Lady posing
“He whipped up the horses suddenly into a brisk trot, and was silent.
“He pressed his hat over his eyes, and averted his face; for once in years of my remembrance, two tears were glistening in his eyes.
“It must have been a fearful struggle between his pride and secret sorrows, to have allowed them to escape; yet there they were, shining witnesses of human feeling.
“We parted.
“Templeton went into the north, and for six months corresponded with me.
“In answer to enquiries, he stated that he was not at his uncle’s, but in York.
“I judged, from the tone of his last note, that he was sick and pressed for means.
“I wrote to him again, but received no answer. A friend of mine was directed to visit him and let him have what money he desired.
“But he had removed his lodgings, and was nowhere to be found.
“There seemed to hang some mystery around Tom Templeton; some thought he ‘had been crossed in love’ while at college.
“Others said that pecuniary difficulties had involved him.
“Both of these surmises certainly must be incorrect, I thought, for he disclosed all his secrets to me. If Cupid had been in the case, some of us would have known it; as to money matters, all the college said his uncle was immensely wealthy, and intended to leave him everything.
“Mystery there seemed to be of some kind, and I was determined, upon graduating, to sift the matter to the bottom.
“I liked Tom as a brother; his troubles were mine, and, if in difficulty, I was willing to see him through it safely.
“When university dons had granted me my parchment with ‘A.M.’ engraved thereon, I returned home, and was soon engaged in my father’s extensive transactions, doing what people might term a ‘roaring’ business.
“My thoughts would occasionally revert to my lost friend, and while going homeward one evening at dusk, a poorly dressed stranger hurriedly passed me and glided into a back street, as if ashamed to be seen in lighted and thronged thoroughfares.
“I followed him.
“He strode through the streets at a rapid pace, but, by a side glance I got of him, there could be nodoubt but that it was the same Tom Templeton of my school days.
“He had not gone far, when he entered a small, obscure house, and, in less than ten minutes, emerged again, but so differently attired and so gay, I could scarce have recognised him.
“Yet on his countenance was still the same calm, pale, melancholy.
“He actually stopped at the same house I was going to, and was admitted.
“What was his business there, I wondered to know.
“I knew what mine was, namely, to make love to the daughter of a very rich man my father had known for years.
“I did not knock at the door, but let myself in with a latch-key.
“When I quietly advanced towards the parlour door, I perceived Tom Templeton on his knees before the idol of my heart!
“What startled me more, was, the lady fair listened to his fair speeches, and returned his advances.
“For the first time in my life, I felt envy, malice, and revenge.
“I said nothing at the time, but I met my old schoolmate afterwards.
“A violent quarrel ensued.
“I accused him of all manner of misdemeanours, and last of all of ingratitude.
“But all I could do or say would not provoke him into a challenge.
“At last I gave him one myself.
“He accepted it readily, and we met.
“He wished to apologise for all he had done and said.
“I would not accept it.
“I fired.
“He fell down dead.
“I rushed towards him.
“The doctors examined him and tore open his clothes.
“Tom Templeton proved to be agirl.
“The astonishment that was now depicted on every countenance was great indeed.
“This girl had passed through college, and was first and most expert in everything, and for years lived undetected.”
“But why should a girl have played the part of a lover?” said Captain Jack.
“She did not play the part of a lover, as you will perceive.
“Some time after this, my old flame was addressed by the son of the chief die-sinker at the mint.
“I had suspicions for thinking that Tom Templeton (the girl) had a brother, who personified Miss Templeton.
“This I proved.
“They were used as spies by a band of coiners, and so well could these two children of the chief coiner counterfeit either male or female sex, that for years they carried on their traffic in base coin undetected; for, indeed, my father and many other merchants had often and often given notes for gold, and it was not until the gold was tried at the mint that any deception was discovered; but then it was too late to trace it back through the various merchants’ offices to the proper persons.
“The reason Tom and her brother were sent to different schools was, that, they being so highly educated, they might afterwards prove all the more expert, and less likely to be detected.”
“But what revenge had you?” asked Captain Jack.
“I revealed what I had discovered to the chief of the coiners, and my silence was bought.”
“And afterwards?”
“Because I did not receive another consideration from them, I informed.”
“I know you did. But you were too late; the birds had flown.”
“How know you that?” asked Phillip.
“Because I was one of the coiners myself then.”
“You?”
“Yes, me.”
“I am astonished.”
“You will be more so when you hear that the coiners not only now exist in the south of England, but that through them I heard of Farmer Bertram’s murder, and tracked you.”
“Impossible!”
“No, it isn’t. Here is a person who will explain all things,” said Captain Jack, rising and bowing to a thick-set, military-looking man, who entered.
“Mr. Phillip Redgill, allow me to introduce you to a friend of mine,”
“What name?” asked Phillip, colouring.
“Colonel Blood!” said Captain Jack, with a demon-like sneer.
“Betrayed!” sighed Phillip.
“Yes; why not, you had no more money?” whispered Captain Jack, “so therefore I have no further use for you. It’s quite a common plan with detectives.”
Then, addressing Colonel Blood in a different tone, he said,
“I have fulfilledmypart of the bargain, Colonel, about the thirteen gibbets, and I hope—”
“That I will do mine, eh, Captain Jack? Well, you need not fear; your death warrant shall not be signed yet at all events. But,” casting his eyes on Phillip, he said, “we have been a long, long time in tracing out your villanies, young man, for you are very old in crime. Captain Jack,” he said, pointing to Phillip, “follow me.”
Captain Jack whistled, and, in a moment, three others of his men came in and escorted Phillip to prison.
As he was going out of the tavern door, who should he see standing by, but—
Sir Andrew, who grinned like a fiend, and threw up his hands in Christian horror.
He had not gone far down the street, ere he saw Augustus Fumbleton and Fanny riding out together.
“This is worse than death,” he thought, and struggled hard to get free.
But Captain Jack’s hand, like the grip of a vice, was upon his throat.