CHAPTER XV.
AN ADDITION TO THE HOUSE.
There were rejoicings in Phillimore Gardens over Tom's engagement, forthe two old people were both heartily fond of Kate--"our Kate," as theywere wont proudly to call her. The physician chafed at first over theidea of keeping the matter a secret from Girdlestone. A littlereflection served to show him, however, that there was nothing to begained by informing him, while Kate's life, during the time that she wasforced to remain under his roof, would be more tolerable as long as hewas kept in ignorance of it. In the meanwhile the lovers saw little ofeach other, and Tom was only consoled by the thought that every daywhich passed brought him nearer to the time when he could claim hisprize without concealment or fear. He went about as happy and aslight-hearted a man as any in all London. His mother was delighted athis high spirits, but his bluff old father was not so well satisfied."Confound the lad!" he said to himself. "He is settling down to a lifeof idleness. It suits him too well. We must get him to choose one wayor the other."
Accordingly, after breakfast one morning, the doctor asked his son tostep with him into the library, where he lit his long cherry-wood pipe,as was his custom after every meal, and smoked for some time in silence.
"You must do something to keep you from mischief, my boy," he said atlast brusquely.
"I'm ready for anything, dad," replied Tom, "but I don't quite see whatI'm fitted for."
"First of all, what do you think of this?" the doctor asked abruptly,handing a letter over to his son, who opened it and read as follows:--
"DEAR SIR,--
"It has come to my knowledge through my son that your boy has abandoned the study of medicine, and that you are still uncertain as to his future career. I have long had the intention of seeking a young man who might join in our business, and relieve my old shoulders of some of the burden. Ezra urges me to write and propose that your son should become one of us. If he has any taste for business we shall be happy to advance his interest in every way. He would, of course, have to purchase a share in the concern, which would amount to seven thousand pounds, on which he would be paid interest at the rate of five per cent. By allowing this interest to accumulate, and investing also his share of the profits, he might in time absorb a large portion of the business. In case he joined us upon this footing we should have no objection to his name appearing as one of the firm. Should the idea commend itself to you, I should be most happy to talk over details, and to explain to you the advantages which the firm can offer, at my office in Fenchurch Street, any day between ten and four."
"With kind regards to your family, and hoping that they enjoy the great blessing of health, I remain sincerely yours,"
"JOHN GIRDLESTONE."
"What d'ye think of that?" the doctor asked, when his son had finishedreading it.
"I hardly know," said Tom; "I should like a little time to think itover."
"Seven thousand pounds is a good round sum. It is more than half thetotal capital which I have invested for you. On the other hand, I haveheard those who ought to know say there is not a sounder or bettermanaged concern in London. There's no time like the present, Tom.Get your hat, and we'll go down to Fenchurch Street together and lookinto it."
While father and son were rattling along in a cab from Kensington to theCity, the young man had time to turn the matter over in his mind.He wanted to be at work, and why not take this up as well as anythingelse. It is true that he disliked what he had seen of both theGirdlestones, but, on the other hand, by becoming a member of the firmhe would probably be thrown in the way of meeting the old merchant'sward. This last consideration decided the matter, and long before thecab had pulled up at the long and dirty passage which led to the officesof the great African firm, the party principally interested had fullymade up his mind as to the course he should adopt.
They were duly ushered into the small sanctum adorned with the dissectedships, the maps, the charts, the lists of sailing, and the water-colourpicture of the barque _Belinda_, where they were received by the head ofthe firm. With a charming personal modesty, tempered by a becomingpride in the great business which he had himself created, he discoursedupon its transactions and its importance. He took down ledgers andflashed great rows of figures before the eyes of the good doctor,explaining, at the same time, how month after month their receiptsincreased and their capital grew. Then he spoke touchingly of his ownripe years, and of the quiet and seclusion which he looked forward toafter his busy lifetime.
"With my young friend here," he said, patting Tom affectionately on theshoulder, "and my own boy Ezra, both working together, there will beyoung blood and life in the concern. They'll bring the energy, and whenthey want advice they can come to the old man for it. I intend in ayear or so, when the new arrangement works smoothly, to have a run overto Palestine. It may seem a weakness to you, but all my life I havehoped some day to stand upon that holy ground, and to look down on thosescenes which we have all imagined to ourselves. Your son will startwith a good position and a fair income, which he will probably doublebefore he is five years older. The money invested by him is simply toensure that he shall have a substantial interest in promoting theaffairs of the firm." Thus the old man ran on, and when Tom and hisfather left the office with the sound of great sums of money, and hugeprofits, and heavy balances, and safe investments, all jostling eachother in their brains, they had both made up their minds as to thefuture.
Hence in a couple of days there was a stir in the legal house of Jones,Morgan, & Co., with much rustling of parchment, and signing of names,and drinking of inferior sherry. The result of all which was that thefirm of Girdlestone & Co. were seven thousand pounds the richer, andThomas Dimsdale found himself a recognized member of a great commercialhouse with all the rights and privileges appertaining thereto.
"A good day's work, Tom," said the old doctor, as they left the lawyer'soffice together. "You have now taken an irrevocable step in life, myboy. The world is before you. You belong to a first-class firm and youhave every chance. May you thrive and prosper."
"If I don't it won't be my fault," Tom answered with decision. "I shallwork with my whole heart and soul."
"A good day's work, Ezra," the African merchant was remarking at thatvery moment in Fenchurch Street. "The firm is pinched again for workingexpenses. This will help;" and he threw a little slip of green paperacross the table to his son.
"It will help us for a time," Ezra said, gloomily, glancing at thefigures. "It was fortunate that I was able to put you on his track.It is only a drop in the ocean, however. Unless this diamond spec.comes off, nothing can save us."
"But it shall come off," his father answered resolutely. He hadsucceeded in obtaining an agent who appeared to be almost as well fittedfor the post as the recalcitrant major. This worthy had started offalready for Russia, where the scene of his operations was to lie.
"I hope so," said Ezra. "We have neglected no precaution. Langworthyshould be at Tobolsk by this time. I saw that he had a bag of roughstones with him which would do well enough for his purpose."
"We have your money ready, too. I can rely upon rather over thirtythousand pounds. Our credit was good for that, but I did not wish topush it too far for fear of setting tongues wagging."
"I am thinking of starting shortly in the mail boat _Cyprian_," saidEzra. "I should be at the diamond fields in little more than a month.I dare say Langworthy won't show any signs for some time yet, but I mayas well be there as here. It will give me a little while to find myway about. You see, if the tidings and I were to come almostsimultaneously, it might arouse suspicions. In the meantime, no oneknows our little game."
"Except your friend Clutterbuck."
A dark shadow passed over Ezra's handsome face, and his cruel liptightened in a way which boded little good to the old soldier should heever lie at his mercy.
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The Firm of Girdlestone Page 15