Part 15

Presently Leonard Harling turned away from the window, picked up a paper and sat down. His wife watched him surreptitiously; he was reading the advertisements--anything to pass the time! He did not belong to a club, he did not play bridge, he did not enjoy idleness. When his companion heaved an involuntary sigh he looked up and said:

“Say, Lizzie, I believe we made a bad shot coming over this time. We seem a bit out of the picture--and everything is so confoundedly slow.”

“Yes, one misses the whirl at home--the Committee Meetings, and the big house and gardens, and neighbours--and the dogs.”

“We have no special deep-down-rooted interests--that’s what ails us.”

“Well anyhow, you have your grand collection, Len, your silver,” and Mrs. Harling waved a knitting-needle at a row of priceless tankards, that shone on a cabinet between the windows.

“Silver, yes--it’s just a hobby; but there’s nothing to it; it amuses me, and circulates the coin. What I miss is a live, human interest.”

“I know,” and she nodded, “such as a son or a daughter. Yes, I’d be thankful to go back to dish-washing, cooking, and slavery, for that.”

“Now would you, Lizzie? Well, I must confess I could not help envying the party last night at the next table--father, mother, two pretty daughters, son in the Guards, and friend--what a cheery lot they were; so gay and genial and happy.”

“It’s a pity we could never trace your brother’s widow.”

“I expect she’s out in Australia. I wrote to Humphrey after we were married, and he sent me a lecture as a wedding-present. He was no longer at Government House; but he did not mention his job. I say, you know we dine early, and have stalls at the Haymarket, so you’d better go and dress, and I’ll run down and look at the tape.”

Leonard Harling was a well-known collector and authority on old silver; his name was frequently quoted in articles, he was a personage of importance in sale rooms, and catalogues pursued him wherever he went. What he enjoyed and delighted in was to poke about among dingy little antiquary shops or pawn-offices. A window full of what looked like rubbish invariably held his attention, and more than once he had picked up a prize.

One afternoon he and his wife were staring into a mixed collection in a pawnbroker’s in Soho. Here were strings of coral, scraps of old lace, bits of china, spotted prints, and a few battered watches, and teapots.

“Do you see that sugar-bowl?” said Mrs. Harling. “Black--possibly pewter--but a nice old shape.”

“Yes, how sharp you are, Liz. You mean the one full of glass beads. I’ll just go in and have a look at it.”

The shop was squalid and common, and evidently traded with the really poor; clothes and boots were piled up within, and there was also an assortment of cheap clocks and umbrellas. The assistant, a young Hebrew with glossy hair, wore many rings, and from the private premises came an appetising smell of fried fish.

“The sugar-bowl?” he repeated, reaching for it. “Yes; oh, it’s silver all right,” and he polished it with a cloth. “See, it’s Georgian, but not for sale, I think. A fine piece--the young fellow might be tempted--I fancy he’s hard up,” and he handed it over, and Leonard Harling assumed his pince-nez. First he examined the marks--all right; then the crest. His hand shook a little when he recognised his own!--the torch and crown--and, like a flash, he seemed to remember this very sugar-bowl in the blue-veined hand of his grandmother.

“Who does it belong to?” he enquired.

“We cannot give names of our clients,” was the pompous reply.

“Not if it is in their interest--and--er--yours?” and Harling touched his pocket with significance. The salesman hesitated, relaxed his attitude and said:

“I’ll go and look up the book,” and he left them.

“Lizzie, I’ve a clue--this sugar-bowl you spotted! It’s got the family crest, and I believe it came from Humphrey. We’ll find out who pawned it--of course it’s an off-chance.”

“Yes, sir, I’ve the address,” said the assistant, returning: “‘P. Harling, 5, Russell Buildings, W.C.’--workmen’s flats. The article is pawned for one pound--it’s worth twenty. I see you know something of its quality.”

“Do you think you could manage for me to interview the owner. What is he like?”

“Oh, a young chap--gentlemanly--shabby. I only saw him after dark.”

“Can you, as a great favour, ask him to meet me here, or elsewhere?”

“I’ll see what I can do; it’s a bit unusual, you know.”

“And you’ll do your best. Here is my card, and telephone to the hotel. Write to-night; be as slick as you can--you’ll find it will be worth your while.”

