The Watchman's Grace

by Craig Johnson

  “Unfortunately, though long standing and prosperous as successive generations of Stantons have been, there remains one particular matter of unfinished business. You do remember how your father would say an unfulfilled pledge is a dishonor?”

  “Indeed I do Crawford,” replied a recollecting Roger. “It seems to have been a favorite saying of the family throughout the ages. Father was so particular about commitment. May I inquire what the issue may be?”

  “You certainly may, as that issue now concerns you directly, as it had your father and his father before.” Crawford reached back into a mass of papers he had returned to a manila folder. “In my hand is a highly confidential document. You can see it, though its contents shall never leave your lips. Am I making myself abundantly clear?”

  Roger sat in quiet surprise. What could be so important to make Crawford act in this manner? He must have good reason for such curtness.

  “Of course you have my confidence in this matter,” Roger finally replied.

  “I apologize for taking this tone, though the reason will soon be apparent. On this old paper is a copy of the Stanton Trust of 1863. Until now, you were not aware of its existence, or that it is still functional.”

  Roger Stanton was taken aback. Thomas Stanton made his son aware of each holding the family held, leaving no area untouched. Of course, all of this was expected behavior, as Roger was heir apparent. Yet not once in any conversation was this trust mentioned.

  “Yes Crawford, I was certainly unaware of its existence. Why was there such secrecy about it? What is the significance of this trust?”

  Crawford placed his hands flat on the exquisite desk’s surface before folding them together. “Your great ancestor back in the 1860s was a very powerful and resolute individual. You might say he was on a par in character with many of the line before him and since.

  “In his case, he was an extreme devotee of the British Empire. He was a classic imperialist, whom believed colonial administration actually benefited local citizenry. With all due respect to him, I know how repugnant that now sounds! Though he was a product of his class and times. We know such views would be archaic in today’s society.

  “Following that manner of thought, he looked upon any perceived threat to the established order as an act of war against British interests. In 1863, one particular matter was brought to his attention by an established country gentleman in Ireland. Lord Charles Stanton was on close terms with this individual, whose name was Mortimer Fothergill.”

  “Mortimer Fothergill,” repeated Roger aloud. “Where have I heard that name…Is it the same man who started the large development firm Fothergill Holdings? They have extensive interests in property throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.”

  Crawford nodded in the affirmative. “They came over as independent settlers from England in the early eighteenth century if I recall. Mortimer was the fourth generation to head the family holdings even then.

  “Well, he became concerned about the growth of a certain radical movement based out of Dublin. Fothergill viewed it as a threat to British interests, and made special arrangements to talk to Lord Charles Stanton about it.

  “Lord Stanton was enraged on hearing the news. He directed a contact of his in the British Security Force, Major Thurston I believe, to deal with the matter immediately. In the process, Major Thurston increased previously existing surveillance on the Malloy family in Dublin.

  “I don’t know if you studied any Irish history at Oxford, but there was a mass protest gaining ground around that time. They called it the Common Man Movement, and were headed by Duncan Malloy and Peter Harvey. The main goal of their movement was self-government for Ireland in an Irish based parliament.”

  Again Roger recognized this surname. These Malloys were an old family who held vast business interests in Ireland and abroad until the passing of their last male heir. And what was this matter about surveillance on such a distinguished family prior to Fothergill’s alert? But for the moment he decided not to interrupt and let Crawford carry on.

  “Let me make the remainder as concise as possible. Peter Harvey, a great ally and friend of the Malloy’s, assassinated a British Security Force officer in cold blood. The public was never informed of the victim’s true identity of course. However, your ancestor found it intolerable! He viewed it as the ultimate expression of sedition, and wanted their movement crushed immediately.

  “That leads us to this issue of a pledge unfulfilled. The Stanton Trust of 1863 provided funds specifically to counteract threats against British interests. Lord Stanton funded this trust to apprehend Peter Harvey.”

  Roger digested all of the information Crawford furnished. “So he funded a bounty to help capture a fugitive. What is the harm in that?”

  “If only that were all,” replied Crawford. “The truth is Duncan Malloy was targeted for assassination under a renegade Security Force operation ordered by your ancestor. Peter Harvey actually saved Duncan Malloy’s life!

  “At that time, if the truth came out, Lord Stanton would have risked full scale insurrection in Ireland. And just one man remained outside of confidence, the only man who witnessed what really happened, Peter Harvey. With the consequences so great, he had to be taken out of the picture.”

  Roger Stanton turned angry when he heard the latest details. “So this man was falsely accused because he knew the truth about Lord Stanton’s illegal operation? My ancestor was prepared to condemn an innocent man because he saved another’s life? This whole matter is highly objectionable and in poor conscience!”

  “Let me say I share your indignation with all this business. Nevertheless, Lord Stanton had his reasons. In his mind, putting a full stop to mounting radicalism in Ireland would contain a credible threat to the Empire.

  “And yes, there’s one more thing which may come as a real shock to you. Being such an old family, it should be no surprise it’s collected a fair share of misdeeds along with the prizes. So here’s some additional Stanton family history.

