You tell me, sir, that you hold Mortallone by
grant, and doubtless you can show your title."
"Willingly, madam." Dr. Beauregard rose, and stepped to the French
window. "You can read Spanish?" he asked, turning there and pausing.
"Not a word", answered Miss Belcher. The Doctor smiled. "It would
impart nothing it you could," said he, with a smile, "for I will own
to you frankly that Mortallone has always been under suspicion of
containing treasure, and in the grant all treasure-trove is expressly
reserved. I cannot say," he added, smiling again, "that I have
strictly observed the clause; but, as between you and me, it legally
disposes of my claim."
"Thank you," said Miss Belcher; "but I don't own an equally tender
conscience towards Governments." Here Mr. Rogers winked at me, for
as a patron of smugglers Miss Belcher enjoyed some reputation, even
for a Cornish landowner. "We will leave Government out of the
question; but as proprietor--lord of the manor, as we should say at
home--you have a right to your share; and that, by English law--which
I suggest we follow--is one-third."
Dr. Beauregard bowed. "I'm infinitely obliged to you, ma'am, and I
make no doubt that what you so generously promise you will as
honourably give--when I claim it.
Pages:
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353