“I think we may be on the trail, Liz,” he said, as they walked away. “No harm in seeing P. Harling. If he looks a dissipated ruffian--so much the worse; but if he’s my relative I’ll give him a leg up. We may know by to-morrow night.”

At seven o’clock the next evening, the landing waiter informed Mr. Harling that a young man had called to see him, but did not give his name.

“Where is he?”

“Oh, in the hall, sir; I think he’s a clerk from some place of business.”

“Show him up here.”

The instant Harling’s eyes fell on the well-set-up but shabby stranger, he was struck by the amazing likeness to his brother. Undoubtedly this stranger was his nephew! Nevertheless he began his enquiries with caution, as he motioned him to a seat, and said:

“I’ve an idea that you may be able to tell me something of a relative who died in Melbourne. His name was Humphrey Harling.”

“It was my father’s name,” calmly responded the visitor. Then by degrees--for Humphrey’s son was inclined to be stiff and reserved--Harling extracted all the information he required. His brother, who had inherited the family failing, got into serious money difficulties; he married a fashionable dressmaker, who supported him. They had two children--twins, boy and girl. He was killed in a street accident, and his widow brought the twins to England, partly for education, and partly in the hope of finding her husband’s people. She too fell on evil days, but made at her trade sufficient to educate her children and keep a roof over her head. Now she was gone the twins lived together; he was a clerk to a stock-broker, and she a typist in a bank. Just at present Lily was ill, recovering from diphtheria, and they had been obliged to pawn one or two things.

This young man, who had the nose and voice and self-possession of his race, was astounded when this inquisitive elderly gentleman came forward with outstretched hand, and claimed him as his nephew! He had been under the impression that he wished to buy the sugar-bowl. What an extraordinary change this bit of old silver had made in his life, and Lily’s! She was immediately moving to a nursing home, and he to quarters in this grand hotel. He was fitted out by a fashionable tailor, and slipped into his new part with surprising ease; but all the same, remained a quiet, unassuming youth, anxious to adapt himself to his new relatives. He was devoted to his sister, had a practical turn of mind, and, unless “stupid Leonard” was mistaken, Peregrine the younger (in reality Sir Peregrine) had brains!

Leonard Harling and Lizzie his wife were delighted with their “find”; the girl was so pretty and sweet-tempered, the boy a really fine young fellow; and when they returned to their home (of late years near Hamilton) they carried with them, besides stores of ancient silver, a wonderful source of new interests, new hopes, and present happiness--all imported into their lives by an old crested sugar-bowl.

XIII

THE CREAKING BOARD

Bramleigh Place, a fine specimen of an early Jacobean dwelling, had been in the Millard family for nearly three centuries, but of late years the Millards had fallen on evil days. There was no money to maintain the property in fitting state, the farms were let, as well as the shooting; graziers rented the park to the borders of the pleasure ground; the house was closed, and abandoned to dust and spiders; the garden was free to weeds and birds. An elderly couple had been installed in “The Place” as caretakers, but these looked upon it as nothing more or less than a lonesome, draughty, inconvenient abode--a whole mile from the village and a glass of whisky.

Now and then, in summer-time, lodgers at farms, or in the village, would walk over to the stately old mansion, and bribe Mrs. Pilcher to show them around; and she was not inaccessible. Odd shillings, also the price of tea and bread and butter, made a nice little addition to her weekly wages. She opened the tall doors and the heavy shutters, and invited paying visitors into the great saloon, there to gaze upon the Bramleigh Vandyke--a handsome cavalier, with a satin coat and long fair locks--as well as many other valuable paintings and family portraits by Reynolds and Lely, old lacquered cabinets and Chippendale chairs, wonderful settees, card-tables, and screens. Most of the great lofty rooms were half empty, for on the bankruptcy of the late Sir Aubrey Millard there had been a sensational auction, but the residue happened to be heirlooms, and as such, fixtures; and the house was in the curious condition of being neither unfurnished nor yet furnished. Mrs. Pilcher, as she ushered her customers in and out of apartments, and up and down stairs, related many surprising tales of the Millards, and gave the house the reputation of being badly haunted. She was a clever old body, with a loose tongue and a warm imagination, and such were her powers of description, that more than one of her listeners, passing late on the distant highroad, looked down upon the dignified Place, standing in a hollow, with a sensation of fearsome awe.

