CHAPTER IX
A SUBTLE SINNER'S SUCCESS
Mr. Hunter of Messrs. Martin and Cross sent George a very civil letter,acknowledging the will and announcing that the papers necessary forobtaining probate would be prepared in due course. As a valuation of thefurniture would be required, he proposed to send down the man usuallyemployed by his firm for that purpose, his knowledge being extensive andhis fee moderate.
One other point Mr. Hunter wished to refer to. He had gathered, from aninterview with Mr. Percy Taverner, that Miss Yard's mental conditionleft something to be desired: although in several respects a personcompetent to do business, she might be described as susceptible to theinfluence of a superior intelligence, and could therefore be prevailedupon to act in a manner contrary to her interests: she would--to put thematter plainly--sign a cheque if ordered by some other person to do so.
Mr. Hunter understood further that Miss Yard positively declined toleave Highfield House, which was now Mr. Drake's property by virtue ofthe phrase "all that I die possessed of" contained in the codicil tothe will of Mrs. Drake deceased; and at her age it might perhaps beinadvisable to press her. The position was somewhat a delicate one, ashe understood Mr. Drake's financial position was not possibly quite sostrong as could be wished; and he might be desirous of selling theproperty. Or, on the other hand, he might be inclined to allow Miss Yardthe use of the premises upon the undertaking that she provided him withboard and lodging, and paid a peppercorn rent.
Both Mr. Percy Taverner and himself, in their joint capacity as trusteesof the Yard estate, agreed that in such case it would be absolutelynecessary to appoint some trustworthy person as the manager of MissYard's affairs, such person to be given the charge of the lady'scheque-book, and to give an account of all moneys spent. Mr. Tavernerhad recommended for this purpose Miss Nellie Blisland, whom he believedto be a thoroughly trustworthy young person and one, moreover, not onlyfirmly attached to Miss Yard, but highly favoured by the lady herself.
"More of Percy's dirty little ways," was George's comment. "He thinks Ishall wheedle money out of Aunt Sophy like he does himself. I'm quitesatisfied that Nellie should be appointed; but I should like to be toldfor certain that he didn't squeeze her hand when he said good-bye. I sawhim looking sideways at her anyhow. Now for the trap--and I don't carewhich of 'em tumbles into it."
He wrote to Mr. Hunter, quite agreeing with all that gentleman had said.It was unfortunately true that his financial condition was somewhatembarrassed at the moment, while his physical state did not encouragehim to hope for any considerable increase of income likely to accruefrom his professional duties of civil engineer. The position, as Mr.Hunter had admitted, was somewhat delicate, since Miss Yard would beliving in his house, enjoying the use of his furniture; and wouldprobably continue to do so until her death, by which time a greatquantity of domestic utensils would have been destroyed, much valuablecrockery broken, while the whole of the furniture would have suffereddeterioration owing to wear and tear; furthermore he would have nocontrol over the servants, who might conceivably indulge in a certainamount of pilfering--indeed a few articles had already unaccountablydisappeared.
He could not, of course, allow Miss Yard, whom he regarded with feelingsof utmost affection, to be disturbed, or even to be troubled by anysuggestion that her tenancy of Windward House should be brought to aclose; but it was perhaps a pity Mr. Hunter had not suggested that MissYard should purchase the furniture--with the exception of a few articleshe would wish to retain because of their sentimental value--for the sumwhich might be quoted by the professional valuer. George did not pressthe point in the least, but he would remind Mr. Hunter, under such anarrangement, Mr. Percy Taverner might very likely benefit.
The appointment of Miss Nellie Blisland as custodian of Miss Yard's bankaccount met with his entire approval. He had watched this young ladycarefully, and could assure Mr. Hunter that Miss Yard's interests wouldbe perfectly safe in her hands.
As Mr. Hunter prowled and sniffed through these elegant sentences, hediscovered nothing of a suspicious nature. On the contrary, Mr. GeorgeDrake appeared to him a very obvious gentleman indeed. He wrote toPercy, requesting another interview, and when the tomato merchantarrived Mr. Hunter spread George's letter before him and asked him whathe thought about it.
"Nothing until I've heard your opinion," replied the cautious Percy.
"You have the advantage of knowing Mr. Drake."
"It's no advantage," declared Percy.
"What sort of a man is he?" asked Mr. Hunter.
"As this is a privileged communication, he's the most useless,good-for-nothing chap in the country," replied Percy; and he went on tonarrate the tragical history of his cousin's deception and indolence.
"Then he is, in your opinion, unscrupulous?"
"That's right. If he wants Miss Yard to buy the furniture, it's becausehe hopes to benefit by it."
