Year: 1877

CHAPTER XIV.


Mr.. Peterson had left Lord Desborough
upon the termination of their interview. with
a temper by no means placid and serene. He
was, in fact, terribly angry, though he had
managed, while in the presence Of that august
noblemau, to keep his anger under control.
For the Earl had informed him, after impart-
ing to him his knowledge of various misde-
meanors of which he had been guilty, and Of
his gross failure in discharging his duties rel
ative to the place whose interests he had nomi'
nally been guarding, that he had no lopger
need of his services, and would not only i'm
mediately place the management of the prop
erty in more Trustworthy hands, but hold him
responsible for certain large sums which had
passed into his keeping, and for which he
could render no account. Now to raise these
sums at present was an absolute impossibility,
and he did not doubt that the Earl, whose in
flexible disposition he knew and stood in awe
Of, would bring the penalty of the law to bear
upon him, in case of his not doing 90 within a
stated time. Putting this difficulty aside, he
felt, too, the keenest modification at being
thus ignominiously discharged from his lucra.
tive post. His employer, as liberal as he was
strictly just, had always paid him a high price
or'his services, and this, in addition to the
honor he felt it to be, in measure, in the
confidence of one 70 high in rank, had made
him regard this post as one Of immense value.


Bitterly chafng in spirit, therefore, he
sought the lodgings where he was at present
established, and shutting himself up in his
room, cogtated fruitlessly over his disgrace
and racked his brains for ways and means Of
extricating himself from the difficulties in
which he had suddenly become involved. He
had, indeed, a long course of dishonesty and
fraud too look back upon, and the results
would be only the more severe from the num-
ber of years during which he had keen carry
ing on his peculations undiscovered, while
Lord Desborough was either abroad, or too
much occupied with other affairs to investigate
his conduct.


His defalcations amounted to several thou
sands Of pounds, and the payment of these,
even should be be able to accomplish it,
would run him so heavily into debt elsewhere
as to involve him into almost total ruin.


There seemed but one mode of escape for
him-a mode which was certainly cowardly
one, and would only have suggested itself to
a cowardly mind-aud that was, secret flight
from the country. He could in time, by hard
and steady work, should he remain at home,
replace his fraudulent expenditures, but this
he had no mind to do. Rather would be seek
some foreign shore, where he and his dishon.
esty would be alike unknown, and where, by
careful management, be could avoid pursuit
and detection. AS to his wife-an estimable
and accomplished lady-and their numerous
family, he gave them only passing thought
in connection with his plans. He certainly
had no idea of taking them with him, nor
did he very much care what might become Of
them when he should be gone.


One triaing obstacle, however, lay in his
way-the want Of means to carry out this
project of flight, and the uncertainty where
to obtain them. But here a brilliant idea
struck him. Why not 60 to certain bank in
London, where be had often drawn money
for his late employer, and present check
with the Earl's signature, for any amount be
might fix upon? To be sure, this would be
forgery, and forgery was an ugly thing, in
name and in deed, and, above all, in its re.
suit, should it be discovered. But then he
would be too clever to allow it to be discov.
cred, and it would only be one more little
item added to the long list already scored up
against him. In for a penny, in for pound
and his conscience was too thoroughly sea.
soned by this time for him to fear its prick,
ings. As long as he could keep out of the
reach of justice, he desired nothing more.


No sooner was bis resolution taken, than
he commenced his preparation for putting it
into effect. He packed up the few articles
he had about him in his portmanteau, which
would be all the luggage convenient for him
to carry with him. There was an early train
which started for the city at four in the morn
ing, and by this he meant to take his de.
parture.


II wonder what crazy Clement will do
without me?" he soliloquized, as he went on
with his work "He'l feel rather at loss
when he finds I have disappeared. Should
not wonder if he went and threw himself into
Desborough's hands accidentally, of course;
for be stands in mortal dread of him. l
wonder if the fool is raising any money to-
night. I'll find out, before morning, and get
it out of him before start. After that, be