Authors: George W. M. Reynolds,James Malcolm Rymer
The
men, likewise, who had been ordered by the coroner to remove the body, soon
reached the spot, and they gave an increased impetus to the proceedings, by
opening the door of the subterranean passage, and then looking earnestly along
the beach as if in expectation of something or somebody of importance.
When
eagerly questioned by the mob, for the throng of persons now assembled quite
amounted to a mob, to know what they waited for, one of them said,—
"A
coffin was to have been brought down to take the body in."
This
announcement at once removed anything doubtful that might be in the minds of
any of them upon the subject, and at once proclaimed the fact not only that
there was a dead body, but that if they looked out they would see it forthwith.
The
throng thickened, and by the time two men were observed approaching with a
coffin on their shoulders, there was scarcely anybody left in the town, except
a few rare persons, indeed, who were not so curious as their neighbours.
It
was not an agreeable job, even to those men who were not the most particular in
the world, to be removing so loathsome a spectacle as that which they were
pretty sure to encounter in the ice-well; but they did not shrink from it, and,
by setting about it as a duty, they got through it tolerably well.
They
took with them several large torches, and then, one having descended into the
pit, fastened a rope under the arms of the dead man, and so he was hauled out,
and placed in the shell that was ready to receive him.
They
were all surprised at the fresh and almost healthful appearance of the
countenance, and it was quite evident to everybody that if any one had known
him in life, they could not have the least possible difficulty in recognising
him now that he was no more.
And
the only appearance of injury which he exhibited was in that dreadful wound
which had certainly proved his death, and which was observable in his throat
the moment they looked upon him.
The
crush to obtain a sight of the body was tremendous at the moment it was brought
out, and a vast concourse of persons followed it in procession to the town,
where the greatest excitement prevailed. It was easily discovered that no known
person was missing, and some who had caught a sight of the body, went so far as
to assert that it must have been in the ice-well for years, and that the
extreme cold had preserved it in all its original freshness.
The
news, of course, came round, although not through the baron, for he did not
condescend to say one word about it at the inn, and it was the landlord who
first started the suggestion of—"What suppose it is the gentleman who left
his horse here?"
This
idea had no sooner got possession of his brain, than it each moment seemed to him
to assume a more reasonable and tangible form, and without saying any more to
any one else about it, he at once started off to where the body lay awaiting an
inquest, to see if his suspicions were correct.
When
he arrived at the public-house and asked to see the body, he was at once
permitted to do so; for the landlord knew him, and was as curious as he could
be upon the subject by any possibility. One glance, of course, was sufficient,
and the landlord at once said,—
"Yes,
I have seen him before, though I don't know his name. He came to my house last
night, and left his horse there; and, although I only saw him for a moment as
he passed through the hall, I am certain I am not mistaken. I dare say all my
waiters will recognise him, as well as the Baron Stolmuyer of Saltzburgh, who
is staying with me, and who no doubt knows very well who he is, for he went out
with him late and came home alone, and I ordered one of my men to wait up all
night in order to let in this very person who is now lying dead before
us."
"The
deuce you did! But you don't suppose the baron murdered him, do you?"
"It's
a mystery to me altogether—quite a profound mystery. It's very unlikely,
certainly; and what's the most extraordinary part of the whole affair is, how
the deuce could he come into one of the ice-wells belonging to Anderbury House.
That's what puzzles me altogether."
"Well,
it will all come out, I hope, at the inquest, which is to be held at four
o'clock to day. There must have been foul play somewhere, but the mystery is where,
and that Heaven only knows, perhaps."
"I
shall attend," said the landlord, "of course, to identify him; and I
suppose, unless anybody claims the horse, I may as well keep possession of
it."
"Don't
you flatter yourself that you will get the horse out of the transaction. Don't
you know quite well that the government takes possession of everything as don't
belong to nobody?"
"Yes;
but I have got him, and possession, you know, is nine points of the law."
"It
may be so; but their tenth point will get the better of you for all that. You
take my word for it, the horse will be claimed of you; but I don't mind, as an
old acquaintance, putting you up to a dodge."
"In
what way?"
"Why,
I'll tell you what happened with a friend of mine; but don't think it was me for
if it was I would tell you at once, so don't think it. He kept a country
public-house; and, one day, an elderly gentleman came in, and appeared to be
unwell. He just uttered a word or two, and then dropped down dead. He happened
to have in his fob a gold repeater, that was worth, at least a hundred guineas,
and my friend, before anybody came, took it out, and popped in, in its stead,
an old watch that he had, which was not worth a couple of pounds."
"It
was running a risk."
"It
was; but it turned out very well, because the old gentleman happened to be a
very eccentric person, and was living alone, so that his friends really did not
know what he had, or what he had not, but took it for granted that any watch
produced belonged to him. So, if I were you in this case, when the gentleman's
horse is claimed. I'd get the d—dest old screw I could, and let them have
that."
"You
would?"
"Indeed
would I, and glory in it, too, as the very best thing that could be done. Now,
a horse is of use to you?"
"I
believe ye, it is."
"Exactly;
but what's the use of it to government? and, what's more, if it went to the
government, there might be some excuse; but the government will know no more
about it, and make not so much as I shall. Some Jack-in-office will lay hold of
it as a thing of course and a perquisite, when you might just as well, and a
great deal better, too, keep it yourself, for it would do you some good, as you
say, and none to them."