"Naturally," said the lawyer. "There's nothing unscrupulous in that.Under the will of Mrs. Drake he becomes possessed of a certain amount ofproperty; and, being a poor man, he is anxious to convert this property,or a portion of it, into cash. There is apparently no opening for fraudbut, should one exist, you may be quite sure I shall discover it in thecourse of negotiations."
"What do you advise?" asked Percy.
"First of all I should like to know whether he has written to you?"
"I had a note from him, offering me a pair of silver candlesticks. Itappears he found a scrap of paper left by my aunt, expressing a wishthat I should have them, as they were given her as a wedding present bymy mother. I don't want them just now, as I live in lodgings, so I wroteback and said they had better stay in the house until Miss Yard dies."
"It would have been the easiest thing in the world to have destroyedthat piece of paper. Yet Mr. Drake has communicated its contents toyou," said Mr. Hunter, putting on his eyeglasses and again searching theletter for any possible stratagem or pitfall.
"I don't say George is altogether bad. I suppose he can respect hisaunt's memory to a certain extent," replied Percy.
"His standpoint appears to me not unreasonable," the lawyer continued."The furniture belongs to him, and his argument, firstly that he will beunable to realise upon it during Miss Yard's lifetime, and secondly thatit may deteriorate to some extent in value before her death takes place,is quite a sound one. It is possible that Miss Yard may live to wellover ninety, and his financial position may become intolerable beforethen. I understand the furniture is valuable?"
"Most of it is rubbish; but there are two Chinese vases which, Ibelieve, are enormously valuable. Captain Drake probably looted themduring one of his eastern expeditions. I have described them to Crampy,the well known expert, and he says they may be worth almost anything."
"Mr. Drake is careful to mention there are a few articles he would wishto retain because of their sentimental value. For sentimental readpecuniary," said Mr. Hunter, in the shocked voice usually adopted by alawyer when he discovers another person trifling with the truth. "Butthe goods are his, he is aware of their value, and naturally he wishesto retain them. These vases throw a new light upon the position. Thebest thing he can do is to sell them at once: then, if they are asvaluable as you suppose, he can retire from Windward House, and liveupon the interest of his capital."
"Leaving Miss Yard in possession of the house?"
"Exactly--if he will agree to that course."
"Then you are going to advise Miss Yard to buy the furniture?"
"I think not, and I will give you my reasons. In the first place weought not to perplex Miss Yard with matters of business she cannotunderstand. In the second place it might not be safe for her to becomethe owner of the furniture. Miss Yard, I understand, does exactly as sheis told; she is completely under the control of servants; if an entirestranger entered the house and introduced himself as a relation, shemight give him anything he liked to ask for. It would be easy for Mr.Drake, if he is unscrupulous as you suggest, to visit Miss Yard andinduce h
er to sign a will leaving him the furniture she had previouslypurchased from himself."
"On the other hand," said Percy, "we shall never get George out ofWindward House while the furniture belongs to him. He is too much afraidof the servants stealing things."
"I had thought of that difficulty," said Mr. Hunter in his mostomniscient manner. "What I am going to recommend is that you should makeMr. Drake an offer for the goods."
"George wouldn't sell to me," said Percy.
"It cannot matter to him whether you or Miss Yard purchase thefurniture. If you do so, it will be upon the understanding that Mr.Drake leaves Miss Yard in undisturbed possession of the premises at arental to be agreed upon. By this arrangement she will be left in aposition of absolute security. While, if you decide not to purchase, Mr.Drake may sell the contents of one room after another according to hisneed for money."
"I'll think over it, and let you know," said Percy.
"During the course of the next few days we shall be receiving thefigures from the valuer," Mr. Hunter continued. "I shall then be in aposition to advise you as to the sum you should offer Mr. Drake. Youagree with me, I think, that I have suggested a way out of thedifficulty?"
"I am always ready to take your advice," replied Percy. "But I believeGeorge hates me and, if I made him an offer for the furniture, he wouldsmell something fishy."
"He will receive a complete assurance from my firm that his interestsare being adequately protected," said the lawyer, with a dignity thatseemed to make the windows rattle.
A few days afterwards the expert sent in his report, and Mr. Hunter wasconsiderably astonished to read that the contents of Windward House,excluding the articles belonging to Miss Yard, were valued for probateat the sum of L220 5s. 3d. He sent for the valuer, requesting anotherinterview with Percy at the same time; and, when they came together, anexplanation of these figures was demanded; the lawyer mentioning that,according to his instructions, the late Captain Drake had died possessedof a great number of valuable antiques.
"Most of them worthless. At all events, it's no easy matter to valuesuch things as an Egyptian mummy and a stuffed mermaid for purposes ofprobate."
"How about the Russian Ikon and the Indian musical box?" asked Percy.
"There is no market price for articles of that description. They mightfetch a few shillings, or a great number of pounds. It would depend uponhistory and association, or upon rivalry between collectors. I value theIkon at ten shillings, and the musical box at five pounds. It's allguesswork, but I doubt whether you would get much more. As for themummy, I simply throw it in with the oleographs."
