The Secret of the Earth Read online

  *III.*

  It was snowing, and the ground was already white when we reached ourhumble lodgings. All the way from Gravesend I had been struck with mybrother's capricious manner, at one moment buoyant, the next meditativeand despondent. Upon my inquiring after the singular acquaintance hehad made upon the boat, he simply laughed, and said, "crank," entirelyignoring the scraps of conversation I had overheard between them. Thisbeing his mood, I decided to let him alone, feeling sure that if therewere anything worth hearing, I should hear it.

  We made a hasty inspection of our property, to take care that nothingwas disturbed in our absence, and then, with renewed confidence in thelandlady, walked again into the storm in search of food. We had eatennothing since early morning, and were nearly famished. Our restaurantwas not hard to find, and the light and warmth within cheered even mydismal soul into hopefulness.

  Seating ourselves in an alcove by an appetizing table, Torrence pushedthe bill of fare toward me, but I begged him to choose the dinnerhimself, and to select the cheapest and bulkiest dishes.

  "Rubbish!" he answered; "I'm hungry and am going to have another squarefeed. If we are to go to the devil, what difference can it possiblymake whether we get there on Monday or Saturday?"

  I could never argue with Torrence; he had his own way in everything, andyet we never quarreled.

  An elaborate meal was placed before us, with a large jug of beer; thedinner costing more than the breakfast.

  "I don't know how it is," said Torrence in the midst of a huge chop,"but something tells me that I was never born to be starved!"

  After dinner we lighted cigars, and continued to sit smoking over ourcoffee, having drawn the curtains of our alcove. We had been puffingaway for some minutes when Torrence, putting his hand in his pocket drewout the money I had given him in the morning, together with his own, andplacing the pile upon the table, said:

  "Now listen! We will divide this money into two equal parts, and eachtake our part. There is no telling what may become of us, and it isbetter to seek our fortunes separately than together. If we travel thesame path, we will meet the some difficulties, but if we divide, therewill be double the chance for luck, and whoever hits it first can helpthe other. It will cost no more than to live under the same roof, withthe exception of having paid in advance for our beds, but otherconsiderations will more than compensate for that loss, which may not bea loss after all. We may see a very tough time before we get through,but we will get through in the end, never fear. Now don't starveyourself, old man, and don't get down in the mouth, but dig--dig--dig.Push your manuscript--push a hand car--jump into anything you see, butdon't be discouraged, and above all things, write regularly and keep meposted."

  My heart was in my mouth, for I could not bear the thought of leavingTorrence. He had been the leading spirit in everything, and from myearly childhood I had always believed that what Torrence could not do,could not be done. I had brought some manuscripts with me for which Ihoped to find a publisher, but now the thought of it was abhorrent. Icould not answer, and so Torrence continued:

  "To-morrow morning, after breakfast, I shall leave you. Don't ask what Iam going to do, because I don't know; but I am off in search of luck,and shall rely largely on my Yankee brains to bring me out on top of thegame. Don't expect me 'till you see me, but I shall either write orreturn when there is anything to tell."

  "Are you going back to Gravesend?" I asked.

  "Probably; but don't hamper me with questions. In the first place itwon't help you to know what I am doing; and in the second place, itwon't help me to have you know. You can picture me as building the airship, or running a haberdashery, or anything you please; but rememberthat whenever I run my nose up against luck you'll be sure to know it;and I only ask that you will do the same by me."

  I gave him my hand, and then we ordered two portions of brandy and abottle of Apollinaris.

  While we were disposing of this, and still smoking our cigars, the_portieres_ of our alcove were pulled suddenly apart, and a rough,unshaved face thrust in at the aperture, and as quickly withdrawn.Although it was for only an instant, I recognized the face as that ofthe sailor I had seen on the Thames boat. Torrence frowned, but did notlook surprised.

  When we got up to go, Torrence insisted on paying the bill out of hisportion, which he did; and then, just as we were about to pass out intothe stormy street, the same rough, dirty looking sailor approached usfrom one of the alcoves.

  "Another word with you, stranger," said the man, advancing and touchinghis hat to Torrence.

