Page images
PDF
EPUB

the interiors of many houses are in country places; but he now discovered that they were composed of a sort of soft yellow sandstone, in which he could easily have cut his name with his pocket-knife. The floor, to all appearance, was of the same material as the walls. Was it possible, Edward Saverne asked himself, that he was shut up in some under-ground place, some vault or dungeon hewn out of the rock?

But, the means of egress? For a few minutes, in his surprise at other matters, he had forgotten that important point. There must surely be a door, or a staircase, or an opening of some kind somewhere. Two minutes later he sat down on the edge of his pallet, feeling dizzy and sick at heart. Neither door, nor window, nor staircase, nor opening of any kind was to be found. Again he asked himself, by whom and for what purpose had he been brought to this place. He started to his feet. Wherever he might be, he was not quite deserted and alone. The music told him that a human being of some kind was near at hand-one, surely, whose help he might claim. The thought sent a glow back to his heart. Hollowing both his hands, and putting them to his mouth, he called loudly for help, once, twice, and then stood with strained ears waiting for some response. But none came. Scarcely had the second cry left his lips when the music ceased-ceased as abruptly as it had begun, and was succeeded by profound silence.

After the lapse of a minute, he shouted again; but the silence remained unbroken. That his cry for help had been heard was indicated by the sudden cessation of the music. Why, then, had it not been responded to? Could it be that he had been brought here of set purpose and for some nefarious ends, such as he could not even guess at? and that he was to be left here, helpless and alone, till it should please those who had thus imprisoned him to set him at liberty? But who were the unknown people who had treated him thus ? Could his cousin Lucius, and that blinking woman with the white eyelashes, his wife, have had any hand in it? And if so, to what purpose? What conceivable object could they have in view in treating him thus? None, none, that he could think of. A wild chaos of questions surged through his brain, to not one of which could he find a satisfactory answer. Again and again he lifted his voice for help, but with no other result than before.

Once he thought he heard a slight noise overhead, as if some one were cautiously crossing the floor; but as the sound was not repeated, it might only have originated in his own excited fancy. Although, of course, he did not know it, had the weather been at all stormy, he would have heard the heavy beat of the waves on the shore; but the night was utterly windless, and the tide came lapping up the sands as gently as though its tiny wavelets were the caressing fingers of a child.

He had not bethought himself till now to look at his watch. On consulting it, he found that it had stopped at four o'clock, doubtless for want of winding up. How many hours had passed since that time, or whether it was now day or night, he was unable to judge. After replacing his watch, he drew out his purse, and on opening it, he found that the gold and silver

there had been in it when he left London were still there, but that three notes for ten pounds each, which had been in one of the side-pockets, were not to be found. The robbery of his notes served only to deepen the mystery by which he was environed; otherwise, it affected him but little; his mind had far more serious things to dwell upon.

He thereafter made a more careful examination of his prison, searching minutely for the signs of some hidden door or secret opening; but to no purpose. Evidently, his first judgment was a correct one: he was immured in a dungeon cut bodily out of the living rock.

The candles, the supply of provisions, the wine, the jar of water in one corner, all seemed to indicate that the intention was to keep him a prisoner for some time. But why and with what object? That was the question which again and again reiterated itself in his brain. But all his self-questionings ended where they began-in a maze of utter bewilderment, in the midst of which he vainly strove to find the slightest clue. At intervals, he kept on calling for help, but only to be mocked by the silence, which seemed to weigh upon him with tenfold heaviness the moment it had swallowed up his cry. As hour passed after hour, this death-like silence, in conjunction with the gloom and solitude of his prison, and the feeling of being utterly cut off from and lost to the rest of the world, began to press upon him more and more, till at length he found himself wondering how much longer it would be possible to endure it without his brain giving way. He drank of the cold spring water in the jar eagerly and frequently, but beyond that he took neither bite nor sup. And so Time's pendulum swung slowly on.

MAKE-BELIEVES.