"Why the odd threepence?" asked Percy.
The valuer coughed and said nothing.
"Mr. Taverner and I are particularly interested in a pair of Chinesevases," began Mr. Hunter cautiously.
"Which were kept in a box under Mrs. Drake's bed," added the morereckless Percy.
"Those things!" exclaimed the valuer disgustedly. "I remember them well,for I thought Mr. Drake was getting at me when he pulled out the box andunwrapped those vases. There's your odd threepence, sir!" he continued,turning towards Percy. "And dear at the price."
"You have made a mistake, my friend. I'm not an expert, but I would givefive hundred pounds for those vases without having another look atthem," said Percy.
"Then I wish they were mine!" cried the valuer.
"Perhaps you would describe these vases for Mr. Taverner's benefit," thelawyer suggested.
"They're not worth describing, sir. They are the sort of thingsexchanged by hawkers for a rabbit skin. A pair of green vases abouteighteen inches high, with red cabbages meant for roses splashed acrossthem."
"We need not trouble you any further, I think," said Percy.
"It was the most difficult job I've had in my life. I value plate andfurniture, not the contents of museums," the man protested.
"You have done your work excellently, as usual; and you have also givenus the information we require," said Mr. Hunter, as the valuer took hishat and his leave.
"Of course you see what has happened," began Percy at once.
"Mr. Drake had concealed the vases. I shall write pretty sharply toremind him he must not play these tricks with the law," said Mr. Hunter.
"He's a bigger fool than I took him for, if he thought he could deceivethe valuer--not to mention you and me," said Percy.
"Mr. Drake is no fool: on the contrary, he seems a clever fellow. He didnot suppose he could deceive the valuer, nor did he make the attempt. Hesimply produced the pair of worthless vases without comment."
"Then what is he playing at?"
"In the first place he tries to evade the death duties as far aspossible; and these fall upon him rather heavily, as he was related tothe deceased only by marriage. Mr. Drake would naturally prefer toreceive one thousand pounds for the vases rather than nine hundred. Inthe second place, he is anxious to discover how much we know about thesevases. It is true they belong to him, but he is by no means certain oftheir value. If we make a fuss about the vases he will guess they aregenuine; whereas, if we make no inquiry, he will evade the duty and atthe same time be satisfied that you are not scheming to get hold ofthem."
"I never thought of such a thing!" exclaimed Percy.
"The best thing we can do is to send down an expert in china. I shallfirst write to Mr. Drake, informing him that he must produce the vases."
"Send Crampy! You needn't write; I'll go and see him," cried Percyeagerly.
"We could not get a better man than Mr. Crampy; but I'm afraid his feewill be rather high."
"He'll do it for a guinea if I ask him. Crampy is a great friend ofmine. He told me to keep an eye upon the vases."
Mr. Hunter being perfectly agreeable, Percy snatched his hat and madeoff, muttering as he reached the street, "For poor old George's sake Imust tell him not to value them too high."
George in the meantime had nothing much to worry about, althoughsomewhat disgusted at the low figure placed upon the furniture. He andMr. Hunter wrote to each other every day like a couple of lovers; Georgealways hoping that the lawyer enjoyed a continuance of perfect health;while Mr. Hunter trusted himself to anticipate a complete cure from thebackache which had blighted Mr. Drake's existence for so long. Kezia andBessie were moderately happy while taking stock of the goods whichappeared to belong to them under the joint tenancy created by the scrapsof paper; but there was obviously a certain amount of coldness arisingbetween them at the prospect of a day of settlement. George was not muchaccounted of by either, although the interference of the valuer wasbitterly resented, and George had much difficulty in making themunderstand that, whenever a person of quality departed this life, theGovernment required a perfect stranger from one of the State Departmentsto set a price upon the furniture, in order that statistics as to thenational wealth might be obtained.
Although they were both prepared to fight for the possession of theEgyptian mummy, which Robert was especially anxious to see set upagainst the wall of his parlour, and Kezia had long regarded as the joyand inspiration of her spiritual existence, neither of them showed theslightest interest in the Chinese vases which they regarded as vulgar.Vases to Kezia and Bessie were--vases; that is to say, conspicuousobjects set upon either end of mantelpiece or dresser, to be replaced byothers when broken. Any little village shop, or travelling Cheap-Jack,sold artistic vases, such as those Mr. George had lately purchased todelight his eyes, of a beautiful bright green painted with lovely roses.As Kezia and Bessie were quite prepared to make George a free gift ofall the rubbish in the house, they assured him, in the kindest possiblefashion, that the vases with hideous dragons on them were his, togetherwith the tortoise and cats, and any other little thing he might like tohave as a remembrance of his aunt. George did not thank them much, butthen he had never been demonstrative.