"I'll
do it; it is a good and a happy thought. There is no reason on earth why I shouldn't
do it, and I will. I have made up my mind to it now."
"Well,
I am glad you have. What do you think now the dead man's horse is worth?"
"Oh!
fifty or sixty guineas value."
"Then
very good. Then, when the affair is all settled, I will trouble you for twenty
pounds.
"You?"
"Yes,
to be sure. Who else do you suppose is going to interfere with you? One is
enough, ain't it, at a time; and I think, after giving you such advice as I
have, that I am entitled, at all events, to something."
"I
tell you what," said the landlord of the hotel, "taking all things
into consideration, I have altered my mind rather, and won't do it."
"Very
good. You need not; only mind, if you do, I am down upon you like a shot."
The
excitement contingent upon the inquest was very great; indeed, the large room
in the public-house, where it was held, was crowded to suffocation with persons
who were anxious to be present at the proceedings. When the landlord reached
home, of course he told his guest, the baron, of the discovery he had made,
that the murdered man was the strange visitor of the previous night; for now,
from the frightful wound he had received in his throat, the belief that he was
murdered became too rational a one to admit of any doubts, and was that which
was universally adopted in preference to any other suggestion upon the
occasion; although, no doubt, people would be found who would not scruple to
aver that he had cut his own throat, after making his way into the well
belonging to Anderbury House.
The
landlord had his own misgivings concerning his guest, the baron, now that
something had occurred of such an awful and mysterious a nature to one who was
evidently known to him. It did not seem to be a pleasant thing to have such an
intimate friend of a man who had been murdered in one's house, especially when
it came to be considered that he was the last person seen in his company, and
that, consequently, he was peculiarly called upon to give an explanation of
how, and under what circumstances, he had parted with him.
The
baron was sitting smoking in the most unconcerned manner in the world, when the
landlord came to bring him this intelligence, and, when he had heard him to an
end, the remark he made was,—
"Really,
you very much surprise me; but, perhaps, as you are better acquainted with the
town than I am, you can tell me who he was?"
"Why,
sir, that is what we hoped you would be able to tell us."
"How
should I tell you? He introduced himself to me as a Mr. Mitchell, a surveyor,
and he said that, hearing I talked of purchasing or renting
Anderbury-on-the-Mount, he came to tell me that the principal side wall, that
you could see from the beach, was off the perpendicular."
"Indeed,
sir!"
"Yes;
and as this was a very interesting circumstance to me, considering that I
really did contemplate such a purchase or renting, and do so still, as it was a
moonlight night, and he said he could show me in a minute what he meant if I
would accompany him, I did so; but when we got there, and on the road, I heard
quite enough of him to convince me that he was a little out of his senses, and,
consequently, I paid no more attention to what he said, but walked home and
left him on the beach."
"It's
a most extraordinary circumstance, sir; there is no such person, I assure you,
as Mitchell, a surveyor, in the town; so I can't make it out in the
least."
"But,
I tell you, I consider the man out of his senses, and perhaps that may account
for the whole affair."
"Oh,
yes, sir, that would, certainly; but still, it's a very odd thing, because we
don't know of such a person at all, and it does seem so extraordinary that he
should have made his appearance, all of a sudden, in this sort of way. I
suppose, sir, that you will attend the inquest, now, that's to be held upon
him?"
"Oh,
yes; I have no objection whatever to that; indeed, I feel myself bound to do
so, because I suppose mine is the latest evidence that can be at all produced
concerning him."
"Unquestionably,
sir; our coroner is a very clever man, and you will be glad to know him—very
glad to know him, sir, and he will be glad to know you, so I am sure it will be
a mutual gratification. It's at four o'clock the inquest is to be, and I dare
say, sir, if you are there by half-past, it will be time enough."
"No
doubt of that; but I will be punctual."
We
have already said the room in which the inquest was to be held was crowded
almost to suffocation, and not only was that the case, but the lower part of
the house was crammed with people likewise; and there can be very little doubt
but the baron would have shrunk from such an investigation from a number of
curious eyes, if he could have done so; while the landlord of the house would
have had no objection, as far as his profit was concerned in the sale of a
great quantity of beer and spirits, to have had such an occurrence every day in
the week, if possible.
The
body lay still in the shell where it had been originally placed. After it had
been viewed by the jury, and almost every one had remarked upon the
extraordinary fresh appearance it wore, they proceeded at once to the inquiry,
and the first witness who appeared was Mr. Leek, who deposed to have been in
company with some gentlemen viewing Anderbury House, and to have found the body
in one of the ice-wells of that establishment.
This
evidence was corroborated by that of Davis, who had so unexpectedly jumped into
the well, without being aware that it contained already so disagreeable a
visitor as it did in the person of the murdered man, regarding the cause of
whose death the present inquiry was instituted.
Then the
landlord identified the body as that of a gentleman who had come to his house
on horseback, and who had afterwards walked out with Baron Stolmuyer of
Saltzburgh, who was one of his guests.
"Is
that gentleman in attendance?" said the coroner.
"Yes,
sir, he is; I told him about it, and he has kindly come forward to give all the
evidence in his power concerning it."
There
was a general expression of interest and curiosity when the baron stepped
forward, attired in his magnificent coat, trimmed with fur, and tendered his
evidence to the coroner, which, of course, was precisely the same as the
statement he had made to the landlord of the house; for, as he had made up such
a well connected story, he was not likely to prevaricate or to depart from it
in the smallest particular.