hard cash-第107章

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He　could　not　find　him；　nor　any　trace　of　him。　At　last　it　struck　him　that　he　had　originally　proposed　to　go　to　Dover；　and　had　spoken　of　that　town　to　David；　though　he　had　now　glanced　aside；　making　for　the　smaller　ports　on　the　south　coast：　he　hired　a　horse　directly；　and　galloped　furiously　to　Dover。　He　rode　down　to　the　pier；　gave　his　horse　to　a　boy　to　hold；　and　ran　about　inquiring　far　David。　He　could　not　find　him：　but　at　last　he　found　a　policeman；　who　told　him　he　thought　there　was　another　party　on　the　same　lay　as　himself：　〃No；〃　said　the　man　correcting　himself；　〃it　was　two　they　were　after；　a　gentleman　and　a　sailor。　Perhaps　you　are　his　mate。〃

Alfred's　blood　ran　cold。　Pursued！　and　so　hotly：　〃No；　no；〃　he　stammered；　〃I　suspect　I　am　on　the　same　business。〃　Then　he　said　cunningly　（for　asylums　teach　the　frankest　natures　cunning）；　〃Come　and　have　a　glass　of　grog　and　tell　me　all　about　it。〃　Bobby　consented；　and　under　its　influence　described　Mrs。　Dodd　and　her　companions　to　him。

But　not　everybody　can　describe　minutely。　In　the　bare　outlines；　which　were　all　this　artist　could　furnish　him；　Alfred　recognised　at　once；　whom　do　you　think？　Mrs。　Archbold；　Dr。　Wolf；　and　his　arch　enemy　Rooke；　the　keeper。　Doubtless　his　own　mind；　seizing　on　so　vague　a　description；　adapted　it　rather　hastily　to　what　seemed　probable。　Mrs。　Dodd　never　occurred　to　him；　nor　that　David　was　the　sole；　or　even　the　main　object　of　the　pursuit。　He　was　thoroughly　puzzled　what　to　do。　However；　as　his　pursuers　had　clearly　scoured　Dover；　and　would　have　found　David　if　there；　he　made　use　of　their　labours　and　galloped　back　towards　Folkestone。　But　he　took　the　precaution　to　inquire　at　the　first　turnpike；　and　there　he　learned　a　lady　and　two　men　had　passed　through　about　an　hour　before　in　a　dog…cart；　it　was　a　wonder　he　had　missed　them。　Alfred　gnashed　his　teeth；　〃Curse　you；〃　he　muttered。　〃Well；　do　my　work　in　Folkestone；　I'll　find　him　yet；　and　baffle　you。〃　He　turned　his　horse's　head　westward　and　rode　after　David。　Convinced　that　his　lost　friend　would　not　go　inland；　he　took　care　to　keep　near　the　cliffs；　and　had　ever　an　eye　on　the　beach　when　the　road　came　near　enough。

About　eight　miles　west　of　Folkestone　he　saw　a　dog…cart　going　down　a　hill　before　him：　but　there　was　only　a　single　person　in　it。　However；　he　increased　his　pace　and　got　close　behind　it　as　it　mounted　the　succeeding　hill　which　was　a　high　one。　Walking　leisurely　behind　it　his　quick　eye　caught　sight　of　a　lady's　veil　wrapped　round　the　iron　of　the　seat。

That　made　him　instantly　suspect　this　might　be　the　dog…cart　after　all。　But；　if　so；　how　came　a　stranger　in　it？　He　despised　a　single　foe；　and　resolved　to　pump　this　one　and　learn　where　the　others　were。

While　he　was　thinking　how　he　should　begin；　the　dog…cart　stopped　at　the　top　of　the　hill；　and　the　driver　looked　seaward　at　some　object　that　appeared　to　interest　him。

It　was　a　glorious　scene。　Viewed　from　so　great　a　height　the　sea　expanded　like　ocean；　and　its　light…blue　waters　sparkled　and　laughed　innumerable　in　the　breeze。　〃A　beautiful　sight；　sir；〃　said　the　escaped　prisoner；　〃you　may　well　stop　to　look　at　it。〃　The　man　touched　his　hat　and　chuckled。　〃I　don't　think　you　know　what　I　am　looking　at；　sir；〃　he　said　politely。

〃I　thought　it　was　the　lovely　sea　view；　so　bright；　so　broad；　so　_free。_

〃No；　sir；　not　but　what　I　can　enjoy　that　a　bit；　too：　but　what　I'm　looking　at　is　an　'unt。　Do　you　see　that　little　boat？　Sailing　right　down　the　coast　about　eight　miles　off。　Well；　sir；　what　do　you　think　there　is　in　that　boat？　But　you'll　never　guess。　A　madman。〃