Letters from the lawyer and expert reached George by the same post; theone informing him the vases must be produced; the other announcing theday upon which the valuation wou
ld be made. When Mr. Crampy arrived hewas received at the door by Bessie, who spent most of the day regardingher own home from the windows of Windward House and, as no visitor wasexpected by any one except George, who as usual had kept his owncounsel, she said, "Not today, thankye," and would have shut him out;but, perceiving that the gentleman appeared somewhat agitated, she addedwith less severity, "Have ye come vor anything?"
Mr. Crampy had a nervous manner and spoke somewhat indistinctly; butBessie was able to gather he had come all the way from London to inspecttheir china.
"Please to step inside," she said.
Mr. Crampy did so, and Bessie led him like a lamb into the kitchen,where she announced to Kezia, "Gentleman come to see the cloam."
"That's one lot on the dresser," gasped Kezia, wondering how many moreinquisitors would arrive. "The best dinner service is in the pantry,"she added.
Mr. Crampy grew more nervous, but managed to explain he had come to seea certain Mr. Drake.
"I beg your pardon, sir, I'm sure," said Bessie, "but I fancied you saidsomething about china."
"Yes, I have come to see a pair of vases," stammered Mr. Crampy.
"Best tell Mr. George a gentleman wants to see 'en," said Kezia, whenthe situation threatened to become painful.
A minute later Mr. Crampy was left to cool in the dining room. PresentlyGeorge descended the stairs, carrying a large white candle beneath eacharm. He apologised for the stupidity of the servants, then locked thedoor, and placed the precious bundles on the table, with theannouncement, "I didn't show these things to the other man for, to tellyou the truth, I was afraid he might place a ridiculously false valueupon them. I expect you know what's what in this particular line?"
"I am supposed to have a very fair knowledge of Chinese porcelain. Agreat deal of it passes through my hands," said Mr. Crampy, who was nowperfectly composed.
George removed a quantity of twine, unwound some yards of linen, removedclouds of brown paper, then abstracted from a bushel of fibre the vaseheavily swathed in cotton-wool; and this he handed to Mr. Crampy withthe utmost reverence.
The expert paused a moment to adjust his glasses; then he drew aside thewool and gazed at the vase with the love and tenderness of a fatherregarding his firstborn child. His lips moved to mutter repeatedly thesingle word, "Undoubtedly!"
"A dream, isn't it?" remarked George.
"Glazed porcelain, moulded in relief with dragons--belonging probably toan early period of the Tsing dynasty, about the end of the seventeenthcentury."
"And they've been knocked about like a couple of twopenny teacups,"added George.
"Do you know, Mr. Drake, how they came into your late uncle'spossession?" asked the expert, caressing the glazed surface with tenderfingers.
"My uncle had a yarn for everything. He would have said they were apresent from the Emperor of China. The only thing I'm concerned about isthe price you mean to put upon them."
"Porcelain of this class has its own value," replied Mr. Crampy. "Werethese vases to be offered for sale, they might fetch a thousand poundsor, on the other hand, they might be knocked down at five hundred. I amhere to value them for purposes of probate, and that means the lowestpossible value I can put upon them. Is the other vase in a perfectcondition?"
"Just the same. Not a mark upon it. Shall I unwrap it?"
"Oh no! It is quite sufficient to have seen the one. I think I may valuethem, for legal requirements, at five hundred pounds; but, Mr. Drake, ifyou are willing to accept a thousand pounds, I will hand you a chequefor that amount before I leave this room."
"There's a big difference between the figures," said George.
"I don't say you would get more than a thousand pounds for these vases.But I am in the trade, I know how to get to work and secure a profit onthe transaction."
"It sounds a very liberal offer, but I won't decide offhand."
"There is no hurry whatever," said the expert hastily.
"If nothing better comes along I'll write and let you know," saidGeorge, tingling with happiness and excitement.
Nor did his triumph end here. A few mornings later came a letter fromMr. Hunter, and George read as follows:
"With reference to so much of the furniture and otherarticles--excluding the pair of Chinese vases, to which you probablyattach a sentimental value--as belonged to your late aunt, I have had aninterview with Mr. Percy Taverner, and I am now authorised on his behalfto make you an offer of L200 for these effects. Although this sum isless than the amount of the probate valuation, you might feel disposedto accept the offer, having regard to the fact that it would save youthe expense of removing the furniture and holding a sale by auction andthe auctioneer's commission on a sale. I shall be glad to hear from youwhen you have considered Mr. Taverner's proposal."
"I've caught 'em!" cried George exultantly. "I baited and set my littletrap and I've caught, not only slippery Percy, but that two-faced,double-tongued, pill-gilding, thimble-rigging, gammoning, diddlingHunter!"