Young Millard, the owner, was with his regiment in India; there he made the acquaintance of a wealthy American family on tour, and subsequently married the daughter--a charming girl, with a fabulous fortune. Young Lady Millard fell in love with Bramleigh at first sight--it was a place after her own heart!--and she hurried from room to room, exclaiming in raptures as she made discoveries of pictures, tapestries, and furniture--hailing these, one by one, as delightful possessions and priceless treasures. The prompt and energetic new mistress commanded that Bramleigh was to be set in order without delay; the aged Pilchers were dismissed with a pension, and replaced, first by an army of workmen and upholsterers, and then by a staff of gardeners, grooms, and indoor servants. Soon there were horses and motors in the great empty yard, as well as new stables, and a garage. The mouldy Justice Room was turned into a lounge, and long-deserted Bramleigh was transformed by the enchanted wand, which is known as “Money.”

Lady Millard and her husband were young, gay, and popular; they entertained parties for shooting, cricket, and week-ends, as London was only forty miles away; they also were entertained, and frequently from home--or spending a week or two in town. On these occasions, the large number of unemployed servants had ample time to themselves--and Satan was not idle.

Among the women, Fanny Lappage, second housemaid, was the ringleader in mischief and fun; moreover, a remarkably pretty girl and a shameless flirt, with half the men at her beck and call. For all her giddiness, she was a first-rate housemaid, and never shirked work--only for this, the housekeeper would have dismissed her; she was too flighty, too saucy, and too pretty; but there never was a better girl for polishing furniture or turning out a room--and besides, her ladyship liked Fanny.

Chief among Fanny’s slaves was James Hegan, a tall, fine-looking footman, Irish by descent, with jet-black hair, and deep-set dark blue eyes. Naturally smart, silent, and impassive, he was an admirable servant--though plagued out of his wits by Fanny Lappage and her vagaries. She was continually teasing him, and ridiculing him in the servants’ hall, or the still-room, and the long stone passages often echoed with her ringing laugh at Hegan’s expense; whilst he could only stare stupidly, marvel at her cleverness, and admire her bewitching little face.

Trail, the butler, and Mrs. Madden, housekeeper, had often and vainly remonstrated with giddy Fanny--sometimes she really went too far. By a curious instinct, she had discovered that Hegan was nervous and superstitious--on this subject she chaffed him constantly and mercilessly; yet, strange to say, the more she flouted and tormented him, the more ardently he adored her. He was of a naturally silent and melancholy disposition, and it was Fanny’s amazing liveliness that appealed to him. As for superstition--superstition was in his blood (as a child, he had listened to many a weird tale from the lips of an Irish grandmother), and this characteristic was kept alive, and even fanned, by conversations he overheard at his master’s table whilst he waited automatically--listening with all his ears.

Lady Millard had imbibed the modern taste for the occult and psychical speculations; and some of the experiences he overheard were so vividly described as to be almost hair-raising. Hegan’s hand shook as he handed dishes and plates. Certain subjects lay beyond his mental reach, but one was easily comprehended. He understood a genial gentleman--a neighbour--who, with a jovial laugh, remarked:

“I suppose, Lady Millard, you know that you have something _here_!--an apparition--and, by all accounts, it’s pretty bad too; it is----”

Here Lady Millard made a quick little sign, and then she too laughed, and said something in French, and the guest replied:

“Oh yes; by Jove!--all right, then--another time!”

But all the same, the seed had taken root in Hegan’s mind--“Something” had assumed alarming and sinister proportions.

* * * * *

The family were yachting at Cowes; it was an unusually warm and sultry July, and the staff at Bramleigh, with nothing to do, and an ample allowance of animal food and beer, felt more or less lazy--not to say comatose. The visit of Mrs. Pilcher (late caretaker) effected an agreeable diversion; this old body was full of stimulating local gossip and housewives’ tales, and always well worth her tea! The maids encouraged her to talk; they drew her out, and she entertained them with amazing stories, and “they says” of the Millard family.

