Of this latter class was Richard Sharp, Banister, whose name might have been read on the door of an exceedingly dirty little office not far from Wall Street. Being under the necessity of introducing my reader to some acquaintances and localities not altogether desirable I must trouble him to enter Mr. Sharp’s office.
In the centre of the office stands a table covered with green baize. Scattered8 over it are diverse bundles tied with red tape, evidently intended to give the unsophisticated visitor the impression that Mr. Sharp’s business is in a most flourishing condition. Nevertheless, since the novelist is permitted to see farther into the shams9 which he describes than is accorded to others less privileged, it may be remarked that these identical bundles have lain upon the table with no other alteration10 than an occasional change of arrangement, ever since the office was opened.
The enterprising proprietor11 of the bundles aforesaid is smoking a cigar, while reading the Morning Herald12, and occasionally glancing out of the window near by. His features 34would hardly justify13 the description of “beauty in repose,” being deeply pitted with smallpox14, which is not usually thought to improve the appearance. His nose is large and spreading at the base. His hair is deeply, darkly, beautifully red, bristling15 like a cat’s fur when accidentally rubbed the wrong way. Add to these a long, scraggy neck, and the reader has a tolerable idea of Mr. Sharp as he sat in his office on the first day of October, 18—.
How long he would have sat thus, if uninterrupted, is uncertain. His meditations16 were broken in upon by a quick, imperative17 knock at the door. The effect upon Mr. Sharp was electrical. He sprang from his seat, tossed his cigar away, wheeled his chair round to the table, and drawing a blank legal form towards him, knit his brows and began to write as if life and death depended upon his haste. Meanwhile the visitor became impatient and rapped again, this time more imperatively18.
“Come in,” called Mr. Sharp, in a deep bass19 voice, not raising his eyes from the paper on which his pen was now scratching furiously. “Take a seat; shall be at leisure in a moment,—full of business, you know,—can’t get a moment’s rest.”
When at length he found time to look up, he met the gaze of our recent acquaintance, Lewis Rand. The latter, who had penetration20 enough to see through the lawyer’s artifice21, smiled a little derisively22.
“It must be a satisfaction to you,” he said, rather dryly, “to find your services in such request.”
“Why, yes, ahem! yes,” said the lawyer, passing his fingers through his bristling locks. “It is a satisfaction as you say, though I confess,” he continued, with a dashing effrontery23 quite refreshing24 to contemplate25, “that sometimes when my labors26 are protracted27 far into the night, I feel that 35business has its pains as well as pleasures, and cannot help wishing that——”
“That you had a partner to relieve you of a portion of your toils28, you doubtless mean to say,” interrupted Lewis, with a quizzical smile; for he was quite aware that Mr. Sharp meant no such thing. “In that case I know the very man for you; a young man just entered at the bar, very promising29, and bidding fair to distinguish himself in his profession. I should be happy to serve both you and him. When shall I introduce him?”
“Why,” said Sharp, in some embarrassment30, for he knew to his cost that his business was quite too limited to support himself, much less a partner. “Why, you see, although my business is, as I said, very driving, I do not at present think of taking a partner. The fact is, I never enjoy myself more than when I am hard at work. It is an idiosyncrasy of mine, if I may so express myself.”
“When I do conclude to take a partner, which the increase of my business may at some time render absolutely necessary,” he added, graciously inclining his head, “I will certainly think of your friend. Your recommendation will be a sufficient guarantee of his ability.”
“I feel deeply indebted to you for the confidence you express in my judgment,” said Lewis, bowing, “particularly as I am a perfect stranger to you. Such instances are rarely met with in a world like ours.”
Mr. Sharp was not quite sure whether his visitor was not secretly bantering32 him. He thought it best, however, to construe33 his meaning literally34.
“I think I have not mentioned it.”
36“O ho, ahem! perhaps not,” continued Mr. Sharp, finding his little artifice to obtain his visitor’s name ineffectual, “but as I was about to say, I seldom give my confidence without good reason. I am—I may say—somewhat skilled in physiognomy, and a cursory36 examination of the features is sufficient, in ordinary cases, to enable me to form an opinion of a person.”
Mr. Sharp was fertile in expedients37, and had an abundant share of self-possession.
“Oh, by all means, sir, by all means?” returned Mr. Sharp, assuming a brisk tone at the prospect39 of a client. “As I before remarked, I never feel more completely in my element than when immersed in business. It is an——”
“If you will give me your attention for a few minutes,” pursued Lewis, unceremoniously interrupting him, “I will endeavor to explain the nature of the service I require.”
Mr. Sharp bent40 forward, and assumed an attitude of the most earnest attention. He nodded slightly, and screwed up his eyes, as if to intimate that he was about to concentrate all his mental energies upon the matter in hand.
“You must know,” said Lewis, slowly, “that there are two persons living in this city whose presence, in what way it is needless to specify41, conflict very seriously with my interests. It is my wish to bring some motive42 to bear upon them which shall lead to their departure from the city.”
“I understand,” nodded Mr. Sharp, with an air of profound wisdom. “Go on, my good sir.”
“One difficulty, however, meets me at the outset,” continued Lewis; “I do not know in what part of the city the two persons——”
“Aforesaid,” prompted Mr. Sharp, nodding sagaciously.
37“Live,” concluded Lewis, not heeding43 the interpolation; “nor have I any definite clew by which to find them.”
“Can you describe these persons to me so that I may be able to identify them?”
“That is not easy, since one of them I have never seen but once, and the other but once in fifteen years.”
Mr. Sharp looked a little puzzled.