ADVERTISEMENTS, like many other things, have their uses and abuses, and we are not going to find fault with the long-established columns, which are of such service in supplying social wants, but with the dishonest practices of

which the most respectable newspapers ignorantly made the medium.

are

There is abroad a plague of petty dishonesty, which trades upon and lives by the credulity, principally, of inexperienced women-educated ladies-who, by dire necessity, are ready to grasp at straws in the hope of saving themselves from penury. This is the class who not unfrequently have been known to spend their last pound to supply themselves with materials for work promised, or for stamps and fee, in order to secure an appointment offered. Of course, it will be alleged by those who thus prey upon human credulity that the applicants failed to come up to the standard of requirement. We do not write without data, or without having justly considered the ineligibles; but it is to the system we demur; and the evidence we have before us comes from women of culture, whose ability is as indisputable as their testimony is unimpeachable. We therefore assert fearlessly, that infinitely more cruelty and more social injury are being perpetrated by these semi-professional,

Journal

semi-artistic traffickers, than has ever resulted from the dishonest puffing of the tradesman.

By the semi-artistic traffickers, ladies may be duped only to the extent of stamped, addressed envelopes, for which they are to be shown how to earn from two to eight shillings a day; or in some cases, merely a 'good addition to a small income.' This is to be done in several instances by the sale of a particular kind of button, mirrors, or watches, or some article of consumption in daily use, for which a commission will be given. The five shilling fee is to realise many more advantages, inasmuch as it promises a home with nominal duties to an educated lady not over twenty-five. Letters in the first instance are sent, to be followed by a personal interview at an address which shall be nameless. The response was made by a young lady, whom we shall call Miss Green, who took the precaution to inquire of an artisan living in the locality if he could give any information as to the owner of the said house. 'No, miss, I can't,' he said; 'but I wouldn't advise the like o' you to go there. I've seen ladies go in and come out wi' nothing but disappointment in their faces. Ye won't say as I told ye, miss, but I can't a-bear to see it.'

A few weeks later, the same young lady noticed an advertisement in a London paper promising exceptional privileges, and desiring stamped envelope to be addressed for reply to J. Brown, Esq., Street, Exeter. On this occasion, the services of a friend were called into requisition. She drove into the old city from the environs where she resided, thinking how much astonished Miss Green would be, could she see the position indicated by the address, but resolving, nevertheless, to satisfy herself, no less than save the inquirer from being duped beyond the extent of the twelve stamps, and stamped addressed envelope already forwarded.

Leaving her carriage at some distance and going a little way up the street, she was directed to a small dilapidated cottage at the top of a garden in the rear of a larger house, and probably rented for the business that was to be enacted there, under the assumption that it would all be done simply by correspondence emanating from the advertisement in a London paper. The door of the cottage was opened by a working woman, who said Mr Brown was away for a week; she was his servant. But the lady had seen more than enough in the heap of stamped envelopes which lay on the table, which were doubtless to yield a small income to an impecunious impostor, who had never even answered Miss Green's letter, or probably the letters of hundreds of other applicants.

Another artful and common trick is, when in addition to stamps for postage and preliminary inquiries,' as it is called, for the advantage of permanent occupation, a post-office order is demanded for materials supplied by themselves, with which the work is to be done. In one case, as much as three pounds was paid out on this condition, with the magnificent result to the payee of seventeen and sixpence in three months for work which probably brought two pounds more to her employer. An enormous trade has been carried on for the last two years in a spurious

kind of art production, for which materials were supplied and instruction given at its commencement for two pounds. Now the same privileges are offered for five shillings. We have before us, too, the statement of a lady who was the dupe of another similar advertisement. A carte-devisite photograph was sent to her, which she enlarged to a picture eighteen by twenty inches, and painted in oils, for six shillings, the bait having been held out of having twenty a week supplied to her, should this first specimen prove satisfactory; which it is needless to say it did not, though the man sold it for twenty-five shillings! this pseudo-artist asserting, when remonstrance was attempted, that the art required no previous knowledge, and he was employing twenty girls at three and sixpence a week to produce such pictures, and not a penny more would he pay.

