Page:Scribner's Monthly, Volume 12 (May–October 1876).djvu/330

324 second fire! Dropped like a gentleman, blank me. No fuss; no reporters; no arrests. Friends considerate. Blank me, sir, one of the finest—blank me, I may say, sir, one of the very finest—er—meetings in which I have—er—participated. Glad to know you, sir. You call to mind, sir, one of the—er—highest illustrations of a code of honor—that—er—er—under the present—er—degrading state of public sentiment is—er—er—passing away. We are drifting, sir, drifting—drifting to—er—er—political and social condition where the Voice of Honor, sir, is drowned by the blank—er—Yankee watchword of Produce and Trade. Trade, sir, blank me!"

Col. Starbottle paused with a rhetorical full stop, blew his nose, and gazed at the ceiling with a plaintive suggestion that the days of chivalry had indeed passed, and that American institutions were indeed retrograding; Mr. Dumphy leaned back in his chair in helpless irritability ; Mr. Arthur Poinsett alone retained an expression of courteous and sympathizing attention.

"I am the more gratified at meeting Col. Starbottle," said Arthur gravely, "from the fact that my friend and client here, Mr. Dumphy, is at present in a condition where he most needs the consideration and understanding of a gentleman and a man of honor. A paper, which has been intrusted to his safe keeping and custody as a gentleman, has disappeared since the earthquake, and it is believed that during the excitement of that moment it was lost! The paper is supposed to be intact, as it was in an envelope that had never been opened, and whose seals were unbroken. It is a delicate matter, but I am rejoiced that the gentleman who left the paper in trust is the honorable Col.Starbottle, whom I know by reputation, and the gentleman who suffered the misfortune of losing it is my personal friend Mr. Dumphy. It enables me at once to proffer my services as mediator, or as Mr. Dumphy's legal adviser and friend, to undertake all responsibility in the matter."

The tone and manner were so like Col. Starbottle's own, that Dumphy looked from Arthur to Col. Starbottle in hopeless amazement. The latter gentleman dropped his chin and fixed a pair of astonished and staring eyes upon Arthur.

"Do I understand—that—er—this gentleman, Mr. Dumphy, has placed you in possession of any confidential statement—that—er—" "Pardon me, Colonel Starbottle," interrupted Arthur, rising with dignity; "the facts I have just stated are sufficient for the responsibility I assume in this case. I learn from my client that a sealed paper placed in his hands is missing. I have from him the statement that I am bound to believe, that it passed from his hands unopened; where, he knows not. This is a matter, between gentlemen, serious enough without further complication!"

"And the paper and envelope are lost?" continued Col. Starbottle, still gazing at Arthur. "Are lost," returned Arthur quietly. "I have advised my friend, Mr. Dumphy, that, as a man of honor and a business man, he is by no means freed through this unfortunate accident from any promise or contract that he may have entered into with you concerning it. Any deposit as a collateral for its safe delivery which he might have made, or has promised to make, is clearly forfeited. This, he has been waiting only for your appearance to hand to you."

Arthur crossed to Mr. Dumphy's side and laid his hand lightly upon his shoulder, but with a certain significance of grip palpable to Mr. Dumphy, who after looking into his eyes drew out his check-book. When he had filled in a duplicate of the check he had given Col. Starbottle two days before, Arthur took it from his hand and touched the bell . "As we will not burden Col. Starbottle unnecessarily, your cashier's acceptance of this paper will enable him to use it henceforth at his pleasure, and as I expect to have the pleasure of the Colonel's company to my office, will you kindly have this done at once."

The clerk appeared, and at Mr. Poinsett's direction took the check from the almost passive fingers of Mr. Dumphy.

"Allow me to express my perfect satisfaction with—er—er your explanation!" said Col. Starbottle, extending one hand to Arthur while at the same moment he gracefully readjusted his shirt-bosom with the other. "Trouble yourself no further—regarding the—er—er paper. I trust it will—er—yet be found, if not, sir, I shall—er—er—" added the Colonel with honorable resignation, "hold myself personally responsible to my client, blank me!"

"Was there no mark upon the envelope by which it might be known without explaining its contents?" suggested Arthur.

"None, sir,—a plain yellow envelope. Stop! " said the Colonel, striking his