  “I warn you ahead of time that what I am about to say is almost beyond belief. Though please mark my words; every bit is as true as Northworth Woods itself! So listen carefully to each and every word.

  “In the late thirteenth century, at the time of the Crusades, there was a large chest of treasure accumulated from Christian churches and their patrons in the city of Acre.

  “At that time, when it appeared a threat of attack on the city was becoming too great, they had entrusted a most faithful young knight to deliver the precious trove to safety in England. There was a monastery located here which would act as guardians for this priceless hoard.

  “After undertaking perilous travel, the young knight was successful in his mission. That same monastery fulfilled their duty for well over two hundred years, until they too came under threat. Think back to your history classes at Oxford and the Dissolution of The Monasteries under King Henry VIII. When word spread of the coming suppressions, this particular abbey took everything of note in their house and fled to County Cavan in Ireland.

  “Their new location served them well, achieving prosperity within the broader community. They later built a noted abbey to continue their great works called Twintonmore. Then, in the middle of the seventeenth century, things changed drastically for the order. Oliver Cromwell came to Ireland with his own agenda of destruction!

  “To the detriment of Twintonmore, the New Model Army had been alerted to rumor of vast treasure the order may be holding. Lord Charles Stanton believed some well-placed associates caught on to this information, passing it along to Cromwell directly. Now, the order was caught in an impossible situation. Or so it seemed.

  “Not wishing to abandon the community they loved so deeply, they decided to split into two parties. One would flee with the treasure to the west of Ireland, where a powerful family there learned of their plight. The other monks would remain at Twintonmore Abbey
to defend its survival. To their utter horror, the remainder met a bloody demise, probably because they did not yield the treasure’s whereabouts.

  “As for those that fled, the Malloy family provided vital shelter. If they were ever found out, the Malloys risked imprisonment, loss of land or even worse! The family was headed by Diarmuid Malloy, and their main residence was Rushford House.

  “The Malloys did this on faith alone. They had no idea of the great wealth this order controlled. Due to their family’s unconditional assistance, these monks later decided the Malloys would be perfect custodians of their treasure. Just before the last monk passed on, he told the head of the Malloy household about their treasure, asking him to safeguard it through the ages.

  “The only clue this treasure exists is a gold key with an inscription in Latin code. Those symbols tell the exact location of its hiding. Apparently the text is written on both sides of the key’s bow. We know all this because of an event in the early 1800s.”

  Roger Stanton’s emotions had transformed from sheer anger to startled fascination on learning this latest historical information. “Go ahead Crawford, let’s hear it!” he urged.

  “There was an eldest male Malloy heir around the turn of the nineteenth century who was carrying this secret like in times past. Uncharacteristic of the clan, he coveted this treasure for personal gain.

  “Finally, he broke the sacred oath and told his wife about that treasure and its long history. She so happened to be a Stanton from Northworth Woods! His wife convinced him to act upon his desires to seize it all.

  “He then conspired with her to take action, until his mother’s sudden passing gave him a change of heart. He reversed from his period of weakness and became a staunch defender of the treasure.

  “Of course, this caused his wife to react violently! Moreover, she lost her mind over the incident and was placed in an asylum. Strikingly, no one ever visited her there except a very young member of the Stanton family named Charles.

  “As you are aware, Lord Charles Stanton always held a keen interest in past history and lore. He fancied himself, quite rightly I may add, as an amateur’s expert in that area. This leads to his ulterior motive for the assassination of Duncan Malloy.

  “For all these years Charles was told by this relation that the Stantons were cheated out of a vast fortune by those very Malloys. Charles knew Duncan Malloy was the last male heir in their family! With him eliminated, the Empire was saved, while he had a better chance of finding the gold key. It became an all-consuming obsession. So when Fothergill came upon him, it was the perfect opportunity to take action

  “Lord Charles Stanton was a very cunning fellow. He had been following up clues for years to find out where the Malloys held the gold key. However, with the unsuccessful assassination attempt, he put the Malloys on notice of pending peril.

  “Thus, in a last ditch attempt to find it, he instructed Major Thurston to do a thorough search at their main Dublin residence Goodhope House. By now he figured it as the only place they could have constant watch over its protection. Alas, Thurston found nothing, which at first surprised Lord Stanton.

  “Then he remembered the extremely close relationship both Aidan and his son had with this fugitive Peter Harvey. He appeared to be like another son to Aidan. With no heirs after Duncan, he may have figured on an ingenious plan. Smuggle the key out of Ireland with a trusted person, pure of heart and generous of his life. Think Peter Harvey and the Common Man Movement!

  “The more Lord Stanton pondered the situation, the more sense it made. He concluded this was the only reason this key was not found. No other option made sense. Nowhere else provided trusted, loyal and constant supervision away from danger in Ireland!

  “Oh Roger, you didn’t think this was only about Empire did you? Lord Charles Stanton’s zeal with Empire was only matched by a lust for historic riches! In reality the family didn’t need a pound more, though Lord Stanton never liked to lose out on what he thought was rightfully his!”