“You lived here fifteen year, Mrs. Pilcher,” said the vivacious Fanny, “and never saw anything worse nor yourself--eh?--come now! Why, surely there must be a ghost in a big rambling old place like this? Don’t you tell _me_ there ain’t!”

“There may be,” rejoined Mrs. “Pil,” nursing her teacup as she spoke, “but I never went about after dark. Tom and me allus sat in the library, and slep’ in the morning-room--us hadn’t the breath for stairs--and them above rampaged about as they liked; no need for us an inter-meddling--and them passages and corridors for wind would skin you alive!”

“Didn’t you never _see_ anything?” persisted Fanny. “Come, now, we’re all friends here.”

“Only rats in plenty--the kitchen was black wid ’em--and them as big as rabbits.”

“Rats like rabbits--but nothing more? Come, now, Mrs. Pil; surely someone has seen a ghost--try and remember, and I’ll give you a nice little present. I do love to hear of horrors.”

“Well, then, Fanny Lappage, since you _are_ so set on and eager, I did hear summat--summat as was told me by the folk as was here afore us--and left.”

“Did they see anything? Oh, Jim!” beckoning to Hegan, “and Rosie, Ethel, and George and Tom--_do_ come along and listen--it’s awful fun. Mrs. Pil is going to tell us about the ghost that’s here--she will make our flesh creep. Won’t it be lovely!”

“I’m not so sure,” muttered Jim, turning to Mrs. Pilcher. “What’s it all about, mother?”

Mrs. Pilcher appreciated an audience; she wiped her mouth deliberately with a spotted handkerchief, rubbed her hands on her knees, nodded at the circle which had gathered about her, and cleared her throat.

“You all know the old wing--the long passage, and the swing-door?”

There was a chorus of “Yes, yes, yes--why, to be sure!”

“The three big low rooms looking south over the shrubberies and into the park--main old, they say--well, it’s _there_!” and she paused dramatically. Mrs. “Pil” was a gifted story-teller. “Afore our time” (she spoke as if they had been deposed sovereigns) “the caretaker and wife and girl lived in that wing, as it were warm and convenient. They allowed they heard walking and talking, but were never properly frightened, till one hot summer night when the man was late in the village. There was a full moon, and it was that stifling they had the doors and windows open--’twas the middle room, d’ye see? Mother and girl was a-making ready for bed, and the house locked up. All of a sudden they fell in a terrible taking, a sort of fright as threw ’em into a cold sweat--and they could not say for why, or wherefore; but hot as it was, they felt like two blocks of ice. Then they heard the swing-door slam, and someone in high heels come a-pattering along the passage--nearer and nearer. There it must be in the doorway, for the floor had a loose board and creaked. They was awful afraid to look, as they knew in their bones something not right was standin’ there, and yet look they had to! And sure enough, right on the creakin’ board was a lady in a queer, puffed-out sort of dress, awful old-fashioned. She had a long, shiny knife in her hand, and they two felt turned to stone. At the moment they heard the man below shoutin’ for the key of the side door, and the wife had just strength to tie it in her apron and throw it out of the window. Then the lady went off; they heard her a-patterin’ quick down the passage, and the swing-door a-slammin’ behind her. After that, they lived down below--but never saw her again, nor ever give her a chance, as they did not venture above after dusk. They say she had black eyes and looked awful wicked--just set on ill-doing, but young, and handsome. When the man died--he was found dead, they do say--the wife and daughter come away and were thankful--and we took the place; but if it was my last breath, though I heard what I heard--I never _saw_ nothing!”

“And so it’s the middle room in the old wing,” said Fanny briskly. “I know--it has a high chimney-piece and three windows.”

“Aye, that’s it; and they give out the noises and the trouble is allus worser in summer-time, and full o’ the moon, and that whenever you hear a board creak in these old floors, _she_ is not far off!”

Mrs. Pilcher suddenly rose to her feet, shook the crumbs from her gown, and took leave; she understood the value of a brief and effective departure.

At supper that evening there was an animated discussion respecting the creaking board, and the lady with the shining knife. Fanny, in the wildest spirits, challenged George, James, Tom, or Mr. Trail himself, to go and meet the ghost in the middle room--she even offered them a vague reward. But no one came forward to pick up her gage, in spite of her jeers and gibes. The household was, however, profoundly interested to recognise among the family portraits in the library the identical lady, as described by Mrs. Pilcher, with a long thin face, black eyes, white powdered hair, and a mole on her chin.