Of literary agencies, their name is legion, but their usefulness nil. Of course what we have to say will not apply to well-accredited agencies or Societies, but to those whose ostensible object is to furnish channels for amateur productions, but whose real object is to enrich their own pockets without regard to the interests of the payee. In these, as in advertisements of another class, it is often refined and educated women who are made the victims of this cowardly practice; and we think the statements which follow only require to be made public to enlist the consideration of chivalrous, high-minded men, who may, by their influence or generosity, protect women from this added element of anxiety in their struggle for existence.

For instance, assistance was required by advertiser from a lady accustomed to literary work, which could be supplied at home, and a liberal equivalent offered. After some preliminary correspondence, applicant was requested to call at the office in the Strand for further particulars. Instead of replying personally, she did so by deputy, the gentleman who volunteered to make what he deemed necessary inquiries being in the police department of the Civil Service. One statement made to him was, that the advertiser had a large newspaper clientèle to whom he constantly supplied articles written by women. This assertion being confirmed during the interview, a list of the papers was asked for, which numbered thirteen of the leading journals of the day. But the request having perhaps taken the advertiser a little by surprise, he asked impertinently: 'Pray, sir, are you Miss L's brother?'

'I am not.'

'Are you her solicitor?'

'I am not; but there is my address,' said the gentleman, putting down his card. 'I wish you good-morning; but I may add I think no lady would present herself at an office like this without inquiry by a gentleman to ascertain the nature of the transaction to which she was to pledge herself.'

Satisfied the whole thing was a hoax, the gentleman then despatched a detective to the various newspaper offices mentioned, only to find that in one solitary instance a lady had sent a short article from the office in question. Thereupon, a duly accredited officer was sent to take down the depositions of the applicant; but

the matter was carried no further, as the lady, being young, could not be prevailed on to appear

in court.

To this statement may be appended another -namely, the advertisement of a certain Agency, or so-called Association for Governesses, Ladyhousekeepers, &c. Applications to be made to a certain individual, who varies his addresses as well as his names, though both are in the north-western division. One of these is presumably his private residence; the other is an old-clothes shop, kept by an old woman, who receives the letters with their inclosures of halfguinea fee, which it is especially requested may be made by postal order. The police having had numerous complaints of the advertiser in question, it would be well that any person allured by his advertisements should communicate with Scotland Yard, to see if he is known to the police.

Another dodge is to ask for contributions to Christmas Annuals which have large circulation, and of which a specimen copy will be forwarded for twelve stamps. Accordingly, it arrives; and the shilling contributor finds she has thrown away her money on a magazine containing about as much matter as the Argosy, more than one half of which is filled by the writing of the pseudo-editor himself, and the rest mere pennya-lining, which few, if any, would trouble themselves to read, though the advertiser probably makes a pretty good harvest out of his dupes.

Four years ago, the writer was subjected to similar wholesale robbery by sending manuscripts of carefully selected translated matter, regarding which some preliminary correspondence had taken place with an embryo editor who was projecting a new venture. The papers received high commendation, and payment was to be made when they were printed, according to a tariff not yet finally decided. Months passed away without any intimation or reply to letters; and the same gentleman who had acted in the 'permanent home employment' matter now called at the address to which the papers were sent, only to discover that the 'editor' had had a letter-box there for many weeks; but neither his name nor present habitation being known, the manuscripts were never forthcoming. As, in this age of new ventures, it is impossible to read all that comes out, in all probability these and hundreds of other papers sent by the unwary were utilised for the benefit of the advertiser, who must have laughed in his sleeve at those by whom he had made his dishonest gain.

Perhaps one of the most flagrant of these swindling transactions is the announcement how an income of one hundred and twenty pounds a year can be made without risk by sending a stamped addressed envelope to advertiser inclosing postal order for two shillings and sixpence, when the reply comes-'Do as I do.' Thus postal orders have their abuse as well as use, since no names can be traced where they are employed.