  "Certainly," as if he had never seen the fellow before, and then turningto me, Torrence added:

  "Would you mind waiting a minute, Gurt, while I speak to this man?" andwithout another word, the twain entered one of the alcoves. I amusedmyself looking at some fish in an aquarium that stood near the entrance,and in watching the great flakes of snow falling against the glass panelof the door. How long I remained thus occupied is difficult to guess,but it seemed interminable. The sailor had taken the precaution to drawthe curtains after him, so it was impossible to hear anything they said,and even the sound of their voices was drowned by the clatter of dishes,the tramping of waiters, and the noise of arriving and departing guests.At last the interview was ended, and my brother came out with rather asingular expression, as I thought, and we started for home.

  "And what does he want?" I asked as we trudged along the sidewalk.

  Torrence laughed; and then, as if thinking of how to reply, said:

  "Oh, he's a lunatic! Wants the loan of twenty pounds on a house and lothe says he owns down in Deptford. Sailors are generally cranky, youknow, and I thought I would talk with him a little just to get hisideas, and see if it would be worth our while to risk the venture, withthe possibility of becoming the owner of his property. But I'm convincedthe fellow's a fraud."

  "If he's a lunatic I think you must be a greater one!" I exclaimed, andthen feeling sure that he was putting me off with nonsense to avoidquestioning, I turned the subject, and commenced talking about theweather. We did not allude to the sailor again, and I concluded thatTorrence had simply run across some poor fellow who he thought might beuseful to him, although how, I could not imagine.

  The next morning we separated, and I waved Torrence a farewell as hetook his seat on an omnibus, with Gladstone bag and umbrella. I stoodwatching him until the 'bus had turned a corner, and then directed mysteps toward Paternoster row, with a bundle of MSS. under my arm.

  I do not propose to harrow myself with a recital of the bitterdisappointments I underwent in that quarter of the city, nor is itimportant for the identification of the Attlebridges as the realparticipants in the marvels about to be recounted, that I should do morethan allude to the fact that the firm of Crumb & Crumpet, after muchhaggling as to terms, long and tedious discussion regarding merit andcharacter, finally refused my book, as well as all shorter paperssubmitted to them; a fact which those gentlemen will doubtless remember,should their attention be called to it.

  Our lodgings were dreary enough at best, but now that I was alone theyseemed unbearable. Beyond my own gloomy feelings, I was made toparticipate in those of my landlady, who constantly annoyed me withaccounts of her financial difficulties; her inability to pay her rent,and the dread that she would be evicted. Greatly against my betterjudgment, she succeeded in coaxing me into the loan of a pound, a thingI could not afford, but which I did, partly out of sympathy, and partlyto get rid of her importunities.

  I now occupied myself in preparing a paper on the psychologicalevolution of the ape, which I hoped to be able to place with anotherpublisher, and which, had it ever been finished, I cannot doubt wouldhave succeeded; but circumstances intervened before the completion ofthe last pages, which compelled me to relinquish my work, and so theworld must suffer. I continued my labor steadily for more than a week,and then began looking anxiously for my brother's return, and tookseveral long walks in the direction from
which I believed he would becoming; but I did not meet him, and returned home, each time a littledisheartened. During these evenings I retired early, having no one forcompany, and not being able to afford outside amusement. At the end often days I had been so economical that I was quite satisfied with thestanding of my finances, and felt lighter-hearted than at any time sincearriving. Still I had found nothing to do but write, and the future wasuncertain.

  Sunday morning was dark and gloomy, and it having been nearly two weekssince Torrence had left, I began to wonder with increased anxiety whathad become of him. I had a right to expect him by now, but had neitherseen nor heard a word from him since his departure. Could anything havehappened? I did not believe it, and knowing how averse he was to letterwriting, set it down to the fact that he was busy; and I sincerely hopedprofitably so. Still I passed the day in gloomy forebodings, andresolved to go to Gravesend the following morning. That night, however,as I was going to my room, the servant handed me a letter, and I did notrealize until I had read it, how anxious I was becoming. The letter ranas follows:

  "20 NARROW LANE, GRAVESEND.

  Sunday Morning.

  "DEAR GURT: Sorry, but can't get over to-day as I expected. Will tryand come before next Lord's day. How's the book? Keep your mouthstraight, and don't get discouraged,

  Yours, "TORRY."