〃Ah！〃

〃Curious；　sir；　isn't　it：　a　respectable　gentleman　too　he　is；　and　sails　well；　only　stark　staring　mad。　There　was　two　of　'em　in　company：　but　it　seems　they　can't　keep　together　long。　_Our_　one　steals　a　fisherman's　boat；　and　there　he　goes　down　channel。　And　now　look　here；　sir；　see　this　steam…tug　smoking　along　right　in　front　of　us：　she's　after　him；　and　see　there's　my　governor　aboard　standing　by　the　wheel　with　a　Bobby　and　a　lady：　and　if　ever　there　was　a　lady　she's　one；〃　here　he　lowered　his　voice。　〃She's　that　mad　gentleman's　wife；　sir；　as　I　am　a　living　sinner。〃

They　both　looked　down　on　the　strange　chase　in　silence。　〃Will　they　catch　her？〃　asked　Alfred　at　last；　under　his　breath。

〃How　can　we　be　off　it？　steam　against　sails。　And　if　he　runs　ashore；　I　shall　be　there　to　nab　him。〃　Alfred　looked；　and　looked：　the　water　came　into　his　eyes。　〃It's　the　best　thing　that　can　befall　him　now；〃　he　murmured。　He　gave　the　man　half…a…crown；　and　then　turned　his　horse's　head　and　walked　him　down　the　hill　towards　Folkestone。　On　his　arrival　there　he　paid　for　his　horse；　and　his　untasted　dinner；　and　took　the　first　train　to　London；　a　little　dispirited；　and　a　good　deal　mortified；　for　he　hated　to　be　beat。　But　David　was　in　good　hands；　that　was　one　comfort；　and　he　had　glorious　work　on　hand；　love　and　justice。　He　went　to　an　out　of　the　way　inn　in　the　suburbs；　and；　when　he　had　bought　a　carpet…bag　and　some　linen　and　other　necessaries；　he　had　but　one　sovereign　left。

His　heart　urged　him　vehemently　to　go　at　once　and　find　his　Julia：　but　alas！　he　did　not　even　know　where　she　lived；　and　he　dared　not　at　present　make　public　inquiries：　that　would　draw　attention　to　himself；　and　be　his　destruction；　for　Wolf　stood　well　with　the　police；　and　nearly　always　recaptured　his　truant　patients　by　their　aid　before　the　fourteen　days　had　elapsed。　He　determined　to　go　first　to　a　solicitor：　and　launch　him　against　his　enemies；　while　compelled　to　shirk　them　in　his　own　person。　Curious　position！　Now；　amongst　his　father's　creditors　was　Mr。　Compton；　a　solicitor；　known　for　an　eccentric；　but　honourable　man；　and　for　success　in　litigation。　Mr。　Compton　used　to　do　his　own　business　in　Barkington；　and　employ　an　agent　in　London：　but　Alfred　remembered　to　have　heard　just　before　his　incarceration　that　he　had　reversed　the　parts；　and　now　lived　in　London。　Alfred　found　him　out　by　the　Directory；　and　called　at　his　chambers　in　Lincoln's　Inn　Fields。　He　had　to　wait　some　time　in　the　outer　office　listening　to　a　fluent　earnest　client　preaching　within：　but　presently　a　sharp　voice　broke　in　upon　the　drone；　and；　after　a　few　sentences；　Mr。　Compton　ushered　out　a　client　with　these　remarkable　words：　〃And　as　for　your　invention；　it　has　been　invented　four　times　before　you　invented　it；　and　never　was　worth　inventing　at　all。　And　you　have　borrowed　two　hundred　pounds　of　me　in　ninety　loans；　each　of　which　cost　me　an　hour's　invaluable　time：　I　hold　ninety　acknowledgments　in　your　handwriting；　and　I'll　put　them　all　in　force　for　my　protection；〃　with　this　he　turned　to　his　head　clerk：　〃Mr。　Colls；　take　out　a　writ　against　this　client；　what　is　your　Christian　name；　sir？　I　forget。〃

〃Simon；〃　said　the　gaping　client；　off　his　guard。

〃Thank　you；　sir；〃　said　Mr。　Compton　with　sudden　politeness：　then　resuming　hostilities〃A　writ　in　the　Common　Pleas　against　Simon　Macfarlane：　keep　it　in　your　drawer；　Colls；　and　if　ever　the　said　Macfarlane　does　me　the　honour　to　call　on　me　again　serve　him　with　it　on　the　spot；　and；　if　not；　not；　good　morning；　sir。〃　And　with　this　he　bolted　into　his　own　room　and　slammed　its　door。　'The　clerks　opened　the　outer　door　to　Mr。　Macfarlane　with　significant　grins；　and　he　went　out　bewildered　sorely；　yea　even　like　one　that　walketh　abroad　in　his　sleep。　〃Now；　sir；〃　said　Mr。　Colls　cheerfully　to　Alfred。　But　the　new　client　naturally　hesitated　now：　he　put　on　his　most　fascinating　smile；　and　said：　〃Well；　Mr。　Colls；　what　do　you　advise？　Is　this　a　moment　to　beard　the　lion　in　his　den？〃

