I shall have nothing to say to you,” he replied abruptly, and turned to leave the room. Mr. Flint had shut, and was standing with his back to the door.

”You can't go,” he said, in his coolest manner. ”The police are within call.”

”The police! What the devil do you mean?” cried Chilton, angrily; but, spite of his a.s.surance, visibly trembling beneath Flint's searching, half-sneering look.

”Nothing very remarkable,” replied that gentleman, ”or unusual in our profession. Come, sit down; we are lawyers; you are a man of business, we know. I dare say we shall soon understand each other.”

Mr. Chilton sat down, and moodily awaited what was next to come.

”You are aware,” said Mr. Flint, ”that you have rendered yourself liable to transportation?”

”What”' exclaimed Chilton, flas.h.i.+ng crimson, and starting to his feet. ”What!”

”To transportation,” continued my imperturbable partner, ”for seven, ten, fourteen years, or for life, at the discretion of the judge; but, considering the frequency of the crime of late, I should say there is a strong probability that _you_ will be a _lifer_!”

”What devil's gibberish is this?” exclaimed Chilton, frightened, but still fierce. ”I can prove everything I have said. Mr. Gosford, I tell you”--

”Well, well,” interrupted Mr. Flint; ”put it in that light, how you please; turn it which way you will; it's like the key in Blue Beard, which, I dare say, you have read of; rub it out on one side, and up it comes on the other. Say, by way of argument, that you have _not_ obtained money by unfounded threats--a crime which the law holds tantamount to highway robbery. You have in that case obtained money for compromising a felony--that of polygamy. An awful position, my good sir, choose which you will.”

Utterly chop-fallen was the lately triumphant man; but he speedily rallied.

”I care not,” he at length said. ”Punish me you may; but the pride of this sham countess and the sham earl will be brought low. And I tell you once for all,” he added, rising at the same time, and speaking in ringing, wrathful tones, ”that I defy you, and will either be handsomely remunerated for silence, or I will at once inform the Honorable James Kingston that he is the true Earl of Seyton.”

”And I tell _you_,” retorted Flint, ”that if you attempt to leave this room, I will give you into custody at once, and transport you, whatever may be the consequence to others. Come, come, let us have no more nonsense or bl.u.s.ter. We have strong reasons for believing that the story by which you have been extorting money, is a fabrication. If it be so, rely upon it we shall detect and punish you. Your only safe course is to make a clean breast of it whilst there is yet time. Out with it, man, at once, and you shall go Scot-free; nay, have a few score pounds more--say a hundred. Be wise in time, I counsel you.”

Chilton hesitated; his white lips quivered. There _was_ something to reveal.

”I cannot,” he muttered, after a considerable pause. ”There is nothing to disclose.”

”You will not! Then your fate be on your own head. I have done with you.”

It was now my turn. ”Come, come,” I said, ”it is useless urging this man further. How much do you expect? The insolent proposal contained in your note is, you well know, out of the question. How much _money_ do you expect for keeping this wretched affair secret? State your terms at once.”

”A thousand per annum,” was the reply, ”and the first year down.”

”Modest, upon my word! But I suppose we must comply.” I wrote out an agreement. ”Will you sign this?”