  It wasn't much of a letter, but it was better than nothing, and I wasthankful for it. I put it in my pocket, and gave up all thought ofGravesend for the present. Evidently Torrence had found something tooccupy him, and I didn't believe he was a man to work long for nothing,but felt provoked that he had not told me what it was. True, I hadnever written to him, which he had told me to do in Wetherbee's care,should there be anything to write about; but as there wasn't I feltjustified in my silence. However, I should now see him soon, andcomforted myself with the thought that all was well.

  During the ensuing week, I answered several advertisements, in the hopeof finding employment, for despite the satisfaction felt in my abilityto economize, there were moments when the reflection that I was makingabsolutely nothing would come upon me with such force, that I grewdespondent, and would gladly have welcomed anything offering even thesmallest return. But every effort to find work was unavailing;evidently London was overcrowded.

  Another week passed without Torrence, and when the following Sunday cameand went without bringing him, I became not only impatient but provoked.Why could he not run up to see me? It certainly seemed strange. Had henot been so emphatic in requesting me to let him alone, I should havegone to Gravesend long before. But here was I scarcely daring to leavethe house, fearing that he would come and go in my absence.

  A few days after this an incident occurred which placed me in a mostunfortunate predicament. My landlady came to me with tears in her eyes,saying she would be dispossessed immediately if unable to raise tenpounds. She assured me that if I would advance her a part of the moneyshe would--but why go into details--I was swindled out of much more thanI could afford to lose; I had lost a friend, and injured my chances ofsuccess, and not only was the landlady dispossessed, but all her lodgersas well. I was obliged at once to find new quarters, and with greatlyreduced means. Things now looked very squally, and I firmly believedthe poorhouse was in the next block, and that I might stumble upon itany day, without warning. I wrote at once to Torrence to tell him ofthe change in my situation and circumstances, and urging him to comeimmediately for a consultation. By return mail, I got the followinganswer:

  "20 NARROW LANE, GRAVESEND.

  "DEAR GURT: Sorry to hear of your bad luck, but don't fret about atrifle. A handful of gold more or less isn't worth a thought. A beggercan pick it up on London Bridge without being much the better for it,and as I told you before, a day or two sooner or later at his majesty'shothouse won't count much in eternity. I shall be with you in a day ortwo, and hunt you up in your new quarters. Now be thankful you got offso cheap, and don't worry. I have been awfully busy.

  "Hastily Yours, T."

  My brother always took things easily, but in this letter he had quiteeclipsed himself. I could not doubt that he had found some employment.

  Again I had been obliged to pay in advance for my new lodgings, and mystock of cash had dwindled alarmingly. If Torrence did not come soon, Ishould be arrested as a vagrant.

  About three days after this, just as I was about to start for Gravesend,having seen nothing of my brother since his letter, a hansom was drivento the door and Torrence alighted.

  "Well, old boy!" he said as cheery as possible; "glad to find you atlast. But what made you move to such a place as this?"

  He looked with disfavor upon the dirty, sad-visaged house I had chosenfor a residence. I explained everything as we went up the steps, eventelling him to a penny the amount of money I had left. Instead of beingdismayed, he only laughed, and turning to the cabby, tossed him hisfare, with a liberal surplus, and then we went on into the house. Mybrother's extravagance had always surprised me, but in our presentcircumstances, his indifference to money seemed unpardonable.

  Torrence looked around my little room with disgust.

  "I don't like this place," he said. "We must move out of it."

  "When?" I asked in amazement.

  "Now!" he answered.

  "It's the cheapest I could find."

  "I should think so!" he replied.

  "But even if you are making a little money, wouldn't it be unwise tospend it? Remember I am doing nothing."

  Torrence smiled and said:

  "Now, Gurt, don't undertake to lecture me, but order a four wheelerinstead--perhaps we had better say a couple--for I want to carry all ourtraps at once, before they become too strongly impregnated with thesequarters, and-- Do you owe anything?"

  I explained that I had already paid in advance, that we had lost moneyonce in that way, and that I hoped he would not consent to a furtherfrittering of our funds; but Torrence was determined; and in less thanan hour we found ourselves seated in a comfortable cab, with our luggageon top. As the driver was about to close the door, he stood for amoment to receive the order, I heard my brother say, quite distinctly;

  "_Hotel Mustapha!_"