The Mynns' Mystery Part 10

"One of them, sir."

"Well, I've come home at my grandfather's wish, and I find he's dead, and this man ready here to bully, and order, and insist upon my showing my papers."

"Hum, my dear, don't be alarmed," said the doctor quietly; and then he turned to the last speaker. "You come as a stranger, sir, and it will be quite necessary for you to give ample proof that you are Mr George Harrington."

"Of course, old gentleman, of course."

"To me and my colleague, Mr Hampton; but I think Mr Saul Harrington might have waited till those who have a right to question come upon the spot. Lucky I came down."

"You got my telegram?" said Gertrude.

"Telegram? No, my dear. I left home two hours ago. Now, Mr Saul, what have you to say?"

"Oh, I do not want to interfere," said Saul quickly. "But there was no one here to protect Miss Bellwood."

"Surely she needed no protection?" said the doctor, looking from one to the other.

"How do you know that, sir, when a man comes here a.s.suming to be my cousin."

"a.s.suming!" cried the new-comer very fiercely.

"Yes, a.s.suming, sir. You refused to show any credentials."

"Oh, no, I didn't, and I don't. But when a fellow begins to bully me, and to come the high-handed, I hit back. Look here, Mr Lawrence, has this Mr Saul Harrington any right to insist upon my clearing up to him?"

"None whatever, sir."

"That's enough. As to my refusing--not such a fool. Only we learn too much out in the West to begin opening out to every one who says, 'I'm the proper moral custom-house officer: give up your keys.'"

"I only interfered as the executors were not present," said Saul Harrington. "If this gentleman is what he professes to be, I shall only be too glad to give him the hand of welcome."

"Thank ye for nothing. Now then, I'm hungry, so don't let's have any more jaw."

CHAPTER NINE.

PROOFS OF IDENt.i.tY.

The new-comer was furnished with refreshment, and at the end of a couple of hours, after a long talk between Saul and Doctor Lawrence, the visitor rejoined them, just as there was a loud ring, steps, and, to Gertrude's great delight, the lawyer entered the room.

"Who's this?" said the young man sharply. "My fellow executor--Mr Hampton," said the doctor. "Hampton, this is Mr George Harrington."

"Oh, indeed," said the old lawyer, setting down a very glossy silk hat, and depositing a new pair of black kid gloves therein. "Good-morning, my dear Miss Gertrude. Sit down, sir, pray."

"Thank ye."

"Mr Saul Harrington, are you going to stay to this little conference?"

"Certainly, sir. You know it concerns me very closely."

"Ye-es," said the lawyer, "true. Mr George Harrington?"

"Yes, sir. Mr Hampton, I am George Harrington."

"You will excuse me, I am sure."

"Oh, yes, old gentleman, go ahead."

"You see Doctor Lawrence and I are the late Mr Harrington's executors, and we have a duty to perform. In the pursuit of that duty we shall have to ask questions that may seem impertinent."

"Oh, I don't mind. Quite right. I'll answer, only let's get it done.

Here! I like dogs," he said softly to Gertrude, as he patted his leg, chirruped, and Bruno wagged his tail, trotted toward him, and then turned off, and went to the other side of where Gertrude was seated.

"Ha, ha, ha! Dog wants to hear first whether I am the genuine article."

Saul watched him closely, and the doctor and lawyer exchanged glances, as if satisfied by the bluff nonchalant manner of the claimant, who raised his eyes now, and looked long and searchingly at the portrait whose eyes met his.

"Will you be good enough, sir, to tell me whose son you are?"

"Eh? George and Isabel Harrington's."

"And when you were born?"

"No! Hang it all, sir, that's a poser. Can't recollect being born."

The lawyer raised his eyebrows.

"Somewhere about five-and-twenty years ago, I believe; but I've led such a rough life out there, that you mustn't ask me any questions about dates or books."

"Can you tell me anything about your childhood?"

"Oh, yes. Father had a ranche, and he went gold-digging, and prospecting, and we had an old n.i.g.g.e.r servant, who used to wash and cook and do everything; and a half-breed chap, half Indian, half Englishman, who used to take me out in the woods; and old Jake, that was the n.i.g.g.e.r, used to give me rides on his back."

"But I mean about your earlier life."

"No; can't go back any farther than that."

"You remember your grandfather, of course?"

"Eh? No, how should I remember a man I never saw?"

There was a pause here, and the young man looked sharply from one to the other, as the old lawyer cleared his throat.

"Will you be good enough to tell us any little act that you can recall."

"Well, I haven't a very good memory, gentlemen, but I've got a few notes and letters in my pocket-book."

"Ha! doc.u.mentary evidence," said the lawyer, brightening up, as the young man took a well-worn letter-case from his pocket.