“I can, however, tell you this much. One is a man of about forty, who appears somewhat older. The other, his daughter, is a girl of fourteen, or thereabouts. The former is a little absent in manner, or was formerly44 so; the little girl, I should judge, is attractive in her personal appearance.”
“When did you last meet them?” inquired the lawyer.
“One evening last week.”
“And where?”
“They were then leaning against the railing on the west side of the Park.”
“Can you tell at what hour?”
“About six.”
“Then it is quite possible that they may be found at the same place some evening, at or near this hour. Very probably they are in the habit of taking a walk at that time and in that direction. We are all creatures of habit, and are apt to stick to the ruts we have made. Have you no other clew by which I may be guided? It is quite likely that there are others to whom the description you have given will apply. When you saw them, in what manner were they dressed?”
“I had but a brief glimpse, and do not feel altogether sure. The father is as tall as yourself. I can tell you the girl’s name also; it is Helen.”
“And her father’s?”
“I could tell you his real name, but as I have every reason to believe that he has dropped it and assumed another, it 38will, perhaps, be unnecessary. His Christian45 name is Robert.”
“The first step, then,” said Mr. Sharp, reflectively, “is, of course, to find these persons. This will be a matter of some difficulty, and may require considerable time. I do not doubt, however, that I shall ultimately be able to accomplish it. May I inquire whether they are in good circumstances pecuniarily46?”
“Probably not. I presume their means are quite limited.”
“So much the better.”
“For what reason?” inquired Lewis, in some curiosity.
“Simply this. You tell me you are desirous of removing them from the city; if they are poor it will be much easier to offer an inducement likely to weigh with them, than if they were in prosperous circumstances.”
“There is something in that, I admit, but if Robert is as proud as he used to be in days gone by, such an attempt would avail but little. However, there is no occasion to consider what further steps are to be taken, till we have actually found them. That must be our first care.”
“In that I shall endeavor to serve you. How and where shall I communicate with you?”
“I shall call upon you frequently. There may, however, be occasions when it will be needful to communicate with me without delay. In such an event, a note directed to L. Thornton, Box 1228, will reach me.”
There will of course be no difficulty in divining why Lewis considered it detrimental48 to his interests that Helen and her father should remain in the city. He was in constant alarm lest some accident should bring together the father and son, who had for so long a time been separated 39from each other. He was playing for a large stake, and was not fastidious as to the means employed, provided they insured his success. His visit to the copyist, and the bold forgery49 perpetrated with his assistance, afforded sufficient evidence of this. He was disposed, however, to use very prudent50 precaution. Why he was induced to call in the co-operation of a needy, and well nigh briefless lawyer like Mr. Sharp, may be gathered from the soliloquy in which he indulged on leaving the office of the worthy51 attorney.
“There’s a great deal of humbug52 about that fellow,” he said to himself, “but he is quick-witted and unscrupulous—two qualities which adapt him to my service. Again, he is poor, and not overburdened with business, so that he will be the more likely to attach himself to my interests. Things seem to be in a fair train. It is fortunate that my cousin does not know of his father’s removal to this city; he doubtless imagines him a hundred miles away. It is indispensable that I should not show myself in this business, but leave everything to Sharp. When the property is mine, I can bid my cousin defiance53.”
The wily nephew hastened to the bedside of his uncle, where, with feigned54 solicitude55, he inquired after his health. It is well for our happiness that we cannot always read the hearts of those about us. How hollow and empty would then seem some of the courtesies of life!
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1
disciples
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| n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一 | |
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needy
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| adj.贫穷的，贫困的，生活艰苦的 | |
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3
versed
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| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
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chicanery
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| n.欺诈，欺骗 | |
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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7
perverting
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| v.滥用( pervert的现在分词 )；腐蚀；败坏；使堕落 | |
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8
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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9
shams
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| 假象( sham的名词复数 )； 假货； 虚假的行为（或感情、言语等）； 假装…的人 | |
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10
alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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proprietor
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| n.所有人；业主；经营者 | |
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12
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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13
justify
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| vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护 | |
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14
smallpox
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| n.天花 | |
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15
bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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16
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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17
imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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18
imperatively
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| adv.命令式地 | |
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19
bass
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| n.男低音(歌手)；低音乐器；低音大提琴 | |
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20
penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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21
artifice
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| n.妙计，高明的手段；狡诈，诡计 | |
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22
derisively
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| adv. 嘲笑地，嘲弄地 | |
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23
effrontery
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| n.厚颜无耻 | |
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24
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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25
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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26
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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27
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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28
toils
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| 网 | |
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29
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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30
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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31
evasion
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| n.逃避，偷漏(税) | |
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32
bantering
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| adj.嘲弄的v.开玩笑，说笑，逗乐( banter的现在分词 )；（善意地）取笑，逗弄 | |
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33
construe
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| v.翻译，解释 | |
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literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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35
bestowing
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| 砖窑中砖堆上层已烧透的砖 | |
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36
cursory
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| adj.粗略的；草率的；匆促的 | |
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37
expedients
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| n.应急有效的，权宜之计的( expedient的名词复数 ) | |
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38
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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39
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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40
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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41
specify
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| vt.指定，详细说明 | |
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42
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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43
heeding
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的现在分词 ) | |
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44
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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45
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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46
pecuniarily
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| adv.在金钱上，在金钱方面 | |
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47
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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48
detrimental
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| adj.损害的，造成伤害的 | |
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49
forgery
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| n.伪造的文件等，赝品，伪造（行为） | |
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50
prudent
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| adj.谨慎的，有远见的，精打细算的 | |
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51
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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52
humbug
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| n.花招，谎话，欺骗 | |
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53
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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54
feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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55
solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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