Besides the general, literary, and artistic beguiling advertisements referred to, there is another class which we will designate Social,' inasmuch as they are supposed to promote domestic comfort, and supply a social want to those who are not privileged to enjoy the happiness of family

life. These announcements generally appear towards the close of the London season, though they are tolerably frequent all the year round. We have no doubt that in some cases many advantages are to be met with in the houses of those who conscientiously fulfil the promises they have held out. With these we have nothing to do. But there are hundreds of designing people who have not the slightest intention from first to last of carrying out any of the stipula tions made by those who have answered their advertisements, no matter how much they may have pledged themselves to their fulfilment.

We will cite one glaring specimen of this kind, replied to by two or three ladies of the writer's acquaintance, who journeyed very considerable distances to avail themselves of the special privileges offered in this Home in a Private Family.' The advertisement ran thus: 'A Lady residing with her father on their own estate in a prettily situated house, surrounded by pine-groves, offers a refined, delightful home during the summer months, or permanently. Good, well-appointed table. Carriage kept for use of visitor.' This statement was on inquiry supplemented by one from the 'lady' herself, who wrote that every exertion was used to make it a home of comfort on the most moderate terms; society, not emolument, being the advertiser's object. It was further said that the house was easy of access from the station. So it was -by means of a five-shilling cab fare; when one was landed at a detached red-brick gabled building, standing a few yards off the high-road, with a small overgrown garden in front, an empty little greenhouse on one side, and an orchard on the other. There certainly was a small pine-wood beyond the garden at one end; but it formed no part of the 'estate' in question, though it had another use to the inhabitants, inasmuch as its fine undergrowth of bilberries supplied the usual second course at the dinnertable of the old farmer and his daughter. This lordly dish,' with other unappetising and insufficient food, was placed on a table, which, like other pieces of rickety furniture in the house, was patched together, to save the cost of repairs. But there was little enough for use, and none for comfort anywhere, the two sofas from the parlour having been appropriated by a lady who was renting a sitting and bed room under the same roof, and who was also tended by the one maid-of-all-work of this ill-appointed, "dirty house. The 'carriage' was an old shandrydan basket contrivance; and no matter what the state of the roads, it was washed but once a week; and when in its highest state of polish

that is, such parts as were polishable-it resembled only besmeared boots on a muddy day. The horse, too, was a rare antique, and was always groomed by the master, who forthwith went straight from the stable and sat himself down to supper, as probably he had been wont to do all his life. He also gathered the peas and performed other little outdoor services, before he took his daughter out for her duties in the 'carriage,' in which the guests were alternately offered a seat. So the drives culminated in a mile and a half on the same road day after day, and the drive to church on Sunday. But no one attached blame to the old

Journal

man; the daughter 'ruled the roast;' the honest coffee, after which we had a little music; and Paterfamilias was the victim of his eccentric I could hardly believe Charlie when he said daughter's unscrupulous proceedings to edge herself into society in any way she could devise; whilst he was perpetually lamenting that 'things was not as they wuz when he were a boy.' The moral of all this is, to make careful inquiry ere parting with either postage-stamps or postal orders to advertisers whom we know nothing

about.

OUR PARLOUR-MAID.

IN TWO CHAPTERS.-CHAP. II.

that the time had come for ordering the brougham to take our guest to the station. Mr Allardyce bade us a friendly farewell, and was most urgent in his desire that we should visit Oakwood before long. We promised to do so, and parted, delighted with our visitor, whose pleasant manners had charmed us both.

A few days afterwards I received the following letter:

OAKWOOD VICARAGE. Saturday, July 6. DEAR MRS LESTER-I trust you and Dr Lester have not forgotten your promise to come and visit us this summer. This glorious weather makes the country especially enjoyable; and Mrs Allardyce and I propose to give a gardenparty on Thursday next, at which we should be very glad to have the pleasure of your company. Some famous local tennis-players have promised to come, with whom your husband slight domestic affair was disposed of, she still ought to try his skill. In case Dr Lester's seemed inclined to keep me talking.

ELIZA'S communication was not a very important one, merely referring to a small domestic matter which might have waited a little longer. But that was just like Eliza: she was so conscientious that she could not bear to run the slightest risk of failure in her duty. And when the

'Don't you like Mr Allardyce, ma'am?'

'I do indeed,' I said. 'Dr Lester is charmed with him.'

