The Golden Shoemaker Part 17

"I shall leave the business in your hands, Mr. Gray. You must consult those who understand such things, and visit similar inst.i.tutions, and turn the old place into the best 'Children's Home' that can be produced."

"Very well, sir; but the children?"

"That matter I will arrange myself."

The agent was getting used to surprises; but the next that came almost took his breath away.

"I believe," said "Cobbler" Horn, at the end of a brief silence, "that your salary, Mr. Gray, is 150 a year?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, I wish to increase the amount. Pray consider that you will receive, from this time, at the rate of 500 a year."

"Mr. Horn!" cried the startled agent, "such generosity!"

"Not at all; I mean you to earn it, you know. But let your horse move on, or I shall miss my train. And, by the way, will you oblige me, Mr. Gray, by procuring for yourself a horse and trap better calculated to serve the interests of my property than this sorry turn-out. Get the best equipment which can be obtained for money."

The agent, not knowing whether he was touched the more by the kindness of the injunction, or by the delicacy with which it had been expressed, murmured incoherent thanks, and promised speedy compliance with his employer's commands.

CHAPTER XXII.

"THE GOLDEN SHOEMAKER" INSTRUCTS HIS LAWYERS.

"Cobbler" Horn reached London early the same evening, and the following morning, at the appointed hour, duly presented himself at the office of Messrs. Tongs and Ball. He was received with enthusiasm by the men of law. Long Mr. Ball was, as usual, the chief speaker; and round Mr. Tongs yielded meek and monosyllabic a.s.sent to all his partner's words.

"And how are you by this time, my dear sir?" asked Mr. Ball, almost affectionately, when they had taken their seats.

"Cobbler" Horn had a vague impression that the lawyer was asking his question on behalf of his partner as well as of himself.

"Thank you, gentlemen," was his cordial reply. "I am thankful to say I never was better in my life; and I hope I find you the same?"

"Thank you, my dear sir," answered Mr. Ball, "speaking for self and partner, I think I may say that we are well."

"Yes," said Mr. Tongs.

"But," resumed Mr. Ball, turning to the table, "your time is precious, Mr. Horn. Shall we proceed?"

"If you please, gentlemen."

"Very well," said the lawyer, taking up a bundle of papers; "these are the letters relating to the case of your unfortunate cousin. Shall I give you their contents in due order, Mr. Horn?"

"If you please," and "Cobbler" Horn composed himself to listen, with a grave face.

The letters were from the agents of Messrs. Tongs and Ball in New York; and the information they conveyed was to the effect that "Cobbler" Horn's scapegrace cousin had been traced to a poor lodging-house in that city, where he was slowly dying of consumption. He might last for months, but it was possible he would not linger more than a few weeks.

"Cobbler" Horn listened to the reading of the letters with head down-bent.

When it was finished, he looked up.

"Thank you, gentlemen," he said; "have you done anything?"

Mr. Ball gazed at his client through his spectacles, over the top of the last of the letters, which he still held open in his hand, and there was gentle expostulation in his eye.

"Our instructions, Mr. Horn, were to find your cousin."

"I see," said "Cobbler" Horn, with a smile; "and you have done that. Well now, gentlemen, will you be kind enough to do something more?"

"We will attend to your commands, Mr. Horn," was the deferential response.

"That is our business."

"Yes," was the emphatic a.s.sent of Mr. Tongs.

"The Golden Shoemaker" was becoming accustomed to the readiness of all with whom he had to do to wait upon his will.

"Well, gentlemen," he said, "I wish everything to be done to relieve my poor cousin's distress, and even, if possible, to save his life. Be good enough to telegraph directions for him to be removed without delay to some place where he will receive the best care that money can procure. If his life cannot be saved, he may at least be kept alive till I can reach his bedside."

"Your commands shall be obeyed, sir," said Mr. Ball; "but," he added with much surprise, "is it necessary for you to go to New York yourself?"

"That you must leave to me, gentlemen," said "the Golden Shoemaker" in a tone which put an end to debate.

"Now, gentlemen," he resumed, "kindly hand me those letters; and let me know how soon, after to-morrow, I can set out."

"You don't mean to lose any time, sir," said Mr. Ball, handing the bundle of letters to his client.

In a few moments, the lawyers were able to supply the information that a berth could be secured in a first-cla.s.s steamer which would leave Liverpool for New York in two days' time; and it was arranged that a pa.s.sage should be booked.

"We await your further orders, Mr. Horn," said Mr. Ball, rubbing his hands together, as he perceived that his client still retained his seat.

"I'm afraid I detain you, gentlemen."

"By no means, my dear sir," protested Mr. Ball.

"No," echoed Mr. Tongs.

"I am glad of that," said "Cobbler" Horn. "I should be sorry to waste your valuable time."

More than once a clerk had come to the door to announce that so-and-so or so-and-so, awaited the leisure of his employers; and, in every case, the answer had been, "let them wait."

The time of Messrs. Tongs and Ball was indeed valuable, and no portion of it was likely to prove more so than that bestowed on the affairs of "Cobbler" Horn.

Both the lawyers smiled amiably.

"You could not waste our time, Mr. Horn," said Mr. Ball.

"No," echoed Mr. Tongs.