  Crawford paused to gauge Roger’s reaction. He appeared to be hanging on every word spoken. Taking small sips of water from a cut crystal glass on the desk, Crawford carried forward.

  “Remember the old Stanton saying about an unfulfilled pledge being a dishonor? It is an irrevocable stipulation of your ascendancy as the next Lord Stanton to continue this bounty for Harvey’s capture. In addition, you shall personally administer an ongoing search in that regard. You certainly hold the resources to do so without touching a pound of family wealth. With prudent investment, the Stanton Trust of 1863 has grown to over ten million pounds sterling!

  “With the advantage of not having to work a day in your lifetime, Lord Stanton wanted to ensure his heirs did not grow soft. In his view, the idle rich eventually lost everything. He wanted this matter concluded successfully, regardless of time. After all, it was his prime obsession.”

  “Crawford, you must know how it all sounds,” shot back a defensive Roger. “It plays out like some paperback mystery and is totally mad! I will have no part in it. Let the past be buried as far as I’m concerned. No good can come from digging this all back up.”

  Roger’s solicitor rose from his chair, pacing slowly in contemplation before staring out the grand study window. Facing back to Roger, he held a very serious look.

  “Oh Roger, it’s a requirement of any title heir to be bound by this pursuit. Peter Harvey’s latest direct male descendent must be found or the line proven extinct. I’ve already been handsomely compensated to see this through, like those holding my position before. As perverse as it may seem, these conditions are irrevocable.”

  The heir apparent became enraged, though held his temper steady. “So tell me Crawford, what happens if I choose not to pursue this innocent man’s descendants, whose persecution began in the name of misplaced vengeance?”

  “There are no choices. You would immediately forfeit all rights, titles and association with every legacy of Northworth Woods! It’s all spelt out in iron clad writing. In other words, complete disinheritance. I would then be obligated to inform your family that you refused to accept the title. At that point, family relations would be severely strained, to say the least.”

  Roger looked at Crawford in complete horror. His options seemed severely limited.

  “Crawford, you know how I detest everything to do with this matter! It is wicked to the extreme. Again, tell me honestly what choices I have here?”

  The solicitor smirked as he walked towards Roger and whispered in his ear. “Sir, you have absolutely none!”

  Roger immediately stormed towards the study door. Before opening it, he turned back towards Crawford with a solemn look of surrender.

  “I accept these terms of arrangement,” he conceded meekly.

  “Very good Lord Stanton, 13th Earl of Northworth. Though always remember one thing in the future.

  “You now head one of England’s leading families. With that comes a serious obligation. I know it was not of your choosing, though neither was it the choice of a beggar man to be on London’s mean streets or the malnourished child in rural Asia to live in abject poverty. Deal with it Roger, just as all your ancestors did in the past; with a stiff upper lip!”

  With no further comments, Roger quietly closed the door. Crawford was left to ponder how close he had come to performing some very brutal business.

  Now alone in silent contemplation, Crawford assessed what lay ahead. He told Roger all that was required about his current responsibilities and duties. However, as Crawford exhaled in relief at achieving his agenda, he knew the importance of finding the offspring of Peter Harvey was much greater than Roger could ever imagine.

  Taking in these luxurious surroundings, Crawford felt a truly fortunate man. While Roger Stanton and those before him had the appearance of great prosperity, their lives were chained by the bizarre dictates of an obsessed relation years ago. They would
enjoy no peace until either they or the last male heir of Peter Harvey became extinct. There existed a great possibility this matter would last a very long time.

  Crawford had no such limitations in his life. He enjoyed far less material bounty, though it came with no unseen strings. This he would not trade for all the treasures in the world.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  WE WILL NEVER FORGET THEE

  Time always remembers as it marches on

  Back in Ireland, it is said the leaders of the Common Man Movement will always be remembered. To be sure, one of those held in highest regard is still nicknamed Ireland’s Moses.

  Storytellers note how Peter Harvey arrived ashore to deliver a people from bondage. They emphasize with strong effect how the cause wanted to lead all Irish from serfdom, aiming to give them back their ancient promised land. As for his oratories, they were laws of justice spoken with the passion of a natural leader.

  His efforts were never forgotten. In fact, successive generations of liberators would study the Common Man Movement’s brief period of success to fashion their own crusades for independence. Through his mysterious disappearance, Peter Harvey’s story has achieved legendary status. In this memory, a silent pilgrimage is made to the village of his former homestead each year by hundreds of the curious, interested and devoted.

  Kilmarnie heartily welcomes these visitors on a regular basis to its windswept plain of misting west Irish coast. Their most famous son still gives back in plenty, long after his departure from this familial shelter. Many visitors make the trek to the family burial plot to pay homage to Eamon Harvey. Yet to the chagrin of these pilgrims, neither Mary nor Peter’s last resting places are known to this day.

  Fortunately for his descendants, the memory of Peter Harvey has never gone unnoticed by his indebted allies. Throughout the generations, the eldest male heirs of Peter Harvey have come to call it Mary’s Day, in honor of his loving mother. Mary’s Day is celebrated every year in the same natural wonder of Nova Scotia, on the same week John Lawrence would hold his annual “big going away”.