'I knew you would like him, ma'am. I'm so glad he called to-day. He was so kind and good to me, and you've been so kind and good to me, that I've often wished you knew each other. And Mrs Allardyce is a very nice lady too, maʼam; I'm sure you would like her if you knew her. Oh, just one minute, if you please, ma'am. I broke one of the claret glasses just now as I was carrying the tray down-stairs, and I couldn't rest until I told you. I'm so very sorry, ma'am; I hope you won't be angry

with me.'

engagements should not permit him to remain here for the night, there is a train for town at nine P.M. We trust you will come early, and we will meet you at the station.-With kind regards, I remain very sincerely yours,

WENTWORTH ALLARDYCE.

After some little discussion, we agreed to go, but decided that it would be better not to stay all night. So I wrote a note to that effect, and that Mr Allardyce had invited us to visit Oakdespatched Eliza with it to the post, telling her wood, and that we were going on Thursday. The good girl was delighted to hear it.

On the morning of Thursday, my husband started very early on his rounds, while I made an elaborate toilet in honour of the occasion; and by twelve o'clock we had reached Waterloo, The only and were in the train for Oakwood. other person in the carriage was an elderly clergyman, very gray and fragile-looking, but with a good kind face. He asked me whether 'Shall I light the gas in the drawing-room, I liked the window up or down; and from

'Accidents will happen,' I said sagely. And now, Eliza, I really must go. I have left Mr Allardyce all by himself.'

ma'am?'

'Why, no. It's not dark yet.'

'But when it is dark?'

'Certainly,' I said.

I found our guest standing in the middle of the plate-room with his hands in his pockets, softly whistling Nancy Lee.

'I must apologise for running away,' I said, as I began to lock up the press. 'I am sorry Dr Lester has been called away also. If you can find your way down to the drawing-room, I will put my keys away and follow you.'

Thank you very much for affording me such a great pleasure,' he said courteously as he went out on to the landing. He descended the stairs, as I locked the outer door of the press. As I did so, I felt something craunch beneath my feet. I picked it up, and found it was a small piece of white wax. I did wonder for half a minute where it could have come from, as I never carried candles into the plate-room, which was lighted by gas, and nobody but myself had access to it. But the matter passed from my mind as I rejoined our visitor in the drawingroom and Charlie came in. Eliza brought in

remarking on the fine weather and one thing and another, he and Charlie soon got into conversation. People always talk to my husband when he is on a journey. I suppose his genial At all events, face and manner attract them.

I never knew him travel any distance without somebody entering into conversation with him. He and the clergyman began discussing politics, and sympathised most cordially, being both ardent Conservatives. Then they talked on general topics for a few minutes, and then rambled on to continental experiences. Our companion told us that he had a living in Surrey, but that his health had been so bad latterly that he had been compelled to travel abroad for three months, his duty being taken by a clerical friend meanwhile.

'I was in Manchester for many years,' he said. 'I had a very populous parish, and the work was so hard that I was glad to have the offer of a quiet country vicarage. But Oakwood lies so low, and there are so many trees, that it is sadly unhealthy'

'Oakwood?" I involuntarily asked.

'Yes, Oakwood in Surrey, near Guildford. Do you know the place?'

'We are on our way there now,' I said, 'to a garden-party at the vicarage.'

'At the vicarage?' he repeated, looking very much astonished.

'Yes. I suppose there are two churches in the place-yours, and another?'

'No, my dear madam, only one-St Paul's, of which I am the vicar.'

I never felt so puzzled in my life; and he looked equally bewildered.

'But if you come to Oakwood,' went on the vicar, my parishioners will be able to certify that I am their vicar, and no other.'

'Indeed, I think we ought to go back to London at once,' said my husband, who was evidently uneasy. 'I fear we have been duped by a persuasive stranger, and that this gardenparty pretence is only a dodge to get us out of the way. Our house is probably now being robbed.'

'But, Charlie, there is Eliza !'

'Mr Allardyce knows nothing about her. Her character must have been a forgery.'