At　Alfred's　smile　and　address　Colls　fell　in　love　with　him　directly；　and　assured　him　_sotto　voce；_　and　with　friendly　familiarity；　that　now　was　his　time。　〃Why；　he'll　be　as　sweet　as　honey　now　he　has　got　rid　of　a　client。〃　With　this　he　took　Alfred's　name；　and　ushered　him　into　a　room　piled　with　japanned　tin　boxes；　where　Mr。　Compton　sat；　looking　all　complacency；　at　a　large　desk　table；　on　which　briefs；　and　drafts；　and　letters　lay　in　seeming　confusion。　He　rose；　and　with　a　benignant　courtesy　invited　Alfred　to　sit　down　and　explain　his　business。

The　reader　is　aware　our　Oxonian　could　make　a　close　and　luminous　statement。　He　began　at　the　beginning；　but　soon　disposed　of　preliminaries　and　came　to　his　capture　at　Silverton。　Then　Mr。　Compton　quietly　rang　the　bell；　and　with　a　slight　apology　to　Alfred　requested　Colls　to　search　for　the　draft　of　Mrs。　Holloway's　will。　Alfred　continued。　Mr。　Compton　listened　keenly；　noted　the　salient　points　on　a　sheet　of　brief…paper；　and　demanded　the　exact　dates　of　every　important　event　related。

The　story　finished；　the　attorney　turned　to　Colls；　and　said　mighty　coolly；　〃You　may　go。　The　will　is　in　my　pocket：　but　I　made　sure　he　was　a　madman。　They　generally　are；　these　ill…used　clients。〃　（Exit　Colls）　〃Got　a　copy　of　the　settlement；　sir；　under　which　you　take　this　ten　thousand　pounds？〃

〃No；　sir。〃

〃Any　lawyer　seen　it？〃

〃Oh　yes；　Mr。　Crauford；　down　at　Barkington。〃

〃Good。　Friend　of　mine。　I'll　write　to　him。　Names　and　addresses　of　your　trustees？〃

Alfred　gave　them。

〃You　have　brought　the　order　on　which　you　were　confined；　and　the　two　certificates？〃

〃Not　I；〃　said　Alfred。　〃I　have　begged　and　prayed　for　a　sight　of　them；　and　never　could　get　one。　That　is　one　of　the　galling　iniquities　of　the　system；　I　call　it　'THE　DOUBLE　SHUFFLE。'　Just　bring　your　mind　to　bear　on　this；　sir：　The　prisoner　whose　wits　and　liberty　have　been　signed　away　behind　his　back　is　not　allowed　to　see　the　order　and　certificate　on　which　he　is　confineduntil　_after_　his　release：　that　release　he　is　to　obtain　by　combating　the　statements　in　the　order　and　certificates。　So　to　get　out　he　must　first　see　and　contradict　the　lies　that　put　him　in；　but　to　see　the　lies　that　put　him　in；　he　must　first　get　out。　So　runs　the　circle　of　Iniquity。　Now；　is　that　the　injustice　of　Earth；　or　the　injustice　of　Hell？〃

Mr。　Compton　asked　a　moment　to　consider：　〃Well；　I　think　is　of　the　earth；　earthy。　There's　a　mixture　of　idiocy　in　it　the　Devil　might　fairly　repudiate。　Young　gentleman；　the　English　Statutes　of　Lunacy　are　famous　monuments　of　legislatorial　incapacity：　and　indeed；　as　a　general　rule；　if　you　want　justice　and　wisdom；　don't　you　go　to　Acts　of　Parliament；　but　to　the　Common　Law　of　England。〃

Alfred　did　not　appreciate　this　observation：　he　made　no　reply　to　it；　but　inquired；　with　some　heat；　〃what　he　could　do　to　punish　the　whole　gang；　his　father；　the　certifying　doctors；　and　the　madhouse　keepers？〃

〃Humph！　You　might　indict　them　all　for　a　conspiracy；〃　said　Mr。　Compton；　〃but　you　would　be　defeated。　As　a　rule；　avoid　criminal　proceedings　where　you　have　a　civil　remedy。　A　jury　will　give　a　verdict　and　damages　where　they　would　not　convict　on　the　same　evidence。　Yours　is　just　one　of　those　cases　where　Temper　says；　'indict！'　but　Prudence　says；　'sue！'　and　Law；　through　John　Compton；　its　oracle　in　this　square；　says；　sue　the　defendant　and　no　other。　Now；　who　is　the　true　defendant　here；　or　party　liable　in　law？〃

〃The　keeper　of　the　asylum；　for　one。〃

〃No。　If　I　remember　right；　all　proceedings　against　him　are　expressly　barred　by　a　provision　in　the　last　statute。　Let　us　see。〃

He　took　down　the　statutes　of　the　realm；　and　showed　Alfred　the　clause　which　raises　the　proprietor　of　a　madhouse　above　the　civic　level　of　Prince　Royal。　〃Curse　the　law；〃　said　Alfred　bitterly。

〃No；　don't　curse　the　Law。　Curse　the　Act　if　you　like；　but　we　can't　get　on　without　the　Law；　neither　of　us。　Try　again。〃

〃Th