The days that followed were dull and drowsy. Fanny invested all her superfluous energies in incessantly tormenting James Hegan. At last he became desperate, and said:

“Well, look here, Fan; as you say the moon is near the full, it’s summer--now’s my chance for the ghost! But if I go alone to the middle room in the oak corridor at twelve o’clock, leave the door open, and bring your thimble from off the mantelpiece, and stay there for an hour, you will marry me--come, now. I’ll go for that--and no less, I swear!”

To this ultimatum Fanny, after much sparring and giggling, eventually agreed. Jim was a handsome fellow; though he had no talk, he had more inches and broader shoulders than anyone in the house--not to speak of considerable savings.

Sir Eldred and Lady Millard were not expected for a week, and the ordeal was fixed for a certain day and hour. Fanny was unusually lively, talkative, and irresponsible, and all the under-servants were agog with keen anticipation.

When the great evening arrived, Jim, who was secretly in a deadly fright (and had fortified himself with two glasses of beer), was conducted to the swing-door, and seen off about eleven o’clock by all his associates, with many jokes, and good wishes for the success of his adventure. He was too early--his friends had been so anxious to speed him; he felt a sense of dull resentment as he pulled the baize door behind him, walked down the corridor, and entered the middle room, now flooded by moonlight. First of all he went over to the chimney-piece and appropriated Fanny’s dainty little thimble. Then for a long time he stood by the window gazing on the sleeping woods, and waiting--for what? he asked himself. The night air was hot and breathless, every sound was audible, from the flutter of a bat’s wings or the hoot of an owl to the far-away barking of a dog or the hum of a belated motor on the distant highroad.

Gradually he became aware of a stillness, a chilliness, and a silence--as if Nature were holding her breath prior to some prodigious effort. He was also sensible of a cold sensation of creeping uneasiness, and began to realise that his Dutch courage had evaporated, and that he felt sickeningly nervous. Tales from his grandmother, and tales from the dinner-table, invaded his memory, and repeated themselves with a vividness of detail, and a plausibility befitting the hour, the locality, and the man.

Yet, so far, nothing had happened! Possibly it was all nonsense and rot, urged another cheerful mental voice; his spirits stirred, and rose. But what was _that_?

A sudden reckless slamming of the swing-door--yes, and footsteps--quick, light footsteps, coming along the corridor! Hegan’s heart flew into his throat; he felt almost suffocated with terror as he backed into the window, and stared at the entrance.

But the noise had entirely ceased--ceased for five immensely long minutes; for ten--there was nothing to be seen! With an extraordinary sensation of relief he turned away, leant his elbows on the open sash, and once more gazed down into the moonlit park. In ten minutes more he would be free to go! As he stood listening anxiously for the striking of the stable clock, his senses were strung to the utmost--his ears alive to every sound.

Suddenly he heard the sharp creaking of a board, and flung round. She stood in the doorway! A lady with a powdered head and bunchy petticoats; by one hand she held a handkerchief to her face, in the other was a long and glittering knife!

And--she was coming in--she was approaching. Panic seized upon him, and seemed to gnaw his knees. In a spasm of mortal fear--the frenzy of the trapped animal that turns on its destroyer--he snatched up a heavy old chair. Hegan was a powerful man--it was as a straw to him in his present desperation--and he dashed at the figure in a fury of terror, struck it twice with all his force, and felled it to the ground.

The thing gave a stifled shriek, and moaned--yes--but he threw down his weapon, and fled as for his very life.

When he gained the hall, ghastly and breathless, he found an eagerly expectant crowd. The first footman, noticing his face, exclaimed:

“Hallo! Jimmy, old boy--you look as if you’d seen her!”

“Yes,” he gasped out, “she was there--knife and all!”

“And what did you do?”

“I picked up a chair and struck at her, and ran!” He was still livid and panting for breath.

Several of the women looked at one another significantly, and at last the cook said:

“Why, James, don’t you know it was all a bit of a joke?”

“Joke!” he repeated, and his eye travelled swiftly round the circle, in speechless quest of Fanny. “Where’s Fanny?” he asked abruptly.