'But the vicar of Oakwood is Mr Allardyce.' 'My name is Wentworth Allardyce.' He took up his travelling-bag and showed me his name and address engraved on a small silver plate. 'So it must,' I said, feeling completely overCharlie and I exchanged glances. Our com-whelmed. 'Oh, I wish the train would stop, panion was evidently a gentleman, and we could so that we could get out and go back to not think of doubting his assertion. On the other London.' hand, who was the other charming Mr Allardyce? 'Have you a son or any other relative of the same name?' asked Charlie. 'A young man with dark hair and particularly agreeable

manners?'

'I have no children. My wife has been dead for years. My only nephew, John Allardyce, is in Canada with his regiment.'

'Well, really, this is most incomprehensible!' said Charlie, astounded. Our parlour-maid, Eliza Willis, whom you recommended to us'

'My dear sir,' said the clergyman, looking at him as if he thought he must be an escaped lunatic, I never had a servant called Eliza Willis in my life; and I certainly never recommended her to you or any one else.'

'I am Dr Lester of Notting Hill,' said Charlie, producing his card. Really, this is a most extraordinary thing. We engaged a parlourmaid about three months ago, who said she had been living at Oakwood Vicarage with Mr Allardyce. She said he was then at Folkestone; so we wrote there, and received an excellent character'

'Excuse my interrupting you, but I never was at Folkestone in my life.'

'And a few days ago, a "Mr Allardyce" called to see her as he was passing through London. He spent the evening with us, and we were both delighted with him. To-day we are going, at his invitation, to a garden-party at Oakwood Vicarage.'

'It stops before long at Marsham junction,' said Mr Allardyce. You can catch a London train there.'

'Is not wax used to take the impression of a key?' I asked, as another recollection came to me. 'I found a piece of wax on the floor of the plate-room, Charlie, after-after that man had

been there.'

"Then we may say good-bye to our Queen Anne tea-service!' said my husband grimly, as the train gave a warning whistle.

"This is Marsham,' said Mr Allardyce, letting down the window. 'I trust you will let me know how you found things at home,' he added kindly, as we got out. We gave him a hurried farewell, and dashed down the platform, where a porter told us the London train was just going.

We had a fearful scramble, and, quite out of breath, were bundled into a carriage at the very end of the train, which was already moving. It was third-class and not over-clean, but we were only too glad to get in at all.

During the brief journey back, Charlie told me what he intended to do; and as he did not think it would be safe for me to go back to the house at first, I agreed-though very unwillingly-to wait at a neighbour's until he came for me. He took a hansom at Waterloo, and we dashed homewards at great speed. At the police-station nearest to our house, Charlie got out, and after a few minutes' conversation "Then, my good sir, I fear you have been with the inspector, we resumed our way. Four imposed upon,' answered the clergyman. 'Some constables, under the command of a sergeant, unprincipled person must have made use of my were to follow in another cab immediately. We name. I have been abroad for three months, got out at the end of our road, which the policeand am just returning to Oakwood. I assure men were also to do, so as not to alarm any you, I have not the slightest intention of giving a garden-party; my bachelor household does not admit of gaieties of that kind.'

'O Charlie, our plate!' I cried, as a suspicion flashed across me like lightning. And my husband turned pale.

'We have a good deal of plate,' I hurriedly explained. This man, who passed himself off for you, professed to admire it very much; and we showed him all we had, and, Ŏ dear! how we locked it up, and everything.'

'I should fear he had designs upon it. It is a most mysterious affair all through. Of course you have only my assertion that I am Wentworth Allardyce'

"We don't doubt that for one moment,' said my husband.

one who might be in our house with the sound of wheels stopping at the door. Charlie left me at my friend's house, and turned back to meet the cab full of policemen which was just in sight. My friend's house was nearly opposite our own, and, after a hurried explanation, I took my stand behind the curtains in the dining-room window to watch, feeling quite sick with apprehension. In front of our house, hitched by the reins to the lamp-post, was a small truck, drawn by one horse, such as might have belonged to any respectable tradesman; and that was the only external sign of anything about to happen.

I saw Charlie and his company come down the street, One policeman quietly descended into the area, and stood there ready to arrest

« PreviousContinue »